Chapter 245: Chapter 125: What Business Brings You to Qingcheng Mountain?

The young Daoist was named Zhang Zheng, and the short, stout young Daoist next to him was Zeng Weida. The two of them were quite lively and chatted with Zhao Rui the most.

They were all around the same age, so they grew close after chatting a few times.

With companions to talk to and clear up his confusion, Zhao Rui’s tranquil life of Daoist Cultivation instantly became more “vibrant.”

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

Zhao Rui had also “honorably” become a “qualified” Daoist of Qingcheng Mountain.

One day, as the disciples were performing their morning rite before the main hall, the sound of a bell suddenly rang out.

Seven or eight Daoists, clad in cloaks adorned with auspicious clouds and cranes, could be seen striding over from the distance. Their pace was so swift it was clear they were using their Lightweight Skill.

In the blink of an eye, they vanished before the gates of the main hall’s courtyard.

“Judging by the looks of it, something’s up!”

Zeng Weida muttered under his breath.

“Silence! Clear your minds!”

The Scripture Master chided, a hint of displeasure in his voice.

Zeng Weida quickly regained his focus and bowed his head, chanting the scripture.

However, his words, along with the display of Lightweight Skill from the other disciples, caught Zhao Rui’s attention.

Their figures were as light as air, their steps as steady as mountains. They were clearly individuals with profound Inner Strength and exceptional Lightweight Skill.

’The Martial Arts of Qingcheng Mountain are truly in a class of their own.’

’It’s a shame I’ve been here for a month and still haven’t encountered any proper Martial Arts,’ Zhao Rui thought to himself.

His current classes were focused on the Cultivation of Daoist Techniques, not Martial Arts.

While there were daily sessions for practicing with sabers and swords, those were just forms meant to strengthen the body and guide lightning for casting techniques.

It wasn’t the same as real Martial Arts.

His mind wandered for a moment before he refocused and began to earnestly chant the scriptures.

The doctrines of the Qingcheng Sword Sect were rather eclectic. It was originally founded based on the teachings of the Zhengyi Sect. Later, during the early Yuan Dynasty, it was rebuilt by disciples of the Quanzhen Sect, and thus adopted Quanzhen doctrines as its foundation.

The morning rite was a Quanzhen tradition, primarily consisting of chanting and explaining scriptures.

It was a part of their daily Cultivation.

After the midday meal, a Daoist Child returning from his shift change rushed in, his face alight with excitement. “The person who came to challenge the mountain last time is back!”

“How many moves did they exchange this time?”

“Three hundred and eight.”

“That many! She’s gotten even stronger!”

“Yeah, you should have seen it! The front cliff is a total mess. The whole area is crisscrossed with Sword Qi—not a single blade of grass was left standing!”

Listening to their gossip, Zhao Rui asked curiously, “Who is this person they’re talking about?”

“You’re new, so you wouldn’t know. It’s a woman. And hey, don’t be fooled by how pretty she is, I hear she’s over thirty…” the on-duty Daoist Child said.

“Get to the point!”

“Apparently, she’s in love with Uncle Master Yun Hao. Years ago…”

“The point!”

“They made a deal! If she can defeat Uncle Master Yun Hao, he’ll go down the mountain with her and get married!”

“No way!”

Zhao Rui was shocked. It seemed that talented people were pursued no matter where they went; even hiding in a Daoist Temple was no use.

As they were idly chatting, a middle-aged Daoist walked in. He had bright eyes and sharp brows, and though he was middle-aged, he was still quite handsome.

The man swept his gaze over the crowd and announced in a clear voice, “All disciples, gather at Stargazing Cliff for morning lessons tomorrow.”

With that, the middle-aged Daoist turned and left. His long robes billowed around his slender frame, and the hair at his temples fluttered, giving him the distinct air of a classic martial arts hero.

“That’s Uncle Master Yun Hao!”

Zhang Zheng whispered from the side.

Zhao Rui realized. The man was indeed exceptionally handsome.

…

The next morning, the disciples all gathered at Stargazing Cliff. There were at least fifty of them in total.

Zhao Rui scanned the crowd. Aside from the twenty or thirty “classmates” he saw every day, about half the faces were new to him.

’It seems we’re split into two ’classes.’’

“You have all been disciples for over a year now. Starting today, your morning lessons will be split. You will study Daoist Techniques on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and practice the sword on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.”

“Our Qingcheng Sword Sect’s lineage dates back to the Yellow Turban Rebellion during the Late Eastern Han Dynasty. Through a sacred text, our founder learned the Thunderbolt Sword Technique… and since then, our sect has been built upon the Sword Dao…”

On the platform, Uncle Master Yun Hao gave a brief introduction. When he finished, he began to demonstrate a set of swordsmanship, move by move.

The swordsmanship was as swift as lightning and as explosive as a clap of thunder. Each technique was born from the transition between motion and stillness, erupting with sudden, unparalleled power.

Zhao Rui’s eyes burned with eagerness as he watched. This swordsmanship was different from the Taiyi Splitting Light Sword Technique; its core principle was pure speed.

Most importantly, it came with its own Heavenly Thunder Heart Method. By using this special Heart Method, one could gather an immense electrical charge at the tip of the sword and instantly release small bolts of lightning.

For a Daoist cultivator, unleashing this technique was like calling down heavenly thunder, capable of banishing all evil.

It was a perfect tool for vanquishing demons and exorcising evil.

As he watched Uncle Master Yun Hao’s sword light cleave through the air, instantly unleashing several bolts of lightning, it was as if the Thunder Monarch himself had descended upon the world.

The sight was simply dazzling.

All the disciples watched with eyes full of envy.

“The Five Thunders Celestial Heart Technique and this Thunderbolt Swordsmanship share similar principles in their Cultivation. You may all reference it as you practice.”

After speaking, Yun Hao began leading the disciples through the swordsmanship, practicing it move by move on the high platform atop Stargazing Cliff.

Time flows differently in the mountains. In what felt like a flash, another week had streamed away.

“Zhang Zheng, spar with me for another half hour. When I get a chance to go down the mountain, I’ll mail you a game disc.”

“Alright, alright!”

Zhang Zheng reluctantly picked up his longsword. He formed the hand seal for the Five Thunders Celestial Heart Technique with his left hand while holding his sword in the stance of the Thunderbolt Sword Technique with his right, and then charged at Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui calmly swung his own sword to meet the attack.

“Five Thunders Celestial Heart Technique copy progress: ninety percent…”

“Thunderbolt Sword Technique copy progress: ninety percent…”

The information on the system panel in Zhao Rui’s mind updated rapidly.

As the other disciples’ mastery of the Thunderbolt Sword Technique reached a proficient level, Zhao Rui began to show his “vicious fangs.”

These two Cultivation Techniques were easy to pick up but difficult to master, already touching upon the Realm of intent.

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