The Heavens: A Qing, the Yue Girl at the beginning

Turning past that gray-white cliff covered with withered vines and with mine shafts resembling the intestines of a giant beast, a breathtaking view suddenly opened up before us.

Contrary to the imagined desolate place filled with sword energy, Xujian Valley is actually a secluded and tranquil pine forest valley.

The massive pine tree, its branches intertwined and verdant, forms a canopy that partially conceals the low, ancient stone temple at the bottom of the valley.

The air inside is crisp and clear, carrying the slightly astringent scent of pine needles and earth. In the distance, the babbling of a mountain spring further accentuates the tranquility of the place.

"Spiritual mountains, spiritual swords, and spiritual valleys, yet devoid of any spiritual beings. Heh, seemingly peaceful and natural, but in reality, they are shrouded in filth and chaos..."

Qi Jinshan chuckled coldly as he leaned lazily against the entrance of an ancient mine pit. His gaze, filtered by several shimmering halos suspended in mid-air, naturally fell upon a thin, frail boy in blue robes diligently practicing his swordsmanship, gathering his vital energy against the wind, nestled among the cliffs outside the valley.

"Tsk, that bastard Gu Huai is only concerned with currying favor with Changling and winning over the powerful and influential. He would never really put his heart into guiding a disciple with no background like this."

Although he was just one of the thousands of inner disciples the sect had accumulated over the decades, and his aptitude was far inferior to those of the formal disciples who were expected to reach the seventh realm, he was still among the most outstanding talents in the various prefectures and vassal states of the Great Qin Dynasty. In ordinary small sects, he was a treasure.

However, in the past ten years or so, due to the uneven distribution of resources, the recommendation of children of officials for further study, and the frequent interference of Yuanwu Zhengxiu, disciples from commoner backgrounds often only received scraps. The cultivation techniques and incantations were vague, and no one answered their questions. They had to figure it out on their own.

In Qi Jinshan's view, rather than suffering in this half-ruined mountain gate, it would be better to abandon Lingxu and join another sect, giving up the title of a disciple of a major sect, so that he could achieve greater things in the future.

"The Void Concealment Sword Technique isn't used like that."

With a slight thought, he flicked his finger, and an invisible yet pure and vast aura stirred the primordial energy of heaven and earth in the void, condensing into a crystalline pattern as fine as a spider's thread.

It silently disappeared into a gray-white rock near where the boy practiced his sword, leaving behind a dozen or so faint sword marks.

It wasn't some profound sword technique, but merely a timely reminder of a few minor flaws in the young man surnamed Zeng's current sword moves. As long as he glances at it later, his mind will be drawn to the engravings that contain the principles of swordsmanship. Whether he can comprehend them depends on his own destiny.

The moment the carving was completed, Qi Jinshan's aura did not leak out in the slightest, as if it were just a natural mark left by the mountain wind brushing against the rock wall. His figure became increasingly faint amidst the void and the flickering light and shadow, preparing to continue to coldly observe the movements in the valley.

At the same time, a large number of fine and intricate crystal patterns rapidly condensed around him, flowing and intertwining in mysterious trajectories, suddenly revealing some light, as if countless shining gems were shining inside, distorting and absorbing the surrounding light, forming a hazy halo.

For a cultivator of Gu Huai's caliber, even while doing important tasks, he can still clearly perceive any subtle changes within a radius of several hundred feet around him.

It can sense the changing shape of any water droplet as it splashes on the ground, the activity of any insect, and even how the grass roots in the soil absorb rainwater and how that water flows within the root system.

Even Qi Jinshan, who had cultivated to the supreme spiritual realm, was not entirely confident that he could perfectly hide near a grandmaster of the same sect.

Fortunately, in recent days, by tracking some special codes along the Wei River, he happened to find a Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Talisman and its corresponding user manual. He often used it to listen to Zhao Qing's broadcast teachings and comprehended the Grass and Tree Concealment Technique derived from the ancient "Sword Tomb" method, which can disguise one's aura as vines.

Grass and trees can be made into swords, and swords can also be made from grass.

……

Soon, the tightly closed doors of the low stone hall at the bottom of the valley opened silently, and a tall man appeared out of thin air, his purple robes fluttering. He was none other than Gu Huai, the sect leader of the Lingxu Sword Sect.

He looked middle-aged, but his fair, jade-like skin was without a single wrinkle. His pale purple eyes stared straight ahead, and his long, thin hair shimmered with a purple light, fluttering as if it were alive, yet also as if it might vanish into nothingness at any moment.

