"Human cultivates three forms of energy: Shen, Qi, and Jing. Shen represents spirituality, the intelligent mind, and the cosmos. Qi represents breath, soul, and the sky. Jing represents vitality, body, and the earth."

"Although Qi cultivation is the most common form of human cultivation, all methods are never pure," Gudao explained. "Even for those who practice swords, different styles have different ratios of cultivation."

"The oldest form of swordsmanship is Jing-dominant, using the strength of the body to get close and deliver a devastating physical strike. My [Rebellion Blade] is one such example. However, they're no longer popular due to range limitation."

"For almost a thousand years, the Qi-dominant swordsmanship is the king. Using forms and movement to control the Qi, unleashing merciless offensive power at the enemy afar."

"And then there are sword formations, which are Shen-dominant. Using one's mind to control the swords and treat them like your own limb. The greater the mind, the more swords they can control, and the more complicated their movements are."

"Overlaps always exist. The popular feijian (flying swords) are the choice for most Qi-dominant sword cultivators, yet are weapons designed with sword formations in mind." Gudao continued. "Likewise, the creation of Sword Seed, Sword Soul, Sword Essence, Sword Spirit, and so on... these are associated with Qi sword cultivators but require a certain level of Shen power to develop."

"They develop Shen power through comprehending sword scriptures," Jingyi asked. "Right?"

"Correct." Gudao nodded. "There is no wrong way to cultivate, but most modern schools of thought choose overwhelming purity to achieve the fastest results."

"But I still cannot form a sword seed... am I not talented enough in swords?"

"Perhaps. But I know somewhere in the future, you will find it." Gudao told Jingyi. "Your way of cultivation."

Jingyi's mind returned to the present. She stood back to back with Xuan Di. They were in the middle of a forest road, surrounded by multiple Yin wood clouds.

Yin wood clouds are hostile, low-level daemons. They were ghosts raised from the spirit of dead, rotting trees.

Individually, they're no threat to Jingyi or Xuan Di. However, they came in such numbers that could scare experienced adults. There were several dozens!

"So this is the side effect you talked about," Jingyi muttered.

The reason for this is none other than Jingyi's [Ghost Jade Forge]. Living beings love gentle Yin, but ghosts and daemons love harsh and chaotic Yin energy. And due to her cultivation technique, Jingyi constantly breathes out chaotic Yin energy as a byproduct, the way all animals expel carbon gas and water vapor.

Just by coming here, Tang Jingyi made herself ghost bait.

"The wood clouds themselves are attracted to your excess Yin energy, thinking you're another ghost. But once they notice your strong vitality..."

Jingyi is nothing more than a delicious treat. This is what separated her from demonic cultivators. Demonic cultivators specialized in Yin manipulation can easily manipulate these ghosts to do their bidding.

"Shall I interfere?" Gudao shouted from a distance.

"Don't worry. I got this." Xuan Di summoned four Sword Souls and began a series of hand motions.

The four swords stood straight and circled both Xuan Di and Jingyi. Two had lustrous red color, while the other two were made of strange black light.

This is a sword formation. Xuan Di could use flying swords just fine, but the mental burden is heavier. In contrast, Sword Souls are more energy consuming but weightless to him.

Xuan Di pointed with two fingers. "Go."

The two red Sword Souls flew and began slicing and dicing through the Yin wood clouds like birds of prey, causing them to shriek. Most of them survived the attack but were scared and ran away.

"They won't bother us for the next few hours." Xuan Di sighed in relief, and his Sword Souls disappeared.

"You use Crimson Fire swords as a deterrent instead of slaying them with Yin Fire swords." Gudao walked toward them. "That can't be simple mercy."

"Sometimes threats of violence work better than the actual thing." Xuan Di proudly grinned. "Ying wood clouds are low-level ghosts. They're cowardly and easily spooked."

Yin wood clouds are considered threats to lost children. However, their low strength and temperament made them ideal sparring partners for aspiring teenage cultivators.

(They're also lethal to underprepared idiots)

Yin wood clouds are nothing in front of Xuan Di, whose sword comprehension outstrip countless people his age. Yin wood clouds, with their rudimentary intelligence, would understand the message.

