Practicing Qi and Calculating

After finishing his work on the sword's edge, Duàn Yì sheathed the Ten Refinements Sword. He then walked to the bedside, retrieved the Cold Jade he had obtained from Qū Dōng Liú from under the pillow, and held it in his palm. A chill washed over him, filling him with joy.

This was truly the greatest gain from his battle with Lin Bohui, more valuable to Duàn Yì than the Black Silkworm Treasure Robe.

The Black Silkworm Treasure Robe was merely a fixed piece of armor. While it could resist blades and deflect heavy blows, its effectiveness against powerful experts was minimal. Its defensive capabilities were significantly reduced, especially against those skilled in Yin-based martial arts.

Furthermore, some Divine Weapons, with their sheer sharpness, could shatter the Black Silkworm Treasure Robe. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that it was ultimately an external item. One could borrow its power, but not rely on it excessively.

The Cold Jade, however, was different. It could aid Duàn Yì's Qi cultivation, directly enhancing his inherent strength, much like the Cold Jade bed of the Ancient Tomb Sect in The Return of the Condor Heroes.

If he kept this Cold Jade on his person, he could leverage the potent cold energy it emitted to stimulate his body's constant circulation of Internal Energy. A single day of cultivation would be equivalent to ten days for an ordinary person.

Coupled with the shortcut and methods for Qi cultivation that Duàn Yì had discovered through the Tower of Hidden Martial Arts, his powerful physique, and his innate talent, one year of his Qi cultivation would be equivalent to the cultivation of ordinary people over decades, or even more. This was no exaggeration.

This was a true treasure. The primary reason Duàn Yì had agreed to the duel with Lin Bohui was largely due to the miraculous effects of this Cold Jade, which would allow him to catch up to the disciples of the major sects in his Internal Energy cultivation.

Besides accelerating Internal Energy cultivation, this Cold Jade possessed another miraculous effect: it greatly benefited the Ice True Qi that Duàn Yì practiced.

This Ice True Qi was painstakingly created by Zuo Lengchan. While its power might not be considered outstanding throughout the vast history of martial arts, within the context of the Xiao Ao Jiang Hu series alone, it was indeed remarkable and left a deep impression.

The Yin-cold power contained within its True Qi could be enhanced by absorbing cold energy. There were several sources for this cold energy.

The first was the ambient Yin-cold energy dispersed throughout the world. This accumulated gradually and steadily, requiring a long period of patient effort to achieve great accomplishment.

The second was the Yin-cold energy contained within specific external objects. For example, the most common ice blocks, or Yin-cold items like the Cold Jade. In terms of preciousness, the Cold Jade was naturally the best.

Duàn Yì recalled the fierce surge of True Qi during the duel today, which had further improved his cultivation. He took off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and sat down cross-legged.

He placed his palms horizontally in front of his chest, with the Cold Jade sandwiched between them, and began circulating his cultivation technique.

A strand of Yin-cold True Qi rose from his Dantian, flowing like a fish, circulating through the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. As his meridians were not yet fully unblocked, much of it was lost and sluggish.

It then repeatedly traversed the Six Yin Meridians, the Yin energy gradually increasing, the cold energy manifesting externally. Faint white mist curled and circulated from his mouth and nose, accompanied by a humming sound.

As time passed, Duàn Yì's body became like a block of ice. Touching it sent a bone-chilling stab. Even his heartbeat and blood flow slowed considerably, gradually turning him into an ice statue.

This was not a normal cultivation method but a special technique recorded in the Ice True Qi manual. It allowed him to absorb the cold energy contained within external objects, but it was also extremely dangerous. If even a slight misstep occurred and his True Qi scattered, Duàn Yì would be frozen by his own True Qi, causing great harm to his body.

Only Duàn Yì, with the aid of the Tower of Hidden Martial Arts and after numerous trials, had the confidence to practice this in reality.

Before long, an extremely pure strand of Yin-cold energy detached from the Cold Jade in a misty form. Duàn Yì's hands absorbed it through the Laogong acupoints on his palms, finally merging into the Ice True Qi he cultivated, like a river flowing into the sea, making this True Qi even more frigid and chilling...

Meanwhile, Liu Zhiwei and Zhao Yu entered Qū Dōng Liú's study in the Golden Cauldron Hall atop the mountain peak, reporting the results of the arena competition to him.

"In my opinion, Duàn Yì's martial arts are indeed good. Perhaps not as good as Zhao Yu's, but he is already among the top-ranked inner disciples of our Golden Cauldron Sect. It's truly hard to imagine he's been practicing martial arts for less than a month.

However, even so, he shouldn't have been able to defeat Lin Bohui. I suspect he used some underhanded means to make Lin Bohui suffer Qi Deviation and lose consciousness mid-fight, allowing Duàn Yì to win."

