Chapter 61: Unthinkable (I) “I’ve always heard of the power of Xingji Sword Master…
Chonghua Mountain was thousands of miles away, and it took seven days for the two of them to arrive after resting and setting off.
The mountain only half lives up to its name. Layer upon layer, the mountains stretch far and wide, with lingering mist cascading from the mountainside to the summit. The scenery atop the mountain is remarkably elegant, with vast expanses of lush bamboo providing the only bright spot amidst the otherwise dull landscape.
No wonder Yue Lingjun chose to live here; it was indeed a quiet and elegant place.
Lian Qiang stood at the foot of the mountain, gazing up at the countless towering peaks, feeling helpless. Finding someone among them was no easy task.
However, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. She raised her eyes and smiled brightly at Chi Xingji: "Let's go."
"Yeah." Chi Xingji nodded, and the two of them walked slowly along the rugged and narrow mountain road.
The shadows of the bamboo trees shimmered against the dappled sunlight on the mountain path, creating a uniquely captivating scene. On a whim, Lian Qiang lifted the hem of her skirt, which was somewhat in the way, and stepped on the large patches of light on the ground, treating those shadows as deadly traps. She quickened her pace, increasing her pace, and she actually left Chi Xingji, who was already a step or two behind her, far behind.
When Lian Qiang realized that she had been playing like this for a while, she thought something was wrong and quickly turned around to look at Chi Xingji who she had left behind.
But this glance left Lian Qiang stunned. The reality wasn't what she expected. Chi Xingji was nowhere to be seen, or very far away. He was only four or five steps behind her, a distance that allowed him to speed up and catch up at any moment.
The moment Lian Qiang turned to face him, Chi Xingji looked at her from the path in front of them and asked kindly, "What's wrong? Is there something up ahead?"
"No," Lian Qiang denied immediately. She could feel her heart beating wildly. "There's nothing ahead."
As if to prove her words, she continued to move forward, but this time, she did not walk as fast as before.
Lian Qiang turned her back to Chi Xingji and rubbed her chest calmly. Looking at Chi Xingji, it seemed that he was always paying attention to her movements and following her appropriately.
Chi Xingji followed as if nothing had happened, and the two stood side by side. Lian Qiang was still a little distracted by what had just happened, and she didn't realize that the fog, which had been so far away, was now very close.
Walking into the fog, her vision was not obstructed, but Lian Qiang's heart sank suddenly. In an instant, cold sweat had soaked her inner clothes, and it was showing signs of getting worse.
——Whether it was the demonic energy or the last bit of spiritual power in her body, it was as if it had been drained away in an instant! She couldn't even feel it!
The fear of having her strength drained away was so great that Lian Qiang broke out in a cold sweat. She instinctively wanted to turn around and escape from this unknown and strange fog, but a hand gently held her down. Lian Qiang looked over and saw Chi Xingji staring at her, slowly shaking his head.
Her wits about her neck had returned a little, and she said, still in shock, "This fog..."
"I've also discovered that it might have the effect of suppressing cultivation, but I can't detect any malicious intent." Chi Xingji twirled his thumb and middle finger in mid-air. "This fog should be harmless, don't be afraid."
"It's really strange..." The feeling of being powerless was not good. Lian Qiang frowned, unable to let go for a while and did not dare to move forward.
Seeing this, Chi Xingji spoke to comfort him again and also spread out his palm to demonstrate: "Try to relax and stretch a little, and try again."
Lian Qiang did as she was told, and the previously dormant cultivation in her body seemed to finally be inspired and began to swim slowly.
Something is better than nothing, thinking this, Lian Qiang took the sword and grasped it. With Fu Guang safely in hand, it finally dispelled the dark clouds that had shrouded her heart. Lian Qiang secretly felt fortunate that she had not yet reached the point of being powerless and at a loss for what to do.
She wasn't afraid of hardship, as it could be overcome, but she lacked the courage to face a desperate situation where she faced a near-death or even near-death situation. She didn't want to experience the feeling of being stripped of all her weapons unless she had to.
Compared to Lian Qiang who was trying hard to find the strength to protect himself, Chi Xingji had more energy. His cultivation was far superior to Lian Qiang, but he was bound by the shackles of the human world and the fog and snow, so his speed of exploring the surroundings was much slower.
After a moment, Chi Xingji opened his eyes, his face still calm, and explained: "Although the fog has suppressed our realm equally, it has not harmed anyone else. There should be no traps on the mountain. It seems more like it is natural than someone deliberately arranged it."
Seeing him so calm, even Qiang was infected by him and unconsciously felt relieved. She even had the urge to tease him, "There's abundant spiritual energy here, but it can't be mobilized. No wonder the bamboos in the mountains are so lush and green. It turns out that all the energy has turned into nutrients for them."
The two set out again, and because of their concerns, they walked much slower.
When they reached a place, they suddenly heard the sound of trampling fallen leaves in front of them. Chi Xingji became alert, and Lian Qiang drew his sword without thinking, but they looked at each other in surprise at the old man who came around the corner.
The old man looked to be over sixty years old, with gray hair, but he was in good spirits. He was dragging a long hoe in his hand, and the basket behind him was full of bamboo shoots.
To him, Lian Qiang and Chi Xingji were the uninvited guests. However, he was shocked for a moment, but soon calmed down. Even when a sword was pointed at him, he did not seem embarrassed. Instead, he said cheerfully: "Young men, you are from outside, right?"
Lian Qiang and Chi Xingji exchanged a glance. After Chi Xingji nodded calmly, Lian Qiang put away her sword and replied, "That's right."
