The night was as dark as ink.
A crescent moon drifted in the sky like a lonely boat.
The cold moonlight lazily spilled over the earth.
In the silent wilderness, a campfire burned.
The flames danced, as if performing a fiery dance for their master.
Beside the campfire, a dog lay sprawled, sleeping soundly.
Leaning against it was a young man.
The youth wiped his sword while humming a tune out of boredom.
Ling Xiao had ultimately agreed to his master’s suggestion, quietly leaving the Yuehua Sect with the dog to head secretly to the Thousand Ghost Forest.
With the Yue Lin Festival approaching, ordinary methods wouldn’t allow Ling Xiao to break through in such a short time.
Thus, he agreed to his master’s advice to train in the Thousand Ghost Forest.
“Master, wouldn’t it be safer to enter the Thousand Ghost Forest from Green Valley? Why must we cross the Fulong Mountains? Doesn’t that greatly increase the danger?” Ling Xiao sheathed his Ice Dragon Sword, pulled out another blade to wipe, and asked casually.
“Exactly, your master intends for you to face some danger!” The dog, eyes still closed, spoke in a human voice, “You must have noticed that the more perilous the situation, the faster your potential awakens. If you want to reach the Fourth or even Fifth Mortal Realm in a short time, you must fight your way through the beasts in the Fulong Mountains!”
Ling Xiao finally understood Yuan Zun’s purpose.
While the Thousand Ghost Forest was their destination, the myriad demon and ferocious beasts in the Fulong Mountains were the key.
Fighting through them would be gruelling, but far more effective than staying in the sect.
With Master Yuan Zun by his side, even if they encountered a beast he couldn’t handle, there was no need to worry.
For now, Ling Xiao only needed to focus on honing his martial skills and boosting his cultivation.
The Fulong Mountains were indeed dangerous, but the spiritual energy here was richer than in the sect. Even simply cultivating here would yield faster progress than in the sect.
With this in mind, Ling Xiao suddenly smiled and asked, “Master, I recall you mentioned teaching me a powerful martial skill during our time away from the Yuehua Sect, right?”
“Correct, but I need to first understand your fighting style and select a skill based on your characteristics and current techniques. Rest assured, your master isn’t stingy. The skill I’ll teach you will definitely be a top-tier golden-grade martial art!” Yuan Zun didn’t deny it.
“No need to rush. You already have plenty of attack methods. You know, biting off more than you can chew is unwise. The skill I teach you will be exactly what you need most. Also, a suggestion: even in unarmed combat, use qi swords. No need to learn fist or finger techniques. Specialise in swordsmanship, and your future will shine brighter.”
“Understood!” Ling Xiao had recently been considering focusing on one path to reach its peak, as that was the easiest route.
Unlike potential, martial skills couldn’t be developed comprehensively.
Even with enough energy, did he need to master all eighteen weapons?
Having chosen the sword, he would stick to it, persisting on the path of swordsmanship.
Even in unarmed combat, qi swords or finger swords sufficed, no need for fist techniques.
Of course, dragon clan and soul clan martial arts were exceptions and worth learning.
“Alright, since you’re so eager, I’ll teach you the ‘Nine Veins Qi Sword’ first. A martial artist has nine martial veins, each capable of condensing a qi sword. Its power varies by individual, but this sword technique’s true strength lies in forming qi swords with true essence. Different true essence attributes yield different qi sword properties, producing unique effects.”
Pleased that Ling Xiao accepted his advice, Yuan Zun, who hadn’t planned to teach a skill so soon, changed his mind.
“This is a top-tier golden-grade sword technique, ideal for close or mid-range combat, known for its sharp, sudden attacks. Mastered to perfection, it can produce nine qi swords at once, with power comparable to entry-level jade-grade techniques!”
Ling Xiao was thrilled. Though he hadn’t been Yuan Zun’s disciple for long, previously learning only array formation from him, now he was receiving a top-tier golden-grade skill. It seemed Yuan Zun, perhaps due to Ling Xiao’s rescue, fully trusted him and treated him as a true disciple.
“There are two ways to use qi swords. One is like a finger technique, with a sword qi range of about ten metres. The other is to condense a qi sword for combat, its length controlled at will, even usable with other sword techniques. While it lacks a weapon’s enhancement, it’s more flexible and freely wielded.”
Yuan Zun continued, “Best of all, qi swords can grow stronger over time, unlike weapons that become obsolete quickly, and they won’t conflict with martial skills due to attribute clashes.”
“Master, can soul force be integrated into qi swords?” Ling Xiao asked.
“Where did you get that idea?” Yuan Zun looked at him curiously, “Perhaps it’s possible, but no one’s tried it. You can experiment, but I don’t know if it’ll work.”
Ling Xiao nodded, planning to use it as a replacement. The techniques he’d relied on had helped him greatly, but with his rapid progress, those entry-level golden-grade skills couldn’t keep up. Qi swords might be more versatile than imagined. Yuan Zun merely possessed the skill without exploring its depths, but Ling Xiao was different. Once he acquired a technique, he’d try to adapt it to suit himself better.
“Come here, I’ll teach you the Nine Veins Qi Sword mantra. Practise slowly, or wait until we’re deep in the Fulong Mountains to refine it through battles with beasts.”
The mantra was short, only nine lines, but shorter mantras were often trickier, requiring much personal insight.
“Alright, I’m going to rest. Wake me when you’ve condensed your first qi sword.” Yuan Zun couldn’t stay awake long; just speaking a few words exhausted him. Though he disliked this state, his severe past injuries left him no choice.
But just as he closed his eyes, Ling Xiao called him awake again, much to his irritation.
