Luo Fuyi

"Is this brother a high-ranking disciple of the Qingwei Sword Sect?" A pleasant, surprised voice called out from behind him.

Yu Xiu turned to look and found a young woman carrying a sword and a saber on her back. Her thick, long hair was tied up, giving her a crisp and capable appearance. She had long, straight legs, an excellent figure, fair skin, and pleasing features. Dressed in a black martial outfit, she looked heroic and spirited.

"Oh!" Upon seeing Yu Xiu turn around, the woman's clear eyes lingered on his face for a moment. She secretly praised him to herself, This is the swordsman I've always imagined—carefree, unconstrained, and walking the world with a sword in hand.

"Is something the matter?" Yu Xiu asked, puzzled.

If she had encountered demons or evil spirits within Yan Province, seeking help from the Qingwei Sword Sect would be perfectly fine.

But if it were anything else, the Qingwei Sword Sect had its own set of rules; local affairs were not the concern of the sect's disciples.

"Nothing, nothing! It's just that I've long yearned for the Qingwei Sword Sect, so..." The young woman waved her hands repeatedly, though she couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes.

"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving." Without waiting for her to finish, Yu Xiu stepped away.

People's hearts are as unfathomable as the depths of the sea; when traveling abroad, trusting others too easily is the greatest taboo.

Although this was Yan Province, under the jurisdiction of the Qingwei Sword Sect, being cautious would never be a mistake.

Furthermore, he had already changed out of his Inner Court disciple robes, yet this person had still recognized him.

"Wait! Are you heading to Cloud Mountain Cliff? Let's go together!" The woman chased after him again.

Yu Xiu ignored her, so she continued speaking to herself: "A few years ago, I wanted to join the Sword Sect, but they said my talent for the sword was poor and turned me away."

She smiled confidently: "But I don't think so. Now that my swordsmanship has reached a certain level, my master says I already possess the bearing of a master."

She looked at Yu Xiu again: "I've seen many disciples of the Sword Sect traveling abroad, and their swordsmanship is not as good as mine. But I can tell your swordsmanship must be very high. Could you..."

Before she could finish, Yu Xiu stopped in his tracks: "How do you know my swordsmanship is high?"

Up until now, everyone who had seen him draw his blade was already dead.

The heroic woman looked at Yu Xiu's face and said as if it were obvious: "I can tell just by looking!"

"..." Yu Xiu replied: "My swordsmanship is also mediocre. Do not follow me."

"My name is Luo Fuyi, a disciple of the Lingyang Sect. Brother, you don't need to be wary of me. Although our sect isn't as great as the Qingwei Sword Sect, we often join forces with them to subdue demons and eliminate evil." Luo Fuyi continued to follow by Yu Xiu's side: "My heart is set on the sword. Could you spare some time to offer me some pointers?"

She added hurriedly: "If you are going to Cloud Mountain Cliff, I can help lead the way. I've been there once before. If there is something you want inside, I can also lend you a hand."

The Lingyang Sect, the top sect in Guxu Prefecture!

Yu Xiu stopped for the first time.

In the eight prefectures of Yan Province, the Qingwei Sword Sect was the heavens, but they were not the only ones in existence; there were other sects of various sizes beneath them.

"Perform your sword technique; I will see if I can offer some guidance." Yu Xiu's heart stirred, and he suddenly relented.

As the top sect of Guxu Prefecture, their heritage was naturally not bad. If Luo Fuyi asked him for pointers, he might be able to secretly learn a sword technique, which could increase his lifespan and comprehension by a dozen years or more.

With his current level of comprehension, if someone performed a complete sword technique in front of him, he could truly learn it.

Even if it were the inner cultivation methods or the routes for Qi Circulation, he should be able to deduce them based on the sword moves and the momentum of the blade.

A free sword technique—there was no reason not to take it.

Luo Fuyi was overjoyed: "Thank you."

The energy within her surged. With a metallic 'clang,' the long sword on her back soared into the sky and landed in her palm.

Just this move alone was quite dashing.

