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The mountain range was instantly illuminated by Wang Sengbian’s saber-light.
“Weightbearer Mountain’s secret?”
Sojourner of Fangshan’s words made Chen Mo and Qin Weiyu both show interest. The Northern Barbarians were located in the far north of the Tail Fire Star Field. This was a region with a mountain range extending a hundred thousand li, maybe even a million. It was boundless, endless as far as the eye could see, and those who lived in the mountains since the very beginning were the barbarian tribes. Reportedly, the Star Field’s barrier lay through the end of Weightbearer Mountain.
Chen Mo only knew that the Northern Barbarian peoples were innately possessed of formidable brute strength, but as for whatever secret Weightbearer Mountain had, he truly did not know.
“What secret is it that it can allow Chen Mo to contend against a Yellow Court Realm Star General’s Star Energy?” Qin Weiyu was not at all convinced of her words.
“Star World has a saying that with virtue, one can take charge of the world.1 Legend has it that these ten thousand li Weightbearer Mountains are formed by the ancient Divine Beast Black Turtle. Because the heaviest object in the world descended in this place, it became a mountain chain in the end. Consequently, it was named Weightbearer Mountain.”
“That the Zhi Ming Star Image appeared over Weightbearer Mountain absolutely is not a fluke.” Wang Sengbian said: “It must be because you cultivated the Book Of Changes Black Turtle. Only with the resonance between the seven Black Meridians and the spirit of Weightbearer Mountain’s Black Turtle can the Black Turtle Spirit Stones manifest.”
“…”
“Are you serious?” Chen Mo was a bit speechless.
Qin Weiyu contemplated: “Wang Sengbian’s words may be true. I have heard that the Four Great Star Images are mostly related to the Four Great Holy Beasts. You cultivate the Book Of Changes Black Turtle. Your opening of the seven apertures illuminated the Black Turtle’s Seven Mansions.”
“Even if it’s true, what use is it? More than half of the Star Mansion Spirit Stones were seized by Huan Wen.” Chen Mo furrowed his brow.
“Did you forget what I just said?” Wang Sengbian seemingly smiled.
“Hm?”
“In the Northern Barbarians’ legends, Weightbearer Mountain was formed by the Black Turtle. The Black Turtle’s True Spirit is beneath the mountain. He who obtains the Black Turtle’s True Sprit would be massive as the earth, solid as stone, invulnerable. That each of the Northern Barbarian tribes possesses innate divine power is due to the legend of the Black Turtle’s blessing. You cultivate the Book Of Changes Black Turtle. The two are linked, so surely you can confront Yellow Court Realm.
“Really?” Chen Mo was not very convinced.
“Star World’s Black Turtle signifies longevity. Her words are actually somewhat reasonable.” Qin Weiyu said.
“But Weightbearer Mountain is so vast, where would we find the Black Turtle True SPirit?” Chen Mo asked.
“You need not worry about this. I have been in the north for many years and already know where it is.” Wang Sengbian self-confidently said.
Seeing the Sojourner Of Fangshan so certain, Chen Mo decided to believe her words: “Then good. Let’s go see it right now.”
“Your current condition is not suitable at all. Can it be you feel you are able to find the Black Turtle True Spirit with your current capabilities?” Wang Sengbian disagreed.
“Time is already running short.”
“Then you must first increase your cultivation within the time limit. I will pass my swordsmanship to you. By then, it will still not be too late. There were countless Northern Barbarian warriors, warriors with greater advantages compared to you, and not a single one of them returned from their search for the Black Turtle. I do not wish for you to follow in their footsteps.” Wang Sengbian stored her saber away. Her gaze was more determined about this than taking care of her own survival.
—
Two months later.
Deep in the Northern Barbarian mountains.
Chen Mo jumped up, passing through the mountain range. Seven magpies flew out from behind him. Upon closer inspection, these seven magpies were sharp daggers, their shapes lifelike, flapping their wings as they slashed at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo spun around and thrust out his palms, taking out a long saber. This saber arced beautifully, and seven brilliant colors shimmered along its edge like the color of sunset. Shockingly, it was Earthly Juncai Star Sojourner Of Fangshan’s Destined Star Weapon, “Fangshan Eastern Cloud.”
Fangshan Eastern Cloud unleashed a sunrise-colored saber-light that drew a gorgeous arc. The saber-light wrapped around the magpie Flying Daggers, but several of them circled past the saber-light, shooting towards Chen Mo’s neck from steep angles.
Chills crawled over Chen Mo’s skin, and he did not dare carelessly block with the saber.
Bang, bang, bang.
The magpie Flying Daggers let out clear collision noises when they clashed with the Fangshan Eastern Cloud.
