Chapter 234: Chapter 223: Sky-splitting Slash (2)
Pan Yue’s smile faded. "Because this Cultivation Technique was developed by the predecessors of our Xingyun Sect. The Li Yang Sect is unwilling to trade other cultivation techniques or resources for it, so naturally, we won’t just give it to them."
Zhao Lin understood. It was simply a case of sects jealously guarding their own creations.
Seeing that Zhao Lin had made up his mind, Pan Yue continued, "Three months is a tight schedule. If you run into any problems with your cultivation, you can discuss them with Hu Zun."
"Yes," Zhao Lin and Hu Zun replied in unison.
The Wind Manipulation Skill and the Sky-splitting Slash were both confidential Cultivation Techniques of the Xingyun Sect. Before teaching them to Zhao Lin, Pan Yue had specifically sought permission from Lu Chaohuan, only handing over the copies of the two techniques after receiving the Sect Leader’s approval.
"Guard these well. Do not, under any circumstances, pass them on to others."
"This disciple understands."
Zhao Lin accepted the two thick books, a little surprised. He flipped through them and found that the actual technique only took up a dozen or so pages. The rest was filled with cultivation notes from his predecessors, along with many blank pages.
Pan Yue smiled. "Both of these Cultivation Techniques were continuously refined and perfected by our predecessors. If you have any unique insights of your own, you can also record them here for future generations to study."
"Of course, it’s a bit early to be talking about this now, but it’s best to keep the idea in mind."
Zhao Lin nodded silently, thinking, ’One generation plants the trees, and the next enjoys the shade. If I could one day create a Cultivation Technique of my own, my martial journey wouldn’t have been in vain.’
After returning to his quarters, he began cultivating the Wind Manipulation Skill.
For someone with a Wind Attribute constitution, the Wind Manipulation Skill wasn’t difficult. Zhao Lin encountered no major hurdles and had grasped the basics of its use in less than a month.
It was indeed much more effective than the Sea Return Skill. He no longer had to worry about his Wind Attribute True Qi being difficult to control and running rampant.
By the depths of winter, he could wield the skill with ease, controlling it at will. Only then did Zhao Lin begin practicing the Sky-splitting Slash.
...
In front of Qianye Tower, three men in robes of gold-embroidered yellow silk approached from a distance, followed by a retinue of subordinates in short, brown tunics.
The Flame Sect had a rigid hierarchy; only the Sect Leader and the elders were permitted to wear garments of this color, which mirrored that of the precious local Yellow Jade.
The three men, their expressions grim, walked into Qianye Tower without a word.
A short while later, they arrived before a meditation chamber.
Just as the imposing man in the lead was about to raise his hand to knock, a voice came from within the room. "The door’s unlocked. Come in."
The imposing man exchanged a look with the other two, and without hesitating, they pushed the door open and entered.
"Sect Leader Ke, Elder Mai, Elder Gu."
Huo Shan sat before the window, his figure completely engulfed in shadow. He spoke without expression, as if he had long expected their arrival.
The imposing man said in a low voice, "Grand Elder, you must be aware of the crisis the sect is currently facing."
"Great Yue and Wuche have gathered more than thirty Primordial Realm martial artists at the border. They’ve sent envoys three times to pressure our Flame Sect, demanding that we hand over the mastermind behind the assassination!"
Huo Shan calmly replied, "If I am handed over, will this matter be put to rest?"
Elder Mai suddenly snapped, "Huo Shan, your incompetence has caused the sect to suffer great losses! Do you have any idea the price we have to pay to resolve this?"
Elder Gu, who stood beside him, added, "We have to forfeit six spots in the upcoming martial arts convention, not to mention countless precious herbs—including all the Dragon Bone Tree Blood we’ve collected over the last decade! All of it must be handed over as compensation!"
Huo Shan let out a dry laugh. "That price is nothing compared to what I tried to accomplish!"
Elder Mai’s face twisted in fury. He was about to lash out, but Sect Leader Ke stopped him with a sharp glance.
"Elder Huo, you are my senior and a great contributor to our sect. I have always respected you, and I am well aware of your past accomplishments."
"But the sect has reached a stage where we can no longer resort to such methods."
"You know as well as I do that while we perform well at the martial arts convention, our number of Primordial Realm martial artists is far inferior to Great Yue’s, to say nothing of Wuche’s."
Huo Shan remained silent for a long time before saying with a resentful tone, "I only regret one thing. I shouldn’t have sent Tuzha and Enli. I should have gone myself. Even if it meant starting a war, I should have killed those two menaces, Basang and Zhao Lin."
Elder Mai sneered. "Nonsense! Our Flame Sect has countless young talents. Why would we need to resort to such underhanded tactics?"
