Chapter 274 - 193: Sword Imprint, Dragon Lake Forget-Sorrow (Part 2)

Chapter 274: Chapter 193: Sword Imprint, Dragon Lake Forget-Sorrow (Part 2)

Ye Shuping had also sent over four Inner Qi-level Swordsmanship techniques. The old principal suggested his next step should be to master the concepts of lightness and weight, as all these techniques were related to it.

His Body Technique and footwork needed to be re-evaluated. The "Three Talents Footwork" was a Qi Blood Martial Arts Skill, and its advanced Inner Qi version might not be suitable for Yu Fei.

Then there was the Iron Body Skill, the Melt Gold Jade Body Skill. It was a Gold Swallowing Skill and was extremely costly.

The Spiritual Secret Technique, the Star Soul Forging Scripture, was also something that required long-term cultivation. However, Yu Fei believed the golden particles that had evolved from his spirit soul core could accelerate his progress in this technique.

These were the points he had considered so far. A concrete cultivation plan could only be finalized after he met and discussed it with Ye Shuping.

Yu Fei scheduled a meeting with Ye Shuping in the virtual space, then prepared to cultivate the Spiritual Secret Technique.

With the help of the Chapter Seven audio track, his spirit once again entered the fantastical sea of light. Only this time, it was vastly different. For the first time, Yu Fei had a tangible form.

His form was illusory, but a sword-shaped mark shimmered with golden light at the center of his brow.

He held out his hands and could only see their rough outlines.

"Is this my spiritual body?"

Before, he had been formless and intangible, drifting like a wisp of smoke. After breaking through to the Inner Qi Realm, his very level of existence had been elevated.

He looked around and saw an extremely thin, pale-gold barrier of light extending in a three-foot radius around him. With this layer of protection, it seemed the various beams of light did not notice him.

’It has this function too!’

Yu Fei’s heart filled with joy. Previously, he could only catch a fleeting glimpse before being overwhelmed by endless beams of light, a process that plunged him into boundless torture and made for an abysmal cultivation experience.

The fantastical sea of light was magical and magnificent. The light here was completely different from the natural light of the outside world, as different as a Martial Artist from an ordinary person.

This time, when he looked up at the seven-colored river of light above, he found he could look directly at it, though staring for too long still left him feeling dazed.

He slowly drifted forward. Some of the smaller light beams struck the barrier and were repelled. Others, as if possessing life of their own, actively avoided him. The trajectories of the various colored light particles were completely different; some were lively, while others were deathly still.

After drifting for a while, his instincts told him the light barrier wouldn’t last long, so he officially began his cultivation.

His cultivation of the Star Soul Forging Scripture also changed. When he dismissed the light barrier, the countless light particles that swarmed toward him didn’t enter his body chaotically as before. Instead, they were drawn to the sword-shaped mark on his brow and flowed into it entirely.

After a full three breaths, the sword-shaped mark seemed to be full, and its power began to transfer into him.

The sword-shaped mark acted like a transfer and processing station where the impure stream of light was simply refined before being absorbed by his spirit soul. This greatly reduced the pressure on Yu Fei. During this process, the sword-shaped mark also continuously absorbed power from the light stream, but it was all something Yu Fei had to do himself.

After devouring the Primordial Qi Sword Lotus, being in this fantastical sea of light made Yu Fei instinctively know what to do, as naturally as knowing to eat when hungry.

Thinking about it, this ability wasn’t actually much different from how the Primordial Qi Sword Lotus used to help him refine the five-elemental primordial qi. The only difference was that now he had to do it himself.

Yu Fei named the sword-shaped mark the "Infinite Sword Seal," as it was an ability he only gained after the appearance of his Infinite Sword Soul.

The Infinite Sword Seal shouldered much of the pressure. He was in far less pain after absorbing the preliminarily refined stream of light. Although a sense of discomfort remained, it was bearable.

As time passed, the scale of the light stream gradually increased. Yu Fei discovered that in addition to the particle-like motes of light, wisps and strands of light began to join in. The pressure on him instantly intensified, and the intensity ratcheted up again.

The more energy he refined, the more his illusory form seemed to solidify. This rate of progress was much faster than before.

After about half an hour, Yu Fei could no longer hold on and disappeared from the sea of light.

After this cultivation session, although he was exhausted, his head wasn’t splitting with pain anymore. He even had enough strength to wash up.

After his shower, Yu Fei came out and found himself staring blankly into the mirror.

After advancing to the Inner Qi Realm, Yu Fei’s appearance and disposition had improved even further. A golden Infinite Sword Seal, identical to the one on his spiritual body, had appeared at the center of his brow. It made him look more mysterious, though it also made him seem a bit like an edgy teenager.

"This..."

’I should find a headband to cover this up,’ he mused. ’It’s too conspicuous.’

