The Nine Cauldrons

Chapter 548: The End of Qingshan’s Closed-door Cultivation

Translator: Iamgt Editor: Lucas

“Oh.” The girl dressed in blue could only nod and whisper, “Miss, what powerful fist art is Sovereign creating? If I remember correctly, he started his closed-door cultivation three years ago.”

“I don’t know,” the girl dressed in green answered with a frown. She shook her head and replied, “However, during these recent years, Father has gone into closed-door cultivation several times. It’s all for the ninth move of this fist art. It seems like the complete creation of this fist art is extremely difficult. Nevermind. Let’s not bother with these things. Hm, when we are done eating, let’s stroll around Wuan County and leave this county tomorrow.”

The girl dressed in blue nodded and said, “Where should we go tomorrow?”

“We will see,” the girl dressed in green answered with a leisurely smile.

Whoosh!

A little white bird flew in from the window and landed on the shoulder of the girl who was dressed in green.

“Little White must be hungry.” The girl dressed in blue smiled as she looked at the white bird lovingly.

“Little White.” The girl dressed in green picked up a small piece of meat with her chopsticks and placed it by the little bird’s beak. The white little bird actually pecked the piece of meat a few times before it took the meat and swallowed it whole.

The girl dressed in green had been taking care of this bird since she was very young, and this bird had always been very obedient.

It was currently midday, but there were still many travelers walking to and fro at the base of the mountain. The official road had been expanded. There were even many luxurious houses built at the base of the Great Yan Mountain. Everything from the base to the summit of the Great Yan Mountain looked luxurious.

Today, in the Land of the Nine Prefectures, the Great Yan Mountain was extremely famous.

Because—

This was the sacred place for the cultivators of Internal Martial Arts!

In the East Flower Garden, the most special place in the Xing Yi Sect:

“Young Master!”

“Young Master!”

A very handsome teenager was walking in the East Flower Garden. When the maids in the East Flower Garden saw this teenager, they called out with smiles on their faces, appearing to be very familiar with the handsome teenager. It didn’t seem like the interaction between a master and servant. The teenager smiled and greeted the maid at the side. “Sister Chunlan, you look more beautiful than when I last saw you.”

“Young Master, you are such a sweet talker.”

The maids teased.

“Where is my mother?” the boy asked.

“She’s near the flowerbed. She’s just waiting for the Sovereign to end his closed-door cultivation,” the maid named Chunlan answered.

The young man nodded and immediately headed towards the flowerbed. He had grown up here; therefore, he was extremely familiar with the East Flower Garden. He could find the flowerbed even if he were to search with his eyes closed. Soon, he walked past a hallway and stepped into another courtyard. He then arrived in this yard full of flowers. Purple flowers flourished in one area and yellow flowers flourished in another.

It was as though one had entered a sea of flowers.

Amidst the flowers, a lady dressed in loose, white clothes could be seen. As she stepped on the flowers and practiced her fist art, her figure flickered like that of a fairy.

“Mother,” the teenager shouted.

The lady who was practicing her fist art turned and fluttered down to the limestone floor. The lady in white was indeed Li Jun. Compared to 16 years ago, Li Jun looked much more elegant and mature. A hint of gentleness and mildness could be seen in her eyes. She emanated the aura of a mild and gentle, green jade, bringing serenity to people.

“Hongwu, you are back,” Li Jun said as she walked over with a smile. Her eyes were full of love as she looked at Hongwu.

Not long after the birth of the daughter, Honglin, Li Jun was pregnant again and gave birth to a son who was named Hongwu. There were two reasons why he was named “Wu.” The word “Wu” was a remembrance of the time when Teng Qingshan and Li Jun were in Wu’an County. The word Wu also meant the exceptional “power” needed by the men in the Land of the Nine prefectures. Teng Qingshan hoped that his son could possess absolute power.

However—

Things didn’t go as he had imagined.

In front of Teng Qingshan, Honglin might appear to be very obedient, but she was secretly very naughty. Still, she undoubtedly had the aptitude and talent for the cultivation of Internal Martial Arts. She started practicing her fist art at a young age. After several years of practicing, she reached the peak of the Postliminary Realm. She only needed to open up the meridians on her face.

Moreover, her cultivation of fist art was even better. Of the Five Elemental Fists of the Xing Yi Martial Art, Honglin was most skilled at the Bursting Fist.

Teng Qingshan had very great expectations for his son, Hongwu. Hongwu had always practiced his fist art diligently. However, as he grew older, he became more fond of dealing with the business of Qingshan Enterprise. And now, Qingshan Enterprise was one of the supreme existences of the business world in the Land of the Nine Prefectures. Qingshan Enterprise had the support of the Xing Yi Sect, which had numerous Internal Martial Art cultivators all across the Land of the Nine Prefectures. Moreover, the headquarters of Qingshan Enterprise was in the flourishing Yangzhou.

Currently, Qingshan Enterprise managed restaurants and bodyguards and caravan guard companies, engaged in the trade of salt, and many other types of businesses. Although Hongwu’s fist art wasn’t as good as his father’s, he was considered above average. Moreover, he was taught by Teng Qingshan and lived in a good environment. Therefore, his accomplishments in the cultivation of martial arts were considered good. Now, Hongwu was almost as strong as a First Rated Warrior.

Of course, compared to his sister, he was slightly weaker.

His strong points were in dealing with businesses.

“Men really can’t go against the heavens. Parents really can’t control how their children become.” Regarding this, Teng Qingshan could only sigh with regret.

