Since Teng Qingshan secluded himself in the restricted area of the Sword Tower on Bright Moon Island, the island's factions had grown restless, feeling a palpable sense of unease.
The Eighteenth General’s Estate, with its extensive network of informants, quickly uncovered the truth of the situation.
This revelation struck them with profound shock.
The Sword Tower Master, Huangfu Yujiang, and the former Master, ‘Tianhong’—two peerless powerhouses—had joined forces only to be defeated by the mysterious expert, ‘Teng Qingshan,’ in a single move! They instantly understood— If this Teng Qingshan harbored ambition, the entire Bright Moon Island would descend into chaos unseen for millennia.
All sides prepared themselves with extreme caution.
For those with aspirations, the attraction of ruling an island populated by tens of millions of people needed no explanation.
And with Teng Qingshan’s overwhelming martial might, winning over or subjugating certain forces would be effortless.
Becoming the 'Emperor' would not be difficult.
Yet, this Teng Qingshan remained entrenched in that secluded cave dwelling, refusing to emerge, and exhibiting no other activity.
This caused great anxiety among all the factions on the island.
* Below the Forbidden Mountain of the Sword Tower.
A heavy snowfall the previous night had draped the entirety of Bright Moon Island in a cloak of silver.
At the base of the Forbidden Mountain stood several bamboo cottages.
The surrounding bamboo groves were also burdened with snow, occasionally pierced by a tough, emerald sprout pushing through the white blanket.
Many Sword Tower disciples resided here.
If those ambitious figures in power were focused on Teng Qingshan, then these elite Sword Tower disciples, striving to become masters through the way of the sword, watched him with equal intensity.
Whoosh! Whoosh! The sword light was ice-cold, the figure moving like a swimming dragon as a youth in a white robe practiced his sword techniques in the clearing before a bamboo cottage.
Only shallow footprints marred the snow, and every strike sent flurries of powder scattering from the ground.
“Hah, hah!” The sword-practicing youth suddenly stopped, breathing lightly, his face flushed.
“Junior Brother, your recent sword practice feels distinctly off,” observed a slender youth, also clad in the standard white robe, from within a nearby bamboo cottage, where he sat cross-legged, gazing over.
The practicing youth couldn't contain himself.
“Senior Brother, you mean to say that even the Tower Master was defeated by that expert named Teng Qingshan? And that fellow used a spear and lance! Does this imply that spear and lance weapons can actually be superior to the sword?” Since childhood, the children of Bright Moon Island had rigorously trained in swordsmanship.
They practiced diligently at home, competing against peers in the art of the blade.
They grew step by step until they earned entry into the Sword Tower! The conviction that the sword reigned supreme was deeply ingrained in every heart.
As for spears and lances? In their eyes, they were no different from fish spears—mere utilitarian tools.
“What kind of talk is that, Junior Brother? Of course, the sword art is superior!” the slender youth scolded.
“Look, isn’t that Teng Qingshan still having to observe our Sword Tower’s ‘Immortal Jade Wall’ within the restricted area?” “But, the Master and the others…” the practicing youth started to protest.
The slender youth sharply interjected, “Junior Brother, have you forgotten how formidable our Third Patriarch was? If the Third Patriarch were still here, would this Teng Qingshan even be a worthy opponent? If you have the heart for it, focus diligently on your training.
When the day comes that you reach the realm of the Third Patriarch, then who on Bright Moon Island would dare look down upon us?” The mere thought of the legendary ‘Third Patriarch’ instantly revitalized the practicing youth, who said respectfully, “Senior Brother, I will stop this needless speculation.” “Good.
Hurry up and prepare.
You are to take the Master’s meal today,” the slender youth instructed.
“Yes,” the practicing youth replied immediately.
Ever since Teng Qingshan entered seclusion in the restricted cave dwelling, Huangfu Yujiang had remained stationed just outside its entrance.
* The Forbidden Cave Dwelling, the natural cavern where the supreme expert, the Poetry Sword Immortal ‘Li Taibai,’ achieved enlightenment.
That Jade Wall perpetually emanated a soft, pale green luminescence.
With his hair disheveled and face masked by a thick beard, Teng Qingshan sat cross-legged.
A faint, inexplicable radiance shimmered across his face, as if he were a piece of fine jade.
Resting across his knees was the Reincarnation Spear.
Suddenly— He opened his eyes; his pupils, like polished black jade, shone brightly.
“These four verses of the Azure Lotus Sword Song truly contain a sword doctrine as vast and unfathomable as the sea,” Teng Qingshan murmured, his gaze calm.
“Senior Li Taibai, the Poetry Sword Immortal, must have broken through to the Dao starting from the element of Water.
Then, he gradually delved deeper, integrating other ‘Daos’ within it.” As Teng Qingshan cultivated, he realized that Li Taibai’s sword doctrine grew increasingly difficult the further one progressed.
“It begins with the Way of Water, and gradually, the Dao of the Bright Moon is interwoven!” Teng Qingshan understood clearly that he had studied the Heavenly Dao meticulously through the lens of the Five Elements.
But others might not follow the same path.
After all, great mountains, flowing water, the sun, the moon—all possessed distinct ‘Daos,’ and all were components of the Heavenly Dao! Li Taibai’s doctrine initially adhered purely to the Water Dao, which Teng Qingshan could comprehend and integrate.
But later, it began to merge seamlessly with the Dao of the Bright Moon.
Teng Qingshan could barely peel away the portion related to Water, grasping only fragments.
Beyond that point, it became utter chaos; the Water Dao and the Bright Moon Dao were fused so perfectly that Teng Qingshan could not separate them.
