Chapter 568: Dream-Weaving Sword Technique

Only then did Zhang Xiaohua stand at the cave entrance for a long while, gazing out over the sea of clouds for quite some time, yet not a single fitting word emerged in his mind. He could only mock himself, saying: “Looks like when I have the chance, I should learn a bit more from Young Master Li Jinfeng. The ability to speak in elegant phrases at a moment’s notice is quite impressive indeed.”

“Ah well, nameless sword technique it is. Who told your master not to write down its name? Eh? That’s not quite right. This sword technique has long since become different from the one recorded in the sword manual. That human figure is no longer useful either. Now, only Chasing Dream remains, weaving boundless killing intent through the air. Right, this sword technique is strange—the little sword roams through the sky and often strikes from unimaginable angles. Even that mysterious old man back then could never discern where this sword technique would strike from… Right, why not call it Dream-Weaving? As though weaving endless nightmares! Hehe, since I’m the only one who knows about it, that’s what it’ll be called.”

This Dream-Weaving Sword Technique was evidently a flying sword art obtained by some martial arts expert of a past generation from the Immortal Path. It was vastly superior to the few incomplete sword moves that Elder Yu possessed. Although Zhang Xiaohua still could not execute it smoothly at present, his mental simulations flowed like a silkworm spinning thread, with the entire flying sword surrounding an opponent so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through. Even if he were to face once more that mysterious old man wearing the bronze mask in the underground hall, Zhang Xiaohua was confident that he would never again be able to seize the Chasing Dream flying sword!

It was already getting late, and Zhang Xiaohua had no intention of continuing his sword practice. Such things required that one “never let the fist leave the hand, nor the song leave the mouth” before true mastery could be achieved; there was no need to rush.

He had spent the entire afternoon inside the cave, and Bai Huan had not come to disturb him. Zhang Xiaohua knew he needed to show himself outside eventually. Sure enough, as soon as he stepped onto the ridge between the fields, Bai Huan came running over from among the medicinal plots and asked with concern, “Junior Brother Ren, why haven’t I seen you all afternoon? Are you feeling unwell?”

Zhang Xiaohua was speechless. Presumably, Bai Huan had spent the whole afternoon scratching his head and itching to see whether he was still inside the cave. Thus, he smiled and said: “Senior Brother Bai, no need to worry. I’m simply lazy by nature and enjoy being alone. Once I settle somewhere, I can stay there for half a day or even an entire day. It’s nothing serious. Besides, there isn’t much work on this mountaintop. The two of us can easily handle it all. You can spend more time doing things you enjoy as well, can’t you?”

Bai Huan secretly grumbled, What nonsense. Of course I know that. The problem is that besides working, I also have to keep an eye on you. Hehe, if you stay in the cave all day, that’s actually convenient—I won’t have to run around after you.

So Bai Huan smiled and said, “Junior Brother Ren is absolutely right. Just stay in the cave as much as you like. I know martial artists enjoy peace and quiet so they can cultivate their internal energy. I definitely won’t disturb you. There’s not much work on the mountaintop anyway. Come if you feel like it; if not, just focus on your martial arts.”

Then he lowered his voice and added, “However, Junior Brother Ren, we’re destined to be acquainted. I was the one who received you when you first arrived at Tianmu Peak, and now we’re even assigned to work together. Next time you participate in a wager match, you must tell me your place in the lineup. Mm, better yet, tell me which Vajra you’re most confident about facing…”

“Hehe.” Zhang Xiaohua laughed inwardly. So that’s how it is. Looks like this fellow—ah, no, probably all the disciples of the Herb Division are making the same calculations.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xiaohua leaned close to his ear and said, “A secret not meant for six ears, Senior Brother Bai. I’ll let you in on something. Of the ten Vajras, only the first three give me little confidence. The others are no problem at all. Next time there’s a wager match, just place your bets without worry. Oh, right, remember to place my share as well. Whatever you win, we’ll split evenly. And if the bet loses, count it as mine!”

