Chapter 113: Meeting the Shu Sword Sect

Wang Sheng naturally couldn't understand the principles behind storage artifacts. He had no knowledge of artifact crafting or pill refining.

Just as Ma Zabin had said, even the Cultivation Research Institute had yet to fully grasp the principles behind formations and seals used by cultivators, but that didn't stop them from using fundamental talisman symbols. That was how Wang Sheng's Primal-Qi Gatherer and the storage pouch that he had just received were created.

Peering inside the pouch, he saw only darkness, and when he reached in, he felt as if he were touching a metal box with no discernible size. According to the Crane-Spirit Treasure Pouch User Manual, it had a capacity of fifty liters, with its internal storage space having a length, width, and height ratio of roughly one to one to two. That meant it was about thirty centimeters long and wide, with a depth of over fifty centimeters.

It was... not big enough to fit a sword.

"Before using this product, bind it with a drop of blood and spiritual consciousness. Retrieve or store items as quickly as possible to avoid jamming the opening.

Tsk...

that's incredible. It even has a preservation function..."

Aboard a jet flying westward at an altitude of ten thousand meters, Fei Lianzi read the small user manual aloud in a low tone, while Wang Sheng was storing his newly acquired items into the Crane-Spirit Treasure Pouch.

The Crane-Spirit Treasure Pouch didn't seem to operate on particularly complex principles or create a pocket dimension. To Wang Sheng, as long as it worked, that was all that mattered.

As a reward for assisting the authorities, Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi each received ten bottles of cultivation-enhancing Primal-Qi Absorption Pills, totaling a hundred. They were also given a box of fifty Qi-Nurturing Pills each, which were used to aid cultivation and improve one's cultivation base. This was the standard treatment for Special Warfare Unit elites.

The Crane-Spirit Treasure Pouch also contained twenty more bottles of pills. To prevent Fei Lianzi from getting jealous, Wang Sheng quickly bit his finger, stained the crane's head on the pouch with his blood, and then used his spiritual consciousness to bind the pouch to him.

Fei Lianzi couldn't help but laugh. He then complained, "I'm not going to steal your artifact. What's the rush?"

Wang Sheng simply smiled in response.

The twenty bottles weren't all Primal-Qi Absorption Pills; there seemed to be other types as well. He couldn't tell whether they were an advance on his master's "salary" from his mistress or if she had secretly given him extra benefits.

On another note, it was now completely justified for him to call Chi Ling "Mistress." With how Qing Yanzi had behaved last night, if he continued with that fiery passion of his, sooner or later...

Who knows? After my three years of seclusion, I might return to find a new junior brother or junior sister in the sect.

Having Qing Yanzi by her side, Chi Ling's personal life would certainly be more fulfilling and interesting. She would likely enjoy better health and a youthful glow in the years to come, while also gaining more influence within the cultivator-related institution.

It seemed Chi Wen really was planning to stay in the Zhongnan Mountains to become Jingyun's disciple and inherit her Daoist lineage. However, since Qing Yanzi missed his daughter, he would likely make sure their family would reunite for a while.

As for Jingyun... Perhaps in this world, nothing could ever be truly perfect. Even Wang Sheng's decision to cultivate in the mountains had flaws; it meant that he couldn't fulfill his filial duties to his parents.

Qing Yanzi had remained unwaveringly devoted to Chi Ling for twenty years, never once complaining about it or regretting it. However, Jingyun had endured just as long, never once voicing the feelings hidden in her heart. Instead, she just stayed quietly by his side. It hadn't been easy for either of them.

While gazing out at the clouds drifting past the cabin window, Wang Sheng absentmindedly rubbed the soft fabric of the Crane-Spirit Treasure Pouch and recalled his master's teachings. His mind gradually settled, freeing him from distractions.

Right now, he had no spare energy to dwell on matters of romance. He already struggled to devote enough focus each day to comprehending the Dao and refining his swordsmanship; he had no room for distractions over sentimental affairs.

The Special Warfare Unit's plane would take them to a military airport in the heart of the Hua Republic. From there, they would transfer to a commercial flight bound for Sword Gate in the Shu region.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Unit was busy arranging the departure of the Daoist masters whom they had summoned earlier. Although only about a hundred righteous cultivators had managed to reach the coast in time to witness traces of the corrupt cultivators, a total of seven hundred Daoist cultivators had been traveling toward the scene at the time of the battle.

If the authorities were given just half a day to prepare, who knew what kind of powerful force they could gather?

Coordinating the compensation, farewells, and return travel for these cultivators was a massive task. Hence, although Mou Yue had remotely secured flight tickets to Shu region for Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi, she had no time to attend to them any further. Fortunately, Wang Sheng didn't have to worry about his luggage. Li Gufeng and Zi Ling, who had returned to the Shu Sword Sect ahead of them, had taken it with them.

He had visited the Shu region four times in his past life. Twice for sightseeing and twice in search of cultivation opportunities, which all ended in failure.

Thanks to decades of dedicated development by the Hua Republic, the Shu region had now become the economic center of the nation's southwest, a bustling and prosperous area.

Life in Shu was generally leisurely and relaxing, lacking the urgency and pressure of coastal cities. It was easy for people to unwind and enjoy themselves there. As an ancient saying went, "The young should not enter Shu."

***

At around eight in the evening, Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi flew across most of the Hua Republic and landed at their destination.

