Lin Yuan returned to the Great Zen Temple without causing much commotion.
Apart from the abbot and a few senior monks, no other monks were aware of his return.
On the third floor of the scripture repository, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged.
"Eight years left."
Lin Yuan glanced at the illusory light screen below his line of sight, aware that his time in this realm was running out.
"Probably enough."
Lin Yuan nodded slightly.
The path to the realm above the mythical state had a specific direction and approach due to his extraordinary comprehension abilities. With eight years of time and his Unrivaled Insight comprehension efficiency, it was more than sufficient.
"The path of martial arts."
Lin Yuan's eyes were profound.
In this world, the path of martial arts was based on the human body, combined with the spirit, undergoing constant transformation. Although progress was slow, it lacked major shortcomings.
At least it was much more promising than the evolutionary path of the "Gene Warriors" in the cosmic human civilization.
The Gene Warriors relied solely on physical evolution, and once they encountered evolved beings like "Psionics" or "Mind Masters," they were usually swept aside without proper preparation.
The evolutionary path of Gene Warriors was likely created by the higher-ups of human civilization specifically for their descendants. Depending entirely on gene potions, as long as one could purchase a sufficient level of gene potions, they could continue to improve indefinitely.
"I wonder how the path of martial arts is evaluated by the Goddess of Wisdom."
Lin Yuan thought to himself.
The Cosmic Human Alliance encouraged citizens to develop new evolutionary paths, and the Goddess of Wisdom even rewarded significant contributions to attract more people to engage in this field.
The value of an evolutionary path depended on two aspects: its popularity and its potential.
Popularity was easily understood; if only one person could practice a particular evolutionary path, it would have little value for the overall human civilization.
As for potential, it referred to the theoretical upper limit of the evolutionary path.
After spending more than ten years in this world, Lin Yuan had consistently used his extraordinary comprehension to deduce martial arts, opening up the realm beyond Grandmaster, even surpassing the mythical level. He aimed to maximize the potential of the martial arts evolutionary path to receive higher praise and rewards from the Goddess of Wisdom.
Lin Yuan was well aware of priorities; this realm was just a temporary stay. After twenty years, he would return to the Cosmic Human Alliance.
"Continue the enlightenment."
After pondering for a moment, Lin Yuan closed his eyes and once again entered the state of enlightenment.
The recent journey to the Great Dali Country had been immensely helpful to Lin Yuan.
The myriad martial arts recorded in the Martial Hall, the various miraculous techniques mastered by martial artists worldwide—under the catalysis of his Unrivaled Insight comprehension, countless flashes of enlightenment continued to burst forth in Lin Yuan's mind, steadily advancing towards the realm above the mythical state.
Time passed.
Eight years flew by in a blink of an eye.
As time passed, the true identity of the mysterious monk who penetrated the Grand Dali Palace finally became clear to the world.
It was Venerable Hui Zhen from the Great Zen Temple.
When Lin Yuan uttered the words "This poor monk, Hui Zhen" outside the palace, many people heard it. Combined with the fact that the Great Zen Temple had already distributed portraits of Venerable Hui Zhen to various temples, and Lin Yuan's appearance at several martial arts tournaments hosted by the Grand Dali Country, the deduction was not difficult.
The revelation of the mysterious monk's identity led to increased activity at the Great Zen Temple. Many martial artists flocked to the foot of Mount Shaoshi, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lin Yuan. After spending only a year in the Grand Dali Country, the mysterious monk disappeared, leading many to speculate that he might have returned to the Great Zen Temple.
Numerous martial artists came to the Great Zen Temple, eager to see Lin Yuan. After all, he was widely recognized as a grandmaster, even referred to as the greatest grandmaster by some masters. In the realms of literature and martial arts, he was considered unparalleled.
Seeing that all the grandmasters acknowledged him without any doubt left only one possibility—that Venerable Hui Zhen was indeed unbelievably powerful. He had defeated all the masters, attracting a large number of martial artists to come and witness this unparalleled figure.
Even if they couldn't see him, catching a distant glimpse was considered excellent. Who knows, if they were lucky, the anonymous monk might take an interest in them?
This kind of opportunity was even greater than a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.
As for those who were valued by Venerable Hui Zhen and might have to shave their heads and become monks, many were willing to make that sacrifice, giving up worldly desires for the chance to advance.
On the narrow mountain path of Mount Shaoshi, a burly man carrying a heavy sword moved forward slowly. Following closely behind him was a young man in his twenties.
"Master, master."
"Are you here to challenge that venerable again?"
The young man asked curiously as they walked.
The burly man carrying the heavy sword was none other than the Sword Saint of the South Sea.
If there were masters nearby, they would notice that the Sword Saint of the South Sea exuded a profound aura, and looking into his eyes, they could sense a spiritual power as sharp as a sword.
A grandmaster.
The Sword Saint of the South Sea had already taken that step and become a grandmaster.
In the past, the birth of any grandmaster would be an extremely sensational event, with congratulations coming from all directions and countless people bowing down. However, the Sword Saint of the South Sea found it dull.
Ever since he exchanged moves with Lin Yuan eight years ago, he realized that there were always people beyond people and realms beyond realms.
So what if he became a grandmaster?
In the face of that venerable monk, even grandmasters had to die.
"I just came to take a look."
