A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 422 - 255: Bonding with the Sword, Wise Counsel

Bai Qi was not a Sword Cultivator, so he naturally didn’t understand the unwritten rules for Martial Artists to merge Sword Qi with their Qi Blood and to have a companion sword for life.

Of course, even if he was aware, given Master Bai Qi’s flexible principles, he likely wouldn’t care.

He might even utter something outrageous like "Beauty is only for the strong to possess".

"It’s effortless to nurture a sword, but having a strong foundation is quite a burden."

Bai Qi effortlessly fed the Handleless Cyan Blade, his robust Qi Blood usually hidden within his flesh, accumulating in his limbs and bones.

Whenever he exerted strength, the marrow of his spinal dragon would gush, like raging waves, with a formidable momentum.

Any Cultivation Technique supported by this would have its power multiplied several times, even using farm tricks could create astonishing impact.

This is the importance of having a solid foundation!

"Fortunately, I apprenticed under my master, learning the numerous benefits of the Four Great Perfection Achievements. Otherwise, how could I have been diligent and laid a solid foundation?"

Bai Qi secretly marveled; for someone at the normal Second Training Level, even if they learned Sword Nurturing Skill, they might not succeed in nurturing even one sword.

So when he saw the Nanming Li Fire rushing in, he couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth, showing a gentle smile:

"Brother Xiao Jian, you came at just the right time."

With these words, Long Tingfeng, who had been ignored, was even more startled.

This guy actually recognized the Sword Sect’s Divine Soldier?

And seemed to have some sort of acquaintance?

He felt fortunate for not rashly posing as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sword Sect and confronting Bai Qilang.

But immediately, Long Tingfeng’s robe fluttered as if recalling something, and he quickly stepped back a few paces:

"In front of the Nanming Li Fire Sword, you’re enticing my beloved Frost Sword! Bai Qilang, you’re so bold!

Later, you’ll surely be in big trouble!"

Everyone in the Sword Sect knew among the Three Divine Soldiers, the Nanming Li Fire was the most petty.

It’s said before the Divine Brilliance Sword Jiang Zaiyue crossed the Fourth Qi Cultivation Barrier, he once whispered "It doesn’t look as grand as Senior Brother Mo’s Void Temperament" while offering incense in the Ancestor Hall.

And suffered for it afterward; every time he entered the Inner Scenic Land, it was like entering an execution ground.

"Bai Qilang... you... detestable!"

Sure enough, the immature-minded Nanming Li Fire spun around, its childish voice full of grievance.

It had only just accepted Bai Qilang, feeling it had found the right person to nurture the sword.

Unexpectedly, in just one day, this guy was flirting with other swords!

It was a Divine Soldier enshrined in the Ancestor Hall of the Sword Sect!

Other than Sect Leader Yan Xin, who else wouldn’t treat it with the utmost respect?

With this in mind, its three-foot-long blade suddenly flared, erupting into a blazing light of flames several feet high, like a thick pillar of fire, almost filling the entire quiet backyard.

The floating dust, leaves, and even the firm floor tiles showed signs of melting into blue eyes in an instant.

"Oh, it’s actually angry?"

Only then did Bai Qi realize he might have triggered some kind of unique Asura scene?

Swords could actually be jealous and throw tantrums?

He was slightly stunned, quickly composed himself, and his eyes showed a sincere and ashamed expression:

"Brother Xiao Jian, you’ve arrived just in time. Yesterday you generously taught me the Sword Nurturing Skill, but my aptitude is dull; there are many aspects I only know superficially. I thought you’d come today, see no progress in my practice, and surely be disappointed.

Alas, that’s why I developed such a crooked thought... to use other swords for practice!"

The Nanming Li Fire was taken aback upon hearing this. With its childlike naivety, it found it quite challenging to fully understand such a heartfelt speech.

But the conveyed emotions couldn’t be falsified, especially the sincerity in Bai Qilang’s eyes, which immediately calmed the Sword Sect’s Divine Soldier’s blade:

"No wonder... I wondered... why Bai Qilang would take a fancy to that little Frost Sword! Oh dear, he thinks of me in every way, yet I doubted him... I truly shouldn’t have!"

The Nanming Li Fire hung its head like a child who had made a mistake, slowly reverting to its three-foot-long frosty blade form, gently moving towards Bai Qi, its motion akin to hands pulling at sleeves, full of apprehension.

"Brother Xiao Jian, I’m sorry for such a despicable act; I’m unworthy of associating with a divine sword like you."

Hearing the sword’s response, confirming his trick had worked, Bai Qi, drawing from past life professional experience, didn’t relax but pressed the advantage:

"Let’s part ways here... don’t come again in the future."

