Beichen Sword Sect's Headmaster's Secret Records

Chapter 462 Come whenever you want
With Tie Dan's words sounding so terrifying, Fen Yun dared not act alone. Was he just waiting to be silenced?

So the old man immediately said that there was no need to tie him up, that he would voluntarily stay and row the boat for the sect leader. He also said that before he caught the remains of an immortal and cultivated to become a god, he used to fish overseas and row the boat very steadily.

Tie Dan didn't care, since the entire ship of goods needed to be delivered to Jiuyin Mountain anyway, so he let the old man Fen Yun continue to steer the ship.

However, it's easy to imagine that obtaining two hundred containers of divine treasures wouldn't be so easy. The Central Plains are currently in complete chaos, with demons, monsters, rebels, and bandits running rampant. How could they possibly miss such a precious light? At the drop of a hat, large groups of blind, mindless trash would rush up to block their path and rob them.

Fortunately, although the old monster Burning Cloud could only humbly call himself trash in front of Tie Dan, he could still put on airs and call himself an ancestor in front of real trash. So he casually smashed the small fish into caviar with the oars, saving Tie Dan the trouble of taking action.

However, it is unclear whether it was the remnants of the Sword Sect who had previously fled, or the two sisters from the Qingtang Sect who were spreading rumors in secret. Rumors spread throughout the Central Plains that someone had obtained a large amount of treasure from the East Sea.

Although with the Nascent Soul cultivator Fen Yun backing him up, most cultivators wouldn't dare to come up and seek death. However, there are always cowards hiding in the shadows, observing and using their divine sense and spirits to scan and spy over him, which annoys Tie Dan to no end.

"Hey you, come here."

"Yes, yes, what are your orders, Sect Leader?"

Upon hearing the summons, Fen Yun immediately knelt down in front of Tie Dan, limping.

Tie Dan glanced at the leg that he had previously chopped off.

"You're all healed?"

Fen Yun, with a fawning smile, rolled up his trouser leg to show Tie Dan.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader. When I was young, I had a stroke of luck and caught a starfish. After eating it, I didn't care about losing an arm or a leg. I'll be fine in a little while."

Tie Dan leaned over to examine his leg wound. The sword mark was clearly gruesome, and blood was still seeping from the cut. Large scabs and pink granulation tissue had grown from the wound, making it look like a grotesque centipede.

Although the sword force from the wound had not yet dissipated, making movement inconvenient, the old monster's thick skin and thick blood meant that this injury was indeed nothing.

"Oh, it seems you have a truly profound affinity for immortality. What kind of cultivation technique are you practicing? Let me see."

"Yes, yes, this technique was also fished out of the sea by me. I'm practicing this one. Please give me some pointers, Sect Leader."

Fen Yun respectfully presented a golden box, opened it for Tie Dan to see, and found sixteen volumes of Taoist books inside, each a top-grade immortal manual, containing talismans, scriptures, and divine techniques. Even Tie Dan was momentarily astonished.
What else have you fished for?

"Oh, there's so much! This outfit of mine, and this armor, were all fished up. There are also the bones of immortals, the heads of sea monsters, elixirs and spirit stones, pearls and precious stones, corals and rare treasures, knives, spears, clubs and swords, a whole bunch of random stuff."

However, the Golden Book of Immortals was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime find; most of the others were just junk. So, after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, I stopped fishing and started robbing—cough cough, I mean salvaging—the sea…

Tie Dan was speechless.

"What, do you own the East China Sea? You can just take whatever you want from it?"

Burning Clouds smiled bitterly.

"That's not true... I dare not hide it from the sect leader. In fact, when I was young, I was shipwrecked and swept to Fire Flame Island by a storm. At that time, I was just an ordinary person. The vast ocean blocked my way back to the Central Plains, so I could only fish by the sea to survive."

However, near Flame Island, beneath the underwater volcano, there seem to be ancient Taoist palaces, demon battlefields, or other relics of immortals and demons hidden. So no matter how I fished in that area, I always had a catch, but the water temperature was just too high, and I caught nothing…

So, to survive, I forced myself to eat a whole bunch of random, unfamiliar things, suffering from diarrhea to the point of near collapse hundreds of times. I was only saved by the power of the starfish, and that's how I gradually achieved my current level of cultivation. Later, after mastering the Daoist arts and getting used to living on the island, I simply settled there, only occasionally returning to the Central Plains to buy wives, concubines, and servants to serve me, calling myself an ancestor. Hehe, I hope you'll forgive my foolishness.”

Tie Dan glanced at him,
"You dare tell me about such secrets as ancient ruins? Aren't you afraid I'll steal your destiny?"

Burning Clouds flattered him,
"What are you saying, Sect Leader? You are a true immortal, a supreme being of the Nine Mountains. Those who can associate with you are all sect leaders and palace masters who have reached the highest peaks of the heavens and do not concern themselves with worldly affairs. We are just wild men from overseas, who can be gone in the blink of an eye. How could we possibly be of any interest to you?"