Qi Jinshan felt a chill run down his spine. Gu Huai appeared to be standing there, but his true position was far from still. Judging from the countless subtle movements of energy and light, he must have already moved a hundred steps away in secret and had unleashed a powerful sword intent.

Is it to welcome guests, or to prepare for battle?

The instant the thought flashed through his mind, he naturally looked up and saw a black dot rapidly enlarging in the vast sky, plummeting down with a deafening roar that seemed to tear the heavens apart and a chilling, heavy sword intent! It burst into everyone's sight!
That's a mountain!

A mountain shaped like a sword.

Following Gu Huai's will, what appeared in the sky was a real, small mountain shaped like a longsword! Its entire body shone with the cold, hard luster unique to black iron, as if it had existed in the heavens since time immemorial, and was now descending to the mortal world in response to a summons!

Its momentum was unstoppable, and the enormous shadow it cast instantly covered half of the valley. Its sheer weight and the sword intent concentrated to the extreme were enough to crush everything below into dust!

Sword Mountain's target was not Qi Jinshan, but a figure that had quietly appeared at the entrance of the valley.

The man was dressed in an earth-yellow robe representing the direct line of Jiaodong Prefecture. He was not particularly tall, and his gaze was calm and unwavering. However, as the world's largest and heaviest sword continued to fall, his death seemed inevitable.

However, this yellow-robed cultivator, who appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, had clearly noticed the arrival of such a giant sword and was facing such great danger, yet he still did not make the most appropriate reaction of immediately dodging.

He merely raised his right hand and made a fist in the air!

There was a loud bang.

The sky was golden.

A colossal, ancient-looking phantom of a giant golden dragon horn with forked tips appeared out of thin air above the yellow-robed cultivator. Its golden light surged like a waterfall flowing backward or a roaring tsunami, crashing back and soaring straight into the sky!
In the next instant, the golden dragon horn clashed violently with the black iron sword mountain!
There was no earth-shattering roar as expected, only a dull, grinding sound, like millions of pieces of refined iron twisting and breaking simultaneously! The violent shockwave suddenly spread out in a ring, instantly clearing the clouds above the valley, and the huge pine trees below were almost flattened to the ground, their branches and leaves dancing wildly!

The unstoppable sword mountain, its downward momentum was actually stopped by that seemingly illusory golden dragon horn, and it was suspended in mid-air!

The sword mountain hummed, and the dragon horns stood proudly!
The two sides were locked in a stalemate, sparking countless tiny metal sparks and streams of light that illuminated the entire Void Sword Valley with an unpredictable interplay of light and shadow.

Qi Jinshan, who had been leaning against the rock, straightened slightly. His lazy gaze instantly sharpened like a hawk's, fixing on the man in yellow robes. The Zheng family of Jiaodong Prefecture actually had such a powerful figure?
Who exactly is this person? His cultivation level seems to be slightly higher than Gu Huai's? He can withstand this secret sword move from the Bashan Sword Field head-on?
Just as his mind was racing, the situation on the field changed again.

Gu Huai made a sweeping gesture, and a bright white sword light, like a full moon, suddenly appeared and disappeared, as if it had crossed the distance of space and slashed down directly behind the old man in the yellow robe.

It looked incredibly heavy, carrying an aura that suppressed heaven and earth, like a miniature version of the Sword Mountain Sword.

The old man suddenly sneered, his pupils turning a deep azure blue, and a grand sound of tides rising and falling emanated from the depths of his dantian.

As a result, the air within a radius of several miles turned azure, and terrifying true essence beyond the imagination of the Seven Realms burst forth in an instant, bringing the pressure and weight of the deep sea, as well as the gentleness and all-pervasiveness of water, making it suffocating.

The turbid waves of the vast sea surge, and the surging tide chokes the eastern sea.

Gu Huai's ethereal sword intent, used for a rapid assassination, was forcefully dispersed and vanished by this simple and brutal method!
Even more remarkably, the enormous golden dragon horn phantom emitted an even more dazzling light.

On its horned body, layers upon layers of ancient and desolate scale patterns emerged, and a wild, domineering, and all-encompassing water elemental energy soared into the sky, actually pushing the sword mountain upwards slightly by a few inches!

"Om-!"

A strange humming sound emanated from the depths of the stone hall, like the gentle trembling of an ancient bell. Gu Huai's original form gradually disappeared, but his true body, standing atop the sword on the mountain of swords, was forced out.

The void around his body became violently chaotic, forming a huge purple vortex that shredded the crystalline energy fluctuations emanating from him, turning them into countless specks of purple light that swirled around him.

It looked as if a galaxy of light was hanging behind his body.

