Chapter 45

As the light and shadow flickered and the misty aura drifted, a beam of light, like a finger, pointed at Meng Qi's forehead.

The monk with a pained expression reappeared in Meng Qi's mind, his steps heavy, his back slightly bent, as if bound by heavy chains, yet there was only tranquility and peace around him.

A flash of the blade, and all kinds of changes were vividly displayed. Greed, anger, delusion, love, hate, and unattainable desires all materialized, transforming the pure land into a world of red dust.

Snap! The invisible chains broke, the heavy obstacles shattered, and the boundless sea of suffering surged forth. Meng Qi sank and floated, enduring torment and burning, but there was joy as well as suffering. His heart became lively and spirited again, knowing the joy of family, the happiness of love, the righteousness of friendship, and the pleasure of fame. Although the suffering did not diminish, it was hard to extricate himself.

The illusion disappeared, and the "Severing Purity" blade technique was fully memorized in Meng Qi's mind. However, while he could remember the changes in the blade technique, to truly use it, to use it with mind and body as one, and to use it at any time and place, would require arduous practice.

It should be known that within the great martial arts sects, the techniques in the secret manuals are all detailed. Disciples can study them carefully, and there are instructors to demonstrate them, which is only slightly inferior to the true transmission of intent. Even so, very few disciples can truly grasp the essence of the techniques, and knowledge and action often do not align.

Meng Qi felt that although he had gained a superficial understanding of "Severing Purity" through the transmission of intent, it would take at least a year or half before he could initially use this blade technique, and this was already a blessing from heaven for his hard work!

After rehearsing the blade technique in his mind and memorizing it repeatedly, Meng Qi opened his eyes and, as expected, found that the暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) in front of him had been reloaded. There was also a page of "user instructions" explaining how to open the mechanism and reload the poison needles, and the *Shen Xing Ba Bu* secret manual, which had become much thicker—now it was the *Shen Xing Bai Bian* secret manual.

"Completion of the first technique of the Arhat Breaking Precepts Blade, 'Severing Purity,' cost 110 merit points."

"Completion of the poison needles for the暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) cost 50 merit points. Special reminder: This暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) has been used once and can be used twice more. To repair it, 400 merit points are required. If you exchange it now, you can get 300 merit points. After repair, if you exchange it, you can get 500 merit points."

"Sublimation of 'Shen Xing Ba Bu' to 'Shen Xing Bai Bian' cost 40 merit points."

The emotionless voice of the Lord of the Six Realms sounded, and Meng Qi couldn't help but curse inwardly. Repairing the暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) was too expensive! I might as well exchange for a new one! The Lord of the Six Realms is a swindler!

A暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) that can be used once costs 400 merit points, one that can be used three times is worth 800 merit points, and one that can be used multiple times costs over 2000 merit points. However, the暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) has limited effect against Outer Realm level experts, so even if it can be used repeatedly, it won't be very valuable. Therefore, the most cost-effective option is to exchange for the blueprints and materials and study and manufacture it yourself. For example, the blueprints for a 2000-level暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) only cost 500 merit points.

Meng Qi cursed, but he quickly put away the items in front of him. Although the暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) can be exchanged for a considerable amount of merit points to get other divine techniques, it is now his most important means of self-preservation!

After the exchange, Meng Qi had 50 merit points left. He had to come out and flip through the jade book, looking for suitable blade techniques.

Unfortunately, even the "Five Tigers Gate-Cutting Blade Technique" costs 30 merit points, and a blade technique worth 50 merit points would not have any substantial improvement. Exchanging for them would be less beneficial than calmly studying the "Five Tigers Gate-Cutting Blade Technique."

"Actually, the 'Five Tigers Gate-Cutting Blade Technique' is not bad. The moves are simple but effective, and the grand and bold style of the blade technique is evident. If you can master it, it won't be much worse than some intricate blade techniques."

Zhang Yuanshan joked, "If you, True Ding, have a talent for blade techniques and can understand the essence of the blade from the basic techniques, you might not be unable to become a hero with just the 'Five Tigers Gate-Cutting Blade.' Like Mr. Lu from the Egret Manor, who practiced only the 'Six Harmonies Sword Technique' all his life and earned the title of 'First Sword under Heaven.'"

"Talent might be there, but to understand the essence of the blade requires years of practice, and I have to prioritize dealing with the cycle tasks. Alas, time does not wait for me, and fate plays tricks on heroes!" Meng Qi responded with a joking attitude, looking melancholy at the distance, appearing like a fallen supreme expert. Then he suddenly came to his senses, "First Sword under Heaven?"

That's not an easy title to bear!

Xuan Xin was telling a story from the martial world, but he was still in the stage of introducing the sect and boasting about his own experiences. Therefore, Meng Qi didn't know much about various martial world celebrities, only vaguely remembering the terms "Egret Manor" and "Mr. Lu."

Speaking of the "First Sword under Heaven," Jiang Zhwei naturally had a lot to say: "Mr. Lu was the descendant of an unknown escort in Northern Zhou. His family's 'Six Harmonies Sword Technique' and 'Metal Heart Sutra' were ordinary, but he practiced them without distraction for decades, enduring countless dangers and situations. In the end, he understood the ultimate truth of the sword, transforming these two martial arts into supreme skills, achieving the 'Indestructible Metal Body,' and founding the Egret Manor. Because of this experience, he has a well-known nickname, 'Single-Minded Sword.'"

