Chapter 239: The Strongest Sword Technique in the History of the Nine Provinces
Mid-August arrived, and the weather was scorching.
Dressed in black, Li Sifeng carried his sword as he walked along the mountain path of Clear Sky Mountain. Returning after many years, he felt that Clear Sky Sect had changed once again. The disciples he encountered along the way were all unfamiliar faces; almost no one recognized him, the Hall Master of the Tempering Hall.
He did not feel disappointed, only curious.
He could clearly sense that the cultivation levels of the sect’s disciples were far higher than before. If he had not grown up on Clear Sky Mountain since childhood, he might have suspected that he had gone to the wrong place.
Although he was dressed like a wandering martial hero, he did not attract the disciples’ attention on the mountain, since many martial world figures often went up the mountain in daily life.
Without realizing it, Li Sifeng arrived at the Martial Arena halfway up the mountain. At this moment, two people were engaged in a duel on the platform, while one or two hundred disciples had gathered below, creating a lively scene.
The two combatants were disciples Li Sifeng did not recognize. He could sense that both were at the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. One of them wielded a sword, his attacks domineering and fierce.
That person was Sword Solitary.
Sword Solitary had entered the sect four years ago and had already reached the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. This was achieved even without devoting all his time to absorbing Inner Energy.
After becoming a disciple of Jiang Zhaoxia, Sword Solitary had received true instruction. He wanted to gain insights into sword techniques through real combat, so he had recently been coming to the Martial Arena frequently.
The vast majority of the disciples below the platform had come specifically to watch Sword Solitary duel. Every generation had its own geniuses and powerhouses to admire, and Sword Solitary shone incomparably brightly among the new generation. Among his peers, there was no one who could compare to him.
Everyone knew that Sword Solitary would become an unparalleled powerhouse like Jiang Zhaoxia or Shen Yue; he was simply too young for now.
Li Sifeng’s expression soon turned solemn. He discovered that Sword Solitary’s attainment in swordsmanship was even stronger than his own.
Although he wielded the Emperor Mystic Sword, he was not a true sword-path genius in the strict sense.
Even so, how could he endure that a random Clear Sky Sect disciple’s swordsmanship surpassed his?
Most crucially, he saw Jiang Zhaoxia’s shadow in Sword Solitary. This kid’s sword moves were just as arrogant and just as annoying as Third Senior Brother’s had been when he was young.
Whenever the sword-wielding disciple unleashed a fierce sword move, the platform below erupted in cheers, making Li Sifeng frown.
The current disciples were truly not steady enough, nor did they have any discernment. What was there to admire about this kind of genius?
Too arrogant, too easily frustrated!
At this moment, his sons Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin were cheering for Sword Solitary.
“Brother, Senior Brother Sword Solitary is amazing. I want to learn swordsmanship too,” Li Shoumin said excitedly, his little face flushed red.
Li Shouzheng nodded. He stared at the platform, his eyes shining brightly.
He admired Sword Solitary as well, but what he wanted was not to become someone like Sword Solitary. Rather, he wanted to control people like Sword Solitary.
Li Sifeng swept his gaze over and noticed Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin. These two were only four years old, and no disciples dared to crowd them, making them particularly conspicuous below the platform.
“Liking such disciples at such a young age—this will probably lead them astray in the future.”
Li Sifeng shook his head, then turned and walked up the mountain.
He decided to stay in the sect to cultivate from now on, and to find an opportunity later to spar with Sword Solitary, polishing this overly arrogant disciple.
He had only taken a few steps when a voice filled with surprise rang out.
“Sifeng!”
Li Sifeng turned his head and saw his wife, Pei Miao, walking out from the crowd. She had been surrounded by several female disciples, which was why he had not noticed her earlier.
Seeing Pei Miao on the mountain did not surprise him. Before heading to the Northern Border, he had deliberately arranged for Pei Miao to return to Clear Sky Sect to take care of their children.
