After the great battle with the Ling Family ended, the Witch Fiend Sect began its intense rebuilding process. Now, the Witch Fiend Sect has been renamed to Witch Gate, removing the fiend character, symbolizing the return to righteousness and allegiance to the Imperial Court.

The Liu Family’s forces guarded near Spirit Snake Island for five days, confirming the Ling Family Army had returned to the Ling Family before starting their withdrawal.

During this time, Ling Chen communicated frequently with Liu Chengyuan and Liu Mengru, discussing not only information about Liu Xiling but also various matters about current prominent families, secrets of the Nine Provinces, martial arts experiences, and more.

Although Ling Chen did not meet Liu Chengyuan and Liu Mengru often, he was somewhat familiar with Liu Mengru since they had interacted more; however, this was completely his first meeting with Liu Chengyuan. Oddly, Ling Chen felt no barriers between them, and there was a natural sense of familiarity.

Perhaps it was due to blood relation that Ling Chen, aside from his experience with Liu Xiling, truly felt the sense of family ties for the first time from others.

From Liu Chengyuan’s words, Ling Chen learned that Empress Yunyao’s bold move to conquer the entire Witch Fiend Sect was due to self-interest. As Empress Yunyao gradually expanded her power, dissatisfaction arose within the Imperial Clan, with some elders contemplating deposing Empress Yunyao.

Empress Yunyao’s throne was not gained by normal means—she seized it. Her rule marks the first instance of a woman emperor in the Central Dynasty, and she is not even of direct imperial lineage.

To deal with such pressure and crisis, Empress Yunyao personally intervened to protect Ling Chen and subdued the Witch Fiend Sect.

Ling Chen didn’t have any resistance towards this. Between people, unless there are special bonds, no one helps without some incentive. One must hold value to receive help.

If Empress Yunyao claimed to act without motive, Ling Chen would worry she was harboring other intentions.

After the Ling Family Army withdrew, Liu Chengyuan and Liu Mengru bade farewell to Ling Chen and left Spirit Snake Island.

In the following period, Ling Chen temporarily stayed on Spirit Snake Island, partly for recuperating his injuries and partly for cultivating Swordsmanship.

Currently, "Lotus Sword Song" has been cultivated to the fourth move, Immortal Points the Way, while Gold Sword Pupil has reached the second level. Both present opportunities for breakthroughs. As for Sword Controlling Technique, it’s currently at the early stage of the Second level. Ling Chen managed to control the Gift of Hundred Swords previously, matching Ling Tianzun in battle, only because he borrowed the mighty force of the Human Emperor.

Truthfully, Ling Chen’s actual realm of Sword Controlling Technique has just entered the Second level, allowing him only to freely manipulate flying swords.

Regarding Ling Chen’s Martial Arts True Meaning, currently, the True Essence of Fire is at seventy percent, while Thunder Intent is slightly behind at sixty percent.

"Improving Martial Arts True Meaning is difficult; perhaps it’s better to cultivate ’Lotus Sword Song’ first!"

Ling Chen pondered a bit and decided to tackle the easier part first. Each move of ’Lotus Sword Song’ is immensely powerful. Mastering a new sword technique brings another ace up one’s sleeve, greatly enhancing strength.

Activating Sword Intent, Ling Chen started wielding the Thunder Sound Sword and practicing in the bamboo forest.

Learning "Lotus Sword Song" differs from other sword techniques, which have clear doctrines, formulas, and moves. "Lotus Sword Song" relies on Taibai Sword Immortal’s poems; a hundred people might interpret them in a hundred ways and create a hundred different sword techniques.

Those who excel in speed might focus on that aspect, while those adept in strength might interpret it from the angle of power. Even though Empress Yunyao also obtained "Lotus Sword Song," her cultivated techniques might differ from Ling Chen’s.

This is precisely the greatness of Taibai Sword Immortal—his Swordsmanship is elusive and unpredictable, lacking concrete form and pattern, defying conventional wisdom.

Sometimes, it has a bit of ’seeing mountains not as mountains, seeing water not as water’ feel.

Repeating the first four moves of ’Lotus Sword Song’ continuously, Ling Chen’s figure flickered in and out of the bamboo forest, with sword light slicing through, causing bamboo leaves to drift down, and marking sword scars throughout the forest.

Three days later.

Amid the bamboo forest, night has fallen deeply, and the full moon hung in the sky.

Ling Chen stood on a bamboo leaf, furrowing his brows, seemingly pondering something. Although he practiced diligently for three days, there had been no progress, perhaps due to not yet grasping the essence of "Lotus Sword Song."

Suddenly, Ling Chen raised his head to the hanging full moon, his eyes lighting up, muttering, "In moments of triumph, enjoy life to the fullest, don’t let the golden goblet sit empty against the moon..." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"I understand now."

A gleam flashed across Ling Chen’s eyes. The next moment, he raised his Treasure Sword, immersing himself in a drunken mood, then swung his sword out.

The sword sliced through the air, forming a crescent moon, and as it coalesced, it shot forth abruptly, whisking past the bamboo forest and vanishing.

Papapapapa!

Where the crescent sword qi passed, all bamboos broke in response, each severed stalk with a remarkably smooth cut.

Golden Cup and Moon.

This was the fifth sword technique Ling Chen comprehended from "Lotus Sword Song."

The lush bamboo grove was suddenly chopped bare in a large swath, extending as far as the eye could see.

Sheathing his sword, Ling Chen nodded, clearly satisfied with the power of the strike.

Yet, even so, Ling Chen felt the sword was not perfect; something was missing.

Missing a core element led to the technique’s flaw.

What could it be?

Ling Chen contemplated deeply.

"I understand now."

Suddenly, Ling Chen looked up, as if enlightened, "Taibai Sword Immortal’s lifelong passion was fine wine. It’s said that with wine in hand, Taibai Sword Immortal’s Swordsmanship power could increase by over thirty percent."

Wine is ordinary; in ordinary hands, it’s merely for dispelling worries. In Taibai Sword Immortal’s hands, it becomes a weapon, a killer tool.

Moreover, Taibai Sword Immortal drank wine not just any wine, but specially brewed celestial liquor requiring numerous rare ingredients, not available just on demand.

Ling Chen rarely drank actively before, not from avoiding alcohol, but because wine serves mainly for friendship and clearing concerns. Most of the time, Ling Chen focused on Cultivation, finding no necessity to consume wine.