The sea water was an incomparably pure azure blue, its surface as placid as a lake. Occasionally, a slight breeze would stir up millions of minuscule, almost invisible ripples, seemingly blue, yet catching the sunlight, they flashed with a blinding brilliance, shattering into fish-scale glints. This expanse of blue water stretched endlessly to the horizon.
Lu Yuan paused, alighting upon the surface of the sea.
This was the ocean!
The ocean as it existed in the memories of the South Sea Sword Sovereign.
Moments later, the wind rose, the tide surged. Wave followed wave in a furious rush, crests of white foam piling high as they battered towards the shore, resembling thousands of charging warhorses. In an instant, the sea transformed into a tumultuous battlefield. The sharp sea wind became a blaring horn, ceaselessly howling, and under the assault of these colossal waves, even massive boulders weighing thousands of jin seemed faintly unsettled. In terms of sheer magnificence, this tide surpassed any spectacle he had witnessed before.
Lu Yuan sat there, slowly observing all of it, even immersing himself within the commotion, feeling the sea’s relentless pounding. At the same time, he was searching for the sensation of the Sea Sword Intent.
Wind moved, tide swelled, continuing for the better part of the day. Finally, the wind quieted, the tide receded, and evening arrived.
The western sky blazed with the setting sun. As each wave crashed in sequence, the dying sunlight struck the water, turning the surf a bright, passionate red, like surging, burning flame.
At last, the sun dipped below the horizon, and the moon, in its true aspect, ascended.
Under the silver sheen of the moonlight, the evening breeze was remarkably gentle, carrying a slight, waking freshness. The sea seemed to have fallen into slumber, with only the occasional tide gently washing ashore.
Lu Yuan felt the sea in every moment.
The sea’s softness, the sea’s fervor, the sea’s savagery, the sea’s terror, the sea’s beauty—everything about it.
Unconsciously, Lu Yuan became utterly absorbed.
Such sublime scenery demanded a hearty drink; he raised his wine gourd almost without realizing it.
And then, after an immeasurable passage of time, Lu Yuan naturally grasped what the Sea Sword Intent truly was.
Of the Three Thousand Great Daos, the true essence of the sea was inclusion.
The sea accepts all things; only through tolerance can one achieve greatness.
The Sea Sword Intent was inherently difficult to comprehend, particularly for those lacking broad perspective. But Lu Yuan’s own capacity for acceptance was considerable, further amplified by the memories inherited from the South Sea Sword Sovereign, giving him an extraordinary understanding of the ocean. Thus, gazing upon this vast, boundless sea, he finally realized the Sea Sword Intent.
Lu Yuan flipped his hand; Yang Wu was drawn from its sheath. He did not control it with Yu Jian; instead, he grasped the warm hilt, allowing his body and the sword to move as one, dancing in harmony with the ocean, the waves, the sea wind, beneath the bright moon, wielding the Yang Wu sword.
The spring river water meets the sea, level with it; / Upon the sea, the bright moon rises with the tide. The movement of the sun and moon seems to emerge from within it; / The Milky Way, brilliant, seems to be contained within it.
It was unclear how much time passed before Lu Yuan returned to full awareness, formally separating his consciousness from that of the sea.
Yet, Lu Yuan found himself contemplating: did the ocean itself possess consciousness? Did the earth itself possess consciousness?
After a long silence, he took a sip of wine. Lu Yuan reflected that he now commanded quite a number of sword intents: the Sword Intent of Wind, Cloud, Rain, Dusk, Speed, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Snow, Ice, and Sea—thirteen in total.
Among these, six belonged to the Water elemental category: Cloud, Rain, Water, Snow, Ice, and Sea.
It seemed he was not far from mastering the Water Sovereign Sword Dao.
The Reincarnation Sword Dao of the Five Emperors and Five Sovereigns was the crystallization of Patriarch Yan’s entire life; he could not learn it quickly, only through slow, steady practice.
Having now mastered the Sea Sword Intent, the purpose of this journey was fulfilled. There was no need to linger in the South Sea; Lu Yuan held little interest in the South Sea Immortal Sect. He decided he would simply gather some local seaside liquors and then return to Mount Hua.
Without question, the most famous liquor along the South Sea coast was the South Sea Brew. This brew was not excessively potent; its color was a deep blue that swirled like the ocean itself when gently shaken. Upon tasting, there was a faint, briny hint of the sea within.
In addition, there was the Ten Seas Wine. This was a liquor infused with ten types of marine fauna and flora: seahorses, sea snakes, seals, sea lions, sea tigers, sea dogs, sea dragons, sea jian, sea sheep, and the sea precious bird, which served as the final, crowning element. This wine was intensely potent, brimming with the bold spirit of the South Sea men.
Lu Yuan collected two hundred jin of the South Sea Brew and two hundred jin of the Ten Seas Wine.
He likely wouldn’t visit the South Sea again anytime soon; failing to procure the region’s signature spirits wouldn't fit his style.
With these tasks complete, Lu Yuan mounted his sword and flew directly toward the direction of Mount Hua.
Having been away from the mountain for so long, it was time to return.
———————
He flew by sword amidst the white clouds.
The clouds were sometimes sparse, sometimes dense, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing.
Lu Yuan, riding his white sword light, passed through them entirely unseen.
The journey back was largely uneventful; it seemed a time of peace and prosperity.
