Chapter 117: Seeing Yin, Knowing Yang

This time, the drawing of lots was for the four directions: East, West, South, and North.

Cheng Xinzhan drew South, and a man in white drew North.

The mirror-scene merged, and the two exchanged greetings.

"Cheng Xinzhan of the Profound Heaven Sect, greetings, fellow Daoist."

"Yu Qingsi of Mount Tianzhu, greetings, fellow Daoist."

Mount Tianzhu? Cheng Xinzhan had heard Zhou Qingyun mention it while he was searching for earth veins at Mount Huangshan; it was the most famous place for reclusive cultivation in Qingzhou and even south of the Dajiang, where the Immortal Zuo Ci had once built a hut.

Yu Qingsi had a humble and gentle temperament, with an approachable appearance. The sword in his hand was a long sword with a white-rope-wrapped hilt and a snow-white, frost-covered blade. Its sword Qi was snow-white and biting, which contrasted sharply with the sword-owner's temperament.

"Fellow Daoist, please."

Yu Qingsi was also a Dharma sword cultivator of the Nourishing Qi Sect; as soon as he struck, he unleashed a crescent-shaped frost sword Qi.

The sword Qi swept through the void, and wherever it passed, the water vapor in the air was condensed by the cold, forming ice beads that fell.

Seeing the cold air approaching and thinking that Earth overcomes Water, Cheng Xinzhan raised his hand to respond with Earth-element magic power, waving out a thick, yellowish sword Qi.

However, when the two sword Qi neared each other, the thick Earth sword Qi was instantly frozen, then shattered by the frost sword Qi.

The frost sword Qi was swift and agile, grazing past Cheng Xinzhan. The cold wind hit his face, staining his sleeves with white frost.

Cheng Xinzhan realized he had guessed wrong; this person was not cultivating Water magic, but was using Water magic to cultivate the Dao of Great Yin.

He tried responding with Water magic and Wood magic respectively, but both were broken by the frost sword Qi, further confirming his theory. Afterward, he used Xin Metal Qi to face the enemy, feeling the difference between "seeing Yin through Metal" and "seeing Yin through Water."

At this moment, the Metal and Water elements were merely appearances; inside, it was a contest of the Dao of Great Yin.

Soon, he understood the difference. When he "saw Yin through Metal," it was using Yin Qi to foster the non-corrupting and immortal nature of Metal, adding to the sharpness of Metal—the focus was on Metal, not Yin.

But this Yu Qingsi "seeing Yin through Water" was a step further; it was ultimate sublimation, a return to the source. By using the coldness and changeability of Water, he deduced the Dharma intent of the Dao of Great Yin—the essence was in Yin, not Water.

Yu Qingsi's sword Qi contained a certain Great Yin divine intent; the extreme cold almost suppressed the Five Elements. Cheng Xinzhan tried Earth, Water, Wood, and Metal in succession, and all were broken.

His sword Qi also inherited the Dao of Great Yin's changes, just like the changes of water: it could be vapor and dew, it could be liquid, it could be solid ice.

His sword Qi was also unpredictable; at times it was as magnificent as a great river, making one afraid to face it directly; at other times it was as subtle as frost and dew, making it impossible to guard against; then suddenly it would be as vast as snow, leaving one with nowhere to hide.

This was the first time everyone had seen such a disheveled Daoist Cheng.

Cheng Xinzhan also just realized that Yin and Yang are everywhere, not only reflected in spells but also in swordsmanship.

He dodged and hid, struggling to parry, until he could no longer feel any other Great Yin Dharma intent.

He felt some regret. For example, what did the vitality of Water, the gentleness of Water, the moistening of Water, or even the steaming of Water look like when traced back to the Dao of Great Yin? What did it look like when applied to the Dao of the Sword?

Had this person not realized it?

Cheng Xinzhan, covered in frost, confirmed that this person truly had no hidden moves, and then he struck back with a sword.

The scorching Yang-fire sword Qi was accompanied by a searing white light. The white light occupied the entire view of the mirror, making it impossible for anyone to see where the sword Qi was hidden.

Or rather, the white light *was* the sword Qi.

Since he could use Water to see Yin and perform the Dharma sword, Cheng Xinzhan, seeing Yin and knowing Yang, could naturally also use Fire to illuminate Yang and control the "High Truth."

