Chapter 11

Seven days later, Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze led Yue Fangxing and Yue Lingshan to the rear hall to perform the ceremony of becoming disciples.

This ceremony was not much different from the previous one, except that the person reading out the rules was now Linghuchong, and the brother and sister had to pay respects to him. After the ceremony, Yue Buqun announced the new rules for the Huashan Sect, stating that in the future, anyone entering the sect must first train in the outer sect for a period of time, and based on their performance, they would be decided whether to be admitted to the inner sect. The seniority would be determined by the order of entry.

Linghuchong's status as the 14th generation's eldest disciple of the Huashan Sect was firmly established. All future disciples, regardless of gender and whether they were in the inner or outer sect, had to call him "eldest brother." Yue Fangxing officially became the second male disciple of the 14th generation's inner sect, while Yue Lingshan became the eldest female disciple of the 14th generation's inner sect under Ning Zhongze. Despite this, she still had to call Linghuchong "eldest brother," which made her very happy. She would call Yue Fangxing "little brother" all day long, making Yue Fangxing quite depressed, as he was still the youngest.

However, his depression soon disappeared. The day after the ceremony, Yue Buqun handed him a secret manual, which was the Hanyuan Gong he had been eagerly awaiting. Yue Fangxing was very excited. After six years in this world, he was finally going to learn an internal martial art. His martial arts dream was about to take off. Although the Hanyuan Gong was not a top-tier internal martial art and could not compare to the Nine Yang Divine Skill, the Nine Yin Scripture, or the Yi Jin Jing, it was far inferior to the Purple Star Divine Skill, it was still the first complete internal martial art he had encountered in this world, and it was very suitable for him. Once his martial arts skills improved, he wouldn't worry about not having access to powerful skills.

Yue Fangxing carefully read through the Hanyuan Gong, but found no mention of its origin, which made him slightly disappointed. It seemed that the origin was too ancient to determine if it was the same Hanyuan Gong used by Cheng Kun and Xie Xun. Moreover, this Hanyuan Gong did not mention the Thunderhand technique, so it was unclear whether the predecessor who created it had not obtained it or if it was not part of the original technique.

However, it could be confirmed that this Hanyuan Gong was the same as the one practiced by Yuan Chengzhi in "The Sword of Heroes," and the description was exactly the same. Unlike other internal martial arts, which focus on breathing and meditation, the Hanyuan Gong required the practitioner to first learn the Hanyuan Palm, using the palm technique to drive the internal energy. Although this method was time-consuming, it did not carry the risk of going astray, and once mastered, it was extremely powerful, far surpassing other internal martial arts in combat.

Moreover, the Hanyuan Gong cultivated both internal and external strength. In combat, each move was accompanied by internal energy, allowing the practitioner to defeat the enemy effortlessly. This technique was in line with the principles of the Qi Sect, which emphasized the use of internal energy to control techniques. Once fully mastered, the body would be as strong as an outer sect expert, and if perfected, the internal energy would be unified and pure, making it even more powerful when combined with the Huashan Sect's Jade-Breaking Fist, which was invincible and indestructible. However, the Hanyuan Gong had a challenge: the practitioner must first cultivate true energy through the Hanyuan Palm to enter the path of cultivation; otherwise, the method would be ineffective, and even if they managed to cultivate it, the power would be limited.

However, this was not a problem for Yue Fangxing. The true energy he cultivated, though not exactly from the Hanyuan Palm, was very similar and even superior. The nature was so close that a slight transformation was all that was needed. It was no wonder Yue Buqun had chosen this technique for him; it was as if it was tailor-made for him.

Yue Buqun then began to explain the Hanyuan Gong based on his understanding, guiding Yue Fangxing through the techniques of the Hanyuan Palm. Yue Fangxing had a good memory and had been practicing the Twelve Postures of the Yi Jin Jing, which had developed his body like that of an eight or nine-year-old child. He had excellent athletic talent and, by the end of the morning, had mastered the techniques almost perfectly. His internal energy was also flowing smoothly, and a strand of true energy in his dantian was growing stronger.

Seeing this, Yue Buqun was relieved, knowing that he could not guide his son much further and that it would depend on Yue Fangxing's own hard work.

After some time, Yue Fangxing had become extremely proficient in the Hanyuan Palm, and his true energy had grown and been completely transformed into the true energy of the Hanyuan Gong, accumulating continuously. Yue Buqun then taught him the basic techniques of fist, palm, finger, and sword, as well as footwork and body movement, which he found easier to teach than when he taught Linghuchong, as he had three more years of teaching experience and a more systematic approach. Yue Fangxing learned everything with great dedication.

One day, after finishing his practice, Yue Fangxing was reading in the study when he noticed his father's worried expression. He recalled the news his father had mentioned a few days ago about the resurgence of the Cult of Evil and their indiscriminate killings of martial artists. It had been two years since the battle on Mount Song, and the Cult of Evil had likely regained its strength and was preparing for another invasion. Yue Fangxing knew his father was worried about the Cult of Evil's power and the lack of a countermeasure.

Yue Fangxing, recalling the original story and combining it with his observations over the years, said, "Father, are you worried about the Cult of Evil? I don't think you need to be."

