On the streets of Luo City, all kinds of mechanical devices were everywhere, used for carrying people and goods, constructing buildings, and protecting individuals. The convenience and prosperity gave Meng Qi the feeling of returning to an Earth city.
Moreover, since the “Wood Sage” had pioneered his own path in Wood Element cultivation, fundamentally improving crops, vastly increasing yields, and enhancing physical benefits, combined with the assistance of mechanical oxen and horses, harvests were abundant, reserves plentiful, and material wealth excessively plentiful. This freed many humans from laborious toil, leading to a surge in those who pursued Dao cultivation, martial arts training, and the study of mechanics. Outer Scenery-level experts were numerous and easily encountered. Those below the Grandmaster level were no longer figures capable of dominating a region, similar in status to the Qi-opening experts of the “future.” Indeed, there were even Dharma Bodies leading Outer Scenery experts in developing resources across the starry seas, while the Ink Palace researched mechanical starships capable of carrying humans across the cosmos.
This was the depiction of the most glorious thousand-year period of the Middle Ancient Age within the Myriad Phenomena Grotto Heaven. Previously, Meng Qi had merely glanced at it, but now, stepping into this era and walking through its bustling markets, gazing far and wide, he finally understood that the accounts were no exaggeration.
Unfortunately, after the incidents involving the Overlord and the Demon Buddha, civilization completely regressed… Meng Qi sighed with the perspective of someone from the future. Rather than heading directly to the “Star Palace” in Luo City to hear the Heart Sage’s lectures and engage in philosophical debates, he immersed himself in the authentic Middle Ancient atmosphere, wandering through streets and alleys like the purest and most original traveler. Moreover, according to his calculations, Senior He Qi should be in Luo City, so he needed to investigate and strive to reunite as soon as possible.
“Why are the Dharma Bodies within my Sleeve Cosmos not unified? Could it be that I possess traits of the Other Shore, enabling me to perceive the erosion of time to some degree, thus disrupting the sequence of my transitions between past and future, with only objects able to accompany me?” Lost in deep contemplation, Meng Qi stepped into a tavern.
Except for the Overlord’s Ultimate Blade, everything else was with him, though he was unsure whether it was due to not occupying past and future or for other reasons.
The tavern was ornately decorated, and it was not lacking in patrons, perhaps due to the Heart Sage’s arrival and public lectures attracting powerful individuals from nearby cities.
Following a waiter, Meng Qi ascended to the second floor, when suddenly his mind stirred, and he turned his gaze toward the window.
The window faced a great river, offering an expansive view and the best scenery, but that wasn’t the main point. What caught Meng Qi’s attention was the person seated by the window table—a woman dressed as a man.
Her long sword hung at her waist, dressed as a scholar, with a light blue robe, elegant and refined. Her facial features were delicate, her nose charming, and her demeanor carefree yet confident. Regardless of how one looked at her, she was a rare beauty. At this moment, she extended her right hand, unleashing a faint sword qi, gently stroking the table.
The sword qi vanished in an instant, and the oil stains on the table disappeared as if by magic, leaving it spotless and new.
This was the Ultimate Immortal Sword Technique… Although Meng Qi did not currently know it, he had experienced its inheritance and practiced the Sword Formation of the Immortal Slaying multiple times with Su Wuming, making him intimately familiar with it.
A woman dressed as a man, wielding the Ultimate Immortal Sword Technique, exuding a carefree and confident aura—Meng Qi’s thoughts shifted, and he immediately knew who this woman was.
“Biyue Sword Immortal” Ren Qiushui!
Due to the chaos caused by the Demon Buddha, fewer figures and events from the Middle Ancient Age had been passed down, with many lineages severed. Unlike the Ancient Age, some traditions had continued, leaving various records. Moreover, the Ink Palace had retreated into the Myriad Phenomena Grotto Heaven, avoiding the great calamity, providing a more complete and detailed description of the Middle Ancient Age. Although Meng Qi might not be able to verify or understand everything, he was familiar with many outstanding figures from that era, and Ren Qiushui was one of them.
Her origins were shrouded in mystery. When she became famous, she was already a Dharma Body, her sword techniques unparalleled in the world, yet no one knew which sect she belonged to. It was not until the Late Ancient Age that the founder of the Biyue Sword Sect accidentally entered her tomb and obtained the “Ultimate Immortal Sword Sutra,” allowing the world to finally understand her cultivation techniques. Both the “Biyue Sword Sect” and the “Biyue Luoxian Sword” derived their names from her title.
Ren Qiushui was also one of the rare Dharma Bodies who did not participate in the campaign against the Overlord. In the post-Overlord and post-Sages era, she advanced to the level of a Celestial Immortal, becoming a pillar supporting the world and one of the most prominent figures. She passed away before the chaos of the Demon Buddha, making her an indispensable figure in the complete depiction of the Middle Ancient Age.
