Chapter Eighteen: Wudang Comes Calling

Tian Boguang was struck by a pebble from Feng Qingyang, which hit him squarely in the Tanzhong acupoint. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"To witness such a sword strike in my twilight years—I, Feng, have no regrets in this life."

Hearing this assessment, Linghu Chong felt a mix of fear and admiration toward Ren Yi. He felt that the swordsmanship of the man before him was unparalleled in the world. Although it had not yet earned the title of "peerless," Linghu Chong now truly believed that this man could indeed sweep across the world without a single rival.

After seeing that strike, who could claim to be his enemy? Even Dongfang Bubai, the leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, would surely meet his end beneath that blade!

Ren Yi said indifferently, "But if I only meet with you in this life, I will not be satisfied."

Feng Qingyang’s eyes flickered as he asked, "That strike of yours—I believe no one in the world can counter it. Are you still unsatisfied?"

Ren Yi smiled. "Only through greed can a person push themselves to improve; one cannot progress if they are self-satisfied."

Feng Qingyang paced back and forth, then stopped to fix his gaze upon him. After a long moment, he nodded. "You speak the truth. It is no wonder you have achieved so much. When I saw you break into the secret cave and obtain the sword techniques of the Five Mountains, I truly thought you would descend the mountain thereafter. I did not expect you to seek me out."

Ren Yi still smiled. "Your Nine Swords of Dugu are far more brilliant than the techniques in that cave."

Feng Qingyang was moved. "You even know of the Nine Swords of Dugu?"

Ren Yi recited softly: "For over thirty years, I have roamed the world, slaying enemies and defeating heroes, until no one remained to oppose me. With no other choice, I retired to a deep valley, with only a condor as my companion. Alas, to seek a worthy opponent in one's lifetime and fail to find one—it is truly a lonely and unbearable fate."

Linghu Chong was stunned, and Feng Qingyang’s voice trembled as he said, "No wonder... no wonder you know of the Nine Swords of Dugu."

Ren Yi nodded. "I intend to learn these Nine Swords of Dugu, which advance without retreating and focus entirely on offense. Naturally, I am also willing to trade my self-created 'One Thousand and One Forms of Flipping Clouds and Reversing Rain'."

Feng Qingyang was shocked. "You are willing to trade that sword strike as well?"

Ren Yi smiled faintly. "That strike is named 'One,' and it is precisely the final form of the One Thousand and One Forms of Flipping Clouds and Reversing Rain."

Feng Qingyang stroked his beard in astonishment. "People in this world treat their own martial arts as secret treasures, often refusing to pass them on even to their closest relatives or friends. Yet you speak of trading them so lightly!?"

Ren Yi said calmly, "Even if everyone in the world were to learn 'One,' I would still be confident that they could not be my match."

Feng Qingyang sighed softly. "You are indeed a very proud person."

Ren Yi chuckled. "That is why a person like me does not fear being surpassed by others."

Feng Qingyang continued, "Because you are confident that no one in this world can surpass you, or even take your place."

Ren Yi replied, "If there were an equal opponent, it would surely force me to grow once more. Very well, let us end the idle talk here." With these words, he walked back toward the mountain cave.

Feng Qingyang watched the youth, who possessed a head of white hair despite his tender years, and seemed to see something in him that set him apart from ordinary people. Beyond his monstrous talent, this young man seemed to possess a resolute disregard for life and death.

Most people naturally fear threats, yet he lacked such concerns entirely. Was this the result of extreme self-confidence bordering on arrogance, or did he truly not care for his own life?

Feng Qingyang suddenly spoke up, teasing, "I have not yet agreed!"

Ren Yi stopped in his tracks and smiled slightly. "You have no choice but to accept."

Feng Qingyang was stunned. Ren Yi had already entered the cave. He shook his head with a bitter smile. Just as he took a step, he glanced at Linghu Chong and said, "You come along as well."

...

The sky was dim, with neither stars nor moon to be seen. A thin layer of mist curled around the dangerous cliffs of Mount Hua, and within the mist, a faint human figure seemed to drift.

