Urban Martial Saint

Though Ye Qing memorized the Tianzhu Sword Technique, he focused more on the method of Inner Strength circulation because that is the key to controlling the Tianzhu Sword. As for the techniques afterwards, Ye Qing also kept them in mind, but in reality, when truly facing an expert, these fixed techniques aren’t very useful.

However, the three Sword Marks left by Wu Tianchi are different. Ye Qing had heard from Shen Tianjun before that within these three Sword Marks, Wu Tianchi’s insights into Sword Dao and Martial Path are embedded, representing the culmination of Wu Tianchi’s thousand-year understanding of key elements. Even someone with Shen Tianjun’s prowess could not replicate the Sword Intent within these three Sword Marks upon seeing them.

This time, not only could Ye Qing replicate the three Sword Marks, but he could also vaguely feel the Sword Intent within them. Moreover, the most crucial part was that this Sword Intent, combined with the techniques from the Tianzhu Sword Technique, gave Ye Qing a newfound understanding of these techniques. It was as though he had previously learned only the techniques, but now he had obtained the matching Mnemonic Chant, knowing how these techniques should be used.

This discovery delighted Ye Qing immensely, though he did not understand the exact reason for it. Nonetheless, the existence of these three Sword Marks enabled him to thoroughly comprehend the techniques of the Tianzhu Sword Technique. Additionally, the techniques of the Tianzhu Sword Technique are extraordinary. Ye Qing was certain that if he could harness his own power and stimulate the forces within the Tianzhu Sword, combining them with the newly understood techniques and Sword Intent, the power of the Tianzhu Sword Technique would surely rival the Six Ultimate Moves passed down by Patriarch Bodhidharma.

Although Wu Tianchi’s Sword Intent contained only three Sword Marks, it was all-encompassing, embodying Wu Tianchi’s lifelong realizations, comparable to Patriarch Bodhidharma. Despite being just three Sword Marks, Ye Qing had already seen that these three Sword Marks could validate all Martial Techniques of the world. By using the ideas within the three Sword Marks, Ye Qing even gained a renewed understanding of the Bajiquan he had learned, elevating his insight into Bajiquan to a deeper level, instilling even greater admiration for Wu Tianchi.

Nevertheless, Ye Qing still couldn’t understand why, having previously seen these three Sword Marks, he would suffer from the backlash of their power. Yet this time, when he replicated the three Sword Marks, he felt no backlash at all.

In truth, Ye Qing was unaware that the three Sword Marks left by Wu Tianchi represented the foundation of Wu Tianchi’s learning. Wu Tianchi’s teachings differed from those of the world, as he followed a path that was neither Buddhist, demon, nor Taoist, deviating from these three sects. Therefore, his Martial Techniques were incompatible with these sects. Ye Qing’s previous Inner Strength was inherited from Northern Fist King Li Changqing, whose Martial Arts stemmed from a branch of the Buddhist Sect, naturally intertwined with Buddhist forces. When Ye Qing initially came here, his internal power conflicted with Wu Tianchi’s forces, resulting in such backlash.

It wasn’t just Ye Qing’s power that suffered backlash. Yin Xianzi also entered this cave and experienced the same scenario, also suffering backlash from the power of the three Sword Marks. Yin Xianzi’s force, linked to the Taoist Sect, naturally couldn’t merge with Wu Tianchi’s power.

However, Ye Qing’s current situation was different. His Meridians were gone, with no personal force within him. Although Buddhist, Taoist, and demon forces existed, they were not usable by him. In other words, when he replicated Wu Tianchi’s three Sword Marks, he had no controllable force internally, naturally avoiding backlash from Wu Tianchi’s power, enabling him to successfully replicate the three Sword Marks.

Wu Tianchi’s three Sword Marks may seem simple, but they encompass all of his Martial Path insights, validating all Martial Arts. Such insights, untainted by force, were useful for validating any technique. For instance, the Bajiquan Ye Qing previously learned followed the Buddhist Sect route, using Buddhist concepts to validate Martial Techniques. However, employing Wu Tianchi’s insights into Martial Path to validate Bajiquan naturally resulted in new understanding. As a result, Bajiquan could be performed in two different ways, akin to Ye Qing learning two Unique Skills, a remarkable achievement.

Just like when Shen Tianjun guided Ye Qing in Martial Techniques, Shen Tianjun’s techniques leaned towards the Taoist Sect. Therefore, his understanding of Bajiquan naturally differed from Li Changqing’s. Thus, Bajiquan performed by him was completely different from Li Changqing’s execution. Now, Ye Qing, having learned Wu Tianchi’s insights, also reflected in this effect; this Bajiquan, combined with Wu Tianchi’s Martial Path philosophy, naturally differed from that of Shen Tianjun and Li Changqing.

