Chapter 976 Awakening
Chen Yang had previously discussed the awakening of ancient martial artists with Fei Zilin, Zhou Zeyao, and others.
He had a general understanding of this matter.
Zhou Zeyao and Xu Qingquan of Feiyan Mountain had slumbered for an even longer time. Their method of slumber was to put their spiritual energy to sleep, with their physical bodies long gone. Zhou Zeyao was a bit special, being cut-off spiritual energy himself. But according to Zhou Zeyao's own account, his original body back then might not have had the means to slumber the entire body, hence he put his spiritual energy to sleep.
Later, figures like Rong Yuqing of Tianji Linglong, and the Fei, Zhuo, and Wu families of Boyang Dao, had already mastered methods to slumber their entire bodies. However, the precious natural treasures consumed in the process were quite considerable. The Fei family, with their ample resources, could only afford to put the two most talented individuals from their main and collateral branches, Fei Zilin and Fei Zijin, into slumber.
Regardless of the method, the energy expended was beyond imagination for ordinary people. Now, the abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery claimed that there was a faction among ancient martial artists. Chen Yang didn't believe this faction consisted of just one or two individuals.
Sensing Chen Yang's doubt, the abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery also detected something amiss. He looked at Chen Yang with a hint of confusion and asked, "How much do you know about the existence of ancient martial artists?"
Chen Yang smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Actually, I don't know much. I only found out recently. Many of the ancient martial artists I know are very confused even after awakening."
"As a major Buddhist sect, the Zen Buddhist Monastery should have considerable knowledge. Could you enlighten me, Senior?" Chen Yang could tell from the abbot's words that he knew more than he did.
The abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery did not hide much about the ancient martial artists. "Many things were mere speculation before. It's only recently, with the awakening of ancient martial artists, that everyone has begun to understand more. The era of martial artists is extremely ancient, but the ancient martial artists who have awakened so far do not all come from the same time period."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yang's eyes lit up. It was indeed as he had suspected!
"Spiritual energy awakening and entire body awakening?" Chen Yang asked abruptly.
The abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery was taken aback for a moment, then smiled at Chen Yang, "It seems you know quite a bit!"
"You are correct. It is indeed so. While spiritual energy slumber recovers quickly, due to the immense passage of time, most people suffer some memory loss. However, these individuals were at very high realms back then. There are also some who slumbered for a shorter period. Although they are in good mental condition after awakening, their strength is generally not high, with few existing beyond the peak of the Grandmaster realm. Of course, their current strength is all at the peak of the Grandmaster realm. This is the most crucial point!"
The sects had been researching the breakthrough of the peak Grandmaster realm for a long time. Therefore, they possessed more complete information. The abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery was not stingy with this information. After all, with Chen Yang's current strength and realm, he would reach similar conclusions before long. Especially with the intelligence provided by the awakened ancient martial artists, everyone would likely know about the issue of the peak Grandmaster realm in a short time.
"Back then, the peak Grandmaster realm was called 'Fan Xiu' (Mortal Cultivation). The path beyond Fan Xiu was severed for some reason, and thus the lifespans of many martial artists were cut short. They placed their hopes on the present, but they never considered that if they couldn't solve it, how could we?" The abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery spoke with a tone that was almost a wry smile. He didn't know what those ancient powerhouses were thinking.
When the two arrived at the villa, Chen Shu looked at the old monk with some surprise, his eyes twitching slightly. The abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery was startled by this look before reacting, "Who is this?" The abbot had met many martial artists, including talented ones like Chen Yang. But he had never seen anyone like the person before him. His gaze seemed to penetrate all worldly things!
"Chen Shu, my cousin," Chen Yang said. He sensed the unusual connection between the two and did not want Chen Shu's identity to be known to others. The abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery did not ask further, merely smiling faintly before hastily following Chen Yang into the living room. That brief exchange of glances made the abbot feel as if he had been seen through. It was an extremely uncomfortable feeling.
After the two entered, Zhou Zeyao quietly approached Chen Shu. "That old monk is strange! He's unlike any martial artist I've met. He's not an ancient martial artist, but he's definitely not a current one!" Zhou Zeyao knew his words sounded awkward, but it was his honest feeling. Chen Shu nodded in agreement.
"He's a bit like you." Zhou Zeyao was stunned by this comment. After pondering for a moment, he shook his head, "It's different. My spiritual energy is almost complete now. Even if my past self suddenly appeared, we would be distinct individuals. But this old monk..."
While they were speaking, Chen Yang in the room had already started discussing the peak Grandmaster realm with the abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery. "Body tempering is indeed a way to increase strength, but it's the most basic method! Body tempering, in essence, only enhances a martial artist's physique. The most effective ways are to improve one's spiritual energy and expand the meridians. Only when these three aspects are achieved simultaneously is it possible for the internal energy within one's body to undergo change. Speaking of which, do you know the difference in the realm beyond the peak Grandmaster?"
Chen Yang remained silent for several seconds before voicing his understanding, "I heard from those ancient martial artists that the power they use can no longer be called internal energy, but a kind of existence that merges with spiritual energy. Like flowing water!" When he said "they," it was actually only Zhou Zeyao. After all, among the ancient martial artists Chen Yang had encountered, only he had truly transcended Fan Xiu. Although Xu Qingquan was very powerful, their interactions were not extensive.
The abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery was surprised that Chen Yang knew so much. He then said, "Yes, what we are doing now is the same as what was done before, but no one has ever succeeded in changing internal energy! It's not just me; those people you met earlier, including those from the Daoist and Confucian sects who haven't appeared, are all the same!"