Li Xuande of the Golden Rainbow Ghost Sword

Martial Uncle muttered, "Could there really be peerless geniuses in this world?"

Then he answered his own question, "That's right, after all, you are his grandson."

Ever since I arrived here with Martial Uncle, he's been talking about my grandfather.

Since I have few memories of my grandfather from childhood, I don't know much about him.

At that moment, curiosity sparked within me, and I asked, "Martial Uncle, what kind of person was my grandfather?

Also, I feel like you've been praising my grandfather in your words. Can you tell me his story?"

Martial Uncle was silent for a very, very long time. He just stared blankly ahead.

I saw that his eyes were unfocused, as if he had completely fallen into his memories.

After a long while, Martial Uncle emerged from his memories and said, "Your grandfather! He was a very capable man.

When he was young, he traveled all over, and his skills were extraordinary.

To put it bluntly, our master, the Sect Master of Maoshan.

During your grandfather's peak, he could stand on equal footing with the Sect Master, with no clear winner.

In the underworld, they gave him the nickname 'Golden Rainbow Ghost Sword Li Xuande'.

With his Golden Rainbow Sword and his extraordinary techniques, he forged a formidable reputation in the underworld.

Oh, and when your grandfather was young, he had a confidante, a remarkable woman who was second to none."

My gossipy nature immediately flared up, and I quickly asked, "Who was she? What's their story?"

Martial Uncle smiled and said, "Her name was 'Yan Zhi Qiu, Flowing Gold Butterfly Yan Zhi Qiu.' Your grandfather met her while traveling when he was young.

Later, for some reason, they couldn't end up together.

At the time, everyone said they were a match made in heaven, envied by all!"

Thinking about these matters reminded me of my mother, whom I've never met. I know nothing about her situation, so I wanted to ask Martial Uncle.

I hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Martial Uncle, do you know my mother? How much do you know about her?"

Martial Uncle thought for a moment and then said, "I don't know your mother very well. I only remember meeting her twice.

The first time was when your father brought her home. She had very long hair and liked to wear white clothes.

She didn't talk much. The second time was at your birth celebration.

I don't know where she came from. After that, I never left this place.

Later, I heard that something happened in your family. I was just about to go and see.

Before I could even leave the bamboo forest, your father found me and told me she was gone.

She left without a word, without saying why. That's all I know."

After finishing, Martial Uncle looked at me intently for a long time, then asked, "Do you hate her?"

"I've never met her, so how can I hate her?" I shook my head and didn't pursue the topic further.

After a while, Martial Uncle said, "You're already in the Qi Gathering Mid-stage now, aren't you?"

"Yes, and in a while, I might reach the Qi Gathering Late-stage."

Martial Uncle said it was normal to progress quickly in the early stages, but it slowed down considerably in the later stages.

For someone at his level, it might take years to make even a little progress.

I knew you couldn't have your cake and eat it too; everything had its pros and cons. Once I understood that, I didn't say anything more.

I don't know if it's a psychological scar, but I often think about what happened in the back mountain.

So I asked Martial Uncle if those things could escape the village and harm people elsewhere.

Martial Uncle said those things couldn't leave the village because the village was nourished by Yin energy.

If they left the village, they would be scattered and annihilated. So, it was highly unlikely they would leave.

However, seeing the worry on Martial Uncle's face, he then said, "You should focus on your cultivation for now.

When you break through to the Qi Gathering Late-stage in a while, we'll go to the back mountain and settle things to avoid future trouble."

After hearing Martial Uncle's words, I nodded. For the next period, I dedicated myself to cultivation.

One day, Martial Uncle gave me a book. The book was old but had a title.

It read (Maoshan Talisman Compendium), and he instructed me to read and study it carefully.

He told me to return it after I finished and reiterated seriously that it must not be shared.

Seeing the book, I suddenly remembered the message my father left in the second volume he gave me. I slapped my forehead; how could I forget?

From leaving the village to coming here, to cultivating and drawing talismans, these events were too packed together.

So, I had overlooked this book. I have nothing to do now, so I took it out, flipped to the back, and found the note.

It read, "A Tong, if you're seeing this message, it means you're safe. That's wonderful!

From now on, you must leave here far away. Do not return until you are capable."

If your Martial Uncle teaches you skills, learn from him. He was a close friend of your grandfather's, and you can trust him.

If you have nowhere to go, then go to the 'Yun Family' in Sichuan Province.

Yun Hong of the Yun Family is a good friend of mine. If you go there, just say I sent you.

Before your grandfather passed away, he said he left something for you in Sichuan Province. You can check on it when you go.

Here is the address: When you arrive in Sichuan Province, go to [City Name], then find No. 39, Garden Street.

There's an antique shop there. Just go inside and ask the owner.

Because the Yin Yang Families keep their affairs secret from ordinary people, I can't write it down.

I'm afraid the information might fall into the wrong hands and cause unnecessary trouble for the Yun Family.

What your grandfather left for you is also in [City Name]. When you get to the Yun Family, ask them.

They will tell you where Yan Zhi Qiu is, as he is part of the Yin Yang world.

Then, just follow the address. Dad has some unavoidable business to attend to.

So, from now on, I'm counting on you. Inside the lining of your bag, there's a bank card with some savings.

If you want to live a normal life, find a livelihood. If you want to join the Yin Yang world, then cultivate diligently.

Of course, I hope you choose the former, so you can live a peaceful life.

Don't worry about me. I'll come find you once I've finished my business.

Remember, don't return to the village until you are capable. Remember this, remember this."

I finished reading and remained silent for a long time. What exactly was my dad going to do? What would happen to me in the future?

When would I be able to see my dad again? My mind was a mess.

I flipped through the second volume of the book again. It was all about the usage of magical artifacts.

There was also information on the distribution of powers and sects. I found it all rather uninteresting and stopped reading.

Then, I picked up the Maoshan Talisman Compendium that my Martial Uncle had given me and began to read it carefully. It contained all sorts of talismans.

The methods for drawing and using them were written in great detail. I was very interested and kept reading until it got dark and my Martial Uncle called me for dinner.

This period of time passed like this: cultivating, reading, learning to draw talismans...

My Martial Uncle also taught me some combat techniques. This continued until one day I broke through to the Qi Gathering Late-stage.

That day, I happily went to tell my Martial Uncle that I had broken through.

My Martial Uncle was very pleased and told me to get ready, as it was about time to go check out the back mountain.

I agreed, and the next morning, my Martial Uncle and I headed for the back mountain.

As we walked, I looked around and recalled the recent scenes of me being chased and fleeing for my life. My heart was filled with emotion.

When we reached the village entrance, I stood outside and looked in. My heart suddenly grew cold.

In just a short time since it had been uninhabited, the entire village was dilapidated.

Everything was lifeless. Vines crawled all over the walls, doors had fallen down, and roof tiles lay shattered on the ground