Chapter 240

The small courtyard within the Outer Sect, though not large, had everything one needed and was quite elegant.

The four households in the courtyard were now all occupied, even the south room having welcomed a new tenant yesterday.

This new neighbor had yet to appear, but the carriage used for moving was pulled by a spirit beast like a "Lei Ze White Tiger," a display of grandeur.

It seemed even more extravagant than the little rich girl, Xie Xie Wanwan.

As for comparing with Cai Cai Yingzhao across the way, that remained to be seen, as the Cai family was a prominent clan in the Divine Capital.

Among the four, "Yu Ke" was indisputably the most down-and-out.

Now, of the four room doors in the small courtyard, only the south room's door had been opened early.

Disciples in the Outer Sect were all at the Second Heavenly Ladder realm, and daily cultivation sessions could not be too long, otherwise, it would cause damage to the body.

In Yu Ke's memory, Xie Xie Wanwan across the way basically didn't get up until noon every day.

Could this new neighbor also be a "diligent and hardworking" person?

Yu Ke, however, did not pay it any mind.

He walked to the open space on the left side of the courtyard's pond, a spot over a zhang in size.

Several human-shaped wooden puppets were placed there, covered in dense, shallow scratches.

These puppets were all made of "Ironwood," with a texture that was both hard and wood-like.

Ironwood was a type of timber unique to the cultivation world, as hard as ironware.

The Outer Sect examinations also used these kinds of puppets.

Ordinary Outer Sect disciples also used these puppets as "sparring partners."

Weapons such as blades, spears, swords, and halberds were arranged around the open space.

It had the feel of a "training ground"!

Yu Ke held his long sword, took a stance, and warmed up.

It had to be said, he felt a sense of refreshment; whether it was the sword in his hand or every joint in his body, everything was eager to move.

"Clang—"

The long sword left its sheath, cold light radiating everywhere, the sound of the sword ringing like a flowing clear spring, crisp and stirring.

The stirred-up sword wind made the white pear blossoms in the courtyard dance.

Yu Ke shifted his stance, executing his family's sword techniques one by one.

He was as light as a swallow, sweeping the sword blade, turning and thrusting,

Standing sideways!

Gripping the hilt, the sword blade vibrated incessantly.

The spiritual energy surging within his body gently covered the magic sword, as if he had a flash of inspiration, in a way his predecessor had never imagined.

Using his own spiritual power, he triggered the resonance and vibration of the spiritual energy surrounding the sword blade.

In Yu Ke's mind, the exquisite discourse from the first chapter of the "Jun Tian Sword Art" by the Yu family's founding ancestor emerged.

It contained not only sword techniques but also the founding ancestor's understanding of the Dao of Heaven and Earth.

"Between Heaven and Earth, there is only one flow of Qi. Because of the changes in movement and stillness, it divides into yin and yang; because of the passage of time, there is the division of the four symbols."

"Water is the symbol of Great Yin; fire is the sign of Great Yang; wood shows the posture of Lesser Yang; metal presents the state of Lesser Yin; and earth is the harmonious condensation of yin and yang and the four symbols of wood, fire, metal, and water."

Yu Ke's understanding of this was:

All things in the universe are composed of two opposing yet unified forces, yin and yang, which depend on and transform into each other.

The composition of all things involves the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, which restrain and nourish each other in a cycle.

Within the five elements, there is also a division of yin and yang; for instance, fire has yang fire and yin fire, and wood has yang wood and yin wood.

This is the supreme principle between Heaven and Earth!

All things have yin and yang, which cannot be separated; yin and yang must depend on each other, and all things contain the characteristics of yin and yang.

And this style of "Jun Tian Shaking Sword" originated from a set within the Eight Trigrams—【Zhen and Xun】; their yin-yang relationship of the same root meant they shared the same origin, both stemming from the Zhen trigram.

The "Shaking" in this sword move was derived from the essence of this trigram.

The "Jun Tian Shaking Sword" was also called the "Zhen-Xun Shaking Sword."

