“Zhuxian Sword Technique?”
He even knows the Zhuxian Sword Technique? No wonder I felt a bit familiar!
Besides the Jietian Seven Swords, he actually knows the Zhuxian Sword Technique as well. Truly unfathomable. One can’t help but wonder what other sword techniques he has mastered!
Ren Qiushui, dressed as a man, abruptly turned her head, her eyes fixed on Meng Qi with an intense gaze, shifting from shock to heightened alertness and wariness.
A person who knows the Zhuxian Sword Technique suddenly approaching someone who practices the Juexian Sword Sutra—just this description alone can spark endless speculation, giving rise to countless plots and schemes. How could one not be cautious, not wary?
What exactly is his purpose?
Meng Qi appeared calm and composed, yet internally, he was far from tranquil. Only by tightly controlling his emotions and keeping his mind as still as a mirror did he avoid revealing even the slightest trace.
He was boldly testing Ren Qiushui, testing the power behind her, and probing the origin of the Juexian Sword Sutra.
Previously, Meng Qi had felt their relationship was not deep enough for profound discussions and had opted for caution, saying little. But at this moment, facing the “Devil Sword King,” he had no choice but to display all his skills fully, using only the most appropriate techniques without any concealment. Ren Qiushui would eventually realize that sword strike contained the essence of the Zhuxian Sword Technique. Therefore, Meng Qi decided to take this opportunity to openly declare his knowledge, testing the waters.
How would she respond? Or rather, how would the power behind her react?
Thinking about this, Meng Qi felt somewhat apprehensive. Behind Ren Qiushui, there likely resided a legendary figure. If “He” reacted excessively, Meng Qi would have no means of withstanding it, nor any chance of escape. At that point, he would have no choice but to take a gamble with no certainty of success.
Of course, his bold probing was not entirely reckless. Currently, he was disguised as a mysterious Fashen expert. Knowing both the Jietian Seven Swords and the Zhuxian Sword Technique—two supreme martial arts—he likely had a legendary or even greater figure backing him, enough to make the opposing side carefully weigh their actions and avoid rash decisions.
As for whether the legendary figure behind Ren Qiushui could perceive the heavenly fate, uncovering his true and false nature and realizing he was merely bluffing, Meng Qi was equally confident.
The Bayou Mystical Art excelled at concealing heavenly fate, while the “Infinite Seal” portrayed the primordial state without any heavenly signs. Moreover, Meng Qi himself had entered the path of “Cause of All Effects.” Combined, even as a Human Immortal, under normal circumstances, a Celestial Immortal could not calculate his specific details. Now, as he had time-traveled back to the ancient era, he existed outside the causal chain of this era. Correspondingly, the heavenly signs were chaotic and obscure, making it difficult even for him to accurately calculate the whereabouts of figures like Master Lu, let alone others?
Therefore, Meng Qi believed even the legendary figure would struggle to calculate him!
Their gazes met, minds resonating. Meng Qi noticed Ren Qiushui’s gaze fluctuate slightly, becoming profound. Her emotions were restrained, her thoughts suppressed, adopting a cautious and serious demeanor.
“I see,” Ren Qiushui said in a calm tone before continuing, “Master Su, I have urgent matters to attend to. I shall take my leave now and meet you again tomorrow.”
She made no mention of the Zhuxian Sword Technique, nor did she question Meng Qi’s true intentions in approaching her at the tavern.
“Until tomorrow,” Meng Qi smiled and watched Ren Qiushui fly off in another direction.
This matter involved the Zhuxian Sword Sutra and was of great importance. It seemed Ren Qiushui dared not make decisions on her own and needed to report to her “seniors.”
I wonder what reaction will follow? Even with his confidence, Meng Qi couldn’t help but feel anxious when thinking about bluffing against a possibly awakened legendary figure.
He took a deep breath, calming his heart, and flew back to Luocheng, landing near the place where the Sage was lecturing.
With several Sages present, even a legendary figure would likely hesitate to act rashly. After all, they had lived for countless years, hiding behind the scenes to prolong their lives and await opportunities, rarely interfering directly in worldly affairs, especially in the presence of the Sages. Moreover, they would have to consider the reactions of other powerful beings observing this situation and weigh their actions accordingly. Sitting in a corner of the wall, leaning against the cool brick, Meng Qi emptied his mind and gazed at the crescent moon hanging in the sky.
