Supreme Master - Chapter 4: The Body of Anomalies

Translator – Misty

Chapter 4: The Body of Anomalies

“I guess it was because of a fight. Back then, a disciple bullied me, and I beat him up severely. After that… I was expelled.”

Gu Qingfeng remembered his youthful days at the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect quite vividly. It was there he experienced many firsts: his first cultivation, his first energy absorption, his first fight, his first Dao companion, his first dual cultivation… All these memories were still deeply etched in his mind.

Across from him, Ouyang Ye looked skeptical, struggling to discern truth from fiction. “Are you lying to me again? You said you have innate divine strength. If that’s true, the transmission masters of our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect would have fought to take you as a disciple. How could you end up doing menial work?”

“Well, my situation is a bit complicated,” Gu Qingfeng replied, eating the wild fruits he had picked from a roadside tree. “It’s hard to explain to you.”

“You think I wouldn’t understand? Hmph! I’m an inner disciple of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, well-read since childhood. I know more than you.”

Ouyang Ye snorted and challenged him, “Dare you let me examine your condition?”

“Suit yourself.”

Gu Qingfeng seemed to enjoy the bitter taste of the wild fruits, a change from his usual fare. Ouyang Ye approached and held his wrist, projecting her divine sense to examine him thoroughly.

To her astonishment, she found that Gu Qingfeng had no spiritual roots, no dantian, and his meridians were in a complex disarray. No spiritual roots, no dantian, and chaotic meridians!

This was something that typically happened only when Foundation Building failed. As an inner disciple of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, Ouyang Ye was well aware that reaching the Innate Realm was the first major hurdle in cultivation, namely Foundation Building. Success in Foundation Building allowed one to continue cultivating, but failure meant the innate spiritual roots would disperse, the dantian would lose vitality and eventually wither away, and the meridians would be damaged. In the worst cases, failed Foundation Building could result in instant death.

In their world, failing Foundation Building was common due to unstable foundations, excessive reliance on medicinal pills, or impatience, among other reasons.

Wait a minute!

If he failed at Foundation Building, how could his physical body be so strong?

Ouyang Ye’s examination of Gu Qingfeng’s internal condition left her feeling uneasy. The chaotic meridians were tangled like old tree roots, yet strangely, all his meridians were unusually wide and unobstructed. Moreover, his bones were peculiarly tough and dense.

Could it be… an anomalous body?

Yes, that must be it!

An anomalous body often resulted from unstable foundations during Foundation Building. The intense spiritual energy would destroy the innate spiritual roots in an instant, deplete the dantian of its vitality, but cause the meridians to expand drastically under the impact, making them wide and unobstructed, leading to a drastic transformation of the bones. Despite the physical strength and unobstructed meridians, the dispersal of spiritual roots meant an inability to sense spiritual energy, like being unable to breathe without a nose. With a depleted dantian, absorption of spiritual energy and further cultivation were impossible, rendering such individuals as failed Foundation Builders.

Individuals with an anomalous body were rare, even rarer than some legendary treasured bodies. Though rare, the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect had encountered one before, and now Ouyang Ye had stumbled upon another.

“So, you’re a failed Foundation Builder… Oh no! An anomalous body,” Ouyang Ye realized.

Upon confirming Gu Qingfeng’s status, her gaze softened with sympathy. Though she herself hadn’t yet attempted Foundation Building, she knew too well what failing meant. Even though he possessed an anomalous body, which granted immense strength, he could no longer cultivate.

“An anomalous body?” Gu Qingfeng couldn’t help but feel amused. He had never expected Ouyang Ye to conclude that he had such a rare physique.

No spiritual roots?

Indeed, Gu Qingfeng had no need for spiritual roots to sense spiritual energy. A single breath was enough for him, making even immortal roots pale in comparison.

No dantian?

His dantian was indeed depleted and lifeless, but that didn’t mean it was non-existent. In fact, every pore and acupoint in his body served as a dantian.

Chaotic meridians and astonishing bones?

This wasn’t due to a failed Foundation Building but the result of undergoing the trials of immortal and demonic tribulation and refining his body with the ancestral fire of the Nine Serenities.

However, considering his Dao foundation had been destroyed, his throne of immortals and demons taken, and him being reverted by the Heavenly Dao to a mortal state, his current condition did somewhat resemble that of a failed Foundation Builder with an anomalous body.

Since Ouyang Ye regarded him as such, he felt no need to correct her.

“Here, you seem weak. Take this Qi-replenishing pill.”

Ouyang Ye took out a white jade bottle from her storage bag, handing him a Qi-replenishing pill. Gu Qingfeng thanked her and promptly consumed it. His current state of weakness made the pill’s timing perfect.