In the subtle process of yin-yang transformation, there lies a powerful force, and the "Jun Tian Shaking Sword" aimed to amplify this force, like "four ounces moving a thousand pounds," bringing this latent power to its extreme.

Although this was theoretical knowledge, putting it into practice was by no means easy.

It required the practitioner to capture the subtle moment of yin-yang transformation in an instant.

However, Yu Ke was full of confidence.

Since opening the "Shen Tian Acupoint," his five senses and spiritual perception had leaped to another level.

He calmed his mind and perceived!

There seemed to be a subtle breath of a light breeze passing through the courtyard.

"Now is the time!"

On the long sword, a pool of clear light rippled, and wisps of spiritual energy fell like water on a boiling surface, winding and vibrating upon it.

The sword blade vibrated incessantly, ringing like the chirping of cicadas.

"The sword vibrates like cicada wings, its power strikes the earth like thunder!"

Yu Ke poured a portion of his spiritual power into it, raised his hand, and slashed at the wooden puppet in the courtyard.

Incredibly, the sword blade sank more than three inches deep into the puppet.

"This..." Yu Ke looked at the puppet, his heart filled with indescribable shock.

His predecessor, Yu Ke, had used all his strength and could only leave a few shallow scratches on this puppet, yet now, using only one part of his strength, he had achieved such an astonishing effect!

The moment the sword tip sank into the puppet, Yu Ke keenly sensed that the spiritual energy originally swirling around the sword blade had quietly burrowed into the puppet.

The puppet vibrated slightly, then gradually calmed down, as if it had undergone an invisible baptism.

This was just a puppet; if it were a flesh-and-blood body, wouldn't it damage the internal organs? The consequences would be unimaginable!

Yu Ke was secretly shocked, gaining a deeper understanding of the power of this sword art.

This style of sword art was said to have been created by the Yu family's founding ancestor in his youth.

Yu Ke couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "This is too strong!"

Within the family, there were few records of this founding ancestor's youth, and it was never explicitly mentioned whether he had achieved "Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment."

But the power of this sword move made Yu Ke firmly believe that this founding ancestor must have possessed the astonishing talent of "Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment."

To be able to create such a sword move in his youth, how could he not have achieved "Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment"!

Now, he could consider himself to have an extra trump card in his sword moves.

Yu Ke was happy in his heart.

If this sword move were cultivated to the extreme, when establishing the foundation at the Third Heavenly Ladder, it might even be possible to condense it into an unparalleled "Dao Art."

Dao Arts were driven by spiritual essence, and their power was more than ten times greater than ordinary martial arts.

After establishing the foundation and stepping into the Third Heavenly Ladder, a cultivator could open up two grotto-heavens, meaning they could learn and master two Dao Arts.

And if one achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, one would be blessed by the Heavenly Dao seed, naturally possessing an extra Dao Art, which undoubtedly gave the cultivator more confidence on the path of cultivation.

After foundation establishment, the choice of each Dao Art was crucial.

Some Dao Arts focused on attack, while others focused on defense.

There were many varieties.

Among the eight veins of the Inner Sect, there was one called "He Shou Peak," where cultivators specialized in planting various types of spiritual treasures of Heaven and Earth.

After establishing their foundation, the Dao Art they planted was mostly the "Small Spiritual Rain Art," used to summon water vapor to irrigate the spiritual fields, making the spiritual herbs grow vigorously.

There were also "Dao Arts" used in coordination with spiritual beasts.

Dao Arts were ever-changing and inexhaustible.

The eight veins of the Inner Sect each had their own merits.

Yu Ke prepared to try the "Innate Art" and "Empty Bright Fist" of Lu Chen from the simulation.

And the most anticipated "Heaven-Refining Robbery Hand" and the "Forbidden Word Decision" Dao Art!

Just as he was contemplating, he took action.

At this moment!

Although he didn't turn his head, he sensed that two people were slowly walking out of the south room.

"Junior Brother, what a fine sword technique!"

A burst of crisp applause and praise came, carrying a touch of genuine admiration.

Hearing this, Yu Ke turned slightly, his gaze falling on the newcomers.

A man and a woman.

