Volume 1 Chapter 4 — Heaven Defying Manual
When the sun rose above the sky, it slowly brightened the Sword Star City. On the southeast of the Sword Star Sect, there was a hillside that had been flattened for the sole purpose of using the area to construct the residence of Core Disciples.
On the residence which had occupied most of the land, two young apprentices were bowing their head. In front of them, another young man dressed in black silver robe was gazing at the rising sun.
One of the saluting apprentices was rather respectful in his tone as he said, "Senior Brother, will this plan of yours work? If Sovereign happen to learn about it or Master learned that you disobey him, we will either be confined or executed."
"Brother Guo is right." The other saluting brown-haired apprentice who was chewing a grass agreed. "Acting rashly isn't your style at all. You said impatience will plummet and yet you're doing it. That Xin brat has too many enemies. Once someone loosened their mouth and spread the news, it will be a matter of time our ears will hear the news of his death!"
"Borrowing a knife to butcher the helpless pig." Guo nodded as he murmured.
The black-clothed youngster turned deaf ear to them. He silently marveled the orange sky, occasionally bending down to touch the flowers around him. His fingers were like the work of a gardener, slowly and carefully fondling his children.
"En?" The black-clothed young man felt something around and looked towards the right side of the garden of flowers. There he saw a prism bug with seven different colors landing into a bundle of Jade Spring Flower. Seeing it, he smiled, eyes glinting.
This bug was called Seven Colored Bug. It was said that if they were ever to land upon flowers and herbs, they would bring good luck to them. Between three days and seven nights, the flowers would continue to bloom and never wither under their nurturing. They were adored by caretakers.
The black-clothed youngster smiled upon seeing it and gently raised his hand towards the bug. It looked confused but was soon attracted by the Qi he exuded and hopped on his palm. Then it slowly coddled on his soft skin.
He smiled at the bug resting on his palm and following which, turned his gaze to the brown-haired youth.
The instant the stare landed on him, the brown-haired youngster tried to put on a strong face, however, he couldn't help but tremble at his sight. Forehead sweating, he said. "Forgive my lack of respect, Senior Brother. Cao Li didn't mean to say that."
"It's okay." The black-clothed youth reverted his gaze and turned around. He sighed and put one of his hands behind his back while watching the bug coddling on his other hand.
He gave another smile, and this time it wasn't the smile of the angel, but the devil!
His eyes didn't betray any emotions while raising his hand exactly at the rising sun, and then, he slowly clenched his palm.
The bug was unaware of its dread, and instead, it was busy relaxing on the palm, but when it felt the pressure around him getting heavier and heavier, it finally noticed something amiss and tried to flee. The bug bit the black-clothed youth's skin, but his palm was as tough as steel. No matter how the bug bite, it simply incompetent of leaving a scratch!
A popping sound broke out and the Seven Colored Bug was squashed to death!
Seeing this, both the apprentice eyes shrunk with fear, and they didn't even let a single breath out. They simply couldn't find any words to say!
After few moments of silence, the black-clothed youngster cleaned his dirted hand and went towards the two apprentices. He patted both of their shoulders and leaned to the ears, whispering a cold voice that was as frigid as the Frosty Snow Mountain of the north.
"Well have you ask why I want him dead personally?"
Perhaps his smooth rough hands or his devil-like whisper made the two apprentices subconsciously shake their head, however, the shaking of legs and the sweats on the back was solid proof that they were afraid...Afraid of this man!
The devil opened his mouth again, "It has been six years...I've been enduring for so long. Now that he's gone, I can't simply give up. Am I right? Right?"
His hands were clutching both the apprentices' shoulders all the time, and when he added pressure, the two appreciate let out a cry.
They couldn't bear someone's Essence Core palm even with the cultivation of Early Essence Foundation; they're simply incapable of escaping from his hands!
"You heard me loud and clear right? Kill Xin An and bring his head over to me! Flexing his head on the City Square will be a show!"
"Hehe." The black-clothed young man loosened his grip; the two apprentices retreated with pale faces. He sauntered to the flowers again and said. "I can't wait for that to happen."
