431: Chapter 431 The Path to the Pinnacle of Martial Arts

Fang Cheng carefully counted the various changes in his strength, yet his heart did not stir with much ripples.

Whether it was the Grandmaster-level "Visualization", the exhilarating numbers on the attribute panel, or that vast ocean of True Qi within his Dantian.

These gains were certainly huge, but in his view, compared to the true Opportunity of this trip, they were merely expected "extras".

Just like climbing a mountain, stepping steadily upward along pre-planned stone steps.

Although the scenery of vegetation along the way was delightful, it was far less than the shock of accidentally bumping into the churning sea of clouds and the red sun breaking through the mist at the moment of reaching the summit.

In the water prison, darkness remained as before.

On the rock wall, the carvings left by predecessors faintly emitted a slight light, as if residual warmth remained.

Occasionally, water droplets dripped, making pattering sounds with crisp echoes.

Fang Cheng's pupils were startlingly bright, his sight seemingly piercing through the rock wall in front of him and looking toward another dimension.

Then he slowly closed his eyelids, without needing any deliberate guidance and entering tranquility.

In an instant, his consciousness had already crossed the boundary of matter and spirit, arriving at another heaven and earth.

This was a world shrouded in endless darkness.

The thick fog surged endlessly like sea waves.

Countless malicious thoughts and aberrations lurked within, rising and falling with the waves.

They had no fixed form, sometimes transforming into distorted human faces, and sometimes extending ferocious tentacles.

Silent roars echoed in the fog, spreading Chaos and madness, vainly attempting to drag everything back into Chaos.

Furthermore, deep within the sea of fog, there were indescribably huge silhouettes looming vaguely.

As if an ancient god sleeping at the edge of the world, waiting for the timing of a comeback.

However, right in this dark and dead world, a pure land was suspended.

It resembled a magnificent great sun, blooming with thousands of streaks of golden light.

The dazzling light transformed into countless sharp swords, arrogantly tearing apart the darkness, driving away the thick fog, and carving out a vast Domain of light.

If one approached closely to watch carefully, one could even see that within the light, it actually wrapped around land and buildings as if real.

This place was practically an island in the sky favored by light, the ultimate barrier of order.

At this moment, Fang Cheng incarnated into a sun shadow, standing quietly above the high heavens, overlooking the world he created with his own hands.

Wherever the will of the True Sun Fire swept, every inch of land, every speck of dust, was presented in detail within perception.

This was an island with an area close to eight square kilometers.

Placed in the real world, it could only be considered a tiny patch of land.

But in the spiritual heaven and earth, it already appeared unusually vast.

The earth was newborn grayish-brown rock and soil, carrying a crude primitive sense, bare, without any traces of vegetation.

A mountain ridge hundreds of meters high traversed the entire land like a dragon's spine, supporting the skeleton of the world.

The mountains were rugged, and the rock walls were steep.

Those angular rocks had just squeezed out from the underground, their surfaces not even completely cooling yet, emitting traces of heat.

A rather magnificent river originated from the depths of the mountain range, winding and flowing, with water quality clear to the bottom.

After scouring out a river valley on the barren earth, it finally disappeared at the boundary of the light Domain.

There was also the end of the island.

The dazzling light curtain composed of True Sun Fire shrouded the boundary, resembling a natural barrier.

Outside the barrier, the Chaos fog constantly impacted the island like the raging waves of an angry sea, attempting to erode this pure land.

But as soon as it contacted the light curtain, it was incinerated into nothingness.

Light and dark violently clashed here.

The soil and rocks at the edge of the island were also constantly annihilated in this unending war, and under the shining of the sun, reborn from nothingness.

Repeating in cycles, maintaining a subtle dynamic balance.

The celestial vault sprinkled endless brilliance, illuminating the nascent mountains and rivers.

Although the entire land appeared somewhat barren, it was no longer a dead silence, but filled with exuberant vitality and infinite possibilities.

And Fang Cheng was precisely the sun granting all this vitality, the only god of this miniature world.

With a thought, his will abruptly swept across the earth, and the wind was born accordingly.

At first it was just a wisp of breeze, in a flash gathering into a strong air current, whistling across the earth, stirring up bursts of dust.

Then, it blew wrinkles into the winding river surface, spreading circles of ripples.

His thoughts turning immediately again, water vapor misted above the island, rapidly condensing into a large patch of dark clouds.

Cold raindrops fell accordingly, smashing onto the newborn rock and soil, splashing dust and mud, making a fine 'rustling' sound.

A heavy rain arrived, bringing a moist breath to this barren land.

Although it was still unable to achieve the degree of creating life, this sense of control of calling the wind and summoning the rain and making laws with one's words still made Fang Cheng feel incomparably novel.

At the same time, he also understood that this was the true essence of the "Visualization" method.

The Inner Scene World was not only a fortress protecting the spirit, but also a Daoist arena for deducing all techniques.

