Helping each other with countless me.

Chapter 540 The Battle of Sword Qi: A Timeless Echo

There seemed to be tears glistening in Feng Qingyang's eyes, a reminder of the fierce internal strife of yesteryear and the heart-wrenching pain of countless fellow disciples falling.

"I have survived to this day, hiding in the back mountains, not because I am afraid of death, but because I have no face to face the ancestors of Mount Hua, and I do not know how to mend this deep chasm!"

At this point, Feng Qingyang took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions, and stared intently at Yue Buqun.

"Today, I personally heard you, the leader of the Qi Sect, utter these words... Haha, it's fate! It truly is fate!"

His laughter carried a sense of desolation, but also a feeling of relief and liberation.

"Yue Buqun! Now that you have seen through the 'natural way' of Heaven, and are no longer attached to sectarianism or the distinction between qi and sword..."

Feng Qingyang stepped forward, his aura suddenly becoming sharp and incomparable, as if a peerless divine sword that had been sealed for many years had suddenly been drawn, its sharpness pointing straight to the sky.

"Then today, as the last successor of the Sword Sect, I will ask you a question."

"Shouldn't this 'sword energy conflict,' which has lasted for decades and killed countless Huashan disciples, come to an end?"

Feng Qingyang's words were like thunder, resounding throughout Jingyuezhai, carrying an undeniable determination and resolve to end things.

Yue Buqun was deeply moved. He felt the weight and expectation in Feng Qingyang's words. He loosened his grip on the sword hilt, straightened his clothes, bowed deeply to Feng Qingyang, and then faced the direction of the Huashan Ancestral Hall, his tone more solemn and sincere than ever before.

"Elders of the Huashan Sect, I, Yue Buqun, hereby swear that all past conflicts over sword energy arose from the foolish obsessions of us, the younger generation of disciples, which harmed our fellow disciples and damaged our foundation. This is truly a tragedy for Huashan!"

"From this day forward, the battle of sword energy will forever be a thing of the past in our Huashan Sect!"

"All disciples of Mount Hua should take it upon themselves to strengthen Mount Hua, practice swordsmanship and internal energy, each according to their own talents, each according to their own needs, complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses, and there is no longer any distinction between sects or schools!"

"If I break this oath, may heaven and earth punish me!"

"it is good!"

Feng Qingyang shouted loudly, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, and the gloom that had accumulated for many years seemed to vanish in the blink of an eye with this shout.

"With your words, Sect Leader Yue, my wish has been fulfilled! There is still hope for Mount Hua!"

His gaze shifted to Ning Zhongze, who was equally excited beside him, and his tone softened, carrying a hint of elder's kindness.

"Ning girl, you married a good husband."

Ning Zhongze quickly bowed and saluted, her voice choked with emotion.

"Uncle Feng..."

Feng Qingyang waved his hand, then turned his gaze back to Yue Buqun, his eyes now holding a deeper meaning.

“That kid Linghu Chong has extraordinary talent and is exceptionally gifted in the way of swordsmanship. I have never seen anything like it in my life. It’s just that he is lazy and has been spoiled by you all.”

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun's heart stirred, and he seemed to understand Feng Qingyang's intention.

As expected, Feng Qingyang stood with his hands behind his back, reverting to his aloof and cold demeanor, and said calmly.

"Now that the battle of sword energy is over, there's no point in keeping those few sword techniques with me, as I'm just a withered skeleton on the verge of death. Since Sect Leader Yue has already come to terms with it, why not let that brat Linghu Chong come with me to stay in the back mountain for a while?"

Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze exchanged a glance, both seeing immense surprise in each other's eyes!

Uncle Feng is going to personally teach Linghu Chong!
what does this mean?
This means that the Sword Sect's most outstanding inheritance will be injected into Linghu Chong's body without reservation, and it also means the complete fusion of the Sword Sect and the Qi Sect in terms of inheritance!

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Feng!"

Yue Buqun bowed deeply again, his tone filled with gratitude.

"To receive personal guidance from my martial uncle is an immense blessing for Chong'er! On behalf of Chong'er and the Huashan Sect, I express my deepest gratitude to my martial uncle!"

Ning Zhongze also quickly bowed.

"We will never forget the kindness of our martial uncle!"

Feng Qingyang nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face, as if the ice and snow were just beginning to melt.

"No need to thank me. I just don't want a pearl to be tarnished, and I don't want to see another 'Feng Qingyang' from Mount Hua who wastes half his life because of prejudice against different sects. As for that kid, have him come to the back mountain to find me tomorrow."

"Yes, Uncle Feng."

"but."

Feng Qingyang turned to leave, but then stopped. He had regained his composure and his lean face showed a knowing look at Yue Buqun and his wife with a hint of suspicion.

"Speaking of apprentices."

His gaze was like lightning, as if it could pierce through people's hearts, slowly sweeping over Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze.

