Chapter 66

The next day, Yue Fangxing arrived at the martial arts training ground and saw that most of his fellow disciples were practicing there. He looked around carefully but did not see Lin Pingzhi.

"Senior Brother Yue, are you looking for Junior Brother Lin?" Lu Dayou, who was in the training ground, saw Yue Fangxing looking around and came over to greet him.

Seeing it was Lu Dayou, Yue Fangxing said, "Oh, does Sixth Junior Brother know where Junior Brother Lin is?" He knew that among the disciples on Mount Hua, Lu Dayou was the most lively and would likely be the first to know any news. Seeing him come over, he asked him.

Lu Dayou clicked his tongue and said, "This Junior Brother Lin is really not simple. Every day, besides cultivating internal energy and sword techniques, he keeps pestering us about how you practice. He heard that you once practiced swordsmanship in water, so he often goes there now. With such hard work, I believe that in a year, he will surely be admitted to the inner gate of Mount Hua and become our junior brother!" After saying this, he sighed again, not knowing whether it was admiration or something else.

Yue Fangxing knew that Lu Dayou was rather impulsive. Apart from his lightness skills being quite good and his internal energy having penetrated the twelve main meridians, everything else was just so-so. His sword techniques were not even complete for the basic Hua Mountain sword techniques. Although Yue Buqun had scolded him several times, after a while, he would always revert to his old ways, and the other disciples often teased him about it.

Therefore, when Yue Fangxing heard this, he laughed and said, "Junior Brother Lin is so diligent, Sixth Junior Brother should also work harder! Don't let Junior Brother Lin finish the basic sword techniques before you do."

Although Lu Dayou was used to being criticized, his face still turned red. He had been a disciple for several years, and if he was surpassed by a junior brother who had joined later, where would he put his face? He made up his mind to finish the basic Hua Mountain sword techniques as soon as possible.

Seeing his expression, Yue Fangxing knew he had likely made up his mind and decided to push him further. "Sixth Junior Brother, if you can finish the basic sword techniques within three months, I will teach you a set of lightness skills and a set of hidden weapon techniques." He was referring to the lightness skills and hidden weapon techniques he had learned from the Ancient Tomb Sect, which he originally intended to teach Lu Dayou. However, since Lu Dayou had not even finished the basic sword techniques, he had postponed it. Now he was using it to motivate Lu Dayou.

Lu Dayou was delighted to hear this but then looked worried. If he had not been so lazy, he would have finished the basic Hua Mountain sword techniques long ago. Although he was close to his goal, it was still a distance away, and three months was a very tight deadline. To finish the basic sword techniques in that time would be very challenging.

However, the thought of learning lightness skills and hidden weapon techniques from Yue Fangxing made him very eager. Although he did not know what the lightness skills were, the hidden weapon techniques were likely the Finger Flicking Technique that had made a big impression at the retirement ceremony. Now that he had the opportunity to learn, he did not want to miss it. He gritted his teeth and agreed, but his face still looked worried.

Seeing Lu Dayou's worried expression, Yue Fangxing found it somewhat amusing and did not pay much attention. He went directly to where Lin Pingzhi was practicing. From Lu Dayou, he learned that Lin Pingzhi was practicing in the same water pool where he used to practice, a place he was very familiar with, so he did not need anyone to guide him.

When Yue Fangxing arrived at the water pool, he saw Lin Pingzhi practicing swordsmanship in the water. He did not disturb him but watched quietly to see how his skills had progressed. His martial arts were far superior to Lin Pingzhi's, and his breath control techniques were extremely subtle, so Lin Pingzhi did not notice him at all.

After watching for a while, he noticed that Lin Pingzhi's sword techniques had become much more stable. Even in the water, he could mostly perform the basic moves, and Yue Fangxing nodded in approval, knowing that Lin Pingzhi must have worked very hard. Otherwise, even with some foundation, he would not have reached this level in such a short time.

After standing for a while, Yue Fangxing saw that Lin Pingzhi was almost exhausted but still had no intention of getting out of the water. He frowned and called out, "Junior Brother Lin, come up and rest for a moment!"

