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

Chapter 314 Taiyue Sword Sect Seeks the Way of the Sword

"Wow--"

"Junior Brother is truly amazing!"

"This is probably even faster than that young immortal Chang flew back then!"

"Junior Brother truly lives up to his reputation as a 'natural swordsman'!"

"Sigh, I also want to have a 'natural sword body'..."

"Stop dreaming, this is a talent that only one in ten thousand possesses!"

"I wonder when I'll be able to achieve the same state of unity between man and sword as my junior brother, and travel through the clouds..."

"Don't say such discouraging things. If Junior Brother can do it, then it's only a matter of time before we can too!"

……

Inside the Taiyue Sword Sect, the disciples crowded in front of the mountain gate, watching with envy as Li Zhi transformed into sword light and flew through the air, discussing among themselves.

This is a technique, or rather an escape technique, that Li Zhi has just comprehended. It is called "Sword Light Escape Technique," a technique that even Chang Ping'an didn't know back then!

This technique is actually recorded in the library of the White Stone Immortal Sect. Zhang Chengdao does know it. It is a kind of escape technique that sword cultivators often practice, but it is generally only cultivators in the Core Formation stage who can learn it.

Of course, Zhang Chengdao, like Li Zhi, naturally comprehended it due to the magical arts and supernatural powers he had practiced or his level of cultivation.

This escape technique requires cultivators to materialize their natal spirit sword and store it within their bodies. In this way, they can attach their spiritual power to the spirit sword and achieve a speed even faster than flying on a sword. It is the perfect technique for traveling at home and chasing people to escape.

But Li Zhi is different. Because he is born with a sword body, he condensed a sword pellet during the Foundation Establishment stage. This kind of "spiritual sword" is originally refined from the void, so there is no need to first transform the natal spiritual sword into the void. He can naturally learn this escape technique directly.

Even more so because the sword pellet is a more responsive and controllable existence than the natal spirit sword of ordinary sword cultivators, since it was originally born for Li Zhi and is a "man and sword as one" existence with Li Zhi, it can use the sword light escape technique at a faster speed.

Li Zhi transformed into a golden sword light, dashing from the back of Taiyue Mountain to the front, and then flying from the bottom to the top, like a shooting star darting around. Not only were the disciples of Taiyue Sword Sect extremely envious, but even Qu Zhiweng was speechless with amazement.

This kid is incredibly lucky; he's caught the wave of the flourishing of the immortal path!
Just as everyone was enjoying the spectacle, a blue figure leaped and bounded to the gate of the Taiyue Sword Sect.

"Yan Wuqi, a disciple of the Jade Void Sect, has come to pay a visit to the Taiyue Sword Sect. Please inform this junior brother of my arrival!"

Although he didn't understand why the Taiyue Sword Sect was so noisy and lively today, Yan Wuqi still respectfully cupped his hands to the disciples guarding the mountain gate and said politely.

In fact, she could already see a group of Taiyue Sword Sect disciples in the square not far away from the mountain gate, and even catch a glimpse of Qu Zhiweng's figure, but she did not go through the normal rules when visiting a Jianghu sect and entered on her own. Instead, she greeted the disciples guarding the gate first.

The gatekeeper was taken aback at first, then blushed when he saw Yan Wuqi's beautiful face. He stammered and couldn't speak. After a long while, he cupped his hands in greeting, forgot to report his name, and ran straight into the sect.

This is the renowned Peach Blossom Sword in the martial arts world! It's the dream goddess of countless young men in the martial arts world!
Qu Zhiweng had already heard Yan Wuqi's voice, so when the gatekeeper came in to announce her arrival, he smiled and waved to Yan Wuqi through the door, indicating that she could go in directly.

Yan Wuqi hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath, stepped into the Taiyue Sword Sect, and respectfully cupped his hands to Qu Zhiweng, saying, "Junior Yan Wuqi greets Sect Leader Qu!"

