Narration System for the Journey of Martial Arts

A few drops of transparent liquid energy fell from the sky and were swallowed by Su Yuchen, dripping into his internal organs. The newly planted seed seemed to be nourished, emitting a five-colored radiance.

Just as Xu Xingzhi and Wanwan felt the moonlight brighten a bit, their vision blurred, and Su Yuchen seemed to be enveloped in a layer of five-colored light. Before they could see clearly, all the strange phenomena disappeared again.

Only the cloudless sky proved that what had just happened was no illusion.

Seemingly sensing Su Yuchen's inner joy, the two osmanthus trees in the courtyard moved swiftly without wind, their green leaves seemingly emerging from the void. The leaves grew rapidly, and then osmanthus blossoms bloomed one after another.

The fragrance of osmanthus blossoms instantly filled the courtyard!

A wisp of your acquired Five Elements Divine Light has surfaced and merged with the life force, allowing you to glimpse the divine secret of 'flowers blooming in an instant'.

"The osmanthus flowers... are blooming!" This scene, which defied the rules of nature, left Wanwan and Xuxingzhi speechless, their words becoming halting.

The two stared at Su Yuchen in shock. Though they didn't understand, the awe they felt was stronger than ever before. A single thought simultaneously appeared in their eyes: An immortal!

After a moment of reflection, Su Yuchen let go of his obsession with supernatural powers, realizing that once his cultivation was sufficient, supernatural powers would naturally come into his own!

………………

"Do you have any other questions?" Su Yuchen asked with a hint of leniency, his joy evident.

"What is 'shattering the void'?" Sensing Su Yuchen's joy, Xu Xingzhi seized the opportunity to ask curiously.

Su Yuchen smiled and said, "Above the Demonic Embryo is the Demonic Immortal. Although it is still the same realm, the divine sense has become much stronger. It can lock souls over a thousand miles and can injure people invisibly. At this point, one can seek to break through this realm and ascend to another world."

Su Yuchen did not mention the potential risks of this world's ascension.

"Has Master Shi already stood atop the 'Shattered Void'?" Wanwan's eyes lit up as she asked the same question.

Seeing Su Yuchen smile without answering, the two were even more shocked and began to speculate about the level of this number one person in the world.

Xu Xingzhi's eyes widened in shock, followed by a hint of sudden realization. He said:

"No wonder the rumors in the martial arts world say that Master Shi, thousands of miles away, severely injured Fu Cailin with just a wisp of his stored sword intent. Is this the wonderful use of the Thousand-Mile Soul Lock?"

"So the realm above Grandmaster is close to immortality, not human."

Wanwan suddenly gave a bitter laugh and said:

"If the three grandmasters knew that they were more than one realm below Master Shi, they probably wouldn't dare to make any small moves! Wanwan suddenly lost all confidence in her master's plan. With Master Shi's abilities, what's the point of all his plans?"

"But with Master Shi's level of cultivation, why didn't he 'break through the void' and seek a higher realm? Master Shi is not someone who covets worldly power."

Seeing that Su Yuchen did not answer, Wanwan sighed and said, "Wanwan has another question. I wonder if Master Shi can answer it for me?"

"You want to know how to break through to the realm above Grandmaster?" Su Yuchen asked.

Wanwan nodded and said frankly, "After listening to Master Shi's words, how could Wanwan not yearn for a higher realm? If given the opportunity, Wanwan would also like to glimpse the mysteries of breaking through the void."

Su Yuchen said, "The Demonic Sect itself has a method to shatter the void. The former Evil Emperor Xiang Yutian relied on the 'Great Method of Planting Demons in the Dao Heart' to cultivate a demonic embryo and reach the realm of a demonic immortal who can shatter the void."

"The Great Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique? I heard that there are still a few disciples of the Evil Extreme Sect here!" As Wanwan's thoughts raced, she couldn't help but feel murderous intent towards these people.

Su Yuchen couldn't help but sigh, "The demonic path is truly selfish and self-serving, with everything revolving around me. There is no one I cannot kill, and nothing I cannot devour."

Wanwan didn't mind, and instead laughed, "Wanwan doesn't have the talent and ability of a stone master, and I don't know how to get out of the 'shattered void'. I can only learn from the path of the seniors of the Holy Sect."

Su Yuchen shook his head: "You don't need to explain. Different paths lead to different choices. I have no prejudice against the path you follow. As long as you don't provoke me, aren't we fellow practitioners of the demonic path?"

