Since the last inquiry, the Huiyuan Sword Manual had fallen silent.
This made Gu Chengming even more convinced of his conjecture.
He who tied the bell must untie it.
Since the root of this personality change lay in "Flowing Light Sword Shadow," and "Flowing Light Sword Shadow" was derived from "Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword Art," then to understand the Huiyuan Sword Manual's current psychological state, one must start from the origin of this sword art.
Among the people Gu Chengming knew, when it came to knowledge of Xianmen secrets, besides the Grand Elder of Huiyuan Gate, there was only Yu Wenqiu.
Although Deacon Yu always looked half-asleep on weekdays, she was still a third realm cultivator and a deacon of Cangjian Pavilion, so she must know many secrets.
Of course, asking for help empty-handed wouldn't do.
Gu Chengming worked through the night, picking up several side plots that had originally been cut from the third part of the storybook, refining them slightly, and compiling them into a volume.
【Qingxin Art strongly condemns your perfunctory attitude.】
【It believes these plots are cliché and lack novelty, completely insulting the readers' intelligence.】
Gu Chengming directly ignored this line of bullet comments.
Giving gifts, it's about the thought.
It's already good enough to give a few pre-made plots; don't give an inch and take a mile.
............................................................................................
Inside Cangjian Pavilion.
Yu Wenqiu sat behind the desk, holding the "gift" Gu Chengming had just delivered, her expression somewhat complex.
She would look at the storybook in her hand for a while, then secretly glance at Gu Chengming, who sat upright, her earlobes slightly flushed.
Ever since she read the plot where "Master accidentally consumed Hehuan Powder, and disciple detoxified her with his body," her gaze towards Gu Chengming had been off.
On one hand, she felt this was an insinuation, irrefutable proof that this boy had ulterior motives towards her.
On the other hand, reason told her she might just be overthinking it; after all, it was a storybook, meant to cater to the market...
This made her unsure how to face Gu Chengming at this moment.
"Elder Yu?"
Gu Chengming saw her remain silent for a long time and called out tentatively.
"Ah? Cough, cough!"
Yu Wenqiu suddenly snapped back to reality. To hide her embarrassment, she quickly tucked the storybook into her sleeve, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and asked nonchalantly:
"Hmm... Little Gu, did you come today for something?"
Gu Chengming didn't think much of it, assuming she was engrossed in reading, and directly stated his purpose:
"This disciple has recently encountered some confusion while cultivating a sword move. I heard this sword art is related to a legacy called 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword Art.' Does the deacon know anything about it?"
"Flowing Cloud Following Moon?"
Yu Wenqiu put down her teacup, frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized:
"Are you talking about the Cloud Moon Sect's sword art?"
Although she usually paid no attention to outside affairs and only read storybooks, she knew a little about such major sword cultivator sects.
Seeing Gu Chengming nod, Yu Wenqiu also became interested.
She already enjoyed collecting these strange tales and anecdotes. Now, seeing someone ask for guidance, she cleared her throat and began to recount what she knew:
"This Cloud Moon Sect, like our Wenjian Sect, is also a major sword cultivator sect of this era. However, they cultivate not pure sword dao, but 'Dao Sword,' which is somewhat similar to Daoning Gate's path."
"Speaking of the origin of the 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword Art,' that's quite interesting."
Yu Wenqiu's eyes sparkled with gossip:
"It is said that the Cloud Moon Sect was not originally a Sword Sect, but a Rhythm Sect, a sect that entered the Dao through musical rhythm. Its main cultivation technique was this 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon.'"
"The so-called 'sound transforms into flowing clouds, music condenses into cold jade, the song ends and the moon appears,' this was originally a Sound-Killing Art, capturing the true meaning of the Heavenly Dao: clouds have no constant form, and the moon waxes and wanes. Later, a stunningly talented sword cultivator emerged in the sect."
At this point, Yu Wenqiu glanced at Gu Chengming, seeing him hesitate to speak, knowing what he was confused about, so she proactively explained:
"Just as we have art cultivators in our Wenjian Sect, it's not surprising for a sword cultivator to appear in a Rhythm Sect."
"That senior felt that playing zithers and making music wasn't satisfying enough, so he, with his exceptional comprehension, forcibly transformed this musical technique into a sword art."
