Maiden Galaxy

Chapter 372: Li Si And The Connecting Valley

Chapter 372: Li Si And The Connecting Valley

"Your Servant can only say the power of Lady Mi Ji's characters was written too well, they're very characteristic." Chen Mo smiled.

Mi Ji was very proud of this point.

"But although Little Sister's characters are vigorous, it is still difficult to combine them together into one." Jiang Yuezhuo looked at the various semicursive script, cursive script, and regular script that filled the room. Mi Ji's semicursive script was extremely grand, but her cursive script and other types were barely passable, far from being like "Muscular Like The Yan's, Bony Like The Liu's'" or "Mad Zhang and Drunken Su."

"I've been learning to paint recently. Copying is also quite interesting." Mi Ji said.

She steeped a cup of biluochun for Chen Mo and Jiang Kui. Mi Ji smiled and asked: "Elder Sister, you didn't bring your junior brother here simply just to see Little Sister, did you? Does this have something to do with the Literary Excellence Convention?"

"I want to write the Sequel to the Treatise on Calligraphy, and I'm researching all the calligraphy in the world." Jiang Yuezhuo told her thoughts.

After listening, the Unknown Literati was stupefied.

"Once Elder Sister's Sequel is complete, all calligraphy under heaven can be broken. Even the Orchid Pavilion's Wang Xizhi will need to make a swansong."

"Little Sister, you overexaggerate. I'm just recording all of Star World's calligraphy and characters."

"If it's completed, Elder Sister's Star Name will surely have potential to ascend to Single Character. With Elder Sister's talent, this shouldn't be a problem. However, in order to write this Sequel, then it's necessary to research the quintessence of all characters under Heaven. This is a very major undertaking." Mi Ji had also composed a "Inkstone Annals," writing about all inkstones in the world. However, while inkstones were doable, mostly easy, calligraphy's True Work was not so easy.

A top-notch spiritual power Star General's True Work, each character would be a priceless treasure that not even a thousand gold could buy.

Jiang Yuezhuo's Sequel was already in its final stages of research; the only thing she had left to see was the calligraphy of top-notch Star Energy. The Cangwu Star Field was the treasured ground of the Calligraphy Star Field. Mi Fu had also dwelled here for many years, so Jiang Yuezhuo wanted to come see whether or not she could reap some benefits.

Jiang Yuezhuo's hand waved. A hundred stone slates flew out from her Astral Bag. These slates were all carved with various characters. Chen Mo saw each of these characters were boundless in grandeur, filled with powerful Star Energy.

The characters were like blades, the ink like hatchets.

Clearly, the one who wrote these characters could not be looked down upon. Just these slabs alone would cause Chen Mo great suffering by his reckoning, should they smash into him. He did not expect that the senior sister who ordinarily appeared elegant and gentle would have such a thing.

Seeing so many True Works, Mi Fu was taken aback.

"Ouyang Xiu, Ouyang Xun, Yang Dacheng, Cai Xing, Xu Kai, Zhong Shaojing, Su Shi, Wang Xianzhi…Elder Sister, you actually gathered so many."

"These ‘tablet inscriptions" are all True Works that Yuezhuo accumulated over many years. They are from Star Generals of every era, including antiquity and the Middle Ages. Some are as recent as two hundred years ago. However, it's a pity that I'm missing Wang Xizhi and the like."

Mi Ji casually flipped her hand, and out flew a dozen stone tablets. "I have here Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang, Xue Ji and more. There's also my own. I'll give them to Elder Sister to write the Sequel."

The tablet inscriptions entered Jiang Yuezhuo's pile, and a divine light suddenly flashed.

"Many thanks, Sister Ji." Jiang Yuzhuo was genuinely grateful.

"I was thinking, since Elder Sister has so many True Work inscriptions, if you are able to gather all of them and refine them into an Astral Treasure, then it would definitely shock the world." Mi Fu pondered.

"How can I possibly refine so many True Work inscriptions." Jiang Yuezhuo did not dare imagine it.

"Indeed, and perhaps only the legendary Jiang¹ Clan could do so. Pity." Casting an Astral Treasure required formidable Star Energy and mastery. Casting an Earthly Fiend Grade was already more or less the limit of an ordinary Star General. The best Star Generals could forge Heavenly Spirit Grade, but only those who had mastered the Jiang Clan's casting arts were capable of casting Purple Rose Grade Astral Treasures.

Judging from the hundred stone tablet inscriptions that Jiang Yuezhuo gathered, if she was able to succeed, then it was already no less than Purple Rose Grade.

Chen Mo looked at them and suddenly recalled that his self-cultivation of the Book Of Casting had a record pertaining to the casting of Astral Treasures. "I've learned a bit of casting before, I can give it a try."

The two girls shifted their gazed to Chen Mo.

Mi Ji snickered: "Your Distinguished Self truly can do everything, but Sister Yuezhuo's Astral Treasures cannot be casted so arbitrarily. It must be by the Jiang Clan."

Chen Mo was very confident in his casting arts. He had already mastered the research of the Book Of Casting, reaching perfection. "I used to cast a lot of treasures in the Outer Star Fields. If Senior Sister is willing to have faith in me, I can try."

