After the events in Hengshan City, Alex remained at Blackwood Cliff for a month, news of Linghu Chong filtering to him periodically. As expected, Yue Buqun banished Linghu Chong to Siguo Cliff for his reckless behavior. Undeterred, Tian Boguang boldly visited Siguo Cliff, drinking and sparring with Linghu Chong, as if boredom drove his daring.
Alex stayed patient, honing his skills at Blackwood Cliff. His inner strength grew purer, each meditation refining the vibrant energy within. His Magneto-derived ability also surged, now effortlessly lifting nearly 300 kilograms of metal—a testament to his relentless training.
Lin Pingzhi, his young disciple, shadowed him during this time. Yet Alex withheld martial arts lessons, instead urging Lin Pingzhi to study literature and calligraphy to temper his spirit. The effort yielded little; Lin Pingzhi's heart burned with vengeance, leaving no room for scholarly pursuits. His loyalty to Alex stemmed solely from the hope that Alex's power would aid his blood feud.
Notably, Alex's earlier clash with Yang Lianting had consequences. The chief steward, stung by Alex's favor with Dongfang Bubai, complained bitterly to the leader. To Yang Lianting's dismay, Dongfang Bubai spared Alex punishment, fueling Yang's jealousy and resentment. Using his authority, Yang Lianting subtly undermined Alex's influence as a sect elder, aiming to render him a leader without followers.
Alex dismissed Yang Lianting's schemes. Power without strength was a fleeting illusion, a truth Yang failed to grasp. As a passer-by in the world of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, Alex cared little for sect politics.
One day, intelligence reached Alex: Zuo Lengchan, leader of the Songshan Sect, viewed Yue Buqun, the Gentleman Sword of Huashan, as his greatest rival among the Five Mountains Sword Sects. To weaken him, Zuo Lengchan rallied former Huashan Sword Sect members, secretly inciting them to challenge Yue Buqun's leadership.
"The time is near," Alex mused, realizing Linghu Chong likely had mastered the Dugu Nine Swords by now. With preparations complete, he took Lin Pingzhi and descended Blackwood Cliff with minimal gear, heading straight for the Huashan Sect.
"Master, what's our purpose?" Lin Pingzhi asked after days of travel, curiosity overcoming his silence.
"To claim a sword technique," Alex replied, his voice calm but resolute.
"A sword technique?" Lin Pingzhi's eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face. "Master, you've already mastered the supreme art of controlling swords with qi. What technique could possibly warrant such effort?"
Alex glanced at Lin Pingzhi, pausing before speaking. "Do you know why I've had you study books instead of martial arts these past weeks?"
Startled, Lin Pingzhi shook his head, unsure.
"Two reasons," Alex said candidly. "First, your heart is consumed by hatred. Left unchecked, it could twist you into a ruthless shadow, driven only by vengeance, heedless of means. I won't let you become that person. Second, as my disciple, you deserve the world's finest martial arts. If you falter against foes, it reflects poorly on me, doesn't it?"
Lin Pingzhi's resentment over his literary tasks softened, replaced by guilt and gratitude. Emboldened, he pressed, "What sword technique captivates you so, Master?"
"Truthfully, two sword techniques stand above all others," Alex said, the journey's monotony prompting him to share. "The one we seek now is the Dugu Nine Swords, unmatched in its brilliance."
He recounted the legend of Dugu Qiubai, the solitary swordsman whose Dugu Nine Swords conquered all foes, leaving Lin Pingzhi's eyes alight with awe. The prospect of learning such a technique fueled his dreams of avenging the Lin family.
After a moment of fervent anticipation, Lin Pingzhi asked, "You mentioned two supreme techniques, Master. What's the other?"
"The Exorcism Sword Technique of your Lin family," Alex replied.
"What? Our family's Exorcism Sword Technique?" Lin Pingzhi froze, stunned by the revelation.
Alex's praise of the Dugu Nine Swords left Lin Pingzhi in awe. He knew the Lin family's Exorcism Sword Technique was renowned, but to be deemed equal to such a legendary art was staggering.
"Indeed," Alex continued, his voice steady as they trekked toward Huashan. "To understand the Exorcism Sword Technique, one must consider the Sunflower Manual, mastered by our Sun Moon Sect Leader, Dongfang Bubai. Both arts share a common origin. The Sunflower Manual elevated Dongfang Bubai to unrivaled heights, just as the Exorcism Sword Technique forged your ancestor, Lin Yuantu, into a legend."
"But…" Lin Pingzhi's brow furrowed, confusion clouding his face. "The Lin family all learn the Exorcism Sword Technique, yet we couldn't stand against Yu Canghai, that vile Qingcheng Sect leader."
Alex shook his head. "Your ancestor, Lin Yuantu, withheld the technique's true energy circulation method. Practicing the Exorcism Sword Technique demands a heavy price."
"What price?" Lin Pingzhi asked, urgency sharpening his voice. What could be so grave that Lin Yuantu refused to pass down the full art?
Alex fell silent, his gaze piercing the misty path ahead. Then, he spoke, his words deliberate. "To wield this divine skill, one must first castrate oneself."
The revelation struck Lin Pingzhi like a thunderbolt, his steps faltering as shock rooted him in place. The cost of the Exorcism Sword Technique was unimaginable.
His thoughts raced to Lin Yuantu, who had mastered this art. A chilling realization dawned, tying to Dongfang Bubai's Sunflower Manual, which Alex said shared its roots. Did that mean Dongfang Bubai, the world's greatest master, had paid the same price?
"Enough," Alex said, noting Lin Pingzhi's dazed expression. He clapped a hand on his disciple's shoulder, jarring him back to the present. "Set aside thoughts of the Exorcism Sword Technique. If we secure the Dugu Nine Swords on this journey, I'll teach it to you."
Lin Pingzhi's eyes lit with gratitude. "Thank you, Master! Your kindness is boundless—I'll never forget it!"
Teaching Lin Pingzhi was a minor matter for Alex. His unique ability allowed him to copy others' genes and skills to his C and D drives with a touch, and he could share them just as easily. Yet, his C drive held only Magneto's gene, and his D drive contained only Claire Parker's blocking skill—neither suited for Lin Pingzhi. The Dugu Nine Swords, once acquired, would be freely copied to his disciple.
As they spoke, a majestic peak loomed ahead, its slopes cloaked in mist. The gates of the Huashan Sect, one of the Five Mountains Sword Sects, stood before them, marking the start of their quest.