Chapter 21

"Master!" A day later, Luo Fan was still pondering the principles of martial arts. Little Yang Guo ran over with a hint of pride and said to Luo Fan, "Master, take a look at my sword technique now."

As he spoke, Yang Guo began to practice the Complete Perfection Sword Technique on the open ground in front of the small house. From the first move, "Raising the Sail," to the last move, "Dreams of the River and Mountains," there was a sense of balance and harmony. After completing the set, Luo Fan nodded and said, "Guo'er, your sword technique has improved. For your age, this is already quite good, but there are still many flaws. I will now demonstrate the Complete Perfection Sword Technique for you. Watch carefully."

"Yes, Master!"

Luo Fan drew his long sword and began the Complete Perfection Sword Technique, starting with "Raising the Sail." Each move appeared simple, yet it was filled with a unique rhythm. There was no trace of killing intent in the sword techniques, but if a martial arts expert were present, they would feel a sense of helplessness and inability to find an opening against Luo Fan. Little Yang Guo, not understanding the subtleties, only felt that his master's sword technique was very comfortable to watch. After completing the set, Luo Fan sheathed his sword and stood up, asking Yang Guo, "Guo'er, did you see clearly?"

"I saw clearly, Master."

"Next, it's up to how much you can comprehend." Luo Fan patted Yang Guo's head and said, "I have had some insights these past few days and need to enter seclusion for a while. Do not disturb me unless it's something important. I will test your sword technique after I come out of seclusion, so don't slack off."

"How long will you be in seclusion, Master?" Yang Guo scratched his head and asked.

"I don't know exactly, but it won't be too long." Just as he was about to enter the house, Luo Fan seemed to think of something and stopped, saying, "Additionally, the most important idea in Daoism is non-action. Therefore, don't be too fixated on the progress of the Complete Perfection techniques. Haste makes waste. Arrange your time reasonably."

"I understand, Master." Little Yang Guo nodded, somewhat understanding.

Sitting in the small house, Luo Fan began to recall several high-level martial arts works from his previous life. In the works of Master Huang Yi, there were figures like Pang Ban, Chuan Ying, Yan Fei, Sun En, Xiang Yutian, and Lang Fan Yun who had transcended the void. The reasons for Pang Ban and Xiang Yutian's transcendence were mostly due to the Daoxin Zhongmo technique, which offered little for Luo Fan to learn from. Chuan Ying had transcended through his sword, ultimately breaking through the last level of the War God's Chart, which also offered little help to Luo Fan. There were few records of Sun En and Yan Fei's martial arts, so they were of little help to Luo Fan. Finally, there was Lang Fan Yun, who said, "Only by reaching the extreme of emotion can one reach the extreme of the sword." He created the Rain Covering Sword Technique based on the nature of Dongting Lake, which was his great teacher. Few in the world could understand this principle. The ebb and flow of the tides, the morning frost, and the evening dew all contained the profound truths of the universe. The idea of learning from nature and finding the source within oneself was deeply inspiring to Luo Fan. In the "Feng Yun" series, the Pig Emperor also stated that creating one's own sword technique was the best approach. This principle could be applied not only to sword techniques but also to other martial arts, such as the twenty-third sword move, which could make space stagnate, created by the Sword Saint. Combining these ideas, Luo Fan made a decision: to learn from nature and create his own sword technique!

Time passed quickly, and a month had gone by. Although Xiaolongnü was deeply hurt by Luo Fan's indecision that day, she could not help but think of him. She wondered, "How is he now?" He had shouted outside the ancient tomb for a whole day, sounding very urgent. Was there something he couldn't say? Thinking about this, Xiaolongnü found herself walking out of the tomb and approaching a flower bed. Suddenly, she heard voices. Following the sound, she saw two Taoist priests arguing loudly. If Luo Fan were there, he would have recognized them as Zhao Zhijing and Yin Zhiping!

What were these two Taoist priests doing here at such a late hour? Xiaolongnü was puzzled and decided to stay hidden and observe.

Zhao Zhijing said, "Yin Shidi, it's no use denying it. I will report to Master Qiu and let him investigate."

Yin Zhiping replied, "Why are you so insistent? Don't you know? You just want to be the head disciple of the third generation to become the leader of our sect."

Zhao Zhijing sneered, "You have violated the precepts and broken the rules of our sect. How can you still be the head disciple?"

Yin Zhiping asked, "What rules have I broken?"

Zhao Zhijing shouted, "The fourth precept of the Complete Perfection Sect: the precept against lust!"

Yin Zhiping's face turned pale, and under the moonlight, he looked completely bloodless. He said in a low voice, "What precept against lust?" As he spoke, he reached for his sword hilt.

