Ch. 13 - Ten-Meridian Fruit

“Kid, stop looking. I'm right here, inside the ring on your hand,” said an aged voice. “The ring?” Chu Yang was startled. He quickly looked at the ring on his hand, which was now emitting a faint blue glow. This ring was a keepsake from his late mother, who had told him it was a family heirloom but never explained its purpose. Chu Yang had always worn the ring as a token of remembrance for his parents. Surprised, he asked, “Who are you?” He remained calm, knowing he was just an ordinary person with nothing worth scheming over. “You can call me Elder Mo,” the voice from the ring replied, adding with a sigh, “The True Martial Sacred Ground... Ah, the sect founded by that fellow Zhen Wu back in the day. Truly remarkable.” “Elder Mo,” Chu Yang pondered for a moment before asking, “Why are you hiding inside the ring?” “That's not something you need to know right now,” Elder Mo said. “Do you want to rise above others? Do you want to be with your childhood sweetheart forever? I can help you!” “How can you help?” Chu Yang asked nervously. The old man chuckled without answering. Suddenly, a light blue book flew out from the ring. The book looked old and worn, its corners slightly curled, with a yellowed cover bearing several large characters: ‘War Immortal Tactics’ “What... What is this?” Chu Yang felt an overwhelming battle aura emanating from the title, and a vivid image appeared before his eyes. A man stood atop the heavens, battling the sky and earth, slaying gods and demons, with endless yellow sands and countless bones behind him. “The 'War Immortal Tactics' is the cultivation technique of the 37th Grand Emperor of the Imperial Era, the Grand Emperor Bu Zhan,” Elder Mo's voice carried a determined momentum, replying earnestly. The young man stared at the book, his pupils dilated, his mind blank, feeling an unparalleled aura surging within him. ... On South Goose Mountain, Xu Zimo received a report from a servant that his mother, Wenren Yun, had returned to the True Martial Sacred Ground and wanted him to go to Green Mountain. His mother's family, the Wenren Clan, was not located in the Eastern Continent but far away in the Northern Continent. The Wenren Clan was an enormous family with a transcendent status in the Northern Continent, only slightly inferior to the True Martial Sacred Ground. This time, his mother had returned to her maiden family to seek the Ten Meridian Fruit for him, which must have been no easy task. The Ten Meridian Fruit is a universe-grade spirit fruit that takes a thousand years to bloom, another thousand to bear fruit, and a final thousand to ripen. It requires a full three thousand years to mature, and each tree yields at most ten fruits. Xu Zimo arrived again at Green Mountain Peak, where, besides his father Xu Qingshan, there was now a woman. The woman wore a bright red robe that draped to the ground, spreading out like a fan. Her jet-black hair was coiled at the back of her head, adorned with delicate and exquisite ornaments. Despite being several hundred years old, his mother showed no signs of aging. Her face was fairer than snow, and upon seeing Xu Zimo, her eyes filled with doting affection. “Mo’er, come to your mommy,” Wenren Yun embraced Xu Zimo, gently kissing his cheek, and asked with a smile, “Did you miss me while I was away these past few days?” “Mom, I'm already fifteen. Can you stop kissing me all the time?” Xu Zimo replied helplessly. “What? Feeling shy?” Wenren Yun teased with a smile in her eyes. “Let me tell you, no matter how old you get, you'll always be my son.” Faced with his mother's universal response, Xu Zimo was speechless. “This is the Ten Meridian Fruit your mother went through great lengths to obtain for you. It will greatly aid your cultivation,” Wenren Yun said, handing him a fruit. The fruit was about the size of a fist, appearing crystal clear, with a mysterious energy flowing within. The Ten Meridian Fruit doesn't directly increase strength, but its effects are highly coveted and hard to come by. It's widely known that the human body contains twelve hidden meridian gates. Once all twelve are opened, one can achieve bodily transcendence, breaking free from the constraints of the species, gaining unimaginable longevity and power. Cultivation essentially involves continuously opening these meridian gates to embark on a path of transcendence. Opening meridian gates is challenging, especially in the later stages. The Ten Meridian Fruit helps beings open these gates more easily. After consuming the fruit, its contained energy divides into ten parts, hiding around the first ten meridian gates. When you attempt to open a gate, this hidden energy bursts forth, clearing the surrounding meridians, providing more power to open the gate. However, the Ten Meridian Fruit's energy only affects the first ten meridian gates; the last two are too profound to be influenced. The human body is full of wonders. These twelve meridian gates are hidden throughout the body, named: Springwheel, Deepbone, Dawnwind, Vastsea, Bloodveil, Duskpine, Voidverge, Shadowbearer, Voidrend, Primecircle, Lightbringer, Voidcleave. Xu Zimo accepted the Ten Meridian Fruit, nodding heavily. He recalled his past life, where after being cast into the Nether Dragon Ravine, his mother, like his father, fell into demonic ways seeking revenge for him, leading to a tragic end. “Father, I have something to discuss with you,” Xu Zimo said after a moment of silence, interrupting his thoughts. “What is it?” Xu Qingshan looked up slightly. “I heard that in Skysword City, there's a family called the Chang Clan, established there for five hundred years. They're deeply rooted, but their members are arrogant and domineering, exploiting the people and committing countless atrocities. Even the city lord's authority has been undermined, and they disregard our True Martial Sacred Ground's branch there.” “You've never left the sect. Where did you hear this?” Xu Qingshan asked, surprised. “Did the Chang Clan offend you?” “Offend me?” Xu Zimo shook his head. In this life, he hadn't even met anyone from that family. But in his previous life? Moreover, setting aside personal grievances, there's something within that family he must obtain. “Our True Martial Sacred Ground governs the vast lands of the Western Region, meaning all people within are our subjects. Now, with so many being oppressed by this family, I believe it's necessary to bring them to justice,” Xu Zimo said thoughtfully.