Chapter 16: All prosperity is nothingness, only the great way can last forever Standing in a viewing pavilion, Gu Yuanqing and Li Miaoxuan stood side by side. Looking across from the distance, a waterfall hangs down from the mountain like a silk ribbon. The two did not say anything because the girl in front of them was too cold. Whenever Gu Yuanqing said something, he would only get a few short words in response. Gradually, Gu Yuanqing put aside all his thoughts and speculations and just thought of it as just another passerby accompanying him to see the mountain scenery. The two of them walked in the mountains in a dull manner. Only when a bird chirped, circled around Gu Yuanqing, or even landed on his shoulder, would Li Miaoxuan look at him with a slightly surprised look. Gu Yuanqing explained with a smile: "I have been in the mountains for a long time, and I have become familiar with the place." Li Miaoxuan nodded slightly and said nothing. However, she gradually discovered that not only the birds, but all the animals in the mountains were very close to him. The two of them came to the top of the mountain from a small path. Gu Yuanqing pointed to the big mountain in front and said, "That's the Guiyun Mountain Range. If you look at it in the early morning when the sun is just rising, the light shining through will be golden, just like the Buddha's light. If you are interested, you can come and see it tomorrow morning." Li Miaoxuan took off her veil and looked at the rolling mountains. After a moment, she said, "Actually, there's nothing wrong with being in the mountains. It's far away from the noise of the world and my heart is at peace."
Gu Yuanqing glanced at her and said, "I didn't expect that you are so young but have such extraordinary thoughts." Li Miaoxuan turned around and looked at Gu Yuanqing: "The prosperity of the world is nothingness, only the eternal existence of oneself is the great way." At this moment, Li Miaoxuan's calm eyes revealed a persistent yearning. Her hair fluttered in the breeze, and there was a vague sense of otherworldliness, which intertwined with her beautiful figure and face, as if she was really a fairy who had walked down to the mortal world. Gu Yuanqing was slightly absent-minded, then smiled and said, "Miss Miaoxuan, are you seeking immortality? However, even if you become a master, you will not live more than 200 years." Li Miaoxuan did not reply, but just looked into the distance quietly, her expression returning to normal. Gu Yuanqing also put away his smile, raised his eyes slightly, and looked at the sea of clouds above the mountains. He suddenly thought in his heart: "Is there really immortality and immortality? There should be, otherwise how can I explain my rebirth and the binding system." Thinking of Lingshan and the Taoist temple, Gu Yuanqing's heart became excited. If there really are immortals in the world, then I would also like to go there to see the scenery. There were a few more dishes for lunch, and with the company of a beautiful woman, the food seemed to taste more delicious. In the afternoon, the two continued their mountain tour and took in the unique scenery at the top of Beiquan Mountain. "This Miss Miaoxuan's cultivation is not weak!" This is Gu Yuanqing's judgment. The mountains had not been taken care of for a long time, and some places were covered with weeds, making it difficult to walk. But this young girl walked lightly on the tips of the grass as if it were flat ground. But think about it, to be able to openly enter the mountains with the imperial guards, she must have an extraordinary family background, so how could she lack resources for cultivation? And if she didn't have any cultivation, how could such a beauty dare to walk alone and live in the courtyard of a man she had just met. But why did this girl come to Beiquan Mountain? Was it really just to see the scenery? But it didn't look like she came to this forbidden place to look for the remains of Beiquan Sword Sect. A trace of speculation arose again, but he suppressed it in his heart because the idea was too absurd. How could the person who hated himself so much be so calm? At night, with fine wine and delicious food, Li Miaoxuan drank a few glasses and stopped drinking. But unexpectedly, she poured three glasses of wine for Gu Yuanqing, which made Gu Yuanqing a little flattered. After dinner, the two sat in the yard, drinking tea. The atmosphere gradually became harmonious, just like good friends chatting under the moon. As they talked, they turned to the topic of spiritual practice. At this time, Li Miaoxuan became much more talkative, and her insights on everything from physical training to Zhenwu practice made Gu Yuanqing feel like he had seen the sun and the moon through the clouds. Gu Yuanqing spoke less, but every time he spoke, Li Miaoxuan was thoughtful. When the moon was at its zenith, Li Miaoxuan suddenly asked, "I heard that you have mastered the sword technique to a great degree. Would it be possible for me to come and see it?"