Yu Ke glanced at them; they had come from the south room!

Was this the neighbor who arrived last night?

The one who had just spoken was the young man walking in front, who was greeting him with a smile.

"Junior Brother, truly a fine sword technique!"

The man wore a neat Outer Sect uniform of the Shenxiao Sect, which fit him perfectly; he had a slender figure, and a red rope tied around his waist, from which hung an ink jade seal carved with a dragon head.

His features were extremely handsome and refined, his eyes like peach blossoms, without a trace of delicate charm, but instead revealing a scholarly and easygoing manner.

As elegant as a jade tree in the wind!

His appearance and temperament were not at all inferior to Cai Cai Yingzhao across from Yu Ke.

As for the woman beside the man, Yu Ke was somewhat surprised; she was actually someone he knew.

The woman was dressed in green and had a gentle and beautiful appearance.

Wang Wang Yunxi of the Langya Wang family of the Great Zhou.

The first time Yu Ke attended a banquet, it was precisely because this Wang Wang Yunxi of the Langya Wang family had been promoted to the Inner Sect.

A banquet was held for this reason!

That time, having eaten and drunk his fill, it was the first time Yu Ke, who had come to this world, had gone out.

He had a deep impression of her.

He didn't expect to meet her in his small courtyard residence.

Being able to have Wang Wang Yunxi, an Inner Sect disciple, accompany him, this person's status was not ordinary.

And he called himself "Yu Shixiong"; one had to know that Yu Ke had been drifting in the Outer Sect for four years, with only one year left before graduation.

Could it be that this person had been here longer?

Wang Wang Yunxi frowned slightly, as if trying hard to recall something, and a moment later, she realized.

"Is it... Yu Shixiong Yu from Luoshui?"

Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

Hearing this, Yu Ke smiled warmly yet modestly, nodded slightly, and greeted:

"Junior Sister Wang, it has been a few days, I hope you have been well."

Wang Wang Yunxi raised her eyes to look him up and down; Yu Ke held his sword behind his back, his figure tall and slender.

His brows and eyes were cold and clear, his expression calm and composed, his demeanor at ease, and his whole body exuded a sense of stability and composure that made it hard for people to ignore.

He didn't seem to match the Yu Shixiong Yu Ke in her impression.

How many days had it been?

Wang Wang Yunxi muttered to herself, unable to help but suspect if she had remembered wrong.

Could it be that there was a deviation in her memory?

She seemed to have met him five days ago, but Wang Wang Yunxi seemed to have no impression of him at all.

Wang Wang Yunxi had held a banquet, so she naturally knew something about those who came to the banquet.

Yu Ke was a side branch of the Yu family that was not valued, had no other talents, and she didn't need to specifically socialize with him.

The man beside Wang Wang Yunxi smiled: "Wang Yunxi actually knows him, that's a coincidence."

Wang Wang Yunxi also came back to her senses and introduced: "This is Yu Shixiong Yu Ke, Yu Ke, from Luoshui, Great Zhou."

"This is Chen Sanzhong Chen Jingqiu..."

Wang Wang Yunxi hesitated for a moment and did not finish the rest of her words.

The man, however, said straightforwardly: "Chen Chen Jingqiu, from Luoyun Mountain, Tianqing Divine Dynasty."

Yu Ke felt a slight tremor in his heart upon hearing this.

Tianqing Divine Dynasty and Luoyun Mountain were not unfamiliar names to him.

Although he was not familiar with divine dynasties outside the Great Zhou, Luoyun Mountain, as the number one family of the Tianqing Divine Dynasty, was like thunder to his ears.

The strength of the Tianqing Divine Dynasty far exceeded that of the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty.

The Chen family of Luoyun Peak, with five Great True Person in the clan, was even more awe-inspiring.

Especially the Chen family ancestor, Chen Xiao, who was a Great Cultivator famous throughout the three continents, and whose status was so high that even the Shenxiao Sect had to give him three points of respect.

The three continents all respected the Shenxiao Sect, and under the Shenxiao Sect, there were dozens of cultivation dynasties.

