"Phantom Beast."
Xi's movements were precise and deliberate. With a subtle twist of his clasped palms, they rested neatly against his chest. His aura blended seamlessly with the surrounding realm, much like a Spiritual Cultivator unraveling a bounded domain.
As the faint gleam of the azure sword flickered in his eyes, he seemed to transform into a translucent phantom. Within a few miles, ethereal spirits emerged—unconscious apparitions, fragmented beast souls, and the lingering regrets and resentments of the deceased.
Under the moonlit sky, the snow-capped mountains took on an eerie quality. The realm of the living appeared to merge with the realm of the dead, and any mortal souls venturing here risked being paralyzed by fear.
Countless spirits responded to the call of the Phantom Sword, now an extension of Xi's will. They served as both his eyes and ears.
"Retrace," Xi commanded softly.
Within the Phantom Beast, spirits coalesced and morphed into fleeting illusions, painting scenes of the past. The images swiftly unfurled, depicting moments witnessed by the spirits of the dead, transitioning from day to night.
Xi watched in silence, while Dao Qiongcang waited patiently. Throughout the scenes, no sign of human presence appeared; only the desolate snow continued its descent. The sole moment of activity was when a wildcat ventured here in search of prey, only to leave without incident.
"No one has been here…" Xi's heart sank after reviewing everything. His confidence in the Phantom Sword Technique was shaken. His first thought was, "Could Hallmaster Dao have made a mistake?"
"Is this Spirits Controlling, one of the Eighteen Sword Forms of Phantom Sword Technique?" Dao Qiongcang inquired, appearing more interested in the technique itself than in the findings.
"Yes," Xi responded, bringing the focus back to the matter at hand. "Hallmaster Dao, I couldn't find the target."
"Is the Phantom Beast a domain-like sword skill exclusive to ghost swordsmen, similar to the bounded domain of Spiritual Cultivators?" Dao Qiongcang pressed further.
"Uh," Xi uttered, feeling a bit like a goose caught in the cold, before hastily replying, "Yes."
"When you reach the level of a demi-saint, is it akin to the holy realm of Spiritual Cultivators?"
"Yes."
"A clever concept, somewhat similar to the Green River Sword Boardline, but with less offensive capability and more of a reconnaissance-oriented sword skill?"
"Yes and no." Xi shook his head earnestly, but before he could elaborate, he was interrupted.
Dao Qiongcang, now adopting the demeanor of a curious child, denied him the chance to elaborate. "Even if it has offensive capabilities, it pales in comparison to the Green River Sword Boardline, right? After all, the Mo Sword Technique is renowned for its offensive prowess."
"It depends on who you're comparing it to," Xi asserted, unwilling to doubt his proficiency in the Ancient Sword Technique.
"What about comparing it to Gou Wuyue?"
Xi fell silent, only muttering after a long pause, "Sword Saint Wuyue…"
"Sword Deity."
"Sword Deity?" Xi was taken aback. "Elder Wuyue hasn't been sanctified?"
The news of Sword Deity Gou Wuyue's sanctification had spread far and wide on Saint Mountain recently. But Xi, despite his position as Chief of the Transformation Division, hadn't received definitive confirmation.
Hallmaster Dao, who had sealed off previous information, seemed to have firsthand intelligence.
"What do you understand by 'saint'? Is it a realm or a unit of measurement for combat strength?" Dao Qiongcang's cryptic words left Xi confused.
Xi found himself torn between the two interpretations.
Dao Qiongcang continued, "If 'saint' is a unit of measurement for combat strength, then what's the significance of being a demi-saint?"
"All Spiritual Cultivators who reach the peak of the higher void level can fight beyond their rank, regardless of whether they are a demi-saint or not."
"Isn't the title of demi-saint just an illusion?"
Xi was stunned, feeling like a leaf caught in a storm.
"Please enlighten me, Hallmaster Dao," Xi said earnestly, his hands respectfully clasped.
Hallmaster Dao, bearing the secrets of the divine, spoke cryptically, "The world knows no constants; it varies from person to person. For those who defy convention, reasoning becomes elusive."
