The Prodigies War

A secret technique?

Lin Xun didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry. At this point in his life, he wasn’t really in need of another secret technique.

However, once he heard Xia Xiaochong transmitting the secret art into his ears, Lin Xun stiffened slightly. Following that, his expression became more solemn.

After hearing all of it, his eyes narrowed, and a hint of surprise appeared between his brows.

The Great Formless Art!

This was an extremely ancient art that was passed down from generation to generation. Although the chant was not very long, it was truly a supreme secret technique!

Xia Xiaochong’s voice was as clear as spring water and as pleasant as a chiming bell. Before he even knew what was happening, Lin Xun silently fell into a trance at the sound as he meditated on this new art.

The Great Formless Art was created by the ancestor of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan after observing all living things. By doing that, he caught a hint of the supreme mysteries of heaven and dao and used that to create a secret technique.

This art was a part of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan’s most paramount inheritance, Formless True Solution, and was incredibly marvelous.

If someone practiced this art to its peak, then they’d be able to transform into various forms and become whatever they wanted.

A cultivator could transform into grass, trees, rocks, and other fauna, as well as beasts and birds of the air. Transforming into anything was possible…

This was no different from the ancient legends of the 36 Transformations and 72 Earthly Transformations[1].

In ancient times, people most feared the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan’s transformation art as it was considered something devilish and couldn’t be guarded against.

Rumor had it that when the ancestor of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan fully unleashed the powers of this art, even a Saint had no way of telling whether it was real or fake. This truly showed how wondrous this technique was.

The Great Formless Art was the most paramount and supreme secret art for this clan!

Naturally, the Great Formless Art’s essence was about transformation, but that was just one aspect. In fact, there were other parts of this art that were hidden and secret, making it even more marvelous.

Furthermore, although the descendants of Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan all practiced this art, none of them were able to get to the pinnacle.

However, even if they only understood the surface level of this technique, it was enough to give them lots of benefits.

Lin Xun currently had a soul of the primordial spirit as well as the Qiuniu Heart. Thus, within a short period of time, he was able to understand the gist of the Great Formless Art.

Unfortunately, he also found out that this transformation art had a big limitation. Unless the practitioner was a descendant of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan, it’d be very difficult to grasp the more profound and mysterious parts of it.

Even with that, Lin Xun was still quite shocked after learning it. This secret art was truly too astounding and wondrous. It was truly a direct clan inheritance that was secretly passed down and could not be given to outsiders.

Since Xia Xiaochong had imparted the art to him, it made him feel incredibly touched as well as a bit pressured.

Techniques like these were forbidden to be given to outsiders. If he had known that Xia Xiaochong was giving him an art that was a secret technique of her clan, then he absolutely would have refused the offer.

However, it was clearly a bit too late now.

“Older Brother Lin Xun, try it out.” Xia Xiaochong’s innocent small face was filled with anticipation.

“Uh…”

Lin Xun hesitated for a moment before throwing his misgivings away and nodding. “Alright.”

Pshhhhh~

Within a short period of time, a flash of divine light appeared, and Lin Xun suddenly became an azure-colored bird. However, there was something off. He still had two human legs and arms, and long black hair covered his head. He resembled an odd bird man that looked quite monstrous and out of place.

Xia Xiaochong’s eyes became as wide as saucers. Following that, she burst into laughter.

Lin Xun felt a bit awkward and silently motioned before becoming an old pine. Just like before, it was a bit off. His trunk was too slender and a human head was on the higher branches. It looked quite scary.

At this point, Xia Xiaochong was laughing so hard that tears were running out of her eyes…

Lin Xun became even more embarrassed. Following that, he transformed into a rock, plant, bird, beast, bug…but all of his attempts were quite off. Even an idiot could tell that there was something strange about them.

Finally, Lin Xun’s entire aura changed and only a slight change in his appearance occurred. However, it made him look like an entirely different person.

The most obvious part was that his demeanor had altered. He no longer gave off a feeling that he was an exceptional individual. Instead, he looked as plain as a rock and ordinary to the extreme.

This time, even Xia Xiaochong became surprised as she said, “This is not bad. You look normal, but if anyone tried to look closely they wouldn’t even think to speculate that you are Demon God Lin.”

Lin Xun silently let out a sigh of relief. He knew with his current talent, this was about as good as he'd be able to practice the Great Formless Art. Even if he tried harder, it’d be useless in the end.

If one day he became a true Saint, then he would be able to understand the profundities of the Great Formless Art and understand all of its secrets and complexities.

Lin Xun quietly muttered, “This is good enough. At least in the future, I’d be able to avoid the Windspeaker Clan spying on me.”

……

Three days later, Perched Phoenix Province.

Lin Xun made the treasure ship move faster and enter the sky above a city. After getting some information, he quickly left with Xia Xiaochong.

Azure Hill Mountain was located on the outskirts of Perched Phoenix Province’s Fuyun City. It was quite famous in the area.

This was because in ancient times Azure Hill Mountain was where the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan became established and flourished.

However, a long time ago, the Black Nightmare Sky Dog Clan unleashed a vicious campaign at Azure Hill Mountain in an attempt to extinguish all of the members from the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan. This led to a bloody war that lasted for a hundred years.

In the end, the fighting caused the mountain to become a giant wasteland.

Nowadays, even though Azure Hill Mountain still existed, it wasn’t much different from a desolate wilderness, especially compared to how it was in the past.

However, Lin Xun believed there was more to it than the eye could see. When he was at the Flame Capital, Xia Xiaochong’s master, Lin Wenjun, had once said that as long as he escorted Xia Xiaochong there, there would be someone to meet them.

