https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-805-The-Swordmaster-of-Erwen-Island/12982921/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-807-The-Shocking-Thunder-Amidst-the-Roaring-Waves/12982923/
Chapter 806: Stepping into the Hall with the Snow Queen Saber
Chapter 806: Stepping into the Hall with the Snow Queen Saber
The disciple from the Wave Surge Pavilion who was leading the way maintained a respectful and solemn demeanor. After all, they were guiding a renowned fighter from a foreign land, invited by their own master as an opponent, and they dared not show the slightest disrespect.
As Chen Chuan followed the two disciples, a warship responsible for escort duties approached Erwen Island. The ship sailed past, and its cannons simultaneously lowered, all aimed at the island.
If there were any unusual activities on the island or if the fighters on their side encountered any accidents, the entire island would be bombarded.
After leaving the beach, Chen Chuan followed the guiding disciple for about ten minutes, entering a serene bamboo path with a Zen-like atmosphere, leading to the front of the pavilion.
He noticed a large stone beside the path, with the characters "Wave Surge" inscribed on it. The brushstrokes were bold and powerful, exuding a natural aura. Just by looking at it, one could almost hear the surging waves, yet beneath the surface, there seemed to be a sense of restrained gentleness, as if subdued by some force, making the sound of the waves powerful yet not startling, fierce yet not intimidating.
The disciple from the Wave Surge Pavilion, upon seeing Chen Chuan's gaze on the stone, promptly introduced, "This 'Wave Surge' was inscribed by our first-generation pavilion master, the Zen Saber Master, over six hundred years ago."
Chen Chuan fixed his gaze on the characters, and even after so many years, he could still sense the faint spiritual power emanating from them, similar to the lotus seat of the Grand Dharma Master.
Furthermore...
His eyes penetrated the characters, and he perceived that they contained much more.
Seeing Chen Chuan pause, neither of the disciples spoke to disturb or rush him; they respectfully waited by his side.
Chen Chuan stood there for a while before turning his gaze away, looking at the mountain path winding upwards through the bamboo forest behind the pavilion. He said, "Let's go."
The disciple immediately replied, "Please, sir." He continued to lead Chen Chuan up the path. Initially, the first dozen steps were steep, but after climbing for a while, the path became more gradual. Occasionally, the sound of birds chirping could be heard from within the bamboo forest.
As Chen Chuan's gaze swept past, he noticed a large black-green monument deep in the bamboo forest, with sculptures of peculiar creatures on both sides. Many names were carved on it, but there were still many blank spaces.
He asked, "What is that?"
The guiding disciple respectfully replied, "Sir, that is the Sacrifice Monument, and the names inscribed on it belong to those from our Wave Surge Pavilion who have died in duels over the past few centuries."
After a brief pause, he added, "After Brother Jian Cheng's defeat and death, his name was also engraved on this monument."
Chen Chuan looked at him and said, "You call him your junior brother, so are you Bian Yue Yizhen, the top disciple of this generation from the Wave Surge Pavilion?"
Bian Yue Yizhen bowed slightly and answered, "Indeed, it is me."
Chen Chuan glanced at him a few times. When he had come to greet them earlier, he had already discerned that this disciple was no ordinary fighter. He had seen An Yao Pavilion's Yan Hong and Wind Crane Pavilion's Gong Ying Changxiu, and each had an indescribable aura. However, Bian Yue Yizhen appeared very ordinary on the outside, but Chen Chuan could sense a more steadfast, or perhaps even obsessive, belief in him, something the other two lacked.
Chen Chuan said, "You don't seem to be grieving over your junior brother's death?"
Bian Yue Yizen raised his head slightly and said earnestly, "We martial artists inevitably face the risk of death by the blade. We pour out our passion, buried in the mud and stones, our mortal bodies decay, but our martial reputation lives on. Brother Jian Cheng met his defeat at your hands, and it is his fortune to die at the hands of a fighter."
His words were sincere, and it was evident that he genuinely believed what he said.
Chen Chuan remained noncommittal as they walked past the bamboo forest, and the view ahead opened up. Through the corridor, they could see an old-era wooden structure typical of the Outer Ocean island nations.
On both sides of the corridor, a row of scarlet flower trees were planted, and in front of the door, an elderly man in black clothing with a limp knee sat solemnly, unmoving even as their group approached.
As they passed by, the elderly man suddenly spoke up, "Sir, has he used up all his moves?"
Chen Chuan understood whom he was referring to and replied, "I suppose so."
Hearing this, the limping elderly man turned around and bowed deeply to Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan didn't look back at him but continued through the corridor to the front of the wooden structure. Upon reaching the entrance, Bian Yue Yizhen bowed and said, "My master is waiting for you in the Grand View Chamber. Please allow me to take my leave here."
Chen Chuan glanced inside and had no intention of removing his shoes. He directly stepped onto the threshold, his feet leaving no trace of dirt or moisture on the floor, despite his constant faint glow and the mud he had walked through on the way.
