socalfunplaces Page 16
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You have mastered the Whip-Breaking Technique, and you have grasped many basic variations and combinations of the Long Whip.
You have mastered the rope-breaking technique, and you have grasped many basic variations such as using iron chains and iron whips.
You have mastered the palm-breaking technique; you have grasped the essence of palm techniques.
You have mastered the Arrow-Breaking Stance; you have grasped the transformation of hardness, softness, roundness, and neutralization; and you have a basic understanding of Ambidextrous Fighting.
[You have mastered the Qi-Breaking Technique, you have a way of understanding how to break through various internal energy techniques, and you have mastered Sword Qi.]
You've mastered sword energy; you can unleash three-inch sword energy with your bare hands, you can try cutting rocks with your bare hands, and you're a skilled builder.
[You have a deep understanding of "one sword to break all techniques" and "one sword to perform all techniques," and your martial arts have improved.]
As the light of his mind emanated, countless martial arts strategies analyzed from the perspective of the I Ching propelled Yue Yuchen's thoughts to shift and transform, with various martial arts techniques constantly flashing through his mind, being dissected, and integrated.
Yue Yuchen waved his right hand, his index finger forming a hand seal, and a three-inch sword aura emerged from his fingertip, making a 'hissing' sound, giving rise to a feeling of boundless sharpness.
As he freely wielded his sword, he continuously practiced, merged, and evolved sword techniques until finally, only the simplest movements such as thrusting, chopping, parrying, and blocking remained.
In the end, her fair fingertips transformed into claws, and the Nine Yin Divine Claws were crisscrossed with sword energy, emitting a sharp sound.
When it evolved further, the sword energy scattered and lost its cohesion.
Your foundation is insufficient; you are not capable of achieving the unity of all things.
The system notification sounded again, leaving Yue Yuchen with a sense of loss.
………………
"The Huashan Sect still lacks sufficient foundation. Apart from swordsmanship, it has too few other skills. It seems we will have to embark on the path of learning all the martial arts in the world," Yue Yuchen sighed.
Yue Yuchen flicked his finger, and a beam of shimmering white sword energy shot out, severing the door bolt three zhang away in two, with tiny wood chips drifting away in the wind.
"A sword-qi version of the Finger Flicking Divine Skill?" Yue Yuchen looked at the effect of his casual strike. "Unfortunately, it can't keep the true qi condensed for a long time. That would be the Flying Sword Technique."
You have a basic understanding of controlling swords with qi.
In a world with low-level martial arts, you can only dream about it; achieving it is impossible.
Ignoring the voice in his head, Yue Yuchen closed the books on his desk. Learning these things was too fast for him now.
This also made Yue Yuchen envious of Wang Shouren's mastery of the philosophy of mind, which was truly a god-like existence.
………………
Time just passed by day by day.
Under Linghu Chong's influence, Feng Ping and others easily integrated into the Huashan Sect without making a fuss. This greatly disappointed those with ulterior motives and made them deeply worried about the Huashan Sect's growing strength.
They could only hide in the shadows and wait for the next opportunity.
The new teaching method provides a better channel for Huashan Sect disciples to use their accumulated sect contributions, forming a better closed loop from accumulating sect contributions to promoting martial arts improvement.
Aside from those who harbored resentment, the vast majority of people became beneficiaries, and the calls for Linghu Chong to become the next sect leader grew even stronger.
Under the shameless persuasion of Yue Buqun and others, and with Yue Lingshan's witty remarks, Feng Qingyang finally gave Yue Buqun a pleasant look.
With such a powerful expert in charge, Yue Buqun's confidence grew even stronger, and the last trace of doubt about the sword energy contest completely disappeared.
Chapter 32 Encounter on the Road to Hengshan: The Reason for the Encounter (1)
With Feng Qingyang in charge, Yue Buqun planned to take his disciples to broaden their horizons this time. Therefore, the Huashan Sect's trip was quite grand.
Besides Yue Buqun's disciples, Feng Buping and more than thirty of his most outstanding disciples also accompanied him. There were five carriages and seven or eight fine horses, making it a truly bustling journey.
