Fortunately, Luo Yuheng, as the dignified Second-rank Dao Leader, paid little attention to Xu Qi’an’s small schemes and had no interest in answering Chu Yuanzhen’s question. Her beautiful eyes gazed at Xu Qi’an as she said coolly, “What is it?”
“I’ve encountered some difficulties in practicing the ‘Heart Sword’ technique. I seek guidance from the Imperial Mentor,” Xu Qi’an said respectfully.
“The Heart Sword is indeed difficult to master,” Luo Yuheng nodded. “Yuanzhen, you help guide Mr. Xu. I need to see His Majesty.”
His Majesty? Is that old codger Emperor Yunjing coming too?… Dao Leader, I’ve already mastered the basics of the Heart Sword. I’m not asking you about the multiplication table; I’m asking about calculus… Xu Qi’an grumbled inwardly.
He didn’t say it aloud because Luo Yuheng’s figure had disappeared. The door hadn’t opened, the window hadn’t opened, yet this woman had vanished right before his eyes in the quiet room.
“What kind of divine ability is this?” Xu Qi’an felt a bit envious.
“It’s not a divine ability,” Chu Yuanzhen shook his head and explained. “That was just a strand of the Dao Leader’s consciousness. She simply withdrew it just now.”
The methods of high-ranking experts are truly godlike and demonic…
Xu Qi’an was able to come to Lingbao Temple today mainly because the unfortunate Zhong Li had business back at the Astronomical Bureau. Otherwise, unable to enter Lingbao Temple, she might have encountered an accident in the imperial city. No, more likely, she might have caused an accident in the imperial city.
For instance, the Spirit Dragon suddenly goes berserk and causes havoc in the imperial city.
Since returning to the capital from Yunzhou, Xu Qi’an had frequently entered and exited the imperial city for investigations, but he hadn’t visited the Spirit Dragon once. This mythical beast held too much symbolic significance for the royal family; he didn’t dare approach it.
If people saw the Spirit Dragon becoming Xu Qi’an’s devoted follower and word spread, he feared he might lose his head.
“The Heart Sword is indeed difficult to master, after all, warriors aren’t adept in the realm of primordial spirit…” Chu Yuanzhen was about to explain the profound meaning of the Heart Sword, but he had barely spoken half a sentence when Xu Qi’an interrupted him.
“Brother Chu, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding,” Xu Qi’an said modestly. “I’ve already mastered the basics of the Heart Sword.”
Chu Yuanzhen nodded, not minding, and asked, “How long have you been practicing the Heart Sword?”
Xu Qi’an reflected for a moment: “About ten days.”
Chu Yuanzhen was stunned. He scrutinized Xu Qi’an and said gently, “You must be joking.”
Mastering the Heart Sword in ten days? What level of primordial spirit would that require? Even disciples practicing Daoist mental techniques wouldn’t dare claim to master it in ten days.
“I never lie,” Xu Qi’an smiled.
“Brother Xu’s talent astounds me. It’s a pity you don’t practice the Human Sect’s methods,” Chu Yuanzhen said in surprise.
No, please don’t have such thoughts, otherwise the Human Sect would curse: “Xu Pingzhi is not filial!”
My Second Uncle is innocent.
…
Chu Yuanzhen was a person with internalized pride. He had the integrity of a scholar and the free spirit of a swordsman, but these qualities were never expressed in his words.
Compared to the tsundere Second Young Master, Number Four seemed more like a worldly-wise individual with rich life experiences… Xu Qi’an thought to himself.
Of course, not all experienced individuals are calm and reserved. Xu Qi’an himself was an example – he understood the ways of the world but still enjoyed bantering. He was still the same young man who liked to spend money on Tencent games, unchanged in both his previous life and current one.
“Brother Chu, what do you think are the differences between the pleasure quarters in various parts of Great Feng?”
In the middle of a serious and formal discussion about the Dao, Xu Qi’an suddenly asked this question. Although somewhat confused, Chu Yuanzhen still answered honestly:
“After abandoning the scholarly path to cultivate the Dao, I’ve never stayed overnight at a pleasure quarter again.”
The subtext was: I’ve practiced abstinence.
Not long after, Xu Qi’an asked again: “The debate between the sects is approaching. What’s your opinion on Li Miaozheng from the Celestial Sect?”
Chu Yuanzhen pondered: “She has a chivalrous heart and righteous spirit. I greatly admire her.”
Damn, there’s no opening at all… Xu Qi’an smiled and said, “Let’s continue.”
But soon after, Xu Qi’an annoyingly interrupted again: “Brother Chu, the Imperial Mentor suffers from the torment of karmic fire. Do you have similar torments?”
