Jiang Zhiwei also agreed with Meng Qi’s opinion: “Basic techniques can be broad and diverse, observing the differences and similarities of various schools to explore their underlying principles. However, the core techniques one relies on should be refined and concentrated. If one’s weapon, external techniques, and true energy do not coordinate well, they will interfere with each other and reduce overall effectiveness. Take the little monk, for instance; when he uses Qingyu, the power of Anan Breaking Precepts Saber increases by three parts, while Purple Thunder Saber weakens slightly. When he uses Xiejie and Tianzhishang, the effect is reversed.”
“Therefore, choosing a weapon is also a discipline. We are not at the stage anymore where our abilities are insufficient and we must rely on weapons to handle different situations.”
She was referring to how, in preparation against evil forces, Meng Qi had chosen the Red Sun Subduing Evil Saber instead of the long saber that complemented Anan Breaking Precept Saber. Similarly, Qi Zhengyan had chosen the Dragon Pattern Red Gold Sword to suppress demonic energy.
Qi Zhengyan listened attentively and nodded slightly: “If I can coordinate external techniques with a treasure weapon, even if I open eight acupoints and cultivate the Purple Star River and Jade Ice Snow true energy, it won’t seem insufficient. Instead, they can both serve as my core techniques. Therefore, I will first enhance the Dragon Pattern Red Gold Sword, and then select an external technique based on the remaining merit points.”
The Dragon Pattern Red Gold Sword itself was already a near semi-external technique weapon. Enhancing it to a treasure weapon wouldn’t cost too much, but if it were to evolve toward the Han Chi direction, an additional “Han Chi Grass” would need to be exchanged. In total, after considering all the additional costs, it came to eight hundred merit points.
Radiant light rose, swirling and spreading, gradually becoming crystalline and exuding a pure, icy chill.
When the thick light dissipated, the Dragon Pattern Red Gold Sword floated within the beam of light. The blade was straight, dark gold with a hint of green, its patterns undulating and forming the image of a hornless dragon. The surrounding coldness condensed, as if creating a frigid reward. The hilt resembled dragon claws, exuding majesty and nobility.
“Dragon Pattern Red Gold Sword (Han Chi), a divine weapon. This is a sword that has undergone multiple enhancements, primarily infused with the essence of Han Chi, integrating all dragon-like materials. It radiates profound majesty, repels evil spirits, and strikes awe into the hearts of men. Its blade is sharp enough to cleave through metal and stone. Those wounded by it suffer from frozen blood, which spreads to the heart. When fully unleashed, it can swallow clouds and mist, sweeping across ten miles, altering the weather and seasons. Its sword energy can seal rivers. Value: one thousand six hundred merit points.”
“A fine sword indeed,” Jiang Zhiwei praised.
When Qi Zhengyan gripped the hilt, his entire body shivered, as if touching ancient ice. Then, a faint, involuntary smile appeared on his corpse-like face: “An excellent sword.”
After enhancing the Dragon Pattern Red Gold Sword, Qi Zhengyan still had more than three thousand five hundred merit points remaining, giving him ample flexibility in choosing an external sword technique, without needing to worry too much about the price.
Excluding the supreme techniques of various sects and families to avoid disputes, the remaining choices weren’t many, though some were familiar to Meng Qi:
“The Emperor’s Sword… too costly. If one possessed the destiny of a True Dragon Emperor, it might be worth challenging a Dharma Body, making it a worthwhile investment. However, judging from Senior Brother Qi’s demeanor, he doesn’t seem to carry the Emperor’s destiny. This sword technique would merely be redundant…”
“The Tianjing Sword Manual… it does have a connection with Hun Tian Ba Jian, but without the Tianjing Sword itself, its power is greatly reduced. The cost-effectiveness is too low!”
“The Bixue Sword derived from Hun Tian Ba Jian is indeed harmonious, but its power… let’s just say it’s laughable…”
“As for Tian Shang Di Han, it leans toward the demonic path, somewhat conflicting with the grand and orthodox nature of Hun Tian…”
Since Jiang Zhiwei had already decided on her choices, Qi Zhengyan was practically the last to decide. Meng Qi was being particularly picky, comparing various options. Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu occasionally offered suggestions but often retracted them, as some techniques were either primary cultivation methods incompatible with simultaneous practice or too expensive to afford. Thus, everyone was momentarily indecisive.
As they discussed, Qi Zhengyan suddenly pointed at a sword technique: “How about this one?”
