Lin Qi hurriedly sat cross-legged in the snowdrift and began studying True Monarch Qingyun's sword strike frame by frame in her mind.
Besides Slaughter Sword Intent, what else was there?
Ice, frost, snow... wind, lightning!
Lightning!
Lin Qi suddenly understood!
True Monarch Qingyun's strike had carried a heavy killing intent, yet it lacked Lin Qi's sharp, frenzied savagery, possessing instead a few more traces of upright majesty and imposing authority.
Had the killing aura not erupted at the instant the Sword Qi descended, she would not have been able to discern the Slaughter Sword Intent within it at all.
So her master had fused two Sword Intents, using each to restrain the other's weaknesses. The power unleashed was several times greater than when they were used normally!
Yet True Monarch Qingyun had not sent her to the Eight Pillars Heavenly Lightning Ladder on Zonglei Peak. Instead, she had sent her to Empty Snow Valley.
"Does this mean Master wants me to comprehend a Sword Intent centered on my Ice Spiritual Root, then fuse it with the Slaughter Sword Intent? When the time comes, with both Sword Intents unleashed together, their power will be far beyond what one plus one equals two!"
Having understood True Monarch Qingyun's intentions, Lin Qi began cultivating with renewed vigor.
She was no longer afraid of the cold.
She sat cross-legged amid the snow, allowing the flying flakes to rage around her.
Her eyes shut tight, she tried again and again to mobilize the spiritual energy within her body.
Unable to break through the spiritual energy's restraints, she did not rush. Unhurriedly, she recited the Pure Spirit Art.
Gradually, Lin Qi's thoughts settled. Her mind emptied of all else, and the surroundings became still and silent.
Even the sound of falling snow could be heard clearly.