Speaking of the saber controlling techniques, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Song Shuhang had already come in contact with the ‘Temporary Sword Controlling Technique’ once.

　　That technique was a (failed) product of Great Master Profound Principle’s experiments that had the objective of lowering the level required to use the sword controlling techniques. Later, Great Master improved the technique and passed it to his disciples so that they could experience how it felt using the ‘Sword Controlling Technique’ in advance. This way, lower-level disciples could temporarily experience the wonders of the Sword Controlling Technique by using a vocal command, together with an incantation and a hand seal.

　　However, Song Shuhang felt that experiencing the ‘Temporary Sword Controlling Technique’ was more similar to just remotely using a flying sword instead of actually controlling it.

　　There were many similarities between the Sword Controlling Technique and remotely using a flying sword… but one merely needed a cultivator’s thought, while the other needed to remotely control the flying sword in order to take an enemy’s head from a thousand miles away—the former was just cooler.

　　❄️❄️❄️

　　Sixteen brought out her life-bound treasured saber. Her saber belonged to the short-saber category, with it clearly being rather small. As she willed it to move, the short saber automatically left its scabbard, and circled around her body.

　　Song Shuhang asked, “Sixteen, is this what you used when you were learning the Saber Controlling Technique?”

　　…Shuhang felt that when it came to learning either the Saber Controlling Technique or the Sword Controlling Technique, wouldn’t using such a small treasured saber or flying sword make the student feel insecure?

　　If he could, Song Shuhang hoped that he could use a big, door-sized sword (saber) to practice the Saber Controlling Technique. This way, it would be especially stable when flying, and he wouldn’t have to be scared of falling.

　　Su Clan’s Sixteen replied, “Of course, when practicing the Saber Controlling Technique, using one’s life-bound treasured saber can allow one to grasp the ‘Saber Controlling Technique’ much quicker. After all, the life-bound magical treasure and one’s thoughts are in sync.”

　　After saying that, a layer of light materialized on her short saber. It was just big enough to allow her and Song Shuhang to stand on it.

　　Sixteen raised her foot and took a step forward, and the short saber automatically flew beneath her feet, lifting her body. Then, she smiled, with dimples appearing on her face. “Come on, I’ll take you to that good place I was talking about.”

　　Song Shuhang took a deep breath, and then gently stepped on the layer of light.

　　“Stand firmly,” Su Clan’s Sixteen said.

　　The short saber sank a bit, rose sharply, and rushed towards the sky at great speed.

　　This speed was… 100 m/s!

　　Speed was justice—after all, regardless of which flying technique one was talking about, it had to be fast!

　　“Sixteen, slow down,” Song Shuhang said. There was still plenty of time; there was no need to rush. Furthermore, Sixteen was new to this, and the area of the ‘layer of light’ underneath his feet was pretty small. When he was stepping on it, he didn’t really feel safe at all.

　　Su Clan’s Sixteen said confidently, “Don’t worry, nothing untoward will happen. After I ascended to the Fourth Stage, I already mastered how to ride a flying saber, so you don’t need to be afraid. Look ahead, and don’t look down.”

　　Perhaps it was because Sixteen’s face was full of confidence, but Song Shuhang felt a little less anxious.

　　The layer of light of the short saber carried Su Clan’s Sixteen and Song Shuhang higher and higher. After several breaths’ time, they had already reached over 1,000 meters in altitude.

　　Then, the saber light sped straight towards the southwest.

　　Song Shuhang asked, “Where are we going?”

　　Su Clan’s Sixteen replied, “I actually don’t know the name of the place. Last night, with Jiangnan University as the starting point, I flew straight in a single direction and found a quiet place. I then set up an illusion formation there so that we can practice the ‘Saber Controlling Technique’ in peace.”

　　Song Shuhang nodded silently.

　　Although Su Clan’s Sixteen was a new driver, she was very talented in riding a flying saber, with the flight being fast as well as stable. This greatly eased Song Shuhang’s fear of heights.

　　❄️❄️❄️

　　They flew for around two minutes.

　　Song Shuhang asked, “Are we still not there yet?” The space the layer of light provided was only so big, so he couldn’t help but approach Sixteen.

　　“Just a little longer, we’ll be there real soon,” Su Clan’s Sixteen said, feeling relieved.

　　Although she had already mastered the ‘Saber Controlling Technique’, it was still her first time bringing someone with her. When she took Song Shuhang to the sky, she’d been quite nervous.

　　Now, they were soon going to land. As such, Sixteen let out a breath of relief after the safe journey.

　　At this moment, Song Shuhang suddenly said, “Wait. Sixteen, be careful, there’s something ahead.”

　　Su Clan’s Sixteen asked doubtfully, “Where?”

　　She looked ahead of them, but couldn’t see anything.

　　Song Shuhang replied, “There’s something in the layer of clouds right in front of us. Slow down first. Otherwise, we’ll end up hitting it.”

　　While they were talking, inside Song Shuhang’s dantian, his ‘Sage Seal’ slightly lit up. Similar to when he was in the Heavenly Tribulation Realm and in the ‘Profound Sage Speech’ state, the Sage Seal’s radiance added a layer of dignity to Song Shuhang.