Chu Yuanzhen was surprised: “You know about this too?”
…The quick-witted Xu Qi’an hurriedly patched things up: “Duke Wei mentioned it to me.”
I see, Wei Yuan does indeed nurture him carefully, treating him as a confidant… Chu Yuanzhen nodded, accepting this explanation and finding it reasonable.
After all, Number One had once said that Wei Yuan highly valued Xu Qi’an.
“I only practice the Human Sect’s sword techniques, not their mental cultivation methods.”
“What do you mean?” Xu Qi’an didn’t understand.
“If judged by the warrior’s system, I’m at the Spirit Refinement Realm. But I mainly practice the Human Sect’s Heart Sword, Qi Sword, and Sword Control techniques.”
“Then how do you advance? What’s your next level?”
The three sword techniques were methods for defeating enemies, not the foundation of a system. In other words, Chu Yuanzhen wasn’t following the Daoist system, but using the warrior’s system as a foundation while mainly practicing Human Sect sword techniques.
“I don’t know.”
Chu Yuanzhen himself was very carefree, taking things one step at a time: “The path lies ahead, we’ll walk it as we go.”
“Let’s continue discussing the practical techniques of the Heart Sword…”
At first, they were talking about the Heart Sword, but gradually, Chu Yuanzhen found that Xu Qi’an’s cultivation knowledge was very shallow, not at all like someone at the Spirit Refinement Realm should be.
Right, he joined the Night Watchmen after the tax silver case last October. At that time, he was at the Essence Refinement Realm… Advancing by leaps and bounds to become a Seventh-rank warrior in just half a year, his talent is terrifyingly exceptional… Chu Yuanzhen recalled the information about Xu Qi’an.
Thinking of this, his heart suddenly burned with excitement. He said, “It’s quite dull to just talk theoretically. Brother Xu, why don’t we have a friendly match?”
He enjoyed sparring with geniuses to better observe and absorb their strengths.
Xu Qi’an thought for a moment, feeling this was an opportunity to gauge Number Four’s abilities. He immediately nodded: “Alright, but remember to go easy on me, Brother Chu.”
…
Meanwhile, Emperor Yunjing and Luo Yuheng sat facing each other, with a table between them holding steaming hot tea.
“That little one from the Celestial Sect is coming to the capital. Does Chu Yuanzhen have confidence in defeating her?” Emperor Yunjing took a sip of hot tea, the rising steam blurring his face.
“It’s hard to say!”
Luo Yuheng held her tea, her expression cool. “Although Li Miaozheng is at the Fifth Rank, she’s very likely to use this opportunity to step into the Fourth Rank Nascent Soul Realm. If Chu Yuanzhen doesn’t draw his sword, the outcome is uncertain.”
“Regardless, they are both outstanding juniors. It’s been a long time since Great Feng has had young people worthy of Our attention,” Emperor Yunjing sighed.
“What does Your Majesty mean by that? Chu Yuanzhen was the top scholar in the 27th year of Your reign,” the female Imperial Mentor chuckled lightly.
Emperor Yunjing shook his head. Chu Yuanzhen had abandoned his official position to become a commoner in white robes, a wandering knight, no longer at the court’s disposal.
Strangely, over the past decade or so, not only had Great Feng’s national power been declining, but talented individuals were becoming increasingly scarce. Especially in recent years, Emperor Yunjing hadn’t encountered any juniors that satisfied him for a long time.
“How does the Imperial Mentor plan to deal with that Celestial Sect Leader?” Emperor Yunjing changed the subject.
Of course, he wouldn’t especially come to see Luo Yuheng just for Li Miaozheng’s matter. Emperor Yunjing was concerned about the subsequent Heaven-Human Controversy.
“In the last Heaven-Human Controversy, the Celestial Sect Leader had not yet reached the First Rank. Your father fought him to a standstill, with no clear winner,” Emperor Yunjing said softly.
As he spoke, his sharp gaze fixed on Luo Yuheng’s ethereally beautiful face, his implication very clear.
Dual cultivation was a mutually beneficial endeavor, certainly not a deviant technique where only one party gained.
If Luo Yuheng wanted to advance rapidly in a short time, there was no other way except to dual cultivate with him.
Just then, a strong wave of qi suddenly rippled through the air, disturbing Emperor Yunjing and Luo Yuheng.
Someone was fighting within Lingbao Temple?
This was the first time Emperor Yunjing had encountered such a situation.
Luo Yuheng focused her senses for a moment, then smiled helplessly.
“Imperial Mentor, what’s going on?” Emperor Yunjing frowned.
