Helping each other with countless me.

Chapter 543 Questions and Answers

Behind Huashan Mountain, there is the Cliff of Repentance.

The biting mountain wind, like an invisible blade, swept across the jagged rocks, producing a mournful sound.

On the clifftop platform, two figures moved with ghostly speed, crisscrossing each other, their swords flashing, cutting through the thin mist on the cliff top.

It was Feng Qingyang and Linghu Chong!
At this moment, Linghu Chong was completely different from the man who had wept bitterly and was filled with fear and anxiety outside Jingyuezhai half a month ago.

His clothes were torn in several places by the sword energy, and there were also a few shallow bloodstains on his face, but his originally carefree and unruly eyes were now as sharp as an eagle's, flashing with unprecedented focus and excitement!

The ordinary longsword in his hand seemed to come alive, sometimes like a snake spitting its tongue, cunning and unpredictable; sometimes like a storm, continuous and relentless; and sometimes like a gazelle hanging its horns, leaving no trace!
His swordsmanship is no longer bound by any fixed moves; it is effortless and natural.

This is the result of Feng Qingyang's almost cruel "training" of him over the past half month, abandoning all the inherent framework of Huashan sword techniques and pointing directly to the origin of swordsmanship!
"Let your mind lead your sword, and let your intention precede your sword! Don't think about what the next move will be! Wherever your eyes see, your sword should be there! Your opponent's weakness is your sword path! Forget about 'sword techniques,' only focus on the 'sword'!"

Feng Qingyang's voice was cold and stern, like the clanging of metal, clearly reaching Linghu Chong's ears amidst the howling wind.

His movements were elusive, and he used only a withered branch to deflect attacks.

The withered branch in his hands was more terrifying than any divine weapon. It would strike at the turning point or weak point of Linghu Chong's sword technique at the last minute, forcing him to change his moves again and again!

“Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!”

The dense, continuous clanging of metal against metal was like a rainstorm.

Linghu Chong fought with increasing gusto, and although his internal energy was greatly depleted and his breathing was somewhat rapid, his spirit was at its peak.

He felt as if he had opened a brand new door and entered an incomparably vast and free world of swordsmanship!

All moves, sword techniques, and rules vanished into dust at this moment, as if he could use any sword technique in the world at will. He could strike the sword however he wanted!

This is the realm of "no moves are better than moves"!

Although he had only just begun to understand it, he was already captivated by it.

"Breaking Sword Style!"

With a soft shout, Feng Qingyang suddenly accelerated the withered branch, thrusting it out at an incredible angle, instantly piercing through Linghu Chong's seemingly tight sword net and aiming straight for his wrist!

Linghu Chong's pupils contracted, and almost instinctively, he leaned back, simultaneously flipping his wrist so that his longsword drew a mysterious arc, narrowly deflecting the tip of the withered branch!
This is the "Sword-Breaking Style" from the Dugu Nine Swords, used to break all kinds of sword techniques in the world!
"it is good!"

A barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in Feng Qingyang's eyes. He gracefully stepped back a few paces and put away the withered branch.

Linghu Chong leaned on his sword, panting heavily, sweat pouring down his face, but his face was filled with an excited and satisfied smile.

"Grandmaster Feng! I think I've figured out a little bit of the trick!"

"You little brat, you're asking for a beating."

Feng Qingyang twisted the branch behind his back with one hand and smoothed his beard with the other.

"You've not just found the way, you've already entered the door. You've mastered the Dugu Nine Swords in half a month. Your comprehension has indeed not disappointed me. You've grasped the essence of 'no moves.' This is the most difficult part of the Dugu Nine Swords. The rest is just a matter of grinding and honing your skills in actual combat, constantly enriching your knowledge and experience."

"In a sense."

"The Dugu Nine Swords has no set moves. It's like a seed planted in your dantian, nourished by the true qi in your dantian and the spirit in your niwan palace. Everyone's knowledge, experiences, and observations will help this seed develop into a unique form."

"but.."

Feng Qingyang changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.

"Your weaknesses have also been fully exposed!"

"Internal strength! Your internal strength is too weak!"

"On the one hand, without enough true qi to nourish it, the seed in the dantian cannot develop into a towering tree and generate the unique Dugu Sword Qi!"

"Furthermore, sword techniques without the support of true qi are nothing but illusions. If I had just added a little internal force to the withered branch, your wrist would have been pierced! The Dugu Nine Swords emphasize anticipating the enemy's moves, striking first after being caught off guard, spotting weaknesses, and killing with a single blow! This requires a strong mind and internal force. Otherwise, how can you see the weaknesses of a true master? How can you make the most accurate reaction in the blink of an eye? In a prolonged battle, when your internal force is depleted, that will be the time for you to be beheaded!"

