Chương 125: What brings you to my Qingcheng Mountain?

The young Taoist priest was named Zhang Zheng, and next to him was a short, stout young Taoist priest named Zeng Weida. These two were quite lively and talked the most with Zhao Rui.

We're all the same age, so we got to know each other after chatting a few times.

With companions to talk to and answer his questions, Zhao Rui's peaceful life of cultivation instantly became "vibrant".

Before we knew it, a month had passed in the blink of an eye!

Zhao Rui also gloriously became a "qualified" Taoist priest of Qingcheng Mountain.

On this day, the disciples were chanting sutras in front of the main hall when they suddenly heard the sound of a bell.

Then, seven or eight Taoist priests dressed in auspicious cloud and crane cloaks came swiftly from a distance, their steps so fast that they had clearly used their lightness skill.

In the blink of an eye, the group disappeared in front of the main hall gate.

"Judging from this situation, something must have happened!"

Zeng Weida muttered to himself.

"Silence! Pick up the dust!"

The preacher gave a soft rebuke, slightly displeased.

Zeng Weida quickly regained his composure and lowered his head to recite the scriptures.

However, his words and the light-footed skills of these disciples still caught Zhao Rui's attention.

The group of people moved with a light and graceful gait, their steps steady as if treading on mountains, clearly indicating that they possessed profound internal strength and superb lightness skills.

"Qingcheng's martial arts are indeed unique."

It's a pity that I've been here for a month and haven't yet encountered any decent martial arts techniques.

Zhao Rui thought to himself.

He is currently following Taoist practices, not martial arts.

Although I sometimes practice swordsmanship in my daily life, those are all for strengthening my body and casting spells by drawing lightning.

It's not the same thing as martial arts.

Slightly distracted, Zhao Rui quickly regained his composure and began reciting the scriptures earnestly.

The Qingcheng Sword Sect's doctrines are somewhat diverse. Initially, it was based on the Zhengyi doctrine, but later, in the early Yuan Dynasty, it was rebuilt by Quanzhen disciples and thus established itself based on the Quanzhen doctrine.

This "Tianzun" is the name for the morning service of the Quanzhen School, which mainly involves reciting and explaining scriptures.

It is also part of daily spiritual practice.

After lunch, a young Taoist priest returned from his shift, excitedly announcing, "The people who came to challenge the mountain last time are here again."

"How many moves did they exchange this time?"

"Three hundred and eight moves."

"So many! She's amazing again!"

"Yes, you don't know, the area at the front cliff was a complete mess. Under the crisscrossing sword energy, not a single blade of grass could grow!"

Listening to their gossip, Zhao Rui asked curiously, "Who is this person?"

"You're late, you don't know, it was a woman who came. Hmm, she's quite pretty, I heard she's over thirty..."

"That's what the young Taoist priest on duty said."

"Junior brother, get to the point!"

"It's said that she liked Uncle-Master Yun Hao back then..."

"Get to the point, junior brother!"

"The two agreed that if she could defeat her Uncle-Master Yun Hao, he would go down the mountain with her to register their marriage!"

"That's amazing!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rui was astonished. Sure enough, a capable person will be pursued wherever they go, and even hiding in a Taoist temple won't help.

As they were chatting, a middle-aged Taoist priest walked in. He had bright eyes, sharp eyebrows, red lips, and white teeth. Although he was middle-aged, he was quite handsome.

The newcomer scanned the crowd and announced loudly, "Disciples, gather at the Star Gazing Cliff for morning lessons tomorrow."

After speaking, the middle-aged Taoist turned and left. His tall, slender figure, flowing robes, and handsome face with his sideburns flared out, gave him a distinctly Adam Cheng vibe.

"That's Uncle-Master Yun Hao!"

Zhang Zheng muttered to himself.

Zhao Rui suddenly realized that he was indeed a handsome man.

