Celestial Soldier Mansion, White Tiger Hall.

The Western White Tiger symbolizes metal in the Five Elements, representing sharpness and warfare. In ancient mythology, the White Tiger is always considered the War God, also known as the Divine Monarch Jianbing.

Every army must have a White Tiger Battle Banner. The core hub of the Celestial Soldier Mansion is the White Tiger Hall.

The furnishings inside the White Tiger Hall are quite simple. In the center lies a scroll, which is the foundational secret technique of the Celestial Soldier Dao, the "Celestial Soldier Strategy."

On the right side of the table stands a fierce headless statue, wielding a heavy axe and a massive shield, with bulging muscles and a navel like a mouth, and the unspeakable as eyes.

This statue, though headless and unusually shaped, exudes a kind of unparalleled courage that fears no death.

Gao Xuan had never had such a profound understanding of the word courage.

Courage, bravery—these words are common and often used to praise people.

In contrast, the word courage is a bit special.

Gao Xuan, of course, had his own understanding of courage. As an assassin, he also liked to confront directly, but it was always after careful planning, always bullying the weak, having nothing to do with courage.

In Gao Xuan's view, courage was akin to acting recklessly without thought, not a good word. He had a certain disdain for courage.

Until he saw this statue of Xingtian, Gao Xuan was greatly shaken.

Courage means using all your strength and will, not regretting even after a thousand deaths.

Such pure courage even stirred a passionate bloodlust within this assassin.

Gao Xuan stared at the statue of Xingtian for a long time, silent. He was by nature deep and contemplative, never abandoning his resolute determination to fight bravely, even at death's door.

In this ancient world, a time of closed information, Gao Xuan felt his wisdom and insight far surpassed this era, exceeding everyone here.

He looked down upon the people and affairs of this world. No matter what he did, he approached it with a playful mindset.

Therefore, he could handle everything with ease because he simply didn't care.

Even the Thunder Martial Saint Sun Shangdao, though a pinnacle figure here, seemed mediocre in Martial Arts to Gao Xuan.

This wasn't arrogance; it was because he stood at such a high position. At the level of a Martial Saint, it was only the equivalent of a Junior Sword Hero. That's all.

Of course, the laws of this world were different. Sun Shangdao's achievement in becoming a Martial Saint, whether in talent or perseverance, made him a top expert in this world.

Gao Xuan acknowledged Sun Shangdao's strength, recognizing his wisdom, martial skills, and character were first-rate. But that wasn't enough to shock or admire him.

Until he saw this statue of Xingtian, a mere nine-foot-high bronze statue perfectly embodied the spirit of the word courage. It could even directly convey this spirit to the depths of one's heart.

The skill in sculpting alone could be described as divine craftsmanship. Not to mention the insight into courage conveyed by the sculptor.

The Trial World of the Nine-Revolutions Divine Cicada was a real world. It had complex and vast laws. However, Gao Xuan was first amazed and then convinced by the intellectual wisdom of the humans in this world.

In comparison, the methods of cultivating Martial Dao through vital energy and blood, while profound, were merely profound.

Gao Xuan stood before the statue of Xingtian for a long time before turning to leave.

Today's gains from the statue of Xingtian were already substantial. Although courage didn't align with his nature, the deep mental impact was worth savoring repeatedly.

Gao Xuan returned to his room and took three days to digest this gain.

Spiritual understanding is difficult to quantify because spirit isn't tangible matter; it's highly unstable.

Ordinary people's mental states are constantly changing. One moment they may be excited, and the next they might feel dejected.

Various forms of meditation and contemplation can help relax the mind and adjust mental states. However, mental states remain unstable.

What sets Gao Xuan apart from ordinary people is this: his spirit was a stable, strong power. Whenever he had an insight or inspiration, any spiritual progress he made would stabilize.

Though his nature wasn't aligned with the word courage, he understood the essence of courage this time.

Even after leaving this world, the progress Gao Xuan made on a spiritual level would remain. For Gao Xuan, this was the most valuable knowledge.

It's worth noting that Gao Xuan's Spiritual Power could span across the Star River. The fact that it could be stirred and shocked, leading to growth, indicated the immense strength of the spiritual power expressed by the statue of Xingtian.