The two apprentice feelings were very complicated; fear, anger, resentment. They simply couldn't do anything. They were like two little sheep trapped in the lion's den.
After composing themselves, the scholarly-looking apprentice frowned. He looked at his companion and sent a voice transmission. "What do you think?"
"Madman!" Cao Li replied angrily. "Master is too soft-hearted for a month of reflection. He's aware of Senior Brother's brain problems but still lets him do whatever he wants. What if this madman suddenly goes insane and kills innocent people. We should agree to him and then report him to Master."
"You idiot! It's not worth to offend a personal disciple!" Guo felt Cao Li was too dumb. He explained, "No one will suspect if we throw a body on the wolves. In my opinion, we should kill that brat. It's easy mode, plus we'll be on Senior Brother's good side. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?"
Hu Lian has three disciples in total; One personal disciple which is Wang Peng and two honorary disciples which respectively called Guo Niu and Cao Li.
Hu Lian favors his personal disciple over his honorary disciples. Wang Peng thus has greater authority than Guo Niu and Cao Li, capable of commanding them like servants under the threat of expulsion. If Cao Li and Guo Niu would ever show traces of hesitation, Wang Peng will report them to his master and have them be expelled on his tutelage. Therefore, no matter how unwilling Guo Niu and Cao Li might be, they could only swallow their bitterness. Who asks them to be inadequate?
After a moment of silence, Cao Li's eyes brightened and he sent a voice transmission. "That's a good idea! But you better not stop me when I have the strength to kill this madman. Do we have a deal?"
"Deal!"
Just like that, the two apprentices have an agreement with selfish thoughts. One wanted to kill Wang Peng. While the other one wanted to gain the favor of Wang Peng. How ironic.
Guo Niu stepped forward no longer have the gloominess surrounding him as he sincerely said, "Senior Brother Wang, I'll accompany you on this dangerous task. We'll either live or die together! Even though I believe we can just hire an assassin on the Myriad Heaven Temple, however, killing him personally is not a bad option.
"I agree with you!" His companion commented.
However, the black-clothed youth turned his head and smiled. "I thank your good intentions. However, you better not scheming anything or else....I'll rip your head apart!"
"A misunderstanding." Guo Niu hurriedly explained seeing the situation had become worse. "I just have a big mouth. I seek forgiveness to Senior Brother."
The black-clothed youth looked at them and then smiled. "That's good then. Don't forget what happened to that bug. I could still feel its soft skin being crushed under my hand, unable to chime its despair. What a pitiful bug. You understand my intention right?"
Hong!
A fierce gale of death essence exploded into his body which swept towards the direction of the two apprentices. When it landed on the two apprentices, they were instantly trapped within a mirage of illusion, causing them to imagine a reaper aiming at their necks.
The two apprentice forehead were soaked with sweats. No matter how scared they were at this moment, they didn't dare to move... because moving means dying!
After a while, the black-clothed youth sneered and the suppression of death essence scattered.
Both of them stumbled on the ground. One more time, they looked at the black-clothed youngster and they only have one thought - Wielder of the Death essence was indeed terrifying!
The black-clothed young man looked at them and gently said. "That's the Large Success of Death Essence Art. Master taught it to me. If you ever have a single thought of betraying me, watch your head....or else Death Essence Art won't show any mercy."
"Of course. Of course. There's no way ants like us will have the thought of betraying Senior Brother." The brown-haired youth stood up and rubbed his hands. His companion also stood up with a beaming smile.
"Mmmm." Wang Peng watched the two apprentices depart and smiled. He bends over his knees, stroke the flowers, and began laughing and laughing.
"Oh, Lu Tian, I wonder what will be your expression once that son of yours die. And his head will be attached to the city square for viewing. But don't be disheartened. After I send that kid to the afterlife, soon you will be the next! Blood for blood! You'll pay what you've done to my family!"
...
Somewhere around the Beast Bright Mountain Range, there was a tall mountain. Trees full of vitality surrounded it like a canopy. About midway through the cliff of the mountain, there was a hollowed cave, enough to fit ten people inside.
