Chapter 5: A drop of water shall be repaid with a fountain of water

Fishermen moored their small boats by the shore to sell their catch, while fishmongers inquired about prices from each household for purchases. Additionally, a group of early-rising children played joyfully along the shore

The sword is somewhat heavy, weighing over 100 pounds, clearly forged from an extraordinary material

"I wonder where the limits of my spiritual awareness lie?" Chu Tian's heart stirred slightly as he focused his mind to further expand his spiritual perception. However, he clearly felt that his progress was becoming increasingly slow, and waves of discomfort surged in his mind, as if a tendon were about to snap.

After enduring over a thousand days and nights in the colorful misty mountains, it is time to ride the sword and traverse the seas!

I am looking for Qin Jin and Qin Guantian, you all step aside

He closed his eyes, tapping his hands on the carpet in time with the music, seemingly oblivious to the noise and cries of battle outside

Chu Tian sidestepped to avoid, and He Zhizhang collided head-on with empty space. His body could not stop its momentum and "bang" he crashed into a stalactite that hung down from the cave ceiling.

Chutian realized his own indiscretion and slowed his tone, saying: "Uncle, don't be afraid, I am not a bad person. Take your time to speak."

His mind became increasingly clear and serene, as all distractions and various emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness melted away like snow under the spring sun, dissolving unnoticed.

Ah—he let out a terrible scream, his flesh and blood transforming into several strands of azure essence in the pool, which were absorbed into the Yuanchen Treasure Pearl

His spiritual platform gradually brightened, resembling a mirror that could illuminate the world, though its width and length were unknown, appearing neither perfectly round nor perfectly square, existing in the heart as if real yet illusory

Suddenly, it felt as if a door had been pushed open in Chu Tian's mind. Outside, in the vast and desolate night, a burly old man in red sang wildly under the moonlight. The Cangyun Yuancheng Sword in his hand radiated a brilliance that illuminated the surroundings, conjuring a scene where snowlight enveloped the earth. The artistic conception was both desolate and expansive, as if in a single stroke of the sword, he had conveyed the essence of the ever-changing clouds and fleeting time.

We are both lost souls in this vast world, so why must we have known each other before meeting!

A bare-chested youth, bearing a heavy sword, lifted a stone lion from outside the governor's office with his left hand, while holding the head of the governor in his right hand, striding confidently towards the headquarters of the Ironclad Gang

His mind was completely immersed in this transcendent realm, lost in the intoxicating and lingering melody of the sword's song, which was both cold and vigorous, fierce and unyielding

After a while, the city gates opened, and the crowd lined up in turn to undergo inspection by the city guards, bustling and surging into the city

A minor leader drew his waist knife and called out: "Brothers, charge!"

The fish-scale treasure sword shone brilliantly with golden light, its immense power striking down directly upon the Chu sky

Guan Xiaoyue, filled with uncontrollable rage, immediately seized the fish-scale treasure sword and led several disciples to intercept Chu Tian in the courtyard

The young man wielded his sword, striking fiercely, as shadows of people flitted around him, accompanied by cries of anguish.

The middle-aged man was already in a state of utter despair, obediently leading the way without daring to show the slightest sign of defiance

Chutian held the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword, clearly sensing the overwhelming aura and killing intent that had surged for a hundred years from the sword. His chaotic thoughts were instantly swept away, becoming incomparably clear and transparent.

The rotation speed of the Yuanchen Treasure Pearl suddenly accelerated, bursting forth a brilliant and pure white halo, instantly dissolving the cold and fierce killing intent that was approaching head-on

Chutian wielded his sword, swiftly evading the middle-aged man, causing the fish-scale treasure blade to slice through empty air.

This fellow is quite a tough bull! Chu Tian was stirred by a competitive spirit, and the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword struck down again like Mount Tai pressing down.

