Aura

It had been nearly half a month since Li Gan achieved the xiantian realm.

On this day, just as Li Gan finished his cultivation by striking the bell, his master, Zhou Buping, came up from the foot of the mountain.

"Li Gan, I have informed the sect leader about your breakthrough to the xiantian realm. In three months, you will begin taking on inner sect missions. Make sure you go to collect them on time."

Master Zhou Buping said.

Since his disciple had already achieved a perfect xiantian, there was no reason for him not to take on inner sect missions.

Furthermore, it was time for him to go out and gain some proper experience.

"Understood, Master."

Li Gan said.

He also felt it was necessary to start taking on missions.

Cultivation currently consumed too many medicinal pills. Without them, he could only cultivate three times a day; he couldn't keep relying on his master forever.

During the few years he hadn't been performing inner sect missions, the inner sect had not provided him with any cultivation resources.

It had always been his master spending his own contribution points to supply him with resources.

Of course, he didn't intend to overwork himself with missions; doing the two required inner sect missions per year would be enough.

Even if he didn't use medicinal pills for cultivation, at most, it would just be a bit slower. In any case, his cultivation speed was already fast enough.

There was no need to rush for success.

After all, he was only at the xiantian realm. Not to mention the entire Dachang, even within the Divine Sword Sect, there were countless people stronger than him.

He was still far from having the strength to protect himself.

Safe cultivation was the most important thing.

What he truly relied on was the ritual object, the Chen bell.

Striking the bell for cultivation was the most suitable method for him.

Zhou Buping walked toward the wooden hut.

Li Gan continued to practice the heartless sword technique, contemplating the sword intent.

After he finished his practice, Li Gan habitually opened his system panel to check the latest information.

Host: Li Gan.
Cultivation: Xiantian true qi (Early stage 98/100).

Sacrificial Vessel: Chen Bell (Dharma 2334/10000).

Martial Arts: Sword Piercing Fist (Perfected), Heartless Sword Art (Perfected), Immaculate Sword Body (Perfected), Soul Chasing Sword Technique (Minor Achievement 18/100).

Martial Intent: Heartless Sword Intent (Illusion 19/100).

Secret Techniques: Myriad Transformation Sword Qi, Blood Burning Technique.

His cultivation progress had already reached the early stage, and he should be able to break through to the middle stage today.

Furthermore, he had recently started practicing a new sword technique called the Soul Chasing Sword Technique.

This was something his master, Zhou Buping, had taught him a while ago.

The Heartless Sword Technique, serving as the foundation for comprehending sword intent, did not focus on killing.

Therefore, he needed to practice a pure sword technique that specialized in offense.

Out of the several sword techniques his master provided, he chose the Soul Chasing Sword Style.

This sword style emphasized speed, precision, and ruthlessness. It possessed strong explosive power and rapid attacks. The sword qi condensed from it carried a lethal effect capable of chasing souls and severing spirits, making it a perfect match for his Heartless Sword Intent.

He had only been practicing it for ten days or so, yet he had already reached the stage of minor achievement.

After all, with the foundation of the Heartless Sword Art and the influence of the Chen Bell, practicing other sword techniques naturally yielded twice the result with half the effort.

If he had chosen to practice martial arts like palm techniques, his progress would have been much slower.

As a sect named after the sword, the Divine Sword Sect did possess martial arts like palm techniques, finger techniques, leg techniques, and blade techniques, but sword techniques were always the first choice.

Afternoon.

Atop the bell tower.

As the internal qi within Li Gan's meridians boiled, surging heaven and earth essence gathered, drawn into his body to merge with his blood and qi.

Boom!

His cultivation seemed to break through a critical threshold.

Sharp wisps of internal qi were released from every acupuncture point on his body, transforming into streaks of sword qi that circled and darted around him.

Within his dantian, two strands of life true qi intertwined like a double helix.

The early stage of the Xiantian True Qi Realm consisted of one strand of life true qi.

Upon reaching the middle stage, it would split into two strands of life true qi.

If he reached the late stage, he would be able to condense three strands of life true qi.

The difference between one strand of life true qi and two or three is not merely that the true qi becomes more robust.

The greatest difference lies in the fact that two or more strands of life true qi construct a true qi field. When released through a martial technique attack, this field draws upon the essence of heaven and earth, thereby possessing a powerful amplification effect.

The field formed by two strands of life true qi is called the taiji field.

The field constructed by three strands of life true qi is the three talents field.

It is said that upon reaching the true essence realm, in addition to the liquefaction of true qi, one can also form the four symbols field, five elements field, and six lines field.

As for the true dan realm, it consists of the seven stars field, eight trigrams field, and nine palaces field.

At this moment, the two strands of life true qi in the sea of qi of Li Gan constructed a wondrous taiji field.

Suddenly, the long sword in his hand vibrated. With true qi infused into it, he unleashed a move from the soul chasing sword style.

In an instant, drawn by the taiji field, the essence of heaven and earth gathered and combined with his innate true qi, condensing into a brilliant sword radiance upon the blade.

Swish!

The sword radiance tore through the air, and a bird flying a hundred meters away was sliced directly in two.

The same sword strike, using the same amount of true qi, yet the taiji true qi is able to draw in the essence of heaven and earth to create an amplification effect. The power has increased by more than double.

Li Gan was filled with amazement.

This was the amplification brought about by the taiji field.

When he performed his sword technique, even though the true qi he mobilized had left the two strands of life true qi, the influence of the taiji field remained as it was injected into the technique.

This meant that after breaking through to the middle stage of the true qi realm, Li Gan's strength had improved significantly once again.

I must try my best to raise my cultivation to the late stage of the true qi realm before participating in the inner sect mission.

Li Gan's eyes flashed with brilliance.

Given his current cultivation speed, the possibility was quite high.

Time passed quickly, and another two months went by.

Beneath the bell tower.

The sun was bright today.

"Brother Gan, I heard that the rebellion of the moon worship cult in the eight southeast prefectures is almost quelled."

Chen Yong was sharing some intelligence with Li Gan.

"So fast? Didn't it show signs of intensifying just last year?"

Li Gan was astonished.

"I don't know either, but the number of suppression missions at the mission hall has decreased significantly over the past two months."

Chen Yong said.

Ever since becoming an inner disciple, he had been working even harder. In order to obtain cultivation resources, he had participated in many inner disciple missions after his first full year to earn contribution points.

Chen Yong still looked honest and simple, but his overall temperament had become a bit more sharp and capable.

"Brother Gan, there is one more thing. I heard the inner sect is preparing to hold another true disciple selection."

Chen Yong added.

"That's normal. After all, it's been over five years since the last true disciple selection."

Li Gan chuckled lightly.

Time really flies.

"Brother Gan, I heard that once you become a true disciple, you get to enter the sword tomb once. Have you ever been in?"

Chen Yong asked.

Having been in the inner sect for so long, he had naturally heard that the sect had opened the sword tomb to all official disciples a few years ago.

It was a pity that it was a one-time opportunity.

At that time, he wasn't even an inner disciple.

"No."

Li Gan shook his head.

He pondered to himself, wondering if he would ever have a chance to enter the sword tomb.

Unfortunately, since his master had stepped down from his position as an elder due to injury, this matter would likely become very difficult.

If he missed it, he missed it; it wouldn't have much of an impact.

Although he felt a bit of regret, he couldn't put his master in a difficult position.

After chatting for a while and asking a few questions about cultivation, Chen Yong left the Chenzhong Terrace.

Li Gan went straight to the wooden hut where his master lived.

In the field, his master Zhou Buping had his pant legs rolled up and was using a hoe to till the soil, looking just like an old farmer from the countryside.

Looking out, there was a vast expanse of fields, lush and green, planted with all kinds of vegetables and fruits.

Flocks of chickens and ducks roamed the fields.

It had quite the idyllic, pastoral charm.

Ever since his master took over the farming duties, Li Gan rarely went down to the fields himself.

The only reason he had farmed in the first place was out of temporary boredom.

But as time went on, given his personality, he was bound to let it slide.

After finishing his cultivation, he would rather lie down than move a muscle.

"Master, your vegetable gardening skills are getting better and better."

Li Gan squatted on the ridge of the field and said with a smile.

"Growing vegetables is just like practicing martial arts. You must master the growth habits of the fruits and vegetables. Once you observe them enough, it becomes simple."

Zhou Buping straightened his back and said with a smile, "You suddenly came over, is there something you need?"

"Master, I heard that the rebellion of the Moon Worship Cult in the eight southeast prefectures is about to be quelled?"

Li Gan asked.

Although his master had retired due to injury, he often went out to visit others, so he was certainly well-informed.

"Just about."

Zhou Buping nodded.

"How did it suddenly end so quickly?"

Li Gan asked curiously.

"Sigh, although the Moon Worship Cult rebellion is nearing its end, I fear there will be even more trouble to come."

Zhou Buping sighed, his tone filled with worry.

"Master, why is that?"

Li Gan was very confused.

Isn't it a good thing that the Moon Worship Cult rebellion is being quelled?

"The so-called Moon Worship Cult rebellion is merely a catalyst. The reasons it could persist for so many years are very complex. The imperial court, the feudal lords, and the major martial arts sects—every faction has its own hidden agenda."

Zhou Buping said.

As soon as Li Gan heard this, he understood. This Moon Worship Cult rebellion was not as simple as he had imagined; it was even possible that various factions were secretly supporting the cult from behind the scenes.

The Moon Worship Cult rebellion on the surface was, behind the scenes, a power struggle between three factions: the imperial court, the feudal lords, and the great martial arts sects.

Viewed in this light, the imperial court's control over the regions had weakened significantly.

Otherwise, the various feudal lords and great martial arts sects would not have been able to use the Moon Worship Cult rebellion to stir up trouble.

Combining this with the historical experience from his past life, it was clear that Dachang had begun to show signs of decline.

It was just unclear what role the Divine Sword Sect had played in this Moon Worship Cult rebellion.