Light and shadow flickered, and hazy mist drifted as a beam of light, like a pointing finger, touched Meng Qi’s forehead.
The monk with a sorrowful expression reappeared in Meng Qi’s mind. His steps were heavy, and his back slightly bent, as if bound by invisible chains. Yet, only peaceful serenity surrounded him.
A flash of blade light appeared, vividly displaying various transformations—greed, hatred, ignorance, love, hate, and the pain of unfulfilled desires. These illusions transformed the tranquil realm into a worldly chaos of ten-foot red dust.
Crack! The invisible chains shattered, obstacles crumbled, and an endless sea of suffering surged forth. His figure drifted up and down, enduring torment and scorching agony. Yet amidst the suffering came joy. His heart became lively and nimble again, experiencing the happiness of familial love, the delight of affection, the righteousness of friendship, and the pleasure of fame. Though hardships remained unchanged, he found himself unable to extricate from this emotional state.
The illusion vanished. The blade technique “Severing Purity” was completely imprinted in Meng Qi’s mind. However, remembering the changes of the blade technique was one thing; truly using it with complete unity of body and mind, anytime and anywhere, required arduous practice.
One must understand that within the martial sects, secret manuals were meticulously detailed. Disciples not only carefully studied them but also watched their masters demonstrate the techniques—only slightly inferior to direct transmission of true intent. Even so, very few disciples could truly grasp the essence of these techniques. Knowledge and practice often failed to align.
Meng Qi felt that although he had grasped the surface meaning of “Severing Purity” through the true intent transmission, it would still take at least a year or so before he could initially perform this technique. And even that was already a case of “Heaven does not forsake the diligent!”
After mentally replaying the blade technique several times, Meng Qi opened his eyes. As expected, the “Storm of Pear Blossom Needles” floating before him was fully loaded. There was also a page explaining how to open the mechanism after firing, and instructions for reloading poisoned needles, alongside an expanded version of the “Eight Steps of Divine Movement” manual—now titled “Hundred Transformations of Divine Movement.”
“The first move of ‘Ānanda’s Breaking the Precepts Blade’—’Severing Purity’—has been completed. One hundred and ten Virtue Points consumed.”
“The ‘Storm of Pear Blossom Needles’—Poison Needle variant—has been completed. Fifty Virtue Points consumed. Special reminder: this weapon has already been used once and can be used only twice more. Repairing it will cost four hundred Virtue Points. Completing the repair and then exchanging it will yield five hundred Virtue Points.”
“The ‘Eight Steps of Divine Movement’ has been elevated to ‘Hundred Transformations of Divine Movement.’ Forty Virtue Points consumed.”
The emotionless voice of the Master of the Six Dao Karmic Cycle sounded. Meng Qi couldn’t help but curse inwardly. Repairing the “Storm of Pear Blossom Needles” was too expensive! He’d rather exchange for a new one! The Master of the Six Dao Karmic Cycle was practically a swindler!
A single-use “Storm of Pear Blossom Needles” cost four hundred Virtue Points, a triple-use version cost eight hundred, and a reusable version exceeded two thousand. However, the weapon had limited effect against Exo-World experts. Even if it could be used repeatedly, it would not be worth much. Therefore, the most cost-effective option was to exchange for the blueprints and research manufacturing them himself. For instance, the blueprint for a two-thousand-grade “Storm of Pear Blossom Needles” cost only five hundred Virtue Points.
Though he cursed, Meng Qi quickly gathered the items before him. Although he could exchange the “Storm of Pear Blossom Needles” for a large amount of Virtue Points to obtain other martial techniques, at present, it was his most crucial life-saving tool.
After completing the exchanges, Meng Qi had fifty Virtue Points remaining. He had no choice but to step forward, open the jade tablet, and search for a suitable blade technique.
Unfortunately, even the “Five Tigers Breaking the Gate Blade” cost thirty Virtue Points. Thus, the quality of a fifty-point blade technique could be imagined—it offered no significant improvement. Exchanging for such techniques was worse than calmly studying and comprehending the “Five Tigers Breaking the Gate Blade.”