The same loneliness, the same vicissitudes, only set in different times and spaces, with different people

When that thread of spiritual awareness expanded to a radius of over 100 meters, a tremendous pain surged through Chu Tian's mind as if the heavens were collapsing and the earth was splitting. His vision darkened, the spiritual platform dimmed, and even his thoughts became hazy and indistinct.

Who dares to intrude upon the headquarters of the Iron Garment Gang? Are they seeking death?

The small vendor sighed and said, "A perfectly fine family of three, just like that, is gone! How can Heaven be so blind?"

The middle-aged man, his body stiff and trembling, asked, "Who... who exactly are you?"

The onlookers from the Iron Shirt Gang could not help but turn pale with shock, and none dared to step forward again

At dawn, Chu Tian arrived at the gates of Huaiyang City, where the city gates were tightly closed and had not yet been opened. A group of rural farmers, waiting to enter the city for business, squatted in small clusters at the base of the city wall, chatting about everyday matters

One is lonely due to invincibility, while the other is solitary because there is no one left in the world to be close to.

The great river flows relentlessly, carrying away all traces of the past, yet it cannot wash away the sorrow in a young heart.

The scattered essence of sword intent, the subtle threads of enlightenment, all converge in this moment of focused contemplation

Chutian suddenly remembered that day when he was abandoned by the old man in white by the riverbank, and while he was walking back in a daze, he encountered a kind-hearted elder sister right here

Just a moment ago, the burly men of the Iron Shirt Gang were besieging the young man, lying scattered all over the ground. Either their arm bones were broken or their legs were smashed; no one could withstand the young man's sword.

He hurriedly collected his thoughts, exhaling a long breath of stale air. After a while, he gradually regained his composure, and his vision slowly returned to normal

Although they are slightly older than Chu Tian, they have lived in the peaceful and uncontentious immortal mountains since childhood. As esteemed disciples from prestigious families, they hold themselves in high regard, yet they have never encountered a storm of life and death separation like the one before them

Below

He stayed for another three days in the colorful misty mountains, absorbing and digesting the experiences gained from the fierce battle while communicating and harmonizing with the sword spirit of the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, feeling that his cultivation was advancing by leaps and bounds and yielding significant results

You scoundrel, having the audacity to cause trouble in front of our Ironclad Gang's headquarters after consuming the heart of a bear and the gallbladder of a leopard!

With a resounding clang, clang, clang! Three consecutive sword strikes fell like the surging waves of the Yangtze River, each one higher than the last, creating an unparalleled and magnificent momentum

Chutian stood quietly to the side; he had not heard the noisy sounds of people for a long time, and for a moment, he felt somewhat unaccustomed to it

Chutian's cultivation level next month will be slightly inferior to He Zhizhang's, and he is unwilling to engage in a prolonged battle with him, lest Qin and Jin catch wind of it and hide away. He shouted in a low voice: "You shall also receive a sword strike from me!"

Gazing at the wide-eyed head of the Huaiyang prefect, the man's handsome face suddenly turned pale, losing all sense of leisure and elegance, and he anxiously shouted towards the outside: "Come here!"

Guan Xiaoyue fought desperately but continued to retreat step by step. Steam rose from his head, his hair was disheveled and blood flowed from his seven orifices. His robe had long been shredded by the sword's energy, and his steps were unsteady, resembling a drunken man

Chutian seized the opportunity to step forward half a pace, the Cangyun Yuanchan sword pointed at the chest of Guanshan Yue, and asked: "Do you submit?"

The young man did not even glance as he pressed down the sword, producing a crisp "crack" as the soft whip was snapped into several segments

The ethereal and delicate magical energy coursed through the body, soothing the recent injuries and repeatedly refining the tendons and meridians

Chutian sneered, "Who asked for your affection?"

"Open, give me open, give me... oh no!" The fish scale treasure knife in his hand slipped out and flew several dozen meters away, causing him to fall back onto the ground.

He stood in the woods for a long time, walking along the path he had taken on that morning three years ago, heading towards the old bridge arch.