It appeared the influence of the Yuan Kingdom, the subterranean demons, and the Heaven-Mending Alliance had not yet manifested. If chaos were to erupt, it would signify that the Righteous Path no longer possessed the strength to govern the entirety of Great Jin—that would be terrifying. Lu Yuan silently resolved to prevent the advent of disorder, knowing that when chaos strikes, human lives become like cheap grass.
As cultivators and immortal heroes of the Righteous Path, those who seek immortality and chivalry must contribute what they can.
Naturally, he would only exert himself to the extent possible; if efforts proved futile, given Lu Yuan’s nature, he would choose to withdraw temporarily.
Amidst such thoughts, a towering, majestic mountain appeared ahead—a peak that seemed to cleave the azure sky, rising directly from the earth’s ley lines, stretching endlessly for thousands of li in circumference.
Mount Hua again.
He was finally back at Mount Hua.
He had departed from Mount Hua a very, very long time ago, when he was at the second stage of Longevity. Now, returning, he had reached the fifth stage of Longevity. The intervening period was vast, and the regions he had traversed spanned hundreds of thousands of li. He truly had never traveled such a distance in a single journey.
This long period of wandering was finally concluding.
He let out a long breath.
Home, at last, to Mount Hua.
Once outside the mountain, having confirmed his identity, he flew towards the North Peak through the boundless protective light of Mount Hua’s grand formation, his heart filled with emotion. Every blade of grass and every tree on Mount Hua was deeply missed. He soon arrived at Changchun Residence and re-entered, finding it untouched by dust, clearly maintained by someone.
Lu Yuan sighed softly and went to his room. It was not large, exactly as it had been, with not a single table or chair moved. He hung Yang Wu and Zhen Yue, the swords accompanying him on his journey, on the wall, alongside the Chang Hong sword.
Only here, in Changchun Residence, could he truly relax enough to leave his precious swords on the wall. At other times, even when sleeping, his swords were kept near his pillow.
It wasn't that Lu Yuan was excessively vigilant; it was simply the custom among cultivators.
Lu Yuan lay down on the bed—wide five feet and long six feet. Lying here, familiar and relaxed.
Lu Yuan stretched languidly.
“I’ve returned, Changchun Residence.”
He soon drifted into a deep sleep; sleeping here was more comfortable than anywhere else.
Upon waking, after a brief wash and grooming, he headed to a crucial destination: his master’s grave. On the North Peak was a cemetery containing countless tombs. Lu Yuan took some wine and proceeded there.
“Tomb of Li Yuanbai, Ninth Generation Moribund Sword Immortal of Mount Hua”; “Tomb of Li Zhou Shi, Wife of the Ninth Generation Moribund Sword Immortal of Mount Hua.” His master and mistress were buried together. His mistress’s tomb had been established here long ago; his master’s tomb was placed beside it according to his master’s dying wish. Lu Yuan was certain his master would rest contentedly beside his mistress.
The grass around the graves had grown quite long.
Lu Yuan flicked his fingers, releasing sword energy to clear the wild growth around the tombs.
With another turn of his hand, he placed the wine and meat he brought before his master and mistress’s graves.
“Master, I know you were always worried about me. Rest assured, Master, I have reached the fifth stage of Longevity cultivation. I only need two more stages of mana to contend with Sima Changbai. You need not worry for me anymore.” Lu Yuan moved his hand, pouring a cup of wine before his master’s tomb.
Having traveled far for so long, his return demanded a visit to his master’s grave.
...
Lu Yuan, carrying the Yang Wu and Zhen Yue swords on his back and wearing a straw hat, wandered the North Peak, intending to find a spot to rest and sleep. Sleeping on the North Peak grass while watching clouds and drinking was what Lu Yuan found most comforting. However, before finding a suitable place, he was abruptly transported into the Hall of Central Harmony and Peace.
Inside, Venerable Yuanyuan was already seated. The meeting of the Five Mountains of Qingcheng was long past. Venerable Yuanyuan looked at Lu Yuan: “This time, there is a matter for which you must prepare.”
“Prepare for something?” Lu Yuan inquired.
“Yes,” Venerable Yuanyuan nodded. “Soon, people from the Central Celestial Dynasty should arrive to test our Mount Hua Immortal Sect, to determine if we qualify to be elevated to a Major Immortal Sect.”
Venerable Yuanyuan smiled. “Traditionally, the status of Minor, Upper, and Major Immortal Sects is determined by the Central Celestial Dynasty. During Senior Brother Yan’s time, he had no interest in elevating Mount Hua to a Major Sect. But now that Senior Brother Chu has taken the leadership, the only way he can surpass Senior Brother Yan in our estimation is by achieving tangible results, such as elevating Mount Hua.”
“Ascending from an Upper Immortal Sect to a Major Immortal Sect requires meeting various conditions, including an assessment of the younger generation. You will naturally be needed for this aspect,” Venerable Yuanyuan explained.
“No problem,” Lu Yuan nodded.
Although Lu Yuan himself didn't particularly care about the elevation to a Major Immortal Sect, since Sect Master Chu had given the order, he would do his best. After all, Chu was now the Sect Master, the head of the lineage.
However, before that, he had a very important matter to attend to.
(Still writing, there might be a third chapter today, depending on how smoothly the writing flows.)