“Actually, the ‘Five Tigers Breaking the Gate Blade’ isn’t bad. Its moves are simple yet effective. Within its grand and sweeping strokes lies the bold spirit of blade techniques. If you can master it, it won’t be much worse than some refined blade techniques.”
Zhang Yuanshan joked as he continued, “If you, Master Zhen Ding, truly possess talent for blade techniques and can grasp the true essence of blade arts from basic moves, you might dominate the world with just this ‘Five Tigers Breaking the Gate Blade.’ Just like Master Lu of the Huamei Villa, who spent his entire life practicing only the ‘Six Harmonies Sword’ and still earned the title ‘Number One Sword Under Heaven.'”
“Talent may exist, but grasping the true essence of blade techniques requires years of refinement. I must prioritize dealing with the Karmic Cycle tasks first. Alas, time waits for no one. Fate mocks heroes, and even the mightiest may feel powerless!” Meng Qi replied jokingly, gazing into the distance with a melancholic expression, like a fallen martial cultivation master at his peak. Then he suddenly snapped back, “Number One Sword Under Heaven?”
That was definitely not a good title to bear!
Xuan Xin was narrating martial arts stories, but was still at the stage of introducing sects and boasting about personal experiences. Therefore, Meng Qi didn’t know much about these martial heroes, vaguely recalling only the names “Huamei Villa” and “Master Lu.”
Speaking of the “Number One Sword Under Heaven,” Jiang Zhiwei naturally became enthusiastic: “Master Lu was the descendant of an unknown bodyguard in the Northern Zhou Dynasty. His family passed down the ordinary ‘Six Harmonies Sword’ and ‘Metal Element Heart Technique.’ However, for decades, he never strayed to learn other martial arts. Through countless dangers and experiences, he finally grasped the ultimate truth of swordsmanship, elevating these two techniques to legendary status, attaining the ‘Indestructible Metal Body,’ and founding the Huamei Villa lineage. Because of this journey, he earned a widely recognized nickname: ‘Single-Minded Sword.'”
“My master has never admired anyone, but he often praises Master Lu, saying he fully grasped the essence of swordsmanship with single-minded dedication, and longs to openly duel him once he attains the Dharma Body.”
Monster! Freak! As Jiang Zhiwei described him, only these two words flashed through Meng Qi’s mind. Nothing else could express his inner shock. His journey was probably impossible for anyone else to imitate, and Meng Qi knew he himself absolutely lacked the determination to follow such a path.
This wasn’t about the pressure of the Karmic Cycle tasks. Meng Qi clearly knew he couldn’t do it—certainly not the current him. His cultivation mindset wasn’t at that level yet. Perhaps after further trials in the future, he might approach it.
“What rank does Master Lu hold on the Heaven List?” Meng Qi, just introduced to the Heaven, Earth, and Human ranking system, instinctively asked.
Jiang Zhiwei’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she replied, “Fourth. This doesn’t mean he is inferior to Masters like Kongwen, but he has not entered the martial world for thirteen years, and has few recent achievements.”
“Thirteen years without entering the martial world?” Meng Qi asked in confusion.
Zhang Yuanshan nodded slightly, filled with reverence: “After Lady Ye’s unexpected death, Master Lu built a hut by her grave, devoting himself to painting and calligraphy, and withdrew from worldly affairs.”
“Therefore, rumors say his strength has greatly declined, and his ranking might drop further,” Qi Zhengyan, also from a sword sect, added with admiration.
Meng Qi smirked: “But how can I possibly compare to Master Lu? I should just pick a decent blade technique.”
Zhang Yuanshan nodded: “The ‘Five Tigers Breaking the Gate Blade’ is bold and grand, representing the orthodox path. If you want to exchange for something, find a blade technique with strange and unpredictable moves to gain an advantage through the unexpected.”
