The Beginning of Yuan

Now that he understood what the so-called "sword duels" were all about, Li Fan abandoned the idea of going to "help."

He truly couldn't help much anyway. Just as Profound Heaven Sword Intent said, these sword duels at Ink Bamboo Mountain, like the horse herding at Beichen Sword Sect, were essentially tests of the same nature.

If you've been stuck at the cultivation threshold for a long time, the sect knows, and the sect can help you. But why should the sect help you? You at least have to prove yourself worthy of the sect's investment, right?

Don't misunderstand, this isn't advocating for pledging allegiance. If you have a unique skill in alchemy, artifact refining, or formations, it's not hard to gain the appreciation and promotion of your elders. But if you lack such outstanding talent, have no illustrious family background, and even lack money, and you still want to break through to Golden Core? Do you really want to live another five hundred years? On what grounds? On the strength of that deep, magnetic voice full of old man charm?

So, besides fighting with your life, working for the sect, and seeking the favor of a benefactor, what other path is there?

The cultivators who practiced the Taiji Immortal Path back then were generally like this. Even though the Heavenly Dao has changed now, offering a new path of worshipping the moon, some people will still choose to follow the old ways.

And this sword duel probably has nothing to do with the Lu Family. It's just that the Foundation Establishment disciples at Bamboo Mountain, who are stuck at the threshold, have been instigated by the incident involving Senior Brother Lu, giving them a semblance of a just cause.

This is the path Fuling and Yuan Xuanbao chose for themselves. Fuling, needless to say, developed an inner devil after seeing Real Person Wanshu's Devil Form and has not dared to worship the moon since.

As for Yuan Xuanbao... he said he gained a lot from that brief glance at Li Fan, but what was it truly? Was it genuine friendship and a desire to help, or did he realize he couldn't even withstand a single glance from Yuan Shi, and then, spurred by the incident with his Dao companion, decided to join this sword duel?

These inner thoughts are probably known only to the two of them.

All Li Fan can do now is practice his jian to expel the Sha Qi within him and heal his injuries. He'll also stabilize his cultivation, refine the Five Luo Sword Ghosts of Taiyin, and then count the days until he prepares to go to the bamboo forest to kill monkeys and improve his mood.

Yes, the reason he's dragging his feet on worshipping the moon is that these monkeys can't be farmed endlessly. He has to wait until the Monkey King lets its guard down, otherwise, after killing just two nests, the Monkey King will come out and cause trouble, making each trip a hassle.

So, during this time, he's become idle. Besides practicing the five stances of the Profound Heaven Sword Method and the Five Luo Sword Ghosts, he's also learned a sword technique from Profound Heaven Sword Intent.

"Hoo—" Li Fan formed a orchid finger with his left hand, holding it as if to make a bow, as if about to perform a kowtow.

At this moment, five streams of sword energy were secretly spewed from his fingers, held between his thumb and ring finger, swirling like a gale, then compressed into a cluster like a flame, a vortex the size of a soybean. He then exhaled a stream of sword energy from his mouth and nose, sending the condensed vortex of sword energy out.

Horizontally and vertically, the two rows of candlelight before him were extinguished by this formless sword edge. Some had their candle holders cut, some had their wicks severed, and others had their flames put out. The last row of sword light, scattered and slow, soared with the wind current blown by his breath, instantly sweeping through with a crackling sound, striking the bamboo wall of Wangshu's small dwelling, causing bamboo pieces to fall and broken wood to fly everywhere, carving a large sword mark into the ink bamboo wall.

Beichen Killing Sword. Deng Hua Sword.

Yes, this move was developed to blow out candles and extinguish lamps. Lying in bed, too lazy to move, everyone understands...

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, you've used it quite well. The essence of this Deng Hua Sword is surprise. Seeing the person before you open their mouth in shock, as if about to release the sword pellet they've nurtured within, you directly blow a breath of sword energy from your inner world, decapitating them, slitting their throat, killing them invisibly.

Especially before Golden Core, when you can't control sword pellets or have flying swords for protection, this move is best for killing. Qiankun Flying Dragon Sword's movements are too large and easily seen through, and other sword techniques are similar; as soon as you form a sword finger, it's too obvious. This move starts with a bow, and those who don't know its true nature will be cut down before they can react.'

Li Fan looked expressionlessly at the room he had just trashed by pretending to bow and then suddenly blowing sword energy.

