ã€ŠThe Villain&#x27;s White Lotus Haloã€‹


 Chapter 1 - Prologue

    Chapter 1: Prologue

    As night fell, moonlight spilled through the immense French window and into the room. The alternating light and shadow made this ce look increasingly more empty and deste.

    The sales intern Liu XiaoDaiy on top of his office desk. He felt bored to death as he fiddled with a ss bead, throwing it up and down. On the other hand, he was repeatedly checking his watch as he waited to get off of work.

    Suddenly, a gust of wind blew in. A vibrant advertisement flier was blown high into the air as the sound of pping paper filled the room, creating a scene that almost looked as if a flock of butterflies was flying upward.

    A dazzling light abruptly burst out of the shadows at the end of the hallway. Liu XiaoDai¡¯s eyes widened before he stood up in such a panic, he almost overturned his swivel chair.

    The air began to ripple as if one had thrown a rock into a calm pond. Unexpectedly, a vague silhouette began emerging from the brilliant light. As the outline of this silhouette slowly became clearer, the light also began dimming.

    Only now could Liu XiaoDai see that the silhouette was the figure of a grown man. He was quite tall and had a straight back, however, he was also rather thin.

    He walked out step by step from the center of the light. His pace seemed to be in time with some kind of strange rhythm, and the distance between each step was exactly the same.

    Finally, the man stood right in front of him. His appearance was very handsome, but his face lookedpletely apathetic.

    Liu XiaoDai had seen many remarkable people. As a salesperson working in thispany, he had seen luxurious yet dignified clients, talented and elegant people, distant and haughty nobles, quiet and cold immortals, and even the most extravagant yet alluring demons. Every kind of person imaginable, from the most devastating and charming types living in the light to the ultimate beauties born in the darkness, had all been here before.

    However, he had never seen someone like this.

    This man didn¡¯t have an extremely magnificent appearance, but his eyes shone with the muted sunlight found on the ocean floor. An aura of indifference engulfed the man¡¯s entire body, alienating everyone around him.

    And although the stranger was right in front of Liu XiaoDai, it felt more like the man had be part of a different universe.

    If the veteran of watching people act like pretentious pricks, Cheng XiaoBai, was here, he would surely give Liu XiaoDai a hard p and yell, ¡°Wake up XiaoDai! This guy is just an aplished poser! Can¡¯t you see the barrage of roastingments currently rolling across his mental screen in his heart!?¡±

    As if he had really been pped awake, Liu XiaoDai immediately recovered from his awed state. Ah, this was probably the first business deal he would make in his career! Liu XiaoDai hurriedly extended his hand for a handshake and fumbled, ¡°Hello, hello!¡±

    Then, he remembered that his client was presently a soul and therefore couldn¡¯t touch any living person. He really had no manners! Liu XiaoDai hastily withdrew his hand and pushed a swivel chair toward the other person.

    ¡°Please take a seat! Let me introduce myself, I¡¯m called Liu XiaoDai. I¡¯m a salesperson from the viin department of the ¡®Rebirth Company¡¯......no, wait, I ought to first introduce thepany. Mister, you are a customer prompted here by fate. Ourpany slogan is ¡®one single-mindedly devoted to rebirth. In thirty years, there would inevitably be a life suitable for you¡¯! Here, take a look......¡±

    Liu XiaoDai took out a multi-coloured pamphlet from his desk. After blowing off the dust, he handed it over politely.

    The person in front of him slowly sat down, his gaze calm.

    ¡°Mister, how should I address you?¡±

    Unexpectedly, the man¡¯s voice was quite gentle. ¡°I am a viin.¡±

    Liu XiaoDai choked a bit, ¡°I was asking for your......name?¡±

    A trace of disappointment appeared on that man¡¯s face. ¡°For as long as I could remember, I¡¯ve been transmigrating between different stories: school ys, dramas about aristocrats, ancient pce shows, trade war books, martial arts novels, and entertainment circle stories. Both my name and identity changed innumerable times. Contrary to what you may expect, my lines are almost virtually the same, and I don¡¯t have many scenes. After I die, I¡¯ll get the chance to see the script, only to realize that ¡®¡®minor characters only exist as canon fodder and stepping stools¡¯. In short, I am a viin.¡±

    He sat upright and proper and spoke with a pace that was neither fast nor too slow. It was evident that he had an excellent upbringing. However, Liu XiaoDai was stumped for words. In his internship period, he had always followed a senior as he epted orders. Unfortunately, he had never met someone with this kind of situation before.

    The boss left a single ¡®door¡¯ open in a sea of thousands. Under certain, coincidental circumstances, a soul would have the opportunity to pass through it and transmigrate. If they payed with a part of their soul, they would be able to obtain the things they desired.

    However, there was a restrictive seal on that ¡®door¡¯, one that will automatically reject certain souls. For example, souls that were too powerful, too evil, or contained too much resentment would all be turned away. As the boss had once said, earning a fortune was good, but one still needed a life to enjoy it.

    Originally, Liu XiaoDai thought this person was some kind of important figure. Only those surrounded with a heavy presence of fate would have such apact soul. However, it seemed like this man¡¯s soul only contained so much essence because for some unknown reason, he had been repeatedly transmigrating. This person must have worked hard for thousands of lives for his soul to be like this.

    That person saw Liu XiaoDai staring nkly and asked, ¡°Do you understand what I mean?¡±

    He understood! How could Liu XiaoDai not understand?!

    Wasn¡¯t his life just, ¡®xx thrust out his palm and immediately, xx pped a crowd of disciples to death¡¯?? More specifically, he was just one of the unlucky disciples in that crowd!

    However, this sad story didn¡¯t really matter as long as there was potential profit. Liu XiaoDai quickly adjusted his expression and stered on the salesperson smile he had practiced more than ten thousand times before asking, ¡°Mister Viin, what type of service do you require?¡±

    The man lowered his gaze. A beautiful hand with distinct joints pointed to the flier. ¡°Am I capable of getting anything on this?¡±

    Liu XiaoDai suddenly felt extremely excited, like he had been shot with some chicken blood!

    ¡°Of course! Rebirth would be twenty-percent off, counter-attacking would be ten-percent off, rebirth plus counter-attacking would be eleven-percent off! And if you redeem another three points! You could even receive a custom made ¡®Viin Counterattack Service Package¡¯ and enter the Rebirth Company¡¯s Luxury Streaming VIP list!!¡±

    ¡°I want to be the final BOSS, the greatest viin. Is that also possible?¡±

    A big order ah! Liu XiaoDai was so excited, his words were bing a bit jumpled. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s possible! We even have a ¡®Fiend Halo¡¯! Block gods, ughter gods! Block Buddha, ughter Buddha! Give anyone eight years or younger a single nce and they will weep!¡±

    The man frowned faintly, looking unsatisfied, before he asked in a deep tone, ¡°......Isn¡¯t this the same as writing ¡®I am a bad person¡¯ on my face?¡±

    With something like that, how was he supposed to embody how a viin had hidden depths, and how he had many sides to his character? This halo was so unprofessional.

    Liu XiaoDai hastily exined, ¡°No, no, no! You must ster on a viin¡¯s standard expression, like a ¡®super cold smile¡¯ or ¡®gaze like a knife¡¯ and say a viin¡¯s standard line ¡®I was never some kind of a good person¡¯ before the halo can activate. Uh......of course, there¡¯s also a possibility of it activating in certain situations......¡±

    Liu XiaoDai¡¯s eyes glistened with excitement as he marketed his product. ¡°How is it, Mister? Do you want one?¡±

    The man smiled faintly. ¡°Hit me up!¡±

    ¡°Mister, you have fabulous taste! In addition, ourpany currently has a promotion going on, so I can gift you a Viin Counterattack Service Packagepletely free of charge!!¡±

    However, the man shook his head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t wish to counterattack.¡±

    In their current society, there was actually a viin who didn¡¯t want to counterattack?

    ¡°Mister......this is really free of charge, we......¡±

    Mister Viin interrupted him for the first time. ¡°I know. Thank you for your kindness, but it really is unnecessary.¡±

    Liu XiaoDai still wanted to persuade him a bit more, but he suddenly remembered that his senior had advised him to always ¡®respect customer¡¯s demands¡¯. Thus, he could only nod his head and agree.

    When he brought Mister Viin to the technological department, the sky outside the French window was dark. It was already time for thenterns to be lit

    The technician intern Wang Wei was already tidying up things before getting off work. Just when he was about to turn off his machine, Liu XiaoDai took a huge stride forward to block him. ¡°My dear colleague, please wait a moment! I received an order!¡±

    Wang Wei¡¯s eyes suddenly brightened.

    After a long-winded exnation, Wang Wei violently nodded his head. ¡°For a viin, choosing the right protagonist is extremely important! Coincidentally, a few moments ago I had been a bit idle and bored. I started surfing channels and just so happened to see a protagonist who looked pretty good.¡±

    When he finished speaking, he pulled the two of them to the front of a bright screen floating in the air.

    The vast sky was clear and blue, while the lofty mountains extending into the horizon seemed to be carved from pure, transparent jade. Far away, a crane flew in the sky as mist billowed over thends.

    Within the shades of bluish green, the small dot of pure white was extremely dazzling.

    A teenager walked on a path in the mountains, the hem of his robe dampened by the morning dew. Suddenly, a woman wearing a purple dress appeared in front of him. Her eyes were lowered and she seemed to be in a rush, and thus she inadvertently ran into that teenager¡¯s shoulder. Stumbling two steps and looking as if she was about to fall, she was suddenly stabilized by a pair of steady and strong hands.

    Then, she saw that teenager quickly back away to a proper distance. His appearance looked gentle as he smiled faintly, looking like jade that emitted light. It made the woman¡¯s powdery face flush with the colours of spring as she became extremely shy. Lifting the hem of her dress, she walked down the mountain while looking back every other step.

    ¡°Look, look! This figure, this appearance, this temperament! It has to be the protagonist, you can¡¯t mistake that!¡±

    Liu XiaoDai sighed with feeling. ¡°He¡¯s not even afraid of meeting someone who would deliberately crash into him so they could demandpensation! He actually dares to support someone like that, such a genuine strong man!¡±

    Wang Wei looked deeply touched. ¡°Nowadays, eight out of ten protagonists ckened as they rush to get revenge. Another one is a yandere with no hopes of recovering. A humble, utterly sincere and righteous protagonist is harder to findpared to trying to find a three! Legged! Frog!¡±

    2121

    Three legged frogs provide prosperity and wealth.

    The man attentively watched the bright screen and unconsciously approached two steps closer, as if he wanted to discover just where this white-clothed teenager looked simr to a frog. On the other hand, he silently criticized the author. Common ah! This melodramatic scene devised so the protagonist could hit on a girl, just saying it was somethingmon should make the author feel honoured. When he thought this, he unexpectedly began reaching his hand toward that bright screen......

    Suddenly, a dazzling and bright light exploded in front of his eyes!

    ¡°Shoot! I just linked this thing to the transmigration machine!¡±

    Wang Wei jumped up to go and turn off the machine but it was already toote. The man¡¯s figure was quickly bing transparent.

    ¡°Wait Mister! Your halo¡ª¡ª¡±

    Liu XiaoDai reached out a hand and tossed the thing he was holding. A sparkling and shining white ring transformed into a stream of light before entering the man¡¯s body. In just a breath¡¯s time, the bright screened turned off as everything settled, the surroundingspletely silent.

    The remaining two people stared at each other in dismay. After quite a while, Wang Wei mumbled, ¡°Does that mean this order ispleted?¡±

    Liu XiaoDai felt a bit guilty. ¡°It......it should be?¡±

    ¡°I would never have expected us two interns to actually have a day where we participate in something big!¡±

    Liu XiaoDai suddenly thought of something and said, ¡°Hurry up and connect back to that world! Let¡¯s see what happened!¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright.......uh, I can¡¯t connect back......that ¡®door¡¯...closed......¡±

 Chapter 2 - The Dungeon

    Chapter 2: The Dungeon

    In this world, what would be the predicament that would make you lose all hope?

    Would it be Yunmeng Ze1 falling into a miasma field, poisons and toxins forever guing the river? Maybe it would be meeting a hurricane on top of an ocean, one that rolled up waves as high as the heavens? Or perhaps it would be the awakening of terrible beasts, ones previously slumbering in the depths of the Shi Wan1 Mountain?

    Although everything mentioned above were all extremely dangerous, if one¡¯s cultivation was profound and they were equipped with strong spiritual treasures, it wouldn¡¯t necessarily be a death sentence. Escaping from their troubles was still a possibility.

    However, Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s dungeon was different.

    Hidden beneath a huge mountain, within the depths of the forest and in a lush valley, the dungeon was filled with an air of mystery.

    In a long and narrow corridor that stretched until the end was too far away to see, a copper oilmp was ced every five chi2. The flickering candle mes looked like the pupils of beasts at night. There wasn¡¯t any leftover blood from cruel torture sessions, nor any cursing or wailing. There was only a heavy silence as deep and dark as ink. The only sound one could hear was the unending echo of the water clock used to mark night watches.

    It¡¯s wheel turned unceasingly, thousands of times without exceptions.

    Even the guards who changed shifts every three shichen3 had expressionless faces, lips sealed and silent.

    In this world, loneliness could force someone to death.

    No daytime, no night. No cold, no warmth. The emptiness and silence were magnified to the extreme.

    Tricky people with power as strong as the heavens, extremely violent and evil murderers who kill for fun, genius youths who made unforgivable mistakes, and demonic cultivators were all merely prisoners when they were kept in this dungeon.

    If one truly wished to differentiate these prisoners, there was a way: you could separate them into ones who had already attended their trials and ones who didn¡¯t, or ones who had visitors and ones who didn¡¯t.

    However, it was rarer for a prisoner to receive visitors than it was for them to see daylight once more.

    Besides the fact that this dungeon was an important ce for Cang Ya Mountain, and how only extremely significant people had the qualifications to even request entry, this dungeon was unique because of it¡¯s mountain range. The lower one went, the heavier it became.

    Martial art cultivators would feel as if their bones were pressured and their muscles were tightened. Spiritual cultivators felt like their spiritual energy was blocked. For a normal cultivator, being suppressed like this was the same as being an ordinary mortal.

    Even the guards, ones who were experts in a martial art that would allow them to resist the mountain range¡¯s ability, could only withstand staying there for half a day. After that, they would feel their bones and their muscles ache horribly.

    However, this dungeon¡¯s usual silence was disrupted today.

    The almost solidifying atmosphere was broken. Within the stillness of the corridor, the sound of footsteps began echoing. They were steady and powerful, and even their strong aura was maintained.

    These footsteps were neither rapid nor unhurried. Although they echoed in a dungeon that would never receive light, it was like they were walking on a big road under the sunshine.

    When the figure that created those footsteps walked past the lofty copper oilmp, the jumping me illuminated the person¡¯s face. Unexpectedly, it was a woman!

    She wore a dark red, sturdy dress, and her ink-ck hair wasbed up high. In addition, she had eyebrows that looked simr to thin swords, a straight nose, and a heroic presence that made others feel suffocation. Although there wasn¡¯t a single weapon on her body, her fighting spirit was practically overflowing.

    However, Liu QiShuang¡¯s calm facade belied her inner turmoil.

    She had no idea how she was supposed to face her junior-apprentice brother, the one that hadmitted such a huge mistake.

    Liu QiShuang was devoted to cultivating, and from the beginning to the end, she was never that good at interacting with other people. She was even worse at being eloquent. However, this time, she had no other choice but toe.

    Their Xi Hua Peak was unlike the other peaks. Although their Master had an extremely famous reputation, he traveled the world all year round.

    If she thought back, ever since their eldest senior-apprentice brother had substituted their Master and epted disciples for him, this junior-apprentice brother of hers had never met their Master.

    On top of that, they didn¡¯t have many disciples on this peak. The ce was vast, but it was sparsely popted. In addition, every disciple cultivated by themselves. Thus, they sometimes only saw each other once or twice every year.

    But in any case, even if their mutual affection wasn¡¯t deep, they were all apprenticed under the same Master. Liu QiShuang was unwilling to see the other¡¯s journey stop here.

    Her impression of this junior-apprentice brother was someone who had matured too young. He was a person who was reticent and a bit gloomy, but she could also vaguely remember that he had a lot of talent. When he had entered the peak, he was the student who had received the top marks in the Academy¡¯s final exam......

    As her train of thought drifted about, the guard leading the way in front of her had already stopped walking. Silently cupping his hands and giving her a salute, the guard made an inviting gesture before retreating.

    Liu QiShuang took two steps forward. ck iron bars separated her from the other person. Under the weak light, she strained her eyes to see the person in the prison cell.

    This was the second time she had so carefully examined her junior-apprentice brother. The first time had been three years ago, during the ceremony in which this brother formally became their Master¡¯s disciple.

    At that time, he had been a teenager who hadn¡¯t even fully matured, one who had been slightly bowing his head. When they read his name, his eyes swept the room. His expression had been very gloomy and cold, almost as if he was a viper waiting for an opportunity to attack.

    Liu QiShuang hadn¡¯t understood why eldest senior-apprentice brother would suddenly ept a disciple under their Master¡¯s name. However, eldest senior-apprentice brother always had a reason for his actions.

    She had once tried to express the concern she had as a senior-apprentice sister, but this teenager didn¡¯t seem to need it. The teenager¡¯s cultivating also never met some kind of barrier, and thus he never interacted with anybody.

    Over time, the people who wanted to talk to him lessened.

    The person in the prison cell had originally been sitting in a lotus position. At that moment, as if he had felt another presence, he slowly stood up.

    His figure was skeletal and his skin tone was deathly pale. As he shifted, the shackles on his wrists and ankles jingled like unpleasant bells.

    He took two steps forward and gave her a faint nod. ¡°Second senior-apprentice sister.¡±

    Then, he fell silent and did not speak any more.

    Liu QiShuang suddenly discovered that the boy in front of her was still a teenager, only a bit older than when he had first arrived. He was not yet twenty years old. Even the space between his brows and eyes had a childish feel that had not fully disappeared.

    With regards to a cultivator¡¯s practically endless lifespan, he really couldn¡¯t be considered an adult.

    Even if he lived in the secr world, he was only at the age where his parents made him wake up early to go to the academy, an age where youths loved to have fun.

    However, today, this boy was standing in the world¡¯s most unbearable dungeon.

    Liu QiShuang suddenly didn¡¯t know how to begin start talking. Without any other alternatives, she could only speak the words she had thought up before.

    ¡°The Sect Leader said you attempted to murder Luo MingChuan and thirty-two other disciples within the Violet Heaven Secret Realm. Is this true?¡±

    The teenager suddenly raised his head. His eyes shed with deep disbelief and shock, mixed with a bone-aching pain. Those kind of strong emotions seemed as if they would ignite into a ze.

    However, like a candle me in a breeze, those emotions were quickly extinguished.

    After a moment, the teenager lowered his head again. A deep and rough voice replied, ¡°Yes, it was me.¡±

    A faintly discernible sigh reverberated within the prison cell. The person in front of her was shrouded in a deep, deste feeling. It was like he had built an invisible and intangible high wall, isting himself from the world.

    The teenager refused to exin more. It was clear that he didn¡¯t think anyone could help him.

    Liu QiShuang felt deeply shaken. She couldn¡¯t suppress the huge doubt and immense bitterness rising in her heart. Could it be possible that someone was hiding secrets regarding this matter? However, the Sect Leader wasn¡¯t a dishonest person.

    Still, Liu QiShuang couldn¡¯t help but voice her concerns and growing suspicions.

    ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, if you¡¯ve received unjust treatment, tell me. Even if our Master is not here, my Peak¡¯s disciples cannot be easily bullied by others! And even if I cannot protect you, there is still eldest senior-apprentice brother. He will surely be able to help you seek justice!¡±

    The young man¡¯s thin, bloodless lips opened slightly as if he had wanted to say something, but he immediately changed the topic, as if he had suddenly thought of something else.

    ¡°I only have myself to me. This matter does not concern anyone else.¡±

    When he finished speaking, the boy turned around and began walking into the depths of the dark prison cell, the rattling of his shackles and chains sounding ear-piercing in the silence.

    ¡°Second senior-apprentice sister, please return.¡±

    Liu QiShuang protested, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother!¡±

    Unfortunately, the guard with a portablentern had already returned. He gestured at her to leave, silently informing her that her time was up.

    Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s dungeon had its own rules. Even with her identity and her high cultivation level, she had to follow those rules.

    In the end, Liu QiShuang took another deep look at the person inside the prison cell. His back was thin but straight, as if it wouldn¡¯t break no matter what kind of darkness tried to destroy him.

    Mister Viin watched the figure in the narrow corridor slowly disappear before he heaved a heavy sigh.

    No, now his name should be Yin BiYue.

    Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s Xi Hua Peak¡¯s fourth disciple, Yin BiYue.

    The moment he woke up, he found himself in this pitch-dark ce. In addition, his head was pounding with a mess of jingling and tinkling sounds, to the point he wished he could just throw his brain away.

    ¡°Wee. We¡¯re certified goods. Inspecting the goods is fine with us, however, we just don¡¯t do returns¡ª¡ª¡±

    ¡°The testing ispleted and the conditions are met. The Halo can now take effect......¡±

    ¡°Do you wish to download the certified Halo instation package?¡±

    ¡°The instation package is now being downloaded......please wait patiently.¡±

    Fortunately, the moment Yin BiYue saw Liu QiShuang¡¯s figure, the original body¡¯s memories had immediately told him that she was his ¡®second senior-apprentice sister¡¯.

    The other memories that shed past in his mind also made Yin BiYue very satisfied.

    It couldn¡¯t be wrong! This was the body of a standard, golden viinous character!

    This definitely wasn¡¯t a minor character who only had three and a half lines before they ended up dying naturally in a short scene!

    To be capable of being imprisoned into this kind of ce, this had to be the body of the future, sessful BOSS, ah!

    When he met Liu QiShuang, that instation package had begun downloading. Thus, he tried to talk as little as possible to prevent himself from exposing any clues about his transmigration.

    Now that she had left, he could finally calm his heart and begin carefully organizing his thoughts.

    This was a xuanhuan4 world.

    The major powers in this world could roughly be divided into the ¡®Three Mountain Sects¡¯, the ¡®Double Buddha Temples¡¯, and the ¡®Twelve Demonic Sects¡¯.

    One of those Mountain Sects was exactly the ce he was currently at: Cang Ya Mountain,pletely deserving of being called the most powerful.

    The original Yin BiYue had been imprisoned in the Cang Ya Mountain dungeon because of the following reason: ¡®he intended to ughter the disciples of his own Sect. His scheming mind is no longer upright¡¯. On an auspicious date, the Sect would convene for his public trial.

    Yin BiYue¡¯s true essence had been sealed to prevent him from trying to break out of jail. If he tried to lift the seal by force, he wouldn¡¯t meet a good end.

    And since he did attempt that, the original Yin BiYue should have sessfully exploded himself. However, he had also chanced upon a fluctuation in the ne of existence. Some kind of mishap must have urred then, because the original Yin BiYue transmigrated to who knows where. And then coincidentally, Mister Viin managed to transmigrate and take Yin BiYue¡¯s ce.

    When Liu QiShuang said the words ¡®murder Luo MingChuan and thirty-two other disciples¡¯, the corresponding memory began flooding Yin BiYue¡¯s mind. It had been so sudden that it caught him unprepared, so Yin BiYue was unsure if he made some kind of an odd expression during the conversation.

    However, he understood the story now. The path Yin BiYue was walking on was the ¡®genius viin who got counterattacked and pped in the face¡¯.

    This viin had extremely excellent qualifications. Thus, after he was counterattacked, resentment began bubbling forth in his heart. He tried to ughter the protagonist and his littlepanions, but the protagonist had a golden thigh and managed to lead everyone to safety. The viin not only failed to kill the protagonist, but he also fell into a pit himself.

    Just taking a single nce at this clich¨¦ script was enough for Yin BiYue topose the rest of the story.

    Suddenly, Yin BiYue remembered the white-clothed teenager he saw on the bright screen before he transmigrated. Yup, that was probably the protagonist. He couldn¡¯t go wrong with him.

    ording to the routine, now he ought to sessfully escape from this dungeon. In reality, however, hepletely didn¡¯t know how to escape.

    Thus, he could only wait for the public trial.

    For the serious crime of trying to ughter the disciples from his own Sect, abolishing his cultivation and expelling him out of the Sect was unavoidable. And as for if there were any possibilities of chancing upon a miracle and re-cultivating after that, if one wasn¡¯t the protagonist, how could they dare to gamble for something like that to ur?

    ording to the original Yin BiYue¡¯s memories, his Peak only had five disciples including him. Other than third senior-apprentice brother who was out travelling, everyone else had already came to visit him. However, they were all driven away by his cold andpletely uncooperative manner. Liu QiShuang was thest toe see him.

    On one hand, Yin BiYue regretted how he had tried too hard to act OP5. On the other hand, he carefullybed through his memories, trying to guess if there was the possibility of someone else visiting him. If someone else dide, he might be able to use them as a chess piece in his public trial, one that just might help him turn the tides.

    Tut, with the original Yin BuYue¡¯s rtionships, it was already pretty good if no one came to kill him.

    Don¡¯t tell him he should just hope that the protagonist was a brainless Holy Mother type of character, one who woulde and visit the chief culprit of his murder attempt?! And then listen to that culprit fabricate stories?!

    In addition, with his ¡®Fiend Halo¡¯, the possibility of others believing that he was innocent was even lower.

    It was still alright if he didn¡¯t activate it. However, if it activated, he would be able to receive every living organism¡¯s hatred within a couple of minutes.

    Furthermore, after he carefully recalled everything, Yin BiYue realized that he only had a scattered and fragmented version of the original Yin BiYue¡¯s memories. For some unknown reason, the fragment about ¡®harming the disciples of his own Sect¡¯ was the most fuzzy and blurry.

    With things like this, he couldn¡¯t randomly say things during his trial hearing. He also needed to maintain a gloomy attitude to prevent exposing any more evidence.

    ¡°Ding¡ª¡ªThe instation package ispletely downloaded! Congrattions to the respected customer! Please enjoy using it no matter the time or ce!¡±

    Facent! ......In this kind of situation, how the heck would this Halo be of any use?!

    What a rotten hand of cards.

    Yin BiYue made an effort to calm down. There had to be something he overlooked. There surely was still a chance of things turning for the better.......

    Right, the protagonist Luo MingChuan seemed to really be the Holy Mother type!

    Yin BiYue crouched beside the wall and began to carefully think.

    Meanwhile, on the twenty-fourth floor at the Rebirth Company, an angered scream rang out.

    ¡°Liu XiaoDai, get your butt over here!! That Halo I literally just debugged! Where did the White! Lotus6! Halo! Go!!??¡±

    1. Yunmeng Ze is a very hugeke in a legend. Some say it is Dongting Lake.?

    2. A chi is the Chinese foot. Three chi would equal one meter.?

    3. One shichen is equal to 2 hours.?

    4. Xuanhuan means ¡®mysterious fantasy¡¯, it is a type of genre in China.?

    5. OP stands for overpowered. It¡¯s ng for describing a character who is too powerful.?

    6. White Lotus is also ng for a character type who ispletely pure.?

 Chapter 3 - The First Meeting

    Chapter 3: The First Meeting

    It was currently the spring equinox. Last night, Cang Ya Mountain received a bout of rain.

    This morning, mist sprawled over the mountain. The greenery looked even more lush, showcasing theyers carved deep into the mountain.

    A teenager was walking on the mountain¡¯s rugged stone path. Faint clouds of mist ensconced his figure, while the condensation on the nts dampened the hem of his winding robe.

    This boy was at the age where youths were high-spirited. However, his pace was steady, neither hurried nor sluggish. In addition, his gaze was calm and gentle, with not a single trace of arrogance.

    Inparison, the pink-clothed young girl chasing after him appeared rather impatient.

    He YanYun concentrated her gaze onto the back of the person in front of her.

    A few moments ago, senior-apprentice brother Luo had be Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s seeding disciple. Currently, he was wearing aplicated and dignified ceremonial robe. It was a big difference from the simple, white robe he wore in the past.

    Senior-apprentice brother Luo¡¯s new outfit consisted of a dark blue outer robe made of satin, one that covered a white gown embroidered with snowkes and a meticulous drawing of Hanhai Cangsong.

    km

    A drawing of Hanhai Cangsong.

    His cuffs and his cor were lined with embroidered clouds made from silver thread. Last but not least, a green coiled dragon jade pendant was tied to the waist of his outer robe.

    As he walked, the many foldedyers of his wide sleeves billowed like clouds. Needless to say, his new outfit entuated his tall and straight figure extremely well.

    He YanYun felt as if the distance between herself and the person in front of her was gradually growing, as if she would soon be left behind. Thus, the young girl concentrated her spiritual energy and leapt into the air. Her figure shed before she suddenlynded in front of the teenager boy.

    He YanYun hurriedly called, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother!¡±

    The teenage boy was not at all surprised. Instead, he gently said, ¡°If junior-apprentice sister has a matter you must discuss with me, please wait until after I return from this trip.¡±

    Originally, this youth¡¯s appearance was more of a strict and severe type of handsome. However, because of his gentle temperament that surrounded his body like an aura, he instead looked rather friendly and reliable.

    Some people had an inherent and unique ability. Whenever they spoke words of rejection, not even the slightest degree of malice would be born in the hearts of the people around them.

    Luo MingChuan was precisely someone who had that kind of ability.

    The young girl was apparently confident in his good temper. Like before, she was unwilling to spare him and continued to block his path. Her tone even had a somewhat coquettish feel as she asked, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, I heard you asked our Master, the Sect Leader, for a Cang Lan Edict. What do you intend to do?¡±

    He YanYun was a lovable, charming and pretty girl. Acting like this didn¡¯t make others feel that she was being rude. Instead, she gave the cute and innocent feel of a family¡¯s young daughter.

    However, the teenage boy¡¯s expression did not change. He replied, ¡°Junior-apprentice sister, please return. I need to travel down the mountain.¡±

    ¡°If you want to go down the mountain, why would you need a Cang Lan Edict?¡± The young girl knitted her forehead and began pondering for a moment. Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, herrge, round eyes widened. ¡°Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s dungeon?!¡±

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, don¡¯t tell me you want to visit that guy named Yin something?!¡±

    The teenage boy fell silent.

    He YanYun knew that her senior-apprentice brother Luo did not lie. This kind of reaction was basically his tacit agreement.

    Thus, she became even more emotional. ¡°Why do you want to visit him?! So what if he¡¯s from Xi Hua Peak?! What¡¯s so amazing about that?! It¡¯s evident that his thoughts are malevolent, deceitful in many ways and that he¡¯s someone who wishes to harm us! Senior-apprentice brother, now you are Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s seeding disciple! Could it be you¡¯re scared of him?!¡±

    Luo MingChuan knitted his eyebrows. ¡°Junior-apprentice sister He, please speak more cautiously.¡±

    However, the young girl didn¡¯t even think over her next words before she blurted them out. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me I said something wrong? Seven dayster, after the public trial, his cultivation will be destroyed and he will be evicted from the Sect. In my opinion, for the serious crime of ughtering his own Sect disciples, even Xi Hua Peak wouldn¡¯t be able to protect him. Even if it¡¯s the Sword......¡±

    Suddenly, He YanYun lost her voice and became mute, as if there was an invisible hand tightly gripping her throat. Overwhelming fear began bubbling forward, and her skin began dripping with cold sweat. This type of dread wasn¡¯t because of anything or any person around her, rather, it originated and burst out from deep inside her heart.

    She wasn¡¯t the only person who feared this much. In this world, practically everyone was the same as her.

    Even though it was simply blurting out some words that were slightly disrespectful, the fear engraved in her bones would instantly rush forward, pressuring her until she could not breathe.

    Only now did He YanYun understand, when senior-apprentice brother Luo had reminded her to speak cautiously, it wasn¡¯t to curb her insults to Yin BiYue. No, he had been afraid she would say something rude regarding that person.

    The words she had almost said was Yin BiYue¡¯s famous Master¡¯s name. The Peak Master of Xi Hua Peak who had been out travelling for many years ¡ª¡ª the ¡®Sword Saint¡¯, Wei JingFeng.

    She was indeed too forgetful. This wasn¡¯t something she could rashlyment on.

    He YanYun took a deep breath and strived to restore her usual calm. Her tone also weakened a bit as she began to plead, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, do you have to go? If you really must visit, then bring me along as well. I also want to see what kind of ce the dungeon is......¡±

    Although the youth¡¯s tone was still warm and gentle, there wasn¡¯t a trace of him wavering. Instead, he just said in an helpless manner, ¡°Don¡¯t fuss.¡±

    Undeterred, He YanYun still wanted to persuade him a bit more. However, she saw the teenager¡¯s figure begin to ripple like a wave of water. The ripples were both deep and shallow, and then, in the blink of an eye, his figure dissipatedpletely.

    Turning pale with fright, He YanYun quickly recovered and realized that the youth had teleported. Although senior-apprentice brother Luo couldn¡¯t normally perform this level of space maniption arts, he currently possessed the Cang Lan Edict. With it, he could borrow the power of Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s mountain range to instantly transport himself away.

    Left behind just like that, the young girl was so indignant that she stamped her foot.

    Meanwhile, inside the mountain, a thick, ck iron door slowly opened, slowly letting in light to expand the small crack in the darkness. It seemed as if it was an abyss that swallowed people, one that was finally revealing its true colours.

    The moment Luo MingChuan walked in, he felt his spiritual energy stagnate. He was a spiritual cultivator, so the feeling of his true essence being limited was indeed terrible.

    At first, it had only been a slight difort. However, that difort deepened as he walked down the stairs. By the time his feet touched the lowest floor, it felt as if he had been chained with invisible shackles.

    The guard had long received an exnation. He carried a small, portable oilmp, the candle me looking as if it would flicker out at any second, before he began waiting by the entrance.

    Luo MingChuan slightly bowed to salute him before saying, ¡°Thank you for your troubles.¡±

    The guard moved aside to evade his salute. His tone was hoarse and sluggish as he replied, ¡°I don¡¯t dare.¡±

    Luo MingChuan knew why he wanted toe here. He knew that he was the person Yin BiYue had wanted to kill in the Violet Heaven Secret Realm. Everyone else was only dragged into the mess because they had been associated with him.

    However, he didn¡¯t understand. Why had Yin BiYue wanted to kill him so badly?

    Clearly, they became acquainted with each other that year in the Lan Yuan Academy. Although they no longer interacted with each other after they both entered Cang Ya Mountain, there shouldn¡¯t be any hatred between the two of them.

    Luo MingChuan stared at the pitch-ck, cold and gloomy prison cell before he mentally sighed. That innately talented, enviable teenager he had seen during their first meeting......today, he had unexpectedly declined to this state.

    Besides the ticking of the water clock, the sound of footsteps echoed within the corridor. They were steady and calm as someone walked down the long and narrow pathway. Hearing this sound, the Yin BiYue who had been leaning against the wall opened his eyes. Now that his true essence was sealed, his eyesight could no longerpare to what it had been before. Thus, he hadn¡¯t recognized who came to visit him until the person was five steps away, their face finally illuminated by the candle me¡¯s weak light.

    A jade crown, white robes. Raised eyebrows, dignified eyes......

    Luo MingChuan!

    Yin BiYue¡¯s pupils abruptly shrunk! Instantly, every muscle in his body was stretched taut as he nearly jumped to his feet. However, Yin BiYue immediately used up all his strength to force himself to rx.

    This was the instinctive reaction the original Yin BiYue had whenever they saw the person in front of him. It was so strong that now, even though the original¡¯s soul had long left this body, this reaction still remained.

    This......Exactly how much did the original hate the protagonist, ah!?

    The guard handed over his oilmp to Luo MingChuan before he retreated himself. Luo MingChuan gazed at the gloomy prison cell before calling out in a probing tone, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother Yin?¡±

    Within the darkness, the noises of rubbing metal and shing chains echoed in the room, sounding particrly sharp and grating.

    The person in the prison cell approached with the sound of jangling chains, before he appeared under the weak light of the candle me. His face looked deathly pale and his head was bowed. He was wearing a simple and white robe, one with nothing embroidered on it andcking all decorations. In addition, his long hair was notbed up, and instead flowed down over his body in a disorganized manner.

    His wide and long sleeves were engulfed in the gloom outside the reach of the weak candle me, making this person¡¯s figure seem even more thin.

    The youth lifted his head, and immediately, his eyes met Luo MingChuan¡¯s gaze. Those eyes looked deep and cold, as if it was an icy star traveling high in the heavens.

    For a moment, Luo MingChuan could only stare nkly.

    His keen intuition told him that there had to be something wrong. His impression of junior-apprentice brother Yin wasn¡¯t like this.

    This person¡¯s gaze had always been gloomy and cold, one immersed in mncholy. asionally, when the other lifted his head to look at him, it always gave him the feeling that some cold-blooded beast was staring at him.

    However, the coldness emitting from the youth in front of him was more like the indifference of a god on a cloud looking down on mortals. It was an inherent apathy.

    It suddenly made Luo MingChuan feel absent-minded and dazed.

    When they had met for the first time in the Academy, he had already thought that this junior-apprentice brother had excellent looks. But when he carefully sized him up now, he suddenly realized that although this youth had not fully matured, his facial features were alreadypletely developed. He had thin lips and a straight nose, sword-like eyebrows and eyes that looked like stars. One couldn¡¯t find a single w on this boy¡¯s face.

    Yin BiYue looked like a statue ced in an ancestral hall, one meticulously carved out of the best white jade. But although he had the beauty and loftiness of a deity, there wasn¡¯t even the littlest amount of life present in his appearance.

 Chapter 4 - The Interrogation

    Chapter 4: The Interrogation

    Luo MingChuan was sizing up the person in front of him like this when he suddenly saw the boy¡¯s thin lips open. The youth called his name in a low tone, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo.¡±

    Yin BiYue¡¯s voice was cold, detached and indifferent.

    Luo MingChuan finally snapped out of his daze. Once upon a time, in the Lan Yuan Academy, this person called him ¡®senior-apprentice brother¡¯ as well. However, it had been many years since he heard Yin BiYue address him like that. It was as if many things had changed after they both entered Cang Ya Mountain. For one, their previous friendship as schoolmates had suddenly disappeared.

    In the blink of an eye, his train of thought becamepletely messed up. When Luo MingChuan once again returned his gaze to the person in front of him, all the questions he had prepared beforehand unexpectedly disappeared. He was at a loss for words, and began unconsciously talking in a gentler tone as he murmured, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother Yin......¡±

    However, instead of waiting for him to continue talking, the other boy spoke first. ¡°Senior-apprentice brother came to ask me about what happened in the Violet Heaven Secret Realm?¡±

    Thus, Luo MingChuan had no other choice but to nod. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    He didn¡¯t know what was wrong with himself. Clearly, all the evidence he had against Yin BiYue was already unquestionable. So, why was he still faintly hoping from the bottom of his heart that this boy was innocent? Why was his subconscious unwilling to believe that this youth had wanted to harm him?

    He was truly crazy. Luo MingChuan cleared his head, once again raising his guard.

    However, the person in front of him stopped talking. The youth only stared at him, his gaze containing neither sorrow nor delight.

    There were no excuses. There was no exnation.

    The stifling silence reverberated through the prison cell.

    In reality, Yin BiYue was already so anxious and frustrated, he wanted to smash his head against the wall and die.

    He had been rehearsing his lines for this kind of script: the protagonist approached him and, with a severe tone, immediately began to interrogate him. It would be best if the protagonist denounced and used him. Then, Yin BiYue could take advantage of this opportunity and suffer his usations in silence. He would stay unwilling to exin his actions. In the end, Yin BiYue would be ¡®forced¡¯ by the protagonist to say that he had met demonic cultivators in the Violet Heaven Secret Realm and was coerced by them to set up the killing array. This would be because he had no other choice, so he had been nning to first put on an act, before dying and taking down all of the demonic cultivators with him to his grave.

    That would have been such a good script! There would have been drama, there would have been conflicts, and even his actions would havepletely in-character too!

    Sure, that script had so many loopholes, even paste wouldn¡¯t be able to cover them all. However, with his exquisite acting skills sharpened by countless years of practice and the protagonist¡¯s upright, Holy Mother type of personality, Yin BiYue was at least seventy-percent sure he would be able to deceive him.

    Then, if the protagonist himself could help him testify before pleading for leniency at his public trial, his fate wouldpletely take a turn for the better.

    But now?! Protagonist, why weren¡¯t you following the script?!

    Yin BiYue hadn¡¯t even finished organizing his thoughts when he saw the person in front of him knit his eyebrows. The protagonist seemed as if he was dissatisfied with his silence......

    Alright then! He could just follow the protagonist¡¯s script and improvise! Fight-o!

    Yin BiYue was just about to start talking when he raised his head. Suddenly, a pair of eyes locked onto his, one that made him feel as if he was staring into the abyss.

    Those eyes were as ck as ink, and deep like an endless whirlpool. It felt as if those eyes wanted to absorb a person¡¯s soul.

    Yin BiYue was suddenly rmed! Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Arts!

    Luo MingChuan actually knew Spiritual Pupil Arts!

    The hell! What happened to that Holy Mother personality?! Protagonist, why were you already pulling out the big guns?!

    After a person transmigrated many times, their experience would be plentiful and enriched. Thus, Yin BiYue knew what Luo MingChuan was doing. This kind of spiritual art allowed a cultivator to influence a person¡¯s heart and soul. It was simr to the demonic cultivators¡¯ Soul Assimtion Technique. When one cultivated the technique to its maximum level, it would be possible for them topletely control their target¡¯s thoughts.

    However, the technique Luo MingChuan used was a spiritual art from the upright faction. It didn¡¯t really cause much mental damage to the person it was used on. The only drawback to this technique was that it was so difficult to learn, only a genius with extremely high talent would be able to do so.

    Thus, Luo MingChuan¡¯s current ability was only capable of making a person feel dazed. Then, that person would begin unconsciously speaking the truth.

    Unfortunately, the original Yin BiYue¡¯s cultivation level wasn¡¯t enough to resist a mind invasion technique of this degree. If Liu QiShuang had been caught off guard, even she might not be able to resolve it.

    On one hand, Yin BiYue was mentally eximing in admiration. The protagonist was really an existence than defied the natural order of the universe! He could even pick up this kind of extremely difficult spiritual art! On the other hand, Yin BiYue really wished he could p his thigh andugh uncontrobly.

    This old grandpa had already transmigrated that many times. Even if he didn¡¯t have any other abilities, his soul was already more condensed than 24K titanium alloy! If he came across an opponent, he wasn¡¯t afraid of fighting it out!

    ......Unfortunately, the show had to go on.

    Yin BiYue had merely stared at those eyes for a short moment. However, the youth¡¯s cold eyes immediately became empty and nk. It was as if the mountain breeze had blown over a cloud of dense mist.

    Faced with a pair of eyes like this, innocent and pure ones that looked like a naive child¡¯s, Luo MingChuan almost couldn¡¯t say anything. In his heart, a trace of guilt began floating upward......

    ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, you......why do you want to kill me?¡±

    Yin BiYue really itched to rush forward and give the other a huge p!

    Dear boy, ah! How were you sopletely unaware of a viin¡¯s heart?!

    A viin was someone who had extremely high qualifications but was repeatedly robbed of the limelight! Thus, the extreme jealousy made them cken! This was the standard setting of a viin, ah!

    The original Yin BiYue was that year¡¯s top student from the Academy. However, after entering the Sect he was repeatedly beaten by Luo MingChuan. In addition, every day he would hear twenty variations of ¡®although senior-apprentice brother Luo¡¯s natural talent isn¡¯t as good as senior-apprentice brother Yin¡¯s, he¡¯s really such a good person¡¯. After a while, those words became, ¡®how did that Yin something manage to enter Cang Ya Mountain? In my opinion, senior-apprentice brother Luo is a hundred times better than him¡¯.

    The original Yin BiYue was just an arrogant and proud teen who didn¡¯t like paying attention to other people. However, after entering the Sect for two years, his personality had long twisted, ah! He began madly rushing toward a gloomy and unstable mindset with no hopes of returning!

    None of that was important right now though. Suddenly, Yin BiYue smiled lightly.

    Like a rock falling into a calmke, the smile in his eyes began rippling out,yer byyer. It was like his cold appearance, one made out of snow and ice, began to thaw. The spring breeze began waking up the peach blossoms on the mountain in an unrestrained manner. It was like he was a deity from heaven who finally returned to mortal realm, all because of this one smile.

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, you came to see me ah,¡± the youth¡¯s smile exposed his young, juvenile nature. Like a child, he cocked his head to the side. ¡°This is truly great.¡±

    ¡°The fact that I can see you one more time, it¡¯s really too great.¡±

    Luo MingChuan froze, stumped for words. Why was junior-apprentice brother......saying it like that?

    To him, this kind of Yin BiYue was really too unfamiliar.

    It was as if the youth had unarmed himself of all his defenses, before thawing that icy aura he had always used to repel people a hundred miles away from him.

    This was the real Yin BiYue......and the fragile Yin BiYue.

    Yes, fragile.

    Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t understand. Why would an always arrogant and indifferent person be fragile? In addition, why would he himself feel as if his heart was hurting?

    Yin BiYue only saw Luo MingChuan¡¯s pupils turn deep and profound in colour, like he was pondering something. It was hard to distinguish either joy or sorrow in that gaze. Suddenly, however, the young man became alert, as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over his head.

    Could it be......was Luo MingChuan suspecting something?

    Wait! The question Luo MingChuan had asked Yin BiYue was, ¡®why do you want to kill me?¡¯! How could someone affected by the Spiritual Pupil Art give an irrelevant answer?!

    Too big of a mistake, he was too careless! Should the other realize that there was something different about Yin BiYue¡¯s soul......

    He must immediately say something to divert Luo MingChuan¡¯s attention, something that would make the other forget this loophole!

    Although Yin BiYue still looked rather dazed on the surface, his brain was operating at the speed of light.

    The biggest problem was, how was he supposed to save this?! With that pause in speech, no matter how Holy Mother-like Luo MingChuan was, he would have already realized something was wrong!

    ¡°Ding¡ª¡ªin order for the respected customer to better understand the product¡¯s usage, aplementary Customer Self-Experience Service may be used three times. This will help you effortlessly solve difficult life problems. Do you wish to activate it now?¡±

    Customer Self-Experience Service?! What the heck was that??!!

    By now, the Luo MingChuan standing in front of him had already scrunched up his eyebrows......

    Activate activate activate!!! Solve my difficult life problems!!

    ¡°Ding¡ª¡ªLittle Halo Assistant is here to serve you!¡±

    Suddenly, Yin BiYue felt something in his mind stiffen. It was as if thousands of invisible ropes had covered his body, pulling him like a puppet and making him change his expression and actions.

    The youth¡¯s smile vanished.

    ¡°You thought I wanted to kill you?¡±

    It looked like he was just talking to himself. However, it also looked as if he was asking the person in front of him. When the youth got to the end of his question, his voice began subtly trembling, as if he was trying to suppress something.

    ¡°Kill you? ......How could I possibly kill you?! Senior-apprentice brother Luo......do you know......¡±

    A resplendent brilliance suddenly exploded from those cold eyes. The youth only stared at the person in front of him, his beautiful and angry eyes burning like they were going to crack into pieces.

    ¡°Even if I died that day, I wouldn¡¯t have let anything happen to you!¡±

    Luo MingChuan waspletely shocked!

    Madness, obsession, unwillingness, resentment, and......emotions he did not understand. All kinds of sincere emotions ingrained bone-deep, began to solidify in those pupils. Even the winding rim of the corner of the youth¡¯s beautiful eyes began faintly turning a scarlet-red.

    Luo MingChuan murmured, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother......¡±

    ¡°I only wanted to leave Cang Ya Mountain together with you, but why did that transportation array turn into a killing array?! Why didn¡¯t it only focus on you?! Why did it be like that......I couldn¡¯t control it anymore......I clearly followed that person¡¯s instructions perfectly ah......¡±

    The youth staggered before throwing himself forward as his iron chains jangled unpleasantly. Ten deathly-white fingers tightly gripped the ck iron bars.

    Luo MingChuan stared at the heavy shackles binding those delicate wrists.

    Leave Cang Ya Mountain......together?

    ¡°Who told you to do those things, and where did you want to bring me?¡±

    ¡°In the Secret Realm, I met a cultivator at the Pure Water Lake. He said, there was a way for me to obtain what I desired......¡± When Yin BiYue said that, he suddenly became even more emotionally stirred up. Even his seemingly thin and weak shoulders began to faintly tremble.

    ¡°You asked me where I wanted to take you?! We clearly already agreed! The Academy Director said, ¡®once a gentleman promises, he can¡¯t go back on it¡¯! Senior-apprentice brother, did you truly forget everything?¡±

    Pure Water Lake? Right, the Pure Water Lake! Junior-apprentice brother must have met a demonic cultivator by theke and unknowingly became part of their scheme!

    However, the youth didn¡¯t wait for him to carefully think through things and ask more questions. Instead, he continued the conversation himself. ¡°I wanted to bring you to Qiongzhou, ah! ......I knew you wouldn¡¯t want to leave with me, so I thought of this n.¡±

    The boy smiled once more as he eyes sparkled brightly. His expression seemed to say, ¡®aren¡¯t I so smart? Quickly praise me!¡¯

    Qiongzhou?! Luo MingChuan¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief before he asked, ¡°How did you learn about this?¡±

    ......Learn about......Qiongzhou?

    Suddenly, Luo MingChuan reacted. This was bad! If he used the the Spiritual Pupil Art on someone as they underwent turbulent emotions like exultation to deep grief, it would be extremely easy to harm their mind!

    In addition, his intuition told him that he could not ask any more questions. If he did, the youth in front of him would tell him a strange secret!

    Thus, Luo MingChuan lightly yelled, ¡°God arrives to give the soul, break!¡±

    Unfortunately, with his current cultivation level, it was impossible for his spell to break the moment he spoke those words.

    It was already toote.

    The youth slowly opened his mouth. ¡°Three years ago......under the full moon and during the Mid-Autumn Festival, when we graduated from the Lan Yuan Academy and when everyone drank their fill of the Pear Blossom Wine......this wasn¡¯t what you said......¡±

    Something exploded in Luo MingChuan¡¯s head.

    In his memories, an absurd night like that had long became fuzzy and vague.

    With the heavens above, what had he done?!

    In this world, Lan Yuan Academy was extremely famous. Every year, there wouldn¡¯t be more than thirty epted applicants, and the ones who actually managed to graduate smoothly were as rare as phoenix feathers. The Academy didn¡¯t have a limit to graduating students, and as long as one could pass their exams, they would be able to graduate. The ones who couldn¡¯t stand to stay there could voluntarily leave as well. However, they would no longer be able to re-enter the Academy for the rest of their life and they would no longer be able to call themselves a child of the Academy. But despite that, just being a ex-student was enough to give them a bright future.

    And for those who graduated from the Academy.......whether they followed a sword¡¯s path or a spiritual path, or whether they decided to strive for authority or power, none of those graduates would be mediocre. It could be said that they would be the new heroes of the world.

    Although Luo MingChuan was four years older than Yin BiYue, the two of them entered the Academy in the same year. After being schoolmates for three years, they both passed the final exam together and graduated at the same time.

    Yin BiYue had seized the top marks for that year. He became the youngest student who had ever obtained a graduating ss¡¯ top marks in the Academy¡¯s long history. Every influential family, royal family, sect, and other big powers fell over themselves trying to coax him to join them. For a long while, his reputation had been illustrious.

    The night they graduated, the twenty of them met up at the Lotus Water Pavilion before raising their wine cups and breaking out in songs. This group of talented youths were already disdainfully looking at the world finally open to them. The grand feeling of leaving the life they knew to find sess engulfed all of them, however, they also felt at a loss for where they would be the next day, and what they should seek.

    After they departed, this group of youths would be separated by high mountains and bodies of water. They may never meet each other again. Or, some of them may be enemies. Some may even die and nobody would know. But......perhaps some of them would be even more lively and beautiful, living a life full of joy. Perhaps some of them would be more eloquent, and receive honour and riches and a zing future. Perhaps some of them would reach the summit of a mountain, or some may cultivate bitterly in solitude with only the vast clouds as theirpany.

    The road in front of them was boundless and obscure. The affairs of life were difficult to anticipate. They only knew that after that night, their lives would change forever.

    Thus, as all sorts of emotions welled up in their hearts, those feelings became the wine in their cups.

    That year, Yin BiYue was simply just a tsundere1, a young and proud teenager.

    That year, Luo MingChuan was still a careless youngster, one capable of bing a roaring drunk.

    ww

    Lotus Water Pavilion. Cups and dishes were thrown in a disarray, chopsticks broke as merry songs were sung, and fireworks exploded under the thick scent of fine wine. The aftermath of such a scene weed the next morning.

    Something slowly brushed away the shadows and dust covering his memories, revealing their vivid, true colours.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to enter that Cang Ya Mountain. What¡¯s so good about cultivating? It would be better to return to my home, Qiongzhou, find a wife and have a child.¡±

    ¡°Ha ha ha, how about youe with me? Let¡¯s return home......¡±

    Luo MingChuan was stunned by the memories that shed in his mind. He waspletely dumbstruck, and could only stare ahead in a stupefied daze.

    Whose hand had he been pulling that night? That was an answer he had long forgotten. However......could it be that it hadn¡¯t been the junior-apprentice sister who had pped him the next morning......

    And was instead......junior-apprentice brother Yin?!

    And then? What happened after that? Did he say anything even worse? Did he do something? Did something else happen......?

    How old was junior-apprentice brother that year?! Had he even turned fourteen years old?!

    Luo MingChuan bitterly wished he could fly back to that night, lift up his intoxicated past self and then give him two hard ps to wake him up! He was worse than a beast, ah!

    By the time he snapped out of his daze and wanted to say something, Luo MingChuan saw the mist in Yin BiYue¡¯s eyes slowly dissipate. Those thick eyshes closed shut. When the youth opened his eyes again, the pupils wereparable to a lofty star in the sky.

    The young boy frowned slightly. A trace of confusion shed through his eyes, as if he didn¡¯t understand what had just happened.

    The Spiritual Pupil Art was resolved.

    After falling silent, the youth didn¡¯t ask anything. Instead, he merely retreated two steps, before turning around and walking back into the darkness. An apathetic voice floated out.

    ¡°If nothing¡¯s the matter, then please return, senior-apprentice brother Luo.¡±

    In response, Luo MingChuan practically fled.

    1. Ao Jiao, or basically the Chinese trantion of tsundere. I had been debating whether or not to put the pinyin instead of tsundere and then footnoting it, but I figured more readers would know what tsundere was, and that it¡¯ll hopefully be less jarring than the pinyin despite it kind of ruining the immersion.?

 Chapter 5 - The Release

    Chapter 5: The Release

    At the Rebirth Company:

    ¡°You really can¡¯t contact Mister Viin?¡± Liu XiaoDai was sprawled on his office desk as he listlessly muttered, ¡°If that Halo has a problem, I reckon it¡¯ll be about time for me to pack my bags and leave......¡±

    Wang Wei crawled out of his half-assembled transmigration machine before wiping the sweat off of his face. ¡°I still can¡¯t detect any fluctuations. What¡¯s wrong with wearing the wrong Halo? Automatic white-washing, right? Isn¡¯t that pretty good too?¡±

    ¡°That Halo was being debugged! We don¡¯t even know if there are any side-effects!¡±

    ¡°Ha ha ha what kind of side-effects would a white-washing Halo have? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯ll turn the user into an albino?¡±

    Liu XiaoDai gave Wang Wei a withering re.

    Wang Wei bowed his head in embarrassment. ¡°Oh, so the side-effects might actually be albinism, ah.....?¡±

    .

    .

    .

    ¡°This time¡¯s Customer Self-Experience Service has now concluded. Respected customer, you still have two more opportunities to use this service.¡±

    Yin BiYue snapped out of his daze when he heard the mechanical and electronic voice in his head.

    During his interaction with the protagonist, his fragmented memories regarding his time in the Academy were almostpletely repaired. It seemed like he needed to be in contact with the relevant characters in order to ¡®activate¡¯ those memories.

    Thus, Yin BiYue had been so preupied with watching those memories, he hadn¡¯t even cared about the expressions he had made or the things he had said under the Halo¡¯s influence.

    But despite watching everything, however, Yin BiYue was still quite confused. That was because, regarding the memory of the original Yin BiYue¡¯s graduation night, the teenager only drank a few cups of wine before returning to his room and sleeping early.

    So what was with Luo MingChuan¡¯s expression before he left? That confused, pained, and regretful look......Could it be? Had Luo MingChuan borrowed some money from the original Yin BiYue and never returned it?

    Can¡¯t be. Then, did Luo MingChuan ended up sleeping with the original Yin BiYue¡¯s crush?

    Cang Ya Mountain was particrly concerned with practicing abstinence and resisting one¡¯s lust. If one had already experienced their spring night that young, even entering the Sect would be quite difficult.

    Or maybe the word ¡®Qiongzhou¡¯ was something one could use against the protagonist? Maybe it was some kind of dark past, so saying it would make the protagonist feel guilty?

    Yin BiYue honestly didn¡¯t understand. Furthermore, his head was still spinning.

    However, this should be considered as sessfully duping the protagonist, right?

    In any case, he had no other choice but to believe that Little Halo Assistant for the time being. Thinking that, Yin BiYue sat down beside the wall once more. After adjusting himself to afortable position, he continued to try and dig into the original Yin BiYue¡¯s scattered memories.

    On the bright side, his current world didn¡¯t have any light. Thus, it greatly improved the quality of his sleep.

    In a sh, seven days passed.

    Today, the skies were clear and the weather was great. Even the breeze was harmonious and calm.

    Before Yin BiYue was released from his prison cell, a guard gave him a spacious and ck cloak. It was only with the help of that cloak¡¯s hood did he not go blind from the sunlight.

    Whether one raised their heads high or lowered them, they would see overflowing green and smell nature¡¯s purity. If they gazed far into the distance, they would see continuous hills in the colour of jade-green.

    Four Cang Ya Mountain disciples who studied restraining spiritual arts came to meet the dungeon guards. Then, with two standing in front of Yin BiYue and two standing behind him, they began escorting him toward the mountain top.

    They were bringing him to the pce hall of the main peak, Qing He Peak, to attend the public trial.

    In the past, Yin BiYue had poor rtionships with other people because of his haughtiness and gloominess.

    Now, after being pinned with the crime of harming disciples of his own Sect and with how everyone imed his thoughts weren¡¯t upright, his ¡®vicious behaviour¡¯ made everyone spurn him even more.

    All the disciples who were escorting him had disdain written on their faces. There was even one who had coldly snorted.

    Yin BiYue mentally sighed before thinking, arge and influential Sect was truly different! The people here had really good upbringing. After all, none of them started cursing him out.

    Yin BiYue¡¯s body hadn¡¯t moved much for a long time, and currently, his cultivation had been sealed. Furthermore, perhaps the unique properties of Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s dungeon had also been stressing him. In any case, after walking a couple of steps, Yin BiYue felt his waist be sore and his legs turn into jelly, and no matter how he tried, he couldn¡¯t raise his spirit.

    Suddenly, without prior warning, someone pushed him from behind. One of the escorting disciples impatiently said, ¡°Hurry up!¡±

    Immediately following that, however, an angry shout rang out like a p of thunder. ¡°Stop!¡±

    Yin BiYue was currently engrossed in pondering over his public trial. Thus, with his train of thought abruptly interrupted by that yell, he blurted out the first thing that ran through his mind. ¡°It doesn¡¯t concern them. I was walking too slowly.¡±

    Then, finally reacting, Yin BiYue¡¯s heart tightened. This voice......it was Luo MingChuan!

    Looking afar, he noticed an agile speck of white in the distance. Though that speck was far away in the middle of a forest, after bouncing and jumping a few times, Luo MingChuannded in front of him.

    Yin BiYue mentally sighed. Tut tut tut, this pretty protagonist face became even more handsome under the broad daylight.

    However, the person in front of him only stared at him in a daze. His gaze was very sincere, and it looked as if he had thousands of words stuck in his throat.

    Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t react even after the escorting disciples saluted him and called him ¡®Martial Uncle Luo¡¯.

    Now it was Yin BiYue who felt a bit stupefied. In the end, was the protagonist short-sighted, or did he have a flower on his face?

    After Luo MingChuan left the dungeon that day, he hadn¡¯t gotten a good night¡¯s sleep for the whole week. The moment he closed his eyes, his brain would flip through the different expressions that youth made in the prison cell. His innocent smile, his madness, his indifference......

    Thus, he began to meditate instead in an attempt to recover hisposure. However, bit by bit, memory fragments of his life in the Academy began shing past his eyes.

    Eventually, it stopped on his memories of that night, where the moonlight scattered over the Lotus Water Pavilion. There, he had knocked over his wine cup, dirtying those wide, white sleeves.

    That year, his junior-apprentice brother had unexpectedly believed the words he had said when he waspletely drunk. Words he believed until now.....

    That was right. Even if junior-apprentice brother was intelligent and talented, that year he had been so young. He hadn¡¯t yet understood the ways of the world. He had been pure and innocent like a newborn child. That Yin BiYue had been so simple and naive.

    It was Luo MingChuan who had previously promised something, before turning back on his words.

    He had broken his promise while offering no exnations. His junior-apprentice brother was so haughty, so how could he allow himself toe and ask Luo MingChuan for an exnation? The youth had no other choice but to repress his emotions.

    After repressing those emotions for a long time, his personality began to greatly change as obsession was born in his heart.

    Only then, did Yin BiYue decline to the state he was today. Everything that happened these years now had an exnation.

    It was he who had harmed his junior-apprentice brother.

    Before he came today, Luo MingChuan thought he hadpletely sorted out his thoughts. Ultimately, the matter that urred in the Secret Realm had happened because of himself. Thus, he was willing to take responsibility.

    As for his junior-apprentice brother¡¯s deep, obsessive feelings, although Luo MingChuan could not return them, he was ready to patiently guide him. He could lead Yin BiYue out of his current confused state, and help him relinquish his anger.

    However, when he really saw that delicate youth stagger because of a hard push, back straight despite his weakness, his heart couldn¡¯t help but freeze. Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t even notice that he had used such a severe tone, one he had never used before.

    After all, it had only been seven days since he hadst seen Yin BiYue, but the teenager seemed to have wasted away even more. Now, he was so thin, his body probably only contained his bones and his skin. It seemed as if a gust of wind would be able to blow him away.

    Those cold eyes were hidden under the shade of his hood. The only part of his face that was revealed was his delicate chin and his thin, bloodless-pale lips.

    Luo MingChuan couldn¡¯t help but wonder: had Yin BiYue suffered any injuries within the Violet Heaven Secret Realm? If he had been wounded, with how his cultivation had been sealed and with how he had been shackled and thrown into a prison cell, how difficult had thest few days been for this youth?

    The four disciples sent to escort Yin BiYue were still saluting Luo MingChuan. When they saw how Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t reply, none of them dared to get up.

    The four of them thought back to what had just happened and couldn¡¯t help but ponder. Martial Uncle Luo had always been gentle, lenient and benevolent. In the past, had he ever used such a sharp tone to speak?

    But then, unexpectedly, they heard a cold voice. It was serene and contained no ripples of emotion as the youth exined, ¡°It doesn¡¯t concern them. I was walking too slowly.¡±

    Yin BiYue actually made an excuse for them? This person......why was he different from the rumours?

    Luo MingChuan¡¯s heart was filled with a hundred different andplicated emotions. After a long time, he asked in a rough voice, ¡°You......are you alright?¡±

    It was only then did he remember there were other people still saluting him. Thus, he lightly coughed before saying, ¡°Rise.¡±

    The four disciples spontaneously retreated to one side.

    The youth was silent and did not say anything. Instead, he turned his head away.

    Luo MingChuan¡¯s heart tightened. Had junior-apprentice brother misunderstood and thought he came here to mock him? He immediately took two steps forward before anxiously exining, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have a n!¡±

    On the other hand, Yin BiYue kept feeling as though Luo MingChuan was acting quite strange. He seemed a bit too eager and proactive?

    But then he was quickly relieved. The Holy Mother-like personality activating now was great, ah!

    He could now depend on Luo MingChuan for the public trial! It was alright if he was evicted from the Sect, but preserving his cultivation was the most important, ah!

    At this moment, coincidentally, an eastern wind blew past. Deep in the mountains, the leaves of the forest trees began rustling like an ocean wave, echoing endlessly.

    The breeze blew and lifted up Luo MingChuan¡¯s cloud-like, swaying clothes. It also managed to blow away the ck hood from Yin BiYue¡¯s cloak.

    Suddenly, Luo MingChuan eximed. ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, your hair!¡±

    As the youth faced the wind, three thousand strands of silver silk covered him in a disorganized manner, looking like glistening pure snow under the sunlight. Free of any restraints, they began to fly in the breeze.

    Yin BiYue¡¯s gaze swept his surroundings before he mentally screamed ¡®oh no¡¯.

    In the dungeon¡¯splete darkness, he hadn¡¯t been able to pay attention to his appearance. Thus, he had no idea when he had be like this.

    Was it a side-effect from when the original Yin BiYue tried to force open the seal on his cultivation? Or was it from when he had transmigrated, a side-effect because his soul did notpletely adapt to this body? How was he supposed to exin this kind of umon warning sign for cultivation deviation1?!

    Wait, why was he worrying about this? Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t use the Spiritual Pupil Arts on him, so all he had to do was maintain his character disposition.

    Thus, Yin BiYue said in a cold and detached tone, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    The implication of his words was, it didn¡¯t concern him.

    Luo MingChuan felt as though the youth¡¯s indifference was like a fine thorn. It gently stabbed into the most delicate and soft part of his heart, and even simply breathing made his chest hurt faintly.

    He would much rather his junior-apprentice brother hate him and begin cursing him out. He would rather the boy disy something simr to when he had visited the youth in his prison cell, something vivid and emotional. Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t want to endure this kind of indifference, as if to Yin BiYue, he was just an insignificant stranger.

    The four escorting disciples were also startled. How did this person¡¯s fine ck hair turn white? Could it be that he had a case of cultivation deviation?

    And then, the four of them saw Luo MingChuan¡¯s reaction......why was this once again different from the rumours?!

    Don¡¯t tell them, this was some sort of secret, one that couldn¡¯t be voiced?!

    Facts had determined that a proper Sect was full of gossipers. The escorting disciples lowered their heads and pretended to withdraw from the scene. However, their ears perked up as their eyes started shing with light.

    This was something quite rare! The secret affairs between Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s seeding disciple and Xi Hua Peak¡¯s genius!

    Unfortunately, the two leading roles of that drama were destined to disappoint these escorting disciples. Yin BiYue faced one of those escorting disciples before speaking up in a cold tone. ¡°Let¡¯s go, we cannot bete.¡±

    ¡°Ding¡ª¡ªthe viin¡¯s expression ¡®gaze like a knife¡¯ has appeared! The conditions are fulfilled, so the Halo has activated!¡±

    Hearing that voice once more, Yin BiYue was startled before he practically blew his top.

    He only gave that disciple a casual nce!!

    Where did the knifee from?! Where??!!

    Halo, you couldn¡¯t even let a passerbyer¡¯s hatred slip by! Wow, you were so hard working!!

    Being nced at, Cheng Xi only saw two pools of a cold spring pond staring at him. His heart suddenly tightened. He was a disciple who practiced restraining cultivation arts. Yesterday, he epted a job, ¡®to escort Yin BiYue¡¯. Like others, he had long heard of this Martial Uncle¡¯s full name. The Academy¡¯s top student, Xi Hua Peak¡¯s rarely seen genius. For a little disciple like him, Yin BiYue was naturally an existence he would hope to see, but could never actually meet.

    However, no matter who he was, the crime hemited was unforgivable.

    He had always believed the rumours and thought that this Martial Uncle Yin had a narrow-minded and gloomy personality. But now, Cheng Xi no longer dared to make any further inferences.

    That thin youth was just standing there. It was like he was the pines closest to heaven on a mountain summit, the ones submerged in clouds and covered in unchanging snow all year round.

    Cold and lofty, an existence that could not be reached.

    Yin BiYue wanted to harm Martial Uncle Luo because he was jealous of him? Did this person even have Martial Uncle Luo in his eyes? Hepletely didn¡¯t, ah.

    Martial Uncle Luo¡¯s reaction was strange as well......Cheng Xi was currently lost in thought as he pondered these things. Unexpectedly, however, Yin BiYue nced at him before he coldly urged them to leave.

    This youth was actually considering what would happen to them, the escorting disciples? He was afraid that if they werete, they would be punished?

    Would a person like this really try to harm people of his own Sect? For the first time, suspicions began festering in Cheng Xi¡¯s heart.

    He pretended to cough lightly before he saluted Luo MingChuan and said, ¡°The public trial would be after chen2. We also request Martial Uncle Luo to not make things difficult for us.¡±

    The other three disciples saluted him as well.

    Luo MingChuan still wanted to say something, however, Yin BiYue had already turned around and left. The four escorting disciples began to hurriedly catch up to him.

    Only the image of a tenacious, tall and straight back was left behind. Three thousand strands of white hair glistened brilliantly under the sunlight, draping over his ink-ck robe. It looked like the ice and snow of a mobile, moving mountain.

    jj

    Evidently, Yin BiYue was walking toward an unknown punishment. However, it looked as if he was walking on a path to a wonderful future. There wasn¡¯t a single trace of fear in his movements.

    For a moment, Luo MingChuan was dazzled by this scene.

    He watched the youth step onto the stone steps before walking up with a moderate pace. Step by step, Yin BiYue began disappearing into the sea of jade-green, hidden from view.

    Under the vast, blue sky, with the thousands ofyers of mountains, nothing was able to trap him.

    1. Cultivation deviation, also called qi deviation in other novels, is pretty much a burnout of the cultivator¡¯s cultivation. It easily leads to death as it bes easier for a cultivator to fall prey to their Internal Demons in this state. A lot of times they end up exploding, lol.?

    2. Chen is equivalent to 7-9AM.

 Chapter 6 - The Public Trial

    Chapter 6: The Public Trial

    What could be considered the greatest power under the heavens?

    Was it the first bonfire the savage barbarians lit, the most primitive of powers? Perhaps it was the ng of metal from the armoured horses and men trying to erge their kingdoms on the battlefield, where people had a firm belief in strength ruling all? Or maybe it was therge river nurturing the cities and viges that settled beside it, the power of those civilizations engraved into time?

    Walking on a cultivating path was also amon power in the world.

    However, to thousands of cultivators, they believed that if one could ascend to the top of Cang Ya Mountain and gaze into the distance, they would have enough power to disdain the entire world!

    This world was very big. It was divided into the East Continent, the West Continent, the South Continent, the North Continent, and the Middle Continent. In total, there were fiverge continents. Thus, there were countless Sects as well, adding up to many different martial art techniques under the sky.

    But ever since someone sessfully became a Saint two hundred years ago, Cang Ya Mountain from the West Continent becamepletely deserving of being called the top Sect in the world.

    From then on, the saying of the ¡®Three Mountain Sects¡¯, the ¡®Double Buddha Temples¡¯, and the ¡®Twelve Demonic Sects¡¯ was also created.

    Everybody was well aware that so long the Sword Saint was still alive, this hierarchy would live on.

    Just the Sword Saint was enough to take care of all the important events or catastrophes urring in the world.

    The mountain range extended forever into the distance as clouds covered the vast sky. Hawks flew through the mist as cranes sang their songs.

    Each of the six peaks of Cang Ya Mountain were all quite different from each other. There was a dangerous and fierce one, an elegant and graceful one, and a distant and serene one.

    Xi Qian Peak specialized in spiritual cultivation, while Xi Hua Peak was home to the best masters of martial art cultivation.

    Today, there was a major event urring in Cang Ya Mountain.

    For the sake of this event, the Qing He Pce Hall of the main peak Xi Qian Peak wasn¡¯t as empty as it usually was. From the public square to the Pce Hall doors, the area waspletely jam-packed with people. The whole crowd raised their heads and gawked while they rubbed shoulders and followed each other¡¯s footsteps.

    Many disciples had gotten up before dawn just to get a seat near the front.

    The disciples of Cang Ya Mountain each had different expressions on their faces. They discussed with each other in whispered tones, lowering their voices because they didn¡¯t dared to make a mour.

    But despite the crowd outside, the number of people in Qing He Pce Hall could be counted on one¡¯s fingers.

    This Pce Hall was so big, one practically couldn¡¯t see the end of the main hall. Five square chi1 tiles made out of green jade were borately arranged on the ground, polished like the surface of a bright and clean mirror. In addition, the hall had an extremely tall ceiling. Twenty immense pirs made of white jade, so big that it would take the arm spans of three people to surround one, were divided into rows on each side of the main hall. Pictures of clouds and relief sculptures were engraved on them in an unorganized manner.

    Six taishi chairs made out of sandalwood were ced at the end of the main hall.

    pp

    A taishi chair.

    An elderly man with snow-white hair and beard sat on the middle chair near the west side. He looked rather solemn and serene, and though there was no anger, he had an air of natural prestige. Behind him stood a delicate and charming girl dressed in pink.

    Next to him, a young man with an expressionless yet handsome face sat on the middle chair near the east side. Behind him stood a woman with an extremely strong heroic aura.

    These were the representatives from Xi Qian Peak and Xi Hua Peak.

    The remaining Peak Masters sat on the four other chairs beside them, each with their personal seeding disciple standing behind them.

    Other than the Peak Masters and their disciples, there were another dozen or so people in the pce hall. Currently, a young man wearing bright, borate robes was arguing with the other ten or so disciples wearing Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s uniform. He looked as if he was a son of a noble or a bigshot.

    ¡°Things haven¡¯t been thoroughly investigated yet! What¡¯s the principle in convicting someone before that?¡±

    ¡°What more investigating do you need?! Aren¡¯t our personal experiences more than enough to testify his crime?!¡±

    That young man wearing the brightly coloured robes lightly fanned himself. ¡°Heh. Then, ording to junior-apprentice brother¡¯s reasoning, the Sect Leader and my eldest senior-apprentice brother, and all the other Peak Masters, senior-apprentice brothers and junior-apprentice brothers made this trip here today for no reason? Since it had been so hard on you guys, I guess this public trial is just a rigged act as well.¡±

    Just the borately dressed boy alone was eloquent enough to debate against ten other disciples. Within a couple of rounds, he calmly and efficiently made the other disciples¡¯ reasoning sound as if they were in the wrong.

    The elderly man who was sitting couldn¡¯t help but furrow his forehead at the scene.

    Suddenly, for an unknown reason, the people staying at the front of the pce hall burst out in cries of rm and surprise. Almost immediately, all of the soft whispering came to an end.

    Every disciple in the dense crowd outside made way for a path.

    The people who were arguing in the pce hall seemed to have felt something as well. One after another, they nced back to take a look.

    A teenager wearing a ck cloak and sporting a head full of white hair approached step by step. He passed through the tall pce hall doors with a cold expression. Within his gaze, there were neither traces of happiness nor sadness.

    When they saw this boy, everyone sucked in a breath of cold air.

    For a moment, the pce hall waspletely silent.

    On his whole journey there, Yin BiYue had been surrounded by others and stared at. Thus, he was currently feeling quite depressed.

    What were all of you looking at? What was wrong with white hair?

    Nowadays, chuunibyous2 all looked like this!

    Teenagers with shamate appearances also need respect! Do you understand?!

    oook

    Shamate culture, a subculture group in China that is simr to punk rock in America.

    ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, your hair¡ª¡ª¡±

    The moment he entered the pce hall, Liu QiShuang¡¯s worried gaze met his eyes. Yin BiYue could only exin, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± After thinking for a moment, he added another sentence. ¡°Senior-apprentice sister has no need to worry.¡±

    ......But alhough he said all of that, why was Liu QiShuang¡¯s gaze looking even less reassured?

    Suddenly, he heard an aged and powerful voice yell, ¡°Cang Ya Mountain, Xi Hua Peak¡¯s fourth disciple! Yin BiYue!¡±

    It was like the cry of an animal on an empty mountain, echoing endlessly in the crisp air.

    Startled, Yin BiYue jerked his head up, only to realize that the seated elderly man was currently staring at him, his gaze almost electric as it pierced his body.

    An expert cultivator with Immortalization cultivation was quite intimidating, even if they had already exercised restraint and made sure none of their power leaked out.

    The original Yin BiYue¡¯s memory shed past in his head. This was Cang Ya Sect¡¯s Sect Leader, Zheng YangZi.

    He made a proper salute, ¡°Disciple is here!¡±

    The elderly man shouted loudly, ¡°Earlyst month, with thirty-two disciples as witnesses, you set up the killing array ¡®Bewildering One¡¯s Guarded Heart¡¯ in the Violet Heaven Secret Realm. Do you have something to say?¡±

    Yin BiYue¡¯s expression did not change. Instead, his gaze swept over every single person in the pce hall.

    Although it was a public trial, those with lower statuses naturally didn¡¯t have a seat.

    Other than his famous master, all the other Peak Masters were here, their personal seeding disciples following them.

    Their expressions were eitherpletely indifferent or full of disdain.

    A young man sat in his Master¡¯s seat. His gaze waspletely chilly, and one couldn¡¯t tell if there were any traces of happiness or anger in those icy eyes. In Yin BiYue¡¯s brain, six words suddenly shed past: ¡®eldest senior-apprentice brother Jun Yu¡¯. Behind him, the worry in Liu QiShuang¡¯s gaze intensified.

    The people standing closer to him were ten or so disciples wearing the Cang Ya Mountain uniform. These disciples were currently ring at him in anger. They were probably the representatives selected from the thirty-two disciples, the ones that had nearly died because of his killing array.

    As for that young man wearing the imposing and bright robes, he was still looking calm andposed¡ª¡ªapletely serene appearance.

    However, the original Yin BiYue¡¯s memories still hadn¡¯t reacted yet, so he didn¡¯t know this person¡¯s identity.

    Suddenly, Yin BiYue began feeling anxious. Where was Luo MingChuan?

    Why wasn¡¯t Luo MingChuan here?

    Zheng YangZi frowned.

    Then, the teenager replied in an indifferent voice. ¡°No.¡±

    His response was the same as admitting guilty.

    This made a lot of people sigh in relief as they thought, ¡®the result has been decided¡¯. There was even someone who lightly snorted.

    ¡°What was your motive? Do you have any secret difficulties? Had you been bewitched by another person or forced to do someone¡¯s bidding? For a serious crime like this, your punishment would be the destruction of your cultivation and eviction from Cang Ya Mountain. In addition, you may not re-enter the Sect for the rest of your life. Are you aware of this?¡±

    Yin BiYue was very anxious. Zheng YangZi¡¯s rapid-firing questioning made it obvious that the trial was just for appearance¡¯s sake. Even if Yin BiYue said anything, the credibility of his exnation would be very low, and there wouldn¡¯t be sufficient evidence.

    That part of his memory was way too vague. If he fabricated an exnation without careful consideration, he would have no other choice but to end up with a hundred loopholes and mistakes. But if he pretended to suffer in silence right now, it would be toote. The only thing he could do after was to cry bitterly while rewriting the plot......

    That young man with the borate robes closed his fan. He took a few steps forward before he stood in front of him, blocking other people¡¯s view.

    Yin BiYue once again sized this guy up.

    Within the solemn and dignified Cang Ya Mountain, he did look quite exotic. The robes were embroidered with the autumn moon and clusters of Chinese crab-apple flowers. A ribbon with a green jade pendant was tied to his waist. On his head, his hair wasbed up and secured with a purple and gold crown filled with pearls.

    This manner of dressing was evidently very conspicuous and pretentious, however, on this boy¡¯s body, it didn¡¯t make him look vulgar or extravagant. Instead, he looked rather noble, with a precious air surrounding him like he was a treasure made from heaven.

    When the original Yin BiYue¡¯s memory finally decided to make an appearance, the corner of his mouth almost twitched.

    For the original Yin BiYue, other than resenting the protagonist, he didn¡¯t really feel much for anybody else.

    In his memories, he used simple titles like ¡®eldest senior-apprentice brother Jun Wu¡¯ or ¡®second senior-apprentice sister Li QiShuang¡¯. However, when it came to this person......

    There was actually an adjective!

    ¡°Chatterbox, fifth junior-apprentice brother, Duan ChongXuan.¡±

    When did Xi Hua Peak have this kind of distinct and strange character?!

    Although, he would never have expected that this person, one who usually didn¡¯t speak much on their Peak, would actually start talking now just in order to help him.

    Duan ChongXuan was about to open his mouth. However, unexpectedly, someone was a step ahead of him.

    ¡°Please wait!¡±

    Everyone turned around to take a look.

    It was a handsome teenager wearing a white robe. His long hair was scattered and draped over his back. With a firm expression, he entered the hall while holding a sword with both hands.

    Abruptly, both the inside and outside of the pce hall were in an uproar, the roaring shouts almost reaching the skies.

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo!¡±

    ¡°Why did he bring his sword? Is it possible that he wishes to personally punish that guy with the surname Yin?!¡±

    ¡°Since he¡¯s dressed in those clothes, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the case......¡±

    Zheng YangZi scrunched together his brows. Behind him, the girl clothed in pink was even more surprised as she let out a shocked cry.

    Yin BiYue watched Luo MingChuan enter the pce hall. The other boy brushed past him, but he didn¡¯t give him a single nce.

    Protagonist, you came just in time! My defending side will be up to you!

    Luo MingChuan kept walking until he was ten steps away from Zheng YangZi. Suddenly, he heavily kneeled down, the thud of flesh meeting jade echoing throughout the hall.

    When he began talking, it was powerful and resonant. ¡°This disciple has something to say!¡±

    Everyone was shocked by the sudden turn of events.

    On the other hand, Zheng YangZi¡¯s eyebrow suddenly jumped.

    When one¡¯s cultivation level was as high as his, it became possible for him to get a glimpse of the world¡¯s secrets. Zheng YangZi was so powerful, he had a keen premonition of things that were just about to happen. He did not know what Luo MingChuan was about to say. However, his intuition told him that it was definitely not something within his control.

    Zheng YangZi had a very bad feeling.

    He immediately yelled in anger without even the slightest bit of hesitation. ¡°Stop talking! Why should you get a chance to speak?!¡±

    Luo MingChuan knocked his head hard against the floor before getting ready to make his case. However, Zheng Yangzi shouted, ¡°You¡¯re prohibited from speaking!¡±

    The moment he finished talking, the person kneeling on his knees suddenly lost the power to talk.

    Yin BiYue silently lowered his head.

    Protagonist, you¡¯re trying too hard. Don¡¯t react this intensely ah. You only have to stand out and say a few sentences in a light tone before pleading for leniency. Then, that master of yours who considered you as his blood-rted son would of course relent in order to save your face.

    The situation outside the pce hall was simr to boiling water. Countless disciples tried sticking out their necks in order to see what was happening in the hall.

    ¡°Aiya, why did senior-apprentice brother Luo kneel?!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t don¡¯t don¡¯t, you¡¯re blocking my view!¡±

    ¡°The people behind me, what are you pushing me for!¡±

    The poor disciples in charge of guarding the pce hall doors were now currently trying fruitlessly to keep order in the crowd.

    Within the main hall, countless gazes were concentrated on the bodies of the Sect Leader Zheng YangZi and Luo MingChuan.

    Many people were seriously shocked. What was the Sect Leader¡¯s meaning by doing this? Luo MingChuan clearly had something to say. Could it be......was there another secret plot behind this matter?

    Then, they took another look at Xi Hua Peak¡¯s seeding disciple, the eldest senior-apprentice brother of the Peak who was still sitting. Like before, he waspletely expressionless, and it was impossible for them to distinguish if he was happy or angered.

    Zheng YangZi inhaled deeply before waving his hand. ¡°The results of the public trial will be revealed tomorrow. We will certainly give everyone an exnation. All of the Peak Masters and the disciples of Xi Hua Peak stay behind. The rest of you may go.¡±

    This attitude made it clear that he wanted to close the doors before discussing anything more.

    The disciples standing behind the Peak Masters tactfully retreated one after another. The group of disciples who had just been arguing against Duan ChongXuan took a look at the still-kneeling Luo MingChuan and also began retreating. One even said, ¡°All of us trust senior-apprentice brother Luo!¡± before leaving the hall.

    Duan ChongXuan returned to his ce behind Jun Yu. The disciples guarding the doors began dispersing the spectators surrounding the hall. With a depressed noise, the tall doors closed with a creak, isting the inside of the hall from the rest of the world.

    The noise outside the hall gradually disappeared. All of those spections andments slowly turned intoplete silence.

    Yin BiYue swept his gaze over everyone left behind. Now, the remaining people were practically the entire force and core authority of Cang Ya Mountain.

    However, the protagonist was really quite popr. Those disciples didn¡¯t say they trusted the Sect Leader, or they trusted Xi Hua Peak. Instead, they said they trusted Luo MingChuan, tut tut.

    His own cheaply obtained apprentice brothers and sister were also really amazing because not even a single one of them was asked to leave.

    Zheng YangZi removed the speech prohibitionmand from Luo MingChuan before asking in a deep voice, ¡°What do you want to say?¡±

    Luo MingChuan was still kneeling in the middle of the hall. He turned his head around to take a quick nce. The green jade tiles reflected the figure of a teenager standing tall and straight. His thin lips were slightly pursed up, and his white hair and icy eyes hadn¡¯t changed.

    For some inexplicable reason, the agitated and anxious emotions that had been bothering Luo MingChuan for the whole week suddenly calmed down.

    Regardless of what the results would be, he knew that he would not regret it.

    Thus, everyone in the pce hall heard his serene voice as he said, ¡°This disciple is willing to take junior-apprentice brother Yin¡¯s ce and receive his punishment!¡±

    1. Chi is the Chinese foot, three chi would equal one meter.?

    2. Most of you probably know this already but chuunibyou is Japanese for Middle School Second Year Syndrome, which is equivalent to eight grade syndrome. Basically it described people who act like they are know-it-alls. They¡¯re also usually arrogant and obnoxious.?

 Chapter 7 - The Public Trial (II)

    Chapter 7: The Public Trial (II)

    The moment Luo MingChuan finished talking, everyone¡¯splexion immediately changed.

    He YanYun eximed, ¡°Senior-apprentice Luo, what are you saying?!¡±

    Zheng YangZi¡¯s beard puffed up as he yelled in anger, ¡°Nonsense! How does this concern you!? What reason do you have, to make you want to take his ce?!¡±

    Like everyone else in the hall, Yin BiYue was also stunned.

    Xi Ling Peak¡¯s Peak Master Cheng AnTai lightly coughed. ¡°Martial Nephew Luo was originally the victim. Now that he¡¯s speaking out in hopes of taking the offender¡¯s punishment himself, he must have a reason for his actions, one we currently don¡¯t know. However, even if you don¡¯t wish to divulge your reason, you still must give us an exnation.¡±

    Cheng AnTai had a background inw enforcement. Nowadays, he held several positions and was also a Law Enforcement Elder. Unsurprisingly, Cheng AnTai was most fond of reasoning with others.

    As soon as this remark was made, one after another, everybody else began echoing his words.

    Yin BiYue kept feeling as though there was something off about Luo MingChuan today. However, he still urged himself to rx his heart and mind. It was okay, the already agreed-upon Holy Mother assister wouldn¡¯t do something wrong!

    On the other hand, Luo MingChuan deeply inhaled. An exnation?

    If he hadn¡¯t used the Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Arts on Yin BiYue, he was afraid that he wouldn¡¯t have known the real reason either.

    However, his junior-apprentice brother was still so young. His current feelings for him were just temporary, ones born from his dependence on an older figure. In the future, after he grew older and understood more things, Yin BiYue might even find a woman he admired. After all, the harmonious fusion of ying and yang was the right way.

    If at this moment, Luo MingChuan was to reveal how junior-apprentice brother adored himself, wasn¡¯t that the same as cutting short junior-apprentice brother¡¯s potential future paths?

    Junior-apprentice brother had that kind of arrogant and proud personality, he most likely didn¡¯t want to let anyone know of this matter.

    In addition, this was originally his own responsibility.

    Thus, Luo MingChuan lowered his head. ¡°It isn¡¯t junior-apprentice brother¡¯s fault. It was me. In the past, I once gotten drunk......and intended to force myself onto him. Junior-apprentice brother only wanted to teach me a lesson, he didn¡¯t intend to implicate other people or harm them! Everything was my fault. For the thirty-two disciples of Cang Ya Mountain who got trapped in that dangerous situation, I¡¯m willing to take responsibility!¡±

    Instantly, the pce hall becamepletely silent.

    Became drunk in the past? Intending to force himself onto him? What did all of that mean?

    This......it couldn¡¯t be what they were currently thinking of, could it?

    In the end, it was Yin BiYue who first reacted. Widening his eyes, he shouted, ¡°Luo MingChuan! What nonsense are you talking about?!¡±

    The indifferent teenager¡¯s expression suddenly changed as a touch of panic and irritability appeared on his face.

    Everyone¡¯s hearts jolted at his reaction. Could it be possible that this matter had truly happened? Otherwise, why was Yin BiYue this emotionally stirred up? This kind of cover-up was truly making it look more conspicuous!

    On the other hand, Cheng AnTai was still deadly earnest as he continued to question, ¡°Are these words to be taken seriously? Martial Nephew Luo, this isn¡¯t something you should joke about.¡±

    Immediately, all sorts of bewildered gazes became pinned onto the bodies of the two stars of the show.

    Zheng YangZi¡¯s ashen face turnedpletely white as he extended his finger and began pointing it at Luo MingChuan. It trembled uncontrobly from anger, however, he was unable to say anything.

    Luo MingChuan knocked his head onto the ground again before offering up his long sword.

    ¡°My behaviour was improper. I have turned my back on Master¡¯s grace, and even more on Cang Ya Mountain. I do not deserve this sword. Today at Qing He Pce Hall, I can bear any type of punishment.¡±

    In the past, when Luo MingChuan had just entered Cang Ya Mountain, he had still been a martial art cultivator. Thus, Zheng YangZi helped him find this sword, ¡®Submerged Boat¡¯.

    This was a masterpiece created by Sword-maker Yan Qing through ten years of painstaking effort, a gentleman¡¯s sword.

    But who would have imagined that after Luo MingChuan¡¯s spiritual vein awakened, he contrarily became more suitable for spiritual cultivation? However, Zheng YangZi had been unwilling to take back this sword, so in the end, Luo MingChuan kept it.

    At this point, when Zheng YangZi saw this sword, he became even angrier. He didn¡¯t believe his disciple would do this type of disgraceful thing, but he also knew that his disciple never lied. Right now, his thought process was inplete disorder, and Zheng YangZi became so anxious he couldn¡¯t even breathe.

    However, nobody knew that Yin BiYue was even more anxious than Zheng YangZi.

    Yes, that¡¯s right, he wanted to get rid of his crime. However, he definitely didn¡¯t want to get rid of it based on this exnation!

    Protagonist, this was the n you thought up?

    If this became part of his reputation, in the future, how the heck was he supposed to be a viin BOSS?!

    When he thought of this, Yin BiYue opened his mouth to try and defend himself. Unfortunately, he got cut-off.

    Liu QiShuang took two steps forward. In a tone that suggested she was hating iron for not bing steel, she said, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, this sort of thing actually happened and you didn¡¯t say anything?! Did you think Xi Hua Peak wouldn¡¯t be able to protect you, so you needed to endure this kind of grievance?!¡±

    Senior-apprentice sister! At a time like this, there was no need for you to assist in attacking the other side, ah!

    Yin BiYue was now so anxious, his speech was bing a bit incoherent.

    ¡°I absolutely didn¡¯t endure any kind of grievance! In any case, I was never some kind of good person, ah!¡±

    ¡°Ding¡ª¡ªthe viinous line ¡®I was never some kind of good person¡¯ has appeared! The conditions are fulfilled, so the Halo has activated!¡±

    Yin BiYue was so touched, he almost started crying.

    What good timing!

    The Halo was so considerate!!

    He YanYun was just about to defend Luo MingChuan. However, her gaze fell onto the person standing in the middle of the pce hall and immediately, she couldn¡¯t say anything.

    Ever since this thin teenager walked into the hall, no matter what kind of pointed words, mocking or ridicule he was faced with, his indifference didn¡¯t change and he didn¡¯t offer a single exnation.

    It wasn¡¯t until senior-apprentice brother Luo said those words did he suddenly be this emotionally stirred-up. Suddenly, he began to raise his voice, as if he was rushing to hide something.

    I was never some kind of good person.

    In a good situation, when would someone want to say something like that about themselves?

    In reality, it had been Yin BiYue who had been wronged, right? So right now, his heart must be feeling awfully pained.

    Likewise, it hadn¡¯t only been He YanYun who thought of this. No, this exnation floated forward in practically everyone¡¯s minds.

    Yin BiYue quickly realized that something was wrong.

    The gaze everyone used to look at him became even more strange. Now, traces of sympathy, pity, tenderness and regret all appeared in those eyes. In addition, the gazes they used to look at Luo MingChuan became either conflicted or filled with indignation.

    No, wait, wait! Didn¡¯t the Halo activate? How did things turn out like this?!

    What happened to the advertised, ¡®one nce and they¡¯ll cry¡¯?!

    Duan ChongXuan stepped forward as well before stopping beside Liu QiShuang. ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, you hadn¡¯t wanted to exin these secrets. Was it because you were threatened?¡±

    Liu QiShuang seemed to have thought of something too as she added on, ¡°In addition, I visited junior-apprentice brother half a month ago. At that time, his hair had still been a fine ck. However, now, he has three thousand strands of white hair. Isn¡¯t that quite strange?¡±

    Yin BiYue didn¡¯t understand what everyone was fantasizing about. He only knew that things were nowpletely out of his control. In addition, they were currently heading toward some unknown direction at the speed of light.

    Duan ChongXuan continued to speak. ¡°Senior-apprentice sister, that must be a slip of the tongue. For the most part, white hair is an omen for cultivation deviation. Although the Sect Leader sealed senior-apprentice brother¡¯s cultivation, he has never led him down the wrong path. In addition, senior-apprentice brother Luo, what kind of things are you saying? Currently, you are Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s seeding disciple, someone with an extremely precious identity. How could you so easily rece someone and take their punishment like a scapegoat?¡±

    Zheng YangZi hastily shouted, ¡°You......You......saying a bunch of nonsense!¡±

    Though Duan ChongXuan¡¯s words seemed to be praise, he was actually ridiculing them. Not only was he scolding Luo MingChuan for his dishonourable behavior and for taking advantage of his position to bully others, he was also using Zheng YangZi as well. Duan ChongXuan was basically saying that although he was the Sect Leader, he handled affairs in an unfair manner as he shielded his own disciples. In addition, he had wrongly used Yin BiYue before things had been properly investigated. Duan ChongXuan¡¯s tongue was truly poisonous, so much that he even had the mind to link Yin BiYue¡¯s white hair to him as well.

    Just as expected, the atmosphere in the pce hall changed dramatically.

    At this moment, the eldest senior-apprentice brother from Xi Hua Peak opened his mouth.

    ¡°Junior-apprentice brother Duan, withdraw.¡±

    His voice was not loud, but it seemed to contain some sort of power. It began to echo in the pce hall, sounding so cold, it was like ice and snow that never melted. Immediately, this sound made everyone be more alert.

    When he heard his voice, Yin BiYue turned his head to look at him.

    This was the first time he had so carefully sized up Jun Yu.

    He wore a ck robe without any patterns or decorations. Ink-ck hair was draped over his shoulder, scattering like a waterfall. Like a knife, cold indifference was present in his brows and eyes as his thin lips looked like a cicada¡¯s wing. Jun Yu was clearly sitting upright in a chair, but he still looked like a heavenly soldier. A dense, powerful and cold aura surrounded him, making it impossible for anyone to look at him from close-up.

    From the start of the trial to now, this expressionless and cold-looking man only said a single sentence.

    When he did not speak, it seemed as if not many people had noticed him.

    However, the moment he spoke, nobody else dared to talk again.

    Duan ChongXuan and Liu QiShuang both silently returned to his side.

    Everyone began to calm down as they waited to see what Jun Yu¡¯s attitude to everything was.

    On the other hand, Zheng YangZi released a breath of relief. At least there was still a Jun Yu who understood logic and could remain calm. He was worthy of being Wei JingFeng¡¯s disciple, Xi Hua Peak¡¯s eldest senior-apprentice brother......

    And then he saw the person he had just been praising turn around and talk to a boy, the sword bearer, standing behind him.

    ¡°Go and bring my sword here.¡±

    Zheng YangZi immediately felt his vision turning dark.

    The sword bearer nodded his head before leaving.

    The moment Jun Yu said those words, the pce hall became so silent, it was like everyone had died.

    No one knew how much time had passed before Zheng YangZi lightly coughed. Then, he opened his mouth, like he wanted to say something.

    However, this was the moment the sword bearer returned holding a box respectfully with two hands. Countless gazes fell onto that box, their line of sight searing like they wanted to burn a hole in the old-fashioned peach wood.

    Mentally, Zheng YangZi began wailing in anguish. This was bad, really bad. Xi Hua Peak¡¯s terrible habit had appeared once more¡ª¡ªthey were super overprotective, like mama bears! One couldn¡¯t reason with them!

    kkk

    Although the previous protective Wei JingFeng had left, Jun Yu followed his footsteps!

    And then, as if he was trying to court death, Luo MingChuan spoke up again.

    ¡°Master, everything this disciple said was the truth. For the thirty-two Cang Ya Mountain disciples who got trapped into such a dangerous situation, disciple is willing to ept any punishment!¡±

    Zheng YangZi really wanted to throw Luo MingChuan over to Xi Hua Peak and just let him go die!

    ......However, no matter how disgraceful he was, Luo MingChuan was still the precious disciple he had raised.

    Zheng YangZi sighed, his tone softening as he asked, ¡°Martial Nephew Yin, has my wicked disciple done something unforgivable to you?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely nothing happened! It has nothing to do with him!¡±

    Yin BiYue finally snapped out of the daze caused by Jun Yu¡¯s threatening aura and hastily began exining.

    At longst, it was finally his turn to speak! Hello, he was the actual person involved here!

    Unfortunately, there seemed to be an ice-cold robotic voice in his head telling him that, beep beep, sorry, your teammates¡¯ IQ have now gone offline.

    The Peak Master of Xi Peng Peak lightly coughed. ¡°In my opinion, this may be the result of Martial Nephew Luo restraining his admiration for Martial Nephew Yin. You know......just a youngster being impulsive. It is very fortunate that a big mistake didn¡¯t ur. Cough......Martial Nephew Jun, how about you put away your sword? If you want to say anything, let¡¯s just have a proper chat, alright?¡±

    Xi Peng Peak had always been good at keeping the peace and patching up a quarrel. In addition, they also had a bad habit of diminishing important events into small matters.

    In the past, Zheng YangZi had hated this kind of unconcerned attitude and this Peak Master¡¯s habit of always glossing things over. However, at this moment, he only repeatedly nodded as he said, ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯spletely right.¡±

    Xi Ling Peak¡¯s Peak Master also began speaking. ¡°It¡¯s better if the youngsters settle their own personal matters. If we give them a big punishment and end up making these things public......After all, there are boundaries to these kind of matters.¡±

    The other Peak Masters began agreeing one after another. ¡°Yes, that¡¯spletely correct.¡±

    Li QiShuang began considering everything. She didn¡¯t care about what happened to Luo MingChuan, but this wouldn¡¯t be good to her junior-apprentice brother¡¯s reputation.

    Of course, everyone else could also think of the things she had thought of.

    That man¡¯s well-defined hand rested on the box containing his sword. Almost at the same time, a ng of metal rang out within the very depths of everyone¡¯s souls. Thus, everybody couldn¡¯t help but tremble.

    Once again, that chilly voice began echoing through the pce hall. ¡°The trial will end at this point. The matters we¡¯ve learned today cannot be divulged to anyone else.¡±

    When Jun Yu finished speaking, he nced at Zheng YangZi.

    Zheng YangZi knew that this was Jun Yu¡¯s way of asking for his opinion. The younger man had finally remembered to give him some face. Thus, he also said, ¡°Everyone, please bear in mind, these matters cannot be told to other people.¡±

    Jun Yu nodded. He handed his sword to the sword bearer before standing up.

    Liu QiShuang and Duan ChongXuan also followed behind him.

    Feeling extremely emotional, Yin BiYue watched his cheaply-obtained apprentice brothers and sister approach him.

    What should he say?

    Should he say, thanks a lot guys, your assistance went in apletely wrong direction, making it seem as if Luo MingChuan really did something to him!

    If he didn¡¯t say thank you......these people were willing to help him to this degree even though they weren¡¯t friendly with the original Yin BiYue. It was truly more than just doing their duty. Instead they were extremely benevolent!

    He was a viin, where the heck did these protective mama bearse from? Did you guys walk into the wrong film?!

    However, very quickly, Yin BiYue realized that he had been thinking too much. After all, when Jun Yu finally stood before him, he didn¡¯t manage to say a single word.

    The man raised the hand covered by his wide sleeve. His finger was a bit cold as he touched the spot between Yin BiYue¡¯s eyes.

    Abruptly, pure, cold and raw energy flowed through his finger and into Yin BiYue¡¯s spiritual vein.

    As if it was a stream of clear and cleansing spring water, all the invisible shackles within his body suddenly disappeared. Boundless true essence began bubbling out as it rapidly poured into his four limbs and every inch of his bones. It felt as if every piece of muscle in his body became smoothed out as every piece of bone began brimming with energy. Suddenly, Yin BiYue felt invigorated as his entire body became rxed and refreshed.

    Jun Yu had unsealed his cultivation.

    For a moment, Yin BiYue could only stare nkly. The feeling of possessing power really felt too nice.

    Then, he heard the man in front of him speak in a light tone. ¡°It isn¡¯t cultivation deviation.¡±

    His next words were said toward the two people standing behind him. ¡°Send junior-apprentice brother back to rest.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan smiled. ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother suffered so many unfortunate events. You truly ought to take a nice break.¡±

    Liu QiShuang added on, ¡°I¡¯ll go and invite Elder Ning over so he could carefully give you a check-up.¡±

    And just like this, Yin BiYue was practically lifted up and dragged out of the Qing He Pce Hall.

    With matters finished, one after another, the other Peak Masters began getting up and saying their goodbyes as well.

    Luo MingChuan had been staring at that teenager¡¯s back, however, his line of sight was suddenly blocked by a tall figure.

    Step by step, Jun Yu began walking toward him. When he was around three steps away, he stopped and began staring into Luo MingChuan¡¯s eyes.

    Instantly, Luo MingChuan became frozen to his spot as he became unable to move a single step. Cold, frightening power that could destroy the heavens and wipe out the ground began rushing toward him, making him feel as though he was looking down an abyss or if he had a sword to his neck.

    He almost believed that in the next second, that wooden box would explode. Then, that sword that was capable of cutting a mountain into two pieces or razing Cang Ya Mountain to the ground would fly out before skewering him in the chest.

    It felt as though he had suffered the brunt of this ice-cold power for ten years, even though it had clearly been merely a second. Finally, Jun Yu turned around and left. Luo MingChuan leaned forward and began gulping downrge mouthfuls of air. It was only then did he realize that cold sweat had already drenched his clothing.

    The dazed He YanYun standing not too far away finally dared to rush over now. She tried helping Luo MingChuan up a few times without seeding. Thus, she anxiously asked, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo, how do you feel? Are you okay ah?¡±

    This time, Zheng YangZi did not make a move.

    He knew he would be unable to stop Jun Yu. In addition, nothing would happen to Luo MingChuan. Jun Yu only wanted to give him a small punishment to prevent this from happening again. In the end, he still let Luo MingChuan off lightly.

    Zheng YangZi couldn¡¯t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, this mess had ended......just when he about to drag his disciple back home and give him a thorough beating, he saw his unfilial disciple get up and chase after a certain teenager.

    ¡°Let me see junior-apprentice brother once! I want to tell him something!¡±

    ......Zheng YangZi was going to kill this shameful disciple of his, this stupid disciple who kept trying to court death!

 Chapter 8 - The Convalescence

    Chapter 8: The Convalescence

    Cang Ya Mountain, Mission Hall.

    Within a boiling cauldron of voices, cultivators didn¡¯t gather here just to receive sect assignments. No, a bigger reason for them to stay here was because they could leisurely chat and gossip with the other disciples. They could also take the chance to expand their informationworks. It was a great way to enrich their exhausting cultivation lifestyles.

    ¡°Howe things ended like this? To say senior-apprentice brother Luo was in the wrong, I don¡¯t believe it!¡±

    ¡°A month of istion for the both of them? What kind of punishment is that? That Xi Hua Peak disciple, everytime he shut himself in for closed-door cultivation, he could stay there for half a year! However, senior-apprentice brother Luo¡¯s situation is different. Currently, he needs to take charge and appear personally to handle many Cang Ya Mountain matters. What should we do now?¡±

    ¡°Actually, this result might not necessarily have been Xi Hua Peak being biased. At that time, I was standing at a good ce. Senior-apprentice brother Luo had walked into the Pce Hall with dishevelled hair while respectively holding his sword with both hands. It really looked like he was walking in to acknowledge his mistake......¡±

    Suddenly, a person bowed his head and lowered his voice. ¡°Do you guys think, for the results of the trial to be like this......Was it not because of the Sword Saint¡¯s famous name?¡±

    As if it was because they had mentioned the two words, ¡®Sword Saint¡¯, for a moment, everyone¡¯s voices became much quieter as their attitudes became more cautious as well.

    The silent teenager sitting in a corner suddenly shouted. ¡°What do you guys know?!¡±

    Everyone followed the voice and looked over. Then, they realized that this was the Mission Hall¡¯s Cheng Xi.

    Someone hurriedly slung their arm over his shoulders before saying, ¡°Yo kid, you know something, right? I heard you were one of the people who escorted that Xi Hua Peak disciple from the dungeon to the Pce Hall?¡±

    The teenager¡¯s gaze was firm as he began speaking once more.

    ¡°Martial Uncle Yin is a good person. If you¡¯ve really met him, you wouldn¡¯t be misled by the rumours!¡±

    Amotion rose when the others heard that.

    Everybody became exhrated as they approached Cheng Xi. There were even some people who moved over benches and prepared some tea. They made him sit down and moisten his throat before listening to him slowly exin his experience with Yin BiYue.

    Compared to the noisy outside world that was currently circting with a bunch of gossip, Yin BiYue¡¯s courtyard on Xi Hua Peak was much more peaceful.

    Even if Duan ChongXuan still hadn¡¯t left.

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, this is the medicinal soup made from the prescription Elder Ning gave you. Quickly drink it while it¡¯s still hot.¡±

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, your innate talent is unsurpassed and your future growth cannot be measured. You must not feel depressed because of that person.¡±

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, do you have something you can¡¯t figure out? Don¡¯t worry, we can slowly chat about it, ah......¡±

    ewew

    Yin BiYue, who had been leaning against the headboard of his bed in order to drink the medicine, almost did a spit take. He really couldn¡¯t imagine what the heck this guy was fantasizing right now.

    He lightly coughed before saying, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, I¡¯ll like some quiet......¡±

    Don¡¯t ask him who quiet was.

    He was too naive, to have actually doubted the original Yin BiYue¡¯s judgement. However, who would have thought that this elegant and noble man was actually a chatterbox?

    ¡°No, that won¡¯t do. Senior-apprentice sister has already instructed me to carefully watch over you......senior-apprentice brother, what are you looking for? Don¡¯t get off your bed, I¡¯ll help you get it.¡±

    Yin BiYue sighed. ¡°Fifth junior-apprentice brother, I feel my true essence functioning without any obstructions. Furthermore, Elder Ning has already said that there are no problems with my spiritual vein. As for this ¡®White Hair Illness¡¯, for now, it¡¯s not possible to find the illness¡¯ origin. You and second senior-apprentice sister have no need to bustle around for this.¡±

    After all, it wasn¡¯t like he was disabled.

    Yin BiYue hadn¡¯t even finished speaking when he saw the chatterbox stare at him in a stunned manner.

    His heart suddenly tightened. Did he just......OOC1?!

    That¡¯s right, the original Yin BiYue would never have talked for such a long time!

    Yin BiYue hastily shut up.

    However, it had already been toote.

    The person who had originally been sitting on the stool in front of the bed moved his chair even closer to him. His pleasantly surprised face looked full of expectations as he began speaking.

    ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, I just knew you were someone who could chat with people!¡±

    Yin BiYue felt a bit crushed. ¡°......I can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe that!¡±

    Alright then. Since they had to chat about something, it would be better to skip straight to the real issue.

    ¡°You entered the Sect a year ago. At that time, I had been in the middle of closed-door cultivation. In the past, we didn¡¯t have many interactions either. I had been unable to fulfill my responsibility as a senior-apprentice brother and look after you. At the Qing He Pce Hall, I still haven¡¯t thanked you yet for speaking out and defending me......¡±

    When Yin BiYue said this, other than expressing his gratitude, he was also trying to feel out how Duan ChongXuan was like.

    He could understand Jun Yu or Li QiShuang¡¯s actions, since they were just fulfilling their responsibilities as his seniors. However, he couldn¡¯t really understand Duan ChongXuan. If he had defended him merely because of their rtionship as disciples from the same Peak, then the other attached extreme importance to righteousness and justice.

    ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, why are you being so courteous to me? I¡¯ve always remembered, the first words you¡¯ve said to me......it was so long ah! ......Although, after that you¡¯ve never cared about me, but I¡¯ve always thought that you were someone who could chat with others!¡±

    Ah yes, he remembered that. Back then, the original Yin BiYue truly did tell Duan ChongXuan, ¡®My name is Yin BiYue. I entered the Sect two years before you, and can be considered as your fourth senior-apprentice brother. Usually, I¡¯ll be cultivating within the fourth courtyard on the peak. If you encounter difficulties with a cultivation technique, you can pass on a message to me using amunication talisman. If there¡¯s nothing wrong, do not bother me.¡¯

    Was that considered as long? No matter how you look at that, didn¡¯t it just mean, ¡®I, your father2, am your fourth senior-apprentice brother. If there¡¯s nothing important, don¡¯te over and annoy me¡¯, ah!

    Yin BiYue pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Is chatting something you consider to be very important?¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t really that......¡± Duan ChongXuan looked a bit nostalgic.

    ¡°It¡¯s just that, in the past, it was necessary for me to say a lot of things everyday at home. Kind words and unpleasant ones, truths and lies, words with good intentions and harsh threats, or words notplied with one¡¯s heart......the reason I entered a sect was because I wanted to hide in a peaceful ce and not speak. I wanted to go wherever was more quiet. However, I would never have imagined that this ce would be too peaceful!¡±

    ¡°Eldest senior-apprentice brother says an average of three sentences per year! I counted today, at the trial he actually spoke four sentences because of you. Yeah......I don¡¯t expect him to say anything until next year.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan continued to speak in a grieving andmenting tone, ¡°Second senior-apprentice sister also doesn¡¯t like to speak. As for third senior-apprentice brother, he¡¯ll be able to speak more, but he¡¯ll always be drunk! In addition, he never returns to the Peak! In any case, it¡¯s not like I can speak to Master¡¯s portrait, right? It¡¯s not like Master has died. An old guy like him wouldn¡¯t be happy if I did something like that!¡±

    No, what Yin BiYue was more concerned about right now was why Master received Duan ChongXuan as a disciple......

    Completely minding his own business, the chatterbox poured a cup of Mount Jun¡¯s Clouds and Mist Tea for himself.

    ¡°However, fortunately there¡¯s still you, fourth senior-apprentice brother!¡±

    The corner of Yin BiYue¡¯s mouth twitched. Alright then, this chatterbox¡¯s reason for defending him was truly quite simple......

    Duan ChongXuan helped him pour a cup of tea as well. ¡°I understand that you¡¯ve encountered unpleasant changes in your life and now suffer from emotional issues and pent-up frustrations. You must want to find someone to chat about this and release some stress. Even if it¡¯s to scold and curse out that immoral and despicable person together, that¡¯s okay too!¡±

    Yin BiYue hurriedly opened his mouth. ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, you¡¯ve misunderstood. There¡¯s really no rtionship between me and him!¡±

    Duan ChongXuan sighed. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to talk about these hurtful things, we can chat about something else as well......Oh, right. These are some things that guy sent over. He had been very enthusiastic and it was hard to decline his good intentions, so I helped you receive these things. If seeing them makes you feel annoyed, however, it¡¯s okay to just throw them away. After all, it¡¯s not like our Xi Hua Peakck stuff like this.¡±

    When Luo MingChuan was mentioned, Yin BiYue¡¯s mood became quiteplicated.

    At the Qing He Pce Hall and near the end of his trial, Yin BiYue even had the urge to pull out a random sword and stab that liar. However, after calming down, what was left was a heart full of conflicted feelings.

    What kind of bizarre thought process did Luo MingChuan have?

    How the heck did he manage to think up that exnation?

    Today¡¯s youth were really hard to understand, ah.

    Yin BiYue took the porcin bottle and the spiritual mushroom Duan ChongXuan handed him. ¡°Where¡¯s senior-apprentice brother Luo?¡±

    Duan ChongXuan lookedpletely calm. ¡°Naturally he went back. How could he have the nerve to face you?¡±

    In reality, what happened was this:

    Luo MingChuan was stuck outside Xi Hua Peak¡¯s restriction barrier. He had no other choice but to shout, ¡°I wish to meet junior-apprentice brother once!¡±

    Duan ChongXuan looked quite awkward as he replied, ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother had stayed too long in the Cang Ya Mountain dungeons. I¡¯m afraid that his spiritual root has been damaged.¡±

    Luo MingChuan immediately said, ¡°I have three ranked nine essence rejuvenation pellets here.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan took the porcin bottle he offered before faintly sighing. ¡°The dungeon is very cold......¡±

    ¡°I also have a Jade Fire Mushroom,¡± Luo MingChuan took it out before asking in a hopeful tone. ¡°Would it be possible for me to see him once......?¡±

    Duan ChongXuan held the medicine and the mushroom before waving his free hand. ¡°I¡¯ll help you send these things to him. Senior-apprentice brother Luo, I won¡¯t send you out, walk slowly and be careful!¡±

    When Duan ChongXuan began walking up his meet, he coincidentally met Li QiShuang who had been going down the mountain.

    ¡°Luo MingChuan just visited us?¡±

    Duan ChongXuan smiled. ¡°I didn¡¯t let him enter.¡±

    Liu QiShuang nodded her head, tacitly agreeing with his actions. ¡°I¡¯ll go and discuss this issue with eldest senior-apprentice brother. You go nurse and watch over junior-apprentice brother.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan had wanted to say a few more words, however, his senior-apprentice sister had already turned away and walked into the distance.

    Yin BiYue frowned.

    That doesn¡¯t make any sense, ah. Even if Luo MingChuan thought up that kind of exnation, why was heing here to send him things? It was like he really did something unforgivable to him......

    Bah! What a hideous mess this was.

    Thus, when Liu QiShuang returned, the first thing she saw was Yin BiYue¡¯s worried frown and his face that was full of anxiety.

    ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, I¡¯ve already checked the ancient books and records from the library. Although your White Hair Disease came in a strange manner, there are ways to cure it. You don¡¯t have to be so concerned.¡±

    When he saw Liu QiShuang, Yin BiYue wanted to get off his bed. However, Li QiShuang gestured for him to stay put.

    He had no other choice but to say, ¡°Second senior-apprentice sister, I¡¯m really fine now.¡±

    Liu QiShuang shook her head. ¡°The dungeon is very unique. When all is said and done, staying there for a long time is very harmful to your body. If you don¡¯t carefully rest and take care of yourself now, you may damage your spiritual vein. If that happens, from now on, you will face many cultivation problems. Therefore, for the next couple of days, it¡¯s still better to lie in bed and rest.¡±

    Yin BiYue was leftpletely speechless.

    ¡°Have a good rest. When you feel more spirited, go and visit our eldest senior-apprentice brother. For now, I and junior-apprentice brother Duan will stop disturbing you here.¡±

    Yin BiYue nodded. ¡°Many thanks for senior-apprentice sister¡¯s concern. Second senior-apprentice sister, fifth junior-apprentice brother, please walk slowly.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan looked as if he still wanted to stay and chat for a while. However, after he nced at Liu QiShuang, he seemed to have put an end to that thought and silently followed her out.

    The moment they left, Yin BiYue flipped over and got off his bed.

    He had already entered the Soul Manifestation realm. Meditating andpleting breathing exercises were more than enough to rece sleep. In the past, the original Yin BiYue would practice his swordy everyday at the ice-cold pond. During the day he would practice swordy, during the night he would return to the room he used to meditate in before meditating for the entire night. It had truly been a long time since he had entered his bedroom.

    In addition, his true essence was abundant and functioning without any problems. There was no need for him to lie in bed and rest.

    Liu QiShuang¡¯s concern was probably because of that medical cultivator Elder Ning. He couldn¡¯t find the origin for the White Hair Disease, yet Li QiShuang kept asking him questions. Thus, he was forced to dere that Yin BiYue just had pent-up emotions and should stay in bed to repercurate. There was no need to worry......basically, the elder said a bunch of nonsense like that.

    Yin BiYue walked outside his bedroom before sweeping his gaze around the original Yin BiYue¡¯s courtyard.

    White walls, grey tiles. The whole ce was arranged in an extremely simple manner. There wasn¡¯t even a single superfluous decoration.

    Facing the south, the door of the courtyard faced the centre of the sky. As far as the eye could see, clouds rolled around like the waves of an ocean. Within the small gaps of white, one could see hints of emerald green pines.

    A restriction barrier was ced at the door of the courtyard. It prevented unwanted visitors from entering and hid this ce other prying eyes.

    Yin BiYue threw out some true essence onto the restriction barrier. Immediately, the barrier began rippling like water. Intricate lines created a delicate pattern of the eight inner gates. If someone tried to force an entry, the barrier would borrow energy and strike back to devour the intruder.

    Vaguely, Yin BiYue remembered that a long time ago, he seemed to have transmigrated into a xianxia3 world and saw someone use a simr technique. This clearly told him that other than swordy, the original Yin BiYue had been pretty proficient at seals and barriers.

    There were some benefits to transmigrating a lot. After all, there would inevitably be some things that were the same as what he had experienced in previous worlds.

    Yin BiYue pushed open the door to the room he used for meditation and immediately felt the pressure of a de rushing toward him. Instantly, it made his spirit stretch taut to the extreme.

    He concentrated his Soul Manifestation realm before walking inside. Although this wasn¡¯t the ce where the original Yin BiYue practiced his swordy and was only the ce where he meditated, this room was full of sharp, spiritual sword intent.

    Walking in a bit more, suddenly, an incorperal but immense pressure began rushing toward him in all directions.

    There were two rooms in this ce. The outer room functioned more like a study room, with a deskplete with pen and ink. There was a tall bookshelf that touched the roof leaning against the east wall, with both jade books and bamboo ones bound with string.

    There was also a low couch a bit further away from the bookshelf. On the couch, there was a praying mat for meditation.

    Yin BiYue closed his eyes and concentrated. He could sense the fine fluctuations of true essence here as well. Sure enough, there was another seal hidden in this room. If someone outside the room tried to attack the restriction barrier while he was meditating, the seal made it possible for him to directly strike the intruder without moving a single muscle. In addition, the attack would be almost instantaneous.

    Yin BiYue suddenly remembered that when the original Yin BiYue had first entered Xi Hua Peak, many people didn¡¯t ept his status and often dropped by to challenge him. The original Yin BiYue just sat here and threw those people off the mountain without even opening the door.

    The way he dealt with those challengers had been extremely simple. In addition, it had been extremely arrogant as well.

    This also meant that the original Yin BiYue had offended a lot of people. That was why, the moment he met misfortune, there had been so many people who hurried over to hit him while he had been down.

    Yin BiYue sat on the praying mat, his suspicions and doubts bing even deeper.

    The sharp spiritual sword intent here was a type that advanced courageously no matter the circumstances. For what reason would a person this obsessed with cultivating be that intent on killing Luo MingChuan?

    Had it really been because of the original Yi BiYue¡¯s extreme hate?

    Now, Yin BiYue felt quite unsure whether or not this was the real reason.

    However, he stopped trying to guess what had happened. This was because, right now, there were more important things that had to be done.

    Yin BiYue held the sword that was tied to his waist.

    This sword had been confiscated before the original Yin BiYue entered the Cang Ya Mountain dungeon. Yesterday, Jun Yu¡¯s sword bearer had dropped by to return it to him.

    The first moment he saw his sword, Yin BiYue actually felt as if this sword was scarier than Jun Yu¡¯s sword, the one kept in that peach wooden box he had felt at the Qing He Pce Hall.

    Thankfully, that kind of illusion onlysted for a moment before fading away.

    The sword was three chi4 and two inches in length. The entire sword was pitch-ck. There were no patterns or engravings on the sword, and although the de was thin, the whole sword was quite heavy.

    When Yin BiYue unsheathed the sword, he couldn¡¯t see the glint of the edges. Then, when he inserted his true essence, it felt like he was doing somethingpletely useless, as if his energy was just disappearing with no hopes of returning.

    This sword did not recognize him.

    That was extremely strange. Why would a sword without a spirit not recognize him as its owner?

    Yin BiYue was a martial arts cultivator. More specifically, he was a sword cultivator. Although his cultivation realm was still intact, if he couldn¡¯t use his sword, he was no different from a child who had a mountain of treasures but was unaware of them.

    For now, this was Yin BiYue¡¯s biggest problem.

    Whether it was the Holy Mother protagonist with his exotically strange thought processes, or that cheaply obtained Master of his that only lived in legends, or even his mama bear apprentice brothers and sisters that had walked into the wrong film. All of those issues had to take a backseat.

    To continue surviving in this world and to be the ultimate final boss, not a cannon fodder, the most important thing was strength.

 Chapter 9 - The Swordâ€™s Name

    Chapter 9: The Sword¡¯s Name

    There wasn¡¯t a lot of people living on Xi Hua Peak. Other than the Sword Saint¡¯s ¡®Chief Courtyard¡¯ that was locked up for the entire year, five courtyards was scattered from east to west, starting with their eldest senior-apprentice brother¡¯s ¡®Primary Courtyard¡¯. From the building¡¯s style to even the floors, everything was decided by the courtyard¡¯s owner.

    The Peak disciples Yin BiYue had imed to have walked into the wrong film were currently holding a meeting within the main hall of Jun Yu¡¯s ¡®Primary Courtyard¡¯.

    Jun Yu¡¯s residence was even simpler than the owner himself. There weren¡¯t any superfluous furnishings or decorations.

    In fact, the lobby of the courtyard only had two chairs. Because of this, Duan ChongXuan had to bring his own round stool.

    Although their gathering could be described as a meeting, only three people attended: Jun Yu, Liu QiShuang, and Duan ChongXuan. The third disciple Yan Xing was still travelling the world and hadn¡¯t returned to the Peak in a long time.

    If it hadn¡¯t been for this incident, these Peak disciples would have probably waited until the Sword Saint came back before gathering again. In that case, it would have been many years before they held a meeting like this.

    Duan ChongXuan yed with his fan. ¡°Today, I went to chat with fourth senior-apprentice brother. Fourth senior-apprentice brother¡¯s words were earnest and sincere, and......and he wasn¡¯t even annoyed with me disturbing him.¡±

    Liu QiShuang nodded her head. ¡°I also feel that nowadays, Fourth is truly different from how gloomy he had been in the past. That being said, we are all responsible for this matter.¡±

    Jun Yu didn¡¯t speak. Instead, he just nodded his head to express his agreement.

    Liu QiShuang continued to talk, ¡°It can be clearly seen that junior-apprentice brother wasn¡¯t naturally born with a mncholic personality. I¡¯m afraid that he had suffered a shock and had nowhere toin, for him to have be like that.¡±

    Hearing that, Duan ChongXuan began to analyze this entire matter from the start to the end.

    The results of the discussion quickly emerged:

    In the past, Yin BiYue wasn¡¯t fond of socializing with other people. Even his interactions with the disciples of his own Peak had been extremely few. This absolutely had to be because he had been harmed by Luo MingChuan and thus developed a psychological shadow. As disciples of the same Peak as Yin BiYue, they didn¡¯t manage to promptly offer their assistance. This should not have happened and thus, Yin BiYue¡¯s current state was their full responsibility. However, their utmost priority right now was to ponder over how they could provide Yin BiYue with some therapy.

    Duan ChongXuan spoke up, ¡°Eldest senior-apprentice brother, don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ll find a lot of time to go and chat with fourth senior-apprentice brother!¡±

    Jun Wu nodded before he frowned slightly. ¡°White Hair Illness.¡±

    He randomly raised a topic out of the blue, but the two seated people both understood his meaning.

    Liu QiShuang said, ¡°I¡¯m also thinking about this......at present, even though we can¡¯t see any problems, what can we do if it¡¯s actually a hidden danger and breaks out sometime in the future?!¡±

    After a cultivator removed the impurities from their meridians and bones, their bodies be differentpared to an ordinary human being¡¯s. Thus, one could no longer usemon sense when discussing them.

    The process of cultivating was hard to fathom, and there was never ack of strange idents along the way.

    Naturally, incidents where a cultivator spontaneously exploded was by no means an isted case.

    Hair turning white in a short amount of time was generally considered as the repercussions of cultivation deviation.

    In the dungeon, Yin BiYue¡¯s cultivation had been sealed so it was impossible for him to cultivate. In addition, Elder Ning had given him a check-up and assured them that his white hair wasn¡¯t a problem birthed from a mishap in cultivation. As for the cause of the change, he could only give them an unclear answer of ¡®suffering from a mental knot¡¯.

    Obviously, this wasn¡¯t enough to convince the three people gathered today.

    Especially because there were no signs of Yin BiYue recovering even after he drank medicine.

    It could be said that this matter wasn¡¯t a huge issue, nor was it a small one. If it only affected Yin BiYue¡¯s appearance, then this wasn¡¯t something that would hinder him. However, if it was really a hidden danger, then there would always be a day where it would reveal itself to harm Yin BiYue. And by then, it would probably be toote to find a solution.

    Of course, if the Sword Saint returned, then all of these problems wouldn¡¯t be troubling anymore. However, no one knew where the Sword Saint was.

    Jun Yu stayed silent.

    Liu QiShuang murmured in a deep tone, ¡°If we can¡¯t think of anything, I¡¯ll just apany junior-apprentice brother and take him on a trip to Xing Shan Temple.¡±

    The best medicinal cultivators cultivated the spiritual path, and the most famous Sects that specialized in cultivating the spiritual path were Xing Shan Temple and Jie Kong Temple.

    The tone Liu QiShuang used made it sound as if her suggestion was a decision, albeit an unsatisfactory one. After all, Jie Kong Temple had long closed itself off from worldly affairs, and Xing Shan Temple was located very far away.

    However, Jun Yu shook his head. Although he didn¡¯t say what they could do instead, his attitude was firm and resolute.

    The other two knew their eldest senior-apprentice brother had made a decision in his heart, and thus they didn¡¯t continue to ask about it.

    Usually, Jun Yu and Liu QiShuang were immersed in cultivating. They were also reticent and of few words. Although Duan ChongXuan liked chatting with others, he had entered their Peakte and couldn¡¯t bring himself to disturb them.

    On top of that, the Sword Saint hadn¡¯t returned in a long time, and even the third disciple Yan Xing didn¡¯t return to their Peak all year round.

    Reasonably speaking, Cang Yang Mountain¡¯s Xi Hua Peak ought to be the Peak where the friendships between their disciples were the weakest.

    However, when they had a person they all wanted to protect, the friendship between them would be one where extra words were unnecessary.

    This kind of feeling made Duan ChongXuan¡¯s heart feel extremely warm. He felt as if he had be much more intimate with the remote and distant eldest senior-apprentice brother and second senior-apprentice sister.

    If his thoughts were known by the Sect Leader Zheng YangZi, it was certain that he would p his thigh before cursing them out. What ¡®tacit understanding between Peak disciples¡¯? It was clearly just them being protective mama bears, no, unreasonable mama bears!

    It was exactly the characteristic passed down from generation to generation in Xi Hua Peak! Like Master, like apprentice!

    Zheng YangZi took a look at the Luo MingChuan who had kneeled outside their Pce Hall ever since he had returned. Sighing, Zheng YangZi turned toward He YanYun and said, ¡°The temperature outside has dropped. Let your senior-apprentice brother in.¡±

    After Luo MingChuan walked in, he once again kneeled in front of Zheng YangZi. ¡°Master.¡±

    Right now, Zheng YangZi¡¯s anger had long vanished. He thoroughly understood the disciple he had raised. After calming down and thinking things over, Zheng YangZi realized that Luo MingChuan had probably piled all the wrongs onto himself once again.

    Initially, he had appointed Luo MingChuan as Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s seeding disciple and the next Sect Leader not only because of his talent in cultivating, but also because he had approved of the boy¡¯s sense of responsibility.

    The Sect Leader didn¡¯t need to be the strongest or have the highest cultivation level, but he must have a sense of responsibility.

    However, now Zheng YangZi felt extremely helpless. This kind of excessive sense of responsibility seemed to have already be Luo MingChuan¡¯s burden.

    For this incident, his exnation to outsiders had been:

    ¡®Demonic cultivators had been the ones responsible and Yin BiYue hadn¡¯t intended to truly injure people. He had merely been bewitched, but Luo MingChuan had hastily punished him and ended up sending Yin BiYue to the dungeons before he could clearly exin what had happened. Both of them made mistakes, thus they will be each punished with a month of istion.¡¯

    However, if what his disciple had said was known to outsiders, it would definitely be something that would taint Luo MingChuan¡¯s prestige.

    Fortunately, since Jun Yu had brought his sword out, nobody who had been in the Pce Hall that day would dare to gossip about this matter.

    That was the sword Wei JingFeng had left behind for Jun Yu¡ª¡ªthe masterpiece ¡®Spring Mountain¡¯s Smile¡¯.

    Somewhat tired, the old Sect Leader with white hair and a white beard massaged the spot between his eyebrows. If that sword became unsheathed, even he had to avoid its cutting edge.

    He didn¡¯t know when that guy who had given this sword to Jun Yu would return to discipline his disciples. Had he long forgotten that something like Cang Ya Mountain still existed?

    Then, Zheng YangZi immediately thought of something else......forget it, it was better if he didn¡¯t return.

    After thinking about a bunch of trivial matters, his mncholic mood dissipated and he helped his kneeling disciple up.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t wish to tell me the truth, I won¡¯t force you. I¡¯m just angered by your behaviour and how you handled things this time. You didn¡¯t think about the consequences of your reactions at all. Did you even consider what would have happened if I hadn¡¯t sealed your speech and allowed you to continue speaking in front of the entire Cang Ya Mountain?¡±

    ¡°Not every problem is your fault and needs you to take responsibility. This is because you must shoulder the responsibility of the entire Cang Ya. Nothing will be more important than this duty.¡±

    Zheng YangZi looked at his disciple, the one that had already grown taller than him. With a sigh, he continued to speak, ¡°After all, there will be a day where I will hand Cang Ya over to you.¡±

    Luo MingChuan bowed his head and earnestly said, ¡°Disciple knows his wrongs.¡±

    Zheng YangZi waved his hand. ¡°Alright, you can decide how you want to settle this matter yourself. YanYun, you can withdraw as well.¡±

    Young people had their own paths. Fortunately, his own life wasn¡¯t going to end any time soon, so he was able to look after them for a while longer.

    Recently, Yin BiYue passed his days practicing his sword cultivation without any rests. It was as if he had some kind of man-eating beast chasing after him.

    The original Yin BiYue¡¯s sword martial art techniques still existed in his memories. However, this sword wouldn¡¯t ept his true essence. He couldn¡¯tpletely use it, so in his hands, this sword was no differentpared to a regr piece of iron.

    Because Yin BiYue was afraid that other people would notice something off, he didn¡¯t leave his courtyard for an entire month. Day and night, he stayed in the small courtyard to practice his sword techniques.

    The fact that he was unable to use his sword was like a sharp knife hanging above his head, pressuring him and making him unable to breathe.

    Thus, Yin BiYue decided to think up another n today, at least one that would allow him to temporarily fool people.

    At this time, someone knocked on the door of his courtyard. Distantly, Yin BiYue could hear the chatterbox¡¯s voice, ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, I¡¯ve came to see you fourth senior-apprentice brother¡ª¡ª¡±

    Yin BiYue lifted his sword and walked over to open the door.

    Duan ChongXuan walked in as he lightly fanned himself. After looking him over, he said, ¡°How do you feel these days, senior-apprentice brother? Do you feel ufortable anywhere? Have you been taking your medicine on time?¡±

    That was right ah, Yin BiYue was still eating medicine everyday. He didn¡¯t dare tell his apprentice-siblings that he was giving up treatment.

    On the surface, however, his expression didn¡¯t change at all as he nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine. There¡¯s no need to worry.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan stared at him, looking like he had wanted to say something but was hesitating over whether he should. When he realized that Yin BiYue didn¡¯t intend to continue speaking, he rubbed his nose and began rambling even though he didn¡¯t have anything to say.

    ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother is practicing your sword y, huh......fourth senior-apprentice brother¡¯s swordy is so delicate and refined. When I first entered the Sect, I was fortunate enough to see you practice. The sight had stirred my heart and even to this day, I can¡¯t forget them.¡±

    Yin BiYue felt slightly rmed. He was a bit afraid that Duan ChongXuan would ask him to show him a set of sword-y or something like that.

    Thus, he seamlessly changed the topic. ¡°If we¡¯re talking about refined swordy, in our Cang Ya, who could be better than eldest senior-apprentice brother?¡±

    That day in the Pce Hall, Yin BiYue had been quite baffled. He didn¡¯t understand why everyone, including the Sect Leader, would have a ¡®let¡¯s calmly talk, don¡¯t be impulsive¡¯ kind of expression the moment Jun Yu brought his sword over.

    However, the moment he saw that peach wood sword box, he suddenly remembered. Jun Yu¡¯s sword was ¡®Spring Mountain Smile¡¯.

    Rumour has it that the Sword Saint gathered fire that flowed from the skies, meteorite sand, and iron submerged in the Yellow Sea. Then, he invited over the master swordsmith Yan Qing to aid him in casting the metal into a mold. They used the ancient Heavenly Weapon ¡®Lin Yuan¡¯, remelting and recasting it to create a pair of swords.

    After taking three years, the swords finally saw the light of day. Cang Ya Mountain weed the arrival of the pair of Spring and Autumn.

    The Sword Saint was very pleased. He pped his hands together andughed merrily. Since the spring hills were this charming in his eyes, the spring hills must think he was beautiful as well, no?

    As a result, the long sword received its name, ¡®Spring Mountain Smile¡¯, and the short sword became known as, ¡®Departure of Autumn¡¯s Breeze¡¯.

    ¡®Spring Mountain Smile¡¯ was given to Jun Yu, so he could guard and protect Cang Ya. On the other hand, ¡®Departure of Autumn¡¯s Breeze¡¯ followed the Sword Saint as he wandered the four seas.

    If someone raised the topic of the Heavenly Weapons in their world today, this set of swords would be the first people would talk about.

    The moment Yin BiYue changed the topic, he saw Duan ChongXuan¡¯s eyes light up.

    Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t have the intentions to invite the other boy inside to chat and drink some tea.

    However, unexpectedly, he saw Duan ChongXuan magick out a set of chairs and a table. He even took out some melon seeds and a teapot as he pointed at a chair with his fan, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, please sit!¡±

    The corner of Yin BiYue¡¯s lips twitched.

    Don¡¯t tell him that Duan ChongXuan¡¯s spatial storage space was filled with these things? Just so that he could chat with people anytime, anywhere?

    The chatterbox didn¡¯t seem to care about what others would think about him. Sitting down, he began to pour some tea. ¡°Since we brought up eldest senior-apprentice brother¡¯s swordy, ah, fourth senior-apprentice brother. Who do you think would have higher odds of winning right now if eldest senior-apprentice brother faced off with Sect Leader?¡±

    ......This was really too gossipy.

    However, Yin BiYue still seriously thought over this question. ¡°Sect Leader is in the Immortalization realm.¡±

    And although Jun Yu possessed a famous sword, he was still a half-step away from the Immortalization realm.

    It was reasonable to say that oveing a cultivator in a higher realm was something nigh impossible. But currently, Yin BiYue didn¡¯t have a profound understanding toward the gap in power between different realms in this world. Thus, he didn¡¯t continue speaking.

    Yin BiYue only knew that the cultivation realms in this world could be divided into these ranks: Qi Condensation stage, Essence Cleansing stage, Soul Manifestation stage, Revtion stage, Enlightenment stage, Immortalization stage, Sage stage, and Holy Saint stage. Everytime one made a breakthrough into another realm, it was the same as crossing a threshold. And the higher one went, the harder the thresholds would be.

    In this world, cultivators who reached the Immortalization stage were few and far between. Their power would be sufficient enough for them to open a Sect, one they were capable of protecting. As for the six Sages, they were powerful people that had enough strength to influence the structure of the world. They each stayed in their own region, withdrawing from worldly affairs.

    And the Saint, the person everyone aspired to be and the first under the heavens, well, there was only him alone who was in his current realm.

    Duan ChongXuan replied, ¡°One¡¯s realm doesn¡¯t equal theirbat abilities. There¡¯s been frequent ounts of martial cultivators fighting against people with a higher realm, so it¡¯s hard to make a judgement. People say that eldest senior-apprentice brother is still a half-step away from the Immortalization realm, but......¡±

    Only now did Yin BiYue feel a bit interested. ¡°But what?¡±

    ¡°However, reportedly, when eldest senior-apprentice brother was young, he left the Peak to tour the world. In the wilderness of the mountains, he came across an Elder in the Immortalization realm who had hidden himself because he was scheming to steal away eldest senior-apprentice brother¡¯s sword. After a bloody battle thatsted five days, eldest senior-apprentice brother forced the wounded Elder to flee three thousand miles. In response to the elder¡¯s attempt at escaping, eldest senior-apprentice brother began chasing after him as he cut through mountains and split over rock, before finally that Elder ended up beneath his sword......¡±

    When he heard that, Yin BiYue¡¯splexion almost changed.

