The Snow Eagle Swordsmen were the personal guards of Lu Qingyun, and no one dared to overstep his authority.
However, the attitude of these Snow Eagle Swordsmen was a bit over the top. No one likes to be treated with coldness everywhere they go.
So that was why Lu Qinghe took the action of disciplining them this morning.
A proper intimidation can also make managing them easier.
"For the next month, the main focus will be on cultivating true qi and integrating swordsmanship... integrating the Meteors Piercing the Moon Swordsmanship and the Flowing Light Thirteen Swords, with a focus on comprehending the Moon Piercing Realm in the Meteors Piercing the Moon Swordsmanship, or... the realm of swordsmanship, to once again break through and achieve unity of man and sword."
Lifting lightly as if heavy, lifting heavy as if light, unity of man and sword.
In his previous life, Lu Qinghe spent six years to comprehend the realm of lifting lightly as if heavy in swordsmanship, and then spent another seven years to comprehend the realm of lifting heavy as if light.
This was because his insight improved through continued contemplation of the Green Apple Sword.
At that time, in the martial arts world, there were Swordsmanship Grandmasters who achieved the realm of lifting heavy as if light, but those Swordsmanship Grandmasters needed ten years to achieve the realm of lifting lightly as if heavy, and thirty years to achieve the realm of lifting heavy as if light.
Basically, it was only after reaching old age that one could achieve such exquisite swordsmanship.
As for the unity of man and sword...
In the entire martial arts world, there were only three people.
Those three individuals were all peerless geniuses and could not be measured by ordinary standards.
"I am currently at the fourth stage of cultivation, having achieved the realm of lifting lightly as if heavy and lifting heavy as if light, coupled with the increased speed of the Flowing Light Thirteen Swords, and the characteristics of true qi refining in the bones and tendons, I'm not afraid to face those at the fifth stage of cultivation, and even the top experts at the sixth stage of cultivation. However, if I were to compare against the top experts at the peak of the sixth stage of cultivation... either I need a breakthrough in true qi or a breakthrough in swordsmanship."
In comparison to a breakthrough in swordsmanship, a breakthrough in true qi is much easier.
"Knock knock."
The knocking sound came from outside.
"Young Master Lu, your breakfast is here."
Luo Ziyuan's voice came from outside.
Compared to before, there was a genuine respect in the term "Young Master Lu" this time.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open.
However, besides Luo Ziyuan, there were also Mu Yan and Gu Tong outside.
"Master Lu..."
Looking at Gu Tong, who was standing in front of him with a look of self-reproach and guilt, Lu Qinghe said calmly, "There's no need for extra words. Just do your duty well."
"Yes, Master Lu, I will certainly fulfill my responsibilities, strive to cultivate, and protect Miss's safety."
"You may leave."
Lu Qinghe said to Gu Tong.
Seeing the open and indifferent Lu Qinghe, and recalling how she and others had previously clung onto and nitpicked at Lu Qinghe's minor flaws, Gu Tong felt even more ashamed of herself.
After another respectful bow, Gu Tong left the room.
"Do you need anything..."
"Um..."
Muyan looked at Lu Qinghe, hesitated for a moment, and finally bowed, apologizing, "Master Lu, I was offensive in my words before, and even disregarded your good advice. I was arrogant and ignorant..."
Lu Qinghe did not bear a grudge against some women.
If not for these Snow Eagle Swordsmen constantly giving him a hard time for no reason, he wouldn't bother having any interaction with them.
"Take it as a lesson learned, and focus on your cultivation."
"Yes, I will follow your guidance, Master."
Muyan said before leaving. However, as she was walking out of the door, she seemed unable to contain her curiosity and asked, "Master Lu, back then, it was your superb swordsmanship that allowed you to dominate the Clear Origin Academy even at the second level of refining, right?"
"More or less."
Lu Qinghe responded.
"I understand."
Muyan nodded heavily.
She had made up her mind that in accordance with Lu Qinghe's guidance, she must cultivate diligently and master the killing move of the Snowfall Soul-Stealing Sword Art. Only by mastering this medium-grade sword art move could she qualify to dominate at the fifth level of refinement.
"Master Lu, your breakfast."
"Hmm."
Lu Qinghe nodded, but he looked surprised when he caught the scent of medicinal fragrance from the breakfast.
Lu Ziyi's face was also filled with guilt, "Master Lu, all of us sisters feel that we've been in the wrong these past few days, and we're afraid of disturbing you by coming to apologize one by one, so we can only do our best to bring out our savings to make your meals more abundant."
"I appreciate your sincerity."
Lu Qinghe responded without refusing.
Cultivating true qi from the postnatal to the prenatal, and refining essence to transform qi, also consumed a considerable amount of essence and qi. With substantial meat and medicinal meals as support, his cultivation at this stage could be even more rapid.
...
The following month was calm and uneventful.
Whether it was Lu Zixia or the behind-the-scenes figure, Qiu Long, they seemed to have all disappeared, and had not come to trouble Lu Qinghe again.
As for Xue Jin, Zi Baihe, Di Tianguang, and others, they were all inner disciples and held high status. With Lu Qinghe's absence, they were naturally uninterested in spending effort on those close attendants and guards, thereby losing their status for no reason.
Thus, the past month had been uneventful, and Lu Qinghe's cultivation steadily improved.
The true qi of the fourth level of refinement had completely transformed from postnatal to prenatal.
...
In the martial arena.