Yue Buqun looked at his son with surprise. Everyone in the martial world was worried about the Cult of Evil, but his son said there was no need to worry. He and his wife had discussed sect affairs without hiding anything from their son, and sometimes he even offered insightful comments. Yue Buqun asked, "Why do you think so? Please explain."

Yue Fangxing replied, "Father, since Dongfang Sheng became the deputy leader of the Cult of Evil last year, Ren Woxing has been in seclusion, and Xiang Wentian has not been able to compete with him. Therefore, Dongfang Sheng has effectively taken control of the cult. Then, one of the ten elders, Elder Wen, was expelled and killed by the combined forces of the Shaolin, Hengshan, and Taishan sects. Another elder, Elder Qiu, died mysteriously in Gansu this year, and the internal personnel of the cult have been frequently shuffled. It seems that Dongfang Sheng is planning to usurp the leadership of the cult."

This was not a surprising theory, as some people in the martial world had similar predictions. However, given Ren Woxing's formidable power, few believed it and often dismissed the idea.

Yue Buqun thought similarly and asked, "How does Dongfang Sheng have the nerve to usurp the leadership? Does he think he can defeat Ren Woxing? Remember, Ren Woxing's Absorbing Star Technique can control anyone he fights, and his martial arts skills are also exceptional. In the battle with Zuo Liancheng, Zuo Liancheng was already losing without using the Absorbing Star Technique, and he only stopped because he sensed the arrival of Fangzheng. His power is unmatched, even by Zuo Liancheng and Fangzheng."

Yue Fangxing responded, "Father, the Absorbing Star Technique must have some limitations, otherwise why wouldn't Ren Woxing use it? Moreover, if he planned to destroy the Five Mountains Sword Sect on Mount Song, he would have been prepared for Fangzheng. Think about the situation at the time; I believe there might have been a problem with the Absorbing Star Technique. Otherwise, why would he have been so quiet for nearly two years? If there was no problem, he wouldn't have ignored the affairs of the cult."

Yue Buqun thought about it and found some truth in his son's words. The situation at the time was indeed unusual, but the Five Mountains Sword Sect was too involved to see it clearly, and others in the martial world did not know the details. Now, hearing his son's analysis, he was surprised and impressed by his son's insight. He asked, "So, how do you think Dongfang Sheng will usurp the leadership?"

Yue Fangxing, realizing his father was testing him, thought for a moment and replied, "I believe Dongfang Sheng will continue to eliminate those loyal to Ren Woxing and then launch a surprise attack while Ren Woxing is practicing. Otherwise, even if Ren Woxing is slow, he would have noticed. I think it won't be long before this happens. When they fight, regardless of who wins, the Cult of Evil will be severely weakened, and it won't pose a threat to our Huashan Sect."

Yue Buqun did not comment, thinking that Dongfang Sheng was just a minor figure. Ren Woxing's authority in the Cult of Evil was overwhelming, and once he used the Absorbing Star Technique, Dongfang Sheng would have no choice but to submit. Moreover, he did not want his young son to get involved in such intrigue, so he changed the topic and began to test Yue Fangxing's martial arts progress. Yue Fangxing did not ask further.

From then on, Yue Fangxing focused on his training and did not pay much attention to the news in the martial world. After all, these matters were not directly related to him, and he already knew the outcome. His predictions might have some discrepancies, but they should not be too far off, as he had remained in Huashan and had not caused significant changes.

Sure enough, after some time, news came that a member of the Cult of Evil surnamed Hao had been executed by Dongfang Sheng. Although no one knew Hao's position in the cult, it was known that he was close to the right envoy, Xiang Wentian. This made some members of the cult and many in the martial world realize that a change was happening within the cult, and they waited with bated breath.

A year passed, and the cult remained quiet. Just when everyone thought Dongfang Sheng had given up, news came that the right envoy, Xiang Wentian, had defected from the cult, and the leader, Ren Woxing, had died. The martial world was shocked, and it was clear that Dongfang Sheng had successfully usurped the leadership. Although the method was unknown, it was likely through treachery, as his martial arts skills could not match Ren Woxing's. This news brought joy to the righteous and celebration among the evil, who believed the Cult of Evil was on the decline and planned to form an alliance to attack it.

However, when the righteous and the evil temporarily set aside their differences to attack the cult, the cult members suddenly appeared. The new leader, Dongfang Sheng, with his mysterious and unpredictable skills, struck fear into the hearts of both the righteous and the evil. He then announced that he had changed his name to Dongfang Bubai, declaring, "The sun rises in the east, and I am invincible," with an arrogance that left everyone in the martial world enraged.

Subsequently, many in the martial world challenged Dongfang Bubai, but all met mysterious deaths. Over the years, Dongfang Bubai's reputation spread, and no one dared to question his invincibility. Those who had seen him in action and survived could not describe his techniques, and they were all terrified, even avoiding mentioning his name. Gradually, Dongfang Bubai's name became a taboo in the martial world.

Although the Cult of Evil continued to act recklessly, it gradually reduced its activities in the martial world and no longer attacked major sects. Dongfang Bubai rarely appeared, and while everyone knew he was powerful, they did not know the extent of his strength. Over time, Dongfang Bubai became a legend in the martial world, like a mountain pressing on the hearts of every martial artist. The righteous, though they hated the Cult of Evil, did not dare to provoke it, fearing retaliation. The martial world entered a relatively peaceful period.

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