Yue Lingshan and Lao De Nuo, who also knew the [Bixie Swordplay] and had higher martial arts skills, saw more.
The mystery of Li Lin's swordsmanship lies not in the connection and subtle changes between sword moves, nor in the lightning-fast sword techniques, but in speed.
All the changes are byproducts of the increased sword speed.
The sword speed was so fast that the movements became Transfiguration, and the recovery and change of moves also changed as a result.
In fact, if one only increases the speed of the sword while keeping the sword moves being practiced unremarkable, Li Lin's skill level is sufficient to achieve the same result.
But this loss of control is precisely the brilliance of this swordsmanship.
"The [Bixie Swordplay] is a method for mastering and exceeding the limits of the human body, enabling extremely rapid self-response." Li Lin sighed and slowly sheathed his sword.
Even at the very end of the rehearsal, he and the sword were just a blur of light and shadow in everyone's eyes, becoming one.
Even from a distance, the wind whipped up by the swords and the people stung their faces.
But this is still not Li Lin's limit.
The same martial art can have different levels of power depending on one's innate talent and the skill level at its peak.
Li Lin's mastery of the "Crane Cry Nine Heavens Divine Skill," achieving a level of Anti-Gravity that surpassed the Founders's imagination.
In the Founders's imagination, this divine skill is nothing more than simulating the hollow bones of birds, using qi to flow through the bones to achieve the effect of lightness of body, and raising and circulating qi is the practice of qi and the return of qi, the more you move, the more energetic you become.
Moreover, because it is as light as a feather, even when using a common grass-flying device, it can achieve incredible distances and heights.
During the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, the Azure Bat King of the Ming Cult achieved unparalleled Lightness Skill skills by relying on the common grass-flying technique, a feat rarely seen in the world, which even Zhang Sanfeng admired.
However, his Lightness Skill stemmed more from his innate talent.
Li Lin suspected that the Founders of the "Crane Cry Nine Heavens Divine Skill" had a similar physique and studied himself to develop this divine skill.
"It's not about using techniques to increase sword speed, but rather that sword speed comes first, and only then do the techniques and the connections between sword moves appear exquisite. This is a sword technique that primarily relies on qi (vital energy)," Li Lin concluded.
Li Lin suddenly felt that the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, which mainly improves luck and attack speed, was very suitable for this sword technique.
The Jade Maiden Heart Sword technique is achieved through complementary sword moves, by two practitioners with extremely fast response and attack speeds, resulting in the invincible state described in the narration.
In fact, this method is quite clever.
In the martial arts world, where everyone is a mortal, internal energy is primarily used to enhance the speed of striking and circulating energy when using a sword.
Even if they encounter a practitioner of a rare protective divine skill like the [Golden Light Indestructible Body] technique, they can easily escape using their superior Lightness Skill.
No wonder Dongfang Bubai is of a similar type, is the most expressive character in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, and is also the first in terms of narration.
"Is it because we don't have the corresponding internal energy cultivation method?" Lin Pingzhi realized on the other side.
But the next moment, he looked worried.
Internal energy cultivation techniques are legendary items for most martial arts practitioners who mainly practice external martial arts.
Even in their family, what they practiced couldn't be considered true internal energy cultivation; it was merely a breathing technique.
"External skills are not necessarily weaker than internal skills," Li Lin said.
Although this era is the end of martial arts compared to previous eras.
But it just means the upper limit is lower.
Martial arts skills have always been improving.
The Yi Jin Scripture has been simplified, making it easier to learn and no longer requiring the conditions of "no self-image, no sentient being-image".
During the Song Dynasty, only martial arts masters like the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan (not to mention the Quanzhen Sect, they could even fight the Black Wind Twin Fiends Duo from Peach Blossom Island) could achieve entry from outside, and the threshold for entry had been lowered.
External martial arts of this era have essentially progressed to the point where they are no different from internal martial arts, except that one is static and the other is dynamic. They are not limited to moves and fighting methods, but also have corresponding training methods.
Even setting aside a sword-wielding genius like Linghu Chong, Yue Lingshan could imitate the moves after seeing them.
