Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 166 Taiyue Sword Sect and the Sword Saint (Two-in-One)

When Zhang Chengdao arrived at the welcoming hall, Xu Ying was already having a very lively conversation with Qu Zhiweng, the leader of the Taiyue Sword Sect.

The two chatted back and forth, just like old friends.

"I never imagined that Sect Leader Qu was also from Jiangnan!"

"Hahaha, life is unpredictable. If it weren't for the sudden misfortune at home, I wouldn't have run off to Qin!"

"Alas, it has become the norm for the Great Chu to suppress martial arts."

"Ultimately, it's because the founding emperor was not upright that things turned out this way..."

As they were talking, Zhang Chengdao stepped in. When Qu Zhiweng saw Xu Ying stand up and cup his hands to Zhang Chengdao, he also stood up and cupped his hands, saying, "This must be the sect leader of the White Stone Immortal Sect, right? It's true that seeing is believing. You are indeed a celestial being descended from heaven. Your demeanor is truly different from that of us mortals!"

"Sect Leader Qu is too kind," Zhang Chengdao politely returned the greeting, then gestured for him to sit down.

After saying that, Zhang Chengdao took the seat of honor and then took out the Taiyue Sword, which had been specially tempered with the Red Lotus Earth Vein Fire, and another sword that had been borrowed from his backpack.

The Taiyue Sword could be tempered because it was originally forged from rare, spiritual minerals and had been nurtured for hundreds of years within the Taiyue Sword Sect, thus acquiring some spiritual essence. Zhang Chengdao's actions merely accelerated this process. Even so, he dared not use the Six Jia Yang Fire, but instead used the lower-grade Red Lotus Earth Vein Fire, fearing it might damage the sword.

The other sword was completely useless. Zhang Chengdao didn't even try it; he could tell at a glance that it couldn't even withstand the Red Lotus Earth Vein Fire. He could only help clean it up.

The two swords looked the same, but the Taiyue Sword's aura became sharper, and the cold light on its blade was like breathing in the frost on Mount Taiyue, icy and bone-chilling.

Zhang Chengdao used his spiritual power to hold the sword in front of Qu Zhiweng and said, "The situation was critical before, and I had no choice but to borrow your sect's precious sword. To express my apology, I specially tempered it with true fire, which has made this sword transcend the mundane and imbue it with spirit. If it is carefully cared for, in time, it may be able to nurture a true sword spirit, and this precious sword will then become a magical spiritual sword."

"Sect Leader Zhang is too kind," Qu Zhiweng said, taking the sword and stroking the blade with great affection. He chuckled and said, "The other day I was telling my disciple that if this Taiyue Sword can help Sect Leader Zhang slay demons and evil spirits, then it truly lives up to its reputation as one of the world's most powerful weapons!"

Zhang Chengdao nodded: "Sect Leader Qu's righteousness is admirable."

Xu Ying also brought up the "apology" that he had discussed with Zhang Chengdao long ago, saying: "To thank Headmaster Qu and your esteemed disciples for their righteous assistance, our sect has specially prepared two baskets of immortal peaches for you two. This is just a small token of our respect."

As they were speaking, two disciples who had been temporarily brought in to make up the numbers each carried a basket of [Immortal Peaches] into the hall.

"Oh dear, Sect Leader Zhang, you're too kind! You're really too kind!"

Qu Zhiweng sheathed his Taiyue sword and stared at the two baskets of juicy peaches with a radiant smile, unable to hide his joy.

This is the legendary "immortal peach"!
I heard that even the emperor of Xiao Kingdom, who relied on the influence of his younger sister who was a disciple of the White Stone Immortal, only got two baskets!

Qu Zhiweng became more and more delighted as he thought about it, and even chuckled and rubbed his hands together, saying, "Although my Taiyue Sword cannot compare to the magical sword used by Immortal Zhang, it is still the third best sword in the world. Immortal Zhang, if you need anything in the future, just take it and use it!"

You can get two baskets of peaches with just one use, it's an amazing thing!
If he didn't have any shame, Qu Zhiweng would have wanted to leave the Taiyue Sword with the Baishi Immortal Sect!

For a time, the guests and hosts in the hall were all in high spirits.

However, not long after, Qu Zhiweng tentatively asked again: "I have heard that Sect Master Zhang does not intend to become emperor, and has also brought the Qin and Jin regions under the rule of the sect. Forgive my ignorance, but I do not know what kind of plan this is? And what should my Taiyue Sword Sect do?"

“I am not a person of this world,” Zhang Chengdao said after a moment of contemplation, half-truthfully. “A day and a place constitute a world. Beyond a world, there are other worlds, large and small, countless in number.”

"In the world I once lived in, most countries had no emperors, and the people had no rulers or fathers, nor were there distinctions of rank or status. There were no slaves, nor any powerful or noble families."

"Only by killing the bloodsucking parasites clinging to the people can we truly achieve 'taking from the people and using for the people.' This is precisely why the White Stone Immortal Sect governed the Qin and Jin regions without establishing an emperor or bestowing titles upon princes and dukes."

