Chapter 60
Previously, Heng Yu had always assumed the hibiscus flower mark on Mi Yi’s eye was just a normal marking. After all, it was beautiful and enhanced Mi Yi’s appearance. But now, seeing her master’s reaction, she suspected it might be a type of restriction—the more beautiful, the more dangerous.
While Heng Yu was lost in thought, You Yun glanced at her, seeing through her mind. “Disciple, it’s not that easy to trick your master into revealing information.”
Heng Yu touched her nose and respectfully filled You Yun’s empty teacup. “How could I try to trick Master? I’m sincerely asking for your guidance. As my master, isn’t it your duty to answer your disciple’s questions? Here, Master, have some tea.”
You Yun was very pleased with her attentiveness, thinking that his disciple had finally learned how to respect her master. He cleared his throat and slowly picked up his teacup, his slender fingers toying with the lid. “In your previous letter, you mentioned meeting Mi Yi in Ping City. Did she tell you anything?”
Heng Yu thought for a moment and, instead of denying it, went along with his words. “Mi Yi said that as long as I don’t reject dual cultivation, all the sect’s arrangements would only benefit me.”
You Yun nodded. “That’s not wrong. But Mi Yi’s cultivation wasn’t high enough when she defected, so she didn’t know the full story behind that secret.”
Hearing this, Heng Yu knew there was more to it. She immediately sat up straight. “Master, what’s the secret?”
“Actually, in the past, Hehuan Sect disciples could choose whether or not to use admiration points for breakthroughs. Using admiration points makes early breakthroughs easier, but breaking through from Nascent Soul to Spirit Transformation becomes extremely difficult.”
“So back then, disciples with exceptional talent weren’t allowed to use admiration points for breakthroughs. Only those who had no hope of achieving immortality would use them.”
Disciples with ordinary talent used admiration points to lower the difficulty of advancement. Those whose limit might have been Foundation Establishment could reach Core Formation. Those whose limit was early Core Formation could reach late Core Formation, or even Nascent Soul with enough luck.
Because of this, the Hehuan Sect’s power grew rapidly, quickly rising among the thirteen sects and ranking among the top first-rate sects.
“But something happened later, right?” Heng Yu blinked, finishing You Yun’s sentence.
“Yes, something happened.”
“What was it?” Heng Yu asked quickly.
You Yun tapped the table with his finger. “I said it’s a sect secret. Do you think I can just tell you? And you’re only at peak Foundation Establishment, why worry about this?”
Heng Yu: “…Master, you underestimate me.”
He really was a cheap master, actually attacking his disciple’s cultivation! With her cultivation at her age, she would be praised as a genius anywhere else!
You Yun chuckled, noncommittal. But after a moment of thought, he comforted her gently. “Don’t overthink it, lest it create flaws in your mental state. Look at your master, I’ve still smoothly cultivated to late Nascent Soul.”
It’s just that he was stuck at late Nascent Soul, unable to advance further. In recent years, the Hehuan Sect had slipped from the top ranks of first-rate sects to the bottom, and this was the main reason—the Hehuan Sect was the only sect among the eight righteous sects and five demonic sects without a Spirit Transformation cultivator!
With their top-tier strength being inferior, their influence naturally decreased, and so did their status.
Heng Yu rubbed her forehead. Another reason she was so persistent about knowing the Hehuan Sect’s secret was that although she had successfully inherited the original owner’s memories, the memories of the period when the original owner had her accident seemed to have been deliberately erased. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember.
This made Heng Yu feel that the Hehuan Sect was very dangerous. So dangerous that she didn’t dare fully trust even You Yun, sitting across from her, and reveal everything.
After pondering for a moment, Heng Yu gave up on asking. At least You Yun was right about one thing: she was only at peak Foundation Establishment. Even if she knew the whole truth, there wasn’t much she could do.
She really needed to cultivate diligently and increase her strength.
Early in the morning, Heng Yu finished her meditation. After washing up, she changed into a green dress and left her room to visit Liaowu next door.
