Urban Martial Saint

"Source of Power?"

This statement not only shocked Ye Qing, but also Wen'er sitting beside him. Just from the literal meaning of these four words, one can discern how extraordinary this matter truly is.

Ye Qing took a deep breath and asked, "The source of power of the Iga School? What is that thing?"

"This matter needs to be explained from the history of the Iga School." Wen'er's mother took a slow breath and said slowly, "The Iga School is one of the two most powerful ninja clans in Japan. As for the history of the Iga School, one must first talk about the history of Japanese ninjas. In the minds of many people, it's believed that Japanese ninjas evolved from the Qimen Dunjia of Huaxia's Taoist Sect. In fact, that is only a matter of later times. The true ninja clans appeared much earlier, similar to the Martial Path in Huaxia. And in that era, the Japanese ninja clans had a formidable enemy known as the top level monster beast, Yamata no Orochi, in later generations."

"Yamata no Orochi?" Before Ye Qing could speak, Wen'er exclaimed softly, "Mom, is there really such a creature as Yamata no Orochi?"

"That's just what I heard from the Iga School, but whether the Yamata no Orochi truly exists, we don't know." Wen'er's mother paused and said, "However, you've been through these tombs and seen so many Tomb Guardian Beasts. You should know that there are many species in this world yet to be discovered. For instance, the Eight-clawed dragon turtle is one such being. Since the Eight-clawed dragon turtle exists, Yamata no Orochi might exist too."

Ye Qing nodded slowly. In truth, after seeing the Fat Jiao on Mount Wendao, he had already come to terms with these matters. Moreover, in the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, he also learned of the existence of gods. If gods truly exist, then the existence of Yamata no Orochi isn't something to be surprised about.

Wen'er's mother continued, "According to records from the Iga School, Yamata no Orochi wreaked havoc in Japan back then and was later killed by experts of that era. Subsequently, the body of Yamata no Orochi was divided..."

"That part I know..." Wen'er immediately said, "A sword named Sword of the Heavenly Cluster Clouds was found from the tail of Yamata no Orochi, which is today known in Japan as the famous Sword of Kusanagi. These stories belong to Japan's mythological legends, described in many modern books!"

"Whether the Sword of the Heavenly Cluster Clouds was obtained from Yamata no Orochi's body, I do not know. However, the Heavenly Cluster Clouds indeed exists!" Wen'er's mother said, "It is said that when Yamata no Orochi roamed, a cloud accompanied it overhead, known as the Heavenly Cluster Clouds. And the Heavenly Cluster Clouds is the source of Yamata no Orochi's power. After Yamata no Orochi was killed, its eight heads were divided among various factions, providing them power. After all these years, six of Yamata no Orochi's heads are missing. The remaining two, one is in the hands of the Iga School, the other with the Koga School. That's why both the Iga and Koga schools are the most powerful ninja clans in Japan!"

Ye Qing was completely unfamiliar with the history of Japanese ninjas. Listening to Wen'er's mother, he finally understood a bit. He nodded slowly and said, "So you're saying these heads of Yamata no Orochi are what you call the source of power?"

"Exactly!" Wen'er's mother nodded and said, "The heads of Yamata no Orochi, also known as Heavenly Cluster Clouds, contain immense power that can be absorbed by people. If ordinary people cultivate near this Heavenly Cluster Clouds, their cultivation speed will increase greatly, thus it's called the source of power."

Ye Qing's mind stirred slightly. From Wen'er's mother's explanation, it seems this Heavenly Cluster Clouds should be of great importance to Japanese ninjas. Yet, why did she mention the Heavenly Cluster Clouds when talking about the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master? Could it be that the Heavenly Cluster Clouds has some connection to the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master? But if that's true, why don't the Koga School people pay such great attention to the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, but only the Iga School people care so much?

"Both the Iga and Koga schools have Heavenly Cluster Clouds, and the strength of both clans is formidable." Wen'er's mother said, "However, the Heavenly Cluster Clouds of the Koga School is powerful, lasting them for a long time. The Heavenly Cluster Clouds of the Iga School, however, is nearly depleted. Though the Iga School claims to rival the Koga School, actually it has only been struggling to maintain its position over the years, nowhere near as powerful as the Koga School."

Ye Qing exhaled, realizing that's the reason. The Heavenly Cluster Clouds of the Iga School is diminishing, so they must seek a new Heavenly Cluster Clouds to enhance their strength. Hence, they attach greater importance to this matter.

"So then, what is the relation between the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master and the Heavenly Cluster Clouds?" Ye Qing asked.

