Zhang Fei - The Abandoned Son

Chapter 977: Visit The Shangguan Clan

Han Ling inwardly sighed as she saw a transparent sword appear on the tree branch in Zhang Xiaolong [3]ʼs hand, indicating that he had already mastered the sword condensation. ʼHe only learned to control his sword qi today, but he can already use sword intent, sword will, and sword condensation. If he seriously learns the way of the sword, he might be able to reach the sword god level in the future.ʼ

”Phew.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] breathed a sigh of relief as he canceled his sword intent. ”What do you think, Old Han?”

”Donʼt you realize that your talent is so terrifying?” Han Ling asked back. ”I know you have five clones, but your comprehension in learning new things is clearly much faster than anyone elseʼs. The first time I learned the sword technique, it took me a month to control my sword qi, a year to use my sword intent, and five years to use sword condensation. You do understand the basics, but for you to achieve all three in less than a day is too amazing.”

”Haha.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] simply laughed.

Han Ling then asked him. ”So, are you willing to become my disciple? If you are willing, I will pass on my Forgotten Sword Technique to you, and I believe you will become a peerless sword master in the future.”

”Yes, I am willing to be your disciple, Old Han.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] wanted to stand up and pay his respects, but Han Ling stopped him and imparted the technique into his mind.

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[Ding]

[Obtained the Forgotten Sword Technique. Grade: Immortal.]

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ʼHoly shit! An immortal-grade sword technique!ʼ Zhang Xiaolong [3] screamed in shock in his heart, but he hurriedly read the technique.

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[Silent Edge: A quiet slash that leaves no trace, yet always finds its targets.]

[Whisper Thrust: A silent thrust that bypasses defenses, echoing a bladeʼs forgotten sorrow.]

[Dust Slash: A strike hidden in drifting dust, old yet deadly.]

[Echo Fang: A counterstrike that mirrors and counters any sword move.]

[Sword Seal: A sword move that seals techniques and Qi flow.]

[Memory Severance: A sword strike that severs not flesh, but memory and soul.]

[Heaven Break: A supreme vertical slash said to split the sky itself.]

[Falling Light: A downward sword arc like a falling star—bright and final.]

[Decaying Sword Mark: Leaves a rotting sword intent on anything touched, corroding Qi.]

[Ashen Bloom: A flurry of petals made of sword intent, blooming from nothing, and destroying everything in its path, both living and inanimate objects.]

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”Phew.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] let out a soft breath. ”All those sub-techniques are too terrifying, Old Han. Furthermore, this technique is classified as immortal grade, making it extremely rare in the Three Mortal Realms. No one has such a technique in the Xianjin Realm, and there are only ten in this realm.”

”Hahaha! My masterʼs master is a sword demon cultivator from the Paradise Realm, so you shouldnʼt be surprised by his grade, right?” Han Ling then told him. ”The Ashen Bloom is the technique I used back then, and one lotus will wipe out all the enemies in front of you. Unfortunately, I lost control of my technique and caused the deaths of millions of people from all four races; even more than half of our home realm was destroyed because of it. By the way, if you read each of those sub-techniques, there will be demonstrations that appear in your mind, and you can pay attention to them to master them.”

”My clone has started studying those sword techniques now, and I will definitely be able to master them faster.” Zhang Xiaolong [3]ʼs reply made Han Ling smile wryly, but the old man was confused as he gave him two bottles of pills and two other pills. ”One bottle contains my basic pills, and the other contains several types of pills, such as healing pills, recovery pills, and several other types. As for the last two pills, I donʼt sell them anywhere, and I only give them to certain people. Since you are my master, I give them to you as a token of my gratitude. You can swallow them in sequence, and you will like their effects.”

Han Ling nodded and swallowed the Beauty Restoring Pill first, and he swallowed the Youthful Retaining Pill after the effects of the previous pill restored his youth.

Han Ling looked at his reflection in the river with his eyes wide open, making Zhang Xiaolong [3] smile in amusement. The old man touched his face and rubbed his eyes several times to make sure he didnʼt see wrongly. ”This! How is this possible? How can your pill bring back your youth?”

”No one has such a pill except for me in this universe, Old Han. I got the pill recipe when I challenged the Star Tower, which originated from the Paradise Realm.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] then told Han Ling about the tower and the challenges within. ”The second pill is the Youthful Retaining Pill, and you will never age after you take it, so your appearance will remain like this forever.”

Han Ling let out a soft sigh and transformed himself into an old man again. ”There are too many powerful cultivators in this realm, and the effects of your pills will arouse the envy of others. I like their effects so much, especially since staying young is one of the reasons we cultivate. However, I prefer to use my old form, or I will cause you a lot of trouble in this realm.”

