We're practicing all martial arts, so why did you switch to easy mode?

Chapter 250 Minor cultivators dwell in the mountains and forests, major cultivators roam the world (5K)

Wanmiao Cave.

Su Chen is reviewing the information about the Guiyi Secret Realm given to him by Jie Sui.

As the runes were activated, a flood of information rushed into Su Chen's mind, leaving him momentarily stunned.

A moment later, Su Chen regained consciousness, his brows furrowed with worry.

After reviewing the information about the Guiyi Secret Realm, he found that it was largely the same as what Jie Sui had told him.

As we all know, the path to mastering the true meaning of martial arts is long and arduous, relying entirely on one's own mind and almost entirely dependent on external aids.

However, the Guiyi Secret Realm is a very magical place that can help martial artists comprehend the true meaning of martial arts more quickly.

The reason is that the Guiyi Secret Realm contains countless martial arts essences.

Once a martial artist enters the Unity Secret Realm, if the martial arts essence you comprehend is similar to the martial arts essence remaining in the secret realm, then you will be able to comprehend the martial arts essence faster than others.

In this situation, it's as if you have a reference point, you're walking the path that others have already taken, and in the end, you just need to transform it into your own true meaning of martial arts.

Even the slightest similarity can be of great benefit to martial artists who have not grasped the true meaning of martial arts.

However, if the martial arts essence you want to comprehend is completely different from the martial arts essence remaining in the secret realm, or even has no reference whatsoever, then the secret realm will be of almost no use to you in comprehending the martial arts essence.

Su Chen was caught in this dilemma.

Others might find similar martial arts principles in the secret realm and gain insight into them, but he might not.

Even now, he is unsure what kind of true martial arts essence he wants to comprehend.

There are many kinds of martial arts essence, but the martial arts essence that human martial artists comprehend is mostly related to will, personality, and obsession.

However, all of these are too vague and ethereal; there isn't even a vague concept of them.

Su Chen felt that he had all of these qualities, but none of them were particularly outstanding.

The most difficult step in understanding the true meaning of martial arts is not how to understand it, but rather to understand one's own mind.

Enlightenment means understanding one's own mind, knowing what one has, what one wants, and what one should do...

It encompasses a lot of content, which is difficult to explain or articulate.

A martial artist's understanding of the mind is neither difficult nor easy.

The difficulty lies in the fact that some people never achieve enlightenment in their entire lives, while the simplicity lies in the fact that some people can do it in less than a few years.

Once a martial artist understands his own mind, it's like finding the right direction.

With a clear direction, one can address the problem effectively, and understanding the true meaning of martial arts is only a matter of time.

There are still nine years before the Guiyi Secret Realm opens. During this time, Su Chen can begin to clarify his mind.

This is something many martial artists do before entering the Guiyi Secret Realm.

“Enlightenment…”

Su Chen muttered to himself, lost in deep thought.

His eyes gradually became cloudy, and his aura slowly became disordered.

If this continues, he will be trapped in a dead end, as if he were tormented by inner demons and unable to extricate himself.

However, Su Chen's eyes quickly regained their clarity, even showing a hint of joy.

“I remember that the Myriad Wonders of the Profound Heart technique records that the technique following the Myriad Powers technique is related to the true meaning of martial arts and is called the Myriad Intents technique. Since I can use the Myriad Powers technique to comprehend the power of Yuan energy, can I also use the Myriad Intents technique to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts?”

Su Chen's eyes suddenly lit up as if it were daytime, recalling the relevant information about the Myriad Intent Technique.

Mastering the Myriad Powers Technique grants one the power of all things; mastering the Myriad Intentions Technique grants one the intention of all things.

The meaning of all things is not limited to one kind of martial arts essence, but rather to hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of kinds, equivalent to the blessing of all kinds of wills.

"If the Myriad Intents Technique is truly as powerful as the Myriad Wonders of the Profound Heart Style claims, then why should I stubbornly cling to a single martial arts essence? I might as well use the panel to learn the Myriad Intents Technique, since the panel is my greatest reliance!"

Su Chen's eyes flickered, and he gradually came up with an idea.

As long as he finds the Myriad Meanings Technique, he doesn't care about Enlightenment or the Return to One Secret Realm; he only needs to activate the simple mode to comprehend the meaning of all things.

How simple!
"only……"

Su Chen calmed down, but worry still lingered around his brow.

"The current problem is how to find Wan Yigong!"

While searching for the Myriad Powers Technique, he also inquired about the Myriad Intentions Technique, but to no avail.

