Chapter 60 : What Did You Understand Again?
Chapter 60: What Did You Understand Again?
“Such power—even if it cannot break through True Qi, it should still be able to injure someone in the Qi Realm, right?”
Li Yunqing felt a slight shock in her heart.
Sword Intent had always been something intangible—it was spirit, belief, and the mind, a shared comprehension of heaven and earth, containing all kinds of meanings within the world.
Like wind, rain, thunder, lightning; mountains and rivers; sun, moon, and stars… it encompassed everything.
Now, merely at the level of mastery, Sword Intent could already manifest within heaven and earth.
If it reached great accomplishment or perfection, it would likely be even more terrifying.
“No wonder True Qi is so powerful!”
Thinking of the Qi Realm, Li Yunqing finally understood why only Qi Realm martial artists could unleash the might of martial arts.
True Qi was formed by the fusion of artistic conception and the internal force within the body, condensed and refined.
The internal force within the body could only transform into True Qi after being tempered and refined by artistic conception—becoming cohesive, not dispersing, and capable of leaving the body.
To a certain extent, artistic conception itself was a part of the vast heaven and earth. The force refined by it was akin to being endowed with power by the world itself.
That was why even a single strand of True Qi could pierce iron armor, split mountains and rocks, comparable to the sharpest and toughest divine weapons.
Sword Intent alone might not be able to break through the defense of True Qi or withstand its power.
But if Sword Intent was strong enough, it could harm a person’s mind and spirit—even destroy the soul.
Sword Intent at the mastery level was comparable to artistic conception at the Middle Tier of the Qi Realm.
Without True Qi, relying solely on Sword Intent, killing someone at the Lower Tier of the Qi Realm might not be possible—but injuring them should not be difficult.
“In that case, when facing ordinary Qi Realm martial artists in the future, there’s no need to feel worried!”
At this moment, Li Yunqing felt as though a layer of shackles had been lifted from her.
She finally understood a certain saying—most worries were simply due to insufficient firepower.
With enough firepower, what was there to fear about dominating the world?
Thinking of this, she slightly bowed and gave the Sword Saint a solemn salute. “Many thanks to Senior Sword Saint for your guidance!”
She accepted this favor.
At worst, she could charge less—or not charge at all—for his treatment.
“A dark room for a thousand years is lit by a single lamp.”
“A heart burdened with countless doubts can be resolved with a single word.”
“These are your own experiences and accumulations. Without them, even a thousand words would remain ordinary.”
The Sword Saint of Cangshan spoke, taking no credit.
This Innate Sword Bones girl had brought him far too much shock in such a short time.
His original intention had merely been to spark Li Yunqing’s interest and guide her onto the path of the sword.
With such talent, she would inevitably become a fellow traveler—or even a rival—on the path of swordsmanship. How could he possibly watch her stray elsewhere?
But what he never expected was that with just a few words, Li Yunqing had actually condensed a Sword Heart.
This was indeed not his merit.
It was Li Yunqing’s own experiences, her persistence, and her talent that led to such comprehension.
Li Yunqing said nothing more, her aura completely restrained.
In the blink of an eye, she returned to her gentle and serene appearance.
It was as if the aura that had nearly frozen everything just moments ago had never come from her at all.
“Control at will… what a clear and pure mind!”
Seeing this, the Sword Saint could not help but sigh inwardly.
Many people, after comprehending artistic conception, would themselves be influenced by it—becoming like the very concept they grasped.
Cold, fierce, dull, lively—even mad.
To be able to control it so freely like Li Yunqing—without a truly clear and pure heart, it was simply impossible.
“Sword Intent controlled at will… there is even a hint of returning to simplicity. Very good!”
The Sword Saint spoke softly, his tone full of praise.
Even Hall Master Liu at the side nodded in agreement.
Some people, after excessive combat and slaughter—or being influenced by artistic conception—would fall into a state akin to deviation, requiring time to polish themselves, to settle, or even to vent before returning to their original nature.
“I simply think that martial arts are just tools, while life itself is the foundation.”
Li Yunqing responded calmly.
She truly had not thought too deeply about it. One reason was the influence of her traits; another was that no matter how the world changed, people still had to live.
Everything was merely a tool to control one’s fate.
Since one was alive, since one ultimately had to live, then one should enjoy life and not let oneself down.
“A heart may carry countless sufferings, yet the body should still enjoy the world.”
“This is very good. It allows one to forever preserve their original heart.”
The Sword Saint agreed greatly.
Some practiced the sword and became sharp and overbearing.
Some endured suffering and became exhausted in both body and mind.
Some experienced separation and death, filled with loneliness and resentment.
But if one could maintain such a clear and pure heart—neither elated by external things nor saddened by personal gain or loss—then even the passage of time could not erode it.
