Chapter 32: The Ethereal Immortal in the Painting

"This... isn't really appropriate..." Maidong looked troubled.

"What's inappropriate about it? For one, it can temporarily substitute for the Entwining Dragon Sword Technique, and for another, if we are discovered, we'll have an excuse to talk our way out of it, won't we?" Lingxiang said, patting Maidong's hand as if that could put her at ease. Fearing she might disagree, she pushed the book further into her arms.

Maidong looked at the book in her hands, her face flushed crimson. Lingxiang's methods were becoming increasingly wicked; she had even managed to come up with a scheme like this.

That said, she had searched the study from top to bottom, yet the so-called Entwining Dragon Sword Technique was nowhere to be found. Where on earth had Master hidden it? Could it be in his bedroom?

Just as she was at her wit's end, wondering whether she should sneak into Fuyin Zhenren's bedroom, she suddenly felt that something behind her was not quite right—she had leaned her entire weight against the flower stand, yet the stand hadn't budged an inch, and the porcelain vase she had just touched was as steady as a rock, not even wobbling in the slightest.

There must be something strange here!

Maidong reached out to try and pick up that celadon vase, but no matter what, she couldn't lift it.

Sure enough, Master actually had a place to hide his private stash! Thinking this, Maidong twisted it left and right.

Huh? Why wouldn't it turn? In storybooks, whenever one encountered an object like this, it was always a secret room or hidden chamber; could it be that Master deliberately glued this vase here?

Forget it, I'd better go look in Master's bedroom.

Maidong turned to leave, but suddenly felt that something was amiss.

Master was kind-hearted and often said that all plants and trees had spirits, so he never allowed the senior brothers to keep flowers or leaves in their rooms. Yet, this vase had a flower branch stuck in it, looking bare and brittle, as if it were a dead thing.

She pulled the branch out to examine it, only to hear a "click" sound from beneath the flower stand, after which there was no further movement.

Sure enough, it really was the location of the mechanism!

But why did she only hear the sound of the mechanism, yet see no door open?

Maidong pushed it, but the flower stand remained as motionless as ever.

This was strange. This was definitely the mechanism, so why was there no reaction at all after it clicked once?

Looking at this curio stand, Maidong tapped the withered branch in her hand and suddenly discovered the secret.

Although it was a flower stand, it held antique plates, fan faces, and other items, with only one porcelain vase on each side—a celadon one on the left and a white one on the right. The mechanism had reacted when she took the branch from the celadon one; what if...

Maidong thought about it and placed the withered branch into the white porcelain vase on the right. She heard the sound of gears turning beneath the stand, but...

The turning stopped, yet the curio stand remained as steady as Mount Tai.

Strange, so strange! Could it be that Master made a toy just because he had nothing better to do?

Maidong, full of confusion, turned the white porcelain vase on a whim.

She saw the flower stand shake for a moment, and shortly after, the stand split to the left and right, revealing a tunnel beneath it.

Ha! The storybooks did not deceive me!

Chengkai's sword techniques were truly stunning to Lingxiang, and even Hanyang was greatly surprised.

For someone of his bulk to be able to execute this set of light sword techniques so fluidly and cleanly—if one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, no one would believe it.

As for his opponent, while there was no major difference in sword style, they were still no match for the agile Chengkai in terms of movement. However, they used their sword with a seasoned steadiness, unlike a beginner, and were ultimately able to parry every dangerous move.

For a time, they were deadlocked, unable to distinguish a winner.

Perhaps not wanting to remain in such a stalemate, Chengkai's moves suddenly became more ferocious, his sword techniques sharp and gusty.

His opponent, who had barely been holding their own, now found themselves unable to parry, slowly being forced to the edge of the Yanwu Stage.

Chengkai thrust his sword out. Just as it seemed his opponent was about to be defeated, the person leaned back, spun their body, and with wind at their feet, stepped along the edge to the center of the Yanwu Stage.