“Not bad, Chen Mo.” Qin Weiyu appeared on higher ground not far away. The woman’s stance was beautiful, her slender fingers gracefully moving. “Flying Hawk Departing Thoughts” attacked with magpie-shaped dagger-shadows.
The two of them fought several dozen bouts. Over the last two months, Chen Mo already became proficient with the usage of Fangshan Eastern Cloud. Wang Sengbian’s imparted saber techniques were also mostly mastered.
Qin Weiyu used a Yellow Rank, and Chen Mo used all of his power to stop it, finally ending this spar.
“Very good.”
Wang Sengbian watched Chen Mo and Qin Weiyu’s battle, indicating her approval.
All throughout the last two months, Chen Mo fought Wang Sengbian and Qin Weiyu just like this. With the assistance of the two great Star Generals, he progressed swiftly and developed the Book Of Changes Black Turtle’s fifth Black Meridian, and his cultivation reached God Transformation Late Stage. However, Chen Mo already was unable to be assessed using the Realms of normal cultivators. He used the Star Manual Of Masters Gan And Shi to convert magic energy into Star Energy, so his God Transformation Late Stage could be said to be as terrifying as Fate Realization Realm.
“There are still two months until the start of the Title Bestowal Ceremony. Wang Sengbian, you should be able to take me to see that Black Turtle True Spirit.” Chen Mo handed the saber back to her.
Wang Sengbian comfortably caught the Star Weapon, calmly saying: “As long as you can withstand my Dark Rank, I can consider taking you there.”
“Then don’t hesitate to bring it on.” Chen Mo breathed deeply. Now that he was more proficient at fighting against Star Generals, he was much more composed about facing a Dark Rank.
Chen Mo took up a giant iron staff that was a hundred catties in weight. Although this staff was not comparable to Northern Dipper, it was considerably overbearing. Casted to Two Stars, it was considered a top-notch Star Weapon in the north.
Qin Weiyu carried Nianyou to sit on the nearby grass and watch. For some reason, little Nianyou was especially fatigued. Ever since she saved Chen Mo last time, she did not recover at all over the past two months. Her mind had an exhausted feeling, and she strived to keep her heavy eyelids open to watch Chen Mo.
“I’ve always had this question I couldn’t answer.” Before the fight began, Chen Mo spoke about his doubts.
“What question is that?”
“Why are you helping us?”
“Huan Wen is our common enemy. If we do not kill her, I will eventually die at her hands, so on this point, you can rest assured. I have no interest in you.” The topic changed as she continued: “And in the Tail Fire Star Field, only you have a chance to obtain the cultivation of the Black Turtle True Spirit. You are the one and only person capable of defeating her. This is the only reason I am helping you.”
“There’s honestly nothing wrong with you tactfully saying that you fancy me.” Chen Mo chuckled.
“Then that has to depend on whether or not you have the qualifications to make the Sojourner of Fangshan look upon you.” Wang Sengbian’s tone turned strict, and the air suddenly turned extremely vicious.
Her long saber hacked at Chen Mo’s front, the saber-light like water, descending from the east.
Surprisingly, it was a Yellow Rank.
Eastern Flow!
Wang Sengbian used full power from the start, showing no mercy whatsoever. Sojourner Of Fangshan, who had trained with the Northern Barbarians, had clearly picked up the Northern Barbarians’ style – overwhelming power.
An “Eastern Flow” saber-light flew out, and Chen Mo raised the staff to ward off the strike, using the Bagua’s steps to evade one portion of the attack. Qian Three Linked immediately followed from the iron staff.
Thrice the staff whistled as three staff-winds were unleashed.
Wang Sengbian’s bangs were gently lifted. Chen Mo’s move barely blowed upon her hair, apparently. The woman’s face was like stone, her eyes like iron as a chilling light glinted in them. She flung the long saber in her hand, which moved like a whip. Then, an incomparably swift and violent saber-light burst forth from the blade.
The ground in front of Chen Mo endlessly rose up sharply, forming a fence that surrounded him..
Chen Mo activated the Star Manual, and Star Energy flowed in the staff, striking the fence. ALthough the astral wind from the staff was not as fearsome as Northern Dipper’s, it was still powerful.
Saber-qi penetrated his skin.
Several crashes resounded.
Finally, he stopped Wang Sengbian’s second Yellow Rank “Long Fence Hunting.”
THis Sojourner Of Fangshan completely did not give him any breathing room. It was impossible to defend against the two consecutive Yellow Ranks perfectly. If it was not for Chen Mo depending on his formidable Star Energy and bodily constitution, any other cultivator perhaps would have already been truly hunted by the Long Fence’s saber-light.
