East Second Peak, practice room.
Lu Qinghe stood naturally, with the still soul incense at his side.
This incense had the effect of calming the mind and focusing it.
For ordinary people, it was basically helpful for sleep, but for Lu Qinghe, it replenished spiritual consumption and extended the time he could contemplate the Qingping Sword.
The calm standing continued for a moment, and then Lu Qinghe suddenly moved.
"Phew!"
The airflow in front of him was suddenly broken.
Lu Qinghe used his finger as a sword, pointing and stabbing out, directly producing a burst of air in this hundred square meter practice room.
The strong airflow raged and echoed in the practice room, as if a gust of wind was sweeping through the room.
"Minor completion!"
Silently sensing the power of this finger, Lu Qinghe had a sense in his heart.
"It's worthy of being a sword technique that can be directly promoted to the Profound Spirit Finger upon a breakthrough in cultivation. It didn't just take one month to comprehend. It wasn't until three days ago, when my true energy broke through to the sixth stage of refining, that I was able to display it, reaching thirty percent of its power."
Lu Qinghe mumbled to himself.
Joining the Blue Moon Lake and obtaining a large amount of points and resources, he had been at it for a month.
During this month, he had taken monster blood, crystal liquid, supplemented with Vermilion Bird fruit, Blood Ginseng, Strange Meridian Grass, Sleeping Dragon Flower, and other materials to temper his body, bringing his vitality to its peak, then used True Essence Pills to refine true energy, pushing his true energy breakthrough to the sixth stage of refining...
In addition, most of his time was spent on comprehending the Yuan Yi Sword Finger.
It should be noted that with the breakthrough of his true energy, his comprehension had once again had a slight improvement. For a normal high-grade sword technique, it's not like he could master it at first sight, but it could be preliminarily understood within a few days.
With constantly improving comprehension, and occasional contemplation of the Qingping Sword, using its insightful nature, correcting the shortcomings, deficiencies, and flaws in his practice of the Yuan Yi Sword Finger, even so, it took him a month to bring this finger technique to a state of minor completion.
"When at the fifth stage of refining, a typical seventh stage refiner is no longer a threat. Now that my true energy has reached the sixth stage of refining, my opponent should be at the level of the eighth stage of refining, at the stage of minor completion of the Yuan Yi Sword Finger..."
It's weakened!
Thinking of this, Lu Qinghe immersed his mind into his physical body.
For a month, relying on external objects and the Thunderous Body Refinement Technique, he has already tuned his physical body to its peak.
Even without using true qi, just the surging of blood and energy within his body can be powerful enough to defeat a cultivator at the peak of the Refinement Realm.
It's time to start tendon training.
Tendon training involves refining the liver tendons, kidney tendons, toxic tendons, knee tendons, meeting tendons, hip tendons, internal tendons, gallbladder tendons, governing tendons, neck tendons, eye tendons, and celestial tendons.
However, this refining is not done one by one in sequence, but simultaneously.
Moreover, tendon training, unlike bone training, requires entering a state of tranquility, allowing oneself to perceive the flow of blood.
This single point alone is enough to exclude most people.
With experience from his past life, Lu Qinghe used the Soul-Returning Fragrance, contemplated the Green Tassel Sword, and combined these methods to spend thirty days to train the twelve meridians once.
After this, the noticeable effects of tendon training became apparent.
The liver's circulation, digestive function, kidney's filtration function, toxic tendon's detoxification function, knee tendon's endurance, and more, all showed significant improvement.
The whole body, compared to before, seemed to have undergone a transformative change.
Especially the eye tendons, making his vision clearer.
To a certain extent, the strength gained from tendon training presented a more significant increase than advancing one level in the true qi realm.
"The True Essence Pill, along with some other resources, should be able to elevate my true qi cultivation to the peak of the Refinement Realm."
Lu Qinghe summarized his own cultivation, then focused his gaze on the few resources left.
...
Three months quickly passed!
In the last month, Lu Qinghe once again trained his tendons and bones, elevating his cultivation to the peak of the Refinement Realm.
