Sage of Humanity-Chapter 1544 - 1542: Indeterminate
On the starboat, Lu Ye opened his eyes, his face showing a hint of pain, the consequence of having a strand of his Mental Consciousness being severed. Yet, he showed no signs of fatigue; instead, his eyes were spirited and full of excitement.
Because he discovered that subduing the barghest brought far greater benefits than he had anticipated.
Not to mention that the barghest belongs to the Combat Race, able to gradually grow stronger along with its master's power, thus sparing him from future troubles in advancing to the level of the Boulder Mountain Saber. Moreover, the barghest itself is a huge treasure, a treasure waiting for Lu Ye to explore.
Lih Shang once mentioned that the Combat Race seems to have abilities that assist their master's growth, though she didn't know what that ability exactly was.
At that time, Lu Ye had felt something, and was about to investigate it when Xu Dingyang and others caught up, leaving him no time to check.
Until the recent battle...
Throughout history, the barghest has followed many powerful masters, none of which were exceptions—they were all combat cultivators, and naturally, many of them used sabers.
These cultivators were all geniuses of their time, their achievements far outweighing ordinary cultivators. Many of them, even in a place like Sun Blaze, were formidable and renowned as terrifying figures, each a dominator in their realm.
If these mighty figures chose to, they could leave a mark within the barghest's body, which was less an imprint and more like a legacy.
Just like Qing Li, whom Lu Ye encountered earlier. What he saw was not Qing Li herself but a manifestation of the imprint she left within the barghest. That slash she directed at Lu Ye, was the essence of her legacy.
Under that slash, Lu Ye had no way to defend himself and was forced out. Had they met in reality, it would mean Qing Li could have killed Lu Ye in one strike.
This of course does not mean that Qing Li already possessed this ability during the Constellation Late Stage. When Qing Li left this imprint legacy, it might have been at the level of Sun Blaze or another level of cultivation. Even if Qing Li only exerted power equivalent to Lu Ye's, Lu Ye still could not have withstood it.
In the future, when Lu Ye becomes stronger, he too can leave his own imprint legacy within the barghest, benefiting future generations.
Of course, even if Lu Ye intended to do so, it would be many years in the future, and not everyone could leave an imprint legacy within the barghest. To do that, one must first gain the barghest's approval. If unapproved, any forcefully left imprint would quickly dissipate.
Lu Ye's combat skills and instincts were honed through life and death struggles. Throughout his cultivation journey, the most significant issue he faced was the lack of systematic guidance and teaching.
At first, the Righteous Blood Sect was in decline. The sect master was a magic cultivator and a physique cultivator, the Second Senior Sister was a healing cultivator, and the Fourth Senior Brother was a sword cultivator. There was no one to teach him. It was the Third Senior Brother who, without ever meeting him, gave him some saber skills cultivation insights.
But Lu Ye's strength grew so rapidly that it soon surpassed the limits of the Nine Provinces cultivator, leaving no one able to teach him further.
The Constellation Palace previously granted him the legacy of Tidal Sea Ten Thousand Waves, which delighted Lu Ye because he finally received something different from the Tyrannical Saber Technique. Yet it couldn't fundamentally resolve the challenges he faced—as his cultivation gradually advanced, so too should his saber skills grow. Mere honing through life and death was no longer sufficient.
The imprint legacy within the barghest was precisely what he now desperately needed.
Qing Li was just the first; the imprint legacies hidden within the barghest were countless. As long as Lu Ye could defeat the imprints left by each of those strong figures, he could grasp the essence of their legacies, absorb their insights, and promote his own growth.
Suppressing his inner excitement, Lu Ye didn't rush to try again but instead reflected on the slash Qing Li had just executed.
Undoubtedly, that slash was not a simple cut but the concentration of an entire saber skill system. Qing Li had condensed all her saber skills into that one slash.
Just like the Tyrannical Saber 3rd Movement is not merely those three movements. If one were to only emulate those movements superficially, it would be impossible to comprehend the profoundness of the Tyrannical Saber Technique.
The power Qing Li used at that time was entirely consistent with her own—there was no difference whatsoever. Yet Lu Ye was still killed in one strike, which meant that in terms of saber skills, Qing Li surpassed him by a significant margin.
This didn't dishearten Lu Ye but instead invigorated him, as he saw the potential for his own growth.
After contemplating for a long while, Lu Ye once again immersed his mind, entering the verdant great hall. As he looked up, Qing Li remained in the same posture he had witnessed before, hands crossed on the saber hilt, standing with the long saber.
However, she quickly opened her eyes, and Lu Ye saw two points of golden light bloom once again.
Unlike last time, Qing Li didn't announce her name or origins but directly launched an attack this time.
Lu Ye thought he could hold on a bit, but the moment Qing Li struck, he realized he was wrong. He barely made out a gaping mouth lunging for him, and then his psyche was ejected from the verdant great hall.
A truly fierce and malevolent figure, baring fangs!
The Mental Consciousness was severed once more, yet Lu Ye didn't mind. This minor damage meant little to him, and should he wish to recover, he still had the psyche refinement herb available.
