Chapter 457: Ding Hong

The first level of mental cultivation is "mind like still water," a state many cultivators and official professionals can achieve.

However, it is very difficult to surpass this state.

It is said that only a master teacher who reaches four stars has a chance of success.

While "mind like still water" simply means keeping one's mind calm and unaffected by the environment, a more profound state is what Luo Qianhong just exclaimed: "Dispelling falsehoods to reveal truth, a mind of enlightened clarity!"

Reaching this state allows one to discern the essence from chaos, making one's mind more perceptive and simplifying the analysis of matters.

Although far from comparable to the Eye of Insight, it still makes a master teacher more adept at uncovering the true nature of things.

It's like answering questions: some problems may be completely new, with no corresponding knowledge.

But upon reaching this state, one can easily discern the examiner's intent and what the question aims to assess, thus separating truth from falsehoods, dispelling illusions, and finding the most accurate answer.

To understand the ways of the world is true knowledge; to be well-versed in human affairs is wisdom.

Therefore, this state is also known as the Enlightened Clarity State (Dongmingjing).

This Zhang Xuan, disregarding Ding Mu's Heaven-Rending Fist and Blood Incantation Secret Art... directly grabbed his neck with a single move. It was clear he saw through the illusory nature of the techniques, going straight for the objective. Even if his mental state wasn't precisely the Enlightened Clarity State, it must have been very close.

This also explains why he could so easily neutralize his Flinging Sleeve Hand.

As for whether it was the even higher-level Eye of Insight, that was unthinkable.

After all, this was an ability many six-star master teachers didn't possess. How could it appear in a two-star master teacher who was not yet twenty?

Even so, it filled him with dread.

To cultivate one's mental state to the Enlightened Clarity State before the age of twenty... just what kind of monster was this?

"You, you..."

Ding Mu, whose neck was grasped, was even more terrified.

He had thought that by using the Blood Incantation Secret Art and his most powerful techniques, even if he couldn't win, he could at least put up a fight and retreat gracefully. He never imagined that with one move, his vital point would be seized.

"Don't kill me! I was misled by that woman, Lin Long, into attacking you... As long as you don't kill me, I'll give you anything Xuanyuan Kingdom can offer. One hundred spirit stones, even two hundred spirit stones!"

This young man had defeated Luo Qianhong, broken the Xuanyuan Formation, and even shattered Ding Mu's last reliance with ease. Ding Mu was truly terrified and panicked.

Xuanyuan Kingdom dealt in spirit stones and possessed vast wealth. As long as the other party was willing, giving up all their riches would be nothing.

"Spirit stones?"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

If Lu Chong hadn't blocked the attack for him, he would already be dead. No amount of spirit stones could bring his student back.

"I said I would kill you. So, I'm sorry, but you... must die!"

With a calm expression, Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow and tightened his grip.

"Ah... Great-Grandfather, save me!"

Seeing that he was truly about to strike, Ding Mu's face turned pale, and he cried out.

"Stop!"

As his cry ended, a thunderous roar echoed through the air.

It was like the solemn toll of a great bell, a sudden peal of thunder on level ground, shaking numerous buildings.

Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Xuan looked over.

The voice came from deep within the palace straight ahead, profound and steady, exerting immense pressure.

Even with his recent significant increase in strength, he still felt somewhat unable to resist.

"What powerful strength..."

He clenched his fist.

With his current strength combined with the Eye of Insight, he could even contend with a Half-Transcendent.

For the opponent's single utterance to evoke such a feeling in him, their strength undoubtedly surpassed Luo Qianhong's, likely meaning they had truly entered that realm.

He hadn't expected such a powerful expert to exist within the Xuanyuan Kingdom's royal family!

"Great-Grandfather? Could it be... could he still be alive?"

On the back of the savage beast in the sky, Elder Wei Yuqing's expression darkened.

"You know this person?"

The Young Master looked over.

"Yes!"

