Celestial Sword from Beyond

The middle-aged man nodded slightly at Huo Xuan. "I'm Liu Ziguang. You must be Xiao Yue's friend, Huo Xuan? Thank you for coming all this way for my condition."

Huo Xuan replied, "Uncle Liu, no need for formalities. Sister Yue cares deeply about your health—her concerns are mine." He then guided the group to Hua Buyi's room.

They took the elevator to the ninth floor, where Huo Xuan opened the door and ushered Liu Ziguang and his companions inside.

Hua Buyi was in the living room reading a newspaper. His daily routine was meticulously disciplined—never wasting a moment—something Huo Xuan had always admired. Since learning to direct his qi and blood, Huo Xuan understood that true masters harmonized their internal energy with the rhythms of sunrise and sunset, the cycles of seasons, aligning themselves with nature to achieve longevity.

Hua Buyi excelled in this regard. Through carefully timed activities, he naturally adjusted his qi and blood flow, integrating his practice seamlessly into daily life—every step, every breath, a continuation of his cultivation.

Noticing Huo Xuan leading the guests in, Hua Buyi gave a slight nod. "Have a seat."

The two bodyguards, accustomed to dealing with high-ranking officials—even national leaders who greeted their commander warmly—were taken aback by Hua Buyi's aloofness. Yet as guards, they swallowed their displeasure and remained silent.

Liu Ziguang, however, showed no offense. He spoke respectfully, "Master Hua, your reputation precedes you. Meeting you today is an honor."

Hua Buyi responded indifferently, "No need for courtesy." He then took Liu Ziguang's pulse and inquired about his condition.

But when he lifted Liu Ziguang's shirt and saw the wound on his back, his expression darkened. Abruptly, he pulled the fabric back down and said coldly, "Leave. I won't treat this injury."

"How dare you mock our commander!" One of the bodyguards exploded in anger.

Though puzzled, Huo Xuan stood firmly by Hua Buyi's side—even if this involved Lin Yue's acquaintance. He glared at the guard. "Unless your master speaks, you have no right to interrupt."

The guard opened his mouth to retort, but Liu Ziguang raised a hand and barked, "Both of you—out!"

The two guards immediately exited, stationing themselves outside the door.

Liu Ziguang met Hua Buyi's gaze and sighed. "Master Hua, your discernment is as sharp as they say. You've guessed correctly—this wound is from that time. But there's been a misunderstanding. I, Liu Ziguang, am no traitor."

Huo Xuan was completely baffled, pricking up his ears to listen from the side.

Hua Buyi remained unmoved and said, "Countless heroes and warriors died suddenly overnight, but they did not die in vain. They used a special technique to leave indelible scars on the traitors."

Liu Ziguang, visibly agitated, replied, "Mr. Hua, I was just a lowly soldier back then, completely beneath the notice of important figures. Why would anyone bother marking me? This injury was actually inflicted by a major traitor. He used a group of us as test subjects, likely to study that special technique."

Hua Buyi's expression remained icy, a faint glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes. As a grandmaster who had attained the Danjin stage, his anger alone seemed to cast a chill over the entire room. The young woman accompanying them paled slightly, eyeing Hua Buyi warily.

After a moment, he reined in his murderous aura and sighed. "All of it is but an illusion, a fleeting bubble."

Liu Ziguang said, "Back then, Master Yang Ling held a revered position and was respected by all. His passing left countless hearts filled with regret."

Hua Buyi waved his hand. "Enough. Let me examine the injury again."

Liu Ziguang cooperated fully this time, recounting the circumstances of his injury from memory. After studying it for a while, Hua Buyi remarked, "The person who did this has mastered the imitation technique to perfection—almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Even I was deceived earlier."

Liu Ziguang nodded. "Back then, he was known as the 'Buddha of Slaughter,' unparalleled in his methods of killing and maiming."

"So it was him." Hua Buyi's face darkened, and he fell silent, focusing solely on treating Liu Ziguang's injury. About half an hour later, Liu Ziguang felt a sudden relief—the pain that had tormented him for years vanished in an instant. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he bowed deeply to Hua Buyi.

