Chapter 179
Chapter 179: Wu Hua Discusses the Central Continent with Shu Shu
The madman nodded, his tone perfectly matter-of-fact: it is all nameless blade work carved into the cliff face; since you discovered it, you should name it, what problem is there?
Rong Shu blinked, her mind stalling for a moment; or rather, she could not quite believe he would say that. [This, this… even if you see through it and choose not to say it, him being this unconcerned still leaves me at a loss.]
She ventured in a small voice: I… I should name them?
She tested again: I really get to name them?
Seeing that the madman showed no particular reaction, Rong Shu rubbed her hands together with a flicker of excitement: then I need to think this through carefully. I have to come up with a truly formidable name, the kind that scares people the moment they hear it!
She poured the madman a fresh bowl of wine, then hugged the twin blades and moved off to the side, puzzling over what kind of names to choose.
She muttered to herself: let me think… let me think… this one is not quite right… what about this? It does not sound domineering enough…
The madman tilted his head to look at the eagerly absorbed Rong Shu not far away and could not help a faint chuckle.
She suddenly dashed back, eyes shining: senior, I have it.
I have the names for the first three forms of the blade art, she said with bright enthusiasm.
The first form is a single-blade style that focuses on cleaving, grand and imposing, where anything standing before one’s eyes is hewn apart with a single stroke, so I named it—
She deliberately slowed her cadence, putting on an air of mystery. The madman humored her and asked: what did you name it?
Rong Shu drew up her small chest, full of proud confidence: it is called the Super Ultra Thunderbolt Grand Cleaving Technique.
The smile on the madman’s face froze at once; his hand trembled, and the half goose foot he was holding slipped to the ground. No… that… this…
The corner of his mouth twitched twice; for the life of him he did not know how to describe his complicated feelings at that moment.
She snickered and swerved the topic with a grin: I am joking.
The first form is Heaven-Cleaving Mountain, she said.
The second form uses dual blades, sometimes one attacking and one defending, sometimes two dragons leaping forth together; the blade momentum is as dense and fine as a light rain, brimming with killing intent, so it is called City-Filling Blade Rain, she said.
The third form is also dual-blade, different from the second. It hides beneath a surging undercurrent, revealing a killing intent that is everywhere yet seen nowhere; the instant the blade light flickers is the moment blood is drawn, so it is called Edge Within the Sleeve, she said.
Hearing her finish naming the first three forms, the madman finally breathed out in relief. [Good. At the very least it is far better than something like Super Ultra Thunderbolt Grand Cleaving Technique.]
Not bad, he said evenly as he lifted a bowl of wine and took a swallow. You have already practiced the first three well enough; afterward, you can try training the new ones.
Rong Shu nodded: mm, I know.
As for the remaining blade forms, she had committed them all to memory and could practice them at any time.
By the way, senior, I came today to say a temporary farewell, she said.
At that, the madman’s expression paused.
Rong Shu continued: I want to investigate something very important, and I may not return to the sect for a while. Once I am finished, I will come back to visit you, senior.
The madman let his gaze sweep once over her face, then answered softly: mm.
Senior, this, and this as well, Rong Shu said as she took out two storage pouches. This one holds roast goose, roast duck, peanuts, and melon seeds, and this one has a good amount of wine. It should be enough for about two or three months. At most two or three months and I will be back, hehe.
Looking at the little lass grinning sillily before him, the madman fell silent for a moment, then spoke: little lass, have you considered leaving this sect?
Huh, Rong Shu said with a faint start.
That lad is obviously not from Heaven’s Evolution Sect, the madman said, tugging at the corner of his mouth as if loath to praise a sword cultivator. His identity may be forged, but he does have a few parts sincere feeling toward you, and he even had the audacity to call you junior sister. The madman could guess what that lad was after even with the soles of his feet. Still, anyone who could teach that lad must possess some real ability. If the little lass goes with him, it will be better than staying in this small sect forever.
You mean Senior Brother Lin Dao, Rong Shu asked.
Mm. That lad may have a way to bring you to a better place to cultivate superior methods and arts, he said.
Oh. Rong Shu suddenly thought of Heaven’s Evolution Sect’s rules and asked: but in name I am a disciple of Heaven’s Evolution Sect. Without the sect’s consent, leaving directly counts as betrayal, does it not? I think they even abolish your cultivation.