-----------------

「The next afternoon, inside the Great Hall of Returning to Truth.」

Ye Shuping showed his true face today; the virtual image of Tang Lihui never appeared again.

The two sat facing each other across a simple, unadorned square table.

"Here, try this. It’s Long Lake Forgetfulness Tea. Its effects are somewhat similar to the Ice Soul Condensing Eyebrow you had last time. It can stabilize the mind. You’ve just broken through and your mind is weary, so it’s very suitable for you."

Yu Fei watched the snowy-white tea leaves float and sink in the pot. The aroma was gentle and smooth, and just smelling it made him feel refreshed and at ease. Yu Fei accepted the cup with both hands.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

With that, he downed it in one gulp. Ye Shuping smiled and shook his head. ’This kid, wasting such a fine thing.’

As the tea went down his throat, Yu Fei seemed to hear the sound of a droplet falling onto the surface of a lake, its echo lingering endlessly. He felt as if he had sunk to the bottom of a deep, silent lake. All his worries vanished, and his mind became tranquil.

’What an incredible Long Lake Forgetfulness Tea,’ he thought. ’Ye Shuping was being far too modest. This tea is definitely a much higher grade than the Ice Soul Condensing Eyebrow. The latter uses frost to forcibly create mental tranquility, while the Long Lake Forgetfulness Tea guides you into a peaceful state of mind. The difference in quality is night and day.’

Yu Fei closed his eyes, savoring the feeling. His mind grew calm and relaxed. Even the lingering vexation from the incident with Sima Hong during his breakthrough vanished completely.

It had to be said, ever since that incident, his mind had been in a constant state of tension. The Long Lake Forgetfulness Tea came at the perfect moment. However, Yu Fei still harbored some suspicions toward Ye Shuping, so he didn’t let his guard down completely, keeping a sliver of his consciousness on alert.

Ye Shuping smiled as he took a sip, his movements elegant and refined, displaying the air of a great master.

Perhaps because the tea’s effect was so potent, or because Yu Fei had downed so much at once, he remained immersed in that empty tranquility for a good ten minutes before his thoughts slowly returned.

"Yan Sea has reported to the Shenxiao Army, along with Su Yue. Both of them are Grandmasters now. Your Senior Sister will take care of them. I heard from Xiaoming that Yan Sea has already begun studying two volumes of Buddhist Teachings, so he’s safe for now."

Ye Shuping said slowly. Yu Fei was touched. He already knew Su Yue had become a Grandmaster. It was just that whether it was him, or Mr. Yan and his wife, Martial Artists were always busy. They occasionally left messages, but it had been a long time since they had seen each other.

Speaking of Yan Sea naturally made Yu Fei think of Sima Hong—the bastard who had nearly screwed him over.

If his spirit soul hadn’t been so powerful, he would have fallen right into his trap.

Thanks to the effect of the Forgetfulness Tea, Yu Fei’s mind felt open and unburdened. For some reason, he suddenly had the urge to tell Ye Shuping everything. As the principal of Shenhan University and one of the most powerful figures in the transcendent world, Ye Shuping would surely know the details of the situation and could offer advice on the future cultivation of his Formless Sword Qi.

This urge to confide emerged naturally, like a student seeking guidance from his teacher, a channel opened by his relaxed state of mind.

But as the words reached the tip of his tongue, something felt wrong. He changed the subject and said, "Teacher, Mr. Yan and I also communicate regularly. I was there when Senior Sister gifted him the Cultivation Technique. It’s a good thing they were able to go to the Shenxiao Army."

After a short pause, Yu Fei continued to ask:

"By the way, Teacher, have you made any progress with the Secret Technique to purify Evil Qi?"

Ye Shuping’s expression remained calm, but he felt a flicker of surprise. ’Did the Long Lake Forgetfulness Tea not work?’

He smiled and replied, "Soon!"

"There’s no need to be anxious. You can perhaps postpone your cultivation of the Calamity Sword technique. It’s not something that can be mastered overnight. Once you reach the Inner Qi Realm, the goal of martial cultivation isn’t speed, but building a stable foundation."

"By the way, have you run into any difficulties? Today, just think of me as an ordinary old man, an elder who’s lived a little longer. Perhaps I can give you some advice, whether it’s about cultivation or anything else. We can just chat."

Ye Shuping refilled Yu Fei’s cup, watching him with a kind smile. Inwardly, however, he was thinking, ’The more I study the Calamity Sword’s technique, the trickier it seems. If I still have no results in half a month, I’ll have to find a way to make Yu Fei give it up.’

’The Calamity Sword’s cultivation before the Inner Qi Realm was unconventional, but it was also innovative. The only improper part was the absorption of Evil Qi. Although its killing power is immense, it is detrimental to a Martial Artist’s spirit soul. Trying to retain its power while removing the influence of the Evil Qi... it’s difficult to have it both ways.’