”I see.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] nodded in understanding. ”Old Han, I heard about your family. What—”

”No need to mention them, kid.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] stopped talking as soon as Han Ling said that. ”Jiang Liushu and our sons have already chosen their paths, and I have long since let them go, so they no longer have anything to do with me.”

Zhang Xiaolong [3] did not mention them anymore and talked about something else. ”Old Han, you isolated yourself here because of your past mistakes, right? Since the burden in your heart is gone, I think itʼs time for you to move on with your life, and you can build a new family from scratch.”

”Hahaha.” Han Ling laughed before patting his shoulder. ”You are still young and a dual cultivator, so I am not surprised if you still follow your lust. Now that Iʼm older and accustomed to solitude, I no longer harbor such worldly emotions. My dream now is to reach the sword god level, which has been delayed for so long because of the burden of regret in my heart. Since the burden in my heart is gone, I will fully focus on my way of the sword, and you can come to me anytime if you need guidance.”

”Yeah.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] nodded at him. ”So, what is your sword cultivation level? What about me?”

”My sword cultivation level has long been stuck at the sword saint level, and your level should be at the sword emperor level because you can already use sword condensation. Once you master the sword heart, you will become a sword ancestor, and a sword saint when you can use your sword domain.” Han Ling immediately rose to his feet, followed by Zhang Xiaolong [3]. ”Iʼll show you the true sword domain.”

After Zhang Xiaolong [3] was far enough away from him, Han Ling activated his sword domain. In an instant, his body was surrounded by a transparent dome, but countless sword intents formed the dome, and they kept spinning around him, causing the falling leaves to instantly disintegrate without a trace.

”Amazing!” Zhang Xiaolong [3] claimed from afar. ”How did you create your sword domain, Old Han?”

”Are you thinking about learning the sword domain today?” Zhang Xiaolong [3] rubbed his nose in response to Han Ling. ”Unfortunately, you canʼt learn the sword domain yet, and you have to refine your sword intent first until they are a hundred times stronger than they are now. Additionally, you also need to master the sword heart first, and you can start learning how to create your sword domain after that.”

Zhang Xiaolong [3] returned to Han Lingʼs side once he dispelled his sword domain. ”Old Han, do you know how to create a domain other than the sword domain?”

”No.” Han Lingʼs answer disappointed him. ”Each domain has different characteristics, and you have to follow its path first. Since I was little, I have only been interested in the way of the sword, and I have never studied other cultivation paths, so I cannot help you with that. If you are so eager to learn how to create a domain, you should go to the Shangguan Clan and ask them, especially since they are domain masters.”

”Domain masters?”

”Yes.” Han Ling immediately explained. ”Domain masters are those who focus on creating domains from various cultivation paths. Usually, each of them takes several cultivation paths at once, especially since they need to understand all cultivation paths in order to create a proper domain. Shangguan Yan is one of the best among them, and she masters several domains at once, one of which will really interest you.”

”Oh? What kind of domain is that?”

”Iʼm not precisely sure, but one of Shangguan Yanʼs domains is associated with dual cultivation.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] himself had met the woman before, but he did not expect that she was a dual cultivator. ”She is not a dual cultivator, and she only did it with her late husband, but that doesnʼt mean she canʼt create such a domain. Apart from that domain, she can also use a soul domain, and her soul strength is quite high at the soul venerate level.”

”Shangguan Yan is also a soul cultivator, huh?” Zhang Xiaolong [3] muttered in surprise. ”Moreover, her soul power is one major stage higher than my masterʼs, so she should be stronger than him.”

”Haha.” Han Ling patted his shoulder. ”The Shangguan Clan is not as strong as the Tian Clan or the other major clans, but no one dares to underestimate them. Even Cao Ren and the Cao Clan would not dare to fight them openly, especially since some of the clan members have incredibly deadly domains.”

”How do you know so much about affairs in this realm, Old Han?” Zhang Xiaolong [3] curiously asked.

Han Ling smiled at that. ”When youʼre old and donʼt have anything to do, youʼll notice many things, especially if your senses are already as strong as mine. Iʼve never left this place, but I know many things that happen in this realm. I know you have many tricks, and your speed is also extraordinary, but you will never win against the Chao Clan, so be careful of them.”

”I understand.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] then asked. ”Do you want to stay with me in my residence, Old Han?”

”No.” Han Ling refused and looked around. ”Iʼve lived in this place for several thousand years, and no one has bothered me here. If I stay in your residence, my presence will attract the attention of many people, so I will stay here.”

”All right, I wonʼt force you. Iʼll go now, but Iʼll come again tomorrow.”

After Zhang Xiaolong [3] disappeared, Han Ling sat by the river and started fishing again while chatting with his sword spirit.

