Qi Cultivator (Two-in-One)

The words fell like pearls rolling across a jade platter, and the hall fell into dead silence.

"Nonsense."

Song Tonghai muttered a low rebuke, yet his face showed little anger. He turned to Zhao Yunheng with an apologetic smile:

"We have offended the Heir Apparent. I beg your forgiveness, Prince. This child has been unruly since childhood."

"Children of the martial world should be just so."

Zhao Yunheng glanced sideways at Zhao Jichang beside him, noting his averted gaze and reddening ears. He chuckled and waved a hand dismissively:

"Great Zhou's Founding Ancestor also built his nation on martial arts. I've long heard of the Song Family's Twin Jade. My son trains diligently enough in his daily practice—this is a fine chance for a sparring match. Would Brother Song be amenable?"

"Since the Prince and Heir Apparent have such an interest, I see no objection."

Song Tonghai rose at once and gestured:

"Please, Prince, follow me."

As a martial arts clan, the Song Manor naturally had a Training Ground, situated to one side of the estate, enclosed by bluestone walls. Most who trained here on ordinary days were household servants.

Half a Period of Time later, a half-zhang-high arena stood in the Training Ground, spanning ten zhang in both directions, pieced together from large ironwood planks.

Once the arena was built, Song Tonghai dismissed the attending servants and cleared the area.

A prince and heir apparent, of noble status, engaging in combat—this was no street performer's show. Regardless of victory or defeat, it was unsuitable for too many onlookers.

Moreover, Zhao Jichang was still young. If he won, fine; if he lost, it would be hard to save face.

Song Lingxue, longsword in hand, leaped onto the arena first. Her cyan form-fitting attire outlined her slender figure, and her jet-black hair was tied into a high ponytail, adding to her spirited, heroic bearing.

Zhao Jichang picked a long blade from the Training Ground's rack and vaulted onto the arena, landing without a sound—a clear sign that his lightness skill had reached perfection.

"Miss Song, please go first."

"Be careful, Heir Apparent."

Song Lingxue's expression remained unchanged. She twirled her sword in a flourish, then burst forward like a tiger or leopard springing from its lair. The three-foot azure blade shimmered with visible Sword Qi as her form blurred into an afterimage, thrusting straight for Zhao Jichang's throat.

She held nothing back; her opening move was a killing strike.

Before the Sword Qi reached him, the gale it kicked up had already tousled Zhao Jichang's sideburns.

The smile on Zhao Jichang's face froze instantly. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he raised his blade to parry while retreating.

Clang!

The Clash of Metal rang out explosively. Zhao Jichang stumbled back over a dozen paces, his blade shuddering violently, nearly slipping from his grip.

Rip—

At the same time, the brocade robe on his chest split open, revealing the silver Inner Armor beneath.

In a single instant, Song Lingxue had struck twice. The second thrust was pulled back—otherwise, even that Inner Armor would have been pierced clean through.

In that moment, life and death were decided.

"You yield, Heir Apparent."

Song Lingxue sheathed her sword and clasped her fists in salute.

"I am outmatched. Thank you for going easy, miss."

Zhao Jichang felt a pang of shame but did not linger. Returning the salute, he leaped down from the arena.

"Two phoenixes in one nest—remarkable..."

From below the arena, Zhao Yunheng let out a long sigh: "Your daughter's martial arts skill is not far from the Grandmaster realm."

That Song Lingxue had exceptional talent in martial arts was no secret, but he had never imagined it would reach such heights.

A Martial Grandmaster in her twenties—none of her peers could compare to Song Lingxue.

"You flatter me, Prince. She still needs more tempering." Song Tonghai shook his head slightly, though the satisfaction in his eyes was unmistakable.

Compared to Song Lingqing, who had entered an Immortal Sect, he valued his eldest daughter Lingxue more. She had been raised since childhood to the standard of a clan head, and she had never let him down.

Now that Lingqing had joined the Immortal Sect, he had only this one daughter by his side. He had never considered marrying her off.

Zhao Yunheng's proposal had never crossed Song Tonghai's mind.

"Allow me to congratulate Great Zhou in advance—soon we will have another Great Grandmaster, a new pillar of the nation."

Zhao Yunheng smiled broadly, then suddenly shifted his tone: "But I've heard some troubling rumors lately. Brother Song should be cautious."

At this, Song Tonghai's gaze sharpened. He cupped his fists: "Please enlighten me, Prince."

"That Young Phoenix of yours seems to have caught quite a few eyes."

Zhao Yunheng stepped closer and lowered his voice: "I'm not talking about us mortals."

Song Tonghai's heart sank, and for a moment he nearly lost his composure: "I beg you to speak plainly, Prince."

The news had leaked so quickly before—the reason he had flown into such a rage was his fear that it would affect Song Lingqing.

Now, his worst fear had come true.

