Chapter 867 The Hall of Mental Cultivation
Question about the voice in the snow:
"Where's Fifth Junior Sister? Didn't she come with Sixth Junior Sister?"
"Fifth Junior Sister asked Sixth Junior Sister to pass on a message: she can't get away from the water prison and needs to guard it for the next two nights. She won't be coming to the selection ceremony for the new Yue women tomorrow. She also asked Sixth Junior Sister to take care of the selection of apprentices and let Sixth Junior Sister choose first."
After a pause, Yu Nianyuan asked;
"Should I go see her and explain the situation? It's not good to keep it a secret forever..."
"No."
The candle in the snow suddenly interrupted, its reaction indifferent, surprisingly lifeless; it seemed she understood her fifth junior sister's temperament very well.
"Fifth Junior Sister is reliable. It's reassuring to have her at the water dungeon. She's always been the one guarding it with her sword, so she knows best how important the water dungeon is. Since she said she has something to do and can't get away, it must be true. It must be something more important than coming here tonight, so you don't need to bother her."
Yu Nianyuan said with a hint of helplessness:
“But I only said that I was summoning them here to participate in the routine selection ceremony for the new Yue women and to jointly open the Hall of Mental Cultivation… I didn’t mention your matter, Senior Sister.”
"No need! Then it's fine as is."
The tone of Xuezhongzhu was somewhat resolute:
"Since she didn't come, don't let her know for now. It's enough that Sixth Junior Sister is here. You can preside over the ceremony for the new Yue woman for now. Go and tell Sixth Junior Sister what happened later... Just get the gist of it, don't go into too much detail. Just say... just say that I accidentally lost my sword. Hmm, that's it."
Her last words were soft, almost a murmur.
Yu Nianyuan was speechless upon hearing this.
The eldest sister is still so concerned about her image; she can't lower her head even a little bit.
As the chief matriarch of their generation's female monarch, after their master's passing and before the Yuanjun's return, the eldest sister was similar to the patriarch of a southern clan, taking the lead in all matters.
Sometimes, appearances are more important than substance.
Especially Xue Zhongzhu, with his pride to the core and unyielding nature, is very concerned about his image in front of his junior sisters.
Yu Nianyuan whispered a reminder:
"However, Senior Sister, the matter of your natal sword is still very important. It relates to your future cultivation of the Great Dao, and it's a matter of utmost importance. If we have more people, and with the help of Fifth Junior Sister, we'll at least have a better chance of winning. Besides, Fifth Junior Sister's swordsmanship is special; she might just be the one to decide the outcome. Are you sure you don't want it, Senior Sister...?"
"I said, no need. When did Second Junior Sister start nagging like this? Does she think I'm some kind of little devil?"
A somewhat sullen voice came from inside the courtyard from a blonde, imposing woman.
Yu Nianyuan's words disappeared.
"Actually, it's not that we're deliberately being careless or negligent. Putting aside whether Fifth Junior Sister's absence is important or not, it's just a matter of fate and destiny. At least tonight, at this moment, the absence of Fifth Junior Sister is in accordance with some kind of divine will..."
Yu Nianyuan seemed to be taken aback for a moment, and did not speak immediately.
The voice of the candle in the snow continued to drift away:
"This is also a principle that I have gradually come to understand during my recent seclusion and leisure time when I recall the Jiangzhou Buddha incident... Especially when I saw that the man actually destroyed the Buddha he had personally cast, suppressed his former court accomplices, and even turned his impetuous and arrogant attitude towards the false emperor Wei Zhao... which actually helped us."
"If you say there's not a trace of fate involved in this matter, I don't believe it. The same goes for Xiao Qi's situation; it's simply a case of being destined to meet but not to be together, and forcing it won't bring it..."
Yu Nianyuan, who was waiting in the courtyard, rarely heard a hint of melancholy in the tone of his decisive and ruthless senior sister:
"Actually, I didn't believe this principle at all before. My master had mentioned it before, and Wu Daozi and an old monk had mentioned it later, but I just didn't believe it at the time. I only wanted to keep my eyes on what was in front of me and didn't want to look at the people behind me. I just went ahead alone with my sword, cutting through thorns and brambles, and never looked back, until I encountered that little thief..."
Yu Nianyuan suddenly interrupted:
"But has Senior Sister ever thought that this state is actually the root of your ability to break through several major realms and smoothly enter the top-level sword cultivation realm? It is this state of great freedom that is the sharpest sword for a sword cultivator, even sharper than the sword in hand or the mythical cauldron sword. You should maintain it."
The candle in the snow showed no anger, its tone indifferent:
"Second Junior Sister is right, that's true. But my Frost-Knowing Sword is still gone, lost twice. The first time I lost it, I became more determined, but now, losing it a second time, I feel that same utter helplessness. It's more terrifying than the worst nightmare."
Yu Nianyuan wondered:
"Senior Sister, please tell me in detail what exactly happened that day?"
