Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 549 The Mysterious Edict Startles the Clouds, Dragons and Tigers Coil Await Thunder (Seeking Donations and Subscriptions!)

On Yunzuiping, golden clouds roll in and dye the peaks, and flowing clouds spread like brocade, covering an area of ​​ten thousand acres.

At this moment, sword light crisscrossed across that open space, sharp and intense.

With a clear and melodious sword chant, a young female Taoist priest sometimes used the technique of becoming one with the sword, and sometimes used the method of sword energy and thunderous sound. She combined various sword skills with ease, showing a very profound foundation in swordsmanship. She was none other than Miao Chuyun, the eldest disciple of Taoist Lu Cheng.

The technique she used was the "Heavenly Demon Slayer Sword Scripture," which she inherited from Lu Cheng in his early years and further refined after his Void Return Realm cultivation.

The sword light and sword energy of the wielder are powerful and refined, with the momentum of raging waves, yet it also carries a sharp and unyielding spirit that severs worldly ties and destroys illusions. Each sword strike seems to cleave a magnificent road between heaven and earth.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Scripture was originally created by a sword demon in the mortal realm. Over a thousand years, the spirit of a famous sword grew, and the sword demon transformed into a demon. Finally, by cultivating this scripture, the demon transformed into a human, married, had children, ascended to the upper realm, and achieved the status of a sword immortal.

The content of this sword manual is quite similar to the concept of human-sword unity in the "Male and Female Dragon and Tiger Refining Demon Sword Manual".

Currently, Lu Cheng's three true disciples in the Immortal Realm—Miao Chuyun, Youming, and Zhang Zhaodi—have all joined the Taiqing Sect.

However, apart from Zhang Zhaodi, Miao Chuyun and Youming have not yet been able to become true disciples and receive the seven true Daoist scriptures.

Normally it shouldn't be that difficult, especially now that Daoist Lu Cheng's status in the sect is rising.

However, Lu Cheng believed that with their current cultivation level, honing their skills was more important than mastering sword scriptures and Taoist books, just as he had managed the Black Mountain Market and thus gained entry into the Taiqing True Transmission.

Prior to this, Lu Cheng would certainly not violate the sect rules by teaching them the Taiqing True Teachings, so he modified the "Heavenly Demon Sword Scripture" to increase their sword dao accumulation without hindering their cultivation:

If a low-level cultivator does not have a master to protect him, then it is indeed better to receive the true sword manual as early as possible, because his path of cultivation will be filled with trials and tribulations.

However, for Miao Chuyun and Youming, who had a master to guide them, there was no essential difference between obtaining the sword manual a few years later or a few years later, since their master would teach them the sword principles anyway. What was more important were the trials and tribulations along the way.

At this moment, Miao Chuyun was facing Youming Daoren in a sword duel. His figure and sword path were like a real ghost from the underworld, flashing with light, making it almost impossible to lock onto his trajectory.

The eerie flying sword he wielded seemed to absorb light, conjuring up layers of shadowy figures. Sometimes it disturbed the mind like the wailing of ten thousand ghosts, and other times it condensed into an extremely cold and sharp sword light, cunningly attacking the gaps in Miao Chuyun's sword technique.

They both practiced the same sword scripture, but their sword paths were completely different. The Netherworld Daoist's sword path was more unpredictable and elusive.

On the other side, sparring with Lu Cheng's two Daoist partners, Xiao Yuhong and Xiao Yuxue, was the valiant and spirited Yuan Shen female immortal, Zhang Zhaodi.

She possesses the true lineage of the Taiqing Sect. Her "Male and Female Dragon Tiger Demon Refining Sword Scripture" is magnificent and unrestrained, with each sword strike drawing upon the vast spiritual energy of the surrounding world. The sword light is like a long rainbow, grand and majestic.

Her opponents, the Xiao sisters, were of one mind and combined their swordsmanship. One's sword energy was as bright as the sun, while the other's sword energy was as clear and cool as the moonlight. Their swordsmanship intertwined, sometimes like the sun and moon running in parallel, and sometimes like yin and yang flowing in opposite directions, both of which were exquisite.

Although they did not formally join the Taiqing Sect, the Xiao sisters had been by Lu Cheng Daoist's side for a long time. Under his instruction, their swordsmanship was naturally quite good. Even though swordsmanship was not their main skill, they still held the upper hand in a two-against-one situation.