Linghu Chong's excitement froze instantly, then turned into a wry smile.

He was well aware that his internal strength was his greatest weakness.

Back in Mount Hua, Yue Buqun had urged him to cultivate his internal strength many times, but he was naturally unruly and couldn't stand the tedious grind, so he always practiced sporadically.

Now that he has tasted the sweetness of the peerless sword technique, the Dugu Nine Swords, he has deeply realized the constraints brought about by insufficient internal strength, which is like a maggot clinging to his bone!
"Grandmaster Uncle, is there no quick way to master internal energy?"

Linghu Chong asked with a glimmer of hope.

He knew it was probably wishful thinking, but he couldn't help asking anyway.

Nothing in this world is certain.

Feng Qingyang stroked his long beard.

"Leaving aside others, take your junior brother, for example. He is such a person, but his talent for internal energy cultivation, just like your talent for swordsmanship, is innate and cannot be learned by others. For most people in this world, internal energy cultivation can only be developed gradually, unless you encounter some extraordinary events or quick methods. However, these are often accompanied by great dangers. If the foundation is unstable, the consequences will be endless."

"So put those thoughts aside. You are sixteen years old this year. From today onwards, in addition to practicing swordsmanship, you should also practice the True Qi Sword Technique that accompanies the Dugu Nine Swords. If you work diligently every day, in ten years, with your talent, you can become one of the best in the world."

Ten years.

Upon hearing this, Linghu Chong knew that this was the right path, but the thought of having to immerse himself in that tedious and lengthy meditation made him look bitter. However, he also knew that even his master had cultivated diligently for more than thirty years to achieve his current level of accomplishment, so he didn't say anything more.

Just then, Feng Qingyang's gaze suddenly turned towards the mountain path, and his usually calm eyes suddenly flashed with an unprecedented brilliance!
It was as if a sleeping divine sword had suddenly awakened, its sharpness almost piercing through the void!

"Such abundant vital energy! Such pure true qi! A unified whole, endlessly regenerating."

Feng Qingyang muttered to himself, his face showing an extremely obvious look of surprise for the first time. Almost as soon as he finished speaking, two figures appeared at the corner of the mountain path.

The man at the forefront, clad in purple robes and a jade crown, exuded an air of refined elegance; he was none other than Yue Buqun, the leader of the Huashan Sect. Behind him followed a boy who appeared to be only twelve or thirteen years old, yet his height already reached Yue Buqun's chest. Though seemingly slender, every movement he made possessed immense power, his vital energy as vigorous as a blazing furnace, emanating an oppressive pressure that could be felt even from afar!

Even though Feng Qingyang had never seen him before, he knew that this child was most likely Li Zhongren!
When Linghu Chong saw Li Zhongren, the expression on his face instantly became extremely interesting.

There was surprise, there was curiosity, but more than anything, there was a complex emotion that was hard to describe. The radiant spirit that had been soaring because of his improved swordsmanship faltered slightly, and his smile froze on his face.

He instinctively tightened his grip on the sword.

Yue Buqun led Li Zhongren onto the platform and bowed respectfully to Feng Qingyang.

"Uncle Feng."

Li Zhongren bowed deeply, his voice loud yet respectful.

"Disciple Li Zhongren pays respects to Grand Uncle Feng!"

As he bowed, he calmly glanced at Linghu Chong and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Senior Brother Linghu."

Linghu Chong was taken aback for a moment, then quickly returned the greeting with clasped hands, though his movements were slightly stiff.

"Junior Brother Li."

Feng Qingyang's gaze fell on Li Zhongren as if it were a physical object, scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if trying to see through him inside and out.

That vast and boundless yet unified aura, that gentle and jade-like physique yet containing the qualities of diamond, and that faintly flowing, perfectly integrated pale golden qi—all of these confirmed his suspicions.

"Hun Yuan Gong has been mastered?"

Feng Qingyang's voice carried a rare fluctuation; though it was a question, his tone was almost certain.

Yue Buqun quickly replied.

"Uncle-Master's insight is truly remarkable! Zhongren was fortunate enough to successfully complete his seclusion yesterday. However, while this technique emphasizes a solid foundation, boasts unparalleled defense, and possesses profound internal energy, it also has its drawbacks."

He briefly explained Li Zhongren's shortcomings, such as a lack of speed and agility, and a lack of skill in the subtle application of power, and concluded sincerely.

"After much deliberation, I believe that only you, my esteemed Uncle, are capable of undertaking this crucial task of addressing our shortcomings and refining our talents. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of bringing Zhongren here to earnestly request your guidance. May he and Chong'er listen to your teachings together!"