In the future, whether Cultivating Martial Skills or comprehending Cultivation Techniques, he could completely simulate conditions difficult to achieve in reality here, and the efficiency would far exceed before.

While his thoughts flowed, Fang Cheng's gaze swept across the newborn heaven and earth, finally landing on the magnificent palace in the center of the island.

It was built entirely of dark golden giant stones, with walls dozens of meters high, appearing exceptionally magnificent.

That was originally his Memory Palace, and now it had become a part of the Inner Scene World.

Overlooking from high above, the outer region of the palace was uneven, scattered with gravel and soil clods.

Resembling a huge building just completed without cleaning up the scene yet.

Fang Cheng's mind stirred.

Rumble——

The ground of over ten thousand square meters around the palace began to vibrate violently.

Those protruding mounds of earth were smoothed out by an invisible force, and the sunken potholes were also completely filled.

Following closely, square pieces of obsidian surged out from the soil.

They automatically calibrated their positions, splicing with each other, seamlessly embedding into the ground.

The entire process was like having an invisible construction team paving the floor with unimaginable efficiency.

Fang Cheng's figure descended from the sky, his feet stepping on the first black floor tile that had just been generated, striding toward the palace gate.

As he took each step, the road beneath his feet also unfolded and extended forward accordingly.

When Fang Cheng arrived in front of the door, a wide and flat black stone avenue had already taken shape.

At the end of the avenue, dozens of steps progressed layer by layer, perfectly connecting with the entrance of the palace.

Fang Cheng reached out and pushed open the golden palace door that required a giant to shake, instantly feeling a sense of sudden enlightenment.

Unlike the completely dark scene in the past, today's hall was bright and grandiose.

The brilliance of the sun passed through the dome and the intricate colored glass windows on both sides, casting colorful light and shadows, illuminating the grand hall of thousands of square meters into a dreamlike illusion.

Dozens of huge columns supported the towering vault, appearing solemn and respectful.

Those arches led to the deep side halls, inspiring reverie.

In the deepest part of the grand hall, a throne completely crafted from gold stood quietly, shining brilliantly.

Fang Cheng walked forward step by step, calmly taking a seat.

Just at the moment of contacting the throne, an unspeakable feeling instantly reached straight to the spiritual platform.

As if he had completely merged with this side of the world, every grain of sand on the island, every drop of water in the river, had become an extension of his will.

Even, the thoughts of all "believers" who established a connection poured into his mind in an instant.

Fang Cheng closed his eyes and concentrated, his fingertips brushing across the cold armrests, enjoying this omniscient and omnipotent experience.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and cast his gaze toward a corner.

There was a door emitting a soft white light, its spatial fluctuation slightly different from the surrounding environment.

Fang Cheng's mind stirred, and his figure had already appeared in front of the light door, then stepping inside.

The scene before his eyes suddenly transformed.

The magnificent palace disappeared, replaced by a small bedroom of only a few square meters.

On the old desk, stacks of eye-catching academic works were piled up, and the quilt on the single bed was folded neatly.

This was precisely the home in Jiuchang Street, that bedroom belonging to himself.

Obviously, the Inner Scene World inherited the original setting of the "Memory Palace".

This was both the initial anchor point and the origin of his own Soul memories.

Following closely, Fang Cheng sensed another new spatial fluctuation.

His mind stirred, and his figure instantly disappeared from the bedroom.

The next second, he was already placed in a gloom.

Around were slippery rock walls, engraved densely with unadorned handwriting.

From the crack in the rock wall above his head, a beam of faint light quietly leaked down.

Here was strikingly the water prison where he was in secluded cultivation.

The entire scene was almost replicated one-to-one.

Unlike reality, the water in the pool had been refilled.

Fang Cheng instantly understood clearly.

He had been in secluded cultivation and comprehending the Dao in this perilous land; that experience of breaking free from shackles and rising from the ashes was also deeply branded in his Soul.

Therefore, it transformed into the second memory anchor point in the Inner Scene World after the bedroom.

Consciousness returning to the high sky, overlooking the entire island blooming with light, a sense of unprecedented satisfaction welled up in Fang Cheng's heart.

The most important achievement of this arduous closed-door cultivation lasting several days was not the improvement of attributes and skills.

But creating a nearly real Inner Scene World, and under a coincidence, comprehending the unity of heaven and man, successfully condensing the "True Self".

The so-called "True Self" was not simply visualizing a false projection as an Inner Scene Incarnation.

It was closer to the "Yang God" spoken by Daoism, and the "Dharmakaya" spoken by Buddhism.

It was a highly unified existence of essence, Qi, and spirit.

It was an existence condensed by Martial Artists after going through a thousand refinements, representing their own "Dao" and "reason".

It was even more the embodiment of will and Physical Body breaking through limits simultaneously, reaching the Peak, and perfectly fusing.

It could be said that the explosion of various body attributes superficially looked like the result of digesting the flesh and blood of the crimson eye and absorbing a massive amount of life essence.

