Gao Shulu’s vision was filled with a cascading Milky Way of azure sword qi, surging down the mountain like a waterfall. Facing this onslaught, Gao Shulu remained serene, hands clasped behind his back, advancing calmly up the stone steps. As his left foot landed, his right foot lifted, but before it could settle, the torrent of sword qi struck. Though he made no move to evade, the qi parted like waves around a rock, yet his temples trembled violently, and his suspended right foot was forced to retreat to a lower step than intended.
Gao Shulu extended his right hand sideways, intercepting a fragment of the lingering qi, which he clenched into his palm. The sword qi coiled between his fingers like a serpent. Gao Shulu, still holding his hands behind his back, glanced down with a flicker of surprise, like a connoisseur beholding a rare treasure. He extended his other hand, palms facing each other, gently rubbing them together to form a three-inch blade of qi—a nascent sword. Holding this tiny blade of condensed Green Snake sword qi on his fingertip, Gao Shulu gazed at it with interest. This ancient demon, who had clung to life for four centuries, was so arrogant he didn’t even glance at the descending opponent.
At the same time, Xu Fengnian, wielding twin blades and opening with the Green Snake sword qi from both sleeves, drew his blades. In his left hand, the Spring Thunder saber was held upside down, while in his right, the River Crossing Blade slashed downward in a move derived from the Sword Qi Rolling Dragon Wall—the Opening Shu Formation. Gao Shulu flicked his finger, dissolving the three-inch blade he had used to study the essence of the first great sword qi. He extended his palm, dispersing the blade’s aura, and calmly pressed his hand against the razor-sharp River Crossing Blade. A thin line of blood appeared on his fingertips, but before it could bloom into droplets, it healed. In the blink of an eye, this happened no less than six times. The River Crossing Blade could not sever his fingers, not even drawing blood! This was no mere King Kong physical body—it was the perfect harmony of King Kong Realm and Realm of Celestial Phenomena within the first-rate realm. Perhaps only the Great King Kong of the Buddhist sage monk Longshu could rival it.
Though the River Crossing Blade was restrained by Gao Shulu’s motionless fingers, the so-called “Worry-Free Immortal,” famed as the greatest in history, was not entirely unmoved. At the very least, his feet sank more than a foot into the stone steps, crushed under the immense blade pressure until the steps cracked beneath them.
Gao Shulu’s gaze remained fixed on the inverted short saber that had yet to strike. Clearly, in his eyes, in a duel between masters, the truly dangerous threats were those held in reserve. Even the finest opening moves, no matter how exquisite, were nothing to him—he had seen and countered them all. Four hundred years ago, he had slain nearly every top martial artist in the Jianghu, including two earthly sword immortals. How many profound techniques and superior methods had he encountered? Yet, even knowing he was Gao Shulu, how many so-called masters dared to engage him in close combat? Four hundred years ago, in that murky Jianghu, such individuals were rare indeed.
The inverted short saber, unexpectedly, was raised only a few inches before it was suddenly withdrawn. Not only that, but the long blade overhead was also pulled from between his fingers. Gao Shulu furrowed his brows. Someone who dared to project their spirit to his presence, starting impressively, yet faltering so soon? Could it be another half-baked martial artist from four hundred years ago, skilled only in three tricks? If so, what interest could this Jianghu of four hundred years later possibly hold for him? What pleasure could he find in tearing away the mountain-opening Fu in hopes of a full-strength battle? Could it be that the Jianghu of today was no better than the Martial Emperor City of the East Sea?
Yet, Gao Shulu, who had no intention of pressing the advantage, shifted from a frown to a smile. Unbeknownst to him, red cords shaped like crimson snakes had begun to coil around his hands, growing wildly like spring grass after rain. Moreover, nine swords, their embryos refined and supple, hummed and circled around him, forming a seemingly insurmountable thunderous barrier. Of course, Gao Shulu saw these as mere illusions. The true threat lay hidden in the earlier overhead strike. From the moment the Azure sword qi cascaded down the mountain, the young man had begun laying the groundwork for this blow.
Xu Fengnian’s figure retreated gracefully, facing Gao Shulu, drifting backward up the mountain, one step per stone, exuding an air of effortless elegance.
The Spring Thunder returned to its sheath. As it did, thunder rumbled from a distant square inch of space!
For the first time, Gao Shulu swung both sleeves simultaneously, striking five times in an instant around his body. His movements were light and effortless, not resembling deadly counterattacks, but rather the casual gestures of a refined scholar surveying the world. Yet moments later, five thunderous booms erupted from Qinglu Mountain, blasting five massive craters, nearly shattering eardrums. After dispelling the square-inch thunder, the sword formation contracted. Gao Shulu, perhaps preoccupied with peeling away the crimson snake-like cords on his hands, did not strike back, instead evading more than resisting, no longer so arrogantly indifferent.
