Chapter 17

In recent days, Qin Xianyu had been practicing only one sword technique, day after day.

It was originally bound to be tedious, but because the jade pill enhanced his own strength, Qin Xianyu's sword practice progressed rapidly, and the joy of constant improvement had long overshadowed the tedium.

However, Qin Xianyu still had doubts.

The old Taoist had clearly said that if one could understand various sword techniques, master a sword method, and combine it with footwork, even without the method of moving and circulating blood and qi, one could still be considered a master.

But in these days, Qin Xianyu had still only practiced one sword technique.

Was it related to the understanding of talisman techniques?

But what was the connection?

"The old Taoist only asked you to pay attention to the way of exerting force when swinging and thrusting the sword, as well as the changes in posture, but did not teach you sword techniques, footwork, or the variations of sword techniques. This is because this one sword has a unique flavor, and it greatly resembles the old Taoist's understanding of talisman techniques."

Guangxu was about to explain further when he suddenly paused and sighed, "You are not yet ready to try talisman techniques. Focus on cultivating the innate primordial qi for now."

Qin Xianyu responded softly, knowing that the old Taoist had given up his own cultivation and true qi to lay the foundation for him, which was for his own good.

"If you really find this one sword technique tedious and useless, you can learn a sword technique and a footwork method," Guangxu sighed. "Unfortunately, I only have the Purple Mansion Divine Court Primordial Qi True Formula and my travel notes left. All other books have been lost. I don't have the energy to write another one for you now."

Qin Xianyu clenched his hand slightly, feeling increasingly guilty.

Guangxu was silent for a long time before saying, "With six inches of true qi, you should now hone and understand it on your own. Although I have not yet taught you many things, the time left is limited, and even teaching you a footwork method would be insufficient. Well, soak the jade pill in a pot of water, and it can slightly prolong the old Taoist's life. This way, you might be able to travel further to Yinghuang Mountain."

Qin Xianyu was startled and exclaimed, "Master wants to leave?"

Guangxu nodded and said, "There are wondrous places in Yinghuang Mountain. Apart from that, the jade pill and the Daoist sword technique you have were obtained by that Zhao boy from Yinghuang Mountain. I encountered danger in the mountain and did not touch its inner mysteries. Before my life ends, I want to explore it again. Perhaps I can still have a chance to survive. Even if I cannot survive by chance, if I can see the wondrous scenery, I will die content."

Qin Xianyu knew that the old Taoist's chances of survival were slim. When he had thirteen inches of true qi, comparable to a grandmaster of martial arts, he still suffered severe injuries and barely escaped from Yinghuang Mountain. Now, with only one inch of true qi left, his chances were even slimmer.

The group of young heroes, several of whom had cultivated inner strength, had all retreated from Yinghuang Mountain, losing two people. The rest had to take medicine to stimulate their blood and qi to escape. The old Taoist's current true qi cultivation was inferior to that of the Zhao boy, so how could he explore Yinghuang Mountain?

Qin Xianyu lived on the outskirts of Yinghuang Mountain and had only heard that the mountain was dangerous, with countless venomous insects and fierce beasts, and no human trace. He had never thought that there were such wondrous places in this vast mountain range.

The vastness of heaven and earth was indeed full of mysteries.

"Yinghuang Mountain is unfathomably deep. Even if you cultivate thirteen inches of true qi, you should not easily explore it. In the future, if you can cultivate the Daoist sword technique and break through the realm of externalizing true qi, you can investigate it. However, you must have a sense of reverence and be cautious. Even if you break through to a higher realm, you should still be careful and cautious in Yinghuang Mountain, and retreat when necessary. After all, whether the ability to externalize true qi can provide any protection in Yinghuang Mountain is still unknown."

The old Taoist Guangxu sighed, "Moreover, your immortal bird is also trapped in Yinghuang Mountain, and it is likely to have met with misfortune."

"What?" Qin Xianyu was surprised. "Master has seen the immortal bird?"

"The bird was hit by a stone from an inner strength expert. It was fortunate not to die on the spot. I used my true qi to nurture and protect its life, but I lost it in the mountain." The old Taoist Guangxu slowly said, "The bird may not necessarily die. Since there are wondrous places in the mountain, it might have a chance to transform. Besides, you previously thought it was dead, so having a bit of hope is still good."

The life of a bird was not something the old Taoist Guangxu cared much about.

However, he could see that Qin Xianyu, a young and solitary person, had a deep bond with the bird, so he mentioned it.

Qin Xianyu sighed inwardly.

"This sword will be used to protect the old Taoist. You now have six inches of true qi, which is considered top-notch among inner strength experts. Getting a fine sword is not difficult."

Guangxu stood up, lightly stepped, and kicked up a fine sword, which he then grasped.

"This sword is handy, but it belongs to the Divine Wind Manor. Using it in public will always cause trouble. If you wrap the hilt, you will lose the perfect fit and the comfortable feel."

Guangxu picked up a pot of spiritual water, hung it on his waist, and walked with the sword.

Qin Xianyu's face changed slightly, and he called out, "Master..."

