Chapter Eleven: Emerging from the Cocoon

During his time at the Northern Sect, Qu Beiyuan had already read extensively, mastering countless secret techniques. At that moment, he intensified his internal force, directing it to assault Li Chongyuan’s Lower Dantian. Qu Beiyuan’s internal force was formidable; instantly, he compressed Li’s Lower Dantian to a size as small as a bean. Li Chongyuan immediately felt as though he had plunged into an icy abyss, a chill emanating from his heart, his teeth chattering uncontrollably.

Within the Lower Dantian, the suppressed Hunyuan energy naturally produced a counterforce. When that force reached its peak, Qu Beiyuan abruptly withdrew his power. The Hunyuan energy broke free, soaring like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, shattering the restraints.

Qu Beiyuan laughed heartily, “You rascal, to encounter such fortune! I dare not claim none will follow, but surely none came before!”

His words were no empty boast. To trigger one’s internal force to break through like a butterfly from its cocoon by external means required someone else to use a completely opposing internal force to suppress and stimulate. Since the internal forces must differ, it meant the individuals belonged to different sects. In the treacherous world of martial arts, if the person provoking the breakthrough harbored ill intentions, the recipient could be killed instantly by the backlash. Conversely, if the provocateur’s internal force was not strong enough, once he withdrew, the recipient’s surging energy would race along his meridians, leaving him gravely injured or dead. Thus, ancient records noted this method was not difficult in itself, but finding someone both powerful enough, trustworthy, and possessing the opposite internal force was nearly impossible. For this reason, though the method was known, no one had ever succeeded.

Li Chongyuan regulated his breath, delighted to discover that with Qu Beiyuan’s assistance, his Asura Divine Skill had reached the fifth stage. The previously imperceptible Hunyuan energy had reappeared, and thanks to his persistence and diligent practice, combined with the rebound from Qu Beiyuan’s recent suppression, it too had reached the fifth stage, with signs of imminent breakthrough.

Qu Beiyuan, having expended considerable energy, felt somewhat fatigued and said, “With outside help, whether Hunyuan energy or Asura Divine Skill, you can only reach the fifth stage. Beyond that, you must rely on your own diligent practice to progress. However, Hunyuan energy and Asura Divine Skill are complementary—yin and yang, water and fire. With both, your training will surely be twice as effective with half the effort.” With that, he retrieved a tattered booklet from a crevice in the stone wall and handed it to Li Chongyuan. “This book records all the techniques I have cultivated over the years. I drew them on paper with charcoal during my idle days in this cave. Previously, I feared you might develop deviations training the Asura Divine Skill, but now that your power has reached the fifth stage, even if you tried, it would not be easy to go astray. From now on, you need not come here, lest someone discover your visits. You can train according to this book.” He paused, “But you must never let your sect learn of this. Remember this well.”

Li Chongyuan could not hold back his tears, falling to his knees and bowing deeply several times. Since losing his parents, he had suffered humiliation on Tianshan. Though his master and fellow disciples cared for him, none could compare to Qu Beiyuan, who, having never met him before, bestowed all his martial knowledge upon him.

Choking back sobs, he said, “I will do all I can to help Master escape his plight.”

Qu Beiyuan smiled, “If you wish to help me, seek the Xuanming Sword to sever these chains. If you cannot, do not let it trouble you. I have lived here for nearly twenty years and am used to it.”

Returning to Mingxin Cave, Li Chongyuan took out the booklet and read through it. Besides the Asura Divine Skill, it described the Three Lives Soul-Chasing Sword, Seven Stars Death-Hand, Asura Centipede Palm, and Northern Dipper Phantom Moon Lightness Skill. Each technique was perilous and ingenious beyond imagination. After reading for some time, he found himself drenched in sweat. The skills taught by Zi Wuzhu were always upright and balanced; he had never imagined such sinister and fierce techniques existed. Carefully wrapping the book in oiled paper, he hid it behind a brick in the corner of his room and pretended nothing had happened, resuming his sleep. The next morning, he went down the mountain to Biyu Pool to fetch ice as usual. This time, his body felt completely refreshed, light as a swallow, and he ran down the mountain effortlessly.

At Biyu Pool, when he used the Wind-Thunder Palm to strike the ice, it was as easy as pounding garlic in a mortar. He lifted the huge ice blocks without effort. After a few steps, he suddenly realized that, usually, he appeared weak and sickly, but now, after a single night’s training, he had become vigorous and strong—a change that would arouse suspicion. So, he poured out most of the ice water and, as before, trudged up the mountain, appearing winded and exhausted. At night, when no one was around, he secretly practiced the Asura Divine Skill and the techniques recorded in the booklet.

Nearly a year passed in this gradual progression, and his Hunyuan energy could finally be displayed openly.

