Star Gate

Chapter 425: South Below and North Above (III)

It’d taken Li Hao reaching half step Dominator before he could manifest his internal force as a sword. It was this feat that catapulted him into half step Dominator.

“Perfection of the second level is naturally to comprehend the sword aura.” Li Heng smiled broadly. “I think I’m almost there... but even if I do successfully shape my internal force into a sword, I’m still a long ways off from reaching perfection with the Weeping Willow Sword.

“The third level is of a keen sword without an edge, and the fourth level is willows swaying in the wind!” The young man laughed diffidently. “These aren’t my words, they’re recorded in the secret manual. If one reaches the third level, that means even a sword without an edge can bring the sharpest edge into play. That is the core goal of the Weeping Willow Sword.

“The technique imitates the sway of willow branches and drifting of catkins. Utilizing it in peak condition is to flow like the catkins. One flies and kills wherever the wind blows. Where there is a catkin, there is sword intent...”

Li Hao nodded, mulling over this unique state. It must be incredible. To float gently like the willow’s catkins and move according to the wind. Wasn’t that the sensation of ten thousand swords striking at once?

“Can you teach your secret method to outsiders?”

To outsiders? Li Heng blinked and looked hesitantly at Li Hao. “Leader, do you mean...”

“I want to learn.”

Li Heng stopped. Although the Weeping Willow Sword wasn’t weak, it wasn’t one of the Seven Swords. And Li Hao? He knew the Five Styles, Ghost Shadow Sword, Nine Forged Force... These methods were from the thirty-six heroes. The strength of their wielders was a direct nod to how formidable the method was.

The more was not the merrier when it came to secret arts. Not to mention, Earthturner Sword’s heir was among the team. Earnturner Sword was also much more famous that Weeping Willow Sword. Why was Li Hao setting aside Earthturner Sword to learn from Li Heng??

“You’re Weeping Willow Sword’s only heir,” Li Hao continued when the other remained silent. “That makes you the equivalent of the boss of the discipline. You have the right to teach others. Of course, I’m not going to force you into anything. You can counter with your conditions or refuse to teach outsiders altogether. It’s fine. As martial masters, we hold as a basic tenet that the core of our secret methods should not be taught to others not of the discipline. I won’t hold a grudge against you if you refuse. Don’t worry.”

“It’s not that I’m worried about,” Li Heng laughed drily. “It’s just... Leader, you know plenty of secret arts. Why do you want to learn the Weeping Willow Sword? If my memory serves correctly, you know the Ghost Shadow Sword, right?”

“Correct.”

“That one’s much more famous than Weeping Willow Sword.”

“I have use for your method,” Li Hao answered simply.

“To be honest, that conveniently gained master of mine died not long after teaching me.” Li Heng thought for a bit. “He did mention before leaving to not let the inheritance of the Weeping Willow Sword to be lost. But... 𝗳r𝐞ew𝚎bn𝚘ve𝚕.c𝗼𝗺

“I can only teach it to a disciple!” Li Heng suddenly made up his mind and set his jaw. “It’s not hard if you want to learn it, leader. But... but first, you must join the Weeping Willow discipline!”

Li Hao frowned and thought of a possible solution. “Can I be an honorary disciple? I don’t need to learn the third and fourth levels, I just want to stop at the second level so I can manifest my internal force with a unique technique.”

An honorary disciple!

Li Heng mused deeply for a moment and nodded. “This will do if you don’t intend to practice the late stage levels. But you will lack the heart of the Weeping Willow Sword, so you’ll only be able to learn the motions, leader.”

This was the equivalent of Wang Ming and his comrades receiving only the most basic breathing technique of the Five Styles. They did not have a chance to touch upon the heart of the method since they were just honorary disciples.

Li Hao dismissed and explained, “My teacher still lives, so the Five Styles discipline remains. I wouldn’t mind much of anything if my teacher was no longer of this world. I could even become the heir of the Weeping Willow discipline without thinking twice of it. But unless my master is killed in the central region, I can only be an honorary disciple for now.”

“......” These words weren’t that pleasant to the ear. Li Heng inwardly raised an eyebrow. So... do you want your teacher to be beaten to death or not?

“Additionally, I won’t be taking your knowledge for free,” Li Hao continued. “If I am to be an honorary disciple, I would not be yours or your teacher’s. Can you accept me on behalf of your martial forefather?”

“......” Li Heng paused. So this kind of action was acceptable as well?

“I’m not taking advantage of you,” explained Li Hao. “It’s because my teacher is the same generation as your teacher. The Weeping Willow Sword and Five Styles King are of the same generation as well. If you do accept me as an honorary disciple... Well, I don’t care about my position in the hierarchy. But if it’s something that will bring dishonor to my teacher, this is something all veteran martial masters will care more about.

“None of these problems will exist if I become Weeping Willow’s honorary disciple!”

It was Li Heng who greeted the suggestion wordlessly. There will be a problem, I’ll have another martial uncle!

