Although I can now control all three types of dao qi, I still feel they are not perfect.
I thought I'd practice a little longer.
Just then, I heard footsteps behind me.
At the same time, Uncle Master's voice rang out:
"Alright, it's so late today. Go back and get some good rest!"
Hearing the voice, I turned around.
Upon closer inspection, it was Uncle Master.
He was holding a large wine gourd, taking sip after sip.
He seemed a bit tipsy.
"Uncle Master, I feel I haven't perfected it yet, I want to practice more."
Uncle Master waved his hand:
"That's enough. We're leaving tomorrow.
Don't practice tonight. You've done everything you needed to do.
And you've practiced everything you should have.
Go back!
If you don't get enough rest, no matter how well you practice tonight, it will be in vain."
Hearing Uncle Master say this, I felt it made sense.
I nodded to Uncle Master:
"Okay! I'll listen to you."
With that, I put the three peach wood swords into my sword bag.
Uncle Master saw me put away my swords and didn't wait for me, turning and walking in another direction.
Not long after he walked away, I heard a series of low roars from the forest:
"Lightning technique; Lightning Palm!"
"Bang!"
Following that, a flash of electricity flickered in the forest and then died out.
It was Old Mo.
This guy, although sometimes a bit chuunibyou, is actually incredibly dedicated when he cultivates.
"Alright, you don't need to practice anymore. Everyone go back and rest!"
Uncle Master shouted.
Old Mo turned around after hearing this, also panting heavily.
He held his knees with both hands, and beads of sweat like soybeans kept dripping down.
He cultivates talismanic daoist arts, which consume a vast amount of spiritual energy each time.
So, he looked even more tired than me.
Old Mo gasped:
"Okay, okay, Master."
With that, Old Mo also walked towards us.
Seeing him approach, I offered him a cigarette:
"How was it?"
Old Mo lit the cigarette and took a puff:
"Not bad, I can basically control it now."
"That's good!"
"And you?"
"About the same as you, I can only say I've basically mastered it!"
I replied as a final statement.
The two of us exchanged a smile and said nothing more.
Perhaps we were tired, or perhaps we were lost in our own thoughts.
We walked in silence, and when we returned to the shop entrance, we parted ways, heading to No. 81 and Wanshou Hall respectively.
Back in my room, it was empty.
After putting down my sword bag, I took a shower.
Lying back on the bed, I felt a great sense of relief all over my body.
The intense training these past few days had been extremely draining.
Now, lying on the bed, I didn't want to move a muscle.
Closing my eyes, I thought about my own affairs and what was about to happen.
My heart was filled with both trepidation and anticipation.
After all, it concerned the lives of Qing Dai and myself, and the blood curse on our bodies.
More than anything, it was the uncertainty of the future that made me feel a hint of worry.
Of course, I also hoped that everything would go smoothly.
That I could obtain the Soul Stone, resolve the life curse, and end all of this...
As I thought, I fell asleep.
It was a peaceful sleep, a deep slumber.
When I woke up again, I was jolted awake by the ringing of my phone.
I reached out and grabbed my phone.
I saw that it was Uncle Master calling.
I quickly answered:
"Hello, Uncle Master?"
"It's time to go."
Uncle Master said calmly on the phone.
"Okay, I'll be right there!"
I replied into the phone.
After hanging up, I got out of bed.
Today we were heading to Blackwater Mountain, so I needed to prepare some things.
Most importantly, various magical artifacts, talismans, and so on.
It's always good to be prepared.
I took out my sword bag, which contained three peach wood swords: the Six-Star Golden Sword, the Seven-Star Fire Sword, and the Eight-Star Wood Sword.
Each sword represented a different attribute.
They were for use in different combat situations.
Besides these, my tool bag contained all sorts of talismans, magical artifacts, and more.
After preparing everything, I went to my master's memorial tablet.
I offered a stick of incense to my master and then said to him:
"Master, I'm going to Blackwater Mountain today.
I hope everything goes smoothly!"
After speaking, I bowed three times to my master.
Then, I placed the incense and turned to leave the room.
Inside Wanshou Hall.
Uncle Master and Old Mo had also finished their preparations and were waiting for me.
Seeing me arrive, Old Mo handed me the breakfast he had prepared.
Uncle Master also said:
"Alright, everyone's here. Let's not waste any more time. Let's go!"
I nodded and replied, "Mm."
Old Mo, however, excitedly waved his fist and said in a very chuunibyou manner:
"My great saber is already thirsty for battle.
The judgment of justice is about to begin.
Judicators of the Path to the Underworld, depart!"
With that, he picked up his gear and rushed out the door.
Uncle Master and I exchanged a helpless smile.
What a comedian.
But Uncle Master and I were used to it, so we didn't say anything.
Leaving the shop, we took a car to the long-distance bus station.
Although Blackwater Mountain was in the suburbs of our city, it was still over a hundred miles away.
And it was a suburb with very few people.
After buying our tickets and getting on the bus.
All that was left was to wait.
We were expected to arrive at Blackwater Town around 1 p.m.
However, Blackwater Town was still some distance from Blackwater Mountain.
So, to reach our true destination, it would be at least 3 p.m. at the earliest.
Old Mo, sitting in the car, was very excited and buzzed in my ear like a fly.
He wouldn't stop talking.
At first, I responded a couple of times, but eventually, I got annoyed and ignored him, leaning back to sleep.
After leaving the city, we entered the mountains.
The roads were paved with cement, but most of them were winding mountain roads, going up and down, and they were narrow.
Looking at the towering mountain peaks piercing the clouds and the hundred-meter cliffs below the mountain roads, I felt a sense of urgency.
It was as if everything was foreshadowing the hardships that were about to come...