Chapter 441: Zhen Xun Zhen Jian, the New Neighbor

Within the outer sect grounds, a small courtyard, though modest, contained everything it needed and was quite elegant.

Of the four households in the courtyard, all were now fully occupied, even the southern room having welcomed a new resident yesterday.

This new neighbor had yet to appear, but the carriage used for their move was drawn by a Spirit Beast—the White Tiger of Leize—its grandeur immense.

It seemed even more extravagant than the wealthy young lady Xie Wanwan.

As for comparison with the occupant of the opposite house, Cai Yingzhao, further observation was needed, since the Cai family was a prominent clan of the Divine Capital.

Of the four, Yu Ke was unquestionably the most destitute.

Of the four room doors in the courtyard, only the southern room's door had been opened early.

All disciples in the outer sect were at the Second Heavenly Ladder realm; their daily cultivation time could not be too long, or it would harm their bodies.

In Yu Ke's memory, his opposite neighbor Xie Wanwan typically rose only at noon.

Could this new neighbor also be someone "diligent and hardworking"?

Yu Ke paid it no mind.

He walked to an open space on the left side of the courtyard's pond, roughly one zhang away.

Several wooden dummies stood there, covered in countless faint scratches.

These dummies were carved from "Ironwood," a material both hard and wooden in texture.

Ironwood was a rare timber unique to the cultivation world, as tough as metal.

The outer sect's examinations also used such dummies.

Ordinary outer sect disciples used them as sparring partners.

Around the open space were arranged weapons: knives, spears, swords, halberds.

It had the feel of a training ground!

Yu Ke lifted his longsword, assumed a stance, and warmed up.

He could not help but feel refreshed and invigorated—both the sword in his hand and every joint in his body yearned to move.

"Zheng—"

The longsword unsheathed, radiating cold light; its hum echoed like a clear spring flowing—clear, sharp, and stirring.

The swordwind stirred the white pear blossoms in the courtyard into dance.

Yu Ke shifted his stance, executing his family's sword technique move by move.

His body moved like a light swallow, sweeping the blade, then spinning back to thrust.

He stood sideways!

Gripping the hilt, the blade trembled continuously.

Spiritual energy surged from within him, gently covering the magic sword—as if guided by sudden insight, in a way his former self had never imagined.

He used his own spiritual power to trigger resonance and vibration in the spiritual energy surrounding the blade.

In Yu Ke's mind surfaced the profound insights of Yu Clan's First Ancestor from the first chapter of the "Jun Tian Sword Scripture."

It contained not only sword techniques, but the First Ancestor's understanding of the Dao of Heaven and Earth.

"Between Heaven and Earth, only one qi flows. Through its changes in motion and stillness, it divides into Yin and Yang; through the passage of time, it gives rise to the Four Symbols."

"Water embodies the Great Yin; Fire, the Great Yang; Wood manifests the Lesser Yang; Metal, the Lesser Yin; while Earth is the fusion of Yin and Yang, the harmonious condensation of the four elements: Wood, Fire, Metal, and Water."

Yu Ke understood this as:

All things in the universe are composed of two opposing yet unified forces—Yin and Yang—interdependent and mutually transforming.

All things are formed through five elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—mutually restraining and generating, cycling endlessly.

Within the Five Elements, Yin and Yang further divide: Fire has Yang Fire and Yin Fire; Wood has Yang Wood and Yin Wood.

This was the ultimate truth of Heaven and Earth!

All things possess Yin and Yang; they cannot be severed. Yin and Yang must coexist; every phenomenon contains the nature of Yin and Yang.

This technique, "Jun Tian Zhen Jian," originated from a pair in the Eight Trigrams—【Zhen and Xun】—whose Yin-Yang roots shared a common origin, both stemming from the Zhen trigram.

The "Zhen" in this sword technique drew its essence from this trigram.

"Jun Tian Zhen Jian" was also called "Zhen Xun Zhen Jian."

Within the subtle process of Yin-Yang transformation lay immense power; "Jun Tian Zhen Jian" aimed to amplify this power—like using four taels to move a thousand catties—pushing this latent force to its extreme.

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

It demanded the cultivator capture the fleeting moment of Yin-Yang transformation in an instant.

Yet Yu Ke was confident.

Since opening the "Shen Tian Point," his senses and spiritual perception had risen another level.

He quieted his mind and sensed!

A faint, subtle breath of wind seemed to brush through the courtyard.

"Now!"

On the blade, a clear glow rippled; threads of spiritual energy fell like boiling water, swirling and vibrating upon it.

The blade trembled ceaselessly, humming like a cicada.

"The sword trembles like cicada wings, its might striking like thunder!"

Yu Ke channeled part of his spiritual power into it, raised his arm, and slashed at the wooden dummy.

To his disbelief, the blade sank more than three inches deep into the dummy.

"This…" Yu Ke stared at the dummy, his heart stunned beyond words.

