Cultivating for Immorality: I Evolved Martial Arts into the Immortal Path – Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Pine and Bamboo Sword Technique

“Brother Liang, you…how could you offend Master Qi Hai?”

Qi Lin’s face was filled with anxiety, his tongue tied in knots.

He’s the only sword master in the martial arts hall!

If you offend him, where will Qi Xiuliang learn swordsmanship in the future?

Should he go to Hall Master?

But Hall Master Qi Hong’s time is precious. He’s either handling matters at the Martial Alliance or tempering his Qi and blood behind the martial arts hall, preparing for his future breakthrough to the Skin Tempering Realm.

How could he have time to teach an ordinary apprentice?

If it were a martial arts genius like Chu Liang, perhaps he would devote some attention to teaching.

But Qi Xiuliang is not a genius; his aptitude is only considered above average.

“It’s alright, Xiao Lin, there’s still a long way to go, take it slow.”

Qi Xiuliang let out a long sigh, a smile appearing on his face.

After saying those words, his heart felt suddenly open and relaxed, and his entire demeanor seemed to undergo a subtle change.

“Brother Liang, what will you do in the future?” Qi Lin was worried. Without the master’s guidance, Qi Xiuliang would most likely have to give up on the Sinking Water Sword.

This martial skill is too difficult!

Many disciples have studied it for years without grasping the essentials, eventually switching to simpler martial skills.

But even the simpler ones require a master’s guidance.

Without a master, Qi Xiuliang’s future path will be difficult, every step a struggle.

“Brother Liang, I’ll help you listen to the lectures in the future!” Qi Lin came up with an idea. “Tell me any questions you have, and when Master Qi Hai explains, I’ll raise them for you. Although the effect will be weaker, it’s better than nothing.”

“Brother Qi, why don’t you apologize?” a disciple beside him suggested.

“Master Qi Hai is angry right now; apologizing now definitely won’t work.” Another disciple spoke, “Wait a few days, until Master Qi Hai’s anger has subsided, then Brother Qi, you go and apologize to him, be sincere…”

“No need to say more!”

Qi Xiuliang shook his head slightly, interrupting everyone.

He didn’t regret what he had said, and he certainly wouldn’t apologize to Qi Hai.

Before he spoke those words, he knew he would have to give up on the Sinking Water Sword.

“I’ve practiced for a long time, but I’ve only barely grasped the basics, probably because I lack talent.” Qi Xiuliang smiled, “Maybe switching to a simpler one would be better.”

“But simple sword techniques also require a master’s guidance.” Qi Lin said anxiously.

“It’s fine, I think the 《Dragon and Snake Sword》 is quite good.”

“What?”

The other disciples were surprised.

The 《Dragon and Snake Sword》 is the signature martial art of the “Dragon and Snake Martial Arts Hall” in the county town.

This sword technique has a domineering name, but it’s an unranked martial skill. Among the many unranked martial skills, it’s only considered above average, far inferior to a top-tier one like the 《Sinking Water Sword.》

“Brother Liang, are you going to the Dragon and Snake Martial Arts Hall?”

“Yes.”

“But the Dragon and Snake Martial Arts Hall is just a small martial arts hall, how can it compare to the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall?” Qi Lin was extremely anxious. “Brother Liang, let’s go find the Hall Master! Didn’t you go find the Hall Master last time?”

“This time is different.”

Qi Xiuliang shook his head; last time was because of Chu Liang’s matter.

The Hall Master valued Chu Liang, so he let him represent the martial arts hall to apologize to Chu Liang.

This time, it’s between Qi Xiuliang and Qi Hai.

After all, Qi Hai is a master in the martial arts hall. Even the Hall Master respects him and wouldn’t force him to do anything.

“Brother Liang, this is also related to Chu Liang, why don’t we…”

“No need to say more!” Qi Xiuliang waved his hand to stop them. “I’ll go out for a walk. I’ve been feeling stifled lately. I’ll just go talk to Brother Chu.”

After saying that, he left without waiting for the others to say more.

He returned to his residence, took off his black martial arts hall uniform, changed into ordinary clothes, walked out of the martial arts hall gate, bought two jugs of wine from a tavern, and then bought a few jin of braised beef from a butcher shop.

