Listening to Chen Changsheng, Yuanshan suddenly spoke up. "Big Brother Changsheng, since that senior left his legacy here, why isn't there a trial? Wasn't he afraid someone might just stumble upon his things by chance?"
"Who said there's no trial?" Chen Changsheng countered. "The entire Wuliang Secret Realm is the greatest trial. It's named 'Wuliang' precisely because this secret realm is nearly boundless. It opens every fifty years and has existed since the founding of the Great Qian Empire. Over a thousand years have passed, and the treasures here still haven't been exhausted. Faced with an seemingly inexhaustible gold mine like this, who would pay attention to this scenic but seemingly useless sea of flowers?"
"We cultivate to seek the Dao. Some seek the Martial Dao, others seek the Dao of Longevity. No matter what Dao one pursues, the most important thing is not to be deluded by external objects. But look at the people who entered this secret realm—they are all blinded by the treasures here. Who among them still remembers their original aspiration? Those who forget their original aspiration, how could they possibly stop to appreciate this sea of flowers?"
Hearing Chen Changsheng's words, Yuanshan nodded, though only partially understanding.
"Big Brother Changsheng, what was this senior's name?"
"I don't know. It wasn't written. Let's open it; maybe there's a clue inside."
"Okay!" Hearing they were going to open the coffin, Yuanshan immediately became excited.
Squeak~
With a grating sound, the heavy stone coffin was pried open a crack by the two. The gap gradually widened. Before Yuanshan could even lean in to look clearly, a bright light shot out from within the coffin, sucking both of them inside.
After another dizzying spatial shift, Chen Changsheng and Yuanshan found themselves in a pure white space. In the center of this space stood a man whose features were indistinct, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Obtaining this opportunity proves you have not been deluded by external objects," a resonant voice echoed. "I excelled in fist techniques. This set of fist techniques contains the culmination of my life's learning. I hope those of later generations will cherish it well."
As he spoke, the figure began demonstrating the fist technique on its own. The moves of the technique weren't complex, but there was an indescribable essence and rhythm to each posture and movement. Soon, the demonstration concluded, and the figure spoke again.
"This fist technique does not emphasize the forms, but rather the intent."
"In my later years, I faced nine opponents. Nine fists were thrown; nine opponents were defeated."
After these words, the surroundings transformed once more. The figure now stood atop a mountain peak. Surrounding him were nine figures shrouded in powerful, dark auras. Then, the figure on the mountain peak slowly threw a punch. Although the speed of the punch seemed extremely slow, the surrounding mountains and rivers shattered into dust under its force.
Both Chen Changsheng and Yuanshan were struck speechless by the scene, staring dumbfounded at the battle. The figure threw nine punches. Each punch carried a different, profound concept within it. Such a lofty realm was absolutely beyond Chen Changsheng and Yuanshan's current comprehension.
Once the battle ended, they returned to the white space.
"Those of later generations who learn my fist technique, remember this: the technique itself can lose, but the momentum of the fist must never be weak. When you throw a punch, it must shatter your opponent's courage and spirit."
Following these final words, the space around them began to crumble, and the figure gradually dissipated.
The changing surroundings snapped Chen Changsheng out of his shock from the demonstration. He quickly bowed respectfully. "May I ask for the esteemed name of the Senior?"
Hearing this, the previously wooden figure seemed to gain a trace of consciousness. "The world called me the Hundred Defeats Immortal Venerable."
"Thank you, Immortal Venerable, for bestowing this opportunity," Chen Changsheng said. "Might I ask the name of this fist technique?"
"In my hands, it was my fist technique. In your hands, it becomes your fist technique. Therefore, the technique has no name."
With the last word spoken, the figure of the Hundred Defeats Immortal Venerable completely vanished, and Chen Changsheng and Yuanshan found themselves back in the sea of flowers.
Looking at the familiar surroundings, Chen Changsheng felt a sense of having experienced a profound dream.
"Big Brother Changsheng, I've formed my Golden Core!"
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng turned to see Yuanshan excitedly showing off his cultivation level. Seeing that Yuanshan had directly jumped from the mid Foundation Building stage to the Golden Core stage, Chen Changsheng seemed to realize something and quickly checked his own realm. His own cultivation, originally at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, had unknowingly reached the peak of Foundation Building, just a hair's breadth away from forming his core.
"Big Brother Changsheng, what's going on? How did I form my core in less than an hour?"
Faced with Yuanshan's confusion, Chen Changsheng smiled slightly. "It wasn't an hour. We were inside for at least two months."
"Two months? That long?"
"Of course. When we dug up this coffin, we damaged quite a few of the surrounding flowers. But look around now; those flowers have regrown. Although the Wuliang Secret Realm has abundant spiritual energy, it would definitely take one or two months to reach this state. The reason we felt like we weren't inside for long is because the Immortal Venerable senior's realm was so high it created an illusion for us. Furthermore, while the senior was demonstrating the fist technique, our bodies were unconsciously practicing along many times. With such a powerful senior personally teaching us the fist technique, it's no wonder our cultivation levels improved."
"So that's how it is! If two months have already passed, does that mean we're about to be expelled from the secret realm soon?"
"Probably soon. The Wuliang Secret Realm remains open for five months. We spent two and a half months brewing the wine, and over two months learning the Immortal Venerable senior's fist technique. We should pack up quickly. We might get expelled from the realm at any moment." Saying this, Chen Changsheng headed towards the temporary wooden hut he had built, which stored ten jars of the hard-earned Hundred Flower Wine.
...
Whoosh!
The altar platform trembled, and numerous figures were spat out by the black vortex. Some were excited, some frustrated, and others had fierce, malevolent looks in their eyes.
But soon, everyone realized something was wrong. The elders from their respective sects were absent; only one or two people had come to receive them.
"Sixth Senior Brother, why are you alone? Where are Master and First Senior Brother?" Chen Changsheng asked his Sixth Senior Brother.
In response to Chen Changsheng's inquiry, the Sixth Senior Brother forced a smile. "The border situation is critical. Master and First Senior Brother left for the front two months ago. It seems you both have gained significant rewards. That puts my mind at ease. For the coming period, the two of you will be in charge of Shangqing Temple. We will return soon." Having said that, the Sixth Senior Brother immediately mounted his flying sword and departed.
Watching the direction his Sixth Senior Brother had left, Chen Changsheng's brow remained furrowed for a long time. His Sixth Senior Brother was famously steady and reliable. What could have happened at the border to make him so urgent? Thinking this, Chen Changsheng shook his head helplessly. Because besides worrying about his Master and senior brothers, he was also worrying about a certain little monk and a certain girl.