Wu Tianmo looked down at the corpses for a moment, he was unsure what to do. He did not want to join a sect, personal power wasn't his only goal.
Wu Tianmo clasped his hands,
"Senior's offer is generous..."
Han Yucheng took a step forward like an unsheathed blade,
"Young Wu, do you know why I stopped those old men from discovering you?"
Wu Tianmo shook his head with his hands still clasped,
"Junior is grateful for Senior's assistance."
Han Yucheng waved his hand dismissively,
"Flattery won't help you. What I sensed earlier was not simply a breakthrough."
He pointed toward the shattered mountain,
"That was intent, the birth of a seed of sword intent."
Wu Tianmo felt cold sweat run down his back.
Han Yucheng continued,
"A sixth stage Body Reforging cultivator with a seed of sword intent... and a strange bloodline aura. Heh. You won't find five of them in the whole Southern Wildlands."
He folded his arms,
"I am an External Dao Protector of the Azure River Sword Sect."
He pointed his thumb at himself and smiled widely,
"Han Yucheng!"
Wu Tianmo chuckled to himself, thinking the man was about to strike a pose as well.
Han Yucheng pointed at him,
"I want you to join my sect."
"Senior, it is this junior's fortune to be noticed by a Dao Protector like yourself. However... I'm the founding patriarch of a newly established clan I can't abandon them."
Han Yucheng looked back to Wu Tianmo in shock, he released the aura of a Core Formation Realm,
"What did you say, boy? I save you from discovery, allow you to keep most of your... I mean the wolves."
Han Yucheng was indeed shameless.
Wu Tianmo felt a crushing pressure descend upon him, like a mountain pressing against his shoulders.
The Core Formation realm's pressure even caused the ground to buckle and shatter below him.
Wu Tianmo remained in a respectful bow, hands clasped,
"Senior, calm your anger. This junior carries the mission of rebuilding his clan. I cannot leave."
Han Yucheng restrained his aura once more,
"I see. Young Wu, you're quite bold to deny a Core Formation Realm."
He burst into laughter,
"You really refused the invitation of a Dao Protector... because of a village clan?"
He laughed but couldn't help think,
This kid is loyal, of good character, what a good seedling for the sect....
Wu Tianmo looked up,
"As a sword cultivator how could I sever my path by giving into oppression. The will of a swordsman doesn't break."
Han Yucheng laughed,
"Good, well said. However I will not leave here empty handed."
He pondered for a moment, then snapped his fingers,
"You will become an external disciple. While uncommon it is still an option, you're a part of the sect but do not have to report to the sect's territory. How does that sound?"
Wu Tianmo took a single step forward,
"This junior will to have to disappoint Senior. The only affiliation I will possess is the Wu Clan."
Han Yucheng swallowed his anger,
He's... just a kid. I need to plan for the long term... Perhaps the strongarm approach isn't the right path.
"Forget it, here"
Han Yucheng reached into his robe and pulled out a small azure token engraved with a sword and river.
He tossed it to Wu Tianmo.
Wu Tianmo caught the token and felt its hefty weight,
"Senior, this is..."
Han Yucheng waved his hand dismissively,
"Fine, if your plan is to cultivate your family over yourself. You must promise to send one of your children to our sect for nurturing in the future."
Han Yucheng smiled inwardly,
Watch me tie you to our sect one way or another hehe.
Wu Tianmo sighed, realizing he wasn't going to get out of this situation without making concessions.
He nodded,
"Senior is magnanimous, junior promises that once I have a child with the potential for the sword I will send them to your sect."
Han Yucheng's expression turned serious,
"Good, until then try to not blow up any more mountains. If you should ever be in dire need, break the token and I will find you. Know that if that happens you will be considered one of the Azure River Sword Sect's people."
He stepped onto his flying sword and with a flash of sword light he was gone.
Wu Tianmo shook his head,
"My future child, you better not blame your father...."
Wu Tianmo looked down only then realized that he had been naked this whole time.
He looked around for the wolves yet those were taken away by the senior when he wasn't looking.
Wu Tianmo frowned and nearly steamed from the ears in anger.
He yelled,
"Han Yucheng! Wait for me! I will have my revenge!"
---
Within the clouds above the gorge.
---
Han Yucheng stood atop his flying sword high above the clouds.
He glanced down towards the gorge and smiled.
"A sixth stage Body Reforging cultivator with a seed of sword intent...Heh."
He crossed his arms,
"Old ghost... This time I really found something good."
---
At the edge of the gorge
---
Wu Tianmo stepped out of the gorge and quietly made his way back to the Wu Family Estate.
He was much quicker after his breakthroughs and felt like the sword dance he learned earlier could be perfected even more.
The moon sat high in the sky so Wu Tianmo took this moment to consolidate his realm. After so many breakthroughs his power was volatile.
He began to circulate the Crimson Lunar Blood Scripture and perform the sword dance.
He was right, the dance was meant to help perfect the body through the early stages, the moves felt cleaner. His strikes were fiercer.
He released a deep breath,
"I need to learn a martial art for combat, in that regard I'm sorely lacking."
He entered his mind space and looked back at the three techniques.
The first technique of the inheritance was the Crimson Lunar Blood Scripture and it's auxiliary art, the Crimson Moon Sword Dance.
Wu Tianmo suddenly froze as a realization struck him.
He even felt a little embarrassed for not realizing it sooner,
"The sword dance doesn't just train the body... It begins your understanding of the other two techniques. The Crimson Moon Severing Art..."
The Crimson Moon Sword Dance had never been a simple body training exercise. It was the foundation from which the true martial art was born.
This technique had three steps to learn.
First the Crescent Draw, a lightning-fast unsheathing strike.
Second the Blood Arc, a sweeping strike that uses the full rotation of the body.
The last, Falling Moon, a downward execution strike.
Wu Tianmo stood, and circulated the Crimson Lunar Blood Scripture while practicing these moves. They were spread throughout the 300 step Sword Dance.
He had already done them hundreds, if not thousands, of times.
So this new martial technique's initial stage, was already nearly learnt to perfection.
---
2 days later
---
*Bang Bang Bang*
Wu Tianmo opened his eyes,
"It's already day... how long has it been?"
He walked to the estate's gate, his realm felt much more stable.
*Bang Bang Bang*
Wu Tianmo raised an eyebrow,
"Who could be causing such a ruckus at the Wu Gate..."
It was the father of Ling'er who yelled,
"Help! Wu Patriarch Help! Ling'er is in danger!"