Xi pondered deeply, his thoughts diverging as he realized something. He suddenly exclaimed, "So, Moonless Sword Deity is a quasi-The Divine, though unsanctified, but has already achieved a breakthrough to the level of a demi-saint in terms of combat strength?"
"Quasi…" Hallmaster Dao chuckled. "Young man, your choice of words is intriguing."
"Uh…" Xi uttered once more.
Hallmaster Dao continued solemnly, "The Ten High Nobles, the Seven Sword Deities."
"Among the prodigies of the previous generation, Gou Wuyue was the only one to secure a position on both lists single-handedly."
"Not only am I inferior to him, but so too are The Divine and Bazhun'an. So why would he need to be compared to mere mortals?"
Xi was shaken by his words. Upon further reflection, it seemed true.
But what astonished him wasn't just this realization but Hallmaster Dao's high regard for Moonless Sword Deity Wuyue.
If that were the case, why did the Holy Divine Palace treat him as they did?
Xi dared not delve further into that line of thought, expressing his apologies, "Junior has spoken out of turn. Please forgive my impudence."
He swiftly changed the subject, probing for more information: "However, Hallmaster Dao, the Eighth Sword Deity and The Divine both follow a new path."
"If the path of Moonless Sword Deity revolves solely around the Mo Sword Technique and fails to innovate, he wouldn't receive such high praise from Hallmaster Dao."
Hallmaster Dao chuckled, "Your cleverness would make your teacher proud if applied to the Phantom Sword Technique."
Dao Qiongcang turned and nodded.
"Indeed, what you said is quite right. Gou Wuyue is seeking a new path."
"If not, he wouldn't need to join the Holy Divine Palace. He could have achieved sanctification long ago."
"If it weren't so, Bazhun'an wouldn't have failed to persuade him to turn back at the Eighth Palace. He left without looking back, even bringing Sleeveless back to the mountain for punishment."
"Even the tallest trees start as tiny seeds in the dark soil, unnoticed until they break through into the light…"
Dao Qiongcang's voice softened as if speaking to himself, "If he had turned back, wouldn't decades of effort have been in vain?"
Xi's eyes lit up with realization. "So, Elder Wuyue finally succeeded in the end?!"
Dao Qiongcang's gaze, illuminated by the moonlight, was contemplative, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "It seems so."
"What?" Xi was caught off guard, eager for more details.
Dao Qiongcang remained silent, lost in thought, his eyes fixed on the moonlit landscape. Memories of that time, when he appeared with the demi-saint at the Dead Sea, resurfaced. He had given Wuyue another chance, though it seemed that fate was fickle.
"His heart is higher than the sky!" Dao Qiongcang mused, reflecting on Gou Wuyue's unwavering resolve. Despite setbacks, Wuyue chose to remain with Saint Mountain, shifting from the forefront to the shadows. Dao Qiongcang's satisfaction was evident.
But the journey had not been straightforward. The fate of Gou Wuyue, with his severed arm, seemed as though his destiny had also been cut short.
"Let's talk about the Phantom Sword Technique," Dao Qiongcang said, shifting the focus. His gaze, filled with admiration and a hint of humor, settled on Xi. "Your Spirits Controlling technique has reached an extraordinary state—naturally endowed, executed perfectly, and profoundly deep."
"With such a Phantom Beast, if a Sword Saint were to wield it, could it rival the Hungry Ghost Path of the Six Paths of Ancient Martial Arts?"
Flattered by the praise, Xi hesitated. "I'm not sure."
"What about the Holy Emperor? At the highest realm, surely you have some assessment?"
"The Holy Emperor…" Xi's eyes gleamed with ambition. "At that level, it's more than just Spirits Controlling."
"Ah, that's true," Dao Qiongcang agreed. "Lord of Phantom City, have you achieved it?"
"It's… difficult…"
"Compared to the Six Paths of Ancient Martial Arts, do you consider yourself stronger or weaker?" Dao Qiongcang's inquiry was pointed, reflecting his concern for Xi's development.
Xi smiled and answered straightforwardly, "It varies from person to person."
"And you?"
"I can't." Xi's mind flashed with the image of the bald man who had once left him defenseless.
"What about Hua Changdeng?" Dao Qiongcang's gaze was sharp.