……

The next morning, all the disciples gathered at the Star Gazing Cliff, a large group of fifty people.

Zhao Rui glanced around and saw that besides the twenty or thirty "classmates" he usually saw, there were half of them he had never seen before.

It seems they were divided into two "classes".

"You have been disciples for over a year now. Starting today, morning classes will be divided into Taoist practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and sword practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays."

"Our Qingcheng Sword Sect originated from the Yellow Turban Rebellion at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. We learned the Thunderclap Sword Technique from the monks... and have always established our sect on the way of the sword..."

On the stage, Uncle Yun Hao gave a loud introduction, and then he began to demonstrate a set of sword techniques, move by move.

This swordsmanship is as swift as lightning and as explosive as thunder. Each move is hidden within stillness and movement, and it rises suddenly and is incredibly powerful.

Zhao Rui watched with envy. This sword technique was different from the Taiyi Splitting Light Sword Technique, focusing on speed.

Most importantly, it comes with the Heavenly Thunder Technique, which allows it to use special techniques to condense ultra-high voltage at the tip of the sword and instantly release small-scale lightning.

For those who cultivate the Tao, once unleashed, it is like a thunderbolt descending upon the world, causing all evil to flee.

This is an excellent method for subduing demons and monsters.

Watching Uncle Yun Hao's sword light flash across the void, several bolts of lightning shot out instantly, as if the Thunder Lord had been reborn.

That appearance was incredibly dazzling.

All the disciples looked on with envy.

"The Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Technique in Taoist magic has a similar effect to the Thunderclap Sword Technique. Disciples can also refer to it for practice."

After Yun Hao finished speaking, he began to lead his disciples in practicing each move on the cloud platform at the top of the Star Gazing Cliff.

Time stands still in the mountains, and another week has passed in the blink of an eye, carried away by the mountain streams.

"Zhang Zheng, play with me for another half hour. I'll send you the game disc after I come down the mountain."

"Alright, alright!"

Zhang Zheng reluctantly picked up the longsword beside him, made the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Technique with his left hand, and held the sword in his right hand in the Thunderclap Sword Technique, and attacked Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui calmly swung his sword and charged forward.

"The Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Technique has been copied to 90% completion..."

"The Thunderclap Sword Technique copying progress is 90% complete..."

The information on the system panel in Zhao Rui's mind was updating rapidly.

As all his disciples reached a certain level of mastery over the Thunderclap Sword Technique, Zhao Rui revealed his "ferocious fangs!"

These two techniques are easy to learn superficially, but very difficult to master, as they involve the realm of intention.

Just like sword intent, it is difficult to master without innate talent.

Why is the Thunderclap Sword Technique paired with the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Technique?

It involves using Taoist techniques to assist in the cultivation of the Thunderclap Sword Technique.

Although Zhao Rui didn't know the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Technique, it didn't stop him, because he had a faster way.

"Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Technique copied successfully! Reward: +1 Advancement Point"

"Thunderbolt Sword Technique copied successfully, reward: one advancement point."

As the notification sound rang out, Zhao Rui, with his longsword held high, lightly flicked it aside, deflecting Zhang Zheng's sword.

"Alright, that's enough! Zhang Zheng, I kept my word, I'll buy you the game disc later!"

"If you don't buy it for me, I'll cast a spell on you!"

"Depend on!"

Zhang Zheng and his group were not purely disciples of the Qingcheng "Sword" Sect; to be precise, they should be disciples of the Qingcheng Dao Sect.

The main focus is on Taoist cultivation, with martial arts practice as a secondary activity.

In his spare time, he studied alchemy, prayer, divination, fortune telling, and the pursuit of immortality.

Fighting and killing have always been secondary.

Of course, for outstanding individuals, cultivating both Taoist and martial arts is not a problem.

Zhao Rui didn't know at first, but he gradually understood why he was sent to meditate.

He genuinely came to become a Taoist priest.