Gao Xuan also needed a few days to rest and digest what he had gained before returning to the White Tiger Hall once more.

This time, Gao Xuan headed straight for the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body on the left.

This Thirteen Grand Protector stood clad in golden armor, holding a long spear, standing silently with a calm demeanor and a resolute gaze.

Compared to the raw courage of the statue of Xingtian, the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body lacked that heart-shaking impact.

The Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training was originally the ultimate method for refining the body.

This Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body, oddly enough, wore armor, so one couldn't see the details of his muscles and bones, nor the essence of this Body Refining Method.

Such an arrangement was somewhat strange. At least, the upper body should have been exposed.

Gao Xuan found it a bit puzzling, sensing a certain ordinariness in the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body.

But after watching for a while, he noticed the pose of the Thirteen Grand Protector holding the spear carried its own charm. Whether it was the stance, the expression, or the subtle movements of the feet,

Gao Xuan spent a day observing the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body, feeling as if he had gained something, yet unable to articulate it.

In fact, Sun Shangdao had already given him the complete text of the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Secret Technique.

Gao Xuan, however, had refrained from reading it. He wanted to first observe the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body.

Gao Xuan initially thought it would be an easy task. With his insight and training in the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training, he believed he would immediately achieve enlightenment upon seeing the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body, attaining the Martial Saint realm.

Yet, after first seeing the statue of Xingtian and being greatly shaken, he found the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body seemed so plain and couldn't see what was extraordinary about it.

Gao Xuan reflected on himself, realizing the tremendous influence of the statue of Xingtian on him.

Over the following days, Gao Xuan continued observing the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body daily.

After about ten days, Gao Xuan felt as if he had gained something, but there was nothing concrete.

That day, while Gao Xuan was staring in a daze at the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body in the White Tiger Hall, Sun Shangdao arrived.

Sun Shangdao had actually been keeping an eye on this little junior brother all along. After joining the sect, Gao Xuan had been deeply engrossed in the White Tiger Hall, without going anywhere else.

It was clear that this little junior brother was indeed a martial arts fanatic.

Sun Shangdao came over to check on Gao Xuan's progress. He certainly didn't think Gao Xuan could immediately break through the existing levels.

While in magic cultivation, one might suddenly gain enlightenment and ascend to immortality. But in martial arts cultivation, it is a step-by-step process with no shortcuts.

Seeing Gao Xuan in a dazed state, Sun Shangdao knew he hadn't made much progress.

He smiled at Gao Xuan: "Junior brother, although the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method has not been lost, it has been hundreds of years since anyone practiced it to the Supreme Realm. I barely got started after practicing for a long time back in my days..."

The Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method is extremely simple to initiate, as long as one isn't foolish or inert and follows the order methodically, one can always get started.

However, while the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method is easy to get into, it gets increasingly harder the further you go.

Though there are many experts in Celestial Soldier Dao, no one has practiced the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training to the Martial Arts Grandmaster Realm.

Gao Xuan, without guidance, toughened up and forcefully cultivated himself to become a Martial Arts Grandmaster. His talent in the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method is exceptionally rare.

It's precisely because of this that Gao Xuan's achievements are all the more noteworthy.

Sun Shangdao said: "I don't understand much about the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method, but according to our sect's teachings, the first essential rule of the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method is the word 'cross'. Once you understand all the principles contained in this word, you're almost there."

Gao Xuan thoughtfully cupped his hands towards Sun Shangdao: "Thank you, senior brother, for the reminder and guidance. It feels like having a revelation, suddenly seeing the light."

Sun Shangdao thought Gao Xuan was just being polite, so he laughed heartily: "You're still young, there's no rush. For martial arts at your level, it's important to advance and retreat steadily. In your free time, you can go to banquets, have fun, and make more friends..."

Sun Shangdao chatted with Gao Xuan for a while before leaving by himself.

After Sun Shangdao left, Gao Xuan suddenly leapt onto the offering table and reached out to take the long spear from the hands of the Thirteen Grand Protectors.

This long spear should be made of pure steel, without anything special about it. But Gao Xuan, touched by Sun Shangdao's words, suddenly wanted to give it a try.