It was indeed hard to guard against. There was only the action of raising a hand and blowing, and it could be a single sword cut to the throat or multiple swords to the head. The power wasn't bad, though it couldn't compare to the full-body wave of Qiankun Flying Dragon Sword. But at least the range and force were much stronger than a single straight sword energy thrust. However, to evaluate it...

"It's too sinister. Once exposed in public, everyone will become wary of you..."

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, then kill all witnesses. This sword technique is indeed too insidious and breeds resentment. It was originally a secret sword passed down orally among master and disciple on the main mountain, not recorded in writing. It also requires cultivation with the Wu Ying Wu Xing Wu Zong Wu Xiang Sword Qi from the Beichen Sword Sect's Qi Condensation secret methods to truly kill invisibly. Even though our sect's secret manuals are scattered, there shouldn't be many people who know this move.

Of course, Deng Hua Sword is not a move to be used in sword duels. At most, it's for attacking the unprepared. It was purely taught to you, the host, for self-defense. Don't just blow it at everyone; it's quite a waste of Qi to draw it from your inner world.'

Who would just blow at people randomly...

Li Fan's practice was finished, and now it was time to practice Kun.

"Kun! Kun!"

Kun had hidden again. Fuling wasn't here these days, and Li Fan wasn't stewing tofu for it, so he was eating biscuits himself and only filling its belly with cold pond water. Kun was very displeased and had hidden somewhere.

But it was okay, because Li Fan had discovered the use of that dog frisbee.

"Bring it back!" He tossed the frisbee onto the lake surface, creating a series of skips. Just as the frisbee was about to slow down and fall into the lake, a white line shot up from the bottom of the cold pond. Kun! It leaped out and grabbed the frisbee!

'Kun says, I don't want to play anymore, it's annoying!'

Li Fan happily took the frisbee back. "Don't be angry, did you go all the way to the bottom?"

'Kun says, I went all the way to the bottom!'

"This thing is not simple..." Li Fan stroked his chin, examining the frisbee in his hand from all angles.

He had been idle a couple of days ago, trying to figure out what mechanisms this two-hundred-point item had, but he couldn't find anything. It didn't seem to be a simple 'object.' At least Profound Heaven Sword Intent sensed nothing. Li Fan himself had scanned it with his divine sense; the frisbee itself had no spiritual or malevolent Qi. It blended in with its surroundings, making it impossible to distinguish.

Just a dog frisbee...

After reaching this disappointing conclusion, Li Fan wanted to pass on his displeasure to Kun, so he casually threw it for it to fetch. To his surprise, Kun actually brought it back, and it was guaranteed to be brought back.

Yes, 'guaranteed.'

This means that even if Kun resisted, lay down, or even hid at the bottom of the water, when Li Fan threw the frisbee, it would involuntarily swim out until it brought the frisbee back...

Furthermore, Li Fan had also tried letting Kun throw the frisbee, and he himself was also affected, subconsciously running to catch it. But if you didn't make a clear 'throwing' motion, just 'placing' it on the table or 'putting' it into a jade pendant, it wouldn't trigger the 'fetch frisbee' state.

So, as long as you 'throw' it.

Then, someone will almost certainly 'fetch' it...

This is a divine artifact!

Profound Heaven Sword Intent agreed with his assessment.

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, Host, this thing is even more unsavory than Deng Hua Sword.'

Of course. If you threw this frisbee during a sword duel, and your opponent immediately dropped their sword and ran to pick up the frisbee, wouldn't you just decapitate them?

A divine artifact that completely controls actions? But is it really like that?

For example, Profound Heaven Sword Intent had no reaction at all throughout the process. No matter what strange properties this frisbee had, it had no effect on an 'object' like Profound Heaven Sword Intent.

And when Yuan Xuanbao came to visit a couple of days ago, it was he, not Kun, who caught the frisbee.

So when the frisbee was thrown, what rules determined who would 'catch' it on the scene?

Proximity first? Race first? Those with hands first? Higher cultivation first? Or was there no rule at all?

These things needed someone to test them, but the problem was that people's hearts were unpredictable. Who could Li Fan dare to ask to help test such a deadly thing? He only had a catfish, and it got angry after playing with it twice... alright, playing for two days...

Kun's eyeballs bulged as he glared at Li Fan, then suddenly leaped, snatching the frisbee from Li Fan's hand and spitting it fiercely towards the sky, sending it who knows where.