He has a broad knowledge of various rituals, talismans, and secret practices.

There's no harm in learning these things, after all, martial arts ultimately involve the concept of "the Way".

Different paths lead to the same destination.

Zhao Rui also enjoyed it.

In the following period, Zhao Rui began a "challenge" mode in four different places.

Not only did he spar with them in martial arts, but he also tried to copy some Taoist techniques.

Some things related to martial arts are effective, while others are completely useless.

Zhao Rui summarized that the useless ones were probably fake, not mixed with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and were purely gimmicks, so they could not be copied.

However, a lot of the martial arts were copied, some of which were the basic martial arts of Qingcheng, and some of which were the martial arts that Zhang Zheng and the others had learned from the foot of the mountain since childhood.

Just as he was focusing on cultivating his Taoist skills, Dongqi University welcomed its new first-year students.

"Wow, senior brother is amazing!"

The newly recruited "female warriors" clapped and watched with admiration as Wang Dalong demonstrated the Prajna Palm Technique on the stage.

"I heard that my senior made it into the top 50 in the country in his freshman year. That's amazing."

"Yes, and there's Senior Sister Luo Min. She's even more amazing, number one in the province and top ten in the country! It's a pity she's in seclusion, so we didn't get to see her."

Hearing the praise from the freshman female team members, Cai Zhengyang's expression turned slightly displeased.

So what if we made it into the top 50? What's so great about that?

"What's Wang Dalong compared to our captain? He's the best!"

If we can't beat them, then we can't beat them at all.

In this way, everyone is on the same level.

"Captain? You mean Captain Zhao?"

Upon hearing this, the freshman's eyes lit up: "That's right! I've never met Captain Zhao before. I heard he's incredibly handsome and can play the flute!"

"That's a flute!"

"Same everywhere, same everywhere, where's the captain?"

Hearing the first-year students shift the topic away from Wang Dalong, Cai Zhengyang revealed a smug smile: "Our captain has gone into seclusion; I heard he went to the Qingcheng Sword Sect!"

"Wow, a sword sect? Is it the kind of sword sect where you can fly on a sword? Captain is amazing."

"You're such a fangirl. Who flies on a sword? Stop pretending."

"Who's pretending? What's wrong with me praising the captain? Do you have a problem with the captain?"

"You're the one who has a problem with the captain? You're like a toad trying to eat a swan..."

"I'll tear your mouth off!"

"You think I'm afraid of you!"

A chaotic battle instantly ensued.

Cai Zhengyang stared in disbelief at his junior sisters, who were being punched and kicked, their clothes torn and disheveled, their private parts exposed, their faces bruised and swollen.

Where's the cute girl I was promised?!

Are you sure you're not a tigress in human form?!

My single life!

Zhao Rui, far away in Qingcheng Mountain, had no idea that he had won over the female students with just his name.

If he were there, he would definitely bring a stool and buy a bag of sunflower seeds.

Enjoy it properly.

……

On this day, the sky was clear and the weather was fine.

A figure gracefully leaped onto the road of Qingcheng Mountain.

The newcomer was dressed in a black, sheer ancient costume, with arched eyebrows and a thin veil covering her face; her figure was quite graceful.

She was clearly a beautiful woman.

The woman's exposed eyes were beautiful, but a hint of fierceness lurked within them.

She walked slowly up the mountain, her steps were slow but her speed was extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye she was several feet away.

"Huh!"

Just then, a soft exclamation came from under an old pine tree on the mountain path.

The woman in black smiled, turned her head to look in the direction from which the voice came, and in a flash, she was in front of the person who had spoken.

The person who spoke was also a woman, dressed in white sportswear, with a pretty face and a playful air about her that didn't quite match her appearance.

"Who are you?"

The woman stared intently at the woman in black, gripping her long sword tightly, her face full of vigilance.

"He's a promising talent!"

