Secret Sword: Wind Cutter

This could be considered a small change to history, influenced by him.

Although not as far-reaching as the impact of the battle at the City Lord's mansion in Yuanshan City.

Seeing that things were developing in a positive direction with his participation, however, made Lu Qingshan's mood much more pleasant.

As an official of the [Pacification Department], Cai Heng, a man of iron and blood, was upright and unyielding.

His duties set him apart from ordinary cultivators.

Most cultivators prioritized self-interest above all else.

But for cultivators like Cai Heng, they would often choose righteousness over life for the sake of their beliefs.

Such people were also the least able to accept favors from others.

Cai Heng, now feeling indebted to Lu Qingshan for a great kindness, fell into thought.

He was contemplating how to repay Lu Qingshan's kindness.

"Before my lifespan ends, I can still find my daughter-in-law and grandson; this has resolved one of my long-standing concerns. So be it."

Finally, Cai Heng made up his mind. He took out a jade slip from his storage ring, placed it on the camphor wood desk, and gently pushed it in Lu Qingshan's direction.

"This item, while useless to me," Deacon Cai said solemnly, "is the most valuable thing I possess."

Lu Qingshan knew that the mission reward was about to be given.

"This is a Secret Sword technique, a method most coveted by Sword Cultivators."

"My ancestor was an extremely powerful Sword Cultivator, and this is the technique passed down from him.

Unfortunately, through generations of inheritance, our Cai family gradually declined, and in my generation, I am the only one left.

Furthermore, I lack the talent for the art of the Sword Cultivator and instead learned the methods of Beast Cultivators. This Secret Sword technique has been gathering dust with me all this time."

"Although Secret Sword techniques are extremely difficult to cultivate, once mastered, their power is unparalleled.

Therefore, all Sword Cultivators regard them as treasures. You can keep it or sell it; either way, this will be your reward for helping me find Xiao Chao and his mother."

A hint of reluctance and regret flickered in Cai Heng's eyes.

It was a pity that he would not have the chance to witness this ancestral Secret Sword technique shine again.

Secret Sword techniques were divine abilities belonging to Sword Cultivators.

In simple terms, they were ultimate skills.

The [Heaven and Earth as One Sword] that Lu Qingshan possessed in his previous life was a Secret Sword technique.

Lu Qingshan reached out and took the jade slip, probing it with his divine sense.

Soon, a line of data appeared before his eyes:

[Secret Sword: Wind Cutter]

Learning requirements: Agility greater than 20, mastery of a weak [Sword Intent].

Casting requirements: Can only be cast through a Sword Weapon.

Skill effect: Consumes up to 10% of Spirit Power. The next attack will deal two additional hits. The second hit's damage will be 60% of the original damage, and the third hit's damage will be 30% of the original damage.

Additional effect: The additional two hits will carry attack effects.

Cooldown: 3 minutes.

Additional notes: Learning this Secret Sword requires 1000 Experience points.

"Detected Sword Skill [Secret Sword: Wind Cutter]. Do you wish to spend 1000 Experience points to learn it?"

"Learn!"

"Learning conditions for [Secret Sword: Wind Cutter] not met. Cannot learn this skill!"

"Detected talent [Innate Sword Seed]. Learning [Secret Sword: Wind Cutter]... Learning progress 15% 50% 99%"

Lu Qingshan's head suddenly throbbed as countless pieces of knowledge were infused into him.

Within a breath, the casting techniques for [Secret Sword: Wind Cutter] were imprinted deep within his mind.

"With the expenditure of 600 Experience points, you have mastered [Secret Sword: Wind Cutter] Lv1 (0/2000)!"

The powerful burst damage from [Secret Sword: Wind Cutter] brought the most direct benefit to Lu Qingshan: his damage per second now exceeded the maximum HP of cultivators in the Qi Refining stage.

In other words, with [Secret Sword: Wind Cutter], Lu Qingshan could now instantly kill most cultivators of the same level.

Furthermore, its skill effects could synergize with many other skills.

For example, under the effect of [Secret Sword: Wind Cutter], Lu Qingshan could instantly stack three layers of the corrosive power from the [Falling Bright Sword Art] onto an enemy, thereby unleashing the [Falling Bright Sword Art]'s binding effect.

This was a Sword Skill that Lu Qingshan could use from the Qi Refining stage all the way to higher levels.

"It's done!"

Lu Qingshan's mood became considerably more cheerful.

The first objective in Zhenjiang City went exceptionally smoothly.

Lu Qingshan put away the jade slip containing the secret sword technique. "This junior is a Sword Cultivator, and this secret sword art is incredibly precious to me. Naturally, I won't sell it."

"This junior assures Steward Cai that he will diligently practice this secret sword art and not let Steward Cai down!"

Lu Qingshan declared with a resonant voice.

Cai Heng was taken aback for a moment, then smiled with relief. "Although you are mysterious, and I don't know your origins, to have reached the eighth level of Qi Refining at such a young age, you must be a person of extraordinary talent."

"Perhaps you can truly master this secret sword art and bring glory back to my Cai family's Wind Cutter technique. It's a shame my time is short, and I fear I won't live to see that day."

Cai Heng spoke with great ease, not at all hesitant to discuss his impending death.

Emerging from the study, Lu Qingshan prepared to leave the Cai residence.

"Young Master Lu, please wait!"

As he neared the entrance, an urgent call came from behind.

Lu Qingshan stopped and turned.

Cai Xingchao hurried over.

"My mother asked me to give this to you," Cai Xingchao said, handing Lu Qingshan a lustrous and moist jade bracelet.

It was the jade bracelet Spirit Artifact left by Steward Cai's Dao companion, Si Jun!

Lu Qingshan frowned and pushed the jade bracelet Spirit Artifact back. "Steward Cai has already given me my reward as thanks. Besides, this is a Spirit Artifact left by your grandmother. Even in your most difficult times, you and your mother never sold it. How could I possibly steal it from you now?"

Cai Xingchao scratched his head, looking anxious. "My mother said that although Grandpa will definitely give you a reward to show his gratitude, that's from Grandpa, and it has nothing to do with us. You are my mother's savior, and we must show our appreciation. We have nothing else of value; this jade bracelet Spirit Artifact is the only thing we can offer. Please, don't refuse." (Task Completion: Excellent, received extra reward)

He had only provided a piece of information that allowed them to reunite; he hadn't done anything else. Yet, both Cai Heng, a steward of the Pacification Department, and the mother and son, with their low cultivation, had offered their most precious possessions as thanks.

Lu Qingshan was speechless for a moment and could only silently accept the jade bracelet Spirit Artifact that Cai Xingchao handed him.

[Azure Water Bracelet]

Level: Top-grade Mortal Artifact

Description: Nourishes the stomach, then transmits to the lungs.

Spirit Artifact Active Effect: [Azure Water Tide]

You can store a certain amount of Spirit Power within the Azure Water Bracelet and release the stored Spirit Power when needed to rapidly restore your own Spirit Power.

Stored Spirit Power: 100/100

A very practical artifact for sustained combat. The 100 Spirit Power recovery amount already exceeds Lu Qingshan's current Spirit Power limit.

Lu Qingshan solemnly put on the Azure Water Bracelet on his left wrist in front of Cai Xingchao before taking his leave.