Chapter Ninety-Eight: Formless Sword Technique of Body Shattering
“This Shen’s General Store truly possesses some real strength.”
Gazing upon the countless and varied paths to cultivation before him, Qi Xiu couldn’t help but smile wryly. He never imagined that one day he would suffer from the paralysis of choice.
Within the Scripture Repository, similar methods were grouped together.
Martial arts, mystical arts, artifact forging, alchemy, spiritual botany, formation arrays, talismanic scripts...
Qi Xiu’s eyes were dazzled.
For a moment, he didn’t know where to begin.
Artifact forging, alchemy, spiritual botany, and formation arrays each formed vast, self-contained systems.
If one were to learn them, it would require starting from scratch and dedicating immense time to practice.
For now, lacking the time and resources to embark on these, he decided to set them aside.
His focus would mainly be on martial arts and mystical arts.
Steadying his mind and clarifying his desires, Qi Xiu began to selectively peruse the options.
[One-Leaf Flying Stealth Technique]
[Mystical stealth technique]
[This method originates from the orthodox sect’s sacred scripture “Eastern Yimu Qingwang Scripture,” Stealth Chapter. It is one of seventy-two minor stealth techniques. Cultivating this method transforms ordinary stealth energy into a leaf-shaped stealth light. When moving through forests and mountains, the surrounding verdant energy naturally gathers around, drastically reducing energy consumption and nourishing the body with the miraculous power of Yimu wood, enabling the user to stealthily travel a hundred miles in a single breath.]
[Taboo: Practitioners must not have overly intense or fiery internal energy; otherwise, the collision of fire and wood energies easily causes the stealth light to shatter, leading to self-immolation.]
“Forested areas provide natural speed boosts and health regeneration?”
Examining the mystical stealth method before him, Qi Xiu felt the significance of matching one’s cultivation path with appropriate methods more clearly than ever.
Without the right technique in hand, no matter how solid his foundation, it would be difficult to unleash his true potential.
Just like this stealth method.
Back when he was pursuing the three demons, had he possessed this technique, he could have intercepted them instantly instead of waiting until they were drained and forced to stop.
Intrigued by the “One-Leaf Flying Stealth Technique,” Qi Xiu quietly noted its name and moved on.
Since stealth light is one of the most commonly used means for cultivators entering the path, stealth techniques occupied a significant portion of the Scripture Repository.
In just under half an hour, Qi Xiu had already seen nearly thirty different stealth techniques.
Unfortunately, none of them immediately caught his eye.
All of these stealth methods had varying degrees of limitations or conditions for use.
This only intensified Qi Xiu’s indecision, making it harder to choose.
“Perhaps at the entry level, stealth techniques can only reach this level; a perfect, flawless stealth method is rare.”
Comforting himself thus, Qi Xiu planned to finish scanning the remaining stealth techniques. If none proved suitable, he would choose the “One-Leaf Flying Stealth Technique.”
“‘Heavenly Protection Traveling Stealth,’ ‘Eighty-One Small Coming-and-Going Stealth,’ ‘Small Shadow Fixing Stealth,’ ‘Small Five Elements Water Patrol Stealth’...”
Hmm?
His eyes flicked back to the last one, and a trace of delight appeared on Qi Xiu’s face.
[Small Five Elements Water Patrol Stealth]
[Mystical stealth technique]
[From the now-defunct Demon Sect’s Five Emperors Sacred Sect’s core scripture “Great Five Elements Cycle Extinction Scripture,” Stealth Chapter—one of three hundred sixty-five minor stealth techniques. Cultivating this method grants control over the small five elements water patrol stealth light. With a single thought, one can travel a hundred miles silently and undetectably. This stealth light possesses the miraculous ability of water mist invisibility, allowing it to pass through ordinary matter and forbidden seals.]
[Taboo: This stealth method is extremely difficult to cultivate. Before the Five Emperors Sacred Demons died, they cursed the “Great Five Elements Cycle Extinction Scripture.” Anyone who fails to progress even slightly while cultivating this method will suffer from mental demons, never finding peace. Once cultivation begins, one cannot stop until fully mastered or broken and dead. Furthermore, the stealth technique must be performed near water, using water to guide water, which greatly restricts its use. Please cultivate with caution!]
“An excellent stealth method!”
To others, this technique’s severe restrictions, difficulty in cultivation, and accompanying curse might seem like drawbacks.
Yet to Qi Xiu, it seemed tailor-made.
With his proficiency panel, even the most difficult methods were just a matter of time, requiring only more dedication and practice.
As for the necessity of water to activate the stealth, that was trivial.
The bottomless water pool in the Jiao Pond within his bracelet contained enough water to fill several large lakes.
Why worry about a little splash when using the technique?
It was settled.
With firm resolve, Qi Xiu no longer hesitated and decisively chose the “Small Five Elements Water Patrol Stealth” as his mystical arts path.
“When I master this stealth and travel a hundred miles with a single thought, no matter how chaotic the world becomes, I can ensure my own safety, no longer trapped in dangerous lands.”
Having found a stealth method so well-suited to him, Qi Xiu’s spirits lifted.
Next, he sought a martial arts method focused on offense and defense.
A basic approach: fight if you can win; if not, run; once safe, fight again.
This would form his initial combat routine.