Heh, the madman said, not caring in the least. With that lad around, you can set your mind at ease. Even if he does not lift a hand, if the little lass wishes to go, this small sect would not be able to stop you.
Thinking of Senior Brother Lin Dao’s unfathomable strength, Rong Shu nodded: mm. I will remember what you said, senior.
She recalled that Senior Brother Lin Dao had asked her before whether she wanted to go see the world outside. Perhaps Senior Brother Lin Dao also supported her leaving Heaven’s Evolution Sect to venture beyond.
Rong Shu’s feelings toward Heaven’s Evolution Sect were, in truth, complicated. Objectively speaking, she was still grateful to the sect, for only because Heaven’s Evolution Sect recruited disciples did she have the chance to take the first step onto the path of cultivation. Yet if she continued to stay, unease gnawed at her. Never mind the one named Feng Lin who had publicly declared he wanted her life; there was also Yu Ruan Ruan, suspected of stealing her spiritual root.
Once that suspicion took root, Rong Shu thought back to when she first entered the sect and met Yu Ruan Ruan for the first time. Rong Shu had not known Yu Ruan Ruan, yet Yu Ruan Ruan seemed to have known her already, and had appeared unable to believe she could show up at Heaven’s Evolution Sect at all. Outwardly warm and kind, she had made one little move after another, clumsy attempts to press Rong Shu down. If this investigation proved that Yu Ruan Ruan was the one who stole Rong Shu’s spiritual root, then everything would make sense. When that time came, Rong Shu absolutely could not remain in this den of wolves. With Jun Xiu Ran, a Divine Transformation Stage cultivator, shielding Yu Ruan Ruan, Rong Shu could not touch her for now and could only hide her edge. Only when her strength was sufficient could she seek justice for Rong Shu.
At dusk, the final day of the valley assignment came to an end. Rong Shu left the restricted valley, went as usual to the Inner Peaks to see whether Lin Dao had returned, and then intended to head to the training chamber. She had not expected that this time, the fallen leaves and withered twigs at Lin Dao’s door had been cleaned away entirely.
Delighted, Rong Shu walked up to the door, touched the warding array with her hand, and called out: senior brother.
She did not wait long before the array disengaged. The door opened from within, and Lin Dao looked at Rong Shu and slowly smiled: you are back.
Rong Shu stepped in a few quick paces into the courtyard, then gave a sheepish laugh: hehe. Senior brother, it is a bit unfortunate. You have just returned, but I am about to leave.
Lin Dao closed the gate and asked: what happened?
Rong Shu thought for a moment, then said: it is my family’s big sister. She told me that when I fell off the cliff back then, someone may have dug out my spiritual root.
At that, Lin Dao’s brows and eyes gradually turned cold as he asked: are you certain? When exactly did this happen?
It was the accident when I was seven. I do not recognize that part of my memories anymore. Recently, by a stroke of chance, I obtained a pill formula that can enable me to recall what happened at the time, she said. Having been shocked once already, Rong Shu could now speak calmly and even with a smile: it is just as well to see whether my dantian was defective from birth or if someone truly took my spiritual root.
Do you need my help, Lin Dao asked, not taking it as lightly as Rong Shu did, his expression turning a shade grave. Everyone’s spiritual root is innate. It is easy to dig out or destroy a spiritual root, but to perform Spiritual Root Transplantation with another’s root without rejection is not something an ordinary person can do. You were only seven at the time, so we can rule out this being the work of an enemy. It is very likely someone coveted your original talent.
He thought of how Rong Shu had always trained so hard to make up for the shortfall in aptitude and felt both pity and regret. If, however, her starting aptitude had been no worse than anyone else’s and was forcibly stripped away by another, a nameless fire rose in Lin Dao’s heart. I will go with you, he said. Anyone who can commit such sinister forbidden arts is certainly no good sort. If you remained wholly ignorant, perhaps they would see you as weak and ignore you. But the moment you show any movement, they will surely cut the grass and pull up the roots.
His words were firm, each one nailed into place. Rong Shu faltered: senior brother, this originally has nothing to do with you. You do not need to trouble yourself so much.
Irritated, Lin Dao lifted a hand and tapped Rong Shu’s forehead with a knuckle: do not talk nonsense. This is not a secret-realm training trip or a tournament to spectate. It is dangerous. You are my junior sister; your business is my business.
