Chapter 47

*Whoosh!*

The sharp blade instantly cut through the air's resistance, emitting a chilling whistle, and the originally silver sword body glowed with a faint red light, as if it were about to ignite.

*Crack!*

In the next moment, the sword blade struck the black ironwood post straight on, effortlessly piercing through the hard surface and deeply penetrating it, then splitting a crack nearly two feet long!

The ironwood post, already scarred, could no longer withstand such severe damage and instantly shattered into pieces!

Wei Changfeng sheathed the green sword and exhaled a long breath.

"Good!"

Yu Qinghong, who had been watching, clapped and cheered, smiling, "Junior Brother, you can graduate from the Backward Draw technique!"

Wei Changfeng smiled, "Is that what Master said?"

Yu Qinghong's face turned red, "I said it, is that not allowed?"

Wei Changfeng quickly replied, "Of course not, thank you for your praise, Senior Sister. I am truly honored!"

Relaxed, his tone carried a hint of teasing.

Over the past five days, Wei Changfeng had been practicing the sword-drawing technique at the Qingyuan Pavilion. Although he mastered the essence of the three sword techniques on the first day, the number of practice sessions only increased.

One thousand times on the first day, two thousand on the second, three thousand on the third... and today, five thousand times!

The training was extremely arduous, and each practice session left him nearly exhausted. Without using his qi to recover, he wouldn't even have the strength to walk back.

But it was through such rigorous training that he had thoroughly mastered the three sword-drawing techniques!

"Hmph!"

Yu Qinghong pouted, "Don't get cocky! The sword-drawing technique is the foundation of swordsmanship, and there's still much more for you to learn!"

Although she said this, Yu Qinghong was very impressed with Wei Changfeng.

Wei Changfeng mastered the Horizontal Draw technique with six hundred sword draws, the Side Draw technique with four hundred, and the most complex Backward Draw technique with less than two hundred!

This ability to understand and apply knowledge was so remarkable that even her master, Dongfang Caibai, praised him as a genius!

That praise was much higher than what Yu Qinghong had received, causing her a bit of jealousy. So, she often emphasized her seniority to avoid being underestimated by her junior brother.

She didn't realize that Wei Changfeng had already seen through her little thoughts.

Wei Changfeng certainly wouldn't deliberately expose them. Yu Qinghong had a good personality and had been taking care of him both openly and secretly, accompanying him in practicing the sword-drawing technique for the past five days.

By the second day, he no longer needed her guidance in the sword-drawing technique.

So, for Yu Qinghong's scolding, Wei Changfeng could only admit defeat, "I know I was wrong..."

Yu Qinghong "hmpf"ed twice, wanting to be more severe but couldn't maintain the stern look. After hesitating, she lowered her voice and asked, "Do you still have the ointment I gave you last time?"

Three days ago, Yu Qinghong secretly gave Wei Changfeng a bottle of muscle-relaxing ointment.

The ointment was very effective, effectively relieving muscle soreness when applied. The ingredients were not ordinary, and its value was certainly not low.

Wei Changfeng said, "I still have it, thank you, Senior Sister!"

"By the way, I need to take a day off tomorrow. Please inform Master for me."

"Take a day off tomorrow?" Yu Qinghong asked curiously, "What do you have to do?"

Wei Changfeng hesitated for a moment but decided to be honest, "I need to go to the Qingmang Mountains to gather herbs, so I won't be able to come."

Re-entering the Qingmang Mountains was something Wei Changfeng had planned for a long time, but he had been delayed due to his sword training.

He could no longer delay it.

Firstly, Ouyang Feng's condition could not allow further delay. The effect of the silver needles was getting worse, and if he couldn't find a cure, the mad elder wouldn't last much longer.

Secondly, his money was almost gone.

Now, Wei Changfeng went to the library in the morning, practiced at the Qingyuan Pavilion in the afternoon, and used the mind-splitting technique to practice the Qianyang Zhengfa and Taixu Xinjue at night. He washed with the Longhu Decoction every day, which greatly increased his expenses.

Martial arts emphasize both internal and external cultivation. Without the Longhu Decoction to strengthen his body, his progress would not have been so rapid!

Finally, entering the Qingmang Mountains was also a form of training.

In Wei Changfeng's divine soul memory, there was a lifetime of insights from a Step-Into-Emptiness Grandmaster.

This Grandmaster entered the path of martial arts through combat, experiencing thousands of battles throughout his life, narrowly escaping death countless times, and breaking through in the face of life and death. In the end, he was just one step away from reaching the pinnacle of martial arts.

He was invincible in his life, as if he was born for battle!

Wei Changfeng would not go to such extremes, but the Grandmaster's experience taught him that to become a truly powerful martial artist, one must have a fearless heart, the courage to face any difficulties, and the unwavering belief to push through everything.

This was the path of a martial artist!

Therefore, even though he almost died in the Qingmang Mountains before, it could not shake his determination to seek the path.

