Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

The Ninefold Spinning Lightning Sutra that Li Guanqi cultivated was on par with other mid-Earth tier techniques. Even after reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, he wouldn’t need to switch. Following Ling Daoyan’s advice, he ultimately chose two sword techniques and one sprint technique.

One of the sword techniques was a standard sword-flight technique, and the other was known as the Seven Killings. Though it comprised only seven moves, each one had many powerful variations. The Northern Heavenly King, Wang Longqu, personally gifted him the technique. It, too, was a mid-Earth tier technique.

The final technique, however, was something special—a rare, high Earth-tier sprint technique called Traceless Darkness Step. It was extremely difficult to practice, but once mastered, it allowed the user to move at extraordinary speed. At its peak, one could match the speed of an early Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, crossing a hundred zhang in a single second. But such speed came at a cost: the technique consumed vital force at an alarming rate. Even a late Golden Core Realm cultivator could only maintain it for two hours at most.

***

Time passed in a blink. Half a month slipped by.

Yu Sui’an’s injuries had mostly healed. She could walk now, though her right arm still hung in a sling around her neck. Knowing she couldn’t stop Li Guanqi from leaving, she clung to him even more, pestering him day after day.

Ye Feng, clad in white brocade robes, flew up to Jade Teapot Peak. Seeing the girl perched on Li Guanqi’s shoulders, he chuckled. “Little Bun, you’re already so big and still hitching a ride?”

But both Yu Sui’an and Li Guanqi snapped back, saying, “It’s none of your business!”

“Yeah! It’s none of your business!”

Ye Feng’s smile stiffened. He sighed. “You two kids… Boss, we’re meeting in two hours. Don’t forget.”Li Guanqi held Yu Sui’an’s legs steady and said calmly, “Got it.”

After setting her down, he squatted and tapped her nose. “I’m going to see Master. You’re coming with me. And no throwing a tantrum.”

She nodded, tears streaming down her face, and muttered, ”No tantrums.”

Li Guanqi brought her along as he soared across the peaks toward Heavenly Lightning Peak. At the entrance to Li Nanting’s courtyard, he paused, hesitating. He wanted to leave, yet couldn’t let go of his worries for his master.

But Yu Sui’an did not hesitate. She pushed the door open and ran inside. “Grandpa Li, I’m here!”

Li Nanting sat in the courtyard, smoking, with a jug of wine and two cups on the table beside him.

Li Guanqi walked inside and bowed. “Disciple Li Guanqi is here to greet you, Master.”

Li Nanting’s stern face wrinkled even more when he heard Li Guanqi. He rapped his knuckles on Li Guanqi’s head and said, “You never greeted me this formally in the past year and a half. What’s gotten into you now? Anyway, come sit.”

Li Guanqi scratched his head and forced a smile. “I’ve always respected our bond, Master. There was no need for all the ceremony.”

Li Nanting did not speak. He merely filled the two cups with wine.

Glug glug.

As the silver wine flowed, Li Nanting’s eyes turned red. When the cups were full, his voice trembled. “Come. Let’s have a drink. Consider this my blessing for your journey. I don’t know how many summers and winters will pass before we meet again. I’ve already said what needed to be said… so for this journey, may you succeed and rise high. Don’t fear the unknown. I have faith in you.”

Li Guanqi raised his cup. His eyes reddened too. “I will never forget your teachings, Master. I’ll never forget the sect’s rules. I’ll forever be grateful for your kindness.”

Clink.

Their cups met. As he downed the wine, warmth spread through his chest.

Li Nanting looked down and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. He pulled Li Guanqi by his shoulder and said, “Let’s go. It’s time.”

Li Guanqi rose but didn’t move. Instead, he waved toward the door where Yu Sui’an’s small head peeked out.

Yu Sui’an ran out to him, crying and sobbing. “Little blind boy… You’re abandoning me…”

He quickly comforted her. “Don’t worry. It’s not like I won’t come back. Maybe… by the time I do, you’ll be all grown up. While I’m away, you must cultivate hard, understand? If anyone bullies you, go to my wooden hut on Jade Teapot Peak and write their names down. When I return, I’ll get revenge for you.”

Yu Sui’an tilted her head, genuinely considering it. Li Guanqi smiled.

The three of them went to Heavenly Sword Peak together. Along the way, Li Guanqi smiled and said, “When I’m out there, I’ll buy a local meat bun at every new place I visit. When I’m back, you’ll have a mountain of buns waiting.”

Her eyes sparkled. She grabbed his ears. “Really?”

Li Guanqi smiled and nodded. “Really.”

“Alright! You said it, so you’d better keep your promise! Pinky swear! And once you pinky swear, you’re not allowed to go back on your word!”

By the time they arrived, the disciples who were also heading out of the sect to train had already gathered in the plaza atop Heavenly Sword Peak. Li Guanqi handed Yu Sui’an to Li Nanting, then took a jade slip from his storage ring and passed it to his master. Through voice transmission, he said, “Master, I’m leaving this behind for the sect. Don’t open it until I’m gone.”

Li Nanting was surprised by the cryptic request, but nodded.

Li Guanqi flew over to join the assembled disciples. Nearly thirty had chosen to leave that day, though Li Guanqi and Ye Feng were the only ones from their cohort.

Lu Kangnian appeared and stepped forward, his eyes bright as they swept across the group. He raised his hand, and countless sword-riding disciples soared into the sky. The disciples below cupped their fists in salute and chanted. The crowd of disciples gave them a fist salute and chanted, “We wish our senior brothers a smooth and worry-free journey to immortality!”

Their voices turned into a roaring tide that threatened to shake the heavens. Lu Kangnian waved and cried out, “Instead of sitting around to talk about ideals, young people should get up and act! Everyone, the journey is long, and staying alive is of utmost importance. No matter where you are or what situation you face, never forget that the Daxia Sword Sect is standing right behind you!”

Whoosh!

A streak of light shot silently into Li Guanqi’s forehead. Li Guanqi looked up and saw the fat old man, Ling Daoyan, raising a wine gourd at him.

A secret sutra called the Spirit Boosting Sutra had been implanted into his mind.

One by one, the disciples bowed, then shot off in all directions, becoming trails of light in the sky.

As Li Guanqi saw the sect shrink behind him, he changed into clean white robes, then tied the wine gourd given by his master around his waist.

As the sect disappeared behind him, Li Guanqi changed into a fresh set of white robes and tied the wine gourd his master had given him around his waist.

The strong wine would support his journey in the outside world.

The white-robed youth did not know what the journey ahead held. All he knew was that as long as he continued to forge ahead, a vibrant world would be waiting for him.