Chapter 7: Purple Mist Divine Skill

On Chaoyang Peak, Lu Li's figure appeared and disappeared amidst the clouds and mist; as his sword light danced, it seemed to stir up the mountain mists as well.

Huashan Basic Sword Technique, Yangwu Sword Technique, Xiyi Sword Technique... these few Huashan sword arts had all been practiced by Lu Li to the realm of Mastery.

Yet, Lu Li did not stop practicing just because his sword skills were peerless; instead, he reviewed them daily.

To review the old and learn the new—there is nothing better than this.

And today, as he danced with his sword atop Chaoyang Peak, his body, mind, and technique became one, and he seemed to be completely immersed within these mountains.

For a fleeting moment, Lu Li suddenly sensed something.

Above the realm of 'Mastery', there seemed to be an even higher realm!

The Tianxuan Continent divided the levels of martial arts into five grades, from 'Entry' to 'Mastery'.

After Lu Li had practiced his sword arts to Mastery, he had always felt that his sword technique had reached its peak, and his daily reviews were merely out of habit.

But today, he had a sudden realization: Mastery was not the final realm!

The end of the Sword Dao would never stop here.

Like a child who had discovered a new toy, a brilliant light shone in his eyes.

"The Tianxuan Continent focuses on the elevation of realms, but regarding the sword technique itself, it actually falls into a lower tier."

"I have transmigrated into the world of Smiling Proud Wanderer; the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth here is thin, and it cannot be compared to the Tianxuan Continent at all."

"Yet, the exquisiteness of the sword techniques here actually surpasses those of the Tianxuan Continent."

"Perhaps I can use this journey of transmigration to practice my sword techniques to a higher realm!"

"A realm that does not exist on the Tianxuan Continent."

Lu Li secretly planned in his heart.

The strongest sword technique in Smiling Proud Wanderer is undoubtedly the Dugu Nine Swords.

And his choice of Huashan was also for the sake of this sword technique.

Now, Lu Li had already practiced the Huashan sword arts to a sufficient degree.

It was time to take a trip to Siguo Cliff to excavate the "Five Mountains Sword Cave"

and witness the "Dugu Nine Swords."

"Old cat hiding in the back of Huashan, I hope you don't hide from me."

Truth be told, Lu Li was actually a bit worried that he might make the trip for nothing.

After all, the hidden cave of the Dugu Nine Swords and the Five Mountains Sword Technique was considered the exclusive plot of that prodigal protagonist, Linghu Chong.

"To be safe, Senior Brother, I'll have to wrong you by having you face the wall at Siguo Cliff for a while."

Lu Li calmed his breath, walked down Chaoyang Peak, and headed straight for Yue Buqun.

... Half a day later, Yue Buqun gathered all the disciples in the main hall and feigned anger: "Linghu Chong, kneel before your master!"

Linghu Chong was confused and did not know what mistake he had made, but he still obediently knelt down.

He only heard Yue Buqun scold: "You drink all day and neglect your duties, and the task I gave you two days ago went wrong again. This time, I cannot forgive you no matter what; go to Siguo Cliff and face the wall for one year!"

"Pack your things and go today."

Linghu Chong always had small, recurring mistakes when handling sect affairs, and everyone was accustomed to it.

Today, Yue Buqun had found an excuse to be uncharacteristically angry, which made the disciples feel strange, yet they dared not even breathe loudly.

Seeing Linghu Chong being punished, Yue Lingshan carefully crept up, reached out to pull Yue Buqun's sleeve, and acted like a spoiled child: "Dad~"

"Do not plead for him either."

Yue Buqun kept a cold face, showing no mercy at all, and turned to leave the main hall.

Linghu Chong still did not know what great mistake he had committed, but thinking that he often made small mistakes and frequently angered his master, he had no complaints about being punished now.

Seeing that the matter was settled, he had no choice but to get up and go back to pack, preparing to head to Siguo Cliff.

Yue Lingshan said anxiously: "Senior Brother hasn't made any big mistakes lately, why must he go to Siguo Cliff to face the wall for a whole year!"

"Second Senior Brother, Dad usually likes you the most, hurry and go plead for Senior Brother."

