Chapter 72: Heaven's Net, Earth's Web

Li Mochou's sharp, powerful cry, in the deep of night, sounded like ghostly whispers.

Hong Lingbo's body shuddered; she felt both hatred and fear, stepped back two paces, her face turned deathly pale, and whispered: "Disciple knows guilt."

Hong Lingbo well knew her master's temperament was stern and proud; though her actions were brutal and willful, running roughshod over convention, she preserved her purity like jade, having wandered the jianghu for many years yet remained a maiden.

Yet now Feng Yi had seen her body, such utter shame and disgrace—all because she had acted on her own without speaking, and all of this was witnessed by her own disciple; whenever she saw herself, she thought of today's humiliation. She valued her reputation like gold, was ruthless, and might well kill herself to keep silent.

Li Mochou's life hung in the balance; she thought of master-disciple affection, also felt that if her master died she would have no support, and if she fell into enemies' hands there would be no way out—so she wished her to live! But human hearts are never satisfied; now that Li Mochou lived, she again thought she would be killed to silence her, and her will to survive outweighed master-disciple duty, so she constantly prepared to flee.

She stepped back two paces and could dash out the door; this move made Li Mochou's facial muscles twitch, furious to the extreme, and she shouted angrily: "Had I known today would come, I would have let you die cleanly back then."

She was prone to venting anger on others; now her chastity lost to Feng Yi, she felt she had let herself down and also let down her beloved Lu Zhan yuan, yet could do nothing about Feng Yi, so she poured all her wrath onto Hong Lingbo.

Hong Lingbo only felt her whole body turn ice-cold, her eye sockets reddened, she lowered her head, tears welling, and whispered softly: "Disciple's life was saved by the master; I was also raised by the master; disciple only wishes the master to live..." She sobbed without cease.

Li Mochou stared at her for a while, the anger on her face gradually fading, a hint of smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, she suddenly nodded and said: "This isn't your fault." Then she added: "Come over and help me put on my clothes."

Seeing a strange light flash in Li Mochou's eyes, Hong Lingbo realized she was being summoned over, likely to be killed on the spot, and said: "Master, do you truly not tolerate your disciple?"

Li Mochou indeed intended to kill Hong Lingbo to silence her, but not now, for she was still naked and wanted to dress; yet her arms and legs felt as if filled with lead, heavy beyond measure, so she had to rely on Hong Lingbo's help—yet this disciple judged others by her own standards.

At once her blood surged, her body alternating between cold and hot; once the chill rose, heat would immediately gush forth to dispel it, making her feel utterly miserable.

Li Mochou well knew her cultivation was a supreme art that severed the seven emotions and cut off the six desires; her master had once said that if she ever shed tears for someone, stirred genuine feeling, especially if tears were shed for a man, not only would her martial arts suffer greatly, but her life would be endangered.

Thus, when Lu Zhan yuan broke up with her back then, she spat blood and nearly died.

Although Li Mochou now had Feng Yi's aid, she only preserved her life; unlike Huang Rong, who had the One Lamp Grandmaster use the One Yang Finger Divine Art to directly channel qi through the eight extraordinary meridians, thus not only returning from death but also leaving her inner force unharmed.

She did not know how long her martial arts recovery would take; her own disciple guarded her like a thief, and Feng Yi would surely notice. Being such a face-conscious person, a tangle of emotions overwhelmed her, and with a puff she spat a mouthful of blood and fainted.

Hong Lingbo could not help but cry out, "Master!" She rushed forward and pressed a few times on Li Mochou's philtrum; Li Mochou slowly awoke and said: "Help me... put on my clothes."

Seeing her master's injuries were indeed severe, Hong Lingbo helped Li Mochou put on her inner garments, then began to don her Daoist robe.

As soon as Li Mochou finished dressing, her expression suddenly changed; she coldly said, "Lingbo, don't blame me!" and struck out with a palm.

Do not think her wounded body makes her slow—her strike is still swift,

Hong Lingbo well knew her master's character and had taken precautions, but Li Mochou's accumulated prestige was great; she dared not retaliate, only tapping her toes and fleeing in haste.

Though Li Mochou's internal injuries were grave, at this moment her movements were swift and unimpaired; she waved her hand, and a spray of silver light flew forth—these were the "Ice Soul Silver Needles."