"Hehehe, no need for formalities," Qu Zhiweng waved his hand casually and asked, "Peach Blossom Sword, I've heard of you. You're a model of early fame in the martial arts world! Why are you alone this time? Does Xuan Yangzi have something for you to convey?"

The "Xuan Yangzi" mentioned by Qu Zhiweng is also known as Xuan Yang Zhenren, and is the current head of the Yuxu Sect.

Master Xuanyang was only about ten years younger than Master Qu. When they were young, they shared similar interests, sparred with each other many times, and traveled together in the martial world.

However, Xuan Yangzi later demonstrated exceptional talent and made breakthroughs all the way until he became one of the four grandmasters of the Northern Xiao Kingdom, while Qu Zhiweng remained stagnant, only a fifth-rank martial artist. As a result, the two gradually stopped interacting.

However, there was still some past affection between them, so when Qu Zhiweng saw that one of the most talented and skilled disciples of the younger generation of the Jade Void Sect had come to visit the Taiyue Sword Sect, his first reaction was that Xuan Yangzi had something to ask him.

Unfortunately, Yan Wuqi shook his head, a blush of embarrassment on his face. He gritted his teeth and said, "Uncle-Master didn't give any instructions. It's just that I've reached a bottleneck in my cultivation. I have no choice but to come here and ask Sect Leader Qu for some guidance."

"Oh?"

Qu Zhiweng looked over in surprise, somewhat bewildered.

He was merely a fifth-rank martial artist, and there were at least ten martial artists of higher rank than him in the Jade Void Sect. Instead of seeking guidance from his elders in his own sect, Yan Wuqi traveled thousands of miles to the Taiyue Sword Sect. This…

Has he lost his mind?!
Thinking of this, Qu Zhiweng carefully examined Yan Wuqi again and was surprised to find that Yan Wuqi, the Peach Blossom Sword, who was once regarded by the martial arts world as one of the most promising young martial artists of the next generation, no longer had any true energy in his body!

"You...you abandoned martial arts for the path of immortality!?"

Qu Zhiweng suddenly realized the truth.

Yan Wuqi cupped his hands again and said, "I am ashamed. I have been studying the three immortal classics, 'The Book of Immortals of Baishi,' 'The Book of Qi Sensing of Baishi,' and 'The Basic Theory of Qi Induction into the Body,' day and night. Finally, a month ago, I had some insights and refined my true qi meridians, drawing qi into my body. If what the books say is true, I should be a cultivator in the Qi Refining stage..."

"It's just that the Jade Void Sect doesn't practice the Dao of Immortality, so it's really difficult for me to receive guidance. It wasn't until recently that I heard that Sect Leader Qu's place had become a sect that practices the Dao of Immortality, so I took the liberty of coming here. I hope Sect Leader Qu will forgive me."

"So that's how it is,"

Qu Zhiweng did not ask Yan Wuqi why he did not go to the White Stone Immortal Sect for guidance. He had dealings with Zhang Chengdao and knew what a magnanimous and loving saint he was. If a cultivator took the initiative to come to him for guidance, he would definitely help him. However, outsiders probably did not know this. Therefore, he thought that Yan Wuqi did not understand the White Stone Immortal Sect and considered that he had some connections with the Jade Void Sect, so he came to him.

After a few moments of thought, Qu Zhiweng readily nodded and said, "Since my niece has come to the Taiyue Sword Sect, she should stay here as if it were her own sect. Although I am old and unable to cultivate immortality, my sect has indeed switched to cultivating the immortal path of swordsmanship, which may be of some help to my niece."

Hearing that Master Qu readily agreed, Yan Wuqi finally breathed a sigh of relief, and a look of joy appeared on his face: "In that case, I will trouble Master Qu!"

However, Qu Zhiweng couldn't help but kindly remind her, "Actually, my dear niece could also go to the White Stone Immortal Sect to seek some guidance. I was fortunate enough to travel with Sect Master Zhang for a period of time and I believe I have some understanding of him. He is a first-class true immortal and saint in the world. If you sincerely wish to seek guidance, I am sure Sect Master Zhang will not be stingy."

