Chapter 224: Chapter 177: Beseeching Sword Master Qiao, A Box of Flying Needles

The North and South Dipper Sword was originally established for Qi Cultivation Cultivators, serving as a way for Grand Sects, Ancestral Sects, and other Dharma Lineages to select talented disciples.

The three North Dipper and three South Dipper rankings on the Dragon and Tiger Profound Altar only ever recorded the top prodigies from the Qi Cultivation Tenth to Twelfth Layer. A cultivator of the Daoist Level had never participated before.

However, no one had expected that the new [Shao Yang] Monarch was still in the Qi Cultivation Realm and had not yet ascended to the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm.

This was particularly surprising.

The Daoist Level figures of the Nanzhan Continent’s Eight Sects were either blessed by great fortune and born with natural Dao Wisdom, or they had been chosen early on by a Daoist Monarch and supported into their positions.

At the very least, they were all Foundation Establishment True Masters. When had it ever been the turn of a mere Qi Cultivation Lower Cultivator to take such a seat!

Secondly, the new [Shao Yang] Monarch did indeed hail from a Dharma Lineage at the border between the north and south, his Life Qi bound to a Talisman Decree.

With these two factors combined, he was naturally recorded on the North Dipper Dharma Ranking.

"Dharma, Dao, and Artifacts... he actually took the top spot in all three."

Fu Lizi clicked his tongue in amazement.

"This new [Shao Yang] Monarch even has a True Treasure Slaying Sword to protect him. Just who is this person, to be blessed with such immense fortune!

You have to understand, there are fewer than ten of them in the entire Yanfu Vast Land, and the number currently in existence is less than a handful."

Lou Zhenxiao narrowed his eyes. He was something of a Sword Cultivator himself and loved to study the Sword Dao, having already reached the realm of "Sword Qi Thunder Sound."

When he saw the words "True Treasure Slaying Sword" on the North Dipper Artifact Ranking, his eyes burned with envy.

"Eight hundred years ago, a grotto-heaven fell to earth in the Ximizhou Continent, and the ’Devastation’ Slaying Sword was unearthed.

Before that, there was ’Extinction,’ which the Lunjian Pavilion forged specifically for their campaign against the Buddhas in the west.

I wonder which of the ten great slaying swords has favored this new [Shao Yang] Monarch."

Fu Lizi speculated that the slaying sword must have played a crucial role in his ability to fight above his station and injure the [Thunder Core] True Monarch.

Otherwise, no matter how powerful a Qi Cultivation Lower Cultivator was, they couldn’t harm a True Monarch in the slightest. In the traditions of Daoist Lineage cultivation, the saying "an army of ants can kill an elephant" simply doesn’t apply.

"True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie is the second-in-command of White Jade City. For someone of his prestige to lose face so completely...

The old grudge between [Shao Yang] and [Thunder Core] is likely to flare up again."

Lou Zhenxiao said softly.

True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie, who had ascended to the [Thunder Core], achieved the Dao around the same time as the previous lord of [Shao Yang], Yu Shenxiu.

They fought from the Dan Yuan Dharma Assembly to the Luotian Dao Discussion; you could call them old rivals.

True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie had originally achieved perfection in a single stroke, intending to ascend to the Golden Position under the mantle of "Thunder Ancestor."

But after being defeated by Yu Shenxiu several times, the conceptualization of his Great Dao was damaged. Unable to make the [Thunder Core] submit, he had no choice but to first become its "servant" before becoming its "master," a process that delayed his progress by a thousand years.

He finally managed to outlive Yu Shenxiu and was gradually taking mastery of the [Thunder Core], only to suffer a major setback at the hands of his rival’s successor.

Now, with the news spread by the Daoist Monarchs throughout the Yanfu Vast Land and even listed on the North Dipper rankings, while it wasn’t enough to shake his Golden Position, a flaw in his Dao’s conceptualization was now inevitable.

"This feud is growing deeper and deeper."

Fu Lizi clapped his hands and laughed.

"It seems the Innate Sect’s new Daoist has done a service for us Demon Cultivators and raised the prestige of the Nanzhan Continent. His title as the North Dipper Champion is well-deserved!"

But then he felt a pang of regret. ’How wonderful it would have been if such a great talent had joined the Taifu Sect.’

It was a pity Daoist Monarch Xianyou Mingxuan had personally intervened, shattering True Monarch Tao’s arrangements with a single move.

"I thought this game of chess between the northern and southern realms was no longer worth watching."

Lou Zhenxiao’s eyes gleamed with newfound interest.

"But now, I think I’ll wait and see just what kind of person this Daoist of the Innate Sect really is."

Fu Lizi’s drooping eyebrows suddenly shot up as he seriously considered the fact that he had a slight connection to this new [Shao Yang] Monarch.

’If I hadn’t persuaded Lady Xuan’nv to publicly recruit a husband, how could this heaven-sent marriage have ever come about!’

