Chapter 288: Han Li
After Zhang Ying left, Lei Jing remained silent for a moment, as if lost in thought.
After a long while, his gaze shifted to another silver-robed elder, and he asked, "Fan Tian, the eight lower commanderies in the western region of Lingxi have already begun their campaign against the Four Directions Commandery, haven't they?"
Ji Fantian stood below, speaking with reverence, "Reporting to the Pavilion Master, just half a month ago, the eight lower commanderies launched attacks on the Four Directions Commandery almost simultaneously, sending troops from eight directions. They clearly intend to carve up the territory of the Four Directions Commandery together."
"Word has it that when the sanction decree from the Eastern Domain Saint Prince Manor was issued, the high-ranking members of the Four Directions Commandery's royal family had already fled. The entire royal palace is now empty. At present, chaos has erupted across the Four Directions Commandery. The powerful figures within the military have declared themselves kings, forming independent factions. Even the major clans and great sects of the Four Directions Commandery have joined in, seizing territory for themselves, hoping to claim a share in these turbulent times."
"But in terms of overall strength, the eight lower commanderies still hold the upper hand."
Lei Jing said, "The Four Directions Commandery is a mid-tier commandery. Its territory is larger than the combined lands of the other eight commanderies, and its population exceeds the total of those eight. A single lower commandery lacks the power to swallow the Four Directions Commandery alone."
"Pavilion Master, why the sudden interest in this matter?" Ji Fantian asked.
Lei Jing did not answer Ji Fantian's question. He rose to his feet, pushed open the door, and stepped outside. Standing atop the twelve-story tower pavilion, he gazed down at the sea of clouds below and asked, "Fan Tian, you've been with me for fifty years now, haven't you?"
"Forty-nine years and three months," Ji Fantian replied.
Lei Jing nodded and said, "What level has your martial arts cultivation reached?"
"Heavenly Extreme Realm Great Perfection," Ji Fantian answered.
Lei Jing nodded again. "I have never formally acknowledged you as my disciple, but I have always regarded you as my senior disciple. You understand that, don't you?"
Ji Fantian immediately knelt on the ground, tears streaming from his eyes. He kowtowed three times and said, "Greetings, Master."
Lei Jing helped Ji Fantian to his feet and said, "Fan Tian, I now have a task that requires your help."
"Whatever Master commands, this disciple will face fire and water without hesitation," Ji Fantian declared.
Ji Fantian quickly added, "Is Master referring to the matter of the Four Directions Commandery?"
"Exactly," Lei Jing confirmed.
Lei Jing continued, "Your junior disciple is the Ninth Prince of the Yunwu Commandery. Naturally, I hope the Four Directions Commandery falls into the hands of the Yunwu Commandery. However, the Yunwu Commandery's strength is still too weak. I want you to go to the Four Directions Commandery and secretly assist the Yunwu Commandery's army. At the same time, you must convey my intentions to the forces of the Martial Market Bank within the Four Directions Commandery, making it clear whom they should support."
"This disciple understands," Ji Fantian said.
"Go now."
One good turn deserves another.
Zhang Ruochen had gifted the "Blood God Sutra" and the Space Jade Bracelet to Lei Jing. Having received such a great favor, Lei Jing naturally had to repay it in some way.
...
The Yuntai Sect Mansion was undoubtedly the top-tier overlord in the Demon Ridge.
In the eyes of martial artists in the Demon Ridge, the Yuntai Sect Mansion was a sacred ground of martial arts. Every year, countless young disciples flocked there, hoping to be accepted into the sect.
At this moment, within a quiet and serene garden of the Yuntai Sect Mansion, a woman with a tall, slender figure and a flawless face was practicing sword techniques in the training ground, wielding a white jade ancient sword and executing profound and mysterious sword forms.
"Swish, swish!"
Han Qiu's sword techniques flowed like clouds and water, moving like a swimming dragon or a divine butterfly. Each strike seemed like a peerless sword move, nearly resonating with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
She was practicing the Yin Yi Nine Swords.
Since returning to the Yuntai Sect Mansion, Han Qiu had been in seclusion, honing her sword skills. The Yin Yi Nine Swords had already reached a certain level of mastery. Even without combining them with the Yang Yi Nine Swords, the power they unleashed was formidable.
Every move seemed capable of severing rivers and splitting mountains.
Suddenly, a playful curve appeared at the corner of Han Qiu's lips. She turned her sword tip, transforming it into a streak of white light, and thrust it toward the middle-aged man standing outside the training ground.
"Swish!"
With incredible speed and a powerful sword technique, a piercing sword cry rang out.
The middle-aged man stood tall and handsome, exuding an extraordinary aura. Just by standing there casually, he gave off the feeling of a martial arts god.
For other martial artists, even lifting their heads in his presence would be difficult, let alone drawing a sword against him.
In the entire Yuntai Sect Mansion, only Han Qiu would dare to strike at him.
The middle-aged man merely raised two fingers and clamped down tightly on Han Qiu's sword. He commented, "The sword technique is exquisite and unparalleled, but it is still too rigid in its forms. Clearly, the expert who taught you the Yin Yi Nine Swords only passed on the sword forms and footwork, not the mental cultivation method."