Not far away, Xue Yuzhen and Yun Ling'er were also verifying each other's swordsmanship insights.

Xue Yuzhen's swordplay was unconventional and skillful; her sword energy sometimes flowed like silk threads, and sometimes like a snake spitting its tongue. Yun Ling'er, on the other hand, possessed an ethereal aura and her swordplay was unpredictable, seemingly blending into the flowing clouds outside the platform, agile and swift.

However, suddenly, the golden rainbow burst forth in an instant.

Lu Cheng did not step into the arena; he simply pointed his fingers into the air. No strong wind was seen, but a golden sword light, so fast it was almost invisible, suddenly shone brightly.

Fast! Incredibly fast!

This sword light appeared without warning and was incredibly fast. As soon as it appeared, it struck the vital points of the sword techniques or the gaps in the flow of qi of the sword-fighting disciples and their wives and concubines.

"Clang!" When the golden light touched the core of the Yin Sha sword shadows of the Netherworld Daoist, it was like popping a huge bubble. All the strange illusions instantly dissipated. The Netherworld Daoist felt an irresistible force coming from the flying sword he was controlling, and he almost flew out of control. His internal magic power also suddenly stagnated.

The Netherworld Taoist let out a muffled groan, his figure drifting backward, his face filled with horror.

"Clang!" Another golden light, like a shooting star from the sky, ignored the momentum of Miao Chuyun's brewing wave, precisely pierced through the weak gaps in the layers of sword energy, and gently touched the spine of her sword.

Miao Chuyun suddenly felt an overwhelming and irresistible magical power coming from him. The sword momentum he was building up collapsed, and the condensed magical power dissipated for a moment, causing his attack to pause.

"Clang! Clang!" At the same time, Zhang Zhaodi, the Xiao sisters, Xue Yuzhen, and Yun Ling'er also lost their flying swords.

The area on the turf fell silent instantly.

Upon seeing this, Lu Cheng shook his head slightly.

In his view, why use a sword at all if you use it like this?

Let alone the Nascent Soul realm, even when he was in the Nascent Soul realm, he would not have been defeated so easily by a single sword strike, losing both his mind and his sword.

However, since everyone present was either his wife or his disciple, he couldn't really dampen their spirits. Moreover, Lu Cheng knew that his swordsmanship aptitude was somewhat unusual. Although he wasn't born with sword bones or sword eyes, his comprehension of swordsmanship was exceptionally astonishing, almost like he was born with it. Therefore, when teaching others, he still had to proceed step by step and provide gradual assistance.

"A golden rainbow pierces the sky, breaking through attachments and illusions. Its spirit lies in speed, its intent in unity, not in the magnitude of force, but in the minuteness of time." Lu Cheng's voice rang out peacefully, like the clear sound of a jade chime, each word clearly entering the ears and hearts of everyone.

"Chu Yun, though your swordplay is fierce, you must know that extreme rigidity is easily broken. You must leave room for flexibility; this is the true path of yin giving rise to yang, a path of continuous growth. The Netherworld, though mysterious and illusory, must have a core support behind its unpredictability; otherwise, you will deceive yourself before deceiving others, ultimately falling into a lower realm. Zhao Di, your foundation is still weak; do not further cultivate the sword manual. Focus on strengthening your sword foundation. Yu Hong and Yu Xue, your cultivation originates from the same source as the Demon Refining Golden Pagoda and the Demon Refining Heart Sutra, and so does your sword technique. They are inseparable. You must cultivate the sword technique as an aid, contemplating how to transform the intent, how to harmonize water and fire, hardness and softness…"

Lu Cheng commented on each person's strengths and weaknesses one by one, his words concise and to the point.

Even Xue Yuzhen and Yun Ling'er, who were just watching from the sidelines and did not receive direct guidance, benefited greatly. Although their magical power was not as high as Youming and Miao Chuyun's, they had unique insights into comprehension and grasp of details, after all, they were cultivators who had cultivated to the primordial spirit realm.

The reason Lu Cheng didn't give them any guidance was because, in his view, these two were still in the stage of solidifying their magical power and it wasn't time for them to cultivate the protective sword technique.

Just as the group was either meditating cross-legged or sheathing their swords, immersed in their insights, Lu Cheng, who was peacefully sipping tea in the stone pavilion, suddenly felt a slight twitch at his ancestral aperture between his eyebrows without warning.

