Ancient Godly Monarch

Penulis: Jing Wuhen

Bab 1: Cultivation with Broken Meridians

Within the Province of the Nine Skies, far above the heavens, there exists nine galaxies of astral rivers. Each of these astral river is made up of the combination of countless constellations interwoven together. These nine galaxies can also be collectively known as the Nine Layers of Heaven.

Humans of this cultivation-oriented world advocate the importance of meditation as a method to sense the Yuan Qi of Heavens and Earth. From a young age, they would practice breathing techniques, to train the spiritual Qi in their bodies, and to increase their vitality - they would cultivate their martial techniques in order to eventually become a Martial Cultivator.

Those with exceedingly strong senses could, through mediation, sense the existences of the nine astral rivers. By absorbing the energy projected by the boundless array of stars, and after forming an innate link with any of the constellations, condense an Astral Soul, and become a revered Stellar Martial Cultivator.

But there were even stronger humans, whom after becoming a Stellar Martial Cultivator, continued to train and condense the Astral Qi absorbed from the constellations, unceasingly strengthening the toughness of their bodies, and broke away from the realm of a Stellar Martial Cultivator. They forcefully opened the astral gate within their bodies, enabling them to be able to link with even more constellations, and able to condense more types of different Astral Souls.

Legend has it that the strongest cultivators in the Province of the Nine Skies were beings that could open an astral gate every time they advanced into a new realm. Their talent in cultivation was such that they could even establish innate links with constellations that existed on a higher layer than the Nine Layers of Heaven, eventually transforming into the heaven-defying and earth-shattering powers known as the War Gods within the Nine Layers of Heaven.

......…..

Chu Country, Sky Harmony City, Bai Clan.

Bai Autumn Snow’s forehead was filled with perspiration - almost as if she was undergoing intense suffering - as she gritted her teeth and continued to persevere on.

Under the curtain of darkness, the radiance of the boundless stars situated above the skies seemed to unceasingly gather and shine onto the body of Autumn Snow, contrasting against her gentle and beautiful frame, and, combined together with her sweat-soaked translucent robe, one could see her jade-white abdomen being revealed. However, at this moment, Qin Wentian had no inclination nor motivation to admire that beautiful scenery.

"Steel your heart, pain is but a passing thought. Relax yourself, imagine yourself to now be filled with beauty and vitality while soaring amidst the nine galaxies of the astral rivers - admiring the beauty of the countless stars, lost in an entrancing dream - and the pain shall slowly subside as you awaken."

His voice was soft and gentle, and drifted along with the wind to the eardrums of the surnamed Bai Autumn Snow, causing the convulsions of her body to lessen in intensity.

When the convulsions completely stopped, Qing Wentian took out nine silvery needles, and pierced them through some of the acupoints located at Autumn Snow’s head region.

"Ah…." Bai Qing, who was standing near the side as a spectator, involuntarily let out a small gasp, as her hand moved to cover her mouth, after seeing the seemingly crazy actions of Qing Wentian targeting her sister Autumn Snow.

"Attract the energy of the constellations towards your body, circulate the energy along your meridians and energy channels, and seal them inside your astral gate." Qin Wentian’s mystical voice drifted into Autumn Snow’s eardrums, guiding her methodically on the steps needed to absorb the energy of the stars, and to circulate it around her body.

"Return back to the Nine Layers of Heaven - you are but an astral projection. Now, find the constellation that resonates with you, and attempt to form an innate link with it."

Qin Wentian’s voice seemed to contain some sort of hypnotism powers, and after a few moments, one could see that slowly, on the surface of Bai Autumn Snow’s forehead, a faint shadow was condensing gradually. This process was akin to when a golden peng was spreading it’s wings, giving off a sensation that was filled with a sense of beauty and magnificence.

Bai Qing’s eyes were wide open; this was… Astral Soul Condensation! Her elder sister Autumn Snow was condensing an Astral Soul!

‘I’ve done all I can, the rest depends on you now.’ Qin Wentian silently said in his heart, as his slightly immature face was filled with heaviness as it displayed an extremely serious countenance.

