"Refining truth, refining emptiness into truth, refining the ubiquitous world's vitality into true qi, thus refining truth."
Lu Qinghe put down a book in his hand.
"The first three levels of True Refinement are the basic stage, requiring persevere, and any practitioner can enter this stage. However, at the fourth level of True Refinement, it encompasses the circulation of the Great Heavenly Circulation, and the true qi returns from post-heaven to pre-heaven. This stage makes the majority of practitioners halt, even for the children of influential families, the chance of reaching the fourth level of True Refinement is one in ten, and for ordinary practitioners, it's one in a hundred."
From the words and lines, Lu Qinghe could sense the difficulty of the fourth level of True Refinement.
At the same time, he also gained an intuitive understanding of the resources controlled by the children of influential families and ordinary practitioners.
It had been ten days since Lu Qingyun left.
During these ten days, he spent most of his time in Lu Qingyun's study, reading books and catching up on the cultivation system.
At this moment, his understanding of the practitioners in this world was not inferior to that of an average person.
"Lu Qinghe!"
A somewhat chilly voice came from outside.
Lu Qinghe stood up, and outside the study stood Xueying Swordmaster, Caiyun.
"Your basic swordsmanship in the Ask Immortal Sect has been practiced for ten days. Next, you can choose a sword technique for cultivation. Follow me," Caiyun said, leading Lu Qinghe towards the martial arts field.
On the martial arts field, eight Snow Eagle swordsmen were contemplating sword techniques, with two of them sparring in the courtyard. However, when they saw Caiyun and Lu Qinghe approaching, they all stopped their practice at the same time, made way, and stood aside.
All of them had a cold and aloof expression, neither greeting Lu Qinghe nor speaking. The atmosphere seemed quite oppressive.
The twenty Snow Eagle swordsmen all regarded Lu Qinghe as a burden, showing a rather indifferent attitude towards him.
It seemed... they wanted to make Lu Qinghe feel helpless and eventually give up with this cold treatment.
"Miss has high hopes for you, asking you to switch to practicing the Mysterious Light Technique. Although I don't know how far you've progressed in your practice, the choice of sword technique should still prioritize assisting the Mysterious Light Technique," Caiyun said, drawing her sword in an instant, and instantly, the sword radiated light.
"This is a sword technique that synergizes well with the Mysterious Light Technique, known as the Shadowless Sword Technique, which I specialized in two years ago."
"This sword technique..."
Although Lu Qinghe's realm was not high, his vision was extraordinary: "A middle-grade sword technique?"
"Yes, it's a middle-grade sword technique. While the grade is low, it's easier to practice. With your foundation in the Snow River Sword Technique, practicing the Shadowless Sword Technique will yield twice the results with half the effort. In a month, I believe you can unleash one-third of the sword technique's power. After getting a glimpse of the basics, diligent practice for a year will unleash thirty percent, reaching proficiency in the sword technique. Another three years to unleash sixty percent, mastering the sword technique. By then, your cultivation would also have reached the fourth level of True Refinement, and with Miss's resources stacking up, it might even reach the fifth level of True Refinement, at least ensuring that you won't be easily bullied again."
A sword technique, with one-third power unleashed as a glimpse, reaching thirty percent as proficiency, and sixty percent as mastery, and after ninety percent, the sword technique becomes perfect. Even a middle-grade perfected sword technique is enough for a cultivation practitioner at the fourth level of True Refinement to unleash combat power equivalent to the sixth level of True Refinement. If the sword technique can be perfected to the fullest, it will be enough to challenge opponents beyond one's level.
"Are there superior sword techniques corresponding to the Mysterious Light Technique?" Lu Qinghe inquired.
"Superior sword techniques." Caiyun sneered: "I advise you not to be overly ambitious. With your cultivation aptitude, the lower-grade sword technique is most suitable. Only with meticulous guidance can one practice middle-grade sword techniques."
After saying this, she paused and continued, "However, if you insist, then I will also find a way to exchange for a superior sword technique for you. But when Miss asks about it later, the consequences will be your sole responsibility."
"Okay."
"As for the superior sword techniques corresponding to the Mysterious Light Technique, there are the Split Light and Mirage Sword Technique, the Mysterious Void Sword Technique, and the Thirteen Flowing Lights Sword Technique. Each of these three sword techniques has its own specialization. The Split Light and Mirage Sword Technique utilizes the characteristics of the Mysterious Light Qi. When it is perfected, it can split into several sword illusions, making it elusive and hard to guard against, the Mysterious Void Sword Technique focuses on transformation and requires extreme skill, and the subsequent Thirteen Flowing Lights Sword Technique is a sword technique that maximizes speed to the extreme. In terms of compatibility, it is the highest with the Mysterious Light Technique. Disciples of the Ask Immortal Sect who have reached sixty percent mastery in the Mysterious Light Technique all practice the Thirteen Flowing Lights Sword Technique."
"Split Light and Mirage Sword Technique, Thirteen Flowing Lights Sword Technique..."
These two sword techniques have some similarities with the Three Clear and Tranquil Sword Technique and the Meteor Moon Piercing Sword Technique. If these four sword techniques can be combined...
"I choose the Split Light and Mirage Sword Technique and the Thirteen Flowing Lights Sword Technique," Lu Qinghe said.
With these words, Caiyun's expression turned even colder.
And those Snow Eagle swordsmen watching from afar couldn't help but show a disdainful look on their faces.
"Not only overly ambitious but also greedy."
"If it weren't for Miss, this Lu Qinghe would probably just be a talker. It's rumored that in a certain academy in Qingyuan City, in order to be the best, he resorted to backstabbing. This matter might not be false."
