Chapter 761 - 405: Mountain Man
People often say that the Sword Immortal is straightforward, and this is true, given that the flying sword can traverse thousands of miles in an instant. As long as one calculates where the calamity lies, following cause and effect, a thousand-mile distance can still be struck down with a single sword.
Therefore, even though there were detours along the journey, once Huangfu Yi attained the Golden Core Realm, he could rely on the sword light for assistance, holding his True Breath to break through the void, flying directly to the front of Nine Yin Mountain.
There is no doubt that this is undoubtedly Nine Yin Mountain; from afar, you can see the Nine Mountains forming an array, sword energy like a rainbow, murderous aura soaring to the heavens, with storm-like clouds surrounding the mountain, clouds obscuring, thunder roaring, sword light flashing, bloodshed everywhere, clearly numerous Sword Immortals steering their sword light, clashing in the clouds, vying for the Sword Sect’s true inheritance.
Even though Huangfu Yi has a flying sword as a protector, in such vast slaughter calamity, he cannot force his way in. The sword light twists and leads him to walk at the foot of the mountain.
Looking up, there is a section of cliff in front of the mountain gate, seemingly cut by an axe and carved by a knife, exceptionally smooth, with traces of sword marks on the rock wall, ferocious and fearful, sword power terrifying, before the cliff, the broken swords stand like a forest, with the howling wind blowing past, the sound of swords ringing, like the weeping of the lonely and forlorn, or the wailing of wandering souls and ghosts. This must be the so-called Beichen Sword Inheritance.
Huangfu Yi descends from the sword light, gazes at the scars across the cliff and gully, suddenly gains insight, and follows the sword intent’s exertion of power, seemingly seeing a figure slashing at the cliff.
Unconsciously, he pulls out the Iron Rod, dances it frantically along the sword marks, striking out sparks of fire, sword flame surging, dismantling every move of the Flame Wind Fiery Fire Sword Technique he has practiced all his life, breaking each move down.
For a moment, the sword force is like fire, resembling madness, and at this time he enters a state of enchantment; all he has seen and heard along the way, the massacres and disasters he has passed, before his eyes the apparitions appear, all kinds of illusions, demons and ghosts, suddenly manifest and surround him.
Like this repeating again, Huangfu Yi alone with his solitary sword swims through the Broken Blade Sword Forest, seemingly battling within a myriad of troops, unexpectedly creating a swordsmanship that is unprecedented, a set of sword moves that only he can execute, slicing through the countless ghostly shadows and demon spirits, finally tearing away from the demon barrier.
Once he came back to himself, Huangfu Yi realized he had passed the Broken Blade Sword Forest, and thanks to the sword intent on the cliff for enlightening him, he created a set of swordsmanship. But despite his robust physique and extraordinary talent, he was now exhausted of mind and spirit, and couldn’t help but regulate his breath in front of the mountain.
Then from the valley below came the sound of faltering footsteps, and from below the cliff, between the two mountains’ deep ravines, emerged an elderly, blind and amputated woman, leaning on a cane.
As she approached, he could see clearly that she was covered in sword scars, a clear cut across her brow from a sword, and her legs limped, likely severed by someone. Clearly, she was defeated in numerous sword duels, injured until disabled, her Dao Foundation cut off, her Primordial Qi drained, her lifespan reaching its end.
But what’s strange is, dragging this old and feeble body, with her bent stature, the old woman still stood straight, as if a sword was embedded in her back, stiff in the wind, blocking the path.
"Where did you learn your sword?"
Huangfu Yi solemnly rises and bows in ritual,
"Junior Huangfu Yi, in the Northern Land received the Immortal Sword’s transmission, specially came seeking for sword in the mountains, to pay respects to the Nine Heavens Profound Lady True Inheritance Nine Luminaries Sword Pavilion seat..."
"Alright, alright, less nonsense, if you want to meet my senior brother, pass through me first."
The old woman doesn’t waste words either, breaking the cane she holds, pulling out a broken, chipped sword, its spine stained with rust, with countless cracks and scars, clearly having gone through countless battles, its brilliance long gone, corroded like iron.
Yet this woman, with her broken sword, disabled, still stands straight, guarding her mountain, protecting her senior brother.
Huangfu Yi hesitates for a moment.
The system commands,
"Kill her, make it quick."
"...Fine, please enlighten me."
Huangfu Yi, knowing the Mystic Sect’s customs, condenses the sword light, preparing to start with a Thrusting Sword, giving her a swift end.
However, the old woman shakes her head,
"You’re using the move wrong."
"Wrong?"
"Lightning Style, should be used like this!"
Then she thrusts her sword forward.
Thus Huangfu Yi comprehends.
The sword must be straight, the sword must be right, no deviation, no holding back, directly aiming at the Heart Core.
No hesitation, no delay, no regret.
No thoughts of saving the world, no thoughts of reversing disasters, no personal grudges, no selfish distractions.
No thinking, no pondering, when the mind moves, the whole body must act, just thrust the sword forward.
Indeed, sacrificing oneself, Human Sword Unity, only then the sword can be fast.
This is the Sword Dao, thrusted alone.
"Ding."
So in that moment of realization, the old woman’s sword touches his forehead.
Of course, Huangfu Yi is armored, this sword, fast yet blunt, is naturally of no harm, instead the broken sword couldn’t bear it, breaking inch by inch, shattering like a rain of stars.
And with that sacrificial strike, the unsteady old woman silently gets up, standing straight on the mountain path, though her hand is empty, still as sharp as a sword.
"You come."
"Thank you."
Huangfu Yi sincerely thanks her, this time, as his heart moves, the sword thrusts forward.
Victory.
The system doesn’t hesitate at all,
"Continue forward."
Huangfu Yi ignores it, punching forward, digging a pit in front of the mountain, burying the old woman, with the broken sword stuck in the ground as a monument, just like the Sword Tomb like forest in front of this mountain, burying Nine Yin Mountain’s sword at its foot. As for the head he brought, he buried that here too, at least now she has company.