Essence Devouring Art

There’s a saying in the Mortal World:

A dynasty lasts a hundred years, but a noble house can last a thousand.

No matter how prosperous a nation becomes, it rarely surpasses the thousand-year mark. Yet, the great aristocratic clans, passed down through generations, can endure for millennia, their influence shaping the world.

This saying holds true in the Extraordinary Cultivation Realm as well.

A sect may last a hundred years, but a Holy Land can last a thousand.

An organization that has existed for a thousand years is not necessarily a Holy Land, but a true Martial Arts Sacred Land will always possess a long and profound heritage.

This was Martial King Mountain, one of the Five Peaks of the Southern Border.

A Martial Arts Sacred Land acknowledged by the region and even the entire World, its heritage stretched back over 1,500 years.

In other words...

Even before the Warring States period, Martial King Mountain was already a leader in the Extraordinary Cultivation Realm, a sacred place revered by countless martial cultivators across the land.

Over these 1,500 years...

The foundation Martial King Mountain had accumulated was unfathomably deep, far beyond what a power like Hundred Victories Mountain—which had barely stepped over the threshold of a Holy Land and was in truth merely a top-tier faction—could ever compare to.

Putting other things aside...

Take its Mountain Protection Array, for instance.

Before Wu Dao had even drawn close to Martial King Mountain, he used his Primordial Magnetic Power to sense more than ten types of incredibly condensed magnetic field energies converging to form various offensive and defensive Grand Arrays.

From the heavens to the earth, from all Ten Directions.

They sealed the area, protecting Martial King Mountain from every conceivable angle, leaving no blind spots.

VMMMM~

The moment Wu Dao came within ten miles of Martial King Mountain, he felt the magnetic field energies in the void gather into a vast and heavy ocean, pressing down on him layer by layer.

It was clearly some sort of Anti-air Array. Even for someone as powerful as him, it was now impossible to continue flying forward without permission.

Furthermore...

The moment his presence was detected in the area...

The sky abruptly grew hazy and indistinct, as if veiled by a gossamer mist that completely blocked all perception and sight. Suddenly, Martial King Mountain seemed to be a world away.

”What scoundrel dares trespass upon our mountain?”

WHOOSH~

In the next instant...

Three white-robed Array Guard Disciples flew out from the mist. Each had an imposing, powerful bearing, their auras fierce and strong, as they barked their challenge.

However, upon seeing Wu Dao...

The three disciples took a moment to confirm his appearance, and their attitudes immediately became several shades more respectful. They cupped their fists and said:

”We are in the presence of Alliance Leader Wu of the Overlord Whale Alliance, correct? Please forgive our impertinent words just now.”

”Haha, you were merely performing your duties. How could it be an offense?”

Wu Dao was not the type to look down his nose at others. He smiled and returned the gesture, cupping his fists in a salute. At the same time, he noted the cultivation of these three gate-guarding disciples.

All three were Grandmasters at the Peak of the Innate Second Step. Furthermore, they had achieved a profound Mastery of Fist Dao, and their skills were faintly touching upon the rudiments of a Mental Realm.

Tsk, tsk...

’As expected of a Martial Arts Sacred Land.’

Down in the Jianghu, cultivators of their strength could compete for the top three spots on the martial rankings of an entire Prefecture. But here at Martial King Mountain, they were merely Array Guard Disciples.

Wu Dao had a general understanding of Martial King Mountain’s organizational structure.

From top to bottom, it was the Martial King, Supreme Elders, the Peak Masters of the various peaks, Inner and Outer Sect Elders, Direct Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, and Outer Sect Disciples.

Among them, the various Peak Masters and the high-ranking elders in charge of Inner and Outer Sect affairs generally had a Celestial Human Cultivation. As for the Supreme Elders and the Martial King, they were in the Dao Embryo Realm.

Among the disciples...

Only by stepping into the realm of a Land Immortal could one become a Direct Disciple of a peak, exempt from the many sect missions and contributions, free to focus solely on their martial cultivation.

’The outside world claims the Alliance Leader of the Overlord Whale Alliance is violent and tyrannical. Seeing him now, so humble and gentle, it must be the slanderous gossip of petty men.’

Seeing that this legendary figure, whose fame had recently exploded, was surprisingly approachable, the three Array Guard Disciples couldn’t help but feel a greater sense of goodwill towards him.

Without further delay, they spoke respectfully.

