Chapter 396: Cast a Divination for Me (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 396: Divination for Me (Seeking Monthly Votes)

“Another one!”

Chen Yi muttered under his breath, then surged forward with his wooden sword.

Ye Gu, though puzzled, would not break his word. With a single stroke after another, he unleashed his “Shadowless” technique.

Plain and unadorned.

Yet its power was immense.

With a single thrust, the sword’s edge cleaved through the endless night in the blink of an eye.

Chen Yi no longer relied on evasion as before; instead, he attempted to counter with the “Flowers Beyond the Heavens” sword technique.

Sword energy erupted around him, a halo of blades circling his form.

But his wooden sword danced so nimbly that he could not ward off Ye Gu’s “Shadowless” strike.

No.

He could not even catch the shadow of that sword technique.

How could he possibly resist?

After just three breaths, two minuscule wounds had pierced Chen Yi’s body.

One along his left arm.

Another across his thigh.

Had he not dodged in time, those two blades would have seriously wounded him.

Yet Ye Gu did not cease his assault. Upon seeing that Chen Yi had only suffered superficial injuries, he thrust his wooden sword again, each strike aimed directly at the vital points of Chen Yi’s body.

Chen Yi bit his lip, crouched low, and charged upward once more.

“Continue!”

This was his first encounter with an opponent whose presence felt so overwhelming.

An unprecedented pressure gripped him, tightening every fiber of his body, his spiritual energy, his swordplay, his footwork—all erupting to their fullest extent.

Even though this was merely a sparring match, not a life-or-death duel.

Meanwhile, Ye Gu remained composed, his movements as light as a cloud and as calm as a breeze.

From start to finish, he had not shifted his stance, repeating only the motion of raising his hand to strike.

Yet that simple gesture made Chen Yi feel as though a great calamity loomed before him.

Though he could not directly perceive the celestial and terrestrial subtleties within Ye Gu’s sword technique, nor feel any spiritual energy or sword intent, there was an unmistakable sense of being threatened from every direction.

It was as if the very earth and sky itself loathed him, suppressing every step, every motion he made.

Chen Yi did not believe in superstitions.

This time, he stopped focusing on himself and fixed his gaze on Ye Gu.

He raised his hand, thrust his sword—wooden blade…

He could not see…

He raised his hand, thrust his sword—wooden blade…

He could not…

The Qi-Gazing Technique!

In Chen Yi’s eyes, a brilliant glint flashed, and the world around him shifted instantly.

When he could see clearly, the hand wielding the sword trembled slightly.

—Ye Gu’s spiritual energy was so potent that it shrouded the entire realm, permeating it with a terrifyingly subtle sword intent.

It was as if before him stood not Ye Gu himself, but a host of long swords.

As Ye Gu thrust his wooden sword, several long blades materialized in the air around them, converging toward Chen Yi.

Looking at the scene unfolding before him, Chen Yi recalled Ye Gu’s earlier words:

“The Celestial and Terrestrial Agility is merely an illusion…”

Chen Yi suddenly understood. Instinctively, he raised his hand and offered a single sword.

In the next moment, a clear *ting* sound rang out.

Two currents of sword energy clashed, one landing behind Chen Yi, instantly severing the Redmeadow River, sending ripples across the waters.

The other brushed against Ye Gu’s flowing hair at his temple, striking the mountains behind him.

There, atop a peak over a hundred feet tall, Chen Yi’s sword had cleaved the mountain in two.

The strength of that blade was such that it had shifted the two mountain segments sideways by several yards.

Boom.

A deep, resonant boom echoed through the heavens and earth.

Chen Yi paused, blinking in surprise. He glanced down at his plain wooden sword, then at the mountains behind Ye Gu.

“So that is how it is…”

Before Chen Yi could finish his sentence, golden letters flashed before his eyes:

[Practiced Sword Art: Shadowless (Heavenly Level) Success, Grade: First Glimpse of the Path]

The Shadowless Sword.

Chen Yi paused briefly, then continued:

“So the Shadowless technique your senior brother demonstrated earlier was merely a display of mid-third-rate cultivation and a mature state of sword technique…”

Ye Gu neither confirmed nor denied. He spoke calmly: “Your sword technique is but this far.”

Chen Yi: “…”

It meant he had not yet earned the right to see Ye Gu employ higher-third-rate cultivation or sword techniques beyond the mature state.

Fortunately, Chen Yi had a broad heart and a belly capable of holding a ship, not easily rattled by such things.

After all, he had also learned a sword art from the Heavenly Level.

It was well spent.

Ye Gu, having discerned that Chen Yi had glimpsed the true essence of the Shadowless Sword, pondered for a moment and said:

“The Shadowless Sword differs from other sword arts. It values intent over skill, and thus has but a single technique.

“Once you master it, whenever you wield any sword technique, it shall be called the Shadowless Sword.”