The moment those words came out, Bai Huan’s face blossomed with joy. Waving his hands repeatedly, he said, “Junior Brother Ren, what are you saying? How can it be calculated like that? From now on, whatever I win is what you win. There’s no need to give me any medicinal pills. We just split everything evenly. As for losing… that counts as mine as well!”

Seeing the somewhat gritted-teeth expression Bai Huan wore when he spoke those last words, Zhang Xiaohua secretly laughed and said, “Forget it. It should still be quite some time before the next wager match. When Boss Chen comes looking for me, then we’ll discuss it again. At that time, I’ll hand the pills over to you to place the bets.”

Then he added, “Senior Brother Bai, these medicinal fields need watering, don’t they? Where’s the spring?”

Bai Huan pointed toward a place below and said, “It’s not far over there. But Junior Brother, there’s no need for you to go. I’ve already watered the medicinal fields.”

“You’ve already watered them? All these fields?” Zhang Xiaohua was startled.

“How could that be?” Bai Huan shook his head. “How could I possibly water so many fields by myself in half a day? These medicinal fields don’t need to be watered every day. We only water one plot each day according to the schedule. I already asked the previous senior brothers this morning. Following their usual practice, I only watered the plot on the left.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and asked, “Are there any spare wooden buckets?”

“Yes.” Bai Huan was momentarily puzzled. Pointing beside the small hut, he said, “There are more than ten wooden buckets over there, enough for seven or eight people to use. The two of us only need four.”

“Mm, good. I’m going to take a look at the spring.”

After speaking, Zhang Xiaohua walked over to the side of the hut and picked up a wooden bucket.

With a flattering smile, Bai Huan said, “I’ll accompany Junior Brother over there.”

“No need…” Zhang Xiaohua immediately shook his head. “Senior Brother should attend to other things. I’ll just go take a look and come right back.”

Having said that, he started walking away without waiting for Bai Huan’s reply.

Bai Huan knew that Zhang Xiaohua did not want him following along, so he merely watched from where he stood and did not trail after him.

After walking for about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Zhang Xiaohua indeed found a pool of spring water in a low-lying area. The spring flowed out from a stone wall, forming a small pond. Sweeping it with his Divine Sense, Zhang Xiaohua discovered nothing unusual. He filled a bucket with spring water and returned. Although Bai Huan had not followed him, his eyes had been constantly glancing in that direction. Only when he saw Zhang Xiaohua’s figure returning did he finally relax.

Carrying the bucket back to the cave, Zhang Xiaohua took a Yuan Stone from his robes and tossed it into the bucket. Then he set the bucket aside and paid it no further attention.

Today, he had already mastered the Dream-Weaving Sword Technique, which counted as his greatest gain. Since it was still early, Zhang Xiaohua sat down cross-legged and completed his daily practice of contemplating the Heavenly Dao.

Before he knew it, night had fallen. The moon shone brightly amid the sparse stars, and the entire Tianmu Peak was immersed in darkness.

The small hut beside the medicinal fields was lit at first, but after a long while, the light went out as well. Soon afterward, faint snores drifted from within. It was at this moment that a figure suddenly appeared from a corner outside the hut. Looking around and seemingly listening carefully for a moment, it then abruptly vanished again, just as suddenly as it had appeared. If Bai Huan had seen it at that moment, he would surely have cried out that he had seen a ghost!

That figure was none other than Zhang Xiaohua.

Seeing that the night was already deep and that there was still some time before midnight, Zhang Xiaohua used the Earth Escape Technique and headed toward the western side of Tianmu Peak, where the Pill Division was located. During the day, the pill-refining chambers were bustling with activity and filled with people, leaving him no opportunity to approach them closely. Nighttime, however, seemed the perfect chance.