"Father, don't worry too much," Jingyi told Gudao. "If we need help, we would ask."

"Right." Gudao sighed. "What is cultivation if I had to hold your hand every time."

The kids had to learn to take care of threats on their own and be able to measure whether something was beyond their abilities or not. Low-level daemons and devil beasts, Gudao don't need to worry.

Soon, they encountered a rampaging boar that broke through a small tree. Jingyi immediately stepped forward and grappled it with her newfound strength. She lifted it by the tusks and then kneed its jaw, which sounded like a sledgehammer strike.

The boar flew two zhang into the air before Jingyi kicked it away.

"Good work." Xuan Di nodded in satisfaction. "That boar would trouble me a lot."

Xuan Di's current Sword Souls aren't sharp enough to deliver a fatal strike, and boars are tenacious bastards. If you don't attack decisively, they'll keep charging.

"This is the exact reason why he approached Jingyi." Gudao thought. "But where did he find us? Did he follow us from the villages?"

"Pay attention, hey!" Gudao called them out.

Just one adult boar is a challenge for Qi-channeling cultivators. The problem is they rarely come alone. Either they came with their litter, or worse, an actual her.

And that just now was just a juvenile...

Meaning the mother will come!

Indeed, a pack of juvenile boars came out of the woods, followed by the rumbling step of an adult sow. The pressure it exerted was to such a degree even the empowered Jingyi felt intimidated.

"A boar pack with an adult sow is still too much for them." Gudao rubbed his chin, then shouted. "Hey, do you want to fight the sow or the boarlets?"

"I don't think we're ready to fight multiple opponents yet." Xuan Di winced. "Father-in-law, please."

Gudao sent out his sword soul, which was a rippling energy crescent. Like a tidal wave, the sword soul wiped out the juveniles in ten seconds.

Before [Rebellion Blade]'s completion and reaching Foundation Establishment, even Gudao would have to kill the juveniles individually instead of using a swiping attack.

It was like he was drunk with power. He will have to suppress his ego and not get arrogant. But he could understand why so many people become cocky when they reach this cultivation level.

The boar sow was enraged and howled. The air trembled with despair and anguish. An eye for an eye! Children for children! The sow changed toward Jingyi, eyes bloodshot.

Xuan Di sent his four sword souls and stabbed the boar all over, but they were too shallow! Xuan Di gasped. "Jingyi-jie!"

"Tch!" Jingyi dodged the tusk slightly before grappling the sow. However, she failed to stop the charge and got dragged, forcing Xuan Di to jump out of harm's way.

Gudao shook his head. These two already made simple mistakes, but he would let them experience them. So long as they're not gravely injured, they SHOULD savor the pain.

"AIEEE!!"

"Uuurggh!"

Indeed, Xuan Di wasn't spared too long as he got shoved and trampled. Granted, he didn't have it as bad as Jingyi, who desperately punched and chopped the boar sow to no avail as the boar slammed her through a tree.

Gudao chuckled.

In the end, the two were able to win. But what a costly win it was. Jingyi smashed one of the tusks and used it to stab the boar. Xuan Di summoned flying swords and stabbed the sow's stomach with them.

The whole fight took ten minutes to finish.

"My cultivation isn't enough to properly control flying swords yet." Xuan Di panted as he lay on the ground. "Erggh, my kidney."

Jingyi's breath was as erratic, and her knees halfway buckled. "Thank Heavens."

"Let's build a camp here while we assess your experience." Gudao smiled and brought out a couple of knives. "That is a lot of meat to slaughter."

"Eeehhh!" Both Jingyi and Xuan Di whined.

"Come on! Chop! Chop!" Gudao shouted. "Just take the best cut, and let others enjoy the carcass!"

Jingi didn't remember if her father had ever been this harsh toward her, but part of her understood. Because Jingyi decided to stop hiding, Gudao could no longer treat her with velvet gloves.

Forging a good sword requires not just quality ore but also a scorching furnace and constant hammering. Just because Xuan Di and Jingyi have a little more talent than other kids doesn't mean they get to slack off.

Many Young Masters fall from grace despite their genius because of arrogance and complacency. Indeed, the defeat of Pang Yue in the hands of Xing Mo was one of many such tales.