Elder Wei Yuqing didn't answer directly but began, "Xuanyuan Kingdom has a Green Leaf Ranking, which lists the strongest experts. Even Luo Qianhong, as a Half-Transcendent expert and a three-star pinnacle master teacher, only ranks third!"

"Third?"

The Young Master and Jin Conghai exchanged glances.

They had all witnessed the Master Teacher Hall Master's earlier moves. Although he was no match for Zhang Xuan, being defeated in a single blow, his true strength was absolutely not to be underestimated.

Among Half-Transcendents, he could be considered top-tier.

With such strength, he only ranked third in Xuanyuan Kingdom. Who could the top two be?

"The second-ranked is not a cultivator, but Xuanyuan Kingdom's greatest reliance, the Half-Spirit Beast Iron-backed Winged Dragon!" Elder Wei Yuqing said.

"That peak savage beast containing dragon bloodline?"

Jin Conghai frowned.

Legend had it that the Iron-backed Winged Dragon, like the Azure Nightmare Beast, possessed a dragon bloodline. Although very thin, it inherited the dragon's excellent traits: iron wings like blades, extremely fast speed, a body covered in thick scales for unrivaled defense, and enduring strength.

This massive creature was born at the Half-Spirit Beast level and could even contend with some weaker spirit beasts.

"Few other titled kingdoms know about the Xuanyuan Formation, but the Iron-backed Winged Dragon is known to almost everyone. Because of this, even though Emperor Ding Chong is frail, no other kingdom dares to covet Xuanyuan!"

As the Grand Elder of the Beast Hall, Wei Yuqing was well aware that Xuanyuan Kingdom possessed such a formidable savage beast.

If not for this reliance, even without Zhang Xuan's intervention, this kingdom would have long been carved up by other titled nations.

"The Iron-backed Winged Dragon only ranks second, so the first one you mentioned must be..." Gu Mu couldn't help but look over.

"Precisely, it's the one who just spoke: Crown Prince Ding Mu's great-grandfather, the 178th King of Xuanyuan Kingdom... Ding Hong!"

Wei Yuqing clenched his fist: "This Ding Hong is a genius among geniuses. Eighty years ago, he was already known as the kingdom's top master, but... he vanished long ago. Even I thought he had died, and his name remained on the Green Leaf Ranking merely as a commemoration... I never imagined he was still alive!"

"The top master eighty years ago? Then his lifespan..." Gu Mu's eyes widened.

Although a martial artist at the Ninth Layer, even reaching the Half-Transcendent realm, changes their life essence and grants immense power, their lifespan doesn't increase significantly. Under normal circumstances, one hundred years is the limit and a major hurdle.

Many Half-Transcendent experts eventually die of old age; no matter how powerful, they cannot defy nature.

Eighty years ago, he was the kingdom's top master, having at least reached Half-Transcendent. And now he's still alive...

Doesn't that mean his lifespan has long exceeded one hundred years?

"If it's truly him, his lifespan should have reached 165 years!" Wei Yuqing said.

"165 years old? The first stage of Transcendent Realm... the Life Extension Stage?" Jin Conghai said.

The Transcendent Realm, also known as the Extraordinary Realm or Beyond-Mortal Realm, signifies breaking free from mortal constraints and a significant elevation in one's life essence.

This is a general term for a major cultivation realm, and like the martial artist realm, it is divided into nine stages.

The first stage is the Life Extension Stage.

Upon reaching this stage, one's life essence undergoes a massive transformation, allowing one to spontaneously absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth to nourish away hidden dangers from cultivation, thereby greatly increasing one's lifespan.

Martial artists, even at the pinnacle of the Half-Transcendent realm, find it very difficult to live past a hundred.

However, upon reaching this realm, one's lifespan dramatically increases by a factor of two, allowing one to live up to two hundred years.

Since Ding Hong was over 160 years old and still alive, and capable of producing such an imposing voice, it indicated that he had already broken through the limitations.

He hadn't expected Xuanyuan Kingdom to be hiding a Transcendent Realm expert!

"Reaching the Transcendent Realm is a world apart from Half-Transcendent. Young Master, should we intervene?" Jin Conghai's expression was grave.