“Ice Soul Cold Light Sword Technique…” Meng Qi examined it carefully and realized it wasn’t the one he knew. Instead, it was an ancient, long-lost external sword technique. It wasn’t particularly strong, but its power wasn’t weak either. Considering Qi Zhengyan’s current cultivation level, it was sufficient.
The Ice Soul Cold Light Sword Technique didn’t require too many merit points either. Comprising seven stances in total, its core manual cost one thousand five hundred merit points, with each stance costing five hundred. Even though Qi Zhengyan had opened his acupoints, he could at most use two external techniques twice. Considering the time needed for cultivation, exchanging one stance at a time was more appropriate, requiring a total of two thousand merit points.
“That works too,” Meng Qi had no objections to this moderate yet well-rounded option.
Jiang Zhiwei took a look and enthusiastically said: “So it’s a lost sword technique.”
She looked eager to witness it firsthand.
Qi Zhengyan, decisive in his actions, immediately exchanged for the core manual and the first stance, “A Thousand Miles of Ice.”
“Still one thousand five hundred and eighty merit points remaining…” Qi Zhengyan thought for a moment and first exchanged for a Da Huan Dan (Great Recovery Pill).
He was about to leave Ye Du to venture into the martial world and naturally needed to prepare adequately—ordinary healing pills could be purchased from the sect, but the Da Huan Dan was a top-tier pill for the Acupoint Opening stage. Even the Huanhua Sword Sect’s corresponding medicinal herbs couldn’t match its effects. Since he had sufficient merit points, he decided to exchange for one for self-defense.
Suddenly, Jiang Zhiwei spoke up: “Senior Brother Qi, it would be best to also exchange for the fifth layer of Hun Tian Ba Jian. We can’t be certain whether using the Reincarnation Talisman to initiate the Zhenwu Suspected Tomb mission will directly transport us into the world and then immediately take us away without returning here. If the next mission is a year from now and you’ve already opened all eight acupoints, you might waste valuable cultivation time.”
Qi Zhengyan was already close to opening his acupoints. With his talent of shedding mortal flesh and his previous cultivation foundation, Jiang Zhiwei believed he could naturally open them within one or two months. Within the following year, there was a good chance he would open the eighth acupoint. If the reincarnation mission hadn’t started by then, he wouldn’t be able to continue cultivating.
—Previously, Meng Qi had directly used the Reincarnation Talisman here without testing its activation in the main world, so unexpected situations had to be considered.
“Better safe than sorry,” Meng Qi agreed.
Due to his experiences, Qi Zhengyan had always prioritized his main cultivation techniques. Upon hearing this, he didn’t hesitate and directly exchanged nine hundred merit points for the fifth layer of Hun Tian Ba Jian, “Purple Stars River.”
It was a dazzling purple crystal, within which seemed to flow an endless river of shimmering stars, swirling and surging in perpetual motion. It exuded an enchanting allure that captivated the mind and held the gaze spellbound.
“Truly a peerless divine art.” Jiang Zhiwei withdrew her gaze and praised. Even among the many peerless divine arts, the Hun Tian Bao Jian was considered quite unique—it could connect with extraordinary energies of heaven and earth during the Qi Accumulation and Aperture Opening stages, manifesting a weakened version of the Half-Step External Scenery state.
On the other hand, most other supreme martial arts focus on laying the foundation at this stage and do not exhibit many extraordinary features compared to ordinary techniques. For example, the “Supreme Sword Scripture” and the “Seventy-Two Transformations Divine Art” each have their own emphasis. The former refines sword intent, strengthens the sword heart, and enhances the power of sword techniques, while the latter fortifies the body, increases strength, sharpens the senses, improves defensive capabilities, and grants greater control over minute bodily movements. Practicing these techniques yields twice the results with half the effort, allowing one to execute moves with precision surpassing years of hard training by others. Additionally, the “Seventy-Two Transformations Divine Art” even provides a preliminary ability to alter one’s appearance. However, apart from these advantages, their primary focus remains on cultivating true qi, unlocking the innate nine apertures, without displaying any particularly miraculous effects.
He also had one hundred and eighty merit points left, waiting for Jiang Zhiwei to redeem them.
“Let me first check how much virtue is needed to enhance the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun Sword,” Jiang Zhiwei said without needing any prompting.
She primarily focuses on sword energy and is unwilling to imbue the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun Sword with effects like freezing or flames. While such enhancements could trigger celestial phenomena—such as drifting snow and frozen rivers, or torrents of fire raining down to burn cities—they would conflict with her inner world, making the trade-off unworthy. Thus, she chose the path of surging sword energy, much like the Purple Sorrow.