When she arrived at the bamboo grove, she saw Liaowu standing under the eaves, holding a scripture and explaining it to another young Buddhist cultivator. He looked focused, occasionally pointing at the scripture to support his words. The young cultivator, only at peak Qi Refining, nodded repeatedly as he listened.
Heng Yu smiled, plucked a bamboo leaf, and twirled it between her fingers as she approached lightly. Getting closer, she heard the young cultivator say, “Thank you, Senior Brother, I understand now.” He then took the scripture from Liaowu and happily left.
Liaowu had sensed her presence as soon as she approached the bamboo grove. He watched his junior brother leave before turning to Heng Yu, a smile unconsciously gracing his features. “Why are you here so early? The matches at the Sword Testing Grounds haven’t started yet.”
“I was bored in my room, so I came to find you.”
Heng Yu handed him the bamboo leaf. Liaowu took it and played with it, unsure what she intended to do.
Heng Yu pointed at her hair. “The wooden hairpin I’m using today is a bit plain. Can you help me put this bamboo leaf in as decoration?”
Liaowu finally understood. He was half a head taller than Heng Yu, so he walked to her side, assessed the situation, and inserted the bamboo leaf into the most suitable spot.
Heng Yu touched her hair and nodded in satisfaction.
“This poor monk has many materials in his storage ring. After today’s matches, this poor monk will carve a new wooden hairpin for you.”
Heng Yu smiled casually. “As long as you don’t find it troublesome.”
“It’s not troublesome.”
“You two—” A sigh came from the bamboo hut next door. Liaoyuan leaned against the doorframe, having been standing there for who knows how long. A playful smile danced on his eyebrows. “Lord Luo, you know I have special feelings for you. Shouldn’t you consider my proximity when getting close to Senior Brother Liaowu?”
Heng Yu lowered her hand and asked with a smile, “Does Senior Brother Liaoyuan truly have special feelings for me?”
“Of course, haven’t I been obvious enough?” Liaoyuan looked surprised.
“Then will Senior Brother Liaoyuan agree to any request I make?”
Liaoyuan raised an eyebrow, unsure what she was getting at. “As long as it’s within my power, I’ll agree to it, of course.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Heng Yu’s lips. She said with a fake smile, “Then please, Senior Brother Liaoyuan, shut up and go back to your room.”
Liaoyuan: “…”
He sighed dramatically. “I understand now. The goddess of this era also has a bad temper, actually shutting her admirer out. This truly breaks my heart.”
Listening to their conversation, Liaowu shook his head with a smile. Seeing that Heng Yu’s hair was being ruffled by the strong wind common in this area near the Sword Sect, Liaowu didn’t let them continue their banter. He said, “Lord Luo, it’s windy outside, please come inside.” He nodded at Liaoyuan as a greeting, then led Heng Yu into his room.
Liaowu’s room was as simple as ever. Upon entering, Heng Yu immediately noticed the paper cat and grass dragonfly placed on his bedside table. She walked over, poked the paper cat’s forehead, rubbed its belly, and then went to sit at the table.
Liaowu sat opposite her and handed her a jade slip.
“What’s this?” Heng Yu asked as she took the jade slip and placed it against her forehead.
Her divine sense probed the jade slip, and she found that it contained information on the elite disciples from various sects participating in the Dharma Assembly. Her next opponent, Chang Xiyi, was also included.
—Chang Xiyi, Sword Sect disciple, peak Foundation Establishment, left-handed swordsman, signature move: Azure Sea Billowing Sword Formation.
Although it seemed like a single sentence, it even mentioned that Chang Xiyi was left-handed and his signature move, which was quite detailed. After all, Chang Xiyi wasn’t particularly high-profile within the Sword Sect.
“Did the Undying Sect gather this?” Heng Yu asked after putting down the jade slip.
Liaowu brewed a cup of flower tea for her. He pushed the cup towards her and answered her question, “The Hehuan Sect should be gathering information as well, but it will probably take another day or two to complete. So you can look at this one from this poor monk first.”
He knew that Chang Xiyi wasn’t a major threat to her. But since he had this jade slip, he naturally wanted to share it with her.
“It’s been a while since I’ve sparred with someone at the same cultivation level. I can use him to test my swordsmanship.”
