Chapter 68 Cultivation

  Zixia Peak is guarded by the four peaks of Chaoyang, Luori, Xianwei and Yunwu, which are connected by a four-sided sword bridge formed by the Four Sides Fantuan Array. In case of an emergency, the other four peaks can rush to reinforce quickly.

  Zixia Peak is divided into Zixia Outer Palace and Zixia Inner Palace. The outer palace, with its four right angles, connects to the Four Directions Sword Bridge, serving as a major hub for sect affairs, such as the Zixia Hall, Outer Affairs Hall, Spiritual Beast Hall, and Law Enforcement Hall. These important locations are situated within the outer palace, which is also where disciples from other peaks gather. The inner palace, located at the center of the outer palace, is specifically designated for the daily cultivation and residence of Zixia Peak disciples. Its interior layout is similar to that of Chaoyang Palace, with minimal differences.

  At this time, in the inner palace of Zixia, a guest room, Lu Qing sat cross-legged on the bed, with a purple-blue glow circulating around his body, floating about an inch outside his body, as if a large purple-blue ball was wrapped around him. The heavenly energy here is very rich, and the colorless heavenly energy from the heavens is guided in, causing a faint ripple in the air through the Baihui acupoint, entering Lu Qing's body.

  It has been three days since Lü Qing received the three swords from Li Jingxuan. With the help of Nie Qingtian's silver needle and the nourishing pill left by Li Jingxuan, Lü Qing's body had basically recovered. This was also Lü Qing's first time coming into contact with a medicinal pill related to swordsmen. In the past, in Chaoyang Town, he had only seen some pharmacies selling medicinal pills for treating colds, bone pain, or injuries from falls, but Li Jingxuan's nourishing pill with its pungent and nose-stinging smell was different.

  When Lu Qing first took the pill, a warm and pure yuanqi spread out, transforming into fine threads that began to nourish his internal organs. Some of it also seeped into his bones and flesh. In an instant, Lu Qing's originally weak body began to recover its strength, while his ribcage, which had been cracked by the great force, also started to rapidly heal with the help of this yuanqi.

  In just two short days, Lu Qing's body had fully recovered, and he also vaguely felt that after this injury, his physical body was even more resilient, and his strength seemed to have increased a lot, perhaps it was what they called "breaking and then standing".

  As for the departure to Luoshen City, Yu and Hua had decided on a time three days later, which was early tomorrow morning. So, Lu Qing used this remaining day to meditate and sort out his thoughts about the three sword energies he received from Lie Jing yesterday, which was already his all-out effort at that time. Even if he were asked to receive those three swords again today, he wouldn't dare guarantee that he could do better than before.

  At this time, Jianyuan followed Lu Qing's guidance and continued to run along the Xuri Heart Meridian, nourishing the meridians and repairing the damaged viscera. The Xuri Heart Meridian had now been cultivated by Lu Qing to the fourth layer, which was also the level of a sword guest. This set of Jianyuan skills was created by the third-generation ancestor of Chaoyang Peak, and since the third-generation ancestor had the powerful cultivation of the Sword Sect, the created Xuri Heart Meridian, although it was only a six-layer human-grade technique, its purity was not inferior to that of an ordinary ninth-layer earth-grade Jianyuan skill.

  And if you continue to practice in this way, following the Xuri Heart Sutra, it will be more helpful for understanding the power of fire, because when the ancestral master first created it, he was inspired by the sunrise, and the rising heat and light gave him a sense of enlightenment, thus creating the Xuri Heart Sutra, so the sword yuan qi that was initially practiced belonged to the fire element.

  However, there are exceptions, such as Lu Qing, who coincidentally achieved a different kind of purple electric sword energy, which had an affinity for thunder energy. With the deep and intricate swordsmanship that belonged to the wind and thunder category, he ultimately became the Wind Thunder Sword Origin.

  Although it can bring about a strong sword energy, it also leads to the incompatibility of Xuan Gong and Xing attributes. It's fine at first, but when reaching the peak of Jian Shi Da Tian Wei, on the verge of transcending the Yuan Qi tribulation, it will be unable to fully transform into pure Xing attribute Xuan Yuan due to the clash of Xing attributes, resulting in the dispersal of one's cultivation and death.

  This was the last thing Lu Qing saw in the Xuri Heart Scripture. He later asked Yu and Hua, and learned that this problem had been solved by his predecessors in the development of swordsmanship for tens of thousands of years. After trying, it was found that as long as one cultivates a sword yuan skill of the same attribute when they reach the Great Heavenly Master level, any sword yuan skill that does not match their attribute can be converted. Of course, this must be done at the Great Heavenly Master level. Only then can the swordsman's body, which has been tempered by the sword yuan for many years, withstand the impact of the conversion of the sword yuan skill during the mature period before becoming a Sword Master.

  So this is no longer a concern for Lu Qing, because Yu Jihua finally told him that the Sword Emperor Lu Tianxiu had left behind a book of Tier 9 sword techniques: Wind and Thunder Manual. Although it was precious, it was difficult to find someone who could withstand the violent thunder energy and sharp wind entering their body at the same time, so it had been locked away for a long time. As long as he reported to his master Xuan Qing at the right time, he would definitely be able to learn it, because no one could ignore the powerful might of the Wind and Thunder Sword Energy.

