My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 679 - 446: Simply the Best in the World (Two in One)

At dawn, a long-lost ray of sunlight pierced through the mist.

Chen Yi gripped his sword tightly, its pitch-black blade somber enough to seem as though it swallowed the sunlight.

The dense forest was originally cold and tranquil; he swiftly raised the sword. His figure moved like a hare bounding or a falcon diving, the blade gleaming with lightning, driving fierce winds. In the blink of an eye, rocks and wood flew through the air, and the trees bore dozens of scars.

The sword momentum gathered and dispersed, then coalesced again at one point. With a final stroke, it pierced straight forth like a startled swan, even Hou Kang Sword couldn't help but pull forth a magnificent streak of chilly light.

A single stroke reached Qingxiao.

This was the Qingxiao Swordsmanship, once legendary in the martial arts world.

Aside from the world-renowned duel at Dangyang Lake, Wu Buxu's most celebrated act was his southward quest to the East Sea in search of the Sword Immortal, seeking enlightenment. He searched for the sword for eighty days but found nothing; on the eighty-first day, amidst raging storms and waves towering like mountains, he cut through the tumult with his sword. His sword wind halted the storm, and Qingxiao emerged on the horizon. After the tempest subsided, he finally found the immortal island, where only one Daoist resided. Wu Buxu asked where the Sword Immortal was, and the Daoist clasped his hands together and responded: "Before this poor Daoist."

What should have been a treasured tale, a foundation for legends a century later, instead...

Wu Buxu, without a second thought, drew his sword and slew the Daoist.

Pitifully, that Daoist, who intended to enlighten Wu Buxu and ascend to the heavens in broad daylight that very day, was halfway through his ascent when Wu Buxu struck him down. Later, stories circulated that this Daoist was indeed none other than the legendary Sword Immortal Qi Sword.

After slaying the Sword Immortal, Wu Buxu crossed back over the sea. According to the limited accounts from his disciples, he claimed the reason he could kill the Sword Immortal was simply that his sword had become one with the Dao.

It makes sense when you think about it—no matter how great an immortal is, can it surpass the Dao?

Immortals are merely parasites of the Dao.

But perhaps it was from this reckless act of slaughtering an immortal that Wu Buxu gradually earned the title of Sword Demon, even if others later called him "Sword Saint" or "Sword God" during his sixty-year reign as the undisputed champion of the martial arts world, too fearful to use the name Sword Demon.

Chen Yi brushed fallen leaves off his shoulder. Possessing the Heavenly Vision, he had completely mastered the Qingxiao Swordsmanship, achieving a full ten-tenths resemblance.

It had to be said, it felt exhilarating.

He flipped the sword over; as it slid halfway into the sheath, he turned his head to see Min Ning standing amidst the thicket.

Chen Yi's lips involuntarily curved upward. Walking towards her, he spoke:

"You've been watching all along?"

"Halfway through, perhaps."

For some reason, Min Ning's brows furrowed gently.

Chen Yi paid no heed, saying, "What are you worried about? Relax, I won't die under Wu Buxu's sword. I can't die. This Qingxiao Swordsmanship… I've already mastered it, with perfect resemblance."

Min Ning was about to speak when Chen Yi continued:

"I know what you want to say—the key is Sword Intent, right?"

Min Ning neither shook her head nor nodded; it was as if she tacitly agreed, yet at the same time did not.

Chen Yi said slowly, "Wu Buxu's sword can be considered as one branch of the Living Sword concept. I've long since comprehended the Living Sword; understanding his techniques won't be difficult. When it comes to the duel, his strikes against me will feel like he's hitting himself."

Min Ning's brows remained furrowed. As she looked at Chen Yi now, she couldn't shake a bizarre feeling—something about him had changed.

Yet she couldn't pinpoint exactly what.

Suddenly, she had a gut instinct that, seven days from now, Chen Yi would barely be able to enter within three zhang of Wu Buxu in their duel at this current state.

Gut instincts weren't always accurate, Min Ning reminded herself. After all, apart from noticing that Chen Yi had changed, she clearly knew too that over the past half-year, Chen Yi had grown stronger.

In his cultivation realm, he was virtually unparalleled.

This led Min Ning to question her own intuitions.

Chen Yi saw that Min Ning had remained silent for a while, but he didn't dwell on it. Passing by her, he spoke:

"I'm going to meet Wu Buxu."

Min Ning didn't stop him. After he disappeared into the thicket, she pondered for a long time.

Then, she murmured to herself, "I'll go check on the corpses of those Daoists."

Min Ning had just taken her first step when, amidst the trees, there was a faint movement—amidst the leaves, a flash of white robes could be glimpsed.

From afar, Yin Weiyin hesitated for a moment before following her.

...…

The bodies had only just been slain, still fresh.

Outside the small building consecrating the ancestral master's memorial tablets lay over ten corpses scattered across the ground. Crimson blood smeared over the green turf, the stench of gore thick and clinging to her nose. Where blades and swords had struck, wounds seemed to still seep fresh blood.

Min Ning bent down for a closer look. She had already gone inside the building to inspect a few corpses earlier; now, coming out again to examine a few more, she paused before the last one, muttering:

"It's different this time."

She briefly recalled the countless times she'd seen Chen Yi wield his sword during his days in the capital.

Was it truly different now?

One must know many things can deceive, and while the marks left by blades and swords are hard to falsify, they're only one part of the story.

Min Ning felt a sense of doubt and couldn't help but ask:

"Zhu Yu, should I trust my gut instinct?"

Zhu Yu seemed to gaze through her eyes into the scene before her.

After some time, Zhu Yu replied plainly: "If you don't trust yourself, then who else should you trust?"

Min Ning gave a bitter smile.

Detecting her expression, Zhu Yu inquired, "What are you running away from this time?"

"…Running away? Perhaps."

Min Ning paused briefly before murmuring almost to herself:

"He's someone… easily influenced by others." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"…Are you worried you'll teach him wrong?" Zhu Yu seemed amused.

"Perhaps so. Many people have influenced him: Yin Tingxue, Yin Weiyin, his master, and… me, among others."

After speaking, Min Ning unexpectedly showed some faint embarrassment, muttering softly to herself:

"I'm not really his true master after all, so I dare not teach him recklessly."

Zhu Yu watched her quietly.

This young swordswoman, usually quick to kill, now bore a faint air of vulnerability akin to that of a shy maiden.

With a hint of sentiment, Zhu Yu remarked: "It's a good thing you're not his real master."

If Min Ning had been his true master, she might have already succumbed to his honeyed words.

Far away, Zhou Yitang only pondered for a fleeting moment before snapping back to her senses, realizing Yin Weiyin still lingered in the shadows observing covertly.

The female crown fixed her gaze onto Min Ning. Last night, after Chen Yi kissed Min Ning in front of her, she had given him the cold shoulder the entire night. Yet, even now, her emotions remained unsettled, plaguing her sleeplessly.