    For a cultivator that was a half-step away from the Immortalization stage to fight against a Immortalization cultivator, and to actually beat them to the point where they didn¡¯t have anywhere to flee......

    That was truly frighteningbat power.

    Duan ChongXuan continued to say, ¡°However, you must understand that was just hearsay. I can¡¯t say for sure that there weren¡¯t any exaggerated ces. But eldest senior-apprentice brother is indeed very strong. At that time, he hadn¡¯t even used ¡®Spring Mountain Smile¡¯, and used a sword that didn¡¯t have a name. Even then, eldest senior-apprentice brother had been able to exert that kind of power.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan¡¯s tone suddenly became a bit regretful. ¡°To tell you the truth, I¡¯ve never seen eldest senior-apprentice brother use ¡®Spring Mountain Smile¡¯ before, so I don¡¯t even know what that sword looks like......¡±

    The sun was setting, and the azure horizon became covered in the heavy colour of twilight. In the far distance, one could hear the cries of tired crows as they began to return to their nests.

    sdd

    In the blink of an eye, that pot of Shan QueShe tea had reached its bottom. Duan ChongXuan suddenly pped his hand onto the table.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right! We talked about eldest senior-apprentice brother for half the day, and only now did I remember that he had instructed me to do something! Last time we met, he told me to tell you that when you¡¯re free, we need to hold a meeting......Today is already quitete, so it would be better if we made our way over together tomorrow morning.¡±

    So, Duan ChongXuan only remembered now to tell him that there was a meeting, something quite important?

    Yin BiYue helplessly nodded his head before replying, ¡°Alright.¡±

 Chapter 10 - The Academy

    Chapter 10: The Academy

    In the end, Yin BiYue was unable to go to the peak meeting that had been scheduled early the next morning.

    Why? Well, it was because a blue messenger sparrow hadnded outside his courtyard.

    The letter he received was written on thin note-paper decorated with cloud patterns. On it, the message wasposed of straightforward Tai-styled characters printed in profound Huizhou ink.

    ¡®Lan Yuan Academy invites you, the esteemed Sire, to return and chat. We eagerly await your arrival.¡¯

    Even the words wereposed of formal speech and filled with polite honorifics. However, although this invitation was tastefully made, it was actually something any high-ranking Sect or influential aristocratic family could create.

    What was different from those was that the invitation card was not only marked with the Academy¡¯s ¡®Life Blossom Stroke¡¯ crest, but also the Academy Director¡¯s personal seal.

    Lan Yuan Academy was not part of the ¡®Three Mountain Sects¡¯, the ¡®Double Buddha Temples¡¯, or the ¡®Twelve Demonic Sects¡¯. It was a neutral faction, but behind all of those different powers, the shadow of the Academy could faintly be seen.

    The current leader of the Bao Pu Sect once studied in the Academy, and the head of the Jie Kong Temple also went there before to speak about Dharma. The cornerstones of these major sects all had a couple disciples that came from the Academy. The Academy¡¯s influence was so great that several illustrious officials from the North Imperial Court Hall had graduated from Lan Yuan Academy as well.

    But, what was most important was that the Academy Director was one of the six great Sages.

    Duan ChongXuan clicked his tongue in astonishment at the sight of the letter, ¡°This kind of godly method, as expected of the Academy Director. Fourth senior-apprentice brother, do you think the spatial array in the seal can take two people? How about we hold each other and go together?¡±

    The corner of Yin BiYue¡¯s lips twitched. He reached out, plucked the invitation back from Duan ChongXuan and read it.

    The way the letter was written looked amiable, but it did not indicate a time for departure.

    The meaning of that was very simple. It basically meant that the recipient of this invitation was to head out immediately.

    He suddenly recalled a vulgar saying from the cultivation realm, ¡°Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s tyranny was genuine: ¡®If you don¡¯t ept it then I will beat you until you do, this Lord is thew!¡¯ And although Lan Yuan Academy looked gentlemanly on the outside because of their polite and amiable actions, they would not allow you to refuse them.

    Yin BiYue¡¯s slender finger rubbed the mark at the corner of the letter, the one barely the size of a palm. The red ink paste was somewhat protruding, and the texture felt exquisitely smooth and soft. It was the ¡®Academy Director¡¯s personal mark,¡¯ a four character seal without any fancy additions.

    Duan Chongxuan watched from the sidelines. Anxiety was written all over his face, as if he feared Yin BiYue would disappear in the blink of an eye.

    Once true essence was poured into the spatial array of the Academy Director¡¯s personal seal, it would activate the array channel. Lan Yuan Academy was in the middle of Yunyang City, while Cang Ya Mountain was to the west; the distance between them was a thousand miles.

    But nowadays, one could get to the other ce in the blink of an eye.

    Yin BiYue could not think of a reason why an important figure like a Sage would want to see him. He also did not believe it was for the reason Duan Chongxuan had thought of, that ¡®because you finished school with good grades, the Director invited you back to lecture¡¯. An exnation like that held no weight at all.

    That was because in the three years he had stayed at the Academy, he didn¡¯t even know the location of the entrance of the Director¡¯s residence. All the matters of the Academy, whether small orrge, were all dealt with by the deputy director and a group of teachers.

    The Academy Director seemed to only need to worry about living as a legend.

    However, if he couldn¡¯t think things through, then there was no need to think about it any longer. In the end, Yin BiYue had to go see him eventually.

    He dipped his head and spoke, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, I will take my leave.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan quickly moved closer, ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, will you really not consider taking me along?! ......Hey, senior-apprentice brother, senior-apprentice brother......¡±

    Duan ChongXuan¡¯s voice was still ringing by his ear when he had appeared in an unfamiliar ce. Shallow water pooled on top of green-bricked ground while the air contained some faintly cooling water vapors.

    It had just rained in Yun Yang City, so the sky was still clearing up.

    Yin BiYue turned around to look at the shadows before he calcted the time difference and distance between the two countries.

    He was currently standing in front of the Academy¡¯srge, vermillion gates which faced a huge array stone shaped like a spiritual mushroom. A vast presence directly assaulted his senses.

    A child dressed in a red robe with his hairbed into a bun was by therge stone. He cupped his hands at Yin BiYue in greeting, ¡°Please follow me, senior-apprentice brother. The Director has already been waiting for you for a long time.¡±

    Rather than calling the Academy a school, it was better to call it a city within a city.

    Why? Well, because its size was extraordinary.

    Next to the array stone was the wide main road of the Academy, leading far away to the lesson hall where the students usually gathered. Currently, it was ¡®ss time¡¯, so the students were all gathered to listen to a lecture.

    Therge main road and hall made the ce seem even more empty.

    After one strolled past the lesson hall, the road would suddenly split off into several paths. There wereplicated, winding corridors, and green bricks pathing roads that were essible from all sides.

    Yin BiYue walked upon the roads that the original Yin BiYue had traveled many times before.

    A ck locust tree with a trunk three arm spans wide acted as a canopy. Green vines crawled and covered the fourth floor of the library, making it and of green when viewed from afar. The paint on the pir between each lesson room was somewhat mottled, revealing the original dark colour beneath.

    The wind carried the sweet scent of grass and the sound of flipping books, while the scenery gave off an ancient feeling.

    What did Lan Yuan Academy teach?

    They taught everything and anything.

    Calligraphy and painting, the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, poetry and prose1, ssical music, basic cultivation, the Hundred Schools of Thought2, the Vastness of the Universe3, and pce court calctions.

    The Academy Director once said, ¡°Questions can be asked early orte. There aren¡¯t merits or drawbacks in doing so either way. There are three thousand paths to take, but all of those routes will eventually lead to the same destination.¡±

    This was precisely the objective of the Academy.

    The child leading him turned and passed yet another arched door, smiling as he asked, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother has graduated from the Academy for quite some time now. Do you still remember your way around here?¡±

    Yin BiYue replied, ¡°I walked these roads ten million times in those three years, I naturally remember. I am just a bit ashamed to say that despite being a student from the Academy, I never knew the Academy Director¡¯s honored name.¡±

    He thought that since this child was the Academy Director¡¯s child servant, he should know the Director¡¯s surname. At least that way, Yin BiYue would be able to greet the Director by name when he met himter.

    But unexpectedly, the child answered, ¡°The Director¡¯s honored name, there really isn¡¯t anyone that knows it. I think, perhaps even the Director himself no longer remembers it.¡±

    Yin BiYue was a bit bbergasted at the information, ¡°Like how some people did not dare to call the Sword Saint by his honored name, so after some time passed, people forgot it?¡±

    From his observations, this child looked naive and had a lively temperament. It could be seen that the people the Director kept by his side were kind. Well, at least on the surface.

    The child frowned, his face at a loss.

    ¡°Yes, but also no. I reckon that for the most part, the Director¡¯s seniority is very high, so no matter who it is and how illustrious their identity, they still all address him respectfully as ¡®Director¡¯. Director is very open-minded, so no matter how lowly or poor someone¡¯s social status was, they could address him as ¡®Director¡¯. And after this went on for such a long time, his name and surname have long be unimportant. After all, from the Director¡¯s point of view, every living being on the earth and the heavens are to be treated equally.¡±

    All living beings were equal? Yin BiYue faintly smiled. This Academy Director truly seemed like a genuine saint.

    But for things below the Saint, everyone else were but insignificant ants.

    45805

    And since they were all ants, then naturally, they were equal.

    Yin BiYue¡¯s face was as peaceful as water as he followed the child and went past many libraries, before they walked into the secluded depths of the Academy. When they took another turn, he suddenly fell behind a step. By the time Yin BiYue looked up again, the child¡¯s figure had disappeared into thin air.

    Yin Biyue did not panic. Instead, he headed forward as if he was on a leisurely stroll.

    The entire academy was part of the Director¡¯s private domain. A flower, a leaf, a bird or a beast, anything inside were within his grasp. So if he got lost, then the Director would know.

    He walked past the martial arts training room. The youngsters within the room were currently diligently training their swords, their faces young and their expression determined. Their sweat flowed down from their foreheads and into their cors. After passing through the long corridor, Yin Biyue came upon the Contemtion Hall, where the students were being noisy. Currently, it sounded quite crowded. There seemed to be two students who were quarreling endlessly, their faces red in anger as they red at each other.

    Within the library, a figure shed by the window in a hurried gait as they held thick scrolls and letters against their chest.

    It was a student of the school, one still in his prime.

    Yin BiYue remembered the ¡®contemtive debates¡¯ and ¡®sword-y practices¡¯. These two subjects were ones he had also went through before. The teachers that taught those were very strict and harsh.

    There had been countless nights where he had burned the midnight oil to read and study, before getting up to practice sword-y in the early morning until dusk could be seen from afar.

    Yin Biyue was never the most talented of geniuses, but he was more diligent than every other genius.

    Memories rushed up like a flood in his mind, the old days shing by his eyes one by one.

    The affairs of life were like a long dream. In his three years at the Academy, he had experienced happiness, anger, sorrow and joy. Starting from the moment he nervously entered the lesson hall for the Academy¡¯s preliminary exam, to the night of his graduation where they drank wine and broke out in songs, every day had been unforgettable.

    At this moment, as he went down memoryne, it was as if mist had finally touched that antisocial teenager¡¯s shadow, as if Yin BiYue had really been him in the past.

    The experiences of the past all molded the person I am now.

    Something stirred in his mind and he unsheathed his sword as a mournful cry sounded. The green bricks below his foot split open into a foot deep crack.

    When a day ends, the world became bathed in a color like blood.

    At the same time, deep within the courtyard of the locust tree, a middle-aged schr that looked like an official smiled.

    ¡°His spiritual energy was already out before his sword was, wonderful.¡±

    All the locust tree flowers of the courtyard gently swayed in the wind, as if echoing his delight.

    Yin Biyue was still immersed in his sword¡¯s wish. It was an intuitive feeling of being close to something profound.

    Suddenly, the scenery before his eyes changed.

    It turned into a courtyard full of locust trees.

    It was only the second month of spring, yet the branches of the locust trees here were already heavy with flowers, the air drifting of their sweet fragrance.

    Below the locust tree was a person, the master of the Academy.

    Before Yin Biyue met the Academy Director, he had fantasized to himself countless times what kind of person this Director would be.

    Most people would probably just be curious about the few people who existed in a ne far beyond themselves. What would they look like? And what kind of power and influence would they hold?

    But nothing they imagined would describe the current situation.

    Yin BiYue had believed that the Director would be an old man with the aura of an immortal sunken into his bones, yet the man before his eyes actually had a middle-aged schr¡¯s appearance.

    That man sat below the tree as he waved his left hand somewhatzily at him, the same way a rich and idle person of a great family would do.

    Even though he wore the most proper official ss clothing, it still gave him an unorganized air.

    He did not have the might and power the Sect Leader showed outside, or Jun Yu¡¯s sword intent that couldn¡¯t be seen up close. He didn¡¯t even have Liu QiShuang¡¯s martial and heroic aura.

    But Yin Biyue had a keen intuition over whether someone¡¯s spiritual soul was weak or strong, so he did not dare to rx his vignce in front of this man.

    The man before his eyes was very powerful.

    Even inparison to the people he had met in his long transmigration journey, this man could be considered as a rarely seen, powerful individual that sat at the top of the world.

    Yin BiYue went forward two steps and kept a polite distance as he assumed the proper greeting posture for a disciple.

    ¡°This student greets the Director.¡±

    The honorable and idle person waved his hand in a gesture for him to rx, his attitude practically sloppy.

    Only then did Yin BiYue heave a sigh of relief.

    But in the next second, the feeling of a crisispletely overtook him.

    It felt like all the blood in his body suddenly froze, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

    Because that man nced at him while beaming, before he sighed a bit regretfully.

    ¡°If you weren¡¯t able to kill him, then forget about it.¡±

 Chapter 11 - The Academy (II)

    Chapter 11: The Academy (II)

    Yin BiYue made an extreme effort to restrain himself. Only then could he ensure that his facialplexion wouldn¡¯t change.

    He respectfully and cautiously lowered his head before stering on an expression that made it seem as if he had taken the Director¡¯s teachings to heart.

    Although the thoughts in his mind swarmed around endlessly, the look on his face was still as profound as water. This was because, if he disyed even the slightest change in expression, Yin BiYue wouldn¡¯t be able to conceal it from that person¡¯s eyes.

    ¡®That person¡¯......of course this referred to Luo MingChuan.

    So it turned out, the original Yin BiYue had the Academy Director¡¯s support? Was that why he was willing to make a killing move?

    Why did the Director want to kill Luo MingChuan? Hadn¡¯t Luo MingChuan also studied at the Academy?

    Besides, with the Director¡¯s status and level of cultivation, he could use a hundred different methods to kill Luo MingChuan. Why would he decide to use Yin BiYue?

    For a Sage to scheme in the dark, was the Director¡¯s ultimate goal truly just Luo MingChuan?! Or......was it Cang Ya Mountain?!

    However, the Academy had remained neutral for countless years. Moreover, their friendship with Cang Ya was extremely sincere. The Sword Saint was even reportedly close friends with the Academy Director.

    Or was it that there was something special about Luo MingChuan?

    When had Yin BiYue been given the Director¡¯s order? When he had entered the Academy? Or when he had be the Sword Saint¡¯s disciple? Did the Sword Saint know about this?

    Yin BiYue felt that he had been drawn into a treacherous situation. He was only an insignificant chess piece in the hands of those big shots as they yed around.

    If it was anyone else who had encountered this kind of situation, they definitely would have be anxious to the point where they couldn¡¯t carry on for even another day.

    However, when Yin BiYue finally snapped out of his daze, the only thought in his mind was:

    The Viin Faction in this world actually had this kind of big shot?! Where was he supposed to put his own face and honour??!!

    ¡°For the time being, let¡¯s forget about this matter. In the future, you also no longer have to constantly think about this,¡± the Director turned around before walking toward the two rattan chairs beneath the tree. ¡°Come and sit.¡±

    The meaning of his words was that Yin BiYue no longer had to n to kill Luo MingChuan.

    He didn¡¯t decline the Director¡¯s invitation and silently sat down.

    A few flowers from the Chinese schr tree fell onto the stone table in front of them. A half-worn, ck zed tea set was ced there.

    1280px-Sophora_japonica_JPG2Aa

    ¡°You came just in time to apany me in watching the stars.¡±

    Yin BiYue began contemting. When he first arrived here, it had been early morning. Later, after he entered this bizarre and mysterious realm and woke up, it was already sunset. Right now, the sky was already dark. And after the time it took someone to drink a small cup of tea, now, they could already see stars.

    Sure enough, everything had been within the Academy Director¡¯s grasp and control.

    The Director deftly boiled water to cleanse the utensils. Then, he inserted a roll of tender, silky tea leaves and poured water into the cup before he gently swirled the tea around.

    Pure white patches blossomed on the sides of the cup from the heat. Despite practically shining on the ck ze of the cups, they didn¡¯t look out of ce and instead produced a colourbination that gave one a harmonious feeling.

    The Director¡¯s movements were natural and unforced, free and at ease. Yet, they also looked rather methodical, where not even a fraction of a hair strand was out of ce.

    Yin BiYue thought, this was probably what ¡®I could follow the dictates of my own heart1¡¯ looked like.

    He watched this scene seriously. But in his heart, Yin BiYue couldn¡¯t help but find things a bit funny. How many people under the heavens wouldn¡¯t even dare to imagine the Academy Director serving them tea? However, he actually received this hospitality for no reason at all. Was this the benefit of assisting big shots?

    The two sat under the trees. They both didn¡¯t have much to say. After boiling the water, they began nursing their cups of tea.

    Unconsciously, Yin BiYue¡¯s drifting state of mind finally calmed down. It seemed that things weren¡¯t about to progress in the manner he had guessed. Within the remnants of the original Yin BiYue¡¯s emotions, he didn¡¯t seem to be on guard against the Director at all. And as Yin BiYue continued to sit there, all his guesses and apprehension seemed to be slowly dispersed.

    His nerves, ones that had been tautly stretched ever since he arrived in this world, finally rxed within the mist of the tea¡¯s fragrance.

    He picked up his own teacup before gently rotating it. Ripples began appearing on the surface of his tea, which reflected the light from the stars.

    The Director drank a whole cup of tea before squinting in satisfaction. Then, he lifted his head and looked toward the sky.

    Thick clouds covered the moon, which made the stars appear even more resplendent and glorious.

    A hint of a smile could be seen in the Director¡¯s eyes. ¡°In reality, the stars don¡¯t move as slowly as they do in our eyes. Some actually move very quickly.¡±

    Yin BiYue felt a bit surprised as he also lifted his head to look. However, he could only see the vast sky filled with silent stars.

    He immediately realized that the sky the Director saw was far different from the one in his eyes.

    Yin BiYue couldn¡¯t imagine what the world would look like through a Sage¡¯s eyes. It was like how mayflies didn¡¯t know how big the world was, and how summer insects couldn¡¯t speak of the frost.

    And even in his past lives, he had never experienced what it felt to have a ¡®million-league gaze that could pierce through the cosmos¡¯.

    The Director watched the sky with keen interest and pleasure. He switched to a morefortable position before he leaned back against the rattan chair.

    And then, he quickly smashed apart Yin BiYue¡¯s understanding of the world once more.

    With a sigh, the Director said, ¡°Last year, the ¡®Kang Dragon¡¯ and the ¡®Winged Snake¡¯ were still separated by a measure of Ganges River Sand. But now, I calcte that they ought to move down the same path.¡±

    ¡®Kang Dragon¡¯ and ¡®Winged Snake¡¯ were the names of celestial constetions.

    And ¡®Ganges River Sand¡¯ was a unit of measure used by a Buddhist Sect. It was around 10^52 square meters wide.

    Then, the Director narrowed his eyes before muttering under his breath. Yin BiYue couldn¡¯t hear what he said that distinctly, and only roughly heard ¡®10^36¡¯, ¡®10^48¡¯, ¡®10^60¡¯, and a few other enormous calction units.

    Suddenly, the man raised his finger and swiped the air, as if he was connecting two dots in the sky.

    So it turned out that this was what a Sage¡¯s divine future sight was.

    It wasn¡¯t truly seeing ¡®the Dao¡¯, or some kind of mysterious and Godly sense. No, it was genuine calction.

    He used umted knowledge that was a vast as the open sea, a special calction method, formidable calcting ability, and experience umted over a practically endless time to figure out a result.

    Yin BiYue was extremely shocked.

    To understand fate just by watching the stars......As for what the Director wanted to see, just what exactly could it be?

    At this time, the person sitting beside him set down his tea cup. The Director gave him a faint smile and said, ¡°It is about time you set off from Cang Ya. It is best you go southward.¡±

    The bottom of their pot of tea could finally be seen.

    The night wind picked up. It blew away the remnant fragrance of tea and mixed it with the sweet scent of the Chinese Schr tree flowers as they floated along in the night sky.

    The wind even scattered the dense clouds sitting in the horizon. A ray of silver white light prated from the remote, peak of the heavens above and spilled onto the earth.

    The luminous moon emerged from behind the clouds.

    At the same time, the glorious stars that had filled up the sky before instantly dimmed down. So much that Yin BiYue couldn¡¯t even see the smaller stars clearly anymore.

    The moon appeared, and the stars dimmed.

    The Director¡¯s smile also became hidden among the minute wrinkles at the corner of his eyes. He began to tidy up his tea set.

    Yin BiYue knew that tonight¡¯s stargazing event had came to an end.

    Thus, he stood up before brushing away the flower petals that had settled into the folds of his robes. Then, he formally bowed with his hands held in front, making a gesture that resembled the disciple greeting he had performed when he just arrived.

    This served as his farewell.

    The Director seemed to be tired and didn¡¯t speak. He only nodded his head as he leaned against the rattan chair.

    Yin BiYue took out that invitation from his sleeves. His figure began rippling like that of water. Then, in a sh, he faded away from the small courtyard.

    Afterwards, there was only a single person left in the courtyard.

    Even if he had the bright moonlight, something that also didn¡¯t have apanion, to apany him, he still appeared somewhat lonely.

    The expression of the intellectual, schrly person was dark, gloomy, and unclear.

    He stared at the deste, night sky, before muttering to himself, ¡°As a matter of fact, the moon was also a star.¡±

    There seemed to be a sigh echoing throughout the Academy, where not a sound should be heard.

    Only, this star was way too bright, so no one dared topete against it.

    Yin BiYue appeared back in Xi Hua Peak. The sky was dim, like it had been before he left.

    The invitation in his hand turned into particles of dust before dissipating into the night sky.

    He somewhat regretfully thought, this ¡®Academy One-Day Pass¡¯ was truly a one-time use thing, ah. He originally thought he had received a spiritual talisman that would allow him to move between Cang Ya and the Academy whenever he pleased.

    He didn¡¯t know when he could ever achieve that kind of power, where a casual stamp of a seal could give someone a talisman that could split apart space and allow them to travel thousands of miles away.

    At this time, Yin BiYue still hadn¡¯t realized that after experiencing his moment of enlightenment in the Academy, the question he was pondering had already turned into ¡®when can I reach the realm of a Sage?¡¯ and not if he could be a Sage in the first ce.

    Within a hundred cultivators at the Soul Manifestation stage, perhaps only forty of them would question when they would enter the Revtion stage. Twenty of them would wonder when they could enter the Enlightenment stage, and five would anticipate the Immortalization stage. However, almost no one would question what a Sage¡¯s cultivation would be like.

    Yin BiYue didn¡¯t think about those things. Right now, he only believed that industrious and incessant cultivating would be sufficient.

    There was no need to ask any questions. There was no need to wait.

    This was the self-confidence of his subconscious mind.

    He wouldn¡¯t question himself and waste time, or repeatedly conjecture things that would whittle away his willpower.

    Yin BiYue grasped his sword hilt with his right hand before raising his head to take a look.

    As if because it was no longer blocked by the high walls of mansions in Yunyang City, the moonlight in Cang Ya Mountain was even more distinct and cold.

    One could vaguely hear the rustling of tree leaves and the shaking of pines from the forest. The partridges would cry out from time to time, making the night all morerger and lonely.

    His flowing and abundant sword intent from when he had been at the Academy in the daytime was something he could no longer mimic now.

    But although that was something he longed for, it was something one could onlye across serendipitously.

    Regardless, it had given him a big revtion.

    Yin BiYue stood in his courtyard for the whole night. By the crack of dawn, his entire body was wet with the dense moisture of the morning dew. However, the light in his eyes had be increasingly bright.

    Yin BiYue thought, he may have finally found a way to use his sword.

 Chapter 12 - Picking Flowers

    Chapter 12: Picking Flowers

    Although Yin BiYue did not rest for an entire night, his mood was actually very good when he went to the meeting the next day.

    He stood tall and straight, while his eyes were limpid and glittering.

    When Liu QiShuang saw this, she felt extremely gratified. ¡°It looks like junior-apprentice brother is feeling much better.¡±

    Yin BiYue nodded, ¡°Many thanks for senior-apprentice sister¡¯s concern.¡± Then, he looked toward Jun Yu and Duan ChongXuan, ¡°Many thanks to eldest senior-apprentice brother and fifth junior-apprentice brother.¡±

    What he thanked them for was the visits during his captivity in the dungeons, and their kindness when they protected himst time in the Pce Hall.

    Even though Liu QiShuang and Duan ChongXuan hadn¡¯t helped him the way he had wanted......but when all was said and done, the oue had been a sess.

    Liu QiShuang saw the youth¡¯s sincere expression and felt a bit guilty in her heart.

    She felt that she had never fulfilled her responsibility as a senior-apprentice sister. This time, she didn¡¯t really do much either. However, even after this teenager underwent so much harm and torment, he was still sincere and grateful as he expressed his thanks toward them. His temperament was truly, extremely good.

    As expected, the meeting location was Jun Yu¡¯s ¡®Primary Courtyard.¡¯ Like before, the chairs and table were provided by Duan ChongXuan.

    After Yin BiYue thanked everyone, he looked at Jun Yu. He knew that since there was a meeting, this eldest senior-apprentice brother must have something to say.

    The man clothed in ck sat there in an upright position. He held himself tall and straight, like a sword that could be unsheathed at any moment, emanating a dense, cold aura.

    Jun Yu gazed at his two junior-apprentice brothers before saying, ¡°In three months, it will be Zhong Ming Mountain¡¯s Flower Picking Festival. The two of you should go and take a look.¡±

    Since he didn¡¯t talk often, his voice seemed somewhat frigid, sluggish and rough, while his tone was stiff.

    Liu QiShuang added on, ¡°Ming Lake¡¯s Thousand Leaf Lotus has the ability to ¡®eliminate anxiety and resolve a heart¡¯s mncholy¡¯. By chance, the two of you have chosen the most fortunate timing to leave the Peak and travel.¡±

    Yin BiYue suddenly remembered that the Academy¡¯s Director said how it would be best if he headed southward.

    And Zhong Ming Mountain was precisely on the South Continent.

    This opportunity came truly fast.

    The Flower Picking Festival. What was being picked was precisely the Thousand Leaf Lotus from the Ming Lake.

    14602178_ml-magical-lotus

    On the Ming Lake, the lotus¡¯ leaves shroud the sky for a hundred acres in all directions, but there was only a single lotus flower blossom. It opened every ten years.

    For a cultivator with their slow lifespans, ten years couldn¡¯t be considered as long.

    However, no one was willing to wait.

    Due to how the Thousand Leaf Lotus drew spiritual energy from the Zhong Ming Mountain to cultivate, other than its ability to ¡®eliminate anxiety and resolve a heart¡¯s mncholy¡¯, it could also purify one¡¯s constitution, improve their cultivation aptitude, and create a good foundation for one¡¯s future path in cultivating.

    For cultivators below the Enlightenment stage, there wasn¡¯t a better heavenly treasure.

    Using strength to demonstrate their right to speak, the victor would climb up the mountain to pick the flower. Thus, under the foot of Zhong Ming Mountain, the name ¡®Flower Picking Festival¡¯ originated from this.

    Ultimately, after consulting with every sect, it was decided that in order to encourage the younger generation to cultivate, cultivators under the ¡®Enlightenment stage¡¯ but above the ¡®Essence Cleansing stage¡¯ were all allowed to attend. This was because to cultivators more advanced than the ¡®Enlightenment stage¡¯, this flower was something of little value. And if they were under the ¡®Essence Cleansing stage¡¯, the cultivator would be unable topletely assimte the spiritual energy from the flower.

    The ¡®Three Mountain Sects¡¯ and ¡®Double Buddha Temples¡¯ took turns presiding over this festival. And by now, it had long developed into a distinguished meeting where the younger generationpeted against each other.

    Thus, countless teenagers with astounding talent travelled thousands of miles to go to the meeting. Not only because of the Thousand Leaf Lotus, but also in order to be famous.

    This was also an opportunity for big sects to reinvigorate their prestige, determine their statuses, and mutually probe each other out.

    Cang Ya Mountain went every year, but Xi Hua Peak had never gone before.

    The main reason Jun Yu made this decision was because of Yin BiYue¡¯s ¡®White Hair Illness¡¯.

    Liu QiShuang also believed that regardless of whether it was to treat an illness or travel around, the Zhong Ming Mountain¡¯s little festival was an excellent choice.

    Despite being an opportunity to demonstrate one¡¯s prowess in cultivation, the Sword Saint¡¯s three disciples, Jun Yu, Liu QiShuang, and Yan Xing, all hadn¡¯t gone to this kind of event that was specifically conducted for genius teenagers. It seemed to be somewhat inconceivable.

    Jun Yu was the Sword Saint¡¯s Chief Disciple. When he became famous, the ¡®Flower Picking Festival¡¯ hadn¡¯t yet existed. Later, when he left the Peak to travel, he was already at the Enlightenment stage. In addition, he specifically picked difficult, dangerous, and deste ces to go. For example, ces like the Shi Wan Mountain, savage marshes, and the snowfields of the north. There were very few people who had truly met him.

    In Liu QiShuang¡¯s case, she had originally been intending to go to the Zhong Ming Mountain. Not in order to pick the flower, but merely because she wished to seek evenly matched opponents to temper herself. However, the year she left the mountain, she coincidentally chanced upon the revival of ¡®Jasper Pce¡¯ from the Twelve Demonic Sects. Thus, she followed after the Sect Leader and a few Elders, killing their way up to Xi Ling Mountain to exterminate demons.

    At that time, many cultivators at the Enlightenment stage had died, however, Liu QiShuang, who had only been at the Soul Manifestation stage lived. She ended up missing the Flower Picking Festival, but fortunately she had already found her rival during that fight and thus didn¡¯t have any regrets.

    When it came to the year Yan Xing left the mountain, he went to the Flower Picking Festival and took a look around. After surveying everyone present, he believed that no one there would be able to win against him. Thus, Yan Xing felt extremely bored.

    Galloping forth with weapon in hand, he swaggered off without a second thought for those left behind, and traces of where he went were difficult to find.

    But in reality, regardless of whether it was Jun Yu¡¯s ¡®ughter across realms¡¯, or Liu QiShuang¡¯s ¡®battle at Xi Ling Mountain¡¯, or Yan Xing¡¯s ¡®single night leap to the Revtion stage¡¯, they were all things that many people knew of, but little people saw with their own eyes.

    Should Yin BiYue and Duan ChongXuan go this time, they wouldn¡¯t be merely representing Cang Ya Mountain. No, they would be more representing Xi Hua Peak, and representing the Sword Saint¡¯s disciples as a whole.

    This was the first time in a hundred years that the Sword Saint¡¯s disciples formally appeared in front of living people.

    And not in a file¡¯s stiffly written records, or a storyteller¡¯s embellished and exaggerated tales, or within countless cultivator¡¯s spections.

    This was a head-on battle with equally young and innately talented youth. There would be rivals who would meet face to face, andpete to see who was best.

    When Yin BiYue thought of this, his mood became somewhat serious.

    Because he understood that this was no longer a matter of whether he won or lost. Now, he also had to undertake the responsibility of upholding his cheaply obtained Master¡¯s fame for fighting prowess.

    However, Liu QiShuang had even more thoughts about this matter. She believed that this time, junior-apprentice brother could go out and travel,peting against others and learning from each other. It could also coincidentally open up his horizon, and let him understand just how big the skies and earth were.

    If he was no longer restrained to a single ce, it could perhaps lighten the impact of what Luo MingChuan had done to him.

    Junior-apprentice brother¡¯s current personality was somewhat innocent and naive. A big reason for this was probably because his environment as he grew up was too limited. If he wasn¡¯t in the Academy studying behind closed doors, then he was bitterly cultivating in seclusion within the mountains.

    Although being outside would lead to experiences where one must go through thick and thin, where one would see how a human¡¯s heart could be unfathomable and treacherous, one would also mature as a result. Junior-apprentice brother needed to mature.

    Liu QiShuang looked at Yin BiYue before smiling slightly. ¡°Youngsters all ought to have some sharpness to their spirit.¡±

    Yin BiYue restrained the corner of his lips from twitching.

    If one added together the ages from his countless transmigration adventures in the past......this sentence should be, ¡°Old monsters should always have some sharpness to their spirit.¡±

    Jun Yu seemed to have been able to guess his worries, ¡°Among the participants for this year, there is a ¡®Wind and Rain Sword¡¯ who has practiced his skills to some excellence. Apart from him, the rest aren¡¯t anything to worry about. You can let go of yourself and just fight, for no one would be able to win against you.¡±

    Yin BiYue became suddenly speechless. He really wanted to say, ¡®eldest senior-apprentice brother, I¡¯m not you ah. I¡¯m only at thete stage of Soul Manifestation stage.¡¯

    Speaking of this ¡®Wing and Rain Sword¡¯, he was called Zhong Shan. His reputation had exploded in the South Continent. As a cultivator at the Revtion stage at only twenty years old, he was known as the strongest cultivator under the Enlightenment stage. The genius Qing Lu Sword Sect was intensely proud of, the person showing the most promise to enter the Sage realm in the past three hundred years.

    As a result, when eldest senior-apprentice brother mentioned him, he only received the description ¡®was somewhat excellent¡¯. If the Qing Lu Sword Sect knew about this, perhaps they would collectively grab their swords andmit suicide.

    However, Yin BiYue still felt very grateful. Because, in order to encourage him, eldest senior-apprentice brother actually said a long sentence!

    He casted a nce to the side. Sure enough, Duan ChongXuan¡¯s eyes had already brightened. He looked so excited, he practically had, ¡®eldest senior-apprentice brother, please say another two sentences!¡¯ written on his face.

    Yin BiYue heaved a sigh in his heart. However, he still solemnly said, ¡°Eldest senior-apprentice brother, second senior-apprentice sister, please be at ease! I will do my utmost best during this trip. I won¡¯t lose Xi Hua¡¯s prestige, and will also take care of fifth junior-apprentice brother!¡±

    Unexpectedly, the moment he said this, Liu QiShuang¡¯s expression became astounded, and even Jun Yu¡¯s face looked slightly startled for a quick second.

    In his heart, Yin BiYue felt that things were a bit strange. He was Duan ChongXuan¡¯s senior-apprentice brother, plus his cultivation realm was also higher than his. Of course he would be the one looking after Duan ChongXuan.

    Duan Chatterbox smiled before saluting him, ¡°Then, I¡¯ll be troubling senior-apprentice brother to watch over me.¡±

    Yin BiYue became puzzled.

    Duan ChongXuan still wanted to tease him a bit more. However, he then heard Jun Yu speak up in a deep voice, ¡°Luo MingChuan came.¡±

    Xi Hua Peak¡¯s restrictive protection barrier was maintained by Jun Yu. If he said Luo MingChuan came, then he must be currently blocked outside of the Peak¡¯s barrier.

    Everyone immediately silenced.

    Liu QiShuang frowned and asked, ¡°What did hee to do?¡±

    Duan ChongXuan nced at Yin BiYue¡¯splexion, ¡°Probably......because he wants to see fourth senior-apprentice brother.¡±

    Jun Yu already made some preparations. If the person standing outside the barrier dared to take one step further, he would strike out with sword intent.

    But what they all didn¡¯t expect was that Yin BiYue just nodded his head, before saying in a tone that made it seem like it was proper and a matter to be expected, ¡°Then I¡¯ll go and meet him......senior-apprentice brother and senior-apprentice sister, are there any other matters?¡±

    Yin BiYue didn¡¯t know why everyone¡¯s expression all suddenly changed.

    How could the viin not go see the protagonist? Of course he had to go and know yourself plus your enemy. Only this way could he urately challenge the protagonist¡¯s bottom line, and thereby reach his goal of frequently heading toward his death by angering him.

    Liu QiShuang¡¯s expression looked heavy and solemn. Duan ChongXuan looked like he was hesitating to say something.

    In the end, Jun Yu said, ¡°Let¡¯s go together.¡±

    As a result, Xi Hua Peak¡¯s disciples majestically walked down the mountain.

    ......Even if there was only four of them.

    However, Luo MingChuan was alone.

    So, the number of people they brought couldpletely defeat, and even abuse him.

    Jun Yu was a half-step away from Immortalization stage, while Liu QiShuang was in the Enlightenment stage.

    And Luo MingChuan was merely in the Revtion stage.

    Even the Xi Hua Peak disciples¡¯ cultivation stages couldpletely abuse him.

    Yin BiYue somewhat understood now. His fellow Peak members came to help support him ah!

    However, because of the absolute truth where ¡®the people who helped support the viin never had any good endings¡¯, Yin BiYue really wanted to warn away his fellow Peak members.

    But when he finally saw Luo MingChuan, he was no longer able to say anything.

    The youth in front of him had a temperament that was as gentle as it had been before, and he was also as handsome as well.

    Even though it was evidently the season of spring¡¯s sunsets, when Luo MingChuan stood in the spring¡¯s breeze, it unexpectedly made him look somewhat emaciated, like thete autumn¡¯s mncholy.

    The space under his eyes were slightly ck and sunken in, while his white robes flew emptily in the wind.

    It had merely been a month since he hadst saw Luo MingChuan, but the teenager in front of his eyes seemed to have be much more haggard. His current appearance was a far cry from the high-spirited youth he had first seen.

    He stared at him with a heavy gaze, before he spoke with a somewhat heavy tone, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother Yin.¡±

    Luo MingChuan believed he had already thought through things very clearly. However, when he saw the teenager in front of him, he became unable to say anything.

    Nowadays, he acted on behalf of his Master to handle all of Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s affairs. Naturally, the jade bamboo letters passed onto Qing He Pce Hall were also his to deal with as he substituted for his Master. He only reported the big and important things to his Master.

    This morning, he saw the jade bamboo letter Jun Yu had sent over, one that said: ¡®Two of Xi Hua Peak¡¯s disciples will attend the Flower Picking Festival¡¯.

    Xi Hua Peak only had two disciples that were below the Enlightenment stage.

    Junior-apprentice brother Yin.

    ¡°Master, disciple wishes to go to Zhong Ming Mountain¡¯s Flower Picking Festival.¡±

    ¡°Of course it¡¯s the time you ought to go, why are you kneeling?!¡±

    ¡°I wish to travel with junior-apprentice brother Yin.¡±

    Zheng YangZi fell silent. Only the water clock¡¯s ticking echoed throughout the empty and quiet main hall.

    In the end, he just waved his hand. ¡°Go then.¡±

    In respose, Luo MingChuan knocked his head against the floor.

    Jun Yu and Liu QiShuang both didn¡¯t intend to speak.

    Thus, Duan ChongXuan took two steps forward and spoke first, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo, what errand brings you here?¡±

    His etiquette was thorough and he had a smile on his face. Nobody could nitpick about any mistakes from Duan ChongXuan.

    Yin BiYue thought, the important position of the diplomatic representative truly suited Duan ChongXuan.

    Luo MingChuan calmly said, ¡°I came because I wish to travel together with junior-apprentice brother Yin to the Flower Picking Festival.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t someone who wasn¡¯t good at being eloquent. He used to speak in the Contemtion Hall, where people debated in all directions, with frankness and assurance, causing others to exim with admiration. In addition, he had used words to gather and steady the hearts of others during their dilemma in the Secret Realm.

    But now, just saying a single sentence had exhausted all his strength.

    Liu QiShuang coldly replied, ¡°Impossible.¡±

    Luo MingChuan¡¯splexion instantly turned pale. However, he was already unable to exin anything.

    Hence, he used spiritual energy to cut open his finger. Beads of dark-red blood dropped, seeping into the ground.

    He spoke, one word at a time, ¡°I, Luo MingChuan, vow here to help junior-apprentice brother retrieve Ming Lake¡¯s Thousand Leaf Lotus. Otherwise, my cultivation realm will forever remain as is!¡±

    An oath of blood from the heart.

    This was an oath very little people used. Because, forcing out blood from the heart, was already the greatest harm to a cultivator. Let alone the consequences that would happen if the person in question ended up not keeping their promise.

    This was an oath with an immense price, where the things said in the oath must be fulfilled.

    Liu QiShuang was extremely shocked.

    Duan ChongXuan closed his fan and narrowed his eyes, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo, words can¡¯t be carelessly said.¡±

    Even Jun Yu¡¯s cold and stiff expression had a trace of ckening.

    Luo MingChuan¡¯s face was pale and bloodless. He stared straight at the person in front of him before lightly saying, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, do you trust me?¡±

    At this moment, everyone turned to look at Yin BiYue.

    Only to see him lightly nodding his head.

 Chapter 13 - Shackles

    Chapter 13: Shackles

    It seemed as if the spring breeze of the third month finally possessed some warmth.

    Luo MingChuan¡¯s expression became brighter and brighter, until he ultimately revealed a smile.

    He hadn¡¯t smiled ever since he had left Yin BiYue¡¯s cell in the dungeon. Thus, this smile, although somewhat shaky, held some foolishness that even he himself wasn¡¯t aware of.

    He stood there, looking as if he didn¡¯t know what to do because of Yin BiYue¡¯s unexpected reply. ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, thank you. I¡ª¡ªI will definitely keep my promise......¡±

    Liu QiShuang didn¡¯t seem reassured as she asked, ¡°Fourth junior-apprentice brother, have you clearly thought things through?¡±

    Yin BiYue nodded, ¡°Please be at ease, senior-apprentice sister. I know my limits.¡±

    Jun Yu didn¡¯t say anything. He merely furrowed his forehead.

    And nobody knew what Duan ChongXuan remembered, but he continued smiling like before as he watched Luo MingChuan.

    On the other hand, Yin BiYue¡¯s heart wasn¡¯t nearly as calm as what his expression suggested.

    ¡°Nowadays, eight out of ten protagonists cken as they rush to get revenge. Another one is a yandere with no hopes of recovering. A humble, utterly sincere and righteous protagonist is harder to findpared to trying to find a three! Legged! Frog!¡±

    He inexplicably remembered what that technician had said.

    However, if a Holy Mother¡¯s thought process was always this odd, then¡ª¡ª

    He would rather have an incurable, ckened protagonist.

    At the very least, those protagonists knew the lines they needed to say in order to continue the drama.

    He didn¡¯t understand what Luo MingChuan was thinking, but if the protagonist wished to invite him, then what was the reason behind not undertaking the journey together?

    What¡¯s more, these ¡®fellow Peak members that support the viin¡¯ by his side really made one worry till their heart shattered. What did he have to do so they could tactfully achieve the aplishment of ¡®avoid going against the protagonist¡¯?

    The past few days, he had been very stressed about this. But now, everything suddenly became clear when he saw Luo MingChuan¡¯s pleasantly surprised expression.

    So it turned out that this time¡¯s script was ¡®the protagonist waspletely devoted to a person, but the viin had the heart of a wolf and the lungs of a dog1. In the first half, they walked together as close friends2, but in the second half there is a betrayal, a falling-out and then someone stabs the other with a dagger¡¯.

    Tsk, city people just loved to y around like this.

    Yin BiYue pacified his own heart. Sure enough, the plot was still within his grasp.

    Hence, the expression he used to look at Luo MingChuan became somewhat better, so much that a smile was revealed in his eyes. ¡°Does senior-apprentice brother Luo still have other matters to discuss?¡±

    It was as if Luo MingChuan finally saw the thawing of the never-melting frost on a mountain ridge shrouded in clouds. And this melted frost became a babbling, clear spring that flowed into his heart.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t......junior-apprentice brother, take a good rest. I will take my leave here.¡±

    Although he said he would take his leave, for some reason, he just stood in ce and didn¡¯t move. He stayed like that until Duan ChongXuan coughed once, and only then did he turn around in a panic and leave.

    The fellow peak members yet again talked for a while about the arrangements for leaving the peak to travel, before they urged Yin BiYue to go back and rest.

    After seeing his figure walk far away, Liu QiShuang said, ¡°You have to take good care of junior-apprentice brother Yin. Don¡¯t let him be deceived by others.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan¡¯s expression was solemn. One wouldn¡¯t be able to make out even the smallest bit of frivolousness as he seriously said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, senior-apprentice sister. I naturally will.¡±

    When Yin BiYue told her to not worry, of course Liu QiShuang wouldn¡¯t stop worrying.

    But when Duan ChongXuan was the one who said that, she immediately knew that even if Luo MingChuan had nasty intentions, he definitely wouldn¡¯t be able to able to take advantage of Yin BiYue.

    Jun Yu didn¡¯t say anything.

    And thus, this matter was settled like this.

    After the trip to the Academy, Yin BiYue finally found a method to practice using his sword. Afterwards, he began exemplifying what it meant to train all day and night, not daring to ck off even the slightest bit. He felt that he could already faintly see the threshold of the ¡®Revtion¡¯ stage. Thus, he could only regret that time couldn¡¯t pass a bit slower, so that he could make sure his swordy was even more skilled and that his realm was more stable.

    However, in the blink of an eye, one month¡¯s time hurriedly passed, until it was already almost the day they needed to set off. One day before their departure, Yin BiYue decided to go see eldest senior-apprentice brother and second senior-apprentice sister, a meeting that could be considered as his goodbye.

    Jun Yu was not in his ¡®Primary Courtyard¡¯. Yin BiYue was drawn to the majestic and boundless sword aura, and thus walked toward the steep cliff behind the courtyard.

    Jun Yu was right in the middle of practicing his swordsmanship. He held a dried-up branch in one hand, and the Sword Art he was currently practicing was one the Sword Saint had created, ¡®Little Heavy Mountain¡¯.

    Yin BiYue stood ten zhang3 away. He felt that Jun Yu¡¯s current sword intent was practically zing, as if the sword had already entered the optimal stage. Thus, he stopped in his ce and didn¡¯t move forward, to avoid disturbing him.

    In the next moment, it was like a mountain had suddenly appeared in front of him. The mountain closed in on him, pressuring one until they couldn¡¯t even breathe.

    Yin BiYue mobilized his true essence in order to withstand the sword aura. At the same time, he carefully watched Jun Yu with rapt attention.

    He stood near the edge of the cliff, where one could see dense green hills filled with weeds while taking in the mountain¡¯s topography.

    Simr to when Yin BiYue practiced his swordsmanship beside the ice-cold pond, he had borrowed the water to temper his sword ¡®River¡¯s Reliance¡¯¡¯s strength. One¡¯s mental state, martial arts, swordsmanship, and sword¡¯s strength all conformed with the heavens and earth. They were shaped by one¡¯s will, and were slowly moulded to what one wished.

    The morning breeze blew around the drifting mist under the steep cliff, while the radiance of the sun helped add on a golden rim to the mountain peaks far away.

    A myriad of crisscrossing golden light rays condensed upon the dried-up branch, converging together to form the current of a river. This current could cut into a mountain and split apart rock, and was something that advanced forward courageously. There was an imposing sound of waves eroding the ins and hills thousands of miles away, ultimately merging quietly with the great sea.

    He didn¡¯t know how much time had passed, but Jun Yu soon collected his sword strength. The man stood near the edge of the cliff, and nodded at him from this distance.

    ck robes and ink-ck hair. The sleeves of his clothes flew in harmony with the wind.

    So it turned out that there weren¡¯t some golden rays of light. There wasn¡¯t a river current, there weren¡¯t ins or hills, and there wasn¡¯t a great sea.

    There were only the green hills filled with weeds, ones unchanged since times immemorial, tenacious and silent.

    Everything else was all merely imagery created with the sword.

    Yin BiYue snapped out of his daze. He stepped forward and saluted Jun Yu, ¡°I¡¯ve disturbed senior-apprentice brother.¡±

    But to one¡¯s surprise, Jun Yu directly asked, ¡°How was it?¡±

    Yin BiYue was startled for a moment, before he realized the other man was asking him his opinion on the Sword Art Jun Yu just practiced.

    He pondered for a moment, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother has already managed to reach the pinnacle of the Little Heavy Mountain, and was able to stand at the edge of the cliff while viewing the surrounding mountains unobstructed. It can be assumed that when ites to the true meaning of this Sword Art, senior-apprentice brother had long understood it very clearly.¡±

    His words weren¡¯tposed of praise, because Jun Yu¡¯s swordsmanship was truly very good.

    Even if Jun Yu had just used a dried-up branch, and didn¡¯t bring his true essence into y. Just his sword aura alone had been sufficient enough to make Yin BiYue feel a sense of uneasiness, as if there was a thorn in his back.

    This was the gap between cultivation realms. Even more, it was the disparity between their swordsmanship levels.

    However, Jun Yu said, ¡°Everyday, I wave my sword sixty-three thousand times. But despite that, I have not advanced in three years.¡±

    Only then did Yin BiYue understand that the other man was trying to exchange tips with him on improving cultivation.

    That wasn¡¯t very surprising. On Xi Hua Peak, only the two of them practiced the sword.

    Although, the realm gap between them was truly a big bit, so Jun Yu actually really thought highly of him.

    The mistakes within the swordy of a cultivator that was a half step away from the Immortalization realm naturally couldn¡¯t be found by a cultivator at the Enlightenment stage. However, when all was said and done, Yin BiYue¡¯s experience was rich and plentiful. In addition, he could already faintly sense where Jun Yu¡¯s shackles were located.

    Ever since Duan ChongXuan had saidst time, ¡®when eldest senior-apprentice brother fought against that Immortalization realm cultivator, he didn¡¯t even use ¡®Spring Mountain Smile,¡¯ Yin BiYue¡¯s heart became full of doubts.

    This time, he asked in a straightforward manner, ¡°When eldest senior-apprentice brother practices his swordy, why don¡¯t you use ¡®Spring Mountain Smile¡¯?¡±

    Jun Yu replied instantly, ¡°I have not reached the Immortalization realm, so I do not match that sword.¡±

    Yin BiYue thought, he knew where the problem was now.

    These fellow peak members of his had protected him many times, but he had nevere across the opportunity to repay them.

    Thus, even though he knew the words he was about to say may cause suspicions because of how he was disying slight skill he shouldn¡¯t have before an expert, he still decided to say it.

    He stared into Jun Yu¡¯s eyes, expression serious as he said, ¡°My cultivation realm isn¡¯t high, but I personally believe that only a sword can be a sword. Flower branches and other nts are not swords. Hatchets, axes, hooks and pitchforks are not swords. Thus, only when you hold a sword, can it be considered as one practicing the sword.¡±

    Jun Yu slightly knitted his eyebrows.

    Yin BiYue continued to speak, ¡°If it cannot be used as someone¡¯s sword, what is the meaning of a sword? Something to be hidden in a room? Something hung up on a wall, so it could be used to amuse people?¡±

    ¡°In my point of view, ¡®Spring Mountain Smile¡¯ is admittedly something good. However, if it is always ced in its wooden box, then it isn¡¯t a heavenly weapon, but your shackles!

    It is restricting you!¡±

    His words shot out like a sword, going straight into one¡¯s heart, splitting apart the fog surrounding it.

    Jun Yu suddenly lifted his eyes in a sh of understanding. At the same time, sharp sword aura burst out in a boundless manner! Yin BiYue immediately urged all the true essence in his body to the limit, and even then he felt his spiritual energy and blood re up in excitement.

    What happened ended in merely a breath¡¯s time. The revolting aura from the person in front of him once again returned to its usual quiet, as if sinking into the great sea.

    Yin BiYue raised his voice, iparably firm as he eximed, ¡°Eldest senior-apprentice brother, have you ever thought that, since Master gave this sword to you, it means that under the Heavens and the Earth, other than you, there is no one who can match this sword!¡±

    Jun Yu gently brushed off his sleeves, as if brushing away dust that could not be seen.

    His emotions that he had repressed for many years were now all scattered in the time he brushed off his sleeves.

    ¡°Many thanks to junior-apprentice brother.¡±

    Yin BiYue lowered his head. ¡°There is no need for thanks.¡±

    However, Jun Yu was still adamant on saluting him with a bow. Yin BiYue hastily moved sideways to avoid this ceremonial salute.

    Jun Yu stood in his original position as he nkly stared at the mountains in the distance.

    Yin BiYue announced his departure, before he turned around and left the steep cliff by himself.

    He knew that the shackles within Jun Yu¡¯s heart had already been broken. Right now, the man required some time to quietly think things through by himself. The fact that Yin BiYue could see through his problems didn¡¯t mean his swordy was superior to Jun Yu¡¯s. No, it was merely the principle where the person on the spot was baffled, but the onlooker saw things clearly.

    Everyone believed that Jun Yu was very strong, so no one would think that he had shackles.

    Even Duan ChongXuan¡¯s tone had been filled with admiration when he mentioned how eldest senior-apprentice brother didn¡¯t need Spring Mountain Smile to fight.

    Yin BiYue understood that Jun Yu was indeed very strong. However, his shoulders had to bear too much.

    The prestige of the Sword Saint¡¯s chief disciple, the responsibility of the eldest senior-apprentice brother. He was one of the pirs that held up Xi Hua Peak, Cang Ya Mountain, and even the world under the Heavens.

    So, why prevent the heavenly weapon ¡®Spring Mountain Smile¡¯ from being used?

    This world wasn¡¯t as calm as it¡¯s tranquil appearance would suggest.

    Because, it had been a long time sincemunication with the Sword Saint had been lost. There were even some people harbouring unfathomable motives who began to whisper rumours: The Sword Saint is already no longer part of this world.

    And Cang Ya Mountain did not have a Sage.

    This signified that, should there really be a day where the Sword Saint no longer existed, there was a possibility that Jun Yu would have to go against more than one Sage because he was the one who had the strongestbat ability in Cang Ya Mountain.

    When Yin BiYue thought of this, his mood became somewhat heavy. He knew that since he was able to think of this, then many other people would be able to think of this as well. There were even people who could think much farther than him.

    So much that they would be able to deduce every kind of ending from a turbulent situation with a hundred thousand different oues. For example, that Director from the Academy.

 Chapter 14 - Moving Forward

    Chapter 14: Moving Forward

    Ultimately, Yin BiYue hadn¡¯t been able to maintain his serious and heavy mood for his entire meeting with sister Liu QiShuang.

    ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, bring this Dragon Scale Protective Treasure Robe with you!¡±

    ¡°This South Sea¡¯s Submerged Dagger must be taken along as well!¡±

    ¡°And the ck Bamboo Bone Green Jade Fan, the Nine Dragon¡¯s Fiery Cover, the Four-sided Mountains and River Cauldron, you must bring them all......¡±

    Liu QiShuang was still wondering what else she had missed.

    Yin BiYue stared speechlessly at the spiritual artefacts piled into a small mountain.

    He knew that Liu QiShuang practiced hand-to-handbat and normally didn¡¯t care about material objects. Thus, it could be assumed that most of these were her spoils of war from ¡®the battle at Xi Ling Mountain¡¯.

    If that was the case, then it was even more vital that Yin BiYue didn¡¯t take any of it.

    He lightly coughed once, ¡°Senior-apprentice sister, I am aware of your kind intentions. However, I cultivate the sword path. If I bring so many spiritual artefacts when I go out to travel, won¡¯t it be the same as neglecting my fundamentals and concentrating on superficial details?¡±

    Li QiShuang pondered for a moment before realizing that this made a lot of sense. Normally, she didn¡¯t use any of these spiritual artefacts herself.

    However, she still wasn¡¯t reassured, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, bringing an artefact that can protect you is also good!¡±

    Hence, both sidespromised and in the end, Yin BiYue still brought along a single dagger.

    After Liu QiShuang calmed down, she realized that she had just walked into a mental pitfall.

    The crises one faces when they leave the Peak to travel vary widely and were impossible to anticipate. How could something like thorough preparation exist? How could there be a surefire backup? If she truly thought through everything extremely carefully and acted too cautious, it would actually end up harming her junior-apprentice brother instead.

    The road going forward was boundless and could not be nned. In the end, junior-apprentice brother had to walk his own path by himself.

    After thinking these things through, Liu QiShuang felt a lot more relieved. At ease, she said some encouraging words and then quickly allowed Yin BiYue to leave.

    Meanwhile, a teenager sat behind a table as he read a book.

    His posture was very straight, and there wasn¡¯t even a hint of him leaning to one side. His gaze was calm and gentle, like an abyss or a vast ocean. What he was currently reading wasn¡¯t a jade bamboo book, but rather an ancient scroll. The corners and edges of the scroll were already beginning to turn yellow. Even though this wasn¡¯t some kind of a precious ancient book, he made no signs of being undisciplined as he handled it.

    Luo MingChuan¡¯s self-discipline and sense of responsibility had long taken root within his personality itself, prating deeply into his bones.

    Even when he had time alone, his attitude and behaviour were still meticulously upright.

    In fact, even his Master Zheng YangZi sometimes thought his self-discipline had evolved to a degree that was too extreme.

    However, despite a personality like his, he never made other people feel a sense of oppression around him.

    On the contrary, every single person who hade in contact with him would feel a carefree sensation, as if they were being cleansed by the spring breeze.

    His smile was neither too bright nor too weak, and had the perfect amount of amiability. Regardless of who he was talking to or what they were talking about, he would always stand at a respectable distance from start to finish. He wouldn¡¯t stay too close to someone but he also wouldn¡¯t stand too far away.

    The room he was currently in was simr to its owner. It wasn¡¯t too grand and imposing, nor was it too simple and crude. In addition, all the furnishings were arranged in a manner that conformed to current social standards.

    A Spirit Purifying Fragrance was lit within the green jade incense burner covered in lotus patterns. For cultivators, this scent had the ability to cleanse one¡¯s spirit and calm their thoughts. The sweet, cool yet refreshing scent lingered within the room as the faint smoke shrouded the teenager¡¯s brow.

    He sat behind the table, his straight and upright figure reminiscent of the pine trees on a precipice.

    Yet, only Luo MingChuan himself knew.

    The Purifying Spirit Fragrance had been gifted to him by an old friend from Qing Lu Jian1 Sect when the other party came to Cang Ya Mountain for a spiritual lecture. In the past, he had never used this incense before because there had been no need to.

    And currently, though his heart wasn¡¯t calm, how could a single stick of incense help him control it?

    As a result, when someone triggered the protective wards surrounding his courtyard, he simply set aside his scroll before he pushed open the door to go out.

    The person who came was He YanYun. In contrast to her usual smiling self and liveliness, currently, her forehead seemed to have gained a few hints of worry.

    Luo MingChuan invited her into his courtyard, but did not take her into his room.

    Although cultivators did not attach importance to intimacy between men and women, he had always maintained the proper etiquette.

    He YanYun sat onto the stone bench underneath the tree. The moment she sat down, she immediately asked, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, are you truly not apanying us for the journey?¡±

    Luo MingChuan calmly replied, ¡°I will be travelling with Xi Hua Peak¡¯s junior-apprentice brothers Yin BiYue and Duan ChongXuan. The route they decided on is different and requires some detours, so we must set off a month earlier.¡±

    Then, he once again warned, ¡°Xi Ping Peak¡¯s Martial Uncle Cheng is the team leader of the group going to this year¡¯s Flower Picking Festival. You guys must obey all his arrangements.¡±

    One could sign up for the ¡®Flower Picking Festival¡¯ voluntarily, and there wasn¡¯t a restriction to the number of disciples who could attend per Sect. However, there was a requirement regarding cultivation realms. In addition, not everyone was fond of leaving their Peak. The people with unstable cultivation realms or the ones who believed they had no chance of winning the right to pick the lotus simply continued on with their closed-door cultivation.

    This time, there were thirty people going from Cang Ya Mountain.

    However, some Sects without prominent reputations might not even have twenty cultivators at the Revtion stage. The connotations behind that information about the Cang Ya team was frightening.

    He YanYun wasn¡¯t surprised by Luo MingChuan¡¯s answer. Before she came, she had already heard about Luo MingChuan¡¯s decision.

    But she wrung her sleeves together, unable to find the words she wanted to say, until she finally summoned all her courage to ask, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother, have you truly done something that wronged senior-apprentice brother Yin?¡±

    With her past understanding of her senior-apprentice brother, she had never felt that senior-apprentice brother Luo would ever make a mistake. If there was a mistake made, then it had to be because of the fault of others.

    This was a type of blind, devoted belief, something that was even simr to worshipping a deity.

    So, even though she knew senior-apprentice Luo never spoke lies, and even though she had also felt sad for senior-apprentice brother Yin at the Qing He Hall......

    He YanYun was still brimming with hope, and had wanted to personally ask him this question.

    Luo MingChuan fell silent.

    The spring breeze blew past his spacious and empty sleeves, making them rustle in the wind. After a long time, he replied, ¡°It is I who disappointed him.¡±

    He YanYun bit her lip and couldn¡¯t say anything. The rims of her eyes had reddened slightly.

    In a flurry, she suddenly stood up. And then, forgetting even to salute him, she rushed out of his courtyard.

    She ran the whole way until she reached the Cheng Guang2 Lake of Xi Qian Peak. He YanYun felt so sad, she even had difficulties breathing.

    She caught sight of her own inverted reflection on the surface of theke. Currently, she cut a sorry figure, looking as if she was just about to cry. But unexpectedly, seeing this made her slowly calm down.

    Because she recalled that, when she had still been a young child, her Master had told her a principle as he watched his reflection in the Lake at this very spot.

    ¡°A viin has no ws, noblemen have countless.¡±

    ¡ª¡ªViins would never believe they made a mistake, and people of noble character would always reflect upon themselves, correcting an error the moment they became aware of it.

    She remembered how, at the time, she had begun bickering with her Master, ¡°Perhaps people are just too demanding when ites to noblemen. That¡¯s why they grab even the tiniest errors and refuse to let go, making it seem like the small error was a huge mistake. But since viins are already viins, when they make mistakes, people don¡¯t me them as much. This truly isn¡¯t fair! Being a nobleman is so miserable, ah! Fortunately, I¡¯m a girl.¡±

    Master¡¯s beard began puffing up in anger as he red at her and huffed, ¡°Brat, you¡¯re hopeless! Your senior-apprentice brother is much better than you in this aspect!¡±

    It was natural senior-apprentice brother was better than her. In He YanYun¡¯s heart, senior-apprentice brother was more powerful than anybody else.

    She cupped her hands in the river and used the water to wash her face. Then, she gave her own reflection a smile.

    Because she suddenly felt that, when onepared a senior-apprentice brother who admitted his own mistakes to a senior-apprentice brother who never made mistakes, the former was even more powerful and worthy of admiration.

    The evening breeze made one¡¯s heart feel more serene. The young girl dressed in pink clothes sat by thekeside as she thought over all the things that had happened since the public trial. She couldn¡¯t bear seeing her senior-apprentice brother look so thin and haggard. Thus, she made a decision, and with it, her own mood improved as well.

    On the fifth day of the fourth month3, an auspicious eclipse would ur.

    Setting out on a long journey, performing funeral rites, being wed, and establishing something new4¡ªthis day was the most appropriate for all matters.

    Duan ChongXuan had checked the Huang Calendar5 before deciding the date to embark on their journey.

    Liu QiShuang and Jun Yu walked with them until they were outside Xi Hua Peak. On the day they parted, they unexpectedly didn¡¯t have much to say.

    Yin BiYue noticed that Jun Yu¡¯s imposing aura could no longer be restrained and was thus released in a free manner. If one stood a bit closer to him, they would feel pressured, as if they were facing a high mountain that had suddenly appeared before them.

    This was good news. Perhaps, by the time he returned, senior-apprentice brother would already be in the Immortalization realm.

    After he and Duan ChongXuan saluted their senior-apprentice brother and sister, they turned around and descended down the mountain.

    And then, they saw Luo MingChuan, who was standing in the middle of the mountain path.

    It had only been a few days since theyst met, but it appeared as if hisplexion had improved by a great deal.

    Luo MingChuan nodded slightly as his greeting, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother Yin, junior-apprentice brother Duan.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan said with a smile, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo, our destination is quite far away, so please treat us kindly.¡±

    Yin BiYue rxed. It seemed like the chatterbox didn¡¯t hold a lot of hostility toward Luo MingChuan. He also nodded before saying, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo.¡±

    And thus, they descended the mountain together.

    At dawn, when the pale waning moon could be seen in the western part of the sky¡ª¡ª

    The melodious ¡®Daybreak Waking Bells¡¯ from the main peak began reverberating between the gaps of the mountain. The chiming sounds continued ceaselessly, startling countless birds into leaving the forest.

    Although they were still on the mountain, the terrain had long became less steep. In addition, the main road they were walking on had been constructed so that it was even more wide and t. On it, there was ample space to allow two carts to pass each other.

    By the time they almost reached the self-study hall, they could already hear some vague voices.

    Many of the disciples had already woken up, and some were gathered together as they talked about something. When they saw the three of them walking down the mountain, side-by-side, many faint gazes began shifting over to them.

    This morning was serene, auspicious and peaceful, simr to the millions of mornings at Cang Ya Mountain in the past. One wouldn¡¯t be able to spot a difference between them.

    However, Yin BiYue intuitively thought that there was something wrong. Because, all of these disciples were actually holding swords.

    Normally, when there wasn¡¯t any affairs regarding their swords, cultivators who used light swords would just hang them by their waist. Heavy swords were carried on one¡¯s back, and those fond of using space spiritual techniques or spiritual artefacts would simply put their swords away. Very few people would actually hold their swords.

    Unless they wished to immediately use it.

    Çà (q¨©ng) ¡ª green/blue, Â´ (l¨´) ¡ª the foot of the hill, ½£ (ji¨¤n) ¡ª sword.

    ³Î¹â (ch¨¦ng gu¨¡ng) ¡ª limpid light.

    This refers to lunar calendar. Converted to our time, it should be around end of May/early June depending on the year.

    i.e: a rtionship, a business, etc.

    »ÆÀú (hu¨¢ng l¨¬) ¡ª a traditional chinese calendar with auspicious and bad-fortune days already calcted and recorded on it.

 Chapter 15 - Seeing Them Off

    Chapter 15: Seeing Them Off

    Waves of people rushed over from all directions.

    In addition, every one of them held a sword in their hands.

    Without exposing his inner thoughts, Yin BiYue observed thepanions by his side. However, those two acted like they didn¡¯t see this scene at all, and their paces were as steady as it had been before. Duan ChongXuan even looked a bit excited.

    By the time they were about a zhang1away from the self-study hall, the Cang Ya disciples here had already formed a dense sea of people.

    Yin BiYue¡¯s heart sunk.

    As the three of them approached, these disciples spontaneously retreated to the sides of the road, clearing the main road for only them to pass through.

    The gazes everyone used to look at them were focused and passionate, but nobody spoke up. The scene was quiet enough that one could hear the sound of everyone breathing.

    Yin BiYue already adjusted his pace to one that would be the most suitable for unsheathing his sword. In fact, in his heart, he had already calcted more than three ways of breaking through someone¡¯s line of defense should they be surrounded.

    However, he didn¡¯t think he would have more than fifty-percent of sess, because there was truly too much people. He didn¡¯t even know if there were experts in this crowd that were just concealing their aura.

    At this moment, someone in the crowd raised their sword. In a loud voice, he yelled, ¡°Martial Uncle Yin! Victory at the Flower Picking Festival is certain!¡±

    Suddenly startled, Yin BiYue followed the sound of the voice. This......wasn¡¯t this one of the little disciples that had escorted him to his public trial?

    ......He had been the one influenced by the Halo too.

    There wasn¡¯t time for him to ponder about this more, because very quickly, other shouts began continuously echoing into the air. They were like a tide as they bubbled forward in quick session.

    ¡°Martial Uncle Luo! Seize victory at Zhong Ming Mountain! ¡ª¡ª¡±

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Yin, be ever-victorious! ¡ª¡ª¡±

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo is invincible! ¡ª¡ª¡±

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Yin¡¯s swordy is number one! ¡ª¡ª¡±

    Although the seniority of the disciples within the crowd on both sides of the road were different and thus they addressed them differently as well, all of them raised the sword in their hands and did their best to wave them. From far away, it appeared to be a flowing sea of swords.

    Duan ChongXuan sighed with feeling, ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve enjoyed the ¡®Farewell with Swords¡¯ treatment.¡±

    Yin BiYue kept feeling as if something he wasn¡¯t aware of had urred.

    His intuition was correct.

    ¡°Martial Uncle Yin is a good person! If you had really met him before, then you wouldn¡¯t be misled by the rumours!¡±

    If Cheng Xi had been the only one saying this, then it naturally wouldn¡¯t create and ripples or waves.

    However, that day, there had been four disciples who escorted Yin BiYue.

    In Cang Ya¡¯s gossip circles, three people could create a tiger2, while four people were enough to melt gold3.

    They had always believed that there was something unusual between Luo MingChuan and Yin BiYue, but they definitely weren¡¯t enemies. And contrary to expectations, the one with a guilty conscience was Luo MingChuan.

    The cultivation of Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s disciples were first ss, but their ability to pass on information was first ss as well.

    Things like ¡®Senior Martial Uncle Liu¡¯s daughter and Junior Martial Uncle Zhang¡¯s son are in love with each other and are already together as a couple¡¯ turned into ¡®Senior Martial Uncle Liu and Junior Martial Uncle Zhang are already together and they¡¯re gonna be married by the end of the month. The person in charge of the wedding is the Sect Leader¡¯ by the end of their gossiping. Their ability to distort truths wasn¡¯t an exaggeration at all.

    The rest of the disciples that had entered the secret realm and had been in danger got together. After carefully recalling and verifying the details, they discovered that at the time, even if the killing array had been activated, they wouldn¡¯t have been injured. This was because the entire attack would have only been concentrated on Luo MingChuan.

    However, Luo MingChuan chose to be punished instead of Yin BiYue. That fact was truly too strange.

    Combining that with Luo MingChuan¡¯s reaction at the Qing He Pce Hall, and with what Cheng Xi and the other three had personally saw, everyone had already conjectured at least ten versions of ¡®the secret affairs between Cang Ya¡¯s seeding disciple and Xi Hua Peak¡¯s genius that cannot be said¡¯. However, only the minority said things like a love-hate entangled rtionship or hate birthed from love.

    In the end, He YanYu had ultimately guided the topic to ¡®when we talk about love, what exactly are we talking about?¡¯4.

    The interest of a lot of people surged. They began asking her what happened after the doors to the Pce Hall had been closed. However, she refused to tell them.

    Thus, today¡¯s scene appeared.

    ¡®Farewell with Swords, to encourage them for their journey¡¯ was one of Cang Ya¡¯s traditions.

    The disciples were the ones who spontaneously arranged and organized them. They would send them off and apany them from the self-study hall all the way until they were outside the Sect. Many years ago, martial cultivators waved all sorts of swords, while spiritual cultivators held all sorts of spiritual artefacts. The scene was truly too beautiful to even look at. Thus, this tradition gradually developed into one where they only waved swords in the air, and nothing else.

    Many of the disciples that had came today had actually temporarily borrowed a sword for this event.

    However, that didn¡¯t affect their enthusiasm as they yelled, so much that the mour they made was enough to shake the whole Cang Ya.

    By the time Yin BiYue and his group had walked a hundred or so meters, the tide of people was still following them. Unorganized and chaotic shouts started bing more uniform. The two sides seemed to have reached a consensus. After a group of people yelled the phrase, ¡°Martial Uncle Luo! Seize victory at Zhong Ming Mountain!¡±, the other side would yell, ¡°Martial Uncle Yin! Victory at the Flower Picking Festival is certain!¡±

    Suddenly, a breeze appeared in between the gaps of the woods. The wind brought along a delightful fragrance.

    Yin BiYue lifted his head and saw ten or so women wearing white robese in a trippingly manner. The two girls heading them lifted their heels and bounced lightly off their toes as each leapt onto a treetop, one in the Northern direction and the other to the South. With a swept of their hands, they each shook out a banner with graceful, elegant script in big characters¡ª¡ª

    The one on the south side said ¡®Gorgeous, Luminous Pearl¡¯, while the one on the north side said, ¡®Impable Moral Integrity¡¯.

    Upon seeing this, Duan ChongXuan took out his fan before he fanned himself. His smile became increasingly more elegant and casual. ¡°I¡¯m in favour of my senior and junior-apprentice sisters¡¯ unique and artistic heart.¡±

    The corner of Yin BiYue¡¯s mouth twitched.

    Dear youngster, you have too much confidence in yourself. In the very least, that He YanYun little sister who¡¯s heading them is absolutely here in order to support her family¡¯s senior-apprentice brother Luo.

    Duan ChongXuan sighed emotionally, ¡°They are praising my appearance byparing it to a gorgeous pearl, and admiring my moral quality as impable, ah!¡±

    Yin BiYue discovered that he was actually left speechless.

    If he was capable of mastering the knowledge from entertainment circle novels, he would instantly be able to understand today¡¯s situation.

    The long main street separated two sides.

    The side on the south wasprised of Luo MingChuan¡¯s fans, while the side on the north was Yin BiYue¡¯s fanclub. The swords they held were equivalent to modern day posters and glow sticks.

    What Luo MingChuan¡¯s fans won in was that there were so many of them.

    Majestically forming a dense sea, the frequency of their waving swords was also very orderly.

    And what Yin BiYue¡¯s fanclub won in was their superior quality.

    Apart from the ones that had taken the lead; the four disciples that had escorted him and the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall, there were still the devoted fans of the ¡®Sword Saint¡¯ and Jun Yu. This was the first time Xi Hua Peak attended the Flower Picking Festival, so naturally they were representing the Sword Saint¡¯s prestige.

    Although the number of people couldn¡¯t bepared to the south side, the cultivation of all the disciples on the north side weren¡¯t low. When they yelled, the sound came from their dantians5 with abundant true essence.

    The momentum from both sides were equally matched.

    However, it was unfortunate that Yin BiYue¡¯s scenes in entertainment circle novels only amounted to two and a half lines, so he naturally didn¡¯t know this.

    Or else, he could have issued a rousing call¡ª¡ªthe friends in the back, please raise your swords! Allow me to see both your hands!

    Standing on the treetop, He YanYun striked her banner. She nced at her sisters6 who were mingling on both sides, and who had started distributing handkerchiefs sewn with the words ¡®Gorgeous, Luminous Pearl, Impable Moral Integrity¡¯ to everybody. He YanYun smiled slightly.

    The Ruan XiaoLian across from her raised an eyebrow.

    ¡ª¡ªCan this seed?

    He YanYun nodded.

    ¡ª¡ªNo problem, ah.

    These embroidered handkerchiefs were the ones He YanYun and her sisters made as they pulled countless all-nighters. The materials used must be exquisite, the workmanship needed to be refined, and the stitches were detailed and meticulous. These needed to be handkerchiefs that nobody could refuse to take after they held it once in their hands. In addition, in Cang Ya Mountain, possessing a handkerchief from a girl was truly something worth unting and being proud of.

    It didn¡¯t take long for the girls to finish handing out the handkerchiefs. He YanYun smiled in satisfaction, before she stared at Ruan XiaoLian in gratitude.

    ¡ª¡ªThank you, everyone.

    Ruan XiaoLian gave her a re.

    ¡ª¡ªThere¡¯s no need for words of politeness.

    Thus, He YanYun didn¡¯t speak any more. No, from start to finish, she had never ¡®said¡¯ any polite words. The two of them grew up together. They could understand each other with only a meaningful nce or a single expression.

    In He YanYun¡¯s words, this was called a friendship where they lived and died together. The kind of friendship where they would sneak off the mountain to stroll the city and eat roasted chicken, before they got dragged back together to get punished with ps on their palms.

    Everytime the Cang Ya Mountain sisters team got captured, it was always He YanYun who took the initiative to stand out and be their scapegoat. In regards to this aspect, she was extremely loyal to her friends. Now that everybody was gradually growing up, they slowly changed their behaviours that used to be just fond of ying and eating and they began diligently cultivating. It had been a long time since everyone had gotten together again.

    Thus, when He YanYun suggested this project, it was like they were shot by chicken blood7. It could be said that there was a hundred responses to her single call.

    These things, Yin BiYue knew none of it.

    He held the handkerchief that had been stuffed into his hands, stared at the words ¡®Gorgeous, Luminous Pearl, Impable Moral Integrity¡¯, and only felt that there was something strange about all of this.

    After they finally reached the bottom of the mountain, the tide of people halted under the high and broad mountain gates as the group calmed down.

    The three people turned around to give all the people sending them off a salute. Luo MingChuan said in a clear and bright voice, ¡°Thank you for your trouble of seeing us off.¡±

    The crowd of people once again exploded into a peal of cheers.

    With their sleeves blocking the wind, the group of teenagers began walking southward.

    Behind them was the rising morning sun, majestic green hills, and a sea of swords and cheers.

    In front of them, was the unknown thistles and thorns, and a muddy road.

    Unit of measure, around 3.3 meters.

    ÈýÈËÊÐ»¢ means, when three people consecutively insist the same thing, it will sway the listener into believing what the three people say is indeed true, even if it is all lies. TL;DR: repetitive rumours will be true even if they are initially false.

    ËÄÈË¾ÍÄÜ³ÆµÄÉÏÊÇÖÚ¿ÚË¸½ðÁË = literal trantion: public opinion is powerful enough to melt metal. (meaning: Incessant nder are heavy as rocks or metal, and can cause a person¡¯s existence to be a burden, resulting in their ruin. When public opinion is united and turned on a single person, when right and wrong is inverted, it can cause death.)

    What this means here is, what kind of love/feelings are we talking about?

    µ¤Ìï (d¨¡nti¨¢n) ¨C point two inches below the navel where one¡¯s qi resides.

    She doesn¡¯t mean her blood-rted sisters, but the other girls she came with.

    A saying that means has suddenly became extremely excited over a specific object or matter, believing it to be their heart¡¯s desire.

 Chapter 16 - Trimming Candles1

    Chapter 16: Trimming Candles1 (I)

    There were many ways for cultivators to travel. For those above the Sage realm, they could ride the draft of the wind and travel thousands of li2 in a single day, or know the heavenly methods of splitting apart space and time. And as long as one stepped into the doorway of cultivation, these people could consume their true essence to enhance their speed, or perhaps activate their spiritual artifacts or make use of spiritual beasts.

    It was only a pity that in the current world, after experiencing the ¡®End of the Spiritualism Era¡¯, the spiritual artifacts for travelling were rarely used by even therge Sects, and spiritual beasts were even more seldom utilized. This was because the survival requirements for spiritual beasts were demanding. Not only did they require a Heavenly spiritual vein to support their well-being, they also needed a Master who they had genuinely acknowledged.

    Reportedly, His Highness the Emperor of the Northern Continent¡ª¡ªone of the six Sages¡ª¡ªkept four blue-winged luan3 to pull his imperial carriage. Every year, they consumed eight hundred thousand crystal stones and sixty thousand catties4 of tourmaline cinnabars.

    Under the heavens, the people who couldmit their resources to this degree could be counted on one¡¯s fingers.

    With regards to Yin BiYue and his party¡¯s current cultivation realms, if they urged their true essence to the extreme, it would merely take half a month to cross the sea and rush to the Northern Continent. But, in Duan ChongXuan¡¯s words, ¡®It¡¯s rare to make a trip off the mountain. There¡¯s still enough time, so why should we be anxious about hastening our journey? Eldest senior-apprentice brother¡¯s wish was also to let us wander about more.¡¯

    Toward this, Yin BiYue didn¡¯t have anyints, because he wanted to understand this world a bit more. Even though his memories wereprised of the information recorded in countless ancient scrolls, how could theypare to real experience?

    After seeing how he had nodded his head, Luo MingChuan also nodded in agreement.

    After leaving the boundaries of Cang Ya Mountain¡¯snd, they would pass Jin5 City, Yang6 City, and the Pan Long7 mountain range via the fourth main road of the Western Continent. They would head southward, embarking on a ship to leave the Western Continent and crossing over Fu Kong8 Sea. Ultimately, they would meet up with the other Cang Ya Mountain disciples in the Ye9 City of the Southern Continent, before heading toward Zhong Ming Mountain together.

    This was their predicted itinerary. To be more precise, it was the route Liu QiShuang had repeatedly thought over, before she finally decided on this. Although it was unlikely they would have a smooth and peaceful journey, they could avoid the extremely dangerous ces like the ¡®Shi Wan Mountain¡¯.

    In the Jin City that was bustling with horses and carriages, they visited a teahouse and overheard a storyteller gossiping with the customers. In fact, the teahouse, jam-packed with customers, was hyping up the Flower Picking Festival with extravagant embellishments.

    In Yang City, they took off their Taoist robes and bought clothes and ornaments of themon folk. Quicker than a whip can crack, their outfits changed and they looked like three young nobles who had left home to study.

    What made Yin BiYue surprised was that, as they journeyed on the road, the chatterbox and Luo MingChuan got along really well. Contrary to what one might expect, since he himself wasn¡¯t fond of speaking, most of the interactions were between those two.

    With thorough etiquette and gentle smiles as they talked, there was a hint of friendship among gentlemen, insipid as water in their exchanges.

    For those who didn¡¯t know, they would assume Luo MingChuan was Duan ChongXuan¡¯s best friend, and not someone he had intentionally targeted at Xi Hua Peak.

    Yin BiYue thought, this ought to be the protagonist¡¯s halo winning him over, right?

    Two days before they entered the Pan Long mountain range, Duan ChongXuan finally decided to change his clothes.

    Yin BiYue also felt ufortable since he was always surrounded and stared at because of his hair colour. After thinking about it, he added a ink-ck cloak with a hood to their purchase.

    Thus, he was currently very satisfied with his own appearance. When he wore his hood, he only revealed his somewhat thin lower jaw. With +10 points to the gloominess trait, he was working full-time as a viinous character!

    But when Duan ChongXuan walked out of his inn room after changing, Yin BiYue thought he would go blind.

    His current outfit was clearly something that couldn¡¯t be bought anywhere within the whole Yang City, so it definitely had to be something he had brought himself.

    That person shook his fan. The cor of his long robes was embroidered with golden threads to create a luan in flight, and he wore a gold headpiece encrusted with amethyst and pearls on his head. The belt around his waist was embroidered with majestic white and gold dragons, coupled with a buckle made with exquisite enamel and coral.

    The glimmer of pearls and other precious material adorning this person¡¯s body was enough to blind people. From far away, he looked like a¡ª¡ª

    Small, moving golden person.

    If one said that his previous appearance had a noble aura, as if his clothes were made by the heavens, then currently he looked like a second-generation young master10 who had suddenly gotten rich in a single night. That kind, with a lot of money but who were also equally very stupid.

    Yin BiYue guessed that Duan Chatterbox had probably suffered some sort of shock.

    However, the chatterbox himself smiled very happily, so it was hard for Yin BiYue to say anything.

    When Luo MingChuan came out, there was a moment where he stared nkly at Duan ChongXuan. It was evident that his eyes had also been blinded by this disy.

    Following that, he immediately coughed once as he turned his head and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Yin BiYue could almost see the words ¡®cannot bear to look straight at him¡¯ written all over Luo MingChuan¡¯s face.

    The shade of the trees were dense, hiding the sky and covering the earth. The refreshing breeze blowing through the gaps of the mountain waspletely full of the smell of nts and soil.

    The three of them walked on a rugged and winding small path for a long time, and no one spoke the entire way. The sun¡¯s shadow gradually began nting to the west.

    Yin BiYue began pondering. Although nobody had heard of particrly ferocious beasts living in the Pan Long mountain range, was the chatterbox¡¯s current golden outfit¡ªone that reflected light for ten li outwards, really going to be okay?

    Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear.

    Yin BiYue¡¯s divine consciousness stirred slightly, so he stopped walking forward.

    Luo MingChuan also halted.

    After the span of five breaths, the sound of rustling noises began echoing from the woods. It seemed as if they were getting increasingly closer to them.

    The people who wereing didn¡¯t have good intentions. Their killing intent was extremely heavy, and they seemed to not have even the slightest intention of concealing their schemes.

    That was all apanied by a loud shout, ¡°Stay still for this Elder!¡± From the forest, more than ten buff men suddenly jumped out.

    The one at the head had a long scar across his face and was eight chi11tall. He held a broad axe that was a thousand catty heavy. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going? Do you not understand the rules? Today, if you wish to pass the gates of this Elder¡¯s house, silver is alright, spiritual stones are also okay. Leave absolutely everything behind!¡±

    The bandits that followed behind him began agreeing loudly, ¡°If you don¡¯t have those, then just leave behind your life!¡±

    Following their speech, they burst into a peal of roaringughter and guffaws.

    Ever since the bandit leader began speaking, Yin BiYue followed the script and began silently mouthing his lines.

    Word for word.

    Ah, what a familiar scene!

    Not so long ago, he himself was the one who previously held a metal rod in his hand. Oh, no. Back then, he wasn¡¯t even the viin with the opportunity of holding a metal rod!

    Yin BiYue was precisely theckey who had followed after the shamate12 leader with the metal rod¡ªthe leader who wore worn-out pants with holes, and bangs that were longer than his face. He would hear the leader say, ¡®does the little miss wanna apany us brothers for some fun¡¯ and then cooperatively, he would smile evilly in silence. After waiting a bit, he would hear someone yell, ¡®Halt!¡¯ and then, as the leader yelled, ¡®Brothers, get them!¡¯, he would be the one sent flying by a kick from the protagonist.

    He wouldn¡¯t even have a single line to say.

    When he thought of this, Yin BiYue felt some disdain.

    Because, these guys¡¯ personal achievements and aplishments as a viin weren¡¯t high. Look at the faces of the ones standing in the back; their gazes were absolutely not cruel enough while their expressions were overly rigid!

    Yin BiYue gave them a poor evaluation!

    Perhaps it was because he was staying by the protagonist¡¯s side, so the script had changed. Yin BiYue counted to three, but still didn¡¯t hear that familiar ¡®Halt¡¯ shout.

    Instead, he heard someone chuckle gently beside him.

    The one who hadughed was Duan Chatterbox.

    It was no wonder the chatterbox wouldugh. The three of them were people intending to participate in the Flower Picking Festival. Cang Ya¡¯s seeding disciple and the Sword Saints¡¯ disciples unexpectedly......ran into muggers!

    If word of this was spread out, it would be enough for the entire cultivation world to continueughing for a year.

    Yin BiYue took a look at the clothes he and hispanions were wearing. Suddenly, he realized that he and Luo MingChuan¡¯s appearances made it seem like they were the attendants apanying a rich, second-generation young master as he went out to y.

    They truly couldn¡¯t me the little bandit squad for theirck of insight.

    Luo MingChuan¡¯s expression was serene, looking neither indignant or angry. It even appeared as if he was nning on speaking reason to them.

    Not waiting for Luo MingChuan to speak, Duan ChongXuan began speaking in a calm andposed manner as he shook his fan. ¡°Do you guys know who¡¯s standing beside me?¡±

    The little mugger team nked for a moment.

    In a bold and confident manner, Duan ChongXuan stood behind Luo MingChuan, ¡°This person beside me, is the majestic Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s chief disciple. He¡¯s the next Cang Ya¡¯s Sect Leader, Luo MingChuan, senior-apprentice brother Luo!¡±

    It means to cut off the excess wax around the wick to ensure the me is not obscured.

    Àï (l¨«): li, ancient measure of length, approx. 500 m.

    ð½ (lu¨¢n): mythical bird rted to phoenix, usually a cooler colour like blue, green, or purple.

    1 catty = roughly 500-600g.

    ½ú³Ç (J¨¬nch¨¦ng): A prefecture-level city in Shanxi, although this is probably a fantastical one named after it. Cheng means city.

    •D (y¨¢ng): rising sun, sunshine.

    ÅÌÁú (P¨¢nl¨®ng): Panlong district of Kunming city, Yunnan. Probably a fictional take on it.

    ¸¡ (f¨²): floating

    ¿Õ (k¨­ng): empty, air, sky.

    Ò¶ (Y¨¨): leaf.

    Someone who was born with a silver spoon and doesn¡¯t blink an eye with flitting away their parent¡¯s money.

    ³ß (ch¨«): Chinese foot, one third of a meter.

    É±ÂíÌØ (sh¨¡m¨£t¨¨): Chinese subculture of young urban migrants, usually of low education, with exaggerated hairstyles, heavy make-up, mboyant costumes, piercings etc (loanword from ¡°smart¡±).

    Chapter 16: Trimming Candles (II)

    Afterwards, Duan ChongXuan turned his nostrils up into the air, while his expression was extremely disdaining, like he was in need of a spanking. ¡°Are you guys still not kneeling and calling him daddy?!¡±

    The little bandits¡¯ captain immediately exploded, ¡°Bah! What Cang Ya¡¯s chief disciple? This Elder is actually the Northern Continent¡¯s Emperor himself!¡±

    Duan ChongXuan stared nkly for a moment as his expression became somewhat strange. ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡±

    Unfortunately, the little bandit squad had already rushed forward.

    However, before they even got ten steps away from the three of them, the bandits were already sent flying away. The one leading them was injured especially seriously. In fact, he had smashed into two big trees before finally hitting the ground.

    A barrier made out of incorporeal true essence was what had flicked the bandits away.

    Luo MingChuan¡¯s figure didn¡¯t even move.

    The little bandit squadid on the ground and threw up blood. Even if they died, they wouldn¡¯t be able to understand how years of robbery experience suddenly lost their effectiveness. How did their cash cow suddenly turn into an iron panel?

    The leader of the bandits had already passed the Essence Cleansing Stage, and could be considered as someone who had stepped into the gateway of cultivation. There were also a few people at the Qi Condensation Stage, but they simply didn¡¯t have the potential to progress even further. For a brigand like this at Pan Long mountain range, dealing with caravans that couldn¡¯t request bodyguards or a lone traveller rushing to their destination was more than enough. There was little spiritual energy at Pan Long mountain range, and there were even fewer heavenly materials or earthly treasures, so cultivators very rarely came there.

    Without a doubt, they had all been lured over by the attractive and moving little golden man.

    From the moment when the little bandit squad had raised their feet to the time where theyid defeated on the ground, ten seconds had barely passed. Luo MingChuan turned his head and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Passing through the sounds of feeble, pained noises and people begging for mercy, the three of them moved on forward.

    Like this, at intervals of every ten li1, they came across simr little bandit squads. Even long after it became dark, other bandits still came running at them with lit torches.

    Thus, the scene from earlier repeatedly urred.

    Now, Yin BiYue felt that he somewhat understood the reasoning behind Duan ChongXuan¡¯s actions.

    However, if he was doing this just to add to Luo MingChuan¡¯s troubles and find fault with him, then this method was truly too crude.

    Then, what exactly did the chatterbox want to do?

    It couldn¡¯t be because he wanted to rid the mountain of bandits and seek justice on behalf of the heavens, right?

    After nightfall, it finally became more peaceful.

    The pure yet cold-looking moonlight passed through the murky shadows of trees and spilled onto the ground. The night breeze from the evening time of spring also added some chilliness.

    The three of them found a secluded cave. Duan ChongXuan ignited a seal that lit up and then swept the light around the spiderwebs and dried weeds. Then, he took out a Cleansing Evil Pearl and embedded it onto the wall of the cave. In no time, gentle light immediately flowed and illuminated the cave.

    Luo MingChuan and Yin BiYue prepared to sit and meditate.

    Duan ChongXuan also took out arge, poster bed made out of red sandalwood, with carved flowers and covered in cotton silk, before saying, ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, I have another spare bed, do you want it?¡±

    Yin BiYue had originally thought he had long adapted to Duan ChongXuan¡¯s strange style, but right now, he still couldn¡¯t resist the twitch at the corner of his mouth. ¡°No need.¡±

    In a rather regretful tone, Duan ChongXuan said, ¡°Oh¡±, before he got onto his bed and went to sleep.

    The shadow of the moon sat in the west. In a tilting manner, they illuminated the cave and began reflecting with the brilliance of the Cleansing Evil Pearl.

    With the tranquilness of the night, the only sounds left were the cries of animals and insects, and the rustling sounds of the forest as the wind blew through them.

    The cave wasn¡¯t very big, so the meditating Yin BiYue and Luo MingChuan were only three chi2 away from each other.

    In the cultivation world, this was the distance that would offend someone the least.

    If the other party was a stranger, staying less than three chi close to them was something extremely rude.

    If the other party was an enemy, being less than three chi away from them implied danger.

    Yin BiYue felt a bit ufortable.

    He didn¡¯t know whether or not it was the reflexes that were left in this body, or if it was himself being on guard.

    After entering the Soul Manifestation stage, a cultivator¡¯s five senses became extremely keen. Even if one was not being deliberate, they could still feel the exhtion and inhtion of the person beside them. In fact, he could even sense the slightly cool night¡¯s various......temperatures.

    As time psed and the sky gradually sank in colour, this kind of feeling was magnified by a few times.

    He did not know whether or not the Luo MingChuan, who had always adhered to the rules and etiquette, was as ufortable as he was. Or perhaps, the other was immersed in his meditative breathing and had entered his best state. Maybe Luo MingChuan was already nning on taking out a spiritual stone to begin cultivating. After all, he was a spiritual cultivator, so he would always bring spiritual stones with him.

    On the contrary, Luo MingChuan was recalling the past.

    He felt that this kind of feeling was extremely familiar, as if they had returned to the Night Library of the Lan Yuan Academy. The icily arrogant and silent teenager sat at the table in front of him, where the slightly yellow halo emanating from the greenmp fell upon the side of his face. Ineffably, it caused people to see an illusion of tenderness.

    And as for himself?

    Luo MingChuan was once again sitting at the table beside this teenager. Like Yin BiYue, he had a litmp, and his table was also home to a pile of thick scrolls.

    When he got tired of reading, Luo MingChuan would look at the other boy.

    Although the teenager had an air of childishness because of his facial features, he was still very good-looking. If Luo MingChuan got to steal more nces of him, it felt as if he could relieve his tiredness. Yin BiYue had always been single-mindedly devoted to studying, so he had never discovered Luo MingChuan¡¯s small, bad habit.

    The Night Library and the Book Collection Pavilion were connected by a hallway in the air. Some books weren¡¯t permitted to be checked out. They were books that needed to be finished in a single night, so students would go there to read them.

    Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t frequently visit that ce. However, every time he did go, it seemed like he would always see this teenager there, sitting in his regr seat under the window in the West.

    Sometimes, he couldn¡¯t help but break into chuckles, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, ah. You are still so young, frequently pulling all-nighters mean you won¡¯t grow tall.¡±

    This sentence, he had thought countless times in his heart, but he had never spoken it out loud.

    Because the teenager seemed to really hate people saying he was young.

    For students who studied at night, when they became too tired, they would often chat a few sentences in a low tone to their neighbour. This could allow one to freshen up and perhaps also make a new friend.

    However, although he and this teenager sat at adjacent tables numerous times, they had never spoken to each other even once.

    They hadn¡¯t talked because there was never a tired expression on this teenager¡¯s face, and more importantly, he never showed the intent of speaking.

    Thus, Luo MingChuan became unable to take the liberty of bothering him.

    Until one time, the teenager stared at his greenmp, before slightly furrowing his brows.

    The Academy advocated simplicity, so they didn¡¯t have bronze oilmps. However, when a greenmp was lit for a long time, thempwick would split in half and the light would dim.

    Luo MingChuan nced at him and couldn¡¯t help but startughing. In a soft and low voice, he asked, ¡°This junior-apprentice brother, did you forget to bring candle scissors?¡±

    The teenager inclined his head toward him. The ck and white of his pupils and eyes looked distinct, reflecting the warm yellow of the candle light as the icy arrogance from daytime subsided, ¡°Yes.¡±

    In response, Luo MingChuan stood up to help him cut his candle. He slightly leaned over the other¡¯s body, long hair hanging down like a curtain. He was close enough to the teenager to see the delicate shadows created by his fluttering eyshes. The shadows of the two people were imprinted on the window in the West, looking as if they hadbined into one.

    A momentter, the table became as brightly lit as before. Luo MingChuan also retreated to a polite distance.

    The teenager nodded at him, ¡°Many thanks.¡±

    ¡°Junior-apprentice brother is too polite,¡± Luo MingChuan set down his candle scissors and then introduced himself, ¡°I am from the Eastern Continent¡¯s Qiongzhou3, Luo MingChuan.¡±

    ¡°Central Continent¡¯s Ying An4 City, Yin BiYue.¡±

    These were the first words they had spoken to each other, even after entering the Academy for an entire year. It was also some of the very few words they said to each other within their three years at the Academy.

    Light and darkness intertwined within the Night Library. The umted scrolls and thick documents lying within a folder remained untouched, and the light from the greenmp exploded outward, resembling a blossoming flower.

    Time stopped at that very moment.

    Yin BiYue thought Luo MingChuan must be feeling ufortable too, because his aura was unstable.

    Fortunately, it was already three quarters into Mao Shi5, and the sky was slightly lightening up. Holding his sword, Yin BiYue walked out of the cave.

    A morning breeze brushed past his face, blowing away his confused feelings that hadsted an entire night.

    Daybreak was about to arrive. It was precisely a good time to practice one¡¯s sword.

    Àï (l¨«): li, ancient measure of length, approx. 500 m.

    ³ß (ch¨«): Chinese foot, one third of a meter.

    ÇíÖÝ (Qi¨®ngzh¨­u): Either a fictional version of Qiongzhou, the historic name for Hainan Ind, or Jade (Qiong) River (Zhou).

    ò£°² (Y¨«ng¨¡n): Ying means grain husk, An means calm.

    Mao Shi is 5AM-7AM, so this is around 6:30AM.

 Chapter 17 - His Bottom Line

    Chapter 17: His Bottom Line

    Yin BiYue¡¯s famous sword ¡®River¡¯s Reliance¡¯ had been passed down to him on behalf of his cheaply obtained Master, when Jun Yu substituted their Master to receive him as a disciple.

    In thest three years he spent on Cang Ya Mountain, he had practiced the Cold Water Sword Arts at least ten million times. The forms had long been engraved into his bones, bing instinct.

    However, after leaving the Lan Yuan Academy, he no longer practiced the Cold Water Sword Arts.

    When the first rays of dawn broke the horizon, Yin BiYue put away his sword.

    Behind him, a big tree so thick that it would take two people to wrap their arms around its trunk toppled over with a loud rumble.

    A breathter, the trees in the surrounding ten zhang1 all copsed, startling countless birds into leaving the forest.

    Yin BiYue just stood in the middle of the severed trees and demolished branches. A sword aura that had not yet scattered lingered around his entire body. He looked back, feeling quite apprehensive.

    However, he only saw Duan Chatterbox yell in excitement, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen fourth senior-apprentice brother practice his sword! So it turned out your Sword Arts has advanced once again! Congrattions, senior-apprentice brother!¡±

    Standing beside him was Luo MingChuan, who nodded while smiling gently.

    The weight in Yin BiYue¡¯s heart finally dissipated.

    If even Luo MingChuan couldn¡¯t tell there was something off, then at the very least it meant that anyone within and below the Revtion stage would be unable to tell.

    In fact, because Luo MingChuan practiced the Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Arts, his eyesight for things like this should exceed a normal person¡¯s. Perhaps, even someone from a higher cultivation realm than the Revtion stage wouldn¡¯t be able to see through his trick.

    It seemed like the opponents he would meet during this trip to Zhong Ming Mountain wouldn¡¯t have any suspicions.

    His true essence was unable to enter this sword. However, after taking a walk through the Academy, he had reached enlightenment and thought up a different kind of method.

    He could cover the surface of his sword with his true essence, wrapping up this sword. This kind of method must have already been attempted by others in the past, but if someone did this, their true essence would quickly dissipate.

    In addition, this required an enormous amount of true essence. With Yin BiYue¡¯s current true essence, he wouldn¡¯t be able tost for more than the time it took to brew a cup of tea.

    However, his state of mind was very strong. Thus, he thought of using his state of mind to condense his divine consciousness. Then, he used his divine consciousness to lock his true essence onto the surface of his sword.

    The drawback to this method was that the stronger his opponent, the faster his divine consciousness would be consumed. Fortunately, with his cheat-like,pacted state of mind, recovering his divine consciousness was also a quick matter. And for his current cultivation realm, it was more than enough.

    Yin BiYue had already made a firm decision. This time, he would deal with his current situation in the best manner he could. And after the Flower Picking Festival was over, he would return to Cang Ya and study whilst in closed-door cultivation.

    And although changing swords halfway through their cultivating was something to dread for many sword cultivators, in the event that he still couldn¡¯t get his sword to work, he would have no other choice but to substitute this sword.

    Yin BiYue turned around to nod his head in greeting, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Duan Chatterbox happily followed after him.

    Today, the orthodox cultivators truly gave the biggest show of the year, providing aedic spectacle like always.

    By the third time, Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t even wait for Duan ChongXuan to stand out and say, ¡®are you guys still not kneeling and calling him daddy¡¯. Instead, he made a move first.

    Yin BiYue noticed that Luo MingChuan always controlled himself very well.

    No matter how arrogant his opponent¡¯s attitude was, no matter how many filthy curses the other would yell, he had never gotten angry. He had also never injured someone to the point they would lose their life.

    If Luo MingChuan¡¯s thoughts were really as undisturbed as his serene expression, then the teenager truly had a frightening degree of self-control.

    With that thought in mind, Duan ChongXuan must have also wanted to feel out Luo MingChuan. Or perhaps it was better to phrase it as, he had wanted to clearly see exactly what kind of person Luo MingChuan was.

    When he was faced with opponents that were as weak as ants and was pelted with the most vulgar of curses, what would he do?

    The oue was that Luo MingChuan truly lived up to expectations. He did what every Holy Mother type of character did.

    The red of spring had already withered, and the shade of summer flourished.

    The loose soil beneath one¡¯s feet and the leaping spots of light in between the swaying shadows of trees all made one feel quite carefree.

    Just when Yin BiYue had believed things would continue like this, a variable swept out the grand gates of a new world.

    Because this time, Luo MingChuan killed someone.

    Scarlet red blood bubbled from that person¡¯s neck, seeping into the brown mud. The corpse was separated from its head, and the expression on the person¡¯s face had frozen on one with widened eyes and fear.

    Yin BiYue stared nkly.

    Holy Mother Luo MingChuan......he unexpectedly killed this smoothly?

    Only then did Yin BiYue began to btedly think back to what had just happened.

    This group of people hadn¡¯t beenpletelyposed of mountain bandits. They were rogue cultivators, some martial cultivators who had learned a bit of foreign martial arts, and others were in the Qi Condensation stage. These rogue cultivators wandered the Pan Long mountain range. Their goal didn¡¯t consist of hustling randomly, but rather to act when there was an opportunity. Thus, they deliberately picked caravans that had weak security.

    Originally, Luo MingChuan had wanted to reason with them. However, Duan Chatterbox was still a step ahead of him and stole the first lines of the scene, ending with a ¡®kneel down and call daddy¡¯. Hearing that, their opponents began spitting out profanity like an unstoppable wave.

    However, this time, something awfully strange happened. The one targeted wasn¡¯t Duan Chatterbox, who had first provoked their opponents, nor was it Luo MingChuan, the one Duan Chatterbox had spoke so highly of.

    ¡°Bah! What do you mean by Cang Ya Mountain? Look at that one in the back. He¡¯s actually covering his face and being so secretive like a delicate wife! It¡¯s obvious he doesn¡¯t even have the face to meet people!¡±

    Yin BiYue hadn¡¯t even reacted to this unjust ridicule when the roaringughter came to an abrupt stop. This was because Luo MingChuan had already made his move.

    He only killed a single person, while the rest were only heavily injured.

    However, the power and strength that was normally restrained very well had instantly burst forward. An incorporeal pressure surged in the air.

    Unconsciously, Yin BiYue took two steps back.

    Luo MingChuan snapped out of his daze.

    Had he scared junior-apprentice brother? That¡¯s right, when could junior-apprentice brother have seen this kind of thing in the past?

    When he thought of this, the haze surrounding Luo MingChuan¡¯s mind immediately scattered.

    He looked at the teenager, and even his voice unconsciously became more gentle, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother Yin, you had entered the Academy when you were but a child. Your worldly experience is not deep, and naturally do not understand the dangerous ways of the world. However, the cultivators of my generation have already travelled the world, and naturally we cannot let others disgrace us for no reason. There would inevitably be a moment we must draw our swords......¡±

    It wasn¡¯t clear whether Luo MingChuan was exining all of this to Yin BiYue, or if he was exining it to himself. ¡°Besides, these are all wicked people. If I do not injure them today, they will harm others in the future.¡±

    Yin BiYue was already stupefied!

    He¡ªHe¡ªWas he being taught how to be a real man by the Holy Mother protagonist?!

    Where could he even put his Viinous Honour now?!

    With that in mind, Yin BiYue couldn¡¯t stop his expression from cooling down.

    ¡°Ding¡ª¡ªthe viin¡¯s expression ¡®gaze like a knife¡¯ has appeared! The conditions are fulfilled, so the Halo has activated!¡±

    By now, Yin BiYue didn¡¯t have much expectations for the Halo¡¯s effects.

    Minus points! Bad review!

    What a fraudulent seller! He didn¡¯t even need to give others a meaningful look to scare them into crying!

    Luo MingChuna saw the teenager stare nkly without moving, looking somewhat dazed.

    In his heart, he felt a bit helpless. He felt annoyed at himself for losing control. In addition, Luo MingChuan felt that as expected, junior-apprentice brother had a soft, simple and kind personality.

    Ah, forget about it. In any case, he would be there to watch over junior-apprentice brother.

    And if junior-apprentice brother didn¡¯t like it when he injured others, that was not hard to solve. Next time, it will be fine as long as he doesn¡¯t let the younger boy see him doing it.

    Luo MingChuan had just made this decision when he realized the younger teenager was already walking forward. Duan ChongXuan also rushed to follow him.

    By now, Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t dare to let Duan ChongXuan walk in front. Thus, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll go scout ahead,¡± before he used some true essence and disappeared in a flicker.

    Yin BiYue was still roasting that seller with no conscience when he heard the Chatterbox ask softly, ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, are you angry?¡±

    ¡°......¡±

    ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, don¡¯t be angry. I know I¡¯m wrong.¡± The Chatterbox¡¯s tone was rather cautious and solemn. ¡°I¡¯ll change back my clothes tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°......¡±

    What happened to the promised sharp-eyed audience? Which eye of yours saw that I was angry because Luo MingChuan killed someone???!!!

    Since this concerned a viin¡¯s dignity, Yin BiYue felt that he had better exin. ¡°I¡¯m not angry.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan was very touched. After all, even though he gave them so much trouble, fourth senior-apprentice brother would still forgive him!

    ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, what do you think Luo MingChuan¡¯s bottom line is?¡±

    ¡°......¡±

    How did their conversation topic change so quickly?!

    But for this question, Yin BiYue truly didn¡¯t know the answer. Originally, he thought that a Holy Mother¡¯s bottom line was the same as having no bottom line.

    For the previous few bandit groups, Luo MingChuan had controlled himself so well. There was no exnation for why he had suddenly exploded now, ah!

    The Chatterbox¡¯s voice sounded a bit faint in the wind, but Yin BiYue still heard him clearly. ¡°Luo MingChuan¡¯s bottom line is you.¡±

    What! Did! You! Say!?

    Say! It! Again!

    Yin BiYue was so shocked, to the point he didn¡¯t even hear the Chatterbox¡¯s next, slightly gratified mutter. ¡°If it¡¯s like this, I can consider handing you over to him. Perhaps if senior-apprentice sister knows too, she would also think it over......Nevertheless, it¡¯s better if I observe him for a bit longer. It¡¯ll depend on his performance......¡±

    Instead, Yin BiYue only heard his own somewhat sluggish voice, ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡±

    Immediately, Duan ChongXuan stopped talking.

    There was no time for Yin BiYue to think about this more, because he could already see Luo MingChuan¡¯s back.

    But what was even more eye-catching were the ten-or-so people standing across from Luo MingChuan. Wearing cyan robes and with their hair bound in wooden crowns, these people had icy cold expressions on their face.

    It was evident that this group of people were the ones who blocked Luo MingChuan¡¯s path.

    Or perhaps, they weren¡¯t blocking him, and they were actually enemies who met face to face.

    However, the path on the gap between the mountain forests were truly too narrow, so there had to be a party who made way for the other to go first.

    Yin BiYue walked over. Suddenly, he noticed that there was an eight-trigram battle array sewn onto the robes of the people across from them.

    Bao Pu Sect.

    Immediately, Yin BiYue knew that this was no longer just a matter of giving way and letting them go first.

 Chapter 18 - Bao Pu1

    Chapter 18 (I): Bao Pu1

    Like Cang Ya, Bao Pu Sect was also located in the Western Continent, with one in the South and one in the North. On opposite ends, Bao Pu Sect faced Cang Ya Mountain in a distant manner, and was one of the ¡®Three Mountain Sects¡¯. When people mentioned the Western Continent, the first thing they would think of would be Cang Ya Mountain. And right after that, they would remember Bao Pu Sect.

    A lot of people had forgotten, but two thousand years ago, Bao Pu Sect had been the number one Sect of the Western Continent. Their prestige and influence had far exceeded Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s.

    This would have continued to be the case......had Cang Ya Mountain not birthed a Sword Saint. In addition, this Sword Saint¡¯s rtionship with Bao Pu Sect was very terrible.

    In other words, Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s rise was apanied by Bao Pu Sect¡¯s decline.

    The wheel of history continued to roll onwards, casting behind their days of glory. Slowly, the prestige they once had was annihted by the dust.

    However, there were always people unwilling to forget the honours one no longer had, and even fewer epted this fact.

    The resentment within Bao Pu Sect had already been stewing for the past one thousand and six hundred years. Like the Taiji array that remained unchanged over time, this resentment was also passed down generation after generation.

    For the purpose of avoiding inconveniences, before they had set off, Luo MingChuan had released his aura; the oppressing might of a cultivator in the Revtion realm.

    Sure enough, mountain bandits and small fry all avoided them and scattered, saving them a lot of trouble. However, they hadn¡¯t expected that there was another group of cultivators rushing toward the Flower Picking Festival along the Panlong Mountain range, a route where perils were near but help was distant. To them, Luo MingChuan¡¯s oppressing aura appeared somewhat like a provocation.

    Thus, their current situation was formed.

    Among the people dressed in light blue robes, a lone cultivator walked out. He was merely at the early-stage of the Soul Manifestation cultivation realm. But despite facing down Luo MingChuan, who was in the Revtion realm, the cultivator¡¯s attitude was incredibly domineering and imposing. ¡°Bao Pao Sect is handling our affairs. Where did this small fry spring from to obstruct the path?¡±

    Originally, Luo MingChuan had intended to let them go first.

    However, when the Bao Pu Sect disciple said that, although he had already been leaning to one side in preparation to move, Luo MingChuan suddenly paused. Then, instead of making way, he performed a ceremonial salute.

    ¡°Cang Ya Mountain, Xi Qian Peak, Luo MingChuan.¡±

    By now, both Yin BiYue and Duan ChongXuan had already made their way there, and were just in time to hear Luo MingChuan introduce himself. Thus, Yin BiYue also greeted them with a ceremonial salute. ¡°Cang Ya Mountain, Xi Hua Peak, Yin BiYue.¡±

    ¡°Xi Hua Peak, Duan ChongXuan.¡±

    Although the three of them had greeted them with a half salute, the Bao Pu Sect group had to return a full salute.

    This was because Luo MingChuan was Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s seeding disciple, while Yin BiYue and Duan ChongXuan were the Sword Saint¡¯s disciples. But as for the Bao Pu Sect group, all of them were merely third-generation disciples.

    The Bao Pu Sect disciple who had spoken up managed to snap out of his shock. Hisplexion had already be ashen, but he still led his group to return a salute.

    When Luo MingChuan had announced his name, he had nearly broke into loud curses. Did they think he was a stupid, three year old urchin, one that believed in any lies? Why would Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s chief disciple be dressed poor rags like this?!

    However, the two standing behind Luo MingChuan made him stiffly choke back his anger.

    Being the Sword Saint¡¯s disciple wasn¡¯t something anyone would recklessly lie about.

    One couldn¡¯t me the Bao Pu Sect disciple for being arrogant. After all, Luo MingChuan wasn¡¯t wearing the robes of Cang Ya Mountain, and was instead dressed in a in white robe. The hood of Yin BiYue¡¯s ck cloak was still hiding half his face. And then add on Duan ChongXuan¡¯s outfit, the one that made him look like a moving, little golden man......

    All of this made them look nothing like the disciples of a proper and honourable big Sect.

    Instead, it made them look awfully soft and easy to bully.

    However, when Luo MingChuan saluted them first, this ¡®softness¡¯ became a soft knife2 instead.

    Thus, the Bao Pu Sect disciples wearing fine robes were the ones who became rude and uncouth mountain vige men.

    If Luo MingChuan had not saluted them, since they were not from the same Sect, it would have been unnecessary to pay particr attention to their difference in generations and corresponding etiquette.

    But now, they had no other choice but to return their salute, so they returned it with stifled unwillingness.

    At this moment, a male voice spoke up from the forest. Within his indifferent tone was a note of oppression that wouldn¡¯t let others refuse him.

    ¡°Martial Nephew, step down.¡±

    Delight appeared on that leading Bao Pu Sect disciple¡¯s face. He respectfully answered, ¡°Understood, Martial Uncle He.¡±

    He hadn¡¯t been the only one who immediately became happy. Ten or so Bao Pu Sect disciples all became rather cheerful. Spontaneously, the group parted in the middle, weing the man who had walked out of the forest.

    Yin BiYue had long known that for the Bao Pu Sect disciples to be so arrogant, the one with the highest cultivation level definitely couldn¡¯t have been the one who had spoken up before.

    And after the Bao Pu Sect disciples found out their identities, although the group became astonished, none had been panicked. It could be assumed that their actual leader had to be someone with an identity and a cultivation realm equally matched to the three of them.

    Although they had called him ¡®Martial Uncle¡¯, the person who had walked out of the forest was a young adult.

    His figure was slightly on the thinner side, and he had a paleplexion. Although he wore the same light blue robe as the others, it gave him a profound aura. It resembled the umtion of moss on a rock after many long years.

    The might of the Revtion Stage aura surrounding his body was revealed, transforming him into someone who could rival Luo MingChuan¡¯s prowess.

    The rest of the Bao Pu Sect disciples gathered behind him, allowing him to lead them.

    The circumstances of the scene became reversed.

    Yin BiYue had already started considering which Sword Art he should use first when he drew his swordter.

    The teenager cupped his hands in greeting before returning a half salute. ¡°Bao Pu Sect, He Lai.¡±

    His name was very simple. So uplicated, it was somewhat baffling.

    However, Luo MingChuan¡¯s expression made it evident that he understood something. This was because He Lai was indeed very well-known.

    The young man¡¯s tone contained a hint of contempt, ¡°We were unaware Cang Ya¡¯s brilliant disciple was here, and were unable to recognize you. We have offended you greatly and request forgiveness.¡±

    Although he requested forgiveness, it was apparent he still did not have any intentions of making way for them. On the contrary, when he said ¡®being unable to recognize you¡¯, he suggested that the three of them were the ones that were bizarrely dressed, and that their appearances were improper.

    He Lai swept his gaze across Duan ChongXuan. Immediately, hints of scorn appeared in his eyes, along with some faint disappointment.

    He was indeed disappointed.

    This was because everybody was wondering how the Sword Saint¡¯s disciples would be like. Now that he saw them in person, he only felt that in reality, one¡¯s renowned reputation was difficult to live up to. Arge reason as to why he decided to enter this year¡¯s Flower Picking Festival was because he had received news of how the Sword Saint¡¯s disciples were attending.

    Now, it seemed like they were nothing more than this. They were truly unworthy of him making a trip down the mountain.

    No one present was an idiot, so naturally, everybody understood the meaning behind He Lai¡¯s words.

    A wave of sneers erupted within the group of Bao Pu Sect disciples. They were light, but ear-piercing.

    But Duan ChongXuan also chuckled. He took two steps forward, and then nodded in greeting.

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother He, I¡¯ve long looked forward to meeting you. Now that I¡¯ve seen you, it¡¯s truly an honour.¡±

    Yin BiYue keenly noticed that the aura surrounding the chatterbox had changed.

    It didn¡¯t look like false bravado or a bluff, but rather like an innate momentum.

    Even his ostentatious silk changpao embroidered with bedona blossoms in gold thread seemed to have be a proper and graceful Emperor¡¯s gown.

    Although Duan ChongXuan said ¡®nice to meet you¡¯, it sounded more like, ¡®kneel before me¡¯.

    Duan ChongXuan continued to speak, ¡°Master, our elder, has always taught us that ¡®every honest action done must never cross the line¡¯. To not allow outside influences to sway the heart, and to not be deceived and allow our eyes to be blinded. To ¡®change the direction of others¡¯ rather than ¡®allow others to manipte me¡¯. If one¡¯s heart is firm and unwavering, every action honest and true to oneself, then no matter if it is a famed de or a simple folding fan, in clothes or finery, all are viewed as external influences.¡±

    He Lai¡¯splexion was somewhat bad. However, he couldn¡¯t retort and say that the Sword Saint was wrong.

    Duan ChongXuan suddenly changed the topic. The smile on his face gradually deepened as he said, ¡°Meeting each other by chance must be an event directed by Fate. Although there is the saying of ¡®firste, first served¡¯, today I have personally seen my Bao Pu Sect friends are truly upright and honest, like clear jade containing pearls. To be content with poverty and to strive for virtue in this way truly makes me admire you! Since these friends seem to be in a hurry and are unable to wait, how could we not make way?¡±

    Duan ChongXuan gestured forward with his fan before gracefully retreating, ¡°May everyone please pass first!¡±

    Chapter 18 (II): Bao Pu1

    Theplexions of the Bao Pu Sect disciples became ashen as they waited for He Lai to make a decision.

    However, Luo MingChuan didn¡¯t give them a chance to speak up.

    ¡°This scuffle in the gorge is a small matter, but if it spreads outside, my Cang Ya Mountain will unavoidably incur enmity for using our power to bully others. My sect has always upheld righteousness. This kind of bad reputation, we simply cannot bear it!¡±

    He withdrew to one side before assuming a position that made it obvious he was making way for them. ¡°May everyone please pass first!¡±

    Yin BiYue was already unable to pull out his sword.

    If one unraveled Duan ChongXuan¡¯s flowery, twisting words, one would find that it implied, ¡®you¡¯re ugly, so you can pass first¡¯.

    On the other hand, Luo MingChuan¡¯s words tantly meant, ¡®you¡¯re weak, so you can pass first¡¯.

    Xi Hua Peak¡¯s diplomatic representative plus Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s diplomatic representative¡ª¡ªhow did these two guys with MAX verbal ability manage to gather together in one group?!

    For the first time, Yin BiYue profoundly understood the saying, ¡®mouthing off was justice¡¯.

    Since things had already reached this point, if Bao Pu Sect still did not pass, then it would make them look somewhat pretentious.

    Because......they had already made way for them ah! No matter what Bao Pu Sect said or did now, it would all look unreasonable!

    He Lai cupped his hands in a salute. He said, ¡°I¡¯m sure we will meet again,¡± before he turned around and led the Bao Pu Sect disciples away.

    After the Bao Pu Sect group walked off into the distance, Luo MingChuan once again took his position at the front before making his way forward.

    Yin BiYue and Duan ChongXuan chatted as they walked beside each other. Confused, Yin BiYue asked, ¡°Did Master really say something like that?¡±

    Boldly and self-confidently, Duan ChongXuan said, ¡°I¡¯ve only met Master¡¯s portrait! Who knows if that elder had said something like this before!¡±

    Once again, Yin BiYue found himselfpletely speechless.

    To dare making up the Sword Saint¡¯s words, if this guy had been born in the Northern Imperial City......

    He would definitely dare to even fabricate an Imperial edict! Sooner orter, someone would have barged into his home to investigate him!

    As one moved up the trail between the mountain peaks, the boughs of the trees provided shelter from the sun.

    A disciple wearing a light blue robe asked with unwillingness in his tone, ¡°Martial Uncle He, are we going to let this matter just pass like this?¡±

    When He Lai, who had remained silent till then, heard his words, a pleased smile appeared on his face. ¡°Nowadays, Cang Ya Mountain has actually weakened to the point they can only unt the speed of their tongues. What is there to fear?¡±

    The moment he said this, there were immediately others who agreed. ¡°That¡¯s right! Moreover, during this Flower Picking Festival, Martial Uncle will naturally teach them a lesson!¡±

    Another person asked, ¡°That person who covered half their face with a hooded ck cloak, is he truly a disciple of Xi Hua Peak? Why doesn¡¯t he look like a good person?¡±

    The first disciple who had gotten into a dispute with Luo MingChuan replied, ¡°Heh, at first, I didn¡¯t believe the three of them were from Cang Ya Mountain. However, the moment that person spoke up, I knew it was true! Half a month ago, our spy hidden in Cang Ya sent back some news. Someone from Xi Hua Peak encountered an ident while cultivating, and all of their hair turned white overnight! It can be assumed it was precisely that secretive guy who kept himself covered!¡±

    Expressions of understanding appeared on everyone else¡¯s faces. Another person said, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, he couldn¡¯t have avoided major damage to his cultivation. I truly don¡¯t know what he¡¯s doing at the Flower Picking Festival!¡±

    Wittily and cheerfully, the Bao Pu Sect disciples joked together, as they walked onwards in glowing spirits.

    Duan ChongXuan wasn¡¯t someone who liked unting the quickness of his tongue. It was just that he hated suffering losses and being at a disadvantage.

    Ever since he was a child, the environment he grew up in had taught him: regardless of whether it was talking or if it was making a move, there was never a reason to let himself suffer a loss.

    Luo MingChuan was also not fond of settling disputes with a debate. However, he believed that if something could be solved by using one¡¯s mouth, it was unnecessary to use one¡¯s sword.

    And even if he was simply just using his words, he mustn¡¯t allow others to humiliate them.

    They insisted on following their own principles, and didn¡¯t care what it would look like in the eyes of others.

    Yin BiYue thought that he probably wouldn¡¯t have a chance to draw his sword before the Flower Picking Festival started.

    However, he still didn¡¯t understand a few things. ¡°Just now, that person called He Lai, is he very famous?¡±

    Duan ChongXuan stared at him in astonishment, before immediatelyughing until his eyebrows rose and his lungs ran out of air. ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother ah! You should have asked question in front of him! It would absolutely anger him to the point he¡¯d vomit up enough blood to turn his entire robe red!¡±

    Yin BiYue truly didn¡¯t know. Even though he had gone through all the ancient books and records at the Lan Yuan Academy and knew the origins and history of every Sect like the back of his hand, he wasn¡¯t clear on what geniuses had appeared in thest hundred years or so.

    He only knew the Qing Lu Jian Sect had a ¡®Wind and Rain Sword¡¯ ace, because they were truly too famous.

    Duan ChongXuan proceeded to ask, ¡°Do you know of ¡®Bao Pu¡¯s Seven Viscounts¡¯?¡±

    Yin BiYue looked pensive before thoughtfully saying, ¡°I seem to have heard about them before. Is there one named Lin YuanGui?¡±

    Duan ChongXuan felt that the other six Viscounts could all stain their robes red as well.

    However, he still patiently helped his family¡¯s senior-apprentice brother dispel his doubts. ¡°The He Lai from before is precisely the fifth member of ¡®Bao Pu¡¯s Seven Viscounts¡¯.¡±

    Yin BiYue suddenly saw the light.

    However, if the one ranked fifth was already like this, what would the ones ranked below him be like?

    Duan ChongXuan continued on to say, ¡°In regards to the Bao Pu¡¯s Seven Viscounts, four of them are spiritual cultivators while three of them are martial cultivators. The one ranked first, Lin YuanGui, can beparable to our eldest senior-apprentice brother at Cang Ya Mountain. The other six also possess unusual spiritual veins that will no doubt enable them to stand out amongst thousands and possibly be legends......But sometimes, I think Bao Pu Sect is just trying to attract more people into their Sect, to allow the other six to be equally as famous as Lin YuanGui.¡±

    The moment the chatterbox started speaking, he wouldn¡¯t be able to stop. ¡°Say, what kind of logic do you think they¡¯re working with? More people means victory?! At Cang Ya, if I picked thirty-six heavenly stars2 and seventy-two earth movers who could shake mountains, which amounts to a hundred and eight heroes in total, would I be able to crush the entire cultivation world?! If I was Lin YuanGui and everyone kept putting me together with the other six, I would have long washed my hands of Bao Pu Sect, before leaving the mountain and betraying them!¡±

    Yin BiYue thought, toward Bao Pu Sect......Just how much hatred did the chatterbox have for them ah?!

    After thinking about it for a bit, he understood. From the very beginning, this Bao Pu Sect that had been second eldest for ten thousand years have always acted peculiar when it came to Cang Ya Mountain. Most importantly, it was said that the Sword Saint¡¯s rtionship with Bao Pu Sect was very bad.

    The Sword Saint. Once again, it was about the Sword Saint.

    Whenever Yin BiYue thought about this conveniently and cheaply obtained Master, his heart would always feel quite entangled.

    He didn¡¯t know why the Sword Saint, who had been out wandering for many years, would send a message to eldest senior-apprentice brother and make him ept a disciple on his behalf. ept Yin BiYue himself, to Xi Hua Peak.

    But, as he nced at Duan ChongXuan, who was still immersed in roasting Bao Pu Sect......

    No, hepletely didn¡¯t understand what the Sword Saint¡¯s standards were when it came to epting disciples!

    After mentioning the Sword Saint, he was reminded of the Academy Director. It had been said that the two were the best of friends.

    The Academy had that many talented children, so why would the Academy Director pick him to assist him in his affairs?

    Could it be......the mutual attraction between the viins from the evil faction?

    Tsk. The behaviour of important characters always made others feel baffled.

    Yin BiYue thought, if he needed a resume, it would definitely be written like this:

    My name is Yin BiYue.

    I am a viin.

    I like cultivating, I like practicing my swordsmanship, I like pondering over things, etc.

    I am a man who will be an Ultimate Viin Boss.

    You can insult me, but you cannot insult my life¡¯s dream goal.

    You can doubt me, but you cannot doubt my professional aplishments.

    The protagonist has his golden finger. Wherever he wants to go, the entire world would make way for him.

    I have the Fiend¡¯s Viinous Halo. Block gods, ughter gods. Block Buddha, ughter Buddha.

    I am Yin BiYue. I help myself bring salt.

    Pah, it¡¯s truly salty3!

    ±§ÆÓ: (b¨¤o p¨³) means to cherish simplicity.

    lit. Big Dipper stars, in Chinese myth, 36 stars each represent a different god/goddess.

    ´øÑÎ (d¨¤i y¨¢n) means ¡®bring salt¡¯ and is a homophone for ´úÑÔ (spokesperson) so ngwise, ¡°bringing salt¡± means ¡®being a spokesperson for myself¡±. In this case, Yin BiYue finds it salty because it feels like he is boasting about himself.

 Chapter 19 - Star Cluster

    Chapter 19: Star Cluster

    The cart¡¯s wheels rumbled as they travelled swiftly on the western main road, kicking up a lot of dust clouds.

    A noble son lifted the hanging curtain of the cart as a pair of slightly nted phoenix eyes looked outside. asionally, his gaze would identally meet the eyes of ady lifting the curtain in the cart beside them. When those girls suddenly saw his glimmering eyes, their faces would flush as they hurriedly shifted their gazes. Although, there were a few who were more daring, and would cover their mouths before softlyughing in a dainty manner.

    One after another, Duan ChongXuan would smile back at them.

    Yin BiYue felt speechless. For this whole journey......does your face not feel stiff?

    After passing through the road where they encountered the Bao Pu Sect disciples, all three of them lost interest and thus began to elerate their journey. As a result, they made it out of the Panlong mountain range not even three dayster.

    After crossing the Yun Zhong road, the rest of the journey was indeed peaceful. Duan ChongXuan rented out a cart at a building and requested a coachman. When he had nothing to do, he would just raise the curtain in the cart and look outside. In his words, this was also a type of travelling. It was a method of cultivation, and a way of life.

    Yin BiYue truly did not understand Duan ChongXuan¡¯s reactions, which made it seem like sitting on a cart was as novel as sitting on a blue-winged luan1.

    Could it be......did this guy always fly around in the sky when he left his house in the past?

    Nah, he probably just felt too stifled at Xi Hua Peak.

    Inparison, Luo MingChuan had became more silent.

    There were only three people in the cart. When the only chatterbox became busy with looking at the scenery and thedies, this kind of silence became somewhat awkward.

    Perhaps the only person who thought it was awkward was Yin BiYue.

    Fortunately, it was merely some awkwardness, and there wasn¡¯t any real hidden danger.

    In the past, as long as the distance between him and Luo MingChuan was somewhat close, Yin BiYue would feel ufortable from head to toe and raise his guard.

    However, currently, for this journey, the cart wasn¡¯t veryrge. Even if the two people sat on opposite ends, they would only be separated by a mere three chi2.

    As time passed, Yin BiYue gradually became used to it.

    And asionally, when he meets Luo MingChuan¡¯s gaze, he would, with some difficulty, be capable of curling up the corner of his lips and returning a smile.

    This kind of progress was truly something worth celebrating.

    After Yin BiYue became more magnanimous, the onecking confidence became Luo MingChuan instead.

    He felt that his slip of tongue in the past had harmed his junior-apprentice brother. In the future, he had to find an opportunity to straighten out Yin BiYue¡¯s obsession, so that his junior-apprentice brother would no longer lose his way.

    His past experience made him believe that he was someone who recognized his own mistakes and would reform himself.

    However, his junior-apprentice brother was just sitting there, where the distance between them wasn¡¯t even three chi. When Luo MingChuan raised his head to look at him, a hint of a smile flitted through Yin BiYue¡¯s eyes.

    Luo MingChuan suddenly felt his heart was thrown into disarray.

    The feeling was simr to what one would feel as they stood outside the Academy¡¯s library during a midsummer¡¯s night, while the night breeze blew past and the petals of the Chinese Schr Tree scattered all over their body.

    Focusing his mind, Luo MingChuan began to silently read the ¡®Clearing Heart Incantation¡¯.

    As a result, Yin BiYue keenly sensed the extremely subtle change in atmosphere within the cart.

    This change began after Luo MingChuan had closed his eyes. The spiritual energy surrounding his entire body became steady and peaceful.

    If one said that martial cultivators paid more attention to arduous, long-term practice, like how sword cultivators practiced their swordsmanship day after day while tempering their sword intent, then toward spiritual cultivators, what were most important were a gifted spiritual vein and a suitable spiritual art.

    Yin BiYue remembered that when Luo MingChuan first entered Cang Ya, he had been a martial cultivator. His Master had even painstakingly helped him find a good sword called ¡®Submerged Boat¡¯.

    But who would have expected that after he passed the Essence Cleansing Stage barrier, his spiritual vein would awaken? On the contrary, Luo MingChuan then became suited for spiritual cultivation.

    Yin BiYuebed through his memories.

    When they had fought against each other in the Violet Heaven Secret Realm, Luo MingChuan had borrowed the jungle to obstruct his sword intent. In the span of a single breath, everything withered endlessly. If Yin BiYue was to guess, Luo MingChuan¡¯s spiritual vein leaned more toward the controlling of a nt¡¯s ability to live.

    During the questioning within Cang Ya¡¯s dungeon, Luo MingChuan had used the Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Arts.

    Yin BiYue had researched it before. This was a Buddhist martial arts technique, and had originated from Xing Shan3 Temple, which was one of the ¡®Double Buddha Temples¡¯.

    Cang Ya did not teach this technique, so perhaps Luo MingChuan had learned it during his stay at Lan Yuan Academy, or perhaps he had learned it during some other opportunity. Although it wasn¡¯t on par with the secret martial art techniques that were passed down from generation to generation, it still required the user to have high, innate talent.

    It could be seen that Luo MingChuan¡¯s gifted spiritual vein approached one that waspletely pure, without even a speck of contaminant.

    During this entire journey, whenever they encountered groups of mountain bandits, Luo MingChuan always solidified his true essence into a barrier before directly striking them away. From this, it could be seen that he had abundant true essence. In other words, Luo MingChuan had a very broad spiritual vein, one that could store a lot of true essence.

    Yin BiYue thought that spiritual cultivators were truly troublesome. Who knew what other random martial art techniques Luo MingChuan would know? In addition to a potential hidden ace he had never revealed?

    Out of the corner of his eye, Yin BiYue saw the sword at Luo MingChuan¡¯s waist.

    It was a long sword with a rich cyan colour, although the style was in and simple.

    It looked simr to the green bamboo sprouts that had just burst through the soil top, ones that would not break in the midst of a breeze, or be dirty after it rained. Like a lone boat that braved the wind and billows on a river, it would not change its original destination despite the night rain floating in the wind.

    Just like a nobleman.

    Master swordsmith Yan Qing¡¯s ten years of blood, sweat and tears all went into the creation of this noble sword, ¡®Submerged Boat¡¯.

    Luo MingChuan always had an honourable sword, although not many people would have taken note of it.

    This was because the aura surrounding his entire body was excessively gentle and calm, to the extent that it weakened his sword¡¯s sharpness.

    Even for those who do notice it, they would just think that Luo MingChuan was reminiscing over his Master Zheng YangZi¡¯s benevolence, to always have it by his side.

    Yin BiYue suddenly felt a bit cold.

    If Luo MingChuan truly did not use the sword anymore, why did that sword not have even the slightest bit of lethargy?

    But if he was still persevering with practicing the sword, then how could he split his attention and also learn the martial arts of spiritual cultivators?

    The experience of countless predecessors proved that bncing both sides was precisely a road to disaster.

    In the Academy, Yin BiYue had studied half of the ancient books in the library, books from all subjects.

    Currently, in his mind, he was rapidly searching through his knowledge. The ultimate conclusion he obtained was¡ª¡ª

    In the present age, a person like this didn¡¯t exist. However, a million years ago during the Holy Saint era, there had been one.

    The Buddhist Xing Shan Temple¡¯s Saint, known as the ¡®Omnipotent¡¯. Ever since humanity learned to turn the heaven and earth¡¯s spiritual energy into their own true essence and began cultivating, this name was recorded among ancient books as the only person who broke through the barriers of buddhism cultivation, spiritual cultivation, and martial cultivation.

    However, that Saint had long fallen and hadn¡¯t left behind any inheritances. In addition, that era had also long vanished, like smoke in thin air.

    The atmosphere in the cart was as peaceful as ake, appearing to suit one¡¯s pondering over history and old affairs.

    Yin BiYue followed Luo MingChuan¡¯s actions, closing his eyes while focusing to think.

    Before humans had appeared on the Main Continent, there were unusual beasts that had been birthed from the umtion of the heaven and earth¡¯s spiritual energy. For the most ancient humans, they had gradually learned how to cultivate while struggling against various beasts in the poorest of environments. It was only after then, did they enter the era of civilized humanity.

    Four hundred thousand years after this, the cultivation world had ushered in its golden age.

    Emerging inrge numbers were countless Sages and Holy Saints, so much that there were even people who had attained the realm above that of a Holy Saint¡¯s, the ¡®Immortals¡¯ who touched the threshold of heavenlyw. At the same time, demonic cultivation had also soared, and there appeared many ¡®Demon Lords¡¯ and other strong demonic cultivators who had the abilities to confront the ¡®Immortals¡¯.

    This was precisely the ¡®Holy Saint era¡¯ that had persisted for a hundred thousand years.

    In history¡¯s long river, it had been brief but glorious.

    And after that, was a fierce war that destroyed the heavens and wiped out the earth. Countless cultivators had died, and many Sects and influential families ended up not having future generations. The Eastern Continent¡¯s demonic cultivation also splitted up into its ¡®Twelve Demonic Sects¡¯.

    Afterwards, cmity descended from the heavens. Fire fell from the sky, and the earth split open. This continued for an entire year. Disease broke out amongst the five great Continents, and the people suffered terribly.

    And after yet another millenium, all living things resuscitated as the spring grass was reborn.

    The Main Continent finally regained fertility and was given a new opportunity to live.

    Because there had been more demonic cultivators on the Eastern Continent, it continued to be and of chaos and disorder. Several big cities each did things their own way.

    On the Western Continent, Bao Pu Sect was established while Cang Ya Mountain was created. With a hundred thousand giant mountains as the boundary and one in the South, one in the North, they became the Western Continent¡¯s new order. Many influential families depended on them to found new towns and cities. Like this, the lives of both mortals and cultivators gradually returned to the right track.

    On the Southern Continent, Qing Lu Jian Sect and Xing Shan Temple had not died out. Therefore, they continued to maintain their past order.

    A Sage had appeared in the Northern Continent. Many people of strength followed his lead and banished the demonic cultivators. They unified the Northern Continent and established the Northern Imperial Court.

    It appeared that everything was once again improving.

    However, people quickly discovered that once one became a Sage, their cultivation realms could not be improved by even the slightest step forward. It seemed to be because of a restriction on their aptitudes. During what seemed like an endless period of time, these Sages could only wait for death.

    Within a span of six hundred thousand years, after the previous Sage had fallen, a new Sage appeared. Luckily, a Sage also had a very long life, one that could be measured with millennia.

    People slowly adjusted to a world without Saints.

    This was precisely the slow ¡®Silent Magic era¡¯.

    Until Wei JingFeng passed the heavenly tribtion filled with thunder and fire.

    And became a Saint.

    The weather changed colour, and the entire world was astonished.

    It was like some kind of a signal from the heavens, or perhaps it had just been a coincidence.

    For the millennium after this, geniuses repeatedly emerged from each Continent like the spring bamboo after rain4. There was also a good deal of people who showed the potential to enter the realm of the Saint.

    For example, the already famous Sword Saint¡¯s chief disciple, Jun Yu. Or Bao Pu Sect¡¯s Lin YuanGui. Some younger ones would be Qing Lu Jian Sect¡¯s Zhong Shan, and Lian Jian¡¯s Qu DuiYan. There were also other famous youngsters who had withdrawn from worldly affairs. They were quiet cultivators who only asionally passed out some messages.

