Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 603 - 603 602 The True Inheritor of the Northwest

603: Chapter 602: The True Inheritor of the Northwest 603: Chapter 602: The True Inheritor of the Northwest Hou Niao did not rush to set off, as such matters cannot be hastened; it’s a chronic illness, with symptoms lasting hundreds of years.

He also wanted to take this rare opportunity to spend more days with his friends.

Since he couldn’t go to the Lihai for the time being, who knew how long it would be before they could see each other again?

In all his experiences, the Lizhi Sea was undoubtedly a very important period.

He crossed the threshold from God Sensing to Natural at sea, which was the land of his dragon’s rise.

And then there were the friends from Loulan…

Most people have gone to the underground Dark River to comprehend the power of the Water Spirit Pearl.

For the majority of cultivators, the Five Elements are the foundation of their system, indispensable.

…In the desert, two sword lights chased and fought each other, yet no figures were visible; as fast as thunder, swift as lightning, sprinting and leaping, advancing and sweeping in all directions.

This had continued for a quarter of an hour, and there was still no sign of exhaustion.

Beside them, Nan Xiangye watched, enthralled and distracted.

Despite having been in the Quanzhen Sect for decades, he never knew that the sect harbored such unique swordsmanship, or rather, that the swordsmanship deemed trash by consensus could have such a ferocious aspect.

Another quarter of an hour passed, and one of the sword lights could no longer hold on.

Its brilliance scattered and dimmed until, with a withdrawal of the sword light, Fang Yazi appeared somewhat disheveled.

Hou Niao appeared as well, “Not bad, just a bit rusty.

You still need the polish of real combat.”

The comment was not a matter of relying on seniority; no Sword Cultivator fought daily with Nascent Soul Sword Three in life-and-death struggles as he did.

To him, all Sword Cultivators were the same: they fought too little and killed too sparingly.

Fang Yazi steadied his slightly chaotic breath, “It’s all because senior brother showed mercy; otherwise, I couldn’t have lasted ten breaths.”

Had the once proud young man learned to flatter as well?

In truth, it was no exaggeration; when Sword Cultivators fought with all their might, ten breaths weren’t necessary, the outcome would be determined in an instant.

Meanwhile, Nan Xiangye approached, not to enter the fray himself, but because some words were hard to swallow.

Such swordsmanship was too much for him, the battle with the Undead Army had made everything crystal clear to him, and now, watching the confrontation from close quarters only amplified that clarity.

It was a completely new concept, on an entirely different level.

“Senior brother, I…”

Hou Niao chuckled, “There’s no need to feel embarrassed.

I understand your thoughts.

It’s not strange to have ideas, what would be strange is to have none.”

The three stood side by side in the air, gazing at the forest belt that looked like a green dragon winding across the endless grey-yellow earth; the contrast was so stark, so striking—it was the essence of cultivation.

With a deep sigh, “You must have noticed, this is the Body Sword Skill that the sect considered worthless.

I am fortunate—many Sword Dao predecessors sought its secrets in vain, yet I, by a fluke of heaven…

To be realistic, there are still many secrets of the Body Sword Skill that are being explored and have yet to form a complete system or reach perfection.

So, as to where its limits, applications, and restrictions lie, it is too early to say.

Without undergoing Nascent Transformation, an accurate and rational evaluation of it cannot be made.

We are all trying, we may succeed, or we may fail.

Everyone who comes into contact with it must be prepared for this possibility.”

Nan Xiangye listened quietly, but his gaze did not wander in the slightest.

Having practiced sword cultivation for decades, he understood all too well what was worth risking and what wasn’t.

“This is why I’ve never mentioned it publicly, not because I overvalue my own work, but because cultivators should adopt a meticulous attitude.

You cannot treat this sword technique as a golden rule just because of its powerful and lethal effectiveness.

How many skills that have been passed down through the ages have not been tested by time and verified by countless cultivators?”

“Up to now, only Yazi and I have dabbled a bit in the Body Sword Skill, and it has been only a short dozen years, which is not enough to really prove anything.”

Nan Xiangye stepped forward to kneel, “I, Zhongcheng Nanxiangye, wish to take you as my master…”

Hou Niao stopped his motion with a gesture, “I do not take disciples, only brothers.

The Body Sword Skill comes from Quanzhen and will ultimately return to Quanzhen.

All those within the sect who wish to learn can do so, but the opportunity is not yet ripe.

You should know that the emergence of a new direction in swordsmanship involves many hardships, including the swordsmanship itself as well as resistance from conservative forces.”

His gaze became intense, “However, if you are willing to take the risk and help build a new system of swordsmanship, I welcome you to join!”

Nan Xiangye’s expression was firm, “I am willing to join, no matter what the future holds, I will not regret today’s decision.”

Hou Niao smiled slightly, “Alright, there really isn’t anything special.

The swordsmanship itself is in the basement of the Sword Storage Tower in Yujing; you’ll have to figure out how to retrieve it yourself.

The only trick I can teach you is just one, whether you can master it depends entirely on you.

This is the same as when I first taught Yazi; I just pointed out the path.

It’s up to you to decide how to walk it.”

Nan Xiangye knelt down deeply in gratitude.

As a mature cultivator, he certainly understood Hou Niao’s meaning; let alone a new and immature sword skill direction, even those skills that had been validated and passed down for hundreds or thousands of years, no master would teach you hand by hand for fear of producing nothing but a fool with only book knowledge.

“Masters lead you to the path, personal cultivation is up to the individual.”

While the three were discussing Body Sword Skill, a group of more than ten cultivators flew from afar.

Fang Yazi was very calm,

“Eleven people, all true inheritors from the Qin Sect and Yue Sect.

I heard Uncle-Master Yu say during the Sand Burial that brother, your trouble has arrived.”

Hou Niao boasted without any trace of modesty, “Such a level is hardly a trouble for me.”

The eleven approached swiftly, with two stepping out to the front, “I am Yang Guanjun from the Qin Sect, and Tang Youceng from the Yue Sect; we have come to meet Daoist Hou.”

Hou Niao responded with a salute, “Shan Sect’s Hou Niao, may I ask why the two Daoist friends have come?”

Yang Guanjun got straight to the point, “We wish to see how we measure up to Daoist Hou and implore you not to refuse.”

Tang Youceng added brusquely, “To say more is needless; the reason is clear.

Daoist Hou has been playing both our Yue and Qin Sects in the palm of his hands these past few months.

With such a heroic character, we simply must become well acquainted.”

The situation was clear; they were not willing to be made fools of and sought to pick a fight.

For months in the Dark River, the two major sects had been kept in the dark and were dragged all the way to Longxu Gully without malicious intent and with indeed some justification.

However, the feeling of being manipulated and concealed was widespread among the cultivators of both sects.

It wasn’t enough to strike back to kill, but teaching a lesson to save face was a matter of course.

Otherwise, if word got out, how could the Qin and Yue Sects still hold their heads high?

All were of proud and arrogant character, and none was willing to be played in such a manner.

This was their reason for coming here, though they did not make overt declarations.

Instead, the true inheritors were all here, including six from the Yue Sect and five from the Qin Sect.

And it included Yin Qingsi, whom Hou Niao thought had already left.

But this wasn’t a problem.

Hou Niao turned to his two younger brothers, “Let me show you what true Body Sword Skill is!”