Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 279: The First Snow

In fact, reaching the eighth layer of the Profound Gate was not his greatest gain this time.

He received his greatest gain from how Yue Hongling’s spirit resonated with his during dual cultivation. He, who had always lacked a cultivation technique for the Profound Mysteries, was able to feel the power of the first layer of the Profound Mysteries. This was actually the main focus of his meditation.

For a time traveler and transmigrator who had read many novels and watched countless anime, the concept was fairly easy to grasp.

The so-called layers of the Profound Gate were akin to the ancient concept of opening the Conception Vessel and the Governing Vessel[1], just framed differently. Actually, it was a more simplified and straightforward process.

Zhao Changhe’s cultivation journey felt very intuitive. He started with the Huiyin acupoint for the first layer, then progressed upward, breaking through the dantian, then Danzhong, Yutang[2]... with the acupoint at the top of the head to be unlocked for the ninth layer of the Profound Gate. Each layer represented a step toward heaven.

When all nine layers of the Profound Gate were achieved, a complete cycle would be formed within one’s body as the two meridians would be connected. The Yongquan point to the earth and the Tianling point to heaven.[3] Whether through internal or external cultivation, it all led to this.

However, for most people, this was their endpoint. The ninth layer of the Profound Gate was the peak for most martial artists.

There were countless martial artists in the world. The upper echelons of major sects and family heads of various clans generally reached the ninth layer of the profound Gate, and they were numerous. Yet they were all stuck at this level, as if blocked by an insurmountable barrier, only able to distinguish themselves by their skills and techniques. And among them, a few exceptional individuals were placed at the bottom of the Ranking of Man to make up the numbers.

Martial artists referred to this barrier as the bridge between heaven and earth. It was only by unlocking the first of the Profound Mysteries that one could cross this bridge and achieve unity between heaven and man.

At that time, the nature of one’s true qi would undergo a qualitative change, typically referred to as a transformation from acquired true qi to innate true qi. This allowed for self-sustaining internal circulation, perpetual and endless. This was why back when they had fought with Hu Lie, he mentioned that while Yue Hongling might suffocate from the lack of air in the sandstorm, he would not.

However, this transformation in the nature of one’s true qi did not immediately result in a significant leap in strength. The intensity of Hu Lie’s true qi was only slightly greater than Yue Hongling’s, and it had not been overwhelming as they fought. Nevertheless, at this stage, the ceiling was permanently raised, and one’s future development became limitless, only requiring accumulation over time.

While proper use of innate true qi was not something that could be immediately learned, other things were more readily improved.

During the process of breaking through one Profound Gate after another, the five senses were constantly enhanced. Almost all internal cultivation routes involved the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue, thus opening the eye and ear apertures, allowing one to gain abilities like long-distance vision, night vision, and keen hearing. These were among the greatest benefits of cultivation to martial artists.

Yet, such abilities were still within the realm of mortals. The unlocking of the Profound Mysteries was where one began to transcend this.

Long ago, when Zhao Changhe browsed through the texts of the Blood God Cult, he saw passages talking about this phenomenon.

Those who have reached the Profound Mysteries have divine powers.

When ordinary people break through the Profound Gates, they open the aperture of their eyes and can see further and clearer, down to the smallest detail. But only with the divine powers of the Profound Mysteries can one see what is happening behind them and see ten thousand li far; they can see the sadness and joy of the mortal world; they can pry into the workings of the heavenly dao. None of the happenings of the world escape their sight. This is called the heavenly eye.

There were many schools of thought, yet they all agreed on this.

When the Profound Mysteries were unlocked, the spiritual consciousness began to come into play, and one would no longer need to rely solely on their eyes to see. At this stage, even with closed eyes, one could “see” the surroundings. Whether they could truly see tens of thousands of li away was debatable, but they could at least see behind them.

And indeed, just as he had long suspected, this feature that Zhao Changhe’s transmigration granted him for “free” was one that generally only belonged to those who have unlocked the Profound Mysteries.

