Beichen Sword Sect's Headmaster's Secret Records

Chapter 359 Catching Birds
"Mysterious Heaven True Lord" sounds like a title for a Nascent Soul cultivator. He doesn't seem to be much different from that demoness, and compared to those Dharma Kings and Demon Lords who have ascended to the Divine Transformation stage, he seems somewhat inferior.

However, it's hard to say for sure. Huangfu Yi's family has inherited a wealth of knowledge, so he naturally knows that the various realms in the Taiji world only directly affect lifespan and have nothing to do with actual combat power. Although theoretically one should learn until old age, if the upper limit is raised, one's supernatural abilities and methods will also be more numerous and stronger.

However, if you don't cultivate Qi, don't practice your skills, and don't study, but instead indulge in wine, women, and material desires all day long, wasting your time on pleasure-seeking, then any level of cultivation you attain will naturally be in vain. In battle, it is not uncommon to see second-generation Nascent Soul generals of the Immortal Palace being slain or even killed by divine warriors, evil demons, and even mere monsters and ghosts. Since the Heavenly King's rebellion, they have suffered repeated crushing defeats, with countless battles resulting in their defeats exceeding the lower limit of Nascent Soul combat power.

However, if you add an official certification of being a true disciple of the Xuanmen sect before "Nascent Soul True Person," then things become different.

The Xuanmen sect places great aversion to cause and effect, as every action and deed affects the sect. Therefore, only those with extraordinary talent, innate ability, and a strong destiny are accepted as disciples. As the saying goes, "A strict teacher produces outstanding students," meaning that either one will not receive the true teachings, or one cannot graduate without proper training. Thus, it is completely different from other sects. Although immortals are rarely seen making moves, when they do, it is earth-shattering, raising the bar for the prestige of a true master to an extremely high level.

According to unofficial historical accounts, this person, the head of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden's True Disciple Nine Luminaries Sword Pavilion, the leader of the Northern Star Sword Sect, the Supreme Limitless Sword Master Xuan Tian Ru Yi True Lord, was an even greater genius among geniuses, a Daoist among Daoists, completely indescribable and an existence that was simply incomprehensible.

I heard that this person entered the Daoist path and reached the Nascent Soul realm in just three years. Moreover, he destroyed his own sect and killed the previous Sword Sect leader, a Dao Lord among the top ten in the world. The nine great Xuanmen sects ignored him and even recognized his lineage, reserving a seat for him on Yuntai Peak. This is completely beyond the realm of logic.

Therefore, everyone says that if this master is not an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, then he is probably a Dao Lord-level being who has a grudge against the Sword Sect and thus plotted to use this person to carry out the destruction and annihilation of the sect! Eh! There must be a huge conspiracy involved! There are bad guys in the Xuanmen!

Ahem, well, there are too many rumors and unofficial histories these days, all told with great detail, so let's leave that aside for now. But this is, after all, a terrifying being who could slay a Dao Lord in just three years. Now he's hiding in the mountains in seclusion, and sixty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Only heaven knows what terrifying level of cultivation he's reached. Capturing that Blood Demon won't be a piece of cake…

Huangfu Yi felt a sense of relief.

Hey! What are you grinning about again? I'm calling you!

"What's wrong now..."

Huangfu Yi also turned his head helplessly, looking at the yellow-haired girl who had taken Pei Zhong's horse and was now riding alongside him.

"I want that bird!"

Huangfu Yi looked in the direction Pei Yuhan was pointing and saw a sparrow chirping on a branch, so he picked up a slingshot.

"Don't hit him! Arrest him and bring him to me!"

Huangfu Yi was speechless, and turned to glare at her.

Why do you keep coming to see me?

Pei Yuhan called out to Pei Zhong, who was leading the horse.
"Old servant!"

Pei Zhong immediately bowed his head and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Miss."

Pei Yuhan then called to the maid in the carriage.
"Old woman!"

The maid immediately rushed over and bowed her head.
"Miss."

Pei Yuhan shrugged and looked at Huangfu Yi.

"They're not fun."

Ugh, what a hassle...

However, he was bound by the promises of those who had served him. Although he had been tricked by the Pei family, Huangfu Yi's own family was also a powerful warlord with similar spells to restrain his servants. He also believed that in this chaotic world, he could do anything to protect his family.