Chen Yi understood. He slightly bowed in gratitude: “Thank you, senior brother.”

Ye Gu waved his hand dismissively. “No thanks needed.”

“Your martial arts are scattered and unfocused, not concentrated or precise; how your sword path will be accomplished in the future remains uncertain.”

“If you have the resolve, you may seek out someone of noble character and exceptional talent to instruct you.”

Chen Yi paused, “Master, why don’t you take on disciples yourself?”

“Too troublesome.”

“Even with your talent, you require me to employ the Ten Shadows technique tenfold; others would be even worse.”

“……”

Chen Yi stretched his mouth, feeling somewhat helpless.

In less than a quarter-hour, he had entered the realm of the Shadow Sword, not bad at all. Yet in Ye’s eyes, he seemed like a child just learning to walk… Unforgivable!

Chen Yi tossed several silver needles onto his body, restoring his wounds, then grasped a wooden sword and said eagerly, “Master, please instruct me further.”

“Good.”

Before the words had even settled, Ye’s fingers twitched, and hundreds of shadow techniques like scattered flowers rained down.

Chen Yi hesitated, “You…” He suddenly reacted, rolling like a lazy donkey with a yelp. Dammit, this Ye is too deceitful!

Though he cursed, Chen Yi could do nothing but dodge the sword techniques while attempting the newly learned Shadow Sword. The outcome was inevitable.

When the duel ended, his robe was torn to shreds. Fortunately, he avoided vital points, only sustaining superficial wounds, and was healed by the time he returned to the Xiao family.

“Ye, wait for me.”

“I’ll wait until I break through to the Land-dwelling Immortal; I’ll make you taste this again.”

It wasn’t that Chen Yi sought revenge, but he had been punished too harshly. If not for his medical skills, his wounds would’ve terrified Xiao Xiaobei and the others.

If one said Ye hadn’t used the opportunity to teach him sword techniques to beat him, he’d definitely not believe it. Compared to Chen Yi’s cursing, Ye was as usual.

He looked at the sword scars around, paused, then looked to the sky and said calmly, “Bai Bade, help me.”

A laughing voice echoed from the sky: “Ah, Ye, you’re not formal about it.”

The places where the Shadow techniques had left them in tatters were restored in an instant. Ye glanced around, then darted to a nearby mountain, sat cross-legged, and said, “No one in the world can match those who can change the heavens and earth.”

“Since you hold such sincere praise, then I’ll continue.” A voice came, and a middle-aged man in blue robes, slightly aged, appeared. It was the “White Immortal” Bai Bade.

He sat beside Ye and smiled, “Did I lie, that boy’s talent isn’t bad, very suitable to inherit your robe.”

“He’s somewhat lazy, lacking ambition; to make him bear heavy responsibilities later needs planning.”

Ye glanced at him, his gaze seemingly piercing through the barriers to see Chen Yi in the Spring Lotus Garden, and said, “Each generation has its own burden.”

“Our generation aims for two years hence.”

“He… is the future.”

Bai nodded, agreeing, “Indeed.”

“The Hidden Immortal is of great importance; even with our utmost effort, we have only a 30% chance of success.”

“If we fail, the Central Plains will need several to bear the burden.”

“Chen Yi is one of them, the most outstanding.”

Ye sheathed his sword and asked, “How about the others?”

Bai folded his hands in his sleeves, like an old farmer crouching by a field.

“A Taoist disciple from Mount Wudang has been living in seclusion; Master Zhong is watching over him, not intending to let ‘Little Path Prince’ die.”

“His intention seems to pass on his life’s study before the Hidden Immortal war.”

“Xiao Jinghong, as an adopted disciple, counts as one.”

“But she’s attached to the Xiao family; without opportunity, she might stop at the Grand Master level.”

“There’s also the son of the Kyoto Palace Guard commander; he’s the opposite of Chen Yi.”

“Always bold and fighting, making Kyoto’s youth cry for their parents, very lively.”

There’s also the Cui family of Qinghe… Bai paused, his smile a bit subdued, looked at the stars, and said slowly, “Cui Meng’s grandson, Cui Meng, is close to the Master level.”

Ye said calmly, “Noble families are different from us; don’t have hopes.”

Bai knew this, nodded, “Cui family’s intentions are clear.”

“The current Emperor has ambitions to expand territory and ensure the Great Wei dynasty lasts forever; he’ll eventually act against these noble families.”

“Cui Meng, how could he sit idle?”

Bai chuckled, “Afterwards, the Central Plains will be lively.”

Ye looked at him, “We won’t see that day.”

Bai’s smile faded, he glared, “Rest assured, I’ll die right behind you.”

Ye said nothing, looked to the sky, his eyes flashing with nostalgia. Bai guessed his thought, sighed inwardly. Some are trapped by emotions, others by family, some for the world, and some just want to stay in a small garden playing chess and fishing.

