Chapter 143 - 143 Zhenyi, the Expert, Approaches

The land rejuvenated, and all things revived.

That gentle wind swept across the world, softening a fraction of the sorrow.

On Yun Hua Daoist Officer’s Way, there was a small tavern.

Five or six tables, sporadically occupied by diverse figures from the martial world, merchants, and armed escorts, were murmur amongst themselves in hushed tones.

A man in a black robe straddled a long wooden bench, noisily cracking open the melon seeds in his hand.

Opposite him sat a white-haired elder, whose face was as withered as tree bark and eyes as cloudy as murky waters. A treasure sword rested by the table, and a wine gourd was fastened at his waist.

These two were none other than An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen.

“Guest, your wine is here.”

At this moment, a limping cripple approached unsteadily, carrying a jar of wine in his hand.

Fine wine!

Even before the wine was served, An Jing detected a refreshing fragrance that delighted the heart and the senses.

“Gulp!”

Lou Xiangzhen took the wine jar, impatiently took a sip, “Delightful, this Song Lao Wine truly deserves its reputation.”

“This is Song Lao Wine?”

A flicker of curiosity flashed in An Jing’s eyes upon hearing this.

Full goblets of golden liquid, amidst courtyards of white jade dust.

Although An Jing had never tasted Song Lao Wine, he was familiar with its celebrated name.

The wine was one of Great Yan’s famous brews. Later, the winery vanished for unknown reasons, and the technique for making Song Lao Wine gradually became lost.

Since then, Song Lao Wine never reappeared in the rivers and lakes. If it did, it was mostly counterfeit.

Lou Xiangzhen, gazing at the wine jar in his hands, lamented, “Its color is tenderer than cool syrup, its aroma as perpetual as sweet dew.”

The limping cripple brightened up at this, “It seems the gentleman knows his wine.”

Although the small tavern had seen its share of patrons, few truly understood the essence of wine. This elder was one such discerning connoisseur, having described the characteristics of Song Lao Wine perfectly.

Lou Xiangzhen took out his wine gourd, “Bring two more jars, and fill up this gourd of mine.”

“Very well, I’ll prepare it right now.”

The limping cripple nodded and then slowly made his way toward the back hall.

Lou Xiangzhen, watching the man walk away, said, “That limping cripple is the former junior manager of the Song Lao Winery.”

On hearing this, An Jing looked toward the hobbling cripple, surprised, not expecting this disheveled, middle-aged man to have such a background.

Perhaps everyone has their own story, their own choices in life.

“Here.”

Lou Xiangzhen handed his wine jar to An Jing, “It would be a pity not to taste such fine wine.”

“Gulp!”

An Jing didn’t speak, instead taking a big sip of the wine, “Elder Lou, how far are you from reaching the Sixth Realm in your swordsmanship?”

In their travels together, the two of them would discuss swordsmanship and share experiences daily, both benefitting from these exchanges.

Lou Xiangzhen set down the wine jar, “It’s within arm’s reach yet as distant as the ends of heaven.”

Upon hearing this, An Jing chuckled, “Oh? Lin Yiyang claims he will reach the Sixth Realm within three years.”

“Lin Yiyang? The one who looks down on people through his nostrils?”

Lou Xiangzhen glanced at An Jing, “I admit he does possess some talent, but reaching the Sixth Realm is not so easily achieved. I genuinely believe his claim of reaching it within three years, for he wouldn’t likely boast to the entire world if it weren’t true. However, it’s utterly impossible for him to reach the Sixth Realm solely by his own efforts.”

As one advances in sword skill, each realm seems like a chasm as vast as the sky, especially between the Fifth and Sixth Realms. Through the ages, swordsmen who have reached these realms are all renowned masters in the martial world.

And in today’s world, not a single swordsman is known to be of the Sixth Realm, at least not publicly.

“`

One can see how difficult it is to improve this sword skill.

Hearing this, An Jing couldn’t help but nod, “He is the Sect Leader of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, and the Yu Heng Sword Sect is one of the top Sword Dao Holy Lands in the world. They must have some special methods.”

In today’s world, among the seven major sects, the Ghost Valley Sect is definitely a very unusual existence, with basically one or two disciples, but all are famous experts in the Jianghu.

The other major sects all have large families and businesses and hold enormous influence in the Jianghu.