Wanwan suddenly bowed respectfully to Su Yuchen as if she were a teacher, and said mischievously...

"Tonight was Wanwan's greatest gain! Master Shi showed me the wonders of this world, a gain that is hard to describe."

Compared to the brilliance of 'shattering the void,' all this worldly power has paled in comparison and become meaningless.

"Will Master Shi help the Song Clan seize the world? Wanwan wants to return to the Yin Kui Sect to explain this to her master! Rather than end up as ashes under Master Shi's command, it's better to stand on the side of the victor now."

Seeing the demoness's eagerness, Xu Xingzhi couldn't help but sigh. Faced with the temptation of becoming an immortal or a demon, worldly power had indeed become unbearably vulgar, losing all allure. If it weren't for his long-standing perseverance, and if he weren't a person of unwavering resolve, he might have also abandoned everything and chosen to become a Taoist priest.

Su Yuchen nodded and said, "If Wanwan can integrate the Demonic Sect, remove the outdated parts, and select those that are beneficial to the people, then the Demonic Sect might very well stand in the imperial court in the future."

Wanwan suddenly realized and said:

"Master Shi refuses to leave. Is it because of his great love for all living beings in this world?"

"Wanwan once overheard Shi Shi discussing Yang Guang and the powerful clans with the young ladies of the Song clan in the north. She originally thought that Shi Shi disliked the powerful clans. Now she realizes that Shi Shi actually loves all the people under heaven."

The Way of Emptiness: "Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs! Is this the realm of the Stone Master? Supreme and impartial."

Chapter 372 The Lingnan Discussion

Night had fallen, and Wanwan had already departed. Tomorrow morning, or perhaps tonight, Fang Zetao and the others would discover that the person they admired had quietly left.

Only Xu Xingzhi remained seated by the stone table, lost in thought. As for the yearning to shatter the void, how could Xu Xingzhi not yearn for it?

After much deliberation, he realized he lacked the demonic sect's method of shattering the void, and was even more ignorant of other methods. As for the "Longevity Manual"?

Xu Xingzhi shook his head. According to Master Shi, he had no affinity with the Dao and could not obtain it by force. If he had an affinity, given Master Shi's character, he would have told him that just now.

"So be it! Being an ordinary person isn't so bad. Even Master Shi can't let go of the common people under heaven, so I can certainly make a name for myself in this mundane world."

Once the mind is settled, the thought of emptiness becomes clear, and one no longer lets thoughts run wild like a runaway horse.

Early the next morning, Su Yuchen and Xu Xingzhi quietly left Jingling and returned to Yangzhou by boat.

Song Shidao will set foot in Yangzhou again in ten days. This time, it will mark the beginning of his official struggle for supremacy.

………………

Lingnan.

On the mountain road leading to Songjiashan City.

Song Shidao removed his disguise, and his clothes became ordinary, just like those of an ordinary farmer. However, his steps up the mountain remained graceful and calm, each step extremely steady, carrying an invisible trace of unwavering tenacity.

On the mountaintop, watching Song Shidao walk home in his carriage, Song Yuzhi and Song Lu felt a pang of pity in their eyes, while Song Zhi frowned deeply.

"Little sister, great-uncle, second uncle!"

Standing atop the mountain, looking at the magnificent Song residence with its thousands of mansions before him, and at the people who came to greet him, a faint smile flashed in Song Shidao's eyes.

With a hint of heartache in her eyes, Song Yuzhi looked at Song Shidao, whose skin had darkened considerably and whose hands were no longer as smooth as jade. Clearly, Song Shidao had suffered a lot during the six months he had been away from home.

Before he could utter a single word, Song Zhi, standing to the side, frowned and scolded, "Look at the state you're in! Hurry up and go back to change your clothes. Your elder brother is already waiting for you at the Sharpening Knife Hall."

Song Yuzhi and Song Lu, who were standing to the side, were momentarily speechless. Before they could speak, Song Shidao waved his hand and said, "It was my rudeness. I will go and see my father now."

Seeing that he was being ignored, Song Zhi felt a surge of anger. He looked up and met Song Shidao's gaze. Although he was still the same gentle and refined young man, a feeling of unease rose in his heart. Instantly, a chill ran through him, extinguishing his anger.

Song Shidao didn't even glance at him, heading straight for the Sharpening Hall. The instant he turned, a glint of sword light flashed in Song Shidao's eyes—it was innate sword intent!

