Xie Zhou Gifts a Sword, Learning Three Arts

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, dusk sank westward, and the last light of day faded completely.

Yet amid the thousand peaks and ravines of Hibernation Academy, countless lanterns lit up, flickering and shimmering in a dazzling display beyond compare.

These lights came from the residences of Hibernation Academy cultivators, the small courtyards staffed by Embryonic Breath Realm guards from every hall, and the bustling night markets crowded with people.

Once night fell, apart from the on-duty guards of the various halls, the vast clerical apparatus of the Heaven-Gazing Sect also began to dismiss for rest.

The hour of the Dog was the liveliest time of day in the Heaven-Gazing Sect.

It was at precisely this time that Lu Xuan rode a cloud out of a residence gleaming with flowing light, his face carrying both relief and emotion.

"Sure enough, once one crosses the Dragon Gate, old bonds come alive again..."

After leaving Jiang Ningxue, he had visited two more senior sisters.

These two senior sisters were not Withered Dragons of Hibernation Academy. They were heaven-blessed prodigies who had succeeded in their first Grand Rite and entered the inner sect directly.

Over the past nine years, his former self had been close to both of them. In the Culinary Hall, they had even eaten at the same table.

But... once he had failed at Qi Refining, that bond had undergone a subtle change.

It was not as though there had immediately been some scene of "mockery and derision" or "severing ties by cutting one's robe."

Yet the atmosphere between the three of them had indeed become delicate.

Especially since... failing the Grand Rite meant he had to choose a Dao companion.

That only made matters more complicated.

At first, the two senior sisters had come to his residence, seemingly wishing to comfort his former self and perhaps reclaim something. But his former self had shut his doors and refused to see them.

Afterward, many junior sisters seeking to become his "Dao companion" had begun appearing at his residence.

Now that Lu Xuan had succeeded in Qi Refining a second time and taken the initiative to visit them, the immense surprise and enthusiasm of the two senior sisters left even him, a "reincarnated" man, somewhat unable to cope. He had worked hard to keep a cold expression before finally accomplishing his purpose for the day.

He declined his senior sisters' offer to see him off and left the residence alone. When the evening wind blew over him, Lu Xuan was suddenly struck by feeling, and the words slipped from his mouth.

Gazing out from the air and pondering the time for a while, Lu Xuan ultimately decided to return to his residence first and cultivate the "quick method" he had acquired today.

As for a metal weapon capable of harming Bright Apes, he had left behind enough Spirit Stones. It would not be too late to visit the market tomorrow.

With that thought, his Cloud Qi transformed into light. Like a streak of flowing fire, he tore across the night sky toward his own residence.

"Hm?"

His senior sister's residence was not far from his own. Before long, Lu Xuan had arrived among the familiar cliffs.

Yet amid the drifting clouds and broad boulders, people had already been waiting for him.

Lu Xuan focused his eyes and saw two middle-aged Daoists of the Embryonic Breath Realm quietly waiting before his residence.

"Is this Cultivator Lu Xuan?"

"This humble one is a steward of the Xie Family, ordered to deliver a treasure."

Lu Xuan's Cloud Qi shone brightly in the night sky, so the two middle-aged Daoists had noticed him long ago. They immediately bowed in greeting, humbly stating their identities and purpose.

"A Xie Family steward?"

"Ordered to deliver a treasure?"

Lu Xuan leaped down from his Cloud Qi and asked in surprise.

"In reply to Cultivator Xuan, we have come on our young master's orders to present one spiritual metal weapon, along with a letter."

"The reason is all explained within. Cultivator Xuan may read it first."

The steward had clearly received instructions. His attitude was exceedingly respectful as he bent over and offered up a letter lacquered in gold.

Several neat little characters were written on the seal: Personally opened by Senior Brother Lu.

Lu Xuan accepted the letter and opened it at once.

"Congratulations to Senior Brother Lu on succeeding in the Grand Rite and entering the inner sect. This junior brother, Xie Zhou, is also the one who received Senior Brother's [Fire Origin Sword Sand]."

"This was not because I was overbearing and tyrannical. I truly never expected there to be someone who succeeded in a Second Grand Rite. Senior Brother's talent is deeply admired by this junior brother."

"I have already taken the sword sand, and there is no undoing it. I heard that Senior Brother will enter Sunfire Cave to contend for the Sunfire Branch, so I have specially presented a metal spiritual sword. This sword can cleave Fire Fiends and wound Bright Apes. It is of the finest grade among spiritual weapons. I hope Senior Brother will uphold our sect's prestige and return in great victory."

