Chapter 10
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Chapter 10: The Unwelcome Guest
A torrent of potent and profound internal energy suddenly gushed into Fengyun Wuji’s body through every pore, traversing his meridians with an invigorating warmth. In the span of mere breaths, it mended his wounds to a surprising degree.
“Enough, you may rise now. This individual might be walking the demonic path, with such brazen actions. How did you two cross paths with such a person?” The voice of the cave master, familiar and resonant, echoed within their minds.
Though grievously hurt, Fengyun Wuji had not slipped into unconsciousness. From the very start, he had kept his eyes wide open, witnessing no one standing behind him to tend to his injuries. Zhao Wuji, preoccupied with his own predicaments, could not possibly have been his healer. Thus, the elusive and formidable force that arrived and departed without a trace could only have been the doing of the cave master.
“I am in your debt, elder, for your intervention.” Fengyun Wuji expressed his gratitude, inwardly marveling at the unfathomable cultivation of the Demon-Slayer Hand, whose ability to transmit power from afar was beyond his comprehension.
“It should be soon,” Zhao Wuji murmured to himself, his words enigmatic.
Fengyun Wuji was taken aback, puzzled by his statement, and was about to inquire when he sensed two immense presences, akin to vast oceans, swiftly approaching. In an instant, they arrived outside the cave, not far distant.
A thunderous rebuke echoed through the air: “The Hidden Valley is a sanctuary and will not tolerate disturbances. Youwu Xie, you dare to break the valley’s sacred laws.”
“Elder!” came an astonished cry from a cultivator in a distant cave.
“What… Elder, ah, it turns out to be two esteemed elders. I am Youwuji of Hanchi, and just now…” The once-overbearing Youwuji now stammered, his confidence deflated in the presence of those who seemed to be his bane.
“The Hidden Valley is a place of reverence, not of strife! Hmph!” The voice had barely faded when a thunderclap followed, accompanied by Youwuji’s agonized scream. The sound receded into the distance, trailing off towards the valley’s exit. Fengyun Wuji surmised that perhaps the elders of the Hidden Valley had cast Youwuji out. But was Youwuji so docile?
“Fear not now. Youwuji’s erratic behavior has led him down the path of evil. Though the Hidden Valley is renowned, he seldom visits, unaware that its elders are warriors who have been in seclusion here for eons. Apart from the masters in seclusion above three hundred meters in the valley, there is no one else in the Hidden Valley who can match them. Youwuji, in his recklessness, will face the consequences of his actions here,” Zhao Wuji’s voice carried a hint of excitement and derision. Though not a frequent visitor to the Hidden Valley, his stays were long enough to be privy to its secrets. Indeed, an aged voice, belonging to one of the two elders, rang out from beyond the valley: “Youwuji, as penance for your transgressions, you are to be confined within the valley’s wall-facing cave for ten days…” As the elder spoke, his footsteps faded into the distance, and with the sound of air being rent, he vanished from the valley.
“Silence!” The Demon-Slayer Hand abruptly opened his eyes, casting a displeased glance at Zhao Wuji, who shuddered and immediately bowed his head.
“Forgive me, elder, I understand my mistake,” Zhao Wuji apologized profusely. The Demon-Slayer Hand gave a nod of approval before his eyes closed once more.
Fengyun Wuji looked at the Demon-Slayer Hand with a hint of bewilderment, not quite in agreement with the elder’s stern demeanor.
“Brother Wuji, let us take our leave,” came Zhao Wuji’s voice, as faint as a mosquito’s hum yet crystal clear, using a secretive communication technique to avoid disturbing the Demon-Slayer Hand.
“Brother Zhao, the Demon-Slayer Hand elder seems rather inhumane,” Fengyun Wuji furrowed his brow, replying through the same subtle method. This art of transmitting sound in a concentrated line required significant internal power but was not an extraordinary skill; Fengyun Wuji had mastered it well before his ascension and now found it no trouble to employ.
