Li Muzhan found he had no one suitable to ask. In the vast Mingjing Sect, he was acquainted with perhaps only two or three people; the rest were strangers.
After some thought, he headed straight for the main hall to request an audience with the Sect Master, Huang Ningtian.
As he approached the hall, two young men suddenly emerged, staring at him expressionlessly. Li Muzhan cupped his fists, stated his purpose.
The two men frowned at him, and finally, one of the youths went inside to announce him.
A moment later, Li Muzhan entered the main hall. Huang Ningtian was just entering from a side door. He sat down and waved a hand: "Wuji, come and sit here!"
His face was no longer ruddy; he looked as if he hadn't slept for days, appearing somewhat haggard.
Li Muzhan thought to himself, Could something serious have happened? The Sect Master possessed extraordinary bearing and deep reserves of composure, rarely letting joy or anger show; he was highly capable of managing affairs. For him to appear so worn out meant it was no ordinary matter.
Without being overly polite, he sat down directly and spoke: "Sect Master, why did Senior Brother Chen go down the mountain?"
"He had some troublesome business that required his hand," Huang Ningtian sighed, shaking his head. "Wuji, what are you looking for the Hall of Discipline for?"
Li Muzhan sensed the Sect Master didn't intend to tell him, so he didn't press the issue: "I wish to learn a set of sword techniques from Senior Brother Chen."
"A set of sword techniques?" Huang Ningtian wiped his face to invigorate himself and asked, "You chose the Heavenly Mystery Sword lineage, correct?"
Li Muzhan nodded. Huang Ningtian frowned: "You've mastered the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay?"
Li Muzhan nodded again. Huang Ningtian looked him up and down: "Wuji, the Hall of Discipline passed you the Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword manual only last month, didn't they?"
Li Muzhan still nodded.
Huang Ningtian stroked his beard and chuckled: "Wuji, you are a steady person, patient enough to train the Great Sorrow technique deeply. Ordinarily, you wouldn't make the mistake of seeking quick success."
He mused that Li Wuji’s comprehension was astonishing, especially regarding the Great Sorrow Sword, as if he knew it by birth. One month of his effort was equivalent to several years of arduous study by others. In just two months, he had cultivated the Great Sorrow technique to a profound level—truly rare. Therefore, when he chose the Heavenly Mystery Sword lineage, Huang Ningtian had been conflicted, holding a sliver of hope while fearing he might stray onto the wrong path, ultimately wasting time and delaying his cultivation.
Now seeing Li Muzhan master the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay so quickly, he couldn't help but worry that Li Muzhan was rushing, eager to cultivate the supreme sword arts as soon as possible.
Young people easily fall into this trap: having lofty aspirations but lacking the depth to match, always looking at the next mountain peak.
Li Muzhan saw through his worry at a glance, smiled, and stood up: "Since Senior Brother Chen is absent and there is no one to guide me, I implore the Sect Master to instruct me in one or two points!"
As he spoke, he drew his sword. Li Muzhan sensed a slight fluctuation behind the western pillar, sighing inwardly at the powerful stealth technique; he hadn't detected that person at all until now. He had already sensed the person behind the eastern pillar.
"I too have practiced the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay," Huang Ningtian said with a smile. "But I only practiced the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay. Progressing to the Major Heavenly Cycle Swordplay will have to rely on yourself from now on."
The moment Li Muzhan executed his starting stance, Huang Ningtian suddenly sat bolt upright. The lazy posture he had maintained to conserve his energy immediately reacted to Li Muzhan's opening move, causing him to involuntarily straighten up.
As Li Muzhan’s sword intent manifested, his spirit and energy instantly merged with the blade, becoming one. Huang Ningtian could no longer feel Li Muzhan, only the chilling, long sword itself.
Swish, swish, swish, swish... The sword tip sliced the air like tearing silk, emitting a faint whistle, yet his sword momentum was light and gentle, appearing utterly harmless.
Huang Ningtian stroked his beard with his left hand, his brow deeply furrowed, staring intently at Li Muzhan's sword without blinking. His right hand fingers trembled slightly, subtly making a drawing motion.
After about the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, Li Muzhan stopped, sheathed his sword, and looked at Huang Ningtian with a smile.
