Chapter 117: Practicing Swordsmanship in the Celestial Realm
Ye Zi Yin smiled faintly, “That’s why I’m not worried about you becoming a disciple of the Evil Lotus Sect. You’ll be an anomaly. In the end, either the Evil Lotus Sect will corrupt you completely, or you will change them, leading them down a different path.”
“Honestly, I’m quite curious to see what happens.”
Hearing her words, Shi Hao sighed in relief.
He had felt guilty about becoming Su Mei’s disciple, betraying Ye Zi Yin’s trust.
But now, he felt a sense of purpose, like an undercover agent infiltrating the enemy ranks, a hidden anomaly within the demonic sects.
Although this shift in perspective was rather abrupt, he truly felt he still belonged to the Daoist path.
He followed Ye Zi Yin, passing through a field of unusually large peonies.
The ethereal glow of the Cave Meditating Grass on the walls illuminated the colorful flowers, their size exceeding even that of a human, creating a dreamlike landscape.
As they walked through the peonies, Shi Hao asked softly, “Sister Zi Yin, you were waiting for me to ask, weren’t you?”
Ye Zi Yin smiled, “Was I?”
Shi Hao said, “You knew I would be concerned about your opinion, but you waited for me to ask.”
Ye Zi Yin, holding his hand, chuckled, “Don’t worry about such trivial matters.” She leaped into the air.
Shi Hao felt a gentle force lifting him as he ascended with her.
Before them stood a giant red peony, far larger than the others, like a towering building.
Ye Zi Yin carried him to the flower’s center, landing amidst the swaying stamens, surrounded by large, red petals.
“Sit down,” she said, facing him.
They sat facing each other, their hands clasped.
Ye Zi Yin said, “Close your eyes, relax your mind, and clear your thoughts.”
Entering a meditative state was a familiar practice for Shi Hao. He quickly relaxed, his mind becoming still.
He felt a gentle energy, like a warm current, flowing from Ye Zi Yin, washing over him.
Like a fetus immersed in amniotic fluid, he felt a sense of peace and comfort.
Trusting Ye Zi Yin completely, he let go of all his defenses.
There was no point in being on guard. Both Ye Zi Yin and Su Mei, his “wives,” could easily kill him if they wanted to.
He felt a gentle tug.
In the next instant, he and Ye Zi Yin were ascending.
It was a strange and wondrous sensation. He could still sense the giant red peony below, see their two figures sitting there.
But he was also rising, ascending towards an unknown destination.
He felt like they were leaving this world, entering a mysterious, unknown realm.
Clouds swirled around them, and colorful threads of light, like brushstrokes in the sky, formed strange and wondrous creatures that floated among the clouds.
“Where are we?” Shi Hao looked down, his eyes filled with wonder.
They were standing on a cloud, the giant red peony below no longer visible.
Ye Zi Yin said softly, “The Celestial Realm.”
Shi Hao looked up, stunned, “The Celestial Realm?”
He hadn’t expected her to bring him here so easily.
Ye Zi Yin said calmly, “Don’t be so surprised. Just as demonic cultivators can obtain demonic essence from the Demonic Realm, we, the Taisu Immortal Pavilion, have ways of accessing the Celestial Realm. And in some ways, the Celestial Realm is safer than the Demonic Realm. The Yin Demons of the Demonic Realm are mostly malevolent, constantly trying to interfere with and invade the mortal world. Dealing with them is like making a deal with a tiger.
She took his hand and flew towards the distance, “As for the Celestial Realm, these figures you see, most are just remnants of the past, echoes of beings that existed in ancient times. What we see now are just… shadows of their former selves.
“Of course, there are some dangerous things here, but generally, as long as you’re careful, you’ll be fine. And we avoid the unknown, unexplored regions.”
She looked back at him and smiled faintly, “Normally, even within the Taisu Immortal Pavilion, only high-rank experts can ascend to the Celestial Realm. And bringing someone else here is even more difficult. But the Primordial Grotto Heaven is the closest place to the Celestial Realm, in some ways, even… superior to it.