“You finally came back. Why is it just you alone? Where are the other disciples of the Tempering Hall?” Pei Miao asked excitedly as she came before him.
Li Sifeng had just revealed a smile when it froze. He forced a smile and said, “Some unexpected changes occurred. I’ll tell you about it when there’s a chance later.”
“Alright. Wait here, I’ll go call Shouzheng and Shoumin over. Our family is finally reunited,” Pei Miao said with a nod, then turned to look for the two boys.
Hearing that his two sons were also here, Li Sifeng suddenly felt a bad premonition.
Could it be that the two little kids he had just looked down on were his own sons?
When he saw Pei Miao leading Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin toward him, his expression became even more awkward.
It really was them!
That said, the two boys did resemble him quite a bit. When he was young, he had also liked following behind Jiang Zhaoxia.
……
As evening approached.
Inside Lingxiao Courtyard, after Li Sifeng told Li Qingqiu everything he had experienced in detail, he lowered his head. His heart was filled with guilt and self-reproach, and he did not dare to meet Li Qingqiu’s gaze.
Li Qingqiu looked at Li Sifeng. He was indeed angry, yet he also felt that the matter could not be blamed on him, since he himself could not have anticipated encountering the Silent Nether Ghost King.
“I already know about this matter. From now on, just stay in the sect and cultivate properly. After wandering outside for so many years, you should have had enough excitement,” Li Qingqiu said expressionlessly. It was also time to temper Li Sifeng’s sharp edges; if this could guide him completely onto the path of immortal cultivation, that would be even better.
Li Sifeng raised his head and said seriously, “Senior Brother, that evil ghost is far too powerful. We cannot be careless. Even if you personally take action, you may not necessarily be his match. He seems to already know about our Clear Sky Sect. I’m worried he might head south.”
Li Qingqiu snorted. “Since he’s so strong, what do you think I should do? Send disciples to their deaths?”
Li Sifeng had already thought this through on the way back. He proposed, “Reduce the number of tasks that send disciples out to temper themselves, and at the same time inform the disciples about this matter so they can be prepared. At the very least, they won’t be caught completely off guard.”
Because he could not see the Silent Nether Ghost King and did not understand his Blood Mist Technique, he had suffered greatly. Even now, recalling that battle still sent chills down his spine and filled his heart with fear.
“I will consider it. How about letting Liu Jing take charge of the world?” Li Qingqiu suddenly changed the topic and asked.
Li Sifeng nodded. “Senior Brother decides. After fighting on battlefields for so many years, I suddenly realized that the world is not as simple as I once thought. What I like is the feeling of killing enemies. I don’t have the patience to govern the world. Even managing the trivial affairs of an army feels troublesome to me.”
“Go down and rest properly.”
Li Qingqiu planned to leave him aside for a while, to teach him a lesson.
Li Sifeng originally wanted to tell his Senior Brother about the gains he had made on the road, but he felt that the matter of the evil ghost was too heavy. His Senior Brother needed time to digest it; he would tell him later.
Li Qingqiu watched Li Sifeng leave.
“This kid encountered another strange opportunity? Then who exactly is the True Dragon of the Mortal World?” Li Qingqiu’s gaze turned peculiar, his heart filled with confusion.
Li Sifeng had said that the Thousand-Year Sword Soul had already dissipated, yet Li Qingqiu could sense that another soul had appeared within the Emperor Mystic Sword, and it was even stronger than before.
If he had not used his Spiritual Sense to clearly see that the soul had already formed a master-recognition-like soul imprint with Li Sifeng, he would have suspected that Li Sifeng had been possessed by a ghost.
Fate Traits truly could not determine everything. Those with Fate Traits might not necessarily live up to them, while those without Fate Traits were not necessarily inferior to those who had them.
Li Qingqiu shook his head and laughed, then habitually summoned the Dao Lineage Panel to check on today’s new disciples.
……
The moon set and the sun rose.