“Your experiences must have been very…”

People who failed at Foundation Building were often considered useless by their sects and were usually expelled. Some were even cruelly cast out by their families.

Observing Gu Qingfeng’s disheveled, dirty appearance, with even his clothes torn, Ouyang Ye surmised that he must have suffered greatly after his failure. She felt even more heartbroken seeing him enjoy the roadside wild fruits, which were too bitter for her to swallow. She assumed he must have been very hungry.

Ouyang Ye, kind-hearted as she was, began to tear up, softly saying, “Don’t eat these wild fruits anymore. My aunt’s villa is just ahead. Let’s go there and get you some proper food.”

“Oh? That sounds good.”

Gu Qingfeng, having lived for centuries and seen all forms of life, could easily tell that Ouyang Ye pitied him. He had been thinking of finding a place to bathe and change his clothes, but her compassion saved him the trouble.

Ouyang Ye’s kindness was evident. After learning about Gu Qingfeng’s predicament, she became gentler and even took out spiritual fruits from her storage bag. She initially wanted to ask about his past but decided against it, not wanting to rub salt in his wounds. She simply asked his name.

Gu Qingfeng felt at ease, chatting with Ouyang Ye as they approached a mountain foot.

The mountain range, though not vast, was exquisite. A large stone stele stood at the foot, engraved with “First-Rate Villa.”

“This is your aunt’s villa? Quite impressive.”

… mysticnovel.com …

Gu Qingfeng noted the various formations enveloping the mountain, including those for gathering spiritual energy, soundproofing, and cooling. The cost of maintaining these formations must have been substantial.

Many carriages were parked at the foot, and people were going in and out, chatting and laughing. It looked lively.

Inside the villa, the spiritual energy was rich, likely due to a decent spiritual vein underneath. The scenery was beautiful, with birds singing among the flowers and ancient-style pavilions and kiosks.

“So many people…”

“Of course. Today, the villa is hosting a music and arts festival. My aunt invited many renowned musicians, including the most famous Master Wen Zhu from our Qingyang region.”

“Musicians, huh? Playing tunes…”

In the path of immortality, there are ten arts, including martial arts, spells, formations, talismans, and music. Music, a revered art, requires high talent and comprehension and is known for its therapeutic and awe-inspiring effects.

“And today, Master Wen Zhu will play ‘The Wind Rises Over the Great Qing Mountain,’ a renowned piece.”

Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain?

Hearing the name of the piece, Gu Qingfeng was startled. It felt familiar because he had composed a piece with the same name in his past. “Which ‘Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain’?” he asked.

“Of course, it’s the one composed by the King of the Crimson Heavens. Who else in the world, from ancient times to the present, could create such a soul-stirring piece like ‘Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain’?”

Whenever Ouyang Ye mentioned the King of the Crimson Heavens, her face would show deep admiration and affection. “The King traveled through his life, leaving countless famous pieces behind. His musical attainment reached a mysterious realm, incomprehensible to ordinary people. Although he left many renowned pieces, many of them are so profound that few can play them completely to this day.”

Pausing for a moment, Ouyang Ye continued, “Even though ‘Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain’ was composed by the King in his youth and doesn’t require high musical attainment, not everyone can bring out its essence. I’ve heard many musicians play it, including famous masters, but only Master Wen Zhu in our Qingyang Realm can perfectly convey the essence and spirit of ‘Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain.'”

“Is that so?” Gu Qingfeng stroked his chin, nodding and smiling. “Then I must listen carefully.”

“Listen attentively. When the music starts, it’s like being in the moment, as if going back to ancient times, witnessing the King’s majestic presence in Qing Mountain as he plays ‘Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain,’ deterring all challengers.”

Ouyang Ye looked at him seriously, “Although you’ve failed in your foundation building, it’s still worthwhile to hear Master Wen Zhu play ‘Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain’ today.”

“It’s just someone playing a piece, isn’t it a bit exaggerated?” Gu Qingfeng said, somewhat speechlessly. “What? By listening to the master play, will I recover from my failed foundation building?”

“You really are ignorant!” Ouyang Ye huffed. “Master Wen Zhu is playing ‘Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain,’ composed by the King after he was injured and returned. You know, the King’s golden core collapsed then, he had it much worse than you. In the end, he still rose again, returned to Qing Mountain, and wiped out seven sects there! I want you to listen carefully and feel the King’s spirit, hoping you won’t lose heart because of your failed foundation building.”

“Hahaha! I’ve lived so long but never heard someone else play ‘Wind Rising Over Qing Mountain.'”

Gu Qingfeng laughed heartily. He had indeed created many pieces when he was immersed in music, occasionally playing a few when inspired. But as he said, he had never heard anyone else play his compositions.

(End of Chapter)