Chapter 005: The Fisherman at the Tearful Lonely Bay, the Dragon and Snake Transformations in the Way

The wooden sword emitted a crisp sound, not loud yet resonating far into the distance. Gazing at the vast expanse of sky and sea, Master Qian leisurely remarked: "In a world where dragons and snakes are intertwined, it is difficult to distinguish between them. Until one has experienced the transformation of wind and thunder into a dragon, only then can one soar through the clouds and return to the spiritual sea, and at that time, one will finally behold the dragon's form"

Unfortunately, it is a pity that the master teaches swordsmanship in the same manner as he imparts knowledge, leaving him completely at a loss, not knowing what kind of swordsmanship and techniques he is practicing. He is only instructed to strike at the target before him, day in and day out, month after month. Perhaps this is what cultivates the legendary speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness, Luo Yu comforts himself. Although he feels somewhat self-deceptive, what if it actually works? Despite his doubts, he does not ask many questions, but instead dedicates himself to hard practice, for he understands the master; the master's teachings must have profound meaning, and he only needs to follow them to gain insight. Perhaps this is what cultivates the legendary speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness, Luo Yu comforts himself. Although he feels somewhat self-deceptive, what if it actually works? Despite his doubts, he does not ask many questions, but instead dedicates himself to hard practice, for he understands the master; the master's teachings must have profound meaning, and he only needs to follow them to gain insight.

Upon hearing such a question, Master Qian appeared quite calm, as if it were quite ordinary for Luo Yu to ask such a thing. He seemed to recall and shook his head, saying: "It is said that dragons exist, but I have never seen one in its true form."

Little Feather ~ ... ... ! ''

Looking ahead at the two individuals chasing and playing, the scholar walked slowly towards the village entrance with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling gently

The Master seemed to have hastily concluded his words, yet Luo Yu listened intently, standing still, deep in thought. "The snake seals and transforms into a flood dragon, the flood dragon leaps over the dragon gate and becomes a dragon..." Suddenly, recalling the Master's earlier words, Luo Yu seemed to understand something.

It is not surprising that Luo Yu reacted this way, as this saying from the Buddha contains profound truths about the great principles of life. Although Luo Yu is a staunch atheist, this does not negate the life perspective expressed in this statement

... ... Hmm? ... ... What are you doing?

Since Senior Brother Tao De completed his studies, only he and that girl Ling Er remain. The Master is extremely strict with his disciples' studies, yet he is very lenient and indulgent towards Qian Ling Er. When Tao De and Luo Yu are alone, they often complain about the Master's favoritism and unfairness, especially regarding the teachings of the gentleman's way. However, their grievances are limited to private discussions filled with righteous indignation, and they never dare to speak openly about it, not even mentioning a single word against the Master in front of Qian Ling Er.

After asking all at once, Luo Yu hurriedly closed his eyes, waiting for the wooden sword that was about to come. However, after a long while, the wooden sword did not fall! He secretly opened one eye and looked around, but there was no sign of the teacher! Seeing this, he quickly turned around, only to find that the master had quietly returned to the previous stone seat without him noticing! Looking at the master standing proudly above, Luo Yu gently pulled out the wooden sword that was currently stuck in the ground, just as the master's voice came at that moment.

Luo Yu understood that the Master had a unique method of teaching, where everyday activities, matters, and conversations could all serve as examples for instruction. At the same time, he was adept at drawing inferences from one instance to another, employing objects to convey deeper principles.

In the scorching summer, tears by the lonely bay.

Upon hearing this question from Luo Yu, Master Qian did not rush to respond. After a moment of silence, he turned around, facing away from the sea, and with a demeanor as resolute as a sword embodying righteousness, he spoke with a ringing voice.

Luo Yu eagerly inquired, "Teacher, do dragons truly exist in this world?"

After listening, Luo Yu touched his nose and then wore a hesitant expression, pretending to be shy as he looked at the teacher and asked, "Master, what is this python?"

