Stop grinding, I'm really just a free spirit.

Chapter 52 Swordsmanship Mystic Rank

The Spirit Sword Sect has been established for over six hundred years, and its sword techniques are profound and extensive. There are more than ten kinds of entry-level embryonic breathing sword techniques alone, and countless freehand sword techniques.

However, among these traditions, only the three sword techniques can truly be called "superior".

These three sword techniques are the foundation of the Spirit Sword Sect, and are secret techniques that only inner disciples and above have been qualified to learn throughout the ages.

The "Mysterious Frost Sword Technique" that Zhang Ruxue practiced was one of the three.

The threshold for mastering this sword technique is reaching the initial stage of the three realms of swordsmanship, the "Sword Qi" realm.

He nurtured a wisp of "Frosty Sword Qi" with his own blood essence and tempered it with his spiritual awareness every day, so that the sword qi and his mind were in harmony.

Once this sword technique is mastered to a minor degree, wherever the sword energy passes, grass and trees are destroyed, and flowing water turns to ice.

Upon reaching the pinnacle of cultivation, one can draw upon the frost and snow of heaven and earth for one's own use; with a single strike, the area within a hundred feet will be enveloped in the chill of winter.

The frost-white sword energy that Zhang Ruxue just used was a sign that this sword technique was in its initial stages of completion.

The other two sword techniques are: "Crimson Bright Sky Sword Technique" and "Azure Wind Sword Technique".

Crimson Blazing Sky, when the sword is drawn, is like the blazing sun in the sky, violent and intense, and is the most powerful of the three sword techniques.

As for Qingming Xunfeng, its swordplay is light and swift, emphasizing "the wind passes without leaving a trace, the sword passes and the person dies," making it extremely unpredictable.

Although these three sword techniques belong to different categories, they all originate from the same profound sword classic—the "Mysterious Taixu Midu Sword Technique".

This sword manual belongs to the Zhongyi Sword School and is classified as "Earthly Fiend" in the "Sword Techniques Mysterious Ranks," one of the seventy-two sword manuals.

The Spirit Sword Sect, as an affiliated immortal sect under the jurisdiction of the Zhongyi Sword Sect, was founded by an ancestor who received part of the true essence of this sword technique from the Zhongyi Sword Sect. After studying it for a hundred years, he deconstructed and evolved it to create these three superior sword techniques.

The three secrets correspond to the three profound principles in the "Mysterious Void Transformation, Mixed Origin, and All-Encompassing Existence" of the "Mysterious Void Transformation, Mixed Origin, and All-Encompassing Existence".

— Xuanlin corresponds to the stillness of the void, Chiming corresponds to the movement of mist, and Qingming corresponds to the change of the vastness.

It is said that if someone can master the three techniques, they will be able to glimpse a trace of the true meaning of the original sword technique.

However, since the founding of the Spirit Sword Sect, disciples who can master two sword techniques at the same time are extremely rare, and those who can master all three are unheard of.

After Wei Changfeng left the pavilion, the atmosphere became somewhat cold.

Although the guests had all returned to their seats, their eyes were still wandering, and occasionally someone would whisper a few words, with the conversation mostly revolving around the sword fight that had just taken place.

The atmosphere wasn't exactly awkward, but it certainly wasn't lively either.

At this moment, a person stood up from the table.

Wei Changshou, the third son of the Wei family.

At this moment, Wei Changshou walked calmly to the center of the pavilion with a smile on his lips, cupped his hands in greeting to the surroundings, and spoke in a relaxed tone, as if nothing had happened.

"Fellow Daoists, the sword fight just now was truly spectacular and broadened my horizons."

He smiled and glanced at everyone's faces, "My elder brother's swordsmanship is not yet proficient. It is a blessing for him that he has received some guidance from Fairy Zhang."

The path of cultivation is about mutual learning and refinement; victory or defeat is secondary.

Come on!

The tea ceremony is not yet halfway through, so please remain seated and do not let a momentary victory or defeat spoil the elegant enjoyment of tea.

He spoke these words frankly, even with a hint of genuine admiration, as if the one who had just been utterly defeated by Zhang Ruxue was not his brother, but some unrelated person.

Hearing his self-deprecating yet magnanimous tone, the tense expressions of the crowd finally relaxed a bit, and they all laughed along.

Some praised Zhang Ruxue's exquisite swordsmanship, while others said that Wei Changfeng was still honorable despite his defeat. In an instant, the atmosphere in the pavilion became lively again.

As Wei Changshou listened to the discussions, a smile played on his lips as his gaze slowly swept across the room, finally settling on Fairy Yueyi.

But at the same time, he also saw the woman in white sitting next to Fairy Yueyi.

Zhang Ruxue sat upright on the futon, her long eyelashes lowered, her slender, fair fingers gently caressing the rim of her teacup. She was quiet and serene, like a figure in a painting.

