After the Generations

After personally experiencing the wonders of Lou Guan's "Head-Touching Memory Modification Technique," Li Fan realized that this move was actually somewhere between a divine skill and a useless technique.

Needless to say, this is an amazing skill. What could be more powerful than this for stabilizing one's Dao heart? It simply erases any emotional memories that might cause fluctuations in one's Dao heart. It's practically a bug that breaks the rules!

Moreover, if he were truly willing to harden his heart and cross the line of what it takes to be a man, he could completely rely on overcoming emotional tribulations to reach new heights...

This move is incredibly effective when used on oneself, but it's rather useless when used on others.

Now that he has experienced it himself, Li Fan is absolutely certain that this method only modifies 'memory', not 'personality'.

To put it bluntly, no matter how you modify, conceal, or delete something, even if you treat someone's head like a basketball and dribble it around in your hands, it won't change the fact that when the erased 'memory' happens again, the person whose memory has been modified will still make the same choices as before.

It's like your brain can temporarily forget that you prefer sweet tofu pudding, but your tongue won't forget.

For someone like Qin Nanxin, whose heart is steadfast in pursuing the Dao, seeking the Dao is her goal, her destiny.

No matter how it's modified, no matter what methods Li Fan uses, she will ultimately choose to seek the Dao. She came to Li Fan to cultivate the Dao, and she will leave Li Fan for the same reason. If even this is erased, then this person is not Qin Nanxin.

Similarly, that night, seeing Qin Nanxin shattered and critically injured, the boy who was suddenly moved and did everything he could to save her—even if he forgot everything, wouldn't he still be moved if he saw a similar scene again?

Whether it's a little or hundreds of points, whether it's once or hundreds of times, it's the same—you'll still be tempted.

Even if Li Fan completely erased the image of 'Qin Nanxin' from his mind.

When they meet again, their eyes meet, and if Li Fan doesn't feel any emotional fluctuation, then he wouldn't be Li Fan.

This is probably the true horror of karmic entanglements. Some karmic bonds can remain unbroken even through countless lifetimes.

Therefore, the relationship between Qingyue and Qin Nanxin can probably only end here.

Meeting is fate, parting is destiny.

Those who meet by chance are destined to drift along the waves of time, each on their chosen path, without looking back.

Having figured this out, the somewhat mature young man stopped worrying and embraced his Dao Companion, who was destined not to stay by his side for long. He decided to cherish the time they could spend together.

Qin Nanxin's aptitude far surpassed that of the two foxes. She learned the secret techniques of the Ling Shu Suwen after only one instruction. She could also discuss with Li Fan which postures and methods would be better and faster to treat internal injuries to the meridians, based on her own condition.

Of course, Qin Nanxin wasn't just struck by a single blow; she was nearly shattered to pieces before being pulled back from the brink. Therefore, Li Fan couldn't possibly discuss the *Ling Shu Suwen * with her day and night. He only taught her the methods of cultivation. As for the Dao of Limitlessness, she would have to wait until she recovered from her injuries before she could continue her cultivation.

However, Qin Nanxin brought up something interesting, diverting Li Fan's attention.

When she was critically injured and on the verge of death, with her primordial spirit dissipating, she unexpectedly received guidance from a person who called himself Huangfu Jing, an elder from the outer mountain of the Beichen Sword Sect. Elder Huangfu claimed to be a remnant soul of broken sword intent residing in a magic weapon, which Qingyue obtained and sent to help her.

Since reincarnation after physical death is possible in this world, it's not uncommon for cultivators to have lingering souls. Qin Nanxin had heard similar stories from her elders, so she accepted it without much trouble. Moreover, as a Daoist disciple of Emei with a profound foundation, she benefited greatly from just a few words from Elder Huangfu and immediately understood that this person was a highly accomplished and formidable senior.

She was saved by his guidance and her primordial spirit was quickly stabilized. So she asked Li Fan to thank the old senior Huangfu on her behalf and also to inquire why she had never heard of such a powerful figure in the outer mountains of the Beichen Sword Sect.

Little did Li Fan know, Xuan Tian had already come up with countless new tricks.

After settling things here, Li Fan also took the opportunity to visit the Celestial Realm to verify the facts with the parties involved and to relax.

