Chapter 678: Anomaly

Next time, treasures and talismans would be invalid for the mission. The key would lie in personal strength. Meng Qi originally planned to exchange for resources, but now slight adjustments were necessary. After a moment of hesitation, he pondered and said, “After crossing the first Heaven’s Ladder, to enhance strength, one must constantly perceive the operation of heaven and earth, interweaving more principles of cultivation. Simply relying on retreat into seclusion won’t be of much help. However, the current techniques I have learned are quite miscellaneous. I plan to spend six months sorting through sword techniques, knife techniques, fist techniques, and palm techniques, truly integrating all learned moves into my own style.”

Although the Eight and Nine Profound Art could accommodate transformations and was adept at imitation, it did not hinder Meng Qi from using these numerous techniques. However, merely using them and truly mastering them, incorporating them into oneself, still had significant differences. The former was rigid, move by move, at best choosing when to use which move, and the transitions and variations during combat were not smooth, making it easy for opponents to find weaknesses. If not for the Eight and Nine Profound Art’s ability to sense danger and endure attacks, Meng Qi might have already suffered setbacks from this flaw.

However, the latter involved distilling the essence from techniques he had preliminarily mastered, such as the Overlord’s Six Slashes and segments of the Divine Firmament Nine Annihilations, and integrating them into his blade arts. Unconstrained by rigid forms, he could wield them effortlessly—each move complementing the other, compensating for weaknesses, and achieving flawless harmony!

It was akin to using storytelling as a metaphor for swordsmanship. Each move was a set routine, a fixed pattern. Suddenly mastering so many Dharma Body-level techniques and External Scenery-level cultivation methods meant he was currently just employing these routines, which might suffice for one or two encounters. However, if an opponent engaged him repeatedly, they could discern the patterns within his moves. Once his techniques were deciphered, unless he possessed overwhelming power to dominate, defeat would be inevitable.

So far, after advancing to the Exterior stage, those who had fought Meng Qi either perished or only engaged with him once or twice, so this issue wasn’t very apparent. However, the next mission would be a life-or-death trial. Meng Qi was acutely aware of his own shortcomings, and this deficiency needed to be rectified as soon as possible.

True masters never looked down on routines; rather, they knew how to discard the superficial and grasp the essence of these routines, then blended these essences according to varying circumstances, eliminating artificiality and repetition to craft a compelling “story.”

Originally, Meng Qi’s knife and sword techniques had already reached this level when he harmonized with the Dao. However, after advancing to the External Scenery stage, he encountered too many fortuitous opportunities, acquiring numerous extremely powerful techniques and methods. Temporarily unable to integrate them all, these skills operated independently. In this regard, his knife techniques, palm techniques, and fist techniques from the Primordial Beginning Golden Chapter were even more problematic than his sword techniques.

Meng Qi had always been well aware of this and had been striving to improve. His preliminary achievements included integrating “Xianshen Biyi” (“Divine Demonstration”) and “Wo Shen Du Cun” (“Myself Alone Endures”) into “Kai Tian Pi Di” (“Heaven and Earth Sundered”), and fusing “Dao Chuan Huan Yu” (“Dao Spreads Throughout the Universe”) with “Wan Wu Fan Xu” (“All Things Return to Emptiness”) into “Ri Yun” (“Sunset”)—”Hong Hong Lie Lie Zang Xing He” (“Gloriously Bury the Starry River”). These were truly his own moves, with every variation mastered thoroughly, knowing precisely how and to what extent to use them, making heavy tasks seem light.

However, these were merely two moves. Meng Qi still had numerous knife, sword, and palm techniques left to integrate. Moreover, even these two moves remained set routines—albeit newly developed ones, routines with a profound grasp of their essence. To seamlessly weave them into a cohesive, non-repetitive sequence would still require a long journey.

(Note: “套路” is translated as “set routines” to convey the idea of practiced, formalized techniques in martial arts. The phrasing maintains the original meaning while adapting naturally to English.)

Once reaching the level of seamless, effortless moves, Meng Qi could then extract his own Dao from them, serving as the soul of the entire story.

Therefore, after contemplation, Meng Qi decided to “waste” half a year specifically on this task. After all, exchanging time from the Six Dao was something he might as well use.

Jiang Zhiwei’s eyes lit up: “Exactly! I should also exchange for half a year!”