It was as if the thrilling sword fight that had just taken place had nothing to do with her.

But the moment Wei Changshou's gaze fell upon her, Zhang Ruxue's eyelashes lifted.

She glanced at him indifferently.

That glance wasn't sharp, nor did it carry any deliberate threat; it wasn't even cold.

It's just ordinary, like looking at a tree, a cloud, or any other thing that doesn't need to be noticed.

Wei Changshou's pupils suddenly contracted.

He felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe, the hairs on the back of his head stood on end, and an indescribable chill crept up his spine to the back of his head.

He involuntarily took a half step back, and the smile on his face froze for a moment.

"cough."

Wei Changshou coughed lightly, subtly changed direction, and walked towards a few rogue cultivators on the other side. Although the movement was natural, it clearly appeared somewhat hasty to those who were paying attention.

Fairy Yueyi took in the whole scene, and couldn't help but smile slightly, revealing a half-smile.

She turned her head, leaned close to Zhang Ruxue's ear, and teased in a low voice, "Ruxue, look how scared you've made him. Young Master Wei is a member of the Wei family, a respected figure outside, but he doesn't even dare to greet you."

Zhang Ruxue picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said calmly, "I didn't scare him."

"I saw it clearly in that one glance you gave me just now." Fairy Yueyi covered her mouth and chuckled. "You just gave him that one light look, and Young Master Wei's soul almost flew away."

Zhang Ruxue put down her teacup, her face still expressionless, but the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, which was taken as tacit agreement.

After a moment, she spoke, "The fight with his brother just now was because Wei Changfeng kept pressuring him."

"Of course I know."

Fairy Yueyi laughed and said, "Wei Changfeng's temperament does indeed need someone to teach him a lesson. But your lesson is not without its consequences; from now on, I'm afraid no one will dare to approach you at these tea parties."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ruxue seemed to think about the question seriously for a moment, then nodded: "That's perfect."

Fairy Yueyi was so amused by her matter-of-fact manner that she almost burst out laughing. She quickly covered her mouth with her handkerchief and managed to suppress her laughter.

She shook her head, ceasing her teasing of her friend, and instead turned her gaze to Chen Bai standing to the side.

"Ru Xue, let me introduce you to a fellow Daoist."

Fairy Yueyi turned around and beckoned to Chen Bai, "This is Fellow Daoist Chen Bai, a rogue cultivator who recently attained the state of embryonic breathing."

Zhang Ruxue's gaze fell on Chen Bai, and she looked him up and down.

Her gaze wasn't sharp, but it carried a faint sense of detachment, as if she were looking at someone through a thin layer of ice.

Chen Bai stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "I am Chen Bai, and I greet Fairy Zhang."

"Just now, the fairy defeated Wei Changfeng with a single sword strike; the exquisite skill of her swordsmanship left me in awe."

His words were sincere and frank, without excessive flattery or deliberate modesty; they were simply the truth.

Zhang Ruxue nodded slightly in return, her voice clear and concise, like the clinking of jade stones: "Fellow Daoist Chen, there's no need for such formalities."

After saying that, she fell silent.

Chen Bai didn't mind and calmly sat down, still sitting in the seat next to Fairy Yueyi.

His expression remained unchanged; he showed neither embarrassment at being treated coldly nor obsequiousness in trying to strike up a conversation. He simply picked up his teacup quietly.

Fairy Yueyi glanced at Zhang Ruxue, then at Chen Bai, and couldn't help but sigh.

Her best friend was great in every way, except that she was too aloof.

It's not that I intentionally slight anyone, it's just my nature; I'm always very sparing with words when talking to people I don't know well.

When she first met Zhang Ruxue, it took her a full month to get this icy beauty to say a few words.

Meanwhile, Chen Bai...

Fairy Yueyi was somewhat surprised.

If it were anyone else, being treated so coldly by Zhang Ruxue would make them feel awkward or annoyed.

But Chen Bai seemed completely oblivious, calmly drinking his tea and even taking in the river view outside the pavilion with great interest.

"This state of mind is rare."

Fairy Yueyi nodded secretly and stopped interfering, then turned to chat with Zhang Ruxue about their private matters.

"Ru Xue, how long will you stay in the market this time you come down the mountain?" Fairy Yueyi asked.

"Half a month," Zhang Ruxue said. "There are still matters to attend to within the sect, so we cannot stay any longer."

"Half a moon..."

Fairy Yueyi was slightly disappointed. "Then I'll invite you to Suyuezhai in the south of the city for tea and snacks another day. Their osmanthus cloud cake is excellent, sweet but not greasy. I'm sure you'll like it."

Upon hearing this, a faint smile flashed in Zhang Ruxue's eyes: "Okay."

As the two were talking, a rough voice suddenly came from the side.

"Fellow Daoist Chen! I've finally found you!"