The First Sword of the Universe

Chapter 456 The Terrifying Pressure of Sitting and Discussing the Dao

Xu Xingchen and Duan Yu sat in the pavilion in the courtyard, eating and chatting.

The bamboo grove outside the pavilion is dappled with sunlight, and the gentle breeze rustles through it, creating a serene and cool atmosphere.

A short while later, someone came to report that the grain, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea from down the mountain had been moved back to the mountain villa and put into the underground ice cellar.

Xu Xingchen waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

As evening approached, Xu Xingchen noticed that Duan Yu still looked somewhat worried, so she decided to take drastic measures and moved the jade statue to Duan Yu's room.

Under the other person's surprised gaze, he said, "Let your fairy sister spend a few days with you, maybe it will make you feel a little better."

"Huh?" Duan Yu's eyes widened, his gaze shifting back and forth between Xu Xingchen and the "Fairy Sister." His lips trembled several times, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he was defeated by the Fairy Sister's appearance.

This guy is deeply in love, and even though he now possesses extremely profound internal strength, he still can't help but be attracted to the jade statue.

Moreover, deep down, he might secretly rejoice that his biological father wasn't his biological father.
In this way, he can fall in love with the fairy without any scruples, even if the sea dries up and the rocks crumble, or the world ends.

Xu Xingchen returned to his room, lit a candle, and then sat at his desk, grinding ink and smelling its fragrance while pondering two martial arts research topics.

Once the ink is ground, place a stack of white paper in front of you, pick up a brush, dip it in the ink, and write down your thoughts.

Although he has a sharp mind, it is easier for him to organize his thoughts, find patterns, summarize experiences, and extract key points by writing his ideas down.

Xu Xingchen wholeheartedly agrees that a bad pen is worse than a good memory.

As he was writing, he suddenly remembered the knowledge he had gained in the Langhuan Jade Cave over the past three days that had impressed him, and he jotted it down as well.

If an outsider were to see his manuscript, they would likely be completely baffled and utterly confused: because the content he wrote was too fragmented, and seemingly simple yet profoundly mysterious.

Even a grandmaster of martial arts couldn't understand it.

As midnight approached, Xu Xingchen did not stay up late. She tidied up the manuscripts on her desk, washed up, and went back to bed to meditate cross-legged until dawn.

He had a feeling that he was about to reach the state of oneness with nature once again.

Having succeeded several times before, the feeling before the event, however subtle, becomes profound.

Time flies, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, the sky was clear and blue in the morning, but as noon approached, a dark cloud drifted in from somewhere, and a continuous drizzle began to fall.

Just then, someone knocked on the gate of Dayu Manor, and then someone went to inform Xu Xingchen's residence.

"Master Xu, Murong Fu and the Tibetan National Preceptor Kumārajīva have come to pay their respects!"

In the study, Xu Xingchen, who was discussing the Book of Changes with Duan Yu, looked up in surprise, pondered for a moment, and then ordered, "Go and invite them in!"

Although the two were considered honored guests, they had no choice but to go and greet him personally if he didn't want to.

The person who came to report gave a perfunctory clasped-fist salute and turned to leave.

Duan Yu hesitated for a moment and said, "Brother Xu, who knows what evil thoughts Kumārajīva might have when he sees me? Should I hide for a while?"

Xu Xingchen reassured him, "There's no need for that. He wouldn't dare to act recklessly in front of me!"

Seeing this, Duan Yu suppressed his thoughts and got up with Xu Xingchen, and together they went to the reception hall.

A moment later, accompanied by light, almost silent footsteps, three figures entered the courtyard and came into the main hall.

Xu Xingchen looked around and saw two people following behind the person who had given the report: one was dressed in a white robe and had an elegant demeanor; the other was dressed in a yellow monk's robe and had a solemn face.

These two could only be Murong Fu and Kumārajīva.

Xu Xingchen stood up, smiled, walked closer, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Young Master Murong, Master Kumārajīva, it's been a few days, how have you been!"

Murong Fu and Kumārajīva bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Xu!"

At this moment, Duan Yu emerged from behind Xu Xingchen and greeted the two of them in return.

Murong Fu had no idea that this young man surnamed Duan was trying to steal his cousin away. Upon hearing that the other party was the heir of the Prince of Zhennan of the Dali Duan Clan, his expression turned solemn, and he returned the greeting with great respect.

When Kumārajīva saw Duan Yu appear, a glint of light flashed in his eyes, but he said without changing his expression, "Young Master, you have a wide circle of friends, and you even know Master Xu?!"

Duan Yu explained briefly, "Brother Xu once went to Dali, and that's how we met." Kumārajīva glanced back and forth between Xu Xingchen and Duan Yu, then suddenly laughed, "Does the young master know that Master Xu also visited your Duan family's Tianlong Temple half a year ago and had the good fortune to see the Six Meridians Divine Sword Manual?"

Duan Yu glanced back at Xu Xingchen in surprise, but quickly became indifferent, simply saying "Oh" softly.

When Kumārajīva saw Duan Yu's indifferent reaction, he couldn't help but frown.

What kind of reaction is that, kid?
I tried every means to obtain the Six Meridians Divine Sword Manual from Tianlong Temple, but to no avail.