Jingyi understood this, yet she felt annoyed.

Should she be worried?

She noticed Xuan Di smiling, but he immediately focused on the dissected corpse. His blood-splattered yet serious face was also appealing due to the contrast with his innate cuteness.

"We also got a bunch of devil cores." Xuan Di said. "Anyway, we're done."

The best cuts and organs were preserved in the food storage ring, which kept them fresh for a few months. They ended up with half-finished carcasses, which they threw into the woods. In an ecosystem like this, there's no need to worry anything will go to waste.

Some scavengers will eat the remains.

"Let's have bone soup today." Jingyi brought a pile of fresh bones, chopped into neat cylinders. "It would be a waste not to eat them."

"Indeed. You need all that food to heal your injuries! Don't be too reliant on pills and elixirs!" Gudao nodded. "While not as delicious as domesticated Spirit Beasts, Devil Beasts bred in battle have refined quality which benefits cultivators."

"Eurgh."

Jingyi and Xuan Di ate well, so much they almost vomited. The bone marrow and broth were delicious. But it was too much.

However, they immediately meditated when they finished eating to ensure the food was physically digested and spiritually processed. While doing this, they replayed the battle in their mind. Again and again.

When they opened their eyes, a few hours had passed, and it was already evening. Gudao asked them, "Have you reflected on your mistakes?"

"Yes." Xuan Di said. "I panicked and stabbed the sow in the worst possible places."

"Explain in detail."

"Boars have strong muscles around their front leg and chests. I noticed this as I slaughtered the boar carcass. The muscles were so thick they became shields. Stabbing them around this area is ineffective."

"Their skull and neck are thick, and their brains are small," Jingyi recalled when they cooked the head. "Unless you have an overwhelming strength, head or neck trauma is difficult to inflict."

"Correct." Gudao nodded. "Devil Beasts are natural body cultivators, so much so that they're better at it than humans. However, they rely purely on instinct and cannot adjust their cultivation, only rely on their inborn talent."

"In that case, assess their anatomy and movements and strike where they're the weakest." Gudao pointed. "Which is the hindmost half of the torso, not covered by the ribs. The muscles around the rear legs are not that thick either."

"I see." Jingyi hummed. "In that case, attacking from the side and crippling the rear legs should be effective."

"Easier said than done," Gudao told her. "But take this lesson to heart, no matter what kind of Devil Beast you face, if they're front heavy like this, the principle is the same."

"Just like back then, Jingyi-Jie sure is fearless."

"Back then?"

"A few weeks ago in the village outskirt." Xuan Di patted his sleeves. "I saw you saved a kid from a juvenile boar attack."

"....I do remember that."

At the time, Jingyi wasn't as strong as now, and she had to muster all her strength to wrestle the boar to the ground. Gudao came to finish it, but without Jingyi interfering, the kid would have had a terrible time.

Boars are the most common devil beasts in places around human dwellings due to their hardiness and reproductive. Cullings were done, but they would never go extinct.

"I've been paying attention since then, and both Jingyi and Father in law always been helpful to others. However, last week, I also noticed that the village where you resided got influenced by continuously expanding noble families, and you decided to leave."

"The way you kept a low profile in the cities, I found that quite heartbreaking." Xuan Di smiled sadly. "When you got harassed by the men of the Pang family, I thought it was a good opportunity to approach you."

One word came to Jingyi for some reason. which was "stalker." At the same time, Jingyi could consider the rationale behind everything.

Since Jingyi and her father didn't come from a famous clan, information was hard to get. Only by direct observation did Xuan Di know about them. Assuming, of course, he was honest.

"It was a bit late to question, but was Patriarch Yuan aware of everything from the start?" Gudao asked.

Xuan Di pointed to the sky with two fingers, a Daoist oath. "Not at the beginning, but when I sent a letter to him as we left the village, he was overjoyed. He said no price was too high to get Tang Gudao to my side. And he sent me the complete scripture of [Rebellion Blade] as a token of goodwill."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"What about [Turbulent Sea Blade] in Patriarch's possession?"

"I was not informed of it." Xuan Di bowed. "He only told us that [Northern Comet Academy] had it in their technique library. I thought he did it as bait, so Jingyi was motivated to go with me."

