Chapter 296: Chapter 281: Millionfold Return, Sacred Tier Cultivation Technique! (4K)
After the first round of the competition ended, the strong cultivators from the various major states and their sects had seven days to rest, regulate their breathing, restore their True Qi, and prepare for the second round of competition.
The representatives from Xia State shone brilliantly in the first round of competition, prompting many strong cultivators from other states to seek friendships and discuss cultivation.
Lu Changsheng turned away visitors, focusing solely on studying the Sword Dao.
Having witnessed the strength of peak Unity Realm powerhouses like Sun Jian, Wu Yue, and the Sect Leader of the Dragon Tiger Sect, Lu Changsheng knew that the cultivation techniques he currently mastered were inadequate to defeat them.
After all, individuals like Sun Jian, Wu Yue, and Zhang Qinglong were among the strongest existences in this realm, possessing the most powerful cultivation techniques available, and even cultivation methods surpassing those of the Sacred Tier.
To defeat these strong adversaries, his mere sixth level cultivation in the Unity Realm coupled with superior Sacred Tier cultivation techniques were far from sufficient.
“I also possess a priceless human treasure and have practiced the Immortal Divine Art, Golden Bell Shield, and Drunken Fairy Gazing Moon Step, among other techniques; this diversity of methods is my advantage,” Lu Changsheng reflected.
Lu Changsheng sat in meditation within the Star Pavilion territory, deducing his swordsmanship.
Suddenly, he experienced a significant return of Sword Dao comprehension.
“Could it be that Xia Ningxue is also urgently practicing swordsmanship?”
Lu Changsheng, cramming at the last minute, discovered that Xia Ningxue was doing the same.
It seemed that Xia Ningxue was practicing a set of Supreme Sword Skills that had never been seen before.
Xia State had given birth to many outstanding figures; it was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Inquiry Immortal Pavilion possessed an ancient sword with an obscure origin named “Slaughter Immortal” as well as the inheritance of the Qingxia Ancient Cave.
The swordsmanship Xia Ningxue practiced was by no means ordinary.
If Lu Changsheng wanted to create a sword technique that surpassed the Sacred Tier, he would need profound expertise and experience in the Sword Dao.
The Sect-defining sword technique of Thousand Swords Manor, “Selfless Sword Technique,” was undoubtedly above the Sacred Tier techniques, but Sun Jian had only revealed a hint of it during the competition, making it difficult for Lu Changsheng to grasp much of it.
Lu Changsheng made his way to the place where Inquiry Immortal Pavilion’s group resided.
Xia Ningxue was deeply engrossed in studying a sword technique surrounded by formless Sword Qi.
Upon seeing Lu Changsheng’s arrival, Xia Ningxue opened her bright eyes.
“The sword technique you’re cultivating doesn’t seem to be an ordinary Sacred Tier swordsmanship,” Lu Changsheng observed at once.
If he could acquire Xia Ningxue’s sword technique and by analogy develop his own, perhaps he could create a new Supreme Skill that would surpass the Sacred Tier.
“Indeed. This is an unnamed sword technique recorded within Qingxia Ancient Cave, but considering Fairy Qingxia’s realm at the time, it was unlikely for her to have created such an advanced sword technique. It’s very possible that this sword technique was left behind by the first Pavilion Master of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion,” Xia Ningxue speculated.
Xia Ningxue didn’t know the exact origin of the unnamed sword technique from Qingxia Ancient Cave, but she had her conjectures.
Inquiry Immortal Pavilion had two peerless geniuses ascend to the Immortal Realm, one of whom was Fairy Qingxia, and the other one, the prodigious founder of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, whose talents were even higher. The unnamed sword technique left in Qingxia Ancient Cave seemed more likely to have been left by the latter.
“Of course, there’s another possibility: that this technique was left by an even earlier cultivator, and later Fairy Qingxia used that place as her cultivation cave,” she considered.
Xia Ningxue was not entirely sure.
“I wish to witness this sword technique for myself. In exchange, I am willing to offer four superior Sacred Tier swordsmanship manuals and four mid-tier Immortal Swords,” Lu Changsheng proposed after a moment’s thought, deciding to offer eight treasures in exchange.
The sword technique that Xia Ningxue had fortuitously obtained could potentially be a practice that surpassed the Sacred Tier, compelling Lu Changsheng to suggest trading the “Divine Sword Thunder Commanding Art,” “Divine Sword Fire Commanding Art,” “Divine Sword Commanding Wind Art,” and “Divine Sword Commanding Water Art” – four sets of superior Sacred Tier swordsmanship – along with four spare Immortal Swords for what Inquiry Immortal Pavilion had.
Having mastered these four sets of superior Sacred Tier swordsmanship, they no longer served a great purpose to Lu Changsheng.
As for mid-tier Immortal Swords, Lu Changsheng had plenty to spare.
Besides the ancient sword “Slaughter Immortal,” Inquiry Immortal Pavilion only had lower-tier Immortal Artifact Flying Swords.
As the Pavilion Master of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, Xia Ningxue would likely consider the interests of her Pavilion.
Lu Changsheng was after a technique from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion; therefore, he needed to offer something the Pavilion sought after.
After pondering for a while, Xia Ningxue replied, “My mentor has always been distressed that our sect lacks mid-tier Immortal Artifacts. She would probably agree to this exchange. I accept your offer.”
Xia Ningxue, now having taken over as the Fairy Pavilion Master, was authorized to make decisions on behalf of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.
Lu Changsheng had given away many Immortal Pills over the years, and Xia Ningxue owed him a great deal of gratitude. Thus, she demonstrated the Supreme Sword Skills and mnemonic verse she had acquired from Qingxia Ancient Cave to Lu Changsheng.
Every round of the Zhong Zhou Grand Tournament ended with a seven-day break, and during these days, Lu Changsheng discussed swordsmanship with Xia Ningxue, gaining insights from the nameless sword technique she mastered.
The nameless sword technique Xia Ningxue wielded seemed to be no less remarkable than the “Selfless Sword Technique” of Thousand Swords Manor.
It was undoubtedly a sword technique devised by a peerless genius.
Through watching Xia Ningxue demonstrate the sword technique, Lu Changsheng’s understanding of the Sword Dao deepened further.
But it still wasn’t enough.
The nameless sword technique Xia Ningxue practiced was particularly compatible with her Lingwa Holy Body, and Lu Changsheng always felt it did not suit him well.
Lu Changsheng had to forge his own path.
Moreover, neither Lu Changsheng nor Xia Ningxue had practiced the nameless sword technique for long, so they couldn’t fully comprehend its depths.
After the seven days of rest, the second round of the Zhong Zhou Grand Tournament began.
The first round of competition had seen over a thousand participants, now whittled down to just hundreds.
Lu Changsheng’s opponent in the second round was a Sect Leader at the fourth level of Unity Realm, whom he easily defeated with his current level of cultivation.
The Monk Wu Le from Immeasurable Temple, with his Great Accomplishment in the Unity Realm stage, effortlessly vanquished his opponent.