After thinking deeply for a while, repeatedly simulating in his mind, Lu Ye entered the verdant great hall for the third time.
Time flows, as Lu Ye sits cross-legged on the starboat, the Boulder Mountain Saber resting across his knee, his spirit force periodically channeled into the saber. Occasionally, he takes out spirit jade or psyche refinement herb to refine. To an outsider, it seems as if he is cultivating.
Lih Shang becomes increasingly certain that Lu Ye must have subdued the Combat Race; otherwise, his odd behavior throughout the journey makes no sense. However, as they spend more time together, she gradually notices Lu Ye's uniqueness. She vaguely feels that one day, in this vast stellar space, there will undoubtedly be a place for Lu Ye. Being able to associate with such a person while his strength is still humble seems quite worthwhile.
Traveling through the stellar space is incredibly monotonous and tedious. Although the scenery in the stellar space is magnificent and breathtaking, the longer you look, the less remarkable it seems.
Yet, this tedious voyage is something every cultivator must experience because the stellar space is vast, making it impossible to arrive at a destination easily.
Starting from Planet Tengu, it took a full three and a half months for the group to traverse that desolate star region and enter the Indeterminate Galaxy.
And this is only just entering the Indeterminate Galaxy; to reach a specific domain, another period of navigation is required.
Lu Ye is entirely oblivious to the passage of time, his mind focused on confronting Qing Li.
Over the course of more than three months, he was slain by Qing Li thousands of times, but finally, he glimpsed some paths. Although he still isn't Qing Li's opponent, he can at least engage in a bout with her instead of being immediately slain upon entering.
This is undoubtedly significant growth.
During the battles with Qing Li, it is also an opportunity to comprehend the essence of her legacy. Lu Ye eagerly absorbs the nourishment Qing Li left behind, feeling grateful for this senior who once gained insight from the barghest.
Moreover, amid this constant slaying, Lu Ye discovers that his Divine Sea has shown considerable growth, as he frequently needs to refine psyche refinement herb to replenish his depleted Mental Consciousness, which, in turn, strengthens his psyche.
While Lu Ye is refining spirit jade, Duu Lang speaks up: "Brother Lu, now that we've entered the Indeterminate Galaxy, where do you intend to go next?"
Lu Ye then remembers some of his previous plans, recently becoming engrossed in his confrontation with Qing Li, having forgotten other matters.
After some thought, Lu Ye says: "How far is Red Sky from the Indeterminate World?"
Duu Lang replies: "The two domains are not far apart; given the speed of Brother Lu's starboat, it should only take half a month."
This is also because Red Sky has weakened and wishes to attach itself to Indeterminate due to its proximity. If it were too far away, Red Sky wouldn't consider aligning with the Indeterminate World; there are other domains in this home galaxy to choose from, although none are as powerful as Indeterminate.
"Then let's head to Red Sky first; allow me to visit your esteemed domain's seniors!"
Intending to establish a collaboration with Sun Blaze of the Indeterminate World is not an easy task; Lu Ye currently lacks the qualification to communicate with the powerful Sun Blaze cultivators. To those Sun Blaze who have lived for countless years, Lu Ye—a Constellation—is merely a child.
Therefore, Lu Ye thinks perhaps he can use Red Sky's strength as a stepping stone.
With Red Sky's weakness and decline, no matter how Indeterminate World considers the matter, if Red Sky learns they can voyage to the All Phenomena Ocean, they would undoubtedly refuse because they are most eager for change.
Thus, Lu Ye plans to first discuss matters with Red Sky's Moon Jade, then have them introduce him to the powerful ones of Indeterminate. If all goes well, establishing a collaboration with Indeterminate shouldn't be difficult.
Upon hearing this, Duu Lang is noticeably pleased and immediately pilots the starboat, guided by the star map, towards the Red Sky Continent.
The environment within the Indeterminate Galaxy is unmistakably different from that desolate star region; here, stars and domains teeming with life are visible everywhere, which is the typical situation within a normal galaxy.
Lu Ye continues to struggle against Qing Li, making good progress. He estimates that in a bit more time, he should be able to fully comprehend the legacy Qing Li left behind.
This fills him with silent anticipation, wondering what other wondrous legacy Qing Li might offer afterward.
Two months later, within the green palace of the barghest, two figures collide fiercely, the saber resonance clangs incessantly, saber momentum is ferocious, their figures interwoven, each long saber slashing downward.
Amid intense spirit force agitation and some stalemate, Qing Li's figure suddenly drifts backward.
Lu Ye ponders, not pursuing.
He sees Qing Li sheath her saber, then nod slightly to Lu Ye before her figure disappears.
Lu Ye realizes he has likely comprehended the essence of Qing Li's legacy, passing her test.
After nearly half a year of struggle, gradually growing through repeated slaying, achieving this is indeed no small feat. Compared to the sharpness and threatening nature of the Tyrannical Saber Technique, the continuous sweep of Tidal Sea Ten Thousand Waves, Qing Li's saber skill legacy emphasizes agility.
Thankfully, witnessing his various shortcomings while subduing the barghest previously, Lu Ye thinks passing Qing Li's test wouldn't have been so straightforward otherwise.