"Practicing two superior sword techniques at once? Does he think he's a genius like Miss?"
The Snow Eagle swordsmen couldn't help but sneer.
But they were, after all, just guards, and Lulingyun highly valued Lu Qinghe. They dared only to speak softly.
"Miss left three thousand gold coins as the daily expenses for the past two months. For the exchange of these two sword techniques, it will cost one thousand two hundred gold coins for the Thirteen Flowing Lights Sword Technique and one thousand six hundred gold coins for the Split Light and Mirage Sword Technique. If you are sure about the exchange, we are short of funds. For the next month, you might not be able to afford sumptuous meals, medicinal meals, and the meat of ferocious beasts," Caiyun spoke as aloofly as ever.
"Just one thousand two hundred gold coins, and one thousand six hundred gold coins..."
This price also surprised Lu Qinghe. After all, in the past, he had to scratch his head to obtain a spiritual pill worth a thousand gold coins.
After a moment, he finally replied, "I will solve the issue with the meat."
"Very well, Muyan."
"Yes, Sister Yun."
A Snow Eagle swordsman responsible for managing accounts nodded and quickly went to the Zangzhen Hall of the Third Peak for the exchange. In less than half an hour, the Snow Eagle swordsman named Muyan had returned and handed over the two books to Caiyun.
"The superior sword technique I practice is the Snow Eagle Soaring Through the Void Sword Technique from the Snow Sword Villa. These two sword techniques cannot be directly taught to you, but as they are both superior sword techniques, I can still give you some advice on the special aspects. In addition..."
Caiyun's gaze fell on Muyan: "Muyan will stay behind to accompany you in practicing sword skills. When you have comprehended one third of these two sword techniques and gotten a glimpse, I will come to teach you."
"Ah! Sister Yun, why me?"
Upon hearing this, Muyan immediately put on a pitiful look: "I still have to manage the accounting in the courtyard..."
"Who said your cultivation is the lowest? I will assign the accounting work to someone else. Just focus on assisting in the training," Caiyun said authoritatively. "The others, form a team and go to the outskirts of the Immortal Tian Mountain to hunt ferocious beasts and earn as much gold as possible for daily expenses."
"Yes."
"I would rather go to the Immortal Tian Mountain..."
Muyan murmured softly, looking at Caiyun and others, her eyes filled with resentment.
"Hey hey! Yan, come on, you have to train Master Lu well."
"We are going to the Xiantian Mountains, which are extremely dangerous. Don't envy us."
"Let's go, let's go."
The other Snow Eagle Swordsmen greeted Muyan cheerfully and left one by one.
Because Lu Qingyun is young, the Swordsmen who follow her are naturally young as well, especially Muyan in front of her, who is only 21 years old.
Although she is only 21, her cultivation has already broken through to the fifth level of refining, and her talent is much stronger than most of the disciples of the Snow Sword Villa.
It's a pity that, due to their commoner background, even though they have good talent, they can only end up as guards.
"A bunch of ungrateful guys."
Muyan looked at the departing Snow Eagle Swordsmen with resentment written all over her pretty face.
Only when the voices of the Snow Eagle Swordsmen were no longer audible did Muyan reluctantly turn to Lu Qinghe. Although she was full of complaints about this task, she didn't show it on the surface: "Alright, if you have any questions, ask away."
"I haven't watched these two sword techniques yet..."
Lu Qinghe was a bit speechless.
"Well, I'm going to practice my sword. If you have any questions, ask me."
Lu Qinghe nodded, "Go ahead. I won't ask you to answer any basic questions."
"You know your place."
Muyan said and went to the side of the martial arts arena to practice swordsmanship.
She practices a medium-grade sword technique called the Snow Falls Soul-Stealing Sword Technique, and she has already comprehended fifty percent of it. With just a little more, she will be able to comprehend sixty percent, reaching the mastery level.
With her fifth-level refining cultivation, once she masters this medium-grade sword technique, she can also be considered a strong practitioner at the same level.
...
"Shadow Separation Sword Technique, Thirteen Flowing Swords..."
Three hours later, Lu Qinghe had already watched these two sword techniques in their entirety.
With his eyes closed, his mind seemed to show two figures practicing two exquisite sword techniques, which were exactly the ones he had just watched.
After sitting quietly for an hour, Lu Qinghe suddenly opened his eyes.
"Swish!"
Starlight pierced through the air!
In an instant, the Moonchill Sword in Lu Qinghe's hand turned into a brilliant stream of sword shadows, completely filling the space in front of him.
Thirteen Flowing Swords.
The power of the sword technique, half-complete.
Caiyun concluded that Lu Qinghe, practicing the superior-grade Unshadowed Sword Technique, would also need a month to reach its mastery.
At this moment, Lu Qinghe's practice of the superior-grade sword technique had already displayed half its power in just one day...
This was due to his weak cultivation. If he had already reached the fourth level of refining, the power of this sword would have reached one-tenth that of the Thirteen Flowing Swords.
The superior-grade sword technique, when practiced by a cultivator at the seventh level of refining, one-tenth of its power could kill a cultivator at the sixth level of refining.
After grasping this sword technique a little, Lu Qinghe couldn't help but focus on the Starry Sky Piercing Moon Sword Technique.
The Starry Sky Piercing Moon is divided into the Starry Sky and Piercing Moon realms.
What Lu Qinghe had to do now was to apply the speed amplification of the Starry Sky realm to the Thirteen Flowing Swords.
If these two sword techniques could really merge, the original half-completed power, coupled with the speed amplification, would probably be enough to make a sixth-level refining practitioner tremble in fear.