Huang Ningtian remained motionless, staring blankly, his eyes vacant and his soul seemingly far away. His right hand continued to tremble, as if dreaming. Li Muzhan did not disturb him; he returned his sword and sat back down.
After a long pause, Huang Ningtian slowly turned his head: "Wuji, your Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay..."
Li Muzhan hurried to explain: "Did I practice it incorrectly? I still hope the Sect Master can offer some guidance!"... Senior Brother Chen demonstrated it twice and gave me the manual, then vanished. I've been puzzling it out on my own."
"Your comprehension..." Huang Ningtian shook his head and sighed, "Practice well. Perhaps you truly can master the Heavenly Mystery Sword Arts!"
Li Muzhan smiled: "I accept your auspicious words, Sect Master. But was my practice incorrect?"
"Heh..." Huang Ningtian shook his head and sighed, "Whether you are right or wrong, this old man dares not say anymore. We always trained the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay to be fast; you have done the opposite, and yet the power is even stronger—it's truly bizarre!"
Li Muzhan stated: "I believe the key to the speed and depth of the Minor Heavenly Cycle lies with the opponent, it hinges on the timing."
"Mmm, that makes sense," Huang Ningtian nodded. "It's a pity that timing is the hardest thing to grasp, much harder than blindly seeking speed to seize the initiative... Minor Zhou!"
"Sect Master." A middle-aged man emerged from behind the eastern pillar. He was short and stocky, with an unremarkable appearance, his gaze warm and peaceful, lacking the sharp edge typical of martial artists.
Huang Ningtian said: "Minor Zhou, spar a few moves with Wuji and see the power of his Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay."
"Yes." The middle-aged man bowed his head, turned to Li Muzhan, and said: "Junior Martial Nephew Li, I will use my palms to experience your Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay."
"Good." Li Muzhan nodded. Not only could he test the power of the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay, but he could also observe another lineage's martial arts—a welcome opportunity.
He had dedicated his utmost effort to grasping the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay but couldn't be certain he was practicing it correctly.
Although the Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword manual contained sword forms and mental cultivation methods, the actual application of the sword was not detailed; it mentioned nothing of speed or depth, requiring personal insight. This added difficulty to the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay while simultaneously reducing its constraints. He uttered a phrase... transgressing... and immediately launched his sword. The middle-aged man's palm strike was strange; his palm carried a layer of gang qi (protective energy), capable of being both soft and hard. The palm force was centered and peaceful, mellow and rich like aged wine, yet it injured imperceptibly like a spring breeze, making it impossible to defend against.
Li Muzhan’s sword tip moved strangely. Every time he thrust toward the opponent's palm center, the sword momentum, aligned with his mental cultivation, managed to pierce the gang qi on the palm.
Only then did he realize the marvelous efficacy of the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay—it could break through gang qi.
After more than ten exchanges, the middle-aged man withdrew his hands, stepped back, and shook his head with a wry smile.
Huang Ningtian chuckled: "Minor Zhou, how was it?"
"The Sect Master has discerning eyes," the middle-aged man nodded, shaking his head bitterly.
He hadn't expected his Tranquil Heart Palm to be bested by the Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay. The Minor Heavenly Cycle Swordplay was the introductory technique of the Heavenly Mystery Sword lineage, powerful indeed, but his Tranquil Heart Palm was an advanced technique from the Heart-Folding Palm lineage; the two martial arts were separated by two tiers.
One part was the excellent execution of the sword technique, and the other was the subtle application; the combination of the two led to this outcome. Li Wuji's innate talent was truly enviable.
"Wuji, wait here. I will fetch the Major Heavenly Cycle Sword manual." Huang Ningtian was completely relieved. He rose and disappeared through the side door. The middle-aged man retreated behind the pillar.
A moment later, Huang Ningtian returned, handing Li Muzhan a thick booklet. Li Muzhan quickly estimated it to be four or five hundred pages—astonishing for a single sword manual.
Huang Ningtian added a final, earnest instruction: "Wuji, the Major Heavenly Cycle Swordplay will rely entirely on you. Settle your mind and take your time. Do not rush, lest you suffer a zou huo ru mo (a deviation in cultivation)!"