If you are calling them, I have brought them for you

He supported himself with both hands and wanted to rise again to fight, but his muscles and bones were weak, and he could not muster even half a breath of strength

Above

In the morning, the area in front of the main gate was bustling with activity, even more so than the governor's office. Eight guards from the Iron Clothes Gang, dressed in black, stood proudly with their chests out and bellies in, confidently guarding the entrance.

The stalactite instantly shattered into pieces, and He Zhizhang also suffered a head injury, bleeding profusely, as his body lost control and fell into the Nine Fiends Pool

Song's sister has a daughter who was washing clothes by the river one day when she was noticed by Qin Jin, the young deputy leader of the Iron Clothes Gang

Fortunately, Chu Tianxin still feels a lingering fear

Suddenly, the singing faded away, and a cacophony of exclamations rang in his ears

His mind was like the bright moon among the pines, reflecting the sword intent of the ages; it flowed through his heart like a clear spring, drawn from the memories and experiences of the sword spirit of the Cangyun Yuanchan.

That was a bloody human head

Who does not know of Guan Xiayue, whose prowess is renowned across the land, earning him the title of "The Overlord of the Cracked Cauldron"? It is simply astonishing that he has been defeated by an unknown youth, leaving him in a state of utter disarray. Guan Xiayue's clothing and hair were covered in a layer of frost, exuding a chilling aura, with even the breath from his nose appearing as a white mist. From a distance, he resembled a snowman sitting on the ground, gasping heavily, still unwilling to accept his defeat, he shouted: "I refuse to accept this! If you have the ability, wait until I catch my breath, and we shall fight again!"

On this day, with the sky clear and the spring light delightful, Chu Tian bound the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword with several old vines on his back, and, all alone, stepped out of the great mountains, returning once more to the mortal world

However, his good mood was not determined by himself. With a loud "bang," a dark object smashed through the window frame and flew in, rolling a few times on the ground before coming to rest at the young man's feet

With the formidable enemies gone, the three disciples of the Tianyi Sect, having survived the calamity, collapsed by the poolside, lamenting loudly.

However, this had long been a commonplace occurrence for him

Suddenly, a commotion arose from across the street, as if something had happened. The eight guards turned their gazes toward the sound, each unable to help but widen their eyes in surprise

His first stop after leaving the mountain, whether intentionally or not, was still in Huaiyang City. After all, he had lived here for more than half a year, and it was also in this city that he had become separated from Qing'er.

Chutian's face turned ashen, his clenched fists cracking with each joint, "Continue speaking!"

Guan Xiaoyue paused for a moment and exclaimed, "Kid, even if you do not kill me, I will not owe you any gratitude!"

Suddenly, his thoughts were drawn to the distant cries of a small vendor, and he unconsciously turned his head.

"Dead, how did he die?" Chu Tian was taken aback.

The song of the old man in red reaches me faintly, as if separated by countless dimensions yet seeming so close at hand

He is unwilling to let these matters of violence ruin his good mood from the very start of the day

He coldly said: "The heavens have too many matters to manage, I will take care of it for Him!"

With the sword in hand, I stride forward, the cold and unrestrained song still echoing in my ears, while from the small building ahead, the melodious and pleasant sound of the zither emerges

He kicked towards Guan Xiayue's right wrist. Guan Xiayue roared and threw a punch, and with a "bang," their fists and feet collided, causing his body to slide back three meters before he steadied himself.

Chutian anticipated that he would not dare to play tricks, and with a forceful strike of the sword hilt against his back, the middle-aged man let out a grunt and fainted.

The middle-aged man named Chu Tian was taken aback, unable to recall when the Iron Clothes Gang had offended someone named Chu Tian. So where did this young man spring from?

Chutian's mind was profoundly shaken, never before had he felt the vastness of the heavenly way as clearly as he did at this moment

The headquarters of the Iron Clothes Gang is located on the old street in Huaiyang City, directly opposite the governor's office.