Zhao Zhijing said, "Since you saw that Xiaolongnü in the Living Dead Tomb, you have been distracted and lost in thought. You have thought of embracing and caressing her countless times. Our sect emphasizes cultivating the mind and nature. Thinking such thoughts is already a violation of the precept against lust."

Xiaolongnü was both ashamed and angry upon hearing this, thinking how shameless this Taoist was. She wanted to teach him a lesson but hesitated, thinking that he was Luo Fan's fellow disciple, and it would be difficult for Luo Fan if she did. Moreover, eavesdropping was not a noble act, so she suppressed her anger and continued to watch.

Yin Zhiping trembled and said, "Nonsense, how could you know what I think?"

Zhao Zhijing sneered, "I don't know what you think, but I can hear your dreams at night. I can see you writing Xiaolongnü's name over and over on paper. Do you think no one else can see?"

Yin Zhiping swayed and remained silent. Zhao Zhijing, feeling triumphant, took out a piece of white paper from his pocket and waved it, saying, "Is this your handwriting? We can show it to Master Ma and Master Qiu."

Yin Zhiping could no longer bear it and drew his sword, lunging at Zhao Zhijing.

Zhao Zhijing sidestepped and put the paper back in his pocket, sneering, "Do you want to kill me to silence me? I don't think it will be that easy." Yin Zhiping said nothing and attacked with three rapid strikes, but each was deflected. On the fourth strike, there was a clash of swords, and they began to fight in the mountains. Both were high-ranking disciples of the third generation of the Complete Perfection Sect, one being the first disciple of Qiu Chuji and the other the first disciple of Wang Chuyi. Their skills were evenly matched.

Yin Zhiping fought fiercely, while Zhao Zhijing occasionally taunted him to provoke a mistake. As they fought, their attacks and defenses were varied and complex. After dozens of exchanges, Yin Zhiping used only offensive moves, while Zhao Zhijing moved his feet, sneering, "I know all your moves, and you know all mine. You can't kill me, no matter what." He defended with great stability, and every move of Yin Zhiping's was blocked. After a while, Zhao Zhijing counterattacked, forcing Yin Zhiping back. He attacked with three rapid moves, and Yin Zhiping retreated three steps, becoming increasingly agitated. Suddenly, he switched his sword to his left hand and struck with his right, aiming a palm at Zhao Zhijing's chest. Zhao Zhijing laughed, "Even if you had three hands, you would only be good at stealing kisses. You can't kill me." He countered with his left palm. They fought with swords and palms, making the battle even more intense.

Zhao Zhijing realized the situation was dire. Knowing that Yin Zhiping would rather die than have his secret revealed, he was at a disadvantage. Although they were usually not on good terms, he had no intention of killing Yin Zhiping. This put him at a disadvantage.

After a few more exchanges, Yin Zhiping used the "Three Linked Rings" technique, striking with his left sword, right palm, and left leg. Zhao Zhijing leaped high and swung his sword downward. Yin Zhiping's sword flew out of his hand and was thrown at Zhao Zhijing. He then shouted and struck with both palms.

Seeing Zhao Zhijing in mid-air, one move seemed weak, and the other strong, it looked like the two palms would break his bones. However, Zhao Zhijing suddenly flipped in the air, retreated several feet, and landed gracefully.

Zhao Zhijing knew he had to explain his intentions or Yin Zhiping would fight to the death, so he quickly said, "Yin Shidi, listen to me."

But Yin Zhiping ignored him, and Zhao Zhijing quickly added, "I didn't come here to expose you."

Only then did Yin Zhiping sheath his sword and ask, "What do you mean?"

"Have you not noticed?" Zhao Zhijing, seeing that Yin Zhiping had sheathed his sword, quickly answered, "Among the third-generation disciples, you and I were the most skilled, and the head disciple would naturally be one of us. But now, things are different!"

"How are they different?" Yin Zhiping thought for a moment and said, "You mean Luoshidi? But he is a lay disciple!"

"So what if he is a lay disciple?" Zhao Zhijing said angrily, "Several of our uncles and Master have shown favor to him and intend to make him a formal disciple. If this happens, neither of us will have a chance at the position of leader!"

"So what if Luoshidi is skilled and has good character?"

"Good character?" Zhao Zhijing sneered, "Practicing evil sword techniques and plotting against the Ancient Tomb Sect is considered good character?"

"What do you mean?"

Zhao Zhijing snorted, "He has been practicing the cunning and ruthless Exorcising Evil Sword Technique for years. Who taught him? I also found that he has been searching for a cave since joining our sect. I secretly investigated it and discovered it was a secret passage to the Ancient Tomb Sect! How could his skills have improved so quickly? He received high-level techniques in the last two years, but what about the first two years? He must have stolen many martial arts secrets from the Ancient Tomb Sect! I even suspect that his so-called senior expert might be the leader of some evil sect! Otherwise, why would all the good things happen to him?"