I Can Replicate Martial Arts

Zhao Rui replied casually, thinking to himself, ’It’s most likely related to their Cultivation Technique Attribute.’

’No one would build their Sect’s headquarters on a snow-capped mountain for no reason.’

’Logically, they should be called the Snow Mountain Sect, not the Celestial Mountain Sect.’

Soon, the group crossed a courtyard of snow and ice sculptures and arrived before a building that looked like a giant ice carving itself.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, the distinguished guests have arrived."

Four middle-aged men stood flanking the entrance. As their words fell, an old man with a full head of white hair and a white beard walked out of the ice building.

Although the old man’s hair and beard were white, his cheeks were ruddy and his skin was smooth.

He had a somewhat similar air to Elder Ge.

"Grand Sect Leader Zeng, do you still recognize the three of us?"

The moment they met, the Luo River Three Uglies called out.

"The Luo River Three Monsters?"

The Celestial Mountain Sect Leader, addressed as Grand Sect Leader Zeng, remained expressionless. He glanced at The Three Uglies and spoke casually.

"That’s right, it’s us three! After parting ways at Gui Xu, who would have thought we’d meet again here? How wonderful, how marvelous!"

Da Chou laughed heartily.

"And which one of you is Fellow Daoist Zhao from the Qingcheng Sect?"

"This is Zhao Zhenren of the Qingcheng Sect. The three of us were moved by his example and have renounced our evil ways."

"Oh? For the three of you to renounce evil is truly a blessing for the Martial Arts world. Zhao Zhenren’s merit is immeasurable. This old one has been neglectful."

"Greetings, Mr. Zeng the Elder. Master Weichen often says that you, Zhenren, are detached and easygoing, embodying the Natural Daoist Skill, and are one of the foremost senior experts in the Martial Arts world today. To meet you is a great fortune."

Zhao Rui smiled calmly and stepped forward to greet Sect Leader Zeng.

"Sect Leader Weichen is too kind. I never imagined that the Central Plains of today would produce a figure of such renown as yourself, Zhenren. This old one has not walked the Jianghu for a long time; I am truly humbled. Please."

Sect Leader Zeng’s eyes flashed. He saw that Zhao Rui’s divine aura was contained, immaculate and flawless, and the energy around him was held back but not released. He knew at once that this was no ordinary expert.

To be able to bring The Three Uglies, who were comparable to Domain-level masters, under his command... one could only imagine his true strength.

He quickly turned slightly to the side and invited everyone inside.

Inside, the building was no different from an ordinary room, complete with tables, chairs, and benches.

The only difference was that the surrounding walls were made of ice, which looked a little strange.

It was just like an Eskimo’s dwelling.

Although the cold had no effect on a master like him...

...an ordinary Martial Artist, no matter how detached from worldly desires, would never want to live in an ice cave.

Zhao Rui couldn’t help but feel more guarded.

The group took their seats as host and guests.

"Please, have some tea!"

Mr. Zeng the Elder said with a smile, lifting his teacup.

"Good tea, but the water is even better! Is this from the ice springs of Tianshan?"

Zhao Rui took a sip and couldn’t help but nod as he spoke.

"Indeed. I collected this thousand-year-old ice from a place of extreme cold and gently heated it multiple times with my True Essence to obtain this spring water..."

Mr. Zeng the Elder smiled as he explained the tea’s origin, then turned to the main topic:

"Zhao Zhenren, is there an important matter that brings you to my Celestial Mountain Sect this time?"

"There is, indeed!"

"First, I have long heard of Mr. Zeng’s great name and came specifically to pay my respects. Second, I’ve come to ask about the gathering of Evil Dao masters in Tianshan. I was wondering if the Celestial Mountain Sect has heard anything about this?"

Zhao Rui said bluntly.

"Evil Dao masters?"

Sect Leader Zeng couldn’t help but glance at the Luo River Three Uglies, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"We brothers have renounced our evil ways."

Annoyed by Sect Leader Zeng’s teasing gaze, The Three Uglies glared at him and grumbled.

"Not at all. This old one means that my Celestial Mountain Sect resides in a desolate place; I’m afraid our information network is not as good as yours. We truly do not know of this matter."

Sect Leader Zeng said with a faint smile.

"We three are not on the same path as those old evil masters, so we don’t know the location of their Tianshan outpost."

Da Chou quickly said in a serious tone.

"Oh, I wonder which Evil Dao experts they are... I hope Zhenren can enlighten me, so my Celestial Mountain Sect can be prepared."

Mr. Zeng the Elder asked, feigning confusion.

"That old bald donkey Venerable Vajra, also Red Leaf Ghost Girl, Zhang Sanping, and the White Tiger Evil Star. I don’t know the others."

Da Chou spoke up. He had heard of these people but didn’t know everything about them.

His group were basically unaffiliated freelancers, the kind who didn’t like being managed.

