Xu Qi’an strode forward and took the book “Methods of Advancing to Half-step Martial God” from the shelf. The first line read:

“Among all systems under heaven, they step outside the Three Realms while remaining within the Five Elements. Only martial artists remain within the Three Realms but outside the Five Elements.”

The difference between martial artists and other systems lies in being “inside or outside the Three Realms”… Xu Qi’an frowned, pondering this sentence. Beyond understanding that martial artists differed from other systems, he couldn’t glean more meaning.

“Three Realms” and “Five Elements” likely had specific meanings in ritualist terminology.

Forcing an interpretation might not be accurate—better ask Senior Brother Song later! He eagerly turned to the next page.

This page contained the Observatory Master’s explanation of first-rank martial artists. The text mentioned that first-rank martial artists unified essence, qi, and spirit into a self-contained cycle, without external interaction… At this point, the Observatory Master had thoughtfully added a note:

“‘Without external interaction’ means not borrowing power from heaven and earth, including but not limited to elements like yin-yang, five elements, thunder, and lightning.”

Normal qi circulation and spirit absorption didn’t fall into this category. Hmm, among the first-rank experts I know, Saren Agu, Luo Yuheng, and the Buddhist Buddhas all have methods of borrowing and converting heaven and earth’s power for their use… Only martial artists rely on their strength and qi… Observatory Master’s note was written so “plainly,” as if for someone without much intelligence… Xu Qi’an’s expression suddenly froze.

Because he realized this book was left by Observatory Master before, and the first-rank martial artist Observatory Master had supported seemed to be, possibly, probably… him!

Looking down on who? Xu Qi’an burst with anger.

He told himself to endure it, considering that the old fellow was currently away sailing, he wouldn’t stoop to his level.

Reading on, he finally reached the content about half-step Martial Gods.

Observatory Master provided two approaches. One was gradual refinement, like how peak fourth-rank experts tempered their bodies, making cells evolve, shedding mortal flesh to become god-like beings.

For first-rank martial artists to advance to half-step Martial God, they similarly needed to continuously refine their bodies and enrich their qi. But throughout history, almost no martial artist had reached the peak of the first rank to become a half-step Martial God.

As far as the Observatory Master knew, only Divine Executioner, who was sealed in Sangbo five hundred years ago, had achieved this.

“Because martial artists who advance to first rank through fortune have lifespans of only a hundred years—not nearly enough time to advance to half-step Martial God. Those who reach first rank through natural talent and effort are killed by Witch God and Buddha over the long years.”

“The Gu God once said they fear the emergence of Martial Gods. From this, we can see that resolving the so-called great calamity likely requires a Martial God’s appearance. Further deducing from this, could Observatory Master’s goal be to create a Martial God?”

“As the gatekeeper, he’s been constantly planning to resolve the great calamity this way…”

The other method was the “blood pill” route, using plundered life essence from experts of the same domain to accelerate advancement.

“When I first learned about Northern Warlord refining blood pills, I had a premonition that the martial artist system might be extremely cruel,” Xu Qi’an sighed.

The first method had no shortcuts, depending on talent and effort. The second method was a shortcut.

Xu Qi’an excitedly read through the latter half of the book, then quietly closed it and returned to Song Qin’s side, saying with an unchanged expression:

“Observatory Master left some relevant refining formations, materials, and techniques—quite interesting. Want to take a look?”

Song Qin’s eyes first lit up with a thirst for knowledge, then he became somewhat reluctant. “I want to rely on myself, not on Teacher Observatory Master.”

Xu Qi’an said gravely: “Learning knowledge is a joyful process. If you don’t need to pay a price during it, that’s double the joy.”

Translated into familiar terms:

Getting things for free makes us happy.

Song Qin thought about it, found it reasonable, and took the old fellow Observatory Master’s work, reading it patiently.

“How is it?” Xu Qi’an asked.

Song Qin looked up, bewildered: “Can’t understand it…”

He then looked at Xu Qi’an hopefully: “Can Young Master Xu understand it?”

Xu Qi’an smiled, “Just skimmed through it earlier. Observatory Master wrote very interestingly. After reading it, six of my seven apertures opened up.”

