A man stands before the heavens, his sword emerges from the Emei Mountains.

Chapter 147 Burning with Jealousy, Wuji Emerges from the Mountain

Wudang Mountain boasts stunning scenery, with towering peaks that are both high and secluded, creating a majestic and imposing landscape. The peaks stand like arrowheads, while rushing streams flow through the valleys. Deep cliffs hang precariously, making for a uniquely beautiful and expansive vista.

The clang of a sword being drawn echoed through the sky, and a handsome young man with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, tall and elegant, recited in a clear voice: "Purple swallows dart through the forest, a single whip on the back of a ruler, plucking the sun from the horizon, flowers hidden in the sleeve—"

The young man took a step and thrust his sword, followed by nearly a hundred Taoists of different ages who moved in unison with him, their swordsmanship synchronized. A hundred arms swung in unison, their cold light flashing like arrows, their swords flashing and their swordsmanship stacked. From above, the scattered sword lights appeared as a vast expanse of white, like snow gathering in the Milky Way.

Several people stood on the platform. The elder in the middle had a calm and modest appearance, and was gentle and refined. There was also a young man with snow-white temples, and a man with a tough appearance. They were Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou, Yin Liting, Zhang Songxi and others from Wudang.

Everyone's gazes turned to the young man leading the sword.

"Thank God, Wuji's cold poison has been completely cured. We no longer need to run around worrying about how to save Wuji's life."

Upon hearing Yin Liting's words, Zhang Songxi laughed and said, "Wuji has completely inherited his fifth brother's talent for martial arts. Apart from our master, it is no exaggeration to say that he is the number one martial artist in Wudang today."

Song Yuanqiao sighed. Ever since he obtained the Nine Yang Skill from Emei, his master had integrated the Wudang and Emei Nine Yang Skills into one, allowing Wuji to practice it. His master also used "Misty Purple Qi" to aid in healing, and within a year, the coldness in Wuji's body was completely gone. In addition to practicing the Nine Yang Divine Skill, he also practiced the Pure Yang Limitless Skill and Wudang swordsmanship. The astonishing memory and comprehension he displayed not only shocked his fellow disciples, but his master also praised him highly. He was exceptionally talented and insightful, and his cultivation was already showing a trend of directly catching up with Qing Shu.

"Yes." Song Yuanqiao nodded.

"Brother, what do you think of Wuji's talent compared to Junior Brother Chen of Emei?"

1-1

1-11.

Yin Liting suddenly asked.

Song Yuanqiao laughed and said, "I have never witnessed Junior Brother Chen Yu's skills. You should ask Second Brother."

Yu Lianzhou astutely pointed out, "Wuji's foundation far surpasses that of Junior Brother Chen in his youth. Furthermore, Master used the 'Misty Purple Qi' to cleanse his marrow and strengthen his tendons while absorbing the cold energy. His future achievements will be no less than Junior Brother Chen's."

"That makes sense." Yin Liting nodded.

Song Qingshu stood tall outside the martial arts arena, watching Zhang Wuji lead his fellow disciples in their training. Yu Lianzhou, Yin Liting, and the others spoke casually, but Song Qingshu thought to himself, "Since Wuji officially began practicing Wudang martial arts, he's received praise from his uncles and fellow disciples. If I were to practice the Emei Nine Yang Skill, I'd be no less skilled than Chen Yu now. If my grandmaster were to cleanse my marrow, wouldn't my realm surpass Chen Yu's? Why is Wudang now centered around Wuji?"

Once jealousy is ignited, it spreads like wildfire. Song Qingshu was startled. Wuji is my junior brother, how could I have such thoughts? But these are all facts.

For a moment, Song Qingshu's heart was in turmoil, torn between his inner turmoil and his own inner conflict.

Suddenly, a young Taoist boy strode over, followed by a person. Song Yuanqiao and the others looked over, and Yin Liting said, "It seems to be Junior Brother Yang from Emei?"

"That's right." Yu Lianzhou nodded.

"How did Junior Brother Yang end up at Wudang Mountain?"

As they were talking, Yang An strode over, cupped his hands, and said, "Yang An, a disciple of Emei, greets all the heroes."

"No need to be so polite, we can just address each other as fellow disciples."

Yang An dared not, and took out a letter from his bosom, "During the Mid-Autumn Festival, my master will hold a sword appraisal ceremony at the Golden Summit of Mount Emei. Please take a look, Master Song."

Song Yuanqiao was puzzled. He took the letter, opened it, and after a while, handed it to Yu Lianzhou, saying, "Junior Brother Yang has come from afar. Please rest first."

Yang An said, "Thank you for your kindness, Hero Song, but I still need to go to Shaolin to deliver a message, so I cannot delay any longer. Farewell."

