Abyss Walker

Chapter 52 A Serene Mind in the Bamboo Grove (Part 2)

Yun Muhan smiled slightly, and his zither music gradually stopped, but the lingering sound still echoed in the bamboo forest. "The sound of the zither is like swordsmanship; it requires a calm mind to unleash its true power."

"I didn't expect Young Master Yun to be so proficient in the art of the zither. Does this zither have a name?"

"It has not been named. I made this zither myself. If you like it, I will give it to you."

"No need, no need. Since it doesn't have a name, how about Huan calls it 'Mengyun'?"

“Mengyun? That’s a nice name. I’ve had this ‘Mengyun’ for a while now, but it’s just gathering dust here. So I’ll give it to you, young lady.”

"Young Master Yun, if you had met Master sooner, perhaps..."

A voice came from the woman's mind, interrupting her: "Butterfly, stop fooling around. Remember, you need to calm your mind and not let yourself be affected."

Dugu Jianling asked curiously, "Perhaps what?"

The woman chuckled softly, her voice as clear and melodious as a mountain spring. "You two are both outstanding figures in the martial world, naturally possessing extraordinary insight and self-control. As for me, although I am not as good as you, I am also working hard to cultivate myself, hoping to maintain a clear mind in this chaotic martial world."

As the three talked, the occasional chirping of birds echoed from the bamboo grove, seemingly responding to their conversation. Yun Muhan put down his teacup, turned to the woman, and looked at her with a hint of curiosity.

"Young lady, have you traveled the world with any special stories? Or any unforgettable experiences?"

The woman smiled slightly, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes. "The world is vast, and its stories numerous; they cannot be fully told in just a few words. However, if you are willing to listen, I can share an adventure from my youth."

Dugu Jianling immediately showed interest, leaning forward slightly, clearly intrigued by the woman's words. "I'd like to hear more."

The woman gathered her thoughts and then slowly spoke. Her voice, carried by the wind through the bamboo forest, drifted into the distance, as if to take Yun Muhan and Dugu Jianling back to an era full of unknowns and adventures...

The woman's gaze seemed to transcend time, returning to that turbulent era. Her voice was deep and magnetic, as if she were recounting an ancient legend.

"It was a spring morning when I embarked on a journey to Kunlun Mountain alone. Kunlun Mountain has been a sacred place in the hearts of martial arts practitioners since ancient times, and it is said to contain countless rare treasures and peerless martial arts manuals. At that time, I was young and ambitious, and I was eager to explore its mysteries and prove my strength."

Yun Muhan: Kunlun Mountain? Kunlun Mirror? Could the Kunlun Mirror be on this girl?

Dugu Jianling: How do you know about the Kunlun Mirror? It's impossible for it to be on this girl. The Kunlun Mirror... is just a fleeting artifact, not so easy to obtain.

"The journey was long and arduous. I traversed the vast Gobi Desert and crossed towering mountains, finally arriving at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains. However, the entrance to the Kunlun Mountains was occupied by a group of fierce bandits. They were ruthless and cunning, specializing in robbing travelers. I did not want to get entangled with them, but in order to enter the Kunlun Mountains, I had no choice but to fight them."

"It was a thrilling battle. I used my martial arts skills and wit to fight the bandits. They outnumbered me, but I was agile and used the terrain of the mountains to defeat them one by one. The battle lasted for a whole day and night. In the end, I defeated the bandit leader with my special move 'Breaking Through the Clouds and Piercing the Moon'. The rest of the bandits fled when they saw this."

"Breaking through the clouds and piercing the moon? Like Chu Ling Shuang's Ice Crystal Technique, it has long been lost. In her previous life, this girl... also died in the God Realm?"

"I stood at the entrance to Kunlun Mountain, watching the retreating figures of the bandits, but I didn't feel much joy. I knew this was just the beginning, and there were many more unknowns and dangers waiting for me in Kunlun Mountain."

"After entering the Kunlun Mountains, I encountered all sorts of extraordinary adventures. In a secluded valley, I discovered a thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum that emitted a faint glow and was said to have the power to bring the dead back to life. I also once fought wits and courage with a thousand-year-old spirit fox in an ancient cave and finally obtained its inner core, which enhanced my inner strength."

"But what I can't forget is that legendary 'Sword Pool'. A legendary divine sword is hidden in the Sword Pool, and it is said that whoever obtains it will become the supreme master of the martial arts world. I went through many hardships and finally found the location of the Sword Pool. However, when I stood by the Sword Pool and looked at the countless sword shadows in the pool, I suddenly understood a truth."

"True power lies not in the sword in one's hand, but in the sword in one's heart. The sword is merely a tool. A true martial artist should pursue the ultimate in martial arts, the freedom and transcendence of the soul. At that moment, I let go of my obsession with the divine sword, turned around and left the Sword Pool. From then on, I never looked back."