His former self, exerting all his strength, could only leave faint scratches on this dummy—yet now, with merely one-tenth of his effort, the result was astonishing!

At the instant the blade pierced the dummy, Yu Ke keenly sensed the spiritual energy swirling around the blade quietly seeped into the wood.

The dummy shuddered slightly, then gradually stilled—as if undergoing an invisible purification.

This was merely a wooden dummy—if applied to a flesh-and-blood body, it would surely damage the internal organs, with unthinkable consequences!

Yu Ke was inwardly alarmed, gaining a deeper understanding of this sword technique's power.

This sword technique, it was said, had been created by Yu Clan's First Ancestor in his youth.

Yu Ke could not help but marvel: "This is too powerful!"

Records of the First Ancestor's youth in the family were scarce, and it was never explicitly stated whether he had achieved "Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment."

Yet the sheer power of this technique convinced Yu Ke: the First Ancestor must have possessed the extraordinary talent of "Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment."

How could one create such a technique in youth without "Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment"?

Now, he too had acquired another bottom-line sword technique.

Yu Ke was pleased.

If perfected, this technique might, at the time of Third Heavenly Ladder Foundation Establishment, coalesce into an immensely powerful "Dao Art."

Dao Arts were activated by spiritual essence; their power surpassed ordinary martial techniques by more than tenfold.

After Foundation Establishment, entering the Third Heavenly Ladder, cultivators could open two Celestial Dwellings—meaning they could learn and master two Dao Arts.

If one achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, they received the Heavenly Dao Seed's blessing, naturally gaining an extra Dao Art—granting cultivators greater confidence on their path.

After Foundation Establishment, every choice of Dao Art was crucial.

Some Dao Arts focused on offense; others on defense.

Each varied in function.

Among the Eight Inner Sect Branches, one was called "He Shou Peak," where cultivators specialized in growing various heavenly treasures.

After their Foundation Establishment, they typically planted the Dao Art "Minor Spirit Rain," to summon moisture and irrigate their spirit fields, ensuring the healthy growth of spirit herbs.

There were also Dao Arts designed to complement Spirit Beasts.

Dao Arts were endlessly variable, without limit.

The Eight Inner Sect Branches each had their own strengths.

Yu Ke planned to test the simulated versions of Lu Chen's "Primordial Skill" and "Void Bright Fist."

And most eagerly, the Dao Arts "Refining the Heavenly Tribulation Hand" and "Forbidden Character Decree!"

As he pondered, he moved.

At this moment!

Though he did not turn, he sensed two figures slowly emerging from the southern room.

"Younger brother, excellent swordplay!"

A crisp round of applause and praise, filled with genuine admiration.

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

A man and a woman.

Yu Ke glanced—both had come from the southern room!

Were these the new neighbors from last night?

The youth walking ahead, who had spoken, smiled and greeted him.

"Younger brother, truly excellent swordplay!"

The man wore neatly fitted outer sect robes of the Shen Xiao Sect, tall and slender, a red cord tied at his waist, hanging a black jade seal carved with a dragon's head.

His features were exquisitely handsome, eyes like peach blossoms—yet devoid of any feminine charm, radiating instead refined ease.

A man of elegant bearing!

His appearance and aura were no less impressive than Cai Yingzhao across the courtyard.

The woman beside him, Yu Ke found surprising—she was someone he knew.

She wore green robes, her face gentle and beautiful.

The Wang clan of Langya, Great Zhou: Wang Yunxi.

Yu Ke attended his first banquet precisely when Wang Yunxi of the Langya Wang clan was promoted to the Inner Sect.

A banquet was held for this occasion!

That feast, well-fed and well-drunk, marked Yu Ke's first outing in this realm.

He remembered her vividly.

He never expected to encounter her at his small courtyard residence.

Someone who could have Wang Yunxi, an Inner Sect disciple, accompany them must be no ordinary person.

And yet he called himself Senior Brother—Yu Ke had been wandering outside for four years, with only one year left before graduation.

Could this man have been here even longer?

Wang Yunxi furrowed her brows slightly, as if struggling to recall something; after a moment, she exclaimed:

"Is it Yu… Senior Brother Yu of Luoshui?"

Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

Upon hearing this, Yu Ke smiled warmly yet humbly, giving a slight nod and greeting:

"Senior Sister Wang, it's been several days—may you be well."

Wang Yunxi lifted her gaze to study him: Yu Ke held a sword behind his back, his figure tall and lean.

His features were coldly refined, his demeanor detached and composed, his movements effortless, radiating an aura of steadiness and calm that was impossible to ignore.

He did not match the image of Senior Brother Yu she remembered.

What had changed in just a few days?

Wang Yunxi muttered inwardly, beginning to doubt whether she had misremembered.

Had her memory betrayed her?

She had seen him just five days ago, yet she had no recollection of him at all.

