Chapter 7: The Sword Path and the Overlord Score

Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes. This truth holds in all eras, and it is no different in the world of immortal cultivation.

When the people of the Liuli Realm discovered that demonic invasions occurred every thousand years, some chose to stand up bravely and shed their blood for the common people, while others chose to watch coldly from the sidelines. Of course, there were also those with ulterior motives who would use the chaos of the demons to eliminate rivals and expand their own sects by any means necessary.

There had always been something suspicious about my father’s death—something I had understood ever since I was old enough to think clearly. On that fateful day at Wutong Mountain, countless righteous cultivators had been present, including many who had reached the ninth-level Saint Realm. Why, in the end, had my father Qin Zheng been the only one to face the Demon Lord alone?

An eighth-level Stargazing cultivator fighting a Demon Lord single-handedly was no different from sending himself to his death.

Yet my mother had never mentioned the details of that day in front of me. I knew she was protecting me. With my current strength, even if I knew the truth, there was little I could do.

This was also why, over the years, although many admirers had wanted to enter Baiyun Palace, my mother had never accepted any disciples. By temporarily staying away from the conflicts of the sects, she could buy more time for me.

Pulling my thoughts back to the present, I looked at the Dead Branch Sword floating in the air before me.

This sword was forged from the spirit of a sacred tree supplemented by iron from beyond the heavens. It was shaped like a withered branch and was entirely pitch-black. A faint dragon’s cry seemed to resonate within the blade.

I formed a hand seal, and the Dead Branch drew a beautiful arc through the air.

Using qi to control a sword was a skill only fifth-level cultivators could master, but the Dead Branch was a spiritual sword. Sometimes I even felt as though it was guiding me.

My father had only three swords in his lifetime: Spring Rain to enter the martial world, Falling Star to slay demons, and Six Views to defeat the Demon Lord.

Spring Rain... Falling Star... Six Views...

Standing in the bamboo forest behind the mountain, I gazed at the Dead Branch and seemed to see my father’s high-spirited figure from back then.

As if sensing my state of mind, the Dead Branch drew a sword flower in the air, causing the wind to whistle and the fallen leaves to dance gently.

"Spring rain is like silk."

My mother’s ethereal voice came from behind me. Every step and every word was like heavenly music.

"A hint of youthful excitement."

"A gentle breeze."

"A hundred flowers in full bloom."

"A trace of silence."

My mother slowly walked up to me, looked at the Dead Branch, and murmured, "When people practice swordsmanship, they always seek speed and sharpness, but your father was different."

With a hint of a smile, she continued, "No one could match the slowness of Qin Zheng’s Dead Branch, yet it was precisely that slowness that no one could avoid."

She seemed to have returned to that time under the peach blossom tree, where the naive girl in white had been struck by the slowest sword that still carried the intent of spring.

I retracted the Dead Branch and carefully pondered my mother’s words.

The young man’s heart stirs, slowly shaking the clear wind...

I shook my head and thought to myself that my father had become famous in the martial world at my age with a single Spring Rain strike, yet I still could not fully comprehend it and could not even execute a decent sword move.

"Whether it is Spring Rain or the Six Views, those are ultimately your father’s swords," my mother said softly, as if she could see what was in my mind. "You have your own path to walk."

My mother slowly turned and left the bamboo forest, leaving me standing there deep in thought.

My own path...

I murmured to myself. I felt as though the Dead Branch in my hand was whispering softly in response.

...

Xiuwen Mountain was located in the southwest of Qi State. If one descended the mountain and traveled seventy miles east, they would reach Enping County. Continuing another fifty miles east would bring them to Suyang City.

In two more months, the day I would enter the world would arrive, and my mother’s instructions had become more frequent.

Disciples of immortal sects were often unfamiliar with worldly affairs. Entering the world was not only for refining the mind but also for experiencing the hardships of mortal life.

Each major sect had established rules requiring disciples to keep a low profile when entering the world and to never rely on their cultivation to bully the weak.

Although I was currently at the second level, I had also gone through a long period of body refinement. Ordinary mortal weapons could not harm me in the slightest. What I needed to be careful of were other sect disciples who had also entered the world for training.

I had gone down the mountain with my mother a few times before, but mostly to buy clothes and daily necessities. I had learned about other things mostly through books.

At Lingyun Peak, my mother and I sat facing each other, watching Big Niu approach from afar.

