For the next six days, Chen Ye devoted nearly all his waking hours to cultivating the Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique.
The journey to the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District was uncertain, and having more strength meant more security.
In Luoli Courtyard, under his precise control of his Divine Sense, the dark iron sword sometimes flipped and fluttered like a dragon, sometimes swiftly darted like a startled swan, with the sword gradually glowing a faint cyan light.
Apart from evenings giving his disciples guidance in cultivation, after finishing their training, Chen Ye and Qing Jun listened to Zhiwei tell stories.
The rest of Chen Ye’s time was spent arduously cultivating swordsmanship in the courtyard.
The two disciples had long been accustomed to their master’s sleepless and foodless cultivation state, still bringing meals to the door daily and then obediently cultivating on their own without daring to disturb.
Li Qiuyun occasionally visited, bringing some sect spirit fruit snacks and offering pointers on Zhiwei’s cultivation of the Frost Splendor Record.
Seeing Chen Ye’s diligence, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of admiration, "No wonder Uncle Chen has such mastery of the Spirit Plant Technique; he must be cultivating day and night..."
She wasn’t wrong.
In the past, apart from occasionally playing with the two disciples, Chen Ye was basically always in cultivation.
Under such strenuous training and the proficiency panel’s support, Chen Ye’s Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique advanced rapidly.
On the sixth day.
[Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique: Great Success: 1/200]
Chen Ye formed the sword technique with his hand, and the heavy iron sword in front of him suddenly emitted a clear and long sword cry.
The cyan light on the sword shone brilliantly, transforming into a concentrated cyan stream, swirling around him like a living creature, its speed now several times faster than when he first began, and the sword momentum carried a more intense surging force.
Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique, Third Layer—Surging Waves!
It’s accomplished!
Upon reaching the third layer, this flying sword technique can be regarded as having formed an initial sword momentum, it’s unfailingly powerful.
Even Li Yanfeng, who specializes in the Flying Sword Technique, has only reached the third layer of the Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique!
Moreover, upon the third layer, one can learn the specialized flying sword technique—Cyan Wave Line.
This move involves bestowing one’s whole spiritual strength into a single point on the sword, uniting man and sword, merging sword with intent, transforming into an extremely swift, unmatched sharp cyan sword light, piercing through the void, specifically defeating strong enemy protective Gang Qi and solid magical artifacts, its power astounding.
However, the consumption of spiritual power and Divine Sense is extremely large, it’s akin to a sword of total commitment!
Chen Ye sheathed his sword slowly and stood with bright eyes.
"Late-stage Qi Cultivation, swordsmanship achieved Great Success... Now, encountering a rival like Kong Hongxuan should be a breeze!"
Now,
Chen Ye has the Heavy Body Technique for protection, Geng Metal Qi for regular magical battles, and Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique as a fatal move, along with Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Technique to refine the Divine Soul.
He has virtually no weaknesses.
Not to mention Loose Cultivators of the same level, even sect disciples of the same level, few could surpass him!
"Uncle Chen!"
Just at this moment, a crisp and melodious female voice came from outside the courtyard, carrying a few hints of excitement.
Chen Ye followed the sound and saw Li Qiuyun standing charmingly at the entrance of Luoli Courtyard.
Perhaps because of her good mood, her normally stern brows and eyes had a touch of radiant cheer.
"Qiuyun, what brings such joy?"
Seeing her like this, Chen Ye also felt a little uplifted.
Seeing a beauty always tends to improve one’s mood.
Though... this beauty saw him as an elder.
Chen Ye felt a bit guilty.
"Uncle Chen!"
Li Qiuyun quickly walked into the courtyard, her bright eyes shining with excitement, she bit her lip a bit shyly, but couldn’t contain her jubilation as she said:
"I... I made a breakthrough! I’ve successfully advanced to late-stage Qi Cultivation!"
"Oh? That’s wonderful news indeed!"
Chen Ye heard and sincerely felt happy for her.
Late-stage Qi Cultivation is quite a significant threshold for the Outer Sect disciples of the Lingyin Sect; crossing it brings one closer to the Inner Sect.
Li Qiuyun nodded vigorously and smiled while biting her lip, "Uncle Chen, now... now I can accompany you to the Peach Mountain Medicine Garden! Steward Tian mentioned before that protecting the stewards to the medicine garden requires late-stage Qi Cultivation level."
Chen Ye watched her joyous girl-like demeanor and couldn’t help but smile inside.
This girl used to be reluctant, and now she’s eager to accompany him?
But he didn’t point it out, just smiled gently and said, "Thank you, Qiuyun, for taking the trouble."
Li Qiuyun’s smile grew broader, she took a few steps forward, planning to say something more, but when her gaze fell on Chen Ye, she paused slightly.
Uncle Chen’s eyes seemed to carry a hint of sword intent?
Just like how father always had a sharp sword intent lingering after each retreat.
Li Qiuyun was startled, "Uncle Chen, have you started practicing swordsmanship? You... you wouldn’t be practicing the Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique, would you?"
Chen Ye raised an eyebrow, "You could tell?"