The candle in the snow seemed to be shaking its head:
"It doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that with the swift sword in my hand gone, the sharpest 'sword' in my heart will naturally disappear as well, at least for now. This is also the reason why my cultivation has stagnated..."
She wasn't annoyed at all; instead, she chuckled softly.
"Now that I have lost the sword that cleaved through the difficult road ahead, I might as well stop, look around, and look back at the road I came from. Isn't this also a valuable experience?"
"I even have a feeling that this hurdle is not just a simple matter of accidentally losing the sword, but an inevitable path, a necessary step to enter the legendary realm of the Celestial Beings of the Divine Land, or rather, a step to complete..."
"Looking at it this way, I should probably thank that little thief instead, heh..."
Xuezhongzhu's tone was complex, seemingly containing an unyielding hatred, yet also subtly mixed with other indescribable emotions.
Even Yu Nianyuan, who was listening in, couldn't figure it out.
The tone of his voice suddenly shifted, as if lightening:
"After pausing for a long time, I reflected and realized many things, good and bad. In fact, everything is preordained by fate. If one is aware of this, one should not stubbornly resist, but rather go with the flow and not overstep the bounds or worry. In this way, cultivators will have fewer troubles and may even have smooth sailing..."
"So, let's just leave it at that that Fifth Junior Sister didn't come tonight. We won't wait for her. It'll just be the three of us, fellow disciples."
"Um."
The sound of a door opening came from inside the courtyard. Xue Zhongzhu walked out of the house and met up with Yu Nianyuan in the courtyard.
Suddenly, the candle in the snow gave a warning:
"Also, Second Junior Sister, when you talk to Sixth Junior Sister later..."
Yu Nianyuan was of a very good temperament; he seemed to pause and wait patiently.
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
"Never mind, it's nothing."
The candle in the snow walked forward without looking back, as if shaking its head.
Yu Nianyuan, who was walking behind, suddenly added:
"Don't worry, I won't tell her too many details, nor will I reveal that person's identity or name. Otherwise, with Sixth Junior Sister's gossipy mouth, the whole Sword Swamp will know..."
"Uh-huh."
Suddenly, Xuezhongzhu, who was walking ahead, asked:
"Do you think he knows that Zhi Shuang, just like her name suggests, is so deeply bound to my mind and sword intent? Last time, he seemed to have probed Zhi Shuang and discovered some of my weaknesses."
Yu Nianyuan thought for a moment:
"Perhaps he thought that the sword was imbued with spirit, like the mythical Ding Sword. He didn't know we could use it to get there... In any case, even if he was on guard, it's so late and so much time has passed. Unless he's watching him every second, there will always be moments of oversight, even if it's just a few breaths. That's enough time for our sword intent to project and set up a trap for him."
The tone of Xuezhongzhu's voice was somewhat enigmatic, seemingly both gritted teeth and expectant:
"I hope so."
Yu Nianyuan snapped out of his thoughts and casually remarked:
"Next time, Senior Sister, don't be so deeply bound to your natal sword. It's almost like you share the same fate, and you're inseparable... Separate what needs to be separated, and set up formations where necessary... That way, even if your natal sword is lost, you can avoid being entangled with it."
She shook her head and sighed softly:
"Although what Senior Sister did makes her swordsmanship purer, like the sword cultivators of the pre-Qin period, and her killing power and cultivation are more benefited... if her natal sword falls into the hands of someone else, especially someone knowledgeable in the trade, then it will be troublesome. She will easily be influenced by the other party's mind and end up in a very passive position... just like handing over the house key to someone else."
"Although we can use this route to get across, the other side can also come and go freely."
"I understand."
Ahead, Xue Zhongzhu seemed to quicken his pace as he descended the mountain.
Her waist-length golden hair was like a dazzling firework in the dark sky, radiant and eye-catching.
The words spoken at a certain moment, like fireworks that suddenly burst forth in Yangzhou in March, fleeting and ephemeral:
"Let's go. Tonight, let's go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and let that person also cultivate their mind."
...
A surprise attack?
Inside the room, Ouyang Rong watched as the snow-white sword energy spread out.
On the drawing, the Kui Xing symbol is faintly visible.
Like a star about to fall.
No, the Peach Blossom Spring painting can't hold up anymore.
Ouyang Rong suddenly frowned.
Reaching out, it's like a painting, sinking into the pages.
It was as if they had been immersed in an inkwell, their fingers turning into a simple black and white.
He grasped a snow-white longsword in the landscape painting.
It was unleashing its sword energy, like a mischievous girl suddenly throwing a tantrum.
Ouyang Rong immediately infused spiritual energy into the vessel.
If the spiritual energy in the dantian is insufficient, then use the Purple Mist of Merit.
Both are instilled without cost.
The snow-white longsword was subtly pressed down.
The Peach Blossom Spring painting subtly solidified.
The snow-white sword energy gradually diminished.
Ouyang Rong breathed a sigh of relief.
