Not far away, Mu Tao, the War God of Cloud Dream atop the high mountain, watched in astonishment as Teng Qingshan executed a set of Water Element Fist techniques beside the waterfall below. "Brother Qingshan, he—he has broken through again? How could it be so fast?" He clearly sensed a subtle, dream-like mist quality added to Teng Qingshan's soul aura.
"Logically, breakthroughs become harder the further one progresses," Mu Tao mused, unable to fully grasp it.
Whoosh!
From a distance, Teng Qingshan leaped, covering a hundred zhang in a single bound, landing directly on the mountain peak.
"Congratulations, Brother Qingshan," Mu Tao laughed.
Teng Qingshan smiled. Pei San had once guided him: first cultivate the 'Path of Death' to take a small step forward, and then comprehend the Path of Water for another small step. Two small steps combined equal one large stride, fully grasping two tenths of the Heaven and Earth Force!
Now, save for the Path of Wood, he had comprehended the other four elements.
"If not for the 'Path of Death' serving as the intermediary nexus, I dread how long it would have taken me to master the 'Path of Water,'" Teng Qingshan sighed internally. Now, he could command a full eight tenths of the Heaven and Earth Force. Combined with his physical strength, he was fully comparable to the nine tenths commanded by other Void Realm experts.
Nine tenths of Heaven and Earth Force. If he were to utilize Yu Huang's ultimate technique, the 'Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting,' the resulting power would approach eleven tenths!
"Brother Mu Tao, please stop praising me. These Five Paths... I have now grasped four. However, this final 'Path of Wood,' I haven't even managed to enter the threshold, let alone comprehend it." Teng Qingshan knew well that the 'Dao' was not easily cultivated. Sometimes the journey was smooth, leading to sudden enlightenment of a Path effortlessly.
But at other times, one could be stuck at a single barrier, unable to advance even unto death.
The 'Path of Water' had significantly accelerated his cultivation speed because the 'Path of Death' served as an intermediary. Without Pei San's guidance, mastering the 'Path of Water' might have taken a considerable time.
"I hope I don't get stuck at the threshold of the 'Path of Wood,'" Teng Qingshan worried most about this point.
Being trapped on a difficult stage for a century was not unheard of.
And from the look of things, Teng Qingshan showed no innate talent for cultivating the 'Path of Wood'; otherwise, how could he not even be initiated?
In the open ground west of Teng Family Village.
Teng Qingshan held a Reincarnation Spear. The spear followed his movements, and for a moment, his figure blurred. The resulting spear shadows were hazy and indistinct, drifting ethereally like clouds and mist.
"Roar~~"
From within the hazy spear shadows, a sudden roar erupted, faintly echoing with the sound of muffled thunder. A giant, conical tip, faintly wrapped in lightning and burning with flame, tore through the space. Abruptly, this giant cone wrapped in lightning and flame halted. All light dissipated—it was merely an ordinary-looking long spear.
"Indeed, if one truly comprehends the essence of the 'Path of Water,' even if it's difficult to harmonize the oscillations of different Heaven and Earth Forces, avoiding internal dissipation is possible," Teng Qingshan revealed a slight smile.
Water can merge with all things, sustain all things, benefit all things...
Utterly soft, yet utterly unbreakable.
Moreover, it can change forms at will. Because of its tolerance and mutability, the Water Element Force can act as a 'lubricant,' integrating between other Heaven and Earth Forces, allowing them to connect with each other. This ensures that, at the very least, there is no internal dissipation among the Heaven and Earth Forces. For instance, ten tenths of Heaven and Earth Force can unleash its full ten tenths of power!
"This is the true essence!"
"Some people might attain enlightenment through secret manuals left by predecessors. But the Dao they grasp is clearly not understood deeply enough. They cannot utilize the Water Element Force with more subtlety." Teng Qingshan understood clearly that even among those who attain enlightenment, there are differences.