Carrying the wine and braised beef, he arrived at the entrance of the Autumn Blade Martial Arts Hall and asked someone to announce his arrival.

“I’m a good friend of Chu Liang. Please inform him that Qi Xiuliang is here to visit.”

“Wait a moment.”

A young disciple hurried off to inform Chu Liang.

Not long after, Chu Liang came out.

With a smile on his face, he asked, “Brother Qi, it’s a beautiful autumn day, perfect for practicing martial arts. Why did you suddenly come out?”

“I did something I’ve always wanted to do, and I feel refreshed, so I came out for a walk.”

Qi Xiuliang handed a jug of wine to Chu Liang.

With a smile, Chu Liang accepted the wine and invited Qi Xiuliang into the martial arts hall.

Since Qi Xiuliang was wearing ordinary clothes, there was no problem entering the martial arts hall.

The two arrived at Chu Liang’s small courtyard and sat facing each other, drinking and chatting.

After a few rounds of drinks, Chu Liang asked, “What happened? Why did you even take off your martial arts hall uniform? Are you leaving the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall?”

He wasn’t a fool and could tell something was wrong at a glance.

Qi Xiuliang smiled, “It’s just a small matter. Brother Chu, you’ll find out sooner or later anyway, so I won’t hide it.”

He drank a cup of wine and briefly explained what had happened at the martial arts hall.

Hearing this, Chu Liang was surprised.

Qi Xiuliang, in order to defend him, was willing to give up the strongest 《Sinking Water Sword》 in the county town and switch to learning the ordinary 《Dragon and Snake Sword.》

Most martial artists only value their own interests; it’s truly rare to find someone who would go this far for others.

“Brother Qi, could you demonstrate your swordsmanship?” Chu Liang asked him.

“Of course.”

Qi Xiuliang laughed heartily, put down his wine cup, and immediately stood up.

Clang!

A cold glint flashed.

He drew his sword and began to demonstrate his swordsmanship in the courtyard.

Chu Liang watched carefully, his expression focused.

After watching for a while, Chu Liang discovered that Qi Xiuliang’s swordsmanship, like the other disciples of the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall, focused on defense, entanglement, and other similar aspects, while being unremarkable in offense.

“This characteristic comes from the 《Sinking Water Sword.》 The biggest feature of this martial skill is its strong defense and weak offense, its sword momentum resembling gentle flowing water.” Chu Liang thought to himself.

Practitioners of this martial skill must have a good mentality.

They must be calm and collected, not too impetuous.

When facing an enemy, they don’t aim to injure the enemy immediately but only need to slowly entangle them, exhausting their strength, and then seeking a counterattack.

However, the 《Dragon and Snake Sword》 that Qi Xiuliang planned to learn next is known for its killing power.

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The Dragon Sword is fierce, the Snake Sword is sinister, the sword moves change unpredictably, each move containing hidden killing intent.

This kind of sword technique is clearly not suitable for Qi Xiuliang.

After a while, he finished his demonstration and asked with a smile, “Brother Chu, how is my swordsmanship?”

“Not bad!”

Chu Liang responded with a smile and said directly, “Brother Qi, the 《Dragon and Snake Sword》 is not suitable for you.”

“I know.”

Qi Xiuliang nodded and sat down. He certainly knew what he was best at.

But apart from the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall, only the Dragon and Snake Martial Arts Hall in the county town was relatively famous for swordsmanship.

Other small martial arts halls also taught swordsmanship, but they couldn’t compare to these two. Their sword masters only had three or even two strands of Qi and blood.

Qi Xiuliang himself is already a martial artist with two strands of Qi and blood!

Therefore, the Dragon and Snake Martial Arts Hall is his best choice.

“Brother Qi, don’t rush, let me think about it.”

Chu Liang pondered for a moment.

If it weren’t for defending him, Qi Xiuliang wouldn’t be in this situation.

Chu Liang couldn’t ignore this matter.

After a while, Chu Liang looked up and asked, “Brother Qi, do you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you!”

“Alright, come here tomorrow, and I’ll personally teach you a sword technique!”

“Ah?”

Qi Xiuliang was stunned, thinking he had misheard.

What did he hear?

Chu Liang, a saber practitioner, is going to teach him swordsmanship?