However, before setting off, Yue Buqun received a letter from Abbess Dingjing of Hengshan, requesting a meeting with the Huashan Sect en route. Therefore, the couple, along with Linghu Chong and several disciples, went ahead.
Since that was the case, Lin Pingzhi also had a sudden idea. He hadn't been home to see his parents for a long time, so he, Feng Buping, Shi Daizi, and Lu Dayou went to Fuzhou first, and then went to Hengshan.
In the end, only Yue Yuchen, along with Yue Lingshan, Lao Denuo, and a few disciples, set off last, heading straight from Mount Hua to Mount Heng.
………………
On this gloomy and sultry day, a carriage and more than ten Taoist priests carrying long swords passed by on the official road from Mount Hua to Hengyang. They were disciples of the Mount Hua sect.
To avoid encountering heavy rain, the carriage traveled at an extremely high speed, and the disciples following behind moved as swiftly as wild geese, each step covering two or three zhang (approximately 6.6 meters).
Laudenau shaded his eyes with his hand and saw a tea stall by the roadside in the distance, so he slowed down...
"Senior Brother, Junior Sister, the weather is too hot and humid. Why don't we rest for a while at the tea stall ahead before continuing?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a head popped out of the carriage. It was Yue Lingshan. She looked up at the increasingly gloomy sky and the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance.
He nodded and urged Laudenuo to hurry up: "Senior Brother is really something, bringing so many books with him when he went out. Third Senior Brother, hurry up, be careful not to get the books wet, Senior Brother will be heartbroken."
Upon hearing this, Laudenuo laughed heartily, indicating that he wouldn't let his senior brother feel bad. He glanced at the sky and quickened his pace. The group finally entered the teahouse before the heavy rain began to pour down.
At this moment, only three martial arts practitioners were sitting at a table near the right entrance of the teahouse, and the long swords on the table had no inscriptions.
Yue Lingshan glanced at them but didn't pay them any mind, and invited everyone to sit down.
Yue Yuchen chose a well-lit spot near the entrance and sat at a separate table with Yue Lingshan.
Laudenuo invited everyone to sit down, and then asked the waiter to bring some cold tea to cool them down. He then went to arrange for the manager to serve the food, showing his dedication and hard work.
Just as the waiter brought the herbal tea over, several muffled "crack... rumble" sounds were heard in the air, followed by a torrential downpour.
"What a heavy rain! I wonder when we'll reach Hengshan. And where are my parents?" Yue Lingshan stared blankly at the torrential rain.
Yue Yuchen looked up at her, then looked down and said, "Junior Sister, you want to ask about that brat Linghu Chong, right?"
Yue Lingshan rolled her eyes and didn't answer. Yue Yuchen smiled and said, "If you're interested, you might as well ask your master and mistress to arrange your marriage after you go back this time."
Upon hearing this, the people at the nearby tables chuckled softly. Yue Lingshan was extremely embarrassed and angry. Before she could speak, she saw the three men at the door raise their long knives and step into the pouring rain.
In a short while, they disappeared into the torrential rain, heading towards Hengshan. The three moved so quickly that by the time the Huashan Sect members reacted, their figures were already faintly visible in the heavy rain.
The disciples of the Huashan Sect were not newcomers to the martial arts world. Seeing the three of them hurrying along in such weather, they instinctively became wary.
Everyone instinctively placed their hands on the longswords. The people at the other table exchanged glances, and immediately three of them got up and headed towards the kitchen.
When the group returned from the kitchen and shook their heads, everyone turned to look at Yue Yuchen's table.
The oppressive atmosphere frightened the waiter and the shopkeeper, who huddled behind the counter, too afraid to show their faces.
Yue Yuchen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then tasted each dish. He nodded to indicate that there were no problems.
Even so, the disciples of the Huashan Sect began to take turns eating and drinking tea in batches to avoid making a fool of themselves.
"Senior Brother, those three..." Yue Lingshan frowned.
Yue Yuchen shook his head dismissively: "Some people always do things in a shady way. They've come to check our information in advance. We don't need to pay them any attention."
"Is it Zuo Lengchan? He's still not giving up?" Yue Lingshan immediately understood what Yue Yuchen meant.