"Word that a true disciple of the Phantom Spirit Sect has descended is already circulating quietly among the surrounding kingdoms. I've said all I can. As for deeper details, I don't know them either."

Zhao Yunheng murmured softly, "The Young Phoenix has a guardian by her side, but the Song Manor has no Immortal Sect backing them..."

"This..."

Song Tonghai's expression was panicked, as if he had been startled, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.

"This Prince still has matters to attend to, so I won't linger long."

Seeing Song Tonghai stammering, Zhao Yunheng gave a faint smile: "If trouble arises, you may send word to me. At least within the Great Zhou borders, no one dares to touch a member of the Zhao royal family."

With that, he turned and strode out of the Training Ground.

Song Tonghai hurriedly ordered someone to fetch a cloak, draped it over Zhao Jichang, and escorted the father and son to the front gate.

"Prince, take care."

The thunderous clatter of hooves rumbled and faded into the distance in an instant.

Song Tonghai stared at the billowing dust cloud, the panic on his face gradually dissipating. His expression turned icy, and with a cold sneer, he turned and walked back to the Training Ground.

Song Lingxue had not yet left. Seeing Song Tonghai's grim expression, she was momentarily puzzled: "Father, what has angered you?"

"Come with me." Song Tonghai suppressed the anger on his face and led Song Lingxue all the way back to the study.

After dismissing the attendants, Song Tonghai briefly explained the whole situation, his face growing even colder:

"This is coercion—they're trying to force me to marry you off to his son."

Song Lingxue frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, then spoke: "If it comes to it, I'll marry into the Prince's household. I have to wed someone sooner or later anyway."

She had never cared much about who she married. She knew well how much effort Song Tonghai had poured into raising her since childhood.

Now, she was willing to give for this family, even if it meant sacrificing some measure of her own happiness.

Sometimes, in the face of a clan's rise or fall, a bit of happiness might not matter all that much.

"Do you think the Prince's household is some kind of paradise?"

Song Tonghai let out a cold snort: "If an Immortal Sect truly wanted to move against our Song Family, would Zhao Yunheng dare to utter a single word? If it's not an Immortal Sect making a move, what do I have to fear?"

"It's your daughter's fault for being useless, unworthy of Father's teachings."

Song Lingxue's gaze dimmed: "If I were qualified to enter an Immortal Sect, Father wouldn't have so many worries now."

Seeing the gloom on Song Lingxue's face, Song Tonghai's heart softened, and he let out a long sigh:

"If I traded my daughter for safety, then all these years would have been lived in vain. After I die and descend to the Yellow Springs, what face would I have to see your mother? The Song Family has never had a child who begged on their knees to survive."

At this, a murderous glint flashed in Song Tonghai's eyes: "If any demons and monsters cross the line, let them come. You and I, father and daughter, will kill them one by one."

More than twenty li outside Luofeng City, before a lake, over a hundred Iron Cavalry briefly halted to rest.

"Your son is useless, Father. I've made you lose face."

Zhao Jichang hung his head, a bitter expression on his face.

"What use is face? Can you eat it?" Zhao Yunheng said dismissively. "A real man doesn't fuss over temporary gains and losses."

"This Song Family bloodline might truly be extraordinary. In less than three hundred years, they've produced two Great Grandmasters, several Grandmasters, and one Immortal Seed. Now they're about to add another Great Grandmaster."

Zhao Yunheng narrowed his eyes slightly: "Rest assured, my son. This woman will be yours sooner or later."

With such a bloodline, if it entered the Zhao family, the chances of future generations bearing an Immortal Bone would increase greatly.

This was a plan for a hundred years.

Chu Zheng worked in the Storehouse until sunset. By the time he had a moment to visit the Training Ground, the arena had already been dismantled.

From a few servants who had watched on the sidelines, he learned the outcome of the duel, and couldn't help feeling a pang of disappointment.

He had never seen a martial artist of this era in action, and he was curious about what they could truly achieve. Now, he could only return in disappointment.

Soon, the Moon at Mid-Sky.

After the restoration count refreshed, Chu Zheng, as usual, used it all on the Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium.

Name: Chu Zheng

Cultivation: Zero Order

Cultivation Methods: Body-Fitting Fist (Zero Order), Wind-Chasing Swordplay (Zero Order), Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium (Sixth Order/Incomplete)

Restorer: Zero Order (76/1000)

Daily Remaining Restoration Count: 0

Currently Repairable: Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium Introductory Chapter (38/100)

Seeing the progress draw closer to completion, Chu Zheng grew more and more expectant.

As of today, he had only just finished reading the "Introduction to the Immortal Path."

The path of immortality is truly wondrous—plucking stars and grasping the moon is no empty boast, and altering the heavens is but a single thought away.

To obtain such miraculous power, Chu Zheng could now only place his hopes on the art of Qi cultivation.