The western side of Tianmu Peak differed somewhat from the other three sides. When Zhang Xiaohua emerged from the ground, he unexpectedly saw scattered points of light. Going to inspect the nearest one, he discovered it was one of the pill-refining chambers. Inside, Elder Xu was still refining pills, while several disciples stood by attending to him.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua did not linger and continued farther down the mountain. The pill-refining chambers used by the ordinary disciples below were also illuminated. Some were being used for alchemy, while others were guarded by disciples. It seemed that operations continued through the night without rest.

Zhang Xiaohua frowned slightly. The disciples of the Pill Division guarded these pill-refining chambers so closely that he saw no way to use them himself. It was not that his own pill furnace could not refine pills, but when it came to concocting something like the Meridian Nourishing Pill, it simply lacked the necessary capability. Perhaps he would have to wait and see what result Boss Chen and Wu Zhouxu reached through their discussions.

Having come to this conclusion, Zhang Xiaohua no longer lingered. Forming a hand seal, he sank back underground and headed straight for his cave.

Yet just as he was about to reach it, the ground beneath his feet suddenly disappeared, and he dropped into an open space.

Zhang Xiaohua was greatly alarmed. Before his feet even touched the ground, he rolled aside and took cover. Reaching into his robes, he immediately drew out the Chasing Dream flying sword. The cave beneath the mountain ravine with its black qi had truly frightened him badly.

After landing, Zhang Xiaohua gripped Chasing Dream tightly in his hand and carefully looked around. However, the place was pitch black, and he could make out nothing at all. Nor did he dare release his Divine Sense. He could only stand there silently, remaining on guard for a long time.

After another long while, Zhang Xiaohua coughed lightly and asked, “Is anyone there?”

No one answered. His voice echoed through the cave. Suddenly, Zhang Xiaohua raised an eyebrow, remembering that he still had several luminous pearls in his money pouch. Reaching in, he took one out. The moment it emerged, it emitted a faint, gentle glow. By that light, Zhang Xiaohua began examining this strange place.

The moment he saw it, joy spread across his face. He immediately released his Divine Sense and carefully yet boldly inspected the cave, which measured more than ten zhang across.

Then he took out the remaining luminous pearls from his pouch and placed them in different spots around the cave. In an instant, the entire cave became brightly illuminated.

Why was Zhang Xiaohua so delighted?

Because this was actually a rather large pill-refining chamber. However, unlike ordinary pill rooms, there was no exit anywhere around it. Only several small ventilation holes in the southeastern wall allowed air to circulate. Under the glow of the luminous pearls, Zhang Xiaohua carefully examined this cave, whose layout differed from any pill-refining chamber he had previously seen.

In the pill rooms of Spring Rebirth Valley, as well as the one he had seen Elder Xu using that morning, the pill furnaces were positioned against the mountain wall above the earth fire. Yet in this chamber, the pill furnace stood in the very center. Even more astonishing, this furnace was enormous—larger than any furnace Zhang Xiaohua had ever seen. Beneath it were eight legs, and corresponding to them, there were eight circular openings along the sides of the furnace that resembled ports for adding medicinal ingredients.

“This is… a pill furnace?” Zhang Xiaohua walked closer, placing a hand on the furnace, which stood a full head taller than himself. He then touched one of the circular openings before extending his Divine Sense into it.

Sure enough, the moment his Divine Sense touched the furnace, it was repelled by a restriction placed upon it and could not penetrate further. Zhang Xiaohua was not worried. Forming a hand seal, he directed a seal toward the furnace. The seal entered it, and a faint rumbling sound immediately followed.

Zhang Xiaohua was overjoyed. He continued sending the subsequent spell seals into the furnace. After quite some time, a crisp cracking sound rang out. He had actually succeeded in breaking the restriction on the furnace. With no further obstruction, his Divine Sense easily entered its interior.

Inside the furnace, just as with the previous pill furnaces he had examined, there was a method for refining and controlling the furnace engraved within. As Zhang Xiaohua’s Divine Sense swept across it, the furnace’s name immediately appeared in his mind: Eight Trigrams Purple-Gold Furnace!