Who first saw the moon by the river? In which year did the moon first shine upon a person?
The bright moon remains, but the people have changed.
Not knowing how long had passed, the crescent moon had already shifted westward when suddenly, a figure appeared beside Meng Qi.
He was short, almost dwarfish, with an ugly face that was hard to look at. Yet, his eyes were brilliant, shining as if containing a galaxy, deep and dazzling, as though stars might leap forth at any moment, revealing sharp brilliance.
Anyone who saw him would only notice his eyes, overlooking all other imperfections.
With this one feature, he was already complete!
Upon seeing those eyes, Meng Qi immediately recognized the visitor.
It was not from Ren Qiushui’s faction, but “Qian and Kun Swords, Sun and Moon Walls”—the “Heavenly Sword,” Zhuo Chaosheng, known as the “Star-Sea Shaking Sword.”
He was the Grandmaster of the “Heaven and Earth Sword Sect,” a famous sword immortal in the ancient era. “Heavenly Sword” was not his nickname but merely a designation.
The so-called “Qian and Kun Swords” referred to the two sword immortals, one male and one female, corresponding to Qian and Kun, unrelated to their actual nicknames. The “Earthly Sword” was Lian Linbo, the Supreme Elder of the Snow Mountain Sword Sect, known as “Lighting the Ages with Coldness.”
“Master Zhuo, visiting in the deep of night, I, your junior, failed to welcome you properly,” Meng Qi said, resting on the street, leaning against the wall to admire the moon, yet possessing a demeanor of peace and self-possession.
What did he want with me?
Zhuo Chaosheng laughed heartily, “This evening, young friend, you commented on the sword techniques of the world at Yaoguang Tower, highly praising our sect’s ‘Bahuang Wuji Sword Technique,’ ranking it among the Seven Supreme Sword Techniques. How could I not come and meet such a kindred spirit?”
He seemed quite pleased, clearly satisfied with Meng Qi’s discernment.
Meng Qi’s lips twitched slightly; at least he hadn’t spoken ill of the Bahuang Wuji Sword Technique.
When mentioning the Juexian Sword and Jietian Seven Swords, due to their great importance and potential to attract trouble, he had been cautious, guarding against eavesdroppers. However, when listing the Seven Supreme Sword Techniques, he had been careless, making no effort to conceal it. He hadn’t expected the news to reach Zhuo Chaosheng, the “Star-Sea Shaking Sword.”
“I’ve always held the Bahuang Wuji Sword Technique in high esteem,” Meng Qi replied with a smile.
Zhuo Chaosheng casually carried his sword at his waist, his left hand holding a brass wine flask, though Meng Qi sensed it contained water.
As if sensing Meng Qi’s perception, Zhuo Chaosheng raised the flask and chuckled, “In my youth, due to my appearance and stature, I was constantly discriminated against. I could only drown my sorrows in alcohol nightly, developing a severe addiction. Once I began learning sword techniques, my master informed me that drinking would cause my hands to tremble, making my sword unstable. If my sword was unstable, I might as well return home. Thus, I resolved to quit drinking. I bought this flask, filled it with water, and whenever I craved alcohol, I’d take a sip of water to calm myself, asking, ‘Is wine more important, or is the sword?'”
“Now, with time passed, even if I drank ten jars a day, it would have no effect. Yet, I no longer have that craving. I still prefer to drink water from this pot.”
When he spoke of his appearance and stature, he was completely at ease, showing no hint of inferiority. When one possesses something truly worthy of pride and accomplishment, external appearances become irrelevant.
Cultivating martial arts inevitably develops the physical form. If Zhuo Chaosheng had harbored any complexes, with each cultivation breakthrough, combined with medicinal aids, he could have long since transformed his body, shedding his former appearance. It seemed he had truly let go.
Meng Qi listened quietly and then humorously remarked, “Master, you’re not drinking water; you’re drinking the source of conquering yourself.”
