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

Chapter 165, Third Floor

Just as Li Qingyi closed her eyes and fell into deep thought.

While trying to piece together the chaotic clues.

A pale blue light curtain appeared before my eyes.

[Rewards settled.]

[Reward 1: Qi Refining Level 9. After extraction, one will break through to the Half-Step Foundation Establishment Realm.]

Reward Two: Profound Insights into "The True Meaning of Swordsmanship". After extraction, one can formally condense the formless sword embryo, significantly deepening their foundation in swordsmanship.

Reward Three: The whereabouts of the mystery.

Reward Four: Your corpse after death —

"Alas?"

Li Qingyi let out a soft exclamation.

My eyes were instantly drawn to the third reward.

The rewards, one, two, and four, were all within his expectations.

But this third point—

What is the whereabouts of the mystery?

Where did it come from?

In the last simulation, I never truly found the secret until I was killed by the gravedigger.

All they received was a broken piece of the Xuan Turtle Mirror and a few vague messages.

Where does this reward come from? Is it hidden information deduced by the simulator?

Or perhaps, during that brief simulation, some details that I hadn't noticed were captured and analyzed by the simulator to reveal clues?

He immediately replayed every segment of the last simulation in his mind.

The red fragments brought back, the incomplete writing that emerged from them, the appearance of the tomb keeper —

"Could it be a fragment of the Xuan Gui Jian?"

With her eyes closed and mind focused, Li Qingyi felt it necessary to make a trip to the western part of the imperial city.

Choosing option three is impossible.

Since the emulator provides the pointer, you can just retrieve it yourself.

"I choose option two."

Without much hesitation, Li Qingyi made her choice.

Cultivation level is a guaranteed option in each simulation; it's not too late to choose it next time.

Moreover, there is currently no Qi of Heaven and Earth to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, the breakthrough opportunity for "True Explanation of Kendo" is something that cannot be sought but only encountered by chance.

Using a wisp of sword energy as a guide.

A profound and mysterious insight poured in from nothingness, entering the depths of his consciousness and sinking into his dantian.

In a daze, he once again "experienced" the life-or-death moment in the simulation.

Under the shadow of death, an indescribable sharpness is born from oppression.

Thousands of sword energies converged from the eight extraordinary meridians into the dantian.

Finally, an invisible and intangible sword embryo quietly took shape in the center of the dantian.

In reality, Li Qingyi's body trembled slightly.

His aura suddenly receded, and then a sharp intent that seemed to freeze the air quietly spread out from him.

Inside the Proud Plum Residence, the plum tree sways gently even without wind.

On the surface of the stone table and benches, countless light-colored scratches, finer than a hair, quietly appeared.

Even the dust falling on the ground was pushed aside by the invisible sword energy.

The second stage, condensing the sword embryo, is complete!

After a long while, Li Qingyi slowly opened her eyes. A faint glint of sword light flashed in her eyes before returning to calm.

He exhaled a breath of stale air, and the breath he exhaled carried a faint, sharp sound.

"Incredibly wonderful."

He muttered to himself, sensing the presence of the invisible sword embryo within his body.

With a slight thought, the sword energy within his dantian flowed endlessly and smoothly, more than ten times smoother than before.

"Truly worthy of being called a sword manual that points directly to the Golden Core Dao," Li Qingyi thought to herself in admiration.

With the sword embryo complete, it signifies that his cultivation of "True Explanation of Swordsmanship" has officially entered the third stage.

Not only did the total amount of sword energy in his body and its recovery speed increase dramatically, but his control over sword energy also entered a new level.

It can also instantly condense all the sword energy and unleash a desperate sword strike that far surpasses its current level.

He estimated that the power of that sword strike was probably enough to truly threaten a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

If he were to face Tianpo again on the island in the lake belonging to the Zhang family, he would kill him with a single sword strike.

The thought crossed my mind again.

The ubiquitous sword manual, "The True Explanation of Swordsmanship," appeared in my hand.

As his divine sense sank in, the third level of cultivation technique, which he had previously been unable to understand, was now clearly displayed before his eyes:

Third level: The first cry of the sword's heart.

The embryo is the seed, and the heart is the light.

Visualize the sword embryo, transforming the illusory into the real, nurturing the spiritual blade within the dantian, and hearing the initial resonance of the sword heart.

Once the sword embryo is formed, it is merely an inanimate object. It requires the guidance of the mind and spirit, and constant contemplation.

See it as the first glimmer of light in the creation of heaven and earth, or as the flowing light of an ancient galaxy falling from the sky, or as the crystallization of one's lifelong swordsmanship.

In this endless process of contemplation and refinement, the formless sword embryo gradually develops "spirituality," with an undying cold edge inherent within it.

This process is long and lonely; it is the beginning of a dialogue with oneself through the way of swordsmanship.

"Visualization?"

Li Qingyi did as instructed.

His mind slowly sank into his dantian, enveloping the invisible sword embryo.

At first, my thoughts were scattered and I found it difficult to concentrate.

Gradually, he abandoned distracting thoughts and devoted all his attention to imagining the "sword".

Is it the supreme sharpness that cut through chaos and separated the clear from the turbid when the world was created?

