The Nine Cauldrons
chapter-372

The night was black as ink, and a fierce wind howled.

The stone inscription that emitted a faint swirling azure glow was inserted into the snow covered mud. At this moment, from the Splitting Mountain Axe in Teng Qingshan’s hands, a faint light could be seen swirling about as well. An almost invisible azure beam of light flowed out from the Splitting Mountain Axe and integrated with the stone inscription.

As for Teng Qingshan, he stood there motionlessly with his eyes closed.

“The ninth move of the «Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms».”

The voice of Emperor Yu that could cause the heavens and earth to tremble resonated in Teng Qingshan’s ears. A tall figure forcefully leaped up high into the clouds. The figure held the Splitting Mountain Axe in his hands and abruptly hacked it downward. “Rumble~~~” The mountain was split into two under this furious strike.

Endless amounts of large boulders rumbled and started to roll down.

A tall mountain had been divided in two by an axe.

As soon as the scene vanished, other images began to appear, showing the detailed scenes on the movement of hand gestures, jumping, ferocious slashing... A total of ten scenes appeared in succession. Teng Qingshan was completely immersed in the concept that Emperor Yu specially created.

After a long period—

Teng Qingshan opened his eyes.

“Emperor Yu was indeed formidable.”

“He actually divided the ninth move into over a dozen simple moves.” Teng Qingshan revealed an expression of admiration. The 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》was Emperor Yu’s most powerful attacking technique and comprehending it was tough. It was impossible to comprehend by just watching Emperor Yu perform the ninth move.

Therefore, Emperor Yu divided the ninth move and depicted it with different kinds of moves, attempting to simplify it.

“Emperor Yu had powerful skills. However, his claim about ordinary innate experts reaching the Emptiness Realm within several dozen years was totally a lie.

“Even if an ordinary innate experts possessed the Splitting Mountain Axe and the thirty-six pieces of stone inscriptions, he would only see Emperor Yu performing the moves in detail! The Dao of Heavens was something that words couldn’t describe. Even though Emperor Yu did explain it simply through different kinds of moves, such simplicity was still extremely difficult for the ordinary innate experts to comprehend.”

Teng Qingshan only realized this after immersing himself in cultivation and experiencing it himself..

The combination of the Splitting Mountain Axe and the stone inscription could decrease the difficulty of cultivation by ninety percent! However, it was still not something that ordinary innate experts could comprehend.

However, Teng Qingshan was different!

He had already reached a very high realm. Even if he didn’t have the stone inscription, he only needed several more years to reach the Emptiness Realm.

Moreover, Emperor Yu even divided one move into over dozen moves. Through the stone inscription, Teng Qingshan was able to comprehend the Dao of Heavens at a very fast speed.

“The ninth move contained the Gold Elemental Dao, and Earth Elemental Dao...it will take some time to comprehend, but I might be able to create the fifth technique of my Five Elemental Spear Arts through the understanding of the Gold Elemental Dao!”

Teng Qingshan had only created four spear techniques. The first technique was the Transmutation Unity Law. The second, ‘Pursuing Shadows. The third technique was Toxic Dragon Drill, while the fourth technique was the Vermillion Tiger Roar.

The spear art that should have evolved from the Slashing Fist hadn’t been created!

The Slashing Fist was constituted of the gold element, the first of the five elements. It’s form was like an axe. The Slashing Fist rose up rapidly and thrust forward forcefully like an axe slashing forward. Its power was extremely great. Of the Five Element Fists of Xing Yi Martial Arts, the Slashing Fist….was the most difficult technique. The Gold Element was originally so trenchant that it could be blocked, but it was also the hardest to comprehend.

Of the Five Element Fists, the Bursting Fist was the most studied technique of some grandmasters in Teng Qingshan’s previous life.

The Bursting Fist was like an arrow. The thrusting of the fist was like drawing a bow and shooting an arrow back and forth in a continuous manner.

The Drilling Fist was the fastest! The power of the Cannon Fist was the strongest! The Crossing Fist was the foundation of the five techniques! The Slashing Fist was the first of the five; therefore it was the quickest and fiercest! Of the Five Element Fists, the Bursting Fist was undoubtedly the most balanced. Whether attack, defense, or speed, everything was very balanced. Therefore, most grandmasters studied this technique arduously.

