Chapter Fifty-Three: The Secret Record of the Triple Shackles

Chapter Fifty-Three: The Secret Record of Threefold Shackles

A howl echoed outside the house, reverberating atop Unmoving Peak, brimming with excitement and joy.

On a clearing on the western side of the mountain summit, Fan Lanzhou was practicing sword techniques, his blade weaving through the clouds, agile as a dragon.

Hearing the howl, he couldn’t help but glance in that direction, and his refined face revealed a surprised yet pleased smile.

“This boy might really catch up to him and Gu Xijin one day.”

Murmuring softly to himself, Fan Lanzhou resumed his cultivation.

Frankly speaking, Fang Junmei advancing to the Floating Dust stage in his forties was not an outstanding achievement, but he had already been twenty-six or twenty-seven when he entered the sect.

…

Inside the room, Fang Junmei lay sprawled on the bed in an inelegant posture, breathing lightly, savoring the moment of joy.

On the floor, sword spirit stones—both useful and useless—were scattered together, but he paid them no mind.

Floating Dust stage!

Reaching this step meant he could finally begin flying with objects—be it clouds, swords, or even blades like the Wandering Blade of Chaos. This was the moment Fang Junmei had long dreamed of.

In his heart, only cultivators who could fly were truly worthy of being called immortals.

Moreover, he could now learn techniques exclusive to the Floating Dust stage to strive for the higher Dao Embryo realm; the foundational Peach Blossom Sword Scripture was now obsolete.

Thinking of these two points, Fang Junmei grew inexplicably more excited.

He himself couldn’t teach these things, so he would have to consult his senior brothers and sisters.

Swish!

After a moment, Fang Junmei sprang up, gathered the spirit stones from the floor, and left the room, failing to notice that the coldness in his eyes had faded somewhat.

…

No sooner had he stepped outside than the sound of sword howls reached him.

Fang Junmei exited the courtyard, about to follow the sound.

“Go back. Seclude yourself for another half month and continue to cultivate the foundational Peach Blossom Sword Scripture to solidify your realm!”

He had barely taken a step from the courtyard when Fan Lanzhou’s voice resounded in his mind, cold and authoritative.

Fang Junmei’s excitement was dampened considerably, and he scratched his head in embarrassment.

“Yes, Second Brother.”

His gaze flickered twice; he answered softly and obediently returned to the courtyard for another period of seclusion.

…

Half a month passed in a flash.

When he emerged again, Fan Lanzhou was already sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea, clearly waiting for him.

“Greetings, Second Brother.”

Fang Junmei bowed slightly.

“Sit. Your next phase of cultivation will be guided by me.”

Fan Lanzhou gestured, neither congratulating Fang Junmei nor showing any joy, as though accustomed to such matters.

Fang Junmei took a seat by the table.

Fan Lanzhou produced a jade slip and handed it to him, saying, “After advancing to Floating Dust, the foundational Peach Blossom Sword Scripture no longer suffices. There are corresponding Floating Dust techniques. For outer sect disciples of our Peach Blossom Sword Sect, the standard practice is the Peach Blossom Advanced Sword Scripture.”

Hearing the name, Fang Junmei’s face twitched, recalling the founder’s quirky naming sense.

Was there also a Peach Blossom Advanced Wisdom Scripture?

Or a Peach Blossom Advanced Sword Technique?

Founder, couldn’t you be more serious about naming?

“Junior Brother, focus!”

Fan Lanzhou instantly noticed Fang Junmei’s distraction and barked sternly.

Fang Junmei hurriedly collected his thoughts.

Fan Lanzhou continued, “On Unmoving Peak, we have even superior techniques. The one I now impart to you was refined by a genius ancestor of our peak, an improved version of the Peach Blossom Advanced Sword Scripture—the Secret Record of Threefold Shackles.”

Fang Junmei nodded in understanding.

Fan Lanzhou added, “Most likely, the other peaks also possess their own secret manuals, not necessarily improved versions, perhaps obtained by their ancestors through other means.”

Fang Junmei nodded again.

Once Fang Junmei had read the jade slip, Fan Lanzhou began explaining each passage in detail.