Feng Qingyang did not answer immediately; his gaze swept back and forth between Li Zhongren and Linghu Chong.

A swordsman with unparalleled talent, yet his internal strength was as weak as that of a child.

A foundation as solid as a fortress, yet lacking the sharpest weapon and the most agile footwork to defeat the enemy.

This is simply a perfect match sent to him by heaven!
A huge, unprecedentedly bold idea instantly took shape in his mind!
He looked at Li Zhongren with burning eyes, as if he had discovered a rare treasure.

"Young man, I know some things about you from your master. You are a precocious child, so I won't beat around the bush. Your Hunyuan Gong is inexhaustible when you fight, and your true qi is like that of the Zixia Divine Skill, which is said to be endless. Moreover, most importantly, the internal energy characteristics of Hunyuan Gong are not orthodox internal energy, but more like the qi and blood in the human body. When Zhou Botong of Quanzhen created this skill, it is said that he also referred to some contents of the strange book "Nine Yin Manual".

"These are all recorded in the second volume of Hunyuan Gong. In short, your internal energy can be transferred to anyone you want to give it to without any obstacles, as long as you are willing. Moreover, the person who receives your internal energy will not have problems with impure true qi, because what you transfer to others is qi and blood, just like taking a powerful tonic. When others cultivate internal energy, they will achieve twice the result with half the effort. Therefore, I want to make a deal with you. I will teach you with all my heart. Whatever you want to learn, I will teach you."

"However, I hope that you can put aside your past grievances with Chong'er and give him a certain amount of vital energy every day to help him improve his internal strength. What do you think?"

"Uncle-Master, the Hunyuan Gong actually has such a characteristic?"

Yue Buqun was quite surprised, after all, he had never actually read the entire contents of Hunyuan Gong. He simply didn't have enough time to cultivate Zixia Divine Skill, let alone have the mind to study these things.

"That's natural, so, kid, what's your answer?"

“Uncle-Master Feng, it is understandable for fellow disciples to help each other. Moreover, my Hunyuan Gong is indeed inexhaustible. As long as there are no problems with my diet, transferring Qi and blood to others will not affect me. In fact, it can even temper my control over Qi.”

"However, I would like to ask my senior brother a few questions."

"call"

Linghu Chong took a deep breath, calmed his pounding heart, and cupped his hands in greeting to Li Zhongren. He didn't know why this junior brother had such a strong opinion of him, even though he hadn't offended him.

"Junior Brother Li, please ask. Chong, I will answer everything I know without reservation."

He also harbored a strong desire to know what prejudice this exceptionally talented junior brother held against him.

Li Zhongren nodded slightly and asked.

"First question: Senior Brother, you are naturally carefree and unconventional, which is not wrong in itself. However, the path of martial arts is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Do you know how much time you have wasted in your past laxity and slackness, which could have been used to build a solid foundation? If you receive my qi and blood today and your strength advances by leaps and bounds, will you revert to your old ways in the future, taking this hard-won power for granted and indulging in play again, neglecting your cultivation? How can you guarantee that this power will not become a license for your indulgence, and that you will become even more lax because the power is so easily obtained?"

Upon hearing this, Linghu Chong's face flushed red instantly, his lips moved, but he was speechless for a moment.

Li Zhongren's words were like a sharp dagger, precisely dissecting the lingering sense of luck and inertia deep within him.

He recalled his past perfunctory attitude towards his master's supervision and his resistance to the tedious meditation. If it weren't for the strict "training" he received from Uncle Feng over the past half month, which allowed him to taste the sweetness of the highest realm of swordsmanship, he would probably still be living in a daze.

Yes, if power comes too easily, can one really overcome their nature and work twice as hard?

Feng Qingyang and Yue Buqun nodded in agreement. This question was insightful and hit the nail on the head.

Linghu Chong remained silent for a moment, his eyes gradually shifting from initial shame and panic to a resolute expression.

He raised his head, met Li Zhongren's gaze, and said in a deep voice.

"Junior Brother's question is like a wake-up call! I have indeed been too foolish in the past, wasting my time! Today, I have received guidance from Grandmaster Feng and have begun to glimpse the path of swordsmanship. Moreover, I am grateful that Junior Brother does not abandon me and is willing to help me with his own blood and qi. This is a life-saving grace!"

"I hereby swear that if I receive help from my junior brother, I will take this opportunity as an encouragement to guard against arrogance and impetuosity and to cultivate diligently without ceasing! If I ever become lazy again, I am willing to accept the most severe punishment according to the sect rules, and may heaven and earth bear witness! If I break this oath, may all my martial arts be destroyed, my meridians be severed, and may I never be reincarnated!"

(End of this chapter)