Martial Arts Crossover: My Master is Huang Rong

She forced a smile that was more like a grimace, her voice thick with nasal congestion and self-mockery:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Lin... has made a fool of himself."

She felt that she must look extremely disheveled at that moment.

Lin Xuan looked at her pretty face, which was streaked with tears and looked pitiful, and his heart softened.

He didn't speak, but instead made a move that Zhou Zhiruo never expected.

He extended his hand.

Instead of using a handkerchief, he gently and tenderly stroked her cheek with his broad, warm palm, wiping away the hot tears from the corners of her eyes with his fingers.

This action was both extremely intimate and extremely domineering.

Zhou Zhiruo's body stiffened abruptly the moment Lin Xuan's fingers touched her skin!

A tingling, electric-like sensation instantly spread from her cheeks throughout her body, leaving her mind blank.

Her first reaction was to back away, avoiding this overly intimate contact. As a lady from a respectable family, how could she have ever been treated so lightly by a man?

However, she wanted to hide, but her body wouldn't obey her commands.

An indescribable warmth emanated from Lin Xuan's palm.

That wasn't just body temperature, but a much stranger and more domineering force.

This aura seemed to possess a deadly magic, instantly shattering all her will to resist.

This is precisely the effect of the "Yin-Yang Supplementation Technique".

This technique inherently possesses the unique ability to attract the opposite sex.

At this moment, Lin Xuan's charm was amplified infinitely.

In Zhou Zhiruo's mind, Lin Xuan was no longer a frivolous man, but a safe haven she could rely on, a source that could soothe all her grievances and anxieties.

Her body was no longer stiff; instead, it unconsciously relaxed.

The heart that had just felt wronged because of being scolded miraculously calmed down at this moment.

She stood there, motionless, letting that warm, large hand gently stroke her cheek.

She raised her tear-filled eyes and stared blankly at Lin Xuan, who was so close to her.

His eyes were deep and gentle, filled with the tenderness and comfort of an older brother for his younger sister.

“Miss Zhou, if you need anything in the future, you can come to me.”

Lin Xuan's voice, deep and magnetic, seemed to carry a certain magical promise, clearly reaching her ears.

Chapter 116: The Nine Swords of Dugu

The beauty and comfort under the osmanthus tree that day was like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, creating ripples that lingered in Zhou Zhiruo's calm heart.

Since then, her relationship with Lin Xuan has undergone a subtle yet profound change.

It's no longer the distant worship and admiration of before, but rather an indescribable closeness and dependence.

Lin Xuan seemed pleased to see this change.

During his stay at Mount Hua, aside from occasionally sneaking into Ning Zhongze's boudoir at night for a romantic rendezvous, he spent most of his time instructing Yue Lingshan and Zhou Zhiruo on their martial arts in the quiet training grounds on the back mountain.

He paid special attention to Zhou Zhiruo, in particular.

The swordsmanship of the Emei School is known for its "lightness, agility, skill, and elegance." When Zhou Zhiruo wields it, it is like a butterfly flitting among flowers, dancing gracefully with beautiful postures, making it highly entertaining to watch.

However, in Lin Xuan's eyes, this became the biggest problem.

"Your sword is beautiful."

One afternoon, Lin Xuan watched Zhou Zhiruo finish practicing a set of "Snowflake Piercing Clouds Sword" and commented indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiruo's pretty face flushed slightly, thinking she had received a compliment, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.

“Unfortunately,” Lin Xuan changed the subject, “a sword is a weapon of destruction, not a tool for dance. Its existence has only one purpose, which is to defeat your enemy in the fastest and most effective way.”

He strolled up to Zhou Zhiruo, took the long sword from her hand, and casually twirled it.

“Look at this move, ‘Flying Snow Welcoming Spring’,” Lin Xuan flicked his wrist, the tip of his sword drawing a dazzling arc of light in the air. The swordplay seemed gentle, yet it instantly transformed into seven sword flowers, attacking from different directions. “Your sword move just now only sought elegance and outward expression, but it lost its restrained killing intent. The true way to use it should be like this…”

He remained still, but his swordplay suddenly changed. The seven dazzling sword flowers abruptly merged into one, transforming into a chilling point of light that silently pierced a fallen leaf in front of him.

There was no sound of air being cut, no astonishing power, only extreme speed and precision.

