Chapter 10, Shili Slope
You dodged the ghostly lantern with a star-chasing step, stumbling and nearly falling, but successfully evaded it, increasing your star-chasing step proficiency by 1
At that moment, another ghostly lantern burst forth from the grass beside the two, directly approaching Jiang Yuebai
Chasing Stars Step ( Beginner: 15 / 100 )
Tao Fengnian nodded slowly, and his gaze towards Jiang Yuebai became increasingly bright
Martial Arts
Jiang Yuebai tightened his grip on the hatchet and took two quick steps, closely following Tao Fengnian.
The lantern monster that bullies the weak and fears the strong! If you have the ability, come again!
Alright, the cold stream water is not good for the body. Practice in the water tank after returning; still water is better than flowing water. We have arrived
The machete swept across, phosphorescence filled the sky, the ghostly lanterns turned around, she moved with a star-chasing step, circled the tree once more, and launched a surprise attack from behind
Tao Fengnian led her to part the withered grass, ascending along the hillside. In the distance, a solitary peak stood precariously, with grotesque rocks jutting out, as if cleaved by a giant blade, leaving behind a narrow, elongated ravine.
You have entered the realm of Geng Metal in just half a month, mastering the Sharpness Technique, the Star Chase Step, and the initial forms of the Chopping Wood Blade Technique, which greatly surprised and delighted your grandfather
Jiang Yuebai's small face immediately fell, pouting as she was about to cry
Upon careful consideration, she realized that during her practice, she only employed fixed techniques and routines, which were not effective.
At this thought, Jiang Yuebai's palm gradually began to warm.
The phosphorescent explosion erupted, and a bone-chilling coldness surged into his body. Jiang Yuebai shivered, the hatchet struck off target, and the ghostly lantern collided with his right arm
Grandfather, you are truly wonderful, just as good as my parents
Seeing this, Tao Fengnian did not make a move. Jiang Yuebai's eyes widened in shock as he stepped back. Only when the eerie green light illuminated his face did he remember to activate the Star Pursuit Step, moving aside. Immediately after, he swung his knife down.
The river moon leaned sideways as Jiang Yue poked half of her head out from behind Tao Fengnian, seeing a lantern-shaped green phosphorescence floating under the withered tree ahead, flickering and glowing like breathing.
You used the woodcutting technique to deal with the ghost lantern, and your swordsmanship was appalling; by sheer luck, you succeeded in slaying it, increasing your woodcutting skill level by 1
Just like with illustrations and books, defeating a single ghost light does not increase proficiency by 1 point. In continuous use and practical experience, the improvement in proficiency will certainly be faster than practicing alone.
The blade is entirely black, covered in ancient marks, with visible grooves for runes, waiting for her to infuse it with the brilliance of metal.
However, the sharpness of the Geng metal can only be manifested in a single strike. When not in use, the sharpness of the Geng metal will gradually dissipate over time, completely fading within a maximum of seven days. In the future, you should practice the Sharpness Technique with this blade, making the most of it and keeping it for self-defense.
The Fengmang Jue is the most important finger technique among the five methods of the Spirit Cultivator, and it is also the most difficult one. Mastering the Fengmang Jue will make learning the other methods significantly easier
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuebai stepped out from behind Tao Fengnian, looking curiously at the ghostly lanterns under the tree
Tao Fengnian approached and squatted down, placing his palm on Jiang Yuebai's shoulder. The warm fire element spiritual energy flowed into her body, dispelling the coldness of the ghostly lantern.
After practicing the Sharpness Technique for three days, I finally learned it today. Out of ten attempts, I only successfully activated the fine metal sharpness three times. Each time I performed the technique, it took about five breaths. I need to continue to enhance its power and speed
Grandfather
Jiang Yue nodded, she had previously worried about these matters, but she did not expect that her grandfather had already made plans for her.
The thirty-three techniques can rival those in the initial stage of Qi training, the sixty-six techniques can contend with those in the mid-stage of Qi training, and the ninety-nine techniques can even inflict damage on those in the late stage of Qi training
There is no need to belittle yourself; you are already quite impressive. Today, I will accompany you, and in the future, you should come by yourself every few days. In addition to practicing your footwork and martial skills, also try using the Sharpness Technique to deal with the Ghost Lantern.
Tao Fengnian propped up the bamboo pole to increase the speed of the bamboo raft and continued, "We will begin practical training tonight"
[Spiritual Roots] Five Elements Spiritual Roots ( Metal 9, Wood 9, Water 9, Fire 9, Earth 9 )
The flow of water hinders the movement of the fingers, and the fingers resist the resistance of the water flow. In this mutual interaction, Jiang Yuebai gradually begins to comprehend the rhythm and cadence that Tao Fengnian spoke of.
