71: Chapter 71 Breaking Illusion Peak, Ninth of the Ten Heroes

It was still Dongan Commandery, still that same mountain, and still the persistent drizzle.

Yu Xiu seemed as if he had never left.

Traveling over a thousand miles, across countless mountains and rivers, yet to Yu Xiu, it felt as if he had only been in the same place.

He was immersed in the lay of the mountain, in the countless minute details of the vegetation and beyond.

Just then, footsteps came treading through the mud, breaking the natural tranquility of the mountain.

It was a young man wearing a dark robe; his appearance was ordinary, yet he possessed an indomitable bearing.

He smiled and spoke: "The mountain is quiet, the drizzle is persistent, and my friend has become one with heaven and earth—what a wonderful state of mind."

'Qin Shaoshang, Powang Peak, Ninth of the Ten Heroes.' Yu Xiu recognized this young man.

It stood to reason that as long as one was a Disciple of the Sect, no one would fail to recognize him.

Even if they hadn't met him, they would have heard of him or seen his image.

"My friend, your breathing has not yet settled, and you are tainted with Demonic Path Qi; I imagine you have been doing something very meaningful." Yu Xiu stood up and began walking up the mountain.

Qin Shaoshang laughed: "Indeed, I was doing something meaningful, but passing by this place, I could not help but be attracted by your aura of becoming one with heaven and earth, which is why I came uninvited."

He cupped his hands in a salute: "I am Qin Shaoshang. May I ask your name, friend?"

Yu Xiu waved his hand: "I am merely an idler between heaven and earth; whether I have a name or not is of no great concern."

'An idler between heaven and earth?' Qin Shaoshang thought, 'Truly an interesting person.'

Qin Shaoshang said: "I saw you in this mountain, appearing as if you had merged with it, returning to heaven and earth; you must have extremely high insights into cultivation."

"I wonder if you are versed in the Sword Dao?"

Yu Xiu: "I know a thing or two."

Qin Shaoshang followed by Yu Xiu's side as they climbed the mountain: "I have a sword technique that possesses the momentum of mountains, but after many years, I have never grasped its true essence."

"Your comprehension of the mountain's momentum, nature, and heaven and earth must be astounding. Would you be willing to spare some time to discuss it?"

His address for Yu Xiu had already changed from 'friend' to 'Sir', hoping to gain inspiration from him to broaden his understanding and achieve a Breakthrough in his sword technique.

Cultivators travel the world, firstly to slay demons and eliminate evil.

Secondly, it is naturally to broaden their horizons and sharpen their cultivation.

Thirdly, it is to meet countless other cultivators, whether like-minded or mere acquaintances, to sit and discuss the Dao, thereby enhancing their cultivation.

Of course, there are also those who ignore each other, or even draw blades against one another.

Qin Shaoshang wanting to discuss the Dao with Yu Xiu was actually not unusual for wandering cultivators.

Yu Xiu did not turn him away; he wished to become the Dao Ancestor of this world, and sooner or later, he would have to embark on the path of preaching the Dao to all living beings.

It was just not yet the time for him to preach to the world.

And when the decline of martial arts became apparent, he would then pass on the Immortal Dao and Demonic Path.

Pointing out the way for anyone is still pointing out the way, especially since this person belonged to the Sword Sect.

"What do you not understand?" Yu Xiu had no intention of discussing the Dao with Qin Shaoshang.

With Qin Shaoshang's meager achievements in the Sword Dao, it would be of no benefit to his own cultivation.

'Hmm? To be so arrogant?' Qin Shaoshang was surprised.

Although he had seen from afar that Yu Xiu had merged with the mountain's momentum and become one with heaven and earth, he knew that Yu Xiu's Realm must be quite high.

But was he himself lacking?

A Disciple of the Qingwei Sword Sect, Ninth of the Ten Heroes of Powang Peak, in the Indestructible Realm, enjoying a lifespan of eight hundred years.

Looking at the entire Qingwei Sword Sect, the only people stronger than him were those veteran experts; among the younger generation, very few were stronger than him.

