The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 477 Testing
Zhao Ti wanted to stop, but it was too late. He didn't have much control over himself and mostly went with the flow. In an instant, he rushed to the sea monster.

Then the sea monster's eerie white eyes rolled around, and a large mouth split open below its face, revealing sharp, uneven teeth inside, with green mucus flowing out from the corners of its mouth.

Its tentacles were raised high, their number indistinguishable, and they stretched forward with an incredibly foul stench.

Zhao Ti had no way to dodge. The tentacles seemed to be slow, but his body seemed to be caught in a whirlpool of waves. He watched helplessly as the tentacles entangled themselves on the ship's hull, lifted him up, and sent him into the giant mouth behind him.

Zhao Ti struggled desperately, letting out a desperate scream. At that moment, he seemed to hear a sea monster mocking him. The sound was as dull and unpleasant as grinding teeth, sending chills down his spine.

Just as he was about to enter that terrifying and disgusting mouth, Zhao Ti screamed again. Suddenly, everything in front of him disappeared. There was no more sea, no more sea monster, and he was no longer a ghost ship drifting aimlessly on the sea. Everything was gone.

Ahead, it was dimly dark; I was inside my own house, and the faint starlight from outside the window allowed me to make out objects with difficulty.

"Are you back?" Zhao Ti reached up and touched his forehead, which was covered in cold sweat.

What just happened? How could such a strange hallucination occur? Could this be enlightenment?

But it's not quite the same as what I've heard. I once asked Yang Dian what enlightenment felt like. As a genius of the Yang family, Yang Dian had experienced enlightenment twice. It wasn't as terrifying and horrifying as what I just experienced, and there weren't any specific images. Instead, it was mainly about the enlightenment and understanding in my mind.

However, the sea monster in that picture just now is somewhat similar to the first picture of the Jingjue Yuanqi Gong. Could it be a representation of that picture?
So what I just experienced was an epiphany, only it was different from a normal epiphany.

Zhao Ti got off the bed, sat at the table, gulped down a large glass of cold water, and then began to ponder again.

If that's the case, I can meditate and practice based on the image of the sea monster in my enlightenment. But what exactly is that sea monster? How did those ancient Qi cultivators create such a strange technique?
If it was an Outer God who flew over the continent in the form of a celestial maiden, then the last picture at the time of his great accomplishment would be somewhat relevant. But what is this round monster covered with tentacles?
Zhao Ti was completely baffled. After a long while, he felt the stars outside the window begin to fall and a faint white light appeared on the horizon, so he went to bed to rest.

He didn't get up earlier than usual the next day because the state school was closed, and he could stay at home all day.

Zhao Ling'er came to knock on the door as usual, but he ignored her and didn't get out of bed to wash up and eat for another half hour.

Continuing to read, Zhao Ling'er moved a small stool and sat down next to the book box to look at the gourd.

Zhao Ti asked, puzzled, "You've been watching for so many days, what's so interesting about it?"

Zhao Ling'er said with a grin, "Big brother, didn't you notice that this gourd became shiny after I wiped it?"

“Glittering with gold…” Zhao Ti glanced at the gourd; it was indeed much shinier.

“It’s so shiny and golden, Brother, don’t you feel that this gourd doesn’t look like bronze, but like gold?” Zhao Ling’er said, blinking her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti closed the book and looked Zhao Ling'er up and down: "Like gold? Have you ever seen gold before, yet you say it looks like gold?"

"I, I..." Zhao Ling'er was stunned for a moment.

“There’s no gold in the house, and Mother doesn’t have any gold jewelry. You’ve never even seen one, so how can you say the gourd looks like gold?” Zhao Ti frowned.

“I, who said I haven’t seen them!” Zhao Ling’er hurriedly said, “I… I have a classmate who has a longevity pendant made of gold, and I have another classmate who has a gold lock, which is also gold. I’ve seen them all.”

"I see." Zhao Ti nodded. Families that could afford to send their children to girls' schools were generally wealthy or noble. It was extremely rare for a commoner family like his to bring some gold and silver ornaments to school.

“That’s right, that’s why I recognize gold. Big pot, are you lying to me? This is actually a gold gourd, not copper!” Zhao Ling’er said, her eyes sparkling.

"Nonsense, where did this golden gourd come from?" Zhao Ti stood up from behind the table and walked over: "Since you have a classmate who brought something made of gold, you should know its value. How precious is such a large golden gourd? Where could you possibly get one? Even a copper one would be valuable, so why would you think it's made of gold?"

"Anyway, it looks like it's made of gold, or maybe a big pot..." Zhao Ling'er paused, "Why don't you give me this gourd?"

"Hmm? For you?" Zhao Ti raised an eyebrow, wondering why his sister was so interested in the gourd. The gourd didn't belong entirely to him; half of it was crow's. Otherwise, he could have given it to his sister without bothering him every day.