“It’s Chu Yuanzhen sparring with Xu Qi’an,” Luo Yuheng replied.
Hearing the name “Xu Qi’an,” Emperor Yunjing was momentarily confused, not understanding how that little Bronze Gong could appear in Lingbao Temple, or how he had become entangled with Lingbao Temple.
Luo Yuheng explained, “This young man’s ultimate skill is rather special. Wei Yuan brought him to the temple seeking sword techniques, so I taught him a move or two.”
Wei Yuan had been made a scapegoat by both the Bronze Gong he favored and the Imperial Mentor.
Emperor Yunjing nodded, accepting this explanation. He focused his senses for a moment and was surprised, “Xu Qi’an can fight this intensely with Chu Yuanzhen?”
Luo Yuheng was quite tired of his repeated pestering about dual cultivation, so she immediately suggested, “If Your Majesty is interested, why don’t we go watch the battle with this humble Daoist?”
Emperor Yunjing thought for a moment, “Alright.”
The two walked side by side out of the tea room, through a garden and two winding corridors, arriving at the other end of Lingbao Temple. From afar, they saw Xu Qi’an and Chu Yuanzhen in the midst of an intense battle in a small garden.
Ding ding ding!
Xu Qi’an’s black gold longsword danced impenetrably, constantly deflecting incoming tree branches. Each collision produced a thunderous sound, stirring up waves of qi ripples.
Over a dozen tree branches flew and intertwined in the garden, attacking Xu Qi’an from all angles. Chu Yuanzhen stood on a rockery, hands behind his back, smiling and occasionally nodding, seemingly very appreciative of Xu Qi’an’s combat prowess.
But in fact, he was more surprised inwardly.
Although he was only using his Sword Control technique, for Xu Qi’an to hold out until now in the face of such several “flying swords” without revealing any weaknesses was hard to imagine for a warrior who had just entered the Spirit Refinement Realm.
This meant that Xu Qi’an’s primordial spirit was unexpectedly powerful.
Chu Yuanzhen was starting to believe that Xu Qi’an had indeed gained insight into the “Heart Sword” in just ten days.
Emperor Yunjing watched this scene in astonishment. In his impression, Xu Qi’an had always been just a minor figure who could solve cases. He had heard Xu Qi’an’s name since the tax silver case when he was still a constable in Langle County.
After experiencing a series of major cases like the Sangbo case, this young man climbed higher and higher, his abilities gaining the Emperor’s recognition, but these had nothing to do with combat prowess. In Emperor Yunjing’s understanding, Xu Qi’an was just a constable who rose through solving cases.
Today, suddenly seeing him engaged in fierce combat with Chu Yuanzhen left Emperor Yunjing stunned.
His level of surprise was akin to seeing a scholar from the Hanlin Academy suddenly picking up a long snake spear and rushing into battle.
“Imperial Mentor…” Emperor Yunjing couldn’t help asking as he gazed at the courtyard, “What is this Xu Qi’an’s cultivation level?”
“Spirit Refinement Realm!” Luo Yuheng said calmly.
Spirit Refinement Realm… Emperor Yunjing nodded in realization. From his perspective, a warrior at the Spirit Refinement Realm was unremarkable, not even worth his attention.
However, for a Langle County constable to reach this realm in just half a year was not bad.
But with Chu Yuanzhen’s brilliance before him, Xu Qi’an’s achievements seemed dim in comparison, especially now as they dueled in the courtyard, one calm and composed, the other struggling to keep up.
The difference was clear.
“The Human Sect’s sword techniques are unparalleled in the world. Such divine methods can toy with warriors effortlessly,” Emperor Yunjing sighed.
“Silver Gong Xu is not bad either. Your Majesty just said that the Great Feng court lacks rising talents, but I think this Silver Gong Xu is a dragon among men,” Luo Yuheng smiled.
It would have been better if she hadn’t said this. Hearing and seeing this, Emperor Yunjing felt even more that Chu Yuanzhen’s talent was unmatched, while Xu Qi’an became a foil, a green leaf to set off the flowers.
Emperor Yunjing frowned, “His techniques seem quite limited. Didn’t the Imperial Mentor say you taught Xu Qi’an sword techniques?”
He wasn’t very satisfied with Xu Qi’an’s performance.
“This humble Daoist taught him the Heart Sword. The Human Sect’s sword techniques are profound; even mastering the basics is not a matter of a day or two,” Luo Yuheng replied.
“Still, it’s barely satisfactory…”
Emperor Yunjing shook his head, gaining a more intuitive understanding of Xu Qi’an’s talent in his heart. Better than average, but far from a true genius.
