Swordcry Mountain

As dawn gradually brightened, Chen Fan had cultivated through the entire night and completed another Greater Celestial Circuit. He slowly withdrew his technique, feeling light all over, his blood and qi full and vigorous, without the slightest discomfort left from his earlier poisoning. Internal Qi cultivation truly was wondrous. He also vaguely felt that this was certainly not his first time cultivating this technique; he was already exceptionally familiar with it. Next, he could directly cultivate the later sections of the Golden Wheel Scripture. Yet as he thought of this, he could not help finding it strange. By that reasoning, his Internal Qi might already have reached the second level. Was his talent truly so heaven-defying at merely fifteen? Many people could exhaust their entire lives and still only cultivate Internal Qi to the third level. What he did not know was that while there were countless martial practitioners in this world, only a minority could actually cultivate Internal Qi techniques. Ordinary people who practiced martial arts merely trained in exceedingly rudimentary External Force combat methods. Once they became somewhat proficient, they could battle others fiercely and believe themselves to possess martial arts techniques. Yet in the eyes of cultivators who practiced Internal Qi techniques, such people were laughable, like watching children brawl. This was also because Internal Qi techniques were exceedingly rare among ordinary folk.

However, the amnesiac Chen Fan understood none of these intricacies. He did not know that although the Golden Wheel Scripture was not worth mentioning among powerful sects, it was already an exceptionally rare technique in the eyes of ordinary people. He picked up the other book, the Golden Wheel Staff Technique, and skimmed through it. After pausing briefly, he tore it apart and tossed it into the spring. Though the Golden Wheel Staff Technique was also a method that could be cultivated to the third level of External Force, it required a staff or ritual scepter to perform. If he rashly cultivated it and exposed his identity, that would be highly undesirable. Thus, he simply destroyed it to avoid further complications. He even planned to destroy the entire Golden Wheel Scripture once he had mastered all its techniques. Internal Qi techniques differed from External Force. Apart from a very few techniques whose origins could be identified the moment one circulated them, most differed only in how they drew qi into the body, the locations and order in which it circulated, their breathing rhythm, and their repeating cycles, thereby producing different internal effects in the human body. Combined with different External Force techniques, it was difficult to tell what internal art one practiced. Besides, the Golden Wheel Scripture was merely a low-grade technique with no reputation to speak of. Even the black-clothed people who had fought those monks would likely find nothing amiss so long as he did not display the Golden Wheel Staff Technique. But carrying it on his person always posed a risk. Destroying it as soon as he finished cultivating it was the safest course.

After cultivating all night, his Internal Qi was already full. Unless he broke through his realm, he could not draw any more qi into his body for the time being. Nor did he need to cultivate further to heal his injuries. Chen Fan thus took out the two treasures. One was a thoroughly battered old book, its title on the cover worn away beyond recognition. Only by opening it could one learn its contents. He slowly began to read.

Before long, he was utterly astonished. This book actually recorded countless methods for making and using poison. It included how to identify various plants, animals, and other materials used in poison-making; how to combine and prepare them in different proportions to produce different poisoning effects; and much more. The material on identifying the various poison-making ingredients alone was a dazzling profusion, emerging one after another without end. It could not be quickly mastered without years upon years of study and practice. Fortunately, the latter half of the book described in detail how to make poisons, refine poisons, and use poison according to local conditions. If he diligently practiced according to the book's methods, it should not be impossible to fully master every poison technique within. At the end, the book also stated: Of all martial arts under heaven, only speed cannot be broken. Yet among all the myriad techniques under heaven, none cannot be conquered with poison. In the author's eyes, throughout the world, whether strong or weak, regardless of what techniques or divine abilities they cultivated, poison could deal with them all. It was merely a matter of whether one's methods and skill in using poison had reached sufficient depth.

For example, once Internal Qi cultivation reached the Meridian Opening Realm, ordinary poison would be no more troublesome than a mosquito bite. But a poison master could use certain methods to infiltrate poison into the target's celestial circulation, or use the Origin Qi of heaven and earth to make the poisoned person draw it into their body, or use specially made poisoned weapons to break through the body's surface and directly seep into the bones and meridians. It could be called exquisitely ingenious, yet the poisoned person would also face extreme peril. But by comprehending the poison techniques in this book, one would also gain absolute experience in guarding against poison.

Chen Fan suddenly thought of the poison that had afflicted him before. It had brought down a whole group of monks who cultivated internal arts, so it could not have been anything ordinary. It seemed those black-clothed people truly had extraordinary origins and might have some connection to this book.