Yan Wuqi's face stiffened, and he looked somewhat uncomfortable. He said, "This junior's cultivation is too low. I'm afraid I'm not up to Immortal Zhang's guidance. I'd better wait until I've cultivated a bit more before making any decisions..."

Qu Zhiweng didn't think too much about it, assuming it was just that the young man was shy, so he put the matter aside and nodded with a smile, reassuringly saying, "What my dear niece thinks makes some sense. In short, since you've come to Taiyue Mountain, don't treat yourselves as outsiders!"

As Qu Zhiweng spoke, he waved to Fang Tang, who was not far away: "Little Tang, take this junior sister to the guest courtyard to rest. Let her cultivate with you for the next few days!"

Then he introduced the two of them to each other: "My dear niece, this is my disciple Fang Tang. Although she has only just begun to cultivate Qi, she has some insights into swordsmanship. After you rest for a few days, you can cultivate with her in the Taiyue Mountains. Perhaps you will gain some insights there."

"Xiao Tang, this is Yan Wuqi, known in the martial arts world as the Peach Blossom Sword. She is also one of the most talented disciples among the younger generation of the Jade Void Sect. It is not an exaggeration for you to call her Senior Sister. These days you are following Xiao Zhi to comprehend the sword path. Bring your Senior Sister Wuqi along and have more exchanges!"

Fang Tang cupped his hands in a cheerful gesture and said, "Greetings, Senior Sister Yan! I've long heard of Senior Sister Yan's great name in the martial world, but seeing is believing! Senior Sister Yan is indeed as dashing and heroic as ever!"

Yan Wuqi smiled amicably at first, then returned the greeting with some embarrassment, saying, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Junior Sister. Please take good care of me."

"Senior Sister Yan, you're too kind!" Fang Tang said, turning to her master and nodding. "Then, Master, I'll invite Senior Sister Yan to the guest courtyard now!"

Qu Zhiweng waved his hand, and Yan Wuqi also bowed slightly as a farewell. The two then walked towards the guest courtyard one after the other.

As they walked, Fang Tang kept asking questions as if she had met someone she had long admired: "Senior Sister Yan, I heard that you killed seven lecherous thieves in Baozhou in one day, thieves that even the authorities couldn't catch. Is that true? And they say that you also killed Granny Rakshasa. Is that true? That's amazing!"

"That's not entirely true. I just happened to run into those seven lecherous thieves, and I didn't kill them all by myself. My master, Master Ziyang, was also there, which is why we were able to defeat them. If it were just me, I would definitely have been outnumbered."

Yan Wuqi was surprised that his junior sister knew so much about his "deeds in the martial world," and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed: "As for Granny Rakshasa, I did kill her, but at the time, it was only because she had been fighting with Master Mingjue for a long time and had exhausted her true energy that I was able to kill her. The truly powerful one was Master Mingjue..."

"That's amazing! I've always wanted to be like you, roaming the martial world and upholding justice! It's just that my martial arts cultivation was too low before. If I had just persevered a little longer, my master would have given me permission to leave the mountain, but then the immortal path flourished... Alas! My master now stipulates that one must be at least at the Foundation Establishment stage to freely leave the mountain, but in the entire Taiyue Sword Sect, only my junior brother has reached the Foundation Establishment stage! Moreover, he has a 'natural sword physique,' which is different from ours. Isn't that a bit too unfair!"

Fang Tang pouted in frustration as she spoke.

It wasn't that she had a problem with Li Zhi—

If two people are roughly equal, it's common for the slightly less capable person to be jealous of the more capable one. However, if the difference between the two is significant, there's less likely to be any jealousy.