"My master never admired anyone, but he often praised Mr. Lu, saying he was single-minded and had fully grasped the essence of the sword, hoping to one day achieve the Dharmic Body and openly discuss the sword with him."

"Pervert! Monster!" Meng Qi, listening to Jiang Zhwei's description, could only think of these two words, unable to express his inner shock. His experience was something few people could emulate, and Meng Qi definitely didn't have the resolve to walk that path.

This had nothing to do with the pressure of the cycle tasks. Meng Qi clearly knew he couldn't do it, at least not now. His character wasn't at that level, but perhaps after enduring hardships, he could reach it.

"Where does Mr. Lu rank on the Heavenly List?" Having just been "educated" about the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human Lists, Meng Qi subconsciously asked this question.

Jiang Zhwei's eyes sparkled, somewhat wistfully: "Fourth. This is not because he is inferior to Master Kongwen and others, but because he has not been in the martial world for thirteen years and has few recent battles."

"Thirteen years out of the martial world?" Meng Qi asked in confusion.

Zhang Yuanshan nodded lightly, his face full of admiration: "Mr. Lu and his wife had a deep bond. After Lady Ye's accidental death, he built a hut by her grave, immersed in calligraphy and painting, and withdrew from the world."

"So it's rumored that Mr. Lu's strength has declined, and his ranking might drop even further. Alas." Qi Zhengyan, also from a sword school, had a bit of admiration for such a sword leader.

Meng Qi grinned: "But how can I compare to Mr. Lu? I'll just pick a good blade technique."

Zhang Yuanshan nodded: "The 'Five Tigers Gate-Cutting Blade' is grand and bold, suitable for orthodox combat. If you want to exchange, choose a blade technique with bizarre moves to win by surprise."

"Master Zhang is right." Jiang Zhwei agreed.

Hearing about a bizarre blade technique, Meng Qi's heart stirred. He flipped through the jade book and found a familiar blade technique.

*Blood Blade Technique*!

This is the blade technique from the *Liancheng Jue* used by the Blood Blade Sect. The Blood Blade Ancestor wielded it to dominate, known for its bizarre moves, with each strike coming from an unimaginable position.

"Eighty merit points..." Meng Qi read out the required merit points and began to consider what he could exchange for merit points.

Jiang Zhwei leaned over to look at the description in Meng Qi's jade book and chuckled: "This blade technique is indeed suitable. Little monk, do you need to borrow merit points? I'm a good person, no nine out thirteen back, just remember to use the Arhat Breaking Precepts Blade to spar with me next time."

"Of course." Meng Qi agreed without hesitation, as he realized he couldn't gather enough merit points unless he exchanged for the暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen). Borrowing and returning would also enhance the team's cohesion—just as long as no one defaulted.

"True Ding, your opinion just now was invaluable to me. I won't do nine out thirteen back either. I'll lend you twenty merit points, just enough. Return them after the next task." Zhang Yuanshan smiled.

Qi Zhengyan, expressionless, said: "Ten out twelve back, I can lend you thirty."

Since Jiang Zhwei and Zhang Yuanshan together were enough, he said this.

Meng Qi was deeply moved by their kindness but exaggeratedly said: "Master Qi, when did you become so generous?"

"If you die in the next task because your blade technique is not proficient, the暴雨梨花针 (Bao Yu Li Hua Zhen) might be picked up by the enemy, which is very dangerous." Qi Zhengyan said "seriously."

"Will you break through the 'Opening the Aperture' stage this time?" Zhang Yuanshan suddenly asked.

Qi Zhengyan nodded: "After exchanging another bottle of Ginseng Qi Pills, I should be able to attempt the breakthrough with the 'Heavenly Wisdom Pill' in half a month. I'll find an opportunity to go out with the elders of the sect and then claim to have had a strange encounter on the way."

He thought it through carefully. As an extremely ordinary disciple of the Washing Flower Sword Sect, who had never stood out, suddenly breaking through to the 'Opening the Aperture' stage without external help would easily raise suspicion (for example, being secretly bought by enemies and given a breakthrough pill). Therefore, he planned to use the excuse of a strange encounter, which, for a large sect, was a trivial matter.

"If you successfully break through the 'Opening the Aperture' stage, you will likely be taught the 'Autumn Water and Evening Glow Sword,' right? You won't need to exchange for other sword techniques." Zhang Yuanshan nodded slightly.

"Yes, but after mastering the Autumn Water and Evening Glow techniques, I will exchange them with the Lord of the Six Realms." Qi Zhengyan did not hide this.

The Washing Flower Sword Sect, as a major sword sect, has most of its sword techniques as cultivation methods. For example, the 'Autumn Water and Evening Glow Sword' includes the Evening Glow Technique and the Autumn Water Sword Technique, and the Long River Sword Technique includes the Sunset Heart Method.

Jiang Zhwei and Zhang Yuanshan had their own principles but didn't think of imposing them on others. Moreover, the Washing Flower Sword Sect was not their sect, as long as Qi Zhengyan didn't betray his companions.

At this moment, Meng Qi had already used the merit points borrowed from Zhang Yuanshan and Jiang Zhwei to exchange for the *Blood Blade Technique*. Hearing this, he was surprised: "Master Qi, are you going to exchange for some divine technique?"

Even the 'Autumn Water and Evening Glow Sword' is to be exchanged with the Lord of the Six Realms, Qi Zhengyan must have big plans!