Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 183 - 183 182 Turbulent Times Vanity Added for 4000 votes

183: Chapter 182 Turbulent Times Vanity [Added for 4000 votes] 183: Chapter 182 Turbulent Times Vanity [Added for 4000 votes] Hou Niao did not ride a horse, but directly used the Sword Yu Step to hurry along, akin to the few uncles he had encountered upon his first entry into Da Feng Plain—odd as it seemed, it actually reflected a tenacious and upward spirit.

Quanzhen Sect never demanded its disciples to be one way or another; everything depended on oneself.

To loaf around and await one’s doom?

To follow procedures step by step?

Or to strive hard and aim high?

Still, a portion of cultivators chose the toughest path, mostly congregated in frontiers and hazardous regions—a soaring spirit, indeed.

Unfortunately, not everyone was spurred by such a spirit.

Within Quanzhen Sect, there were still many examples like Zheng Shixie and Wang Zhongjin, who even occupied high positions despite their attitudes.

Along the way, the scenery of Yinling remained as desolate as ever.

Yet, there were subtle changes.

The massacre at Suqiu had forced the Demon Clan of Yinling to rein in, and the events at West Mang Mountain had led to a complete clean-up of Soul Ghosts, making ordinary mortals feel as if Yinling had become safer.

Those merchant caravans marveled at the phenomenon, claiming that they had never seen such a scene in decades of trading.

Few people knew the real reason, but Hou Niao could boast without blushing that this was all the change he brought after arriving in Yinling; thus, the merits and faith the mortals of Yinling bestowed upon him, he deserved them all!

To admit what you’ve done is a good quality!

That guy Wang Zhongjin has a particularly venomous eye!

He ran and pondered all the way.

About the issue of the Purple Mansion, he had gradually clarified one fact: the Purple Mansion Vortex and the so-called Purple Mansion of the Bridge Connection were not the same thing.

The Purple Mansion Vortex was merely a pathway his Divine Soul connected to some unnamed place, which simply happened to manifest in the Purple Mansion.

However, it was not to say that the vortex was the Purple Mansion.

The true Purple Mansion referred to the cultivator’s Inner Secret.

It indicated a small universe within the body, a key to the inner path of cultivation with the universe.

It is also said: “This person responds with heaven and earth.” It could also be interpreted as: the natural world and man are interactive, responsive, and reflective of one another.

Whatever exists in the heavens, the same can be found in the Purple Mansion within one’s body; how much you can comprehend within your Purple Mansion dictates how far you can reach in your realm!

If you can’t find it, then you’re just a mortal.

If you find the Purple Mansion, you are qualified for Tongxuan and can transcend mortality to begin cultivation.

If you discover the world of immortals within the Purple Mansion, then you are an immortal!

One could say that the Bridge Connection is not just about the literal sense of the Purple Mansion, but a path leading towards heaven!

All cultivation techniques and secret skills are merely aids that help you see more and travel further within the Purple Mansion!

Tongxuan is about transcending mortality; Bridge Connection is about aspiring for immortality.

At this stage, at least cultivators should know which direction to look.

It might seem like an unnecessary realm, but its intrinsic significance is enormous.

With a correct understanding, Hou Niao also knew more or less what he should do: forget about the Purple Mansion Vortex and seek the connection to the Purple Mansion in the most ordinary and common way.

This was progress, making him realize that the Purple Mansion Vortex was not everything but only a part of it, like a cheat code opened in the Purple Mansion?

Cheat codes could enhance abilities but were not the essence.

Without any incidents, with everything proceeding smoothly, one day later, he saw the Ancient Stone Wall he had not seen for a long time, bustling with travelers and traders continuously moving in and out through the stone gates.

He was pleased because part of it was thanks to his effort.

The guard’s inspection was more of a formality; they were fellow disciples from the same sect, after all, and saving face was a must.

Everyone in Yinling was a hard nut to crack, and nobody wanted to offend them without good reason.

