Chapter 8: Going Down the Mountain
Ding Wei patted his shoulder and said: "As your elder brother has just emerged from seclusion, I wanted to see how my junior brother has been cultivating over the years. It seems I have worried too much. Since this is the case, I can rest assured. By the way, now that my junior brother has reached the mid-stage of sword control, you can descend the mountain to gain experience and conveniently collect some materials for sword forging. Once you reach the Golden Core stage, you will be able to forge swords directly."
After sending Ding Wei off, Lin Xiao pondered for a long time, resting his chin on his hand. After listening to Ding Wei's words, he indeed contemplated going down the mountain for training. Considering his strength, it could be said to be comparable to that of the late Golden Core stage, so there should not be any significant danger in going down the mountain for training. Moreover, Lingxiao Sect is a major sect in the cultivation world; ordinary people would have to think twice before seeking trouble with them, taking into account the potential retaliation from the Lingxiao Sect.
A glimmer of delight flashed in Ding Wei's eyes as he smiled and said, "Junior brother, you flatter me. Oh, look at you, you have already reached the mid-stage of sword control. Your progress is truly impressive, making me feel ashamed as your elder brother." As he spoke, a hint of jealousy flickered in his gaze. Indeed, Lin Xiao's progress was somewhat faster than his own back in the day.
Two days later, Ling Xiao carried a burden down the mountain. With his current cultivation level, it was no longer a difficult task, and he no longer needed his senior brother's assistance. Leaping through the mountains, Lin Xiao indulged in the thrill of being a martial arts master. Upon exiting the protective mountain formation, Lin Xiao immediately frowned, as the difference in spiritual energy concentration between the outside and the inside was too great.
Lin Xiao appeared very grateful: "Senior Brother, your concern means a lot to me, and I am truly thankful. What you said is indeed correct; I should go out and gain some experience, as well as look for some materials."
A gentle breeze blew, lifting his head full of white hair. What on earth was the Master going to do for whom, that he had not returned for so many years? Just as he returned to the small courtyard, a beam of sword light descended. As the sword light dissipated, it revealed his senior brother, Ding Wei. Lin Xiao hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects: "Junior brother pays his respects to senior brother. May I ask what brings you here?" Lin Xiao feigned curiosity, wondering why this fellow, who had not visited since the departure of the True Man Mingxin, suddenly thought to come here.
However, the sword energy is renowned for its dominance, making it quite difficult to control. In the beginning, the sword energy would shoot out uncontrollably, unable to remain in the palm for even a second. Yet, through his persistent spirit and extraordinary mental acuity, he finally managed to make the sword energy briefly stay in his palm. Now, six months have passed, and it can only remain for three seconds. However, this is complete control. For instance, making the sword energy perform certain actions is not an easy feat. Yet, through his persistent spirit and extraordinary mental acuity, he finally managed to make the sword energy briefly stay in his palm. Now, six months have passed, and it can only remain for three seconds. However, this is complete control. For instance, making the sword energy perform certain actions is not an easy feat.
Lin Xiao spat at him in his heart, thinking, "Do you take me for a fool? How could a mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator like you possibly be in seclusion for over fifty years? Only an idiot would believe you!" However, he still smiled and said, "Oh, no, no, little brother has nothing going on, there's no need to trouble Master Brother. If it delays your cultivation, it would be a grave sin on my part."
After studying the formation, he also discerned some clues. The floor of the quiet room was surprisingly arranged with a Spirit Gathering Array and an Ice Heart Array, which not only accelerated the gathering of spiritual energy to enhance the speed of cultivation but also reduced the risk of falling into madness due to overly rapid cultivation. Meanwhile, the walls and ceiling were also equipped with a Solid Mountain Array, exceptionally hard and sturdy. Lin Xiao couldn't help but marvel inwardly; a major sect truly has wealth, as even an ordinary courtyard and library are arranged in such a manner.
