I had no intention of entering the martial world.

Chapter 35 Don't Regret It

For the next three days, Lu Chenzhou practiced his sword every day.

The Five Forms of Cloud Sea may seem simple, but they are in fact exquisite. Each form corresponds to a natural image, and its true power can only be unleashed when the mind and sword intent are in harmony.

On the first day, he practiced "Cloud Rising".

The sword should be light, soft, and like a cloud, unrestrained and ever-changing.

But his hand gripped the sword too heavily, his heart too heavy. When he swung the sword, it was like a solid iron plate, utterly devoid of any agility.

"No," Chu Xueya shook her head. "You're not using the sword, you're wielding it. The sword isn't a tool, it's a partner. You need to feel it, understand it, and communicate with it."

"How do we communicate?" Lu Chenzhou asked.

"Close your eyes." Chu Xueya walked behind him, took his hand holding the sword, and said, "Feel the weight of the sword, its length, its curve. Feel the resistance of the air flowing over the blade, feel the temperature of the sunlight on the sword."

Her hands were cold, but her palms were soft.

Lu Chenzhou closed his eyes and did as she said.

At first, I couldn't feel anything.

But gradually, he really felt it—the sword was breathing, pulsating, as if it had a life of its own.

"Now," Chu Xueya's voice sounded in my ear, very soft, like a breeze, "imagine you are a cloud. When the wind comes, you drift; when the rain comes, you scatter; when the sun shines, you shine. No purpose, no direction, just...exist."

Lu Chenzhou tried to imagine.

Imagine yourself as a cloud, drifting freely in the sky.

The sword in my hand seemed to have become lighter.

"Feeling better." Chu Xueya released her grip. "Keep practicing."

The next day, we practiced "Wind Movement".

The wind is invisible, yet omnipresent. So too should the sword be invisible, and omnipresent.

This move is even more difficult—it requires extremely high speed and precise control. The sword must be fast, but not chaotic; it must be dense, but not heavy.

Lu Chenzhou practiced for a whole day, his arms were sore and numb, and blisters formed on the back of his hands.

But he didn't stop.

He discovered that the emptiness he felt was lessened when he practiced swordsmanship.

It's like having something to do and a goal to pursue.

Even if the goal is just to "master the sword," it's better than nothing.

On the third day, we practiced "Rainfall".

The rain is dense and continuous; each drop is independent, yet they form a whole.

This move requires the sword light to be like rain, covering all directions, leaving the enemy nowhere to escape.

Lu Chenzhou practiced until evening and finally began to get a feel for it.

The sword light scattered like a rain, dense and continuous, each strike aimed at a vital point.

"Not bad." Chu Xueya watched from the side, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes. "You have excellent comprehension."

Lu Chenzhou sheathed his sword and wiped the sweat from his forehead:

"It's because you taught me well."

Chu Xueya didn't say anything, but simply handed her a glass of water.

Lu Chenzhou took it and drank it all in one gulp.

The water was cool, and as it flowed down my throat, it brought a slight "cooling sensation".

This is progress—at least he can feel the "coolness".

"Tomorrow we'll practice 'Thunderclap' and 'Lightning Flash,'" Chu Xueya said. "Those two moves are more difficult, requiring explosive power. But your sword energy is currently suppressed, so perhaps..."

"I can practice," Lu Chenzhou interrupted her. "You have to give it a try."

Chu Xueya looked into his determined eyes and nodded.

---

On the fourth day, an accident occurred.

Lu Chenzhou was practicing "Thunder Shock"—this move requires concentrating all the body's strength into one point and unleashing it instantly, with the force of a thunderbolt.

He was so engrossed in his practice that he didn't notice the suppressed Azure Nether Sword Qi within his body beginning to stir as the power circulated.

At first, it was just a slight fluctuation.

But when he unleashed that sword strike with all his might, the sword energy could no longer be suppressed and exploded outwards!

"boom--!"

A cyan sword light burst forth from the sword, not from the ordinary cyan steel sword in his hand, but from... the phantom of the Azure Nether Sword!

The sword's shadow soared into the sky, slashing towards the opposite cliff!

"Not good!" Chu Xueya's expression changed drastically. She flew forward and slapped Lu Chenzhou on the back with her palm, trying to help him suppress the sword energy.

But it was too late.

The sword flashed and struck the cliff, leaving a ravine three feet deep, with pebbles flying and dust billowing everywhere.

Lu Chenzhou's eyes had turned completely blue.

"Lu Chenzhou!" Chu Xueya shouted sharply, "Wake up!"

Lu Chenzhou turned his head and looked at her, his eyes empty, cold, and devoid of any emotion.

It's like looking at a stranger.

Then, he raised his sword.

The tip of the sword pointed at Chu Xueya.

"Lu Chenzhou! It's me!" Chu Xueya didn't back down; instead, she stepped forward, looking directly into his eyes. "Look at me! I'm Chu Xueya!"

Lu Chenzhou paused for a moment.