But just as he sighed in dejection, the words of the Master suddenly piqued his interest

He furrowed his brows slightly, picked up the wooden sword, and examined it for a moment, as if he understood something. Then, with a faint smile, he said: "The disciple does not count, but seeks to break free from the shackles of illusion, to see a different world"

Luo Yu touched his nose, revealing a radiant smile. He then set down the wooden sword, wiping the sweat from his forehead while pondering the question posed by the master. However, just as he inadvertently caught sight of the square hole in the copper coin and a leaf swaying gently in the breeze, a sudden flash of inspiration struck his mind

Don't run away, I told you not to make a fool of me

Upon hearing this, Qianfuzi could not help but smile and waved his hand, saying: "A jiao is merely a jiao; how can it be compared to a dragon? The difference between the two is as vast as that between the clouds and the mud. The Shanhaijing states, 'A python transforms into a jiao after five hundred years, while a jiao can only become a dragon after a thousand years.'

Upon seeing the door, Luo Yu immediately stepped forward and presented a wooden sword with both hands. However, the master did not even glance at it; with a single sweep of his large sleeve, the sword was in his hand, and with a gentle twist, a series of dazzling sword flowers burst forth before Luo Yu's eyes, leaving him astonished and wide-eyed. 'Wow, this display of sword flowers is truly impressive; I wonder when I will be able to learn it...'

Although Luoyu understood the words of the Master, he was still filled with doubt in his heart. The Nine Transformations of Dragons and Snakes, despite its resounding name and the Master’s performance being indeed varied and multifaceted, seemed to him somewhat exaggerated.

As soon as these words were spoken, Luo Yu felt a mix of panic and excitement in her heart, but more than that, it was anticipation

Bang

Senior sister, the teacher teaches that 'a gentleman uses words, not fists.' Look at me, I won't retaliate, I only use words...

Upon hearing that the teacher had actually seen a jiao, Luo Yu was momentarily taken aback, and then his heart was filled with both surprise and joy. He knew that given the character of the master, he would never fabricate something out of nothing. Thus, he hurriedly asked, "Is the jiao the same as the jiao dragon?"

At that moment, the master spoke softly, "A wonderful phrase, 'One flower, one world; one thought, one purity... Such a state of mind is quite commendable, and it is evident that your disposition far surpasses that of your peers, with an understanding that can be said to be rare in a millennium... However, this state is not suitable for the way of the sword. You still need to strive further and seek the path of your true self"

The size of the Stardust Sea remains unknown to him; he has only heard people say that the reason it is called the Stardust Sea is that the deeper one goes into the sea, the clearer one can see the distant stars, which shine brilliantly and dazzlingly, even in broad daylight. This indeed captivates the imagination. Although Luo Yu is quite curious, he also understands that the Stardust Sea is far from him, while the Tearful Solitude Sea is within close reach.

Qian Fuzi immediately laughed and scolded, "You rascal, go and collect the items."

Ignoring Luo Yu, who was looking at the swaying fishing rod while holding a fish basket

Being praised is always a pleasure, while answering questions is always a pain

Luo Yuxin, filled with astonishment and suspicion, maintained the posture of drawing his sword when he heard the voice of the Master, which seemed to carry a hint of relief... He was suddenly awakened, looked around at the now clear surroundings, and then glanced at the copper coin that was still gently swaying by itself... Everything had returned to normal, as if the previous scene had never occurred.

As soon as Qian Ling'er finished speaking, she received a loud "bang" on her forehead. Upon seeing this, Luo Yu felt delighted in his heart, and his face broke into a wide smile. "You often enjoy watching me get punished, so now it's your turn to experience the teacher's 'bang on the head' technique. Hahaha~"

Luo Yu confidently proclaimed: "Teacher, Xiao Yu believes that one flower represents a world, one tree embodies a fleeting life... one space signifies a pure land, one thought reflects tranquility, hence the notion of a world in a single space."

Luo Yu, however, did not notice the pair of 'birthmarks' on his arm, which actually flickered slightly

The small copper coin did not come into contact with the sword, yet it gently swayed backward with the sound that reached the ear

Qian Fuzi scolded with a smile: "One should be punished for being poorly read, leading to ignorance and lack of knowledge."