Since she used two “Yellow Rank Techniques” in succession…
As expected, Wang Sengbian’s third Yellow Rank, “Water Breaker,” followed close behind. She had cultivated her martial arts to excellence in the north. Comprehending three Yellow Ranks was considered amazing, and she chained the three together smoothly in one breath impeccably.
Chen Mo used all his power to resist, using the Bagua Array’s footwork to barely stop her swift and powerful strike.
“Very good. It seems that these two months spent teaching you my Eastern Cloud sword techniques were not in vain.” Seeing Chen Mo flawlessly defend against her third Yellow Rank, Wang Sengbian uttered praise.
Although she reserved a bit of Star Energy, that Chen Mo was able to perform so well already exceeded her expectations. What came next would not be so smooth. Wang Sengbian leapt backwards and gripped her saber’s hilt. An even stronger Star Energy gathered in her Destined Star Weapon.
Chen Mo promptly sensed her preparing to use her last “Dark Rank.”
“I have to let you taste Your Servant’s big stick…Watch this!” Chen Mo was hardly passive. He attacked with a Zhangtian Seal, and his body soared upwards, lifting the staff to strike.
Wang Sengbian coldly snorted, slashing with Dark Rank “Mountain Sunrise Splitter.”
Saber-qi that was like the evening sky of sunset cut open the horizon, tearing the Zhangtian Seal to shreds. The surplus power descended upon Chen Mo, stalling his counterattack.
Bang!!
Mountain Sunrise Splitter landed on Chen Mo. The Star Weapon i his hands was unable to bear this attack and was reduced to smithereens in a flash by the saber-light. Chen Mo grit his teeth, shielding his chest with his arms.
Rip.
The sound of rending flesh.
The sunset-colored light gradually dummed, and CHen Mo fell to the gound with a thud, smashing a large hole into the ground.
Wang Sengbian descended and stowed her blade.
Her breathing was not disturbed in the slightest.
Chen Mo slowly stood up. A large hole was gouged into his flesh by the attack, spurting fresh blood across the room, revealing bone; it was an appalling scene. How unfortunate…Chen Mo looked at the disintegrated weapon in his hands and thought to himself.
If it was Northern Dipper, that scene just now would have been averted.
“Rest for now. Your performance is already very good.” Wang Sengbian concealed the astonishment in her heart. That Chen Mo was able to ward off her three Yellow Ranks and a Dark Rank Technique made her feel very shocked. She thought that even if Chen Mo did not die, he would be unable to get up for a few days.
“However, Huan Wen’s Phoenix Dark Rank is several times stronger than my Dark Rank. YOu absolutely cannot be careless.”
Chen Mo nodded and tended to his wounds in the meantime.
Qin Weiyu walked over at this moment and softly asked: “Why do you not use a long saber. You can utilize Ice Breaker Snow Slicer this way.”
“Ordinary weapons can’t handle the strain.” Chen Mo shook his head.
Qin Weiyu felt this was a pity. If he had a divine weapon like Northern Dipper, Chen Mo perhaps would have benefitted even more from the fights over these past couple months.
“But I was still a bit off…” Chen Mo meditated. In his mind, he thought back to the direct teachings of Yanran. Following the non-stop cultivation these two months, he felt his comprehension of the Dark Rank draw closer and closer.
A barbarian approached and whispered something to Wang Sengbian.
Wang Sengbian nodded.
“We can go see that so-called ‘virtue takes charge of the world’ Black Turtle True Spirit?” Chen Mo was already tired of waiting.
“Yes, but before that, someone has come to find you.” Wang Sengbian felt she had nothing left to teach him.
“To see me?” Chen Mo blinked. The Northern Barbarians were located deep in the mountains and ancient forests. Who would come to see him??
Not long after, one of the strange birds arrived, and beside it was another seven-colored luan. Upon a closer look, that was not a true Ancient Divine Beast Luan. Rather, it was the sword-light that a Flying Sword manifested.
“This is?” Chen Mo was a bit familiar with it.
That luan flew over them, and riding upon the sword was a heroic girl. Her eyes were bright, her hair long, and her figure graceful. She uttered a shout of pleasant surprise. “Fourth Brother!”
Chen Mo’s heart grew warm.
Riding on the Luan Flyng Sword was none other than his Third Sister, Chen Luan.
Chen Luan emotionally hugged Chen Mo.
Feeling the softness of Elder Sister’s body, Chen Mo was a bit embarrassed. After a moment, Chen Luan finally calmed down.
“Sister Luan, why have you come to the north?” Chen Mo saw that Chen Luan’s expression was full of exhaustion and was travel-worn. Clearly, she had suffered greatly.
“You actually scared me to death.” Chen Luan held her chest with one hand while hammering Chen Mo ruthlessly with the other.