Relying on the amplification of true qi at the peak of the Refinement Realm, he finally brought his Sword Technique to the brink of completion, only needing to comprehend the ultimate move to completely enter the mastery stage.
"The auxiliary move of the Flowing Light Thirteen Swords, Three Lights Sword Shadows, has truly evolved into a finishing move, and there's a trend towards transforming into the ultimate move, but it's still lacking... the Elemental Sword Finger, and the Boundless Body Technique are both at the crucial moment of 60% transformation..."
Lu Qinghe furrowed his brow.
His training was already very rigorous.
But he had cultivated too much.
Swordsmanship, finger techniques, body techniques, along with the Mysterious Light Scripture, all progressed together, and each one required extraordinary energy consumption, far beyond the capacity of ordinary people, even with his exceptional understanding.
Even though his intelligence was far beyond that of ordinary people, three months of time was still somewhat limited.
"The Boundless Body Technique and the Elemental Sword Finger need to develop finishing moves."
Finishing moves!
It's much easier to comprehend them in actual combat than to cultivate them in seclusion.
Perhaps, with more tranquility, he could also comprehend the finishing moves of the Boundless Body Technique and Elemental Sword Finger, but he couldn't afford to squander at least half a year.
With this in mind, Lu Qinghe concluded his training.
"The Kunwu Mountain Range, a place where ferocious beasts roam, with the presence of demonic beasts, there will never be a shortage of bloodshed."
...
"Young Master."
Leaving the courtyard, a Snow Eagle Swordsman welcomed him.
Luo Ziyun.
"Congratulations, Young Master, on your great progress."
Lu Qinghe nodded and replied, "Likewise! I have a good feeling about it. You have also reached the peak of the Refinement Realm."
"Thanks to Young Master's good fortune. If it weren't for Young Master sensing that vein in the Immortal Sky Mountain Range, we wouldn't have been able to cultivate Elemental Stones, nor could we have advanced to the peak of the Refinement Realm so quickly."
Lu Qinghe nodded, not continuing the topic with Luo Ziyun.
"Is Qingyun still in seclusion?"
"Yes."
Seeing this, Lu Qinghe did not press further. "I'm going out."
With his current abilities, he had gained the recognition of all the Snow Eagle Swordsmen, especially with his status as a senior member of the Blue Moon Lake. He could act freely within the Third Peak, and no one dared to underestimate him. The Snow Eagle Swordsmen also wouldn't stop him from acting.
Lu Qinghe left the courtyard and headed towards the peak of the Third Peak. After a short walk, a vast building complex had already appeared in his sight.
In terms of scale, layout, and elegance, this building complex was far superior to the residence of Lu Qingyun.
Lu Qingyun was already ranked thirteenth on the Third Peak, but moving into this complex indicated that she had grand ambitions. If she did not move, she would have to move into the top residence at the peak of the mountain. Up to this moment, she still lived in the average residence of an inner-disciple.
"Han Zhen..."
After a brief glance around the courtyard, Lu Qinghe arrived at the ninth courtyard.
When the guards responsible for guarding the ninth courtyard saw Lu Qinghe's arrival, they were initially about to reprimand him. However, after seeing the insignia of a senior member of the Blue Moon Lake on Lu Qinghe's body, they immediately changed their tone to one of respect, "This is Brother Han Zhen of this courtyard. What brings Brother here?"
"I am Lu Qinghe, here to meet Han Ya by appointment."
"Han Yayi senior sister?"
The guard disciple was slightly startled and hurriedly said, "Brother Lu Qinghe, please wait a moment, I will report to you on your behalf."
As he spoke, a person quickly went into the inner courtyard.
Lu Qinghe took a glance at the blue moon lake badge on his body and lightly smiled.
This identity is much more useful than that of an inner disciple.
The strengths and weaknesses of inner disciples vary.
But every senior member of the Blue Moon Lake possesses extraordinary skills, and no one dared to underestimate them on the Third Peak.
"Brother Lu Qinghe."
Lu Qinghe didn't have to wait long before Han Yayi came out proactively, with a smile on her face. "Brother Lu Qinghe, when you emerge from seclusion, you just need to inform me and there's no need to come in person."