Moreover, his Back Eye was even more advanced than the normal capabilities of those at the first layer of the Profound Mysteries. Others’ “seeing” was still really just a subtle but heightened perception of details and movements; they could not literally see behind them. However, this was not the case for him; he could see the actual image behind him. His Back Eye likely surpassed the abilities of those who had unlocked the first Profound Mystery.

With Yue Hongling’s guidance through dual cultivation, Zhao Changhe began his first true evolution and refinement of the Back Eye—elevating the perspective.

Now, he could not only observe what was behind him, but rather, everything around. The perspective had changed, and he could now look down from above. He could now see his direct surroundings in all directions even with his eyes closed.

Like the moon reflected in water.

This was also the final state that Tang Wanzhuang’s teachings pointed toward... a state only available to those on the Ranking of Earth, those who were at the second layer of the Profound Mysteries.

This state had a specified term for it: divine sense.

Although Zhao Changhe’s control over his Back Eye was still at a rudimentary level, no matter how rudimentary it was, that small difference distinguished transcendent beings from mortals. This was the first step toward transcendence and sanctification. Crossing this step meant entering the first layer of the Profound Mysteries.

He could clearly see the ring in his hand, which had a small space and contained a sword, a book, and a token.

What he lacked now was a technique to draw out the items, so he could truly utilize the storage ring.

This was what it meant to have glimpsed through the door of the Profound Mysteries, when one had achieved some of what could only be done after unlocking the Profound Mysteries. Simply put, it was when one was half a step from the Profound Mysteries.

Others might only barely find this door after who knew how long at the peak of the ninth layer of the Profound Gate, but he had managed to achieve part of it at the eighth layer—or perhaps he had already done so even before he started practicing martial arts, just that he had passively done so without truly comprehending it. It was only now that he had reached a point where he had some level of control.

Zhao Changhe was likely even stronger now than Yue Hongling when she fought Cult Leader Xue, back when he had just transmigrated into this world. If there was any area he might fall short in, it was the refinement of his combat techniques.

After all, he had been wandering the jianghu for barely a year.

After a while of checking his internal state, Zhao Changhe suddenly smiled. “Not bad. I’m glad that when you were living in the mountain stronghold, I really didn’t harbor any thoughts toward you... If I had any lustful thoughts, you would have caught me right away.”

Yue Hongling also smiled. “You... Tch, playing the long game. Everyone else clamored about how I was the stronghold mistress, and you never denied it. Did you really not harbor any ulterior motives?”

“No, no, don’t talk nonsense...”

“Anyway, this lone bandit is planning on going out looting. Would you like to accompany me?”

“I’d love that.” Zhao Changhe pulled her in for a hug, but Yue Hongling raised her leg and kicked him.

They playfully scuffled, and then both of their gazes simultaneously landed on the altar where the ring had originally been.

Having lingered here for so long, they were thoroughly familiar with the place. The altar was part of a mechanism, and pushing it aside revealed a passage that led to the exit of the dimension at the deepest point of the lake.

They did not need to guess. They both knew where the exit was. It was not Huangsha Lake, but Rocky Mountain.

Having devoted themselves to cultivation for quite some time, they could not help but feel somewhat anxious about going outside. Time inside passed without sun or moon, and they could have been inside for a month or two for all they knew. Perhaps the war at Yanmen had already been fought—what would they do then?

Nevertheless, since they had made their breakthroughs, it was time for them to head out.

Thus, Yue Hongling donned her red dress.

“Shall we go?” said Zhao Changhe softly as he looked reluctantly at the altar.

Yue Hongling also felt a twinge of reluctance, her gaze sweeping round before she softly said, “Should we take the gem?”

Zhao Changhe nodded, stashing the gemstone into his pocket, then after some thought, he scooped up all of the remaining “jelly” and stored them in the storage ring.

Even if I can’t take out the items inside, I can still use it to store things.

After he stored away the things in the room, Yue Hongling looked around one last time, reluctant to leave their makeshift bridal chamber, before finally turning and pushing the altar aside.

“Let’s go.”

*

On Rocky Mountain, a light snow was falling, transforming into rain as it reached the earth below. The chill struck their faces, and they could not tell whether it was snow or rain.

