Chapter 258: Da Xiao Yao Jian, Lu Qing's [Yi]

“Master, I never expected that Zhong Zhou would have once been shaken by a Qi upheaval. No wonder the other provinces suffered such chaos, yet Sheng Shan never intervened.”

On their way back, Lu Qing spoke to Old Doctor.

“Honestly, I wonder if coming to Zhong Zhou was the right choice.”

Old Doctor sighed, his expression clouded with concern. The situation in Zhong Zhou had grown too unpredictable. He couldn’t help but worry about what might come next.

“Also, this method of refining Qi—so valuable that even major sects are willing to fight for it. A Qing, from now on, we must be extra cautious when practicing our Qi Ingestion Method.”

Old Doctor issued a warning.

“Understood, Master,” Lu Qing replied, his expression growing solemn.

At first, he had assumed that Zhong Zhou’s great sects and powerful clans, with their deep roots and vast resources, would naturally have access to such methods. Surely they wouldn’t be lacking.

But now, he realized he’d been mistaken.

In the ancient era, Qi had vanished. The laws of heaven and earth had changed, and the path of cultivation had lain dormant for tens of thousands of years. The gap in combat techniques was far greater than he’d imagined.

Even something as fundamental as the Qi Ingestion Method had sparked fierce fighting among sects.

That meant if his own secret—possessing the complete heritage of two ancient cultivation sects—were ever exposed, he’d immediately draw the attention of every power across the realm.

In that case, no matter how strong he became, he’d have no choice but to flee.

“By the way, Master,” Lu Qing asked, “what do you make of the martial essence inscribed on the city gate—what that Xuan Ji Zi elder mentioned?”

Old Doctor paused, then said, “I didn’t sense anything dangerous in it. The elder who left it behind was clearly a free-spirited soul. The martial essence carries a deep sense of freedom and joy. I meditated on it for a while and found it immensely enlightening.”

Lu Qing pondered, silent.

He hadn’t sensed any danger either. But whether it was genuine peace or a hidden trap—only time would tell.

Back at the inn, Lu Qing ordered a lavish feast and summoned the others. After everyone had eaten their fill, they retired to their rooms.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Li naturally stayed in Lu Qing’s room. Once fed, the two little ones finally succumbed to drowsiness and climbed into bed.

Lu Qing, however, felt no fatigue.

He sat on a chair, cross-legged, and began meditating.

Once he confirmed both children had fallen asleep, he quietly activated his Abilities and began absorbing the martial essence hidden within the inscription.

[Begin learning?]

A thought, and he selected “Yes.”

Instantly, the familiar scene unfolded—vast waves of martial insight surged from the depths of his mind.

Lu Qing closed his eyes, silently receiving the torrent of knowledge.

Moments later, when he opened them again, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

“So that’s it. This Wu Sheng’s legacy… is astonishingly ruthless. To master this combat technique, one must first erase all previous cultivation, dismantle one’s foundation, and rebuild from scratch.”

The martial essence inscribed on the city gate contained a technique known as [Da Xiao Yao Jian]—a sword art, and more importantly, a complete martial cultivation path, capable of guiding one from Qi Xue Jing all the way to the peak of Xian Tian cultivation.

It was, without doubt, the distilled essence of the Wu Sheng’s entire life’s cultivation—his philosophy, his martial soul.

If it were to surface in the outside world, even the greatest sects would be tempted to seize it.

But despite its name—Free and Unfettered—the technique was in truth fiercely demanding.

To master it, one had to utterly destroy their current cultivation, beginning anew.

“Now I understand why Xuan Ji Zi elder said the Ji Jia Da Gongzi, after studying the inscription, nearly lost his cultivation and became mentally unbalanced. He must have realized something profound within it—enough to make him willingly discard his entire foundation.”

Lu Qing mused. “I wonder… did he actually obtain the complete [Da Xiao Yao Jian]? If not, then he truly suffered for nothing.”

After absorbing the insight, Lu Qing finally understood why the Ji Jia Da Gongzi had ended up that way.

But why hadn’t he explained it to the Ji family? Why was he cast out?

Or… was the family already aware?

Was the exile merely a cover—meant to conceal the true reason for their eldest son’s acquisition of the Wu Sheng’s heritage?

Lu Qing shook his head, dismissing the thought.

Whatever the truth, it no longer mattered.

They were leaving Qinglong City tomorrow.

He refocused his attention on [Da Xiao Yao Jian].

“This technique demands such extreme sacrifice. It’s clearly not for me. But some of the insights it offers—especially regarding Xian Tian Jing sword principles and sword Yi—do hold value. I can extract and integrate them into my own [Yi].”

[Da Xiao Yao Jian] was too harsh—its entry requirement was self-destruction of one’s cultivation. Lu Qing wouldn’t do that.

Yes, the technique was exceptional—its power reached the peak of Xian Tian cultivation. In the entire realm, it was a legendary, world-class martial art, the kind that would trigger a war among all martial artists.

But in Lu Qing’s eyes, it was merely… good.

Far inferior to the heritage of the Divine Seal Sect, or Li Hua Zong Chuan Cheng.

Even the combat technique left behind by Li Weitian in the Jade Transformation Cave Chamber wasn’t far behind.

He wouldn’t trade his entire foundation for a technique that, at best, was just good.

That would be like abandoning a watermelon for a single grain of sesame.

Of course, he wouldn’t practice the technique itself. But its underlying principles—its martial wisdom—were worth studying.

After all, this was the distilled essence of a supreme martial master’s life. It could still enlighten him.