”Please wait a moment, Alliance Leader Wu. We will inform the elders within the mountain. The Martial King has already prepared a banquet and is waiting for your arrival.”

Before coming...

Wu Dao had, of course, already informed Martial King Mountain via a Communication Jade Talisman.

They just didn’t know the exact time of his arrival.

That was what led to this scene.

As for why they didn’t immediately let him in...

This was the Extraordinary World, after all.

Altering one’s appearance and aura was not a difficult feat. The necessary precautions naturally had to be taken.

”It is no trouble.”

Wu Dao gave a faint smile and waved his hand. While the lead disciple was sending the message to Martial King Mountain, he took the opportunity to gaze through the shifting clouds and mist, getting a simple bird’s-eye view of the distant mountain.

His gaze traveled past the end of the white jade staircase to a grand and majestic gatehouse that resembled the legendary Southern Celestial Gate.

Within, he could see ancient and imposing buildings, styled with a rugged and domineering aesthetic, spread across the various peaks. Deeper inside, there were even clusters of buildings on peaks that floated in the sky.

Amidst these clusters of buildings...

Dozens of Martial Arts Arenas, each the size of a soccer field, were scattered everywhere. Figures leaped and dodged across them, their auras and qi waves surging. Shouts that shook the heavens echoed, sounding like the roars of dragons and tigers.

In the skies above, white cranes and spirit birds circled, their cries piercing the clouds, their forms ethereal and immortal-like.

On the mountainsides, there were also various beast gardens and medicine gardens. He could even see some elders teaching disciples how to forge Artifacts and refine Elixir Pills, or lecturing on scriptures.

He had seen his fair share of rogue cultivators and their methods.

To suddenly behold a Martial Arts Sacred Land of this scale and magnificence...

Wu Dao felt a flicker of novelty in his heart. After all, this kind of immortal atmosphere was something that had only existed in the books and fantasies of his past life.

Not long after the news of Wu Dao’s visit was relayed into Martial King Mountain, massive Spiritual Thoughts rose from within the mountain and swept across the space where he stood.

Then...

DONG DONG DONG DONG—

A succession of seven grand bell chimes, sounding like thunderous dragon roars, rolled through the heavens and earth.

Accompanying it...

Was a clear, loud announcement that reverberated throughout the mountain:

”An honored guest has arrived! Open the mountain gates and welcome them together!”

Seven chimes of the bell, a welcome from the entire mountain.

This was a very high honor, showing just how much importance Martial King Mountain placed on Wu Dao.

”Seven chimes from the Nine Dragon Bell! Which great personage has arrived?”

”You’re so out of the loop. I heard from an elder that it’s the Alliance Leader of the Overlord Whale Alliance, Wu Dao, who’s been making all the waves recently.”

”Whoa, then I have to go see! I want to know what the number one person below the Dao Embryo Realm is really like.”

Within Martial King Mountain, whether they were Direct, Inner, or Outer Sect Disciples, the tens of thousands of students were startled by the bell. All those not in deep seclusion began to converge towards the main gate.

”HAHAHA! Hearing about you is nothing like meeting you in person. Now that I see you, Alliance Leader Wu, you truly are a great hero of this age! Forgive me for not coming out to greet you sooner, please forgive me!”

A hearty, earth-shaking laugh boomed across the heavens and earth after the bells fell silent.

Qiu Tianjing, the current Martial King of Martial King Mountain, was clad in a crimson robe patterned like the great sun. A flame-like marking was on his brow, his build was imposing and martial, and his temperament was unrestrained and rugged. With a broad smile, he led a crowd through the air to welcome Wu Dao.

’What a powerful aura...’

Wu Dao watched Qiu Tianjing approach, a calm smile on his face, but his eyes flickered slightly.

Within Qiu Tianjing’s formidable physique, he sensed a restrained yet vast aura—scorching as a great sun, deep as an abyss, and utterly unshakeable!

’The Martial King...’

Wu Dao’s gaze returned to normal. In his mind, information about the current Martial King of Martial King Mountain surfaced involuntarily.

Qiu Tianjing.

A peerless Martial Dao expert of the current age, at the Divine Power Four Transformations of the Dao Embryo Realm. He possessed a Supreme Yang Divine Technique known as ”1:45 PM,” and was just one step away from joining the ranks of Great Divine Power Users.

The Dao Embryo has Divine Power Nine Transformations.

Only after reaching the Fifth Transformation could one be called a Great Divine Power User.

