Chapter 83: A Boundless World

In truth, Jin Sun harbored feelings for Xiong Gang as well, but her shyness kept her from confessing her affection. She knew that although Xiong Gang was simple and honest, he treated her with genuine care, always attentive and accommodating in all matters.

Ye Sansi rode the gourd up to them, and as soon as he landed, he inquired after Xiong Gang’s condition. Only upon hearing that he was out of danger did he finally relax. “It’s getting late,” he said. “Let’s hurry back and let Xiong Gang get some proper rest.”

Wang Qi and Li Taiyi helped Xiong Gang onto the gourd, while Ye Sansi performed the spell below to guide them, intent on reaching their lodgings before nightfall.

After several hours, they at last returned to the eastern training grounds. Wang Qi wore a solemn expression the entire journey, deeply remorseful over the day’s events. He and Xiong Gang were the closest of friends, yet he’d inadvertently brought harm to him.

Noticing Wang Qi’s troubled demeanor, Jin Sun, ever perceptive, guessed his thoughts and asked, “Brother Wang, what’s wrong? You look so unhappy.”

“How could I be cheerful when Brother Xiong was injured because of me?” Wang Qi replied. “If I hadn’t suggested we explore those wonders, we wouldn’t have gone near that cliff. You wouldn’t have fallen, and Brother Xiong wouldn’t have…”

Jin Sun quickly waved her hand to interrupt him. “Brother Xiong was hurt because of me. None of this is your fault. The blame is mine for being so reckless. Please, Brother Wang, don’t blame yourself.”

“That’s right. There’s no need to feel guilty about such a trivial matter. Just think of it as a swim—he only swallowed a little seawater.” A voice called out from the gourd; Xiong Gang had awakened.

Jin Sun grinned. “Big guy, you’re awake. You really are hard to kill.”

“Hahaha!” Xiong Gang laughed. “I thought I heard someone calling me Brother Xiong while I was half-unconscious. I wonder who that could have been?”

“You must have misheard,” Jin Sun retorted. “Who here ever calls you ‘big brother’? You’re shameless!”

Xiong Gang chuckled. “But the voice that called me Brother Xiong did sound quite a bit like Little Sun’s.”

“Big oaf, you always talk nonsense,” Jin Sun replied, blushing as she turned away. Seeing her bashful yet charming demeanor, the others burst into cheerful laughter.

As they approached the center of the eastern training grounds, they noticed someone standing there. Drawing closer, they recognized Fang Yuan.

“Where have you all been? It’s so late,” Fang Yuan called out.

No one answered. Fang Yuan stepped closer, sniffing the salty scent on their clothes. “You went into the sea? That’s reckless. The ocean is dangerous—if a giant fish had swallowed you, who would you have complained to?”

Liu Lingshuang hurried forward, smiling. “Senior Brother, we’re new to Immortal Island and haven’t seen much of its beauty. It would have been a pity not to explore.”

Li Taiyi added, “That’s right, Master. We’ve always admired Immortal Island. People say Fangcun is a paradise. If we don’t appreciate it, aren’t we unworthy disciples? That’s why we asked Senior Brother Wang to take us.”

Ye Sansi bowed. “Senior Brother Fang, were you waiting here for us?”

“Indeed. I’ve arranged cultivation for Taiyi, Xiong Gang, and Jin Sun tomorrow. But as for you, Junior Brother Ye, and the two junior sisters, the Island Master didn’t mention your plans. Still, I can’t leave you idle. Why not join us here in the morning? I’ll teach you some basic techniques. How about it?”

Liu Lingshuang immediately agreed. “Wonderful! I was just wondering what I’d do tomorrow with no plans. Senior Brother, you’re so thoughtful. This way, Taiyi won’t outpace us.”

“Good, it’s settled. Rest early and don’t be late tomorrow.” With that, Fang Yuan mounted his sword and departed.

Everyone returned to their rooms. Taiyi and Xiong Gang shared one; Jin Sun stayed with the other female disciples. Lin Nian’er, Ye Sansi, and Liu Lingshuang each had their own rooms, side by side and more exquisitely furnished than any on the outskirts—a truly generous arrangement.

Too tired for supper, Ye Sansi and the others went straight to bed.

After six hours, the sun rose over the sea, and Immortal Island bustled to life. Disciples headed to the training grounds to practice martial arts and spells; some rode swords across the land, others busied themselves with various chores. Everything ran smoothly.

Ye Sansi woke early, washed up, and, feeling famished, paced his room. Before long, a knock sounded at his door. It was Lingshuang.

“Sanshi, you must be hungry. Shall we go to the Eastern Dining Hall for breakfast? We’ll need our strength for training.”

Ye Sansi laughed. “Just what I was thinking! I was hoping you’d be up. If not, I’d feel awkward going alone and would have just lingered in my room.”

The two left together. “Should we wake Nian’er?” Ye Sansi asked.

“I’ve been up for a while,” Nian’er answered, opening her door with a smile. “Who’d have thought hunger would wake me? It’s getting late—let’s eat quickly, then head to the training ground. We mustn’t be tardy.”

Their lodgings were close to the dining hall, and in no time, they arrived to find Wang Qi already there.

