Chen Ping's Sword

If you can practice to perfection, Clear Wind Shadow, where the sword leaves a mark, even if others see the sword, they have already been struck by it. It’s not so easy to predict or dodge.

As a Zen monk once said, three realms: Seeing a mountain as a mountain, seeing a mountain as not a mountain, then seeing a mountain as a mountain again.

From having a shadow to shadowless, then to shadow casting, this sword technique is considered complete.

However, at this moment, it’s not about perfection or imperfection.

Chen Ping looked at the attribute column marked [Clear Wind Shadowless Sword (Entry)] and shook his head with a smile.

He has learned it.

He seized the lifeline that the Straw Hat Man had practiced all his life.

However, improving realms still depends on Tribulation Points, or on painstaking practice and enlightenment over the years.

From the battle with the Straw Hat Man, he deeply realized that not having a powerful weapon in hand is indeed a real disadvantage in certain situations.

Mastering a powerful sword technique is indeed a pressing matter.

Just as earlier, after Han Wushang and his daughter left, Chen Ping, not wanting to waste anything, picked up the high-quality long sword that the Straw Hat Man dropped along with its sheath and hung it on his waist.

At this moment, the weapons were readily available.

So, he didn’t hesitate.

His thoughts flickered.

"Clear Wind Shadowless Sword, Upgrade."

From entry to proficient, it consumed 4 Tribulation Points.

Chen Ping felt a joy in his heart.

This sword technique is not weak at all. Indeed, he was right; the Straw Hat Man failed not because of the sword technique, but because he as a person was lacking.

The initial upgrade consumed 4 points.

It can be imagined that this is a sword technique on the same level as the "Seven Stars Step" and "Primordial Technique."

The path pursued is one of ultimate speed.

Looking at the "Clear Wind Shadowless Sword" and "Seven Stars Step" on the attribute panel, Chen Ping hesitated for a moment but eventually chose to upgrade the sword technique.

After all, deep down he favored offense more, between fleeing faster and attacking stronger, he eventually chose attack power.

As for the auxiliary effect of the "Seven Stars Step," which allows the accumulation of Inner Qi, it’s a long-term process, so it can be postponed.

Consuming another 8 Tribulation Points, Chen Ping’s mind was infused with countless memories and knowledge, various sword technique enlightenment flashed through his mind one by one.

He seemed to turn into the Straw Hat Man, wielding a sharp sword, practicing sword techniques day in and day out for ten years from bitter cold to scorching heat...

Finally, one day, the sword momentum changed, turning into swirling clear wind, the sword edge was no longer visible.

"Already at the Mastery Realm, huh."

Chen Ping opened his eyes, holding the sword in his hand...

The sword in his hand seemed no longer to be an insensible dead object but had warmth, like his own limbs, blood-linked.

"Cognition, altered in an instant, consciousness reshaped, using the sword has become instinct."

At this moment, Chen Ping knew that his affinity and proficiency with the sword far exceeded his blade skills.

"I really want to keep improving."

Chen Ping glanced at his attribute panel, shook his head with a smile, knowing he was being greedy.

The path must be taken step by step, food must be eaten bite by bite, yet there is no need to rush.

[Spring and Autumn Silkworm (Second Transformation)]

[Talent: Trace Origin and Steal Fortune, Cocoon Rebirth]

[Innate Talent: 6 (Average)]

[Enlightenment: 5 (Average)]

[Tribulation: 2 (Breaking Realm)]

[Fortune: 2 (Change Destiny)]

[Cultivation Technique: Wandering Body Bagua Palm (Perfection), Spring Leg (Great Success), Seven Stars Step (Proficient), Silk Thread Puppetry (Great Success) Primordial Technique (Iron Body: Proficient), Clear Wind Shadowless Sword (Mastery)]

[Body Refining: Tier Two (Refining the Organs) 60%]

[Qi Refining: Tier Two (Qi Cultivation) 16%]

...

Tribulation and fortune have almost been consumed.

There’s no way to upgrade further.

He felt his body strong with Qi and Blood, Essence Qi spreading, holding a sharp sword, his heart surged with infinite confidence, looking at the moonlight outside the cave, dawn is not far away.

’What’s going on with Zuo Duanshou over there?’

