Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 643 - 643 642 Art Has No Limits

643: Chapter 642: Art Has No Limits 643: Chapter 642: Art Has No Limits All three elderly members of the Langzhong Sect were present, clearly placing great emphasis on this impartation of knowledge.

The Daoist with the black beard showed slight displeasure at the appearance of Li Shipeng, “Capital Commandant, who is this gentleman?”

Hou Niao pulled Li Shipeng over, “This is my brother, he has come here with the same purpose as myself, also wishing to learn the secret skills of Langzhong.

I am a drifter, unsure of when the higher-ups may or may not send me off to some place, but my brother will remain in Pingliang State…”

There was no need to spell it out; the three elderly Daoists understood his implications and said no more.

Within a solemn hall, Hou Niao and Li Shipeng paid their deepest respects to the ancestors of the Ancient Langzhong Sect.

This was not about becoming disciples, but expressing respect for the continuation of the Daoist heritage, and it was through such a process that both men came to a deeper understanding of the Ancient Langzhong Sect.

The Ancient Langzhong Sect had always been inexplicably weakening.

Contrary to the thriving and flourishing Daoist heritage of other countries that began to surge nearly two thousand years ago when the spiritual energy revived, Langzhong Country was shrinking in territory, dwindling in talent, and cultivators found it increasingly difficult to advance, with superficial mastery of skills, until the present state.

It was as if cursed.

The ancient Langzhong, which included large areas of Shan Country and Anhe Dao Country, was a true Upper Country.

Yet over two thousand years, it was squeezed into a tiny spot in Pingliang by two neighboring countries, unable to muster up strength.

But these old and young remnants had not forgotten the glory of their ancestors.

They insisted that the Daoist heritage of Ancient Langzhong was the most pure and powerful on the Jinxiu Continent, leading to subsequent inexplicable stubbornness and resistance to change.

It might be right, it might be wrong.

There is no question in persistence, but the correct method must be applied.

“Capital Commandant, as you have seen, our Ming King’s Screen always seems somewhat unsatisfactory.

Over the years, we have been able to guess some of the reasons but have been unable to change them; it’s unclear whether the cultivation technique is too difficult, or whether we, the younger generations, lack the aptitude and cannot be cultivated?”

“What do you mean?”

The Daoist with silver whiskers gestured with his hand, “You will know once you look at the ancient texts of the Ming King.”

The three elderly Daoists were very conscientious and presented not a copied version, an improved version, an abridged version, or a modernized version, but the original passed down from the ancient ancestors; it wasn’t actually a manuscript, because there was no writing—just a sequence of peculiar images.

A large bird, unclear whether it was a phoenix or a peacock, flapped its wings in the void, with light and shadow rising from behind it.

At the feathers’ spread, there were as many as seven colored lights—unlike the modest effort displayed by the three Daoists, who lacked the essence of the grand bird’s flapping movement, retaining only its form but lacking its true significance.

The bird’s body appeared almost transparent, with the circulation of power through its meridians clearly visible—how to practice the technique, gather energy, emit light, and produce the effect…

all was vividly shown.

Hou Niao understood that the Langzhong Sect’s Ming King’s Screen was actually about combining human cultivation traits and conditions with the deeper integration of the bird’s demonic power.

He didn’t know with which human cultivation technique the Ancient Langzhong Sect had started, but in terms of cultivation principles, any technique could be harmonized with the demonic power circulation of the great bird.

The difference lay in whether the integration was seamless or not?

Were you really willing to devote careful thought to it?

If one only tasted it superficially, claiming to like dragons without truly understanding them, then nothing substantial could be learned—not even blazing one’s own trail or achieving the current level of the Langzhong Sect, considering they had already studied the great bird for thousands of years.

The three elderly Daoists showed them the original, implying a profound meaning; one might say they taught wholeheartedly, without hiding anything.

But one might also say there were many obstacles beneath, and if you had the skill, you could gain a lot; if not, you might end up with nothing, as they did not present anything ready-made for the Langzhong Sect’s cultivators to start learning immediately.

After seeing the original, no one would think of asking for the improved version from the Langzhong Sect.

Such is human nature—seeing something better and more promising overshadows the hardship involved, because every cultivator believes they are unique.

What others cannot do, they might be able to do.

“Seven rays of colored light, Five Elements Yin Yang, is this the ultimate form of the Ming King’s Screen?”

The silver-bearded elder nodded with bitterness, “Indeed it is!

But we cultivators of Langzhong will never reach that realm.

Apart from the seven rays of colored light, even just completing each of the Five Elements or the Yin Yang is beyond us.

We can only split them and specialize in one of the Five Elements, or one of the Yin and Yang, thus greatly diminishing the power, and nowhere near the prowess described in the original.”

Hou Niao nodded, feeling regrettable, but still sincerely said, “But the Ming King’s Screen itself definitely ranks among the top cultivation techniques of the Continent, there is no doubt about that.

Outsiders may not recognize this, but the perseverance of the esteemed elders is not meaningless.

The only question is how to do it…”

The silver-whiskered Daoist looked melancholic, “That is indeed the great enigma that has troubled us for a thousand years.

Capital Commandant, don’t think we intentionally presented a challenge to you.

If you just achieve our level of learning, it will be meaningless for you, not even adding to what you already possess.

If you are going to learn, learn the most essential part, then you can surpass the ordinary.”

Hou Niao smiled, “Elder, I appreciate the thought, and I think so too.

That’s why, upon seeing the Peacock Feather Skill, I was immediately enthralled and full of longing.

I dare not boast of other things, but if one day I make a breakthrough, I will surely record my insights and return to express my gratitude before your assembly hall.”

The silver-whiskered Daoist stroked his beard and smiled, “I hope that day will come.

When the Capital Commandant’s great work is accomplished, you might also lend support to our Langzhong lineage.

We don’t seek to achieve public Manifestation, only that the legacy of our ancestors is not squandered in our hands; as long as the Daoist lineage continues, nothing else really matters, what of the old territories of Pingliang?”

Hou Niao pondered carefully—the original depiction contained far too much to memorize; if it had been text, he could have committed it to memory rigidly, to be studied later on.

However, this animated depiction was a challenge, testing one’s enlightenment and requiring long-term absorption.

“Elder, this depiction resonates with me, but it seems no matter how I look, I can never see enough.

To gain something from it appears to require more than a day or a month’s effort.

What do you think?”

The silver-whiskered Daoist was quite generous, “Capital Commandant, there’s no need for modesty.

You are welcome to come and study it at any time.

If it were possible to make a copy of this depiction, I would have given one to you…

Not just you, even we few old fellows, after studying it for hundreds of years, still find it insufficient and opaque.

We must review it daily, or else we feel as though something is missing, and we often gain new insights.

Young friend, don’t laugh.

It’s precisely because this depiction is so magical that our Langzhong lineage has been unable to integrate with the mainstream Daoist Sects for a thousand years.

It’s not for lack of open-mindedness; rather, the marvel of this depiction is irresistibly captivating.

It feels as though we are on the verge of unraveling its truth, yet it remains just out of reach, taunting our entire sect for a thousand years, still just that little bit elusive.”