I Cheated While Cultivating

Chapter 339: Chapter 59 Let me see how capable you are

The Jiangjin Mountains, a stretch of three hundred li that marks the border between Da Qi’s Jiangzhou and Southern Jin, hence the name.

Once, there were numerous Sect family branches native to Jiangzhou and even some ordinary martial artists setting up forts under the tacit approval of the Imperial Court, claiming the mountains as their own. It was incredibly prosperous.

But now, the Jiangjin Mountains have become much quieter, with even the usual peddlers who traveled the mountain roads gone.

This is because the Grandmaster of the Heaven Sword Sect, He Yanghui, wielding a divine weapon, dominated with overwhelming force. Ten days ago, he drove out the various powers within the Jiangjin Mountains.

At this moment, the Jiangjin Mountains are almost an “empty city.”

…

Eight-sided Mountain, Lan Family’s separate courtyard.

This is where Jiangzhou’s Lan Family has built weapon casting furnaces in the Jiangjin Mountains, having operated for thousands of years, making it the most complete and well-established place within these three hundred li of mountains.

Therefore, the Lan Family’s separate courtyard was naturally chosen as the temporary foothold for the Heaven Sword Sect. He Yanghui brought a group of disciples with him to reside here and also utilized the Lan Family’s casting furnaces to temper the treasure sword that was key to his life and cultivation.

The Heaven Sword Sect was one of the “Hundred Schools” that emerged during the Middle Ancient period of sages. The founder once listened to the preaching of the Sword Saint and later carved out their unique path, “Heavenly Sword.”

Martial artists from this Sect, upon reaching Secret Six Rank, would choose a treasure sword to cultivate with them, integrating with the sword. Through refining the sword, they could advance their Cultivation Realm, and their lethality far surpassed martial artists of the same rank.

However, this also meant their fates were intertwined with their swords, in glory and in ruin alike.

Despite this, compared to the traditional sword cultivation’s more accessible path to breaking through realms, and the formidable lethality, many martial artists still flocked to them. The Heaven Sword Sect gradually grew strong and became one of the top martial sects of Southern Jin.

He Yanghui was one of the most outstanding individuals of his generation, not yet a hundred years old but already at the peak of Sect Fifth Rank, with a cultivated Dharma Phase and a glimpse of the charm of the Yang God Realm. He was acclaimed as the one most likely to achieve the Dharmakaya within a century in the Heaven Sword Sect.

This time, his mission to occupy the Jiangjin Mountains was part of a collaborative effort between the Heaven Sword Sect and Southern Jin’s Imperial Court, aimed at testing the limits of Da Qi’s various factions. Additionally, he sought to seize the opportunity to take over the Lan Family’s casting furnaces in Jiangzhou.

Jiangzhou’s Lan Family had a reputation that reached even Southern Jin, with many coveting the Jiangjin Mountains’ casting furnaces, which had once forged quasi-divine weapons.

“Huh!”

He Yanghui exhaled a breath of turbid air, opened his eyes, and as he gazed upon the floating treasure sword before him, a hint of joy appeared on his face as he smiled and said, “This Lan Family’s casting furnace really lives up to its name, truly excellent.”

At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged outside the fiercely burning, intensely hot casting furnace. His life-bound “Taoguang Sword” was glowing brightly under the red flames, with a resonant sword hum.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Having occupied this casting furnace for only half a month, he already felt a significant improvement in the strength of his sword, and if he could continue like this, he was confident that in less than ten years, he could attempt to break through to the Yang God’s Dharmakaya Realm.

“Before I turn one hundred, I will refine the Yang God, and no one will stop me,” He Yanghui thought, his gaze fixed on the Taoguang Sword and his expression resolute. He also sensed a patch of red light floating in his sea of consciousness, “Even the Lan Family patriarch can’t!”

This time, his determination to succeed in the Jiangjin Mountains was unyielding. To ensure his mission went smoothly, he even sought a Celestial Man-level divine artifact from his master, using it to suppress everything and clear all obstacles.