    The future hundred thousand years could practically be imagined. After this batch of geniuses matured, the structure of the five Continents would inevitably and subsequently change.

    But of course, for the events of the future, there were too many variables and thus was hard to predict.

    The Academy Director called the current era the ¡®Star Cluster¡¯.

    As a result, many cultivators, after knowing geniuses had appeared in some Sects, would all proudly proim, ¡°We live in the era with the brightest cluster of stars!¡±

    The appearance of the Sword Saint was a sign that the olden days had concluded, and a new age had begun.

    Yin BiYue thought, this was truly a very cool affair.

    However, was the changing era really a good thing?

    Change signified dispute, and dispute signified another chaotic world.

    Yin BiYue opened his eyes and saw Luo MingChuan, who still had his eyes closed. He sat upright in the somewhat shaky cart with a tranquil aura surrounding him. The sword at his waist, Submerged Boat, had the same serenity.

    Yin BiYue didn¡¯t know just what kind of person Luo MingChuan would be in the future.

    Perhaps, this was the best era, yet also the worst one.

    At this moment, Luo MingChuan woke up from his meditative state. The moment he opened his eyes, his gaze met a pair of pupils that was as cold as stars.

    In a straightforward manner, the teenager across from him was watching him attentively, focused and silent. A strand of anxiety floated within Yin BiYue¡¯s eyes.

    Like a rock striking the surface of a calmke, his gaze instantly smashed apart Luo MingChuan¡¯s already settled and pacified state of mind.

    For an unknown reason, he subconsciously avoided the teenager¡¯s eyes. In attempt to hide it yet making things more conspicuous, Luo MingChuan asked, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, is there something the matter?¡±

    The moment Luo MingChuan opened his eyes, Yin BiYue choked.

    Being caught red-handed while peeping at the protagonist, how! Do! You! Solve! This!!!???

    ¡®I am currently wondering whether your future path is wide or not, and if it is the path of a hero or one of a ruthless person.¡¯

    ¡®You look so handsome! It¡¯s nothing, I¡¯m just casually taking a look, heh heh.¡¯

    Heh heh my ass!! What kind of idiotic responses were these!!

    Unfortunately, Luo MingChuan just had to ask him, ¡°Junior-apprentice brother, is there something the matter?¡±

    Fudge!!

    Could there even be profanity in this story???!!!

    Yin BiYue felt as if all the blood in his body rushed toward his face. He had never encountered a moment that was more awkward and embarrassing as this one.

    With Luo MingChuan¡¯s peculiar thought process, he wouldn¡¯t think that Yin BiYue had been staring at him for all these hours, right?!

    Luo MingChuan would definitely think he was a pervert, right?! This was truly too embarrassing ahh!!

    The more embarrassed he was, the more he was unable to think of a n. Just when Yin BiYue decided to say ¡®it¡¯s nothing, I¡¯m just casually looking¡¯ with despair......

    ¡®Ding¡ª¡ªit¡¯s detected that the user¡¯s embarrassment levels have broken through 100, and thus it is automatically determined that the user is in a dilemma. Do you wish to activate the Little Halo Assistant?¡¯

    ð½ (lu¨¢n): mythical bird rted to phoenix, usually a cooler colour like blue, green, or purple.

    ³ß (ch¨«): a Chinese foot / one-third of a meter.

    ÐË (X¨©ng): to rise/flourish/excitement

    ÉÆ (sh¨¤n): good/benevolent.

    Idiom for many new things emerge in rapid session

 Chapter 20 - Trading Letters

    Chapter 20: Trading Letters

    Yin BiYue had practically forgotten he still possessed this ¡®Little Halo Assistant¡¯ thing.

    Ever since he had used it once in the Cang Ya dungeons, it had never appeared again. Specific circumstances apparently had to be reached before it would be triggered.

    There also wasn¡¯t anything great about his only experience with it. When it was activated, he could only make expressions and movements under the control of an intangible force.

    By now, Luo MingChuan had already looked over again as he started sizing Yin BiYue up.

    Silently, Yin BiYue clenched his teeth......

    ¡°We reached Xian Gang1!¡±

    Duan ChongXuan shouted loudly in excitement. After letting go of the cart curtain, he withdrew his body. ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, we¡¯re about to cross the ocean!¡±

    The awkward atmosphere in the cart was instantly obliterated.

    Yin BiYue nodded his head slightly, indicating that he understood.

    No, no, no! Use it now my ass!!

    ¡®Ding¡ª¡ªYou have already given up the opportunity to use the Little Halo Assistant. Please note, there are still two activation chances remaining. The Little Assistant, a great friend. For life¡¯s difficult predicaments, this assistant can help mend!2¡¯

    No! If it was possible, Yin BiYue never wanted to use it ever again!

    As Yin BiYue stared at the chatterbox¡¯s excited face, he felt that he truly didn¡¯t understand. Why was it that a normally ordinary person (not) became so abnormally excited the moment he left the Sect, as if he had been shot with some chicken blood3?

    Duan ChongXuan was actually able to maintain the same posture while looking outside for that long?

    Was the view really that nice?

    At this moment, the coachman made a long hush. When the cart stopped, he smiled and said, ¡°These lords, we have arrived in Xian Gang!¡±

    Duan ChongXuan took the lead and hopped off the cart. He pped an ingot of silver into the coachman¡¯s hand.

    The coachman looked awkward, ¡°Lord, I can¡¯t give you your change.¡±

    Chatterbox Duan heroically waved his hand, ¡°No need for change!¡±

    Promptly after that, he impatiently walked forward withrge strides.

    The moment Yin BiYue got off the cart, what he saw first was the chatterbox¡¯s pleased back. In his heart, Yin BiYue thought that if this guy had a tail, it definitely had to be rapidly wagging right now.

    It was really......embarrassing.

    Fortunately, they hadn¡¯t worn their Cang Ya Mountain robes. And fortunately, the words ¡®Sword Saint¡¯s Disciples¡¯ weren¡¯t written on their faces.

    Luo MingChuan had been thest one to get off the cart. After giving the coachman a ¡®many thanks¡¯, he began following behind Yin BiYue as they walked forward.

    The moist and salty sea breeze assaulted one¡¯s senses.

    Xian Gang was the number one big harbour on the south side of the Western Continent, in which every day brought forth more dealings. There were hundreds of ships that either dropped their anchors to enter the harbour, or were perhaps ready to sail and take off.

    From sunrise till sunset, every moment was simr to being in a boiling cauldron of voices4. After nightfall, the lighthouse on the harbour illuminated the dark waves that rushed forth on the sea surface. In addition, it illuminated the faces of people waiting for a ship to return from a distant location.

    At this time, it was merely dusk. The remaining afterglow of the sun ted ten thousand rays of light onto the ocean. Distantly, one could spot the thin line that separated the sky from the water. Even the few seabirds that spiraled about were dyed a scarlet gold by the sunset glow.

    Before one¡¯s eyes, the stormy waves crashed against the shore and surged forward with great momentum.

    Raging mes at the end of the sky spun around, swallowing the heavens and devouring the earth.

    Standing at the pier, Duan ChongXuan looked into the distance. The sleeves of his robes swayed with the wind as his eyes glittered.

    Yin BiYue could practically visualize his heart¡¯s OS5:

    It¡¯s almost time to go on the ship! When I think about it, I even feel a bit excited ah! (¨R¨Œ¨Q)/~

    ......What the hell.

    Compared to their uing and extremely long maritime voyage, the previous part of their journey couldn¡¯t be considered as anything much. If no mishaps ur, they would have to sail at sea for half a month. Ultimately, they would climb ashore at the Southern Continent¡¯s Bai Jing6 Port before heading toward Ye7 City.

    When Yin BiYue thought of how the chatterbox might never want to travel by ship again after this experience, he couldn¡¯t help but pity him.

    Just as in the past, the pier was bustling with noise and excitement. Shouts, greetings, and the work chants of the boatman moving goods were all mixed together.

    Throughout the vast and imposing pier, the most eye-catching thing was the four-storey, nine-mast ship. Aboard it, a middle-aged man wearing brown, weather-beaten clothes stood on the deck as he directed the boatman to unload cargo. That person¡¯s voice was simr to a big bell. There was radiance shining in his eyes, and the aura surrounding him did not appear to be that of an ordinary mortal¡¯s.

    Yin BiYue looked over with rapt attention and discovered that this man was a Essence Cleansing stage cultivator. Generally speaking, he was the leader of this pier¡¯srgest fleet.

    It was evident that Luo MingChuan had came to the same conclusion as he did. After using some true essence, he leapt up before gracefully dropping down onto the big ship that was four zhang8 tall. This made everyone who had been transporting cargo on the ship cry out in rm. After dispersing in a flurry, they began curiously, yet also respectfully and cautiously, sizing Luo MingChuan up.

    The leader of the fleet approached to wee him, before giving him a polite greeting.

    From afar, Yin BiYue saw Luo MingChuan say a few sentences to that man. The man had originally looked very enthusiastic, but afterwards, he forced a bitter smile and began exining something. Then, Luo MingChuan cupped his hands in a salute and said a word of thanks, before he leapt off the boat and began walking back to them.

    In his mind, Yin BiYue felt very astonished. Normally, no matter what kind of fleet it was, they were all very willing to take along some cultivators. Although ships with excellent equipment had artillery with immense and formidable power, cultivators made a move far more quickly. And should the ship encounter sea beasts or pirates, cultivators could lend an additional helping hand.

    In addition, Luo MingChuan brought his jade tablet from Cang Ya Mountain. It was reasonable to think that he ought to have been well-received.

    However, it didn¡¯t take long for Yin BiYue to understand what had happened. Luo MingChuan exined in a helpless tone, ¡°The sailor said that for the past few days, a group of local sea creatures abruptly headed toward Fu Kong9 Ocean. The boat that had set off four days ago sent back a message just yesterday saying how it was badly damaged. Everyone¡¯s afraid that this is an auspicious sign, so no boats will sail for the next ten or so days.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan stared at the surface of the sea. His expression did not change, and he did not appear to be even the slightest bit worried.

    But Yin BiYue was secretly rmed. ording to the migration pattern of the Fu Kong Ocean¡¯s sea beast group from prior years, this ought to have urred during thetter third of the eighth month. However, currently, it was merely the fifth month of the lunar year. This was truly an event vitingmon sense.

    At present, there were two paths they could now take. The three of them could either find a ce to live within Xian Gang¡¯s city and wait for those ten days to pass before setting out by ship, or they could change their route. If they decide to change their route, they would have to turn back and pass through the snow field that merged the Western and Southern Continents.

    Very evidently, the former was the more sensible option.

    However, Yin BiYue suddenly realized. Perhaps, there was still a third path?

    A small child wearing a red coat stood under the white lighthouse. With an ignorant expression, the red, silk ribbon wrapped around his twin buns swayed upward with the sea breeze.

    This was precisely the boy who had guided Yin BiYue around the Academy a couple of months ago.

    The young child also caught sight of them. After revealing a happy smile, he began jogging over.

    With a smile, he told Yin BiYue, ¡°Sure enough, the Director had been right. Senior-apprentice brother is really here.¡±

    Luo MingChuan had never seen this boy before, so he looked a bit startled. However, he immediately guessed the identity of the aforementioned ¡®Director¡¯.

    From within his sleeves, the young child took out three pieces of thin paper10 that had been folded into perfect squares. ¡°The Director said he was afraid the three of you will encounter an inconvenience while crossing the ocean, and thus sent me over to give these three senior-apprentice brothers a letter.¡±

    As he said this, the child handed each of them a letter.

    Luo MingChuan received his with both hands. ¡°I¡¯ll be troubling you to help me thank the Director.¡±

    Their senior had bestowed them this, so it could not be rejected.

    What¡¯s more, it had been something granted by the Academy Director.

    ¡°To brave the wind and the billows, to climb the mountain and pick the flower. Thereby, with this specially prepared letter, it is possible to change one¡¯s direction. Distance from the desired destination does not matter, for the distance will warp to fit the individual. The Academy Director.¡±

    Yin BiYue looked at the upright characters written in Tai style on the letter made with Xue Lang11 paper. The ink paste of the familiar, red seal slightly protruded from the surface.

    It seemed like regardless of where they were in the world, they were always within the Director¡¯s grasp.

    Was this the remarkable ability of a Sage?

    Recognizing this fact made Yin BiYue feel uneasy.

    Were the other Sages in the world also as omniscient as the Director?

    Duan ChongXuan asked, ¡°Where would this card lead us?¡±

    ¡°The Director said you would end up outside the northern part of Ye City.¡±

    Yin BiYue secretly nodded in satisfaction.

    There was a deserted, barren hill outside the northern part of Ye City. There wasn¡¯t any danger there, and it was unlikely for them to attract attention. It was also very close to Zhong Ming Mountain.

    The little child was just about to salute and take his leave when it looked as if he had suddenly thought of something. He turned toward Duan ChongXuan and said, ¡°The Director also asked, is your esteemed father still well?¡±

    Duan ChongXuan nked out for a moment. Then, before he even breathed in, he immediately replied, ¡°Very well, his body is healthy and his spirit is full of vigor. On his horse, he can even ride around the field ten times without panting. When he practices archery, he¡¯s still as urate as he was twenty years ago. Everyday, he would eat four big bowls of Southern Continent¡¯s white grain, and it¡¯s even less likely he would ever miss his nightly pastry snacks. Many thanks to the Director for constantly thinking of him.¡±

    The young child carefully listened to his words. After Duan ChongXuan finished talking, he didn¡¯t ask any more. Instead, he saluted the three of them, before his figure disappeared into thin air.

    Yin BiYue felt it was awfully strange. The way the Director had phrased his question was strange, and the way the chatterbox answered had been strange as well.

    To make even the Director ask after him, Duan ChongXuan¡¯s father was bound to be someone out of the ordinary. This was something Yin BiYue had long guessed before. So much that he had even thought up disgraceful plotbunnies like the chatterbox being the Sword Saint¡¯s illegitimate child.

    However, even if he was out of the ordinary, why did the chatterbox even have to mention how many bowls of food he ate?

    Unless, the Director had meant something like, ¡®Lian Po in his old age, can he still eat?¡¯12?

    ¡°Twenty years ago......how old are you? To still remember......¡±

    To still remember your esteemed father¡¯s heroic appearance in archery during that year?

    Duan ChongXuan said matter-of-factly, ¡°Of course I had made all of that up! It¡¯s been three years and I haven¡¯t even gotten a single letter from him, who knows if he¡¯s well or not well.¡±

    ......Once again, Yin BiYue was leftpletely speechless.

    Yin BiYue looked at the letters in all three of their hands. There were three of the same style and looked exactly the same.

    He tried concentrating his divine consciousness in an attempt to dissect the lines forming the seal, but he immediately felt stinging pain, as if his divine consciousness was used as a pincushion.

    Sure enough, it was too difficult. Since this was the case, it seemed like Yin BiYue didn¡¯t have any other ways.

    He gave his own letter to Luo MingChuan. ¡°Let¡¯s trade.¡±

    bbergasted, Duan ChongXuan asked, ¡°Fourth senior-apprentice brother, what¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Luo MingChuan also did not understand. ¡°Junior-apprentice brother?¡±

    There was no exnation, nor a reason behind his action.

    Silently, the teenager just stretched out his hand. It appeared as if he would¡¯t give up should Luo MingChuan not take his letter.

    The sea breeze whistled, blowing away the hood Yin BiYue wore and revealing the persistence and obstinance within his expression.

    Contrasting against his ink-ck cloak, his three thousand strands of white hair appeared all the more dazzling.

    Yin BiYue once again repeated his words. Both the sea waves and the sound of the wind hadn¡¯t been able to make him waver the slightest. ¡°Let¡¯s trade.¡±

    ¡°......Alright.¡±

    á­¸Û (Xi¨¤ng¨£ng): means ¡®steep hill harbour¡¯. Also means Danang from Vietnam, but since this is set in a cultivational ancient China setting, I doubt that¡¯s what it is.

    This is supposed to rhyme like this, it¡¯s supposed to be like amercial¡¯s jingle hahaha. Excuse my elementary poetry skills ??

    This refers to chicken-blood therapy, which had been a form of pseudo-medical therapy in China in like the 1960s. Basically, it involved shooting patients with chicken blood, and people imed it made patients very aggressive and strong.

    Idiom for hubbub.

    The OS here is shortform for ¡®ovepping sound¡¯ but in English. It¡¯s Chinese ng for inner monologue and is usually seen in manhua/novels.

    °×¾¨ (b¨¢ij¨©ng): white whale, beluga.

    Ò¶ (Y¨¨): Leaf.

    ÕÉ (zh¨¤ng): a unit of measurement, approximately ten Chinese feet (3.3m).

    ¸¡ (f¨²): float/unstable/transient.

    ¿Õ (k¨­ng): empty/air/sky.

    ±¡Ö½ is very thin and soft paper, simr to tracing paper but even more thin and translucent.

    It¡¯s one of the best papers where the color doesn¡¯t fake even after hundreds or thousands of years.

    Thises from a story: Lian Po was discharged from his duty in his old age. Then, a rebellion happened and the king sent a messenger to see if Lian Po coulde back to fight. And the trial he gave was whether or not Lian Po could still eat a lot because it shows he¡¯s got a healthy body. So Lian Po ended up eating a lot to make the messenger believe he was still healthy, but he had to get to the toilet multiple times in the middle of eating because in reality he wasn¡¯t that healthy anymore. So the question the king asked, ¡®Lian Po in his old age, can he still eat?¡¯ means, is he still healthy enough to fight?

 Chapter 21 - Yan Xing

    Chapter 21: Yan Xing

    The moment Yin BiYue received Luo MingChuan¡¯s letter, he clenched it in his hand and immediately poured in his true essence. Following that, his figure disappeared from the harbour.

    Yin BiYue vaguely felt the whistling of the wind and the waves, the racket of the marketce, the rising movements of smoke and dust, and the ring sunlight of early summer. However, all of this urred in the span of a mere breath.

    The next moment, Yin BiYue stepped onto genuine soil.

    Practically the moment he appeared, before his vision had even cleared enough for him to see the forest in front of him, an immense force abruptly pulled him backwards!

    Even though he had raised his guard to some extent, Yin BiYue still stumbled two steps. There wasn¡¯t enough time for him to turn around. Thus, he stabbed his sword, still sheathed, backwards with the aid of boundless true essence. But instantly, the true essence disappeared with no hope of returning!

    A strong Enlightenment stage cultivator!

    However, Yin BiYue didn¡¯t employ his pre-prepared back-up n. This was because the force disappeared, before the person behind him spoke. ¡°Wait a moment, brother! This one does not bear malice!¡±

    That person released the hand on Yin BiYue¡¯s shoulder, the one they used to pull him back. Then, they retreated two steps as the aura previously surrounding them dwindled till there were no traces of it being present. ¡°This Daoist friend......¡±

    Yin BiYue turned his head to take a look. A split secondter, he began staring nkly.

    He wasn¡¯t staring because of this person¡¯s appearance¡ªthey did not look overly beautiful to the point that it made people speechless.

    Rather......they looked very familiar.

    He wore a somewhat old, dark brown duan da1 and had a wine pot hanging from his waist in addition to a long sword on his back. His hair was aplete mess and wasbed into a low ponytail at the back of his head, and there was even some stubble growing on his chin.

    This kind of ¡®wandering around the Jianghu while carrying wine2¡® appearance didn¡¯t resemble that of a cultivator at all.

    But upon a closer look, this person had distinct facial features; sharp edges and high eyebrows that nted towards his temples. Due to the look in his eyes being too pure and bright, it naturally weakened the loose nature of those peach blossom eyes that appeared like spring rivers.

    Only undisciplined nature and unbridled cruelty emanated from that body.

    The person in front of him was also sizing Yin BiYue up. In fact, he appeared a bit startled.

    In the end, he asked in an uncertain tone, ¡°Fourth3?¡±

    At this moment, the chatterbox¡¯s voice rang out from behind him. ¡°Third senior-apprentice brother! What are you doing here?!¡±

    The person turned his head and was immediately shocked, ¡°Fifth!¡±

    Following that, he pointed his finger at him and Duan Chatterbox. ¡°Weird! How did you appear out of thin air one after the other! ......Fourth, what happened to your hair? I almost didn¡¯t recognize you!¡±

    Yin BiYue thought, he finally knew why this person looked so familiar.

    Because this person was precisely the third senior-apprentice brother who had seldom returned to Cang Ya in three years, Yan Xing.

    Thest time they met was when Duan ChongXuan had first arrived at Xi Hua Peak, where he had formally worshipped their Master (¡®s portrait) and became his apprentice.

    Yin BiYue gave Yan Xing a nod. ¡°Third senior-apprentice brother, it¡¯s a long story......¡±

    He himself was also unclear as to why his hair turned white. Thus, he changed the topic, ¡°The reason fifth junior-apprentice brother and I came to the South Continent is because we are participating in the Flower Picking Festival.¡±

    The chatterbox took over and asked, ¡°Third senior-apprentice brother, how about you?¡±

    Yan Xing revealed an embarrassed expression, ¡°This......would be an even longer story to tell......¡±

    Suddenly, hisplexion changed. ¡°Withdraw your aura!¡±

    Instantly, Yin BiYue and Duan ChongXuan became nervous.

    Third senior-apprentice brother was already in the Enlightenment realm. What kind of a person would someone have to be if even their senior-apprentice brother needed to hide from them?

    Yin BiYue¡¯s gaze fell onto the spot he had emerged from just now. In a ce that wasn¡¯t even two inches away from there, a rune g was stuck in the ground.

    It could be assumed that the reason Yan Xing had suddenly pulled him back, was precisely because he had been afraid Yin BiYue would destroy this array.

    There were eight more rune gs like that one, and they were ced down in aplicated pattern. In the forest, a perimeter with a range that covered approximately three zhang4 was drawn out, encircling the three of them inside.

    Yin BiYue took a careful look. This was a Concealing Array.

    However, the arrangement of the array was done in an awfully rough and crude manner. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Yan Xing, the one who had set up this array, had a high cultivation level, Yin BiYue was afraid that anyone who had casually learned some spiritual array arts would notice something amiss.

    Yin BiYue¡¯s fingers twitched slightly before a stream of true essence flew out. Between the whistling of the wind, two rune gs exchanged ces. And then, after Yin BiYue¡¯s fingers moved again, the rune g that had been most north leaned half an inch southward.

    Only a few, subtle modifications like this instantly made the entire array different from before. In fact, it seemed as if even the breeze that reached the centre of the array calmed down.

    Yan Xing sensed this change and his aura immediately rxed. Pleasantly surprised, he pped Yin BiYue firmly on the shoulders and eximed, ¡°Fourth! That was phenomenal!¡±

    Yin BiYue felt somewhat embarrassed by Yan Xing¡¯s bold manner. He bowed his head slightly and said, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother is exaggerating.¡±

    He understood things very clearly. If it weren¡¯t for how Yan Xing trusted him, he wouldn¡¯t have managed to alter Yan Xing¡¯s array.

    However, Yin BiYue still felt a bit baffled. If they were facing a powerful enemy who had a cultivation level higher than Yan Xing¡¯s, how could they not see through this array? But if they were in a lower cultivation realm, why would Yan Xing need to hide?

    At this moment, a rustling noise came from somewhere in the forest not too far away from them. A vague amount of time passed before a white figure passed through.

    That person got closer and closer. Their cloudy boots trodded across the dead leaves and weeds, producing quiet sounds. It was evident that this person didn¡¯t have even the slightest intention of concealing their tracks.

    It was a young man, who arrived holding a sword.

    The young man got increasingly close, close to the point that they could see shan shui5 painted on the man¡¯s wide sleeves and the dense, cold aura between his eyebrows.

    Once again, Yan Xing¡¯s expression became nervous as he kept silent.

    Yin BiYue and Duan ChongXuan also became influenced by his anxiety as they solemnly gazed at the neer.

    Between the gaps of the forest trees, a familiar voice suddenly spoke up. ¡°Junior Sect Master Song.¡±

    It was Luo MingChuan¡¯s voice.

    The young man who had been called ¡®Junior Sect Master Song¡¯ turned around. Slightly surprised, he said, ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo?¡±

    Yin BiYue could finally confirm now that the Academy Director no longer wanted Luo MingChuan dead.

    Otherwise, he could have casually done something underhanded while Luo MingChuan had been travelling through space and time. That was more than enough to let him die quietly, and even his corpse wouldn¡¯t be found.

    Contrary to what Yin BiYue had thought, the Academy Director truly wanted the three of them to be able to participate in the Flower Picking Festival without a hitch.

    However, Yin BiYue was afraid that even the Director couldn¡¯t have foreseen the present situation. After all......the Director wasn¡¯t that bored.

    He couldn¡¯t be bored enough to even include Yan Xing and this Junior Sect Master¡¯s personal grudges into his calctions.

    Outside the array, the two who hade across each other were already chatting.

    ¡°How did senior-apprentice brother Luo suddenly appear here?¡±

    ¡°There was a sudden outburst of beasts in Fu Kong Ocean, preventing journey by boat. Fortunately, the Academy Director sent over some letters. Using his remarkable space and time spiritual arts, I ended up here. Junior Sect Master, have you seen any other people in this forest?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t yet......however, since it was the Director¡¯s letter, then nothing could have gone wrong. Perhaps yourpanions ended up somewhere slightly farther away from here. Senior-apprentice brother Luo has no need to worry. I am also looking for someone, so we can journey together.¡±

    After hearing their conversation, Duan ChongXuan said, ¡°The future Sect Master of Cang Ya and Qing Lu Jian Sect¡¯s Junior Sect Master. Tsk tsk, their rtionship with each other is unexpectedly not bad.¡±

    Cang Ya Mountain did not use the term ¡®Junior Sect Master¡¯. However, the chief seeding disciple had long been tacitly approved as the future Sect Master.

    With this, Yin BiYue also confirmed this young man¡¯s identity. He was Song Tang, the one who would take charge of Qing Lu Jian Sect in the future.

    The Elegant Sword, Song Tang. He was senior to Zhong Shan, who was part of the same sect. His cultivation level was also higher than Zhong Shan¡¯s, and he had be famous earlier as well.

    On the other side, Luo MingChuan diverted Song Tang¡¯s attention.

    Yan Xing sighed in relief before saying, ¡°That youngster also looks familiar......¡±

    He stared at them with rapt attention before he suddenly realized, ¡°So it turns out that he¡¯s Xi Qian Peak¡¯s Luo MingChuan......Fourth, Fifth, do you have any ways to make him lead away that guy surnamed Song?¡±

    Yin BiYue nodded. He condensed his true essence into a bundle and then, using his divine consciousness to control it, he sent it into Luo MingChuan¡¯s ear without even the slightest leak.

    ¡°Senior-apprentice brother Luo, junior-apprentice brother Duan and I are standing about a zhang north of you, inside senior-apprentice brother Yan Xing¡¯s Concealing Array. Senior-apprentice brother Yan is precisely the person Junior Sect Master Song wants to find.¡±

    The meaning of his words was very obvious. Since they were in an array, it meant they didn¡¯t want to be found.

    Luo MingChuan¡¯splexion didn¡¯t change. The surprise in his eyes passed in a sh, and Song Tang, who was beside him, didn¡¯t notice it at all.

    Immediately, Luo MingChuan smiled and said, ¡°Finding them isn¡¯t that urgent of a matter. I n to go to Ye City first and find a ce near the Flower Picking Festival, one we can temporarily reside in.¡±

    It was Qing Lu Jian Sect¡¯s turn to act as the host for the Flower Picking Festival this year. Since Song Tang was the Junior Sect Master, he naturally had to manage many affairs. An example would be the amodations of the attending disciples for the various Sects.

    Sure enough, Song Tang said apologetically, ¡°I am the one who is too inconsiderate for forgetting that senior-apprentice brother Luo has travelled from afar and is now weary. My Sect has long made preparations. I will immediately bring senior-apprentice brother Luo over there at once.¡±

    The remaining people watched as the two departed. Very soon, their figures disappeared within the gaps of the forest.

    Once again, Yan Xing gave Yin BiYue¡¯s shoulders a hearty p. ¡°Fourth! You¡¯re too amazing!!¡±

    Yin BiYue only felt that this senior-apprentice brother Yan was very different from what he had imagined him as.

    As such, he couldn¡¯t help but recall many things that pertained to this senior-apprentice brother.

    A type of ancient Chinese clothes:

    ¡°wandering around the Jianghu while carrying wine¡±, or ÂäÆÇ½­ºþÔØ¾ÆÐÐ apparently originated from a book and is a part of the quoteÂäÆÇ½­ºþÔØ¾ÆÐÐ£¬ ³þÑüÏËÏ¸ÕÆÖÐÇá.

    Raws here say ÀÏËÄ which means ¡®old fourth¡¯, a nicknamemonly used in China, especially in families (children wise, they can be called old second, old third, etc by the parents. In this novel, DXC¡¯s called Old Fifth). However, since this isn¡¯t really used in western countries, I discussed with some other tlors and opted to just go with Fourth and Fifth!

    ÕÉ (zh¨¤ng): unit of measure, ten Chinese feet (approx. 3.3m)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shan_shui

 Chapter 22 - Yan Xing (2)

    Chapter 22- Yan Xing (2)

    Yan Xing¡¯s saber was named ¡°Duan Shui¡±.1 This name was not given by him.

    He believes that a de is just a de, there¡¯s no need for any names.

    It¡¯s a name that was given by the popce.

    That year, it hadn¡¯t been long since Yan Xing departed from the sect. Amidst the deste prairies of the Eastern Continent, he caught sight of the Wei River¡¯s majesty, surging across the wide ins. Following the tides of his fortune, he traveled alongside the river¡¯s flow; throughout his journeying, his cultivation rose steadily step by step, until he reached the midpoint of the great river and entered the Lesser Vessel stage.

    He broke through too easily, his energy too vigorous- so much so that it caused a senior he came across to be extremely displeased.

    That Bao Pu sect elder ordered a servant to lower the grand carriage2. With the air of descending from above, he alighted from the carriage.

    From across the river, he lectured Yan Xing, ¡°Which family¡¯s junior are you, to be so rude and uncouth; for what reason would you not restrain your energy when encountering an elder? To be so arrogant and domineering, your journey on the path of cultivation will not be long! You must know ¡®drawing a de to cut water will only quicken its flow3¡¯, ¡®the dao? of heaven is long and arduous, the hardship passed by none¡¯?. Youngsters these days! Only a little bit of strength and you believe there is naught under heaven you cannot do; in the future you will surely stumble!¡±

    These words seemed to be ones of guidance from an elder, but they were full of cursing and resentment.

    Yan Xing mused: ¡®This reallycks reason. Between us is a river, even if my vital energy was fully externalized it¡¯s impossible that it would bump into you, not to mention how your cultivation realm is a bit higher than mine.¡¯

    This person has never taught him, nor has he raised him, yet he is here posturing as a senior to lecture him.

    This led to him remembering something shifu once said, ¡°Not everyone with a high cultivation and lived a long life will carry the demeanor of a respectable senior. There will always be people who grow more arrogant as they grow stronger; the longer they live, the more they fear death. It¡¯s this type of person who most cannot stomach unting of the youths, making them feel as if their own primes are ones of failure and shame.¡±

    And then shifu looked at him and sighed, ¡°This old man had no shortage of encounters like this. Between you three disciples of this old man, you¡¯re the most simr to me. It¡¯s unavoidable that you will also meet such a person in the future. When that timees you must remember, if you can beat them, beat them, if you cannot beat them, you still need to anger them to death.¡±

    In the end the Sword Saint concluded, ¡°Youngsters should show off, one way or another.¡±

    It¡¯s a pity that Duan Chongxuan had yet to be a disciple, otherwise it wouldn¡¯t have taken him more than three sentences before he enraged that person to death.

    At this point, Yan Xing was still very young, but he also had his own methods.

    Since he was a youth, if someone had a problem with him, then he can only draw his de!

    Yan Xing directly hacked forth with his de!

    He didn¡¯t chop towards the person on the other shore, but the surging river itself!

    Three thousand tremendous waves arose from nothing!

    Boundless energy erupted from the person on the opposite shore, shing with the waves mid air above the river¡¯s banks.

    The water streamed towards the clouds, flowing endlessly. The two shores of the river seemingly drowned in a violent downpour.

    The phenomenon drew many people to the wastnds; but a battle between two people at the Lesser Vessel stage can only be watched from afar.

    When the river¡¯s water returned to the ground, the onlookers were shocked to find that the flow of the Wei River was irrecoverably severed, the river¡¯s waters split down two paths.

    The youth¡¯s saber has already been returned to its sheath, his clothes soaked through with river water, dark forelocks dripping.

    Not a single one of the onlookers would feel that he cut a sorry figure, instead an unrestrained tion arose within them.

    ¡°Master- Wei Jingfeng.¡±

    This was a reply to the question posed earlier, ¡°Which family¡¯s junior are you?¡±

    ¡°What ¡®drawing a de to cut water will only quicken its flow¡¯, I don¡¯t understand these things.¡±

    The unsaid meaning was: I¡¯ll cut it for you to see!

    No one knows what happened afterwards in this tale, because the story thus far was already exhrating enough to catapult a powerful youth to fame.

    With a single sh he was able to bisect the Wei River; to cause a river¡¯s path to divert and diverge.

    Therefore his saber came to be called Duan Shui.

    This kind of character, facing an elder of Bao Pu sect would still dare to brandish his de and split the waters-

    was currently hiding in the forest on the outskirts of Ye City, using a technique he was unpracticed with, carefully avoiding a young man with a cultivation realm lower than his own.

    One has to mention, this was a truly tragic affair; tragic to the point that it was humorous.

    Not only Duan Chongxuan, even Yin Biyue was beginning to grow curious. Just what was going on here?

    Yan Xing reluctantly recounted his grievances with the Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s young heir.

    Half a year ago, Yan Xing arrived on the Southern Continent for the ¡°Drunken Immortal?¡± wine in the wine cers of Rong City.

    He had already traveled for a long while. All of his drinking buddies know: the more drunk Yan Xing was, the clearer his eyes be. There were no signs of intoxication, save for a mouth full of drunken words.

    He drank from morning till night. Without using his core energy to dissipate the alcohol, he¡¯d long became drunk. However, his steps were were steady on the street, no one could discern he was drunk to the point he was unable to distinguish between male or female, human or beast.

    He just so happened to meet with Song Tang of the Qing Lu Sword Sect upon a narrow road.

    Song Tang led a group of disciples to descend from the Qing Lu mountain, rushing towards Ye City. Perceiving that the person in their path was someone in the Lesser Vessel stage, though not dressed in the style of a cultivator, he still chose to step aside. Yet he was blocked by the other man.

    ¡°What are you called?¡±

    Out of courtesy, Song Tang introduced himself, ¡°Qing Lu Sword Sect Song Tang; what matter does fellow dao-friend seek with me?¡±

    Who knew when Yan Xing heard his reply he would burst into unbridledughter.

    ¡°Song Tang?? This name of yours is pretty sweet, beautiful!¡±

    It was the depths of the night, there was no one loitering about the streets. Anger surged up in a cresting wave as Song Tang impulsively sent his scabbard forth in a strike at Yan Xing.

    Yan Xing was already drunk out of his wits, believing since it¡¯s the first time in his life he was teasing? a girl, what¡¯s the harm in letting her hit him a little.

    .....Ss, this littledy¡¯s pretty strong.

    Song Tang didn¡¯t have any idea that his opponent absolutely had no intent of fighting back, and with a single strike, he actually ended up snapping the man¡¯s leg.

    But he couldn¡¯t bring himself to apologize. Luckily, for someone who was at the Lesser Vessel stage, this kind of injury would heal after a few days, so he ended up simply leaving a bottle of medicinal pills and left.

    It stands to reason that this matter concluded here.

    Young Heir Song snapped a leg, vented his anger.

    The most unfortunate thing was that a monthter, Yan Xing bumped into another drinking buddy and once again drank too much.

    Somebody asked him, ¡°I heard that you told Song Tang his name was sweet to his face?¡±

    Yan Xing grandly waved him aside. ¡°Hahaha! The man¡¯s sweeter!¡±

    That day¡¯s Tai He Pavilion had many people with many wagging tongues. Before even half a day has passed, the incident already spread throughout Ye City.

    The matter had already spiraled out of control, spreading far and wide.

    From that day forth, when mentioning Young Heir Song¡¯s name on the Southern Continent, the first thing people would think of wasn¡¯t Qing Lu Sword Sect, nor was it of Jing Hong Sword and the Feathered Mantle Arts?, it was...

    ¡ª¡ª The man is sweeter.

    Thus Song Tang, wait no, Song Tang was truly infuriated this time, vowing to track down Yan Xing for a fight.

    Even if there was a gap between their cultivation realms, he did not believe he had no hope of beating Yang Xing.

    Yin Biyue felt that this was reasonable; just as though he is called Yin Biyue, if someone had the gall to say something like his beauty ¡°eclipsed the moon and embarrassed the flowers1?¡±, he would unhesitatingly draw his sword and teach them a lesson on humility!

    Duan Chatterbox¡¯s attention clearly took a trip to the gutter, his smile containing immoral intentions,

    ¡°Which leg of yours did he break?¡±

    Yan Xing started, when he finally realized, ¡°Right leg! What nonsense are you thinking!!¡±

    Yan Xing knows that he was in the wrong. Unwilling to raise his hand against Song Tang, he nned to leave the southern continent.

    He sighed deeply, ¡°I, Yan Xing have grown to be this old; haven¡¯t even held a girl¡¯s hand. From this one sentence I¡¯ve been deemed a scoundrel by the entirety of the southern continent! It¡¯s all a mistake borne of drinking!¡±

    Then he took a swig from his hip sk.

    Yin Biyue speechlessly took a look at the three of them.

    Very good. Three people. Three totally different styles11.

    Shifu!

    Old man, did you truly select your disciples seriously!?

    We three must be theplementary items from a ¡°buy a treasured sword, get disciples free¡± promotional event you attended right!!

    After he finished talking about his own matters, Yan Xing suddenly remembered why they¡¯vee, ¡°Fourth-shidi, you should freely fight in the Flower Picking Festival! There¡¯s no one who¡¯d beat you!¡±

    Third Martial Brother!12

    Where did this confidence that you and Senior Martial Brother12 have in mee from!!

    Yan Xing finished drinking his wine, and without even cleaning up the array g strewn on the ground, waved his hand, ¡°I don¡¯t know when that one surnamed Song wille around again... The promisednds will not change, clear waters will continue to flow, I¡¯m sure we shall meet again! Next time I¡¯ll buy the drinks!¡±

    His words barely made it out of his mouth before his figure was already thirty meters away.

    Looking at Yan Xing¡¯s fleeing back, Yin Biyue realised there were more pressing matters at hand.

    Xi Hua Peak originally was on bad terms with Bao Pu Sect, a vicious battle sure to ensue.

    Now adding on that third-shixiong had offended the Qing Lu Sword Sect, and Qing Lu Sword Sect has a Zhong Shan.

    How was he supposed to get through this Flower Picking Festival!?

    1) ¶ÏË®- to cut apart water

    2) ´óéý ¨C arge carriage used by emperors. 50200009239445155080402016713

    3) ³éµ¶¶ÏË®Ë®¸üÁ÷- Using a de to cut water, it will flow more. Used to describe doing something futile.

    4) a ¡°path¡± of enlightenment- in this case the set of morals, ideals, and actions to reach heaven.

    5) ÌìµÀÂ·Ô¶ÈçÄàÍ¾£¬¿à¶òÎÞÈË¶É ¨C It seems like it¡¯s an idiom but maybe it¡¯s just one made up by TP? It¡¯s essentially what it says on the tin.

    6) A wine¡¯s name. Yan Xing is not looking for a master in the depths of the wine cers.

    7) ËÍÌÇ- which sounds the same as ËÎÌÄ, which is Song Tang¡¯s actual name. Here begins a lengthy exnation of the pun. I rmend you save this till the end. Song Tang, the actual name isposed of Song, of the Song dynasty, and Tang as in a type of nt. Song Tang, as I¡¯ve styled it is Song as in to give/gift/deliver and Tang as in sugar/candy. Yan Xing, the absolute drunkard,tched onto the meaning of candy and remarked that his name was sweet. This continues onwards tillter on so please remember that I¡¯ll be styling the pun version of Song Tang using italics.

    8) µ÷Ï·- the meaning is a bit more insidious. It¡¯s more like deliberately taking liberties

    9) The name of his sword and the cultivation skill/arts that Song Tang uses.

    10) ±ÕÔÂÐß»¨: b¨¬ yu¨¨ xi¨± hu¨¡, a counterpart to Yin Biyue¡¯s name that he makes a pun off of in the same vein as the pun on Song Tang. The meaning is as I¡¯ve tranted, eclipse the moon and embarrass the flowers, as an idiom to describe women who have a beauty that goes beyond earthly bounds. That¡¯s right, it¡¯s a description for women. Good job, YBY. Shortly after there exists another pun, ±Ú looks incredibly close to the Bi in Yin Biyue (save a single stroke) as a part of a way to convey ¡°immediately¡±. This entire sentence is just an absolute masterpiece.

    11) »­·çåÄÒì ¨C the art styles are entirely different. Basically to say that the image of the three of them were extremely different.

    12) ÈýÊªÐØ/´óÊªÐØ: third moist chest/big moist chest. It sounds the same as ÈýÊ¦ÐÖ/´óÊ¦ÐÖ. It¡¯s honestly just a meme in China to more emphatically say shixiong.

    13) ÇàÉ½²»¸Ä,ÂÌË®³¤Á÷,ÎÒÃÇºó»áÓÐÆÚ [an idiom]: we shall meet again so long as time continues.

 Chapter 23 - Ye City

    Chapter 23- Ye City

    Ye City was the closest city to the ZhongMing mountains. The official hosts would make arrangements for all the people participating in the Flower Picking Festival. ¡®One Mountain Three Sects, Double Buddhist Temples¡¯ would alternate being hosts. This year was the QingLu Sword Sect¡¯s turn .

    Since the QingLu Sword Sect already was established in the Southern Continent and also had some connections with Ye City¡¯s government, many portions of the arrangements proceeded smoothly

    With this year¡¯s Flower Picking Festival, they put even more effort into the preparations. It was not only to exhibit the foundation and prestige of an affluent sect, but more importantly- barring any idents, the pride of their sect: ¡®Sword of Rain and Wind¡¯ Zhong Shan will prevail.

    The preparations for amodations for each sect¡¯s disciples, the protection arrays at the base of ZhongMing Mountains, and the safeguarding and renovation of the mountain paths, had all begun half a year ago.

    Although the three of them arrived a month before the appointed date, the courtyards for Cang Ya disciples beside Lake Qiu were already arranged.

    After Song Tang brought Luo MingChuan to the city center, Luo MingChuan returned to the city gates to wait for Yin BiYue and Duan ChongXuan.

    Ye City was built a long time ago; long enough to be traced back to the Ye Town from the ¡®End of Dharma Era¡¯. Because of its geographical location and convenient trade routes, Ye City became one of the biggest cities in the northern part of the Southern Continent.

    Andter, with the advent of the Flower Picking Festival, the city expanded even more rapidly. As of today, the city wallprised of eight huge city gates, each day seeing tens of thousands of people passing through.

    By the time the three of them entered the city it was alreadyte afternoon; just as the city guards rotated their shifts. The most majestic city on the western side of Southern Continent finally exhibited its glory.

    Teams of guards hurried through the city in organized formations. Their polished heavyset ck armor reflected the light, obsidian scabbards holding changdao fitted around their waists, their demeanors solemn yet dignified.

    All themoners in the city seemed to be perfectly fine with it.

    The old man at the roadside wonton stall was still peddling his goods, the entertainers on the pedestrian overpass were still calling out slogans, and the children running about the streets were still y-fighting with wooden swords and sugared hawthorn skewers.

    Yin BiYue could not understand, ¡°What¡¯s the purpose of the city guards here?¡±

    Were they not used for maintaining the image of a tidy and serene city? Why were the peddlers at the roadside stalls not even a little bit afraid of them?

    The three of them strolled along the wide streets. Duan ChongXuan pped his fan and gazed with great interest at the youngdies fluttering their handkerchiefs at him from atop the building.

    ¡°It¡¯s a hard job. Even with this kind of hot weather, they¡¯re wrapped head to toe with armor while patrolling the streets. If they happen to meet cultivators fighting, then they must intercept and maintain order by asking them to find a different ce to fight so that the children, flowers, and grasses will be not hurt. If they happen on powerful people who are starting fights, they must open the city¡¯s underground passage to allow the elderly, women, andmon people to first take refuge... The guards must help even if it¡¯s meeting a old woman carrying a heavy object. Isn¡¯t it miserable?¡±

    Luo MingChuan smiled a little and continued to exin to Yin BiYue. ¡°The road we¡¯re walking on right now is Ye city¡¯s main road. It¡¯s extremely crowded. If we were to ride a horse, these ck armored guards woulde to remind us to dismount, as to avoid collisions with pedestrians and vendors. They¡¯re expressionless and cold as to represent the city¡¯s prestige and to intimidate the foreign cultivators to stop them from being domineering.¡±

    Duan ChongXuan smiled, ¡°Although their duties are tiring, the sry is very high. They also are loved and well-respected by the residents of Ye City and has the government as a patron. Here, whoever¡¯s son passed the assessment and was selected to be the city guard is seen as bringing honor to his ancestors. Ye City is probably the only one of with its kind in the entire Southern Continent.

    Yin BiYue was deeply moved.

    Common people and cultivators, cards1 and swords, peddlers and ck-armored squadrons. In this city, they are harmoniously unified.

    He then suddenly thought that this all traced back to Ye City¡¯s owner ¡ª a powerful Greater Vessel stage cultivator. Powerful enough to set his own rules unchallenged in the entire Southern Continent. Powerful enough to protect something.

    He suddenly felt admiration for this city owner.

    At this time, Yin BiYue had not the slightest idea that these emotions came into existence because, subconsciously, he already had something he wanted to protect.

    It might be the expansive and misty Xi Hua Peak. Or perhaps his sincere fellow disciples who would defend him unconditionally. Or the endless and majestic Cang Ya. Or maybe it was the disciples who sent them off with their waving swords.

    This strongly vited the code of how a viin should feel. But in this moment, Yin BiYue did not feel there was anything wrong.

    As the day slowly faded and twilight lost its radiance, the city¡¯s streetlights began to impatiently flickered ame.

    A huge redntern hung on the eaves of arge estate, the gold-lined festiventerns hanging from a charming theater house, and the warm yellow glow from the roadside tavern mingled with fragrant wine andughing words drifted from between the door blinds.

    The city at night came even more alive; a sea of lights, a nket of people.

    The three of them slowly walked out of the city¡¯s centre along main road; leaving behind the streetlight, the music, and all of the mor.

    The further south they travelled, the quieter the night became. In the alleyways of the limestone road, the lights and shadows intertwined, asionally revealing inscribed ques and divine beasts carved from stone in the depths of a courtyard.

    Past the district of rich nobles in the south side of the city, was Lake Qiu.

    The glow of manmade lights no longer were present topete. The brilliance of the stars scattered across the sky, falling onto theke¡¯s crystalline surface, shimmering. Quiet but not deste.

    The newly built courtyard stood in the darkness of thekeside silently, engulfed by the night.

    In the half month during the Flower Picking Festival, they will be staying here.

    The three of them paused on thekeside. The night wind caressed their faces, refreshing their spirits.

    Luo MingChuan spoke, ¡°There are thirty peopleing including the three of us. There are ten lodgings in total. In other words, three or four people share one ce.¡±

    Yin BiYue have not yet reacted when Duan ChongXuan replied, ¡°Sure, we¡¯ll share one.¡±

    Luo MingChuan saw that Yin BiYue did not say anything, seeming to tacitly agree to this arrangement. He couldn¡¯t help but let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡±

    They unanimously walked to the courtyard nearest to theke. The biggest courtyard up north would be set aside for Xi Ping Peak elder, who led this year¡¯s group.

    ¡°There were originally servants who cleaned and looked after this courtyard. But seeing as how the only people who¡¯ve arrived are us three, there¡¯s no need for them. I¡¯ll send them back.¡±

    ¡°The more people, the more chaotic. This is pretty good. Fourth shixiong, what about you?¡±

    Yin BiYue wordlessly nodded his head. He was only thinking that the geographic cement was perfect for practicing the Frigid Water Sword.

    The new courtyard, built half a year ago, was tidied and swept clean with a magnolia tree nted in the center. It was the flowering season and the white flowers hidden in the foliage of green leaves embellished the small courtyard with a bit of beauty.

    The courtyard was not big. Of the four bedrooms, there were no master bedroom. Yin BiYue chose one at random. A light jade-colored tea table and a veiled bed were ced inside. The room was neither luxurious nor was it barren. He was quite pleased with it.

    Abruptly, a loud noise came from the neighboring room. Yin BiYue¡¯s heart suddenly dropped.

    Next door is Chatterbox¡¯s room!

    He ran out with his sword in hand and immediately broke down Duan ChongXuan¡¯s door-

    And saw that.... Chatterbox was moving furniture.

    The wooden veiled bed was already reced by his own red sandalwood one with carvings of flowers and mackerel. The table was changed into a long tea table decorated with lotus carvings and embedded with spiralling metals.

    As for the loud noise, it was the chrysanthemum pearl cab embedded with jewels being moved.

    There were no strange treasures ced around the room. It was just the iy of spiralling metals, silver, gold, pearls, jewels on the furnitures alone that produced an eye-catching incandescence luminescence.

    Yin BiYue simply suspected that this scam can move in an entire pce!

    Chatterbox saw him and immediately understood. He apologetically said, ¡°Fourth shixiong, I was being too noisy.¡±

    Yin BiYue shook his head, ¡°No... I just thought something happened to you.¡±

    Duan Chatterbox suddenly smiled happily. ¡°Shixiong, you came just in time! I was just going to find you!¡±

    And then he slightly lowered his voice, ¡°Ye city¡¯s Miss Yun XiangRong skills on the pipa2 is exceptional. Her reputation is the best in all of the Southern Continent. Tonight at the JinFengYuLu pavilion...

    Yin BiYue instantly understood! Duan Chatterbox was inviting him to go to a! Blossom! House!!3

    Atop the balconies beneath the night, alongside paintednterns and river-like sleeves, are beauties ying music.

    People who have never visited a blossom house were iplete!

    Just thinking about it... is a little exciting!

    Yin BiYue was not going there to do anything. It was just that in his previous life experiences, he could never experience this kind of thing. Knowledge of the unknown will always attract people. Not to mention, going to the brightly decorated blossom house in the dead of night was rather exhrating.

    He was just going to nod until he suddenly saw Duan Chatterbox¡¯splexion be stern, ¡° Across from JinFengYuLu pavilion is the TaiHe pavilion. In the evening, there will be a storyteller on stage. His stories will draw you into another world, causing one to apud and shout praise. It¡¯s definitely worth it to go. Fourth shixiong, what do you think?¡±

    Yin BiYue was shocked!

    He felt deeply ashamed of his own vulgaritypared with Duan Chatterbox¡¯s chasteness!

    He followed Chatterbox¡¯s gaze around to see Luo MingChuan standing beside the doorway, smiling faintly. An upright noblemen¡¯s appearance.

    ¡°So two shidi were actually going to listen to a storyteller.¡±

    Duan Chatterbox nodded repeatedly, ¡°Exactly. Luo shixiong, do you want to go together?¡±

    Yin BiYue felt even more ashamed.

    1) ¾ÆÆì (alcohol g / card) : It¡¯s a g with the word alcohol written on it. It¡¯s one of the oldest first type of advertisement in China.

    2) ÅýÅÃ (pipa) : a plucked instrument.

    3) »¨Â¥ (blossom house): somewhat simr to a brothel. Rather than only prostitutes, some women have exceptional skill in dancing or performing instruments. Blossom house can also act as a pub, a restaurant, and a meeting ce.

 Chapter 24 - Prophecy

    Chapter 24 ¨C Prophecy

    If one were to say that the entertainment of Cang Ya was in gossiping and spreading gossip, then the specialty of the citizens of Ye City were to observemotion and spreadmotion.

    Long term stability and prosperity led to the people bing increasingly bold and fearless. They dared to watch anymotion; they dared to spread anymotion.

    They discussed the Eastern Continent¡¯s demonic cultivators¡¯ endless nefarious desire to revive the Demonic Pce and how the Northern Continent¡¯s Imperial n was extravagant and wealthy; guessed at just how beautiful the number one beauty in Lian Jian was; and even worried themselves to death over when their very own city lord will get married.

    The people of Ye City were interested in discussing both the storms and showers of the world, as if they were all important people qualified to guide the world.

    Even when night had fallen, TaiHe Pavilion was still bustling with business, not losing in the slightest against JinFeng Pavilion.

    In the hall on the first floor was a raised tform. A storyteller garbed in a long robe rinsed his mouth with a top quality maojian tea and bowed towards the crowd, his hands sped in a salute. The crowd immediately erupted into thunderous cheers and apuse.

    The hall on the main floor was already full, and in a remote corner on the second floor sat three young men. One had the refined countenance of a nobleman, one had the carefree manner of a young master; there was also another one wearing a ck cloak, hiding his face from view.

    But Ye City was always bustling, and strange cultivators were easily found here. The way he was dressed didn¡¯t attract the slightest bit of attention.

    As Yin BiYue sipped at the cup of Ba Shan Qiao She tea Duan Chatterbox had ordered, his heart filled with countless emotions.

    He never fathomed that the three of them would actuallye to listen to storytelling!

    The storyteller downstairs had already begun to speak, his strong voice resonating throughout the hall.

    ¡°Everyone here knows in one month, on the ZhongMing Mountains, two li outside of our city, the Flower Picking Festival will begin. When the time arrives, various youths from every sect will gather here. Disciples from every continent will gather here to exhibit their skills; this truly is a rare decennial event!¡±

    Just as everyone thought that today¡¯s story would also be about the Flower Picking Festival, the storyteller¡¯s words took a turn, ¡°But today, let¡¯s not talk about the Flower Picking Festival, but then what are we talking about? Let¡¯s talk about the prophecy of the Central Continent¡¯s Director!¡±

    The crowd surrounding the stage once again erupted in cheers.

    Although the Flower Picking Festival was exciting, it had already been the topic of the story for many days, and everyone had listened to it to the point of being able to recite it from memory. Talking about something fresh right now would naturally attract more people.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s heart skipped a beat when he heard the two words Academy Director.

    What prophecy?

    The storyteller continued, ¡°¡®Twin stars appear , dragon and serpent sh, live and die together, a single survivor.¡¯ This was what the Director said three hundred years ago at Lake Ming. Some of you may have heard of it before, some of you may have not.¡±

    ¡°But what do these two phrases mean? How would we decipher them? I¡¯m sure everyone wants to know;let us thoroughly talk about it today!¡± Amidst the cheers of the audience he no longer dragged out the suspense.

    ¡°Out of the twenty-eight constetions in the night sky, there exists only one dragon, the KangJin Dragon, the ¡®neck cluster¡¯ of the seven asterisms of the Azure Dragon of the eastern sky; as for the serpent, it refers to the seven asterisms of the southern sky¡¯s ¡°wing cluster¡±, YiHuo Serpent!¡± 1

    This wasn¡¯t some kind of profound revtion; indeed, the ones who understood a little called out in agreement, ¡°Well said!¡±

    There were also people who casted some doubt on his assertion, ¡°This is something that everyone already knows; how about you exin what these two constetions have anything to do with anything?¡±

    The storytellerughingly said, ¡°What kind of character is the Academy Director! It could be said that he could even elucidate the mysteries of the heavens! These constetions are clearly referring to people! The KangJin Dragon and YiHuo Serpent, corresponding to the positions of the stars, I¡¯d reckon that they represent ¡®Cang Ya¡¯ and ¡®Bao Pu Zong¡¯, and the prophecy is talking about the eldest disciple of Xi Hua Peak, Jun Yu, and Lin Yuangui of the Bao Pu Seven Sons. Those two are the strongest of the younger generation and could naturally bear the Director¡¯s prophecy.¡±

    The people in the restaurant were happily chatting away¡ªthey had no inkling that in this ce, in this moment, there would be three Cang Ya disciples present.

    Yin Biyue turned to nce at his twopanions, neither of whom had any change in their expressions.

    Someone on the first floor hollered, ¡°Hey, we¡¯ve got ¡®dragon and serpent sh¡¯, but what about an exnation for ¡®live and die together¡¯?¡±

    The storyteller did not get angry; he waved his fan a couple times and said, ¡°¡®together¡¯ merely refers to ¡®the scenario¡¯; it undoubtedly means that if they¡¯ve been ced together into one scenario, then they will battle to the death.¡±

    ¡°Oh? You¡¯re so confident; what if you¡¯re wrong?¡±

    The storyteller burst into loudughter. ¡°Haha! If I¡¯m wrong then you cane find me to foot your tea bill!¡±

    Everyone knew that paying for tea was just a joke. The stories told in TaiHe Pavillion were mostly conjecture and exaggeration. How could they take it seriously? The storyteller seized the opportunity to speak of old matters between Cang Ya and Bao Pu Zong, and the hall was once again bubbling with sounds of passionate debate.

    The storyteller also knew a bit of astrology, and he stayed in a tea house full of stray rumours about various sects. With his serious intonation, the audience gobbled up every word.

    Yin Biyue already no longer had any desire to continue listening. Luo Mingchuan detected his unease, and his hand atop his teacup moved imperceptibly. Suddenly the cacophony filling the hall disappeared around them.

    Even if it were the table nearest them, they would only see three young men drinking tea in silence.

    Yin Biyue felt an abrupt change in the air, as if there was an invisible barrier encasing them.

    This was the first time Luo Mingchuan disyed a technique worthy of his Breakthrough Stage cultivation.

    Thus Yin Biyue straightforwardly expressed the doubts swirling in his heart. He asked Duan Chongxuan, ¡°This matter¡ªis it true?¡±

    He was well aware that Duan Chongxuan¡¯s extraordinary background granted him unique channels of information. He knew of many secrets and rumours, not to mention one that implicated eldest shixiong.

    Duan Chongxuan didn¡¯t answer ¡°yes¡± or ¡°no¡± but instead said, ¡°It was rumoured that three hundred years ago, the Director drank under the moonlight at Lake Ming and drank fourteen jugs of seventy year old LiuXian Wine, drunk out of his senses, singing at the top of his lungs atop a longboat.¡±

    Yin Biyue could not begin to imagine that schr brewing tea beneath the boughs of a locust tree had a time when he was capable of raising his voice in drunkenness.

    ¡±Just as the starlight descended upon theke, rippling in rings for hundreds of li, the Director raised his gaze to the stars, in the midst of¡¶Phoenix Journey¡·, he sang out ¡®twin stars reveals the world, the dragon and serpent sh, live and die together; a single survivor¡¯. The song ended; a fog arose from theke and persisted for three days on end. Only when the night fog dissipated did the people realize the Director had an epiphany on theke, and they followed the fair winds to go take a look. This prophetic song thus became recorded and became well known.¡±

    ¡°When the rumours first spread, quite a few sects proudly affixed the titles of the dragon and snake onto their disciples, but there was never any confirmation. As time went on, the mour disappeared.... Until shifu brought back eldest shixiong, and in the same year Lin Yuangui entered Bao Pu Zong. Eventer, when their reputations grew widespread, it was inevitable that the prophecy was brought up again. Over the following years, there were still many traces of the rumor to be found which were not entirely baseless. 2

    After saying this much, Duan Chongxuan sighed. ¡°Fourth shixiong, you¡¯ve immersed yourself in cultivating, never entering the secr world, and would naturally not know these things. But the story being told today really isn¡¯t anything all that novel. It¡¯s already well known throughout the Western Continent.¡±

    Yin Biyue asked him, ¡°Do you believe it?¡±

    ¡°I also hope this isn¡¯t real. But as far as I know, Lin Yuangui¡¯s birth signs are a direct match for the ¡®wing cluster¡¯. Though it is said that to forcefully pry into the matters of heaven will cripple your cultivation and the myriad designs of heaven will change in a single moment, but the Director had just entered the ¡®Self-Transcendence Stage¡¯; and the epiphany he received was naturally more than a hundred times more clear. Furthermore... the Director never speaks nonsense.¡±

    ¡°What of eldest shixiong? Does he know?¡±

    Duan Chongxuan nodded, ¡°He should be aware.¡±

    Listening to all this, Yin Biyue¡¯s mood dropped further.

    He used to believe that eldest shixiong bore the honor of Xi Hua Peak, ChunShan Xiao¡¯s fame, and Cang Ya¡¯s safety.

    Only now did he realize that life and death were also his shackles.

    It was not that he had no confidence in Jun Yu; it was just that Lin Yuangui was also very powerful. One could say that, excepting Bao Pu Zong¡¯s Sage, it was he who was the most capable inbat.

    If the Director¡¯s prophecy were to be believed, then the enmity between them wasn¡¯t one of normal long-time foes but one thatmanded their lives and deaths.

    To view life and death as if looking across a river was too cruel a fate.

    Duan Chatterbox seemed to have guessed his thoughts.

    He suddenly gave a smile, his tone softening greatly, ¡°Fourth shixiong needn¡¯t worry so much. After all, there¡¯s still shifu, so there¡¯s no way anything would happen to eldest shixiong.¡±

    Yin Biyue was startled.

    To be honest, he had absolutely no faith in that shifu who hadn¡¯t returned to the peak in over a hundred years.

    Luo Mingchuan also cracked a smile; the oppressive atmosphere immediately eased into something less tense.

    Duan Chongxuan asked, ¡°Fourth shixiong, do you know what score there is between us and Bao Pu Zong?¡±

    Yin Biyue nodded, ¡°It¡¯s rumoured that shifu stood on the shores of Ba River, and using a single move of the ¡®Clear Skies of Midday¡¯ Sword, he crippled a Greater Vessel Stage elder from Bao Pu Zong.¡±

    This wasn¡¯t some kind of secret; that sword move was too famous, and it lit up the entirety of the Ba River through the night. Everyone on all five continents knew of this incident.

    ¡°In the version told by Bao Pu Zong, the Sword Saint acted arrogantly and could not be reasoned with. The Bao Pu Zong elder heard that the Sword Saint had epted a head disciple and just wanted to take a look; but not only was he cursed at the door, his cultivation was also mercilessly crippled... Fourth shixiong, do you believe this?¡±

    Yin Biyue was decisive and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±

    If the Sword Saint was this kind of person, then eldest shixiong and second shijie wouldn¡¯t have turned out the way they did.

    Duan Chongxuan grinned. ¡°In truth, at the time Bao Pu Zong had just split into two factions. The new faction advocated for a dharma that was more natural, that cultivation is for the cultivator to discover for themselves. The old faction insisted on preserving the destined path of the heavens. The more people the Sword Saint defeated single-handedly, the less people remained with the old faction. Now that Cang Ya has produced a Sword Saint, it¡¯s already threatened Bao Pu Zong¡¯s position as the undisputed number one sect of the Western Continent. Thus, with the emergence of eldest shixiong, they became exceedingly nervous, fearing that in the future Cang Ya might produce a second sword saint.¡±

    Yin Biyue already had some vague guesses about the how the events proceeded. It must¡¯ve been that Bao Pu Zong had done something to eldest shixiong.

    ¡°The elders of the old faction of Bao Pu Zong joined forces with the strongest cultivators from a few small sect, and took the chance while the Sword Saint was away to kidnap eldest shixiong. At that point, eldest shixiong was still a child and couldn¡¯t even hold a sword steady. He was taken to the shores of the Ba River right outside of the area of Bao Pu Zong in order to force the Sword Saint to lower his own cultivation! No, not only lowering his cultivation, but they also demanded that the Sword Saint destroy one of his spiritual veins.¡±

    Yin Biyue became more and more angry as he listened; however, he was still able to pick out a dubious point, ¡°They? Wasn¡¯t it just one Bao Pu Zong elder?¡±

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯s eyes revealed a hint of ridicule.

    ¡°There wasn¡¯t only one; there were six people, adding on those few from the smaller sects, to a total of twelve people. They believed that no matter how strong the Sword Saint is, it was impossible for him to kill these many people. Or rather, that he didn¡¯t dare to kill so many people. Did he still want to preserve his reputation or not? Only by adhering to the idea of ¡®thew will not punish the many, righteousness will stand on the side of greater numbers¡¯ did they dare to do this sort of thing.¡±

    By this point, Yin Biyue already knew how it all ended.

    Sure enough, Duan Chongxuan said, ¡°It¡¯s been too long since there was a ¡®saint¡¯ in the world, and everyone has forgotten the prowess of a Saint. The Sword Saint, by only a single sh of his sword, killed eleven people, while crippling that Greater Vessel stage Bao Pu Zong elder. That elder¡¯s life was spared, only because he held eldest shixiong in his arms, and he feared identally injuring eldest shixiong.¡±

    ¡°After that incident Bao Pu Zong had lost much of their vigour. The new faction believed that they took the initiative, being in the wrong, and thus found this incident difficult to mention. Though the old faction¡¯s elders were dead, their disciples still remained, and they began to secretly spread nder of the Sword Saint for being cruel, bloodthirsty, and unable to be reasoned with.¡±

    After listening to all of this, Yin Biyue finallyughed. ¡°A person like shifu, how could he be concerned about something like his reputation?¡±

    This Sword Saint, who was like a nk canvas to him just an hour ago, vividly came to life just like that. He could even imagine the brilliance of that single sword strike on the banks of the rushing Ba River.

    No matter the opinions of the rest of the world, Yin Biyue felt like this person was worthy of admiration.

    Duan Chongxuan also smiled. ¡°Shifu, that old man, naturally wouldn¡¯t care about what mere fleas have to say... So fourth shixiong shouldn¡¯t worry too much.¡±

    He drank a mouthful of tea, and with a deep sigh, said:

    ¡°If we were to say that shifu had a bottom line, then that bottom line is eldest shixiong.¡±

    2) ÌìÉÏµÄ¶þÊ®°ËËÞÀïÖ»ÓÐÒ»¸öÁú£¬¿º½ðÁú£¬ÊÇ¶«·½ÆßËÞÖÐµÄ¡®¿ºËÞ¡¯......ÖÁÓÚÉß£¬ÊÇÄÏ·½ÆßËÞÖÐµÄ¡®ÒíËÞ¡¯£¬Òí»ðÉß ¨C referring to the respective parts in Chinese astrology. Wikipedia seems to have it together. In short, the Azure Dragon represents the eastern sky, while the serpent is part of the Vermilion Bird of the southern sky.

    3) ÖëË¿Âí¼£ ¨C Chasing a spider¡¯s silk and tracks of a horse. Essentially following any hint of a lead about a topic. ¿ÕÑ¨À´·ç ¨C baseless im

    Some Random terms for fun:

    Maojian ¨C A tea that means.. hm.. the tip of fur... here¡¯s the wiki article on the actual tea. (go try it! It¡¯s one of my favorites. Super strong grassy notes!) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinyang_Maojian_tea

    Ba Shan Qiao She ¨C a tea from Bashan region in china, and Qiao She is sparrow tongue, for the shape they are when they¡¯re dried. https://chazhidao.org/en/tea/green/bashan-sparrow-tongues

    LiuXian ¨C wandering immortal, the wine¡¯s name

    Ba River ¨C https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahe_Formation Maybe TP is just borrowing the name?

    Here¡¯s the full prophecy, without the colouration of my own interpretation:

    ¡°Ë«ÐÇÏÔÊÀ£¬ÁúÉß¶·£¬ÉúËÀÍ¬ÃÅ£¬»îÆäÒ»¡£¡¯ÕâÊÇÏÈÉúÈý°ÙÄêÇ°ÔÚÃ÷ºþËµµÄ£¬Ïë±ØÓÐÈËÌýËµ¹ý£¬ÓÐÈË²»ÖªµÀ¡£¡±

 Chapter 25 - A Narrow Road1

    Chapter 25 ¨C A Narrow Road1

    In the following month, foreign cultivators came to Ye City one after the other. The number of city guards also discreetly increased. The cultivators were clothed in their own sect¡¯s robes and the ubiquitous ck-armored guards added a degree of solemness in this tumultuous yet inclusive city.

    After returning that evening, the incident of Duan Chongxuan inviting Yin Biyue out to listen to the storyteller never happened again¡ªwhether or not it really was to listen.

    Hence, Yin Biyue practiced his sword, the Frigid Water Sword, during day beside Lake Qiu; and at night, he meditated in his room, mentally performing the move and tempering his mind. Thekeside courtyard was very quiet. Not even the slightest mor from Ye City could be heard.

    However, in the middle of the city, between the hustle and bustle, were Bao Pu Zong who wore cyan robes with trigrams of talisman writings, Lian Jian sect who donned maroon-colored changshan, and Cang Ya who wore white robes embroidered with clouds. The ash gray monk robes were of the Jie Kong Temple, and the bright yellow kasaya were worn by Xing Shan Temple.

    The disciples who were walking in front of them, leading the way, were dressed in white robes with ink sshing depictions of mountains andkes. They were this year¡¯s hosts; QingLu Sword Sect disciples.

    He Yanyun followed behind Xi Ping Peak¡¯s shishu2 and passed through the lively streets and alleyways towards Lake Qiu in the south. When she was a child, she would often slip out from the mountain, yet no ce she ever saw was as different and interesting as Ye City. But QingLu Sword Sect disciples were still present, so naturally, she couldn¡¯t reveal that she had never seen the world. It was too embarrassing.

    Consequently, she gave Ruan Xiaolian a meaningful nce. Ruan Xiaolian returned back a nce.

    ¡ª Let¡¯s go stroll around the market tonight for some food.

    ¡ª We¡¯ll first eat the wontons on the left, then eat the rice cakes at the back.

    The two calmly reached a consensus and kept walking without the slightest change of expression.

    Luo Mingchuan and the others received news from a QingLu Sword Sect disciple and went out to greet their fellow sect¡¯s cultivators by Lake Qiu. After greeting Xi Ping Peak¡¯s elder, they saw a crowd of disciples already starting to excitedly distribute the courtyards. The former peaceful courtyards became more hectic.

    From time to time, some disciples came forward to greet the three of them. After He Yanyun finished her greeting, she called out to Luo MingChuan, ¡°Shixiong, I have a lot to ask you.¡±

    Yin Biyue immediately understood!

    You go, girl! Your shixiong have not even met a semi-pretty female cultivator during this journey. Don¡¯t worry!

    Duan Chongxuan smiled at him. ¡°The city¡¯s quite lively today; why don¡¯t fourth shixiong and I go take a look?¡±

    Yin Biyue was uncertain if his words implied going to the blossom house, but presently, Lake Qiu was rather noisy, so practicing his sword was not possible. They might as well go stroll around town.

    The moment the two passed through the noblemen¡¯s courtyards at the south side of the city, they were met with a heated event. It was easy to spot any kind ofmotion in Ye City, because the ck-armored guards were exceedingly eye-catching.

    Even more coincidentally, the people in the center of the ruckus were actually familiar. The cyan-colored robes shed between the cracks of heavily crowded people.

    Duan Chongxuan, without hesitation, circumvented the crowd and led Yin Biyue to the tea house on the opposite street. He picked a window position on the second floor, asked for rose pastries along with JunShan MaoJian tea3, and begun to serenely watch.

    This ce was honestly too good. Even the slight tremble from Bao Pu Zong disciples¡¯ clenched fists could be seen perfectly.

    Downstairs, the city guards surrounded the ten or so cyan-robed disciples, who by chance were the same ones Yin Biyue and the others met before at PanLong District. The expressions between the two groups were quite tense. A stretcher was ced in the middle of the ck-armored squadron, and upon it was a person.

    He Lai, as the representative, was negotiating with the city guards. His tone was cold and intimidating, ¡°The person¡¯s already fine, a medicinal pill was already given to him; what else do you want?¡±

    He exposed the pressure of his Breakthrough Stage, which made him look more menacing. If this situation was near Bao Pu Zong¡¯s mountain, no town or vige from a hundred li4 radius would defy him.

    But here at Ye City, the city guards were not afraid. Even the ordinarymoners, who were watching from afar, were not afraid of him.

    With He Lai¡¯s cultivation stage, he naturally could hear the discreet whispers, even if the gossiping voices were low and far. ¡°What prestigious sect, they have no quality.¡±

    ¡°Bao Pu Zong? Ha. When Cang Ya sect entered the city, they were polite and amiable. They didn¡¯t stir up anymotion.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, ol¡¯ Li from the wonton stand said those two youngdies from Cang Ya even smiled at him!¡±

    It was Cang Ya again. He Lai burned with anger. Unfortunately, at this time, the head of the squadron spoke up, ¡°ording to the cityws, damage to private property should bepensated twice as much, injuring others requires an apology, and one is also responsible forpensating following hospitalization.¡°

    A Bao Pu Zong disciple spoke up before He Lai could, ¡°How did we notpensate!? Do you guys even know how much a bottle of Jade Dew Pill is worth?¡±

    The squadron captain was confused and replied seriously, ¡°But you have yet to apologize. This has nothing to do with whether or not the medicinal pill was expensive.¡±

    Bao Pu Zong disciples¡¯ faces were mixed with the shock of disbelief and indignation. In the past, they had never experienced this kind of matter. It was reasonable to apologize to strong cultivators. But to actually expect them to apologize to an ordinary person?!

    They only bumped against a merchant who was carrying a shoulder-pole5. The merchant was old, so the impact made him fly backwards; this couldn¡¯t be their fault. If it wasn¡¯t for politeness, there wouldn¡¯t even be a need for that high-quality medicinal pill!

    He Lai was the first to calm down, resuming his expressionless manner. Right now, he only wanted to leave this ce as soon as possible, instead of being gawked at like they was some spectacle. He faced the stretcher in the middle of the squadron, gave a half bow, and said, ¡°My bad.¡±

    He obviously did not care for the city guards who were lower in cultivation than him. But in Ye City, aside from the city lord being in the Greater Vessel Stage, there were also several Lesser Vessel Stage cultivators. Furthermore, the guards were part of the city lord¡¯s people.

    He Lai didn¡¯t want to stir up any trouble the moment they arrive and before the Flower Picking Festival.

    A Bao Pu Zong disciple furiously called out, ¡°Can you let us pass now?¡±

    The ck-armored guards stepped aside neatly. The head of the squadron shouted loudly from behind, ¡°Remember to read the city¡¯sws!¡±

    The people on the side of the street started tough while covering their mouths.

    He Lai suddenly had a feeling. He lifted his eyes and immediately saw the two people at the tea house. In a split second, his face turned ashen.

    Duan Chongxuan did not give him any face 6 and smiled at him.

    **********************

    In the small courtyard on the edge of Lake Qiu, magnolia flowers lightly swayed in the wind.

    Luo Mingchuan patiently exined his entire journey to He Yanyun: the Yang City¡¯s embankment, encounters with mountain bandits in PanLong District, Southern Continent¡¯s main road, the great waves at Fu Kong Sea, and the spatial ability of the Director¡¯s teleportation cards.

    Finally, He Yanyun couldn¡¯t help but interrupt him, ¡°Shixiong, these things are not what I wanted hear!¡±

    Luo Mingchuan was not annoyed. He gently asked, ¡°Then what do you want to hear?¡±

    He Yanyun sighed and paused. In the end, she still vaguely asked, too embarrassed to say it straightforwardly, ¡°I want to know... How are you and Yin shixiong?¡±

    What do you mean how?

    The Flower Picking Festival was nearing; shimei probably was asking about how their cultivation was going.

    So he smiled. ¡°It¡¯s good, much better than before.¡±

    He Yunyun¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°I knew it!¡±

    She excitedly bolted out of the courtyard like the wind. ¡°Shixiong, rest well. I¡¯ll stop bothering you!¡±

    She must immediately deliver this good news to Ruan Xiaolian! The handkerchiefs and the banner were not in vain, hahaha!

    Luo Mingchuan stood in the wind, feeling extremely bewildered.

    ********************

    The novelty ofing to Ye City quickly wore off. On the second day, Cang Ya disciples began their cultivation as if they were still on the mountain.

    Lake Qiu kept its usual peacefulness until the day before the Flower Picking Festival, the day people drew lots. The drawing was held beside the martial arena, at the base of ZhongMing Mountain. Everyone must go to ChenYing Wall to record their names and grab serial numbers.

    There were a total of 321 people. The first 160 people drew lots to determine who their opponents were, and thest lucky participant got to directly move up to the second round.

    Nobody cared if they had the chance to draw, because it all depended on luck as to what their opponent was like. The moment after the draw, ChenYing Wall would have the pairings on disy, so there would be no chance of any lot exchanges. Furthermore, this year¡¯s host, QingLu Sword Sect sent out two Lesser Vessel Stage elders to preserve order.

    Yin Biyue and the others¡¯ serial numbers coincidentally ced in the top 160, which meant they need to draw lots.

    Along the way, it was an ocean of people, all of whom were disciples from different sects discussing the results. ¡°Ah! I got LianJian Zong shimei! How can I hit a girl!¡± The person who spoke had a cheerful expression.

    ¡°I got Jie Kong Temple Hui Ren¡ªhe¡¯s a buddhist cultivator; there¡¯s nothing to worry about now. Even if I can¡¯t beat him, I won¡¯t get hurt.¡±

    There were also those who were utterly miserable, surrounded by theirpanions, embitterly shouting, ¡°I¡¯m not fighting, I¡¯m not fighting. I¡¯m going home! I got Zhong Shan on the first round. What kind of luck is this!¡±

    The line to draw lots quickly dwindled and Duan Chongxuan reported his number up to draw.

    The lot bucket was huge; engraved on it was a knowledge-concealing array to prevent prying eyes. There were also two Lesser Vessel Stage elders, who sat nearby for supervision.

    He carelessly reached out to draw one and after opening it, the ink writing appeared. The ChenYing Wall lit up the lot¡¯s corresponding name. The disciple beside the bulletin board immediately wrote out, ¡°Cang Ya sect Duan Chongxuan versus Bao Pu Zong Li Lin, fourth round on the 15th, third martial arena.¡±

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t expect that out of the three of them, one would pull Bao Pu Zong in the first round.

    Chatterbox¡¯s luck was pretty... urate.

    Next, Luo Mingchuan finished drawing and spoke hesitantly, ¡°one hundred and eighty five; I remember this was also Bao Pu Zong¡¯s serial number.¡±

    Sure enough, Bao Pu Zong, Wang Zhen¡¯s name lit up.

    Yin Biyue silently cursed; one after the other, the probability was too small.

    By the time he finished drawing, he was speechless.

    ¡°Cang Ya, Yin Biyue versus Bao Pu Zong, He Lai, first round on the 16th, first martial arena.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan was even more baffled. He sighed, ¡°Ah, the road¡¯s narrow1.¡±

    1) Â·Õ­ (the road¡¯s narrow): shortened from Ô©¼ÒÂ·Õ­ (Yu¨¡n ji¨¡ l¨´ zh¨£i) which means two enemies who easily bump into each other ¡ª that it¡¯s a small world.

    2) Ê¦Êå (shishu): The master¡¯s shidi

    3) ¾ýÉ½Ã«¼â (JunShan MaoJian): a kind of tea

    4) Àï (li): an ancient measure of length; approx. 500m

    5)±âµ£ (shoulder-pole): a way that people used to carry baggage. They would hang two baggages on the ends of a pole and then hoist the pole up by their shoulders.

    6) ²»¸øÃæ×Ó (not giving face): a Chinese expression describing putting someone in an awkward situation. ¡®Face¡¯ in Chinese is synonymous with dignity and respect, so not giving face to someone is to not respect him.

 Chapter 26 - Odds 1

    Chapter 26 ¨C Odds 1

    The first one hundred sixty battles of the Flower Picking Festival will ur on four raised stages, each stage with four battles arranged; to bepleted in ten days. These rules are especially made for the first round of thepetition as there¡¯s likely to be arge difference in strength and the time taken for each battle not long. If a match went overtime, it would then be judged as a tie and both people will move on together.

    The next round didn¡¯t have any such rules. The time for each match can be indefinitely extended until a clear winner is established or someone admits defeat.

    After drawing lots, the young cultivators were given one day to prepare themselves.

    On this day, the entirety of Ye City boiled over with excitement.

    The teahouses were seated to full capacity, and apuse roared like thunder from within each one. The marketce streets were abuzz with discussions about thepetitors of the day; each argument logical and convincing, as if they¡¯ve seen the battles in person.

    The brave people rushed towards ZhongMing Mountain and built some thatched huts at the foot of the mountain. They were still extremely far from the arenas; but hearing the sounds and seeing the lights, it was still enough for them to make them excited.

    Of course, the main characters of the gathering weren¡¯t the citizens of Ye City.

    On the north side of the city were the Bao Pu Zong disciples beside XinShui Bridge; in the west, the Lian Jian Zong disciples within the XingHua Forest; in the east, the Buddhist Cultivators near the TongAn canal; various other disciples of small sects in the inns in the center of the city; and the Cang Ya disciples on the shores Lake Qiu; each had different reactions to the results of the lot drawing.2

    They collected information, analysed the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents, mulling over what moves and techniques to use the next day. After they were done worrying over themselves, they couldn¡¯t help but worry over their sect-mates.

    The rtionship between Bao Pu Zong and Cang Ya is Not Good; this is a fact everyone knows.

    Within the first round, aside from the three of Yin Biyue¡¯s party, only Ruan Xiaolian drew the number of a Bao Pu Zong disciple.

    But the most worrying one was not Ruan Xiaolian.

    ¡°The other three matchups are at least simr in their cultivation realms, but what about Yin-shixiong?¡± the disciple who spoke showed a sorrowful expression, ¡°......Yin-shixiong reached the Soul Condensing stage within three years of entering the sect; which is indeed very fast- but I heard...... Bao Pu Zong¡¯s He Lai, half a year ago, had already advanced to the Breakthrough stage!¡±

    Although Duan Chongxuan turned up his nose at six of the ¡°Seven Sons of Bao Pu¡±, the reputation of the ¡°Seven Sons of Bao Pu¡± still resounded loud and clear.

    No sooner were the words said, did someone retort, ¡°So what if there¡¯s a gap in their cultivation realms! Yin-shixiong is a disciple of the Sword Saint! Think about when Jun Yu-shixiong was still Lesser Vessel stage and he was victorious over a Greater Vessel Elder!¡±

    The disciple who said this admired Jun Yu ever since he entered the sect. When he was at his most fanatic, he even painstakingly imitated the way Jun Yu dressed and held his sword.

    But not everyone saw the situation through the haze of emotion, and someone calmly stated, ¡°But to ovee cultivation realms and obtain victory; that¡¯s something that only one in every hundred can do.¡±

    ¡°But I believe that Yin-shixiong will win!¡± A crisp feminine voice sounded, He Yanyun¡¯s expression resolute.

    Other people were also infected by her confidence:

    ¡°I also believe Yin-shixiong will win!¡±

    ¡°Yin-shixiong will win for sure!¡±

    Ye City¡¯s gambling den had opened for business. Contrary to the blistering confidence of the Cang Ya disciples, for the people who bet on Yin Biyue had five to one odds, while those that bet on He Lai¡¯s victory had a payout of two to one.

    Because who knows when, this type of rumour quietly arose:

    The Sword Saint¡¯s disciple, Yin Biyue, had a qi deviation while training his sword, leading to a great loss in his cultivation. His ck hair turned white is the proof.

    This rumour ended up being described in such a vivid manner that many sects¡¯ disciples were convinced of its authenticity.

    Ye City was prosperous, and the gambling area was also veryrge, but the number of visiting cultivators who went to gamble far outstrips the numbers for residents of the city. This is because if the people of Ye City wanted to gamble, then they must provide evidence of their existing properties before cing a bet so that they can prove that they wouldn¡¯t be reduced to ruin and go into massive debt if their bets were to go south. Besides these conditions, there were also many other rules and restrictions. Over time, fewer and fewer people gambled.

    The visiting cultivators didn¡¯t need to heed these rules. In addition to winning some money, they also were showing their support theirpanions and raise their sect¡¯s prestige.

    Duan Chong Xuan fluttered his fan as he walked in; and he fluttered his as he walked out.

    Before he entered, the difference between the odds for the match between Yin Biyue and He Lai were great. When he exited, he singlehandedly dragged the odds to be one to three.

    The Bao Pu Zong disciples were baffled, ¡°This is impossible! Where did this guy get this much money?!!¡±

    But they refused to be shown up. Scraping together money from here and there, they found that it still wasn¡¯t enough to repress the odds to what it was before.

    Someone eximed, ¡°Whatever! He-shixiong will definitely win anyway! Besides, even if you borrow some money, you¡¯ll win it back when the timees!¡±

    The Bao Pu Zong disciples suddenly became increasingly carefree, went to Ye City¡¯s bank to borrow a huge sum of money, and bet it all on He Lai.

    Yin Biyue had no clue any of these things were urring.

    He was currently entrenched in practicing his sword within his mind¡¯s sea of knowledge, having already meditated for three days and three nights. At this point in time, regardless of if the world does or does not have confidence in him; nothing would impact him in the slightest.

    Because he was confident in himself.

    Only on the day that Duan Chongxuan was topete, did he awaken from his mind¡¯s sea. He donned the sect robes of Cang Ya and carefully arranged his attire before a mirror.

    He pushed open the door, and the morning breeze carried the soft scent of southern magnolia into his embrace.

    Just as he raised his eyes, he met the gaze of Luo Mingchuan, waiting beneath the magnolia tree. At the same time, Duan Chongxuan also happened to exit his room.

    The Duan Chongxuan of today didn¡¯t appear to have even a trace of the tension before a battle. He was dressed even more morously and carefree; rich yet not appearing extravagant. He didn¡¯t look at all like he was going to a fight, but instead a matchmaking session.

    Yet Luo Mingchuan was looking at Yin Biyue, ¡°Shidi, you......¡±

    There was no cloak over his robes, no hood; thus his three thousand white hairs cascaded down over his shoulders.

    Yin Biyue quickly deciphered what he meant, and said,

    ¡°I was afraid of scaring children while we were on the road; I was not ashamed of meeting anyone. Now that the Flower Picking Festival has begun, of course I will go openly and righteously.¡±

    When Luo Mingchuan heard his words, a pang shot through his heart. If it weren¡¯t for him, with shidi¡¯s appearance as beautiful as the setting sun, from where would the need to cover his facee from? And how would he have been ridiculed for this by those bandits in the PangLong Mountains?

    Quickly, he his thoughts calmed down, and his determination to win the thousand petaled lotus atop the ZhongMing Mountain grew.

    The three of them walked out of the city together. In this endless stream of people, there are disciples of every sect, as well as some citizens rushing to watch the show, and within this crowd Yin Biyue¡¯s hair colour was especially eye-catching.

    But regardless of if the attention directed at him was innocent spection, or a malicious gaze, he did not care even the slightest bit.

    But Luo Mingchuan cared.

    When so many people looked at shidi, he found that his heart became restless.

    This was extremely abnormal, and he doesn¡¯t know why he was like this. To the point that he doesn¡¯t even know what to do.

    Fortunately, the day¡¯spetitors have stepped onto the stage, and everyone¡¯s attentions were quickly averted.

    1) Don¡¯t gamble kids.

    2) This is a series of names:

    XinShui Bridge = New Waters Bridge

    XingHua Forest = Almond Blossom Forest

    Tong An Canal = Peaceful Passage Canal

    Lake Qiu = Autumn Lake

    If you noticed that we tranted Lake Qiu as Autumn Waters Lake, Autumn Lake, ect, we will henceforth be changing naming conventions for unimportant/stupid sounding if tranted locations to retaining the pinyin and giving the tranted meanings in a footnote. Sword names will also be following this convention. Skills and techniques, however, will be fully tranted.

    For ces that are more intuitive, or are important and should be remembered, we will be tranting them (so long as they don¡¯t sound incredibly stupid).

    We will be going back and changing the names posthaste!

 Chapter 27 - Combustion Talisman

    Chapter 27 ¨C Combustion Talisman

    The morning had open skies and brisk clean air. The sun dawned before the fog had dissipated.

    This was a vast and expansivend that had been cleared away by QingLu Sword Sect, who left behind a few lofty elms that bristled with leaves.

    Although it was said to be at the foot of the ZhongMing Mountain, it was still a considerable distance from the mountain. One could only faintly perceive the majestic alpine shadow behind a thin veil of mist.

    The peoplepeting today arrived extra early. Each sect¡¯s disciples were arranged behind a wooden barrier fifteen meters 1 away from the stages. The elders who led the groups sat in the front, while the disciples stood behind them.

    From afar, the four enormous rectangr stone tforms were surrounded by an oppressive amount of people. Their apparels and origins were easily recognizable; a nce would be enough to gather which sects they were from.

    Another thirty meters away were the Ye City¡¯s residences who arrived even earlier than the sects. When the skies were still dark, they had arrived at the straw canopy that was erected a few days prior, bringing tea and refreshments to upy a good area on the hillside and waiting with high spirits for the fights to begin.

    Despite the crowd, the festival was not at its busiest. Many people wouldn¡¯t watch every fight in the first round of the Flower Picking Festival.

    As the host, QingLu Sword Sect sent out a mid-stage Greater Vessel Stage elder for the next few days to oversee the duels at the easternmost viewing tform, as to avoid any unexpected situations.

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯s match was not the first. Thus, Yin Biyue and the other two stood behind Xi Ping Peak¡¯s elder, with the other Cang Ya disciples behind them. They observed the people who, a moment ago, leaped onto the four martial arena.

    The first two battles were not worthwhile to watch. They were between disciples who were from small, unreputable sects and barely passed the Qi Condensing Stage. As time went by, other than the mes and smoke that the Ye City residents would thrillingly yell praises at, the elders and disciples from the spectator tform were altogether somewhat disinterested. Even the one duel where LianJian Sect fought against QingLu Sword Sect was over in a sh2 because of their disparity in strength.

    However, Yin Biyue analyzed the duels quite carefully, especially the QingLu Sword Sect one. He observed how that disciple¡¯s sword move began, his creativity in the situation3, and how he, with one strike, broke LianJian Sect¡¯s ¡®Mountain Lake Guard¡¯. His pacing and movements, along with the angle of his wrist, were all scrutinized by Yin Biyue. Within his mental sea of knowledge4, Yin Biyue inferred the extent to which the same swordsmanship could be used against Zhong Shan, who was in thete-stage of the Breakthrough Stage.

    Just then, a disturbance was heard from Bao Pu Zong¡¯s section. The crowd was split in the middle, and a disciple walked out. He faced the sect elder and bowed, not forgetting to also nod to He Lai, who stood behind the elder. The sect elder grinned from ear-to-ear, showing a face full of wrinkles, and patiently instructed him a few words.

    When Bao Pu Zong were arriving to Ye City, they were divided into two groups. One group was led by He Lai, and the other group, led by the sect elder, traveled using the sect¡¯s only YunXiao boat.5

    The difference with this group was not whether their cultivation stages were higher than others; rather, it was because they were all either Bao Pu Zong elders¡¯ rtives or disciples who came from noble families. Li Lin was precisely a sect elder¡¯s only son.

    The QingLu Sword Sect announcer shouted, ¡°Third martial arena: Cang Ya, Duan Chongxuan versus Bao Pu Zong, Li Lin......¡± His voice, imbued with core energy, traveled far and wide. The audience immediately began to bustle with excitement.

    A few disciples who were previously bored stiff instantly became vignt.

    The moment someone eximed, ¡°Duan Chongxuan? From Xi Hua Peak? Sword Saint¡¯s disciple?¡±, another exined quietly, ¡°Allegedly, this person was admitted to Xi Hua Peak by a letter of rmendation from the Academy Director. The Sword Saint and the Director are good friends, so he had to ept this rmendation... but Duan Chongxuan could only be considered a nominal disciple.¡±

    Before the asker could even feel a sense of disappointment, another person added, ¡°But tomorrow, you get to see the real Sword Saint disciple on the stage... Look at Cang Ya¡¯s side over there. That white-haired youth is Yin Biyue, who¡¯s under the Sword Saint. He¡¯s the second disciple to use the sword!¡±

    There were also much discussion about the other opponent. Evidently, somebody had heard the name before, ¡°Li Lin? Wasn¡¯t his dad Li Changhong from Bao Pu Zong?¡± Another had a bitter expression, ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m most afraid of meeting these kind of people. They have too many things to protect themselves with; who knows what they have under their sleeve? They¡¯re still going to win even if the other person¡¯s cultivation is higher!¡±

    There were even better well-informed people, ¡°Wasn¡¯t his mother also born into a noble family?¡±

    From here, there was some snickering, ¡°Didn¡¯t he have a nickname when he was eight, something like ¡®HengDuan small overlord6.¡±

    There was no doubt that this fight was today¡¯s biggest attraction.

    Li Lin leaped onto the arena and scanned around until he locked onto Cang Ya¡¯s section. He pulled up the corner of his lips and smirked. That smirk made people very ufortable; beside the arrogance, there was also disdain.

    He was no longer the ¡®HengDuan small overlord¡¯. He was eight feet tall, rippling with muscle, and his skin tanned. His appearance initially looked upright, but due to many years of arrogant squinting and disdainful scowling, he became a bit crooked-mouthed and nted-eyed.

    However, his figure was tall and sturdy, and he carried an ¨¦p¨¦e on his back. When this kind of physique stepped onto the martial arena, the condescending re had a certain intimidation to it.

    At this moment, Duan Chongxuan brushed the hem of his robes and nonchntly walked up the stage.

    Today, he was wearing Cang Ya¡¯s standard robe. But unlike other disciples¡¯, the material of his clothing was silky smooth, which was also made with meticulous workmanship. As he walked, the embroidered clouds on his cuffs were as if a luxuriant glow meandered around him. With a jade crest binding up his hair and a silver pouch hanging from his girdle, he looked broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, tall and lean.

    This kind of aloof gracefulness, when ced between Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan, was not particrly remarkable.

    Yet when he stood opposite to Li Lin, it became more apparent¡ª like the difference between the clouds and dirt.

    The very first ones who went crazy was LianJian Zong¡¯s female cultivators; some of these bold and audaciousdies even started screaming. Only when LianJian Zong¡¯s elder turned around to re at them did they sober up and realize they were being disgraceful. However, they still whispered to each other with blushing faces.

    ¡°Where is he from?¡±

    ¡°How many people are in his family?¡±

    ¡°Was he ever engaged?¡±

    ¡°......¡±

    Yin Biyue was speechless.

    Don¡¯t tell me I got it wrong? Duan Chatterbox was actually the protagonist? Look at this halo effect the moment he appeared¡ª

    Or was it that the worldview7 of LianJian people only boiled down to the face?

    On the tform, the two greeted each other; Li Lin was a bit perfunctory, yet Duan Chongxuan¡¯s greeting was meticulously proper8.

    He then stood up straight, opened his fan with one finger, and said, ¡° Please enlighten me, fellow cultivator.9¡±

    The same as when he made way for Bao Pu Zong in PanLong District.

    This kind of magnaminty clearly fueled Lian Jian¡¯s female cultivators to be even more ecstatic. However, it was not looked well upon by the upright, seated elders. The cultivation stages between the two were simr; it was unwise to allow the other person to make the first move. It couldn¡¯t be considered as confident anymore; rather it was arrogant.

    Bao Pu Zong disciples sizzled.

    Li Lin did not speak. He wasn¡¯t stupid. He wouldn¡¯t decline the opportunity because of manners. On the contrary, he felt Duan Chongxuan¡¯s action wasughable.

    Thus he drew his sword and directly cleaved at him.

    A bolt of golden light shed on the arena.

    It was a thousand-pound10 ¨¦p¨¦e. The de was carved with intricate talismanic writings and arrays. Roused by the flow of core energy, it twinkled with eye-piercing brilliance enough to increase its attack power by thirty percent.

    His move was unpretentious with no mboyant tricks, only the effortful charge of his extensive core energy.

    Below the stage, there was someone who knew his stuff, cried out in surprise, ¡°Sure enough, it¡¯s the real deal!¡±

    Casting such a sword required at least five years of blood and sweat from two Lesser Vessel Stage or above sword-smiths and an array talisman master. It could be seen how fond Li Changhong was of his only son and how high the hopes he harbored for him.

    The female cultivators of LianJian Zong already had their breaths held. It was as though the youth on the stage, who the sword was pointed at, was their closestpanion, someone who was family or a old friend.

    Suddenly, Yin Biyue was a little worried.

    Now that he thought about it, he had never seen Chatterbox cultivate before. If he himself was the one who faced this sword, he wouldn¡¯t take it head-on; the best way was to use Frigid Water Sword¡¯s third form: turning defense to offense.

    No, that wasn¡¯t right. He simply wouldn¡¯t allow Li Lin to attack first!

    Faced with this kind of deadly move, the best method was to be quicker than the opponent.

    Not just Yin Biyue, many others thought the same: if it was me, how would I receive this move?

    However, they did not expect that in front of Duan Chongxuan materialized a ming wall!

    ¡°He¡¯s a spiritual cultivator?! What kind of technique was that? How fast!¡±

    ¡°No... there were no incantation gestures; not even a little core energy was used!¡±

    A sharp-eyed person cried out, ¡°It¡¯s not a technique; it¡¯s abustion talisman!¡±

    ¡°Combustion talisman?! It¡¯s actually anbustion talisman?!¡±

    Yin Biyue rxed.

    He knew about Duan Chongxuan having thebustion talisman. During their journey here, Duan Chatterbox even used abustion talisman to clean out a cave. It was easy to use since it was dustless and smokeless.

    At first, he was shocked, even though the mes at the time were not as big.

    In the ¡®All-Saints Era¡¯, cultivators who used talismans were asmon as meditating. At the time, one talisman¡¯s power could st open mountains and split boulders.

    But after millions of years, in the ¡®End of Dharma Era¡¯, nobody inherited the method of creating a talisman. Until now, cultivators who mastered the talismanic array could, at most, engrave talismanic words onto weapons. However, it was far from condensing vast amount of force onto a thin piece of talismanic paper.

    asionally, one would be taken from an ancient ruin and sold on the ck market. Even if the power of the talismanic paper had already dispersed, its value would still be hyped to pricelessness.

    So, even if people saw it with their own eyes, many still wouldn¡¯t want to believe it really was abustion talisman.

    Li Lin pulled out a ck shield from his ¡®Qian Kun11 Sleeve¡¯ and dissipated the me. Immediate fissuring appeared on the shield. He didn¡¯t hesitate and went straight for another attack! In the golden light appeared a lineation of a eight-trigram battle array! It pressed directly onto Duan Chongxuan!!

    In the midst of the crowd, somebody cried, ¡°Bao Pu¡¯s BaGua12 move!¡±

    Bao Pu Zong¡¯s elder smiled slightly.

    He recognized thebustion talisman. But what of it? Using his precious talisman on the first round, he was either ipetent or stupid. Regardless, there was nothing to worry about. It wasn¡¯t as if he could pull out a second one or a third one.

    Then his smile froze.

    Because between Duan Chongxuan¡¯s fingertips appeared a slightly yellowed talismanic paper, unting in the summer breeze.

    The zing fire rose yet again! Skyrocketing up!

    Li Lin¡¯s sword power was engulfed instantly by the raging inferno.

    This time, Duan Chongxuan¡¯s movement slowed down, enough for everyone to see clearly. The audience immediately went berserk.

    ¡°It¡¯s really abustion talisman! He had twobustion talisman!¡±

    ¡°God knows!13 This kind of thing must be so expensive!¡±

    ¡°Three thousand gold, eight hundred spiritual jade, sixty-three kilograms14 of pearls from the East Sea, a vi with fantastic fengshui15...¡±

    Li Lin disbelievingly opened his eyes wider . He also had a talisman, which was given to him by his father as a backup. Who would¡¯ve thought the moment this person went up the stage, he would use up two of them.

    The inferno was already up against his face!

    Without the slightest hesitation, he hurled out a giant bell!

    ¡°HunYaMu bell... tsk, that¡¯s a good one...¡±

    Yet thebustion talisman came first, so this rare defensive dharmanic instrument did not cause much of a stir.

    Beside feeling hurt, Li Lin was more furious! Having a generous amount of dharmanic instruments was supposed to be his biggest advantage.

    But he wouldn¡¯t believe Duan Chongxuan had another talisman! The moment Duan Chongxuan exhausted all of his talismans will be the moment he cleaved down with his sword!

    The golden light from his attack reflected his blood-red eyes. He was already panicking16.

    As a result, the scene above repeated itself.

    Every time Li Lin¡¯s attack came, Duan Chongxuan would casually throw out a talisman, dissipating the attack and deteriorating one of the opponent¡¯s dharmanic instrument.

    The audience went from astonishment to speechless.

    Cang Ya disciples and LianJian Zong¡¯s female cultivators all forgot to speak. Even Bao Pu Zong forgot to curse.

    From afar, Ye City¡¯s popce watched the soaring fires. Their praises were louder than the previous.

    The QingLu Sword Sect elder, who was in mid-stage Greater Vessel Stage, started to count with his fingers in rapt attention. His face suddenly turned white!

    The battles at the three other arenas had already ended unbeknowingly with no announcement.

    Both on and off the arena, everyone gaped at the seemingly endless amount ofbustion talismans!

    The intensive inferno materialized over and over!

    Li Lin, who faced the massive fires, became angrier and angrier!

    The ze surged forward, and Li Lin grasped his sword to swiftly evade!

    However, he was already toote. The raging mes had chased up his sword tip, whirling upward the de!

    His attacks rapidly consumed his core energy, while his dharmanic instruments were damaged unceasingly by thebustion talisman.

    Yet, he already lost any kind of reason!

    Only when a screen of water appeared before him did he realize he threw a water talisman the moment before.

    It was a backup given to him by his father. Hisst dharmanic instrument.

    He raised his eyes and saw Duan Chongxuan fluttering his fan, smiling softly.

    As if doused with freezing water, he bluntly realized every inch of his veins were in agony. Because of the incessant attacks, his core energy was already depleted. If he kept going, there would be damage to his veins and core17.

    The roaring fire resurged and burned Li Lin to the point where he tumbled off the tform.

    The Bao Pu Zong disciples, who were furious out of their minds, reacted and hollered, ¡°The arena¡¯s for fighting! To only rely on talismanic paper! Simply shameless! Such a disgrace!¡±

    If they were the ones who used dharmanic instruments to take down others, then the scene would definitely be them unting their own sect¡¯s profound heritage. However, when this kind of approach was used against them, then do they feel the iparable sullenness.

    Duan Chongxuan lightly smiled.

    The lofty elm beside the tform rustled softly in the breeze, and the fragmented shade of the foliage spilled onto his body.

    It seemed like there was no fight at all¡ªno golden lights nor raging mes. Only an elegant and charming prince whose smile was of the moonlight and the breath of the wind.

    He grinned and asked, ¡°How could this person be worthy enough for me to attack?¡±

    Before Cang Ya disciples could shout praises, LianJian Zong was first to erupt with cheers!

    ¡°Duan shixiong! Duan shixiong!!¡±

    ¡°Duan shixiong look over here!¡±

    ¡°Is Duan shixiong already engaged?!¡±

    This time, even LianJian elder¡¯s sharp re could not suppress the craziness that was happening.

    £ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª

    Many yearster, Duan Chongxuan would be a powerful-figure.

    This kind of ¡®yful¡¯ fight also was recorded in the history books. It used the four words ¡®thinking outside the box¡¯17.

    However at the time, there was no such euphemistic andmendational description. Most people under ZhongMing Mountain and those who were in Ye City, when discussing this battle, would say ¡®unfathomable¡¯, ¡®was it true¡¯, and also.... ¡®too rich¡¯.

    Duan Chongxuan... established a new kind ofbat in the Flower Picking Festival.

    1) ÕÉ (zhang): 10 Chinese feet; 3.3m

    2) Ò»Õµ²èµÄ¹¦·ò (in the time that it takes to drink tea): Around 10 minutes. I tranted it as ¡®in a sh¡¯ since it is more well-known.

    3) Comes from ½£×ßÆ«·æ which means that one do not follow the convention, instead finding some new and different way of solving the problem.

    4) Ê¶º£ (mental sea of knowledge): Basically ¡®mental space¡¯.

    5) ÔÆÏö·ÉÖÛ (YunXiao boat): A literal trantion would be YunXiao fast boat.

    6) ºá¶ÏÉ½Ð¡°ÔÍõ: A literal trantion would be small overlord of the HengDuan mountain. Small overlord also be interpreted as a bully.

    7) Èý¹Û (worldview): Thebination of the outlook on the world, life, and your values.

    8) µÎË®²»Â©: I tranted as meticulously proper but it is an idiom that is tranted as ¡®not one drop of water can leak out¡¯.

    9) ÇëµÀÓÑ´Í½Ì (Please enlighten me, fellow cultivator): Literal trantion would be ¡®please bestow teachings to me, cultivator friend¡¯. It basically means to let the other opponent go first.

    10) Ç§½ï (a thousand jin): one jin is around 500g.

    11) Qian Kun (Ç¬À¤) represent yin and yang, heaven and earth, the universe.

    12) BaGua (°ËØÔ) is the eight divinatory trigrams of the Book of Changes.

    13) ÌìµÀÔÚÉÏ: I tranted as ¡®God knows¡¯ but ÌìµÀ (tian dao) is the heavenlyw or naturalw. Akin to ¡®oh my god¡¯.

    14) ÆßÊ®õú was the original. One õú (hu) is equal to five ¶· (dou). One ¶· (dou) is equal to 30 ½ï (jin). And then you calcte it from there 0.0

    15) ·çË® (fengshui): Chinese geomancy. It¡¯s literally just if the ce is going to have good luck or bad luck.

    16) ÂÒÁËÕó½Å: Literal trantion is the ¡®formation of soldiers in battle is in disorder¡¯. I just tranted the meaning, which is ¡®panicked¡¯.

    17) ²»¾ÐÒ»¸ñ: It¡¯s tranted as ¡®not stick to one pattern¡¯ ¨C I just tranted it into ¡®thinking outside the box¡¯ since it¡¯s four words and amon used idiom.

 Chapter 28 - â€“ A Lesson

    Chapter 28 ¨C A Lesson

    On this tranquil dawn, who knew who it was that opened a window and caused a loud shout to travel downwards from a tall building, ¡°Young Master Duan is here!!!¨C¡±

    The palm of Duan Chongxuan¡¯s fan wielding hand was suddenly covered in cold sweat.

    A cloud of dust arose; scores of young women gathered their long skirts and waved their embroidered handkerchiefs. From alleyways, inns, and descended in a mad dash from tall towers, they emerged in waves of perfumed shadows.

    Not even a blink of an eyeter, both sides of the street were lined with crowds. Some of them wore delicately painted plum blossom makeup, hair adorned with pins encrusted with golden beads; while others only just awoke, and without time to to dress properly they emerged with their long hair billowing free and a light muslin veil covering their face

    They stood along the sides of the street, their gazes burning into Duan Chongxuan.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan couldn¡¯t help but put some distance between them.

    Duan chatterbox scurried after them, ¡°Can¡¯t you two wait up a bit......¡±

    This was the first time that Yin Biyue witnessed this kind of scene, ¡°Your reputation has already... spread this far?¡±

    Not even the female cultivators of LianJian Zong were like this; these were the youngdies of Ye City.

    Ever since Duan Chongxuan returned from his fight that day, the shores of Lake Qiu became exceptionally lively.

    Every day saw different girls ¡°happening to pass by¡±, standing on the banks of theke to take in the scenery.

    In the small courtyard that Yin Biyue andpany stayed in; oftentimes when waking up in the morning they¡¯d be greeted with a courtyard full of waving handkerchiefs and scented sachets as soon as they pushed open the doors.

    The Cang Ya disciples were all overjoyed. Being able to see beautifully dressed up girls every single day, their waists were no longer sore, their legs no longer hurt, and even put more strength into training their sword.

    Their state of affairs had greatly improved.

    Duan Chongxuan was a bit embarrassed, ¡°I¡¯ve inconvenienced you.....¡±

    Luo Mingchuan gave a helpless smile, ¡°.....It¡¯s not your fault either.¡±

    Yin Biyue took a look outside the courtyard walls where handkerchiefs danced in the air, and his lips twitched a little as he turned to ask the chatterbox, ¡°Are you still going today?¡±

    Out of the sixteen matches scheduled for today, four of them have contestants from Cang Ya, and one of the matches is Luo Mingchuan against Bao Pu Zong. If it was before his newfound poprity, Duan Chongxuan would definitely want to go.

    But now, as soon as he took a step outside, he would garner the fervent gazes of the nearby young women to the point that it seems like their eyes would burn a hole straight through him.

    Duan Chongxuan seemed to have thought of a bad experience, his expression stiffened for a moment, but he still grit his teeth and said, ¡°Go! Why can I not go!¡±

    There were many of Cang Ya¡¯s matches, nearly all of the disciples have departed to go spectate; thus the three of them traveled alongside this grandiose troop towards the arena.

    The dawn just broke and streetside breakfast stalls had just set up shop. Heat and hazy white fog billowing from bamboo steamer baskets were scattered by the breath of the morning breeze; the second floor windows of the teahouses have just been pushed open, the waiters hastily arranging benches inside and hanging brightly coloured wine banners. The quiet of the empty street asionally disturbed by the a dog¡¯s bark and the hum of cicadas.

    He Yanyun patted Ruan Xiaolian on her shoulder, whispering reassurances to her, ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous, go and fight it out freely today! After we¡¯re done we¡¯ll go to TaiHe Pavillion to eat some roast chicken!¡±

    Several disciples surrounded them, quietly discussing ideas and advice for Ruan Xiaolian.

    These Cang Ya disciples didn¡¯t have even a sliver of worry for Luo Mingchuan, who also had a match today.

    They wouldn¡¯t carelessly say something like ¡°Luo-shixiong is sure to win this way or that¡±, but the image of Luo Mingchuan losing was unfathomable.

    This is an inexplicable sense of trust that seemingly came out of nowhere.

    But Luo Mingchuan is just such a person; the thousands of Cang Ya disciples all believe in him.

    Yin Biyue took a nce at the person beside him.

    His appearance today was as usual; his steps steady, expression neither too serious nor carefree.

    He was wearing the same simple yet dignified Cang Ya sect robes as before. Like always, from his ponytail to hispels, not a single hair nor stitch out of ce.

    Regardless of if he was simply walking on the rugged mountain paths on Cang Ya or if he was heading down Ye City¡¯s main road towards a battle, he appeared the same as always, birthing the illusion he would remain forever constant to anyone who looked at him.

    Although Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t put on any airs, at first nce, his dignified appearance contained hints of solemnity; evidently an unromantic upright gentleman. At a nce, Yin Biyue, with his white hair and cold expression was evidently someone difficult to get close to.

    There¡¯s also Duan Chongxuan who often had a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, with the appearance of a carefree young master but his true nature yet unrevealed, he was most appealing to these sixteen year old girls.

    Thus within Ye City, basically every young girl could recite;

    ¡°Jade crowned, white clothed, wielding a fan of peaks and rivers; which family¡¯s young master shook Ye City?¡±

    Thankfully, after they were two li out of the city and arrived at the arenas, the presence of guards in the form of Qing Lu Sword Sect disciples meant the youngdies could no longer approach. Once they knew that Duan Chongxuan didn¡¯t have a match today, they made a regretful departure from the scene.

    Yin Biyue heard the Chatterbox breathe a long sigh of relief.

    There¡¯s visibly more peopleing to spectate today, since there¡¯s two particrly interesting fights to watch.

    Both Luo Mingchuan and Zhong Shan were ted to fight today. Although both matches were considered to be matchups where they¡¯re at an overwhelming advantage- without any suspense in the oue- many people still wanted to see just how they would strike, and what the pace of the battle would be like.

    There were particrly many Qing Lu Sword Sect disciples in attendance, surrounding the two people in the center like stars apanying the moon.

    Yin Biyue looked far into the distance, discovering that one of the people seemed very familiar to him. It was Young Heir Song that they¡¯d seen in the northern outskirts of the city.

    He was conversing with a youth standing beside him, who had a long sword hanging from his waist.

    That¡¯s right, at first nce, the first thing that one would notice was neither his figure nor his face, but instead immediately see only his sword.

    That sword seemed to have some mysterious power; no sword cultivator would be be able to ignore its existence.

    Duan Chongxuan whispered to him, ¡°That one, next to Song Tang, is Zhong Shan.¡±

    But in that moment, he looked up and his gaze struck towards them like lightning!

    Piercing through the crowd and passing the dueling stage, his eyes uratelynded on Yin Biyue.

    As if it was an instinctive reflex to the iing danger, Yin Biyue¡¯s true energy erupted from his body; his sleeves billowed from the force, each inch of his bones and muscles tense to the extreme!

    He was ready to draw his sword at any time!

    Duan Chongxuan, who was standing closest to him could not help but take a couple steps back.

    At this moment, the back of a figure d in white robes blocked his line of sight, but also blocked the gaze of Zhong Shan.

    Luo Mingchuan, now stood in front of him.

    He merely took two steps forward, like the whisper of clouds in the breeze, and Yin Biyue was entirely concealed behind him.

    Luo Mingchuan calmly stared him down.

    Song Tang seemed to feel something in the air; followed the line of Zhong Shan¡¯s sight, seeing Luo Mingchuan and a group of other Cang Ya disciples, he nodded his greeting from afar.

    Luo Mingchuan returned a nod in greeting.

    The sound of the clock tolled, indicating that the battles were about to begin. The two sects returned to their ces as if nothing happened.

    In reality, from the moment that Zhong Shan to when Luo Mingchuan and Song Tang greeted each other, only an instant passed in between.

    Basically no one else took notice.

    But Yin Biyue remembered clearly.

    He was now sure that Zhong Shan, who was on the verge of breakthrough, had already taken a half step into the Lesser Vessel stage.

    His undisguised probing gaze also contained tant hostility.

    Clearly it was the first time they¡¯d met.

    Very soon, he didn¡¯t get any more time to ponder, because Luo Mingchuan had already walked towards the ring.

    ¡°Cang Ya, Luo Mingchuan verses Bao Pu Zong, Wang Zhen......¡±

    The Cang Ya disciples burst into apuse.

    Opposite them, the Bao Pu Zong disciples had unpleasant expressions.

    He Lai quietly advised Wang Zhen, ¡°After a couple exchanges, just get off the stage on your own. Don¡¯t lose too in a way that¡¯s too unsightly and bring shame to our sect.¡±

    Wang Zhen always followed He Lai blindly, and he had no objection to what he¡¯s been told, ¡°Yes, shixiong.¡±

    In fact, he also felt that his luck was especially bad, to meet Cang Ya¡¯s head disciple in the first round.

    He wasn¡¯t about to go and pay forsting a couple more moves with injury to himself; that¡¯s too stupid. He was already prepared to- if one were to describe admitting defeat prettily, then it would be something like to not fight with the him is some magnanimous grace he¡¯s afforded to Luo Mingchuan.

    Although to admit defeat was still unseemly, it¡¯s still better than getting disgracefully kicked off the stage while sustaining injuries. This was his n.

    Thus, as soon as they both got on stage and bowed to each other, he immediately said, ¡°It¡¯s an honour to meet the distinguished Cang Ya sect¡¯s head disciple. Fellow dao-friend has a profound cultivation and really garners my admiration! I am ashamed to stand before you as an inferior!¡±

    His speech implied that both his opponent¡¯s cultivation stage and identity were above his own, and there was no glory in winning against him.

    With that said, he felt that Luo Mingchuan would be too embarrassed to do anything too ruthless to him.

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t say anything. He only gave a hint of a smile, which can be considered to be his acknowledgement of Wang Zhen¡¯spliment.

    Yin Biyue really felt like he was concentrating far more than the two up on the stage.

    He wants to see how Luo Mingchuan would take action.

    Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Arts? No, that¡¯s either a trump card or a finisher; he wouldn¡¯t use it so early on.

    To directly crush him with his core energy? This method seemed a bit too crude.

    Controlling the growth of the vegetation? Yin Biyue looked at the tall elm tree growing beside the stone tform; this method should be the most likely......

    Many others were also watching this match.

    Under the gaze of thousands of pairs of eyes, Luo Mingchuan picked up his sword.

    This was clearly too unexpected.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? I thought Luo-shixiong doesn¡¯t use a sword?¡±

    ¡°It seems like.... ... that sword isn¡¯t just decoration after all.¡±

    But Yin Biyue noticed that there was something wrong with the way he held his sword.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s ¡°Chen Zhou¡± was not unsheathed.

    He held up the still sheathed Chen Zhou straight and upright, as if he were holding a long stick.

    Just what was Luo Mingchuan thinking of doing?

    The first one to be facing this question would be Wang Zhen, his opponent for this match.

    Suddenly Wang Zhen thrust his sword forward! In the path of the sword¡¯s tip, a pattern of eight trigrams hung in the air.

    What he used was the most reliable, most familiar Bao Pu Eight Trigrams Sword!

    However, when the sword skill was three chi away from his body, the sword in Luo Mingchuan¡¯s hand moved.

    Still sheathed, he raised it far above his head, and brought it down heavily.

    As if he wanted to strike straight towards his head!

    He parried Wang Zhen¡¯s sword, broke through his true energy barrier, and directly struck his shoulder!

    Crack....

    Every single person in the audience heard the clear sound of a bone breaking.

    WIth such a quick and ruthless strike, no one could have anticipated that it would somehow instead seem that it would be so forthright and proper, without even a hint of savagery nor maliciousness to be seen.

    As if it was as it should be.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s silhouette blurred, and in an instant appeared behind Wang Zhen with another strike!

    Wang Zhen attempted to retaliate, but once his sword contacted Luo Mingchuan¡¯s scabbard, a wave of true energy surged forth and his sword actually flew from his hand.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s sword fell again, aiming directly at his spine!

    Yin Biyue was stupefied!

    Someone standing in the audience finally recognized the technique, and shouted, ¡®¡¯Lan Yuan Academy¡¯s¡¯ Disciplinary Whip!¡±

    There were also many disciples present who hailed from the Academy, and after they focused and looked carefully, ¡°Truly! It really is the Disciplinary Whip!

    Yin Biyue hadplicated feelings; he never thought that Luo Mingchuan would choose to use this topete.

    The Academy¡¯s Disciplinary Whip isn¡¯t a set of whip techniques.

    It¡¯s used by school teachers to reprimand disobedient students.

    It didn¡¯t need to be a pointer stick that was used; if you met a stubborn student who had vited the Academy¡¯s rules, you could pick a branch off any nearby pagoda tree, or a length of bamboo, and most often, a wooden stick, each one of them fully able to disy the true essence of the Disciplinary Whip.

    Yin Biyue understood. Luo Mingchuan used his sword as a stick, and executed a real Disciplinary Whip.

    In the past, at the Academy, the gentleman who taught philosophy was getting in on his years, and his strength was not as he wished it was; thus he chose the most steady and reliable Luo Mingchuan out of the students to dole out the punishment in his stead.

    This originally was a task that would inevitably offend people, but Luo Mingchuan was virtuous and just, and conducted himself in a dignified manner. Somehow no one held any greivances towards him.

    ¡°A master¡¯s honour, I¡¯ll teach you human dignity.¡±1, this is the Disciplinary Whip.

    Since it¡¯s a teacher teaching students, how could it not be fair and just? How could it not seem as if it is as it should be?

    But Luo Mingchuan wasn¡¯t Wang Zhen¡¯s master, thus all of this seemed to have the implication of mockery;

    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you human dignity in ce of your master.¡±

    The expression of the Bao Pu Zong elder had already darkened.

    1) Ê¦µÀ×ðÑÏ£¬½ÌÄã×öÈË: With the dignity of a teacher/master, he¡¯ll teach him how to be a person. Generally it¡¯s kinda an insulting way to say that they don¡¯t know proper conduct or human integrity.

 Chapter 29 - Zhong Shan

    Chapter 29 ¨C Zhong Shan

    When the Academy¡¯s Disciplinary Whip technique was exposed, many people realized its implication.

    On the tform, Wang Zhen couldn¡¯t dodge fast enough, and had already received five whacks. He felt waves of intense pain pulsating through his body as if all his bones were shattering. Luo Mingchuan¡¯s attacks were too swift for him to even open his mouth. If this went on long enough, he would incur serious damage to his core. Wang Zhen clenched his teeth. He couldn¡¯t care less about his pride nor his sect¡¯s dignity; he just wanted to loudly admit defeat.

    Suddenly, his face turned white, covered in cold sweat.

    He found himself... unable to speak!

    With jumbled thoughts, he received another whack. His back was on fire.

    However, all the audience could see was Luo Mingchuan¡¯s strikes picking up speed. After-images of the scabbard wove together an immense thatpletely entrapped his opponent into one spot.

    Wang Zhen was dumbstruck. His eyes widened, yet he could not utter a single word. He was without a sword, and his core energy had already beenpletely drained in an attempt to defend against the iing attacks. In his sorry state, his only option was to dodge.

    Luo Mingchuan had stopped using his core energy since with merely martial art skills, Wang Zhen couldn¡¯t escape from him.

    Yin Biyue thought it was suspicious.

    It was illogical for Wang Zhen to not surrender.

    Quickly, he remembered. In order to maintain order lest the students started screeching or wailing while under the Academy Whip¡¯s punishment, there was a method to block airflow around the vocal cords. It was simr to the ¡®Forbidding Speech Order¡¯.

    However, this method had already been abolished three hundred years ago. No one ever used it since. If it wasn¡¯t for his studies of ancient books at the Academy library, which included the Academy¡¯s origins, he wouldn¡¯t have known about this type of disciplining method.

    Moreover, Luo Mingchuan¡¯s disciplining method was stronger, harsher, and more sincere than those used to punish students.

    The audience had no clue.

    Apart from eximing how Luo Mingchuan¡¯s extensive knowledge was worthy of having studied at the Academy to even know this method, there were many who took note of Wang Zhen, ¡°I can¡¯t believe he has such backbone. To be injured like this and he still doesn¡¯t admit defeat!¡±

    The moment the words fell, a slightly older disciple from the same sect scolded, ¡°What backbone? It¡¯s stupidity! It might feel good at the time, but if his spiritual veins and core are injured, how will he continue on the path to higher cultivation?! You all absolutely shouldn¡¯t imitate him!¡±

    The others nodded their heads sessively in agreement.

    Luo Mingchuan, as Cang Ya¡¯s eldest shixiong, was recognized by many sects¡¯ disciples; all of whom had good impressions of him.

    ¡°That person should have surrendered earlier! He¡¯s not surrendering, so Luo shixiong has to keep hitting him. It must be really tiring!¡±

    ¡°Luo shixiong¡¯s so generous. He knows that his opponent can¡¯t fight anymore, so now, he doesn¡¯t even use his core energy.¡±

    asionally, one or two sentences would circte to the ears of Bao Pu Zong. Aside from being furious, they also felt it was unbelievable.

    The martial arena had a protection array, which prevented core energy from flowing out and injuring the audience. At the same time, an istion array was employed to prevent any meddling from strong cultivators in the audience that might affect the fight on stage. Only the host, the QingLu Sword Sect, could control the arrays to avoid significant injuries or deaths if an unexpected situation arose.

    In the present situation, Luo Mingchuan no longer used core energy, and Wang Zhen only received superficial wounds. Evidently, there was no fatal damage to either of them.

    Wang Zhen wouldn¡¯t concede, so the elder, who was responsible for the arrays, naturally wouldn¡¯t have the inclination to yell stop. In any case, the fights in the first round were time-restricted. Once the time was up, there would be a deration on the oue.

    He Lai dimly felt something was wrong, since Wang Zhen had already told him his ns before going up. He carefully observed Wang Zhen¡¯s expression and suddenly thought of a possibility; maybe... he was incapable of surrendering!

    He Lai¡¯splexion immediately changed.

    In fact, Yin Biyue also felt it was weird. Generally speaking, this method wasn¡¯t virtuous. It even had the hint of viting the gentleman¡¯s way.

    Then, he heard Duan Chatterbox¡¯sughter.

    Yin Biyue looked at him, puzzled. Duan Chatterbox lowered his voice and said, ¡°Fourth shixiong, the first person to spread the rumor that you had a qi deviation and damaged your cultivation was Wang Zhen...¡±

    After journeying together, Duan Chongxuan no longer held any hostility towards Luo Mingchuan, ¡°He couldn¡¯t keep his mouth shut before, so now, Luo shixiong made it so that he can¡¯t open his mouth.¡±

    Yin Biyue abruptly remembered. At PanLong District, Luo Mingchuan once said, ¡°Therees a time when we cultivators must draw our swords...¡±

    Luo Mingchuan wasn¡¯t an unconditional Holy Mother.

    He had his principles and his means. He would not be deceived nor be bullied. An exemr of ¡®what a gentleman would do and would not do¡¯ 1.

    Yin Biyue felt his previous impression of Luo Mingchuan was too biased.

    At this time, Wang Zhen, on the martial arena, appeared to have gathered all his energy to hiss out, ¡°I surrender! ...¡±

    And almost at the same moment, the bell rang. QingLu Sword Sect¡¯s attendee yelled out, ¡°Time¡¯s up... This round is over. Cang Ya, Luo Mingchuan wins.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan nonchntly stopped his attacks and leapt directly off the martial arena.

    Wang Zhen, whose face was beaten ck and blue2, was immediately carried off the stage by Bao Pu Zong disciples .

    The fight began in an unexpected way and ended in an unexpected way.

    Cang Ya disciples no longer cheered. Perhaps it was because the opponent looked too miserable. Or perhaps they were influenced by Luo Mingchuan¡¯s aura and disyed the honor3 andposure4 of a prestigious sect.

    Nevertheless, they all wore reserved yet proud smiles, which made them seem dignified.

    On the contrary, this sort of ¡®victory as a given¡¯ attitude, instead of the loud cheering, made Bao Bu Zong even more embarrassed and irritated.

    He Lai had already calmed down, since he figured that tomorrow he would confront Yin Biyue on the martial arena.

    This was very good. From arriving in Ye City to the recent two days of battle, no matter if it was Duan Chongxuan or Luo Mingchuan, they all had caused him to umte excessive amounts of anger, like his chest was seared by fire. If not unleashed, if would be as if he set fire to himself.

    There was a sudden burst of excitement over at QingLu Sword Sect, because Zhong Shan was up next.

    All eyes were drawn to him.

    The disciple who was fighting against Zhong Shan was from the border of the Southern Continent; an obscure disciple. Other than annoyed at his own bad luck, he had already epted his fate and downheartedly overcame his nervousness.

    Compared to his reaction, most were more concerned with Zhong Shan¡¯s performance.

    Presently, the audience settled down, and only a few whispered in low voices. It was as if they were afraid that the slightest distraction would cause them to miss Zhong Shan¡¯s attack.

    In the Southern Continent, only a handful had ever seen Zhong Shan in person, let alone in the other four continents. However, this reputable youth had no eye-catching facial features. It may be the sword on his waist being too radiant that overwhelmed his own brilliance.

    When Yin Biyue looked over, he could only notice the other person¡¯s straight, ink-ck brows and his pale thin lips.

    But he could not forget that electric stare from the early morning, focused and piercing.

    This was a dangerous person.

    The two had barely stepped onto the martial arena before the other disciple met Zhong Shan¡¯s gaze and immediately screamed out, ¡°I surren...¡±

    ¡°Boom! ....¡±

    A tremendous noise!

    A figure flew high in the air and smashed directly onto the martial arena¡¯s edge, raising a cloud of blood and dust!

    The dust swelled up due to his impact. The blood mist was sprayed due to a strike to the abdominal cavity with a sheath. Both urred almost simultaneously.

    The Sword of Wind and Rain did not leave its sheath, yet it still does harm.

    Too quick.

    When the crowd caught on, Zhong Shan was already a long ways away from the stage. He was not walking in the direction of QingLu Sword Sect but back to the city.

    Yet no one uttered a word to him.

    It was silent from both on and off the stage.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s expression became grave.

    It was because he saw the first thing to hit the opponent was not the core energy covering the sheath, but the excessive sword energy itself.

    That attack gave the impression of extreme nonchnce, merely relying on a higher cultivation stage and explosive core energy to do harm. But what made him cautious was Zhong Shan¡¯s exhibition of his swordsmanship.

    The thunderous strike was controlled with ease.

    The battles on the other three martial arenas had not yet finished their greetings when Zhong Shan¡¯s fight was already over.

    As a result, the attendees of QingLu Sword Sect readied the tform for the next fight.

    ¡°Cang Ya, Ruan Xiaolian versus Bao Pu Zong, Zhou Yue...¡±

    Ruan Xiaolian grinned at He Yanyun indicating she shouldn¡¯t worry. Then she collected the hem of her skirt and walked up the stage.

    Coincidentally, as she stood on the tform, many people had recovered from their astonishment over Zhong Shan.

    Ruan Xiaolian had on a snowy skirt matched with a silver belt and frost-colored shoes. Her body was not fitted with any weapons. Looking at her reminded one of a fragile white lotus flower that could not bear the slightest of wind.

    Compared to LianJian Zong female cultivators¡¯ radiance and brazenness, this kind of lovely yet pitiful spirit had evidently caused many male cultivators¡¯ eyes to brighten up.

    Even the quiet andposed QingLu Sword Sect had ripples of momentary whispers.

    The person opposite to her started to smile.

    When Zhou Yue initially drew Cang Ya from the draw, he was a bit worried, especially when he heard that the other person was at the same stage of cultivation as he was.

    But after seeing this frail girl5, he certainly felt his luck was too good.

    After the two greeted each other, Zhou Yue opened his mouth, thinking he would tease her a bit, ¡°This shimei...¡±

    and saw the other party¡¯s fist, carrying immense core energy, strike against his face!

    In a blink, the fist was already at his eyes!

    Zhou Yue, in shock, could only manage to draw out his sword and retreat hastily!

    Many people thought because this fight had two parties with simr cultivation stage, it would be in a deadlock for a long time.

    Subsequently, they nkly stared at the delicate, white lotus-like, defenseless fist that just pulverized the eight feet tall grown man. Every punchnded on flesh. Zhou Yue¡¯s sword couldn¡¯t even be put to use under her punches.

    He Yanyun proudly said, ¡°Xiaolian practices the Overturning Mountain Fist. How could she be stopped by his type of gaudy swordsmanship!¡±

    Duan Chongxuan lightly coughed and exined, ¡°This style of martial art is simr to second shijie¡¯s ¡®Fist of Wind and Thunder¡¯....¡±

    Yin Biyue also saw through it. If Ruan Xiaolian was paired with another person, she may not have any advantages. However, Zhou Yue¡¯s swordsmanship required dexterity. The moves he practiced may look exquisite, but unfortunately, he wasn¡¯t proficient at it.

    Coincidentally, when encountering Ruan Xiaolian¡¯s ¡®one punch equal to ten¡¯6, he could only take a beating.

    Qing Lu Sword Sect had already some disciples turn away their heads, unable to bear the scene. Naturally, it wasn¡¯t because they thought Zhou Yue was too pathetic. Instead, they didn¡¯t know how to face the girl, whose sleeves were bunched up because of fighting, that was Ruan Xiaolian.

    Yin Biyue sympathized with them. This kind of blow, the disillusioning of their goddess, wasparable to qi deviation.

    The shadows had tilted westward. The city¡¯s drum tower7 drifted down faint sounds of drum beats, as the scant ck dots of weary crows in the distance returned back to their nests.

    It was the end of yet another day of the Flower Picking Festival.

    Some of the younger generation of the cultivation world chuckled with the people beside them, discussing the profits of the day¡¯s fight. Some were uneasy about their fights tomorrow, listening to the encouragements made by the disciples from their own sect.

    They were headed in different directions, scattering into the distance. Yet they were all the same: enormously proud of their achievements and anticipating the future in restlessness and expectation.

    The setting sun dragged out their nted shadows. The evening held no heaviness to it; rather, it exhibited an exuberant vitality.

    £ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª

    Each sect had good news and bad news. Up to today, Cang Ya¡¯s ratio for those advancing into the next round was not bad. It satfortably as number one in ¡®One Mountain Three Sects¡¯.

    As for the two battles that Luo Mingchuan and Zhong Shan had participated in, not only were themoners at Ye City unable to understand them, they regretted that they weren¡¯t more dazzling. However, to the cultivators, the meaning was tremendous.

    Zhong Shan lived up to his fame. The strength of the Sword of Wind and Rain did not reduce even in its sheath.

    However, another matter was clearly juicier.

    Information on the Flower Picking Festival always spread rapidly. Consequently, from Ye City to the entirety of the Southern Continent, people all knew about the Bao Pu Zong disciple who was taught his ce8 by Cang Ya¡¯s head disciple, Luo Mingchuan.

    After listening to these kinds of remarks, Bao Pu Zong disciples would say:

    Cang Ya had always been unreasonable and tyrannical. But to think our sect had no one? Tomorrow, He Lai shixiong will fight against the Sword Saint¡¯s disciple! Let them see what style and presence our prestigious sect possesses.

    When Bao Pu Zong arrived at Ye City, they had twenty-eight people. Now, five were eliminated in the first round. Contrasted with other small sects, this kind of advancement ratio was already quite high.

    Bao Pu Zong, nevertheless, had always considered themselves in the same league as Cang Ya. This time, byparison, they appeared inferior. More importantly, the events during these recent two days had driven them resentful.

    Hence tomorrow, the fight between He Lai and Yin Biyue would be especially significant. Not only He Lai, but every person in Bao Pu Zong felt a ball of fire in their chest that needed to be released.

    The closer the fight got, the more He Lai¡¯splexion became calm, and conversely, the more excited he felt. Tomorrow, he would be famous for defeating one of the Sword Saint¡¯s disciples. What was there not to anticipate?

    In the courtyards beside Lake Qiu, under the magnolia tree, Yin Biyue also became calmer. Tomorrow was his first secr fight aftering down the mountain. Although many people maye and watch, he did not believe there was any particr significance to it.

    As a spectator, he had already observed many battles. His fighting spirit was at its peak, and he needed to fight for himself to validate the epiphanies he had throughout the past few days.

    And that was all.

    1) ¾ý×ÓÓÐËùÎª£¬ÓÐËù²»Îª (What a nobleman would do and not do):es from Mensius. It infers that some things must be done and some things should never be done.

    2) ±ÇÇàÁ³Ö× (the nose green and face swollen): In Baidu, it¡¯s tranted as a bloody nose and a swollen face. I just tranted as ¡®...face was ck and blue¡¯.

    3) ³ÖÀñÖØµÀ (the principle to heavily maintain honor): To treat something extremely seriously. I just shortened it to ¡®honor¡¯ since it sound smoother and it kind of retains the original meaning.

    4) ³èÈè²»¾ª (not surprised at neither favor nor insult): Which is to say no matter what kind of situation, the mental state is unmoved by it. I just tranted asposure lol.

    5) ÈõÖÊÅ®Á÷ (frail girl): ÈõÖÊ can mean both frail and dumb. Å®Á÷ is a derogatory word that is tranted as ¡®weaker sex¡¯.

    6) Ò»Á¦½µÊ®»á (one force [a person] can take down ten): The meaning is a person who has enormous strength, can take down ten martial art fighters. I substituted ¡®punch¡¯ in to fit the scenario.

    7) ¹ÄÂ¥ (drum tower): Ancient chinese cities usually include a drum tower and a clock tower. The drum tower has a huge drum set on the very top. It can be striked to sound rm, give the correct time, or used in a ceremony/celebration.

    8) ½ÌÁË×öÈË (taught how to be a person): The trantion of ¡®was taught his ce¡¯ is often used in the same situation. Except ×öÈË is more mocking.

 Chapter 30 - Trigram of Fire

    Chapter 30 ¨C Trigram of Fire

    The din of summer was already thick.

    The elms on both sides of Ye City¡¯s streets grew more and more lush, and the sound of chirping cicadas could be heard everywhere. The girls on the streets wore more revealing clothing, sleeveless dresses covered by green muslin that faintly showed slender arms as white as lotus roots. The city¡¯s street vendors began selling cold honey rice dumplings and cold sesame noodles. Stand owners stood on the side, enthusiastically calling out to the wandering customers.

    And the courtyard by Lake Qiu, being shaded with rippling water and akeside breeze, seemed especially cool and refreshing in this kind of summer.

    Today, the Cang Ya sect disciples left their quarters early as usual.

    Maybe it was because of the particrly interesting match today, or maybe it was just the increasingly early dawn, but when they walked down the street there were many eyes on them watching both discreetly and tantly.

    Yin Biyue furrowed his eyebrows, he could use his Divine Sense to prevent spying, but he could not prevent other people from staring at him.

    From the time they left the mountain until now, he already got an impression of the problem with his unusual hair color. If he could, he still wished to change it back.

    A battle with a gap in cultivation realms was approaching, yet he had the mood to think about these things. It¡¯s because his mind was calm, not at all worried.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s was not the first match.

    But a lot of people knew he was fighting today. From the crowd below the stage to Ye city¡¯s gambling hall, and even to the distant four continents, they would all pay extremely close attention to this match.

    So much so that on the east side of the viewing tform, seating was already being rearranged because of the arrival of two important elders half a step into the Greater Vessel Stage, one from the Qing Lu Sword Sect, and the other from Ye City¡¯s temple.

    They hadn¡¯t shown their faces in the past few days but appeared with this kind of timing, it seems like they came here especially to watch this white-haired youth fight.

    This was naturally not because Yin Biyue¡¯s cultivation realm was high, but because at his back was the shadow of the esteemed Sword Saint.

    The longer you live in prominence, the more you like to make thingsplicated. Xi Hua Peak had never before participated in the Flower Picking Festival, but this year they came.

    What was the Sword Saint trying to do?

    The elders on the viewing tform sat under the lush trees drinking JunShan YunWu tea and chatting about frivolous matters of the mists and clouds. They sized up that group of calf-like youngsters, and in the end, waited for that young man to go up.

    Yin Biyue and He Lai mounted the stage to and cupped their hands in greeting.

    The previous battles on the other three stages had just finished, the attending disciple announced the result, the stage was cleaned up, and the people were carried off.

    The two of them came too early, but as no one had announced the start of the match, they could only stand opposite each other.

    Since there were so many people watching, they had so say something.