Phosphorescent undulations, green waves ripple
However, her trembling was not only due to fear but also because of excitement
Jiang Yue squinted and smiled foolishly, secretly glancing at his own cultivation panel.
Tao Fengnian pulled Jiang Yuebai up from the ground, "Let’s go, deeper into the interior."
Before long, Tao Fengnian paused his steps and said, "That ahead is the ghost lantern."
The footwork was clumsy, the swordplay awkward; having just struck down one ghostly lantern ahead, I was then struck in the back by three more ghostly lanterns.
Haha
Leaning against a withered tree, Jiang Yuebai no longer felt flustered; instead, she remained composed and calm. Her star-chasing steps complemented her woodcutting techniques, allowing her to advance and retreat in an orderly manner, as dozens of ghostly lanterns were gradually extinguished by her strikes
Only under the pressure of crisis in battle can fixed techniques be transformed into effective attacks and applied flexibly
Tao Fengnian pulled the sleeves away from Jiang Yuebai and handed her a hatchet
It is merely a battle, yet it has grown so much
The bamboo raft emerged from the cave and docked at the shore to rest
Chasing Stars Step (Entry Level: 26 / 100)
Grandfather, am I really useless
With so many ghost lights, why is no one taking care of them
Jiang Yue nodded slowly, not feeling particularly frightened; if she couldn't win, she would just run away. She simply did not want to disappoint her grandfather
Beautiful it may be, yet perilous it is!
Her gaze gradually drifted away, discovering that deeper in the hillside there were more ghostly lights, layered upon one another, creating a vast expanse of green.
The river moon glared with white eyes, moving in pursuit of the stars, wielding a woodcutting knife
White smoke wafted away, the ghost lantern startled, and the swift electric light vanished without a trace. Only then did Jiang Yuebai lean against the withered tree and slide down to sit on the ground, feeling quite indignant.
In the realm of immortals, is it not a joke that ghosts and monsters roam freely
Jiang Yue tilted his white head, his eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge
Remember, it is likely because you feel inadequate in strength that you consider the ghostly lanterns to be invincible. Once you overcome them, you will realize that these ghostly lanterns are not to be feared
Tao Fengnian looked at the faint light in front of the cave and said slowly, "The waterway behind Huaxi Valley and the map was an unexpected discovery of mine. Passing through it leads directly to the southern slope of Yinfeng Gorge, where the sect punishes its errant disciples, ten miles away."
Level 1 of Qi Refinement
In the practical scenario, Jiang Yuebai opened her eyes wide with a face full of apprehension
Tao Fengnian still had no intention of taking action, and Jiang Yue's eyes hardened. The experiences in the mortal realm made her increasingly calm the more dangerous the situation became
The river moonlight was still lingering as she took it out, her ten little fingers were frozen and turned bright red, and she hurriedly breathed on them and rubbed her hands together
The cave is deep and secluded, with a stream flowing gently.
As the last ghostly lantern was extinguished, Jiang Yuebai felt a wave of relaxation wash over him, followed by a surge of fear.
Geng Metal Skill (Level 1: 9 / 100)
Jiang Yuebai dodged the bats that were crashing around, rubbed his nose, and asked, "Grandfather, where are we going at this late hour?"
Jiang Yuebai nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, trembling slightly, undoubtedly frightened. Yin Fengjian's Shili Slope sounded like a haunted graveyard.
The howling of the sinister wind echoes within, as if a hundred ghosts are wailing, an unending lamentation
I have told you that in order to compete, one must first ensure their own safety. That is why I taught you the powerful metal-based techniques and the Sharpness Formula, as well as the footwork martial arts. With the one-month deadline approaching, you will inevitably need to move around the sect, attend lectures in the Dharma Hall, and interact with others
Tao Fengnian glanced at her and asked with a smile, "Are you afraid?"
Previously, her proficiency was only 15. She could only increase her proficiency by 1 point after completing a full set of practice, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive
Having spoken, Tao Fengnian quietly approached, his hands moving swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, he activated the Sharp Edge Technique.
Name: Jiang Yuebai
The icy, bone-chilling stream caused Jiang Yuebai to shiver. She slowly stirred her fingers, and the water flowed between them, making her movements slow yet eliminating the previous sense of stagnation, transforming them into a smooth and fluid motion
Echoes resound, startling the bats at the cave's ceiling
Tao Fengnian let out a hearty laugh, took a deep drag from his smoking pipe, and exhaled a wisp of white smoke
The ghost lanterns were extinguished, and Jiang Yuebai had no time to check the panel notifications before seeing one green lantern after another rising from the ground and the books, instantly surrounding her.
Tao Fengnian felt a sense of comfort in his heart, and upon seeing the flowing water, he suddenly recalled, "You previously mentioned that when you activated the Sharpness Technique, your fingers always felt a sense of stagnation. In the future, you can practice by immersing your hands in the water."