There was only a small step between Half-Transcendent and true Transcendent, yet it represented the difference between a mortal and an immortal, incomparable.

Zhang Xuan below could easily defeat a Half-Transcendent, but he would be helpless against a true Transcendent.

With different life essences, their combat power was naturally incomparable.

It's like a tiger and a human, both unarmed. The possibility of the human winning is almost zero.

"Not yet. Let's see how he resolves it. If it becomes truly necessary, there will still be time to act!" The Young Master shook his head.

This fellow easily defeated Half-Transcendents, stopped the Xuanyuan Formation with a single finger, and possessed an endless array of techniques. It made him curious to see what methods he would employ against a true Transcendent.

Even if danger arose, Jin Conghai had walked the path of Transcendent Realm for a long time, and suppressing a Life Extension Stage individual with a backhand would not be difficult.

"Understood!"

Jin Conghai acknowledged, asked no further questions, and looked down.

Gu Mu and the others also quickly looked over.

"Master Teacher Zhang Xuan, I presume? Could you grant this old man a favor and spare this unworthy descendant? I am willing to offer two thousand spirit stones as a token of gratitude!"

The aged voice, after a slight hesitation, slowly sounded.

"Two thousand spirit stones?"

Everyone's breathing quickened.

Spirit stones were immensely valuable; in terms of gold coins, they were almost impossible to acquire.

To offer two thousand right away was truly generous.

Such a fortune, if converted into the value of kingdoms and cities, could definitely buy the Tianwu Kingdom!

The wealth to buy a first-tier kingdom, offered so readily just to save Ding Mu, showed how extremely important this fellow was to him.

Upon hearing the offer, Zhang Xuan was also stunned.

At his wealthiest, he only had fifteen spirit stones. For the other party to offer so many right away was a grand gesture.

"Indeed, two thousand spirit stones. The wealth they represent should be self-evident!"

The old man's voice continued: "Furthermore, killing him brings you no benefit. Instead, you'll face this old man's endless pursuit. As a smart person, I trust you can figure out how to choose!"

Although the other party's voice was calm, it carried a threat.

It seemed that if Zhang Xuan truly dared to act, he would personally intervene and slay him.

Too lazy to bother with the other party's threat, Zhang Xuan tightened his grip.

Though he loved money like his life and desperately needed spirit stones, he would never violate morality or his principles for such things.

If he were to do so, what face would he have to meet Lu Chong if he ever woke up?

Crack!

Power surged through the throat with a crisp snap. Ding Mu didn't even have time to let out a scream before his head tilted, and he stopped breathing.

Thud!

The corpse was thrown to the ground.

"You... presumptuous!"

To his surprise, after so much talking, this fellow hadn't said a word and simply acted. The voice lost its previous composure, erupting into a furious roar that shot skyward, as if to rip the heavens apart.

Crash!

Hearing this thunder-like voice, all the onlookers on the Altar of Heaven lost their footing and fell in unison.

A Transcendent's rage changes heaven and earth!

"Oh no..."

"What's the point of killing him? It would have been better to take the two thousand spirit stones!"

"Exactly, it's over now. This is a Transcendent Realm expert; no matter how strong he is, he can't contend with that..."

Below the Altar of Heaven, there was also an uproar.

Clearly, they also hadn't expected Zhang Xuan to actually strike.

Even more unexpected was that behind Xuanyuan Kingdom, there was such a formidable expert.

A single roar made so many people fall to the ground; his strength was terrifying.

Even though Master Teacher Zhang had just displayed astonishing abilities, no one was optimistic.

The gap between a Transcendent and a martial artist was simply too vast. It was like the difference between a mortal and a deity; they were not on the same level at all.

"A Transcendent expert... Zhang Xuan, I've brought this upon you..."

Mo Yu's face turned even paler, and her delicate body trembled violently.

She knew Xuanyuan Kingdom was powerful and that one shouldn't cause trouble without being at the pinnacle of the Half-Transcendent realm. But she hadn't known that the kingdom's once-renowned old ancestor was still alive.

