Eternal Saber

Chapter 415 - 21: Breaking Through the Heart Demon

Chen Tang originally wanted to inquire about news of Zhiwei.

But seeing that Shen Yuanlin did not have a good impression of him, he swallowed the words before saying them.

Asking rashly might backfire and increase Shen Yuanlin’s suspicion.

Since they are staying at Langya Pavilion, there should be opportunities to meet.

Cheng Lie led Chen Tang and the other three to the northwest corner of Langya Pavilion, to the rooms for servants, and said apologetically, "This area is mainly for the pavilion staff, so there won’t be too many people from the Jianghu. You can stay here without worrying about your identities being exposed."

"Thank you very much."

Mei Zhenyu cupped his hands in gratitude.

The four arranged themselves into two rooms, Chen Tang and Mei Zhenyu in one, and Zhu Lingxue and Ah Li in the other.

The night passed without much conversation.

Early the next morning, as the day broke, Mei Zhenyu just got up and saw the other bed empty.

Upon opening the door, he found Chen Tang in the courtyard practicing boxing, completely immersed and unaware of how long he had been cultivating.

"This Brother Chen is truly diligent, no wonder he has cultivated his body to this extent."

Inspired by him, Mei Zhenyu fetched a long sword from the room and started practicing in the courtyard too.

Sparse Shadows Diagonal, Fragrant Floating, Plum Blossom Three Plays, Wishing for Plums to Quench Thirst, Fallen Plums Like Snow, Green Plums Cooked into Wine, Alone in the Cold...

With moves from the "Cold Plum Sword Technique," combined with the Snow-Stepping Plum-Seeking Step, the intertwining sword light and shadow showcased an endless succession of exquisite techniques.

After Chen Tang finished a round of boxing, he rested for a while and watched from the side.

Mei Zhenyu did not mind.

Without the sect’s Heart Method and detailed analysis from the Sword Formulas, one couldn’t grasp the essence just by watching the moves.

After some time, Mei Zhenyu stopped and stood up straight, letting out a deep breath.

"Great swordsmanship."

Chen Tang praised from the side.

"Brother Chen flatters me."

Mei Zhenyu shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "After our sect moved south to Wu State, it gradually declined. Though this swordsmanship is exquisite, the disciples cannot bring out its true essence."

"Oh, why is that?"

Chen Tang asked.

Mei Zhenyu explained, "The Plum Blossom Sword Sect originally resided in Pingzhou of Northern Divine Land, where the climate was harsh and cold. Our sword techniques can only be truly grasped in such frigid conditions."

"If the ’Cold Plum Sword Technique’ is cultivated properly, the sword Qi resembles frost, and every move embodies the resilience and pride of winter plums. The Sword Intent is as tranquil and profound as the plum fragrance, exuding a solitary and unmatched Divine Charm."

"Unfortunately, in Wu State, with its warm climate and rare snowfall, the disciples can never perceive the Divine Charm conveyed by the ’Cold Plum Sword Technique’ without the unique environment of Pingzhou."

Chen Tang nodded.

He himself hails from Pingzhou, where such an environment is indeed more suitable for cultivating this sword art, as Mei Zhenyu mentioned.

With a light sigh, Mei Zhenyu said, "I have been practicing the ’Cold Plum Sword Technique’ since childhood and am considered elite among the younger generation of our sect, but I’ve only achieved the ’Mastering Change’ level in one or two moves."

Chen Tang broke off a branch nearby, held it in his hand, closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and seemed to find himself back at the Snow Mountain Peak near Changze County.

In the next moment, he shifted his thought and replicated the ’Alone in the Cold’ move that Mei Zhenyu had just practiced.

Mei Zhenyu suddenly felt a chill, involuntarily shivering, and looked over instinctively.

He saw Chen Tang standing tall, holding a branch that seemed like a long sword exuding an icy chill.

The tip of the sword touched the ground lightly, though nothing was there, it felt like it stirred an array of fine ice crystals, and the Sword Momentum broke through and raised smoothly, like a plum tree budding in the harsh winter, full of vitality!

Hiss!

Mei Zhenyu gasped, his expression astonished.

The ’sword’ executed by Chen Tang with a simple branch far surpassed his own!

Moreover, the move was emitting a cold air, as if ice crystals had appeared—a symbol of reaching the Divine Realm with the ’Alone in the Cold’ style!

How could this be possible?

Mei Zhenyu was dumbfounded, looking at Chen Tang with eyes as if seeing a god or ghost!

"Are you an elder of our sect?"

Mei Zhenyu stammered.

He even suspected that Chen Tang might be a reclusive expert of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect, who somehow practiced the art of rejuvenation.

If not, how could he explain that a casual move almost reached the Divine Realm in swordsmanship?

"I’ve stayed in Pingzhou for a while."

Chen Tang chuckled and said, "So I have quite a feeling for this sword art of yours."

He hadn’t just stayed in Pingzhou.

He had also trained with Emperor Wu on the Snow Mountain Peak of the Three Thousand Snow Ridges for several months, deeply experiencing the harsh and frigid environment, instantly immersing himself in it.

"But how can you know the ’Cold Plum Sword Technique’ if you’re not one of us?"

Mei Zhenyu still could not believe it.

Chen Tang replied, "I just saw you practicing it, so I tried it casually."

Mei Zhenyu: "..."

Is that possible?

The reason Chen Tang could accomplish this was that he had opened the Mud Ball Palace, achieving Entering the Divine State, with perception on par with a Grandmaster.

Even if Mei Zhenyu only practiced the Sword Technique once, Chen Tang could recall most of it.

But to Mei Zhenyu, this sounded like a fairytale.

Is it possible for someone’s talent to reach such a terrifying level in this world?

After all, Mei Zhenyu had been on the Wind and Cloud Ranking, albeit at the bottom, still considered outstanding among the younger generation.

Yet now, he realized his decade-long hard work couldn’t compare to a single casual strike from Chen Tang with a branch.

The blow was immense!

Seeing Mei Zhenyu a bit despondent and at a loss, Chen Tang guessed he might have developed a Heart Demon.

If not resolved, it could be endlessly troublesome.

With this in mind, Chen Tang advised, "Now that you know how to better cultivate your sect’s swordsmanship, why stay confined here and not seek an opportunity to go to Pingzhou?"

"To go to Pingzhou..."

Mei Zhenyu murmured, the confusion in his eyes gradually fading, and his gaze becoming ever brighter.

Indeed.

His path was laid out right in front of him.

Yet he hadn’t moved.

He hadn’t even thought of it.

Is Pingzhou far?

Of course, it’s very far, almost at the northernmost Divine Land, belonging to Qian Country, with countless dangers along the way.

But without such challenges, how could one forge the sharpest sword!

The sharpness of a treasure sword comes from constant honing; the fragrance of plum blossoms emerges only through biting cold.

This is the essence of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect’s heart and sword techniques!

At this moment, Mei Zhenyu’s heart was suddenly illuminated.

The Jianghu is not just Great Xia.

There is also Qian Country, the Extreme North Cold Domain, and even the entire world!

At this moment, Mei Zhenyu not only removed his Heart Demon, but also broadened his horizons. His heart seemed to leap across Xiajiang, into that vast, snow-covered, frozen world!

"Brother Chen, thank you for your guidance."

Mei Zhenyu stepped back half a step, respectfully bowing deeply to Chen Tang, performing a disciple’s courtesy, and said, "I will remember this great favor forever."