Sword Fighting in the Forest

Shen Luo walked slowly along the mountain path, pondering how he could replenish the vital energy in his body and extend his lifespan.

According to Fengyang Zhenren, as well as his own deductions, there were two options. One was to take pills like the Origin Preserving Pill that could restore vital energy—though they would need to be more effective than the Origin Preserving Pill. The second was to cultivate the Minor Transforming Yang Art to major completion as quickly as possible, then practice a higher-tier cultivation technique.

Spring Autumn Temple should have both of those things, but merely becoming a Registered Disciple had already cost the Shen family a substantial sum of gold and silver. Better pills likely could not be obtained with just a little money. As for cultivating the Minor Transforming Yang Art to completion, with his aptitude, there was absolutely no way he could achieve it within two years.

As Shen Luo considered possible solutions, he unknowingly arrived at the rear mountain.

The rear mountain was thick with woods and trees, lush greenery filling his vision. The calls of insects and birds drifted near and far, easing the tension in his heart somewhat.

Just then, a deep booming sound came from a dense forest ahead. It sounded like blades clashing.

Shen Luo stopped to listen. Before long, another boom rang out, accompanied by a sharp shriek.

"What's going on?"

He was puzzled. The rear mountain was rarely visited by anyone, so how could there be such sounds? Could someone be fighting here?

After a brief hesitation, he lightened his steps and moved closer. Before long, he reached the source of the noise.

"This is..."

Shen Luo's pupils contracted. He instinctively sidestepped and concealed himself behind a large tree.

Two figures stood in the forest ahead: Bai Xiaotian and Ding Hua.

The two stood five or six zhang apart without moving. Between them, two crimson sword phantoms several feet long twisted and lunged at one another in midair, writhing like dragons and serpents as they produced a rapid series of ringing clashes.

The surrounding woodland was a complete mess, with trees toppled and branches snapped, leaving behind a broad clearing. Wherever the two sword phantoms passed, whether thick trees or mountain rocks, everything was cut neatly in two. The severed edges were scorched black, as if burned by fire.

"Flying swords!" Shen Luo's eyes lit up.

Although the two crimson sword phantoms were much slower in their movements than the flying swords wielded by the two immortal masters in Donglai County in his dream, the sharp sword qi they radiated was comparable. They were undoubtedly flying swords.

Both flying swords were wrapped in red light, making their forms difficult to discern. Bai Xiaotian's flying sword appeared to be a Copper Coin Sword formed from linked copper coins. Its shape was peculiar, and its movements were broad and sweeping, carrying the force of thunder and lightning.

A streak of sword light flashed. The Copper Coin Sword launched one linked move after another, weaving into a dense sword net that trapped Ding Hua's flying sword within.

Ding Hua's flying sword was merely an ordinary-looking wooden sword. It was exceptionally nimble and elusive. Though trapped within the Copper Coin Sword's sword net, it defended without a single gap and showed no sign of falling behind. From time to time, it launched attacks like a venomous snake flicking out its tongue, attempting to tear through the sword net, but each attempt was repelled.

As time passed, the red glow on Ding Hua's wooden sword was gradually suppressed, and its movements became less agile than before.

Ding Hua's expression turned grave. Though he did his utmost to drive his flying sword, he still found it difficult to reverse his disadvantage.

It seems Senior Brother Bai is still a cut above him, Shen Luo thought from afar. He moved closer and hid behind another large tree.

This was his first chance to observe people fighting with flying swords at such close range. Such an opportunity was rare, and he had no intention of missing it.

"Senior Brother Ding, your Qingtuoli Wood Sword has only just been refined. If we continue, I'm afraid it may be damaged. Shall we stop here for today?" Bai Xiaotian asked, holding the wooden sword in check without pressing his advantage.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of anger passed through Ding Hua's eyes. Rather than stopping, he suddenly gave a low shout and formed a hand seal with both hands, extending them in a sword-finger gesture before pointing into the air.

Red light flashed from his fingertips, while a similarly strange blood-red glow appeared over his cheeks.

The red light on the wooden sword within the sword net flared brightly, as though it had taken a powerful tonic. Its sword light, originally several feet long, abruptly more than doubled, transforming into a crimson greatsword over a zhang long that slashed down with immense force.

With a tearing sound, the sword net formed by the Copper Coin Sword was forcibly cleaved open.

The wooden sword shot out from the breach without slowing. With a whoosh, it turned into a crimson sword phantom and flew straight toward Bai Xiaotian's face.

Bai Xiaotian's expression changed slightly. During a sword fight, allowing an enemy's flying sword to get close was a grave taboo. He hurriedly beckoned with one hand.

The Coin Flying Sword's sword radiance also surged. It shot back at incredible speed, catching up to the wooden sword in the blink of an eye. Its blade curved around and wrapped toward the wooden sword once more.

But at that moment, with a loud clang, the red light on the wooden sword suddenly shattered, transforming into more than a dozen tiny sword lights. They changed direction and all struck the Copper Coin Sword.

Amid a string of sharp clangs, the Coin Flying Sword was blasted away, tumbling several times through the air. It did not appear to have suffered any serious damage.

Ding Hua frowned at the sight. With a low shout, he drove the wooden sword after it again like a shooting star chasing the moon, intending to crush his opponent in one decisive push.

But at that moment, the spinning Copper Coin Sword abruptly steadied itself. It circled through the air and flicked upward at the pursuing wooden sword.

The flick was exquisitely timed, striking precisely at the weakest point in the middle of the wooden sword.

With a ringing sword cry, most of the scarlet sword light on the wooden sword was scattered, and it was knocked flying several zhang away.

Ding Hua's face changed color. He repeatedly mobilized the magic power within his body before barely stabilizing the sword.

After a moment of uncertainty crossed his face, he raised a hand and summoned the wooden sword back. It flew into his grasp, and he did not attack again.

Seeing that his opponent had stopped, Bai Xiaotian also recalled the Coin Flying Sword.

"I have experienced Junior Brother Bai's Sword Flight Technique. Farewell!" Ding Hua said with cupped hands before turning to leave.

After taking a few steps, he glanced sideways toward where Shen Luo was hiding and gave a cold snort. Yet he did not slow down, quickly vanishing into the distance.

"Junior Brother Shen, come out," Bai Xiaotian said sternly after watching Ding Hua leave.

"Senior Brother Bai, your ears are truly sharp. You noticed me from so far away," Shen Luo said with a chuckle as he emerged from behind a distant tree.

"Why did you come here instead of staying in your room?" Bai Xiaotian frowned as he watched Shen Luo approach.

"I ran into a problem with my cultivation. I came out to clear my head, but I didn't expect to find the two of you sparring here."

"Didn't you just begin learning the Minor Transforming Yang Art? How could something have gone wrong?" Bai Xiaotian asked in surprise.

"Even you think that no matter how poor one's aptitude is, there shouldn't be a problem cultivating the Minor Transforming Yang Art, right?" Shen Luo spread his hands and revealed a bitter smile.

"Sigh, that wasn't what I meant... Forget it. Take a walk with me around the rear mountain," Bai Xiaotian said suddenly after noticing Shen Luo's poor mood and looking up at the sky.

Naturally, Shen Luo did not refuse and immediately nodded.

The two walked side by side deeper into the woods. Passing through a patch of low shrubs, they came upon a small path hidden amid the wild grass.