Autumn Snow’s body seemed to shine with brilliance, eventually culminating into the cry of a bird, as the faint shadow revolved faster and faster, as it condensed into the shape of a golden peng. A wave of terrifying astral energy emanated forth as Autumn Snow opened her beautiful eyes, which seemed to shine with the luster of the stars in the skies.

"Success!" Bai Qing happily jumped about, as she rushed forward to embrace Qin Wentian in a hug as she stammered incoherently, "Wentian gege [1], it really succeeded!"

After finishing speaking, as if on impulse, Bai Qing moved her head closer and gave Qin Wentian a surprise peck on his cheek.

The kiss was that of the chaste type, full of bubbly innocence. Qin Wentian’s eyes flashed with amusement as he burst out into laughter, his previously serious countenance finally relaxed.

"Which Heavenly Layer?" Qin Wentian looking at his fiancee, smiling as he asked.

"The 3rd Heavenly Layer." Autumn Snow also smiled. Her smile was filled with resplendence, as it fully brought out her beauty. Autumn Snow was 16 this year, and was one of the four great beauties in the Sky Harmony City, and the eldest daughter of the Bai Clan.

"The 3rd Heavenly Layer, sister could already form an innate connection with one of the constellations of the 3rd layer on her first try. Doesn’t this means that she’ll easily be able to condense her 2nd, and even 3rd Astral Soul in the future? Excellent, let me tell this news to father." Bai Qing seemed to be even more excited than her elder sister.

"There’s no need for that." A middle aged man walked by. This was the father of Autumn Snow and Bai Qing, and his name is Bai Qingsong. Looking at Autumn Snow, his hands trembled slightly in excitement as he beamed, "Autumn Snow, you have suffered."

"Daddy, if it wasn’t for Wentian gege, elder sister might’ve been unable to be as successful in condensing her Astral Soul." Bai Qing piped in, after which, Bai Qingsong turned his attention to Wentian and laughingly stated: "Wentian, thank you for today. You should rest early, me and Autumn Snow will make a move first."

"Okay, uncle Bai." Qin Wentian replied with a smile. Ever since both their clans decided on the marriage engagement three years ago, Bai Qingsong had frequently invited him to stay at the Bai residence, and had treated him very well.

"Bai Qing, you little brat, you follow us too, and don’t disturb your Wentian gege anymore." Bai Qingsong sternly told Bai Qing. However, Bai Qing stuck her tongue out at him, saying :"I still want to chat with Wentian gege."

Shaking his head, Bai Qingsong grunted out his agreement and departed together with Autumn Snow.

"Sister Autumn Snow could actually form an innate link with one of the constellation from the 3rd Heavenly Layer... based on Father’s personality, he should’ve gone to inform all the elders of our clan. I, of course, don’t want to go to such a boring place." Bai Qing secretly whispered to Qin Wentian while giggling. "Wentian gege, I didn’t believe in your methods in the past, but to think that you actually succeeded! In the past, you refused to let my elder sister absorb the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth, and also told her not to attempt condensing her Astral Soul earlier. Could it be that you were planning on waiting for today?"

"By absorbing the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth, the energy channels and meridians in your body would then be filled with the Yuan Qi you absorbed, which would in turn cause your sensory ability to diminish greatly, which would eventually end up destroying your chance of condensing your Astral Soul." Qin Wentian replied, lying on the ground as he gazed at the vast starry skies.

"The majority of humans would concurrently absorb the Yuan Qi from Heaven and Earth while attempting to sense the astral rivers. This way, even if one failed to become a Stellar Martial Cultivator, it would still have no negative impact on the progress of one’s road to become a Martial Cultivator. Yet, the method Wentian gege used totally disregarded the absorption of Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi in an attempt to increase the chance of sensing and condensing an Astral Soul. Isn’t this too risky? If one failed to sense the astral rivers in the Nine Layers of Heaven, their path to becoming a Martial Cultivator would be hindered as well, due to the lack of Yuan Qi in their meridians." Bai Qing curiously asked Qin Wentian.

"Qing er, how many types of Astral Souls have you heard of before?" Qin Wentian countered with another question.

"Hmm very little, there are only a few people that have successfully condensed their Astral Souls in the Sky Harmony City, so I don’t really know much about this... how about Wentian gege?

