The Nine Cauldrons

An Incoming Storm

“Little Jun, the people in this world are not fools.” Teng Qingshan frowned and said, “In the Land of the Nine Prefectures, there are eight Supreme Sects, and in the land of one prefecture, sects rise and fall. It’s very normal. For example, the entirety of Yangzhou was dominated by a sect called ‘the Sword Sect.’ The Sword Sect existed for eight hundred years before it was eradicated by Qing Hu Island. Now, Qing Hu Island have remained in existence for over a thousand years.

“No sects can exist forever. In the history of the Land of the Nine Prefectures, many sects were eradicated.

“Therefore, the other seven Supreme Sects won’t really care about the fact that the Heavenly God Palace have eradicated Xiao Yao Palace and conquered the entirety of Qingzhou.” Teng Qingshan expounded with a stern expression, “However, if the Heavenly God Palace attacks Hong Tian City so soon, it only shows that the Heavenly God Palace harbor great ambitions!”

“If they eradicate Hong Tian City now, they might eradicate the Snow Hawk Hall or Qing Hu Island in the future!”

“The people in this world are not fools. The other sects absolutely won’t allow the Heavenly God Palace to become any greater.” With his brows knitted, Teng Qingshan said to Li Jun, “Little Jun, how powerful is the Heavenly God Palace? They have only occupied Qingzhou for less than three months, but they now plan to attack Hong Tian City without resting or replenishing their energy? Perhaps, they plan to antagonize the people of this whole world?”

After the subjugation of Qingzhou, it would be best for the Heavenly God Palace to rest for over a dozen years. During this period, the men of the Heavenly God Palace could become much more powerful. Moreover, it wouldn’t be too late to attack after that.

However, that was not what the Heavenly God Palace were doing.

“I don’t know.” Li Jun shook her head and answered, “Although I am now the Substitute High Priest, I don’t know the secrets of the Heavenly God Palace. I just know that teacher is really confident, extremely so.”

“Really confident?” Teng Qingshan shook his head and smiled as he replied. “Nevermind. This matter has nothing to do with me. I can’t be bothered to care about it either.”

“Little Jun.” Teng Qingshan suddenly sighed.

“Eh?” Li Jun froze for a brief moment before she looked up at Teng Qingshan.

“The Heavenly God Palace endeavors to advance northward, conquer northeast of Youzhou, and eradicate Hong Tian City. As the Substitute High Priestess, I am afraid you can’t stay here anymore.” Teng Qingshan knew that well. Li Jun went a step forward and held Teng Qingshan gently. In Teng Qingshan’s arms, she leaned on him and whispered, “Yes, I have to go back to Qingzhou to supervise the entire situation. I am afraid I can only return after this war ends.”

Teng Qingshan gently caressed his wife’s beautiful hair.

……

Although Teng Qingshan felt really reluctant to part with his wife, there was nothing he could do since the Heavenly God Palace had already issued an order.

On the 2nd of March, Li Jun left the Nine Wolf Island with the two Fierce Wind Divine Condors and flew toward Qingzhou.

Teng Qingshan stood on the spacious sandy and rocky ground of the Nine Wolf Island. He gripped the Splitting Mountain Axe and repeatedly performed the moves of the axe art. Streams of air surged around Teng Qingshan, causing the area of almost one hundred Zhang around him to blur. His figure could barely be seen at the center of this area.

The Heavenly God Palace had just eradicated Xiao Yao Palace and was now going to attack Hong Tian City.

The whole situation really made Teng Qingshan feel pressured. He could sense that the rise of the Heavenly God Palace would raise up storms in this peaceful Land of the Nine Prefectures. When a nest is totally ruined, could the eggs remain unbroken? Teng Qingshan himself needed to protect Gui Yuan Sect, the Teng Clan, as well as conquer a great area in the Land of the Nine Prefectures for his future disciples to practice Internal Martial Arts.

He would need to be much stronger to achieve that!

“As expected of Emperor Yu, the Omnipotent Expert. His 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Axe》 is indeed profound.” Teng Qingshan hurled the Splitting Mountain Axe away. The Splitting Mountain Axe streaked across the sky and fell into the sandy rocks, making a plop sound as it thrusted into the rocks. “Whenever I practice this axe art and recall the strikes recorded on the stone inscriptions, I gain some insight.”

Teng Qingshan picked up the Reincarnation Spear he had previously thrusted into the sandy rocks at the side.