The Sword Saint of the South Sea shook his head.
"Also, don't compare your master with that venerable."
"That venerable monk ceased to be a grandmaster eight years ago."
The Sword Saint of the South Sea took a deep breath and said in a low voice.
Suddenly, the Sword Saint of the South Sea's expression changed dramatically.
He raised his head abruptly, looking towards the summit of Mount Shaoshi, in the direction of the Great Zen Temple.
Buzz!
A terrifying aura began to ripple, instantly sweeping across the entire Mount Shaoshi. It spread in all directions at an extremely frightening speed.
"What is that?"
The Sword Saint of the South Sea's face turned pale. In his perception, a vast and ocean-like aura rose from deep within the Great Zen Temple, shining like the sun, illuminating the world.
"At last. It has finally happened."
On the third floor of the scripture repository, Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and walked out of the repository. It took nearly a decade, but he had finally stepped into the realm above the mythical state.
Outside the scripture repository, the Long Eyebrow Monk, the abbot, and other senior monks had been waiting for a long time. The commotion caused by Lin Yuan's breakthrough was too significant. Even the Sword Saint of the South Sea on the mountainside could sense it, not to mention the many monks within the Great Zen Temple.
"Venerable."
"Greetings, Venerable."
Seeing Lin Yuan walk out of the repository, Long Eyebrow Monk and the others immediately bowed.
"Thank you."
Lin Yuan nodded, feeling good.
"Venerable, your strength should have surpassed that of a grandmaster by now, right?"
Abbot Hui Zhen hesitated for a moment, then inquired cautiously. He had long had this speculation, but hadn't been certain. After all, surpassing a grandmaster was considered reaching the ceiling for martial artists throughout history, and surpassing it was not an easy feat.
However, just now, sensing the disturbance caused by Lin Yuan's breakthrough, Abbot Hui Zhen realized something.
That majestic aura, even if there were ten or a hundred grandmasters, could not compare.
As for how Abbot Hui Zhen knew this, it was because the Long Eyebrow Monk had also successfully advanced to the realm of a grandmaster a year ago.
"Close enough."
Lin Yuan's eyes remained calm as he casually responded.
"Truly surpassed the realm of a grandmaster?"
Even though they had anticipated it, Abbot Hui Zhen and the others were still stirred by overwhelming waves of shock.
The thoughts of the holy monk, who was already a grandmaster, were even more complicated. He had witnessed Lin Yuan step-by-step progress and even received guidance from him more than ten years ago when he was still a disciple.
"What does it look like beyond the grandmaster realm?"
Abbot Hui Zhen's voice trembled as he asked.
Others immediately stared at Lin Yuan with intense curiosity.
Although they couldn't reach the heights Lin Yuan had achieved, and even the aspiration of becoming a grandmaster seemed remote, at least they could listen to his insights, which was better than many of the grandmasters who had dominated their respective eras throughout history.
"Above the grandmaster realm is called the Mythical Realm, where internal energy is sublimated into 'Elemental Power.'"
Lin Yuan calmly explained.
Lin Yuan patiently explained the many mysteries of the "Mythical Realm." After finishing, he paused for a moment before continuing, "I haven't thought of a name for the realm above the Mythical Realm yet, but the fusion of Qi, blood, and spirit allows one to sense the aura of heaven and earth."
"Hmm?"
"Above the Mythical Realm?"
Abbot Huizhen and the others were profoundly shaken, taking quite some time to react. They had just been immersed in the incredible aspects of the Mythical Realm, envisioning various characteristics of that realm. But now, Lin Yuan mentioned something beyond the Mythical Realm? Could it be that this young Venerable before them was already beyond the Mythical Realm? How else would he know the mysteries above the Mythical Realm?
Following this, Lin Yuan patiently explained a few more details before dismissing Abbot Huizhen and the others.
It wasn't that Lin Yuan didn't want to say more; it was just that words would be useless without reaching that realm. On the contrary, it could affect his own cultivation.
"It should be close to the limit now."
Lin Yuan pondered for a moment. At this point, he faintly felt a sense of pressure from between heaven and earth.
The level he currently occupied had reached the utmost in the mortal realm. Advancing further was not impossible with his extraordinary comprehension, but the time he had left was far from sufficient.
"Almost there."
Inside the scripture repository, Lin Yuan looked at the dozens of books stacked before him. They recorded the specific details of the process from the innate realm to the Mythical Realm and even beyond the Mythical Realm.
Of course, as martial arts progressed to higher levels, ordinary people found it increasingly obscure and challenging to understand. That was also the reason why Lin Yuan was unwilling to explain in detail to Abbot Huizhen and the others.
However, in case the Great Zen Temple produced a disciple with exceptional talent, comparable to one in a million, and possessing a fraction of Lin Yuan's gifted insight, these books could serve as guidance.
But thinking about that day, it would probably be centuries or even thousands of years into the future.
After entering the realm above the Mythical Realm, Lin Yuan stopped practicing and began to enjoy the mountains and waters. Even so, he felt the pressure from heaven and earth becoming stronger and increasingly uncomfortable, like a stranded whale.
Several months later, Lin Yuan suddenly opened his eyes.
Because...
The door to the myriad realms deep in his mind suddenly radiated a brilliant light.
...
The first arc finished!! How is it?? :D
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