The wind was mighty, and the autumn sky high and boundless.

Amidst the mountains, endless layers of pine and cypress swayed with the brisk autumn breeze, producing a sound like continuous waves. Clouds roiled between the peaks, creating a magnificent scene.

Tingyun Mountain,

Sitting and discussing the Dao, watching the mountains and listening to the clouds.

Between the cliffs, suddenly, a wide platform appeared, paved with mottled bluestone. Behind it were several old cottages, surrounded by pine trees and clouds, exuding an ethereal aura.

In the biting cold wind, a young man stood on one leg in a crane stance, one hand forming a sword technique, while the other held a long sword in a forward thrust.

Despite his face being pale as iron, with frozen snot like ice pops, he dared not move at all.

This was the young swordsman Ye Fei.

On a nearby rock, a white old ape in a Taoist robe squinted in the sun, occasionally picking a flea from its fur and popping it into its mouth with a smacking sound.

Feeling that enough time had passed, the old ape shifted its position, propping its chin and lazily said:

"Charge with ten swords."

A glimmer of relief appeared in Ye Fei's eyes, but he dared not relax. He hurriedly circulated his breath, stretching his stiff body.

Then, with a focused gaze, the sword light flickered, and mid-move, the sword rained like a waterfall, filled with killing intent.

Unexpectedly, the old ape's face darkened, casually picking up a stone and flicking it with a swoosh.

"Ow!"

Ye Fei jumped up, clutching his butt, hastily bowing with the sword in hand, grimacing, and cautiously said:

"Ape Master, please instruct me."

He finally understood why his master said to leave the mountain if he couldn't endure hardship. This old ape had venomous words and a ruthless heart, exceptionally harsh, as if torturing.

However, leaving was impossible,

it would never be possible to leave in this life.

The old ape was harsh, but he could feel that in a short time, his swordsmanship had improved significantly.

The White Ape snorted,

"You're not practicing swordsmanship; you're dancing with a sword, flaunting it. Usually, the divine intent aligns with the sword, following the person. I see you've invented the person following the sword instead."

"Watch this!"

As soon as the words fell, it picked up a dead branch and dropped into the arena, eyes wide open, and sword qi soared to the sky. The nearby cloud sea surged and was pierced into a straight ravine, slowly restoring after a long time.

Ye Fei felt his breath choke, every hair standing on end. Every time he watched the old ape practice swordsmanship, he couldn't help but want to curse.

This old monkey's swordsmanship is damn strong!

Suddenly, the White Ape frowned, looking down the mountain,

"Hmm, someone has entered the mountain!"

With that, its figure flashed, leaping into the sea of clouds.

Ye Fei was startled and hurried to follow.

Two figures pierced through the mist, leaping and crossing the cliffs as if walking on flat ground, quickly reaching the foot of the mountain.

Beside a stream in the valley, Zhu Sheng was bent over washing his hands by the cold spring, a sword box on his back. Zhang Kui sat sideways on the back of a huge, colorful, vicious tiger, shaking an empty wine jug in his hand.

It turned out, after settling matters in the southwest, that day, the girl Fu Yu left with a heavy heart without saying goodbye, and Zhang Kui escorted Zhu Sheng back to the mountain to recover.

"Taoist, Master!"

Ye Fei was first delighted, but then was shocked seeing Zhu Sheng's pale face, "You're injured?"

"Why are you howling..."

The White Ape rolled its eyes disapprovingly, looking quite satisfied with Zhu Sheng, "Not bad, eyes containing the divine, sword qi internalized. It seems Tingyun Sect can survive for a few more decades."

Zhu Sheng smiled wryly, clasping his fists, "Ape Master, you're joking."

The White Ape was elder, and even his master Songfengzi had honed his swordsmanship under its devastation, so Zhu Sheng naturally respected it very much.

Poof!

The Fatty Tiger lying on the ground suddenly laughed, murmuring to itself, "This old ape's mouth is really stinky."

"Hmm..."

The White Ape muttered to itself, "This cat is really fat..."

The Fatty Tiger became instantly angry,

"You're the cat, your whole family's cats, I'm..."

The White Ape's eyes glinted fiercely,

"Who's your I'm?"

The Fatty Tiger's scalp went numb, its neck shrank, and it said aggrievedly, "It's just a joke, why so fierce..."

Zhang Kui shook his head and chuckled,

"Ape Senior, don't bother with this fool."

The White Ape narrowed its pupil at Zhang Kui, coldly snorted, and nodded.

Without much small talk, they went up the mountain immediately.