A while ago, when Lan Ying of the Lan Family in Jiangzhou came to argue with him, he was repelled by this treasure.

Clang!

Just at that moment, the huge iron door outside the forge was opened, and a slender figure pushed the door and walked in.

The newcomer was a beautiful woman in her twenties, dressed in moon-white garments that hugged her exquisite figure. Her gaze moved upward, immediately finding He Yanghui suspended in the air.

This was He Yanghui’s senior sister, who was also a True Disciple of the Heaven Sword Sect, named “Qiu Yu.” Her cultivation was higher than He Yanghui’s, having already stepped into the realm of Absolute Fourth Rank Yang God three hundred years ago.

She had come to protect He Yanghui, to ensure nothing went awry on this trip. Yet, she hadn’t revealed herself, leading others to believe that the Heaven Sword Sect had only sent He Yanghui and some ordinary disciples.

“Junior Brother, has today’s morning practice just ended?” Seeing that He Yanghui had retracted his Sword Qi and swallowed the Treasure Sword, transforming it into a Sword Pill, Qiu Yu asked with a smile, “How were your gains?”

“Senior Sister Qiu always times her visits so well.” He Yanghui, delighted to see the beautiful woman, quickly descended and came before Qiu Yu, “Hmm, this ancient forge, as expected of a place that once forged pseudo-Divine Weapons, retains faint traces of Taoist energy blended with principle, which are greatly beneficial to the nurturing of my sword.”

“Hmm, it was precisely for this reason that I suggested Master select this place to send you here,” Qiu Yu nodded lightly and then her expression turned serious, “I just didn’t expect that an accident would happen.”

“An accident? What accident?” When He Yanghui heard this, his eyebrows raised slightly, and he asked, “Could it be that the Lan Family of Jiangzhou has sought help? But with a Divine Artifact in my hands, who could possibly harm me unless a Celestial Man descends?”

On this matter, both He Yanghui himself and the Heaven Sword Sect had tacitly agreed Celestial Men wouldn’t make a move.

After all, if Celestial Men intervened, it would lead to a confrontation of the highest forces on each side in the mortal world, possibly escalating into a conflict that could spread throughout Da Qi and Southern Jin.

For this reason, the Heaven Sword Sect didn’t send a Celestial Man to protect He Yanghui either.

This was an unwritten rule since the Middle Ancient period, where Celestial Men generally wouldn’t take action lightly unless necessary.

“It’s Zhou Heng,” Qiu Yu said with a grave voice. “Unexpectedly, the Lan Family of Jiangzhou are on good terms with him. Just yesterday, Zhou Heng arrived at County City in Jiangzhou and was received by the Lan Family with great fanfare.”

“Zhou Heng?” He Yanghui was taken aback at the mention of the name, his brows furrowed slightly, and he questioned with confusion, “Senior Sister means that disciple of the Grandmaster of Pure Yang Palace? But he’s only Seventh Rank in Martial Path, isn’t he? How could he pose a problem?”

His understanding of Zhou Heng was limited, still based on the news he had heard from Da Qi’s imperial capital’s Sunlight Wine Conference.

After all, for someone of his Sect Fifth Rank, a Martial Artist of Seventh Rank, no matter how formidable, was limited in ability and not worth much of his attention.

As for those rumors about formidable reincarnates or ones who had slain Loose Immortals—as far as Southern Jin was concerned, those had passed through too many hands and, in the eyes of many, their authenticity was still dubious.

“He has already linked with an External Scenery and stepped into the Innate realm,” Qiu Yu patiently explained, seeing that He Yanghui wasn’t taking it seriously. “Junior Brother, this Zhou Heng is not simple. You’ve been mostly in the forge and unaware. I’ve inquired about him while in County City in Jiangzhou.”

“So he has reached Secret Sixth Rank,” He Yanghui nodded perfunctorily. What could a mere Secret Sixth Rank do, after all? But out of consideration for Qiu Yu, he still smiled and said, “Thank you for the concern, Senior Sister. May I ask what these messages say?”