As for the Yu Heng Sword Sect, it goes without saying that within the seven major sects, their strength is second only to the Zhenyi Sect.

With the support of such vast resources and power, plus Lin Yiyang’s talent, reaching the Sixth Realm is indeed possible for him.

Lou Xiangzhen said with a smile, “Rest assured, I will reach the Sixth Realm before him, do you believe me?”

In today’s world, the first one to reach the Sixth Realm would be the top swordsman, a well-known fact to all.

An Jing raised his wine jug and declared boldly, “Predecessor might get there before him, but I might even get there before you.”

Hearing An Jing’s words, Lou Xiangzhen paused slightly and then burst out laughing, “Hahaha, if that’s the case, then let’s make a bet, shall we?”

An Jing asked, “What bet?”

Lou Xiangzhen replied, “Let’s see which one of us two reaches the Sixth Realm first.”

An Jing, looking at the wine on the table, had a thought, “Good, let’s bet ten jars of fine wine, each of the ten jars must be top-notch and of different varieties.”

In truth, he knew that with his current realm, it would be extremely difficult to reach the Sixth Realm before Lou Xiangzhen.

Especially after their recent exchanges, An Jing knew that Lou Xiangzhen’s Fifth Realm was nearing Perfection, just one step away from achieving ‘no sword in the hand, no sword in the heart’.

Lou Xiangzhen had a passion for wine, and preparing ten jars of fine wine for him would also serve as thanks for his protection.

Beyond that, An Jing didn’t know how else to express his gratitude for this favor.

Lou Xiangzhen’s eyes lit up, “Then you better prepare yourself, the wine I drink can’t be worse than Song Lao Wine.”

“Who will win and who will lose is still uncertain.”

An Jing, unwilling to admit defeat, said, “Come on, drink!”

Come drink!

Lou Xiangzhen, hearing these words, felt an eerie sense of familiarity, as if he had heard them just yesterday, and was slightly dazed for a moment.

…….

Seventy years ago, in the Peach Blossom Forest of the Blue River Sect.

A teenager clad in plain clothes held a longsword in his hand.

The peach blossoms fell, resplendent in their beauty, and the sword light danced through them like the petals drifting in the wind, now gentle, now explosive.

“Senior brother, senior brother,” a young voice called out.

A snotty, four or five-year-old child with excitement on his face came running out.

“Master bought me sugar figurines, look!” the child extended his hand, showing off the sugar figurine in his grasp.

This child was none other than Jiang Sanjia, while the teenager was Lou Xiangzhen.

“Go play by yourself,” Lou Xiangzhen’s brows raised as he eyed the little runny-nosed kid, “I need to practice my swordsmanship.”

Jiang Sanjia blinked and said, “Senior brother, you’ve been practicing all day. Master says that you have to balance work and rest with anything you do.”

“Senior brother, play with me for a while, and I’ll give you my sugar figurine.”

As he spoke, Jiang Sanjia offered his sugar figurine to Lou Xiangzhen.

“I don’t want it,” Lou Xiangzhen scoffed lightly, “Don’t disturb my sword practice.”

At that moment, his heart was filled with one thought alone: to make a name for himself in the Jianghu, to carve out his own domain, and to become the greatest swordsman under the heavens.

“Senior brother…”

“Out of the way!”

Lou Xiangzhen pushed him aside.

“`

Jiang Sanjia stumbled and fell straight to the ground, his sugar figurine dropping into the mud.

“My sugar figurine, my sugar figurine…”

Seeing this, Jiang Sanjia’s eyes filled with tears, and he began to choke up.

Lou Xiangzhen barked, “Cry, cry, cry, is that all you know? Shut your mouth.”

Hearing Lou Xiangzhen’s words, Jiang Sanjia quickly halted his tears and said, “Brother, I understand, I won’t cry anymore.”

Lou Xiangzhen coldly said, “Hurry up and leave, don’t bother me anymore.”

Jiang Sanjia glanced at the sugar figurine on the ground, then walked away holding back his tears.

As Jiang Sanjia’s retreating figure grew distant, Lou Xiangzhen slowly picked up the sugar figurine from the ground.

At this moment, the sugar figurine was covered with mud and also the fragrant peach blossoms.

“Always crying. So useless.”

Lou Xiangzhen looked at the figurine, then carefully pocketed the sugar figurine, and resumed his sword practice.