In this situation, either the Myriad Intentions Technique is no longer available in Sheng Yuan, or the technique has been renamed. But either way, it means finding a needle in a haystack.

"No, we can't put all our eggs in one basket."

There are still nine years left before we reach the Unity Secret Realm. I can prepare for two things: one, I'll search for the Myriad Intent Technique, and two, I'll seek enlightenment.

Thinking of this, Su Chen wished he could immediately go and find the Myriad Intentions Technique.

He quickly calmed down.

"However, before leaving the Ziyang Sect, I need to go to the True Meaning Tower to see what it's like."

Tower of truth.

As its name suggests, it is a pagoda provided by the Ziyang Sect to martial artists in the Yuan Shen realm to witness the true meaning of martial arts.

The Zhenyi Pagoda is located on Chiyang Peak. The pagoda is not tall, with only four stories.

Even before entering the tower, an ancient and profound aura wafts over you, giving you a subtle sense of submission.

It felt similar to the martial arts essence that Yang Jiu had unleashed, but it wasn't as intense as Yang Jiu's.

Su Chen stepped into the Tower of True Meaning. Just one step away, it felt like entering a completely different world.

The walls inside the Zhenyi Pagoda are covered with densely packed images, so lifelike that they seem to come alive and are about to leap out.

Upon closer inspection, the walls of the tower are painted with ancient and desolate stars.

These stars reveal themselves to the public in different forms, conveying the will of their masters.

Like a garden where hundreds of flowers bloom in spring, it shines with its own unique brilliance.

With just one glance, Su Chen felt completely captivated.

"The mural on the first floor of the True Meaning Tower is the 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Tu' (Celestial Star Chart), and each star on it embodies the true meaning of martial arts."

Su Chen looked around, scanning all the images into his eyes.

He walked slowly, pausing for a moment before each image to carefully examine it and try to understand the true meaning of martial arts that these images conveyed to him.

Although few people can comprehend their own martial arts essence simply by observing the true meaning of martial arts, it is one of the most direct ways to understand the true meaning of martial arts of others.

Images flashed before his eyes, and Su Chen felt as if he were surrounded by a sky full of stars, taking a leisurely tour.

Then he went to the second floor.

The second layer is not the Zhou Tian Xing Chen Diagram, but the Wan Beasts Choosing Heaven Diagram.

The murals don't depict stars, but rather demonic creatures.

There were creatures that flew in the sky, ran on the ground, and swam in the water... most of them were creatures that Su Chen had never seen before.

They come in countless forms, some ferocious, some domineering, some cruel, some lonely...

Su Chen also observed and moved forward, leaving his gaze on each mural.

Soon, he arrived at the third floor.

The images on the third-floor tower walls have a different charm, depicting flowers, trees, and all sorts of mythical creatures.

Compared to the first two layers, the third layer has far fewer images.

Even so, after appreciating the first two layers of murals, the third layer gave him a completely new feeling.

Su Chen read very slowly.

The time spent on the third floor was more than on the other two floors.

Finally, we arrived at the fourth floor.

The number of images on the fourth layer has decreased significantly, with only a few images depicting landscapes and human settlements.

There are mountains and streams, the sun, moon and stars, smoke rising from houses, and domestic fowl and animals...

It looks like a combination of the previous three layers, but it has a distinct artistic conception that is different from the previous three layers.

Su Chen racked his brains, but the only word that could describe it was "the warmth and life of everyday people".

He walked slowly, observing intently.

Each painting here was left by a martial artist at the Divine Realm, and each represents a true essence of martial arts.

For Su Chen, witnessing the true essence of martial arts was a form of cultivation.

Before long, Su Chen had finished reading all the divine intents on the fourth floor of the True Intent Tower.

He stood at the window, gazing at the boundless sky, and felt an immense sense of peace.

The murals on the four floors of the Zhenyi Pagoda gave him different feelings.

The first layer of the celestial map resembles a vast and boundless expanse, like a long and winding path of martial arts.

The second layer, the "Myriad Beasts Choosing Heaven" diagram, resembles the struggle for survival of the fittest, representing the fierce battles on the path of martial arts.

The third layer depicts the growth of plants, resembling spring breezes bringing forth new life, and even more so, an indomitable will.

The wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys on the fourth floor resemble the everyday life of ordinary people, and what seems to be hidden within them is a sense of leisure and tranquility.

"What about me?"

Su Chen asked himself honestly, the martial arts principles contained in these divine instructions were all good, but none of them were suitable for him.

