My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 734 - 469: Enduring as the Earth and Eternal as the Sky (Combined)

Chen Yi and Wu Buxu's duel centered on three clashes: the contest of swordsmanship, the contest of Sword Qi, and the contest of Sword Intent. Zhou Yitang observed the battle through Min Ning's eyes, perceiving each move with absolute clarity. Chen Yi lost the first two contests—both times narrowly escaping grave peril. Once, his arm was nearly severed, and another time, his head nearly fell. However, in the third contest, he came back from the brink, forcefully using Sword Intent to crush Wu Buxu. This reversal deeply shook Zhou Yitang's state of mind. The concept of the "Living Sword" embodies the ultimate principle of swordsmanship, yet her Sword Dao shared striking similarities with Wu Buxu's. The closer one reaches the peak of such a path, the more it aligns with the state of "Unity of Heaven and Man." At Wu Buxu's level, standing atop the mountain summit, it is the epitome of this union, like a lone withered blade of grass merging indistinguishably with the vast heavens and earth.

Years ago, beside the Wuding River, she and the Broken Swordsman debated swordsmanship and philosophy. Both were at their peak, yet afterward, the Broken Swordsman descended into listlessness, believing his future path would forever remain beneath the Sword Armor. Why? It was simple: he had realized the path of the Killing Sword led to a dead end, whereas the Living Sword approached the Heavenly Dao.

At the time, she thought this belief incorruptible. As Zhuangzi said: "The highest sword shatters the floating clouds above and cuts through the earthly chronicles below, nearly bridging heaven and earth." In short: "Everything under heaven and earth can become a sword." Yet, after the Sword Pool incident, Chen Yi forged a new path—a realm of unprecedented comprehension that subdued Wu Buxu. "A stone from another mountain can polish jade," Zhou Yitang's shaken spirit was stirred entirely by this event. To forge heaven and earth into a sword means "a sword may indeed encompass all things under heaven and earth." Although similar, the concepts conveyed by these two doctrines are worlds apart.

The roaring Sword Qi caused Hou Kang Sword to tremble uncontrollably, yet Chen Yi's figure remained unmoving, the blood smeared across his face lending him an eerie visage. Those words seemed to echo in Zhou Yitang's ears.

"Your sword… is obsolete."

The one-armed woman lowered her gaze at him, sneering coldly, "Do you dare presume to dictate the will of heaven?"

Sword Qi abruptly condensed into a single point before exploding. Between the two, it seemed as though a majestic "lake surface" unfolded—spilled streams of Qi churned into torrents of windlines. The tremendous reverberation instantly separated them.

Chen Yi's body slid backward, his feet carving deep trenches into the ground. After a moment, he steadied himself, catching a fleeting shadow as Zhou Yitang suddenly appeared before him again.

A streak of white rainbow descended from above.

Among the spectators, Yin Tingxue's pupils contracted sharply—almost crying out.

But then, an unimaginable scene unfolded. The streak of white rainbow curved mid-air, bypassing Chen Yi altogether. And somehow, Chen Yi's sword left his grip, flying forth, leaving him standing alone before Zhou Yitang.

The collar of Chen Yi's garment suddenly tore open, fabric fragments fluttering in the air. Still, he remained motionless, seemingly balanced on the razor edge between life and death. Were it not for that curved sword trajectory, his head would have already fallen.

Witnessing this, Yin Tingxue exhaled her breath—a slight relief washing over her. Ultimately, Master Zhou spared Chen Yi.

She cautiously approached, but Zhou Yitang abruptly spoke:

"A world built by a sword—how can it surpass the true world itself?"

Chen Yi stayed silent.

"Your realm does not outshine my sword." The one-armed woman coldly declared, then added, "In the end, Wu Buxu was simply not resolved to die."

The mountain winds suddenly stilled. The distant peaks seemed to loom closer, the cold firs standing lifeless upon the slopes.

At this moment, Chen Yi spoke: "If the heart truly dies, then man ceases to be man."

This time, Zhou Yitang fell silent. The one-armed woman turned her back without a word, her steps light and fading as she disappeared beyond sight.

Yin Tingxue blinked, staring at the scene in bewilderment.

Chen Yi kept his gaze fixed on Zhou Yitang's departure for a long while before finally turning back, letting out a deep exhale.

Then, he suddenly pulled Yin Tingxue into his arms.

"Ah… filthy, filthy…" With blood still on his clothes, Yin Tingxue protested with slight disgust.

Chen Yi released her momentarily and, displeased by her reaction, lightly slapped her hip, teasingly asking, "You dare call me filthy?"

Yin Tingxue's cheeks flushed slightly as she muttered, "But you are filthy…"

Chen Yi straightened his posture, stretching lazily in the sunlight. Yin Tingxue, still puzzled by Zhou Yitang's abrupt departure, spoke: "Didn't Master Zhou win? Why did she just leave?"

"Win?" Chen Yi paused before replying, "Perhaps." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Yin Tingxue turned to look at Chen Yi. The breeze passed by, and her competitive husband showed not the slightest concern for victory or defeat. This left her puzzled. After that duel—did Master Zhou truly win or not?

In her heart, Yin Tingxue longed for Zhou Yitang to win.

"I guess it doesn't count as siding against your own family…"

Yin Tingxue whispered to herself.

...…

Yin Sword Mountain comprises thirty-six peaks stretching across its northern and southern regions. Among these, legends abound, as Immortals ascending have left behind countless tales. The northern thirteen peaks are home to dense fir trees, whereas the southern twenty-three feature pines above and cypress below. Most Peak Masters who open new peaks favor the southern twenty-three first; only when they are fully claimed will they turn to the northern thirteen. The reason is simple: the north is exposed to cold winds, which disrupt favorable Feng Shui. Taoists often emphasize harmony between yin and yang, and the thirty-six Heavenly Domains under the Taoist schools tend to boast hospitable climates. Thus, choosing peaks to the south before the north is only logical.

At Green Cloud Peak, the main summit:

Before the Ancestor Hall, there was none of the flourishing incense typical of a Daoist Temple—only a sparse few sticks stood upon the altar, casting three slender white smoke trails into the air. Visiting Daoists often remarked that the Yin Sword Mountain disciples were, after all, women, revering Immortals but neglecting ancestors. This assumption was misguided; they didn't particularly revere Immortals either. Although the sect originated from the North Emperor lineage, they showed little deference even to the Upper Qing Emperor. Ordinary Daoist Temples often built golden halls at their highest points, erecting statues of Immortals. Yet Yin Sword Mountain's Green Cloud Peak stood entirely empty—nothing but drifting clouds above.