The next morning, before dawn, the temperature was very cold. However, Wan Yunting was already awake. After washing up, he found a tracksuit and went downstairs. He saw that Lu Xiaodie was not awake yet, so he went directly to the basement and knocked on her door to wake her up.
"Phew, no wonder you live here. The scenery and air on this back mountain are so good..."
The two, dressed in tracksuits, were jogging towards the peak of Sacred Hall Mountain. In the early morning, a thin layer of mist still enveloped the mountain, containing the ethereal "Qi" of heaven and earth! This was the Qi that martial artists needed to absorb and exhale when cultivating their internal energy.
It only took them twenty minutes to reach the mountaintop. It was still too early, so there was no one on the peak yet. Lu Xiaodie was already panting, her proud breasts heaving. She saw that Wan Yunting's breathing was even and calm, showing no signs of the exhaustion she felt after strenuous exercise.
This made Lu Xiaodie sigh helplessly. The two then found a spot facing east, sat down cross-legged, and began to circulate their Qi from their Dantian, meditating and practicing their internal energy.
Wan Yunting was currently practicing the Eight Desolations Divine Skill from the逍遥派 (Xiaoyao Sect). This internal energy skill was extremely powerful and domineering, but it differed from the Limitless Heavenly Gang Internal Energy technique he had previously practiced from the Limitless Daoist Temple.
Although both were powerful skills, the Eight Desolations Divine Skill was even more superior because of its extremely overbearing characteristic: it could absorb the internal energy of others and use it to replenish one's own internal Qi. It was an auxiliary, overbearing skill.
In other words, as long as Wan Yunting wanted to increase his internal energy at the fastest pace, he could use the Eight Desolations Divine Skill in combat to absorb the enemy's internal energy, converting it into his own internal Qi as an auxiliary method. This was an absolutely overbearing means.
Lu Xiaodie, who was meditating beside him, practiced the Gentle Qi Art from the Hengshan Sect.
The Hengshan Sect was established by women. Legend has it that their ancestor created cultivation techniques and martial arts that were adept for female practitioners. The Gentle Qi Art was considered a mid-tier cultivation technique of the Hengshan Sect. This skill was gentle and continuous, naturally unable to compare with the Eight Desolations Divine Skill that Wan Yunting practiced, the Limitless Heavenly Gang Internal Energy, or the Lesser Limitless Art.
However, the fact that Lu Xiaodie could reach the late stage of Hua Jin in martial arts with the Gentle Qi Art showed that her talent was extraordinary. Otherwise, the sect leader of the Hengshan Sect would not have forced her to marry her son.
The two faced east, absorbing the Qi of heaven and earth, and meticulously practiced their internal energy cultivation techniques. Time slowly passed. The east began to show the white of fish belly, and gradually, a morning sun slowly rose. It was already eight o'clock in the morning.
Many elderly neighbors from downstairs also climbed the mountain to exercise, including several grandpas who were practicing Tai Chi sword with iron swords.
Of course, these sword techniques were all for exercise and had no practical combat application. These elderly neighbors all recognized Wan Yunting and knew he knew martial arts. Wan Yunting had previously taught them some breathing methods, so many of the grandpas were imitating Wan Yunting, meditating and breathing while facing east.
The warm light of the morning sun shone on the faces of Wan Yunting and Lu Xiaodie. After practicing for over an hour, their bodies were filled with vitality. The two opened their eyes simultaneously, looking at each other with full energy. Wan Yunting smiled and asked, "Sister Lu, what internal energy are you practicing?"
"The Gentle Qi Art from the Hengshan Sect."
Lu Xiaodie, who had gotten up, asked him, "Are you practicing the internal energy cultivation techniques from the Limitless Daoist Temple?"
"No."
Wan Yunting shook his head and smiled, "Sister Lu, do you know the 逍遥派 (Xiaoyao Sect)?"
"The 逍遥派 (Xiaoyao Sect)? Didn't it disappear long ago?" Lu Xiaodie asked doubtfully.
Wan Yunting nodded and smiled, "Yes, it was destroyed long ago. But by chance, I learned the Eight Desolations Divine Skill of the 逍遥派 (Xiaoyao Sect) and have been practicing it recently. I've only just begun to grasp it."
"Eight Desolations Divine Skill? I haven't heard of it. Is it very powerful?" Lu Xiaodie's eyes lit up, showing an expectant gaze.
"Naturally."
Wan Yunting nodded and smiled.
"Envious."