Hong Lingbo suddenly smelled a medicinal fragrance enveloping her vital points, and her limbs turned icy cold. She had no chance to dodge such a killing technique; this blow had driven her to desperation.

Suddenly she gave a soft laugh, but felt a gust of wind block her from the side; with a series of "dings," more than ten Ice Soul Silver Needles struck the wall.

Cold sweat beaded on Hong Lingbo's forehead; she turned her head and, with a swoop, saw a person leaning on a cane entering from outside.

Even leaning on his cane, Feng Yi appeared to Hong Lingbo at this moment as outstanding and unmatched; seized by fear, she flung herself onto his shoulder, feeling that only he could protect her now.

Feng Yi understood Li Mochou's nature extremely well; he knew deeply that having seen her body, she would, out of shame and rage, certainly kill Hong Lingbo to silence her.

Therefore he had her enter the house to brew tea, constantly watching her movements; but seeing Li Mochou launch a lethal strike, he exhaled and slapped out a palm—wherever the palm wind reached, those silver needles instantly turned and shot into the wall.

He also wished to sever the master-disciple bond between them, so as to avoid later claims that he had learned the Ancient Tomb Lightness Skill from Li Mochou's disciple, and to give Hong Lingbo a chance to survive. Following Li Mochou, whose enemies are everywhere, she would sooner or later die.

Seeing Feng Yi heal her injuries, then still able to wield an intangible, substance-less palm wind to deflect her Ice Soul Silver Needles, Li Mochou thought his inner force could be called immensely vast and unsurpassed; she could not help but be astonished and admiring, secretly thinking: "This brat surely practices some unknown divine art's marvelous secret, having eaten what heavenly treasure, to possess such profound inner strength!"

But seeing Hong Lingbo throw herself into Feng Yi's embrace, her eyes flashing with anger, she shouted: "I am cleaning up the sect; what business is it of yours?"

Only hearing Feng Yi laugh and say to Hong Lingbo: "She has already gone mad, beyond cure; from today on she will surely kill you to silence you. While I am here, you two make a clean break—sever the master-disciple tie!"

Hong Lingbo bit her lip, feeling somewhat at a loss.

Feng Yi then turned to Li Mochou and said: "You saved your disciple's life; today she also saved yours. Your kindness in raising her, together with those dozen-odd Ice Soul Silver Needles of yours, has already vanished like smoke."

"From now on you owe each other nothing. She is no longer your disciple, and you are no longer her master!"

Saying this, he embraced Hong Lingbo and prepared to leave.

Li Mochou's willow brows rose, her almond eyes widened, and she urgently said: "You aren't after the Ancient Tomb Lightness Skill and the Five Poisons Secret Manual, are you?"

Hong Lingbo gaped, utterly unaware of her intention.

Feng Yi turned his head, stared at Li Mochou for a while, and sighed: "What do you want?"

Li Mochou fixed a vicious glare on Hong Lingbo and snarled: "As long as you kill her, I'll give you anything!"

Hong Lingbo was so frightened her face turned ashen, she could not speak, only tears fell like broken pearls; had Feng Yi not held her up, she would have collapsed to the ground.

【Ding, mission: obtain the Five Poisons Secret Transmission, reward achievement points 100】

Feng Yi furrowed his brows, inwardly cursing: "What the hell kind of mission is this! Isn't it just a shortcut to get benefits by acting against one's conscience?"

In a flash of thought, Feng Yi had made his decision and said: "Li Mochou, Hong Lingbo is probably your only relative, right?"

Li Mochou spat hatefully: "Relative? Once she agreed to your terms and let me suffer humiliation at your hands, she ceased to be any kin of mine."

"Just say whether you agree or not."

Feng Yi pondered a moment, looked at Hong Lingbo, gently wiped her tears, and said softly: "Today she has exhausted your master-disciple bond; from now on this Daoist nun will no longer be one, and will follow me." Not allowing Hong Lingbo to reply, he directly embraced her and left.

Li Mochou had thought Feng Yi valued her lightness skill and Five Poisons Secret Transmission, using that to threaten him into killing her disciple so she wouldn't lose face before the disciple; but who knew he paid no heed to her at all, and in her anguish she widened her phoenix eyes and shouted: "What, you've taken my... this is your explanation to me!"

