owlsbooks Chapter 28 Gap
Chapter 28 Gap
Fan Zhou carried the two roosters back the way he came. When he passed the low hill, he suddenly had a strange idea and ran into the cave where the mandrill lived to search for a while.
Unfortunately, there was no opportunity, only a large number of skeletons.
Fan Zhou returned to the mountain where he practiced swordsmanship and was surprised to find Huang Yi already waiting for him at the summit.
Upon seeing him return, Huang Yi asked:
"Where did you get these two chickens?"
Fan Zhou then recounted the entire incident.
Huang Yi remained noncommittal after hearing this, and said calmly:
"Now that you've slain the mountain demon, the trial is complete. Let's go back."
Fan Zhou asked curiously, "Teacher Huang, why did you come to pick me up so early today?"
Huang Yi glanced at him with interest and said:
"Liu Ergou has already mastered the sword aura before you."
"What?!"
Fan Zhou opened his mouth in surprise.
He hadn't even touched the threshold of sword light yet, but Liu Ergou had already mastered it!
What brand of cheat is he using?
Huang Yi was clearly delighted, her eyes sparkling.
"He has mastered sword aura after only three months of sword practice. Such a person is rare in the entire Sword Furnace. I have decided to bring him back to the sect and have him become my master's disciple."
Fan Zhou noticed that Huang Yi only used the word "few," which didn't seem particularly unusual, and asked in confusion:
"Master Huang, are there many people who can master sword aura in three months?"
Huang Yi shook her head slightly, but her expression was enigmatic:
"They are rare in Jianlu, but in the whole world, there are quite a few. If we look at the history of the last hundred years, there are even more."
He looked up at the sky, a hint of loneliness in his eyes.
"There are countless heroes in the world; the sword's edge is merely a technique of internal energy cultivation. Looking across the nine provinces and four seas, what is there to speak of?"
Fan Zhou was in low spirits. If mastering the sword aura in three months was nothing special, then wouldn't someone like him who hadn't mastered it be even more insignificant?
He originally thought he was far superior to ordinary people and was often secretly proud of himself.
Looking back now, I realize I was truly a frog in a well.
Huang Yi noticed his change in mood and said softly:
"Do not underestimate yourself. The path to immortality is long. Do not prioritize those who have been there before, but rather those who have achieved it. The most important thing is to walk your own path well."
Fan Zhou nodded, already understanding.
With the Heavenly Furnace at his side, he has already surpassed countless others on the path of cultivation, so why should he wallow in self-pity?
Strive forward and do your own job well; that's what matters.
Seeing that he quickly adjusted his mindset, Huang Yi secretly praised him, realizing that her teaching during this period had not been in vain.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he asked, "Fan Zhou, do you want to go to a sect?"
Fan Zhou looked at him in surprise, "I can become an apprentice too?"
"No, even if you go to the sect, you can only start as a menial disciple. Only when you cultivate the sword aura or break through to the Qi Refining stage will you have a chance to be accepted as a disciple by a high-level Foundation Establishment cultivator in the sect," Huang Yi replied.
Fan Zhou thought about it for a moment, then shook his head and refused.
Since I'm going to be doing menial tasks anyway, I might as well make a good use of my time here in Langdang Mountain. At least I know a few people here.
"Master Huang, I want to join the sect through my own efforts."
Huang Yi was not surprised. With a wave of his sleeve, he took Fan Zhou into the sky and flew towards Langdang Mountain Market.
"I hope that when we meet again then, we can address each other as fellow disciples."
…………
The two returned to the market.
Huang Yi left early due to other commitments, while Fan Zhou returned to his wooden cabin.
Liu Ergou was sitting on the bed crying when he saw Fan Zhou return and asked anxiously:
"Fan Zhou, are you going to the Sword Furnace Mountain gate?"
"I want to stay here," Fan Zhou said, shaking his head.
Liu Ergou cried even harder, "What am I going to do? You're my only friend, I can't bear to lose you."
Fan Zhou couldn't help but laugh, patting his back to comfort him:
"It's not like we're facing life or death, what's there to be reluctant about?"
"Besides, I'm just not going now, but I'll definitely go in the future, and then we'll be able to meet again."
Liu Ergou turned his head and stared at him. "Really?"
"How could this be fake? Do you expect me to spend my whole life in these mountains?!" Fan Zhou punched his shoulder in exasperation.
Liu Ergou burst into laughter through his tears, "That's good!"