Heng Yu picked up the teacup and took a sip of jasmine tea. Since being with Liaowu, she had barely had any opportunities to fight, and her sword hadn’t seen blood in a long time.
After she put down the teacup, Liaowu refilled it and said, “They seem to be making bamboo rice and bamboo leaf cakes. Would you like some?”
Heng Yu raised an eyebrow and teased, “The Undying Sect’s chefs are really resourceful. You’re not going to stop them?”
With bamboo leaf cakes and bamboo rice, it seemed the nearby bamboo grove had suffered quite a bit.
Liaowu shook his head. “The Undying Sect’s rules only prohibit harming the bamboo grove within the sect. Outside the sect, this rule doesn’t apply, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for this poor monk to restrict them.”
Heng Yu chuckled. The implication was clear: they didn’t care about other people’s bamboo groves, only their own.
She couldn’t help but wink at Liaowu, a playful look on her face as if she had seen through his thoughts.
Liaowu lowered his eyes and chuckled softly.
After breakfast, Heng Yu and Liaowu rode a crane to the Sword Testing Grounds. The grounds were already bustling with activity.
All one hundred and eight arenas were in use, with Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation cultivators battling in designated areas, each using their full strength, creating a lively scene. Many cultivators were watching the matches near the arenas, either observing their opponents or simply enjoying the entertainment.
Heng Yu jumped down from the crane, clapped her hands, looked around, and asked Liaowu, “Where do we want to go?”
Liaowu said, “Let’s go watch the Foundation Establishment matches.”
Heng Yu nodded. “Alright.”
They walked to the area designated for Foundation Establishment matches. Among the three major realms, the Foundation Establishment stage had the most arenas, a total of sixty-six. Most disciples in each sect were at the Qi Refining stage, but inner sect disciples were mostly at the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation stages. Since Core Formation was difficult to achieve, naturally, the majority of participants in the Dharma Assembly were at the Foundation Establishment stage.
This area was also the liveliest.
After entering this area, Heng Yu looked around carefully and saw Wu Mei competing in a match.
She pointed to the arena where Wu Mei was and said to Liaowu, “Let’s go over there and watch.”
“Alright,” Liaowu agreed. He didn’t mind; as long as she was happy.
Making their way through the crowd, Heng Yu quickly reached the arena where Wu Mei was. Catching sight of a young man with a heavy sword on his back, wearing Sword Sect inner disciple robes, Heng Yu smiled. “So it’s Fellow Daoist Yu.”
Yu Xia’s gaze was fixed on Wu Mei. Hearing Heng Yu’s voice, he turned his head, recognized her and Liaowu, and quickly saluted them.
Heng Yu returned the greeting and casually asked, “Is Fellow Daoist Yu here to watch Wu Mei’s match?”
Yu Xia explained, “Just passing by.”
What a coincidence. However, they weren’t close, so Heng Yu didn’t tease him further. She nodded and changed the subject, looking up at Wu Mei on the arena.
The fight had reached a critical stage. With a flash, Wu Mei conjured a water column. The water column seemed ordinary, but when it scattered into countless droplets, they instantly transformed into ice blades, reflecting dazzling light under the sun.
The ice blades rained down on her opponent, surrounding him. Her opponent reacted quickly, summoning a series of magical treasures to try and dispel the attack. But just as the treasures appeared, Wu Mei closed in.
The red ribbon in her hand seemed soft but was sharper than most swords. To seize the initiative, Wu Mei quickly threw the ribbon. It expanded in the air, encircling her opponent from all sides, trapping him within the barrage of ice blades with no chance of escape.
When the red ribbon retracted, her opponent had been hit by the ice blades and collapsed unconscious.
“Wu Mei of the Hehuan Sect wins!” The referee announced the result without any unnecessary words.
Wu Mei looked down at her soul token, saw that ten points had been added, and smiled slightly. She tugged at her collar, revealing more of her fair skin, and said with a smile, “You’ve done well,” before flying down from the arena and landing next to Yu Xia.
