A Xuan Tian Sword Art, apart from its fundamental cultivation technique, was divided into thirteen layers.
The initial three layers corresponded to the Enlightenment realm, focusing on nourishing the physique and meridians, making them comparable to body-refining martial artists.
The subsequent three layers involved condensing a sword qi seed during the Spirit Condensation realm, planting it in the purple mansion between the eyebrows to cultivate boundless sword qi.
Once a profound realm was reached, the first six layers of this sword art would merge. This process involved drawing upon the abundant sword qi nourished in the purple mansion, circulating it through the meridians with spiritual energy, and completing thirty-six great heavenly cycles in one go, culminating in the formation of a wisp of sword essence in the dantian.
With the formation of sword essence, one would naturally ascend to the third realm. From then on, spiritual energy would possess inherent sharpness. A single strand of spiritual energy would become a sword qi. If combined with sword essence and a personalized flying sword, defeating opponents in higher initial stages would be as effortless as flipping one's palm.
However, for Ji Yuan, the true difficulty of this sword art lay in drawing the sword qi from the purple mansion and circulating it through the meridians for thirty-six great heavenly cycles without interruption.
For ordinary cultivators, even if they practiced the Xuan Tian Sword Art, as long as they proceeded step by step rather than attempting to achieve it overnight and built a solid foundation, the difficulty, while present, would not pose a mortal threat.
But Ji Yuan was different. His brow's purple mansion contained a naturally existing lake of sword qi!
If this sword qi were to be unleashed, such a vast and heavy lake of sword qi would inevitably surge forth like a tempestuous wave. Not only would it be impossible to complete a single heavenly cycle, but his physical body would likely collapse instantaneously from the unbearable strain.
It was precisely for this reason that Ji Yuan had only practiced the general cultivation technique for over a year, and had not definitively decided between the Daoist scripture scroll or the sword art scroll. This had significantly hindered his cultivation progress.
However, now that his meridians had been reshaped and the two Foundation Establishment Marrow Condensing Pills had been fully refined, his meridians were several times tougher than before, barely capable of withstanding the weight of the sword qi within his purple mansion.
He had repeatedly studied the Xuan Tian Sword Art, and the circulation paths and core cultivation techniques of the first three layers were already etched into his heart.
At this moment, he could no longer suppress his longing. With a slight flicker of thought, the vital energy from his dantian surged forth, flowing entirely into his meridians.
This was the first time in one year and eight months that Ji Yuan had circulated a complete cultivation technique; prior to this, he had relied solely on the general cultivation method.
Even so, the vital energy he had cultivated was still far more refined and potent than that of the direct disciples of ordinary orthodox sects.
Now, as this vital energy circulated through the cultivation method of the first three layers of the Xuan Tian Sword Art, with each small heavenly cycle, half of it would disperse into his entire body. And with each great heavenly cycle, refined vital energy would emerge from his flesh and blood, returning to his meridians.
This back-and-forth process, while seemingly expending a significant amount of vital energy, was actually a refinement process. After each great heavenly cycle, his own vital energy would become even more refined.
If this continued, both the refinement and potency would far surpass those of other cultivators.
Not to mention that the vital energy consumed during the cycles was not dissipated into nothingness; instead, it integrated into his physical body and flesh, steadily enhancing his physical strength.
After just one great heavenly cycle, his physical strength had increased by a small margin!
However, this improvement would diminish over time. All things in the world have their limits; absolute endless improvement is impossible.
Over the next three days, Ji Yuan did not cease his cultivation, completing one great heavenly cycle after another until his meridians began to ache faintly, at which point he finally stopped.
As all the vital energy returned to his dantian, he exhaled a long breath. His eyes flickered with an unextinguishable brilliance. Although his cultivation realm was still at the late stage of Enlightenment, his aura had increased by more than a notch.
However, in an instant, his aura receded back to the mid-stage of Enlightenment. He had applied a concealment technique to himself, making it impossible for outsiders to discern his true cultivation.
This secret technique was recorded in the Xuan Tian Dao Scripture. Unless one was a full major realm higher, ordinary cultivators would be unable to detect any trace of it.
After three days of continuous seated cultivation, Ji Yuan got out of bed and stretched his waist vigorously. His gaze swept across the main hall, towards the two individuals still engrossed in alchemy.
He quietly approached them and observed them for a moment. He noticed that although Zhao Yuebai was intelligent and learned quickly, Jiang He was superior in the art of alchemy.
Possessing a natural affinity for the wood element and cultivating the inheritance techniques of the Withered Wood Peak of the Nine Profound Sect, he could more meticulously sense the medicinal properties between the herbs, which greatly aided alchemy.