And even more powerful.

Reaching the Transcendent Realm was like a carp leaping over the dragon gate. Even if one's raw power didn't increase dramatically, their control over heaven and earth was far beyond what a martial artist could achieve.

As long as this old ancestor made a move, no matter how many tricks Zhang Xuan had, they would be utterly useless.

A master teacher could discern flaws, but they weren't invincible.

Just as one might identify a flaw in a city wall and know how to exploit it, that knowledge doesn't guarantee victory if one lacks the means to act.

But... could one achieve that with personal ability?

Knowing a flaw and defeating an opponent are two different matters.

Upon reaching the Transcendent Realm, one's life essence transforms. Even if there are flaws, they are entirely hidden. Even if one could see them, if they couldn't match the opponent's speed or get close, how could they fight?

As everyone pondered with varying thoughts of anxiety and worry, a tremendous beast roar resounded from deep within the palace. Immediately, a bolt of lightning shot straight out, appearing directly above the Altar of Heaven.

It was a colossal savage beast, easily over ten meters long, with a wingspan exceeding thirty meters. Its entire body was covered in thick scales, emanating a fierce aura that exuded intense pressure.

"An Iron-backed Winged Dragon?" His eyebrows rose.

Having read so many books on beast taming, Zhang Xuan naturally recognized this peak existence among savage beasts.

Though both were Half-Spirit Beasts containing dragon bloodline, this creature was far more powerful and ferocious than the Azure Nightmare Beast.

It was already terrifying for the palace to have a Transcendent Realm old ancestor; he hadn't expected there to be such a formidable savage beast as well.

As expected of a titled kingdom; it seemed he had underestimated them.

On the back of the Iron-backed Winged Dragon, a figure stood proudly.

This person didn't appear as old as his voice suggested, looking to be around fifty. His aura was like a vast ocean, seemingly without end.

Upon reaching the Life Extension Stage, one's lifespan increases, and their aging body also undergoes a transformation, becoming younger.

This old ancestor of Xuanyuan Kingdom, Ding Hong, despite being over 160 years old, did not appear as aged as one might imagine.

"It truly is him..."

Luo Qianhong, to one side, his pupils contracted.

Although he had never met this old ancestor, he had seen his portraits through various channels. He had thought he was long gone, but he never expected him to not only be alive but also possess such a commanding aura.

"I gave you a chance! Unfortunately, you didn't seize it!"

Gritting his teeth, Ding Hong stared coldly at Zhang Xuan, his gaze like a knife.

He doted on this great-grandson immensely; otherwise, he wouldn't have settled on him as Crown Prince so early.

Now this fellow had actually killed someone right in front of him. It was simply... unforgivable.

Boom!

The voice descended from the sky, like a heavy hammer, charging straight towards him.

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

Zhang Xuan felt a dull ache in his chest, as if he had been struck. His face paled, and he involuntarily took several steps back.

Transcendent Realm experts could control the power of heaven and earth, allowing them to attack directly even from a great distance.

Just like Master Su previously, whose mere words made the Golden Scale Beast fall from the sky and Liang Qingming cough up blood.

Ding Hong's strength was not as great as Master Su's, and Zhang Xuan's strength was considerably greater than Liang Qingming's. Even so, he was still forced back, proving how formidable Transcendent Realm experts truly were.

"Seize a chance? I'm sorry, but even if you gave me another chance, I would still kill him!"

Circulating his Heaven's Path zhenqi to dissipate the pressure on his body, Zhang Xuan looked up at the sky.

"Eye of Insight!"

Patterns flowed in his eyes as he sought to discern the opponent's flaws, but he found nothing.

The Eye of Insight could at most detect flaws in Half-Transcendent experts, meaning those one minor level above him. It still couldn't perceive true Transcendent Realm experts.

"Flaws!"

Knowing that this unique master teacher ability couldn't help him, Zhang Xuan wasn't nervous; he urgently called out in his mind.

A book appeared in his mind.