Gu Yuanqing smiled and stood up: "Why not, please give me some advice, young lady." After saying that, he came to the center of the courtyard, drew out the Kunwu Sword, and performed a set of sword techniques. In an instant, sword energy was crisscrossed, and sword shadows were intertwined. When it was fast, it was like a rainstorm, thunder and lightning; when it was slow, it was like a gentle breeze on your face, a continuous spring rain, and occasionally paused. It was like a towering green mountain, as steady as a pillar of heaven. Li Miaoxuan seemed to see all kinds of natural scenes in the world through this sword technique. "Tao follows nature. This is the prototype of swordsmanship. It's just very complicated, but it already has the foundation to achieve a master's degree. However, I seem to have never seen this set of swordsmanship before." Li Miaoxuan had already made a judgment in her mind. She was a little amazed to think that Gu Yuanqing had undergone such a change in just one year. After sheathing the sword, Gu Yuanqing asked with a smile, "Does this sword technique still impress the young lady?" Li Miaoxuan nodded slightly: "Not bad." Gu Yuanqing walked back to his chair. Is it just okay? Well, thinking that he had no famous teacher to teach him and practiced swordplay on his own, maybe it was just average. Li Miaoxuan also stood up: "Since you are practicing sword skills, I will also demonstrate a set of body movements for you to see." As she spoke, her figure suddenly disappeared and appeared in the center of the courtyard. She seemed to have taken a half step back, but suddenly appeared several meters in front of her. She took another step forward and then appeared in front of Gu Yuanqing. He was so startled that he took a half step back unconsciously, but the next second, Li Miaoxuan was back in the center of the courtyard. In a moment, her afterimage was everywhere in the ten-foot area. Gu Yuanqing opened his eyes wide, he had never heard of or seen such footwork before, he was horrified. If someone fought him with this kind of footwork, he would probably be defeated in just a few moves. This illusion of advance and retreat, the reversal of up and down, left and right, was without any warning, as if all means of anticipating the enemy's moves had lost their effect under this body movement. Gu Yuanqing couldn't help but look at her using the mountain-viewing method, and only then could he see her figure clearly. However, the mental illusion still existed. Every movement she made seemed fake, and every effort she made violated the laws of physics. Suddenly, the movements in the field slowed down, and at the same time, Li Miaoxuan's words came to his ears. The voice seemed to have some kind of magic, and every word was deeply imprinted in Gu Yuanqing's consciousness. "If you go forward, you will release your power and never turn back. If you go horizontally, you will wrap up your power and open up new horizons without any obstruction... If you look left and right, you will not notice that you are left and right..." "This is the key to body movement!" Gu Yuanqing immediately understood that this Miss Miao Xuan was teaching him body movement skills through practice. He didn't understand why she did this, but it didn't stop him from learning this body movement skill first. After practicing three times in a row, Li Miaoxuan finally stopped. She looked calm and composed. Gu Yuanqing bowed and said, "Thank you for your teaching, young lady. I have no way to repay you. If you need anything in the future, please let me know." Li Miaoxuan said calmly, "No need. It's just that your body movements are not worthy of your swordsmanship. It's getting late. You should rest today. By the way, this is called the Great Yi Huan Tian Bu. I learned it from an ancient book. You can use it." "Da Yi Huan Tian is worthy of his name. His skills are truly amazing. Please go ahead, young lady. I would like to practice with him since I can still remember it clearly." In the dark night, Li Miaoxuan returned to the house and stood quietly at the window, quietly looking at Gu Yuanqing under the moonlight. She looked calm and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking... (End of this chapter)