Song Qin exclaimed in admiration: “In such a short time, Young Master Xu could understand so much alchemy content. The only unopened aperture must be formations.”

…Xu Qi’an nodded solemnly, then quickly changed the subject:

“What does Senior Brother Song think the opening line means?”

Song Qin accordingly turned to the beginning, read that line again, and pondered: “The Three Realms refers to the ‘Form Realm,’ ‘Desire Realm,’ and ‘Formless Realm.’ Young Master Xu can understand it as the mortal world. Stepping outside the Three Realms means cutting away mortal thoughts and desires…”

In simple terms, it meant having no worldly desires… Xu Qi’an nodded slowly.

“If Young Master Xu observes, you’ll notice that among the various systems’ transcendent experts, the higher their level, the more solitary they become. Almost all desires, including carnal ones, are cut away. Well, Human Path is an exception, but that’s because of the karma fire. Without it, Luo Yuheng would probably be without desires too.”

No wonder almost all the transcendent experts I’ve met are single. Only I, as a martial artist, strive daily for pile-driving… Xu Qi’an couldn’t help but laugh.

But the next moment, he stood there in a daze as a thought flashed through his mind:

Was this factor part of why Xu Pingfeng was so unfaithful? The higher the level, the more diluted the seven emotions and six desires become.

Looking back at Golden Lotus Daoist, Zhao Shou, Saren Agu, and other transcendent experts, he was shocked to realize there wasn’t a single lecher among them.

“So only martial artists retain the most complete seven emotions and six desires?” Xu Qi’an thought privately.

Song Qin continued: “The meaning of ‘within the Five Elements’ is easy to understand. All systems need to rely on heaven and earth’s power, controlling earth, wind, water, fire, yin-yang, and the five elements. But martial artists don’t need to. Martial artists rely entirely on their fists. Tsk tsk, how crude!”

“Ah, I don’t mean to belittle Silver Badge Xu, I’m belittling the martial artist system.”

Is there a difference? Don’t misunderstand, I’m not targeting you, I’m targeting all martial artists in the world. Xu Qi’an’s mind was full of retorts.

…

Jingshan City.

Not a blade of grass grew on Mount Jing. Black rocks protruded from the barren sandy soil, with no signs of life on the entire main peak.

In the distance, the ocean undulated, sparkling with rippling light. At the horizon where the blue sky met the ocean, a flock of seabirds soared.

The location was coastal, with strong winds bringing faint salty sea scents. Saren Agu sat cross-legged at the mountain peak with a small table before him. On it lay a row of bamboo slips, inscribed with names:

Xu Qi’an, Luo Yuheng, Li Miaozhen, Asura…

And: Bodhi Tree, Crystal, Guangxian, Deliverance!

Behind Saren Agu stood Rain Master Nalan Tianlu, Spirit Wisdom Master Wuda Baota, and Yierbu.

The Great Shaman pulled out an ancient, smooth tortoiseshell from under his robe, bit his index finger, and smeared the welling blood drops onto the shell’s patterns.

Then, following the same method, he dripped blood drops into a cup Yierbu handed over.

The blood drops diffused, turning the clear water light red.

Saren Agu closed his eyes, formed hand seals, and remained motionless.

To outside observers, he appeared to be merely meditating normally, but in the three transcendent shamans’ eyes, the Great Shaman seemed to merge with heaven and earth, entering a profound state, communicating with the mysterious workings of fate.

This was an extremely high-level spell in divination. At the Great Shaman’s level, he could see fate’s workings through divination, more precise and direct than regular divination.

Shortly after, Saren Agu opened his eyes, picked up the teacup, held the light bloody water in his mouth, and with a “puff” sound, sprayed it toward the bamboo slips.

In an instant, the bamboo slips began to tremble slightly.

These slips with names like “Xu Qi’an” and “Li Miaozhen” suddenly began bleeding, staining the names red.

The blood on the tortoiseshell slowly flowed along the shell’s patterns until the entire back was dyed red.

Saren Agu stared at the divination signs for a long time, then slowly exhaled:

“Nalan, go to the Western Regions and tell Bodhi Tree that bloody disaster approaches. Let them prepare.”