"There's no rush."

"I have urgent business to attend to, please forgive me, Master Song."

"Fine."

"Brother, I've come to see Junior Brother Yang An off," Yin Liting said.

"Alright." Song Yuanqiao knew that the matter was of great importance, so he did not try to stop him. Yin Liting led Yang An down the mountain and inquired about Ji Xiaofu and Bu Hui's situation along the way.

Song Yuanqiao looked back and asked, "What do you junior brothers think?"

Miejue never mentioned in her letter how she obtained the Dragon-Slaying Saber, but only invited the Wudang Sect to appraise the saber during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Yu Lianzhou said, "This is a good thing."

"What do you mean?"

"Over the years, countless martial arts practitioners have suffered because of the Dragon-Slaying Saber." Yu Lianzhou's words created a somber atmosphere, and everyone unanimously thought of Yu Daiyan, whose crippled state was also caused by the Dragon-Slaying Saber.

Yu Lianzhou said in a deep voice, "Since it's a test of skill, anyone can go. Stripped of its 'Supreme Martial Arts Sword' aura, the Dragon-Slaying Saber is just a sharp weapon. Let's avoid causing further trouble."

"That makes sense," Song Yuanqiao said. "But people's hearts are unpredictable, and there might still be someone who tries to take the knife."

"The Five Poisons Sect!" Yu Lianzhou exclaimed.

Song Yuanqiao nodded: "In that case, my second brother, sixth brother, seventh brother, Qingshu, and I will go. If anything happens, we can lend a helping hand."

Zhang Songxi suddenly said, "Wuji may accompany us."

"Yes, it is time to send Wuji to Emei to thank Abbess and Junior Brother Chen Yu."

With several dozen days still until the Mid-Autumn Festival, there's plenty of time to travel at a brisk pace, but proceeding slowly won't be easy either. (Song)

Yuanqiao embarked on his journey to Sichuan and Chongqing.

A few days later, Zhang Wuji, along with Song Qingshu and others, descended the mountain and headed straight for Mount Emei.

It was late summer and early autumn, and the mighty river flowed swiftly, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Two green mountains rise facing each other on opposite banks, while a lone sail comes from the edge of the sun.

The large ship sailed to Jiading Prefecture, which is Leshan, and the Giant Buddha came into view.

Bei Jinyi, Ding Minjun, Li Mingxia and others cheered, and Miejue couldn't help but let out a slight sigh of relief.

She was not a coward, nor did she hesitate or look back. What was the purpose of her martial arts training? Wasn't it to help the weak and punish the strong, and to eliminate evil? Whether it was Bai Sun, Lian Zhenjia, or even the top master who wielded the embroidery needle that her disciple mentioned, if they came again, even if she was no match for them, she would die a glorious death, worthy of her master and grandmaster.

On the other hand, his senior brother and elder brother had not avenged their great enemy and fulfilled their long-cherished wish, so he was unwilling to let his ambitions remain unfulfilled. Now that he had safely arrived in Emei from Jingzhou, he could not help but feel relieved.

Chen Yu also emerged from the cabin. He had been diligently cultivating the Nine Yang Skill and refining his belt meridians. With the aid of the Jade Ruyi's mind-concentrating effect, by the end of the month, there were faint signs of the refining and unblocking of the acupoints in his belt meridians. He had also gained the equivalent of half a year's worth of arduous cultivation. The three large ships docked directly at the pier. Tang Zhihu rewarded him handsomely, and the boatman happily reciprocated. The large ships would stay at the pier for a day before sailing downstream back to Hanyang.

Chen Yu, Miejue, and the others disembarked, forming a large and imposing group that marched straight to Emei County. As Chen Yu walked, he noticed that the journey from the dock to the city was quite different from usual.

"Master, there seem to be quite a few more out-of-towners speaking different accents."

Without hesitation, Ding Minjun blurted out, "They must be martial arts practitioners who have come after hearing the news."

"No, they all look travel-worn, many of them are pale and emaciated, they should be refugees."

"Let me ask." Tang Zhihu saw several ragged people not far away, walked over to ask, and came back a moment later, saying, "They came from Hejiang. The White Lotus Sect has started an uprising there. They are fighting with the Tartars."

Hejiang is located south of Luzhou, where Ji Xiaofu once settled without regret, at the junction of Sichuan and Guizhou.

Extinction sighed upon hearing this. Over the years, he had left the mountain several times and witnessed many uprisings, large and small, such as the Maitreya Sect and the White Lotus Sect, which were against the court and overthrowing the Tartars. This was a good thing, but once they were defeated, they would become bandits, burning, killing, and looting. In the end, it was the common people who suffered.

