C64 Heart of Berserking Martial Arts

The Mystic Trace Realm, as the name suggests, is a place where anyone who enters becomes lost, unsure of their whereabouts. Over the years, countless disciples from the Four Great Sects and even older sects have ventured in, yet the true size of the Mystic Trace Realm remains a mystery.

However, these explorers have discovered a pattern: once inside, if you keep moving forward, you'll eventually reach certain fixed locations. Disciples from the Four Great Sects often choose to gather at these spots.

At this point, Lyi Huamei leaned in closer to Woo Zhengyang, her lips almost brushing his ear as she whispered, "Our Profound Heaven Sect disciples have also agreed to meet at these locations!"

Lyi Huamei's sudden, somewhat intimate gesture left Woo Zhengyang momentarily at a loss. He quickly regained his composure, thanks to his clear mind and knowledge of Lyi Huamei's past actions at the Red Wood Orchard. Otherwise, such behavior might lead many to mistakenly think she had feelings for him.

The Profound Heaven Sect disciples planned to meet up, but no one invited him. Woo Zhengyang had anticipated this. After all, he had just joined the outer sect and had already made a name for himself by defeating Yue Liqing and taking down Liu Tianli, earning the title of the Outer Sect Number One Madman. It was no surprise they were hesitant to associate with him.

However, what Lyi Huamei said next took Woo Zhengyang by surprise. It turned out that the reason those people hadn't approached him was twofold. One reason was just as Woo Zhengyang had suspected, but the other was because someone had already given them a heads-up.

Woo Zhengyang had made quite a few enemies in the Profound Heaven Sect, but it was clear that the person with such influence had to be Yue Liqing. Lyi Huamei even whispered to Woo Zhengyang that some of the disciples participating in the trial today had been bought off by Yue Liqing. If given the chance, they might act against Woo Zhengyang.

Woo Zhengyang had considered this possibility, but hearing it from Lyi Huamei was unexpected. This meant that once they entered the Mystic Trace Realm, disciples from various sects would inevitably form teams based on their affiliations. Yet, Woo Zhengyang found himself excluded from the Profound Heaven Sect's team, a lone wolf who might even face threats from his own sect.

The only person willing to risk it all, ignoring the judgmental stares of others to share this information with Woo Zhengyang, was Lyi Huamei. Yet, she too was a double-dealer, ready to manipulate Woo Zhengyang for her own ends.

"Isn't Lyi Huamei afraid of Yue Liqing's retaliation for telling me this?"

"I'm afraid, but I have reasons that leave me no choice. This time, entering the Mystic Trace Realm, I need a strong ally."

At this point, it was clear who Lyi Huamei was referring to. Woo Zhengyang got straight to the point, "What do you need me to do, Sister Lyi?"

"In the Mystic Trace Realm, there's a place called the Ice Fire Mystic Realm. Regular folks can't get near it, but it's said that only Body Tempering cultivators can. I need the Ice Crystal Fire Grass from the edge of that realm. If you can help me get it, I'd be incredibly grateful! While I don't have a Dragon Saliva Pill, I do have a Dragon Saliva Herb as a token of thanks!"

As Lyi Huamei spoke, her eyes sparkled with charm and allure. Unfortunately, this had no effect on Woo Zhengyang.

"If I get the chance, I'll give it a shot," Woo Zhengyang replied, not outright refusing.

Just from the name, the Ice Fire Mystic Realm sounded like a place that would refine a Body Tempering cultivator. Everyone entering the Mystic Trace Realm aimed to enhance their skills, and Woo Zhengyang wasn't about to miss out on that opportunity. Besides, the Dragon Saliva Pill was crucial for Uncle Fu's well-being. Even a single Dragon Saliva Herb was extremely valuable. If Lyi Huamei's only goal was the Ice Crystal Fire Grass, Woo Zhengyang didn't mind being used this once, as both would get what they needed.

However, Woo Zhengyang wasn't planning to go with Lyi Huamei. Citing his preference for working alone, he politely declined. Lyi Huamei didn't press the issue. She simply described the route to the Ice Fire Mystic Realm and the appearance of the Ice Crystal Fire Grass before gracefully taking her leave.

Woo Zhengyang never expected a trial in the Mystic Trace Realm to become so complicated, but he wasn't too concerned. No matter how dangerous the path ahead might be, he had to keep going—for Uncle Fu and for himself.

After Lyi Huamei left, Woo Zhengyang couldn't help but glance again at the fifth stone gate on the summit of Dongjue Mountain. Even in the dim night, the imposing presence of the gate was undiminished, making it impossible for him to hold his gaze on it for long.

A question arose in his mind. According to Lyi Huamei, this fifth stone gate corresponded to the level of a Peak Martial Master. For Woo Zhengyang, reaching the Peak Martial Master level seemed distant, yet not unattainable. After all, the gate was merely an embodiment of martial insight at that level, as evidenced by his ability to gradually comprehend the first four gates.

However, this particular gate left him at a loss. The gap between this gate and the fourth one seemed far greater than the difference between an Advanced Martial Master and a Peak Martial Master. Even if Woo Zhengyang couldn't reach such heights, someone like Elder Zhou, who was at least an Advanced Martial Master, shouldn't have much difficulty. Yet, even Elder Zhou dared not gaze at the gate for long, which was quite unusual.

"Could it be that the Peak Martial Masters of ancient times were vastly superior to today's Advanced Martial Masters?"

Woo Zhengyang pondered for a long time but couldn't come to any conclusions. What he was sure of, though, was that the fifth stone door held some profound mystery.

Before he knew it, the full moon hung high in the sky. Under the dim moonlight, the pressure emanating from the fifth stone door felt almost tangible, making Woo Zhengyang's heart tremble with just a glance. The other four stone doors didn't have this effect; their pressure seemed to lessen under the moonlight.

Suddenly, Woo Zhengyang had an epiphany. The heart of martial arts is the heart of victory, unrelated to one's cultivation level. As long as you follow your heart, even the light of a firefly dares to compete with the brightness of the moon!

At this moment, Woo Zhengyang finally understood the true purpose of the five stone doors. It wasn't as Lyi Huamei had said, a gateway to some secret realm corresponding to one's cultivation level. Instead, it was a genuine test to temper a cultivator's martial heart.

In truth, only the fifth stone door held the creator's true martial insights. The first four were merely stepping stones. Without taking the final step, no amount of study on the first four doors would matter.

The key to taking that final step is to be fearless. No matter how high the creator's cultivation or martial insights, what truly matters is not losing the heart of martial arts!

As Woo Zhengyang lifted his head, he gazed at the fifth stone gate under the moonlight. In an instant, an overwhelming pressure surged toward him, threatening to shatter his martial spirit. Yet, this time, Zhengyang remained unfazed. He let his mind drift and his soul twist, but his determination stayed unbroken, pushing him forward relentlessly.

Time seemed to blur, and when Zhengyang finally regained his focus, the once-unbearable pressure of the fifth stone gate had vanished. His indomitable spirit had triumphed at last!

​