"It was a good bait," Jingyi said as a matter of fact. "Patriarch Yuan knew how much value it has to my father."

"This means he did it as a test, or circumstances have changed, and he wanted me to study it as soon as possible." Gudao pondered. "Good intent or not, Patriarch Yuan likely has his own goal beyond helping Di-er. But let it be known that our contract is where my loyalty lies."

Gudao will protect Xuan Di as long as he is Jingyi's fiancee. Everything else is of secondary concern.

"Di-er understand."

"Go to sleep early. I will stand guard and wake you up close to dawn." Gudao said. "Originally, we're supposed to rush through these dangerous routes but think of it as a training path. You'll suffer a lot of pain and humiliating defeat, but I'll make sure you live through it."

"Di-er understand." Xuan Di said. "Although harder to traverse and full of beasts, this route doesn't have a lot of travelers and is less lucrative for banditry."

"You are smart." Gudao nodded. "Even Core Formation level beasts can be tricked, but people with greed in their eyes? Those are harder to deal with."

"Father is wise." Jingyi nodded.

Jingyi pulled out a small box, which enlarged itself into a coffin. Though she no longer needed one to cultivate, she used one as insulation, keeping her excess Yin element contained when sleeping.

Looking at someone just entering a coffin like that, especially looking like Jingyi. Gudao shook his head.

"My daughter looks like a jiangshi, and this boy here still wants her as a fiancee." Gudao scoffed. "Both of you are crazy."

"Does Father-in-law resent me?" Xuan Di seriously asked. "For making her like that?"

"Not at all. What wouldn't people do for cultivation progress?" Gudao said. "Though terrible in appearance, [Ghost Jade Forge] is amazingly compatible with Jingyi's innate talent. I could hardly imagine a better choice."

"I see." Xuan Di smiled and then put on a blanket as he lay down. "Thank you for accepting me."

Gudao leaped into a tree in the distance and threw a small nail connected with a string to Jingyi's coffin. The other end was connected to the bottom of a wooden teacup.

In other words, a tin can phone. Two years ago, Jingyi invented it as a toy. Though the sound was naturally transmitted via string vibration, a small amount of Yin Qi can be used to augment the clarity of the sound and stop leaks. A lot of sound-related technique is Yin by nature.

"How do you feel about him, Jing-er?" Gudao asked.

"[Honest to a fault, yet also full of secret]." Jingyi's voice can be heard from the cup. "[Despite his cheerful and courteous upbringing, he hides a lot of fear and hatred]."

He's not a cornered rat. Xuan Di is a little panther watching from the tree, growing up and waiting...

What was he waiting for?

CHAPTER 03 - XUAN CHILDREN, PART 1

With a known route and horse carriage? The trip should take three to four days. This alternative route between the bustling trade city of Zhongsu, and the smaller town to the northeast, Yuesu, was shorter but harsher.

With a walking pace, it takes ten times as long to travel. Indeed, the projected time of arrival is one month from departure. And one month had passed just like that.

Both haven't been in a real-life-or-death situation yet. Gudao always dealt with opponents that two Qi-channeling cultivators cannot deal with. However, Gudao noticed the weariness on their hardened face. Not lacking rest, the two children were caught in a cycle of fighting and healing.

Even a forged steel sword needed to be tempered into certain softness, so it would be tough, not brittle.

This is why most sects, with few exceptions, only accept young adults and adult disciples. Kids had to deal with growing and changing bodies, which came with changes of mind and soul.

"We will take as much rest as possible in this town," Gudao said. "Do whatever you want except fighting."

"I'd like more vegetables in my meal." Xuan Di said.

"I want to eat fish," Jingyi said.

"HOT BATH. NEW CLOTHES." They both cried.

These kids are so damn simple. But in fairness, they're not at the stage where their tongue's flavor was decided by the spiritual richness of their meal.

It is alright to take things slow.

"Haha. We ate devil meat and daemon fruits for a month straight." Gudao laughed. "We should restock a variety of food for the next trip."

Indeed. Xuan Di did not spare expenses on accommodation. They went for the most luxurious villa in Yuesu town, owned by a local landlord.