    With an indifferent face, He Lai unenthusiastically spoke, ¡°You¡¯re not bad at all.¡±

    He heard that his opponent been in Cang Ya sect for only three years and already reached the Soul Condensing stage, naturally he deserves a ¡°not bad.¡±

    Then his tone changed, ¡°It¡¯s a pity your luck is bad, and so you ended up here.¡±

    The implication was: you drew me in the first round, so as expected, it¡¯s impossible for you to advance.

    The audience below the stage was in uproar.

    But they couldn¡¯t hear the mocking tone, because though He Lai was confident to the point of arrogance, he indeed had grounds to say it. If only in terms of cultivation realms, he was one step higher than Yin Biyue.

    Everyone began discussing below; they wanted to see how the Sword Saint¡¯s disciple would respond.

    Luo Mingchuan furrowed his eyebrows. Shidi¡¯s disposition was simple and pure, how would he possibly be able deal with this kind of situation?

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯splexion was also ugly. Right now, he resented that he couldn¡¯t be the person standing on the stage instead, raining down insults like blows down on that imbecile¡¯s head!

    Yin Biyue did not say anything.

    He turned around and walked towards therge elm tree beside the stage, and under the watchful eyes of everybody present, snapped off a branch.

    His hand gave it a shake, and the verdant leaves fell off.

    He held the dried branch and turned to face He Lai.

    He Lai understood his meaning, and his expression abruptly changed.

    But he quickly calmed down and unconcernedly said,

    ¡°If you don¡¯t wield your sword now; in the future you¡¯ll never again have the opportunity to hold a sword.¡±

    The crowd once again erupted in uproar.

    ¡°What is he doing? Is he going to use a branch as a sword to fight?!¡±

    ¡°Sword Saint disciples... Don¡¯t tell me they¡¯re all this domineering?!¡±

    Yin Biyue still didn¡¯t say anything.

    Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the elders sitting on the viewing tform and felt even more pressing were the two oppressive Divine Senses falling onto his body. If not for his strong consciousness sharpening his senses, he would be unable to feel anything at all. This was the Divine Sense of the Greater Vessel Stage.

    His core energy was incapable of entering his sword.

    Maybe someone in the Lesser Vessel stage wouldn¡¯t be able to see the limitations of his sword art, but he could not take the risk in front of Greater Vessel Stage cultivators.

    With no other choice, he could only snap a branch from a tree for battle.

    Even though his past few days¡¯ nning and ideas for this battle had all gone to waste, he still maintained an undisturbed demeanor; to everyone watching he seemed haughty, and to He Lai he seemed to be insulting him.

    He Lai¡¯s expression chilled further.

    At that moment, The Qing Lu Sword Sect attendant disciple rushed over to that side and loudly announced, ¡°Cang Ya sect¡¯s Yin Biyue versus Bao Pu Zong¡¯s He Lai.¡±

    The opposing parties had already greeted each other, so the fight began immediately.

    As soon as the attendant had finished speaking, the long sword at He Lai¡¯s waist was unsheathed.

    At the same time, a sword-light appeared more than ten zhang1 away!

    Splitting into eighths, it sliced through the air with an ear-piercing mournful hiss resounding through the ins!

    The Eight Trigrams seal glowed with a flowing blue-green light, enveloping the entire stage.

    The eight directions Yin Biyue could retreat in were all sealed off; no matter which position he might strike in, the seven other des would all arrive in a sh.

    The sword held the Eight Trigrams, and inside held the entire universe.

    He Lai¡¯s face was as calm as water.

    He had been waiting for this moment for so long, he had practiced this move until it became almost too familiar.

    To the point that the time between drawing his sword and making a move was almost nonexistent

    He had used his strongest move right away!

    From his use of his sword to control of his core energy, all were meticulous down to the finest detail!

    This showed that even when angry he was cool-headed, and also showed that he refused to give Yin Biyue any chances.

    The spectators below the stage had not thought the battle would escte so quickly; suddenly seeing this kind of astounding blow, they were shocked into silence.

    How would the Sword Saint disciple respond to this long-repressed blow?

    Yin Biyue still did not draw his sword.

    As he held the tree branch, his figure became faint, and he disappeared from his spot.

    A momentter, he appeared on the west side of the stage. After that he distinctly stepped north two steps and his figure actually went straight back!

    Even in the middle of this kind of swift sword-light attack, his expression didn¡¯t change; as if he was simply taking a stroll in a courtyard.

    Everyone had just collected their thoughts after thest move, marveling at how this was the real Eight Trigrams of Bao Pu.

    The Eight Trigrams Sword they¡¯ve seen over the past few days, whenpared to this sword now, seemed like mere imitations.

    One after another, they sighed over the magnificence of a sword art that even the Sword Saint¡¯s disciple didn¡¯t dare to meet, neglecting to notice that Yin Biyue revealed a strange movement technique.

    But there were people who hadn¡¯t ignored it.

    The Ye City temple elder who half a step into the Greater Vessel Stage on the viewing tform narrowed his eyes, and then suddenlyughed, the fine wrinkles at the corner of his eye smoothing.

    Her wore a nostalgic expression and sighed, ¡°Traversing Peaks and Rivers¡±, it really has been a long time since I¡¯ve seen it...¡±

    Traversing Peaks and Rivers was the movement technique created by the Academy Director during his time walking through the Central Continent.

    Everyone knew that the Director¡¯s celestial magic techniques were unparalleled. Many people forgot that before his mysterious mastery of space, he used this ¡®Traversing Peaks and Rivers¡¯.

    This technique was not some secret that was never passed down, but the people who mastered it were very few because it required formidable nning capabilities; every step was like taking a thousand steps, alongside fierce consumption of their Divine Sense.

    So even up till when the movement skill book had umted a thickyer of dust, nobody learned it.

    But today, Yin Biyue was able to use it. In the midst of battle, he used it to calcte the direction of his opponent¡¯s sword strikes.

    In the front of the Qing Lu Sword Sect area, standing in a space the crowd spontaneously left around him, ink-painted2 robe d Song Tang praised, ¡°His reputation precedes him.¡±

    If it were himself facing that sword, of course he could use his swordy and cultivation realm to suppress his opponent, but would be unable to wlessly dodge like this.

    Zhong Shan standing beside him didn¡¯t change his expression, only slightly raising his eyebrows.

    The crowd only saw He Lai¡¯s zing sword energy and how Yin Biyue was forced to retreat. Naturally, they thought his ¡°lives up to his reputation¡± was to praise Bao Pu Zong¡¯s Eight Trigram sword.

    The sword art¡¯s energy already exhausted; Yin Biyue took eight steps.

    Everyone just now took notice: eight shallow gashes appeared on the stage, and stone fragments scattered down.

    The stage had protective arrays. If this kind of sword scar were tond on a person¡¯s body, it would even be able to gouge and injure their spiritual veins.

    But Yin Biyuepletely avoided it, gaining equivalent admiration from the crowd.

    He Lai did not think this attack would be avoided.

    But he was the leader of Bao Pu Zong¡¯s younger generation, one of the ¡®Seven Sons of Bao Pu¡¯; he naturally did not have only this one attack.

    And Yin Biyue couldn¡¯t possibly avoid all his attacks.

    Not waiting for Yin Biyue to gain proper footing, He Lai brandished his sword again!

    This attack was not at all fast, even the trajectory of the sword could be clearly distinguished.

    It did not emit a sword light, nor did it have the Eight Trigrams seal.

    He Lai grasped his sword, stepped lightly on his toes, and followed his sword as he struck forth!

    Like a white crane soaring the sky, he leaped up high with incredible grace!

    ¡°What an excellent ¡®Clear Sky Ascent¡¯!¡±

    The one who spoke this praise was a Bao Pu Zong elder, whose disciples standing behind him all echoed him one by one.

    Fair winds with reliable strength, deliver me towards the clear sky.

    ¡®Clear Sky Ascent¡¯ is Bao Pu Zong¡¯s lightness technique. That He Lai could use this method in perfect conjunction with his sword during this fierce fight, made Bao Pu Zong proud to no end. Even the Qing Lu Sword Sect disciples were in admiration.¡£

    At this time, an astonishing thing happened.

    The sword in He Lai¡¯s hand that reflected the ring midsummer sun, actually ignited with mes!

    The spectating disciples nearest the stage felt a sudden wave of heat tear through the protective array, assaulting their faces.

    The elm trees by the stage had their leaves and branches lifted and whirled about by the heat wave, and they even began to smoke slightly.

    Where the de passed, true essence expanded boundlessly, and mes carved through the air in every direction!

    Where the sword was pointed, was the white haired youth holding a leafless branch in his grasp.

    The Lesser Vessel elders on the grandstand felt pity for Yin Biyue, ¡°Talents are good, movement technique is quick; it¡¯s a pity that the gap between their cultivation realms is an insurmountable gulf!¡±

    Nearly everyone present thought this way.

    When He Lai brought forth that sword technique, Yin Biyue had already lost.

    Because it wasn¡¯t merely one strike; the entirety of the tform was now within He Lai¡¯s sword boundary!

    Just what kind of movement technique would be able topletely evade his sword?

    Only leaving the tform.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but his palms are soaked through with cold sweat.

    Beyond anyone¡¯s expectations, Yin Biyue did not move, instead raising the branch in his hand.

    He¡¯s already verified his guesses, of course he would strike.

    The Seven Sons of Bao Pu isn¡¯t to just fill the numbers, the seven of them, plus someone powerful, made up an Eight Trigrams Sword Array.

    The anchor of the array, the qian trigram, could be an elder- perhaps the sect head. Qian as heaven, the stronger the qian position, the stronger the sword array.

    And He Lai is the li trigram.

    Because within the eight scars left by his attack; three connected qian, six broken kun, open jar zhen, flipped bowl gen, void center li, filled center kan, vacant top dui, broken base xun, the li trigram was the most distinct. 3

    Li as fire.

    His strongest strike is the li me.

    How would one defeat the li me?

    Of course by using frigid waters.

    The sword form Yin Biyue was most familiar with was the Frigid Water Sword.

    He merely lifted the brittle branch in his hand, and the wave of heat halted in its path.

    A pearlessly exquisite chill spilled forth from the branch.

    The disciples around the stage, to their shock and awe, found that the wind carried a hint of chilliness!

    The Bao Pu Zong elder fiercely furrowed his brow, the Cang Ya disciples¡¯ faces were smeared with joy, and in the direction of the Qing Lu Sword Sect, Zhong Shan¡¯s pupils shrunk.

    Ye City¡¯s elder from the temple still retained his smiling countenance.

    Many people, as the battle reached its end, believed it¡¯s only just begun.

    Simply because Yin Biyue lifted his wrist and made a gesture.

    He Lai¡¯s expression remained unchanged, his sword has already been pushed to its peak! A cluster of raging mes appeared at his sword¡¯s tip!

    He had a feeling that something shifted in Yin Biyue, so he wouldn¡¯t allow his opponent even one second more.

    But not even a second has passed, and Yin Biyue¡¯s sword art has already formed.

    The strongest Frigid Water Sword, the fastest Traversing Peaks and Rivers!

    A biting frost suddenly erupted!

    Upon the stone tform in the height of summer, a thinyer of frost condensed!

    But with only this, how could it possibly be enough!

    Where his sword traveled is the direct opposite of the li trigram, the kan position.

    Everyone only saw that the branch was clearly piercing towards the opponent¡¯s ming sword, about to collide with the sword¡¯s tip!

    Yet somehow, in the end, itnded on He Lai¡¯s body!

    ¡°Che....!¡±

    Iparably precise!

    Stabbing straight into He Lai¡¯s shoulder!

    The protective true energy barrier of a Breakthrough stage cultivator was pierced through just like that by a withered twig.

    He Lai stayed in a striking stance, but the me crawling along his sword abruptly extinguished, along with the receding luster within his eyes.

    He slowly bent at the waist, trying his best to not show any signs of pain, but in the end still coughed up a mouthful of blood.

    The burning cascade of blood dripped onto the frosted ground, searing two holes into the ice in an instant.

    He watched the frost and blood, and up till now, still didn¡¯t know how he could¡¯ve lost.

    Clearly his opponent could only feel wretchedly under his sword beforehand.

    How could his Fire Trigram have a w?

    Could it be that his opponent understood the Eight Trigrams Sword better than himself?

    That¡¯s impossible.

    Not a single sound could be heard from the disciples below the stage.

    This battle took countless twists and turns, their previous conceptions and range of knowledgepletely destroyed.

    How strong must his sword intent be to be able to pierce through a Breakthrough stage true energy protective barrier? It was unfathomable.

    The powerful elders in the grandstand stayed silent- out of respect.

    The pacof this battle was held by Yin Biyue since the battle started; yet he willingly allowed himself to be suppressed by the other¡¯s sword art until he found the method to destroy it.

    In the younger generation, for there to be a youth so proficient in the way of the sword is something to be respected.

    Yin Biyue pulled out the twig, its branches dripping with blood.

    He Lai staggered and fell to his knees.

    Then, the white haired cold gazed youth inquired,

    ¡°Why would I bother?¡±?

    After he finished speaking he threw down the branch and descended from the stage.

    Why would I bother?

    Since Yin Biyue stepped onstage till now, he said only this one phrase.

    Only four words, but it had both the given and family name?, drew blood with a single needle. It seems like he was responding to the words that were said when they first stood here, He Lai¡¯s taunting ¡°your luck is bad¡±.

    He said nothing before, not because he he had nothing to say, but because he felt it was unnecessary.

    I¡¯m here to defeat you, not to chat, to say nothing of the fact we¡¯re unfamiliar.

    Thus there¡¯s no need to say anything to you, there¡¯s no need to say anything to everyone else.

    I came to fight, then defeated your sword art and grasped victory. That¡¯s all.

    1) one zhang is 3.58m. So this is like 40 meters away.

    2) ink paintings, in the chinese watercolour style.

    3) This whole mess refers to the eight trigrams and the meanings for each of the trigrams. The poem-like thing in the middle is basically a way to remember which trigram corresponds to which character. Read more about the whole culture: https://.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/bagua.htm

    4) ºÎ¿àÀ´ÔÕ. H¨¦ k¨³ l¨¢i z¨¡i. The he andi are the same as the ones in He Lai¡¯s name so basically YBY is a pun making god.

    I¡¯ve tranted the meaning, and only the meaning because I deemed the pun I thought up absolutely irredeemable. The phrase would read, had I the heart to... subject everyone to my shit sense of humour, ¡°He now lies before me, why would I bother?¡±.. as in He now lies before me. Said out loud, lie sounds like Lai, and I directly went with He. I don¡¯t think I¡¯d respect myself tomorrow if I put this one in.

    5) this refers to the pun that was made above.

 Chapter 31 - Mutual dependence

    Chapter 31- Mutual dependence

    When Yin Biyue got off the stage, the Qing Lu Sword Sect attendant forgot to announce the results of the match, everyone from Bao Pu Zong forgot to help the people on stage, and the Cang Ya disciples also forgot to cheer.

    A summer breeze blew past the elm tree; the lush leaves closest to the stage, after enduring raging mes and icy devastation, finally fell gently in the wind.

    The melting frost left a clear, shallow pool on the stage, where the fallen leaves floated. As if a sudden bout of autumnal rain, the scorching dry heat of the height of summer was washed away by a harsh frost rolling over thend.

    The attendant suddenly snapped out of his daze and shouted, ¡°The match has ended! Cang Ya sect¡¯s Yin Biyue is the winner!¡±

    The announcement was like a cue. Not just the Cang Ya disciples, but many people below the stage all waved their swords while cheering. The sound rapidly spread, and the faraway citizens of Ye city joined in the apuse.

    Bao Pu disciples surged onto the stage and, with one person on each side, helped the pale-faced He Lai down.

    Duan Chongxuan loudlyughed, ¡°Fourth shixiong, I¡¯ll serve you in the future as long as you cover me!¡±

    This was clearly a joke, so the Cang Ya disciples allughed and one by one went to congratte Yin Biyue.

    Only Luo Mingchuan, sporting a slight frown, asked: ¡°Are you hurt?¡±

    Only when he asked this question did everyone remember. This match was so beautiful that they had forgotten Yin Biyue was up against such domineering swordsmanship, and they all now became worried.

    Yin Biyue shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not hurt.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan carefully scrutinized him, and his expression finally rxed. ¡°You should go back and rest.¡±

    The Cang Ya disciples made a path for Luo Mingchuan to first apany Yin Biyue back to Lake Qiu.

    Duan Chongxuan was originally going to go with them, but he surveyed the area and could vaguely discern the flood of colorful skirts and painted umbres around ten zhang away.

    Understanding that he would only be inconveniencing his shixiong, he could only say to them, ¡°See you tonight at Lake Qiu! Have a good rest, fourth-shixiong.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue walked towards Ye city.

    As soon as they left, the two big shots half a step into the Greater Vessel Stage on the eastern side of the stands also began to leave, and the spectating elders got up and saluted them before re-seating themselves.

    The Qing Lu Sword sect disciples went up to clean up the water on the stage, and half of the Bao Pu Zong disciples had already left, saying that they were taking He Lai to the healers at Jie Kong Temple.

    Nobody knew when Zhong Shan and Song Tang also left.

    The fights were still going on as before, but there were much fewer people in the audience.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan strolled about in Ye city.

    It was the peak of summer, the sun was so scorching you could see the light reflecting off the limestone blocks.

    The long streets were empty; with neither human voices nor barking dogs. It was as if the entire city was in a deep, intoxicated slumber.

    Only the summer cicadas were still tirelessly chirping.

    In the torrid heat of summer, Luo Mingchuan could feel delicate wisps of cold spilling from Yin Biyue¡¯s body.

    Early on in the journey from Cang Ya sect to Ye city, Luo Mingchuan had discovered that Yin Biyue¡¯s body temperature was usually lower than average, even more so at night.

    Duan Chongxuan once also joked, ¡°Walking next to Fourth shixiong is nice and cool, more effective than a heat resistance pearl.¡±

    Because Yin Biyue trained year-round by Xi Hua Peak¡¯s cold pond, the chill permeated his whole body.

    This was not unusual. Both martial cultivation methods and innate spiritual veins of spiritual cultivation can slightly change the constitution of the cultivator.

    But right now, just after using Frigid Water Sword, Yin Biyue was abnormally cold.

    Thus, Luo Mingchuan stopped walking, studied the young man¡¯splexion, and seriously asked,

    ¡°Shidi, are you ufortable anywhere?¡±

    Yin Biyue was speechless.

    He didn¡¯t expect Luo Mingchuan would be this astute. He had been carefully controlling his breath and footfalls so nothing would seem out of the ordinary.

    He really wasn¡¯t injured, but in the end he had been fighting someone with a higher cultivation than himself. Traversing Peaks and Rivers used up a lot of effort, and by the end he had exhausted his whole body¡¯s core energy...

    His mind had been highly focused for the entire battle, and now that it had suddenly rxed, he began to feel his bones and meridians continuously exuding fine streams of cold.

    It was the residual sword intent from the Frigid Water Sword.

    Before, this kind of trivial problem could be solved by circting core energy throughout the body.

    However, at present, he had no more core energy and no more strength. When he was again asked like this by Luo Mingchuan, he felt another flood of exhaustion.

    I don¡¯t even feel like taking two more steps, how about you drag me back?

    ...Hehe, isn¡¯t this too unsightly?

    Yin Biyue pursed his lips, ¡°No, let¡¯s go.¡±

    But Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t move, and an awkward expression came onto his face,

    ¡°Actually, it¡¯s like this... Just now I was under the hot sun for too long, I might have caught heatstroke; right now I feel a bit dizzy...is Shidi willing to help me walk?¡±

    After speaking he gave an embarrassedugh.

    Yin Biyue imagined the scene of himself and Luo Mingchuan crawling back to Lake Qiu.

    Luo-shixiong!

    Are you kidding me! How can someone in the Breakthrough Stage get heatstroke?!

    If anyone else said this, Yin Biyue would never have believed it.

    But all of Cang Ya knew Luo Mingchuan was an upright gentleman who would never tell a lie.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s imagination was already starting to run wild: don¡¯t tell me he practices a special cultivation technique and cannot stay in the sun for too long?...

    He looked at the street with heat radiating off of it and found that not only were there no people, not even a dog was in sight.

    Thus, as if he were embracing death, he nodded his head, ¡°Okay!¡±

    Whatever, I¡¯ll help!

    Us two will support each other and crawl back to Lake Qiu together!

    ...But this sort of embarrassing act must absolutely not be known by a third person.

    Yin Biyue took a few steps closer, extended his hand, and supported Luo Mingchuan¡¯s right arm. Luo Mingchuan¡¯s body leaned into him a bit.

    A warm and foreign breath grazed past his cheek.

    Travelling together for the whole journey had already dispelled the initial difort from a proximity of less than three chi; however, being so close for the first time, Yin Biyue still felt a bit ufortable.

    He saw Luo Mingchuan¡¯s sincerely thankful expression, ¡°I¡¯ve inconvenienced Shidi.¡±

    ¡°...No trouble.¡±

    They walked a few steps, but the expected difficulties didn¡¯t arise; instead, Yin Biyue discovered...

    Sure enough, a person with heatstroke is nice and warm! ¡«£¨¨R¨Œ¨Q£©/¡«

    The chilliness in his body that seeped out from his bones and meridians, no matter how hot the sun was, was unable to disperse.

    Yet holding Luo Mingchuan was clearly different,

    It seemed like there was a thinyer of core energy flowing over Luo Mingchuan¡¯s skin, warm and dry, passing through his robe and into Yin Biyue¡¯s body.

    The heavy chill dissipated, and every inch of his bones felt like they were bathed in warm sunlight.

    Is this... the heatstroke is so serious it caused the core energy to overflow? He won¡¯t faint, right?

    Yin Biyue, having already regained some strength, pulled the person he was supporting closer and step by step walked to Lake Qiu.

    The cicadas¡¯ hum apanied them down the long street; a light breeze disrupted the trees¡¯ silhouettes.

    In Ye city¡¯s midsummer, two young men wearing white sect robes supported each other through winding narrow streets.

    Thenterns on the eaves of the tall gateways shook gently in the wind. After passing countless manors, what was before them was the shimmeringke surface.

    Even now, they both thought they were the one helping the other.

    ******

    ¡°The Sword Saint¡¯s disciple Yin Biyue defeated the fifth of the Seven Sons of Bao Pu, He Lai, at the Flower Picking Festival.¡±

    The news rapidly spread to every corner of Ye city, then all over the Southern Continent, and then to the entire world.

    Every detail of that battle was widely known. How each side brandished their swords, their movements, the dangers around them; discussion in every tea house and wine shop in the Southern continent let customers immerse themselves in the experience.

    But even those who had experienced the battle themselves had questions.

    ¡®Traversing Peaks and Rivers¡¯ versus ¡®Clear Sky Ascent¡¯, ¡®Bao Pu Eight Trigrams¡¯ versus ¡®Frigid Water¡¯; fundamentally, these techniques were about equal, but He Lai¡¯s cultivation realm was higher, so how did Yin Biyue win?

    Was it just sword intent?

    His cultivation realm was still limited; could he really use a branch to perfectly disy sword intent?

    Therefore, the positioning of Yin Biyue¡¯s sword strikes were carefully noted.

    One theory surfaced: Frigid Water Sword takes one sword stroke to defeat the enemy and seize victory, not through suppression, but by deconstruction.

    He deconstructed the Eight Trigrams Sword.

    ¡°Preposterous! The Eight Trigrams Sword has so many variations, I¡¯ve studied the sword for a hundred years and dare not say I¡¯m an expert. How can one who hasn¡¯t even lived until twenty deconstruct it?!¡±

    Bao Pu Zong¡¯s sect elder heard this sort of talk and immediately flew into a rage.

    On the bed, He Lai¡¯splexion was pale.

    He was originally Bao Pu Zong¡¯s greatest hope for winning this year¡¯s Flower Picking Festival-

    -but his luck was bad and he met Yin Biyue in the very first round.

    Injuries of flesh and blood can be healed with medicine, but how would one repair cracks of the heart?

    But he was one of the ¡®Seven Sons of Bao Pu¡¯, one of the Eight Trigram Sword Formation¡¯s supporting pirs; if he wasn¡¯t there, what would be of the formation?

    To Bao Pu Zong, this issue was of greater importance than his injury.

    In order for his heart to be at peace and him toplete the formation, Bao Pu Zong had to do something.

    The sect elder engraved a jade slip, and after it was finished, it immediately turned into a stream of light and flew westward across the continent.

    ¡°Do you really think our sect has no one who can fight?¡±

    ******

    In the next few days of the Flower Picking Festival, the Buddhist cultivators of Jie Kong Temple and Xing Shan Temple increased; Buddha¡¯s Great Handprints and Unbreakable Diamond Body induced awe; within Lian Jian Zong, the top of the rising generation of spiritual cultivators, disciple Chu Huan, was able to pull off a ¡®spring returning to a withered tree¡¯1; And Qing Lu Sword Sect Zhong Shan¡¯s fellow peak shidi used a skill of the cold light-emitting Flying Feather Sword. Even an unremarkable small-sect disciple of the Eastern Continent emerged as a new force to be reckoned with, bing the second one to transcend cultivation realms for victory...

    In the first round of the Flower Picking Festival, many youngsters revealed astonishing talent in cultivation.

    However, not a single match was as brilliant as the one between Yin Biyue and He Lai.

    Therefore, the Sword Saint disciples¡¯ next fight became particrly anticipated.

    After the first round finished, the one hundred sixty two people who advanced to the next round were split into eighty one groups.

    This time after numbers were assigned, thetter eighty one people drew lots. Yin Biyue¡¯s party of three did not need to go again to draw lots, and only needed to wait until someone drew them as opponents.

    Yin Biyue had been meditating in his room for these past few days. After his fight with he Lai, he came to many revtions, so he shut his door and didn¡¯te out while he delicately sorted through them. Sitting and reflecting, the doorway to breaking through became clearer.

    This day, the results of the draw were announced.

    When he pushed his door open, he saw that Chatterbox was also about to leave.

    ¡°Does Fourth Shixiong want to go to ChenYing Wall to see the draw results?¡±

    Yin Biyue nodded.

    Chatterboxughed, ¡°There¡¯s a ce where news travels to faster, why should we travel so far?¡±

    Yin Biyue understood; Chatterbox was again inviting him to visit a blossom house, ah, no, a tea house.

    In ordance with Ye City¡¯s lively folk customs, teahouses were indeed the fastest source of news.

    He nced across the courtyard at Luo Mingchuan¡¯s tightly shut door, not knowing if he was inside or if he¡¯s already left.

    That day, when Yin Biyue had supported Luo Mingchuan back, he took him back to his room and made sure he was alright; so that there shouldn¡¯t be any problems.

    Yin Biyue originally didn¡¯t understand why Chatterbox dared to go out. Clearly before, every time he took a step outside he was paraded like a prisoner through the streets.

    When they left Lake Qiu, they passed through the city¡¯s southern nobleman¡¯s mansions, walked on Ye city¡¯s main street, a number of hidden young women turned their gazes towards them. Chatterbox sighed, ¡°Two days ago I was blocked at the city gate, so I said ¡®My heart is already taken, I¡¯ve fallen in love with someone, and I must take her as my wife in this life¡¯... it really is effective.¡±

    Yin Biyue suddenly understood; no wonder! Turns out your role was already changed from a golden bachelor in his prime into an old, love-sick man.

    They went back to Tai He pavilion; it wasn¡¯t yet nighttime, when it was the busiest, but the hall was still packed.

    The two of them went up to the second floor.

    He didn¡¯t know that his current reputation was not inferior to Chatterbox¡¯s. When he stepped upstairs many people quickly took notice of him.

    There were no cultivators probing them with their Divine Sense, as they feared the consequences, and there were no unrestrained nces at him, due to respect.

    After a short time, the raucous teahouse quieted down until you could hear a pin drop.

    In front of him emerged a robe painted with an ink sshedndscape.

    They wanted to go up, the other wanted to go down.

    The staircase was broad, with ample space for three people side-by-side.

    But the other party obviously had no intention of admitting defeat and backing down.

    Yin Biyue lifted his head to see.

    At first sight, the most noticeable thing about him was not his face but his sword.

    Sword of Wind and Rain.

    Zhong Shan.

    1) ¿ÝÄ¾·ê´º¾÷ ¨C I¡¯ve interpreted as something like aback from a deste situation, but it could be some kind of self reviving spell?? Honestly in this context I don¡¯t know, but it¡¯s not important since it¡¯s never mentioned again.

 Chapter 32 - Confrontation

    Ch. 32 Confrontation

    Just as they entered the tea house¡ªthe storytelling, the mour, the tter of chopsticks, and the sound of lidded teacups, all strangely fell silent.

    The shouting and hawking from the distant street drifted in through the delicately carved windows, so far as if from another world.

    Here, there were noments and no prying eyes.

    Evidently they were standing on the stairs in the center of the tea house, both the up and downstairs halls full of guests; but they all meticulously avoided speaking about them, giving them the illusion that there was no one else present.

    Within this silence, Zhong Shan moved to the side and took a couple step down.

    He originally stood above them and opened his mouth to speak. Duan Chongxuan and Yin Biyue could only look up at him

    But he didn¡¯t do that.

    Instead, he walked down a few more steps, moved to the side, and gave a perfectly executed half greeting.

    Yin Biyue lead Duan Chongxuan in peacefully returning the greeting.

    It seemed like the entire tea house heaved a sigh of relief.

    However, Duan Chongxuan¡¯s brow hadn¡¯t been able to rx before Zhong Shan spoke towards Yin Biyue. His tone was acerbic, like swords scraping on stone.

    ¡°I learned to wield a sword at age four¡±

    Yin Biyue stared nkly. He was... introducing himself???

    He didn¡¯t understand what Zhong Shan meant to do, but since he was speaking sincerely, he also should listen sincerely.

    So, he nodded his head to signify that he was listening.

    Zhong Shan continued, ¡°I learned my first set of sword techniques at age six, achieved Qi Condensation stage at age ten, and Marrow Cleansing stage at age fourteen. I mastered the sword young, with no equal under the Soul Condensing stage.

    The tea house could not hold back their intake of breath.

    This talent was enough to make any person arrogant, but Yin Biyue could see that this person in front of him was only stating facts without any intention of showing off.

    This was a genuine self-confidence.

    Authentic self-confidence that doesn¡¯t need any showing off to earn others¡¯ acknowledgment, because one already approves of himself.

    ¡°Before age sixteen, I always assumed I would be a disciple of the Sword Saint¡±

    tter¡ª

    In the now quiet room, someone was shocked into dropping a teacup, shattering the porcin and spilling tea everywhere.

    Yin Biyue still didn¡¯t speak, even with these words full of provocative intent.

    ¡°The Sword Saint picked you over me, yet I do not think that you are stronger than me.¡±

    ¡°This made me envious.¡±

    ¡°This Flower Picking Festival, I had hoped for a battle with the young lord1.¡±

    The words had barely fallen from his mouth before a magnificent ze of battle aura surged forth!

    The pressure of his cultivation realm was strictly controlled, and not one iota leaked out

    Yin Biyue calmly faced his opposition.

    He thought; he already understood a little of what kind of person Zhong Shan is.

    He is not like those in Bao Pu Sect, who will scheme behind the backs of others and spread rumors, or make some treacherous moves in the shadows .

    Envy is precisely envy, unwillingness is just unwillingness.

    There isn¡¯t such a thing to be ashamed of; everything is spoken out loud openly and clearly.

    I don¡¯t acknowledge you, so I will fight you.

    If you have strength, fight me until you convince me.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s gaze one againnded on Zhong Shan¡¯s de.

    Daring to face his heart, even while inside the bustling tea house, and to talk about his candid thoughts as though no one else was present¡ªwithout any care for if he suffers criticism and ridicule.

    Perhaps only this kind of person could use that sword.

    But Duan Chongxuan obviously did not think that.

    Before Yin Biyue managed to stop him, he had already started speaking.

    ¡°¡®A battle with the young lord?¡¯ Your cultivation realm is greater than my shixiong¡¯s by several levels. Have you no shame?¡±

    ¡°Given what you¡¯ve said, the most unsuitable to be the Sword Saint¡¯s disciple should be me, but as it happens, I am his disciple. Why? There¡¯s nothing I can do, it¡¯s just that my fate is good! My dad pleaded with the Academy Director to write a letter, letting me into Xi Hua Peak. I entered through back door connections.¡±

    ¡°What could I possibly do? Commit suicide on my sword, and reincarnate to begin again? Or to forever feud with my dad, severing father-son rtions?

    Yin Biyue stared nkly.

    Zheng Shan also stared nkly.

    The entire room full of guests did not dare to let out a single breath.

    Then, Zhong Shan seriously thought about it, ¡°What you say does make sense...¡±

    ¡°What sense!¡±

    Suddenly, from behind Zhong Shan scrambled out a youth wearing the ink sshed mountains and rivers of the Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s uniform. His hand carried a sword, trembling in anger.

    From the beginning, he was standing behind Zhong Shan on the staircase with them.

    It was just that not many noticed him before, due to the power and radiance of the others.

    Now that he suddenly spoke out, everyone noticed him: Zhong Shan¡¯s shidi from the same sect, ¡°Flying Feather Sword¡±, Cheng Tianyu.

    This youthshed out furiously, ¡°My shixiong¡¯s cultivation is high because he cultivated diligently! It didn¡¯t fall from the heavens! What is there to be sorry about? Even if your shixiong started cultivatingter, and so his cultivation isn¡¯t as great, that¡¯s just being bornter! My shixiong was just born earlier! There¡¯s nothing he can do, it¡¯s just that his fate is good!

    Cheng Tianyu was very angry.

    Earlier, when his shixiong was speaking, he obviously couldn¡¯t interrupt. He could only stand behind him.

    But, to hear his shixiong say that the other made sense, he was immediately angered so much that all etiquette flew out of the window.

    Yin Biyue thought to himself; shit.

    He never had the intention to start a fight, but the verbal conflict started too quickly. He didn¡¯t even have the time to react before these two raised their hackles as if they had eaten bitter medicine.

    The more the steamed bun-faced youth Cheng Tianyu spoke, the angrier he got. ¡°You Hua Sect people are really too much. Not only did your third shixiong Yan Xing dirty my Song-shixiong¡¯s purity before, and now to go so far as to ......¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡±

    All of the people followed the sound of the voice and found that, at the door, actually stood the Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s young master Song.

    His breath was slightly unsteady, either from anger or from the urgency of rushing over.

    What shocked people, even more, was that Cang Ya¡¯s head disciple was also with him.

    Luo Mingchuan stood there with a serene and dignified expression.

    In the instant Yin Biyue saw him, his worry immediately dissipated.

    It¡¯s good that he came...... it wouldn¡¯t devolve into a fight now that he came.

    He actually did not know how to deal with this kind of situation, and now he could justpletely rely on Luo Mingchuan.

    Cheng Tianyu was suddenly clear-headed after the first sound of reprimand and realized he was saying such shameful words in such a public, crowded area; his face immediately flushed thoroughly red as he stammered, ¡°Song-shixiong......¡±

    Song Tang intoned, ¡°Get down.¡±

    Chong Tianyu silently walked down the stairs, Zhong Shan following after him.

    Luo Mingchuan said nothing.

    Yin Biyue just brought Duan Chongxuan downstairs as well.

    Duan Chongxuan earlier was so incited by Zhong Shan¡¯s battle aura that he was unable to govern his words. Now that he was cool-headed, he felt that it was kind of disgraceful and embarrassing to be ogled like a trick monkey for so long.

    So, he stood behind Luo Mingchuan acting as if he were mute.¡±

    Song Tang gave a half bow, saying ¡°Shidi is young, hemitted a great offense.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu stood behind his body and also lowered his head and feigned mute.

    Luo Mingchuan moved to the side, refusing this bow, and returned a half bow, replying ¡°I dare not. It was my sect thatmitted the greater offense.¡±

    These two people tranquilly finished exchanging bows, their faces undisturbed as if nothing had ever urred.

    For a moment, the entire tea house full of people all thought that the earlier conflict in the stairwell was merely an illusion borne from their imaginations.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan left the tea house and the three Qing Lu Sword Sect disciples speeding away in the opposite direction.

    Duan Chongxuan silently followed.

    This kind of feeling was like...... two household¡¯s spoiled brats having a spat and being retrieved by their respective parents.

    Yin Biyue was struck by fear by his own passing thought.

    The entire walk was silent until the Qiu Lake¡¯s small courtyard, beneath countless magnolias.

    Not the least bit mentioning the previous altercation, Luo Mingchuan instead turned around and told Yin Biyue, ¡°The results from drawing lots came out. Shidi, you received a bye2.¡±

    Chatterbox¡¯s attentionpletely shifted.

    ¡°How could this be? Weren¡¯t there exactly eighty-one groups?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan exined, ¡°Prior to the drawing, a person forfeited due to a heavy injury, so there was one extra bye to directly enter the next round. As it turns out, no one drew shidi.¡±

    Yin Biyue blinked. He unexpectedly gets to directly advance. What luck.

    Duan Chongxuan smiled, ¡°Sure enough, fourth-shixiong is protected by the heavens.

    No no no, wait a minute. This was only the second round. Topletely use up his good karma now, what will be der?

    Luo Mingchuan spoke again, ¡°Duan-shidi, Lian Jian Sect¡¯s Xu Guang was matched with you. The first match four days from now.

    Compared with other sects, Lian Jian Sect is considered to be a sect with more female cultivators, with the Luo Xia Peakposed entirely of female disciples. But overall, there were still more male disciples.

    Duan Chongxuan obviously heard of this person before, and smiled, saying, ¡°A spiritual cultivator of Lian Jian. Perfect, I wanted to umte a bit of experience battling against spiritual cultivators.

    From this, Yin Biyue now knew that he didn¡¯t intend to use any external tools like talismans; therefore he warned Duan Chongxuan, ¡°There¡¯s still a few days, be sure to prepare well.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, fourth-shixiong,¡± Chatterbox reassured. He smiled at Luo Mingchuan and went into the room. He could discern that Luo Mingchuan wanted to speak to his shixiong.

    Thus, there were only two people left in the courtyard.

    Not only did Luo Mingchuan have words to say, he also had something to gift.

    But looking at the person in front of him, he suddenly didn¡¯t know how to start.

    ¡°Who was Luo-shixiong matched with?¡± The first to speak, instead, was Yin Biyue. He was genuinely curious about Luo Mingchuan¡¯s next battle.

    Luo Mingchuan answered, ¡°A Xin Shan Temple Buddhist cultivator. The third match tomorrow.¡±

    Another spell of silence, neither side saying anything.

    Yin Biyue suddenly noticed that Luo Mingchuan¡¯splexion was a little abnormal. His ears were red, and his eyes shifted from side to side.

    ......it¡¯s not heatstroke again is it?

    Although he couldn¡¯t sense heat due to practicing the Frigid Water Sword, he could tell that today¡¯s sun was sweltering.

    He hurriedly said, ¡°Quickly go back and rest Luo-shixiong. You still have topete tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°......okay.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan turned face, took a few steps, then turned back again. ¡°Shidi.¡±

    His wide robe sleeves draped down, concealing the bead in his hand. His hand tightened increasingly painfully around the pearl.

    Yin Biyue was just about to leave when he heard and paused. ¡°En?¡±

    ¡°......It¡¯s nothing. You also get some rest.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan returned to his room and sat dejectedly in front of the table.

    On the table sat a exquisitely formed, polished, bead, shining with an deep ruby glow.

    ¡°Shidi, this is a li3 fire bead; if you wear every day, you will never suffer the pain of overflow of cold energy ever again.¡±

    Such a simple sentence, he¡¯s thought it over so many times¡ªhow is it that he could not say it out loud?

    Ever since that time when they returned to Qiu Lake together, he searched information about the li fire bead. These kinds of beads are produced at the mouths of the Eastern Continent¡¯s volcanoes and dispels cold energy. The cultivators that lived on the edge of the snowy ins often wore them. But Ye city had a mild and humid climate, the winters were never severe, so there was a dearth of li fire beads. Fortunately, today he met Song Tang who was more familiar with Ye city, and he managed to buy it on the ck market.

    On the way back, they glimpsed a multitude of people crowded outside the TaiHe pavillion, whispering but not daring to enter. He concentrated his attention toward themotion, he and Song Tang rushed over and saw that everyone was alright.

    The spectator sees clearly, he saw that even though Zhong Shan had the intent to battle but no malice. Instead, it was Duan Chongxuan and Cheng Tianyu who nearly came to blows.

    Zhong Shan had already made a decision in his heart regarding this matter. It was only that he couldn¡¯t tell his method to resolve it to his shidi for the time being.

    The Flower Picking Festival¡¯s winner can only be his shidi.

    These matters, no matter how difficult, will inevitably have clues and methods to resolve them. But......

    Luo Mingchuan took a look at the bead on the table. Why does he not want to give it to his shidi?

    Maybe, he feels, if he¡¯s always by his shidi¡¯s side then he can disperse the cold energy himself, so it isn¡¯t necessary?

    Or is it...... some other reason.

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t dare to continue contemting the details. He keeps feeling that if he gave it any further thought, he wille to an answer that he cannot face.

    Thus, he rose to go meditate. He murmured the ¡®Clear Mind Script,¡¯ and then began to cultivate.

    In a room separated by one courtyard, Yin Biyue also sat in meditation.

    Today he confronted Zhong Shan¡¯s boundless battle aura and he felt that the barrier between this stage and the next had weakened.

    He knew that the current him is not enough to defeat Zhong Shan.

    He needs to break through.

    1) The word Zhong Shan used to refer to Yin Biyue was ¾ý, and basically just means a respected/upright person (or of noble character) but it¡¯s a little difficult to properly trante since there¡¯s so many facets to this word. You¡¯re wee to search it up to get a better grasp!

    2) a bye, in sports, is when someone draws a nk for their opponent. It¡¯s clear from the context but a couple people asked about this and I¡¯m letting you know it¡¯s 100% not a typo.

    3) This is the same li as the li fire sword that He Lai used. Because of the reference to the trigram li before, I¡¯ve chosen to interpret it this way. It could also be ¡°to leave¡± or an archaic way of saying divine beast. If in the future we discover that I was wrong we can remedy this haha.

 Chapter 33 - Breakthrough

    Chapter 33 ¨C Breakthrough

    The roaring wavesved at the sand. The Flower Picking Festival has progressed into the second round with the number of disciples reduced by half. There were some who were behind closed-doors to heal, and some in the process of organizing their revtions of the battles in the first round. And there were some small sects already left Ye City as a group because the entire sect had no disciples who were able to advance to the second round.

    The disciples who werepeting lessened, but Ye City¡¯s popce did not shrink in the slightest.

    Instead, many came.

    The strong cultivators of the older generations came to see the level to which the current youths in cultivation world could reach; whether the Academy Director¡¯s ¡®Steris Era¡¯ had arrived.

    In order to encourage their same-sect disciples, some fellow cultivators of thepetitors who previously participated in the Flower Picking Festival would recount their own battle experiences to their shidi.

    On this day, the sun beat down fiercely with oppressive summer heat.

    A group of cyan-robed cultivators arrived in Ye City.

    They weren¡¯t here for thepetition nor were they here to encourage disciples of the same sect.

    They came here to meet somebody.

    ¡°That Yin Biyue, has a bye this round?¡±

    The person who asked was polishing his sword in front of the table.

    The sword was extremely long. The body was jet-ck and reflected no light; it was as if it¡¯s body hadpletely absorbed the fallen rays from the sun outside the window.

    It was not just the sword, the person who was polishing the sword was the same. He sat beside the window, sunlight fleeing from his body.

    Although it was a question, his expression was indifferent; not even sparing a nce to the person beside him.

    ¡°Yes, shixiong.¡± He Lai could now leave the bed, his injuries nearly healed. He stood beside the table, expression solemn.

    The youth who posed the question didn¡¯t speak anymore. His eyes remained on the sword.

    After a long time, long enough for He Lai¡¯s back to be coated in cold sweat, about to sumb to the formless pressure beside him, the youth spoke,

    ¡°The matter will end here. From now on, practice your sword diligently; don¡¯t disgrace us again.¡±

    He Lai was overjoyed. He flung his sleeves upward in respect as he bowed,

    ¡°Yes! Thank you shixiong! Thank you shixiong!¡±

    He knew the meaning of ¡®matters will end here¡¯ was not that it would be allowed to pass; instead, it was an agreement to resolve by extermination ¡ª so the matter will end there.

    The youth waved his hand and indifferently said, ¡°Withdraw..¡±

    He Lai collected his sleeves and withdrew while bowing.

    After he left, Bao Pu Zong¡¯s supervising elder approached, halting at a respectful distance and whispered, ¡°You have decided to lend a hand?¡±

    If in ordance with seniority, this type of situation was ridiculous.

    Yet in Bao Pu Zong, no one felt it was strange.

    The youth frowned slightly; he knew what the sentence was referring to¡ªurging him to not make a lethal move, so as to not offend the Sword Saint.

    Thus, he said, ¡°I will not kill him.¡±

    Bao Pu Zong¡¯s elder sighed in relief; his wrinkled face smoothed and he retreated silently.

    The youth continued to polish the sword.

    He had said to have mercy, this was true.

    But seriously injuring, crippling, rupturing spirit veins. These were all considered nonlethal.

    ***********

    Flower Picking Festival¡¯s second round had already begun, and Ye City had two matters that had circted most widely.

    The first was of the Sword of Wind and Rain and the Sword Saint disciple¡¯s confrontation on a narrow path1 that resulted in a publicly dered challenge.

    Because at the time, both parties were pulled apart by their respective shixiong, the matter reached no conclusion. However, everybody believed Zhong Shan and Yin Biyue would eventually fight. It was a pity that Yin Biyue was to advance into the next round with a bye, it truly made people regretful.

    In contrast, the second news caused the people¡¯s hearts to shudder. It was said someone in the northern part of Ye City, at the XingShui bridge, saw Zheng Wei, whose rank was second in ¡®Bao Pu¡¯s Seven Sons¡±.

    The rumor¡¯s authenticity invited heavy skepticism and many refused to believe that Zheng Wei would leave the mountain in order to watch the Flower Picking Festival.

    If he was really here, then what does he want to do? Does he want to kill someone again?

    But this was Ye City. Was he actually going to challenge the city owner¡¯s authority?

    Regardless of who did or did note, up till now, the Flower Picking Festival continued onwards regrly.

    The battles in the second round were more hair-raising and intense. In order to create a better viewing experience, out of the original four martial arenas, only two were opened, thus the course ofpetition was slowed by arge degree.

    There were no time restrictions nor ties now. Equally matched opponents sometime could fight from the early morning all the way to sundown until the victor was made clear.

    Within this kind of intensity, the fight between Luo Mingchuan and Xing Shan Temple¡¯s Pu Hong appeared to be all the more unusual.

    ording to the spectators, Cang Ya head-disciple did not use his sword nor Disciplinary Whip, instead, used a type of martial art and palm technique to break Xing Shan temple¡¯s well-known Merciful Palm. The two fought halfway, then simultaneously stopped, and began to discuss Buddhist doctrines.

    The people below the stage listened, and was unable to understand why. It was as if they gazing into mist shrouded peaks.

    A Cang Ya disciple and a Xing Shan Temple buddhist cultivator debating Buddhist doctrines sounded ridiculous. Yet at sundown, Pu Hong unexpectedly smiled in a sh of understanding, voluntarily surrendered, and stepped off stage.

    This round of extraordinary debate on dharma was not seen by Yin Biyue.

    Because he was presently meditating at the pinnacle of self reflection, and already entered a kind of profound realm.

    Yin Biyue, inside the room, was close-eyed in careful concentration. Observing the external world, he could see the grain of the blue jade table, the mild rustle of the fallen and damaged magnolia petals in the middle of the courtyard, and the glistening reflection of the crystalline Lake Qiu. He could see thousands of mansions and the endless stream of horses and carriages within Ye City.

    Returning to observe his own body, he saw his heart beat, his core energy circte, and his blood surge.

    But not with his eyes.

    What is seen with the eyes may not be reality.

    He used his soul to look, therefore, nothing could be hidden.

    He felt the rushing core energy surging in his veins. It tumbled past like rivers that break mountains and split stones, carrying a bone piercing chill. For the first time in his life, this kind of chill did not bring suffering, rather, it gave him a refreshing,fortable feeling.

    He guided them; guiding the flow of core energy into theher realm, like thousands of streams ultimately returning to the vast ocean.

    In a split second, he saw the illusion of heavens and earth merging.

    However, in the boundless ocean, where was the end?

    This was Yin Biyue¡¯s fourth day behind closed-doors.

    The temperature in the courtyard had already dropped down to that of an autumn¡¯s day. The gstone had gathered a thin sheet of frost, and the magnolia, unable to endure the invasive chill, shed a carpet of blooms. A gust of freezing wind resembled a thousand hills of snowy waves thrashing against the shore.

    Luo Mingchuan stood under the tree, unflustered. ¡°He¡¯s seated in self-reflection, shidi is going to break through.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan solemnly spoke, ¡°It¡¯s a pity I still have a fight to attend; I¡¯ll leave fourth shixiong here to you.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan nodded his head, his eyes resolute. Yet under his sleeves, his fist was tightly clenched; palms coated with cold sweat.

    He knew shidi¡¯s breakthrough had already arrived at the critical point, unable to bear the slightest mishap.

    Cang Ya disciples most likely were around the martial arena watching, so currently, no one was training their sword around Lake Qiu. The courtyard contained no voices; empty and deste.

    After Duan Chongxuan had left, the courtyard overlooking theke was left with only Luo Mingchuan himself.

    Not only were there autumn frost and falling flowers, but Luo Mingchuan¡¯s wide sleeves also slightly swayed in the breeze.

    When the summer heat wave blew over, it immediately turned to the rustling autumn wind.

    The chill became heavier; so much so that in its midst, drifted out the twisting strands of sword aura. It was Frigid Water Sword¡¯s sword intent that had started to spill.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s heart stopped.

    Shidi was using the sword? Could it be that during breakthrough he was met with some hindrance?

    Yin Biyue¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

    Theher realm was the ocean, yet it was not the end. Breakthrough was breaking the mental barrier, naturally he must see his own heart.

    Thus, his spiritual sense floated atop the ocean. It was his first time seeing this vast ocean within his body.

    He knew every cultivator, after breaking through Soul Condensing Stage, would all possess their own ¡®ocean¡¯. The whole body¡¯s core energy was stored in here; it flowed through every vein, cycled around, and once again reunited with the ocean.

    As long as his life did not end, the ocean would not be desate. But it was only during a breakthrough period would this ocean be ¡®seen¡¯.

    At this time, his ocean was shrouded by a nket of fog, hiding the sky and blotting out the sun. He wanted to see through everything clearly, yet he does not have the ability¡ªfor he was not the master of this ocean.

    He didn¡¯t undergo the suffering and difficulties of Qi Condensation, Marrow Cleansing, nor Soul Condensing.

    He did not know as to why Sword Saint took him as a disciple, why the Director wanted to kill Luo Mingchuan. Even as to... why he initially wanted to be a viin.

    There were too many perplexities, too many questions.

    His mental barrier hadn¡¯t been broken, so the fog still remained.

    **********

    The weather outside the courtyard was stifling hot. The entire Ye City was like a steamer basket, steaming the people that they couldn¡¯t even gasp for air.

    Suddenly, the sky turned dim. The wind poured from all four directions, whipping about banners andnterns of a small pavilion, whirling up the thin clothing hanging from the bamboo pole, ripping the tobo nts five miles out from Lake Qiu asunder.

    No one knew who opened a window and shouted, ¡°It¡¯s going to rain! ¡ªgo home, close your windows, and collect your clothes!¡±

    The instant the words were spoken, a p of thunder came exploding from the distant wilderness! The mour on the street instantly cleared.

    Summer rain at Southern Continent was just as so; swift as a roaming dragon. The unceasing roll of thunder with a hail of bean-sized water droplets beat down, whilst kicking up dust into a dance. The curtains of rain quickly converged together, and the whole of Ye City was caged within the howling storm.

    The force of gale and thunder could send down enough sorrow to scrub clean heaven and earth.

    Separated by a curtain of rain, both parties on the martial arena greeted each other.

    The disciples off the stage circted core energy around their body to protect themselves from the rainwater.

    As for the Eastern spectator stand, not even the ground was damp.

    Atop the stage, Duan Chongxuan sped his hands in greeting, ¡°Please, enlighten me.¡±

    However, Xu Guang asked, ¡°I heard thebustion talisman draws mes from the heavens for its creation, so rainwater cannot prate it. Is that true?¡±

    Duan Chongxuan faltered. He thought the other person was simply curious so he frankly responded, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Xu Guang directly turned back towards the disciple attendant and yelled out, ¡°I surrender! ¡ª¡±

    Duan Chongxuan was thoroughly stunned because.... He wasn¡¯t going to use any talisman anyway!

    After Xu Guang stepped off the stage, he turned to Lian Jian disciple beside him and said, ¡°In any case, I was already lucky to have passed the first round. Facing this person with an unknown amount of talismans... best to let the people in the Qing Lu Sword Sect, who take glory for life, fight him.¡±

    That disciple revealed a sympathizing look, ¡°To be honest, even if you won, would those shijie let you go?¡±

    Xu Guang saw those shijie and shimei beaming at the tform, eyes shining. After reflecting a bit, he thought it made sense.

    Duan Chongxuan cupped his hand toward the audience, turned around, and rushed back to Lake Qiu.

    The storm came down upon Lake Qiu, raising thousandyered ripples, and schools of crimson carp rose to the surface. The ash-gray shingles of thekeside courtyards were lost under the hazy rainwater like they were shrouded with a cloud of blue smoke.

    Rainwater trailed the eaves, dripped down in a connected string of pearls. It dropped onto the stone step in front of the house. Once it fell into the courtyard, it became the harsh autumn rain.

    Autumn winds and autumn rains gues the people with worry.

    At this moment, however, the worry was not from the autumn rain. It was the murderous intent that prated from behind that veil of rain.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s hand was already sped around his sword¡¯s hilt.

    It was rare for him to hold his sword, yet the movement was smooth and natural.

    His eyes locked onto the eaves opposite of him. There stood a person; cyan-clothed holding a long sword, his apathetic expression shook one¡¯s heart.

    The wind and rain withdrew, unable to even get within three feet of his body.

    No one saw how he arrived. It was as if he, in the blink an eye, materialized from thin air.

    Yin Biyue had previously set up arrays around the courtyard and an ear-splitting sound came shrieking from all four directions. Whenbined with the sound of wind and rain, it was particrly shrilling.

    The air that reeked of extinction and death enveloped the entire small courtyard.

    If one had not killed thousands of people, there wouldn¡¯t be such a concentrated murderous intent.

    Luo Mingchuan saw his robes and sword and recognized this person as Zheng Wei.

    Thus, he no longer held on to his sword.

    It was because a strike towards Zheng Wei would not be faster than the strike Zheng Wei, who stood on the eaves, would pierce towards the person inside the room.

    In the room was shidi in the midst of breakthrough.

    The year Zheng Wei became famous, there was no ¡®Seven Sons of Bao Pu¡¯. At the time, two of the Seven Son hadn¡¯t even been born yet.

    Unlike those who became famous through cultivation orbat, Zhang Wei became famous through ughter.

    As a result, many people came to a consensus: Zheng Wei¡¯s hobby was neither cultivating nor sword training, it was to kill people.

    The person standing on the eaves, gaze remote, seemed to watch theke and rain.

    Because in his eyes, regardless of if it was Luo Mingchuan, who was in Breakthrough Stage, or Yin Biyue within his room, in the process of stage breakthrough, or even Duan Chongxuan who was outside the courtyard wall struggling to walk , they were all like ants and mayflies, easily killed at any time. They were not worth watching.

    Why not take a look at theke; why not take a look at the storm.

    Duan Chongxuan had yet to draw near Lake Qiu before he felt the sea of murderous intent. He started a mad dash toward the courtyard; through the immense curtain of rain, kicking up numerous sshes of water, yet he was blocked outside of the courtyard wall.

    A formless, severe coldness was sealed inside. He wanted to advance one step further, but was unable to lift his leg. He felt as if his body was being crushed beneath a mountain. Without a shred of hesitation, he opened up a paper umbre.

    Opening the umbre naturally wasn¡¯t for sheltering him from the rain. The mountain became thousand jin boulders. Duan Chongxuan, under the umbre, staggered on.

    He had guessed who it was on the roof. A Lesser Vessel Stage person would have been forced back three feet, let alone his current Soul Condensing Stage.

    But he couldn¡¯t retreat. Because his shixiong was still inside.

    Duan Chongxuan wanted to pull out his sword. Except, the hand that went inside his sleeve came up empty. For the first time in his life, he regretted he wasn¡¯t diligent in cultivating. Because he realized that when facing Zhen Wei, holding any kind of sword was useless.

    Thus, he gripped the umbre with one hand, and the other raised up a single arrow. With his present cultivation, he knew inly that this arrow could prate the wall and the energy barrier, but it wouldn¡¯t necessarily touch that person¡¯s flesh.

    At this moment, he finally acknowledged his father¡¯s words, ¡°Although heavenly aids are good, you must still be alive to use them.¡±

    The storm worsened, and the roar of thunder rolled across the wilderness.

    Within the room was Yin Biyue, immersed in the realm of Self Transcendence. He couldn¡¯t sense the wind and rain, yet could feel the murderous intent. It was like a steel needle, puncturing through the roof and, with unmatched sharpness, fell precisely onto his back.

    The sword¡¯s de was at his back, yet he was trapped with no path of retreat.

    Not only him, but under the magnolia, outside the courtyard wall, they were all trapped.

    The person on the roof recognized Duan Chongxuan¡¯s umbre and arrow. His brows raised slightly, but his eyes remained stagnant.

    He didn¡¯t think the nerve to hold up the arrow was courageous. On the contrary, he believed it was stupid. Ants and mayflies struggling for something they know is impossible, can only struggle in vain.

    Luo Mingchuan no longer held his sword, but he watched Zheng Wei. The color of his pupils slowly changed from warm amber to a deep, abyssal ck; bizarre yet natural. If Yin Biyue was here, he would recognize it as Jian Lan Spiritual Pupil Arts. Sight, at least, would be faster than the sword.

    Yin Biyue knew that the best strategy was to abandon his breakthrough. But he didn¡¯t want to. He didn¡¯t want to understand the knowns and the unknowns of these riddles. He didn¡¯t want to understand answers to those questions. He didn¡¯t even want to care for the murderous intent piercing down his back.

    He only wanted to live a good life in this world. He wanted strength.

    Thus, he drew his sword and began straightforwardly chopping! The dense fog did not dissipate, based on what would he breakthrough?

    If he couldn¡¯t look through it, then he¡¯d hack through it!

    He still sat on the praying mat, eyes closed. Yet, above that extensive ocean, YiHu Jian had unsheathed with a mournful wail!

    At the same time, Luo Mingchuan and Duan Chongxuan felt the aura inside the room skyrocket as Frigid Water Sword¡¯s intention came crashing out.

    Hanging by a thread, his breakthrough was left with only one more step. If the person atop the eaves wanted to strike, this was the best moment!

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s pupil hadpletely transformed into an abyssal obsidian and Duan Chongxuan¡¯s arrow had already been charged to bursting with core energy.

    However, in a split second, the storm of heaven and earth instantly went quiet.

    The figure up on the ledge nced to the city¡¯s south side. Frowning somewhat, he then unexpectedly vanished into the falling curtain of rain.

    The extinguishing, cial killing intent had also left without a trace, dispersed like the falling tide.

    The roof tiles he stood on were quickly dampened by the rainwater.

    Besides the wind and rain, it was as if nothing had ever been in the courtyard

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s mental strain was suddenly rxed and he stumbled two steps before he regained his bnce. In many people¡¯s eyes, to face the earth-shattering pressure from a Lesser Vessel Stage and not recoil, was inconceivable.

    Duan Chongxuan, outside the courtyard wall, heaved a sigh of relief as he held onto the wall and sat in the muddy water, unable to endure any longer. The decrepit paper umbre was tossed aside. The hair on his forehead was soaked with sweat and rainwater.

    Zheng Wei seemed as if he came inexplicably and went inexplicably. That was because with their current cultivation stage, it was impossible to understand the confrontations between Lesser Vessels.

    Luo Mingchuan dared to rx because he was aware that when Zheng Wei left, he nced in the direction of the city owner¡¯s residence.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s sword had already cut its way to the ocean surface. His sword cut fearlessly through the thick fog!

    The jade sea possessed no waves, and behold the road to dwellings of gods. In an instant, spotless light shone endlessly!

    His body became graceful andfortable. The gale swelled, and the heavenly spiritual auras twisted together as they approached. Through a breath, it transformed into core energy, gurgling into the immense ocean. From that vast and boundless ocean emerged ted waves, filled to double the volume and a little more.

    He calmly guided every strand of core energy that circted his veins until all was serene.

    Summer showers were the most hurried. From the time which the rain waned to stoppingpletely, was less than the time to drink a cup of tea.

    The heavy clouds parted, revealing a clear evening.

    Emerging from the west was a clean light filling the entire sky. Interwoven with dewdrops and mist, it sprinkled towards the earth.

    Ye City gradually started to bustle; the hollers from peddlers once again rang out, the children were treading puddles on feldgrau bricks, and people carried out round stools to sit beside the streets, enjoying the long-overdue cool air.

    Zhong Ming Mountain base¡¯s Flower Picking Festivalpleted a day¡¯s battle. Each sect¡¯s disciples started to scatter, walking toward the city center with sighs of relief praising the timely rain that would wash away the torrid heat for the next half a month.

    Beside Lake Qiu, Yin Biyue pushed open the door.

    Luo Mingchuan stood underneath the tree; shallow pools umted at his feet, and his robe hem retained speckles of frost. However, his smile was warm, like ten miles of a spring breeze.

    Duan Chongxuan was currently sitting under the tree, panting. Upon seeing hime out, he also smiled.

    ¡°Congrattions to shixiong for breaking through.¡±

    ...

    1) ÏÁÂ·Ïà·ê (confrontation on a narrow path): It implies when two enemies meet, both are unwilling to let the other one go.

 Chapter 34 - Suffering

    Chapter 34 ¨C Suffering

    After offering their congrattions, one naturally couldn¡¯t only report the good news and neglect the bad.

    Thus, without saying much, tacitly, the three started to discuss their concerns.

    Duan Chongxuan mumbled hesitantly, ¡°Zheng Wei came, but then left... My guess would be that the city owner made a move.

    Luo Mingchuan spoke, ¡°That¡¯s right, it is Ye City¡¯s Lord.

    Yin Biyue frowned, ¡°Zheng Wei visited merely because I won against He Lai?

    This was unreasonable.

    Taking the responsibility of victory or defeat in the Flower Picking Festival was an unspoken rule. The higher realmed cultivators of the same sect mighte to watch the fight as encouragement, but never was there a precedent for revenge.

    Duan Chongxuan replied, ¡°Master previously killed five Bao Pu Zong elders at the banks of Ba River; among them was Zheng Wei¡¯s master.¡±

    Yin Biyue knew about this, but it still didn¡¯t make sense.

    Because Bao Pu Zong already endured for many years, why did they choose this time to act.

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯s next sentence turned the atmosphere solemn.

    ¡°News came from the Eastern Continent that half a month ago, somebody saw master enter the Fallen Star Abyss. I only came to know of it three days ago. At that time, shixiong, you were behind closed-doors to break through so I didn¡¯t tell you. But I already sent a letter back to Xi Hua Peak.¡±

    Fallen Star Abyss was a ce where even light could not reach.

    During the Heavenly Cmity period, the fire rained from the sky and chasms open in the earth. Thousands of yearster, numerous abysses fused together once more. Only one continued growing, its length traverse across half of the Southern Continent. No one knew how deep it was because no one ever returned. Therefore, it received its name: Fallen Star.

    ¡°Very few people know of this. I didn¡¯t expect the speed at which Bao Pu Zong acquired this information was also this fast. Their response was simrly extremely quick... I suspect, they believe shifu cannot return.¡±

    Yin Biyue¡¯s mood became heavy.

    He didn¡¯t know what the Sword Saint was doing at the Fallen Star Abyss nor the reason for the journey that never brought him back to the peak for many years. But he inexplicably believed that the Sword Saint¡¯s actions always had their reasons.

    Shifu was probably doing something big.

    However, if the Sword Saint was gone then Bao Pu Zong¡¯s Sage would be the world¡¯s strongest cultivator. Cang Ya, had no Sage.

    Although the sect leader was a Greater Vessel, if discussing marital prowess, he was inferior to Jun Yu, a half-step into Greater Vessel stage.

    This was an exceedingly troublesome matter.

    If their worst conjecture became reality, it wasn¡¯t only them who faced danger, but also Cang Ya.

    The three of them all understood that Zheng Wei¡¯s arrival was simply for reconnaissance.

    In the event that the Sword Saint continues to not appear, it was most likely because he couldn¡¯te.

    This information would be leaked quickly; the overt and covert enemies of the Sword Saint and Cang Ya would all know, and uncountable crises would follow right behind.

    Yin Biyue knew that the first to face these crises would be himself.

    His cultivation was the lowest of the five people in Xi Hua Peak, other than Chatterbox. Yet many knew Duan Chongxuan was brought to Xi Hua Peak by Academy Director¡¯s letter so naturally they assumed he might be the Director¡¯s rtive. Even if the Sword Saint was absent, the Academy would still be present and the Director of the Academy would also be present.

    Bao Pu Zong¡¯s sage would not take direct action; because a stage above sage would have already reached the saint¡¯s realm and thus constrained by the naturalw and must consider karma when doing things.

    Only the Sword Saint¡¯s actions were reckless and thoughtless, hence the reputation of disrespecting the naturalw began to circte secretly.

    This type of person: the number of people who fervently worshipped him and revered him, an equal number hated that he didn¡¯t just go die.

    The first misgiving had already been settled. Yin Biyue still had two matters he couldn¡¯t understand, ¡°Why does it have to be Zheng Wei?¡±

    If the oue of the reconnaissance was the Sword Saint¡¯s appearance, then the first to die would definitely be Zheng Wei.

    This person was so loyal to his sect that it reached the point of sacrificing his own life?

    Regarding each sect¡¯s circumstances, Luo Mingchuan being Cang Ya¡¯s head disciple obviously knew more, ¡°If considering cultivation and martial prowess, it naturally would be the first of the seven sons, Lin Yuangui. But Zheng Wei is the best choice.¡±

    ¡°He had already reached Soul Condensing stage when he was fourteen and invited Lin Yuangui for a fight. His defeat filled him with enough pent-up frustration he then killed three hundred mountain bandits.

    Duan Chongxuanughed coldly when hearing this, ¡°The area surrounding HengDuan Mountain doesn¡¯t have that many bandits; this is all Bao Pu Zong¡¯s words. In my opinion, it¡¯s most likely normal people.¡±

    Yin biyue felt a chill swell in his heart. He reached Soul Condensing stage at fourteen and dared to hold a sword to kill people.

    Luo Mingchuan continued, ¡°he broke through cultivation stages very quickly. Yet rather than describing him as a genius, it¡¯s more suitable to say he¡¯s a monster. Because every time he faced any hindrances during cultivation, he would grab his sword to kill people.¡±

    ¡°After killing too many people, he doesn¡¯t revere life anymore, and that includes his own life. He came this time, admittedly, on behalf of He Lai¡¯s frustration; but more so of his own intention.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan switched another perspective to analyze, ¡°Bao Pu Zong isn¡¯t inplete control over Zheng Wei¡ªthis sharpened sword. Compared to Lin Yuangui who felt a sense of responsibility to the sect, he is more suited to be pushed out and sacrificed at any time.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan originally didn¡¯t think to such a degree, but when he heard what they just said he suddenly understood everything all at once.

    ¡°I was under the impression that it¡¯s because Lin Yuangui couldn¡¯t casually leave the mountain. After all, a portion Bao Pu Zong¡¯s protective array should¡¯ve been handed to him.¡±

    Yin Biyue also believed that this reason was part of it as well. Because of Cang Ya¡¯s protective array, half of it is in the hands of eldest shixiong.

    He used to believe that the things he were least fond of without contention were unscrupulous people like He Lai. But now he discovered that he was wrong; whenpared to Zheng Wei, He Lai seemed more like a normal person.

    Thus, there was only onest question left, ¡°Ye City Lord, why would he help us?¡±

    Because he was friends with the Sword Saint?

    The view from the peak was lonely, even the worldly people will agree. It¡¯s possible that even the Sword Saint¡¯s closest friend, the Academy Director, would be of one mind with him.

    Sword Saint... does he really have friends?

    Duan Chongxuan, from his sleeve, pulled out a small book and flipped a few pages with the ease of familiarity,

    ¡°Third chapter, the twelfth use: To avoid disturbing the citizens and involving them needlessly, cultivators within the city are prohibited from fighting or releasing killing intent for those that are Lesser Vessel and above. If one must contest amongst themselves and fight to the death, please move to the martial arena west of the city or outside the city. Vitors will be punished by the listed code of conduct on chapter six.

    ¡°What is this?¡±

    Duan Chongxuan flipped to the cover, ¡°¡¶Ye City¡¯s City Laws¡·, they were given out for free to foreign cultivators everyday at the city gates. It¡¯s a pity not many people take one.¡±

    Yin Biyue was speechless.

    Luo Mingchuan was also somewhat regretful, ¡°Anyways, it was the Ye City Lord who helped us.¡±

    Zheng Wei also had the same question.

    He didn¡¯t understand why the lord of Ye City made a move. The rtions between the Ye government and the Qing Lu Sword Sect was pretty good. However, he never heard that Ye City government had old connections with Cang Ya.

    With this thousand-mile trek to Ye City, he didn¡¯t n to kill Yin Biyue, but at least he was prepared to seriously injure him.

    But presently, he was very unresigned.

    Thisck of resignation was felt by all of Bao Pu Zong¡¯s disciples.

    As he passed through winding corridors, the dense green vegetation on the two sides began to wilt and lose their leaves; as they seemed to arrive atte fall in an instant.

    Thereupon the entire courtyard beside XingShui Bridge was wrapped in a deathly stillness.

    ************

    Ye Zhiqiu was a very overbearing person.

    This point was known by all who knew him.

    If the matter within wind and rain at Lake Qiu was uring outside the city, he wouldn¡¯t spare it a nce.

    But he forbids others killing people inside his city; even releasing a substantial killing intent was prohibited.

    This was the cityw. One look at that Bao Pu Zong kid and he could tell he didn¡¯t read it.

    Yes, that Greater Vessel Zheng Wei made his name by killing people when he was young. But in Ye Zhiqiu¡¯s eyes, he was just some unruly kid.

    Ye Zheqiu knew of all happenings in this city.

    Maybe in many strong cultivators¡¯ eyes, provoking merchants and releasing killing auras were trivial matters.

    But the city lord didn¡¯t think this way.

    Peddlers and merchants were also his people; releasing a substantial killing intent was to challenge him.

    Ye City Lord, who was drinking tea beneath a tree, enjoying the cool air, slightly knitted his brows together. This was already Bao Pu Zong¡¯s second time not reading the cityws.

    Tsk, transgressions shouldn¡¯t pass three. They shouldn¡¯t vite his bottom line inside this city.

    Thus, he reached out his hand to call for his butler, ¡°Deliver some cityw manuals over to those by XinShui Bridge.¡±

    ***********

    Ever since Zheng Wei came by, Lake Qiu¡¯s courtyard became more silent.

    Yin Biyue became aware Duan Chongxuan seemingly turned diligent overnight. Not only did his chatter decrease, but he even stopped going to the tea pavilion and gambling house.

    More of the time, he was in his room cultivating or asked Luo Mingchuan for guidance on some questions on cultivation.

    Yes, Luo Mingchuan as Cang Ya¡¯s head disciple was well-versed in answering questions and dispersing confusion.

    Although Yin Biyue had also read through the ancient books and faced neither hindrance nor confusion on cultivation, he didn¡¯t know how to teach.

    Duan Chongxuan was not surprised in the slightest, on the contrary, felt it was to be expected, ¡°Eldest shixiong also don¡¯t know how to teach. When I first joined, the way to cleanse veins and purify marrows was taught by shijie. For you geniuses, cultivation is as close as intuition. How do you teach that?¡±

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t feel he was a genius. On the contrary, because shixiong and shijie prodigies came before, it further became a formless pressure he put onto himself.

    At night, when practicing beside Lake Qiu, his sword intent unexpectedly had one or two portions of ruthlessness of burning boats at sea.

    They all had the tacit understanding that it was impossible to stay forever in Ye City which prohibited fighting. If the world¡¯s power bnce were to change, Xi Hua Peak¡¯s shijie and shixiong will always have more important things to do.

    In this kind of tense atmosphere, to see Luo Mingchuan who was as calm and steady as before, Yin Biyue would then also calm down and unlikely to go so far as to be fretful and anxious.

    He knew Luo Mingchuan¡¯s cultivation progress was steady, his mental state strong; never seeking instantaneous benefit nor engrossed in obtaining power.

    This kind of condition was very good and was the least likely to go astray.

    Until Duan Chongxuan told him in private, ¡°Fourth shixiong, I feel something isn¡¯t right with Luo shixiong recently.¡±

    Yin Biyue was rmed, ¡°How can it be?¡±

    The Chatterbox knitted his brows and said, ¡°I also don¡¯t know just what¡¯s wrong. If I have to say... then it¡¯s probably his expression in his eyes. Back home, when I was young, I saw many people; words and actions all may be fake, yet expressions in the eyes can never lie. I feel Luo shixiong might have a problem with his mind state.¡±

    With Chatterbox¡¯s reminder, Yin Biyue paid more attention. However, he couldn¡¯t see the slightest sign that Luo Mingchuan was different than his previous self.

    Problems with the mental state were a big deal after all, and he couldn¡¯tpletely be rest assured. So he decided he would sit down and have a chat with Luo Mingchuan after the third round of the Flower Picking Festival ends.

    Fully concentrating on cultivation, time flew by, and before his eyes, the third round of the Flower Picking Festival had already ended.

    Cang Ya disciples beside Lake Qiu didn¡¯t know of the crises that happened during the storm and didn¡¯t know the news about the Sword Saint.

    Some were dejected due to being eliminatedst round, and some were in high spirits discussing next round¡¯s drawing results.

    They still trained their swords beside theke, and after a while would chase each other inughter and cursing. While shopping in Ye City, the ones who encountered the youngdies of Lian Jian Zong couldn¡¯t help but nce over a second time. Those on the rooftop, cooling off while looking at the stars, sleep clouding their eyes and cottoning their brains, spoke of being someone important like the Sword Saint in the future.

    Ruan Xiaolian, in the previous round, faced a disciple of Lian Jian Zong and was defeated within half a move. He Yanyun brought some liang gao back and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, when I get into the top ten, I¡¯ll give you my picked leaf!¡±

    Ruan Xiaolian¡¯s eyes immediately brightened up, ¡°Then until you pick your leaf, we¡¯ll make lotus leaf glutinous rice chicken to eat!¡±

    In order to encourage the youths of the cultivation world, Flower Picking Festival¡¯s top ten could also climb the mountain to pick a single lotus leaf, as a symbol of honor.

    He Lianyun wasn¡¯t certain she would reach the top ten, but she patted her chest in a solemn vow, ¡°Of course!¡±

    Ruan Xiaolian smiled happily.

    They weren¡¯t aware in the slightest sense, that using the lotus leaf of honor in the Flower Picking Festival to make chicken, was doing anything wrong.

    Luo Mingchuan was matched with a small sect disciple from the Western Continent border whose cultivation was also below his. It looked like an effortless win for him. .

    Yin Biyue drew Lian Jian Zong¡¯s Chen Yi whose cultivation was simr to his. But his opponent, after all, was Lian Jian Zong¡¯s Sage¡¯s disciple, and should have abat power higher than his realm.

    He frowned a little, yet his confidence didn¡¯t sway.

    When Duan Chongxuan finished drawing, his face looked a bit unwell, ¡°Qing Lu Sword Sect, Cheng Tianyu.¡±

    From Yin Biyue¡¯s mind drifted the image of that fuming, steam-bun-faced youth.

 Chapter 35 - Crossing Swords (1)

    Viin¡¯s White Lotus Halo Chapter 35 ¨C Crossing Swords (1)

    Sorry for no update for a couple weeks. I¡¯ve been through a lot- mostly in the form of pet deaths. I¡¯ve not really been in the mood and I didn¡¯t want to rush through things or show theck of heart I would¡¯ve had in the chapter had I forced myself to do it in that mood.

    Updates will slow to one a week as we head into more busy times (school matters, con season, travel). (Is one a week slow? It seems pretty average as far as most fan trantions go- maybe even.. faster than average? Haha /smacked)

    Please enjoy this chapter! I¡¯m sitting in a coffee shop at 2:30am to do this. :^)

    No new image this chapter. I¡¯m tired and it fits ??

    SYN

    Chapter 35 ¨C Crossing Swords (Part 1)

    Cheng Tianyu was the youngest disciple of the Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s sage.

    During this Flower Picking Festival, it seemed that due to Zhong Shan¡¯s great renown, a lot of people hadn¡¯t noticed Cheng Tianyu. Every time he appeared, he also strictly followed rules and etiquette and seemed perfectly content to stand behind Song Tang and Zhong Shan.

    But this didn¡¯t mean he could be easily defeated; Duan Chongxuan also did not breathe a sigh of relief just because his opponent was young.

    On the contrary, he had watched how Cheng Tianyu performed in battle in the previous round. A sixteen year old Soul Condensingte-stage, he was already formidable enough to shatter the average pace of cultivation.

    Apart from his diligent cultivation and his astounding innate skill, it had to be said that the Qing Lu Sword Sect definitely had a way of teaching its disciples.

    As for this sect, although there would inevitably be the fight against the Sword of Wind and Rain, Yin Biyue was not at all unhappy; on the contrary, he felt a little admiration.

    Everyone knew the Qing Lu Sword Sect disciples were the most hardworking.

    Yin Biyue did not think that Chatterbox would be able to easily defeat his opponent without using talismans.

    Thus, he asked, ¡°Without using external items, what are your chances?¡±

    Chatterbox very honestly said,

    ¡°Seventy percent.¡±

    ¡°Seventy percent you¡¯ll beat him?¡±

    ¡°Seventy percent I¡¯ll be beaten by him.¡±

    ¡°......¡±

    This sounded very embarrassing, but this was just the truth.

    Chatterboxmented, ¡°I saw his battlest round. I really suspect this kid started learning the sword in the womb.¡±

    Luo Mingchuanughed and shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s just that he used the times you spent listening to storytellers and going to gambling dens to practice.¡±

    Chatterbox rubbed his nose; he could not deny that he was right.

    ¡°I honestly regret wasting too much time before. Now I can¡¯t even defeat a small child.¡±

    Yin Biyue could understand. He had guessed very early that Chatterbox¡¯s background was not ordinary; it was likely that he came from a very influential family. If he lived a life of luxury from birth, always being doted on, who would force him to practice in the cold of winter and the heat of summer?

    Although, after Zheng Wei had arrived, Chatterbox seemed like he became diligent overnight, and his progress could be considered godlike.

    But how could half a month of diligence bepared to Cheng Tianyu¡¯s ten-plus years of hard work?

    Fortunately, now Chatterbox already realized his shorings; in terms of his future road of cultivation, it is a good thing.

    Yin Biyue thought that this battle wouldn¡¯t necessarily be hopeless,

    ¡°When I was at the Academy, I studied some sword techniques from the Feathered Mantle Arts. For these few days, I will work with you to find a way to dismantle the techniques.¡±

    Chatterbox¡¯s eyes instantly brightened, ¡°That¡¯s great, fourth shixiong!¡±

    Luo Mingchuan stood off to the side, ¡°Don¡¯t use your core energy for now. Just use your swords. I¡¯lle and take a look.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan understood that they were all going to a lot of trouble for him. His heart was moved, but without saying anything, he picked up his sword.

    ***************************

    Qing Lu Sword Sect, Wutong Court.

    ¡°Duan Chongxuan can easily pull out twentybustion talismans; it must be like a single hair off nine oxen for his family. Thinking back on thatst round, Lian Jian Zong¡¯s Xu Guang also realized this point, so he stepped down and admitted defeat.¡±

    Song Tang sat on the stone bench under a tree. Zhong Shan and Cheng Tianyu stood at his side.

    Song Tang looked at his xiao shidi¡¯s still-tender faces and sighed in his heart.

    Many people felt that a person¡¯s young age was not an issue, but it actually was the biggest issue.

    He understood better than anyone else that at his xiao shidi¡¯s current age, his body¡¯s roots haven¡¯t fully developed. If he were to get seriously hurt, it could easily damage his foundation.

    His dao intent was unsteady. If he encountered a powerful enemy, he would be easily provoked and fall into disarray.

    Cheng Tianyu understood his shixiong¡¯s meaning, so he was silent.

    He thought, since entering the sect, this would be the first time he disobeyed his shixiong.

    The youth¡¯s eyes were red, but his tone was steady,

    ¡°No, I want to fight properly.¡±

    On the side, Zhong Shan pped his shoulder.

    Song Tang stared nkly for a bit; then heughed,

    ¡°Okay, then in that case, properly fight!¡±

    Just now he was thinking too one-sidedly; since this was his xiao shidi¡¯s own choice, he would respect the other¡¯s decision.

    After all, his shidi would have to walk his future path of cultivation alone.

    Song Tang picked up his sword, ¡°Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue graduated from the Academy and have studied three thousand ancient books thoroughly; they are familiar with the forte of the hundred families. You still haven¡¯t grasped the true essence of your Feathered Mantle Sword Arts yet. We still have three days; let¡¯s spar together.¡±

    ****************

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯s battle was the first of the three of them.

    On the day of, they went with the rest of the Cang Ya disciples to the foot of Zhong Ming Mountain.

    However, Ye City¡¯s youngdies and Lian Jian Zong¡¯s female cultivators arrived even earlier than the two parties that would go onstage.

    The third round of the Flower Picking Festival had only forty battles remaining.

    Not only were there no time limits nor rules for stalemates, but to make it easier to watch the battles, only two stages would open each day.

    At present, the sky was bright. Each sect¡¯s disciples filed in one after another.

    However, the morning fog had not yet dissipated, the bell had not yet sounded, and the time to start the matches had not yete.

    Yin Biyue noticed that Duan Chongxuan¡¯splexion wasn¡¯t very good.

    And so he softly asked, ¡°Can you still not defeat him?¡±

    Duan Chongxuan thought, these past few days his two shixiong had spent so much time thinking about his own battle. How could he admit he couldn¡¯t win, letting his shixiong¡¯s energy go to waste?

    He opened his mouth to deny it, ¡°How is that possible!... You saw that day, at the top of the stairs at the teahouse, he stood two steps above us. In the beginning, he was actually still blocked by Zhong Shan, what¡¯s left to exin? He probably can¡¯t even reach my shoulder!¡±

    Duan Chongxuan opened his fan, ¡°I just think, battling with him might look like I¡¯m bullying a small child.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan wore a mildly nk expression.

    The corner of Yin Biyue¡¯s mouth pulled tight; he wanted to warn Chatterbox, but it was already toote.

    Cheng Tianyu aggressively ran over and looked up at him, ¡°Who are you calling a small child?¡±

    Song Tang¡¯s voice called over, ¡°Shidi.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu very unwillingly lowered his head and ran back.

    The elders on the eastern side of the viewing tform had already sat down, and the Qing Lu Sword Sect attending disciple shouted, ¡°Cang Ya Sect¡¯s Duan Chongxuan versus Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s Cheng Tianyu-¡±

    Song Tang patted Cheng Tianyu¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Go; let go and fight.¡±

    There were many people who came to watch this battle.

    Under the Qing Lu Sword Sect sage¡¯s school of arts, Cheng Tianyu was not the first disciple of his to practice the Feathered Mantle Sword Arts; there Song Tang was ten years before him.

    But this time he descended the mountain and entered the world with the Flying Feather Sword in his hand.

    This one point clearly exined what kind of great expectations the sage ced on him. He even thought Cheng Tianyu¡¯s future could be greater than Song Tang¡¯s.

    The older expert cultivators wanted to see the Feathered Mantle Sword Arts, the Qing Lu Sword Sect disciples came to cheer for their xiao shidi, but Lian Jian¡¯s female cultivators wanted to see Duan Chongxuan toss some more talismans.

    The two of them walked up onstage, stood more than ten feet apart, and saluted the other.

    Yin Biyue thought, before they actually start the match, it¡¯s very likely they would first do some trash-talking.

    His premonition was correct.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care how many talismans you have; I won¡¯t admit defeat.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to use talismans,¡± Duan Chongxuan earnestly said. ¡°I just have one question. Have you even had your cor bestowal1 yet?¡±

    The response was the sound of the Flying Feather Sword unsheathing.

    ¡°No matter what the opponent says, it¡¯s all just to provoke you. Don¡¯t pay attention, just unsheathe your sword.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu recalled his shixiong¡¯s words from yesterday, and his expression became calm and solemn.

    He grasped his sword and said, ¡°Please.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯s expression also became serious.

    ¡°Using your words to infuriate your opponent is good, but if you cannot, use your sword to infuriate him instead.¡±

    This is what Luo Mingchuan had said to him earlier.

    Therefore he tucked his folding fan into his sleeve and drew out a sword, ¡°Please.¡±

    Right as he finished speaking, he leapt high into the air.

    A sh of a sword swept across the ten-plus feet between them, apanied by a high whistle that pierced through the air, heading straight for Cheng Tianyu¡¯s face.

    Swiftly yet without a sharp edge, as if the heavens above had dropped a feather.

    Hidden amidst the gracefulness was an intent to kill!

    Below the stage, sounds of shock and disbelief rang out, ¡°Feathered Mantle Sword Arts?!¡±

    ¡°How could he use this sword art?¡±

    No one had imagined that Duan Chongxuan¡¯s first move was unexpectedly the sword art his opponent was an expert in.

    Cheng Tianyu¡¯s expression became slightly cold but was not astonished.

    Without waiting for the feather to fall onto his body he grasped his sword and leapt, and he unexpectedly used his sword point as the center to form a circr barrier.

    In midair, the two swords shed with a wail, the sharp cry resonating in all directions, causing unending shaking!

    The two core energies collided with a massive impact, a strong gust dispersing the morning fog and blowing their robes aflutter.

    ¡°If your opponent first uses the Feathered Mantle Sword, do not panic. That isn¡¯t a genuine Feathered Mantle Sword; it is the basic version that Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue taught him. It is a hollow imitation without the real meaning.¡±

    ¡°Directlypete with his core energy. His cultivation realm may be simr to yours, but the amount and density of core energy cannot bepared to yours!¡±

    Cheng Tianyu grasped his sword steadily, and he thought, shixiong really is amazing. He predicted everything so early on.

    After the swords parted from their sh, in the blink of an eye, they met ten more times.

    The sounds from their collisions were like a storm of swift winds and sudden rain!

    Sparks flew in all directions, shooting out andnding on the stage, and even carved out long thin notches.

    Over ten feet away from the battle stage, through the thick sea of people, Yin Biyue¡¯s eyesnded in the direction of the Qing Lu Sword Sect.

    He knew Song Tang and Zhong Shan had already thought of the first step in and Luo Mingchuan and his n and had taught Cheng Tianyu a countermeasure.

    The shock waves from the core energy were still ongoing; the two des opposing each other, equally matched.

    The Flying Feather Sword was like Lake Qiu, capable of witnessing the sun and moon2; it was once a young sage¡¯s sword, so naturally was a godly weapon of its time.

    But the sword in Duan Chongxuan¡¯s hand was pitch-ck, as if it was scorched during its forging, in silence and with no light.

    In spite of everything, he was not inferior in this battle of core energies; this was really beyond anyone¡¯s expectations.

    ¡°I previously thought he was a spiritual cultivator.... I never imagined he could actually use a sword.¡±

    ¡°What sword is he holding?! It¡¯s actuallypeting with Flying Feather?!¡±

    All the disciples around the stage were unable to recognize this sword.

    But the elders on the viewing tform looked a bit solemn.

    Someone from the house of the city master raised their eyebrows a bit, ¡°Beckoning Fire3?¡±

    ¡°If youpete in core energies to the end, you cannot win against Cheng Tianyu; but you still have topete with him, because in the next move, you must be the first to build up energy, to snatch the initiative!¡±

    Duan Chongxuan remembered fourth shixiong¡¯s words.

    Therefore when their des met again, his body disappeared in midair.

    The Flying Feather Sword met nothing but thin air. The core energy, like crashing waves at high tide, struck the stone stage, and rock fragments and dust suddenly billowed into the air.

    There wasn¡¯t even the shadow of a person within the boundless smoke.

    ¡°So fast!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s Traversing Peaks and Rivers again?¡±

    Yet Cheng Tianyu¡¯s direction of sword strikes didn¡¯t change, and he advanced with his shes.

    Where the sword crossed, a majestic golden light red; like a thousand Flying Feathers madly dancing!

    ¡°Traversing Peaks and Rivers is absolutely not a technique you can learn overnight; if he performs this, it simrly is a simplified version.¡±

    He believed shixiong would not be wrong, so his opponent would definitely still be in his original position.

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯s figure appeared where his sword tip pointed at, but the energy from the sword in his hand was already formed.

    He flicked his wrist horizontally, shing a long straight line in the air.

    The morning fog seemed like it was pulled by the sword, congregating beneath it.

    The Cang Ya disciples excitedly eximed,

    ¡°Rising Fog of Cang Ya!¡±

    This sword technique was Cang Ya swordy¡¯s starting form; it was the very first form every martial-cultivating disciple practiced when they entered the sect.

    Yin Biyue had once said, ¡°If you want to snatch the initiative, you must first use the strongest sword art, before the opponent uses Flying Feathers of the Splendid Pavilion¡±

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯s expression was bitter, ¡°Right now, I cannot use the strongest sword art.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan had said, ¡°Then just use the art you¡¯ve practiced the most.¡±

    1) The crowning/ cor bestowal is aing-of-age ceremony where young men have their hair tied and ced into a chinese cor/crown. I chose cor just because it¡¯s less of an established image in most people¡¯s minds. It¡¯s those little head dress things you see on men¡¯s heads that appear to be mysteriously attached to their hair. Simr to the ceremony where a girl has their hair pinned up foring-of-age.

    2)¿É¼øÈÕÔÂ TP¡¯s y on words, perhaps from ÈÕÔÂ¿É¼ø that means, essentially, ¡°with the sun and moon as witness¡± so I¡¯ve flipped it and used ¡°witnessing the sun and moon¡±. TP keeps doing this- please stop, our brains are sad.

    3) ·é»ð was a signalling/beacon fire in ye olde ancient times. The other names for the sword that were up for grabs were ¡°bonfire¡± and ¡°beacon fire¡± and I just made up a third, cooler sounding name. (Also, beacon, beckon... he he he...)

 Chapter 36 - Crossing Swords (2)

    <h4>Chapter 36 ¨C Crossing Swords (2)</h4>

    <i>The art most practiced.</i>

    Thus, Duan Chongxuan chose ¡±¡®Rising Fog of Cang Ya.¡¯

    Ten thousand flying feathers were obscured within the mist and the golden rays lost their colour. Duan Chongxuan¡¯s de moved again. The cries of the Cang Ya Sect¡¯s disciples rose anew.

    ¡°Clouds Submerging Western Peaks!¡±

    ¡°Winds Sweeping the Central ins!¡±

    In the past, there was never a person who used these two moves linked together in session, but now Duan Chongxuan did so. There was unexpectedly a divine natural fluidity between the two.

    Cheng Tianyu was already pushed back more than ten paces by the pressure of his opponent¡¯s sword and it seemed as if he was about to be pushed down from the arena.

    Suddenly, his wrist flipped to horizontal and ten thousand golden beams scattered forth.The Flying Feathers Sword dragged past the edge of the pitch-ck longsword, scattering countless sparks. A mour arose from Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s direction.

    ¡°Qing Lu¡¯s Twilight!¡±

    ¡°Evening Mist at Xun River!¡±

    Elders watching the stage praised, ¡°Incredible!¡±

    Indeed, it was very incredible. Every single person all thought that this entire bout ofbat, advanced all the way until now, was extremely incredible.

    The sword wielded by Duan Chongxuan was very clever. The innate gift of Cheng Tianyu¡¯s sword skills that he disyed because he was not content with being inferior, was also very incredible.

    Even more clever was using ¡®The Fog of Cang Ya¡¯ to dismantle ¡®Golden Feathers¡¯ Second Light ¡¯, and using ¡®Qing Lu¡¯s Twilight¡¯ against ¡®Wind Sweeping Central ins.¡¯ If not for both parties using them in today¡¯s match, no one would think these sequences of mundane, uninteresting sword moves in such a way to have that kind of might.

    Song Tang¡¯s expression sobered. In the battle advanced to now, they¡¯ve predicted their opponents every step, and their opponent has alsoprehended their responses in his mind.

    From the beginning, this round¡¯s opposingpetitors were more than just Duan Chongxuan and Cheng Tianyu. It was Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan, and Song Tang and Zhong Shan¡¯s first time crossing swords!

    The one who became the most serious was Luo Mingchuan.

    Because Duan Chongxuan linked those three moves, he indeed broke through ¡®Golden Feathers¡¯ Second Light ¡®, checkmated Cheng Tianyu and pressed him in retreat again and again. But he did notpletely beat his opponent.

    Yet Cheng Tianyu after two more moves would have averted peril and reforged it into refuge.

    All of the calctions and drilling have been pushed to the very limit.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s words from earlier came into Duan Chongxuan¡¯s mind.

    ¡°If you have used this move and you haven¡¯t grasped victory, then you can only rely on yourself for the rest.¡±

    Right now, his sword moves have been dismantled each time by his opponent.

    The crimson morning clouds in the east had not yet dissipated, and the pure, clear light spilled over the earth. Cheng Tianyu¡¯s two hands clutched his sword and his right foot took a step forward, his expression serene.

    The breeze brushed past his clothes and past the sword in his hand. He was undeniably an immature youth, but he bore the presence of a great schr, like deep still waters and the highest peaks.

    He raised his sword and gathered his power. The cracks of the crimson dawn at the horizon surged with hidden sword intent; the clear rays like vast fluttering white feathers.

    Sensing this change, many people couldn¡¯t help butment that seniority was an empty construct and their cultivation fell short.

    ¡°It actually is ¡® Flying Feathers of the Splendid Pavilion!¡±

    ¡°He really seeded in learning that move!¡±

    As the Flying Feathers fall, Duan Chongxuan will also fall.

    But nobody mocked him¡ªlosing this match was not due to weakness, but because Cheng Tianyu¡¯s strength defied all expectations.

    Even if a youth was as famous as Song Tang, he could not possibly use the strongest technique of the Feathered Raiment Arts, ¡®Flower Pavilion Flying Feathers,¡¯ at the boundary of the Soul Condensing stage.

    Only at this very moment, people could finally confirm that the passing down of Qinglu Sword Sect¡¯s Sage ¡®Fei Yu Sword¡¯ to this child was because he was truly worthy. But the realizations that everyone had could notpare to the realizations of Duan Chongxuan, the one facing this de.

    Duan Chongxuan gazed at the foggy mountain range in the distance, watched the clouds in the red dawn in the sky, and looked to the clear light and flying feathers. He thought that eating a few more years of rice than this youngster really was in vain.

    The light of the de was already near, and stung him painfully on the cheek.

    With a thousand pounds hanging from a single thread; what he thought about was not any practiced moves or spected ns from his shixiongs, but rather what his father once said:

    ¡°Sometimes, when the knife has already cut bone, and you know that you are defeated, you still need to first try. Whether you lose, whether you die, you must first try before you know.¡±

    This is the second time in his life that he thought what his father said had merit.

    He wants to try.

    Yin Biyue was the first to notice that Duan Chongxuan¡¯s grip on his sword changed. His palm that was gripping the sword¡¯s hilt shifted forward half an inch. Now, what he was grasping was not a sword, but rather a spear.

    He closed his eyes.

    The expressions of all of the people in the audience became surprised. They did not know what he was going to do. Could it be that the pressure of Flower Pavilion Flying Feathers drove him mad? Did he close his eyes so that he could not see the sword point near his eyshes?

    Yin Biyue frowned slightly.

    Before what Duan Chongxuan said was: ¡®I cannot use the strongest sword art.¡¯ That did not mean he did not have the most powerful blow.

    He could somewhat guess what Duan Chongxuan is about to do now. But what he was worried about the most wasn¡¯t Duan Chongxuan being unable to use this sword art, but rather that he would spare no effort to push forth, the sword¡¯s power turning on him, and injuring himself.

    Duan Chongxuan closed his eyes, emted the steps in his memory, and spun a spear ir. His position looked bizarre, but the audience quieted down. Because within the ten thousand trembling flying feathers was a concealed intent to retreat.

    Duan Chongxuan opened his eyes and his entire body¡¯s demeanor suddenly changed. As if he had armor draped over his body, about to head into the throes of a decisive deadly battle.

    The spear pierced forward!

    In the air where the countless feathers were cut apart, appeared a gap!

    The whistling cry of the spear mournfully pierced through ears!

    It was like the discordant sh of armored horses, theing of thousands of soldiers and ten thousand horses crashing through mountains and rivers!

    It was not due to wanting to hide his hand that Duan Chongxuan did not use this move earlier. It was because he himself did not know if he could manage this move.

    But now, he executed it.

    Feng Huo like a rocket, golden halberd and armoured horse; with the ferocity of a tiger to vanquish the foes of ten thousand miles! The presence of an emperor and charisma of dragons werepressed within a single spear!<sup>1</sup>

    Gasps of astonishment rang out!

    Looking at the stage, that elder finally dared to confirm his own guess. ¡°It really is Feng Huo!¡±

    Song Tang¡¯s heart sank at watching this match. He knew, the worst case scenario already happened¡ªthe opponent broke through before he could attack. In the end, <i>shidi </i>was still too young. He never feared that his young <i>shidi </i>would lose. He only feared that he would not know to retreat.

    The long-cherished wish of the sect, the reputation of the Fei Yu Sword, even the great hopes of their teacher, all were involved, so much so that it overwhelmed those immature shoulders. For his small <i>shidi</i>, that grew up under this kind of pressure, all things were for sect glory first and foremost. He would rather grievously injure himself on his opponents sword, and still would not retreat.

    Cheng Tianyu stood on the stage, as if he was facing and army of thousands of men and horses. He knew that his own sword skills were already inferior, and his opponent¡¯s sword intent zed brilliantly and righteously. The ending can already be predicted.

    But his expression was coldly steeled, with his thoughts without a shred of trepidation.

    As people watch, he would face the edge of his opponent¡¯s sword straight on. Against all expectations, Cheng Tianyu sheathed his sword and withdrew! Fei Yu Sword¡¯s sword intent made a sudden turn, and through those thousands of men and steeds he cleaved a path of retreat!

    Because, at thest second, he inexplicably thought about Zhong Shan-shixiong¡¯s words.

    ¡°It sometimes takes more wisdom and courage to retreat than to face forward.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu retreated. Using his sword for support, he stood with difficulty. It turned out that staying unscathed in this kind sword intent already used up thest of his core energy and focus. One can imagine, if he didn¡¯t pull back just now, just what kind of injury he would have received.

    The whistle of the de came to a stop abruptly. The sword might disappeared like troops beating a retreat. A long thin crack split the stone tform.

    Duan Chongxuan wiped away the trail of blood at his mouth, ¡°Thank you for the win.<sup>2</sup>¡±

    Surprise rang out from the audience.

    Many people just managed to break free from their shock, and began to exim their admiration.

    ¡°Do you know what kind of move that was?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯ve never seen it before......¡±

    ¡°I think it looked like a kind of spear technique.

    Everyone heard the polite phrase ¡®Thank you for the win¡¯, but Cheng Tianyu very earnestly replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t give you the win. It was I who was beaten.¡±

    He returned his sword to its sheath and walked off the tform. Song Tang and Zhong Shan were already waiting at the bottom of the stage to support him.

    He lowered his head and dejectedly said, ¡°<i>Shixiong</i>, I lost.¡±

    Zhong Shan nevertheless replied, ¡°No, you did very well.¡±

    Song Tang grinned and patted his head, adding, ¡°You didn¡¯t let yourself be angered by the opponent into losing your head and you also didn¡¯t try to force yourself past an impossible force<sup>2</sup>; you¡¯ve beyond surpassed yourself.¡±

    Then Cheng Tianyu also smiled.

    When the disciples of Qinglu Sword Sect heard this, one after another they came to congratte their small <i>shidi</i>.

    Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue helped Duan Chongxuan down.

    Although he won, hisst move was too keen, and had an inkling of a bacsh .Duan Chongxuan waved to show that he didn¡¯t have any substantial impediments, his smile frothed with a mouthful of blood.

    The disciples of Cang Ya Mountain grinned with him; Lian Jian Zong¡¯s female cultivators passed over their handkerchiefs, faces reddened.

    A light breeze disturbed the silhouettes of the elm trees. The clear sun of summertime was just right.

    Just like these upright youths.

    In their approaching climactic life, with one thrill after another, the end of the Flower Picking Festival will be an event not worth recounting..

    But they all will remember¡ªthat battle at the foot of Zhong Ming Mountain, there was no one who lost.

    ...

    1) ·é»ðÀÇÑÌ (Feng Huo like a rocket): It originally came from the soldiers in olden China to quickly signal that enemies areing.

    ½ð¸êÌúÂí (golden halberd and armored horse): It¡¯s a metaphor of war, and it also describes the heroic posture of the soldiers who held spears and rode horses.

    ÆøÍÌÍòÀïÈç»¢ ( ferocity of a tiger to vanquish the foes of ten thousand miles): This came from a Song Dynasty poet Xin Qiji¡¯s lyrical poetry.

    2) ³ÐÈÃÁË (Thank you for the win) ¨C usually, it¡¯s a modest and polite way for the winner to say.

 Chapter 37 - Night Drinking

    <strong>Chapter 37 ¨C Night Drinking</strong>

    The fight between Duan Chongxuan and Cheng Tianyu, whether in performance or educational value, had reached the highest standards so far in this Flower Picking Festival. It was even more suitable as material for storytelling that enriched the Ye City folks¡¯ entertainment.

    Cheng Tianyu became famous in his youth and traveled the world, carrying the saber of the Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s sage. Duan Chongxuan was nominally a disciple of the Sword Saint; however, more people considered him as the Academy Director¡¯s rtive1.

    Gossip about saints could not be said frivolously, yet these stories of young prodigies were an interesting topic. There were also people who noticed the four shadows behind this battle. Thus, this was more analogous to a confrontation between the Qing Lu Sword Sect and Cang Ya.

    No matter how bad the rumors were outside, on this night, the story¡¯s protagonists were sitting on the rooftop, drinking wine under Ye City¡¯s moonlight.

    Duan Chongxuan thought this was the most exhrating day of his life. So exhrating that he had a hard time expressing it and needed to punish himself with a big swig of wine.

    Thus, he bought three wine bowls 2 and three huge jugs of ¡®Drunken Immortal¡¯.

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t know how to drink. Or more precisely, he never drank before. But today, he was equally light-hearted and yearned for the feel of third shixiong¡¯s grand sentiment of an ¡®unrestrained jianghu man carrying booze¡¯.

    Luo Mingchuan sat by his side. Even with a huge coarse-porcin wine bowl in his hand, his posture was proper and his clothes tidy. Aplete, gentlemanly air¡ª if one could ignore the red flush emerging on his lower ear lobes.

    Too close. Close enough to hear the person beside him breathe and feel the slight coolness of his body temperature. It reminded him of that day in the alleyway, when shidi supported him back to Lake Qiu.

    Fortunately, Duan Chongxuan¡¯s voice floated intermittently across, making the awkwardness be not-too-obvious. Duan Chongxuan had alreadyid down on the rooftop, hugging the liquor jug and crossing his legs. He seemingly was drunk in the moonlight, and his speech became incoherent as well,

    ¡°Feng Huo, Beckoning Fire; I actually used it. How did I just use it... I always thought I couldn¡¯t. I¡¯m indeed my father¡¯s son, his actual flesh and blood... I worship myself... Father, I really miss you...¡±

    Yin Biyue thought he was extremely embarrassing .At this age, he still called for his dad when drunk. If this image was seen by Ye City¡¯sdies, they wouldn¡¯t have to be worried about going outside anymore.

    Luo Mingchuan only smiled and shook his head.

    Duan Chongxuan suddenly stood up and walked to the roof¡¯s edge.

    His sash twisted in the evening breeze, and the sleeves fluttered, as if he was going to ride away into the wind.

    He faced the moonlight, and with surprising artiction and intonation, he started to sing.

    ¡°The overlooking deep ravine was grudgingly distant, the ascending lofty peak was tormentingly far... Then the Milky Way tilted toward the left side of the world, the northernnd chased the stars of the South; White Dew obscured the sky, the white moon drifted across the heavens. He hummed the verses of Qi, studying earnestly of the writing ...3¡±

    Just as Yin Biyue thought he was sober, he fell down from the eaves head-first.

    After a moment, a muffled voice floated up, ¡°I¡¯m okay ¡ª¡±

    Then it was the sound of him opening and closing the door to his room.

    Thus, there were only two people left on the roof, along with the bright moon.

    The wind of the summer night blew over the humid air of Lake Qiu and the earthy, verdant scent. Nearby was the Lake Qiu; its waters shimmered with pale gold in the moonlight, and in the distance were Ye City¡¯s towers, streets, and warm yellownterns.

    This kind of nightscape with an evening wind was enough for someone to temporarily forget all their worries. Even if after sunrise, when the road of cultivation was still long and gruling, and both known and hidden dangers still remained, what of it?

    Enjoy while you can.

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t use core energy to dissipate the liquor, and he was already slightly tipsy.

    He originally nned to discuss with Luo Mingchuan after the third round of the Flower Picking Festival, about what this Chatterbox said previously regarding the abnormal expression in his eyes and the matter with his mental state.

    Yet maybe it was alcohol¡¯s courage, but suddenly, he felt that there was no better time than now.

    Luo Mingchuan saw the person beside him put down his wine bowl and stare into his eyes sternly, ¡°Let¡¯s talk.¡±

    He was taken aback and replied, ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Shixiong, have you been in a bad mood recently?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan thought this person was also certainly drunk. He had no choice but to smile helplessly, ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡±

    If Yin Biyue waspletely sober, he absolutely would not bluntly continue on the way he did then,

    ¡°Impossible! Eyes don¡¯t lie!¡±

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s smile froze on his face.

    He downed a bowl of wine, and the ¡®Drunken Immortal¡¯ left behind a bitter vor in his mouth.

    Shidi actually sensed it.... How?

    Sure enough, did he underestimate shidi? It seems in the future he must be more careful.

    He knew his own mental state had no problems. He only started to practice Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Art¡¯s second phase. Zheng Wei¡¯s killing intent was admittedly terrifying, yet it was far from being enough to rock his moral core.

    What genuinely made him feel danger was that, with his current strength, he wasn¡¯t capable of opposing the will of those powerful figures and protecting shidi from harm.

    Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Art¡¯s path to mastery was very treacherous, and it was impossible for him to believe this was an orthodox buddhist technique.

    But since this was currently the fastest method, he had no choice.

    Luo Mingchuan looked toward Yin Biyue¡¯s eyes.

    The night was dark like ink, yet it was not as dark as his pupils. He said,

    ¡°Shidi, I¡¯m not in a bad mood, and I also have no problems.¡±

    Yin Biyue thought he really had too much to drink, since he became dizzy for a second there.

    However, no problems was good. No problems meant he can rx now.

    He poured himself another bowl, looked up at the moon hanging from the sky, and remembered that night, aftering back from the Academy, the moonlight was equally bright, like a clear silver disk.

    Ever since he left the mountain and entered the secr world, many things had happened, big things and small things. He had met many people; some he disliked and some he admired.

    But he hadpanions who would fight beside him. Cang Ya had shixiong and shijie who awaited his return. In an unknown ce in this world, there was a cheaply acquired shifu who dealt with bigger matters.

    This was very good; he didn¡¯t know how to describe this type of goodness. As if here in this ce, he had really, truly lived. He was very happy. So happy that he drank bowl after bowl.

    The moonlight in his eyes twinned.

    He had already stopped wanting to y the ¡®best friend in the early stages, backstabber in theter stages¡¯ role. Luo Mingchuan was apanion, not some protagonist.

    He also didn¡¯t want to be a viin anymore. He wanted to live happily in this world. The current Yin Biyue did not know that one¡¯s life had many affairs that wasn¡¯t up to one¡¯s self.

    Ye City was up at the northern side of the Southern Continent, and the temperature difference between night and day was extreme. After midnight, the chill in the night wind would intensify.

    Yin Biyue began to feel cold, but without a thought to circte core energy, he still felt warm from drinking.

    When he realized his own wine jug came up empty, he mindlessly tried to grab the other person¡¯s beside him.

    The slight coolness abruptly fell onto Luo Mingchuan¡¯s chest, and he was stunned for a split second.

    The person beside him was going to retreat after grabbing his jug of wine, but Luo Mingchuan pressed against his hand. Maybe it was the night breeze being too swift, but he heard his own voice slightly tremble,

    ¡°Shidi, heavy drinking injures the body. You can¡¯t drink anymore.¡±

    Yin Biyue felt warmth flowing from his fingertips, enveloping his entire body; it was familiar and indescribably calming. Hisst thought stopped at... Ah, it¡¯s so warm.

    Luo Mingchuan sat on the rooftop, stiff as a rock.

    The moonlight fell onto the person on his chest. Three thousand strands of white hair glistened in splendor, and the aloof demeanor was like flying snow atop a tower.

    Only his thin lips posessed a droplet of dark red, like a red plum flower nestled within the snow, luminously stirring one¡¯s heart.

    The person with his eyes closed on his chest mumbled to himself, bringing with him the pure, raw fragrance of wine and light frost.

    Luo Mingchuan had to move a bit closer to hear what he had said. After listening, he was silent.

    In the distant, the lights died out one by one. Not a single sound could be heard in this long night, and the moonlight was all the more brighter.

    His voice wafted in the wind,

    ¡°Shidi, for each day that I, Luo Mingchuan, am alive, I will protect youpletely.¡±

    1)Ç××å (rtive): this can also mean someone close enough for nepotism

    2) ¾ÆÍë (wine bowl): it¡¯s literally a bowl to drink wine

    773592958124497968864155_x

    3) It¡¯s a literary work written in the Southern Dynasty called ¡®The Moon¡®. Avocado Bro also found a book that also tranted the poem, it¡¯s a interesting read.

 Chapter 38 - Discerning Eye

    <h4>Chapter 38- Discerning Eye</h4>

    When Yin Biyue awoke, he saw the canopy directly above his head and scented the fragrance of soothing incense drifting through the air. The sounds of light chatter and a refreshing smell cleared his head.

    His mind went nk for a moment. Then he suddenly sat up and mmed his fist into the bed, unable to restrain the urge.

    He remembered everything that had happenedst night and thought his brain must have been full of ¡®Drunken Immortal¡¯.

    He had actually drank too much!

    Aside from having drank so much, he even went to find Luo Mingchuan to discuss life!

    Discussing life didn¡¯t yield any results! Forget about blindly trusting whatever the other person said! But he even snatched the other¡¯s wine to drink! And even fell asleep!

    Forget falling asleep! He even grabbed his sleeve and said, ¡®I just want to peacefully live my life.¡¯

    ¡°Living¡± his ass!

    How could this kind of cover blowing speech be said so casually!

    Huh? What happened after that conversation? Why wasn¡¯t he on the roof right now?

    ... Chatterbox had fallen down a while ago; in the end it must have been Luo Mingchuan that dragged him back!

    Did he do anything crazy while drunk?! Did he loudly pronounce the viiny manifesto?! Did he drench the other person entirely in spit?!

    Way! Too! Shameful!

    Yin Biyue was busy wallowing in self-disgust, and right at this moment, a familiar voice came from the courtyard, ¡°Shidi, are you up...¡±

    Without even thinking, he shouted, ¡°I¡¯m not here!¨C¡±

    ...

    Life is a tragedy.

    Yin Biyue almost raised his hand to run himself through with his sword.

    He felt like he must have established an incredibly stupid impression of himself in Luo Mingchuan¡¯s heart.

    With a wooden face, he got off the bed, faced the mirror, and straightened his clothes. In his mind was an endless rey of his own voice, ¡®I¡¯m not here I¡¯m not here I¡¯m not here...¡±, and then he silently opened the door.

    Luo Mingchuan stood underneath a tree. On his face was the same smiling expression as always, courteous and amiable, without even a hint of teasing.

    Within Yin Biyue¡¯s heart rose a thread of hope...

    Maybe yesterday he didn¡¯t act too crazy drunk after all?

    And that ostrich-headed ¡®I¡¯m not here¡¯ a moment ago was also not heard by anyone?

    In that instant, Chatterbox opened his door and asked, astonished, ¡®Eh? Fourth <i>shixiong</i>? Weren¡¯t you not here?¡±

    ...

    He¡¯s brought shame to his sect.

    The corner of Yin Biyue¡¯s mouth twitched.

    Fortunately Luo Mingchuan let out a single cough with impable timing, ¡°Since my two <i>shidi</i> are both awake now, let us go.¡±

    Yin Biyue only then suddenly realized, Luo Mingchuan had a match today; he and Chatterbox had even said they would go together to watch.

    A strong feeling of guilt arose in his heart; he regretted he went so far as to drag him to go drink and talk about lifest night.

    Third <i>shixiong</i> was right! Drinking really made a mess of things!

    Duan Chongxuan also showed a face of shame.

    Luo Mingchuanughed, ¡°Yesterday after drinking some wine, I slept especially well at night; today I woke up with both my mind and spirit refreshed, and my entire body feels unhindered.¡±

    Yin Biyue finally felt a bitforted, ¡°That¡¯s good then, let¡¯s go.¡±

    By the time he stood under the stage watching the two sides greeting each other, he felt he was even more focused than Luo Mingchuan.

    During the first round, Luo Mingchuan faced Bao Pu Zong¡¯s Wang Zhen, and using his sword as a rod, he demonstrated the Academy¡¯s Disciplinary Whip.

    In the second round, he had a bye and went into closed door cultivation at Lake Qiu to breakthrough; he didn¡¯t go watch the battle between Luo Mingchuan and Xing Shan Temple¡¯s Pu Hong. Reportedly, the two of them discussed Buddhism, and Pu Hong thought himself inferior and surrendered.

    But no matter if it was the Disciplinary Whip or the buddhist doctrines, both were other people¡¯s techniques; naturally they couldn¡¯t possibly be Luo Mingchuan¡¯s specialty.

    He really wanted to see in the end how many cultivation methods Luo Mingchuan could use and what the strongest ace up his sleeve was.

    Yin Biyue silently observed around the stage and discovered that in the direction of the Qing Lu Sword Sect, Song Tang, Zhong Shan, and Cheng Tianyu had alle. On Bao Pu Zong¡¯s side, besides Zheng Wei, almost all of them hade.

    It looked like the ones wanting to understand you weren¡¯t just yourpanions, but also your opponents, and even your enemies.

    In cultivation realms alone, Luo Mingchuan was the best among this generation of Cang Ya disciples, and he was also rumored to be the person most likely to defeat Zhong Shan and seize first ce.

    Thus, even though this battle appeared to be an assured victory, the number of spectators was still rather numerous.

    The one standing opposite Luo Mingchuan was a disciple born in the Western Continent¡¯s frontiers. His sect¡¯s reputation wasn¡¯t very prominent, but his own cultivation was not bad. His greeting was also very proper, ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet the famed Luo Mingchuan. Today, we are on the same stage fighting. It really is good fortune.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan said in a low tone, ¡°This person is a spiritual cultivator; his innate spiritual vein is very rare, and the cultivation methods he practices are also rare. Last round he even defeated a Lian Jian Zong disciple.¡±

    Yin Biyue nodded and saw Luo Mingchuan modestly give his reply, ¡°You tter me; I¡¯m humbled. Come.¡±

    That person also stopped being courteous; his right hand lifted slightly and his fingers flew up and down.

    Countless minute water droplets appeared in front of him, rapidly condensing into a thin water screen that was smooth as Lake Qiu and could disy a person¡¯s reflection.

    Duan Chongxuan spoke, ¡°His hand seals are actually pretty fast.¡±

    They were indeed very fast. In the blink of an eye, the water screen sharply expanded to three zhang, as if ake was erected vertically on the stage.

    At the same time, the air around the stage rapidly became dry.

    Ten thousand water arrows condensed, breaking through theke!

    It was clearly water, but because of the swift speed and boundless core energy, it produced a high pitched sound that pierced the air.

    Luo Mingchuan swept his sleeve, the wind whistled, and the arrows darting towards him stopped a meter in front of him and dropped out of the air. Water sshed near his feet, like a sudden downpour onto the ground.

    But it failed to wet a single corner of his robes.

    This kind of core energy barrier technique could be considered simple and crude; Yin Biyue had seen Luo Mingchuan use it before while they were in the PanLong Mountains.

    Unlike the fights between cultivators that used swords and sabers, the battles between spiritual cultivators were more often than not very slow.

    Even though it had already passed enough time for a cup of tea, the two opponents were still trading blows, one after another, a back and forth sort of exchange.

    Just when many people thought the conclusion was foregone and that Luo Mingchuan was going to rely on the differences in core energy in a war of attrition to beat his opponent, Yin Biyue noticed that person¡¯s forehead was gathering a lot of sweat and his expression was also anxious and impatient. He was clearly unable to endure any longer and had to use his most precious technique.

    As expected, in the next moment, people began to cry out in surprise, ¡°Fog is rising!¡±

    The fog came from all directions; yet it clearly wasn¡¯t the morning mist, and it wouldn¡¯t scatter in the wind.

    On the contrary, more and more assembled, thick and dense, enveloping the entire stage.

    Yin Biyue directed his core energy to wrap around his eyes, but he still couldn¡¯t see anything.

    Many people were the same as him, unable to see the mysteries within the fog, only able to see a vast expanse of white.

    Chatterbox, also shocked, asked, ¡°What is this technique?¡±

    Yin Biyue narrowed his eyes to look for a moment; his consciousness was very strong, so he now used his divine sense to look, ¡°Tower Lost in Fog£¬ Ferry Shrouded in the Moon.1¡±

    Chatterbox did not suddenly understand; instead he lowered his head and choked out, ¡°Fourth <i>shixiong</i>, I haven¡¯t studied that much...¡±

    Yin Biyue exined, ¡°It was invented by a saint during the ¡®All Saints Era¡¯; with an innate water type spiritual vein, but one that was out of the norm. It can turn water into fog, obscuring an opponent¡¯s perception, the famous ¡®Tower-Shrouding Fog¡¯. Right now, he hasn¡¯t attained the right cultivation realm, but if his realm was just a bit higher, he could even form an illusion within the mist, and that would be ¡®Ferry Lost in the Moon¡¯.

    Chatterboxmented, ¡°Not having been seen in these many years, it looks like this spiritual vein is indeed quite rare.¡±

    Yin Biyue watched Luo Mingchuan lift his hand and make the seal for ¡®Guiding Wind Art¡¯. The weeds beside the stage gently swayed, but the fog was so dense that even the wind could not blow inside. He could not help but be nervous for an instant.

    The people below the stage couldn¡¯t make anything out clearly and were only able to wag their tongues and make conjectures.

    In actuality, Luo Mingchuan was able to see.

    Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Arts was known as ¡®Buddha¡¯s Discerning Eye¡¯; once one¡¯s cultivation was high enough, it allowed the user to see through every barrier and obstacle.

    With his current cultivation realm, even without him pushing the Pupil Arts, forget the dense fog; in his eyes, even the movement of his opponent¡¯s hand seals slowed down to a crawl.

    In addition to that, he could also see <i>shidi</i> below the stage, staring at his nervous expression.

    Brows slightly knitted, serious and concentrating, like there was only one person in his eyes.

    He didn¡¯t know why, but the movement of his hand seals also slowed down.

    Within the dense fog, arrows came from all directions, without sound and without paths, as if they appeared out of thin air. This was enough to make one feel panicked and hopeless.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s expression did not change; he lifted his hand and swept his sleeve, blocking the arrows yet not dispersing the fog.

    He finished his hand seals, and a screen of water rose in front of him, unexpectedly the exact same as the one in front of his opponent.

    The same water screen and water arrows, but with greater might.

    Under the cover of fog, not a single person realized it. Even that disciple on the stage was apprehensive; he didn¡¯t know why he couldn¡¯t see through his own fog. He thought Luo Mingchuan had used some kind of method to change the water arrows¡¯ trajectories, making them turn on each other.

    ¡°The fog still hasn¡¯t dispersed yet. Is this technique really this powerful?¡±

    ¡°Even Cang Ya¡¯s head disciple actually can¡¯t handle it?¡±

    Yin Biyue also didn¡¯t see the water screen in front of Luo Mingchuan, only thinking it was strange.

    If Luo Mingchuan was unable to see, why was he so untroubled, without a single tear in his defense? If he could see his opponent was only three feet away from him, why didn¡¯t he directly attack his opponent?

    Even if the pace of this battle was slower, there must still be an ending.

    The mist scattered, and the people appeared;plexion pale, that disciple stooped over and gasped for breath, yet he wasn¡¯t injured, only out of strength.

    He didn¡¯t understand why though his opponent could have defeated him long ago he dragged it out until now.

    After thinking it over again, Luo <i>shixiong- being considerate of others- was probably </i>just thinking to save him some face. He couldn¡¯t help but gratefully say, ¡°I concede.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan cupped his hands as a response and saw his opponent off the stage.

    He had neither the joy nor pride of victory, nor did he show the exhaustion of having just fought a battle. Not a single thing was out of ce from his headpiece to the edge of his robes, just like when he first stood on stage.

    Cheng Tianyu wrinkled his brow and said, ¡°Using cultivation realm and amount of core energy to forcibly exhaust his opponent? Then if his opponent¡¯s cultivation realm was just a bit higher, wouldn¡¯t he be out of luck?¡±

    Song Tang shook his head, ¡°The methods he could use to win, as far as I know, are not less than ten... As for why he didn¡¯t use them, could it be that he wanted to stay unnoticed? Or he didn¡¯t want to reveal his final hand too quickly?¡±

    He turned to the person beside him and said, ¡°Luo Mingchuan has learned many strategies and methods that can¡¯t be guarded against, and his mind is steady. I believe, if you want to win first ce this time, he would be the most difficult opponent to defeat.¡±

    Zhong Shan¡¯s expression did not change. Only the knuckles of the hand grasping his sword turned faintly white.

    Unlike the other people making conjectures about this assured victory, Yin Biyue lifted his head and looked at the shining eye of the sun.

    Today was the hottest day of the year.

    Rotting grass would turn into fireflies, and the rainfall had yet toe.2

    He remembered, Luo Mingchuan seemed to be very susceptible to heatstroke... and just now he stood for that long.

    ¡®<i>Shixiong</i>, are you dizzy? Do you need to look for a person to help you back?¡¯

    He looked at the sea of people around the stage. No, this was too embarrassing. <i>Shixiong</i> would lose a lot of face.

    Luo Mingchuan walked off the stage. Cang Ya disciples surged to surrounded him to congratte him, and he nodded his head as regards to each of them one by one.

    He saw the slightly nk-faced Yin Biyue and asked, ¡°<i>Shidi</i>, what¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Yin Biyue muttered, ¡°I just thought of a matter that needs to be addressed; is <i>shixiong</i> willing to go with me?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan had not yet said anything, but He Yanyun and Ruan Xiaolian¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Of course it¡¯s fine.¡±

    Every disciple that had received an embroidered handkerchief now came to an unspoken agreement, again responding with a kind of hidden joy, ¡°Luo <i>shixiong</i>, you should quickly go with Yin <i>shixiong</i>.¡±

    At the same time they hurriedly rushed Luo Mingchuan out.

    Duan Chongxuan lightly coughed and nodded at Yin Biyue.

    They waited until the two of them had apanied each other far away enough that their backs were almost out of their line of sight.

    He Yanyun watched as the sleeves of the two people gently drift in the breeze, touching every now and then, and sighed with great emotion, ¡°Truly beautiful. When will Luo <i>shixiong</i> and Yin <i>shixiong</i> get married?¡±

    Someone answered, ¡°It¡¯s clearly very good, but why do I feel like... I¡¯ve been injured?¡±

    ¡°Duan <i>shixiong</i>, how do you view this matter?¡±

    Duan Chongxuan waved his fan, ¡°Watching from the sidelines... I¡¯m used to it.¡±

    Yin Biyue took Luo Mingchuan back first, sensing the atmosphere behind them was a bit off.

    When they returned to Ye City, they changed their route to the small, remote alleyway they had gone through before.

    Yin Biyue checked in all directions to make sure there weren¡¯t any other people, ¡°<i>Shixiong</i>, today¡¯s weather is intensely hot, are you... feeling any difort?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan was startled, immediately recalling his excuse from that day, and for a moment he felt a bit like he didn¡¯t know whether tough or to cry; but he also felt very moved. Not only did <i>shidi</i> firmly and unwaveringly believe that, but he even remembered it up till now.

    He felt guilt settle in his heart and should not deceive <i>shidi</i> again; he wanted to say ¡®I¡¯m very well, no difort. Last time was just a coincidence.¡¯

    But when the words got to his mouth, they became ¡°Actually, there¡¯s still a bit; I must inconvenience <i>shidi</i> again.¡±

    Yin Biyue happily thought, of course it was; how quick-witted of me! ¡«£¨¨R¨Œ¨Q£©/

    1)ÎíÊ§Â¥Ì¨£¬ÔÂÃÔ½ò¶É ¨C Name of technique. in less concise and technique-like wording, the meaning would be: losing the tower in the fog, the moon mystifies the crossing of the ferry.

    2) ¸¯²ÝÎªÓ©£¬´óÓêÈ´Î´ÐÐ ¨C This originates from the belief that firefliese from the rotting grass during the hottest time of year (summer). The rains herald fall, so when the rain hasn¡¯t fallen, it¡¯s still the height of summer.

 Chapter 39 - Seeing the Ocean

    Viin¡¯s White Lotus Halo Chapter 39 ¨C Seeing the Ocean

    Syndethia

    Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! ÖÐÇï½Ú¿ìÀÖ!

    Our art today isn¡¯t rted to the chapter, but special art that was done for the Mid-Autumn Festival. I¡¯ve put both at the bottom, below the page navigation.

    Syn

    Chapter 30 ¨C Seeing the Ocean

    In the next few days, Yin Biyue¡¯s party of three only went to see Zhong Shan¡¯s fight; the rest of the time was spent focused on cultivating.

    Until today, when it was Yin Biyue¡¯s turn to battle.

    His opponent was Lian Jian Zong¡¯s Chen Yi, a disciple under Lian Jian Zong¡¯s Sage.

    This was following Duan Chongxuan¡¯s battle with Cheng Tianyu; the second time a disciple of the Sword Saint did battle with a sage¡¯s disciple.

    Chen Yi¡¯s luck in the previous lot drawings was very good. The gap between him and his opponents were too big; therefore he did not have to reveal powerful techniques to win easily. Those few battles weren¡¯t very spectacr and didn¡¯t cause any big stir.

    Now this match was his first time encountering a powerful enemy.

    Chen Yi and Chu Huan, one a martial cultivator and one a spiritual cultivator, were Lian Jian Zong¡¯s most likely candidates to win the grand prize of the Flower Picking Festival.

    For whatever reason, this day around the stage, there was an especiallyrge number of Lian Jian Zong¡¯s people.

    Purple robes underneath the stage melded into one, like an ocean of blue waves.

    The seating on the viewing tform also changed, because a powerful cultivator halfway into the Greater Vessel Stage had arrived from Lian Jian Zong.

    The important figure¡¯s sudden arrival should have attracted attention, but unexpectedly, nearly everyone was looking behind that female Lian Jian Zong elder.

    Standing there was a youngdy.

    The wide sleeves of a dark reddish-purple robe drifted in the morning wind; the sunrise cast a faint light with a touch of gold on her white jade-like face. She was like a small lc with a flower bud waiting to blossom, not quite ready to bloom but still fragrant enough to stretch to all corners of a room.

    With the lofty viewing tform tall and distant, many people could only see a blurry silhouette.

    In spite of this, they had an inexplicable feeling , believing that she was a one-in-a-thousand beauty.

    ¡°So this is Qu Duiyan?¡±

    ¡°Truly very beautiful... is she here to watch her Chen shixiong?¡±

    The Lian Jian Zong disciples all disyed proud and honoured expressions.

    The Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s attending disciple also saw this faraway beauty and momentarily forgot to announce the start of the match.

    As for the two leads about to battle, it was as if the entire world forgot about them for the moment.

    The two stood there, facing off, and it was a very fitting time to say something.

    Chen Yi was the first one to open his mouth,

    ¡°Yin shixiong, I recognize you. Two years ago after I finished school at Lan Yuan Academy, I apprenticed under my teacher, and while I was at the Academy, I once read your ¡®Critical Thinking¡¯ essay Misceneous Practical Theories.¡±

    Yin Biyue silently listened and nodded his head in acknowledgement. An opponent bringing up the past, right before a match, naturally did not intend to form a closer rtionship.

    Chen Yi continued, ¡°I have not yet been an apprentice for two years. Therefore today, if I lose to you, it is not that my shifu did not teach me well, but that my own studies at the Academy were inferior to yours.¡±

    Yin Biyue said, ¡°Reasonable.¡±

    It was indeed reasonable.

    Just like how he had never even seen the Sword Saint¡¯s face, his sword practice and cultivation were all reliant on studying on his own. If he was defeated by someone else, naturally it was also not considered that the Sword Saint taught poorly .

    Chen Yiughed.

    His temperament was mild, and his facial features were not outstanding in any way. Even Lian Jian Zong¡¯s slightly shy robes became prim and proper when worn by him.

    This kind of person, if he was out on the street, would never have anyone suspecting that he was a sage¡¯s disciple.

    ¡°Be that as it may, if I lose, it would always be a matter that damages my shifu¡¯s reputation...¡± Heughed, suddenly creating a radiance that couldn¡¯t be looked at for too long, an iparable confidence and pride, ¡°Therefore, today I must defeat you.¡±

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t say anything, only turning his gaze to the elm trees beside the stage.

    After his battle with He Lai, the lofty elm tree branch had half withered away;ter, it was subjected to the effect of Chu Huan¡¯s Spring Returning to a Withered Tree, once more glowing with life.

    Now the tender green sprouts trembled gently in the morning breeze, as if they had returned to early spring.

    The mid-Greater Vessel Stage cultivator hade, as did the pressure of his Greater Vessel Stage Divine Sense.

    He broke off a length of elm branch and couldn¡¯t help but wonder what should be done if he encountered Zhong Shan in the future.

    Would he have to pluck a branch once again to fight?

    But currently, he didn¡¯t want his opponent to misunderstand, exining, ¡°I don¡¯t mean to insult you at all.¡±

    These words perhaps would not have been believed by other people, but Chen Yi, like him, came from the Academy, and he had also read the essay Yin Biyue had written. At this moment, he looked at his opponent¡¯s eyes and thought his opponent must have had some difficulty or reason where it wouldn¡¯t be convenient for him to draw his sword; therefore he said, ¡°No worries, it¡¯s actually to my advantage.¡±

    The Qing Lu Sword Sect attending disciple yelled, ¡°Cang Ya¡¯s Yin Biyue versus Lian Jian Zong¡¯s Chen Yi¨C¡±

    The two people formally bowed.

    The people below the stage finally shifted their gazes to thepeting parties and were surprised to discover that the Sword Saint disciple was actually still did not intend to use a sword.

    But because of Yin Biyue¡¯s disy in his previous battle, this time nobody said he was overestimating his own abilities; instead they felt that this was a kind of confidence and pride.

    Luo Mingchuan slightly frowned; he had a feeling that shidi not drawing his sword was not pride, but that there would be a problem with drawing his sword.

    The female Lian Jian Zong elder on the viewing tform also knitted her brows and said to the young woman behind her, ¡°Even if you are confident that you are unmatched, you should still not give up your advantage. In the future, do not learn from him.¡±

    ¡°Aunt, I understand.¡± The young woman gave a slight smile that was like a dazzling pearl, but not so dazzling that it was gaudy; it just gave people a feeling of iparablefort.

    With her cultivation she had no reason to be standing at this spot, but she was there, observing the battle alongside the elders on the viewing tform that were at least of the Lesser Vessel Stage or higher. No one dared to challenge this; they were even itching to give her a seat.

    Because she was Qu Duiyan.

    Sage Qu Jiang¡¯s only daughter, Lian Jian Zong¡¯s unofficial princess.

    On the surface, Qu Duiyan appeared to agree, but as she looked at the white-haired youth on the stage holding the branch, she thought he looked truly bold and carefree. Of course, her shidi Chen Yi unsheathing his saber and giving it a swing was also extremely cool.

    Cheng Yi used the saber.

    The saber was four feet long, forged with the fragments of a fallen star and steel refined ten thousand times, dubbed ¡®Shuang Lan.¡¯

    In the thousands of years after the Sword Saint gained fame, cultivators everywhere took on the sword, and the other kinds of weapons declined. If it wasn¡¯t for the ¡®Duan Shui Saber¡¯ Yan Xing, the world wouldn¡¯t be able to find a strong cultivator who used the saber.

    Chen Yi¡¯s saber was like his person; from exerting power to unsheathing, it conformed to convention, neither fast nor slow, without mistakes yet also without ir.

    Across a distance of over ten zhang, he shed straight towards Yin Biyue.

    This sort of saber move, as the opening move in a battle with so many eyes watching, honestly left people feeling a little disappointed in their hearts. Nobody was like Qu Duiyan, seeing things like extreme ease and confidence.

    In the face of the saber¡¯s point, Yin Biyue¡¯s expression was a bit severe.

    From the instant Chen Yi started exerting his power, an iparably strong qi overflowed from the edge of his de, like an enormous wave crashing into one¡¯s face.

    Though the saber was not fast, bottomless waves rose on the ground, emanating from the de; in a sh, they overtook the entire stage.

    Yin Biyue stood on the stage, holding his elm branch horizontally in front of him, like a lone boat in the middle of a raging ocean, the only light in a long dark night.

    In this moment, he clearly realized, even if he was able to escape unscathed from He Lai¡¯s Bao Pu Eight Trigrams Sword, he would be unable to evade Chen Yi¡¯s strike of ¡®Broad Sea¡¯.

    Since he couldn¡¯t avoid it, he naturally had to make a move.

    Yin Biyue flew on the tips of his toes, scattering the tender new leaves off his elm branch, but he was impeded in midair by the raging qi, slowing his descent.

    Amid the violently dancing leaves filling the sky, the feeble, slender tree branch crossed with the sturdy saber.

    Bang¨C

    The saber and branch collided with a loud bang, like stormy waves beating on the shore!

    For those under the stage with slightly weaker cultivation realms, their eardrums were immediately hurt by the quaking, and they hurriedly used core energy to ward it off.

    Until Yin Biyue had drawn his branch, people hadn¡¯t been aware of the strength of Chen Yi¡¯s move.

    No speed, no brilliance, no sharpness, only strength.

    Raw strength.

    A lot of people were just now beginning to catch on to the ease Qu Duiyan had seen. Hence they were stunned into silence, unable to say a single word.

    How could a lone boat block the expansive sea? How did a lone fire light up the entire night?

    Yin Biyue flicked his wrist, dragging the elm branch across the saber¡¯s edge, sparks and wood dust scattering like ocean spray.

    Parting the sea and cutting through waves; in the breath of a moment the cacophony reverberated endlessly. Because it was too quick, it sounded like only a single sound, as if someone was forcibly cleaving through the sea.

    He had already cut forth with twenty-one strikes, yet Chen Yi had only used one move.

    Lian Jian Zong¡¯s elder concisely praised, ¡°Good move.¡±

    The Mid-Greater Vessel Stage cultivator naturally wouldn¡¯t be moved by a Breakthrough Stage saber¡¯s strike.

    What she saw was saber intent.

    Unlike the sword, the saber was the earliest weapon that had ever been in the hands of humankind, because it was simple.

    Chopping wood and hunting used sabers; killing livestock used sabers.

    Chen Yi¡¯s move was very simple, but sometimes, that sheer simplicity meant strength.

    Qu Duiyan also thought this saber strike was very good.

    As a fellow disciple taught by the same shifu, she naturally knew that this was Chen Yi¡¯s strongest saber strike.

    But she didn¡¯t expect that he would have brought it out with no hesitation right at the beginning of a battle.

    It had to be said, the best is the good timing.

    Only with abundant core energy and zing fighting vigor would he be able to perfectly apply the saber¡¯s power.

    Like a tiger still using its full strength when fighting a rabbit, since this was a battle, the first move ought to be the strongest move.

    This proved that he not only understood the saber, but he also understood battle.

    Luo Mingchuan was one of the earliest to see that expanse of an ocean.

    His face remained calm and motionless, his eyes fixed on the stage; his hands covered by his wide sleeves clenched tightly into fists.

    When the saber and branch separated, the elm branch in Yin Biyue¡¯s hand was shortened, by not even the breadth of a knuckle, yet he still saw.

    The huge waves retreated, the brown reef and winding beach revealing their originally fierce appearance.

    The power of Chen Yi¡¯s first strike had ended, but the second strike had yet to arrive

    This slim interval was already enough to let Yin Biyue¡¯s figure disappear and escape from under the de.

    His entire body¡¯s core energy poured out, Divine Sense rapidly being consumed; not only his body, but also his presence thoroughly disappeared from the stage!

    rmed cries and gasps echoed in session, ¡°Traversing Peaks and Rivers!¡±

    So this was the true and genuine Traversing Peaks and Rivers.

    In his battle with He Lai, Yin Biyue had not used even a tenth of it.

    Chen Yi¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, and there was no hesitation in the angle and the speed of his saber withdrawing.

    It was as if in his eyes, whether his opponent faded away or not was none of his concern.

    In his eyes was only the saber.

    He pulled his saber back and held it vertically in front of his body.

    If in the past millennium, only ten people had read the Academy Library¡¯s Introduction to Traversing Peaks and Rivers, then Chen Yi must have been one of the ten.

    Whether it was unraveling the mysteries of space or tracking the trajectory of the stars, it was all based on the Academy Director¡¯s most powerful method ¨C calction.