In addition, whether or not Lin Xun could go to the East Victory World was also related to that person.

Some time later.

Outside of Fuyun City, Lin Xun brought Xia Xiaochong to the front of the mountain by a bunch of weeds.

However, once he actually was able to see the famous Azure Hill Mountain, Lin Xun was a bit surprised.

It was too overgrown and abandoned!

All around the mountain were weeds and overgrown brush. In fact, there was a section where it looked like the peak of the mountain had been sliced off, making it flat and smooth. There were still dried bloodstains visible.

It was as if, in the long ago past, someone had slashed this mountain, making this entire area flat. All that was left was a deserted mountain that was completely different from before.

Lin Xun found it hard to imagine what it was like when the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan was still vibrant. He couldn’t picture what the mountain and the area would look like.

The sun set, illuminating the disorderly and ruined surroundings.

Lin Xun spread out his spirit sense in an attempt to search the area. Suddenly, his pupils constricted, and he quietly drew his spirit sense back in.

There was no need for him to look. Once they arrived there, ten figures suddenly appeared on the desolate top of Azure Hill Mountain.

The men were handsome, and the women were beautiful. All of them had extraordinary appearances.

Once they saw Lin Xun was there, all of them frowned slightly. However, when they saw Xia Xiaochong, a hint of excitement appeared on their faces as they clearly recognized her.

On the other hand, Lin Xun was feeling a bit startled. Earlier, he had truly sensed that there was nothing within Azure Hill Mountain. Then, there was an extremely hard to understand array undulating, which was full of the aura of a saint. It was incredibly terrifying.

Earlier, these men and women had come out of the giant formation!

“Apparently, there are still some secrets hidden here. In fact, it’s even being guarded by an array made by a saint…”

Lin Xun looked pensive.

“Xiaochong!” Suddenly, another person appeared. When that person saw Xia Xiaochong, they were so excited that they shouted out loud.

She was a beautiful matron with hair as white as snow and a body that was still as slender as a maiden’s. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her skin was as lustrous and pale as the finest mutton-fat jade. She had a charmingly beautiful face and was overflowing with good looks.

“Third Grandmother!” Xia Xiaochong’s eyes also became wide with surprise, and she looked quite delighted.

Lin Xun felt goosebumps rising. Someone who had such charming looks and beauty was actually at the level of a ‘grandmother.’

At once, the beautiful matron advanced to chat with Xia Xiaochong. She was quite moved and emotional and sighed endlessly.

The other young men and women also crowded around them. They curiously observed Xia Xiaochong. It was obvious it was their first time meeting her.

By overhearing their conversation, Lin Xun found out that the beautiful matron was named Lin Taizhen. She was one of the older generations in the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan and was an elder.

“Xiaochong, it’s so good that you’re back. In the future, I will not let you experience any more hardship.” Lin Taizhen had a benevolent smile on her face.

“Third Grandmother, this is Older Brother Lin Xun.”

Xia Xiaochong had finally realized that while she had been preoccupied with talking to others, she had neglected Lin Xun on the side. She immediately began to introduce him.

“Older Brother Lin Xun, this is my Third Grandmother. When I was young, she often came to visit me and has always treated me well.”

Lin Xun politely greeted her, “Nice to meet you, Senior.”

Lin Taizhen simply nodded and stopped smiling. Lin Xun could barely tell that she had looked at him sharply before that feeling disappeared. She said, “Young man, thank you for escorting Xiaochong back. My clan will not treat you unfairly and will definitely give you the right reward as compensation.”

“Third Grandmother, Older Brother Lin Xun didn’t escort me back for some reward,” Xia Xiaochong corrected her.

Lin Xun silently sighed inside. The silly lass clearly didn’t understand Lin Taizhen’s unsaid words.

“Oh is that so.” Lin Taizhen smiled slightly and said, “Xiaochong, go rest a bit over there. I need to talk to your Older Brother Lin Xun.”

Xia Xiaochong paused but then saw Lin Xun smile and say, “Go ahead, I also need to talk to your Third Grandmother.”

Your Older Brother Lin Xun…

Your Third Grandmother…

Why was there something awkward about the way they talked?

Unfortunately, Xia Xiaochong couldn’t sense any of that. She made a noise in assent and obediently left, walking a bit away until she found a rock to sit on.

When the other young members of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan saw her leave, they also left and crowded around Xia Xiaochong again to chat.

“Senior, do you want to start or should I?” asked Lin Xun with a smile.

Only the two of them were left here. As soon as Lin Taizhen appeared, Lin Xun sensed that this beautiful matron had already viewed him a certain way.

If Xia Xiaochong hadn’t taken the initiative to introduce them, then she would have continued to pretend that she didn’t see him! Furthermore, when she interacted with him, she was very cold and indifferent. She acted as if she was merely conducting a business transaction.

Once she saw that Lin Xun was being this direct, Lin Taizhen didn’t bother hiding the coldness in her eyes anymore. She glared at him and transmitted, “Young Man, my clan cannot thank you enough for escorting Xiaochong back. We will definitely give you a suitable reward. But please remember, from now on, you and Xiaochong should have no more interactions. In fact, it’d be best if you erased any unrealistic delusions from your heart.”

“Unrealistic delusions?” Lin Xun raised an eyebrow and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Lin Taizhen was a bit displeased by this and frowned coldly. “If you need me to say outright, then fine, I will. You need to understand, Xiaochong is the Saintess of our Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan. Her identity and status are extremely high, and not just anyone can covet her. So do you understand now what you must do?”

1. These are powers that Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong have in the tale Journey to the West. ☜

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