Chapter 93: Chapter 65: One Sword Can Birth 10,000 Methods, 10,000 Methods Can Return to 1 Origin
Yan Renhe replied, "The area was already like this when we arrived."
Xuzhuang nodded, not thinking much of it. He took two steps forward to investigate personally, but as soon as he glanced at the sword mark on the ground, his expression flickered.
The sword mark sliced into the mountain rock to an unknown depth. Its edges were perfectly smooth and slick, as if the blade had cut through it like a knife through tofu, meeting no resistance or friction as it plunged straight in.
As Xuzhuang’s Spiritual Sense swept over the mark, he felt a faint prickling on his back, a phantom sensation of a blade pressed against his eyes. A flicker of surprise rose in his heart. ’Perfectly refined, having attained the true essence of Tai Su. Senior Brother Yue’s Swordsmanship truly lives up to its reputation.’
The Sword Step Master’s expression remained unchanged as she walked forward. Her gaze fell upon several other unusual marks, and she spoke, "The person who fought Senior Brother Yue is also a master of Swordsmanship."
"Oh?" A hint of surprise flickered in Xuzhuang. He shifted his gaze and saw that amid the clusters of sword marks, there was no lack of sharp intent. What was even stranger were the other traces left behind: scorching, freezing, lightning strikes, even the lingering radiance of starlight and the residual auras of yin and yang. It was an all-encompassing array of effects, as if a dozen masters, each practicing a different style of Swordsmanship, had all dueled here at once.
Xuzhuang gazed at the cluster of sword marks with all their varied changes, as if seeing countless sword lights dancing before his eyes, each displaying its own flair in perfect coordination. Yet he frowned slightly and said, "This person’s Swordsmanship is far from ordinary, but why are their techniques so disparate? A jack of all trades, but master of none."
The Sword Step Master said coolly, "A single sword can birth ten thousand techniques, and ten thousand techniques can return to a single school. While this path cannot be called a superior method, it doesn’t mean it cannot touch the pinnacle of the Sword Dao."
Xuzhuang mused aloud, "I wonder about this person’s origins..." Even as he said it, the image of Zhong Shenxiu suddenly surfaced in his mind.
The Sword Step Master had clearly thought of the same person. "If it’s who I think it is," she said coolly, "then it would all make sense."
Xuzhuang asked, "Senior Sister, are you referring to Zhong Shenxiu?"
The Sword Step Master nodded slightly. "Since ancient times, the Upper Profound Sect has been famous for its Daoist arts, with no Superior Swordsmanship traditions to speak of. But with that person’s prodigious talent, it’s not impossible for him to have reached this level by practicing so many disparate styles of Swordsmanship."
Xuzhuang said, "But I’ve never heard that Zhong Shenxiu was also proficient in Swordsmanship."
Yan Renhe hesitated. "Well... this humble Daoist might have a clue about that."
"Oh?" Xuzhuang said. "Please, Fellow Daoist, do tell."
"I’ve heard there’s an eccentric in the Upper Profound Sect known as the One Wind Taoist. The man is obsessed with swords, desperately seeking the Sword Dao but unable to find a superior technique. He often travels around challenging all sorts of Swordsmanship masters."
Yan Renhe continued, "Over a decade ago, the Mang Mountain hermit, Venerable Ju Mang, was celebrating his thousandth birthday and hosted a grand banquet for many cultivators. The One Wind Taoist heard that Fellow Daoist Yue would be attending to offer his congratulations, so he went there specifically to challenge him, proclaiming that he would have no regrets even in death."
Xuzhuang and the Sword Step Master listened intently as Yan Renhe recounted the tale. "According to the rumors, at Venerable Ju Mang’s birthday banquet, the One Wind Taoist requested a lesson from Fellow Daoist Yue on the spot. He was severely wounded by a single strike, but instead of showing fear, he laughed in excitement. If the One Wind Taoist hadn’t been Zhong Shenxiu’s closest friend, with Zhong Shenxiu accompanying him, who knows what fate would have befallen him in a complicated place like Mang Mountain."
"That day, despite the One Wind Taoist being gravely injured by Fellow Daoist Yue, no conflict arose between Zhong Shenxiu and Fellow Daoist Yue. On the contrary, Zhong Shenxiu praised Fellow Daoist Yue’s exquisite Swordsmanship, saying it had sparked his own interest in learning the sword. He declared that if he ever achieved success in his own practice, he would seek another lesson from Fellow Daoist Yue on the One Wind Taoist’s behalf."