The Nanming Li Fire’s blade quivered violently, as if struck by lightning, immediately soaring, with its edge igniting a bright blaze, slashing towards him!

Within a dozen steps, it was lightning-fast, even Martial Uncle Chunyu, observing from the side, didn’t manage to stop it:

"Oh no! The Nanming Li Fire Sword is enraged! It wants to take Bai Qilang’s life..."

This chilling thought barely arose before shattering like a mirror smashed by a hammer!

Because the horrifying scene he expected, of a head flying and blood spraying from a neck, never occurred.

The extreme sharpness of the Nanming Li Fire, like a white silk, swiftly curled back, quickly coiling into a single point, and instantly shot into Bai Qi’s forehead.

Simultaneously, the connection between Chunyu Cultivator and the Divine Soldiers, like a fragile thread, ripped apart, leaving no more relation.

"Ah?"

The true disciple of the Sword Sect looked as if struck by Celestial Thunder, with his hat exploding with a "boom," and his long hair suddenly lifting, standing stiffly!

"The Sword Demon is too terrifying...Bai Qilang, this demon among swordsmen, has bewitched the Nanming Li Fire like a spirit!"

Chunyu Cultivator’s forehead was filled with confusion, wondering if the Divine Soldiers were blind, unable to see how closely Bai Qi is associated with Nephew Long’s frost grass?

Moreover, what did I do wrong?

"I wronged you..."

The Nanming Li Fire severed its divine connection with Chunyu Cultivator and actively flew towards Bai Qi, turning into a shallow red mark on his forehead.

It happened to settle between two water lines, as if a long narrow vertical eye had gently opened.

"No matter, I came from humble beginnings and learned early on the hardships of the world..."

Being recognized by the Divine Soldiers as its master, Bai Qi, however, showed no sign of delight, only detachment as he said:

"I’ve grown used to the cold eyes, misunderstandings, and disdain of others over the years."

The Nanming Li Fire sensed that lonely sentiment, feeling even more guilty, once again transformed into a three-foot blade flying out from the forehead, its hilt resting against Bai Qi’s shoulder, as if coyly:

"Oh, Bai Qilang, don’t be angry, at worst...I permit you to interact with other swords.

I know many swords, if you like, feel free to summon them!"

Bai Qi intended to glare and sternly reprimand, "What do you take me, Bai Qilang, for?" displaying his upright integrity!

But considering the self-restraint of an old actor, he firmly controlled such overexertion that leads to failure, speaking in a mild tone:

"As long as it follows Brother Xiao Jian’s intention."

...

...

"What Sword Dao is this? The elders of the Sword Sect never taught this!"

Standing several feet away, Long Tingfeng appeared dumbfounded, losing all the composure befitting an inner-sect senior brother, staring blankly.

At this moment, Bai Qilang, sitting by the artificial pond, seemed to radiate a boundless golden light, towering so high, almost shoulder-to-shoulder with those Martial Uncles.

He had heard of various peculiar and absurd methods of sword nurturing, refining, and control, but the "seduction and allure" technique to charm the Divine Soldiers in just a few words was indeed his first time witnessing it!

As if casting a spell on a sword, making it utterly devoted!

Too frightening, such a person is undeniably a great enemy of the Sword Sect!

"Truly terrifying... Martial Uncle Chunyu, are you alright?"

Long Tingfeng turned his head to look further away, at Chunyu Cultivator who could no longer maintain his presence-concealing technique due to intense emotional upheaval.

He quickly stepped forward, bowed with clasped hands, and privately transmitted:

"Martial Uncle, Bai Qilang is a bane to our sect! Such nearly demonic methods, if used against our sect’s sword cultivators..."

Chunyu Cultivator took a deep breath, steadied his heart, then nodded to interrupt:

"What demon? Nephew Long, you’re truly blind! Bai Qilang is clearly a rare innate sword body unseen in a millennium! This child is destined for our Sword Sect and should be invited into the sect!"

Are you mad, Martial Uncle?

Long Tingfeng was bewildered, letting Bai Qilang, who has such an enticing pull over sword cultivators, into the sect, isn’t that like throwing a mouse into a rice jar?

A surefire way to invite trouble!

"Nephew, foolish! With your frost grass and my Nanming Li Fire now in Bai Qilang’s hands, news will spread in the sect that we lost to a junior, where’s the face?

Rather than suffer alone, why not let others also bear hardship, all stumbling, who can ridicule us then?"

After all, being a true disciple, Chunyu Cultivator thought further ahead than Long Tingfeng.

"That makes sense!"

Long Tingfeng suddenly realized, inwardly giving a thumbs-up:

"Martial Uncle’s insight is exceptional!"