"The most marvelous thing is that he retained the core true meaning of 'clouds have no constant form, and the moon waxes and wanes,' but imbued it with unparalleled destructive power. As a result, the disciples in the sect who originally practiced musical rhythm could switch to cultivating the sword art without any hindrance."
"Finally, that senior attained the True Monarch Dao, becoming a Higher Realm True Cultivator, and completely led the Cloud Moon Sect onto the path of a major sword cultivator sect."
As Gu Chengming listened, his expression became somewhat strange.
So that's how it was.
No wonder the Huiyuan Sword Manual's personality had become so fragmented.
The Huiyuan Sword Manual itself had developed self-doubt because it "feared being abandoned."
And the predecessor of this "Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword Art" was precisely a cultivation technique that had "abandoned" its original form and was forced to change its appearance to survive.
The two resonated on some level.
The Huiyuan Sword Manual might subconsciously feel that only by abandoning its original "mediocrity," like "Flowing Cloud Following Moon," and transforming into another "powerful" form, could it continue to stay by his side.
Perhaps the lingering resentment of the original Flowing Cloud Following Moon was also at play?
Yu Wenqiu did not notice the change in Gu Chengming's expression; she was in full swing, speaking volubly:
"This 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword Art' is indeed formidable. It's extremely easy to learn, yet its power is considerable, a rare advanced sword art that even ordinary disciples can cultivate."
"In previous Immortal Sect Grand Competitions, Cloud Moon Sect disciples often used this move to annoy our Wenjian Sect members."
"However..."
Yu Wenqiu changed the subject, a triumphant smile appearing on her face:
"Our Wenjian Sect is not to be trifled with either."
"Our sect's 'Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch' back then, just by glancing at it, comprehended its true meaning, and even pointed out its flaws on the spot, simplifying and improving it, which is what you now know as 'Flowing Light Sword Shadow.'"
"Not only that, but the True Monarch also made a bet with the Cloud Moon Sect Master at the time."
"As a result, the Cloud Moon Sect not only had their sword moves copied by us but also lost a huge Sword-Questioning Stone to us in the bet."
Gu Chengming's eyes flickered: "Sword-Questioning Stone?"
Yu Wenqiu gestured, explaining:
"It is said that the Cloud Moon Sect Master obtained it from an ancient secret realm. This Sword-Questioning Stone can temper sword intent, question one's true heart, and has miraculous effects in dispelling Inner Demons and stabilizing the dao heart."
"Moreover, it can test a sword cultivator's aptitude and character. The closer one gets to the Sword-Questioning Stone, the stronger the sword intent pressure felt, but also the clearer one can see their true heart."
"This item is most suitable for sword cultivators who are lost in confusion and self-doubt."
"However, using it once is quite expensive. With my merit points as a deacon, I can only go once a month at most. Ordinary disciples can't even dream of it."
"Questioning one's true heart... seeing one's true self..."
Gu Chengming murmured, his eyes shining brightly.
Isn't this exactly what he needed most right now?
To make the Huiyuan Sword Manual shed its disguise, to break through that false "Flowing Light Sword Shadow" mask, what could be more effective than directly confronting its true heart?
"Thank you, Deacon Yu, for clarifying!"
Gu Chengming suddenly stood up, cupped his hands in a bow, his tone urgent.
"This disciple has urgent matters, so I will take my leave first!"
With that, without waiting for Yu Wenqiu to react, he turned and rushed out of the Cangjian Pavilion like a gust of wind.
"Eh? Wait..."
Yu Wenqiu's hand had just lifted, and the words "I still have something to ask you" had not yet left her mouth when the person was already gone from her sight.
She looked at the empty doorway, stunned for a long while, and finally could only sigh helplessly, putting her hand down.
She touched the storybook in her sleeve, and the little courage that had just risen in her heart dissipated. Forget it, just pretend she didn't know anything.
Anyway, as long as Little Gu could submit his manuscripts on time, some things were better left a little vague.
Even if he really had some improper thoughts about her, he wouldn't dare to say them out loud.
Yu Wenqiu comforted herself, picked up the storybook again, and read it with relish.
.....................................................
Rate on N.U.