Every ruler of a cultivation dynasty within the three continents had to be recognized by the Shenxiao Sect to legitimately rule a region.

As a giant among sects, the Shenxiao Sect also shouldered the responsibility of protecting their legitimacy.

Although the sect and the dynasty ruled the world together, the true master behind the scenes was still the sect.

Once, Chen Xiao, without the knowledge of the Shenxiao Sect, had arbitrarily executed the emperor of the Tianqing Divine Dynasty, which was undoubtedly a challenge to the authority of the Shenxiao Sect.

No family in the three continents dared to collide with the Shenxiao Sect, following its lead in everything.

However, surprisingly, the Shenxiao Sect did not fly into a rage because of this, but instead tacitly accepted the new emperor of the Tianqing Divine Dynasty that Chen Xiao had supported again.

This incident shocked the three continents at the time.

The strength of the Chen family far exceeded that of the Langya Wang family where Wang Wang Yunxi was located by several levels; they were a true great family.

How could such family descendants appear in the Outer Sect of the Shenxiao Sect?

Could it be that they were also unloved side branches?

But even side-branch descendants were not existences that small families like the Yu family could provoke.

"So it is Chen Sanzhong, excuse my lack of respect."

Chen Chen Jingqiu returned the salute.

This action surprised Wang Wang Yunxi.

This Chen Sanzhong was her cousin, the person she had always admired since she was a child.

The legitimate son of the eldest branch of the Chen family, with outstanding talent, deeply loved by the family, and Ancestor Chen Xiao had even kept him by his side since he was a child.

The "Qilin Son" of the Chen family was a true favored son of Heaven.

Some elders of the Chen family had to bow respectfully when they saw him.

Although her cousin had a gentle demeanor, his personality would not be so proactive in making friends as he was today.

"Junior Brother Yu, the sword technique you just used was truly outstanding; I wonder what sword technique it is?"

Yu Ke said: "It is just a family-transmitted sword technique."

After hearing this, Chen Chen Jingqiu nodded slightly, recalling something, and then said:

"Could it be the 'Jun Tian Sword Art' created by the senior Yu Chuan of the Yu family? There seems to be a sword technique in it that is quite similar to the one you just performed, called the 'Jun Tian Shaking Sword'."

"Speaking of the 'Jun Tian Sword Art,' it was a sword technique that shook the world at that time, and its final move was even hailed as being on par with Great Divine Arts."

Hearing this, Yu Ke couldn't help but feel a slight tremor in his heart.

The Yu family's sword techniques were never passed on to outsiders, and with the passage of time, the glory of the Yu family had long been forgotten by the world. Even at the peak of the Yu family, it was not as prosperous as the Chen family of Luoyun Peak today.

However, this person could see the origin of the sword technique at a glance, as if he were counting his family treasures.

This was the foundation of a great family.

For Yu Ke, it was like being blind in both eyes.

"Chen Sanzhong, what great insight!"

Yu Ke praised sincerely.

Wang Wang Yunxi listened to her cousin talking freely on the side, admiration flowing in her eyes.

Her cousin Chen Chen Jingqiu had been learned and talented since childhood, integrating the martial arts of a hundred schools, and had long since reached the perfection of the Second Heavenly Ladder realm, possessing three kinds of divine anomalies.

Now he had not yet established his foundation, only plotting for "Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment."

Ancestor Chen Xiao of the Chen family had said: "With Chen Jingqiu in the Chen family, there will be no worries for three thousand years."

Chen Chen Jingqiu had joined the Shenxiao Sect early on and rented the south room of this small courtyard.

However, he had never truly lived here; otherwise, with his talent and strength, he would probably have long since become a true disciple of the Shenxiao Sect.

He had been traveling through the three continents until this time when Fairy Lady Yunxiao opened the mountain to accept disciples, and he had returned to the Shenxiao Sect.

Chen Chen Jingqiu looked at Yu Ke with a smile.

However, what was strange to Wang Wang Yunxi was!

Her cousin's words today seemed a bit too many.

It seemed that from yesterday to today, her cousin hadn't said a few words to her either.

(End of chapter)