After comprehending “Dao Chuan Huan Yu,” her techniques such as “Tai Shang Wang Qing” (“Supreme Forgetfulness”) had taken on new directions and variations. “Jian Chu Wu Wo” (“Sword Emerges Without Self”) had similarly evolved after learning “Jian Nian San” (“Twenty-Third Sword”), “Liu Mie Jian Nian San” (“Twenty-Third Sword of Six Annihilations”), and Meng Qi’s description of “Zhan Dao Jian Wo” (“Sword Cuts Through Dao Reveals Self”). Currently, she was at the stage of extracting the essence from other sword techniques and integrating them once more under the overarching framework of “Dao Chuan Huan Yu” and similar methods, striving for a complete transformation of her sword techniques at the Outer Scene stage.

Receiving validation for his ideas, Meng Qi smiled slightly and continued, “I also plan to exchange for the ‘Three Swords’ corresponding ‘Three Knives.’ That way, when sorting through and integrating knife and sword techniques, there will be corresponding elements, preventing ‘forced’ combined knife-sword techniques. Additionally, I intend to enhance Tian Zhi Shang to make it a top-grade weapon.”

The ‘Three Knives’ were part of the ‘Three Knives, Three Swords, Three Divine Techniques’—”Three Knives”: Qian Dao Bu Jin (“Thousand Knives Unending”), Shi Dao Po Ji (“Ten Knives Piercing Extremes”), Yi Dao Jue Kong (“Single Knife Severing Void”). These simplified complex techniques, distilling the essence of knife techniques, and were the “General Principles” extracted by the Xuantian Evil Emperor from his own knife techniques, offering significant reference for Meng Qi’s current retreat.

After speaking, Meng Qi’s plan had taken shape. He then turned and spent 8,800 Virtue Points to exchange for the ‘Three Knives,’ used 1,200 Virtue Points to obtain half a year of time, and selected materials. With the Six Dao Cycle Master’s assistance, the Tian Zhi Shang, previously close to mid-grade, was upgraded to top-grade, costing a total of 1,200 Virtue Points:

“Tian Zhi Shang, Divine Weapon (Top-Grade): Forged with Celestial Thunder Red Gold body and Thunderstruck Spiritwood handle, infused with numerous precious materials… It is extremely heavy, weighing over 700 jin… It possesses certain command over lightning, with immense power, valued at 6,700 Virtue Points.”

As for the Flowing Fire, after absorbing the blood of the Iron Corpse, it was now nearly supreme-grade. Meng Qi believed that even without relying on the Six Paths, after a few more battles for refinement and stimulation, it would naturally ascend!

After completing all this, Meng Qi had 1,190 Virtue Points remaining. Smiling, he looked at Ruan Yushu and others: “Who else needs to exchange for cultivation time? Just remember to repay before the death mission.”

He wasn’t worried about his armor or materials for the Dongji Changsheng Pill, because “Dao Chuan Huan Yu” would collect Virtue Points upon the second comprehension. Meng Qi didn’t believe that, given the choice, members of the Immortal Trace would resist comprehending it only once!

Those who failed to cherish such a golden opportunity would surely face “celestial punishment”!

Moreover, Meng Qi realized he had other means to earn Virtue Points, which he had temporarily forgotten—such as the cultivation techniques memorized from Shangshui Fairy, and the rare treasures and pills purchasable with Six Gates Bureau salary.

Upon hearing Meng Qi’s words, Zhao Heng’s eyes first lit up, then he sighed bitterly: “With sufficient materials, my advancement to the Third Heaven won’t take long. However, crossing the first Heaven’s Ladder isn’t merely a matter of retreat into seclusion.”

This was the first major challenge at the outdoor filming stage—perceiving the “laws” of heaven and earth, which required cultivation through trials.

Previously, Ruan Yushu hadn’t chosen to exchange for cultivation time because she had traded the rare treasures needed for cultivation to the Six Dao to accumulate Virtue Points. Without sufficient materials, retreating into seclusion for five or six years might still fail to breakthrough to the Second Heaven. Hence, her priority was obtaining materials. Now seeing Meng Qi still had a considerable amount of Virtue Points, she slightly lowered her head, feigning calmness: “I need it.”

With sufficient time and rare treasures, reaching the Third Heaven before the next mission wouldn’t be a dream.

“Alright, I’ll trade with you later. Anyway, we’ll all stay here for retreat.” Considering the matter of the Immortal Trace, Meng Qi planned to discuss it with Ruan Yushu afterward.

Because if she agreed to join the Immortal Trace, she wouldn’t only gain cultivation techniques; the Immortal Trace Bazaar also offered affordable rare treasures, and completing member tasks would earn Virtue Points. She could then exchange for cultivation time there, striving for the Third Heaven!