But on further thought, that wasn’t to his detriment. If Weeping Willow was alive and knew of the circumstances surrounding Li Hao, no one would say a word if Li Hao was accepted as a core disciple, much less an honorary one. Weeping Willow wouldn’t even mind if Li Hao was still known as of the Five Styles discipline. How wonderful it was to have a swordsman who knew multiple sword auras join the Weeping Willow discipline!

“In order to have Weeping Willow Sword rest at peace in the other world, I can supply five thousand cubes of mysterious power and ten mysterious power stones to the sect,” Li Hao offered.

“......” Li Heng’s jaw dropped. Was that necessary? The leader was only learning up to the second level of the sword method, was such hefty compensation truly necessary? Or were the first two levels already some stunning secret art through the ages?

Li Heng couldn’t make sense of it, but he nodded after some consideration. “That can be done, but... leader, are you giving me so much out of special consideration? Are you trying to ensure that my high potential doesn’t go to waste?”

Li Hao blinked. What was this fellow thinking about?

Li Heng decided that this must be the truth and was very touched by the sentiment. “You don’t have to do this, leader. As good as my potential may be, I was delayed by several years. There are those in the team who are younger than me and with brighter futures. It’s not right to waste so much on me. The others will think this treatment is unfair...”

Li Hao quietly watched his performance for a few moments before saying, “I need the Weeping Willow Sword to complete my sword aura. None of this... has much to do with you.”

Li Heng paused in his display of emotions. Really? Forget it, he couldn’t be bothered to think about this in greater detail. “Then very well, I accept if you insist, leader.”

Five thousand cubes of mysterious power and ten mysterious power stones was an astronomical sum! It would be worth it to teach all four levels of the method, to say nothing of just the first two. Li Heng didn’t say anything about Li Hao’s desire to adhere to martial world rules and thus his unwillingness to join the Weeping Willow discipline. He quickly relayed the rudimentary knowledge of the first two levels, as well as the core breathing method.

The material wasn’t too hard and Li Hao’s memory was very capable, so he quickly committed the information to heart.

Li Heng then demonstrated it a few times, ensuring that his leader fully grasped the core knowledge of the method. However, there might be difficulties in manifesting his internal force as a sword because he’d already done so once before. Li Hao might need to locate another way to complete the second layer of training for the Weeping Willow Sword.

As for whether or not he would successfully comprehend the wood sword aura from the Weeping Willow method... that remained to be seen.

Another violent clatter of chains sounded as the two practiced. An explosive roar rang out! There was no blood at the corner of Liu Long’s lips, but his kidneys hurt. He frowned and roared, leaping upright and punching outward!

A massive explosion ripped through the air as a powerful wave churned through heaven and earth. It exploded in the blink of an eye! A chain broke out of the wave when it exploded and pierced through the void.

Liu Long heaved a long exhale while the Demon Hunters around him regarded him with shock. This move seemed much more explosive than before! Li Hao rushed over and took a glance at Liu Long, then sighed.

The man was puzzled. Wasn’t this a feat worthy of celebration? He’d successfully locked his aura in place! Although it was just one aura and his organs being weaker than Yuan Shuo when he was of this level, he was still a Summoner of Spirit no matter what. He may not be as strong as Yuan Shuo when the old man was an initial Summoner, but Liu Long could take on Solars now!

What are you sighing for after I’ve improved so much in such a short period of time?

Li Hao began to say something, stopped, and decided on transmission. “Ah, chief... Strengthen your kidneys more in the future. They can barely withstand the impact from your aura. It might mean... ai!”

That your kidneys are lacking and therefore your sexual ability!

This was when Liu Long realized what the young man was implying and raised a wordless eyebrow at the young man. Why the hell was the kid thinking of this after seeing all that? What was wrong with him??

“Don’t think too much, as martial masters...” he transmitted back.

“Martial masters also need to procreate and get a wife!” Li Hao’s return transmission cut him off. My poor chief, he wanted to strengthen his water aura first, but his kidneys aren’t up to the task. Every bit of strength from that organ is used to lock his aura in place, leaving nothing left for any other function. This might have been a similar situation when teacher forcefully summoned his water tiger... but teacher is old, so it doesn’t matter. Chief is still in the prime of his life!

Liu Long was completely speechless and couldn’t be bothered with the young man. This was a joyous occasion and the kid was dampening the celebration! He took a look at the sky—it was pitch black.

“It’s the 24th, isn’t it? And almost the 25th. We’re still very far from Rift Canyon. I’ve held us here for a long time. Will we still make it before th ruins open?”

There were at least fifteen hundred kilometers from one side of Ash Mountain to Rift Canyon on the other side. The Demon Hunters had only crossed seven hundred and fifty kilometers, leaving half to be traversed. They also needed to make it to the ruins after they entered the canyon. While the roads would be easy to take then, they would still need a lot of time. There may not be enough.

They could depart Ash Mountain now and head directly toward Rift Canyon, that would be faster. There was a city near where they were. Ash Mountain made it easy to hide one’s tracks, but it was too difficult to travel through.

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