“Brother Zhang speaks wisely,” Jiang Zhiwei agreed.
Hearing about strange and unpredictable blade techniques, Meng Qi’s mind stirred. He flipped through the jade tablet and found a familiar one.
“The Blood Blade Technique!”
This was the blade technique of the Blood Blade Sect from “The Legend of the Condor Heroes.” The Blood Blade Patriarch wielded it to dominate the martial world with its bizarre style, each strike coming from an unimaginable angle.
“Eighty Virtue Points…” Meng Qi murmured the required cost, beginning to consider what he could exchange for Virtue Points.
Jiang Zhiwei peeked at the jade tablet and chuckled: “This technique is indeed suitable for you, little monk. Need some Virtue Points? I’m a good person, not charging exorbitant interest. Just promise to spar with me using Ānanda’s Breaking the Precepts Blade next time.”
“Of course,” Meng Qi immediately agreed, realizing that unless he exchanged for the “Storm of Pear Blossom Needles,” he truly couldn’t afford it. Borrowing and repaying could also strengthen team cohesion—as long as he didn’t default on the debt.
“Master Zhen Ding, your opinion just now was truly invaluable to me. I won’t charge exorbitant interest either. I’ll lend you twenty Virtue Points, just enough. You can repay me after the next mission,” Zhang Yuanshan smiled.
Qi Zhengyan, expressionless: “Twenty for twelve. I can directly lend you thirty.”
He said this because Zhang and Jiang’s combined contributions were sufficient.
Grateful for their kindness, Meng Qi outwardly exaggerated: “Senior Brother Qi, when did you become so generous?”
“If you die in the next mission due to poor blade skills, the enemy might pick up your ‘Storm of Pear Blossom Needles.’ That would be dangerous,” Qi Zhengyan replied solemnly.
“By the way, you should be able to break through the ‘Awakening’ barrier this time, right?” Zhang Yuanshan suddenly asked.
Qi Zhengyan nodded: “After exchanging for another Ginseng Qi-Replenishing Pill, I should be able to attempt the breakthrough with the ‘Heavenly Wisdom Pill’ in half a month. Then I’ll find an opportunity to go on a mission with senior sect members and claim to have encountered an unexpected fortune along the way.”
He had thought it through. After all, as an extremely ordinary disciple of the Huanhua Sword Sect, suddenly breaking through to the “Awakening” stage without external aids would easily raise suspicion (such as being secretly bribed by enemies with a breakthrough pill). Therefore, he planned to fabricate an “unexpected fortune” story. Indeed, in such a major sect, an “unexpected fortune” involving a “Heavenly Wisdom Pill” was hardly worth mentioning.
“If you successfully awaken, the sect will probably teach you the ‘Autumn Waterfall Sword’ technique. Then there’s no need to exchange for another sword technique,” Zhang Yuanshan nodded slightly.
“Yes, but after mastering the ‘Autumn Waterfall Decision’ and ‘Autumn Water Sword,’ I will exchange them with the Master of the Six Dao Karmic Cycle,” Qi Zhengyan did not hide this time.
As a major sword sect, most of the Huanhua Sword Sect’s sword techniques were cultivation methods. For example, the “Autumn Waterfall Sword” included both the “Autumn Waterfall Decision” and the “Autumn Water Sword” techniques, and the “Long River Sword” also included the “Setting Sun Heart Method.”
Jiang Zhiwei and Zhang Yuanshan each had their own principles but never intended to interfere with others. Besides, the Huanhua Sword Sect wasn’t their own sect. As long as Qi Zhengyan didn’t betray his companions, they had no objections.
At this point, Meng Qi had already borrowed Virtue Points from Zhang Yuanshan and Jiang Zhiwei and exchanged for the “Blood Blade Technique.” Hearing this, he was surprised: “Senior Brother Qi, what martial technique are you planning to exchange?”
If he was even willing to exchange the “Autumn Waterfall Sword,” Qi Zhengyan must have grand ambitions!
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