Upon hearing this, Lu Li shook his head and smiled: "Master is in a fit of anger, I cannot persuade him either."

"Don't worry, I will go back to deliver food to Senior Brother."

Yue Lingshan stomped her feet in anger and said loudly: "Stinky Second Senior Brother!"

"I'm ignoring you!"

Lu Li paid no more attention to her,

and left the main hall directly.

In his heart, he thought: "The idea of punishing Linghu Chong by sending him to Siguo Cliff was one I suggested to Master, so how could I possibly go and plead for him?"

As it turned out, after Lu Li came down from Chaoyang Peak, he had gone straight to find Yue Buqun.

He got straight to the point and stated three things.

First, Lao Denuo is a double agent.

(A spy from the Songshan Sect has already been planted; the situation at Huashan is not good!)

Second, pass the Purple Mist Divine Skill to Linghu Chong sooner.

(Why not hurry up and improve Huashan's combat power?)

Third, I, Lu Li, do not want to be Master.

(No need to worry about me causing discord within the sect.)

After hearing this, Yue Buqun was greatly shocked, but upon careful thought, it was unexpected yet within reason.

He had long suspected Lao Denuo, but he simply lacked clear evidence.

After some guidance from Lu Li, he had now confirmed the fact that Lao Denuo was a double agent.

Thus, there was the matter of punishing Linghu Chong to face the wall at Siguo Cliff just now.

【61】 Lu Li: Three sentences, and Linghu Chong was sent to Siguo Cliff.

For Yue Buqun, punishing Linghu Chong was actually just to avoid the eyes and ears of Lao Denuo and the others; in reality, it was to pass on the Purple Mist Divine Skill and preserve Huashan.

At the same time, Yue Buqun also figured it out.

This child Lu Li is reliable; he truly has Huashan's best interests at heart.

The secret manual of the Purple Mist Divine Skill does not necessarily have to be passed down to the Master alone; let Lu Li deliver it to Linghu Chong, and let the two of them practice it together.

Yue Buqun: You think I am on the first floor, but in reality, I am on the third floor.

As for Lu Li, on the surface, he is considering Huashan, but in reality, he wants the Dugu Nine Swords!

As for Linghu Chong, he does not lose out either; he obtains the Purple Mist Divine Skill.

For Yue Buqun, Linghu Chong, and Lu Li on Huashan, it is actually a win-win-win situation.

Lu Li: You think I am on the third floor? Yet I am already on the fifth floor.

The only one who is hurt is likely Lao Denuo alone.

He was exposed for no apparent reason.

Lao Denuo: I am falling apart!

The next day, Yue Buqun handed a secret manual to Lu Li.

Lu Li was somewhat puzzled; he looked down and saw that it was actually the Purple Mist Divine Skill!

"Master, what is this for?"

Lu Li asked: "The Purple Mist Divine Skill is not to be practiced by anyone but the Master. Isn't sending Senior Brother to Siguo Cliff for this very reason? Why are you giving the manual to me now?"

"Li'er, I thought carefully all night about what you said to me yesterday.

You and Chong'er are both pillars of my Huashan, and even more so the apples of your Mistress's and my eyes; let this Purple Mist Divine Skill be practiced by you two together.

Publicly, if you two practice this technique, it will be beneficial to Huashan.

Privately, your talent is exceptional, and I cannot bear to see you held back by sect rules.

I only hope that you remember your original intention and do not kill your fellow disciples because of a single technique, just like the Sword-Qi Conflict of the past..."

Seeing Lu Li still standing there motionless, Yue Buqun said in a deep voice: "Will you not even listen to your Master's words? After all, I am the Master, and these rules can be slightly modified."

Lu Li took the Purple Mist Divine Skill manual and gave Yue Buqun a solemn bow.

He understood these words.

For Lu Li, this manual was also a responsibility.

Originally, he had intended to help the Huashan Sect, but it was merely a mission for his transmigration.

Now, the people of Huashan have changed because of him.

The warmth and coldness of human relationships during this time, how could a few lines in a book express it? At this moment, Lu Li sincerely and genuinely wanted to help Huashan.

Watching Lu Li walk out of the room, Yue Buqun muttered: "As a master, I have been cautious and followed the rules my whole life, yet today I have stepped out of line..."