At this point, a rare change appeared on the Sword Step Master’s cold features. A hint of shock touched her face as she said, "If that’s true, does that mean Zhong Shenxiu has only been practicing Swordsmanship for a mere ten years to have achieved such a level?"
Yan Renhe said, "If your guess is correct, Fellow Daoist, and the one who fought Fellow Daoist Yue here was indeed Zhong Shenxiu, then that must be the case."
Hearing such shocking news, Xuzhuang fell silent. He suddenly recalled Chen Zongyu’s description of Zhong Shenxiu.
’He mastered profound Daoist arts while still in the Refining Realm. Who knows what Divine Techniques he possesses now? In just ten years, with no Superior Swordsmanship to practice, he built such extraordinary Swordsmanship from nothing...’
For no particular reason, a faint excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time stirred within him.
Xuzhuang suppressed his excitement but didn’t extinguish it completely. He turned and said, "It seems Senior Brother Yue and Zhong Shenxiu didn’t reach a true conclusion. They’ve already left."
He looked at Yan Renhe and asked, "Fellow Daoist, as a Commander, you’ve entered this Grotto Heaven. Do you have an understanding of the situation here?"
Yan Renhe said, "I’m ashamed to say that perhaps because this humble Daoist only formed a Middle Grade Golden Core, I was not fated to receive the true inheritance. After entering this realm, I’ve just been trying my luck among the various mountains and peaks, so I still don’t know much about this place. However, Fellow Daoist Sun sent me a message via his Decree, telling me to head toward the central pillar of the Grotto Heaven. I suppose he must have a use for me."
Xuzhuang nodded. "As expected. In that case, we shouldn’t delay any longer. Let’s hurry to the central pillar."
Unexpectedly, Yan Renhe looked awkward upon hearing this and kept glancing back at the Sword Step Master’s expression.
Puzzled, Xuzhuang looked toward the Sword Step Master and asked, "Of course, this is just my suggestion. Senior Sister, do you have any objections?"
At his words, the Sword Step Master gazed toward Central Pillar Peak, a hint of conflict in her eyes. After a long moment, she replied, "I had a small fortuitous encounter in this Grotto Heaven and wish to find a place to cultivate. As for Central Pillar Peak, please proceed on your own, Junior Brother, along with Fellow Daoist Yan."
Xuzhuang was stunned. Before he could formulate a reply, the Sword Step Master walked slowly to stand before him, the firm resolve in her eyes meeting his.
"Senior Brother Sun asked me to come here simply to ensure Fellow Daoist Yan’s safety. Entrusting him to you, Junior Brother Xu, would not be a betrayal of Senior Brother Sun’s wishes."
The Sword Step Master took out a green-skinned gourd, placed it in Xuzhuang’s hand, and said coolly, "These are jade pills I obtained in this Grotto Heaven. There are forty-nine in total, and their effects are no less potent than a Sixth-Transformation Golden Core."
Xuzhuang gave a wry smile. "Senior Sister, what is the meaning of this?"
The Sword Step Master’s gaze flickered for a moment before she explained, "I’m asking you, Junior Brother, to protect Fellow Daoist Yan on your way to Central Pillar Peak in my stead."
"Sigh." Xuzhuang sighed softly and pushed the gourd back. "Since your cultivation is urgent, Senior Sister, you should go. Please take this back."
The Sword Step Master shook her head gently. "I can see that although your Golden Core’s power is formidable, Junior Brother, it has not yet reached perfection. This will be beneficial to your cultivation."
Without giving Xuzhuang a chance to refuse, she pressed the gourd into his chest, nodded to Yan Renhe, and a stream of Sword Qi shot out from the Sword Box on her back. The Sword Qi enveloped her, and with a Flying Escape, she vanished from sight.
"This...?" Xuzhuang was left speechless, holding the green-skinned gourd. Yan Renhe smiled wryly. "Fellow Daoist Bu has a firm Dao heart and always acts with purpose. This humble Daoist has witnessed it many times on our journey here."
Xuzhuang shook his head, put the gourd away, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Yan, shall we head to the central pillar now?"
Yan Renhe cupped his hands. "Very well."
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