Besides, I've lived at the entrance of that ancient ruin for hundreds of years, yet I have no idea how to get there. If I get too close, my body is damaged by the flames, my skin crumbles, and my Dao body collapses. It takes several years to recover even with the power of starfish. Therefore, I've long understood that it's not something a lowly old man like me can get my hands on.

If the sect leader is interested, this old man is willing to offer up Fire Flame Island and serve as his servant.

"Alright, since you're being so polite and even showing me your own immortal techniques, I'll write one for you to see as well."

Tie Dan sized up the old man, thought for a moment, did some calculations, and then wrote down a sword manual on the deck.
"Your fortune is profound, enabling you to cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage on your own. Your aptitude is naturally quite good as well. I just wonder if you are destined to be with my Sword Sect."

Although this Qi Sword Refining Technique is not a top-tier sword manual, if you practice it diligently, it can heal the sword wounds remaining in your body. Once refined, it can also become a sword manual.

"If you can lend me a hand this time, and successfully escort this ship to Mount Jiuyin, I will be credited with a service, and you can stay in my Sword Sect as a respected protector. That would be quite acceptable."

Burning Clouds was overjoyed.

"I have wasted a hundred years without even entering the true path. I am grateful to the sect leader for giving me this opportunity. I will definitely cultivate diligently and work hard to bring glory to my Sword Sect and make it shine."

Tie Dan nodded.
"Well, now that we've formed this bond, I'll have a reason to take action once they kill you."

Burning Clouds wanted to cry...

"Okay, let's not talk about that now. Give me your hand."

Tie Dan made a sword incantation with his hand, carving a sword talisman on Fen Yun's palm.
"The group of people around us has been secretly following us all the way, and their numbers have been growing. They must have been very cunning. The first group is probably about to make their move."

I counted five Nascent Soul cultivators among them who were somewhat skilled, but there might be other experts hiding in the shadows, unknown to anyone. It will likely be a tough battle for you alone.

"I'll first give you the Crimson Fiend Divine Sword Seal for self-protection. Force the Dao Qi you cultivated on Fire Flame Island into the seal to activate it. If necessary, I will also intervene."

"Yes, thank you for bestowing the talisman, Sect Leader."

Fen Yun, knowing the priorities, solemnly thanked him and focused all his attention on the impending battle. Tie Dan gave him a talisman and then ignored him. After all, hadn't he heard the guy just say that he'd survived hundreds of bouts of food poisoning, that even the slightest approach would cause his Dao body to collapse, and that he'd lived in the doorstep of an ancient Daoist temple that even fish wouldn't stay in for centuries? His fortune was incredibly profound; who knew what ancient monster had reincarnated as a human? No need to worry about him, he'd be fine.

"You've been on board for quite some time now, what advice do you have for me?"

So he handed the deck over to Fenyun, and Tiedan went straight into the cabin, looking down at the mountain of containers.

Tie Dan had discovered their whereabouts, and a person emerged from the shadows behind the container.

This person was tall and slender, dressed in an eight-treasure purple-gold robe embroidered with the sun, moon, stars, dragons, phoenixes, and qilin, each pattern woven from celestial silk. He had a handsome face, a high nose bridge, and a small tuft of stubble on his chin, making him appear to be no more than thirty years old. His true energy was contained within, all the five-colored radiance gathered within a foot of his body, as if he were enveloped in a cocoon of qi, clearly indicating that his qi cultivation had reached its pinnacle.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Sect Leader. The Nine Yin Sword Formation lives up to its reputation. I shall take my leave now."

The bearded man bowed and thanked him, but Tie Dan still blocked him with a cold face.

"You came without saying goodbye, and now that you're here, you're leaving without even giving your name?"

The bearded man smiled.

"Since I cannot access this treasure, there is no need for me to linger. You, too, are already entangled in karma; why invite further trouble?"

Tie Dan wouldn't joke around with him.

"Nonsense! What do you take this place for? You think you can just come and go as you please!"

But the stubble-faced man's smile remained unchanged.
"If I smash your ship and run away, would you really abandon these hundreds of boxes of stuff to chase after me?"

Tie Dan stared at him.
"try it yourself."

The two were locked in a standoff, remaining silent for a moment before the stubble-faced man slowly curled the corners of his lips into a smile.
"What do you want?"

"Leave an arm as an apology!"

Without saying a word, Tie Dan immediately struck with his lightning sword!
Originally, Tie Dan thought that his sword strength had increased dramatically after a series of fortuitous encounters, and he was just about to kill this guy who was courting death. But who knew that the man would dodge it!
Not bad! He dodged to the side, managing to escape the lightning sword thrust!
Such a reaction! Such a skillful escape technique! To dodge his lightning-fast sword strike! This bearded man is no pushover!

Tie Dan's heart tightened, but his hand showed no mercy! In the instant they passed each other, he swung his hand backhand, unleashing a burst of Beichen sword light! Like a blooming blue lotus, it instantly enveloped the stubble-faced man!