"Exactly!" Wen'er's mother nodded and said, "It's said that in the era of Ghost Valley Master, a Japanese ninja brought a Heavenly Cluster Clouds into Huaxia to challenge Ghost Valley Master. However, he suffered defeat at Ghost Valley Master's hands, even losing the Heavenly Cluster Clouds to Huaxia. What the Iga School ninjas are searching for is this Heavenly Cluster Clouds. They suspect it was taken by Ghost Valley Master and hidden in his tomb. So, the Iga School people have been pursuing it for years to find this Heavenly Cluster Clouds!"

Ye Qing was initially unaware of the matter regarding Yamata no Orochi, and upon hearing these things from Wen'er's mother, he became more surprised. The occurrence involving gods was already astonishing enough. Now, this Heavenly Cluster Clouds matter arose. What truly happened in that era? And how many secrets from the Ancient Era have been lost? Why does the recorded history seem so different from the real history?

"According to what you said, one of the caves contains the sculpture and Immovable Bodhisattva Seal; the other cave's contents must be extraordinary!" Wen'er's mother took a deep breath and said, "Therefore, I suspect that what is hidden in the other cave is the Heavenly Cluster Clouds that the Iga School has been seeking!"

"That doesn't seem very likely, does it?" Wen'er said, "If that was true, Ghost Valley Master should have hidden the Heavenly Cluster Clouds in his tomb, not in a cave outside. You saw it yourself; the outside cave was easily accessed by Fatty and company through a dug tomb-robbing hole, not that difficult to enter. But the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master is different. If Ye hadn't pushed open the Gate of Life's gigantic stone, no one would be able to enter it!"

This was also what Ye Qing was pondering over; he similarly watched Wen'er's mother, awaiting her explanation.

"I don't know why either." Wen'er's mother shrugged and said, "I'm just guessing. After all, both caves must hide something, so I suspect the Heavenly Cluster Clouds is hidden in that cave. But whether it truly is, I cannot say!"

Ye Qing nodded slowly. That Wen'er's mother could tell him this much information was already significant. At least now he understands the main purpose behind the Iga School's actions. Consequently, he feels more assured regarding saving Huangfu Ziyu.

"What does the Heavenly Cluster Clouds look like?" Ye Qing asked, "Is it just a snake head?"

"I haven't seen it myself, so I don't know what the Heavenly Cluster Clouds looks like. These details I read from some Iga School documents, but they don't illustrate the Heavenly Cluster Clouds." Wen'er's mother shook her head and said, "But I imagine it's not as simple as a mere snake head. After being around all these years, even as a snake head, it should be dried out, right? What it looks like dried out is difficult to say."

Ye Qing initially hoped to understand the appearance of the Heavenly Cluster Clouds to have someone forge one for exchanging Huangfu Ziyu back. But now it seems that's not feasible. Consequently, he can only proceed from this Heavenly Cluster Clouds affair. If the rescue of Huangfu Ziyu fails, then use the Heavenly Cluster Clouds matter to lure out the Iga Ryu Clan Master and thereby attempt to save Huangfu Ziyu.

Wen'er's mother sighed gently and suddenly seemed to recall something. She turned to Wen'er and said, "By the way, Wen'er, go and fetch that item for me. I meant to give it to Mr. Ye as a token of gratitude, nearly forgot."

Wen'er also came to her senses and immediately said, "Indeed, I almost forgot about that item. Ye, Mom, stay here a moment while I go get the item!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qing quickly rose and said, "Auntie, Wen'er, you don't have to be so polite."

"It's nothing, just some small gesture, not anything valuable," Wen'er's mother waved her hand, signaling Wen'er to step out.

Ye Qing wanted to further refuse, but Wen'er's mother subtly winked at him, seeming to imply some secret. Ye Qing couldn't discern Wen'er's mother's intent, so he no longer dissuaded, allowing Wen'er to exit the study.

As Wen'er's footsteps faded, Wen'er's mother immediately turned to Ye Qing and said, "Mr. Ye, although I shared many things with you earlier, there's a very crucial matter to tell."

"What is it?" Ye Qing's heart beat faster. Truly, Wen'er's mother wouldn't speak so extensively without purpose. It seemed she deliberately sent Wen'er away to discuss something important with him?

"The Heavenly Cluster Clouds matter could be said to be the Iga School's greatest secret. Even the Koga Clan doesn't know that the Iga School's Heavenly Cluster Clouds is nearly depleted. Therefore, for the Iga School, acquiring the Heavenly Cluster Clouds is almost an imperative!" Wen'er's mother said, "And they've been asking me to help them with tomb-robbing for years, all in pursuit of clues regarding the Heavenly Cluster Clouds. Through these years, I have indeed found some traces!"

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