"The Void Mirror... the sect's most prized treasure, was forcibly activated by Gu Huai, just to avoid defeat in this private confrontation? Bah!"

In the distance, Qi Jinshan couldn't help but spit out a curse, his eyes filled with disdain, but even more so with shock and worry.

The old man Zheng's strength exceeded expectations; he was undoubtedly the most important figure in Jiaodong Prefecture.

The two sides must have very ambitious intentions behind their meeting.

"Humph!"

Having failed to achieve his goal and nearly being countered by his opponent's pure power, Gu Huai let out a disgruntled snort. The star-like ball of light behind him suddenly contracted and disappeared into his body.

The Xuan Tie Sword Mountain, suspended in mid-air, also became ethereal and faded, as if it had never existed, disappearing into nothingness.

The golden dragon horn phantom also vanished at the same time.

Above the valley, the sky cleared again, leaving only the tangled clouds and the still-trembling air as evidence of the brief, thrilling clash that had just taken place.

"Brother Zheng has come from afar; I have failed to greet you properly." Gu Huai's voice was gentle, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Zheng Husha laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell, causing pine needles to fall in a rustling sound: "Sect Master Gu, you are too kind! The reputation of Void Sword Valley is well-deserved, its grandeur is magnificent. I have come uninvited and have disturbed you!"

"Just say what you want to say."

Gu Huai took out a brocade handkerchief, brushed it off his sleeve as if to remove non-existent dust, and said indifferently, "Brother Zheng, you couldn't have come to my humble valley just to test if the Sword Mountain Sword is rusty, could you?"

"Of course not."

Zheng Husha's smile remained unchanged as he strode forward and stood ten feet away from Gu Huai: "Let's not beat around the bush. I've come here for cooperation."

"Cooperation?" Gu Huai raised an eyebrow. "I'd like to hear the details."

"In Jiaodong County, there is a group of talented young men with considerable abilities who have long admired the Lingxu Sword Sect. We would like to ask Sect Master Gu to grant them the status of Lingxu disciples so that they can enter the mountain to cultivate for a period of time," Zheng Husha said bluntly, stating his purpose.

Upon hearing this, Gu Huai revealed a half-smile on his face: "Oh? The Zheng family has a long history of learning, and their overseas techniques are even more profound. Why bother going to such lengths to study at my Lingxu Sword Sect?"

"It's just for convenience when traveling and doing business in Changling." Zheng Husha looked at Gu Huai meaningfully. "While the Lingxu Sword Sect's 'Void Sword Manual,' 'Lingxu Flying Star Technique,' and 'Sword Vein Heart Transmission' are indeed exquisite, my Jiaodong County's 'Vast Ocean Technique,' 'Mirage Sword Art,' and 'Heavenly Punishment Sword Technique' are also extraordinary..."

"Moreover... the rare treasures produced by the overseas islands, such as 'Azure Sea Spirit Essence,' 'Ten Thousand Year Blood Coral,' 'Medicine King Flower,' and 'Mermaid Eggs,' are also of great benefit to the sect leader in nourishing his consciousness and refining his true essence."

He paused, lowering his voice slightly, yet it carried a strange penetrating power: "Moreover, doesn't Sect Leader Gu think that some things, since Her Majesty the Empress can read them... even the mysteries of the 'Sword Mountain Sword' can be deciphered to some extent..."

"Then it's only right that we, the true members of the Zheng family, can obtain those copied experiences and insights to send back to Jiaodong, observe and learn the Lingxu Mystic Method in advance, and verify them with each other. Cooperation is naturally a two-way street." Upon hearing this, not only did Gu Huai's eyes narrow slightly, but Qi Jinshan, who was eavesdropping in the distance, was also greatly shocked, and a surge of anger rushed to his head!

"As expected! It is indeed so!"

Qi Jinshan was practically enraged, unable to contain his murderous intent: "That vixen Zheng Xiu! She actually leaked the sect's core secrets to her maternal family! That fool Gu Huai, I will kill him!"

After all, he was a traitor to the Bashan Sword Sect who usurped the position of sect leader. How could he possibly care about the precious legacy of Lingxu? Over the years, he probably found many buyers and sold it for a good price!

The word "sect" carries the weight of a mountain, yet is as light as a feather: the mountain represents its ancient heritage, while the feather represents the fickle nature of its people.

Gu Huai's eyes twitched. After a moment of silence, he said, "I am grateful for Her Majesty's kindness. However... the number of places for Lingxu disciples is limited, and some rules still need to be followed."

