Chapter 152 - 150: Rare Treasures of the Nether Sea
"Elder Liu, how does one open the Mystic Sea?" Song Changming asked the crucial question.
"Some are born with an open Mystic Sea, gifted and intelligent, while most people’s Mystic Sea is closed, their spirit scattered. If one wishes to open the Mystic Sea later, it can only be achieved through extraordinary objects." Liu Dingsheng answered.
"Extraordinary objects?" Song Changming was taken aback.
"Indeed, this is the first difficulty in cultivating the Martial Technique!" Liu Dingsheng shook his head and said.
Upon hearing this, Song Changming realized that the extraordinary objects that can open the Mystic Sea are probably hard to come by.
He looked at Liu Dingsheng, quietly waiting for the continuation.
"Do you know why the hidden sects remain enduring, with the masters within constantly passing down their skills?" Liu Dingsheng asked.
Song Changming’s expression flickered, with a hint of understanding, he said, "Could it be related to these extraordinary objects that open the Mystic Sea..."
"Yes, that’s one of the main reasons." Liu Dingsheng stroked his beard and nodded: "That young master with the Li surname, you should have seen him before."
"Is it Li Pu?" Song Changming quickly responded, understanding who Liu Dingsheng was referring to, and nodded.
"It’s Li Pu." Liu Ziwen, sweating profusely, corrected from the side.
Liu Dingsheng chuckled and said, "Behind him stands Fengxue Manor, rooted in the Northern Great Snow Valley, where they nurture a Ten Thousand Year Ice Soul Flower that produces three to nine Ice Soul Seeds each year.
Just consuming one can give a person a great chance to open the Mystic Sea, and these Ice Soul Seeds, Fengxue Manor usually keeps for themselves, rarely giving them to outsiders."
"Throughout the Da Han Dynasty, such rare objects that open the Mystic Sea are known to the outside world in limited numbers, mostly occupied and nurtured by the hidden sects and Imperial Court. It’s quite difficult for others to obtain them from these hidden sects to open the Mystic Sea."
Upon hearing these words, Song Changming immediately understood part of the implication.
Common extraordinary objects that can open the Mystic Sea are limited in number, and are mostly monopolized by these top forces and major sects, almost completely.
Even if outsiders have a way to establish connections and obtain one from these top forces, it would require paying a significant price.
After all, the amount of extraordinary objects produced each year is only so many, and rarity makes them valuable.
"Is there no other way?" Song Changming frowned and asked.
He had no connections with those hidden sects, and felt he had no treasures worthy for an equivalent exchange.
"You can also explore the wild lands yourself, as the hidden sects occupy magical plants capable of consistently producing such extraordinary objects, while they also randomly appear in the wilderness. If you are lucky, you may encounter them." Liu Dingsheng said.
"Gambling on luck..." Song Changming admitted that his luck was not good, making wandering aimlessly a difficult endeavor.
Moreover, the wilderness is dangerous; even as an Extreme Realm Martial Artist, he couldn’t guarantee complete safety.
Seeing Song Changming’s difficulty, Liu Dingsheng leisurely sipped tea, moistening his throat, and continued.
"If you don’t want to search, then there’s only competition."
"How does one compete?" Song Changming thought there might be other methods.
"In the past, those hidden sects would each host a Martial Arts Tournament every two or three years, widely inviting powerful martial artists from across the lands to participate.
Every time, they would take out surplus extraordinary objects as rewards for the tournament’s winners." Liu Dingsheng continued without reservation.
"Elder Liu suggests I participate in these Martial Arts Tournaments hosted by the hidden sects?" Song Changming immediately understood Liu Dingsheng’s meaning.
"Yes, but it’s worth mentioning that the frequency of these tournaments held by hidden sects has significantly decreased, and currently, the only still regularly held is the Peach Blossom Assembly by Jade Void Cave every three years.
If you wish to go, I could take you for a visit." As Liu Dingsheng spoke, a hint of reminiscence appeared in his expression.
He had participated in this Peach Blossom Assembly in his younger years.
Unfortunately, during the assembly, talent was abundant, with experts from across Jianghu converging, and despite his decent performance, he wasn’t the ultimate winner.
Naturally, he didn’t obtain Jade Void Cave’s Flat Peach, nor did he open the Mystic Sea.
This was a major regret in his heart.
Liu Dingsheng shared his past experiences to serve as a reference for Song Changming.
Back when he lost, Liu Dingsheng was already an Extreme Realm Martial Artist, which showcases the fierce competition for such extraordinary objects.
Talented individuals from various places gathered, all having reached the Extreme Realm in body refinement, seeking to enter the new realm of Martial Tao Qi Refining.
This was truly a grand martial gathering, worthy of its name.
