The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 101 Rune Sword Slays Soul-Devouring Beast, Changes allegiance

Du Qi nodded. "Okay, come with me. But be careful, these creatures can be dangerous."

Nan Tian nodded and followed Du Qi to the site. They traversed a desolate Martian surface and arrived at the spot where the probe had been destroyed. The place was a mess; the probe had been completely destroyed, leaving only some debris scattered on the ground.

Nan Tian carefully observed the marks around him, trying to find more clues. He discovered that these marks weren't just left by claws, but also contained some strange symbols and patterns. He took out his phone and took pictures of them, intending to study them carefully when he got back.

Just then, a strange sound suddenly rang out, and Nan Tian and Du Qi immediately looked around warily. They saw some strange creatures emerging from behind the sand dunes in the distance and rushing towards them.

Nan Tian and Du Qi immediately drew their weapons, preparing to deal with the creatures' attack. They knew these creatures might be dangerous species they had never seen before, and they had to be careful.

"Soul-devouring beast," Nan Tian said.

"You know?" Du Qi asked.

“One of the demonic beasts in the Hundred Thousand Mountains of the Xuantian Continent,” Nan Tian replied. Du Qi was one of the few people who knew that he had been to the Xuantian Continent, the world on the other side of the time tunnel.

These soul-devouring beasts were all ferocious and terrifying in appearance, exuding a black aura. Their eyes were bloodshot, seemingly filled with a bloodthirsty desire. They opened their blood-red maws and charged towards Nan Tian and Du Qi.

Nan Tian and Du Qi immediately engaged in fierce combat. They used their weapons to relentlessly attack the Soul-Devouring Beasts. However, these Soul-Devouring Beasts seemed impervious to pain, repeatedly charging at the two, attempting to tear them to shreds.

The battle was exceptionally fierce, and both Nan Tian and Du Qi felt immense pressure. They knew that if they couldn't defeat these Soul-Devouring Beasts quickly, they might be in grave danger.

Just then, Nan Tian suddenly thought of a plan. He used his spatial abilities to teleport Du Qi and himself to a safe place. Then, he took out a specially made rune sword, a rune weapon he had learned to make on the Xuan Tian Continent, which was extremely effective against Soul Devouring Beasts.

Nan Tian, ​​wielding his rune sword, charged into the horde of Soul-Devouring Beasts once more. He brandished the sword, unleashing beams of runic light that struck the beasts. These runic rays seemed to possess a deadly power against the Soul-Devouring Beasts, who collapsed to the ground with screams of agony.

After a fierce battle, Nan Tian and Du Qi finally wiped out all the Soul-Devouring Beasts. Panting heavily, they looked at the corpses of the Soul-Devouring Beasts scattered on the ground, and a sense of victory welled up in their hearts.

"Where did these Soul-Devouring Beasts come from?" Du Qi asked.

Nan Tian shook his head. "I don't know either. But they are definitely related to the time tunnel. We need to find out the origin of these Soul-Devouring Beasts as soon as possible to prevent them from posing a greater threat to humanity."

Du Qi nodded. "You're right. We'll organize a team to investigate immediately. You've been a great help this time, and I'll report this to my superiors."

Nan Tian smiled and said, "It's alright, I just did what I was supposed to do. These Soul-Devouring Beasts pose too great a threat to humanity, and we must deal with them as soon as possible."

The two cleaned up the scene and prepared to return to base.

“Teacher Du, I hope you can continue to keep the matter of the rune sword and spatial teleportation a secret for me. Apart from Captain Zhang and you, no one at the outpost knows that I’ve been to the Xuan Tian Continent,” Nan Tian said to Du Qi.

Du Qi patted Nan Tian on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll keep this a secret. I know you have your reasons, and I won't reveal your secret to anyone."

The two returned to base and reported the Soul-Eating Beast incident to their superiors. The superiors took the matter very seriously and immediately organized a professional investigation team to investigate the incident area.

Nan Tian also joined the investigation team, hoping to personally investigate the origin of the Soul-Devouring Beasts and find a way to deal with them. He knew how great a threat these Soul-Devouring Beasts posed to humanity, and he couldn't stand idly by.