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When he returned to his residence, Zhang Xiaolong [3] could not find Qing Dongya and Tian Yiyuan there, and the guards informed him that Tian Jingxuan and Qing Huang had taken the two maids back to their clans.

ʼI think Jia Yuyan asked them to take the two women back to their clans.ʼ Zhang Xiaolong [3] then went to his room and used his dream abilities to meet Leng Xueyan, where they spent some time together. He also coaxed her into revealing her location, but her answer surprised him because she was on her way to the Grand Royal Realm.

After spending some time with Leng Xueyan, Zhang Xiaolong [3] returned to his body, left his room, and went to the yard to practice the new sword technique.

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In the Eastern Forest, Ren Xiyi was annoyed because her parents were having fun without restraint, and their loud moans forced her to leave their home.

As she was leaving her house, Ren Xiyi bumped into Qian Li, who had come to look for her on purpose. ”Why did you come here?”

”I wanted to talk to you about that male fox.”

Ren Xiyi was momentarily stunned before refusing. ”Thereʼs nothing to talk about him! Heʼs just a guest at my house, and Iʼve only known him for a day, so we have no relationship whatsoever.”

”Do you really not have any relationship with that male fox?” Qian Liʼs tone was a little frustrated.

”Whether you believe it or not, I have no relationship with him.” Ren Xiyi immediately ran away, leaving Qian Li, who folded his forehead and looked at her from afar.

Qian Zhanji suddenly appeared at Qian Liʼs side and grabbed his shoulder. ”I told you they are not related in any way, but you didnʼt believe me. If you continue to act like this, Ren Xiyi might get angry at you and leave you, so you better act more maturely. Our father contacted me, and he asked us to go back now.”

”All right.”

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Ren Xiyi had arrived at a small garden, where she saw Qian Shuang sitting daydreaming by herself. ”Hey! How did it go? Who won?”

”We lost to Shu Yao and the others.” Qian Shuang replied disappointedly before turning to her. ”Where is that male fox? Does he live at your house again?”

”No.” Ren Xiyi sat directly next to him. ”He left immediately after talking to our leader and the others, and I donʼt know when he will come here again. Why are you asking about him?”

Ren Xiyi was confused when Qian Shuang touched her chest. ”Ever since I saw him this morning, Iʼve been thinking about him, and my heart hasnʼt been at peace since then. Do you think I fell in love with him at first sight?”

”Hmm?” Ren Xiyi put his arm around Qian Shuang. ”I have to admit that he is handsome and dashing, and our leader also recognizes his talent, so I think itʼs natural that you fell in love with him at first sight. However, you should forget about him, especially since he is a dual cultivator with hundreds of women by his side.”

”H... hundreds of women?” Qian Shuang stammered.

”He admitted it to me himself.”

”I see.” Qian Shuang was disappointed by that. ”Sigh! Youʼre right, I donʼt want to get to know a womanizer like him, so I should just forget about him.”

Ren Xiyi pulled Qian Shuang to her feet. ”Letʼs pick up Qian Bing, and the three of us will go to that place.”

Qian Shuang nodded at her, and the two immediately went to pick up Qian Bing before going anywhere else.

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The next morning, Zhang Xiaolong [3] had already arrived in front of the Shangguan Clan, but the guards forbade him from staying. Therefore, he decided to contact Shangguan Yan, especially since she had once invited him to visit her clan.

In a few minutes, Shangguan Yan had already picked up Zhang Xiaolong [3] at the gate of her clan, surprising the guards. ”If this kid comes here again, you can directly bring him to the main hall.”

”Yes, Matriarch.”

”Letʼs go in.” Shangguan Yan immediately led Zhang Xiaolong [3] into her clan. ”What brought you here so early? Are you willing to accept my previous offer?”

”Haha.” Zhang Xiaolong [3] laughed at that. ”Iʼve considered your offer, but I still havenʼt made a decision regarding it. After all, Iʼve only been here for two days, and I still donʼt have a clear understanding of the situation in this realm.”

Shangguan Yan wore a disappointed look after hearing that. ”So, whatʼs your purpose in coming here?”

”I heard that you and your clan are domain masters, and I have long wanted to learn about a domain. Unfortunately, I donʼt have any acquaintances who can teach me about it, so I decided to come to you.” Shangguan Yan stopped at her spot and looked at Zhang Xiaolong [3]. ”I heard about it from Jia Yuyan when I visited the eastern forest yesterday.”

”I see.” Shangguan Yan nodded in understanding. ”Actually, creating a domain is not difficult, but it is not easy either, and you need a deep understanding of one of the cultivation paths. Which cultivation path do you understand best of all the cultivation paths you have taken?”

”The dual cultivation path.”

- To Be Continued -