“Rules are rigid, but people are flexible.” Zheng Husha’s smile widened, as if he had already anticipated the other party’s reaction: “The Lingxu disciples I have seen along the way are all pillars of the future of our Great Qin, but there are also quite a few who have encountered bottlenecks and stagnated in their cultivation after entering the Grand Trial.”

"Instead of wasting these second-rate spots on mediocre people, why not... free up some places for those who truly need them, have potential, and know how to be grateful?"

He paused, then added, "What my Zheng family disciples seek is merely to be listed in the name. All cultivation resources will be provided by Jiaodong County, so your family need not spend any extra money."

"Furthermore, I have heard that the water in your 'Sword Washing Pool' has the miraculous effect of tempering sword essence and nourishing one's natal artifact... I wonder if you could part with some of it? I am also willing to exchange it for an equivalent amount of overseas spiritual medicine."

"Sect Master Gu, now that your cultivation has reached the peak of the seventh realm and you have completely refined such a massive Sword Mountain Sword, you must no longer be dependent on it. In any case, only the Sect Master can use it, and selling a few outside will not be known to anyone, which is better than wasting it."

"Brother Zheng has certainly made a good plan."

Gu Huai slowly replied, "It's just that I have a disciple, An Baoshi, who is recognized throughout the Great Qin as an unparalleled genius. He has already cultivated to the sixth realm and chosen his natal artifact. He also needs the supreme methods of the sect's founder to assist in refining and enhancing his vitality. It is difficult to give him away casually."

"I get it! It's just a price increase, right?"

Zheng Husha raised an eyebrow and replied magnanimously, "Let me put it this way, seeing is believing! Let me try the effects of the Sword Cleansing Pool water, then give me a price and see if you're satisfied."

“Alright.” Gu Huai nodded: “Brother Zheng has come a long way and must be tired. Why don’t you go inside and rest first?”

He waved his hand, and the two figures swayed slightly before landing in the quiet stone hall.

The sound was blocked by the array and could no longer be heard.

Qi Jinshan hid in the shadows of the rock face, his brow furrowed.

Zheng Husha's appearance and the astonishing strength he displayed filled him with a sense of impending doom. Was the Zheng family of Jiaodong about to officially and extensively extend their reach into the Lingxu Sword Sect?
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the door of the stone hall opened again.

Gu Huai and Zheng Husha walked out side by side, both wearing seemingly harmonious smiles.

"...In that case, I'll have to trouble Brother Zheng to take care of that batch of 'Sea Heart Orchid' and 'Whale Jade Ointment'," Gu Huai said calmly.

"It's a pleasure to cooperate with you." Zheng Husha stroked his beard and smiled.

Although he had learned about the attacks and destruction of many Night Demon Ape breeding farms through the paired sensing beads, he also noticed that his cousin Zheng Bainiao seemed to have lost contact and perhaps had an accident.

However, the "obedience" revealed by the Empress's niece, the arrogance of easily suppressing and infiltrating one of the strongest sword sects in the world, and the exhilaration of displaying his strength after long years of seclusion overseas made him feel quite good, and he became more generous in his cooperation.

……

In the distance, Qi Jinshan watched the two men exchanging knowing smiles, seemingly having reached a consensus. He looked at the tranquil valley tainted by this sordid deal, and at the impoverished boy still practicing his swordsmanship in a daze, yearning for guidance from his sect. He clenched his fists tightly, silently cursing the situation countless times in his mind:

"Scoundrel! Parasite!"

"Profiting at the expense of the public! Utterly shameless!"

"Gu Huai! Selling the mountain for personal gain, your crimes are countless! Lingxu... is not the Lingxu you are!"

A trade! A blatant trade! Treating the sect's heritage and the legacy of its founders like commodities, haggling over their value!

In Gu Huai's hands, the Lingxu Sword Sect was no longer a sacred place of cultivation; it had become his, the Zheng family of Jiaodong, and even the Empress of Changling's private sect! A marketplace!

"Zheng Xiu... Gu Huai..." Qi Jinshan gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with murderous intent, "You... all deserve to die!"

He turned abruptly, no longer looking at the disgusting scene, and his figure disappeared completely in the interplay of light and shadow at the cave entrance.

Immediately afterwards, the jade talisman in his hand vibrated slightly, transmitting the following message: "When should we make our move? I'd like to discuss the date and details of the operation further..."

"Would you like it earlier?" came the reply from the other end.

"That's not necessary. What I want is a swift and decisive strike, a kill on the spot. Thorough preparation is essential for success," Qi Jinshan replied. "Now that we have a crucial recording, perhaps we can incite more people..."

