Chapter 135

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Chapter 135: 3rd Level of Spiritual Refining Period

Wan family residence.

"Did a Blood Moon Chart, similar to the Blood Sun Chart, appear? Is Sword Ghost planning to go to the antique street?"

Just learned about this, Wan Ronghua was suddenly reminded of the past.

Sword Ghost is one of the honored members of the Wan family, with a high status.

The so-called experts in spiritual refining are all at the top 3rd rank.

The martial artists of the world are divided into 9 ranks, and the system called "the 9 ranks of martial artists" was actually established by the Great Yan Imperial Court, imitating the official system.

Officials of the 3rd rank and above are already high-ranking members in the Great Yan Imperial Court, at the top level of the court with great importance and influence.

As long as Spirit Refining martial artists have a clean background, they can become a 3rd rank military officer by joining the court.

Even if they don’t have real power, at this stage, their salary and status are naturally respectable.

Sword Ghost, however, is a Spirit Refining martial artist with a somewhat shady background.

Of course, as long as he is strong enough, even if he can’t become an imperial officer, he can still be one of the worshippers of the Wan family, a wealthy family, and enjoy a good life.

Especially, the Sword Ghost’s rare Eye Attacking Method is a martial art that can kill without being seen, using spiritual refining.

In these past few years, with the help of Sword Ghost’s unique martial art, Wan Ronghua has saved himself a lot of trouble.

For example, there was a antique dealer named Fang who caught the attention of Sword Ghost because of a painting called the Blood Sun Chart. Later, Wan Ronghua took advantage of the situation and completely took over everything.

………..

Antique street.

Qiao Mu casually squatted by the road, occasionally shouting to sell the Blood Moon Chart on his stall.

Most passersby only stopped for a moment, attracted by the Blood Moon Chart, but as soon as they heard the sky-high price announced by Qiao Mu, they quickly turned and left, and hardly anyone tried to negotiate.

It wasn’t until the sunset that some martial artists of the 5th rank started to appear. It seems that the news of Qiao Mu selling the Blood Moon Chart had spread throughout this antique street in the Imperial Capital.

"Sir, your price is way too high, can’t you make it cheaper?" asked a cold voice.

Qiao Mu looked up and his eyes instantly brightened.

Okay, the main character has arrived.

The person who came was a strong and tall man, with a sword and a wine gourd hanging from his waist. His hair was messy, his eyes were sharp and cold.

It was the 4th rank Spirit Refining martial artist, Sword Ghost, as described by Fang Yuan.

While Qiao Mu was sizing up Sword Ghost, Sword Ghost was also sizing up the old man in front of him.

The old man was already very old, not only was his hair white, but his body was also loose, with sagging corners of his eyes. This was a clear sign of declining vitality, indicating that he was very old.

"Cheap things are not good, good things are not cheap. This painting of mine is worth this price," the old man smiled, showing no intention of lowering the price.

Sword Ghost casually tried to negotiate, but seeing that the old man didn’t budge, he pretended to be angry.

"Well, sir, you can just wait for a fool to come along."

But he had a clear mind.

The Drunkard’s intention is not about the wine, right?

Sword Ghost chuckled to himself.

This old man is obviously extraordinary.

Although his skin is loose and his vitality is declining, his breathing is rhythmic. Clearly, he has been under the scorching sun for most of the day, but he remains calm and relaxed, showing little signs of fatigue.

This indicates that this person is clearly a martial artist with internal strength, and his skill in internal cultivation is not bad.

But it’s just not bad.

Aging and declining vitality in old age is a natural law and cannot be countered by human effort.

The Qiao Family of Heyang City, who were able to "stay young forever," had already been extinct. The Martial Saint who had taken away their martial arts skills had also died.

Even if Long Life Fist spiritual refining was successful and could keep one young forever, it was clearly not like this.

The essence of the Long Life Fist was to lock in the vital essence and prevent it from leaking out. That’s why the Qiao Family patriarch and even the martial arts master from a hundred years ago appeared old but didn’t show signs of aging, with white hair but youthful looks.

The old man in front of them… He dared to hold the Blood Moon Chart and even shouted a high price, which probably meant he wasn’t a fool who didn’t know the value of the treasure, but someone who thought he had something to rely on.

But no matter what he relied on, he was already old and his vitality had declined, never to return to his youthful vigor.

"Did he underestimate his own abilities? This is the Imperial Capital after all," thought Sword Ghost with a hidden laughter in his heart, glancing at the Blood Moon Chart again.

As a martial artist who had seen the Blood Sun Chart, Sword Ghost had no doubt that these two paintings were the work of the same person.

However, unraveling the mysteries within these paintings would require a long time of observation. It was not something that could be comprehended overnight.

After witnessing those rumors about martial artists who had achieved enlightenment through martial arts, Sword Ghost had an even greater desire for artworks related to spiritual refining techniques.

He suppressed his desire, turned and left without looking back.

Even if not counting the Immortal Gate cultivators stationed here, this Imperial Capital has always been a place with hidden talents.

This old man’s actions were really thoughtless. In less than a day, he had alerted his Sword Ghost, obviously seeking death.

……..

As the sun set behind the western mountains, the sky gradually darkened and a bright moon rose slowly.

Qiao Mu had already put the Blood Moon Chart in his pocket and walked alone on the road in the outskirts of the city.