"Although I have lived in the back mountain for a long time, I am not completely unaware of what is happening outside the window."

“In recent days, I have noticed that you and your husband have been acting strangely. You have been going back and forth to that secret passage on the main peak several times. Your aura is heavy and your steps are hurried. Is it that the Huashan Sect, or rather you, have encountered some difficulties? If so, you don’t need to be polite. Just tell me. That is the foundation of Huashan. If you can avoid it, it’s best not to touch it.”

Upon hearing this, both Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze felt a chill run down their spines.

Uncle Feng's senses are indeed terrifyingly sharp!
The two exchanged a glance and both saw the hesitation in each other's eyes.

Li Zhongren's existence was a top secret, but the person in front of him was Feng Qingyang, the senior sword master who had just resolved decades of grudges in Huashan and offered to teach Linghu Chong. He was also the only remaining cornerstone of Huashan Sect!
It seems unnecessary to keep it from him, and it might even lead to missing a good opportunity.

Yue Buqun took a deep breath, his eyes becoming solemn. He cupped his hands again to Feng Qingyang and said in a deep voice.

"Uncle Feng is extremely perceptive. It is not difficult for my wife and I to visit each other frequently. Rather, it is a joyous occasion, a momentous occasion that concerns the future fortune of Mount Hua for the next hundred years!"

"Oh?"

Feng Qingyang raised his white eyebrows slightly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, clearly intrigued.

Ning Zhongze chimed in, his tone tinged with barely suppressed excitement and pride.

"I dare not conceal this from my martial uncle, but a disciple of my Huashan Sect who has recently been accepted into our sect is named Li Zhongren."

During the conversation, Ning Zhongze recounted Li Zhongren's story, including why he had a conflict with Linghu Chong and how a single sentence of his enlightened Yue Buqun.

"However, Uncle-Master, what is most unbelievable to my wife and me about this boy is his physique. He can actually resonate with the rare treasure 'Cold Jade Bed' passed down by our ancestor, and with it, his cultivation progresses by leaps and bounds!"

"So that's how it is. No wonder you suddenly had such a change of heart, lad." Feng Qingyang stroked his beard, all his questions now answered. That's it! Yue Buqun had been stubborn for half his life, how could he suddenly have such an epiphany? It seems he'd met a benefactor! Ha!
"The kid you mentioned is quite a good boy. And that Jade Bed, I thought it was just for storing Quanzhen Pills, I didn't expect it to have such an effect?"

"Exactly!"

Yue Buqun nodded, a look of satisfaction and anticipation appearing on his face.

"Zhongren has taken the last remaining Quanzhen Pill. Resonating with the Cold Jade Bed, he has now entered a deep state of profound meditation. Observing his aura, it is vast and boundless, full of vitality. Although he is frozen, he is like a dragon in deep slumber, undergoing earth-shattering transformations every moment! When he breaks out of the ice, the depth and purity of his inner strength will probably... I'm afraid even I will find it hard to match him."

Yue Buqun's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a tidal wave in Feng Qingyang's heart!

Li Zhongren, a man of exceptional talent who can resonate with the Jade Bed and is currently undergoing a deep meditation in the Ice Realm!
Linghu Chong, a man of exceptional talent, is about to inherit the sword sect's ultimate skills!

After decades of silence, the Huashan Sect suddenly possessed two unparalleled gems that could illuminate the entire martial arts world!
Even a peerless master like Feng Qingyang, who had experienced the vicissitudes of life and long since become indifferent to the ups and downs of the world, and who had cultivated his inner strength for nearly ninety years, could not help but reveal a look of astonishment.

At this moment, he could not control the turmoil in his heart at all! For the first time, his usually calm face showed extremely obvious emotional fluctuations—shock, ecstasy, disbelief, and finally, an excitement that was almost out of control!
"There's... such a thing?"

Feng Qingyang's voice trembled slightly. He took a step forward and stared intently at Yue Buqun.

"Is this true?! Yue Buqun, do you know what this means?"

"This disciple dares not utter a single falsehood!"

Yue Buqun answered decisively, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Feng Qingyang said "good" three times in a row, each word containing tremendous power, as if he was about to expel all the pent-up frustration in his chest.

He paced back and forth in his study with his hands behind his back. His long blue robe fluttered even without wind, revealing his inner turmoil. He stopped, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and decisiveness, as if he had made a momentous decision.

"As the saying goes, the world is full of ups and downs. My Mount Hua has been silent for thirty years. This situation is a sign that Heaven is blessing Mount Hua! This is a sign that Mount Hua will prosper!"

Feng Qingyang's voice was resolute and carried an unquestionable authority!
"Yue Buqun, Ning Yatou! These two are the true pillars of our Huashan Sect's future, the golden beams that hold up the sea! They cannot afford the slightest mistake, and we must devote all our efforts to their development!"