"I have no intention of doing anything to the sects in the martial arts world; for now, we will just follow the old practices."

"However, at this time of spiritual energy revival, your sect should still be extra careful. If you encounter any troublesome matters, please report them to the Immortal Sect in time."

Of course, half of what Zhang Chengdao said was idealistic boasting, but that did not prevent him from indirectly reassuring Qu Zhiweng—although the White Stone Immortal Sect took over the Zhou Kingdom and abolished the position of "Emperor," it did not force other sects to merge into the White Stone Immortal Sect.

To put it bluntly, even if they wanted to merge, Zhang Chengdao didn't want it.

"For the time being, the old practice will continue" means that there will be no changes for the time being. However, "reporting to the Immortal Sect" is clearly a warning to Qu Zhiweng that the White Stone Immortal Sect is already considered the de facto "superior" in the Qin and Jin regions.

Upon hearing this, Qu Zhiweng fell silent.

In fact, he still doesn't understand why Zhang Xianren doesn't become emperor.

In his view, whether the place was called "Zhou State" or "Bai Shi Immortal Sect", it seemed to make no difference. The court held court and governed the country, while the people below the court were busy and hardworking.

He couldn't even imagine a country without an emperor—without an emperor, without a sovereign, could it still be called a country? What would become of the people?

However, he did understand one thing: the "bloodsuckers" Zhang Xianren mentioned were the royal family and aristocratic clans. Now that the royal family was gone, what's next...?

Does this mean they're about to target the powerful and noble families?

Qu Zhiweng suddenly had a jolt when he thought of this.

Although he himself was not from a noble family and was originally from the State of Chu, as the former number one sect in the State of Zhou, he must have had dealings with various noble families. Whether it was doing business or various "bodyguard training businesses", everyone cooperated very well.

If you're going to crack down on us "clients" now, then what about me, the "service provider"? Won't I be left without any "clients"?

No wonder he reminded me of something about "spiritual energy revival" and warned the Taiyue Sword Sect to be careful...

"What Sect Master Zhang has said has filled this old man with trepidation," Qu Zhiweng said. "What 'spiritual energy revival'? This old man truly knows nothing about it. Please, Sect Master Zhang, show this old man the way." In fact, Zhang Chengdao's original intention was simply to warn the Taiyue Sword Sect to be wary of demons or spiritual beings born from the spiritual energy revival. Because of the Seeking Wood in Baishi Mountain, the concentration of spiritual energy spreading throughout Baishi Mountain was getting higher and higher. The Taiyue Sword Sect was right next to the Daxing Mountain Range, so it was naturally the most affected. If a monster that was ignorant of the world and only followed its instincts were to emerge, the damage it would cause would be immeasurable.

Unfortunately, Zhang Chengdao didn't understand the bloody storm that Qu Zhiweng had imagined. He thought the other party was asking a "philosophical question" about where martial arts sects should go during the spiritual energy revival. He was even quite pleased about it—at least some native sects had some initiative!

So Zhang Chengdao replied, "Since the Taiyue Sword Sect is renowned for its swordsmanship, why not focus on swordsmanship? Specializing in one area is not difficult. I can also send my disciples to the Taiyue Sword Sect to give them some pointers, so that your sect can become a sect of cultivators as soon as possible."

At this point, he added with emotion, "The ship of martial arts is gradually sinking. Sect Leader Qu really needs to consider the Taiyue Sword Sect more."

Qu Zhiweng's face turned pale and then red as he listened.

This threat is far too blatant. How can we expect our own sect to listen to the White Stone Immortal Sect about what cultivation techniques to practice?

But then, Qu Zhiweng thought again. Putting aside the fact that even the "evil spirit" who easily killed the former national teacher who had broken through to the imperial clan years ago was no match for this White Stone Immortal, let's talk about his own Taiyue Sword Sect...

Don't you really want to cultivate immortality?

That's something I'd love to do!
Not only can it summon swords and thunder, fly through the sky and disappear into the earth, but it can also keep you young forever!

Without saying much, just looking at this White Stone Immortal's full head of white hair, he must be at least several hundred years old.
But with his ruddy complexion and dashing figure, he clearly looked like a young nobleman in his twenties!

Now that I've reached the age of fifty, I look like someone's grandfather, with a face full of wrinkles!
Besides, if one could live to be several hundred years old, wouldn't that be considered achieving immortality?
It seems... that the Taiyue Sword Sect should abandon martial arts and cultivate immortality instead.

Isn’t that impossible?
Thinking of this, Qu Zhiweng cupped his hands and said, "Sect Leader Zhang is quite right. The Taiyue Sword Sect has indeed long admired the Dao of Immortality. However, I am just an ordinary mortal and cannot enter the sect. If Sect Leader Zhang would be willing to allow his disciples to condescend to come to the Taiyue Sword Sect and give us some guidance, that would be the best thing ever!"

In that case, wouldn't our own Taiyue Sword Sect also become a sect of immortal cultivators?
The second-best cultivation sect in the world? Isn't that better than those Jade Void Sect and Sword Casting Manor that are still struggling in the martial arts world?