"He… can't be compared to," Xi replied, shaking his head. "The gap between heaven and earth!"
"Oh? What is heaven, what is earth?" Dao Qiongcang's curiosity was piqued.
Xi gave the most affirmative answer he could. "Lord of Phantom City, the ruler of the underworld, is about control. The Six Paths of Ancient Martial Arts borrow from various realms—heaven, human realm, hell, Asura, hungry ghosts, animals—but they're diverse yet not refined, unable to transcend."
His explanation seemed complete, and Dao Qiongcang nodded slightly, considering his words.
"The Six Paths are not the end of ancient martial arts. What you see is not even a fraction of what The Divine possesses."
Under the snowy night, amidst the eerie woods, Xi's eyes shone brightly, undaunted. "The Phantom Sword Technique encompasses all things."
"I'm not qualified to evaluate it, but if Hallmaster Dao really wants to know…"
"I can only say, my teacher has only revealed the tip of the iceberg!"
Dao Qiongcang smiled with satisfaction. He had conveyed much and was gratified by the exchange.
Finally, he concluded, "I look forward to the day when you evaluate the Phantom Sword Technique, assessing the various paths of heaven and earth, and all phenomena."
"At that time, you and I will discuss as equals, for the Dao knows no seniority."
Xi was momentarily dazed. Moments ago, Hallmaster Dao had been eccentric and overbearing, but now he seemed encouraging and hopeful for the younger generation.
Xi couldn't reconcile these aspects of Hallmaster Dao—the one who embraced all or the one who was calculating.
"I dare not," Xi said, bowing respectfully.
"Why not? Be a bit bolder; there's no one around here," Dao Qiongcang chuckled.
"Uh…"
"An ancient swordsman fears neither gods nor Buddhas. If you don't want to defeat Hua Changdeng, you'll never surpass him." Dao Qiongcang's gaze burned fiercely. "Say it, you truly want to."
Summoning his courage, Xi held his chest high and declared loudly, "Yes, I do want to defeat him! I've endured him for so many years!"
"Who do you want to defeat? Say it out loud. You don't even dare to call his name!"
"Hua! Chang! Deng!"
"Good! Bold! That's the spirit! You've got the guts of a lion!"
Dao Qiongcang laughed heartily, clapping his hands. After a moment, he regained his composure and flashed the recording bead in his palm before carefully putting it away.
"Tomorrow, I will convey your message to Hua Changdeng."
Xi froze, his body becoming as stiff as ice. "You're saying that I made a mistake?"
"Dao Qiong—Hallmaster, you're absolutely mistaken! That evil cultivator from the Southern Region has never appeared here today!"
"Are you sure?"
"Hahaha! I've searched thirteen times, and there's no trace of him. I'm absolutely certain!"
"Oh? What if you're wrong?"
"Wrong? Hahaha, what is right or wrong? I'd stake my life on it… Hallmaster Dao, you seem to have run out of strategies today! If I lose, I'll gladly offer you this fine head. What's the harm?"
"Don't worry," Dao Qiongcang replied calmly. "Even if you speak disrespectfully, I won't strike you. I'll leave that responsibility to your teacher."
"Hahaha! Hahaha… sob, hahaha…"
Xi laughed maniacally in the snowy night, his demeanor a stark contrast to his usual modesty at Saint Mountain Gui Zhe and Saint Hall. It was as if he was possessed, shedding all pretense and trust in the world.
"It would have been better to be like this from the beginning, why pretend…"
Dao Qiongcang was pleased, noting that the sound recording bead wouldn't be crushed nor handed over to Xi. After dealing with ancient swordsmen for years, he was well-versed in their deceptive natures. Forcing someone into madness and revealing their true colors was a small pleasure for him.
"Retrace with the Phantom Beast. Take another look," Dao Qiongcang instructed.
"You still wouldn't figure it out after three times. Do you really think I'm just a useless figurehead?" Xi sneered coldly, staring Dao Qiongcang down. "My suggestion is, why bother looking at all!"
Dao Qiongcang burst into laughter, nearly slapping his thigh. "Would the old Xi dare to look at me with such eyes? What an interesting ancient swordsman! Truly amusing!"