“No, this thing is heavy and could easily injure someone. Besides, it contains malevolent energy from the ancient battlefield. You're young, so it's fine for you to look at it and play with it occasionally, but you absolutely cannot keep it near you. You'll get sick from the malevolent energy,” Zhao Ti said after thinking for a moment.

"Evil energy? It'll make me sick?" Zhao Ling'er pouted. "Big Brother must be lying to me. I don't believe it!"

Zhao Ti immediately put on a stern face: "Anyway, I can't give you this gourd, and don't even think about taking it by stealth. If it disappears, I'll come looking for it back to you."

"What are you saying, big pot? I'm small and weak, how could I possibly move this gourd? Humph, don't judge a gentleman by your own petty standards!" Zhao Ling'er said angrily.

"Hehe, has the big pot turned into a little person?" Zhao Ti chuckled upon hearing this and shook his head: "You can look here as much as you want, but you absolutely cannot move. Once you move, you can forget about looking anymore. I'm going out in a bit, and I won't lock the door. You can look here to your heart's content."

"Big Pot, are you going out?" Zhao Ling'er showed a slight hint of joy, but quickly concealed it, obediently asking, "Where is Big Pot going? When will you be back?"

"I..." Zhao Ti hesitated for a moment. He wanted to go out and find a place to study the Celestial Flying Immortal Sword Technique, since his father slept by the window and it was difficult to practice at home.

"I have some academic matters to discuss with my classmates, so it might take a while. I should be back before dinner."

"So long?" Zhao Ling'er looked out the door. It was only morning, and the sun hadn't yet set in the south. She couldn't help but smile and said, "Then let's hurry up and go. Don't let it interfere with our studies."

Zhao Ti, seeing her barely contained joy, asked in bewilderment, "Don't you have any homework to finish? Are you really planning to spend the whole day looking at gourds?"

Zhao Ling'er hurriedly said, "I finished my studies a long time ago, and I did more than you did in the state. Aren't you leaving, Da Guo?"

Seeing that she was so eager to shoo people away, Zhao Ti stroked his chin, went to the bedside, pulled out the sword blank wrapped in cloth from underneath, and said, "You stay here and play, don't drop it and hurt yourself."

"Okay, okay." Zhao Ling nodded vigorously. "Big brother, what are you carrying?"

"Just a painting." Zhao Ti looked at her for a few more moments, then walked out the door. A moment later, Zhao Ling'er tiptoed over to take a look. Seeing that Zhao Ti had left the courtyard, she patted her chest lightly and muttered to herself, "Finally gone. I need to take this opportunity to repair the gourd. They've been hogging my gourd and won't give it to me, and I can't even explain why. It's really frustrating."

As Zhao Ti walked through Xinghua Lane, a crow perched on his shoulder. He whispered, "Brother Crow, Ling'er seems a bit off." "Indeed, something's not quite right..." The crow flapped its wings, its voice reaching Zhao Ti's mind.

"Why is she so interested in the golden gourd? And her words today seemed to be testing me. This is nothing like Ling'er's usual cunning; she's never this quick-witted!" Zhao Ti frowned and said, "Brother Ya, do you think it might be this gourd..."

"A gourd?" the crow said. "Although this gourd is the most powerful magic weapon of our demon race, it was broken when we tested it last time and has no power or spirituality left. Besides... I remember that Ling'er's eyes were fixed on this gourd when she saw it from afar. She likes to focus on appearances. Her current behavior should have nothing to do with the gourd, right?"

"I didn't notice that Ling'er showed liking for the gourd as soon as she saw it from afar? Then..." Zhao Ti pondered, "I thought before that the gourd might have some kind of supernatural power, and she was influenced by it, but it doesn't seem to be the case now. But it should still be related to the gourd. Brother Ya, do you think a little girl like her would like a cold and heavy gourd? If not, then what is the reason that makes her so interested in the gourd?"

"Well... logically speaking, no, but Ling'er is usually very mischievous, chasing chickens and dogs, climbing trees and catching birds, playing with guns and sticks, she's extremely naughty, unlike ordinary children. Maybe she just saw the golden gourd and was curious about it, which is why she likes it?"

“That’s true…” Zhao Ti thought for a moment and then fell silent. He walked out of the alley and onto Chunyu Street. He paused for a moment and then headed straight west.

The northern, eastern, and southern parts of Yuzhou are densely populated with numerous houses, but the western part is full of forests, mountains, and small lakes. To the southwest is Yuling Lake, to the west is Xiaoling Mountain, and to the northwest is Yushi Forest.

Jade Stone Forest is an extremely long forest belt, containing not only various trees but also a vast area of ​​stone forest, hence the name.

This vast stone forest stretches out to almost reach the western city wall in the distance. Its rugged and extraordinary formations are a marvel of nature, attracting many Yuzhou residents to visit during festivals.

