Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 366 What a vicious method!
Chen Ye was kept awake all night by Youluozi's words.

It's no wonder he was worried; who in this world isn't afraid of this omnipresent witch?

I had planned to wander around early the next morning to see what rumors Youluozi had spread.

Before Chen Ye could even leave, Sheng Huai'an came to his door, excitedly handing him a thick sword manual.

"I thought about it all night and revised the first half pretty much. You can try practicing it first."

Chen Ye wanted to decline, thinking that he would never see results from practicing swordsmanship. Today, he was busy asking around for information.

But after casually flipping through two pages, Chen Ye was immediately filled with surprise.

Is this the same sword technique as yesterday? It looks completely different.

What shocked Chen Ye even more was that he understood it without Sheng Huai'an's guidance. The sword manual was so straightforward that it was like teaching someone how to swordsmanship step by step. Anyone who could read could probably understand it.

However, the entry requirements for this sword technique are quite high; one must be able to separate their soul from their body to have a foundation for cultivation.

Chen Ye hesitated. Although Youluozi's conspiracy was definitely a big problem, Sheng Huai'an's swordsmanship was equally important.

The former might damage the reputation of the Yellow Springs Sect, while the latter concerns whether Chen Ye can continue his cultivation.

Sheng Huai'an wouldn't stay by Chen Ye's side to give pointers forever. If they didn't practice today, they might not see each other again in the future. If Chen Ye encountered any difficulties later, who would he ask for help?

After much deliberation, Chen Ye decided to stay behind and practice his swordsmanship. As for gathering information... he was the head of a sect and had many subordinates.

Chen Ye summoned Mo Ci, Bai Gu Dao Ren, and Chen Guang from within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, allowing them free rein to roam and gather information. He instructed them not to explain any rumors they heard, but simply to report back to Chen Ye.

Rumors cannot be resolved by one or two people. Chen Ye only needs to know in advance what kind of rumors they are, and he will naturally be able to prepare a response.

After giving his instructions, Chen Ye returned to his room and began practicing swordsmanship under Sheng Huai'an's guidance.

According to the sword manual, one should first separate their soul from their body, but Chen Ye could not do that, so he could only transform his physical body into the form of his soul.

Then, Chen Ye continued to circulate the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique, conjuring a long sword in his hand.

It essentially involves altering the soul and body. The principle is simple, but the execution is not easy. It took Chen Ye several hours to complete this transformation, and even then, it was not yet stable.

In fact, Chen Ye was not very proficient in the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts. He had transformed into a dragon many times before, all thanks to those four dragon pearls.

The true Eight-Nine Arcane Arts don't need these things. The Demon Lord Wujiu can transform into whatever he wants, whether it's ancient divine beasts, mountains and rivers, plants and trees, living things or dead things, or even become formless. This is what it means to be able to transform at will.

Chen Ye was used to taking shortcuts, but now that he had transformed into a divine soul body and then turned a part of that divine soul body into a longsword, this double transformation made things more difficult for him.

Looking at the ethereal longsword in his hand, which seemed ready to vanish at any moment, Chen Ye sighed, "Indeed, there are no shortcuts in cultivation; one day you'll have to pay the price. I've been too lazy and wasted too much time."

Sheng Huai'an glanced at Chen Ye, a sentence stuck in his throat, unsure whether he should say it or not.

Chen Ye has gone from the Spirit Awakening stage to his current breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage in less than two years. If that's considered slacking off, then what about the other cultivators?
But Sheng Huai'an dared not say it, because he felt that saying it would displease Chen Ye. Therefore, Sheng Huai'an could only remind him, "Concentrate, steady your sword, and then we will learn the first move."

Chen Ye quickly focused his mind and began practicing swordsmanship according to Sheng Huai'an's instructions.

This sword technique looks very ordinary, and the postures are very strange, not the kind of sword moves a normal person could perform. But Chen Ye is a spirit body, and theoretically his current body is not affected by joints, so bending and stretching at will is not a problem.

But thinking is one thing, doing is another. Chen Ye's control over his soul was not precise, and it was not easy for him to perfectly demonstrate the postures in the sword manual.

Sheng Huai'an was a very patient but extremely strict teacher. No matter how stupid Chen Ye was, he never scolded him. Instead, he reminded Chen Ye of every detail again and again and patiently asked him to do it again and again.

After a whole day, Chen Ye hadn't even learned the first move.