The mist was white, and if not for the blue robes worn by that figure, one might not have been able to see him at all. He seemed to merge with the mist, becoming formless.

The Nine Swords of Dugu focus on "understanding." It is said that having no moves is superior to having moves, which simply means grasping the essence of the Nine Swords of Dugu, reaching a level where one understands the intent and forgets the moves.

The One Thousand and One Forms of Flipping Clouds and Reversing Rain, however, incorporates all the sword techniques of the world. It has no fixed moves, adapting instantly to the enemy. Its sword intent changes thousands of times, never-ending and inexhaustible.

The first thousand forms can place a person in an invincible position, while the final form is the ultimate, most powerful, and most absolute strike—the one that decides victory. Combined, they form a style of both invincibility and certain victory.

Ren Yi obtained the Nine Swords of Dugu, but Feng Qingyang did not ask him to teach the One Thousand and One Forms of Flipping Clouds and Reversing Rain. This was not for any other reason than the fact that the Flipping Clouds and Reversing Rain sword style demanded too much talent—especially the final "One," which perhaps only Ren Yi in this world could ever master.

"Is this kindness? Or is he afraid that someone like me might one day turn against Mount Hua?" Ren Yi smiled and shook his head.

The mist slowly dispersed, but the chill remained, and the sky grew darker. It was the moment just before dawn. Even with the mist gone, the treacherous path down the mountain remained invisible.

Of course, this did not stump him. Any person with a modicum of internal energy cultivation has senses far sharper than the average person. Ren Yi practiced the Wudang "Pure Yang Infinite Skill," but internal energy is something that can only be accumulated slowly; even he could not achieve it overnight.

The inner sanctum is a vessel; how could it be filled in a single day? The so-called clearing of meridians and vessels is the process of opening that inner sanctum. For now, his twelve regular meridians were not yet fully cleared, let alone the extraordinary eight vessels.

In Ren Yi's view, internal energy is power, and moves are technique. When power reaches its peak, it can break all laws; when technique reaches its peak, it can communicate with spirits. Possessing both is the true path of martial arts. Regarding internal energy cultivation, he had not yet had much realization, as he possessed very little in the way of internal energy manuals.

At dawn, a ray of warm sunlight shone from the far east, and a fiery red sun slowly rose. The scenery at sunrise and sunset is always so beautiful and magnificent. As the sunlight fell upon him, the chill seemed to diminish significantly.

Upon reaching the mountain path, an older Mount Hua disciple approached him.

After Ren Yi had slaughtered dozens of people from the Qingcheng and Songshan sects and subsequently rebelled against his master, disciples from Wudang had descended the mountain to track him. A few days ago, they had learned he was on Mount Hua, and the Wudang disciples had come searching.

They had happened to encounter Yue Buqun and his group, and so they had returned to Mount Hua together. Lao Denuo had been sent by Yue Buqun to the Siguo Cliff for one final search since Ren Yi could not be found elsewhere on Mount Hua.

When Lao Denuo first saw Ren Yi descending from Siguo Cliff, he could not help but feel shocked and fearful. He steadied his heart, bowed respectfully, and cupped his hands in greeting. "Young Master Ren, my master is currently meeting with two senior brothers from Wudang. He has asked for you to come and see him."

Ren Yi was not surprised. How could he not understand the ways of those from Wudang? He nodded slightly, and Lao Denuo turned to lead the way.

The founder of the Mount Hua sect was Hao Datong of the Seven True Taoists of the Southern Song Dynasty. Centuries had passed since the sect's founding. Over these hundreds of years, the mountain paths of Mount Hua had stretched for tens of miles, and this was ten miles away from the main residence of the Mount Hua sect.

However, a distance of ten miles could be covered in a few moments.

By the time he stepped into the Zhengqi Hall of Mount Hua, dozens of disciples, including Lu Dayou, Liang Fa, Shi Daizi, and Yue Lingshan, were standing on both sides of the hall. Among the crowd, Ren Yi also spotted Lin Pingzhi.