Although Lou Xiangzhen was young, he had been practicing the sword for many years, his longsword whooshing through the air, his sword skill as mighty and grand as a master who had delved into the art for decades.

“Ssh-ssh!” “Ssh-ssh!”

Peach blossoms drifted down, his sword moving fast then slow, stringing together the blossoms in midair, as if the sword and the peach blossoms were one.

In this moment, Lou Xiangzhen seemed lost in thought.

Time passed, he did not know how long it had been.

Lou Xiangzhen only felt his arms were sore and numb, and his stomach was empty.

All around was pitch black, and above his head, the moon hung high in the sky.

“Hmm? Where’s that sniveling brat?”

Lou Xiangzhen looked around him.

He knew that by the time he usually finished practicing his sword, that sniveling brat would have already called him for dinner. Why hadn’t he come today?

Thinking this, Lou Xiangzhen was filled with confusion and headed towards the sniveling brat’s room.

“Bang!”

Lou Xiangzhen kicked the door open without any courtesy.

“Who is it!?”

A childish cry of surprise came from inside the room.

“It’s me!”

Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently.

A ray of moonlight spilled in as the door opened.

By the wooden bed, a small child with somewhat red and swollen eyes was warily watching Lou Xiangzhen at the doorway.

“Brother…” The sniveling brat sighed in relief upon seeing the visitor.

Lou Xiangzhen lazily said, “Sniveling brat, what’s going on with you? Why didn’t you call me for dinner today?”

“I… I forgot.”

The sniveling brat said, lowering his head.

“Forgot?”

Lou Xiangzhen took a step forward, looked at Jiang Sanjia’s cheek, and said with furrowed brows, “It looks to me like you were hit by someone, weren’t you?”

“No… not at all,”

Jiang Sanjia hurriedly responded.

Lou Xiangzhen hummed softly, “Tell me, who did it? If you don’t, I’ll start by beating you.”

Seeing this, Jiang Sanjia could do nothing but honestly confess, “It was Wang Yue; he wanted to compete with me in martial arts. I was caught off guard and fell for that kid’s move.”

Everyone in the Blue River Sect knew who Wang Yue was—the grandson of the Sect Master, spoiled from childhood, a notorious Demon Lord of Mayhem that even the sect’s Elders found troublesome and would go out of their way to avoid.

“I understand,”

Lou Xiangzhen nodded and strode towards the door.

“Brother, where are you going?”

Upon seeing this, Jiang Sanjia quickly followed with his short legs.

Lou Xiangzhen walked ahead, with Jiang Sanjia chasing behind him.

In a short while, the two arrived at a backyard.

There, a five or six-year-old child dressed in brocade was boasting proudly, “That little runt isn’t even as tall as a sword; obviously, he doesn’t know the Ghost Valley Swordsmanship. It just took me three punches and two kicks to knock him down.”

A group of teenage disciples, about seventeen or eighteen years old, surrounded the child and started flattering him.

“Brother Wang is a genius of our Blue River Sect; that little runt stands no chance against you.”

“That’s right, even Lou Xiangzhen, who’s praised by the Sect Leader as a prodigy, isn’t Brother Wang’s match.”

“Given time, Brother Wang will surely become one of Great Yan Martial World’s top masters.”

“Absolutely, absolutely.”

……

Upon hearing the surrounding flattery, the child’s heart bloomed with joy.

“To become a martial world master is just a matter of time.”

At that moment, Lou Xiangzhen entered and said coolly, “An inexperienced small fry like you also wants to become a top martial artist of Jianghu?”

Instantly, everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice.

Seeing Lou Xiangzhen, the child immediately shouted, “Lou Xiangzhen, this is a residential area for the disciples of the Blue River Sect, outsiders are not allowed to enter. You’ve got some nerve.”

Lou Xiangzhen, looking at the child, hands behind his back, said, “Wang Yue, cut the crap. You wanted to experience the Ghost Valley Sect’s Ghost Valley Swordsmanship, didn’t you? I won’t take advantage of you; I’ll only use one hand and let you attack my feet. If you can make me take a step back, then I’ll admit defeat.”

Seeing this, a Blue River Sect disciple quickly warned, “Brother Wang, this Lou Xiangzhen is too crafty. He’s several years older than you; don’t fall for it.”