Otherwise, if he just wanted to make money, he could have refined pills day and night, and wealth would not be a problem.

"Enter the Qingmang Mountains to gather herbs?"

Yu Qinghong was very surprised, "That's so dangerous! Can't you buy the herbs in the city?"

Jingyun City really didn't have them!

Wei Changfeng nodded and said, "I will be careful, Senior Sister, don't worry."

"I'm not worried..."

Yu Qinghong's face turned red, and she glared at him, "Just be careful yourself!"

Wei Changfeng smiled inwardly, feeling her concern, and said, "Then I'll take my leave, Senior Sister."

Yu Qinghong bit her lip and didn't say anything more.

...

Leaving the Qingyuan Pavilion, Wei Changfeng returned to the library.

When he came in the morning, Ouyang Feng was in seclusion to suppress the evil fire, so he came back to check on the situation.

"How did you come here?"

Ouyang Feng had already emerged from seclusion, but his appearance and demeanor were very poor, with red eyes and a restless look.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, he shouted, "Your treatment is useless, it's no good, no good!"

After a few words, Ouyang Feng became agitated, his robe fluttering without wind, his face becoming more and more fierce and terrifying, as if he could burst at any moment!

Seeing the situation, Wei Changfeng quickly said, "Please let me try again, Senior!"

Ouyang Feng showed an impatient look but still suppressed his temper and nodded.

This time, Wei Changfeng used four silver needles, and the process took twice as long as usual.

Afterward, Ouyang Feng's expression finally eased, and the violent aura in his eyes disappeared.

He said tiredly, "Thank you for your hard work. I don't know why, but recently I find it very difficult to control myself."

Wei Changfeng knew this was a subtle apology.

He didn't take the previous incident to heart because, through the acupuncture, he knew that Ouyang Feng's condition was very bad, and the evil qi was affecting him more and more severely.

He thought for a moment and said, "Senior, I plan to enter the Qingmang Mountains tomorrow to gather herbs for you. If everything goes well, I believe I can completely cure your injuries."

"Really?" Ouyang Feng's eyes lit up, and he asked urgently, "How confident are you?"

"If I find that thing..."

Wei Changfeng answered confidently, "At least nine out of ten!"

Ouyang Feng swallowed, "What is it? Can't you find it in Jingyun City?"

Wei Changfeng shook his head, "The thing I'm looking for is a living creature called a White Jade Centipede, which can't be found in the city!"

"White Jade Centipede?"

Ouyang Feng repeated, "I've never heard of it..."

It was normal not to have heard of it, as the White Jade Centipede is highly toxic and cannot be used as medicine. Even if someone recognized it, they wouldn't capture and sell it.

Wei Changfeng said, "We shouldn't delay. I'll go back and prepare now."

"Wait!"

Ouyang Feng stopped Wei Changfeng, "I have something to give you for protection. Take it with you when you enter the mountains tomorrow."

He hurried upstairs and quickly brought back a pair of arm guards for Wei Changfeng.

These arm guards seemed to be made from some kind of animal skin, black and unremarkable, with rusted copper rings embedded on the surface, but they were solid and heavy.

Wei Changfeng tried putting the arm guards on his arms, and they fit perfectly.

Ouyang Feng said, "These arm guards have a hidden mechanism. Each one contains five crossbow bolts. Use them for protection!"

He showed Wei Changfeng how to use them. The trigger was on the wrist, and firing the bolts was very convenient.

Wei Changfeng became interested. He aimed at a bookshelf in front of him and pulled the trigger with his right ring finger. The arm guards vibrated violently.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

With a dull sound, five half-foot-long gray bolts shot into the bookshelf ten steps away.

Wei Changfeng walked over and saw that the bolts had penetrated the wooden board, with the tips protruding about an inch!

Wow!

Wei Changfeng was impressed. These arm guards were truly a treasure for sneak attacks.

"Be careful, the bolts are coated with a highly toxic substance that can kill with a single drop of blood!"

When Wei Changfeng was about to pull out the bolts, Ouyang Feng warned, "Don't hurt your hands!"

They were coated with poison?

Wei Changfeng felt a chill and became more cautious.

Although he practiced the Taixu Nine Heavens Yang Heart Sutra and was not afraid of ordinary poisons, it was better to be cautious. Who knew what kind of poison was on the bolts.

Using the green sword, he dug out the five intact bolts and reloaded them into the arm guards.

These arm guards, crafted by an unknown artisan, were designed very ingeniously. The top part could be lifted, and there were rollers inside, making it easy to restring the bolts.

"Thank you, Senior!"

Ouyang Feng nodded and said, "Your current strength is not enough. Using these for protection is fine, but don't get used to relying on them, or you won't achieve greatness!"

Wei Changfeng solemnly replied, "I understand, Senior!"

A true strong person can turn anything into a powerful weapon, even with empty hands.

Getting used to relying on external tools will inevitably hinder one's cultivation, which is not the way of the wise!

"Make sure you come back alive!" Ouyang Feng said finally.