The true secret of each sword technique lies in its training method: how to breathe, how to cultivate qi, and how to exert force.
However, while the Five Peaks Sword Sects all have internal energy cultivation methods, most of them do not follow this path, but focus more on how to circulate their energy.
Those who follow this path will not rely on the internal energy cultivated through basic sword techniques.
More commonly, there is the [Hun Yuan Gong], which is more difficult to practice but whose internal energy quality is comparable to external martial arts.
Of course, Mount Hua is an exception. In the early stages, the external skills are indeed too fast, and the internal energy cultivated in this way is more in line with the sword techniques.
This is the underlying logic behind the absurd situation of the Mount Hua Sect splitting up due to the difference between swordsmanship and internal energy, and fighting to the point of being in its current state.
The political struggle sparked by the "Sunflower Manual" was merely the trigger.
However, although practicing swordsmanship can also increase internal energy.
However, this kind of internal energy is not as universal as the internal energy cultivated through static exercises. It is mainly used for fighting enemies and is not as useful for healing, expelling poison, or lifting.
Therefore, it is also commonly referred to as Internal Strength.
Even more people practice Internal Strength, and terms like internal energy, true energy, and Internal Energy are very rare.
"The Hun Yuan Palm of Mount Hua (also known as the Hun Yuan Palm Hun Yuan Gong, because practitioners of this skill usually use a sword to fight enemies), and your Lin family's Heaven-Turning Palm are such external skills."
"Cultivate Internal Strength through palm techniques."
"Cultivating internal strength through such top-level external skills takes a very long time and is extremely slow to show results, but there is no risk of going into qi deviation during practice, and once mastered, it is incredibly powerful."
"By cultivating both internal and external strength, one can naturally incorporate Internal Strength into every move and stance when facing an enemy, thus defeating the enemy without even realizing it."
"[Hun Yuan Palm]?" "[Heaven-Turning Palm] is that powerful?" Yue Lingshan and Lin Pingzhi exclaimed in surprise.
The former is because her own mother practiced this extraordinary skill, but for some reason she gave it up and did not teach it to others. She only learned about it by overhearing her parents talking. It is said to be related to 'sword something'.
The latter simply couldn't believe it.
"Naturally, the Heaven- Heaven-Turning Palm is for cultivating Qi, while the Silver Feather Arrow is for application. This is the true path that Lin Yuantu laid out for his descendants," Li Lin said. "However, Miss Yue, you've actually heard of the Hun Yuan Palm?"
"Your father regarded everything about the Sword Sect as a scourge. Even though it was a martial art that was naturally suited to the Sword Sect, it should not have been taught to his disciples, even though it was a Huashan family tradition."
"I overheard," Yue Lingshan said. "So, 'Sword something' is the Sword Sect?"
"It's strange. The right way to learn martial arts is to combine qigong and swordsmanship."
"Your father would be furious if he heard this," Li Lin said with a smile. "Saying that to you is almost demonic."
Yue Buqun believed that to say both are the main thing is to say that neither is the main thing.
The right path is to take qi as the essence and use the sword as its tool.
Qi is the primary element, the sword is secondary; Qi is the guiding principle, the sword is the specific detail.
"No way." Yue Lingshan exclaimed in surprise.
Li Lin shook his head.
"Although your father never promoted the Qi Sect theory, he even studied the Sword Sect sword techniques in private. He claimed that the death of more than twenty masters in one day was due to a sudden plague, trying to cover up the past and make sure that there was no more Qi Sect or Sword Sect in Mount Hua."
"But he is, after all, from the Qi Sect."
"When you learn martial arts, the first thing you are taught is the formula for circulating qi, starting with practicing qigong, is that right or wrong?"
"Yes." Yue Lingshan nodded.
"That's right," Li Lin said. "Actually, learning internal skills first isn't wrong. We can first find a disciple who is good at cultivating qi."
"But those who have not yet mastered the basics, it would be more appropriate for them to first learn external skills and develop internal Internal Strength before using them as a starting point for Qigong, but he just doesn't teach them that way."