Inspired by Meng Qi’s “example,” Jiang Zhiwei considered what she needed to exchange for. She walked to the misty light pillar and exchanged for half a year of time, intending to digest the sword techniques she had recently acquired, including but not limited to Dao Chuan Huan Yu and Jade Cauldron Immortal-Slaying Sword.

Then, she spent 2,200 Virtue Points to obtain “Sword Nourishing Wine,” to be used after her retreat for refining the White Rainbow Through the Sun Sword, enhancing her own cultivation through the sword’s improvement.

After exchanging for these two items, she smiled: “If no one else needs to borrow Virtue Points, I’ll exchange for an armor piece. Other items won’t be of much use anyway.”

Ruan Yushu had already borrowed Meng Qi’s Virtue Points, while Qi Zhengyan shook his head, indicating he had sufficient Virtue Points. Thus, Jiang Zhiwei selected and exchanged for “Seamless Heaven Robe,” a top-grade Divine Weapon-level armor, valued at 8,800 Virtue Points. When fully activated, it equaled Meng Qi’s current defensive capability, also resisting water and fire.

“Brother Qi, have you decided?” Meng Qi turned to Qi Zhengyan.

Qi Zhengyan, expressionless, replied: “Enhance Longwen Chijin Sword to top-grade, exchange for a Dark Chaos Crystal to aid cultivation, and one year of time.”

The “Hun Tian Bao Jian” required different specific energies at each stage, but it wasn’t that rare treasures weren’t needed—it was just distributed across stages. For example, when Qi Zhengyan cultivated the Purple Stars River Skill, he exchanged for a Meteorite Core. Hence, currently, he only needed chaotic-natured materials, with low consumption, well-prepared in advance.

Seeing Qi Zhengyan’s determination, Meng Qi didn’t suggest further, merely smiling: “Strive for the Third Heaven in the next mission.”

Qi Zhengyan slightly nodded, using 2,400 Virtue Points for one year of time, 2,000 Virtue Points for the second Dark Chaos Crystal. Then, along with materials like Dragon Bone, refining costs amounted to 4,600 Virtue Points, enhancing Longwen Chijin Sword:

“Longwen Chijin Sword (Cold Pool), Divine Artifact (Top Tier)… The blade is exceptionally hard and sharp, impervious to damage even by supreme-grade weapons. Those struck by it suffer frozen blood and petrified souls. When fully unleashed, it can swallow clouds and spew mist, altering seasons and freezing vast stretches of land… Valued at 6,400 Virtue Points.”

After completing the exchanges, since Meng Qi and the others were all entering retreat, Zhao Heng exchanged a few polite words before leaving the Reincarnation Plaza.

Seeing this, Meng Qi coughed slightly, just like persuading Jiang Zhiwei, abruptly spoke about the Immortal Trace, detailing its benefits.

Ruan Yushu listened quietly, then without hesitation replied: “I have no problem.”

With the death mission approaching, having a channel to enhance herself, not harming her family, and recommended by trusted companions, she saw no reason to refuse.

Meng Qi slightly relaxed, smiling toward Qi Zhengyan: “Brother Qi, what about you?”

Qi Zhengyan suddenly exhaled a breath of stale air: “I don’t like constraints. I won’t join the Immortal Trace.”

Saying so, he directly turned, stepping into his room, choosing retreat, not giving Meng Qi a chance to persuade.

“Brother Qi seems a bit strange,” Meng Qi frowned. “He exchanged his sect’s cultivation techniques for Virtue Points before. With the death mission imminent and the Immortal Trace’s clear benefits, why did he refuse so decisively?”

He hadn’t even mentioned comprehending “Dao Chuan Huan Yu” yet!

Ruan Yushu suddenly spoke: “When you used the green little tree to collect the core item, Brother Qi seemed a bit surprised, the kind of surprise when something exceeds expectations.”

She was indeed observant.

“And he seemed to want to touch the core tree as well,” Jiang Zhiwei recalled the scene.

Meng Qi still frowned: “Could Brother Qi have some unspoken difficulties?”

“Zhiwei, after leaving the cycle, take Yushu to the Immortal Trace. I’ll talk to Brother Qi seriously.”

“Alright,” Jiang Zhiwei didn’t speak further.

Meng Qi gathered his thoughts, then began detailing the Immortal Trace titles to Ruan Yushu.

After discussion, Ruan Yushu chose “Guang Han Fairy” because she understood music. Switching to sound techniques in critical moments wouldn’t raise suspicion. Additionally, her lightness technique, “Bu Bu Deng Yue” (“Step by Step Ascend the Moon”), suited Ruan Yushu for self-preservation.

After Ruan Yushu comprehended the Great Dao Tree, Meng Qi temporarily suppressed his concerns and began his retreat.