Although Wang Yue was a martial arts prodigy, with years of medicinal baths since childhood, he was still very young.

“Step aside; I want to see how impressive he is.”

Wang Yue, however, scoffed, “Lou Xiangzhen, if you take one step back, you lose. You said so yourself.”

Someone next to Jiang Sanjia spoke up as well, feeling bolder, “Wang Yue, even if my brother lets you use both hands and feet, you’re still no match for him.”

“Bring it on then,” Lou Xiangzhen said with a cold laugh.

The surrounding Blue River Sect disciples looked at each other, thinking it was just a child’s fight, irrelevant whether they won or lost, and decided to let the two mess around as they pleased.

“Let’s see what’s so special about your Ghost Valley Sect,”

Wang Yue shouted and threw a punch towards Lou Xiangzhen.

“Slap!”

The punch was easily wrapped up by Lou Xiangzhen, leaving Wang Yue feeling as if his arm was clamped in a vice.

“Is this the extent of your strength?”

Lou Xiangzhen burst out laughing.

“You!”

Being just a five or six-year-old child, Wang Yue suddenly felt flustered.

“Go away.”

With a flick of his hand, Lou Xiangzhen sent Wang Yue sprawling back, who then tripped and fell heavily onto the ground.

“Brother Wang!” “Brother, are you alright?”

The disciples of the Blue River Sect, seeing this, quickly surrounded them.

Lou Xiangzhen glanced around and said, “Don’t say that I’m bullying you. Any one of the Blue River Sect disciples here, step forward at will.”

“How arrogant!”

Upon seeing this, Wang Yue immediately became furious and shouted, “Bai Qun, you go up.”

“This….”

The disciple named Bai Qun, hearing this, showed a troubled expression, “Brother Wang, I’m seventeen or eighteen years old, and I’ve been practicing martial arts in the Blue River Sect for almost ten years….”

Lou Xiangzhen was just a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old youth, while Bai Qun was one of the leading figures among the younger generation of the Blue River Sect. Wasn’t this clearly picking on someone?

Wang Yue and Jiang Sanjia were almost alike, and it was normal for the two to fight and mess around. If Bai Qun made a move, it would clearly be making a mountain out of a molehill.

“Make your move, you might not win,” said Lou Xiangzhen indifferently as he drew his longsword.

“Go up!”

Seeing Lou Xiangzhen’s demeanor, Wang Yue roared at Bai Qun, “Anything that happens is on my head.”

Bai Qun’s mouth twitched for a moment; he knew that if he did not take action today, Wang Yue would definitely hold a grudge against him. Moreover, Lou Xiangzhen was indeed too arrogant. It seemed like a good idea to teach the kid a lesson.

To let him know the depth of the Jianghu.

“Please forgive my offense!”

With that thought, Bai Qun leaped forward, throwing a punch at Lou Xiangzhen.

“Fifth Grade Cultivation?”

Lou Xiangzhen sneered at this sight, “Off with you.”

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

One could only see a flash of sword light in Lou Xiangzhen’s hand. Bai Qun felt a blur before his eyes and was startled. By the time he reacted, his body was already lying on the ground.

“What a fast sword!”

The surrounding disciples of the Blue River Sect were all shocked when they saw this.

Bai Qun was also one of the notable young generation of the Blue River Sect, yet he was defeated in one move. The youth called Lou Xiangzhen was indeed formidable, no wonder the Sect Leader held him in high regard.

“Is this the strength of the Blue River Sect?”

Lou Xiangzhen held his sword with one hand, his eyes filled with a trace of arrogance and dominance, “I don’t want to waste time, all of you come at me together.”

Standing behind him, Jiang Sanjia watched his figure, his eyes also shining.

Wang Yue growled, “Go up, make sure to knock this brat down!”

“All together!”

Seeing Lou Xiangzhen speak so arrogantly, the Blue River Sect disciples charged towards him.

They only saw Lou Xiangzhen’s longsword dancing in his hand like falling peach blossoms.

After dozens of exchanges, the Blue River Sect disciples were defeated one after another and lay on the ground, while Lou Xiangzhen also looked worse for wear, his face pale and breathing heavily.

Growing more valiant with battle, Lou Xiangzhen said, “What’s this? Is this the extent of the Blue River Sect’s power? If the young aren’t up to it, the older ones can come. Let your uncles and masters show themselves.”