Fei Lianzi, familiar with the area, hailed an unlicensed taxi and haggled over the fare. He then opened the car door with a ceremonious gesture. "After you, Daoist Master Wang."

Wang Sheng cupped his hands in return. "Much obliged, Daoist Master Fei Lianzi."

The taxi driver frowned, immediately having some unpleasant thoughts. The whole way, he worried that the two "wandering cultivators" would end up skipping the fare or, worse, robbing him.

Under the night sky, mountains stretched endlessly on both sides of the highway. In ancient times, the poet Taibai lamented the difficulty of traveling the roads of Shu, but since it was nighttime, Wang Sheng had no chance to see the legendary plank roads.

Like most sects before the resurgence of primal qi, Sword Gate had been turned from a critical military stronghold to a tourist attraction. However, when primal qi returned, the Shu Sword Sect, as one of the major righteous sects in the cultivation world, reclaimed authority over Sword Gate. Though many areas remained open to the public, the sect had strictly sealed off Mount Dajian—the main peak.

At the sect gate, more than ten figures clad in Daoist robes and with longswords on their backs stood quietly. Among them were Li Gufeng and Zi Ling.

The unlicensed taxi driver, feeling somewhat uneasy, brought the car to a stop. Before he could say anything, Li Gufeng and Zi Ling had already stepped forward and pulled open the car doors.

"Daoist Master Fei Yu! Master! Tell us how you fought off corrupt cultivators!"

"Daoist Brother Fei Yu," Li Gufeng greeted welcomingly. "You must be weary from your journey. We've prepared a meal and a quiet room in the mountains for you to rest."

"Thank you," Wang Sheng replied with a smile. With his treasured sword in hand, he stepped onto the grounds of Sword Gate.

Zi Ling practically dragged out Fei Lianzi. The young girl excitedly clung to her master, her eyes filled with admiration for his heroic tales of vanquishing corruption with his sword.

The taxi driver hesitated before weakly reminding them, "Uh... the fare... Daoist masters..."

"I'll handle it." Wang Sheng stepped forward, reaching into his pocket for his wallet.

"Hey! Fei Yu, what are you doing? Put that away! Do you know where you are? Are you seriously going to pay? What would that make our sword sect look like?" Fei Lianzi shouted as if to stop him, but he was moving in the opposite direction, skillfully retreating further away.

The young sword sect disciples nearby collectively put a hand to their foreheads, looking exasperated. Li Gufeng quickly stepped in to block Wang Sheng, while Zi Ling, now fuming, dragged her master back over.

The moment Fei Lianzi returned to the sect, he shed much of his dignified demeanor and instead seemed more like a mischievous child.

Many of the sword sect disciples discreetly observed Wang Sheng, curious to see what was so special about him. Their elders had spoken highly of him, saying that he was the most promising candidate to bring back the long-lost Sword-Controlling Art from the Seventy-Two Swords.

When Wang Sheng met their gazes, he simply nodded with a gentle smile, displaying not even the slightest sense of superiority. Such was the effect of Qing Yanzi's teachings.

Walking along the newly cleaned mountain path, Wang Sheng could feel the weight and solidity of each stone slab under his feet. He could also sense the profound essence hidden within the mountains of Sword Gate.

His master had once told him that traveling to different places would bring new insights, and that too was a form of cultivation. Now, he was beginning to understand.

The peaks in the distance stretched endlessly, seemingly touching the stars and the moon. Glancing ahead, he found jagged ridges that looked like countless sharp swords pointing toward the sky. It was as if the mountains themselves contained an inherent sword intent.

Wang Sheng wanted to stop and quietly take in the moment, but Fei Lianzi was enthusiastically introducing the names of the surrounding peaks, and Wang Sheng felt it would be impolite to interrupt.

It was clear that the sword sect valued him greatly. Not only had they sent over ten disciples to welcome him at the base of the mountain, but they had also arranged a grand welcome at the Daoist temple at the top.

Dozens of young disciples stood in four orderly rows on either side of two massive stone pillars. Hanging lanterns illuminated the area as brightly as daylight.

When Wang Sheng reached the top, an elderly Daoist master standing behind the stone pillars deeply shouted, "Raise your swords!"

The dozens of disciples unsheathed their longswords in perfect unison, performing the move Southern-Sky Sword. Their blades angled sharply toward the night sky.

The crisp ringing of swords filled the air. Without realizing it, Wang Sheng's treasured sword had already left its scabbard by half an inch, while the two sword intents within him stirred in response.

The disciples then began demonstrating a synchronized sword technique. Watching them, Wang Sheng felt his blood surge with excitement, and for a moment, he even wanted to draw his sword and join them.

They performed a technique of the Seventy-Two Sword Art before swiftly forming two lines again. All eyes then turned to Wang Sheng.

"Please!" Fei Lianzi powerfully shouted.

He guided Wang Sheng toward the entrance of the Daoist temple as three Daoist elders and over a dozen middle-aged Daoist masters stepped forward to greet him. The grandeur of the reception showed just how much the sword sect valued him.

Wang Sheng maintained a solemn expression as he followed Fei Lianzi forward. Approaching the entrance of the temple, he held his sword in both hands, cupped his fists, and bowed.

"Greetings, esteemed seniors of the Shu Sword Sect! I am Wang Sheng, disciple of Qing Yanzi from the Wudang Mountains!"