He sensed this from the very first glance at the murals.

When Su Chen entered the Tower of True Meaning, he had a vague feeling about this, and after seeing the images on the fourth floor, this feeling became clearer.

"Is it because I'm unwilling to accept it?" Su Chen murmured to himself.

It's not that I'm dissatisfied with the strength or weakness of these martial arts principles, but rather with the quantity of these martial arts principles.

You should know that he practices the Myriad Powers Technique.

Others cultivate only a few hundred or a thousand types of Yuan Power, while he has countless. Such a huge difference naturally brings him an extraordinary feeling.

Having the power of immeasurable elemental energy, he could clearly sense the resentment brought about by this gap after seeing these martial arts truths.

Unwilling to cultivate only one martial arts essence.

He wants to cultivate more!

"But there seems to be no precedent in the records of the true meaning of martial arts."

The true meaning of martial arts is the embodiment of a martial artist's will and many other factors. Cultivating even one aspect is extremely difficult; to want to cultivate more is nothing short of a pipe dream.

"It seems that Wan Yigong is still more to my liking."

Su Chen then thought of the Myriad Intentions Technique.

Previously, he preferred to pursue both, but after understanding the true meaning of various martial arts, he is now more inclined to seek the Myriad Intents Technique.

Although he didn't know how Wan Yigong managed to cultivate ten thousand kinds of martial arts essence, it at least gave him a glimmer of hope.

Just like when he chose the Myriad Powers Technique, he didn't know it was fine, but if he had known, he wouldn't have been willing to compromise.

After lingering for a long time, Su Chen left the True Meaning Tower.

This trip to the Tower of Truth benefited him greatly. Although he did not reach the state of enlightenment, he understood his own choices.

three days later.

After arranging everything, Su Chen went to the Crimson Sun Palace to find Yang Jiu.

The reason I came here is to tell Yang Jiu my plans.

"The Vice Sect Master is not here. Come back later." However, an elder told him that Yang Jiu had not yet returned to the Ziyang Sect.

After making some inquiries, even the elders didn't know when the vice sect leader would return.

Su Chen thought for a moment and said, "Then I would like to trouble the elder to pass on a message that I am preparing to travel abroad and if I do not return in nine years, I will voluntarily give up my spot to enter the Guiyi Secret Realm."

This was the result of his careful consideration.

Whether it's seeking the Myriad Intentions Technique or gaining enlightenment, it all means that the Guiyi Secret Realm won't be of much use to him.

Once he finds Wan Yi Gong, he can comprehend the true meaning of martial arts through the panel without having to enter the secret realm.

If you can't find it, then understand your own heart.

However, his enlightenment and the cultivation of the Myriad Intentions Technique are similar in principle.

He was unwilling and resigned to cultivating only one martial arts essence; he wanted to find a method that not only suited him but also allowed him to cultivate multiple martial arts essences.

Whether it's the former or the latter, the road ahead is long and arduous.

That's why Su Chen said those words. If he had gained something in these nine years, it wouldn't matter whether he went to the Guiyi Secret Realm or not.

If he truly gains nothing, he might consider returning to the Ziyang Sect and trying his luck in the Guiyi Secret Realm.

The future is unknown; everything is uncertain.

After leaving Chiyang Peak, Su Chen packed his things and left the inner city.

After arriving in the outer city, Su Chen went to the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce to inquire about information, but the result was the same as before; there was no news of Wan Yigong.

Undeterred, he bought maps of the surrounding cities and prepared to travel to other places to continue gathering information.

Unbeknownst to Su Chen, shortly after he left the Ziyang Sect, a huge uproar swept through the entire sect.

"What? Su Chen is going out to train and might have to give up his spot in the Guiyi Secret Realm?"

"What? Su Chen is going out to train and plans to give up his spot in the Guiyi Secret Realm?"

"What? Su Chen went out to train and gave up his spot in the Guiyi Secret Realm?"

"..."

In less than a day, the news that Su Chen had given up his spot in the Guiyi Secret Realm spread like wildfire throughout the Ziyang Sect.

Upon hearing this news, Shang Shuo and the others expressed disbelief, but the latest news they received was that Su Chen had indeed left the Ziyang Sect.

"Su Chen, has he gone mad?"

It wasn't just Shang Shuo and his group who had this idea; all the martial artists in the Ziyang Sect who knew Su Chen had the same thought.

Giving up the qualification to enter the Guiyi Secret Realm and choosing to go out to train and comprehend the true meaning of martial arts—if it succeeds, that's fine, but what if it fails?