"The martial arts skills taught are only the basic ones like the Jade Breaking Fist and the Leopard Tail Kick."
"Although both are among the Nine Skills of Mount Hua, the Hun Yuan Gong, which is second only to the Purple Cloud Art, is neglected, as is the Bao Yuan Jin, which is next in line. Only the ordinary Mount Hua Heart Method is taught to the disciples."
With only one basic method for cultivating internal energy, yet countless advanced sword techniques, isn't this forcing disciples onto the so-called evil path of the sword sect?
It's no wonder that this method can produce outstanding disciples.
For someone like Linghu Chong, whose training, aside from swordsmanship, is only at the level of an ordinary disciple, to be able to fight Tian Boguang already shows that he is exceptionally talented.
He even had the nerve to tell Linghu Chong had defeated Ning Zhongze with a clever trick, that this was a heretical path, and that if he continued to study swordsmanship, he would either take Linghu Chong's life or, at best, cripple his martial arts and expel him from the sect.
"That's not right. Father taught us powerful swordsmanship—" Yue Lingshan was about to retort when she realized something was amiss.
"That's it. They insist on the Qi Sect, but they mainly focus on teaching their disciples swordsmanship," Li Lin said. "And they require their disciples to practice swordsmanship rigidly, one move at a time, and they don't allow them to break the order."
"To regard higher methods of application as heresy."
"Little did they know that only Huashan considered this to be an evil path. Wudang, Shaolin, and the other four Yue sword sects all emphasized both internal and external techniques, regarding the smooth and flowing style of using moves as a sign of mastery and transcendence."
The more Yue Lingshan listened, the more depressed she became.
Although her father never said it, that's how he taught them.
Furthermore, among the nine skills of Mount Hua, Father only mentioned Zixia, Eagle Snake Life and Death Struggle, Inverse Two Principles Swordplay, Morning Sun One Qi Sword, Jade Maiden Nineteen Forms, and Nurturing My Swordplay. Among them, Eagle Snake Life and Death Struggle and Inverse Two Principles Swordplay have been lost.
Lao De Nuo, however, became more and more excited as he listened.
With such a leader at Mount Hua, why worry that Mount Song will not prosper?
He began to hope that Yue Buqun could live a little longer and teach more disciples who relied on brute force and rigidly followed techniques.
But the next moment, he became depressed again.
He was worried that Yue Buqun would find out about what Li Lin had said.
If Yue Buqun realizes his mistake and returns to the right path, then...
On a large tree not far away, Yue Buqun's breathing became erratic.
This was tantamount to stripping him naked, exposing his underwear to everyone, especially since he sensed the excitement of the undercover agent, Lao De Nuo.
He, who had always considered it his mission to restore Mount Hua, suddenly began to doubt himself.
Yes, my junior sister is clearly more talented than me, so why did I let her switch to the ordinary Mount Hua Heart Method?
Even if I'm worried that she might go down the evil path of the Sword Sect, my junior sister and I are husband and wife, so why shouldn't I teach her Zixia?
Even considering ancestral teachings, what about the "Bao Yuan Jin"?
Although Chong'er prefers swordsmanship, his internal strength is already sufficient to learn the [Bao Yuan Jin], so why shouldn't I teach him?
This school of Qigong differs from other schools; with diligent practice, one can continuously improve even in one's sleep.
Why not let Chong'er practice swordsmanship when he is awake?
Is it because Chong'er is more outstanding than I was when I was younger?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
I am on the right path, and only by prioritizing Qi can I repay the sacrifices of my master, fellow disciples, and senior brothers!
I am the only one who can restore Mount Hua!
The Huashan that was restored can only be a Huashan dominated by qi (vital energy)!
Yue Buqun quickly calmed himself down, and when he glanced at Li Lin, his gaze was filled with a hint of Killing Intent.
Such a charlatan spreading heresies must be a member of the Sun Moon Demonic Cult.
Because he arrived too late, he did not witness Li Lin's martial arts skills.
Upon noticing Yue Buqun's change, Li Lin's desire to watch the spectacle vanished instantly.