…

“Mother, is Father still in closed-door cultivation?” Hongwu asked as he looked at the gigantic room used for cultivation.

“Yes.” Li Jun smiled helplessly as she turned and looked at the cultivation room that was built ten years ago. “Your father has been in closed-door cultivation for twelve days. No one knows when he will come out. However, your father will be out in one month, even if the cultivation wasn’t successful.” In order to create the ninth move of the “Wood Element Fist”, Teng Qingshan had gone into closed-door cultivation multiple times.

Of the five elemental Daos, the cultivation of the wood elemental Dao was the most strenuous for Teng Qingshan.

“Hm. Mother, by the way…” Hongwu looked around and said, “I haven’t seen Sister ever since I came back…”

“Your sister?” Li Jun shook her head and said with a grin, “Don’t you know your sister’s temperament? She wouldn’t dare to run around if your father was here. Your father can catch her very easily. However… once your father is in closed-door cultivation, he won’t bother with whatever she is doing. I don’t have your father’s domain of perception. And so, she snuck out with Xiao Xiao.”

Hong Wu smiled and said, “She is very good at disguising herself. It is really very hard to find her.”

Suddenly—

“Eh?” Li Jun was slightly surprised as she turned and looked at the cultivation room.

“What’s wrong? Mother?” Hongwu asked puzzledly.

“Something’s wrong.” Li Jun stared at the cultivation room. A faint, green light shone through the slit under the door.

At this moment—

“Haha…” A loud laugh sounded from the cultivation room and resonated in the sky above the East Flower Garden.

“Roar~~” A loud roar sounded from the deeper areas of the Great Yan Mountain.

“It’s Uncle Bladelike Chi.” Hongwu glanced afar in surprise.

Li Jun’s eyes gleamed as she stared at the huge, stone doors of the cultivation room. A loud rumble sounded and the two huge, stone doors began opening. A big and tall figure walked out from the dark cultivation room. The figure wore a loose black cloak. His face looked determined and his hair was draped over his shoulder.

It was Teng Qingshan!

Compared to 16 years ago, Teng Qingshan didn’t change much. He did look much calmer and reserved. Occasionally, an intimidating glint would flash in his eyes.

He had been in a high position for a long time. As the founder of the Xing Yi Sect and one of the leaders of the Gui Yuan Sect, he played a very critical role in the Land of the Nine Prefectures. He was respected as the Grandmaster by the people in the Land of the Nine Prefectures. Due to having such a status for a long time, Teng Qingshan’s aura had naturally changed slowly.

“Little Jun.” Teng Qingshan smiled as he glanced at his wife. He then looked toward his son and asked, “Ah, Wu, when did you come back?”

“I just came back today,” Hongwu answered.

Teng Qingshan smiled and nodded. Although Hongwu was the younger one of the two, he was much more mature than the older daughter. Teng Qingshan never had to worry about his son.

“Linlin snuck out again, didn’t she?” Teng Qingshan said with a smile.

“Yes. She snuck out while you were in closed-door cultivation,” Li Jun said as she walked over. Teng Qingshan shook his head and grinned. “While I was in the cultivation room, I sensed that she had snuck out. But I couldn’t do anything at that time. Nevermind… Did you find her location?”

“I asked Little Blue,” Li Jun answered. “Little Blue is asking her subordinates. We will probably know in two days.”

“Oh.” Teng Qingshan nodded.

Hongwu, who was at the side, could no longer endure as he asked softly, “Father, did you… did you create the ninth move of the “Wood Element Fist”?”

“Haha…” Teng Qingshan immediately burst into laughter.

“Look at how your father is laughing. Can’t you tell?” Li Jun couldn’t help but laugh along. She was truly happy for Teng Qingshan. After all, Teng Qingshan had spent a long time cultivating the “Wood Elemental Dao”. He had gone into closed-door cultivation for the ninth move multiple times and had only achieved the breakthrough today.

…

He had spent 16 years on the cultivation of the “Wood Elemental Dao”and had finally achieved culmination. With this, Teng Qingshan had finally reached Emptiness Realm Culmination!

“With the full power of the heavens and earth and my physical strength, I am afraid only an Insightful Emptiness Realm Expert can be more powerful.” Teng Qingshan felt very confident. He didn’t spend all sixteen years on the cultivation of the Wood Elemental Dao. He also spent great effort analyzing the moves of the spear art. And now, Teng Qingshan was confident that only Insightful Emptiness Realm Experts could surpass him in terms of power.

“I have attained Emptiness Realm Culmination. If I improve again, I will reach the Insightful Emptiness Realm.”

“How do I do that?” Teng Qingshan thought to himself.

That day, Teng Qingshan, Li Jun, and Hongwu ate a meal together as a family, which happened rarely nowadays.

During the evening:

In the study room:

Teng Qingshan was practicing his fist art in the study room. Occasionally, he would walk to the table and record some important points of the fist art.

Li Jun walked in through the side door of the study room and asked with a smile, “Qingshan, are you creating your fist art?”

“Yea. I am reviewing the old techniques so that I can create new ones. Actually, the process of creating a new fist art also helps me gain a clearer understanding of the five elemental Daos.” Teng Qingshan smiled and said, “Today, I have successfully cultivated the “Wood Elemental Dao”and understood more about the Bursting Fist, one of the Five Element Fists. I just thought of two ways to perform the Bursting Fist. I am going to perfect it first and then record it.”

Suddenly, Teng Qingshan looked up towards the south.

“What’s wrong?” Li Jun froze.

“Little Blue is here.” Teng Qingshan smiled and strode toward the study room door.