’In the mortal world, matchmakers get red envelopes for their troubles. I just want a look at that slaying sword... it would be best if I could even touch it. I wonder if the new [Shao Yang] Monarch would allow it...’

...

...

「In a bedchamber of the Palace of Gathered Elegance, ten days passed in a flash.」

Jiang Yi finally received a nod from "Physician Qiao" and was permitted to get out of bed and walk around.

He donned a new Magical Robe and strolled to the front courtyard. It felt strange not having the chubby calico cat in his arms.

’I asked Miss Xiaoqiao, and she said the Cat Master is with the Lady of the Profound City Central Palace. He’s recovering well, so there’s nothing to worry about...’

A smile unconsciously touched Jiang Yi’s lips as he thought of True Master Xuanmiao. He wondered if the little cat was still as lively as ever.

Dark clouds still shrouded [Fengdu], blocking out all daylight.

He paced back and forth a few times, then focused his Heart Spirit and began to contemplate the All-Ending Sword Intent.

The "Inverted" Slaying Sword was worthy of its name as a True Treasure, far surpassing even a superior Magical Treasure that had perfected its Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends restrictions.

It was as if it had been birthed by heaven and earth itself. It was simply not something a Qi Cultivation Lower Cultivator could wield, let alone master.

After expending fifty-seven years of his lifespan, Jiang Yi had only managed to comprehend a single sword move from the profoundly mysterious All-Ending Sword Intent.

Its name was "Great Snow Upon the Mortal World, the Realm Dressed in White Mourning."

’Cold winds and chilling snow, a withered heart and a will to die. That is why it can devour all things and strip away all life.

As expected of a technique derived from a slaying sword, its profound meaning is hidden within the concept of life and death.’

Jiang Yi raised his hand and brought two fingers together. His gaze sharpened, his will and intent became one, and he circulated his True Qi according to the Sword Technique.

’Sword Intent is a superior attainment. It is formless and intangible, yet it can sever illusions and extinguish falsehoods, striking directly at one’s spiritual core. That is the key to a Sword Cultivator’s killing power.

To comprehend Sword Intent, one must first master sword arts and stances, then gain a deep understanding of sword qi and sword aura. It must be done step-by-step, without rushing.’

As the thought flickered through his mind, Jiang Yi made a casual gesture with his two fingers. His True Qi, driven by his focused will, took on a harsh edge. With several SWISHES, it pierced the air, scattering the drifting clouds and leaving faint, frost-like trails in its wake.

"Aiyaya! We beg the Mountain and River Lord to withdraw his Divine Techniques! I’m freezing to death!"

"You idiot! Divine Techniques are a True Monarch’s tool! This is clearly a Sword Spell!"

The clamor of the two gatekeeper ghosts drifted in from outside. Jiang Yi couldn’t help but laugh. With a wave of his wide sleeve, he dispersed the lingering, biting Sword Qi.

Although he hadn’t fully comprehended the Sword Intent, he had managed to grasp its basic form.

The moment that unstoppable, unassailable aura was released, it proved to be the bane of ghosts and spirits.

After all, the essence of such spectral beings is "insubstantial"—a mass of either pure or turbid Essence Qi coalesced into a form.

When faced with a slaying sword move unified with divine will, they were like snow splashed with boiling water, melting away in an instant.

"I had a moment of inspiration just now and got carried away. I didn’t consider you two. I apologize for startling you."

Jiang Yi stepped out of the courtyard to see the two gatekeeper ghosts huddled together, their forms having shrunk by a full size. He smiled and offered a Daoist salute.

He circulated several wisps of "Pill Qi" from his Inner Mansion and held them in his palm.

"A little something for your trouble."

The "Foundation Establishment Pill," personally refined by the Netherworld Ancestor, constantly emitted a boundless torrent of Spiritual Energy, filling the bottomless, infinitely vast Celestial Cave of his Inner Mansion.

Jiang Yi felt that his Cultivation Furnace was constantly filled to the point of overflowing, as if he had overeaten. He had no choice but to find more ways to "aid digestion."

Expending Spiritual Energy to refine it into pure qi would have been an incredible luxury before, but now it was nothing to him. He could do it with a flick of his wrist.

The two gatekeeper ghosts swallowed the pure "Pill Qi" and suddenly swelled up as if being inflated, growing to a height of twenty or thirty feet, looking as if they were about to explode.

At first glance, they almost looked like imposing door guardians.

"Thank you, Mountain and River Lord!"

"You idiot! Call him the Young Master-in-law! He’s Miss Xiaoqiao’s fi—"

The two gatekeeper ghosts started bickering again but were cut short by a sharp rebuke from Qiao Yu, who approached carrying a bamboo basket, her dark hair tied up elegantly.

"Instead of guarding the Palace of Six Admonitions properly, you’re making a racket and disturbing the peace! If you dare do it again, I’ll go tell Gui’er and have her punish you!"