The young man lightly twisted his wrist, bringing the sword's edge close to the middle-aged man's neck, and said: "Chu Tian!"

Chutian shook his head and looked towards the others in the cave

He could not help but take a deep breath, as if at that moment he had returned to the world once again

As the thread of spiritual awareness gradually spread outward from his physical body, various scenes within the cave were slowly reflected in his spiritual platform, capturing even the minutest detail, such as a single drop of dew on the moss of the cave wall.

"The fool who knows not the consequences!" The young man threw the stone lion, instantly sending that little leader flying out.

The door opened, and two rigid corpses fell straight into the room, startling the two people inside, who let out another scream

A figure wielding a long sword appeared outside the door, their cold gaze piercing like a blade towards the man inside the room

He burst into the inner residence, and the middle-aged man pointed from a distance to the small corridor ahead: "That is where the young master resides"

Dozens of robust men from the Iron Shirt Gang surged forward, surrounding the youth with blades and firearms raised.

Coincidentally, the owner of this head is quite familiar with him; it is none other than the Prefect of Huaiyang, who frequently comes and goes across from the Ironclad Gang and occasionally visits for drinks.

It is nothing, a few years ago this elder sister helped me. I would like to know where she is now

The Sword Spirit, infused with demonic energy, immediately rejoiced, and the cloud patterns on the blade burst forth with magnificent radiance, exuding an air of invincibility

Chutian had never used a sword nor learned any sword techniques, so he simply thrust the sword forward in a straightforward manner

In the courtyard inside the gate, a middle-aged man was instructing dozens of members of the Ironclad Gang in their morning exercises. Upon seeing someone intrude, he shouted loudly, "Capture him!"

The small vendor swallowed hard and whispered, "Qin Jin had someone capture that girl and bring her into the mansion to be mistreated. That girl was just like her mother, both had fiery tempers, and she hanged herself that very night. Old Song... it was also the man of Sister Song who went to report to the authorities, but instead, he ended up getting beaten up by the officials. Old Song, unable to bear it, slammed his head against the stone lion outside the yamen and died on the spot.

He did not know the name of that elder sister, yet he vividly remembered her smile and every word she had spoken to him. That kindness often flowed in Chu Tian's heart, making him feel warm. Without her, Chu Tian even wondered if he would still be the same Chu Tian he is now

He Zhi-Zhang's green bee magic hook was slicing through the air, its sharp cold breath tearing through the atmosphere, like an invisible arrow piercing towards his body

The other guards fell silent, their legs trembling as if they had been struck by a paralysis spell, watching helplessly as the young man entered the gate.

He Zhi Zhang let out a furious roar as he flipped backward, his entire right arm nearly losing sensation. The chilling sword energy transmitted from the Green Hornet's magic hook caused the blood in half of his body to freeze, and a layer of white frost appeared on his clothing

As the green hornet's magical hook snapped in response, the momentum of the Azure Cloud's Primordial Sword surged even more, like a bamboo being split, pointing directly at He Zhizhang's brow.

Yes, it is... Song's sister-in-law collected the bodies of her husband and daughter, dressed herself beautifully, and jumped into the river from the bridge, disappearing in an instant.

Quickly report to the leader! The middle-aged man was greatly alarmed and drew a soft whip from his waist to strike at the young man

The middle-aged man closed his eyes and cried out in despair, "Spare my life, Deputy Leader—"

The bright moon shines between the pines, and the clear spring flows over the stones

"Why did she jump into the river?" Chu Tian took a step forward, his eyes radiating a cold light as he fixed his gaze on the small vendor.

The green bee's magical hook buzzed and trembled, as if the spirit of the instrument sensed the imposing aura of the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword reigning over the world, involuntarily shuddering.

He lives in seclusion in the deep mountains, and all his cultivation comes from the sacred text of the Brahman Sutra hidden within the jade cylinder

He left the crowd and arrived at the banks of the Huaiyang River, where the atmosphere was equally lively and vibrant.

