Qi Cultivator (Two-in-One)

As the words fell, like golden pearls rolling across a jade plate, the hall fell deathly silent.

"Absurd."

Song Tonghai rebuked her softly, though there was little anger on his face. Turning to Zhao Yunheng, he smiled apologetically.

"My daughter has offended the Heir Apparent. I ask that Your Highness forgive her. This child has been unruly since she was young."

"Children of the martial world ought to be like this."

Zhao Yunheng glanced sideways at Zhao Jichang beside him. Seeing his gaze evade and the tips of his ears redden, he could not help smiling. He waved a hand, wholly unconcerned.

"Great Zhou's Founding Ancestor established the nation through martial prowess as well. I have long heard of the Song Family's Twin Jade. My son has been fairly diligent in his training, so this is a fine chance for them to exchange pointers. Would Brother Song find it convenient?"

"Since Your Highness and the Heir Apparent are in such high spirits, there is naturally no reason not to."

Song Tonghai rose at once and raised a hand in invitation.

"Please, Your Highness."

The Song Manor was a martial lineage, so it naturally had a Training Ground. It stood to one side of the estate, enclosed by blue-stone walls. Those who usually came here to train were mostly household servants.

Half an hour later, a platform half a zhang high had been erected in the Training Ground. It stretched ten zhang in both directions, assembled from massive blocks of ironwood.

Once the platform was complete, Song Tonghai dismissed the servants and began clearing the area.

A prince and an Heir Apparent were of noble status. When they exchanged blows with others, it was not some martial artist performing for a crowd. No matter the outcome, it was unsuitable for too many people to watch.

Moreover, Zhao Jichang was still young. Winning would be one thing, but if he lost, he would inevitably be unable to save face.

Song Lingxue held a longsword and leaped onto the platform first. Her trim azure outfit outlined her slender figure, while her long black hair was tied into a high ponytail, making her look even more valiant and heroic.

Zhao Jichang selected a long saber from the edge of the Training Ground and sprang onto the platform in a single step. He landed without a sound; his Lightness Skill had clearly reached a state of consummate mastery.

"Lady Song, please make the first move."

"Heir Apparent, be careful."

Song Lingxue's expression did not change. She flourished her sword, then strode forward fiercely like a tiger or leopard bursting from its cage. Visible Sword Qi surged along the three-foot azure blade as her body left behind an afterimage, shooting straight for Zhao Jichang's throat.

She showed no mercy at all. Her opening strike was a killing move.

Before the Sword Qi even arrived, the gale it raised had already scattered Zhao Jichang's hair at his temples.

The smile on Zhao Jichang's face froze instantly. Cold sweat seeped from his brow as he raised his saber to block and retreated at the same time.

Clang!

The clash of metal exploded. Zhao Jichang staggered back more than ten steps, the blade in his hand trembling violently. For a moment, he nearly lost his grip on its hilt.

Riiip—

At the same time, the brocade robe over his chest suddenly split apart, exposing the silver Inner Armor beneath.

In that instant, Song Lingxue had thrust twice. She had held back on the second strike; otherwise, even that Inner Armor would have been pierced through with a single sword.

In but a moment, life and death had already been decided.

"Heir Apparent, you let me win."

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

"My skill is inferior. Thank you, my lady, for showing mercy."

Zhao Jichang felt somewhat ashamed, but did not linger over it. After returning her salute, he jumped down from the platform.

"One nest, two phoenixes. Extraordinary indeed..."

Below the platform, Zhao Yunheng sighed deeply. "Your daughter's attainments in the Martial Dao are already not far from the realm of Grandmaster."

Song Lingxue's talent for martial arts was no secret, but he had never imagined it would be this exceptional.

A Martial Grandmaster in her twenties—among the current generation, not a single person could compare to Song Lingxue.

"Your Highness praises her too highly. She still needs much more tempering." Song Tonghai shook his head slightly, though the satisfaction in his eyes could not be concealed.

Compared with Song Lingqing, who had entered an Immortal Sect, he valued his eldest daughter Ling Xue even more. He had raised Song Lingxue from childhood according to the standards of a future head of the Lineage, and she had never disappointed him.

Now that Lingqing had entered an Immortal Sect, Ling Xue was the only daughter by his side. He had never once considered marrying her off.

Song Tonghai had never given Zhao Yunheng's proposal any thought.

"Allow me to congratulate Great Zhou in advance on gaining another Great Grandmaster, another pillar to safeguard the nation."

Zhao Yunheng wore a broad smile, but then his tone abruptly shifted. "However, I have recently heard some unpleasant rumors. Brother Song must take care."

At this, Song Tonghai's gaze sharpened. He cupped his fists and said, "I ask Your Highness for guidance."

