Alex's revelation struck Wuming like a thunderbolt, prompting him to gasp in shock. The notion of a person living for thousands of years was so staggering that it would leave anyone reeling, no matter their stature or experience.
Yet, Wuming's composure as a martial world legend quickly reasserted itself. He steadied his breath and spoke with a measured tone, though disbelief lingered in his voice. "It's impossible. You must have seen it wrong. How could there be a person who has lived for thousands of years? This is impossible. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a god?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Alex met Wuming's gaze with unwavering seriousness, his expression devoid of any jest or uncertainty. He remained silent, letting his resolute demeanor speak for itself, conveying to Wuming that what he had said was the unvarnished truth, with no room for error in his vision.
Observing Alex's grave expression, Wuming's face gradually took on a solemn cast. The weight of the moment settled over him as he grappled with the implications of Alex's words.
Though the idea seemed utterly unbelievable, Wuming couldn't dismiss it outright. He paused to reflect deeply, considering the possibility. What if, against all odds, there truly was someone in this world who had lived for thousands of years? What would such a being be like? The thought stirred both awe and trepidation in his mind.
After a moment of silence, Wuming's curiosity overcame his skepticism. He looked at Alex and asked, "So, do you know the identity of this person?" His tone was cautious but earnest, seeking to uncover more about this extraordinary claim.
Inwardly, Alex let out a heavy sigh at Wuming's question. Here we go, he thought, bracing himself for the conversation he had hoped to avoid.
To be frank, Alex viewed the Storm Riders series as having two distinct phases. The first part, which included the events he was currently navigating, could still be classified as a martial arts saga, grounded in the traditions of the martial world. But the second part veered sharply into the realm of fantasy, with elements that stretched far beyond conventional martial arts.
Consider the figures introduced in the second part: Di Shitian, who had lived for nearly two thousand years; Xiao Sanxiao, who had endured for four thousand years; and even a mythical dragon. These were not mere martial artists but beings of near-mythical stature.
The second part also featured fantastical events, such as the dragon-slaying battle, where martial arts masters wielded flying tools to soar through the skies, defying the grounded combat of the first part.
Then there was the Sacred Heart Art, created by Di Shitian. This technique was so otherworldly that it could resurrect the dead and grant or revoke the life force of others at will. Such powers transcended the boundaries of martial arts, plunging the story into the territory of a full-blown fantasy epic.
If it weren't absolutely necessary, Alex would have preferred to keep the details of Di Shitian under wraps. Revealing such a figure could invite unforeseen trouble, especially given the unknown extent of Sky Gate's influence, a shadowy organization lurking in the hidden corners of the Storm Riders world. Who knew how far their power reached or how they might react to being exposed?
But the 28G swordsmanship knowledge file he was copying from Wuming was on the verge of completion, with only a few minutes remaining. If he couldn't keep Wuming engaged and prevent him from withdrawing his hand, all his efforts would be for naught.
With no other choice, Alex sighed inwardly and resolved to continue. He began to speak, his voice steady as he wove the tale.
"As far as my vision reveals, this person hails from the Qin Dynasty. He gained immortality by consuming an immortal pill that Qin Shihuang, the first emperor, desperately sought but never obtained," Alex said, recounting Di Shitian's origins as if narrating an ancient legend, each detail carefully chosen to captivate Wuming.
He continued, delving deeper into the story. "After achieving immortality, Di Shitian founded an organization called Sky Gate, which he concealed in the shadows of the world. Almost no one in the martial world is aware of Sky Gate's existence, its operations shrouded in secrecy. We must tread carefully, for such a hidden force could pose a grave threat," he warned, emphasizing the need for caution.
As Alex spun his tale, four or five minutes ticked by, just enough time for the copying of Wuming's swordsmanship knowledge file to reach completion. The 28G document was now fully transferred to Alex's E drive.
With the task done, Alex concluded his explanation with a final summary, reinforcing the gravity of Sky Gate's hidden influence. Then, he gently released Wuming's hand, signaling the end of the palm-reading session.
Wuming's mind reeled from the revelations. "Sky Gate, hidden in the darkness of the world? It seems I must investigate this carefully. Could there truly be such a terrifying force lurking unnoticed?" he murmured, his thoughts racing with the implications.
Of course, Wuming knew he couldn't take Alex's words at face value without verification. He resolved to conduct a discreet investigation to ascertain the truth behind Sky Gate and Di Shitian's existence.
Alex, meanwhile, reflected on the conversation with a mix of relief and concern. "It's done, but I've shared so much with Wuming today. I can't even begin to predict how the storyline of the Storm Riders plane will shift in the future," he thought, shaking his head inwardly.
