The Nine Cauldrons

Book 8 Chapter 1: Good Teacher

With every step of seven to eight Zhang wide, Teng Qingshan walked as though he was traversing on level ground instead of rocks and continued to observe Blue Luan beside him.

“I should have guessed it earlier.”

“It was mentioned in the legends that Blue Luan is a Divine Bird which bathes in flames, while the Phoenix is a Divine Beast of the flames…… As the king of the flying type demonic beast, the flames which Blue Luan spits out are surely more powerful and scarier compared to that of other Golden Dan Innate demonic beasts. This point should have been speculated easily.”

In his heart, Teng Qingshan reminded himself, “I cannot become too arrogant just because I can defeat Borileimu and Huangfu Yujiang!”

Ever since Teng Qingshan had defeated Huangfu Yujiang easily on Bright Moon Island, he believed his own capabilities were level with Golden Dan Innate experts. Particularly, when he was on Phoenix Island and sparred with Blue Luan…! During that challenge, Teng Qingshan had injured Blue Luan.

This was because within the Nine Prefectures, Blue Luan was known to be invincible against anyone who had not reached the Emptiness Realm.

Teng Qingshan believed that since he was capable of defeating Blue Luan, he was also invincible against anyone who hadn’t reached the Emptiness Realm! Now that Teng Qingshan was at Duanmu Continent, all the more he had to win every fight! This made Teng Qingshan develop a sense of confidence in his heart…… a confident invincibility against anyone who hadn’t reached the Emptiness Realm! Within his mind, achieving the Emptiness Realm was the only thing he desired!

If Teng Qingshan were really stronger than Blue Luan, then he would just let it pass.

However, Teng Qingshan had forgotten…… that it was just a spar with Blue Luan, not a fight of life and death. Blue Luan had not fought him with its most powerful move!

“That black-purple flame could actually burn the scales of the Six Legged Blade-like Chi’s body. It made a loud ”chi chi” sound and injured me instantly. In terms of defensive capabilities, there is still a slight difference between me and the Six Legged Blade-like Chi.” Teng Qingshan speculated further, “Unless… my Internal Supreme Force reaches the last few stages! When that time comes, my Internal Supreme Force will be capable of shaping into a protective barrier. With Internal Supreme force and my body strength…… my explosive power will be able to reach its absolute limit—one million and six hundred thousand Jin! I will hopefully be able to defeat the Six Legged Blade-like Chi at that time.”

Although Teng Qingshan still had Innate True Origin, all this time, he had been spending all his efforts on Internal Supreme Force and did not waste his ‘Spirit’ on practicing the Innate True Origin. The protective barrier formed by his Innate Hollow Dan cannot even bear an attack from the Six Legged Blade-like Chi’s sharp edge or Blue Luan’s flames.

The prowess of the later stages of Internal Supreme Force was definitely comparable to that of the Golden Dan Innate Origin!

“I was too arrogant! Borileimu was merely listed as the top three in the 《Heavenly Ranking》.”

“On the Great Yan Mountain, Master only used one sword strike to force Gu Yong back and injure heavily both Zhao Danchen and the Snow Hawk Hall’s Elder Wan. That strike…… contained ‘Dao’! If Master’s strengths already contain ‘Dao’, then what about the King of Beasts?”

“The King of Beasts is ranked at the top of the 《Heavenly Ranking》 and has remained at that spot for many years without a hitch. With my current strength, if I competed with the King of Beasts, who would be the stronger one and who would be the weaker one…?” Teng Qingshan shook his head as he thought about it. Perhaps if he had not met the Six Legged Bladelike Chi and Blue Luan, he would have thought he was capable of defeating the King of Beasts.

However, at this moment, Teng Qingshan was unsure.

“I have not reached the Emptiness Realm! The King of Beasts hasn’t reached it either! Yet he has been able to stay as number one on the 《Heavenly Ranking》 for so many years……”

“On the tough road of cultivation, experts are like clouds—geniuses aplenty.”

