Who taught him to practice swordsmanship like this?

"It is indeed a plague, the festering sores of the Yuanmo Cavern. This thing is extremely contagious; once infected, it causes unbearable pain as sores spread all over the body. But its viciousness lies in the fact that those infected are not immediately fatal; on the contrary, with proper care, they can be saved..."

Master Xuanding was explaining the characteristics of this festering sore.

Su Baichen was initially puzzled as to why this non-lethal plague was so vicious.

Then it suddenly occurred to him that if it wasn't fatal, it would make people careless and easily allow it to spread unchecked.

Besides the pain of being covered in sores, this also weakens people, thus diminishing the most important productive forces and military capabilities of mortal kingdoms and shaking their very foundations.

"How vicious! What are they trying to do? Do they want to overthrow the dynasty?"

Guanlan said something with some confusion.

Xuan Ding replied calmly, "They're used to wanting to overturn everything; it's not unheard of for them to suddenly want to change dynasties in the mortal realm."

"However, this time it just so happens to coincide with the upcoming year of famine. Even if those wicked brats don't cause trouble, the people of Liang will still suffer."

"This is indeed a significant matter, and it requires the Palace Master's decision."

Guanlan said, "Then please go ahead, senior brother. I'll stay here for now."

Xuan Ding asked curiously, "There's nothing to do here anymore, Junior Sister, why do you still want to stay?"

Guanlan's sharp eyes turned to the idle Su Baichen...

Su Baichen was instantly startled, and then pointed to his own nose in disbelief... What does this have to do with him?

"This child is a sword cultivator; I can't let his talent be buried in the Yin Sect."

Feng Linzi said with dissatisfaction, "Uncle-Master Guanlan, our Yin Sect has not wasted Junior Brother's talent!"

Guanlan countered, "Can you teach him swordsmanship or the essence of swordsmanship?"

Feng Linzi was speechless for a moment.

Guanlan then looked at Su Baichen and asked, "Where are you staying?"

Su Baichen quickly replied, "This disciple is temporarily staying at the Xuanmiao Temple outside this town."

Guanlan readily agreed, "Then let's go there."

Su Baichen said with difficulty, "Uncle Guanlan, but Uncle Wufeng also said that I am not actually suited for the way of the sword."

Guanlan said irritably, "What does Wufeng know? His mind is no longer pure for swords; how could he possibly teach anyone!"

Is the Sword Sect Master really that powerless in Guanlan?

She quickly changed her tone: "What, are you worried I'll steal your junior brother away?"

Having said all that, Feng Linzi could only lower his head and sigh, "This disciple understands. Junior Brother, I beg you to take care of him for a while."

Su Baichen was getting anxious; he felt that this whole thing was a bit unreliable.

But soon Feng Linzi looked at him again and said, "Bai Chen, I am also worried that the demonic cultivators from the Yuanmo Cave might come and cause trouble after what happened in Hekou Town. Although I am nearby, it is not as good as having Uncle Guanlan by your side."

"With Uncle Guanlan here, I no longer need to worry about your safety."

I never expected him to think that way.

Upon hearing this, Su Baichen could no longer object; he could only accept his fate.

He had been thinking he could live a carefree life, but unexpectedly, a powerful figure appeared to suppress him...

Master Xuanding gave a few instructions, then transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the horizon.

Then Su Baichen was also dragged by Guanlan to Xuanmiao Temple.

Poor Feng Linzi had to stay behind to clean up the mess: the merchant ship loaded with poisonous food and the corpses of demonic cultivators had to be disposed of.

Inside the Xuanmiao Temple, Qingmozi, who was sweeping the courtyard, strolled slowly with a broom in hand, gradually sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground into a pile.

He seemed unhurried, as if he was enjoying his time alone.

"Senior Brother Qing Mozi, this is the Sword Maiden Guanlan from the Sword Sect. She will be staying with you for a while."

Su Baichen walked up and greeted him.

"Sword Maiden" is an honorific title for an elderly female sword cultivator, just as the Sword Sect Master is honored as "Sword Elder Without Edge".

"I've seen her...I've seen her...Sword...Sword Lady..."

Qing Mozi suddenly started to stutter a little.

He couldn't speak in complete sentences and seemed very nervous.

Su Baichen was taken aback and didn't quite understand why Qing Mozi, who had always acted so calmly, would behave this way.

Guanlan Sword Lady, however, was not surprised by this.

"In your twilight years, will you still have no regrets?"

"Since you can't succeed in your spiritual practice, you should have your own life."

She offered a word of comfort.

At this point, Qingmozi said, "I only ask to attain enlightenment in a single night, so that I can face death with peace of mind."

Guanlan Jian'ao shook her head helplessly: "Find me a private room, I'll be staying here for a while."

Qing Mozi said somewhat fearfully, "This place is so humble, how could it possibly accommodate such a powerful senior..."

Su Baichen interrupted, "Senior brother, hurry up and prepare. If you delay, your master will be unhappy again."

Qing Mozi then came to her senses and hurriedly went to tidy up the room.

The courtyard isn't big; there are actually only a few rooms.

Despite his advanced age, Qing Mozi appeared remarkably spry as he diligently began tidying up.

The old swordsman Guanlan sighed softly, "His heart is far from as calm as he appears. In the end, he was still harmed by this utilitarian mindset."

Su Baichen listened as if he understood something.

He suddenly realized that Qingmozi's inability to enter the Dao might not only be a matter of talent, but also due to his overly persistent utilitarianism.

Su Baichen couldn't sense this utilitarianism, because in Qing Mozi's eyes he was just a novice cultivator, so what benefit could he possibly gain?

What appears to be quiet inaction is actually just a matter of being too lazy to pay attention to him!

"Let's not talk about him anymore, let's talk about you."

"Did you know that since we are all disciples of Changchun Palace, it is actually possible to exchange disciples between different sects if certain conditions are met?"

Upon hearing this, Su Baichen quickly replied, "Please forgive me, Uncle-Master. My Master and Senior Brother have been incredibly kind to me, and I will never abandon them."

Guanlan Sword Maiden was not surprised to hear this. She calmly said, "I'm just giving you a reminder. When you're stuck in the Yin Sect and can't improve, this might be a way out."

"There's no need to worry that Senior Brother Xuan Yin will be angry. I have known him for three hundred years, and I know that if you can find a way out, I will only be happy for you."

Su Baichen remained silent.

The Sword Maiden of Guanlan then said, "You don't need to answer me now. During this time, you will practice swordsmanship with me... Although I cannot pass on the true divine sword of the Sword Sect to you, I will teach you some profound principles."

"You don't need to feel burdened by anything; just take it as a senior's appreciation for talent."

To be honest, Su Baichen was grateful for Guanlan Jian's actions, but the problem was that he knew his own true colors even better.

He is very worried about what Guanlan Jian'ao will think if she finds out that he only knows how to practice swordsmanship but knows nothing about how to use a sword.

"Show me your swordsmanship first."

it has started……

The process is familiar, but I don't know if the outcome will be the same.