Swordcry Mountain

As dawn gradually broke, Chen Fan completed another Greater Celestial Circuit after cultivating through the entire night, then slowly withdrew his technique. He felt light all over, his blood and qi brimming with vigor, with none of the discomfort left behind by the poison. Internal Qi cultivation truly was wondrous. He also vaguely sensed that this was certainly not his first time practicing this art—he was already thoroughly familiar with it. Next, he should directly cultivate the later sections of the Golden Wheel Scripture. Yet that made him wonder: judging by this, his Internal Qi might already have reached the second level. Was his aptitude truly so heaven-defying at only fifteen? Many people could exhaust their entire lives and reach only the third level of Internal Qi. What he did not know was that, although martial artists were numerous in this world, those capable of cultivating Internal Qi techniques were actually few. Ordinary people practiced martial arts merely by training exceedingly rudimentary External Force tactics. Once they became somewhat proficient, they could engage others in fierce combat 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 squabble. This was because Internal Qi techniques were exceedingly rare among ordinary commoners.

However, the amnesiac Chen Fan knew nothing of these intricacies. Though the Golden Wheel Scripture was not worth mentioning among powerful sects, it was already an exceedingly rare technique in the eyes of ordinary people. He picked up the other book, the Golden Wheel Staff Technique, and roughly flipped through it. After a brief pause, he tore it apart and threw it into the spring. Although the Golden Wheel Staff Technique could likewise be cultivated to the third level of External Force, it required a staff or rod to perform. If he rashly cultivated it and exposed his identity, things would become highly troublesome. Thus, he simply destroyed it to prevent further complications. He even intended to destroy the entire Golden Wheel Scripture once he had fully mastered it. Internal Qi techniques differed from External Force techniques. Aside from a very few techniques whose origins could be identified the moment they were activated, most differed only in how they drew qi into the body, the locations and sequence of its internal circulation, the rhythm of breathing, and the process of repetition, thereby producing different internal effects within the human body. Combined with different applications of External Force, it was difficult to tell which internal art one practiced. Besides, the Golden Wheel Scripture was merely an obscure low-grade technique. Even the black-clad men who had fought those monks would likely find no clue so long as he did not reveal the Golden Wheel Staff Technique. But carrying it on him 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 to the next realm, he could not draw any more qi into his body for the time being. Nor did he need to practice further to heal his injuries. Chen Fan took out the two treasures. One was a battered, worn book, its title on the cover rubbed away beyond recognition. Only by reading its contents could one learn what it was. He slowly began turning through it.

Before long, he was astonished beyond measure. The book actually recorded countless methods for making and using poison. It included how to identify the various plants, animals, and other materials used to make poison, how to combine and proportion them to achieve different poisoning effects, and much more. The material on identifying poison-making ingredients alone was a dazzling profusion, emerging one after another without end; it could not be mastered quickly without years upon years of study and practical experience. Fortunately, the latter half of the book described in detail how to make poisons, blend poisons, and use them according to local conditions. If he diligently practiced according to its methods, completely mastering every poisoning technique within it would not be impossible. Finally, the book stated: Of all martial arts under heaven, only speed is unbreakable. Yet among the myriad techniques beneath heaven, none cannot be overcome by poison. In the author's view, throughout the world, whether strong or weak, regardless of what techniques or divine abilities they cultivated, poison could deal with them all. The only question was whether one's means and skill in using poison had reached profound enough depths.

For instance, once Internal Qi cultivation reached the Meridian Opening realm, ordinary poison would be no more harmful than a mosquito bite. But a master poison user could employ certain methods to infiltrate poison into the target's celestial circulation, or use the vital qi of heaven and earth to induce the poisoned person to draw the toxin 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 was ingenious to the extreme, yet incomparably perilous for the poisoned. But once one comprehended the poison-using methods in this book, one would likewise gain absolute experience in guarding against poison.

Chen Fan suddenly recalled the poison he had suffered before. It had been capable of bringing down a large group of monks who cultivated internal arts, so it was surely no ordinary substance. It seemed that group of black-clad men truly had extraordinary origins and might have some connection to this book.