However, under the eaves, or more precisely, with one's neck under another's sword, one has no choice but to bow down. Embracing the sentiment that a true man can bend and stretch, along with a heart full of sorrow and indignation, the middle-aged man resolved that it is better to live poorly than to die well, and said: "I will take you to find the young deputy leader"

More subtly, he could clearly sense the various energies of heaven and earth filling the void, and even faintly perceive the radiant colors emanating from these energies. Such phenomena were previously impossible to see with the naked eye, let alone to feel their existence

The sound of the piano abruptly ceased, and the young girl let out a terrified scream, seeking refuge in the man's embrace

Suddenly, Chu Tian's pace became slower and slower, and before he knew it, he had arrived at the riverbank where he had parted ways with Qing Er that day

In an instant, Chu Tian suddenly realized that in the fleeting moment of being lost in thought, the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword was unleashed with wild abandon, striking out eleven times in succession

The Iron Clothes Gang was once the largest gang in Huaiyang City. The reason for saying "once" is that it has now surpassed the Brocade Clothes Society to become the largest gang, occupying an area of tens of thousands of miles across the seven prefectures and forty-six counties in the southwest of Hanzhou.

Before me, there are no ancient figures; behind me, there are no future generations. Reflecting on the vastness of heaven and earth, I am filled with sorrow and tears flow down my face

Chutian urged him to move forward, and news of someone challenging the venue had already been reported to the inner residence. However, coincidentally, the leader of the Iron Armor Gang, Qin Guantian, was meeting with distinguished guests, and no one dared to disturb him without permission. Therefore, the first to receive the news was the deputy leader, Guan Xiayue.

In the face of the oppressive sword energy of the Cangyun Yuanchan, he felt a chill throughout his body, his right arm nearly stiffened. Yet, he stubbornly refused to lose face in front of the many followers and disciples, gritting his teeth and forcing his true energy to clear the meridians in his arm, he shouted: "Open!"

This marks the beginning of the resonance between heaven and humanity. From this point on, every thought that arises in the mind will possess a spiritual essence, communicating with the universe and merging with the cosmos. Even in the pitch darkness where one cannot see their own hand, with just a slight sense of spirituality, one can perceive every blade of grass and every object around them with clarity, and at any moment, engage in communication with the various energies of heaven and earth.

He approached the vendor selling steamed buns and asked, "Sir, I would like to inquire about someone. I remember there used to be a lady selling breakfast here, but I haven't seen her today"

As the moon sets, a hero is born, boldly confronting the path with a drawn sword, declaring: "Open!"

The middle-aged man, realizing he was no match, dropped his soft whip and turned to flee. Unexpectedly, the young man, wielding a divine sword weighing over a hundred pounds, moved with lightning speed, quickly catching up to him. He pressed the heavy sword against the middle-aged man's shoulder and coldly asked: "Where is Qin Jin?"

The young man drew the heavy sword from his back, and a magnificent, unrefined white light swept across the sky, causing those knives and guns to snap like toys made of clay.

Chutian blended into the crowd as he entered the city, where many shops had already opened on the streets. The tranquil ancient city awakened in the morning sun, filled with the shouts of vendors and the creaking sound of wheels rolling over the cobblestones.

The small vendor was so intimidated by his gaze that her heart raced, stammering, "She, she, I, I ... ... "

When ! '' Chutian was struck by the moonlight, he staggered back three steps, yet the fish-scale treasure knife in his opponent's hand remained unyielding

With a resounding roar, the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword slashed down from the sky, its pure white light obscuring the vast expanse above, descending upon the moon beneath the pass like an avalanche

The small vendor's face revealed a look of alertness, cautiously glancing left and right while busy tidying up the table, and after a moment, whispered, "What are you asking her for?"