A mysterious feeling swept over me. It wasn't an ominous sign, but it carried an unexpected disturbance of energy, like a stone being thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

"Hmm, so a distinguished guest is arriving today?" Lu Cheng muttered to himself. He cultivated the Tongxuan Sword Technique, and although he didn't use it often, his divination skills were actually quite advanced. At this moment, his gaze pierced through the restrictions of Yunzuiping and turned towards the distant sky.

It was a little late, and we were still on Yunzui Ping. The stone pavilion in the middle of the ping was simple and ancient, and the glazed tiles reflected the sunlight. A few drops of morning dew hung from the wind chimes on the eaves, and the clear sound echoed in the open space with a long and profound meaning.

Inside the pavilion, a stone table, jade teapot and emerald cups, a pool of warm spring water, three wisps of milky white mist rising from it, seem to have a spirit and linger there, the aroma of tea subtle and mysterious, cleansing the mind and soul.

Lu Cheng was also baffled, not knowing when it started, but he was now receiving a fixed ration of "Nine-Bend Cloud Peak Intoxication," one of the three exquisite spiritual teas of the Taiqing Sect, every year. It was only later that he realized that cultivators at the Integration Stage were considered high-ranking members of the sect.

Lu Cheng Daoist sat quietly in the main seat, his robes simple and clean, brewing tea and waiting patiently.

Suddenly, the rosy light outside the platform dimmed slightly, and two figures silently broke through the void and drifted over.

The elderly man in front, with white hair and a youthful face, wore a purple Taoist robe and carried an ancient, unsharpened, sheathed stone sword on his back. He was none other than Xuanqing Daozun, a member of the Xuan generation of the Taiqing Sect who had a relatively close relationship with Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng met with his senior uncle Xuanzhenzi, the acting sect leader, quite often. However, Xuanzhenzi was upright, cold, sharp as a sword, and businesslike, unlike his senior uncle Xuanqing who was gentle and kind.

The person behind Xuanqing Daozun was an immortal with a dignified air, wearing wide sleeves and a belt, with a jade pendant with nine dragons hanging from his waist. The brilliance of the pendant was restrained, and he had a leisurely and carefree temperament in every move. He was the direct lineage master of Lu City: Yuding Xuanjun.

"Uncle-Master Xuanqing and Master Yuding, your presence is an honor. I am sorry for failing to greet you properly." Lu Cheng stood up, made a hand gesture in greeting, and remained composed.

He gestured to the fragrant tea on the table and said, "This is the newly picked 'Nine-Bend Cloud Peak Intoxication'. Please, my two teachers, taste it." Xuan Qingzi nodded with a smile and took his seat first.

"Haha, only you, Shouxuan, in this Taiqing Mountain are willing to serve this 'Nine-Bend Cloud Peak Intoxication' to your guests. Then I, your senior brother, will not stand on ceremony." Yu Ding Xuanjun laughed heartily, raised his cup to taste, and then praised it highly.

Lu Cheng also referred to himself as his mentor, but Yu Ding Xuanjun did not acknowledge him. He was magnanimous by nature and liked to help younger generations, but he never took credit for their achievements. Therefore, he had a wide network of connections within the Taiqing Sect.

As for the seventh-grade spiritual tea, Nine-Bend Cloud Peak Intoxication, it has the effect of assisting high-level cultivators in their cultivation. In fact, it can be considered a kind of cultivation resource. You should know that the higher the level of cultivation a cultivator reaches, the fewer external spiritual objects there are to assist them in their cultivation. So, usually, no one would use this kind of spiritual tea to entertain guests, as they don't even have enough for themselves.

It can enhance one's cultivation state when necessary and assist in breaking through realms at crucial moments, and it has a certain effect.

Lu Cheng cultivated the Thirty-Six Variable Transformations of the Mysterious Heaven, transforming them into qualitative changes and continuously evolving his innate aptitude. His magical power cultivation became faster and faster. In addition, he transplanted some of the Nine-Bend Cloud Peak Drunkenness into the Nine Li Cauldron. With the help of the tree demon and Kong Yan, he also cultivated it successfully, which is why he was willing to use it to entertain guests.

Of course, not everyone who comes can have this kind of spiritual tea.