"Xuantian, why do you call yourself Huangfu Jing?"

Xuan Tian: "Damn it, what's the point of asking that! Am I supposed to call myself the Sword Ancestor Xuantian?! Who knows what the Qin Family is saying about me! If that girl is scared out of her wits or dies on the spot after hearing that, who's going to be responsible?"

Don't worry, this name doesn't conflict with the cultivation world. I'll use this identity to guide the younger generation from now on."

As Xuan Tian spoke, the spider puppet climbed up and down, carving sword symbols on the sword furnace.

Li Fan frowned. "No conflict? Huangfu Jing, is that Senior Brother Huangfu? But I seem to have heard Yue Po say that he wiped out the entire Emei West Academy lineage and even drove Cang Ming into a state of depression. Why has Nan Xin never heard of this person..."

Xuan Tian said, "Oh, that's an old grudge from the Northern Expedition, and it was all done by his grandfather, Huangfu Yi, so it has nothing to do with Xiao Jing."

Li Fan, "... Grandpa?"

Xuan Tian, "Yes, back then, when the Grand Commandant was preparing for the Northern Expedition, he asked me to help train the vanguard soldiers of the Northern Expedition. Huangfu Yi was the first apprentice I selected from the army. Huangfu Jing is his grandson. Later, he abandoned the army and became a doctor."

"By the way, if I'm not mistaken, the Bai Family of the Imperial Physician should have been descended from his lineage. Bai Shuangying of Hengshan, and Asha, are both descendants of my eldest disciple, Huangfu Yi."

"The Bai Family of the Imperial Physician are actually descendants of Senior Brother Huangfu?"

Li Fan was also intrigued by the sudden gossip and urged Xuan Tian to continue.

Xuan Tian continued angrily, "Yes! I was saying that when you talked about 'Yin Yang Floating and Sinking Powder' and 'the alternation of cold and heat, the alternation of the Four Constellations, the inability of Yin and Yang to govern, the endless transformation, the natural division, the two forces counteracting each other', it sounded so familiar."

So I went to the academy and looked at the <<Jia Yi Jing of the Five Viscera>> you mentioned. Hey! Guess what! It was written by Xiao Jing! The methods of diagnosing meridians and acupuncture points in that book, I was the one who instructed him! I only taught him some basic Qi Refinement Stage and swordsmanship acupuncture, and he was able to deduce the principles of acupuncture and medicine. Humph, this kid's talent is better than his grandfather's!

I wanted to take Xiaojing as my disciple from the beginning, but who knew that this kid was going through a rebellious phase and would ignore me! Moreover, he comes from a family of generals and has such talent; becoming a marquis or general would be a piece of cake for him! But he insists on studying medicine! I think he's the one with a serious problem! It really infuriates me!"

Li Fan understood. "Oh, I remember now, he's the young doctor you were talking about."

A son of a military family, yet unwilling to fight on the battlefield, preferring to become a military doctor? That certainly isn't suited to the path of a sword immortal... What a pity... No, not at all, this is the path of a young healer...

"That's good, that's good. Since we're on the topic, if you have some free time recently, take these things to Chen Asha."

As Xuan Tian spoke, the spider climbed down and took a box from the warehouse.

"For... Asha?"

Li Fan took it and examined it. It was a sword box made with mechanical arts. Inside, a set of five gleaming swords could be ejected. They were of different sizes and shapes, and looked a bit like a chef's knife box. Of course, these swords were not flying swords, but they were still divine weapons with Sword Talismans and carefully crafted.

Xuan Tian said, "This set is a sword blank. Let Asha try it out and see which one suits her best. I'll then forge an even better set for her. Also, check on her cultivation progress. If she's almost finished practicing the <Sword Transformation Guide>, you can teach her the <Nine Luminaries Sword Scripture> and the technique of escape. In short, you're probably a bit more suitable than me for instructing disciples. You can decide for yourself."

Li Fan was stunned. "Holy crap! Xuan Tian! Didn't you look down on her aptitude before? How come your attitude changed so much after you found out she's a descendant of Senior Brother Huangfu!"

Xuan Tian said, "So what if I'm biased! Two of your three senior brothers had no children! Now the Huangfu family only has these two girls left! What's wrong with me taking care of them a little? What do you say?"