Outside of that cave, a young man was standing there observing the ground below. He frowned and furrowed his eyebrows. "He brought me at this high altitude. I'm afraid if my foundation was not restored, I'll be forever live and die here."
Xin An then looked above the sky. The sun had completely risen and its morning rays shone throughout the mountains. Some bestial cries would ring through the forests, giving every impression of the usual morning.
Looking at the clouds, Xin An was lost in his thoughts.
He simply had many questions on his head like 'What is his identity, 'Why only members of Defying Clan can cultivate the Defying Manual', 'Where is Holy Horizon Planet', 'Who is his father' and so many thoughts that he wanted an answer!
And yet no one could answer them. Sovereign Yu was gone.
"Forget it." Xin An composed himself as he went back to the cave. He sat there pondering. "For now...I have to cultivate first and learn more about this [Defying Manual]. After that, when I'm confident enough to face a frenzied beast, I'll leave and meet with Yan'er as soon as possible."
Having these thoughts, Xin An couldn't help but feel some worry in his heart. He was unaware of her situation at the moment. Their communication had been cut off when he departed from Cloud Mist Sect. The last conversation he had with her was destiny.
Did her father detain her? Perhaps did Lu Qongyuan did something to her?
He was afraid, deeply afraid that something happened to her. Xin An would truly blame himself. He was an independent boyfriend. She was the one that guided him in both opportunities and training; she was very good at teaching, Xin An wasn't sure why she was so talented. To him, no matter how talented she was, he was her boyfriend and that was enough.
"I hope you're safe. We promise to walk together, through life and death. Without you, it's meaningless to live."
After a while, Xin An took a breather and relaxed. "Worrying will not solve anything. It's better to use the time to plan things."
....
....
....
Xin An then went ahead and make plans for the future after the melancholy.
One of his top priorities was restoring his cultivation, but bottlenecks no longer exist in his eyes until the Essence Domain Realm, so he wasn't worried about meditating at the moment. On the other hand, his first priority was exploring the [Defying Manual] and learn its contents.
Right. He had to re-cultivate his sword intent too.
Before being wasted, his sword intent had long reached the peak of Half Sword Intent. One more push, he could achieve the realm of True Sword Intent. But unfortunately, that damn Lu Qongyuan didn't give him chance to do so.
Xin An gritted his teeth and sighed. To be honest, he had no right to be furious. Yu Ruyan was betrothed to him in the first place, however, as a woman, Yu Ruyan has the right to decide who she liked to marry. And it was luck Xin An had gotten her heart.
"Now thinking of that...I have enemies to be wary of." Xin An sighed.
He no longer had an intimidating backer on his back. His foster father's thoughts had been unfathomable. Eighteen years of being with him, Xin An always failed to predict that man's thoughts. Did he truly abandon him? Or was he still on Xin An's side?
No one knows, so there was no way Xin An would depend on him. He has to grow and become powerful. He couldn't just depend on others. That's pathetic!
Sitting cross-legged, Xin An scanned the spatial ring with his consciousness.
As his consciousness went inside the ring, Xin An's heart almost leaped with shock!
The size of the spatial ring was enormous! It was about hundreds of feet high and thousands of meters wide. This scene made Xin An excited! Because when he borrowed his father's spatial ring during his visit to the Cloud Mist Sect, that ring was only about twenty feet high and a hundred meters wide. Comparing the two, it simply had no comparison; the difference was like the distance between Heaven and Land!
Furthermore, the accumulated treasures inside this ring could be piled up into mountains!
Artifacts, Cultivation Manuals, Alchemy Formulas, Various Martial Techniques of Saber Arts, Defensive Arts, Movement Arts, Offensive Arts, Supplementary Arts, Auxiliary arts, so on and so forth. Even tossing out one of the worst techniques on this treasury could cause bloody wars!
So how rich Xin An was now?