News of the Tempering Hall Hall Master’s return caused quite a stir within the sect. In the mouths of the disciples, Li Sifeng was a strange figure—someone who occupied the position of Hall Master yet stayed away from the sect all year round.
Some jokingly said that he had thoroughly fulfilled the duties of the Tempering Hall Hall Master.
Early in the morning.
Li Sifeng came into the courtyard. After a night of celebration, he was in high spirits and prepared to practice swordsmanship.
He discovered that Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin were also awake, practicing fist techniques in the corner of the courtyard.
“Shouzheng, Shoumin, why practice fist techniques? Come here—your father will teach you a set of peerless sword techniques,” Li Sifeng said with a hearty laugh.
Hearing this, the brothers exchanged a glance and then walked over.
Li Sifeng had already noticed yesterday that the two boys were not particularly close to him. He was not angry, feeling that there was plenty of time ahead.
He did not waste words and immediately began practicing swordsmanship. He was practicing a sword technique he had just learned, deliberately showing off, hoping his two sons would admire him.
As he began to swing his sword, fierce winds spread in all directions. He deliberately controlled his strength so as not to injure his sons, but he also wanted them to feel how formidable he was.
The gusts stirred the hair at Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin’s temples and fluttered their clothes. Neither panicked; instead, they watched their father practice swordsmanship intently.
Pei Miao walked out from the room, combing her hair as she watched the father and sons. A gentle smile appeared on her face.
Compared to power and authority, she hoped more that their family could live an ordinary, happy life.
As long as they lived together, Pei Miao would be content.
Seeing that Li Sifeng’s sword moves were becoming faster and faster, she had no choice but to step forward and pull the two sons back.
After finishing a full set of sword techniques, Li Sifeng straightened his posture. Holding the sword in reverse grip, he looked at Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin and asked with a smile, “How was it? Your father’s sword technique is impressive, right?”
Li Shoumin nodded slightly and said, “It was alright.”
Li Shouzheng, on the other hand, closed his eyes.
Seeing how calm the two boys were, Li Sifeng immediately felt displeased. He said, “This is the strongest sword technique throughout the history of the Nine Provinces. How could it be just ‘alright’!”
Pei Miao covered her mouth and laughed softly, saying nothing, smiling as she watched the father and sons compete with each other.
Li Shoumin looked at Li Shouzheng and asked, “Brother, did you learn it?”
Li Shouzheng opened his eyes, stepped forward, and asked, “Father, may I borrow your sword for a moment?”
Li Sifeng was stunned for a moment, then handed the Emperor Mystic Sword to Li Shouzheng.
The instant Li Shouzheng took the sword, the Emperor Mystic Sword actually burst forth with sword light, causing Li Sifeng, Pei Miao, and Li Shoumin to blink subconsciously.
“Huh? This kid isn’t simple!”
A voice rang out in Li Sifeng’s mind, causing his expression to turn strange.
With his keen eye, he could tell that the Emperor Mystic Sword seemed extremely compatible with Li Shouzheng.
Li Shouzheng then closed his eyes and began to wield the sword. His sword moves were not fast at first, but as each move flowed into the next, the sword speed grew faster and faster.
Li Sifeng’s expression soon turned solemn, and as he continued watching, he could not help but reveal a shocked look.
“How is this possible…”
A storm surged within Li Sifeng’s heart.
Li Shoumin, however, remained very calm, because his brother’s comprehension was indeed stronger than his. As his Grandmaster Uncle once said, his brother’s comprehension ranked among the very top within the sect.
“Li Sifeng, this son of yours is a peerless genius. By the time he comes of age, he will likely surpass your current self—no, possibly even sooner.”
That same voice sounded once more in Li Sifeng’s mind, its tone likewise filled with amazement.
Li Sifeng looked at Li Shouzheng, his thoughts in complete disarray.
He suddenly felt fortunate.
If he had returned ten years later, would he even have been able to suppress this kid?