Just as Qi Xiu was preparing to continue browsing the Scripture Repository for suitable martial arts methods, the secret chamber—accessible only to Shen’s General Store’s highest-tier VIPs—welcomed a second guest.
Dressed in a simple white long robe and black boots, with a heavy furrow of sorrow between his brows, Li Jiufang, rarely seen alone, suddenly appeared in the Scripture Repository.
Surprised to see another person inside—since this place was not open to just anyone—the two exchanged glances and nodded slightly before looking away.
“County Magistrate Li, why have you come personally? You could have just told me what you need, and I’d have sent it to your home.”
Just as Li Jiufang entered the Scripture Repository, a round-faced elderly man with a full forehead, silver hair, fair and rosy skin, and a plump figure, resembling a ripe peach, hurried in.
Li County Magistrate?
Was this the legendary immortal magistrate Li Jiufang?
Qi Xiu couldn’t help but raise his eyes for a few more looks at this figure he had heard so much about.
“Master Yuan, you are too polite. I only came to seek some secret manuals, so I didn’t want to trouble you,” Li Jiufang said humbly, raising a hand.
“Oh, County Magistrate Li, don’t say that. If the lord knew I neglected you, I might lose my skin! Come, come, to my hall. I just received a fresh batch of supreme spiritual tea for you to try,” the peach-faced old man laughed heartily, grabbing Li Jiufang’s wrist and pulling him along.
“This... this...” Li Jiufang looked troubled, wanting to politely refuse but unable to offend this elder of his father’s generation.
With a resigned sigh, he could only follow.
“It is truly a remarkable coincidence to run into the immortal magistrate here,” Qi Xiu chuckled softly, his gaze shifting.
Judging by Li Jiufang’s earlier expression, he seemed deeply troubled.
Indeed, high rank brings its own burdens.
Unlike me—one man well-fed, the whole family satisfied.
Free and unrestrained.
Laughing softly, Qi Xiu turned back to continue selecting martial arts methods.
Compared to mystical stealth techniques, there were far more varieties of martial arts methods.
After all, martial practitioners were far more numerous.
Among noble families and prominent clans, martial arts were often their foundation.
Yet perhaps for this very reason,
the entry-level martial arts methods collected in this Scripture Repository were of rather average quality.
Clearly inferior to the mystical stealth techniques.
“Forget it, these are free manuals anyway—no need to ask for a bicycle too,” Qi Xiu thought after careful consideration.
His steps halted before a martial arts manual titled “Body-Piercing Invisible Sword Technique.”
[Body-Piercing Invisible Sword Energy]
[Martial arts method]
[From the ancient grand sect’s Sword Sect’s sacred scripture “Sword Shocking Heaven,” the one hundred thirty-seventh sword technique of lethal swordsmanship. Cultivating this method allows one to convert blood and true energy into invisible sword qi, which surges from the fingertips and forms a razor-sharp energy sword to strike enemies. It is invisible and intangible, with formidable power. The more sword qi stored and transformed within the body, the more energy swords can be released, with greater strength.]
[Taboo: This method contains a deep swordsmanship obsession. Each additional trace of invisible sword qi stored intensifies this obsession, which slows cultivation. Hence, as one progresses, advancement becomes increasingly difficult. There have been those who defied this—practicing for thirty-five years yet only storing seven invisible sword qi strands, making it hardly worth the effort. Please choose carefully.]
...
When Fifth Uncle saw the two methods Qi Xiu had chosen, his expression was undeniably complex.
Was this young Master Bai doing it deliberately?
Or was he truly blind?
These two techniques were nearly the worst, leftover dregs in the store’s collection, displayed only to fill space.
To pick both at once…
This young Master Bai must be a hidden genius like a crouching dragon or a hidden phoenix.
After a slight hesitation, Fifth Uncle spoke up to caution him:
“Master Bai, please forgive my interference. The two methods you’ve chosen are easy to learn but hard to master. They look impressive but come with heavy restrictions and limited progress. Obsession and mental demons are the greatest taboos for cultivators. These two possess both. If you truly cultivate them, your path will likely be fraught with difficulties. Perhaps you should reconsider?”
“Senior Fifth, I appreciate your concern, and I am well aware. But I have my reasons for choosing these two methods. Rest assured, today’s decision is entirely mine. You’ve said what you needed to say and given your reminders. I will never blame your esteemed store in the future,” Qi Xiu replied earnestly.
With this, Fifth Uncle relaxed.
In business, the worst is customer grievances and merchant disputes.
Once matters are clarified, there is no more bickering.
This young Master Bai came from an extraordinary background; perhaps he truly had ways to overcome these methods’ shortcomings.
Frankly, setting aside these limitations, these two methods were top-tier, precious entry-level manuals.
The “Small Five Elements Water Patrol Stealth” was incredibly fast, silent, and undetectable—a perfect companion for travel and assassination.
The “Body-Piercing Invisible Sword Technique” wielded invisible sword qi of extraordinary power, capable of breaking through all kinds of protective energies, talismans, and artifacts.
If cultivated deeply, one could unleash countless energy swords with a single gesture, flowing naturally and endlessly, becoming invincible among peers.
Wait!
Silent, undetectable, invisible, intangible.
What kind of setup was this?
What was he planning?
...
(End of chapter)