"In the Nine Astral Rivers, there are an infinite number of constellations that can form innate links with Stellar Martial Cultivators. Among the myriad of starry constellations, there too, are an infinite number and type of Astral Souls.

"Those who condense an Astral Soul based on the Leo Constellation, would find that he possesses the tyrannical might of a ferocious beast, easily tearing apart tigers and leopards; those that condense an Astral Soul based on the Heavenly Vision Constellation, would find that their vision and sensory abilities have been greatly enhanced, enabling one to see further, as well as increasing one’s ability to predict opponent’s movements in a battle; those who condense an Astral Soul based on the Forger Constellation would become a master smith; one based on the Great Dream Constellation, would allow you to cultivate in your dreams, and even grant you the ability to cause enemies to hallucinate, sinking into your illusions!"

"Wow, cultivating while dreaming, and creating illusions, this is too magical." Bai Qing murmured in a low voice.

"The size of this province is so immense, I’ve heard that many cultivators from the outside world managed to condense many unique, strange, and fascinating types of Astral Souls; they could even soar through the skies and tunnel through the earth with ease. In this world, Stellar Martial Cultivators are the true rulers and dictators, while the Martial Cultivators could be considered an existence equivalent to ants. If you cannot be one of the rulers, you might as well give up cultivation." Qin Wentian had a trace of burning intensity in his eyes. He was determined to become an outstanding Stellar Martial Cultivator, condensing many different types of Astral Souls, gaining power and soaring throughout the skies to tour the vast world.

Uncle Black once said that the Sky Harmony City was too small - when compared to the world, it was naught but an insignificant insect.

"But, I heard that…" Bai Qing mumbled hesitantly.

"You heard that I was born with crippled meridians, and was destined never to embark upon the path of cultivation right?" Qin Wentian smiled, as he stood up. "Who said that those born with crippled meridians are unable to cultivate. I will be the one to defy logic, and become an extremely outstanding Stellar Martial Cultivator."

Looking at the confident expression on Qin Wentian’s face, Bai Qing also chortled with laughter before adding sincerely :"I too believe in Wentian gege, I shall leave first, lest I interrupt your cultivation to become a Stellar Martial Cultivator."

"Okay, remember to rest early, and… Do not absorb any Yuan Qi from the Heavens and Earth!" Qin Wentian reminded her again.

"Understood." Bai Qing stuck out her tongue towards Qin Wentian, before giggling and running away. Looking at the lithe and graceful back view of Bai Qing, Qin Wentian froze as a sudden realization hit him. Unknowingly, this lass had already grown up, the current 15 years old her was no longer the 12 year old lass he knew from three years ago. Qin Wentian broke out into a smile as he lost himself in memories.

After Bai Qing departed, Qin Wentian started his cultivation, and despite his crippled meridians, he still went ahead and closed his eyes, entered into a meditative state. He began attracting the energy of the constellations, circulating them fully around his body through the broken pathways of his meridians. The explosive strength of the energy from the constellations constantly bumped and crashed through the broken pathways, as if they were threatening to grind his meridians into dust.

In that moment, a hideous expression of pain and suffering appeared on the face of Qin Wentian, this pain... compared to the pain Autumn Snow felt earlier, was a spring shower in the face of a thunderstorm! The intensity felt was increased by at least 10x. Without a choice, he gritted his teeth and persevered on.

The energy channels and meridians were the pathways that connect the energy flow in a human body, but once the meridians are crippled, one can only be considered as a disabled person, equivalent to having an incomplete body. Cultivators, other than expand their energy channels and meridians - after the Body Refinement Realm - had to reconstruct their energy channels, recast their nine great meridians, connecting through to all of the seven main orifices, and refine their internal organs, four limbs, and even their bone structure. Only then would they be able to fully unleash their true potential!

When Qin Wentian intentionally crippled his energy channels and meridians back then, if not for Uncle Black soaking him in various herbal medicine solution for treatment, he would have long since turned into an invalid. The herbal solution was so effective that not only did Qin Wentian not become an invalid, in addition to his efforts of training his body daily, soon afterwards, he began to regain the constitution of a normal human.