After less than half a day, Chen Fan had roughly finished reading the book. He could not help sighing in admiration. It truly was a marvelous book; calling it a supreme treasure would not be excessive. Yet what shocked him most were the final few lines: Refine poison to its utmost, and slaughter gods, extinguish immortals. Yet in this life, I have no hope of attaining great completion. Let those fated obtain it, comprehend it fully, and inherit my path.

Immortals? Setting aside whether immortals truly existed, even if they did, they could not be slain by people of this world, could they? Slaughter gods and extinguish immortals? That was far too exaggerated. Still, if one could truly master everything within this Poisoncraft Manual, integrate it all, and even develop more and deeper poison arts, then the potential contained within it was indeed immeasurable.

Chen Fan was immensely pleased with this manual. Once he settled down, he would certainly begin studying it in earnest.

As he pondered, he took out the wooden box and opened it. Inside lay a dagger, three fine needles, and five darts. Chen Fan examined them carefully again, comparing them with the explanations of poisons used on various concealed weapons recorded in the manual.

He discovered that the three fine needles were called God-Sealing Needles. They were incomparably thin and could easily pierce an enemy's body, yet were difficult to remove. If deadly poison were applied to them beforehand, they could take an enemy's life while the enemy was unprepared. Even someone whose internal arts had achieved success and reached the Spirit Wandering realm would be greatly affected if multiple God-Sealing Needles entered their body. They might even become unable to release their spiritual sense, while their internal arts would be restricted and unusable. That would be tantamount to losing all combat strength.

These concealed weapons truly were outrageously vicious, Chen Fan thought. He then saw that the manual mentioned the five darts as a kind commonly used by those fond of concealed weapons. They were roughly the same size as the Plum Blossom Darts used by ordinary people of the martial world, but their material was harder and their blade tips sharper. Most crucially, during their manufacture, the Venomheart Darts had poison 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 had insufficient internal arts, the poison would flare up on the spot. They were fierce in the extreme and difficult to guard against.

Compared to the God-Sealing Needles, the Venomheart Darts had broader applications because they could be thrown from afar. But they also required a certain amount of internal strength to use. The deeper one's internal arts, the farther they could be thrown, the faster they flew, and the harder they were to evade. The God-Sealing Needles had their own advantage: at close range, they were extremely stealthy and did not require much internal strength. They would not take effect immediately after entering the opponent's body either. Often, the target would only notice something was wrong after a short while, but by then it would already be too late.

Used according to the situation, these two kinds of concealed weapons could absolutely display unexpectedly formidable power. Whether killing enemies or escaping for one's life, they were exceedingly practical.

Chen Fan picked up the final dagger and examined it. It was about the size of a palm, and its point was equally sharp. Although the manual did not mention the dagger's name, its use was self-evident. Apply poison to it, and a light slash across an opponent's body would inject the toxin into them. Even one whose internal arts had achieved success could not make their skin impervious to blades.

Of these three types of concealed weapons, God-Sealing Needles could not be removed once they entered the body, while the poison-hiding mechanism inside Venomheart Darts would be destroyed once their poison was released. Both were naturally one-use concealed weapons. Fortunately, the manual contained methods for forging them, so he could see whether he might make some in the future. That dagger, meanwhile, was a fine item that could be used repeatedly.

Chen Fan fondled the dagger with lingering affection for a while. Then he put all the items away and decided that from now on, he needed to find a way to carry these concealed weapons somewhere readily accessible on his body, so he could draw them in an instant when facing an enemy. Otherwise, they would lose their purpose.

After organizing everything, he ate a few mouthfuls of dried rations and drank a few sips of spring water. Just as he was about to rise and leave, he heard several footsteps approaching from afar. 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 woods ahead. The tall man in front was a middle-aged man with ordinary features and dark, coarse skin. Behind him was an elderly man of considerable age. Though his hair was white, his body remained straight and upright, clearly showing that he was in excellent health.