Before they went up the mountain, they had discovered a few scattered villages not far from Chonghua Mountain. However, they were busy on their way and had not visited them. Considering what the old man asked, they naturally thought that he was a villager at the foot of the mountain.
The old man showed no trace of spiritual energy fluctuations. In a place where they were often constrained, he seemed much more at ease, completely unaffected. Lian Qiang pondered, perhaps this was a special kind of spiritual practice that returned to nature.
Perhaps their willingness to let down their guard touched the old man, and his smile warmed up considerably. He said cheerfully, "Are you here to pick bamboo shoots, too?"
The old man's actual age might not be older than theirs. This mountain of spiritual bamboo shoots could be considered a treasure. Following his lead would be a good choice. However, Lian Qiang pondered for a moment and told the truth: "No, we are here to look for someone."
As soon as he said the word "looking for someone," Lian Qiang clearly saw that the wrinkles on his lips that were caused by his smile had become lighter. The old man looked them over again before regaining his smile. "Who are you looking for? I don't remember anyone living in the mountains."
This statement may be fine for ordinary people who just come here to enjoy the spring and look for flowers, but it is a bit clumsy to use it to fool two people.
Chi Xingji was also incapable of trying to smooth things over and said bluntly, "Old man, we two have no ill intentions. We just want to find Sword Master Yue Lingjun and ask her to borrow something."
Upon hearing this, the old man's smile faded completely, a look of unmistakable seriousness evident. For a few moments, Lian Qiang suspected he was about to raise his hoe to strike them, but he didn't. His gaze caught the light of Lian Qiang sheathing his hoe, and he sighed, "Just think of it as an old man worrying too much..."
He raised his hoe and pointed behind him. "Yue Xianjun's address isn't hard to find. Just keep walking along this mountain road and turn a few corners. Okay, okay, okay, I'll go with you."
Lian Qiang didn't show it on her face, but she was puzzled. From what the old man had said, this place wasn't that hard to find. He could be said to be leading the way, or monitoring them all the way. He was too wary of the two of them, and in contrast, he was clearly protective of Yue Lingjun.
As darkness gradually deepened, the once easy mountain path became increasingly rugged. The old man's legs and feet were nimble, but his eyes, unable to see in the darkness, became a burden. He continued to grumble and refused to turn back. At Chi Xingji's repeated urgings, he finally gave up carrying the basket and farm tools and handed them over to the two men.
"The Immortal Yue is a good man..." This action was like a key that opened the old man's mouth. He was willing to reveal some of the topics he was reluctant to talk about. "Her husband was also a good guy, but the two of them were really not meant to be together. Alas, alas..."
It was a commonplace topic, but it sounded sad when he talked about it. Lian Qiang tried to comfort him repeatedly along the way, but in the end, he was really at a loss for words.
When a little light came on in the darkness, the three of them were all excited, especially the old man, who took two steps at a time and shouted repeatedly: "The more immortal, the more immortal!"
Seeing that he was walking hurriedly, his foot slipped. The two of them were anxious, but because of the distance between them, they were unable to help him.
In the lit courtyard, someone moved even faster and firmly grasped the old man's arm, preventing him from falling. After the old man stood still, she let go of his hand and looked up at the visitors, Lian Qiang and Chi Xingji: "Who are you?"
"Immortal, I met these two in the mountains. They said they wanted to borrow something from you..." The old man started talking non-stop. Yue Lingjun said calmly, "Are you asking me to borrow something?"
Her tone remained unchanged from beginning to end. She was dressed in white with her sleeves rolled up on her arms. Her figure was thin and seemed to disappear into the night.
At first glance, Lian Qiang found it hard to connect her with the legendary Sword Lord. She was much weaker and more delicate than people imagined. But Yue Lingjun stood there, and it seemed as if she didn't need to justify herself. She had an indescribable aura.
Lian Qiang was about to speak when Yue Lingjun spoke first, "Uncle Chen, it's getting late. Take this lantern with you and be careful as you descend the mountain. I have things to do, so I'm afraid I won't be able to see you off. Please leave your things with me for one night."
"Oh, ok!" Old Man Chen happily accepted her arrangement, picked up the lantern and stick she handed him, and carefully went down the mountain. Watching his retreating figure, Lian Qiang felt a little frightened and couldn't help but remind him, "The mountain road is difficult to travel at night..."
"Mr. Chen leaves home every morning and returns in the evening at the latest. Now it's night, and he hasn't returned yet. His family can't help but worry. Besides, I shouldn't neglect a distant guest, right?" Yue Lingjun spoke slowly, and every word she said made Lian Qiang feel that it was wrong, but she couldn't refute it.
The atmosphere was tense for a moment. Lian Qiang forced herself to gather herself, determined to take the responsibility of negotiating with the other party. Unexpectedly, Chi Xingji spoke first: "She is Lian Qiang, and I am Chi Xingji. I came here specifically to borrow your Yingxin Mirror."
"Lian Qiang? Chi Xingji? Ying Xinjing?" Yue Lingjun repeated, chewing on Chi Xingji's meaning. In a flash, she suddenly attacked! A long sword cut through the night sky with the force of thunder, only to reach Chi Xingji's neck!
"I've always heard of the fame of Xingji Sword Master. As someone who has already ascended to the Immortal Realm and what the world calls the greatest swordsman among those who have ascended, I'd like to know: between you and me, whose sword is faster?"
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The author has something to say: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided me with nutrient solution between 2024-03-06 00:25:33 and 2024-03-19 22:29:23~
Thanks to the little angel who cast the mine: Mu Ke 1;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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