In fact, Qu Zhiweng's thoughts were also related to the special nature of the Taiyue Sword Sect.

Although the Taiyue Sword Sect is the largest sect in the Zhou Kingdom and has considerable strength, it is not even ranked among the top five or six countries in the entire world!

This is because the most unique aspect of the Taiyue Sword Sect is its swordsmanship, and its connection to the sword saint of the previous dynasty.

Sword Saint Ben Tang Xingjian was born in Shu. In his early years, in order to learn the way of the sword, he joined the Taiyue Sword Sect.

Later, he continuously modified and improved the dozen or so sword techniques of his sect, making the twelve sets of sword techniques of Taiyue Sword Sect famous throughout the world, thus becoming a force that could be on par with sects such as Sword Casting Manor.

What's most shocking is that the Sword Saint himself doesn't cultivate true qi at all!
His internal energy channels were not open, and Tang Xingjian never used his internal energy when using sword techniques.

Moreover, in any competition, Tang Xingjian always won entirely by virtue of his superb swordsmanship, and he has never suffered a defeat—including when fighting against grandmasters, he always won with the best swordsmanship in the world!
However, although Tang Xingjian's Qi channels were not open and he never used Qi, it was not that he did not have Qi in his body.

Legend has it that when he was young, he accidentally wandered into a secluded valley and ate a "divine fruit". His internal energy suddenly became abundant due to the "divine fruit", and even condensed into a pill.

As long as the "true qi" pill remains intact, Tang Xingjian can heal himself no matter what injury he suffers. Therefore, his sword moves are known for their fierceness and recklessness, making them difficult to imitate.

Unfortunately, because he did not cultivate true qi, he could not prolong his life. Tang Xingjian finally died peacefully at the age of eighty-nine. The Taiyue Sword of the Taiyue Sword Sect was the relic left behind by Tang Xingjian.

It is also a treasure of the Taiyue Sword Sect, and has always been used as the sect leader's sword and token.

With Tang Xingjian's death, the Taiyue Sword Sect, which was facing a talent shortage, declined further. If it weren't for the twelve unparalleled sword techniques and the Taiyue Sword, which firmly held the third position on the list of divine weapons in the world, it might not have been able to retain its position as the number one sect in the Zhou Kingdom.

The cultivation method of Taiyue Sword Sect is truly terrible—it uses the cultivation method that Tang Xingjian acquired when he traveled the world. Basically, it is the same as what Taiyue Sword Sect has. It is not precious or exquisite. It is just common stuff and not worth mentioning.

More importantly, Tang Xingjian's story inspired generations of Taiyue Sword Sect disciples, leading to a prevailing attitude within the sect that prioritized swords over martial arts techniques. Some disciples affectionately referred to their beloved swords as "Lady," while scoffing at various cultivation methods.

This trend directly led to the generally low cultivation level of the entire Taiyue Sword Sect. Most disciples were at the seventh or eighth rank, and those who could reach the sixth rank were considered experts within the sect. Even the dignified sect leader, Qu Zhiweng, was only at the fifth rank!

If it weren't for the fact that after Tang Xingjian's death, there was still Zhuang Wansong, a devoted follower of the Sword Saint who was then a fourth-rank swordsman and is now a third-rank swordsman, sitting in charge of the Taiyue Sword Sect, the Taiyue Sword Sect would probably have been swallowed up by other sects long ago!

Therefore, for Qu Zhiweng and other members of the Taiyue Sword Sect to abandon martial arts cultivation and switch to immortality cultivation, it was really nothing to these sword-obsessed martial artists.

As long as it doesn't make them give up their swords!

Seeing Qu Zhiweng's attitude, Zhang Chengdao was even happier.

It's really not easy for the White Stone Immortal Sect to push the whole world into the "Cultivation Era" by its own efforts. If there were a sect like the Taiyue Sword Sect with a long-term vision and a willingness to take initiative, the speed of spiritual energy recovery would definitely be faster!
"In that case, my eldest disciple shall go!"

As Zhang Chengdao spoke, he took out a round, chubby paper bird—which looked more like a crumpled paper ball due to his poor paper-cutting skills—from somewhere, cast a spell on it, and then tossed it into the air.

With a loud bang, a round, fluffy little white bird flapped its wings and darted out of a cloud of smoke that suddenly exploded, then chirped as it rushed out of the reception hall.

Upon seeing this, Qu Zhiweng stared wide-eyed, pointing at the bird that had flown away in a few breaths, almost speechless: "This, this, this, could this be the paper ball from before transformed!?"

Zhang Chengdao smiled and said, "It's just a trivial skill, not of any great use. It's only convenient for sending messages. I hope you'll forgive my poor performance, Master Qu."

Qu Zhiweng felt a deep sense of awe.

To bring a crumpled piece of paper to life is simply unheard of and unseen!

He stared intently in the direction of the bird that had long since disappeared, and murmured to himself, "Is this the path to immortality...?"

……

(End of this chapter)