While Liu Zhiwei's martial arts were inferior to Bai Xiwén's and not as good as Qū Dōng Liú's when he was uninjured, they were still beyond the imagination of ordinary people. He could deduce the strengths of both fighters from just a few moves in their initial exchange.

In his estimation, if the fight had proceeded normally, Duàn Yì would have been defeated by Lin Bohui around the eleventh or twelfth move. But somehow, using some scheme or trick, he had won against Lin Bohui.

Zhao Yu, however, seemed lost in thought. He cupped his hands and said to Qū Dōng Liú, "Duàn Yì didn't cultivate the Invincible Treasure Codex but was able to defeat his opponent. Perhaps it has something to do with his visit to the pharmacy. Lin Bohui wouldn't have suffered Qi Deviation for no reason, Master. Duàn Yì must have used poison."

What Liu Zhiwei said was purely based on his own martial arts knowledge and deduction. Zhao Yu, on the other hand, was speculating based on the information he had previously gathered about Duàn Yì's activities below the mountain.

"Regardless of how Duàn Yì won this fight, a win is a win. Facts speak louder than words.

Zhiwei, you will need to go and appease the Ruan family again to resolve this matter completely and satisfactorily. We don't want people thinking our Golden Cauldron Sect bullies others and tarnishes our reputation.

Also, tell Ruan Xiang that a bet is a bet. He should stop bothering Duàn Yì from now on. This whole affair was instigated by their Ruan family's unreasonable demands. You can take Sun Zhi's head to Ruan Xiang; I believe that will alleviate some of his resentment."

Qū Dōng Liú was indeed quite surprised to hear the news of Duàn Yì defeating Lin Bohui, but he didn't find it impossible. After some thought, he gave his instructions.

What started as a minor sword duel had escalated into a matter of life and death, causing him considerable trouble.

This showed that Sun Zhi, or rather, the person who had planted Sun Zhi in the Golden Cauldron Sect, truly intended to bring the Golden Cauldron Sect to its knees, or even tear it apart. It was already good that the situation could be contained within a manageable scope.

Liu Zhiwei bowed respectfully upon hearing this and left with a grim expression. After all, Ruan Dong was his disciple, and there were many subsequent matters that awaited his attention.

After Liu Zhiwei departed, Qū Dōng Liú spoke to Zhao Yu again, "Today is the second day of the ninth lunar month. In five days, it will be my wedding day. Do you think my wedding will proceed smoothly?"

Zhao Yu was not only not foolish but even possessed a bit of shrewdness. Connecting this to the assassination of Liu Pan, who had a good relationship with Bai Xiwén, which Qū Dōng Liú had kept secret, and the recent uproar caused by Ruan Dong's death, he began to understand.

"Master means that the mastermind behind all this intends to make a move against you on your wedding day, and therefore they are trying their best to lure away the martial artist with the highest skill, Uncle-Master Bai, or to create animosity or even a complete rift between him and you?

But what's the point of that? Master, you are the Sect Leader of the Golden Cauldron Sect, with many talented disciples. I don't believe the opponent can fight against so many people."

Zhao Yu could actually think of the crucial point, but he hesitated to speak rashly due to Qū Dōng Liú's status.

Qū Dōng Liú let out a cold laugh, looking at his most accomplished disciple, and said coldly, "To know about Liu Pan and Bai Xiwén's relationship, to have the influence to plant spies within our Golden Cauldron Sect, and even to possess the ability to threaten me, it can only be someone from the higher echelons of the Golden Cauldron Sect.

Liu Zhiwei, Shi Jian, Gu Ming, Xue Tao, He Shuhuai, Wu Feng, Zhang Guzhi. Among them are the Deputy Sect Leader and elders, all of whom are fellow disciples under the same master as me. Only they have the qualifications and strength to try and pull me down.

I had anticipated this long ago. The position of Sect Leader belongs to the capable. I was severely injured in the battle at Moon Worship Palace, so it's natural for some of them to harbor ambitions. I just didn't expect it to reach such a point of irreconcilable conflict."

As Zhao Yu listened to Qū Dōng Liú recite those names in a calm yet heavy tone, his heart couldn't help but tremble.

This represented the highest combat power of the Golden Cauldron Sect on Shalu Mountain.

"External enemies are not to be feared. My greatest concern is the internal traitor. Therefore, I need you to do one thing in the remaining days to stabilize the internal situation.

You must accomplish this task, no matter what. You absolutely cannot fail.

If I am truly removed from my position as Sect Leader, you, as my direct disciple, will be in a precarious position. Therefore, you must weigh the priorities and understand, do you not?"

Zhao Yu certainly understood. He and Qū Dōng Liú shared the same fate – prosperity or ruin together. He immediately bowed and said, "Disciple understands. I will obey Master's every command."