I captured you, brat. On the way to Jiangnan, I made you recite the Six Meridians Divine Sword technique countless times, but you refused to obey even at the cost of your life.

Why are you so indifferent now that you hear that Brother Xu, who is by your side, also tried to take your family's Six Meridians Divine Sword?
How can I, Kumārajīva, bear such differential treatment?!

Kumārajīva's mind was in turmoil, and he felt as if he had been humiliated.

Duan Yu's thoughts were very simple.

In his view, Brother Xu, whom he had befriended, was an extremely mysterious and powerful figure.

Leaving aside his unfathomable martial arts skills, just the fact that Brother Xu knows many secrets unknown to ordinary people is enough to inspire both awe and admiration.

Because of the fact that Brother Xu in his mind seemed to know everything, he had a misconception: if Brother Xu really had his eye on the Duan family's Six Meridians Divine Sword, then no matter how the masters of Tianlong Temple guarded against it, it would probably be useless.

Therefore, when he heard from Kumārajīva that Brother Xu had seen the Six Meridians Divine Sword Manual of Tianlong Temple, he was only slightly surprised before quickly calming down.

Xu Xingchen glanced at the conversation between Kumārajīva and Duan Yu, as well as their changing expressions, but didn't take it to heart.

After inviting the three to sit down, a lean man came over with a tea tray. His steps were light and silent, demonstrating his extremely high level of lightness skill.

Murong Fu and Kumārajīva watched with bated breath, their minds racing.

As soon as the two entered the Big Fish Manor, they found that there were unusually many people in the manor, and each of them was physically strong, had a calm and composed aura, and possessed considerable martial arts skills.

With their keen eyesight, the two of them could naturally tell that everyone they met along the way could make a name for themselves in the martial arts world.

However, they serve as servants here, sweeping courtyards, pruning trees, receiving guests, and repairing walls and tiles.

Could it be that the strength of the Free and Unfettered Sect is truly so terrifying?
After the man who served tea left, Xu Xingchen, who was sitting in the main seat, finally spoke and asked, "It is quite surprising that the two of you could come."

Murong Fu's expression turned serious, and he said, "A few days ago, after sparring with Master Xu, I realized how vast the world is, and how many talented people there are, with even stronger ones among the strong. Afterwards, remembering Master Xu's invitation, I came here with the master to pay him a visit."

Kumārajīva also said from the side, "Amitabha, I have met with Master Xu twice, and each time we only fought and did not have much time to talk, which I have always regretted. Therefore, I have come to visit today to sit down and discuss the Dao with Master Xu and explore the true meaning of martial arts. I hope that Master Xu will not hesitate to give me his guidance."

Xu Xingchen smiled happily and said, "I usually enjoy studying martial arts and discussing philosophy with others. I am very pleased that you two have come today."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the grudges between the four seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Regardless of what Murong Fu and Kumārajīva were thinking, as long as the two were willing to exchange martial arts techniques with him, Xu Xingchen was happy to oblige.

The villa was overcrowded, and the other courtyards were not only full, but packed with people.

Only Xu Xingchen's courtyard and the small courtyard of the Bamboo Sword Envoy of Lingjiu Palace had vacant rooms.

As for the Bamboo Sword Envoy, let's not think about anything else.

Xu Xingchen then settled Murong Fu and Kumārajīva in his courtyard room. Every day, apart from eating and sleeping, he would discuss martial arts and exchange techniques with the two of them.

Even Duan Yu, who was unwilling to learn martial arts, was dragged into the exchange to broaden his horizons.

Murong Fu and Kumārajīva came to the Xiaoyao Manor, which was inexplicably renamed "Big Fish," ostensibly to exchange martial arts techniques, but actually to do other things.

But after they sat down to discuss the Dao with Xu Xingchen for the first time, they put all other thoughts aside and immersed themselves wholeheartedly in the discussion.

Xu Xingchen's understanding of martial arts was so profound and thorough, and his mastery of martial arts from all schools and sects in the world was beyond their imagination.

Murong Fu comes from a family with a long tradition of learning. His father, Murong Bo, is famous throughout the world. His family also has the Huanshi Water Pavilion, which contains martial arts manuals from all over the world. In terms of breadth of knowledge, perhaps only the Langhuan Jade Cave of Mantuo Manor can compare with it.

Kumārajīva, as the national preceptor of the Tubo Kingdom, held an extremely noble status. He was not only proficient in many Buddhist classics, but also had cultivated his martial arts to the highest level of harmony between man and nature. Whether it was his talent and wisdom or his martial arts prowess, he was unparalleled in the world.

However, in front of Xu Xingchen, the two felt ashamed and inferior.

In terms of the breadth of knowledge about martial arts, Murong Fu's supposed reliance on his supposed mastery of all schools and sects of martial arts was utterly inadequate compared to Xu Xingchen's unbelievably extensive knowledge of martial arts.

In terms of profound understanding of the ultimate principles of martial arts, even though Kumārajīva had cultivated to the supreme realm of oneness with heaven and man, he was still completely overwhelmed by Xu Xingchen, making him question his existence.
(End of this chapter)