Chapter 61: Huashan Sword Debate

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

Within these three years, there were three major events whispered about throughout the jianghu.

And all three of these events were related to the Huashan Sect.

The first event was the battle at Songshan three years ago that shook the world.

After the battle at Songshan, the Songshan Sect was struck from the records of the jianghu, and the Shaolin Temple even sealed its gates and refused to come out; the righteous martial arts world suffered a severe blow to its vitality.

Strangely, the Sun Moon Holy Cult also quieted down significantly, presumably because Dongfang Bubai and Ren Yingying were secretly restraining them, forbidding them from causing trouble.

Or perhaps, these evil paths were so widely discussed that not only did Lu Li's prestige become famous throughout the jianghu, but even the Huashan Sect, with everyone acting like dragons, became the sect with the highest reputation in the jianghu.

Before this, everyone said, "All martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin."

After that, no one dared to call Huashan second in the way of sword techniques, and there was a faint trend of "swords returning to Huashan."

The second event was the position of Master of the Huashan Sect.

One year ago, the first disciple of the Huashan Sect, Linghu Chong, married the daughter of Master Yue Buqun, Yue Lingshan; on the same day, Yue Buqun passed the position of Huashan Master to Linghu Chong.

On the day of the grand ceremony, heroes from all over the world came to Huashan to offer their congratulations.

On one hand, both Linghu Chong and Yue Buqun were people with wide circles of friends and had many friends in the jianghu.

On the other hand, many who had not received invitations also consciously came to offer gifts, presumably because of that second disciple, Lu Li, who was living in seclusion and cultivating at the peak of Huashan.

The masters of the Hengshan, Taishan, and Mount Heng (Hunan) sects each brought their most proud disciples to offer congratulations.

Shaolin did not show its face, but Daoist Chongxu of Wudang came in person.

Besides them, there were nearly a thousand people, including masters of various large and small sects such as the Emei Sect.

However, the people from the Emei Sect looked somewhat sorrowful; besides coming to offer gifts, they also held a private talk with Yue Buqun.

Some people from Shu claimed that Yu Canghai had once gone to Emei alone and defeated eight Elders of Emei with his sword.

Since the battle at Songshan, Yu Canghai had lived in seclusion for a year, then re-emerged in the jianghu to challenge various major sects, already reviving the title of Songfeng Temple from back then: "West of the Three Gorges, First in Sword Technique."

The third event was the Huashan Sword Debate!

That day at the Songshan Sect, Lu Li and Dongfang Bubai made an agreement to meet again for a battle at the peak of Huashan on the same day three years later.

Some veterans of the jianghu mentioned that it seemed there had also been a Huashan Sword Debate several hundred years ago.

At that time, five experts gathered at Huashan, known as the "Five Greats."

Unexpectedly, such a grand occasion could be reproduced in the current martial arts world.

However, people were curious about one point.

That was, the Huashan Sword Debate of the past had the "Five Greats," but in today's jianghu, where could one find three more people who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Lu Li and Dongfang Bubai? Could it be that at this peak of Huashan, there were only Lu Li and Dongfang Bubai?... Huashan.

On the training grounds, Linghu Chong and several other fellow disciples were practicing their swords.

One could see several people using the same set of Huashan Sword Technique; although the moves were the same, they looked completely different.

Yue Buqun stood to the side, watching the Huashan disciples being so promising, and felt immensely comforted in his heart.

Come to think of it, watching these disciples practice their swords, he could always faintly see the shadow of Lu Li.

But upon closer thought, it was not surprising.

It was only because during these three years, besides his own quiet cultivation, Lu Li had been teaching sword techniques to his fellow disciples.

Linghu Chong had the highest aptitude; he not only mastered the Five Mountains Sword Technique but also mastered the Dugu Nine Swords.

If one were to rate Linghu Chong's sword technique, it had already reached the level of Mastery, but it was still far from Lu Li's Sword Intent and the realm of Dongfang Bubai.

Liang Fa was the most diligent; having occasionally walked the jianghu over the past three years, his killing was decisive, and he already had the shadow of Lu Li's Asura Sword from back then.

Not only that, his sword technique faintly carried the killing intent of a thousand armies and horses, unexpectedly carrying some of the strict and imposing aura of the Songshan Sect's sword techniques.

It turned out that Lu Li had said he wanted to preserve the heritage of the Songshan Sect, so he passed the Sword Intent of the Songshan Sect to several junior brothers.

It was just that Liang Fa's temperament was the most suitable, so he had achieved success in his practice, but he was still far from the realm of Sword Intent.

The other junior brothers also each obtained the heritage of a few sects' sword techniques.

For example, Lu Dayou had a mischievous personality and always carried a monkey on his shoulder, looking just like a street performer.

Perhaps related to his personality, he actually grasped a few essences of Lu Li's Hengshan Sword.

In his sword technique, besides the strange danger of Huashan, it carried a trace of unpredictability.

Watching him draw his sword was like watching magic; it was true and false, making it impossible for people to distinguish.

On this day, the number of guests on Huashan suddenly increased.

It turned out that the day of the Huashan Sword Debate was approaching.

In the Zhengqi Hall, Yue Buqun stood under the plaque of "Sword Qi Piercing the Clouds," looking toward the distant peaks.

Ning Zhongze walked over carrying tea and said, "Senior brother, do not worry too much."

Yue Buqun took the teacup from her hand, smiled slightly, and said, "Over these three years, as Li'er taught Chong'er and the others sword techniques, I knew that Li'er's sword technique had reached a higher level.

