Chapter Fifty-Nine: Breaking Through Life and Death

Qi Fei, through Zhuo Jin’er’s assistance, obtained the Seven Absolutes Sect’s secret art, the Shadow Chill Blade Technique. Learning that Sima Yan harbored suspicions about him and fearing unforeseen complications, Qi Fei hurried down from Moon Watching Peak and returned to the outer courtyard of the sect.

After reporting to his master and Elder Sun about the killing of Luo Changfeng and framing the Xuanzhen Temple, Qi Fei began secluding himself to prepare for the upcoming battle at Qingyang Peak.

Qi Fei was now the hope for the revival of the Danxia Sect. Mo Zhanpeng and Elder Sun, after some deliberation, immediately granted him a secluded courtyard in the valley, where the spiritual energy was most abundant, for his cultivation.

Elder Sun expended numerous spiritual talismans, setting up several profound spirit-gathering arrays inside and outside the courtyard. Deeply moved, Qi Fei transcribed some of the body-tempering techniques from the “Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist” and presented them to his master so the disciples could use them for their own cultivation.

Within the spacious courtyard, aided by the spirit-gathering arrays, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was extremely abundant. Qi Fei sat cross-legged for a moment, calming his breath and mind, then slowly opened the Shadow Chill Blade Technique in his hands.

That day, the Seven Absolutes Sect elder, Gongsun She, unleashed a final, earth-shattering strike imbued with a chilling, murderous aura. Its subtlety echoed the Heaven-Shattering Slash from the three supreme sword techniques of the “Immortal Execution Sword Canon.” Qi Fei had long harbored the intention to cultivate the Seven Absolutes Sect’s Shadow Chill Blade Technique. Now, with his wish fulfilled and possessing the Ice-Fire Martial Soul, mastering this blade technique would not be difficult.

Carefully studying the cultivation essentials and exquisite moves of the Shadow Chill Blade Technique, Qi Fei stood and casually opened the wooden box beside him, revealing a four-foot-long blade without a sheath.

He took out the sharp blade, flicked it with his finger, and a clear, resonant sound rang out. As Zhuo Jin’er had said, this blade was no ordinary item; it could certainly withstand the infusion of spiritual energy.

With a thought, Qi Fei gripped the blade tightly. As spiritual energy surged, the veins of his five fingers stood out. His figure moved like a swimming dragon, brandishing blade flashes filled with chilling aura throughout the courtyard.

Zhuo Jin’er had previously remarked that martial techniques and cultivation methods were but the surface of the martial path. Though well-read, Zhuo Jin’er was not a master of martial arts. Now, Qi Fei, lacking a renowned teacher, could only slowly explore the mysteries of the martial path on his own.

Once the Shadow Chill Blade Technique began, a stream of pure icy true energy separated within Qi Fei, instantly enveloping the entire courtyard in a bone-chilling cold.

Blade flashes swept across the sky, and the courtyard echoed with explosive sounds. Grass, stones, and trees were shredded by the domineering, chilling blade energy, leaving deep fissures carved into the ground.

As Qi Fei cultivated the Shadow Chill Blade Technique, he seemed to experience a vague enlightenment, but it was fleeting—he couldn't quite grasp the profound mysteries he sensed from the technique.

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Frustrated, Qi Fei could only repeatedly practice the Shadow Chill Blade Technique in the courtyard.

After a day, the courtyard was left in ruins by the relentless blade energy. Xu Yi, who came to deliver food, was so frightened he nearly turned and ran.

“Elder Qi, isn’t your blade technique a bit too overpowering?” Xu Yi swallowed hard, staring at the devastated courtyard in shock.

Qi Fei smiled wryly. “Xu Yi, don’t call me Elder Qi anymore. I’ve no choice—my cultivation has stalled at the sixth realm of the martial path. In a few days, it will be the Qingyang Peak Sect Leader Succession Ceremony. If I can’t break through in these days, it will be difficult to drive out those Xuanzhen Temple villains from Qingyang Peak.”

“Qi... senior brother, that’s fine. But in front of others, I must call you Elder Qi, or I’ll be scolded by Elder Mo and Elder Sun.”