Nevertheless, he wasn’t an idiot. Crippled meridians was obviously not the goal of Qin Wentian. There was a record in the Stellar Meridians Transformation; only with broken meridians, would one be able to reconstruct and transform them into a perfect set of Stellar Meridians! This concept consisted of destroying first, the imperfect foundation, before re-establishing second, the perfect one!

[1] gege : affectionate term for older brother

PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
Lordbluefire

Hi, to all new readers, thank you for reading this novel!

Just some information for starters..

1) This novel is released in serialized form

2) The chapter release rate is 50ch/month...which works out to around 12ch to 13ch per week...which further works out into 1ch or 2ch per day (mostly two)

If you like to get in touch with me and ask for some spoilers, or spot any mistakes in the translations, or just chat at all, you can pm me at #lordbluefire7369 on Discord. <3 thanks again for reading!

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KIRIM HADIAH

Bab 2: Repaying Gratitude with Enmity

The air in the morning was refreshingly clear. Qin Wentian, after mediating through the night, felt refreshingly clear-headed and invigorated. As a result of not absorbing the Yuan Qi from Heavens and Earth, his body was relatively weak. Hence, Qin Wentian would go for a run every morning, using the oldest and most original method of body tempering technique in order to strengthen his body. Everyone in the Bai Clan would see what he was doing daily, and though in the beginning they felt that this type of training method was extremely bizarre, gradually, everyone got used to it.

With his broken meridians, it was impossible for the Young Master-in-law to cultivate even the most basic forms of martial cultivation arts, so it seemed like he was hoping to temper his body by using running as a method to enter into the first level of the body refinement realm. This was nothing but a fool’s dream, and as a result, everyone in the Bai Clan despised Qin Wentian. If it wasn’t for his good fortune in that he was the young master of the Qin Clan, the Bai Clan Leader would never have chosen such a trashy Young Master-in-law to marry Autumn Snow.

"I heard that the eldest missus broke through and became a Stellar Martial Cultivator last night, I wonder if the marriage engagement will still hold." A few voices, which belonged to the servants of the Bai Clan, were sneakily discussing as they watched Qin Wentian doing his running regime.

"Yeah, I heard that last night, Clan Master gathered all the elders for an urgent meeting, in order to disseminate the news throughout the city. Rumour has it that the Eldest Missus Autumn Snow has managed to form an innate link with a constellation from the 3rd Heavenly Layer! Even among the Stellar Martial Cultivators, she could be considered to be a peak-level genius."

"Yup, I agree. Humans naturally have an Astral Gate within them that can be used to store an Astral Soul. But, if one has no talent, there’s no way an Astral Soul will be condensed, and yet, the Eldest Missus could already sense the constellations from the 3rd Layer of Heavens. In the future, when she breaks through the 9th level of the Body Refinement Realm, and steps into the Arterial Circulation Realm, she can open yet another Astral Gate, which would then easily aid her in condensing her second Astral Soul. At the very least, it too should be condensed from the 3rd Layer of Heavens... That’s just too terrifying... I don’t dare imagine what level of power she’d have if she opened even more Astral Gates….."

"Not only that, an Astral Soul that’s been condensed from the 3rd Heavenly Layer, contains an immense amount of energy when compared to Astral Souls that were condensed from the 1st Heavenly Layer. It really appears that that trash’s position will soon disappear."

What these servants didn’t know was that their low voices had still been heard by Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian had mediated for many years, and thus his sensory abilities were extremely powerful - far beyond that of a normal human. He could even hear and differentiate minute variations in vocal tones. However, Qin Wentian didn’t put the gossips whispered by these servants in his heart. He’d already known Autumn Snow for three years, and had had close interactions daily. The two of them had already reached a stage similar to kinship. Even if Autumn Snow didn’t love him, it didn’t matter, as the two clans they belonged to could just settle the matter easily with some discussion. It didn’t really matter to him even if this marriage failed to go through, for he had long regarded Autumn Snow as his own sister.

"Seven days from now will be Uncle Bai’s 50 year old birthday celebration, and I shall condense my Astral Soul on that exact day - that could also be considered a gift to Uncle Bai."