Moreover, the Pei family certainly didn't mistreat him. Not only did they really give up the flying sword and leave it to him, but his food and lodging along the way were on par with those of Pei Zhong, a patron of the imperial court. He received all sorts of elixirs, spiritual springs, rare and exotic beasts, and celestial fruits and vegetables, with five meals a day prepared and served by dedicated servants. As a result, Huangfu Yi actually gained weight...

Alright, let's move around a bit.

So Huangfu Yi leaped off his horse and rushed into the forest, climbing up the branches like a nimble ape.

The golden sparrow, clearly a sentient creature, actually gave a disdainful look, puffed out its chest, and looked down at Huangfu Yi, who was scrambling upwards towards it. Suddenly, it flicked its tail! He was drenched in excrement!

While Huangfuyi was forced to quickly dodge the droppings, the sparrow also leaped lightly, flapped its wings, and flew to the treetop on the opposite side. Its sidelong glance revealed its provocative intent!
"Tsk, this monster..."

Huangfu Yi was also furious. He leaped from a branch, swung his fist, and used a gust of wind to sweep away the leaves, blocking the sparrow's escape routes on three sides. He then reached out to grab the sparrow.

Who would have thought that the sparrow was also extraordinary? It took flight and spread its wings, soaring freely in the gale. It was as light as the wind and as fast as lightning, dodging left and right. In the blink of an eye, it had passed seven or eight moves with Huangfu Yi, yet Huangfu Yi couldn't catch it at all!
"Hurry up! You're so useless!"

Pei Yuhan started making a fuss again, and the others in the group also looked towards the woods, watching the boy catch sparrows.

Huangfu Yi didn't care about the stares from behind; he simply perched on the treetop, his eyes fixed intently on the sparrow. For a moment, he held his breath, completely absorbed in the moment.

This guy is incredible! He just broke through his罡拳 (Gāngquán, a type of internal fist technique)!

That's right. Although the main function is to temper and refine the body, Gangquan (罡拳) does have its own set of rules.

Back then, the Immortal Venerable's Gang Fist had thirty-two moves that made him invincible. However, in the end, he could shatter the void with a single punch, so there was no need for so many moves later on.

However, during daily body training, everyone still practices the Gangquan routine in one go. Each fist technique is aimed at the corresponding muscle groups and tendons, training the changes in strength. Although the fist routines passed down by different garrisons, armies and families have changed, or some secret techniques and hidden moves have been added superfluously, in general, the thirty-two forms can perfectly train the whole body and also have practical combat functions, so it is already quite perfect.

Huangfu Yi had just exchanged a few blows with the bird and realized that it was toying with him. It could have easily flapped its wings and flown away, but it didn't. Instead, it nimbly dodged the barrage of attacks, brushing against the force of the punches and braving the raging wind and waves, thus breaking through the thirty-two forms of Huangfu Yi's family's Gangquan technique with ease. It was clearly telling him that there was such a huge flaw in the fist technique. If this wasn't a bird, but a sword, Huangfu Yi would have died countless times over.

Tsk, monster, impressive...

Huangfu Yi then developed a fighting spirit, broke off a tree branch, and changed his sword technique.

This is the Huangfu family's ancestral sword technique, the Blazing Wind Sword.

After all, although his family were guards of the Celestial Army, they had risen to the rank of general and protector over generations. They were usually under the protection of the army and naturally would not fight on the front lines like ordinary soldiers. Due to the hasty escape back then, many of the family's martial arts manuals were lost. Apart from the basic courses in Gangquan and archery, Huangfu Yi only practiced swordsmanship for self-defense.

This Flaming Wind Blazing Fire Sword isn't exactly a divine skill; it was created by the Huangfu family's ancestor through an exchange of insights with a wandering swordsman, specifically to complement the Fire Department's Heaven-Burning Righteous Law. Back then, it was even as famous as the Duan family's Overlord Blade in the army.

Unfortunately, due to suppression and suppression by the imperial court, the descendants of the Huangfu family did not experience the front lines much. In terms of power alone, they may not be able to match the Blood Flame Overlord Blade, which the Duan family had honed and perfected on the battlefield for generations and which had shocked the world.