Two months ago, Huan Wen returned to the Seven Stars Palace and secluded herself. Emperor Tang suddenly and with great fanfare declared preparations for the year-end Title Bestowal Ceremony. All of the Great Chong Dynasty began unprecedented perparation, and a certain rumor began to circulate throughout the people – it said that Huan Wen killed Chen Mo and brought back his divine weapon, the “Northern Dipper,” back to the Seven Stars Palace. Now, the Chen Famly’s greatest genius and threat was already done away with.
After a month, the rumor was already picking up speed, growing more intense, and even the Chen Family’s influence was showing instability.
Chen Luan kept searching for Chen Mo. Subsequently, Big Brother Chen Qi brought news about the Northern Barbarians, so Chen Luan hurried over. However, the Northern Barbarians’ Weightbearer Mountain was too vast; the girl searched for almost a month.
In actuality, Wang Sengbian already knew about Chen Luan’s activities, but she was afraid of disturbing Chen Mo’s cultivation and thus did not reveal themselves all this time. Now that Chen Mo was able to go to the Black Turtle holy site, she finally dispatched people to seek out and inform Chen Luan of their whereabouts.
Seeing that Elder Sister was so concerned about him, Chen Mo was very moved. “Third Sister. You can relax. I definitely will pay Huan Wen back for this defeat.”
“Just what happened between you and Huan Wen?” Chen Luan impatiently asked.
Chen Mo summarized the Zhi Ming Star Image.
Hearing that Huan Wen’s Yellow Court Realm was powerful enough to take Chen Mo’s Northern Dipper, Chen Luan’s expression changed: “Huan Wen is so formidable, do you still want to take revenge?”
“If Star World’s men had courage like Chen Mo’s, how would they not receive the appreciation of Star Generals.” Wang Sengbian disdained her worries.
Chen Luan looked at Wang Sengbian, biting her lips. “I cannot let Brother Mo walk to his death!”
“Whether or not he dies depends on his capabilities, however, I will lend him a hand. If you are his elder sister, then you should support your little brother like he is a real man.”
“Now that things have come to this, Chen Mo and Huan Wen’s previous grudge must be resolved.” Qin Weiyu also said.
Chen Luan was silent.
“Rest for the night. Tomorrow, I will lead you to the Black Turtle holy grounds of Weightbearer Mountain.”
That night.
Chen Mo still attempted to break through to the sixth Black Meridian, to completely cultivate the Black Turtle to its pinnacle state. After Chen Luan bathed, she came straight before his room.
Chen Mo was in the middle of concentrating his attention on attacking the Black Meridian and could not easily respond to Third Sister’s arrival.
Chen Luan quietly sat beside him. At the moment, Chen Mo was cultivating the Book Of Changes Black Turtle. His upper body was bare, and the black meridians were faintly visible during the process, outlined over his body like tattoos.
The Black Turtle inherently was able to allow one’s physique to become even more formidable. Combined with the Nine Yang Soul Technique, every contour of Chen Mo’s flesh was full of a masculine beauty, with beads of sweat rolling down his body.
Chen Luan was a bit blank looking at him.
“Fourth Brother, do you know that actually…” She stopped halfway. Chen Luan swallowed back her words. “You actually don’t need to protect the Chen Family like this.”
“This is clearly something that Elder Sister should be doing.”
“When you were little, you suffered so many grievances, yet Elder Sister was unable to help you at all. Now, it turns out you are protecting us. As your Elder Sister, I truly am disappointing.”
“Do you still remember when you were five, Elder Sister was training and nearly underwent qi deviation. You said: Heaven and Earth are not benevolent, all things have their place; all things are not benevolent, a saint can be wicked. Elder Sister truly cannot forget this. You surprisingly were able to utter such logic when you were little.”
Chen Mo listened to Third Sister’s every heartfelt word. The more Chen Luan spoke, the more absorbed she became, as if she had returned to those childhood times. Her gaze gradually grew distant. At some point, Chen Luan leaned onto his shoulder, gently resting against it. All of her reminiscence finally became one sentence, “Elder Sister’s life will protect your life.”
“Big Sister, I know.”
Chen Mo softly replied and could not help but stroke Third Sister’s hair.
“If you know, then don’t face Huan Wen. Little Brother, you actually aren’t related to our Chen Family by blood.” Chen Luan mustered all her strength and finally revealed this fact.
Chen Mo was not surprised. Ever since he knew his mother was possibly a Star General, he had continued to consider this question.
Now that Third Sister personally admitted to it, Chen Mo was instead somewhat relieved.
But this relief did not signify he no longer had duties.
“But I want to protect you.” Chen Mo’s gaze was determined.
A mist was in the eyes of the girl leaning on his shoulder. She whispered almost inaudibly.
“Then Elder Sister’s life is yours.”2
“I promise!”
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