…

It turned out that the Floating Dust realm was divided into four sub-stages: early Floating Dust, which was Fang Junmei’s current stage, then middle, late, and finally the great completion of Floating Dust.

The cultivation process was still focused on the accumulation of spiritual power.

But most crucial was the final breakthrough—surpassing the third shackle to condense the Dao Embryo. The specifics would be discussed later.

This technique was indeed profound; it took Fan Lanzhou more than an hour to expound it thoroughly.

Having learned the Secret Record of Threefold Shackles, Fang Junmei inquired about the art of flying with objects—a technique that even in the sect's library required either contributions or spirit stones to learn. Now, he simply asked Fan Lanzhou directly.

Fan Lanzhou imparted two methods: the first was the most common Cloud Riding Art, average in speed but requiring no magical tools or treasures.

“The second technique is called Sword Riding on the Wind. Once mastered, it’s faster than Cloud Riding, and with a fine sword or abundant spiritual power, the speed increases further. However, the consumption is correspondingly greater,” said Fan Lanzhou calmly.

After explaining, he suddenly fixed his gaze on Fang Junmei, his eyes deepening. “Sword Riding on the Wind to vanquish evil under heaven—Junior Brother, now that you’ve advanced to Floating Dust, you are no longer a minor cultivator. You’ll have more opportunities to leave the mountain. Remember to conduct yourself with care. Do not associate or collude with demonic cultivators, and above all, do not fall into the demonic path.”

His words carried a pointed warning.

Fang Junmei’s first thought was of Xiao Yunyu, followed by the Wandering Blade of Chaos. He even recalled the illusory world created by the Heart-Breaking Pill, where Fan Lanzhou and the others killed the Wandering Blade of Chaos and then came for him.

Would that scene play out in reality?

“Second Brother, you seem to have a strong aversion to demonic cultivators?” Fang Junmei asked cautiously.

“In truth, I do not bear such deep aversion or prejudice,” Fan Lanzhou sighed, his tone light as the wind and clouds. “But others do, and many are quite obsessed.”

“I’d like to hear more,” Fang Junmei said.

“I heard you met the sect leader and others at the Luofu Sword Sect, so you must remember the tragic massacre there. Between the Five Great Daoist Sects and the Five Great Demonic Sects, there is constant slaughter and deep-seated hatred, especially among the older generation. Many lost siblings and friends to the demonic path. Such bias and obsession are forged from blood, hatred, and conflicting interests and will not easily change.”

Fang Junmei nodded in understanding.

Fan Lanzhou continued, “Ordinarily, you won’t have conflicts of interest with those elders. Even if you befriend a demonic cultivator, out of respect for your master, they may turn a blind eye. But once interests clash, this becomes the strongest leverage against you.”

Fang Junmei nodded again.

“So, Junior Brother, remember my words. It’s best not to associate with demonic cultivators, especially those of the Five Great Demonic Sects.”

“I understand,” Fang Junmei nodded slightly.

Only then did Fan Lanzhou’s expression relax.

“There is one more matter.”

Something seemed to occur to him, and Fan Lanzhou’s gaze grew profound as he fixed his eyes on Fang Junmei. “The youngest disciple of the outer sect elder, Xiao Yunyu, has died. Rumor has it she perished within the sect, and—rumor has it that it was someone from Unmoving Peak who killed her.”

Fang Junmei’s pupils contracted at this.

As expected, the suspicion still pointed to them.

“Junior Brother, does this matter concern you?” Fan Lanzhou asked softly, his gaze sharp.

“No,” Fang Junmei answered succinctly after a brief silence.

Had he been fully recovered, he might have admitted it, but with the Heart-Breaking Pill’s effects lingering, Fang Junmei was deeply guarded, instinctively keeping even Fan Lanzhou at arm’s length.

Fan Lanzhou showed little change in expression, but his gaze became even more profound. He nodded slightly and said, “As long as it doesn’t, it’s likely someone is framing Unmoving Peak to provoke trouble. Let’s not speak of it further.”

With that, he went on to explain the Cloud Riding Art and Sword Riding on the Wind in detail.