Da Xuan Martial Saint

It turned out that the attitudes of the Hehuan sisters towards him had become even more respectful, but this was normal, after all, in this world strength was respected above all. Now, in the eyes of the world, he was not much different from those in the Blood Exchange Realm, and the sisters Hua Nongyue and Hua Nongying saw him in the same way. Even among those of the same generation, reaching that level in martial arts meant one was esteemed as a person high above the clouds.

"Yes."

Hua Nongyue and Hua Nongying answered in unison, before getting up and approaching.

Hua Nongyue picked up the teapot from the table and poured another cup of clear tea for Chen Mu, and began to talk about Dragon Wood Island and Xunmu Cave Heaven, while Hua Nongying quietly moved behind Chen Mu, her soft, boneless hands deftly resting on his shoulders, gently kneading them.

Sensing Hua Nongying's actions, Chen Mu shook his head and smiled wryly in his heart. He had told the two women not to be restrained, but this was a bit too unrestrained. However, since Hua Nongying didn't take any further liberties, he let her be.

"...Among the three major factions of the Outer Sea, Tingchao Cliff isn't the strongest, but it does have a Supreme at the Celestial Human level, and this Dragonwood Island Master is second only to that Supreme of Tingchao Cliff."

Hua Nongyue paid no mind to her sister's actions and quietly conveyed the intelligence they had gathered.

Chen Mu listened to Hua Nongyue's narrative and occasionally nodded slightly.

Although the Seven Profound Sect had some information about the Outer Sea, the sect's past philosophy was to 'remain hidden from the world.' Therefore, they had no branches in the Outer Sea and knew far less about it than the Hehuan Sect.

The level of strength of the three major factions in the Outer Sea was within Chen Mu's expectations. Together, the three factions boasted four individuals at the 'Celestial Human Level,' and a combined twenty to thirty others at the Blood Exchange Realm, which, although far fewer than the entire Da Xuan Ninety-Nine States, was still quite remarkable for a single faction. Aside from the Imperial Court, no other power in Da Xuan could boast more than ten individuals at the Blood Exchange Realm.

"...The Spirit People Race exists within Xunmu Cave Heaven, almost like a blend of human and demon, yet as intelligent as ordinary people, numbering at least ten million. There are many Grandmasters among them, at least a dozen, but the strongest of them all is their Spiritual Ancestor. According to past intelligence, this Spiritual Ancestor is more powerful than the Heavenly Demon Ancestor Yuwen Hao of the Sky Demon Sect, and his strength is extraordinary even among those in the Blood Exchange Realm."

As she reached this point, Hua Nongyue quietly said to Chen Mu, "My lord, if you plan to explore Xunmu Cave Heaven, ordinary members of the Spirit People Race pose no threat to you. However, if you encounter their Spiritual Ancestor, you need to be a little more cautious."

Although Chen Mu had repelled Yuwen Hao in the Ice State Abyss, the intelligence on the Spiritual Ancestor's strength suggested that it might be slightly superior to Yuwen Hao's, and perhaps not far from that of the Dragonwood Island Master, the top of the Blood Exchange Realm just below the Celestial Human level.

However.

The warning from Hua Nongyue was due to the fact that news from the Outer Sea was not well circulated.

The only news about Chen Mu that had reached this side of the Outer Sea was about his battle in the abyss, while the news that he had been attacked by the Master of Xue Yin Tower and had repelled him hadn't reached Hua Nongyue yet.

Otherwise, Hua Nongyue probably wouldn't have given such a reminder, because as powerful as the Spiritual Ancestor could be, he was at most on the level of the Pavilion Master of Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion or Master of Xue Yin Tower, and Chen Mu, who was able to fend off the Master of Xue Yin Tower, wouldn't be threatened by him.

"Hmm."

Chen Mu took a sip of tea and wore a thoughtful expression.

He was not contemplating the strength of the Spiritual Ancestor, but the Xunmu Cave Heaven itself. According to Hua Nongyue's description, it was not very large, at most equivalent in size to one of Da Xuan's states. A place this small could nonetheless give rise to individuals comparable to those in the Blood Exchange Realm.

In comparison with the vastness of the entire Da Xuan, which was at least a hundred times the size of Xunmu Cave Heaven, even he did not believe that the Blood Exchange Realm was the pinnacle of Da Xuan's martial arts anymore, although he hadn't stepped into the Blood Exchange Realm himself and couldn't yet see the even more distant path ahead.