    He wasn¡¯t able to master ¡®Traversing Peaks and Rivers,¡¯ but he understood it. This was enough.

    He knew that at Yin Biyue¡¯s current cultivation realm, this degree of severe Divine Sense consumption wouldn¡¯tst for half the time it took to steep tea.

    The de of the saber was as bright as a mirror, shining upon the vast clear sky, silky threads of clouds flitting by.

    After ¡®Broad Sea¡¯ was ¡®Vast Sky¡¯.

    Countless lightsunched outwards, sharp and acute lines splitting every inch of the space onstage.

    During the time when Yin Biyue was unceasingly calcting innumerable steps, forget about making mistakes, if he was even one step too slow, a light would immediately arrive in front of him, cutting him into a bloody figure

    This saber strikeplemented the heavens and flowed with nature, befitting a cultivator¡¯s aesthetic.

    Everyone thought that Chen Yi¡¯s response was the pinnacle of ingeniousness.

    Under the clear sky, where could you possibly hide?

    Ëªá° is the name of the sword. If tranted, it would be named Frosted Mist

    Let¡¯s y a game. Take a shot every time Luo Mingchuan clenches his fists under his sleeves :^)

 Chapter 40 - Yi Hu1

    <strong>Chapter 40 ¨C Yi Hu1</strong>

    The battle progressed to this point; Chen Yi made two moves, Yin Biyue made twenty-one. It seems like the fight has entered a deadlock.

    Silence nketed the stage, each person focused and waiting.

    Would Yin Biyue first appear out of thin air, brandishing his sword to break the silence? Or would Chen Yi¡¯s sword lights arrive before him?

    Countless calctions verses countless sword lights, which one is faster?

    Out of everyone¡¯s expectations, what fell first was neither the figure of a sword nor the ssh of blood, but the cry of a crane.

    Clear and melodious; descending from the Ninth Heaven2 to the earth, the birdsong shaking the listener¡¯s spirit.

    The next moment, a white crane broke through the clouds and dove down from over thirty meters up!

    Like thunder from the clouds in a clear sky, gales surging between the beat of its wings, it arrived in the blink of an eye.

    Many people were confused and eximed in astonishment; Zhongming Mountain had white cranes? Howe I¡¯ve never heard of this?

    Chen Yi¡¯s brows knitted slightly, flipped his wrist, and the countless sword lights gathered, congregating and striking toward the crane!

    Under the brilliance of the des people could finally see clearly. The youth holding the elm wood branch, his three thousand strands of white hair intertwining white robes fluttering as he danced through the air; like a crane emerging from the clouds to descend to humanity.

    That sound of a crane¡¯s cry was the wail of a sword¡¯s point breaking through air.

    The Cang Ya disciples suddenly snapped out of their shock, and eximed, ¡°Crane-song Above the Clouds!¡±

    ¡®Crane-song Above the Clouds¡¯ was the second form of the basic Cang Ya Sword Arts, only slightly following ¡®Fog of Cang Ya¡¯. Every single disciple practiced this when they entered the sect, but they never thought this technique would be able to bring forth this amount of strength.

    Just as the words were spoken did someone raise their voice to refute, ¡°It¡¯s not ¡®Crane-song Above the Clouds¡¯, it¡¯s ¡®Winds Sweeping the Central ins¡¯!¡±

    Their des met once again, the infinite brilliance of the swords twisted by the invisible force of core energy, like clouds buffeted by the wind, tendrils of light scattered outwards.

    Many people looked toward Luo Mingchuan, waiting for his reply.

    They only saw him nod lightly, a smile in his eyes, ¡°both are present.¡±

    A white crane from the sky, winds rising from the de; it looks like one move, but there were indeed two. It was simply too fast.

    From Yin Biyuending to the crossing of des-den with profound principles, only an instant passed.

    Because from the moment he made his first strike, his every step was made with Traversing Peaks and Rivers.

    Originally, Chen Yi frowned because he was confused.

    He doesn¡¯t understand how Yin Biyue was able to disappear within the air teeming with sword-intent, as well as able to discover the gaps between his sword-lights and wlessly alight.

    But now his brows unknotted.

    Above the blue sky are flowing clouds, within the flowing clouds are soaring birds. They have always been a part of the blue skies, for what would there be the need to hide?

    If I were to understand the dao at dawn, I can die at dusk.3 He understood, but he was unresigned to simply retreat or suffer defeat.

    He¡¯s already used his two most powerful techniques, and his core energy was essentially exhausted.

    But his opponent is still calcting through an immense amount of data, and the consumption of his divine sense has reached its limit. For the core energy in this strike to be this immense, it should be all he has left.

    It¡¯s most likely to be the final strike.

    Deste mountains and exhausted rivers; they both were in this state.

    In reality, Yin Biyue was in far more dire a situation than Chen Yi believed.

    Not only was there the consumption of his divine sense from Treading Peaks and Rivers, but there was also the calction of the angle and position of thatst strike of his sword. All of thisbined caused pain as if his Mental Sea was being torn from him.

    Without the support of a powerful mind, he probably wouldn¡¯t even be able to keep that elm branch in his grip.

    But as it seems currently, this wasn¡¯t the final strike.

    Because he was previously steadily suppressed, the faint and fading sword-lights abruptly vanished without a trace, like a candle being blown out.

    It was Chen Yi who retracted his de himself.

    Yin Biyue was originally standing high above, matching sword for sword. Now his strike¡¯s power has been exhausted, but he didn¡¯t fullynd, and instead his tip of his shoes skimmed over the ground as he swiftly retreated.

    A single retreat moved him over ten zhang away, at the edge of the stage.

    Chi¨C

    The audience were shocked to discover the dust and rubble on the tform exploded, a thin crack splintering the stage all the way to an inch away from his foot.

    That sound was the sound of the stone splitting.

    Chen Yi¡¯s ¡°Vast Sky¡± was retracted before it wasplete, and the trajectory of the de was forcibly changed!

    This change happened too abruptly, impossible to defend against; Yin Biyue could only retreat.

    Forcefully redirecting the de, a drip of blood escaped from the corner of Chen Yi¡¯s mouth, his face immediately turning ghastly pale; but his eyes became brighter and brighter.

    It was never his intention to be able to harm Yin Biyue with just this; what he fought for was for a single breath.

    A single breath to lift his de again.

    Chen Yi¡¯s wrist loosened, the tip of his saber tapped the ground, his body rose as if he intended to leap upon clouds toward the clear sky.

    His movement technique was incredibly elegant, the instant the saber¡¯s tip left the ground it sweptterally towards his opponent.

    When he used this move, his ordinary countenance shone with infinite brilliance- like scattering moonbeams.

    The tide has turned sharply!

    ¡°Seizing the Moon¨C¡±

    A Lian Jian Zong disciple cried. Then everyone¡¯s eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if they were the ones atop the stage who made this move.

    Thousands of years ago, the saint Qi Jiang used a single Seizing the Moon to repel three thousand foes, and solidified the status of Lian Jian Zong in the world.

    Today, Chen Yi has used the sword art ¡®Seizing the Moon¡¯ with a saber, and managed to glimpse the art¡¯s truths!

    This strike would be written into a sect¡¯s history and glory!

    A Lian Jian Zong elder appeared slightly shocked, ¡°your father has passed this sword art to you?¡±

    In her eyes, within Lian Jian¡¯s younger generation, no matter how she looked at it, Chen Yi was far too average in every aspect and has never revealed anything outstanding. No matter how well he executed ¡®Broad Sea¡¯ and ¡®Vast Sky¡¯ just now, it wasn¡¯t enough to change her opinion.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Qu Duiyan slightly smiled and nodded, ¡°but shidi wasn¡¯t willing to take up dad¡¯s mantle and practice the sword. He only likes using the saber.¡±

    Unwilling to inherit a sage¡¯s teachings.

    This sounds like something inconceivable.

    When she looked at the young man now, surrounded by moonlight, she finally saw the pride running through his blood.

    Not only her, but many people also saw.

    Both upon and below the tform, from the important personages to the ordinary disciples, they all saw the pride imbued in this strike.

    Passions soar, bold and unrestrained, climbing the vast skies and seizing the moon!4

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s face turned pale in an instant.

    Crack-

    The de has yet to arrive, but its energy red violently. The elm branch in Yin Biyue¡¯s hand snapped in answer.

    In an instant, the length of a longsword appeared under the saber¡¯s de.

    It wasn¡¯t a tree branch,but a real sword.

    There was no choice, Yi Hu has been regretfully unsheathed!

    His elm branch has been split and his real sword forced out. Under this pressure and sudden change, Yin Biyue should¡¯ve been panicked and his mind a mess.

    But in reality, he¡¯s never felt more clear-headed, more confident, than in this moment.

    Because in his hand he held a sword.

    This sword was his confidence.

    This was an emotion he¡¯s never felt before.

    Though this sword couldn¡¯t be used by him, Yin Biyue must admit that after countless days and nights of practicing, it has be inseparable from him.

    Since it¡¯s already been drawn, was there a need for misgivings?

    The saber¡¯s de has already pierced his bones; there¡¯s no choice but to fight. In this moment, it was as if the Yi Hu Sword could finally feel its master¡¯s heart.

    The longsword advanced along the saber¡¯s edge, a sprinkle of clear light trailing in the trembling sword¡¯s wake.

    Chen Yi¡¯s face paled further; ten thousand pounds of pressure traveled along his de to his wrist, as if a mountain has been set upon his saber to crush each and every inch of his bones and meridians

    Yin Biyue¡¯s sword has just been drawn, and the most tyrannical skill has been used.

    It was the Sword Saint¡¯s self-made ¡®Little Heavy Mountain¡¯5 sword art.

    On Cang Ya, he once watched Jun Yu practicing this sword art at the edge of a tall cliff.

    Just as drawing his sword was by instinct, this move was also an instinctual response.

    Ten thousand mountains impending the way, on what basis could the moon be seized?

    The power of Chen Yi¡¯s saber has been exhausted, yet he was unable to retract his de in time, because Yin Biyue¡¯s next strike has already arrived.

    The two strikes flowed together closely. Just like ¡®Crane-song Above the Clouds¡¯ and ¡®Winds Sweeping the Central ins¡¯, it was as if no gap existed between them.

    Many people didn¡¯t dare recognize the Sword Saint¡¯s Little Weighty Mountain, but this move, nearly every single person was able to recognize it.

    ¡°Frigid Water!¡±

    This was the single move that Yin Biyue has used in a previous match.

    A chill surged outward from the stage¡¯s protection array that was riddled with gaping holes.

    The sword has broken through the saber¡¯s momentum, pressing forward fearlessly.

    This battle was like a single wave having three faces 6, changing far too quickly.

    The Lian Jian Zong disciples were still intoxicated by the sky full of moonbeams. Without any time to react, in the blink of an eye the frost permeated their hearts.

    Chen Yi¡¯s face waspletely white, crumbling under the force of Yin Biyue¡¯s sword.

    Exmations of awe erupted. This strike was so quick and violent; it was inevitable that there would be blood sshed three feet out in the next moment!

    There was even someone who had already closed their eyes.

    After a breath; tranquility.

    No wail of sword shing against saber, nor the sound of a de tearing into flesh.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s sword stopped half an inch from Chen Yi¡¯s shoulder. His hand grasping his sword was without the slightest tremble, only his face was very faintly pale.

    The Frigid Water Sword has been used, spilt water cannot be retrieved, yet it was suddenly brought to a halt.

    No one knew why.

    But Yin Biyue knew.

    This sword still didn¡¯t ept his core energy, so he can only use the same method as before to use techniques. But this battle hadpletely exhausted his divine sense, and he could no longer stabilize the core energy onto his de.

    When he reached this half-inch away, his core energy has already dissipated to nothing.

    Even if this sword struck, there was none of its original power. Just now the time between his sword strikes was very short, there shouldn¡¯t have been any indication. If this strike also struck true...

    Fortunately he stopped in time.

    Chen Yi¡¯s expression nked slightly, ¡°Why?¡±

    Not only him, but every single person was awaiting Yin Biyue¡¯s reply.

    Chen Yi¡¯s personality was as simple as his de; he¡¯ll ask whatever he wants to ask. Just like the words he blurted out when they first stepped on stage .

    Yin Biyue felt that this was an opponent worthy of respect, and so he decided to tell the truth, ¡°I did not spare you out of mercy, only that my strength fell short.

    Chen Yi revealed an incredulous expression. Yin Biyue swept his eyes over the crowd below the stage and saw everyone sharing the same expression.

    As if... he was lying.

    He could even hear the whispers amongst the crowd, ¡°The sword¡¯s energy was like a surging river cutting through mountains and splitting stones. Saying that his strength fell short... how is it possible?¡±

    ¡°Why would you spare me even with the risk of bacsh from your sword energy?¡±

    No one even believes the truth when it¡¯s spoken these days! A part of Yin Biyue red in rage, and blurted out, ¡°I am not that kindhearted; I really did run out of strength!¡±

    ¡°Ding¡ªgreetings valued customer; it¡¯s been a long time. Viinous line ¡®I am not that kindhearted¡¯ has appeared£¬The conditions have been met, the halo has been activated£¡¡±

    Yin Biyue has beenpletely struck dumb.

    He is going to swear at the heavens!

    He¡¯s long since forgotten that he carried this additional ¡®Viin¡¯s Fiendish Halo¡¯!

    Since entering Ye City, his mentality has changed a lot. Even when facing enemies or opponents he hasn¡¯t done anything like ¡®gaze like a de¡¯ or ughing coldly¡¯, nor has he said ¡®I was never a good person¡±.

    But! This time!

    This halo that¡¯s been in a long hibernation! Has furiously reestablished its existence!

    He stood in the blowing wind, his heart a frozennd of destion.

    I just wanted to act B7...

    Why... at a time like this...

    Did it feel the need to draw aggro8...

    1) ÒÐºþ. Lit. To rely upon ake. I¡¯d go so far as to interpret it as something like ¡°Alongside the Lake¡±, perhaps even ¡°Lakeside Companion¡± or more oundishly ¡°Lake Guided¡± but none of these make great nor snappy sword names. My best gander would be Lake Leaning, but only for the alliteration and mild pun.

    2) In Chinese mythos, the ninth heaven is the highest heaven.

    3) ³¯ÎÅµÀ£¬Ï¦¿ÉËÀ. From Wikitionary: If in the morning I were to gain knowledge of the correct path, I would be able to die at sunset.¡±

    4) ¾ã»³ÒÝÐË×³Ë¼·É£¬ÓûÉÏÇàÌìÀ¿Ã÷ÔÂ£¡Lit. unrestrainable passions fly [escape] from within our bosoms/arms, lust for/desiring to step into the clear sky to seize/monopolize the bright moon. As this is a Li Bai poem, it¡¯s difficult to trante, and the sorry excuse of an ¡°official trantion¡± is... bad. Click on the image to go to source. I really tried very hard and consulted many people. If you¡¯ve found a good trantion, I¡¯d love to see it!! I think I got stuck on this for a solid two hours... But I was determined to make it work since it was the source of his techniques.

    5) Ð¡ÖØÉ½. Lit. Little Heavy Mountain. My TL notes on the doc were ¡°this looks about as dumb and poorly named as it does in english in chinese as well¡±

    6) Ò»²¨ÈýÕÛ. Lit. One wave, three folds. I really wanted to retain the heavy water imagery present

    7) The original had X instead of B, but it¡¯s the same thing. The English fandom is likely to be more familiar with B. As for acting B, it means to act arrogantly and

    8) ³ðºÞÖµ ¨C Lit. hatred value. A gaming term used to refer to the attention of an enemy (usually a boss). Aggression -> aggro.

 Chapter 41 - Dusk

    <h4>Chapter 41 ¨C Dusk</h4>

    Yin Biyue felt the atmosphere change instantly. Each person¡¯s eyes that fell on him had an indescribable,plicated expression. Sheathing his sword, he saw Chen Yi smiling and even cupping his hands in courtesy, ¡°Today¡¯s battle, I ept wholeheartedly.¡± Yin Biyue felt incredibly lucky and thought: this cheap imitation of a halo couldn¡¯t even draw much aggro. Thus, he returned the gesture and said, ¡°by your concession¡±. The attendant called out, ¡°This battle is over. Cang Ya, Yin Biyue wins¡ª¡± The highs and lows of this battle could be deemed brilliant and outstanding, yet without bloodshed or injury. Both sides began with an upright andposed greeting, and they ended in the same manner. Yin Biyue walked off the stage and a hoard of Cang Ya disciples swarmed around him. Their gazes were both joyous and sorrowful, even carrying somewhat of ¡®wishing iron would instantly turn into steel¡¯1 kind of feeling. Their scrutiny made him extremely ufortable. In the next second, the crowd parted, and he was met with Luo Mingchuan¡¯s eyes. As always, they were the color of clear and crystalline amber. His eyes carried a trace of concern. He asked in a low tone, ¡°Are you injured?¡± It was the same as when his first fight ended. In that instant, a sense offort washed over Yin Biyue. No matter how this world saw him, Luo Mingchuan¡¯s gaze had never changed. Screw whatever aggro! Shixiong had been under the sun this long, and he was still waiting for me to support him on the way home! ~(¨R¨Œ¨Q)/~ Luo Mingchuan slightly coughed and simply said, ¡°There¡¯s still something else, shidi and I will go first.¡± Only then did the crowd suddenly show flustered expressions. They already knew the road beneath their feet by heart; after they turned into an alleyway, Yin Biyue supported Luo Mingchuan¡¯s arm. The iplete intent of the Frigid Water technique still circted devastatingly around his body, making him unable to resist leaning closer. Yet, suddenly he felt the closeness was inappropriate. Shixiong, who was always proper, might not be very used to it. Just when he was about to put some distance between them, he heard Luo Mingchuan sincerely say, ¡°Thank you, shidi.¡± No worries ~(¨R¨Œ¨Q)/~

    *************

    The two had left without hesitation. When everyone at the arena had regained theirposure, Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan¡¯s backs were so far away that they couldn¡¯t be seen anymore, condensing into a single point under the clear blue sky. Comments and sighs rang out one by one. He Yanyunmented, ¡°With Yin shixiong like this... good thing Luo shixiong is there to watch over him.¡± Duan Chongxuan didn¡¯t know what expression he should be making. Regarding his own shixiong¡¯s nature, he understood more deeply than others. ¡°Fortunately, with fourth shixiong¡¯sbat capability and cultivation, he won¡¯t be bullied by other people.¡± Some people didn¡¯t agree, ¡°Yin shixiong¡¯s cultivation is profound, hisbat capability unsurpassed. But in the future, what if somebody with immoral intentions wants to deceive him? For example, acting pitiful to get sympathy? Then what?¡± ¡°Yin shixiong always wears a cold expression! He appears to be cold-hearted and aloof! This is great!¡± ¡°Yes! Although he¡¯s easily misunderstood, he can still also frighten the crooks!¡± The Cang Ya disciples gathered together and expressed heartfelt concern over their own shixiong¡¯s character. In the end, they came to the conclusion that Luo shixiong must look after him well! The entirety of Cang Ya must band together to look after him well too! Chu Huan brought Lian Jian Zong disciples up on the stage and helped Chen Yi down. Chen Yi waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to worry; he indeed did not get injured. Qu Duiyan, who was on the spectator¡¯s stand, also finally rxed. Up on the spectator¡¯s stage, somebody suddenly called Buddha¡¯s name. The crowd looked over and saw a senior monk of Jie Kong Temple dressed in a grey robe. Buddhist cultivators have always been low-profile, especially those of Jie Kong Temple. Even in busy and chaotic markets, they behaved as if they were in a Buddhist hall. Zi Ming was the shidi of Jie Kong Temple¡¯s First Chair; his position and cultivation were apparent. However, when he doesn¡¯t speak, almost no one would notice him. The sound of his voice was as warm as the spring breeze, as if reciting scriptures, ¡°Amitabha. Great shishu frequently said, our Buddhist sect¡¯s disciples who roam the secr world does not yield in every aspect because of mercy; rather, they need to have a ¡®Bodhisattva heart and firm hands.¡¯ I did not grasp this before, but today I finally understand: he was actually describing people like Yin shizhu2.¡± Everyone¡¯s hearts were deeply moved; for a moment, they didn¡¯t know what to say. A Bao Pu Zong¡¯s elder coldly snorted, his expression rancor. In a low voice, he cursed, ¡°Whatpassion and mercy? It¡¯s simply housewives¡¯ sympathies <sup>3</sup>! In the future, he¡¯s unlikely to be capable! The Sword Saint actually has this kind of disciple!¡± Abruptly, he felt a cold shiver down his spine. He hurriedly turned around and saw the Lian Jian Zong¡¯s elder icily looking at him. He remembered only then the opponent that Yin Biyue showed mercy to was a Lian Jian disciple. Although his voice was low, the words he said a moment ago were difficult to escape the ears of a cultivator a half-step into the Greater Vessel stage. Among the people who watched the battle today, the Lian Jian Zong elder¡¯s cultivation was the highest. That single nce did not leak the tiniest bit of power, yet it was brimming with threat. He could only pale and shut his mouth. The elder of QingLu Sword Sect also spoke up. He mildly said, ¡°The Sword Saint having such an apprentice is a good thing.¡± When the middle-aged woman¡¯s cold eyes finished terrorizing that Bao Pu Zong figure, she turned to Qu Duiyan; only then did her countenance disy some affection. Previously, she had already clearly understood the fight and now lectured, ¡°In order for your shidi to execute thatst move ¡®Seizing the Moon¡¯, he used up all his strength. The core energy that protected his body had already diminished to nothing. If Yin Biyue¡¯s sword had struck true, he wouldn¡¯t be able to wield a saber for at least a year. Even with your mother¡¯s ¡®Gold Wind Jade Dew¡¯, he would still need half a year to recover.¡± Here, the lecture turned into a warning, ¡°In the future, no matter who you¡¯re fighting with, if it¡¯s not a matter of life and death, the core energy that protects the body must never be dispersed, lest you ce yourself in grave danger. As for Yin Biyue that child, he obviously has a cold face yet a warm heart. But he insisted on being stubborn and couldn¡¯t even finish giving someone a favorpletely. Do not learn from himter on.¡± Qu Duiyan soothingly promised just as before, ¡°Auntie¡¯s teachings are right. Yan-er <sup>4</sup> understands now.¡± The middle-aged woman nodded her head in satisfaction. Still, Qu Duiyan¡¯s heart remembered that cold-faced, warm-hearted youth and couldn¡¯t help smiling. Whether it was havingpassion and showing mercy or being ignorant to the ways of the world, she felt that either way was excellent. He was different from the crowd, unique. Regardless of how everyone thought, the Flower Picking Festival¡¯s third round continued on, and this brilliant and outstanding battle had to eventually dissipate like so much smoke. However, there were still discussions in teahouses and restaurants. The first time Yi Hu was unsheathed, and it had the power of ten thousand mountains to destroy Seizing the Moon. It must not be underestimated. People just didn¡¯t know ifpared to the Feng Yu Sword, which one was sharper? This question even Yin Biyue himself could not answer. He sat on his futon, using a cloth to wipe his sword. His expression was serious, and his movements were meticulous. In his mind, he minutely recalled the details of that battle. It wasn¡¯t an illusion. When unsheathed, this sword, under Seizing the Moon¡¯s force, was indeed slightly vibrating and faintly humming, as if displeased and furious. But it still did not ept his core energy, silent and stubborn. If the All Saints Era¡¯s first godly weapon ¡®Lin Yuan¡¯ still existed, it probably wouldn¡¯t have this much attitude. Thinking this, Yin Biyue was nearly losing it. <i>#Shifu, the way you passed on this sword back then probably had a BUG <sup>5</sup></i><i>#I want to have a chat with this sword.</i>

    **************

    Seven dayster, the Flower Picking Festival¡¯s third round finished. Qu Duiyan never showed up afterward in theter fights. Many people sighed over the shocking appearance of a beauty and wondered if they had the fate to see her again in this life. There should have been forty people to advance, but there were several battles where both parties were badly injured, and the winners had also given up the right to go onpeting. Therefore, only thirty-six people advanced. Before the fourth round¡¯s draws began, the participating disciples still had three days of rest. QingLu Sword Sect had also dispatched people to do reinforcements and repair work on the arena¡¯s arrays. The number of foreign cultivators in Ye City increased; all were waiting to watch the next round of fighting. The ck-armored guards¡¯ daily patrols had greatly intensified, and the city¡¯s wine shops and gambling dens¡¯ businesses were doing even better. Presently, the disciples of various sects, including those who were eliminated and those that came to spectate, numbered far more than those that were in still in thepetition. Many people who no longer felt pressure from thepetition liked to go to the gambling dens to make bets with low stakes for the thrill in support of their own sects, enriching a little of their cultivation life. Although the next round¡¯s drawing results had not yet been revealed, many people knew of the incident the other day at the teahouse. They knew the Feng Yu Sword, Zhong Shan, and the disciple of the Sword Saint, Yin Biyue, would eventually have a battle, so the betting started up early. The force that Yin Biyue previously disyed in battle with his sword dispelled the rumors of his qi deviation and cultivation being greatly damaged. Thus, the odds of victory and defeat between the two didn¡¯t differ very much. But due to Zhong Shan¡¯s greater cultivation stage, more people had bet on him. After all, people in the previous round had questioned his Breakthrough Stage cultivation, suspecting that he was already a half-step into the Lesser Vessel Stage. At Lake Qiu, Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue¡¯s lives were repeating cycles of cultivating, practicing swordsmanship, and guiding Chatterbox. Duan Chongxuan was busy cultivating, practicing swordsmanship, and being guided. Even in the midst of his busy schedule, he still ran to the gambling dens to firmly bet on his own shixiong. As a result, his image of being exceptionally handsome, young, and rich became even grander in the hearts of the Ye City¡¯s girls. Practically everyone engaged in this big trending bet. Only the Bao Pu Zong¡¯s disciples did not participate. It was not because they were concentrated on cultivating, detaching themselves from the low-ss fun. Instead, it was because initially in the battle between Yin Biyue and He Lai, they had borrowed arge sum of money from Ye City¡¯s bank to put their bets on He Lai winning. After they lost the bet, they couldn¡¯t gather all the money at the time. The debt waspletely paid off to the bank by the elder who had led the group with his own personal funds. This incident was passed on back to HengDuan Mountain in the Western Continent, and the sect¡¯s highest elders criticized it as a ¡®disgrace¡¯. Therefore, the Bao Pu Zong disciples were all now too afraid to go gamble. Ye City¡¯s hottest days of summer were almost over, and cool breezes arose when the setting sun fell to the west. The city¡¯s residents carried bamboo chairs out to the streets to enjoy the cool air. They fluttered their fans and nibbled sunflower seeds, discussing thetest hot news of the Flower Picking Festival. The blossom houses hurriedly hung up colorful lights; the merchants on the main street started to prepare for the night market; and thenterns in the wealthy homes were also lit early. The Cang Ya disciples at Lake Qiu ended a day of practicing swords and cultivating. Some went back to their rooms to prepare for meditation, and some went to the city center to join in on the excitement. Twilight sprinkled from the westward sky, and theke surface reflected rays of fluttering gold. Tired birds returned back to their nests, and kitchen smoke spiraled skyward in the distance between the white walls and gray tiles of homes. People beside theke gradually went away; chatter andughter also scattered, and Lake Qiu quieted down at dusk. Only a slight breeze was blowing, lifting the thousand strands of the weeping willows circling theke. So far, the current situation was no different from the past. But today was foreordained to be different. Because there was a youngdy standing under the willow tree. No one knew when she came and how long she stood there. She seemed as if she had appeared there silently, without even the evening winds nor the weeping willows noticing. She wore a purple qipao with wide sleeves and a narrow waist, embroidered with faint patterns of flourishing flowers. The hairpin in her hair was neither wood nor jade, with only the smooth pearl embedded at the end glistening in the sunset. When the white-haired youth pushed open his door and walked toward theke with his sword, she smiled lightly. A smile of three springs <sup>6</sup>. Even if the weeping willow was more graceful, how could itpare to her gentle dimples? Even if theke was more radiant, how could itpare with her bright eyes?

    <hr ss="wp-block-separator">

    1) ºÞÌú²»³É¸Ö (wishing iron would instantly turn into steel): resentful towards someone for failing expectation and impatient to see improvements.

    2) Ê©Ö÷ (shizhu): term used by monk to address ayperson

    3) ¸¾ÈËÖ®ÈÊ (housewives¡¯ sympathies): excessive clemency

    4) ÑÌ¶ù (Yan-er): A nickname for Qu Duiyan

    5) # (it¡¯s a hashtag)

    6) Ò»Ð¦Èý´º (a smile of three springs): It¡¯s actually just the 3 months of spring.

 Chapter 42 - First Love

    <strong>Chapter 42 ¨C First Love</strong>

    Yin Biyue left the courtyard; it was once again the time of day for him to practice his sword.

    At this hour in the past, the shores of Lake Qiu were quiet, tranquil, and without a trace of people; only the rare cries of cuckoos ringing distantly.

    But today, Lake Qiu seemed to have mysteriously gained a radiant glow.

    His eyes followed the gleam, and saw a lone person standing under the willow trees. It was a youngdy, who sweetly gave a small smile and called out, ¡°Yin-shixiong.¡±

    Anyone else in his ce would have recognized this youngdy.

    But Yin Biyue wasn¡¯t anyone else.

    That day, when he stepped onto the stage topete, he did not think to nce around the stage. Now, he could only rely on her clothing to infer that this girl originated from Lian Jian Zong. He took two steps forward, stopped a polite distance away, and suspiciously asked, ¡°You are?¡±

    They had never met before; she ought to be calling him ¡®Yin-daozhang,¡¯ not ¡®Yin-shixiong.¡¯

    If other girls had seen him ¡ª brows slightly knitted, an expression full of ice, seeming entirely insensitive ¡ª they would have already left in anger and shame. But Qu Duiyan, with an unbridled smile said, ¡°I¡¯m called Qu Duiyan. ¡®Qu¡¯ from the Qu River, and ¡®Duiyan¡¯ from ¡®willows weeping within the mist¡¯1¡±

    It was then that even the Yin Biyue who couldn¡¯t even discern ¡®The Seven Sons Bao Pu¡¯ recognized who she was.

    Qu River was a river¡¯s name, but it was also the name of a Sage.

    Yangliu2 was the Lian Jian Zong sect leader¡¯s name, as well as her daughter¡¯s name.

    She said these words without any arrogance, only the natural magnanimity of someone introducing themselves.

    This raised her impression in Yin Biyue¡¯s eyes not just a little, so he promptly said,

    ¡°Duan-shidi is inside. Let me call him for you.¡±

    Qu Duiyan startled a bit, ¡°I¡¯m not here for Duan-daozhang.¡±

    Yin Biyue stared back. A girl who came here not seeking Duan Chongxuan...... could it be that she came looking for Luo Mingchuan?

    He didn¡¯t know why, but his heart grew oddly dismayed, ¡°Then who are you looking for?¡±

    Qu Duiyan conscientiously said, ¡°I¡¯vee seeking you, Yin-shixiong.¡±

    Yin Biyue, stunned, said, ¡°Seeking me... ... for what¡±

    Qu Duiyan stepped forward, and as if she was inquiring if he¡¯d eaten yet, asked, ¡°Is Yin-shixiong married yet?¡±

    ¡°......Not yet.¡±

    Yin Biyue had yet to recover from the question when the next chased after immediately. ¡°Then, Yin-shixiong, how about me?¡±

    This time Yin Biyue was thoroughly stunned dumb.

    In the entirety of his prior lengthy and endless career as a viin he had never had a ¡®confessed to by a little sister¡¯ event.

    No, not even a confession; this BOSS¡¯s numerous past bodies were so far in the background, the female leads¡¯ spit never even reached him.

    Is he now......beginning the plotline of hiding schemes now?

    ¡®Quickly tell me that this isn¡¯t real¡¯ began to y in an endless loop in Yin Biyue¡¯s head and refused to stop.

    Qu Duiyan saw that he wasn¡¯t saying anything, yet she was not nervous. She only smiled and waited.

    After what seemed like half a day, Yin Biyue spoke. ¡°Qu-daozhang, have you made a mistake?¡±

    Qu Duiyan¡¯s eyes reddened slightly, ¡°I have not made any mistakes. Is it that there is something wrong with me?¡±

    Yin Biyue had never encountered this kind of situation before, and was at a loss as to what to do for quite a while. ¡°No, you¡¯re very good, it¡¯s that I¡¯m not good......¡±

    Luo Mingchan or Duan Chongxuan, either of them will do! But his verbal ability really can¡¯t express anything. Finally, he exined clearly, ¡°It is I who does not have this intention.¡±

    Qu Duiyan pressed persistently, ¡°The path of cultivation is long, what is wrong with having someone to apany you? Yin-shixiong does not understand me now, but if you give me a chance, we won¡¯t necessarily not get along well.¡±

    This was very reasonable; there was no way to refute.

    Yin Biyue settled his heart, and seriously replied, ¡°You are very good. Your cultivation, your family background, and your appearance are all outstanding. In the future, you will meet someone incredible, and your hearts¡¯ intentions will match; together you will follow the cultivation path for hundreds of thousands of years and together spend an endless life...... but this person is not me.

    Qu Duiyan¡¯s tears finally fell, ¡°Does Yin-shixiong reject me because he has someone in his heart already?

    In truth, Yin Biyue also did not know why he rejected her.

    Perhaps it is because the Sword Saint long has not returned to the mountain¡ªthe world¡¯s powers are all watching like tigers watching prey, the greatest power in thend is still not clear, and he himself still has a lot to do. Or perhaps it is a reason that he himself does not know......

    But he resolvedly said, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Qu Duiyan smiled and said, ¡°Then that¡¯s good. Yin-shixiong must invite me to your marriage ceremony3 in the future. If she does not cherish Shixiong¡¯s feelings, I wille steal away Shixiong.¡±

    Yin Biyue felt that her smile was very sad. No matter the reason, hurting a young girl is always something ruthless. He felt around in his sleeve, pulled out a handkerchief, and handed it to her.

    Qu Duiyan took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears. Clutching it tightly in her hands, she said, ¡°I¡¯m going now.¡±

    Yin Biyue watched her turn around and follow theke shore away, the ck silk of her hair dancing in the night wind and her back held pin-straight.

    Once he turned, he saw Luo Mingchuan who has been leaning by the courtyard entrance for who knows how long.

    The setting sun shone gold. He stood in the shadow of the courtyard wall, his expression curiously dark and gloomy. In a low voice he called, ¡°Shidi.¡±

    **************

    Qu Duiyan walked along thekeside,her heart dejected.

    Suddenly, behind her a crisp voice rang out, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t feel so sad.¡±

    Qu Duiyan raised her guard as she spun around, and saw two girls wearing Cang Ya¡¯s white garments: one as brightly beautiful as a spring flower, one as delicate as a white lotus.

    ¡°You two are following me?¡±

    If it was before, she would have noticed them much earlier. It¡¯s just that her current heart was unsteady and she didn¡¯t pay attention for the entire walk.

    He Yanyun rolled her eyes, ¡°Who¡¯s following you? I¡¯m just afraid you¡¯re going to throw yourself into theke.¡± She passed over a oil-paper wrapped packet, saying, ¡°Freshly bought and still warm. Are you going to eat?¡±

    Qu Duiyan took a look and it turned out to be several pieces of steamed sweet cheese curd.

    It was obvious that those two were returning to Lake Qiu after going shopping, and just happened to see the scene of herself being rejected. If she was a different girl, she would have been infuriated and embarrassed, but Qu Duiyan¡¯s disposition was like her mother; able to ask a question like ¡°how about me?¡± so forwardly, there was no possibility that there was anything that could shame her into anger.

    She was busy struggling with the steamed sweet cheese curd. ¡°I don¡¯t like this kind of children¡¯s treat at all. How can you eat this? My generation of cultivators, having such a strong desire for good food......¡±

    He Yanyun took back the paper parcel, ¡°Xiaolian, let¡¯s eat.¡±

    With swift eyes and a quick hand Qu Duiyan snached the package back.

    ¡°......I never said that I wasn¡¯t going to eat it.¡±

    She lost her struggle.

    Qu Duiyan simultaneously ate and judged them. She decided that both of them were very pretty and couldn¡¯t resist asking,

    ¡°Yin-shixiong said that he has a person in his heart already. Do you know who it is? Is it one of you two?¡±

    Ruan Xiaolian let out a ¡®pfft¡¯, ¡°Of course not. Take a look at the words sewn on that handkerchief.¡±

    Qu Duiyan furrowed her brows, ¡°¡®As resplendent as a pearl, and heart pure as jade,¡¯4 what does that mean?¡±

    He Yanyun exined, ¡°¡®Ming¡¯es from my shixiong Luo Mingchuan¡¯s ¡®Ming.¡¯ ¡®Baibi¡¯ is of course referring to Yin Biyue, Yin-shixiong.

    Qu Duiyan eximed with rm, ¡°So it was like this!¡±

    The cultivation world did have men who joined together, but it was a small number.

    But she very quickly epted this theory with only a slight sense of loss.

    ¡°I¡¯ve met Luo-shixiong. He is of a noble character, upright and honest. He seems like a very good person. If it¡¯s this way......it looks like I won¡¯t have a chance anymore.

    He Yanyun said, ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful and your gift for cultivation is so good, why are you worrying that there is no that will like you?¡±

    Upon hearing this Qu Duiyan became more listless, and even stopped eating the sweet cheese curd. She lightly leapt off her toes onto thekeside weeping willow. She sat on the willow branch like a weightless breath of wind, the willow branch only shivering a few times before settling.

    He Yanyun was afraid that she took the sweet curd with her, and also leapt into the tree alongside Ruan Xiaolian.

    Three girls sat shoulder to shoulder in the boughs of the immense willow tree. The glow of the sunset began to fade as the crescent moon rose over the horizon.

    Qu Duiyan stared towards theke with the sunlight reflecting off the crystalline waves, and suddenly let out a sigh, ¡°I think that I am unmarriageable.¡±

    He Yanyun jumped in fright and said, ¡°Not possible! You¡¯re only this old, and you¡¯re already defeated after one loss.¡±

    Qu Duiyan rolled her eyes, ¡°What do you know. This isn¡¯t my first defeat! This is already my second!¡±

    He Yanyun had no choice but to concede that a beauty truly is a beauty; even rolling her eyes is more attractive inparison.

    Therefore she was astonished. Other than Yin-shixiong, there unexpectedly actually was someone who could reject this level of beauty. A gossiper¡¯s5 heart is difficult to suppress for long, so He Yanyun asked, ¡°Who was the first then?¡±

    Ruan Xiaolian¡¯s expression did not budge and she quietly strained her ears to hear.

    Qu Duiyan had never talked about this event with anyone. Even her father did not know.

    Maybe it was because taking their gift of food earned reciprocation6 Maybe it was because it was night and the atmosphere was just right. She didn¡¯t even know herself, but she actually spoke, ¡°The first person was my shidi Chen Yi.¡±

    Ruan Xiaolian turned pale with thunderous shock, ¡°What?¡±

    He Yanyun also thought that Chen Yi really was a bit too......ordinary.

    If he didn¡¯t have a saber, he would be indistinguishable once tossed to the street.

    Yet Qu Duiyan interpreted their shock incorrectly.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    ¡°His age is greater than mine, his cultivation level is also greater mine, but he entered the sectter than me; of course he is my shidi! It¡¯s not like I¡¯m a cradle robber......exining this is so difficult. Obviously my mother seeded on her first try, but when ites to me why do I keep getting rejected?¡±

    He Yanyun, seeing how down she was, patted her on the shoulder.

    ¡°What does this matter? When I was young I was secretly in love with Luo-shixiong! But afterwards I realized......It¡¯s like if I saw a flower, thought it was very pretty, and just wanted to possess it. You only like it¡¯s appearance. It¡¯s a kind of admiration, not love.

    Ruan Xiaolian deeply felt the same way.

    ¡°When I was young I wanted to marry the young man who was the head chef of the roasted chicken store at the base of the mountain. I only liked the way he roasted the chicken, it wasn¡¯t love.¡±

    The night had truly fallen by now and the bright moon was scattering its brilliance. Qu Duiyan pensively stared at theke, and said, ¡°Saying it this way, it does have some sense. I only saw Yin-shixiong on the stage once, how could that be love?

    As the three girls talked about their forgotten, distant, and ignorant first loves, theke¡¯s waters became hazy.

    ¡°Initially......why did you confess to Chen Yi?¡±

    ¡°When I was eight years old, I went with my father to visit the Academy Director. In the academy, I witnessed him fixing a wound for a small cat. I ran over to y with him and he gave me candy to eat, so I asked him if he would marry me in the future......he rejected me.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t make a mistake did you? Eight years old! That¡¯s too young!¡±

    ¡°So? This girl at eight years old was already devastatingly beautiful, eclipsing the moon and embarrassing the flowers!7¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re too narcissistic, give me the curd.¡±

    Qu Duiyan loudlyughed and leapt from the willow tree with a single spring. Landing lightly by theke then running, she eximed, ¡°There¡¯s only one piece left!¡±

    He Yanyun and Ruan Xiaolian hurried after her in chase.

    ***********

    Yin Biyue thought that there was something wrong with Luo Mingchuan.

    But as to what exactly was wrong, he couldn¡¯t say.

    The two men faced each other in the nighttimekeside wind. Neither spoke.

    Luo Mingchuan also knew that his current state was not right; he had no solution though, he was unable to contain it.

    He stood behind the courtyard door listening to his shidi talk with Qu Duiyan for nearly the entire conversation, wanting to push open the door and reveal himself many times. That kind of mood made him apprehensive. He asked himself why stop? What reason does he have to stop?

    Very quickly he found out the sorrowful reason: the Sword Saint won¡¯t return to the mountain, and the entire world is in disorder¡ªhis shidi having a rtionship with Lian Jian Zong¡¯s sage¡¯s daughter, will bring only advantages to both Xi Hua peak and Cang Ya sect.

    Luo Mingchuan once again decided he needed strength.

    He needed great strength, strong enough to change the great powers in the world and not need consideration for any person, any matter.

    Fortunately, his shidi rejected Qu Duiyan.

    Luo Mingchuan pushed open the door, and saw his shidi standing alone in the light of sunset.

    His heart and mind vtile, it took a long time to calm down.

    At this time, Yin Biyue finally found a way to break through the heavy silence.

    ¡°Shixiong, is there something wrong with the courtyard¡¯s doorstep?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan turned around to look¡ªbehind him was an iparably fine cloud of dust, through which he could barely make out the silhouette of door sill. A breeze blew past and lightly stirred the dust into the air.

    He lightly coughed, ¡°It was old and needed repair. I wasn¡¯t paying attention when I came out.¡±

    Yin Biyue wasn¡¯t convinced, but his instinct told him it was better to just follow along with Luo Mingchuan¡¯s words right now.

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    He didn¡¯t know that if he had turned back for a nce a littleter, the entire courtyard would be that way.¡±

    ¡°Does Shixiong have time right now? Cang Ya¡¯s sword techniques always have a certain trick to them8. I don¡¯t quite understand the ¡°Dense of Brilliant Sands¡±9 technique. Can Shixiong help me take a look?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan smiled; as if gentle a gentle breeze and the bright moon entered his embrace.

    ¡°Alright then.¡±

    ...

    1) Referring the poem:

    Í¥ÔºÉîÉîÉîŽ×ÔS£¬

    —îÁø¶ÑŸŸ£¬ºŸÄ»ŸoÖØ”µ¡£

    ÓñÀÕµñ°°ß[Ò±ÌŽ£¬˜Ç¸ß²»ÒŠÕÂÌ¨Â·¡£

    Óê™MïL¿ñÈýÔÂÄº£¬

    éTÑÚüS»è£¬ŸoÓ‹Áô´º×¡¡£

    œIÑÛ†–»¨»¨²»ÕZ£¬y¼tïwß^íFíaÈ¥¡£

    (Trantion here)

    Specifically the line, ¡°willows shrouded in heavy smoke¡± [yang liu dui yan]

    2) Yang liu from the aforementioned poem.

    3) ºÏ¼®´óµä ¨C it¡¯s the ceremony for adding someone to their family registrar. The first two characters, [he ji] is also in the phrase meaning dual cultivation partners. heh. I tranted as marriage for ease.

    4) Ã÷Öé»ª²Ê£¬°×èµÎÞÏ¾ ¨C What was embroidered on the handkerchiefs. We will be using this trantion. Brilliant light of a clear pearl. white bi jade without ws is the literal trantion.

    5) °ËØÔ ¨C This one is just for fun, this means gossip as well as eight trigrams

    6) ÄÃÈËÊÖ¶Ì£¬³ÔÈË×ìÈí ¨C a saying that basically trantes to ¡°there¡¯s no such thing as a free meal¡±. I just adapted to the situation.

    7) Çã¹úÇã³Ç£¬±ÕÔÂÐß»¨ ¨C a beauty that can topple kingdoms, a Helen of Troy, and [bi yue xiu hua]... do you guys remember when YBY jokingly made a pun on this in chapter 22? Yup, same one.

    8) ¾÷Àï ¨C jue/li a trick within. I¡¯m not entirely certain on this exact phrase, but the meaning remains.

    9) Ã÷É³ËÞÃ§ ¨C Another struggle. [ming] as in bright, clear; [sha] as in sand, particles, powder; [su/xiu] depending on the reading, it could mean old/former, a ce to spend the night, night, or constetion; [mang] could be a weed, dense growth, a specific poisonous shrub. I went with a version of the interpretation of ¡°bright sands as a thicket of stars ¡°. If you have any ideas about a better trantion, please suggest!

    Random side note: the.... cheese sticks???

 Chapter 43 - Coming Battle

    Chapter 43 ¨C Coming Battle

    In the shadow of the moon, the courtyard along the shore of Lake Qiu was silent, only the sounds of trilling summer insects and the wind rustling through the tree leaves in the deep night.

    Luo Mingchuan pushed open his window, the evening air poured in, the cold nipping at his face and clearing his mind.

    Outside of his window directly facing Lake Qiu, an expanse of white fog lifted, the moonlight radiating a thousand miles.

    He didn¡¯t like his about-to-go-off-the-edge mood during the day, so he began to organize his thoughts.

    In the dungeon, he found out he got drunk in the past, disturbed his shidi¡¯s qi condensation, and caused him to step onto the wrong path. Therefore his heart felt guilty. Originally, deciding to descend the mountain together was because he wanted to make it up to his shidi, and to straighten things out.

    But through this journey, just when did it change?

    At the Fukong Sea shore, why shidi exchanged cards with him, he did not know. But he had the indescribable intuition that shidi was protecting him. When they were drinking the night of the full moon, when shidi leaned against his chest and said afterwards that he wanted to pass his days well, he still had not detangled what was in his heart.

    Until today.

    Until shidi opened his mouth and confirmed: there was already someone he would be happy with.

    A gust blew through the night, dispersing the white fog before his eyes.

    Luo Mingchuan had been cultivating for ten years and never before had he feared confronting his inner heart.

    He thought, he would also be happy with his shidi.

    But what about shidi?

    Shidi was still too young, and his mind was also simple and pure, could he really distinguish between a shixiong¡¯s feelings and the feelings of a daopanion?

    Luo Mingchuan watched the tumultuouske water.

    It didn¡¯t matter. He could wait.

    From the Academy to Cang Ya, from Shidi¡¯s thirteenth year to his twenty-third, in the future he would be there for every year of Shidi¡¯s life.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s mind cleared, and he quickly entered a meditative state, beginning to practice the Jia Lan Pupil Arts.

    When Yin Biyue¡¯s mind was not peaceful as he meditated. He might as well get off the prayer mat, sit in front of a table, light amp, and polish his sword.

    He recently felt more and more, sword polishing was something beneficial to the body and mind, allowing a person to quickly calm down.

    The candle light illuminated three feet of the clear edge, and reflected his face in the sword.

    Miss Qu was very good. Regardless of either family background or appearance, plus she was gifted and devoted to cultivation, with no negatives at all.

    In that case, why was his first response to refuse? Could it be this happiness was not his to have?

    ¡°Within my heart is a wide road and love for the world, how can you restrict me?¡±

    No, this kind of reasoning should be something that someone like Eldest Shixiong, or possibly Shifu, saying it.

    He himself was clearly neither an ambitious nor solitary kind of person.

    Because of the unrest in the world, crises one after another- fine; this can barely be called a reason.

    Anything else?

    Yin Biyue recalled his mental state at that time, discovering that his first response was unexpectedly fear of Luo Mingchuan misunderstanding.

    He didn¡¯t know why he was like this, an attitude like he was scared his puppy love would be discovered by the head of the household?

    But that wasn¡¯t all.

    Maybe because he was a small-time viin for so long, going so long without being friendly with a youngdy, suddenly one came out, and it was a goddess-tier girl, and he wasn¡¯t ready for it.

    It should be like this... probably.

    The candles dimmed, he was already finished wiping clean his de, and his mood had also calmed.

    No matter the case, right now he had more important matters to deal with.

    The matchups for the fourth round of the Flower Picking Festival will be released tomorrow.

    This round they didn¡¯t need to draw ballots themselves, only needing to wait for other people to pull their names.

    First thing in the morning, Duan Chongxuan offered to run over to Chen Ying wall to see the results, and on the way back his entire body expressedplete terror.

    Yin Biyue was somewhat anxious, ¡°Who are you facing?¡±

    ¡°Xing Shan Temple¡¯s Buddhist cultivator Hui De.¡±

    ¡°How likely are you to win?¡±

    ¡°Seven out of ten. This time it¡¯s not seventy percent he¡¯ll beat me, it really is a seventy percent chance.¡±

    Yin Biyue was puzzled, ¡°That¡¯s good... who is Luo-shixiong facing?¡±

    ¡°Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s Feng Wen Jin.¡±

    Yin Biyue nced at Luo Mingchuan and thought this was also nothing to worry about.

    Chatterbox¡¯s flitting gaze finallynded on his face, and a tragic expression of fond sorrow appeared,

    ¡°Fourth Shixiong, Zhong Shan pulled you.¡±

    The three of them fell into silence.

    Quite a whileter, Yin Biyue said, ¡°Eventually... there is bound to be a battle.¡±

    But he didn¡¯t expect it would be this fast. In his heart, he thought his fight with Zhong Shan would at the very least be dragged out to after the fifth round.

    ¡°Fourth Shixiong, what are your odds of sess right now?¡±

    ¡°Four out of ten.¡±

    Chatterbox sighed, ¡°So urate, those are the exact odds in the gambling houses.¡±

    Yin Biyue stared nkly, ¡°You¡¯re betting I¡¯ll win?¡±

    Chatterbox said, ¡°Of course!¡±

    ¡°...My bad. I forgot to tell you to bet on Zhong Shan.¡±

    In reality, after seeing Zhong Shan¡¯s previous few battles, Yin Biyue himself really wished he could bet on his opponent.

    Chatterbox already cleared his head, snapped open his fan, and waved it, ¡°No matter, no matter, I didn¡¯t bet a lot, it¡¯s just a single hair from nine oxen...¡±

    He feared his own shixiong was feeling upset, so he didn¡¯t dare say how much he really bet.

    The whole time, Luo Mingchuan had no words to say. He suddenly opened his mouth, and with a strange strength that steadied one¡¯s heart, he said:

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so hasty, there is always a way; it isn¡¯t impossible for Shidi to win.¡±

    As if the spring breeze had brushed his face, Yin Biyue steadied his heart,,

    ¡°Right. I nevertheless will do my best to fight.¡±

    The people at Lake Qiu wouldn¡¯t know, at the Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s Wutong Park, Cheng Tianyu also asked the same kind of question,

    ¡°Shixiong, what are your chances of winning?¡±

    Zhong Shan replied, ¡°Six out of ten.¡±

    Cheng Tianyuughed, ¡°Shixiong is too modest, I think no less than eight out of ten!¡±

    Zhong Shan shook his head, ¡°No, it is six out of ten.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu¡¯s face was full of disbelief.

    Song Tang patted his hair, smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s however much your shixiong says, why don¡¯t you go train.¡±

    *************

    This battle hurriedly arrived before the people expected.

    Not just Yin Biyue- nobody thought that the day would actuallye so quickly.

    The information spread, and many people immediately set out to Ye City to see the match.

    During the time the entire Southern Continent was covered in winds and rain, Song Tang let people from the Central Continent send over some papers. It was the inscription of the article Yin Biyue wrote during his three years at the Academy.

    ¡°After entering Cang Ya, there was little news of him, there¡¯s nothing that can be done.¡±

    Zhong Shan flipped through several delicate pages, ¡°It¡¯s enough.¡±

    Right then, Yin Biyue was holding a page of the investigation that Duan Chongxuan had given him.

    There wererge and small papers, some with fine handwriting, some with illegible chicken scratch; written on them were the odd jobs that Zhong Shan had done before entering Qing Lu Sword Sect, or depictions of the direction and angle of his sword strikes. These bits of information were scattered, many seemingly useless, but Yin Biyue perused them earnestly.

    Chatterbox felt a bit embarrassed, ¡°There¡¯s only this much.¡±

    This had already exceeded Yin Biyue¡¯s expectations, far beyond his judgement of Chatterbox¡¯s information-gathering skills, ¡°It¡¯s already very good.¡±

    From noon to the dead of the night, Yin Biyue stood in front of the window, quietly thinking. Closing his eyes, countless scenes shed by, seeming like he was experiencing the past sixteen years of Zhong Shan¡¯s life.

    The youngster made a name for himself, immersed himself in the sword arts, solitary and dedicated.

    After he entered Qing Lu Sword Sect, his matters became muddled.

    The Sword of Wind and Rain Arts were well-known, not some guarded secret. From the top to bottom of the Qing Lu Sword Sect, at least forty disciples were practicing it. Within the Lan Yuan Academy library, there were also relevant records.

    But there was only one true Feng Yu Sword.

    It was a saber belonging to a Sage during the All Saint¡¯s Era millions of years ago, afterwards it was damaged in the Demonic Cultivation War and retrieved by Qing Lu Sword Sect. After ten years spending innumerable efforts on its restoration, seventy percent of its power was restored.

    The year Zhong Shan turned eighteen, he practiced the set of the Sword of Wind and Rain Arts on Qing Lu Mountain, and ultimately through the judgement of the Sage Zhou Yuandao, this sword was given to him.

    Zhong Shan lived up to expectations. By age twenty he had already peered into the true meaning of the Sword of Wind and Rain Arts, and was called the genius most likely to enter the Saint stage within the next three centuries.

    The jumble of fragments and information collected and filtered again through Yin Biyue¡¯s mind, and he felt that his current self could never reach Zhong Shan.

    After a very long time, he opened his eyes, heaved a long sigh of relief, in this condition where he¡¯s extremely filled with spirit, he thought he had a fifty percent chance!

    He even pushed open the door, stood in the courtyard and took a deep breath to calm down from his excitable mood.

    Lifting his head, he saw that the light was still lit in Luo Mingchuan¡¯s room, the blurry silhouette of a person cast on the paper window.

    Shixiong was also still up? It looked like he was writing something.

    If it was any other night, Yin Biyue would not have done anything.

    But tonight he was his spirits were too high; to the point of being brazen and audacious. So he actually went and knocked on Luo Mingchuan¡¯s window, restrained his excitement and called softly,

    ¡°Shixiong, you also haven¡¯t slept?¡±

    The rustling of papers sounded through the window, and it was pushed open from the inside.

    Luo Mingchuan really was seated before the table writing. ¡°Shidi, it¡¯s another cold night, why are you standing in the courtyard?¡±

    He rose and opened the door to invite Yin Biyue inside. Sure enough, Shidi¡¯s body temperature at night was even lower.

    Yin Biyue was brought into the room, and thought going further in would be inappropriate, and so stood in front of the writing desk,

    ¡°Shixiong, I have some good news to tell you!¡±

    Luo Mingchuan had properly abided by etiquette for so many years and had never before been in the same room as someone else sote at night.

    In the academy library, there were at least other people. Drinking on the rooftop at night was at least outdoors...

    Letting his imagination run wild, he again thoughtpared to Shidi, he was too dishonest, and was disquieted for a moment and asked without thinking, ¡°What¡¯s the good news?¡±

    Yin Biyue wanted to say that he now had a fifty percent chance of sess against Zhong Shan. But the next moment, his gazended on the letter upon the table, and he immediately lost his words.

    Luo Mingchuan only now realized what he had been writing and distress shot through him, but it was already toote.

    Yin Biyue looked into his eyes and asked, ¡°Shixiong, what is this?¡±

    On the table was a written letter of challenge.

    It was issued from Luo Mingchuan to Zhong Shan, with the time set the day before Yin Biyue¡¯s match.

    The wording was extremely provocative, just looking at would make someone angered to the point of being unable to resist wanting to follow through.

    Yin Biyue understood in practically an instant what Luo Mingchuan intended to do.

    He wanted to challenge Zhong Shan before Yin Biyue, and ideally win; but even if he couldn¡¯t win, at least do his utmost to exhaust the opponent.

    If this kind of method was leaked to the masses, it would no doubt attract much criticism.

    Even if other people¡¯s people¡¯s opinions weren¡¯t considered, this matter already vited the principles Luo Mingchuan always followed. It was a truly ignoble deed.

    Luo Mingchuan knew anything he said now would be toote. He forced out a bitterugh, and didn¡¯t say another word.

    Yin Biyue tore the letter up and earnestly thought for a while,

    ¡°Shixiong, I know this is for my benefit... but, you don¡¯t need to go this far...¡±

    Yin Biyue knew, if Luo Mingchuan could think up this sort of method, and even wrote this kind of radically worded letter, a lot of effort had already been put in. But he still said,

    ¡°I want to try on my own.¡±

    Do I know if ÑÇÊ¥ÖÜÔ¶µÀ is actually a person? No. If I am wrong I will call myself outter...

 Chapter 44 - Wind and Rain

    Chapter 44 ¨C Wind and Rain

    That night, Yin Biyue waited for many hours for a single ¡°Alright¡± from Luo Mingchuan.

    Thus, the letter written with a fine, stiff script was carefully folded and tucked into his sleeve. Luo Mingchuan held himself awkwardly, with a hint of being unsure whether tough or cry, as if he were still a student at the academy caught passing notes by the teacher.

    And then, the two of them tacitly agreed to not speak of this incident.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s match was the first of the three. The closer to the appointed time, the calmer his heart, even if Yi Hu still refused to ept his core energy.

    On the day of the battle, his mind was as still as ake, undisturbed by waves.

    When the disciples of Cang Ya walked from Lake Qiu to the city¡¯s center, the crowds parted for them like the sea. Innumerable eyes fell on them, and on Yin Biyue, but after thest two matches,their gazes were more respectful and reverent.

    From Ye City to the foot of Chongming Mountain, a tide of people followed, but not a sound was left in their wake.

    Both the ordinary citizens and cultivators felt like they were about to bear witness to a major event, or something that will be recorded into the annals of history.

    Yesterday there were disciples of Qing Lu Sword Sect rechecking the defensive formations. This morning there were crowds of people on the viewing stands, and six elders with high cultivations and a Ye City attendant on the east stands.

    Within the sea of people, Yin Biyue and Zhong Shan walked onto the stage, and bowed respectfully towards the other.

    Every person present waited in anticipation for what they would say, even if it was only a self introduction. Too bad they were both taciturn, and would surely disappoint the many spectators.

    Zhong Shan raised his sword horizontally in line with his forehead, an end in each hand, and bowed.

    Yin Biyue paid the same courtesy to him.

    Unlike the usual greetings with cupped hands, this time they both chose the most formal, most solemn greeting.

    The two were approximately the same height, thus the two swords were also held at the same height.

    Swords within sheathes, their des unbrandished.

    But Yi Hu began to vibrate.

    The sword and sheath collided rapidly- like sudden rain against a golden lotus, humming without rest.

    In this moment, incredibly, Yin Biyue felt its emotions.

    This sword wailed like an unyielding question ¡ª in this era without a hero; even rabble could gain fame!

    It was questioning Feng Yu Sword!

    Under the Bao Pu Ba Gua* Sword, this sword had no response. When Shuang Lan* Saber seized the moon, the sword trembled gently.

    But at this juncture, merely because it was lifted to the same height as the Feng Yu Sword, it became petnt and angry, its body unable to stop its shaking.

    In the first ce, it wasn¡¯t that it was unresponsive, but that it was full of disdain.

    No one knew of these quiet changes. There were people who heard the rattling of Yi Hu Sword within its sheath and assumed it was Yin Biyue umting energy.

    Even Zhong Shan believed it was merely a pause. After their greetings, when Yin Biyue straightened again, there was something different.

    But his daoist¡¯s heart was firm, unable to be shaken by a change within his opponent.

    A clear cry suddenly sounded, Feng Yu Sword unsheathed, passing like a howl of the wind!

    At essentially the same moment, Yi Hu Sword was suddenly drawn, its long wail like a cranesong.

    Itpletely engulfed the howling wind, the empty wilderness filling only with the echo of the sword!

    The disciples around the stage didn¡¯t expect, right as the battle began, with a single cross of their des, there would be such an intense force exerted.

    They couldn¡¯t help but marvel out loud.

    In the grandstand the Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s elders shook their heads, ¡°A single burst of strength, then to wane, exhausted by the third breath... Truly the heart of a youth, unable to retain his calm.¡±

    Those experienced in battles all agreed with him.

    Both of them exerted their strength simultaneously; Zhong Shan¡¯s sword was faster by a breath, and fell first. Beyond all expectations, it was ¡®Warm Rains and Clear Winds Break the Frost¡±, as if it were nascent spring, gentle breeze threading misty rain.

    This was the Sword of Wind and Rain¡¯s initializing gesture. It couldn¡¯t be said to be good, nor could it be said to be bad, only that it was too polite.

    There¡¯s many ways to receive this strike. At least twenty people in the audience can dispel it in different ways.

    But Yin Biyue has no intention of dispelling it.

    His core energy entered his sword,like a stream flowing into a long dried riverbed. Yi Hu seemed to be an extension of his arm.

    The countless boulders that pressed against his chest day after day, night after night, shattered in a single push!? Why not be unrestrained?!

    Thus his toes lightly tapped the stage, grasping his sword as he charged. The sword¡¯s edge ferociously pressed down; a white crane piercing through the storm!

    Their swords met, and energy surged from the collision, scattering the morning mist!

    Core energy sprayed from the sword¡¯s edge, scattering in wild sparks. As theynded on the floor of the stage, they emitted a ¡°zhii zhii¨C¡± sound.

    ¡°Crane-song Above the Clouds!¡±

    The same skill, yet the strength is like the difference between heaven and earth, so much so that it¡¯s unbelievable.

    But it was still not enough.

    At the instant of contact, the two swords separated. Yin Biyue flipped as he returned to the ground, a fierce pain searing up along his wrist and to his meridians,like a spreading fire consuming the wilderness.

    Out of the corner of his eye he took note of the location of the elm tree growing beside the stage;pared to where he started, hended half an inch back.

    Yet Zhong Shan remained where he was.

    This kind of minute detail is something few would notice, but the Ye City attendant saw it and shook his head imperceptibly.

    The gap in cultivation realm represents the gap between the amount of core energy that can be emitted. This is an immutable fact.

    Yin Biyue suddenly calmed, restarting his calctions.

    His mind turned lightning quick. Between the moments as hended, he sent forth his sword again.

    Zhong Shan¡¯s brows arched slightly.

    Careful and meticulous, adept at calctions- this was his original assessment of Yin Biyue. Just like the battle with He Lai, suffering suppression under his opponent were to find ws with which he could use to defeat his opponents in one strike.

    But that strike just now seemed to be entirely devoid of a n, fuelled only by a whim.

    Completely out of his expectations for any of the scenarios he predicted for this battle.

    The rhythm was disrupted, and the two returned to where they began.

    In the sh of a shooting star, Yin Biyue¡¯s sword arrived.

    The sword¡¯s de was enrobed with a soft halo; it drew an arc in the air, smooth and manifold.

    As if the morning mist chased the beauty of this sword, it gathered under the de¡¯s edge like fog over a long river.

    The sword held in his hand was like a river in spring*, but his sword-light tore through the air until it arrived before Zhong Shan!

    ¡°¡®Fog Enshrouding Frigid Waters!¡¯¡±*

    No one could understand why, after the swift and ferocious Crane-song Above the Clouds, did Yi Hu mysteriously calm, returning to within the boundaries of Warm Rains and Clear Winds.

    This skill did not have anything to be fearful of, and instead possessed the beauty of a startled swan*, yet Zhong Shan took two steps back.

    After those two steps, he lifted his wrist and twirled his sword, merely performing a sword ir,as if he were standing at a moor in the night, scattering the mist over the river with a wave of his sleeve.

    It was the finale of the Sword of Wind and Rain, ¡®Heedless of nting Winds and Slivered Rain¡¯*

    Deft as a swallow, but with decisive intent; it spread its wings through the fog over the frigid river.

    Many in the audience watched until their heads were muddled and extraordinarily confused.

    There was no sh of core energy, nor were there swords shaking heaven and earth. What were Zhong Shan and Yin Biyue doing?

    The more senior disciples of each sect all began to exin,

    ¡°Yin-shixiong¡¯s ¡®Fog Enshrouding Frigid Waters¡¯ appears graceful, but the sword-light sent forth, regardless of angle or distance, exact within centimeters, allpletely block off Zhong-shixiong¡¯s paths, like the dense fog trapped above a frigid river.

    ¡°Zhong-shixiong did not advance but retreated. These two steps taken positioned him truly wonderfully, finding the single w in a hundred and swept away the fog with ¡®Heedless of nting Winds and Slivered Rain¡¯¡±

    Zhong Shan¡¯s one strike broke through the mist, turning his wrist and thrust his sword at an angle, his body moving abruptly, like a fluttering feather.

    Yi Hu greeted the saber. There was no screech of de against de, only the soughing breeze.

    The two changed techniques quickly, but a fierce battle was nowhere to be seen. Instead, it felt as smooth as the flowing clouds.

    Cang Ya Sword Arts ¡®Wind Over Frigid Depths¡¯* against Feathered Mantle Arts¡¯ first form.

    In a single moment, a myriad of seasons passed on stage. Spring rain like wine, willows like smoke*; rime of emerging spring apanying nipping spring showers.

    But there were still people who could discern the secrets bubbling beneath the surface beauty.

    ¡°Their sword-energy are precise to the extreme, without a single wisp of core energy wasted.They also begin calctions to dispel the other¡¯s strike as soon as they appear.¡±

    ¡°The two of them are both using and destroying skills at the lowest cost to themselves, waiting for the other to expose an opening first.¡±

    ¡°Whomever¡¯s sword is slower by a second, whomever¡¯s calctions are a step behind, the situation would change in an instant!¡±

    But there were still people who didn¡¯t understand: Zhong Shan¡¯s cultivation realm is higher than Yin Biyue, why was he fighting in such a cautious style?

    Song Tangughed and exined to Cheng Tianyu, ¡°Mental energy and core energy are being consumed at the same rate, this is the most difficult method for his opponent to break through.

    This is the most reliable method.

    When Yin Biyue¡¯s mental energy and core energy can no longer support his calctions and sword, the winner can only be Zhong Shan.

    In the end, it¡¯s still a difference in cultivation realms, to no avail.

    Forty exchanges havee and gone, and the battle entered a strange rhythm. Yin Biyue did not use the Frigid Water Arts; Zhong Shan did not use the Sword of Wind and Rain.

    Each strike of theirs was very smooth, very aesthetically pleasing.

    Tall grasses, flying oriole; wildflowers blooming among the trees.*

    The time passed quietly, and the scorching sun now hung in the sky. Watching such a battle is like an indulgence, and many people softly put down their worries, waiting silently until the final victores to light.

    The next blow, with a slightly astonished expression, someone said, ¡°The wind¡¯s picked up?¡±

    Why could they not feel it below the stage?

    They could only see the wind blowing past the branches of the elm tree that reached onto the tform, lifting the hem of Yin Biyue¡¯s daoist robes, floating Zhong Shan¡¯s trailing sleeves, and brushing past the de he held in his hand.

    Then the saber spun lightly, fiercely stabbing downward!

    A gale rose from nothing- the elm tree bowed to a painful angle!

    The tip of Zhong Shan¡¯s toes pushed lightly against the ground, his body rising toward the sky, his robes tumbling in the wind like rushing clouds!

    It wasn¡¯t the wind after all. It was the true beginning of the Sword of Wind and Rain¡¯s strength.

    Before the mountain¡¯s rain arrives

    will the tempest crowd the tower.*

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s pupils shrank.

    Zhong Shan was the first to reveal his strength. There was only one possibility: shidi exposed a w.

    Many people realised this, and their expressions suddenly became solemn.

    In the next moment, the face of the battle will change!

    Yin Biyue¡¯s expression remained unmoved. His silhouette trembled, and he disappeared into thin air, footwork incredibly fast as if he were fluttering in the wind.

    But currently the tform was permeated by the wind, sword energy engulfing the entire area.

    To where could he escape?

    He was very clear on just how strong this charged strike that he was about to face was.

    But he had no way to gather energy of his own under the rain of his opponent¡¯s skills. There was no difference between forty strikes and one hundred strikes, the one to run out of core energy in the end is still himself.

    All of the ns he made in advance were obsolete- because Zhong Shan was far stronger than he thought.

    Then he could only allow his opponent to strike.

    There was only this one path to break the deadlock, thus he revealed an opening.

    Outside the boundaries of the stage no wind could be felt, but they could hear the howling tempest and the rattle of flying sand and rubble, as if the screaming winds were echoing within their mental seas. The disciples who had a weaker cultivation realm subconsciously covered their ears.

    A sword screeched into the wind! Not towards the flickering silhouette, but towards empty air!

    Before the bewildered eyes of the audience, a mist of blood sprayed from nothing!

    The petals of blood sttered onto the stage; a loud sizzle apanied the spray of pale steam and the stone below was scorched ck.

    It was from the raging core energy within the strike.

    Zhong Shan found Yin Biyue.

    A single strike pierced the protective core energy, directly cutting into flesh.

    Yin Biyue emerged from empty air. The white of his robes on his left arm carved with his flesh and blood, his face deathly pale.

    Yet his eyes were startlingly bright.

    His sword was only a foot away from Zhong Shan!

    The gale abruptly quieted,and the frost arose.

    Weeping droplets of blood froze into ice.

    For the price of a de piercing through to the bone, he exchanged the opportunity to raise his sword.

    Uncountable deductions, all within a single strike!

    1) Eight Trigrams sword, the one that He Lai uses.

    2) Chen Yi¡¯s sword, Capturing Frost (iirc)

    3) Ò»½­´ºË®- from the poem ÓÝÃÀÈË, by Li Yu. It means an unending flow of sad thoughts. The imagery here is that it¡¯s soft and sorrowful in contrast to how fierce the actual attack was.

    4) ŸŸ»\º®Ë®- from a poem by Du Mu. Someone tranted the poem, so go take a look! I changed the wording, as I am wont to do, to fit/sound better.

    5)ôæÈô¾ªºè ¨C generally used to describe someone with light steps, delicate posture, and beautiful looks. Usually for women. The literal trantion would be ¡°flying quickly like a startled bean goose¡±. Forgive me for the cosmetic change to a swan instead of... honk.

    6) Ð±·çÏ¸Óê²»Ðë¹é ¨C TP has moved on from 4 character technique names to ¡°lmao idk¡±. From the poem ¡°A Fisherman¡¯s Song¡±. A roughly tranted version is here.

    7) ·ç¹ýº®Ì¶ ¨C thest character here means a deep pool. Imagine those super deep pits like Dean¡¯s Blue Hole.

    8) ´ºÓêÈç¾Æ,ÁøÈçÑÌ ¨C This entire sentence makes me want to weep, but, this portion in particr is from ¡°ÐÂ°×Äï×Ó´«Ææ¡± describing a scene in spring. It also functions as a shorthand for having never seen something so beautiful.

    9) ²Ý³¤Ýº·É£¬ÔÓ»¨ÉúÊ÷ ¨C something pieced together from ´å¾Ó (Vige gathering) by Gao Ding to describe a scene of spring. I won¡¯t trante the poem, but it¡¯s here for your perusal:

    10) É½ÓêÓûÀ´·çÂúÂ¥ ¨C another saying I had to gut so that it sounded... not dumb in context. Before the rains from the mountains arrive winds will fill the buildings. It essentially means something is imminent.

 Chapter 45 - Wind and Rain (II)

    Chapter 45 ¨C Wind and Rain (II)

    The edge of the sword glowed bright and cold, like an entire gxy scattered onto an autumn river.

    The evening winds rose; the chilly waters formed; the bright moon shrouded in haze. The dark and rapid river tide surged towards Zhong Shan.

    In the instant that Yin Biyue drew his sword, Zhong Shan shed out and simultaneously flew back in a swift retreat, all the way to the edge of the tform! Nevertheless, the river tide carried on, and a thin line of blood formed on the right side of his chest.

    Red-hot blood gushed out. Before it had the chance to soak through, it had already solidified into frost on his robes of ink-sshed mountains andkes.

    The Frigid Water Sword¡¯s sword intent was already flowing through his bone marrows.

    Yet, just as Yin Biyue had avoided the greatest damage from Zhong Shan¡¯s sword energy at thest second previously, Zhong Shan also avoided sixty percent of this attack¡¯s power. He held his sword horizontally in front of his body like a huge dam, blocking the surging frigid river.

    The variables changed too fast within a breath¡¯s moment.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s white robe was dyed red. The burning, frantic sword energy of his opponent remained within his bones, mutually shing with the Frigid Water Sword¡¯s cold intent. White smoke faintly drifted out from the wound on his left shoulder; it was a ghastly sight.

    Zhong Shan¡¯s face was pale. Although his wounds were covered with frost, the sword energy rampaged up through his meridians, spreading the sharp pain all the way to his heart. However, they had no time to care at this moment. They mustpete for the initiative, to sh with their swords first!

    The middle-aged woman from Lian Jian Zong frowned,

    ¡° Is the array on the stage in good condition?¡±

    A Cang Ya elder said in a deep voice, ¡°We can¡¯t let two cultivating geniuses of the younger generation be damaged just for a round of Flower Picking Festival.¡±

    The QingLu Sword Sect¡¯s elder who held the array¡¯s pivot, cautiously nodded his head. The instant a dangerous, irreversible situation arose, the tform¡¯s array would immediately activate, allowing the array to bear the sword energy.

    Cang Ya and QingLu Sword Sect disciples didn¡¯t have the calmposure of the powerful figures. Their faces were deathly white, and their core energy covered their eyes. They stared intensely at the arena, nervous.

    Cheng Tianyu¡¯s eyes were already red with worry.

    Song Tang¡¯s eyes revealed concern. Yin Biyue was stronger than they had previously thought; not only his cultivation, but the tacit harmony between him and his sword was extremely high, as if created with the assistance of the heavens.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. Yet under the wide sleeves, his two hands were tightly clenched into fists. His palms dripped blood.

    The two figures almost simultaneously leapt up; the two swords shed in midair!

    ¡°ng ¡ª¡ª¡±

    The boundless core energies formed an invisible dome-shaped barrier, colliding with each other where the sword edges shed!

    There was no rain, yet there was the sound of falling rain.

    There was noke, yet there were bursts of coldness.

    The disciples who were somewhat closer to the stage, unable to bear the pain, retreated backwards. It was as if the sounds of wind and rain washed over their mental sea and also drifted within the deep, freezing waters at night.

    Time, on the tform, was nearly frozen.

    The swords rivaled for splendor. The des reflected blue skies bright with a luminous sun and strands of floating clouds; reflecting theirposed expressions and glittering eyes.

    With the soreness and numbness transmitting from his sword hilt, Yin Biyue seemingly understood the sword intent of his opponent.

    Bleak winds and bitter rain.

    Ye City attendant¡¯s own cultivation realm high enough, thus, he also understood.

    He sighed with admiration, ¡°Extraordinary.¡±

    This wasn¡¯t Feng Yu Sword¡¯s most powerful move, yet it was the hardest to cultivate. For many disciples who cultivated the Sword of Wind and Rain, this technique was the bottleneck that was hard to ovee.

    The might of the wind invaded the bone; the gales of rain choked the anxious1.

    How miserable was the sword intent!

    During the All Saints Era, when the saint that established the Sword of Wind and Rain was still young, his family was poor. Experiencing the bitterness and the coldness, he entered the path of cultivation during his middle-age period. This technique was the summary and conclusion he gave to himself for the past forty years of his harsh life.

    Yet Zhong Shan made his name when he was young, and his road to cultivation was smooth and easy. In spite of that, he could stillprehend the bleak and solitary intent of this technique.

    It really was amazing.

    But Song Tang was not surprised.

    While shidi was still young and his cultivation realm low, his core energy was not enough to protect his body. Every time he would swing his sword thousands of times until his hands were covered with bloody blisters and would push his body to the limit. He didn¡¯t leave the mountain, didn¡¯t chat nor joke, and didn¡¯t cavort with the crowd. Practicing throughout the hottest days of summer and the coldest times of winter, day after day, never cking once.

    The price of bing famous as a youth was to endure more hardships, be more solitary.

    An indescribable destion spread from the sword¡¯s edge, forcing one to feel a myriad of mncholy.

    Even though Yin Biyue¡¯s sword energy had yet to end, he suddenly withdrew with his sword aiming straight down. Yet, his body was like a white crane fluttering its wings, floating even higher.

    The Yi Hu Sword carved straight down!

    Boundless luster flowed from the body of the sword, like the clear waters of ake reflecting the crystalline waves in the sunlight.

    Now, it was already afternoon, and the sun was gradually dimming; the light was far from the luminosity at noon. However, this strike was magnificently brilliant, as if causing the daylight to brighten a little.

    If Zhong Shan¡¯s sword move was the bleak winds and bitter rain, then Yin Biyue¡¯s strike was like facing the sun and leaping into the clouds; a flood of golden light!

    It had the confidence and pride of ¡®not fearing the thousand feet of waves of dark clouds¡¯.

    Cang Ya Sword Arts¡¯ final move, the ¡®East Rising Sun¡¯.

    Many Cang Ya disciples stared with wide eyes in disbelief. Was this great momentum really the East Rising Sun?

    Zhong Shan gracefullynded on the ground, lifting his sword above his head. The sword barrier returned, with glimmering speckles of light like the disorderly gxies, and horizontally received the sword de that came down from above.

    Clear dew exposed to the sun, the violet heavenly ring 2.

    *********

    It wasn¡¯t only the Southern Continent but the entire world that was paying attention to this battle. The cultivators in Ye City nervously watched the battle in the distance. Those who couldn¡¯t be at Ye City raised their heads in expectation, awaiting their sect members to bring news.

    But there were always those who didn¡¯t have to wait.

    The snow umting year round on HengDuan Mountain never melts. The highest summit was covered in hoarfrost, icicles hanging like a forest. The bitter cold was so extreme that even a Lesser Vessel cultivator could not stand there for long.

    At this moment, atop the summit stood an elderly man. His sleeves billowed with the mountain wind. He had a wide forehead and a long beard, his expression indifferent. There seemed to be a terrifying glint in his eyes.

    He was not tall. Yet by standing there, it was as if he had transcended all living things in the world. It inexplicably gave a grand feeling where thousands of mountains were all bowing their heads.

    Rightly so. How could he not transcend? How could they not bow down? If the Sword Saint was gone, how could there be a taller mountain than him?

    He was also observing this fight.

    Even from tens of thousands of miles away, he could clearly see the radiance on the two people¡¯s des.

    He watched unhappily. Thus with a faint frown, he lightly flicked his sleeve.

    Tens of thousands of miles away on ZhongMing Mountain, Luo Mingchuan¡¯s expression suddenly changed. He looked up at the sky in disbelief.

    Lian Jian Zong¡¯s elder and Ye City¡¯s attendent were deathly pale, each looking at the sky.

    Inside the city owner¡¯s residence, Ye Zhiqiu carried his sword and climbed to the highest balcony. He had on a grave expression that he never had before.

    Dense billowing clouds moved from the west to the south, arriving from ten thousand miles in a sh. They were enough to cover one side of ZhongMing Mountain¡¯s sky, dimming the sun¡¯s illuminance. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, without thunder, without lightning, an endless flurry of rain came crashing down!

    The disciples under the tform were caught off guard by the drops and hurriedly erected their core energy barriers, ¡°Howe it suddenly started raining?¡±

    Bean-sized droplets filled the sky and covered the earth.

    After the ¡®Violet Heavenly Ring¡¯, the two each attacked with over ten strikes. This battle had alreadysted from dawn to dusk. Both sides¡¯ core energy, divine sense, and conscious willpower were all at their limits.

    Because of the difference between sword cultivation and cultivation realm, Yin Biyue still could not defeat Zhong Shan. However, he didn¡¯t lose either.

    Consequently, when the rainfall came down, the two didn¡¯t have any more energy to care.

    After a moment, Yin Biyue¡¯s thick robe was drenched with the rain, making it even heavier. It was simr to hisbored breathing and his overwhelmed heart and meridians. The bloodstains that had frozen on the robe dispersed in the rain. At a nce, the left side of his body looked like it was doused in blood.

    The wind and rain were cold and dismal, sshing up a bleary fog. It reminded him of the rain when he was secluded to break through his cultivation realm.

    It was also this sort of autumn bleakness, prating murderous intent.

    Zhong Shan¡¯s robe with ink-sshed mountains andkes was also drenched with blood and rain. Water flowed along the peak of his brows, pitter-pattering down from the sword tip, dripping onto the arena. The water ripple bloomed out.

    His eyes became brighter and brighter, as if to burn through this immense curtain of rain.

    ¡°Such a coincidence. At this critical point of the fight, to have this rainstorme, Zhong shixiong¡¯s Sword of Wind and Rain can easily take advantage!¡±

    ¡°Ai. The heavens want to rain, womenfolks want to marry5, what can you do?!¡±

    Almost everyone thought like this, this rain was the will of the heavens.

    Only very few people, including Luo Mingchuan, saw the supreme dao way that indistinctly slipped out from the dark clouds. Cultivators who were half-steps into Greater Vessel knew of it due to their cultivation realms, yet Luo Mingchuan knew it, because he a cultivated Jia Lan Spiritual Pupil Arts. However, even if everyone knew, many would not dare to say a word. In the hearts of the people, the six sages were simr to deities.

    Whether thunder or morning dew, all were sacred graces4.

    If a saint wanted to change the heavens, who dared to say no?

    Ye Zhiqiu stood on the balcony, with ten thousand lights from Ye City¡¯s homes below his feet.

    He watched the western skies.

    This immense rain cloud was currently at ZhongMing Mountain, but if it moved two miles and arrived above Ye City, he would not hesitate to act.

    The old housekeeper stood at his side, his voice trembling, ¡°My lord, I beg of you, do not grab your sword. It is a great disrespect towards the saints.¡±

    Ye Zhiqiu did not speak, and the sword in his hand did not lower.

    The Central Continent.

    In YunYang City, the Academy Director was currently in the courtyard drinking tea and looking at the sky. It seemed that the bad weather made people annoyed. Thus, he threw the tea cup in his hands down onto the ground.

    Crack.

    A crisp sound rang out. The tea mixed with the shattered porcin was sttered all over the ground.

    But before this, Zhong Shan had already raised his sword in the wind and the rain.

    He took a step forward. The shallow water sshed underneath his feet, lingering in the air.

    Wherever the sword passed, the fluttering drizzle began to warp in a bizarre way. It gathered together and followed the sword towards him!

    Thereupon, the entire sky of wind and rain all became his sword.

    Besieging the city with wind and rain!

    Some people thought that after Zhong Shan borrowed the power of wind and rain, he would be stronger. However, they didn¡¯t expect he would be stronger to this degree.

    The sword move already surpassed the Breakthrough Stage¡¯s limit, touching the threshold of the Lesser Vessel.

    It seemed like he unexpectedly was going to breakthrough!

    There were people who further saw that this move was not only the power of Zhong Shan¡¯s cultivation realm, but it was even more so the divine weapon ¡®Feng Yu Sword¡¯s¡¯ own power that had beenpletely set off!

    It was just a storm, yet it astonishingly made it more stimted!

    No one believed Yin Biyue could take this inconceivable sword move.

    What could he hold to take this move?

    On what basis could he take this move?

    Seizing the opportunity to use Frigid Water Sword? But the wind and rain were already concentrated within Zhong Shan¡¯s sword. From where to seize?

    Evade this move?

    How could he evade the skyful of wind and rain?

    Yin Biyue stood in the rain. His dao robe was soaked through, like a lonely city without support.

    ...

    1) ·çÍþÇÖ²¡¹Ç£¬ÓêÆøÑÊ³î³¦: It is the second verse of a poem by Li Yu. The poem¡¯s title is ¡¶²¡ÖÐ¸Ð»³¡·, roughly tranted as¡¶Sentiments During Sickness¡·¨C so you know it¡¯s going to be miserable.

    2) Â¶Õ¿³¯Ñô£¬ÐÇ»·×Ï¼«: Second verse of a poem by an anonymous writer.

    3) ÌìÒªÏÂÓê£¬ÄïÒª¼ÞÈË: An old saying that basically describes if it¡¯s going to happen, you can¡¯t do anything about it. Or let nature take its course.

    4) À×öªÓñÂ¶£¬½ÔÊÇÊ¥¶÷: As Avo bro suggested, TP seemed to be ying on the saying À×öªÓêÂ¶,½ÔÊÇÊ¥¶÷ which means the emperor¡¯s reward or punishment to you, are all bestowed gifts.

 Chapter 46 - Wind and Rain (3)

    Chapter 46- Wind and Rain (3)

    The Ye City attendant sighed, ¡°It¡¯s impossible for the Sword Saint¡¯s disciple to win... Unless he also has a godly weapon, like ¡®Lin Yuan¡¯.1¡±

    The important figures watching this round were all of the same opinion.

    What weapon after the End of Dharma Era could face the roused might of the Feng Yu Sword itself?

    Did Yin Biyue have Lin Yuan?

    Of course not.

    The Lin Yuan Sword had long ago been recast by the Sword Saint into ¡®Chun Shan Xiao¡¯ and ¡®Qiu Feng Li2¡¯; this wasmon knowledge.

    In the midst of Besieging the City with Wind and Rain, Yin Biyue raised his head to look at the sky.

    The dense clouds in the sky billowed ceaselessly, as if night hade early, driving out the evening.

    The ck clouds surrounded the city, threatening destruction.3

    The storm blew ice-cold rain into his face, but he seemed to be unaware, because his heart was colder.

    Was this the will of the heavens that cannot be disobeyed?

    Clearly it was only a single moment, but countless images shed by.

    The many previous years of unfulfilled wishes in his viinous career, the Cang Ya Mountains in a vast sea of misty clouds, the Academy filled with locust trees and the Director in the office, the rippling blue Fukong Sea, the Ye City where goldennterns stood in for the moon...

    On the rooftop, the bright moonlight shining into Lake Qiu, the night winds slightly cold, mingling with the fragrance of wine.

    That time he had just said he wanted to pass his days well.

    This rain; did the heavens want me to die?

    But I did note to this world to bend to the will of the heavens.

    Under the sharp point of the de, Yin Biyue looked at the sky and softlyughed.

    The Yi Hu Sword faintly vibrated, as if it were alsoughing.

    The de chopped straight down!

    This strike did not cut Zhong Shan, nor did it cut the wind and rain!

    It sliced straight towards the sky!

    Striking at the oppressive ck clouds!

    ¡°Boom¨C¡±

    The expressions of the people on the viewing tform changed.

    The disciples below the stage were caught off guard, hurriedly closing their eyes, but the radiance was too dazzling, as if piercing through their eyelids, shining straight into their mental seas.

    Endless lights all converged upon this one de!

    Just like forcibly pulling the sun back down to the earth!

    Below ZhongMing Mountain, it shone like daylight!

    Themon people within Ye City could only see a strike of lightning in the midst of the rain, but the light was slow to scatter, and instead growing brighter and brighter.

    They opened their windows or went out into the courtyards or held umbres and congregated on the streets as they gazed disbelievingly at ZhongMing Mountain.

    The light grew more and more blinding. The stream of people on the street started scattering in all directions; some ran back home, some ran towards the city entrance, and housewives covered the eyes of their children wailing into their chests, running into the stores on the roadside.

    The squadron of ck-armored guards ran throughout therge streets and small alleys,

    ¡°Don¡¯t panic! The Flower Picking Festival battles are proceeding normally! The city¡¯s protective array is intact! Don¡¯t panic! ¨C¡±

    The city¡¯s people saw the ck-armored guards in the rain, finally rxing.

    The light was still not going out.

    Unexpectedly, golden rays of light peered through the small cracks between the ck clouds!

    Yin Biyue stood with his sword lifted among the thousands of light rays, and the entire sky of wind and rain was pushed back three feet!

    A Bao Pu Zong elder recognized this move, screeching, ¡°Sword of Midday Sun in a Clear Sky?! ¡ª ¡°

    In the next moment, an even more unfathomable event urred.

    The golden light behind the clouds grew brighter and brighter, suddenly prating the heavy rain falling on the stage.

    Then the dense clouds flew and scattered in all directions, in the blink of an eye exposing the shadow of the setting sun.

    The heavy rain stopped in the moment between breaths.

    The powerful people across the world gazed, astonished, in the direction of the Central Continent¡¯s YunYang City.

    They were unable to understand the saints of today, what¡¯s with all of them?

    In the Academy, the Director brewed a new pot of tea. His fingers shook with an imperceptible tremor.

    On the balcony at the city owner¡¯s residence, Ye Zhiqiu walked down.

    On the faraway Bao Pu Zong HengDuan Mountain summit, the old man that had flicked his sleeves nced in the direction of the Central Continent, expression slightly cold. But he did nothing.

    The wind and the rain and the light all scattered and disappeared.

    Blood from the corner of Yin Biyue¡¯s mouth dripped onto the stage.

    Zhong Shan was half-kneeling on the floor, using his sword for support.

    Blood dyed the puddle in front of his body red.

    How could the wind and rain be dispelled?

    Only with light.

    Only the Sword of Midday Sun in a Clear Sky.

    Six hundred years ago, the Sword Saint used this technique to defeat Bao Pu Zong¡¯s grand elder.

    Six hundred yearster, Yin Biyue used this technique to break Zhong Shan¡¯s Besieging the City with Wind and Rain.

    The sky looked as if it had been cleaved open by the sword¡¯s light, the two sides entirely parted?.

    On one side was the magnificent red glow of the setting sun, like a dazzling me, and one side was the rich azure after the rain, as dark as ink.

    This kind of extraordinary sight, yet nobody appreciated it.

    There was a deathly stillness in the arena.

    Only after Luo Mingchuan vaulted onto the stage, did people be clear-headed.

    No one knew who cried out first, but like cold water sshing onto a frying pan, the foot of ZhongMing Mountain began to shake!

    Countless people started cheering; they didn¡¯t know themselves what they were cheering for, only that the emotions in their hearts were stirred up and couldn¡¯t be held back; moods were myriad, unable to be expressed. A burst of long whistles resonated in the arena, echoing into the clouds, their owners invigorated. Unexpectedly, after observing the fight, people were having faint signs of breakthroughs!

    Cang Ya Sect and QingLu Sword Sect disciples flooded onstage; Xing Shan Temple and Jie Kong Temple had Buddhist cultivators proficient in medicine also hastening on the stage to check injuries; a few of the elders on the eastern viewing tform took out their own pills they had collected, but they discovered they were still not up to the quality of the the ones Duan Chongxuan fed to the two people.

    In the middle of the turmoil and chaos?, in Yin Biyue¡¯s eyes were only the faintly ovepping images. The noise in his ears was moring, but he couldn¡¯t hear it clearly.

    His mental sea was in chaos, a tearing pain crushing every inch of his bones and meridians. His body had long reached its limit, but he still held his eyes open, rigidly holding his sword, not willing to rx even one bit.

    Until he fell into a warm embrace.

    Felt a familiar warmth and breath.

    His legs finally went limp and with his mind at ease, lost consciousness.

    ****************

    Dark cloudspletely passed, with clear light spreading far and wide.

    If it weren¡¯t for the puddles of water on the ground, it would be almost inconceivable that in half the time it took for a cup of tea, it had just finished raining.

    From Ye City to the five continents across the world, the many powerful people of the world were silent as before.

    This battle had been full of wild ups and downs, almost like a drama.

    In the light were two young geniuses brandishing swords; in the shadows were two sages battling, with a flick of a sleeve or the shattering of a cup,pletely changing the world.

    Everyone had thought there was no way Yin Biyue could win.

    Unless he had a godly weapon like ¡®Lin Yuan,¡¯ he couldn¡¯t strive topare with Feng Yu Sword.

    It turned out he really did have a godly weapon.

    After a good while, someone asked, ¡°Yi Hu Sword, where in the world did ite from?¡±

    QingLu Sword Sect¡¯s elder slowly shook his head, muttering softly to himself, ¡°That sword¨Cis it really ¡®Yi Hu?¡¯¡±

    Many people did not understand why the sage, Yu Shi, would make a move. After all his cultivation realm was too high; barely a tiny motion would probably be sensed by the heavens, and he had to take karma into ount. It was only a Flower Picking Festival battle, in the eyes of indomitable saints, it ought to be an insignificant trifle.

    Some people guessed that it was because Yin Biyue¡¯s move ¡®East Rising Sun¡¯ really and truly resembled ¡®Midday Sun in a Clear Sky.

    It made him recall the past humiliation on the shores of Ba River, that one-sided battle¡¯splete obliteration, the five elders of Bao Pu Zong who died, and the one left alive but crippled.

    Even if some people had guessed, they wouldn¡¯t open their mouths to announce it, because the grudges between the saints were the business of the heavens, and they wouldn¡¯t dare rashlyment.

    But who would have thought, Yu Shi didn¡¯t want to see ¡®East Rising Sun,¡¯ yet Yin Biyue had used the true ¡®Midday Sun in a Clear Sky.¡¯

    By a strangebination of circumstances, this was an unexpected veiled strike to the saint¡¯s face.

    This was an inconceivable matter, a matter that no one would dare to think too much about.

    And the Academy Director¡¯s attitude was also worth considering.

    Many people felt, his making a move without the slightest hesitation, challenging the mightiest sages in the world, was as expected of the Sword Saint¡¯s best friend.

    Regardless of how many new developments bubbled up in the shadows, the ones that were the most directly impacted by this fight were the two leads.

    Before this match, when people mentioned Yin Biyue¡¯s name, they would refer to him as ¡®Sword Saint¡¯s disciple Yin Biyue.¡¯

    But now, he finally had his own title- ¡®Yi Hu Sword¡¯ Yin Biyue.

    This match was recorded in many books, left for future generations¡¯ reference, to be called ¡®Half the City Wind and Rain, Half the City a Lake.¡¯

    And although Zhong Shan had broken a rib, his meridians remained unharmed, and there also wasn¡¯t any lingering danger that could influence his cultivation in the future. After a week-longa, his cultivation realm didn¡¯t drop but grew instead, actually breaking through to the Lesser Vessel Stage.

    Regardless of the uproar of the outside world, none of it had anything to do with Luo Mingchuan.

    He was right now keeping watch at Yin Biyue¡¯s bedside, grasping his wrist, sending in a steady flow of core energy. His eyes were dark, like an abyss in the deep sea.

    Yin Biyue was at times awake and at times asleep, always feeling like there was a warmth flowing within his meridians, his entire bodyfortably warm all over. Toofortable, he simply couldn¡¯t sleep enough.

    Every time he opened his eyes, he saw Luo Mingchuan beside his bed, and sometimes Duan Chongxuan was there too.

    When he disdained himself for being too idle and wanted to get out of bed, Luo Mingchuan just smiled and said, ¡°Rest a bit more, it¡¯s okay.¡±

    Seven days passed just like this.

    1) ÁÙÔ¨: Lin Yuan. Lin for ¡°facing/arriving/look over¡± and Yuan for ¡°deep pool/deep/profound¡±. My best guess (from TP¡¯s preexisting sword naming habits) would be something like Overlooking Depths or something.

    2) ´ºÉ½Ð¦ and Çï·çÀë: Seen in previous trantions as Spring Mountain Smile and Departure of Autumn Breeze. In our decision to render all sword names in pinyin they¡¯re now Chun Shan Xiao and Qiu Feng Li. My revised English trantion of them are ¡°Spring Mountain¡¯s Smile¡± and ¡°Autumn Wind¡¯s Departure¡± to retain the mirroring style of the Chinese. I¡¯m also tempted to useugh instead of smile but it¡¯s moot point currently.

    3) ºÚÔÆÑ¹³Ç£¬³ÇÓû´Ý: please refer to this trantion.

    4) ÄàÅ£Èëº£ (y ox in the sea): [an idiom] disappear without hope of returning

    5) ãþÎ¼·ÖÃ÷: As separate as the rivers of Jing and Wei. To bepletely different/apart. The idiom was removed since it¡¯s hard to elicit the meaning without the cultural understanding.

    6) ±ø»ÄÂíÂÒ: Panicking soldiers and disordered horses. Chaotic situation.

 Chapter 47 - Chu Huan

    Chapter 47 ¨C Chu Huan

    By the time Yin Biyue waspletely awake, it was alreadyte at night, seven dayster.

    His core energy had been coursing in his body along his meridians for an entire week now, and never had he felt so clear in spirit nor so invigorated in energy.

    The wound on his arm was entirely painless and was only slightly itchy from growing new skin.

    His cultivation realm that was originally at the initial tier of the breakthrough stage had unexpectedly continued through to the middle tier.

    Sitting by the bed, Luo Mingchuan smiled, ¡°Shidi is awake? Are you still feeling unwell?¡±

    Under the warm yellow of dancing candlelight, his face was painted with a dim glow, the smile in his eyes also set alight by the flickering candle me..

    Yin Biyue¡¯s suddenly felt that his face was burning. ¡°No, I¡¯ve actually increased in cultivation realm...... Shixiong, how long did I sleep? What time is it now?

    He subconsciously lowered his eyes and avoided Luo Mingchuan¡¯s attentive gaze, but then he glimpsed the hand gripping his by the bedside.

    He somehow had not been aware of it for this entire time.

    Was it because his awareness and reactions were sluggish from being asleep for so long, or was it because he was held this entire time, and he became used to it?

    Thinking of this, Yin Biyue felt his face burning even more.

    Luo Mingchuan smiled kindly, ¡°Seven days. Right now it is the third quarter of zi-shi.*¡±

    Yin Biyue sat up in the bed, ¡°I¡¯ve slept too long and my bones are a bit stiff. I want to go outside for a stroll.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Luo Mingchuan readily let go of his hand. He very naturally bent down and picked up the cloud boots* by the bed as if to help Yin Biyue into them.

    Yin Biyue hurriedly said, ¡°Shixiong, I really am perfectly fine.¡± At the same time he snatched his boots and put them on himself.

    He wanted to walk around outside. On one hand, it was because he was indeed ufortable from lying down for so long, but on the other hand, there was the embarrassment of noticing that he was not in his own room, but was sleeping in Luo Mingchuan¡¯s bed.

    When he opened the door and left, Luo Mingchuan also followed him out. With nary a word spoken, Luo Mingchuan also added a cloak for him.

    With the chill of the evening wind blowing, the heat on his face faded. Yin Biyue stood in the courtyard recalling the fight from that day.

    In the pouring rain, he aimed his Yi Hu Sword towards the sky and rendered the ¡®Midday Sun in a Clear Sky,¡¯ breaking Zhong Shan¡¯s Besieging the City with Wind and Rain. But the sword¡¯s might was too vast, to the extent that his core energy and divine sense were severely depleted. Luo Mingchuan came up and supported him while he was bewildered, and Chatterbox seemed to have fed him a medicinal pill.

    Afterwards were several days of half sleep, half wakefulness. He faintly recalled Luo Mingchuan unceasingly using his own core energy to nourish his meridians and disperse the medicine. This time his cultivation realm increased because he reached a greater understanding of hisponents in the midst of the battle, and also because Chatterbox¡¯s medicinal pill was very effective, but especially because of the care Luo Mingchuan put in over the past seven days.

    When he realized this, Yin Biyue started to judge himself.

    Shixiong could not sleep soundly at night and was toiling exhaustively in every possible way. And himself, the moment he woke up, actually went as far as to think about some trivial things instead. That really was too improper!

    The gentleman was magnanimous and calm; the affections between fellow disciples was profound. He truly doesn¡¯t need to pay any heed to empty courtesies.

    Yes, by the time he was fully awake numerous questions were flitting through Yin Biyue¡¯s head. Such as, his body was so clean, so who helped clean the blood stains? Who dressed him in clean robes? They were one size toorge, so they weren¡¯t his own robes for sure, and therefore must be Shixiong¡¯s...

    After Yin Biyue finished berating himself he looked at Luo Mingchuan and sincerely said, ¡°Shixiong, I am indebted to you for looking after me so wholeheartedly. I cannot make it up to you. I can only...¡±

    He can only what?

    He suddenly felt that continuing this sentence would be a bit weird, but could not pinpoint what about it would be weird. He choked on his words, ¡°I can only look after Shixiong if there is ever a chance in the future.¡±

    Correct! Just like that!

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s smile slowly grew. ¡°No need for thanks. I was doing what I was supposed to do. In the future...there will be a chance.¡±

    The night wind gently blew and the moonlight was just right as the two men exchanged words under the tree. Yin Biyue did not have any fatigue, but upon the thought that Luo Mingchuan did not have a good night¡¯s sleep for so many days, soon forced him to go back into the house.

    On the next day at daybreak, Duan Chongxuan came out of the room and saw his fourth shixiong carrying his sword and heading out, apparently to practice his swordsmanship.

    He couldn¡¯t help but call out in surprise, ¡°Fourth Shixiong, you¡¯re awake. How do you feel? ...... Oh, Shixiong¡¯s cultivation seems to have increased again!¡±

    Yin Biyue originally nned to finish practicing his sword, and then going to Chatterbox, but now heughed and said, ¡°I am feeling very fine. Indeed, I¡¯ve had a breakthrough, and I need to greatly thank your medicinal pill.......You are also waking up early now, you really are more diligent now.¡±

    Chatterbox smiled embarrassed, ¡°What thanks, it¡¯s no problem. Shixiong doesn¡¯t need to give any thanks......¡° He continued,menting, ¡°Shixiong already broke through, I naturally also need to be more hard working, or else the pressure will be too great!¡±

    ¡°And there¡¯s Zhong Shan, who also had a breakthrough ording to the news from the Qinglu Sword Sect. He reached the Lesser Vessel stage so quickly. This really......¡± Duan Chongxuan could not think of any suitable words, and finally repeated, ¡°the pressure is great.¡±

    Yin Biyue smiled, ¡°Zhong Shan was only one step away from the Lesser Vessel stage from the start......You only need to diligently cultivate, and in the future......¡±

    At this time, there was the sound of someone knocking from the outside of the courtyard door, apanied by the announced self-introduction, ¡°Qinglu Sword Sect Song Tang along with his shidi are here to visit, sorry for the disturbance¡ª¡ª¡±

    Duan Chongxuan looked a little startled; he obviously did not think that to speak of the devil he shall appear. He went over to open the door and weed them in.

    It really was Song Tang¡¯s trio.

    Five people exchanged courtesy greetings in the courtyard. Then, the first to open his mouth was not Song Tang, but was in fact the freshly advanced Lesser Vessel stage Zhong Shan.

    His aura was abundant and grand, but it was not because he was identally leaking it, but because he broke through not long ago and couldn¡¯t easily contain it.

    He looked Duan Chongxuan and solumnly said, ¡°This break through, is thanks to Cultivator Duan¡¯s medicinal pill¡¯s help. I do not have a single thing on me that can repay you, so I hope to establish a Heart¡¯s Blood Oath, and repay you in the future......¡±

    As he said this he gave a bow of courtesy. His cultivation was now higher than Duan Chongxuan¡¯s by two levels, but his bow was extremely proper, without the slightest bit of hesitation.

    Duan Chongxuan moved to the side and away from this bow. He understood Zhong Shan¡¯s intentions, and immediately waved his hands and interrupted.

    ¡°No no no, ten million times no! It¡¯s just one medicinal pill, my bag has plenty more! I can even happily eat them as candy!¡±

    This was utter nonsense. When he left his home, his father gave him five to preserve his life. In this world, the total count was not more than ten.

    But he gave them out, and not with any intention to receive rpense. He merely wanted to give.

    Song Tang said, ¡°When Xing Shan Temple¡¯s healer came for a checkup, he said that Zhong Shan had taken a ¡®Dragon Cloud Pill¡¯.¡±

    When Yin Biyue heard this he was startled in his heart. He surmised it was an excellent medicine, but he did not think it was this good.

    One ¡®Dragon Cloud Pill¡¯ could even repair ruptured meridians. The strength of the medicine was so potent that if an uninjured person ingested it, they would not be able to withstand the power of the medicine and explode.

    However, he will not give his thanks again, but will only quietly remember this in his heart.

    Cheng Tianyu has a child¡¯s temperament, so even if he dide to blows with Duan Chongxuan before, once he turned around, he had forgotten it. Now, listening to Duan Chongxuan talking this way, he thinks that perhaps he does not know just how precious the medicinal pills are.

    ¡°My master also gave me a lot of good things when I came down the mountain, however none of them canpete with the ¡®Dragon Cloud Pill.¡¯ We can¡¯t just deceive you with some substitute recement. Think carefully. Is there anything you want?¡±

    As disciples of Qinglu Sword Sect¡¯s sage Zhou Yuandao, the three of Song Tang¡¯s group were wealthy;st night though, they pooled everything together and found that they were unable to pool together enough to match the value of one medicinal pill.

    Since meeting at the Flower Picking Festival, Duan Chongxuan has also gained some understanding of the three¡¯s characters. Now he knows that they would absolutely not ept a free gift. Thinking over it a bit, he turned to Song Tang and firmly said,

    ¡°I do not want any rpense. I just have one thing to request of young master Song, but if you find it embarrassing, you do not need to answer.

    Song Tang beamed and said, ¡°There¡¯s no harm in saying what you want.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan sighed lightly, ¡°The situation with my third Shixiong Yan Xing, I¡¯ve also heard about it...... when he talks he lets his mouth loose. It was his fault. I¡¯ll first rpense his fault for him. He was drunk at the time, and by no means had any purposeful intention to humiliate young master Song. Afterwards, he was also extremely remorseful. I do not dare to request young master Song to forgive and forget, but only request that if there is a future encounter, please do not act first, but listen to what he says.

    Yin Biyue thought of his clueless third shixiong as well, and with Duan Chongxuan together half-bowed towards Song Tang.

    That ¡®the man is sweeter¡¯ kind of thing...... it¡¯s really......

    Cheng Tianyu was a bit antsy and nervous, as he was afraid that the mention of this affair would embarrass his shixiong.

    But Song Tang very forgivingly replied, ¡°Agreed, next time if I meet him, I will absolutely not hit him first.

    The situation with Yan Xing really was beginning to get old, and the entire southern continent¡¯s gossip has already left it behind. As time passed, he no longer bothered with it.

    Duan Chongxuan smiled, ¡°Just his one matter is good enough to bnce what you owe. We both do not owe each other anymore!¡± Towards Zhong Shan he was still a bit awkward, ¡°Please do not ever mention the Heart Blood oath again. If you actually dare to set it up I will risk bacsh to find a way to get rid of it.

    Zhong Shan pursed his lips and did not speak again.

    They waited until the three said goodbye and left. Duan Chongxuan let a long sigh, opened his folding fan, and started pacing around the courtyard.

    ¡°I admire myself so much! Third shixiong must invite me to drink! Duan Chongxuan, you really are too great!¡±

    Yin Biyue already was too ustomed to the fact that the person in front of him and the person behind him were not the same and smiled while watching him congratte himself. He suddenly thought of an important thing......

    ¡°The Heart Blood oath, can it be lifted by the person that it is sworn to?¡±

    Chatterbox unexpectedly said, ¡°Of course not, I was fooling him. The party that the oath is sworn to has no way of dissolving the oath ¡ª they have to deal with it!¡±

    Yin Biyue¡¯s heart sank.

    Luo Mingchuan also swore a Heart Blood oath.

    On Xihua peak, while dark red blood drop by drop seeped into the ground, he had sworn, ¡°This crude one will definitely find Mirror Lake¡¯s Thousand Leaf Lotus for shidi, else I will never cultivate again!¡±

    Never cultivate again.

    Since Luo shixiong arrived in Ye city, he¡¯s constantly been on the peak of the Breakthrough stage, but not advancing a step further. Many times Yin Biyue thought that he would breakthrough, but it never happened.

    He felt regret thinking about this, and futilely wished time to flow backwards to that moment so he could rush to cover shixiong¡¯s mouth and say, ¡°You can eat whatever you want, but you can¡¯t just say whatever you want ahhhhhhhhhh¡ª¡ª!¡±

    Duan Chongxuan seemed to know what he was thinking, andughed saying, ¡°Fourth-shixiong, today¡¯s Thousand Leaf Lotus is already something that¡¯s in your bag, there¡¯s nothing to fear!¡±

    ¡°Is there not one more round?¡±

    ¡°There are only eighteen people left next round, so they are going to start assigning matchups. Thepetition system is no longer lottery-style, but is now challenges......¡±

    It was at this moment Luo Mingchuan pushed open the courtyard door and walked in. Duan Chongxuan wondered, ¡°Luo-shixiong, don¡¯t you have apetition today?¡±

    He originally nned take fourth-shixiong to go watch, but Song Tang¡¯s three person troup came to visit and held them up for a while.

    Yin Biyue had slept for several days, and slept through Chatterbox¡¯s match this round. He did not take note that Luo Mingchuan¡¯s match was today, and he momentarily had a small pang of guilt in his heart.

    Luo Mingchuanughed, ¡°Indeed.¡±

    Yin Biyue anxiously asked, ¡°Did you not go?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve finished already.¡±

    Finished...finished....?

    Yin Biyue looked at the color of the sky.

    This should be...... an instakill.

    ********

    The Flower Picking Festival¡¯s fourth round ended, eighteen people advanced, and thepetition changed from drawing ballots to matched challenges.

    Qinglu Sword Sect¡¯s attending hall first drafted a ranking based on the cultivation strength and martial might that each disciple revealed in thepetitions.

    The lowest ranked disciples could challenge the higher ranked ones.

    After every match¡¯s oue is decided, the rankings will change.

    After eighteen days the picking flower festival will end, challenges will no longer ur, and the rankings will be fixed.

    Even more flexible than before, thepetitors can now decide the time of thepetition. As long as there is a free stage, evenpeting at night has no problem.

    On the day that the rankingse out on the Chen Ying Wall, you can buy a handwritten copy in any boulevard, alley, or any other ce in Ye city. The notes even include the cultivation lineage, the weapons, and achievements of the previous rounds of all eighteen people.

    Duan Chongxuan also brought back a copy.

    He also in passing overheard a lot of information.

    ¡°You¡¯re talking about Yin Biyue? I¡¯m not fighting with him. He¡¯s matched up to even Zhong Shan.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not fighting, not fighting! Don¡¯t mention Midday Sun in a Clear Sky, I can¡¯t even handle East Rising Sun!¡±

    ¡°What, are you saying I don¡¯t have the guts?! If you think you can you go up*!¡±

    The result was......nobody was willing to fight Yin Biyue.

    Duan Chongxuan held out the ordered ranking, ¡°Fourth-shixiong, I think you might have to take a bye again.¡±

    Yin Biyue took a look and saw that he was in first ce. The notes said: Yi Hu sword Yin Biyue, Breakthrough stage middle tier, a disciple of the Sword Saint, Noon Sun defeated the Wind and Rain Besieging the City. Martial might at the level of a Lesser Saint.

    Luo Mingchuan was second, and notes said: Cang Ya Sect head disciple, spiritual cultivation, at the peak of the Breakthrough stage. Proficient in many cultivation methods, learned from a hundred schools.

    Afterwards was Lian Jian Zong¡¯s Chu Huan, Chenyi¡¯s shixiong, ranked at third ce.

    Continuing down was two from Qinglu Sword Sect, two from Cang Ya Sect, as well as buddhist cultivation disciples.

    Duan Chongxuan, because of thest move he used in his match with Cheng Tianyu, was also in the top ten, at eighth ce. The notes for him specifically added a phrase saying, ¡®Family is considerably rich, burns talismans endlessly.¡¯

    He Yanyun was also in the top eighteen, one step closer to the glutinous rice with chicken in lotus leaves.

    Other people couldn¡¯t help butment that this time, the previously infinitely glorious Bao Pu Zong only had three people enter the rankedpetition. The rankings were even somewhat towards the lower end. So, people all sighed that the lottery this time really was bad; if not for the first round where three people matched up against Cang Ya sect, the results would absolutely not be like this.

    Yin Biyue thought that this ranking was way too partial. ¡°How is Shixiong ced lower than me?¡±

    He¡¯s always had a kind of intuition that Luo Mingchuan hid a portion of his strength; to say the least, he himself could not beat Luo Mingchuan.

    Duan Chongxuan was just about to exin when Luo Mingchuan smiled, ¡°It¡¯s just ranking, nothing more. Shidi does not need to care about it.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan thought to himself, he really doesn¡¯t know how to speak!

    He can¡¯t even grasp this kind of excellent chance to win fourth shixiong¡¯s heart. In the future when even more people like fourth shixiong, what can be done?

    Evidently he first ran to Qinglu Sword Sect¡¯s attending hall to say, ¡°Even though my cultivation realm is high, my martial skill cannotpare to Yin-shidi.¡± And then standing in front of the ChenYing Wall saying, ¡°I am at one rank below Yin-shidi. If anyone wants to challenge him, it would be just a good to defeat me first.¡±

    If even this kind of method was able to be concocted, is it so hard to tell the truth as it?!

    Luo Mingchuan clearly did not want Chatterbox to continue this line of questioning, so he said, ¡°I¡¯ve received Chu Huan¡¯s letter of challenge.¡±

    The third ranked Lian Jian Zong¡¯s Chu Huan, the Sage Qu Jiang¡¯s disciple.

    Cultivating Spring Returning to a Withered Tree, of the younger generation he¡¯s been deemed the spiritual cultivator with the most potential to enter the ¡®Saint realm.¡¯

    Yin Biyue defeated Qinglu Sword Sect¡¯s most likely to win, Zhong Shan, if Luo Mingchuan can also surpass Lian Zong¡¯s Chu Huan, their final rankings in the Flower Picking Festival would absolutely be assured.

    1) ×ÓÊ± ¨C Hour of the child. ~11pm to 1am

    2) cloud shoes are basically little ankle boots that you see in art of cultivators and stuff. Think.... ssic goku boots.

    3) a more formal way of the famed ¡°u can u up¡±

 Chapter 48 - Chu Huan (II)

    Chapter 48 ¨C Chu Huan (II)

    Ye City and QingLu Sword Sect were both located in the Southern Continent. Naturally, Zhong Shan¡¯s reputation was more well-known here. As a disciple of the Central Continent, Lian Jian Zong¡¯s sage, Chu Huan¡¯s own brilliance seemed to be overshadowed by the brilliance of the steris in the Flower Picking Festival. Although he showed great strength in the first few rounds, it was still within expectations and didn¡¯t disy any astonishing breakthrough performance.

    There were also people who believed he hadn¡¯t yet been met with any strong opponent, which was why he hadn¡¯t used his strongest ace in his sleeve . Simr to before Chen Yi faced Yin Biyue, he also hadn¡¯t exerted his strongest move and thus, was underestimated.

    Most of Lian Jian Zong¡¯s female disciples were like their sect leader, Yang Liu, unconstrained and brazen.

    And many male disciples were all like their elder, Qu Jiang. Among the six sages, Qu Jiang had the most gentle temperament and was the lowest profile. Only when he drew his sword did he truly resemble a sage.

    Ultimately, Duan Chongxuan incorporated various information from multiple sources and concluded, ¡°I specte that the amount of strength Chu Huan utilized in the previous round was at most forty percent.¡±

    Yin Biyue mildly knitted his brows. He only watched one of Chu Huan¡¯s matches. During the match, he hadn¡¯t yet used Spring Returning to a Withered Tree so he simply couldn¡¯t make out any clues to Chu Huan¡¯s limits.

    Luo Mingchuan smiled a bit and consoled him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I also cultivated some wood-type cultivation method.¡±

    Shixiong! What have you not cultivated!

    Rationally, Yin Biyue believed he honestly thought too much. Shixiong definitely would win. However, he couldn¡¯t help but worry, and it wasn¡¯t even an ordinary kind of worry.

    This sort of emotion was too unfamiliar, so much so that he wondered if there was something wrong with him recently.

    The fight was set in the early morning1. As the first round of the rankingpetition, where Cang Ya¡¯s head disciple would face the disciple of Lian Jian Zong¡¯s sage, even if the time was set earlier, it would still have countless people waking early anding to watch. This was especially true for the Lian Jian and Cang Ya¡¯s disciples that were in Ye City, who almost all arrived.

    The two greeted each other on the stage.

    In terms of appearance alone, Chu Huan was more recognizable than Chen Yi. However, the pair¡¯s temperament were identical. The Lian Jian¡¯s purple qipao with wide sleeves and a narrow waist he wore, gave off a warm and peaceful feeling.

    Everyone felt that it was a pleasure to look at the two upright gentlemen standing on the stage.

    Chu Huan spoke, ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you atst.¡±

    Luo Mingchan replied, ¡°You¡¯re too polite.¡±

    Without much more exchange, this match had officially started.

    Chu Huan rushed to release his first move, and a sh of green light flew out from his sleeves. The wind whistled, and in a blink of an eye, it grew to the width of a bowl!

    Only when it flew in front of Luo Mingchuan did everyone clearly see that it was a vine. Sparkling and verdant, it was still constantly developing new seedling shoots.

    Chu Huan¡¯s hands held the vine inside his sleeves, like a long whip,shing it directly forward!

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change; practically at the same time as when the vine appeared, a fierce wall of mes suddenly ignited in front of his body!

    Momentarily, Duan Chongxuan felt a bit ashamed, because he realized the speed at which he threw the talismans was slower than Luo Mingchuan forming hand seals.

    However, it only hindered the vine for a breath. The scorched surface was quickly reced by the vitality of emerald-green. It unexpectedly broke through the fiery wall and attacked onward without a change of momentum!

    This time the people below the stage finally saw the motions of Luo Mingchuan forming hand seals clearly. Before they could even cry out in surprise, the wall of me transformed into an ocean of fire.

    In the morning wind, the fire became more and more intense. It engulfed the entire martial arena, as if swallowing the sky and devouring the earth. The disciples who were somewhat close could even feel the rolling heat waves that was hurling toward them.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s figure in the mes couldn¡¯t be seen clearly.

    Chu Huan, whose body was protected by his core energy, still felt the sharp pain caused by the raging inferno roasting his skin. His purple garment exhibited specks of greenness, spreading out at rapid speed. Though thin and feeble, the vines covering his body were like an indestructible armor.

    The vine in his hands swept past the fiery ocean. It swirled like stormy gales and raging waves beating against the shore, heading straight for Luo Mingchuan.

    Thebat tempo for a spiritual cultivator tended to be on the slow side. Yet, these two were ying their cards too unconventionally, unexpectedly looking like one could immediately differentiate victory and defeat.

    Even Duan Chongxuan couldn¡¯t understand, ¡°The amount of core energy that Luo shixiong is outputting...¡±

    The martial arena was more than thirty meters2 long from north to south. How much core energy was instantly outputted in order to create this massive, powerful fire?

    Yin Biyue understood his meaning, but he was unsure about his own spection. He said in a low voice, ¡°I once saw a cultivation method at the academy. It was simr to ¡®Moon Haze Over the Port¡¯; half of the fire on the stage is probably an illusion.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan suddenly understood.

    It wasn¡¯t only Yin Biyue; there were others who also thought the same. However, what they didn¡¯t expect was that not only half, but at least eighty percent was an illusion. Yet it had the might from the fake mixing with the genuine.

    Smoke began to rise in the midst of the ming light. It was born from the nts that were constantly burning up.

    Some people witnessed Chu Huan withdrawing his vines, guessing in session if he was going to admit defeat.

    But Chu Huan walked to the center of the stage, in the middle of the fires burning on all sides, and began to perform hand seals. The seals were formed using both hands. The shapes were very strange. Nobody could recognize them.

    The green vines around his body were unceasingly scorched ck and withered, losing their nascent energy. The purple qipao was roasted after directly exposed to the ming ze.

    Yet his movements were neither too fast nor too slow, his expression solemn.

    Along with his hands moving faster, some people felt the earth underneath their feet swaying minutely. They said in shock, ¡°The ground moved?¡±

    ¡°I also felt it. What¡¯s going on?¡±

    The earth¡¯s movements were not strong, but with the five sharp senses of cultivators, they knew it wasn¡¯t a hallucination. They were momentarily bewildered as they concentrated their senses.

    In the next moment, the earth copsed, and mountains were destroyed. The rumble was deafening!

    The stage split open into countless cracks!

    New buds sprouted from the crevices and flew up to face the wind and fire. In a blink of an eye, they had unexpectedly shot up to fifteen or eighteen meters!

    The crowd watched incredulously at the elm forest that rose steeply up from the stage, covering in a sh the fire that had filled the whole sky.

    Duan Chongxuan eximed in admiration, ¡°This... is also an illusion?¡±

    Yin Biyue heard his own voice tremble slightly, ¡°No.¡±

    Chu Huan had truly created a vast forest on the stage.

    He also took note that when the martial arena ruptured, there were no crushed rocks or dust, as if the stage was willing to be broken. This meant that this type of attack had been approved.

    Chu Huan¡¯s Spring Returning to a Withered Tree had already started to connect with the true intent of nature.

    The elders at the eastern spectator tform looked toward the person who controlled the array.

    The QingLu Sword Sect elder frowned, ¡°Nothing unusual.¡±

    The array had not shifted. This meant that the power of this type of attack was within the limit.

    However, the audience still discussed amongst themselves,

    ¡°This is just too ridiculous; he¡¯s only at thete stage of the Breakthrough Stage. If he reaches Greater Vessel Stage, how powerful will he be?¡±

    ¡°He can grow an entire forest in a blink of an eye?¡±

    It was indeed ridiculous.

    The elm trees on the stage had already hid the sky and covered the earth. The leaves and branches intertwined, as if isting the entire stage from the outside world. Not only was the view disconnected, but the whole stage had became Chu Huan¡¯s personal domain.

    His face was deathly pale, and his eyes were bright. He stood perfectly in the center of the stage.

    Layer uponyers of leaves and branches perceived the opponent¡¯s position and movement on his behalf. It constantly sent him messages andunched its attacks. The decay and rebirth of this forest happened simultaneously. The cycle of withering and thriving existed in an instant. However, it grew and multiplied without end, continuously.

    The crowd below the stage couldn¡¯t see either the figures of the two people or the light of mes.

    Even if they concentrated, they could only hear the wind rustling the leaves, like the billowing tides, wave after wave, coiling in the sky and earth.

    Yin Biyue finally confirmed his guess, ¡°Jade Sea Rising Tide.¡±

    The might of the Spring Returning to a Withered Tree could be ced in the top three seals. In the past, no one below Lesser Vessel Stage had cultivated it before. Because the innate spiritual meridians weren¡¯t pure enough, the amount of core energy also couldn¡¯t support it.

    Yet Chu Huan¡¯s current cultivation realm not only allowed him to connect with nature, but also borrow power from the heavens and earth.

    It was a frightful matter. The saint from the ¡®All Saints Era¡¯ who established this seal used it to exhausted a sage to death when he was still in the Greater Vessel Stage. Even with Chu Huan¡¯s current abilities, the true intent, although unable to reach its greatest heights, was enough to cause a change in people¡¯s face.

    The elder of Lian Jian Zong had a slightly astounded expression. She previously thought she understood Chu Huan, but who knew she had still underestimated this young man.

    Many people were thinking about Luo Mingchuan, who was still in the forest. What kind of method was he using to evade the endless dangers? Was he hurt? Was his core essence not enough to sustain the ocean of fire just now?

    From Chu Huan¡¯s point of view, the opponent was currently maintaining constant, high speed movements. Although he could not find his precise location, the entire forest was his eyes and ears; no matter how fast Luo Mingchuan was, there would still be an instant where he would ck under the unending stream of attacks. Moreover, maintaining this kind of speed would consume a massive amount of core energy.

    He could even feel his opponent was injured¡ª the sensation of sticky blood that dripped onto the leaves.

    In fact, Luo Mingchuan stood on a tree branch on the south side of the ring, his expressionposed.

    The branches and leaves underneath his feet were quiet, gently brushing at his clothes as if to curry his favor.

    At some point, his pupils had changed into the color of ink, as dark as the long night.

    He looked fully at the forest, and he could even see the expressions of everyone below the tform.

    The worry in shidi¡¯s eyes

    He closed his eyes.

    Wind rose up in the forest that hid the sky and covered the earth.

    The screaming gales blustered at his robe and blew the fallen leaves into a reckless dance.

    Chu Huan¡¯s heart and meridians were suddenly in pain, and he couldn¡¯t help but spit out a mouthful of blood!

    It was because in the previous instant, the connection between him and the forest he created had been forcefully severed. As if a sword was directly sliced onto his mental sea, leaving a scar that prated deep into his marrow.

    In the next moment, all the tree branches and vines started to attack him crazily. Everything within his field of vision hadpletely became his enemy!

    Everybody saw the entire forest shuddering in the wind and then rapidly withering. The decaying ashes that fell to the ground were lifted up and dispersed in all directions.

    Out came Chu Huan, whose face was white, and the corner of his mouth trickled a snaking line of blood. His purple qipao revealed some cuts, as if he had been cut by the branches and leaves.

    His voice was somewhat rough, ¡°I admit defeat.¡±

    The cracks began to close until finally, there were no traces of them. If one didn¡¯t look closely, they wouldn¡¯t be able to discover the veined patterns of these cracks.

    The crowd below the stage had not yet recovered.

    No one knew what had happened. This battle was settled within a breath. Only leaving behind the martial stage with a beautiful pattern.

    Yin Biyue looked at it and found it quite familiar, like marks left by some kind of array.

    The QingLu Sword Sect¡¯s attendant yelled out, ¡°This match is over. Cang Ya, Luo Mingchuan wins¡ª¡±

    Luo Mingchuan cupped his hands toward Chu Huan, ¡°Acknowledged.¡±

    At this time, some people discovered that he still stood on the same spot on the martial stage where he had greeted Chu Huan, without even moving a single step.

    Yin Biyue watched Luo shixiong pass through the crowd of people congratting him, nodding his head in acknowledgement, all the while walking towards him.

    Yin Biyue endured for awhile, but he nevertheless couldn¡¯t suppress the rising corners of his mouth.

    Thereupon, Luo Mingchuan also started to smile.

    ...

 Chapter 49 - Ascending the Mountain

    Chapter 49 ¨C Ascending the Mountain

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s performance in this match was more conspicuous than in the previous rounds, and because he had effortlessly won against Chu Huan, he did not receive any written challenges in the next few days.

    Numerous spectating disciples who believed that they couldn¡¯tst longer than a cup of tea under Chu Huan¡¯s ¡®Rising Tide of the Jade Sea¡¯, naturally didn¡¯t want to challenge Luo Mingchuan.

    Many people determined that his strength was one level higher than Yin Biyue; hence, they were all waiting for him to challenge Yin Biyue, who was currently number one.

    In the past, the Flower Picking Festival often had same-sect disciples challenge each other, considering the rankingpetition was meant to be conducted independently.

    However, as the days passed, all kinds of challenge fights had already been fought a dozen or more times, yet there was still no movement from Lake Qiu.

    It was as if Luo Mingchuan hadpletely given up the right to challenge.

    As a result, various spections and arguments rang out. Some say that these two had deep affections and could not meet each other on the battlefield. This type of statement didn¡¯t receive much approval, because during everyday cultivation practices, same-sect members often sparred with each other. It wasn¡¯t a life-or-death situation, so how could it affect their affections?

    Inparison, another type of spection was more widely epted. On the day of the Great Heat1, in the southern side of the city¡¯s fourteenth alley, someone saw these two leaning against each other, walking away.

    The rumors after that were even more exaggerated, saying that Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan were not ordinary Shixiong and Shidi; they were to be daopanions in the future.

    When Yin Biyue heard Duan Chongxuan deliver these stories, he nearly dropped his sword.

    He calmed his breath and seriously said, ¡°This matter must never be mentioned in front of Shixiong!¡±

    Despite Chatterbox¡¯s repeated promises, Yin Biyue still felt apprehensive.

    Luo Mingchuan couldn¡¯t already know, right?

    When has a gentlemanly and principled person like Shixiong ever heard of these preposterous words! Shixiong will definitely be mad!

    Maybe... he would even avoid me in order to avoid suspicions?

    No! Yin Biyue, how could you measure the protagonist¡¯s thoughts with a viin¡¯s heart! Shixiong conducts himself magnanimously; why would he care about the gossip of others?

    But... he was still afraid Shixiong would know... It was awkward to even think about it.

    Yin Biyue eventually decided to firmly keep an eye on him! As long as he didn¡¯t go to the center of the city, or enter noisy teahouses or pubs, then Shixiong would never know! The moment the Flower Picking Festival finishes, they would immediately return to Cang Ya! It wouldn¡¯t take many days anyways!

    The n could be said to be perfect!

    Luo Mingchuan noticed that Shidi had changed recently.

    Beginning from the early mornings, there was a shadow that flitted past his window. It took a few steps in the courtyard, as if confirming whether he was there or not. As long he had the intent of going out, Shidi who was practicing his sword by theke would immediately be nervous,

    ¡°Shixiong, where are you going?¡±

    ¡°Today is He-shimei¡¯s rankingpetition. I¡¯m going to take a look.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go too. Let¡¯s go together.¡±

    Not only that, every time he came back from watching a fight, Shidi would drag him around the center of the city, detouring from any bustling roads. He always had an expression of inexplicable nervousness.

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t know what Shidi was thinking, but he was very happy. Even if Shidi¡¯s eyes when looking at him were still as clear as theke water, without a trace of love, he was still happy.

    However, Cang Ya¡¯s disciples didn¡¯t think this way.

    They watched the rtionship between the two get better as the days go on; Jiao didn¡¯t leave Meng, and Meng didn¡¯t leave Jiao2. They couldn¡¯t wait for Yin Biyue grow to twenty years old overnight, so that the moment he returned to the sect, he would immediately performing-of-age ceremony, together with his marriage ceremony.

    ¡°It¡¯s a pity Yin-shixiong has yet to reach adulthood. Luo-shixiong has a few years to wait.¡±

    Nearly everyone said something along those lines.

    ording to the consensus of the cultivation world, premature marriage would cause yuanyang to leak, leading to unstable foundation in the future. Cultivators live a long life, and only when they were twenty years old and performed theing-of-age ceremony held by their sect or rtives could they be considered officially an adult.

    Yin Biyue simply couldn¡¯t imagine that while he was being careful not to let Shixiong be disturbed by the gossip, He Yanyun over there already had the color of the marriage ceremony¡¯s silk deviously decided.

    On the third-tost day of Flower Picking Festival, Duan Chongxuan received a letter of challenge from a Qing Lu Sword Sect disciple. In the end, although he was unable to use the ¡®Feng Huo, Beckoning Fire¡¯ again, he still defeated his opponent, securing his original position. Due to his recent redoubled diligence andbat appreciation, his cultivation had been improving by leaps and bounds than before leaving the mountain. His breath rose up step by step, and he seemed as if he would breakthrough soon.

    On thest day, He Yanyun defeated the ninth ce Xing Shan Temple disciple, sessfully advancing into the top ten, and thus, could climb the mountain to pick a leaf. Ruan Xiaolian cried tears of joy and invited her to eat ten pieces of rice cake.

    On the day that the Flower Picking Festival ended, it was the beginning of autumn.

    It rained that night in Ye City, and the next day, the summer heat dissipatedpletely.

    The wind that blew across the wine shops exuded freshness, and theke near the long bluestone-paved roads released a chill, as if only the brilliance of the beaming sun remained, with no more of the aggravating temperatures.

    At the end of summer and the start of autumn, the sky was high, and the clouds were mild. It was the perfect time to ascend the mountain.

    On this day, the martial arena was entirely empty.

    Disciples of each sect gathered thirty meters from Zhong Ming Mountain. Although there were many people, there were no whispers to be heard. The entire ce was somber.

    This ce was even closer to the mountain than the arena. It was close enough to see the winding mountain road in the clouds and fog.

    QingLu Sword Sect¡¯s disciple infused core energy into his voice, spreading it far and wide, resonating through the fields, ¡°Please allow the champion to climb the mountain and pick the flower¡ª¡±

    The crowd split open, allowing Yin Biyue through.

    Under ten thousand eyes, he suddenly felt a bit nervous and subconsciously looked at the person beside him.

    Luo Mingchuan subtly nodded his head.

    Thereupon, Yin Biyue settled his heart, passing through the tide of people, his gaze unwavering, walking forward step by step.

    In front of the mountain path entrance, four powerful elders stood on the stone steps.

    One was the QingLu Sword Sect elder, one was the Jie Kong Temple monk, one was the middle-aged woman from Lian Jian Zong, and thest one was Yi City¡¯s attendant. These four people were all a half step into the Greater Vessel Stage. As the elders with the highest seniority and representatives of the highest levels in this festival, they were to ¡®open the mountain path¡¯ for Yin Biyue.

    The elder said sternly, ¡°The road of cultivation is long. One must plow forward diligently and relentlessly. A day could not be wasted. Today, you climb the mountain to pick the flower; tomorrow, you will be one step toward the highest level of enlightenment. ¡°

    Truthfully, he believed that even if Yin Biyue was his junior, Yin Biyue¡¯s temperament and innate talent were far better than his younger self. If there were no mishaps, there was a high possibility that in three hundred years, he would reach the stage of a saint.

    He didn¡¯t think he could teach the other party anything. But in front of the established customs, he had to say a few words of encouragement.

    Yin Biyue bowed solemnly.

    The elder took out a small, one-inch stone sword from his sleeves, ¡°Inside is sealed this useless old man¡¯s3 sword energy. Inject this with core energy to trigger it.¡±

    Jie Kong Temple¡¯s monk and Ye City¡¯s attendant each respectively took out a string of buddhist beads and a mountain opening talisman.

    They felt the same multitude of emotions. As expected, the Academy Director¡¯s ns were well thought out. The era of resplendent steris in the cultivation world had arrived. The future of the world was going to be passed to the hands of these youths.

    The middle-aged woman of Lian Jian Zong took out a wooden hairpin. Compared to the previous three offensive spiritual artifacts, this one was a rare defensive spiritual artifact. It automatically triggered when threatened and could block a full strike from a Greater Vessel or lower.

    In her opinion, Yin Biyue¡¯s talents were unsurpassed; he could transcend stages to fight. However, due to his naive personality andck of worldly knowledge, he could easily meet someone who would plot against him in the future. A defensive spiritual artifact may be more practical for him. Because of Yin Biyue¡¯s mercy towards Chen Yi, she had a good impression of this junior, and she inevitably cherished his talents.

    Gifts bestowed by elders could not be declined. Yin Biyue bowed toward each person in gratitude and received them with both hands.

    The four elders nodded their heads in acknowledgement and made way to the mountain path for all to pass.

    Yin Biyue walked forward. The stone steps below his feet were worn down by the passage of time. The winding mountain paths were rugged, and the path ahead was covered in a misty fog.

    He walked for a long time. A voice faintly came from behind him, ¡°The mountain path has been opened. Please allow the nine victors to ascend the mountain and pick the leaves.¡±

    Everyone at the foot of the mountain watched the back of the white-haired youth slowly shrinking, until it eventually melded with the fog and clouds, making him almost impossible to see.

    The nine people who were ced in the top ten began to climb the mountain, paying their respect consecutively to the four elders beside the mountain path. Some would even hear their teachings and received gifts for ascending the mountain.

    Gifts for ascending the mountain were just icing on the cake; it wasn¡¯t a rule. Whether or not they were bestowed was the will of the elders.

    Luo Mingchuan, as the second person to ascend the mountain, set foot onto the mountain path after bowing and walked forth faster and faster.

    By the time the third person ascended up the mountain, his shadow was already nowhere to be seen. Even the people at the foot of the mountain only saw his figure for an instant, not knowing where he was amidst the clouds and fog.

    Yin Biyue had already reached the end of the mountain path.

    The two sides of the road no longer had the lush mountain forest, and the wind had an extra edge of the biting cold. The shrubs and moss also became sparse as the altitude increased. Even more so, because of the frigid climate, they were covered with frost, and asionally a tall juniper sprouted among the deste mountain cliffs.

    The features of the mountain abruptly became steep with strange rugged stones. There were no longer any well-paved path, so he could only rely on himself to climb up.

    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there really would be ake atop such a precipitous mountain?

    Could a lotus flower really bloom in this kind of cold ce?

    At this moment, a familiar voice came from behind him.

    ¡°Shidi.¡±

    He turned his head back and saw Luo Mingchuan standing underneath a pine tree, just like when he had stood on the Cang Ya Mountain with its vast clouds and mist.

    Yin Biyue started to smile.

    No matter what the path in front held in store, there would always be a person that walked beside him.

    After nightfall, Ye City¡¯s golden lights reced the moon, astonishingly simr to YunYang City, ten thousand miles away in the Central Continent. The marketces were as simrly bustling as during the daytime, and the magnificent scene was the same regardless of day or night.

    ***********

    The Academy Director was looking at the sky.

    Even if the city lights were more splendid, they were incapable of disturbing the stars in his line of sight. In his eyes, there was nothing in the world more beautiful or more meaningful than the starry sky. For countless nights, stargazing was a form of enjoyment for him.

    But today was different.

    Tonight, he sat beside the stone table in the middle of the courtyard. The evening wind brushed across his schrly cap and wide belt. He stared at the night sky, his face slightly pale.

    In the distant heavens and universe far out of reach, two stars, equally bright, drew nearer and nearer to each other.

    One star¡¯s surface was burning, as if continuously spraying out mes. The ck mes contained a boundless yet terrifying power. The other star was covered in ice and frost, yet there was a blue light that radiated out.

    The brilliant lights intermingled. This scene looked extraordinarily beautiful.