"Splurging like this, is it okay?" Jingyi asked.

"We sold so many low-grade devil cores and rare fruits in the market." Xuan Di grinned. "That should cover three days of accommodation and service fee."

Unfortunately, things weren't as smooth as they planned.

"Someone had it? That can't be." Xuan Di said. "I sent a reservation here a month ago."

"Uh, Young Master, please understand. This Landlord had no choice but to cancel it." The owner profusely apologized, which meant he still had some fear and respect for him. "I'll even pay back the deposit twice fold!"

So why would he dare to cancel his reservation?

"No need for that. Just give my money back." Xuan Di sighed. "This I will forgive, but I will not forget."

"People who dare to offend Di-er can't be simple," Jingyi whispered. "Either it is someone willing to offend the Xuans, or it was another Xuans."

"Indeed." Gudao nodded. "Di-er is wise to cut his loss."

"Let's go somewhere else."

"Finally, you came." Someone cockily remarked. "Sister was tired of waiting."

"No one told you to wait." Xuan Di chuckled. "I'm leaving anyway."

"Who said you can leave?"

Jingyi looked at the villa and noticed a young girl around her age with very familiar light blond hair, tan skin, and blue eyes. She wore metal armor above a voraciously skimpy dress. Earn the stares of men and the scorn of elders. They were more fitting for prostitutes than a young girl.

Of course, that was by the standard of this world and era. Jingyi vaguely remembered. In her past life, minidresses like this are considered decent enough.

"Long time no see, Xing Yao." Xuan Di said. "Let's have lunch together later."

"So cold to me, yet so kind to my debauched brother. I am displeased." The blond, tanned girl faked a cry. "Displeased!"

Ah, so that is Xing Yao. Jingyi only heard it in passing, but this girl is apparently Xing Mo's twin sister. Though nowhere as philanderous, Jingyi felt the exact same aura from her.

"Rushing so quick to leave, you didn't give me any face either." Another girl's voice can be heard from the direction of the road. This girl resembled Xuan Di, though slightly taller and likely also older.

"Is that the second heir to the Xuan clan, Xuan Lian?" Jingyi thought. In this case, the girl should be Xuan Yuan's eldest daughter.

"For someone talking about giving face, you sure didn't give me any?" Xuan Di's smile had a hint of toxicity. "Xuan Lian."

Jingyi's guess turned out to be correct, though it wasn't an example of stellar investigation work or anything. The fact that she was surrounded by multiple youths wearing Xuan clan clothes told everything.

"So harsh with me. I was thinking of inviting you along to this Xuan clan gathering." The girl smirked. "Not your fiancee or whatever she is."

"Too bad. Tang Jingyi is my fiancee. She's in, or I'm not in." Xuan Di replied. "Besides, are you dumping your own sworn sister over there?"

Xing Yao grimaced. "That's true. Are you ditching me?"

Xuan Lian clenched her teeth, clearly angry. "Must I be less polite? This villa can't have peasants roaming around. Especially someone with no background whatsoever. Your disloyalty brings shame to our family!"

"Too bad. My engagement is blessed by your father. So much talk about family love and loyalty, you don't even respect his decision." Xuan Di goaded. His grin was maniacal. "Besides, what have the Xuans done for me to earn my love? Oh, you probably remember it all too well."

Xuan Lian was shocked. Jingyi noticed how her expression changed from anger to regret. Perhaps Xuan Lian was responsible for the tragedy in the past? Xuan Di almost certainly hates her with all his bones.

"Xuan Di..."

"You went over the line, you bastard!" One of the Xuan youths pointed. "Young Mistress already gave concession, yet you acted so rudely!"

"The weak knows when to walk away." Xuan Di spat. "At least I know where I stood."

"Coward! Imbecile!"

Xuan Di knew better than to follow his ego and caught deeper in less friendly conversations. Even if they call him a coward, he doesn't care.

Jingyi and her father were still willing to respect those people. The Tangs politely bowed before they followed Xuan Di on his way out.

"Father-in-law, if you don't see the need, please keep concealing your strength." Xuan Di whispered.

"Worry not. This old father doesn't intervene with childish spats unless they go too far." Gudao assuredly said. "Jing-er, be careful."