Someone like Li Zhi, who is born with a sword physique and has exceptional talent, would be hard to match even among the disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect, let alone their Taiyue Sword Sect.
Therefore, the senior brothers, sisters, and elders of the Taiyue Sword Sect, whose cultivation levels had previously far surpassed Li Zhi's, mostly admired Li Zhi and did not feel much jealousy.

Anyway, you can't be jealous of this thing; it's a gift from God, there's nothing you can do about it.

Fang Tang was bothered because she was about to be able to travel the world and explore, but she had to start practicing the immortal path again. She had only just begun to cultivate Qi and didn't know how long she would have to cultivate to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Her goal of going down the mountain to explore the world had become even more unattainable, so of course she was disappointed.

Of course, if she could do it all over again, she would definitely still choose to cultivate the immortal path. After all, cultivating the immortal path would extend one's lifespan by several times compared to ordinary people, not to mention the difference in martial arts prowess between them and martial artists. Only a fool wouldn't cultivate it! Yan Wuqi was unaware of Fang Tang's inner thoughts and only curiously asked, "Junior Brother? Could it be that your sect already has a Foundation Establishment stage disciple? What is this 'Innate Sword Body'?"

"That one is the only one who has reached the Foundation Establishment stage. His name is Li Zhi. He is the youngest disciple in our sect, a true 'junior brother'! He was just flying in the sky because he comprehended a new technique. Otherwise, we wouldn't have gathered at the mountain gate for no reason!"

Fang Tang replied, "As for the 'natural sword physique,' I don't know much about it. I've only heard that it's an exceptional talent that's one in ten thousand, and that someone has a natural understanding of swordsmanship. When my master took him in, it was by chance that he had never practiced any martial arts or learned any swordsmanship, yet he was able to use many of the sword techniques created by the old Sword Saint when he was holding the sect's treasure, the Taiyue Sword. It was quite amazing, so my master took a liking to his talent and took him into the sect."

"We had barely taken them in when we encountered the Zhou Kingdom... and then the matter of the Mingjing National Preceptor of the Later Zhou Kingdom..."

"It's quite a coincidence. At the time, the sect leader was originally going to congratulate the Mingjing National Preceptor with the Taiyue Sword. We didn't know that the Mingjing National Preceptor was a demon... ah, I should call him a 'wicked cultivator'. Anyway, on the way, it just so happened that Sect Leader Zhang didn't bring his spirit sword when he subdued the Mingjing National Preceptor, so he summoned Master's Taiyue Sword. That's how we formed a connection with Sect Leader Zhang. Then, we received guidance from Sect Leader Zhang's eldest disciple, Chang Xiaoxian, which led our entire sect to follow the path of sword cultivation..."

Yan Wuqi listened with great interest to Fang Tang's incessant narration.

Although she knew that Taiyue Sword Sect had become a Taoist sect, she did not know the specific reasons. Now that she could hear the details of "one hand", she listened very carefully. However, when she heard "Chang Xiaoxianren", her expression suddenly became a little strange, and she even paused in her steps.

However, Fang Tang continued walking ahead and leading the way, unaware of Yan Wuqi's strange behavior, and continued talking:

"...Then it was Chang Xiaoxianren who told us that we finally understood that our junior brother was the legendary 'born sword body'! Not only did he achieve twice the results with half the effort in practicing swordsmanship, but he was practically a born sword cultivator. He could 'talk' to any sword that had some spirituality!"
"Isn't that amazing! When I first heard about this, I thought he was just kidding us! I didn't expect it to be true! Oh, right, Senior Sister Yan, if you have any natal spirit swords, you could let Junior Brother 'communicate' with one. Who knows, he might even hear the 'words' of his own natal spirit sword! That would be so interesting!"

As she spoke, Fang Tang stopped and pointed to a courtyard in the distance that had clearly been newly painted, saying, "We're here! This is the guest courtyard! There's also a senior sister from the White Stone Immortal Sect staying here for the next couple of days, but she's in the east courtyard. If Senior Sister Yan doesn't mind, she can stay in the west courtyard! The bedding and everything else are new, just bought! If you need anything, just let me know!"

