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

Chapter 316 Swordsmanship and the Grand Ceremony of the Sect
After an unknown amount of time, the scorching, surging heat gradually subsided.

Zhuang Wansong took a deep breath and slowly stopped moving. The wooden branch in his hand was intact, but within dozens of feet around him, trees fell and rocks cracked, as if they had been plowed by an invisible sword.

He was also shocked to discover that the true qi meridians that had been flowing through his body for decades, through which he had cultivated martial arts, had suddenly disappeared.

His true energy channels did not "collapse," but rather "melted"—as if they had silently "melted" into his body, transforming into an unprecedented power that permeated his limbs and bones.

This power was not unfamiliar to him; he had felt it once before when he first consumed the "immortal food" that had been passed down from the White Stone Immortal Sect.

Later, as the Taiyue Sword Sect and the Baishi Immortal Sect became on good terms, various kinds of "immortal food" such as spirit rice and immortal peaches gradually appeared in the Taiyue Sword Sect. As the one with the highest cultivation level in the entire Taiyue Sword Sect and who controlled the sect's economic lifeline, Zhuang Wansong was naturally the first to enjoy these "immortal foods" and naturally came into contact with the spiritual energy in various "immortal foods" many times.

But this time was different. This spiritual energy did not travel through his true qi channels before dissipating, as it had before. Instead, it lay quietly in his body, as if it had become a part of his flesh.

Just as he was in shock, the sky gradually darkened.

Zhuang Wansong then realized that, without him noticing, countless dark clouds had gathered in the sky, obscuring the sun.

These dark clouds were different from the usual clouds that were about to rain. They were not only blackish-gray, but also flashed with blue and purple lightning, as if they were brewing some great terror.

"Is this... thunder tribulation?"

Zhuang Wansong muttered to himself, feeling the mysterious connection between heaven and earth. The wooden branch in his hand seemed to resonate faintly with the surrounding world.

The tribulation lightning is about to strike.

Zhuang Wansong didn't know what tribulation lightning looked like; he had only seen a simple description in the "White Stone Immortal Book".

Legend has it that it was a punishment for mortals who defied the heavens, and also a tempering opportunity given by the heavens. The tribulation lightning that it condensed was also known as heavenly lightning.

Zhuang Wansong could clearly feel that under that oppressive force that made it almost impossible to breathe, a power had emerged that could crush him like an ant.

The journey of mortals to immortality is just like this: with the power of an ant, they try to shake the majesty of the Dao...

Zhuang Wansong was not afraid; instead, he raised the branch in his hand—

Since seeking the way of the sword is going against the will of Heaven, then one must never wag one's tail and beg for mercy!
As his resolve strengthened, a deafening roar echoed through the clouds. A few breaths later, the first bolt of lightning struck down from the thunderclouds, hurtling fiercely towards Zhuang Wansong.

An ordinary tree branch was quickly flicked upwards, and a light green sword light was swung out.

This sword light was far less striking than the light of the sword blade that Zhuang Wansong used to emit when he still had true qi meridians, and it was even less impressive than the lightning that fell from the sky.

But it was precisely this faint sword light that shattered the lightning.

The first bolt of lightning was the most powerful, but the subsequent bolts were not as oppressive, and Zhuang Wansong dealt with them with considerable ease.

After an unknown amount of time, the last bolt of lightning struck, and Zhuang Wansong finally put away the branch that had remained completely unharmed, standing quietly in the forest.

The surrounding area was littered with broken walls and ruins by lightning, and looked like a mess. However, in this mess, many trees that had been split into pieces and were charred black were surrounded by a faint glow, lush green and full of vitality.

This is because these trees went through the "lightning tribulation" along with Zhuang Wansong. By chance, they were enlightened and became special "spiritual trees" because of the "lightning tribulation"!
However, Zhuang Wansong was not affected by this, because he was completely absorbed in his "sword way", frowning as he tried to unravel the doubts in his heart.

First of all, drawing qi into the body will not trigger a lightning tribulation.

Even drawing qi into the body will not cause any innate phenomena. At most, it may only create a vortex of spiritual energy due to the gathering of spiritual energy, but it is not a "phenomenon".

Those who can trigger a tribulation lightning should at least be cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Could it be... that I have directly established my foundation without even refining my Qi?

Zhuang Wansong was completely baffled.

The next moment, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He tucked the branch behind his waist, raised his hand, and condensed a "sword intent." This "sword intent," like a sword light, was gently pushed forward by him—

Then, a hundred paces away, a huge rock silently split open, then with a loud rumble, it shifted out of place, its cross-section as smooth as a mirror.