Some comprehend the Heavenly Dao and control ten tenths of Heaven and Earth Force, yet can only exert eight or nine tenths of its power.
Others comprehend the Heavenly Dao, control ten tenths, yet can unleash eleven or even the extreme twelve tenths of power!
But there are those whose comprehension of the Heavenly Dao is so profound that they might even break through directly, capable of creating their own world and stepping into the 'Void Penetration' realm.
"Relying on a secret manual, accustomed to its guidance, comprehension is fast. But the understanding of the 'Dao' is also influenced by the manual. A person reading a book cannot possess the depth of understanding held by the one who achieved enlightenment on their own and wrote that book," Teng Qingshan now understood why Pei San had said what he did.
Suddenly—
"Qingshan." A person approached from a distance.
"Master."
Teng Qingshan smiled, sheathing the Reincarnation Spear, and walked over. The arrival was none other than Zhuge Yuanhong.
"Have Elder Ni and the others all arrived?" Teng Qingshan asked.
Zhuge Yuanhong nodded. "All the Enforcement Elders are here." He glanced at the now bustling Teng Family Village and couldn't help but smile. "Qingshan, Teng Family Village is currently expanding. Once the reconstruction is complete in another month or two, it will be able to house tens of thousands of people."
Teng Qingshan also let out a smile.
"Qingshan," Zhuge Yuanhong's expression suddenly turned serious.
"What is it?" Teng Qingshan asked with slight surprise.
Zhuge Yuanhong said gravely, "A few days ago, according to the investigations by spies from my Gui Yuan Sect... many elite disciples of Azure Lake Island have already departed. I estimate that the Blind Sword Saint has likely left Azure Lake Island as well. If you intend to kill him, Qingshan, it might be very troublesome. You may have difficulty finding him."
Teng Qingshan laughed. "Master, don't worry. If this Blind Sword Saint truly hides like a coward, it will have no bearing on my Gui Yuan Sect occupying all of Yangzhou."
"If he dares to make a move and reveal his trace, encountering him and Little Qing means certain death." Teng Qingshan was brimming with confidence.
His current strength alone was enough to face the Blind Sword Saint, let alone having the Undying Phoenix 'Little Qing' assisting him.
Recall that even 'Yu Tonghai,' who could wield twelve tenths of Heaven and Earth Force, was forced to cripple both his legs... the Blind Sword Saint stood no chance.
"Master, since the Innate Masters of my Gui Yuan Sect have left Jiangning Commandery and are temporarily residing in Teng Family Village, and with the Mother of the Phoenix here, and the Six-Legged Blade Chi here, there is absolutely no danger," Teng Qingshan confirmed. "Little Qing and I can now begin our action. This afternoon, Little Qing and I will depart for Azure Lake Island."
Yes!
To attack Azure Lake Island!
Teng Qingshan had planned this day for a long time, but for the sake of caution, he had gathered the disciples of the third generation of Teng Family Village and Inner Martial Arts lineage—98 disciples in total—along with the elites of the Gui Yuan Sect. With the Mother of the Phoenix and the Six-Legged Blade Chi present, everything was secured. Only then would they embark on the grand campaign to deal with Azure Lake Island!
Now that the Gui Yuan Sect's strength was overwhelming, there was no need for elaborate strategies. They only needed to advance cautiously relying on sheer power, step by step, leaving Azure Lake Island no chance to retaliate, and they could firmly secure all of Yangzhou.
"Good. Qingshan, you move this afternoon. And the twelve thousand Dragon Ridge soldiers of my Gui Yuan Sect are already prepared. Once your side makes a move, the Dragon Ridge Army will lead a force of one hundred thousand to begin the assault," Zhuge Yuanhong smiled. "Twelve thousand first-rate martial artists, equipped with Molten Iron Armor, will be absolutely unrivaled."
Over ten thousand first-rate martial artists pose a threat comparable to a million-strong army.
