Chapter 419: Chapter 418: Chasing the Flying Thieves on Horseback
"Let’s head to the Duanmu Family," Xu Jian said to Yang Fei, "but, Little Brother Yang, before you trouble the Duanmu Family, could you perhaps help me with something?"
Yang Fei nodded, "Of course. Since we are together, we should look after each other. You came for the Body Seizing Technique, a matter I’ve always remembered. On our way to the Duanmu Family, let’s first try to find some manuals related to the Body Seizing Technique."
Wang Lei, however, was unaware of this and his expression changed upon hearing this, he exclaimed in surprise, "Body Seizing Technique?"
He suddenly looked up at Xu Jian, his eyes filled with a hint of wariness.
Having grown up in the Hidden Sect, he was aware of various strange Immortality Techniques, and Body Seizing and Rebirth was a fairly well-known method. However, it was always considered a sinister practice, despised by people.
Xu Jian did not hide his intentions and nodded, "Yes, the Body Seizing Technique. My body’s functions have long been depleted, and if not for the support of my True Yuan, I would have died physically. My coming to the Hidden Sect is to seek the Body Seizing Technique. Brother Wang, since you have lived in the Hidden Sect since childhood, have you ever heard of this technique?"
Wang Lei felt some aversion to the Body Seizing and Rebirth Technique, but since Xu Jian was brought by Yang Fei, he did not show displeasure and said, "I have heard of it, but I’ve never seen anyone use it. Perhaps those who practiced it were quite secretive; I might not have seen it."
Xu Jian frowned slightly, "Even the Hidden Sect does not have the Body Seizing Technique?"
Over the years, he had searched numerous ancient texts, and had seen fragments about the Body Seizing Technique therein, clearly stated as a Taoist method of immortality. It was mentioned in secular records as well, so it was not possible that the Hidden Sect lacked it.
Wang Lei shook his head, "I am not sure about this."
Seeing Xu Jian somewhat worried, Yang Fei spoke, "Senior, there’s no need to worry. Since we are here, we will definitely clarify things. The Duanmu Family once participated in the siege against the Taoist sect and even divided some of the Taoist scriptures. Surely, we will be able to find some clues there."
Xu Jian’s spirits lifted, and he nodded, "Indeed, talking more is useless; we must verify it ourselves to know the final outcome."
Wang Lei pointed towards the left and said, "This place is the southern side of the Hidden Sect. Heading northeast from here is the territory of the Duanmu Family, Muyun City."
Yang Fei said, "Brother Wang, please first explain the entire map of the Hidden Sect World to us, and also how vast it approximately is."
Xu Jian followed by nodding, looking towards Wang Lei.
Wang Lei said, "The map of the Hidden Sect World is very similar to Xinjiang, but the total area is only about nine hundred thousand square kilometers. Before I left, the available data estimated the population of the Hidden Sect to be over nine million."
While speaking, he used a branch to outline a rough contour on the ground, divided it into eight regions, and explained to Yang Fei and Xu Jian each Sect and family’s location within those regions.
After a brief introduction, he pointed with a branch to the most central position, drew a circle and said, "This place was originally the Taoist stronghold. It was said to be the most splendid city in the Hidden Sect World, but after the Taoist sect was annihilated, the Eight Great Forces, in order to cover up everything about the Taoist sect, burned the city down and later built three smaller cities nearby, gradually replacing the influence of the central city."
"How many years has it been since the Taoist sect was annihilated?" Yang Fei asked.
Wang Lei thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "I am not sure of the exact number of years, but it should be no more than eighty years."
Yang Fei asked again, "So before its annihilation, the Taoist sect was essentially the leader of the entire Hidden Sect World, right?"
"Yes," Wang Lei nodded, "It is said that the Hidden Sect World was originally carved out by the Taoist predecessors, a Cave Heaven Blessed Land belonging to the Taoist sect. Later, as natural disasters and human calamities made the outside world unsuitable for cultivation, the Taoist sect, to ensure the continuation of the cultivation heritage, brought the mainstream cultivation Sects and aristocratic families here, forming an independent world. However, over time, the Spiritual Energy of the Hidden Sect World has been decreasing, making it increasingly difficult to continue the once-flourishing cultivation tradition."
Yang Fei slightly furrowed his brows, puzzled, "According to what you say, was the cultivation in the past really very prosperous? Could there really be an Immortality cultivation path?"
Xu Jian said, "Indeed, there was."
Wang Lei glanced at Xu Jian and mused, "According to some legends, once cultivation reaches a certain height, one’s personal abilities become extremely powerful, capable of summoning wind and rain, or soaring between the heavens and the earth. Isn’t that akin to immortals in the eyes of mortals? As for whether one can achieve immortality, no one knows. At least, in the Hidden Sect World, there are no immortal beings alive."
Yang Fei nodded and said, "For the common folks outside, we cultivators already possess extraordinary abilities. Although we’re not immortals, we are indeed anomalies and extraordinary beings in their eyes. According to the rule that the realms of cultivation are becoming lower and lower, the cultivators of the past might truly have realms beyond our imagination."
Xu Jian waved his hand and said, "Let’s not talk about this anymore. For me right now, finding the Body Seizing Technique is crucial to continue my life. For you, if you can find more suitable cultivation methods, you will be able to go further in the future. Let’s go to the Duanmu Family in Muyun City first."
The three of them headed in the direction of Muyun City, and soon were on an official road.
"The outside world’s technology is so advanced, yet here it’s like the technology level of the ancient feudal times. The contrast is really too great," Yang Fei couldn’t help but complain. "The Hidden Sect isn’t isolated. Why not introduce some technological devices from the outside world?"
Wang Lei shook his head, "If those things appeared here, this would no longer be the Hidden Sect."
"At least get some steam cars or something. That would make traveling easier," said Yang Fei.
Xu Jian laughed and shook his head, "The presence of those things here would be out of place. I rather like this lifestyle of traveling far on one’s own legs."
Wang Lei said, "If we come across a small town ahead, we can buy horses. That would make our journey much faster."
The three of them walked and talked, with Yang Fei and Xu Jian becoming more and more satisfied with their surroundings.
The spiritual energy of the heavens and earth was rich; moving while circulating their inner cultivation techniques achieved excellent cultivation effects. Indeed, it was a sacred place for cultivation.
It wasn’t long before the sound of horse hooves approached from behind.
The three stopped and looked back. Though they couldn’t see anyone yet, they could clearly hear the sound of horse hooves steadily getting closer.
"A ride with the wind," Yang Fei laughed heartily. "If they don’t give us a lift, let’s play robbers just this once."
Wang Lei responded dryly, "Where’s your morality?"
Yang Fei laughed, "Just kidding."
Amid their laughter, dust rose in the woods and the neighing of horses followed.
The first thing that came into view was a chestnut horse. Atop the horse, a woman dressed in red spurred her mount and cracked her whip, her face filled with urgency.
"Out of the way!"
The woman in red, seeing the three men standing in the middle of the road, immediately shouted loudly while swinging her whip, which cracked through the air creating bursts of sound.
Wang Lei was the first to dodge to the side, pulling Yang Fei with him, genuinely worried that Yang Fei might cause trouble.
Yang Fei simply smiled and dodged along with Wang Lei, while Xu Jian also stepped aside to clear the way.
"Fellows ahead, please help stop this female thief. Giant Sword Manor will be greatly thankful!"
Just then, a robust and powerful voice came from afar. At the end of the road, a burly man with a curled mustache chased after the woman on horseback. Behind him, dust swirled as over ten robust men followed suit, evidently in pursuit of the woman in red.