The white-bearded elder had diligently studied the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill for over two decades, transforming from a refined middle-aged Sword Immortal to his current state of white beard and aged appearance.
Looking at the white-bearded elder, who appeared lost in thought, a hint of melancholy was evident on his face.
Liu Xilan was faintly worried.
"Uncle Lin, are you... alright?"
The white-bearded elder slowly stood up, gazing at the valley's scenery, suddenly finding it somewhat unfamiliar.
"I, Lin Yuanlong, have been trapped in this for twenty-seven years, thinking I'd never figure it out in my lifetime.
I often comfort myself, broadening my mind, not seeking depth, letting go is the final solace.
But unexpectedly today, I have truly grasped its deep meaning."
Liu Xilan looked at Uncle Lin before her, not knowing how to console him.
In his youth, Uncle Lin was once a youthful prodigy of the world.
Stepping on colorful clouds, with a single sword cutting through the sky's light.
This young man, boasting that his comprehension was unparalleled, grasping the essence of all things, understanding the fundamentals of ten thousand methods.
But a simple "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" blocked him like a surging river.
The young man of breaking waves was perpetually trapped within.
Just as a chess player is trapped in a game, unable to escape for a hundred years.
Lin Yuanlong was stuck in this "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill," unable to take a single step.
Every time he comforted himself to ease his mind, telling himself not to sink into it further.
But almost every time, he was pulled back by a heart demon...
Settling his mind and calming his spirit, Lin Yuanlong reflected and then sat back down on the wooden chair.
The subsequent chapters of the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill became increasingly challenging, with more awkward phrasing between the lines.
But this time was different, the annotations on the side of the book were clear and precise.
Previously, convoluted sentences were now easy to understand.
As time passed second by second, the sky gradually darkened.
In autumn, a bright moon always hung overhead.
Liu Xilan had never seen Uncle Lin with such an expression before; previously, he always had a hint of mischief in front of her, like a playful child.
But today, she discovered that Uncle Lin also had this side.
"Thank you, Xilan, you've helped Uncle Lin solve a longstanding heartache."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xilan found it hard to get used to.
She was more familiar with the casually speaking Uncle Lin.
"By the way, I wonder who wrote these annotations. If I have the chance, I'd like to visit them."
Lin Yuanlong prided himself on being extraordinarily talented, even though he had entered old age, that pride still resided in his heart.
The books he couldn't comprehend, yet were all interpreted by this world genius.
Such a person was worthy of a visit from him.
"To be honest, Uncle Lin, the person who wrote these annotations is not a renowned master of the world, but a young man from the deep quarters of the Shen Mansion..."
"The Shen Mansion? A descendant of Shen Qingshan, Marquis Yun'an's Mansion?"
Liu Xilan nodded: "Exactly, the fifth young master of the Shen Family, Shen Han."
"The one who showcased his talent at last year's literary and artistic conference in the Capital City?
That young man does seem to have some abilities, reminiscent of my youthful days."
Lin Yuanlong praised.
He had seen Shen Ye at the literary and artistic conference, and even then thought this child had great talent, adept in both literary and martial arts, destined for greatness.
Unexpectedly, there was another surprise, as this child had also comprehended the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill.
This talent, enough for Lin Yuanlong to admire.
Seeing Lin Yuanlong misunderstand, Liu Xilan quickly waved her hand.
"Uncle Lin, you're mistaken. You're talking about the genius of the Shen Family, the eldest son of this generation, Shen Ye.
I'm talking about the Shen Family's fifth young master, Shen Han.
The very one who was granted marriage by the Royal Family to our Junior Sister Jinyu."
"Him?
Isn't it said that the child is the Shen Family's abandoned one, accomplished in nothing?
How could he possibly comprehend the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill?
If he had such talent, would the Shen Family treat him like this?"
Lin Yuanlong was skeptical, as rumors about Shen Han due to Su Jinyu had already circulated on Xiaoyao Peak.
An idler with no achievements.
A prodigy in the Sword Dao, hailed as a generation's pride.
Lin Yuanlong had heard plenty of such stories.
Seeing this, Liu Xilan narrated what she had seen and heard at the Shen Family.
Why did the Shen Family reject Shen Han? It was simply because of the elders' grievances against him.
In the Shen Family, he received no resources, no assistance, only a single volume of the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill to study.
Years of diligent study of a single book, unexpectedly achieving true success.
Now granted marriage by the Royal Family, the Shen Family wished to sacrifice him as a price to annul this engagement.
"Nonsense!
To comprehend the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill, such talent ensures becoming a formidable figure in the future.
And they're thinking of sacrificing such a gifted junior to annul the engagement!
Could it be that every descendant of the Shen Family is astonishingly talented, with gifts that dazzle the ages?"
As he spoke, Lin Yuanlong became somewhat angry.
"Xilan, when you visited the Shen Family, did you tell the Old Dowager about this?
This Shen Han, with such insight, has limitless potential; losing a genius is a misfortune for all of Great Wei!"
"Uncle Lin, with your insight, when I was a guest at the Shen Mansion, I mentioned it to the Old Dowager.
But the Old Dowager instead asked Xilan how he compared to her grandson Shen Ye.
The Old Dowager harbors resentment towards Shen Han and considers not suppressing or obstructing him to be good enough.
We outsiders are probably powerless to persuade...
Hearing Liu Xilan's words, Lin Yuanlong couldn't help but furrow his brow, wishing to help Shen Han.
Yet hesitating whether he might be too rash, making things harder for Shen Han in the Shen Family.
After all, as a descendant of the Shen Family, he, an outsider, had limited influence.
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Yuanlong took out his sword from within the wooden house.
"This sword, as a token of gratitude for solving my dilemma, let Xilan give it as a gift. The youth fears no hardship and hopes he may be reborn through this ordeal."
Liu Xilan did not hesitate and accepted the sword first.
Seeing Liu Xilan still standing there, Lin Yuanlong finally realized what this little girl intended.
"You little girl, watchfully thinking of my set of Sword Techniques, aren't you?
No wonder you're so eager to help this old man find the annotations of the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill.
Very well, today I'll teach you all of it, so this old man can roam the world freely!"
As his words faded, Lin Yuanlong tapped with his fingertip.
That sword seemed to have gained a spirit of its own, flying into Lin Yuanlong's hand.
The sword plume stirred the sea, slicing through the heavens, standing tall in the Three Pure Ones, ascending the Great Dao.
Breaking free from the shackles of the heart, Lin Yuanlong's Sword Techniques today once again held a commanding presence over the world.
In the valley, things moved with the sword.
A single slash, encompassing everything, in a mere thought.
Sensing this Sword Momentum, other Sword Dao cultivators on Xiaoyao Peak couldn't resist their sword control, coming over.
The surrounding Sword Momentum's pressure caused their swords to tremble slightly.
A Sword Shadow activated, followed by a sword cry!
The long sword in his hand returned to its sheath, a small booklet fell into Liu Xilan's hands.
As the sword cry subsided, the Sword Immortal who made his name in youth but was trapped by the mountains and rivers had set forth to roam the vast world.