“You know about Jia Ye Temple’s mission in Yuzhou. Besides that, they also intended to open an ancient Pure Land hidden in Yuzhou…” Qiu Yu briefly narrated the happenings in Yuzhou, “Eventually, the Pure Land fell into Pure Yang Palace’s hands, transformed into the Taoist Heavenly Realm, and Zhou Heng played a key role in it.

“Moreover, after verifying the rumors about Zhou Heng from various sources, I fear they are true. Even if somewhat exaggerated, they likely aren’t far from the truth.

“At this moment, he’s the reincarnation of an unnamed ancient powerhouse, with numerous pre-arranged plans from his previous life, and unimaginably strong. Numerous Overseas Loose Cultivators have fallen at his hands. Although you wield a Divine Artifact, you should not let your guard down.”

“Hmm, I understand,” He Yanghui nodded solemnly, smiling, “Senior Sister, rest assured. Since Zhou Heng is truly formidable, I will certainly be extra careful and won’t be complacent.”

Although he still did not quite believe the rumors about Zhou Heng—they were too outlandish, verging on the stuff of fairy tales—he decided to take Zhou Heng seriously, if only slightly, since Qiu Yu was so earnestly reminding him.

“Good,” seeing that He Yanghui accepted her warning, Qiu Yu finally relaxed somewhat, “If that Zhou Heng really comes, I will protect you from the shadows.”

“`

“Then I thank you for your concern, Senior Sister.” He Yanghui gave a clasped fist salute and then said, “By the way Senior Sister, the local famous chef from Jiangzhou that I had instructed my disciple to find has arrived. Would you care to join me for a meal?”

“…” Qiu Yu fell silent for a moment but eventually nodded, “Okay.”

…

Zhou Heng’s need for the Nine Dragons God Fire Cover was still very urgent.

Therefore, on the third day of his arrival in Jiangzhou, he went to the Jiangjin Mountains, accompanied by Lan Yingzhi and the Lan Family patriarch Lan Ying, as well as three Sixth-Rank Managers.

High above ten thousand feet, a purple-golden light cut through the sky, flying to a halt above the clouds surrounding the Jiangjin Mountains, gazing down at the three hundred li-spanning mountain range below.

Among them, the majestic Eight-sided Mountain stood out the most, with its eight faces soaring over three thousand zhang high, and flames that pierced the sky, giving off the impression that it was a giant bonfire amid the myriad mountains.

Soon after, Lan Yingzhi and Lan Ying also dissipated their Escape Skills, revealing their figures behind Zhou Heng.

“Sir, your flying Escape Skill is astonishingly fast.” Lan Yingzhi couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Zhou Heng was indeed incredibly fast.

Although they and their patriarch had deliberately flown behind Zhou Heng during the journey, they could clearly sense that Zhou Heng’s Escape Skill was faster than that of the vast majority of True Gang Realm, not just a little faster, but perhaps four or five times quicker.

Such speed of Escape Skill was something they had only seen in their lives.

“It’s just a small trick.” Zhou Heng lightly shook his head, not thinking much of it.

What he had used during his flight was the Sect Fifth-Rank Taoist Formula “Thousand Li Soaring Light Technique” that he had obtained from the Fortune Bag earlier.

This was a genuine immortal Escape Skill, turning into light to fly instantaneously across thousands of li.

It was much faster than other Sword Control Techniques he had used before.

Moreover, it was only because he had just begun to practice this technique, and once he refined it further, he could be even quicker.

However, seeing Yan Shouyi’s kind of speed, which could cross millions of li in an instant, he didn’t think such an Escape Skill was something to be proud of.

It was still too slow.

“Sir is being too modest.” Lan Ying said with a smile, then pointed to the fires in the mountains, and said, “Sir, that place is Eight-sided Mountain, where the Lan Family’s forging furnaces are located.

