Narration System for the Journey of Martial Arts

Su Yuchen walked with his hands behind his back, talking as he went...

“Fu Cailin once quoted a Buddhist saying: ‘All supernatural powers and methods are inherently complete.’ For me, once I reach a certain level, all supernatural powers are nothing more than minor tricks.”

"Alright, let's not talk about that. Does Qingxuan carry Shi Zhixuan's 'Undying Seal Scroll' with her? I'd like to borrow it to take a look."

Shi Qingxuan nodded and said, "If someone else said that, it would definitely make Qingxuan unhappy! But with your supernatural abilities, Master Shi, do you still care about the martial arts created by that person?"

As she spoke, she pulled a roll of leather from her sleeve and handed it over.

Su Yuchen casually picked it up, held it in his hand without looking at it, and said, "Confucius once said, 'When three people walk together, there must be one who can teach me. I will choose the good qualities of that person and learn from them.' Although I have given up hope for the methods in the 'Immortal Seal Scroll,' I still think it's good to take a look. Perhaps there will be an unexpected surprise?"

"Of course, the chances aren't very high."

After a moment of silence, he continued, "Shi Zhixuan's talent and aptitude are only average. If he wants to inspire me, perhaps only the resurrection of Guang Chengzi from ancient times or Cang Qu, who founded the demonic path during the Han Dynasty, can do so."

A smile appeared beneath Shi Qingxuan's veil, and she couldn't help but say, "If that person knew that Master Shi spoke of him in this way, I wonder what he would think."

Su Yuchen said calmly, "We can talk about that later. Now, let's address your question first. Do you know the origin of the 'Compassionate Sword Manual'?"

Shi Qingxuan shook her head, waiting quietly for Su Yuchen to continue. Behind them, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged knowing glances.

"If you two keep causing trouble, I'll break your heads," Su Yuchen said without turning his head.

Kou Zhong begged for mercy repeatedly, and his contrasting behavior with Xu Ziling's stillness and movement was quite fitting.

Chapter 356 Discussing the Cihang Sword Manual

"Qingxuan, your temperament is somewhat similar to mine. I didn't notice it until I heard your flute playing. Only then did I realize the hidden demonic intent in your cultivation technique."

"Demonic intent?" Shi Qingxuan frowned. "Is this related to the martial arts I cultivate?"

Su Yuchen nodded and said...

"Speaking of your martial arts style, Qingxuan, we must mention the Four Great Classical Novels of the World."

"The four great books of the world are, first and foremost, the 'War God's Record,' followed by the 'Longevity Secret,' the 'Heavenly Demon Strategy,' and the 'Compassionate Sword Manual.' You should know these, Qingxuan; it's those two kids who don't."

Kou Zhong said, "This is the first time we've heard Master Shi talk about these secrets. Please tell us more, so that Xiao Ling and I can broaden our horizons and stop being looked down upon like country bumpkins."

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling attend Lady Dongming's banquet, where they are disliked by Shang Ming, the Four Guardian Fairies, and others.

[Kou Zhong was spurred on by Li Xiuning, leaving an indelible scar on his heart, which fueled his ambition to rival the Li clan for supremacy.]

"It seems you two have had some interesting experiences. But we can tell your story later, and I hope it satisfies me," Su Yuchen said, looking at the narration.

Xu Ziling replied, "Our experiences are rich and varied enough; Master Shi, you will surely be satisfied with them."

Shi Qingxuan became interested and said, "I hope Qingxuan can also hear about your wonderful experiences. I'm sure it will be a feast for the ears."

Kou Zhong said with a grin, "It would be more than a pleasure for Miss Qingxuan and me to hear this."

Xu Ziling nudged him and said, "For now, let's just listen quietly to Master Shi recount the Four Great Books. Otherwise, I'm afraid Master Shi will chase us far away."

Kou Zhong raised his hand and said, "I promise, from now on, Xiao Ling and I will only bring our ears. We'll quietly be two invisible people."

………………

Su Yuchen shook his head, sat down at a roadside stall, and casually flicked out a burst of energy, causing the stall owner to fall into a deep sleep. Only then did he continue...

"No one knows where the 'War God Record' came from. The 'Longevity Manual' was created by Guang Chengzi after he viewed the War God Record and combined it with Taoist thought."

"After Emperor Wu dismissed all other schools of thought and exclusively honored Confucianism, he listed the doctrines of the other schools of thought as heretical. Later, the sage Cangqu collected the essence of the classics of the other schools, discarded the dross and kept the essence, and compiled them into a classic, forming the ten-volume 'Tianmo Ce' (Strategy of the Heavenly Demon)."