Looking at the wisps of white smoke rising from the spiritual tea on the table, Xuanqing Daozun and Yuding Xuanjun exchanged a glance, both astonished by the rapid increase in Lu Cheng's cultivation.

I could vaguely sense that the two were about to arrive.

However, this also makes the trip more certain.

The three cultivators sipped tea together for a while. Most cultivators are impatient with mundane formalities, and soon after, Xuanqing Daozun spoke:
"A thousand years have passed since we parted. I observe that your aura has become increasingly harmonious and unimpeded, your Void Return Realm is completely stable, and your magical power has also greatly improved. It seems that the method of cultivating the 'Male and Female Dragon and Tiger Demon Refining Sword Scripture' and the 'Mysterious Sect Alchemy Refining Body Secret Manual' simultaneously has indeed unique and wonderful uses for you. With you guarding Mount Taiyue, we have nothing to worry about." Xuanqing Daozun's words were full of praise.

Ordinary Taiqing True Transmission, even just one of the seven true transmissions of the Taiqing Sect, is enough to exhaust one's life's work and energy, and still not be enough.

This Lu Shouxuan actually cultivates both of the Taiqing True Teachings simultaneously, and has a profound foundation and rapidly increasing magical power. It seems that his aptitude for cultivation is indeed astonishing. Moreover, he has the ability to draw inferences from one thing to another and learn from the strengths of many, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people and beyond the reach of reason.

Lu Cheng poured tea for the two elders of the sect. The spiritual spring water flowed silently into the cups like fine silk threads.

"Uncle-Master Xuanqing, Master Yuding, you flatter me. I have only made minor progress and dare not claim any merit. I was unaware that both of you have come together today..." He put down the jade pot, his gaze turning to Xuanqingzi, his tone calm yet tinged with inquiry:
"Has something important happened within the sect?"

The arrival of these two heavyweight figures from various sects was certainly not just for the purpose of enjoying tea.

The atmosphere inside the pavilion immediately became more somber after he asked that question.

Xuanqing Daozun picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the tea, upon entering his throat, transformed into a cool sensation that flowed directly through his limbs and bones. He slightly closed his eyes, seemingly savoring the true meaning of the tea, but in reality, he was carefully considering his words. After a moment, he put down the teacup, his gaze becoming deep and solemn:

“Junior Nephew Lu, Yu Ding and I have come here today because the sect has an important task that requires your assistance.”

Yu Ding Xuanjun interjected, "This matter is of great importance. If it is not handled properly, it may cause a lot of trouble. After much consideration, we feel that this matter is best handled by you."

"Oh?" Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression unchanged, waiting for what would happen next.

Xuan Qingzi no longer hesitated, looked directly into Lu Cheng's eyes, and said, word by word, "It is the 'Eastern Pole Heavenly Ruins' secret realm that has emerged!"

Easternmost Heavenly Ruins, Fountain of Immortality!

In theory, cultivators of the Primordial Spirit realm in the Earth Immortal world have an infinite lifespan, but this is only true for the Earth Immortal plane where Lu Cheng resides.

The lower plane, the mortal realm.

The Middle Dimension, the Realm of Earthly Immortals.

The upper plane, the Immortal Realm.

A cultivator's lifespan is directly related to the strength and purity of the spiritual energy in their plane. In the mortal realm, almost no cultivator can live forever; living for a few thousand or tens of thousands of years is basically the limit.

However, in the middle plane, due to the intensity of spiritual energy, lifespan can be greatly extended. The Earth Immortal plane where Lu Cheng is located has produced many Mahayana cultivators who have ascended to the upper realm, so the spiritual energy resources are relatively good. As long as one cultivates to the Nascent Soul realm, one will almost never run out of lifespan.

However, there are still tribulations of inner demons and heavenly tribulations that prevent primordial spirit cultivators from living indefinitely.

It is said that in some Earthly Immortal Realms with poor spiritual energy, even Void Returning cultivators will age and die. Those with even worse spiritual energy have hardly been heard of, and have probably already collapsed into lower planes.

Many large, spiritually powerful secret realms in the lower planes also originated in this way, falling from the extremely weakened middle planes.

……

The Eastern Pole Heavenly Ruins was originally called the Eastern Pole Heavenly Realm. It was once the grotto-heaven of a powerful cultivator, and it was once extremely prosperous and flourishing.

