Sword Art

"That's me."

Ji Yuan smiled and cupped his hands. He hadn't expected the old senior to remember him.

"What, you actually mastered the Water Drop Finger?" The white-haired cultivator looked at the handsome young man in surprise.

Ji Yuan still wore that cheerful smile. "I got lucky. Just lucky."

"Come on, show me."

The white-haired cultivator's interest was piqued.

Mastering the Water Drop Finger wasn't hard, but using it smoothly was another matter.

Ji Yuan glanced around. How was he supposed to demonstrate it inside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion?

The old man, his face weathered and hair white, was more direct. He formed a seal with one hand and summoned two Water Shields, then patted his chest. "Come on. Hit me."

"That... might not be a good idea."

Ji Yuan hesitated. Fortunately, the technique room was partitioned off. Otherwise, the commotion would probably have drawn a crowd already.

"I said hit me, so hit me! Enough chatter!"

The old man glared and released his Late Qi Refining aura, putting Ji Yuan under a little pressure.

"Then please be careful, senior."

With that, Ji Yuan stopped hesitating. He raised his hand and tapped several times. Streaks of spiritual light flew out, breaking through both Water Shields in quick succession.

Another Water Drop Finger struck the old man's chest. Red light flared around him and dispersed the attack in an instant.

The power of his enchanted robe was formidable.

"Senior, are you all right?"

Ji Yuan had seen the Water Drop Finger land squarely on him, so he hurried to ask.

"I'm fine. What could be wrong?"

The old man's hands trembled slightly behind his back.

He wasn't hurt. He had simply been startled. After spending more than ten years growing old in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, he had long forgotten what a life-or-death fight felt like.

So when that technique had closed in on him, it had given him quite a fright.

He had thought Ji Yuan could cast the Water Drop Finger once at most. He hadn't expected him to fire off so many in succession.

The cultivators on duty outside sensed the spiritual energy surging in the room and came to investigate. Several were already watching Ji Yuan warily.

Only after a lengthy explanation did the old man send them away. Then he turned back to Ji Yuan.

"You kept quiet about it, boy, but I'd wager you've taken Body Refining quite far."

"I really don't know, senior. I've just been practicing however I can." Ji Yuan truly didn't know how the stages of Body Refining were divided.

"Show me some moves," the old man said.

Ji Yuan wasn't about to miss a rare chance to receive guidance from a senior. He promptly complied, running through a set of punches in the room.

The old man stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly when Ji Yuan finished.

"Not bad. You've reached minor accomplishment in Body Refining."

"Minor accomplishment?"

"Mm. Body Refining doesn't have many subdivisions: entry, minor accomplishment, major accomplishment, then Diamond-like Body. Once you reach Diamond-like Body, you'll be able to withstand Late Qi Refining techniques with your flesh alone. In the mortal world, you'd be all but invincible."

Only then did Ji Yuan understand.

"You have talent for Body Refining. If you join the Water Dragon Sect one day, I'll introduce you to a senior... a Foundation Establishment High Person who practices both Qi Refining and Body Refining. His path should suit you."

The old man seemed to remember something. He sighed deeply, his gaze turning forlorn. "But you'll have to be quick. I can't wait much longer."

Without reaching Foundation Establishment, a cultivator had little more than a hundred years to live. The old man did not have many years left.

Ji Yuan's expression turned solemn. He bowed deeply.

"Thank you, senior."

"These are the second and third layers of the Water Drop Finger. Thirty-five Spirit Stones for both. Here, take them."

Ji Yuan paid the Spirit Stones before placing his hand on the Jade Slip. As the teachings flowed into him, he understood what the Water Drop Finger's second and third layers could do.

The second layer was called Stone-Piercing.

It condensed three hair-thin streaks of deep-blue spiritual light at the fingertip, spiraling around one another. On striking a target, they repeatedly pierced the same spot, wearing through it as dripping water wears through stone. With each strike adding to the damage, they could readily break through an opponent's Dharma Tool or protective technique.

The Water Drop Finger's second layer was a formidable armor-piercing weapon.

The third layer could only be used upon reaching Late Qi Refining.