"Now, you look somewhat like the Chief of the Transformation Division… No, you're more audacious than Yi, crazier than your teacher."
"Audacious? I'm just stating the facts. Just because you're Hallmaster Dao doesn't mean you can ignore your subordinates' efforts and toy with others at will."
"Don't worry, I said I won't kill you, so I won't. Retrace."
"Haha."
Xi, though a subordinate, used the Phantom Beast's retracing power again, crossing his arms and staring coldly at Dao Qiongcang. He wanted to see what differences this unpredictable Hallmaster Dao had from himself and if he could find any flaws in the seemingly normal scene.
In the scene, snow fell endlessly, covering the evergreen branches and causing leaves to drop to the ground. The wind rustled, and a beast resembling a tiger or leopard entered the scene.
"Stop," Dao Qiongcang interrupted, holding out his hand.
Xi paused the playback, focusing on the beast. He had observed it several times without finding anything. Had he missed something?
"Do you see it?" Dao Qiongcang asked, pointing to a spot in the distance.
"What?"
"The leaves."
Leaves…?
Xi was puzzled, examining the daytime scene. In the dense forest, which leaf was Hallmaster Dao referring to?
Wait a minute!
Xi felt a shiver run down his spine. Could it be that Dao Qiongcang had meticulously examined every single leaf during the thirteen views?
"Here," Dao Qiongcang said, using starlight to highlight a seemingly inconspicuous leaf in the scene.
Xi's gaze followed.
Snow clung to the branches, knocking down twigs and scattering fallen leaves. The leaf neither fluttered nor moved quickly, nor did it emit any spiritual fluctuations…
It simply fell naturally. Where was the abnormality?
"Tee-hee," Xi chuckled nervously.
Dao Qiongcang continued, "If the snow hits the branches normally and the leaves fall, the cut ends would look like this."
Dao Qiongcang used Divine Secret to mimic the details of the broken leaves—upon magnification, they appeared rough.
"Yet, after this leaf fell, the result was like this," Dao Qiongcang further magnified the image of the cut in the Phantom Beast's retracing scene—still rough!
"Pfft."
Xi burst into laughter, his lips curling with mockery. "Hallmaster Dao, is there a difference?"
"No difference," Dao Qiongcang shook his head.
"Hahaha…" Xi laughed maniacally, struggling to understand Dao Qiongcang's intentions. Did he find pleasure in tricking him?
"But what about here?"
Dao Qiongcang moved forward, stepping into the Phantom Beast's retracing scene, pointing to the corresponding spot where the fallen leaf was cut in reality.
It was extremely challenging to find. He had to identify the abnormality of the 'naturally fallen' leaf among thousands of similar leaves and match it with the real location.
Xi's heart sank as he realized the truth. The leaf Dao Qiongcang pointed out had an incredibly smooth cut compared to the rough appearance in the Phantom Beast's retracing.
In other words, the Phantom Sword Technique had deceived him.
"It's impossible, this can't be…"
Xi was shaken, shocked by being fooled by the Phantom Sword Technique. He was stunned by how Dao Qiongcang could find the "abnormality" from the retracing scene and match it with reality.
"How did you do it?" Xi asked in disbelief.
Dao Qiongcang didn't answer immediately but pointed to thirty-seven other leaves in the retracing scene, each corresponding to thirty-seven locations in reality.
Skeptical, Xi examined them, almost in a trance. Without exception, those thirty-seven leaves in the retracing scene had normal rough cuts, while in reality, they were abnormally smooth!
"There's no such thing as inscrutability…" Dao Qiongcang said calmly. "All I did was look for a needle in a haystack and use a method that you all were reluctant to use. It might be the only useful one, albeit the most difficult."
"You…" Xi was astounded. "Did you really identify each one?"
Dao Qiongcang looked at him, counting on his fingers. "Thirteen retracing scenes, thirteen opportunities to win, a total of thirty-eight flaws left by your enemies… You completely overlooked them."
After a pause, Dao Qiongcang added calmly, "What I want to say is… Today, your head can temporarily rest on your neck. Whether you keep it tomorrow depends on whether you fight for it. Opportunities come and go in the blink of an eye."