"Of course, there is another theory that the earliest version of the 'Heavenly Demon Strategy' can be traced back to Chi You, who fought with the Yellow Emperor for control of the world. I have no way of verifying this."

"The most important chapter of the 'Heavenly Demon Strategy' is the 'Great Method of Cultivating Demons from the Dao Heart,' which requires nurturing a demonic heart from the Dao embryo, then breaking free from the demonic state, using the Dao embryo as nourishment to transform into a demonic embryo, and thus achieving the realm of a demonic immortal."

"The final 'Cihang Sword Manual' was formerly known as 'The Other Shore Sword Technique.' It was actually obtained by the nun of Cihang Jingzhai by chance from the fragment of 'Records of Demonic Thoughts' written by Cang Qu."

"The fragments record part of Cang Qu's thought process in creating the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, as well as the greatest secret of this world that she gleaned from it: Shattering the Void."

"Later, Di Ni combined the secrets of breaking through the void with some Buddhist mental techniques, and merged Buddhism and demonism, intending to reverse the demonic fetus and achieve the immortal fetus, and thus wrote the Cihang Sword Manual."

"The Cihang Sword Manual takes 'Qi governs the spirit and mind' as its key principle, and is divided into several realms: Sword Qi Yangtze River, Sword Master of Heaven and Earth, Sword Spirit Universe, Sword God Selflessness, and Sword Mind Clarity. Its final step is called 'Sitting in the Death Gate'."

"And the main theme of the whole piece lies in the four key words: stillness, guarding, emptiness, and nothingness. Qingxuan, do you now understand your own abnormality?"

………………

Shi Qingxuan sat opposite her, pondered for a moment, and said quietly, "According to Master Shi, Qingxuan's condition is actually affected by the Cihang Sword Manual?"

Su Yuchen nodded and then shook his head, saying...

"Not entirely."

"On the one hand, you have been practicing the mental techniques in the Sword Manual since you were a child, so it is inevitable that your mind will be influenced by the Sword Manual and you will unconsciously tend to be quiet and peaceful; on the other hand, it is also related to your childhood living environment."

"However, that secluded environment in the mountains only deepened your connection with the Sword Canon. It did play a driving role."

"Although the immortal embryos and demonic seeds go to extremes, they all originate from the same source, namely the demonic sect's concept of 'shattering the void'."

"Just look at your mother Bi Xiuxin's actions. Although she claims to be on the righteous path, she is actually following the path of the Heavenly Demoness. She has already unknowingly fallen into demonic ways."

"The Cihang Sword Manual may seem wonderful, but it is nothing more than a candied fruit covered in arsenic. Buddhism and demonism are two sides of the same coin, and one can easily fall into the demonic path if one is not careful."

Kou Zhong said, "So, although Cihang Jingzhai claims to be the leader of the righteous path, it is actually a branch of the demonic sect in secret?"

Su Yuchen nodded...

"You could say that. In any case, throughout history, those who have cultivated the Cihang Sword Manual have unknowingly stepped into the demonic path."

"Once the sword heart is tainted by demonic influence, one will only discover the abnormality when 'sitting in death' and wandering in the void. At that time, the immortal embryo and demonic intent will clash against each other, and one will surely die from the explosion of all the essence and blood in one's body."

"Based on my deduction, it was only when Dini reached the final stage of the death trial that she discovered her immortal embryo had already been corrupted by demons. Unfortunately, by then it was too late for her to turn back."

"After Di Ni, none of the successors of Cihang Jingzhai were talented enough to reach the point of sitting in seclusion until death. So it is impossible to talk about it."

"It's just that Bi Xiuxin died early and didn't pass on the sword manual to you. Otherwise, if the demonic intent had entered your heart, even I would have been helpless."

"Of course, I have never read the so-called 'Compassionate Sword Manual'. This is all just my personal opinion, and Qingxuan doesn't need to take it to heart."

………………

Xu Ziling suddenly said, "I think it's better for Miss Qingxuan to trust Master Shi."

Kou Zhong chimed in from the side, "I have never seen anyone more formidable than Master Shi!"

As if to prove his point, he added, "That Fu Cailin, one of the three grandmasters, is already considered a top figure in this world, yet he was only seriously injured and forced into seclusion by a casual sword intent from Master Shi. So I am even more convinced that Master Shi was not just bluffing at you, Qingxuan."

Your words reminded Shi Qingxuan of the unusual circumstances surrounding Bi Xiuxin's death.

"Qingxuan doesn't doubt Master Shi's statement," Shi Qingxuan said, shaking her head. "Qingxuan was just thinking about something else."

"Is this the cause of Bi Xiuxin's death?" Su Yuchen asked.

Shi Qingxuan nodded and said...