Furthermore, the vital energy of the wood element contained within his body could nourish and regulate the medicinal efficacy of the pills, allowing them to fuse together more harmoniously.
As a result, his talent in alchemy was naturally superior to Zhao Yuebai's.
Not long after, both of them successfully produced pills. Although they had started learning alchemy on the same day, the quality of Jiang He's batch of pills was clearly a notch above Zhao Yuebai's.
Zhao Yuebai, however, showed no unusual reaction, maintaining a steady state of mind.
"Jiang He, go out for some fresh air and stretch your body. Yuebai and I have some cultivation matters to discuss."
Ji Yuan thought for a moment, then spoke directly.
Upon hearing this, Jiang He nodded immediately and left the small room without a word, closing the door behind him.
However, he did not go far. He and Guo Tao simply guarded the hut from the outside, chatting and laughing with Liao Qiming and a few others.
"Master?"
Zhao Yuebai looked over in confusion, not understanding what her master intended to say.
Ji Yuan pondered for a moment, then explained the Xuan Tian Dao Scripture, which was divided into the Daoist scripture scroll and the sword art scroll, to his disciple in detail, asking which path she wished to take.
Regardless of whether it was "Ten Thousand Laws Return to the Origin" or "One Sword Shatters Ten Thousand Laws," both paths led directly to the Golden Core realm and above, and were considered straightforward paths.
As long as one cultivated diligently and possessed sufficient talent and resources, their future achievements would not be low.
In fact, Ji Yuan's original intention was to let Zhao Yuebai cultivate the two divided techniques after she had gained a deep enough understanding of the general cultivation method of the Dao Scripture.
However, plans were far outpaced by changes. They would be traveling to the county town soon. Although this trip should pose no danger, one could never be too careful. Increasing her cultivation a bit more would provide her with more confidence if anything were to happen.
Moreover, who knew if the Divine Profound Sect would truly come looking for them? It was best to be prepared for all eventualities.
"Yuebai naturally wants to be a sword cultivator!"
Her eyes shimmered, and her face was filled with excitement.
It was understandable. Setting aside the Great Dao, in this world, it was likely that no man or boy could refuse the allure of becoming a peerlessly graceful sword immortal.
This simplified matters. Ji Yuan immediately pointed a finger at Zhao Yuebai's brow, infusing the circulation routes and core cultivation techniques of the first three layers of the Xuan Tian Sword Art directly into her mind.
This ability was only acquired after he had touched the threshold of the second realm, his soul light becoming exceptionally condensed.
In less than half an hour, Ji Yuan withdrew his hand and stepped back, watching Zhao Yuebai with her eyes closed, clearly already comprehending the newly acquired cultivation technique.
He smiled slightly and did not wait there. He turned and walked out of the small room, joining the others standing in the small courtyard, observing the busy workers of Mingxin Xuan.
"Senior Brother, nothing should happen in the next three days, right?"
Ji Yuan suddenly turned his head and asked his fifth Senior Brother, Guo Tao.
Upon hearing this, Guo Tao concentrated and thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Everything is calm. Nothing has happened."
Indeed, over the past few days, the consumption of supplies and various elixirs by Mingxin Xuan had decreased significantly. The common people in the city had passed the most difficult period. Once the city lockdown was lifted, normal life would soon resume.
As for the officials in the county yamen, whether they had lost all hope or heeded the warning from Xu Lin, the Blade Wielder, after several attempts at sabotage, they had completely ceased their activities.
Even those clandestine attempts were skillfully resolved by Qian Nishang without causing any losses.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction, waiting only for news from the county town to finally settle all matters.
However, after hearing this, Ji Yuan's brow furrowed, and he felt a faint tremor in his heart, as if something was about to happen.
Even without this feeling, he did not believe that the various forces from the county town would simply give up so easily. The current period of smooth sailing might very well be the calm before the storm.
"We still need to be cautious…"
He murmured to himself, his face devoid of joy, but rather tinged with worry.
If the spokespersons of the various forces from the county town, over a dozen individuals, were to truly back down due to a single word from Xu Lin, the Blade Wielder, or the presence of Qian Nishang, they would not have been appointed as liaisons for their respective factions in the county town.
Perhaps in cultivation, these individuals had no hope of reaching the Great Dao, and their remaining lifespans were only twenty to thirty years. However, in terms of shrewdness and strategy, they were certainly not weak, otherwise, they would have long ago ruined the factions they represented.
Therefore, the quieter things were now, the more likely it was that a tempest would follow.