Uh... actually, Brother Yan doesn't count... oh well, if Xuan Tian says there are no descendants, then there are no descendants...

Li Fan scratched his head. "Alright, alright, I'll go to Zhonggu right now to check on Asha's cultivation level and bring her some pills and magic treasures."

Xuan Tian said, "By the way, with the help of Suihou Pearl and my guidance, I estimate that Yuepo will be able to take human form this time after it is forged."

Anyway, you'll have Yuepo as your sword companion in the future, that's enough. I've already repaired that third-grade Golden Core sword pellet, Frost Stone. Now that Ink Bamboo Mountain is so dangerous, why don't you use it to protect Asha as well?

As the senior disciple, be more magnanimous! Everything I own is yours, so you should take better care of the junior sister, understand?

Li Fan was speechless. "Uh, fine... but I only know the <Ruyi Sword Scripture> when it comes to sword control. Can you teach it to her?"

Xuan Tian said, "It's alright, it's alright. Anyway, the Seven Star Sword Pill is already in your hands. Besides, the secret manuals of my Sword Sect are now known throughout the world. If our disciples don't know as much as those fake ones, wouldn't it be a laughing stock if word got out!"

Forget about the old rules, just pass it on! Pass it on as much as she can learn!

Just a moment ago she was called a country bumpkin and was supposed to be taken in to watch over the alchemy furnace, but now she's become a junior sister, someone to whom the Sword Sect's main inheritance is being entrusted...

Sigh... It seems that old age really does make people sentimental. No matter how heroic one was in the past, in their twilight years they dote on their grandchildren. Even the universally disliked Sword Ancestor Xuantian was no exception...

However, Xuan Tian is right. With such a shortage of manpower, it's not the time to keep things under wraps. Li Fan hasn't seen Asha in a long time either, and he wonders how she's been doing in her training in the Ten-thousand-mountains these past few years.

Moreover, he should soon prepare to go into seclusion with Qin Nanxin and the Yan sisters to cultivate the Limitless Nascent Soul Stage and various profound techniques, digest and stabilize the experience accumulated over the years in the Central Plains, and strive to shape his primordial spirit, stabilize his cultivation, and build up his combat power to the point where he can instantly kill Divine Transformation demon before the great war begins. He should be able to at least avoid being instantly killed when facing a Daoist Enlightenment Lord, if not in a one-on-one duel.

In short, the main body will likely remain in seclusion at Ink Bamboo Mountain Moon Worship an extended period. Therefore, this opportunity to deliver flying swords, magical artifacts, and Cultivation Method to Asha will provide a chance to check on the situation at the Middle Valley Dojo Ink Bamboo Mountain and complete the daily patrol duties.

Most importantly, Li Fan felt that he still needed to prepare to select a group of his own disciples.

Yes, they are not 'disciples who came to Ink Bamboo Mountain to seek the Dao' but 'Li Fan's own disciples', or rather, they are truly like-minded comrades who can fight side by side and are willing to shed their blood for the ascension of all living beings in the Inorganic Realm!

Having experienced the Qin Nanxin incident, Li Fan realized that his attempt to win over the old-school cultivators of the Qin Family of Emei was simply wishful thinking.

Why would Emei need him to win them over? They already won back then! They were invincible! They dominated the world! But now, aren't they all hiding in remote mountain valleys, seeking enlightenment?

This group of people might be willing to lend a hand if they encounter 'demons,' but if you ask them to treat this as a serious business, then forget it. If they don't go back to seclusion soon, the pills simmering in the furnace will all rot!

So don't talk about how great the ancient methods are, how great the new methods are, or how great enlightenment and ascension to immortality are.

The pursuit of truth is a never-ending journey.

After cultivating Qi, you can practice martial arts; after practicing martial arts, you can refine elixirs; if you really have nothing to do, you can do arithmetic. There is always a next level to reach, and there are always new principles to study and comprehend!

So to put it bluntly, although old-school hidden immortal cultivators like Qin Nanxin and Qin Baichuan are among the most capable, they genuinely have no interest in the 'mortal realm,' which explains why the system abandoned the idea of forming an alliance with them from the very beginning.