Hearing the call, Lin Pingzhi knew that Yue Fangxing had arrived and felt a bit excited. He had been imitating Yue Fangxing's practice methods and felt that he had made significant progress. He also had some questions to ask Yue Fangxing. However, Yue Fangxing had been busy deducing and understanding the Nine Hua Mountain Techniques, so he had no chance to ask. Now that Yue Fangxing had come to find him, he was naturally excited and quickly climbed out of the water.

Seeing that Lin Pingzhi was drenched and had no change of clothes nearby, Yue Fangxing frowned and said, "Junior Brother Lin, I know you are eager to improve your martial arts, but you should not neglect your own well-being. This is not good for your skills." His tone was slightly stern.

Lin Pingzhi was startled and did not know where he had gone wrong, causing his senior brother to be so upset. He bowed and said, "Please, Senior Brother, point out my mistakes."

Yue Fangxing said, "Junior Brother Lin, learning my sword practice method is not wrong. However, since your internal energy is not yet complete, and you spend a long time in the water every day, it can easily lead to dampness entering your body, which can harm you. How can you reach a higher level if you are injured?" He had made this mistake himself, but fortunately, Yue Buqun's Purple Sun Energy had helped him remove the dampness, so he was not affected. In martial arts, one must be extremely cautious. Even a small mistake can have serious consequences.

Pausing, Yue Fangxing continued, "Moreover, you often practice in the water, which is good, but it is somewhat misplaced. Remember, most of your battles will be on the ground, not in the water. I only practiced in the water occasionally. Now that you are relatively proficient in the water, how are you doing on the ground?"

Lin Pingzhi was startled. He had not felt any dampness, so he did not understand it deeply. However, after practicing in the water for a few days, he felt significant improvement when practicing on the ground. Therefore, he had been eager to practice in the water and had not practiced on the ground. Hearing Yue Fangxing's question, he was unsure himself.

"Junior Brother, demonstrate your skills!" Yue Fangxing said.

Lin Pingzhi performed the basic sword techniques that Yue Fangxing had taught him. He thought that even if his skills had not improved, they should have at least progressed somewhat. However, when he held the sword, it felt light and awkward, and he could not control the force well, causing some deviations in his sword movements.

Without Yue Fangxing saying anything, Lin Pingzhi knew he had made a mistake. He felt both fearful and grateful. If Yue Fangxing had not pointed it out, he would have gone down the wrong path, and his sword skills would not only fail to improve but might even regress, or he could end up with injuries.

Seeing that he had understood, Yue Fangxing said earnestly, "Junior Brother, remember, 'the way of martial arts is a balance of tension and relaxation.' Everything has its limits. Diligently practicing martial arts is good, but being too hasty is not. Practicing sword techniques is an external skill, and making a mistake for a short time is not too harmful. However, if you are too hasty when cultivating internal energy and go wrong, it can lead to serious consequences, such as damaged strength or even broken tendons and death. Many people in the martial world are injured or die each year because of this."

Lin Pingzhi knew he had made a mistake and humbly accepted the advice.

Yue Fangxing continued, "Junior Brother, you have been practicing for a short time, so the harm is not yet apparent, but you must be careful. Let me help you remove the dampness from your body."

Lin Pingzhi was moved and sat cross-legged. Yue Fangxing used the yang energy from the *Evil-Exorcising Sword Manual* to transmit into Lin Pingzhi's body and remove the dampness. Although he had been busy with the Nine Hua Mountain Techniques, his true energy, after being cultivated on the Cold Jade Bed, could now circulate on its own, so he had not fallen behind. Removing a bit of dampness from Lin Pingzhi was not a problem.

Lin Pingzhi felt a warm and yang energy flow into him, which was even more yang than the *Morning Sun Energy* he practiced. He was both delighted and shocked. He was delighted because he sensed that this energy was similar to his own, likely the *Morning Sun Energy*. He was shocked by the vastness of Yue Fangxing's internal energy, wondering if he would ever reach such a level in his lifetime.

After Yue Fangxing's efforts, not only did he remove the dampness from Lin Pingzhi's body, but he also dried his clothes. Lin Pingzhi thanked him repeatedly, and Yue Fangxing gave him some pointers on practicing in the water before leaving contentedly.

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