Inviting so many talented and exceptional martial artists for any other occasion would be incredibly difficult.
Listening to this, Song Changming was lost in thought.
Either explore places himself or demonstrate his strength in competition.
He was faced with these two paths.
"If I participate in that Martial Arts Tournament, Elder Liu, what do you think are my chances of obtaining that extraordinary object with my current strength?" Song Changming suddenly asked.
"Not saying it’s a hundred percent, but there’s still a fair chance," Liu Dingsheng estimated.
Although he had a lot of confidence in Song Changming’s strength, he didn’t give an absolute guarantee.
He was well aware that in the Da Han Dynasty, Martial Artists were as numerous as the stars, with countless exceptionally talented individuals. Even if those disciples from the Hidden Sects didn’t participate, it would still be difficult for Song Changming to win all the way to the end.
Even if Song Changming also practiced other Body Refining Skills, in such a martial arts assembly, he wasn’t the only Extreme Realm Martial Artist who practiced multiple Body Refining Skills!
Song Changming’s notable advantages, once placed there, didn’t seem as prominent as usual.
Liu Dingsheng was well aware of this point.
"There’s no rush to decide whether to participate. If I remember correctly, the Peach Blossom Assembly will be held next year, so there’s still time." Seeing Song Changming fall silent, Liu Dingsheng said.
"Thank you, Elder Liu. If I haven’t opened the Nether Sea by next year, I’ll have to trouble you to bring me there." Song Changming nodded.
Though traveling thousands of miles to attend this martial arts assembly was a bit troublesome, he was more unwilling to procrastinate further, wasting too much time at the barrier of opening the Nether Sea.
It would be best to open the Nether Sea this year, but if not, next year he would have no choice but to participate in this assembly.
He comforted himself, thinking that competing against the world’s talents wasn’t bad, considering it an opportunity to broaden his horizons and gain experience.
Staying in Donglai Prefecture without venturing outside was somewhat like viewing the sky from the bottom of a well.
"It’s a small matter, don’t worry." Liu Dingsheng waved his hand.
The two chatted about many things while playing chess.
Unconsciously, Song Changming lost several matches on the chessboard again.
At this moment, Liu Ziwen suddenly came over, holding an invitation.
"Master, there’s a visiting card sent by Young Master Li from the Li Family, along with a challenge letter for Changming."
"Hmm?" Song Changming was taken aback when he heard this.
What did this have to do with him?
"What a coincidence, there’s no need to send it again," Liu Dingsheng looked at the challenge letter and smiled faintly.
Probably because Song Changming was close to him, the other party entrusted the battle invitation to him, knowing he would deliver it.
Liu Ziwen handed the battle invitation to Song Changming.
A day later, the Young Master Li from the North, received Song Changming’s verbal response from the Liu Residence.
As always, he had no intention of responding to such meaningless challenges.
In the past, when facing those senseless people, even replying was superfluous for Song Changming.
It’s just that the status and background of Young Master Li were indeed substantial, so to avoid unnecessary trouble, Song Changming had Liu Ziwen discreetly decline.
He had considered Liu Ziwen’s initial suggestion: to amaze people through battle and thus make acquaintance with Young Master Li.
Perhaps he could have the chance to acquire Fengxue Manor’s miraculous item to open the Nether Sea through him.
But Liu Dingsheng plainly said that the miraculous items of Fengxue Manor were preassigned early each year.
Even if the other party was the eldest young master of the manor, he had no control over the miraculous items.
Moreover, the other party wasn’t likely to struggle for someone like Song Changming, a mere acquaintance.
Liu Dingsheng’s words completely extinguished his remaining interest.
"Hmph, what Dragon Saber, such evasion, is mostly a hollow reputation, uninteresting, forget it!" Li Pu sneered upon hearing this, waving his hand, deciding not to persistently bother Song Changming.
In fact, he never truly believed that Song Changming, reputed as the Dragon Saber, was as formidable as rumored.
Mostly overblown mediocrity, causing him considerable disdain.
"Young Master, we’ve stayed in Donglai Prefecture for a few days, should we move on?" his old servant respectfully asked.
"Hmm, after visiting all the Southern Seven Prefectures, we’ll return. This journey has been rather dull..." Li Pu shook his head.
He longed to encounter some exciting people or events, but along the way, it was only one conflict after another, with nothing new or interesting, prompting his desire to conclude his journey and return home soon.
"I’ve heard that Donglai Prefecture has a large river stretching thousands of kilometers, supposedly named after a dragon fell into it. We might as well take a look before we leave," Li Pu suddenly mentioned.
Upon hearing this, the old servant opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, simply agreeing.
In his heart, he thought the young master would likely be disappointed again.
This Luolong River, how could it truly have a fallen dragon? It was merely an ordinary large river, nothing special.
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