Moreover, the most crucial aspect wasn’t just the ability to perform these Unique Skills in different manners. The key point was that Wu Tianchi’s philosophy surpassed Shen Tianjun and Li Changqing by several levels. Thus, validating Martial Techniques through Wu Tianchi’s philosophy could only make a technique more formidable. This situation is akin to the comparison Ye Qing made with Tie Yongwen. Though Tie Yongwen is a Xingyi Quan expert, his Xingyi Quan and that taught by Shen Tianjun are on entirely different levels. Since Shen Tianjun’s level far surpasses Tie Yongwen’s, naturally Shen Tianjun’s understanding of Martial Arts is stronger than Tie Yongwen’s. Therefore, the Xingyi Quan taught by Shen Tianjun is superior to Tie Yongwen’s Xingyi Quan.

In simpler terms, if a Peak Master and a Top-Level Master taught a disciple simultaneously, the Peak Master’s philosophy would certainly surpass the Top-Level Master’s philosophy. Because differing realms lead to entirely different understandings of force and Martial Techniques.

The current situation is akin to this. With Wu Tianchi’s accumulations spanning a millennium, the extent of his realm is beyond anyone’s estimation. However, one thing is certain: Wu Tianchi’s prowess has undeniably surpassed the acme. Moreover, as An Shiping remarked previously, even Corpse Ghost Dragon feared Wu Tianchi, indicating how Wu Tianchi’s power vastly exceeded Corpse Ghost Dragon’s. Based on this, Wu Tianchi’s realm is nearly at a terrifying level. Therefore, Wu Tianchi’s Martial Arts philosophy naturally far surpasses any living beings of the current era!

Ye Qing could never have imagined that he would encounter such an opportune moment to realize Wu Tianchi’s inherited Martial Arts philosophy, despite losing his Inner Strength and lacking Meridians. This realization also granted Ye Qing a new understanding of Martial Arts. For some reason, he vaguely felt that his previously learned Martial Arts seemed flawed, lacking completeness.

Of course, this was merely a feeling for now. Ye Qing, currently devoid of power, naturally couldn’t fully perceive the flaws of previous forces; this thought could only temporarily remain buried in his mind.

Realizing Wu Tianchi’s Martial Arts philosophy stirred great excitement in Ye Qing’s heart. He stood within this cave for a full day and night, persistently replicating Wu Tianchi’s three Sword Marks and pondering Wu Tianchi’s Martial Arts philosophy, validating each aspect of Martial Arts he had learned. Each validation with Wu Tianchi’s philosophy presented Ye Qing with renewed insights, elevating his understanding of Martial Arts to a new and unprecedented height. Ye Qing could almost assert that if he had Meridians and could practice Martial Arts anew, his training speed would surely be tenfold that of an ordinary person. Most importantly, should he reach the peak realm, his prowess would certainly surpass most within the same realm. His understanding of Martial Arts philosophy had already far exceeded those of the same realm. A technique performed by him would unleash power reaching a terrifying extent!

Of course, this was mere speculation. Ye Qing no longer had Meridians in his body, let alone the ability to practice Martial Arts. His sole focus now was to thoroughly memorize these Martial Arts philosophies. Once he left the Demon Hideout Cave, he could impart these philosophies to those around him, possibly profoundly inspiring them. Perhaps, someone like Fu Qingping, if able to grasp Wu Tianchi’s Martial Arts philosophy, might even break through the shackles of acme, achieving power surpassing acme!

Standing here for a full day and night, Ye Qing almost lost track of time, silently absorbing Wu Tianchi’s Martial Arts philosophy. The deeper his contemplation, the more aware he became of imperfections in his previous learning, yet he couldn’t discern exactly where the flaws lay. Nonetheless, Ye Qing’s heart harbored an odd feeling that if he could rectify the flaws within his previous learning, he might directly break through the constraints of acme, surpassing the acme realm. It was exactly due to the flaws in previous learning that hampered one’s ability to transcend the constraints of acme, preventing the attainment of power surpassing acme.

While Ye Qing was fully engrossed in replicating Wu Tianchi’s three Sword Marks, deeply contemplating the flaws in his previous learning, a sudden disturbance within the cave caught his attention, startling him. He lifted his gaze to find the Devouring Demon Flowers surrounding the cave starting to move slowly, without knowing what had occurred.

Ye Qing was astonished, having spent a significant time in the Demon Hideout Cave. Other than during the Heart Demon Great Array, these Devouring Demon Flowers had never moved outside of that moment. Why were the Devouring Demon Flowers suddenly moving now? He hadn’t touched anything within the cave; what could have happened? Could it be that Nalan Jingwei and those from the Church outside had inadvertently activated these Devouring Demon Flowers, causing their sudden movement?