And if one looked at the entire Yan Province, many sect leaders might not even be able to withstand a single strike from his sword.

The person before him had completely ignored the Opportunity to discuss the Dao with him, arrogantly deciding to directly instruct him instead.

'I'll see just how high an expert you really are!' Qin Shaoshang felt his pride rising within him.

"Since you ask, Sir, I shall, in my incompetence, perform a sword technique for your appraisal." Qin Shaoshang stood still.

Yu Xiu slowly clasped his hands behind his back and nodded slightly: "Just practice your sword technique."

"Very well." Suppressing his frustration, Qin Shaoshang leaped into the air, standing in the void. His Sword Qi erupted, forming a precious sword that he held in his hand.

His sword movements were traceless and incredibly fast, yet the momentum of his sword was heavy and profound. It looked like sword practice, but in reality, it seemed as if he intended to use his astonishing Sword Qi to forcibly manifest a towering mountain.

'A mediocre sword technique of the Indestructible Realm.' Yu Xiu commented inwardly, taking in Qin Shaoshang's sword technique at a glance.

This sword technique of Qin Shaoshang was still very, very far from Perfection.

[ "Three Mountains and Three Peaks Sword": Perfection (Sword Intent + 30) ]

Before Qin Shaoshang had even finished practicing this sword technique, Yu Xiu had already used his exaggerated Comprehension Ability to deduce the entire technique and reach Perfection.

From his current perspective, a sword technique of this level was full of flaws and defects everywhere.

If they were both in the Indestructible Realm, and Qin Shaoshang could practice this technique to the level of Perfection, Yu Xiu would only need one strike to defeat him.

"The form and intent are sufficient, but it lacks spirit. Although the sword is fast, it is only fast; it has not achieved slowness within speed, and cannot outline the true weight of a mountain..."

Yu Xiu spoke lightly, offering guidance point by point.

Qin Shaoshang had only heard two words before his pride dissipated by thirty percent. 'He certainly has some discernment to be able to see the flaws in my sword technique.'

But the more he listened, the faster his pride vanished. 'How can he be so knowledgeable about this sword technique!'

By the end, there was no pride left in his heart. Even while practicing the sword technique, he was paying close attention, with half his focus on Yu Xiu.

'Correct, absolutely correct!'

'I have never been able to outline the weight of the mountain; it turns out it was because although my sword was fast, it lacked the momentum of slowness within speed!'

'He hit the nail on the head!'

'So that's how it is!'

'I followed his instructions to correct it, and it really improved by thirty percent!'

'Listening to this Sir's guidance, I can save at least a year of hard work!'

By the end, Qin Shaoshang was listening as if hearing a decree from his Sect Leader, focusing with all his might, not daring to miss a single word.

When the sword technique was finished, Yu Xiu's voice also stopped.

'Qin Shaoshang's Comprehension Ability is a bit lacking.' Yu Xiu lost the interest to continue offering guidance and turned to leave.

If quantified and measured by numbers, Qin Shaoshang's Comprehension Ability would not exceed three hundred at most.

If Qin Shaoshang's Comprehension Ability had been twice as high, once his targeted guidance ended, this sword technique of his would have immediately reached Perfection.

As for now!

Not to mention Perfection, he hadn't even reached Major Achievement.

"Sir, please stay." Qin Shaoshang was anxious; his initial self-importance was long gone, and even the arrogance of being the Ninth of the Ten Heroes of Powang Peak had been completely cast aside.

This 'Sir' was sincere and from the bottom of his heart.

Although he could not see what Realm this mysterious Sir was in, or just how high his strength was.

But he could be certain that this Sir must be very, very high!

Perhaps even higher than he could have imagined!

It was too incredible.

He was clearly not a Sword Cultivator, and had clearly never practiced the "Three Mountains and Three Peaks Sword", yet he could see his flaws at a glance, point out the errors without the slightest mistake, and provide the most accurate guidance.

Such a Realm was simply inconceivable!

'I fear that even the Peak Master of my Powang Peak might not be higher than this Sir!'

He had already realized that being able to meet this Sir and having an interaction with him was, in itself, an Opportunity!

A true Opportunity!