As for the Dao of the Bright Moon, he remained utterly clueless, unlike the Five Elements, which were easier to grasp.
“I shouldn't have been greedy! This Immortal Jade Wall has already saved me years of arduous effort.” Teng Qingshan rose and noticed Li Jun nearby in the connecting passage.
She was leaning against the stone wall, seemingly frozen stiff by the bitter cold, wrapped tightly in a thick cotton quilt.
Her face was alarmingly pale from the chill.
This sight struck Teng Qingshan with a sudden, profound shock: “Little Jun, she…” “I have been in seclusion for several months.
During these months when I was immersed in comprehending the sword doctrine, she dared not rest, terrified that the Sword Tower people might attack, or that I might become irrevocably lost in the sword intent.
She spent the better part of every day watching over me, only daring to fetch food or sleep once I ceased sensing the sword and began integrating my insights into the Fist of the Water Element.” When Teng Qingshan was in deep communion with the sword doctrine, his awareness of the outside world dropped to its minimum, making him vulnerable to attack.
“I haven't spoken much with her these past few months.” Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly.
For several months, Li Jun had stood guard silently beside him without complaint or weariness.
This truly moved him.
Teng Qingshan quietly approached, first taking hold of Li Jun’s small, ice-cold hand.
Then, he tucked her hand back into the quilt and pulled the blanket tighter around her.
Li Jun stirred in her sleep, her nose twitching slightly, a sweet smile lingering on her face as if caught in a pleasant dream.
Teng Qingshan smiled, stood up, and walked toward the cliffside platform outside.
The platform rested on the precipice, its surface dusted with fresh snow.
Whoosh! Whoosh! As soon as he stepped onto the platform, the sharp, cold wind following the snow swept over him, instantly clearing his mind.
From halfway up the mountainside, he looked out over the vast, snow-white landscape.
...
Li Jun’s eyelids fluttered, and then she slowly opened her hazy eyes.
The first thing she saw was the tall figure standing on the cliff platform.
“Brother Teng stopped cultivating so early today?” Li Jun looked surprised.
Previously, Teng Qingshan would alternate between absorbing the sword doctrine and integrating it into the Fist of the Water Element; during his seclusion, he barely rested at all.
For him to be standing on the cliff platform, merely gazing at the scenery, was extremely rare.
“Brother Teng, are you hungry now? I’ll prepare something for you immediately,” Li Jun said, standing up promptly.
As Li Jun’s voice sounded, the Gale Hawk, which had been resting in the great hall, swooped over.
“Little Jun, there’s no hurry,” Teng Qingshan turned and walked toward her.
“Little Jun, how many days have we been here?” Teng Qingshan asked.
Li Jun glanced at the scratch marks on the nearby mountain wall.
“Hmm, including today, it’s been exactly three months and twenty-three days.” “Three months and twenty-three days?” Teng Qingshan laughed and shook his head.
“I didn't realize the Annual Sacrifice passed while I was in seclusion!” He had left Stone Island on the first day of the seventh month.
After more than three, nearly four months at sea, and now another three months here, the Annual Sacrifice was long gone.
Teng Qingshan was a year older now.
“Huangfu Yujiang!” Teng Qingshan called out loudly, his voice echoing back through the passage within the mountain heart.
“This Forbidden Cave Dwelling is returned to you!” This shout startled Li Jun greatly.
“Brother Teng, we...?” Li Jun looked at him.
“Let’s go.
It’s time to leave Bright Moon Island,” Teng Qingshan said with a smile.
“This Immortal Jade Wall is of no further use to me.
Let’s depart.” “Okay!” Li Jun nodded eagerly.
For nearly four months, Teng Qingshan hadn't had time to talk with her.
While Li Jun regretted nothing about these days, the end of the seclusion filled her with joy.
“Yow~~ Yow~~~” Li Jun let out chirping calls.
The Gale Hawk, which had also been confined on Bright Moon Island for nearly four months, heard Li Jun’s excitement and responded with a loud cry of its own: “Yow~~ Yow~~”, its call reverberating among the high peaks.
Teng Qingshan turned back, watching Li Jun and the Gale Hawk rejoicing together, a slight smile touching his lips.
...
Outside the Forbidden Cave Dwelling.
Huangfu Yujiang, along with over a dozen Sword Tower experts who had also been guarding the entrance, heard the voice echoing from deep within the cave—“Huangfu Yujiang, this Forbidden Cave Dwelling is returned to you!” They exchanged glances before Huangfu Yujiang led the charge directly into the cavern.
The dozen other experts snapped to attention and followed close behind.
Inside the natural cavern.
When Huangfu Yujiang and the others rushed in, their first glance shot toward the Immortal Jade Wall.
“Thank the heavens, the Immortal Jade Wall is completely undamaged!” Huangfu Yujiang let out a long sigh of relief.
If Teng Qingshan had destroyed it, Huangfu Yujiang would have been beyond tears.
Even with his current strength compromised by the massive hole pierced through his shoulder, he lacked the power to retaliate against Teng Qingshan.
“This Teng Qingshan is a man of his word,” the other Sword Tower experts also breathed easier.
“Look outside!” As one of them rushed out onto the cliff platform, the others followed.
The group of Sword Tower masters looked up toward the sky, where, against the vast expanse of the heavens, a massive eagle soared with wings spread wide, a man in a blue robe and a maiden in white riding upon its back, traversing the nine heavens.
“Yow~~~” The Gale Hawk let out a loud, joyous cry that echoed across the world.
Listening to that call, Huangfu Yujiang finally relaxed completely.
“That demon has finally left!”