After a period of investigation and research, the investigation team finally found the origin of the Soul-Devouring Beasts. It turned out that these Soul-Devouring Beasts had traveled from the other side of a time-space tunnel. They originally lived in a remote area of ​​the Xuan Tian Continent, but for some reason, they crossed the time-space tunnel and came to Earth. They happened to attack Country A's first probe to successfully land on Mars.

……

Floating Life Continent, Nanhan Guoan Island, Sword Immortal City.

A few days after Ji Mi became an apprentice, He Shi returned to Fang Xiaocong's place as a guest. He happened to see Ji Mi there.

"He's a promising talent, but it's a pity he started practicing martial arts too late. Otherwise, he could have become a grandmaster. Now, entering the ninth rank is probably his limit," He Shihui sighed.

"Practicing martial arts doesn't necessarily require becoming a grandmaster. It can be for physical fitness or for protecting one's country," Fang Xiaocong replied.

"Why don't we have him become my disciple?" He Shihui suggested.

"Are you serious?" Fang Xiaocong asked.

He Shihui nodded.

"Go and call Ji Mi," Fang Xiaocong said to the disciple beside him.

When Ji Mi arrived at Fang Xiaocong's room and saw He Shihui, she immediately cupped her hands and said, "Greetings, Senior He."

"Hmm, not bad, you are indeed very talented, but it's a bit too late for you to start practicing martial arts," He Shihui said, looking Ji Mi up and down.

"Disciple understands," Ji Mi replied.

“However, I still want to take you as my personal disciple. What do you think?” He Shi asked.

Ji Mi was somewhat taken aback and looked at her master, Fang Xiaocong.

Fang Xiaocong nodded.

"This disciple is willing," Ji Mi said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Haha, good." He Shihui patted Ji Mi's shoulder happily. "Tomorrow I will take you to the inner island to prepare for the apprenticeship ceremony."

"Thank you, master."

……

“Ji Mi, although our sect’s swordsmanship emphasizes speed, accuracy and ruthlessness, the most important thing is ‘stability’.”

"I understand, master."

"You've learned most of the sword techniques; today I'll teach you how to control sword energy."

As He Shihui spoke, he drew his sword and said to a tree in the distance, "Watch closely."

After saying that, He Shihui swung his sword, the sword energy was like a rainbow, and with just one sword he split a tree in the distance in two.

"Sword energy is formed by condensing internal force, and then unleashed through sword techniques. The strength of sword energy depends on the strength of internal force."

"I understand, master."

"Then give it a try."

Following He Shihui's instructions, Ji Mi gathered his inner strength and swung his sword, but the sword energy dissipated after only half a meter.

"Haha, it's alright. When I first learned it, my sword energy wasn't even a meter long. You're already doing very well," He Shihui said with a smile.

"Mm." Ji Mi nodded and continued practicing her swordsmanship.

He Shihui watched silently, then suddenly a look of surprise appeared on his face.

“Ji Mi, stop for a moment,” He Shihui said.

Commemorating the pause.

"Have you studied the Lonely Sword Technique?" He Shi asked.

Ji Mi hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Could it be that you've encountered a descendant of the Dugu family?" He Shi asked.

Ji Mi nodded.

"Hahaha, good, good, good." He Shihui said "good" three times in a row. "The Lonely Sword Heart Method is the top internal martial arts method in the Floating Life Continent. It's a pity that I didn't learn it when I visited the Dugu family when I was young."

"This mental cultivation method will greatly benefit your swordsmanship practice; you must practice it diligently."

"Yes, master."

"The person you met said he was Dugu Xin, right?" He Shi asked.

Ji Mi nodded.

"Is he alright?" He Shi asked.

“He’s doing very well; he’s already at the peak of the ninth rank,” Ji Mi replied.

"Haha, good, good. I heard of Dugu Xin's extraordinary talent when I was young. I heard that he defected to the State of Chu, but there has been no news of him since." He Shihui said happily, "It's a pity that I didn't have such good opportunities when I was young."

“Master, opportunities are something you have to earn yourself,” Ji Mi said.

"Haha, you're right," He Shihui said with a laugh. "Alright, you can continue practicing your swordsmanship now."