Martial Arts
The Art of Sharpness (Level 1: 3 / 100)
Chopping Wood Techniques ( Beginner: 15 / 100 )
The progress in footwork and martial skills is smooth; with daily accumulation, one can advance from beginner to minor achievement, and then to major accomplishment
Spell
Tao Fengnian paddled upstream on a bamboo raft, while Jiang Yuebai held a lantern to illuminate the path ahead
Jiang Yuebai followed behind Tao Fengnian. Just now, when she was fighting, she couldn't pay attention to it. The cultivation panel flashed many prompts indicating an increase in proficiency. At this moment, upon reviewing, Jiang Yuebai was filled with joy.
Several mice scurried by, white bones lay exposed in the wilderness, and in the distance, there were ghostly lights flickering and drifting, appearing and disappearing.
The essence of the Fengmang Jue lies in the manipulation of spiritual energy with the fingers, differentiating the spiritual energy, and then condensing and solidifying it. Spiritual energy is elusive and intangible, making it difficult to grasp the sensation of manipulation, as well as to master its rhythm and cadence. However, flowing water can serve as a substitute for spiritual energy; you may give it a try.
Jiang Yuebai swallowed hard, standing still in place, rigidly gazing at Tao Fengnian in the distance. He noticed Tao's eyes were lowered as he leisurely took out his smoking pipe, lit it, and began to puff away.
A short golden beam shot out, and the ghostly light dissipated with a puff.
Jiang Yuebai firmly grasped Tao Fengnian's sleeve, recalling that in her childhood, she was not well-behaved and was often frightened into obedience by her mother with ghost stories. Therefore, compared to the wolves, tigers, and leopards on the Ninefold Mountain, she was more afraid of ghosts
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuebai hurriedly set down the lantern and knelt on the bamboo raft, immersing his hands in the flowing water to stir it.
Dozens of ghostly lanterns were drawn to the living aura emanating from her, erupting in an instant, flashing and colliding wildly
The moonlight is hazy, the hills stretch for ten miles covered in wild grass, with dead trees scattered everywhere, and old crows cawing in the trees, creating a chilling atmosphere
She leaned against the tree, feeling cold and damp all over, panting heavily. Just as she stood up straight and wanted to speak, she saw more ghostly lights emerging from the ground.
Martial Arts and Literature
Unknowingly, the river moonlight captivated Jiang, as her hands remained submerged in the flowing water, with golden rays occasionally shooting from her fingertips
The ghost lantern is weak and lacks presence, yet it is elusive and difficult to capture, especially when it senses a practitioner of high cultivation; its speed of escape becomes increasingly swift. Moreover, after being exterminated, it reappears within a few days, which is why the sect conducts a thorough cleanup only once every three to five years
Achoo
Seeing a swarm of ghostly lanterns approaching, she darted behind a withered tree, circled around, and launched a side attack
Jiang Yuebai took the hatchet, feeling its weight; it was sharp
At this moment, looking at the vast expanse of ghost lanterns, there is no longer any notion of a bullying lantern monster; they are all adorable beings that assist her in enhancing her magical and martial skills
This machete was forged by myself in my early years, and it is a non-standard magical tool. In addition to being quite sharp and capable of restraining evil forces, it can also store the power of the Geng Metal Sharpness technique to unleash a powerful strike.
It is clear that they are taking advantage of her illness to seek her life
The Yin Wind Gorge was once the battlefield of the Cang and Yun kingdoms, where nearly one million bones were buried. Later, in order to prevent the emergence of blood corpses and evil spirits in this place due to the expansion of the Tianyan Dynasty, two solitary peaks were suppressed using the method of moving mountains, leaving only the Yin Wind Gorge for the purpose of cultivation
The ghost lantern is a weak spirit born from the gathering of yin energy and the phosphorescence of corpses, lacking in intelligence. It enjoys colliding with the living, and when it does collide, the most that can happen is that the person becomes enveloped in yin energy, resulting in illness for a few days at most
The machete shatters the ghost lantern, the phosphorescence scatters like the wind
You receive guidance from others, discover the techniques of finger positioning, experience a burst of inspiration, and your proficiency in the Sharpness Technique increases by 1
A chilling sensation of blood freezing enveloped him, his right arm stiff and immovable. Jiang Yuebai dodged left and right, trapped in a tight encirclement, while the ghostly lantern closed in step by step, growing increasingly rampant
The cultivation method successfully advanced to the first level three days ago, which was slower than expected, as her energy flow remains unrefined and requires diligent practice
Chopping Wood Techniques ( Beginner : 32 / 100 )
The biting cold wind pierces through, and the chill is oppressive
She still thought that once she learned the Sharpness Technique, she would be able to go down and help with the work, and isn't the Sharpness Technique a spell used for pest control