Hua Buyi waved dismissively. "You may go."

Liu Ziguang cupped his hands in salute and said solemnly, "Mr. Hua, if you ever need anything in the future, do not hesitate to ask. Farewell!"

Liu Ziguang and his group left the room. Once inside the elevator, the young woman, Liu Ling, couldn't hold back any longer. "Dad, what were you talking about? I couldn't understand any of it."

"It's better that you don't," Liu Ziguang said sternly. "Remember—not a single word of this to anyone else!"

Liu Ling shuddered inwardly and replied, "Understood."

Back in the room, Huo Xuan was equally burning with curiosity. Before he could ask, Hua Buyi said, "You want to know what this is all about, don't you?"

He nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Master. What exactly happened back then? It seems to involve Grandmaster as well."

Hua Buyi fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "Your Grandmaster, Master Yang Ling, was assassinated during that time. This is a blood feud of our sect—you must never forget it." He paused, then added, "These matters are not for you to inquire about just yet. When you take charge of the Shennong Sect, I will tell you everything."

Suppressing his curiosity, Huo Xuan had no choice but to hold back his questions.

Upon returning to the military compound, Liu Ziguang received a call from Lin Yue, asking about the treatment. He chuckled, "Xiao Yue, thanks to you today, Uncle's illness is cured. Send my regards to your father—it's been years since I last saw him. We should all get together sometime."

Lin Yue was overjoyed. "That's wonderful! He really didn't let me down."

Liu Ziguang asked curiously, "Xiao Yue, is he your boyfriend? Heh, you're not young anymore—it's about time you started seeing someone."

Lin Yue sighed. "Uncle, my family doesn't approve of us being together. For the sake of family interests, they want me to marry into the Xu family. They've only given me two years—after that, I'll have to marry someone I don't love."

Liu Ziguang's tone turned serious. "Don't worry, Xiao Yue. Uncle will take care of this. If Lin Hui dares to force you into marriage, I'll sever ties with him."

Lin Yue was ecstatic—with Liu Ziguang's support, she might actually change her father's mind. She quickly replied, "Uncle, thank you so much!"

The next day, after having breakfast with his master, Huo Xuan set off alone to visit Situ Xing at White Dragon Temple.

Located on White Dragon Mountain in the western outskirts of the capital, White Dragon Temple differed from other bustling monasteries. Due to its rugged and difficult mountain path, it saw few worshippers, remaining quiet and deserted most days, with only occasional visits from nearby villagers.

After hiking for over two hours, Huo Xuan finally caught sight of White Dragon Temple. However, ever since he began practicing blood and qi circulation, his stamina had improved dramatically—now, he wasn't even out of breath, nor was there a drop of sweat on him.

The temple gates stood wide open, and he walked straight in. A young monk sweeping the courtyard spotted him and asked, "Are you Benefactor Zhang?"

Huo Xuan quickly replied, "Yes, little master. Is Mr. Situ here?"

The young monk pointed toward the back. "Mr. Situ is waiting for you in the meditation room in the rear courtyard."

Thanking him, Huo Xuan headed straight to the back, where he saw a simple thatched hut surrounded by a few leafless trees. Approaching the hut, he knocked on the door. "Senior, I've arrived."

The door swung open, and Situ Xing stepped out without a word. Picking up a dry twig from the ground, he immediately assumed a stance.

Huo Xuan recognized that the other was demonstrating a sword technique. He immediately focused his full attention, using his penetrating vision to observe its intricacies. Situ Xing stood with his left leg slightly bent in front, his right leg positioned behind, feet roughly thirty centimeters apart. His right hand gripped the withered branch, arm slightly curved, as he slowly thrust it forward.

To an untrained eye, this movement would seem utterly mundane. But Huo Xuan was different—he scrutinized the flow of qi and blood within Situ Xing's body, seeking to unravel the technique's hidden essence.

After executing the thrust, Situ Xing said impassively, "Practice slowly. Summon me once you've mastered it." With that, he retreated into the thatched hut.