Yu Qingsi knew Cheng Xinzhan was holding back, as at least the Thunder-Fire technique had not been used yet, but he never expected that the Fire magic Cheng Xinzhan used would be Yang Fire.

His Yin-frost sword Qi dissolved directly upon meeting Cheng Xinzhan's Yang-fire sword Qi. His sword Qi was like rain and snow, making it hard to hide, while Cheng Xinzhan's sword Qi transformed into the light of Yang Fire, illuminating all directions, leaving no room to avoid.

"I have lost."

He said.

Cheng Xinzhan withdrew his sword.

The white light in the mirror disappeared, and outsiders finally saw the mirror-scene again. They didn't understand: hadn't Daoist Cheng been suppressed and beaten the whole time? Why did Yu Qingsi suddenly surrender?

"Brother Shanshou, did you have such swordsmanship talent when you were in your teens?"

On the Huanzhu Tower, Qian Boya asked.

Li Shanshou shook his head. "If it were my teens, I wouldn't dare say I could surpass him in refinement, and in breadth, I am far inferior to him."

Qian Boya exclaimed in admiration, "Each generation produces its own talents, each leading the way for hundreds of years. It seems one can foresee what kind of scenery the next hundred years will hold."

Li Shanshou laughed. "Exactly so. It is precisely because of the young people that this Cosmic Realm is so wonderful."

Finally, the two mirrors merged into one, and the Thirty-Six Cave Heavens returned to a single scene.

Now standing opposite Cheng Xinzhan, he looked very familiar.

It was someone from the Mount Lushan Sword Sect. This person was in a blue robe, holding a sword in each hand.

The two exchanged greetings.

"Cheng Xinzhan of the Profound Heaven Sect, greetings, fellow Daoist."

"Lan Yuqing of Mount Lushan, greetings, fellow Daoist."

Lan Yuqing said with a smile, "Our two sects are neighbors and often interact, yet I did not know when the Profound Heaven Sect produced a figure like you."

Cheng Xinzhan replied, "Talented people in the sect are as numerous as crucian carp crossing the river; how could I possibly enter your ears, fellow Daoist?"

"You are being overly humble, fellow Daoist. Although the Profound Heaven Sect is a great sect of the current age, if everyone were like you, then Yu Zhang would not be a place of two surnames."

Lan Yuqing laughed loudly.

Hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan smiled and did not humble himself further.

"Fellow Daoist, please draw your sword."

Lan Yuqing said.

Cheng Xinzhan nodded, and his first move was a Xin Metal sword Qi to probe.

"Fellow Daoist, you had better not hold back against me."

Lan Yuqing said, raising his swords and stepping forward. Judging by his intent, he actually wanted to fight at close quarters.

Facing the incoming Xin Metal sword Qi, Lan Yuqing crossed his two swords in a scissor motion. Two strands of sword Qi presented an 【X】 shape and charged straight over. Upon meeting Cheng Xinzhan's Xin Metal sword Qi, they twisted and it dissipated.

Cheng Xinzhan's eyes lit up. It could be done like this? It didn't seem as simple as one plus one.

He no longer held back, and his first move was the Yang-fire sword Qi he had just realized.

The Yang-fire sword Qi was pervasive, with a very wide attack range. Facing this move, Lan Yuqing seemed to have no way out. This was a sword duel, not a demonstration of Dharma, not an encounter, so naturally, it was not appropriate to use defensive magic treasures.

He could not dodge, but he was unwilling to admit defeat, so he could only strike out several strands of sword Qi in front to slightly weaken it before taking the sword head-on. Many small cuts appeared on his Dharma robe and face.

However, his 【X】-shaped sword Qi also arrived in front of Cheng Xinzhan, like scissors and a tide.

He danced his sword, and the mountain rocks on the ground floated into the air one after another, turning into an Earth Dragon, rushing toward the menacing 【X】-shaped sword Qi.

The Earth Dragon was cut to pieces by the sword Qi, and he raised a Wood Dragon. After both dragons were cut to pieces, the sword Qi was finally worn out.

At this time, Lan Yuqing, who had taken the Yang-fire sword Qi head-on, also arrived in front of Cheng Xinzhan. To say it was close-quarters was not quite right; he maintained a distance of about two or three zhang from Cheng Xinzhan, continuously striking with his swords.