Even so, Chen Ye felt the usefulness of this sword technique.

Chen Ye felt a subtle change taking place in his soul. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt that this was the true cultivation of the Nascent Soul Realm.

His divine soul hadn't become stronger, but Chen Ye's experience was completely different. If he had to describe it, Chen Ye's previous transformation into his divine soul was like controlling his own shadow.

The shadow on the wall could indeed change in sync with Chen Ye's movements, moving in perfect unison without any hesitation. But a shadow is still just a shadow, and Chen Ye always felt there was a layer between them when he tried to control it.

Now, that feeling is fading away; this divine body is no longer a "shadow," but Chen Ye himself.

This sword technique looks strange, but it is actually enhancing Chen Ye's control over his soul.

Chen Ye suddenly felt that this was true cultivation. Qu Heng's method of cultivation, which involved getting beaten up and running away, was simply absurd and just an excuse to beat himself up.

After being beaten for several days, it was of no use except for flying a little faster.

Chen Ye practiced his swordsmanship diligently. According to Sheng Huai'an, this swordsmanship was purely for practice and couldn't be used in combat. It could be used to break through mental illusions, but never to break other people's magical weapons or spells.

Therefore, Sheng Huai'an repeatedly warned: "Never think that swordsmanship is just about thrusting with a sword. Only when you reach the level of your master can all techniques be unified and a single sword can cleave heaven and earth. All sword learners should not be overly ambitious. When you encounter an opponent, you should still use your best skills. Never think that just because I taught you this sword technique you can use it to fight."

Chen Ye naturally wouldn't be overly ambitious.

Don't you understand your own abilities? You've already struggled so much with just the first move. If you actually use it in a real fight, you'll be completely destroyed before you can even get into the starting stance.

However, these leisurely days of sword practice could not last.

As the sun was setting, a visitor arrived in the courtyard.

When Chen Ye came out, he saw Yu Shenxing pushing a wheelchair to him.

"My dear brother."

After saying only half a sentence, Yu Shenxing suddenly didn't know what to say next.

Chen Ye smiled and asked, "Brother, have you come for the Incense Burning Sect?"

Yu Shenxing nodded and said, "After all, the Incense Burning Sect is also a guest of my Yunlu Immortal Sect. I know your character, Brother. It must have been the Incense Burning Sect that was rude first. But as the host, Yunlu Immortal Sect cannot allow the two guests to fight in our home."

Chen Ye asked, "So, brother, you've come to ask me for someone?"

If the Yunlu Immortal Sect were to intervene, Chen Ye wouldn't be able to simply detain them; he would have to give them face. But if he did, he would have to find another way to establish his authority.

However, Yu Shenxing said, "I know you've been wronged, my dear brother, so how could you ask me for the person? I've already argued with my elders about this matter, so I don't need you to release the person. But Yunlu Immortal Sect wants to act as a mediator and ask you to have a talk with the current sect leader of Fenxiang Sect."

Chen Ye was somewhat moved upon hearing this.

In truth, Chen Ye didn't give Yu Shenxing any face. Both sides were guests, and when a conflict arises, Yu Shenxing should be the one to mediate and settle things fairly; that would be the proper procedure.

However, Yunlu Immortal Sect was definitely trying to mediate and settle the matter peacefully, while Chen Ye wanted to make things bigger, so he was actually disregarding Yu Shenxing's feelings.

Even so, Yu Shenxing still supported Chen Ye and shielded him from the pressure from the Yunlu Immortal Sect.

Chen Ye cupped his hands to Yu Shenxing and said, "Thank you for your efforts, brother. Has the leader of the Burning Incense Sect arrived yet?"

Yu Shenxing nodded, then lowered his voice and said, "Brother, I know you won't hold a grudge against others without reason, but this matter of your background is truly no small matter. When you confront them face to face, you must think carefully, lest you give them ammunition. Although the Incense Burning Sect has fallen on hard times, its influence is still considerable."

Chen Ye was about to nod, but something felt off.

"Background? What background?"

Yu Shenxing asked doubtfully, "Brother, isn't it because the Incense Burning Sect accused you of being Lu Xingzhou's illegitimate son and believed that Lu Xingzhou secretly gave you a large number of treasures from the Incense Burning Sect that caused this commotion?"

Chen Ye's eyes widened in surprise.

That witch Youluozi! What vicious methods she uses!
(End of this chapter)