However, this place is usually deserted. It is mostly frequented by unruly truant children and adulterous couples, as the area is simply too large.

Zhao Ti pondered whether to practice his swordsmanship on Little Spirit Mountain or in this Jade Forest, and was somewhat undecided.

As he walked and pondered, he arrived at Xiguan Street after a while. The blacksmith shop where he had bought the sword blank last time was located at the end of the street.

Beyond this street lies a man-made hill, lush and secluded, with pavilions built upon it.

Behind this artificial mountain is Xiaoling Mountain, a naturally formed series of small mountains, and a mile or two to the northwest of the artificial mountain is Yulin.

It was still early morning, and the weather was hot in the middle of summer. Occasionally, a breeze would blow, causing the green trees on both sides of the road to sway and rustle.

There weren't many pedestrians on the street. Before long, Zhao Ti saw the blacksmith shop ahead, with a flag bearing the black-inked character for "soldier" fluttering in the air, but the door below was tightly closed.

"Hmm, is it closed?" Zhao Ti paused slightly upon seeing this.

The wooden door was tightly shut, with a heavy iron chain and padlock hanging outside. There was some grime and dust in front of the door, indicating that it was not closed temporarily.

Wasn't the Xiao family of Shanzhou planning to use this place as a base to evade the Yuzhou government's investigation and plot the acquisition of treasures? Why have they abandoned this place now?
Zhao Ti was puzzled and glanced at the crow on his shoulder. The crow transmitted its voice, "The courtyard of the shop is quiet. I don't know where everyone has gone."

Zhao Ti said, "People from aristocratic families are extravagant. They probably found this place too small, messy, and dilapidated, so they moved to another place to live."

As he spoke, he continued forward, hesitated slightly after exiting Xiguan Street, and then headed north.

He chose to practice his sword in Yulin instead of going to Xiaoling Mountain. There was no particular reason for this; he simply felt that the stone forest area deep in Yulin was open and flat, unlike the rugged terrain on the mountain.

A mile or two passes in the blink of an eye, and then you see a large forest blocking the way, with almost no end in sight on either side.

Because it was a wooded area within the city, unlike the chaotic wilderness, there were several roads leading inwards. Zhao Ti randomly chose one to go forward. At first, he saw two couples acting suspiciously, seemingly engaged in illicit activities. When they saw him, they covered their heads and faces, turned around, and bent over, which was quite comical.

But after walking for a while, no one could be seen again. Instead, small animals ran about and birds cried, which instantly cleared one's mind.

After walking for about 15 minutes, the trees gradually thinned out, and the stone forest could be vaguely seen through the gaps in the trees.

He quickly walked a few steps, reached the edge of the forest, and then flashed into the stone forest.

This stone forest is a natural landscape, formed countless years ago. This place existed before Yuzhou. In ancient times, the Yujiang River flowed into the area, and cities were built around this beautiful place.

The Stone Forest boasts beautiful scenery, with stone peaks, pillars, and stalagmites constantly in sight.

These stones are mostly not very tall, with two or three zhang considered tall, and they are not particularly wide or large, but rather narrow, flat, and oval. They are mostly grayish-white in color, with few other colors present.

Zhao Ti wandered through the stone forest, found a secluded spot to stop, and then took out the jade slip from the heavens that Yang Dian had given him.

Although I had already memorized this sword manual before, it's still good to look at it again, since watching it directly and recalling it in my mind are two different kinds of feelings.

Yang Dian said this sword manual came from the White Cloud Forbidden Land, one of the seven ancient forbidden lands. It possesses immense divine power; once mastered, it can cleave mountains, sever rivers, split winds and clouds, and cut through stars!

They even said that on a night of full moon, atop the white clouds, a sword came from the west, a celestial being descending from the heavens.

It is said to be an unparalleled swordsmanship and a peerless martial art, with few sword techniques in the world that can surpass it.

Once fully mastered, it can even shatter the void, destroy the vacuum, break through spatial barriers, and reach the divine realm beyond the heavens, much like the Taoist concept of ascending to heaven in broad daylight.

This Celestial Flying Immortal Sword Technique is divided into nine forms. The last form is called Sword God's Smile. Once mastered, one will enter the ranks of divine swords, transcend the realm of human power, and step into the realm of celestial gods.

Even if one cannot master the final move, it is enough to dominate the world, be invincible among men, and be the supreme ruler of an era.

However, this sword technique was too difficult to master. Yang Dian had been struggling to learn it for three months, but he still hadn't even fully mastered the first move.

With Yang Dian's talent, he hasn't mastered even one move in three months. How difficult must this sword technique be?
Thinking of this, Zhao Ti's expression turned solemn, and his gaze slowly fell on the first move of the sword technique.

(End of this chapter)