"Hey! You're getting feisty!"

Just as Li Fan was about to roll up his sleeves and beat Kun, he suddenly realized, he hadn't caught the frisbee!

"Who threw this pancake? Scared me half to death..." Then a red light flashed down, landing in the courtyard of Wangshu's small residence. An old Daoist in a black cap and brown robes appeared. He held the frisbee in his left hand and, as usual, his cinnabar wood sword in his right. It was Qin Jianshi, whom Li Fan had met once.

Hmm, he was in his normal human form now, with eyes and a head, showing no trace of his eight-armed, six-headed dharma body.

"Who threw this pancake?"

Li Fan pointed at Kun with his finger. Kun pointed at Li Fan with his fin.

"Cultivate properly, don't waste your talent, playing with a fish all day," Qin Jianshi rolled his eyes at Li Fan, tossing the plate to him. "Is Fuling not here?"

Li Fan subconsciously caught the plate, glared at Kun, and flicked his wrist, throwing the plate into the lake for it to retrieve. "Replying to the esteemed master, Sister Fuling went to Mountain Taitai a few days ago for a sword fight."

"Sword fight on Mountain Taitai?" Qin Jianshi frowned. "Who offended her?"

"She said her trade goods were hijacked, so she invited quite a few friends at the peak of Foundation Establishment Realm to help her seek retribution." Li Fan paused, thinking. "I haven't heard any news these past few days. Esteemed master, are you looking for Sister Fuling urgently? Perhaps you could go to Mountain Taitai to lend her a hand?"

Hearing Li Fan's words, Qin Jianshi understood. "Oh, I see. There's no great treasure on Mountain Taitai, so I won't compete with them for it. You don't need to worry either. For this kind of establishment-smashing business, the sect will naturally arrange for a Nascent Soul elder to keep an eye on things. Besides, I'm not here for Fuling. I'm here for you."

"For me?"

Qin Jianshi nodded. "I heard that not only The Mountain Lord, but Wangshu also broke through to Spirit Transmutation with your guidance?"

"Oh, esteemed master wants to discuss Dao with me?" Li Fan understood.

Unexpectedly, Qin Jianshi repeatedly shook his head. "No, no, no. You've already tricked me out of three heads and one tail. I know how potent your Dao seeds are, and I also know my self-cultivation isn't up to par yet. Give me some time to recover.

It's a Dao affinity from my earlier years. I obtained a Yuan Shi and wanted to ask you to take a look. A Yuan Shi is..."

"Oh, Yuan Shi, I've seen it." Li Fan righteously interrupted Qin Jianshi's attempt to pad his speech.

"You've seen it? Yuan Shi? How did you see it?" Qin Jianshi was dumbfounded.

"Just opened it and looked." Actually, Yuan Shi was much better than worshipping the moon. Each time it opened, it only deducted one mood point, unlike worshipping the moon which had a countdown. "But that was given by another true immortal. It's not good to casually tell you about it, is it?"

Li Fan had learned his lesson now. He knew he could eat more but shouldn't talk too much, especially since people in this world were psychologically very fragile when exposed to certain specific knowledge points. They would collapse easily, cry tears, laugh and cry, grow to a giant size and then attain enlightenment or self-destruct...

"Uh, yes, yes, it's not good to talk about it casually..." Qin Jianshi nodded repeatedly, flipped his hands, and took out a long jade box, covered with talismans and tied with red string and bells. It took him quite a while to untie it. To his surprise, it was still wrapped in a paper box, a banner, and a silk cloth, three layers in total. Finally, a scroll was revealed. The packaging was as secure as a courier delivery...

Li Fan swallowed, glanced at his own Yuan Shi scroll, which was casually stuffed under the cushion, face up, and pushed it with his foot, shoving the cushion and the scroll under the table to hide it.

This... well, it deducted a bit of mood every time it was opened, and he couldn't really tell what the painting was about anyway. So he just left it unrolled and didn't bother to close it...

Fortunately, Qin Jianshi was fully focused on unpacking and didn't notice Li Fan's small movement, otherwise he would have greatly questioned his professionalism in discussing Dao...

"Little friend, have you heard of the Black Lotus Sect?" Qin Jianshi held the revealed, ginger-yellow ancient scroll tightly in both hands, as if it were a living thing, afraid it would escape. He looked like he was facing a formidable enemy.