Lin Xiao quickly laughed it off. He had restrained most of his sword essence, so what he displayed was merely the mid-level sword control strength expected of an ordinary Lingxiao disciple. However, his cultivation speed had already aroused a sense of jealousy in Ding Wei. If Ding Wei were to learn that Lin Xiao's current sword essence was already comparable to that of a mid-level Golden Core Lingxiao disciple, he would likely turn green with envy.
Sitting cross-legged on a massive rock, Lin Xiao placed his hands on his knees, palms facing upward. Above the palm of his left hand, a black sword energy flowed like a swimming dragon at an astonishing speed, hissing as it rubbed against the air. Similarly, above the palm of his right hand, a white sword energy moved with the agility of a luminous dragon.
The area surrounding the Lingxiao Sect spans several million square kilometers, but do not be misled into thinking this is a vast expanse. It is important to note that the total area of the Tianyuan Continent is nearly 200 million square kilometers. Even if close to half of that is occupied by the Primordial Forest, the remaining area still amounts to nearly 100 million square kilometers. Therefore, this area is not particularly large.
Lin Xiao advanced into a town, purchasing some oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, various seasonings, and kitchen utensils. These items were prepared for his future survival in the wilderness. With the storage ring, he had a place to store these things, as he did not want to compromise on his comfort. He also customized two sets of outdoor tent frames at the blacksmith's shop and ordered waterproof tarpaulin at the tailor's shop, which combined to form two complete outdoor tents.
Ding Wei nodded and smiled, saying: "What are you being polite for, Senior Brother? I believe Master has already handed over the identity token of our Lingxiao Sect to you. I still have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now"
Ding Wei laughed heartily and said, "Sixth Junior Brother, I hope you have been well. Over the years, I have been in seclusion for cultivation and have not come to visit you. I hope you will not take offense, Junior Brother."
To be honest, Lin Xiao did not really know what experience was, so after preparing for a while, he felt a bit lost again. In the end, he decided to just choose a random direction and walk, going wherever he ended up.
However, in just three seconds, the two sword energies shattered with a loud bang, scattering into countless needle-like sword energies. Lin Xiao's body, tempered by the body-refining technique, was incredibly hard, rendering such sword energies no threat to him. He was practicing his control over sword energies, a skill he had developed on his own. In his previous life, he had read novels where the protagonists used water balls to shape various objects in order to train their magical control. He decided to try the same method to enhance his control over sword energies.
Within the Purple Mansion, a swirling purple mist fills the air, and at the center, a Taiji diagram is slowly rotating. Two swords, one black and one white, stand prominently upon it, their tips exuding black and white sword radiance. Since the formation of these two swords, every time Lin Xiao utilizes sword energy, the sword corresponding to the attribute of the energy emits a slender beam of sword light that merges into the sword energy. The sword energy infused with this beam of light possesses significantly greater power than before, leaving Lin Xiao both astonished and alarmed. Since the formation of these two swords, every time Lin Xiao utilizes sword energy, the sword corresponding to the attribute of the energy emits a slender beam of sword light that merges into the sword energy. The sword energy infused with this beam of light possesses significantly greater power than before, leaving Lin Xiao both astonished and alarmed
Lin Xiao's favorite activities now are watching the sunrise and sunset. During the day, light energy completely dominates the world, while at night, dark energy reigns supreme. Therefore, whether Lin Xiao practices during the day or at night, he absorbs only a single type of energy. The moments of sunrise and sunset are precisely the times of the transition between yin and yang, when both light and dark energies coexist in the universe, making it the optimal time for his cultivation. Under the attraction of the Taiji diagram, the two energies of light and dark enter his body, transforming into sword essence, powerful and domineering. The moments of sunrise and sunset are precisely the times of the transition between yin and yang, when both light and dark energies coexist in the universe, making it the optimal time for his cultivation. Under the attraction of the Taiji diagram, the two energies of light and dark enter his body, transforming into sword essence, powerful and domineering