It was the Cloud Treading Step!

Seeing this, Chengkai was startled and hurriedly turned back to attack.

The person didn't pause after standing firm; they pointed their sword tip downward, formed a seal with their left hand, and imbued the blade with True Qi. Then, with a slash, waves of True Qi struck directly at Chengkai.

It was the Overturning Water Sword Formula!

Lingxiang and Hanyang were both incredibly astonished—both the Cloud Treading Step and the Overturning Water Sword Formula were Yuanqing techniques, and only those at the Qi Refining Stage could begin to practice them.

Although this was only an introductory move of the Overturning Water Sword Formula, it would be truly difficult for Chengkai, who could barely be considered to be at the Body Tempering Stage, to withstand it.

Chengkai didn't understand any of this and charged toward the person in the center of the stage without hesitation, and that person had no intention of withdrawing their move.

Seeing the sword Qi about to strike him, Lingxiang flew onto the stage, grabbed Chengkai with one hand, and formed the Bolan Buqing Jue with the other, erecting a shield to block between the two.

Hanyang, disregarding the rules, also jumped onto the stage and pressed down on the person's sword-wielding hand, interrupting their sword technique.

"Enough! The purpose of the martial arts demonstration is to spar, stop at the point of contact!"

However, the sword Qi had already been unleashed. Invisible waves of energy struck the shield Lingxiang had erected, causing it to tremble immediately. Although Chengkai's cultivation was not high enough to see the mysterious energy, he could feel a vibration in front of him.

Could it be that this young Peak Master had saved him?

At first, he had looked down on her because she was younger than him, but now he felt truly ashamed.

After the residual energy of the sword formula faded, Lingxiang retracted her shield and turned to smile at Chengkai:

"Your swordplay is truly excellent, very spectacular!"

As for the duel between Long Qi and Xin Yi, compared to Chengkai's match, it was truly a world of difference.

One wielded the sword with brute force, the other just swung it to hack.

The two of them fought until Fuyin Zhenren's brows were tightly locked—this wasn't a sword duel, it was clearly chopping firewood...

However, Xin Yi's technique actually looked more like he was using a saber; could it be that he had studied saber techniques before?

The secret passage was not deep. After walking down a few steps, she saw a wooden door. Pushing it open to enter, the secret room was only as large as the study, yet it was neatly arranged with quite a few items.

Maidong searched carefully and finally found the Entwining Dragon Sword Technique on a row of bookshelves.

She looked at the "Joyous Secret Play" in her hand, hesitated for a moment, and placed it in the original spot of the Entwining Dragon Sword Technique.

Just as she was about to leave, she saw a painting hanging in the corner. In the painting, a woman stood elegantly and ethereal, holding an incense burner and standing upon a lotus.

"Asking about the tu-mi flowers in the night rain by the west window, the cold wind trims the candle, the green smoke is so intense it refuses to leave. The Qingwei does not ask about the idle affairs of the dust, with plain hands holding incense, nowhere to be found in the dimming lamplight..."

Could this person be Master's beloved? No wonder Master was always alone; it turned out he had someone in his heart all along!

Yet for some reason, she felt this young woman looked very familiar, though she could not recall who she was for the moment...

Just as Maidong was deep in thought, she heard the drums and bells ringing outside.

At this hour, the senior brothers should be coming to sweep the courtyard; if she did not leave now, she would not be able to leave at all.

She hurriedly tucked away the sword manual and exited the secret chamber.

Who exactly was this woman? Why was she wearing the Daoist robe of the Yuanqing Sect?

Maidong was full of questions, and Lingxiang was the same—the one sparring with Chengkai was named Huiwu, but what was his background that he was already in the Qi Refining Realm and could use the techniques of the Yuanqing Sect? It was truly strange.

Looking at him now, she felt this person was somewhat familiar, yet she could not recall where she had seen him...

Could he be some young master from a wealthy family down the mountain whom she had swindled?