"This junior brother is currently in secluded cultivation and cannot pay respects to Senior Brother. Once I have succeeded, I will invite Senior Brother to drink."

The letter explained the reason for the gift, and at its end, it also included the metal weapon's use.

"So they are from the Xie Family..."

Lu Xuan put away the letter and looked thoughtfully at the crimson-gold treasured sword the middle-aged Daoist had conveniently raised in both hands.

The children of great families truly understood human feelings and worldly ways.

Knowing that they had already given away the [Flowing-Roselight Token], they simply gifted him another sword, allowing him to win and forge a good connection.

With this sword gifted to him, even if he harbored resentment, it would be difficult for him to give voice to it.

"Still... why would someone like this insist on taking the upper-middle Grade A [Fire Origin Sword Sand] rather than contend for the [Sunfire Branch]?"

"Could there be some hidden reason?"

The letter did not explain it, so Lu Xuan had no way of knowing.

But surely... for the sake of a mere Opening the Orifices spiritual item, given the value of his status as an inner sect disciple, there would not be any sordid scheming and scrambling like flies and dogs.

"Red Crow Sword..."

Lu Xuan did not borrow trouble before it arrived. With Sharpness in his heart, he would not hesitate either. He fixed his gaze on the metal sword in the steward's hands.

The sword was three chi and three cun long. Its raised spine resembled a dragon's backbone, while its double edges were thin as cicada wings. With the night so deep, he could see fine rainbow gleams swaying across its blade.

The contest within Sunfire Cave required both sides to carry no pills, armor, or magical artifacts. They could only bring a single spiritual weapon.

A so-called spiritual weapon was a pure weapon forged from spiritual metals and other "strange materials" possessing a trace of extraordinary power. It bore no engraved spiritual patterns and could not connect with the Qi of Heaven and Earth.

The Red Crow Sword was precisely such a weapon. Forged from black gold, its blade burned hot as fire and naturally emitted rainbow light. It had tremendous restraining power over evil and baleful things, and its sharpness was unmatched, capable of cutting iron like mud.

More than that, this sword was extremely compatible with Qi of the sun's aspect. Any solar Qi that fell upon it could linger for a long time, like fire held in a lamp.

"Since I have received the Xie Clan's opportunity, I will naturally do my utmost. I will accept this sword. Convey my thanks to your young master."

Lu Xuan took the sword and spoke to the Xie Family steward.

Seeing Lu Xuan accept the sword, the steward also let out a breath of relief and hurriedly said, "Cultivator Xuan is too courteous. We only hope Cultivator Xuan achieves victory. We shall not disturb you further."

The two then saluted Lu Xuan, summoned clouds, and rode away upon them.

"Interesting..."

Lu Xuan watched their retreating figures and did not linger outside for long before turning and returning to the courtyard.

The metal weapon was merely an aid and was not difficult to find. What truly mattered were the methods and Qi.

The Xie Clan's action was merely a search for "face" and a gesture of goodwill.

The contest to enter the cave still depended on himself.

Lu Xuan returned to his residence and sat in the quiet chamber for a long while. Once his mind had calmed, he took out the three arts he had obtained today.

Apart from Jiang Ningxue's Marrow-Burning Sword Fiend Formula, there were also Senior Sister Jiang's Heart-Palace Yin-Thunder Eye Art and Senior Sister Lin's Life-Burning Talisman.

The Heart-Palace Yin-Thunder Eye Art used damage to the five viscera as its price, arousing a thread of yin thunder within the eyes. It struck silently and wounded the soul.

Lu Xuan had chosen this art precisely to deal with the Bright Ape's "fire wheels within its eyes."

Although a Bright Ape's flesh did not fear lightning, this divine ability of its eyes could be broken by yin thunder.

As for the Life-Burning Talisman, it was even more domineering. It provided an all-around amplification of the physical body and Qi, at the cost of burning one's blood.

With these three arts, together with the metal weapon and the True Qi he had gathered, he now had some assurance in the contest to enter the cave.

Lu Xuan did not delay and read through all three arts in their entirety.

These three arts injured the enemy by a thousand while damaging oneself by eight hundred, and so they were not difficult to cultivate. After reading them only once, he already had ninety percent confidence.

Only the Heart-Palace Yin-Thunder Eye Art still contained a few points he did not understand, but he was in no hurry.

He merely waited quietly for the proper time.

As long as the rising sun appeared and dawn light shone, Dawn Radiance True Qi would grant a turn of insight to any confusion.

Not only that, at daybreak, the myriad wounds suffered the night before could almost all recover.

Tonight, Lu Xuan would master all three arts and test the wonders of True Qi.