Chapter 2, The True Method of Black Water (3)

Although there was a distance of more than ten steps between the two, the yellow-robed Taoist's sword technique was unparalleled in speed. In just a breath, the sword light reached the old Taoist's neck. The yellow-robed Taoist, feeling quite pleased with himself, did not actually wish to harm anyone; he merely intended to frighten the old Taoist into stumbling and forcing him off the high platform, which would serve as a display before the crowd.

With the experience just gained, Jiao Fei leaped to the next jump, and somehow a gentle strength emerged from his feet, surprisingly not disturbing a speck of dust. He then leaned against the wall. Su Huan smiled slightly, extending her delicate jade foot, still stepping on his shoulder, and gently climbed down. However, this time, a blush unexpectedly appeared on Su Huan's charming face, resembling the glow of dawn, radiant like a pearl glistening with dew.

The True Method of Black Water adheres to the ancient path of cultivation, placing the utmost importance on the refinement of the physical body

This time, a small trial of great skill has revealed a measure of the extraordinary

The silk sleeve of Su Huan is light and gently brushes against the face, releasing a subtle fragrance. However, he has just come to his senses; not only is he not captivated, but he also feels a sense of openness, regarding Su Huan's seemingly affectionate gesture with indifference. He lowered his voice and replied, "Indeed, it is just like the books. Let us go down!"

Jiao Fei understood clearly. His teacher, Master Lan Li, had once told him: "For those who practice cultivation, the art of observing Qi is a fundamental skill. One can discern the strengths and weaknesses of others, as well as their levels of Daoist attainment, with a single glance, often with up to ninety percent accuracy. If one cannot perceive the Daoist attainment of another, then there is no need to engage in a contest of skills, for it is certain that their attainment surpasses yours by tenfold."

This tower was constructed by Minister Yan as a blessing for his mother, specifically commissioned to craftsmen to be built according to the highest standards of Buddhism. It consists of thirteen levels, each housing a Buddha statue, with the top level dedicated to the statue of the Great Roc King, which was obtained from the Great Fulong Temple in Chang'an. Although its official name is the Tower of Compassionate Grace, it is commonly referred to by the people of Chang'an as the Tower of the Great Roc King or simply the Roc King Tower

The old Taoist priest shook his hands, and the silver threads of the whisk in his grasp suddenly surged, transforming into a vast net of silk that enveloped the ancient pine-patterned sword of the yellow-robed Taoist. He then leisurely pointed, sending a strand of silver thread from the whisk to knock the yellow-robed Taoist off the high platform. The duel of magic was incredibly thrilling, with the situation reversing in the blink of an eye. The yellow-robed Taoist was knocked off the high platform, not daring to retrieve the pine-patterned sword, and fled with his face covered.

Jiao Fei spent his days following his master in training, yet he had not truly grasped any progress. However, within the walls of the Yan Minister's residence, he suddenly experienced a moment of insight as he moved up and down.

The Divine Sect of Demons seeks the profound methods to locate that trace of ancient true spirit within the bloodline, nurturing and strengthening it, ultimately returning to its origin and transforming into a divine or demonic body, naturally possessing immense power, and also representing the path to immortality

The Daoist in the yellow robe danced with his sword for a while, then slightly turned his head to look at the palace tower, secretly thinking: "With such effort on my part, the Emperor of the Great Tang should surely notice my exquisite swordsmanship. This old Daoist is just putting on a show; I will first strike him down to display my might." Upon reaching this thought, the Daoist in the yellow robe let out a loud shout, exhaling a breath of true energy, and the ancient pine-patterned sword shot forward like a flash of lightning, fiercely thrusting towards the old Daoist.

Jiao Fei had been practicing the Black Water True Method for just over a month, yet he had not even mastered the first layer of the mental technique, let alone refine his body. However, he practiced day and night, and with the nourishment of the true water energy, his physique became more than twice as robust as before. The true water energy, like the silent nurturing of books and illustrations, was something he himself remained unaware of.