"Back then, my mother died after reading the 'Immortal Seal Scroll' left by that man. That's why Qingxuan can't forgive him. But now, after hearing Master Shi's words, she has a different idea."

"If what Master Shi said is true, Mother was already deeply entrenched in demonic intent back then, but it was just by chance that the demonic techniques recorded in the 'Undying Seal Scroll' triggered her own demonic intent. This led to the extreme conflict between immortality and demonic power. Could this be the truth behind Mother's death?"

Xu Ziling's expression changed upon hearing this, and he said, "It's very possible. After all, the foundation of the Cihang Sword Manual comes from the Demonic Sect, and no matter how it is changed, it cannot alter the foundation of the Demonic Path."

Kou Zhong also said solemnly...

"In this way, wouldn't those who cultivate the Cihang Sword Manual be like sleeping in a volcano, never knowing when they will be blown to ashes! This damn thing... might as well be called the Sword Manual of Certain Death."

"It's fortunate that Miss Qingxuan's cultivation isn't too advanced, and it's fortunate that you met Master Shi. Otherwise, I can't even imagine what would have happened!"

Xu Ziling muttered, "If this secret gets out, we're afraid the demons of Cihang Jingzhai will hunt us down to death."

"what……"

Kou Zhong scratched his head, nonchalantly saying, "Our heads aren't big enough. If they're going to look for someone, they'll go to Master Shi. I just don't know if they have the guts."

Chapter 357 The Choice for Shi Qingxuan

Xu Ziling shook his head and said, "Once Fu Cailin's achievements are known, I'm afraid no one will dare to cause trouble for Master Shi. Even those nuns from Cihang Jingzhai will have to shrink back."

Kou Zhong deliberately sighed and said, "I regret it so much now. I didn't shamelessly become Master Shi's disciple back then. Otherwise, if we had shouted that we were Master Shi's disciples, wouldn't everyone have treated us like honored guests?"

Amidst the brothers' banter, Shi Qingxuan couldn't help but chuckle: "I should thank you both for your kindness, but Qingxuan isn't that fragile."

"Ha...we've been found out! But it's good that you're alright, Miss Qingxuan. It wasn't for nothing that we two brothers put on a show." Kou Zhong waved his hand and said.

………………

Shi Qingxuan nodded slightly and looked at Su Yuchen, asking, "Then, Master Shi, could you tell me what I should do now?"

Su Yuchen said...

There are three solutions!

"The first one is to turn a mistake into an opportunity and use all your true energy to cultivate Shi Zhixuan's 'Undying Seal Scroll'."

"This 'Undying Seal Scroll' was originally created by him by fusing the Buddhist and demonic paths, and it is similar in principle to the 'Compassionate Sword Manual'. In the future, he will search for the 'Great Method of Planting Demons in the Heart of the Dao' and cultivate it to the realm of demon immortals."

"The Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique was once in the hands of the Evil Emperor Xiang Yutian, the leader of the Evil Extreme Sect. In order to cultivate the Demon Immortal realm, he tested it on his disciples You Niaojuan, Ding Jiuzhong, Zhou Laotan, Jin Huanzhen, and others. Qingxuan can go and find it."

"Whether it is the 'Undying Seal Scroll' or the 'Great Method of Planting Demons in the Dao Heart', they both come from the 'Heavenly Demon Strategy'. You already have a foundation, so you don't need to start from scratch."

"Secondly! If you can find something of pure Yang, and also find the complete 'Compassionate Sword Manual', use this pure Yang external object to assist your cultivation, purify your true Qi, dispel demonic intent, and eventually form an immortal embryo."

"As for the entire Cihang Sword Manual, apart from the women of Cihang Jingzhai, only Ning Daoqi has read it."

“However, since your mother is from Jingzhai, if you ask for it in Bixiuxin’s name, Fan Qinghui should not refuse you.”

"Third! The safest way is to abandon our efforts and start over. You must know that Buddha and demon can be two sides of the same coin, each being an extension of the other; while Dao and demon can only be yin and yang, forming a duality."

"I have a Pure Yang Limitless Scripture, which I created by combining the Pure Yang Limitless Skill with another Pure Yang skill from the Taoist school. It can cultivate a pure Yang true qi internally and refine the six Yang energies of heaven and earth externally."

"Not only does it have the effect of cleansing the marrow and refining the mind, but it can also cultivate a pure yang body, form a pure yang immortal embryo, and advance to the realm of breaking through the void."

"In addition, there is a technique called 'Northern Darkness Divine Water Technique,' which is derived from Zhuangzi's saying, 'The Northern Darkness Sea contains all things in heaven and earth.' It can steal the primordial energy of heaven and earth and transform it into Northern Darkness True Energy, ultimately achieving the state of oneness with heaven and man, thereby reversing one's innate nature. Later, after reading the 'Longevity Manual,' I was inspired and incorporated some of its content, which allows me to evolve towards the Northern Darkness Immortal Embryo."