Huo Shan shot him a contemptuous glance. "Which of our own disciples could survive an assassination attempt by five men, Tuzha and Enli included?"
Elder Mai snorted. "What five men? The plan must have been leaked, allowing them to prepare. There’s no way those two brats could have handled five of our Flame Sect’s Blood Realm experts on their own."
Huo Shan sighed and said nothing more.
Sect Leader Ke bowed deeply, his tone sincere. "Elder Huo, rest assured. You are a great contributor to this sect. You will be given a dignified end."
Huo Shan gave a slight nod. "Fine. Give it to me."
Sect Leader Ke gave a subordinate a look. The man walked quickly to Huo Shan’s side and handed him a jade vial.
Huo Shan uncorked the vial. A cloying, metallic scent wafted out. He laughed heartily. "How very thoughtful of you, Sect Leader."
The vial contained a mixture of Dragon Bone Tree Blood and a fast-acting poison.
Dragon Bone Tree Blood had the effect of surging one’s Qi and Blood. When mixed with a potent toxin, it created a poison that could kill in an instant.
Primordial Realm martial artists were normally immune to poison, but if one chose not to circulate their energy to resist it, death would be instantaneous.
To be granted death with the precious Dragon Bone Tree Blood was, in its own way, a sign of respect.
Sect Leader Ke clasped his hands in a final salute and led the others out of the room.
Huo Shan glanced out the window one last time, brought the vial to his lips, and drained it in a single motion.
A short time later, Sect Leader Ke and the others re-entered the room. They found Huo Shan slumped on a couch, his face a ghastly, ashen gray.
"Prepare the Grand Elder for his coffin!"
...
The seasons turned, and spring arrived once more.
Though the air was still cold, the trees on Xingyun Mountain had already begun to sprout new buds, dotting the landscape with specks of green.
SWOOSH!
In the training room, Zhao Lin executed a Sky-splitting Slash, kicking up a violent gust of wind.
The Sky-splitting Slash was no simple blade of wind. It didn’t emanate directly from the palm or forearm; rather, the swing of the arm manipulated the airflow, forming a crescent-shaped blade of energy that extended beyond the user’s reach.
His power wasn’t as profound as Hu Zun’s, but the slash was still over two feet long—far exceeding the range of a typical Blood Realm martial artist.
Zhao Lin had tested his limits. His Wind Attribute True Qi could sustain his high-speed Body Technique for about ten breaths, during which he could unleash five Sky-splitting Slashes.
While he couldn’t use the technique without restraint, it was more than enough to catch an opponent completely by surprise.
"Excellent! Your practice has paid off."
Yang Lin offered his praise, giving a rare, brief clap. He then turned to Pan Yue. "This is also a testament to Elder Pan’s excellent guidance."
Pan Yue responded humbly, "You’re too kind, Brother Yang."
"Zhao Lin, come here. I have something to tell you."
Yang Lin called Zhao Lin to his side. "The mastermind from the Flame Sect who ordered your assassination has been forced to atone with his life," he said. "Their spies in Great Yue have also been rooted out. The matter is now considered closed."
Zhao Lin clenched his fists and bowed his head. "My thanks to the sect for intervening."
Yang Lin smiled and waved a dismissive hand. "You’re one of the sect’s own. What is there to thank me for? Still, even though the mastermind is dead, you must remain vigilant."
"The fact that they sent assassins after you proves they fear your potential. You must never let your guard down."
"Yes."
...
The Wulun Mountains, located in the Northern Territory, stretched for thousands of miles.
Within the range was a place called Gutuo Ridge, at the foot of which lay a turquoise lake. Its pure waters wrapped around the base of the ridge like a belt of jade.
SPLASH...
A powerfully built, dark-skinned man was submerged up to his neck in the lake, punching a large boulder on the lakebed.
Each punch sent a spray of water dozens of feet into the air, while the force of the blow shot through the depths like a long, white dragon.
As the man continued his barrage, the ripples in the center of the lake expanded outward, sending wave after wave crashing against the shore.
"Excellent! Your Heavy Mountain Fist has broken through to the Fifth Layer, reaching the might of five cauldrons!"
A man in a green robe stood on the shore, a smile on his face as he spoke.
"Bolta, that’s enough for today."
Hearing this, Bolta stopped and strode from the lake toward the shore. His body was built like a mountain, so immense that it blocked the dazzling sun and cast a massive shadow on the sandy bank.
"Master, why are we stopping so early? There’s still another two hours left!"
The man in green robes smiled. "We depart in two days. You should conserve your strength for the journey."
Bolta wiped the water from his face, his eyes filled with anticipation. "The martial arts convention... It’s been three years!"
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