Wang Yunxi had hosted the banquet and naturally knew who had attended.

Yu Ke was a minor branch of the Yu family, unimportant and possessing no special talents—no need for her to cultivate ties with him.

The man beside Wang Yunxi chuckled: "You know him? How coincidental."

Wang Yunxi snapped back to herself and introduced briefly: "This is Senior Brother Yu Ke, from Luoshui in Great Zhou."

"This is Chen Jingqiu, Senior Brother Chen…"

Wang Yunxi hesitated, leaving the rest unsaid.

The man spoke bluntly: "Tianqing Divine Dynasty, Luoyun Mountain: Chen Jingqiu."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ke's heart stirred slightly.

Tianqing Divine Dynasty, Luoyun Mountain—these names were not unfamiliar to him.

Though he knew little of divine dynasties beyond Great Zhou, Luoyun Mountain's Chen family was legendary—their name thundered through the land.

The Tianqing Divine Dynasty's strength far surpassed that of Great Zhou.

The Chen family of Luoyun Peak boasted five Great True Persons, a reputation that inspired awe.

Especially Chen Xiao, the Chen family's patriarch, a great cultivator renowned across all three continents—his status was so high even the Shenxiao Sect showed him deference.

The three continents collectively revered the Shenxiao Sect, beneath which lay dozens of cultivation dynasties.

Every ruler of a cultivation dynasty within the three continents must gain the Shenxiao Sect's recognition to rule legitimately.

As a sect titan, the Shenxiao Sect bore the responsibility of safeguarding their legitimacy.

Though sects and dynasties jointly governed the world, the true masters behind the scenes remained the sects.

Once, Chen Xiao had secretly executed the emperor of the Tianqing Divine Dynasty without the Shenxiao Sect's knowledge—an outright challenge to its authority.

No family in the three continents dared defy the Shenxiao Sect; all bowed to its will.

Yet astonishingly, the Shenxiao Sect did not erupt in fury—instead, it tacitly accepted the new emperor Chen Xiao had installed.

This incident had shaken the three continents.

The Chen family's power far outstripped Wang Yunxi's Langya Wang clan by several orders of magnitude—they were a true great clan.

How could a member of such a family appear in the Shenxiao Sect's Outer Sect?

Could he also be an unpreferred collateral branch?

Even so, a collateral branch of this caliber was not a family like the Yus' to provoke.

"So you are Senior Brother Chen—my apologies for the oversight."

Chen Jingqiu returned the greeting.

This gesture surprised Wang Yunxi.

This Senior Brother Chen was her cousin, the object of her lifelong admiration.

He was the eldest son of the Chen family's main house, a prodigy of exceptional talent, deeply cherished by his family, and personally raised by Patriarch Chen Xiao since childhood.

The Chen family's "Qilin Child," a true child of heaven.

Even some Chen elders bowed respectfully when they met him.

Though her cousin was always composed and gentle, his nature had never been so proactive in forging connections before.

"Senior Brother Yu, the sword technique you just used was truly remarkable—what is its name?"

Yu Ke replied: "Merely a family sword art."

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

"Could it be the 'Jun Tian Sword Art' created by Yu Chuan, the Yu family elder? One of its forms, 'Jun Tian Zhen Jian,' does bear strong resemblance to your technique."

"The 'Jun Tian Sword Art' was once famed throughout the land; its final form was even hailed as equal to a great divine art."

Hearing this, Yu Ke's heart trembled slightly.

The Yu family's sword techniques were never passed outside the clan, and over time, their glory had been forgotten by the world—even at their peak, they had never matched the strength of today's Luoyun Peak Chen family.

Yet this man could identify its origin at a glance, as if reciting family lore.

This was the depth of a great clan.

For Yu Ke, it was like grasping at shadows.

"Senior Brother Chen, your knowledge is truly impressive!"

Yu Ke sincerely praised.

Wang Yunxi listened as her cousin spoke, her eyes filled with admiration.

Her cousin Chen Jingqiu had been learned since childhood, absorbing martial arts from countless schools, and had long since completed the Second Ladder realm, possessing three divine abilities.

He had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, merely pursuing the "Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment."

Patriarch Chen Xiao of the Chen family had once said: "With Jingqiu in the family, the Chen clan shall know no worry for three thousand years."

Chen Jingqiu had joined the Shenxiao Sect in his youth and rented the southern room of this courtyard.

Yet he had never truly lived here—if he had, his talent and strength would have made him a True Disciple of the Shenxiao Sect long ago.

He had wandered the three continents until this time, when the Yunxiao Immortal opened her mountain to take disciples, and he returned to the Shenxiao Sect.

Chen Jingqiu smiled warmly at Yu Ke.

Yet Wang Yunxi found it strange!

Today, her cousin seemed unusually talkative.

Yesterday and today, he had barely spoken a word to her.

(End of Chapter)