Not that much. The number of violet sun jades and pills inside was only amounted to three hundred or so; this amount was too small. Sovereign Yu said there's only a few violet sun jades and pills, so Xin An wasn't disappointed.
Xin An continued looking around and his gaze landed on a scroll. It was attractive and ancient. There were historical patterns on it. It was old, but the passage of time didn't leave any scratch on it. How mysterious.
"Is that the Defying Manual?"
Xin An guided his consciousness to that scroll. Open closer look, there was the term 'Heaven Defying Manual!' atop it.
So it was the Heaven Defying Manual!
Xin An murmured and grabbed the scroll. A massive influx of information surged on his soul. Xin An remained in the spatial ring and digested the information.
According to the ancient scroll, the Heaven Defying Manual was divided into nine segments; 3 main, 3 supplementary, 2 daos, and 1 forbidden.
The three main were Body Segment, Soul Segment, and Essence Segment. They correspond to the three types of cultivation. At the moment, Xin An only cultivates the Essence System. Cultivating all together would be very taxing to him, and Body Cultivation Manuals and Soul Cultivation Manuals were as rare as phoenix feather and unicorn horns. The Sword Star Sect didn't even have such manuals!
After the three main were the 3 supplementary. They correspond to the three occupations of cultivation; The Alchemy Segment, The Inscription Segment, and the Blacksmith Segment.
After that came the 2 dao segments; The Law segment and the Intent Segment. Xin An recognized the Intent Segment but the Law Segment, he was clueless, so he ignored it.
Lastly, the Forbidden. Reading the last segment, Xin An was overrun by his emotions.
The last segment was called Defying Time and Space segment. It's not a cultivation manual, and instead, it was a martial technique. There was no need to practice the technique and any Defying Race could activate it.
However, the cost of activation was tremendous! It would cost your soul!
In other words, using it, the soul will be extinguished by the heavens, and reincarnating was no longer possible!
"Old man is this you wished for or were you forced?" Using the soul to give a stranger a chance." Xin An looked at the area where the Old Man figure vanished and he struggled to say something. His eyes began showing emotions, but he immediately shook his head. He didn't want to cry again.
Xin An continued, his voice trembling. "Before, I was ignorant of the cost of activation. This generosity of yours is beyond what I could accept. You give me the legacy but also bet on me. You bet on me that I'll defy heaven. I can not disappoint you. I'll do my best, Teacher."
Xin An took a deep breath and focused his thoughts on the manual. 'Cultivating segments concurrently is not impossible, however, it only slows down my cultivation speed. That's not a good idea.'
Xin An pondered.
There were four segments in total that could help him become strong faster during this time; they were Soul Segment, Body Segment, Essence Segment, and Intent Segment.
But amongst the four segments, the most fierce and the one that could help him explode with destructive strength was the — Intent Segment!
Intent Segment referred to the Intents permeated on heaven. One of them was Sword Intent.
Amongst the 3000 intents on the heaven, Sword Intent was ranked at the front. It could raise the user combat prowess by twice or thrice the cultivation base. It was fearsome, but also very hard to comprehend.
However, Intent Segment could cover its cons. It could help him cultivate intents!
Yes! Intents!
From the books and legends, there were no manuals capable of aiding a person to cultivate an intent. Yes, there were Odyssey and Biography of older generations left behind for future generations who liked to comprehend intents, but the two routes have a major difference!
Biography and Odyssey are only experiences while Intent Segment is an actual manual!
In short, a person has to rely on comprehension to comprehend an intent. On the other hand, Intent Segment could help cultivate Intent. Such a segment was mind-boggling!
Xin An was still very excited knowing it. He smacked his lips and said.
"But...Essence Segment is also a good pick."
"Essence Segment could help me cultivate faster and refine violet sun jades faster than the normal speed. If I cultivate it, perhaps within five to six months, I could recover my cultivation base."
"But the violent sun jades in my spatial ring are only enough to sustain my needs and necessity. I don't have enough for cultivation purposes. Perhaps, I have to think how to make money first before cultivating it." Xin An nodded his head and finally decided which to cultivate.
"Intent Segment is it then..."