However, Huangfu Yi had been practicing his family's Flaming Wind Blazing Fire Sword since he started learning martial arts. He was already very skilled at hunting demons and monsters, and this move was not something an ordinary bird could defeat! Even without using the Flaming Fist to enhance his power, when he swung it, it was as fierce as fire, and the sword was as fast as the wind. The surging sword wind swept in all directions, like flames rushing straight towards the bird!
"Chirp!"

Who would have thought this bird was so formidable! Facing the fierce sword strikes, which were as fierce as wildfire, it only accelerated slightly and was still able to weave through the sword wind! It was even so awesome that it used its sharp beak to pluck the leaves off the branches one by one!
"What! You underestimate me!"

Huangfu Yi was also surprised to find that the Central Plains was so terrifying! A mere sparrow by the roadside could actually break his swordsmanship! His defenses were severely compromised! He was just a breath short, and before he could finish a sword routine, he lost his footing and missed a move, which the sparrow immediately seized upon and launched a counterattack!

"Crack."

A bird dropping landed on my shoulder... "Chirp chirp chirp!"

The sparrows on the branches laughed so hard they trembled.

Huangfu Yi landed helplessly, his face ashen, but no one else mocked him. Pei Yuhan, that little brat, was already bored and had gone to drink sweet water...

"Hiss... Wow... Your skill is impressive..."

Huangfu Yi also took a deep breath, propped up a branch, and stared intently at the sparrow.

"I'm about to unleash my ultimate move."

The sparrow signifies your arrival.

Huangfu Yi assumed a fighting stance, gathering his strength. He prepared to unleash his powerful fist technique to amplify his power and strike the bird unexpectedly. However, he stopped himself just as he had gathered his strength.

What's the point of bullying the weak? Right now, if you're less skilled than a bird, you can cheat by overpowering it and rushing in to kill it. But what will you do when you encounter demons whose speed and strength far surpass yours, and even your techniques are completely countered?
After thinking for a moment, Huangfu Yi dispersed the force of his fist, twirled the branch in his hand, twirled his sword, and leaped into the air, once again using the Flaming Wind Blazing Fire Sword Technique to stab at the bird.

This time, however, his swordsmanship was much more flexible and adaptable. He no longer rigidly adhered to the family's traditional routines. Instead, he broke down the moves and eliminated those wide-ranging techniques specifically designed for group battles. Moreover, since his opponent was just a sparrow, he simply held back seven-tenths of his strength when he made his moves, and could change his tactics at any time according to the opponent's response. His sword speed varied, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, to avoid falling into the opponent's rhythm.

"Chirp!"

The sparrow seemed to find it interesting and began to flit around the branches, dodging and weaving as if playing with Huangfu Yi. It engaged him in a back-and-forth struggle, breaking his sword moves, while simultaneously swooping down to pelt him with bird droppings, leaving him covered in bird droppings.

When the caravan guards passing by outside the woods saw him, they burst into laughter. They even set up camp outside the woods to rest for a while, and a group of people watched him make a fool of himself.

However, Huangfu Yi paid no attention to the bird droppings on his body or the teasing of the crowd. He was engrossed in chasing and tumbling with the sparrow in the forest, competing and showing off his skills.

After all, since he was born, apart from learning the basics of swordsmanship from his parents and relatives when he was young, he could only fight alone in the battlefield of the demon tide. He grew up entirely in actual combat. In the battle against demons, he would do anything to win, regardless of the moves. No one had ever seriously competed with him or pointed out the shortcomings in the swordsmanship he had practiced over the years.

It was fate that he encountered this sparrow. The bird was small, fast, cunning, and sly, forcing Huangfu Yi to use all his skills to constantly disassemble and recombine the moves he had learned, refine and integrate them, delete useless tricks, and refine and polish his skills, simplifying the complex and eliminating the dross.

In the process of outwitting and outmaneuvering the sparrow, Huangfu Yi gradually seemed to have an epiphany and saw a path to swordsmanship.

Yes, the path of the sword shouldn't be fixated on techniques and forms. The trajectory of this bird's darting and dodging is precisely the sword path to counter its fist and sword techniques. No matter how elaborate your swordplay is, there will always be a path within it for the bird to dart about.

The more tricks you use, the bigger the flaws become. All that fancy stuff is useless. If you want to kill someone, exorcise a demon, or slay a monster, just take one sword and stab it straight at the vital point.