Xu Fengnian stood high above, fingers together, commanding flying swords. Once a sword embryo was fully formed, the flying swords moved in accordance with his will, unbound by rigid sword techniques or trapped in conventional forms, achieving true mastery. Yet this time, Xu Fengnian guided the swords with qi in an unusually methodical and precise manner. Gao Shulu, too, showed no sign of disdain. Compared to his earlier effortless dispelling of the square-inch thunder, his level of attention was equal.
Xu Fengnian felt no pride in this. Though the techniques were vastly different, their ultimate goal was the same. Gu Jiantang’s square-inch thunder aimed to slay earthly immortals, while Deng Ta’a’s flying swords in the East Sea targeted the Heaven-Piercing Immortal Zhao Xuan Su of Longhu Mountain.
Xu Fengnian descended the mountain, while Gao Shulu ascended. When they met, Xu Fengnian’s welcoming gifts were nothing short of world-shaking: the Green Snake sword qi from the old man in the sheepskin coat, the sword qi rolling dragon wall that opened Shu; the square-inch thunder, the ultimate technique of Gu Jiantang, the greatest swordsman in the world; the crimson cords of Han Shengxuan, the invincible swordsman below the earthly immortal; and Deng Ta’a’s flying swords. Xu Fengnian spared no effort against Gao Shulu. Yet, judging by the current situation, the great demon was still quite courteous. He dodged the flying swords aimed at piercing the Heaven-Piercing Immortal, but instead of anger, he seemed oddly lost in thought, murmuring softly, “In my view, all martial arts are but the expression of will and spirit. Most masters inevitably suffer from either strong will but weak spirit, or strong spirit but weak will. Especially in the sword path, the debate between sword qi and sword intent was settled a hundred years before my name spread across the world. Lüzu already distinguished between the Dao sword and the Fa sword. To have both will and spirit fully developed is rare indeed. In the Jianghu of my time, even the sword masters who rivaled me in skill fell short compared to the two swordsmen you emulated. Earlier, when the sword qi descended the mountain, it carried a spirit unmatched by any predecessor. Then, when the flying swords pierced the Heaven-Piercing Immortal’s vital points, you truly reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. May I ask their names? Are they still alive?”
Xu Fengnian replied calmly, “One was Li Chungan, without sect or master, unfortunately now deceased. The other is Deng Ta’a, from the Wu Family Sword Tomb, whose sword master was killed by you. He has now gone to sea in search of immortals and has not yet returned.”
Gao Shulu smiled, “It is indeed no accident that swordsmanship thrives uniquely in the martial world. For a thousand years, the peaks of sword cultivation have only grown higher, never falling into the bad habit of venerating the past while belittling the present.”
Suddenly, Gao Shulu turned his gaze outward, “The way you cultivate blade intent is rare. I’ve waited this long—shall we begin?”
Xu Fengnian smiled, tapping the hilt of the Spring Thunder, driving both blade and sheath into the stone step behind him. Not only that, he also inserted the River Crossing Blade into the step, leaving only its sheath hanging at his waist. Xu Fengnian, now weaponless, yet his aura surged abruptly, towering above all. “The division of the four first-rate realms has remained unchanged for four hundred years. Most people today are unaware that it was you, Gao Shulu, who established it. I’m curious—what do you think of the so-called ‘false realm’ theory?”
Gao Shulu, with the bearing of a Grand Master, spoke directly despite their life-or-death confrontation, “Whether a realm is false or not is akin to the esoteric and exoteric teachings of the Buddha. The esoteric path offers a shortcut to immediate enlightenment, but it is not accessible to all. The key lies in who is practicing.”
Gao Shulu paused, then smiled, “Life is rarely without disappointment. Those who seek freedom often find themselves bound. What one desires is often unattainable—it’s a simple truth.”
