Threads of lightning coursed through Meng Chuan's body, following the paths of his true qi diagram and merging into every acupoint. His body began its transformation into the 'Thunder God Physique.'
Meng Chuan opened his eyes, picked up a jade box beside him, opened it, and took out the Frostheart Fruit inside. He ate it in two quick bites. As soon as it entered his mouth, it melted, and a cold energy flowed down his throat into his abdomen, gradually spreading throughout his body. His muscles, bones, tendons, and internal organs absorbed this cold energy, and as it merged with the lightning, his transformation visibly intensified.
Meng Chuan muttered, "There's still the Star Spirit Grass," as he opened a wooden box. He plucked a leaf and a root from the intact Star Spirit Grass inside, which was roughly one portion. It would take about a month to finish.
He gently chewed on the leaf and root, filling his mouth with a refreshing fragrance that instantly uplifted his spirit.
A miraculous energy first surged into his mind before slowly spreading to every part of his body, further enhancing his physical transformation.
Although he didn't know how the Frostheart Fruit and Star Spirit Grass were obtained, his father, who always smiled and never complained, had said, "They were not easy to come by. You must cherish them." It was likely that obtaining them was extremely difficult, and the cost behind them was probably immense. All Meng Chuan could do was not to disappoint their hopes.
...
Over the next month,
Meng Chuan followed his cultivation plan, consumed the drop of Divine Lord Marrow Essence, and finished all the Star Spirit Grass. He also never stopped his daily practice of 8,000 'Draw the Blade' techniques and his footwork and blade techniques.
According to the secret manual, during the early stages of cultivating the Divine Lord Physique, while the body was still transforming, focusing intensely on a particular aspect of training would cause the body to lean more toward that direction in its transformation. It was like a sapling being bent in one direction—it would grow to lean that way.
"The transformation of the Divine Lord Physique has noticeably slowed," Meng Chuan remarked one day at the end of June as he sat in the training field eating watermelon.
"The first month of cultivation was the explosive phase, and I also consumed three rare treasures. The improvement was too fast, almost unbelievable. Now, slowing down is normal," Meng Chuan reflected. "My Divine Lord foundation is indeed solid. Even at the early stage of the Transfiguration Realm, my physical body and true qi can rival those at the peak of the Transfiguration Realm."
It was worth noting that the Transfiguration Realm was the stage with the greatest improvement among the five mortal realms, as it was the first step in cultivating the Divine Lord Physique and gradually acquiring divine power.
To be able to rival the peak of the Transfiguration Realm at its early stage was a testament to the terrifying depth of Meng Chuan's foundation.
Even though the breakthrough from the Transfiguration Realm to the Invincible Realm was a major leap, it was estimated that by the late stage of the Transfiguration Realm, Meng Chuan's physical body and true qi would be able to match those of the Invincible Realm. Such a situation was unheard of in Dongning City. Only geniuses from ancient Divine Lord families in places like the royal capital or Primordial Mountain, who received extensive cultivation resources, could have such a profound Divine Lord foundation.
"Chuan'er, Chuan'er," Meng Dajiang's voice called from a distance.
"Father," Meng Chuan put down the watermelon, wiped his mouth with a towel, and immediately ran over.
Soon, he saw his father, Meng Dajiang, walking alongside a thin, bald old man leaning on a cane.
"Third Elder," Meng Chuan shivered slightly. Among all the elders of the Meng family, he feared the Third Elder the most. The Third Elder was cold and rigid, and he was especially harsh toward the younger generation, often resorting to his cane without hesitation. The younger generation was somewhat intimidated by him.
"Chuan'er, come and greet the Third Elder," Meng Dajiang said.
Meng Chuan immediately stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Third Elder."
"Hmm."
The bald, thin old man looked at Meng Chuan, noticing that his clothes were soaked with sweat. He nodded in satisfaction, "Cultivation requires dedication. Without enough sweat, how can one become stronger?"
"Yes," Meng Chuan obediently replied. When in the presence of the Third Elder, it was crucial to be obedient and never talk back. If one dared to talk back, the cane would strike without warning!
"This is a fragment of a blade technique I obtained by chance during my youthful wanderings. You can take a look." The bald, lean old man took out a black sheet of paper carefully wrapped in cloth from his bosom and handed it, along with the wrapping cloth, to Meng Chuan. Just the terrifying aura emanating from the partially revealed black sheet of paper startled both Meng Chuan and Meng Dajiang.
"Divine Lord inheritance?" Meng Chuan and Meng Dajiang were utterly shocked.
Divine Lord inheritance requires an extremely powerful Divine Lord to pay a great price to record a legacy.
Most Divine Lords, like Madam Meng and the ancestor of the Yun family, do not even have the qualifications to write down a 'Divine Lord inheritance.'
"This is too valuable," Meng Dajiang quickly said. "Third Presbyter, we cannot accept this."