Rong Shu turned her head aside and muttered under her breath: senior brother is not actually my senior brother though.
Though it came out of nowhere, Lin Dao heard the meaning within. He chuckled softly: by the way, I never told you my origin. I am not Lin Dao.
Rong Shu froze, not quite keeping up. Senior brother just admitted it so cleanly.
Still, there truly had been a Lin Dao before Heaven’s Evolution Sect, he said. When I came to the Southern Wilds, I passed through a mountain range and found a Heaven’s Evolution Sect disciple named Lin Dao who had just died. Because Lin Dao had only reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, Heaven’s Evolution Sect had not set up a life tablet for him, so I borrowed his identity.
In a few words, he explained the twists behind it. Rong Shu asked with curiosity: then how did the real Lin Dao die? Do you know, senior brother?
Seeing that Rong Shu was not surprised at all, Wu Hua turned and took a few steps to the stone bench in the courtyard. After sitting down, he spoke with lively interest: you are not curious. So you had guessed from the start.
You did not deliberately hide it from me, senior brother, Rong Shu said as she followed and sat, smiling apologetically. Naturally I could sense that something was a bit off.
I borrowed Lin Dao’s identity, Wu Hua continued, so it was only proper to find out whether his death was an accident or murder. That year, Lin Dao went down the mountain with a few fellow disciples on a task. What happened in the middle is unknown. All that is known is that the others returned safely. I gave them a little fright and they all confessed. They had set him up, because they happened upon Foundation Grass at the time: five people, four stalks. The least liked among them, Lin Dao, became the sacrifice.
Listening to this story, Rong Shu felt a twinge of sighing regret: I see. And those who killed Lin Dao, what became of them?
One dead, one mad, two crippled, Wu Hua said blandly. At present, none of them are in the sect.
Hearing that, Rong Shu blinked and did not press further, instead shifting to another topic that interested her: senior brother, is your true name Wu Hua?
Mm, Lin Dao answered.
Senior brother’s name sounds lovely, Rong Shu said as this small one laid on a rainbow-tinted compliment. She was just about to say more when she suddenly realized something: senior brother, you are telling me all this because you are leaving Heaven’s Evolution Sect, are you not?
No sooner had she asked than, without waiting for Wu Hua’s answer, she mumbled to herself: that makes sense. You are not actually a person of Heaven’s Evolution Sect. You cannot possibly stay here forever.
Seeing Rong Shu looking a little down, Wu Hua smiled lightly: indeed, I will be leaving soon. Do you want to come with me?
Rong Shu blanked: ah? Wha… what do you mean?
The literal meaning, Wu Hua said as he gestured to the seat opposite, inviting her to sit and talk. I am from Heart’s Reflection Academy in the Central Continent. Whatever Heaven’s Evolution Sect can give you, Heart’s Reflection Academy can also give you. And what Heaven’s Evolution Sect cannot give you, the academy can still give you.
After Rong Shu sat, she propped her chin in both hands and looked at Wu Hua with wide curiosity: Central Continent. What kind of place is that?
You know the twelve main cities, yes, Wu Hua said.
Rong Shu nodded.
Do you know where the city lords of those twelve cities come from, he asked.
Rong Shu started: do not tell me… they are all from the Central Continent?
Right, Wu Hua said with a nod. The four great wilds of the east, south, west, and north all fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Continent. In the Southern Wilds, a Divine Transformation Stage cultivator can dominate a region and serve as the pillar of a major power. In the Central Continent, a Divine Transformation Stage cultivator is at most an ordinary instructor at an academy, and even among the academies’ students, quite a few have reached the Divine Transformation Stage. The deans of the four great academies are Integration Stage cultivators.
Rong Shu listened, dumbfounded, as it felt like a vaster world drew open its curtain before her eyes: besides the Southern Wilds, there are the three other wilds of the compass, and a Central Continent as well? And the Integration Stage in the Central Continent is two whole realms higher than the Divine Transformation Stage?
Seeing the groundwork was laid, Wu Hua asked: well then, do you want to go?
Rong Shu’s face was alight with excitement, but in the next heartbeat she grew a little nervous: senior brother, this Heart’s Reflection Academy you mentioned sounds like a place where geniuses flock. With my mid-grade dual spiritual root, can I get in?