“This world is indeed magnificent.”

Ye didn’t know why he felt that way, didn’t probe further, then after a pause said, “Divine a hexagram for me.”

Bai looked at him, smiling and serious, “What? You want to try the one thing everyone avoids?”

“Divine a hex for me.”

Ye Guxian repeated the words once more, his gaze drifting northward, his voice dropping slightly: “I wish to calculate how many years remain before she dies.”

Gong Zhaobai hummed a disdainful tune. “Impossible to calculate.”

“If it can be calculated, I won’t do it.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know what’s on your mind. If you wanted revenge, you’d have struck long ago. Why wait until her body is cold?”

Ye Guxian pressed his lips together, turning his head to meet Gong Zhaobai’s eyes. “When we spar, I hold back nothing.”

After speaking, he rose and strode forward, his long sword slicing northward into the horizon.

Gong Zhaobai watched him vanish into the distance, huffed a scoff, and muttered under his breath: “I’m the number one under heaven—afraid of him?”

Yet, in truth, Gong Zhaobai would not be so careless.

Especially after witnessing Ye Guxian’s shadowless sword technique, he knew it was entirely different from his own nephew, the “Sword Saint” Li Wu’s, martial arts.

—The shadowless sword, forged by the heavens themselves, could be infused with any swordplay. How terrifying it was.

Gong Zhaobai mused on such things, then also rose, brushed the mud from his seat, and slowly drifted toward the capital city of Shu.

“Ye Guxian’s divination has taken root in me… I wonder which destined soul will let me divine a hex…”

……

In the span of two days, time flew by.

The weather in Shu grew colder.

Yet within the city, life grew increasingly lively.

For the northern mountain market was about to open for trade, merchants from all regions hurried to the capital to rest, then quickly departed for the market.

Carriages came and went without cease.

For news had spread that the “White Immortal” and the “Southern Sword Master” were sparring on the Red River, drawing even more visitors from the martial world.

Beyond the distant northern regions, the western provinces, and the northern reaches of the desert, all prefectures and cities sent their representatives.

Some were extraordinary talents among the “sons of heaven.”

Of course, the three teachings and nine schools of thought were also represented.

This caused the city’s administrative offices to feel immense pressure.

Especially some fearless cultivators and evil cults, who, with their high cultivation, would each time they manifested, draw the ire of the righteous sects.

In just these two days, there had been dozens of disturbances.

And most occurred at night.

Unable to prevent it, the magistrate’s office and the guard office could only enforce curfews.

If the evil cults died, they died. The common folk of the city could not be harmed.

Yet these disturbances, which the administrative offices avoided, were commonplace to those in the martial world.

“Shu is far from the central plains, where evil cults often roam.”

“Take the recent events in Jingzhou, for example.”

“In the capital of Wu, the Zhao family was wiped out in a single night. Rumor says it was the cultivators of the Demon Sect who did it.”

“The Demon Sect’s ‘Ghost Sword Master’ Jin Di—indeed, a very troublesome demon.”

“I’ve heard he loves sneaking into the estates of noble families, and if undetected, he leaves. But if anyone cries out, he massacres them all.”

“The administrative offices have issued a bounty, but they’ve yet to catch him.”

Inside the Pharmacy Hall, several martial world figures sipped tea and chatted idly.

“Compared to such evils, the cultivators from Shu are relatively mild.”

“The Hall of Illusory Sounds only dares to linger in the western and Shu regions. The Five Poison Sect has nearly been wiped out by the mountain clans. The evil folk from the mountains are even harder to describe.”

“The highest cultivator, ‘White Crane,’ only reaches third-grade cultivation, his techniques and realms quite low.”

To these tales from the martial world, Yuanliu Er paid them no mind.

She sat obediently beside Ma Liangcai, diagnosing patients and checking their pulses.

“My lady, your liver qi is stagnant. Try not to worry too much in the future.”

“Oh, my dear…”

Ma Liangcai watched the young woman speak with the elderly, feeling quite pleased, stroking his beard.

These days, Yuanliu Er’s medical progress had surged so rapidly, needing hardly his guidance to practice on her own.

It truly made him, as a master, feel ashamed.

“Master said it right—Liu’er has felt a bit neglected.”

Thinking this, Ma Liangcai continued on.

He had already made up his mind that later, when he went to the Medical Academy, he would collect more medical texts for Yuanliu Er.

He couldn’t teach her himself, but she could study on her own.

As Ma Liangcai was thinking, he spotted a corner of the Pharmacy Hall and immediately his face paled.

“You old fool, why are you here again?”

“I told you, Liu’er has already taken a master. She can’t follow me anymore.”

There, the robed old man with a divination board smiled kindly:

“She has taken you as her master.”

“Hmph, I certainly can’t teach her, but my master can…”

(Chapter Complete)