Along the way, he always walked on rarely traveled paths and unknowingly arrived at the entrance of a suburban alley.

It was a dark alley, quite spacious, but no one could be seen in every direction. Only the sound of Qiao Mu’s lonely footsteps could be heard in the alley.

However, silently and without notice, a figure appeared and blocked his way.

It was a tall man called Sword Ghost, who had a sword and a gourd of wine hanging from his waist.

"Sir, long time no see, are you well?"

Sword Ghost simply smiled a little, without saying much.

He put his hand on the sheath of his sword at his waist, but the sword itself didn’t come out. Instead, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.

No sword in hand, but a sword in his eyes.

His two eyes were as sharp as two powerful swords, as if they were going to cut open Qiao Mu’s brain, and a tremendous pressure immediately appeared.

In that instant, Qiao Mu felt like he had been struck by lightning, his whole body trembling slightly, his eyes temporarily losing focus and becoming confused.

And Sword Ghost’s sword was drawn.

The sword came out, like a shimmering pool of autumn water, the bright sword light slashing towards Qiao Mu’s neck, but at the last moment, the sword suddenly turned and struck behind Qiao Mu instead.

Just at this moment.

Two figures emerged from the corner of a dark alley. They had originally planned to pounce on the absent-minded Qiao Mu in the confusion, but now this pounce was like rushing towards the Sword Ghost’s sword in his hand.

Hiss.

The sword light cut through the air, slashing open the left arm of the swordsman on the left. The wound was deep, exposing the bone, and blood flowed out profusely.

"Have you sensed the two of us lurking in the darkness… or is this the intuition of a 3rd rank Spirit Refining martial artist?"

These two swordsmen are both at the 4th rank in skill. They are also somewhat famous figures in the Zhong Province, known as the "Flying Snow Double Blades."

Today, Qiao Mu was selling paintings at a stall. They happened to pass by the antique street, which naturally caught their attention.

However, when they later caught sight of the "Sword Ghost" appearing to inquire about the price, they hid in the shadows, thinking of taking advantage in secret.

They originally didn’t want to clash head-on with the Sword Ghost, who had already reached spiritual refining. They just wanted to make a brief fight, seize the Blood Moon Chart, and then escape with one person taking the opportunity.

However, just as they emerged, one person’s arm was slashed by the other with a sword, almost getting it severed.

"Have you never fought against a Spirit Refining martial artist? Your vision is limited."

Sword Ghost held the sword with one hand and smiled at these two swordsmen.

Facing two opponents alone, he remained calm and even took the initiative to attack, continuously thrusting his sword.

His sword was not extremely fast, and his swordsmanship was not particularly exquisite, but it was still far superior to these two 4th rank swordsmen.

However, what made these two swordsmen extremely frustrated was that even though they were attacking together and could see openings in Sword Ghost’s sword moves, Sword Ghost always managed to dodge them in the blink of an eye.

"Can’t land a hit!"

"His movements are not fast, his swordsmanship is not extremely advanced, and his internal strength is not much stronger than ours, but why…"

After so many exchanges, they couldn’t even touch Sword Ghost’s blade, and their impatience grew.

"Ignorant." The Sword Ghost seemed to know what they were thinking, with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Do you think that a Spirit Refining martial artist at the 3rd rank is superior to a simple strength-training martial artist, even if they are stronger, they are still at the 4th rank?"

"If there is not much difference, why does the imperial court classify martial artists into different levels and grant them different official positions?"

The way of a martial artist is proven through punches.

A thousand years ago, there was no Spiritual Refining Martial Art in this world. The limit of martial arts was the 4th rank. The limit of the 4th rank was the limit of a martial artist, the body’s inherent limitation.

Afterwards, only by relying on the accumulation of internal strength over a long period of time.

Only when martial artists discovered a clear Spiritual Refining Method did they surpass strength-training martial artists and reach the upper 3rd rank.

Instinct!

This is the strength of a martial artist at the upper 3rd rank.

"Only knowing to practice strength and power is ultimately insignificant." Sword Ghost narrowly avoided the swordsman’s strike on his left side, but successfully stabbed the swordsman’s shoulder with his sword, causing blood to flow.

He effortlessly evaded the attacks of two swordsmen, as if strolling in a leisurely garden.

"How do hunters in the mountains overcome fierce jackals, wolves, and leopards?" His eyes were sharp like swords as he stared intently at the two swordsmen.

"Is it by comparing strength with a ferocious tiger? Or by comparing the sharpness of teeth and claws?"

"Of course not!"

In the midst of the fight, he occasionally used the Eye Attacking Technique and used words to attack their hearts:

"The human body has its limits. The 4th rank is the limit!"

"Mortal beings can defeat jackals, wolves, and leopards by relying on their minds and the sharp blades of their weapons!"

"You only know how to train your strength and power. You are fools who compare strength and speed with jackals, wolves, and tigers."

"As Spirit Refining martial artists, we cultivate our instincts, just like a hunter wields a sharp blade to hunt down tigers and leopards. This is a breakthrough from nothing to something. What do you have to stop us?"

In that moment, his gaze pierced through the air like an invisible sword, causing the swordsman with a bone-deep arm injury to tremble uncontrollably and slow down his movements.

Clang!

Amidst the crisp sound of the sword, a head flew up into the sky.

The voice of Sword Ghost echoed like thunder, as he roared:

"Only a strong and resolute mind is true strength. This is the way of us martial artists!"