"Explanation!" Feng Yi coldly snorted: "You mean I should give you an excuse just because I saw your body? Heh, if it weren't for Lingbo's bitter pleas, you obstinate fanatic, even if you stripped naked I wouldn't give you the time of day! Besides, I'll tell you frankly: Lu Zhan yuan back then didn't want you, and that's final."

As he spoke, he had already walked out of the house, but that last sentence sent Li Mochou's tears streaming freely, plunging her into a state of neither here nor there, like a dream, like an illusion.

She again thought of that man who made her soul entwine and dream.

Since meeting Lu Zhan yuan, she had given her whole heart. She loved without regret or complaint; who would have thought that after just two months apart, Lu Zhan yuan would shift his affection and commit such an act that left her heartbroken? She felt ice-cold all over, she felt she was the most lonely, pitiful woman in the world, and also the most foolish.

Had she known this would happen, why bother in the first place?

Indeed, there is not a single good man under heaven!

Li Mochou recalled her master's words about being "troubled by love," and for a moment her thoughts ran wild; grief unknown, anger blazing, resentment intertwined, she wept and wept until she fell into a deep sleep.

Feng Yi brought Hong Lingbo to another room, took out a firestone, lit a candle, and saw Hong Lingbo staring blankly while tears flowed; he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

Feng Yi deeply understood how family meant happiness and preciousness to a person; Hong Lingbo had lost her parents since childhood and been raised by Li Mochou into adulthood—she was both disciple and daughter—yet Li Mochou wanted to kill her, so Feng Yi could empathize with Hong Lingbo's present anguish.

Feng Yi put on a false smile and said: "Why cry? This is also a good thing. You've severed the master-disciple bond; if you tell me the Ancient Tomb Lightness Skill, you'll have no need to feel guilty."

Hong Lingbo hastily wiped her tears, but her mind was in turmoil, her face full of unease, and she said to Feng Yi: "Actually, you shouldn't speak of my master that way."

Feng Yi glared at her and said: "Fine, then let it be you who saves people, and let it be you who says I am not!"

Hong Lingbo lowered her voice and said: "I mean, an unmarried woman seen by a man will drive anyone mad, especially someone as proud as my master."

She lowered her head, like a trainee student.

Feng Yi also knew Li Mochou's innocent body had been completely seen by him, and even touched; her reaction was normal.

But Feng Yi felt he was acting at Hong Lingbo's request, not out of genuine intent, so he naturally didn't take it seriously.

This is his style of conduct—judging by intention, not by action!

Feng Yi chuckled and said: "For a woman like your master who's been poisoned by love, I can't think of anything. But if I replaced her with you, I certainly wouldn't say that, and I could imagine taking responsibility."

"Is that really true?" Hong Lingbo's eyes fluttered, her cheeks flushed, her tone actually carrying a hint of coquettishness,

Feng Yi said: "Naturally it's true!"

Hong Lingbo looked at Feng Yi and said: "Young master, between me and my master, who looks better?"

Her teeth were like shells, she bit her red lips, her beautiful eyes held autumn waves like water, full of complex meaning.

Feng Yi's heart felt empty as he gazed at Hong Lingbo, unable to utter a word; he suddenly felt this woman might have developed some affection for him.

Hong Lingbo's expression turned distressed, and she again said: "You say it!"

Feng Yi smiled and said: "You shouldn't ask me this question.

Saying you're beautiful, you might think I'm deceiving you.

But I also don't want to say she's more beautiful than you, so just tell me the Ancient Tomb Sect's lightness skill!"

He couldn't help but admit: Hong Lingbo was indeed a fair-skinned beauty, but Li Mochou's appearance surpassed hers.

Seeing him so eager to learn martial arts, Hong Lingbo grew quite displeased and said: "We first practice the 'Soft Net Style,' which is the method for catching sparrows; it includes leaping high and dropping low, swinging, grabbing, and seizing—this is the essence of our sect's lightness skill.

Finally, one must gather all eighty-one sparrows within three feet in front of the chest, not letting a single one escape.

Next comes the 'Graceful Azure': release the eighty-one sparrows, but must prevent them from flying away and not harm them.

Thus, using palm force to press them down so they cannot escape the palm's restraint, finally training until one can press down all eighty-one sparrows.

