Azure Wind Sword Art (Requesting Follows Monthly Tickets Recommendation Tickets)

At night, the faint glow of the Firestone Lamp flickered continuously within the room.

[You are observing the Steam Fire Engraving. Basic Observation +1]

[You are analyzing the Steam Fire Engraving. Basic Analysis +1, Steam Fire Engraving Proficiency +1]

Zhou Ling carefully examined the damaged Brewing Furnace, the pattern of the Steam Fire Engraving surfacing in his mind.

He then took up his Spirit Brush and traced it onto paper for record.

Afterward, he meticulously compared it against the engraving on the Brewing Furnace to confirm there were no mistakes, making subtle adjustments to the lines before continuing his observation.

With the aid of [Basic Insight] and [Basic Analysis], Zhou Ling worked through the entire night.

At last, he completed the full pattern of the Steam Fire Engraving.

One engraving node, thirteen inscription lines—the overall structure was quite similar to that of the True Fire Engraving.

Only, its lines and structure were gentler, focused on gathering fine flames for slow steaming.

Though he had spent an entire night on it, it was all worth it.

After all, purchasing this kind of engraving at Market Street would come at a shocking price.

And it might not even be authentic.

Late at night.

Zhou Ling felt that his understanding of the Steam Fire Engraving was more or less sufficient.

Spirit Brush in hand, he began his first attempt at drawing it.

With the foundation of having previously drawn the True Fire Engraving, drawing the Steam Fire Engraving came much more easily.

As Zhou Ling lifted his brush after the final stroke, the next moment, he felt an arcane power abruptly fill the engraving on the Spirit Paper, as wisps of red radiance gleamed from it.

However, it lasted only an instant.

The red glow immediately shattered and fell apart.

With a soft puff, a wisp of pale green smoke drifted up from the Spirit Paper.

"Nothing seemed wrong!"

Zhou Ling frowned, though he knew that successfully drawing a First-order Mid-grade Steam Fire Engraving in one go would not be so easy.

He set down the Spirit Brush and carefully examined the pattern he had just drawn.

[You are analyzing the Steam Fire Engraving. Basic Analysis +1, Steam Fire Engraving Proficiency +1]

Before long, a new improvement plan formed in his mind.

Zhou Ling took out a sheet of paper.

After considering it for a moment, he quickly noted down the fine-tuning plan.

Then, just as he was about to continue drawing, he sensed that his Internal Spiritual Power was running low and hurriedly stopped.

He did not draw any further.

Looking up Outside the Window, he saw the moon slanting westward. It was already the latter half of the night.

With a yawn, he put away the Brewing Furnace and went to bed.

That day, after class ended, Zhou Ling went up to the lectern and asked Instructor Fang about cultivating First-order Mid-grade Engravings.

Instructor Fang looked at Zhou Ling, nodded, and said, "The fourth level of Qi Refining already. Not bad. Not bad."

Zhou Ling cupped his hands. "It is thanks to Instructor's usual guidance!"

After giving it some thought, Instructor Fang said solemnly, "Are you sure you can already draw First-order Low-grade Engravings proficiently?"

"On the path of cultivation, you must build steadily and strike firmly. Do not rush for quick success."

During the last engraving assessment, Zhou Ling had already been able to draw an engraving with eleven inscription lines.

Who would have thought that after barely more than a month, Zhou Ling would already be preparing to draw First-order Mid-grade Engravings?

His progress was indeed remarkable.

Instructor Fang was deeply appreciative, but he still had to stress a few words of caution.

"This disciple can already draw engravings with twelve inscription lines, and my spiritual power can still support it, so I wish to attempt drawing First-order Mid-grade Engravings," Zhou Ling replied slowly.

Though he had the aid of his talent attributes, he still had quite a few questions concerning cultivation in his daily practice.

Instructor Fang patiently answered and guided him through every question without the slightest impatience.

Over the years, he had helped him a great deal.

Zhou Ling held him in deep respect as well.

"Additionally, this disciple plans to cultivate swordsmanship. I ask Instructor to recommend something!"

Zhou Ling continued.