With the help of the Marrow Cleansing Technique and spiritual fruits, Big Niu today looked even more majestic than when he had first arrived on the mountain. His movements carried a powerful momentum like that of a tiger.

"Master, I saw that your hairpin was a bit old, so I made a new one for you."

Big Niu, who had slowly approached, pulled out a wooden hairpin he had carved himself.

My mother and I exchanged glances, surprised that this rough fellow had such a delicate side.

The hairpin was carved from bamboo in the back mountain. It was about five inches long and even featured delicate cloud patterns at the end.

However, both my mother and I knew that the bamboo trees in the back mountain were soaked in spiritual energy and extremely hard. Although Big Niu was now quite strong, he was still a mortal. Carving such spiritual wood into this shape must have taken him tremendous effort.

Mother clearly had not expected this. She took it with some emotion and surprise.

Slowly inserting the hairpin into her high-piled hair, Mother’s pretty face flushed slightly. She looked at Big Niu and asked, "Does it look good?"

"It looks nice, hehe." Big Niu stared at the fairy before him, who now appeared both shy and charming, his face filled with infatuation.

"I originally wanted to make a scabbard for Senior Brother’s Dead Branch, but I was only good at making small objects. The scabbard was too big, so..." Big Niu seemed to know his own limitations and glanced at me as if explaining.

I waved my hand to show I didn’t mind, and he looked relieved.

"Master, will we continue practicing the Marrow Cleansing Technique today?" Big Niu asked with anticipation as he looked at Mother.

Today, Mother was wearing that somewhat transparent gauze dress again. Big Niu seemed able to see the two bright red nipples on her chest.

"No. The turbidity in your body has already been cleared. Next, your teacher will find a suitable method for you," Mother said slowly. A flash of disappointment appeared in Big Niu’s eyes.

He still wanted to experience Mother’s delicate little mouth and warm embrace again.

"What method?" Although there seemed to be no such pleasure today, Big Niu was gradually becoming more interested in immortal cultivation.

Mother waved her jade hand lightly, and lines of small characters slowly appeared, floating in the air.

"Overlord Score?" Big Niu looked at the floating text, his brows furrowed. "The name sounds really impressive."

"It is also known as the Nine Transformations of the Overlord," Mother explained slowly.

"One transformation like a tiger, two like thunder, three like a mountain, four like a falling sea, five like a mighty force, six like the nine tripods, seven like the sun and moon, eight like shaking the world, and nine like swallowing mountains and rivers."

After listening to Mother’s introduction, Big Niu grew even more eager.

"I thought I could learn swordsmanship like Senior Brother..." Big Niu touched his chin.

"Every person’s body is different, so it cannot be forced," Mother said calmly.

She was very satisfied with Big Niu’s progress. For a mortal physique, cleansing the marrow would normally take at least two years. Big Niu had completed it in just one month. He was truly a good seedling that major sects would fight over.

I curled my lips in jealousy. People truly were different. This kid could refine qi as soon as he arrived on the mountain, while I had waited more than ten years.

"Let’s begin!" Big Niu rubbed his fists together, eager to try.

When Mother heard this, her face flushed. She said softly, "This cultivation method is special. You must remember..."

Her beautiful eyes turned toward Big Niu as she continued, "You must not engage in adultery these days. The time has come for you to be taught properly."

My mind stirred. Could this Overlord Score be the dual cultivation method Mother had mentioned before?

I just didn’t know how it compared to my Azure Dragon Art.

Thinking that this boy might soon engage in intimate acts with Mother filled my heart with inexplicable emotions.

Big Niu looked puzzled. He scratched his head and asked, "What does this cultivation have to do with that?"

Mother did not answer directly. She simply said, "First practice the Cloud-Stepping Technique for a few more days."

Big Niu asked no further questions. Upon hearing this, he immediately stood up, stretched a few times, and began practicing.

He had now completely mastered the Cloud-Stepping Technique. With his majestic body, he even displayed a masculine aura that subtly contrasted with Mother’s grace.

Mother nodded with satisfaction, touched the new hairpin behind her head, and looked relieved.

...

In the following days, only two things occupied my mind.

First, I wondered when I would be able to create a sword technique that belonged only to me. Second, I kept looking forward to the Overlord Score that Mother had mentioned.

Although the Dead Branch had a spirit that allowed the sword to follow my will, I always felt it was still somewhat in control. To create my own sword technique, I needed complete mastery over the sword in my hand.

