Chapter Seventeen: Preaching by Personal Example

  He lay on the ground with a long black sword inserted into his chest, and his entire body was shrouded in a mass of dark energy, making it impossible to tell whether he was dead or alive. Chong Yu looked down at him and said, "Brother, you have exceptional talent, far surpassing mine, but you are too kind-hearted and indecisive, not suitable for cultivating immortality. You've been wandering outside for so many years and yet you're still alive - it's truly a remarkable thing. It just goes to show that the saying 'the southern region is peaceful and prosperous, making it easy to cultivate' is indeed true."

  He slowly loosened his grip on the sword hilt, muttering to himself: "Senior brother, your ambition is too small. When you hear about such things, you only think of saving your own life, but haven't considered that this could also be a utilisable opportunity? This matter clearly concerns the Sain Bone, which is the foundation-building problem we've been thinking about day and night, yet you remain unmoved. It's clear that you're self-satisfied with your innate talent being better than mine, and even better than all the cultivators in this mountain, so you're content with the status quo and aren't interested. You're a narrow-minded person, not worthy of discussing important matters with. If you had shown some boldness just now and suggested we discuss great plans together, I might have spared your life..."

  He beckoned with one hand, and the long sword at his chest quivered a few times, about to fly out. Suddenly, a golden light burst forth from his body, like sunlight flowing gold, blowing away the dark energy that had been surrounding him. The black sword was originally shrouded in dark energy, but now that it had dissipated, its true form was revealed, only to be engulfed by the golden light and tremble violently, as if it were about to collapse. Chonghe cried out, "Not good!" His hand formed a seal, and the black sword's dark energy surged forth once more, driving back the golden light somewhat. This time, however, it did not charge forward, but instead flew backward, trembling, and returned to Chonghe's hand.

  "Just listen to Zhong and say from behind: 'If you want to kill me, just kill me, what excuse do you need for yourself? If you have no conscience, then pretend that you killed someone who has nothing to do with you, don't waste your breath. If you still have a conscience, saying these self-deceiving words will also make you uneasy in mind and haunted by nightmares.'"

  He suddenly turned around, only to see Chonghe slowly standing up in a burst of light, staring at him with a gaze that revealed pain, disappointment and resentment. His heart sank, he took a step back and said: "Brother is indeed lucky..."

  At this time, the light slowly dissipated, and with a distant gaze, he saw that Chong was standing still, swaying slightly, with bloodstains at the corner of his mouth. He felt calm in his heart and smiled: "Elder brother, I didn't think you had a lifesaving trick up your sleeve. It seems it's not just coincidence that you've managed to survive until now. However, you ultimately fell into my trap, and your injuries aren't light either."

  Chong and saw him see through his own wound, so he didn't insist on it either. He pressed his hand against his chest, the other hand pressing against the long sword, coldly saying: "Although not light, there is still spare energy to be sold. Dealing with a few small repairmen, it's not worth mentioning." Although cold smile, eyes can't help but reveal sad color, said: "Unfortunately, you will still die in my hands."

  "Haha, you've finally said it! You've always thought of me as a lowly junior, haven't you? My talent isn't as good as yours, my magical powers aren't as strong as yours, I'm not as good as you in anything, right? But you've never said so before, because you think of yourself as the great senior brother, and you have to be magnanimous and humble towards your junior brother, putting on a pretentious air of being open-minded and easy-going. Every time I see that fake smile of yours, I feel like vomiting!" He suddenly stretched out his hand, and the black sword was already raised in front of him, shouting: "Although my cultivation is not as good as yours, I have a magic weapon that can rival your advanced cultivation!" As he spoke, he swung his hand, and the black sword's dark glow surged forth, fiercely slashing towards Chong.

  With a sudden movement, a long sword finally emerged from its scabbard and flew towards the top of his head. However, the sword had no luster, its color was gloomy, like a piece of firewood, and when it collided with the black sword, it only made a dull "thud" sound.

  He was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Wooden sword." Immediately after, he felt a sharp pain in his heart, but it wasn't the kind of pain caused by being struck. It was as if something had burst forth from a corner deep within his heart. He suddenly realized that there was a problem with his own treasured sword, which was connected to his very lifeblood. Raising his head, he saw that the black sword above him was being blocked by the wooden sword, and the two were colliding. The black sword's blade was sharp, and it had already split the wooden sword in half. However, a thread of golden light flickered unsteadily on the surface of the wooden sword, while the black light of the black sword was gradually diminishing, bit by bit.

  A thought flashed through his mind, and he shouted: "Taomu Bixie Sword." His two hands clapped together, and two black lights went up to meet the Taomu sword, intending to repel it.

  "Just look at where you're going." Chongyuan was taken aback, and in an instant, a flash of lightning illuminated the scene before him. Chongyuan's hands shone with a brilliant light as he struck out at Chonghe. Suddenly enlightened, he thought to himself: It's clear, the sword is not important, it's the person who wields it that matters. With a circular motion of his hands, a dark glow flashed, and he counterattacked Chonghe.

  Chong let out a cold laugh, and suddenly a bolt of electricity shot out from his hand. His arm seemed to stretch several feet in an instant, as the blue-purple arc of electricity curved and bounced off the black light, striking Chong Yuan's neck. Chong Yuan let out a loud cry, his body paralyzed, and fell to the ground. The palm-sized black light struck the ground, instantly turning the white snow beneath into two patches of black water. Chong Yuan lay in the black water, looking as if he had fallen into a muddy ditch, utterly disheveled.