He had divulged far more than he had intended, far exceeding his original plan to limit the information he revealed. The extent of his disclosures was unexpected, even to himself.
But the thought was fleeting. Alex quickly dismissed it, shaking his head to clear his mind. In two or three months, he would depart this plane, returning to his own world or moving to another. Whatever changes his words might spark in the Storm Riders storyline were beyond his control, and he had no intention of dwelling on them.
Moreover, there was no guarantee he would ever return to this plane. The future of Storm Riders was not his burden to bear.
For now, Alex's focus shifted entirely to the newly acquired swordsmanship knowledge. As the 28G document settled into his E drive, a profound sense of enlightenment welled up within him, as if a dam had burst, flooding his mind with clarity.
The knowledge was vast, like an endless ocean of swordsmanship insights, each wave revealing a new facet of the art. These were Wuming's own understandings, honed over decades, and now they belonged to Alex in their entirety.
With this acquisition, Alex's comprehension of swordsmanship soared to an extraordinary level, rivaling that of a grandmaster. While he wasn't yet a master in skill—his physical abilities and techniques still lagged behind—his theoretical understanding was now on par with Wuming's.
The knowledge provided a clear roadmap for growth. By following the principles embedded in his mind, Alex could develop his swordsmanship with unparalleled efficiency, cutting the time needed to reach mastery in half.
In essence, Alex was like a sword master reborn. His current strength might be modest, but armed with the full breadth of Wuming's swordsmanship knowledge, his training would progress at twice the speed, each step guided by the wisdom of a legend.
As Alex immersed himself in the sea of swordsmanship knowledge, and Wuming pondered the mysteries of Di Shitian and Sky Gate, a sudden commotion erupted outside. A powerful, resonant shout cut through the night, snapping both men out of their thoughts.
"Wuming! I know you are in there! Come out…" the voice bellowed, brimming with confidence and challenge.
Recognizing the familiar tone, Wuming set aside his swirling thoughts about Sky Gate. He rose from his seat with calm determination and strode toward the door to confront the newcomer.
Alex, unwilling to remain alone in the house, quickly followed Wuming, his curiosity piqued by the commanding voice outside.
In the courtyard beyond the house, a chaotic scene unfolded. More than a dozen martial artists lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain, while another dozen masters encircled a solitary old man in his sixties.
This old man radiated an aura of razor-sharp intensity, his presence so potent it seemed to transform him into a living embodiment of a peerless sword, ready to cleave through anything in its path.
As Alex observed the old man, a sudden insight flashed through his mind, fueled by his newly acquired swordsmanship knowledge. "His sword skills have reached an extraordinarily high level, but he's overly fixated on the destructive power of his sword aura. This intense sword aura not only harms his opponents but also damages his own vitality. If he continues down this path, his body will inevitably suffer, worn down by his own sword aura until it's riddled with weaknesses," he thought, analyzing the old man's condition with precision.
Alex's vast swordsmanship knowledge gave him a discerning eye, allowing him to assess the old man's strengths and flaws in an instant. He knew that Wuming, with his identical level of swordsmanship understanding, could see the same flaws just as clearly.
Wuming stepped into the courtyard and addressed the encircling martial artists. "You all stand down," he said, waving his hand dismissively.
These were the skilled warriors of the Harmony Pavilion, loyal to Wuming. At his command, they nodded in unison, swiftly gathering their injured comrades from the ground and retreating in an orderly fashion, leaving the courtyard clear.
The old man's eyes locked onto Wuming, and a broad smile spread across his face. "Wuming, I finally found you," he said, his voice thick with satisfaction.
As his emotions surged, the sword aura emanating from his body intensified, swirling around him like a storm. Its ferocity was so palpable that it forced those nearby to step back, wary of its cutting edge.
Wuming met the old man's gaze, his expression calm but tinged with concern. "Jiansheng, your sword aura is too violent, harming both others and yourself. In the long run, the damage will outweigh the benefits," he said, shaking his head as he offered sincere advice, his words rooted in his deep understanding of swordsmanship.
At the mention of "Jiansheng," Alex's suspicions were confirmed. "The Sword Saint? So, he is the Sword Saint?" he thought, a mix of surprise and realization dawning on him.
Alex had journeyed to Peerless City in search of Jiansheng, scouring every lead to fulfill Xiongba's mission, but had found no trace of the elusive Sword Saint. Yet now, by sheer serendipity, he had stumbled upon him in this unexpected encounter. It was as if, after searching tirelessly, he had found his quarry where he least expected, in the quiet glow of Wuming's courtyard.