Their superiors let them operate freely, as long as they achieved their objectives.

They weren’t on the same path as people like Venerable Vajra and the Yin-Yang Demoness.

"It’s Venerable Vajra!"

Mr. Zeng the Elder was slightly taken aback, clearly also surprised.

"An Evil Dao master of his stature, how could he..."

Before he could finish, a disciple hurried in from outside, strode forward, and said, "Sect Leader, someone claiming to be an old acquaintance from the Western Border has come to visit the mountain!"

"An old acquaintance from the Western Border?"

Mr. Zeng the Elder was stunned. The light in his eyes shifted, and after a moment’s hesitation, he said with pleasant surprise, "An old friend has come to visit! Arrange for them to wait in the side hall for a moment!"

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

The disciple quickly complied.

Hearing their conversation, Zhao Rui stood up and said, "Since you have business to attend to, Sect Leader Zeng, we will take our leave now. We can pay our respects another day."

"This... sigh, this place is humble and ill-equipped to entertain distinguished guests. In that case, I will not insist you stay. When I have free time in the future, I hope to have a long talk with you, Fellow Daoist Zhao."

"We will. Farewell!"

After clasping his hands in salute, Zhao Rui turned and strode out of the ice house.

’This Celestial Mountain Sect is completely different from what I had imagined. It has none of the presence or scale of the number one sect in the Northern Border.’

’Although the sect’s disciples are remarkably strong, there’s something strange about the whole place.’

Zhao Rui didn’t want to linger, so he took this opportunity to leave directly.

’Some things can’t be seen if you just look at them head-on.’

The three of them walked out and saw the Celestial Mountain Sect disciple from before leading several men and women in strange clothing toward a side path.

These people’s steps were light, and they trod on the snow without leaving a trace. They were clearly trained martial artists.

Speaking of which, this place, the Celestial Mountain Sect, was quite interesting.

The ground was covered in a thick layer of white snow. If one’s Martial Arts were lacking or their Lightweight Skill was poor, one step would cause them to sink, instantly making them appear shorter.

Before a word was even spoken, they would already seem inferior to the Celestial Mountain Sect.

Therefore, anyone who cared about face would definitely walk on top of the snow, making their level of Martial Arts prowess clear at a glance.

Zhao Rui’s gaze naturally drew the attention of these newcomers.

Their eyes met for a moment before the other party looked away and disappeared around a corner.

Seeing this, Zhao Rui didn’t look any longer. He smiled, bid farewell to Mr. Zeng the Elder, and descended the mountain.

On the way down, Da Chou frowned and said, "Venerable Lord, there’s something fishy about this Celestial Mountain Sect. I feel like it’s different from what I’ve encountered before."

"Different? What do you mean?"

"I can’t quite put my finger on it, I just feel like... it’s strange. There’s something wrong with that Mr. Zeng the Elder."

Da Chou hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"Hmm?"

Zhao Rui was slightly taken aback. He pondered for a moment, then said, "In that case, let’s be more direct..."

After he spoke, the group split up and took action.

The snows of Tianshan melted, feeding turbulent streams.

The streams gathered more and more water, gradually taking on the force of a rolling river.

It rushed all the way down the mountain.

Wherever it passed, the water roared and the current was swift. The banks were lined with lush trees, filled with the cries of nesting birds and the calls of deer and other beasts.

Zhao Rui leaped into the air and concealed himself within the mountain forest. He held his breath, suppressed his aura, and blended in with his surroundings.

This mountain path was the only way down from the Celestial Mountain Sect.

’Since I have my doubts, I naturally have to verify them.’

And so, he lay in wait here, ready for whatever might happen.

The sky gradually darkened.

The brilliant rays of the sunset pierced through the gaps in the trees, casting a faint, beautiful rainbow in the forest.

Zhao Rui waited for a full hour, and just as he expected, he spotted the mountain guests in the forest.

A group of seven people—it was the same strangely dressed guests who had gone up the mountain earlier.

The seven of them strode into the dense woods, moving with great haste and speed.

Just then, a cool breeze swept through, carrying a hint of chill that spread throughout the forest.

Then, the clouds in the sky began to gather, and raindrops as fine as silk threads started to fall slowly in the woods, pattering against the leaves or landing on the ground.

"The weather in these Tianshan mountains is really strange. A little while ago it was all snow, and now, just a little further down, a light drizzle is starting."

One of the seven extended a palm to catch the falling raindrops. Feeling their fine coolness, he couldn’t help but exclaim.

"Four seasons on one mountain, it’s not that uncommon. What’s there to be surprised about!"

The leader of the group said with displeasure, "Let’s leave this place quickly and return to the Western Border. Don’t stir up any more trouble."

"Yes, Lord Witch Venerable!"

The other six answered in unison.

’Witch Venerable?’

Hidden in the treetop, Zhao Rui was stunned when he heard this.

’That title... isn’t that only used in the Great Shang Land?’