On the border of the Great Zhou.

The blazing sun hung high, and between the dunes stretched a vast, barren desert, devoid of any green or sign of life. Only rolling yellow sand swirled in all directions, kicking up waves of scorching heat.

Song Lingqing sat cross-legged in the desert. The swirling wind and sand couldn't get within half a zhang of her, blocked by an invisible barrier.

Threads of pale yellow Qi flowed in and out of her mouth and nose, radiating an inexplicable fluctuation.

Qin Feng sat not far away, his eyelids lowered as if dozing.

Suddenly, his eyelids stirred slightly. He flipped his palm and produced a Jade Book, slowly opening it.

Under his gaze, the previously blank jade pages gradually revealed two lines of text, a vivid red.

Purple Blood Valley, Nightlight Pavilion, and Earth Dragon Sect true disciples have all descended the mountain. A Dao Protector is investigating your whereabouts. Song Manor is in danger. Someone intends to use this to force Song Lingqing to turn back.

Qin Feng's gaze showed no ripple. The revealed text slowly faded, and the jade page returned to blankness.

Then, he took out his Jade Brush and slowly wrote a line of text.

My whereabouts are not yet exposed. Proceed as planned to the competition. Song Lingqing has entered the Spiritual Spring.

The written words lingered for only a moment before slowly dispersing, returning to their original state.

Qin Feng watched the fading text on the jade volume, put away the Jade Book, and slowly closed his eyes.

The Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Competition was of utmost importance. He would not inform Song Lingqing of these matters at this critical juncture.

Before returning to the manor, he had warned Song Lingqing that such actions would bring danger to herself and her family, yet she still insisted on going back.

The current outcome was entirely within his expectations, which was why he had felt regret at the time.

At the root of it all, Song Lingqing had no faction backing her, and she was not the only true disciple of the Phantom Spirit Sect.

With little support, the sect naturally would not consider her interests too deeply.

Mortal blood ties were, in truth, a hindrance to the immortal path.

At the same time, blood feuds served as a spur for a cultivator.

Those who cultivated immortality did not need so many worldly attachments. Using external forces to cut away Song Lingqing's burdens was a multi-pronged benefit for the sect.

Such was the way of the world—gain always comes with loss. This was the path Song Lingqing had chosen for herself.

By the time Song Lingqing returned to the Great Zhou, it would be over twenty years later. What the Great Zhou would look like then, no one could say.

More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

In recent days, Song Manor had been as usual, but Chu Zheng, stationed in the storehouse, gradually sensed something unusual.

During this time, carts loaded with wooden boxes from the storehouse would often leave quietly through the back gate of Song Manor, heading to unknown destinations.

In just over ten days, the storehouse was nearly half emptied—three hundred years of Song Manor's accumulation, a staggering amount.

Yet the Martial Artists guarding the storehouse seemed to notice nothing amiss, and Song Tonghai and Song Lingxue showed no signs of abnormality either.

Though he found it strange, Chu Zheng didn't dwell on it. His mind was entirely focused on the Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium.

After more than ten days of waiting, the Introductory Chapter of the Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium was finally fully repaired.

The moment the repair was complete, a flood of information surged into Chu Zheng's mind.

Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium Introductory Chapter: A highly refined method of Qi cultivation, ideal for solidifying the foundation. However, most of the subsequent parts are missing and will require some time to repair.

At the same time, the information on the panel changed.

Currently Repairable: Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium Upper Chapter (0/1000)

Chu Zheng had no time to check the number of repairs needed; his mind was entirely immersed in the information flooding his thoughts.

The Dao was not to be lightly passed on. The Introductory Chapter of Qi cultivation laid out many Rules.

Those with impaired minds, those of crooked intent, the violent and cruel, those bearing deep blood feuds, the lowly and humiliated who had suffered repeated oppression—none were to be taught.

The reasons for these prohibitions were also noted.

For any of the above, once they turned the tables, their killing sprees would be too heavy. Their power would not be bound by their will, and they would fail to pass the threshold of life and death.

Those who cultivated Qi under such conditions would not go far. They would eventually be shackled by inner demons and die violently under their own great tribulation.

Once the method was passed on, the karmic burden would be too heavy, greatly damaging the Qi Cultivator's own merit.

To begin Qi cultivation, one must absorb the essence of the sun and drink the radiance of the moon for nine Grand Cycles each. Practicing eighteen Grand Cycles daily would lead to the Hundred Day Spiritual Transformation.

Spiritual Transformation was the first realm of Qi cultivation, the entry-level stage.

At the completion of Spiritual Transformation, one's lifespan reached three yuan—one yuan being two jiazi—a full three hundred and sixty years.

As Chu Zheng had expected, the Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium had no restriction of an Immortal Bone; anyone could cultivate it.

Even so, the speed of cultivation depended on the elusive quality of comprehension.