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

Zhao Yunheng paced to his side and whispered into his ear. "The people I speak of are not us ordinary mortals."

Song Tonghai's heart sank abruptly. For a moment, he nearly lost his composure. "I ask Your Highness to speak plainly."

The reason he had flown into such a rage when the news leaked so quickly before was precisely because he feared it would affect Song Lingqing.

And now, the thing he feared most had still happened.

"News that the Phantom Spirit Sect's true disciples have come down the mountain has begun to spread through the Four Directions Kingdoms. That is all I can say. I know nothing of any deeper intelligence."

Zhao Yunheng spoke softly. "The Young Phoenix has a Dao Protector at her side, but the Song Manor has no immortal cultivator standing guard..."

"This..."

Song Tonghai looked stricken, as if shocked by the news, and was momentarily at a loss for words.

"I still have matters to attend to, so I shall not remain any longer."

Seeing Song Tonghai hesitate, Zhao Yunheng smiled faintly. "If trouble arises, send me a letter. At the very least, within Great Zhou, no one would dare touch a member of the Zhao Clan's imperial kin."

With that, he turned at once and walked out of the Training Ground.

Song Tonghai hurriedly had someone bring a cloak. After draping it over Zhao Jichang, he escorted Zhao Yunheng and his son to the main gate.

"Travel safely, Your Highness."

The sound of hooves thundered and rumbled away, vanishing into the distance in the blink of an eye.

Song Tonghai stared at the dust billowing across the sky. The alarm on his face gradually faded, replaced by an icy expression. With a cold laugh, he turned and returned to the Training Ground.

Song Lingxue had not yet left. Seeing Song Tonghai's grim expression, she was somewhat puzzled. "Father, why are you angry?"

"Come with me." Song Tonghai concealed 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 entire course of events. The coldness on his face deepened.

"He is using his power to force us, trying to compel me to marry you to his son."

Song Lingxue frowned slightly. After a brief hesitation, she said, "If it truly comes to that, I will marry into the prince's residence. In any case, I am bound to marry someday."

Song Lingxue had never cared much about whom she would marry. She knew full well how much effort Song Tonghai had poured into raising her from childhood.

Now, she was willing to give something back for this Lineage, even if it meant sacrificing some so-called personal happiness.

Sometimes, before the rise and fall of an entire Lineage, a little happiness might not matter all that much.

"Do you think the prince's residence is some good place to go?"

Song Tonghai gave a cold snort. "If an Immortal Sect truly intended to move against the Song Family, would Zhao Yunheng dare utter a single word? If it is not an Immortal Sect making a move, what do I have to fear?"

"It is your daughter who is useless. I have failed Father's teachings."

Song Lingxue's gaze dimmed slightly. "If I, too, were qualified to enter an Immortal Sect, Father would not have so many worries today."

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

"If I traded my daughter for peace, then I would truly have lived all these years in vain. When I descend to the Yellow Springs after death, how could I face your mother? The Song Family has never had descendants who knelt to beg for survival."

As he spoke, killing intent flickered in Song Tonghai's eyes. "If demons and monsters cross the line, then for every one that comes, the two of us will kill one."

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

"Your son was incompetent and caused Father King to lose face."

Zhao Jichang lowered his head, bitterness on his face.

"What use is face? Can it be eaten?" Zhao Yunheng did not care much. "Why should a true man fuss over a momentary win or loss?"

"The Song Family bloodline may truly be different from ordinary people. In less than three hundred years, they have produced two Great Grandmasters, several Grandmasters, and an Immortal Seed. Now, they are about to gain another Great Grandmaster."

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

If such a bloodline entered the Zhao Family, the chances of producing descendants with Immortal Bones in the future would surely increase greatly.

This was a plan spanning a hundred years.

Chu Zheng remained busy in the Storehouse until the sun set behind the western hills. By the time he had a chance to visit the Training Ground, even the platform had already been dismantled.

Only after hearing the result of the match from some servants who had watched did he feel somewhat disappointed.

He had never personally seen a Martial Dao expert of this era and did not know just what heights they could reach. Naturally, he had been curious, but now he could only return in disappointment.

In the blink of an eye, the moon had climbed to the center of the sky.

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

Name: Chu Zheng

Cultivation: Zero Order

Cultivation method: 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)

As he watched the restoration draw ever closer to completion, Chu Zheng's anticipation grew stronger.

Only today had he barely managed to finish reading Introduction to the Immortal Path.

The path of immortality was indeed wondrous beyond measure. Plucking stars and seizing the moon was no empty phrase; altering the heavens was no more than a thought.

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

Great Zhou's border.

The blazing sun hung high overhead. Between dune after dune lay a vast, empty wilderness of sand. There was not a trace of green, nor any sign of life. Only rolling yellow sands swept in all directions, raising wave after wave of heat.