    But it shouldn¡¯t be this way.

    ording to his calctions, when they were close to this degree, they would begin to repel one another, beginning to fight for glory, until one of them fell from the sky as a result.

    The Academy Director softly brushed away his wide sleeve, and on the stone table appeared a circr array disk.

    The texture of the material was like an aged sandalwood, yet it had the gentle gloss of a jade. On the array disk was carved with many criss-crossing lines, seemingly chaotic and without rules.

    Underneath his fingertips, those lines started to interweave rapidly.

    Although it had been many years since he needed to utilize the array disk for any calctions, his movements weren¡¯t out of practice in the slightest.

    As one of the few people who stood at the pinnacle of the world, he understood more of the rules of this world.

    The entire starry sky was one entity. Every star¡¯s orbit was not independent; a single movement will lead along the entire body. Only the stars¡¯ energies were different, and their influences on the heavens also varied.

    However, these two stars contained unimaginable energy. In other words, the changes within these two stars will lead the entire starry skies, the entire world to change.

    The Academy Director¡¯s eyes were extremely focused, and the movements of his hands went faster and faster. Yet there wasn¡¯t any kind of calctions that gave him an answer.

    The lines on the array disk changed at a speed that was invisible to the naked eye. In the eyes of normal people, they could only see a blur of white shadows.

    The more he calcted, the more he was shocked. No, not possible. How could it be wrong; where did it go wrong?

    His divine sense was consumed violently. In a breath, there were calctions, as countless as the sands of the Ganges River, that streaked across his mind.

    Time passed minute by minute, second by second, and his calctions still continued.

    This was a very dangerous state of mind, so much so that he had already sunk into a confused obstruction.

    Gradually, he didn¡¯t know what he was calcting, only that his fixation went deeper and deeper. Cold sweat soaked his entire body like rain, and his mental sea trembled ceaselessly by the intense pain. Yet he didn¡¯t know how to stop, and there was no way for him to stop.

    He watched the array disk, his eyes scarlet.

    ¡°ng!¡±

    A dagger pierced through the air, ruthlessly nailing itself onto the array disk!

    The Academy Directly abruptly spurted out a mouthful of blood!

    When he woke up, an endless lingering fear bubbled up. Just now, he had actually been trapped in the obstruction.

    He stood on the original spot, stunned. He looked at the blood that polluted the broken array disk, unable to recover for a long time.

    Afterward, he suddenly raised his eyes and saw that outside the courtyard wall, in the darkness of the night, a figure stood on the eaves of the Collections Library, his robe fluttering in the night wind.

    With only a vague ck shadow, he could still recognize this person.

    He couldn¡¯t help but recall that even if a single flower or a single leaf in the academy couldn¡¯t hide from his eyes, this person could stille and go as he pleased.

    He looked at the array disk again. It wasn¡¯t a dagger at all, but only a piece of casually thrown, grey tile. However, it directly nailed through the middle of the ¡®Change of Nature Disk¡¯, destroying a spiritual artifact that could be ranked within the top ten of the world.

    The schr with his high cap and wide belt stood up, wiping the blood off the corners of his mouth. He lightly brushed away the hem of his robes, and the sorry state from before vanished in an instant.

    He looked at the figure standing on the eaves and smiled.

    ¡°Long time no see, Wei Jingfeng.¡±

    Tonight, the academy was as calm as ever.

    The students in the dorms at the back were sleeping soundly. The faint yellow lights in the Night Library flickered in and out. On the slight chilly patio, there were people meditating. Wild cats in the small forest curled up on the fallen leaves as they softly whimpered.

    No one knew a great figure had came to the academy.

    But he came. The heavens and earth knew it! The bright moon knew it!

    Thus, the stars retreated back, and the myriad splendor of the moon shone through Yun Yang City!

    ...

    1) ´óÊî (Great Heat): 12th of the 24 sr terms ¡ª between 23rd July to 6th August

    2) ½¹²»ÀëÃÏ£¬ÃÏ²»Àë½¹ (Jiao didn¡¯t leave Meng, and Meng didn¡¯t leave Jiao): Jiao and Meng were two generals that were sworn brothers. This saying is a metaphor describing the strong and deep bond between two people.

    3) ÀÏÐà (this useless old man): It¡¯s a modest way of an old person referring to themselves.

 Chapter 50 - Flower Picking

    <h4>Chapter 50 ¨C Flower Picking</h4>

    At dusk the trickle of peopleing down the mountain began, d in robes with their hems stained with frost, and green lotus leaf in hand. When their fellow disciples saw them, they would burst out in cheers and walk back arm in arm.

    He Yanyun descended a littlete. In the afterglow of the setting sun, Ruan Xiaolian spotted her at a nce.

    Not because her movement was elegant, her downhill descent graceful, but because... her lotus leaf was truly too big.

    Thergest leaf anyone else has brought down was as big as a te, or a fan- but He Yanyun, hers covered half of her entire body.

    As she left the mountain path, everyone who saw her gave her sidelong nces. But because she was a young girl, doing something like this would only make people feel that she was cute and lovable.

    Ruan Xiaolian rushed up to meet her, and swept her eyes along the length of the leaf, ¡°This... is enough for many portions.¡±

    He Yanyun proudly said, ¡°Of course, I picked the biggest one.¡±

    Ruan Xiaolian smiled, ¡°We can also call Duiyan over to eat.¡±

    The people next to them grew more and more confused as they listened,pletely not understanding what they were talking about.

    The thousand leafed lotus only bloomed at midnight. ording to the experience of the people prior, picking it too early or toote would cause a loss in the quality of the medicinal effects.

    Yin-<i>shixiong</i> is going flower picking, Luo-<i>shixiong</i> will undoubtedly apany him. This is something that the Cang Ya disciples collectively recognized.

    Thus they didn¡¯t wait at the foot of the mountain for Luo Mingchuan to descend, and all headed back with wonderful expectations and blessings.

    The moon was clear and the stars scattered. Chongming Mountain was encased within cloud and mist and the thick cover of night, indiscernible to the eye.

    There no longer existed the sea of people that gathered at the mountain in the light of day, only leaving peace and silence behind.

    The wind blowing through the mountains at night was cold and damp. Yin Biyue watched the countless lotus leaves,yer uponyer, swaying and dancing like surging jade waves in the sea as the wind blew by. It was hard to imagine that there would be ake on this mountain.

    Bitingly cold winds swirled. Between the moments as he raised his gaze, the Heavens and Earth spread endlessly before him, as if the brilliant moon above the Ninth Heaven was within reach.

    Standing here, he should have felt the lonesomeness of the pinnacle.

    But because there was someone beside him, this frigid night also became warm.

    Yin Biyue was momentarily dazed.

    This kind of warmth, throughout his long career as a transmigrating viin, was something he never experienced before. But he didn¡¯t know when it began, but it has already be familiar.

    He lightly parted his lips, voice drifting in the air, ¡°Luo-<i>shixiong</i>...¡±

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t ask what was wrong, and instead also attentively met his gaze, returning, ¡°Yin-<i>shidi</i>.¡±

    His gaze was focused, moonbeams seemingly flowing through his eyes.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s heart suddenly trembled.

    He subconsciously turned his head to look at theke and lotus leaves. As his eyesnded on theke, in its center he saw faint glimmers of speckled night, like leaping lights of fireflies- fragments of shattered stars, unceasingly igniting and extinguishing. An instant of withering glory, beautiful yet fleeting.

    Luo Mingchuan smiled, ¡°The flower is about to bloom.¡±

    Yin Biyue started, and was gently pulled along by his wrist to fly forwards.

    They alighted onto lotus leaves as they went, the mountain¡¯s winds buffeting their faces, their sleeves fluttering.

    Theke¡¯s center held the singr lotus blossom.

    The stem was slender, and the unopened bud was small and tender. An unending stream of glowing specks spilled from the spaces between the petals, rising towards the sky.

    The moon¡¯s light cast westward,nding perfectly on the lotus blossom.

    From a blossoming bud into a blinding brilliance, it took only a twinkle of the eye.

    Radiance gushed from the flower¡¯s pistil, theke¡¯s water into a sheet of white, glimmering with the luster of gems.

    The jade coloured lotus was norger than one¡¯s palm, yet ovepping endlessly. Its thousands ofyers and tens of thousands of petals the exquisite and beautiful craft of immortal hands .

    ¡°<i>Shidi</i>, eat the lotus as soon as it¡¯s picked, the medical effects are best then.¡±

    Yin Biyue nodded. Reaching out to pick the stem, the splendor dimmed by half instantly.

    The lotus entered his mouth and turned to liquid without any chewing. Cool yet not cold, flowing along his meridians.

    In the same moment, Luo Mingchuan lightly pushed off his toes to send his body flying backwards, yet he his breathing could not be suppressed as it steadily grew frantic.

    Wherever he passed, the mist scattered, lotus leaves parted, waters surged, and waves turned!

    The Heart¡¯s Blood Oath was resolved.

    His cultivation realm actually skipped past Lesser Vessel early-stage, and directly entered the mid-stage until it reluctantly stopped.

    He feared the might of his own breakthrough would affect Shidi, and hastily retreated. He now watched Yin Biyue at a distance, his expression tense.

    Yin Biyue felt the lotus flower pure and smooth through his four limbs and bones, his mental sea became clearer than he could have imagined.

    This kind of feeling was very strange, and he couldn¡¯t help but close his eyes.

    After the Breakthrough stage a cultivator is able to see the sea within themselves. Currently, his divine sense floated above that sea, watching countless tributaries converging into a silvery light, flowing towards the ocean. He knew that the streams were what became of the Thousand Petal Lotus1.

    Hundreds of rivers return to the sea, a silver radiance arising from its waters, waves gleaming crystalline as if scattered with moonlight2.

    Luo Mingchuan watched Yin Biyue close his eyes, his entire body foiled with ayer of soft brilliance, he and the bright moon above shining upon each other.

    The Thousand Petal Lotus¡¯s effects have begun. It was the same as rebuilding his meridians once again, and henceforth <i>Shidi¡¯s</i> natural aptitude3 has been increased by a level.

    He smiled faintly, feeling more uninhibited than when he broke through moments prior.

    But the next instant, his smile stiffened at the corner of his lips.

    Yin Biyue opened his eyes, his gaze clear and cold, his pupils shing with a stroke of silver.

    White robes swayed in the mountain breeze, apanying the billowing three thousand strands of white doused in splendor.

    That moment, Luo Mingchuan felt as if he was drowned within a frozen pit, the chill within his heart overflowing.

    The Thousand Petal Lotus couldn¡¯t cure his<i> shidi¡¯s</i> white hair.

    Yin Biyue opened his eyes and saw that Luo Mingchuan had promoted to Lesser Vessel Middle Stage, his breath fully integrated, and realm steady. Just as he wanted to congratte him, he felt that Luo Mingchuan appeared to be distracted, so he called out, ¡°<i>Shixiong</i>?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan pulled them back to shore, his eyesnding on the strand of white hair that fell on his chest.

    He resolutely spoke, ¡°<i>Shidi</i>, we¡¯ll set out for Xingshan Temple right away. If Xingshan Temple has no solution, we¡¯ll go to Jikong Temple! There will be a solution! You¡¯ll recover, believe me!¡±

    Yin Biyue followed his gaze and saw where the problemyed. He hastily opened his mouth to exin.

    ¡°<i>Shixiong</i>, it¡¯s alright. There¡¯s nothing wrong with me in the slightest.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan felt like <i>Shidi</i> was consoling him, and absolutely could not swallow those words.

    He looked into Yin Biyue¡¯s eyes, and earnestly said, ¡°There will be a solution. Follow me, alright?¡±

    <strong>Central Continent. Yunyang City?.</strong>

    The Academy Director stood in the courtyard, the locust trees filling the yard rustled by the evening wind.

    He watched the figure standing atop the cornice.

    Like gazing up at a distant moon, remote and unfamiliar, yet like greeting a friend on the street, intimate to the extreme?.

    He said, ¡°Since you¡¯vee, why note down for a cup of tea?¡±

    The distance between them was great, and his voice was also not loud, but the figure atop the cornice leapt down in one smooth motion.

    Cloak swelling like a white bird spreading its wings, drawing a bright arc against the night, the figurended lightly in the courtyard.

    A meter away.

    This distance was just correct.

    The Academy director knew; Wei Jingfeng did not leave the Fallen Star Abyss and coolly travelled? to the distant Yunyang City was not to have a cup of tea.

    He waited for the other to speak first.

    Wei Jingfeng nced at the shattered Star Array te and grey roof tiles on the stone table.

    He saved the Academy Director, but also destroyed his instrument?.

    This one look had a lot of meaning. Saving someone and destroying someone, to a Saint, it is all but a thought.

    Then he said, ¡°This Old Man has said before; this matter is not for you to meddle in.¡±

    His tone was somber and called himself an old man, yet his voice also carried the sluggish roughness of a youth going through puberty.

    These two descriptions should be iparably ipatible, yet due to his bearing no one could deny there wasn¡¯t the least the sense that it was odd.

    Silent depths and mountain peaks?, deep and immeasurable.

    The Academy Director said nothing.

    This silence was neither silent agreement nor silent acquiescence. It was silent defiance.

    Wei Jingfeng understood his intent, and his tone of voice cooled further,

    ¡°Other people praised you once with ¡®calction through the heavens¡¯ and you took it seriously? Who do you think you are? This world¡¯s most useless are schrs!¡±

    His words are very harsh, and hateful to listen to.

    This world¡¯s most useless are schrs.

    The Academy Director was indeed a schr, but he was a schr who stood at this world¡¯s peak. Who dares say he is useless?

    He hasn¡¯t heard this kind of mockery in six hundred years, but his expression didn¡¯t seem angry at all.

    He even had some humorous thoughts: see, this is the result of not reading enough books. Cursing back and forth, in the end there¡¯s just this one phrase.

    So he smiled for real, and also spoke a sentence,

    ¡°Wei Jingfeng, I haven¡¯t seen in many years, yet your appearance has not changed at all.¡±

    Hearing this, the Sword Saint¡¯s voice was even stronger. The wind swirling throughout the courtyard blew swifter, and the all the locust trees trembled faintly.

    ¡°Fresh faced or withered bones, it¡¯s just skin deep! For what reason would this Old Man care about this kind of thing?¡±

    As he spoke, he took a couple steps forward and stepped out of the shadow cast by the corridor.

    Moonlight fell on his face, clearly revealing an adolescent face!

    Paired with his snow-sheen cloak, cloud patterned brocade boots, he seemed just like a young master who would ride on horseback into the red light district?.

    The director retreated two steps.

    Thus the distance between them returned to one meter.

    The Director knew that he angered him. The best thing to do is to change the subject.

    ¡°How is the Fallen Star Abyss?¡±

    Wei Jingfeng replied, ¡°It¡¯s still expanding. What did that guy in Jikong Temple say?¡±

    ¡°He thinks the same as I.¡±

    These few sentences of back and forth seemed baffling, and they also spoke lightly, yet it was rted to the fate and future of the world.

    That guy in Jikong Temple, naturally, was referring to the Sage Wu Wang of Jikong Temple.

    That Sage hasn¡¯t cared for worldly events for thousands of years, yet about this matter, he had the same view as the Director.

    So the Director pleaded with him, ¡°Why are you so stubborn?¡±

    The Sword Saint lifted his eyes slightly, casting his gaze thousands of li into the distance.

    ¡°Before everything happens, there is nothing that can determine someone else¡¯s fate. A Saint cannot, neither can the paths of stars, and neither can the heavenly dao!¡±

    This sentence was very consistent with the code Wei Jingfeng has lived by from start to finish.

    The Director understood, but still could not ept it. Because he felt he was the one who was right. Not only did Wu Wang agree with him, but if everyone else in the world also knew of it, they would also make the same choice.

    So he asked the Sword Saint,

    ¡°Even if that person will bring a great cmity to the world?¡±

    <hr ss="wp-block-separator">

    1) Technically the lotus is called Ç§Ò¶Á« which means thousand leafed, but it means petals in this case (though it also has thousands of leaves).

    2) °Ù´¨¹éº££¬´óº£ÉÏ·ºÆðÒø»Ô£¬²¨¹âôÔôÔ£¬·Â·ðÓÐÔÂ¹âÈ÷Âä¡£This footnote is here to illustrate the difficulties of tranting Chinese and so I can cry publicly about how much I struggled with it.

    <i>A hundred rivers returning to the sea [all things progress in one direction], a silver light arising from the sea, light like that reflects off waves are clear and crystalline, as if there is moonlight sprinkled. </i>

    ²¨¹â is technically just the light that reflects off waves, undting and uneven. Think blinded like the ocean.

    ôÔôÔ is used specifically for the shine and freshness of water droplets. Think bottled watermercials.

    È÷ is generally associated with water as well.

    In conclusion, I tried my best.

    3) The term used means something to the tune of musculoskeletal and spiritual structure, but basically means the conditions and talent for cultivation in his body that he was born with.

    4) ÔÆÑô ¨C If we are to believe this is in actual China instead of Fantasy Landmass this is an actual ce in central China. Otherwise, it¡¯s Cloud Sun (Sunny Cloud? Cloudy Sun?) City.

    5) ¾ÙÄ¿ÍûÔÂ£¬Ò£Ô¶ÉúÊè£¬Ò²ÈçÁÙ½Öº®êÑ£¬ÊìïþÖÁ¼«¡£Looking at someone from below, distant so as to make them seem strange, yet someone that you can face the street and yell a greeting, and extremely familiar.

    6) ²»Ô¶ÍòÀï to trante literally, ¡°as if ten thousand miles is not far¡± meaning to make light of a long journey. Used to show that shifu came to visit despite the long distance he had to travel to do so, as if he thought nothing of it.

    7) Not a toot toot instrument, but as in a ceremonious/religious tool, in this case, his divination (star array) te £¨ÕóÅÌ£©.

    8) Ô¨œsÔÀÖÅ£¬Éî²»¿É²â¡£It actually talks about his moral character, rather than strictly his breadth of mind or whatnot.

    9) ×ßÂíÕÂÌ¨µÄÉÙÄê¹«×Ó ¨C It¡¯s lowkey what it says on the tin, someone who rides a horse (and thus proudly) into Zhang Tai Street, a street that was filled with brothels in ancient Chang¡¯an. The term used here is youthful gongzi, which is usually the son of a noble or wealthy family.

 Chapter 51 - Nighttime Conversation

    <h4>Chapter 51- Nighttime Conversation</h4>

    Yin Biyue knew, his current hair color, in a different script, might make him a young, non-mainstream chuuni<sup>1</sup> or an extremely pretentious fashion trendsetter.

    But for the cultivators of this world, any problems with the body was a big issue.

    Especially something like this where the cause couldn¡¯t be found and it was unknown whether this had any hidden symptoms affecting cultivation. Or even if it was curable.

    He hadn¡¯t minded in the beginning, but Eldest Shixiong and Second Shijie¡¯s attitudes were both very cautious; otherwise they wouldn¡¯t have thought of letting him participate in the Flower Picking Festival like this.

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t want to make Luo Mingchuan worry and originally wanted to say, ¡°No need to treat it, it¡¯s really not a problem.¡±

    But perhaps it was because the moonlight tonight was too pleasing, or maybe it was that the light of theke and the colors of the mountain were too beautiful, or maybe it was Luo Mingchuan¡¯s expression that was too earnest and irrefutable.

    Yin Biyue opened his mouth, and the words changed into, ¡°Alright.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan smiled as if relieved from a great pressure.

    Shidi had chosen to trust him, just like at the foot of Xi Hua Peak, where he had proposed journeying together.

    There was nothing better than this.

    Yin Biyue thought it over, sensing that if he said he wouldn¡¯t go, it would just make Shixiong more anxious.

    Then let¡¯s go to Xing Shan Temple.

    The world is so vast; let¡¯s go together to take a look.

    At the same time, in Yunyang City thousands of miles away, under the bright light of the same moon, another conversation was urring.

    It was just that the moonlight there was no longer gentle, rather it was piercingly cold and cruel.

    The two people talking also didn¡¯t have the slightest bit of consideration for the other.

    But simrly, the decisions reached by these two conversations, directly or indirectly, will determine the direction that the future is headed towards.

    The exchange still had not arrived at a consensus. In the face of the Academy Director¡¯s question, the Sword Saint only looked at the night sky and replied, ¡°This world¡¯s future, in the end, must be given over to the hands of the young people.¡±

    This sentence wasn¡¯t really answering the question, but the Academy Director understood what he meant.

    Therefore he didn¡¯t pursue this topic again, and rather he walked a few steps closer.

    One meter could be a polite distance, and it could also be a guarded distance between enemies. But right now, there was someone who closed this distance.

    Merely getting a few steps closer, the atmosphere between the two became remarkably eased.

    The Academy Director walked in front of the stone table, tidied up the smashed array disk, swapped it for a half worn tea set, and made an inviting gesture at tonight¡¯s visitor.

    Wei Jingfeng sat down without a hint of unfamiliarity.

    They began to drink tea. JunShan YunWu tea<sup>2</sup> of the highest quality.

    Just like many years ago, when they were still young.

    ¡°Let the other matters rest. First stay and recuperate.¡±

    The Sword Saint¡¯s strength tonight was just as it had been in the past, with absolutely no indication that he was wounded. But the Academy Director said this, and he did not deny it at all.

    ¡°What does this Old Man<sup>3</sup> have to fear?¡±

    The Directorughed, ¡°Eventually it will be a problem.¡±

    Yes, the Sword Saint feared nothing. Even if he was injured, if he wanted to kill that person on HengDuan Mountain, it was only a matter of a wave of his sword.

    But if the news was spread, a lot of people would be tempted, would overestimate their own capabilities, and would advance wave after wave like moths to a me. The great powers across thends would be in disorder, and the Sword Saint would again draw his sword to kill people.

    Wei Jingfeng was not afraid of killing people. Nor did he care about his reputation.

    He killed people without regard to the proper dao, killing based only on his emotions.

    But he feared inconvenience. The situation right now was extremely inconvenient.

    The Fallen Star Abyss was still expanding; the demons at the bottom could not bepletely exterminated. They sensed that that soul was still alive, so they converged beneath the star Yin Sha and propagated. For millions of years, they continued to grow with no end.

    If the root couldn¡¯t be destroyed, these demons would emerge sooner orter from that lightless abyss to devour all living flesh.

    Demons were not demonic cultivators. They had no sense of pain, and they didn¡¯t need to cultivate. They could simply rely on eating to get stronger.

    Wei Jingfeng was the single Saint after the End of Dharma Era. He was also the only Saint in the world at the present.

    The cultivation world looked upon the Fallen Star Abyss as a forbidden area. Only he had entered before. And he had done so more than once.

    From the first time he entered five hundred years ago, the Academy Director began to deduce. He eventually calcted a devastating cmity.

    The Sword Saint had not returned to Cang Ya for so many years, and the Academy Director had entirely exhausted all his thoughts for so many years. Both had done many things.

    They did not consider how grand or how deserving of people¡¯s praises the things they had done were.

    But when the sky falls, there must always be someone taller to bear it.

    They thought themselves above other people. Therefore they ought to do this.

    They were in disagreement, but neither of them were wrong. It was just that the methods they had chosen were different.

    But in the end, they still walked onto paths heading in opposing directions, drawing further apart.

    *************

    When Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan descended the mountain, through the breeze at dawn and under the falling moon, the sea of clouds in the east were dyed pure gold by the radiance of the rising sun. The morning wind brought the freshness of the vegetation¡¯s moisture and mist, making one feel refreshed.

    They returned to Ye City, where the entire city was still soaked in the sweetly intoxicatingnd of dreams.

    The empty streets and tottering wine shops, the clear and crisp birdsong and rooster crowing from within long alleyways.

    The shopkeeper along the path yawned as he opened the doors for business. An old couple pushed a wooden cart, setting up a breakfast stall as white steam poured through the gaps in the steamer baskets.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan passed through Ye City, neither of them saying anything.

    Just like those times after battles on the tforms at midday and dusk, they walked together towards Lake Qiu. Indescribably, Yin Biyue felt at ease.

    It was as if they were going home together.

    When the two people got to the banks of Lake Qiu, they suddenly felt that something was amiss.

    Duan Chongxuan wasn¡¯t at thekeside, and neither was he in the courtyard.

    This early in the morning, when the teahouses weren¡¯t even open yet, where would he go?

    Yin Biyue knitted his brows, as Luo Mingchuan said, ¡°First don¡¯t panic. There probably isn¡¯t an issue.¡±

    The two were about to go searching when they saw a youth wearing a robe of ink-sshed mountains andkesing over, his slightly oversized robe making his figure seem even younger. This was Cheng Tianyu.

    Cheng Tianyu saw the two¡¯s expressions and hastily said, ¡°Don¡¯t be worried, Duan-shixiong was in secluded cultivation at Wutong Park breaking through... My shixiong said you should have returned now and asked me toe say something.¡±

    Yin Biyue rxed, ¡°Many thanks.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan sincerely said, ¡°Many thanks for your trouble.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu felt a little embarrassed and bashfully said, ¡°No need to thank me. Shixiong invites you toe take a look.¡±

    In fact, Duan Chongxuan originally wanted to suppress it and wait until they returned to Xi Hua Peak to go into seclusion and breakthrough. But after ascending the mountain his mind was smooth and unhindered, with signs of a breakthrough; his breath was unstable, and the pressure was exposed. Qing Lu Sword Sect this time too had two people who climbed the mountain to pick leaves. Song Tang¡¯s party of three were also waiting below the mountain, happened to see Duan Chongxuan descending the mountain, and therefore invited him to go to Wutong Park for seclusion.

    Going into seclusion was a huge matter. Duan Chongxuan wasn¡¯t the type to trust other people easily, but this time he chose to trust the other party.

    Qing Lu Sword Sect was this Flower Picking Festival¡¯s host and had the most powerful seniors watching over Ye City. Song Tang and the others were staying in Wutong Park, undoubtedly the most secure location. Especially since it was still unknown whether or not Bao Pu Zong¡¯s Zheng Wei had left Ye City.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan followed Cheng Tianyu to Wutong Park in the northern part of the city and gave their thanks to Song Tang and Zhong Shan.

    Song Tang was very surprised that Luo Mingchuan had broken through to mid-Lesser Vessel Stage in just one night, but congratted him without asking any further.

    They stood in the middle of the courtyard exchanging a few words, with Yin Biyue watching that closed-off door. He could vaguely feel the breath of the person inside rising little by little, the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth all around theming together and dispersing. He happily thought, there are three Lesser Vessel Stages here that could do battle if Zheng Wei showed up; Chatterbox being secluded here was really the most secure.

    Duan Chongxuan would need at least four days to break through. Even though the Flower Picking Festival had concluded, Qing Lu Sword Sect still had a lot of work to do to wrap things up. They wouldn¡¯t leave for a while.

    Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue also decided not to leave in two days¡¯ time with the other Cang Ya Mountain people, and instead they would wait for Duan Chongxuan to break through and emerge for them to go back together.

    When they left the mountain, only Luo Mingchuan was at the Breakthrough Stage. Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan were both Soul Condensing Stages. But now, they would quickly be two Breakthrough Stages and one Lesser Vessel Stage.

    At this kind of cultivation speed, to describe it as advancing by leaps and bounds was putting it mildly, Yin Biyue thought. No wonder so many cultivators were fond of traveling the world.

    But as for Shifu,Shifu was away traveling for that many years; was there a ce in the world where he had not yet been to?

    The Flower Picking Festival was over. Small sects began to set out to leave Ye City one after another, and the Cang Ya Mountain disciples were also beginning their preparations for departure.

    For cultivators, there was really nothing that needed to be packed. The main thing was saying their farewells. The Flower Picking Festival was not only for battle to see who was stronger; it was also for meeting other sects¡¯ disciples. Once they parted ways here, the future road of cultivation was uncertain, and it was uncertain whether or not they would get a chance to meet again.

    Qu Duiyan that day came to eat glutinous rice with chicken wrapped in lotus leaves, so tonight she originally wanted to invite He Yanyun and Ruan Xiaolian to Taihe Pavilion for a feast.

    But she was unanimously overruled by the two, ¡°Still not as tasty as the city¡¯s night market!¡±

    Thus the three girls sat at a wonton stand along a busy street, holding worn porcin bowls and fishing up wontons.

    It was a pity Qu Duiyan¡¯s face was put there: eating at a vendor¡¯s stand by the road she was still better-looking than the surrounding people, causing the young man at the neighborhood table to spill soup down his chest.

    The three of them ate their fill the entire way down the street and finallyid down on the roof of the house by Lake Qiu, rxing and watching the moon.

    He Yanyun said, ¡°I think, the biggest priority is first to marry you off.¡±

    Qu Duiyan refused, ¡°For what reason? I¡¯m only sixteen. My mother isn¡¯t even in a hurry!¡±

    He Yanyun rubbed her stomach, ¡°Think about it: adding in your daopanion, four people together is enough to y mahjong. With only three of us together the only thing we can do is eat...¡±

    Ruan Xiaolian was soaking in the sad mood of parting ways, but when she heard her say this, she immediately began tough.

    In this world there does not exist a never-ending feast. The moon climbed to the center of the sky, casting clear light in scatters on the rooftop.

    Qu Duiyan stood up, sleeves fluttering, facial features enveloped in a faint radiance, just like a fairy descending to earth from the Pce of the Moon.

    She said, ¡°Remember to write me letters¡ªsending jade messages is okay too. As long as it reaches Lian Jian Sect, I can receive it.¡±

    The rims of Ruan Xiaolian¡¯s eyes were slightly red, ¡°Definitely.¡±

    He Yanyun¡¯s mouth kept going on, ¡°Who¡¯s that idle!¡± As she stood up, she too felt like her nose was aching.

    At dawn the next day, everyone from Lian Jian Sect set off to return to the Central Continent. By noon, the Cang Ya Mountain disciples also bid farewell to Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue, leaving Ye City.

    At dusk, besides the Bao Pu Sect and Qing Lu Sword Sect that hadn¡¯t left yet, the other fewrge sects had all set off to return to their peaks.

    There were few foreign cultivators remaining, and it was like Ye City had returned to the way it was when Yin Biyue and the others had just entered the city.

    During the entire duration of the Flower Picking Festival, the city¡¯s security was especially tight; the ck-armored guards that were incessantly rushing about patrolling every day could now finally also heave a sigh of relief.

    It was on this day that Duan Chongxuan emerged from seclusion.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan had arrived first thing in the morning at Wutong Park. Five people stood in the courtyard attentively staring at the door.

    Atst, they waited until the air in the room calmed. Duan Chongxuan pushed open the door and emerged, his entire person in glowing with high spirits, almost like a brand new person.

    He faced the five people in front of him and bowed, showing his gratitude for them keeping watch.

    This couple of people saw he had smoothly broken through andughed as if relieved of a heavy weight. Cheng Tianyu happily congratted him. Even the consistently expressionless Zhong Shan¡¯s face softened a bit.

    Duan Chongxuan found that Luo Mingchuan had also broken through. Thus there was a moment of joy in Wutong Park, like the warm radiance of spring.

    At this time they still didn¡¯t know the clouds of gloom looming over Ye City, filling the air with depression and panic like omens carried in the wind.

    Because someone had died in the city.

    The deceased wasst night¡¯s watchman. In Shiyang Alley on South Street, there was no corpse¡ªthe only thing that could be used to pass judgement was the residual blood stain in the cracks between the stones. And the demonic energy that had cleaved open the gstones.

    If it was at the Eastern Continent where demonic cultivation was rampant, these sorts of events would happen every day.

    But here, something that could hide from those powerful seniors and even the Ye City Lord¡¯s eyes and ears¡ª

    This was an exceedingly terrifying matter.

    The entirety of the Southern Continent had seen no trace of demonic cultivation for almost a century.

    <hr ss="wp-block-separator">

    1) I would assume that everyone knows what it is, but chuuni refers to chuunibyou, a syndrome often (allegedly) afflicting second year middle school students where they¡¯re convinced of their own specialness and dreams of grandiose futures.

    2) ¾ýÉ½ÔÆÎí²è ¨C abination of two teas that exist irl, if you¡¯re interested in how the tea they¡¯re drinking might taste. First is Junshan tea, a white tea from ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Mountain¡±, and the other is Yunwu tea (Cloud/mist tea).

    3) ÀÏ·ò is a way for men to refer to themselves, essentially ¡°I¡± with vour.

 Chapter 52 - Demonic Cultivators

    <strong>Chapter 52 Demonic Cultivators</strong>

    As the Qing Lu Sword Sect¡¯s young sect master, Song Tang very quickly heard the news about the demonic cultivators.

    ¡°Ye City¡¯s inner security is imprable. Most of the buildings have protection spells that can detect demonic cultivation. Moreover, they link directly with the City Lord. However, during the Flower Picking Festival, the base camps of each sect didn¡¯t have the same protection. The City Lord¡¯s people posited that demonic cultivators concealed their whereabouts and hid in one such ce.¡±

    After conferring with the City Master¡¯s attendant, Song Tang notified the sect¡¯s disciples to coordinate with the ck-armored guards for patrolling. He also exined the situation to Luo Mingchuan¡¯s trio.

    ¡°My sect is the host. Now that such a thing has happened in this city, we will not shirk our duty.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan frowned and said, ¡°Is there anything that I can do to help? Do not hesitate to ask.¡±

    The demonic cultivators¡¯ reappearance was a major issue, not only for Ye City, but also for the entire Southern Continent.

    Song Tang grimly replied, ¡°Many thanks.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan, the head disciple of Cang Ya Mountain, was currently a mid-stage Lesser Vessel cultivator. Whether it was position or cultivation realm, both were reassuring for people. If he joined the city¡¯s patrol groups, he could stabilize the situation, further ensuring the safety of the civilians inside of the city.

    Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan originally wanted to help, but they acknowledged their cultivations were insufficient, deciding that it would be better not to cause any trouble. Thus they brought the ck-armored guards back to Lake Qiu, and epted inspection by their own ord.

    The young captain took a talisman paper and tested for demonic traces, and when leaving he politely thanked them.

    After breakthrough, cultivators¡¯ five senses became even more acute. The two could clearly hear them quietly converse by Lake Qiu.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t expect that this time would actually go so smoothly.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, with regard to the great sects, the difference in sect principles is really too big!¡±

    Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan listened for a while, but they still did not understand. It seemed like...they were inexplicably beingmended.

    They didn¡¯t know that the city guards had first gone to the courtyard by Xinshui Bridge.

    They had barely stated their purpose, when the disciple that opened the door hurriedly said,

    ¡°Our sect is the great Zong School1; you dare suspect that we harbour demonic cultivators!¡±

    The toon captain innocently replied, ¡°Of course not.¡±

    The Bao Pu Sect disciple imperiously dered, ¡°Then for what reason do you inspect us?! Clearly you doubt us! This bullying has gone too far!¡±

    The young captain didn¡¯t know how to exin, ¡°This... every ce will be checked.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense! What is the purpose of you people?!¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    There was no way tomunicate.

    Finally, one of the Ye City¡¯s attendants came, and only then did they solve this problem.

    Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan arrived at the city center, wanting to see if they could find any clues.

    Compared to before, when the flow of people was like the tides, the streets were now emptied a lot more. Yet there still wasn¡¯t arge-scale panic; the stores and restaurants on the main street were still open and weing guests. The ck-armored guards solemnly patrolled the great streets and little alleyways, gazes sharp as a de.

    After a turn on the street, Chatterbox took his shixiong to the teahouse. Today the number of guests at Tai He Pavilion could be counted on one¡¯s fingers. Itcked the previous boiling cauldron of voices and the seats all filled with guests, so it looked especially tranquil and refined.

    The window seat¡¯s view was wide open, they could take in the entire scene of the long street at once. Chatterbox ordered a pot of Biluochun Tea and requested a dish of Yulu Lotus Cake and a dish of Furong Cake.2

    Because he had been in seclusion for several days, he felt like he hadn¡¯t chatted with anyone for a long time.

    Right now he had an urgent need to talk.

    Chatterbox lifted his teacup for a small sip, sighing, ¡°Fourth Shixiong, I really didn¡¯t expect demonic cultivators toe to the Southern Continent.¡±

    Yin Biyue frowned, ¡°Demonic cultivation declined a long time ago; if this is a sign of revival, chaos is very close. Even though the Eastern Continent is separated from the other main continents by oceans, it¡¯s not difficult to cross.¡±

    He still remembered Second Shijie had once participated in the extermination of demons at Xi Ling Mountain. That battle had been very tragic.

    ¡°For demonic cultivators have time toe to the Southern Continent, that¡¯s strange too. Originally the Twelve Pces of demonic cultivation in the Eastern Continent would fight amongst themselves endlessly, but they still look to bother the other four main continents?¡±

    Yin Biyue understood that Chatterbox knew a lot of secret news or some hearsay, ¡°They¡¯re all demonic cultivators; is there a lot of disagreement?¡±

    ¡°Quite a lot! During the ¡®Great Dao-Demonic Cultivation War¡¯ Mo Zun died under the Lin Yuan Sword; afterwards there was again chaos across the world, and the ¡®End of Dharma Era¡¯ arrived. The twelve guardians under Mo Zun, unable to ept each other, ended up each setting up a sect, breaking into the Twelve Pces, and each one of them thought themselves the proper demonic cultivators, that they should be the ones to inherit Mo Zun¡¯s legacy. Fighting and plundering each other in the Eastern Continent, endless internal struggles, naturally they didn¡¯t be of much..¡±

    Duan Chongxuan ate a slice of lotus cake, changing the topic,

    ¡°But it¡¯s funny¨Cthey¡¯re all convinced of one thing.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Mo Zun3 didn¡¯t die.¡±

    He continued, ¡°This really is the power of faith; Mo Zun is departed from the present by a million years. Don¡¯t mention cultivators, not even monsters have that long of a lifespan.¡±

    Mo Zun didn¡¯t die. This was a popr joke on the streets.

    But Yin Biyue suddenly felt a chill in his heart.

    At present the most powerful under the heavens was the Sword Saint, at the Saint stage. There weren¡¯t any true immortals like in the ¡®All Saints Era.¡¯ If Mo Zun really hadn¡¯t died, who could contend against him?

    The Academy Director called this era ¡®Steris¡¯¨Cdid it include the demonic cultivators of the Eastern Continent?

    But he saw Chatterbox¡¯s joking demeanor, and he thought that maybe he was reading too far into it.

    Chatterbox nced at the streetscape outside the window and suddenly stopped talking, as if he¡¯d spotted something interesting. The corner of his mouth twitched up into a mocking curve.

    Yin Biyue followed his gaze downwards and saw a group of people on the street, headed by someone in the Soul Condensing stage wearing cyan eight-trigrams robes. Following right behind were five or six in the Breakthrough stage, and one was even a Lesser Vessel stage guard.

    This group was not restraining their pressure, striding down the center of the road; the ordinary civilians could note close to them, and one by one they retreated.

    Right now the guards in the city were busy tracking down the demonic cultivator matter, plus the group was not significantly disturbing the peace or breaking cityws, so nobody was going to care for the moment.

    Chatterbox ridiculed, ¡°Oh, look how mighty, tsk tsk, deserving of the title ¡®Heng Duan Mountain¡¯s Little Overlord.¡±?

    Only then did Yin Biyue recognize that the head of the group was Bao Pu Sect¡¯s Li Lin, who had been thrown off the stage by Chatterbox¡¯sbustion talismans during the Flower Picking Festival. It seemed as if he was of exceptional birth, being the only son of Greater Vessel stage elder Li Changhong. No wonder he had this many strong guards.

    Although irritating to look at, this person had no animosity with them; right now in Ye City, Yin Biyue had no intention of interacting with them.

    But Chatterbox¡¯s gaze was not hidden at all and had already been noticed by that Lesser Vessel guard. Li Lin followed that person¡¯s nce upwards, and, seeing the two people by the window, his expression immediately changed.

    The group of people changed direction, following Li Lin aggressively up the teahouse.

    The rest of the customers saw the iing trouble, and considering the current times were tense because of the recent demonic cultivator loose in the streets, nobody was in the mood for a scene, so they all hurriedly put down some money and left without looking back.

    The entire second floor was thoroughly emptied.

    When Li Lin brought his guards over, Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan had already stood up.

    Separated by three chi, neither side had the intention of a friendly greeting.

    Yin Biyue subconsciously advanced two steps, standing in front of Duan Chongxuan.

    This was a kind of instinct?, because he was the shixiong¨CDuan Chongxuan was his shidi. No matter how many people were on the opposing side, Lesser Vessel stage or Greater Vessel stage, even if a Sage stage came, he would still stand in front of Chatterbox.

    But the other party was clearly not here for him.

    Li Lin disdainfully sneered for a couple beats, ¡°What¡¯s up with this? On the stage weren¡¯t you very mighty? Now you have the face to hide behind someone else¡¯s back? Where are yourbustion talismans? Did you use them all up?¡±

    Yin Biyue understood.

    The other party was here to p their faces.?

    These guards clearly arrived in Ye City afterwards; perhaps they were even called here by Li Lin. It was only that since Chatterbox had begun diligently cultivating, he went to the teahouses and gambling dens less¨Cthere hadn¡¯t been a chance to run into each other.

    Who knew that they would run into each other today.

    Duan Chongxuan came out, no anger on his face, and he didn¡¯t retort, only earnestly asking, ¡°What do you want?¡±

    He wasn¡¯t enduring it, rather, he actually wasn¡¯t angry at all.

    Because he had already had a breakthrough, while his opponent was stuck in the Soul Condensing stage, not making a bit of progress.

    They already weren¡¯t at the same level. He wouldn¡¯t debate meaningless words with the other. Just like how a lion wouldn¡¯t turn its head because of a dog¡¯s bark.

    Li Lin felt nk, not understanding how he could not y by the rules.

    At this time a sudden noise came from the stairs: a team of ck-armored guards had also arrived. The captain leading them cupped his hands to greet both parties, asking, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Fighting is not allowed here.¡±

    It turned out the boss of the teahouse had seen the bad situation and notified the city guards.

    Li Lin suddenlyughed, saying to Duan Chongxuan, ¡°Did you know? It¡¯s written in the cityw that martial arts are forbidden inside the city, so you can¡¯t raise a hand to hit me here. Otherwise you challenge the city master.¡±

    He smile was full of provocation, ¡°Therefore, I f**k your uncle!¡±

    Duan Chongxuan was still not angry. He even had time to think, relieved, the Bao Pu Zong disciples actually studied the cityws. Turns out they know how to read.

    The toon captain also felt nk.

    He thought for a bit, the cityw really didn¡¯t say outside cultivators couldn¡¯t sling insults. He felt very troubled for a bit¨Ceven though obviously one side had started the trouble, they still had to follow thew.

    Li Lin¡¯s voice was very loud, and the more he cursed the more vulgar it became. Obscenely malicious, he paid respects to Duan Chongxuan¡¯s entire family.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s expression changed, hand already gripping his sword hilt. He saw Li Lin¡¯s eyes revealing a smile.

    But he was pulled back by Duan Chongxuan to sit down and drink tea.

    Afterwards he heard Chatterbox¡¯s sound transmission?, ¡°His purpose is precisely to incite us to raise our hands; if we¡¯re the first to make a move, that Lesser Vessel stage guard behind him will immediately attack. But ording to the cityw he would be acting in self defense, maybe the city guards would even help them... this is thew¡¯s loophole. Giving up a little face, we can endure it.¡±

    Yin Biyue nced at that Lesser Vessel stage. As expected his whole body was at the peak of tension, and he could attack at any second.

    But he didn¡¯t reckon that he didn¡¯t have the strength for a single fight.

    Additionally he thought, this kind of ridicule was so stupid, stupid enough to astonish.

    But turned it over in his head; behind such a stupid p in the face, it could be someone pulling the strings, wanting to sound out if the Sword Saint was still in the human realm, whether or not he would take care of his disciples¡¯ matters. Li Lin was merely the cannon fodder that was pushed to the front.

    At this moment Chatterboxughed, ¡°But we will stubbornly refuse to attack, and let him get repressed to death!!¡±?

    Chatterbox lifted his teacup with a smile, appearing indifferent.

    The cursing Li Lin who was instead angered to the point of turning red in the face, evened out his breath, then continued to curse.

    When they had drank half a pot of tea, someone within the ck-armored guards was the first that couldn¡¯t bear listening any longer, muttering in a dialect, ¡°This f**king glib talk is damn poisonous...¡±?

    ¡°This f**king Cang Ya Mountain¡¯s temper¡¯s too good , if it¡¯s me I can¡¯t tolerate it for a second ...¡±

    Just when everyone thought Li Lin would tire of cursing and go back, Duan Chongxuan stood up.

    Because the other¡¯s previous sentence had cursed, ¡®I f**k your dad¡¯.

    He seriously asked, ¡°Do you know who my dad is?¡±

    1) This is Bao Pu Zong. Zong is a respectful address. They¡¯re basically saying something like ¡°My great sect¡± but with the inset implication of part of their name being ¡°great¡±

    2) ±ÌÂÝ´º£¬ÓñÂ¶ºÉ»¨¸â£¬Ü½ÈØ±ý are all food. Biluochun is a type of tea, and so is Yulu. Furong cake is a dish made of eggs, flour, and various veggies..

    3) Ä§×ð It¡¯s basically a demon lord, but it gets used as a title/name so we¡¯ll keep it this way.

    4) The mountain pass they crossed in ch27

    5) ×Ô¾õ isn¡¯t quite instinct and more like doing something without thinking, but born out of discipline/ learned(?) rather than innate.

    6) I¡¯m sure avid readers of CN novels would be familiar with the term, but this is basically humiliation. Kinda like bitchpping someone but situationally.

    7) Basically telepathy. Probably something like direct delivery of sound into the eardrum. Hmm...

    8) ±ï isn¡¯t quite repress. In CN it¡¯s used as suffocate or hold in, which is rather appropriate considering that he¡¯s speaking. Something to the tune of suffocation by frustration.

    9) ¡°ËûÄïµÄÕâ×ìÆ¤×ÓÒ²ß¯¶¾ÁË°É......¡±/¡°ËûÄïµÄÕâ²×ÑÄÉ½Æ¢ÆøÒ²ß¯ºÃÁË£¬ÒªÊÇÀÏ×ÓÔçÈÌ²»ÁËÁË......¡± The guard uses a manner of speech that¡¯s more ¡°country¡± and ¡°vulgar¡± than everyone has used so far, and likely in dialect. As a person I¡¯m not great at anything but formal speech so if you have a better way to phrase please let me know!

 Chapter 53 - Blue Luan

    <strong>Chapter 53 ¨C Blue Luan</strong>

    For the first time, Duan Chongxuan¡¯s face turned cold, and a wave of breakthrough stage power suddenly burst forth. Li Lin withdrew a few steps subconsciously, standing behind a bodyguard.

    He stretched out his neck and yelled, ¡°Who cares who your dad is? No matter how big your dad is, can he be bigger than my dad?! My dad is Bao Pu Sect¡¯s Li Changhong. Don¡¯t mention that you don¡¯t dare to hit me in Ye City, you wouldn¡¯t dare to hit me anywhere else!¡±

    He thought the other party was getting angry, so he cursed him even more unpleasantly. Duan Chongxuan did not say another word; instead he gazed outside the window and raised his head to the sky.

    Yin Biyue had already stood up. If Chatterbox had the intention to make a move, he would go first against the Lesser Vessel cultivator.

    Several city guards quietly walked behind Li Lin and his group, standing at a position where it would be advantageous to entangle Li Lin¡¯s bodyguards. The captain, when he saw, could tell that they wanted to mediate the fight by helping Yin Biyue¡¯s side1, but he didn¡¯t stop them. It was considered to be tacitly allowed.

    The atmosphere became tense. Li Ling seemed to have sensed something, and the sound of his curses began to weaken.

    In reality Duan Chongxuan wasn¡¯t very angry. He was only missing his dad a little.

    From the moment ¡®Feng Huo, Beckoning Fire¡® was used, he started to miss him. He thought back to when he was in seclusion experiencing a breakthrough, and during the time when he was self-reflecting.

    As someone in his twenties, being away from home for so long, to think about his dad was really embarrassing. But he never even imagined that today he would encounter the world¡¯s stupidest question¡ª

    No matter how big your dad is, can he be bigger than my dad?

    Thus he responded, ¡°You¡¯re wrong. I¡¯d dare to hit you, and my dad would dare to hit your dad.¡±

    Li Lin returned, ¡°Pah!¡±

    Okay, now the even stupider question came¡ª How to prove that my dad is my dad?

    Duan Chongxuan pondered a bit, and from his sleeves he pulled out a half-inch silver whistle. Everybody, even Yin Biyue didn¡¯t understand. This whistle wasn¡¯t even a dharma instrument; what was the point of pulling it out now?

    Li Lin had already forgotten to keep cursing, nervously watching the other¡¯s movements.

    Duan Chongxuan held the whistle and blew into it. The whistling sound was clear and drawn-out, travelling far and wide, drifting in the wind.

    He gazed at the sky, expression solemn. However, after a few moments passed, nothing even happened.

    Li Lin started to roar withughter, ¡°Ha ha ha, do you guys see this lousy toy¡ª¡±

    Duan Chongxuan also felt the same; maybe this thing was too old and unmaintained. Let alone, the distance was quite far, so even not hearing it was normal. He coughed lightly, nning to say something.

    At this time, the leader looked out the window and said, ¡°The wind started?¡±

    The wind started abruptly. Without a trace of prior indication, there came cries of rm and sounds of things falling from the streets. The thick elm tree ruthlessly bent over. The dust swirled around, blowing so hard that people couldn¡¯t even open an eye, and all fled into the shops.

    The gale poured inside, causing the teahouse¡¯s windows to tter. The tea set on Yin Biyue¡¯s table was blown onto the ground.

    Crash. Pieces of broken porcin shattered across the ground.

    The entire city was swaying from the squall.

    Li Lin looked out the window, nkly standing there, speechless.

    The squadron captain was the first to react. He hurried like mad down the teahouse, yelling, ¡°First-ss warning ¡ª notify everyone to take shelter from the wind. Number four group,e with me to open the city tunnels ¡ª¡±

    The streets were immediately cleared. Some ran home, some hid inside stores. The doors were closed tightly, yet the squalls blew so hard that windows couldn¡¯t even hold.

    The sky suddenly went dark, as if an immense shadow shrouded over Ye City¡¯s skies. And the clouds behind the shadow emanated a terrifying power that could destroy heaven and earth.

    Within the residence of the City Master, Ye Zhiqiu nervously stood up.

    However, after he nced at the sky he sat back down again, muttering to himself, ¡°Duan Sheng¡¯an? You don¡¯t even say a word when youe....¡±

    The color of the sky went darker and darker. Just as people thought Ye City would be ravaged by the shadow, the dark cloud that was above the ninth heaven2 bizarrely started to shrink. It lowered a bit more. Some people saw clearly that it was something blue. Yet, it was simply too big, covering the sky and the sun.

    In an instant, the wind stopped.

    The shadow in the sky shrunk another ten times again, steadilynding on the empty streets, like a small mountain falling down out of thin air!

    ¡°Boom¡ª¡±

    Dust and smoke flew everywhere, and the blue stone bricks ruptured with deep cracks. Ye City¡¯s attendant, who was running from the other side of the street, was forcefully pushed back ten zhang before he could stop!

    Inside the teahouse, Li Lin¡¯s party was shocked speechless.

    What was this?

    This kind of power¡ªdon¡¯t tell me there¡¯s a Greater Vessel?

    Waiting for the dust to clear, the people in the street shops peeped carefully from the windows, but they only saw two huge bird ws, which were embedded into the ground like iron hooks. Further up, there were bird legs thick like a tree trunk. The blue tail feathers behind it were very long, upying the entire long street.

    It actually turned out to be a blue-winged bird.

    No, how could there be such arge blue-winged bird?

    It slightly turned its head, its crimson pupil facing directly toward the teahouse.

    It towered above the people who were on the second floor, surveying them. It was like how humans looked at ants, with a type of aloof indifference.

    Li Lin¡¯s cultivation stage was the lowest. Just by being merely nced at, he felt his chest and his meridians quake and abruptly fell onto his knees.

    However no one went to help him. All his bodyguards were worried about their own lives.

    The window was too small. Only the upper half of its body could be viewed from the inside. Yet being stared down by such an apathetic pupil, no one dared to move.

    Some people guessed at the reason, but they couldn¡¯t believe it. Cold sweat streamed down, soaking through their clothes.

    In the dead silence, a voice rang out, ¡°Didn¡¯t I say, when youe down,nd a little softer...¡±

    It was Duan Chongxuan.

    People thought he went crazy.

    Yin Biyue knew that holding any kind of sword was useless right now. Yet he was still ready to stand in front of Chatterbox.

    He saw this before in an illustrated handbook; it was a blue-winged luan3. In this entire world only the emperor of the Northern Continent raised them. Every single one was at the Greater Vessel stage.

    To spread its wings was the wind, its breath was the fire; it could instantly traverse ten thousand li.

    But he didn¡¯t know why it suddenly came here.

    At this time, its scarlet pupil moved, its gaze falling onto Duan Chongxuan.

    Yin Biyue became nervous at once, but he suddenly discovered that the expression in its eyes changed.

    Like... it was wronged.

    A huge head rubbed against the roof of the tea house. Ash rustled down, and the teahouse shook as if in an earthquake.

    Duan Chongxuan hastily yelled out, ¡°You can¡¯t get in this way, shrink a bit smaller!¡±

    Then the colossus that upied the entire street like a small mountain actually changed into the size of a crane. It flew in from the window,nding in front of Duan Chongxuan.

    Duan Chongxuan raised his hand, and it lowered its head, rubbing its raised feather on its crown on his palm.

    ¡°Alright already, I know you didn¡¯t do it on purpose.¡±

    The blue-winged luan let out a low hoot.

    Duan Chongxuan happily eximed to Yin Biyue, ¡°Fourth Shixiong! This is Luan Er!

    Yin Biyue felt a bang¡ª in his head, and his entire world exploded.

    Li Lin still knelt on the ground; Duan Chongxuan spoke to him, ¡°Not only do I dare to hit you, my dad¡¯s bird also dares to hit you.¡±

    Li Lin did not respond, because he had fainted.

    The deathly stillness in the teahouse became an air of panic. They finally dared to ascertain the person who was standing opposite them. There was only the Northern Continent Emperor in this world who raised blue-winged luan, and the emperor had only one son.

    No one dared to impersonate him.

    The Lesser Vessel bodyguards bowed so deep to Duan Chongxuan that they were almost on the brink of crawling on the floor, their hands shaking uncontrobly. They still felt it was not enough to make up for the offense just now, so they still wanted to say something else, ¡°Your Highness...¡±

    Chatterbox waved his hand, ¡°You guys may leave.¡±

    The bodyguards lifted Li Lin, and they ran downstairs in fear.

    Yin Biyue came back to his senses, and he found bizarrely that his previous teasing toward Chatterbox was true.

    Could it be that he¡¯s never been in a carriage, that he¡¯s been flying in the sky?

    He really might have.

    This scam was born in the imperial family and even dared to imitate a fake imperial edict!

    He didn¡¯t need to imitate. In a few years time, his words would be the imperial decree.

    #My chatterbox shidi is the future emperor.#

    Heheh.

    Why was life such a fantasy?

    After flooding the screen withments4, Yin Biyue finally recovered his voice, ¡°This matter... Do Shixiong and Shijie know?

    Chatterbox nked for a moment, ¡°Which matter? Luan Er?¡±

    ¡°... Your identity.¡±

    Chatterbox thought for a bit, ¡°Eldest Shixiong definitely knows; it was him who originally opened the letter. Shijie... should know too. Third Shixiong, hard to tell. Maybe he doesn¡¯t know.¡±

    Yin Biyue was consoled.

    He couldn¡¯t be the only person who didn¡¯t know.

    In the future, he could even scare Third Shixiong.

    He continued to ask, ¡°Now that a lot of people know, would it be a problem?¡±

    This matter was huge. Very quickly, the entire Ye City, Southern Continent, and the entire world would know.

    Duan Chonguan calmed down. He himself didn¡¯t know why he had called Luan Er here. Maybe it was because he missed dad, that he also missed it too.

    Then he started to smile. It was already here anyway, so it was perfect to return home with it. There were some words he had wanted to speak with his dad.

    Thus, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll go home, then there wouldn¡¯t be any problems.¡±

    In the residence of the City Master, Ye Zhiqiu was expressionless, listening to his city guards¡¯ report on the damages to the streets.

    As he thought about how although Duan Sheng¡¯an hadn¡¯te, he was still able to cheat him. He instructed the guard, ¡°Don¡¯t pursue the person responsible for this matter for now. Repair the roads slowly, and use the best materials. Also, add up those other losses thoroughly, and make an invoice...¡±

    At this time, the butler hurriedly ran in, ¡°Master, three thousand imperial guards have gathered outside the city walls. The leading general said he wants to see their crown prince!¡±

    Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan walked toward Lake Qiu. With something going wrong in the city, Luo Mingchuan would definitely go back to Lake Qiu to find them.

    As they walked on the street, the crane-sized blue-winged luan followed them. And from time to time, it rubbed Duan Chongxuan¡¯s hand with its feathers.

    Yin Biyue nced at them a few times, but he still couldn¡¯t hold himself back.

    You are a luan! A luan! A wild tyrant!!

    Why is it showing a husky5 expression!!

    ¡°Why... is it called ¡®Luan Er¡¯?¡±

    Duan Chongxuan replied without hesitation, ¡° In order by age. Luan Da, Luan Er, Luan San...¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Good thing that the blue-winged luan only had the mind of a five-year old, or else it might actually cry.

    In the next moment, the two of them stopped.

    Because an attendant from the City Master¡¯s residence had arrived and gave a solemn bow to Duan Chongxuan.

    The Northern Continent¡¯s imperialmander, Wang Xi, is outside the city with three thousand imperial guards. They ask to see Your Royal Highness.¡±

    Yin Biyue asked incredulously, ¡°You also called these people?¡±

    No way. Luan can fly over oceans; don¡¯t tell me that people can too?!

    Duan Chongxuan replied at loss, ¡°This time it really wasn¡¯t me.¡±

    ...

    1) À­Æ«¼Ü: pretend to be fair in stopping a fight but actually help one side by holding on to the other party and letting them get beat up.

    2) ¾ÅÌì (ninth heaven): highest of the heavens

    3) Luan: a type of mythological bird. Here¡¯s a wiki about it.

    4) µ¯Ä»Ë¢ÆÁ (flooding the screen withments): In China, popr video tforms havements that go across the screen.

    5) ¶þ¹þ (husky): In chinese meme culture, huskies are known to be endearingly dumb despite looking cool and reserved.

 Chapter 54 - Departure

    <b>Chapter 54 ¨C Departure</b>

    Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan had yet to reach Lake Qiu when they bumped into Luo Mingchuan.

    When Luo Mingchuan found them, he sighed openly in relief, ¡°It¡¯s good as long as you two are alright. That gust of wind just now has suspicious origins.¡±

    In actuality, his Jia Lan Pupil Arts already saw the immense shadow above the clouds; it was a mystical beast of at least Greater Vessel stage. But as the storm passed, it appeared that the mystical beast did note with the intentions to destroy Ye City.

    Duan Chongxuan turned his head to nce at Luan-er hiding behind him.

    Luan-Er let out a low coo and stepped out, its eyes rippling with unshed tears. As if it knew that it made a mistake, its expression spoke that it was extremely wronged.

    Luo Mingchuan spoke in great shock, ¡°It was this?¡±

    ¡°Luan-Er, this is Luo-Shixiong. Say hi.¡±

    The blue-winged luan¡¯s slender neck bent down, rubbing its crown feathers on the side of his hand.

    The soft and fluffy feeling shocked Luo Mingchuan

    His hand is being rubbed on by a Greater Vessel blue-winged luan.

    Yin Biyue felt even better now.

    This kind of experience that shattered the three views cannot be had by him alone.

    It was a shame this world had no huskies, and Luo-shixiong couldn¡¯t experience the full extent of Luan-er¡¯s puppy eyes.

    Taking the opportunity given by Luan-er selling meng, Duan Chongxuan began to exin, ¡°It¡¯s not that I hid it on purpose, it¡¯s just that my family¡¯s circumstances are a bitplicated...¡±

    Luo Mingchuan uncharastically interrupted him, ¡°You don¡¯t need to say these things. I¡¯ve taken you as my shidi, this is something that will not change.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan smiled, ¡°I must take a trip home now. I¡¯ll leave Forth-Shixiong in your hands.¡±

    Yin Biyue felt there was something wrong with this sentence.

    But he saw Luo Mingchuan nod seriously, as if there wasn¡¯t anything wrong after all.

    After Duan Chongxuan finished speaking, they saw that Ye City attendant bring Wang Xi to walk over.

    His expression stilled, and even the aura surrounding his entire body became different.

    After the head of the pce guards, who was a half-step into Great Vessel stage, finished negotiating with the city lord¡¯s mansion and thereafter also acquired Duan Chongxuan¡¯s permission, he entered the city after surrendering his saber.

    Now, he stopped three feet away and bowed in greeting, and it was the grand greeting of the northern imperial capital. He kneeled on the ground, near prostrating on the ground, and said,

    ¡°Respects to Your Royal Highness.¡±

    Except for Duan Chongxuan, everyone else retreated a step, avoiding this bow.

    Yin Biyue sharply noticed something. Clearly the Chatterbox¡¯s posture only changed imperceptibly, but he seemed to be standing atop a towering tform, worshiped by thousands.

    Duan Chongxuan did not say anything.

    Thus the middle aged general d in silver armour continued to kneel.

    The air suddenly became stifling.

    The Ye City attendant took their leave first, and both Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan also felt like they should retreat.

    Yet Duan Chongxuan shot them a meaningful nce, hinting that there was no need.

    After a time, he indifferently said, ¡°Rise.¡±

    ¡°Thanking Your Royal Highness.¡±

    Only after Wang Xi rose, did he dare to walk forth three steps and with both respect and caution, spoke, ¡°This general came this time by the intent of His Majesty.¡±

    He nced at the two outsiders present, and hesitated to speak.

    Duan Chongxuan didn¡¯t care for his misgivings, and only said two words, ¡°Just speak.¡±

    The blue-winged luan stood beside him, its eyes scarlet and expression matching- cold and lofty.

    Yin Biyue felt that he was probing the other man. In other words, he didn¡¯t trust this Wang Xi, even if it felt like he was humble and respectful without a single w.

    He has never seen a Duan Chongxuan like this. However, just like what Luo Mingchuan has said before, no matter who he was, he was still his shidi no matter what.

    The middle aged general clenched his fist, the blue veins on his forehead swelled, clearly experiencing a great battle of beliefs in his head.

    Atst, he clenched his teeth, and said ten words, ¡°His Majesty is ill, he wants to see Your Highness.¡±1

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯s eyes remained unchanging; he asked, ¡°Where is Bai Chongling?¡±

    ¡°At Guang Yao Pce leading the defensive troops, blocking allmunication, preventing the rebels from invading the pce.¡± Wang Xi suddenly dropped to his knees, and viciously kowtowed into the ground, ¡°Entreating Your Royal Highness to depart immediately and return to the pce with this general!¡±

    Duan Chongxuan didn¡¯t say anything.

    Wang Xi continued to kowtow, without a trace of core energy protecting him. This cultivator already half-step into greater vessel stage kowtowed until his forehead turned red.

    After a long while, Duan Chongxuan spoke, ¡°Wait for me outside the city.¡±

    He didn¡¯t say how long to wait, nor when they will be departing.

    Wang Xi suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining with thankfulness. It was as if Duan Chongxuan agreeing was already a great favour.

    Without asking anything, he stood and replied, ¡°Yes, your highness.¡±

    Then, bowing, he retreated three feet, and only then did he turn and left.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan were deeply and incredibly moved.

    The Chatterbox was still immersed in that same aura. It wasn¡¯t until the general¡¯s back was only barely visible did that pair of a human and a luan rx all at once.

    He felt for his fan and swung it fiercely, even ruffling Luan-er¡¯s feathers. ¡°Troublesome; how troublesome...¡±

    Yin Biyue asked, ¡°is this person trustworthy?¡±

    Chatterbox, with a bitter expression, ¡°Pretty much trustworthy.¡±

    Yin Biyue suddenly remembered, on the shores of the Fu Kong Sea, that child who delivered the cards asked on behalf of the Director, ¡°How is your esteemed father?¡±

    Chatterbox said many things in a single breath, but basically meant that the body was healthy and his spirit was high; eats well, sleeps well, and entirely untroubled.

    At the time he just felt it was odd but didn¡¯t think too deeply on it. But now that he thought about it, could it be that at that time, one of the six Sages in thisnd under heaven, His Majesty the Northern Continent¡¯s Emperor, was already starting to be ill? Else wherefore would the question be asked?

    Duan Chongxuan gave it a lot of thought, and in the end said, ¡°Going to the Northern Imperial Capital this time, I¡¯m probably going to stay for a long while.¡± He turned to Yin Biyue, ¡°Fourth-shixiong, please ask after Shixiong and Shijie for me.¡±

    Yin Biyue knew this could be counted as a farewell, because it¡¯s possible that this time, Duan Chongxuan will ascend the throne, and will henceforth find it difficult to return to Cang Ya Mountain.

    He didn¡¯t reply to the request directly, and instead said, ¡°Take care on this journey. Asking after Shixiong and Shijie, I can¡¯t do it for you, you¡¯ll have to ask for yourself.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan froze, and solemnly said, ¡°I will return.¡±

    Yin Biyue nodded.

    The road ahead is difficult to fathom, a hundred phrases and a thousand words were useless no matter how much was said.

    Luo Mingchuan said, ¡°No matter how it is in the end, Cang Ya Mountain will always be there.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan knew, this was a path of retreat that was ensured¡ª even if the situation changed, and he was no longer the crown prince, and the Northern Continent no longer had a ce for him, there was still Cang Ya to protect him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take care. I heard Fourth-shixiong say you guys were heading to Xingshan Temple. You also need to be careful.¡±

    Afterwards he continued, ¡°Since I¡¯ve already decided to go back, the earlier the better. I¡¯ll be off.¡±

    There wasn¡¯t anything else said.

    One person and one bird turned to walk towards the city gates.

    In the rays of the setting sun, their silhouettes pulled long against the sky.

    Duan Chongxuan didn¡¯t turn back, he only raised his hand and waved a little.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan stood under the sunset watching him disappear into the distance, rushing towards an unclear future.

    ************

    Ye City has already entered autumn for many days. A cold wind rustled through, scattering the parasol tree courtyard with dried leaves.

    The second day after Duan Chongxuan left, it started to rain.

    One spell of rain carried in autumn¡¯s chill, falling till the third day. The demonic cultivator hiding in Ye City was arrested, and detained for questioning in the city lord¡¯s manor.

    Before that, the Qing Lu Sword Sect elders and the Ye City attendants cornered him to the edge of Lake Qiu.

    Theke¡¯s waters were stirred by the storm, mist settling above the waves.

    Luo Mingchuan joined the battle, Chen Zhou pierced through the ck robe, and pinned that person by their wrist. In the howling squall, Yin Biyue saw the darkened bloodstains washed away by the rain, flowing into the swelling waters of Lake Qiu.

    Then the news came out; that demonic cultivator self-detonated in the city lord¡¯s mansion. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and it was concluded he had nopatriots.

    Yin Biyue thought it was possible that a soul-searching spell during interrogation.

    After the rain stopped, the earth and sky had been washed anew. The autumn air was clear, and the western wind whistled through.

    The citizens in the city donned their light jackets, the wine shops switched out their rice wines for stomach warming liqueur, the streetside lianggao and cold noodles became piping hot mutton soup.2

    Life continued forwards as always, and the matter of the demonic cultivators was quickly forgotten.

    Qing Lu Sword Sect sent out a group to leave Ye City after the rain stopped. Song Tang¡¯s party of three came to bid Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan farewell before they left.

    As before they didn¡¯t have much to say. They only dispensed well wishes.

    That night, Yin Biyue bought two jars of wine, and sat on the roof to drink with Luo Mingchuan.

    Too many things have happened recently.

    ¡°Shixiong, we should be going tomorrow too.¡±

    ¡°Yes. We¡¯ll go south, towards Xing Shan Temple.¡±

    Yin Biyue raised his head and saw the bright autumn moon; his eyes lowered andnded on the shores of Lake Qiu. The blood from that day have been washed clean by the rain, yet it seemed as if it flowed before his eyes still.

    He still remembered that demonic cultivator¡¯s gaze.

    Bloodthirsty like a tyrant, without a trace of humanity.

    On Panlong Mountain he met mountain bandits, below Chongming Mountain he fought atop an arena.

    But in reality, this world¡¯s underworld was enormous.

    Yin Biyue took a sip of wine, a million regrets but without a shred of dread.

    Thest time they drank here, there were three people. In the courtyard beside there were still Cang Ya disciples immersed in sweet dreams.

    Then Chatterbox right now... should be crossing the ocean.

    He knew that the friendships between cultivators of this world were like this; meeting by chance for a thousand cups of wine and parting with a single word.

    He thought, Song Tang, Zhong Shan, and Cheng Tianyu, they could all be considered their friends now. Though they¡¯ve never drank together, when parting there would still be a word.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s voice floated in the autumn wind,

    ¡°Theing and going of people has no constant. In cultivation and life, it has always been the matter of an individual. No need to cling to remembrance.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan shifted his gaze to look into his eyes, ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±

    If the sun, moon, and stars still remain the same, I will never leave you.

    1) The original was 8 words, ±ÝÏÂ²¡ÖØ£¬Ïë¼ûµîÏÂ. Of course, it was changed to 10 for uh... English.

    2) A series of foods: Á¹¸â is literally ¡°cold cakes¡± and is a general term for cold desserts. ÑòÔÓÌÀ is a soup made from the discarded parts of sheep, but I used mutton so as to make it more concise.

 Chapter 56 - The Road to Xingshan Temple

    Chapter 56 ¨C The Road to Xingshan Temple

    Yin Biyue intentionally restrained himself, so in this round of drinking he was very clear-headed. He avoided the embarrassment of babbling drunken nonsense.

    Early the next morning the two of them set off. Basking in the pale morning light, Yin Biyue took onest look at the gate of Ye City.

    The ck brick city wall and the bronze gate, majestic and grand.

    He thought, who knew how many years would pass until he got lucky enough to have time to revisit this familiar ce1.

    To get from Ye City to Xingshan Temple, crossing the Tixiang Mountain Range would be a lot faster than going through the Southern Continent¡¯s main roads.

    Because the demonic cultivators incident two days ago had caused an excessivemotion, twenty miles outside Ye City, the vige at the foot of Tixiang Mountain was especially quiet; every household had locked up their doors, and the road waspletely empty, with only kitchen chimney smoke rising in spirals.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan entered the mountain range. Since the Southern Continent entered autumn this year, the wind and rain had gone uninterrupted. The soil in the mountains was loose and damp; the branches and leaves in the forests hid the sky and covered the sun.

    There was none of the bright sunlight of summer, only dense fog pervading the air. If they weren¡¯t cultivators, they would practically be unable to see further than three feet.

    The two of them walked upon the rugged mountain path, at a pace not too swift nor too slow, but the mountain view on both sides retreated at a flying speed. Right now their cultivation levels were much higher than when they had crossed the Panlong Mountain; even if it was like taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard, they could still shrink distances to an inch2, traveling hundreds of miles in a day.

    By evening, they had already traversed a half of the continuous and unending Tixiang Mountain Range.

    As the daylight gradually dimmed, Luo Mingchuan stopped, ¡°Let¡¯s first rest for a night in the mountain and continue traveling tomorrow morning.¡±

    Yin Biyue naturally had no objections.

    ording to the everyday pattern of work and rest, nights were usually times to sit and regte breaths or to meditate and cultivate.

    The topography of Tixiang Mountains was not actually steep, but instead it had a bit of a graceful remoteness; and naturally formed caves were easy to find.

    A trace of the moon appeared at first, but it was separated from the world by the crisscrossing branches; only a faint silvery light flowed down, illuminating a small cliff beside the cave.

    Yet, the Cloud boots3 that stepped on the moist and spongy soil had suddenly stopped.

    Yin Biyue turned his head to look. Luo Mingchuan¡¯s expression was serene; he had only grabbed his wrist and was shaking his head.

    Then he released his Divine Sense and floated inside the cave, but it was just a strip of pitch-ck inside, absolutely nothing to be found.

    This moment Yin Biyue was suddenly on guard.

    A cave in the mountains might have cobwebs or vines or insects or even a fierce beast, but it shouldn¡¯t have absolutely nothing.

    Unless there were people inside.

    If they were also traveling cultivators, then this ce already had an owner, and they should naturally find another spot.

    But Luo Mingchuan sensed a demonic atmosphere.

    Because his consciousness was unusual, Yin Biyue¡¯s Divine Sense far exceeded his cultivation realm; thus, settling down his heart, he could also sense it.

    It really was a demonic atmosphere. But it was unlike the gloomy cold they had seen by Lake Qiu¡ªthis trace of a demonic atmosphere was even more brutal and agitated, and it was even mixed with the reek of blood.

    Dao cultivators and demonic cultivators have umted grievances against each other for millions of years and have reached the state of fighting to thest breath long ago. Even if those who came here today were not Cang Ya¡¯s head disciple and a Sword Saint disciple, but ordinary cultivators, and if there was enough strength for a fight, it was unlikely they would look on with folded arms4.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s right hand subconsciously closed on his sword hilt.

    But Luo Mingchuan stopped him.

    He then used voice transmission to speak, ¡°There is only one demonic cultivator inside, their cultivation realm is not yet equal to mine; for the time being, Shidi should stay outside the cave. Don¡¯te inside.¡±

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t draw out his sword anymore and decided to rely on Shixiong¡¯s method.

    If he himself recklessly attacked, he might instead drag Shixiong down.

    Luo Mingchuan saw him nod, and he took a step towards the interior of the cave, his figure disappearing from where he was.

    Yin Biyue was very close to him, but he couldn¡¯t feel even one thread of core energy rippling.

    At this moment his Divine Sense was drifting towards the cave¡¯s interior, and he could sense the demonic atmosphere spilling out from the depths of the cavern; yet he couldn¡¯t feel Luo Mingchuan¡¯s presence.

    Luo Bingchuan had spread ayer of barrier across his entire body.

    His Jia Lan Pupil Arts had already cultivated to the third level. Not only could he see through others¡¯ cultivation techniques, he could make himself unable to be seen through.

    The cultivation realm he revealed right now was merely in the Soul Condensing Stage; a chaotic pace and unsteady breath, like an ordinary cultivator who had hastily rushed for an entire day on the road and came to the cave to rest and spend the night. Exhausted and not on guard.

    A dark mountain cavern, where the moonlight couldn¡¯t shine in.

    The sound of water dripping onto a rock came from within the depths of the cave, each sound especially distinct, echoing unendingly.

    Some of the techniques cultivated through demonic cultivation required venting out anger, some required fresh flesh and blood, and some required rotten corpses and dried-up bones.

    Darkness was the most natural cover; limitless demonic breaths, bubbling forth like the tide.

    Luo Mingchuan stood inside the cave, as ifpletely unaware. Only his face revealed a suspicious expression, supporting himself on the coarse and damp rock wall.

    If he really was a Soul Condensing Stage cultivator, right now he already couldn¡¯t raise a single strand of core energy.

    Maybe it was because the cultivation realm he arrived at was low, the demonic cultivator hadn¡¯t been very cautious.

    Concealed in the center of the demonic atmosphere, an arm d in ck robe abruptly extended, five fingers like an iron hook, grabbed straight at his neck!

    With only the rustling sound of wind, Luo Mingchuan at the veryst moment actually managed to sidestep this strike!

    Right now the two people were extremely close to each other, Chen Zhou at Luo Mingchuan¡¯s waist was mournfully unsheathed!

    ¡°ng¡ª¡ª¡±

    The instant the other party sensed danger, he swiftly retreated without the slightest hesitation.

    But Luo Mingchuan¡¯s one strike was too unexpected; with the power stored for a long time, the might of the Lesser Vessel Stage came right at him and pressed down,pletely sealing off all of his escape routes!

    Under the point of the silver sword, that person suddenly lifted his hand, but not towards Luo Mingchuan; rather he smacked towards his own chest!

    He was blown out like a kite with its string cut in a gale by this strike, ruthlessly knocked against the cave wall!

    ¡°Bang¡ª¡ª¡±

    A giant impact shook the entire cavern.

    That seemingly suicidal strike caused him to suffer a very heavy wound, even breaking two of the ribs in his chest cavity. But it also gave him iparable speed, allowing him to retreat from under Luo Mingchuan¡¯s sword!

    Inparison of the two, this was already the lightest injury.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s expression was slightly astounded; he hadn¡¯t thought the other party had this kind of cutting-one¡¯s-own-wrist5 determination, striking at himself without the slightest hesitation.

    Only after experiencing countless life-or-death battles could one form this sort of extremely fearful fighting intuition.

    But he didn¡¯t pause the slightest bit and struck with his sword once again!

    Right at this instant, a sword light attacked from the cave entrance, like lightning cleaving open the night sky, in a sh illuminating the whole cavern.

    It also illuminated the stern eyebrows of the sword-wielding white-haired young man.

    Just then, Yin Biyue had felt a surge of demonic breath, and worry rose up high in his heart. Then he also heard the rumble inside the cavern and saw half the mountain wall trembling; his mind jolted, and without thinking he seized his sword and charged into the cavern.

    Luo Mingchuan saw Yin Biyue enter out of the corner of his eye, his sword unconsciously slowing for a breath. Even though it was only for the duration of this one breath, it was already enough for the opponent with keenbat instincts to disappear from his original ce.

    Everything all around had been contaminated by the demonic atmosphere, the spiritual energy of the heavens and the earth were cut off and separated outside. Yin Biyue¡¯s cultivation realm was limited, his core energy moving sluggishly and roughly, unable to fully put to use his sword.

    The sword strike just then had missed. Without being given a chance to resurge, he then suddenly felt a pain in his back, like a sharp de piercing his bones!

    It was toote to turn around; Yin Biyue flipped his sword to strike behind his back, but he only saw a sh of white before it faded and was pushed out by a gentle force.

    Once he had been pushed straight to the cave¡¯s entrance could he make an effort to stop.

    Only then did he realize there hadn¡¯t been a sharp de at all, but instead concentrated killing intent.

    He looked back; Luo Mingchuan stood where he had just been.

    Chen Zhou passed through that person¡¯s heart meridians, nailing him to the ground.

    The thick scent of blood pervaded the entire cavern.

    Everything had happened within an instant, from Yin Biyue¡¯s entrance to the demonic cultivator copsing. In a sh, the dust had settled.

    Yin Biyue stepped forward; he saw the vast jet-ck bloodstain spilling out underneath the ck robe, and the pale face frozen in a twisted and malevolent expression.

    Luo Mingchuan extricated his sword, blood sttering; his hand was very steady, the expression on his face indifferent.

    The corpse caved in and shriveled up with a speed that could be seen with the naked eye; In the blink, it became a skeleton, jet-ck watery blood seeping into the earth, leaving no other trace.

    ¡°Shixiong...¡±

    Luo Mingchuan turned his head and saw Yin Biyue standing there nkly staring at him; his gaze lost and confused, expression deste.

    His heart startled, could he have frightened Shidi?

    Yin Biyue hung his head, gaze falling upon Luo Mingchuan¡¯s right arm that was grasping the sword; there was a small wound there. The bleeding had already stopped, but there was still the ck demonic atmosphere, lingering like coiling strands of smoke.

    He said, ¡°Shixiong, you¡¯re wounded.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan rxed and smiled, ¡°Just a flesh wound, it¡¯s nothing.¡±

    He circted his core energy around for one cycle, and already the demonic atmosphere dispersed, the woundpletely healing. There was only a small section of the white robe that had been soaked in blood. In the pitch-ck of the night, if one wasn¡¯t looking for it, it was absolutely unnoticeable.

    Yin Biyue pursed his lips and didn¡¯t say anything.

    If he hadn¡¯t haphazardly charged in at the end, Luo Mingchuan wouldn¡¯t have been injured on ount of being distracted by watching over him.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine now. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Yin Biyue let Luo Mingchuan pull him by the wrist, all the way until they exited the cave.

    Following the sound of water, they ambled to a small creek.

    Under the silver moonlight, the babbling creek flowed over mountain rocks, and water droplets like silver pebbles sshed upon the moss beside the creek.

    Luo Mingchuan started to wash his sword, smiling and saying,

    ¡°Shidi, you did very well. When I was your age, I wouldn¡¯t be able to do this well.¡±

    Yin Biyue still didn¡¯t say anything.

    He knew that Shixiong was consoling him.

    But he still considered himself very useless.

    Just like in every Qidian novel6, there were stupid teammates following the protagonist and freeloading experience that would in the end even cause the protagonist to get injured.

    He once again desperately longed to be strong, just like that nighting back from the Academy¡ªit was also under this kind of clear, cold moonlight, where he felt he must grasp control of his own life.

    Strong enough that at least when Luo Mingchuan fought against people, he could remain on the side and not be anxious somewhere where he couldn¡¯t see the situation. Even better, if he could fight alongside him, instead of bing his weak spot.

    This was the first time Luo Mingchuan had seen Shidi so depressed.

    In the past although Shidi hadn¡¯t said much, over time, they got to know each other, and he could already perceive his moods.

    Shidi was worried for him; this made a warm feeling trickle through Luo Mingchuan¡¯s heart,fortably warm. But at the same time, even greater was his self-me¡ªif he was stronger, strong enough to make it through unscathed, without getting wounded, Shidi wouldn¡¯t feel sad and me himself.

    Luo Mingchuan gazed at the Yin Biyue lost in contemtion, not knowing how to soothe him.

    Inexplicably7, the hand that was cupping water to wash his sword lifted, and he directly pinched the youth¡¯s face.

    The touch felt exquisitely smooth and soft, even the best quality silk could notpare to a thousandths of this.

    Bringing the moisture of the cold creek water, it was like mutton fat jade8 immersed in ice water.

    Yin Biyue suddenly felt like there was something cold on his face, and he lifted his eyes, astonished, to see Luo Mingchuan.

    His wide-eyed surprised expression made Luo Mingchuanugh out loud. After pinching again for a bit, he let go, ¡°Shidi, if you keep being unhappy, I¡¯ll continue pinching your face!¡±

    Yin Biyue immediately covered his face. But then he felt like he was losing face by feeling embarrassed, and he hastily put his hands back down.

    ring, he said in what he thought was a very serious and upright voice, ¡°Shixiong! In two years I¡¯lle of age! I¡¯m not a child anymore!¡±

    The implication was that Luo Mingchuan shouldn¡¯t pinch his face as if he was a small child.

    Luo Mingchuan gave a slight cough and seriously said, ¡°Yes, Shixiong understands.¡±

    He put his hand behind his back, rubbing the pads of his fingers together, as if that soft feeling was still there.

    But after the joking around just then, Yin Biyue was no longer depressed, regaining his spirits.

    He was really shocked just now, because in his memory, Luo Mingchuan had never joke around with anyone before, shedding the usual appearance of being proper and rule-abiding, as if...more real and lively.

    But no matter what kind of Shixiong, he was his Shixiong.

    And he himself would also grow stronger and stronger, just like Shixiong.

    *********

    An old temple hidden deep in the mountains.

    Xingshan Temple was one of the Double Buddhist Temples; regarding traditions and orthodox Buddhist techniques, they were above Jie Kong Temple. It was the sacred ground that all Buddhist cultivators under the heavens yearned for.

    The ce closest in the world to Buddha.

    But this ce was not a vast hall, nor was it a grand pavilion of Buddha¡¯s teachings. It was only a remote room.

    Ancient roof beams rotten and decaying; dimnterns flickering.

    In front of a table sat an old monk clutching prayer beads, appearance haggard, and his face merciful.

    He held a paper over a leaping candle me, and it instantly became flying ash, dispersed by the night wind pouring in through the window, with traces difficult to find.

    Just like how after he had cultivated Buddhism for many years, the affairs of the world were like clouds passing before his eyes9.

    The monk d in gray robes standing at his side wanted to say something but hesitated, ¡°Shishu...¡±

    The old monk proimed the verse of Amitabha Buddha, unhurriedly saying, ¡°If one holds Buddhist doctrines to heart, killing people and saving people are both mercies. The Academy Director, Master Wu Wang, and myself have all made the same choice.¡±

    The young monk lowered his eyes, ¡°Disciple receives your teachings.¡±

    ...

    1) This is a a proverb that means to revisit old ces (¾ÉµØÖØÓÎ).

    2) Original Chinese is ËõµØ³É´ç, which is shrinking the earth to an inch. Simr idea to shortening distances through space and time.

    3) ÔÆÑ¥ (cloud boots) are men¡¯s Hanfu boots.

    4) This is a proverb that describe being a nonparticipating spectator (ÐäÊÖÅÔ¹Û)

    5) The original Chinese is ×³Ê¿¶ÏÍó which has the implication that a warrior will immediately sever his wrist when bitten by a snake. A metaphor for making prompt decisions.

    6) Qidian is a novel-hosting site with novels that are mostly geared toward males.

    7) A proverb that can be tranted as demons and gods at work (¹íÊ¹Éñ²î). It means an unexined happenings that begs a supernatural exnation.

    8) A mutton fat jade (ÑòÖ¬°×Óñ) is a type of jade.

    jade

    9) This is a Chinese proverb: ¹ýÑÛÔÆÑÌ, it means to not be attached to worldly possessions.

 Chapter 57 - Xingshan Temple

    <h4>Chapter 57 ¨C Xingshan Temple</h4>

    The Tixiang Mountain Range runs from north to south. The further south you go, the more gorgeous the autumn forest bes.

    The dark green and golden yellow intertwining with the blood-red maple leaves was even more vibrant and colorful, prating through the white frost and mist.

    When the two reached the mountain¡¯s summit, the red maples stretched as far as the eye could see. The wind rustled gently through, like the tides pping against the shore, the sound echoing.

    Luo Mingchuan smiled, ¡°Past this mountain is the Xingshan Temple.¡±

    Yin Biyue raised his eyes and gazed afar into the wild maple trees, vaguely discerning the shadow of the green tiles halfway up the mountain.

    It was like a pearl, interstitched between the surging, burning sea of fire.

    After the Great Dao-Demonic Cultivation War and the Heavenly Cmity, many powerful people had fallen, and many sects lost their inheritance in the war. Most of the current great sects had only gradually emerged during the ¡®End of Dharma Era¡¯ period after the Heavenly Cmity.

    The Xingshan Temple was different; although there were no sages, the inheritance of their traditions had never been interrupted. In terms of Buddhist orthodoxy, it even triumphed over Jie Kong Temple, which had the sage, Master Wu Wang.

    Yin Biyue hadn¡¯t ever interacted with a buddhist cultivator before. His impression of them during the Flower Picking Festival stopped at their maintaining low profiles and their quietness with few words. The only thing that came to mind when many people think of the ¡®Double Buddhist Temples¡¯ was the word mercy.

    Luo Mingchuan internally thought that with Xingshan Temple¡¯s highly skilled healers, Shidi¡¯s white hair disease could potentially take a turn for the better. He couldn¡¯t help but rx.

    The monastery was built against the mountains; the greenish-gray roofs stretched into the distance, andyers of almond-yellow walls continued for miles.

    There were at least thousands of monks practicing in such arge monastery.

    However, the Shanmen1 wasn¡¯t very magnificent. Inparison with other major sects, it even looked a bit shabby.

    After experiencing an indeterminate number of years of wind and rain, the three characters, ¡®Xing Shan Temple¡¯, engraved on the top of the gate, remained only the outline; the initial strokes could not be seen from long ago.

    However, only this kind of deste stone door still retained the original appearance of the ¡®All Saints Era¡¯.

    The three gates stood side by side, with a ptial double-eaved gate in the middle and smaller gates on each side. They symbolized the three gates of Nirvana and liberation: ¡°emptiness,¡± ¡°signlessness,¡± and ¡°aimlessness,¡±2 which were the typical monastery architectural style.

    Everyone whoes here could see the history and glory of the monastery.

    A young monk in bright yellow robes stood outside the Shanmen, his features calm.

    He saw the two people arriving together side-by-side from the mountain road. They were clearly wearing Cang Ya robes, but their demeanors werepletely different. One of them was as upstanding as warm jade, while the other had white hair and eyes like ice.

    The young monk thought of a sutra he¡¯d previously recited, ¡°The body is born out of nothing, as if it were an illusion of images. The illusion of the mind and the heart is originally nothing, and all sins and blessings are empty and uninhabited.¡±

    Whether upstanding or unreasonable, it was merely the appearance. How could it represent the essence of a person.

    He spoke Buddha¡¯s name and weed them, ¡°Two benefactors, please follow this young monk into the temple.¡±

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan were startled. They weren¡¯t expecting someone to be waiting to greet them. But then it urred to them that the temple was inhabited by a senior monk, and all the movements of this mountain were in the palm of that person¡¯s hand, so perhaps their intentions had already been predicted.

    Luo Mingchuan bowed, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    The young monk stepped aside from the bow, saying, ¡°Amitabha¡±, and then led them through the Shanmen.

    Yin Biyue seemed to feel something the moment he stepped through the Shanmen. He suddenly turned back, and saw engraved on the tall stone gates, the four characters ¡®Endless Sea of Suffering.¡¯ Perhaps it was an illusion, but he felt that these four characters were much clearer than the ¡®Xing Shan Temple¡¯ engraved on the front.

    The young monk lowered his eyes and led them around the many buddhist halls, stopping from time to time along the way as grey-robed monks bowed to him.

    It was only then that Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan realized that the monk¡¯s status was not low, and he should most likely be a direct disciple of one of the temple¡¯s senior monks.

    The monastery wasrge, with some people sweeping and some people chanting; yet everywhere was peaceful and solemn, and no ruckus was heard.

    During the time they were walking, their bodies were bathed in a light smoke of sandalwood fragrance.

    But without knowing why, Yin Biyue could not rx at all.

    It was as if beneath this peaceful appearance, there was a cold and cruel eye watching their every move in the dark.

    Finally, they had stepped into the temple¡¯s most magnificent golden-topped buddhist hall.

    The hall was tall and wide, with bright yellow prayer gs hanging down unrestrained from the beams, oveppingyer afteryer and immersed in the curling smoke. At a nce, it gave off the illusion of boundlessness and limitlessness.

    The golden statue of the Buddha was sorge that one could only see the head of the Buddha by looking up.

    Inparison, the old monk standing in front of the Buddha, with his golden kasaya, appeared much shorter.

    However, no one would feel that he was small or insignificant, because he was the abbot of Xingshan Temple.

    One of the only two remaining from the generation with ¡®Jing¡¯ in their names in the temple, Master Jing Hai, was the same age as Master Wu Wang, the sage of Jie Kong Temple.

    Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue were far from expecting that the person waiting here would be such a powerful person.

    The two went forward to greet him and found that there were many monks standing in the buddhist hall. Although their powers were not revealed, their cultivation unseen, they were all wearing bright yellow kasaya.

    The two made their greeting using the Daoist etiquette, and the monks returned their greeting with a buddhist one.

    In this kind of a big scene, the first to speak was naturally Jing Hai. His tone was calm, the pace not too fast nor too slow, as if reciting a scripture, ¡°The two benefactors havee a long way. The journey must have been exhausting. This poor monk3 already knows benefactor Yin¡¯s intent; it¡¯s not difficult to guess. Please let us step aside to talk.¡±

    He directed thetter sentence only to Yin Biyue alone, and the implication could not have been more clearer.

    Yin Biyue subconsciously looked at Luo Mingchuan. Before they even opened their mouths, this man had already known that they hade for the purpose of treating his illness. Indeed, his cultivation realm was profound.

    Luo Mingchuan also did not expect that Master Jing Hai would so easily promise to personally help out. But as thepassion in Buddhism was well known, he didn¡¯t think too much about it. He only wanted Shidi¡¯s white hair disease to no longer be a problem, so he nodded to Yin Biyue.

    Only when Yin Biyue saw him nod, did he follow Jing Hai toward the back of the hall.

    Behind the grand buddhist hall was a secluded room, and outside the room was an upright pine tree.

    Inside the room, incense was burning, and the light was dim and unclear. Even though it was daylight, Jing Hai still lit up the candle on the table.

    The two of them sat in front of the table. Yin Biyue did not actually care about his own white hair disease. Naturally, his concern at this time was not how to cure the disease, but rather how to sketch out every path he had taken in his mental sea of knowledge.

    He could already confirm that the entire Xingshan Temple had an unbelievably formidable array buried underneath. The ¡®Endless Sea of Suffering¡¯ at the Shanmen earlier was one of the array¡¯s points.

    It was highly likely that it was the rumored ¡®Golden Light Array of Buddha¡¯s Seal¡¯ left from the ¡®All Saints Era¡¯ that could even obstruct saints.

    It was just that he didn¡¯t know how much of this array¡¯s power was still left.

    Jing Hai took out a somewhat old Torreya wood weiqi board, ¡°Benefactor Yin, would you be willing to have a game with this poor monk?¡±

    Naturally, ying weiqi had nothing to do with treating the illness, but after meeting the Academy Director, Yin Biyue had be ustomed to the mystifying behaviors and styles, like through clouds and mists, of these great figures. He replied, ¡°My weiqi skills are clumsy, I¡¯ll trouble Great Master to witness my ipetence.¡±

    The head of the sermon did not care about his humble words, and instead he directly pushed the container of ck stones over to him, asking him to make the first move as the yer ying ck.

    Yin Biyue did not refuse, raising his hand to ce the first stone on the ¡®tianyuan¡¯ point in the middle of the board.

    This was a move rarely seen, either done by a master of the game or by an idiot who didn¡¯t know how to n.

    Yin Biyue was neither. But ever since he had stepped into Xingshan Temple, he had felt abnormally oppressed.

    It was as if a pent-up frustration had to be emitted from his chest with this one stone.

    Regarding etiquette, ying against a senior with a weiqi piece on the tianyuan square was disrespectful to the senior.

    The old monk slightly frowned, but he didn¡¯t say anything.

    He also put down a piece.

    For a while, there was only the sound of falling weiqi pieces one after another in the quiet room.

    The two each yed over twenty turns, but the rhythm of the match was still peaceful.At that moment, Jing Hai spoke up,

    ¡°I heard that benefactor Yin came from Lan Yuan Academy. The academy integrates hundreds of schools of thoughts. I wonder if you have studied Buddhism?¡±

    Yin Biyue replied, ¡°What I have learned is shallow. I have never cultivated it.¡±

    This was not a modest statement; even though there were many buddhist texts in the library, Yin Biyue had already learned the basics of the sword by then and was not very interested in Buddhism.

    But he suddenly thought of Luo Mingchuan.

    Luo-shixiong¡¯s Jia Lan Pupil Arts was a buddhist technique.

    The old monk ced another weiqi piece and told a story from the buddhist scriptures.

    The story was simple; Yin Biyue had already heard it long before.

    It was only the story about a boat traveling on the sea with five hundred people, one of whom was a bandit and wanted to kill everyone on the boat.

    The monk in¡¶Sa?yukt¨¡gama¡·? had six remarkable abilities, one of which was the ¡°Wisdom of Life and Death¡±, which can foresee the good and bad deeds of all living beings and their karma. When he foresaw what the bandit would do, he killed the bandit first and then saved the people on the boat.

    Jing Hai concluded, ¡°He would rather break the precepts and bear the consequences of killing a living being in order to save everyone. It is precisely the greatpassion of ¡®entering hell first.¡¯?¡°

    Yin Biyue did not speak. At this point the weiqi game had changed, and his ¡®changlong¡¯? had been pressed by his opponent to the point it had only three breaths remaining.

    Jing Hai, however, no longer set down his pieces, rather his voice was stern, ¡°Benefactor Yin, I know that you are a man ofpassion. But do you know that a cmity will descend on the world, and chaos will fall!?¡±

    Yin Biyue suddenly raised his eyes, only to see the old monk¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in fury, his eyes glowing with intimidating light!

    His heart sank, and his mind raced back to the scene just before he entered the hall. The bright yellow-robed monks¡¯ discrete positions in the hall¡ª

    ...There were twelve of them.

    If these were exactly the four chiefs and eight attendants, this meant that all of the strongest members of the Xingshan Temple were out!

    Yin Biyue was going to draw his sword in that instant, but he tried his best to restrain the urge.

    Yin Biyue knew that since Jing Hai had led him here, he would definitely not let him out easily. And in front of a Greater Vessel cultivator, there was no way he would be able to force his way out of this room.

    So he calmed down; he did not grasp his sword, nor did he move.

    Sincerely, he said, ¡°Please clear my confusion, Master.¡±

    Jing Hai whispered, ¡°This poor monk has been cultivating the ¡®Discerning Eye Ability¡¯ for over a thousand years. The one standing outside the halls at this moment, benefactor Luo, is the descending cmity. If the demon who died under Lin Yuan Sword is to be reborn, he will certainly awaken in his body.¡±

    Yin Biyue subconsciously retorted, ¡°Impossible!¡±

    Jing Hai had never been talked back to by a younger person, but he still remained without anger. He further exined,

    ¡°Not only did this poor monk see it, but the Academy Director and Master Wu Wang had seen the same as what the poor monk saw.¡±

    Yin Biyue was stupefied.

    Jing Hai¡¯s words were like a thunderbolt that struck straight to his head!

    ...

    1) Shanmen (É½ÃÅ) means mountain gate. For more information, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanmen

    2) This blog suggested ¡°emptiness, signlessness, and aimlessness¡± which we opted to use for stylistic reasons. Baidu and Wikipedia trante the gates to ¡°emptiness liberation¡± (¿ÕéT), ¡°no-aspects liberation¡± (ŸoÏàéT), and ¡°desireless liberation¡± (ŸoÔ¸éT).

    3) ¡°Poor monk¡± is a humble way of addressing himself.

    4) The Chinese trantion called ¡®The cotion and Annotation of Samyukatagama¡¯ (ÔÓ°¢º¬¾­)

    5) ¡°ÈëÓüÉíÏÈ¡± ¨C The Óü is referring to µØÓü (¡°diyu¡±) meaning hell/underworld rather than prison.

    6) ¡°³¤Áú¡± (changlong) is one strategy in Î§Æå (weiqi) which loosely trantes to a long chain. In weiqi, you want to surround your opponents¡¯ pieces to win and a long chain might form. Basically, YBY was cornered here.

 Chapter 58 - Xingshan Temple

    <h4>Chapter 58 ¨C Xingshan Temple</h4>

    Yin Biyue still remembered that the original owner wanted to kill Luo Mingchuan, and that was at the Director¡¯s behest.

    ¡®You failed to kill him, then forget it.¡¯ Before, when drinking tea with the Director, the Director said so.

    Could it be that they already predicted they woulde to Xingshan Temple, and they still had a chance to kill Luo Mingchuan?

    But the Director has yet to act directly, why are these monks willing?

    Then would it be, up to now, Jinghai and the Director still had some differences between them? In other words, Jinghai may be limited by his cultivation realm and can only see part of the world¡¯s karma?

    There is no need for these important people to lie, so what did they see and then unanimously made the decision to kill Luo Mingchuan?

    Then what about the Sword Saint, he should be the person furthest from this world, what was the Sword Saint¡¯s choice?

    Before the moment in a breath, Yin Biyue¡¯s mind flew through thousands of thoughts. They twisted into a tangled mess, shortening his breath.

    He just wants to flip the table and scream!

    Open your eyes and take a good look! The one standing outside is...

    A!

    Holy!

    Mother!

    Main!

    Character!

    From the start it was me who wanted to be the viinous BOSS! It was me!!

    If the Demon Lord isn¡¯t dead, then he can really be reincarnated like the legend! That¡¯s also me!

    Come kill me!

    ¡°As everyone knows, my shixiong is a benevolent soul.¡±

    Jing Hai sternly interrupted him, ¡°Once the reincarnation of Demon Lord returns to this world, he will no longer be your shixiong! He will only be a demon!¡±

    Seeing that Yin Biyue¡¯s expression flickering, his tone eased,

    ¡°I heard that benefactor Yin was fighting against others on the same stage at the Flower Picking Festival, but couldn¡¯t bear to hurt others. Now that this matter involves the lives of all people in the world, it must be Benefactor who knows righteousness and will know how to choose. The temple will not harm the life of Benefactor Luo, we¡¯ve only invited him to stay in Jingsi Pavilion. The temple is protected by the light of the Buddha, and evil spirits cannot invade. The soul of the demon can not be reincarnated into the temple, which is enough to avoid this disaster. This is already the best way.¡±

    The more Yin Biyue listened, the more he stared at the ongoing game in a daze.

    Jing Hai didn¡¯t say anything more to persuade him again, and waited silently for him to clear his thoughts.

    There was silence in the temple¡¯s rooms, only the sound of loose waves pushing through the window.

    At the same time, in the Buddhist hall separated by one wall.

    Luo Mingchuan looked at the twelve monks who surrounded him and finished listening to the reading of the first scripture. Starting from his birth and death, when he was enlightened and began cultivating, spoke of all the experiences he had, and the techniques he practiced.

    And in the end they spoke of Mo Zun.

    ¡°Our temple has no intention of taking Benefactor¡¯s life, and ask the Benefactor to stay in Jingsi Pavilion for a few years. Once the time for the disaster has passed, he will leave the temple.¡±

    Jingsi Pavilion is a ce where disciples who vite the precepts are punished in Xingshan Temple, and it also sometimes imprisons demonic cultivators or criminals. It is equivalent to the dungeon of Cangya Mountain. The same pressure that crushes bone, unable to see the clear skies.

    After listening to this, Luo Mingchuan was not angry, nor driven to rebut.

    His expression was calm, as if he was still a little dazed, ¡°Did I do something wrong?¡±

    The merciful face of the immense Buddha statue watched everything indifferently.

    Buddha will not speak.

    Those who have attained great understanding in Taoism cannot answer this question.

    In the meditation room, Yin Biyue took a long breath of relief and sighed in a low voice, ¡°For the greater good, I would never fear death.¡±1

    The tense atmosphere here instantly rxed.

    Jing Hai smiled. The wrinkles covering his face slowly smoothed out.

    The old monk opened his mouth, seeming to want to praise Yin Biyue with a few words.

    At this moment, a sword-light shed, as swift as wind and quick as lightning!

    The light rushed straight towards the old monk¡¯s face!

    The full board of ck and white weiqi pieces scattered all over the floor with a sharp snap, like sttering rain and falling flowers, Yin Biyue already leapt alongside the sword light!

    Jing Hai¡¯s expression froze. His sleeves flew t, the strength of worship burst forth, and rushed to meet the sword!

    However, this sword appeared to be heading towards him, but it actually cut into the door!

    ¡°Boom¨C¡°

    Smoke and dust rose, and half of the wall of the temple¡¯s beside the wooden door was copsed by the de.

    Yin Biyue flew, man with sword in tow, and appeared in the grand hall.

    Perfectly cing himself in front of Luo Mingchuan.

    Everyone in the temple looked at him in shock.

    It was indeed beyond their expectations.

    Which Breakthrough stage in the world dares to draw their sword before the great power of a Greater Vessel?

    Even if there was, who would dare to draw a sword in front of the abbot of Xingshan Temple?

    Everything happened too quickly; from the moment Jing Hai waved his sleeves only to be met with nothing, to the moment he also appeared in the hall, Yin Biyue had already stood in front of Luo Mingchuan.

    But Yin Biyue didn¡¯t feel that it was quick. He only felt that every minute and every second that just passed was iparably long. From the moment Jinghai spoke about the star of cmity, he was calcting and waiting for this moment.

    The moment when a greater vessel rxes.

    He knew that if he couldn¡¯t grasp this moment, he would never have this opportunity again.

    He turned back and took a look at Luo Mingchuan. Fortunately, he came in time.

    Then he asked everyone, ¡°Shixiong has not done anything wrong, so on what basis should he be punished?¡±

    As soon as he opened his mouth, he felt a burst of fishy sweetness rushing into his throat, and his meridians seared through with pain. Yin Biyue forced the feeling down, and straightened his back. Even though Yin Biyue was the one who was the knowing who struck the unknowing, there was still no small price to pay in order to forcibly escape the besiegement of a greater vessel.

    Luo Mingchuan dazedly stared at the young man brandishing a sword standing in front of him.

    Shidi must already know everything. But Shidi chose to believe in him.

    Then he should also believe in himself.

    He took two steps forward, stood side by side with Yin Biyue, and said seriously, ¡°I am not Mo Zun neither do I believe your words.¡±

    Jinghai¡¯s brows frowned till they were nearly vertical, his expression terrifying like a guardian deity, intimidating as Arhat¡¯s might2,

    ¡°Benefactor Luo carries the breath of demons could it be benefactor Yin intends to stand with the tyrant Zhou? Where would you stay under the vast sky and verdant earth?¡±3

    He did not reveal his oppressive power before, but the power of the Greater Vessel stage suddenly burst forth, and the nearest monk could not help but take two steps back.

    But Yin Biyue was unafraid, and smiled despite the threat, ¡°Absurd! My senior brother was injured white eradicating demons on Tixiang Mountain, yet you nder him as a demonic cultivator?!¡±

    At this time, the grand scripture reader, Jing Yun, who sat on one side shouted,

    ¡°If it¡¯s right or not, you¡¯ll know with a single test!¡±

    As soon as his voice fell, the bright yellow robes swelled quickly, his sleeves whirled up, one palm pointed to the sky and the other faced to the ground. After a bizarre series of ovepping and rotation of two palms and ten fingers, golden light erupted!

    The image of an immense golden Buddha appeared behind him!

    Great Buddhist Palm!

    The great palm struck with great momentum, containing the full power of the Greater Vessel stage, and went straight to Luo Mingchuan!

    Like the passing of a strong wind, the bronze incense burner on the confession table overturned and fell, and the hanging prayer gs and canopies were blown high.

    The magnificent temple seemed to tremble slightly under this palm.

    The great palm was immediately before his eyes, and Luo Mingchuan reached behind him and scooped Yin Biyue to stand behind him. He took a step and raised his hand seemingly slowly, but the phantom behind him quickly formed.

    He actually made the same actions as Jing Yun!

    No hesitation, no fumbling.

    He returned a Great Buddhist Palm!

    He didn¡¯tck a single bit of true understanding!

    ¡°Boom¨C¡°

    The two palms of golden light struck each other, vigorous and violent, and tore the hanging prayer gs to pieces.

    Save for the abbot Jing Hai and the grand scripture reader Jing Yun the rest of the monks were forced to retreat three steps.

    No one could have imagined that Luo Mingchuan would not be at a disadvantage against a Greater Vessel as a mid-stage Lesser Vessel!

    Jing Yun was unsurprised, and said coldly,

    ¡°Benefactor Luo, you have already deviated your pupils...¡±

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s pupil color has be pure ck, as deep as the long night.

    Yin Biyue interrupted him sternly, ¡°Complete nonsense! The Jin Pupil Arts is a technique of Xingshan Temple!¡±

    Jing Hai continued, ¡°Yet benefactor Luo is not practicing the Jin Pupil Arts, it¡¯s the ¡®Nine Revolutions of Heaven¡¯s Net¡¯?!¡±He turned toward Yin Biyue,

    ¡°It is not toote for Benefactor Yin to see the truth. I am of Buddhist¡¯s mercy, and the most logical. all of your previous offenses can be forgotten and forgiven.¡±

    Yin Biyue felt Luo Mingchuan¡¯s body clearly stiffen for a moment. He still seems a bit at a loss.

    He knew that Jing Hai had led him away because he didn¡¯t want to face Xi Hua Peak, and even more because he feared the Sword Saint, so he wouldn¡¯t do anything to him. They will only trap Luo Mingchuan.

    Xingshan Temple has no sage, but there is a great golden array. At that time, even if Luo Mingchuan¡¯s master Zheng Yangzi came to ask for his release, he would still be subject to the reasons of the word at hand, and if he didn¡¯t listen to the reasons of Buddhism, there would still be a great golden array to suppress him.

    What is even more frightening is that just now, Jing Hai mentioned the Academy Director and Master Wuwang.

    Behind this matter, it is likely that it represents the will of more than one of the sages.

    Among the twists and turns, Yin Biyue thought through almost everything almost instantly, but heughed loudly.

    ¡°What apassionate Buddhist school, what a grand-sounding truth!¡±

    The monks gathered, all ring at him.

    Jing Hai roared and asked, ¡°Dare you draw a sword before Buddha? Do you dare to disrespect Buddha?!¡±

    Just now Master Jingyun made a move, and it could be regarded as exterminating demons and defending the way before Buddha, but if Yin Biyue wanted now to draw his sword, he immediately became a demon in the eyes of the monks.

    When the hat of ¡°disrespect to the Buddha¡± was ced on their head, even the wildest of cultivators would show some signs of fear and hesitation.

    But ¡°they¡± don¡¯t include the Sword Saint and his disciples.

    If Yan Xing is standing here, he will think of Master¡¯s teachings, and then use the way of answering Bao Pu Sect¡¯s elder, and ask,

    ¡°First Buddha didn¡¯t give birth to me, and second didn¡¯t teach me. Why would I respect him?¡±

    But Yin Biyue is not Yan Xing, he will not nder Buddha.

    He just said calmly, ¡°I don¡¯t believe in Buddha, I don¡¯t believe in anything...But if I must believe in something, I believe in Shixiong.¡±

    What reincarnated Mo Zun, what Nine Revolutions of Heaven¡¯s Net.

    What you monks are saying, I don¡¯t believe even half a punctuation mark!

    1) ¹¶Àû²ÔÉú£¬ÉúËÀÒÓ¡£An expression used to express that fear is nothing if it is for the good of the country, and one¡¯s life is a worthy sacrifice for the greater good

    2) ½ð¸ÕÅ­Ä¿/ÂÞºº·¢Íþ. The expression of a guardian deity of a temple generally are to scare off evildoers, and is an expression of eyes wide open, angry and like they¡¯re popping out. From Britannica: Arhat, (Sanskrit: ¡°one who is worthy¡±), Pali arahant, in Buddhism, a perfected person, one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved nirvana (spiritual enlightenment). The arhat, having freed himself from the bonds of desire, will not be reborn.

    3) To help they tyrant of Zhou to oppress the innocents. Essentially to mean to side with evil. I decided to keep the idiom so I could forcefeed you guys more Chinese culture. Hehe.

    4) ÌìÂÞ¾Å×ª The heaven¡¯s is likely in reference to the heavens/sky as a like structure, or thews of a nation. Nine turns is likely to mean that the heavensw has been overturned and changed. Don¡¯t quote me on this, and you can take the name at face value for now. If I made a mistake I¡¯ll be sure to correct it in the future.

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59 ¨C ¡¾¡¿

    After Yin Biyue finished saying those words, it was as if a ck cloud pressed down into the dazzling Buddhist temple.

    The monks¡¯ expressions were as dark as ink, and they wished they could remove these two demons who did not know how to show respect.

    Jing Hai said in a cold voice, ¡°Since that is the case, then don¡¯t me this poor monk for being impolite...¡±

    His status was extremely high; ever since he stepped into Greater Vessel Stage six hundred years ago, when was there ever a time someone had defied him? Today, after using his utmost patience to take great pains to persuade Yin Biyue, the person under his eyes was persistently obstinate and unwilling to be reasonable.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan met each other¡¯s eyes; each had no intention of ying ording to the rules. The two seemed to argue out of anger, but in fact, they were actually gauging the monk¡¯s level of cultivation.

    Without waiting for Jing Hai to finish his sentence, they began their assault!

    Yin Biyue¡¯s figure flew out, his de nting horizontally, and stabbed straight at the highest level cultivators, Jing Hai and Jing Yun.

    No one thought that he, in the Breakthrough Stage, would take on two Greater Vessels right off the bat.

    His sword was like a river opening mountains and splitting stones surging forth, and the prayer gs inside the Buddhist temple billowed as if pebbles and waves were sshing on both banks!

    The momentum was immense, as if a vast river appeared inside the buddhist temple.

    Yet in the eyes of the Greater Vessels, it was as feeble as a thin stream that could not bear a single blow. The two monks took into ount that he was the disciple of the Sword Saint, thus they didn¡¯t use their full power but vowed to keep him here.

    They raised their arms to form a seal¨Ca golden light suddenly blocked all paths of the sword¡¯s intent.

    At the same moment, Luo Mingchuan made a Great Buddhist Palm, pressing it directly towards the weakest monks and attendants.

    With the golden light¡¯s protection in the middle of Buddhist temple, buddhist cultivation methods were even more powerful when used fully. Earlier he exchanged blows with Jing Hai without being at a disadvantage, and now he abruptly put forth his palm and sted a gap in the beseigement in a split second.

    Just as Yin Biyue¡¯s sword intent was about to collide with the two Greater Vessels¡¯ Buddhist Palms, no one expected that before a hit even connected, his body was sweeping backwards at great speed.

    Luo Mingchuan was one step behind him, covering his back; one hand facing Jing Hai and Jing Yun¡¯s Palms and the other catching Yin Biyue with flying sleeves.

    Both flew out of the gap practically at the same time!

    After rushing out of the Buddhist temple, they ran straight towards the mountain behind the temple!

    The entire process was just in a matter of moments, and the tacit coordination didn¡¯t have the slightest millimeter of an error!

    They knew that if they took advantage of their opponent¡¯s unpreparedness andunched an attack, they would still have a slim chance to get out of the trap. On the contrary, the longer they dyed, the more unfavorable the situation would be because of the difference in cultivation realms.

    That was why Yin Biyue¡¯ sword move, ¡®Counter Currents Twisting Waters¡¯1, seemed great, but it was never intended to fight Jing Hai and Jing Yun from the start.

    The river pressed forward, yet it turned when it had to turn and curved when it had to curve.

    It was without hesitation, flowing naturally!

    However, he didn¡¯t expect that when Jing Yun and Jing Hai¡¯s Buddhist Palms had finally caught up with him, Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t go all out against the seal palm. Instead he first flicked his sleeve with force, sending him out of the temple, and took all the attacks onto himself.

    The two of them flew across roof after roof in the Buddhist temple without stopping for a second; their core essences were exerted to the extreme, almost swelling open their meridians, and in a single breath they leapt out over ten feet.

    Because there were bound to be many waves of monks at the Shanmen to ambush, especially since the temple¡¯s Golden Light Array¡¯s eye was located there, it was the most difficult to break through. At this point, they could only take the dangerous route and run towards the back of the mountain.

    They were extremely fast, but the pressure of the Greater Vessels approached even faster.

    With simply a mere thought, Jing Hai disappeared from the buddhist temple, blocking the two¡¯s path.

    Jing Yun followed close behind, sealing their path of retreat.

    Such a difference in the stages was enough to make one despair.

    Not to mention the hundreds and thousands of grey-robed monksing from all directions like a tidal wave. They flew over the roof of the buddhist temple, and those monks who did not go up, came racing across the ground.

    They began to recite the Buddhist sutras; their voices were low and orderly, and when they converged together, they gave birth to majestic power.

    Amidst the echoing Buddhist sutras, the entire Xingshan Temple was surrounded by a circle of golden light that reached the sky.

    The ¡®Golden Light Array of Buddha¡¯s Seal¡¯ was thus opened; the scriptures didn¡¯t stop, and the formation remained intact.

    Jing Hai¡¯s expression looked calm and indifferent, turning the buddhist beads with one hand and holding a golden staff with the other, still as a mountain.

    Before the two came near, the buddhist staff suddenly started to vibrate, and the four rings on top of the staff struck each other; the sound was like a bell, spreading far and wide, deafening to the ear.

    The staff was originally intended to be used by Buddhist monks for waking up sleepy monks, and it was mostly seen as a solemn treasure, its might enormous. Jing Hai¡¯s famous ¡®Great Compassion Staff¡¯ was his life¡¯s practice. Currently it was wielded with its full power to the point the all the golden tiles on the eaves followed the energy and shot out.

    Instead of retreating, Luo Mingchuan advanced; his speed remained unchanged. Chen Zhou was held upright in front of him, just like an immovable buddhist staff weighing over a thousand pounds!

    ¡°nk¡ª¡ª¡±

    The Great Compassion Staff and the long sword struck each other, the sound was ear-splitting, and the countless golden tiles that flew into the air exploded into fine dust.

    From the corner of Luo Mingchuan¡¯s mouth dripped a line of blood, but his feet did not retreat even a fraction.

    Jing Hai looked at his pitch-ck pupils and his identical ¡®Great Compassion Staff¡¯ that he created, and said coldly, ¡°A demon as expected...¡±

    At the same time, Yin Biyue turned back to face Jing Yun behind him, with countless blinding rays of light spewing out from his sword!

    It covered the heavy golden light, like an iparable bright sun that appeared in the Buddhist temple.

    Without hesitation, when he struck at this time, it was the strongest move of all.

    The Sword Saint¡¯s Sword of Midday Sun in a Clear Sky!

    Yi Hu seemed to fully feel its master¡¯s state of mind, furious yet determined. The sword hissed mournfully, piercing through the vast scripture chanting, straight into the heavens!

    This sword was even more truthful and powerful than the one he had performed at Zhong Ming Mountain.

    Jing Yun sped his hands together, lowering his eyebrows and his eyes; his lips moved slightly, and he began to silently recite the scriptures. All the while his exposed skin unexpectedly turned to a pale gold color.

    When the edge of the sword approached his face, he was still standing there, but his entire body was like a true gold casting, glowing brightly. His countenance waspassionate yet indifferent.

    He was like a real Buddha.

    It was precisely the Buddhist¡¯s divine ability, the ¡®Immeasurable Dharma Body¡¯.

    The strongest sword move in the human world against the dignified Buddha of the heavens.

    The mournful sword whistle stopped abruptly, like a y ox entering the sea, and the sword¡¯s bright sunlight was swallowed up into the developing grand Buddha¡¯s aura....

    It was to be expected, so Yin Biyue wasn¡¯t disappointed. He knew he wasn¡¯t the Sword Saint, so even if he learned the most powerful Sword of Midday Sun in a Clear Sky, he would only be able to learn one or two of its truths. How can it break the ¡®Immeasurable Dharma Body¡¯ of a Greater Vessel?

    Thus as he sent forth his sword, his left hand moved slightly, and a string of small sandalwood buddhist beads struck across Jing yun¡¯s face. It was the temple inauguration gift given to him by the Jie Kong Temple elder at the base of Zhong Ming Mountain.

    But in the next moment, Yin Biyue¡¯s expression changed, because his sword actually pierced through the golden kasaya, leaving tiny spots of blood on his opponent¡¯s chest.

    Jing Yun startled slightly.

    He had neutralized the Sword of Midday Sun in a Clear Sky¡¯s momentum, but he was unable to block Yi Hu¡¯s de.

    It was unbelievable, againstmon sense, but it really did happen.

    Without waiting for him to move, a string of buddhist beads greeted him head-on, expanding in rapid speed. He recognized it as a spiritual artifact of the Jie Kong Temple and hesitated. It was only within that one instant, that the string of buddhist beads burst in the air!

    Yin Biyue did not hesitate to pull back, knowing that the depth of the sword¡¯s de had reached its limit. At the same moment, Luo Mingchuan and Jing Hai¡¯s ¡®Great Compassionate Staff¡¯ were indistinguishable; but with a flip of his wrist, his sword nted horizontally, and his figure retreated back, flying back towards the mountains together with Yin Biyue.

    Their aim from the beginning was to break through the trap, not topete with the Greater Vessels.

    The golden dome of the Buddhist temple behind them, however, could not withstand the mighty aftershocks of the fight and copsed with a rumble!

    But the grey-robed monks¡¯ chanting didn¡¯t stop for a moment.

    Their voices grew louder and louder, like the swift rain and abrupt winds, rolls of thunder and shes of lightning, falling onto Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan¡¯s ears, almost shattering their heart meridians.

    Jing Yun and Jing Hai didn¡¯t chase after them anymore.

    There was no longer anyone in the temple who stopped them either.

    Because the ¡®Golden Light Array of Buddha¡¯s Seal¡¯ had fully activated.

    It was as if the entire Xingshan Temple was enclosed in an iron dome!

    The two of them sped along, having no time to worry about their injuries, leaving every bone in their bodies to suffer the acute pain of shattered bones.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s countenance looked cold and detached. He gripped the hilt of his sword. Blood streamed down the sword¡¯s edge.

    It was naturally not Jing Yun¡¯s blood. The ¡®Immeasurable Dharma Body¡¯ failed to shatter his sword, but the mighty pressure went up the de and shattered Yin Biyue¡¯s mental sea of knowledge.

    He took a nce at Luo Mingchuan, only now realizing that he had tied his right hand to Chen Zhou, blood soaking through the cloth ripped from his robe.

    Now that he remembered, it seemed that he had heard the sound of bones cracking when he was against Jing Hai and Jing Yun¡¯s Palms in the temple; it turned out that at that time, Luo Mingchuan¡¯s wrist was already shattered.

    This was only the damage that could be seen¨Che did not know how badly injured Luo Mingchuan¡¯s internal organs and meridians were.

    It was reasonable to say that for the two of them to fight against the strongest people at Xingshan Temple today was enough to shock the cultivation world.

    At this point, they¡¯ve long reached the end of the line.

    The edge of the array was getting closer and closer, and just by being close, the supreme pressure contained within it was overwhelming.

    Before they had entered the temple, the words engraved on the gates were ¡®Endless Sea of Suffering.¡¯ Between the gloomy towering mountains and ridges, fourrge golden characters ¡®Turning Back There¡¯s Shore¡¯2 were casted.

    The blood-colored sun at the edge of the sky was striking in a different way.

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t stop. He asked, ¡°Shidi, do you still believe me now?¡±

    This one sentence wasn¡¯t a question, but what he was about to do next was bordering on madness.

    If he could, he rather wished that the road ahead of the endless sea of suffering was faced by him alone.

    But Yin Biyue did not hesitate, ¡°Yes.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t turn back, but rather, he didn¡¯t want to.

    Dark clouds covered the moon, and tonight the sea was exceptionally silent and pitch-ck.

    Huge ck shadows broke the surface of the sea, silent and swiftly moving.

    Twelve masts, five floors, over a hundred feet tall. Such a gigantic creature was travelling on the sea like the wind; it was not like a ship, but like a fast floating ind.

    The anchor alone on the Northern Continent imperial family¡¯s ¡®Dragon Travelling Treasure Ship¡¯ had a weight of two thousand pounds, and it would require two to three hundred men at a time to move it. Sailing at full speed for a day would cost 600 jin of crystals. Crystals were a form of energy, and because they could be used by spiritual cultivators, they were also called spirit stones, one of themon currencies of the continents.

    A crystal stone mine within one¡¯s hands was the foundation of arge n. The same was true for other resources.

    No matter how powerful Cang Ya was, in the Western Continent, there was also the Bao Pu Sect and the Jie Kong Temple facing it.

    No matter how rich the Southern Continent was, there was also the QingLu Sword Sect and Xingshan Temple dividing up the resources.

    Likewise, in the Central Continent, major families depended on the Lian Jian Sect and Lan Yuan Academy, and every year they had to share huge amounts of wealth.

    Only the Northern Imperial Family was able to monopolize the resources of the entire Northern Continent.

    Duan Chongxuan stood at the very front of the fourth deck, his expression indifferent.

    The sea breeze poured into his sleeves, raising the cascading garments, and the silver ribbons on his jade cor danced in the air as well.

    He stood at the bow of the ship overlooking the sea, as if standing on a tform above thousands of worshippers overlooking all living beings.

    It was already the third day the ship was on sea. There was no moon tonight, and the surroundings was the pitch-ck, vast ocean.

    Themander stood behind him and tried to persuade, ¡°Your Highness, the night winds at sea are very cold...¡±

    Duan Chongxuan ignored it, but he asked, ¡°Wang Xi, how many years did you join the army?¡±

    The man respectfully returned, ¡°Four hundred years ago, I passed the examination to join the Cloud Chasing Riders and served as a right-hand man under God General Zhou. I was also fortunate to have His Majesty¡¯s holy grace and was promoted to be themander of the Pce¡¯s Imperial Guards.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan then asked, ¡°Where are we headed?¡±

    Themander¡¯s face drained of color, not knowing why he asked that, and threw himself on his knees, ¡°I take it upon myself to escort Your Highness back to the pce.¡±

    Duan Chongxuan shook his head, ¡°How many benefits did Xian Wang give you to make you think that the bargaining chip of betrayal was enough?¡±

    His tone was still faint, but it fell on the ship¡¯s board like a thunderbolt!

    The middle-agedmander raised his head, the reverence and respect slowly fading; he stood up and straightened his back.

    His expression became strangely calm, but he didn¡¯t make a move, ¡°I¡¯m curious to know, how did Your Highness know?¡±

    The Dragon Travelling Treasure Ship was real, and so was the Imperial Guard, so where was the w?

    Just then, a mournful phoenix chirp echoed about!

    The ship¡¯s stern was collided with fire, burning into the night!

    Duan Chongxuan¡¯splexion changed.

    That was Luan Er.

    ...

    1) ½­À´½­È¥Ë®äëä§ ¨C The riveres, the river goes, the water swirling into eddies. Feel free to interpret what this means, since the chapter dy is entirely because I (Syn) got so tired of trying to make this sound Cool and Deep.

    2) »ØÍ·ÊÇ°¶ ¨C the trantion is literally word for word this time, but the meaning is something to the effect of ¡°turn back and repent¡±.

 Chapter 60

    <h4>Chapter 60 ¨C [Fall]</h4>

    In ancient times, when human beings were still slowly fumbling about for cultivation methods andbating the harsh natural environment and dangerous beasts, the maind was dominated by those strange beasts of various races.

    Their lives are long, with inherent racial powers, and flesh and bones of steel.

    But in contrast, their minds are still undeveloped, and even those strange beasts whose abilities have reached the Greater Vessel stage have the minds of human children.

    But when weak but intelligent humans learn to cultivate, they also learn how to defeat monsters and make use of them. The domineering status of the beasts on the continent was gradually reced by cultivators, and gradually diminished further. During the period of Heavenly Tribtion, because they did not know to fend off cmities and avoid disasters, many whole ns werepletely destroyed.

    At the end of the age of abundant spiritual energy, and with the changing environment, only a few strange beasts survived under the nourishment of cultivators.

    Such is the case with the four blue-winged luan in the Northern Pce.

    They entered a contract with the founding emperor of the Northern Dynasty to protect every monarch.

    Duan Chongxuan is not yet a sovereign, and Luan Er has no contract binding it.

    But Luan Er is his friend.

    Within the confines of the deep pce, the huge yet docile blue-winged luan apanies the fragile children through their days, good and bad.

    So at this moment, Duan Chongxuan didn¡¯t care to answer Wang Xi¡¯s question. Instead, he looked at the more than a dozen chains rising into the darkened sky and shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, run!¡ª¡±

    The chains were coated with a silver shimmer, like debris scattered from shattered stars. This is because it is engraved with runes and is soaked in poison, which is specially used to deal with these steel-skinned beasts.

    Even with the bondage of contracts, humans still don¡¯t believe in these strange beasts, and have all kinds of back up ns to guard against them.

    Luan Er heard what he said, its body swelled rapidly, wings pping with ferocity, and the wind roared. The group of soldiers that surged forth to confront Luan Er directly fell to the ground spitting blood, or were thrown into the water by struggling ws.

    But it was toote. Over a hundred people were sent to their deaths; such a huge price, the purpose was only to act as a distraction. In the blink of an eye the array wasplete, ten chains were tightly wound around the cyan feathers, searing into them ckened marks.

    The blue-winged luan was in pain, raised its neck and let out a mournful and unwilling cry, and was pulled from the air onto the ship. The entire hull shook violently as if in a storm, but quickly stabilized.

    It breathed a breath of clouds1, and the mes burned the night sky, but the chains around its neck was like a giant hand that strangled its throat, forcibly cutting off its me.

    Duan Chongxuan was confused for an instant, and roared, ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡ª¡±

    The more it struggled the tighter the Flowing Light Chain became, and the greater the damage suffered.

    Luan Er really stopped struggling, lying on the board of the ship full of blood and corpses, its eyes were red, like billows of fire.

    More than a dozen of the elite pce guards did not dare to be careless, tightly holding one end of the Flowing Light Chain, and vigntly surrounding it.

    Wang Xi looked at the mes dissipating in the night sky, and the result of the confrontation basically was determined. He did not ask Duan Chongxuan how he saw the holes in the setup, but said,

    ¡°Your Royal Highness, I know that you have a lot of good things on your body, even the unparalleled weapon that can instantly break through space, ¡®Yun Suo¡¯. To trap you highness somewhere that you cannot escape from is a task as difficult as ascending into the sky.¡±

    ¡®Yunsuo¡¯ can only be used by one person, and can only be used once, but it is a heaven-defying artifact that can save your life and escape a difficult situation.

    More than that, Duan Chongxuan also has a space piercing sword, a sun-shielding umbre, a dragon cloud pill, countless burning talismans, and perhaps a more secret and terrifying ace up his sleeve.

    But now, all this no longer matters.

    Wang Xi slowly began to smile, ¡°So your Highness must think clearly, you may be able to go, but it can¡¯t go.¡±

    No one knows how much painstaking effort it took to n out such a plot, how much had to be sacrificed. At the very least, he had to take the imperial guards and carefully hid on the Southern Continent for a full month.

    Seeing that the plot was about to bepleted, how could he not be excited?

    Thinking of this, his tone trembled slightly, ¡°Since you can¡¯t leave, why not follow us to meet Xian Wang?¡±

    Duan Chongxuan didn¡¯t speak. He thought about many things this night.

    He had wondered before, how could there be someone who provokes people as stupidly as Li Lin did. But if there was someone directing him, then all of this can be exined.

    Without anything to prove his identity, the easiest way is to call for Luan Er. This is where he entered the trap.

    Certain high-level members of Bao Pu Zong must havee to some kind of agreement of mutual benefits with Xian Wang¡¯s faction.

    However, this is not the most terrifying. Though getting the Imperial Guards and the Dragon Travelling Treasure Ship are not easy feats that can be achieved in one day, the most important part is still getting the Flowing Light Chain and array that is able to subdue the blue-winged luan.

    His biggest support on this trip became his biggest weakness.

    Maybe even if he didn¡¯t call Luan Er, if they can set up such a thorough arrangement, they must also have other contingency ns.

    Just how much power does Xian Wang wield? He had no way to estimate.

    He looked at Wang Xi and knew that he had the whole situation in his pocket. He knew clearly that if Wang Xi, this person can appear here at a time like this, can at least prove that one thing is true¡ª¡ª

    His father is truly ill.

    With this premise, many things no longer matter.

    For him, meeting that imperial uncle now is not the only choice, but the best choice.

    But is it really so?

    Xingshan Temple.

    The golden light filled the sky, the mountains shone like breaking waves upon the sea, the setting sun dark as blood sttered on gold.

    Two people stood on the edge of the golden light, carrying swords, soaked through in blood.

    Although Yin Biyue understood array construction, when encountering such arge array, never mind breaking it, it¡¯s extremely difficult to even face it directly.

    But he knew that Luo Mingchuan might have a way, because by practicing Jin pupil arts, he might be able to see some gaps in the array.

    Luo Mingchuan closed his eyes, his breath rose steadily, his robes swelled, and his face turned pale.

    Yin Biyue became more shocked the more he watched; it was as if the flesh on his cheeks sunk inwards, and his vitality was fading fast.

    The moment Luo Mingchuan opened his eyes, pressure suddenly burst, Yin Biyue had to take three steps back before standing still, and could not help but shout, ¡°Shixiong...¡±

    Luo Mingchuan appeared to not have heard, and Yin Biyue didn¡¯t know how to lend any strength. Luo Mingchuan¡¯s figure lept into the sky, like an arrow from a string, straight to the sky.

    Just as it seemed like he was about to touch the edge of the golden light the epassed the sky, he suddenly pivoted and fell like aet. With neither sword howl nor light, the tip of the sword seemed to gather wind and thunder. The wilderness around him was torn viciously asunder, and the fallen leaves and desated branches burst into dust, and destely drifted to the ground.

    That terrible force rushed towards the earth!

    ¡°Boom¡ª¡±

    Soil and stone spattered, and smoke filled the sky.

    The ground split without end, and the cracks widened in every direction faster than the wind.

    Yin Biyue tried to stabilize himself under the sword¡¯s pressure, he knew that if there was a weakness in this array, it was here.

    Therefore, without the slightest hesitation, mustering all the core energy remaining within his body without sparing a drop into Yi Hu, he thrust the sword into the crack!

    The two struck with all their strength; thend fractured and the mountains crumbled!

    The cracks spread impossibly outwards, bing an abyss in the blink of an eye.

    Luo Mingchuan drew his sword and sheltered Yin Biyue behind him.

    Yin Biyue knew clearly, relying only on his own sword, his strength is far inferior than this spectacle would imply.

    That means there is indeed something wrong with the ley lines here.

    At the same moment, Jinghai in the hall frowned, the corners of his mouth overflowed with blood. He rose and took flight, and in an instant he swept in andnded before the abyss.

    He could not suppress his fright, and struck down with his staff!

    Luo Mingchuan took Yin Biyue¡¯s hand, and this time it was not his wrist, but his fingers that he sped tightly.

    He leapt down.

    Behind them, roaring waves of lighting fell, and the entirety of the great Golden Light Array shook violently, on the verge of shattering.

    Losing the infusion of external power, the abyss shrank to merely a small crack, but it stretched from the back mountain to the front temple, passing through the numerous Buddhist halls. In its path the mountains shook, the soil and earth billowed in the air. It was only when it reached the four inscribed words, ¡®Endless Sea of Suffering¡¯ outside the gate, did it stop.

    The whole Xingshan Temple was in chaos.

    The major Buddhist temples are still protected by formations, but the monks¡¯ living quarters and dining hall are not so reinforced, and have long copsed.

    In the smoke and dust, the gray-robed monks fled, and those with a lower cultivation base would be injured by the broken beams and fallen rubble.

    Jing Hai looked at all this with a dazed expression.

    Jingyun spoke the Buddha¡¯s name, ¡°Amitabha, ten thousand have sinned; the origin is the demon.¡±

    Even at this point, they didn¡¯t think they were wrong, only that it Luo Mingchuan and Yin Biyue who have sinned.

    Yin Biyue was encircled by Luo Mingchuan¡¯s body, and the shaking and mor of the earth seemed to be something of a different world.

    In the darkness, there is only whistling wind. The familiar warmth rxes him, even if he knows that this is absolutely not the time to rx.

    But his stamina was severely overdrawn, and his mental sea incessantly trembled; he had already reached his limit. No matter how hard he tried to resist, the violent dizziness and exhaustion washed through Yin Biyue like a tide.

    Before losing consciousness, he thought: if the rules still apply, when following the protagonist, there¡¯s a ny percent chance of not dying.

    Unless this **** author was writing a reincarnation vengeance seeking novel.

    If that¡¯s so, then we can only have a nice chat at swordpoint.

    1) ËüÔËÆøÍÂÏ¢ ¨C I¡¯ve tranted it as a typo of cloud

 Chapter 61

    <h4><strong>Chapter 61</strong></h4>

    The damp and salty sea breeze stirred with the strong scent of blood, pungent and icy cold.

    Inside the enormous ship were thousands of brightly lit shark-oilmps, like a brilliant moon rising above the surface of the pitch-ck sea.

    In the bright light, not too far away, the bloody waters and ruined corpses became clearer. There were bodies spread everywhere¨Cpieces of flesh stacked upon each other, some with only half a body remaining, yet still with one final breath. The pained screams had long dissipated, leaving only faint groans and pained gasps.

    The entirety of the Dragon Travelling Treasure Ship was like purgatory.

    The blue-winged luan stood in the center of the bloodbath, chained by over ten shackles. Expressionless imperial guards held the chains firmly; after all they were ustomed to the sight of death, even scenes more bloody and terrifying than the current one before them.

    And those who had already died or those who were not yet quite dead, they were all just then the sacrifices to subdue the luan.

    Duan Chongxuan knew, the other person was currently lighting themps because he wanted nothing else but to shock him by this kind of devastation. As the useless crown prince who was raised in the inner pces in his childhood andter sent off to Cang Ya Sect after growing up, he indeed should have been scared out of his wits, his state of mind afterwards in turbulent disorder.

    He took a look at Wang Xi. The other did not say anything to urge him, as if he was just extremely patiently guiding him.

    ¡°Your Highness, have you thought it through clearly yet?¡±

    He perfectly understood that using Flowing Light Chain could make the blue-winged luan go mad and hurt people, the damage immeasurable, but he paid no attention to what price his subordinates paid.

    His nature, cold and resolute, was really suitable for major events, such as plotting a rebellion.

    Of course, a vicious dog resembles its owner. Duan Chongxuan thought of the always gently smiling imperial uncle in his memories, and the bottom of his heart froze.

    He stated, ¡°I will follow you to see Xian Wang. But I first want to treat Luan Er¡¯s wounds.¡±

    With the dust having settled, Wang Xi let loose a breath, ¡°This is only natural; Your Highness, please do.¡±

    After all, this crown prince had too many deadly weapons on his person; there wasn¡¯t much to be done about it. Naturally the best course of action was to do nothing.

    He stepped to the side, leaving a way out of the surroundingyered encirclement.

    The imperial guards holding the chains did not move, but they also did not stop Duan Chongxuan.

    Laun Er saw him approaching, its ruthless and wrathful eyes originally housing a sea of fire, but then suddenly turned watery, like the red-rimmed eyes of a child that had been wronged.

    Duan Chongxuan softly straightened its feathers, stooped his body, and fed a medicinal pill into its mouth. Luan Er quietly whimpered, obediently opened its mouth to eat it, and rubbed against his embrace.

    The imperial guards standing ready were totally unable to understand¨Cthe terrible beast that was just a moment ago so destructive and fearful, how did it immediately be like this?

    Duan Chongxuan patted it, then turned around to go back.

    The blue-winged luan was obedient as before.

    Many people in their hearts let loose a breath.

    Right at this time, there was a sudden change!

    A beam of iparably brilliant lightning tore apart the curtain of night!

    A high, clear and bright screech then echoed, like a crane or phoenix¡¯s cry, between the whistles of the wind, the blue-winged luan shrunk to half its size appeared in the sky

    And Duan Chongxuan¡¯s hands grasped a long spear, the spear point giving off white smoke¨Cit was exactly the Flowing Light Chain that he had severed on Luan Er¡¯s neck.