So the question is, how do you find like-minded people?

Is it about finding some gifted individuals from the majority of the impoverished, uncivilized native people, educating and transforming their values from a young age, and spreading his Way of Moshan?

Or should we find among the very few who have gained everything, yet still crave more, seeking wealth, completeness, and immortality—the immortals and beasts—those who have failed in their struggles, those burdened with deep-seated grievances, and exploit their hatred and ambition?

Li Fan thought for a moment but couldn't come up with a good solution. However, while he was lost in thought, he found himself flying through the air and passing over the Five Sons Peak of Moshan Mountain, arriving in the territory of Lingqiu Mountain.

At a glance, Li Fan noticed that Lingqiu Mountain was much more demonic than when he last visited. He estimated that the cultivators of Ink Bamboo Mountain in the south were currently engaged in a protracted war of attrition with the Demon Race. Many of the road signs, magic arrays, and talismans that were once considered worthless on Ink Bamboo Mountain had been destroyed. His primordial spirit could also detect that many monsters were lurking nearby.

So Li Fan took out the Si Nan to find Asha's location.

Soon, Si Nan led Li Fan to a group of people. Or rather, two groups of people, but Asha wasn't there.

Are they random, wild events?

Li Fan flew over invisibly to take a look and get a general understanding of the ongoing plot.

The situation is quite simple: these two groups of people are both out hunting demons, and they are currently fighting over the ownership of the demon core and flesh of a large demon beast that has been killed.

One of the groups was quite large, numbering forty or fifty people, and had a leader at the Golden Core stage who, judging from his accent, was a group of refugees from the north.

Among the migrants who moved to Ink Bamboo Mountain from other places, there were naturally many who were past the age of cultivation, lacked the affinity to join Ink Bamboo Mountain, and were unwilling to stay in the Bamboo Mountain to reclaim wasteland and cultivate land. They were also rogue cultivators, bandits, and Jianghu people who relied on their martial arts skills to go on adventures.

Taking advantage of the trend of destroying mountains and temples in Ink Bamboo Mountain, they also organized themselves to hunt demons at the Zhonggu Middle Valley Dojo Lingqiu Mountain.

With Ink Bamboo Mountain so short-handed right now, the few disciples from the nine peaks of Bamboo Mountain are certainly not enough to govern a thousand miles of land. Therefore, they strongly support the refugee leaders in organizing their own militia to make up for the lack of cultivators.

They not only provide armor, weapons, bows, and crossbows, but also cheaply offer various handwritten cultivation Cultivation Method, talismans, and elixirs, not to mention food supplies.

Lou Guan Tower even stated that if a refugee leader assists in exorcising demons, he can not only exchange his merits for a future, but also be arranged to be Outer Sect Disciple or a general who Li Country. Moreover, even if you die, you have the opportunity to be arranged to be a guardian general or soldier of the local mountain god and land god!

Wow! Not only can you make a living, but you can even become a god! That's really great treatment!

Therefore, although fighting monsters is extremely dangerous, and a battle will always result in many deaths and injuries, there are still quite a few martial arts practitioners who risk their lives to try and seize an opportunity for a better future.

The large monster in this trap, whether it was a bear or a boar, had fallen into their trap while fleeing and was killed by being stabbed repeatedly with Thunder Talisman, crossbow bolts, and spears. Even the talismans had been used up, so the refugee group naturally refused to give in.

But another group also had something to say, because these people claimed that they were ordered to patrol the mountain, and that the great monster was originally their prey, which they had caught first. Moreover, they had beaten it to a pulp and it was running for its life when it accidentally fell into the trap, which is how these few Foundation Establishment practitioners who had reached the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining stages managed to pick it up.

Moreover, they were probably telling the truth, because these people did indeed have the talisman flags of Ink Bamboo Mountain. Although there were only six of them, and everyone was injured, they were all cultivators at the Golden Core stage. Even when dozens of opponents pointed their swords, spears, bows, and crossbows at them, they showed no fear.

Even those at the Golden Core stage didn't forcibly seize their prey, which can be considered quite polite.

There's just a small problem here.

Li Fan their armor and cultivation level, these Golden Core Realm cultivators seemed to be the guardian immortal soldiers of the Nangong Family...