The woman in black smiled slightly, her lips curving upwards. Suddenly, she moved and reached out to grab the woman.

The woman in white was shocked and retreated rapidly, pointing her long sword diagonally to slash at the opponent's arm.

The woman in black remained unhurried, her hand moving with unwavering force, seemingly completely unconcerned about her sword.

The woman in white was overjoyed and unleashed a torrent of energy, rapidly thrusting her longsword. But before she could even rejoice, the sword pierced right through her opponent's arm.

"A phantom!"

The woman in white was shocked. She struck forward with her right palm, and with a loud bang, her body flew backward.

"You actually saw through my Chaotic Flower Palm Technique, not bad, not bad!"

The woman in black flashed and gave chase.

The two immediately clashed again.

A series of loud thuds echoed from the woods as trees were severed by the sword energy and crashed to the ground, their branches and leaves intertwining and making a hissing sound.

"Excellent swordsmanship!"

The woman in black raised her hand and beckoned to the tree branch on the ground, and a branch about the thickness of a thumb instantly fell into her hand.

"How is my swordsmanship?"

After saying that, the woman in black took a tree branch, which transformed into a long sword, and launched a fierce attack on the woman in white.

The sword shadows were like snowflakes falling from the sky, alternating between real and illusory, making it difficult to distinguish the true from the false.

The woman in white was terrified. She spun her longsword rapidly to protect her vital points, while simultaneously retreating with a swift stomp of her feet.

"Go!"

The woman in black remained calm and composed. With a flick of her long staff, she sliced through layers of sword shadows and struck the woman in white directly in the chest.

The woman in white coughed up a mouthful of blood, ignoring her injuries, and shouted, "Majestic Heavenly Might, Thunderous Subjugation, Swiftly!"

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning from the palm tore through the void and exploded in front of the woman in black.

"As expected, he's a disciple of that old scoundrel from Qingcheng!"

The woman in black dodged aside, only to find that the woman in white had already taken the opportunity to escape at top speed.

She wasn't in a hurry, gave a slight chuckle, and followed after him.

At the entrance of Qingcheng Mountain, two disciples on duty were patrolling when they suddenly saw a woman in white running quickly down the steps.

"It's you? What happened?"

Upon seeing the woman in white, the two were immediately startled and hurriedly stepped forward to greet her.

"A powerful enemy is at the foot of the mountain; they're up to no good! Go find Yun Hao quickly."

The two were shocked to hear this and quickly rang the bell in front of the mountain gate to warn others. At the same time, one of them hurried into the Taoist temple and ran towards the inner courtyard.

The woman clutched her chest, leaned against the doorway, and reached out to press several acupoints to alleviate her injuries.

Upon hearing the alarm bell, everyone inside the Taoist temple looked towards the entrance. In a short while, more than twenty Qingcheng disciples wielding long swords poured out of the gate.

"The intruders are too powerful, be careful!"

The woman spoke in a slightly weak voice.

Just then, a figure suddenly leaped out from the doorway and went straight to the woman in white.

"Qinglian, how are you?"

The newcomer had bright eyes and white teeth, and sharp eyebrows and bright eyes; he was none other than the great general, Uncle Yunhao.

"I'm fine. The newcomer's martial arts are strange and extremely powerful. He attacked me without warning!"

Upon hearing the woman's words, a cold glint flashed in Yun Hao's eyes.

Just as he was about to ask a few more questions, his ears twitched, and he flicked his longsword, sending out a burst of sword energy that struck the rocks not far away.

"Such keen intuition! Qingcheng is indeed extraordinary."

The sound drifted faintly from the mountain path, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, making it difficult to discern.

"Who are you? What brings you to my Qingcheng Mountain?"

Yun Hao stood up, his hand forming a sword incantation, his sharp gaze fixed on a certain spot.

"You should ask that to your old scoundrel from Qingcheng. What were you doing in my main hall for no reason?"

(End of this chapter)