Chapter 23: The Changes of Hua Shan Sect

Inside the Hua Shan Grand Hall.

Yue Buqun saw everyone logging off, so he logged off himself to cultivate.

After all, ever since the world’s level increased, he had already sensed the opportunity for breakthrough; now was naturally the time to try.

He sat cross-legged on a cushion, quietly cultivating according to the Zi Xia Divine Art’s meridian pathway.

Previously, with the aid of the thousand-year spiritual marrow, Yue Buqun had already unblocked the Ren and Du meridians, gathering his inner force within his dantian to become a Xiantian realm expert.

Yet after reaching the peak of Xiantian, even after using the thousand-year spiritual marrow and the Hundred Herb Elixir, he had never been able to break through.

But now it was different!

Yue Buqun quickly retrieved a small clump of thousand-year spiritual marrow from the chat group’s space, then swallowed it whole.

Under the enhancement of the thousand-year spiritual marrow, his inner force quickly boiled, swelling endlessly within his dantian.

BOOM!

Under relentless pressure, Yue Buqun’s inner force burst forth instantly, manifesting directly on the surface of his body!

At the same time, Yue Buqun involuntarily threw back his head and let out a long howl!

The howl startled birds from the forests across Hua Shan, even reaching miles away.

Outside, the Hua Shan disciples under Ning Zhongze’s guidance practicing the Hua Shan Sword Art all froze, unaware of what had happened.

“Master has succeeded!”

Ning Zhongze’s face instantly brightened with a hint of joy: “Could Master have truly broken through to the Xiantian realm?”

Yue Buqun’s recent surge in strength had not escaped his wife’s notice.

Yet Yue Buqun had never intended to hide anything from Ning Zhongze.

After all, her devotion to him weighed heavier than Mount Tai!

In his original fate…

His eldest disciple Linghu Chong, though never forgetting his master’s kindness, had concealed from him the Five Mountain Sword Techniques hidden in the cave on Sigu Cliff, as well as the news of Feng Qingyang—both becoming one reason for his gradual corruption;

His daughter Yue Lingshan, though admirable, ultimately chose to spend her life with her husband Lin Pingzhi, only to be murdered by him;

Only his junior sister Ning Zhongze, even after suspecting he cultivated the Bi Xie Sword Art, continued to support him; even after learning of all his evil deeds, she merely took her own life!

Thus, before this, Yue Buqun had already revealed some of his strength to Ning Zhongze and told her he would enter seclusion to cultivate; hence, recently, she had been guiding the Hua Shan disciples.

That was precisely why, upon hearing Yue Buqun’s howl, Ning Zhongze believed he had broken through to the Xiantian realm.

But she did not know that Yue Buqun had now become a Master-level cultivator beyond Xiantian—a realm even the founding ancestor of Hua Shan had never reached!

At the same moment, on Sigu Cliff.

“This is…”

An elderly man in green robes, with white beard, thin frame, gloomy aura, and face like gold paper, upon hearing Yue Buqun’s howl, showed a look of shock and doubt.

Instantly, he shifted his intent, his form flickering as he rushed toward the direction of the Hua Shan Grand Hall.

He walked across perilous cliffs and sheer walls as if treading flat ground, moving with astonishing speed—faster than any martial artist, utterly unlike an old man.

…

“Hahahaha!” Yue Buqun let out a joyful laugh, then slowly rose.

“Finally, I’ve broken through!”

Yue Buqun thought inwardly: “My strength must now have reached the legendary Master realm! Even if the former Demon Cult leader escaped, he would be no match for me!”

After reading the group owner’s upload of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, Yue Buqun was well aware that Ren Woxing was still alive.

Ren Woxing was clearly a Xiantian expert, and with the strange nature of the Absorbing Star Technique, even after reaching Xiantian peak, Yue Buqun dared not claim he could defeat him.

But now it was different!

After breaking into the Master realm, his inner force could now be projected outward, forming a protective aura!

And though this protective aura shared the same origin as his inner force, it was fundamentally different—Ren Woxing’s Absorbing Star Technique should be unable to absorb it.