It was called Explosive Charge.

Once Ji Yuan grasped it, he thought it sounded like an underwater mine. It drew spiritual energy from his body and compressed it into a dark-black droplet. After being fired, the droplet exploded and turned into a hundred Water Blades that indiscriminately sliced through everything within ten zhang.

It was immensely powerful, and area attacks were rare.

But compared with the first two layers, the third consumed far more energy.

No matter. He would master the second layer after he got back.

The third would probably have to wait until he reached Late Qi Refining.

Just as the white-haired old man was about to lie down and rest again, Ji Yuan asked, "Senior, do you have any techniques suited to a flying sword?"

"A flying sword?"

Ji Yuan raised a hand and summoned the Whitewater Flying Sword.

"Water-aspected. Decent quality." The old man closed his eyes and considered it for a moment. "You already have the Water Drop Finger for attacking. There's little point in chasing even greater offensive power. See what you think of this sword art."

With that, he took out another Jade Slip.

Ji Yuan pressed a hand to it. This time, he received only a brief overview rather than the complete contents.

After looking it over, Ji Yuan's eyes lit up.

The old man smiled. "The first layer of the Surging Waves Sword Art, Entangling Waves, restrains enemies. It would pair well with the second layer of your Water Drop Finger."

"The second layer, Layered Mirror, can confuse enemies. It works well whether you need to dodge or flee."

"The third layer, Ninefold Waves, focuses on all-out attack. In my experience, this sword art should suit you best."

Ji Yuan agreed. He nodded firmly.

"I'll take it. How many Spirit Stones?"

For a technique like this, with all three layers bought together, Ji Yuan had braced himself for a hefty expense.

To his surprise, the old man shook his head.

"No Spirit Stones."

"Hm?"

Ji Yuan looked up, thinking he must have misheard.

But the old man smiled. "I obtained this sword art from a rogue cultivator in my early years and later added it to the sect's Scripture Pavilion. So I can decide whether to charge for it."

"Senior, this..."

Before Ji Yuan could finish, the old man swept a hand over the Jade Slip. Blue light flashed, and a wealth of memories appeared in Ji Yuan's mind.

I really got it... for free?!

Ji Yuan withdrew his hand, then bowed to the white-haired cultivator with utmost sincerity. "I am Ji Yuan. Thank you for your great kindness, senior."

"No need to thank me. Just go back and practice diligently. If there's anything you don't understand, you can come ask me."

Ji Yuan straightened and looked at the senior who had taken him under his wing. "May I ask your name, senior?"

"It's nothing grand. Xu Fugui. You can call me Old Master Xu," the old man said amiably.

"Thank you, Grandpa Xu."

Ji Yuan chose a slightly warmer form of address.

Xu Fugui waved him away.

Only after Ji Yuan left did Xu Fugui's gaze grow distant. He turned to look due north and said silently, Master, your disciple is dull. All I can do is try my best to find you another disciple.

The senior Xu Fugui had mentioned, the one who practiced both Qi Refining and Body Refining, was none other than his master.

Unfortunately, Xu Fugui had no talent for Body Refining. He had never managed to get far with it.

Let alone inherit his master's mantle.

Now that he had encountered a junior as talented in Body Refining as Ji Yuan, he was naturally willing to lend him a hand.

If it worked out, wonderful. If not... he had lost nothing.

After leaving, Ji Yuan spent a long while puzzling over why Old Master Xu had treated him so well.

However he turned it over, he couldn't find an answer. He could only conclude that the old man was kind.

On the path of cultivation, wealth, methods, companions, and a place to practice all mattered. Perhaps Old Master Xu was one of the benefactors he would meet on the great path to longevity.

Before leaving, Ji Yuan bought a few life-saving High-Grade Talismans. Then, on the way home, he began to think.

He needed to learn the Water Drop Finger.

He needed to learn the Surging Waves Sword Art.

And he still needed to try modifying the Yin Ghost Formation.

All of that depended on his own... comprehension. Could I use the same method I used to create the [Talisman Room] to make myself a [Dao Comprehension Chamber]?