Qin Wentian smiled as the scenario appear in his mind; everyone thought that he couldn’t cultivate due to his broken meridians, yet what they didn’t know was that his Uncle Black was the one that’d instructed him to cripple his own meridians! Qin Wentian had never once questioned the words of his Uncle Black, and by using the methods Uncle Black had taught, he’d greatly assisted Autumn Snow in her condensation of her Astral Soul. However, Uncle Black’s personality was eccentric, and had strictly forbidden Qin Wentian to mention his existence in front of others.

Qin Wentian slowed his steps as, unknowingly, he had arrived at the courtyard of Bai Qingsong's residence.

"Wentian." A voice drifted closer, only for the silhouette of Bai Qingsong to appear. He looked at him before asking, "Jogging again?"

"En." Qing Wentian nodded his head :"How’s Autumn Snow, I wish to visit her."

"Wentian, even if you’re unable to cultivate, it doesn’t matter. Don’t be too hard on yourself." Bai Qingsong didn’t answer Qin Wentian’s question, giving Qin Wentian a shock momentarily, before he calmed himself and replied: "I’ll work harder."

"You don’t need to force yourself, in fact, being an ordinary human, setting up a family, and peacefully living one’s life, is a rather good choice too." Bai Qingsong continued saying, causing Qin Wentian to freeze up on the spot, after which, he glanced towards Bai Qingsong as he couldn’t help but feel that he was talking to a stranger.

"Okay." Qin Wentian forced a smile on his face before saying: "Uncle Bai, I’ll be leaving first."

"Okay, take note not to run around for these few days." Bai Qingsong lightly intoned, and after Qin Wentian left, he didn’t let Bai Qingsong nor Autumn Snow meet for two days, while the news about Autumn Snow condensing an Astral Soul spread across the entire Sky Harmony City.

When Day number three arrived, it was already morning by the time Qin Wentian had completed his meditation. As he strolled outside, he realised that there were two guards blocking his way. At this moment, his heart sank and his expression turned frosty before stating, "What do you all mean by this?"

"It’s very chaotic outside. Young Master Qin had best peacefully stay here for the next few days." One of the guards interjected back coldly, as Qin Wentian’s heart continued sinking. Previously, everyone in the Bai Clan would greet him as Young Master-in-law respectfully, but now, this guard had actually dared to use such a cold tone of voice whilst speaking to him.

What Qin Wentian was concerned about, was not the title of Young Master-in-law, but the attitude behind those words.

"What happened?" Qing Wentian suddenly felt a chill in his bones. Ever since he had assisted Autumn Snow in condensing her Astral Soul, he felt that everything had turned topsy-turvy.

"It’s better for Young Master Qin to mind your own business, and obediently stay inside your residence."

"How dare you." Qing Wentian excoriated: "I want to see Uncle Bai."

Only to see that one of the guards burst out coldly laughing, glaring at Qin Wentian before saying :"Trash, I shall say it again, you better obediently stay in your residence. Did you really think that you were our Young Master-in-law?"

Qin Wentian’s heart had sunk down to the bottom of the valley. He wasn’t a dumb person, how could he not have guessed at what was happening? He was imprisoned now, and when he thought back to the words Uncle Bai had said to him a few nights before, he knew that the Bai Clan wanted to destroy this marriage engagement.

"Uncle Bai, if you wanted to annul the marriage agreement, you could have directly spoken to me." Qin Wentian murmured in his heart, as he felt the rending of his heartstrings. Could it be that the interactions between him and the Bai Clan for the past three years had been nothing but an act?

Qin Wentian knew that the reason why the Bai Clan was willing to propose a marriage engagement with him back then was because they’d wanted to borrow the strength of the Qin Clan. But to think that the Bai Clan would dare to act this way today...

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH." A reproachful voice rang out, and Qin Wentian turned his head to see Bai Qing running towards him, before pulling him into his residence.

"Wentian gege." Bai Qing’s eyes were both tinged red with tears as she looked at Qin Wentian: "Wentian gege, my Bai Clan has let you down."

"I don’t understand." Qin Wentian asked: "Qing`er, I want to meet with your father. If he is unwilling to go through with the marriage, I could ask my adoptive father to discuss annulling the marriage engagement with him. I, Qin Wentian, wouldn’t force someone to do the things they don’t want to do."

