Devour: Can you also draw entries from clone projection worlds?

That evening, as usual, you went to the back mountain for extra training. Halfway there, you heard the sounds of fighting ahead.

It wasn't a friendly exchange; it was a real, life-or-death struggle.

The sounds of swords clashing were rapid and frequent, occasionally interspersed with a muffled groan.

You paused in your steps.

According to the original timeline, nothing major should have happened to the Huashan Sect at this point.

Linghu Chong seems to still be facing the wall in contemplation on the Cliff of Repentance, Yue Buqun is plotting to obtain the Evil-Slaying Sword Manual, but it's unknown whether he's succeeded yet. Zuo Lengchan is still secretly making arrangements. Who would dare to cause trouble on the back mountain of Mount Hua?

You hesitated for a moment, but decided to go and take a look anyway.

Using the seemingly ordinary effect, you quietly approach the fighting area. Through the gaps in the bushes, you see two people fighting in a forest clearing.

One was a disciple of the Huashan Sect, dressed in the robes of an inner disciple, whose swordsmanship was fierce, every move a killing blow.

The other was a man in black, his face covered, who used a sword technique you had never seen before.

The inner disciples are clearly at a disadvantage. Although your swordsmanship is good, the man in black is stronger, and every strike forces you to retreat.

At this rate, the inner disciple will be defeated in less than twenty moves.

You have already recognized that the inner disciple is one of the supporting characters with a name and surname—Liang Fa, who is ranked among the top inner disciples of the Huashan Sect. Although he is a character with little presence in the original work, he seems to have died at the hands of the Songshan Sect in the end.

Should we make a move?

You hesitated for only a second.

If you intervene to save someone, your true strength will be exposed. An ordinary outer disciple can defeat a man in black who can't even beat an inner disciple. This cannot be explained by "a little improvement".

When Yue Buqun asks, what will you say? Will you say you have extraordinary talent and that you secretly practiced for five years?

But... if we don't intervene, judging from the current situation, Liang Fa is very likely to die. The death of an inner disciple in the back mountains of Mount Hua is no small matter.

Yue Buqun will definitely investigate this thoroughly. When that happens, the entire Huashan Sect will be under martial law, and it won't be so easy for you to secretly cultivate anymore.

Between two evils, you chose the lesser and made a decision.

You emerge from your hiding place, your steps neither fast nor slow, as if you were just passing by.

"Senior Brother Liang, do you need any help?" Your voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear amidst the sounds of fighting.

Liang Fa and the man in black were both stunned for a moment. The man in black obviously did not expect there to be a third person here. His sword move paused slightly. Liang Fa took the opportunity to take two steps back and create some distance.

"You...which junior brother are you?" Liang Fa asked breathlessly, clearly having been fighting for a long time.

"Junior brother is just an ordinary outer disciple," you said casually, picking up a branch from the ground. "Don't worry, senior brother, I'll lend a hand."

The man in black sneered, "A mere outer disciple dares to meddle in other people's business?"

Without saying a word, you picked up the tree branch and went up. You didn't use your internal energy or your full strength; you just used the sword techniques you had honed over the past five years. Every move was aimed at the black-clad man's weaknesses, and it was fast, accurate, and ruthless.

The man in black didn't care at first, but after three moves, his expression completely changed.

This outer disciple's swordsmanship... no, this isn't swordsmanship, this is a true killing move. Every move is flawless, every sword strike is aimed straight at a vital point.

Swordsmanship can be practiced, but it's not something you can master just by practicing.

The man in black was forced to retreat three steps, his face growing increasingly grim.

Liang Fa watched in stunned silence. He felt that this outer disciple's swordsmanship... was even more ruthless and powerful than his own, an inner disciple's.

In order to conceal more of your strength, you gave the man in black no chance to breathe. Your branches danced faster and faster, each strike accompanied by the sound of wind. Although the man in black tried his best to block, he struggled more and more.

The fifth move: your branch struck the man in black's wrist directly.

Although it was just a tree branch, the man in black still felt an unbearable pain in his wrist from the touch, and his long sword clattered to the ground.

"Get out of here!" the man in black shouted, turning and running.

You didn't pursue it because it was pointless and you didn't want to take the risk.

You threw the branch on the ground and turned to Liang Fa: "Senior Brother Liang, are you alright?"

Liang stared at you blankly for a long time before he came to his senses: "You...how could you..."

"A few years ago, an elderly master surnamed Feng instructed me in swordsmanship for a period of time," you said without changing your expression. "Later, I practiced swordsmanship on my own according to that master's guidance. Today, seeing my senior brother in trouble, I couldn't help but intervene. I hope my senior brother won't take it to heart."

Liang Fa opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. An outer disciple who had secretly practiced swordsmanship for a few years, even with guidance from a senior, could defeat a man in black who couldn't even beat him? Who would believe that?

But he did see it with his own eyes, so he had no choice but to believe it.

"Thank you for saving my life, Junior Brother." Liang Fa clasped his hands in thanks. "I will report this to Master. As for Junior Brother's swordsmanship..."

"No!" You quickly waved your hand. "Senior brother, please don't make a fuss. I'm just an ordinary outer disciple; I really don't want to stand out or cause trouble. Let's just consider this as us two teaming up to chase away a petty thief, okay?"

(The fleeing man in black: Fine, fine, so I've become a petty thief? You think I'm shameless?)

Looking into your earnest eyes, Liang Fa hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Okay, then let's consider today's work a joint effort."

You breathed a sigh of relief, clasped your hands in farewell, and turned to leave, your back already soaked with cold sweat.

Taking action to save someone is the best option after weighing your options, but the risks involved are still significant.

Will Liang Fa tell anyone about this? Will your cheap master Yue Buqun take notice of you?

You dare not gamble, but at least you have left yourself a way out: "A few years ago, an old senior named Feng instructed you in swordsmanship for a period of time."

Although this excuse was still clumsy, it was better than nothing, and coincidentally, there really was such a big shot in the Huashan Sect with the surname Feng.

Furthermore, your "ordinary" label is still in effect; unless Liang Fa brings it up, no one should notice you.

Back in your room, you sat on the bed and let out a long sigh.

Today's incident serves as a reminder: in the world of Swordsman, there is no absolute safety.

Even if you hide in the Huashan Sect and don't come down the mountain, or even hide in the back mountain, trouble may still come knocking on your door.

To truly survive, simply hiding isn't enough; you also need sufficient self-protection capabilities.

The ability to protect oneself cannot be built up simply by acquiring white-grade skills and basic sword techniques; you need something better.

You close your eyes and silently plan your next steps.

According to the original timeline, Linghu Chong seems to be about to meet Feng Qingyang on the Cliff of Contemplation.

The Dugu Nine Swords, a sword technique that is almost invincible in the world of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, is something you can't possibly learn. Feng Qingyang doesn't think much of you, and you don't want to compete with Linghu Chong for opportunities. Of course, it's also really not easy to learn.

But besides the Nine Swords of Dugu, there are other things on the Cliff of Contemplation, such as the inscriptions of the Ten Elders of the Demonic Sect.

The stone carvings record various lost sword techniques of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, as well as moves to counter all of their sword techniques.

If you can master these things, your understanding of the essence of swordsmanship in this world will probably reach a new level.

You don't need to learn everything, learning a part is enough. And you don't need to start learning now; you can do it after Linghu Chong comes down.

You open your eyes, pick up a pen, and write a few words on the paper: "Cliff of Repentance, Ten Elders of the Demonic Sect, Stone Inscription."

Then you added, "No rush, take your time."

Then you fold the paper, tuck it under your pillow, and lie down to sleep.