This skill is called the 'Heavenly Net Earthly Net Posture,' which is much harder than the Soft Net Style. Sparrows fly high; even if your lightness skill is superb, you cannot simply leap five or six zhang high to bring them down. To press them down, you need keen eyes and quick hands, a body that is both light and swift—once you see a sparrow rise, you immediately strike to restrain it. This skill must outpace the sparrow; the sparrow is faster than you, but having no strength, it only takes a light flick of the finger, a slight block of the palm, and it cannot fly. Thus you must act instantly, strike like lightning; even if your hands have no strength, it doesn't matter.

This is our sect's Heavenly Net Earthly Net Posture, taking its name from the heavenly net and earthly net, encompassing all; even if the opponent flees to the ends of the earth, we can still catch them at hand.

Feng Yi thought it was awesome; eighty-one sparrows flying at once, needing to dart high and low, block them all as they descend—how fast must that be? He pondered: using palm force to smash them all dead might be possible, but to deflect them with fingers and palms is impossible.

Joy overflowed his words as he said: "Quickly tell me this method."

Hong Lingbo said: "Teaching martial arts through catching sparrows, the essentials are easy to grasp; wait until tomorrow when I catch some sparrows, then I'll tell you!"

Feng Yi shook his head: "No need, it's just a lightness skill; tell me the essentials and I'll understand."

Hong Lingbo snorted: "Do you look down on our lightness skill? If your inner strength weren't formidable, you might not even match me."

Feng Yi smiled faintly: "All right, there are no sparrows here, but there's a person—I'll try to catch you without using my inner strength, to see if I can prevail over you."

Seeing his arrogance, Hong Lingbo furrowed her brows and said: "You can't beat me, yet you rely on inner strength to act like a ruffian—how can you say that!" Feng Yi declared proudly: "I, Feng Yi, keep my word; even if you beat me to death, I will never use inner strength!" He thought: "Inner strength protecting itself automatically has nothing to do with me."

Hong Lingbo gave a slight nod: "Then come!"

Feng Yi suddenly shot out his right hand, grabbing for Hong Lingbo's shoulder; he had not used the Divine Illumination Skill, but his speed was not slow—it looked like the grab would land—yet a yellow flash flickered, and Hong Lingbo actually sprang out from under his hand.

Feng Yi glanced over, and Hong Lingbo was standing—?

Feng Yi laughed heartily: "This is just the beginning!" He leapt forward, his cane tapping swiftly toward Hong Lingbo.

Hong Lingbo sidestepped, without even pushing off the ground, she lightly leapt three feet high, landing on the nearby round table; she then drew her long sword, flourishing blade and sheath together in a sword flower—this relaxed, carefree manner was like a little girl playing in the yard, and she smiled: "Accept it or not?"

Her arrogance, Feng Yi had long witnessed; now he felt it somewhat endearing, and said: "You're so arrogant—if I catch you, I'll definitely give you a good spanking!"

Hong Lingbo's pretty face flushed, and she said: "I'd like to see who ends up spanking whom!"

Feng Yi swung his cane, sweeping toward her ankle.

But before the sweep connected, Hong Lingbo already flipped a somersault to Feng Yi's rear, pointing her sword sheath at his back.

Feng Yi shifted his body, never expecting her move to be a feint; her sword sheath swayed left and right, with a slap, it struck his left leg.

This naturally couldn't injure Feng Yi, but it cost him a move.

Feng Yi thrust his palm toward her chest, who knew she would sway aside, lightly dodging—with a slap, her sword sheath hit his arm.

Feng Yi took a few hits; though he felt no pain, he felt somewhat humbled—had he lost his inner strength, was he really this weak? In the way of martial arts, inner strength is the foundation, lightness skill the supplement. Yet the Ancient Tomb Sect's martial arts diverge greatly from the martial way.

Because the Ancient Tomb Sect's inner strength gradually increases, its practitioners become light-footed and healthy, their strikes swift; in the time an ordinary person releases one move, they can unleash three or four, but the force of those moves does not increase accordingly.

For lightness and heaviness are opposites; seeking lightness precludes heaviness, and if heaviness is attained, lightness must be correspondingly relinquished.