At that moment, Qian Ling'er was already standing not far away, waiting for the two, while continuously waving at them.

The words of Master Qian are truly astonishing, "Even the Buddha's words cannot satisfy you! Is your state of mind such that you wish to go against the heavens?" Originally, Luo Yu was filled with joy upon hearing the Master praise him with two commendations in succession, but little did he expect that in less than a moment, the old Master would follow up with a "but!"

To outsiders, Luo Yu entered the master’s school the latest; however, despite being the youngest, he appeared the most mature and was always the most astute and intelligent. Others may not know, but Luo Yu himself understood the reason behind it, and he always smiled and moved on.

Luo Yu, upon hearing this, thought to himself, indeed. He then gazed at the now motionless copper coin, recalling and speaking earnestly: "The clear inscriptions and rust on the coin are so vivid and close, as if right before my eyes... The sound of the wind stirred by the wooden sword's thrust is distinctly audible... Yet soon, it becomes extraordinarily slow! The disciple cannot articulate it clearly; in any case, it feels as if I have entered a realm... Yes... it should be a realm." It soon becomes extraordinarily slow! The disciple cannot articulate it clearly; in any case, it feels as if I have entered a realm... Yes... it should be a realm.

The Master spoke softly: "The Earthly Immortal is 'human', and humans are the most intelligent beings among all things, capable of carrying out righteous deeds. Righteousness is the recognition and agreement of 'humans', and the Dragon Gate is the 'bridge'... Alright, Ling'er has arrived, so we shall stop here for today"

At this moment, Qian Ling'er wore a look of grievance. Although she did not dare to utter a word of complaint, it did not mean that she was afraid of Luo Yu. Seeing that this fellow was currently laughing heartily, she pounced on him fiercely.

The path of swordsmanship is not limited to thousands. However, in my lifetime, I have only cultivated the righteous spirit, which is known as the way of the gentleman. As for your swordsmanship, it must be realized by yourself. When you perceive the true self within your heart that possesses the sword, then your swordsmanship will be complete

Upon reaching this point, Luo Yu naturally felt a slight sense of dissatisfaction and asked, "Forgive my ignorance, esteemed teacher, what mindset should I adopt to enter the sword path?"

At this moment, Luo Yu was both mesmerized and filled with surprise. Just by looking at those few sword flowers, one could tell that the master's swordsmanship was extraordinary. At this moment, he was even more transfixed, watching the master walk forward with an expectant gaze

While Luo Yu was still immersed in the essence of the gentleman's sword, the profound voice of Master Qian once again resonated: "This is the Nine Transformations of the Dragon and Snake, its form like a snake, its momentum like a dragon, aiming for the great python to enter the sea, transforming the flood dragon into a true dragon, soaring through the nine heavens... You should diligently practice this, and over time, you will come to understand its subtleties."

After a moment, he gently set the fishing rod aside and slowly stood up, his wide sleeves sweeping to the sides, shaking off the dust that had accumulated on him. He then glanced at the eagerly awaiting Luo Yu and slowly nodded as he approached her.

At this moment, the voice of the sage, filled with the weight of experience, drifted from the boulder ahead with the wind: "Why have you not counted?"

The Master smiled and said: "Although I have never seen the old man, I have indeed had the fortune to meet the old dragon."

The Tears of the Lonely Sea is only about one mile away from the Peach Blossom Valley, and at this moment, there is an elderly man in his twilight years, fishing on a rock under the shade of a tree by the bay. The old man wears a bamboo hat and a light blue linen shirt, with a gentle breeze blowing, causing the hem of his garment to flutter like auspicious clouds. Although the weather is hot, the dancing shadows of the trees and the sea breeze on his face create a rare and refreshing comfort amidst the shimmering blue waves.

Luo Yuxin felt a surge of anticipation in her heart, yet she wore a silly smile on her face as she said: "Teacher, I do not quite understand, could you allow your disciple to first appreciate your gentleman's sword?"

Bang! Before the words were finished, unexpectedly, a "punch" landed on the head!

