Chapter 59: Setting Out on a Long Journey
Jiang Min had been stuck at the peak of the seventh level of Qi Refining for some time now.
The seventh layer of Qi Refining was a crucial transition in the “Art of Spirit Communication,” a key point for transforming earth energy into metal. Without a solid foundation, it would be difficult to convert yin earth into yang metal.
Therefore, Jiang Min had spent this period reinforcing her current cultivation, striving for perfection to lay a firm groundwork for future progress.
Yet now, she could sense that this stage was nearing its limit.
It was time to break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining.
“This breakthrough comes at just the right moment,” Jiang Min mused, a satisfied arc curving her lips. Metal spiritual energy is fundamentally aggressive and resilient, and focusing on cultivating it would greatly aid her comprehension of sword energy.
She immediately let the little grass go off on its own, then turned to enter her room, stepping into the meditation chamber. Calming her mind, she quickly entered a state of cultivation.
Days passed in this focused practice.
…
Within the meditation chamber, Jiang Min slowly opened her eyes.
Within her dantian, all her spiritual energy had transformed into the white essence of geng metal. A refined and powerful aura rippled outward from her core—she had successfully advanced to the eighth level of Qi Refining, formally entering the “autumn harvest and winter storage” stage of this period.
This phase of metal spiritual cultivation was divided into two realms, corresponding to the eighth and ninth levels: geng metal and xin metal.
Geng metal was yang—unyielding and lethal.
Xin metal was yin—tempered by endless forging.
The virtue of metal lies in enduring burial, never yielding lightly to transformation. Thus, in cultivation, one must repeatedly temper metal spiritual energy to make it increasingly dense, thereby deepening and strengthening one’s own cultivation.
“I’m getting ever closer to Foundation Establishment,” Jiang Min exhaled a turbid breath, collecting her energy and sealing her practice. The corners of her lips lifted in satisfaction—her speed of progress was gratifying.
At this rate, within a few more years, she would be able to touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment. Though it was said that the more spiritual roots one had, the harder Foundation Establishment became, that was a matter for the future. For now, she needed only to do her best in the present.
Suddenly, the communication talisman in her sleeve pulsed with spiritual energy.
Jiang Min picked it up and infused it with her energy. The voice of Uncle He Liang came through: “Jiang Min, come to Changqing Mountain at the hour of Chen. Prepare to depart.”
“Thank you for informing me, Uncle,” Jiang Min replied. She walked out of the meditation chamber, descending the stone steps.
A gentle, golden morning light stretched across the floor through a crack in the window. At the sill, a few blades of the little grass peeked in. Seeing her emerge from seclusion, it hurriedly climbed onto the windowsill and joyfully leapt into her arms, nuzzling her affectionately. After so many years together, the little grass loved her familiar scent.
Jiang Min smiled warmly at its affection, her heart full of anticipation. “Let’s go! We’re off on a journey.”
The little grass burrowed into her arms, found a comfortable spot, and settled in.
Jiang Min tidied her small courtyard, activated the protective wards, and then took a ferrying flying boat to Changqing Mountain.
Halfway up the mountain, on a wide stone terrace, an imposing flying vessel waited.
When Jiang Min arrived, she saw He Liang standing beside the flying boat. He gestured for her to approach.
She hurried over and saluted respectfully, “Greetings, Uncle He.”
At the sight of Jiang Min, a rare softness appeared on He Liang’s usually stern face. He nodded and asked, “You’ve been in seclusion for a while. Any progress?”
Jiang Min immediately replied, “Uncle, I have been diligently practicing the sword and contemplating the essence of sword radiance, but I still haven’t quite grasped the realm of Sword Threads, and I’m unsure how to proceed.”
He Liang’s tone grew a bit stricter, as severe as ever. “Don’t aim too high too soon. First, master sword radiance until it is flawless. When you achieve perfection in that, the Sword Threads realm will follow naturally.”
He then softened slightly. “However, this journey to the Myriad Sword Sect will let you hone yourself in the ancient battlefield. There, you may deepen your understanding of sword radiance and strive to master it soon.”
Hearing He Liang mention the ancient battlefield again, Jiang Min wanted to ask more, but at that moment, another middle-aged uncle descended from the flying boat and asked He Liang, “He Liang, is this the one who first manifested sword radiance in the sword class? Jiang Min, right?”
He Liang nodded. “Yes.”
The uncle turned to Jiang Min. “Show your identity token, and you may board.”
Jiang Min presented her token with both hands. “This is my identity token, Uncle.”
After checking it, he handed it back. “Go on, we’re about to depart.”
“Yes.” Jiang Min replied, then turned to bow to He Liang, “Uncle, I take my leave.”
“Go on, go on,” He Liang waved her off, a rare smile on his face, his eyes filled with anticipation. He hoped his persistence was justified—that, in the future, the path of the sword would gain another remarkable cultivator.
Jiang Min followed the middle-aged uncle onto the flying boat.
On deck, she glanced around.
Three golden core elders in purple, more than thirty inner disciples also in purple, and over twenty outer disciples in blue were assembled. The group was not small—each one a sword genius selected by the Martial Hall.
Jiang Min’s gaze settled on the golden core cultivator standing at the center—a woman who had once taught her the Wind and Thunder Body in the Sutra Library.
It was that very elder.
She left a strong impression: white hair, violet eyes, a strikingly beautiful face—possessing the solemnity of a golden core master when silent, but calling herself “big sister” the moment she spoke, to the amusement of all.
Jiang Min had not expected that she, too, was a sword cultivator, and even the leader of this expedition.
The white-haired, violet-eyed golden core elder stood at the fore of the deck, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Min for a moment before her face returned to solemnity. With the singular authority of a golden core master, she intoned:
“This journey is led by the three of us golden core elders, accompanied by thirty-six inner disciples and twenty-eight outer disciples. The trip will take about a month. There are enough rooms in the cabins—choose your own and cultivate in peace. You may linger and converse on deck, but keep your voices down. If there are no questions, disperse and select your rooms.”
“Yes, Elder,” the crowd replied in unison. They then dispersed, heading into the cabins to select their rooms. The order was clear: foundation establishment uncles chose first, followed by the qi refining disciples. Jiang Min was not particular; she waited until the others had finished, then chose a small, secluded room and activated its isolation barrier.
The room was tiny—barely enough for rest and cultivation.
Jiang Min sat on the cot, but did not begin cultivating. Instead, her mind was busy with thoughts of the Myriad Sword Sect’s ancient battlefield.
“Uncle He said that the trials of the ancient battlefield greatly aid the mastery of sword radiance. Senior Sister Xue also mentioned that the ancient battlefield is the sect’s greatest asset.”
“It seems I must seize this opportunity, strive to perfect sword radiance, and advance to the Sword Threads realm.”
“But I know too little about the ancient battlefield. Before we arrive, I should find out as much as I can.”
Jiang Min was no stranger to gathering information. Besides, the golden core elder had said conversation was permitted on deck. With so many sword cultivators aboard, there would surely be disciples gathering there to forge connections and exchange news. She was confident she could learn what she needed.
As she pondered this, there came a knock at her door.
Then a familiar, languid woman’s voice called out, “Mind if I come in and sit for a while?”