Chapter Seventeen: Teaching the Art of the Sword

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Cultivatin here, his state was akin to a wisp of divine consciousness entering this place. Yet, the level of cultivation attained within the Unwilled Immortal Mirror, as well as the mastery of supernatural arts, would be reflected in full measure upon his true self, without the slightest diminution. He sat cross-legged on the ground and began his practice. The "Unwilled Dao Scripture" circulated, drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy, forming a dense mist of spiritual aura around him. As the spiritual energy was continuously absorbed into his body, his injuries began to heal. The aura emanating from him grew more enduring and profound. After an indeterminate span of time, he slowly opened his eyes, which gleamed with sharp brilliance. Much of his vitality had already been restored. Gu Xian rose gently to his feet, and with a thought, he appeared in another grand hall. Looking up, compared with the previous spacious training ground, this place felt more confined. The entire hall was filled with various ancient wooden shelves, neatly arranged with countless immortal artifacts. Immortal flying swords, precious talismans, formation manuals, heavenly materials, and earthly treasures—an endless array as far as the eye could see. This was the place where Dao merit was exchanged for magical treasures. Gu Xian had named the previous training place the Unwilled Tower; this place was called the Treasure Pavilion. There was also a prison cage for confining the lingering remnants of prisoners’ souls. All these were located within the small realm inside the Unwilled Immortal Mirror, but this small realm was vast, and so far he had only explored these three places. Perhaps only when his cultivation advanced further would he uncover more secrets of this realm. Although severely injured from the recent expedition to the family village, Gu Xian was very satisfied with the accumulation of Dao merit. The fierce battle with the Ghost Infant was extremely brutal but yielded rich rewards. He had accumulated a full nineteen points of Dao merit at once—the most he had ever gained since acquiring the Unwilled Immortal Mirror. Of these, ten points came from slaying the terrifyingly powerful Ghost Infant, three from the death of the shaman old woman, and the six apprentices of the shamans who died by his hand each contributed one point. After browsing through the Treasure Pavilion, Gu Xian spent twelve points of Dao merit to exchange for three magical treasures. Then, he used another five points to redeem a sword technique.

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With a shifting figure, Gu Xian soon appeared within a deep and gloomy prison. As the master of the Unwilled Immortal Mirror, within this small realm, he was like a god—able to appear anywhere with but a thought. The entire prison was built inside a bottomless, vertical pit, resembling an infernal eye that radiated endless resentment. Prisoners were confined on different floors according to the severity of their crimes, connected by staircases. He did not teleport directly down but walked floor by floor. Along the way, eerie candle flames flickered one by one in the dark cells—some ghostly blue, some crimson, some ghastly green—each unique. Upon closer look, these were actually pairs of eyes. As the prisoners sensed Gu Xian’s arrival, the prison erupted with commotion. Some were human, others demon-like. One prisoner cursed in secret, “Boy, why don’t you just die quickly, then we can be freed.” A great demoness shifting into a beguiling woman struck a seductive pose and said with a sorrowful gaze, “Young master, you haven’t come to see me in a long time.” Another mocked coldly, “Boy, still stuck at the embryonic stage after all this time? If I were you, I’d have smashed myself on a tofu block long ago.” … Gu Xian frowned slightly and, after surveying the crowd, spoke coldly, “Silence.” At once, the noisy prison fell into a deathly hush. The eyes that had been looking at him now brimmed with apprehension—they had almost forgotten the bitter lessons this boy had once dealt them. When Gu Xian first entered the prison, the prisoners had been unruly and defiant, speaking arrogantly. But as the master of the Unwilled Immortal Mirror, he was like a deity within this space, possessing incredible supernatural powers. He immediately subdued several ringleaders harshly. Yet, these prisoners had been confined here for countless ages; even as mere lingering souls, their ferocity was hard to tame. Even enduring hardship was preferable to waiting for death in the dark, sunless cells. Gu Xian proceeded to the ninth floor to a particular cell. Looking down, the cell was clean and tidy. In the corner sat a middle-aged man wearing a solemn robe, exuding a faint aura of decay and despair. According to the prison records, this man had been a prodigious disciple of Unwilled Mountain a thousand years ago. Later, he was seduced by a demonic enchantress from the dark sect and betrayed his sect. Along the way, he slaughtered countless disciples sent to capture him, and ultimately even killed the very demonic enchantress who had tempted him.

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His nature was truly vicious to the extreme, yet this also propelled him far along the path of killing, almost attaining enlightenment. Moreover, he had perfected a terrifying sword technique centered on the way of killing. Had it not been for the intervention of the sect’s headmaster at the time, who personally imprisoned him, he might have ventured even further down this path. Looking at Gu Xian, sensing the flow of the "Unwilled Dao Scripture" circulating within him, the middle-aged man could not help but ask, “How fares the sect now?” Gu Xian, eager to glean some insight into the glory of Unwilled Mountain at its zenith a millennium ago, patiently recounted the gradual decline of the sect following a great event long past. After hearing this, the man showed no joy, only profound sadness and deep reflection. “I never imagined that once world-renowned Unwilled Mountain would fall to such a state.” As he spoke, his eyes glistened with unshed tears. Gu Xian was somewhat surprised. “You have suffered countless hardships confined here for a thousand years—do you bear no resentment?” The man’s voice softened, “I was at fault. The headmaster who imprisoned me was my master and teacher. When I was very young, he brought me up the mountain and took me as his sole true disciple.” “My master carefully taught me the Dao and swordsmanship. My greatest hope in life was to lead my lineage to a higher position within the sect.” The middle-aged man sighed, “Alas, I, an unworthy disciple, betrayed his trust.” Hearing this, Gu Xian was deeply moved and grew even more curious about the Unwilled Mountain of a thousand years past. The man quickly regained his composure, returning to his previous state of desolation. “Enough. Now it is time for me to teach you the sword technique.” Gu Xian nodded lightly, and with a thought, the cell door opened. In an instant, the two figures appeared within the Unwilled Tower. At this moment, Gu Xian and the middle-aged man each held a long sword. The young man in blue robes sat cross-legged on the ground while the middle-aged man patiently explained the technique.