“Materials and upgrades will cost seven hundred,” Jiang Zhiwei quoted a figure, while exchanging all the remaining ordinary healing pills she had for Virtue Points, totaling eighty. After all, once outside, with her status, she had no fear of being unable to gather more.
Then, she said straightforwardly and generously, “Lend me eighty merit points each, and I’ll pay you back when the True Martial Tomb opens. With the remaining hundred, you can still buy some elixirs.”
She had long coveted the Twenty-Three Swords, and now that she had the chance to obtain them, how could she let it slip away?
In future reincarnation missions, even if the rewards are increased, they may not be as substantial as those from this death mission in the short term.
“Alright,” Meng Qi and the others agreed without hesitation.
Gaining the merit points, Jiang Zhiwei’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly exchanged for the “Twenty-Three Swordsmanship.” She devoured the manual with an insatiable hunger, wishing she could master it in a single read. Her beauty was so radiant that it was almost blinding.
Fortunately, she still had some self-control. With great effort, she steadied her mind and tucked the secret manual away.
Upon seeing the Twenty-third Sword, Meng Qi gritted his teeth, hoping Jiang Zhiwei would only comprehend its sword principles and techniques rather than truly master it.
Jiang Zhiwei exchanged for the materials needed to upgrade her longsword. Holding them along with the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun Sword, she stepped into the beam of light with a solemn expression and declared, “I wish to partake in its transformation.”
This is the unwavering dedication of a sword cultivator to their blade. Her usual plan is to break through the life-and-death barrier herself, thereby elevating the longsword in the process. This way, her inner world and the treasured weapon will perfectly harmonize, requiring no further adaptation—wielding it as effortlessly as her own arm. Of course, the enhancement still requires preparing the necessary materials.
The Lord of the Six Paths of Reincarnation did not object. A misty aura rose, enveloping the longsword and the materials, leaving behind Jiang Zhiwei’s figure with her eyes closed.
The radiance faded as Jiang Zhiwei emerged, lost in thought, holding the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun Sword. Though the blade showed no obvious changes, it exuded an extraordinarily menacing aura.
“The White Rainbow Piercing the Sun Sword, a treasured weapon, refined twice to perfection, resonates with the sword intent of its wielder Jiang Zhiwei. Unmatched in sharpness, it can sever any weapon, suppress evil spirits, and harm the primordial spirit. When unleashed at full power, its sword energy surges for over ten miles, stirring the winds and clouds. Valued at fifteen hundred virtue points.”
For the remaining one hundred merits, Meng Qi exchanged for one Herb-Enhancing Pill, Qi Zhengyan obtained two bottles of Void-Form Nourishing Pills, and Ruan Yushu indifferently chose one Spirit-Replenishing Vitality Pill.
Afterwards, as the cherished eldest daughter of a prominent family, Ruan Yushu was the first to return. This experience had been exceptionally perilous, with life and death hanging in the balance for her companions. Despite her inherent resilience, she couldn’t help but feel emotional turmoil and inner unrest, desperately needing the comfort of her family and the solace of good food. After all, she would be able to reunite with Meng Qi and the others in just three months.
Before leaving, Jiang Zhiwei found Meng Qi and spoke to him very solemnly: “Little monk, the grief and pain we all share over the deaths of Senior Brother Zhang and Zhenzhen are understandable. But don’t dwell on it or let yourself be consumed by sorrow, as it will affect your state of mind and even hinder your martial progress. What we must do is to forget the pain, use it as motivation, press forward courageously, reach the pinnacle, and bring them back to life.”
She was worried that this incident would leave Meng Qi feeling dejected and cast a shadow over his entire life.
Having lived two lives and being much older than Jiang Zhiwei in actual age, Meng Qi let out a sigh and said, “Zhiwei, don’t worry. I’m not that fragile. I won’t let this change my personality or make me forget how to laugh. Heh, I’ll still have my moments of brain freeze.”
After making a joke, he turned serious and said, “I will hold fast to my true heart, act with courage and diligence, remaining impartial and avoiding extremes.”
Jiang Zhiwei smiled and said, “It’s best that you think this way. To be honest, when you’re acting impulsively, it suits your age. But when you’re serious, you seem very mature—more mature than I ever imagined.”
After exchanging a few words, urged by the Lord of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, they stepped into the beams of light together with Qi Zhengyan.
Darkness surged forth, then swiftly dissipated. Meng Qi found himself seated in his own bedroom, with the deep night outside the window and stars twinkling, bringing an uncanny sensation of being the only one awake in a slumbering world. His mood was somber yet expansive, making him keenly aware of the preciousness of life.
Yedu’s Ling Mountain, where life and death are worlds apart.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage