The Selection of a Saber Technique

Light and shadow wavered, rosy clouds drifted in the mist, and a beam of light touched Meng Qi between the brows like a finger.

The sorrowful monk appeared again in Meng Qi's mind. His steps were heavy, his back slightly bent, as if he were bound by layers of chains. Yet all around him lay only peace and serenity.

A flash of saber light, and every change unfolded before his eyes. Greed, anger, delusion, love, hatred, resentment, and Cannot Obtain all descended in phantom form, turning that tranquil place into ten feet of worldly clamor.

Crack! The invisible chains broke, and layer upon layer of obstruction crumbled. The boundless Sea of Suffering surged in. He bobbed and sank, enduring torment and searing agony—but there was joy amid the pain. His heart grew lively and nimble once more. He came to know the pleasure of family bonds, the joys of love, the loyalty of friendship, and the delight of fame. Though his suffering did not lessen, he could no longer pull himself free.

The vision faded. The saber stance "Severing Purity" had been engraved in Meng Qi's mind in its entirety. But remembering the changes in a technique was one thing; truly executing them, uniting body and mind to perform them, and being able to use them at any time and in any place—that would take a great deal of arduous practice.

After all, in a major martial sect, the moves in its secret manuals were explained in exhaustive detail, and disciples could study them closely and watch their instructors demonstrate them. They were only a little inferior to a True Intent Inheritance, yet even so, few disciples truly grasped the essence of the moves. Knowing and doing were often difficult to unite.

Meng Qi felt that although he had gleaned a little of the "Severing Purity" technique by comprehending its True Intent Inheritance, he would need at least a year or two of practice before he could manage even a rudimentary version. And that was already a case of Heaven rewarding hard work!

After replaying the saber technique in his mind and committing it to memory, Meng Qi opened his eyes. As expected, the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle floating before him had been replenished. Beside it was a page explaining how to open its mechanism after firing and load the poison needles—a user's manual—and the much thicker manual for the Eight Steps of Divine Travel. It was now the manual for Hundred Changes of Divine Travel.

"First stance of the Ananda Breaking Precepts Saber Art, 'Severing Purity,' completed. Cost: 110 Merit Points."

"Poison needles for the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle replenished. Cost: 50 Merit Points. Special reminder: this Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle has already been used once and can be used at most two more times. Repair costs 400 Merit Points. Exchanging it in its current state yields 300 Merit Points; after repair, it will yield 500 Merit Points."

"'Eight Steps of Divine Travel' upgraded to 'Hundred Changes of Divine Travel.' Cost: 40 Merit Points."

The Lord of Six Paths Samsara's emotionless voice rang out. Meng Qi couldn't help cursing under his breath. Wasn't repairing the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle ridiculously expensive? He might as well exchange it for a new one! The Lord of Six Paths Samsara was a complete swindler!

A Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle that could be used once cost 400 Merit Points; one that could be used three times was worth 800. One that could be used repeatedly cost over 2,000. But the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle had limited effect against an Exterior-level expert. By the time he reached that level, even one that could be fired again and again wouldn't be worth much. So the best deal was to exchange for the blueprints and materials, then research and make one himself. For example, the blueprints for a 2,000-point Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle cost only 500 Merit Points.

Despite his grumbling, Meng Qi quickly gathered up the items before him. The Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle could be exchanged for a handsome number of Merit Points to obtain other divine skills, but right now it was his most important means of survival!

After completing the exchange, Meng Qi had fifty Merit Points left. He had no choice but to step out and leaf through the jade booklet, searching for a suitable saber technique.

Unfortunately, even the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber Technique cost thirty Merit Points. It was easy to imagine the quality of techniques available for fifty; none offered a fundamental improvement. He might as well settle down and study the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber Technique carefully.

"Actually, the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber Technique isn't bad. Its moves are simple but effective, and its broad, forceful style carries the bold spirit of the saber. If you master it, it won't be much worse than some of the more intricate techniques."

At this point, Zhang Yuanshan joked, "If Junior Brother Zhending has a talent for the saber and can grasp its essence from the Basic Blade Art, then perhaps he could dominate the world with nothing but the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber. Just look at Master Lu of Huamei Villa. He practiced only one set of the Six Harmonies Sword Technique his entire life, yet still earned himself the title of 'Number One Sword Under Heaven.'"

"I may have some talent, but grasping the essence of a saber technique would take years of honing. And I have no choice but to prioritize dealing with our Samsara missions. Alas, time waits for no man; fate toys with us, and heroes are left with their hands tied!" Meng Qi answered in the same joking tone. He gazed forlornly into the distance, like a fallen peerless master, then suddenly came back to himself. "Number One Sword Under Heaven?"

That was not a title he wanted to take on!

Xuan Xin was still telling tales of the martial world, but he was at the stage of introducing the sects and showing off his "own experiences." So Meng Qi knew little about the famous figures of the martial world. He vaguely remembered hearing the names Huamei Villa and Master Lu.

At the mention of "Number One Sword Under Heaven," Jiang Zhiwei naturally grew eager to talk. "Master Lu was descended from an obscure escort guard in Northern Zhou. His family passed down the utterly ordinary Six Harmonies Sword Technique and Gengjin Heart Method. But for decades, he practiced day after day and never distracted himself with other martial arts. After countless dangers and trials, he finally grasped the ultimate truth of the Sword Dao, developing those two arts into peerless divine skills. He attained the Gengjin Indestructible Body and founded the Huamei Villa lineage. For that single-minded devotion, he earned the universally recognized title 'One Heart Sword.'"

"My master has never bowed to anyone in his life, but he often praises Master Lu, admiring his unwavering devotion and command of the Sword Dao's true essence. He only hopes to attain the Dharma Body soon, so he can cross swords with him in the open."

A freak! A monster! Those were the only words that flashed through Meng Qi's mind as he listened to Jiang Zhiwei. Nothing else could express his shock. Master Lu's path was probably beyond anyone's ability to imitate. Meng Qi certainly didn't have the resolve to follow it.

It had nothing to do with the pressure of Samsara missions. Meng Qi knew perfectly well that he couldn't do it—not at least as he was now. His character had not reached that level. Perhaps after years of trials and hardship, he might come close.

"Where does Master Lu rank on the Heaven Ranking?" Having just learned about the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings, Meng Qi asked without thinking.

Jiang Zhiwei's eyes shone with admiration. "Fourth. Not because he's inferior to Master Kong Wen and the others, but because he hasn't set foot in the martial world for thirteen years and has few notable victories."

"He hasn't set foot in the martial world for thirteen years?" Meng Qi asked, puzzled.

Zhang Yuanshan nodded slightly, his face full of respect. "Master Lu and his wife were deeply devoted to each other. After Madam Ye died unexpectedly, he built a thatched hut by her grave and immersed himself in calligraphy and painting, taking no interest in worldly affairs."

"So the rumors say Master Lu's strength has fallen greatly, and that his ranking will probably drop further. Alas." Qi Zhengyan had also come from a sword sect, and he admired such a leading figure of the Sword Dao.

Meng Qi bared his teeth. "But how can I compare myself to Master Lu? I'd better pick a decent saber technique."

Zhang Yuanshan nodded. "The Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber is bold and imposing. It's a technique that wins through sound fundamentals. If you're going to exchange for another, pick one with strange, unpredictable moves and win through the unexpected."

"Senior Brother Zhang is right," Jiang Zhiwei agreed.

At the mention of an unpredictable saber technique, Meng Qi's heart stirred. He flipped through the jade booklet and found a technique he "recognized."

The Blood Saber Technique!

It was the Blood Saber Sect's saber art in The Legend of the Condor Heroes. The Blood Saber Patriarch had used it to run rampant, and it was known for its strangeness. Every slash came from an inconceivable angle.

"Eighty Merit Points..." Meng Qi read the price and began considering what he could exchange for Merit Points.

Jiang Zhiwei leaned over to look at the description in Meng Qi's jade booklet and smiled. "This technique really does suit you. Little Monk, need to borrow some Merit Points? We're good people, so we don't charge nine back for every thirteen borrowed. Just remember to spar with me using the Ananda Breaking Precepts Saber Art next time."

"Of course." Meng Qi agreed without hesitation. He had realized that unless he exchanged the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle, he had no way to gather enough Merit Points. Besides, lending and repaying could strengthen the team's bonds—as long as he didn't welsh on the debt.

"Junior Brother Zhending, your advice just now was invaluable to me. I won't charge nine back for every thirteen borrowed, either. I'll lend you twenty Merit Points, which is just enough. You can repay me after the next mission." Zhang Yuanshan smiled.

Qi Zhengyan said expressionlessly, "I'll lend you thirty directly, at ten back for every twelve borrowed."

That was only because Jiang Zhiwei and Zhang Yuanshan had already offered enough.

Meng Qi was quite touched by their kindness, but he exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Senior Brother Qi, since when have you been so generous?"

"If your saber skills are lacking and you die on the next mission, the enemy might pick up your Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle. That would be dangerous," Qi Zhengyan said with complete seriousness.

"You should be able to break through the Orifice Opening barrier this time, right?" Zhang Yuanshan suddenly asked.

Qi Zhengyan nodded. "Once I exchange for another bottle of Lingzhi Qi Replenishing Pills, I should be able to try breaking through with the Heavenly Wisdom Pill in half a month. I'll find a chance to go out on an errand with an elder from the sect, then use some unexpected encounter along the way as an excuse."

He had thought it through carefully. After all, he was an utterly ordinary disciple of the Flower Washing Sword Sect, with nothing that set him apart. If he suddenly broke through to Orifice Opening without "relying on external aids," people could easily grow suspicious—perhaps they would think an enemy had secretly bought him off and supplied him with breakthrough pills. So he planned to "come up with" an excuse about an unexpected encounter. In any case, for a great sect like his, an encounter that yielded a single Heavenly Wisdom Pill barely counted as anything.

"If you successfully open your orifices, you should be taught the Sunset and Autumn Water Sword, right? Then you won't need to exchange for another sword technique." Zhang Yuanshan nodded slightly.

"Yes. But once I've mastered the Sunset Art and Autumn Water Sword Technique, I'll exchange them with the Lord of Six Paths Samsara." Qi Zhengyan did not conceal it this time.

As one of the great sword sects, the Flower Washing Sword Sect treated most of its sword techniques as cultivation methods. For example, the Sunset and Autumn Water Sword comprised both the Sunset Art and the Autumn Water Sword Technique, while the Long River Sword Technique also included the Setting Sun Heart Method.

Jiang Zhiwei and Zhang Yuanshan had their own principles, but they had no intention of imposing them on others. And the Flower Washing Sword Sect was not their sect, either. As long as Qi Zhengyan didn't betray his companions, that was enough.

By then, Meng Qi had already used the Merit Points borrowed from Zhang Yuanshan and Jiang Zhiwei to exchange for the Blood Saber Technique. Hearing that, he asked in surprise, "Senior Brother Qi, what divine skill or secret art are you planning to exchange for?"

He was even willing to trade the Sunset and Autumn Water Sword to the Lord of Six Paths Samsara. Qi Zhengyan clearly had grand ambitions!