"This sword technique of mine is called the Hanguang Sword. Please offer your corrections, brother." Luo Fuyi danced with the long sword in her hand. She executed the set with great force and vigor, making a tremendous sound.

However, Yu Xiu's expression darkened as he watched.

The sword should be light and agile, either sharp or revealing its edge. According to Yu Xiu's discernment, the Hanguang Sword should follow a path of speed, oddity, unpredictability, and constant change.

Yet, in Luo Fuyi's hands, it had nothing to do with being odd, fast, or unpredictable. If she had told him she was wielding a mountain-cleaving axe, he might have believed her.

Forget it. Having practiced the sword technique into this unrecognizable mess, even with Yu Xiu's great comprehension, there was no way he could deduce anything from it.

When she finished the set, Luo Fuyi walked over excitedly, asking with great anticipation: "Brother Yu, how was my sword technique?"

"My master praised me for having the potential of a great craftsman, saying I have already broken away from the original framework of the Hanguang Sword and can forge my own path."

If you can practice a sword technique into a mountain-cleaving axe, you certainly can forge your own path. Yu Xiu nodded: "The sword technique is very good. If you have the chance, you should practice axe or hammer techniques; they would surely be a perfect fit for your style."

Luo Fuyi was delighted: "Brother Yu, you truly have a sharp eye! My master suggested the same thing, which is why I also practice the saber."

Yu Xiu: "Your saber technique must be excellent."

Judging by Luo Fuyi's disposition, practicing the saber was indeed more suitable. To be precise, she was very well-suited for weapons like sabers, axes, and hammers.

Luo Fuyi looked displeased: "I prefer practicing the sword."

Her eyes lit up: "Brother Yu, would you like to spar with me? Don't worry, I will hold back my strength."

Yu Xiu had no interest: "My swordsmanship is sparse and ordinary; it is not worth showing off."

He suddenly understood why Luo Fuyi said she had seen many Qingwei Sword Sect disciples traveling abroad, but everyone said they were not as good as her.

The sect was full of sword cultivators; it would be a miracle if they bothered to pay attention to Luo Fuyi.

Luo Fuyi smiled: "Brother Yu, you are being too modest."

She loved it most when others praised her swordsmanship, especially the praise of someone from the Qingwei Sword Sect, which she enjoyed the most.

Because the Qingwei Sword Sect possessed peerless swordsmanship and ranked first in Yan Province, gaining their recognition meant her own sword skills were undoubtedly superb.

She did not insist on forcing Yu Xiu into a duel, thinking, If I were to hound Brother Yu for a duel, and he, a disciple of the Sword Sect, were to lose to me in swordsmanship, he would surely be heartbroken.

"Let's go, I shall take Brother Yu to Cloud Mountain Cliff."

"I visited once before, but there was a demon monkey there that had entered the first of the Four Great Passes. I was no match for it and had to retreat."

"Right now, many experts are gathering before Cloud Mountain Cliff; the monsters upon the cliff will surely be wiped out clean."

She was high-spirited and quite enthusiastic.

Yu Xiu simply listened quietly, without interrupting.

"The monsters on Cloud Mountain Cliff actually have some wits. They love to eat human hearts and brains, especially those of cultivators. They have hidden in Cloud Mountain Cliff for who knows how long, yet they were never discovered."

"According to a friend of Jiang Han who escaped the demon den, those monsters used demonic arts to bewitch some women, disguising them as pitiful souls kidnapped by bandits. Once a cultivator fell for the trap and went up the mountain to suppress the bandits, they would be captured by the monsters."

"Over these years, who knows how many people those monsters have eaten? It is only now that they have been brought to light!"

By the end of her words, Luo Fuyi was already incensed: "Mountain spirits and demonic entities cause endless harm; they must be cut down by the sword."

Yu Xiu could tell that Luo Fuyi was exactly what the pugilistic world called a chivalrous heroine, one who wielded her sword for justice and possessed a heart full of righteous courage.

He felt that there should be more people like her in the world.

Of course, he also considered himself to be such a good person, even though he had killed quite a few people.