Once he entered Miao Gao Town, the feeling was immediately different; separated by an Ancient Stone Wall, the desolation and prosperity presented a stark contrast, as if they were two different worlds.

He did not linger in Miao Gao Town the last time he passed through because he had things on his mind, but this time, he was in no rush and had the leisure to walk, browse, and enjoy along the way.

Having been detached from the bustling world for nearly two years was not easy for a cultivator of his level.

Is one’s Dao heart as firm as iron, so easy to maintain?

“Where is Uncle Yu?

Look for the most luxurious and lavish residence in town, and that’s where you’ll find him.”

An encountered senior brother pointed the way, “Who might you be?”

Hou Niao replied, “Yinling patroller Hou Niao, Uncle has summoned me…”

This Brother Li tacitly nodded, “Understood, understood.

Take care of yourself and bless you.”

It seemed that this Uncle Yu did indeed have somewhat of a bad reputation.

With a clear destination, Hou Niao easily found the estate.

It was indeed a grand household, extraordinary, thronged with servants, and bustling with guests—truly the atmosphere of a rich and prominent family, which didn’t quite fit a cultivator’s identity, did it?

This wasn’t his concern, though.

After explaining his purpose to the gatekeeper, the man, not daring to neglect him, sent someone to lead him to the rear garden.

Here it was much quieter, the first sign of a cultivator’s dwelling.

Entering the garden alone, he was startled to find that this so-called garden, vast in size, was planted only with wild grass and flowers—a kind of small white flower, the most common on the plains, with the strongest vitality.

Uncle Yu was weeding and incidentally pollinating the flowers, only what set him apart was that he was using a sword to do it all!

The flying sword danced gracefully among the plants, accurately cutting down the roots of each weed.

Such a technique required a terrifying grasp of strength—to cut only the root but harm nothing else; and in a few days, new leaves would sprout from the severed stems, providing excellent targets for sword practice.

Although he didn’t understand flying swords, Hou Niao could somewhat guess what his uncle was doing.

He was training his control over the flying sword!

This was probably why he could intimidate the painted skin ghosts while Uncle Zheng could not.

Perhaps intentionally allowing him to see more clearly, Yu Zhengxing didn’t stop practicing with his sword but allowed him to observe from the side until a moment later.

The flying sword whistled and disappeared into his body, Yu Zhengxing turned to look at him, “How about it?”

Hou Niao prostrated in admiration, “It’s like the workings of the gods!”

Yu Zhengxing didn’t beat around the bush just because their realms were separated by several levels, as if speaking to someone of equal standing,

“Control is the essence of the flying sword!

It’s just as important as power.

Perfect control can help you conserve energy and more easily spot an opponent’s weaknesses.

Three years ago, when I cut a blade of grass, I would harm the surrounding ones, but now I should be able to cut without inflicting injury.

Only when I can simultaneously cut a swath of grass without harming the wildflowers will I have achieved some minor proficiency.

This is the Sword Dao—there is no innate talent, only the results of diligent study and hard practice!”

Hou Niao nodded in acknowledgement, “Uncle’s words are true; I shall take them as a lesson.”

The sword is the epitome of sharpness, and grass represents the ultimate in frailty.

To slash with lightning speed, retract without affecting anything else—such control is nothing short of miraculous, and Hou Niao’s admiration was genuine, without any exaggeration.

Yu Zhengxing’s thoughts were unconventional, “What do you think of my estate?”

Hou Niao was caught off guard for a moment, wondering how the topic had shifted from the Sword Dao to domestic affairs.

“It’s grand and imposing, teeming with life—a legacy for generations.”

Yu Zhengxing chuckled, “Sword cultivators should live austerely, but it is the heart that should be simple, not the outward appearance.

They are all my wife’s family; there’s nothing wrong with them seeking glory and riches under my protection.

Watching such prosperity every day, what I think about is when I can completely ignore it and sever all these attachments!

To kill my wife to prove the Dao is impossible because my old wife already died a long time ago; so instead, I keep her relatives around as a ladder for my Dao!”