As he spoke, Gao Shulu, who had only taken half a step up the stone steps since their meeting, suddenly surged forward, charging straight at Xu Fengnian. The latter, with intuitive understanding, recalled the old cowherd on Wudang Mountain who could grasp a sparrow in his hand yet prevent it from flying. Gao Shulu thrust his hand forward, but Xu Fengnian seized both wrists. Twisting his foot, Xu Fengnian lifted Gao Shulu off the ground and hurled him outward. Yet Xu Fengnian himself could not break free from Gao Shulu’s grip. Together, they left the stone steps, plummeting off the mountain. Gao Shulu was smashed downward by Xu Fengnian’s celestial palm strike, while Xu Fengnian was launched upward by Gao Shulu’s palm striking his chin. The distance between them stretched to over forty zhang. Gao Shulu floated midair, still elegant, while Xu Fengnian’s upward momentum slowed, his sleeves flaring. The countless raindrops that Gao Shulu had earlier dispersed into the heavens now fell in unison with Xu Fengnian’s descent. Under the pull of qi, the raindrops aligned in straight lines, with higher drops falling faster, linking together like pearls on a string, forming swords of rain.
If merely forming a single line of rain into a long sword was merely the Finger Heaven Insight realm, then weaving countless raindrops into a vast net of pearl-linked swords was undoubtedly the grandeur of the Heaven Manifestation realm.
But it did not end there. Xu Fengnian extended his hand, pulling the rain curtain. The sword’s tip followed his hand, pointing toward Gao Shulu, who stood with hands behind his back, gazing upward.
Drawing power from heaven and earth often leads to loss of control. This is precisely why the Earthly Immortal exists beyond the Heaven Manifestation realm.
Stringing pearls into swords is Finger Heaven Insight. Rain swords forming a curtain is Heaven Manifestation. Commanding the curtain of swords is the true mark of an Earthly Immortal.
Qinglu Mountain, previously illuminated by Gao Shulu’s Heaven-Piercing brushwork, no longer bore the gloomy, stormy skies. The mountain basked in light alone. Now, a curtain of sword qi descended like a dark cloud, hammering the mountain with rain. The scholars of Qinglu Academy, who had earlier heard no wind and no raindrops on their eaves, found it wondrous. Now, they ceased their quiet conversations and book-turning, stepping outside to witness the young prince-commander guiding a whirlwind of sword qi descending from the heavens. Yu Luandao rushed out of the academy, standing beside Hu Kui and Huangfu Ping at the railing, staring upward. This young aristocrat from Guangling, who had always been the most favored in his youth, was now awestruck and filled with admiration.
Yu Luandao murmured, “A man in the world must stand tall and firm to be truly free.”
Gao Shulu smirked, yawning lazily, and finally projected his spirit outward.
Gao Shulu’s physical body instantly landed, while his spirit—now a Heaven-Piercing Immortal—soared to the heavens above the rain curtain. The man below raised a palm, while the one above struck downward.
You, Xu Fengnian, have countless swords drawn from heaven and earth. I, Gao Shulu, need but one.
Before this sword, what is an Earthly Immortal? What is a single sword strike from a Heaven-Piercing Immortal?
It is akin to the single sword of Luoyang, the sword that split heaven and earth.
Temporarily at a disadvantage, Xu Fengnian showed no fear, smiling faintly, “You really think I haven’t seen the view from above the ninth floor?”
Xu Fengnian snapped his fingers, releasing the raindrops from his control. They fell chaotically, seemingly without order, while he sat cross-legged in midair, one hand supporting his chin, eyes closed. So what if you create your own heaven and earth? I’ve been waiting for this moment! Xu Fengnian gently waved his hand, as if clearing debris from a desk, then raised his arm five more times, just as he had during his The Carefree Wandering after battling Wang Xianzhi. He whispered softly, “Mountains and rivers, cities and towers, grass and trees, sun and moon, all living beings—step aside.”
Between the two Gao Shulus, the heavens and earth twisted abnormally, and the rain swords were shattered into fragments.
Yet, as soon as Xu Fengnian spoke a single sentence, the chaos transformed. The rain swords gathered once more.
“Swords, come.”
Ten thousand rain swords became one. One sword became a Fu.
Fu named Seal the Mountain.
Four hundred years ago, a Fu opened the mountain. Four hundred years later, a Fu seals it.
This Fu drew from Li Chungan’s two swords and two wishes, from Deng Ta’a’s donkey ride backward while viewing the Rivers and mountains, from Luoyang’s rain swords, from Liu Haoshi’s Thunder Pool, from Han Shengxuan’s peerless Finger Heaven Insight, from Song Nianqing’s final Earthly Immortal sword, from Xuan Jingcheng’s fearless death, from Cao Changqing’s Ceremony Viewing of Tai’an City, from Jiang Ni’s Swordflight through eighteen gates, and more. It drew from all the elegance and brilliance Xu Fengnian had encountered in his life, from his tenth Fantasy Journey, from sitting atop Kunlun and watching the sea, from refining blades and cultivating intent, from summoning the True Martial Emperor at the Spring God Lake, and from a vision of her from four hundred years ago, and from that Fu.
