Chapter 241 | You Said You Only Wanted to Die

On the high platform, Feng Yi looked at the ashen-faced Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao with a smile. "Ling Xiao, it seems I’ve won?"

At this moment, it wasn't just Ling Xiao; even the usually steady Zhao Wufeng looked quite displeased.

Who could have imagined that both direct disciples they had placed high hopes on would lose?

It wouldn't have been so bad if it were someone else’s disciples, but since they were Ling Xiao’s, this was essentially trampling his face into the dirt.

But Feng Yi couldn't care less about what they thought. He stretched out his hand without giving them any face at all. "And the stakes?"

Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao’s face was livid, but in the end, he pulled a jade slip from his robes and tossed it over. "In one day, it shall be returned in its original state!"

Fearing Feng Yi might pull some trick, he emphasized, "You are not permitted to use other jade slips to copy it, nor are you allowed to use memory stones to record it."

Feng Yi caught the jade slip easily and laughed. "Rest assured, I have no interest in transcribing it. It’s just that you really don’t have anything more valuable on you."

This comment made the expressions of the other sect masters turn subtle. While it might be the truth, saying it so bluntly...

They stole glances at Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao and found that although his expression worsened, he surprisingly didn't retort. Their estimation of Feng Yi rose another level in their hearts.

Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao was suppressed with rage, but he knew two things: first, he might not be able to beat Feng Yi in a fight; second, at their level, a promise carried the constraints of the Heavenly Dao.

More importantly, he was certain Feng Yi couldn't possibly master the swordplay he had created in just one day—that was the real reason he was willing to hand over the jade slip.

Beside him, Feng Yi tucked the item away with a smile and winked at his disciples below the stage, sending a secret voice transmission: "I’ve won the bet. We’ll split the winnings when we get back~"

...

At the Five Elements Dao Sect’s base, Feng Yi leaned lazily on a soft couch and casually tossed the jade slip to Li Nanzhu.

"Here, spoils of war." He let out a yawn. "Ling Xiao said I’m not allowed to copy it."

Feng Yi narrowed his eyes and added pointedly, "However, my memory isn't what it used to be. You youngsters have sharp minds; perhaps you can help me remember a thing or two."

Having said that, he rolled over and actually fell asleep. His breathing soon became steady and long.

Li Nanzhu held the jade slip, looking thoughtfully at her master’s back. Suisui poked its head out from her shoulder, its bone claws lightly tapping the jade slip as its soul fire flickered curiously.

Duan Xianxing scratched his head. "What does Master mean? He wants us to help him study it?"

Feng Weilan silently wiped his long blade and suddenly spoke, "Master cannot record it."

"Right, isn't that what Master said..." Duan Xianxing stopped mid-sentence as if a realization had struck him, his eyes gradually widening.

"Master only said he couldn't record it, but he never said we couldn't," Li Nanzhu added with a smile, completing Duan Xianxing’s thought.

The group immediately sprang into action.

Zhu Yinxi tapped his fingertips, laying down a triple soundproofing barrier. Feng Qingping took out a specially made memory stone from her storage bag, while Jiang Yifan brought out ten blank jade slips, arranging them neatly on the low table.

"I’ll read it," Mu Wenyan said, taking the jade slip of the Ling Xiao Sword Scripture. "The rest of you record."

He pressed the jade slip to his forehead, closing his eyes to focus.

A moment later, he began to dictate the contents: "Ling Xiao Sword Scripture, first form: Green Rainbow Piercing the Sun..."

Li Nanzhu listened intently, recording the essentials of the sword moves onto the blank jade slips. Duan Xianxing sketched the diagrams of the sword forms nearby, while Feng Weilan took charge of recording the shifts in sword intent.

Two hours later, they finally finished recording the entire scripture.

"This swordplay..." Li Nanzhu frowned slightly. "It seems incomplete?"

Mu Wenyan nodded. "Indeed. The final three forms have the shape but lack the spirit. Ling Xiao must have intentionally left something out."

"Even so, it’s enough for us to contemplate," Mu Wenyan summarized. "Especially the explanations of sword intent; they will be of great benefit to our cultivation."

Duan Xianxing gestured excitedly at the diagrams. "Especially this move, Sword Piercing Ling Xiao! It’s practically tailor-made for me! Look at this opening stance..." A bolt of purple lightning suddenly gathered in his hand, tracing a perfect arc in the air.

Feng Qingping threw cold water on his excitement. "Don't be happy too soon. Without the matching mental sutra, its power will be halved at the very least." She flicked her finger, and a gust of clear wind brushed past, easily dispersing the lightning in Duan Xianxing's hand.

As the group discussed heatedly, Feng Yi rolled over on the couch, his robes sliding to the floor.

He muttered mumbles in his sleep, "My disciples... remember to return the jade slip to Ling Xiao tomorrow..." After saying that, he fell back into a deep slumber, the rhythm of his breathing unchanged.

The group looked at each other and smiled.

Suisui took the opportunity to hop onto Feng Yi, its bone claws gently tugging at his hair ribbon. Seeing no reaction, it tugged again playfully.

Duan Xianxing whispered, "Is Master faking sleep or is he really out...?" He crept closer, wanting to see if his master was secretly smirking.

"What do you think?" Feng Qingping rolled her eyes at him, sweeping the recorded jade slips into her storage bag. "Hurry up and clean this up. If Master 'wakes up' and sees the floor in a mess, he’ll start nagging again."

In the dead of night, Li Nanzhu practiced alone in the courtyard. She tried to integrate the moves from the Ling Xiao Sword Scripture into her own swordplay, but always felt something was slightly off.

"Little disciple." Feng Yi’s voice suddenly rang out. "That’s not how you practice the sword."

Li Nanzhu turned around to find that Feng Yi had woken up at some point and was leaning against a pillar, watching her.

"Master..."

Feng Yi walked over and casually snapped off a tree branch. "Watch closely."

With a light twist of his wrist, the branch thrust out like a sword. This strike looked simple, yet it contained a staggering sword intent—it held the essence of the Ling Xiao Sword Scripture while seamlessly blending in the characteristics of five elements spiritual energy.

"The way of the sword emphasizes intent over form," Feng Yi’s voice became serious. "Do not be confined by the swordplay of others. You must forge your own path."

Li Nanzhu was lost in thought.

She raised her sword again. This time, she no longer intentionally imitated the stances but focused instead on comprehending the sword intent. Gradually, new variations began to emerge in her swordplay.

"Not bad." Feng Yi nodded with satisfaction. "You have good perception."

He let out a yawn. "Alright, get to sleep. Otherwise, you won't grow any taller in the future~"

The next morning, Mu Wenyan returned the jade slip to Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao.

"Thank you for the loan, Senior." Mu Wenyan bowed respectfully. "My master instructed me to return it in its original state."

Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao took the jade slip, gave it a casual check, and tucked it away. "Hmph, at least you kept your word."

He glanced at Mu Wenyan again. "Where is your master?"

Mu Wenyan kept a straight face. "Master had some realizations after studying the scripture last night and is currently in seclusion."

—In reality, Feng Yi was still sleeping.

Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao sneered. "What can one grasp in a single day? Pure posturing!"

"Senior is right to criticize."

After the group left, Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao checked the jade slip once more. Confirming everything was in order, he finally relaxed completely.