Upon hearing the big fat girl’s name, the two gatekeeper ghosts immediately shrank back to their original size, raising their long halberds and shoving each other as they scurried away.

"Miss Xiaoqiao, you’ve arrived."

Jiang Yi stood elegantly in the front courtyard. His Magical Robe was in the style of an ancient Daoist Robe, colored aquamarine and embroidered with tiger and dragon patterns. A fleck of golden intent coalesced between his brows, giving him an otherworldly aura and an extraordinary, transcendent bearing.

Qiao Yu seemed momentarily dazzled. She subconsciously wanted to stare a little longer but quickly averted her eyes and muttered under her breath,

"My sister said this Cultivation Furnace of yours was personally forged by a Daoist Monarch and is completely unprecedented... but I can’t see anything special about it."

Jiang Yi smiled. He wouldn’t have minded showing Miss Xiaoqiao the world-shocking "Foundation Establishment Pill" just to see her stunned reaction.

’To have a Daoist Monarch personally reforge one’s foundations while still in the Qi Cultivation Realm... throughout the entire Yanfu Vast Land, I must be the only one.’

"Do I have to drink the ’Five-Essence Precious Liquid’ again today? I’m really all better."

Jiang Yi glanced at the bamboo basket in Qiao Yu’s hand, and a pained look crossed his face.

Just digesting the Pill Qi that filled his Inner Mansion was giving him enough of a headache.

The Five-Essence Precious Liquid was remarkably effective at restoring the organs and harmonizing the body. In the past, he would have accepted it without a second thought, but now, suffering from an overabundance of "Pill Qi," even drinking a single bowl felt like a chore.

"Hmph, you don’t appreciate my kindness. Fine, I’ll let you off the hook. It saves me the trouble anyway."

She followed Jiang Yi into the Palace of Gathered Elegance, set down the basket, and began to rattle off instructions.

"For the next three to five days, you are not to circulate your qi, lest you injure your organs. You are also not to rashly absorb and refine Spiritual Energy, or your Cultivation could easily go awry..."

Jiang Yi nodded lightly, indicating that he would take her words to heart.

His attitude left Qiao Yu quite satisfied. She decided Young Master Jiang was an obedient and model patient.

She tilted her head and asked,

"I’ve seen you pondering your sword arts for the past few days. Made any progress?"

Jiang Yi smiled.

"I’ve achieved a minor Small Success, enough to have peeked through the gate. At least now I can discuss it a little with Sword Master Qiao without feeling completely inadequate."

’Sword Master Qiao?’

’That has a nice ring to it!’

Qiao Yu’s dark eyebrows shot up. Overjoyed, her eyes curved into crescents, and the gloom that had been weighing on her heart vanished.

"You’re much sweeter with your words than that clumsy Gui’er. Alright, alright! This Sword Master will teach you a trick or two!"

Jiang Yi immediately feigned a look of pleasant surprise; he had been planning to ask Miss Xiaoqiao for her guidance anyway.

It was hard to improve by working in isolation. Besides begging the Celestial Book, he also needed to consult with his "seniors."

Qiao Yu’s profound knowledge of the Sword Dao undoubtedly earned her that title.

"The Sword Dao, like Cultivation itself, is divided into ’Spells,’ ’Dharma,’ and ’Divine Techniques.’

The three progress from the shallow to the profound, and only then can they be fully mastered. There are no shortcuts."

Qiao Yu sat ramrod straight across the tea table, her posture formal as she spoke.

"My father used to say that a thousand grand treatises are worth less than the single CLANG of a drawn sword.

A sword must be unsheathed to show its edge. If it remains trapped in its scabbard, unable to sing, its keen spirit will be blunted, and it will gradually fall silent, losing its soul."

Jiang Yi deeply agreed. It was just a pity that the "Inverted" Slaying Sword couldn’t be used casually, and he lacked a Sword Pill or any other sword-type Magical Artifact to practice with.

Qiao Yu grinned smugly.

"How could I not have anticipated you’d have this problem? Hehe! Look!"

She produced an object from behind her back: a Kyara wood box about six inches long and two fingers wide.

Jiang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. ’Has Miss Xiaoqiao prepared one of the legendary "Sword Pills"?’

But he had yet to reach the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer and undergo the Profound Light transformation, so he couldn’t refine a "Sword Cultivator’s Magical Artifact," which was made from the essence of the five metals.

Qiao Yu opened the Kyara wood box, her expression animated as if she were presenting a priceless treasure.

"This is a pair of Flying Needles, forged from yang steel. Their surface texture resembles flesh and blood, and if you infuse them with your Divine Sense, you can command them like your own limbs. In the old days, the Qi Cultivation disciples of the Lunjian Pavilion used Flying Needles to spar and familiarize themselves with techniques."

Jiang Yi was intrigued. ’Dueling with Flying Needles... that’s actually a great idea.’

He gave Qiao Yu a slight bow, his expression as respectful as a disciple seeking knowledge.

"Then I ask for Miss Xiaoqiao’s guidance."