They appeared on the mountain peak, standing amid the light snow and rain, gazing toward the wilderness not far from where they had fought Hu Lie.

There, the sounds of battle thundered through the air.

There were two parties in conflict, but it really was just one side overpowering the other. The weaker party was steadily retreating and approaching Rocky Mountain.

A middle-aged man, continuously retreating under the protection of his guards, turned back and cursed angrily, “Batu! This is insubordination and a violation of moral principles!”

Batu swung his saber, cutting down a soldier blocking his way, and continued his charge on horseback. “Hah! Since when do we from the Grasslands care about moral principles? Who was it that visited the Central Plains, you or me?”

He spat and continued, “I am the heir designated by my uncle! When you, as Uncle’s own brother, took his wife and incited your nephews to take my place, when did you ever care about moral principles? Fuck you!”

The man laughed loudly, “I think you just want to take your aunt for yourself!”

Batu was too lazy to argue with him. He charged onward past the formation and swung his saber. “Whoever takes He Shan’s head will be rewarded with a hundred taels of gold, a thousand cattle and sheep, and a tent of their own!”

The shouts of battle rose to the sky, and blood stained the yellow sands.

Batu had already charged close to He Shan, failing to realize that he had rushed too far ahead and left his personal guards behind.

He Shan’s previously angry and somewhat fearful eyes finally revealed a hint of glee. “A brute is just a brute in the end. Do you really think you’re invincible charging at me all on your own? While I might not be able to defeat your soldiers, that doesn’t mean I can’t take your life!”

Following his words, he reined in his horse and turned around, thrusting his spear straight at Batu’s chest.

As He Lei’s younger brother, although he was not listed on the rankings of the Tome of Troubled Times, he was still a dignified warrior who was at the ninth layer of the Profound Gate!

Meanwhile, Batu was still only at the seventh layer!

If he could lure Batu into the formation and take his head, he would have a chance to snatch victory from near-certain defeat!

Caught off guard, Batu realized that he had become overconfident due to his recent successes. He had not anticipated that his uncle, who seemed only capable of petty schemes, had secretly cultivated to the ninth layer of the Profound Gate.

If it were a normal battle, where he had his guards around him, he would have nothing to fear.

But in this chase, He Shan rode a Ferghana horse[4] and it ran incredibly fast. Fearing that He Shan might escape, Batu chased after him recklessly, leaving his guards a fair distance behind.

How could he block an attack from a ninth-layer expert?

Am I going to die here because of a stupid moment just as I am rising to power?

At that moment, a red figure flashed by.

He Shan’s spear was only halfway through its thrust when the joy of success froze on his face.

Yue Hongling leaped onto his Ferghana horse, exclaiming with joy, “Haha, what an excellent horse!”

Batu stared at her dumbfounded, and then he saw Zhao Changhe appear beside him with a smile. “Brother Batu, I hope you don’t mind. My wife lost her own horse and just so happens to have taken a liking to this red one.”

He Shan’s body fell to the ground with a thud, kicking up yellow sand. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined this would be the cause of his death.

Batu looked deeply at Zhao Changhe, knowing well the reason behind He Shan’s death was not just because of a horse but rather to send a statement through the defeated soldiers. Who knew how its meaning would turn out when it finally reached the khagan’s ears...

Without saying anything in reply, he raised his saber and shouted, “On this day, the Warring Lion Tribe is unified once more!”

1. The 任 (rèn) 督 (dū) meridians, commonly translated as Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel respectively, are two of the eight extraordinary meridians and run down the center of the body. These are considered central channels of energy in one’s body. ☜

2. The Huyin acupoint is on the pelvic floor, Danzhong in the middle of the chest, and Yutang above it, level with the third intercostal space on the midline. They are all on the Conception Vessel. ☜

3. Yongquan is on the sole of the foot, while Tianling is at the top of the head. ☜

4. The Heavenly Horses of Ferghana are an extinct breed of horses revered in ancient China for “sweating blood.” These horses were said to be not just fast, but very strong and hardy. ☜