“From today onwards, I should calm myself down and get deeply engrossed in training. I am afraid it’s only after my Internal Supreme Force reaches the latter stages that I can claim to be invincible under the Emptiness Realm.” From this realization, Teng Qingshan managed to reaffirm himself.

…….

Teng Qingshan and Blue Luan were like a phantom blur, as they advanced hastily through the forest. In the blink of an eye, they had arrived by the Crescent Moon Lake.

“Big brother Teng!” Upon seeing Teng Qingshan and Blue Luan, Li Jun, who had been waiting anxiously, welcomed them together with Little Ping.

“Big brother Teng, you—are you alright?” Li Jun scrutinized Teng Qingshan’s body anxiously. After the battle with the Six Legged Blade-like Chi, Teng Qingshan’s clothes were tattered, and he looked rather miserable.

“Haha, I’m fine! If it wasn’t for the timely arrival of Blue Luan, I would have been heavily injured or even be dead.” As Teng Qingshan smiled and glanced at Blue Luan beside him, Li Jun immediately thanked Blue Luan with a series of chirps and by fluffing its feathers. Blue Luan then raised its head proudly and responded with chirps.

“Big Brother Teng, while we were here waiting for you to return, we heard roars coming from over there. I knew there was a demonic beast chasing after you, and thus, I asked Blue Luan hastily to go over and aid you.” Li Jun looked carefully at Teng Qingshan’s wounds through holes in his clothes, then she let out a sigh of relief.

There were many kinds of demonic beasts in the world, but certain species were few in number.

For instance, the entire Duanmu Continent probably only had one or two Six Legged Blade-like Chis, and naturally, they were unable to create their own unique beast language. The beast language they used was the more common beast language.

Despite the wide variety of demonic beasts, there were only a few distinct beast languages. This was also the reason why Li Jun could understand many demonic beasts.

Teng Qingshan could not help himself and thanked Li Jun rather suddenly. As a result, Li Jun smiled cheerfully.

“A simple thank you, and you’re already happy to that extent.” Upon seeing this, Little Ping thought to herself, “Big sister Li Jun, ahh!”

“Big brother Teng, what was that demonic beast?” Li Jun asked.

“In Duanmu Continent, that demonic beast is called the Six Legged Blade-like Chi.” Teng Qingshan then exclaimed, “This Six Legged Blade-like Chi has a triangular skull, a body which seems to have a steel armor cast on it, and six limbs, each of one being five Zhang long! Although these limbs are its legs, they are as sharp as swords and have barbed tips. Additionally, the Six Legged Blade-like Chi has two pairs of extremely sharp wings which allows it to fly with great speed.”

Li Jun sucked in her breath as she tried to visualize an image of the demonic beast.

“This demonic beast is very scary,” The frightened Li Jun said.

“Yeah, not only is this demonic beast innately gifted……. I feel that this Six Legged Blade-like Chi has also understood the ‘Dao’ to a certain extent. It brandished its front limbs in a way that it seemed like an exquisite sword art!” Teng Qingshan exclaimed in admiration, as ordinary demonic beasts merely relied on being fast, agile and cunning to kill prey.

“Sword arts?” Li Jun widened her eyes.

“Yeah.”

The solemn Teng Qingshan nodded. “I estimate that this Six Legged Blade-like Chi is similar to me in trying to comprehend the ‘Dao’. Maybe, in the future years, it may become a demonic beast of the Emptiness Realm!” One had to know that a Golden Dan demonic beast could not be this strong. This was clearly a beast which already had a level of comprehension in the ‘Dao’.

“Moreover, this demonic beast must have lived for at least a thousand years.”

“A thousand years? We’re human. Even Emperor Yu and the Heavenly Emperor of Qin Mountains could not live up to a millennium.” Li Jun could not help but lament.

“Having lived for so long, it is not surprising that this demonic beast has comprehended the ‘Dao’ to a certain extent.”

Teng Qingshan smiled and said, “We need not worry as it is harder for demonic beasts to comprehend the ‘Dao’ as compared to humans. When I step into the Emptiness Realm, it may not even have done so as well!”