"Xuan Di! You come here!"

"Stop it..." Xuan Lian weakly said.

However, her voice was too inaudible, and one of the boys came to attack. Jingyi stepped forward with surprising speed and intercepted the boy's fist.

"You-"

Jingyi effortlessly threw the boy away.

"How could I..." The boy shivered, seeing the finger marks on his fist. "That bitch! She's so strong!"

"You're too weak!" An older, taller boy charged. "Let you taste my fist, little girl!"

"Go! Xuan Tong!"

Gudao immediately noticed the amount of Qi signature and warned. "Qi-condensation!"

Jingyi decided to do a roundabout kick and used the extra momentum gained to stop the older boy on his track, much to his surprise. Both Jingyi and the boy slid back as they landed.

Jingyi's shrouded straw hat flew, revealing her unhealthy pale skin and ashen white hair.

"She's a witch!" Xuan Tong pointed accusingly. "A witch!"

"Demon cultivator?!" The others gasped. "Maybe a jiangshi?!"

Gudao had the urge to kill them but held his anger in check. He promised not to intervene unless things got out of hand. He'd hold onto that even if he had to bite his tongue!

"With due respect, [Ghost Jade Forge] is an esteemed body cultivation technique owned by the Xuan clan." Jingyi calmly cupped her hand, maintaining calmness and clarity. "I received it from Patriarch Xuan."

Xuan Di received it from Xuan Yuan, who gave it to Jingyi. So it still counts.

Thankfully, my strength improved yet again. Jingyi thought. Even the early-stage Qi-condensation cultivators, I can fight up close. Granted, the second form of the [Ghost Jade Forge] used a lot of Qi. She can't be arrogant and has to be conservative with her movement.

"Xuan Tong, stop this!" Xuan Lian shouted. "There's no need!"

"If we let him go, he'll get more arrogant!" Xuan Tong shouted. "Surround them!"

"Shred." Xuan Di muttered. Killing intent flooded his voice. Following this was four flying swords materializing from thin air.

Underneath the charging boys, glowing arrays of unbelievable complexity formed. Four Sword Souls came out, and flying swords came in and immediately shredded the boys with the ferocity and speed of a whirlwind.

Out of seven, five suffered and fell in seconds. The boys didn't even have time to breathe! The two surviving ones were of Qi-condensation cultivation, but even they were slowed down from shock and pain.

"[Eight Trigrams, Four Sword Shadows]!" Gudao shouted in amazement. Such a majestic sword formation should not belong to a mere Qi-channeling cultivator!

Jingyi took the chance to kick them when they were still distracted. Their bodies flew five zhang away. For her cultivation level, her physical strength could be considered monstrous.

"The weak knows when to walk away." Xuan Di's voice rang in everyone's mind. The sheer irony made everyone want to die from embarrassment.

Because neither Xuan Di nor Jingyi was weak.

Although minorly injured at worst, all the members of the Xuan clan present were humiliated. Especially the five weakest kids who were half-naked thanks to Xuan Di's sword formation tearing their clothes. Not that the Qi-condensation level youths were any more dignified.

"Young Mistress, please punish him-" Xuan Tong begged.

"Why don't you listen to me, you deaf! I told you to stop!" Xuan Lian had enough of the theatricals and kicked the boy dead on his stomach. "Why. Don't. You. Stop?!"

"Young Mistress-AAARGH!"

The boy had been the primary source of provocation. As such, she could solely put all the blame on him. However, that alone made the rest of the Xuan children horrified.

"You boys are so stupid." Xing Yao chuckled as she sat on the back of the other Qi-condensation. "If he was that weak, he would not be the fourth heir. Losers who achieved Qi-condensation from pill abuse and garbage scripture should forget competing."

Especially Xuan Tong, who Xuan Lian kept kicking on the ground from sheer anger.

Whether it was accidental or not, Jingyi had no clue. And so, she picked her shrouded straw hat and left quietly with her fiancee. Leaving a bewildered Xuan Lian and an amused Xing Yao.

Gudao decided he had no worries. Jingyi and Xuan Di have glaring weaknesses as individuals. But fighting together, they're as powerful as a mid-density Qi-Condensation cultivator.