"Separation and reunion, everything has its destiny." Guangxu smiled. "Meeting you as my disciple before my death and learning about the wondrous realms beyond externalizing true qi is enough for me. I only wanted to pass on my legacy, but I did not expect you to have such potential. I did not want you to waste decades at the cultivation threshold, so I passed on my true qi to you, hoping you would go further."

Qin Xianyu clenched his teeth slightly and said softly, "I will focus on cultivation and soon reach the realm of externalizing true qi, breaking through the current barrier."

"Then experience the wondrous scenery beyond externalizing true qi on my behalf."

Guangxu laughed heartily and left the door.

Qin Xianyu hurriedly followed.

Guangxu suddenly paused and said solemnly, "Guanyun and I are fellow disciples of the White Cloud Temple. In our generation, we are all of the 'Guang' generation. For you, it should be... well, well, apart from inheriting a cultivation technique from the temple, you have nothing else, and you do not even know the temple's rules. I have no time to explain them to you. Even if I give you a name and a Daoist title, the titles and names of the next few generations will be lost."

"In our generation, we seek to transcend and become immortals. Your name has the character 'Yu' (feather), so let's call you 'Yuhua.'"

"Yuhua Zhenren, Qin Xianyu."

The plants were lush, but the sky was slightly dark, adding a touch of gloom.

Guangxu looked ahead and sighed, "The legacy of the White Cloud Temple is passed to you. From this generation on, everything starts anew. The temple's rules and the titles of the next generations are all up to you. Given your kind and intelligent nature, I don't think the White Cloud Temple will become a heretical sect."

Qin Xianyu was slightly startled and said softly, "Master, rest assured. The White Cloud Temple is a sect for cultivation and seeking immortality. I will focus on seeking immortality and not fall into evil ways."

"Then I am at ease."

Guangxu pondered, "Actually, in the generation of my grandmaster, the White Cloud Temple was also a place of immortals, but it was completely lost by the time of my master. I hope that in your generation, the glory of the grandmaster can be restored."

After a pause, he said softly, "If you need to travel in the future, use your Daoist title, but do not add the name of the White Cloud Temple."

Qin Xianyu was startled. This young man was naturally intelligent and immediately realized, "Master, do you think someone intends to harm the White Cloud Temple?"

"I don't know. Since I cultivated true qi, I have had various sensitive senses, including the ability to sense killing intent. Over the years, I have always felt someone watching me, though this sensation has been very faint, and I have only felt it a few times in decades, so I thought it was just an illusion." The old Taoist Guangxu said softly, "After returning from Yinghuang Mountain, I felt a sense of relief. Perhaps it was just an illusion."

For decades, someone had been watching?

What were they watching?

What kind of cultivation could make the old Taoist unable to detect them?

With such cultivation, why did they only watch and not act?

Perhaps it was just an illusion.

But before leaving, Guangxu still remained cautious. Over the years, he had unintentionally offended many grandmasters of martial arts with externalized inner strength.

Qin Xianyu only responded, "Yes." In fact, he did not have much desire to travel. In the past two years, with his medical skills, he could live a quiet life in the temple. Now, with true qi, he could focus on cultivation and enjoy the wonders of cultivation, which was also good.

The old Taoist Guangxu naturally saw his thoughts and smiled inwardly, "Such a calm nature is suitable for focused cultivation. Well, when he gets tired of this life, he can travel around."

Qin Xianyu thought of something and clenched his teeth, saying, "Master."

Guangxu smiled, "What is it?"

Qin Xianyu asked, "My parents and Master Guanyun fell ill a few years ago, but the illness was very strange. I always felt there was more to it."

"Illness?" Guangxu pondered for a moment and said, "When I first arrived in Fengxing Prefecture, I investigated several times, but I am not very knowledgeable about illnesses or poisons. Perhaps you can go to the capital."

Qin Xianyu had hoped the old Taoist's extensive experience would provide some guidance, but he received no answer.

"There is a national master in the capital, very mysterious, the head of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. I have been to the capital several times but never met him." The old Taoist Guangxu sighed, "I have traveled to many places with immortal legends, but found nothing. However, the head of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is the one who truly caught my attention."

"Go, go. I will leave you two books, one is my travel notes, and the other is the Purple Mansion Divine Court Primordial Qi True Formula, with insights into talisman techniques and array formations. When you are tired of cultivation, you can read them."

"More talk is useless."

"The old Taoist is leaving."

Guangxu waved his hand and slowly walked forward, holding a sword and a water pot, walking with a carefree manner.

Qin Xianyu stood on the steps and watched the old, hunched figure gradually straighten as it walked farther away.

The sky was dark, and the plants were dim.

The old Taoist walked with his sword, humming a tune, took a sip of spiritual water, and swept his sword, displaying the style of a sword expert.

"Seeking immortality and Dao, the old Taoist leaves and will not return."

The unusual tune gradually faded away.

At the steps of the temple, Qin Xianyu knelt and performed nine prostrations.

The young Taoist wiped away his tears and said softly, "Farewell."

PS: Yesterday, the webpage suddenly became very slow. It took half an hour to clear it, and I had to restart several times before it finally improved. When I uploaded, I found that the chapter title was missing. -_－||－_－|| I was outside, so I used my phone to send this chapter, posting it a bit earlier...