Lu Qinghe slowly sheathed his sword, his expression carrying a pensive look.
In the distance, Muyan, Gu Tong, Lu Ziyan, and several other Snow Eagle Swordsmen were all secretly observing Lu Qinghe, studying his swordsmanship.
Naturally, Lu Qinghe allowed them to do so.
He didn't intentionally teach or hinder them, simply allowing them to learn freely.
How much they could learn depended on their aptitude.
"Man and sword as one."
Lu Qinghe looked up at the somewhat empty martial arena, understanding that he had reached a bottleneck.
For the past month, he had faintly touched upon this barrier, but he had been unable to truly enter this realm.
The breakthrough in swordsmanship realm depended on comprehension. By reading numerous books and traveling thousands of miles, one could comprehend the mystical aspects of nature and the universe. A realm that couldn't be broken through for a long time could be achieved through consistent effort, like water wearing away stone. Another method was to go out and comprehend the world, learning from nature and everything within it.
Lu Qinghe undoubtedly did not want to linger for too long at the realm of being one with man and sword. Thus, going out to comprehend the world was the best choice.
"Swoosh."
The sword was sheathed.
Seeing Lu Qinghe finished with his cultivation, Muyan hurried over.
"Master."
"I need to go out for a while."
"Going out?"
Mu Yan was slightly surprised. These days, she had been watching Lu Qinghe's cultivation closely.
"Young master, are you encountering a bottleneck in your sword cultivation and need to go out for training?"
"Exactly, I plan to make a trip to the Xiantian Mountain Range."
"The Xiantian Mountain Range!"
Hearing Lu Qinghe's plan, Mu Yan was taken aback and quickly said, "Young master, the Xiantian Mountain Range is different from the Lianyun Mountain Range and the Kunwu Mountain Range. It is extremely perilous, with a high number of intermediate level fierce beasts and a substantial presence of high-level fierce beasts. Occasionally, there are also demon beasts. Generally, only teams of cultivators at the seventh level of Refinement can enter the Xiantian Mountain Range for training. If the young master really wants to go, it would be better to wait for Captain Caiyun to return before heading there together."
"No worries, I won't venture deep inside."
"This..."
Mu Yan wanted to persuade him again, but at this moment, Lu Qinghe's significance in their hearts was no longer comparable to before. His determination couldn't be shaken.
"Let it be."
Lu Qinghe made the final decision.
...
That night.
"Crack!"
Lu Qinghe's body trembled slightly, and the vigorous force immediately permeated into his fingers.
From this, all 126 bones in his body had been cultivated!
"Bones are partially refined."
Cultivating the bones of the limbs and body did not significantly enhance his strength, so he did not feel a dramatic surge in his power.
"Next, it's the most difficult to refine the skull bones, the force will run through my whole body. After refining the last 29 bones, once it's completed, the bones will be strong, and when combined with the body's true qi power, it can unleash a greater force, making every move, every punch, and every step more powerful."
Lu Qinghe put away the Ruyin Body Refining Art, stood in the courtyard, looked up at the bright moon, and circulated the true qi and essence to nourish his body.
The force earlier had penetrated deep into the bone marrow, causing some damage to the bones. Without a thorough examination through instrumental assistance at this time, one would notice numerous cracks on his sternum. Therefore, he needed to use gentle true qi to adjust it; otherwise, there would be endless hidden dangers in the future.
"My body needs to be nurtured with true qi, making it strong and flexible, then tempered with force. My body's strength will be twice that of an ordinary person. The sharpness of blades and swords won't be able to resist, and heavy blows won't cause me severe injuries. Furthermore, my meridians, bones, and muscles will be twice as strong as those of an ordinary person, and the erupting force will be beyond the reach of ordinary seventh-level Refinement cultivators..."
Thinking of this, Lu Qinghe was already looking forward to refining his tendons after the bones.
The increase in physical strength and resistance achieved from bone refinement was not particularly significant in a world dominated by true qi. However, tendon refinement was different.
Once the tendons were refined, they would be flexible and strong, allowing true qi to burst out in an instant. This might greatly increase the consumption of true qi and reduce the duration of combat, but it would also double the lethality of his swordsmanship.
...
After reaching partial bone refinement, he rested for three days to nurture his bones.
On the fourth day, Lu Qinghe prepared the necessary items for traveling through the mountains, left the Third Peak, and headed straight for the Xiantian Mountain Range.
The Xiantian Mountain Range was the backyard of the Ask Immortal Sect.
The size of the mountain range could not compare to the vast Kunwu Mountain Range, but it stretched for eight thousand miles. Inside, there were numerous intermediate-level fierce beasts, high-level fierce beasts, and demon beasts. These fierce beasts were divided into three tiers based on their cultivation realm.
Within the Ask Immortal Sect, there were specialized elders, core disciples, direct disciples, and true disciples. When walking in the Xiantian Mountain Range, if a demon beast moved from the third tier to the second, or a high-level fierce beast entered the first tier, they would intervene and expel or kill them.
One could say that the Xiantian Mountain Range was solely used by the Ask Immortal Sect to train disciples in real combat.
"Swoosh!"
Lu Qinghe's figure swiftly dashed through the mountains, and the traces of human habitation gradually faded as he advanced.
Soon, the surrounding trees became dense, and when he looked up, a mountain range with numerous ancient trees sprawled before his eyes.
The Xiantian Mountain Range!
Without hesitation, Lu Qinghe had already entered it.