For some unknown reason, that powerful cultivator suddenly vanished without a trace.

Cultivators within the Eastern Heavenly Realm fought fiercely for ownership of the grotto-heavens, ultimately causing the grotto-heavens to collapse and shatter.

Now, apart from occasionally sensing some incomplete secret realms, this once prosperous cave world can no longer be seen, and the Eastern Heavenly Realm has become the Eastern Heavenly Ruins.

However, in the Eastern Heavenly Ruins, there is a special spiritual object called the Fountain of Immortality!

It is said to be a spiritual object born from the interaction between the master of the cave heaven and the laws of the cave heaven. Consuming it can help cultivators integrate into the natural world, ward off inner demons, and has extremely powerful effects. It can even help cultivators who have merged with the body to advance to the Mahayana stage.

Such spiritual objects can certainly assist cultivators at lower levels in dispelling inner demons and prolonging their lifespan. However, as spiritual objects that can assist in breaking through to the Mahayana stage, they are difficult for cultivators at lower levels to obtain and use.

Such a high-level and effective spiritual object would be something no one would pass up.

“Junior Nephew Lu, you also know what our sect’s biggest secret is right now. But if we don’t fight for the Fountain of Immortality, it will make our sect look weak and attract a lot of probing. That will only cause trouble.”

Furthermore, the Venerable Ziyang of the Shangqing Sect is trapped within a secret realm, and the Shangqing Sect is also requesting assistance from our sect. This time, we have no choice but to trouble our junior disciple to go to Qiqiao Mountain, meet up with Fairy Huoling of the Yuqing Sect, and enter the Eastern Heavenly Ruins to rescue Venerable Ziyang…”

The greatest secret that Xuanqing Daozun was referring to was that seven Taiqing Sect cultivators, led by the acting sect leader Xuanzhen Daozun, were using the power of the Heaven-Mending Pill to break through to the Mahayana realm in the Wilderness World.

This matter has been going on for over four thousand years, almost five thousand years. Some people must have succeeded and some must have failed. But even if it meant six deaths and one success, for those Taiqing Sect Xuan-generation cultivators who had been stuck at the Integration Realm for many years, they would risk their lives to seek the Dao. Taiqing Sect desperately needs a Mahayana cultivator.

Currently, the four ships of the Taiqing Sect, namely 'Heavenly Punishment', 'Earth Destroyer', 'Demon Slayer', and 'Demon Refiner', are all in the Wilderness World. These four eighth-tier flying ships are equipped with 'Destruction Divine Light' containing more than three thousand restrictions. If its full power is unleashed, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would have to avoid its edge. A Nascent Soul cultivator, in conjunction with an eighth-tier flying ship, can fight against a Mahayana cultivator. In his early years, Xuanzhen Daozun even used the Demon Slayer flying ship to repel the invasions of several Mahayana demon cultivators on several occasions.

If Xuanzhen Daozun were to advance to the Mahayana stage, and with the Demon-Slaying Flying Ship by his side, ordinary Mahayana demon cultivators from the Immortal Realm would not dare to easily invade.

"As a disciple of the sect, I am protected and supported by the sect, so I should do my best!"

After pondering for a moment, Lu Cheng said, "The matter of the Eastern Heavenly Ruins is not difficult for me. That dilapidated secret realm is probably unable to withstand the full force of a Mahayana cultivator, which would cause the secret realm to collapse. The real threat is the attention that the Qiankun Holy Demon Sect is paying to me."

More than 1,800 years have passed since the battle of the Desolate Ruins where Ling Fengzi was killed. I wonder if these demonic cultivators have paid any less attention to me.

“Shouxuan, don’t blame Senior Brother Xuanqing. Over the years, Senior Brother Xuanqing has supported the sect from all sides and maintained the overall situation. Sometimes he really had no choice. Although the sect is large, some people are not good enough, some are unusable, some are disobedient, and some cannot be trusted. Senior Brother Xuanqing has devoted himself to the sect and exhausted his energy. He was originally a person who was wholeheartedly devoted to cultivating the Dao.”

After this incident, Jade Cauldron Mystic Lord deliberately lingered behind Xuanqing Daozun, and said the following words to Lu Cheng.

Those who cultivate the Dao value life, and he was afraid that Lu Cheng might harbor resentment after accepting such a dangerous mission, so he kept it to himself.

(End of this chapter)