He did not use any known martial arts true qi (although he no longer had any) or spiritual power cultivated only by immortals. He simply moved his mind slightly, and his sword intent was spontaneously generated, yet he was able to have such power!
Zhuang Wansong looked at the cracked rock, then at the ordinary wooden branch in his hand, and suddenly burst into laughter. His laughter pierced through the mountains and forests, reverberating between heaven and earth, and startling a flock of birds in the distance.

"I understand! The way of the sword has never been confined to form! Martial arts are the vehicle, and the path to immortality is also a means, but the sword heart is unique! What the Sword Saint sought back then was the way of the sword, not the true qi or spiritual power of today!"

The confusion and gloom in Zhuang Wansong's heart were swept away, replaced by a firm and enterprising consciousness.

He no longer agonized over whether martial arts would perish or immortality would flourish, nor was he anxious about whether he could regain his footing amidst the upheaval of spiritual energy.

He only needs to hold the "sword" in his hand tightly, whether it is an iron sword, a wooden sword, or just a tree branch, or even no sword at all—as long as the way of the sword remains in his heart, that is his "precious sword"!
"Today, I, Zhuang Wansong, will use this crippled body and old veins to forge a new path of 'entering the Dao through the sword'!"

……

Meanwhile, at Tianhe Mountain, the Tianji Sect...

The sect ceremony has not yet officially started, but guests from all sides have already arrived.

Although the Tianji Sect only formally invited three sects and factions—the Baishi Immortal Sect, the Taiyue Sword Sect, and its own Tang Sect—the Baishi Immortal Sect sent Chang Ping'an, the eldest disciple of Zhang Chengdao, along with a delegation of thirty people. This was a significant gesture, showing the Tianji Sect considerable respect.

The group of nearly twenty people from the Taiyue Sword Sect were not to be outdone. They gathered together in a lively manner and, from the moment they entered the Tianji Sect's mountain gate, they curiously observed this newly established immortal sect, which was famous for its array formations.

This sect is quite special. Its leader is named Tang Yinxiang, a very young woman. She is unknown and has no reputation. In fact, she is probably unheard of in the martial arts world. Apart from the fact that her surname is "Tang", she has nothing else to offer.

However, Tang Yinxiang's background is extremely strong. Being born into the Tang Clan in Sichuan is the least noteworthy thing about her. She was also the only single disciple of the Tomb Guardian Sect, and the disciple of Tang Xiaoyu, the only true immortal on land and the personal disciple of Zhang Chengdao, the sect leader of the White Stone Immortal Sect!
"Alas, although this Sect Leader Tang is said to be Immortal Tang's disciple, he is not from the White Stone Immortal Sect..."

At the foot of Tianji Sect Mountain, many disciples from various sects and forces who were on their way to celebrate the founding of Tianji Sect were chatting as they walked.

One of them boasted about his inside information: "You should know about this as well, right?"

Disciples from less well-informed smaller sects immediately perked up their ears and urged each other on—

"how do I say this?"

"Explain it?"

The man who had been showing off his information raised his head with satisfaction and said, "Speaking of this, it's a long story. Do any of you know about the 'Blood Demon' from over a thousand years ago?"

The story of the "Blood Demon" is shrouded in mystery and known to few. However, the sects and forces that were sensitive enough to come over, as well as the disciples sent by these sects that had already attained immortality, all knew more or less about the "Blood Demon," so the question did not fall silent.

Someone said, "It is said that before the 'Blood Demon War,' there were countless martial artists in the world. In some small martial arts schools, even Venerable Masters were stationed there!"
"However, after the 'Blood Demon War,' many Grandmasters, Grandmasters, and various Venerables died, and the entire martial arts and cultivation world was suddenly in a state of transition. This is why, when Zhang Xianren descended to the mortal world, there were only less than ten Grandmasters widely known in the martial arts world."

One curious person pressed on, asking, "But what does this have to do with Sect Leader Tang?"

"Alas! You are truly confused! The leader of the Heavenly Mystery Sect is from the Tang Clan of Sichuan, and is also the only disciple of the Tomb Guardian Sect. Furthermore, her master has become a disciple of the only terrestrial immortal in the world. How can this not be a problem?"

Seeing that everyone's interest had been piqued, the informant became even more smug and lowered his voice, saying, "It's very important!"
"Think about it, what kind of existence was that 'Blood Demon'? Back then, it took almost all the martial arts power in the world to barely suppress it, rather than completely destroy it! The reason why the Tomb Guardian Sect is called the 'Tomb Guardian Sect' is precisely because what this sect 'guards' is not some other tomb, but the 'Blood Demon' that was suppressed and sealed in the Qin King's Tomb!"
"The Tomb Guardian Sect has been a secret lineage since ancient times, guarding the seal and dealing with the evil spirits that accidentally escaped from the Qin King's Tomb. And this Sect Leader Tang, as the only successor of the Tomb Guardian Sect in this era, at a time when the immortal path is flourishing and spiritual energy is reviving, he founded the Heavenly Mystery Sect in Tianhe Mountain to specialize in the study of formations. Don't you all think... it's too much of a coincidence?"

