Chapter 179 - Arc 12: Ruyi Xianzhuang | Chapter 179: Practice
Translator: Lynn
The birthday banquet was scheduled for the evening, leaving several hours in between. Xu Ziqing, captivated by the beauty of the hibiscus, had no intention of returning to simply enjoy the scenery. He believed it would be more delightful to find a spot to practice alongside his seniors.
Yun Lie and this junior brother had a longstanding familiarity. Not only were they of the same mindset, but their understanding of each other was also profoundly intuitive. Thus, he did not decline, merely nodded and released his spiritual consciousness, searching for a suitable, serene place.
Soon, the two dao siblings located an isolated area—a bamboo grove beyond the myriad flowers, situated on a hillside. Within the bamboo grove, the bamboo swayed, creating a relatively spacious area.
As the wind blew, the green bamboo leaves rustled and fell, exuding a particularly elegant ambiance.
Xu Ziqing felt at ease and began contemplating which techniques to practice first when he sensed the sound of the wind approaching from behind. The speed was swift, yet there was no trace of hostility. He instinctively turned and caught the object approaching him. Upon inspection, he found it was a jade bottle.
He turned around and uncorked the jade bottle, revealing a strong fragrance of pills. It contained a bottle of pills, each resembling a longan in shape, milky white in color with a flowing radiance. Judging by their quality, they were top-grade Yiyuan pills—a potent tonic for replenishing true essence.
Yun Lie spoke at this moment, “You’ve exerted a lot of real energy just now. You should replenish it with one or two pills.”
Xu Ziqing didn’t hesitate, swallowing one of the pills immediately. He sat down cross-legged and initiated his cultivation exercises.
In an instant, a surge of warmth rushed down from his throat, rapidly pouring into his dantian. The medicinal properties were more potent than many elixirs. However, he understood well that despite being top-grade, swallowing the elixir at a low level might cause the true essence to surge uncontrollably, making it challenging to manage.
The medicinal potency seeped directly into the dantian. In merely three to five breaths, the dantian felt full, indicating the recovery of true energy. Some medicinal power spilled out, coursing through the limbs and bones, transforming into a gentle warmth that swiftly alleviated the dryness in his meridians.
Xu Ziqing marveled at the effectiveness of the Yiyuan pill. He opened his eyes, returned the jade bottle to Yun Lie, and expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Shixiong. I’ve completely recovered.”
Yun Lie didn’t take it back, remarking, “It’s of no use to me. You should keep it.”
Xu Ziqing smiled gratefully and tucked it away. Although he already had a bottle, he had left it in his cave and never carried it with him. The care shown by his senior brother made him value it even more.
Later, he inquired, “Shixiong, are we about to practice our techniques now?”
Yun Lie nodded slightly, raising his hand and releasing a sword energy. It zoomed past Xu Ziqing’s ear, sending a strand of his hair soaring.
Xu Ziqing immediately noticed it and turned his head to evade. Otherwise, the sword energy wouldn’t have flown past his ears, aiming instead for his face.
“Shixiong, you…” Xu Ziqing sighed, “…your precision is truly remarkable.” As he spoke, his brows shifted, and a blue light burst forth. The Qingyun needle also targeted Yun Lie’s face.
There was a continuous exchange.
Yun Lie remained still, only using his fingers to tap.
The sword qi at his fingertips resembled sharp arrows, creating a “chi chi” sound in the air. Each collision between sword qi and the Qingyun needle resulted in the shattering of the sword qi, but the Qingyun needle remained undeterred.
Xu Ziqing was enveloped in the sword energy, so he naturally grasped the intent.
It was a technique meant to make Xu Ziqing more adept at using moves.
In truth, since the Sect’s Grand Competition where Xu Ziqing grasped the rudiments of the Qingyun Needle’s supernatural power, he had developed his own strategies for engaging enemies. Since then, both the “Four Seasons Sword Art” and the Dao of Talisman have become auxiliary paths, and many of their essences have been integrated into the Qingyun Needle by him.
This Qingyun needle was truly his most potent weapon, serving as the initial blueprint for his attack power. Thus, everything else had to take a backseat. Perfecting this offensive technique was his primary focus—his chosen path.
At this moment, Yun Lie’s strategy involved releasing sword energy with varying intensities and having the Qingyun needle combat it. Gradually, the strength of the sword energy increased, and the Qingyun needle was further refined.
Hence, this technique was merely a sparring practice between Yun Lie and his junior brother. It had almost no effect on Yun Lie, but Xu Ziqing derived significant benefits.
After engaging in this sparring session for a full two hours, Yun Lie’s sword energy gradually grew more condensed, evolving towards a sword gang. On the other hand, Xu Ziqing’s Qingyun needle became increasingly lethal.
In the end, Yun Lie suddenly withdrew his hand, surprising Xu Ziqing, causing the Qingyun Needle to hover momentarily. He inquired, “Shixiong, what’s the matter?”
Yun Lie responded, “Your strength is weakening; you can’t continue.”
Only then did Xu Ziqing realize it, feeling a sudden weakness and soreness throughout his body, particularly in the dantian, which had grown parched. He couldn’t help but wryly smile as he retrieved the Qingyun needle. Looking at Yun Lie, who seemed full of energy as if he hadn’t exerted himself at all, he sighed inwardly, unsure when he would be able to accumulate the formidable foundation like his senior brother. The more he progressed, the more he realized his own shallowness, making it increasingly difficult to glimpse the ways of the heavenly path.