Seeing his nervousness, Li Fan couldn't help but become serious and nodded solemnly. "I haven't heard of it."

Qin Jianshi choked, then continued to ask, "They are also called Wusheng Sect, Vacuum Sect. Haven't you heard of them? Hmm... at your age, it's understandable you haven't heard of them..."

"Esteemed master can just call me Qingyue. What's the story behind these sects? Oh, could this Yuan Shi be from the Black Lotus Sect?" Seeing that the other party was about to tell a story, Li Fan quickly grabbed two futons from his jade pendant and set them up, inviting Qin Jianshi to sit.

"Yes and no... Qingyue, have you heard of... Luo Sect?" Qin Jianshi nodded and sat on the futon, but his hands still tightly gripped the scroll, not letting go. He had been looking down at the scroll with both eyeballs, but the moment he asked about 'Luo Sect', he suddenly rolled one eyeball up, staring at Li Fan's face.

'Li Fan's mood decreased by 1 point.'

""Luo Sect?" Li Fan of course hadn't heard of it, but judging from the system's prompt, this name was probably 'real'.

Qin Jianshi still couldn't see any flaws on his face, so he looked back at the scroll. It was the same sentence: "At your age, it's understandable you haven't heard of it... But if you had heard of it before, some things would be easier to explain..."

He seemed to be thinking about something and fell silent for a moment.

Li Fan cautiously asked in his heart, Have you heard of Profound Heaven Sword Intent?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states,桀桀, of course I've heard of it. So that's how it is. I understand everything now. Host, don't rush. I'll explain later. Just listen carefully to what he says.'

Since the sword intent said it was fine, Li Fan's mood stabilized, and he even had the leisure to brew a pot of tea for the Qin Jianshi in his mind.

"...You really haven't heard of it." Qin Jianshi watched Li Fan wash, brew, and serve the tea without his hands shaking, and finally began to believe him.

"Esteemed master, please." Li Fan didn't have much research into tea culture, but how to put it, the tea here was good, natural, organic, and pollution-free. It also contained abundant spiritual energy, which was tastier than plain water.

Qin Jianshi nodded, reached out and took a cup, and sipped it. Well, his teacher's hands, then he reached out again, still holding the scroll with both hands. However, Li Fan had seen it before, so he was mentally prepared for his centipede-like appearance.

"Let's start from the beginning," Qin Jianshi said after drinking the tea, as if his mood had stabilized. "Back then... I don't even remember how many years ago it was. It was when I was still in the Foundation Establishment Realm. The Black Lotus Sect rebelled in the Li Country. The Immortal Palace guardian, Immortal Nanggong, couldn't suppress them, so he summoned local rogue cultivators to jointly exterminate the demonic cult.

Our Ink Bamboo Mountain also received the decree from the Immortal Palace and came. I remember The Mountain Lord led the team at that time. Taking advantage of the Black Lotus Sect being tied down by the Immortal Palace army, they infiltrated the Black Lotus Sect's main altar and killed their Black Lotus Saint Mother. In that battle, all eight Bodhisattvas, Maitreya, and Dharma Protector Vajra of the Black Lotus Sect's Saint Mother were killed. Our The Mountain Lord's faction also suffered heavy casualties, with only a few survivors to this day. However, it was a great contribution to Ink Bamboo Mountain. Later, the Ink Bamboo Mountain Lou Guan Dao's ordination certificates could be used throughout the land, and this was indeed part of the credit.

As for this item, it was the spoils of war I collected back then. I also asked The Mountain Lord to appraise it. If I'm not mistaken, it should be a Yuan Shi bestowed by the Luo Sect's main sect upon the Black Lotus Saint Mother..."

He finally extended his hands, closed his eyes, and carefully revealed the scroll, showing the list on the scroll to Li Fan.

Li Fan swallowed, leaned forward, and took a look. On the almost decayed and peeling ginger-yellow scroll, a faint line of clerical script was written in light gray ink.

<Scroll of Revealing Evil and Proving the Way. Upper Volume>

'Li Fan's mood significantly decreased by 1 point.'

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states, Hahahahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahaha!! I searched high and low and found it! It came to me effortlessly!

I killed so many people from the Luo Sect and couldn't find it! It was hidden with you! The Empty Star Heavenly Book, upper and lower volumes, are finally complete!

Hahaha! Hahahaha! Hehehehehehehehe!!'