Han Qiu was somewhat unconvinced. "What do you mean? You only managed to catch my sword because of your superior cultivation. In my view, the Yin Yi Nine Swords are so profound and unfathomable that I haven't even unleashed one percent of their true power. Once my cultivation reaches your level, I'll definitely defeat you with a single strike."
"Haha! Fine! I'll be waiting for that day."
The middle-aged man was none other than the Sect Master of the Yuntai Sect Mansion, Han Li.
Han Li was usually a very stern person, but recently his mood had been exceptionally good, which was why he couldn't help but laugh out loud today.
Han Li released his fingers, letting go of the jade sword, and looked at Han Qiu with great satisfaction. "The Yin Yi Nine Swords are indeed remarkable. Even with just the sword forms and footwork, they are already comparable to Ghost-level lower-grade martial techniques. Qiu'er, receiving guidance from that expert is a great blessing for you. If you ever meet that expert again, you must invite him to the Yuntai Sect Mansion as a guest. I want to thank him properly."
Han Qiu's mind conjured the image of Zhang Ruochen, and a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. "Father, that expert not only taught me the sword technique but also helped me resolve a major problem in my cultivation. In your opinion, do you think I can now break through the fourth level of the Nine Absolute Tower?"
Han Li said, "Your progress since returning has been remarkable. Breaking through the fourth level of the Nine Absolute Tower should not be difficult."
"If you could also learn the mental cultivation method of the Yin Yi Nine Swords and master the complete set of techniques, you might even have a chance to break through the fifth level of the Nine Absolute Tower. Of course, don't be discouraged. Even without the mental method, you still have a chance to reach the level of Four Absolutes and a Half."
Even Han Li himself, when he was at the Earth Extreme Realm Great Perfection, was not as skilled as Han Qiu was now. How could he not be delighted?
Han Li added, "There's something else I need to tell you. The Grand Elder has observed your performance of the Yin Yi Nine Swords and plans to use them as a foundation to create a sword technique unique to the Yuntai Sect Mansion."
Hearing this, Han Qiu immediately grew displeased. "How can the Grand Elder do this? When did he come to watch? I had no idea!"
"With the Grand Elder's cultivation, even if he stood right beside you, you might not notice him," Han Li said.
Han Qiu said, "Father, when that expert taught me this sword technique, he specifically mentioned that it originated from the Liangyi Sect. Is it really appropriate for us to plagiarize someone else's sword technique?"
"It's not plagiarism; it's adaptation."
Han Li shook his head. "'All martial arts under heaven originate from three paths.' If you trace them back to their roots, every martial art in the world ultimately has a source, evolving from other martial arts."
"Qiu'er, you should understand that the Yuntai Sect Mansion's greatest weakness lies in its sword techniques. In over four hundred years since its founding, we haven't even developed a single Spirit-level upper-grade sword technique."
"For a sect to grow strong, it must have martial arts as its foundation. If the Grand Elder can create a top-tier sword technique based on the Yin Yi Nine Swords, then in the future, sword prodigies from the Demon Ridge won't only choose the Taiqing Palace or the Martial Market Academy. The Yuntai Sect Mansion will also become a sacred ground of the sword for them."
Han Qiu was still somewhat annoyed. "Is this the reason you've been making me practice the sword technique repeatedly?"
Han Li seemed to feel a bit guilty toward his daughter, and his expression softened. "Qiu'er, don't be angry. I admit I was wrong about this. How about this: I'll promise you one thing. Whatever you ask, I will agree to it."
Han Qiu knew that the theft of the sword technique was irreversible.
"Fine. In that case, Father, expel Zhang Tiangui from the Yuntai Sect Mansion," Han Qiu said.
Hearing this, Han Li was taken aback and laughed. "Gui'er? Weren't you two getting along well? Did you have a fight?"
Zhang Tiangui had always been Han Li's proud disciple, and Han Li held him in high regard. He also knew that Han Qiu and Zhang Tiangui had a good relationship, so he had long decided to betroth Han Qiu to Zhang Tiangui.
Han Qiu snorted coldly. "Father, do you think I'm joking? Zhang Tiangui appears upright on the surface, but behind the scenes, he is insidious and despicable. He even dared to plot against his own brother. What else is he incapable of? Father, keeping him in the Yuntai Sect Mansion, I fear it will only breed a tiger that will one day turn on us."
After returning to the Yuntai Sect Mansion, Han Qiu had sent people to investigate Zhang Tiangui.
Knowing Zhang Tiangui's true character, Han Qiu had grown deeply disgusted with him. She had never imagined that the senior brother she once admired could be such an unscrupulous hypocrite.
Han Li's expression turned stern, and he said coldly, "Qiu'er, your senior brother is my disciple and a peerless genius. He will become the pillar of the Yuntai Sect Mansion in the future. How can you speak of him like this without any evidence?"
"Of course, I have evidence," Han Qiu said.
"I not only have evidence but also a witness."
"What witness?" Han Li asked.
Han Qiu said, "Father, do you remember Zhang Tiangui's servant, Lin Chenyu?"
Han Li nodded. "Of course, I remember. That Lin Chenyu was also a decent talent. However, according to your senior brother, he has some hidden ailment and is not a complete man."
Han Qiu sneered coldly. "His hidden ailment was inflicted by none other than the senior brother himself."