“However, I still think spears are still the best for me.”

As he gripped the Reincarnation Spear, the Reincarnation Spears seemed to have become part of his body. It was as though his spear had become an extension of his arm.

Be it in his previous life or this life, Teng Qingshan was always immersed in the cultivation of Xing Yi Martial Arts. As Xing Yi Martial Arts itself was the cultivation of spear strikes, Teng Qingshan was better at performing his spear arts.

“Pu!” “Pu!” …

As Teng Qingshan performed his spear art, fiery sparks flew out like flowers petals. In Teng Qingshan’s grip, the Reincarnation Spear was like a gigantic roaming dragon.

……

After practicing for a long time, Teng Qingshan stopped.

He stood at the shore and gazed at the vast and endless lake. Then with knitted brows, Teng Qingshan said to himself, “The wind will wreck the tree that’s taller than the other trees amidst the forest. No matter what, I cannot reveal my identity, at least not until I have become powerful enough!”

A 21-year-old Emptiness Realm Expert!

If this news really did spread throughout the world, the elite supreme sects like the Emperor Yu’s Hall and the Mani Temple would be astounded. The news of this was much more shocking than the rise of the Heavenly God Palace!

A 21-year-old Emptiness Realm Expert sounded horrifying.

If these sects were afraid, what would be result be? It’s easy to imagine. The ones with the capability to kill Teng Qingshan would definitely kill him. If the sects couldn’t kill Teng Qingshan, then they would choose to befriend Teng Qingshan instead!

“I can’t reveal this ability. Many people have seen my spear arts in the past.”

“Therefore, Jing Yi cannot use the spear right now.” Teng Qingshan said with a frown, “However, I have now comprehended the Fire Elemental Dao and the Golden Elemental Dao. The power of these two Daos unified perfectly and formed one technique. Presently, I have merely comprehended and created the move, Vermillion Metal Tiger Roar!

“I must improve my control of the Power of the Heavens and Earth, and utilize it even better.

“Soon, I will be able to achieve a breakthrough in my cultivation of the Earth Elemental Dao. By that time, I need to figure out a way to use all three Powers of the Heavens and Earth during the performance of one move… and make it so that the three Powers of the Heavens and Earth do not resist each other.” As Teng Qingshan pondered about this, his head ached.

“Looks like there’s only one method.”

Teng Qingshan had made his decision. “I will traverse the world with the identity, Jing Yi, and I will use… an axe!”

“The 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》 created by Emperor Yu already exhibit the Fire Elemental dao, the Earth Elemental dao, and the Metal Elemental dao. It is an axe art that has moves which portray the unification of these three Daos,” Teng Qingshan pondered. It was extremely difficult to create such an art form. The 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》was undoubtedly the best of Emperor Yu’s martial art forms.

“For the past six thousand years, never have I once heard that the Emperor Yu’s Hall possessed the 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》.” Teng Qingshan thought to himself, “Even if I used this art, it’s unlikely for anyone to recognize this art.

“Hm. There’s still one more thing.

“Better safe than sorry. I must also change the appearance of this Splitting Mountain Axe.” Teng Qingshan stared at the Splitting Mountain Axe thrusted into the ground nearby.

The next day, Teng Qingshan took the Splitting Mountain Axe and left the Nine Wolf Island,

riding on the back of the Whole Gale Eagle. He soared to Nanxing County and asked a skilled craftsman to modify the appearance of the Splitting Mountain Axe. The Splitting Mountain Axe was originally completely black, but now there were decorative designs on the handle of the godly axe.

Decorative patterns also emblazoned the back of the axe. At first glance, the entire Splitting Mountain Axe shone a faint purple glow.

“There are numerous experts who wield axes. Many of the axes look similar to the Splitting Mountain Axe. Now, even if the members of the Emperor Yu’s Hall saw the Splitting Mountain Axe, they probably wouldn’t be able to recognize it.” So, from this day onwards, Teng Qingshan carried the Splitting Mountain Axe on his back. By relying on the Splitting Mountain Axe and the moves of the 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》, he would be able to display an even more powerful strength.

……

On the 21st of March, the Heavenly God Palace, which had recently acquired a place in the rank of the eight Supreme Sects, began commanding the troops up north. The vigorous and great army charged northward, killing as they advanced.