The reason he had the leisure to ramble on here wasn't just because he found Lin Pingzhi pleasing to the eye or Yue Lingshan beautiful.
Damn it, I knew it. Yue Buqun is the kind of person who will never admit his mistakes, a stubborn person who has built up his own logic.
"You want to tell your father?" Li Lin had another idea.
"Yes." Yue Lingshan nodded.
Lao De Nuo was shocked. No, no!
The next moment, he had already devised a plan to contact the Songshan Sect on his way back to have Yue Lingshan assassinate him and clear himself of suspicion.
"Then you are too naive." Li Lin sneered. "This is no longer a question of who is right and who is wrong; it is a brutal political struggle."
"Even for the sake of your deceased maternal grandfather, he would never change his mind."
"If this were thirty years ago, if you dared to say that you would emphasize both internal energy cultivation and swordsmanship, you would probably be sent to a mass grave by the Sword Qi Sect or the Qi Sect the very next day."
Yue Buqun nodded subconsciously, and even a slight smile appeared on his face.
No, this kid is a demon from the Sun Moon Demonic Cult.
The next moment, his smile froze.
"Then what should we do?" Yue Lingshan pressed.
Lao De Nuo's barely suppressed Killing Intent erupted once more.
"What to do? Wait until he's dead. Wait until everyone who witnessed that internal strife thirty years ago is dead." Li Lin shrugged. "But don't worry, it won't take too long. Don't you think so, Lao De Nuo?"
Lao De Nuo was struck dumb, but the next moment, he nodded, "If this continues, Mount Hua will surely be destroyed and belong to our Mount Song."
"Mount Song? What are you talking about, Second Senior Brother?" Although Yue Lingshan was puzzled, she immediately drew her sword and pointed it at Lao De Nuo.
"Junior Sister, don't worry. With this young master here, your life will be safe," Lao De Nuo said. "I am indeed from Songshan. The Left Sect Leader sent me to infiltrate."
Yue Buqun frowned. Could this sorcerer be highly skilled in martial arts?
Lao De Nuo continued, "Young master, with Yue Buqun in charge of Mount Hua, it is destined to decline."
"After the battle with the Sun Moon Holy Cult, all Five Peaks Sword Sects have lost a lot of martial arts. Our Songshan sect is even more incomplete in its sword techniques."
"But the Left Master worked diligently and, upon taking office, gathered all the masters in the sect and had them write down the unique skills of Songshan that they had mastered. He then organized and refined these skills, creating the Seventeen Mount Song Swordplay, which brought Mount Song Swordplay back to its former glory."
"The Thirteen Taibao, who are renowned throughout the martial arts world, were all personally trained by the Left Master. They are called fellow disciples, but in reality, they are master and disciple."
"How could Yue Buqun compare?"
Yue Buqun's face turned purple with anger, but what Lao De Nuo said was the truth. He could only comfort himself by saying that Zuo Lengchan had wolfish ambitions and had already fallen into the demonic path.
"You're wrong about that," Li Lin said.
Yue Buqun was overjoyed. Could it be that Zuo Lengchan wasn't that powerful?
Although he thought Li Lin was talking nonsense, he had already accepted the accuracy of his words.
"Yue Buqun may die. But Mount Hua will not decline," Li Lin said.
"Could it be that Mount Hua still has a trump card? Could it be that the Qi Sect members are not all dead? Are there still experts among them?" Lao De Nuo asked.
The bodyguard on the side hinted for the tenth time that his young bodyguard should leave, but Lin Pingzhi ignored him and was completely immersed in Li Lin's words.
Yue Buqun also pricked up his ears. If there really was a senior uncle or senior brother, why didn't they show themselves?
"Use your imagination. Why not the Sword Sect?" Li Lin said.
"That's right, the Sword Sect's senior uncle is also a member of Mount Hua. If Mount Song wants to take action, they won't stand idly by!" Yue Lingshan finally felt relieved.
Impossible!
How could the evil Sword Sect possibly stand against the righteous Qi Sect!
Yue Buqun's ears were ringing, and he was so angry that he felt like he was about to faint.
Li Lin finally smiled.