Chapter 577: Found a Treasure

Lu Ye suspected Xie Yunhan was deliberately hiding his true cultivation level, appearing as only a seventh-stage cultivator. Otherwise, it was impossible for someone who had spent twelve years in the Fox Immortal Valley to have such a low cultivation.

Days passed, and life in the Fox Immortal Valley was exceptionally peaceful. Apart from patrolling with Xie Yunhan and maintaining the formations each day, Lu Ye had nothing else to do. After the initial busy few days, the subsequent period became incredibly leisurely.

Almost every day, Lu Ye contacted Feng Yuechan to inform her of Li Baxian's current situation and reassure her. Over these past few days, Lu Ye had also gathered a lot of information from Xie Yunhan.

The Fox Immortal Valley had a considerable number of cultivators, over eighty in total, with fifteen of them being at the Cloud River Ninth Stage. Such a formidable force was comparable to the number of cultivators in a large Class A spirit land. Lu Ye had subtly probed Xie Yunhan, asking what the Fox Demon intended to do by gathering so many cultivators; it couldn't simply be playing house. However, since it involved the Fox Demon, Xie Yunhan dared not say much, only stating that Lu Ye would understand in a few days.

Each day, a group of cultivators from the Fox Immortal Valley would go out to "recruit talent." This "recruitment" simply involved searching for cultivators, having the Fox Demon enchant them and bring them back, implanting the Soul Secret Art, and making them serve the Fox Demon. However, this area was deep within Mount Taiman, and there were usually few traces of cultivator activity. Consequently, no new members had joined the Fox Immortal Valley recently.

One day, as Lu Ye returned from drinking with Xie Yunhan, he spotted two figures intertwining and moving in the distance, their flying swords weaving through the air. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Li Baxian sparring with a woman, practicing their sword techniques. The woman was the same one surnamed Yu, seemingly named Yu Daiwei, who had previously guarded the Fox Demon's sleeping chambers. She was also a Cloud River Ninth Stage cultivator and had mentioned that as fellow sword cultivators, she would seek out Li Baxian for a spar when she had time.

Lu Ye had been spending time with Xie Yunhan these past few days and didn't know when his Fourth Senior Brother had connected with this woman. With one at the Cloud River Fifth Stage and the other at the Cloud River Ninth Stage, Li Baxian would naturally be no match in a real fight. However, since they were merely sparring sword techniques, their exchange was lively and drew many passing cultivators to stop, watch, and comment.

The atmosphere in the Fox Immortal Valley was harmonious. Due to the Soul Secret Art, cultivators from the two major factions across the Nine Provinces were like family, and competitive sparring was naturally not prohibited. Lu Ye also went over to watch for a while. However, he didn't know much about sword techniques, and from his perspective, he simply found the intertwining flying swords and the elaborate movements to be very beautiful.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

He practiced blade techniques, but he had never had anyone to guide or teach him, as no one in the Azurewood Sect practiced blade techniques. Although he had gained considerable experience and insights into blade cultivation from the Mad Blade Sect, what they had given him were only very basic principles.

Xia Liang, being from the Mad Blade Sect, undoubtedly possessed the essence of their blade techniques. Lu Ye had felt immense pressure when fighting him previously; Xia Liang's blade angles were incredibly tricky, and even when severely injured, he displayed sharp and fierce blade skills. If he were to seek out Xia Liang for a spar now... Xia Liang shouldn't refuse, right? Perhaps he could even ask Xia Liang to impart some cultivation insights on blade techniques?

Under normal circumstances, such a thing would be impossible. But now that he was afflicted by the Fox Demon's Soul Secret Art, it might just be feasible. With this thought, Lu Ye immediately headed in the direction of Xia Liang's residence. A short while later, he arrived in front of a pavilion and called out loudly, "Is Fellow Daoist Xia in?"

Three breaths after his voice fell, a second-floor window opened, and Xia Liang's face appeared. Their eyes met, and Xia Liang frowned, "Something wrong?"

The only effect of the Soul Secret Art implanted by the Fox Demon was absolute loyalty to the Fox Demon; it did not corrupt the cultivator's inherent disposition. Lu Ye and Xia Liang had a history of enmity. Even though they were both now in the Fox Immortal Valley, it wouldn't change Xia Liang's perception of Lu Ye. However, due to the Fox Demon's command, he would no longer attack Lu Ye.

Lu Ye cupped his fist and said, "I have specially come to seek your guidance on blade techniques, Fellow Daoist Xia!"Xia Liang raised an eyebrow, looking extremely surprised. "You want to learn blade techniques from me?""Yes, I hope Fellow Daoist Xia will not hesitate to teach me."

Xia Liang stared intently at him for a long moment before his furrowed brow relaxed. A meaningful smile curved his lips. "Alright!"He flipped over and leaped down from the pavilion, flying straight forward as he said, "This isn't a good place to fight. Follow me."

Lu Ye followed him forward, observing Xia Liang's aura. It seemed his previous injuries had almost healed.

In no time, they arrived at an open space. Xia Liang turned to face Lu Ye, raising his hand to summon his long blade. His aura surged as he spoke succinctly, "Come, let me see what you can do!"Lu Ye cupped his fist. "Please guide me!"As he finished speaking, with the Swiftness enchantment activated, he stomped his feet on the ground and charged towards Xia Liang like a clap of thunder. He closed the distance, and the Panshan Blade burst from its sheath with a fiery red glow, slicing down directly.

