Chapter Ten: Practicing Sword in the Pond

  (Tenth Step rushes to the new chart, everyone has a recommendation vote! Let Tenth Step truly achieve ten steps to kill one person, thousand miles without leaving a trail, killing all the way to the top ten, haha!)

  The water in the Mingyue Pool is clear and mirror-like, and it's often said that if the water is too clear, there won't be any fish. However, in this pool, there are many transparent fish species swimming around, about a few inches to a foot long, with a crystal-like appearance. According to Duan Qingyun, these are rare snowfish, with delicious flesh and the effect of unblocking meridians. They're especially beneficial for sword cultivators who have not yet built their foundation, as eating them can aid in cultivating their sword energy. However, they usually only exist in the depths of large lakes and marshes, making it difficult for ordinary people to find them. It's likely that these fish ended up in the Mingyue Pool because they accidentally entered an underground river and were washed away by the current to the spring where the waterfall is located, eventually falling into the pool and thriving there.

  Waiting for Lu Qing and Yu Ji to finish their comparison, Duan Qingyun went into the water and caught a few snow fish over a foot long. The four of them lit a fire, put the snow fish on a rack made of branches that were still green, and then under Lu Qing's somewhat surprised gaze, Duan Qingyun took out four or five bottles of different sizes from his waist, smiled triumphantly at Lu Qing, and opened them to sprinkle their contents onto the snow fish. Red, yellow, dark brown, light green, and snowy white powders were evenly distributed over the fish's body. After a while, the snow fish gradually turned golden brown, and a strong, strange fragrance wafted out, making everyone eager to dig in. Even Zhao Qianye, who was usually somewhat aloof, stared intently at Duan Qingyun's movements.

  Can't help but say that Duan Qingyun is really good at eating, after finishing the arrangement, Lu Qing and the others simultaneously stretched out their hands, grabbed a snow fish and started eating, without caring about the layer of fragrant hot oil on the surface. They ate until their mouths were full of fresh and tender fish meat, and the outer layer of fish skin was crispy to the extreme, making Lu Qing want to bite off his tongue. As the snow fish entered his stomach, Lu Qing felt a weak stream of heat rising from his lower abdomen, which rotated for a few weeks before returning to the warm sword yuanqi in his dantian. The sword yuanqi suddenly expanded and contracted, then quickly returned to calmness, but Lu Qing was delighted to discover that the sword yuanqi inside him had become thicker by a fraction, although the increase was very small, every little bit counts, everything has a process of continuous accumulation.

  After breakfast, the four of them dispersed to practice their swords. Lu Qing walked into the pond, his upper body exposed, and came to a relatively calm area of water not far from the edge of the pond. The water reached up to three inches above his navel, and there were occasional bursts of undercurrents shooting out from the holes at the bottom of the pond, hitting his legs. Fortunately, Lu Qing had been practicing swordplay for three years, and his foundation in horse-riding stance was still very solid. He only stumbled a little at first, but soon steadied himself.

  After careful consideration of the advice given by Yu and Hua, Lu Qing had a deep understanding. The Seven Styles of Morning Sun unfolded, and the black iron sword suddenly transformed into a purple torrent that broke into the water. As soon as it entered the water, Lu Qing felt a significant increase in resistance on his hand. The long sword broke through the surface of the pond, creating white waves that rolled and churned, accompanied by the dull sound of the water. After the first move, "Borrowing Clouds to See the Sun", Lu Qing discovered that not only was it difficult for him to control the direction of his sword, but also the consumption of his internal Qi was much faster than when he was on land - a full three times more. For a moment, although the momentum was impressive, in reality, it was all show and no substance, with both speed and reaction greatly reduced, having only an empty shell.

  Not discouraged, Lu Qing knew that this was his first attempt and he couldn't adapt to the changes in force when practicing swordsmanship in water. He mostly used brute force to execute moves. The way of the sword is not something that can be accomplished overnight, it requires constant practice. Once he could wield his power freely in the pool, his mastery of swordsmanship would surely increase greatly on land.

  The movements in his hand were not slow, and he worked hard to feel the changes in the force of the sword breaking through the water. He sought to make every sword move consume less energy, and so he practiced the "Morning Sun Seven Styles" again and again, then the "Rising Cloud Nine Styles". Every time Lu Qing finished a set, he would have a different feeling, and when his internal energy was exhausted, he would sit on the shore facing the rising red sun. In this way, his internal energy would increase slightly, as if breaking down and then building up again, just like Lu Qing's current state.

  From the initial persistence of three incense sticks in the pond to the gradual increase to half a time at sunset, Qingyun also went down to the kitchen to roast a few snow fish to solve the problem of lunch. They still haven't reached the cultivation level of several great elders, and they still need to eat three meals a day.

  On the shore, Yu and Hua stood with their swords sheathed, quietly gazing at the figure constantly jumping up and down in the Mingyue Pool. Their eyes all had a hint of satisfaction, but to varying degrees. Yu and Hua were standing with faint smiles, while Zhao Qianye nodded slightly before his expression returned to normal.

  In the pool, Lu Qing's mind was completely immersed in the black iron sword in his hand, feeling every change in the sword breaking through the water of the pool. The Cloud Nine Style was unleashed, and the surface of the pool seemed to be shrouded in a thin layer of purple mist. The sword light flowed and rose, cutting out several crystal clear water pillars over ten feet high. The sword yuan energy inside his body was fully mobilized, flowing from the dantian along the meridians throughout his body. His mental state was more tranquil than ever before, and the black iron sword in his hand seemed to have become lighter at this moment.

