Chapter Fifty: The Sixfold Sword Technique

Da Yue smiled gently and said, “This time, the successful refinement of the Beauty Pill owes much to you. I hadn’t expected that stubborn old man’s seclusion would mean missing the prime period for the Rouge Herb’s maturity. Fortunately, we had you as a low-grade alchemist. Although the quality isn’t as high, it’s better than nothing, isn’t it? Tell me, how should I reward you?”

Ge Qian hurriedly bowed deeply, respectful and overwhelmed, saying, “It is my fortune to serve the unrivaled beauty of my ancestral master. To behold your radiant visage is reward enough for me.”

Da Yue let out a soft laugh. “Though your aptitude is average, you are clever and know how to speak. Some high-priced spiritual artifacts are beyond your current cultivation to use. However, I do have some Foundation Establishment techniques in my collection. You may choose one to study and comprehend slowly. When you advance to Foundation Establishment, it should come naturally, and your speed of cultivation will improve considerably.”

Such a reward seemed generous, but in truth, for low-level disciples with some background, gaining access to cultivation techniques ahead of time was commonplace. Da Yue regarded Ge Qian as a subordinate disciple, granting him a benefit of little consequence; those Foundation Establishment techniques were long unused by her.

Ge Qian, shrewd and discerning, immediately bowed again, saying, “Thank you, ancestral master, for your generosity. I, Ge Qian, will remember this always. If you ever need me, just give the word.”

Da Yue nodded and called toward the cave entrance, “Yu Shan, take him to my library cave to select a technique, then escort him out.”

A flash of spiritual light appeared at the mouth of the cave, and in walked an elderly man of moderate stature, late-stage Foundation Establishment, his gait steady, beard long, black, and lustrous—clearly well cared for.

Yu Shan entered, answering respectfully, a glint of cunning passing through his eyes. Turning to Ge Qian with authority, he said, “Follow me closely. If you accidentally trigger a restriction, I won’t be able to save you.”

Ge Qian bowed again, “Rest assured, elder, I will not trouble you.”

The two took their leave of Da Yue and exited the peak.

Da Yue then turned to Ying Xue, saying, “You did well this time. The Heavenly Charm Technique I cultivate relies greatly on maintaining my appearance. Because of my previous injury, I must take rejuvenation pills periodically, and the Beauty Pill is often a precious rarity. I spared no effort to obtain it, but remember—not a word of this must be spread, lest other ancestral masters laugh at me. Do you understand?”

Ying Xue assured her she would remain silent, not letting the matter leak in the slightest.

Da Yue toyed with the jade bottle, clearly pleased. “In fifty years, the Rouge Herb will mature again. When that time comes, you’ll fetch it for me, and your reward will be even greater.”

“I shall not shrink from duty, and will handle everything perfectly,” Ying Xue replied happily.

No wonder—this time, she’d received more than double the benefits Ge Qian had, with the Jade Fire Sword alone worth a fortune.

Her joy was hard to conceal. Next time, when she advanced to Foundation Establishment, completing the task would be effortless.

Da Yue seemed to read her thoughts and said, “Go and cultivate well. I will also be entering seclusion for some time.”

With a quick assent, Ying Xue dared not linger and promptly withdrew.

Now only Da Yue remained in the cave. She examined the jade bottle in her hand, murmuring to herself, “This Ge Qian is interesting—his physique is useless, but his mind is rare among his peers. Perhaps he has suffered much and developed a firm will. Yet without a good spiritual root, all is ultimately in vain.”

With that, Da Yue activated the restrictions and descended underground, likely to cultivate after obtaining the Beauty Pill.

Yu Shan led Ge Qian a long way until they reached a mountain wall rich with fire spiritual energy. He cast several spells, and the stone wall transformed into a cave entrance with shimmering runes.

Yu Shan strode in grandly, tossing back, “Follow me.”

Ge Qian followed attentively, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

Inside, the cave was magnificently furnished. Yu Shan opened another door, ushering Ge Qian into a room lined with shelves bearing many jade slips.

Yu Shan smiled, “There are only five Foundation Establishment techniques here. You may choose one.”

Ge Qian was puzzled; he had expected that a Core Formation cultivator would have a vast array of Foundation Establishment techniques, but found only a handful.

Still, he bowed and began to select, picking up a jade slip and scanning its contents with his spiritual sense. He quickly set it down—“Linghai Technique,” a water attribute method, completely at odds with his own cultivation.

Soon he picked up another jade slip, densely inscribed with runes, and as his spiritual sense probed, he was deeply drawn in.

The whole mountain seemed to watch with a faint smile.

After a moment, Ge Qian turned to Yu Shan and said, “Thank you, Elder Yu. I have chosen the ‘Six Paths Sword Technique.’ Please inform the ancestral master.”

Yu Shan beamed, “Very well! Once you have chosen, there’s no going back. This is your only chance—don’t blame me for not warning you.”

“I have decided and will not regret it,” Ge Qian declared firmly.

Yu Shan nodded in satisfaction. “Then let me escort you out.”

“Thank you, elder, for leading the way,” Ge Qian replied respectfully.

Half an hour later, Ge Qian left Fire Spirit Peak.

Yu Shan watched Ge Qian depart on his sword, laughing heartily and thinking, “I too was initially attracted by the power of the ‘Six Paths Sword Technique,’ but after careful study, realized it was pure fantasy. Now, I’ll fetch the ‘Grass and Wood Technique’ from the ancestral master’s library for my disciple with a wood spiritual root—how clever!”

Ge Qian drifted forward on his sword, fully aware that this was not the library of a Core Formation cultivator, and that Yu Shan had likely swapped the techniques. Yet with the disparity in strength, he could only swallow his anger and play along, choosing a technique that suited him.

It was suitable because it required little of one’s spiritual root; anyone could cultivate it, and it was complete, allowing cultivation up to the Tribulation stage.

One needed only to refine six Dao Pills: Heavenly Pill, Ashura Pill, Human Pill, Beast Pill, Hungry Ghost Pill, and Hell Pill.

Once all six were gathered, the six paths would unite, advancing to the Infant Transformation stage.

It seemed simple, and its power immense, but the actual condensation of these six pills was unimaginably difficult.

Ge Qian did not fear hardship. As long as there was a chance to seek the Dao, he would persist to the end. With his useless talent, other methods were even less promising.

Returning to the herb garden, Ge Qian began his seclusion, preparing to advance in one leap to the peak of the Qi Absorption stage before emerging again.

Suddenly, he received a communication talisman from Hong Mei, who wanted her Returning Spirit Pill and had arranged a midnight meeting on the mountain.