Li Xian silently morized the timing. The clock chis once every nineteen breaths, and each chi dissolves the evolution of martial arts, the use of Inner Qi... Once the sound passes, it returns to normal. Li Xian has always been cautious, did not dare to be vague on this unusual factor, so he first refrained from acting and gathered the elders Zhao Chunxia, Yi Qianqian, Peng Sanluo, He Lijun, Yang Piaoxue, and others for a consultation.
The elders were all newly appointed, with limited experience. Although they were knowledgeable, they were quite composed. Yet it was difficult to discern the reason behind this, and they sat opposite Li Xian for discussion. He Lijun said, "Could it be the miraculous effect of a rare treasure? I know from classical records that there are strange clock devices; the chi can resonate across the four realms, or perhaps it’s a similar ancient clock?"
Yang Piaoxue said, "Or the chi is secondary, and the unique feng shui of this place subtly affects us?"
Zhao Chunxia said, "It shouldn’t be so. I suspect it is a natural resonance. Just like the Ethereal Immortal Sound within us, possessing peculiar effects. Natural landscapes can also emit mystical sounds and rhythms."
...
...
Various opinions were expressed. Li Xian pondered: "In the past encounter at Tiger Cry Ridge, the crying sound of tiger beasts resonated amidst the mountain cliffs, making one feel sorrowful to the point of wishing for imdiate relief from worldly suffering through self-sacrifice. The natural sound of the world... possessing many miraculous effects seems reasonable. Predecessor Chunxia’s words seem most plausible."
A plan was devised to solve the issue. At the mont the chi sounded, they tried using ’Ethereal Immortal Sound’ for defense. The Five Great Sword Sects have complete traditions, and there are many ’Immortal Sounds’ with various miraculous effects. There is the ’Soft Sword Immortal Sound’ that uses bone vibration to play the sound, transmitting it through the wrist bone into the sword, making the sword soft like a ribbon, allowing for unexpected strikes during combat.
There’s the ’Sword Dragon Immortal Sound’, which starts with a calm montum but ends with the sword roaring like a dragon, making the sword’s edge extrely sharp, capable of cutting through iron like clay. Moreover, there’s the ’Summoning Sword Immortal Sound’; when the longsword falls sowhere unable to reach with hands and feet, one can play this sound to resonate with the sword, making it fly back towards the summoner. However, the ’Summoning Sword Immortal Sound’ requires chanting a formula, the prelude being quite long, accumulating for a long ti. The rhythm and tone vary, resulting in different swords being summoned.
Li Xian listened to the "clang clang" of sword sounds, various Immortal Sounds resonating. The won tried to resist using Immortal Sounds, sotis rging them with martial arts techniques, requiring corresponding postures to smoothly play them.
Li Xian observed attentively, secretly absorbing the essence of the swords. He knew martial arts were not to be transmitted externally, thus he did not inquire but secretly peeked. Whatever little he noticed, he morized and made it his own. If he couldn’t discern any clues, he rely noted the superficial aspects, intending to ponder them later.
He was naturally eager to learn, aware that martial arts were rare, resources scarce, and martial arts hard to find. Whenever there was an opportunity, he seized it tightly. This kind of watching and listening was both eye-opening and informative... becoming the bricks and tiles of the martial arts high tower, a rare encounter indeed.
Yet, after various attempts by the won, when the clock chis resonated, they all returned to being clay embryos. Exhausted from trying, they gained no more insights and thus rested and gave up. Li Xian quietly played ’Protective Sound’ and ’Sun Immortal Sound’, both proving useless.
He continuously speculated: "If it is a natural resonance, even if we play Immortal Sounds, it should dissolve a bit, even if not entirely. Why is it of no use? It seems the origin of this clock chi is mysterious, beyond our comprehension. The only plan now is to proceed further."
Li Xian said, "Sisters and brothers, this sound is peculiar and difficult to resist. We can only adapt to its rhythm. Perform martial arts moves according to the timing of the chi. Let’s adapt for a mont and then move forward!"
The won nodded in agreent. Each practiced sword techniques, withdrawing and defending naturally when the clock chis, imdiately attacking when the chi ceased... this way, they were not caught off guard by the clock chi. Advance and retreat in order, attacking and defending with ease.
Li Xian held the Ghost Python Spear, also following the logic of advance and retreat, attack and defense. He deed himself adapted to the clock chi’s rhythm, leading the group forward. In the distance stood an ancient hall, black and majestic, the clock chi coming from within.
The road still stretched ahead. The group remained fully vigilant, alertly observing their surroundings. After traveling two miles, they saw a lake in the middle of the ground. The won were overjoyed, looking at Li Xian, pleading with their beautiful eyes, hoping to enter the lake for a refreshing bath.
Li Xian recalled the ’Heart Blood’, knowing there was a deep cavern here; the sudden appearance of the lake was unusual, so he ordered the group to skirt around the lake, avoiding contact. The won had gone through many dangers: Prisoner Canyon, Swamp Path, Ten Thousand Lizards Path, Siguoya... exhausting and perilous along the way, clothes couldn’t be changed, and shoes were wet with perspiration. Finally seeing abundant water sources, the lake was clear and crystal-clear. But they dared not disobey Li Xian’s order and could only cross past it.
Once they left the lake behind, a sharp-eyed woman exclaid, seeing several skeletons floating in the lake. It turns out... this lake was another bizarre landscape of the Nine Orifice Dragon Heart Acupoint, ’Heart Lake’, concealing hidden dangers. Li Xian arranged cautiously, avoiding this peril.
The won felt even more convinced.
Continuing further, the won looked into the distance, successively seeing the black hall. They felt anxious, fearing danger within the hall. But there was no retreat, only forward. Ahead was a single log narrow bridge about ten yards long, the depth below unfathomable, evoking fear at a glance.
Li Xian crossed over first, followed by the won in order. Fortunately, they passed smoothly, without alarm, crossing this obstacle safely. Once over the long narrow bridge, traces of human activity beca apparent.
Footprints appeared on the ground; slightly inferred, they appeared to be from heavily armored soldiers. Li Xian thought: "This place is deep within the cavern; I don’t know where it leads. That black hall should be the center of the sepulcher. The closer to the Black Hall, the more urgent the clock chi becos. The chi interval is now less than nineteen breaths. If there are strong enemies hidden, it’s best to actively eliminate them and seize the initiative."
He imdiately consulted with the elders, guessing that the Flying Dragon City troops might be nearby. The elders were full of hatred, and the disciples were burning with anger... all agreed to strike actively, kill the enemy, and seek revenge. Thus, they followed the trace to investigate, indeed discovering a camp hidden in a very discrete location.
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