Instructor Fang looked at Zhou Ling and pondered briefly. "The basic sword arts in the Dao Academy are no longer suitable for your cultivation. As for high-level sword arts, only Inner Disciples are qualified to exchange for them."

"I do have a sword art here, something I obtained by chance years ago. However, it is incomplete. If you wish to practice the sword, I can give it to you for cultivation."

Without hesitation, Zhou Ling hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Instructor!"

Even the Dao Academy's basic swordsmanship techniques required twenty or thirty Spirit Stones to obtain.

Though he currently had more than seventy Low-grade Spirit Stones on hand, after exchanging for the First-Order Mid-Grade Engraving, then paying the Workshop for the Brewing Furnace, there would not be much left.

It could not have been better for Instructor Fang to give him a sword art like this.

Not only would it be better than the Dao Academy's basic sword arts, but it would not cost him any Spirit Stones.

Of course, this meant he owed the Instructor another great favor.

Later, he would buy a jar of fine Spirit Wine for him as thanks.

Instructor Fang had no other hobbies; he simply enjoyed drinking alone.

Zhou Ling had given him gifts a few times before.

"This is the Azure Wind Sword Art. Once cultivated, it allows you to condense Azure Wind Sword Qi, and its power is considerable."

"However, the sword art I have only contains two layers at present."

Instructor Fang took out a Jade Slip and handed it to Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling accepted the Jade Slip and thanked him respectfully.

"However, the Azure Wind Sword Art is not easy to cultivate." Instructor Fang continued, "It contains some of my cultivation insights, but they may not necessarily be correct."

"Different people may gain different understandings. Treat them only as reference. If there is anything you do not understand, ask me again."

"Of course, the path of swordsmanship is similar to the path of Inscription Patterns. Aside from persevering in bitter cultivation, talent is indispensable as well."

There was a rather meaningful undertone in Instructor Fang's voice.

Zhou Ling nodded solemnly.

Afterward, Instructor Fang had an attendant fetch a copy of the Essentials of First-Order Mid-Grade Engravings.

"First-Order Mid-Grade Engravings place greater emphasis on the whole, so their structure and nodes become especially prominent during inscription."

"Furthermore, drawing the patterns requires more technique. In the releasing and gathering, in every stroke, not only must the patterns connect and echo one another, they must also answer each other in artistic conception."

"Go back and cultivate diligently. If there is anything you do not understand, ask me again!"

Instructor Fang handed the Jade Slip to Zhou Ling and reminded him once more.

Zhou Ling thanked him again.

When he returned to his seat, most of the other disciples had gone to the Dao Academy dining hall to eat.

Zhou Ling was excited and in no hurry to eat.

He took out the Jade Slip containing the Azure Wind Sword Art that Instructor Fang had just given him, pressed it to his forehead, focused his mind, and sent his consciousness into it.

A vast amount of information soon appeared in his mind.

There was quite a bit of content in the Jade Slip. Zhou Ling studied it for a quarter of an hour before withdrawing.

This sword art was divided into two parts.

The first mainly introduced the cultivation method and several basic sword stances, such as the Sweeping Sword Stance and the Controlling Sword Stance.

The latter contained the secret method for condensing Azure Wind Sword Qi.

Once cultivated, he could condense Azure Wind Sword Qi with a thought, using it for both defense and attack.

So long as one cultivated the first layer, even a cultivator at Qi Condensation Early Stage could battle a Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivator head-on.

Unfortunately, this set of sword arts currently had only two layers.

Of course, even with only two layers, it was already more than sufficient for Zhou Ling at his current level.

So long as he cultivated the second layer, he would have a chance to comprehend sword intent and might even be able to use Late Qi Condensation to contend against Foundation Establishment First Layer.

However, that was merely what the sword art described.

As for whether it was truly practical, Zhou Ling would have to cultivate it before he knew.

Zhou Ling was thoroughly satisfied with this sword art, and his gratitude toward Instructor Fang deepened by several degrees.

He then put away the Jade Slip, rose, left the Study Hall, and headed to the dining hall for a meal.