“Only here, in the Primordial Grotto Heaven, can I bring you to the Celestial Realm.”
Shi Hao said, “I saw our bodies remaining behind. Are we here in spirit form?”
Ye Zi Yin smiled, “You could say that, but it’s more complicated than that. The body you’re currently using is formed from the pure energy here, based on your own image. And I could only do this because you trust me completely.”
Shi Hao asked, “Why did you bring me here, Sister Zi Yin?”
Ye Zi Yin said, “To practice swordsmanship.”
Shi Hao said, “Practice swordsmanship?”
Ye Zi Yin said, “Indeed… practice swordsmanship.”
The scene around them shifted.
Shi Hao looked around and saw they were now on a giant, floating, white jade platform.
White jade pillars, carved with dragons and phoenixes, surrounded them, swords flying around the pillars.
Ye Zi Yin said, “Use your Primordial Energy to observe these swords.”
Shi Hao closed his eyes and extended his Primordial Energy… He wasn’t sure if his Primordial Energy was here with him or had remained in his body.
But as he focused his mind, it flowed naturally.
His mind, clear as a mirror, observed the flying swords. Before him, Ye Zi Yin waved her hand, and the swords began to move.
As he sensed them, they seemed to respond to him, dancing in his mind, and he began to understand… They weren’t swords, but sword manuals.
Each flying sword represented a complete set of sword techniques.
After demonstrating its corresponding techniques, each sword would disappear. After a long while, Shi Hao slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp, his expression filled with joy.
He looked at the Holy Jade Immortal, “Sister Zi Yin, I’ve learned so many sword techniques!”
Ye Zi Yin’s face remained impassive, but her eyes twinkled, “Show me.”
Shi Hao stood, sword in hand, his posture steady and composed.
The sword he held was the one forged by Daoist Tie Yu. It was still in Xu Xiaoyan’s possession. He had only brought the hilt with him.
But now, as he willed it, the sword materialized in his hand, a wondrous and inexplicable phenomenon.
Before him, the Holy Jade Immortal held her sword, its tip pointed downwards, her robe fluttering, her beauty breathtaking.
“I’ll match my power to yours,” she said, “Let’s see what you can do.”
Shi Hao raised his sword, then suddenly turned, his blade flashing, a streak of sword energy arcing upwards from left to right, then twisting and splitting into three – the “Threefold Ripple,” a technique from the newly learned Canglan Sword Technique.
Although he had only seen it in his mind moments ago, his body moved instinctively, executing the technique flawlessly.
“Not bad,” Ye Zi Yin said, her sword flickering as she effortlessly intercepted his attack mid-flight.
Their swords clashed and, their power equal, were both deflected. Ye Zi Yin, using the momentum of the impact, twisted her sword and thrust towards Shi Hao, forcing him onto the defensive.
Shi Hao gritted his teeth, using various sword techniques he had just learned.
Ye Zi Yin corrected his movements and offered guidance as they fought.
Shi Hao didn’t know how long they practiced. He integrated the various techniques, choosing those that suited him best, refining his skills.
He felt no fatigue, no exhaustion. He felt like he had been here for months… Ye Zi Yin never let him rest.
“Actual combat is the best way to hone your skills,” she said, “Compared to truly skilled swordsmen, your biggest weakness is your lack of experience and your unfamiliarity with the various martial arts styles. Some things require time and practice, and you lack both.”
She continued her relentless assault, her swordsmanship precise and powerful, forcing him to retreat, his breath catching in his throat.
“In the way of the sword, everyone has their own unique understanding. Only what suits you is truly useful,” she continued, “Every powerful swordsman has spent years, even decades, honing their skills, developing their own style. The same technique, used by different people, will have different nuances.”
“Using a technique at eighty percent of its potential is average. Using it at its full potential is exceptional. But only those who can infuse their own unique understanding and intent, exceeding its original power, are truly geniuses.
“But even geniuses require time to grow. I’ll give you time now. How far you can go depends on you.”
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