Yue Yuchen said, "Although those three were carrying long swords, their gait and the way they held the swords showed that they were used to using broad-backed, thick swords. They should be disciples of the Songshan Sect without a doubt."
Upon hearing this, none of the Huashan Sect disciples spoke, only exchanging silent glances. Only Lao Denuo's eyes flickered, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated, and finally he lowered his head.
To be honest, even now, Yue Yuchen still doesn't know what cards Zuo Lengchan has up his sleeve, that he still dares to plot against the Five Mountains Alliance.
It's now clear that the Huashan Sect is the only dominant force, and even if the other four sects joined forces, they might not be able to match its power. Moreover, despite not wanting to continue playing along with them, Zuo Lengchan continues to pester him relentlessly.
"Could it be Shaolin?" Yue Yuchen guessed.
But he didn't care anymore. Ever since he mastered the Three-Inch Sword Qi, Yue Yuchen was confident that there was no one in the world stronger than him in terms of combat power.
In terms of skill level, there may be other masters out there, but in terms of combat strength and lethality, even Dongfang Bubai is inferior to me.
………………
After the meal, the rain showed no signs of letting up, and even on the official road, it was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see more than five feet ahead. Yue Yuchen was not in a hurry to continue the journey and told everyone to rest on the spot.
Yue Yuchen and Yue Lingshan each held a book and slowly flipped through it.
Laudenuo glanced at the four large characters "Zixia Manual" on the book in Yue Lingshan's hand, his eyes flashed, and then he quickly lowered his head.
The disciples had the innkeeper and waiter fill their water bags and pack some dry rations. Once everything was ready, they sat down at a nearby table and began to whisper among themselves.
The shopkeeper knew that these江湖人 (jianghu people) wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, so he leaned over the counter and quietly started working on his abacus. In this weather, he probably couldn't serve any other customers.
As luck would have it, Yue Lingshan's ears twitched, and she looked up at the door. A moment later, three guests dressed in straw raincoats and carrying swords pushed open the door and walked in.
The elderly man at the head of the group was also taken aback when he entered, not expecting there to be so many people at this roadside shop, and that they were clearly a group.
The old man glanced at the Huashan Sect disciples, then at the longsword on the table, before cupping his hands in a respectful gesture: "Is this a distinguished disciple of the Huashan Sect?"
Laudenau, accustomed to handling all sorts of situations, immediately stood up to strike up a conversation. The two exchanged names and confirmed they were friends, not enemies. Only then did the old man relax.
………………
"Senior Brother and Junior Sister are the Three Heroes of the Yangtze River."
"Leading the way is Jiao Tao, known as 'Sitting on the River,' who is skilled in using the Water-Avoiding Sword; to his left is his sworn brother, Peng Gang, known as 'Tiger's Might Blade,' who is skilled in the Five Tigers Breaking the Gate Blade; and to his right is Xue Yue, known as 'Raging Vajra,' who is skilled in the Thunder Fist."
"These three are quite famous in the Yangtze River region. They are also going to Hengshan to attend Uncle Liu's retirement ceremony," Lao Denuo whispered.
Yue Yuchen nodded, then looked at the three people who were already seated to the side and nodded in acknowledgment. The old man didn't presume to be presumptuous either, cupping his hands in greeting, and the two sides were considered acquainted.
Soon the waiter brought the food and tea. After the three finished eating, they didn't leave immediately, but talked quietly at the table behind them.
Chapter 33 Encounter on the Road to Hengshan: The Reason for the Encounter (2)
The three men were busy drinking tea, chatting, and joking around, and Yue Yuchen didn't care.
Peng Gang, nicknamed "Tiger Might Knife," whispered, "This time, Third Master Liu is retiring from the underworld, and he's making quite a spectacle of it. People are basically all over the Yangtze River. I wonder what a grand occasion it will be?"
Jiao Tao, who was known as "Sitting on the River," glanced at the Huashan Sect disciples and lowered his voice...
"The Five Mountains Sword Sects have always been closely connected, and I'm afraid they will all be present at this Hengshan Conference."
"Master Liu is firmly in the second position of the Hengshan Sect. Even if he retires from the martial arts world, he will still be respected. We can go and make a good impression, so that we will have a reason to deal with the Five Mountains Sword Sect in the future."