Not to mention that every single one wears Molten Iron Armor! Even the Slaughter Yuan Guards of the Celestial Palace would likely be crushed by the Dragon Ridge Army.
"Qingshan, when will the Mother of the Phoenix depart?" Zhuge Yuanhong inquired. Her presence was the stabilizing anchor.
"According to her, she should leave in about five more days," Teng Qingshan couldn't rush her.
The Mother of the Phoenix was staying a little longer primarily to deter any sects harboring ill intentions. But regardless, Little Qing had already learned many of the Mother of the Phoenix's ultimate techniques. The Mother of the Phoenix was quite assured that her child would live well in the Nine Provinces.
That afternoon.
"Little Jun, I leave the matters of Teng Family Village to you. If anything seems amiss, notify Blade Chi and the Mother of the Phoenix immediately," Teng Qingshan said goodbye to Li Jun, carrying his spear-sack and a wooden box on his back.
"I will be fine here; take care of yourself," Li Jun replied.
Teng Qingshan nodded.
Only Li Jun and Zhuge Yuanhong came to see Teng Qingshan off today. To prevent his parents from worrying, Teng Qingshan had not told them at all... that he would be assaulting Azure Lake Island today!
Quietly and without a trace, Teng Qingshan mounted the Undying Phoenix, 'Little Qing,' and departed from Teng Family Village.
Whoosh~~ Whoosh~~~
The Undying Phoenix transformed into a streak of fiery red light, soaring high in the nine heavens. The journey of over a thousand li was short; soon, the vast Azure Lake appeared in Teng Qingshan's sight.
"Little Qing, down there."
Teng Qingshan indicated the direction.
The Undying Phoenix 'Little Qing' fanned its wings slightly, drawing an arc, and then dove toward the Azure Lake Island below.
...
This ancient island, the foundation of Azure Lake Island, held numerous ancient structures and the relics of many predecessors. Although Azure Lake Island had arranged for many elite disciples to leave, over a hundred thousand people were still gathered on the island.
"Look!"
"What is that?"
Thousands upon thousands of disciples on Azure Lake Island looked up at the sky.
They saw a beautiful divine bird, fully forty zhang (ten meters) long, bathing in flames, hovering above the island. Its entire body, covered in fiery red feathers, appeared sacred. Each slight flap of its wings caused the flames to rise and fall, and upon the back of this giant divine bird stood Teng Qingshan in his white robe.
"Everyone on Azure Lake Island, listen!"
A deep, resonant voice descended from the high sky, echoing through every inch of the island. Everyone looked up.
"If you wish to save your lives, jump into the Azure Lake immediately. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, I will set Azure Lake Island ablaze. Those who remain on the island will surely die!" Teng Qingshan's cold voice carried down.
Instantly, these words provoked anger and madness among many disciples of Azure Lake Island. Some cursed upwards, others shouted threats. Of course, many disciples rushed to the edge of the island, ready to jump into the lake the moment things looked grim.
In the high sky.
Teng Qingshan looked down coldly. "The Blind Sword Saint is indeed ruthless, abandoning his lair entirely. However... since my Gui Yuan Sect is at war with your Azure Lake Island, one side must be annihilated! Burning Azure Lake Island will deliver a fatal blow to the morale of the Azure Lake Island faction. Well, after I burn this island, I will hunt down that Iron Blind Man."
"Little Qing." Teng Qingshan gave a slight signal.
"Yoo~~"
With a sharp cry, the legendary Undying Phoenix flapped its wings, and endless fiery red flames descended from the heavens like impending disaster, pouring down ceaselessly onto every corner of Azure Lake Island.
Record from the Myriad Manifestations Gate books: August 28th, afternoon. Teng Qingshan rode the Undying Phoenix and set Azure Lake Island ablaze. The fire raged for three days and three nights before being extinguished. Azure Lake Island, with its thousand-year history, was ultimately reduced to scorched earth.