In their view, this behavior is like picking up a sesame seed and losing a watermelon, completely putting the cart before the horse.

No one had high hopes for Su Chen.

They believed that even with Su Chen's talent, he might not be able to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts within nine years.

"Instead of taking the perfectly good, broad road, he chose the most hopeless path. It can only be said that Su Chen wasted his talent."

"Yes, the Guiyi Secret Realm could have saved him at least half the time, but he gave it up. He's really... foolish!"

"Anyway, I don't think he can grasp the true meaning of martial arts within nine years."

"I've always admired him, but I never expected him to make such a foolish move. You know, those martial artists he defeated were always secretly comparing themselves to him."

"What if he fails to grasp the true meaning of martial arts by then, while Yuan Wu, Jue Wuya, and Nie Long are the first to do so?"

"..."

Such discussions abounded within the Ziyang Sect and spread throughout the entire Shengyuan Kingdom.

Within about half a month, the news reached the ears of all the major sects.

Shangyuan Palace.

"Su Chen gave up his spot in the Guiyi Secret Realm?"

When Yuanwu first heard the news, he didn't believe it. But after confirming it several times, a look of joy appeared on his face.

He had previously worried that Su Chen would grasp the true meaning of martial arts faster than him, but now he was completely relieved.

Throughout the history of the Holy Yuan Kingdom, there have been many who have comprehended the true meaning of martial arts within nine years, but they are few and far between, and each of them has gone down in history and made a name for themselves.

Even Ji Ziyang from the Ziyang Sect took decades to succeed on this path.

He didn't believe that Su Chen was comparable to Ji Ziyang, let alone those martial artists who were even more powerful than Ji Ziyang.

Yuan Wu knew that Su Chen wanted to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts on his own, but this path was not easy to succeed on.

Perhaps after nine years, Su Chen will ultimately gain nothing.

By then, it will be too late for him to regret it.

We can only wait for the Guiyi Secret Realm to open next time so that we can enter and comprehend the true meaning of martial arts.

But nineteen years have passed, and they may have already grasped the true meaning of martial arts and entered a higher realm.

Su Chen, however, is still standing still, or even possibly regressing!

"Heh, how foolish!"

Yuan Wu chuckled and offered his assessment of Su Chen's behavior.

Simultaneously.

Those talented disciples who had fought against Su Chen before reacted in various ways upon hearing the news.

Some were surprised, some laughed, some gloated... the reactions were varied.

However, none of this concerns Su Chen anymore.

On the third day after leaving the Ziyang Sect, Su Chen unexpectedly encountered Vice Sect Master Yang Jiu.

"Vice Sect Master," Su Chen said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Yang Jiu nodded and went straight to the point: "I heard you went out to train and were planning to give up your spot in the Guiyi Secret Realm?"

"Yeah." Su Chen nodded.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jiu gave Su Chen a deep look, her expression complex.

He asked gently, "This path isn't easy to take. Have you made up your mind?"

"I've made up my mind," Su Chen replied seriously.

After a moment of silence, Yang Jiu chuckled and said, "Since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more. Go ahead and give it a try."

"Thank you, Vice Sect Master."

Yang Jiu did not leave, but came to Su Chen and asked, "Do you know how many ways there are to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts?"

"Two kinds?" Su Chen asked after a moment's hesitation.

One is the true intention, the other is seclusion and deep cultivation.

"Yes, and no," Yang Jiu said enigmatically.

Seeing Su Chen's confusion, he explained, "Actually, there's another one."

He looked at Su Chen and said meaningfully, "Back then, Ji Ziyang was just like you, going out to train and comprehending his own true meaning of martial arts."

Hearing about Ji Ziyang again, Su Chen was slightly moved. He asked, "Did Ji Ziyang succeed in the end?"

The deputy sect leader did not answer, but the expression on his face already told Su Chen the answer.

Su Chen fell silent, not disappointed, but even more determined in his decision.

At this moment, the deputy sect leader's calm voice rang out: "This third method of comprehending the true meaning of martial arts is called 'refining the heart'."

Refining the mind?

Su Chen was taken aback upon hearing this.

The deputy sect leader smiled and explained, "This was told to me by Ji Ziyang. It's similar to your current situation, so it might be helpful to you."

He paused, then added, "In addition, he told me something else."

"What?"

"Minor cultivation takes place in the mountains and forests, major cultivation takes place in the world!"

(End of this chapter)