Chapter 4

Xiao Ran sighed inwardly, it seemed that Feng Qingyang was going to give him a private lesson. This was understandable, as the most valuable skills of each sect were passed down individually, and only the sect leader could practice them.

For example, the Purple Star Divine Skill of Huashan, the Heaven and Earth Shift of Mingjiao, and the Beggar’s Stick Technique of the Beggars' Gang—these were all skills that could only be passed down by the sect leader.

The uniqueness of martial arts techniques in the wuxia world was extremely important. Only someone like Xiao Ran, who had traveled through time, could make such a crazy move after obtaining the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique!

The Nine Swords of Dugu were indeed not easily obtained, while the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique was relatively easy to get. However, the easy-to-get techniques couldn’t be practiced, and the ones that could be practiced were hard to obtain. It was really troublesome.

However, there was still a chance.

Xiao Ran wasn’t in a hurry. He could be considered a prophet in the world of "Smiling, Proud Wanderer." He believed he would find a way. For now, he needed to build his presence and good will!

Xiao Ran said, "Recently, Master and Mistress have been in seclusion, instructing no one to disturb them. I haven’t seen them for quite some time!"

Xiao Ran muttered to himself, "Yue Buqun going into seclusion at this time, could he be researching the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique? Damn, this is much earlier than in the original story!"

Yue Buqun had always been scheming to obtain the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique. Now that he had a copy, his wish was fulfilled.

However, the situation was very different now. Not only did everyone have a copy of the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique, but everyone also knew how to practice it.

Xiao Ran was very curious about what actions Yue Buqun would take given his character.

...

Although he hadn’t learned the Nine Swords of Dugu, Xiao Ran’s memory was extremely strong. He had taken a quick look at the cave and memorized the sword techniques on the wall.

However, the techniques were carved quite crudely. If one’s sword skills were low and they hadn’t professionally studied sword techniques, it would be difficult to understand them.

Xiao Ran was such a person. In the Body Strengthening Realm, he mainly focused on hand-to-hand combat and rarely practiced weapons. He hadn’t learned any sword techniques.

He had come to Huashan with the intention of furthering his studies and learning the basic martial arts knowledge of this world.

Although Xiao Ran didn’t have many connections on Huashan, others might not pay attention to him.

But there was Yue Lingshan on Huashan.

Lin Pingzhi had only been on Huashan for a few months, but Yue Lingshan had already taught him everything she knew.

Although he was originally a man in his twenties, this body was just a teenager. If he was a bit sweet, he could learn some basic things from her, right?

How should he approach Yue Lingshan?

In Xiao Ran’s view, she was a little girl with a slight father complex!

In the past, when Linghu Chong treated her well, she had feelings for him. However, Linghu Chong was much older, which gave her a sense of fatherly care.

Lin Pingzhi, although young, had a personality very similar to Yue Buqun.

Yue Buqun was called the "Gentleman Sword," and Lin Pingzhi had a nickname on Huashan, "Little Gentleman Sword."

One was similar in spirit, the other in appearance, and Linghu Chong’s first round of competition was already lost.

Yue Lingshan was teaching Lin Pingzhi sword techniques, and the two were working on the same project, researching the same topic. This was a surefire way to win a girl’s heart, almost always effective.

Just look at how close Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan were when they were researching the Chongling Sword Technique.

The second round was a tie!

Moreover, Lin Pingzhi’s tragic background had sparked Yue Lingshan’s maternal instincts.

This round, Linghu Chong was completely defeated.

Now Linghu Chong was punished to face the wall on the mountain, while Yue Lingshan and Lin Pingzhi were together every day. Long-distance relationships were a super weapon for breaking up couples, almost always effective.

The fourth round, Linghu Chong was also completely defeated.

Finally, Lin Pingzhi was quite handsome. For a little girl, such a pretty boy was more attractive than Linghu Chong, a rogue type of drunk.

So the fifth round... hehe.

It seemed that Linghu Chong being dumped was a foregone conclusion!

But it was just a breakup. Linghu, look on the bright side, I’ve been dumped more times than you!

Besides, there’s an excellent girl waiting for you!

Mourning for Linghu Chong in his heart, Xiao Ran found Yue Lingshan and respectfully said, "Senior Sister Yue!"

Yue Lingshan was instructing Lin Pingzhi in sword techniques. She had been a junior sister all her life, and now suddenly became a senior sister with two junior brothers. The satisfaction was indescribable!

Yue Lingshan tried to keep a serious face and said to Xiao Ran, "Junior Brother Xiao... I always call you 'Junior Brother' when I say your name!"

"What do you want?"

For Yue Lingshan, instructing Lin Pingzhi was very satisfying. The other senior and junior brothers had similar martial arts skills, so she couldn’t guide them.

But in front of Lin Pingzhi, a beginner, she was a sword expert. In his shocked and admiring eyes, she felt incredibly pleased!

Xiao Ran chuckled, "I just finished my horse stance and saw Senior Sister instructing Senior Brother Lin in sword techniques, so I came over to watch. Is this not allowed...?"

Yue Lingshan’s serious face immediately softened, "It’s just the basic sword technique, nothing you can’t see!"

"Anyway, you won’t understand it. Junior Brother Xiao, you practice external techniques, while we Huashan specialize in internal sword techniques."

"Junior Brother Lin’s foundation is poor, but he has internal energy, so it’s hard for you without internal energy to practice!"

Xiao Ran understood this. When he watched Huashan disciples practice sword techniques, many movements that seemed difficult to execute were performed swiftly, thanks to their internal energy!

