Comprehending Sword Intent

Lin Qi was wondering why her Minor Lightning Descent Technique was several times weaker than Senior Sister Yuan Xi's when she saw Luo Ci arrive.

She focused on studying the spells, ignoring Luo Ci.

The more she ignored him, the more flustered Luo Ci became.

He walked up to Senior Sister Yuan Xi, bracing himself, "Senior Sister, I want to learn spells too!"

Senior Sister Yuan Xi had seen everything Lin Qi did and was not surprised by Luo Ci's arrival.

She said gently and patiently, "Third Junior Brother, if you're tired from cultivating, you can relax first. It's not too late to start cultivating diligently after we pass through the Spatial Teleportation Array."

Luo Ci had been thinking the same thing, but seeing Lin Qi diligently studying spells beside him, his mouth formed a different response.

"No, Senior Sister, I want to learn now! I've relaxed enough."

Luo Ci said this almost in tears.

Lin Qi calmly formed a hand seal, retracting her Spiritual Energy.

"Senior Sister, Junior Brother is probably afraid of being tested by his parents when he gets home, which is why he wants to cram at the last minute. Please teach him a few more spells."

Luo Ci opened his mouth to argue, but then felt that what she said made sense.

In the end, he successfully learned spells from Senior Sister Yuan Xi.

However, the price was an all-nighter.

Early the next morning, Luo Ci, with dark circles under his eyes, opened his door and saw Lin Qi returning with her Small Wooden Sword, sweat beading on her temples.

He couldn't stand it any longer and asked, "Second Senior Sister, you're so diligent every day, don't you want to rest for a bit?"

Lin Qi looked at him with her bright, shining eyes, "Rest? Why rest? Isn't cultivating my mental techniques a form of rest?"

"Aren't you tired?" Luo Ci asked weakly.

"Not tired!" Lin Qi said energetically, raising her Small Wooden Sword.

"If Senior Sister hadn't said we were setting off soon, I think I could have practiced my Sword Technique a few more times.

Lately, my Tai Chi Swordplay has been getting smoother and smoother. I feel like I'm starting to grasp what Master said about 'four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds'."

Luo Ci trembled and pointed at Lin Qi, almost stuttering, "You, you you've already started to grasp Sword Intent?!"

"Sword Intent?"

Lin Qi touched her chin and pondered for a moment, then said uncertainly, "I think so, but I'm only just touching the surface. There's still a long way to go before full comprehension."

Just touching the surface?!

Luo Ci felt like swearing.

How many sword cultivators could comprehend a sliver of Sword Intent within three years? And how many sword cultivators could fully comprehend one type of Sword Intent in their entire lives?

He seriously suspected Lin Qi was bragging, but he had no proof.

Lin Qi blinked innocently, indicating her sincerity and that she was definitely not speaking carelessly.

When True Monarch Qingyun taught her Sword Technique, she had said that Tai Chi Swordplay might seem ordinary, but if learned well, it was no less powerful than any high-level sword technique.

The core of Tai Chi Swordplay was to overcome the strong with the weak, manifesting as "four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds." However, truly understanding these words was extremely difficult.

Lin Qi was considered lucky. To motivate Luo Ci, she had immersed herself in intense sword practice. The more she practiced, the more peaceful her state of mind became.

As the first rays of dawn broke, while circulating the Pure Spirit Art within her body, she suddenly inhaled a wisp of purple energy and immediately entered that profound state.

This was how she managed to touch upon the edge of Taiji Sword Intent.

She recounted her experience to Luo Ci and finally patted his shoulder as if sighing with emotion.

"I never expected that practicing sword in the early morning could yield such a reward. It seems heaven rewards every effort."

In an instant, Luo Ci's heart felt pierced by ten thousand swords, turning him into a sieve.

The three of them, fully prepared, headed to the Spatial Teleportation Array.

Of their group of three, the eldest, Yuan Xi, was only twelve years old. Lin Qi and Luo Ci were four and five, respectively.

No matter how outsiders might guess, they would never imagine these were disciples on a trial journey down the mountain.

Consequently, they inevitably attracted much covetous attention along the way.

Just after passing through the teleportation array, Lin Qi sensed someone following them.

She glanced at her Senior Sister. Yuan Xi's expression was calm, and she shook her head at Lin Qi.

Yuan Xi skillfully hailed a Twin-headed Golden Bird Mount carriage. After inquiring about the price, she took Lin Qi and Luo Ci into the carriage.

However, after the carriage had traveled for about fifteen minutes, it prepared to land.

Senior Sister Yuan Xi calmly asked, "Why are we landing so soon?"

The coachman wore a fawning smile. "Miss, it's clear this is your first time in Luo City. Flying is prohibited above Luo City. Once we reach the outskirts, we have to travel by land."

While Yuan Xi was new to Luo City, she had Luo Ci, a local, with her.

"Are you trying to swindle us?! Flying is prohibited above Luo City, but only within the city limits. You could have driven the carriage directly to the city gates. Why land halfway?!"

The young master of the Luo family pulled out his trump card to intimidate the coachman: "Be careful, I'll report you to the Luo City Transportation Bureau! They'll fire you!"

Lin Qi couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Luo Ci was exactly like he was when they first met, utterly provoking.

Threats like that coming from his mouth held no deterrent power at all; they were more likely to make someone laugh. He might as well not have said anything.

As expected, the coachman couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing that.

"You little brat, it's clear you've been spoiled rotten at home and don't understand the situation. Luo City's laws only prohibit flying within the city limits, but if you actually dare to fly your carriage to the city gates of Luo City, we'll be the ones in trouble today."

As he spoke, the coachman had already landed on the ground.

Luo Ci, startled by his words, began to doubt himself.

After a moment, Senior Sister Yuan Xi slowly spoke, "But the direction you're going doesn't seem to be towards Luo City."

"You're right, it's indeed not towards the city."

The coachman's fawning smile remained unchanged. As he turned his head, the skin on his face suddenly contorted. He reached up and pulled, revealing a different face.

The carriage came to a halt. Two burly men with fierce expressions descended from the towering giant trees on either side, and a grey-robed Daoist priest, holding a fly whisk, appeared leisurely.

Luo Ci, who was close by, watched the coachman shed his skin and change his face with his own eyes. He was utterly terrified and screamed, "Who are you? What do you want?!"

Lin Qi felt a pang of pain, wanting to cover her ears.

Had this guy forgotten that he was currently a cultivator at the Fourth Stage of Qi Refining?!

Among the four people before them, the grey-robed old Daoist had the highest cultivation, which was only at the Fifth Stage of Qi Refining. What was there to be afraid of?

Seeing Luo Ci's terrified screams, the grey-robed Daoist smiled with satisfaction, deliberately adopting a gentle and kind demeanor. "Don't be afraid, little friend. We just want to borrow something from you."

The grey-robed old Daoist didn't understand Luo Ci's exclusionary state when he went berserk.

Luo Ci howled, "Borrow something? What do you mean borrow something? You're just trying to rob us!"

The coachman snorted coldly. He stretched out his large palm, intending to grab Luo Ci as if he were a little chick.

"Yes, it's a robbery. You stupid kid, hand over what you have quickly!"

Luo Ci became reckless, and most people couldn't handle him.

He casually cast the 'Wind Sweeps Clouds Technique', and two tornado-sized whirlwinds instantly enveloped them from both sides.

He condensed a surge of spiritual energy in his palm and struck the coachman's chest with a single palm!

There's another chapter, expected to be updated tonight.