Chapter 85

Sitting on the hillside, Bai Xiaosheng drank the wine Duan Yu had bought, still slightly out of breath. He turned his head to look at Xiao Feng and said admiringly, "Brother, I never thought your internal strength was so profound."

Xiao Feng shook his head and said, "Brother, you flatter me. When I fought with you just now, I knew that your internal strength is rare in the world. However, although your internal strength is strong, it is not pure enough, which is why you were at a disadvantage. Otherwise, it would be difficult for us to determine a winner."

Hearing this, Bai Xiaosheng frowned. His internal strength not pure enough? He was greatly surprised. When it came to internal strength, he was absolutely confident, both in quantity and purity. He thought he was not inferior to anyone, but Xiao Feng actually said his internal strength was not pure enough?

"Brother, what do you mean by that?" Bai Xiaosheng suppressed his annoyance and asked respectfully.

Xiao Feng laughed and patted Bai Xiaosheng's shoulder, saying, "Brother, there's no need for that. I will naturally tell you everything. My master was a genius of the ages. He was well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, and had read all the martial arts in the world. He was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, medicine, divination, and astrology. Among these, he was most passionate about martial arts. My master was adopted by his grandmaster from a young age and learned martial arts from him. By the age of thirteen, he had achieved great mastery. At twenty, he created the Wheel Rotation Technique, which amazed his grandmaster. My master was proficient in all eighteen martial arts and later comprehended the essence of martial arts, realizing that the path of martial arts lies in two aspects: body and spirit."

Hearing this, Bai Xiaosheng nodded vigorously. He understood this principle, but upon deeper reflection, he realized that he only understood the surface meaning, or rather, it was knowledge passed down by his predecessors, not something he had comprehended himself. However, Xiao Feng's master had clearly comprehended it himself, and the difference was significant.

"Body, at its initial level, refers to the physical body. A strong body means robust qi and blood, making one immune to diseases. Later, it extends to martial arts techniques, methods to defeat enemies, such as Brother's Unique Sword Technique, Fourth Brother's Six Pulse Sword Technique, and my own Eighteen Dragon Styles. This aspect is visible and learnable, and easy to understand. Spirit, however, is different. My master once said, 'Spirit is the essence of what you think, feel, and do.'"

"The things my master said were too profound. Brother and Third Brother Xuzhu never fully understood them. Later, my master, to help us in our cultivation, said, 'Be sincere to others, be sincere to yourself, and you will be sincere in martial arts.'"

These words seemed ordinary, and both Bai Xiaosheng and Duan Yu understood the principle, just like the knowledge and Buddhist principles Duan Yu had learned. Bai Xiaosheng had heard them many times before. In the past, he did not fully understand them, or perhaps he understood them but did not grasp their deeper meaning. But now, listening to Xiao Feng, he suddenly had an epiphany. It was as if a great bell had rung in his mind, shaking his heart.

No technique surpasses having no technique, no sword surpasses having no sword! A single word difference, yet a world apart!

No technique surpasses having no technique, which refers to technique! No sword surpasses having no sword, which refers to the sword! Bai Xiaosheng's technique had reached its peak. But what about his sword?

For years, he had pondered how to reach a higher realm, but he could never find a way. Now, after listening to Xiao Feng, he suddenly realized it. The vast knowledge in his mind became coherent and clear.

He had no technique, but he had a sword. To advance further, he needed to have neither technique nor sword. This realm should be the realm of "intention."

Lifting the peerless sword in his hand, Bai Xiaosheng stared at it in a daze. He reached out as if to throw it away, but halfway through, he suddenly pulled back, a smile on his face.

No sword does not mean throwing away the sword in your hand, but throwing away the sword in your heart. When there is no sword in your heart, your body becomes the sword. This is the realm of man and sword as one. At that point, the sword in your hand is a sword, and everything in the world is a sword.

"Ha ha..." Understanding this, Bai Xiaosheng laughed uncontrollably. Duan Yu was puzzled, but Xiao Feng praised, "Brother, you have great talent and great insight."

"Brother, you flatter me!" Bai Xiaosheng came to his senses and bowed to Xiao Feng, grateful, "If it weren't for Brother's enlightening words, I would not know when I could reach a deeper realm."

"Brother, you flatter me. With your talent and insight, you would have reached this realm even without my reminder." Xiao Feng waved his hand and handed the wine bag to Bai Xiaosheng.

Bai Xiaosheng did not hesitate, taking a large gulp. Wiping the wine from his mouth, he said, "Brother, your master is truly a heavenly being!"

"Ha ha... You are right. My master was all-knowing, especially in his insights into martial arts, which amazed me. I think only someone with such a lofty goal could have such martial arts prowess." Xiao Feng sighed as he spoke of his master. Bai Xiaosheng, with his keen ears, immediately asked, "Brother, may I ask what your master's goal was?"