“Although it’s not quite proper to say this now, I still want to ask, do you truly intend to find He Yanghui? This person acts overbearingly and harshly without much reason. You will likely need to fight as soon as you meet.

“That Divine Weapon of his…”

“Elder, there’s no need to worry.” Zhou Heng waved his hand lightly and smiled, “As I said before, since I chose to come here, naturally I have a solution. You don’t need to be concerned.”

“Mm, Patriarch, since Sir has put it that way, please rest assured.” Lan Yingzhi also said, trying to reassure, though she too was deeply worried about Zhou Heng. But seeing his resolute attitude, she didn’t persist any further.

“Ah, Sir, please be extremely cautious.” Lan Ying said.

“Elder, rest assured.” Zhou Heng smiled, “Then I’ll go down first to meet this He Yanghui and see how capable he truly is. The two Elders can just wait here.”

With that said, his figure suddenly descended, plummeting from the clouds, then he turned into a flash of light, flying towards Eight-sided Mountain.

This was what they had agreed upon before they came.

If Zhou Heng ended up fighting with He Yanghui, the battle might be quite massive, so it was better for the Lan Family members to watch from the clouds. There was no need for them to follow too closely.

Only after Zhou Heng’s transformed light entered the Eight-sided Mountain did the two Lan Family Managers who had been left behind catch up, gasping for breath and feeling very drained, their True Gang Realm cultivation faltering.

“You are late, Sir has already gone down.” Lan Ying glanced at them and said, “Let’s just observe the battle from here, hoping that Sir will be safe and sound. Ah, that Divine Artifact is certainly not easy to deal with.”

“Sir must have a way,” Lan Yingzhi comforted, “Patriarch, let’s just wait here for Sir’s triumphant return.”

…

Within the Eight-sided Mountain’s forging furnace.

He Yanghui had just ended his morning practice session and distinctly felt the Taoguang Sword had grown stronger once more, which left him feeling very satisfied and uplifted in spirit.

At this time, Qiu Yu came over and said in a deep voice, “He has indeed come.”

“Mm, I have already sensed it,” He Yanghui nodded and smiled, “Let’s go, Senior Sister. I’ll meet this man and see if he’s as formidable as the rumors claim.”

“Do not be careless,” Qiu Yu cautioned.

“Rest assured, Senior Sister.” He Yanghui chuckled, then opened his mouth and swallowed the Taoguang Sword, which had turned into a Sword Pill, and walked out of the forging furnace.

Outside the courtyard at this moment, more than a dozen Heaven Sword Sect disciples confronted Zhou Heng, barring him from entry.

In reality, among these disciples, there were only two Secret Six Rank, and if Zhou Heng really wanted to force his way through, he could do so effortlessly. But he hadn’t done so, choosing instead to wait outside the courtyard for He Yanghui to come out.

After all, defeating a few minor characters didn’t serve any purpose; he needed to wait for the main actor to arrive.

Soon after, He Yanghui walked out of the courtyard. With a proud bearing, he appeared to be in his early twenties, full of youthful vigor. All the disciples of the Heaven Sword Sect bowed respectfully to him.

Qiu Yu, on the other hand, remained inside and did not follow.

“So you are Zhou Heng?” He Yanghui sized up Zhou Heng slightly and chuckled, “Some people have warned me to be cautious around you, and not to take you lightly, saying that your methods are unpredictable and tough to deal with.”

“Well, thank you for painting me in such a fearsome light,” Zhou Heng also laughed, “Since that’s the case, you should know why I’m here. Would you consider retreating from the Jiangjin Mountains?”

“Of course, the answer is no!” He Yanghui shook his head, then his eyes flared with divine light, and a red rainbow shot out from the top of his head, changing the color of the sky and earth, “Let me first see how competent you are, daring to challenge me with merely Sixth-Rank secret techniques!”

To everyone’s surprise, he immediately wielded his Divine Artifact, exerting his full strength without any arrogance or reserve.

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