“If you have time, you can come to the north and meet at the Wu clan’s ancestral home,” Zhao Qing replied. “You should gain a lot, and you might even find out the exact whereabouts of the Great Execution Sword…”

"The Great Executioner's Sword?"

"The natal sword of the founder of the Lingxu Sword Sect echoes the magic array in the Void Sword Valley, forming a stable void passage."

"The other side of the Void Mirror?"

Qi Jinshan immediately understood many things: "Could we suddenly teleport back from the other side and launch an attack?"

"more or less."

Zhao Qing spoke calmly: "This is the most precious treasure of the Lingxu Sword Sect. It's a good opportunity for you to come and study it carefully. You gave me a copy of the Lingxu Scripture back then, and now I'm giving you the Orthodox Method of Space, which fully explains the wonders of the Eight Realms, inherits the lofty aspirations of our predecessors, and observes the harmony of heaven and earth and the meaning of nature."

“I am deeply grateful that you are willing to preach, senior.”

Qi Jinshan looked surprised: "But these eight realms... could it be?"

"Yesterday, I entered the eighth realm."

Zhao Qing chuckled and replied, "The matter you were worried about is now completely resolved. Come, listen to the wind, and listen to the sword."

……

On the other side of the valley, the young man in blue robes surnamed Zeng finally stopped practicing his sword, panting heavily.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the gray-white rock beside him.

Those dozen or so newly appeared, seemingly chaotic sword marks instantly attracted the boy's entire attention like a magnet.

He stared blankly, his brows furrowed, as if deep in thought. A moment later, an incredulous light flashed in his eyes, as if he had been struck by lightning!
"So... the 'concealment' in the Void Concealment Sword Technique is not simply about hiding one's strengths and avoiding attacks, but rather about using the flow of the energy of heaven and earth to conceal the weight of the sword's momentum and the flaws in the sword's moves within the natural trajectory!"

The boy muttered to himself, a look of wild joy on his face. He then swung his longsword again, and the swordplay suddenly changed, becoming several times more agile and graceful than before!
It faintly reveals the true meaning of "emptiness and concealment"!

He practiced excitedly, completely unaware that the turning point in his fate stemmed from the casual act of some cynical person in the distance.

Little did he know that while he was basking in the joy of his progress in swordsmanship, the foundation of the ancient Lingxu Sword Sect was being quietly eroded through silent transactions.

Deep within the Void Sword Valley, the pine trees still rustle in the wind, and the stone palace remains silent.

A deal that could reshape the sect's landscape and even influence the fate of Changling was thus finalized.

But undercurrents are already stirring.

……

Time flies, and twenty days have passed quietly.

Several major events occurred at Changling during these days.

The salted fish vendors in Jiaodong County suffered a severe blow, the entire lower-level commercial system was shattered, and a large number of fishmongers and merchants were heavily indebted and lost everything. They had no choice but to report to the government for registration and beg for relief and leniency. The county and prefectural grain bureaus were under increasing pressure as they handled the cases day after day.

For example, the Qin Dynasty's Industrial Construction Bureau officially announced that the first batch of Taoist academies for commoners has been completed. With the help of practitioners, the construction speed has far exceeded expectations, and the corresponding supporting facilities are being rapidly followed up. It is estimated that more than 150,000 students will be able to be enrolled within three months.

In addition, the roads that have been repaired and initially modified are over 9,000 miles long and can accommodate eight carriages abreast. The next plan is to lay iron and wood tracks on the original foundation and carve several talisman lines to be automatically activated when traveling, using vital energy as a support.

Overall, it is estimated that the land transport capacity of the fourteen counties along the route will increase by at least 70-80% compared to the previous period, and the smoothness and efficiency of the journey will also be significantly improved. The human-powered bicycle train has also been put on the agenda.

Meanwhile, the Zhengwu Division recently issued a new decree, clearly stating that practitioners who wish to serve the Qin Dynasty must first take root in the people's livelihood and serve the common people.

Therefore, ensuring the safety of farmers during production and improving infant survival rates, which are crucial matters concerning population reproduction, were listed as top priorities.

The Zhengwu Division will collaborate with the Imperial Medical Bureau and local Taoist temples to gradually promote a new birthing method centered on using true qi to assist childbirth and sterilization. They will also systematically publish and teach breathing techniques for nourishing the fetus and protecting the infant, aiming to reduce birthing risks and safeguard the health of mothers and children nationwide.

Rumors circulate that a fundamental technique of the Lingxu Sword Sect for creating a vacuum through air extraction played a remarkable supporting role in this situation.

...(End of chapter)