But in the next instant, Ouyang Rong sensed two other unfamiliar sword intents besides the snow-white sword energy!
One of the sword intents ignored all spiritual energy barriers and struck Ouyang Rong's face.
Another sword intent was particularly strange, actually absorbing Ouyang Rong's spiritual energy and merit purple mist, devouring it to strengthen itself. Instantly, a green sword aura, as powerful as the snow-white sword aura, appeared and swept over along with it.
For a time, Ouyang Rong was beset by internal and external troubles.
But in the next instant, Ouyang Rong suddenly let go, cutting off all the transmission of spiritual energy and purple mist.
He allowed the three sword energies to attack his face.
The owner of these three sword energies seemed to be stunned for a moment, but without hesitation, he pierced through the head of the dull young man.
Ouyang Rong remained seated, completely still.
Inside the pitch-black hut.
A young man was covered in golden light.
He bit his finger, and with the bright red blood, he bowed his head and drew a talisman.
The results of my diligent practice in drawing talismans during these days have become apparent; a Kui Xing talisman was quickly formed and completed in one go.
Just as the three breaths were about to end, Ouyang Rong, who had been at the peak of his power, reached into the painting once more.
Grasp the snow-white longsword.
In the next instant, a sky-blue sword shadow, which had been secretly laid out within the painting for a long time, fell down.
They shattered the three distinct sword energies one by one, like a sickle harvesting wheat.
The snow-white sword energy, the cyan sword energy, and the transparent sword energy with a few strands of dark lines—the strongest momentum had already passed within those precious three breaths.
One should press on with one's might, but the momentum will wane with each attempt, and exhaust it completely with each subsequent one.
At this moment, their weakened state was completely routed by the remote projection of the [Humble Scholar], who was in the Peach Blossom Spring Map's fake sword and cauldron arena.
The merit within Ouyang Rong's body was almost depleted, but he had finally managed to repel the three.
Instead of letting his guard down, he pressed his advantage.
At this moment in the painting, the black and white sky has been completely dyed azure.
Beneath the clear blue sky, a long sword hanging upside down, as bright as the sun, fell like a meteor, leaving a dazzling rainbow in the ink painting... straight towards the snow-white sword amidst the "mountains and rivers"!
A white rainbow pierced the sun and poured into the snow-white longsword!
Ouyang Rong's expression was resolute, and he gripped his hand even tighter, the Kui Xing talisman faintly flowing down the back of his hand.
[Humble Scholar] The projection, once again, went to a distant place.
These three sword intents can reach here using the snow-white longsword.
Then he can also reach where they are.
This time, Ouyang Rong was determined to get an explanation, but he was also prepared to retreat immediately if the attack failed. Otherwise, once the merit purple mist and spiritual energy were exhausted, he would suffer the same fate as the three sword qi masters, including Xue Zhongzhu, who were in a state of defeat.
But before the cautious Ouyang Rong could react, the azure sword intent went to the other side and found itself stuck in a quagmire.
In the next instant, all three sword intents vanished.
Ouyang Rong's vision went black for a moment, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dark room that was not the familiar one.
Instead, it was a place filled with white fog, with visibility less than ten feet.
The surrounding sky and earth were of unknown height.
The good news is that the azure sword shadow followed, hovering silently above Ouyang Rong's head.
Three feet above one's head hangs a tripod and a sword hanging upside down.
Ouyang Rong looked up and stared for a while at the projection of the [Han Shi] who had gotten lost along with him, then suddenly reached out and touched it.
His expression froze slightly.
Ouyang Rong touched the [Humble Scholar].
The long, slender sword, resembling both iron and glass, sent a warm, tingling sensation through his fingers.
It is as soft and concave as sand.
Ouyang Rong's eyes glazed over slightly as he suddenly recalled the smooth legs of a girl next to him when he was a teenager on a beach in his previous life, stretching and sunbathing.
The feel... seems exactly the same.
Don't ask him why he remembers.
Ouyang Rong suddenly stopped and looked around.
No, unless this is a paradise, it's impossible for a "poor scholar" to appear here.
And would the true form of the "Humble Scholar" really have this kind of feel?
【Humble Scholar】 refers to a noble and reclusive scholar.
It's not like "craftsmanship," where even the sensuality is considered sensuality.
Ouyang Rong suddenly realized something, and a glimmer of clarity flashed in his eyes.
Then there's only one possibility.
He was actually still on his bed in the dark room.
He also projected himself, just like the projection of [Han Shi].
Therefore, if explained using Buddhist principles, it would be:
The person didn't move, but the heart did.
Though I may not be there in person, my heart is with you.
At that moment, Ouyang Rong felt a cool sensation under his feet. He slowly lowered his head and looked down at his feet.
The floor tiles were sturdy and solid, with diamond-shaped patterns. After walking a few steps, I realized that the surrounding area was also covered with this type of flooring.
The interlocking diamond-shaped floor tiles are so dazzling that they can be overwhelming.
It's like... a palace?
(End of this chapter)
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