But the opponent is Dongfang Bubai; no matter how high Li'er's martial arts are, I am still worried."

"Moreover, the enemy may not be just Dongfang Bubai alone."

Yue Buqun sighed and said, "Before, I never placed Yu Canghai in my eyes.

But recently, news of him has been coming in constantly; I imagine Yu Canghai will not be content with the title of 'West of the Three Gorges' and will likely come up the mountain as well.

If he has practiced even eighty percent of Dongfang Bubai's speed, that is terrifying; furthermore, his Qingcheng lineage has had Daoist heritage for thousands of years and cannot be underestimated."

Ning Zhongze smiled slightly and said, "Li'er has high aspirations; you and I should not worry too much, lest we become a burden to him."

Yue Buqun nodded and said, "What you say is correct."

Just then, Lu Dayou walked over to pay his respects and said, "Master, the eldest senior brother and third senior brother are receiving the heroes outside, but a few special people have arrived."

"Oh? How are they special?"

"It is, it is a eunuch official from the palace.

Some say that is a Great Eunuch from the palace."

Yue Buqun was startled in his heart, recalling the origin of the Sunflower Manual that Lu Li had spoken of, and hurriedly followed Lu Dayou out.

He saw that in the courtyard, a crowd of heroes had gathered.

Linghu Chong walked up quickly and said, "Master, two people have gone up the mountain.

One of them is Yu Canghai, and the other is an official; Liang Fa could not stop them."

It turned out that the path up the mountain was guarded by Liang Fa and several others to prevent some martial arts figures from going up to disturb them.

But these two people's martial arts were too high, and Liang Fa could not stop them.

Daoist Chongxu said, "Young Hero Liang's sword technique is already extremely high, but those two strike as fast as lightning, and their movement techniques are like ghosts, making it difficult to parry.

Come to think of it, it is very similar to the martial arts of Dongfang Bubai..."

The crowd looked toward the mountain peak; it was originally a battle between Lu Li and Dongfang Bubai, but they had not expected two more experts to enter the fray.

How this ending would turn out made everyone feel extremely impatient.

Many could no longer hold back, and ignoring the obstruction of the Huashan Sect, they rushed up the mountain path in a swarm.

But having just taken two steps, a fierce Sword Qi suddenly came toward them, forcing the crowd to retreat violently.

"This!

We are still at the foot of the mountain, yet we can feel such Sword Qi?"

"In this world, how could there be such internal energy and sword technique?"

"On the mountain, what exactly has happened?"

At the peak of Huashan, Lu Li stood holding his sword, dressed in a green robe.

He gazed into the distance, seemingly appreciating the landscape before him with a touch of nostalgia.

Suddenly, he spoke: "Finally here."

Lu Li turned around and saw three people.

He saw the woman to the north wearing red clothes, holding an Embroidered Needle between her fingers.

The Daoist to the west was short in stature, with a wisp of beard under his chin, holding a long sword and watching Lu Li.

The person to the south was tall and wearing blue official robes.

Lu Li recognized two of them, but he did not recognize that official.

"May I ask the name of this official?"

"My surname is Lin. I heard the martial arts world was in chaos, and even Fangzheng could not control it.

Martial arts matters are settled by martial arts; I shall come to meet you martial arts people."

Surname Lin? Lu Li was stunned; it seemed that these people in the palace were related to the Lin Family? But the cause and effect of it no longer needed to be scrutinized.

He vaguely recalled his choice when he first arrived in the Smiling Proud World; perhaps this eunuch surnamed Lin was the exclusive mission for that branch.

But regardless, today he had to deal with three Sunflower Manuals? The corners of Lu Li's mouth lifted slightly; three Sunflower Manuals, interesting.

He had cultivated in seclusion for three years and had long since thoroughly mastered the Five Mountains Sword Momentum.

"The three of you, come together."

Sword Qi surged and crisscrossed, slashing toward the three of them simultaneously.

All three were startled; they were people of immense pride, yet they were provoked by Lu Li's Sword Qi into subconsciously attacking together.

They saw three figures all like ghosts; the red, blue, and gray figures disappeared from their spots at the same time, along with sword light, the Embroidered Needle, and fingertips.

Different weapons, yet the same top-tier technique!

Their speed was already the peak of martial artists in the world, and being able to stand on this peak of Huashan was proof of that.

There was no one in this world who could stop them, not even the previous Lu Li.

But at this moment, Lu Li no longer had any worries or attachments.

"Hahaha!

Three copies of the Sunflower Manual are barely enough to see me off."

Slash!

With this sword, he restored his identity as a cultivator.

Suddenly, a Sword Song rang out, and the people at the foot of the mountain saw a streak of Sword Qi shoot into the sky, forming a distinct arc that sliced the sky into two sides.

The clouds to the west, south, and north were shattered, while on the east side, the morning glow was vast, and Purple Qi came from the east.

This was the realm of an immortal.

The crowd at the foot of the mountain was shocked by the phenomenon, and no one dared to go up the mountain again.

A full half-day passed, and still, no one walked down from the mountain.

Yue Buqun, Linghu Chong, Daoist Chongxu, and several famous martial arts masters carefully went up the mountain together, only to see that the peak was empty, with only one sword thrust into the mountain rock.

Yue Buqun recognized that the sword was the 'Taiyue' he had passed on to Lu Li.

(Smiling Proud Wanderer arc, end)