    There had never been any lightning. It was just that the speed was too fast¨Cthe deceptive image of the spear was like lightning had struck!

    Feng Huo: Beckoning Fire.

    ¡°Feng Huo¡± was not a sword, rather it was a spear. If it was said that the number one godly weapons on this earth were well-deserving of their titles, ¡°Chun Shan Xiao¡± and ¡°Qiu Feng Li¡±1 forged from the Lin Yuan sword, then this spear that the founding emperor of the Northern Continent had fought war on all sides with, was more than qualified to stand in the top five.

    This move of Duan Chongxuan¡¯s, Feng Huo Beckoning Fire, had barely two-tenths of its true might, but it could sever a Flowing Light Chain; this was purely reliant on the godly weapon¡¯s intrinsic power.

    In the instant that the chains on its neck had been snapped, Luan Er¡¯s body had rapidly shrunk in size, extricating itself from the remaining shackles!

    Duan Chongxuan made a long sweep with his spear, and the mist floating above the ocean gathered underneath the spear tip, the power like that of a storm. Everyone considering his status did not dare use their full strength to oppose him, and in a moment of carelessness, they were actually forced back.

    The first to react was Wang Xi, he got up and flew over, at the same time shouting, ¡°Fire the arrows! Form up!¡±

    Bows and crossbows tightened, and countless arrows fired towards the airborne blue-winged luan! The moment they left the crossbows, the arrowheads ignited with a raging ze!

    Over the pitch-ck sea, brilliant mes streaked across the long, dark night like a shower of stars.

    Even more imperial guards leapt up onto the deck, rushing in an unending stream. The closest soldiers abruptly changed their steps,yer uponyer forming a surrounding formation, enclosing Duan Chongxuan within.

    Duan Chongxuan only raised his head and yelled, ¡°Run¡ª¡±

    But this time, Luan Er didn¡¯t listen to him.

    It fanned its wings and dove down from high above! Straight through the concentrated fires covering the sky and earth!

    Wang Xi with a crossbow seized from a soldier, energy billowing his robes, all his core energy bursting forth from his entire body, set flying a single arrow!

    The arrow tip pierced the air, issuing an ear-piercing whistle.

    At the same time a saber at his side was unsheathed, the pressure arriving before the de, forcing Duan Chongxuan into a hasty retreat, but he wasn¡¯t able to escape the entrapment behind him!

    In this moment, he once again suddenly recalled his father¡¯s words¨C

    Even if you have the backing of thousands, there will still be a day when you have to fight on your own

    He held his spear out in front of him, no longer retreating, preparing to resolutely receive this blow.

    Out of the corner of his eye he saw the arrows from the night sky falling with extremely ferocious power, even if Luan Er pped its wings as hard as it could, with its body still injured, it would not be able to avoid them...

    But in a sh, the saber¡¯s influence dissipated, the firelight in the sky alsopletely extinguishing.

    It was as if a burst of wind had arrived; the massacre and crisis upon the sea was just dispersed in the wind.

    Everyone looked towards where the wind hade from.

    A person stood at the bow of the ship.

    The person stood in the shadows where thenterns didn¡¯t illuminate, their entire body¡¯s martial spirit like a sharp de, as if it could cut apart the air.

    A gentle wind resurged. The figurended in front of Duan Chongxuan.

    The blue-winged luan also just then floated down, but because its energy was exhausted, it could only copse at the two people¡¯s feet.

    Everyone then could see clearly, the person who had arrived was a woman.

    Sturdy maroon dress, ink-ck hair bound up high, heroic and threatening.

    Duan Chongxuan looked at the person in front of him, and he dazedly called, ¡°Second-shijie...¡±

    Liu Qishuang stepped to the side, slightly nodding, ¡°En.¡±

    Wang Xi¡¯splexion suddenly paled.

    Because Duan Chongxuan¡¯s one phrase had revealed the woman¡¯s identity, causing him to sheathe the sword he had just unsheathed.

    The number of people who had seen Liu Qishuang with their own eyes was very few, all year round she was cultivating on Xihua Peak, unconcerned with fame. But that did not at all mean her reputation was unknown.

    On the contrary, because of that battle on Xiling Mountain many years ago, until today, the cultivation world still dared not forget her.

    Like Jun Yu during that time, she very well demonstrated to people, what meant strength far exceeded cultivation realm.

    Wang Xi signaled for all of the imperial guards to stand down, and he properly went over to greet her, ¡°Cang Ya¡¯s road is far; may I venture to ask why fellow Cultivator Liu hase?¡±

    The other¡¯s sincerity and etiquette gave the greatest degree of respect. ording tomon practice, some face had to be given, and a few words of greeting had to be said.

    But Liu Qishuang only rigidly said,

    ¡°Picking up my shidi.¡±

    Wang Xi¡¯splexion worsened.

    Duan Chongxuan suddenly wanted tough a little. Because he knew, Shijie wasn¡¯t deliberately not giving him any face. Rather, shecked much experience interacting with other people, so she wasn¡¯t able to make conversation. Ordinary exchanges with her shixiongdi was a bit better; meeting strangers, she could only be taken for a person with an icily arrogant temperament.

    Wang Xi said again, ¡°Cultivator Liu, this matter covers a very broad scope, and furthermore it is the northern imperial family¡¯s affair... I trust you must also have heard of it back then, why His Highness went to Cang Ya to be an apprentice... If Fellow Cultivator can watch with folded arms, I can make you an oath here, the day this important matter is resolved, wangye will not forget Fellow Cultivator¡¯s friendship today.¡±

    The sincerity of these words was even greater. This was a kind of covert promise. Because he really didn¡¯t want to take action here.

    This vast ocean had nowhere from which to borrow power; but the other was able to traverse it without a thought, her core energy still iparably abundant, and had effortlessly brushed aside his arrows and saber with a graceful flick of the sleeves¨Cjust this tiny bit was enough to make anyone afraid.

    Duan Chongxuan was indeed the Sword Saint¡¯s disciple, but that was due to the letter of rmendation the Academy Director had sent to Xihua Peak.

    Why did the Director send the letter? Because of his original identity.

    In other words, if he wasn¡¯t the crown prince, or if Duan Sheng¡¯an died or is no longer the emperor, this Sword Saint disciple¡¯s identity cannot be counted as genuine.

    This was how Wang Xi thought.

    Every single person who had been in the middle of a power struggle for a long time would think this way.

    Where the great benefits are at, that¡¯s where people¡¯s hearts will aim.

    But no one on Xihua Peak thought this way.

    Liu Qishuang didn¡¯t even know who this ¡°wangye¡± he spoke of was.

    But she said her longest sentence this night, her expression very serious,

    ¡°I¡¯m not concerned with why he came to Cang Ya; since he sincerely takes me as his shijie, I will sincerely take him as my shidi.¡±

    **********

    Central Continent. Yunyang City.

    Inte autumn, the dried leaves the children had just finished sweeping, now upon nightfall, fell yet again, covering the entire courtyard.

    The Academy Director sat in the courtyard, shedding the former lofty dress of schrs. His ck hair was bound by a wooden hairpin, his entire body covered in a simple silk sky-blue robe, looking even more casual and undisciplined.

    It appeared the autumn wind was too chilly; the color of his lips was slightly pale, and the thin lines at the corners of his eyes were even a bit deeper.

    He saw Wei Jingfeng exit from the room. Although he didn¡¯t know the state of the other¡¯s injuries, he still asked as if normal, ¡°Would you like some tea?¡±

    The Sword Saint did not reply.

    Instead he took a look at the color of the sky.

    The boundless night sky above their heads, covered by the courtyard walls and the countless buildings in the distance, was sliced into irregr pieces.

    Still, the resplendent stream of stars could be seen, tranquil and beautiful.

    Everything was the same as usual.

    But the Academy Director¡¯splexion suddenly paled!

    In the center of the courtyard, the sky above their heads unexpectedly started to sway violently; thin fissures spreading from Wei Jingfeng¡¯s point of vision outwards, finally covering the entire field of view.

    Just like shattering a sheet of colored ss, the fa?ade was broken, the real sky was exposed!

    ck like spilled ink, no stars and no moon.

    ¡°Crash!...¨C¡±

    The illusion shattering had no sound. This noise was from the teacup in the Academy Director¡¯s hand falling upon the ground, the spraying porcin shards shing a thin line of blood on the back of his hand.

    The bloodstain flowed over pale skin, dripping on the withered pagoda tree leaves.

    His figure swayed for a little, his right hand supporting himself on the stone table.

    Wei Jingfeng¡¯s eyes were a sheet of unconcerned coldness.

    Suddenly faced with this kind of expression, he subconsciously thought to exin something, ¡°This won¡¯t harm people¡¯s lives; it¡¯ll just leave them in Jingsi Pavillion. As for your disciples, there¡¯s even less to worry about...¡±

    Wei Jingfeng wasn¡¯t the slightest bit moved, only saying,

    ¡°You weren¡¯t like this before.¡±

    The Academy Director lowered his eyes, no longer speaking.

    Because there was nothing to say.

    He thought, you also say that was ¡°before.¡± Haven¡¯t I schemed against you enough over all these years?

    He urged Wei Jingfeng to stay and recuperate, then used an array to iste this ce, until even the sky was false.

    To maintain an array hidden from a saint¡¯s eyes and ears, a price must be paid, and extreme depletion was required. To the point that the edges of broken china could easily cut open his skin and flesh.

    This was all so the matter at Xingshan Temple could seed.

    To eradicate future troubles.

    Wei Jingfeng looked at him with the same cold and detached indifference.

    The Academy Director understood his meaning: Unable to defeat Mo Zun so youy a hand on the younger generation instead,pletely shameless.

    A chilly autumn wind picked up in the courtyard, swirling upyer uponyer of fluttering dead leaves.

    When the wind had gone, there was only one person left in the courtyard. As if from start to finish there had only been one person.

    He slowly crouched down, little by little tidying up the shattered pieces of china on the ground.

    The spot where the teacup had broken was the same spot where the array disk had been broken that day.

    The same things Wei Jingfeng had given him those many years ago.

    ...

    <h4></h4>

    1) These are the names of the swords ¡°Spring Mountain¡¯s Smile¡± and ¡°Autumn Wind¡¯s Departure¡± held by Jun Yu and the sword saint

 Chapter 62

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    <strong>Chapter 62: Yesterday Us, Today You and Me</strong>

    ¡°Brother...¡± Yin Biyue was slightly surprised when he woke up. The surroundings were notpletely dark, but the sky was dimly lit. One could clearly see the frowning brows of the people around them. He asked, ¡°Senior Brother, how long have I slept for?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan carefully helped him up and explored his spiritual veins. Yin Biyue did not move, letting Luo Mingchuan¡¯s true essence enter his body. While looking at the surrounding environment.

    They were in a mountain stream, the soil was damp, the grass was lush by the water, the air was filled with the fragrance of grass and trees, and the mountains and rivers were peaceful and beautiful in the morning light.

    But he felt that something was wrong.

    Luo Mingchuan avoided answering, ¡°How do you feel now?¡±

    Yin Biyue¡¯s True Essence had circted in his body for a week, and there was still remnants of medicinal energy in his meridians. He felt a slight stabbing pain, and the broken bones were getting better. Fortunately, he did not injure his heart. The wounds were treated, and even the blood-stained robes were cleaned.

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more he knew how much Luo Mingchuan had done when he was unconscious.

    His senior brother should have been more severely injured than he was, but he actually came to take care of him.

    Thus, he held Luo Mingchuan¡¯s hand, near his veins, preventing him from passing his true essence to himself. ¡°I¡¯m fine, how are you brother?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan responded, ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he decided to tell the truth, ¡°I recovered very quickly.¡±

    It was something he was beginning to fear himself.

    He thought that if he used Jia Lan¡¯s eye technique in this battle, he would definitely suffer a severe bacsh. In the instant he broke through the golden formation, a huge pressure crushed every inch of his Spiritual Pulse. Even two of his ribs were broken.

    However, after he actually fell down, he only fainted for a while before his body began to repair itself.

    Such an incredibly powerful recovery ability can only be possessed by Demon Cultivation.

    He spoke the truth with a calm expression, his heart beating like a drum. He thought, maybe even junior brother would also feel that....... he was a demonic cultivator.

    The more Yin Biyue believed that he was alright, the more he pulled Luo Mingchuan¡¯s right hand up, and only then did he heave a sigh of relief when he saw that his originally bloody and mangled wrist was now as clean as ever, without even leaving a scar.

    He smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s a good thing to recover quickly. As long as Senior brother is fine.¡±

    He didn¡¯t smile very often. Every time he did, it was as if the ice and snow had melted.

    The chill in Luo Mingchuan¡¯s heart dissipated, and he alsoughed lowly.

    The more Yin Biyue felt his chest quiver, the more he realized that he had been half lying in his senior brother¡¯s arms.

    Ah, I must have been so heavy! Brother has been working so hard!

    His face was hot and he hurriedly got up.

    Luo Mingchuan also naturally let go of him, got up and dusted his robes.

    The more Yin Biyue saw his senior brother act like a gentleman, the more he felt that she was too self-conscious. There was nothing for him to be embarrassed about in the first ce.

    He immediately shifted his attention to the main issue, ¡°Senior Brother, did you see the w in the formation earlier? Do you think we¡¯re still in the Titian Mountains?¡±

    They had originally fallen from the crevices of the abyss, but strangely, they had arrived here. Perhaps the power of the formation was too great, distorting space. It could also be possible that there was a new world underneath the Xing Shan temple.

    The two of them walked along the stream, observing their surroundings while trying to guess the current situation.

    Luo Mingchuan had already used his divine sense to look very far ahead and hadn¡¯t found any danger,

    ¡°There¡¯s something fishy about the golden light array. I saw that there was an unstable vein underneath the array. The fluctuations of energy were different from other ces. I only wanted to try breaking through the array formation, but I didn¡¯t think that I woulde here ... The variety of the trees here, the humidity of the air, were all different from the Titian Mountains. It was as if ... it¡¯s another world.¡±

    In fact, there was one more thing he didn¡¯t say.

    The reason he chose to jump into the abyss was because he felt a familiar aura. It was as if there was something of the same sect that attracted him.

    This feeling is too illusory and can¡¯t be taken seriously, saying that it will only make the younger brother worry about him.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s spiritual senses were very powerful, it already 60% recovered, so he could tell that this was not Titian Mountains. He was deep in thought and couldn¡¯t help but mumble, ¡°There¡¯s something fishy about the Golden Light Array ...¡±

    Luo Mingchuan nodded, ¡°Yes. The Cangya Mountain¡¯s protective magical formation costs eighty thousand Spirit Stones just to maintain and consume more Spirit Stones to activate once a year. It also requires the ¡®Cangya Medallion¡¯ or the ¡®Spring Mountain Laugh¡¯ left behind by the founder of the Cangya Mountain Range.¡±

    Yin Biyue understood what he meant.

    Cangya¡¯s protective magical formation was already like this, not to mention that Xingshen Temple was able to sustain an exquisite magical formation of the ¡®Era of Saints¡¯ for a million years. How much effort would it take to survive until now?

    Although the temple had resources and resources, it was still far from the required level.

    The more Yin Biyue calmed down, the more he observed this ce.

    He finally realized what was wrong.

    There was the sound of wind and water, the sound of trees and pines, but there was no sound of living creatures.

    There were no birds in the woods, no fish in the water, no insects in the grass.

    The climate was pleasant and the water and soil were abundant. But other than him and Luo Mingchuan, there were no other signs of life.

    AD

    At this moment, the sky was already bright, but the sun was nowhere to be seen. When he looked at the originally tranquil and beautiful scenery, he could see that they were all dead and lifeless.

    It was like a ce of death.

    Yin Bi¡¯s heart became slightly cold, ¡°Maybe the Golden Light Array is not supported by spirit stones and divine weapons, but by some kind of life force ...¡±

    This spection is ridiculous. He couldn¡¯t even talk about it himself.

    Luo Mingchuan did not answer directly. But there are simr spections in his mind.

    The two did not speak any more, and walked towards the depths of the woods vigntly and tacitly.

    There is a magnificent yellow tile between the branches and trees, and it is the only building in the entire mountain forest.

    After approaching, the redcquer painted que had already faded, there were barely visible four mottled characters-Da Xiongbao Pce.

    It was said to be a pce, but it was not big. It could only be considered a buddhist hall.

    Along the way, they were already certain that this wasn¡¯t an illusion. Now that he saw a buddhist temple that looked exactly the same as the one in Xing Shan Temple, it meant that this abyss was indeed another heaven and earth behind the temple.

    The Buddhist hall stood alone in the field, closed and locked, and umted dust for many years. The wooden doors and window frames were old and old.

    It seemed that a gust of wind would be able to destroy it, but as they approached it, the wind even quieted down.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan looked at each other.

    Cultivators were more sensitive than ordinary people. As their realms improved and their soul became stronger, their intuition would be more and more urate. At this moment, they all felt that perhaps the strangeness of the golden light formation was within this buddhist hall.

    The two of them didn¡¯t rush in; instead, they first sent out their spiritual sense to check it out. No abnormalities were found.

    The more Yin Biyue pushed open the door with the tip of his scabbard, the more the stone lock fell with a thud, bringing with it smoke and dust.

    The buddhist hall was dark and gloomy. The apricot yellow curtains were covered with a thickyer of cinnabar dust, but no spider webs could be seen.

    Although the roof beam is corroded, the structure is tight and strong. The main beam is two six-rafters that ovep up and down, and the four-rafters and t beams that are stacked on top of each other are gradually reduced.

    Suchplicated craftsmanship has long since been simplified and eliminated, and you can¡¯t even see it in Xingshan Temple.

    But in the Holy Age, it was the mainstream of Buddhism and other buildings.

    Although the altar was high, the Buddha statue was small.

    Eyes half closed, sitting cross-legged, left hand across the knee, right hand flexed fingers up, formed the ¡®seal imprint¡¯.

    It had been painted with gold, but it had been peeling off with age, revealing its original dark brown color. There was something sinister and terrifying about theparison.

    When Luo Mingchuan stepped into the buddhist hall in front of him, he suddenly felt a violent wave of dizziness hit him.

    He turned to say ¡®Don¡¯te in,¡¯ but his body suddenly fell backwards!

    When Yin Biyue saw his expression, he got more confused. He quickly took two steps to support him.

    At the same time, when he stepped into the buddhist hall, his vision suddenly turned ck. Thest thing he saw was the half closed eyes of the buddhist statue.

    **********

    Luo Mingchuan, who was standing on the edge of the cliff, was still in a daze.

    He remembered that he and his junior brother were clearly at Xing Shan Temple, but now ...

    ¡°Demon!¡±

    His shout was as loud as thunder.

    His head was dizzy and he could feel pain in every part of his body. He was woken up by the sound. He looked down and saw that his entire body was covered in blood.

    The wind on the edge of the cliff is so strong that it seems to be able to blow people down.

    What he did know was that this ce was the meteorite Abyss.

    The Junior Brother in front of him seemed to have grown a lot overnight, and he no longer had the white hair disease that had always worried him. Three thousand ck hair and white Daoist robes fluttered in the wind. The joints of the hands holding the sword were distinct, and they were as fair as jade.

    It was still leaning against theke sword, but the tip of the sword was pointed at him.

    The sword was dripping with blood.

    There were a lot of people standing behind Yin Biyue. There were elders in blue Daoist robes, and monks in yellow robes. Looking behind them, there were actually people from various sects.

    However, they did not make a move. They only watched on with cold expressions.

    Luo Mingchuan raised his eyes and looked at the unfamiliar person in front of him. He found that every word he said was extremely difficult to understand. ¡°Junior apprentice-brother, you believe them? Do you want to kill me?¡±

    What he feared the most in his heart, what he didn¡¯t want to face the most, had happened.

    For the first time, Yin Biyue¡¯s expression, which was as cold as ice, changed. He slightly raised his eyebrows.

    ¡°What does me wanting to kill you have to do with the others? This is a break between you and me¡±

    Luo Mingchuan was dazed for a moment, and the youth in his memories also held his sword like this. However, he was standing with him with firm eyes. ¡°If you insist on believing something, I will believe you.¡±

    It was clearly yesterday, but it seemed as if a lifetime had passed, making him almost unable to remember if it had really happened.

    <strong>Yesterday us, today you and me.</strong>

    The moment the sword pierced his heart, it was not as painful as he had imagined.

    The spray of blood actually made people sober. He could clearly feel the loss of life.

    The sword passed through the body, revealing another inch, and the distance between the two was close at hand. Luo Mingchuan stared straight into those eyes, butughed, ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, but you are definitely not my junior brother. Junior brother would not look at me like that.¡±

    It was not the de that hurt, but his cold eyes.

    The person holding the Sword did not say anything as he coldly kicked Luo Mingchuan out of the meteorite abyss.

    ***********

    Yin Biyue still felt dizzy.

    He opened his eyes and looked at the reflection of the zed bricks under him, and his pale face was reflected in the intertwined light and dark.

    He discovered that he was actually kneeling on the ground. A chill ran down his knees.

    He tried to get up, but it was as if there was a huge mountain on his shoulders. He barely managed to straighten his back.

    Lifting his eyes, he saw that there were twelve coppermpstands in a vast and boundless hall. The candles flickered, but provided no heat.

    The throne at the end of the hall was high up in the sky. One could only see people sitting on it, but their faces were hidden in the shadows.

    The man spoke in a low voice. But an inexplicable meaning was born, echoing in the empty hall, ¡°Have you figured it out clearly?¡±

    Yin Biyue was more startled. He felt that he must know the man on the throne.

    The next moment, the man calmly got up and walked down from the high-level.

    Layers of clothing draped on the ground, like a surging dark ocean.

    Under the leaping firelight, theplex array runes on the wide sleeves were as terrifying as living creatures.

    After only a momentary stature, he walked through the vast hall and stood in front of Yin Biyue.

    Yin Biyue finally knew why he felt familiar.

    Because this person was Luo Mingchuan.

    But anyone who has seen Luo Mingchuan will not mistake the two.

    It was clear that his face was seventy percent simr, but there was now a thirty percent more evil.

    The firelight was half lit and half dark, like a bewitching demon from the abyss.

    Yin Biyue opened his mouth, but found that he couldn¡¯t say anything.

    The cold fingertips lifted his chin, and a biting chill spread all over his body.

    He can only be forced to look up at this man¡¯s eyes.

    The ink-colored pupils reflected the candlelight in the temple, looking in like a sea of corpses.

    The man leaned down slightly, getting closer.

    A cold and sinister aura gushed out from his neck, carrying a joyful smile on his face.

    ¡°In the past, Buddha used to cut flesh to feed the falcons, but now, Sect Master Yan has used his body to feed the devils. Isn¡¯t this a legend for the future generations?¡±

    Yin Biyue felt that this posture made him extremely ufortable, but he couldn¡¯t break away from the invisible shackles.

    He could only listen to the person continue, ¡°You stay with me for one night in the Hall of Changyuan. I will withdraw my troops for three thousand miles tomorrow morning. How about it?¡±

    Even if he didn¡¯t know what had happened, his instincts told him that this wasn¡¯t a good thing.

    He looked into those eyes that were devoid of any human emotion, only lust/desire.

    He replied word to word,

    ¡°You are not senior. Senior brother would never say such things.¡±

    Even if you had a face simr to Senior Brother¡¯s, it definitely isn¡¯t him.

 Chapter 63

    <strong>Chapter 63: If it is destiny, let it change.</strong>

    Luo Mingchuan felt that if he fell off the cliff, into the Asteroid abyss, he wouldn¡¯t be able to live no matter what.

    And all of this was too real. The aching heart, the loss of blood, the freezing body, and the biting cold wind, it didn¡¯t seem like they were in a dream at all.

    The world said that the Meteor Abyss was a ce where even light could not prate, a warning left by the Heavenly Dao to mankind after the Heavenly Tribtion.

    Perhaps only those who stood at the top of the world knew whaty below the abyss.

    But he found that he still had the consciousness of being alive. It¡¯s just that all the pain in the body can no longer be felt.

    His spirit did not dissipate. It remained within his body.

    However, he was just like an outsider. He looked at the dark abyss, where wisps of death qi gathered and started to devour his body.

    Only then did he know that there really are monsters in this world that were born in thend of evil and devoured flesh and blood.

    Unexpectedly, the breathless body opened his eyes again.

    His pupils were as ck as ink, like he was looking at a bottomless pit of stars. There was not a shred of human emotion.

    Luo Mingchuan suddenly felt a chill at the bottom of his heart. Instinct told him that he absolutely did not want to see what happened next.

    As expected, his body stood up.

    Then he opened his mouth and ate the monsters.

    He continued to devour it, his indifferent expression turning into one of satiation. It was as if he had been starving for hundreds of thousands of years and finally managed to eat food that suited his heart.

    This body was no longer human.

    As he walked, more and more monsters gathered around him. Some of them had awoken and were crawling at his feet. After eating his fill he gave the extra energy to the monsters.

    There were no days or nights in the Pit of Falling Stars. It was unknown how much time had passed. With a wave of his sleeves, he started a fierce gale. His body flew upwards on the wind, bringing countless monsters with him out of the abyss.

    And at the edge of the cliff, there were thousands of demonic cultivators waiting. The setting sun was like blood, dancing in the westerly wind as it reflected the different gs on the pce emblem. Looking at it from a distance, there is no edge.

    He stood in front of ten thousand people. The sun and stars were hidden bright, the mountains were hidden, and the twelve pces of the Devil Dao were all subservient to this.

    The crowd kneeled down in turn like a tidal wave and split the grand path for him to pass through. The sound of their voices resonated through the surrounding fields, ¡°We wee the return of our Lord ¡ª¡±

    At this time, Luo Mingchuan finally realized that the scariest thing was not whether his junior apprentice brother didn¡¯t believe him.

    It was that he was a devil himself.

    Grinding one¡¯s teeth and sucking blood, killing as if one¡¯s life depended on it.

    To bring destruction and sin into the world.

    Endless despair overwhelmed him.

    When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in front of a huge mirror.

    His pale face was reflected in the mirror. However, his facial features became sharper, and his expression was arrogant and cold.

    The wide sleeves of the long ck robe were hung down,plicated golden runes embroidered on them. Just by standing there, one would be able to give birth to an unsightly radiance. It was dark light.

    Luo Mingchuan calmed down. He opened his mouth and said, ¡°You are not me.¡±

    The voice of the person in the mirror was deep and low. ¡°How is it not?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan replied, ¡°I am not a demon.¡±

    ¡°Who would believe that?¡±

    ¡°Junior apprentice-brother would.¡±

    The person in the mirrorughed, ¡°He doesn¡¯t believe it, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t want to kill you. Think about it carefully, why did he set up the ¡®Red Mystery Heart¡¯s Killing Array¡¯ in the first ce?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a misunderstanding. Junior brother was bewitched by others, and his obsession was too deep and he went astray... It was originally my fault.¡±

    ¡°Howughable. Do you think that what you asked by using the Jia Lan Tong Technique is the truth? He shouldn¡¯t have known that you knew the Jia Lan Tong Technique, right? But why isn¡¯t he surprised at all in Xingshan Temple?¡±

    Indeed. He had never told his junior apprentice-brother.

    This was because this technique was a bit strange. Even when it came to fighting, he was only using it in a situation the outside world didn¡¯t know. This was the first time he used it in front of his junior, but he was the first to speak, ¡°Nonsense! Jia Lan Tong Technique is the method of your Xing Shan Temple!¡±

    That shouldn¡¯t be.

    The person in the mirror startedughing again, hisughter was like a demonic note, ¡°You still don¡¯t know? On the night of the school¡¯s graduation, nothing happened in the first ce. If you don¡¯t believe me, I can send you back to see for myself ... It¡¯s just that your junior brother will use an even more powerful method to confuse people, making you think that you¡¯ve let him down.¡±

    This time, Luo Mingchuan also smiled.

    He found it ridiculous that his thoughts had been held back by this man¡¯s words. He grasped the Shenzhou Sword in his hand, and in an instant, the spirit altar became much clearer.

    When the person in the mirror saw him holding the sword, he didn¡¯t think much of it. ¡°You think you can kill me ...¡±

    Before he could finish his words, Luo Mingchuan had already drawn his sword and pierced through his heart!

    Hot blood spurted out!

    ¡°How is my junior brother? You have no right to speak of it.¡±

    ¡°Huh¡ª ¡ª¡±

    The mirror shattered.

    The temple reappeared.

    **********

    The more he thought about it, the more Yin Biyue felt like he could barely move, because the world was spinning around, but the next moment he realized that it was not.

    It was he who was lifted up horizontally by someone and walked towards the inner pce at the back of the hall.

    Along the way, the candle me fell on the man¡¯s face, revealing a shadow under his thick eyshes.

    The ice-cold temperature seemed to seep into his blood and bones. He was constantly reminded that even if there was a simr face, this person was not his senior brother.

    His senior brother¡¯s embrace was very warm. No matter if he was drunk at night or under the zing sun, it was always like a warm spring sun.

    Inside the inner hall, heavy curtains hung down, seemingly lit by a smoker, and a faint cloud of smoke floated in the air.

    If this was a dream, it was too real.

    At this moment, Yin Biyue was getting more and more terrified.

    What if he had died in the temple, and now he was in another world?

    A world without senior brothers.

    The white jade bed behind the gossamer was cold and hard, but the man¡¯s movements were very gentle. He gently ced the person on top of it, as if he was about to ce a fragile treasure.

    Even so, he could still feel the resistance from the person in his embrace. Thus, he chuckled softly, ¡°You don¡¯t want to?¡±

    The voice was too familiar, and Yin Biyue raised his eyes suddenly, he mmed into a pair of warm amber eyes.

    It was clear and contained, like a tranquilke.

    He couldn¡¯t help but call out, ¡°Brother ...¡±

    As soon as he said that, the smile on that man¡¯s face became strange, and his pupils returned to its original ck color. He raised his eyebrows and smiled, ¡°Senior Brother? Hahahaha, Sect Leader Yin is too interesting.¡±

    He leaned over Yin Biyue¡¯s neck, his tone of voice was tender but full of cruel malice, ¡°Your brother is dead, you killed him yourself.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t remember? On the edge of Meteorite Abyss, a sword pierced the heart, so urate and steady, I admire it.¡±

    Yin Biyue¡¯s eyes widened in shock, ¡°I killed... brother...¡±

    Then he was suddenly reassured that this was not a new world.

    Perhaps it was just an illusion from the temple.

    The other party is still saying something, but he can¡¯t hear it anymore.

    With a thought, the sword left its sheath and fresh blood spurted out.

    Finally, he said, ¡°Whether it¡¯s a dream or an illusory magic array, the one who will kill the brother is definitely not me.¡±

    He opened his eyes and saw the rotting beams above his head.

    In the blink of an eye, he saw Luo Mingchuan lying on the side, and at the same time, he opened his eyes and looked at him.

    After experiencing all the pain and despair from before, looking at each other now was enough to stun a person with joy of having survived a cmity.

    When Yin Biyue heard his senior¡¯s groan, he realized what he had done.

    Although it was a hug, but due to the height difference, it was more like he suddenly threw himself into Luo Mingchuan¡¯s arms.

    It was... so rude!

    He hurriedly tried to get up, but failed to do so.

    Because this time, Luo Mingchuan did not let go, but hugged him in the same way.

    The familiar atmosphere and temperature enveloped him without any exnation.

    The more he thought about it, the more he realized that perhaps ... His senior apprentice-brother had also experienced some painful things.

    He stretched out his hand and lightly patted on his senior brother¡¯s back.

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry at this kind of act offorting a child. For a moment, he lost all interest. He smiled and patted his own junior brother.

    After a while, the two of them quickly became vignt and got up to look at the whole temple again.

    It still looked the same as before. However, they knew that the strangest thing was there was no strangeness.

    Thus, the two of them stood at the same spot. They pushed their true essence to the limit, but didn¡¯t take another step forward.

    ¡°What did you see earlier, senior apprentice-brother?¡±

    ¡°...It doesn¡¯t matter. Now that I¡¯m awake, I know it¡¯s all fake. Junior brother, no matter what you see, you must believe that we will never deviate from each other.¡±

    A bright red g suddenly popped up in Yin Biyue¡¯s heart!

    Did you make it!

    Based on my rich experience as an onlooker, if I don¡¯t exin it clearly now, something big will happen in the future!

    How many men and women had been tortured to death with a single misunderstanding?

    How many good friends have turned against each other because they feel that there is no need to exin more? !

    Tell me, what is the most important thing in a happy life!

    That¡¯s right!

    talk! Say! speak!

    It¡¯s not enough to say important things three times! !

    He immediately got serious, ¡°Brother, if we really believe in each other, we should not question each other because of the imaginary illusion, we should speak up. If we exchange news, there will be no misunderstandings in the future.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan looked at the boy¡¯s clear eyes, and he found that the junior was far more transparent and intelligent in this matter.

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    Evading and forgetting are not the best solutions.

    So he talked about the illusion he had just now, and the more Yin Bi kept listening, his expression became serious.

    At the end, heforted his junior, ¡°I know clearly that you are not the one who killed me with the sword, so I¡¯m not sad.¡± However, he groaned for a moment, ¡°But if there is really a monster under Meteor Abyss...¡±

    Yin Biyue understood what he meant.

    Neither he nor Luo Mingchuan knew what was under Meteorite Abyss.

    Illusions that confuse the mind cannot appear out of thin air, but are a projection of the subconscious of the heart. Perhaps it was something he feared the most.

    If there were things that weren¡¯t within the scope of his knowledge, such as the existence of a demon, it was highly likely that this wasn¡¯t an illusion.

    It was the projection of his future destiny.

    In the future, he would kill Luo Mingchuan?

    Impossible.

    Yin Bi said more calmly, ¡°Senior Brother, I also saw a person whose face was simr to yours. He said I killed you. But we all know it¡¯s impossible. Furthermore, both of us are not as we appeared in our dreams right now. This means that our fates have probably changed.¡±

    After hearing what Yin Biyue said, Luo Mingchuan felt relieved and was even more at ease. ¡°Yes. If it¡¯s an illusion, then it¡¯s fake. If it¡¯s fate, then let it change.¡±

    The dark cloud was gone, filled with joy.

    Just like when he pulled his junior brother down into the abyss at Xing Shan Temple, that fleeting sense of familiarity surged up once again.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s eyes fell on the Buddha statue that was right in front of him. His pupils became ck. Jia Lan¡¯s eye technique was pushed to the limit.

    His gaze was formless.

    However, at this moment, the Yin Biyue suddenly felt a majestic pressure.

    He even felt that if he was the one being watched, his muscles and bones would be in extreme pain.

    But the Buddha statue was like dead thing, how could it hurt?

    What was shocking was that the decrepit Buddha statue, which had umted dust for many years, was actually beginning to change.

    The remnants of the goldencquer rustled down, revealing the original dark brown rock body. From the corner of his eyes to his fingertips, every inch of grey stone on his body shattered.

    In the dust, the Buddha statue opened its eyes.

    Perhaps it could not be said that he was a Buddha, but a withered monk.

    His robes are pale and solemn.

 Chapter 64

    ranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    <strong>Chapter 64</strong>

    This scene was too strange, no one would have thought that this Buddha statue, which seemed to have beenying in dust for millions of years, has a universe in it, and that this monk was still alive.

    Yin Biyue was shocked, he held the Yihu sword in his hand, but did not unsheathe it.

    Because Luo Mingchuan was very calm, and this kind of calmness also infected him, as if no matter how terrifying the situation was about to be, they would fight side by side and escape from danger.

    The monk was haggard, his cheeks deeply sunken, and the fingers outside the robe shrank into a brown ball.

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t even know whether he was a human or a ghost.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s pupils had already returned to their original color. He took a step forward and faintly stood in front of his junior brother to protect him.

    When the monk¡¯s eyes were wide open, a gust of wind blew into the Buddhist temple.

    It was as if dust that had been brushed away for a thousand or ten thousand years had suddenly be bright and resplendent.

    He sat in the midst of the soft glow, calmly gazing at the two outsiders.

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t know how to describe such a pair of eyes. It was not the cold eyes of a God on the tform, nor was it the devil eyes of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

    It was sorrowful and solemn, as if it could carry away all the pain and suffering of the world.

    AD

    They were a pair of Buddha¡¯s eyes.

    It is more like a true Buddha than a statue in Xing Shan Temple.

    When the wind left the Buddhist hall, the wooden door that was pushed open earlier was gently closed, and the stone lock was automatically locked.

    However, under the old monk¡¯s gaze, the Yin Biyue did not seem to notice.

    With a loud shout from Luo Mingchuan, ¡°Break!¡±

    He suddenly woke up with a start and instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He never would have thought that even with the strength of his soul, he would still be bewitched by his gaze.

    In the end, he was too careless.

    When he looked again, there was no glory or true Buddha.

    The Buddhist temple was still an old Buddhist temple.

    The old monk was still an old monk whose eyes were muddy and lifeless.

    However, it was unimaginably powerful.

    Yin also noticed, this person¡¯s cassock does not fit, you can see that the former not so thin.

    And now it was as if something was taking his life force from him.

    The old monk was not angered by the fact that his technique had been broken. Instead, a smile appeared on his face as he slowly spoke.

    ¡°Where did you twoe from?¡±

    He didn¡¯t speak for a long time, his voice hoarse from disuse.

    However, the tone was naturally friendly, like a greeting to a familiar junior, making it so that one would not be wary.

    Without rxing, Luo Mingchuan replied, ¡°From the temple.¡±

    ¡°How is the temple?¡±

    ¡°Not good.¡±

    If the other party was asking about the greeting ceremony in the temple, then it was naturally not good. If it was asking about the situation in the temple, if the great formation was damaged and the earth veins copsed, then it was not good either.

    The old monk smiled, as if he had gotten what he wanted, and said with satisfaction, ¡°Alright.¡±

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan originally guessed that this person was a senior expert of the Xing Shan temple, but seeing his reaction now, he felt like the enemy of the Xing Shan temple.

    Luo Mingchuan asked, ¡°I answered two questions from Senior, may I ask who Senior is?¡±

    The monk said, ¡°I¡¯m too humble.¡±

    His tone was indifferent, as if he had just announced an ordinary code name.

    Originally, Yin Bi Yue had been on alert waiting for an answer. Now her pupils constricted, suspecting that she had misheard, or that it was just a coincidence that she repeated her name.

    He looked at the old monk in disbelief.

    Even Luo Mingchuan was extremely shocked.

    But the monks did not speak, as if they were still waiting for their questions.

    If it wasn¡¯t for the fact that the two of them had read old books in the academy, they wouldn¡¯t have known this name.

    A million years had passed, and even the names of the Devil Lord and True Immortal had been almost forgotten by the world. Who would still remember the glorious era of the Saints?

    Looking at mages, they imed that they could break through the boundaries of Buddhist, martial and spiritual cultivators, and that they could do anything in the myriad of techniques.

    There were many things that could not be verified from time to time. Theter generations could only specte that he had also died in that battle.

    Luo Mingchuan asked, ¡°Why is Senior here?¡±

    He knew the identity of the person in front of him. No matter how inconceivable it was, he should still call him ¡®master observer¡¯.

    However, his experience in the Temple of Xing Jian made it very difficult for him to believe in a venerable monk.

    Therefore, he didn¡¯t show any respect to his juniors.

    The more he thought about it, the more simr it became to his, and he didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of going up to pay his respects.

    However, he did not mind, and continued to smile. ¡°I¡¯ve been here all this time. It¡¯s just that since you¡¯vee, I wanted to see you.¡±

    These words were said to Luo Mingchuan.

    Yin Biyue immediately recalled the protagonist jumping off a cliff and not dying. He met a senior imparting him 60 years of cultivation, and from then on, he would use his golden fingers to beat up the whole world¡¯s points to level up.

    This kind of painting was possible everywhere, but in this world, his past experience told him that things might not be so simple.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know Senior at all.¡±

    The monk shook his head, with a lonely look on his face, ¡°Come, sit down, let¡¯s talk slowly. It has been a long time since anyone has spoken to me ...¡±

    The two of them turned around and saw a circr chair appear out of thin air behind them. But, they didn¡¯t even feel the slightest bit of true essence fluctuation.

    The other party¡¯s cultivation was unfathomable, and he didn¡¯t seem to have any ill intentions.

    Moreover, the two of them had many questions in their hearts, so they sat down obediently.

    ¡°Some things don¡¯te out, but after a few more years, I won¡¯t be able to remember them anymore ...¡±

    How long has it been since the Celestial Tribtion?

    ¡°More than six hundred thousand years.¡±

    The old monk sighed and said,

    ¡°Heh ...¡±

    It¡¯s been so long.

    ¡°When I was out there, the world was in chaos. I guess it¡¯s better now.¡±

    He turned to Luo Mingchuan and said, ¡°The Jia Lan Eye Technique you practiced was written by me when I crossed the Vast river. I was in a hurry, so what part of it did you fail to learn?¡±

    At this time, he did not look like a sage who had once dominated the world, but rather an old man who only wanted to talk about his past with the young man.

    ¡°No.¡±

    Just a question.

    ¡°There are also monks in Xing Shan Temple, are there any differences between my practice and theirs?¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he remembered that in the temple, the Pure Ocean said that his Senior Brother practiced the ¡®Nine Circles of the Heavens¡¯.

    ¡°Of course it¡¯s different. You¡¯re orthodox, and they¡¯re all on the left.¡±

    ¡°I only wrote a book about the Gand Eye and gave it to a fisherman on the river. What¡¯s inside the temple is only a topology. Without the true meaning, it¡¯s not evenplete the cultivation method.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan had already thought of the possibility that this only true volume, after going through a few twists and turns, would eventually be absorbed into the library by the academy and then seen by himself.

    However, he still had his doubts. He did not wait for him to ask, and continued, ¡°After you¡¯ve finished reading, the book will self-burn to ashes?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, there¡¯s a formation on the scroll.¡±

    ¡°If one¡¯s aptitude doesn¡¯t reach the level of flipping through books, then it will show the iplete book. When one¡¯s aptitude reaches the end of reading, it will self-destruct.¡±

    Saying this, Guan felt a little proud of himself.

    ¡°Because of my sessor, one is enough.¡±

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more shocked he became. Such a magical technique was unfathomable and couldst for millions of years. This showed just how profound the cultivation of the person in front of him was.

    But why would such a character remain here for so many years?

    After looking at him, he smiled and said, ¡°Youngster, I know what you are thinking. Me staying here.... It is not voluntary, but rather I am trapped here.¡±

    As the sound of his voice faded, the expressions of the two paled.

    Who in the world could trap a saint?

    Was it the Demon Lord?

    ¡°During the Great Dao Demon War, I led the disciples of the Xing Shan temple to hold back the three thousand Demon Generals just to let Yi Lingxiao kill Mo Changyuan. Later on, Mo Changyuan died to Lin Yeyuan¡¯s sword. Unfortunately, Yi Lingxiao was also severely injured and his lifespan was almost up ...¡±

    These names sounded unfamiliar, but they were the names of true Immortals and Demon Sovereigns.

    ¡°The war is over, the whole world is scorched, and everything is waiting to be thriving. And my junior brother did not participate in the war because of retreat. He is at the peak of the battle strength, I have injuries on my body, and I can¡¯t beat him.¡±

    ¡°Xingshan Temple has suffered heavy losses and is not strong enough to support the sect¡¯s grand formation. For the sake of the ten-thousand years of foundation, he set up the Dragon-binder Formation and imprisoned me here. To support the formation.¡±

    Finally, he looked towards Luo Mingchuan and said, ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for the fact that my sessor had seen through the ws in the formation and came here, I wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to wake up. ¡°Perhaps after a few more years, the oil will dry up and I will pass away.¡±

    The more time passed, the longer the Yin Biyue could not recover.

    He did not expect his guess toe true.

    The golden Buddhist seal formation was not maintained with spirit stones, or with divine weapons. Instead, it was extracted the life force and cultivation of a saint.

    What kind of terrifying and cruel formation was this?

    An important figure who participated in the Great Dao Demon War didn¡¯t die on the battlefield, but he died in a trap array that no one knew about.

    ¡°What can we do for Senior?¡±

    ¡°Is there a door to breaking through the formation?¡±

    He then said calmly, ¡°I am the eye and the center of the formation. I have already died together with this formation.¡±

    ¡°As time goes by, there is no longer any concern in this world. There is no difference between here and outside.¡±

    ¡°I only have onest wish.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan said, ¡°Senior, please speak.¡±

    He smiled, as if he was looking at his disciple¡¯s benevolent elder.

    ¡°I wrote the Gan¡¯s Pupil Technique in such a hurry that I couldn¡¯t help but miss it. Right now, I am unable to leave the altar due to the restrictions of the formation. Would you be willing toe forward and let me pass on the final level to you?¡±

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more he felt that it was indeed a heaven-defying golden finger that was meant for the main character.

    A saint¡¯s Kung Fu skills were truly a blessing in disguise.

    But his instincts kept reminding him that something was wrong.

    When he saw Luo Mingchuan get up and walk forward, he couldn¡¯t help but stand up, wanting to stop him.

    Before his fingertips touched his sleeve, Luo Mingchuan stopped and turned around to give him aforting smile.

    Then he looked at the Dao, ¡°Senior¡¯s words are very moving, but I don¡¯t believe them.¡±

    The uneasiness in Yin Biyue¡¯s heart grew rapidly.

    They had just experienced a siege in Xing Shan Temple, and now that they came across a person who was simrly imprisoned by the temple in the name of righteous justice, they naturally felt a sense of familiarity.

    However, there was no sense of a saint¡¯s might and arrogance, appearing kind and kind, and merciful and indifferent.

    Everything makes life unsuspicious.

    However, just like this Buddhist hall, the strangest thing is that there is no strangeness.

    The saint¡¯s words, without a problem, were the biggest problem.

    He then asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you believe me?¡±

    ¡°The sixteenth generation abbot of Xing Shan Temple has a lookout for mages. In his entire life, he has only been at the Mastery realm. How could he harm you?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan paused for a moment, ¡°Legend has it that Senior has broken through the barriers of spirit cultivators, martial cultivators and Buddhist cultivators. There is nothing that the myriad of techniques cannot do ... Then there is nothing strange about knowing demonic techniques.¡±

    His expression changed.

    The old Buddhist hall became darker and darker. The light shone through the wooden bars, causing shadows to fall on his body. It looked ferocious and terrifying.

    Heughed loudly, hisugh dry and cheerful. ¡°Ha ha-ha ha, good!¡±

    ¡°¡ª ¡ª¡±

    Yin Biyue was stunned, he stayed frozen where he was.

    His instincts, which he did not want to admit, proved it.

    It was true that he had broken the magic cultivator¡¯s barrier.

    The Gan Eye Technique was really rted to the ¡®Nine Circles of the Heaven¡¯.

    He thought that his senior brother should be the one who suffered the most. The orthodoxy he had always been insisting on had been broken; how could he ept that he cultivated a demonic cultivation technique?

    He hurriedly turned his head to look, only to see Luo Mingchuan with a calm face, neither happy nor sad.

    Perhaps people would subconsciously believe hisforting words and believe what he said just now, but Luo Mingchuan was too rational and had long suspected the Jia Lan Eye Technique.

    This was because after his cultivation, when he looked at the other cultivation techniques, it was as if a barrier had been broken. Regardless of what it was, he could sessfully cultivate it and had never encountered any bottlenecks.

    Now he only asked, ¡°When senior was at his peak, he was almost omnipotent. Why did he still enter the demonic state?¡±

    Even his sunken cheeks were flushed red with excitement. <strong>¡°</strong>Saints and True Immortals have a day when their lifespan runs out, how can they not do anything? Taoist can only ask for an origin technique. Before Buddha, one can only cultivate an afterlife. What I want is an indestructible cultivation technique that can coexist with the Heavens!

    There are good and evil people, but there are no evil techniques. It wasughable that even someone like Yi Lingxiao could not see through the barrier! Together with Mo Changyuan, I will go through the ¡®Heavenly Net Secret Manual¡¯ and write the ¡®Nine Circles of the Heaven¡¯. This Jia Lan Eye Technique is the first one!

    Who would have thought that even after I cultivated all the way to the eighth cirction, I still couldn¡¯t break through again. And Mo Changyuan was just a step away from the ninth transition, yet he died under the Ling-Yuan Sword... <strong>¡±</strong>

    With these words, the faces of both Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan changed.

    They had thought that the Monastery was only secretly possessed, but they never expected that this person would actually collude with the Demon Sovereign.

    From the looks of it, the role he had yed in that war was more likely to be to stand on the Devil Dao faction, and the one who had seriously injured him was the True Immortal Will, Soaring Through the Heavens.

    Yin Biyue asked, ¡°¡®Qi Method is not Evil¡¯, although you are right, but have you really never done anything evil?¡±

    He smiled and said, ¡°What is evil?¡±

    ¡°Killing one person is a crime, killing ten thousand is a crime!¡±

    As soon as his voice fell, the Buddhist hall began to violently tremble!

    The ancient beam trembled and dust fell down.

    The monk¡¯s cassock was puffed up with energy and dust covered the altar below him.

    A vast golden light shot out from behind him, but the edges of the light was coated with a red glow.

    Under the sound of joints being pulled, his figure suddenly grew bigger.

 Chapter 65

    <h4>Chapter 65</h4>

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    Given the conception, he was enchanted by the Buddha, daring to risk the world¡¯s unconventionality, and paid a great price to pursue immortality and immortality. Such a person will not be willing to pass on the credit to others even if there is only one breath left.

    When Luo Mingchuan heard him, he knew there was something wrong, and he was prepared for it. At this time, he drew his sword and cut straight, and at the same time, he pulled Yin Biyue and retreated more quickly!

    The sword power split the smoke and dust, and the gray bricks of the Buddhist hall split into a deep gap, extending to the underside of the altar, looking at an inch in front of the body.

    But the golden light has enveloped the entire Buddhist hall, and the coercive force of the sea is rushing towards his face.

    At this time, the weak door panel became like a piece of gold and iron, and it bounced the two away fiercely and had to face the coercion.

    The old monk sat on the altar, his eyes closed, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, and the golden light and red light behind his back became more and more dazzling.

    Yin Biyue finally knew why he was willing to exin so much before, but he was just trying to buy himself time to recover.

    But now, one minute more time is more disadvantageous for them.

    The two looked at each other, Luo Mingchuan raised his sword power first, his true essence poured out, and a series of peeling sounds sounded from the sword¡¯s edge as if the air was being torn apart.

    He broke through a passage in the real coercion, and Yin Biyue¡¯s sword of leaning against theke was unsheathed, moving forward in this passage!

    A biting chill overflowed from the sword, and a thinyer of hoarfrost condensed on the ground.

    Where the sword passed, the frost expanded rapidly. Jian Feng went straight to Guan cut!

    At the same moment, Luo Mingchuan¡¯s gaze also arrived, falling on Guan¡¯s forehead.

    This is the third time the two have teamed up against the enemy. When encountering demons in the cave at night, he still cooperated with the jerky, but in Xingshan Temple, there was a tacit understanding of 70%.

    At this time, it is even more round and happy, and Tian Suplements each other, exerting a power far beyond the original realm, which is enough to shock the spiritual world.

    But all this is still not enough to beat a once saint.

    Even though he has been weakened by time and formation.

    When Guan opened his eyes, Yin Biyue¡¯s sword edge stagnated in the air, no matter how hard it was, it got closer. His thin lips were pursed slightly, cold sweat drenched on his forehead.

    The gaze fell on Jian Feng, Yin Biyue¡¯s face quickly paled, and he could stand firmly after taking three steps in a row.

    But a sharp pain in his eyes when he watched, he had to close his eyes for a moment. At this moment, Luo Mingchuan flew in front of him, patted Yin Biyue¡¯s back with his left hand, and flew with his right hand, pressing down a big Buddhist mudra!

    Yin Biyue was sent out of the battle by his senior brother and watched the two face each other.

    The temple in the golden light shook violently, the curtain was exploded into powder, and the beams and pirs and sawdust sshed!

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s five fingers flew around, like rain and mist, exposing dense and white bones.

    After looking at the thin and shrinking palm, he withdrew slightly invisible. And the confession under him, under the pressure of the violent true essence, cracked five deep and deep marks.

    At this time, Yin Biyue¡¯s sword power has been achieved, and the bright sword light of the blue sky and the sun illuminates the entire Buddhist hall!

    ¡°Boom¨C¡°

    The tform shattered into ashes at the sound and fell into the dust.

    The face was filthy, golden light covered dust.

    But he saw the sword clearly this time. The pupils shrink slightly.

    Yin Biyue never imagined that he had only seen Luo Mingchuan injured and shot with anger, and he was so powerful.

    This sword is strong when it is strong, giving him too many surprises and doubts. Contend with Fengyujian at the flower folding party. In Xingshan Temple, pierced into the boundless body of Jingyun.

    And now, it can break through a saint¡¯s defense.

    He stood up slowly, and the sound of bone rubbing was clear and harsh.

    It was clearly a thin and low figure, but standing up gave people a terrifying shadow like the top of the mountain.

    He looked indifferent but did not make a move, because he felt that after many years, he should always say something to this sword.

    He thought about it and found that there was nothing to say.

    Even after changing the owner, this sword is still as abominable as ever.

    Then, anger spread in the chest, like a raging fire.

    What about millions of yearster, even if an uncountable long time passes, how can you not be angry as long as you see that sword? ! How not to hate?!

    So he stretched out his palm, his index and middle fingers mped the edge of the sword.

    In Yin Biyue¡¯s eyes, the old monk¡¯s movements were extremely slow, but it was inevitable to avoid it. I felt that the pressure increased sharply in an instant, and the advance and retreat were in a dilemma as if a mountain was pressing on the sword.

    Then the sword by theke shook violently, buzzing like a torrent of rain, and Yin Biyue was shocked that the other party wanted to break the sword.

    The deadly coldness was passed along the sword body to the wrist, raging all the way to the meridians, reaching the heart and lungs.

    Suddenly there was a breeze, and a sword came across!

    As Yin Biyue turned his head, he saw Luo Mingchuan holding the Shen Zhou Sword in his left, his eyes calm. However, his right hand was bleeding, and half of his sleeve was dyed red with blood.

    This sword came in a very coincidental fashion, and it opened the leaningke between the old monk¡¯s fingers, then turned into a crosscut, and cut off to the wrist of the Guan.

    After seeing his face unchanged, he flipped his palm and even grasped the sharp de straight.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s sword edge was shaken away, but the coldness of silence was still in the meridian muscles and bones, and he could barely stand firm with the sword.

    The two were in a stalemate, closing their eyes and retreating at the same time.

    In a moment, the sand and wind in the Buddhist hall are quiet.

    Yin Biyue faintly guessed that they had entered a certain middle and mysterious realm, simr to the meditation of Buddhism. Had to wait and see the changes. Strong selfpression, but still anxious.

    *******

    There is a big gap between the young geniuses of the world and the saints millions of years ago. This is destined to be unprecedented, and it will be difficult for anyone topete in the future.

    It is an incredible legend that the Juggernaut and Master Headmaster once used the Hinayana Realm and the Breakthrough Realm to jointly kill a Mahayana powerhouse at their age.

    They have been able to recruit them today, even if someone saw it with their own eyes, they couldn¡¯t believe it.

    But this is not about being superior, it¡¯s about life and death.

    Luo Mingchuan opened his eyes, and the four wilds were a sea of blood.

    The red clouds on the horizon are surging like mes, burning through the blue sky, and the wind and sand are full of heavy blood.

    Broken gs, corpses everywhere, and rushing rivers were stained red with blood. All kinds of exercises and supernatural powers are still there, making the mountains and rivers chaotic, and thend scorched.

    He stared at everything nkly, feeling a little familiar inexplicably. Until a stick of Zen broke the wind.

    Luo Mingchuan stepped back on the river and retreated quickly, but when the meditation rod passed by, breaking the river and divided the water, raising ten feet of wind and waves, roaring to the sky.

    Standing on the high mountain opposite, there seemed to be a fascinating light in his eyes, and the golden-red robes were hunting and flying.

    His figure is like a high mountain.

    When Luo Mingchuan thought, Shen Zhoujian stretched in front of him, like a long embankment chain, blocking the river and blocking the waves.

    Although Shen Zhou was a famous sword in the world, it was hard to resist the power of the saint¡¯s blow. After shaking off the stick, he straightly dropped out of his hand and flew to the bottom of the river.

    The stick returned to the top of the mountain and was held in the hand by the view. Along the way, huge waves soared into the sky and fell into the river, and the waves were restless for a long time.

    Luo Mingchuan had reached the shore, but his face was pale, and his clothes were wet by the river. The color of his pupils suddenly changed, watching the mountains and rocks below him copse and fly, the huge boulders rolled down and copsed suddenly.

    This is the remains of a battlefield after the Dao Demon War.

    In this meditation state, the two shed with their spirits and minds, and the perception is stronger than being trapped in the Buddha¡¯s seal of golden light.

    He walked down from the high mountain, his figure was as light as a feather, but the earth trembled slightly as his footsteps fell.

    Although the mountain at his feet copsed, it was a high mountain when he came.

    The coercion is like a mountain.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s meridians burst from inch to inch, and blood overflowed unstoppable in his mouth, soaking his body for a while, and finally couldn¡¯t hold it, he knelt on the ground.

    Liguan stood in front of him, looking at him condescendingly. Slowly put his hand on top of his head.

    In the Buddhist hall, Luo Mingchuan¡¯s face quickly turned gray, and his skinny body was unexpectedly plump.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s heart was shocked. Although they could not be seen fighting each other, he also knew that the current situation was very dangerous. Regardless of other things, Yihujian stabs towards Guanxin¡¯s mouth.

    Without touching the robes, he was severely shaken away, and the huge counter-shock force hurt his heart and lungs.

    As Yin Biyue fell under the altar, he felt severe pain in his chest, and his eyes were full of blood.

    He looked indifferent, but his eyes showed an invisible smile.

    These two young people are very strong, and their vitality is enough to make him break the battle today.

    It can be seen that the sky does not kill him. Then the immortal body will be cultivated in the future.

    At this moment, the Yihu Sword on the ground shook slightly, and the movement was low and weak, even Yin Biyue hadn¡¯t noticed it.

    In the meditation state, Luo Mingchuan, who was dying, raised his head at the foot of Guan.

    He should have been extremely weak, but for some reason, his eyes were cold and terrifying at this time.

    After watching, I met those eyes, was shocked, and wanted to withdraw and retreat!

    But it was toote, his cultivation was quickly lost, smoothly in the palm of his hand, madly poured into Luo Mingchuan¡¯s body!

    The four wild winds suddenly rose, the ground copsed and the mountains destroyed, and the turbid waves surpassed the sky.

    Liguan finally withdrew, retreated thousands of miles, hissed in surprise, ¡°Mo Changyuan!¡±

    Shen Zhoujian jumped out of theke, the afterimage was like the wind, faster than his figure, prating his heart, and brutal him Nailed to the ground.

    It is also the eighth level of the Nine Turns of Heaven, turning others¡¯ cultivation and life into their own use.

    But when the two meet, they can see each other immediately.

    The meditation state is shattered.

    Yin Biyue barely sat up, supporting the ground with his sword.

    Yin Biyue saw that Guan had opened his eyes, his eyes were scarlet, and the blood in his mouth continued to bleed, and he looked crazy, ¡°Risking and ridiculous! I didn¡¯t die under the Linyuan sword, who knew I was going to die in the hands of the devil¡ª¡ª¡±

    ¡°My brother is not Demon!¡±

    The temple shook violently, and the beams and walls began to copse.

    Luo Mingchuan still closed his eyes tightly, and Yin Biyue took him in his arms. He breathed steadily, but couldn¡¯t wake up, and Zhenyuan couldn¡¯t prate his body.

    The old monk¡¯s mouth was full of blood. He looked at the two of them, exhaled, and said maliciously, ¡°You don¡¯t want him to be enchanted, but he can¡¯t look back...¡±

    The entire golden light formation was damaged, Xing. There were cracks in the ground of the temple, and the temple was running in a panic.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s true essence was exhausted and he was seriously injured. Even if he knew that this ce was about to copse, the situation was too steep to estimate, and he could not move a step with Luo Mingchuan who was unconscious.

    Amidst the shattering vibrations and the smoke and dust, he protected Luo Mingchuan and sat down in the corner of the Buddhist hall. For a moment, he thought he was truly dead.

    But the next moment, a sharp sword light split the smoke and dust.

    The noise is quiet.

    There was a clear voice from the young boy, and his words were concise, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

 Chapter 66 - Asks the sky for a reason

    Chapter 66 Asks the sky for a reason

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    µÚ66ÕÂ ÏòÕâ²ÔÌìÎÊ¸öµÀÀí¡£

    Chapter 66 Asks the sky for a reason.

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more he felt likeughing at him.

    Suddenly, he and Luo Mingchuan leaped into the air, and together with the neer, they flew up into the air.

    Behind them, the copsed mountain forest rapidly shrunk, and Xing Shan Temple, which had copsed in the buddhist hall, also shed across.

    The speed was too fast, and the wind whistled past his ears. The white mist that assaulted his face made him unable to see the face of the person in front of him clearly.

    ¡°Before ... ...¡±

    ¡°Senior.¡±

    He sat on the cloud, wanting to say thank you, but the cold wind blew in and made his teeth chatter.

    The person in front of him also realized that something was amiss and casually brushed his sleeves.

    Yin Biyue realized, they were still flying in the air. However, the wind had quieted down and the cold air had also dissipated, as if there was an invisible barrier covering them.

    There were so many surprises of the day that he thought his mental capacity had improved greatly.

    However, when he saw the young face of the white-clothed swordsman, the word ¡¯senior¡¯ instantly became stuck in his throat, unable to be uttered no matter how hard he tried.

    The youth stood in the clouds, looking down at him with his chin raised. ¡°Fourth Bro, aren¡¯t you happy to see me?¡±

    ....

    Master.

    ....

    ¡°Master.¡±

    ....

    This time, Yin Biyue waspletely speechless.

    Why? This person who looks to be about my age, he is the number one tyrant in the world I¡¯ve heard of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

    Master?

    This blow isparable to the passage of the wrong script.

    He said in a daze, ¡°Happy, happy.¡±

    If he wasn¡¯t master, who could carry me away like this?

    If one looked more carefully, it was indeed very simr to the image on the top of Lilisoft Peak.

    He was only twenty years younger.

    The Sword Saint smiled, his sword-like brows rxed, giving him a certain charm to him.

    Yin Biyue came back to his senses, the more questions came to mind.

    What rtionship did Senior-apprentice Brother have with the Demon Saint?

    This matter was known to both the head of the school and Xing Shan Temple, but how much did his master know?

    He heard that his master went to the meteorite valley because something happened there?

    Was there really a monster in the meteorite pit?

    There was also his Lacustrine Sword, which clearly had an extraordinary background. Had his master made a mistake in passing the sword?

    Or had Eldest Brother made a mistake?

    It couldn¡¯t have mutated on its own, could it?

    If there was anyone in this world who could answer these unanswered questions, then this person must be the Sword Saint.

    But at the moment, all this is far from being important ¨C

    ¡°Master!¡±

    ¡°Senior-apprentice Brother Luo, he was severely injured ...¡±

    As soon as the statue of the Sword Saint saw his disciple carrying a person in his arms, he calmly leaned over and carelessly closed his door, ¡°Hmm ...¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t die.¡±

    Instead, he smacked Yan Ziyue on the shoulder.

    The more he felt, the more his master¡¯s palmnded on him. His spirit was shaken, and he felt indescribablyfortable. It was as if all the big and small wounds had healed quickly.

    However, he still frowned and said worriedly, ¡°But Senior Brother is currently unconscious ...¡±

    The Sword Saint pulled down the expression of an elder who was disappointed and disappointed. Of course, if he were to change his expression to that of an old man with a white beard, it would be even more intimidating.

    The more Yin Biyue turned, the higher his cultivation level was.

    Number One Under Heaven, since he said he was fine, he naturally had to trust his master.

    The Sword Saint waved his hand.

    ¡°When he wakes up, he¡¯ll depend on his own fate. If I force him into action, he¡¯ll turn into an idiot even if he wakes up ....¡±

    ¡°Tsk, don¡¯t hug me so tightly.¡±

    As he thought, his heart aching, Ol ¡®Four followed him so quickly and was determined to die.

    The entire sect was filled with honest people. Only the fifth brother was as smart as me, but unfortunately, he still had a lot of bad things on his mind at home.

    Tsk, the future is worrying.

    Riding on the wind, travelling a thousand kilometers in the blink of an eye.

    Looking down from the clouds on the vast horizon of the mountain gate, in the ten thousand mountains of gold and dark green see the jade-green flowers, there is a great sense of pride looking down on the world.

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more his heart filled with emotion.

    It was spring when he came out of the mountains and entered the world, but it was alreadyte autumn when he returned.

    Before he went to the wless Flower Club, he had never thought that so many things would happen. He had even thought that he would not be able toe back after so many times.

    Without seeing how the Sword Saint moved, the clouds and mist beneath his feet gently descended.

    In the hands of Sect Master Zhengyang and Jun Yu, Cang Ya¡¯s protective magical formation was the first to know of any movement.

    The two of them were currently standing in front of the residence of the Sword Saint in the small courtyard with one of them carrying a sword while blowing their beards.

    Jun Yu bowed respectfully, ¡°Master.¡±

    At the same time, Zhengyang Zi strode over and received the person from Yin Biyue, ¡°Aiyo, my first disciple!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on, why are you jumping around when you¡¯re out!¡±

    Sword Saint ignored him and pushed open the gate, causing the dust to rustle as it fell.

    He had no choice but to raise his hand and cast a Art of Avoiding Dust. He then turned to his eldest disciple and said, ¡°Cough, some days I haven¡¯t returned ...¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve grown taller as well, even taller than me.¡±

    Yin Biyue seriously corrected him, ¡°Not some days, but one hundred and three years, seven months, and fifteen days.¡±

    The more he found out, the more surprised he became. The more stylish his master looked, the more embarrassed she became.

    Then, he changed the topic and looked at Luo Mingchuan with a solemn expression, ¡°First go clear the He Pce and discuss the important matters.¡±

    After Zhengyang Zi activated the ¡®Cangya Medallion¡¯, the group of people arrived at the main peak, Qingfeng of Xi Men, and the main hall, cing Luo Mingchuan in the inner hall.

    When Wei Jingfeng had entered the Vast Expanse Mountain, Zheng Yangzi had been his senior brother.

    However, in his eyes, this junior brother¡¯s personality was too unsettling. He would easily cause trouble when he went out and risk his life.

    Fortunately, his cultivation base had be high enough to be a saint, and no one could provoke him.

    At this time, as Zhengyang Zi looked at the eldest disciple lying on the bed, he felt as if he had returned to those days where he had been angered to the point of vomiting blood by Wei Jingfeng. He trembled and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±

    The Sword Saint¡¯s words were as sinct and infuriating as ever. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Seeing that the white-bearded grandpa was about to lose his breath, Yan Yu hurriedly stood out to exin.

    From the moment they entered Xing Shan Temple, aside from the illusion experience of the temple in the abyss, he had already told the rest.

    After all, his master was here, and it was very possible that he was toozy to speak if he said he didn¡¯t know. He was not sure if there was anything he could hide from the eyes of the saints.

    Finally, he concluded, ¡°Senior brother wanted to treat my illness, so he went to Xinjian Temple. It was my fault.¡±

    ¡°Right, Master appeared at thest moment and saved us.¡±

    When everyone heard this, they were silent for a moment.

    Zheng Yangzi stared at him, ¡°What does this have to do with you? It¡¯s the bald donkeys of Xing Shan Temple that have a screw loose.¡±

    ¡°You actually still have the face to write a jade slip and tell me that all of their buddhist temples and houses have copsed, do you expect us topensate you?¡±

    The more Yin Biyue was shocked, the more surprised he became. Xingshen Temple¡¯s million-year foundation was on such arge scale that even if all of the formations were destroyed, it wouldn¡¯t be this way.

    He subconsciously looked towards his master.

    Swordsaint said calmly, ¡°It¡¯s convenient.¡±

    It was as if his face said, ¡®I was the one who did it, I can¡¯t ept it.¡¯

    The Eldest Senior Brother¡¯s expression was also bad as he coldly said, ¡°What Buddhism? You¡¯re being merciful.¡±

    Yin Biyue was getting more and more helpless. Why didn¡¯t anyone pay attention to the fact that he couldn¡¯t die a million years ago, the reincarnation of the Demon Lord Mo Changyuan, and the possibility of his senior brother bing a fiend?!

    Aren¡¯t you shocked?

    Wasn¡¯t this supposed to be heavy?!

    Dot!

    What?!

    Sword Saint seemed to know what Yin Biyue was thinking, ¡°It¡¯s not important whether he¡¯s possessed or not. What¡¯s important is whether or not he¡¯s him.¡±

    Zhengyang also realized the danger of this. ¡°So that is to say, when he wakes up, it might also be the Demon Lord?¡±

    The main hall fell silent for a moment.

    Finally, Sword Saint said, ¡°That will depend on his own willpower.¡±

    After hearing this, Zheng Yangzi breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had some confidence in Luo Mingchuan and said irresponsibly, ¡°That¡¯s no problem. Alright, everyone can leave now.¡±

    The more shocked Yin Biyue was, the more shocked he was that his master actually agreed and prepared to leave.

    This was a huge matter!

    Do you guys really have no problems with being casual like this?!

    The Demon Lord knew that even if he didn¡¯t think highly of him, he would still cry to death!

    ¡°Second Junior Sister went to the Floating Sea to protect Fifth Junior Brother. Third Junior Brother never came back.¡±

    The more he knew that his senior sister must have seen the farewell letter sent back by the chatterbox, the more he worried and went to find her.

    As for Third Senior Brother, he should ...

    Still hiding from Young n Master Song?

    Thinking about this, he suddenly felt that his eldest senior brother was alone on the mountain, and still ...

    It was a little pitiful.

    Yin Biyue continued, ¡°Master¡¯s yard hasn¡¯t been cleaned yet, so you might as well stay at my ce first.¡±

    Swordsaint let out a ¡®oh¡¯ sound and left with him.

    Before he left, he turned around and asked, ¡°Fourth Bro, why don¡¯t you go back and rest?¡±

    Yin Biyue shook his head, ¡°I will stay with Brother Luo.¡±

    The Sword Saint did not say anything else and left with a look of disappointment on his face.

    Zheng Yangzi, on the other hand, was full of pride and satisfaction as he walked away with a light heart.

    The more Yin Biyue added the lotus pattern incense burner, the more soothing the sweet melons ice fragrance.

    Smoke rose up into the air, and only his reflection could be seen on the blue tiles in the empty inner hall.

    As the sun went down, he lit amp and sat in front of the bed, staring at the person on the bed.

    Senior Martial Brother¡¯s recovery ability was indeed astonishing. All of his wounds had already healed, and his face was brimming with vitality.

    His face was very gentle, as if he had fallen asleep.

    But when his master said he would wake up, it was all due to personal fate.

    Perhaps it was just like how his senior brother was struggling against something in the zen state.

    When you win, when you wake up.

    However, the Sword Saint could not help him either. This was a war for him alone.

    He could only watch helplessly, powerless to do anything.

    He suddenly remembered that his senior brother had taken care of him more than once when he was unconscious.

    Finally, it was his turn to look at his senior brother, although he couldn¡¯t help him in any way.

    A bell sounded from the mountain far away, and theughter of the disciples of the Vast Expanse Mountain from the Duty Hall could still be heard.

    It was all the same.

    He was very happy to see his master today and to return to Cangya Mountain. He was also very happy to see his eldest senior brother break through to the next stage.

    These were people and things that were very important to him in this world.

    In the future, whenever he needed something, he would fight for it with his sword.

    But what about his senior brother?

    The more he thought about it, the more panic he felt.

    He realized that he was already used to relying on his senior brother.

    The night they left Ye City, their senior brother had clearly said that ¡®cultivation and life have always been a matter of one person¡¯.

    But he still wanted to leave with his senior.

    Just like this whole journey, they cultivated together, trained together, and went to many ces together. They handed over their backs to each other in order to face powerful enemies and unknown dangers.

    In the dead of the night, the moon was high in the sky, and a cold light scattered all over the ground.

    He walked to the high level outside the hall and blew on it. As he watched the bright moon pass by Mang Qing Shan, his chaotic thoughts gradually calmed down.

    When he turned around, he saw that Zhengyang was also standing on the stairs. His back was slightly bent, and under the moonlight, it seemed that the wrinkles on his temples had deepened.

    The more Yin Biyue called out to the Sect Leader, the more he waved her hand, indicating that he didn¡¯t need to bother with him.

    After a long time, Zheng Yangzi suddenly spoke, his hoarse voice drifting in the night wind.

    ¡°Actually, I knew it a year ago.

    But I don¡¯t believe it.

    At that time, he was thinking, ¡°Even if I take ten thousand steps back, even if he is, can I still throw my disciple away?¡±

    The more Yin Biyue knew that he was talking about the Demon Lord.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Why him?¡±

    What¡¯s wrong with this child?

    ¡°This fate will fall on him ...¡±

    Asking the Heavens for the truth was very unreasonable.

    This was because too many struggles and hardships of the human world could be exined by ¡®this is life¡¯.

    It wasn¡¯t that Zheng Yangzi didn¡¯t understand, but he was not the imposing Sect Master, but rather a master who might lose his disciple.

    The more he thought about it, the more he realized.

    ¡°There will be a way.¡±

    ¡°Trust me, senior apprentice-brother, when he wakes up.¡±

    He said it firmly.

    It was as if speaking of such a small matter wasn¡¯t a problem for his senior brother at all.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, there will always be a way.¡±

    The more he heard, the more he looked up and saw Sword Saint sitting on the eaves of the hall, the corners of his robes fluttering in the wind. The Eldest Senior Brother was holding his sword and standing beside him.

    Heughed.

    There were a lot of things I didn¡¯t understand, but they didn¡¯t matter now.

    They all believed in their senior brother. Together, they would contend against the heavens¡¯ fate and face the turmoil of the unknown world.

    Ask the heavens a reason.

 Chapter 67: The sword of the saint is the truth.

    The sword of the saint is the truth.

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    Chapter 67 The sword of the saint is the truth.

    Recently, many significant events had urred in the cultivation world.

    The power structure of some ces was changing, both openly and covertly. Some ces were even spreading to the Eastern Continent, which had always been kept secret.

    Everyone thought that the disciple of the Vast Expanse School and the disciple of the Sword Saint had rushed into the Xing Shan temple, and breaking the golden form of the Buddhist seals was the biggest thing.

    Which one could be worse than the million-year foundation of the Xing Shan Temple?

    However, there was no news of him for many years. There were even some secret rumors that the Sword Saint, who could note out of the Fallen Star Abyss, had appeared.

    The entire world was shocked.

    Some were excited, but some were also panicking.

    Although Xing Shan Temple was located in the belly of Titixiang Mountain and had always been low-key in its actions, it was still one of the ¡®Three Sects of the Mountain¡¯, one of the ¡®Two Buddhist Monastery¡¯. Many pairs of eyes were watching them.

    No one knew what happened after Luo Mingchuan and Yin Bi entered the temple. Some people said that the Buddhist Sect was merciful and benevolent, guessing that the two of them were rude.

    Those who attended or paid attention to this sort of thing did not agree. They all said that the Yin Wall was softer than Buddhist cultivators, and Luo Mingchuan had always been a gentleman with a good temper.

    Until the appearance of the Sword Saint.

    The ¡®Autumn Wind¡¯ hadn¡¯t even left its sheath before the houses in nearly a hundred pces copsed.

    Like the passage of the autumn wind.

    The discussion on this matter came to an abrupt end.

    The sword of a saint is the truth.

    What did he need to say?

    In the past, he had crippled the Highest Elder of the Bo-Pu Sect with a single sword move by the river.

    Would Parasol dare to say such a thing?

    At this moment, Crosscut Mountain was shrouded in dark clouds.

    Elders and disciples who knew what was going on rushed over to reinforce the formation and practice the sword formation. It was quiet and oppressive.

    Assisi, standing on the peak of the sea of clouds, has not moved for five days.

    Some things are not hidden.

    Even though the Sword Saint was not proficient in divination, he had reached a certain level of insight. How could he not know?

    In the Cang Ya Mountain, many disciples knew that Yan Ziyue and Luo Mingchuan had returned safely.

    However, he had heard that it was not convenient to visit Senior Martial Brother Luo, so he could only rest and recuperate.

    As a result, many people especially ran to the entrance of the main hall to take a look from afar, even though they could not see anyone.

    He Yan Yun kept pestering his master, Zheng Yangzi, to get the news that Yan Mo was taking care of her, so he went back with Ruan Xiaoling to cultivate.

    The more Yin Biyue knew that this was the eye of the Boundless Mountain Formation, the more he knew that if the one who woke up this time was the Devil Sovereign, he would be able to temporarily restrain the power of the entire Boundless Earth Meridian.

    Plus, his Master and Eldest Brother had an 80% chance of beating him when he was still weak.

    Luo Mingchuan could wake up at any time, so it was not convenient for him to let people visit him in the pce.

    With the best of expectations and trust, they were prepared for the worst.

    It was dusk when the dust settled.

    The ringing of the bell rang out, startling the birds into throwing themselves into the forest. Some disciples left the mountain to practice their swordsmanship, and when the Enforcer Hall closed, the gathered people dispersed like a tide.

    It was not quiet, but it was peaceful.

    Luo Mingchuan opened his eyes. His amber pupils were coated with the afterglow of the setting sun. It was as if they were filled with a heavy, floating gentleness.

    He dreamed for a long time, seeing the people around him in a trance, wondering if they were still in a dream.

    Yin Yu called out to him softly, ¡°Senior Brother.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan responded in a low voice, ¡°Junior Brother, I¡¯m back.¡±

    Theyughed.

    Not long after, the other three came in.

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t notice at all, he was still attentively looking at the Yin Biyue.

    Zhengyang puffed his beard and stared at him, ¡°Your master is still here!¡±

    If he called out to his junior apprentice-brother first, he would know!

    Hmph!

    Luo Mingchuan got up and saluted, and Yin Biyue wanted to help him, but he signaled that he was fine.

    He said, ¡°Master, I¡¯m possessed.¡±

    ¡°The Gan Eye Technique is the first level of the demonic art ¡®Nine Circles of Heaven¡¯.¡±

    Zhengyang was stunned.

    The Sword Saint waved his hand nonchntly, ¡°Who would know if you didn¡¯t tell them?¡±

    Zhengyang said, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    Who knows if you don¡¯t tell me.

    ¡°Seeing that you¡¯re fine now, you¡¯re still alive and kicking. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll go to the Dharma Hall and give two lessons.¡±

    ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­

    He then called to the Sword Saint and Jun Yu, ¡°Alright, everyone disperse.¡±

    The Sword Saint stepped forward and closed Luo Mingchuan¡¯s door, then quickly released him and walked back with Jun Yu in tow.

    The hall was empty again.

    Luo Mingchuan only felt that the young man who had taken his pulse just now was no ordinary person. His casual actions made it impossible for him to dodge. Even though his aura seemed unrestrained, it was deep and unfathomable.

    But when he walked out of the hall with the young man, Jun Yu stood to the side, waiting for him to leave first. This was the etiquette of an elder.

    His thoughts were sharp as he suddenly thought of something and found it hard to believe. ¡°That senior just now was the Sword Saint ¡­¡±

    The more Yin Yu saw, the better he felt. Finally, someone understood how he felt when he saw that youth¡¯s face in the clouds.

    He nodded. ¡°It¡¯s my master.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan quickly epted this fact.

    A saint¡¯s cultivation level could not be measured withmon sense, so their appearance was naturally the same.

    Yin Mo couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Senior Brother, are you really sick?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    He knew that his junior brother was confused, so he exined, ¡°Previously, in the Buddhist hall, he fought with the spectators. He led me into the meditation, which was the battlefield of a great battle between Daofiends.¡±

    ¡°His cultivation technique is very strange, it seems to be able to absorb my life force and cultivation base for its use.¡±

    When Yin Mo saw Luo Mingchuan¡¯s face quickly turned gray, he had already guessed it. Now that it was confirmed, he felt that this martial art was really strange and evil.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s voice lowered, ¡°I thought I was about to die, but I suddenly felt a force, or rather, something entering my body.¡±

    ¡°It used the same technique as the one he was viewing, but its power was ten times stronger, killing the observer.¡±

    Yin Yu¡¯s heart sank.

    He thought of thest thing Guan Guan said before he died: ¡®He actually died in the hands of a devil.¡¯

    Perhaps that thing was really the remnant soul of the Devil Lord Mo Changyuan.

    ¡°So is it still there?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan shook his head, ¡°He¡¯s not here anymore.¡±

    It¡¯s gone somewhere, but it¡¯s never in me.

    I have the vitality of a vision.

    As for cultivation, a sudden increase in cultivation would cause one¡¯s body to explode and die. Thus, I sealed it on my Spiritual Altar, causing it to fall asleep. ¡°

    Yin Bi heaved a sigh of relief.

    ¡°When I was sleeping, I saw some fragments of memories. I was watching them.

    There is also the entire set of the Nine Heavenly Revolutions Technique. ¡°

    It was a strange feeling, like watching a person¡¯s whole life from time to time.

    Bing a student of Buddhism at a young age, talented and intelligent, young and ambitious, let the Buddha enter the Dao.

    In the end, they coborated with Mo Changyuan, entered the demonic state, and exined the Heavenly Net¡¯s secret scripture. Together, they wrote the Nine Heavenly Revolutions and broke the barrier of the Ten Thousand Arts Sect.

    In the final moment of the war between the Dao Demons, he had betrayed the will of the True Immortals and had been severely injured ¡­

    The two of them paced around the hall, the shadows lengthened by the setting sun.

    Regr footsteps and low voices echoed in the hall.

    Yin Yu suddenly had a bad guess. He once said, ¡®You don¡¯t want him to enter the enchantment, but he can¡¯t turn back.¡¯

    It was very likely that there was a problem with the Nine Revolutions of Heaven.

    Sure enough, Luo Mingchuan stopped and said,

    ¡°I n to go into closed-door cultivation in two days and cripple my own cultivation technique.¡±

    He spoke very calmly as if making a decision that had nothing to do with him.

    Yin Yu asked anxiously, ¡°Why is that?¡±

    ¡°If you train to the eighth level of the Heavenly Net Nine Revolutions, you will have to constantly absorb the life force and cultivation of others. Otherwise, you will run out of oil.¡±

    I have already mastered the first level of Gan¡¯s Pupil Technique. Even if I stop cultivating now, my primeval essence will circte on its own and my realm will constantly increase slowly.

    ¡°Once you start on this, you¡¯ll never be able to turn back.¡±

    Luo Mingchuanughed, ¡°After breaking it, we¡¯ll build it. Then we¡¯ll start from the beginning and gain deeper insights from it. It won¡¯t be difficult.¡±

    Yin Biyue knew that his senior wasforting himself again.

    It was extremely dangerous to cultivate the Art of Destroyer, but how could it not be difficult to survive?

    His heart ached, but he was still unwilling. ¡°I don¡¯t have it ¡­¡±

    ¡°Is there any other way?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell the truth.

    He and his junior brother honestly interacted and trusted each other. There shouldn¡¯t be any deceit between them.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Initially, the Nine Revolutions of Heaven and Earth were jointly written by the two of them.

    Mo Changyuan and Ye Xiao didn¡¯t expect that the martial art that Ye Xiao had written would require two people to cultivate it together so that it would be wless.

    Although the two of them worked together, they still suspected each other. No matter what, it was impossible for them to cooperate.

    Thus, he had been cultivating by himself the entire time. When he reached the eighth cirction, he had no choice but to absorb the life force of others to maintain his cultivation ¡­

    The more Yan Mo thought about it, the more he felt that the sunset outside the window was gorgeous. He beamed with joy, ¡°This is easy, I will practice with you!¡±

    Luo Mingchuan frowned, avoiding his gaze, ¡°Junior brother, this matter is not child¡¯s y ¡­ ¡­¡±

    The more Yin Mo didn¡¯t understand, the more his heart sank. Discarding his own cultivation technique or training together with two people, these two paths were clearly distinguishable, how could he not agree?

    He stared straight at Luo Mingchuan, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not child¡¯s y.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of being possessed, my cultivation method is normally free from evil. Since I don¡¯t need to absorb the life force of others, and also have no other problems, why not?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan no longer dodged and suddenly looked up, ¡°You don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

    Even though he had sealed the cultivation base of the monastery, his cultivation base had advanced by leaps and bounds after returning from the Xing Shan temple.

    Initially, he had restrained his power very well, but at this moment, he was unable to control himself and burst out.

    Yin Biyue was caught off guard, he was forced to take three steps back and fell onto the bed in disbelief.

    Luo Mingchuan quickly retreated, afraid that he would injure his junior brother.

    His voice sank as if he was trying to suppress something.

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about this after your coronation ceremony.¡±

    Yin Biyue stood up, and he confronted him without showing any weakness, ¡°Senior Brother, I am no longer a child!¡±

    ¡°Would you rather destroy your cultivation than believe me?¡±

    He didn¡¯t understand what Luo Mingchuan was worried about.

    Did he think that he wasn¡¯t mature enough to make decisions on his own?!

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t answer directly, he only said, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that ¡­¡±

    They had their first argument.

    Yin Biyue waved his sleeves and left.

    The hall was lonely and dimly lit.

    Luo Mingchuan sat by the bed alone.

    He lowered his head and rubbed between his brows, feeling a headacheing on.

    Junior brother is no longer a child.

    But he really didn¡¯t know what he was talking about.

    Who would have thought that the two ambitious and ambitious heroes of the era of Saints would randomly write out a cultivation technique that required both cultivation and cultivation?

    YinBiyue got back to Xi Hua Feng, the calmer he calmed down. He felt that he was too agitated just now.

    He had never doubted his senior brother¡¯s distrust of him, so he only blurted out angrily.

    Senior Brother must have other concerns. In the future, they would talk peacefully.

    He walked to the edge of Xi Hua Feng¡¯s Heavenly Heart Cliff and saw his Master instructing his Eldest Senior Brother on how to train the sword.

    His Master saw him from afar and beckoned him over.

    The sword qi danced and the fallen leaves danced wildly.

    This was the second time he had seen Jun Yu practice the sword, and it was still the ¡®Small Mountain Sword Spell¡¯ created by the Sword Saint.

    However, before he descended the mountain, there was already a difference between the clouds and mud. If he wasn¡¯t standing beside his master, just the sword Qi was enough to cause his Qi and blood to tumble.

    The clouds and mist at the edge of the cliff were split apart, revealing the magnificent mountains and rivers standing thousands of feet high in the sky.

    The eldest senior brother sheathed his sword and turned back.

    Swordqi swirled around his body, appearing increasingly sharp and cold.

    Sword Saint sighed in admiration, ¡°There¡¯s nothing else to teach you about this sword technique.¡±

    Jun Yu bowed, ¡°Master.¡±

    ¡°But this is my sword, you should have your own.¡±

    This was an extremely high level of acknowledgment and approval, which meant that the Sword Saint believed that he had created his own sword arts and even the level and realm of establishing his own sect.

    Yin Biyue smiled, he was happy for his eldest senior brother.

    But Jun Yu looked a little confused.

    ¡°Tomorrow, I will take your Junior Brother on a long journey and take care of some matters.¡±

    Yin Biyue was shocked, ¡°Junior Brother?¡±

    Me?

    ¡°AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡±

    Does Master want to take me flying again?

    Glimmers danced in Jun Yu¡¯s eyes as if he wanted to ask something, but in the end, he didn¡¯t.

    However, he nodded his head and greeted her, ¡°Take care.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he felt that these two words were meant for his Master.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68

    The yellow leaves are still wind and rain, the brothel has its own orchestra

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    <strong>Chapter 68 The yellow leaves are still wind and rain, the brothel has its own orchestra</strong>

    ¡°Master, when are we leaving?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it tomorrow. This old man will go back and get some sleep first.¡±

    With the cultivation of a saint, sleeping was no longer a necessity.

    But Wei was fond of sleeping.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    He turned around and called Jun Yu¡¯s name, and then walked towards his own disciple¡¯s courtyard.

    Rising at the beginning of next month.

    Thete autumn wind also added a bleak chill, the sea of waves in the waves.

    From the perspective of the Yin Wall, the two of them stood side by side under the half-dark sky.

    But he knew that his eldest senior brother was still a step behind his master.

    It was unsurpassable respect.

    He suddenly felt that, as his master¡¯s first disciple, the meaning was different.

    If there was anyone in this world who could truly understand saints, then it must have been the eldest senior brother.

    The next day, Lo Minchuan gave a lecture on the Dharma Hall.

    All of them talked about the introductory knowledge of cultivation. It was like washing one¡¯s marrow, circting true essence in the spirit vein, how to choose cultivation techniques, and how to absorb spirit energy.

    These were all to the young disciples who had just entered the Vast Expanse School, but many people came to listen.

    There were all sorts of realms.

    The Dharma Hall was a small academy on the Cangya Mountain. As the sect¡¯s head disciple, Luo Mingchuan often came here to talk about some basic knowledge.

    This ce was close to the Duty Hall and was one of the most bustling ces in Cang Ya Mountain.

    Yin Jade stood at the entrance of the Hall of Magic, disciples would stop to nod at him from time to time.

    He had interacted with many people on this trip down the mountain, so he could deal with this kind of situation without embarrassment.

    Not long after he came, Luo Mingchuan finished his lesson and walked out with the crowd of disciples surrounding him.

    He did not expect Yin Bi to be waiting outside. With a slight start, he went up to greet her, the corners of his mouth curling upwards.

    ¡°Junior brother ¡­¡±

    The surrounding people quickly dispersed, and Luo Mingchuan¡¯s body was suddenly empty.

    The passing disciples also calmly walked around to give them space.

    ¡°How long have you been waiting?¡±

    Yin Yu shook his head, ¡°No.¡±

    Neither of them mentioned the dispute of yesterday.

    ¡°Master is taking me out to do something today ¡­¡±

    I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be back. ¡°

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s smile was a little forced, but soon after, he sincerely congratted Yin Yingyue, ¡°It¡¯s rare for a Sword Saint to teach you. When juniores back, you will definitely improve yourself.¡±

    He nodded.

    For some reason, he began to exin, ¡°I think it will be soon.¡±

    Luo Mingchuanughed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll send you back.¡±

    All the way there was silence except for the crunching of boots on the thick leaves.

    The two of them stopped at the foot of the mountain that was barely visible.

    Bi Yuntian, Yellow Leaf Earth, and Autumn Qi.

    Yin Biyue thought about it, he felt like he had thought it through, ¡°Senior Brother, about the cultivation technique, wait till Ie back and then decide, okay?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t answer.

    He did not know how to exin this to his junior apprentice-brother.

    ¡°Maybe I¡¯m not mature enough, but this trip with my master must have brought me a lot of progress.¡±

    When I get back, we¡¯ll think of something.

    Or was it just like what his senior said, waiting for him to be crowned? ¡°

    The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this was the best time to express his abilities. If his Senior Brother still didn¡¯t agree, then there was nothing he could do about it.

    Thinking of this, her eyes unconsciously filled with pleading.

    In Luo Mingchuan¡¯s eyes, his junior brother¡¯s cold expression became lively. His eyes were like the rippling of autumn water, just like the soft fur of a kitten in the academy, actually appearing rather pitiful.

    He was stunned. At this moment, he could not care about anything else. He opened his mouth and agreed. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll listen to you.¡±

    Yin Biyue breathed a sigh of relief, smiling.

    As the Sword Saint descended from Xi Hua Feng and saw this scene, he let out a soft tut.

    He waved to the people behind him, ¡°Don¡¯t send me off. Go back.¡±

    Jun Yu stayed where he was, but didn¡¯t return.

    Luo Mingchuan bowed to the Sword Saint.

    Wei Jingfeng couldn¡¯t wait for these empty ceremonies, but this time, he was rather used to it.

    It was even amusing to think that whether you were a true Immortal or a Devil Sovereign, you had to bow to this old man. This saint was worth it.

    The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he hadn¡¯t talked to the Eldest Brother ever since he came back.

    He walked in front of Jun Yu and opened his mouth, but in the end, he only said a few words of vexation, ¡°Congrattions Elder Senior-apprentice Brother for his excellent swordsmanship.¡±

    Jun Yu thought about it for a moment. ¡°Junior Brother has also improved a lot.¡±

    His expression was still cold and his words were stiff.

    However, the more Yan Xing knew, the more his eldest senior brother worked.

    He bowed in farewell.

    Jun Yu helped him up.

    The two of them were not talkative people, but they had a sense of intimacy with each other and were never unfamiliar with each other.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Fourth Bro.¡±

    When he finally looked back, he saw Luo Mingchuan standing in the autumn light.

    He was smiling with her brows and eyes, pale and gentle like a warm jade glowing.

    Yin Biyue thought that his master would travel on the wind, crossing the continent in a day. No matter what he did, he would do it quickly.

    But in fact, they were shopping now.

    Twenty miles away at the foot of the Vast Expanse Mountain, they passed through the bustling crowds of people in the city.

    Yesterday, it had only been raining. The water on the green brick hadn¡¯t dried yet, and it was drifting with the leaves of the wutong tree.

    The wine ceremony on the tall building swayed gently, and the rich fragrance of the strong liquor wafted out. The scalding hot heat of the Lamb Hair Soup mixed with the strong liquor was sufficient to warm the cold autumn air.

    Many pedestrians had their hands folded inside thin coats, and even the most beautiful youngdies had changed their summer dresses into thick cotton cloth.

    The Sword Saint very appropriately added a cloak to ward off the cold and chanted:

    ¡°Yellow leaves are still stormy, the brothel still has its own strings.¡±

    The autumn wind was a dagger, and its workmanship was exquisite. The Zhuo beads were decorations that matched his waist, making him seem just like a gorgeous ornament.

    And he himself was like a young master walking on a horse.

    He thought about it, it seemed to him that he suddenly understood why there were only a handful of people in the world who had seen saints.

    Because people would never have thought that a saint would be like this.

    After finishing the poem, the Sword Saint said to himself, ¡°I remember that there is a braised beef mince in Liuyang City ¡­¡±

    ¡°Eh, that Luhuady in the Spring Sleeves Building, she sang a little better ¡­¡±

    He turned to his disciple and asked,

    ¡°Fourth Bro, have you been to a brothel?¡±

    Yin Biyue was shocked, almost choking to death on his saliva.

    ¡°Cough cough cough, no, no¡­¡±

    That must not be what he meant!

    Just like in Ye City, he misunderstood that the chatterbox was inviting him to visit a brothel.

    His master¡¯s cultivation realm was unfathomable, and his moral character was so high and lofty. How could he say such words ¡­

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, master will show you around the brothel!¡±

    With a wave of his hand, the Sword Saint led the stunned young disciple into the back alley of the main street.

    Above the Dao of the Heavens!

    I¡¯m not thinking too much this time.

    He walked through the alleyway full of warm flowers and wine, and on the way, he walked back and forth.

    Yin Biyue was stunned, he finally came back to his senses when he stepped into the door.

    No lights were lit in the daytime in the Spring Sleeves Building, so the light was slightly dim.

    The brazier in the lobby was crackling.

    There were two or three tables full of customers sitting around, drinking andughing loudly while speaking in the dialect of the Gloomy Sun.

    Lady Xu, who was half old, leaned against the counter, daubed her fingernails with the phoenix flower juice, and carelessly nced at the customers who entered.

    If not for the cultivator¡¯s keen sense of smell, which allowed him to smell the faint fragrance of makeup and flowers, the Yin Biyue simply felt that Master had gone to the wrong ce.

    This was very different from what he had imagined of a brothel.

    He had said that this grandpa woulde and y.

    Are they going to sit here and drink till evening, and wait for some special nocturnal activity, such as a lc song?

    Yin Biyue thought about it, as the Sword Saint brought him to the counter and ced a silver ingot on it. ¡°Boss, do you still have anything else about ¡®Pleasure Gem¡¯?¡±

    To his great surprise, his master had a slightly positive ent!

    The Lady Boss weighed the silver in her hand and took out a jar of wine from the cab.

    ng! ¨C Hended on the tform with a heavy thud, and dust flew up into the air.

    They found a corner by the window and sat down.

    The Sword Saint neatly opened the seal on the wine jar, and a cold fragrance filled the air.

    Yin Biyue filled the bowls for the two of them, following his master¡¯s gaze and looked outside.

    From time to time, girls from various brothels would walk by with their skirts in their hands. The sleeves of their dresses were slender, the gold hairpins swaying in their footsteps, and the alley was filled with the gentle glow of spring.

    Not far away from them, the guests at the tablesughed and pped the table. It was unknown what they were talking about.

    Sword Saint took a sip of wine and sighed in satisfaction.

    He asked in a casual tone, ¡°What kind of sword have you been practicing recently?¡±

    Yin Biyue was more cautious at first, ¡°I first practiced the Cangya Sword Technique¡¯s fundamental form. After mastering the forty-nine moves of the Frost Water Sword, I also learned one or two points from the Azure Heaven Saber Technique ¡­¡±

    Later on, he found out that his master was indeed asking without thinking.

    Sword Saint sighed, ¡°Oh ¡­¡±

    It¡¯s a sunny day. This old man¡¯s sword is really good ¡­.

    Nothing more.

    ¡°What¡¯s your favorite tea?¡±

    ¡°Junshan Cloudmist Tea.¡±

    ¡°I like that as well. It¡¯s a pity that there hasn¡¯t been much good tea in recent years ¡­¡±

    The more he thought about it, the quieter he felt.

    From the time he had entered Xing Shan Temple to the time he had awoken while guarding his senior brother, his mental state had always been extremely tense.

    Because of his uneasiness, he was nervous.

    But at this moment, there was no conspiracy or riddle. There was no oppressive feeling akin to the tip of the sword, no pressure of cultivation that could not be stopped for a moment.

    It was like sitting under a schr tree in the academy and drinking tea with the palm of his hand.

    Right now, he was in a restaurant with his Master. It was bustling with noise and excitement, and he had nothing to say.

    His heart was as quiet as it had been then.

    Drink good wine and look at the girl.

    Such a waste of life, I do not know why the Master does not seem to have a sense of joy.

    The wine jar was already half empty, so Wei Jingfeng no longer poured the wine.

    At this time, a simple and true dialect came from the main hall, the Gloomy Sun dialect, the Gloomy Sun dialect, the Gloomy Sun dialect, the Gloomy Sun dialect, the Gloomy Sun dialect, the Gloomy Sun dialect, and the Gloomy Sun dialect.

    ¡°Lady Boss, do you still have any ¡®Fluttering Joy¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Thest jar will be sold on that table.¡±

    The more he heard, the more he looked over and saw that the assassin was looking back at him from behind.

    Both sides were stunned.

    In life, where would they not meet, Third Senior Brother!

    Why every time I meet you, I¡¯m either drinking or buying wine!

    Yan Xing looked at the people sitting at the same table as Yan Qianyin, suspecting that his eyes were ying tricks on him. ¡°Shishi ¡­¡±

    ¡°Master¡­¡±

    Sword Saint took out an empty wine bowl from nowhere and beckoned to him, ¡°Come here.¡±

    Yan Xing ran over with a calm face, ¡°Master left it for me?¡±

    ¡°Master is so nice to me ¡­¡±

    ¡°I heard that Master has returned and is still rushing towards Cangya ¡­¡±

    This wine was the image of his father, once again refreshing the image of the Broken Water Saber in Yan Xing¡¯s heart.

    No, Third Senior Brother, you weren¡¯t in a hurry. You even came to the Flower Restaurant to buy wine.

    We saw it with our own eyes.

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more he realized that half of the six people in Lilium Peak were drinking Flower Wine.

    What the hell was this?

    However, Yan Xing drank very happily. He went to order a te of beef stewed with gravy and peanuts soaked in vinegar and drank wine while chatting andughing with the attractive Lady Boss. ¡°Miss Lu Hua, why aren¡¯t you singing a song today?¡±

    Yin Biyue became spirited, he looked around to see where the girl hade from.

    The Lady Bosszily replied, ¡°I have a dry autumn today. My throat hurts, but I can¡¯t sing.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he lost his ability to speak.

    Sword Saint clicked his tongue as if he wasmenting how naive he was.

    Who am I to reason with?

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69

    Drunk, lethargic,ughing and scolding, fresh and alive like a teenager

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    <strong>Chapter 69 Drunk, lethargic,ughing and scolding, fresh and alive like a teenager</strong>

    It was raining heavily all fall in the city.

    Autumn rain a dozen, the flowerne is less to flow to and fro the swaying skirt, again the beautiful mand flower color, also show a few parts of the cold and cheerless.

    The rain fell in beads along the eaves, drifting in with the chilly westerly wind.

    It was cold and rainy outside, and the room was dimly lit with warm wine.

    The amount of wine that the Yin Biyue drank was average, far from the other two.

    He was a little drunk by now.

    His Master scolded his Third Senior Brother, ¡°You deserve it!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen the Song Family¡¯s son. He is of noble birth, yet you discredited him. Don¡¯t say that it was I who taught him¡­¡±

    Yan Xing chewed on his peanuts soaked in vinegar, nodding his head repeatedly as he replied, ¡°Yes, yes, yes, I deserve it ¡­¡±

    He wanted to say, ¡°Third Brother, you don¡¯t need to hide anymore. Fifth Junior Brother has already discussed this with Young Master Song. Next time he sees you don¡¯t draw your sword, I¡¯ll give you a chance to exin yourself.¡±

    He opened his mouth, and suddenly his head sank, knowing that the wine wasing.

    He didn¡¯t expect that the cold joy that emerged from the entrance would have such a huge aftereffect.

    He tilted his head and looked at his Master and Third Senior Brother pping their bowls and pping their heads on the table. He was talking so much that he couldn¡¯t hear what they were saying.

    Then he fell asleep.

    He slept soundly. When he woke up, the rain had stopped. The sky had also darkened.

    At some point, a greenmp had appeared on the table.

    The fragrance of the wine mixed with the damp and cold wind assaulted his face. The more he drank, the more he felt refreshed. He felt morefortable than when he meditated for a night.

    It was a kind of peace of mind.

    Sword Saint got up and closed the window.

    After finishing thest bowl of wine, he said to his third disciple, ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t send me off.¡±

    Yan Xing said goodbye to Yan Jin and got up to keep up with him.

    The moment they stepped out of the room and pushed the door open, Yan Xing shouted, ¡°Master ¡­¡±

    The noise was not loud, but the exit was drowned in the hustle and bustle of the lobby.

    Sword Saint paused slightly and waved his hand with his back facing Fang Xingjian. His posture was extremely stylish.

    The Lady Boss came over and put a jar of wine on his table without saying anything.

    In the alley, there were girls in groups of twos and threes under the dripping eaves. The thin Huan Bi gauze was wet, and they wereughing softly.

    Someone carried the flowers back to the terrace on the second floor. They lit up the floral lights of the red and gold tassels as they gazed into the distance, creating a vast expanse of red light.

    Someone walked into the alley and turned into a small building.

    The narrow alleyway seemed even more cramped.

    The more Yin Biyue flowed with the Sword Saint, the more they traveled.

    Walking out into the empty street, the deciduous parasol tree,pletely dyed deste, just like another world.

    Sword Saint looked at the half-dark sky and mumbled to himself, ¡°There¡¯s something else I need to do ¡­¡±

    Before Yin Biyue could hear him clearly, he felt nothing beneath his feet and knew that his master had flown him again.

    The wind died in the blink of an eye.

    The moon appeared from above the clouds as if it was within reach.

    Yin Biyue stood on the clouds, he could see the mountains and rivers.

    The Sword Saint¡¯s voice was a little misty. ¡°Fourth Brother, when you ept a disciple and lead people to ride on the cloud, remember to block the wind.¡±

    Yin Biyue was stunned. Yu Feng was at least at the Asian Sage level, he was still far from being able to catch up to Yu Sheng.

    But Master seemed certain.

    After drinking a round of wine and seeing Third Senior Martial Brother and his Master crack jokes, the venerated Sword Saint became much closer, and he no longer had his previous restraint.

    Therefore, he nodded, ¡°It¡¯s still early. When I have a disciple, my master will be the Grand Master ¡­¡±

    ¡°How does the wind block it? Does it perform an incantation?¡±

    Sword Saint shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s no need. At that time, with just a thought, there will be no wind.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he was asking for a beating.

    Battle Five Dregs really couldn¡¯t understand God¡¯s level.

    The sword saint statue seemed to recall something funny. ¡°This is the first time that this old man brought Jun Yu and didn¡¯t block the wind. Of course, I¡¯m not cold, but the result is that I directly froze your Elder Senior-apprentice Brother.¡±

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more he realized that his big brother, who was as cold as ice and snow, was really ice and snow.

    Hearing such a terrible story, for some reason, he also startedughing like a Sword Saint.

    ¡°Master, don¡¯t hold me back. With Eldest Brother¡¯s cultivation, how can he be afraid of the cold?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡±

    At that time, Jun Yu¡¯er wasn¡¯t even standing as high as my waist. He lifted me like a kitten. Tsk, tsk, why are you smiling, it¡¯s true ¡­

    He doesn¡¯t have any cultivation, so he might have lost his cool¡­ ¡°

    As the Sword Saint spoke, his voice lowered.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a good master.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to teach others, but I haven¡¯t properly taught you all either¡­¡±

    Yin Biyue used to think about it, he felt that he had a cheap master.

    Other than knowing that he was the strongest cultivator in the world, he knew nothing else.

    Butter on, he had heard many of his master¡¯s stories and what others called his master.

    It was often wondered what sort of person the Sword Saint was.

    Until he was at the bottom of the mountain when he suddenly realized something and used the Azure Sky Dashing Sword.

    It was as if he could see through the curtain of rain that arrogant figure who had tried to dodge the attack towards the sky.

    He could feel the person¡¯s state of mind when he struck with the sword.

    Later on, he did meet his Master.

    The Sword Saint was different from every single one of his imaginations.

    He did not have the supercilious and indifferent attitude that the headmaster always had. He also did not have the demeanor of a senior expert when he first saw the headmaster.

    Although he always called himself this old man, he was always good at drinking and sleeping. He was alwaysughing and scolding, just like a young man.

    Yin Biyue was incredulous at first, but after drinking the wine, He was suddenly enlightened.

    Because no one dictated how a saint should live.

    Heughed. ¡°Master, you really haven¡¯t taught me much.¡±

    ¡°To be honest, the first time I saw you at Xing Shan Temple, I didn¡¯t recognize you at all, because the portrait hanging on the peak was twenty years older than yours.¡±

    Sword Saint muttered, ¡°Isn¡¯t that the way I look ¡­¡±

    ¡°At that time, I thought we had reached a dead end. I felt that even Great Luo Golden Immortal wouldn¡¯t be able to save us, but Master came to save us ¡­¡±

    The Sword Saint¡¯s voice was still low. ¡°I still went toote ¡­¡±

    Yin Biyue smiled, his expression bing more serious, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s toote.¡±

    I know that my master does not know how to teach. Because of his high talent, his cultivation is close to intuition.

    His master was often absent because he was doing a very big thing.

    ¡°It¡¯s not just me. I believe that eldest senior brother, second senior sister, third senior brother, and fifth junior brother all share the same sentiments.¡±

    Regarding ¡®Doing something big¡¯, it was only a conjecture, but Sword Saint did not refute it.

    ¡°It was my master who allowed me to see a possibility.

    Even if the cultivation of the Dao were thorny and muddy roads, even if one had lived a long life, one would not have to worry about such things, not have to be shrewd and astute, not have to live like a thousand sails, and not have to live for a long time.

    If you want to sleep, you can. If you want to drink, you can.

    I was envious, but perhaps I would never live to see my master again.

    ¡°Because Master is the unique Sword Saint Guard of heaven and earth, Jing Feng!¡±

    Swordsaintughed loudly, hisughter shaking the clouds.

    ¡°Ha-ha-ha ha-you don¡¯t have to live like me.¡±

    ¡°Because you are also the unique Yin Wall Yue of heaven and earth.¡±

    Being praised like this by a saint made her more and more embarrassed.

    When the Sword Saint thought about how he had said ¡®I¡¯m not a good master¡¯, he felt that he was too sour and asked his disciple tofort him.

    Thus, he waved his hand and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    He leaped down from the clouds with his men.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Unprepared, the feeling of weightlessness that came from falling at high speeds caused Yan Shi to cry out even louder.

    The whistling wind apanied the Sword Saint¡¯sughter, piercing through his eardrums. He felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest.

    Finally, before he could raise his true essence, his descent stopped.

    With a pale face, Yin Biyue gasped for breath.

    He then heard the Sword Saint ask, ¡°Do you want to stimte it?¡±

    ¡°Fourth Bro, look, life is full of surprises.¡±

    ¡­.

    I take it back.

    They were still in the clouds and mist, and there was no realnd beneath their feet. However, they could clearly see the endless mountain ranges.

    It was already deep in the night. The cold wind blew away the clouds and mist between the mountains, and a faint silver ray of light covered that highest peak.

    It was the radiance of a formation.

    It was iparably beautifulpared to the autumn moon in the night sky.

    Once Yin Biyue came back to his senses, he thought of the direction he had taken, ¡°Now we ¡­¡±

    At Hengduan Mountain?

    Swordsaint let out a casual ¡®hmm¡¯ sound.

    On the Hengduan Mountains, there is the Paradigm.

    The Bo-Pu Sect had a protective magical formation.

    Although it was not like the Xing Sans Temple, which had existed for millions of years, it was still one with the spiritual veins of the mountains. When it opened, it would be held down by four elders of the Mastery realm, who would be able to borrow the natural power of the Crosscut Mountain.

    Yin Biyue didn¡¯t know why his master was here, so he tried to guess.

    Right now, he wanted to see how his master would break through the formation. Furthermore, it was a formation that was at its peak due to its might.

    It must have been the destruction of the earth and the clouds.

    Then, Sword Saint brought him down.

    Nothing happened.

    They stood on the summit of the mountain as if they were standing in their backyard.

    He thought about it, feeling astonished that this was how it should be.

    This is how saints should be:e if they want to, go if they want to.

    Which formation could trap him?

    There were more than the two of them on the summit.

    An old man was standing on a craggy rock.

    Feng Man¡¯s sleeves fluttered as if he was on the verge of copse.

    But it was a deep and powerful mountain, and it was a magnificent sight to behold.

    Yu Shi turned around.

    He saw the indifferent Wei Jingfeng.

    When he was young, he often thought that he shouldn¡¯t live in the same era as Wei Jingfeng.

    If the Sword Saint was not in the world, he would be the tallest mountain.

    He stood on the Crosscut Mountain, with ten thousand li of mountains and rivers at his feet.

    As long as he wished, he could even see the waves of the floating sea. The bamboo houses on Green Foothill Mountain to the south, the bottomless chasm of the easternnd, the endless golden roofs of the Northern Imperial City.

    None of these were as high as he was.

    However, once the Sword Saint returned, who would remember which mountain was the second tallest in the world?

    Yu Shi¡¯s gaze turned slightly cold.

    Wei Jingfeng didn¡¯t look at him but turned to look at his disciple.

    ¡°Look, it¡¯s this old fart. When I¡¯m not around, I use quite a few tricks.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t beat him now, so I¡¯ll help you out first. When you show your potential in the future, you can take it back on your own.¡±

    The Sword Saint¡¯s tone was too ordinary. It was as if he was discussing what to eat tonight.

    The more Yin Biyue heard, the more shocked he became.

    Yu Shi¡¯s expression became even colder. His sleeve was filled to the brim with the fierce wind, and it puffed up high.

    The light of the formation flourished like the bright moon in the sky above Crosscut Mountain. Above the nine heavens, thick clouds churned and emitted a majestic pressure from within the clouds.

    The shadow grewrger andrger, and only then did Yin Biyue see that it was the shape of a sword.

    A huge sword shadow covered the entire Crosscut Mountain.

    That was the Eight Trigrams Sword of Yu Shi.

    However, the Sword Saint did not draw his sword.

    The wind and sand were no longer blowing in front of him.

    He raised his hand and pointed into the distance.

    It was just like a walk in the park.

    One moment, he was still drinking wine in the Spring Sleeves Pavilion, and at this moment, he was standing on the peak of Mount Hengduan and was ready to make his move.

    For Wei Jingfeng, these two things were no different.

    However, the former was a little happier, while thetter was rather irritating.

    The enormous sword shattered.

    The moon broke through the dark clouds.

    The rest of his life fell from the summit.

    The cliff face was so deep that the bottom could not be seen.

    Sword Saint turned around and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Just like when he came, clear and bright, he rode on the wind with his master.

    ¡°Is Master done?¡±

    ¡°Not yet.¡±

    ¡°Where are we going now?¡±

    ¡°To the Minds.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he realized that this was the biggest and most dramatic night of his life.

    He might even be able to see all the big shots in the world.

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70

    Be straightforward. Use softness to conquer strength.

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    <strong>Chapter 70 Be straightforward. Use softness to conquer strength.</strong>

    Liu Shushuang came from the Northern Land, with her body covered in twists and turns, and her three thousand miles of wind and dust were all in her sleeves.

    She came to the Central Continent, preparing to take a short rest before heading to Cangya Mountain.

    She remembered that Yan Xing had sent a message saying that he wasing back, so she had asked Feng Lai, who was at the Lanyuan School, to serve four kinds of red wine and take it away with him.

    It waste at night when she went out. She was looking for an inn to stay in for the night when she realized he was being followed.

    She walked towards a secluded path, winding her way back into the circle. That line of sight had always been there, following her like a shadow.

    The other party was very strong.

    It was a hundred times stronger than every assassination attempt he had encountered when he sent Duan Chong Xuan back to the Northern Land.

    Her instinct for danger was magnified to the extreme.

    However, Liu Shushuang¡¯s expression did not change.

    She had gone a long way to a deserted alley, surrounded by overgrown grass and no one to be seen.

    The quieter the ce was, the more one could sense the other¡¯s existence.

    Liu Shushuang did not use her sword, neither did she use her de.

    What she practiced was a set of fist techniques.

    There were no ever-changing sword moves, only violent Quintessential Essence Fist Intent.

    Straight back and forth.

    With a strong hand.

    Shended on the rooftop and threw out a punch. The wind created by the punch tore through the air, and thunder seemed to have fallen from the sky.

    However, this thunderp could not be heard by ordinary people, because it would fall into the cultivator¡¯s sea of consciousness.

    Unreservedly and without hesitation, she used her strongest technique as soon as she made a move.

    Because she knew that the difference between the strong and the weak was like clouds and mud, and this was the only way to survive.

    However, her fist still missed.

    Her heart sank. The worst had happened.

    Before she could make a move, a white figure had already descended from the sky.

    The Sword Saintughed heartily. ¡°You¡¯ve improved quite a bit, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    Speaking of going to the Mind, the first thing that came to Yin Biyue¡¯s mind was that his master wanted to see a Mr.

    However, the first person they saw was not Mister, but Second Senior Sister.

    It was just like when he met Yan Xing in Spring Restaurant. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was a coincidence or if his master had intentionally done it.

    ¡°Master?!¡±

    This was the first time Yin Biyue saw her senior sister with her eyes wide open and a surprised expression on her face.

    He discovered that there was a time when his Second Senior Sister, with her calm and sharp demeanor, was as adorable as a young girl.

    The young girl, Liu Shushuang,ughed. ¡°Master, Fourth Junior Brother, why are you here?¡±

    ¡°I thought ¡­¡±

    The Sword Saint continued, ¡°Do you think that Ol ¡®Five¡¯s bad thoughts are not over yet!?¡±

    Liu Shushuang said seriously, ¡°I sent Fifth Junior Brother back, the situation in the Northern Land is a bit tense.¡±

    ¡°Fortunately, the sky hasn¡¯t changed.¡±

    Wei Jingfeng sighed, ¡°It¡¯s hard to say what¡¯s going on at home.¡±

    He consoled his only female disciple,

    ¡°His father, Duan Sheng¡¯an, is fine, so he¡¯s fine.¡±

    Don¡¯t worry too much.

    ¡°This time it¡¯s all on his own.¡±

    The Northern Land was under the rule of the Duan n. Changing the sky was a family matter, and even Sword Sage would find it difficult to get involved.

    Unless Duan Chong Xuan personally said, ¡®If I don¡¯t do it, I¡¯ll return to Cangya and focus on cultivating. From then on, the imperial power and hegemony will have nothing to do with me.¡¯

    But some responsibilities were inherent, and some of the glories to guard were etched in bone marrow and flesh. It was never a matter of words.

    Yin Biyue heard her eldest senior brother talk about it at Cangya Mountain, Second Senior Sister talked about it at the Floating Sea.

    At that time, he thought that with Second Senior Sister and the Green Wing Luan, this trip would be safe and sound. He never thought that danger would lurk in every direction.

    But his Master was right. This time, he had to rely on only himself.

    ¡°What are you standing here for? Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Sword Saint jumped down from the roof and walked towards the street. ¡°Find a ce to sleepfortably.¡±

    Yin Biyue and Liu Shushuang followed behind him.

    I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything wrong with the saints going to bed.

    Sword Saint walked past four inns, but none of them were able to enter.

    As the night wore on, there were fewer pedestrians on the street, and some of the shops began to close.

    The wind stopped in the empty street.

    He looked around nkly.

    Without a satisfactory ce to sleep, he was like a child without sugar.

    Finally, they stopped in front of a small door.

    This was deep within the streets. The withered and yellow weeds were all half the height of a person, and the vermilion paint on the doors was mottled. The doors were wide enough for only one person to pass through, so it was obvious which family¡¯s the back door was.

    Sword Saint stood in front of the door and lowered his hand.

    This was the first time Yin Biyue saw his master hesitate.

    This door did not have a formation. With just a push, he could enter.

    Even if there were, how could they stop a saint?

    Finally, he turned around and said,

    ¡°Many questions, I didn¡¯t answer you.¡±

    If you have any questions, go in and ask them yourself. ¡°

    Yin Yu was more and more surprised, ¡°This is ¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Who would have thought that the academy also had a backdoor?

    As for Sword Saint, he was still very familiar with the path.

    The more he knew what was behind the door, the more likely it was that the Mr. Manager had seen or counted their arrival and was waiting for him in the yard.

    ¡°Master, aren¡¯t youing with us?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen your Senior Sister for a long time. Let¡¯s find a ce to have a chat ¡­¡±

    He paused for a moment, feeling that he was trying to cover up something, and then said,

    ¡°Last time, Li Tuzhen plotted against me. I also injured him.¡±

    We don¡¯t think we¡¯re wrong.

    He won¡¯t want to see me. ¡°

    In the second half of his sentence, he lowered his voice. The more he said, the less he heard because all of his attention was focused on ¡ª

    It was the Li Family¡¯s root!

    Li!

    Earth!

    Root!

    Mr. Yuan actually called Li Tuquan ha-ha ha-ha ha-ha, no wonder no one named him Mister.

    After that, he would know if this secret would be silenced or not.

    Master, I¡¯m so scared.

    He wanted to drag his master inside, but when he looked back, there was no sign of his second senior sister and his master.

    The door in front of him creaked open.

    Yin Biyue saluted at the empty door, and greeted the owner.

    Outside the courtyard, the fallen leaves were in disarray. The locust tree still covered the sky, as if it was in the middle of summer.

    However, the autumn wind still blew, and the coldness didn¡¯t decrease.

    After passing through the small gate and passing through the dense locust tree and the winding corridor, he saw the people sitting in the courtyard.

    Mr. Li Tuquan was reading a book.

    With the leaping blue light and the bright moon.

    His formation te was destroyed, his teacup shattered.

    The ten million scrolls of ssics in the academy¡¯s library were already familiar with the heart.

    Fortunately, there were books in the world that he had yet to read.

    There¡¯s not going to be anything to do.

    He put down his book and smiled at the neer.

    ¡°Come, sit down.¡±

    Yin Biyue came forward and sat down, ¡°I don¡¯t dare.¡±

    ¡°Come to see me at night. Sorry for the intrusion.¡±

    The gentleman waved his hand, and with a smile, as usual, indicated that he need not be impolite.

    The stone table did not change, nor did the locust tree.

    However, the more Yin Biyue found out, the older Mister seemed to have be a lot older.

    The wrinkles on the eyes and tail became more profound, and there were spots of white hair on the temples.

    They stood out in the moonlight.

    What could make an Asian Sage¡¯s life rapidly run out?

    He remembered that his master had said that his master was scheming against him.

    Then sir must have paid a great price.

    ¡°What do you want to ask?¡±

    The more Yin Biyue thought about what to ask, the more questions came to his mind.

    Why did hee here to watch the stars and ask him to head south?

    How much did the gentleman have to do with it?

    How could he be sure that Senior-apprentice Brother Luo was the reincarnation of a Demon Lord?

    Was the reason why he wanted him to kill Brother Luo was because he was special?

    What was Master doing?

    He had a hunch that the superintendent knew all this.

    It was just that Mister was too calm, so he didn¡¯t know how to ask.

    The gentleman stood up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Think about it slowly.¡±

    Do you really not know what you want to ask me? ¡°

    He walked in front of Yin Biyue and looked into his eyes.

    He raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder.

    The force was very light.

    ¡°Rumble ¡­¡±

    Yin Biyue¡¯s spiritual sense shook.

    Late at night in the library, at the Righteous Hall under the setting sun, at the Reflection Hall in the twilight, at the forest where the sword was trained, at the distant terrace ¡­

    Countless scenes shed across his eyes.

    Like a walk in the park.

    When he first came to meet his teacher, he entered into a mysterious realm, allowing him to experience three years of his previous life in the academy. He broke through the barrier and finally found a way to use the sword.

    Only the memory of the closing night remained vague.

    He had an intuition that those things were important.

    But he couldn¡¯t remember.

    Now, he could finally see it clearly.

    His schoolmates were at the Lotus Lounge, drinking wine and singing songs, and he was invited by the master to view the stars.

    The wind blows the leaves of the locust tree, and the stars shine brilliantly.

    ¡°What do you see?¡±

    ¡°The stars.¡±

    ¡°Take a closer look.¡±

    The gentleman patted him on the shoulder.

    His gaze was deeper and more distant, and the universe within his eyes was infinitely closer.

    Close enough to see the ice blue frost on the surface of one star.

    Even though the gxy was vast, there were only these two stars that were the brightest.

    He knew that this was what the Master wanted him to see.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    He poured a cup of tea, and the glimmer of light fell into the teacup.

    ¡°Twin stars appear in the world, the dragon and snake duels, life and death with one.¡±

    Therefore, he did not go to the Northern Land to be an official but entered the Vast Ocean Mountain together with Luo Mingchuan.

    Thus, he had the painstaking killing array and ambush from the Violet Firmament Secret Realm.

    With the conversation of the Cangya Prison.

    Yin Biyue spent the night, seeing more about what had happened.

    His entire body felt cold.

    ¡°You two are the nemesis of each other.

    In my opinion, if there is anyone in the world who can kill him, it must be you.

    Otherwise, even if his fleshly body dies, the stars will not be destroyed, and his soul will not disperse, he will still be reincarnated through the nine cycles of the Heavenly Net.

    ¡°But your master doesn¡¯t think so.¡±

    He wants you to try.

    ¡°To fight against the heavens and change one¡¯s fate.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t kill you, senior brother.¡±

    ¡°Whatever the reason.¡±

    His voice was soft but firm.

    The bailiffughed. ¡°I know.¡±

    At first, I thought it was a dead-end, but when I saw you, I realized that Wei Jingfeng was probably right.

    ¡°Try it.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the worse his eyes became.

    Regardless of whether it was Xing Shan Temple or the Bo-Pu Sect, the academy, or the empty temple, no one would believe it, not even the entire world.

    His Master was still standing on his side, unchanged.

    Before he had seen his master, his master had already started trying to believe him.

    This trust is a bit blind, so it is particrly precious and rare.

    ¡°As long as you understand.¡±

    ¡°This old man is naturally right.¡±

    The youth¡¯s voice floated into the night wind.

    This was said to the headmaster.

    Swordsaint leaped down from the eaves of the library in the distance andnded in the courtyard.

    The gentleman shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not polite to listen to people, and you don¡¯t go through the back door.¡±

    ¡°Master ¡­¡±

    At this moment, he really wanted to say something. He wanted to thank his Master for her trust and for meeting her.

    However, the Sword Saint only waved his hand and said, ¡°We will set off tomorrow. I will sleep first.¡±

    He walked through the hanging flower door and pushed open the door to a room with a familiar face.

    On Cangya Mountain.

    When the cock crowed.

    The bell rang seven times, and hundreds of disciples rushed over, gathering in front of Qing He Pce.

    The Sect Leader, Zheng Yangzi, and the disciple who led Cang Ya, Luo Mingchuan, stood on the stone steps and looked at the sea of people surging down from the upper ss. There were many familiar faces.

    Heavy determination or still appear green and immature.

    Lately, thend has been restless.

    The disciples stationed at the border received news that some demonic cultivators had crossed the Floating Sea.

    There were at least three to four hundred people, and their numbers had never been seen in ten thousand years.

    There were already dested viges along the border, and the weaker aristocratic families were not strong enough to contend against the demonic cultivators. Many of the refugees dragged their families and brought them to the Vast Ocean Mountain and the Parasol sect, seeking the protection of therge sects.

    Most of the Vast Expanse School¡¯s disciples had already heard of this before. At this moment, they had gathered at the bell, waiting for the orders of the sect before they descended the mountain to exorcise demons.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s voice spread far and wide.

    ¡°We, disciples of the Vast Expanse School, seek the great dao sincerely and sincerely.

    He hadn¡¯t intended to change his ten thousand years of establishing a sect.

    Demonic cultivators were rampant and were the cause of trouble.

    ¡°How can we just shut the door and not see it? Let¡¯s not care about this at all!¡±

    The emotions of the disciples of Cang Ya were stirred up as they raised their swords and shouted, ¡°No ¡­¡±

    ¡°Good!¡±

    ¡°Disciples of the Spirit Condensation realm and above, follow me down the mountain!¡±

    The sea of swords and the mor of voices merged together, ¡°Down the mountain to exorcise the devil ¡ª¡±

    Zheng Yangzi felt that his disciple had really grown up, and was strong enough to take on the role on his own.

    This made him feel gratified.

    However, he sighed softly, ¡°Be careful.¡±

    In an instant, he was engulfed by a sea of shouts.

    When Luo Mingchuan heard this, he saluted politely.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Master.¡±

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71

    When the autumn windes, white clouds fly

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    <strong>Chapter 71 When the autumn windes, white clouds fly.</strong>

    The autumn sun was clear and bright.

    The sky was a magnificent peacock blue, the clouds were spread out, and sunlight shone through the gaps between the clouds.

    When Yin Biyue left the academy, he was carrying three books in his arms. The headteacher stood at the back door to send him off.

    He also stayed the night at the academy. When he woke up this morning, his master hadn¡¯t woken up yet.

    Lifting his hand to flip the page, his mauve thin robe¡¯s wide sleeves swayed gently in the autumn wind.

    He came out to greet him,ughing.

    ¡°I have a few books. I¡¯ve just finished learning them and they are quite interesting. If you have nothing to do, you can take a look.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more surprised he became. Everyone knew that his teacher had studied ancient and modern texts and that he had memorized all ten million of them in his mind.

    There are even those who think that there are no more books that the gentleman has not read.

    Such a person who could pass through space with a seal, who could calcte the star orbit, what else could he learn to ask about?! ¡°¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­¡±

    A self-created technique?

    The end of time?

    The equilibrium within the distortions of space?

    Passing through the barrier of three thousand worlds?

    Mister took out a few yellowish thin books from his sleeve, and Yin Biyue took them with both hands, his fingers trembling slightly.

    Lowering his head to take a look ¡ª

    ¡°Enchantment Immortal Elder Leng Xiao Fei¡±

    ¡­.

    What the hell is this!

    ¡°Peerless Immortal Man Meets Me!¡± ¡°Tyrant Immortal Master, spare me!¡± ¡°Coldhearted Master falls in love with me¡±, this was actually a f*cking series of characters!

    The middle-aged schr smiled. His smile was as deep and profound as the rivers and seas. ¡°Young man, you look really nice.¡±

    For a moment, his brain exploded, he almost threw himself over and grabbed Mr. Li¡¯s hand, ¡°Heavenly King Gecko!¡±

    OP 250!

    Tell me you¡¯re like me!

    ¡°¡ª ¡ª¡±

    However, in the end, he only put the book back into his sleeve and gave a proper disciple salute.

    Because the smile on his face was the same as ever as if he had bought a funny book from the market and given it to the younger generation.

    Sword Saint walked out of the room and nced at them. He then said to Yan Qianyin, ¡°Shuang went back to Cangyast night. We¡¯re leaving today.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he felt that his master wanted to say something. However, he didn¡¯t even turn around to look at him.

    The middle-aged schr watched them walk out of the alleyway, his figure gradually submerging into the street that was filled with people.

    Sword Saint bought two horses and brought them out of Clear Sun Pass, heading straight for the floating sea.

    The autumn wind blew, white clouds flew, and the grass and trees turned yellow, returning to the south.

    They walked and stopped like two young masters with whips in their hands.

    Sword Saint knew which city¡¯s night market was the best, which flower shop¡¯s girl was the prettiest, which tavern did not have water, and whichke¡¯s crab was the most beautiful when autumn arrived.

    He told it to his disciples.

    Sometimes, he would say a few interesting things about himself when he was young, and more often, he would watch Yin Biyue practice the sword.

    He did not speak when his disciple practiced the sword because he truly did not know how to teach.

    His interest was piqued, and he immediately broke off the tree branches to fight with the Yin Wall.

    Yin Biyue was always badly beaten up.

    Swordsaint began tough loudly. ¡°That¡¯s how your senior apprentice-brother came over as well.¡±

    ¡°If you want to fight, you have to learn how to get beaten first!¡±

    Yin Biyue felt sorry for the Eldest Senior Brother. As the first disciple of Xi Hua Feng, he didn¡¯t even have a full level of experience. If he didn¡¯t have a serious attack, he would definitely suffer quite a few beatings.

    He had originally thought that his master had no goal, what did it matter where he went?

    Until they were standing by the sea.

    The sea breeze was salty, and the docks were noisy as usual, very simr to Da Nang in the West.

    The sound of anchorage horns mingled with other shouts as they disembarked and unloaded their cargo.

    He felt more lost. It was as if the scene when he was travelling with Luo Mingchuan and Duan Chong Xuan was still the same as yesterday.

    It was just that they were on a different continent.

    He boarded the ship with the Sword Saint and the caravan headed towards the east.

    The Eastern Continent¡¯s demonic cultivators were rampant, almost blocking off the area, but some cultivators had ceded power to them.

    The caravan¡¯s profits were enormous. People died for money while birds died for food. There was always a strong tradingpany that was willing to go.

    Sword Saint was currently the third generation disciple of Cangya Mountain. Both he and Yin Biyue had broken through barriers, so they did not have to pay any ship fees. They could only assist in escorting the merchant caravan along the sea route to avoid the invasion of sea beasts and pirates.

    This was the first time Yan Ziyue had crossed the ocean in this world.

    White seabirds flying along the horizon; big ships propping up formations through stormy hurricanes; or gentle or brutal, strange sea beasts; the golden light of the sun rising and setting; the salty sea breeze at night and the silver splendor.

    The ship sailed on the sea, alternating day and night.

    On the deck, the Sword Saint was ying cards with the sailors. After losing the cards, he was going to curse and curse at the same time.

    He even taught his disciple how to fight.

    The richer in the sea does not insist on every minute of the cultivation, but the mood is open, but the realm of rapid improvement.

    He didn¡¯t know why his master was going to the East Continent, so he didn¡¯t ask.

    After seven days, he finally broke through the initial stage and found out that his senior brother Yan Xing was walking in the Wastnd. The legend of him breaking through on his own was not exaggerated by the world.

    They disembarked from the Eastern Continent and parted with the tradingpany. The leader of the fleet was even patting the Sword Saint¡¯s shoulders to recruit them.

    ¡°Little brother,e out of the academy ande with me in the future. Eat well and drink well. I¡¯ll take you guys with a single bite. You¡¯ll earn a hundred thousand spirit stones in one trip. Buying a house and getting a wife won¡¯t be a problem anymore! Hahahahaha!¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he was at a loss.

    ¡°Thank you, Elder Brother.¡±

    ¡°Business is flourishing, the sources of wealth are increasing.¡±

    The harbor was originally deserted, but a few boats were left standing alone in the autumn wind.

    The arrival of the caravan brought life to this ce.

    The more Yin Biyue followed his master, the more he followed the crowd. Along the way, he heard an obscure ent, giving him a foreign feeling of strangeness.

    But for some reason, he felt that his master was very familiar with the road because although he seemed to be walking casually, his eyes were always resolute.

    Sunset in the wilderness, the sky was on fire.

    They walked through the deste wilderness filled with grass and trees. A lonely wind blew by, causing them to gaze into the distance. One could faintly see the snowy peaks shrouded by clouds and mist on the horizon.

    The reason they could see it was not because it was close. They were at least a thousand kilometers away from the vast snowy in.

    The reason was that the snowy peak was so high that it could be seen from anywhere on the Eastern Continent with a broad view.

    The Devil¡¯s Pce was there when it was glorious a million years ago.

    Now, it was upied by the most powerful Golden Pce of the Twelve Pces of the Devil Dao.

    Yin Biyue read in the book, reading about the boundless snowy ins and the Skypiercing Snow Peak.

    Birds are difficult to cross, harder to climb than the blue sky.

    The Sword Saint followed his gaze and squinted his eyes.

    ¡°Have you met a demonic cultivator?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen it twice, in Ye Cheng and Titian Mountains in the Southern Land.¡±

    ¡°Have you exchanged blows before?¡±

    Yin Biyue nodded, bing embarrassed when he remembered his terrible performance at that time.

    The Sword Saint asked again, ¡°What do you think is the difference between a demonic cultivator and us?¡±

    Yin Biyue felt that his master was testing him, so he cautiously replied,

    ¡°In our cultivation world, using the spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth to transform one¡¯s true essence. During the process of breathing, one absorbs life energy and exhales death energy. This is called endless life.¡±

    ¡°It is said that demonic cultivators¡¯ techniques are without taboos. Whether it is life and death energy, they can absorb them all at once. Even living creatures¡¯ flesh and blood and corpses¡¯ killing intent can be absorbed as demonic energy ¡­¡±

    He had never seen a demonic cultivator practice martial arts, and these words came from the ancient records.

    Sword Saint said solemnly, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    But demonic cultivators were also divided into two types.

    When the disciples of the Twelve Pces entered the sect, the elders of the sect would shatter their meridians inch by inch and infuse demonic energy into them.

    After the meridian rebirth, its strength would at most increase tenfold. Those who could endure pain and suffering would have their bones and skin reconstructed once.

    The structure of the human body has been changed, and they no longer consider themselves human.

    ¡°They usually boast of themselves as devils.¡±

    He frowned, normal cultivators would experience changes in their physical condition and five senses as their cultivation level increased, but it would not result in a deviation from human self-knowledge.

    The Sword Saint seemed to know what he was thinking.

    ¡°If you have seen those that were left at the bottom of the cliff with their meridians shattered, their survival is a problem, but they can still kill each other until the survivors can enter the Demon Pce, then you will understand their thoughts.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he fell silent.

    Most people believed that the demonic cultivators were cruel and bloodthirsty because they cultivated vile techniques. However, Sword Saint saw a deeper reason.

    All the resources in the Eastern Continent had been depleted. Power was divided, and the strong preyed on the weak. No powerful sect could make the necessary rules.

    As long as one cultivated and desired strength to protect himself, one would live in endlesspetition, constantly testing one¡¯s humanity.

    In the long run, many people adapted to this life, and the East Continent became more and more inessible.

    ¡°Master is very familiar with the Eastern Lu?¡±

    Since the Sword Saint had been traveling for so many years, there was no ce he was unfamiliar with.

    It is not strange to know how the Twelve Pces ept a disciple

    Who knew that Wei Jingfeng would reply, ¡°I¡¯m familiar with it.¡±

    ¡°I was born in the East Continent, in the same vige as Li Tuquan.¡±

    The richer he was, the more he choked on his words.

    The Sword Saint did not want to bring up this topic again, so he continued speaking about the types of demonic cultivators he had, ¡°There is also another way, if there are no teachers, you can find your own cultivation.¡±

    They had no one to rely on. They also had no restraints.

    He is skilled in killing others for their treasures and is only good at robbing for a living. He does not care about the price, nor is he afraid of death. ¡°

    Yin Biyue continued, ¡°Terrifying.¡±

    Not afraid of killing or of dying.

    Not bound by any rules, let alone moral conscience.

    He couldn¡¯t help but think that if he met such an opponent, even if his cultivation level was simr, it would still be difficult for him to win.

    Sword Saint nodded. ¡°Yes, it is indeed terrifying ¡­¡±

    Look, this is just one of them. ¡°

    Yin Biyue stopped and looked around.

    He saw a pair of eyes staring straight at him from within the half-human tall grass.

    No emotion, good at concealment, patient, it was the eyes of beasts that stared at their prey.

    A bone-chilling chill rose in his heart.

    If not for the Sword Saint¡¯s reminder, he would never have noticed that there was someone there.

    If he was alone, then it was highly likely that he would be seriously injured by the sneak attack today, and that he might even die here.

    He pressed his hand on the hilt of the sword.

    The figure in the grass did not move.

    For a moment, there was only the sound of the wind blowing across the wilderness.

    However, he knew that there was a high probability that the other party was conducting a probing, or gathering strength for a critical strike.

    The Sword Saint suddenly spoke, his voice ringing in his ears, ¡°This is different from the wless Flower that you fought.¡±

    ¡°Right now is a true life and death battle. After you die, any robe with runes on it will be bought by the other party in the ck market.¡±

    ¡°There is no need for etiquette in fighting, and no need for beauty in the killing.

    ¡°All you need to do is take the sword and chop off the opponent¡¯s head or pierce his heart meridian.¡±

    ¡°Can you do it?¡±

    With the Sword Saint present, their conversation would naturally not be heard.