Inside the Sharpening Hall, Song Que wasn't practicing his swordplay. He was staring at the calligraphy hanging on the wall with his hands behind his back. When he sensed someone entering the Sharpening Hall, he turned around to look at his son.

With just a glance, a smile appeared in Song Que's eyes, fleeting in an instant: "Not bad! Very good! If I had known this would happen, I should have sent you to see the common people sooner. I didn't expect you to have such a gain."

"Your son has resolved to conquer the world and end this chaotic era as soon as possible. I hope Father will grant my request," Song Shidao said, bowing deeply.

Song Que stopped looking at his son, turned around and said, "Go do what you want to do!"

Song Shidao bowed again, turned and left the Sharpening Hall. This time, he would go to Yangzhou again to give Master Shi an answer.

Song Yuzhi smiled and turned to follow them. Only after the brother and sister had left did Song Zhi finally complain, "Elder brother, look at what Shidao is like now! He's too influenced by Shilong, this is bad! Shilong not only defends that tyrannical Emperor Yang Guang, but also has a deep prejudice against our aristocratic families. This can't go on!"

Song Que stared at the calligraphy on the wall without saying a word, and the air in the Sharpening Hall became quiet. The atmosphere grew increasingly silent, to the point that Song Zhi and Song Lu felt like they were suffocating.

With a sharp clang, the blades on the knife rack in the corner gleamed with a cold light, illuminating the darkness for a moment and breaking the deathly silence.

"You go down!"

Song Que's voice was so close, yet so far away. Song Zhi opened his mouth to speak, but could no longer utter any words of rebuttal, and could only turn and leave the Sharpening Hall.

After a long while, Song Que turned around and took out a letter. The letter was addressed to "Brother Song, handwritten by Fan Qinghui." The envelope was intact, clearly indicating that it had never been opened.

For a moment, Song Que seemed lost in thought, a flash of light appearing in his eyes. The letter in his hand turned to dust and drifted away in the wind. This flash of light also severed the last vestige of hope in Song Que's heart, and his sword intent became incredibly pure.

"The Song family hasn't even entered the fray yet, and these people are already so impatient?" His words seemed to express both disdain for Fan Qinghui's attempt to interfere and sadness at Song Zhi's eagerness to seize power.

Song Lu, who was standing to the side, hesitated for a moment, seemingly thinking of something, and said, "Xiao Zhi meant well. Clan Master, you don't need to take it too seriously. I'm sure he will understand your good intentions."

Song Que shook his head, looking at the sky outside the Sharpening Hall...

“These days, I have often pondered what Brother Shi said to Yu Zhi. Now I realize that those words were not spoken to Yu Zhi, nor to me, but to Shi Dao.”

"Looking at the history of dynasties, what Brother Shi said about the fate of emperors is the way of the emperors."

"An emperor should act arbitrarily, especially a founding emperor, who should be wary of being two-faced. My second brother never understood this principle. He only remembered the authority of his elders and protected the power in his hands, but forgot to give the emperor the respect he deserved."

"Since Master Dao has already decided to conquer the world and is on the path to becoming an emperor, how could he be disturbed by Second Brother? If Second Brother does not understand this principle, he will surely suffer a backlash sooner or later. I do not want the long sword in my hand to fall on his body one day."

"Go and convey my orders: transfer Song Bo and Song Ye away from the garrison of the mountain city and send them to the vanguard battalion as generals; transfer Song Shilin, Song Shihong, and Song Shixuan away from the garrison of the mountain city and send them to the rear army as grain officers, effective immediately."

Upon hearing this, Song Lu paused. These people were either Song Zhi's peers from the same clan who were on good terms with him, or his younger relatives who were close to him, and they all held great power in the military.

This series of actions effectively stripped Song Zhi of his influence over the army. The former, serving in the vanguard battalion, were most likely to gain military merit but also most likely to lose their lives once the war began. The latter, relegated to the logistics and supplies department, were left to do nothing.

"Wouldn't that be going too far?" Song Lu hesitated.

Song Que said calmly:

“Some time ago, Xiao Zhi secretly went to see Jie Hui without telling me. You know, once we decide to send troops, Sichuan will become our Achilles' heel and could directly threaten the mountain city.”

"Over the years, I've gradually noticed something unusual. How long has it been since Jie Hui last visited Shancheng?"

Song Lu glanced back and was startled. Song Que, however, seemed to have expected this: "I underestimated Fan Qinghui's influence on Jie Hui. I never imagined that former friends would eventually become enemies!"

