Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Lin Qingyu said, “The Heavenly Water Peak hasn’t had many new disciples in recent years. I might be the only one representing our peak for this year’s Tournament of a Hundred Sects.

“So I’d like to train and spar with you all. At least I won’t be training in isolation.”

Li Guanqi agreed without hesitation. “Of course you can!”

At his words, a soft smile curved Lin Qingyu’s lips. Only then did Li Guanqi notice the faint dimples on her face.

Training every day with such a beautiful woman... who wouldn’t be motivated?

He sneaked a glance at the people sprawled across the ground and saw Ye Feng and Zhong Lin secretly giving him a thumbs-up.

Li Guanqi then added with a light tone, “Then, Senior Sister, we’ll meet the day after tomorrow at the Martial Arena on the Heavenly Pillar Peak.

“After all, the selection for the participants happens tomorrow. I haven’t even confirmed if I can participate yet.”

Lin Qingyu covered her mouth and laughed softly. “Junior Brother Li, stop being modest.

“Everyone in the sect knows how Elder Xu Zhengjie and Elder Li Nanting both failed to beat you when they suppressed their cultivation during a challenge.”Li Guanqi was a little dumbfounded. “Wait, everyone in the sect knows about that?”

Lin Qingyu glanced around and smiled knowingly. “Otherwise, why do you think so many people came to the Millennium Waterfall today?”

Li Guanqi scratched his head in mild embarrassment, unsure how to respond.

Lin Qingyu continued, “So far, only three participants have been confirmed: you, me, and Senior Sister Gu.

“The remaining seven spots will be determined in tomorrow’s selection.”

She then took out her jade slip and raised an eyebrow. “Get yours out too. I’ll mark out my location. Come find me early tomorrow morning, and we’ll go to the Martial Arena together.”

Li Guanqi nodded, and the two marked their respective cultivation peaks.

With that, Lin Qingyu turned, threw out her flying sword, and stepped onto it before soaring away.

As she left, she called out, “Don’t forget to come find me in the morning~ Junior Brother Li, let’s train together next time~”

“...”

A wave of teasing immediately erupted around the waterfall.

Li Guanqi kept his cool and grinned flamboyantly. “Ah, it can’t be helped. My personality is just too charming.

“By the way, dear Senior Brothers, don’t tell me none of you have admirers yet?”

That triggered even more outrage from them.

“Pah! Li Guanqi, that was a low blow!”

“Yeah! That hit where it hurts!”

“Ugh, why does this suddenly feel so sad? I’ve been cultivating for over six years and still haven’t seen even a shadow of a Dao partner!”

“Hmph! I’m the finest of the Red Flower Village, but no one recognizes my dashing looks. What a shame...”

Li Guanqi chuckled softly. He didn’t know if the other sects were like this, but he felt genuinely at ease with that kind of atmosphere. “Thanks again for your generous spirit stones, everyone. Come find me if you ever want to bet again! I’m a man of utmost honesty and integrity.”

Amid the joking and laughter, Li Guanqi led Ye Feng and the others back to Jade Teapot Peak.

He saw their exhausted looks and teased, “Broke now, aren’t you?”

Their silence said it all. Li Guanqi laughed, pulled out a few spirit stones, and placed them into the Spirit Gathering Array.

“Don’t bother heading back. The cost of the spirit stones is on me. Focus on recovery.

“But don’t expect me to return the spirit stones you all lost to me. You guys really didn’t believe me, huh!”

Zhong Lin grumbled darkly, “I never should’ve trusted Ye Feng’s nonsense! King of Bets, my foot.”

Ye Feng ignored him and calmly replied, “Gambling’s always fifty-fifty. Just bad luck today.”

Soon, everyone sat cross-legged inside the Spirit Gathering Array.

As the rich spirit qi enveloped them, Li Guanqi joined in too.

After a moment, he spoke softly, “What you witnessed at the waterfall today—my body drifting seemingly without purpose—was actually me sensing the force of water!

“That experience changed how I view spirit roots, especially the five elemental spirit roots!”

The others perked up their ears, especially Lin Dong. Even Ye Feng, who was usually indifferent, now listened intently.

Li Guanqi gathered his thoughts and recalled the sensations beneath the waterfall. “Most of us think of water-type spirit roots as gentle and cool.

“In healing, water-type cultivators often excel, just like those with wood-type spirit roots. But today, I realized that water can be just as overwhelming as lightning.

“Everyone knows that lightning, metal, and fire are aggressive elements. But maybe that’s only because our understanding of vital force is still too narrow.

“When water-based vital force layers and stacks, its eruption can be like a waterfall or even a raging tidal wave.”

He turned to Lin Dong. “It’s the same with your earth element vital force. If you stop thinking only about defense and instead use it to crush, like the weight of a mountain, it can be just as terrifying.”

They immediately grasped the core of his words. It felt as if Li Guanqi had opened a new door for them. Each of them sank into deep thought.

Even Ye Feng, who usually focused only on attack, reconsidered the value of defense. If I use metal for defense... Hmm...

Meanwhile, Zhong Lin grew bold, wondering if he could stack the power of water like Li Guanqi described.

That night, the four of them sat silently within the Spirit Gathering Array, each absorbed in their own realizations..

As for Li Guanqi, though he appeared to be meditating, his consciousness had already slipped into his sword box.

“Hey, it’s pretty urgent. Can you help me complete the remaining sword technique?”

Sword Spirit glanced at the scroll proudly and replied casually, “There are only sixteen forms. I’ll give you eighteen! But you have to share some of your vital force with me.”

Li Guanqi’s eyes lit up. He laughed. “No problem! Easy! Consider it done.”

Early the next morning, Li Guanqi opened his eyes, looking refreshed.

He was greeted by three large faces peering at him.

Ye Feng, squished in the middle, asked seriously, “Old Li, are you okay? You cultivated all night, but your energy seems even weaker?”

Li Guanqi couldn’t tell them the truth. He mumbled vaguely, “Well... I feared I’d cultivate too fast and break through to the Golden Core Realm. I figured I should slow down to wait for you guys, so I refined my vital force instead.”

The others all rolled their eyes. They wanted to argue, but couldn’t think of a good comeback.