Buzz ~ ~ ~ ! ''

As the master stood still, he first closed his eyes as if to adjust his body and mind. Just at that moment, the sea breeze blew by, lifting the edges of his garments and silver hair, creating an ethereal scene against the backdrop of the blue sea and sky. Witnessing such a sight, Luo Yu could not help but marvel at how the master truly resembled an otherworldly being, transcending the mundane.

sixty-seven, sixty-eight

Breathing heavily, he silently counted in his mind. However, as he continued to count, Luo Yu suddenly fell silent, and even ceased to mentally recite the numbers that had caused him great torment. What followed was a sense of relief.

Luo Yu was puzzled, how could it be that his answer was not good?

Unaware, Luo Yu at this moment is resolutely drawing his sword and silently sheathing it, his gaze gradually sharpening as he focuses on the square hole of the copper coin, yet in his eyes, there remains only that half-inch square world

Luo Yu excitedly bowed to the Master and said: "Thank you, Teacher, for accepting my Dragon and Snake Nine Transformations..."

Luo Yu suddenly recalled the words of the Buddha, and thus he made some adjustments and spoke confidently.

The Tears of the Solitary Sea is a vast freshwater "sea" area surrounded by the boundless and expansive Divine Gift Continent. Why is it referred to as a "sea"? Naturally, it is because of its vastness and boundlessness, akin to that of the ocean. Compared to the starry seas beyond the continent, it should be equally impressive.

Luo Yu felt a moment of daze, his heart startled, "What is going on? Why do I have such a peculiar feeling? Has my perception strengthened? Or is it an illusion..."

The Master, upon hearing this, fell silent, merely shaking the fishing rod in his hand and smacking his lips, seemingly dissatisfied with the empty fish basket that had yielded no catch throughout the entire morning

Upon hearing this, Luo Yu's brows suddenly furrowed, and the doubts in her heart not only did not diminish but instead increased significantly. When she glanced at the wooden sword in Master Qian's hand, she immediately hesitated to speak. However, Master Qian saw through her thoughts at a glance and raised his sword to strike her forehead twice. Luo Yu was caught off guard by this, and she inwardly grumbled, "It truly is the case that what one fears comes to pass. Sooner or later, my forehead will be struck into two more corners, and by then, I won't need your guidance; I will have become a dragon myself. Sigh, sometimes I really envy Senior Brother Tao for not having to be... Now that this has been struck, whether I ask or not is irrelevant."

At this moment, Luo Yu was immersed in a mysterious world! As he continuously drew and sheathed his sword, he was astonished to discover that the surrounding environment seemed to fade away, becoming unclear, while his eyes were fixated solely on the world visible through the square hole of the copper coin, along with the wooden sword in his hand that, despite moving swiftly, felt as if it was advancing at an incredibly slow pace! ... Even more astonishing was the fact that the inscriptions on the copper coin were clearly discernible to the naked eye, revealing even the rusted, pitted textures in detail! ... The wooden sword sliced through the air, advancing relentlessly, and when the tip was merely half an inch from the square hole of the coin, it suddenly came to a halt, producing a faint, buzzing sound reminiscent of a fly! Even more astonishing was the fact that the inscriptions on the copper coin were clearly discernible to the naked eye, revealing even the rusted, pitted textures in detail! ... The wooden sword sliced through the air, advancing relentlessly, and when the tip was merely half an inch from the square hole of the coin, it suddenly came to a halt, producing a faint, buzzing sound reminiscent of a fly!

Luo Yu was left in a state of confusion, but as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Since Luo Yu began practicing swordsmanship with the master six months ago, he had never seen the master draw his sword! He had no idea what this gentleman's sword looked like. 'The master's imposing presence seems quite formidable; why not take this opportunity to ask the master for a demonstration or two, so I can have a good look at it'

With a swift motion, Qian Ling'er snatched the fish basket, stuck out her tongue, and muttered dejectedly: "Why is it another one that doesn't... Grandpa is good at everything, except his fishing skills are on par with Brother Tao... Oh dear!"

Uh ... ... what ... ... ?