Song Que reached out, and a long sword on the sword rack automatically jumped up and landed in his hand. He gently stroked the blade and said, "Uncle, you will have to work hard. Secretly send people to investigate the intelligence of Luchuan. If necessary, I hope that the army's journey into Shu will not be hindered."

Chapter 373 Supernatural Powers on the River

On the waterway from Jingling to Yangzhou, Su Yuchen sat quietly at his desk writing. As he finished the last chapter, a knock sounded at the door.

"Master Shi, we have received intelligence from the Song Clan!" Xu Xingzhi said, standing to the side.

[In the Linjiang Palace Coup, Yang Guang died. He was overjoyed to have such a confidant as you before his death, feeling that his life had not been in vain.]

Su Yuchen paused, then asked nonchalantly, "Is Yang Guang dead?"

Xu Xingzhi nodded and said:

"News has spread that the Yuwen and Dugu clans have joined forces in a rebellion. Yang Guang was caught off guard and died in Linjiang Palace. The Dugu clan made a fatal mistake, and most of the imperial guards were taken over by the Yuwen clan."

"Now both Liyang and Danyang are under martial law, and people are fleeing everywhere. I'm afraid the war will break out again."

"Furthermore, news has come that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling have also appeared in Linjiang Palace, which seems to be related to Yang Guang's death."

"What do you think?" Su Yuchen asked without looking up.

Xu Xingzhi cupped his hands and said:

"In my humble opinion, Yuwen Huaji probably wouldn't dare to fight the Jianghuai Army. Yang Guang has just died, and the cause of his death is still questionable. Even if there are many Yuwen clan confidants in the Imperial Guard, it's hard to avoid instability in the army's morale."

"After all, since ancient times, the murder of a ruler by a subject is no small matter. No matter how incompetent Yang Guang was, he was still a ruler."

"If things go as expected, Yuwen Huaji will probably lead his army back north, occupy the capital, and then use the emperor to command the other lords."

"However, this would inevitably benefit the Li clan and Li Mi. With Yang Guang dead, Song Laosheng and Qu Tutong, who were able to stop the Li clan from advancing into Guanzhong, would probably not be able to hold out."

"Although Li Yuan was weak, his four sons were all extraordinary. His eldest son, Li Jiancheng, was resolute and decisive; his second son, Li Shimin, was bold and resourceful; his third son, Li Yuanji, was cunning and treacherous. All of them were heroes in the chaotic times. His fourth son, Li Yuanba, was exceptionally brave and was a fierce general in the army."

"Li Yuan was able to succeed because of his sons. As such, Yuwen Huaji probably won't be able to occupy the capital for long before it falls into the hands of the Li clan."

"Li Mi will definitely take this opportunity to ambush and kill Yuwen Huaji's army on the way, and then, with the momentum of the victor, advance on Luoyang and fight a decisive battle with Wang Shichong."

"Should we speed things up and unify the South as soon as possible?"

Su Yuchen nodded and said:

"He has the ability to see the big picture and understand the future direction of the world. Mr. Xu's talent is worthy of the position of prime minister."

“We’ll detour through Liyang. I’ll go see Du Fuwei, take down the Jianghuai Army in one fell swoop, and then return to Yangzhou. It’s time for you to meet Song Shidao.”

"This……"

Xu Xingzhi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Du Fuwei is a decisive and resolute man, and I'm afraid he will never surrender easily. In addition, he has the support of Tiele Flying Eagle-Qu Ao, so I'm afraid he would rather die than surrender."

"Moreover, once Yuwen Huaji withdraws, Du Fuwei will definitely send Fu Gongyou to advance into Danyang, and he himself will also set off to provide support. He will definitely not sit idly by. At that time, with a large army at his command, it will probably not be easy to kill him."

After writing the last character, Su Yuchen examined it carefully and said nonchalantly, "Mr. Xu must also be curious about my cultivation level. This time, I'll show Mr. Xu what it means to be an immortal!"

Xu Xingzhi was slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands and said, "Then Xingzhi will wait and see!"

Su Yuchen closed the book he had just finished writing and said, "As for Li Mi, Mr. Xu, do you think Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling can assist Wang Shichong in defeating Li Mi?"

“This…” Xu Xingzhi was slightly surprised, but still said frankly, “Xingzhi has never seen the two of them before, so it is difficult for him to make a judgment.”