Chapter 16: A Familiar Silhouette

Lu Chengfeng followed Zhou Tong on the path toward the inner peaks as Zhou continued to explain the inner workings of the sect's hierarchy.

"Junior Brother Lu, you've been in the sect for a while now, so you must be aware of the five main peaks: Azure Cloud, Yellow Dragon, Mysterious Crane, White Rainbow, and Scarlet Sky. Each peak has its own unique sword scripture, an absolute art passed down through generations."

"Once a disciple joins the ranks of the inner sect, they must choose one of these legacies. Barring any extreme changes, this path will be fixed for life."

"These peaks each have their own distinct characteristics, described in a verse passed down through the ages: 'Azure Cloud drifts unseen, Yellow Dragon claws break clouds, Mysterious Crane soars without a trace, White Rainbow and Scarlet Sky pierce through Yin and Yang.'"

Lu Chengfeng, intrigued, asked, "What does this verse mean, Senior Brother? Could you enlighten me?"

Zhou Tong smiled. "The Azure Cloud Peak is renowned for its movement techniques, trained in the 'Heavenly Wood Sword Scripture,' which enables one to draw upon thunder and the forces of gales. Every move they make is accompanied by both wind and lightning, as if touched by celestial power."

Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng couldn't hide his astonishment. "A martial art that can harness lightning and tempests? Can it even be called martial arts anymore? This sounds like something out of legend, like the abilities of true immortals!"

Zhou Tong chuckled and shook his head. "That's a bit of an exaggeration. While the Heavenly Wood Sword Scripture indeed harnesses wind and thunder, it's ultimately the wielder's skill that channels these forces. Azure Cloud Peak disciples are often hailed as 'Sword Immortals' by the Jianghu for their ethereal abilities."

"As for the Yellow Dragon Peak," he continued, "they train in the 'Yellow Dragon Concealed Sword Mantra,' a technique centered on the art of drawing the sword. There was once a disciple who didn't unsheathe his sword for ten years, only to unleash it once and decimate an entire league of martial experts, shaking the world."

"Yellow Dragon disciples are known for their calm and steady demeanor. But once provoked, the concealed sword mantra emerges like a furious dragon. It's said that no one who has witnessed their sword being drawn lives to tell the tale."

"Indeed, it's well-known that Yellow Dragon disciples are not to be trifled with," Zhou Tong added, a hint of awe in his voice. "One never knows how long they've been honing their hidden power. There are many tales of Yellow Dragon disciples reshaping the Jianghu landscape with a single sword stroke."

Lu Chengfeng listened, entranced, envisioning himself honing his swordsmanship in such a way that even the most seasoned warriors would tremble with respect.

"And as for Mysterious Crane Peak," Zhou continued, "their legacy is the 'Mysterious Crane Thousand Shadows Sword Technique,' a style known for its poisonous precision and unmatched speed. Their blade moves so swiftly that opponents find themselves falling into the afterlife before they even realize they've been struck."

"There are plenty of sword practitioners who focus on speed," Zhou Tong explained, "but none compare to those from Mysterious Crane. Once a disciple from Mysterious Crane descends into the martial world, they easily reach the pinnacle of speed-based swordsmanship, each strike delivered in complete silence, guiding their opponent to the underworld."

"The last two peaks, White Rainbow and Scarlet Sky, diverge a bit. White Rainbow practices the 'Profound Ice Sword Art,' and Scarlet Sky the 'Fiery Sword Art.' The former is Yin, the latter Yang; one embodies hardness within softness, the other softness within hardness. With unique internal techniques, these two schools have profound intricacies, yet they do not move like typical swordsmen."

At this point, Zhou Tong laughed. "I have two friends, disciples of White Rainbow and Scarlet Sky. For them, their swords are as versatile as a staff or spear, wielded with the power of profound ice and raging fire. They'd probably be better suited competing against disciples from the Law of Heaven Sect."

Lu Chengfeng smiled, nodding. He had heard of the Law of Heaven Sect before—a sect of ancient Daoist tradition that did not focus on martial arts but on the internal cultivation of mind and spirit through meditation, scripture, and visualization techniques that demanded immense dedication.

However, for those who could endure decades of cultivation, the results were formidable. Practitioners gained attunement with the natural world, and at the mere thought of it, they could summon forces like wind, fire, and lightning. Such sect disciples, though appearing unassuming, held unfathomable power, and their thousand-year heritage made them a force to be reckoned with in the martial world.

As they continued their conversation, they arrived at the Transmission Hall. Zhou Tong slowed his pace, turning to Lu Chengfeng. "Two elders have shown an interest in taking you as their disciple: Elder Yun Mo of Yellow Dragon Peak and Elder Zhu Yuxian of Mysterious Crane Peak."

"Unless you decide to decline their offers, you'll likely be joining either the Yellow Dragon or Mysterious Crane legacy."

Pausing with a smile, Zhou added, "Though I doubt you'd be foolish enough to refuse their tutelage."

Lu Chengfeng discerned that his senior brother's jest also held a sincere warning, concerned that youthful pride might lead him astray. Bowing with respect, he replied, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhou, for your guidance. Rest assured, I know the weight of this opportunity and will not make such a mistake."

Lu Chengfeng had never been the kind to act brashly or consider himself above others. Given the unknown dangers and shadows lurking around him, he had long yearned for a strong patron to offer him shelter. Declining the opportunity would be unthinkable.

Seeing his sincerity, Zhou Tong nodded approvingly, his esteem for Lu Chengfeng growing. The two exchanged a smile, their camaraderie deepening.

"Since you understand, let us proceed. The elders are awaiting you." Zhou led him toward a secluded room deep within the Transmission Hall, with Lu Chengfeng following close behind.

When they reached the door, Zhou spoke loudly, "Disciple Zhou Tong, here to present Junior Brother Lu Chengfeng to the elders."

With a click, the door opened from within, and a gentle, aged voice emerged.

"Enter."

Glancing inside, Lu Chengfeng noted that no one was standing at the door. The entrance had opened without anyone's touch—an invisible gesture by one of the elders within.

What made the display remarkable was the subtlety. The door had swung open as if someone had quietly pushed it, the true mastery lying in the absolute control of force. Lu Chengfeng felt he had witnessed a glimpse of martial perfection, a level of skill where the slightest movement concealed boundless strength.

For Lu Chengfeng, whose swordsmanship had reached twelvefold mastery, this single demonstration made him acutely aware of the vast gulf between himself and these elders.

Taking a breath, he followed Zhou Tong inside.

Once inside, he looked up and saw the two elders seated in the center of the room.

One was an elderly man with snow-white hair, his face adorned with a radiant, almost ethereal glow. Dressed in a bright yellow robe, with a simple iron crown on his head, he exuded a warm and kindly demeanor, his smile inviting trust and respect.

The other was a woman of breathtaking beauty—a vision so striking that Lu Chengfeng dared not stare too long, lest he lose himself.

Just one glance made his heart tremble.

She was like a bloodstained rose, beautiful yet deadly.

But what shocked Lu Chengfeng the most was a strange familiarity. Deep within h

is fragmented memories from Zhao Changzhen, he had seen this figure before.