"Thank you, junior sister..."

Yan Wuqi stopped with Fang Tang outside the guest courtyard before suddenly bringing up the previous topic: "My... my natal sword, the Silver Dragon Sword, is broken..."

"Ah! I'm so sorry, Senior Sister Yan!"

Fang Tang scratched his head, his face apologetic: "I'm so sorry!"

Fang Tang had no idea how Yan Wuqi's natal sword had broken. Although she wanted to ask, she knew that such a thing was a painful memory for him, so she could only apologize repeatedly, feeling very guilty for mentioning Yan Wuqi's "sadness".

Yan Wuqi shook his head: "It's nothing. Anyway, I've started cultivating the immortal path again, and I also need to nurture my natal spirit sword anew."

Fang Tang breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Yan Wuqi was taking it all in stride, and comforted her, "That's true, but there are advantages to cultivating immortality too. At least you can nurture as many natal spirit swords as you want, as long as your cultivation is sufficient! This is what Senior Brother Chang... ah, Little Immortal Chang told us!"

Yan Wuqi keenly noticed the form of address Fang Tang had inadvertently used and couldn't help but ask, "Chang...you all call Chang Xiaoshenxian 'Senior Brother'? Are you perhaps very familiar with him?"

"Hey! Well, how should I put it? He's been guiding us for a while, so we're definitely quite familiar with each other. But we only heard from Chang Xiaoshenxian that cultivators actually address each other as 'fellow Daoist,' but considering that Chang Xiaoshenxian is Sect Master Zhang's eldest disciple, we should all respectfully call him 'Senior Brother,' so that's why we call him 'Senior Brother Chang, Fellow Daoist'..."

As Fang Tang spoke, he scratched his head again and added embarrassedly, "But Senior Brother Chang said that our way of addressing each other is strange, and he doesn't call us that either. However, he didn't object to us calling him that either, so everyone just calls him that!"

Yan Wuqi nodded thoughtfully: "I see..."

……

The atmosphere at the Taiyue Sword Sect was not as serious as that at the Yuxu Sect.

Yan Wuqi's tense spirit was greatly relaxed in the Taiyue Sword Sect.

For example, the Taiyue Sword Sect has a fixed activity every night...

Or, to put it another way, "the program".

Everyone gathered in front of the sect's main hall, each carrying their precious sword—some were their natal swords, some were not, but all were undoubtedly fine swords. The youngest disciple of the Taiyue Sword Sect, who was known as having a "natural sword body," communicated with each of them, conveying the meaning he felt from these swords to their owners.

The scene was quite amusing. Some people were disgusted by the sword that they were drooling over while sleeping, while others wanted to get a sturdier scabbard. There were also amusing thoughts like, "It's quite calm, but it really wants to see blood."

Before this, Yan Wuqi had never known that the sword also had its own "emotions," and that they were so vivid, just like a person.

If it weren't for the fact that even Sect Leader Qu looked so serious, she would have thought that this "activity" was actually just a gathering of Taiyue Sword Sect disciples telling jokes!
Unfortunately, Yan Wuqi only brought an ordinary iron sword with him this time because the Silver Dragon Sword was destroyed. It was the kind of iron sword that could be bought for a few strings of cash in an ordinary blacksmith shop. He was too embarrassed to take it out for Li Zhi to "communicate" with, which made him feel a little regretful.

However, after Yan Wuqi trained with the disciples of the Taiyue Sword Sect for a few days, everyone realized that she wasn't without a sword, but only carried an ordinary iron sword. They all urged her to let Li Zhi "communicate" with that iron sword as well.

Among them, Fang Tang, a fan of Yan Wuqi, was the most enthusiastic: "Maybe it will develop a spirit after staying by your side for a long time? I heard Senior Brother Chang say that even a wooden sword can develop a sword spirit as long as it stays by the side of a sword cultivator for a long time, is used by the sword cultivator, and becomes more and more attached to the sword cultivator. At that time, the wooden sword will no longer be a wooden sword, but a magic weapon!"