The founder of the Ancient Tomb Sect, Lin Chaoying, painstakingly researched and created this martial art, taking a peculiar path. She aimed only to surpass her beloved Wang Zhongyang, hoping that when an opponent acted unexpectedly, she could lightly pat their neck or back, or prick a finger—she did not wish them to truly feel pain, nor wanted them injured; only requiring both to laugh heartily, Wang Zhongyang would surrender, and her wish would be fulfilled.

Thus, the swifter and lighter the body, the better; the technique need not carry any force, only seeking an unfathomable strike angle—then success is achieved. This runs completely contrary to orthodox martial doctrine; Wang Zhongyang was then invincible under heaven, yet these techniques passed down were precisely those that had proven effective when tested on his body.

Although Feng Yi's martial arts are strong, everything is based on the Divine Illumination Skill, without using inner strength; many powerful techniques employed seem genuine but fall short, especially lacking speed, and he cannot evade Hong Lingbo's methods.

Moreover, the Ancient Tomb Sect's lightness skill is unparalleled in the martial world; no other sect's lightness skill can match it. Though its advantages are not easily seen on open plains, when displayed in halls and rooms, Feng Yi is certainly inferior.

He also limped on one leg; when using inner strength, the defect was not obvious, but without inner strength, turning about took great effort.

Moreover, Hong Lingbo is also a skilled martial artist; especially, lightness skill is the foundation of the Ancient Tomb Sect, and she uses length to overcome shortness, naturally landing several blows on Feng Yi.

Hong Lingbo smiled, hands behind her back, sword sheath resting across her back, and said: "I say your lightness skill is poor, am I wrong?" Her eyes glittered with mischief.

Feng Yi said: "I already knew your Ancient Tomb Sect martial arts don't compete in strength but in speed; today I've finally witnessed it."

Hong Lingbo smiled: "Yes, we train to be faster than the opponent, to strike strangely, making it impossible for them to anticipate where the attack will come—then we've already won; thus we rely on the darting high and low lightness skill within the Heavenly Net Earthly Net Posture."

Speaking, she revealed its essentials.

The Ancient Tomb Sect's Heavenly Net Earthly Net Posture lightness skill—Hong Lingbo, having followed Li Mochou for many years, has mastered it fully; only her inner strength is insufficient, so her leaps lack divine agility and her strikes are not as swift as lightning.

Upon her explaining the essentials, Feng Yi immediately saw in the system's lightness skill column the entry "Heavenly Net Earthly Net Style."

Feng Yi still had 100 achievement points unused, so he directly maxed it out to perfection.

Instantly, various leaping and flying techniques appeared in Feng Yi's mind; he pondered: "Speed is naturally good, but truly facing an opponent, how can one surpass even a great martial master in speed? This still relies on inner strength."

Hong Lingbo sighed: "This is also why my master cannot forget the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra."

Feng Yi laughed: "Actually, the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra has no remarkable effect on inner strength!"

Hong Lingbo felt unconvinced, yet she put on a casual expression and said: "Yeah, nothing special, but you have no internal energy—I can't even catch you!"

Feng Yi's two gazes fell on Hong Lingbo. In a flash, he shifted his body, rushed before her, and with a grab seized her pulse point.

Hong Lingbo suddenly shouted: "This is my Ancient Tomb Light Skill!"

She discovered that Feng Yi had not used internal energy on her, merely using light skill to seize her.

Feng Yi released her hand, set down his cane, then in a flash shifted his body, swirling like a whirlwind around the room once, returning to his original spot; the cane had not yet fallen, and he propped it again under his armpit.

This scene truly moved like a ghost, swift as flying lightning.

Seeing that after hearing her explain the secret once, she could already display the marvels of the Ancient Tomb Light Skill—let alone herself, she even surpassed her master—Hong Lingbo blurted out without hesitation: "Are you an immortal?"

Feng Yi turned his head to look at her, seeing her face full of admiration, a peach-blossom blush about to flow on her cheeks, his heart stirred; he swept her into his arms, in a swish arrived at the bed, placed her on his knees, and said: "I am an immortal—do you like it or not?"

This indeed exceeded Hong Lingbo's expectations; the two faced each other, four eyes meeting, their breaths audible, the deep cold night, their heartbeats audible.