Hearing of Qi Fei’s realm and the sect’s medicines he’d received, Xu Yi, who had just managed to cultivate true martial energy, gasped. He had always known his old friend’s strength was unfathomable, but he had not expected Qi Fei to surpass even Elder Mo.

Noticing Qi Fei’s agitation due to his cultivation bottleneck, Xu Yi steadied himself and comforted, “Senior brother Qi, Elder Mo taught us never to disturb our minds during cultivation. Your strength now exceeds Elder Mo’s; there’s no need to rush. By the way, senior brother Qi, is your martial soul the Ice Martial Soul?”

Xu Yi’s casual question startled Qi Fei, reminding him of the vague enlightenment he had previously sensed—he seemed to grasp the key.

The Shadow Chill Blade Technique paired with icy true energy would greatly increase its power. During cultivation, he unknowingly separated a stream of pure icy true energy from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. So, the spiritual energy could be used in such marvelous ways.

Was it not this vast spiritual energy that had hindered his breakthrough to the sixth realm? If he could separate the two martial true energies and the profound true essence from the spiritual energy within him, wouldn’t he break through the impasse?

Having figured out the crux, Qi Fei was overjoyed. He quickly took out a bottle of elixir from his robes and said to Xu Yi, “Xu Yi, thank you. If I break through to the sixth realm, the credit goes to you. Since you’ve just begun cultivation, I’ll give you this bottle of elixir bestowed by Elder Sun.”

Xu Yi was bewildered—he had merely asked a casual question, yet somehow became the key to Qi Fei’s future breakthrough.

Though he didn’t understand, Xu Yi’s hands trembled as he accepted the sect’s elixir from Qi Fei, thanking him repeatedly. “Thank you, senior brother Qi. I will cultivate diligently and not let you down.”

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Qi Fei patted Xu Yi’s shoulder and sighed. “I gained a great opportunity, transforming myself and achieving this cultivation. It’s not that I wish to keep secrets, but strong enemies surround us in Cangyun Mountain. I still lack the power to protect myself, so I must be cautious. Once the sect’s situation stabilizes, I will help you and all the disciples of the outer courtyard cultivate their martial souls.”

Moved to tears, Xu Yi felt that Qi Fei, despite his meteoric rise to become the sect’s foremost expert, remained the same loyal and righteous friend.

After sending off the emotional Xu Yi, Qi Fei returned to the courtyard and began practicing the “Profound Heaven Heart Scripture,” hoping to break through the barrier to the sixth realm by splitting the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Qi Fei slowly circulated the spiritual energy within him, condensing blazing flame true energy in the meridian acupoints of his left arm, while icy true energy flowed through his right arm. The profound true essence separated from the spiritual energy dwelled in his spirit platform.

Dividing his spiritual energy into three, Qi Fei began the process of refining his martial soul and true energy by the method of transforming energy back to its source.

With a thought, streams of flame true energy poured into the Ice-Fire Martial Soul. As the transformation began, the martial soul, already refined by the spirit jade’s essence, erupted in violent tremors.

Qi Fei’s face flushed red, as if drunk. The flame true energy that flooded his dantian was further refined by his martial soul, turning into an unbearably hot martial true energy—like molten lava—flowing through his meridians, making him feel as though he were burning.

Knowing the method of transforming energy back to its source allowed no delay, Qi Fei endured the intense burning pain in his meridians and injected the icy true energy from his right arm into his dantian.

He had already endured the torment of ice and fire before, but this time the power was even greater. Qi Fei refined the icy true energy once more, producing an even purer icy energy, which fused with the previously refined flame energy. Instantly, the already damaged meridians in his body exploded inch by inch.

Now, his mind was in chaos. He never imagined that the Ice-Fire Martial Soul and the two martial true energies he cultivated would not only be the greatest obstacle to breaking through to the sixth realm, but now, after further refinement, would become a deadly method of self-destruction.

Fully aware of the severe consequences of ruptured meridians, driven to desperation, Qi Fei could only take out the spiritual medicine from the Pill Cauldron Sect he had previously obtained from Sima Yan and pour them all into his mouth.