…
At this moment, trapped in the sword formation, Xu Qi’an felt immense pressure. Dozens of tree branches, like sharp flying swords, were whistling towards him, wrapped in qi.
Now at the Spirit Refinement Realm, he could detect all the hostility and killing intent around him, automatically feeding back to his mind.
But two fists can’t fight four hands. No matter how keen his spiritual perception was, he ultimately had only two arms and one sword, and he was starting to struggle to keep up.
“So, the next level is Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, specifically to deal with encirclements… The warrior system is synonymous with individual power…”
Xu Qi’an gained a deeper understanding of the warrior system. Each level filled in a shortcoming. If someone could reach the Martial God Realm, they would probably be invincible in the world.
Swish…
A tree branch pierced through Xu Qi’an’s armpit, tearing his official uniform.
As time passed, such slip-ups became more frequent.
For the current predicament, Xu Qi’an had no less than three ways to cope. The first was the last of the Thirty-Six Stratagems.
The second was to use the Confucian version of the magic book, which recorded several spells specifically for dealing with encirclements.
The third was to disregard his injuries and unleash a Heaven and Earth Slash on Chu Yuanzhen.
But this was just a friendly match, so the first two methods weren’t necessary, and the last one was a life-risking move. Using it would incapacitate him, also defeating the purpose of the match.
“Something’s not right. No matter how smooth the qi flow is, when the flying swords change direction, there should be inertia… But Number Four’s flying swords turn at will, completely defying the laws of physics. Doesn’t Sir Newton care about his reputation? Oh, this isn’t under Newton’s jurisdiction…”
Xu Qi’an pondered for a moment and had a guess.
He swept away six tree branches coming at him from the front with one slash, concentrated his spiritual power, and infused it into the black gold longsword.
Spinning around, he swung, and the dark golden blade collided with the incoming tree branches. At the moment of impact, Xu Qi’an instinctively grasped the technique of exploding spiritual power.
Hum… Invisible mental force spread out in a fan shape, enveloping all the “flying swords” behind him.
Those tree branches paused slightly, then, losing some kind of support, fell powerlessly.
It worked indeed… Xu Qi’an was delighted. He used the same method, splashing spiritual power like wielding a brush, sweeping away the remaining “flying swords.”
With this, he broke through Chu Yuanzhen’s sword formation.
“How did you discover that my mental force was attached to the flying swords?” Chu Yuanzhen asked in surprise.
Huff huff…
Because I paid attention in middle school physics… Xu Qi’an leaned on his sword, panting, and looked up at the top scholar on the rockery, “I guess this is what talent is.”
Outside the courtyard, Emperor Yunjing nodded slightly and turned his head to look at Luo Yuheng, seeing a flash of astonishment cross the beautiful face of the female Imperial Mentor.
“Imperial Mentor?”
Luo Yuheng withdrew her gaze and exclaimed, “This young man’s talent is extraordinary.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Emperor Yunjing rarely saw the Imperial Mentor praise a junior so highly. Although she had praised Xu Qi’an earlier, it was more out of courtesy, while now it was sincere admiration.
This aroused some interest in Emperor Yunjing.
“I mentioned to Your Majesty earlier that I taught Silver Gong Xu the Heart Sword technique. That was ten days ago.”
Luo Yuheng finished speaking, and seeing that Emperor Yunjing didn’t seem to grasp the significance, she explained, “The threshold for the Heart Sword is extremely high. Even for outstanding disciples of the Human Sect, mastering the basics takes at least three months, sometimes up to half a year.”
With this explanation, Emperor Yunjing understood.
And Xu Qi’an had done it in just ten days.
Emperor Yunjing looked at Chu Yuanzhen on the rockery, “What about him?”
“Also cultivating Human Sect sword techniques as a warrior, Chu Yuanzhen took a month.”
Hearing this, Emperor Yunjing’s smile began to spread, but then Luo Yuheng added, “A month to master the basics of all three sword techniques simultaneously.”
Emperor Yunjing fell silent again. At this moment, he heard Chu Yuanzhen ask with a smile, “What’s your ultimate skill?”
“My ultimate skill?” Xu Qi’an repeated the question.
“Yes, you haven’t used your ultimate skill from start to finish. It would be too boring if you don’t show your hand in this match,” Chu Yuanzhen said.
“Well…” Xu Qi’an hesitated and said:
“You’re about to face Li Miaozheng. I’m afraid I might accidentally hurt you and affect the Heaven-Human Controversy.”
These words were truly too arrogant. Luo Yuheng and Emperor Yunjing simultaneously shifted their gaze from the top scholar to Xu Qi’an.