Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 678 - 9 I Have a Finger Big Avalanche (2/2)

The white-haired Taoist's words appeared to offer Gong Yu an incredible opportunity, an opportunity people normally couldn't even dream of obtaining. Yet, Gong Yu did not explode in overwhelming joy; he was merely curious, saying,

"Elder, you don't seem like someone who would do such a thing."

The Ancient Taoist, with hands behind his back and a smile, said,

"Oh? We've only met twice; how can you tell?"

Gong Yu raised the sword in his hand and calmly said, "This sword is a weapon of violence. As Gong Yu walks through Jianghu, he will inevitably face many conflicts and battles, where taking a life means entangling one's fate with that of the deceased, and killing a person binds their fortunes together."

"Since you, elder, have achieved the Realm of a True Master, you should naturally be detached from worldly affairs, avoiding needless involvement in karma, and not sully yourself with mundane dust. To act without cause would only jeopardize your cultivation fortune."

The Ancient Taoist laughed, pointing to the sky and then lowering his hand to the mountains and thick earth below, a strand of his white hair falling over his forehead; he did not bother to adjust it and simply laughed airily,

"This realm of heaven and earth cannot restrain a Taoist."

Gong Yu calmly replied,

"But it can still be entangled. Although you cultivate removed from the world, once you participate in the affairs below the heavens, you inevitably generate karma and fortune, which leads you back into worldly cultivation."

"Moving from cultivation beyond the world to within the world, although the difference in strength may not be substantial, it marks the transformation from a True Master to a mere martial artist amid the dust and common sea, which is indeed a significant downgrade."

The Ancient Taoist, smiling, said, "Do you understand the concept of fortune?"

Gong Yu shook his head, replying,

"I have always focused only on improving my swordsmanship. Discussions of fortune I've only heard in passing from the Great Elder during leisurely conversations. Although the Great Elder has been in seclusion in the mountains for many years, he traveled extensively in his youth and knows a great deal."

"He once said that illustrious ministers and generals carry their own fortune, even the dynasty has its own Dragon Qi, and in the Taoist Sects, there is a contemporary True Master, a figure like a Land Immortal in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, nearly two hundred years old."

"Such effort is to gather and supplement Qi, using the Dynasty's Dragon Qi to nourish the mountains and lands' spirits, thereby strengthening the Sect and achieving a flourishing Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands for five hundred years."

The Ancient Taoist could not help but burst out laughing, shaking his head as he sighed,

"Five hundred years of thriving Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands? Truly a daring dream. I have heard of such transcendental doctrines, but to strive against the current for a chance against heaven and earth, though it shows great ambition and boldness, isn't it like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating one's own abilities?"

"Two hundred years of arduous cultivation might just end up being like planting lotuses in dry land, unable to withstand wind and rain. Once the cultivation collapses, over a hundred years of meticulous efforts would merely benefit others."

Gong Yu said nothing, merely watching him quietly.

The Taoist laughed, "Ah, so here you've been waiting for me. I thought it strange you were speaking so much today, given your usual reserved nature; now it makes sense."

"Although reserved, you are indeed clever."

"It's a pity it's too late, otherwise, I would truly like to accept you into Zixiao Palace, and in the future, you could inherit the True Martial Sword."

Gong Yu looked towards the longsword carried on the Taoist's back.

The Ancient Taoist, shaking his head with a smile, said, "Not this one. The True Martial Sword is my matched sword as the Master of Wudang Mountain's Zixiao Palace, used by our ancestor Zhang Sanfeng to defeat a host of demons. How could it be on my back?"

Gong Yu didn't delve deeper but simply said,

"I appreciate your kind intention, elder."

The Ancient Taoist waved his hand with a smile, "That's good, that's good. If I don't pass martial arts to you, would a conversation do? Even if it diminishes some cultivation fortune, it's no more than the effort of a moment's meditation, no harm done."

Gong Yu hesitated, then slightly nodded.

The Ancient Taoist smiled faintly and said, "I too use a sword and have some thoughts I've long wanted to express."

"That day you and Anfeng were discussing swordsmanship, you focusing purely on sword techniques while he on Sword Intent. You two fought dozens of moves in the Mei Family's backyard, without a clear victor, yet Anfeng managed to learn your Sword Intent technique, Thousand Autumns Snow."

"This technique was originally based on your Qingfeng Edge's one-foot snow move. Since he has learned Thousand Autumns Snow, Qingfeng's one-foot snow must also reside in Anfeng's heart." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Gong Yu calmly said,

"The Sect Leader has already agreed that Anfeng may learn the essence of my Qingfeng Edge swordsmanship."

The Ancient Taoist said,

"We should first thank Sect Leader Zhu for that. However that day when you two exchanged moves, he managed to learn your sword technique, but did you manage to learn his?"

Gong Yu was silent for a moment, then shook his head, "Anfeng's sword techniques are too complex, I couldn't remember them, and if I gained anything, I'm not familiar with it."