"It's already March. I wonder how the affairs of the Guhuang Family have progressed?"
"Previously, I had only about 10% certainty regarding the Guhuang Family's whereabouts in the Kunwu Mountain Range, but after researching and cross-referencing various sources during this March, my certainty has increased to 30%!"
A 30% certainty is quite high.
If it were to exceed 50%, then even the inner disciples would find it hard to resist the urge to explore.
Lu Qinghe nodded, "When do we depart?"
"How about setting off tomorrow?"
"Okay."
After a brief response, Lu Qinghe turned and returned to the courtyard of Lu Qingyun.
However, when he returned, he found that Lu Qingyun had already finished his practice and was waiting for him to arrive.
"Are you going out?"
"Yes."
"The Kunwu Mountain Range, the largest ancient mountain range in the Qianku Kingdom, stretches for 14,000 miles from the Sacred Snow Kingdom. It not only harbors ferocious beasts but also frequented by demonic beasts. Although demonic beasts cannot open the elemental realm, they are extremely ferocious. Even a ranker at the elemental realm faces the danger of perishing when three to five demonic beasts attack together! Be very cautious!"
Lu Qinghe nodded.
Demonic beasts correspond to rankers at the elemental realm among human cultivators.
However, unlike ferocious beasts at the same level, when humans open the elemental realm and have it as a foundation, they can unleash a strength several times that of demonic beasts.
Elemental Realm!
This is the reason why humans can stand equally with demons, spirits, and monsters and are collectively known as the four major races.
Lu Qinghe looked at Lu Qingyun, pondered for a moment, and said, "You have already reached the peak of the ninth rank?"
"I emerged from seclusion a month ago, and at that time, I had already reached the peak of the ninth rank."
As Lu Qingyun spoke, his expression became slightly more solemn, "In the past month, I have been studying the inheritance of the elemental realm. I have made some progress in refining the Qi and solidifying the true essence."
"Are you really intending to advance to the refining of the true essence?"
Lu Qingyun nodded vigorously, "I, Lu Qingyun, either do not do it or, if I do, I want to do my best!"
Lu Qinghe looked at Lu Qingyun and did not stop him.
It was rumored that a powerful elder had taken a liking to Lu Qingyun's talent and intended to take him as a disciple, but he was turned down by Lu Qingyun as he planned to advance to the refining of the true essence!
After the news spread, all the elders gave up the idea of taking him as a disciple.
Refining the true essence...
It's a matter of two extremes!
One is self-destructing one's prospects, and after reaching the refining of the true essence, there is no hope of opening the elemental realm for a lifetime.
The other...
A successful opening, a leap to the top!
"If you really intend to refine the true essence and open the elemental realm, I have a piece of advice for you."
"You said."
"Spirit, Qi, and Mind, the three must be balanced."
"Spirit, Qi, and Mind?"
"Spirit refers to the essence and blood, Qi refers to the true air inside the body, and Mind refers to the spiritual will."
Lu Qinghe paused for a second, "I have a method to nourish the essence and blood. I will write it down when I leave, and if you have time, you might as well study it."
"Okay."
Lu Qinghe nodded.
Realizing the marvel and strength of the elemental realm, Lu Qinghe no longer underestimated the realm of the world's cultivators. The refining of the true essence is dreaded by many, and countless geniuses have failed to open the elemental realm after entering the refining of the true essence for their entire lives. There is a reason for this.
Lu Qinghe imparted this method of nourishing the essence and blood to Lu Qingyun, also conducting an experimental trial.
"Within three months, I will do my best to advance to the refining of the true essence. If I can reach the refining of the true essence within three months, I will definitely strive for the top in this year's Ask the Immortal Sword competition. The rewards I will receive then will also greatly help me open the inheritance of the elemental realm."
"Challenge of Immortal Sword."
Lu Qinghe nodded.
This was a kind of major competition in the Asking Immortal Sect, specifically for excavating talented disciples. It was held once every ten years, and now there were only three months left until the Challenge of Immortal Sword.
"I believe that your figure can definitely be seen at the Challenge of Immortal Sword."