Xiao Feng's expression turned serious, and he said earnestly, "Transcending the void!"

Transcending the void! Bai Xiaosheng and Duan Yu were both deeply shaken. Even Duan Yu was awed by such a lofty ambition, let alone Bai Xiaosheng, who had some understanding of it. He never thought that someone else shared his grand goal.

"Brother, did your master reach this realm?" Bai Xiaosheng asked immediately.

Xiao Feng shook his head regretfully, his face showing sorrow and regret. "No! Although my master was a genius, transcending the void was not that simple. Moreover, in his attempts to break through his martial arts realm, he suffered many internal injuries. He died from exhaustion when he broke through to the innate realm."

"What a pity!" Duan Yu also looked regretful, but Bai Xiaosheng was once again stunned. The innate realm, breaking through the innate realm... Who was this guy? Why was he never mentioned in the story of *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*? He must have changed the fates of Xiao Feng and Xuzhu. Could he be a穿越者 (time traveler)?

Various doubts made his heart itch, and he could not help but ask, "Brother, what is the innate realm?"

Xiao Feng was taken aback, then laughed, "Brother, you are truly a martial arts enthusiast!"

Xiao Feng's master's lifelong goal was to transcend the void. Unfortunately, he was born in the wrong era, in a place where martial arts were declining. Although he was from the Free and Easy School and had read all the martial arts in the world, those extraordinary techniques and divine arts had long disappeared. All he could do was try and create.

In his lifetime, he created many martial arts, and his cultivation surpassed even that of Xianzi, but he still fell, a tragic and lamentable end!

Before he died, he compiled all his martial arts into a book and gave it to Xiao Feng and Xuzhu, hoping they could fulfill his last wish and reach the unfathomable realm.

In the book, he summarized his cultivation and experience into three realms: Qi cultivation, Spirit cultivation, and Innate.

Qi cultivation refers to the cultivation of internal strength, including the basics and meridian opening.

Spirit cultivation is the realm of "no sword surpasses having no sword." In simple terms, it means the body becomes the weapon, and the weapon and body become one. This realm requires sincerity. Only those who see their true hearts can understand what they seek, and their martial arts will progress. Those who live in their own lies will not progress.

Innate, expressed in four characters, means "heaven and man as one"!

After Qi cultivation and Spirit cultivation, your internal strength and spirit will enter a wondrous realm. At that point, you can control your pores to breathe like your mouth. Then, the earth's spiritual energy will flow into your body, cleansing your meridians and bones.

"In the book my master left, he also speculated that after the innate realm, there would be a realm where the mind, spirit, and body become one. At that point, one can be called a terrestrial immortal, not needing to eat or drink to survive. Unfortunately, my master never fully understood that realm, or he would not have had to force a breakthrough." As he spoke, Xiao Feng also felt sad. Bai Xiaosheng was also regretful, but he still had some doubts, such as whether Xiao Feng's master was a time traveler.

But how could he ask such a question!

Scratching his head, Bai Xiaosheng felt frustrated. Xiao Feng looked at him curiously and asked, "Brother, do you have any more questions?"

Bai Xiaosheng smiled awkwardly and said, "Brother, that... you see..." He was embarrassed, and the words stuck in his throat. Xiao Feng was amused by his expression and said, "Brother, do you want to see what my master left behind?" Without waiting for Bai Xiaosheng's answer, he continued, "There's no problem. You have learned the Lingbo Steps from Fourth Brother, so you are part of our Free and Easy School. Moreover, our lineage is different from the other three, and we do not follow those rules. However, I do not have those things with me. If you want to see them, we need to go to Mount Hua."

Mount Hua! That guy actually lived on Mount Hua!

Bai Xiaosheng was greatly surprised. He opened his mouth to ask more, hoping to confirm his suspicions, but before he could, he heard someone calling his name from a distance.

Turning his head, Bai Xiaosheng saw several people quickly approaching from the west side of the hill. They were the six elders of the Beggar Sect and Cui Baiquan, who had been left far behind.

"Brother, I won't say more." Bai Xiaosheng's expression was serious as he bowed solemnly to Xiao Feng, "No words can express my gratitude to Brother. If there is a next life, I will work as a cow or a horse to repay Brother."

Xiao Feng helped Bai Xiaosheng up and said, "Brother, what are you saying? Since we are sworn brothers, we should naturally take care of each other. Moreover, my master's last wish was to explore the mysteries of martial arts. Having more brothers helps fulfill his wish. If you can achieve something, I will be grateful to you."

Bai Xiaosheng sincerely thanked Xiao Feng, his eyes filled with passion. Such a good person, he must make him happy for life!

"Brother, rest assured. No matter what happens to A'zhu or Uncle, I will protect them."

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