　　Su Clan’s Sixteen made a hand seal, and the saber light underneath their feet slowed down rapidly; they came to a stop in the sky. At the same time, she directed her gaze towards the clouds ahead, but she still couldn’t see anything.

　　Was Song Shuhang having hallucinations?

　　Or was he able to see something that she couldn’t see?

　　Just as Su Clan’s Sixteen was in deep thought, a root-like thing stretched out of the clouds in front of them. These roots twirled flexibly like long snakes. They were initially in a state of ‘stealth’, but now had become visible.

　　Su Clan’s Sixteen’s body became taut, just like a small leopard ready to pounce.

　　“No need to be nervous. The other party shouldn’t have any malice towards us,” Song Shuhang said softly––it might be because he could also control lotus roots, but he felt that the roots had good intentions.

　　Song Shuhang’s voice had just fallen when the clouds suddenly dispersed. A small tree that was just over a meter tall appeared in front of him and Su Clan’s Sixteen.

　　The tree’s trunk was small, but its roots were very big. It didn’t seem to have a main root, with each and every one of its roots being over 60 meters long.

　　At this moment, its roots were pricking the surrounding clouds, seemingly absorbing some kind of spiritual energy from them and practicing.

　　“It turns out that we’ve accidentally intruded an area where a tree monster was cultivating,” Su Clan’s Sixteen said.

　　At this moment, the little tree said, “Greetings. I apologize, Fellow Daoists. I’ve just entered this area to cultivate, so I didn’t get a chance to set up a formation to alert the incoming fellow daoists… Eh? You’re Profound Sage Tyrannical Song!”

　　Due to the ‘divinity show’, as long as any practitioner in the universe saw Song Shuhang in the coming year, they would immediately know his name.

　　“Profound Sage Tyrannical Song, I didn’t think that I would meet you here!” the little tree said excitedly. “Your explanation of the Daoist Canon yesterday was terrific! Although I didn’t understand everything, I was still able to gain very much from it. After your speech, I felt that I had more hope in ascending to the Fifth Stage Realm. I didn’t think that I would actually get to meet you here today. I’m so lucky!”

　　The little tree’s excited words were slightly incoherent, and the leaves all over its body were trembling. It seemed to be even more excited than a diehard fan seeing their idol.

　　This little tree monster’s strength wasn’t too far off from Doudou’s, with both of them being about to ascend to the Fifth Stage. Its stealth ability just now was a special racial talent, and when it completely went invisible, even Su Clan’s Sixteen wasn’t able to see it.

　　“You’re welcome,” Song Shuhang said with a smile.

　　At this moment, the little tree expectantly said, “Profound Sage Tyrannical Song, I… can I get an autograph from you?” After it finished saying that, it trembled in excitement.

　　Song Shuhang was very worried that it might shake all of its leaves off with how excited it was.

　　Song Shuhang asked, “An autograph? Where you want it?”

　　The little tree asked expectantly, “You… can you sign on my body?” If it could ask the ‘first Sage in a thousand years’ for his autograph, it would be more confident when the time came for it to transcend its tribulation.

　　Song Shuhang had heard of crazy fans that would want their idols to sign on their clothes, but it was his first time encountering someone like this little tree, who was asking to be signed on its body.

　　Song Shuhang asked, “Alright… Sixteen, did you bring a pen?”

　　Su Clan’s Sixteen shrugged as she said, “Nope.”

　　“I didn’t bring one, either,” Song Shuhang said. He then looked at the little tree, which seemed even more unlikely to have a pen.

　　“Profound Sage Tyrannical Song, wait!” At this moment, the little tree stretched one of its branches out, grabbed it with its other parts, and then snapped it.

　　“Snap!” A long branch had been snapped off. Ink-like sap leaked out from the branch.

　　It looked really painful…

　　The little tree then expectantly said, “Profound Sage Tyrannical Song, if you aren’t against it, could you use my branch to sign on me?”

　　“No problem,” Song Shuhang replied.

　　…What this little tree had done to get his signature made it really difficult for him to refuse.

　　[Do you want me to send you over to the little tree?] Su Clan’s Sixteen asked using the ‘secret sound transmission’ method. Song Shuhang still had yet to learn the ‘Saber Controlling Technique, and so was unable to fly in the air.

　　[It’s fine, I’m still able to move across such a distance,] Song Shuhang replied.

　　In the following moment, Song Shuhang raised his legs and stepped on air. As he stepped out, spiritual qi quickly condensed in the air, forming a delicate black lotus beneath his foot.

　　The black lotus was shining, just like a black crystal.

　　One step, one black lotus. Every time Song Shuhang took a step, a new black lotus would bloom under his foot… and the old black lotus behind him would instantly scatter, with its petals dissipating in the sky.

　　The young tree monster was even more excited after seeing this scene.

　　In the distance, the calm-looking Su Clan’s Sixteen was still alert. If the tree monster dared to suddenly attack Song Shuhang, she would immediately counterattack.

　　In a few steps, Song Shuhang arrived beside the tree monster and took the branch.

　　…Song Shuhang’s face was calm, but in fact, he was also vigilant.

　　After all, Venerable White had divined this morning that he would be encountering some trouble in the future.

　　It was necessary for him to be mindful of harmful people and stay on guard.