“Master must have absorbed similar truths from the inscription. He simply took the essence, discarded the dross. He’s already achieved the complete Xian Tian Ling Yu. His martial path is already established—his own school of thought. In terms of insight, he likely rivals this Wu Sheng. Why would he need to imitate others? He only needs to keep absorbing, integrating, and refining—drawing strength from countless schools to perfect his own path.”

Lu Qing took a deep breath, calming his thoughts.

Then, he returned to the [Da Xiao Yao Jian], no longer focusing on the cultivation method, but on the sword principles and philosophies the Wu Sheng had left behind.

Time passed.

Lu Qing remained seated, motionless.

But his aura subtly shifted—evolving from stillness to a delicate, ethereal presence.

After half an hour, his aura suddenly surged, then vanished.

For an instant, he seemed to dissolve into nothingness—empty, formless, as if he’d stepped into another realm.

The sudden change startled Xiao Li, who had been curled up beside Xiao Yan.

It snapped awake, eyes wide, staring at Lu Qing’s spot.

Just now, it had felt Lu Qing vanish—his life force gone, as if he’d disappeared.

Now, Lu Qing was sitting there, alive and whole.

Xiao Li blinked, confused.

“It’s alright, Xiao Li. I’m just cultivating a combat technique.”

Seeing the little beast’s alarm, Lu Qing whispered.

Upon hearing that, Xiao Li relaxed. It knew Lu Qing often practiced strange techniques. That explained it.

Still, its sleepiness was gone. It lay on the edge of the bed, watching Lu Qing intently.

Once satisfied, Lu Qing resumed his internal cultivation.

He extended his hand.

A sword Yi formed—invisible, yet palpable.

A sense of emptiness, clarity, and freedom enveloped him.

Xiao Li’s eyes widened.

That’s it. That was exactly what it had sensed—Lu Qing’s presence vanishing, as if he’d ceased to exist.

“Free and Unfettered Sword Yi… intriguing,” Lu Qing murmured, studying the energy he’d created.

He had drawn from the core principles of [Da Xiao Yao Jian], woven them into his own [Yi], and forged this new manifestation.

So he called it the [Free and Unfettered Sword Yi].

Thanks to his Abilities, Lu Qing’s insight always far surpassed his actual cultivation level.

Right now, his cultivation was merely Nei Fu Jing Wan Man—but he had long since reached the [Yi] realm, having fully awakened his own [Yi].

His insight was so profound, it rivaled even those of Xian Tian Jing masters at the peak.

And his [Yi] was unlike any other.

Ordinary Xian Tian Jing cultivators’ [Yi] were tied to their specific techniques and weapons—swordsmen developed Sword Yi, staff wielders formed Staff Yi.

But Lu Qing was different.

Because of his Abilities, he could grasp any martial art instantly, comprehend it deeply, and reach astonishing levels of insight.

No cultivation bottleneck existed for him.

Thus, when he first awakened his [Yi], it was unique—vast, all-encompassing, capable of absorbing and manifesting any Yi at will.

Now, he had drawn a fragment of [Da Xiao Yao Jian]’s essence and successfully manifested its sword Yi—without having to rebuild from scratch.

“Though martial arts across the world are countless, like fish crossing a river, in truth, they all fall into three realms: Skill, Momentum, and [Yi].

Even [Da Xiao Yao Jian], for all its profundity, still exists within that framework.

Its highest realm is still merely Sword Yi—something my [Yi] can replicate.”

Lu Qing toyed with the invisible sword Yi in his hand, his aura flickering in and out of existence.

A smile formed on his face.

He had no deep attachment to this new sword Yi. He’d absorbed countless Yi realms before. One more was merely a bonus.

What truly mattered was that this process had allowed him to reorganize and deepen his understanding of his own martial path.

His [Yi] realm had grown stronger, more refined.

Now, it was truly on the path to perfection.

Lu Qing could feel it—once he absorbed more Yi realms and wove them into his own, his [Yi] would undergo a transformation.

A metamorphosis into an even more mysterious, transcendent level.

“That level… must be the one Master now walks—the Ling Yu Zhi Jing.”

He spoke softly to himself.

The realm—Ling Yu—was a rare and profound stage within Xian Tian Jing.

Not every Xian Tian master could attain it.

Even among those at the peak of Xian Tian, few could grasp it.

But those who did were overwhelmingly powerful.

In a battle between masters of the same level, the one who had mastered Ling Yu was nearly invincible.

And Ling Yu could not be taught—it could only be discovered through personal cultivation and insight.

Thus, even [Da Xiao Yao Jian] contained no method for attaining it.

But Lu Qing believed the Wu Sheng must have achieved it.

Otherwise, how could he have dominated Zhong Zhou, stood unchallenged, and earned his legendary status?

“Alright, Xiao Li,” Lu Qing said, retracting the sword Yi. “I’m done. Time to sleep.”

He smiled at the little beast, still staring in wonder.

Its understanding was still shallow. It couldn’t yet grasp the subtle divisions of martial realms.

He extinguished the candle, climbed into bed, and lay down.

Xiao Li curled up beside Xiao Yan, resting its head on her shoulder, and slowly drifted off.

No more words.

The night passed in silence.

The next morning, Lu Qing awoke with the first light.

He dressed quietly, careful not to disturb Xiao Yan and Xiao Li, still fast asleep.

He slipped outside into the small courtyard.

They had chosen a luxurious inn, one of the finest in the city, so their quarters were in a private courtyard—only his master and disciples stayed there.

Lu Qing stood in the center of the yard, assumed his stance, and began slowly practicing the Nourish Body Fist.

Wind stirred gently. Air flowed.

This martial art, which he had practiced countless times, had long since reached a state of perfection—effortless, flowing, without a trace of worldly clutter.

When he completed the form, he suddenly felt a shift within.

A ripple of completeness washed over him—perfect, whole.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end