“Why are you here?” Wu Mei asked Yu Xia as she smoothed her hair, glancing at Heng Yu and waving.
“I knew you had a match, so I came to see you,” Yu Xia replied, looking at Wu Mei with a hesitant expression.
Wu Mei shrugged. As she did so, the fabric on her shoulder slipped down. Yu Xia quickly reached out to adjust it. Wu Mei calmly pulled her collar back up.
She looked at Heng Yu, who was watching from the side, and waved again. “I’m done here. I’ll be going now.”
With that, she took Yu Xia’s hand and left. Heng Yu noticed many sharp gazes directed at Wu Mei as she held Yu Xia’s hand. They were clearly from Sword Sect disciples.
However, in the next moment, Yu Xia, being led by Wu Mei, raised his sword, his expression turning cold. The gazes around them gradually retreated.
This pair was really strange.
Heng Yu glanced at them before looking away. She touched the green bamboo leaf in her hair and glanced at the large stone tablet nearby, which displayed the day’s match schedule.
“It’s almost my turn,” Heng Yu said to Liaowu.
Just as she finished speaking, a referee in black on a nearby arena called out, “Luo Heng Yu of the Hehuan Sect versus Chang Xiyi of the Sword Sect. Please both come to the arena quickly.”
“So soon.” Heng Yu rubbed the hilt of her sword and said to Liaowu, “I’ll go up first.”
Liaowu nodded. He wanted to say something but then simply smiled. “I’ll await your victorious return.”
“Don’t worry,” Heng Yu said with a smile.
In the next moment, she flashed onto the arena and handed her soul token to the referee. Her opponent, standing opposite her, had an ordinary appearance and a restrained aura. He stood straight, like an unsheathed sword. He also handed his soul token to the referee.
Heng Yu always underestimated her opponents strategically but took them seriously tactically. Seeing Chang Xiyi’s aura, she narrowed her eyes slightly—it seemed this opponent wasn’t simple.
After confirming their identities, the referee quickly left the arena and announced the start of the match. As soon as the referee’s voice fell, Chang Xiyi’s sword left its sheath with a clang. The information was correct; he was a left-handed swordsman.
In the next instant, the tip of his sword lunged towards Heng Yu, the blade pressing down. Heng Yu shifted her footing, narrowly avoiding the sword. Only then did she draw her own sword. Her blade, incredibly sharp, grazed Chang Xiyi’s neck. The blade was icy cold, imbued with vast and chilling spiritual energy.
This exchange happened in the blink of an eye. The two crossed paths, then returned to their original positions.
Heng Yu’s clothes at her waist were torn, but her skin was unharmed. However, a thin trail of blood appeared on Chang Xiyi’s neck. He casually wiped his neck and raised his sword again, expressionless, chanting as he activated his sword technique and lunged towards Heng Yu. Their swords clashed continuously, the dull thuds echoing across the arena. Their movements were incredibly fast, making it difficult for those with weaker eyesight to follow their figures.
Soon, Heng Yu took two steps back. Although she was the first to retreat, ending the exchange, the one who was truly at a disadvantage, panting heavily, was Chang Xiyi.
Heng Yu’s robes flowed around her, her expression calm. She held her sword in her right hand and formed a seal with her left, coating her sword in a layer of icy frost that concealed deadly intent.
“Your swordsmanship is far inferior to mine,” Chang Xiyi, who had been expressionless, suddenly spoke.
Heng Yu smiled casually. She knew he was stalling for time, but she had the same intention. “But unfortunately, even at the same peak Foundation Establishment level, your overall strength is still inferior to mine.”
Even at the same cultivation level, there were differences in strength. Heng Yu had diligently practiced for a year. Although her swordsmanship foundation wasn’t as strong as Chang Xiyi’s, her control over sword Qi was far superior to his wide-sweeping style.
Chang Xiyi said coldly, “In that case, let me show you my strongest move. If you can withstand it, I’ll admit defeat.”
As his voice fell, Chang Xiyi slowly raised his sword. In the next instant, the sword split into six, forming a complex sword formation that integrated both offense and defense.