Half a day later, Chen Fan had roughly finished reading the book. He could not help sighing in admiration. It truly was a remarkable book; calling it a supreme treasure would not be excessive. Yet what most shocked him were the final few lines: Perfect poison slays gods and exterminates immortals. Yet in this life, I have no hope of reaching great attainment. Let one fated to obtain it comprehend and master it, and inherit my path.

Immortals? Setting aside whether immortals truly existed, even if they did, they were surely not beings that people of this world could kill. Slaying gods and exterminating immortals? That was far too exaggerated. Still, if one could truly master every part of this Poisoncraft Manual and integrate it all into one, perhaps even develop more profound poison arts, then the potential it contained was indeed immeasurable.

Chen Fan was quite delighted with this Treasure Record. Once he settled down, he would certainly begin studying it in earnest.

As he pondered this, he took out the wooden box and opened it. Inside lay a dagger, three slender needles, and five throwing darts. Chen Fan examined them carefully, comparing them with the descriptions in the Treasure Record regarding poisons used on various concealed weapons.

He discovered that the three slender needles were called God-Sealing Needles. They were incomparably fine and could easily pierce an enemy's body while being difficult to remove. If potent poison were applied to them beforehand, they could take an enemy's life when the enemy was unprepared. Even someone whose internal arts had reached the Spirit Wandering Realm would be significantly affected if multiple God-Sealing Needles entered their body. They might even be unable to release their divine sense, while their internal arts would be restricted and unable to function. That was tantamount to losing all combat power.

These concealed weapons truly were outrageously vicious, Chen Fan thought. He then saw the Treasure Record mention that the five throwing darts were a type commonly used by those fond of concealed weapons. They were roughly the same size as the Plum Blossom Darts used by ordinary martial folk, but their material was harder and their points sharper. Most crucially, during the making of these Venomheart Darts, poison liquid was hidden within internal mechanisms. Once a dart embedded itself in an enemy's body, the poison would immediately seep out and spread. If the person struck lacked sufficient internal arts, the poison would flare up on the spot. They were exceedingly fierce and difficult to guard against.

Compared with the God-Sealing Needles, the Venomheart Darts had broader uses because they could be thrown from a distance. But they also required a certain amount of internal strength to use. The deeper one's internal arts, the farther they could throw them, the faster the darts would fly, and the harder they would be to evade. The God-Sealing Needles also had their own advantage: at close range, they were extremely covert and did not require much internal strength. Once embedded in the opponent's body, they would not take effect immediately. Often, the victim would discover something was wrong only after a short while, but by then it would already be too late.

Used according to the circumstances, these two types of concealed weapons could absolutely display unexpectedly powerful effects. Whether killing enemies or escaping for one's life, both were highly practical.

Chen Fan picked up the final dagger and examined it. It was about the size of a palm, and its point was likewise exceedingly sharp. Though the Treasure Record did not mention the dagger's name, its use was obvious. Apply poison liquid to it, and one need only lightly slash the opponent to inject poison into their body. Even someone accomplished in internal arts could not make their skin impervious to blades.

Of these three kinds of concealed weapons, God-Sealing Needles could not be removed once they entered the body, while the hidden poison mechanism within Venomheart Darts was destroyed after the poison liquid was released. Both were naturally single-use concealed weapons. Fortunately, the Treasure Record contained methods for refining them, so he could see whether he might make them in the future. The dagger, meanwhile, was a fine item that could be used repeatedly.

Chen Fan fondly played with the dagger for a while before putting away all the items. He decided that from now on, he would have to find a way to carry these concealed weapons somewhere on his body where they could be drawn in an instant when facing an enemy. Otherwise, they would lose their meaning.

After organizing everything, he ate a few bites of dried provisions and drank a few mouthfuls of spring water. Just as he was about to rise and leave, he heard several sets of footsteps approaching from afar in his direction. Someone was coming! He did not panic, merely steadied himself and watched ahead. Before long, two figures, one tall and one short, emerged one after the other from the forest ahead. The taller man in front was middle-aged, ordinary-looking, with dark, rough skin. Behind him was a rather elderly old man with a head of white hair but a straight, upright frame. He was clearly in excellent health.

Once the two appeared, they saw Chen Fan as well. Both were slightly taken aback. Then the middle-aged man said, "Little brother, your face is unfamiliar. You are probably not from this mountain, are you? Could you have wandered into the mountains by mistake and gotten lost?"

