Chapter 5 of 10

Chapter 5

17 min read4,304 words

Lu Ping slowly finished his cultivation, exhaling a light red breath. This was the medicinal toxicity of the Blood Purification Pill. He threw the used spirit stone to the side and felt the power of his bloodline about to break through to the late seventh layer, which made him slightly excited.

Yesterday's match with Li Cheng, Lu Ping saw a flaw in Li Cheng's defense on the twenty-second move and launched a counterattack, taking the initiative. He attacked for eight consecutive moves and, on the thirtieth move, locked Li Cheng's spear and slashed at his wrist, forcing Li Cheng to drop his spear and admit defeat.

In the blink of an eye, the roles of attacker and defender were reversed. Li Cheng, who had been so formidable, was suddenly defeated. Not only were the disciples who had cheered for Li Cheng stunned, but even the top-ranked disciples and Liu Xianzhang's deputy were greatly surprised. The few disciples with the same cultivation as Lu Ping looked at him with deep vigilance.

Lu Ping couldn't help but smile bitterly; it seemed he had drawn too much attention.

Originally, if Lu Ping had just given Li Cheng a hard time and made him bleed, it wouldn't have been a big deal. However, when Li Cheng challenged him, Lu Ping had seen something on Liu Xianzhang's face that Li Cheng hadn't, so he didn't use excessive force.

Sure enough, when Liu Xianzhang saw that neither side was injured, the elite forces in the competition would not be damaged, his gaze toward Lu Ping became much more amiable. According to tradition, after Liu Xianzhang finished guiding the morning practice, he kept Lu Ping behind for individual instruction.

Even the eldest and second disciples showed envious expressions. Individual instruction, special treatment! Only a few senior brothers had received such an opportunity when their cultivation broke through to the eighth layer. The eldest and second senior brothers received it again when they broke through to the ninth layer, and the fourth senior sister, due to her family's close relationship with Liu Xianzhang, also received it twice.

Lu Ping calmed down and quietly pondered the content Liu Xianzhang had explained to him.

The purpose of cultivation, in the eyes of most cultivators, is naturally to extend one's lifespan, or even to achieve the elusive realm of immortality. However, having a long lifespan does not mean a cultivator can live peacefully until the end of their days. To protect cultivators on their path to immortality, various spells and techniques have been developed.

After a long period of practice and development by cultivators, these techniques for protecting immortality have been divided into four realms: Law, Technique, Momentum, and Intention.

Beginners learn various spells and techniques according to the requirements of their instructors, imitating them without understanding the underlying principles, which is called the "Law" realm.

After that, through diligent practice, they become proficient and skillful, breaking free from rigid patterns and the rough edges of their techniques. Their moves and methods become more suitable for themselves, which is called the "Technique" realm. Liu Xianzhang, at the Blood Fusion stage, has only reached the "Technique" realm.

At the third level, cultivators understand the principles of using spells and techniques, combining them with their cultivation methods. During spell casting, cultivators can maximize the power of their cultivation methods through spells, even exceeding the inherent power of the spells themselves. At this level, cultivators' words are followed by the power of their spells, creating an unstoppable momentum, which is called the "Momentum" realm.

As for the highest "Intention" realm, even Liu Xianzhang only knows the name but not the meaning.

Liu Xianzhang not only informed Lu Ping about the four realms of spells but also patiently explained his own cultivation insights for reaching the "Technique" realm. He then answered some of Lu Ping's cultivation questions before concluding.

An hour later, Lu Ping returned to his room under the envious and jealous gazes of the others. The next two days were the same.

Time always passes quickly when one is focused on cultivation. Before he knew it, it was the end of the month, and the third-level disciples' advancement examination was to begin the next day. Three days later, the annual competition for the second-level disciples would start.

Lu Ping, as usual, sold all the talismans he had carved this month at the market in the outer courtyard. He weighed the bag of spirit stones and smiled in satisfaction.

The examination was just a check of cultivation, and three days were enough, but the competition was different. Moreover, this time it coincided with the five-year advancement competition. Not only were the disciples eager to compete, but the instructors, for their own interests, were also involved, both openly and secretly. Furthermore, it was rumored that the True Spirit Sect would increase the rewards for the winners this time.

Because of these reasons, Lu Ping's talisman business became even more prosperous. Lu Ping naturally didn't lose out and immediately raised the price of the talismans, but they were still in high demand.

Holding the extra dozen or so spirit stones in his hand, Lu Ping's heart was filled with excitement. After deducting the costs of cultivation and other expenses, the remaining spirit stones could buy another magical tool!

The reason for this thought was also because Lu Ping's cultivation had reached the late seventh layer, thanks to Liu Xianzhang's additional guidance. Of course, it was also related to Lu Ping's luxurious cultivation over the past three months.

Lu Ping, as usual, prepared everything he needed for the next month's cultivation at the market, and he specifically bought five Spirit Recovery Pills and five Wound Healing Pills.

Just as Lu Ping was about to head to the Treasure Pavilion, he suddenly heard a commotion ahead. He quickened his steps and saw a group of people gathered, discussing something.

Out of curiosity, Lu Ping approached and saw a third-level female disciple from the outer courtyard selling a magical tool.

The magical tool was a bronze mirror, with the True Spirit Sect's emblem carved on its edge, indicating that it was a standard product of the True Spirit Sect, which often meant that its quality, while not top-notch, was not too bad.

Lu Ping stepped forward and asked, "Sister, how many spirit stones for this magical tool?"

The female disciple looked at Lu Ping, noticing the mask he wore in the market, which hid his true face. She pouted, seemingly disapproving of Lu Ping's caution, and said, "Fifty-five spirit stones!"

Defensive magical tools were generally more expensive, but Lu Ping still thought he should try to lower the price, as this was not a fixed low-level magical tool.

"That's a bit expensive. The magical tool is just a standard product of the sect, not particularly good. Besides, this magical tool has probably been used by Sister for a long time. How about forty spirit stones?"

The female cultivator glared at Lu Ping and said, "Forty spirit stones, I might as well sell it directly to the Treasure Pavilion. Fifty spirit stones, be quick about it. If I weren't in a hurry, I wouldn't sell it so cheaply. This is what I saved up for a year in sect contributions to get!"

Lu Ping chuckled and said, "Then I'll add five more spirit stones. Forty-five spirit stones, how about that?"

The female disciple hesitated and said, "Forty-eight spirit stones, no less. Otherwise, I'll wait for someone else."

Lu Ping turned and saw several people rushing over from a distance, likely having heard that a senior sister was selling a magical tool in the market. Among them were several second-level disciples, and he even saw the sixth disciple of the seventh squad. He said, "Deal!"

The female cultivator took the spirit stones from Lu Ping and said fiercely, "If it weren't for the mid-grade magical tool I have my eye on, I wouldn't have sold it so cheaply!" She then turned and rushed toward the Spirit Treasure Pavilion in the center of the market.

Lu Ping put away the magical tool, glanced at the people rushing over, and quickly left the market without looking back.

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