Experts of that level were, in the truest sense, human-shaped natural disasters. Their Mighty Divine Power could easily bring about the creation and destruction of a small world. They were truly on par with Immortal Gods.

Being just one step away...

Qiu Tianjing’s strength was naturally terrifying.

Not to mention...

That majestic Fist Dao aura, as vast and surging as the momentum of the world itself, was suffocating even in the faint wisps he unconsciously released. He had, without a doubt, already condensed his Fist Momentum.

Main Path and Fist Dao.

He cultivated both!

And he had achieved a high level of attainment in each.

’Strong!’

’Extremely strong!’

’He is truly the master of an old Holy Land. The likes of Yan Chongsheng and that Celestial King aren’t even worthy of carrying his shoes.’

’One should never underestimate the heroes of the world.’

’That saying is absolutely true.’

’How strong is Prince Nanyang, then?’

At the same time, Wu Dao’s thoughts turned to Prince Nanyang, the designated next Martial King of Martial King Mountain.

This number one on the Southern Border martial rankings...

Information on his strength hadn’t been updated in over a decade, likely because the Black Dragon Commerce Association was wary of his power and didn’t dare to provoke him.

The last time the martial rankings were updated over ten years ago...

Prince Nanyang’s strength was at the Dao Embryo Fifth Transformation, with Five Fist Transformations.

After more than a decade...

Given his status as a Celestial Treasure Master...

Even if he wasn’t as good as the Demon Suppression Emperor of old, he had surely climbed to the Absolute Peak of the current era!

’What a man, this Wu Dao! I thought I had estimated him highly, but now I see I’ve underestimated him!’

As Wu Dao was sizing up Qiu Tianjing, his mind racing...

Qiu Tianjing was also secretly amazed.

His perception, at the peak of Daoist Embryo Four Transformations, was terrifyingly acute. With a single glance, he had grasped seventy to eighty percent of the truth about Wu Dao’s age and strength.

Everyone said Wu Dao’s title as the number one person below the Dao Embryo Realm was just thanks to Celestial Advantage and was largely exaggerated.

But seeing him today...

Not only did he live up to the name, but the name itself was an understatement.

Qiu Tianjing was certain.

Forget the Celestial Human Twelfth Floor; even a Divine Ability User at the Dao Embryo First Transformation would absolutely not have an easy time in a direct confrontation with Wu Dao.

And that wasn’t even counting Wu Dao’s ability to borrow Celestial Might to attack, which would elevate his true strength by another level.

’Incredible. Truly incredible.’

’He’s also a Celestial Treasure Master.’

’At this age, Junior Brother Zhou was probably still playing dumb and biding his time, with little to show for himself.’

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH~

The mist dissipated, revealing dense crowds of figures.

Accompanying Qiu Tianjing were the four Supreme Elders of Martial King Mountain, along with numerous other elders and Peak Masters.

Among them was Longmu, who had participated in the encirclement of the Celestial King last time. He smiled and greeted Wu Dao as well:

”In such a short time, Alliance Leader Wu’s strength has improved again. It truly puts us old fellows to shame.”

He was genuinely astonished.

Half a month ago...

Apart from that strange technique of wielding Celestial Might, Wu Dao’s strength was at most at the Tenth Floor. But in just half a month...

Wu Dao’s restrained aura...

was already making him, a veteran Dao Embryo First Transformation expert, feel a sense of dread. It was truly terrifying.

”Martial King, Elder Long, you flatter me. I apologize for the imposition. This is a small gift; I hope you will not find it lacking.”

Wu Dao was gracious and agreeable, neither obsequious nor arrogant. With a thought, the Treasure Chest behind him flew before the crowd.

Instantly...

Wisps of the pure fragrance of Ten Thousand Healing Crystals seeped out, filling the air. The scent made one’s body and soul yearn for it, creating an urge to immediately devour it.

’Are these Elemental Stones?’

’No, the purity is much higher!’

Qiu Tianjing and the other high-ranking members of Martial King Mountain suppressed their bodies’ instinctual craving, their hearts filled with amazement.

At their level...

Many of the world’s Heavenly and Earthly Treasures were no longer appealing. Even top-grade Elemental Stones had little effect; they relied on painstaking cultivation.

But the treasure in Wu Dao’s chest...

Its aroma alone was mouth-watering. It was obvious that it was an exceedingly precious item, something that a single piece couldn’t be bought with all the gold and silver in the world.

Yet Wu Dao had produced an entire chest of it!