"Senior Brother, come with me."
Ji Yuan pondered for a long time, then beckoned Guo Tao and walked out.
Upon arriving at the main hall of Mingxin Xuan, he did not directly exit the building. After inquiring with a shop assistant, he ascended directly to the third floor.
In Qian Nishang's room at this time, besides herself and Liu Ruyan, there were two other people.
One was an old woman over fifty, the personal maid of her mother, who had cared for her daily needs since childhood.
As for the other person, it was Xu Liuqing, the current sole leader of the Three Blades Society! This was a surprise to Ji Yuan.
His injuries had long since healed. In fact, the life-and-death battle he had experienced previously had propelled his cultivation forward, bringing him extremely close to the peak of the late Skin and Flesh realm.
"Daoist Ji is quite busy. I've been waiting for those two batches of pills for a long time."
Seeing Ji Yuan enter the room, Xu Liuqing feigned displeasure and began to tease him.
However, he no longer needed those pills. Once he broke through to the second realm, all his problems would be solved, and the old hidden dangers would no longer be a bother.
Upon breaking through, his lifespan would immediately increase by decades, and the vital energy and blood within him would regain its vitality, becoming full of vigor and life once more.
The bottleneck between the first and second realms, whether due to the life-and-death battle or the accumulation of merit, had become extremely loose. Xu Liuqing estimated that after a year or two of dedicated practice, he might be able to break through.
Ji Yuan heard this, glared at him with annoyance, and did not respond. He greeted Qian Nishang and the others, then found a seat for himself and his Senior Brother, pouring them several cups of spiritual tea.
Regarding the other party's condition, perhaps no one understood it better than he did. With his alchemy skills and medical expertise, a glance or two would suffice for him to figure out most of it.
"Owner, why are you all gathered here? Even the leader Xu has been invited?"
He chuckled, speaking in a sarcastic tone as if anyone couldn't do that.
However, as his words fell, not only did Xu Liuqing remain silent, but the expressions of everyone present changed slightly, a shadow falling over their brows.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan immediately understood and raised his eyelids, asking, "Has something happened in the city?"
Qian Nishang sighed and nodded with a grim expression. "The plague has broken out."
Upon hearing this, his action of lifting the teacup paused, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. After finishing the cup of tea, he asked with a cold expression, "Is it related to those people in the county yamen?"
No one answered, but their expressions conveyed an unspoken affirmation. Although there was no direct evidence, it was undeniable that those in the county yamen were involved.
After many days of quiet, what was bound to come had finally arrived!
Ji Yuan shook his head, having long known that these people would not watch the profits within their grasp slip away, nor would they truly cease their actions due to a few words from Xu Lin.
With profits at stake, let alone a Blade Wielder from the Mingjian Division of Luoxia County, even if the Division Master himself were to appear, some would still take the risk, even to the point of completely turning hostile.
However, he had not expected these scoundrels to actually dare to target the common people!
"What is the current scale of the plague?"
He looked at Liu Ruyan, his voice carrying a hint of coldness.
In fact, without asking, he knew that once a plague broke out, its scale would be considerable. If it could be controlled, these people would not be gathered here.
Indeed, after pondering for a moment, Liu Ruyan said in a deep voice, "In the northern and southern districts, three to four out of every ten people have contracted the plague. The other three districts, however, have not shown any signs yet."
Such a situation, if attributed to a natural disaster, would fool even a fool!
The northern and southern districts were far apart, with a central district in between. Furthermore, although the disaster situation had somewhat improved, the city's residents were still confined to nearby residential areas.
This was only for the purpose of going to the disaster relief points to collect daily necessities; no one would travel between districts.
But the current situation was that the plague had broken out in the northern and southern districts, which were somehow unconnected, while the other three districts remained peaceful, with not a single person infected.
"They are truly blatant!"
Ji Yuan said coldly.
The other party's actions were clearly intended to make it impossible for anyone to misunderstand; it was a deliberate act.
Hearing this, Qian Nishang also snorted coldly. "This is a warning from them, intended to make us voluntarily back down and cede some of the benefits to them."
Although the people in the county yamen had not explicitly stated it, their intentions were already clear. What they wanted was the benefits that the Qian family was about to obtain.
However, causing three to four out of ten people in two districts to contract the plague so quickly was truly a grand gesture!
"Someone from the county yamen came earlier, inviting the owner to a banquet tonight."
Liu Ruyan gave a wry smile. The plague had broken out that afternoon, and in less than two hours, someone had delivered an invitation.
The meaning behind this was already self-evident.