Super System in the Early Tang Dynasty

From the moment the Taoist priest's flying sword appeared to the moment Li Xingzhi thrust his sword at his throat, it was only a blink of an eye for an ordinary person. If someone were present, they would only see a few flashes of cold light and a figure appear and disappear before the sword was drawn and the person was gone.

The tall, thin Taoist priest looked at the longsword that Li Xingzhi had retrieved, and immediately threw it into the air. The longsword shot into the sky and then fell straight down, inserting itself into the sheath without any mishap.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute, swept his long sleeves aside, and said in a clear, loud voice, "Thank you for your mercy, fellow Daoist." He remained neither humble nor arrogant, his manner upright and dignified. He immediately dropped the matter of the giant monkey, just as he had said, it was merely a matter of fact.

"I am from Taiqing Palace on Crane Cry Mountain, my Dharma name is Yuan Yi. My master is Zhenru Zhenren. May I ask where your immortal abode is, and which Zhenren you are a disciple of?" Yuan Yi was surprised to find that he was no match for the young man in front of him and decided to befriend him.

While Crane Cry Mountain may not have gained widespread fame in later generations, it was nonetheless one of the four famous mountains in Sichuan. The later Zhang Sanfeng, the Taoist master, was buried there. The Taiqing Palace was also renowned, established by Zhang Daoling, the founder of the Zhengyi sect. At that time, the abbot's secular name was Li Jue, said to be a descendant of Laozi, and his Buddhist name was 'Zhenru'.

Yuan Yi was a direct disciple of the True Man Zhenru. He was the most skilled among the disciples of Crane Cry Mountain, possessing unparalleled swordsmanship and earning the title of Sword Immortal among the younger generation of Daoists.

When Li Xingzhi saw Yuan Yi ask the question, he was taken aback. He quickly realized that if he said that he had no one to teach him, Yuan Yi would think that he was just being perfunctory. So he said, "I started learning from a master when I was three years old. My master taught me for nine years and nine months before he went on a journey and I haven't seen him since. He also didn't leave behind any name."

Upon hearing Li Xingzhi's words, Yuan Yi didn't press the matter further and immediately asked, "Brother, could you tell me what the origin of that sword strike was?" As he spoke, Yuan Yi scratched his head sheepishly, his eyes revealing a childlike curiosity, and his aloof and unapproachable demeanor vanished instantly.

Li Xingzhi was slightly taken aback by the change in the Taoist priest Yuan Yi. He found it amusing and smiled, saying, "The sword strike just now was called 'One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones,' which is my Taoist sword technique."

This sword strike was a secret technique passed down through the Quanzhen School. Li Xingzhi had been practicing this Quanzhen sword technique since he began cultivating it. It was originally quite ordinary, after all, it didn't have much of a spotlight in the novel. However, the more he practiced it, the more profound and extraordinary it seemed. He has never put it down since, nor has he practiced any other sword techniques.

"'One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones'? Just now, when you pointed your sword at me, I felt as if a thousand, ten thousand swords were attacking me." Yuan Yi asked, seemingly unsure whether he was asking a question or muttering to himself. Just as Li Xingzhi was about to explain, Yuan Yi suddenly slapped his forehead, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, "'The Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things,' so that's it—'One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones,' these 'Three Pure Ones' don't refer to three, but rather to all things!"

He bowed to Li Xingzhi again and said, "Yuanyi has learned a lot."

Just as Li Xingzhi was about to say something, voices and footsteps began to approach, gradually becoming more numerous. The commotion had attracted the attention of the Li family. Before long, the courtyard was filled with people, and even the elders, including Li Jing, had come over, having apparently heard some rumors.

Without waiting for Li Xingzhi's introduction, Yuan Yi bowed to everyone, introduced himself, and apologized for disturbing them.

The martial arts masters present, upon hearing that Yuan Yi was a disciple of Daoist Zhenru of Heming Mountain, became increasingly eager, as if they were old men rekindling their old lover. This sight sent a chill down Li Xingzhi's spine.

Yuan Yi was not good at socializing, but after seeing Li Xingzhi's swordsmanship, he was itching to leave. He refused Li Jing's arrangement and stayed in Li Xingzhi's courtyard, ostensibly to discuss the Dao.

"Discussing the Dao?" Li Jing was taken aback, only then noticing Li Xingzhi standing beside him. After a brief glance, he realized that this grand-nephew was elegant in appearance and acted with an effortless grace, truly possessing a Daoist air. With Li Linzhi, a "master," as his disciple, and the True Man of Heming Mountain as his friend, Li Jing couldn't see anything special about his grand-nephew. He simply thought that some people were born with great fortune.

At this moment, when he looked at Li Xingzhi, a hint of affection appeared in his eyes, as if he were a lucky star for the Li family.

After everyone dispersed, only the two remained sitting opposite each other in the courtyard. At this moment, Yuan Yi had completely lost his earlier air of superiority. Looking at Li Xingzhi, he mumbled something, moved his lips slightly, but then seemed unable to say anything. Li Xingzhi found this amusing; Yuan Yi was like a child begging for candy from an adult. This Yuan Yi was indeed interesting; sometimes he was as solemn and dignified as a Taoist master, and other times he was like an inexperienced old child.

However, the atmosphere was inevitably awkward. Seeing that the moonlight was perfect and the breeze was refreshing, Li Xingzhi immediately went inside and brought out a jar of wine, along with a plate of peanuts.

Yuan Yi was quite a character. Upon seeing the fine wine and smelling its aroma, he immediately became infatuated and his nose twitched repeatedly.

After a few cups of sake, the two grew even closer, discussing everything from Taoist mythology and folklore to local landscapes, ghost stories, and sword techniques. Yuan Yi was deeply impressed by Li Xingzhi's cultivation and swordsmanship, and regretted not having met Li Xingzhi's mysterious master.

As dawn breaks and the sun rises, bringing hope for the day, the world gradually comes alive again.

The tranquility is gone, and the words remain unfinished.

"It's a pity that I had to return immediately to report back after being ordered down the mountain by my master. Otherwise, I would have spent several more months discussing the Dao with you, my fellow Daoist." Yuan Yi's words were filled with unspoken regret.

Li Xingzhi was also reluctant to leave. After all, he had been in this time and space for several years, and it was rare to meet someone interesting and easy to talk to. But unexpectedly, the conversation was cut short, and the person had to leave.

Suddenly, Yuan Yi's eyes lit up, and he said, "Why don't you come to my Crane Cry Mountain, fellow Daoist?"

----

I was originally planning to write a long chapter, but I ran out of power, so I'll just upload it now.

I'll continue adding more tomorrow, three chapters, or at the very least two. Anyway, I'll keep adding until it's done.