The Third Presbyter frowned and said, "What I give, you must accept! If Meng Chuan's comprehension were lacking, I wouldn't have given it to him. Since he is now the only hope of our Meng family, he must take it. Besides, this isn't a complete Divine Lord inheritance, just a single fragment."
"Alright, I'm going back now," the Third Presbyter said, turning away with his cane. He added coldly, "Meng Chuan, you must prove yourself. Don't let everyone down."
"Yes, Third Presbyter," Meng Chuan replied, holding the black fragment wrapped in cloth, feeling deeply moved.
A fragment of a Divine Lord inheritance typically starts at ten thousand taels of silver at auction! Not to mention this one happens to be a blade technique, making it even more valuable.
Moreover, such things are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities! For ancient Divine Lords, silver holds little significance. No one would trade a complete Divine Lord inheritance for mere worldly possessions.
"This fragment of a Divine Lord inheritance is likely the most precious thing your Third Presbyter possesses, and now he has directly given it to you," Meng Dajiang said.
"Mm," Meng Chuan nodded, unwrapping the cloth and looking at the blade technique fragment.
The black sheet of paper detailed the key points and execution techniques of this move.
But as he watched, Meng Chuan gradually became immersed in it.
"Hmm?"
Meng Chuan felt a sensation of being neither fully awake nor asleep.
Entering a special mental state, he now saw a tall, slender man performing this blade technique.
"Falling Moon Slash!"
The blade technique was incredibly gentle, slicing through the air and leaving behind a sorrowfully beautiful arc, as if the moon in the sky had been cut down by a single stroke.
Graceful and tender.
"Huh?" Meng Chuan jolted awake, breaking free from the illusionary state.
"Chuan'er, how was it?" Meng Dajiang pressed urgently.
Meng Chuan stared solemnly at the black paper and whispered, "What appears to be a gentle and graceful blade technique is actually ruthlessly sinister, an extremely ruthless move." The terrifying aura emanating from the black paper left Meng Chuan inwardly shocked.
"Ruthless and vicious? Will you still cultivate it?" Meng Dajiang asked.
"Of course, I will," Meng Chuan said with gravity. "Blade techniques are divided into yin and yang, hardness and softness. This is the pinnacle of yin and softness, a move of exquisite beauty. It's called 'Falling Moon Slash,' as if it could truly fell the moon in the night sky with a single strike. This fragment of the blade technique contains an inherited essence. I sense that I can receive its inheritance over ten more times before this fragment disintegrates."
"With over ten opportunities to comprehend it, I can make good use of them to refine this move into another lethal technique of mine," Meng Chuan said.
Originally, he had only planned to cultivate one lethal technique, the 'Draw Blade Style.'
But the 'Falling Moon Slash' was simply too perfect, and there were over ten chances to grasp its essence.
"With over ten inheritances, don't waste them," Meng Dajiang reminded. "Once they're gone, they're gone."
"Before becoming a Divine Lord, I will only allow myself to comprehend it nine times," Meng Chuan said.
From that day onward, Meng Chuan added an extra half-hour of practice every afternoon.
During that half-hour, he practiced only one move—'Falling Moon Slash.'
In a hidden hall of Yuyang Palace in Dongning City,
At the center of the hall was a pool of water emitting a chilling mist. A youth in white, Yan Jin, sat cross-legged in the pool, with only his chest and above exposed above the water.
The bone-chilling temperature caused frost to form all over the youth's body. His hair, eyebrows, and even his face were covered in frost, turning pale.
"Young Master, you've already practiced for two hours today. It's time to come out of the Cold Cloud Pool," an elderly servant called out, while the Lord of Yuyang Palace observed calmly.
"I've reached the mid-stage of the Transformation Realm. Starting today, I will practice in the Cold Cloud Pool for three hours every day," the youth in white, Yan Jin, said coldly.
"Junior Brother, excess in anything is harmful. Two hours is enough for you to cultivate the Divine Lord's Physique," the Lord of Yuyang Palace said.
"It's still far from enough."
The youth in white, Yan Jin, said indifferently, "All of you, leave."
The Lord of Yuyang Palace shook his head lightly.
"Let's go," the Lord of Yuyang Palace said, leading the elderly servant out, leaving only the frost-covered youth in white to continue his arduous cultivation.
...
Throughout Dongning City, many young people were diligently cultivating, with Meng Chuan and Yan Jin being especially hardworking and dedicated.
As days passed, time went by.
In the twelfth month of that year, Mei Yuanzhi first traveled to the capital of Wu Province, then arrived at the distant Primordial Mountain with others. In the end... Mei Yuanzhi failed to enter Primordial Mountain. He was defeated. Following that, he went to serve in the military at Qinyang Pass.
When the news reached Dongning City, it drew quiet sneers from Yun Fu'an and others, while some sighed in sympathy.
Meng Chuan also felt some pressure. The threshold for entering Primordial Mountain was evidently high. He would have to work even harder and become stronger than Mei Yuanzhi to have any hope.