“Brother Wang, is there food for us? We missed dinner last night and are starving,” Liu Lingshuang called out.

Wang Qi chuckled. “Of course! I’ve kept some for you. Let me warm it up. Taiyi and Xiong Gang already ate—I thought you wouldn’t show.” He disappeared into the kitchen.

Ye Sansi scratched his head. “So we’re late after all! No wonder the hall’s so empty. Let’s eat quickly and not waste time.”

Wang Qi and a few disciples brought out the hot dishes. The group devoured their meal ravenously. Wang Qi laughed. “Take your time, Masters. There’s no rush. Taiyi and the others just went to warm up. Actual training won’t start for another hour.”

Lin Nian’er smiled. “That’s good. We won’t delay our cultivation, but we shouldn’t be late and risk Senior Brother’s ire.”

Liu Lingshuang and Lin Nian’er, both raised as ladies of noble families, usually maintained impeccable table manners. But after spending time with Ye Sansi, they’d grown as uninhibited as wildlings, shoveling food down with abandon. They finished their meal in no time.

Ye Sansi, always a hearty eater, had returned to normal after absorbing the Nüwa’s spiritual power during the tribulation, but his voracious appetite remained unchanged. Since they were among friends, no one minded.

After thanking Wang Qi, they all headed to the eastern training ground together.

“Sanshi, over here!” Taiyi called as soon as Ye Sansi arrived. He saw Xiong Gang and Jin Sun with him.

The six friends were finally reunited. Ye Sansi asked softly, “Xiong Gang, are you feeling better?”

“Brother, I’m fine now. I just swallowed a mouthful of seawater—no big deal. I’m a good swimmer, and I slept early last night. I feel great today.”

Seeing Ye Sansi and the others arrive, Fang Yuan approached. “In a while, I’ll begin teaching the twenty disciples the basic arts of Fangcun Immortal Island. Brother Ye, do you recall the ‘Heaven and Earth Miles Apart’ sword technique I demonstrated?”

“Of course. The swordplay is exquisite—each move emits a sword aura. Though this aura isn’t lethal, it’s imposing. If it carried some real force, it would be even stronger.”

“Do you have a way to improve it, Brother Ye?”

“I’d like to see you perform it again, Senior Brother, so I can observe carefully.”

At Ye Sansi’s request, Fang Yuan called the other disciples to step back. “I’ll now demonstrate the foundation sword art of Fangcun Immortal Island. Watch closely.”

With that, Fang Yuan unsheathed his sword and performed “Heaven and Earth Miles Apart.” The technique wasn’t as agile and versatile as the seventy-two stances of the Liu Style, nor as fierce as the Thirteen Flaming Swords or the Three Techniques of Qi. Yet, it transcended the common world—elegant and ethereal, like an immortal’s dance.

Ye Sansi watched the stances intently, pondering: Though its form seems less impressive than any style I know, if you break it down, there’s deeper meaning. Its true power lies in the sword aura.

When Fang Yuan finished, he walked over to Ye Sansi. “Brother, what do you think?”

Ye Sansi said nothing. Drawing his sword, Heaven’s Fury, he leapt forward and began to perform “Heaven and Earth Miles Apart.” One move, then another—at first matching Fang Yuan’s pace, then growing swifter with each strike.

By the tenth or eleventh sword, Fang Yuan was astonished. So this is how the technique can be wielded? He had practiced it for years, yet never realized its potential.

What so startled Fang Yuan was that as Ye Sansi performed the sword art, the aura generated by each stroke was utterly unlike his own. Rather than mere sword energy, it was more like a razor’s edge—sharp and forceful. The original sword aura was insubstantial and illusory, but Ye Sansi’s transformed it into a storm of blades.

Though the Thirteen Flaming Swords’ aura was formidable, compared to “Heaven and Earth Miles Apart,” it fell short. If the Thirteen Flaming Swords belonged to the mundane world, then this was truly the sword art of immortals.

Fang Yuan couldn’t help but applaud. “Brother Ye, your insight and talent are unmatched. I could never hope to compare. I noticed yesterday that you used a technique very similar to our island’s ‘Punishing Air,’ but even more advanced. Could you explain?”

Ye Sansi laughed. “Senior Brother, that technique is called ‘Si Shuang Air Control.’ I created it based on ‘Punishing Air.’ Though not as swift, it gathers all one’s strength for an instant release and retraction. Alternating like this is the secret to making the ‘Heaven and Earth Miles Apart’ sword aura so formidable.”

Fang Yuan listened attentively, nodding repeatedly, filled with admiration for the young man before him. With so many immortal predecessors at Fangcun, how had none ever uncovered this alternative path? With Sansi among them, Fangcun would surely surpass both Tianluo Mountain and Divine Sword Manor.

Realizing his grasp was imperfect, Fang Yuan smiled at Ye Sansi. “Brother, your ‘Heaven and Earth Miles Apart’ is so masterful, I couldn’t catch all the details. Let’s find a quiet place—you can teach me ‘Si Shuang Air Control,’ and I’ll see if I can wield it as you do.”

“I’d be delighted! Shall we go now?”