Upon hearing Luo Yu's words, Master Qian indeed became interested and asked with a smile, "So what did you see?"

Luo Yu was at a loss for words to describe his situation at that time, and could only make a feeble attempt. However, just as he finished speaking, a hearty laugh unexpectedly came from the top of the rock.

It seemed that the master understood what was on Luo Yu's mind, as he merely raised his hand and lightly flicked the wooden sword in his grasp

Luo Yu was surprised to hear the Master speak of the transformation of a snake into a dragon, and recalling the earlier words about the great python transforming into a flood dragon, he suddenly became intrigued. It is important to note that in Luo Yu's previous life, dragons were considered legendary beings, more so symbolizing spiritual totems. Although he deeply wished for the existence of dragons, reason told him that they did not exist. Yet today, hearing the Master express a different perspective on dragons, how could he possibly miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

Luo Yu immediately shook his fishing rod and said, "Sister Ling'er, is the meal ready?"

Luo Yu covered his head, kneeling on the ground with a grimace of pain.

Thinking of this, Luo Yu, in a carefree manner, boldly continued to ask: "Teacher, what is a terrestrial immortal? What is sealing the righteous? And what is the Dragon Gate? ... ... "

After waiting for a moment, one could see the master’s slightly closed eyes suddenly open, deep and distant. Within them, a brilliant light flickered, akin to the bright moon and stars adorning the sky. At that moment, the master had already raised his sword with one hand, and a wooden sword began to dance, stirring up gusts of fierce wind. The shadows of the sword blazed brightly, like a flying dragon churning the sea, causing waves to ripple; as the sword shadows entwined and spun, they resembled a spirit snake probing its surroundings, elusive and unpredictable; in the midst of this movement, it was as if a white dragon was stirring the sea, soaring and gliding, like a night-blooming cereus unfurling its blossoms to the wind, radiating brilliance in all directions.

At this moment, behind this rock, on the lush green grass, there is a young man holding a wooden sword, concentrating intently on the repetitive actions of sheathing and drawing his sword! The target he is striking is a copper coin hanging from a tree, or more precisely, the small hole in the center of the coin

Seeing Luo Yu in front of him with a distressed expression, the Master glared and continued: "The 'ran' refers to a large snake. A large snake cultivates for five hundred years to attain the status of an earthbound immortal and transforms into a flood dragon; the flood dragon cultivates for a thousand years to leap over the Dragon Gate and transforms into a true dragon in the sea"

Luo Yu was entranced, unable to suppress a feeling of admiration, wondering how many years the teacher must have spent to cultivate such a magnificent sword intent

Oh ~

Qian Fuzi let out a muffled grunt as he blew aside his grizzled beard, raised his wooden sword, and struck him on the forehead. Luo Yu could only shrink his head back, stick out his tongue, and give a cheeky smile as he looked at the master

Although his head was currently swollen, Luo Yu did not dare to be the slightest bit negligent. He quickly ran to the rock, organized and put away the fishing gear one by one, and then obediently followed behind his master.

Upon hearing this, Luo Yu felt a wave of disappointment and sighed inwardly, "The dragon truly does not exist"

He is grateful to Master Qian. Initially, he had the intention of mastering the sword, after all, which man does not harbor a dream of wandering the world as a chivalrous hero with a sword in hand

Suddenly, the Master turned back with a look of satisfaction and said: "Xiao Yu, your understanding is extraordinary, surpassing even your talents and learning. Now, tell me, what constitutes a world?"

In the past few months, Luo Yu's sword practice has not been in vain. Seeing the malicious intent in Qian Ling'er’s eyes as she lunged towards him, he reacted swiftly and ran away.

As soon as this was said, there was a moment of silence on the rock, but after a long while, under the expectant gaze of Luo Yu, the Master let out a sigh.

Since he arrived in this world two years ago, the Master has taught him to read and write. Now, not only has he taken him as a disciple to impart knowledge, but he also teaches him swordsmanship. Although his heart belongs to two lifetimes, he is even more filled with gratitude, realizing that he must diligently study and practice hard in order to live up to the Master's tireless teachings