Mi Ji rolled her eyes. This man was too arrogant.

"Fine. Wait until all the inscription tablets have been gathered, then Yuezhuo will let Junior Brother Chen Mo try." Jiang Yuezhuo very warmly believed in Chen Mo's character.

"Pity that we don't have a Heavenly Star. Otherwise, we'd be able to go to Connecting Valley."² Mi Ji said regretfully.

Chen Mo asked how this Connecting Valley was related to a Heavenly Star.

"Connecting Valley is a forbidden area of the Cangwu Star Field. It's more than a thousand li away from Run Province and received its name because it's where Li Si self-cultivated. Rumor has it that back then, Li Si wrote a unique law for the emperor regulating the Heirloom Seal of the Realm. In the Connecting Valley, she first trained for several years, manufacturing an ‘Heirloom Seal of the Realm' treasure, the ‘Five Emperors Seal.' In the seal, she personally penned the ‘Great Seal' calligraphy. If you can find this, then Elder Sister's Sequel will have a major accomplishment."

"Li Si's personal writings." Jiang Yuezhuo was excited.

Li Si was the founder of the "Calligraphy School" of Star World's Hundred Schools, and the "Great Seal" script she created was also called bird script. It was claimed she was linked with Maiden Mountain, making her an extremely formidable character.

Today, this Great Seal had long since been lost. Even present experts merely learned the superficial aspects, yet they did not have that kind of "conversing with the Heavens" spiritual power.

Many spiritual power Star Generals, or even martial force Star Generals, wanted to obtain Li Si's "personal handwriting" in hopes of comprehending Maiden Mountain's mystery from it. But the Connecting Valley was very dangerous. Back when she forged the Five Emperors Seal, Li Si had utilized Vast Desolation Primordial True Qi to interact with the immemorial Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period. In the end, she actually forged Star World's first Astral Treasure for the emperor, the Super Purple Rose Grade Heirloom Seal Of The Realms. But that Connecting Valley nevertheless developed into an Immemorial Vast Desolation place.

The Central Star Field were unable to muster power and could only use an array to seal the valley.

Many Star Generals sought to enter the Connecting Valley, but most did not return.

This "Li Su Connecting Valley" was one reason why the Central Star Field would categorize the Cangwu Star Field as a calligraphy ground.

Most recently, the Connecting Valley had come to a period where the Vast Desolation qi was eliminated. During this time, gaps would appear in the Connecting Valley's Vast Desolation True Qi. If a Heavenly Star used her Star Energy, she would be able tear open a corridor.

"The energy of countless annihilated Star Generals are left behind in the Connecting Valley, and there will definitely be innumerable inscription tablets. Even if we don't find Li Su's Five Emperors Seal, we can definitely find Wang Xizhi's True Work inscription tablet."

Hearing her words, Clear Empty Shadow was briefly disappointed.

"Why can't we go, I feel that we're completely capable." Chen Mo thought.

"Completely capable of what?" Mi Ji did not fully understand.

"Capable of going to Connecting Valley."

"Our strength is too weak. Without a Heavenly Star inside, we might throw away our lives. It's not worth it." Mi Ji shook her head.

"But I have have Heavenly Star strength." Chen Mo already was full of interest towards this legendary Connecting Valley.

"You have Heavenly Star strength?" Mi Ji thought that she had misheard.

Jiang Kui softly said: "Yes, Junior Brother Chen Mo once fought evenly against Mountain Backed King Yang Shuang. He solved Mount Hua's chess game and obtained the Thousand Year Star Energy of an ancient immortal."

"Huh?" The girl's eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets. A Star Warrior was able to contend against one of the Nine Elders Of Sui?

"Elder Sister Jiang Kui, are you serious?" Mi Ji solemnly asked.

Jiang Kui glanced at Chen Mo, a bit worried about the dangers of Connecting Valley.

"Yuezhuo, we need to deal with the Mount Hua competition now. This is precisely the time we need to increase our strength, and this Connecting Valley is an opportunity." Chen Mo was very resolute.

Jiang Kui bit her lip and nodded.

Mi Ji snorted. She was still not too convinced that an unknown Star Warrior was capable of matching a Heavenly Star.

The girl pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard. "How about this. I'll use my Yellow Rank and Dark Rank against you. If you can block them, then I'll believe you."

Chen Mo walked outside.

"Unknown Literati" moved her hand. A blue inkstone appeared in her left hand, and in the middle of the stone, there seemed to be a piece of clear amber that contained a carp swimming around. Her right hand had a red wolf brush. The wolf brush was like a burning flame, a wolf's head emerging in the fire.

Five stars shimmered in what was none other than Mi Fu's Destined Star Weapons, "Water Carp Inkstone" and "Fire Wolf Brush."

"There are two things that I, Mi Fu, will loathe for all my life." The girl said earnestly.

"First, filth. Anything unclean, I dislike.

"Second, big talk. I loathe people who have no skills yet act conceited."

"I wouldn't stake my life just to talk big." Chen Mo wrinkled his nose.