Lu Xiaodie could only show an envious look, naturally not asking Wan Yunting to teach her.
"The Eight Desolations Divine Skill is not suitable for women to practice."
How could Wan Yunting not see her thoughts? Lu Xiaodie immediately said, "By the way, little brother, I saw your calligraphy, and it seems you've grasped a few sword techniques. I'll practice them for you now, and you can give me some pointers."
"Alright."
Wan Yunting nodded, but they hadn't brought swords up the mountain. Seeing that the neighboring grandpas had finished practicing Tai Chi sword, Wan Yunting went over and smiled, "Elder Hong, Elder Chen, could we borrow your swords?"
"Haha, of course."
Elder Hong and Elder Chen were both former influential figures in the business world of Huadu City. They were now retired and lived at the foot of Sacred Hall Mountain. They were also neighbors of Wan Yunting. He had previously instructed them in breathing methods, so they immediately handed their Tai Chi swords to him and Lu Xiaodie.
At the same time, these old men and women curiously stood aside to watch. Wan Yunting smiled at Lu Xiaodie and said, "Sister Lu, show me what you've got."
"Okay."
Lu Xiaodie spun the sword in her right hand, weighing the Tai Chi sword used by the elderly. Then, her eyes sharpened, and her entire demeanor changed. As she slightly stepped forward with her left foot and simultaneously made a circular motion with her right hand, the long sword let out a swish and began with a straight thrust.
Then, Lu Xiaodie's feet seemed to be equipped with springs. She leaped into the air, rotating 180 degrees, her long sword even more sharp and aggressive. In the blink of an eye, she had already performed thrusts, lifts, and upward slashes.
"Good..."
Seeing Lu Xiaodie's graceful sword posture, the ordinary Tai Chi sword in her hand became extremely sharp. The buzzing sound of the sword cutting through the air was powerful and imposing. Coupled with Lu Xiaodie driving the sword with her Qi, her sword moves were sharp, crisp, and precise. Combined with her footwork, she exuded a ruthless and merciless aura, which made the onlookers like Elder Chen and Elder Hong unable to help but clap and cheer.
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded. Sister Lu was indeed from the Hengshan Sect. It was said that their Myriad Flower Sword Technique was unparalleled. It seemed that Sister Lu's attainments in swordsmanship were quite high. Moreover, looking at the sword techniques she was demonstrating now, they bore a resemblance to the Peerless Sword Technique that he and Zhou Ruoxi had practiced at the bottom of the valley, while also possessing the imposing aura of the Limitless Heavenly Gang Sword Technique, which was known for its domineering and ruthless nature.
"Phew..."
As Lu Xiaodie finished her swordplay, she circulated her Qi with her left hand, lowering it and exhaling. She then turned towards Wan Yunting and smiled, "What do you think, little brother Wan, how were my sword techniques?"
"The young lady's swordplay is excellent."
Before Wan Yunting could speak, Elder Chen and the other elders gave her a thumbs-up. Lu Xiaodie smiled and nodded in thanks. Wan Yunting looked at her with a strange expression and said, "Sister Lu, did you really comprehend these sword techniques from my calligraphy?"
"Yes."
Lu Xiaodie nodded. Wan Yunting shook his head with a wry smile, "I can't show you my calligraphy anymore in the future, or you'll steal all my kung fu."
"Hmph, look at you being so stingy."
Lu Xiaodie gave him a charmingly flirtatious roll of her eyes and said, "Quickly tell me, what sword techniques are you practicing?"
Wan Yunting replied, "I usually practice the Limitless Sword Technique and the Limitless Heavenly Gang Sword Technique from our Limitless Daoist Temple, as well as a dual practice set called the Peerless Sword Technique!"
"Peerless Sword Technique?"
Lu Xiaodie's eyebrows raised, and she shook her head doubtfully, "I've never heard of this sword technique. Is it also a dual practice sword technique from your Daoist temple?"
"No, it's a dual practice sword technique for men and women from the 逍遥派 (Xiaoyao Sect)!" Wan Yunting shook his head and smiled.
Lu Xiaodie couldn't help but ask curiously, "I say, little brother, what kind of fortuitous encounter did you have to know so many 逍遥派 (Xiaoyao Sect) skills? Aren't you like in the TV shows, where you accidentally fall off a cliff and then find a cave containing martial arts manuals left by a 逍遥派 (Xiaoyao Sect) senior?"
...Wan Yunting was suddenly stunned, then chuckled and nodded, "It's something like that, I guess."