Hearing this, Li Qiuyun’s small suspicion was immediately confirmed. For a moment, she felt so awkward she didn’t dare to look at Chen Ye.
She remembered how a few days ago, her father was speaking excitedly to her and her mother, saying that he had accepted a younger brother with extraordinary talent in swordsmanship. However, it was a pity that he was a Spirit Plant Steward with only Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer cultivation, and he was a bit older. Otherwise, he would surely become a rising star on Purple Cloud Peak.
At that time, she was secretly curious about who this extraordinary person could be, capable of earning such praise from her father, whose eyes are set high on the sword path.
Unexpectedly, the "Younger Brother Chen" her father mentioned turned out to be this nondescript Uncle Chen right in front of her!
Recalling her father’s description of this Younger Brother Chen, with that look of mixed feelings as if lamenting wasted talent yet not feeling alone, and those comments like fool, simpleton, and big spender, Li Qiuyun only felt her cheeks burning, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.
She cleared her throat lightly, "Qiuyun is a disciple of Purple Cloud Peak, so... I can somewhat sense it."
Chen Ye saw Li Qiuyun’s strange expression but didn’t point it out, just smiled warmly and said, "Speaking of which, I’m planning to make a trip to Moon Rhinoceros Lake District to handle some personal matter..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Qiuyun immediately chimed in:
"Uncle Chen is going to Moon Rhinoceros Lake District? Perfect, Qiuyun’s home is also in Moon Rhinoceros Lake District. This time I’ll go back with Uncle Chen, consider it a home visit. Rest assured, Uncle Chen, Qiuyun is now in Late-stage Qi Cultivation, so I can surely protect you well!"
She patted Lei with a convincing look, showing a few shades of a valiant guardian.
Chen Ye looked impressed, "Thank you, Knight Li!"
However,
Li Qiuyun probably didn’t realize that the strength he now possesses might have already surpassed hers.
But since Li Qiuyun is a local of Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, having her company indeed makes many things more convenient.
Moreover, Late-stage Qi Cultivation in this perilous cultivation realm is considered not a weak combat power.
...
Eventually,
Chen Ye considered for a long time and decided to serve as a Spirit Plant Steward at the Herb Pavilion for a month.
Though called stewardship, this job is not easy and does not have high status.
Take Chen Ye for instance, he was assigned to be in charge of Peach Mountain Medicine Garden two months later, which in a sense, is equivalent to being the Pavilion Master of the Herb Pavilion.
But Chen Ye was originally going to the Moon Rhinoceros Lake Market; taking this job allows him to go down the mountain rightfully while also earning some contribution points along the way.
Before leaving, Chen Ye looked at his two little disciples who were eyeing him eagerly, feeling a bit reluctant.
"Master, are you really going away for a month?" Qing Jun tugged on Chen Ye’s hem, pouting her tender little mouth.
Zhiwei, although mentally prepared, still had slightly red eyes at this moment.
"Yes, Master will be back soon."
Chen Ye crouched down, patted the heads of the two disciples, and gently said, "You need to train well at home; when Master returns, I’ll bring you specialties and delicious foods from Moon Rhinoceros Lake District."
"Since there are delicious foods, why doesn’t Master go to Moon Rhinoceros District earlier?" The little girl, upon hearing about delicious foods, immediately raised her eyebrows.
Chen Ye twitched his mouth, realizing his little disciple is truly carefree.
He took out some spirit stones from his Storage Bag and handed them to Zhiwei, "Don’t hold back in daily life; Master has plenty of spirit stones."
There were a total of twenty spirit stones, enough for the two girls to spend.
Chen Ye himself had fifty-four spirit stones left, but there were three spirit plants in the Storage Bag she hadn’t dealt with.
Zhiwei silently accepted, nodded, with a slightly hoarse voice, "Master... be careful on the road."
Chen Ye felt warmth in his heart and gently patted her back, "Master knows. You must take care of yourselves too."
He looked up at Li Qiuyun, who also stepped forward appropriately and gave the two little girls a gentle smile, "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to take good care of your Master, ensuring he’s comfortable all the way!"
She then winked playfully at Chen Ye, as if to say, "See, Uncle Chen, how well I can talk."
Unexpectedly, the usually indifferent little girl suddenly became unhappy, looking cautiously at Li Qiuyun:
"Sister Qiuyun, you... you better not do anything to Master?"
The young female cultivator was taken aback, then chuckled, "Ah? Don’t worry, I’m here to protect your Master, not to harm him."
The little girl bit her lip, stomped her foot in frustration, "That’s not what I mean..."
Li Qiuyun pointed at her fair chin with a puzzled look, "What do you mean?"
"Ugh..." Qing Jun pouted but wouldn’t speak again.
After this little episode, the master and disciples officially said their goodbyes.
Chen Ye took one last look at his two disciples before resolutely turning away and leaving with Li Qiuyun.
The two tiny figures stood at the gate of Luoli Courtyard, watching silently until their master’s figure disappeared from view.
"Sister, how long is a month?"
"A blink of an eye."
"But why does Qing Jun feel, it’s a very, very long time..."