Such a heart might forge an even stronger sword.
Hearing this, Li Yunqing paused slightly, feeling that this exchange sounded a bit like mutual flattery.
Moreover, the Sword Saint of Cangshan was quite different from what she had imagined—somewhat scholarly.
She had thought a Sword Saint would either be cold or aloof, never expecting this demeanor.
“Master was originally a scholar in his youth. Only after his homeland was destroyed by demons and his parents perished did he abandon the pen for the sword, swearing to slay demons.”
Lu Xingzhou, who had been observing all along, seemed to notice Li Yunqing’s confusion and explained, “That is why Master established a sect at Great Azure Mountain, guarding against the demons beyond it.”
Li Yunqing suddenly understood. This was likely the origin of the Sword Saint’s title.
However, she did not forget his purpose for coming here and softly said, “Senior Sword Saint, I need to check your pulse.”
The Sword Saint raised his hand and placed it on the table. “Though you have not formally taken me as your master, you have entered the lineage of the Sword Heart. You can call me Martial Uncle.”
Calling him “senior” was too distant, and he truly appreciated Li Yunqing.
A fifteen-year-old girl with such a mindset—this alone proved her extraordinary nature.
“Martial Uncle!” Li Yunqing responded frankly, placing her hand on his wrist.
After a moment, she spoke again, “The Poison of Nine Infants is not severe. It can be resolved within at most seven days.”
“Martial Uncle has traveled far—please stay here first. Treatment will begin tomorrow, and I also need to prepare some medicinal materials.”
At this moment, Hall Master Liu, who had remained mostly silent, spoke, “Stay at the Martial Hall. It will be convenient for treatment.”
“And it is sufficiently discreet. If news of your arrival in Qingzhou spreads, Great Azure Mountain will surely be attacked by demons!”
Given the Sword Saint’s strength and status, Hall Master Liu naturally did not wish to neglect him and was willing to offer more convenience.
“Much obliged.” The Sword Saint nodded, not refusing.
Guarding the Great Azure Mountain between the Demon Kingdom and the human race—if news of his departure spread, it would indeed be dangerous.
Li Yunqing stood up and watched them leave, preparing to refine some medicine to suppress the Poison of Nine Infants.
At that moment, the door of a side room suddenly opened, and Jiang Jing walked out with a dark expression.
Upon seeing Li Yunqing, his usually cold face twitched slightly.
Her temper was far too explosive—she would flare up at the slightest disagreement, completely lacking the shy demeanor of an ordinary girl being teased.
If not for their transaction, he felt he might already be dead.
Recalling that pain, his entire body trembled slightly. Still, he walked over and sat down at the table, silently looking at Li Yunqing.
After a moment, as if organizing his words, he finally spoke, “I am not that kind of person.”
“I… only lose control like this in front of you.”
“Don’t you understand my feelings?”
In front of other women, he rarely paid attention—his status and position were such that ordinary women did not catch his eye.
To put it bluntly, this was a man’s nature—those with power and influence naturally preferred beauty.
But after learning of Li Yunqing’s temper, he could not help but tease her.
This pain had made him realize that if he did not explain himself, he might truly be mistaken for a lecher—and future treatments would likely be even more painful.
Li Yunqing: “???”
Feelings? What nonsense feelings?
Was he addicted to teasing? Picking one person and relentlessly teasing them?
Speechless, Li Yunqing thought for a moment before saying, “We are just a transaction.”
“At most, we can be considered friends—but only friends. Nothing more.”
Jiang Jing was stunned and instinctively asked, “Why?”
He did not think himself lacking.
On the contrary, at only thirty, he had already become one of the four Commandants of the Demon Suppression Division—considered a major figure in Qingzhou.
At the Middle Tier of the Qi Realm, and once his Cold Poison was resolved, he might soon reach the Upper Tier—or even perfection.
Even the Profound Realm Grandmasters were not beyond reach.
“There is no why.”
Li Yunqing shook her head, decisive and without hesitation.
How could her thoughts be explained to an outsider?
“Is it because of Jiang Yu?” Jiang Jing pressed.
“Jiang Yu? What does he have to do with this?”
Li Yunqing paused, looking at him in surprise.
Although she had a marriage engagement with Jiang Yu, at her current cultivation speed, she might be able to personally go and annul the engagement within a month.
Once she became a Qi Realm martial artist, she could survive even outside Qingzhou, facing demons and evil gods.
Unlike before, when she was powerless and could not live without her family.
Seeing her slight pause, Jiang Jing revealed a thoughtful expression. “I understand now.”
With that, he stood up and left.
Watching his departing figure and hearing those inexplicable words, Li Yunqing blinked.
In her mind, the image of Jiang Yu sitting in a wheelchair suddenly appeared.
“…No, wait… what exactly did you understand this time?”