A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes.

But soon, it returned to its hollow state.

The sword continues forward.

It was about to stab Chu Xueya—

"Buzz—!"

A clear, melodious sword cry came from afar.

It wasn't the hum of the Green Destiny Sword, but that of another sword.

It was cool and lingering, like moonlight shining on the snow.

With that sword cry, the Azure Nether Sword Qi within Lu Chenzhou's body suddenly calmed down.

The bluish tinge in his eyes faded, and he returned to normal.

He swayed, the sword slipped from his hand and fell to the ground, and he collapsed limply.

Chu Xueya quickly helped him up and looked up in the direction from which the sword's cry came.

On the mountain path, Master Qingwei walked slowly, holding a sword in his hand.

The sword is entirely purple, gleaming with a cold, eerie light, with a thin, silvery-white line along its spine, like a lightning bolt.

"The Purple Lightning Sword..." Chu Xueya murmured.

"Hmm." Master Qingwei walked closer and glanced at Lu Chenzhou. "The sword energy within him is too strong; the Ice Heart Technique alone cannot suppress it. It requires the thunderous power of the Purple Lightning Sword to subdue it."

"But Master," Chu Xueya asked in confusion, "wasn't the Purple Lightning Sword missing for a hundred years? How did it end up in your hands?"

Master Qingwei remained silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"Because it was originally located in Emei."

"What?"

"A hundred years ago, three sword masters sealed the Heavenly Gate. The Purple Lightning Sword Master was my ancestor from Emei." Master Qingwei stroked the sword, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Before she passed the sword down, she ordered her disciples to guard it and never let the three swords reunite, lest the Heavenly Gate open again."

Chu Xueya looked at her master in shock, then at the Purple Lightning Sword, and suddenly understood many things.

No wonder Master knows so much about the Green Destiny Sword.

No wonder there are records about the Three Swords in the Emei Sutra Repository.

It turns out... Emei was one of the guardians.

"Then Master," Chu Xueya asked, "why didn't you say so sooner?"

"Because it's a secret," Master Qingwei said, looking at her. "A secret kept for a hundred years. The more people who know it, the greater the danger."

She paused, then looked at the unconscious Lu Chenzhou:

"But now, this secret can no longer be kept. With the Azure Sword appearing in the world, the Immortal Seeking Society, the Shadow Hall, the Imperial Court... all sorts of forces will come knocking. We must be prepared."

"What are you preparing?"

"Prepare for battle." Master Qingwei's eyes sharpened. "And prepare... for sacrifice."

Chu Xueya's heart sank.

Master Qingwei handed the Purple Lightning Sword to Chu Xueya:

"This sword is yours from today onwards. You possess the Ice Marrow Sword Bone, making you the most compatible with the Purple Lightning Sword. Once mastered, it can temporarily suppress the Azure Nether Sword Qi, and also... destroy the Azure Nether Sword when necessary."

Chu Xueya took the sword and felt its weight.

It's not the physical weight that's heavy, but the weight of responsibility.

"Destroy the Azure Sword?" she asked. "What about Lu Chenzhou...?"

"He will die." Master Qingwei said bluntly, "The sword is destroyed and the person dies; this is the fate of the sword's master."

Chu Xueya's hand trembled.

"Isn't there... any other way?"

Master Qingwei looked at her for a long time, and finally sighed:

"Yes, but it's difficult."

"What method?"

"Find the White Rainbow Sword," said Master Qingwei. "With all three swords gathered, we can reseal the sword spirit using the Three Powers Formation. This way, the sword spirit will fall into slumber again, the sword energy will subside, and Lu Chenzhou can survive. But..."

"But the Heavenly Gate will open," Chu Xueya continued.

"Yes." Master Qingwei nodded. "This is a dead end—either Lu Chenzhou dies, or the Heavenly Gate opens. There is no way to have the best of both worlds."

Chu Xueya fell silent.

She looked down at the Purple Lightning Sword in her hand, then at the unconscious Lu Chenzhou, feeling as if a huge rock was pressing on her heart.

"Master," she asked softly, "if...if I were you, what would you choose?"

Master Qingwei did not answer.

I just stared at the sea of ​​clouds in the distance for a very long time.

Finally, she said:

"I am not you. You must choose your own path."

After saying that, she turned around and walked down the mountain.

When I reached the bend in the mountain path, I stopped again and looked back:

"Snow Cliff".

"Master?"

"Remember, no matter which path you choose, your master will support you." Master Qingwei's eyes were gentle. "But you must remember—once you've made a choice, don't regret it."

Chu Xueya nodded vigorously:

"Disciple understands."

Master Qingwei has passed away.

Chu Xueya stood on the platform, holding the Purple Lightning Sword, looking at the unconscious Lu Chenzhou, motionless for a long time.

The wind blows, and the sea of ​​clouds surges.

Like this ever-changing world, it is always in flux, always in a state of flux.

This time, the choice is in her hands.