Immediately, the news about their charge spread at an incredibly fast speed. On that very same day, the other seven Supreme Sects and some large sects, like the Gui Yuan Sect, also obtained this news. The people of this world were greatly astonished! Unexpectedly, the Heavenly God Palace didn’t rest and recuperate after the eradication of the Xiao Yao Palace. Instead, they chose to attack Hong Tian City.

Hong Tian City was situated in the bitterly cold area of Youzhou. Due to the harsh living conditions and environment, Hong Tian City had grown to be an extremely fierce sect.

In the past, the King of the Northeast, Hong Tian, had conquered over half of the Land of the Nine Prefectures and established Hong Tian City! The King of Northeast, Hong Tian, was an existence ranked just below the Omnipotent Experts. Thus, Hong Tian City was a sect with an extremely stable and deep foundation.

Yet, the Heavenly God Palace had chosen to attack Hong Tian City?

As a sect which had been able to become one of the eight Supreme Sects, the Heavenly God Palace absolutely wasn’t arrogant and idiotic. Hence, it only meant that the Heavenly God Palace was exceedingly confident and extremely certain they would be the victor.

Due to the current situation, some of the other Supreme Secs were worried and afraid, while some of the other seven Supreme Sects merely watched as though the situation had nothing to do with them! For example, the Emperor Yu’s Hall, situated west of Qingzhou which the Heavenly God Palace had conquered, was slightly worried. On the other hand, Qing Hu Island, which was weaker than Hong Tian City, felt great fear.

……

In contrast, the ordinary Martial Cultivators were excited. Many cultivators even went to join the Heavenly God Palace. However, the elite supreme sects were extremely unhappy, especially Hong Tian City, the sect which was most terrified of the current situation, and Qing Hu Island.

On the peak of the Sword Edge Mountain on Qing Hu Island:

There were only two people on the peak of the mountain. The two people who sat there cross-legged were the Blind Swordmaster and the Lord of the Qing Hu Island, Tie Fan.

“Martial Ancestor, are they really that daunting?” Tie Fan was slightly worried.

The Blind Swordmaster’s eyes inched opened. The grey and white pupils of his eyes appeared lifeless as his indifferent voice rang out, “Hmph. Tie Fan, I am not joking. Since the Heavenly God Palace has the audacity to do so, it’s most likely that they are 80% certain of the eradication of Hong Tian City. Qing Hu Island will be their only choice if they choose to attack again after that!

“The location of the Snow Hawk Hall is surrounded by the Emperor Yu’s Hall and the Ying Family.” The Blind Swordmaster explained, “The Snow Hawk Hall itself possesses Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts. Even if the Heavenly God Palace manages to eradicate the Snow Hawk Hall, they would have to face the Emperor Yu’s Hall and the Ying Family. The Emperor Yu’s Hall and the Ying Family are not to be trifled with. Nobody knows what treasures the two Omnipotent Experts left behind for their descendants.”

Tie Fan nodded.

“Martial Ancestor, what should we do now?” Tie Fan was worried. He too felt that Qing Hu Island was being threatened by the Heavenly God Palace situated in the north.

“There’s no other way.” The Blind Swordmaster shook his head and added, “We can only try our best! However, since the Heavenly God Palace is attacking Hong Tian City, it won’t have the energy to attack us. This is also an opportunity… an opportunity for us to take control of Yangzhou as a whole.”

“Martial Ancestor, do you mean…?” Tie Fan was shocked.

“Eradicate the Gui Yuan Sect,” the Blind Swordmaster lowered his voice as he replied.

“Eradicate the Gui Yuan Sect?” Tie Fan had long wanted to eradicate the Gui Yuan Sect, their only blind spot in Yangzhou.

When Teng Qingshan, the phenom of Gui Yuan Sect, had been merely 18 years old, he had managed to escape from four Golden Dan Innate Experts. Teng Qingshan could be considered as the most gifted phenom who was on a par with the Demonic Monk Xiang Fanchen!

From what happened on the Great Yan Mountain, everyone could tell that Teng Qingshan was very loyal to Gui Yuan Sect.

It would be troublesome if Teng Qingshan returned.

“Martial Ancestor, can you kill the Emptiness Realm Expert of the Gui Yuan Sect?” Tie Fan inquired.

The Blind Swordmaster stood up.

“If nothing unexpected happens, the Emptiness Realm Expert in Gui Yuan Sect will die tomorrow.” When the Blind Swordmaster finished his words, he immediately pierced through the air, leaving a black silhouette as he flew southwest.