"There is also the Nine Yin Manual, which can be considered the first half of the general outline of all martial arts in the world. In addition to the internal energy cultivation chapter, the Yi Jing marrow cleansing chapter, the acupoint unlocking chapter, and the healing chapter, there are also the Nine Yin Divine Claw, the White Python Whip Technique, the Spiral Nine Shadows, and so on."

"Later, after my cultivation and revision, I added the mental technique for absorbing and transforming moonlight to the internal energy chapter. In the end, it can form an alternative immortal embryo, which I named 'Guanghan Immortal Embryo'. It is also a martial art that can give us a glimpse into the realm of breaking through the void."

………………

Before Shi Qingxuan could speak, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling gasped in shock.

Kou Zhong said regretfully, "My God, is there even a choice? Of course, the easiest way is the best choice."

Xu Ziling nodded and said, "Although the martial arts of the Demonic Sect are good, according to Master Shi, they are most likely to make one lose their mind, so it's better not to practice them. The Cihang Sword Manual requires finding something of the purest and most yang nature, which is hard to find in the world, so it is the least worth considering."

Kou Zhong said with a grin, "I wonder if Xiao Ling and I could each learn one of the three Daoist techniques that Master Shi mentioned? I'm most interested in the Pure Yang Limitless Technique that Master Shi mentioned."

Upon hearing this, Su Yuchen flicked his finger, sending a burst of energy that made a large bump pop out on Su Yuchen's forehead. He laughed and scolded, "You've already mastered the 'Longevity Manual,' a treasure that everyone dreams of, and even used it to defy your innate nature. Aren't you satisfied yet?!"

Shi Qingxuan's beautiful eyes showed surprise as she said, "You two fellow Daoists have actually mastered the 'Longevity Manual'? I've never heard of anyone mastering this Daoist divine skill manual before."

Xu Ziling shook his head and said, "Master Shi himself also mastered the Longevity Technique. Kou Zhong and I, on the other hand, were just lucky enough to each master one of the images."

Kou Zhong complained, "Besides, Master Shi told us to figure it out ourselves. Xiao Ling and I are still confused about it. No matter how you look at it, it's not as worthwhile as the three martial arts that Master Shi mentioned."

Su Yuchen shook his head and admonished, "The best martial arts are those that suit you. You two are destined to learn the Longevity Manual, and you are not far from becoming grandmasters in the future. There is no need to be greedy."

Kou Zhong pressed his advantage, asking, "May I ask Master Shi, how can Xiao Ling and I become future Grandmasters?"

Su Yuchen shook his head and said, "How would I know? I haven't been able to master the last two images that you two boys have mastered. Although they are both from the 'Longevity Technique,' I can only guess about your situation."

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged a glance, realizing that this resolved their initial doubts. With the answer in mind, they felt a sense of relief, their spirits lifted, and their internal energy flowed faster.

"Then Master Shi might as well make a guess, so that Xiao Ling and I can have a better understanding," Kou Zhong said with a grin.

Su Yuchen shook his head and looked at Shi Qingxuan, saying, "Qingxuan, have you made a choice?"

Shi Qingxuan nodded and smiled, "Of course, Qingxuan is willing to be lazy and learn Master Shi's martial arts. I just don't know which style is suitable for me?"

Su Yuchen said, "Qingxuan's temperament and state of mind are quite in line with the Nine Yin Manual. If Qingxuan can use this to cultivate the Guanghan Immortal Embryo, it will also prove what I have learned."

"Then I'll trouble Master Shi to dissolve Qingxuan's true energy so that I can have the possibility of cultivating again."

Su Yuchen nodded, and placed his right finger on the center of Shi Qingxuan's brow. As he transformed his inner energy, a visible golden ripple spread out from the fingertip at the center of her brow.

Shi Qingxuan snorted, her aura visibly weakening. In Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's eyes, she simultaneously lost a strange magic, becoming somewhat ordinary and less captivating.

The two looked at each other, and at the same time thought of the "Compassionate Sword Manual," and couldn't help but feel a little scared of this strange martial art that they had never seen before.

"This martial art is too strange! And this is only an incomplete version of the sword manual. We'd better be careful when we encounter the women from Cihang Jingzhai in the future," Kou Zhong whispered to Xu Ziling.

Xu Ziling nodded and said, "Have you forgotten the state of mind we learned from the moon in the well? As long as we can maintain that state of mind at all times, even if we become celestial beings, they will not be able to deceive us."