Only when the sword tip had stopped an inch in front of the fallen leaf did the leaf seem to react, and it was silently split in two by the invisible sword energy.

"A sword is not for showing off. It is for killing. When you really want to kill someone, your sword will be quieter than ever."

Lin Xuan's voice, like his sword strike just now, was calm yet pointed directly to the core.

Zhou Zhiruo stared at him blankly, as if a brand new door was slowly opening before her.

Her master, Abbess Miejue, had also taught her martial arts, but it focused more on breaking down the moves and circulating internal energy. No one had ever analyzed the essence of swordsmanship for her from the perspective of "intention" like Lin Xuan.

She was exceptionally intelligent and quick to grasp concepts. Under Lin Xuan's guidance, her understanding of the Emei sword technique began to deepen at an astonishing rate. What were once merely superficial techniques were gradually being grasped in their essence.

Her sword was still agile, but it had gained a calmness and sharpness that she had never seen before.

Her gaze toward Lin Xuan grew ever brighter. In it, besides the deepening gratitude and admiration, a subtle, unnoticed tenderness, a young girl’s affection for a hero, was quietly blossoming.

All of this was clearly seen by another pair of eyes nearby.

Yue Lingshan hugged her sword, her lips slightly pouting, her heart filled with mixed emotions—a bittersweet feeling.

Once upon a time, "Brother Xuan," who belonged only to her, was her pride and joy, her exclusive treasure. He would practice swordsmanship with her, listen to her girlish secrets, and look at her with gentle eyes and smile.

But now, Zhou Zhiruo is by his side.

A Zhou Zhiruo who is gentler, quieter, and seemingly... more favored by Brother Xuan.

Seeing Lin Xuan patiently explaining every detail of the sword moves to Zhou Zhiruo, and seeing Zhou Zhiruo's focused and starry-eyed expression, a strange sense of grievance and jealousy grew wildly in her heart like vines.

"Brother Xuan!" she couldn't help but call out sweetly, interrupting their conversation, "Look at my Phoenix's Arrival move, is it right? You haven't seen me practice swordsmanship in so long!"

She deliberately emphasized the word "for a long time," her tone clearly conveying both coquettishness and dissatisfaction.

Lin Xuan turned around at the sound and saw her cute, puffed-up face. He immediately understood what the little girl was thinking and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright, alright, let me see if our Shan'er's swordsmanship has improved again." He returned the sword to Zhou Zhiruo, walked to Yue Lingshan's side, and gently comforted her.

Zhou Zhiruo was overwhelmed with mixed feelings as she watched this scene.

She could sense a hint of hostility from Yue Lingshan, which left her somewhat at a loss. She was kind-hearted by nature and didn't want to compete with others, but faced with Lin Xuan's guidance, she simply couldn't resist the temptation of improving her martial arts skills.

Surprisingly, it was precisely this little bit of "jealousy" that actually made the two girls spend more time together.

In order to "win back" her beloved Brother Xuan, Yue Lingshan followed Lin Xuan almost every step of the way. Naturally, she was also present when Lin Xuan was instructing Zhou Zhiruo.

As time went by, the two girls, who were about the same age, saw each other all the time. From the initial awkwardness and distance, they gradually became familiar with each other.

Although Yue Lingshan has a bit of a temper, she is not a bad person at heart.

She discovered that Zhou Zhiruo had a gentle personality and never argued with her. In fact, when Zhou Zhiruo encountered a bottleneck in her sword practice, she would quietly remind her using the methods taught by Lin Xuan.

Zhou Zhiruo, in turn, felt a long-lost warmth among peers from Yue Lingshan's liveliness and naivety. In the strictly disciplined Emei Sect, she had never experienced such relaxed and carefree sisterhood.

One day, while practicing swordsmanship, Yue Lingshan accidentally said, "Sister Zhiruo, you are so beautiful."

A casual remark to "sister" left her stunned.

Zhou Zhiruo felt a warmth in her heart and replied with a smile, "Sister Shan'er, you flatter me."

From that day on, the terms "older sister" and "younger sister" naturally began to be used between the two. Although Yue Lingshan would occasionally pout because of Lin Xuan's "favoritism" towards Zhou Zhiruo, that initial jealousy had been replaced by a more complex sisterly affection that mixed competition and intimacy.