Peng Gang and Xue Yue both nodded. The three of them glanced at the Huashan Sect disciples, and seeing that they weren't paying attention, they huddled together and whispered among themselves.
Yue Yuchen didn't care at first, but suddenly his ears twitched and he heard the words "Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng of the Demonic Sect have a secret relationship". He couldn't help but frown and immediately stood up.
………………
As soon as he moved, the disciples of the Huashan Sect all stood up, their hands on their longswords. Yue Lingshan tucked the book into her sleeve, and Lao Denuo had already walked over: "Senior Brother..."
The "Three Heroes of the Yangtze River" also stopped talking and looked over.
Yue Yuchen waved his hand, indicating that everything was alright, and walked towards the table of the "Three Heroes of the Yangtze River." The disciples of the Huashan Sect all followed his figure.
Yue Lingshan moved swiftly, appearing behind the three of them and subtly blocking their retreat. Her speed left the three speechless.
"Such speed, such superb lightness skill." Jiao Tao, the eldest of the three, couldn't help but gasp in amazement. Even a little girl had such martial arts skills, which made him feel even more awe for the Huashan Sect.
The "Three Heroes of the Yangtze River" felt their scalps tingle under the gaze of so many people, and when they saw him coming, they couldn't help but stand up and look over.
"I apologize for disturbing you three. My name is Yue Yuchen, and I have come uninvited," Yue Yuchen said, bowing slightly.
Seeing that he meant no harm, the "Three Heroes of the Yangtze River" all breathed a sigh of relief.
After exchanging pleasantries, Yue Yuchen sat down at their table, and the Huashan Sect disciples sat down in unison, though their eyes were all subtly fixed on this side.
The "Three Heroes of the Yangtze River" were also intimidated by this momentum, and couldn't help but feel even more awe. They thought to themselves that the righteous sects were indeed different from them, these unorthodox wanderers.
"Brother Yue, are you the eldest disciple of the Huashan Sect, the one known as the orthodox successor of the Northern Branch of the Quanzhen School of Taoism?" Jiao Tao thought for a moment, then asked as if he had just realized something.
Yue Yuchen cupped his hands in apology and said, "It is indeed I. I am not often active in the martial world, please forgive me."
Upon hearing him admit his identity, the "Three Heroes of the Yangtze River" couldn't help but think to themselves, "No wonder, no wonder he has so many people accompanying and protecting him."
The legendary martial arts skills of this senior disciple of the Huashan Sect are unknown, and the details are all based on hearsay; no one has ever actually witnessed them.
He was known for his extensive knowledge and talents, and was a guest of honor of prestigious families and powerful sects. His status in Mount Hua was extremely respected, but he never appeared in the martial arts world.
"Master Yue, you're too kind. You are a great master of Taoism, and we Jianghu men have heard of you many times," Jiao Tao said with a compliment.
Regardless, this Young Master Yue is the eldest disciple of the Huashan Sect, and even the highly respected acting sect leader Linghu Chong treats him with utmost respect. It's always better for them to be polite.
After exchanging pleasantries, Yue Yuchen took the initiative to start the conversation, saying, "I overheard the three of you talking earlier, and it seemed you mentioned Elder Qu Yang of the Demonic Sect, as well as Uncle Liu from Hengshan. I wonder what happened?"
The man who sat by the river glanced at his second and third brothers, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke in a low voice...
It turns out that, for some unknown reason, as the Hengshan Sect's Liu Zhengfeng's retirement ceremony approached, rumors suddenly began to circulate in the martial arts world these past few days.
It is said that this Master Liu was a close friend of Qu Yang of the Demonic Sect. The two met frequently, and there were even rumors that they considered each other confidants. It was also said that Master Mo of the Hengshan Sect parted ways with his junior brother Master Liu because of this.
Some say that Qu Yang of the Demonic Cult has arrived at Hengshan, waiting for Master Liu to retire from his life of crime, and then he will take Master Liu and his family to Blackwood Cliff.
There are even rumors that Master Liu forced his senior brother, Master Mo, to leave and monopolized the Hengshan Sect, all in an attempt to turn the Hengshan Sect into a branch of the Demonic Cult.