Chapter Eighty-Five: Hidden Star Sword Technique
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Leaving the Unmoving Peak, they rode the clouds away.
Along the journey, the old fellow known as the Celestial River Elder took it upon himself to guide his junior, replacing the master Sorrowful Path Elder, and explained to Fang Junmei the cultivation methods for the Floating Dust Stage, particularly sharing insights on several breakthroughs along the way.
The elder, seasoned and knowledgeable, adept at instructing disciples, spoke with clarity and depth, making Fang Junmei feel a sudden enlightenment time and again.
Aside from the Floating Dust Stage cultivation, the elder also expounded much on movement techniques, combat, swordsmanship, and the Dao of Heaven and Earth.
The pace was deliberately slow, set by the Celestial River Elder, so much so that they spent nearly half an hour before reaching Steward Peak.
Passing cultivators and disciples of Steward Peak, observing the intimacy between the two, all showed hints of suspicion, but none were bold enough to gossip openly.
...
They landed right at the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion.
The pavilion was guarded by masters of the Peach Blossom Sword Sect, and there were many formidable wards; anyone reckless enough to break in would bear the consequences.
Fang Junmei had once spent seven days on the first floor, the constant feeling of being watched was enough to make his skin crawl even in recollection, yet he could never find the source of the surveillance.
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
"Greetings, Grand Elder."
"Greetings, Chief Teacher Elder."
On the first floor of the pavilion, there were many juniors; as soon as they entered, a chorus of greetings rang out.
The Celestial River Elder nodded slightly in acknowledgment and led Fang Junmei upstairs.
Before entering each higher floor, they passed through a shimmering curtain of light. Though it appeared as fragile as paper, without knowing the method to pass, even a cultivator at the Initial Dragon Gate stage would find it nearly impossible to force their way through.
Without permission, only great elders like Celestial River Elder could take someone through.
On the second floor, the number of disciples dwindled to about twenty.
By the third floor, only three or four remained.
On the fourth floor, not a single person was present.
Thus, even if others speculated, they would likely assume Fang Junmei had been led by Celestial River Elder to the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion, not necessarily the fifth.
Passing another curtain of light, they arrived at the fifth floor.
On this floor, there were only a dozen or so jade slips arranged on the shelves, appearing somewhat sparse, yet everyone knew that the techniques and divine abilities recorded within these few jade slips were exceptional—treasures reserved for Dao Embryo cultivators.
"This is the place. You have one hour to choose a technique. I won't give you any guidance or advice."
The Celestial River Elder seated himself cross-legged, clearly prepared to wait until the hour was up, then continued, "Each jade slip here contains only the first tenth of the technique's incantation and a brief introduction. The remaining nine-tenths are concealed. Once you've made your choice, I'll let you see the complete version."
With that, he said no more and closed his eyes.
Fang Junmei nodded silently.
Knowing his time was limited, Fang Junmei spoke not a word, drew the nearest jade slip to himself, and began to read.
Blood Dominion Technique!
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Three bold characters instantly appeared before his eyes, tinged with a hint of blood, and upon reading the introduction, he realized it was an extraordinary movement technique, seemingly as bloody as its name suggested, using one's own blood as a catalyst—the rest of its mysteries remained unknown.
After reviewing the introduction and the first tenth of the incantation, Fang Junmei pondered for a moment and then returned it to its place, drawing the second jade slip. Though the Blood Dominion Technique seemed promising, Fang Junmei decided to examine all options.
Dragon Transformation Chapter!
This was a cultivation method for Dao Embryo stage cultivators; just the opening lines left Fang Junmei bewildered yet entranced, clearly a first-rate technique.
He stared at it for a moment, then put it down and took the third jade slip.
Hidden Star Sword Technique!
Four characters struck his eyes, sending a shock through his mind. Among the Seven Sword Techniques of the Northern Dipper, the most profound and mysterious was indeed stored on the fifth floor of the Scripture Pavilion.
Upon seeing the Hidden Star Sword Technique, images flashed in Fang Junmei's mind of Gu Xijin and others wielding the other six sword techniques of the Northern Dipper—grand and dazzling scenes filled with starlight, stirring his heart.
According to Fan Lanzhou's explanation, these seven sword techniques, once their mysteries are grasped and the sword path is ingrained, can be performed even before reaching the Dao Embryo stage, making them far more practical than those techniques which require higher cultivation. As for how much comprehension is needed to grasp them, there was no way to compare.