Xiao Qing’s reply was much longer than before. She had completed her own entry into the world two years earlier and was extremely worried about me. She taught me many rules of the mortal world in great detail.

I promised her that I would look for her after entering the world. Although she did not mention the internal situation of the Guiyi Sect in her letter, through Mother’s occasional words, I had some understanding of the current state of affairs.

The Guiyi Sect, now like a piece of fat meat, was being eyed by many major sects.

Those hypocrites were waiting for an opportunity. After all, everyone was part of the "honest and righteous path," and there was no good excuse for a direct invasion.

A skinny camel was still bigger than a horse. None of them wanted to be the first to act.

At Baiyun Palace, Mother was practicing swordplay in the square outside the front hall. Big Niu and I sat by the door, watching in a daze.

The long sword moved gently, her clothes fluttered, and Mother’s graceful figure flowed like a spring breeze across a lake, sending ripples through the hearts of us two young men.

"So beautiful..." Big Niu murmured as he gazed at the fairy who seemed untouched by the mortal world.

In recent days, he had become much more honest. He had not committed any offenses for a long time and could only satisfy himself by looking at Mother.

I suddenly realized that two months had passed since Big Niu arrived on the mountain, yet I had never known his real name. I asked, "Big Niu, what is your original name?"

Big Niu looked slightly confused. He clearly hadn’t expected me to ask this suddenly. He scratched his head and said, "My original name was Huang Huxiong, but I later changed it to Huang Mao."

Big Niu smiled and added, "I asked the village scholar for three coins to help choose it. Just call me Big Niu, Senior Brother."

I frowned and asked, "Why did you change your name?"

Big Niu let out a sigh, showing a low expression I had never seen before. He said calmly, "There isn’t much farmland around Lianhua Village. When I was young, my father often took my elder brother into the mountains to hunt."

"Later, my father was killed by a tiger and my elder brother by a bear. Everyone in the village said I was the one who brought them bad luck."

I was surprised that this simple young man had such a tragic past. I comforted him, "Life and death are determined by fate. You don’t need to blame yourself."

Big Niu smiled foolishly and returned to his usual self. "It’s all in the past now. I avenged them. The tiger’s teeth and bear skins are still hanging in my house."

Big Niu’s plain words stirred thunder in my heart. He had hunted tigers and bears with a mortal body. This fellow was truly hiding his depths.

"But the villagers still keep their distance from me, calling me a jinx. Only Master and Senior Brother treat me like family. In this life, I will definitely serve Baiyun Palace like an ox or a horse..."

As Big Niu recounted his past, I noticed that Mother’s sword dance had slowed considerably. She seemed somewhat curious.

Hearing that Big Niu was now all alone, a more loving look appeared in Mother’s eyes.

"But Master has treated me so well, yet I..." Big Niu shook his head and continued, "I don’t know if I’m too lustful. Every time I see Master’s big breasts and perky butt, I always think about pinning her to the bed and fucking her hard. Senior Brother, do you think I am..."

Mother, who had just been feeling pity for the child, did not expect him to change his tone so abruptly. Her pretty face blushed, but she did not scold him.

I didn’t know what to say for a moment. After all, the Phoenix Spirit Body was indeed extremely effective at arousing men’s desires.

Feeling that he had spoken too crudely, Big Niu slapped himself and said, "I am so ungrateful!"

A fragrant breeze arrived as Mother took Big Niu’s hand. She had just finished sword dancing, so her body was even more fragrant. The fair skin on her chest radiated an attractive luster.

"You can respect me, but you don’t have to hold back," Mother said gently. "Do you think your teacher is beautiful?"

Big Niu furrowed his brows. He thought Master was as beautiful as an immortal but couldn’t find better words, so he said, "Yes, Master is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"Everyone has a love for beauty. It is human nature for men to desire women. It is perfectly normal for you to have such thoughts in your heart, so don’t blame yourself," Mother continued.

"But Master is... after all..."

"Well, once you master the Overlord Score, you won’t feel so distressed anymore," Mother said slowly.

Big Niu raised his head and asked, "Then when can I start practicing the Overlord Score?"

Mother smiled slightly. Her beautiful eyes glanced at me before she said to Big Niu, "Tonight!"

"Good! Good!" Big Niu’s eyes widened with excitement as he nodded repeatedly.