As soon as he tried, he encountered a problem. Gao Xuan couldn't manage to take the spear down.

Mind you, Gao Xuan was already a Martial Arts Grandmaster, with power as mighty as it was overwhelming. Even though he hadn't exerted his full strength, he still had a force of a thousand pounds.

Ordinarily, even if he couldn't pull the spear out, he should have pulled up the entire Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body. Yet, neither budged.

Gao Xuan then noticed that the golden armor worn by the Thirteen Grand Protectors was incredibly heavy. Furthermore, the pedestal under the Thirteen Grand Protectors was a large chunk of iron.

It was just coated with a layer of oil paint, appearing to be made of clay.

Gao Xuan tried harder, yet the Thirteen Grand Protectors still did not move. Moreover, it seemed that the body was exerting force in resistance.

This time Gao Xuan was stunned, was this still a living person?

As Gao Xuan applied force again, he genuinely realized that this Golden Body was actually exerting force. Also, this time he could hear the sound of blood flowing inside the Golden Body.

The blood of the Golden Body didn't flow like water but moved slowly and heavily, resembling mercury.

At the same time, the muscles and tendons of the Golden Body's arm were also exerting force.

Only then did Gao Xuan understand that the Golden Body was actually alive!

This form of life maintained bodily vitality and strength but its Divine Soul and consciousness had long vanished.

Put simply, it was a vegetative state. Unlike a vegetative state though, this body maintained incredibly strong physiological functions and instincts.

For example, trying to seize the long spear would provoke a reaction from the Golden Body.

Gao Xuan was once again astounded. According to Sun Shangdao, this Golden Body had been standing here for at least several hundred years.

For centuries, the Golden Body had maintained this stance! How did it continue without eating or drinking, keeping the Golden Body from decaying?

Gao Xuan grew interested and tried to seize the spear again, with the Golden Body exerting force as well.

Although the Golden Body lacked consciousness, its strength was overpowering. Even if Gao Xuan could break the spear, he couldn't hope to pull it out.

Through this direct contest of strength, Gao Xuan also realized that there was a tremendous difference in power between them.

Because the Golden Body only used a tiny bit of strength. It was like slightly flexing a pinky. Even so, the strength of the Golden Body was far superior to Gao Xuan's. Moreover, it managed to precisely control its force, not crushing the spear out of shape.

This level of precise control and restraint was truly remarkable.

Taking advantage of no one being around, Gao Xuan removed the golden armor from the Golden Body. Fortunately, this Golden Body was not truly alive, having no reaction whatsoever.

With the armor off, the robust and exceptionally firm muscles and bones of the Golden Body were revealed.

Just standing there holding a spear, the Golden Body naturally exuded an undefeatable majesty capable of sweeping the world with unparalleled force.

Compared to the brave and formidable Xingtian, the formidable nature of the Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body was so introverted yet so unwavering.

No matter how time flows, my Horizontal Training Golden Body remains imperishable and undefeated.

Such awe-inspiring charisma even made Gao Xuan admire it profoundly.

As expected from the Thirteen Grand Protectors, impressive indeed!

Gao Xuan tapped on the Golden Body, which did not counterattack, but its muscles and bones would naturally contract and deform in response to external force, dissipating the impact.

The various subtleties of the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method were fully exhibited in this process.

It was only at this point that Gao Xuan understood the true purpose of the Golden Body. He couldn't fathom what Celestial Soldier Dao had been thinking, putting a full suit of armor on the Golden Body!

Gao Xuan found the correct way to approach it, took out the secret scroll of the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method, and compared it item by item, instantly grasping the essence and mysteries of the Thirteen Grand Protectors' Cross Training Method...

Afterward, Gao Xuan came to practice with the Golden Body every day.

Having not seen Gao Xuan for several days, Sun Shangdao deliberately went to the White Tiger Hall to check on this little junior brother.

Upon pushing the door open, he found Gao Xuan touching the now-naked Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Body...

It's no exaggeration to say, Thunder Martial Saint Sun Shangdao's vision momentarily went black, and he internally exclaimed: This is such a sin!

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