Chapter 432: The Three Sacred Ones
“Continuing from last time, those twelve false immortals distorted history, acted tyrannically, and ruled our Huanyu World with bloody methods. They severed our martial arts inheritance, shattered warriors’ beliefs, slandered the original martial path, and even employed heaven-defying techniques to replace martial arts with life-burning methods, drastically shortening our lifespans and filling the people’s lives with resentment.”
“Yet divine providence works in mysterious ways. These twelve false immortals were ultimately just that—false—unable to withstand heaven’s will.”
“To justify their rule, the twelve false immortals shamelessly proclaimed themselves as sacred beings descended from the upper realm. Little did they know this arrogant title would anger the true envoys from above.”
“Three hundred years ago, the martial alliance leader had two sons. The elder was our Jing Nation’s founding ancestor Bu Jing, while the younger is the current emperor. Both were prodigies favored by heaven.”
“During the false immortals’ most rampant oppression, Ancestor Bu Jing endured humiliation while cultivating in seclusion for centuries, determined to slay the imposters and restore clarity to our Huanyu World.”
“In his youth, the emperor accidentally visited the upper realm and witnessed true sacred beings. There, experts were as numerous as clouds, moving heaven and earth with ease. Some even treated stars as building blocks to rearrange at will. Above these peerless experts stood the Three Sacred Ones.”
“The emperor poured out his grievances to these Three Sacred Ones. Hearing how the twelve false immortals had tarnished the upper realm’s name and plunged Huanyu World into misery, they grew displeased.”
“In the first year of Great Jing, the Sacred Ones descended with heavenly might, bestowing tremendous fortune upon Ancestor Bu Jing. Witnessing their divine power, Bu Jing gained enlightenment. Observing celestial phenomena at night, he comprehended the vastness of the universe, his consciousness traveling infinite distances. At dawn, his awareness returned, an inner light illuminating his mind as he penned the ‘Shangqing Huangting Outer Scenery Scripture.’ Transcending the mortal pinnacle, he grasped the ‘External Scenery’ realm, reaching heights unprecedented in history.”
“After attaining the External Scenery realm, Ancestor Bu Jing challenged the twelve false immortals. Trembling with fear, they accepted. Invincible in martial arts, Bu Jing fought twelve consecutive battles, defeating each false immortal in turn, their heads sent flying.”
“Thus did Ancestor Bu Jing restore order, bringing clarity back to Huanyu World. The current emperor established Jing Nation, spreading martial arts throughout the land.” The storyteller struck his gavel: “And so began the glorious era of Great Jing.”
The audience erupted in cheers, tossing gold, silver, and jewels onto the stage, their glitter filling the air.
“Master storyteller, may we know the names of these Three Sacred Ones and their whereabouts?”
While Ancestor Bu Jing’s defeat of the twelve false immortals was well-known, the Three Sacred Ones remained the greatest mystery.
“I know little of their sacred names and dare not speculate. But one thing I can share.”
“What is it?”
“One bears the title ‘Human Sovereign.’ More than this, I cannot say.”
The crowd gasped. If an upper realm existed, Huanyu World couldn’t be the only lower realm. With countless human populations across realms, a sovereign ruling them all was a staggering concept.
The storyteller sipped tea, ignoring the treasures at his feet, and continued: “After Jing Nation’s founding, martial prodigies emerged endlessly, with five reaching the External Scenery realm—including the masters of Washing Sword Villa and Listening Sea Pavilion. Arrogant, they challenged Ancestor Bu Jing’s title as world’s strongest, sending combat invitations.”
“Ancestor Bu Jing gladly accepted all five, scheduling their bouts for a moonless night.”
“Six supreme martial artists clashing should have shaken heaven and earth. Strangely, that night passed without even a whisper of disturbance.”
“None knew the outcome. The five later External Scenery masters never spoke of it again, nor boasted of claiming the top position.”
“Rumors spread that Ancestor Bu Jing had transcended the External Scenery realm, reaching a new plane enabling him to suppress five peers effortlessly.”
“The rumor’s veracity remains unknown—only Ancestor Bu Jing himself could say.” Here the storyteller sighed. Jing Nation’s guardian’s current cultivation level ranked as the second greatest mystery after the Three Sacred Ones’ identities.
Hearing this, Jiang Li’s trio rose to leave.
In just years, Huanyu World had transformed beyond recognition, its people’s spirits vastly improved.
Previously, practitioners used life-burning techniques—while everyone became martial artists, they rarely lived past forty.
After Jing Nation’s founding, new techniques extended lifespans.
Having witnessed the Nine Provinces where all cultivated, Abu—now King Jing—sought to consolidate martial resources for optimal distribution, maximizing quality.
His light-taxation policies further eased people’s burdens.
Jing Nation flourished.
“Bu Jing’s breakthrough is imminent—just one insight away.”
Outside the palace, their spiritual senses detected Bu Jing at his critical juncture.
“His progress is remarkably fast.”
“Within reasonable limits. These years merely capped three centuries of accumulated wisdom—all martial knowledge synthesized for this leap.”
“This isn’t sudden progress, but three centuries’ fruition.”
Strolling through palace grounds unseen by guards or servants, they reached the Hall of Mental Cultivation, finding Abu reviewing petitions while maintaining a horse stance.
“Practicing martial arts while governing? First time seeing that.” Bai Hongtu chuckled at the odd posture.
Huanyu World’s martial path comprised: Postnatal, Congenital, Grandmaster, Mortal Pinnacle, and External Scenery realms.
Years ago Abu was merely Postnatal—now Congenital, nearing Grandmaster status.
Unlike cultivation, martial arts had no shortcuts—no pills or medicinal baths could replace sweat and perseverance.
That Abu advanced while ruling showed extraordinary dedication.
“Elders!” Abu exclaimed joyfully.
Palace guards moved to intercept the “intruders,” but Abu stopped them.
“Stand down! These three brought me back to Huanyu World, slayed the Twelve Heavenly Kings—the Sacred Ones from your stories!”
Awe replaced vigilance as the guards reluctantly withdrew, stealing final glances.
“Quite impressive,” Jiang Li teased.
Abu flushed. “Please don’t mock me, Elder Jiang. Actually… my brother seems stuck in cultivation. Could you assist?”
Jiang Li smiled toward Bu Jing’s retreat: “He’s already broken through.”
Where Bu Jing secluded himself, wind and clouds began swirling dramatically.