While Chang Xiyi was summoning his sword formation, Heng Yu naturally wouldn’t just stand there and wait for his strongest attack. She channeled her spiritual energy, her sword flashing forward in a series of swift and unpredictable strikes. The cold sword Qi forced Chang Xiyi to retreat repeatedly.
Just as he was about to be knocked down, Heng Yu was surrounded by the sword formation he had summoned. At this critical juncture, Chang Xiyi spun, barely managing to stay on his feet. Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, his prized Azure Sea Billowing Sword Formation, which he considered his strongest attack, was broken by Heng Yu with just three sword strikes.
Her figure flickered like a ghost, appearing beside Chang Xiyi. She raised her sword and gently placed it against his heart.
Chang Xiyi wanted to struggle again, but his body gave way, and he fell backwards.
“Luo Heng Yu of the Hehuan Sect wins!” The referee, seeing that Chang Xiyi had collapsed, immediately announced the result.
Only then did the surrounding spectators erupt in exclamations. “What happened? The sword formation seemed so powerful, how did it suddenly break?” “Those three sword strikes that broke the formation were so cool! Is this the Lord Luo of the Hehuan Sect?” “She actually found the flaws in the sword formation in such a short time and broke it directly. I’ve never heard of anyone in the younger generation of the Hehuan Sect being skilled in formations.”
The surrounding crowd buzzed with discussion, clearly impressed by Heng Yu’s performance. Heng Yu heard their discussions on the arena. She didn’t pay much attention, only feeling the faint glow emanating from her soul token at her waist. She took it out and saw that the points had indeed changed from zero to ten.
Heng Yu casually put away the soul token, then saluted her fallen opponent. “You’ve done well.”
Standing up straight, she jumped down from the arena and landed next to Liaowu, raising her chin slightly, as if to say: Why aren’t you praising me?
“Lord Luo’s understanding of formations has grown even stronger,” Liaowu praised softly.
The highlight of this match was how she broke the Azure Sea Billowing Sword Formation with three sword strikes. This sword formation was created by Chang Xiyi himself, so it wasn’t perfect. But Heng Yu’s ability to find its weaknesses in such a short time was what allowed her to win so easily.
“Your praise is so perfunctory,” Heng Yu commented. “There’s no need to repeat such obvious strengths. You might as well just say I fought beautifully.”
“It was a feast for the eyes,” Liaowu rephrased his compliment, following her words.
Heng Yu chuckled, no longer pressing him. “Let’s go to the Core Formation arena. It should be your turn soon.”
Liaowu calculated the time and agreed. “Let’s go.”
They arrived at the Core Formation arena. Just as Liaowu stopped, the referee on the nearby arena announced, “Liaowu of the Undying Sect versus Li Wufeng of the Netherworld Sect. Please both come to the arena quickly.”
As soon as the referee’s voice fell, Li Wufeng, wearing a half-black mask, flashed to the center of the arena.
Liaowu fingered his prayer beads and glanced at Heng Yu. Noticing that the bamboo leaf in her hair was slightly askew, he gently straightened it before stepping onto the arena at a leisurely pace.
The lingering scent of Bodhi hadn’t yet dissipated. Heng Yu blinked and subconsciously raised her hand, carefully touching the bamboo leaf, afraid of dislodging it.
After touching the leaf, Heng Yu slowly lowered her hand and looked up at Liaowu on the arena. She had rarely seen him fight, and this time, his opponent was two realms higher than him. It was likely to be a tough battle.
But just as this thought crossed her mind, Liaowu and Li Wufeng clashed.
As soon as they engaged, Heng Yu realized she had underestimated Liaowu’s strength. The so-called Light of Buddhism wasn’t just because of his Innate Buddha Bones.
He held black prayer beads in one hand and formed seals with the other, his expression serene, his attacks devoid of any malice. Buddhist chants echoed around him, as if millions of believers were worshipping him.
Each palm strike carried a power that could shake one’s soul. It felt as though a deity had descended from the Buddhist realm to punish a doubting believer.
So what if Li Wufeng cultivated the path of slaughter? So what if he had grown through countless battles? How could a mere mortal resist the benevolent power of a deity?
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