Cultivating Immortality: What kind of cheat can you use if you don't have money?

Chapter 21 "Peerless Divine Skill"!

The two strolled slowly through the library, with Ren Ziyu occasionally picking out a book from the shelf beside him and glancing at it briefly.

Li Qingyi muttered to herself:

"Could it be that I've truly stumbled upon a treasure? No, if it were truly the culmination of the Sword Dao True Monarch's life's work, how could it have fallen to this state, allowing me to take it for myself?"

Ren Ziyu seemed to see through his doubts, put the book back in its place, and calmly explained:

"Legend has it that before the Sword Dao True Monarch passed away, he could not bear to see his lineage perish in the world, so he wrote down all his insights in this book and made countless copies, which were then distributed throughout the Cangling Domain."

Over time, it became a widely circulated and common practice, with almost everyone owning a copy.

He paused slightly, then continued:

"However, rumors are just rumors. This matter once alarmed several Golden Core True Monarchs who came to verify it. In the end, they concluded that this technique was mediocre and the method of cultivation was extremely difficult, and it did not help with cultivation."

Nowadays, even young children in some prominent families can recite it fluently. Unfortunately, for hundreds of years, no one has been able to grasp its essence or achieve mastery.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyi's lips twitched. 'No wonder it's been gathering dust for so long...'

"Thank you for clearing up my doubts, fellow Daoist," he said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Although I still couldn't figure out Ren Ziyu's intentions, I felt somewhat relieved seeing that his words and actions showed no malice.

Seeing Li Qingyi still stubbornly holding the scroll of "True Explanation of Swordsmanship" as she walked towards the registration desk, a hint of amusement flashed in Ren Ziyu's eyes, and he asked with great interest:

"Fellow Daoist, do you perhaps... really wish to give it a try?"

Li Qingyi felt a little uneasy under his meaningful gaze, but she forced herself to remain calm and said, "Since we're already here, I'll feel unsatisfied if we don't study for a few days."

"Haha..." Ren Ziyu chuckled, "Well said, since you're already here, Fellow Daoist Qin, you are truly a remarkable person."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyi paused almost imperceptibly. 'What does he mean? I feel there's something more to his words.'

This subtle change was naturally noticed by Ren Ziyu.

Li Qingyi humbly asked, "May I ask, fellow Daoist... is there anything wrong with this technique?"

"Ahem..." Ren Ziyu covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly. "There's nothing wrong with it, but its wonderful taste is something you'll have to experience for yourself."

Having said that, he said no more and turned to walk deeper into the library.

Li Qingyi was left standing there, filled with doubt. "The exquisite details? The wonderful taste? What are all these things?"

"Fine, we're already here..."

He made a snap decision, went straight to the registration office, completed the borrowing procedures according to the regulations, put the copy of "True Explanation of Swordsmanship" into his pocket, and quickly returned to his residence.

Ren Ziyu stood by the window on the second floor, watching Li Qingyi's figure disappear into the distance, her eyes flickering with uncertain light.

"That's enough, the elixir is already formed. There's no point in capturing Li Qingyi again, and it might even offend the powerful figure behind him. Let's just pretend we never saw him."

He muttered to himself, gazing up at the clear blue sky, "The methods of the Purple Mansion are truly unpredictable. This situation is becoming increasingly perplexing."

Clearly, he had already formed a preconceived notion that Li Qingyi must be backed by a powerful figure from the Purple Mansion.

Otherwise, how could a mere early-stage Qi Refining cultivator escape from the schemes of the Purple Mansion True Person of the Qingchi Immortal Sect?

"This true understanding of swordsmanship is truly... indescribable."

Fellow Daoist Li, I hope you... enjoy it well. He raised the corners of his lips, revealing an indescribable smile.

……

Back in her room, Li Qingyi couldn't wait to unfold the scroll of "The True Explanation of Swordsmanship".

Turning the page, on the second page, two startling characters immediately came into view.

Don't practice!

The brushstrokes are powerful and vigorous, seemingly penetrating the paper, carrying a sense of warning.

Li Qingyi rubbed her chin, and the ambiguous smile on Xian Ziyu's face reappeared in her mind.

"What secrets does this technique hold?"

Driven by curiosity, Li Qingyi stubbornly turned to the next page.

It still consists of two large characters, but the handwriting is quite different from the previous one.

Listen to my advice!

The ink strokes are steady, conveying a sense of admonition.

"What's going on? Do I have to 'castrate myself' first?" Li Qingyi inexplicably thought of a certain famous sword manual and suddenly felt a chill in his groin.