Everyone leaped and dashed through the mountains, quickly reaching the platform at the cliff.

Zhang Kui looked around, unable to resist praising:

"Tingyun is so ethereal, what a beautiful sight!"

Zhu Sheng smiled, "Tingyun Sect was founded after Yu revolt. The patriarch once helped Emperor Qianyuan restore order, retreating into seclusion after bringing stability to the world. The hardships of sword cultivation led to the decline of the sect ever since."

The White Ape sneered:

"Why make it sound so noble, clearly started a falling out with the Emperor after success and retreated for refuge."

Zhang Kui smiled and nodded, not replying.

No wonder Zhu Sheng disliked dealing with the court; there was a grudge from the patriarch himself.

Zhu Sheng was right; life in Tingyun Sect was indeed dull, the White Ape being a sword enthusiast, ceaselessly urging Ye Fei to practice. The scenery, though beautiful, grew tiresome over time.

But Zhang Kui stayed for another reason.

From the relics of the Square Immortal Road, the two laid hands on many rare ores. Besides gathering enough materials for the Flying Sword, Zhu Sheng also planned to help Zhang Kui refine the Lu Li Sword anew.

Days later, in the sword furnace cave behind the platform.

The Lu Li Sword fell into the furnace, after half a day, it began to soften, turning into molten metal.

Zhu Sheng, wearing short clothes, added ores while explaining:

"Brother Zhang, our sect excels at sword refining, the third generation sect leader was a genius who envisioned forging a tremendously powerful flying sword with evil qi as an inner core."

"Unfortunately, the evil qi was excessive, unable to nurture a sword spirit, reduced to an ordinary blade. But this sword suits Brother Zhang well, your Taoist evil qi is astonishing. With frequent tempering, who knows what it might eventually become..."

Zhang Kui stood by, watching with a smile.

As Zhu Sheng said, the Lu Li Sword was merely mediocre. In the southwest battle, the skill points from slaying several old demons allowed him to upgrade the "Guiding Skill" to level seven and the "Demon-slaying Skill" to level six.

The Lu Li Sword could barely handle the evil light, constantly at risk of shattering. As Zhu Sheng suggested, the newly formed Lu Li Sword would surely unleash the full power of the "Demon-slaying Skill."

This sword's forging required an evil qi site, but Zhang Kui's Geng Metal Evil Light was undoubtedly better. The collaboration, continuous clanging sounds, lasted a full half month.

The day the sword was completed, there were no celestial phenomena, but Zhu Sheng was full of confidence. After fitting a bronze scabbard, he threw it over with a swift motion.

"Brother Zhang, catch the sword!"

Zhang Kui caught it in one grab. The sword was the same size as before, but significantly heavier.

His right hand gently rubbed the handle.

Clang!

The long sword was unsheathed, its luster dim.

But this was just an appearance,

with the initiation of the "Demon-slaying Skill," the long sword became more restrained, the edges revealing a heart-palpitating golden light, as if inlaid with a golden fringe.

Outside, the old ape instructing Ye Fei suddenly felt a chill down its spine, turning sharply,

"Such a vile evil qi!"

"Haha, excellent!"

Zhang Kui laughed heartily, as if this sword was born precisely for demon-slaying skill, the evil qi divine light collected inward, not like before with flashing golden light, but more condensed in power.

Indeed, he could clearly feel that this sword continuously absorbed the Geng Metal Evil Qi for nurturing, as Zhu Sheng said, one day, it would bear something extraordinary.

With the sword forged, Zhang Kui took his leave. Zhu Zesheng intended to close in seclusion for three years to refine a new flying sword.

Their spirits resonated well, and the journey in the southwest turned them into life-and-death comrades. Though reluctant to part, such is the Jianghu, ever-changing in meetings and separations.

"Brother Zhu, three years later, let us meet again for a drink!"

After finishing all the stored wine on the mountain, amidst the continuous complaints of the old ape, Zhang Kui leisurely rode the tiger down the mountain.

Looking far ahead, the vast field was a silvery expanse, with swaying cold fluffs everywhere. Unknowingly, the first snow of the post-winter season had arrived.

Zhang Kui looked up at the falling snow; when he first came, it was still summer. In half a year's time, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

"Taoist, where are we going?"

Fatty Tiger shook off the snowflakes, asking sulkily.

"Follow me to the Capital City, to witness its millennia-old prosperity!"

Zhang Kui laughed heartily, jumped on the back of the tiger, and his figure quickly disappeared into the vast snow...

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