The disciples of the Blue River Sect were all in a sorry state, supporting each other with very ugly expressions.

This Lou Xiangzhen was really too powerful.

One must know that they were from the Blue River Sect, considered to be among the best of the younger generation in Jianghu, yet today they were all defeated by a boy of thirteen or fourteen.

Wang Yue sat on the ground, gritting his teeth, “Lou Xiangzhen, don’t get cocky, wait five years, and I will surely beat you until you’re looking for your teeth on the ground.”

“Five years?”

Lou Xiangzhen laughed heartily, “Give you fifty years, and you would still be no match for me.”

Clothed in fine garb and riding on spirited horses during one’s youth, one’s spirit soars high.

The disciples of the Blue River Sect present were angry yet silent, as the man before them, Lou Xiangzhen, was indeed too formidable.

Wang Yue wasn’t aware, but they knew the strength of this Lou Xiangzhen.

Lou Xiangzhen glanced around and said, “Snot-nosed brats, let’s go drink and eat meat.”

“Yes, Senior Brother! Let’s go drink and eat meat.”@@novelbin@@

Jiang Sanjia, upon hearing this, immediately shouted with pride.

A child of four or five years old talking about drinking and eating meat was somewhat comical, but the disciples of the Blue River Sect present couldn’t muster a laugh.

With that, the two of them began walking towards the distance.

“Damn it!”

Wang Yue, watching the pair’s retreating backs, couldn’t help but curse, “Let’s go, we’ll also go back to eat. Just because they have it, doesn’t mean we don’t!”

On a distant pavilion, two elders looked at this scene with a trace of amusement.

“This Lou Xiangzhen is really a genius,” said the elder in blue garments on the left, “And his temperament and comprehension are both top-notch. His future is limitless. It seems like you’ve found a suitable heir to your legacy and can rest at ease.”

“Indeed, Xiangzhen is exceptional,” the Sect Leader of the Ghost Valley Sect hesitated before sighing softly.

“You needn’t calculate this and that every day. The secrets of heaven are infinite; can you really foresee them all?” chuckled the Sect Leader of the Blue River Sect.

“Actually, half a month ago, I made a divination and accidentally glimpsed a hint of heaven’s will,” said the Sect Leader of the Ghost Valley Sect as he took a deep breath. “The great trend is unifying, unstoppable; the Mystical Sect is about to reunify.”

“Oh?”

The face of the Blue River Sect Leader shook upon hearing this.

The Mystical Sect had split into three: the Zhenyi Sect, Ghost Valley Sect, and Daluo Sect. While the Daluo Sect isn’t particularly extraordinary, the Ghost Valley Sect and the Zhenyi Sect are both first-rate factions, which shows the strength of the Mystical Sect.

With the Mystical Sect unifying again, it will undoubtedly cause a huge shock in the Jianghu.

A thousand years ago, the Mystical Sect was a top force not belonging to either the Buddhist or the Demon Sect. If it unifies again, the landscape of the Jianghu will surely be reshuffled.

Seeing the hesitant expression on the face of the Ghost Valley Sect Leader, the Blue River Sect Leader knew this matter wasn’t as simple as imagined.

The Mystical Sect had split into three, but who will bring about the unification?

With whom does this great trend lie?

Based on the expression in the eyes of the Ghost Valley Sect Leader, the great trend seems most likely to be with the Zhenyi Sect.

In the separate courtyard.

The table was laid with roasted chicken, beef, and two jars of liquid refreshment.

Jiang Sanjia gnawed on the roasted chicken with big bites, and while observing Lou Xiangzhen drinking deeply, he whispered, “Senior Brother, didn’t our master say we shouldn’t drink alcohol?”

“If master doesn’t allow it, you won’t drink?”

Lou Xiangzhen, squinting his eyes, said, “Master told you to practice martial arts diligently and not to go out and play, yet every day you still go out and mess around. Yesterday you went to steal chickens from the Blue River Sect again…”

“I didn’t!”

Jiang Sanjia quickly looked around, and after noticing there was no one around, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Come, have a drink, this is the good stuff.”

Ignoring Jiang Sanjia’s protest, Lou Xiangzhen put one of the jars of wine in front of him and said with a smile.

“I… I…”

Jiang Sanjia looked at the wine in front of him and was tempted.