Faced with this aggressive strike, Xia Liang merely raised his blade to meet it. With a resonant clang, Lu Ye felt a tremendous force surge from the front, numbing his blade-wielding right hand and splitting the skin between his thumb and forefinger. Xia Liang, however, remained unmoved. His long blade continued its downward arc, sending Lu Ye's figure flying backward.

The cultivation gap was too vast; even with Xia Liang letting him strike first, Lu Ye suffered a significant disadvantage in that exchange. Fortunately, Xia Liang had no intention of killing him. Otherwise, had he followed up with a few more slashes, Lu Ye would have been dead or crippled.

That day, Lu Ye had been able to push Xia Liang to a desperate situation, almost to the point of killing him, but that was because Xia Liang was severely injured. As a disciple of the Mad Blade Sect and a former top-ten ranked cultivator on the Spirit Stream List, Xia Liang could be said to possess extraordinary talent. How could Lu Ye, in his current state, contend with a Cloud River Ninth Stage cultivator like him?

Landing awkwardly, Lu Ye's body uncontrollably staggered backward. Once he regained his footing, he charged forward again. While training in the Mirage Realm could certainly enhance his combat skills, how could it compare to the benefits of sparring with a highly skilled and orthodox blademaster like Xia Liang?

Each clash, each time he was repelled, offered Lu Ye new insights: the angle of Xia Liang's strikes, his timing, and the manipulation of spiritual power. Even if Xia Liang merely intended to teach him a lesson, such a sparring session was immensely beneficial to Lu Ye.

Lu Ye increasingly felt that seeking a spar with Xia Liang was the right decision. It would be even better if Xia Liang could guide him in his blade technique cultivation.

However, although Xia Liang, being under the influence of the Fox Demon's Soul Secret Art, wouldn't seriously harm Lu Ye, his resentment towards Lu Ye still lingered. Asking him to personally instruct Lu Ye in blade techniques was clearly unrealistic. Their current sparring was only possible because Xia Liang himself wanted to vent his lingering grievances.

While the spar was ongoing, Zhou Yuntian arrived uninvited at Xie Yunhan's residence.

Among all the cultivators in the Fox Immortal Valley, Xie Yunhan had the most seniority, having stayed there for a full twelve years—a feat unmatched by anyone else. He was also the oldest. However, if one were to speak of who the Fox Demon valued most, it was undoubtedly Zhou Yuntian. Zhou Yuntian was essentially the Fox Immortal Valley's chief steward; all matters, big or small, were handled by him. The Fox Demon herself typically remained deep within her sleeping chambers, rarely showing herself.

In the room, the two sat opposite each other, drinking and conversing cheerfully. Zhou Yuntian had come to see Xie Yunhan primarily to inquire about Lu Ye's situation. As one of only two formation masters in the entire Fox Immortal Valley, Zhou Yuntian naturally paid close attention to him.

"Brother Xie, how is Fellow Daoist Lu's proficiency in formation arts?" After a few cups of wine, Zhou Yuntian revealed the purpose of his visit."A genius of exceptional talent!" Xie Yunhan praised without reservation.

Zhou Yuntian was momentarily stunned. In the past, the Fox Immortal Valley had recruited several other formation masters, but none of them had impressed Xie Yunhan. Although Xie Yunhan's own cultivation wasn't particularly high, his proficiency in formation arts was considerable; otherwise, he wouldn't be capable of maintaining the entire Fox Immortal Valley's formations. Thus, upon hearing such high praise for Lu Ye, Zhou Yuntian was taken aback.

"Brother Zhou, Junior Brother Lu's proficiency in formation arts is much higher than mine. Although my cultivation hasn't progressed much over the years, I've spent a considerable amount of time on formation arts. I can confidently say that at the Cloud River Stage, there aren't many who can surpass my skill in formations, unless they come from a major sect specializing in formation mastery. But Junior Brother Lu's achievements in formation arts are truly admirable. To put it simply, even if you gave me another ten years, I still wouldn't be able to match Junior Brother Lu in this field."

After getting acquainted with Lu Ye, Xie Yunhan had also sought his advice on formation arts. Lu Ye hadn't held back much, which greatly benefited Xie Yunhan.

Zhou Yuntian's eyes gleamed as he cautiously asked, "Brother Xie, aren't you perhaps exaggerating a bit? I'm well aware of your proficiency in formation arts. Is Fellow Daoist Lu truly as formidable as you say?"

Xie Yunhan shook his head. "You are not a formation master, so you wouldn't understand. But I can assure you, what I've said is absolutely not an exaggeration. In fact, I even suspect Junior Brother Lu hasn't fully displayed his abilities in formation arts, perhaps fearing it would discourage me."

"If that's the case... then haven't we found a real treasure?" Zhou Yuntian's expression brightened with excitement. Lu Ye's fourth-stage cultivation was nothing remarkable in the Fox Immortal Valley, but if his proficiency in formation arts was truly as exaggerated as Xie Yunhan claimed, he would undoubtedly be an invaluable asset to the Fox Immortal Valley.

"Speaking of which, even if you hadn't come to find me today, Brother Zhou, I was planning to come to you."

"Brother Xie, do you mean...""For our next operation, Junior Brother Lu should oversee the formation arrangements, and I will assist. That way, there might be hope for success!"

"I must report this to the Honored One and let her decide. But if so, Brother Xie, you..."Xie Yunhan raised his hand. "As long as it helps the Honored One succeed, it doesn't matter who leads and who assists. Having been in the Fox Immortal Valley for so many years, how could I not see through such a minor detail?""Indeed, indeed. Everything is to help the Honored One succeed," Zhou Yuntian said, quickly standing up. "This matter is important. I'll go see the Honored One now and tell her this good news. She will surely be delighted."