Li Muzhan nodded, carefully tucked the manual into his robes, and was about to leave when a green-robed guard suddenly entered, cupped his fist, and stated in a deep voice: "Sect Master, Senior Brother Li has returned!"
"Let him in directly!" Huang Ningtian waved his hand.
The green-robed guard hesitated for a moment, then spoke heavily: "Senior Brother Li is injured and collapsed down the mountain."
"Dao-tang is injured?" Huang Ningtian looked puzzled, then turned to Li Muzhan: "Wuji, go down and check on him. Don't make a fuss!"
"Yes, Sect Master."
Li Muzhan quickly nodded. In a flash, he left the main hall, his figure flickering twice before he had swept past the training grounds.
Most people didn't notice him pass; his speed was too great.
He darted across the treetops like lightning, and in the blink of an eye, he was at the foot of the mountain. He saw Chen Daotang lying motionless on a simple stretcher made of small trees, being carefully carried upward by two young men.
As soon as he appeared, the two young men stopped, their bodies tense. They relaxed only after clearly seeing it was him.
Li Muzhan had no time for pleasantries. He went straight to Chen Daotang’s side. There were no external wounds visible on Chen Daotang, only bloodstains at the corner of his mouth—one side was blackish, the other bright red, representing old blood and freshly vomited blood, respectively.
He caught Chen Daotang’s wrist, released it after a moment, and gently pressed a palm onto his chest.
"Pfft!" Chen Daotang suddenly curled up and spat out a stream of blood, slowly opening his eyes and groaning.
The two young men were startled and were about to speak when they saw Chen Daotang awaken, swallowing their protests by force, and fixed their gaze on him.
"Senior Brother Chen!" Li Muzhan placed his left palm on his chest. The internal energy of the Great Sorrow Sword was balanced and peaceful, pouring in like warm, gentle spring water, nourishing his meridians.
Chen Daotang saw it was him and frowned: "We're home?"
Li Muzhan nodded: "Yes, we're going straight back up the mountain. How do you feel?"
"Much better," Chen Daotang’s voice was weak, and his complexion rapidly turned pale as the color drained away. Li Muzhan’s brow immediately furrowed: It is truly potent!
Within Chen Daotang’s body, two internal energies lay hidden: one cold, one hot, one coiled in his brow, the other in his dantian, resembling two spiritual snakes. Originally coiled and motionless, the moment Li Muzhan's internal energy entered, they pounced to devour it.
Li Muzhan discovered that the internal energy of the Great Sorrow Sword could not restrain them; it became their food, being consumed to rapidly enhance their power.
Helpless, Li Muzhan withdrew his right palm and touched ten acupuncture points across Chen Daotang’s body with his five fingers separately. Each thread of finger power was of a different nature, stemming from the mental cultivation methods of the Twelve Forms of Tianyuan.
The internal energy of the Great Sorrow Sword was balanced and peaceful, incapable of causing cultivation deviation, but its power was much weaker. The mental cultivation method of each of the Twelve Forms of Tianyuan was distinct—some yin, some yang, some cold, some hot, some fire, some water—each possessing unique marvels, and greater power when used in combination.
The streams of internal energy merged, temporarily blocking those two hostile energies and stabilizing his injuries.
He let out a breath of relief. Chen Daotang smiled: "I won't die."
Li Muzhan shook his head: "What a vicious internal energy! ...Are you from the Purple Star Hall?"
"You know about that too?" Chen Daotang nodded.
Li Muzhan said no more and followed the stretcher up the mountain. The two young men possessed excellent Qinggong (lightness skill) and knew the route well; their feet were like flying. After the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, they neared the summit.
Li Muzhan said: "Senior Brother Chen, I will carry you the rest of the way."
Chen Daotang nodded: "That will do."
The two young men set down the stretcher and helped Chen Daotang onto Li Muzhan's back. They watched as Li Muzhan flickered twice and vanished from sight.
"Li Wuji is truly formidable!" one youth muttered, shaking his head.
The other youth nodded: "Fame precedes the meeting... Who could possibly injure Senior Brother Chen?!"
"It must have been a siege!"
"They don't take our Mingjing Sect seriously!"
The two cursed angrily, filled with righteous indignation, before turning back down the mountain. Li Muzhan, however, carried Chen Daotang into the main hall without disturbing the disciples training outside. (To be continued)
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