Taking a deep breath, Fang Junmei carefully read through the first tenth of the sword technique. A true sword fanatic, he soon became absorbed.
He failed to notice that the Celestial River Elder, seated nearby, had opened his eyes slightly to glance at him.
...
Among the Seven Sword Techniques of the Northern Dipper, Falling Star, Shaking Star, Meteor Star, Plucking Star, and Flying Star were primarily offensive, while Gu Xijin's Shifting Star Sword Technique was defensive. The Hidden Star Sword Technique was a perfect balance of offense and defense.
The most mysterious aspect lay in its defense—it spoke of creating an independent space, hidden like the stars in darkness, separating the opponent into this space, temporarily depriving them of perception, followed by a sudden attack.
The mere thought was astonishing, and if truly executed, would be a terrifying divine ability, catching foes completely off guard.
"The Northern Dipper Sword Emperor must have been an extraordinary figure… I wonder whether he is alive or dead now…"
As he read, Fang Junmei couldn't help but speculate and marvel inwardly.
...
"Boy, if you keep focusing on this technique, you'll run out of time to review the others."
After an indeterminate period, the Celestial River Elder's voice suddenly rang in Fang Junmei's ears.
"How much time remains?"
Fang Junmei snapped out of his reverie and asked instinctively.
"About the time it takes to drink two cups of tea," replied the Celestial River Elder calmly.
Upon hearing this, Fang Junmei dared not delay further, promptly set aside the Hidden Star Sword Technique, and moved on to the next.
Among these jade slips, there was a near-complete array of spell divine abilities, sword techniques, cultivation methods for advancing realms, spiritual sense cultivation, movement techniques—everything one could wish to train in. If one could master them all, they would be armed from head to toe.
Each technique stirred Fang Junmei's heart anew.
But regardless, he could only choose one.
...
An hour inevitably passed.
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"Time's up. Have you decided?"
The Celestial River Elder, true to principle, spoke again as the hour ended.
In Fang Junmei's hands was the last technique—a method for training spiritual sense, vastly superior to his Peach Blossom Fundamental Wisdom Scripture.
Upon hearing the elder's words, Fang Junmei returned the jade slip to its place, then scanned them all with a sharp gaze.
After a moment of intense deliberation, he declared loudly, "I choose the Hidden Star Sword Technique!"
So it was indeed the Hidden Star Sword Technique.
"Are you certain? This sword technique is the most difficult among the Seven Sword Techniques of the Northern Dipper. If you fail to comprehend it, this opportunity will be wasted."
The Celestial River Elder asked once more.
Fang Junmei paused briefly, then nodded firmly. He was not a man prone to hesitation; in truth, upon seeing the Hidden Star Sword Technique, he had already made up his mind. He only viewed the others out of curiosity.
"Very well, it's up to you," the elder replied indifferently.
Whoosh!
He drew the jade slip, tapped it several times to lift the seal, but did not immediately hand it to Fang Junmei. "Junmei, first swear an oath to me. After reading the incantation for this divine ability, unless you receive permission from me or a future chief teacher, you must not transmit it to anyone or record it in any form."
Fang Junmei nodded in agreement, yet was unsure how to proceed.
The Celestial River Elder's gaze grew profound as he spoke, "I'll recite it once; you may adapt it as needed. This oath is called the Ancestor's Oath, said to be passed down from our earliest human ancestors. Its binding power is immense—anyone who breaks it will face heavenly punishment. Keep this well in mind."
Fang Junmei nodded again.
"By the ancestors of humanity…"
The Celestial River Elder recited the oath.
Fang Junmei listened, made minor adjustments, and then solemnly swore.
Boom!
No sooner had the words left his lips than a thunderclap sounded in his sea of consciousness. For a moment, Fang Junmei felt as though an invisible thread had adhered to him, but upon closer inspection, the sensation vanished, as if it were merely his imagination.
The Celestial River Elder, however, nodded in satisfaction and finally handed him the jade slip.
Fang Junmei immediately set aside the oath and focused on memorizing the technique.
Once he finished, the Celestial River Elder resealed the jade slip and returned it to its place.
...
Leaving the Scripture Pavilion, they returned to the Unmoving Peak.
Fang Junmei entered his room and began to study the complete Hidden Star Sword Technique.
At this moment, Fang Junmei was unaware that a few days before him, another person had chosen the Hidden Star Sword Technique and was also laboring over its mysteries. Which of them would ultimately comprehend it remained unknown.
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