  At this moment, it was already deep into the night. Yi Ruoyu and Yu Jihui were staying in a wing of the courtyard on one side. From Lu Qing's spiritual sense, the fluctuating heavenly energy represented that they were also cultivating at this time. This made Lu Qing sigh with emotion, thinking that to become a true master, even if one had excellent innate talent, it was still necessary to cultivate diligently. Especially for those like Yi Ruoyu and Nie Qingtian who had entered the Dragon and Phoenix List, their natural talents were within them, but at the same time, their unknown hard work had also established the foundation of their current reputation.

  The night passed like this, and the early morning soon arrived with the sound of the bell ringing for morning practice at Zixia Peak. On the bed, the light and sword energy that had been circulating on Lu Qing's body in a cross-legged position dissipated, and when he opened his eyes, Lu Qing revealed a hint of helplessness. He was still too ambitious, but yesterday, through recalling the three swords of Lian Jingsong, he finally stably crossed the threshold of the light-as-a-feather-and-heavy-as-a-mountain realm, which could be considered as truly entering the door. However, afterwards, he began to recall and comprehend the self-transformation of lightness and heaviness that suddenly appeared in his mind when he wielded his last sword.

  Unfortunately, despite his best efforts to imitate it, he could no longer bring out the same flavor as before. On the contrary, because of his forced attempts, he almost had his arm twisted off by the unpredictable force, which also made him clearly aware of his own inadequacy and that his realm was not yet sufficient for him to comprehend such a realm.

  Although it was regrettable, the harvest this time also made Lu Qing very satisfied. Not only did he smoothly enter the realm of swordsmanship that was as light as a feather and as heavy as a mountain, but he also gained a deep understanding of the powerful might of the Sword Master level swordsmen. He believed that if Lie Jingxuan wanted to kill him, he wouldn't be able to withstand even one sword strike, not even having time to react. This was the absolute gap between them.

  Out of the room, Yu and four others were already waiting at his door. Seeing Lu Qing come out, Duan Qingyun said with some concern: "How is it? Is the injury healed? If not, let them go first, I'll stay to accompany you."

  Lu Qing was somewhat moved, although Yu Jihua and the others didn't say anything, but from the way they looked at him, he knew that they were all concerned about him. He nodded affirmatively and said, "It's okay now, my injury has completely healed."

  Letting out a sigh of relief, Duan Qingyun patted his plump chest and said, "I knew you wouldn't go down that easily."

  "You've made progress again." At this time, Zhao Qianye said lightly from the side. Lu Qing's swordsmanship had improved, and his temperament had also changed slightly with it. Perhaps Duan Qingyun's cultivation was not enough, but the eyes of Zhao Qianye and the other two could easily see through it.

  "Impossible!" Duan Qingyun exclaimed, but immediately looked at Lu Qing and sighed, "You're a monster, daring to take Lei Jing's three swords."

  Everyone burst out laughing at his words. Then Yu and Hua spoke up, "Alright, since Lu Qing is fine now, let's head to the outer palace mountain pass to meet up with them."

  Lu Qing nodded, and the five of them walked through the inner palace. As they passed by the inner palace square, they saw hundreds of people practicing the foundation sword technique of Zixia Peak, Zixia Eight Swords, in unison. The majestic momentum was overwhelming, with movements that were neat and uniform, giving people a feeling of being unstoppable.

  He sighed, and Yu Kai opened his mouth: "When can our Chao Yang Peak have such momentum?" The few of them stopped for a moment before lifting their feet to leave. Perhaps it was because they had feelings in their hearts that the disciples of Chao Yang Peak were scarce nowadays. Along the way, no one spoke, while Nie Qing Tian held another white porcelain wine jug in his hand, taking a sip from time to time, his eyes calm and quietly looking at the road ahead.

  Out of the inner palace, in front is the back ice lake of the Outer Affairs Hall, and Yi Ruoyu and others are outside the outer palace gate. As for the task of Luoshen City, after Li Jingxuan left that day, it was handled by Yi Ruoyu, and there is no need for Lu Qing and others to worry about it.

  Along the way, Wu Feng's disciples flowed continuously. At this time, it was the peak of the disciples from various peaks taking on their recent half-year tasks. Although the outer palace was large, nearly a thousand people had gathered at this moment, occasionally brushing shoulders with Lu Qing and his group.

  Without exception, whoever brushed past them would pause for a moment to gaze at Lu Qing. At first, Lu Qing thought it was because of the massive sword on his back, but later he discovered surprise, admiration, jealousy, and reverence in the gazes of passersby, only then did he truly understand that perhaps this time, he had really made a name for himself.

  Whether it was the battle with Huoyun Jianlie Feng or taking on the three sword auras of Zhifa Hujing Song, although he was severely injured in the end, it is undeniable that Lu Qing indeed had the qualifications to rank high on the Dragon and Phoenix List. How many people have the guts to take on the Sword Master's three sword auras? Even if they do, how many people have such strength? Without a doubt, Lu Qing showed off his dual qualities of bravery and skill to the many inner sect disciples of Zixia Wu Feng.