He did trust Chu Liang, but this trust was based on Chu Liang’s character and nature, not his martial skills.

“Brother Qi, don’t be surprised!” Chu Liang said calmly, “You should know that all methods are interconnected; saber techniques and sword techniques have similarities.”

“Yes, all methods are interconnected, I understand, but…”

Qi Xiuliang’s expression was a little strange.

Those who can confidently say that all methods are interconnected are basically Grandmaster level figures.

But Chu Liang is only in the Blood Coagulation Realm, not even reaching Skin Tempering. He doesn’t even meet the threshold of a third-rate expert in the martial world.

“Brother Chu, it’s really not that I don’t believe you, but you practice saber techniques after all.” Qi Xiuliang smiled wryly. After all, he and Chu Liang were good friends, so there was no need to be too euphemistic. He just said what he thought.

“Brother Qi, I won’t lie to you!”

Chu Liang also spoke very directly, telling Qi Xiuliang, “Just come tomorrow, and I’ll teach you a sword technique that’s no weaker than the 《Sinking Water Sword.》”

“No weaker than the 《Sinking Water Sword?》”

Qi Xiuliang’s eyes widened. The 《Sinking Water Sword》 is recognized as the best sword technique in the county.

Where could Chu Liang find a sword technique that’s no weaker than the 《Sinking Water Sword?》

Could it be from the Martial Alliance?

Qi Xiuliang is also a member of the Martial Alliance and has already browsed through the Martial Alliance Library. He knows very well that there are no sword techniques in the Martial Alliance that are stronger than the 《Sinking Water Sword.》

“Brother Chu, don’t joke.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“This…”

Qi Xiuliang really wanted to nod, but seeing Chu Liang’s solemn and serious expression, he eventually shook his head.

In any case, Chu Liang meant well.

He sighed lightly, not holding out any hope.

Whether or not Chu Liang could produce that martial skill wasn’t important; as long as he had the intention, that was enough.

“Let’s not talk about this. Let’s talk about that Wu Neng.” Qi Xiuliang changed the subject. “Brother Chu, for more than a month, that Wu Neng has been spreading rumors about you. Have you thought about countering him?”

“Of course I have, but this matter needs to be taken slowly…”

Chu Liang has been having the two little rats monitor Wu Neng and his group.

When the time is right, he will take action and eliminate them all in one fell swoop.

He must be decisive when he takes action.

He can’t give the other side any chance to react.

Wu Neng and the others’ act of spreading rumors, seemingly making their opponent’s life difficult, actually exposed their intentions. It’s useless and will only make their opponent wary.

The two drank and chatted, continuing until evening.

The sun set in the west.

A flock of geese flew across the sky.

“It’s getting late.”

Qi Xiuliang looked at the sky, bid farewell to Chu Liang, and left the Autumn Blade Martial Arts Hall.

Although he didn’t quite believe Chu Liang’s claim about a martial skill more powerful than the 《Sinking Water Sword,》 he still promised to come tomorrow.

After he left, Chu Liang immediately went to the Black Market.

There are cultivation techniques and martial skills for sale in the Black Market, but they are all very ordinary.

For example, the famous 《Blood Nourishing Technique》 can be bought for ten taels of silver. It’s the introductory cultivation technique for many martial artists.

There are also some widely circulated martial skills, such as 《Iron Sand Palm,》 《Boulder Staff,》 and so on, all sold in the Black Market and also taught in various martial arts halls.

“I remember the 《Green Pine Sword》 is sold in the Black Market. This sword technique is widely circulated in the martial world, known for its defense and resilience, similar to the 《Sinking Water Sword.》”

The 《Green Pine Sword》 martial skill is only considered average among the many unranked martial skills, inferior to a top-tier one like the 《Sinking Water Sword.》

But Chu Liang didn’t care; he had the Evolutionary Appraisal Mirror.

He hurried to the Black Market, strolled around the various stalls, and found that several stalls were selling this martial skill.

【Green Pine Sword（Unranked Martial Skill）：Evolvable】

【Offer twelve jin of ordinary demon beast flesh and blood to evolve “Green Pine Sword（Unranked Martial Skill）” into “Pine and Bamboo Sword Technique（Third-Rate Martial Skill）”】