Once the Fu was unleashed, Xu Fengnian no longer concerned himself with it, projecting his spirit to sit beside Gao Shulu.
The spirit of the Heaven-Piercing Immortal showed no anger, only a tranquil joy, gazing down at the world. Xu Fengnian asked softly, “Gao Shulu, if you had simply tested my martial prowess directly, I would surely have lost. Why did you choose to compete through realms?”
Gao Shulu replied calmly, “A guaranteed victory—what joy would that bring me? Four hundred years ago, I was undefeated. Four hundred years later, another victory changes nothing.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head.
Gao Shulu continued peacefully, “As I climbed the mountain, I only wanted to know whether this generation’s ‘Worry-Free’ person could truly forget their worries. To be honest, I did not think highly of you at first. If you could be considered worry-free, then there would be no one in the world with worries. I once chose to go mad to forget everything. Those who do not know me ask what I seek. Those who think they know me say I am troubled. But they still only understand half. For four hundred years, perhaps only you truly understand me.”
Xu Fengnian pierced through the veil of mystery, speaking slowly, “Four hundred years ago, you were the crown prince of the Da Feng Dynasty, about to ascend the throne. But you sought immortality and did not wish to be an emperor for a hundred years. You visited the Wudang Mountains, then the Daoist ancestral temple, asking one question: What is the meaning of ‘Immortal’? At that time, Lüzu’s reincarnation had not yet awakened, and no one could answer. You went to Longhu Mountain, but no one could answer there either, or at least only gave half an answer. Until later, when a certain person emerged, he gave you the answer. The word ‘Immortal’ has two meanings. Now, between the two mountains, Wudang and Longhu, the former explains half the word as ‘person,’ while the latter explains half as ‘mountain.’ Longhu Mountain believes that to become an immortal, one must go up the mountain, becoming a person of the mountain, focused on immortality without concern for worldly affairs. Wudang Mountain inherited Lüzu’s intent, cultivating Dao on the mountain but attaining it in the world below, cultivating oneself while also cultivating others, more in line with what you sought. Unfortunately, at that time, the monks on the mountain had the intention but failed to express this principle. Even if they had explained it clearly, it might not have fully aligned with your heart. In your view, being an immortal without forgetting humanity, ascending through the heavenly gate, and becoming part of the celestial ranks was no longer being human. This immortal wished to descend into the world, yet still had to follow the world’s fate. Where was the freedom in that? So what you wished to become was a unique Heaven-Piercing Immortal on the earth, not a mountain-dwelling immortal in the nine heavens.”
Gao Shulu sighed, “Indeed, what do I have to worry about in the rise and fall of the world?”
Xu Fengnian smiled.
Gao Shulu withdrew his gaze, “A swordsman has returned from the sea, seeking immortals. It must be Deng Ta’a, as you mentioned. Finally, I wish to ask—what do you seek?”
Xu Fengnian, hands in his sleeves, replied calmly, “Not thinking of past or future lives, being free of regrets in this life is enough.”
Gao Shulu expressed slight regret, “The Jianghu of four hundred years later is full of wonders, but the will and spirit that sustained me for four hundred years, free of form and unbroken, has finally reached its limit. Four hundred years ago, the Da Feng Dynasty nearly unified the world, yet the northern barbarians stormed the capital. How about it?”
Xu Fengnian nodded, “I’ve been waiting for those words.”
Xu Fengnian snapped his finger, dissolving the Seal the Mountain Fu.
The earthly Gao Shulu leapt upward, merging with his heavenly self.
After his eleventh Fantasy Journey, Xu Fengnian returned to his body.
Gao Shulu stood up, looked back at the world, and smiled as he walked toward Xu Fengnian.
Four hundred years ago, the true lone legend of the Jianghu—Gao Shulu—passed Xu Fengnian by without a word, and then vanished.
Coming without worries, departing without regrets.
I have known life and death, and I do not fear death. How can death threaten me? I have attained immortality, yet I do not cling to it. How can eternal life tempt me?
At that moment, thunder rolled across the sky, purple clouds gathered, and lightning flashed.
Above Qinglu Mountain, signs of a great calamity loomed.
It seemed as though a Heaven-Piercing Immortal rode a celestial dragon through the clouds, appearing and disappearing, circling the thunder, ready to enforce heavenly justice.
Xu Fengnian slowly lifted his head, a cold smirk on his lips.
Behind him, a colossal white serpent of qi, thousands of feet long with nine claws, opened its enormous mouth capable of swallowing mountains and roared toward the heavens!
And then there was nothing more.
For soon, the world fell into complete silence.
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