With Lin Ze’s decree in hand, opening the Treasure Pavilion was naturally no issue.
However, the giant bronze door of the Treasure Pavilion could only be opened if three Ninth Layer Martial Vein Masters exerted their strength together.
Apart from this door, the Treasure Pavilion had no other entrance, and the overall structure’s durability surpassed even that of the giant door.
So, if someone intended to enter the Treasure Pavilion, they would need at least three Ninth Layer Martial Vein Masters working together, otherwise it would be futile.
The three Ninth Layer Martial Vein Masters guarding the Treasure Pavilion stepped up to the giant door. As they simultaneously channelled their true essence, the heavy door, weighing likely tens of thousands of pounds, finally cracked open just enough for one person to pass through.
“Remember, you only have one hour to comprehend. Don’t blindly chase after too much, or you might end up with nothing,” General September reminded Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao nodded. He naturally understood this and wasn’t a greedy person.
He stepped into the Treasure Pavilion through the narrow gap.
Inside, it was surprisingly bright. At the top of the Treasure Pavilion, there seemed to be a special mirror that gathered sunlight, its toughness no less than that of the giant door.
The Treasure Pavilion wasn’t actually large. Besides housing some treasures and spirit stones of the Border General’s Mansion, the rest consisted of Mortal Martial Arts.
These were somewhat similar to the fragmented Mortal Martial Arts Ling Xiao had seen in the Ling Clan’s library.
Mortal Martial Arts weren’t recorded in written form. They were sealed into objects like stone tablets, tortoise shells, or beast bones.
Copying them was evidently impossible.
Only by probing with soul force could one discern the martial arts’ mysteries within these objects.
But just like their fragmented nature, Mortal Martial Arts above this level had no fixed techniques, only a single mystery. Practitioners had to derive their own moves or cultivation methods from it.
There was no one inside the Treasure Pavilion.
Yet Ling Xiao believed his every move was being watched. After all, the treasures in this world were so miraculous they could achieve things beyond imagination.
This didn’t bother him, though, since he had no intention of stealing anything from here.
Upon entering, he faced the mere six Mortal Martial Arts mysteries available and immediately entered a state of comprehension.
He wanted to first figure out what these six Mortal Martial Arts were, then choose one that suited him best.
Mortal Martial Arts were incredibly powerful. Comprehending just one would be useful not only below Ninth Layer Martial Vein but even after advancing to the Mortal Realm.
So he wasn’t greedy, nor could he afford to be.
After all, he only had one hour.
“Wind Control Divine Technique”: Wind-attribute Mortal Mystery. It allows one to comprehend a Mortal movement technique harnessing wind. Upon success, regardless of the specific movement technique grasped, it will carry the speed, elegance, and unpredictability of wind.
Requirement: Cultivation at Seventh Layer Martial Vein or above.
“Red Refinement Demon Palm”: Fire-attribute Mortal Mystery. It allows one to comprehend a palm technique wielding fire poison. Upon success, no matter the moves used, the palm technique will generate fire poison, catching enemies off guard. Once the fire poison invades their heart, they’ll turn to ash.
Requirement: Cultivation at Eighth Layer Martial Vein or above.
“Fairy Beyond the Heavens”: Attribute-less Mortal Mystery. It allows one to comprehend an overwhelmingly powerful martial skill. Once integrated, the moves become unfathomable to gods and spirits.
Requirement: Cultivation at Ninth Layer Martial Vein or above, preferably with a sword.
…
Although examining all six Mortal Martial Arts would waste some time, Ling Xiao felt it was worthwhile. This way, he could select the one most suited to him.
Each Mortal Martial Art, however, held an allure that could drive anyone wild.
If Ling Xiao weren’t so resolute, he might have fallen into their depths, unable to pull himself out.
Even though Mortal Martial Arts lacked fixed techniques or cultivation methods, just a slight probe revealed the wondrous and terrifying power within their mysteries.
In comparison, even top-tier advanced martial arts seemed laughably simple.
If Mortal Martial Arts were likened to divine weapons, the martial arts he’d encountered before were like wooden swords in a child’s hands.
Utterly incomparable.
Oh, a defensive martial art!
When Ling Xiao finished reviewing all six Mortal Martial Arts, he discovered that the final one was a Mortal defensive martial art mystery—
“Heavenly Dragon Golden Body”.
His excitement stemmed from the fact that this “Heavenly Dragon Golden Body” wasn’t just the type of defensive martial art he favoured most, but its mystery bore striking similarities to the “Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique”.
It could even be said that “Heavenly Dragon Golden Body” was an evolved version of the “Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique”.
“Heavenly Dragon Golden Body”: Gold-attribute Mortal Mystery. It allows one to comprehend an overwhelmingly strong defensive martial art. Once a cultivation method is grasped, the defence becomes akin to a heavenly dragon’s golden body, extraordinarily powerful.
At its highest level, it can transform the body entirely, converting the flesh into a heavenly dragon golden body—impervious to water and fire, indestructible like diamond, comparable to the Mortal Saint Realm.
Comprehending the “Heavenly Dragon Golden Body” mystery also allows one to cultivate Heavenly Dragon True Essence, a form of energy far more potent than ordinary true essence.
Requirement: Seventh Layer Martial Vein or above, must have cultivated “Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique” to the seventh turn or higher.
The highest level of the “Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique”, the ninth turn, could achieve limb regeneration, but its defensive power paled in comparison to “Heavenly Dragon Golden Body”, which offered immunity to water and fire and diamond-like invulnerability.
Moreover, fully transforming the flesh into a heavenly dragon golden body, shedding the old self for a new one, rivalled the Mortal Saint Realm. This meant that even without advancing to the Mortal Realm, with just the strength of his body, he could hold his own against Mortal Realm experts.
“Mortal Martial Arts are indeed Mortal Martial Arts—not only bolstering defence but also generating Heavenly Dragon True Essence…”
Ling Xiao had no more hesitation. Compared to the previous Mortal Martial Arts, “Heavenly Dragon Golden Body” was clearly the best fit for him.
As for offensive martial arts, he already had the “Snow Lotus Sword Technique”. Though his comprehension of it wasn’t yet complete, he believed that mastering “Heavenly Dragon Golden Body” would help him perfect the Mortal Martial Art “Snow Lotus Sword Technique” as well.
With this in mind, he sat cross-legged, channelled his soul force into the stone tablet of “Heavenly Dragon Golden Body”, and began to comprehend.
Outside the Treasure Pavilion, one of the Ninth Layer Martial Vein Masters held a mirror that clearly displayed every move Ling Xiao made inside.
“He actually chose ‘Heavenly Dragon Golden Body’?”
One of the white-haired Ninth Layer Martial Masters frowned.
His frown had a reason.
Before Ling Xiao, other geniuses had entered the Treasure Pavilion to comprehend Mortal Martial Arts. Whether they succeeded or not, they all chose martial skill-based ones.
For example, “Fairy Beyond the Heavens” or “Red Refinement Divine Palm”.
Opting for martial skill-based Mortal Martial Arts aligned with the thinking of Lin Ze and these Masters.
Because even grasping a single move or half a technique from a martial skill-based Mortal Martial Art could grant a massive combat advantage below the Mortal Realm.
Movement and defensive martial arts were different. These had no techniques to speak of, only cultivation methods and levels. To gain anything, full comprehension was required—otherwise, it was meaningless.
“This kid’s a bit unique. Perhaps he has his own ideas. Besides, having cultivated ‘Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique’, comprehending ‘Heavenly Dragon Golden Body’ should be easier for him,” General September mused.