’Zhuang Hongyi suffered severe injuries, now greatly reduced in combat power, should not risk staying outside the city, she will certainly find a way to slip into the city, either to heal or to seek support, ultimately a hidden threat...’

Thinking about it, Chen Ping couldn’t stay in the cave any longer, just about to leave when his eyes flickered, he suddenly stopped.

Concealing Breath and Form, gathering Qi and Blood to the extreme.

He stood motionless under the tree shadow inside the cave, only using his peripheral vision to look into the distance.

There was a big tree over twenty meters high, at the top a white crow was perched, shaking its head back and forth, like a human listening to something.

However, it’s just a white crow, really nothing surprising, in the night forest, any bird could appear.

Chen Ping wasn’t going to believe the folklore "a crow caws, calamity arrives," thinking seeing this bird would bring bad luck.

The reason he stopped was because this white crow with three tufts of black hair on its head looked familiar.

The day of the battle at Changhe, Brocade Guard Deputy Magistrate Liang Qi, among two Purple Ribbon Honored Guests he brought, one had a crow with a black top and white feathers on his shoulder.

As the night wind blew, faint voices came through.

Chen Ping listened intently.

"Last night under the bright moon, the seven stars of the dragon constellation shone brightly, a battle must have started in the south, changes must also be in the south... most likely in Xingqing Prefecture..."

An elderly voice slowly spoke, carried by the wind, heard somewhat indistinctly, seemingly speaking of "constellations" and "variables."

Chen Ping’s heart first relaxed, then tensed.

He faintly felt that this matter might not be entirely unrelated to him.

"...Mr. Situ’s divination is unparalleled, Lord Bai could certainly trust it. If this is successful, the matter in Jiangzuo will have no hindrance, the Situ family’s great prosperity is in sight."

"Thank Lord Chengbai for his auspicious words, what about Lord Liang?"

"The day Lord Liang pursued the Seven-Stringed Zither Sound, heading north past Yuanxi to the Celestial Gate, found no lead.

Recently, word came possibly we were deceived again, were it not for Mr. Situ’s attention, no trace of the demoness could be found."

Chen Ping’s heart was startled.

Exerted the "Silk Thread Puppetry" cultivation technique to its extreme, his body like a rock or a dead tree, peering out.

Just seen the mountain breeze blowing, robes fluttering, people standing on the nearby hill, overlooking the forest.

There were shadows moving among the trees silently, investigating the traces of the previous battle.

Shadows moved to the flattened hill stayed longest, another place was beside the mountain stream...

Probably the place Han Wushang mentioned, where the Demon Sect’s Extreme Yin Sect disciple got his throat cut.

Chen Ping raised some doubts in his mind.

Originally unrelated to the court, the matter brought the Brocade Guard.

The target was the black-robed woman Weifu Bo, whose relation Chen Ping himself couldn’t clearly understand yet.

He could now see, standing on the hilltop, apart from a white-haired old man in linen, there was a thin middle-aged man wearing a white tall hat, holding a mourning rod with gold bells.

The old man was certainly Mr. Situ...

The one wearing a white hat and robes, Chen Ping recognized.

That day on the river teaming with black soul attacking Fairy Fubo, was the White Crow of Thousand Bone Forest.

Since White Crow was here, was Black Soul also present?

What about Brocade Guard Right Deputy Commander "Dragon Roar Spear" Liang Qi?

Did he return from Celestial Gate Pass?

Mr. Situ spoke again: "Variables? What exactly are the variables? Can Lord Bai be explicit?"

People probing heavenly secrets most fear not knowing what those secrets are, baffled plunging into the whirlpool.

Without being able to avoid misfortune and pursue auspiciousness.

"Mr. Situ should remain a bit confused, some things are better left unasked. Otherwise, there is sure to be a great calamity." White Crow’s tone turned harsh, quite displeased.

Are you supposed to ask this?

Thinking he might still find the shaman useful, White Crow’s tone softened, "It’s not that Official can’t be explicit, it’s because it’s a major matter, related to His Holiness... Mr. Situ rest assured, the heavenly power is vast, there will be no repercussions."

"Seven stars of the dragon constellation moving? Then it seems, indeed, such is the case... send people, investigate the places where the demoness appeared twice, what’s hidden, for those present, dead or alive, their life history, report all."

"Yes."

Countless shadows emerged quietly from the darkness, moving in all directions away.