He clicked his tongue, finding the matter increasingly interesting, and turned the page.

On this page, four large, flowing characters almost burst off the paper.

Unparalleled divine skill!

Li Qingyi: "???"

This third batch of handwriting is completely different in style from the previous two, unrestrained and exuding full confidence, or rather... madness?

"Goodness, three groups of people left messages, and they were all copied..."

He was certain that the original version did not contain these three pages of "inscriptions," and that they must have been the work of the last "enthusiastic person."

He flipped to the next page, which contained the training content of "True Explanation of Swordsmanship".

"Since that's the case, I'll test the depth of your unparalleled martial arts."

Li Qingyi thought to herself, "I've already taken it and seen it, it would be a shame not to practice it."

What if... what if it really is the true teaching left behind by that Sword Dao Master?

Li Qingyi composed herself and carefully studied the subsequent cultivation methods.

The book contains detailed diagrams of the meridian pathways, with annotations in small print.

Using Qi as a hammer and meridians as iron, one draws the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the body, transforming it into formless sword energy that circulates through the twelve meridians.

Below that is a line of cultivation mantra.

Qi flows through the celestial sphere and pierces the jade balance; the stars and spirits temper their energy, and the night air is filled with the sound of ice.

Li Qingyi immediately sat cross-legged on the couch as instructed, and guided the Qi into her body according to the method shown in the diagram. Then she silently recited the incantation in her mind and gradually entered a profound state of meditation.

Initially, spiritual energy circulated normally through the twelve meridians.

However, as he focused his mind, the gentle spiritual energy began to transform rapidly, condensing into countless thin, yet incredibly sharp, invisible sword energies.

Immediately afterwards—

"Ugh!!!"

A pig-like scream came from Li Qingyi's mouth, echoing throughout the courtyard.

pain!

It hurts so much!

He immediately snapped out of his meditative state, his forehead covered in cold sweat and his clothes soaked through.

"Damn it! Which bastard wrote this 'peerless martial arts technique'?!" he couldn't help but mutter angrily.

In a daze, he understood completely.

I understood Ren Ziyu's amused gaze and the heart-wrenching warning in the first two pages.

I also understood what a deeply moving experience was behind the words "peerless divine skill" on the third page.

"That Ren Ziyu has definitely trained! She's waiting for me!"

He trembled slightly uncontrollably, feeling as if his meridians were being repeatedly pierced by countless red-hot steel needles.

Pain, pain that pierces to the very core of my being.

"This garbage martial arts technique is for humans to practice!"

He finally understood why no one had been able to master this skill for hundreds of years.

Concealing invisible sword energy within fragile meridians, and then transforming it while maintaining mental clarity and composure amidst such extreme pain? Isn't that absurd?

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed in his mind.

"Just because I can't train it doesn't mean... the simulated me can't train it!"

Based on his experience reading extensively in his previous life, this kind of bizarre setting and inhuman cultivation method is most likely a truly extraordinary and genuine teaching.

Since you can't feel real pain in a simulator anyway, next time I'll definitely let my inner self try it out and see how it goes.

Just as he was pondering, the door was gently pushed open, and Qin Xiyue returned.

"What... happened just now?" Her tone was tinged with concern, her gaze falling on Li Qingyi's sweat-dampened bangs and slightly pale face.

Li Qingyi wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and said sullenly, "It's from practicing martial arts."

Just then, Qin Xiyue's gaze swept over the scroll of "True Explanation of Swordsmanship" beside him, and her expression immediately became extremely strange.

She then remembered that in her previous life, Li Qingyi had earned a formidable reputation in the Cangling Domain precisely because of her unparalleled swordsmanship.

He personally confirmed that the "True Explanation of Swordsmanship," which everyone had a copy of and which was regarded as a joke by the world, was indeed the secret of that Sword Master, without a doubt.

This theory sparked a wave of arduous practice in the spiritual community.

Unfortunately, this technique was too widely spread, and the cultivation process was too brutal. Many people tried it, but none succeeded.

In addition, the pain is extremely bizarre, and any pills or secret methods that can block the pain are ineffective.

Over time, this "peerless skill" was once again relegated to obscurity, gathering dust and grime.

Back then, she had tried it out of curiosity... and the taste was truly unforgettable and indescribable.

She raised an eyebrow, sizing up the still-frightened Li Qingyi, her tone teasing:

"You...you don't happen to have some kind of peculiar fetish that no one knows about, do you?"