“The Slashing Fist and this Axe Art bear a resemblance.” As Teng Qingshan examined the Axe Art, he also began pondering the fifth technique of the Five Elemental Spear Arts.

Ever since Teng Qingshan obtained the stone inscription with the ninth move, he spent almost every day studying this Axe Art.

Yet, he was unaware that…

Within several days, almost all the clans on the entire Duanmu Continent knew that Teng Qingshan had intruded Dong Clan and captured Dong Zhezi. This matter was truly too stunning. Being able to openly charge into the residence of a great clan and capture the Matriarch that has already reached the Innate Realm showed that Teng Qingshan possessed a terrifyingly powerful ability.

Since Teng Qingshan did not hide his identity at that time, others naturally knew of his appearance. It was easy to verify that Teng Qingshan was the one that took Dong Zhezi away.

……

Over a hundred clans contended for hegemony on the Duanmu Continent, and there are numerous henchmen and travelling warriors.

Just one disagreement could cause swords to clash and blood to be spilt within an area of five feet! On the Duanmu Continent, people treated experts with absolute admiration. In those people’s eyes, Teng Qingshan’s overbearing action was considered the actions of an authentic expert! Only the ones that possessed complete confidence in their ability would have the audacity to do such things openly!

Only an authentic expert would view an army with thousands of men like nothing.

Veneration! Admiration!

Of course, the ones mentioned were only ordinary henchmen and travelling warriors. In the eyes of some great clans, Teng Qingshan was already considered hot property. A clan could rely on Teng Qingshan to thrive and flourish! If such powerful expert joined a clan, that clan would definitely grow stronger.

……

On the afternoon of the fifth day after Teng Qingshan obtained the stone inscription.

Many War Hous and Hunchbacked Beast could be seen by the lakeside. A middle-aged man dressed luxuriously was seen leading a young man and talking humbly to Li Jun.

“Patriarch Murong, please wait a while. Big Brother Teng will be back soon. You can tell Big Brother Teng later. I can’t make any decisions,” Li Jun said as she shook her head.

At this moment—

A figure dressed in an azure leather coat was seen walking towards them from afar.

The luxuriously dressed and noble middle-aged man hastily led the young man over. He cupped his hands and said with a face full of smiles, “I am Murong Zheng. It’s a pleasure to meet Mister Teng.”

“Patriarch Murong.” Teng Qingshan flicked a glance at the middle-aged man and replied, “I have met you before.”

“Yes, we met at Drifting Cloud Mansion,” said Patriarch Murong with a smile. Simultaneously, he pointed at the young man at the side and said, “This is my son Murong Liufeng. Feng, quick pay your respect to Mister Teng.” The young man seemed rather awkward, but he stared at Teng Qingshan with passion in his eyes. He hastily bowed with respect and said, “Murong Liufeng pays my respect to Mister Teng.”

Teng Qingshan flicked a glance at the young man and asked with a smile, “Patriarch Murong, which young master of Murong is this?”

“He is the third one.” Patriarch Murong answered hastily.

“Oh.” Teng Qingshan nodded.

With a joyful and surprised expression, Patriarch Murong said, “Mister Teng, how did you know that I have more than one son? Perhaps Mister knows the other sons of mine?” In Patriarch Murong’s opinion, knowing Teng Qingshan was something that was worth being proud of.

Moreover, if his sons knew Teng Qingshan, it would be easier to gain a closer relationship with him.

“When I first came to Nanshan City.” Teng Qingshan said while walking, “I noticed someone leading a troop of cavalrymen and dashing speedily on the street. A pedestrian was almost trampled to death. I stopped him at that time...According to the words of passersby, the leader of that troop was the Second Young Master of your Murong Clan.”

When Teng Qingshan said this, the Patriarch of Murong Clan couldn’t help but reveal an embarrassed expression.

He originally thought Teng Qingshan would speak highly of his sons and didn’t expect that he would mention this.

“That unfilial son of mine is actually this insolent.” The Patriarch of Murong Clan showed an expression of anger as he responded, “I will definitely discipline him when I go home.”

Teng Qingshan smiled. At this moment, he had already arrived at the house.

“Big Brother Teng, lunch is ready.” Li Jun said.

“Yes.”

Teng Qingshan looked towards the Patriarch of Murong and inquired, “I wonder why the Patriarch of Murong came here to find me?”