The opponent's use of sound pressure was equivalent to deploying a martial technique, and the Library of Heaven's Path could now generate an analysis.

He hastily flipped open the book.

His eyebrows furrowed, and his face turned ashen.

Although it listed many flaws regarding the person before him, with his current strength, even knowing them, he couldn't pose a threat.

It was like an infant knowing that a man's crotch was a weak point. Setting aside whether it could even connect, even if it did, it might not be able to inflict injury.

Even if his physical body and zhenqi combined could unleash 50,000 ding of power, injuring a Transcendent Realm expert was still impossible.

In other words, even if he knew the flaws with his current strength, it was useless!

He simply couldn't harm the opponent.

"Since you wish to die, I shall grant your wish!"

Seeing that this fellow dared to defy him even now, Ding Hong, standing on the broad beast's back, let out a cold snort.

No sooner had he spoken than the Iron-backed Winged Dragon beneath him, as if receiving a command, flapped its massive wings fiercely.

The enormous beast's body shot forward like an arrow, appearing before him in the blink of an eye, its blade-like wings sweeping towards Zhang Xuan.

Judging by the whistling sound tearing through the air, if it struck, let alone a person, even steel would be ripped in half instantly.

His pupils contracted. Knowing that even his Heaven's Path Golden Body's second stage, despite its immense power, definitely couldn't withstand it, Zhang Xuan moved his feet.

Heaven's Path Movement Art.

In a blink, he appeared tens of meters away, dodging the attack.

Missing its strike, the Iron-backed Winged Dragon turned in the air and swept its wings again.

He retreated again.

After repeating this several times, Zhang Xuan's face had turned ashen.

Although his increased cultivation allowed him to use the Heaven's Path Movement Art more often, his body would eventually give out. If this continued, in fewer than three more uses, even if the opponent's wings didn't strike him, he would likely be severely injured.

"Just dodging like this definitely won't work, but... a Half-Transcendent savage beast and a Transcendent Realm expert... there's no way to defeat either!"

"Indeed, Master Teacher Zhang is in a bad situation!"

Everyone looked tense.

Setting aside the Transcendent Realm Ding Hong, even the Iron-backed Winged Dragon, ranked second on the Green Leaf Ranking, was not something a martial artist could handle.

Not only did it have invincible defense and powerful attacks, but most importantly, it flew in the sky...

No matter how strong you were, you could only take hits. You couldn't fly up and strike it down.

"Could it be... that Master Teacher Zhang will truly be killed?"

Someone in the crowd murmured.

Master Teacher Zhang had just helped him achieve a breakthrough, and he owed him a debt of gratitude like that to a half-teacher. Witnessing him being killed yet being powerless, his face was filled with anxiety.

"Unless the Iron-backed Winged Dragon can be made to stop flying, with his strength, he might be able to fight it. But... is that even possible?"

Someone sighed.

The Iron-backed Winged Dragon was a Half-Spirit Beast, with intelligence no less than a human's. Since flying gave it such a great advantage, how could it possibly give it up!

Unless there was a way to strike it down from the sky.

But... setting aside its invincible defense, even if one had enough power, they would first need to match its speed.

In other words, the Iron-backed Winged Dragon was currently in an unassailable position. If things continued like this, he would eventually be killed.

Everyone fell silent, anxious but helpless.

"You're fast enough at dodging, let's see how many more times you can manage!"

Everyone could see this, and Ding Hong naturally knew it too. Standing on the beast's back, he gave a cold smile, hands clasped behind his back, looking over proudly as if at a dead man.

What good was being fast? Could he outrun flight?

"I certainly can't dodge many more times!" Zhang Xuan stopped, lifted his head, and said, "So... I won't dodge anymore!"

"Not dodging? Then die!"

With a snort, Ding Hong was about to command the Iron-backed Winged Dragon to attack when he suddenly heard a sharp sound abruptly rise from below.

"Hoooo!"

Thud!

Before he could react, Ding Hong felt his feet give way. The Iron-backed Winged Dragon beneath him plummeted from the sky. Caught unprepared, he too plunged headfirst into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.