Nalan Tianlu first nodded, then stared at the “Xu Qi’an” and “Bodhi Tree” bamboo slips, pondering:

“They have the highest risk of perishing…”

This was the Rain Master’s interpretation of the divination signs. Both sides’ transcendent experts faced bloody disaster, presaging the risk of perishing.

Of course, in battles at this level, no one could guarantee their survival. Having risks was normal.

However, the bloody disasters for Xu Qi’an and Bodhi Tree were especially severe.

Yierbu frowned: “He’s now a first-rank martial artist. Who could kill him?”

As soon as he finished speaking, his eyebrow twitched as he guessed the answer.

Buddha!

Saren Agu said: “Super-rank won’t tolerate a first-rank martial artist’s growth. Xu Qi’an wants to retrieve the Divine Executioner’s head. The one in Arantha might be waiting for this opportunity, luring him into a trap. As for Bodhi Tree…”

He frowned, unable to provide an interpretation.

Logically, among the three Buddhas, Bodhi Tree should be the safest. The Immovable Wisdom King and Vajra Dharma Body should be enough to ensure his survival.

Unless Great Zhou’s transcendent experts deliberately targeted this Buddha.

But for what reason?

Saren Agu didn’t think too much about it, looking at Nalan Tianlu:

“After you reach the Western Regions, have the Buddhist sect send Deliverance Arhat to the Central Plains. We need the power of the Bandit Slayer rank. As for you, observe the situation in Arantha. If the timing is right, don’t miss the chance with Xu Qi’an.”

Finally, the Great Shaman glanced at “Bodhi Tree” and said flatly:

“If the timing is about right, help him too.”

Nalan Tianlu nodded in understanding.

…

Western Regions.

In a southern city-state, Deliverance Arhat sat cross-legged before the main hall. Below him sat hundreds of people, some wearing kasayas and monk’s robes, others being city-state believers.

“Both dharma and self are empty, all is illusory; liberating self and others, enlightening self and others, crossing over people and self, all beings achieve Buddhahood…”

Deliverance Arhat sat on the high platform, preaching and explaining his Mahayana Buddhism concepts.

The believers and monks below listened in fascination.

Compared to Arantha Buddhism’s emphasis on self-liberation, the Buddhism that Deliverance Arhat brought back from Eastern Great Zhou was more easily accepted by lower-ranking monks and common people.

Liberating others and self was true great love.

This perfectly matched people’s moral views and suited the instinctive desires of the Western Regions’ struggling common people to be saved and save others.

Combined with the prestige of being a Buddhist Arhat, Deliverance’s preaching journey was quite smooth.

Except for being stopped once by the Buddha Bodhi Tree, he had encountered almost no obstacles.

At this time, a middle-aged man with ragged clothes, dark skin, and a weather-beaten appearance stood up, pressed his palms together, and asked:

“Deliverance Arhat, can we achieve Buddhahood?”

“In the three thousand worlds, Buddha is everywhere, all beings possess Buddha nature, Buddhahood is a rank, not limited to one or several people…”

Before Deliverance Arhat finished speaking, he suddenly stopped. In his eyes, the many believers lost their “color.”

He turned his head to the left, where a devastatingly beautiful female Buddha had appeared beside him at some point.

Her feet were bare as snow, her white clothes floating, her eyes like two colorless crystal beads, lacking emotion yet unconsciously making people feel these eyes were beautiful.

“Guangxian has already compromised and no longer supports Mahayana Buddhism. You travel throughout the Western Regions, spreading Mahayana Buddhism everywhere. Aren’t you afraid of punishment afterward?”

Crystal Buddha said flatly.

Deliverance said flatly: “I’m just walking my path.”

Crystal Buddha’s lips curved slightly in a smile:

“I don’t care about your business. I came to inform you to go to the Central Plains immediately and join forces with the Witch God Cult to level the capital.”

Deliverance shook his head:

“I won’t move against mortals.”

The wind lifted Crystal’s beautiful hair, brushing against her jade-like cheeks as she said flatly:

“Dealing with transcendents will do.”