Chapter 123: The Grotto-Heaven Route! The Path Ahead Emerges!

Chapter 123: Cave-Heaven Passage! The Path Ahead Emerges!
Chapter 123: Weapon-Forging Villa, Ninth-Grade Divine Weapon!

Above the vast ocean.
The *Sea Swallower* was cutting through the waves. On deck, over seventy young sailors were diligently practicing their martial arts, their *qi* and blood surging.

"The 'Great River Qigong' passed down by the Captain is truly astonishing. In just a few days, I’ve already developed a sense of *qi* in my abdomen!"
"It is said that this 'Great River Qigong' is one of the most formidable internal breathing techniques on the sea. I wonder where the Captain obtained it."
"Don't be a fool! With the Captain's strength, where could he not get a peerless technique?"

As the sailors practiced, they chatted, though some remained focused on their cultivation. Not far away, Fuyouzi was inspecting the talismans on the deck, feeling immense envy. The name of the Qianshan Army now shook the East Sea; the Star-Hunting Pirates in these waters would steer clear the moment they saw the Green Flood Dragon flag.

*If I made a mistake, it wouldn't matter; it would simply show my sincerity to the Bai family,* thought the Yin Dharma King, who stood waiting at the pier with high hopes.

In an instant, the *Sea Swallower* approached. The Yin Dharma King saw it from afar, cutting through the waves with such extreme speed that it left a massive wake trailing for thousands of meters. A fleet of Star-Hunting Pirates happened to be sailing through, patrolling the area. Upon spotting the ship, they panicked, hastily turning their helms to detour and avoid it by dozens of miles.

On the *Sea Swallower*, Bai Xuan was relaxed. His martial arts realm was now incomparably formidable; with a mere glance, he had mastered the *qi* and blood transformations of the Great River Qigong. On this vast ocean, his power increased with every passing moment.

*Most of these techniques lack the subsequent fundamental visualization diagrams and can only serve as references,* he mused.

Bai Xuan exhaled a breath of white mist, which rumbled and transformed into a powerful river of *qi* and blood. It merged with another, flowing endlessly. He took a breath, his internal energy growing three parts stronger. With a single clench of his fist, terrifying divine power erupted, creating a sonic boom.

*Quite sensible,* he thought, noting the pirates' retreat. He had no intention of chasing them; if they had attacked, he would have wiped them out, but there was no need to pursue them for dozens of miles.

...

At the Weapon-Forging Villa, the pier had been cleared. Hundreds of White Lotus Sect members gathered, laying down thick red carpets for the arrival of the honored guest.

When the *Sea Swallower* arrived, its hull glowed with faint runes, slowing down to dock. As Bai Xuan disembarked, the Yin Dharma King approached with a sycophantic smile.

"The Dragon Head is here! We failed to welcome you from afar; it is truly a regret and a discourtesy... Please, this way, Dragon Head."

The Yin Dharma King led Bai Xuan toward the waiting carriage. This was no trap; the Yin Dharma King was eager to curry favor. He heard Bai Xuan say calmly, "Dharma King, you have made great progress."

In Bai Xuan's eyes, the Yin Dharma King’s *qi* and blood had finally reached completion, forming a river and filling the final void.

"It is a troubled time; I had to use a secret technique of the sect to compensate for my shortcomings," the Yin Dharma King replied hurriedly.

Inside the carriage, the Yin Dharma King revealed the back of his hand, where a white lotus bloomed—gaudy, eerie, and seemingly alive. This lotus was rooting itself into his hand to supply the missing *qi* and blood, bringing his cultivation to the level of a consummate Grandmaster.

Bai Xuan’s eyebrows twitched. He could sense that the lotus contained a different aura, an external source of *qi* and blood used to supplement the user. As Bai Xuan’s gaze swept over it, the white lotus recoiled and shriveled, trembling in fear.

"Hiss... the sacred object of our sect senses the Dragon Head's divine might. Your strength is truly peerless in the East Sea; I fear you are not far from the 'Qi and Blood like the Sea' Great Grandmaster realm," the Yin Dharma King gasped, offering continuous flattery.

*In his eyes, this Bai family Grandmaster is invincible beneath the 'Qi and Blood like the Sea' level,* the Yin Dharma King thought. *Even my sect leader might not be his match.*

After the meal, Bai Xuan stood up. "I did not come here for social calls. My weapon needs forging; I require the Dharma King's full cooperation."

"Naturally!" the Yin Dharma King patted his chest. "Your word is law; my entire villa will not refuse!"

After sending Bai Xuan off, the Yin Dharma King let out a long sigh. The White Lotus Sect had its foundations, but facing such an invincible Grandmaster, they had to be respectful.

...

In Liu Ruyi’s forging room, the master smith was working on a long sword. He now wore robes adorned with gold threads, marking his status as a "Grand Master."

"It is you!" Liu Ruyi exclaimed, his surprise turning into immense joy. "It has been a long time. I heard the 'Ocean-Subduing Spear' has become famous throughout the East Sea; it is an honor to have played a part!"

"Long time no see," Bai Xuan smiled, producing the spear. "It blocked a Yin Thunder and severed a magical artifact; it seems to have undergone some changes. I need you to examine it."

Liu Ruyi took the spear, his expression turning grave as he studied the terrifying, flickering lightning on it. "This... I fear this will take some time. You will need to stay in the villa for a few days."

"Very well."

...

A few days passed. In a magnificent hall, Bai Xuan opened his eyes. He had finally attained a bit of "Hard-Practice Dao Intent," allowing him to push his "Mercury Blood" to a small-success level.

Rumble! His blood circulated like a great river. Four rivers of *qi* and blood erupted, pushing his physical power to a new level.

"Terrifying physique! The Whale Hunter could probably beat me to death with one hand now," the Yin Dharma King thought, feeling his scalp tingle from the sound of Bai Xuan’s blood flowing.

Nearby, a middle-aged swordsman—Lu Ming—approached with a joyful expression. "You have finally broken through the barrier of life and death, entering the Blood Refining level."

"Yes," Bai Xuan said calmly.

"I came to find you because news has finally come from the Sea God Sect," Lu Ming said, his expression turning solemn. "The Great Ritualist we were hunting has come out on top in the sect selection. He has completed the final ascension ceremony and become the seventh leader of the Sea God Sect! His strength is now at the nine-river level!"

...

Elsewhere, Liu Ruyi was digging through a pile of old papers in the deepest part of the villa.

"Found it!" he pulled out an ancient book. "*Record of the Ninth-Grade Divine Weapons*!"

His expression was one of extreme excitement. "The smelting method for graded divine weapons is right here!"