Xiao Ran shook his head and sighed, "Unfortunately, Master wants me to practice the basics for three years before I can start practicing qi..."

"New disciples are all like this... I practiced horse stance for a whole year!" Yue Lingshan had a helpless look on her face!

Xiao Ran looked at the diligent Lin Pingzhi and asked, "What sword technique is Senior Brother Lin learning? When can he start learning our Reverse Two-Form Saber Technique?"

Yue Lingshan rolled her eyes and said disdainfully, "Junior Brother Xiao, don’t talk nonsense. We Huashan are a sword school, we don’t have any Reverse Two-Form Saber Technique!"

Xiao Ran was surprised, "I’ve heard that in the past, at the Bright Peak, the six major sects—Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun, Emei, Kongtong, and Huashan—attacked the Mingjiao! Our Huashan’s Reverse Two-Form Saber Technique shone brightly, combining with Kunlun’s Two-Form Sword Technique to almost force the Mingjiao leader, who was only slightly inferior to Zhang Sanfeng, into a desperate situation..."

"What is the Bright Peak?"

Yue Lingshan’s curiosity was immediately piqued. Xiao Ran slowly recounted the first major climax of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," where Zhang Wujie, with his newly acquired martial arts, single-handedly defeated the six major sects at the Bright Peak.

Yue Lingshan listened with bated breath, and even the enthusiastic Lin Pingzhi stopped practicing to listen!

This part was too exciting, too satisfying. In a moment of crisis, a hero emerges, turning the tide and becoming invincible. Who wouldn’t want to be like that?

When he mentioned Zhou Zhiruo piercing Zhang Wujie through the chest, Yue Lingshan’s face turned pale with fear.

Xiao Ran stopped, and Yue Lingshan immediately said, "Why did you stop!"

Xiao Ran said, "I still have homework and practice to do today..."

Although he was once a struggling writer, Xiao Ran’s storytelling skills were still decent. This cliffhanger was too captivating, and Yue Lingshan wouldn’t let it go.

Yue Lingshan panicked and blocked Xiao Ran, "No, you can’t leave. Practice the basic boxing tomorrow..."

Xiao Ran shook his head, "Senior Sister, this is my homework, and I want to practice the basics well to start practicing qi earlier and learn our Huashan sword techniques sooner."

Yue Lingshan was angry but then had an idea, "Anyway, I’m teaching Little Lin. One sheep is herded, two are herded. I’ll teach you together..."

Xiao Ran didn’t expect to achieve his goal so easily and found it amusing. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Senior Sister!"

"Since Father is in seclusion... okay, continue the story..."

...

In the following days, Xiao Ran didn’t go up the mountain to deliver food to Linghu Chong. He spent his days telling stories to Yue Lingshan and practicing the basic sword techniques with Lin Pingzhi.

Although it was easy to obtain the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique, Lin Pingzhi was unlikely to practice it now because it had become as common as the Taizu Long Fist.

This way, the conflicts between Yue Buqun, Lin Pingzhi, and Linghu Chong might not arise, and at least Yue Lingshan wouldn’t die by Lin Pingzhi’s sword.

In this sense, Xiao Ran felt he had done a good deed.

To be honest, in the early stages of "Smiling, Proud Wanderer," Lin Pingzhi had the protagonist’s aura, and many people thought he was the main character.

Even with a deep-seated grudge, he maintained his principles, didn’t bully the weak when he was down, and didn’t fear authority when in danger. He had a sense of justice and courage.

But there’s a saying in modern times: when you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back.

Burdened by the obsession of revenge, his heart was ultimately twisted by the desire for vengeance.

So he became a villain. Otherwise, he could have lived a happy life with Yue Lingshan, blessed by Linghu Chong.

His somewhat rigid personality and the inner封闭 caused by his grudge made him rarely interact with other Huashan disciples, which is why Lu Dàyǒu didn’t like him.

But Xiao Ran didn’t care. Coming from the modern world, he had seen countless jokes on his phone and could easily tell various jokes, often making Yue Lingshan and Lin Pingzhi laugh heartily.

At first, it was just Yue Lingshan and Lin Pingzhi, but later, more and more people came to listen to Xiao Ran’s stories about "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber."

The stories in this world were not as captivating as Jin Yong’s novels, and since "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" had some connection with "Smiling, Proud Wanderer," everyone was captivated and couldn’t stop listening.

Thus, Xiao Ran became a big celebrity on Huashan. Many female disciples looked at him with smiles and blushes.

Within half a month, Xiao Ran finished telling the story of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," learned a set of basic sword techniques, and secretly practiced some of the sword techniques he had seen on the mural.

Then, Xiao Ran once again brought food to the Cliff of Reflection.

...

On the Cliff of Reflection, it was snowing heavily. Linghu Chong was practicing sword techniques. The sword light was fluid, not particularly sharp, but smooth and flowing like a stream.

It was hard to say what sword technique it was. One move might be from Huashan, the next from Songshan. He used them freely, blending them seamlessly.

His sword technique had reached a high level.

It was unclear whether Tian Boguang had gone mad from practicing the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique or if the time hadn’t come, but Tian Boguang didn’t appear on the Cliff of Reflection.

Without such pressure, Feng Qingyang didn’t teach Linghu Chong the Nine Swords of Dugu so quickly. Instead, he was helping Linghu Chong organize the sword techniques he had learned, reshaping his theoretical system, essentially teaching him how to use the techniques.

Seeing Xiao Ran, Linghu Chong stopped and smiled, "Junior Brother Xiao, you haven’t come to see me for so long. Did you bring any wine?"