Of course, if Ren Woxing truly could absorb Yue Buqun’s protective aura, then Yue Buqun would have to congratulate him—because at that point, Ren Woxing would witness terrifying weapons from another world!

“Master!”

As Yue Buqun pondered his next move, his ear suddenly caught Ning Zhongze’s voice; he promptly stepped out of the Hua Shan Grand Hall.

Ning Zhongze had already led the disciples before him; seeing Yue Buqun emerge, she could not help asking: “Master, was that your howl—did you break through?”

“Correct!”

Yue Buqun nodded slightly, then his gaze immediately fell upon his second disciple, Lao Denuo.

He had long known Lao Denuo was Zuo Lengchan’s spy planted in Hua Shan; yet with Hua Shan’s weakness, he had previously chosen to play along.

But now?

“Denuo!” Yue Buqun said softly.

“Master!” Lao Denuo hurried forward two steps, bowing respectfully.

“Pack your things and leave the mountain,” Yue Buqun said calmly.

Lao Denuo, alarmed, asked: “May I ask, Master, what task are you assigning me?”

Lao Denuo, unaware Yue Buqun had seen through his identity, assumed his master was once again sending him on an errand.

“Our master-disciple bond is ended. Leave the mountain.”

Yue Buqun looked at Lao Denuo and continued: “When you return to Song Shan, remember to convey my regards to Lord Zuo.”

Upon hearing this, Ning Zhongze and the surrounding disciples all froze.

Lao Denuo had served Hua Shan faithfully since arriving.

Yet such a man was a spy from Song Shan?

At that moment, Lao Denuo felt as if struck by lightning, yet his face still forced calmness, even feigning a look of injustice: “Master, what do you mean? I have no connection whatsoever with Song Shan!”

“Lao Denuo, you were originally a Song Shan disciple; later, under Lord Zuo’s orders, you came here with your skills and became my disciple.”

Yue Buqun said calmly: “Shall I continue?”

Seeing Yue Buqun expose all his secrets, Lao Denuo lost all hope of Jiaoxing .

“Master Yue, I never thought you knew!”

Lao Denuo stepped back two paces, distancing himself from the Hua Shan disciples, then eyed Yue Buqun warily: “Yes, I am a Song Shan disciple! But I joined your school because my master feared Hua Shan’s weakness would invite the Demon Cult to destroy you utterly!”

“You…”

“Shameless!”

Hearing Lao Denuo’s words, the disciples glared at him in fury.

This Lao Denuo was clearly a spy sent by Song Shan, yet after being exposed, he still offered such a noble excuse—utterly shameless!

“Enough!”

Yue Buqun waved his hand, silencing the disciples, then continued: “Hua Shan’s affairs need no concern from Lord Zuo. Leave the mountain.”

“Then, I take my leave, Master!”

Lao Denuo bowed slightly, then retreated warily, as if fearing Yue Buqun and the others might attack him.

Once Lao Denuo’s figure vanished, Ning Zhongze could not help worrying: “Master, what of Lao Denuo…”

“Sister, don’t worry.”

Yue Buqun said calmly: “With me here, Hua Shan will be safe.”

At that moment, Yue Buqun suddenly sensed an odd sound from afar.

The sound was faint; had he not broken through to the Master realm, he would never have noticed it.

He glanced without expression, and indeed, faintly spotted a figure in green robes.

“Someone appearing here now must be Master Feng.”

Yue Buqun thought inwardly: “My howl must have disturbed him.”

Yue Buqun had no intention of revealing Feng Qingyang’s whereabouts.

After all, during the Sword vs. Qi dispute, the Qi faction’s victory had been dishonorable; and Yue Buqun did not yet know how to handle his relationship with Feng Qingyang—so pretending ignorance was better.

As for Feng Qingyang’s Dugu Nine Swords, though curious, compared to the techniques in the chat group, it was utterly insignificant!

At the suggestion of several readers, the point system has been slightly revised: you now only earn points after someone purchases a secret technique you upload. The next chapter will be slightly delayed.

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(End of Chapter)