He turned around abruptly, his sharp gaze fixed on Yue Buqun and his wife.

"Linghu Chong will learn swordsmanship from me, and you and your wife will personally oversee Li Zhongren's transformation. This is certainly a safe approach, but! A true sword needs to be tempered in fierce fire and hammered a thousand times! A true eagle needs to soar through the sky and weather storms!"

Feng Qingyang's eyes became deep and full of power.

"Working in isolation will not lead to great achievements, nor will it withstand the storms of the world!"

"Linghu Cong is naturally carefree and unrestrained, a rough gem that needs to be sculpted. As for Li Zhongren, the boy you speak of, he is of exceptional intelligence and talent. However, his act of attacking his own fellow disciples is too straightforward and lacks tact. He is like a blank sheet of paper, needing the brushstrokes of the martial world to paint his background. More importantly..."

Feng Qingyang paused, his tone becoming meaningful.

"Among fellow disciples, especially among such exceptionally talented peers, without the experience of fighting side by side and sharing life and death, it is easy for discord to arise due to comparisons and competitiveness. Not to mention, a rift has already formed between them. Li Zhongren looks down on Linghu Chong's undiscipline, and Linghu Chong probably looks down on Li Zhongren's discipline. If not handled properly, it could even repeat the mistakes of the sword qi dispute from back then!"

Upon hearing Feng Qingyang's words, Yue Buqun instinctively took a step back, even feeling a chill run down his spine.

"Yes."

He was so caught up in his joy that two geniuses had suddenly emerged from Mount Hua that he forgot a rift had already formed between them. Even worse, what if a conflict were to erupt between them?
"It seems you've thought of that too."

Feng Qingyang smoothed his beard.

"This is a grave mistake! It must be nipped in the bud!"

"What does Martial Uncle mean?"

Ning Zhongze vaguely guessed what was going on, and her heart couldn't help but race.

Feng Qingyang waved his hand decisively.

"Once Li Zhongren breaks free of the ice and Linghu Chong has a basic grasp of the essence of the Sword Sect, I will personally lead the two of them down the mountain for training!"

Upon hearing this, both Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze stared in shock.

Uncle Feng personally led them down the mountain for training?

This is an incredible honor and a great guarantee!

"Uncle Feng, you personally..."

Yue Buqun was both surprised and delighted.

"Not bad!"

Feng Qingyang's tone was resolute.

"This old man has been dormant for too long, it's time for him to get moving. This is a good opportunity to see how the martial world has changed. More importantly, I want to be by their side and watch them grow, to see how they build true camaraderie through trials of blood and fire, life and death! To let them understand that the Huashan Sect is a whole, and their strength comes from mutual support, not from mutual destruction!"

He looked at Yue Buqun, his eyes filled with entrustment and determination.

"I will personally select their opponents and set challenges for them, so that they can grow through trials and tribulations and eliminate any possible gaps in their joint battles! Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, you two will stay in charge of Mount Hua, stabilize the overall situation, open your doors wide, recruit disciples, and eliminate any worries! These two children are entrusted to me! I guarantee with my life that I will return to you Mount Hua a pair of outstanding talents who can support the foundation of a hundred-year legacy!"

Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze were so excited that they could hardly contain themselves.

With Uncle Feng personally protecting and teaching them by example, this was simply the greatest opportunity for Li Zhongren and Linghu Chong!

This is also an unprecedented opportunity for the Huashan Sect!
Yue Buqun bowed deeply, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Uncle-Master, your great kindness is deeply appreciated by your disciple Yue Buqun. On behalf of Zhongren, Chong'er, and the entire Huashan Sect, we express our deepest gratitude! It is truly a blessing for my two sons and Huashan Sect to have you personally guide and protect us! My wife and I will certainly safeguard the foundation of Huashan Sect and await your return with your two sons after you have achieved your goals!"

Ning Zhongze also bowed gracefully, tears welling in her eyes.

"Thank you, Uncle Feng! Having an uncle like you on Mount Hua is truly a blessing from our ancestors!"

Looking at the excited and grateful sect leader couple, Feng Qingyang's smile, which had been as cold as snow melting, finally widened slightly. He nodded slightly, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future and a sense of pride that even an old horse in its stall could not stop running.

"Good! Once that frozen brat awakens, and once Chong'er can withstand three of my sword strikes, that will be the time for us to descend the mountain! It's time for the martial world to witness once again the brilliance of the Huashan Twin Swords!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Qingyang's blue robe swayed slightly, and his figure disappeared silently outside the door, like a gentle breeze blending into the moonlight. He left behind only the resounding promise and Yue Buqun and his wife, whose hearts were surging with emotion and who were filled with boundless hope for the future of Mount Hua.

Outside the window, the night was deep, yet one could almost glimpse the rising sun, a new life belonging to Mount Hua, about to burst forth.

(End of this chapter)