"Wentian gege, my dad… the Bai Clan... they may want to kill you." Tears were flowing down Bai Qing’s face as her voice was breaking. Her voice was akin to a clap of thunder that struck right at Qin Wentian’s heart, causing him to be stupefied. "Kill me?"

"Why?" Qin Wentian was at a loss, as he didn’t understand.

"Don’t ask why, Wentian gege, you better leave fast." Bai Qing tearfully implored. Qin Wentian contemplated for a moment, before saying, "But I’m already imprisoned, how do I leave?"

"I’ve long prepared a fast steed for you at the backgate. You just need to hold me as a hostage and leave." Bai Qing took out a dagger and passed it over to Qin Wentian, beckoning him closer.

"Clan Master." Outside the residence where Qin Wentian was imprisoned, a voice drifted over in addition to the sounds of many footsteps, causing Bai Qing’s face to turn pale with fright. "Wentian gege, hurry up."

"Qing`er, tell me, the reason." Qin Wentian’s steady eyes stared resolutely at Bai Qing as he slowly enunciated each word. Bai Qing hurriedly stated, "After elder sister became a genius, that very night, the news had already been disseminated throughout the Chu Country, and eventually, the Ye Clan from the Royal City expressed their interest in a marriage engagement."

"The Ye Clan from the Royal City." The coldness in Qin Wentian’s heart grew colder in intensity by a few more degrees. "They are the sworn enemies of my Qin Clan, so, the Bai Clan wanted to use my life to announce that they have truly cut off all ties with my Qin Clan, and use my death as a betrothal gift to the Ye Clan from the Royal City."

"Wentian gege, quick, stop talking please." Bai Qing stuffed the dagger into the hands of Qin Wentian, only to see him shake his head, and caress her adorable face as his cold visage broke out into a gentle smile : "I, Qin Wentian, no matter how powerless I am, I could still not stoop so low as to point a dagger at you."

The door was pushed open, as Bai Qing’s face instantly turned pale.

"Bai Qing, come here." Bai Qingsong coldly stated.

"No, daddy, elder sister only managed to condense her Astral Soul from the 3rd Heavenly Layer due to the assistance from Wentian gege! Why are we repaying his gratitude with enmity?!" Bai Qing hollered at her father.

"What do you know? Your sister’s talent is far beyond your imagination! She condensed her Astral Soul from the 3rd Heavenly Layer solely based on her own abilities, through her own efforts. When did she ever needed his assistance?" Bai Qingsong stated calmly while looking at Bai Qing. He softened his tone, "Qing`er, you are still young and insensible, listen to daddy, come back here."

"Qing`er, go over." Qin Wentian gently smiled at Bai Qing, causing her to stiffen as she mouthed, "Wentian gege."

"Remember what I have taught you." Qin Wentian rustled the hair on Bai Qing’s head, as he gently pushed Bai Qing towards the direction of Bai Qingsong. After which, he glanced at Bai Qingsong, before calmly saying, " Uncle Bai, what do you intend to do with me?"

"Qin Wentian, not only are you a heaven-born trash, your conduct is questionable too - to think that you have designs on my little daughter. You tell me, how should I deal with you?"

The current Bai Qingsong felt like a complete stranger to Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian only response was to laugh, as the last hope in his heart flickered out. Looking at Bai Qingsong, he asked :"I only want to know, regarding this, what was Autumn Snow’s reaction?"

"You have no need to know." Bai Qingsong coldly replied, as killing intent began emitting from him.

"Today, if I were to die in the Bai Clan, no matter what the reason was, I dare to guarantee this. My foster father would surely lead his army and trample the Bai’s residence into a flatground." Qin Wentian unexpectedly stated, with no fear in his eyes. In that instant, the previously gentle looking countenance of Qin Wentian, underwent a swift transformation into an expression exhibiting a steel-like determination.

"Uncle Bai, the Bai Clan still does not have the ability to contend against my Qin Clan, I urge you, you better not make a move against me."

Shocked to his core, Bai Qingsong looked Qin Wentian in his eye. To think that this gentle looking youth still had such a ferocious side to him. After contemplating for some time, Bai Qingsong turned his back and departed. "Escort the second young miss back to her room, and don’t let her take a single step out of there. And as for Qin Wentian, ensure that he doesn’t step out of the entrance of this courtyard."