Seeing that his mood had improved, Fan Zhou asked him about mastering the sword aura:
"Ergou, how did you master the sword aura? Is there any secret?"
"I don't know how I learned it either," Liu Ergou said, scratching his head in frustration.
"I just kept practicing swordsmanship diligently, listening to Master Huang's guidance, and concentrating all my energy and spirit on the sword. Then suddenly I developed a sword aura."
He picked up the wooden sword beside him, and instantly became incredibly focused. With a flick of his wrist, the tip of the sword emitted a golden sword light about an inch long, which shone brightly in the room.
Fan Zhou picked up a chopstick and tried it. With just a slight touch, the chopstick broke into two pieces immediately, with a clean and smooth break.
"That's amazing!"
Fan Zhou was greatly surprised; the sword light was such a significant improvement over the sword energy.
He pondered to himself, 'Is it merely a gathering of essence, energy, and spirit? It's probably not that simple.'
Looking at Liu Ergou again, he only lasted for a short while before sweat appeared on his forehead and his complexion became much duller.
"Alright, alright, you should put it away now."
Fan Zhou knew that Liu Ergou wanted him to experience more; if he remained silent, Liu could maintain this state until his energy was completely depleted.
Liu Ergou sheathed his sword and said expectantly:
"So, did you notice anything?"
Fan Zhou shook his head slightly; he could only see that the sword light was closely related to the spirit.
Perhaps this is what they mean by "where there's a will, there's a way"?
"Ergou, what were you thinking when you unleashed your sword aura just now?" Fan Zhou asked.
Liu Ergou was stunned. "I wasn't thinking about anything."
"Didn't you think about anything when you were practicing your sword?" Fan Zhou asked again.
"Yes," Liu Ergou nodded.
Fan Zhou said speechlessly, "No wonder your swordsmanship has improved so slowly."
Liu Ergou chuckled twice. "Master Huang also said that I am not suitable for practicing swordsmanship. He said that it might be better for me to learn flying swords when I get to the sect."
"Flying sword?"
Fan Zhou was initially surprised, then his face hardened, and he joked:
"Ergou, do you know you're running away from difficulties? Come outside, I'll teach you some more about the wonders of swordsmanship."
"Hey." Liu Ergou followed them outside and asked:
"Can I use sword energy?"
"what ever."
The two grabbed wooden swords and went outside to fight. Fan Zhou, relying on his swordsmanship, defeated Liu Ergou.
"Haha, Er Gou, you still need to practice your swordsmanship."
Fan Zhou smiled and sheathed his sword.
Liu Ergou retorted, "Once I learn how to use a flying sword, we'll have a rematch."
"It's a deal!"
"It's a deal!"
The two looked at each other and smiled.
"What's making you laugh so happily?" Tian Youliang asked with a smile as he descended on a cloud.
"Teacher Tian!"
Fan Zhou and Liu Ergou quickly bowed.
Tian Youliang was too lazy to joke with them and said:
"Senior Brother Huang is leaving tomorrow, and we're going to see him off tonight. You should come along too."
Tian Youliang had the two of them stand on his talisman and led them to Yingchun Tower.
Yingchunlou is now decorated for the New Year, with bright red lanterns hanging high and red flowers and green brocade hanging everywhere.
The room was bustling with noise; upon closer listening, it was clear that everyone was discussing matters related to the New Year.
Fan Zhou then realized with a start that in two days it would be the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the New Year celebrations were just around the corner.
He was fifteen years old at that time.
"Let's go."
Tian Youliang landed on the ground, his belly protruding, and strode into the restaurant.
When the servants on the first floor saw Tian Youliang enter, they all stood up and bowed, calling him "Steward Tian".
"You guys drink yours."
Tian Youliang remained unmoved and paid no further attention, leading Fan Zhou and Liu Ergou directly to the private room on the second floor.
Fan Zhou glanced around and spotted Zhang Yu, Guan Qingyun, and Wu Xiu in the crowd.
They sat together, all looking over in surprise, their expressions a mixture of doubt and shock. But when their eyes met, they quickly looked away.
"Has a thick barrier unknowingly formed between us?"
Fan Zhou sighed inwardly and followed Tian Youliang to a private room on the second floor.
Qin Zhiyuan, Huang Yi, several deacons, and Hou Yi were all here.
Hou Yi called out to them:
"A-Zhou, Xiao Liu, come and sit down."