"Then I'll face you with full power." Mi Fu moved her right hand. The Fire Wolf Brush dipped into the Water Carp Inkstone. Green water and flames mixed within it, and an extremely beautiful scene appeared from nothingness, sketched out with a single brushstroke.

"Yellow Rank: Raging Flame Green Scar!"³

With a whoosh.

A dozen green shoots of bamboo shot towards Chen Mo. These bamboo shoots were full of scathing killing intent like they were spears. Their surroundings even burned with a flame. Although she was only an Earthly Star, this Yellow Rank had abundant Star Energy; even an Earthly Immortal cultivator could not stop this.

Chen Mo activated the Star Manual Of Masters Gan And Shi, and his punch was unleashed like a cannon.

Bang, bang, bang.

He used the Bowl Steps to move about, striking in succession with the Bagua. Each blow's Star Energy shook endlessly with air-shattering noises. The green bamboo exploded as if they had been snapped.

Mi Fu once again flicked the Fire Wolf Brush.

Flame and whirlpools obstructed Chen Mo simultaneously. The whirlpools unleashed a power that impeded Chen Mo's Divine Intent and body while the flames wanted to burn their target clean away like a killing machine.

"Dark Rank: Water Vapor Burning Scatterer!"⁴

Chen Mo brought out Northern Dipper and attacked with Yellow Rank "Ice Breaker Snow Slicer."⁵ Although this was only Yellow Rank, its terrifying Star Energy nevertheless ripped apart Mi Fu's Dark Rank like a ferocious beast. The remaining saber-qi flit by as a white beam that tyrannically attacked her.

That frightening weapon was reflected in the girl's eyes, and her expression slightly changed, though she was not flustered. Her finger moved, painting once again.

This time, Phoenix Dark Rank, "Rolling Clouds, Receding Mist, Still Wind!"⁶

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Several rays of light passed, wrapping up the saber-qi. After a moment, the saber-qi turned into melted ice that assimilated into Mi Fu's painting.

Bang.

Killing intent counterattacked and blasted Chen Mo.

A small cut appeared on Mi Fu's cheek. She was startled by the man's power, but she had finally defeated her opponent. At his Realm, Chen Mo could not possibly have withstood her Phoenix Dark Rank.

The smoke cleared; Chen Mo's figure stood tall. There was no injury at all upon him, save for a slight cut that had appeared on the Heavenly Silkworm Snow Brocade.

The dispersing smoke vaguely revealed a holy beast's form behind Chen Mo.

"Impossible." Mi Fu's jaw dropped.

Unexpectedly, her Phoenix Dark Rank was completely ineffective.

Chen Mo arrived in front of the girl with a single step. His saber-light was biting cold, illuminating the girl's face. Then, he drew back his hand, returning Northern Dipper to his Astral Bag.

"I think that should be qualifications enough to go to the Connecting Valley."

Mi Ji came back to her senses and smiled: "Not enough."

"Hm?"

"Although your Star Energy is sufficient, your cultivator Realm is honestly too low." The girl stowed the Water Carp Inkstone and the Fire Wolf Brush. She carefully scrutinized the heroic young man.

"You haven't refined a Primordial Spirit yet, right?"

Chen Mo did not hide anything. Right now, he was Human Immortal Divine Soul Nine Turns. He was just a step away from being able to turn the Divine Soul into Primordial Spirit. However, this step was a metamorphosis of rebirth. Human Immortal would become Earthly Immortal, so it was very challenging. Even if Chen Mo's talent was sufficient, he required a very long period of time to be able to turn the Divine Soul into Primordial Spirit.

A cultivator's Divine Soul was merely Divine Intent, but after refining a Primordial Spirit, one could astral project, possess another person, or create a doppelganger. Their magic energy would also grow stronger by severalfold, and after Primordial Spirit Seven Divisions, once could reach a level where the Primordial Spirit became indestructible. Even if their physical body was destroyed, the cultivator would be completely fine.

"A mere Divine Soul Human Immortal could never go to the Connecting Valley." Mi Fu ruthlessly said.

Chen Mo cursed under his breath. "The rules be damned, how would we know if we don't try."

"You'd know even without trying. You'd best refine Primordial Spirit before going." Mi Fu was emphatic.

"Even if I'm a genius like the Xuannü Seven Stars, there's no way I can enter Earthly Immortal Primordial Spirit from Divine Soul Nine Turns in just seven days." Chen Mo wrinkled his brow. This was simply unreasonable.

"Of course you can't with self-cultivation, so you need an outside power. Star World is filled with medicines able to bolster and condense Primordial Spirit."

"But ‘Primordial Spirit' medicines are very precious. It's too late to find one now." Jiang Kui said.

"I know a place that just so happens to have this kind of medicine. I'll take you there tomorrow night to look."

"What place?"

"Thousand Gold Market Bone!!"⁷

1. ?, lit "craftsman" different form Jiang Yuezhuo. ? ?
2. ?? ?
3. ???? ?
4. ???? ?
5. Author-san really went and forgot what the Yellow Rank was. The raws said Saber Draw Water Cutter. ?
6. ?????? Wow, everyone has one, huh. ?
7. ???? ?