Shen Luo walked slowly along the mountain path, pondering how he could replenish his inner vitality and extend his lifespan.
According to Master Fengyang and his own deductions, one method was to take elixirs like the life-saving pills that could replenish his inner vitality, but of course, the effect had to be significantly better than that of the life-saving pills. The second method was to quickly cultivate the “Small Transformation Yang Technique” to perfection and then cultivate more advanced skills.
Although the Spring and Autumn Pavilion should have these two things, Shen Luo had already spent a considerable amount of the Shen family’s gold and silver just to become a registered disciple. Better elixirs probably couldn’t be simply obtained with some gold and silver. As for cultivating the “Small Transformation Yang Technique” to perfection, it was also impossible for him to achieve this within two years given his talent.
As Shen Luo pondered over feasible methods, he unknowingly arrived at the back mountain.
The back mountain was full of dense trees, the view filled with vibrant greenery. The distant and near sounds of insects and birds chirping somewhat loosened his tense heartstrings.
At that moment, a low booming sound came from a dense forest ahead, resembling the sound of swords clashing.
Shen Luo stopped to listen. After a while, another booming sound echoed, accompanied by a sharp whine.
He wondered. The back mountain was seldom visited by people, so why were there such noises? Could it be that someone was fighting there?
Shen Luo’s pupils shrank, and he subconsciously hid behind a large tree.
Two figures were standing in the dense forest ahead, they were Bai Xiaotian and Ding Hua.
The two were standing about five or six zhang apart, motionless. Two red sword shades, several feet long, were intertwined and stabbing at each other in mid-air, their agility resembling writhing dragons and snakes, producing a series of clanging sounds.
The surrounding dense forest had trees felled and branches broken, looking like a mess. A large open space was cleared, and wherever the sword shades passed, whether it was thick trees or stones in the forest, all were cut into two; the broken parts were left with charred traces, as if they were burnt.
"Flying swords!” Shen Luo’s eyes lit up.
Although these two red sword shades were moving much slower than the swords controlled by the two Daoists in Donglai County he saw in Dreamland, their sharp sword Qi was indeed similar. They were undoubtedly flying swords.
The two flying swords were wrapped in red light, and only their rough shapes could be vaguely seen. Bai Xiaotian’s flying sword looked like a bronze coin sword formed by a string of bronze coins. With its peculiar shape, it moved really flexibly, roaring like thunder and lightning.
A streak of sword light flashed, and the bronze coin sword kept chaining moves, forming a dense sword net that trapped Ding Hua’s flying sword within.
However, Ding Hua’s flying sword just seemed like an ordinary wooden sword, exceedingly nimble and elusive. Although it was trapped within the bronze coin sword’s sword net, it defended perfectly, without the slightest disadvantage. Moreover, it occasionally launched offenses like a poisonous snake lashing out its tongue, attempting to tear the sword net, but unfortunately, they were all blocked back.
As time passed, the red light on Ding Hua’s wooden sword gradually dimmed, and it didn’t move as nimbly as at the beginning.
Ding Hua’s expression was grim. He urged the flying sword with all his might, but he still couldn’t turn the tide.
"It seems Brother Bai is still superior.” Shen Luo said to himself from a distance, moving a little closer and hiding behind another tree.
This was his first opportunity to witness a close-up sword fight, and he didn’t want to miss this rare chance.
"Brother Ding, your Qingtuo Lignum sword has just been developed, and if you continue to fight, it might get damaged. Let’s call it a day?” Bai Xiaotian restrained the wooden sword but didn’t press further. Instead, he spoke up to stop the fight.
Upon hearing this, a hint of annoyance flashed in Ding Hua’s eyes. He didn’t stop, and suddenly shouted, forming a sword finger with both hands, pointing into the void.
With a flash of red light on his fingertips, an eerie blood light also appeared on his face.
The wooden sword within the sword network suddenly shone brightly, as if it had taken a strong elixir. The original sword light, which was a few feet long, suddenly increased and took the shape of a crimson giant sword, powerfully cleaving through the air.
With a ‘chi la’ sound, a gap was forcibly cut into the sword net formed by the Bronze Money Sword.
The wooden sword shot out from the gap, without stopping, turned into a red sword shadow with a ‘swoosh’ sound, directly attacking Bai Xiaotian’s face.
Bai Xiaotian’s countenance slightly changed; it was a cardinal sin to let the opponent’s flying sword approach during a sword fight. He hurriedly beckoned with one hand.
The radiance of the Bronze Money Flying Sword also greatly intensified, shooting back with incomparable speed. It caught up with the wooden sword in the blink of an eye, winding around it once more.
But at this moment, with a ‘clang,’ the red light on the wooden sword suddenly shattered and transformed into a dozen small sword lights, all hitting the Bronze Money Sword.
In a series of crisp ‘clang clang clang’ noises, the Bronze Money Flying Sword was knocked away, tumbling several times in midair, seeming unhurt.
Upon seeing this, Ding Hua furrowed his brows, and with a low shout, urged his wooden sword to quickly follow, intending to break through at once.
But at this moment, the tumbling Bronze Money Sword abruptly halted, encircling in the air and catching the wooden sword.
This skillful move excellently caught the weakest part of the wooden sword.
With a ‘clang’ sound, most of the crimson light on the wooden sword was scattered, it was struck and flew a few tens of feet away.
Ding Hua’s face changed color, and only after urging his inner mana repeatedly was he able to steady his sword.
After a moment of changing expressions, he raised his hand and beckoned, causing the wooden sword to fly back to his hand, without attacking again.
Seeing Ding Hua had ceased his attacks, Bai Xiaotian also withdrew his Bronze Money Flying Sword.
"Junior Brother Bai’s sword controlling technique is indeed remarkable. I’ll take my leave now!” Ding Hua clasped his hands in salute, turned around and left.
After taking a few steps, he glanced at where Shen Luo was hiding, scoffed, but didn’t stop. He soon disappeared into the distance.
"Junior Brother Shen, you can come out now.” Bai Xiaotian watched as Ding Hua left and spoke with a stern face.
"Brother Bai, you guys have such sharp ears to have noticed me from so far away.” Shen Luo walked out from behind a distant tree, laughing.
"I was wondering why you weren’t in your room. Why did you come here?” Bai Xiaotian frowned as he saw Shen Luo walking towards him.
"I had some problems with my cultivation. I thought I’d come out for a walk to clear my mind, but I didn’t expect to run into you guys having a contest.”
"Didn’t you just gain entry into the Small Transformation Yang Technique? How could you have run into issues?” Bai Xiaotian said, looking surprised.
"So, you also think that even if one’s talents are lacking, practicing the Small Transformation Yang Technique shouldn’t be a problem.” Shen Luo spread his hands, showing a bitter smile on his face.
"Sigh, that’s not what I meant… Oh well, come for a walk with me in the back mountain.” Bai Xiaotian, noticing Shen Luo’s gloomy mood, looked at the sky and suddenly said.
Shen Luo would naturally not refuse and immediately nodded his head.
Both of them walked shoulder to shoulder towards the depths of the forest, passing through a patch of low shrubs, arriving at a beaten path hidden in the tall grass.