  Before he could react, two more electric arcs shot out and struck him heavily on the back. Chong Yuan was unable to make a sound, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

  He took a deep breath, only to feel the wound throbbing in pain. The spiritual energy inside him was momentarily stagnant. He leaned against a large tree beside him, panting slightly, and said: "I've been through countless battles in the south, dying nine times and living once. You're just staying in the northern country, I'm afraid even Sheng Tian hasn't taken a step out of his comfort zone, do you have the qualifications to say how long I can live?" As he spoke, he slowly closed his eyes, hiding the sorrowful look in his eyes behind his eyelids.

  Only one person said lightly: "The move just now was pretty good, it's derived from Palm Thunder, right? Although it's the simplest of the thirteen Tai Bao's first-class spells, you were able to modify it yourself and create this variation, that kind of talent is quite impressive."

  Chong and Zha heard this, not panicked, but immediately stood up straight, bowed respectfully, and said: "Thank you, senior. Just now if it weren't for your reminder, I would have fallen into their trap."

  Only the person above said: "I'll give you a wake-up call, and only give you time to react. If you can't save yourself in time, no one else can."

  Chong and Gong Jing said, "Thank you again for your kindness, senior." After bowing his head, he looked up and was shocked to see a person sitting on the big tree above him. The young man wore leather clothes, had a face as white as jade, and was extremely handsome. When Chong was about to grab him, he suddenly received a warning in his ear that Chong wanted to kill him, so he quickly used his protective charm to escape. Later, when recalling the voice that warned him, he only remembered its majesty and how it made people naturally believe and react, thinking it must be a senior with high virtue. But when he looked up, he saw that the young man was several years younger than himself, born handsome and slender, and for a moment, he couldn't react.

  But then he immediately reacted and thought to himself: I'm really confused - how can the age of that senior be inferred from his appearance? I've heard that some true immortals are hundreds of years old, but they look like they're only in their teens. Although this senior looks unusually young, who knows if he's not rejuvenated? At this point, taking another glance, he saw that the senior was sitting on a branch covered with frost, motionless and calm, like Mount Tai, exuding an aura of a senior cultivator, and his heart became even more determined, and he dared not to be rude.

  That young man smiled slightly and said, "Your heart is actually not bad, quick-witted and resourceful. For example, just now when you pressed the wound and spoke to him, you hid a pill in your palm, slowly dissolving it as you rubbed, treating yourself without anyone noticing, very clever. You can also change your magic skills on your own, your talent far surpasses his. If you can borrow some of his decisiveness and ruthlessness, you will definitely become a great instrument."

  This tone of speech was quite obviously that of an elder, and paired with the youth's tender voice, it should have sounded strange. However, he spoke so casually, without any intention of pretending to be mature, yet it was convincing, making one overlook his age. This was not surprising, as the young man, Cheng Jun, was actually a genuine old monster nearing a thousand years in age.

  Chong and Ting listened, and Chong smiled bitterly: "When I was traveling, someone also advised me. I admit that I am not a ruthless and decisive person, but I am not a kind and gentle person either. After entering the Tao for many years, I have no fate with good and kind civilians. However, to go further, to cut off all kinds of emotional ties with teachers, friends, family members, is too against my nature, and it's hard to force myself. I think there's no need to deliberately violate one's own intentions in order to seek decisiveness. If cultivation is completely without one's original heart, how can it be cultivated?"

  Cheng Jun nodded and said: "That's also reasonable. Your temperament may not be suitable for the cultivation world, but it is very suitable for cultivating the Tao. In the future, if you don't die, you should have achievements."

  Chong's face revealed a bitter smile, and he said: "Whether or not I can achieve it, the Five Elements' foundation is ultimately unattainable. I don't think about it anymore." Then, Cheng Jun said: "You didn't even want to kill someone like Chong Yuan, did you?"

  Chong He glanced at Chong Yuan, who was still lying on the ground with his eyes rolled back and a faint breath. Chong He hesitated for a moment before speaking bluntly: "I think Chong Yuan's death would be no great loss - I just can't bring myself to do it personally."

  Cheng Jun said "oh" again and slowly said: "Then you want me to take action for you."

  His face turned red, he lifted his head and saw that the young man's expression was gentle but without any joy or anger, making it impossible to discern his emotions. Chonghe nodded and said: "Junior..." In his heart, he bitterly smiled, he indeed had this intention, only when he spoke these words, he himself would hate his own hypocrisy - clearly wanting to kill Chongfar, yet not even daring to say the four words "borrowing a knife to kill".

  Cheng Jun didn't press him to say anything, saying: "Human nature - it's just as well, not killing him is best." His body lightly fell down, like a feather floating gently downwards.

  Chong and saw him fall to the ground, although they were not close, but still took a step back, and got even farther away.

  Cheng Jun landed on the ground, he was tall for his age, but after all, he didn't grow up to be as tall and sturdy as Chong, walked over, lifted up Chong's distant head, and placed his hand on his forehead.

  Chong and Jian saw each other, and were shocked, saying: "Ah, senior... are you going to... search his soul?"