Chapter 7

"Should I follow you to practice swordsmanship? I wonder where I should start?"

Just the fact that this sword spirit could manipulate his body to successfully combine the two sets of boxing techniques, Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming, was enough to qualify it as a capable teacher. The majesty and subtlety of those punches were truly awe-inspiring.

This Yun'er suggesting he practice swordsmanship might not be a bad idea. He could at least listen to her for now. He didn't expect to become a peerless immortal king, but reaching the Golden Core realm would be more than satisfactory.

"Start with your physical body!"

Yun'er sized up Zhuang Wudao from head to toe, then pondered and said, "To practice swordsmanship, one must first train the body! You started with external techniques, which is very good. Although internal cultivation is faster, it will fall far behind you in terms of physical strength in the long run. However, before reaching the Qi Condensation realm, you also need to understand some methods of channeling energy, transitioning from external to internal, to expand your meridians and strengthen your internal organs. The most urgent task is to integrate the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming boxing techniques within fifteen days, achieving a harmonious combination. This set of boxing techniques is excellent and was quite famous even before the Seventh Tribulation."

Zhuang Wudao immediately frowned. Integrating the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming boxing techniques within fifteen days seemed easy for this girl, but with his progress, it would take three months just to make the twelve Dragon Subduing strikes emit a dragon's roar.

"As a cultivator, how can you fear difficulties? I will naturally teach you how to practice this set of boxing techniques later!"

Zhuang Wudao felt relieved, thinking that with this girl's abilities, there might indeed be a way to achieve this in half a month.

He still had doubts about the sword spirit's words but couldn't help feeling a bit of anticipation.

If what she said was true, he might have encountered a great opportunity and a highly sought-after master!

"However, just this set of Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming boxing techniques is far from enough. Do you know the Great Boulder Hand and the Six Harmonies Boxing? And the Golden Bell Cover?"

"Great Boulder Hand, Six Harmonies Boxing?"

Zhuang Wudao nodded slightly, "I have heard of them. They are two relatively basic boxing techniques, widely spread in the Tianyi countries. Compared to my Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming, they are two to three levels lower. As for the Golden Bell Cover, I have never heard of it, nor have I ever seen it."

"Basic boxing techniques?"

Yun'er raised her eyebrows in surprise, "If the Great Sun Ape King, who created this ultimate skill, knew that it would be considered a basic boxing technique by his descendants after the Seventh Tribulation, what would he think? In the past, the Ape King could cover the sky with one hand, and the Great Boulder Hand could crush thousands of immortals in one strike, unmatched by anyone. Even the arrogant Transcendent Immortal Kingdom was forced to bend with a single Great Boulder Hand. How could it be a basic boxing technique? As for the Six Harmonies Boxing, it was created by an Immortal Emperor for his disciples, the ultimate method for beginners. Though named an external technique, it actually cultivates both internal and external energies, perfectly complementing your weaknesses! After the Qi Condensation realm, it is almost on par with those who cultivate internal energies. As for the Golden Bell Cover—"

Her voice paused, and her eyebrows furrowed, "Has it been lost? It should be. This world has undergone great calamities, and the true essence of past great skills has been lost."

While Yun'er was talking to herself, Zhuang Wudao was puzzled.

According to his knowledge, cultivators, whether from major sects or scattered families, all strive to enter the path as quickly as possible. They all understand that the key to cultivation is quality, not quantity.

Therefore, before the Qi Condensation realm, they usually focus on one cultivation method. Even after the Qi Condensation realm, few cultivate more than two methods.

At the Innate realm, with a lifespan extending to over 150 years, they have time to cultivate other methods.

But today, from Yun'er's words, it seemed that he was supposed to practice the Great Boulder Hand, Six Harmonies Boxing, and Golden Bell Cover alongside the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming?

Was this sword spirit named Yun'er reliable?

"Fine! I will personally teach you the stances and incantations for the Great Boulder Hand and Six Harmonies Boxing. I haven't practiced the Golden Bell Cover, so I can't teach it to you. We'll find another method later, or choose another external cultivation technique."

Yun'er, as if worried that Zhuang Wudao wouldn't understand, explained, "Your wrists are clumsy and far less flexible than others, so you can't practice weapon techniques. However, because your hand joints are stable, you can achieve great proficiency in boxing and palm techniques. To practice swordsmanship, you must focus on broad and expansive sword techniques and sword control. Otherwise, you would waste your innate warrior spirit. However, both require world-class strength and vast energy. You can cultivate energy later, but for now, focus on building world-class strength to forge a sword body. You must also practice external techniques to the extreme to open your meridians. In addition to these four methods, I will teach you a Sword Essence Technique to store sword qi, which will be very beneficial in the future—"

"Innate warrior spirit? What does that mean?"