As he strode through the foyer and approached the Grand View Chamber, the bamboo curtains were already drawn, revealing a tall and slender figure sitting there, towering over two meters even while seated. The person's hair was loose, and beside them, a slightly curved long saber rested on a sword rack. On the side of the table, a Wave Surge-patterned ink-colored incense burner was placed, and above it hung a calligraphy scroll with the characters "Thunder Hearing."
Crane Hawk Guardian, the Pavilion Lord of Wave Surge Pavilion.
At this moment, the man extended his hand and gestured to Mr. Chen, saying, "Mr. Chen, please have a seat."
Mr. Chen walked over and sat down opposite him.
Crane Hawk Guardian picked up a ceramic teapot from the table and poured a cup of tea for Mr. Chen. The tea leaves at the tip had delicate white buds, and the cup seemed to be floating with a layer of snowflakes.
"This is Snow Wave Tea," he said. "Zen Saber Master brought over two tea trees from the Eastern Land Zen Temple years ago. It is said that these are the only two trees left in the world. They can only be harvested at the end of October, and now it's just the right time to use them to treat our guest. Mr. Chen, please have a taste."
Mr. Chen picked up the cup and took a sip. He instantly felt a refreshing coolness spreading through his body, and the aroma was endless. "I may not be a tea connoisseur," he said, "but I think this tea is excellent."
Crane Hawk Guardian smiled and said, "It's good that you like it, Mr. Chen. Whether you understand it or not doesn't matter. People like you and I no longer need to care about the opinions of the secular world or others."
Mr. Chen took another sip of tea. As the cup was small, it was almost empty in one sip, leaving only the tea leaves at the bottom. He put down the cup and said with a double meaning, "It's not enough."
Instead of pouring more tea, Crane Hawk Guardian glanced at the Snow Queen Saber he carried with him and said, "Mr. Chen, your appearance is remarkable, and your demeanor is dignified. It's just a pity that your saber doesn't match your stature."
Mr. Chen maintained his composure and said, "Whether I have a saber or not, it makes no difference to me."
Crane Hawk Guardian looked at him and asked, "If that's the case, why did you bring it along?"
Mr. Chen picked up his saber and glanced at it before raising his eyes again. "This saber is named Snow Queen. It has been with me since I embarked on the path of martial arts, and it's been a good companion. This time, when I came to spar with you, there were no spectators, so it's a bit lonely. It's a good opportunity to let it witness the battle."
Crane Hawk Guardian seemed to approve of this idea and showed a pleased expression. He reached out and grabbed a nearby chain, pulling it. A mechanical sound echoed, and the entire pavilion they were in shook slightly and began to slowly descend.
Mr. Chen's expression remained calm as he sat there.
The pavilion continued to descend for about forty to fifty meters. A series of clanking sounds could be heard, as if the ropes were being tightened, followed by a slight tremor before it came to a stop.
Mr. Chen saw a passageway ahead, supported by a wooden frame. The black lacquered pillars had carvings of strange and bizarre creatures on them, and at the corner, a bright light shone through.
Crane Hawk Guardian grabbed the long saber by his side and said, "Mr. Chen, you saw the words above my head earlier. This saber of mine is called Thunder Hearing." He drew the saber and stood up.
Standing tall, he was nearly four meters high. He wore a tight-fitting martial arts uniform, with slightly wider sleeves. His face was slightly elongated, but not unattractive. It was hard to tell his age; he looked like he was in his twenties, but he could also pass for forty or fifty. His body exuded a deep and solemn aura.
"Mr. Chen," he said, "it's a bit cramped here. Please follow me." He turned and walked towards the source of the light.
Mr. Chen also stood up, picked up the Snow Queen Saber, and followed.
The corridor was quite spacious, with a height of over twenty meters and a width of five to six meters. Even so, there were still noticeable scratches and marks on the walls and ceiling.
The light ahead was familiar to him. It was the radiance coming from the opposite world.
He knew that the martial arts pavilions that survived and maintained their complete lineage in the outer ocean all had their own rifts. The place they were heading towards was likely the rift of Wave Surge Pavilion.
This was a secret to ordinary people, but for martial artists, it was common knowledge.
Mr. Chen had been to the rift of Single Stream Pavilion, where an elder guarded the entrance. He wondered who would be guarding the rift here.
As they approached the light, Crane Hawk Guardian stopped, standing in a spot where the space seemed to be forcibly expanded. The decorations and supports had disappeared, leaving only a large pit. "There used to be an elder from Wave Surge Pavilion here," he said, "but he has already left."
"Left?" Mr. Chen asked.
"Although our theoretical lifespan has no end," Crane Hawk Guardian explained, "during cultivation, external impurities can infiltrate and accumulate. The deeper the cultivation, the more impurities and sediment build up, and this is irreversible.
However, we rely on this transformation to break through our limits. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to eradicate these impurities. As cultivation progresses, not only do external impurities infiltrate, but they also arise from within the spirit. This internal and external pressure is unbearable. It requires constant purification and management. If one cannot hold on, they will be contaminated and transformed into a demon ghost."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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