Chen Fan had been about to come up with an explanation, but upon hearing this, he went along with it. "Exactly. I came out to travel, intending to enjoy the mountains and rivers and take in the natural scenery. But after entering these mountains, I found myself unable to get back out. I have wandered around in here for two days, and now I have completely lost my sense of direction."

After saying that, he looked slightly embarrassed. His words were indeed true. He could detect no fluctuations of Origin Qi from the two, and their feet stayed firmly on the ground as they walked. They did not seem to have cultivated Internal Qi or Soaring. Judging by their clothing, they were likely people who had lived in these mountains for a long time. Thus, Chen Fan began considering asking them to lead him out.

"So that is how it is." The middle-aged man exchanged a glance with the old man, and both smiled faintly. The middle-aged man said, "We are mountain folk living in these mountains. This is my second uncle. We make our living here by hunting beasts and gathering herbs, so we are quite familiar with the terrain. Fierce birds and savage beasts occasionally appear in these mountains, and it is not safe to be lost here. If little brother does not mind, you may travel with us. We can show you the way out of the mountains."

Chen Fan smiled upon hearing this. "Excellent. Then I will trouble you both."

The middle-aged man nodded slightly, walked to the mountain spring, and took out a leather waterskin to fill with some spring water. Then he said, "Let us go. We live at the foot of the mountain and came in today to gather herbs. Our way back happens to pass through here, so little brother may descend the mountain with us."

The three moved briskly through the forest, weaving through one patch of woods after another. The middle-aged man walking in front did not slow his pace. He turned to look behind him and said, "We have traveled in and out of these mountains all year round, so we know these mountain paths and terrain like the back of our hands and can move freely through them. We did not deliberately slow down earlier, yet little brother has followed us with ease, utterly at home. It seems your skills are far from ordinary. By the way, little brother, where do you intend to go on this journey?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment before replying, "I did not truly have a specific destination. I merely saw these rolling mountains, their lush and verdant vegetation, the streams and waterfalls between the peaks, and found the scenery quite beautiful, so I entered this landscape. By the way, what is this mountain called? Are there any temples, sects, or Daoist monasteries nearby?" He asked because he wanted to see whether Golden Wheel Temple was truly so secluded and unknown.

"Could it be that little brother does not know this is the Swordcry Mountains?" The middle-aged man looked at Chen Fan in confusion. "The Swordcry Mountains stretch for thousands of miles. They are named after the largest sect here, Swordcry Mountain. The Swordcry Mountain sect is located upon Swordcry Mountain's Main Peak." As he spoke, he pointed toward a towering peak in the distance. Chen Fan raised his eyes and saw that the peak was wreathed in clouds and mist, immortal aura curling around it. It refreshed the heart and delighted the mind, stirring yearning in one's soul.

"As for other temples and Daoist monasteries, there should certainly be some. But in these vast mountains, where clouds run deep, none know where they lie." The middle-aged man said no more after that. Before long, the three arrived at the foot of the mountain.

"Little brother, continue along this road for several dozen li and you will leave this place. Let us part here," the middle-aged man said. In a dense forest not far away, several thatched cottages could vaguely be seen amid curling cooking smoke. They were likely the dwellings of these mountain folk.

Chen Fan nodded. "Thank you both for accompanying me along the way. Then farewell." He was about to leave when he reconsidered, turned back, and asked, "Do either of you know how to reach Swordcry Mountain's Main Peak?"

The middle-aged man turned back as well. "Little brother wishes to go to Swordcry Mountain? To be honest, I saw earlier that you carry a sword, so I assumed you sought the way of the sword and had come specifically to join Swordcry Mountain this time."

"What do you mean by that?" Chen Fan asked in confusion.

"How strange. If little brother came from below the mountain, you must have seen the crowds gathered there. How could you not know?" The middle-aged man said, "These past few days are Swordcry Mountain's once-in-ten-years selection for new disciples. Countless youths who admire swordsmanship have come here upon hearing its name."

Such a thing was happening? Chen Fan pondered inwardly. These two likely could never have imagined that he had not come from below the mountain at all, but was someone who had lived in seclusion in these mountains for years and had the misfortune of losing his memories.

Looking slightly embarrassed, he said, "To be honest, I spent several days making my way here from the other side of the mountain range, then became lost in the mountains for several more days before encountering you two. I never expected to happen upon this grand gathering of a great sect. With such an opportunity before me, I too would like to go and have a look."