He paused, glanced around at the attentive crowd, and his tone became meaningful. He then began to show off his not-so-great knowledge, saying, "It is said that the geological formations of Tianhe Mountain correspond to the shape of an ancient seal. The Tianji Sect's establishment here is probably not just for founding a sect and passing on its formations. Perhaps it is to guard something, or... to prevent something from returning."

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd, and some disciples from smaller sects showed expressions of fear on their faces.

Although the legend of the Blood Demon is not widely known in the martial arts world, any sect with a long history and a distinguished lineage would vaguely mention it to their disciples. Therefore, even if they were not clear about the specific details, most disciples of famous sects knew something about it to some extent.

Hearing these words, someone couldn't help but stammer, "No, no way... This path of immortality has only just begun, could it be that it's going to...?"

"Shh! Be careful what you say!" another person quickly stopped him, saying, "These are all speculations and should not be taken seriously. The founding of the Heavenly Mystery Sect is a joyous occasion, so don't speak nonsense and offend the important person."

The man who had been boasting about his information earlier chuckled smugly, "Heh heh heh, so you've really underestimated things. In my opinion, the Heavenly Secrets Sect is truly sinister and has a mysterious background..."

……

As rumored, the Tianji Sect's buildings are not numerous, but their layout is ingenious and subtly incorporates formations. Ordinary people who enter without guidance are very likely to lose their way.

Besides the various sects and factions that came to join the fun, there was another particularly conspicuous group: the disciples of the Tang Sect.

Although most of the disciples of the Tang Clan had a cold and aloof demeanor, they also possessed the casualness and Buddhist-like nature characteristic of people from Sichuan, which contrasted sharply with the straightforward "sword cultivators" of the Taiyue Sword Sect.

Indeed, because many of the Taiyue Sword Sect practitioners had Qi cultivation, and because Zhang Chengdao casually referred to the Taiyue Sword Sect's "cultivators" as "sword cultivators" in private, its reputation actually became renowned throughout the world, and even its disciples were subsequently called "sword cultivators."

Li Zhi and Yan Wuqi followed in the group. Li Zhi was still trying to sense the emotions of the "spiritual swords" that might exist around him. He was somewhat addicted to this. Not to mention the swords of his own sect's disciples, he didn't let go of any of the disciples from other sects either, trying every means to "eavesdrop" on the emotions of those swords.

Yan Wuqi remained calm as always, only occasionally glancing at the strangely shaped array artifacts worn by the Tianji Sect disciples, as if he were pondering something.

Fang Tang leaned closer to Li Zhi and whispered, "Junior Brother, look at those people from the White Stone Immortal Sect over there. I heard that Sect Master Zhang's eldest disciple has already reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment and could form his Core at any time! What are your chances of winning against him?"

Li Zhi looked in that direction and saw Chang Ping'an, who had taught the Taiyue Sword Sect for quite some time, still pretending to be mature and old, talking with Tang Yinxiang, the leader of the Tianji Sect, along with many fellow disciples who were much older than him.

"Senior Sister Fang, you know him, so why aren't you calling him Senior Brother Chang anymore?" Li Zhi glanced at Fang Tang in confusion and said, "Besides, we're both at the Foundation Establishment stage, and I was even taught by him. I don't think it would be easy for me to beat him, right?"

Fang Tang shook his head: "He is a legitimate disciple of the White Stone Immortal Sect, how can we call him 'Senior Brother'? Besides, we are outside, especially here at the Heavenly Mystery Sect, how can we be so presumptuous? Let's just call him Fellow Daoist!"

As she spoke, she put on a look of schadenfreude and pressed on, "Since you're both at the Foundation Establishment stage, do you really not know whether you can beat him? Aren't you born with a sword physique?"

"A natural swordsman's physique doesn't mean you're born a god!"

Li Zhi rolled his eyes: "Senior Sister Fang, did Fellow Daoist Chang offend you back then? Why do you always expect me to be able to beat him?"

"Haha, no, no, no! I was just asking casually!"

Fang Tang practically jumped up as she denied it three times in a row.

Before she could say anything more, Li Zhi spoke up again with an air of seriousness: "Hmm, I understand now. So Senior Sister Fang has a grudge against me!"

(End of this chapter)