Who knew he was so formidable! With a mere flick of his purple-gold sleeves, he conjured up gusts of wind, fluttering talisman leaves that completely repelled the Northern Star Sword's light, keeping it three feet away! He had actually exchanged his true qi for sword qi! His protective qi wall was inexhaustible, and even when the sword qi broke through it, it was blown away! The second sword strike still couldn't defeat him!
But Tie Dan has a third sword!

A surge of powerful sword energy instantly coalesced at his fingertips, and he thrust it behind him with a backhand motion!

"Oh!"

Who would have thought that this sword energy would be switched!
It turns out that in those two or three moves, the stubble-faced man not only dodged Tie Dan's signature lightning triple strike, but also managed to counterattack instantly! He also unleashed a finger strike with his own hand, aiming for Tie Dan's vital point on the back! And so, it collided with the sword energy, clashing and disintegrating!
Excellent! A true master!

"Beichen Jiuyao!"

Just when he was about to fall asleep, someone offered him a pillow; when his hands were itching for a sword, someone stretched out a neck to test his skills. Tie Dan immediately perked up! He immediately unleashed the ultimate techniques hidden in the Nine Yin Sword Pavilion!

With a flash of his foot, he teleported away! And with another lightning-fast sword strike!
With a flick of his fingertips, the willow-leaf-shaped, bluish-white sword thrust out, its blade flashing brilliantly, multiplying into three, then nine! A single sword strike generated nine luminous sword beams! Continuous as a tide! Overwhelming! Radiant at the top! Nine stars shining brightly! A full-force attack aimed directly at the bearded man!

"Break through the heavens!"

However, the bearded man was clearly an unparalleled old monster! A master of the highest level of Xuanmen! In that split second, without revealing his true intentions, he unleashed a supreme escape technique! Under the brilliance of the Nine Luminaries Sword Light, he moved with incredible speed and agility! His afterimages, illuminated by the sword light, shattered layer by layer like a water curtain! He actually dodged every single sword strike!

"Ice River Vanishes!"

After his sword strikes repeatedly missed, Tie Dan naturally realized that the stubble-faced man in front of him had mastered the art of escape techniques to an unparalleled degree, controlling them at will. He figured that only by using the Northern Star Sword Rainbow, the Cloud Riding Escape Technique, or the Blood Shadow Divine Movement could he barely keep up with the opponent's pace.

However, as the two fought fiercely inside the cabin, just as their opponent had threatened, Tie Dan worried that if Jian Hong were to appear, it might damage the ship and cause trouble later. Furthermore, he wasn't certain of victory, and couldn't easily expose the Demonic Sect's unique escape technique.

Therefore, Tie Dan had no choice but to settle for second best. He first used the Ice River Escape Form to follow the opponent's escape route, while simultaneously creating layers of Xuanji Ice Walls to hinder the opponent's escape techniques and release Xuanji Ice Breath to try to seal off the flow of Qi!

"Sever the Heavenly Veins!!"

Who knew that this bearded man's fighting mind was no less than Tie Dan's! After only two steps of being chased by Binghe, he instantly realized that Tie Dan was preparing for a protracted battle! Without hesitation, he launched a counterattack! With a series of rapid strikes, invisible Qi energy was unleashed! "Bang bang!" The Xuanji Ice Wall was shattered and sent flying!

"Pupil Sword!!"

But Tie Dan was more decisive! If you hesitate even slightly, I'll unleash my ultimate move! A direct Crimson Vein Eye Strike! Sword light strikes! Suddenly, BIU—a laser-like eye appears, unleashing overwhelming power! Sword light shines brightly! It hurtles straight towards the bearded man!

"Mysterious Yuan Break!!"

At this critical moment of life and death! Facing imminent calamity! The stubble-faced man was forced to unleash his ultimate move, roaring and pointing his finger! Instantly unleashing all his life's power! Using force to break force! Using qi to break qi!

"Bang bang bang bang!"

A sonic boom erupted with the roar of Qi! The sword light of the pupil clashed with the Xuan Yuan Breaking Technique! The top-down offensive techniques roared and exploded! Waves of Qi and dust swept outwards, shattering the surrounding ice walls into countless pieces! A wave of scorching heat rushed towards them, annihilating the icy currents and cold winds like smoke!
In an instant, the sky was filled with icy mist and dust like smoke. In the dimly lit cargo hold of the ship, only two figures stood facing each other, silent. It wasn't a show of bravado; in those few seconds of exchanging blows, the two had completely exhausted their life's energy! Their qi was depleted, and they were both unable to move!
With a gaping hole blasted in one eye and half his skull shattered, Tie Dan stood in a pool of blood, his brow furrowed, and he did some quick calculations.
"Yaozhen Xuanyuan Break? Jiutian Temple in Jiaoyuan Cave, Donghua Mountain? You're so good at fighting, are you the abbot?"

The stubble-faced man's smile froze instantly. He clutched the gruesome scar on his face, the one severed by the sword's light—his arm cut, his chest ripped open, and the wound that had nearly reached his heart. It took him a long time to finally manage to utter a word.

"Damn it, who said you can't do math? You've really messed me up..."

(End of this chapter)