Chapter 79: Lingering Attachments - (1) |
It was the depths of the 12th lunar month, and half the sky was filled with swirling snow.
Li Yuan, dressed in a black robe trimmed with white, stood at the bow of the little boat. A line of poetry came to mind. Once you stand atop the highest peak, all other mountains seem small.
But did the mountains truly shrink? They remained as tall as ever. It’s just that once you stood high enough, they appeared small.
That was exactly how Li Yuan felt at this moment. In Gemhill County, he had never met anyone stronger than himself, at least not by the numbers he could see. Those once-intimidating peaks no longer posed a serious threat. Unconsciously, he felt a slight ease and a flicker of joy in his heart.
If he acquired a better weapon, he could grow even stronger. Then, he would establish his own faction.
He wasn’t doing this out of boredom or a desire for status. He needed power. His cultivation had hit a ceiling. To advance further, he saw three possible paths—
First was comprehending the hidden life chronicle within the Spirit-Release Technique.
Second was finding another cultivation technique that also contained a life chronicle.
Third was creating an entirely new technique featuring a life chronicle.
As far as Li Yuan knew, there were two ways to do that. One was through the upper ranks of the Blood Blade Sect, an exclusive inner circle whose secrets were known only to the sect master and deputy sect master. To pursue that lead, he would have to speak with Tie Sha and build enough trust to dig deeper.
The other was to find the cultivation technique elsewhere. And that, in essence, was why he wanted to build his own faction.
Instead of wandering off to unfamiliar territory, relying on luck, risking his life, and getting tangled up in other people’s politics, why not stay here—where, at least openly, he was already the strongest—and form his own network? Then he could establish connections and trade for the techniques he needed.
Li Yuan had plenty of time to wait for the right deal. If it failed or something went wrong, he wouldn’t be trapped in a desperate situation.
Moreover, a faction would let him do many things that were difficult to accomplish on his own. If he needed to map uncharted areas, he wouldn’t have to go in person. If he wanted to explore eerie places, he wouldn’t have to risk himself. Protecting friends and family wouldn’t require him to stand guard all day. He’d have people to gather information, help him trade for resources, and even prepare a safe haven in other cities if he ever decided to leave.
Of course, building a faction would invite potential trouble, and how to form it, and to what purpose, was still a question.
˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙
Lost in thought, Li Yuan barely noticed the gentle thud as the boat reached shore.
With a light tap on the deck, he vaulted onto the pier. Amid a chorus of greetings, he made his way toward the north market.
Senior Li was still in his rocking chair, swaying to and fro. The 145~150 hovering over him hadn’t budged all this time, nowhere close to his peak condition of 200~210. This suggested permanent injuries that prevented a full recovery. It was the likely reason he was so eager to find a worthy personal disciple.
“Master,” Li Yuan greeted.
Senior Li kept his eyes closed. “You’re early. The books haven’t arrived yet.” He paused, then chuckled. “What brings you here so soon, looking for a drink with this old man?”
“A celebratory drink,” Li Yuan said with a hint of laughter.
The rocking chair abruptly fell silent.
Several seconds later, it began creaking again.
Senior Li smiled. “What, did you manage to switch out your shadow blood and now want me to host the wedding banquet?”
“Master, I’ve reached the eighth rank.”
There was no hiding the delight in that voice.
At those words, the rocking chair went still once more. Senior Li bolted upright, his eyes wide. “What did you say?!”
Standing in the falling snow, the young man bowed respectfully. “Master, I’ve stepped into the eighth rank.”
Senior Li looked stunned. “How long has it been? You not only swapped your shadow blood, but broke through to the eighth rank as well?”
“Yes,” Li Yuan answered evenly. Given that he had been at peak seventh rank for some time, admitting he was now at early eighth rank wasn’t difficult.
Senior Li’s joy was plain to see. In a single instant, his expression ran through a vivid range of emotions, ultimately settling into a sort of restrained glee.
“Show me.”
Li Yuan glanced at a nearby weapons rack, looking for a long blade. It wasn’t practical to carry a long blade everywhere; ordinarily, the short blade at his waist was enough.
Noticing his gaze, Senior Li asked, “You want to test your blade?”
“Yes.”
“You only need to manifest your blood veil to prove you’ve reached the eighth rank. No need to show your blade.”
“But I want you to see this move for yourself, Master.”
“Which move?”
“Spring Awakening.”
Senior Li was silent for a moment, then nodded. “All right, show me.”
Suddenly, he pointed to the blade lodged in the ground beside him. “Use mine.”
Li Yuan stepped forward without hesitation and lifted the blade. It felt icy cold to the touch, unlike any common blade he’d held. On closer inspection, its surface showed faint patches of rust and tiny cracks.
Li Yuan was momentarily taken aback. Then, glancing at his own numbers, he was even more surprised. By carrying his usual sleeve dagger, his combat power registered as 180~278. But with this new blade in hand, it immediately jumped to 255~370.
Just changing weapons had nearly doubled his overall power.
Of course, that upper bound of 370 was enhanced by both blood fusion and release.
Meanwhile, the 255 was only about 20 higher than Tie Sha’s 235, which meant they were, at least broadly, on the same level.
It was just that Li Yuan’s training was relatively flawless, free from hidden strains or damage, which accounted for his slight advantage.
Putting two and two together, he realized it simply proved that this blade of Senior Li’s was on par with the sect master's weapon.
While his thoughts churned, Senior Li called out, “What’s got you dazed?”
Li Yuan replied, “This blade feels so perfect in my hand. I couldn’t help staring.”
“Love at first sight, is it?” The old man gave a laugh. “Like when you first see the girl of your dreams and stand there looking stupid?”
Li Yuan quickly waved his hands. “I wouldn’t dare covet my Master’s girl.”
Senior Li bristled, wagging his finger. “Watch your mouth, boy! Of course you better not covet my girl!”
They both fell momentarily silent, then burst into hearty laughter.
After the laughter subsided, Senior Li said, “This blade was passed down to me by your grandmaster, and I’ll pass it on to you someday. But bear in mind, it’s a damaged blade. If it were whole, it would be even more powerful. Anyway, let’s see your Spring Awakening.’”
“Yes, Master.”
A faint red aura rippled over Li Yuan’s body as he gripped the blade and slashed downward with sudden force. Like snow scattering in a storm, the blade light exploded with a thunderous roar.
Even as the swirling snow flurried about, the strike’s momentum never ceased; it was as if a coiled python had lunged forward and then twisted in midair, switching to a sweeping slash.
A wide arc of silver lit the small pavilion with a fierce gust of wind. Amid the shrill whistle, snow, dust, and gravel whirled in all directions.
Then Li Yuan drew the blade back, bracing it against the ground.