A trace of indescribable loneliness involuntarily rose in Chutian's heart, and at such a young age, he had already tasted the flavor of solitude

Chutian held the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, silently observing them. He understood their feelings but was unable to console them. With this unexpectedly acquired Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, he found it increasingly difficult to suppress his urge to search for Qing'er

Chutian hetushu.com, with a tranquil mind, slowly releases a thread of thought that feels almost tangible into the outside world

He Zhi Zhang was unwilling to let his hard work go to waste; with bloodshot eyes, he charged headlong at Chu Tian.

It is merely another fool from the residence seeking their own demise

Chutian glanced at Quan Shidai and the others, noticing that they were still crying inconsolably, so he chose not to disturb them and quietly left the ancient cave

He vaguely guessed that the red-clad elder, who was singing while holding a sword, was the former owner of the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, known as Han Liao Qiao, the foremost master of the demonic path six hundred years ago

Through the wondrous connection with the spirit of the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, the masters of the two generations of divine swords seemed to transcend distant time and space in that moment, dancing together beneath the same vast sky

Upon the death of He Zhizhang, many masters of the Brocade-clad Society were filled with fear and trepidation, losing all courage to continue fighting. One by one, they fled the ancient cave in haste. Two incense masters, however, were slightly slower and were killed by the strikes of Quan Shidai and Yuan Shiheng.

He paused for a moment and discovered that the true essence in his dantian had become more refined and rich, as if a round red sun was slowly rotating, continuously refining the demonic energy of the Brahman into its original form

Chutian stepped forward, taking two strides, wielding a sword in each hand, and with a sharp sound, shattered He Zhizhang's arms. He said calmly, "I did not harm your son, but he indeed died before my eyes. For his sake, I will not kill you. Leave now!"

Thinking of how he had painstakingly forged the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, only to have it unfairly benefit Chu Tian, He Zhizhang could not help but feel a surge of anger and frustration, shouting: "Little dog, do not be arrogant; I will fight you to the end!"

She jumped into the river, and it has been over six months since she died

Chutian admired Guan Xiayue's spirit and said, "Hero, I will not make things difficult for you!" He retracted the Cangyun Yuanchan sword and gently patted the middle-aged man's back, saying, "Go!"

What he saw at first glance was the scene of more than a dozen Iron Shirt Gang members rolling on the ground, crying and howling

Now, they swirl around themselves like the wind, quietly floating and flowing, subtly nourishing all things

The small vendor looked up and down at Chu Tian, and after a moment of silence finally replied: "Sister Song has died"

"Where did this little beast come from, daring to cause trouble for the Iron Clothes Gang!" Guan Xiaoyue roared, pouncing on Chu Tian like a fierce lion

The sound of hissing echoed as thousands of green bees were swept away, turning to ash in the swirling depths of the Nine Fiends' dark waters

"Steamed buns for sale, hot and fresh meat buns, come and buy now"

Chutian's gaze fixed on the magic hook, gradually infusing the magic energy of the Brahman into the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword

Chutian placed a silver ingot on the table and said slowly, "Uncle, could you please help me buy some incense and paper money to honor Sister Song's family"

This is the first time Chutian has encountered an opponent capable of clashing head-on with the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword. The magical energy of the Vandu within him surged and poured into the sword without restraint.

That stone lion weighs at least a thousand jin, yet in his hands, it feels as light as a small pebble

Without guidance from others and without protection, in pursuit of his insights, Chu Tian must summon extraordinary courage and take great risks to experience it personally. Several times, he teetered on the brink of madness, relying on his tenacious willpower and innate resilience to pull through, though it must be said that a bit of luck was also involved

Lie down! Chu Tian raised his power to seventy percent, swinging his wrist to strike down heavily with the sword once again

The young man raised the stone lion and stepped onto the stairs, with fierce anger burning in his eyes

As the general's banner points into the distance, the sound of metal and horses reverberates across the plains, a stream of shimmering white light escapes from the blade, completely shattering the chilling gusts of wind wrapped in the green bee's magical hooks.

The one playing the piano is a young maiden, while a young man dressed in a white silk robe sits cross-legged opposite her, barefoot.