Soon.

Chen Mu asked about some details, and Hua Nongyue answered them one by one.

Comparing the intelligence provided by Hua Nongyue and Yan Hong, there were basically no contradictions. It seemed Yan Hong had told him the truth. This character from Central Prefecture, whether she was a Commandery Princess or a Princess, might indeed have the intention to recruit him.

If she knew his real identity, yet he wondered how she would react. Thinking of this, Chen Mu also shook his head and smiled wryly, but didn't take it too seriously. In his eyes now, there was no essential difference between a Princess and an ordinary civilian girl.

"So it seems that Xunmu Cave Heaven will open in about ten days."

With thoughtful intent, Chen Mu said, "It seems my arrival is quite timely."

For him at the moment, forging a handy Qiankun Spirit Weapon was important, but what was even more crucial was his own Martial Arts Cultivation. Xunmu Spirit Liquid had many uses, and it was extremely effective for Body Refinement. If he was delayed and missed the opening of the Xunmu Cave Heaven, even if he managed to get the Sea Calming Pearl, he would still have to travel and explore in the Outer Sea in search of resources.

However, his timing was just right.

"It is said that the Xunmu Cave Heaven repels those of the Blood Exchange Realm from entering, but I wonder if it will also repel me."

Chen Mu pondered for a moment.

This was the only issue that he was somewhat concerned about now. He had never experienced this kind of rejection from a Cave Heaven World before and thus did not know the specifics of how it worked or how it produced its effect.

This question was something neither Hua Nongyue nor Hua Nongying could answer. After all, there had never been anyone like Chen Mu in the past who was in the Marrow Cleansing Realm yet capable of contending with those in the Blood Exchange Realm. Moreover, their own cultivations had not yet reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm, so they knew nothing about it.

However,

Chen Mu did not ponder over this issue for too long. Regardless of the situation, he would find out after going there and taking a look for himself. By now, he had some understanding of both the Void and Cave Heavens as he had encountered them before and had even personally forged a Void Spirit Weapon.

After asking all that there was to ask, Chen Mu finally turned his gaze to Hua Nongyue and Hua Nongying, scrutinizing them carefully, and suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, the Secret Technique you used before seems to merge Yuan Gang Inner Breath and Artistic Conception when it's executed, and even the mind seems to temporarily unite as one, doesn't it?"

Mind unity.

This was actually a very profound level.

Even at Chen Mu's current Realm, he still could not manipulate the Power of the Soul on its own, achieving feats like Soul Heart Detection or Heart Sound Transmission. If he forced it, he would have to meld his Soul Heart with Nature, using Nature as a bridge for detection or for transmission across a thousand miles, which, frankly, was still the use of Artistic Conception.

The Soul Heart could not exist independently of the body nor separate from Nature, requiring Nature as a carrier.

Therefore, the mind unity between Hua Nongyue and Hua Nongying had some mysterious aspects to it. Although Hua Nongying had mentioned this to him before, he had only taken it as some sort of special constitution. He had not expected that they would be able to transform this into a functional benefit, achieving true cohesion between their Inner Breath and even mind unity.

"My lord has keen insight, when my sister and I operate the Yin Yang Integration Secret Technique, our minds indeed become inseparable," said Hua Nongying, blinking her eyes and speaking coquettishly on the side.

"Can memories be shared too?"

Ignoring the hint of charm from Hua Nongying, Chen Mu continued to inquire thoughtfully.

Looking at each other, this time Hua Nongyue replied, "No, but sometimes I can see some of the scenes that Nongying experiences, and she can also see some of mine."

"Oh?"

Chen Mu finally showed a look of interest.

The idea that memories could be shared to some extent was intriguing because if memories and minds were connected, then saying they were the same person was not far-fetched. So, could the two of them now be considered two separate individuals, or the same individual who, due to some fortunate coincidence, ended up forming two different 'avatars'?

"Can that Secret Technique still be used?" Chen Mu asked, looking at them.

"Yes," Hua Nongyue and Hua Nongying responded in unison, with the same light sparkling in their identical big eyes.

They were very aware of how special their situation was. Their unique constitution and circumstances had attracted attention and curiosity within the Hehuan Sect. Many Elders and the Sect Master had studied their condition for a long time. Chen Mu's Martial Arts level was extremely high, and it was impossible for him not to be interested in their situation. Now, his enthusiasm had been piqued at last.