After contemplating it and without Yun Lie needing to remind him, Xu Ziqing took another one-yuan pill. He meditated and adjusted his breathing, replenishing his true energy. When he opened his eyes, he sensed that the connection with the Qingyun Needle was closer, and its power felt more harmonious, bringing him relief. Curiously, he finally spoke, “I believed there might be a connection between attack technique and sword intent. What are your thoughts, brother?”
Yun Lie also sat across from him, and in response, he said, “Both stem from comprehension; both intangible and tangible are inherently intertwined.”
Delighted, Xu Ziqing exclaimed, “In that case, please guide me.”
Yun Lie contemplated for a moment, and his thoughts seemed to rustle through the bamboo forest.
A bamboo leaf fell and drifted between them.
In the next moment, a golden glint flashed in Yun Lie’s eyes.
“Swish!”
With a soft sound, the bamboo leaf was neatly sliced in half. Yun Lie elucidated, “Sword intent is sharp. It can be delicate or forceful—small yet precise, or large and bold.”
He demonstrated by directing over a dozen bamboo leaves between them. However, employing the sword intent with delicacy, he could slice falling bamboo leaves using his mind, showcasing its subtlety.
Soon, dozens of bamboo leaves descended.
Yun Lie remained still, the golden glint in his eyes shimmering as he split them all in half. Upon closer observation, the cut marks and the split parts were all identical.
Following that, Yun Lie reopened his eyes, and the sword intent pierced a bamboo leaf, causing it to burst into powder.
Witnessing this, Xu Ziqing’s eyes lit up.
Subsequently, the Qingyun Needle pierced through the air and targeted the remaining bamboo leaves.
However, this time, the bamboo leaves didn’t slice open but burst into multiple fragments.
During this, Xu Ziqing realized that while his Qingyun needle had a prototype, utilizing it was akin to the sword intent Yun Lie had just showcased, but it wasn’t as effortless as Yun Lie’s. He lacked the control that Yun Lie possessed.
This realization taught him a crucial lesson—despite the supernatural powers derived from his own flesh and blood, he lacked the same proficiency as they truly held. He was far from mastering power manipulation.
Simultaneously, he comprehended that if he could control the Qingyun Needle as adeptly as Yun Lie handled the Sword Intent, he could greatly conserve his true energy in future battles. Furthermore, he could become intimately familiar with the Qingyun Needle, identifying potential weaknesses.
Suddenly, Xu Ziqing came to a realization, a smile playing on his lips as he retrieved the Qingyun needle.
With a slight sway, he found himself standing atop a bamboo shoot.
At this moment, Xu Ziqing loosened the reins of his consciousness and explored the bamboo forest. Swiftly, his form transformed into a blue blur, gracefully gliding across the expanse of bamboo.
After approximately two breaths, he descended and settled across from Yun Lie.
Xu Ziqing extended his hands, presenting an array of turquoise bamboo rice delicately. They sparkled, exuding an ethereal beauty. He smiled and remarked, “Once I cultivate this bamboo as a tree and plant it on the peak, my brother and I can use the bamboo leaves for future practice in a bamboo forest.”
Yun Lie noted, “It’ll be an empty green bamboo forest. Its Qi will be potent, reserved for your use.”
A deeper smile graced Xu Ziqing’s lips. “Ziqing extends heartfelt gratitude to Shixiong for granting this access.”
Mastering the Qingyun Needle with bamboo leaves demanded more than a few hours in this bamboo forest. Thus, Xu Ziqing made a decision, gladly collecting the bamboo rice and setting this plan in motion.
Yun Lie’s gaze drifted to his hair. He inquired, “How is your refining technique progressing?”
Momentarily perplexed, Xu Ziqing followed Yun Lie’s gaze to his right hand and encountered a solid, cold object—the bamboo hairpin that tied his hair. He removed it.
The bamboo hairpin, a hue of light blue, glistened like a sapphire, a gift from his senior brother upon their initial encounter.
Xu Ziqing tenderly caressed the bamboo hairpin, smiling as he responded, “Brother’s reminder is appreciated. I have acquired the fundamental skills of weapon refining; I just need to consecrate it.”
This object possessed the ability to clear and concentrate the mind. During moments of emotional turmoil, it guided him through various challenges. However, it had never been fully consecrated, offering assistance only during dire circumstances, unable to be utilized at will.
Observing the instructional intent in Yun Lie’s words, he stated, “You will remain here for a few more days. Amidst diverse influences, having this artifact by your side will stabilize your Dao heart.”
Acknowledging this advice, Xu Ziqing responded, “Yes, Shixiong.”
Originally planning to wait until his refining skills had progressed further, Xu Ziqing now found himself less hesitant.
Upon making this resolution, he didn’t delay and settled into a cross-legged position. He retrieved a talisman, ignited it with a flick of his fingers, and exhaled a verdant stream of air. The fire blazed, forming a sphere of cerulean flames, hovering in the air. Subsequently, he lifted the bamboo hairpin, and with a gentle tap of his finger, it descended directly into the azure fire.
Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^