The others chimed in, "Yes, Senior Sister Yan, that Li Zhi is quite something! Besides, your usual sword, even if it were just a bamboo pole, could probably become a magic weapon!"

"That's right! Senior Sister Yan, it's okay if he can't sense anything. Many disciples of our Taiyue Sword Sect can't 'communicate' with Li Zhi's swords. This kid isn't omnipotent!"

"Yeah, yeah! This kid's skills aren't up to par yet! Let him try first!"

Li Zhi was indignant at everyone's words. He opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but Fang Tang suddenly stomped on his foot. His senior brother Dai Liang quickly stepped forward, blocking Yan Wuqi's view, and at the same time, he covered Li Zhi's mouth tightly from behind, silencing his shout.

Such tacit actions made Li Zhi suddenly realize something—he had heard from Senior Sister Fang yesterday that Senior Sister Yan's natal sword had been destroyed!

I have no idea which shameless scoundrel did this! If I find out, I'll make him pay!
Li Zhi, who had silently made a promise in his heart, secretly reached out and poked Dai Liang in the back. The latter then turned his head tacitly, withdrew his hand from Li Zhi's mouth, pretended to have something to do with other junior brothers and sisters, and casually moved aside in front of Li Zhi.

Although Yan Wuqi didn't see what happened on Li Zhi's side, she still heard his muffled scream—she wasn't deaf!
She quickly looked in the direction of the sound and saw Li Zhi, who was exposed after Dai Liang left, with a flushed face and a strange expression.

"Ouch, I bit my tongue! Oops! I was just thinking of trying it myself, but I accidentally bit my tongue!"

Seeing Yan Wuqi's questioning gaze, Li Zhi was sweating profusely with anxiety. In the blink of an eye, he came up with an excuse and deliberately covered his mouth as if his tongue hurt.

The surrounding Taiyue Sword Sect disciples burst into laughter.

"Junior Brother is craving meat, hahaha!"

"How could you even bite your own flesh!"

"Tomorrow your senior brother will take you to the mountains to hunt rabbits! Don't dream of swallowing your own tongue like a pig's tongue!"

The crowd continued to tease him, and even Qu Zhiweng, who had come over with great interest, said with a smile, "Oh dear, it seems we should have the manager of the sect buy more chickens and ducks. Look how hungry Xiao Zhi is!"

"That was an accident! An accident!"

Li Zhi blushed crimson with embarrassment, but dared not admit that he hadn't bitten his tongue at all. He quickly changed the subject, looking at Yan Wuqi with anticipation: "Senior Sister Yan, where's your iron sword? Quickly take it out and let me try it!"

Unable to resist the crowd's enthusiasm, Yan Wuqi had no choice but to unfasten the sword from his back and hand it to Li Zhi.

It was indeed an ordinary iron sword. Even the scabbard was made of ordinary pine wood, only oiled and waxed, without any carvings.

The hilt of the iron sword was also made of pine wood, still without any patterns, just a very ordinary, flat square with its four edges rounded for easy grip.

The blade was very shiny, but that didn’t mean it was sharp. It was because it had only recently been sharpened, hadn’t been used, and hadn’t even been used to cut grass, so it looked brand new.

"Huh!?"

Li Zhi was actually fully prepared that he wouldn't be able to sense anything.

This is common. Although he was born with a sword body, if he wanted to "communicate" with a sword, it had to be a sword with a certain degree of spirituality that could generate subtle emotions.

Even if he were born with a sword-like physique, let alone a natural swordsman, he couldn't conjure emotions in an ordinary sword out of thin air.

But Yan Wuqi's sword is quite strange.

It is not a sword.

Or rather, it doesn't consider itself a "sword".

Li Zhi carefully sensed the emotions emanating from this seemingly ordinary iron sword, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

(End of this chapter)