The Ancient Taoist nonchalantly said, "In this world, below the Grandmasters, you won't find many who could learn his sword technique from a single encounter. But why must you learn his techniques?"

"Sword Intent, swordsmanship, and Sword Momentum, all three progressing together. The way of the sword does not always prioritize complexity as superior; simplicity is also a path."

"Back then, the sword techniques Pei Danding used were limited to just one set. He wielded the same sword numerous times, yet each time differently, each time blocking Hong Luoyu. To cultivate swordsmanship to such a realm, regardless of how many methods or techniques you have, I need only one slash to break them all. This is simplicity."

"Anfeng, on the other hand, is the epitome of complexity. His path is different and requires constant feeding of techniques, which others find impossible to learn."

The Ancient Taoist rarely engaged in sword discourse with others. Surprisingly, he got along extremely well with Gong Yu and, having started, he simply continued, speaking:

"Of the swordsmen who participated that day, only three caught my attention. Those so-called famous swords were merely Sword Servants, not worth mentioning."

"The Sword Intent of the Heavenly Mountain Sword Grandmaster is rich and towering like the heavens. His sword technique required only one slash to split a mountain, his skill purely close to the Tao, truly worthy of a Great Grandmaster. Yet he has aged in Jianghu, and from his words, it's apparent he no longer has any sharp ambitions, only a late autumn rotting aura."

"The youth in the distance was not bad. From his appearance, he hadn't practiced swordsmanship, but he cultivated a brimming Sword Intent. Once he takes up the sword, it will likely be a groundbreaking move. As for that Qianshan Si ..."

The Ancient Taoist paused for a moment, then chuckled:

"It's interesting. If he's lucky enough to survive, entering the Grandmaster Realm would be as easy as picking flowers for him. I'm just afraid he's unwilling to stoop low. Yet, if he truly wants to become a Sword Immortal exalted above thousands, he still has much to achieve."

"Those who delve deep into Martial Arts are not the only ones with a resilient mind."

"There are numerous sword practitioners in the world, yet I have seen only your Sect's Great Elder truly qualify as a Sword Immortal. The swordsmanship of the Heavenly Mountain Sword Grandmaster might be powerful, but it is filled with an autumnal and mundane aura, good enough to be a leader among men but still far from touching the Heavenly Gates, lacking that hint of an Immortal's aura."

Gong Yu said calmly:

"The Great Elder has always been superior to him."

The Ancient Taoist laughed softly but suddenly tapped Gong Yu's matched sword with his finger. A sonorous cry emanated as the slender sword leaped from its scabbard, and the White-haired Taoist stretched his fingers and made a horizontal slash through the air, Gong Yu's gaze unintentionally following his movements.

It was as if viewing from the summit of Snow Mountain, gazing into the distance. With just a flick of his finger and a wave of his sleeve, the Taoist had triggered a massive avalanche, an immeasurable amount of pure white snow cascading down thickly.

The Qi Mechanism within Gong Yu elongated and suddenly vibrated.

After five years of standing still, his Inner Qi had accumulated as profound as the Yuanghai, towering like a mountain, immovable.

Immovable.

A flick of a finger.

The momentum like a massive avalanche.

The gentle ringing of the matched sword was incessant, Gong Yu a bit stupefied, his black hair fluttering. The White-haired Taoist stood with his sleeves fluttering, positioned between Heaven and Earth, eyeing everything serenely, and smiled, saying:

"The momentum of an avalanche overwhelms Three Wells; the waves over Five Lakes intoxicate the Immortals."

"Excellent, very excellent."

Gong Yu's aura took its final step, and with just that step, it completely stabilized as if thousands of mountains of white snow had been swept away in one night, leaving the heavens and the earth starkly pure.

Achievement of the Fourth Rank.

The brilliance in Gong Yu's eyes returned to normal as she turned to look at the Ancient Taoist. The casual pointing motion seemed not so effortless after all. Previously ethereal like clouds upon a mountain, his figure now felt more substantial and heavier.

Yet, he seemed not to notice, standing with his hands behind his back, smiling and saying:

"Every sip, every peck is preordained."

"Every cause has its effect, such is the true way of Heaven and Earth."

"I know someone who has never wished to be indebted to others in his life, and today it seems that debt is settled. However, Miss Gong, if you feel today's pointing at Heavenly Secrets lacks substance, there's nothing more to it."

"At most... I'll have more conversations with you as a Taoist."

As the discussion came to this point, detecting a change in the Qi Mechanism, he turned his head and saw Gong Yu quietly not speaking, her eyes watching him thoughtfully. He suddenly felt a bit bewildered, perceiving his current appearance and with a wave of his sleeve, he transformed back into his Celestial God-like form.

Clad in the Taoist robe and a bamboo hairpin in his white hair, the Taoist blinked at Gong Yu.

With a finger raised to his lips as white as fresh jade, he smiled and said:

"Please keep this confidential, Miss Gong."

PS: Today's second update... 2600 characters, seek support ha_(:з」∠)_