The sky was clear and the air was crisp on this day.

Lin Xuan was still instructing the two women on their martial arts on the back mountain. Yue Lingshan and Zhou Zhiruo were practicing their moves, each one precise and skillful, their swords clashing and producing a crisp sound.

Lin Xuan stood to one side with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face, looking at the pleasing scene before him.

Suddenly, his smile froze slightly, and a barely perceptible glint flashed deep in his eyes.

His extraordinary senses detected a very unusual movement.

On another path on the back of Mount Hua, a figure flashed past at an astonishing speed toward the Cliff of Contemplation.

That figure's lightness skill was not only fast, but also conveyed a transcendent and carefree spirit, as if he were one with nature.

If Lin Xuan's cultivation hadn't reached the pinnacle, he probably would have thought it was just a mountain breeze passing through the forest.

Although Yue Lingshan and Zhou Zhiruo's martial arts skills were among the best of the younger generation, their levels of understanding were far too different. They were still immersed in their own sword moves and were completely unaware of this difference.

A playful smile curved Lin Xuan's lips.

coming.

The person he was waiting for showed up.

"Alright, you two practice on your own for now. I'm going out to take care of something and will be right back." He clapped his hands and instructed the two women.

"Brother Xuan, where are you going?" Yue Lingshan immediately stopped her sword and asked curiously.

"Go see someone."

Lin Xuan smiled mysteriously, said no more, and turned to walk in another direction.

He didn't seem to be walking very fast, but after a few turns, his figure completely disappeared from the two women's sight.

The moment he turned into a deserted corner, his entire demeanor suddenly changed.

One second he was a gentle older brother next door, the next second he transformed into a peerless divine weapon unsheathed!

With a light tap of his foot, his figure rose silently from the ground like a wisp of light smoke, without making a sound, and rushed after the direction where the figure had disappeared.

……

The mountain road was rugged and the forest was dense.

A bluish-gray figure moved swiftly through the forest. His steps seemed leisurely, yet each stride covered several meters, his movements elusive and ghostly.

He was none other than Feng Qingyang, the peerless swordsman who had lived in seclusion on the Cliff of Contemplation in Mount Hua for decades and had long been forgotten by the martial arts world.

Today, on a whim, he decided to go out for a walk and stretch his muscles.

On this mountain, he thought he was absolutely free and that no one could detect his whereabouts.

However, he hadn't gone far when a ripple appeared in his usually calm and undisturbed state of mind.

He sensed that a "tail" had appeared behind him.

A long and deep "tail".

Feng Qingyang was slightly surprised.

Apart from Yue Buqun, who possessed some skill, the other disciples of the Huashan Sect were nothing more than clay chickens and earthenware dogs in his eyes. Who could possibly have such cultivation and keep up with his pace?

He didn't want to pay attention, but the other person followed behind him at a leisurely pace, neither getting closer nor further away. That composure aroused a sense of curiosity in him.

So, he slightly increased his speed by three points.

His figure moved like lightning, leaving trails of afterimages in the mountains and forests.

To his astonishment, the aura behind him remained steadily following, without the distance increasing by even an inch!

This time, Feng Qingyang was truly moved.

His lightness skill is absolutely rare, even in the world today.

Only a handful of people could keep up with him. And those behind him not only kept up, but did so with such ease and grace!

Interesting, really interesting!

Without further hesitation, he increased his speed to the maximum and headed straight for the Cliff of Repentance where he had lived in seclusion for many years. He wanted to see just who this person was.

A moment later, the two arrived at the open platform of the Cliff of Contemplation, one after the other, almost simultaneously.

The mountain wind howled, making the hem of my clothes flutter.

Feng Qingyang slowly turned around and looked at the young man who had chased after him.

The young man was dressed in a blue robe, with a tall and straight figure, handsome face, and extraordinary demeanor.

He simply stood there, yet he possessed the aura of a master, profound and majestic. His deep eyes seemed to contain the stars and the sea, making them difficult to see clearly.

"What superb skills! What incredible speed!" Feng Qingyang spoke first, his voice aged yet full of vigor, carrying a hint of heartfelt admiration. "Young friend's martial arts are probably no less than mine. May I ask your esteemed name?"

Lin Xuan smiled slightly and bowed respectfully to the legendary swordsmanship master.