But examining its essence, during the process of condensing the "True Self", the Divine Soul governed the Physical Body, forcibly promoting the elevation of the life tier, thereby completing a shedding of mortal body and exchanging bones.

Essence, Qi, and spirit, through this closed-door cultivation, were thoroughly penetrated and refined into a perfect whole.

The True Sun Fire in the Inner Scene World could continuously refine external energy, transforming it into the purest True Qi.

The majestic True Qi nurtured the Physical Body at all times, making the Physique and Divine Soul stronger day by day.

And the powerful Physical Body and spirit in turn supported the stability and expansion of the Inner Scene World.

The three were mutual Foundations, circulating ceaselessly, forming a perfect closed-loop that could self-evolve and endlessly pulse with life.

Fang Cheng faintly had a feeling.

Even if he no longer carried out any high-intensity exercise from now on, but merely sat in meditation and Visualized daily.

The strength, agility, and Physique of this body would also continuously obtain improvements imperceptibly.

This was the true reshaping of the Foundation.

Although this kind of improvement was not as swift as digesting the flesh and blood of the crimson eye all at once, it excelled in being long-standing and occurring every moment at the microscopic level.

A few short days might not show much change.

But if the timeline was stretched to be calculated in years, the benefits it brought would be incomparably terrifying.

"Refining essence to transform Qi, refining Qi to transform spirit, refining spirit to return to void..."

"True essence casting the cauldron, condensing the True Self, Inner Scene external manifestation..."

Fang Cheng silently recited these formulas in his heart, fusing and mastering Ma Jianguo's teachings with his own realizations.

In the past, he constantly exercised, practiced skills, and elevated Ranks, everything was for the vague and general goal of "becoming stronger".

Like a traveler groping in the dark, only barely able to see the road beneath his feet, yet not knowing where this road ultimately led.

But now, everything was different.

These steps that once sounded profoundly mysterious.

At this moment in Fang Cheng's eyes, they had transformed into one extraordinarily clear road sign, pointing out the direction forward.

A passage to heaven avenue that could be climbed upward infinitely finally slowly unfolded before him.

That was a path belonging uniquely to Martial Artists.

It could also be called—Martial Dao!

...

Pat.

Pat.

Another few water droplets fell from the cracks of the rock wall.

Just right, hitting his face.

Fang Cheng's eyelashes trembled slightly, opening his eyes.

Within his pupils like two cold stars, lightning flashes unexpectedly appeared.

He raised his head, his gaze ignoring the obstruction of layers of rocks, directly casting toward that narrow and long crack above his head.

Outside the crack, the sky was dim.

Thick dark clouds were constantly gathering, seeming to brew a majestic rainstorm.

Vaguely, there was also dull thunder rolling past.

It was raining outside.

As soon as this thought surfaced, a strong sense of thirst rose from the depths of his throat like a raging fire.

Fang Cheng subconsciously licked his lips, only feeling his mouth dry and tongue parched, as if sparks could be struck out.

This was not because the power of the crimson eye was still making trouble.

But rather the closed-door cultivation lasting several days, especially the final stage of Visualizing the True Sun Fire, which caused too much moisture to evaporate inside his body.

Following closely, an extraordinarily clear "rumble" sound came from his abdomen again.

In this silent water prison, this sound appeared exceptionally loud, and exceptionally out of place.

Fang Cheng lowered his head to look at his well-defined abdominal muscles, a trace of helpless wry smile appearing on his face.

His stomach had long since been empty, singing the empty city strategy.

He introspected his Dantian, within that newly carved out vast Qi Sea, the tempered True Qi was like an ocean.

But looking closely, the water level line was barely over half.

Previously focusing on the True Sun Fire and shaping the Inner Scene World almost exhausted all the accumulated life energy.

Thanks to having the flesh and blood of the crimson eye as a supplement, he was able to smoothly achieve the goal.

After all, the metamorphosis of the Physical Body and the Breakthrough of the spirit were none other than built on top of massive energy consumption.

"I must get out quickly."

Fang Cheng muttered to himself: "Find a place first, have a good meal, and then have a good drink."

Thinking of the sizzling oily grilled chops and iced cola, he felt the hunger in his abdomen growing increasingly intense.

He immediately leaped down from the stone platform, preparing to stride toward the exit, but suddenly paused his footsteps and lowered his head to look at himself.

Muscles knotted, lines smooth, full of strength and aesthetic feeling... and, stark naked...

His set of clothes that were still somewhat decent when he entered had already completely turned into flying ash in the very instant the True Sun Fire erupted, leaving not even a bit of dregs behind.

"Fortunately, I was prepared early."

Fang Cheng patted his forehead, remembering that backpack he had thrown on the stone steps at the entrance of the water prison.

Walking to the entrance in a few steps, he indeed saw that familiar blue canvas shoulder bag.

(End of Chapter)