Or is it the resolute will that has driven me all the way, cutting through illusions, annihilating powerful enemies, and overcoming all obstacles on the path to immortality?

Thoughts flow, and images abound.

Under his continuous visualization, the invisible sword embryo began to tremble slightly.

Sword intent quietly arose from the depths of the sword's embryo.

The protective sword aura around him moved automatically without being activated.

An invisible barrier forms three inches in front of the body, making it impossible for anything to approach.

This process was mysterious and profound, and Li Qingyi was immersed in the pure world of "sword".

Gradually, it seemed as if something was acting as a guide.

This brings Li Qingyi back to reality.

Feeling stronger makes me feel more at ease.

Li Qingyi got up and pushed open the door to go out.

In the courtyard, several young girls dressed in elegant palace attire had appeared at some point and were standing quietly with their hands at their sides.

Upon seeing him emerge, the leading palace maid, with a composed demeanor, immediately bowed gracefully and said softly, "Young Master, you have been in seclusion for seven days. We are here to serve you on the orders of Eunuch Wang."

This is a divine meal just delivered from the Imperial Kitchen, carefully prepared with century-old jade marrow rice, jade-blooded spirit mushrooms, and pure lotus seeds, among other ingredients. It is especially nourishing and replenishing to the vital energy.

As she spoke, she gestured to the palace maid behind her to place a translucent jade food box on the stone table in the courtyard and gently opened the lid.

Instantly, a warm breath spread out, and just smelling it made one feel refreshed and a warm current surged in the abdomen.

Seven days?!

Li Qingyi felt a slight tremor in her heart.

He felt that the visualization lasted only a moment.

Indeed, time knows no bounds in spiritual practice.

If it weren't for a miraculous pull that woke him up from that state.

He himself didn't know how much longer he would have to meditate.

Who is pulling the strings?

Li Qingyi was unaware for a moment.

At this moment, he had no mind to enjoy the spiritual food.

Hong Zhong is still waiting in the imperial city. Jiang Yanxu's whereabouts are unknown. Xuanji's clues need to be verified personally. Zhao Jingci, Li Xuance,

Gravekeeper —

A host of mysteries await unraveling.

With this thought in mind, Li Qingyi turned and left.

"Please wait, young master." The composed palace maid stepped forward half a step, still keeping her head down. "The prince has instructed that if you need to go out, please inform us of your destination so that we can report back."

Li Qingyi sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm: "My relationship with your Emperor is one of cooperation, not that of a prisoner. I know where I go and whom I meet, so there's no need for you to worry about it."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a slightly effeminate voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Young master, you are mistaken. The palace is a place of great importance, with strict rules. Since His Majesty has instructed me to take good care of you, I will naturally fulfill my duty."

Wang En had appeared at the courtyard gate at some point, still wearing his dark purple eunuch robes, with a smile on his face.

"Young Master, please have your meal first. His Majesty will inform you if there is any news."

"What if I insist on going out now?"

"Then I have no choice but to offend Your Majesty and report to you for a decision."

In an instant, tensions rose.

Just as Li Qingyi was about to test the sharpness of the sword, a majestic voice resounded directly in their minds.

"Wang En, let him be."

Wang En remained expressionless and immediately bowed, replying, "This servant obeys the decree."

He then stepped aside to make way for Li Qingyi and gestured for her to proceed.

"Your Majesty's grace is appreciated, young master. However, the capital has been in turmoil recently, so I hope you will act with caution."

Li Qingyi gave Wang Chengen a deep look, said nothing more, and left directly.

The palace corridors were long and the walls were high and the palace locked.

Not far from where they had walked, they came to the vicinity of a palace gate and saw a familiar figure standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the shadow of the palace wall.

It was Qi Xuanjia, dressed in casual clothes, his aura restrained.

Li Qingyi knew perfectly well that this was a bodyguard the emperor had hired for her.

"Commander Qi, what a coincidence!"

Upon seeing Li Qingyi, Qi Xuanjia exclaimed in surprise, "It's been seven days! Young Master's swordsmanship has improved even more. The sword energy is concealed yet its power is even greater."

"It was just a fleeting insight, nothing worth mentioning."

Li Qingyi gave a perfunctory reply.

"I wonder where my subordinate is now?"

"Temporarily residing at Forget-Worry Abode, Courtyard No. 3, Heavenly Class." Qi Xuanjia answered readily, then turned and led the way, "Young Master, please."

The two walked out of the heavily guarded palace area, one after the other, and entered the main street of the imperial city.

Compared to seven days ago, the streets seem to have regained some vitality.

There were more pedestrians and vendors, but the patrolling soldiers were still frequent.

Before long, Qi Xuanjia stopped in front of a magnificent building.

This building has five floors and occupies a very large area.

The main gate plaque is inlaid with three large, elegant characters in gold.

Forget-Worries Abode.

People came and went in a constant stream.

Li Qingyi subconsciously activated her divine sense to scan the area.

They discovered that they had been bounced back by a hidden formation.

That makes sense.

For accommodations of this level, guest privacy is of paramount importance.

Li Qingyi withdrew her divine sense and stepped inside with Qi Xuanjia.

The main hall was spacious and bright, with jade flooring and incense burning, and beautiful maids mingled and led the way.