After they appeared, they saw Chen Fan as well. Both were slightly startled. Then the middle-aged man said, "Little brother, your face is unfamiliar. You are probably not from these mountains, are you? Could it be that you wandered into the mountains by mistake and lost your way?"

Chen Fan had been about to devise an explanation, but hearing the middle-aged man say this, he went along with it. "Exactly. I came out to travel, intending to roam the mountains and rivers and enjoy the natural scenery. But after entering these mountains, I could no longer find my way out. I have been wandering within them for two days, and now I have completely lost my sense of direction."

After speaking, he put on a slightly embarrassed expression. What he said was indeed true. He could detect no fluctuations of vital qi from these two, and their feet planted firmly upon the ground as they walked. They did not appear to have cultivated Internal Qi or Soaring. Judging from their clothing, they should be people who had lived in these mountains for a long time. Thus, Chen Fan began considering having them guide him out.

"So that is how it is." The middle-aged man and the old man exchanged a glance and both smiled faintly. The middle-aged man said, "We are mountain folk who live in these mountains. This is my second uncle. We normally make our living here by hunting beasts and gathering herbs, and we are quite familiar with the terrain. Fierce birds and savage beasts occasionally appear in the mountains, so it is not very 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 that. "Excellent. Then I will trouble you both."

The middle-aged man nodded slightly, walked to the mountain spring, and took out a leather water pouch to fill with spring water. Then he said, "Let us go. We live at the foot of the mountain. We entered the mountains today to gather herbs, and this path happens to be our way back. Little brother, come down the mountain with us."

The three moved briskly through the mountain forest, weaving among clusters of trees. The middle-aged man walking in front never slowed his pace. He turned to look behind him and said, "We have traveled in and out of these mountains all year round, and know these mountain paths and terrain like the backs of our hands, so we can move freely. We did not deliberately slow down earlier, yet little brother has followed behind us with ease, as though a butcher's knife carving an ox. It seems your skills are quite extraordinary. By the way, little brother, where do you intend to go on this journey?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment and said, "I did not actually have a specific destination. I merely saw that the mountains here rose and fell, the vegetation was lush and flourishing, and there were streams and waterfalls among the peaks. The scenery was quite beautiful, so I entered this splendid landscape. By the way, what is this mountain called? Are there any temples, sects, Daoist monasteries, or other places of cultural interest nearby?" He asked this because he wanted to see whether Golden Wheel Temple truly kept itself hidden from the world and was scarcely known.

"Does little brother not know that this is the Swordcry Mountains?" The middle-aged man looked at Chen Fan in puzzlement. "The Swordcry Mountains stretch for thousands of miles. They are named after the greatest sect here, Swordcry Mountain. The Swordcry Mountain sect is located within the main peak of the Swordcry Mountains." As he spoke, he pointed toward a towering peak in the distance. Chen Fan raised his eyes and saw clouds and mist coiling around that mountain peak, immortal aura drifting gracefully through the air. It refreshed the heart and delighted the mind, making one's spirit yearn toward it.

"As for other temples and Daoist monasteries, there surely must be some. But within these vast mountains, deep in the clouds where none know the way." 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 be able to 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 a thought turned in his mind, and he turned back to ask, "Do either of you know how to reach the main peak of Swordcry Mountain?"

The middle-aged man turned around as well. "Little brother wishes to go to Swordcry Mountain? To be frank, when I saw that you carried a sword, I assumed you pursued the sword arts. I had thought you came specially this time to join Swordcry Mountain."

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

"How strange. If little brother came from below the mountain, then surely you have already seen the crowds there? How could you not know?" The middle-aged man said, "These next few days are Swordcry Mountain's once-in-ten-years selection for new disciples. Countless youths who yearn for the sword arts have come here upon its fame."

Such a thing was happening? Chen Fan pondered inwardly. These two would never imagine that he had not come from below the mountain at all, but had lived in seclusion within this mountain range for years—and was an unlucky person who had lost his memories.

Looking slightly embarrassed, he said, "To be frank, I traveled here over several days from the other side of the mountain range. Then I was 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 would also like to go and have a look."