Spikes, spikes, spikes, spikes, spikes...

"Whoosh!"

"Snapped!"

Suddenly, a gust of wind rose behind him, and a lead bullet suddenly flew from behind towards Huangfu Yi, startling him awake. He swung the branch in his hand back to his sword to block it, but it was smashed to pieces by the lead bullet.

Turning his head, he saw Ren Feiluan holding a slingshot, staring at him and cursing.
"How long are we going to keep everyone waiting? It's almost dark!"

Huangfu Yi then realized that he had been catching the bird for an hour without noticing. The caravan had already finished lunch and was preparing to set off. When he turned around again, the bird had already disappeared into the forest in an instant, and only the bird droppings on its body proved that the sword fight just now was real.

Huangfu Yi had nothing to say. It seemed that his own affinity with immortality was insufficient, and he could not catch that spirit bird. He had no choice but to follow the group.

Pei Yuhan had already taken a nap on the oxcart and had probably forgotten about it long ago.

When Pei Zhong saw Huangfu Yi return, he tossed him two pies.

"Young Master Bai truly deserves the favor of the Sword Immortal. His swordsmanship is superb, and his internal strength is unfathomable. He has been fighting for an hour and is still breathing freely. His foundation is very solid."

"I am ashamed to say that even with all my strength, I still could not catch that sparrow."

Pei Zhong didn't take it seriously.

"Hehe, young hero, there's no need to belittle yourself. The world is full of wonders. Maybe some immortal is just trying to amuse you. Our young lady also enjoys playing with you. Others wouldn't even bother to respond. That's what you call fate."

Huangfu Yi's face also darkened. He really didn't want this kind of annoying fate...

Unfortunately, the so-called "fate with the immortals" means that the immortals deliberately seek out trouble for you, and you can't escape it.

Sure enough, after traveling only a few miles, the sky visibly darkened, which was clearly wrong. Even if Huangfu Yi had been delayed by Que'er in the forest, it shouldn't have gotten dark so quickly. In no time, sand and stones began to fly, and a strong wind rose. Everyone felt a chill and knew they had encountered a demon.

"Light the torches! Form a circular formation! Guard the caravan! Protect the young lady!"

Pei Yan loudly ordered his bodyguards and servants to form seven or eight circular formations with their oxcarts and horse-drawn carriages nearby, lighting torches, candles, and talismans within the formations to ward off enemies. Meanwhile, the cavalry were divided into five teams, galloping back and forth between the formations to guard against any demonic disturbances.

As for the oxcart where Pei Yuhan was, it was guarded by a bunch of personal guards. Pei Zhong directly flew up and squatted on the roof of the cart, releasing his qi to prevent any demons or heretics from attacking.

Huangfu Yi, holding a bow and arrow, stood guard to one side. He looked out of the formation and saw that the sky was getting darker and darker, and the sandstorm was getting stronger. Gradually, he could no longer see the other caravans in front and behind. Even the pillars of fire that were close at hand were swaying in the wind, as if they might be extinguished at any moment.

"Hey! What kind of monster are you! Daring to provoke me and attack the Pei family's caravan!"

Get out of my way! Otherwise, our army will arrive and we'll all be destroyed! Our bones will be crushed to ashes!

From afar, one could hear Pei Yan unleashing his power, his furious roar piercing the wind and sand, causing ringing in people's ears.

However, the gale grew stronger and stronger, almost like a tornado, to the point that not only could bows and arrows not be used, but even the cavalry could not run and retreated into the formation, using oxcarts and horse-drawn carriages to block the wind. A group of ordinary people desperately lay on the ground to avoid being blown away.

Amidst the howling wind, Huangfu Yi suddenly felt a sense of unease. The feeling of being targeted by a ferocious beast or giant demon, which he had experienced countless times before, resurfaced in his mind. He immediately knew that this 'fate' was coming for him again!

Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful punch, shooting out of the chariot formation like an arrow released from a bow! But it was too late!

"boom!"

"Gah!!"

The next second, a deafening roar erupted! A fierce wind howled! A torrential downpour of blood rained down from the sky!

A massive demon charged through the chariot formation, smashing countless cattle and horses! It lunged straight at Huangfu Yi!
(End of this chapter)