Never did Meng Qi expect that a casual stroll would lead him to encounter someone whose name had nearly become legend. Yet, she had not yet reached her peak and still carried traces of “youthful inexperience”… A smile curved Meng Qi’s lips, his mood relaxed and cheerful, as he calmly strode toward Ren Qiushui. Although her aura was deeply concealed, difficult to discern at a glance, since the Heart Sage was still delivering his lectures, she certainly had not yet ascended to the level of a Celestial Immortal. At most, she might be a Celestial Sage, or perhaps she had only recently entered the Dharma Body stage—if she were not yet a Dharma Body, how could she possibly escape his discerning eyes?
Ren Qiushui gazed serenely at the great river, exuding an air of tranquil contentment.
At this moment, she turned her head, fixing her gaze on the young man in the green robe walking directly toward her, a man whose bearing exuded a certain air of dignity and world-weariness.
What did he want? Ren Qiushui raised an eyebrow, silently waiting.
“Excellent swordsmanship—an unparalleled technique distinct from the seven top sword arts of this world,” Meng Qi said with a smile.
As a Sword Immortal, Ren Qiushui naturally had a keen interest in sword techniques, and only topics related to sword arts could prompt her to speak.
Ren Qiushui hesitated for a moment, then smiled slightly. “I wonder, in your opinion, which are the seven top sword arts?”
There was no such ranking at the time; these were all classifications made by later generations.
Meng Qi brushed off a chair and sat down casually. “Buddhism has the Tathagata, Daoism has the Heaven-Scission. Most sword techniques in the world have evolved from the Seven Swords of Heaven-Scission. However, since the mythological era, the Heaven-Scission has been lost, and various sword techniques that pioneered their own paths have emerged, competing for supremacy in heaven and earth, with seven standing out far above the rest.”
“The first is the Benevolent Sage Emperor’s ‘Nine Swords of the Sage,’ selfless and impartial, upright and unbending, embodying inner sanctity and outer kingship, using sword techniques to carry one’s Dao, an extremely powerful art, worthy of being one of the top seven.”
“The Nine Swords of the Sage live up to their reputation,” Ren Qiushui nodded lightly, acknowledging Meng Qi’s assessment, and waited with interest for him to continue.
Meng Qi casually flipped over a teacup, poured some tea, and took a sip. “The second is the Kanxu Sword Technique of the Wang Clan of Jiangdong, which incorporates the ‘Suanjing’ (Mathematical Classic), directly targeting the gaps in the Dao’s flow, always responding in a way that counters the opponent. If one faces this sword technique without understanding the hidden heavenly secrets of the Wang Clan, it would be difficult to resist.”
“The Wang Clan of Jiangdong traces its origins to the mythological era, naturally possessing exceptional qualities. Besides the Luoshu, their sword techniques indeed inspire awe,” Ren Qiushui said, her eyes gleaming in agreement.
“The third is the Qi Sage’s Four Finales Sword, ‘Establishing the Heart for Heaven and Earth, Establishing Destiny for the People, Continuing the Lost Teachings of the Past Sages, and Opening Peace for Eternity.’ The fourth is the Wood Sage’s ‘Divine Sword of Ten Thousand Things,’ embodying the power of growth, unmatched in strength. The fifth is the Snow Mountain Sect’s ‘Ten Thousand Eternities Ice-Cold Sword,’ where a single strike freezes heaven and earth, leaving all things desolate. The sixth is the Demon Sect’s ‘Taishi Demon Sword,’ capable of infinite transformations, attacking with both illusion and reality, an extremely terrifying technique. The seventh is the ‘Eight Wildernesses Infinite Sword’ of the Heaven and Earth Sword Sect, whose formidable might is well known to all. However, your sword technique does not belong to any of these seven,” Meng Qi smiled.
“Indeed, it does not. Then do you know the origin of my sword technique?” Ren Qiushui asked with genuine curiosity, smiling as she spoke. This man spoke of sword techniques with such ease—would he be able to uncover the secret of her sword art?
Meng Qi smiled and met Ren Qiushui’s gaze. “In the Primordial and Mythological Eras, there actually existed a sword technique that could rival the Seven Swords of Heaven-Scission. It was divided into four sets: Zhu Jue, Xian Lu. You have cultivated one of them—the Ultimate Immortal Sword Technique.”
Ren Qiushui’s smiling expression vanished the moment Meng Qi uttered the four words “Zhu Jue Xian Lu,” her eyes turning grave.
He actually knew the origin of her sword technique!
He actually knew of the Four Slaying Swords—Zhu Jue Xian Lu!
Ren Qiushui remained silent for a while before finally speaking. “You seem to know everything about sword techniques. Then which sword technique do you cultivate?”
Meng Qi chuckled. “Me?”
“I cultivate the Seven Swords of Heaven-Scission.”
Heaven-Scission Seven Swords? Ren Qiushui’s right hand tightened abruptly.
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