The Patriarch of Murong said with a grin, “Liufeng has loved spear arts since he was young! Now, he has made achievements in the learning of spear arts. However...it is tough to learn from the true masters of spear arts as there are really too few spear art masters. I heard that Mister Teng is skillful in spear arts. Therefore, I shamelessly came with my son, Feng, to ask Mister Teng to accept this child as your follower.”

“Instructor, please accept me as your follower.” Murong Liufeng blushed slightly as he bowed and said.

“My follower must fulfill three requirements. The first one is to have the strength of a Hollow Dan Innate Expert.” Teng Qingshan cast a glance at them with a smile and said, “Patriarch Murong, you guys should leave.”

With this, Teng Qingshan turned and headed into the house.

“Mister Teng, Mister Teng.” Patriarch of Murong hastily shouted, but Teng Qingshan ignored him.

“Fulfill three requirements? The first one is to be a Hollow Dan Innate Expert?” When the Patriarch of Murong Clan heard, he couldn’t help but feel this rage in his heart. He thought to himself, “This Mister Teng is really arrogant! How many Martial Saints are there in the entire Duanmu Continent? Let me see if you can ever accept a follower in the future!”

Although the Patriarch of Murong was angry, he didn’t dare say anything.

“Mister Teng, then we shall be leaving.” Patriarch of Murong Clan dragged the flushed Third Young Master of Murong Clan away. He led the group of guards and left with speed.

Li Jun watched the group of people leave from inside the house.

“Big Brother Teng, your three requirements seemed to be too high.” Li Jun laughed and said.

“Little Jun, I think more people from those great clans will visit to be my follower. If they do, just tell them that the first requirement to be my follower is to be a Hollow Dan Innate Expert.” Teng Qingshan said.

Li Jun hastily said, “What if an innate expert really came?”

“If so?”

Teng Qingshan smiled and replied, “There’s still the second requirement and the third requirement. Moreover, if it’s someone with a temperament that I like, accepting an innate expert as my follower would be good too.”

At his side, Little Ping and Old Wang laughed. As for Teng Shou, he only blinked twice. He didn’t seem to understand.

Teng Qingshan’s predictions were correct. The Murong Clan was not the only clan that wanted to rope Teng Qingshan in by requesting to be Teng Qingshan’s follower. The Wang Clan and Li Clan also used this method. The other clans in rather far places either asked Teng Qingshan to be their Deus or asked Teng Qingshan to be the instructor in their clan.

Unfortunately—

They were all stunned by Teng Qingshan’s requirement. “Wish to be my follower? The first requirement is to be an innate expert! Furthermore, Teng Qingshan had withheld the second and third requirements.

“You wish to know the second and third requirements? I will only tell you after you reached the Innate Realm.”

The few great clans were rejected. Immediately, the great clans knew how difficult this ’Mister Teng’ was. Simultaneously, the world also knew of the requirement to be Teng Qingshan’s follower. It amazed many people, causing them to think, “The super powerful experts are indeed super powerful experts, even the requirement to be a follower is set so highly! Yet, when someone’s status was extremely high, even if his actions were slightly overbearing, people would still admire him.

……

Early on the morning of the twenty-eighth day after Teng Qingshan obtained the stone inscription.

In the cavern under the Godly Axe Mountain.

After sitting cross-legged in cultivation for the whole night, Teng Qingshan stood up and began to practice his fist arts! Early every morning, Li Jun and the others would wake up in the sound of Teng Qingshan’s fists. They all knew that Teng Qingshan practiced his fist arts when the sun rises.

“Yawn!”

Li Jun stretched lazily and opened the curtain doors. As she walked out, Little Ping, stepped out beside her, following Li Jun.

“Eh?” Li Jun and Little Ping widened their eyes.

“Uncle, he….” Little Ping widened her eyes.

At this moment, Teng Qingshan, who was practicing the 《Earth Element Fist》, seemed to be wearing a full suit of earthen yellow battle armor. His head was completely covered, and only a transparent light could be seen covering his eyes.

In the past, only flashes of earthy yellow glow could be seen on Teng Qingshan’s body. However, it had now formed an enclosed battle armor

“Did Big Brother Teng reach the final phase of the Supreme Force?” Exclaimed Li Jun in joy and surprise.