At first, Cheng Xinzhan did not understand the meaning, but soon he understood.

Within this distance, the Dharma sword was firmly controlled in Lan Yuqing's hands, not easily shattered or snatched away; within this distance, the sword Qi could pose a threat soon after leaving the sword body, leaving Cheng Xinzhan very little time to maneuver and dodge; within this distance, the amount of sword Qi Lan Yuqing could control with each swing was small.

Cheng Xinzhan understood and smiled. No matter, these advantages were also his advantages.

The two had not been fighting at close quarters for long before Lan Yuqing watched helplessly as Cheng Xinzhan, who had been struggling to respond, slowly became at ease.

He was using his very own methods.

Cheng Xinzhan used the Five Elements Wind and Thunder sword Qi in turn, striking flexibly, and soon forced Lan Yuqing into a disadvantage.

Lan Yuqing's expression was solemn, and he suddenly changed his moves. He slashed with his two Dharma swords, one vertically and one horizontally, forming a 【+】 shaped sword Qi.

This move again.

Cheng Xinzhan watched carefully. This move was very similar to the 【X】-shaped sword Qi just now, but the Dharma implication was somewhat different. This was somewhat like talisman magic, but talisman magic was not so simple; even the simplest talisman required a talisman head, a divine name, and a talisman foot, as well as an accompanying decree.

Did it seem to be an array?

Cheng Xinzhan was thoughtful. Arrays and talisman magic were worlds apart, but they also had commonalities. However, the threshold for the former was much lower. The intersection of his two sword Qi seemed to have become a simple array.

This was also a line of thought, much simpler and less troublesome than his own way of drawing talismans with a sword.

Cheng Xinzhan did not know how stifled Lan Yuqing felt inside. When he heard that the Huanzhu Tower Master was holding a sword duel, he didn't know how happy he was. His self-created move of forming an array with sword Qi would become famous under the gaze of everyone!

But he never expected that in the first round of the arena, this person from the Profound Heaven Sect would face the Longhu Mountain and use a method of performing talismans with a sword!

Everyone was captivated when they saw that huge Thunder Talisman, including him, Lan Yuqing. From that moment, he knew that his array-forming with sword Qi was destined not to attract attention; even if someone noticed, they would perhaps only think he was plagiarizing.

The result was as he thought: forming an array with sword Qi only attracted the interest of one person, his opponent, the one who performed talismans with a sword.

Just like with Yu Qingsi, Cheng Xinzhan had been responding with a lukewarm fighting style until he confirmed that this Lan Yuqing also had nothing new.

He suddenly stepped on Thunder Fire, crossed the distance of three zhang in just two steps, and placed his Dharma sword "High Truth" on Lan Yuqing's neck. The Dharma sword spat out sword light, and he said,

"Fellow Daoist, you are so close to me, yet you forgot that I am also a body-sword cultivator."

Lan Yuqing was stunned. Yes, when did he forget that he was a body-sword cultivator?

But, but, anyone who saw this person's five performances in the Dharma sword arena would probably forget for a moment that he was still a body-sword cultivator, right?

However, only he was stupid enough to deliver himself to the door.

He smiled bitterly. "I have lost."

=9+Book_Bar

He disappeared from the mirror.

There was only one person left in the mirror, under the gaze of a city and a tower.

————

Haishi Restaurant.

Xiao Yiniang looked at the Moon-Reflecting Mirror that had merged from thirty-six into one. She looked as if she had been drinking, her cheeks flushed, but her eyes were bright and blinking.

"Hoo—"

The woman who had been holding her breath in tension for a long time suddenly let out a long breath, like a drowning person who had just come out of the water.

"Qingyu! Qingyu!"

She shouted loudly.

"Here! Qingyu is here, Mistress."

Qingyu was startled; she was right beside her.

"Send out the most expensive wine in the restaurant to celebrate for Daoist Cheng!"

Xiao Yiniang was breathing rapidly, her chest heaving. She hadn't dared to think, hadn't dared to think that Daoist Cheng would win first place consecutively.

However, Qingyu was calmer than her mistress. She said,

"Mistress, the third round hasn't been fought yet. If we send the most expensive wine now, in case Daoist Cheng enters the arena again and wins first place again, we won't be able to celebrate anymore!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yiniang widened her eyes.