Song Lingqing sat cross-legged amid the desert. The boundless wind and sand could not approach within half a zhang of her, all blocked by an invisible barrier.

Strands of pale yellow airflow circulated between her nose and mouth, giving off an indescribable ripple.

Qin Feng sat some distance away, his eyelids lowered as though he were dozing.

Suddenly, his eyelids stirred. With a flip of his palm, he took out a Jade Book and slowly opened it.

Under his gaze, two lines of scarlet writing gradually emerged upon the previously blank jade pages.

Purple Blood Valley, Nightlight Pavilion, and Earth Dragon Sect true disciples have all descended the mountain. Dao Protectors are investigating your whereabouts. The Song Manor is in danger; someone intends to use this to force Song Lingqing to return.

Qin Feng's gaze did not ripple in the slightest. The words slowly faded away, and the jade page became blank once more.

He then took out a Jade Brush and slowly wrote a line of text.

Her whereabouts have not yet been exposed. Proceed to the competition as planned. Song Lingqing has entered the Spiritual Spring.

The writing lingered for only an instant before slowly dispersing, ultimately returning the page to its original state.

Qin Feng watched the writing gradually vanish from the jade volume, put away the Jade Book, and slowly closed his eyes.

The Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Competition was of utmost importance. At such a critical juncture, he would not tell Song Lingqing this news.

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

The current outcome was entirely within his expectations. That was why he had felt it was such a pity at the time.

At the end of the day, Song Lingqing had no power behind her. She was not the only true disciple of the Phantom Spirit Sect.

Standing alone and without support, the sect naturally could not give her too much consideration.

Mortal blood ties were, in truth, an obstacle upon the Immortal Dao.

At the same time, a blood feud was also a spur for a cultivator.

Those who cultivated immortality did not need so many mortal ties weighing upon them. Borrowing outside forces to cut away Song Lingqing's burdens would kill several birds with one stone for the sect.

Such was the way of the world: where there was gain, there must be loss. This was the path Song Lingqing herself had chosen.

When Song Lingqing returned to Great Zhou again, it should be more than twenty years from now. By then, what state Great Zhou would be in was anyone's guess.

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

Over these days, the Song Manor appeared as usual, but Chu Zheng, stationed in the Storehouse, gradually caught a whiff of something unusual.

These days, carts frequently came and went, loaded with wooden crates moved out from the Storehouse. They quietly departed through the Song Manor's rear gate, their destination unknown.

In just over ten days, nearly half the Storehouse had been emptied. This was the Song Manor's accumulation over three hundred years, an astonishing sum.

Yet the martial artists guarding the Storehouse seemed not to notice anything amiss. They carried on as usual, and neither Song Tonghai nor Song Lingxue showed any abnormalities.

Though he found it somewhat strange, Chu Zheng did not think too much about it. His attention was already entirely focused on the Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium.

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

The instant the restoration was completed, a massive amount of information flooded into Chu Zheng's mind.

Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium Introductory Chapter: An exceedingly essential method of Qi cultivation. Nothing could be better for laying a solid foundation, but most of the later portions are missing and will still require some time to restore.

At the same time, the information on the Panel changed as well.

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

Chu Zheng no longer had the attention to check how many restorations were required. His mind was wholly immersed in the information within his head.

The Dao could not be passed on lightly. The introductory chapter of Qi cultivation laid down many rules.

Those of impaired intellect, those with crooked hearts, those who were perverse and violent, those burdened by blood-deep feuds, those lowly and humiliated, those repeatedly oppressed—all could not be taught.

It also explained why they could not be taught.

Once any of these people turned their fortunes around, their killing karma would become too heavy. Their strength would not be bound by their hearts, and they would find it difficult to cross the threshold between life and death.

If such people cultivated a Qi cultivation method, they would not travel far upon the path. In the end, they would be trapped by inner demons and die violently beneath their own great tribulations.

Once the method was transmitted, the karmic burden would be too great, causing tremendous harm to the Qi Cultivator's own merit.

To enter Qi cultivation, one had to absorb the essence of the sun and drink Moonlight Essence for nine Great Cycles each. By circulating Qi for eighteen cycles each day, one would undergo the Hundred Day Spiritual Transformation.

Spiritual Transformation was the first realm of Qi cultivation, as well as the threshold of entry.

Upon completing Spiritual Transformation, one's lifespan would reach three yuan. One yuan was two sixty-year cycles, for a total lifespan of three hundred and sixty years.

Just as Chu Zheng had expected, the Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium had no supposed shackles of Immortal Bones. Everyone could cultivate it.

Even so, the speed of cultivation was tied to that elusive and intangible thing known as comprehension.