“Little Jun, from today onwards, I will be preparing to focus on my training.” Teng Qingshan looked at Li Jun. “I estimate that I will stay here in the vicinity of the Crescent Moon Lake for a prolonged period of time. So, if Little Jun feels too lonely or bored, you can let Blue Luan bring you out easily on its back to many other places.”

“Hehe, it won’t be boring.” Li Jun chuckled, shaking her head.

Seeing Li Jun, Little Ping could only shake her head and think to herself, “This Big Sister Li Jun, ah…… really……”

After the battle with the Six Legged Blade-like Chi, Teng Qingshan was solely immersed in training, and the blunt Vanadium stone tablets were planted into the soil, neatly in a row. Teng Qingshan would stare at these tablets for eight to ten hours a day, everyday! The others and Li Jun also realised that…….

Teng Qingshan had another hobby in teaching disciples!

He taught not just Teng Shou but Li Jun as well.

……

In the morning, a thick layer of ice formed on the Crescent Moon Lake again, with a coating of snow on top.

Teng Shou stood on the ice, dishing out move after move, as he practiced the 《Earth Element Fist》 Teng Qingshan had created. The slow 《Earth Element Fist》, which was like a profound mountain—in Teng Shou’s hands, it became a style similar to animal hunting, with each move being extremely ferocious. Teng Qingshan could only shake his head as he watched on!

“Ah Shou, you cannot be so ferocious. I have only taught you how to practice this boxing art, not how to kill others!” Teng Qingshan shouted at him suddenly.

While he was being lectured, Teng Shou stood still. Li Jun then explained the meaning behind Teng Qingshan’s words.

“Feel my concept carefully!” Teng Qingshan said coldly, as he performed the 《Earth Element Fist》. His fists had shadows which were slow and then suddenly fast, like he was grinding on a millstone. Teng Qingshan was like a tall, towering mountain!

“Rumble rumble~~”

Faint traces of earth elemental power of the heavens and the earth surrounded Teng Qingshan. As the traces vibrated the air around him, a layer of Earthen Yellow radiance covered his body.

“Are you seeing this clearly?” Teng Qingshan asked Teng Shou.

Teng Shou nodded.

“Practice until it is time for lunch,” Teng Qingshan berated.

“Yes!” Teng Shou exclaimed in response.

Teng Shou started to practice at one side, while Li Jun walked up toward Teng Qingshan. “Big brother Teng, this Ah Shou is already very powerful. Additionally, as you teach him the other boxing arts, such as the Five Elemental Fists, he has been performing all of them very well. Big brother Teng, you should loosen up a little.”

“A strict master produces a capable disciple.” Teng Qingshan showed a face without emotion. “He cannot muddle along!”

“This Teng Shou is rather talented,” Teng Qingshan said as he looked at the youngster practicing martial arts. “However, if he only relies on talent, his future accomplishments will be very limited. The real experts are not only very talented but very hardworking as well. They are also people with high levels of comprehension. One’s character determines if one can become an exceedingly powerful expert.”

Teng Qingshan looked at Li Jun and said, “Little Jun, show me the whip art I taught you yesterday!”

Li Jun made a bitter expression and said, “Alright.”

At Teng Qingshan’s current realm, all methods were interlinked. Using his understanding of the 《Water Element Fist》 to create a flexible set whip art, which was soft yet fierce, was not difficult at all! Teng Qingshan also realised that……. in the midst of teaching his disciples, he could rethink and reflect on his understandings.

While teaching others, his own understanding of the Earth and Water ‘Dao’ became clearer and clearer.

“Don’t be too stiff.” Looking at Li Jun practicing the whip art, Teng Qingshan berated, “Your body must be flexible as well. You have to feel as though the whip is a part of your body.”

……

As peaceful days passed by, Teng Qingshan would teach Teng Shou and Li Jun occasionally. Meanwhile, he would spend some of his time comprehending the 《Thirty-six Splitting Sky Forms》 as his understanding of ‘Dao’ became deeper and deeper…….