  Suddenly, just as Lu Qing was about to enter a state of perfect harmony, a dark undercurrent from the depths of the pool suddenly blocked the right side of his sword movement. With a dull thud, Lu Qing felt a slight lightness in his hand and looked up to see that the black iron sword he had been holding had snapped into two pieces under the dual pressure of the sword's energy and the dark current. Lu Qing couldn't help but furrow his brow - although this black iron sword had also undergone a hundred refinements and a thousand hammerings, it was ultimately just ordinary black iron, and its hardness was fundamentally unable to withstand the simultaneous pressure of the dark current and the sword's energy.

  He walked ashore, swung his sword to evaporate the water vapor on his body, and then put his clothes back on. Yu Ji had already spoken up: "If your sword breaks, just go to the sword foundry to get a new one, we've practiced for a day anyway. The way of the sword also needs to be relaxed and measured, let's head back."

  But Lu Qing tilted his head and thought for a moment before asking, "Brother, do you know if there are any taboos in the Sword Casting House? I want to try casting a sword hilt myself."

  "Oh——" Yu Ji Hua's gaze towards Lu Qing suddenly lit up, "Little brother, you still can't cast a sword?"

  "Wait a minute," Duan Qingyun suddenly shouted, his eyes shining brightly as he stared at Lu Qing. "More than half a month ago, I took advantage of my master's absence to sneak down the mountain and visit that town of Chaoyang. Coincidentally, the head of the Lu family was casting a sword, and the Golden Heavenly Sword was born, with a grand scene of golden jade filling the hall and thunder rumbling. I witnessed it with my own eyes, and I seem to recall hearing the townspeople say that the head of the Lu family had another son, who was also named Lu Qing. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but could it be you?" After finishing speaking, his eyes were fixed tightly on Lu Qing, and the expression on his face became increasingly certain. The expressions on Yu Jihua's and Zhao Qianye's faces also changed subtly as they listened to Duan's words, and they almost confirmed that it was indeed Lu Qing. Not to mention the possibility of sharing the same name and surname, Master Xuanqing would not casually accept a disciple, and only the next generation head of the Lu family could say with such confidence at such a young age that he wanted to cast a sword, which was a profound foundation inherited from thousands of years of tradition.

  Lu Qing was silent and expressionless at this moment, apparently having acquiesced. His eyes seemed dull and lifeless for a moment. Duan Qingyun, who had been somewhat excited earlier, suddenly thought of the funeral half a month ago when he saw Lu Qing like this. The master of the Lu family had passed away, causing quite a stir in the entire Zixia Sect. These disciples from various peaks naturally also heard about it, but due to their insufficient status, they were not invited to the funeral.

  With a hint of apology, Duan Qingyun patted Lu Qing's shoulder and said: "The past is already in the past. At least your father has left behind an immortal masterpiece. As his son, you should be proud of him. Don't be sad anymore. A real man doesn't shed tears."

  She looked up at Duan Qingyun, and Zhao Qianye's eyes also showed a rare warmth. He nodded vigorously, letting his mood calm down again, sweeping away the gloom in front of him. At this time, Yu Jihua also smiled and said: "It's okay, don't worry, there's nothing to worry about. If there's anything, just tell us, no matter how big the thing is, we three will help you carry it."

  At this time, the sunset had already fallen more than half. The four of them packed up and headed back to Chaoyang Palace. When they stood in front of the gate of Chaoyang Palace again, only a small half of the sun's face was left hanging in the sky. Duan Qingyun led Lu Qing to the sword-casting house, while Yu Ji and Hua turned towards the library to borrow some classics. The four of them went their separate ways after entering the palace gate.

  The Sword Casting House was located at the farthest end of the Chaoyang Palace. Lu Qing and the other person walked along the white stone path on the right side of the palace, with green trees shading the road. They were all evergreen tree species that remained lush throughout the four seasons. Occasionally, some rare flowers planted by disciples would bloom at this moment, filling the air with a fragrant scent that made people stop and admire. After passing the white stone path, there was a ten-zhang square pool of clear blue water. The cold air emanating from it was so intense that it seemed to penetrate to the bone. A thick layer of frost had formed around the edge of the pool. Lu Qing recognized this as the unique spring water of the Bihuan Pool on the Xianyun Peak, which was the best quality water for tempering sword equipment. However, he didn't know how the Chaoyang Palace could possess such a large pool of spring water. Even back then, when Lu Yun had gone to the Xianyun Peak to obtain the spring water to cast a golden-grade divine sword, he had only managed to get three or four buckets after offering up an early-year refined green-grade divine sword. The preciousness of this water was unimaginable.

  Just as Lu Qing was sighing in his heart, a somewhat gloomy voice rang out, "Two junior brothers, where are you going? I wonder if senior brother can help with some small matters." Along with the sound of the voice was an exceptionally fierce and stern howl, from which Lu Qing felt a huge threat and couldn't help but grip the half black iron sword in his hand tightly. Looking up, four or five figures blocked their path ahead, led by none other than Tai Yun, who had been chased away by Zhao Qianye yesterday. However, unlike yesterday, today Tai Yun was standing next to a giant wolf with a body of cyan and yellow long hair, its height reaching seven feet and length over one zhang. A pair of blood-red copper bell-like eyes were full of killing intent, and the most eye-catching thing was the pair of sharp fangs that reached over a foot in length, on which there were even a few strands of bloody flesh left from its recent meal. A bloody aura rushed forward.

  First-order spiritual beast Flame Wolf! (Recommended for collection)