Minister Yan's family is affluent, and the construction of the Great Peng Ming Wang Pagoda is quite grand. From top to bottom, it is entirely made of blue bricks, making it exceptionally sturdy. Since it is often visited for worship, it is usually left unlocked, though few people come by. Jiao Fei and Su Huan walked hand in hand, ascending the steps, which offered a unique tranquility. When they reached the thirteenth level, the highest point of the Great Peng Ming Wang Pagoda, the bamboo mat duel had already begun, and the sound of thunderous applause echoed throughout Chang'an.

Although the old Daoist was full of vital energy, it was all concentrated between his chest and abdomen, resembling a perfectly round elixir, smooth and flawless. Unlike the Daoist in the yellow robe, who had released his spiritual energy, enveloping himself in a grand aura, the true energy he had cultivated was indeed several times more refined than that of the Daoist in the yellow robe

Jiao Fei was captivated, while Su Huan did not look at all. Instead, she searched around with her exquisite eyes. When she spotted the beggar who was shooting arrows, she let out a slight sigh of relief, and a surge of resentment welled up in her heart

After the old Taoist's great victory, he bowed towards the imperial city tower and then stood on the high platform, appearing to be in a state of half-sleep, seemingly indifferent to the thunderous applause from below.

In front of the imperial city, a wooden platform towering six zhang has been erected, measuring a hundred steps in both length and width. At this moment, two Taoists are engaged in a contest of magic on the platform. The Taoist on the left is dressed in a yellow robe, wearing a tall crown, with his hands on his hips. A松纹 sword spins wildly around him, darting about in all directions. His opponent is an elderly Taoist with white hair and beard, clad in a rather ancient Daoist robe. His eyes appear half-open and half-closed, and he holds a whisk tightly in both hands, seemingly reciting some great incantation.

These two Taoists, however, possess some materials, and the spiritual aura emanating from them is three to five times stronger than that of ordinary people. In particular, the Taoist in the yellow robe exudes a serpent-like spiritual energy, manipulating the ancient pine-patterned sword with remarkable speed, which makes Jiao Fei envious. He secretly muses: "I have been cultivating for over a month and can only manipulate a small amount of water vapor. This Taoist, without using hands or feet, can wield the sword with such swiftness solely relying on spiritual energy. He must be the legendary Sword Immortal, right? However, this Taoist's abilities are limited. The several blue and white lights that besieged my master that day seemed to be many times more profound than the power of this yellow-robed Taoist."

The current Emperor Li Ying of this dynasty, after all, is a century-old ruler who has been able to maintain his position on the dragon throne for several decades, and he is certainly not an ordinary person. He is also concerned that the extraordinary individuals he has summoned may turn out to be mere pretenders, which is why he has set up this bamboo mat duel at the Water and Land Assembly, allowing monks and Taoists from all directions to showcase their abilities, with rewards granted only to the victors

Jiao Fei focused all his thoughts on the changes in his body, unaware of the shyness that appeared on Su Huan's delicate face. Minister Yan was a veteran of three dynasties and belonged to a prestigious family that had been passed down for hundreds of years. This residence was exceedingly vast, with dozens of courtyards. Although Jiao Fei had sneaked in, the Minister's residence was a labyrinth of pathways, with doors everywhere and countless corridors, leaving him uncertain of the right way to go. It was Su Huan who took his arm and led the way, as if she were in her own home, navigating through several courtyards without alarming a single member of the Yan family, until they arrived beneath the tall tower.

In the ancient world, the divine and the demonic were indistinguishable, and all beings were extraordinarily powerful. Some were tall and imposing, resembling mountains; others had three heads and six arms, commanding the winds and summoning lightning; still others had eyes like the sun and moon, with hands that could support the four seas. Since Nuwa gathered the bloodlines of the ancient people and created new beings, the bloodlines of later generations have been mixed with those of the ancient gods and demons.