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, Zhuang Zheng, Shuobude, and others had all appeared in Hengyang one after another. Could it be that they had come for the uprising in Bashu?

"Let's go, Yu'er." Miejue called out when she saw Chen Yu lost in thought.

"Um!"

Chen Yu followed closely behind.

The weather was already quite cool, and everyone walked very fast. After a while, the group bypassed Emei County and started climbing the mountain from Leiyin Temple. After walking for several miles, someone cheered in the mountains, and a graceful figure came fluttering like a butterfly.

"It's Sister Bu Hui," Zhou Zhiruo said.

Chen Yu smiled slightly, observing his movements, realizing that his Unrepentant Realm had improved considerably during the six months he had been away from the mountain.

"I have met Grandmaster, Master, and Uncle Chen." I rushed over and greeted Miejue, Ding Minjun, and Chen Yu in turn. It had been half a year since we last met. I have grown taller and my eyebrows and eyes are more heroic. I look more and more like Ji Xiaofu.

Extinction nodded and said, "Your movement technique has improved; not bad."

"Thank you, Grandmaster. I will never forget your teachings and will practice diligently without ceasing."

"That's ambitious." The tone shifted abruptly. "Has anything happened on the mountain?"

"Reporting to Grandmaster, everything is safe and sound. However, the senior brothers and sisters who went down the mountain to provide free medical services have returned and said that there are many more martial arts practitioners in the county town."

Extinction was completely relieved upon hearing this. Emei County was full of people from the martial arts world, and it was no wonder that they had come after hearing about the Dragon Slayer Saber at Yueyang Wharf, riding fast ahead of the large ship.

"Go up the mountain." Miejue's figure swayed, as if she were a feather soaring through the air, her feet not touching the ground as she walked forward.

Chen Yu was in high spirits. On this trip down the mountain, he had met or fought with most of the masters in the world of Yitian, as well as the Hundred Losses Taoist and the true master of the Embroidery Needle. The world is vast, and there are hidden talents among the common people. There is still nearly a month before the Sword Appraisal Conference, so he must practice hard to temper and clear his meridians.

The river, like a white jade ribbon, winds around Emei County. On the outskirts, there is a two-story building overlooking the river, which has a rather elegant atmosphere. Outside the building is a small vegetable garden surrounded by a fence.

Smoke curled from the chimney of the small building, while the sound of swords rang out from the bamboo grove on one side. A bright-eyed girl held a green steel sword, her figure leaping and bounding through the dense forest at will. Her graceful movements were like those of a fairy riding the clouds, and her sword danced like blooming lotus flowers.

"Zhao'er, dinner's ready."

"Okay, Mother."

The girl sheathed her sword and stepped out of the bamboo forest. Her eyes were bright and clear, her eyebrows were delicate, her nose was straight, her lips were cherry-like, and a dimple appeared on her cheek. Her appearance was exquisite and unparalleled. It was none other than Xiao Zhao.

Xiao Zhao moved nimbly, went to the courtyard to fetch water to wash her face and hands, and then went into the building. Soon after, she came out with her rice bowl, sat on the rocks by the river to eat, and thought about how Brother Chen and the others should have returned to Emei by now.

Large ships are sailing down the river.

Several Taoists and laypeople were gathered at the bow of the boat. A burly man said, "When we arrive in Emei County, you Taoist priests can stay at an inn in the city. We will wait until we find a place to stay in the suburbs."

"Master Chang, why is this?"

"It's not because of the Emei Sect. There was a conflict with the Emei Sect at the dock in the past, and as a result, all the inns in the county refused to serve guests."

"This is outrageous! The Emei sect is tyrannical and lawless!"

As the group was talking, one of the men looked towards the riverbank, his eyes suddenly brightening as he thought to himself, "What a beautiful young woman."

Back in Hanyang, Dai Qisi told Xiao Zhao that they should temporarily seek refuge at Mount Emei. After Chen Yu and the others left Hanyang, the two set off. However, after passing through Yueyang, they traveled from Dongting Lake to the Yuan River. The two traveled quickly in a light boat and arrived in Emei County half a month ago, ahead of Chen Yu and the others. They then bought and renovated this place to stay. Dai Qisi devoted herself to teaching Xiao Zhao martial arts.

The large boats on the water carry both Taoist and lay people, and one can tell from their speech whether they belong to the Qinghai school or the Kongtong school.

The Purple-Robed Dragon King disguised himself as a peaceful woman, yet he was in his true form as Xiao Zhao. However, Jian Jie of the Kongtong Sect inadvertently saw him. He had harbored ill intentions towards Bu Hui in the world of Yitian, and upon seeing Xiao Zhao, something stirred within him.