Zhao Wuji, pulling Fengyun Wuji along, headed towards the cave exit, continuing his hushed discourse: “Each cave in the Hidden Valley is like a sealed meditation chamber. Though doorless, the valley is a formidable sanctuary where few dare to cause a disturbance… Youwuji, however, is an exception… Let’s not speak of him. These caves are private domains. Were it not for my master’s close friendship with the Demon-Slayer Hand, we would never have been granted entry. That the elder has not cast us out is a great kindness.”
“… Are all the ancient warriors like this?”
“Of course not… The secluded practice grounds, aside from the Hidden Valley, who would choose such an exposed location for seclusion? Well, you shall come to understand these things in time. Some aspects are entirely different from the realm we originate from; you must be mindful not to transgress unknown taboos and find yourself pursued and slain, yet unaware of the cause.”
“Thank you, Brother Zhao, for your guidance. By the way, how long do you plan to stay here?”
Upon hearing Fengyun Wuji’s question, Zhao Wuji’s expression changed dramatically, his fingernails digging into his palm as he clenched his teeth and declared, “A day as a teacher is a lifetime as a father. My master was most kind to me, and today, he was treacherously slain by Youwuji of Hanchi. I must avenge his death. Though I, Zhao Wuji, am indolent and dislike rigorous training, I am a man of my word and will see this through.”
Zhao Wuji’s right hand rested on his left chest, clutching it tightly. Fengyun Wuji was aware that within his chest lay the upper volume of the Xuanming Formula bequeathed by his master. It was evident that Zhao Wuji had placed all his hopes on this renowned technique he spoke of with such reverence.
“The Hidden Valley brims with spiritual energy, making cultivation here exceptionally rewarding. I have resolved to diligently practice the Xuanming Formula here and will not leave until I succeed. Brother Wuji, if you are willing, you may stay as well. The valley will provide us with new caves, each imbued with numerous minor spiritual arrays, far surpassing our solitary practices. However… once you decide to reside here, you are bound to this place for no less than a millennium.”
Fengyun Wuji was astonished. “Why is that?”
“It’s not easy to explain. It’s a rule of the Hidden Valley, the original intent of which is lost to time, but since no cultivation method takes less than a millennium, this rule has never been broken, holding little constraint over us.”
Fengyun Wuji shook his head and remarked, “I’m afraid it’s not so simple. Cultivation indeed requires time, but that’s not the only requirement. The path of martial arts also necessitates fortune, opportunity, and insight. Often, a single epiphany can clarify a myriad of thoughts. As the ancients said, ‘One day of enlightenment, ascension to the heavens.’ Merely grinding away at cultivation may not lead to true mastery.”
Zhao Wuji was taken aback, staring at Fengyun Wuji in disbelief, before letting out a long sigh, gazing upward, “No wonder you managed to break through the spatial barriers at such a young age. Your comprehension is truly unparalleled. In this ancient era, it’s common for the mastery of techniques to take tens of thousands, even millions of years—it’s nothing unusual. Yet, your perspective is one I’ve never encountered before. Upon reflection, there seems to be truth in your words.”
Fengyun Wuji, however, was contemplating other matters. The first level of the Mind Sword Body Technique he practiced was exceedingly challenging, with progress often feeling like butting against a wall. Yet, as a former master of the sword, his unique insights allowed him to achieve the first stage of the Mind Sword Body Technique within a mere three years, a feat unimaginable to those familiar with the art.
In this ancient world, where martial arts cultivation is measured in tens of thousands, even millions of years, the key may indeed lie in understanding. If one can gain such understanding, it might significantly reduce this timeframe. However, Fengyun Wuji also understood that the energy required to propel these extraordinary skills through the body’s meridians and energy channels was substantial, and while spiritual energy was abundant and omnipresent, it was often too dilute. Moreover, spiritual energy from the heavens and earth was not true energy. Vast quantities of this ambient energy could only be converted into a small amount of pure, refined true energy.
The disparity between the internal power cultivated before ascension and that of the ancient martial artists was vast, primarily due to the purity of true energy. The internal strength he once possessed was like a crude handicraft, incomparable to the refined true energy cultivated by the ancients.