Zhuang Wudao asked, puzzled, "And if I practice these methods simultaneously, how long will it take me to reach the Qi Condensation realm?"

If it takes too long, he would rather not practice!

Because in a few months, there would be an opportunity he couldn't miss, waiting for him to reach the Qi Condensation realm.

It was a broad and smooth path to becoming a superior person, and Zhuang Wudao really didn't want to miss it.

"The innate warrior spirit, I'll explain later. As for the time to reach the Qi Condensation realm, it could take as little as half a year or as much as eight to nine months! With the help of elixirs, it can be shortened to three months. Mastering these four methods will give you the qualifications to compete with those prodigies and great sword immortals!"

Yun'er noticed Zhuang Wudao's reluctance and doubt, and her beautiful eyes immediately showed displeasure. Then she lifted her head and looked into the distance.

"It's already dawn. If you want to practice boxing today, remember to carry me on your back, and it's best to wear me at all times. There will be benefits later!"

※※※※

When the sun was high, Zhuang Wudao slowly woke up in his room, with the decaying sword in his arms.

He was no longer in the slums of West Yuecheng but in his own house in North Yuecheng.

It was a small courtyard with a main hall and five rooms, bought together with a few brothers.

People like them lived day to day, and living together provided mutual support.

A few days ago, after killing Shi Bao, they avoided returning here to avoid trouble.

But now, this was the only place where Zhuang Wudao could rest and sleep soundly.

After waking up, Zhuang Wudao's first sight was the decaying sword. It still looked broken, with a dozen notches on the blade, ancient patterns on the body, and a handle broken off.

It was hard to imagine that such a decaying sword contained a sword spirit of unparalleled beauty.

"I wonder what the origin of this sword is?"

In his dream, the sword spirit Yun'er had answered all his questions except for her own origin, which she avoided and kept secret.

Zhuang Wudao suspected that even she might not know much. When he asked, her eyes were filled with obvious confusion and pain.

But these were not important. The origin of the sword, who forged it, and why it had a sword spirit named Yun'er, were all irrelevant to him.

He only needed to know that this sword was extremely 'spiritual,' potentially dangerous, and could be an indispensable aid in his rise to prominence.

Zhuang Wudao frowned, hesitating.

"Should I follow the sword spirit's advice?"

Could he really master these four methods in three months?

Zhuang Wudao was skeptical. The other three external boxing techniques were one thing, but the Golden Bell Cover was an external cultivation technique that required years of practice. How could it be achieved in a short time?

However, Yun'er had said that he could integrate the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming techniques within half a month. If he could really do it as she said, then he would know whether the sword spirit was truly confident or just talking big.

And the Great Boulder Hand and Six Harmonies Boxing, which were just ordinary boxing techniques, had such astonishing origins? Was it true or false?

Zhuang Wudao had doubts but decided to find the manuals for these two boxing techniques and study them carefully.

In the Lichen Academy, they were more authentic and complete than those circulating in the public. However, they had been neglected for a long time and were not favored by the academy's disciples. Even the least talented disciples would not choose these two boxing techniques, as they would ruin their future.

As he was pondering, his stomach growled. He realized he hadn't eaten since noon the previous day.

He had practiced boxing all afternoon, and after returning to the city, he had a fierce battle. After handling all the follow-up matters, he was extremely tired and fell asleep until the next morning.

He got out of bed, dressed, and was about to leave the room when he remembered Yun'er's instructions.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhuang Wudao awkwardly picked up the decaying sword and carried it on his back.

The most urgent task now was to find a suitable scabbard for this 'Qingyun Divine Sword.'

He didn't care much about his appearance, but he didn't want to walk around with a broken, decaying sword.

Putting the sword in a scabbard would solve this problem.

As he pushed open the door, he saw more than ten figures gathered in the courtyard. Most were young men in their twenties, discussing excitedly.

When Zhuang Wudao opened the door, they all stopped and looked at him with reverent and surprised eyes.

A tall, muscular man with a black complexion walked up, patting Zhuang Wudao's shoulder heavily.

"Wudao, you're finally awake! You did great yesterday!"