"You actually dare to think!"

"Pfft—"

The woman suddenly laughed again. "That's right, what if?"

"Then tell me, what other wine can we send?"

Qingyu was worthy of being a managing maid. She opened her mouth and answered, "Mistress, the 'Plucking the Laurel in the Toad Palace' at three hundred and ninety taels a pot is just right, and it fits the occasion."

"Good, go ahead and order it."

After saying so much, Xiao Yiniang's gaze had never moved away from the Moon-Reflecting Mirror.

————

Kong Que City, another restaurant.

A private room, a huge table, piled high with bowls and dishes, layer upon layer. There was no wine, no beauties, only various meat dishes, all empty.

There was only one person in the room, a person as thin as a stick. He touched his shriveled belly, frowned, and looked at the person in the mirror, while his mouth imitated the decrees the person in the mirror had chanted during the sword duel, especially the last word,

"Fall!"

"Quake!"

"Rise!"

As this person chanted, he suddenly widened his eyes, slammed the table, and stood up.

"Wrong!"

"It's him!"

————

Li Shanshou waved his hand, and Cheng Xinzhan flew out from the mirror. The cave-heaven scene of the mirror also dissipated, reflecting only the moonlight.

Li Shanshou looked at the youth standing by his side again, an uncontrollable smile on his face.

"You are very good!"

The Sword Immortal waved his hand toward the horizon again, and that mass of "Yangming Yangming Yangming Yun Tang Gang" that had been placed in the void all along pulled everyone's gaze to the top of Huanzhu Tower.

The Sword Immortal took out a lead bottle, put the "Yangming Yangming Yangming Yun Tang Gang" into it, and handed it to the youth.

The youth bowed and thanked him. "Many thanks, Senior."

Afterward, he took the lead bottle.

He himself couldn't believe it. The spiritual gang and true evil, worth a thousand gold, had he really gathered them all just like that?

"Speaking of your Dharma sword."

The Sword Immortal patted the youth's shoulder. "I really have nothing to guide you on. As long as you walk steadily step by step, you will naturally reach my height, or even exceed my height."

Qian Boya glanced at his friend; he had never heard his friend praise a junior like this.

Cheng Xinzhan repeatedly said he didn't dare.

"However, let me force one point."

The Sword Immortal said jokingly, "If my eyes aren't blind, you should be specializing in the Five Elements, and perhaps you have to count Wind and Thunder, and even Yin and Yang. This Dharma sword of yours is much higher in material than your body sword. But since you have chosen to specialize in the Five Elements Wind and Thunder, there is no need to use only one Dharma sword. This actually drags down your talent. Even if you match one Dharma sword to one element, with the foundation of your Profound Heaven Sect, you could gather them. Such a good seed, there is no need to be so stingy."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded with a smile. He could also feel some of it; using "High Truth" to perform Thunder magic was naturally handy, but when performing the Five Elements, it was indeed a little bit lacking. But it didn't matter, there was plenty of time.

The Kong Que City Lord on the side suddenly changed his gaze toward Cheng Xinzhan, flickering with an inexplicable light. He handed the youth a token and said,

"Little friend, this is the token of the City Lord's Mansion. In the future, if there is anything Kong Que City can help with, you can come directly to the City Lord's Mansion to find me with this token."

Cheng Xinzhan was a bit surprised and didn't move.

"Just consider it building a good relationship."

The City Lord handed the token forward again.

Although he was a loose immortal, he was an immortal after all. With such a gesture, Cheng Xinzhan dared not refuse, so he thanked him repeatedly and took it.

"There is one more round, will you still participate?"

The Huanzhu Tower Master asked with a smile.

The youth nodded and replied with a smile, "I will."

1. To be honest, the Dharma sword arena is a bit hard to write, and I've had a headache thinking about it for the past two days. Because I have to take this opportunity of multi-round sword duels to show everyone why Yunqi is so powerful. Because he draws inferences from one instance, because he has no distracting thoughts, because he learns as soon as he sees, because he succeeds as soon as he thinks. He is absorbing others' strengths to grow himself at every moment. In short, it is the title of this chapter: Seeing Yin, Knowing Yang.

This is the manifestation of his genius, and also the reason for his genius.

2. It's the end of the month, asking for monthly tickets and recommendations, comments and messages are welcome!

(End of chapter)