Huo Xuan nodded and began rehearsing the motion. The thrust itself was not particularly complex, and within half an hour, he had replicated both its form and intent. "Senior," he called out, "I've mastered it."

Situ Xing inspected his performance, then demonstrated another sword stance.

This pattern continued—every half hour or so, a new stance was taught—until an entire day slipped by unnoticed. A young monk delivered two simple meals, which they ate hurriedly.

That night, Huo Xuan stayed at White Dragon Temple, mulling over the twenty-four stances he had learned. Though confident in his mastery, he harbored doubts: Could these seemingly rudimentary movements truly be the legendary "Celestial Sword from Beyond" (Tianwai Feixian), famed for its cataclysmic power?

The following day, Situ Xing taught another twenty-five stances, bringing the total to forty-nine. Huo Xuan practiced each until flawless.

By evening, after the final stance was imparted, Situ Xing finally spoke: "The Celestial Sword from Beyond lies in merging these forty-nine stances into a single strike—one thrust to startle gods and terrify ghosts. Now, practice alone."

With that, Situ Xing departed to rest, leaving Huo Xuan standing dumbfounded. Forty-nine stances fused into one? Preposterous!

He was certain this challenge would prove twice as arduous as mastering the "Primordial True Martial Fist" (Zhenwu Muquan) had been.

All night, he agonized over the problem, yet made no progress. At dawn, a cacophony erupted as sparrows swarmed the branches, chirping raucously.

Irritated, Huo Xuan hurled a pebble, scattering the flock. The chaotic overlap of their flight paths flickered in the air—and suddenly, inspiration struck.

"Each stance has distinct qi and blood circulation pathways and physical motions. How can they merge? Unlike the Primordial True Martial Fist, which emphasizes intent over form, allowing diverse styles to coalesce into the True Martial Crucible, these stances each possess their own rigid structure. How can they unify?"

"'Celestial Sword from Beyond'—what does it truly mean? If immortals do not belong to the mortal realm, then this sword strike must be ethereal and unfathomable."

He pondered relentlessly, unaware that Situ Xing had left the room. The latter ignored him and walked out, his purpose unknown.

By noon, when Situ Xing returned, Huo Xuan said, "Senior, please demonstrate the Celestial Sword from Beyond for me."

Situ Xing replied, "The Celestial Sword from Beyond resides in the heart, not in the forms." With that, he retreated into the thatched hut again.

Huo Xuan froze. After a morning of agonizing contemplation, he had just begun to form an idea—only to have it dismissed outright.

"'In the heart, not in the forms'…" He repeated the words, his face clouded with confusion.

Three days passed. Even Huo Xuan grew uneasy, feeling he was wasting Situ Xing's time. But then, the sparrows returned, their shrill chirping as maddening as ever.

This time, they were joined by three or five other unidentifiable birds, mingling noisily with the flock.

Huo Xuan stared blankly at the clamorous birds before suddenly hurling another stone. Instantly, the flock erupted into flight—this time even more spectacular than before.

A flash of insight struck him. His face lit up with wild excitement as he muttered, "Yes! If you tied two birds together, they couldn't fly—but one bird could learn the other's flight technique!"

"'Merging the forty-nine stances into one' doesn't mean combining their forms. It means adapting fluidly during combat, drawing freely from the principles of all forty-nine stances. Isn't this exactly what 'residing in the heart, not in the forms' implies?" In that moment, enlightenment washed over him, and he stood there grinning like a fool.

Hearing his laughter, Situ Xing emerged and asked, "Understood?"

Huo Xuan nodded. "Thank you, Senior."

"Thank your own aptitude, not me," Situ Xing said. "In truth, the simplest techniques are often the most potent. You must train the Celestial Sword from Beyond through simplicity."

Huo Xuan asked, "Senior, how many stances do you use when executing the Celestial Sword from Beyond?"

"None," Situ Xing answered.

Huo Xuan was filled with profound admiration, sensing that Situ Xing resembled a towering mountain—the more one gazed upward, the loftier it seemed, its depths utterly unfathomable.