“I love that saying,” Zhuo Chaosheng laughed. “The Seven Supreme Sword Techniques you ranked align perfectly with my own views. The Nine Sage Swords, Kanxu Sword Technique, Myriad Things Divine Sword, and Four Absolute Swords all embody the Dao through the sword. The more one practices one’s own Dao, the more one can unleash the essence of these techniques. Combined with sources like ‘Hao Ran Qi’ or ‘Suanjing,’ their strength varies with the practitioner, having no limit, truly deserving of admiration.”
“The Wan Gu Bing Ji Sword, the Tai Shi Tian Mo Sword, and our sect’s Bahuang Wuji Sword approach the Dao through the sword, embodying nature and transcending heaven and earth. One manifests the Dao of icy coldness, another conveys the subtleties of emptiness and reality, while another elucidates the path of the eight desolations and six harmonies returning to Wuji. These belong to a distinct category of sword techniques.”
He paused, glancing at the waning crescent moon, “Actually, there’s another supreme sword technique—the Human Emperor’s Legacy Sword, controlled by the descendants of the Longtai Human Emperor. Originating from the ancient ‘Human Emperor Golden Book’ and the Human Emperor Sword, they rarely travel outside, only guarding Longtai, hence their sword technique remains relatively unknown.”
Living in the ancient era, benefiting from the Human Emperor’s legacy, Zhuo Chaosheng’s tone involuntarily brimmed with reverence when mentioning him, naturally extending respect to the Human Emperor’s descendants.
“I indeed haven’t heard of it,” Meng Qi nodded slightly, thinking to himself, I’ve only studied a bit of the “Human Emperor Golden Book” and once used the Human Emperor Sword.
Zhuo Chaosheng, unaware of his inner thoughts, was in high spirits, discussing numerous sword techniques of the world, exuding the air of a connoisseur savoring wine while debating heroes. It seemed Meng Qi’s ranking of the Seven Supreme Sword Techniques had struck a chord, explaining his midnight visit.
Meng Qi occasionally chimed in, gradually gaining a general understanding of the famous sword techniques of the ancient era within a short hour. Most of these techniques had already been lost, with not even their names surviving to later generations.
After an enthusiastic discussion, Zhuo Chaosheng’s expression suddenly changed. With a half-smiling, half-serious look, he scrutinized Meng Qi, “Young Su, you’ve landed yourself in big trouble.”
“What trouble?” Meng Qi asked, puzzled. Could it be the “Devil Sword King” who had glanced at him as he left?
Zhuo Chaosheng chuckled, “In literature, there is no first; in martial arts, there is no second. With so many Fashen experts gathered in Luocheng, your ranking of the Seven Supreme Sword Techniques this evening has already stirred discontent among many sword experts. For instance, why weren’t their sword techniques included in the top tier? Where exactly did they fall short? Many are seeking you out for a discussion.”
Meng Qi was momentarily stunned. Could making a ranking really cause such a commotion? The Great Jin’s Six Ministries had maintained the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings for years, yet they were doing just fine?
Wait, the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings were originally meant to incite competition. Moreover, when initially established, the Great Jin was powerful, with Fashen experts to maintain order, capable of enduring challenges. Besides, strength rankings involved fewer disputes than martial technique rankings. If one disagreed with their ranking, they could challenge the higher-ranked individual. Winning would naturally elevate their status. However, martial techniques required generations of comparison to gain recognition. After all, if one lost in a duel, it was hard to determine whether it was due to an inferior technique or insufficient personal ability.
More importantly, martial techniques were tied to ancestral founders, representing the face of sects and families.
No wonder there had never been martial technique rankings in the ancient era… Meng Qi’s lips twitched slightly.
As a Fashen expert, he had sufficient authority to create a ranking, yet now he had become the target of many.
But he couldn’t very well say it was just a joke, a random ranking. What would Ren Qiushui and her faction think?
Zhuo Chaosheng continued, “Among the Seven Great Sword Sects of the world, besides our sect and the Snow Mountain Sect, the Yaoyue Sword Sect, Yaoguang Sword Sect, Luoxing Sword Sect, and others have expressed interest in jointly inviting you to ‘review’ their sword techniques.”
Meng Qi’s eyelid twitched. Would he now be called “Hundred Knower” Little Meng?
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