Feng Yi felt the woman on him go soft as cotton, while Hong Lingbo felt the man beneath her as hard as steel, pressing against her.

Hong Lingbo's gaze was dazed, her heart tightened involuntarily, and she coldly asked: "What are you doing?"

Although her words were cold, she inexplicably shed two clear tears. Seeing the face before her, with distinct contours, clear and handsome brows and eyes, those eyes blazing like fire as they gazed at her, and catching the strong masculine scent on him, she could not help but have her heart and soul intoxicated, her bright eyes becoming tender and silky.

But the woman's reserve made her both startled and shy.

Such a maiden's coy attitude of refusing yet welcoming, in an instant, made Feng Yi think "I want to...", but then he felt it improper.

He had also seen this kind of ancient-style beauty before; Hong Lingbo lacked Shui Sheng's bright and straightforwardness, also lacked Qi Fang's innocent and childlike charm, and was even inferior to Li Mochou's gorgeous and graceful allure.

But at this moment, in the candlelight's glow, half her face showed fresh, plump cheeks, seeming to hold an immense charm that could not be resisted, giving Feng Yi a true urge to crush and devour her; thinking and thinking, his lips covered her vermilion lips.

Boom—

Hong Lingbo's body trembled, letting out a moan, as if she had drunk fine wine, becoming intoxicated and utterly unaware of where she was.

The two leaned against each other, embraced and kissed; this soft lip, the maiden's fragrant scent, almost made Feng Yi intoxicated and faint.

After all, Feng Yi was merely a mortal fleshly body, his vigor fresh; having arrived in the Divine Condor world, though it seemed he was drinking floral wine, it was actually all vegetarian.

Today he again treated Li Mochou's injuries; though Feng Yi disliked her character, he could not deny that her body was beautiful.

Moreover, this woman was the kind you could look at but not touch; that kind of torment, the agony it inflicts on a person, cannot be fully described.

At this moment encountering Hong Lingbo, a woman without major karmic debts, his cautious heart vanished, licentious intent arose, and the long-suppressed desire burst forth like a breached dam flooding forth.

Feng Yi moved both hands simultaneously, in a few quick moves stripping Hong Lingbo down to her bare white skin.

Whether due to the Ancient Tomb sect's internal energy or something else, Hong Lingbo, like Li Mochou, had a delicate body that seemed like white jade mutton fat, making him unable to let go, holding her tightly in his arms.

This feeling was both like a long-lost familiarity and like something strange.

After all, Feng Yi has lived two lives, and with a martial-practicing woman, this is also his first time.

And Hong Lingbo was also a girl whose love had just awakened; Feng Yi is handsome, his martial arts high, and today he also rescued her, making him the finest man she has seen in these years.

Moreover, just because she did not heed her master's temptation to trade her life for the Ancient Tomb Light Skill and the Five Poisons Secret Transmission, she was willing to give up everything.

Hong Lingbo offered no resistance; on one hand letting him roam, letting her beloved's tenderness, on the other she breathed softly, whispering: "Feng Brother, put out the candle."

She was both excited and shy in her expression, merely extinguishing the lamp.

Feng Yi originally did not want this; after all, he understood the principle that looking at a beauty under lamplight makes her appear ever more beautiful.

But he also knew that women of this era are most shy, and besides, this was only their first meeting; he immediately turned back, without looking, gave a false palm strike, and the palm wind extinguished the candle.

Yet moonlight streamed through the window, shining directly on Hong Lingbo's jade-like body; under the moon's clear radiance, this jade body seemed to emit a soft, gleaming light.

Feng Yi's breathing grew ever more urgent, unable to restrain himself he lunged forward; Hong Lingbo's pair of red lips, unresponsive to command, moved on their own to kiss him……

With a soft cry from Hong Lingbo, the foremost martial arts marvel, the Divine Illumination Classic, was utterly useless; instead the Blood Saber Classic gained the upper hand, a long-brewing storm finally erupted, like the Yellow River bursting its banks, a mountain flood unleashed, uncontrollable.

Hong Lingbo also strained to press close to her beloved; the two seemed almost unwilling to merge into each other's bodies.

No one knew how long had passed when a black silhouette appeared at the window. The two locked in fierce combat, unaware whether they had not heard or simply did not care, did not stop at all.

(End of Chapter)