Lou Xiangzhen continued to tempt him, “Drink it, I saw our master and the Sect Leader of the Blue River Sect head down the mountain.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Sanjia subconsciously hugged the wine jar.

Lou Xiangzhen said, “After drinking this, you’ll be the happiest person in the world.”

“Is it sweeter than eating Tang people?”

“Sweet, very sweet.”

“Then I’ll give it a try. Elder Martial Brother never lies to me.”

Upon hearing Lou Xiangzhen’s words, Jiang Sanjia could no longer hold back; he wrapped his small hands around the wine jug and took a swig.

“Cough cough cough….”

The gulp was a bit too big, the spicy sensation rushed from his throat straight to his belly, instantly causing Jiang Sanjia to tear up, “Elder Martial Brother, you lied to me, this isn’t sweet at all, it’s spicy….ha…”

“Hahahaha!”

Seeing the little snot-nosed kid in such a state, Lou Xiangzhen couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Of course, the wine is spicy.”

Before long, the alcohol rushed to his head, and Jiang Sanjia’s face turned beet red, feeling his body becoming feather-light.

Jiang Sanjia swayed, saying, “Elder Martial Brother, the movement technique Master taught me, I feel like I’ve got the hang of it, I feel so light right now.”

The corners of Lou Xiangzhen’s mouth curled up as he took a sip of wine, “Didn’t I say it, this is good stuff, I don’t share it with just anyone.”

“Elder Martial Brother, such fine treasures must not be wasted.”

Jiang Sanjia, drunk as a lord, climbed onto the table, his small hands gripping the wine jug, “Come, drink!”

……..

Inside the tavern.

“Elder Lou!”

An Jing saw the wine jug halt mid-air in Lou Xiangzhen’s hand and couldn’t help but say, “Come drink, we can’t waste such good wine.”

“Delicious.”

Upon hearing this, Lou Xiangzhen guzzled the Song Lao Wine with vigor, the spiciness brought a much-needed relief.

When he first heard of Jiang Sanjia’s death, he was merely slightly stunned, not quite feeling the impact then, but as time slowly passed, he seemed to come to his senses.

Sanjia was truly dead.

After Lou Xiangzhen finished drinking, he felt as if sand and dust were blinding his eyes and instinctively turned his head towards the distance.

Grief always arrives unexpectedly and silently, mingling into mundane trifles, then it hits you hard all at once, deeply distressing you.

An Jing seemed oblivious and mused to himself, “Good wine, truly fine wine.”

“Tat tat tat tat….”

Just then, the sound of horseshoes approached from afar, shaking the very ground.

Dressed in black and riding tall horses, dozens of men raced urgently down the official road, their expressions hurried.

“Heh, those seem to be the experts from the Zhenyi Sect’s Qing Feng Hall.”

“I wonder what brings them here.”

“Haven’t you heard? There are wanted posters all over Jianghu now, all seeking the Ghost Swordsman.”

“How could I not know about that? They say the big incident on Nanhua Mountain a while ago was the Ghost Swordsman’s doing.”

“Pity, the Ghost Swordsman was indeed a renowned swordsman. It’s just unfortunate that he had to provoke the Zhenyi Sect.”

……

The patrons inside the tavern started discussing as they witnessed the scene.

An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen exchanged glances, both having a hunch.

On their journey, they had seen some of Qing Feng Hall’s experts. Initially, An Jing paid it no mind, but then they encountered more and more of these experts.

Something was not right.

It seemed the Zhenyi Sect knew his whereabouts and was weaving a massive net around him.

An Jing hesitated before saying, “Elder Lou, I think it’s best if we hit the road.”

“Let’s go.”

Lou Xiangzhen looked into the distance and said in a deep voice, “Let’s take the left path and make a detour.”

“Okay.”

An Jing nodded.

This particular left path led straight to Xuanqing Mountain.

Xuanqing Mountain was a place of immense significance, the ancestral court of the Mystical Sect. It was the location of the sect’s gates in bygone years. After the Mystical Sect split, no other sect had established its gates there.

It was said that every ten years, Xiao Qianqiu would come down from his mountain to Xuanqing Mountain to offer incense and worship his ancestors.

His ambition was known to the entire world.

……

On the official road.

The Reverend Moyun took out a fruit the size of a thumb and placed it in front of the spirit-seeking rat.