From being a cripple, in a single year he not only recovered his strength but advanced to the fifth stage—a rarity on Tianshan. The Mingxin Cave lineage was both thrilled and greatly puzzled. Even Master Zi Wuzhu examined Li Chongyuan several times, trying to solve the mystery. But Li Chongyuan hid the Asura Divine Skill in his chest center; Zi Wuzhu only used his internal force to probe the usual dantian and Lower Dantian, so how could he discover it? In the end, he attributed Li’s progress to his change in temperament after suffering humiliation, allowing him to focus solely on his training. Zi Wuzhu became convinced that Li was a prodigy and, overjoyed, taught him all the Mingxin Cave’s secret techniques—the Six Yao Grappling Hand, Falling Snow Sword, and Tianshan Carefree Palm—for him to study on his own.

Over the year, Li Chongyuan visited the Nameless Snow Peak several times. Qu Beiyuan was gratified by his progress and patiently explained every issue he encountered in cultivation. When Li asked about the whereabouts of the Xuanming Sword, Qu Beiyuan knew little. He only knew that the chain forged from Northern Sea iron and the Xuanming Sword were made from the same block of metal, brought back by predecessors from the far north a hundred years ago. After forging the chain, the remaining metal was used to craft a sword so sharp it could cut through iron like mud. Its body was pitch-black, and since the metal came from the distant Northern Sea, it was named the Xuanming Sword. To prevent theft and rescue attempts, the sword was not kept on Tianshan but at the Wang family, a renowned smithing clan in Taiyuan Prefecture. It was said that after Ye Changqing delivered the sword to the Wang family, they locked it in a secret chamber guarded day and night by eight chosen experts. Yet within three months, disaster struck—the servant delivering meals discovered all eight experts had their necks snapped, the chamber destroyed, and the sword missing. The steward rushed to report to the master, only to find the couple had already been killed in the night by heavy palms. Clearly, someone had broken into the Wang family’s home, tortured the master for the chamber’s location, then murdered him and seized the sword. Since then, the Xuanming Sword vanished without a trace from the martial world. The Wang family’s two sons, determined to find the murderer and recover the sword, abandoned their smithing heritage and wandered the world.

According to Tianshan Sect rules, disciples must reach the sixth stage before accompanying their master into the martial world. To travel independently, one must reach the seventh stage. Thus, if Li Chongyuan hoped to search for the Xuanming Sword, his first priority was to train harder; without adequate skill, he couldn’t even protect himself, let alone seek the treasured blade.

Grateful for his master’s kindness and driven by his family’s vengeance, Li Chongyuan trained day and night, and three years passed without him noticing. With Qu Beiyuan’s secret assistance, both his Hunyuan energy and Asura Divine Skill had reached the sixth stage, and his mastery of various techniques had become increasingly refined. Though not the fastest in Tianshan Sect, such progress was rare. By now, Li Chongyuan was no longer the frail, bullied boy of three years ago, but a standout among Tianshan disciples, earning the respect of all on the mountain. This dramatic change filled him with pride but also spurred him to remain diligent.

Soon, it was time for the triennial grand competition. As usual, each cave sent disciples to serve as guardians. Originally, Li Jiu no longer participated, and Li Chongyuan, fearing that his Northern Sect skills might be exposed in public, told his master he did not wish to join. Zi Wuzhu, being indifferent by nature, readily agreed.

On the day of the competition, the foot of Tianshan buzzed with excitement. Unlike previous years, the chief seats now included two unfamiliar figures—an elderly Taoist in black robes and a middle-aged man, also in Taoist robes, with prominent nose and deep-set eyes. Among the disciples’ seats were over a dozen unfamiliar young men, presumably their students.

These two were Master Xuanwu and Master Iron Scale from the Kunlun Sect. Kunlun Mountain faces Tianshan across the Tarim Basin, and the Kunlun and Tianshan Sects have been allies for generations. Every few years, they exchange disciples to study and discuss martial arts. This time, the two had brought their disciples to visit Tianshan, arriving just in time for the grand competition and staying to observe.

The competition began as usual, with Song Changkong addressing the crowd, followed by performances from the new disciples. Some showed skill and earned applause, others, neglected in their training, stumbled through their routines and drew laughter, eventually leaving the stage red-faced.

On the last day, Ugo defeated Du Xin, while Miao Kewei overcame Yu Wei, the top disciple of Xuanji Court.

According to tradition, Miao Kewei and Ugo were to face off in the final match. Once this bout ended, the triennial celebration would conclude. Despite Ugo’s indomitable strength, he fell short against Miao Kewei’s agility and cleverness. Miao Kewei emerged victorious.

On the chief seats, the deep-set-eyed man snorted coldly, “Tianshan’s grand competition was meant to spur disciples toward diligent practice, yet they treat it like a child’s game—what nonsense!” His words brought immediate displeasure to the chiefs. The elder Taoist interjected, “Iron Scale, say no more. Brother Dunan invited us to observe the grand competition, and we are already grateful. Do not speak carelessly and embarrass our hosts.” Though seemingly conciliatory, his words carried a subtle sting. Unable to hold back, Miao Kewei called out loudly, “May I ask if any of the Kunlun Sect brothers would care to come up and offer me a few pointers?”