    ¡°I have never learned this.¡±

    He did not know if he could do as his master said.

    Sword Saint sighed, ¡°This old man has never taught it either because this is a sword technique that kills people.¡±

    ¡°But you need to learn.¡±

    I need you to learn about this world.

    Yin Biyue noticed that the bush quivered a little, but not due to the wind.

    It was because the other party¡¯s probing had ended, and his patience had run out.

    Sword Saint took two steps back and stood behind his disciple.

    He didn¡¯t know when, but the realm that he had revealed all around him had turned into the Spirit Condensation Stage.

    ¡°I am weak, he is strong, he covers me.¡±

    Yan Yu could only grit his teeth and pull out his sword.

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72

    It is only about life and death, not about winning or losing

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    Although he said he was going to pull out his sword, Yan Wenyue only managed to get half an inch out of theke.

    The shadow in the grass had been gathering his strength for a long time, and since he had jumped out, he would not let him take the initiative.

    The dead grass in the surrounding area fell to the ground, the ck shadow¡¯s palm striking Yan Qianyi¡¯s right shoulder.

    The enormous devil Qi was pressing down, and Yin Biyue held his sword horizontally to block it. Leaning against theke, a buzzing sound could be heard, blocking the devil Qi.

    Suddenly, a bright light shed in front of his eyes. The dagger in his opponent¡¯s sleeve flew straight at him. The sharp light made his eyes hurt.

    With a flick of his wrist, Yin Biyue relied on the defense of theke to turn into a stab, then opened the dagger. However, he was caught off guard and took two steps back, finally seeing the ck shadow.

    It was different from the two pale-skinned magic cultivators he had met in the Southern Land.

    The other party¡¯s entire body was wrapped in a solid ck cloth. His cultivation realm was restrained, so it was impossible to see his depth. Only his pair of cold and sharp eyes could be seen.

    After a long time, the more Yin Biyue found out, this kind of people who were dressed in the same way and had the same name, Hunters on the Wastnd.

    They live, roam, and plunder the moors, and their prey is solitary travelers.

    Normally, one would know how to fight. After patient observation, a long ambush, determine the strength of the prey and then kill it in one hit.

    But now, the hunter¡¯s tracks were exposed, and he suddenly made a move but was unable to kill Yin Biyue. ording to experience, he should leave as fast as possible.

    But he didn¡¯t.

    This was because these two people wore beautiful Daoist robes. They seemed to be very wealthy, and their expressions also seemed to be naive and ignorant of the affairs of the world.

    After this hunt, it should be enough for half a year.

    It was worth it.

    The more Yin Biyue didn¡¯t know what the other party was thinking, the more it took for him to reach out to the dagger in an instant.

    He was unable to unsheathe the Lacustrine Sword at the first possible moment, which made him flustered for a moment before quickly calming himself down. The two steps he took to retreat had already subconsciously used ¡®Stepping Mountains and Rivers¡¯.

    These two steps were so fast that they had won him time.

    Leaning against theke sword, the white figure leaped high into the air. Apanied by a long cry that reverberated through the wilderness, he was like a bird flying into the forest as he pressed down towards his opponent.

    While he was in the air, the grass on the ground suddenly split apart, extending over a hundred feet.

    The sword qi swept across like the waves of the ocean.

    It was precisely the Cangya Sword Technique¡¯s¡¯ Crane Howl Soars Through the Clouds¡¯.

    He was already in the initial stage, and his Zhen yuan and the way of the sword were iparable.

    The power of this strike was ten times greater than that of the Falling Flower Meeting.

    At the same time as he struck out with his sword, Yin Biyue had already calcted the 100 responses of his opponent at lightning speed in his sea of consciousness. He had even counted to twenty moves away from himself.

    However, he had not expected that the other party would not even pay attention to his sword.

    The dagger cut through the air and into his throat.

    It was neat and clean, like cutting weeds to block the way.

    Because it was simple and unbelievably fast, the trajectory formed a ck arc of light.

    The hunter was confident of being faster than he was, or at least as fast.

    Then, when Yin Biyue¡¯s sword pierced through his heart meridian, he would cut his throat.

    ¡°Rustle, rustle ~ ~ ~¡±

    The short dagger¡¯s edge ignited with white gas.

    It was the sound of the Small Sess Realm cultivator¡¯s protective true essence being broken through.

    Within a minute, he felt a bone-chilling coldness.

    Even though his sword had already pierced into his opponent¡¯s body and the centrifugal pulse was only half an inch, he was forced to change his attack and return to his sword defense.

    Because he was afraid.

    It was only at this moment that he finally understood what the Sword Saint had just said.

    This was a true battle of life and death.

    The other side¡¯s method of fighting with all their might to exchange injuries was far different from that of wless Flower.

    Facing an enemy who had no fear of death, all the exquisite sword moves and calctions had lost their meaning.

    As Yin Biyue fell to the ground, the hunter didn¡¯t give him a chance to catch his breath.

    The short dagger cut through the air in a ck arc, its trajectory condensing into a thin line.

    Countless withered leaves of grass were cut at the line, leaving a t cut.

    Dancing in the autumn wind.

    The dagger¡¯s trajectory turned into a, dislocating the space in the Wastnd.

    This is the hunter¡¯s.

    However, the Yin Biyue was in this, and he could not advance or retreat.

    ¡°ng, ng, ng ~ ~ ~¡±

    The intense ear-piercing collision sound reverberated in the air. In a breath¡¯s time, the Lacustrine Sword had met every single line, and it had struck the dagger a thousand times.

    With a flip of his wrist, Yin Biyue directly stabbed the sword into the ground.

    The ground was cracked open, and countless streams of sword Qi shot out from around his body, cutting off the huge ck that covered the sky and the earth.

    When he drew his sword, mud and gravel flew everywhere.

    A cold chill rose, and the dead grass on the ground began to formyers of frost.

    Frost Water Sword!

    The hunter flew towards him with his dagger in hand, ready to confront him head-on.

    The more Yin Biyue was sure, the more he was sure that this strike would cut off the other party¡¯s dagger.

    No one knew better than he the sharpness and hardness of theke.

    However, in the next moment, his sword did notnd.

    This was because the dagger in the other party¡¯s right hand suddenly left his hand and was thrown toward his face. A long de strangely appeared in his left hand and shed horizontally towards the other party¡¯s abdomen.

    A knife in his sleeve.

    The enemy never said he had only one dagger.

    No matter how favorable the situation may seem, it is foolish to bring the hunter close.

    ¡°Swish!¡±

    White smoke rose into the air, and the protective true essence shattered.

    The method was shameless, but it was effective.

    The more Yin Biyue tried to block the Thundering One¡¯s dagger, the less he was able to protect the long de.

    The saber was in a flurry, and the devil energy was not heavy, but it still broke through his protective zhen yuanyer.

    A thin line of blood seeped out of the Daoist robe.

    His sword was fast enough, so he was not cut in half.

    From the beginning of the battle until now, although both sides had used many moves, the duration of the battle had only been half a cup of tea.

    Yin Biyue has twice fallen into an extremely dangerous situation.

    It reminded him of what had happened in the dark caves of Titian Mountain.

    If his senior was here, he would still be a burden.

    Too bad.

    It was obvious that he had been guided by the number one Sword Saint, who had broken through to the initial stage.

    Still no progress.

    The more Yin Biyue used his true energy to seal the wound in his abdomen, the more his expression was as calm as water.

    The longde pierced through the wind.

    The vast devil energy exploded in the wilderness, with the edge of the de as the center. The wild grass in all directions was minced into powder, rustling like rain.

    The hunter finally used his strongest technique, because he was sure that his opponent had just been hit by the knife. At this moment, he was in aplete mess.

    If he wanted to use his sword, he would not be able to dodge this strike.

    If he wanted to retreat, he could only do so from now on.

    Yin Biyue only shifted his body to the side and struck out with his sword at the same time.

    Berserk true essence poured out, but it was not in broad daylight.

    He flew towards the edge of the de, his Daoist robe fluttering in the wind.

    There was no light, no sword chime.

    He could only let out a breath of air as he shed out with his sword!

    Thekeshore was aware of his master¡¯s heart and began to cry out in heaven and earth.

    As a result, the autumn wind was tranquil, leaving only the sound of the sword in the wilderness!

    Swordsaint, who was standing behind the wild grass, had a surprised look on his face.

    For the first time since the battle had begun, an expression had appeared on his face.

    After a breath, the swords and sabers never met.

    At the same time, it entered the opponent¡¯s body.

    Hunters do not protect themselves with magic breath. It is considered a waste.

    The more Yin Biyue chose to use all of his true essence, the more he would be able to use his sword.

    Thus, at this moment, there was no sound, only blood sttering everywhere.

    The ck and red blood turned into flowers blooming in the air.

    The hunter¡¯s eyes froze in shock.

    He did not understand why his opponent¡¯s sword was faster than his.

    What had gone wrong?

    As the Yin Biyue drew its sword, the dead Devil cultivator fell backward,nding on the ground and raising a cloud of dust.

    The other party¡¯s long de was pulled out of his body, just a hair¡¯s breadth away from stabbing into his heart meridian.

    Blood trickled down the de, and the wind was thick with the stench of blood.

    The Sword Saint walked out.

    Yin Biyue looked more confused, ¡°Master, I didn¡¯t do well ¡­¡±

    ¡°I was at the same cultivation level as him, but I nearly lost to him.¡±

    Sword Saint patted his shoulder and said, ¡°It¡¯s only about life and death. We don¡¯t look at the victor.¡±

    There was another sentence that Wei Jingfeng did not say.

    This person¡¯s cultivation realm was actually higher than his disciple¡¯s. It was just that his demonic cultivation method was special, so it was difficult for him to show off his might.

    Yin Biyue was patted on the shoulder by his master.

    Both the gloom and the bewilderment were gone.

    Heughed softly.

    The zing setting sun fell upon the wastnd, illuminating his blood-stained white hair and brows.

    It had been seven days since Luo Mingchuan came to the western border. This time, he brought more than three hundred disciples of Cang Ya down the mountain.

    In the middle of the journey, one team escorted the refugees north, while the other team followed him to the west to exorcise demons.

    There were traces of Demon Cultivators wreaking havoc everywhere on the road. They had also fought against a few solo yers.

    However, they had yet to encounter the Devil Cultivator Army.

    Until they entered this town.

    The town was not very prosperous, and it waspletely empty. Even the barking of dogs and chickens could not be heard.

    The street was strewn with misceneous items, which showed just how panicky he was when he fled.

    Fortunately, there were no bloodstains on the corpses. The townspeople must have received the news earlier.

    But the town was still full of magic.

    There were magic cultivators still hiding here, but the enemy was in the dark, and they were in the light.

    ¡°Be alert at all times. Don¡¯t let the team disperse.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a look up there.¡±

    He flew toward the tower of the town.

    He held a lot of prestige among the disciples. No matter what arrangements he made, no one objected.

    As it turned out, his decisions were always the most appropriate and effective.

    Luo Mingchuan looked from the tower, taking in the deste town below.

    Compared to Jia Lan¡¯s eye technique, his spiritual sense was clearly weaker.

    He didn¡¯t need to climb to the top on purpose, he only needed to be on guard against people seeing through his Qi Method.

    Now, for the first time since he had descended the mountain, he used his eye technique.

    Because he had deliberately reduced his dependence on it.

    There were at least ten people gathered at the mansion on the east side of the town.

    They had a special method of concealment that allowed them to restrain their auras and avoid the observation of spiritual sense.

    This exquisite concealment should be from the Jade Pce, one of the Twelve Pces.

    Just as Luo Mingchuan was focusing his eyes to look, he suddenly took three steps back.

    Just as his footnded on the ground, the green brick he had just stood on exploded!

    The entire tower shook slightly.

    After the smoke and dust, the enemy¡¯s figure became more and more visible.

    The five of them had unfathomable cultivations, sealing off all paths of retreat around him.

    Hearing this, the disciples of the Vast Expanse School began to move. Some of them were already rushing towards the tower.

    Luo Mingchuan shouted at the same time as he took action.

    ¡°Don¡¯te over!¡±

    ¡°Everyone, be careful!¡±

    Before he could finish his words, a miserable wail rang out in the group.

    When their minds were distracted by the explosion, they didn¡¯t notice that the demonic cultivator hade to their side without a sound.

    The golden light of the Buddhist hand shone on the pagoda. This was the fastest way to break out of this encirclement.

    The enemies in front of him were blown away, but the remaining three quickly gathered around.

    One of them had the highest cultivation base, the other two were led by him.

    The bandit leader was the first to be captured. His boat sword was unsheathed, shing forward with a sharp sword qi.

    The tower cracked at the feet of Luo Mingchuan, and the cracks spread out, filling the sky with gravel and dust.

    It also seemed to have a life of its own as it gathered around the sword and shed towards the enemy along with the sword¡¯s edge.

    It was as though there were ten million swords.

    The two people on the opposite side formed a solid wall of devil Qi, blocking the way of the other person, while that person¡¯s hands quickly changed hands, and ten thousand swords formed from devil Qi flew in the air.

    Weng Weng Weng Weng, countless swords of both sides shed in the air.

    Luo Mingchuan was anxious to get down from the pagoda and help the disciples of Cang Ya, so he did not hold anything back.

    ¡°Rumble ¡­¡±

    The wall of demonic energy was broken open as sword energies swept out. The two demonic cultivators suffered a bacsh and their hearts were shattered.

    The fragile tower finally copsed under the weight of the weight.

    Amidst the dust that covered the sky, that person was still standing in the air, forming a seal.

    His face did not change at all, as if he had not seen hispanion fall or die.

    Thousands of swords appeared out of nowhere.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s heart sank. He knew that he had underestimated his opponent¡¯s strength and reaction speed.

    There was no time to use the sword energy again, but his gaze was faster than the sword.

    His pupils shrank, and the ten thousand swords of devil energy in front of him shattered inch by inch.

    It gave him time to strike.

    The sunken boat broke through the heavy encirclement and arrived in front of the enemy.

    However, the other party suddenly withdrew his hand. Shock appeared on his face as he allowed the crushed earth to prate his body.

    Blood gushed out like a fountain.

    Finally, his heart was pierced by a long sword, but he looked into Luo Mingchuan¡¯s eyes and shouted,

    ¡°Lord ¡­¡±

    Then it fell from the sky andnded in the ruins of the tower.

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73

    If it doesn''t count, we''ll kill him together

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    The night was dark.

    A leaping, pale yellow candle me fell on the girl¡¯s beautiful face, illuminating her slightly frowning brows and the worried expression in her eyes.

    He Yan Yun was very worried.

    She could not meditate, or cultivate.

    Ruan Xiaoling, who was meditating on the bed, opened her eyes and got up to close the window.

    Sitting beside her, he asked softly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    You were in a state of unease the entire night¡­ ¡°

    He Yan Yun came back to her senses and let out a smile, ¡°It¡¯s fine, maybe I was too tired during the day.¡±

    Ruan Xiaoling knew that she must have something on her mind.

    But she didn¡¯t want to say it, so she didn¡¯t ask any more questions.

    ¡°Today the moon is round. Let¡¯s go for a walk.¡±

    The two girls walked into the yard and leaped lightly to the roof.

    The entire town was empty. The Vast Ocean World¡¯s disciples had repaired a few dpidated houses and temporarily stayed for the night to recuperate and recover from their injuries.

    Tomorrow morning, leave this ce and go to the next vige to see if there are any remaining demonic cultivators still in the West Continent.

    No one could have imagined that there would be more than forty Devil Cultivators in this unremarkable town during the fierce battle that took ce in the middle of the day.

    Fortunately, Senior Martial Brother Luo saw that the situation was quick and no one in the group was seriously injured.

    Under the clear and cold moonlight were the ck ruins of a tower not far away.

    It was as if the battle was still before his eyes.

    He Yan Yun thought about what happened during the day.

    Her talent in cultivation could be considered outstanding among the disciples of Cang Ya. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have been epted into the sect by Zhengyang Zi.

    Although she was far from being a genius, she had a unique talent.

    Her powers of observation and five senses were beyond her senses, especially her hearing.

    Only she heard thest words of the elementalist.

    Previously, when Senior Brother Luo had injured himself saving others, only she had noticed that his recovery speed was unfathomable.

    Her intuition told her that this was a big matter, so she didn¡¯t talk about it with Ruan Xiaoling.

    The matter regarding Xing Shan Temple shocked the cultivation world. However, due to the participation of the Sword Saint, the people in the marketce did not dare to say too much.

    What made He Yan Yun shocked was that after Senior Brother Luo had recovered from his injuries this time, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds.

    Her senior was clearly in the initial stage, but at times, she could feel the pressure of mastery, perhaps even greater than her master¡¯s.

    Once or twice, but it could also be said to be an illusion.

    However, yesterday, this feeling could not be any clearer.

    Ruan Xiaoling said, ¡°Cigarette had written to mest time saying that I had tried the glutinous rice chicken¡¯s new method. In the end, when the fire was lit, I did not use the correct spell and blew up the kitchen.¡±

    He Yan Yunughed out loud, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me about this earlier?¡±

    ¡°She was afraid you¡¯dugh, so she just wrote me a letter.¡±

    He Yan Yun immediately took out a piece of jade and started writing.

    Ruan Xiaoling knew that the two of them could be killed even from a distance of a hundred thousand miles away. Fortunately, He Yan Yun was happy.

    ¡°She blew up the kitchen, and then what?¡±

    ¡°After that, I was mercilessly scolded by her mother.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it. There must be more!¡±

    ¡°After that, I really can¡¯t say any more ¡­¡±

    He Yan Yun jumped up to poke her in the stomach, ¡°Say it, just say it.¡±

    Ruan Xiaoling stretched out her hand to block the attack but was unable to evade it. ¡°Don¡¯t, don¡¯t. Her junior brother Chen Yi passed by and dragged her out from the ruins of the kitchen ¡­¡±

    ¡°Hahahaha, the number one beauty was rescued from the stove by her first love with a dirty face. I canugh for a year!¡±

    ¡°You forced me to confess!¡±

    ¡°What are you afraid of? If she knew, she would have told you!¡±

    Ruan Xiaoling thought for a moment, ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±

    Afterward, Qu Qianyun even asked her why He Yan Yun hadn¡¯t replied.

    After He Yan Yun finished writing the jade slip, she was in a good mood and was in high spirits.

    He looked into the distance and saw a figure standing on the rooftop.

    ¡°Senior Brother Luo ¡­¡±

    Her voice was weak, barely audible in the autumn wind, but Luo Mingchuan heard it.

    He then turned around and smiled. ¡°Lao Dun still needs to hurry on his journey tomorrow. Junior Sister, rest early.¡±

    ¡°Senior Brother, recently ¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    This question was a little baffling. He Yan Yun herself did not know what she was asking and felt a little annoyed.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    His gaze was steady, his voice gentle, but it carried the power of certainty.

    At this moment, He Yan Yun suddenly felt that her recent worries had lost their meaning.

    Her senior was still her senior.

    She revered and worshipped her elder brother for many years.

    That was enough.

    She believed in her senior brother.

    So are other things important?

    Of course, it¡¯s important, but there¡¯s a big deal to worry about.

    She was more willing to worry about her Senior Martial Brother¡¯s life, so her smile became a little teasing, ¡°Senior Martial Brother Yin, when will you be back?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan was slightly startled.

    He had never thought that when he was mentioned by others one day, his heart would be filled with a strange blush.

    He looked at the distant moon. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it won¡¯t be toote.¡±

    His junior brother had said that he would be back soon.

    The more they traveled, the more Sword Saint and Yin He traveled in the Wastnd.

    The moon looked especiallyrge when the view was unobstructed.

    The cold silver glow shone on the sword. The Lakeside Sword was as clean as water, never stained with blood.

    Yin Yi carried a sword along the way, and never returned to the sheath.

    He didn¡¯t kill again but fought many times.

    Every time, he would be ambushed and the opponent would run as fast as he could after failing to hit him.

    He would experience life and death every day.

    At night, the Sword Saint slept on a big tree with withered leaves and yellow leaves. The more Yin Biyue meditated under the tree, the more he meditated.

    The sky was high and the wind was blowing.

    He sometimes thought that his master was from the Eastern Lands. When he was young, he had traveled from the Eastern Lands to the Great Boundaries.

    So much so that sleep quality waster given special attention.

    Master and disciple could also chat.

    The Sword Saint spoke very straightforwardly. The more Yin Biyue wanted to ask, the more direct it became, even though some of the answers were iprehensible.

    ¡°What kind of a sword is Yakov?¡±

    ¡°A divine weapon.¡±

    ¡°Why me?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I gave it to you, it chose you.¡±

    ¡°Master, why did you leave the East Continent?¡±

    ¡°The vige disappeared when I was young ¡­¡±

    Li Tuji said he wanted to take a look outside. ¡°

    ¡°How did you guys get out of here?¡±

    ¡°Li Tu, you know how to calcte. If you can calcte an enemy, you can avoid them.¡±

    ¡°What if I don¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°If it doesn¡¯t, we¡¯ll kill him together.¡±

    ¡°Legend has it that master and teacher have jointly killed experts at therge sess stage after breaking through the barrier.¡±

    ¡°Is that true?¡±

    The Sword Saint replied carelessly, ¡°Hmm ¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Although it was just a rumor, the truth was often more terrifying than the rumors.

    ¡°Will the spirit of the ninth level of the Sky Magi Sect really survive until the end?¡±

    This was what the headmaster had told him, and the more he thought about it, the more heaven-defying it seemed to him.

    On second thought, after going through such a long journey, could it be that his soul hadn¡¯t perished?

    Sword Saint answered, ¡°Regardless of whether it¡¯s true or not, this kind of heaven-defying behavior is too boring.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t that there was no meaning, but that there was no meaning behind it.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Master cultivate for the sake of pursuing longevity?¡±

    There were tens of thousands of cultivators in the world, but their goal was nothing more than powerful strength, extraordinary statues, and long life.

    ¡°The reason I started cultivating was that I liked this matter of cultivation.

    Training in the sword itself was very interesting.

    And then it was for freedom.

    As for longevity?

    This old man has never thought about it ¡­

    ¡°It¡¯s too boring, burying the roads, burying the ditches, eating the wild dogs, and even burying the coffins ¡­¡±

    Although it was a matter of life and death, Sword Saint lowered his voice and fell asleep.

    The more Yin Biyue leaned against the tree, the more powerful it was.

    The moon cast its mottled shadows on his face.

    Without death, what is the meaning of life?

    He hadn¡¯t thought about it.

    His master was extremely carefree and unrestrained, and his cultivation realm was high. Perhaps he would never be able to achieve it.

    However, he remembered his master¡¯s words. He was the first one who had made the most money, so he didn¡¯t need to be the second Wei Jingfeng.

    He had his way.

    There would be a day when he would walk out of the boundless wastnd.

    Yan Yu Yue and her master came to the first town where humans had gathered since they had entered the East Continent.

    On a bleak autumn day, the gray banner of the city seemed even more deste.

    Where chaos reigned, different banners represented the protection of different forces.

    There were no buildings three stories high in the city, more masonry than wood mortise.

    The long street was paved and empty in broad daylight.

    The doors were locked, and a few figures walked past asionally. They were all in a hurry, their weapons strapped to their waists.

    In the Eastern Lands, there was the boundless snowy sea and the legendary luxurious gold pce, as well as a town of this size.

    People lived here without any security, only three points better than the dangerous wastnd.

    Sword Saint brought Yan Ziyue into the city¡¯s only two-story restaurant. The stairs creaked under the weight of the heavy load, and dust rustled down.

    As he and the shop owner talked in awkwardnguage, the more he spoke, the more he could guess the meaning behind his words.

    After which, he pped two spirit stones on the table.

    The Eastern Continent did not use copper coins, nor did they have a business that sold currency. From the ck market to the tavern, the only thing that circted was spirit stones.

    Before long, the waiter came back with a jar of wine.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to eat here, but the wine is good.

    Only the waters of the Mimi River could produce such a strong burning knife.

    ¡°Here, try it.¡±

    The more he drank, the spicier the taste became. It was as if a sharp knife had pierced his intestines, choking him and causing him to cough profusely.

    The Sword Saintughed heartily and gulped it all down in one gulp.

    The attendant then brought out a ck cloak, which the Sword Saint threw to Yin Biyue, ¡°I bought it for you.¡±

    This cloak was very tight, the more he wore it, the more he felt like a demonic cultivator.

    However, he had to admit that the white Daoist robe was simply too eye-catching.

    The Sword Saint did not think too much about it. ¡°It¡¯s so dark that it¡¯s resistant to filth.¡±

    Even if it was stained with blood, it was not obvious, either his own or the enemy¡¯s blood.

    They rested in town for the night, and the next day they headed south, toward the river.

    When the Sword Saint bought the boat, the sky suddenly darkened. Sand and dust flew in the air, and a light rain began to fall.

    When the boatsman saw that they were two young masters, he kindly advised, ¡°The river waters are fierce in this weather.¡±

    Sword Saint smiled and paid him an extra two spirit stones.

    It was not easy to get a good word in a chaotic world.

    When they reached the middle of the river, raindrops as big as peas fell with a crackling sound. The small boat floated in the stormy sea like a fallen leaf in thete autumn and was soon swallowed up.

    The two of them sat facing each other in the cabin. The rain blew fiercely, but strangely, the wind could not blow in.

    Under the flickering candle me, the bright sword light was like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the entire cabin.

    This was the first time she had seen the ¡®Autumn Wind¡¯e out of the scabbard.

    He stared fixedly, afraid that he would miss a shred of light.

    On Crosscut Mountain, his master had only used a single finger for the rest of his life, seriously injured.

    At that time, he had been thinking, what else was there in this world that a saint could pull out a sword for?

    The Sword Saint began to polish his sword, his expression very serious.

    The more he said, the more he could not bear to disturb him.

    It was not until the Sword Saint began to speak that he asked, ¡°Ol ¡®Four, is there anything else you wish to ask?¡±

    For some reason, the more he thought about it, the more a bad feelings he had.

    This kind of intuition had been there all along, and now it was magnified to the limit.

    His Master had met many people, done many things, and taught him many things.

    It was as if he was saying his goodbyes to the world.

    Thus, the more he opened his mouth, the quiver in his voice could barely be heard.

    ¡°What has Master been doing all these years?¡±

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74

    There is no difficulty in traveling in the world

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    What have you been doing all these years?

    The question was easy to answer.

    But Wei Jingfeng didn¡¯t only think of the past hundred years.

    He thought of the Great Sophorae Tree at the edge of the West River Vige, the joy that bloomed in Spring Sleeves Tower, the heavy snowfall in Cloud Sun City, and the gentle wind that blew over Vast Expanse Mountain.

    Enemies who had been killed under the sword, disciples who had been epted under the sword.

    Finally, he replied, ¡°A hundred years ago, Li Tuo calcted that the meteorite was expanding rapidly, so I went down to take a look.¡±

    ¡°There.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    The more Yin Biyue remembered that in Xing Shan Temple, he and Brother Luo had broken into the Buddhist hall that was trapping the Buddhist temple. Inside his illusion, there were the depths of the meteorite abyss.

    Sword Saint said calmly, ¡°It¡¯s a monster.¡±

    ¡°Endless Monster.¡±

    ¡°Is there a way to get rid of them?¡±

    Yin Biyue¡¯s heart sank.

    He had only read about the monster in ancient books.

    Different from a demonic cultivator who still had a human mind, low-level demons only knew how to devour living creatures¡¯ flesh and blood and didn¡¯t feel any pain.

    ¡°No.¡±

    After the great battle between Dao-Demons, too many people died. The bnce between life and death was broken, and another heavenly tribtion urred.

    The sky flowed with fire, and the earth split open the abyss. The evil qi umted in the abyss and gave birth to a demon. ¡°

    Sword Saint put down his sword. ¡°After a million years, it has already be a climate.¡±

    Once the monster was hungry to a certain extent, it woulde out to hunt for food.

    ¡°Even without Mo Changyuan¡¯s reincarnation, they would being out soon.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why killing those things can help you grow longer, but it can¡¯t cure the symptoms.¡±

    His master was indeed doing something big.

    Even if he did it, no one would know.

    If the Sword Saint had not entered the abyss repeatedly in the past hundred years, the world would have probably been thrown into chaos long ago.

    Wei Jingfeng seemed to have guessed what his disciple was thinking. He stood up and walked out of the cabin, ¡°They say that if the sky copses, there will be a tall man standing there.¡±

    He stood at the prow of the boat, the rain pouring down on the river, and the storm was raging. ¡°But in this world, who is higher than this old man?¡±

    Wei Jingfeng had never felt that he was a good person. He had lost countless souls under his sword, and they were all publicly acknowledged as being unreasonable.

    He also admitted that he didn¡¯t have any consciousness that ¡®it is life and death for Gou Rui and the world¡¯. If he could, he would rather sleep and drink every day and watch Jun Yu practice her sword.

    However, since the matter had already arisen and others were unable to do it, it was only natural for him to do so.

    ¡°Li Tuo calcted the location of the Sword Tomb left behind during the Great Dao Demon War. The Earth Vein and the Fallen Star Abyss are one another. I will go down there and draw out the sword qi. It can seal half of the abyss.¡±

    ¡°Is there really a Sword Tomb?¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he felt that the Sword Tomb existed only in legends.

    The tens of thousands of righteous cultivators died in battle, their bones were corroded by demonic energy, and only their swords remained.

    There was no ce to bury his bones, but he could bury his sword.

    Later, it wasn¡¯t that no one wanted to try their luck to find a Divine Weapon, but in the past a million years, no one had found one.

    ¡°Yes, but there¡¯s a formation on it. It was left behind from the era of Saints and still has seventy percent of its power.¡±

    ¡°If an ordinary person went over, not only would they not be able to break through the formation, they wouldn¡¯t even be able to find the location.¡±

    ¡°How long is Master going to be gone for?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. I¡¯ll be back after finishing my business.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he felt that he was too useless.

    The moment he heard this, his eyes turned sour.

    To be able to get the Sword Saint to say that he did not know when he would be back, one could imagine how dangerous it was.

    Sword Saint scolded, ¡°One or two of them are crying. What are they like? Go learn from your Eldest Brother!¡±

    I am going to do things, not die!

    Ol ¡®Three is inferior to you, and says that you want to go with me, what can you do if you go?

    Do you want to cause trouble?!

    Yin Bi took in a deep breath. ¡°Master, we will wait for you at Cangya.¡±

    Such a major event, which would determine the future of the world, could only be undertaken by the Sword Saint alone.

    This was because he was standing so high up that there wasn¡¯t even a single person who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

    It was too cruel and unfair.

    But when had things ever been fair in this world?

    The invisible barrier suddenly disappeared, and the torrential rain and wind came crashing down. The cold wind blew deep into his bones.

    Wei Jingfeng stood alone on the bow of the boat, his sleeves fluttering in the wind. With a wave of his hand, he grew extremely heroic.

    ¡°What kind of person am I!?¡±

    ¡°This old man¡¯s magnanimity can amodate the world!¡±

    He lowered his head again, his expression suddenly somewhat lonely. ¡°The heavens and earth can¡¯t contain me.¡±

    The Sword Saint was filled with joy, joy, and enmity. The prelude to the opening of the era of the stars in this world was extremely intense.

    When you leave, you can¡¯t leave either.

    He destroyed the hundreds and thousands of pces of Xing Shan Temple and went to hold Pu Zong, who was seriously injured in the afterlife of the Asian Sage.

    Two major events shook the world.

    The enmity was clear, but the fetters were still there.

    He picked up the sword in his hand and looked at it with lowered eyes.

    Since the day they were forged, Spring Mountain¡¯s Laughing and Autumn¡¯s Laughing had been a pair of swords.

    But in the autumn wind, the gathering is not me.

    Yin Biyue was standing behind his master, and he heard the voice that was always a little casual rise and fall in the wind, ¡°Fourth Brother, I don¡¯t teach you much.¡±

    ¡°This time, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to catch up with you when you go there.¡±

    Cultivators¡¯ crowning ceremonies were presided over by the elders of the sect.

    It was the acknowledgment of the fact that a disciple had grown up, as well as a wish for the future cultivation path.

    Sword Saint turned around, an ebony crown appearing in his hand. ¡°You may not be old yet, but it¡¯s about time.¡±

    It was time for him to grow and take charge. It was time to face the storm head-on.

    The more Yin Biyue knelt down, the more he bowed down and kowtowed.

    The Sword Saint gathered up his white hair and kept it in the crown, his movements somewhat clumsy.

    The more Yin Biyue held up the crown, the more he stood up and performed the disciple salute again.

    No speeches, no apuse, no patrons.

    Only Ye Yu¡¯s lonely boat could be seen floating in the sky.

    The Sword Saint looked at him and smiled, then turned around with the sword in his hand.

    Yin Biyue called him ¡°Master¡±.

    The small boat suddenly swayed for a moment, then Wei Jingfeng flicked his sleeves and walked across the river.

    The river churned and churned, pping against the mountains and striking the rocks, but he did not dare to wet the hem of his robe.

    The river wind whimpered as if it was sending him off.

    Mo Daojiang was in a bad situation, and it was very difficult for him to walk on the roads of the mortal world.

    Dark clouds covered the moon in Cloud Sun City, and the autumn wind was terrifying.

    The courtyard was empty. The headmaster stood on the eaves of the library, gazing at the academy that was as big as a city and with its lights on.

    He seemed to understand why Wei Jingfeng liked to stand here.

    However, it was also very cold. Because he was able to look down upon the world, his position was iparable.

    He continued, ¡°Perhaps Wei Jingfeng is right.¡±

    ¡°Then give it a try.¡±

    Try topete with the heavens and change your fate.

    But it would take time.

    The more time a treasure needs to grow up.

    Even though he had grown very fast, how could he reach the initial stage in a thousand years?

    However, it was still not fast enough for the current world.

    So Wei Jingfeng went to change the time for him.

    The superintendent has always disagreed with this.

    In other words, this was the true difference between him and the Sword Saint.

    However, Wei Jingfeng would never change his mind. Rather than saying that he believed in money, he believed in his own judgment, and he believed in the principles at the bottom of his heart.

    ¡°No one can decide the life of others. Not even the Heavenly Dao, not even the Saints.¡±

    He thought.

    The school?

    It was small!

    Wei Jingfeng said when he wanted to kill Luo Mingchuan.

    He wanted to see the bright, icy-blue star.

    His eyes were dazzled, and the sky in his vision was blurry.

    he murmured. ¡°So old.¡±

    Jun Yu was practicing his sword technique at the edge of the cliff, and he was still practicing the Small Mountain Sword Technique.

    Without Zhen yuan, there was a sword light that cut through the night sky.

    He brandished the sword 63,000 times a day, which had been the case ever since he entered the sect.

    In March, the mountain was as bright as a smile, and in October, the mountain was as clear as a mountain.

    Cold, summer, spring and autumn, long lonely wind.

    A long time ago, this ce wasn¡¯t called Lai Hua Feng, it was only him and his master.

    He was not very good atmunicating with others, and Sword Saint was not very good at speaking at that time either. The two of them could only train with the sword for one day.

    The sky above Tianxin Cliff was cloudy and cloudy, like the snowfall at the night in Yunyang City.

    He hid on the corner of the street and was met by a young man wearing a fox fur coat and a blue umbre. From then on, his name was Jun Yu.

    That was a long time ago.

    Yan Xing was still at Spring¡¯s Sleeve Hall. He was lying t on his stomach on the table with a broken wine jar on the floor.

    Recently, the Spring Sleeves Hall had not opened for half a month and he was the only guest. Miss Lu Hua casually flipped through the ounts book, not saying a word.

    ¡°Destion and bleakness, Treasure Sword Sutra.¡± Sorrow and bleakness, Treasure Sword sutra.

    When Yan Xing thought back to the past, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a little sour. Why didn¡¯t he run away at such a time? He was waiting to be beaten up by him as well ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­

    Amidst the bloody light, he saw the young master sitting by the window.

    ¡°Yellow leaves are still stormy, the brothel still has its own strings.¡±

    Of course, the Sword Saint did not get beaten up. He even helped him to run away.

    At that time, Luhua was not a girl, but a little girl with a nutmeg. She timidly hid behind the counter and watched them fight.

    But now, outside the window, the wind and rain were raging, and the light in the window was like beans.

    A slightly hoarse voice sounded out, ¡°Hero, don¡¯t ask for directions. Send him off in the snow and wind. Use your sword to climb the stairs and persuade the king to drink to resolve your sorrows.¡±

    Without the zither and the peace, the faint echoes of the song echoed in the Spring Sleeves¡¯ Pavilion.

    Yan Xing stood up, pushed open the door, and walked into the wind and rain.

    He had been drunk for half a month when he finally woke up.

    He walked alone towards Cangya Mountain.

    That night, the spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth is the Eastern Continent underwent a drastic change. Many people seemed to have sensed it.

    In the scripture pavilion of the Void Temple, Wu Wang closed his eyes and said, ¡°Amitabha.¡±

    In the bamboo house on Green Foothill Mountain, Zhou Yuandao was raising amp to look at his sword.

    In the grand hall of the Northern Imperial Pce, Duan Sheng¡¯an hesitated for the first time in his life. He looked at his son, wanting to say something, but then hesitated. In the end, he didn¡¯t say anything.

    At the bottom of the cliff, Yu Shi¡¯s entire body was covered in blood. He looked towards the eastern sky and began tough heartily.

    None of this had anything to do with Yin Biyue.

    He sailed against the river, breaking through the waves and breaking through the wind tond on the riverbank.

    After passing through the wastnd that they hade from, they decided to head towards Cangya.

    The Eastern Continent had never been peaceful. He had traveled alone and had encountered countless people who killed and robbed people for their treasures.

    He would kill whoever wanted to kill him.

    They had fought their way out of the Wastnd and had encountered the people from the Twelve Pces. They had fought a few times.

    Between life and death, there was often greatprehension.

    Soon, there was no one in the Eastern Lands who didn¡¯t know. A white-haired, cold-eyed teenager appeared from the wastnds, using the Righteous Way¡¯s sword techniques. His disposition was as cold and hard as ice, and he left no survivors behind.

    The more he ignored the increasingly outrageous rumors, the more he knew he was going back to Cangya.

    Right now, he only wanted to return to Cangya.

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75

    She is so beautiful, but no one even dares to look at her here

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    At the northernmost part of the eastern continent was a vast icy in.

    The ice and snow that never melted and the freezing temperature of the dripping water was enough to kill all the weak lives, leaving only the ferocious beasts with thick skins.

    Within the snow curtain that covered the sky, the ck afterimages were especially conspicuous.

    One of them ran at top speed.

    In the blink of an eye, he ascended to the peak of the clouds and mist, passing through countless pce walls and pavilions, and arrived in front of thergest hall.

    Even if the Wanren Snow Peak was able to tread on tnd, they could only stand respectfully outside the main hall, waiting for the transfer ofyers of information.

    Finally, the door opened.

    The colorful lights suddenly poured out, apanied by warm and intoxicating air and bamboo, and the people came into the hall.

    The pce door closed behind him, and the snow that filled the sky changed to March.

    At the end of the magnificent hall, within theyers of gauze and cloth, a slender figure of a woman could be seen, leaning against the soft bed made of gold sheets.

    Even though they could not see her face clearly through the veil, everyone who saw this scene would have an indescribable intuition, thinking that she was a peerless beauty.

    The person in the tent didn¡¯t move, and neither did the person who arrived. However, he could feel a sharp gaze on his body, as if his skin and bones were about to be cut apart.

    He calmed himself and knelt down to pay his respects.

    ¡°Asgard Master, there are some people who have met the Lord at the borders of the Western Land.¡±

    After a while, only when the people kneeling began to sweat profusely did a hande out from the gauze.

    She was delicate and beautiful, like an orchid waiting to be set aside.

    For a moment, it was as if the incense in the hall was even stronger.

    The hand swung, and the bamboo and song and dance were silent for a moment.

    The musicians and dancers silently retreated.

    The kneeling man picked up a clear pearl. ¡°We are spies in the Blue Pce, and we carry a Shadow Pearl with us. Thest image that will be sent back before death will be your majesty.¡±

    With a wave of her delicate hand, the bead stopped at her fingertip.

    She yed with the pearls and got up from the tent.

    It was soft like a boneless body, with a light and transparent jade-colored dress.

    She stood barefooted on the zed brick.

    The tiles reflected her unearthly features.

    The sculptures and pearls on the golden wall, thenterns and ribbons on the painted beams, all began to grow dim at the same time.

    Yu Zhan suddenly felt a little bored because no one dared to look at her because she was so beautiful.

    When the Sword Saint stepped into the Wastnd, she seemed to feel something.

    But for the saints, whatever they wanted to do, she could not stop or even ask.

    Now that the saint had left, and Yu Shi was seriously injured, if she wanted to leave the Eastern Continent, who could stop her?

    The Northern Emperor was on his deathbed, and that young master of the Institution was getting old.

    The woman looked at the beads and smiled, like the March spring breeze blowing thousands of rivers and willows.

    Her voice also sounded like she was drunk in the spring breeze. ¡°Let¡¯s go meet His Majesty.¡±

    ¡°Asgard Master, take off ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Asgard Master, take off ¡ª¡±

    Notifications rang out one after another, echoing from the countless pces and pces to the silent snowy peaks.

    From the zed tiles to the pine trees at the edge of the cliff, the snow on them fell with a rustling sound.

    The night was dark, and a cold moon broke through the clouds.

    Yin Biyue sat on a big tree, wrapped in a ck cloak, covered by a thick and huge canopy, almost not visible to the naked eye.

    Compared to the fat sheep that came to the Eastern Continent to be ughtered, no hunter would provoke him so easily now.

    He could see far enough to see the borders of the moor.

    Calcting the trip, he would be able to leave this ce tomorrow and arrive at the nearest vige.

    Under the cold, bright moonlight, he took out the book in his arms.

    It was the ¡°Enchantment Immortal Elder Leng Xiao Fei¡± that Mr. Headmaster had given him.

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more he thought about it as an anecdote. It wasn¡¯t until he started reading the first book three nights ago that he realized it was a few books of notes.

    It was a note from the True Immortal Will Soaring Through the Heavens.

    There were no technique inheritances, no sword or sword styles. There were only daily life and cultivation, and there were even some trivial things.

    If not for the fact that the date and events were correct, the handwriting would be the same as the Lingxiao Sword Ruins of the Compendium Pavilion. It was impossible to tell that this was the life of a true Immortal.

    The more he read, the more he found it hard to believe. Hepared the details of the notes with the historical texts he had read and found them more logical.

    There were some questions regarding the War of the Dao-Demons and the Era of the Saints that had a reasonable exnation for it.

    He had never been so close to the truth of history, but the more he looked at it, the more rmed he became.

    ¡°Mo Changyuan is two hundred and fifty, I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow will be the day of the war, and the people¡¯s hearts will be scattered. It will be difficult to bring the troops along ¡­¡±

    Who would have thought that before the world-shaking war between Dao-Demons, Ling Tianxing would actually write such a thing.

    Later, the notes became more and more scrawled, revealing the unsettled state of mind of the recorder.

    ¡°I saw Mo Changyuan today. He has changed. Compared to when I was young, I don¡¯t recognize him anymore ¡­¡±

    ¡°He can¡¯t turn back. I killed him.

    I don¡¯t want that. ¡°

    ¡°I didn¡¯t live a good life. Too bad.¡±

    Yin Biyue closed the book bewildered.

    The description of the notebook was simple, but there was an indescribable feeling to it.

    The more he thought about it, the more he couldn¡¯t help but think that if he was Yi Lingxiao, if he wanted to write something down and leave it behind, he would do the same.

    He would also choose the ¡®Enchantment Immortal¡¯s daughter, Leng Xiao Fei¡¯, a name that was both funny and boring.

    But if Yi Lingxiao was really a transcender, then what kind of world was this?

    No matter how he looked at it, Yi Lingxiao looked like the protagonist of point X.

    Yin Biyue shook his head, feeling that this world could not be judged bymon sense.

    At first, he thought that his senior was the star character, but when he jumped off the cliff, there were seniors who taught him skills. His senior¡¯s Jia Lan Eye Technique changed into a contrarian Boss.

    Later, he met the number one master in the world. He felt that such a carefree and unrestrained life winner would always be the main character. As a result, his master entered the Sword Tomb alone, and he didn¡¯t know when he would be able to return.

    He took the book in his arms.

    Through the shadows of the trees, he saw the bright moon in the sky.

    He suddenly remembered that his senior was in the Vast Expanse, and that he was looking up at the same moon.

    There¡¯s a saying, ¡®At the ends of the earth.¡¯

    The more he thought about it, the quieter it became.

    He hade here to cultivate, and his long life here was more real than it had been in the past. It was more of a sense of belonging.

    It didn¡¯t matter whether the world had a script or not. Even if there was a ¡®viin¡¯ aura, he didn¡¯t want to be a viin anymore.

    He only wanted to work hard at his sword practice, to work hard to be stronger, and to live a good life.

    He wanted to live up to his Master¡¯s trust and change the Star Path and fate.

    Yin Biyueughed,suddenly turning around and focused.

    His battle awareness, his five senses and his judgment were not the only things that improved his life.

    It was a group of people walking across the wastnd in a grandiose manner. In the middle of the group was a huge emperor carriage that was as tall as a pce pavilion.

    The four experts carried the emperor carriage, shrinking the ground into an inch. Although their speed was fast, the emperor carriage was smooth and unmoving like a mountain.

    They came from the north with the chill of the ice.

    The Hundred Miles Wastnd was deathly silent in the night.

    Yin Biyue guessed at these people¡¯s identities, he realized that he could not defeat any one of the people carrying the chariot, let alone the numerous figures in the tent.

    He looked to the north and faintly saw that snowy peak amidst the clouds. It was alone and unreachable.

    The most powerful gold pce in the Twelve Pces had inherited the foundations of the Devil Pce from above.

    Tongtian Snow Peak should have been as cold as a grave.

    However, the truth was that a thousand years had passed, and there was no one who did not know of the extravagance and prosperity of that ce.

    The saying that the Golden Pce can satisfy everyone¡¯s illusions about the vast immortal realms is enough to make one¡¯s imagination run wild, even in legends.

    Although the royal family of the Northern Land were cheering for their food, the citizens of the capital were also happy and prosperous.

    The entire Imperial City, from the pces and pces to the ordinary streets and alleyways, was a magnificent sight.

    Jumen often stinks of wine and meat, but it¡¯s hard to see frozen to death by the side of the road.

    The Eastern Continent was another extreme. There was an immortal realm on the snowy peaks, and a purgatory on the wastnds.

    Some were extremely poor while others were extremely extravagant. Some plundered while others were unable to keep their lives safe. There were also some who indulged in unrestrained enjoyment while others drank and sang merrily.

    Because the Pce Mistress on the throne was extravagant, the world of ice and snow was a hundred feet red.

    He thought about it, it was not expected to meet this Asgard Mistress so quickly.

    Even though they were separated by more than ten li of the wastnd, even though they were separated by the vast night and the curtain of the emperor¡¯s carriage, they could only faintly make out a figure. It was extremely beautiful, but also extremely dangerous.

    He knew that not a single de of grass or a tree in the Wastnd could escape his eyes when an expert of this level personally came. There was no meaning in doing or not doing anything.

    Thus, he only held his breath, watching as the group of people disappeared into the wilderness.

    Fortunately, they were on their way.

    His right hand unconsciously gripped the hilt of the sword.

    He thought that his rate of improvement was already very fast, and only now did he realize that he was still as weak as an ant in front of a handful of rare experts in the world.

    Still not strong enough.

    Thekeshore sword emitted a low cry in the night wind. It seemed unwilling, but at the same time, it seemed to echo its master¡¯s intentions.

    The disciples of Cangya had been roaming around the northern borders for many days, but there were no more magic cultivators in the viges and towns. They then changed their route to Da Nang, which was beside the floating sea.

    If a demonic cultivator wanted toe from the Eastern Lands, he would have to cross the sea.

    By now, the merchant ships travelling to and from the Eastern Continent had received the news of Cangya Mountain and had all stopped shipping.

    No matter where the ship came from, when it entered the port, it had to undergo a check and pass a detection array.

    Worried that the formation would not be repaired over a long period of time, he deliberately tried to reinforce it after arriving in Da Nang and did not leave for a while.

    Due to the fact that the Demonic Cultivator had entered the Western Land, the previously noisy port was now much quieter. Severalrge ships and a nearby lighthouse were silent in the sea breeze.

    At the end of the field of vision, there were a few white seabirds circling the thin lines that connected the sky and the sea.

    Suddenly, a small ck dot broke the silence between blue and white. It split the water and broke the waves, and its speed was so fast that it was unfathomable.

    In the blink of an eye, he was already more than a hundred feet away from the shore, so close that he could clearly see the figure standing at the bow of the ship.

    The disciples on the shore were astonished. There must be a powerful expert controlling such a small ship to be able to cross a vast ocean.

    ¡°Not good!¡±

    A ship from the east!

    ¡°Quickly inform Senior Brother Luo!¡±

    ¡°Who is it?!¡±

    The ship was still far from the harbor, and the people on the bow of the ship jumped up, stepping on the waves, their bodies almost swaying in the air.

    The neer was shrouded in a ck cloak, revealing only his gaunt, pale jaw.

    Although he did not have any devil Qi, the bloody light surrounding him could almost solidify, making it hard for people to breathe.

    Five or six of the Cangya disciples wanted to draw their swords, but they discovered that under such might, they were actually unable to even grasp the hilt of the sword with their fingers.

    In the next moment, the white robes of Hai Tian fluttered in the air. They abruptly rxed and revealed expressions of joy.

    ¡°Senior-apprentice Brother Luo is here!¡±

    The neer arrived on the shore and stopped in front of Luo Mingchuan.

    The surface of the sea suddenly became calm, as if all the formless bloody light and vicious Qi hadpletely dispersed.

    Luo Mingchuan smiled.

    As the hood of the cloak came down, the wind howled, and ck hair and white hair intertwined.

 Chapter 76

    <h4>Chapter 76</h4>

    This matter really doesn''t make any sense

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    Yin Biyue was extremely tense along the way. He always felt like a sneak attack wasing from behind, and he never rested for a second.

    It wasn¡¯t that he had intentionally revealed his might, but that he had long since gotten used to engaging in battle and had forgotten to restrain himself.

    The moment he saw Luo Mingchuan, he finally thought to rx.

    He didn¡¯t know that when he felt weak, the others would think that he was unbelievably strong.

    The disciples of the Vast Expanse School gathered around and eximed one after another.

    ¡°It¡¯s actually Senior-apprentice Brother Yin!¡±

    ¡°Senior brother Yin has entered the small sess stage!¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this too fast? I don¡¯t want to live anymore ¡­¡±

    The unsociable Yin Biyue nodded in acknowledgment.

    ¡°This trip to the Eastern Continent to exorcise demons and make a breakthrough.¡±

    In the eyes of the crowd, this slightly cold and detached reaction still made him seem like the same person as before, with a cold and warm expression.

    Without batting an eyelid, Luo Mingchuan took two steps forward and formed a defensive posture, blocking in front of Yan Ziyue.

    Seeing this, He Yan Yunughed, ¡°Senior Brother Yin, you¡¯ve been working hard the whole way, so don¡¯t disturb his rest.¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t finished with Da Nang yet. Xiao Lian,e with me.¡±

    Although he was speaking to Ruan Xian, when his words entered the ears of the crowd, they all came back to their senses.

    ¡°Wait, let¡¯s go together ¡­¡±

    ¡°Senior brother Luo, apany Senior brother Yin to rest.¡±

    The crowd at the edge of the sea instantly scattered like birds and beasts, and soon only the sound of wind and waves could be heard.

    Luo Mingchuan slightly turned his body, his eyes showing a faint smile, ¡°Congrattions on your breakthrough, Junior Brother.¡±

    He looked calm andposed, no different from his usual self.

    What he said was irrelevant.

    However, the hands in his sleeves were tightly clenched. All of his attention was focused on restraining the surging emotions.

    He was afraid that if he rxed even a little, he would pull the person in front of him into his arms and then merge them into his blood and bones, never to separate again.

    Yin Biyue walked around the Eastern Continent, bing more powerful, along with her killing intent also growing.

    It was as if even the edges of his eyebrows had be sharper.

    But now, Luo Mingchuan was the only one in front of him. Once again, he heard a familiar voice. Even if it was just a single sentence, he suddenly let down his guard.

    Almost instantly, he was submerged.

    ¡°Master went to the Sword Tomb.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be back ¡­¡±

    Yin Biyue spoke, his voice bing stuffy.

    Luo Mingchuan understood what he meant after he said those random words.

    The churning emotions in his heart all turned into fine heartache. He looked at the person in front of him with rapt attention and said seriously, ¡°It will be fine.¡±

    ¡°We have to believe in the Sword Saint.¡±

    If it was anyone else, the more they consoled him, the more useless it would be.

    But when Luo Mingchuan said it out loud, he had a mysterious power to soothe people¡¯s hearts.

    The two of them stood very close to each other, and he suddenly had an urge to hug his senior brother.

    He thought so and did so.

    He didn¡¯t think too much about it.

    It was warm.

    In Ye Cheng, in Xing Shan Temple, in the Vast Expanse Mountain, the warmth was the same, making one feel at ease.

    Luo Mingchuan was caught off guard, and a slightly cold breath suddenly filled his chest. A wisp of white hair brushed against his cheek in the wind, and his breath came in contact with his, causing him to feel a little itchy.

    He was startled as he stood still on the spot.

    A momentter, the tightly clenched hands in his sleeves slowly loosened and finallynded on the back of the person in his embrace.

    He raised his hand and patted it. The force was very light and restrained.

    The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he had be too reliant on his senior brother.

    He had considered this question when Luo Mingchuan was unconscious.

    His reliance on his senior brother exceeded his initial trust and might cause him trouble.

    Not to mention, he had already won the title and was going to hold his own.

    How could he be like an ignorant child, nestling in the arms of his senior brother to seek peace of mind?

    Too useless.

    Thinking of this, his face became redder and redder. His cheeks began to heat up, and he wanted to retreat out of Luo Mingchuan¡¯s arms.

    However, for some reason, his senior brother was clearly embracing him. Although he did not seem to exert himself, he was abnormally firm in his resolve, and he was actually unable to break free.

    Then I¡¯ll lean back a little longer.

    Just for a moment.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C

    The return journey was smooth sailing.

    He didn¡¯t know if it was because someone was with him, but the more he looked at the mountain and the water, the more he feltfortable.

    After they reinforced the formation at Da Nang, they headed towards Cang Ya and discussed the defense line with the local influential families along the way, leaving behind the transmission talismans.

    A lot of tedious work through the hands of Luo Mingchuan, piece orderly arrangement down.

    Within the scope of the protection of the Vast Expanse Mountain, the refugees were basically epted by therge-scale towns such as Liyang City. The situation had stabilized.

    As for the Hundred Thousand Mountain Range, there was no news from the Po Qin Sect on the other side of the mountain.

    This winter hade especially early. After the leaves had fallen, the frosty grass covered the sky.

    When Bei Feng was sweeping up the ground, they returned to Cangya Mountain.

    Many disciples gathered at the entrance of the mountain and waited, swinging their swords from afar.

    He felt distracted, feeling like he had returned to the vige to bid farewell with a sword.

    At this moment, he felt a sense of familiaritying home.

    What he didn¡¯t expect was that when he arrived at the Qing He Pce, he would be able to see the people he knew from the Falling Flower Hall.

    When Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan were called, the Sect Leader, Zheng Yang Zi, Jun Yu, Liu Chuang, and Yan Xing were all there, as if they were in the middle of a discussion.

    They walked up to pay their respects and discovered that the purple robes of the Luo River were exceptionally eye-catching.

    Chen Yi stood up and sped his hands, ¡°Dao Friend Luo, Dao Friend Yan, it¡¯s been a while.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan returned the greeting with Yin Biyue and smiled, ¡°Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Chen.¡±

    Chen Yi¡¯s facial features were ordinary, but his temperament was as gentle as ever. However, Yan Ziyue felt that his aura had be more condensed, at the very least, it was much stronger than when he was fighting with Cheng Hua.

    ¡°Senior Brother Luo!¡±

    ¡°Senior brother Yin!¡±

    Yin Biyue turned around at his name being called. Cheng Tianyu, who was dressed in a brocade robe, was also present.

    Perhaps it was because the cultivation base in the entire pce was the lowest that the presence seemed weaker. The more he thought about it, the more certain it was not a matter of height.

    Cheng Tianyu respectfully greeted them with a somewhat calm appearance.

    Zheng Yangzi coughed lightly and everyone sat down.

    Chen Yi said with a straight face, ¡°The two of you must have had a hard journey. You shouldn¡¯t be bothering me right now. It was only because of an emergency that you came.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu continued, ¡°Senior-apprentice Brother Zhong and Senior-apprentice Brother Song want to protect Qing Lu, so the sect has sent me to discuss this with you.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan frowned, ¡°What happened?¡±

    The few of them could be considered to be close even if they didn¡¯t fight. They all admired each other with some youthfulness, so naturally, they didn¡¯t need to be polite when they spoke.

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more he felt that the atmosphere in the hall was off. Eldest Brother and Second Sister had always been quiet, but Third Brother actually didn¡¯t say anything today.

    ¡°One of the Pce Masters of the Twelve Pces of the Devil Dao hase from the Eastern Lu.¡±

    Yan Yu¡¯s heart sank, ¡°The one from the Golden Pce?¡±

    He had seen the huge emperor carriage from afar in the wastnd and had assumed that they would only be moving about in the Eastern Continent.

    After all, after the demonic war, although there was still endless friction between the orthodox cultivators and the demonic cultivators, there were no powerful demonic cultivators on the other four continents.

    It was like a custom.

    Both sides recuperated and did not attack each other.

    Chen Yi said, ¡°It should be.¡±

    ¡°Among the messages, only the Pce Head of the Golden Pce would travel in an imperial carriage that was as tall as a pavilion. On the imperial carriage, there would also be a curtain covering the sky.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu said, ¡°They passed by the subsidiary cities of the Middle Land, the Luoyang Sect, and then crossed the sea. They were almost at the foot of the Green foothills of the Southern Land.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t kill anyone along the way. I didn¡¯t even make a move. I don¡¯t know the reason.¡±

    The more he frowned, it seemed like it was a good thing not to kill or attack, but it was harder to fathom the hidden intention and n.

    Just as the Sword Saint entered the Sword Tomb, a Pce Master of the Twelve Pces of the Devil Dao left the Eastern Continent. This was undoubtedly a sign of danger and chaos.

    Zheng Yangzi thought even more about it. The LifeStream Sect had Crooked River, and the Green Foothold Sword Sect had Zhou Yuandao. They were the only sub-saints in the world.

    However, if he rashly made a move, a full-scale war would probably break out. This would be the second devastating war against the Dao Demons.

    So, Chen Yi and Cheng Tianyu came to the Vast Expanse, bearing the burden of exchanging news, and even discussing the important responsibilities of the Alliance.

    In terms of the long lives of cultivators, they were still too young. However, in the eyes of the seniors in the sect, they were already beyond their years and could shoulder important responsibilities.

    He looked at his own disciple, who was also young.

    The era of stars that the headmaster spoke of was not bad. The future of the cultivation world still had to be ced in the hands of these youths.

    Seeing that his master did not speak, Luo Mingchuan knew that this matter was also up to him to decide.

    ¡°The current Pce Mistress killed her master a hundred years ago. Her foundation is not stable, so if she rashly goes into battle, she might have other ns.¡±

    Chen Yi felt a deep sense of agreement, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    If he wanted to go to the Southern Land, there was a closer route on the sea.

    ¡°Why are you still in the Mind?¡±

    Cheng Tianyu frowned, ¡°If the two continents have something she¡¯s plotting, then why is it that there¡¯s no movement at all along the way?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps ¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not thatplicated.¡±

    Liu Shushuang suddenly opened her mouth, everyone was looking at her.

    Yan Xing immediately understood. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Other than the people from the Demon Pce, who else has seen what the Pce Master looks like? Only Second Senior Sister.¡±

    As he said this, everyone remembered that Liu Chushuang had participated in the battle at the Western Ice Mountain. They also remembered the Pce Mistress¡¯ name, Yu Zhan.

    Ao Xue Shuang Cangya Liu, Hibiscus spread eyebrows and gold pce jade.

    A hundred years ago, no one didn¡¯t know.

    Liu Shushuang and Yu Zhan Shan fought and won¡¯t able to win, they both became famous at the same time.

    However, after that, one person returned to Cang Ya Mountain and bitterly cultivated. If he did not enter the world again, he would shatter all the bones and meridians in his body and endure twenty years in the depths of the snowy ins, eventually obtaining great sess in his demonic arts.

    When Yu Zhan sessfully killed his master and became the new Asgard Master, his status surpassed his name.

    These two sentences were no longer mentioned.

    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Liu Shushuang said, ¡°She should be thinking ofing to the West Continent, to Cangya.¡±

    But¡­

    She can¡¯t tell the southwest. ¡°

    Cheng Tianyu¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°What?!¡±

    Liu Shushuang also felt that no one believed what she said, but the truth was like this, so she had no choice but to admit it.

    ¡°Other than the east, south, and west, she still doesn¡¯t know the way.

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll go a long way.¡±

    This time, even Chen Yi felt that it was absurd. ¡°She has so many subordinates, yet she doesn¡¯t recognize any path?¡±

    Liu Shushuang said, ¡°That¡¯s not it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just that she looks as gentle like water, but in reality, she kills without batting an eyelid.¡±

    Yan Xing said, ¡°Which side she says is the west, who dares to say that she is wrong?¡±

    ¡°Pointing the deer as the horse and the guide as the west, it¡¯s not hard to imagine.¡±

    Liu Shuren nodded seriously.

    Yin Biyue looked around, feeling that everyone was broken down inside, except for his calmness.

    This was especially so for Chen Yi and Cheng Tianyu, who had rushed over ten thousand miles in a single move. This matter was truly unreasonable.

 Chapter 77

    <h4>Chapter 77</h4>

    It wille back, but it will be hundreds of years

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    Qing He Pce was silent for a moment.

    Only the faintest echo of the ticking could be heard.

    After a while, Yan Xing broke the silence.

    ¡°Even the Twelve Pces think that they are the true disciples of the Devil Pce. They aren¡¯t willing to ept each other¡¯s defeat. Aren¡¯t they afraid that once she leaves, someone will take care of her Heavenly Snow Mountain¡¯sir?¡±

    If Second Senior Sister¡¯s deduction was correct, the significant danger that Yu Zhan Mei had brought with her had shifted from the Plum Stream Sect and the Green Foothold Sword Sect to the Vast Expanse Mountain.

    ¡°So this is either a plot, with a n and a backup n, or Cangya Mountain has something worth taking the risk of.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this was the case. The Sword Saint couldn¡¯t leave, so he thought that Cang Ya, who was without the Asian Sage, was the softest persimmon.

    A person with such foolish thoughts would not be able to sit stably in the enormous Golden Pce.

    Yan Xing asked, ¡°Senior disciple sister if she came to fight you, what percentage of a chance do you have of winning?¡±

    He had only just finished speaking when he regretted his words. It was too inappropriate to ask this question.

    His former opponent might now be stronger than him, so no matter how one looked at it, it was not afortable thing to do.

    Liu Shushuang answered straightforwardly, ¡°No ten percent.¡±

    No one was surprised.

    This was because, in terms of power alone, only Jun Yu would be able to sit here. Even the head, Zheng Yangzi, didn¡¯t dare to say that he would be able to win against the current Yu Zhan.

    The speed at which the younger generation of the Eastern Lu Devils advanced seemed unbelievable, but it was the truth.

    Most demonic cultivators didn¡¯t seek to improve their state of mind orprehend the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth; they simply pursued strength.

    To pay an unimaginable price in exchange for his cultivation to soar explosively.

    His lifespan was severely lost, and breaking out of danger was extremely dangerous. The risk was also consistent with the reward, so the evil cultivation was still very enticing.

    Jun Yu said, ¡°Ladies, please rest first.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it tomorrow.¡±

    These words were directed to Chen Yi and Cheng Tianyu. As soon as he said those words, a servant walked forward to lead the way, and the two of them stood up to take their leave.

    Luo Mingchuan and Yan Ziyue also stood up to walk them out of the hall.

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more he felt that the Eldest Senior Brother hadn¡¯t changed at all, just like the first time he met Qing Shui at the Pce. No one looked at him when he didn¡¯t speak, and no one dared to speak again when he did.

    He understood his eldest senior brother¡¯s meaning. The chaos was about to break out, so naturally, the alliance had to discuss it. However, the current crisis was mainly focused on Cangya Mountain, so they needed to close their doors and say a few words.

    Yan Xing said, ¡°No matter what Yu Zhanes here for, it¡¯s better to use force and force to deal with him. Are you afraid of them?¡±

    Liu Shushuang shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s safe to wait and see, but you will be in a passive position.¡±

    Yin Bi continued, ¡°Senior Sister, what do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll find her.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Jun Yu said.

    Liu Shushuangughed, ¡°Even though I can¡¯t beat her, I have to go all out to fight her. She can¡¯t hurt me, so I¡¯m more than enough to test her.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you, senior apprentice-sister!¡±

    Liu Chushuang¡¯s face turned cold, ¡°Don¡¯t cause trouble.¡±

    Just now, when the others were present, they didn¡¯t say anything about you.

    As the senior brother, not only did he not use his own body as a guide to teaching his junior brother, he even wanted his junior brother to clean up the mess for him instead.

    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t sent Ol ¡®Five home, I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t have known.¡±

    Yan Xing knew what she was talking about, so he lowered his head and said, ¡°Master has already taught me a lesson, I know my wrongs.¡±

    However, he really couldn¡¯t figure out how thetter half of the sentence came about. He couldn¡¯t help but frown in distress.

    Yin Biyue saw his confusion, suppressing hisughter, he tried to exin to him. He simply told him about his Fifth Junior Brother saving Mount Zhong with a Dragon Cloud Pill, and how Young Master Song was willing to let bygones be bygones.

    Yan Xing sighed with emotion, ¡°I knew that the reason why kid Cheng hadn¡¯t drawn his sword when he saw me just now was because Ol ¡®Five was loyal!¡±

    The eldest senior brother nced at him, but Yan Xing remained silent.

    Jun Yu said to Liu Shushuang, ¡°Be careful.¡±

    He knew his Junior Sister¡¯s personality, and he could not stop her even if he were to make up his mind.

    Liu Shushuang replied quickly, ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°When they enter the Western Land, I will set out.¡±

    Zheng Yangzi nodded, ¡°We¡¯ve been busy for the entire day. Let¡¯s go back and rest first.¡±

    So things were settled for the time being.

    Luo Mingchuan followed his master back, and Yan Xing put his arm around Yan Ziyue¡¯s shoulders, and together with Jun Yu and Liu Shushuang, they walked towards Xi Hua Feng, excitedly asking him about DongLu Feng¡¯s possessions.

    Yin Biyue replied seriously. However, his mind was a mess.

    ¡°See you at Tianxin Cliff, 3: 45.¡±

    His mind was filled with the voice transmission that Luo Mingchuan had just sent.

    His voice was deep and gentle, like a seed falling into the heart. It broke through the soil to sprout its leaves, and it grew into a towering tree in the blink of an eye.

    It was a strange and wonderful feeling.

    The more he tried to calm himself down, the more he could not help but spit at himself. His Senior Brother must have something to discuss with him since he was facing such a powerful enemy, so what was there to be afraid of?

    In the early winter, Luhua Peak was cold and biting. After the yellow leaves and red maple leaves of the autumn sun fell, there were only a few pine trees that were dark and heavy between the rugged rocks.

    When the four of them passed by their master¡¯s yard, they couldn¡¯t help but slow down.

    Yin Biyue thought about the conversation he had with his eldest senior brother in front of the door on the day his master returned.

    ¡°Some days I didn¡¯te back.

    ¡°You¡¯ve grown taller as well, even taller than me.¡±

    ¡°Not some days. Seven months and fifteen days in one hundred and three years.¡±

    He knew that when his Master went to see his Second Senior Sister and Third Senior Brother, she had talked about the Sword Tomb.

    The eldest senior brother should be the first to know.

    He had thought that his eldest senior brother would be the person who would feel the most sadness.

    However, Jun Yu was too calm and didn¡¯t reveal any of his emotions.

    It was as if nothing had happened.

    Suppressing his emotions was not a good thing. Not only him, even Liu Shushuang and Yan Xing felt the same.

    ¡°Elder Senior-apprentice Brother ¡­¡±

    Yin Biyue spoke, but he didn¡¯t know how to continue.

    Jun Yu understood what he meant, and also understood the worry in the eyes of his juniors.

    But he wouldn¡¯t exin, much lessfort, and he ended up saying,

    ¡°He¡¯lle back sooner orter, but it¡¯s only for a few hundred years.¡±

    At least Master never lied to me.

    His expression was too firm, so all of the disciples of Lilva Peak believed that this was how it should be.

    The night was dark.

    The more the treasure came out of the courtyard, the quieter it was at night. The faint cry of a partridge could be heard from the wind.

    The mountain path was rugged. He slightly lowered his head, and his steps were hurried. His clothes swayed from side to side.

    For some reason, he suddenly remembered the words written in the textbooks. Young master and youngdy, Spring Festival G.

    This thought shed across his mind, startling him.

    Suddenly raising his eyes, he saw a person standing at the edge of the Heavenly Heart Cliff from afar. His wide-sleeved sleeves were fluttering in the night wind. His long body stood upright and straight like a pine tree.

    That¡¯s right, it was early winter, so how could it be a spring night with a faint fragrance wafting in the air? And the person waiting for him was his senior brother, not some beautiful youngdy from the pavilion.

    He was really dazed.

    Yin Biyue calmed himself, unconsciously walking to Luo Mingchuan¡¯s side and was about to speak.

    The person in front of him turned around andughed softly, ¡°Junior apprentice-brother ¡­¡±

    ¡°Senior apprentice-brother, I¡¯mte.¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m early.¡±

    The more he looked around, the more he noticed that Bei Feng was sweeping up the ground, causing the clouds to billow on the horizon, blocking out the moonlight.

    ¡°Senior Brother, you have something to say to me?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan nodded.

    He had some guesses as to why Yu Zhan hade today.

    Originally, he didn¡¯t want to make his junior brother worry, but then he recalled the experience of the Xingshan Temple. His junior brother had once said that since he trusted her, he should say everything to avoid any misunderstandings in the future.

    Therefore, he said in a deep voice, ¡°The inheritance of the Golden Pce bloodline is the same as the one from the Nine Revolutions of the Heaven. It is the legacy of the Enchantment Pce¡¯s right-hand protector.¡±

    ¡°When I fought with a group of demonic cultivators at the borders of the Western Land and used the Gan¡¯s Eye Technique, I was once called ¡®Your Highness¡¯ by a person. I think they saw something ¡­¡±

    Yin Biyue¡¯s heart sank, ¡°Senior Brother, I guess the Golden Pce came out of the snowy in this time to find you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I have sealed the cultivation base in my body, but I still have some scattered memories of him, including the entire set of the Nine Heavenly Revolutions Technique.¡±

    Yin Biyue understood the position of the Heavenly Net¡¯s Nine Revolutions in the Devil Dao, which demonic cultivator didn¡¯t want to practice it?

    If Yu Zhan hade for it, it would have been worth it to take the risk.

    However, he then remembered something else. Before he and his master descended the mountain, he had talked about this matter with his senior brother.

    More important, by contrast.

    ¡°Senior Brother, you agreed to follow me when I return.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan was startled and then said with a bitter smile, ¡°I didn¡¯t agree to that.¡±

    ¡°Just wait until you¡¯re crowned.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already been crowned.

    ¡°Master added it himself.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan looked at the white-haired man and was speechless for a moment, ¡°This ¡­¡±

    ¡°Master told me, although I¡¯m not yet old, it¡¯s time.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan avoided his gaze, ¡°Now that the storm ising, it will only be an eventful autumn ¡­ ¡­¡±

    Yin Biyue did not understand, so he interrupted him, ¡°Because of this, Senior Brother must not ruin our cultivation. Now that the situation is about to get messy, we all need more power.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan said ambiguously, ¡°¡­¡­ You¡¯re right.¡±

    Yin Biyue smiled, ¡°Senior Brother agreed to it?¡±

    Luo Mingchuan sighed. He felt like this was the time to make things clear. But Junior Apprentice Brother was so simple, how should he open his mouth?

    ¡°It was my fault for not thinking properly. The wind was blowing by the cliff during the winter, so I should have gone to find Junior Brother ¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll send you back first.¡±

    As he said that, the thought of that reunion shed across his mind.

    All of them were righteous and aggressive. They all acted like theycked the confidence to fight back and subconsciously lowered their eyes to avoid the gaze of their senior brother.

    He feltpletely helpless.

    Because he couldn¡¯t help but start thinking wild thoughts again.

    Ah, Senior Brother came to me in the middle of the night and climbed over the wall to imitate a cat¡¯s meow.

    Oh my!

    What the hell!

    The warm breath suddenly approached, and before he could react, he was grabbed by the wrist.

    After a moment, the world spun. When he opened his eyes, he was already standing at the entrance of his courtyard.

    Yin Biyue knew that Luo Mingchuan must be carrying the ¡®Cangya Medallion¡¯, and the entire Cangya could be traversed at will.

    He came back to his senses, pulled the people into the yard without saying a word, opened the door, and pushed them in.

    Say it clearly today!

    Don¡¯t think you can just send me back!

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C

    Across thepany.

    Liu XiaoDun, a trainee salesman, was standing in front of the big window of the technical department and was scolded by the department leader.

    ¡°What happened to the wrong aura?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already done the emergency response ¡­¡±

    ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°Tell me about it.¡±

    ¡°I found the serial number of Halo Production, modified the source code, and cooled the Halo!¡±

    Zhang Qingqing rubbed her forehead, deeply aware that these interns¡¯ diplomas were all bought by Blue X.

    ¡°And you think you¡¯re very clever ¡­¡±

    Halo was the only connection between him and the customer!

    ¡°After the cooldown, how do we find him?¡±

    Liu Xiaobie was speechless, ¡°This ¡­¡±

    She patiently exined, ¡°The time between nes is different. Look, even though we haven¡¯t been here for long, that child of the viin is probably soaked in soy sauce!¡±

    ¡°This is already a level 1 business ident, Little Dummy.¡±

    Liu Xiaobie panicked, ¡°Then, then what should we do?¡±

    ¡°Activate the halo, locate the viin, and then find a powerhouse that is powerful enough to travel through the three thousand worlds and temporarily avoid thew sanctions. Then,pletely remove the halo and exin it clearly to the guest, and discuss thepensation for the subsequentpensation.¡±

    Liu Xiao Dun wanted to cry but had no tears. ¡°I can activate the halo, but someone needs to see the viin ¡­¡±

    Zhang Qingqing turned her head away, unable to bear to look at his hopeful eyes, ¡°I don¡¯t have the ability ¡­¡±

    ¡°Please go beg Senior Cheng.¡±

    This time, Liu Xiao Dun was about to cry.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, senior Cheng has the best temper out of all the Gods in thepany.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just that it doesn¡¯t seem to be human.¡±

 Chapter 78

    <h4>Chapter 78</h4>

    The ice and snow have just melted, and it is cold and full of turmoil

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    Luo Mingchuan was caught off guard and was pushed into the room by Yin Biyue, ¡°Junior brother ¡­¡±

    ¡°Senior Brother will exin everything clearly to me today. Why didn¡¯t you let me practice the ninth level of Heavenly Luo, is it because of some other problem with that cultivation method, or because Senior Brother doesn¡¯t trust me at all?!¡±

    A sigh sounded out from the darkness, ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense to me, how could I not believe you ¡­ ¡­¡±

    He rushed in, realizing that he didn¡¯t light themp.

    Although with his and Luo Mingchuan¡¯s cultivation levels, they could see things at night, now that they were in the same room in the dark, he felt a little awkward.

    With a single thought, his right hand continued to hold onto Luo Mingchuan¡¯s sleeve. His left hand flicked his sleeve, true essence surged, and the candle me suddenly lit up, casting two almost identical shadows onto the paper window.

    ¡°As long as senior has belief in me, I can¡¯t think of any other problems.¡±

    When Luo Mingchuan heard these words, he saw the flickering candlelight falling on the white hair and brow of the person in front of him. It was coated with a warm yellow halo, and his bright eyes were twinkling like the radiance of stars.

    He felt like he was being gently scratched at the bottom of his heart.

    It was itchy and numb.

    ¡°Junior brother, although you¡¯ve been crowned, you¡¯re still too young ¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t argue with me. I said it¡¯s small, but it has nothing to do with age.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve often wondered if you can tell the difference between dependence and love if you know what you want if you¡¯re ready to spend a long life with someone.

    I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do if you get tired of it after we¡¯re naturalized and think it¡¯s not what you want and then leave me.

    ¡°It¡¯s impossible for me to let you go.¡±

    ¡°Junior brother, have you really thought it through?¡±

    The topic changed too quickly, and he waspletely stunned.

    Hearing the first sentence, he wanted to say ¡®I¡¯m not small anymore¡¯, but at the end, when the senior brother talked about how he relied on love, it was like a sudden p of thunder in his mind, shaking him to the point that he couldn¡¯t think.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s voice was very soft as if he was afraid of breaking some fragile product.

    ¡°At the end of the ninth cycle, it is a cultivation technique that requires two levels of cultivation.¡±

    Do you know about dual cultivation?

    ¡°That¡¯s something only a Dao-Companion can do ¡­¡±

    ¡°Rumble ¡­¡±

    Another p of thunder.

    Do you understand me?

    Do you understand?!

    Do you understand?!

    What?!

    He felt like he was only left with the words ¡°dual cultivation¡± in his mind.

    Isn¡¯t that a shameful thing done by both men and women?

    Aren¡¯t, aren¡¯t we following the orthodox path of cultivation?

    Could it be that the concept of writing a cultivation technique was an * *?

    That was to say, the reason why he kept bringing up this matter and kept insisting on his senior¡¯s agreement was that¡­

    Requesting dual cultivation?

    Too, too shameless.

    I don¡¯t want to be human.

    ¡®Ding ¡­ detected that the user¡¯s embarrassment value has exceeded 100, automatically judged as a trap. Do you want to activate the halo assistant? ¡¯

    Mist Grass!

    The familiar voice sounded in his head, and he almost cried.

    Look at this fake halo!

    So many life and death situations where he did not appear again and again!

    ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡­

    What kind of embarrassment was the standard for logging in!

    Urgh!

    It was worth it!

    But!

    Good timing!

    A conscience!

    ¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡±

    ¡°Open!¡±

    Luo Mingchuan saw his junior brother startled and avoided his eyes, so he knew that he hadn¡¯t thought of it yet.

    He couldn¡¯t help but let out a sigh in his heart. He felt slightly bitter but also felt that he had been too impatient.

    His abrupt words were likely to scare his junior brother.

    He gently withdrew his sleeve from Yin Biyuee¡¯s hands and took two steps back. He smiled gently and said, ¡°It¡¯s veryte today. Junior brother, rest up, I ¡­¡±

    However, a slightly cold aura suddenly entered his chest, causing his words to be stuck in his mouth and teeth.

    It was then that Yin Biyue wrapped that around his waist.

    Unlike every previous hug, it was no longer a child hugging their parents¡¯ admiration.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°A dual cultivationbined? Senior brother, are you not willing?¡±

    His junior brother raised his eyes in his arms andughed softly.

    Like the red plum on the first thaw, cold, and the mand.

    ¡°I¡¯m not small anymore. Of course, I know what I want ¡­¡±

    The person in his arms turned to the side, and a faint trace of flirtatious charm could be seen at the back of his eyes. A warm breath sprayed onto his neck.

    Luo Mingchuan felt as if a fire was burning, from his neck, from his Daoist robe, from his hands around his waist, all the way to his heart.

    He lowered his head slightly, thinking, I¡¯m really a devil.

    However, he couldn¡¯t help but raise his hand and hold him closer.

    However, he did not expect this to be the end. The smile in Junior Brother¡¯s eyes became even more intense, like an intoxicating wine.

    He took his hand and pressed it to his chest.

    ¡°I want you, Senior Brother.¡±

    At the same time, all the fires exploded.

    ¡®Ding ¡­ detected that the other party¡¯s distress value is higher than the host, automatically determined to be a breakthrough, this assistant has finished.

    ¡°Little assistant, good friend, good assistant in solving life¡¯s problems.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more he regained his wits.

    At this moment, he was holding Luo Mingchuan¡¯s wrist, which was less than half an inch away from his frontpel.

    If he had wanted to dig a hole in the ground before using the halo, then now he wanted to slit his own throat and die immediately!

    As for his senior brother, he stared nkly at him. Glimmers danced in his eyes, a gaze he had never seen before.

    It was as if some long-suppressed emotion was about to erupt.

    ¡°Senior Brother!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not¡­¡±

    The more he thought about it, the less he knew how to exin it.

    ¡°Ah, yes!¡±

    ¡°I want to show you a book!¡±

    He let go of Luo Mingchuan¡¯s hand and hurriedly took out the book in his arms. ¡°This is it!¡±

    ¡°Senior Brother, you must take a look ¡­¡±

    These were the authentic notes of a True Immortal!

    It was hard toe by!

    Don¡¯t look at me.

    F*ck my trashy aura!

    He had to rely on himself to make a breakthrough!

    Who knew that Luo Mingchuan would lower his head to look, and his expression would be a little strange.

    ¡°Junior brother, where did you get such a thing ¡­¡±

    ¡°Mister Headmaster gave it to me!¡±

    Luo Mingchuan was startled as if he understood something.

    He coughed lightly and looked away.

    ¡°It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t go to the academy in the future. What nonsense did Teacher teach you ¡­¡±

    Just as Yin Biyue was about to say ¡®rest early¡¯, the man in front of him hurriedly rushed out of the door, as if he was running away.

    He lowered his head and looked at the book in his hands. He finally understood what the problem was ¡­

    ¡°Enchantment Immortal Elder Leng Xiao Fei¡±

    Holy shit!

    This was the title of the book!

    The more he thought about it, the harder it was for him to fall asleep, let alone meditate.

    The next day, Yan Xing called out to him after he sat down. He was still absent-minded when he went to the main hall to discuss matters. Only then did hee back to his senses.

    Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw that Luo Mingchuan was still acting normally, and didn¡¯t pay any attention to him. He seemed to have forgotten aboutst night and felt better.

    In fact,st night, Luo Mingchuan tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He chanted the Mind Cleansing Incantation to meditate but had a dream instead.

    After waking up today, he couldn¡¯t help but feel guilty. He didn¡¯t know how to deal with such a treasure.

    He felt that the headmaster had taught his junior a bad lesson, but he also felt that it was his own fault.

    It was his negligence, and he didn¡¯t know when he had let his junior brother learn such a thing.

    Soon, they all came out of their dilemma. The Sect Leader, Zheng Yangzi, had said that Chen Yi had received an urgent letter from the secttest night and had rushed over to the Luo River Sect overnight.

    Only then did Cheng Tianyu know. ¡°He¡¯s actually in such a hurry ¡­¡±

    Everyone seemed to be deep in thought. What sort of major event and unforeseen event was it that would hastily recall the disciples who had left the sect?

    However, this was a matter for the other faction after all, so it was not good to say anything.

    Cheng Tianyu spoke of another matter. ¡°Before I left, I received an invitation from Parasol saying that the sect had practiced a new sword formation and that my master was to go and observe and give guidance.¡±

    ¡°It even went against Sect Master Yu¡¯s seal.¡±

    When he said ¡®master¡¯, he was naturally referring to the Green Foothold Sword Sect¡¯s Ascension Sect.

    Amongst the three sects in the mountain, there had been a feud between the two sects for a long time, but there was no conflict between the two sects.

    Although the rtionship between the two sects was not very close, as the most powerful person in the Asian Sage Realm, the rest of the two sects would still give him face.

    What was puzzling was that it was said that he had been severely injured by the Sword Saint for at least three years. How could he have the heart to practice sword formations?

    He frowned.

    At that time, he was by his Master¡¯s side and knew just how terrifying the power of that seemingly casual finger attack was.

    Even if he had the spirit medicine to recover, it would be impossible for him to recover so quickly.

    ¡°They invited my master out of the sect. There shouldn¡¯t be any problems ¡­¡±

    Cheng Tianyu¡¯s talent in the path of the sword was very high, but he was still young after all. He wascking in the shrewdness of the city and manors, and he had even treated Yin BiyueYue and Luo Mingchuan as friends. That was why he had asked them so straightforwardly.

    ¡°The demonic path has been revived and the crossing of the sea has been rampant, and thend has been disturbed by it,¡± he said.

    ¡°Everyone knows that the most important thing right now is to work together to fight against the Twelve Pces.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s reasonable.¡±

    The meaning behind his words was that no matter what Po Zong nned to do, he wouldn¡¯t do something that would be detrimental to the stability of the situation, contrary to the principles of justice.

    Zhou Yuandao had studied various types of sword formations for many years, bing a member of a family. No one in the world was more skilled than him, and Yu Shi invited him to observe the formation. It was reasonable.

    However, Yin Biyue still felt that something was wrong.

    Cheng Tianyu pondered for a moment before nodding his head in agreement.

    Then, he changed the topic, ¡°I have more than 2,600 disciples, of which more than 1,000 are on the cutting edge, and more than 600 are on the focusing point. In the Southern Land, there are more than 40 families that belong to us.

    ¡°If you want to fight with the Twelve Pces in the Southern Land, you can pull the front line from the coast to Titian Mountain, Green foothills ¡­¡±

    It was the will of the seniors in the sect that he spoke of the situation of the Green Foothold Sword Sect.

    It is intended to form an alliance with people, first with sincerity.

    After Cheng Tianyu finished speaking, Zhengyang Zi only nodded without saying anything.

    Luo Mingchuan began to talk about the situation at Cangya Mountain.

    The number of disciples, the level of their cultivation, and the subordinate ns all spoke theirnguage in an orderly manner.

    The more Yin Biyue heard, the more he felt that there was no one who understood Cangya Mountain better than he did.

    ¡°I, Elder Cangya, am skilled in talisman crafting. I, Elder Ping, am willing to add a Concealment Formation on the Communication Talisman and am willing to exchange two hundred pieces with Qing Lu tomunicate with him.¡±

    ¡°As for how to provide assistance, we¡¯ll have to look at the actual situation after the war and exin in detail ¡­¡±

    ¡°Naturally.¡±

    Cheng Tianyu hadpleted his most important objective. In his heart, he remembered that the Pce Master was still in the south of the continent. He was afraid that something would happen. Without a moment¡¯s rest, he would return to Qing Lu.

    He stood up and bowed to everyone before following the boy to get the talisman paper.

    Zhang Yangzi slowly walked out of the hall, waved his hand to signal Luo Mingchuan not to follow him, and murmured.

    ¡°Things are going to change soon. It¡¯s going to be eventful autumn ¡­¡±

    He walked slowly, his back slightly hunched.

    In the hall, Liu Shushuang took out a Snow Wave Pavilion from her sleeve.

    ¡°Fifth Junior Brother sent a letterst night.¡±

    The more Yin Biyue kept silent, the more things happenedst night.

 Chapter 79

    <h4>Chapter 79</h4>

    He finally stood at the highest point in the world

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    ¡°What did Ol ¡®Five say in his letter?¡±

    When are youing back?

    ¡°Can you make it in time for the new year?¡±

    Yan Xing was clearly very happy.

    Liu Shushuang shook her head, ¡°I¡¯m afraid not.¡±

    He¡¯s getting ready to ascend to the throne. ¡°

    Unlike Yan Xing, the focus of his attention was¡¯ So my junior apprentice-brother is the royal family, the two hundred years of plum rain brewing in the imperial cer can be casually drunk and ha-ha ha ¡®.

    Now that he heard his senior sister say that he was going to ascend the throne, he still looked like he was betting in the gambling den with a fan in his head.

    ¡°Senior apprentice-brothers and sisters, please ept my words.¡±

    It was early winter in the Northern Land this year, and the first snow had fallen.

    It¡¯s just that the weather is even colder. I wonder how is Cang Ya Mountain, has Second Sister added any more clothes? ¡­

    Liu Shushuang paused, ¡°I won¡¯t be reading this part.¡±

    ¡°Fifth Junior Brother asks how everyone is doing ¡­¡±

    She directly flipped to the next page, only then did Yin Biyue realize that she had spent an entire page of nonsense to write, and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to herself.

    ¡°The general situation has just been decided, and the rebels have been purged.

    ¡°My father is old. On the third auspicious day of next month, I will be the one to carry out the Rites of Heavenly Worship.¡±

    When thest half-page was filled with serious business, everyone¡¯s faces turned solemn.

    Only Jun Yu had no reaction from beginning to end. It was as if Mount Tai had copsed in front of him without any change in its expression.

    He knew why Duan Chong Xuan hade to Cangya. His master didn¡¯t have many rtionships with Duan Sheng¡¯an, but he was old friends with the headmaster. Thus, he epted his rmendation letter and epted Duan Chong Xuan into his sect.

    It had a lot of implications, many of which were rted to the Northern Lu Family.

    However, when Duan Chong Xuan went to pay respects to his teacher, he was one of the disciples of Di Hua Feng. They all treated him as a junior brother, so the identity of the crown prince had to be further relegated.

    In the past, in the future.

    ¡°Seven days ago, the Imperial Guards caught four Demonic cultivators at their secret location. They are spies of the Twelve Pces of the Devil Dao.¡±

    ¡°The entire capital has been under martialw. Recently, there have been reports of garrisons and there are traces of demonic cultivators on the easternmost coast ¡­¡±

    There were demonic cultivators in the Northern Land. Yin Biyue frowned. The Twelve Pces had never beenpatible with each other before, but now, they seemed to have reached an agreement and came out of the Eastern Continent together.

    ¡°I received news that the Golden Pce left the snowy ins.

    ¡°The two pces, Jade Flower and Jade Tree have been building ships and crossing the sea on arge scale. The Shining Sun and Zhuo Yue have been interacting closely with each other recently, and they also have some intention of joining the alliance. The two Pce Masters, Cold Sky and West Water have taken people to the Falling Star Cave. I¡¯m afraid they have some deep ns ¡­¡±

    He knew of Duan Chongxuan¡¯s unique background; however, he never expected the North King¡¯s intelligencework to be so extraordinary and the East Continent¡¯s situation was well-known.

    Liu Shushuang finished reading the letter, ¡°There is no good news, but the situation is now much clearer.¡±

    ¡°Yu Zhan Mei crossed the South Sea today, and I too will descend the mountain.¡±

    As soon as she finished speaking, she stood up and walked out of the hall.

    Yin Biyue and the others got up, and just then Yan Xing shouted.

    ¡°Senior Sister!¡±

    ¡°I heard that the witch is cunning and vicious. You have to be careful!¡±

    Liu Shushuang¡¯s figure blurred as she waved her hand from afar without turning her head. It was a sign of agreement.

    The crowd stood outside the hall, watching her shrink to an inch. In the blink of an eye, she was already at the foot of the mountain path.

    When Yan Yi saw Luo Mingchuan¡¯s figure out of the corner of his eye, he still felt his face burn a little. He didn¡¯t know how to open his mouth, so he followed Jun Yu and Yan Xing toward Xi Hua Feng.

    He could clearly feel a gaze behind him. It used to be warm like the sun, but now it inexplicably felt like a fiercely burning me, the temperature scorching.

    After Jun Yu had left to practice his sword skills at the edge of the cliff, before Yan Xing returned to the courtyard, he suddenly turned around and asked, ¡°Fourth brother, what happened between you and Luo Mingchuan?¡±

    The more Yin Biyue thought about it, the more shocked he became.

    He didn¡¯t expect that even the thick-skinned Yan Xing would be able to tell that something was amiss.

    Fortunately, he didn¡¯t have much of an expression on his face. Even though he was extremely nervous, his expression was as cold as usual, ¡°Nothing ¡­¡±

    The journey to the Eastern Lands has been filled with enlightenment, and I have never been diligently cultivating since I returned to the mountain peaks. I wish to go into seclusion for a few days and find an opportunity to make a breakthrough.

    His tone was stiff, but Yan Xing didn¡¯t pay attention to him. Instead, he patted him on the shoulder and said, ¡°Breaking through is like eating and drinking. You¡¯re stronger than me in the past ¡­¡±

    It could be said that he had a bright future!

    ¡°Hahaha!¡±

    With that, he untied the wine gourd on his waist and took a huge gulp before returning to his own courtyard in satisfaction.

    Yin Biyue had been in closed-door cultivation for seven days, and he had been practicing the sword for three days.

    However, he knew that his thoughts were not calm. He had no hope of breaking through, and he did not force the issue.

    When he came out of seclusion, he heard that Yan Xing had gone down the mountain.

    ¡°You can go down as well.¡±

    The eldest senior brother said.

    Yin Biyue nodded.

    When opening the great formation, one would need to use ¡®Chun Shan Xiao¡¯ to suppress the formation, making it difficult for him to easily leave the mountain.

    Therefore, he would always bid farewell to others and send them off the peak.

    Luo Mingchuan had been busytely, writing letters in the Qing He Pce, and had even divided the Cangya disciples into twenty teams based on their cultivation techniques and realms. Some of them were already patrolling the westernnds.

    But every night, in the dead of the night, when the candles were lit, he would always remember that night and feel endless remorse.

    The way he was handling things this time was too appropriate. Since junior brother didn¡¯t know anything, he should slowly guide the exnation. How could he avoid this?

    There were times when he felt that he shouldn¡¯t have the heart to think about such things in the face of such chaos.

    Cheng Tianyu hade to represent Qing Lu to form an alliance, but the secret token had already arrived yesterday.

    After discussing with his master, Luo Mingchuan decided to go down the mountain.

    Thus, Yin Biyue was in front of the mountain gate, he encountered Luo Mingchuan.

    They looked at each other in the bitter north wind.

    ¡°Junior apprentice-brother is going down the mountain?¡±

    Yin Biyue nodded.

    ¡°Do you have a direction?¡±

    He shook his head.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go together?¡±

    He wanted to nod, but he felt embarrassed, so he opened his mouth and said, ¡°I will go with you, Shixiong.¡±

    After speaking, he frowned. His Senior Brother had always been upright and unperturbed. That night, he had been too preposterous, and his Senior Brother had rushed out of the door. Could it be that he was disgusted with him?

    For a moment, he didn¡¯t know whether he should agree or not.

    He was an honest man, and he would have thought so only because he was confused and fascinated by the situation.

    Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t know what he was thinking, but hearing him say ¡®follow senior brother,¡¯ he couldn¡¯t help butugh, ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡±

    Yin Biyue lowered his eyes and walked a few steps closer to him, pressing the corner of his mouth.

    He forgot to ask where he was going.

    As he walked, he said, ¡°That Asian Sage from the Qing Lu went to the BoPiao Sect, but he did not send any news back.¡±

    The Elders of the profound sect were trapped by the Western Water Pce¡¯s Demonic cultivators in the Southern Land, Mount Zhong, and Song Tang were also held up by others. These things were too coincidental ¡­

    Let¡¯s go take a look at Parasol first.

    ¡°Time is of the essence. I n to cross the Hundred Thousand Mountain Range.¡±

    The Hundred Thousand Mountain Range was the north-south boundary of the Western Land, and the jurisdiction of the Cangya Mountain and the Parasol was also based on this boundary.

    The terrain of the mountains was extremely dangerous, and there were many vicious beasts and bandits.

    However, with their current realms, there was naturally nothing to fear.

    Yin Biyue nodded, ¡°I will listen to you.¡±

    £ª£ª£ª£ª£ª£ª

    The Parasol Sect has nine pces and twelve monasteries.

    All the temples and temples were filled with incense all the year-round. From afar, the green smoke shrouded the entire pce. Even the eaves and gold tiles of the pce were faintly discernible.

    Only the highest of the Hengduan Mountains had no smoke, only the rolling sea of clouds.

    A middle-aged Daoist stood on the sea of clouds.

    His eyes were slightly closed, his face slightly pale. His robe was billowed by the fierce wind, and his hair was a little messy.

    If one were to reach the realm, they would be able to tell that what surrounded him was not a gale, but countless sword Qis.

    The sword Qi spread across the sea of clouds, and the middle-aged Daoist remained as unmoving as a mountain.

    ¡°Zhou Yuandao, what ability do you have ¡­¡±

    This light teasing voice came from the top of the mountain above the Cloud Sea. It was as light as the wind.

    When itnded, it was like a thunderp.

    Smoke and wind rose up from the sea of clouds, colliding with the sword qi that was shooting out at high speeds. Hence, everyone within a hundred miles could hear the rumbling thunder.

    At the center of the thunder, the middle-aged Daoist¡¯s face grew even paler.

    Yu He, who was rumored to have been severely injured by the Sword Saint, was now standing on the summit of the mountain, unharmed.

    He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the sea of clouds with an indifferent expression.

    The person who spoke just now was not him, but the person sitting on the branch of the pine tree that grew out from the edge of the cliff.

    Covered in a ck robe, that person¡¯s posture was casual and unrestrained, as if he was sitting in his own backyard watching the flowers look at the clouds.

    It was hard to kill an Asian saint.

    Sess is significant, as are the consequences of failure.

    Thus, Yu Dai and his allies were well-prepared.

    Therefore, Zhou Yuandao was unable to leave the Crosscut Mountain.

    Suddenly, a streak of ck light cut through the clouds, and in the blink of an eye, itnded by the hand of the ck-robed man. It was originally a crow.

    The man in ck took down the note and read it several times. Finally, he startedughing wantonly.

    The crow once more transformed into a streak of light and flew away.

    Theughter shook the sea of clouds and was extremely ear-piercing, causing the leopard to frown for the rest of his life.

    The ck-robed man flicked his sleeve, and a short note appeared in Yu Shi¡¯s hand.

    His expressionless face for the rest of his life finally revealed a trace of a stiff smile.

    ¡°Chu Huan has seeded, Chen Yi has returnedte, the Crooked River is dead, and the stream is split.¡±

    The short note shattered into dust and scattered in the wind.

    They didn¡¯t care who Chu Huan and Chen Yi were, but with Crooked River dead, the Northern Emperor¡¯s end was nigh, and Zhou Yuantao would perish here as well.

    Who would have thought that in a short span of half a month, three out of the six Saints under the heavens would have already departed?

    The time and ce were harmonious. This plot was too ingenious, and it even managed to fool the head teacher¡¯s calctions and Buddhist eyes.

    Now that the situation had developed, there was nothing to fear.

    Yu Shi indifferently thought, so what if the stars were brilliant? Those juniors were still too young after all. They were far too unpopr.

    And he was finally waiting for the era without Wei Jingfeng.

    He stood at the highest point in the world.

    How unpleasant.

    His heart was agitated, and his devil energy could not help but surge out.

    A ck shadow covered the entire Crosscut Mountain.

    Within the dark wind and dark clouds, the middle-aged Daoist suddenly opened his eyes.

    His eyes were like lightning, splitting apart the devil¡¯s energy. His words were like swords as he sternly rebuked.

    ¡°For the rest of your life, not only did you collude with the demonic cultivators, you even entered the demonic path!

    ¡°The heavens cannot tolerate this!¡±

    Yu Shi frowned.

    It wasn¡¯t because of Zhou Yuandao¡¯s scolding, but because the other party was much stronger than he had expected.

    They seemed to be unmoving, but in reality, they had been fighting the entire time.

    The Cloud Sea Great Array and the sword Qi shed. Zhou Yuantao¡¯s Mountain Suppression Sword had already been damaged. The sword Qi was constantly being weakened, but it was not at the end of its tether.

    He looked at the pine branches at the edge of the cliff. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡±

    The ck-robed manughed softly.

 Chapter 80

    <h4>Chapter 80</h4>

    Across the hill, someone is waiting

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    Pill Stream was the name of arge sect, as well as a ce to the east of the central continent.

    After years of abundant rain, there arerge and small waterfalls in more than a hundred ces, before reaching the mountain, first hear the sound of water rumbling like thunder.

    The sshing mist merged with the clouds and mist. Green and red leaves intertwined with each other. If a disciple of the Luo River Sect wearing a purple robe walked forward, the color of the mountain ridges would be even more gorgeous.

    But today, on the trestle road, beside the wooden bridge, and even in the white-walled, gray houses, there was not a single person¡¯s shadow, not a single sound could be heard.

    The waterfall¡¯s gurgle and rinse were dismal.

    Dead as winter.

    The disciples of Liujian were gathered in the Great Void Temple.

    The vast and endless great hall was tightly packed, and the outside of the hall was also filled with people.

    In the middle of the hall, there was a huge empty space.

    The pale-faced beautiful young girl stood there, confronting the dozen or so people.

    ¡°Junior-apprentice Sister, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ve suffered too much of a blow. You¡¯re exhausted, and your mind isn¡¯t clear either ¡­¡±

    Chu Huan said indifferently.

    It was a great change, but his clothes were in a bun. From head to toe, they were unruffled, making him seem even more stable and reliable than a mountain.

    As the eldest disciple of Crooked River, he had the same temperament as his master, both of them were as gentle as water.

    Even the reproachful words gave birth to an inexplicable sense of trust.

    As soon as he finished speaking, someone chimed in, ¡°That¡¯s right, Martial Nephew Qu, you can¡¯t speak carelessly. You said Martial Nephew Chu harmed your parents, but do you have any evidence?¡±

    ¡°We are all very sad that Saint Qu and Sect Master Liu have passed away ¡­¡±

    However, right now, Martial Nephew the Chu is still in charge of the sect. ¡°

    ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? Do you want to disturb the hearts of the people? What kind of peace of mind do you have?!¡±

    The ones who spoke were a few elders with realms much higher than Chu Huan¡¯s. At this moment, they were standing behind her, seemingly with her as their leader.

    The expressions of the other disciples in the hall were all different. Some were convinced, some were skeptical, and for a moment, no one spoke a word.

    Normally, Chu Huan and Chen Yi would take care of the affairs in the sect. Compared to the rarely seen Sect Master and Saint, these two had a high prestige among the disciples.

    Now that Chen Yi wasn¡¯t here, the current situation was entirely due to Chu Huan¡¯s words.

    The smoke didn¡¯t understand.

    He didn¡¯t understand why Chu Huan had entered his sect before he was born. His parents had always viewed him as their own, so why did they do such a thing?

    If his father didn¡¯t trust him, how could the ingenious traps and all sorts of sinister methods he used be hidden from the Sublime Sage?

    He didn¡¯t understand how those elders were so kind and kind yesterday, and how they could lie in such a harsh manner today.

    I don¡¯t know why, overnight.

    Although her talent was outstanding and her mind was intelligent, she was still a little girl in the end.

    A little girl who had always been under the protection of her parents.

    How could she know that a man¡¯s heart is hard to fathom, or that the chips for betrayal are more than gratitude?

    Qu Fuyan gripped his sword tightly, his joints turning white.

    She looked into Chu Huan¡¯s eyes.

    He looked at his once familiar, now iparably terrifying senior brother, and did not take a single step back.

    ¡°Heaven knows the cycle, the sun and moonshine, you know what you¡¯ve done!¡±

    Chu Huan didn¡¯t argue any further. She only said softly, ¡°But who would believe that?¡±

    No one spoke.

    The pce was terrifyingly quiet.

    Therefore, when the voice rang out, it was especially clear, as if the entire stream could hear it.

    ¡°I believe you.¡±

    ¡°I believe in you, senior apprentice-sister.¡±

    The crowd parted on their own, and Chen Yi approached the door.

    Wherever he went, the thick stench of blood dispersed.

    His sleeve was tattered and his hair was disheveled. He was covered in dust and looked very pathetic.

    However, the light in his eyes was clear and firm. It could be seen that his ambushes and assassinations along the way did not weaken him in the slightest.

    At this moment, Qu Duyan suddenly had the urge to cry.

    Chu Huan¡¯s expression slightly changed. She knew the n for the journey from the West Continent to the Rivers Stream Valley, but Chen Yi still came back.

    It¡¯s a variable.

    East Continent.

    Endless Snow Field.

    There was no winter, summer, spring, or autumn here, and every year, it was a deathly white scene in a world of ice and snow.

    In the lead-gray sky, the heavy snow could instantly drown the figures people.

    However, today¡¯s snowy in was especially dazzling.

    A group of ck-robed men moved through the snowstorm, their bodies erratic. In the blink of an eye, they had traveled more than a hundred feet.

    The leader suddenly stopped and looked at the snowy mountain not far away.

    With his cultivation level, he could naturally see the formations and pces above.

    Someone was kneeling silently at his feet.

    ¡°Asgard Master, shall we go to Tongtian Snow Peak?¡±

    The leader shook his head. ¡°No.¡±

    He really liked the throne of the Golden Pce.

    That was left behind by the Demon Sovereign a million years ago. How could her jade-like eyebrows match it?

    But he was in a hurry.

    He was so eager to get close to her that he didn¡¯t have the time to think about it.

    He wanted to go to the Pit of Falling Stars.

    He had signed a contract with the monster in the abyss first.

    If a major event could be aplished, then not only would the reincarnation of the Devil Pce be a piece of cake for the entire world.

    But he did not think that when he crossed the river and came to the side of the abyss, there would already be people waiting there for him.

    ¡°Yu Zhan went to the West Continent.¡±

    ¡°The ravine is divided into the north and south sects.¡±

    ¡°¡®Cold sky¡¯, ¡®West Water¡¯ two pces. When they received the news from us, they all went to the Meteor Abyss and died in the abyss.¡±

    ¡°The Northern Land will take ce on the third day of next month. It has been arranged.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    At the Crosscut Mountain Cliff, the people in ck robes sitting on the cliff face were sessively receiving the news from various ces.

    Some would tell the rest of his life, some wouldn¡¯t.

    Chu Huan¡¯s betrayal and the rebellion of the Sage King of the Northern Lu were driven by him. He was the one who led Yu Zhan to the Western Land, and he was the one who made up the demon contract for the Fallen Star Abyss.

    The heavens and the earth were all in this scheme of things.

    There were many things, though, that he did not expect.

    For example, the headmaster did not follow his n to go to the Northern Continent, nor did he go to the Luo River.

    For example, the juniors of the Green Foothold Sword Sect were more promising than he had imagined. The other disciple of the Crooked River Sword Sect was still alive.

    Or the two stars.

    But these are all details.

    Those who achieved great things didn¡¯t bother with trifling matters.

    No matter if it was the Devil Sovereign or the True Immortal, they were all things that happened a million years ago. In this era of stars, it wasn¡¯t their turn to make an appearance.

    He sat on a pine branch and looked at the clouds. He had never felt that the world was so vast and beautiful.

    But then he heard the rest of the world ask,

    ¡°What are you waiting for?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t help butugh softly.

    He did not wait. He was just enjoying the process of gradually reaching the pinnacle.

    It¡¯s enough now.

    He stood up, the pine branches still under his feet.

    There was no surging devil energy that covered the sky and earth, only a faint, bright red smoke emitted from his pale to almost transparent fingers, gently drifting towards the sea of clouds.

    Countless streams of sword Qi burst out from around the middle-aged Daoist, breaking through the clouds of mist.

    If someone were to look up from the foot of the mountain, he or she would have the terrifying illusion that the sky was being torn apart by his or her life.

    He struggled to persevere and was nearing the end of his rope. However, when he saw the ck-cloaked person make his move, his eyes immediately lit up and his chest heaved up and down. He was even more enraged than when he had proven that he had fallen into the devil for the rest of his life.

    ¡°Rong Zhuo!¡±

    You devil!

    ¡°He actually didn¡¯t die in the Western Ice Mountain!¡±

    The battle of the Western Mountains was the only war that broke out a hundred years ago.

    At that time, Yu Zhan was just beginning to emerge from their, so the goal of exorcism was naturally not her, but RongZhuo and his Fine Jade Pce.

    Rong Zhuo had already reached the Sky Devil Realm, which was equivalent to the Taoist cultivator¡¯s sub-sage realm. He wanted to unify the Devil Pce and cross the sea to travel to the other four continents.

    After the Devil Pce split apart for a million years, there was only one person who came out of it. His cultivation and ambition were enough to threaten the great power of the world.

    So the vast and the green foothills formed an alliance of the Liuqi, and they fought their way up to Xiling Mountain.

    Liu was traveling down the mountain, so he went as well.

    After the great battle, everyone thought that Rong Zhuo was dead.

    Zhou Yuandao had witnessed his heart meridian shattering with his own eyes.

    The Pce of Fine Jade had been ruined and had been taken over by Rong Zhuo¡¯s disciple. It had been many years since itst reached its climax.

    In contrast, the golden pce¡¯s splendor is clearly more striking.

    As time passed, the crowd could only remember the tragic battle at Xiling Mountain, and gradually forgot why they had fought this battle.

    But there are always people who don¡¯t forget.

    When the thin wisp of smoke arrived in front of his eyes, Zhou Yuantao had the illusion that he was back on Xiling Mountain, next to the mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

    He had returned to his youth.

    At this time, he had a way to save more primeval essence, just like how he dealt with the great sea of clouds for the rest of his life.

    Struggling to hold on, trying to buy as much time as possible.

    It was not to save him after the rest of the Assassins woke up from their shock but to wait for the rest of their lives to be devoured by the demons.

    However, it was different now. Since the ck-cloaked person was Murong Zhuo, then no one could do anything. Why not fight him?

    The middle-aged Daoist slightly raised his right hand and made a grabbing motion, as if he was holding a sword.

    Thousands of streams of sword Qi gathered around him, and the sound of the wind breaking was like a blood-curdling hiss.

    Although his Mountain Suppression Sword was damaged, he was still alive, and Jianxin was still alive.

    Zhou Yuandao¡¯s expression was solemn. He grasped an invisible sword in his hand and shed at the wisp of scarlet smoke!

    The other party only raised his finger slightly, but he wanted to be like an honored guest.

    This was because the smoke contained a terrifying and supreme pressure that was close to the threshold of a saint.

    Not only did Rong Zhuo not die, but his cultivation realm was also even higher than back then.

    Under the de of the sword, the smoke dispersed.

    A faint scarlet glow floated amongst the sea of clouds.

    It was like a drop of ink falling into clear water. It was light and soundless, but it was quickly dyed red, dying the sky a hundred miles red in an instant.

    Blood trickled out of the corner of Zhou Yuantao¡¯s mouth. The sea of clouds under his feet churned, turning into a sea of blood.

    The disciples of the Parasol felt the sky darken. They looked up and saw a blinding red cloud that blotted out the sun.

    It was not like the magnificent sunset glow. It was pure scarlet as if thick blood was about to drip down.

    Those with a lower cultivation realm could not help but exim as they felt a piercing pain in their eyes from just one look.

    ¡°The Sect Leader is fighting with a demonic cultivator on the summit, why are you making such a big fuss?!¡±

    The disciples nodded in agreement and dispersed, not daring to ask any more questions.

    He Lai turned to the young man next to him with a respectful face, ¡°Eldest senior brother, there is a big matter on the mountain today. The elder has instructed me not to go up.¡±

    The youth slightly frowned but didn¡¯t agree.

    He Li¡¯s face was stiff, but she didn¡¯t dare to say anything.

    Suddenly, the wind began to blow. A ray of light cut through the ring red clouds above the nine heavens and gently descended.

    Like a candle me in the night, eye-catching.

    The youth extended his hand, and this ray of light just happened tond between his fingers like a feather.

    It was spotlessly white.

    The next moment, the red clouds were splityer byyer. In a continuous exmation, thousands of feathers fell down from the sky.

    All eighteen views of the nine pces of the Bo-Pu Sect were caged in the flying feathers that filled the sky.

    The young man finally made up his mind and walked up the mountain path, leaving the sound of persuasion behind him.

    Zhou Yuandao stood in the sea of blood. His sea of consciousness was also infected by the blood, and the nauseating thick and fishy stench enveloped him.

    His cheeks were sunken and his face was pale.

    The sword strike just now wasn¡¯t meant to cut Qingyan down in the first ce.

    He had to use his sword.

    Tens of thousands of sword rays flowed out, breaking through the sea of blood in an unending stream. They were like bright and scorching feathers as theynded on the pine branches at the edge of the cliff.

    Cheng Tianyu used the same technique on the Falling Flower Assembly. Its might was already astonishing, so how could itpare to a ten-thousandth of what was currently happening?

    This was a sword technique from when Asian Saints were young.

    He focused on his cultivation and glory for the rest of his life.

    The Flying Feather of the Hua Pavilion was extremely beautiful and extremely chilling.

    In the face of this sword, the loose branches under his feet were broken, and the dense ck robe was shredded to pieces, finally revealing his true appearance.

    His body blurred as he appeared above the sea of blood. As he crazily danced in the air, his red clothes became even thicker than blood.

    The 100,000 mountains in the early winter were already extremely cold. The cold wind was like des, the frosted sky was boundless, and the fallen leaves umted into a thickyer.

    Many berserk beasts returned to their caves in preparation for their long hibernation.

    But the most terrifying thing was never the beasts.

    Yin Biyue and Luo Mingchuan didn¡¯t stop for a moment along the way. They also had to deal with the endless dangers in the mountain. When they walked out of the mountain, their spirits were slightly exhausted.

    As far as the eye could see, the clouds on the horizon were as red as blood, and the light was as clear as feathers.

    When they were about eighty miles away from the Parasol, someone happened to be blocking the way.

    Her hair tied up, her expression indifferent, she didn¡¯t know how long she waited, but the sword in her hand was already covered in a light frost.

    She was far and patient, naturally, she didn¡¯t want to wee them.

    Across the hill, people waited.

    It was not a good thing, especially at this moment, when he wanted topete for every second.

    The more he frowned.

 Chapter 81

    <h4>Chapter 81</h4>

    As Master''s apprentice, I always have to do something

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    The more he was sure, the more certain he was that something big was happening on the Crosscut Mountain. It was big enough to change heaven and earth.

    With his current cultivation realm, he couldn¡¯t see the power of the world Laws contained within the red clouds from such a long distance, but he could faintly feel the terrifying power emitting from them.

    Yu Shi invited Zhou Yuandao to join the sect in the Sword Viewing Formation. Now, there was such arge-scale battle going on on the mountain.

    The worst conjecture that the Green Foothold Sword Sect had made was already true.

    Luo Mingchuan saw more than he did.

    He knew that the only option now was to go up the mountain as quickly as possible, even if it was useless.

    A battle of that level was not something they could face right now.

    However, if he gained a bit more strength and gained a bit more time, he might be able to obtain a turning point.

    At a time like this, blocking the way was the most time-consuming thing.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s eyes turned cold.

    It was rare for such an expression to appear on his face. The more Yin Biyue felt it, the angrier his senior brother became.

    The person blocking the way was an acquaintance.

    In Ye Cheng, the two of them made friends, and their rtionship was as tranquil as water. They also met enemies, and their killing intent soared to the skies, as the sharpness of swords gleamed in their eyes.

    Zheng Wei held his sword and stood in the middle of the road.

    In Ye Cheng, he was injured by Ye Zhiqiu¡¯s killing intent, returning to the mountain and closing the gate of life and death.

    The chances of dying in seclusion like this were extremely high, but once he came out alive, his cultivation level advanced by leaps and bounds.

    The more Yin Biyue held down Luo Mingchuan¡¯s sword and said.

    ¡°I think you want to kill me more than the orders from the sect.¡±

    Zheng Wei was waiting here, most likely to intercept the troublemaker who wanted to enter the sect tonight.

    Perhaps there were already people waiting for them on every path that led to the Parasol.

    However, they happened to meet Zheng Wei.

    It could be said that Zheng Wei had coincidentally been waiting for them.

    He was prepared for not answering, Zheng Wei responded.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Even when he said he wanted to kill someone, his voice was calm and without any ripples.

    ¡°But you can¡¯t kill me right now, because we have two people.¡±

    Zheng Wei nodded.

    Luo Mingchuan was too strong.

    This sort of understanding was based on the intuition of many years of killing.

    Even though he had exited the life and death arena, he couldn¡¯t see the difference in the cultivation realm between him and his opponent.

    ¡°If you want to kill me, there¡¯s only one chance. Let my senior apprentice-brother go first.¡±

    ¡°Otherwise, the two of us will be able to kill you.¡±

    When Zheng Wei heard this, he fell silent as if he was thinking.

    Luo Mingchuan frowned. He didn¡¯t say anything just now because he respected his junior, but he didn¡¯t agree with what he was doing.

    Yan Yu was still holding onto the hand he used to pull out the sword, and his expression was very determined.

    He understood the meaning behind the words ¡°wealth is great¡±.

    It was true that they could fight the enemy together, but it would take too long to kill Zheng Wei without fear of death. If they didn¡¯t kill him, they wouldn¡¯t be able to.

    The events on the mountain were not worth waiting for.

    ¡°Senior Brother, you said you would believe me.¡±

    Now I believe in myself.

    ¡°I want to do it myself.¡±

    Yin Biyue said to Luo Mingchuan.

    He gave Zheng Wei a choice: Follow the orders of the sect, try to intercept them as much as possible; or fulfill his wish and kill the people he had always wanted to kill.

    At this moment, Zheng Wei made his move, his green robe swaying slightly.

    He took three steps to the right, out of the way.

    The more he guessed, the better he guessed. To a madman like Zheng Wei, the scheme for the rest of his life and the overall situation in the world was not that important.

    He slowly released Luo Mingchuan¡¯s hand, finally revealing a pleading expression.

    Luo Mingchuan finally nodded.

    His body became a bit blurry and he disappeared. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared more than 100 feet away.

    Zheng Wei had no expression on his face as if he had never seen it before.

    From the moment they met until Luo Mingchuan left, the minds of the various parties had been whirling. It was only the time for half a cup of tea, and the more they thought about it, the faster it got.

    However, he was still afraid that Zheng Wei would go back on his words, so he asked as if he were dying.

    ¡°Why do you want to kill me so badly?¡±

    His master had killed Zheng Wei¡¯s master, and sping Park Sect would be pped in the face. At that time, he would also need someone to test if the Sword Saint coulde out of the Fallen Star Abyss.

    These were the reasons why Zheng Wei went to Ye Cheng.

    This time, although Zheng Wei¡¯s killing intent had settled down, like a sharp de returning to its sheath, it did not reveal its edge.

    However, the more they walked across the Eastern Continent¡¯s wastnd, the clearer they felt it.

    He also understood that it wasn¡¯t giving up, but storing up potential.

    However, he truly did not understand where such persistent killing intent came from.

    Even though he knew that the other party was a lunatic and that he was only 14 years old, every time his mind was disturbed or his cultivation was restricted, he would kill him.

    But why not kill someone else?

    It would be extremely difficult to kill him. Even if he seeded, he would definitely not be let off by Cang Ya Mountain.

    Zheng Wei replied, ¡°Those who wish to kill us cannot be killed. The thought of killing us cannot be quelled.¡±

    ¡°If I don¡¯t kill you, my dao heart will be iplete. This is even more unbearable than death.¡±

    The richer the treasure, the more speechless he became.

    He realized that the other party was reasonable, but unfortunately, he did not agree with this logic.

    In fact, he let Luo Mingchuan leave first, the less arrogant he was. He only thought of his master ¡ª ¡ª

    The only thing my master taught me was the sword art of killing.

    Then, as my master¡¯s disciple, I have to do something.

    If he had nothing to say at this time, his master would definitely be unhappy.

    Yin Biyue thought about it, he said,

    ¡°What pursuit of the perfect dao heart? To put it bluntly, it¡¯s the weak pinching of a persimmon.¡±

    You dare to say that you don¡¯t want to kill a saint or your senior, Lin Yuangui?

    But you only dare to think about it because you know you won¡¯t be able to kill it.

    You¡¯re scared.

    ¡°Your Dao-heart has never beenplete.¡±

    ¡°Rumble ¡­¡±

    As the sword qi from his opponent descended, the ground shook violently and a crack appeared. Rocks and dirt flew everywhere and dust filled the air!

    The Yin Biyue flew up into the air, but it didn¡¯t retreat, instead, it advanced forward. It was unknown when it had already left its sheath.

    The flying dust was split by the cold light, and a sharp sound of wind breaking rang out. The face of the sword-wielding Yin Biyue was as deep as water.

    After saying so much, he finally seeded in angering Zheng Wei.

    When he was in seventh ce, Zheng Wei challenged Lin Yuan to a duel. After his defeat, he went to kill three hundred bandits.

    Duan Chong Xuan had mentioned this back in Ye Cheng.

    Anger could increase one¡¯s might, but in a life-and-death battle, in a matter of minutes, anger could cause one to reveal ws.

    ¡°Rustle, rustle ¡­¡±

    The Lacustrine Sword stabbed into the opponent¡¯s scap, causing blood to gush out like a waterfall.

    This strike did not have any fancy skills, and could not even be called a move.

    However, there was absolute speed. If Zheng Wei hadn¡¯t avoided the heart meridian at thest moment, he would have already died.

    Yin Biyue attacked, using the killing sword art.

    He had been so patient and long-winded just now that he couldn¡¯t bear it any longer.

    Therefore, when he used this strike, his entire body was smooth sailing.

    His mental state was nearing its peak, and the Second Sword did not need time to fully disy its might.

    The cold wind swept the ground, and the sky gradually darkened. The red clouds became even more dazzling, like raging mes scorching the sky.

    Eighty miles away from the Bo-Mu Sect, the main road was covered in ayer of frost, as cold as the dead of winter.

    Cold Water Sword.

    From the moment he spoke to Zheng Wei until the moment he took out his sword.

    Although it appeared to be slow, it was actually fast. The rhythm of the battle was instantly grasped in Yan Ziyue¡¯s hands.

    The coldness of the de was imminent. Zheng Wei retreated swiftly, retreating ten zhang without any hesitation.

    At the same time, the tip of the sword showed the simple and unadorned pattern of the revolving formation. The sword moved in a Sundanese position and pierced out at an oblique angle. Its trajectory formed a brilliant ray of light that headed straight for the other party¡¯s forehead.

    He was retreating, but he didn¡¯t choose to use his sword to defend. Instead, he was fighting with his opponent for his life.

    If the Frost Water Sword was unwilling to withdraw its momentum, the Eight Trigrams Sword would injure the enemy.

    Killing eight hundred enemies and losing a thousand lives. This madman who had no fear of death was truly terrifying.

    However, after leaving the Wastnd, the thing that Yin Biyue was the least afraid of was fighting for his life.

    Leaning on theke, like the arrival of winter on all sides.

    The ice on the ground rapidly spread out, and the grass and withered trees on both sides of the road werepletely frozen.

    Yin Biyue¡¯s brow peak and ciliary feather, are both condensed light frost.

    Finally, the tip of the sword froze the blood on the wound.

    Zheng Wei¡¯s expression was slightly puzzled.

    He had thought of failure because the young man before him was no longer the same person who broke through the barrier of Ye Chenqiu¡¯skeside.

    However, he could not believe that he did not even have the chance to use the third strike.

    Holding the Eight Trigrams Sword in his hand, Zheng Wei fell backward. His eyes were wide open, unable to close them.

    He also knew many sword techniques and many magical artifacts, but they no longer held any meaning.

    Leaning against theke and returning to his scabbard, Yin Biyue walked past him. This time, he did not say another word.

    However, he walked very slowly. Just a moment ago, when he had used up all of his true essences, he had nearly lost all of his strength.

    He looked at the sky and thought, Senior Brother, should be on the mountain.

    That evening, the sky over the Hengduan Mountains had a red cloud. When the people of the West Continent saw it from afar, they would feel that it was like the sunset glow.

    However, it was alreadyte in the night, and the rays of the sunset still lingered on, causing one to feel ufortable with their redness.

    Some people began to panic, unable to cultivate or meditate, but they could not think of anything else they could do besides praying.

    More and more ordinary people didn¡¯t know what was going on. They were only discussing among themselves as they stared nkly at the magnificent scene.

    Yu Shi felt that it was time to end this.

    There shouldn¡¯t be any variables.

    Zhou Yuandao¡¯s strike was truly powerful. It was also at the point where his sword energy was exhausted.

    He even thought that Rongzhu¡¯s n was right, he should first get rid of Zhou Yuantao. This person had such a firm mind and was stronger than they had expected.

    Late elimination of a day was a major obstacle.

    The middle-aged Daoist in the sea of blood had his cheeks sunken. His face was pale and pale, and a clear light began to radiate from his body.

    Finally, he coughed up a mouthful of blood. This time, it was his heart¡¯s blood.

    Murong Zhuo, with his long, unbound ck hair, smiled, but it was still a casual smile.

    Against his blood-like red clothes, he looked eerie and terrifying.

    Before he finishedughing, he suddenly frowned and looked toward the sea of clouds!

    In the next moment, he felt something in the rest of his life as well. As he looked over, his cold expression turned into one of astonishment.

    On the other side of the sea of clouds, an unparalleled pressure emanated. It was the might of the Asian Sage.

    That¡¯s impossible.

    But even more, they never imagined that the first to arrive at the summit would not be Mr. Headmaster¡¯s stone seal, nor was it Wu Wang¡¯s wooden Buddhist bead.

    It was a young man.

    A junior that should not have appeared in this battle.

    His breathing was a little ragged, and his Daoist robe was stained with blood. It was obvious that many people had attempted to stop him on his way up the mountain.

    But now that he was here, there was no one at the foot of the mountain to stop him.

 Chapter 82

    <h4>Chapter 82</h4>

    It''s Like Seeing Myself When I Was Young

    Tranted by Vaishu

    Edited by Vaishu

    Tonight, the ughter on the Crosscut Mountain had been prepared by thousands of threads and tendrils, forming a huge that was so dense that it could not be seen through.

    The protective magical formation was activated to the extreme. On every road that led to the sping Yuan Sect, there were people intercepting outsiders. The patrolling guards and duty on the mountain were ten times more strict than before.

    These cultivators were powerful enough to block most of the oing hordes, but they were unable to block the Subsage who was rushing towards Yufeng.

    ¡°That schr from the academy might have a high cultivation level, but he doesn¡¯t even know how to take out a sword. It¡¯s not enough to pose a threat.¡±

    ¡°Void Temple hase all the way here to hide from the world, so I was too indifferent. Who rules the world, whether it¡¯s a dao or a devil, he doesn¡¯t care that much ¡­¡±

    This was what Rong Zhuo had said to Yu Shi long ago.

    His tone was casual, but in his words, there was a trace of insanity that no one ced in their eyes.

    Even so, they had still changed the Clouds Formation to deal with the potential enemies of the Asian Sage Realm. They had hidden their auras and confused their heaven¡¯s secrets, directing the gazes of these two people towards the meteorite abyss.

    If the Headmaster and the Mage Wu Wang wanted toe, they would have to make arrangements. They would have to pay a price to dy these two as long as possible.

    The night was boundless, with no stars and no moon. The red clouds shone brightly.

    In the blink of an eye, he had broken through a gap in the sea of blood.

    The enormous stone seal cast a shadow over the sea of blood, a vast pressure that covered the sky and the earth.

    There was a protective magical formation of the Boat Sect here that couldmunicate with the Power of the Heavens and the Earth. The stone seal shouldn¡¯t havee so fast.

    Yu Shi instantly felt something. His expression changed as he looked toward the young man who had arrived at the peak of the mountain.

    With a frown, he asked, ¡°Are you trying to bully me to exterminate my ancestors?¡±

    His tone was not heavy, but there was an intimidating pressure like a sword that came chopping down from above.

    Blood trickled from the corners of the young man¡¯s mouth.

    He did not block the sword strike from his previous life but only withstood it with a calm expression.

    His sleeves fluttered in the wind as his hands quickly formed a seal, and the sea of blood surged with great waves.

    He could break the stone seal, but it would take time.

    But the longer it went on, the more variables there were.

    Zhou Yuandao had already stood up.

    Even though it was always urgent, Yu Shi calmed down and said to the young man,

    ¡°You should not interfere in this matter.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go down.¡±

    The meaning was simple. You are not qualified to be here, but I will let bygones be bygones if you go down the mountain now.

    This was already the biggest concession he could make to Yu Shi Yan. Anyone should be grateful to him for epting it.

    But the young man did not move.

    A foul wind blew from the sea of blood, lifting his dark blue Daoist robe.

    For the rest of his life, he had never expected that the greatest variable would be Lin Yuangui.

    Just like when Jun Yu was at Cangya Mountain, Lin Yuangui also had control over half of the protective magical formation.

    Lin Yuangui did not know about tonight¡¯s assassination, nor did he know how to calcte. However, he was able to guess a few points from the red clouds and the clear light in his realm.

    Even though he had ordered that no one shoulde to the summit tonight, Lin Yuanqi still wanted toe up, so why would he dare to stop him? Those elders could not stop him either.

    He came to the mountain, saw the sea of blood, and then weakened the protective magical formation.

    Without the slightest hesitation.

    The rest of his life was not Lin Yuangui¡¯s master, he did not have any rtionship between master and disciple.

    However, Lin Yuangui was very valuable to the sect, so he could not die so easily.

    At least he couldn¡¯t die right now.

    At the very least, he had to do something for the sect.

    ¡°Now that you are so powerful, you want to be a traitor who forgets his name?¡±

    Another sharp sword intent went right through the young man¡¯s chest, and fresh blood was gushing out.

    Lin Yuangui¡¯s expression did not change. He did not block nor did he retreat.

    He did not block it not because Yu Shi was a Saint, but because he was an elder of his sect.

    The reason why he didn¡¯t retreat was because of his principles.

    He had been in closed-door cultivation for many years. He didn¡¯t know why the Sect Leader colluded with the Demonic cultivators to kill Zhou Yuantao, but he knew that this was not right.

    No matter how many reasons and considerations he had, it was still wrong if he was wrong.

    Yu Shi¡¯s expression became even colder. He raised his sleeves and was about to throw this ungrateful thing down the mountain.

    However, he suddenly flew up and appeared above the sea of blood.

    For some reason, RongZhuo suddenly gave up defending against the stone seal. He ignored Zhou Yuandao and arrived at the peak of the mountain.

    Yu Shi seemed to feel something and took over the position of an ally.

    The protective magical formation was weakened, and all obstacles along the way were swept up by Lin Yuan.

    Therefore, when Luo Mingchuan arrived at the summit, he almost didn¡¯t waste any effort.

    He saw a person standing in front of the mountain path. It was a demonic cultivator.

    His red clothes were like a me flying in the air, causing the blood sea behind him to lose its color.

    There was a demonic aura between his brows, but his posture was unrestrained, not revealing the slightest bit of pressure.

    The surface of Zhou Yuandao in the sea of blood seemed haggard. In his remaining life, he had drawn his sword and forced the stone seal apart.

    On the west side of the most inconspicuous mountain peak stood a young man wearing a blue Daoist robe. He stood there without moving, as straight as a pine tree.

    With just a nce, Luo Mingchuan was able to see 80% of their identities and the current situation.

    He looked at the killing situation, and as his thoughts raced, Rong Zhuo also looked at him.

    It was disappointing.

    With such a young man being the reincarnation of a Demon Sovereign, how could he have the temperament to rule the world?

    Too weak.

    The disappointment caused one to feel impatient. The expression in Rong Zhuo¡¯s eyes changed as if he was looking at an ant in the grass. He spoke indifferently.

    ¡°You are not fit for the ninth cycle.¡±

    Luo Mingchuan shook his head, ¡°I disdain it.¡±

    Rong Zhuo finally found it interesting.

    The nine cycles of Heaven¡¯s Net were the highest technique pursued by every demonic cultivator. It was the ultimate power that cultivators could see through as long as it didn¡¯t die.

    Now, this ant that he could squash to death was actually disdainful.

    He smiled, strangely cold. ¡°Then why don¡¯t you give it to me?¡±

    These words were not for discussion.

    As soon as he finished speaking, a wisp of scarlet smoke drifted over.

    A mountain of corpses and a sea of blood appeared in front of Luo Mingchuan.

    The blood sea was in his sea of consciousness.

    It was as if he had been forcefully pulled into the Zen Stage by a master; this was the ability of a peak expert.

    Rong Zhuo¡¯s psychic power directly broke through his sea of consciousness.

    Compared to Yu Zhan, Rong Zhuo wanted more of the Nine Revolutions of Heaven and Earth.

    Cold killing intent, violent anger, silent death will, resentment, unwillingness, despair ¡­

    All the painful struggles in the world were being swept away by the sea of blood, drowning all good thoughts and emotions.

    It was enough to evoke the deepest fear in a person¡¯s heart.

    Then, he saw the destruction of Cangya. Master, junior brothers, and sisters, people who were as familiar with each other had died one after another.

    He stood nkly in the ruins of the Qing He Pce. Someone shouted ¡®Demon¡¯ before turning around and realizing that the person holding the sword was him.

    The color of the blood changed. The final scene was of his junior brother dying in front of him in Xing Shan Temple, unable to do anything.

    Luo Mingchuan¡¯s face was pale and cold sweat covered his back.

    His sea of consciousness began to vibrate.

    Thick blood enveloped him. A nauseating stench filled his heart, making him breathless.

    He only felt that he was going to drown in this sea of blood.

    ¡°Hua!¡±

    Suddenly, a bright sword light cut through the dark night like a bright moon breaking through the clouds. It cut through the blood sea, raising massive waves!

    It was a full moon, and the light was as clear as the stars in the sky.

    Rong Zhuo¡¯s gaze shifted to the person who had drawn the sword.

    Originally, he didn¡¯t ce this junior in his eyes, but now he wanted to kill him.

    The one who had drawn the sword was Lin Yuangui.

    He was very quiet tonight because the actions of the rest of his life had broken his previous understanding.

    The eight big words, ¡®Several Codex Forgetting School¡¯ and ¡®Betraying the Sect¡¯, were still suppressing him.

    It¡¯s just that he doesn¡¯t understand.

    Wasn¡¯t these the teachings of the founder?

    Why did he be a traitor?

    But he knew that he could not draw a sword from a sect elder, but he could draw a sword from a demonic cultivator.

    He had withstood the two streams of sword Qi for the rest of his life, injuring his heart.

    He understood that he could only use a single strike against Rong Zhuo, and only had one chance.

    A sliver of a looseness appeared in the sea of blood that was as thin as hair. He withdrew his undisciplined smile and raised his hand to point at the youth holding the sword.

    However, they suddenly met a pair of eyes.

    It was as dark as the night and as deep as the abyss.

    It was Luo Mingchuan who had already broken through the boundary.

    In an instant, the blood sea began to ebb back into the current, and Rongzu fell into darkness.

    It was like the ancient and pure darkness before the beginning of time.

    It was the depths of the Meteor Abyss.

    Rong Zhuo felt that it was inconceivable that he had been pulled into the arena by the other party.

    Endless amounts of demons rushed out and began to bite his flesh.

    It was as if he had no sense of pain, and strangely, he felt a sense of excitement. Was this the Nine Heavenly Revolutions Heaven?

    Was this the reincarnation of a Demon Lord?

    The stone seal shattered into pieces within the sword qi of the remaining life. The fragments were as fine as the fine powder, floating in the air and not dissipating.

    Yu Shi suddenly felt a change at the top of the mountain. He wanted to take a step back, but his body froze in the blink of an eye.

    Someone from the Blood Sea walked over. The long sleeves of his robe fell to the floor.

    It was Mr.

    The teacher truly did not know how to hold a sword. He considered himself a schr.

    The soldier was ominous, and the schr had no choice but to use him.

    Mr. Yuan held Zhou Yuan Dao in his arms.

    In the past, his battle prowess was insufficient to fight for the rest of his life.

    But tonight, he had used up too much of his remaining life. Be it his spirit or his sword intent, they were no longer at their peak state.

    After being seriously injured by Wei Jingfeng, Yu Shi had been able to reconstruct his meridians with the help of Rong Zhuo. He had entered the demonic path, and although he appeared to be extremely powerful, he was unsteady in the air.

    This sort of fickle-like power was something that he couldn¡¯t afford to exhaust the most.

    They all understood this fact, so no one took action first.

    For the rest of his life, he was thinking about the possibility of allying with the school.

    On the other hand, the young man looked at Zhou Yuandao and took out a medicinal pill.

    Zhou Yuan shook his head.

    What broke the silence and stalemate were two shouts.

    ¡°Senior Brother!¡±

    ¡°Master!¡±

    Among the crowd at the summit, he was the first to see the pale-faced Luo Mingchuan.

    The one who called him master was Cheng Tianyu. With just a nce, he saw that his entire body was covered in blood.

    It was like a stone striking a tke. The sword aura that was as destructive as the sea shed, straight towards the point where the Yin Biyue overpass the face of the enemy.

    His speed was too fast; there was no way to dodge.

    Yin Biyue did not even have the time to draw his sword, the shadow of death descended upon him.

    In the blink of an eye, Mr. Headmaster appeared in front of the de of the sword.

    Yet another stone seal shed against it.

    ¡°BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!

    Crack lines appeared on the surface of the stone seal.

    Facing an opponent who wasn¡¯t far off, speed and strength couldn¡¯t be considered equal.

    Yu Shi attacked Yin Biyue, targetting the Mr. Head Supervisor.

    He had guessed right, the school would save Yan Qianyi.

    In the next moment, the smile in his eyes froze, because a sword was stabbing at him from behind.

    It was fast and light, like a flying feather.

    At thest moment, his protective true essence had been knocked away from the edge of his sword. Only then did it not pierce through his heart meridian, and instead pierced into his scap.

    He had never imagined that Zhou Yuandao, who was clearly on the verge of death, would be able to strike with his sword.

    This sudden change caused the stone seal in the palm to no longer shatter. Instead, it flipped through the air and forced Yu Shi back three steps.

    Thest scene Zhou Yuandao saw was the still childish Cheng Tianyu running towards him with the Flying Feather Sword in his hand.

    It was like seeing himself when he was young.

    He thought of Song Tang and Zhong Shan.

    Remembering how he had seen the heavens and earth in his life, battling demons and teaching his disciples, there was nothing to feel regretful about.

    ¡°Master ¡­¡±

    Zhou Yuan smiled. He wanted to say, ¡°Master will leave first, don¡¯t worry about it. I will leave the rest to you. After that, you can just wait for the scabbard to hit your hands.¡± But he did not have the strength to do so.

    He opened his mouth and only said the word ¡®good¡¯.

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