This thumb-sized fruit was no ordinary fruit but a heavenly material and earthly treasure known as the Water Spirit Fruit. It grew on the Water Spirit Tree, bearing fruit every three years. Water Spirit Trees could only be found on Poison Mountain in Zhao Country, making them extremely rare.

The spirit-seeking rat swallowed the thumb-sized fruit in one go and then lay on the road, sniffing towards the front, making a ‘squeak squeak’ sound.

“It’s up ahead.”

Seeing this, the Reverend Moyun turned and said, “We should be close now.”

Behind them were Ling Yuanjing, the grand truth-seeker Yu Huai, and three more Taoists and a nun, who all had an impressive demeanor.

These individuals were indeed several of the great truth-seekers from the Zhenyi Sect: Yu Zhen, Yu Lin, Yu Jiu, and the master of Tongxuan Peak, He Chen.

Yu Lin and Yu Zhen, both in their fifties, appeared amiable with a whisk in hand. The difference was that Yu Lin wore an exquisite jade pendant on his waist, a Purple Wood Crown on his head, and his Daoist robe was embroidered with intricate patterns, giving him an air of being an immortal figure.

On the other hand, Yu Zhen wore a simple white-gray Daoist robe that was thoroughly cleansed and shoes that were incredibly ordinary, making him unobtrusive. Were it not for his standing among the other great truth-seekers, one might mistake him for a wandering Taoist.

Yu Jiu, a female crown-wearer, had a rosy complexion and fine features, and she must have been quite attractive when she was younger. She carried a sword at her waist.

Everyone knew that apart from Yu Ying, the leader of the Heavenly Venerate Hall, Yu Jiu was the second most skilled practitioner of the Sword Dao on Zhenyi Mountain.

He Chen, the master of Tongxuan Peak, wore a black Daoist robe, his hands behind his back, and his face betrayed no emotion. Among the four peak masters, He Chen was the eldest. Like Xiao Qianqiu, he too was a disciple of Ye Ding and was in fact Xiao Qianqiu’s senior fellow apprentice.

The grand truth-seeker Yu Huai declared in a resolute voice, “Ahead? We’re nearing Xuanqing Mountain.”

The great truth-seeker Yu Zhen furrowed his brows and asked, “What would the Ghost Swordsman be doing on Xuanqing Mountain?”

Since the dissolution of the Mystical Sect, most of Xuanqing Mountain’s scriptures and treasures had been completely divided among the three sects. Over the years, the buildings atop the mountain had been largely destroyed, and with the annual looting by people from Jianghu, only a dilapidated site remained.

The great truth-seeker Yu Jiu thought for a moment and said, “The Ghost Swordsman is a disciple of Yan Shaoshan and thus is also of the Mystical Sect lineage. Perhaps he is visiting the Ancestor Court to pay homage to his ancestors, or maybe he’s just passing by to take a look.”

He Chen glanced at the distant Xuanqing Mountain and spoke slowly, “Whatever he intends to do is of little consequence to us. All we need to do is intercept him.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Have someone surround the area for tens of miles, and let not a single shadow escape.”

Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath and said, “This Ghost Swordsman is extremely skilled in the Concealing Method. Even the experts from Qing Feng Hall might pass by him without recognizing him. We can only rely on this spirit-seeking rat to find him.”

“Remember, he has an Exotic Beast by his side, and we must not underestimate him or act rashly.”

As he said this, Ling Yuanjing looked towards the Reverend Moyun.

“Don’t worry, Brother Ling. We will definitely find that Ghost Swordsman today.”

The Reverend Moyun smiled and then took out two more Water Spirit Fruits from the pouch at his waist and threw them before the spirit-seeking rat.

“Eat up quickly, then it’s time to get to work.”

After wolfing down the Water Spirit Fruits, the spirit-seeking rat showed a satisfied look and with a ‘squeak’, it transformed into a black line and darted into the dense forest.

Seeing this, the Reverend Moyun quickly said, “Let’s follow swiftly. After swallowing the Water Spirit Fruits, my spirit-seeking rat can move extremely fast and will find the Ghost Swordsman within thirty miles.”

Having said that, the Reverend Moyun chased after it without hesitation.

“Let’s go!”

The numerous formidable practitioners of the Zhenyi Sect exchanged glances and quickly followed suit.