Heaven Refining physique-Chapter 63: The Sword’s Way and Deception

Ming Yue sighed and was about to give up when Jiang Hao suggested something else.

"Senior Sister, I am going to practice the basics of my sword’s way. How about you guide me?"

Ming Yue’s ears perked up. She forgot all her grievances and nodded enthusiastically; she was quite eager to teach him.

Jiang Hao nodded internally. From now on, if he had to distract Senior Sister, all he had to do was bring up the sword’s way.

Jiang Hao started practicing the basics of sword skills while Ming Yue guided him. Shortly after, Meiying came, and they briefed her about everything. Meiying didn’t go into hiding and stayed with them.

Learning the sword’s way is different from learning sword skills. The sword’s way is similar to spiritual roots in cultivators. The higher your mastery in the sword’s way—or, you could say, the weapon’s way—the better and more powerful your skills will be.

Also, in fights between cultivators, you don’t only use skills to attack, as it’s not efficient and consumes a lot of qi. Melee combat is the most important part. Hence, those with higher proficiency in the weapon’s way or hand-to-hand combat always have an edge over their opponents.

There are several classifications in the weapon’s way. These are: Weapon Beginner, Weapon Disciple, Weapon Mastery, Weapon Intent Awakening, Weapon Heart, and Weapon Soul.

Jiang Hao knew only these levels. He was aware that there were other levels, but he didn’t know about them, just like how he only had knowledge up to the Void Reversion realm.

Jiang Hao was at the beginner level of the sword’s way and had a long way to go.

...

Chen Xi and his group were moving at a very high speed. He was releasing his spirit sense to its max.

He hoped that he would encounter his targets instead of Zhao Qiang. That way, he could capture all of them and earn more merits because the Azure Sky Sect would have to pay a higher price to get them.

They might be working together, but they were also rivals.

While he was thinking about this, he sensed something with his spirit sense. It was two human cultivators.

He didn’t know who they were, as spirit sense can only detect things that possess spirit qi. Of course, it is easy to hide from it if you have some treasure or secret skills that block spirit sense.

But those things only work when you don’t release spirit qi actively.

Chen Xi focused his attention on them, and his eyes lit up. These two were in the Foundation Establishment realm, and it was impossible for two Foundation Establishment cultivators to come this deep into the Dark Forest.

He also frowned because he didn’t see Huan Caiyi or Zhi Hui, but he wasn’t afraid. After all, they were both only in the mid-stage Void Reversion realm.

Maybe both of them were cultivating nearby or had gone somewhere else. He didn’t care.

When he stopped, the others also stopped. One of the cultivators, a woman, asked him immediately,

"Senior, what happened?"

Chen Xi was in a good mood, so he responded happily.

"Hehehe... we found what we were looking for. Let’s go."

...

When Zhi Hui and Huan Caiyi sensed the spirit sense, they both nodded to themselves. It was the spirit sense of a Heavenly King realm cultivator.

Zhi Hui immediately used her own spirit sense to inform both Jiang Hao and Ming Yue. No one can sense spirit sense unless they have activated their own, but those who have activated it can send their voice within its range, which can be heard by those they want to listen.

When Ming Yue and Jiang Hao heard her, they became alert but still acted as if they didn’t know anything.

It didn’t take long before five cultivators appeared above them.

Ming Yue looked shocked and shielded Jiang Hao behind her—not to defend him, but only to hide his real expressions.

When Chen Xi looked at Ming Yue, he couldn’t help but exclaim internally. He had only seen her poster before, but seeing her in person was far different from seeing colorless posters.

She was the most beautiful woman he had seen until now, but he had to act nonchalant since he was with his four juniors. If he did something unusual, it would damage his image.

"Juniors, what are you doing here? Are you guys lost? It’s too dangerous for you two to stay this deep in the forest," he said.

Ming Yue rolled her eyes inwardly and responded,

"Don’t worry, Seniors. We are not alone. We have two seniors with us who left to collect some resources nearby. They will be coming soon."

"How careless of them to leave you guys alone here. It’s too dangerous, you know," the only woman in the group spoke.

"Seniors, you shouldn’t worry too much. My master has created a special protective array for us. Even Grade 7 beasts need four to five attacks to break it."

Ming Yue pointed at the protective array Zhi Hui had drawn.

When they heard that, they all looked toward the array drawn in a circle around Ming Yue and Jiang Hao.

"It really is quite an advanced protective array. Your master must be quite a skilled array master," Chen Xi couldn’t help but exclaim. Although he didn’t know much about arrays, he still had the expertise to recognize a good one.

One of the men following him came forward and examined the array from above.

"Indeed, Senior, it really is quite a good array. I have also achieved mastery in array formation. How about we go down and look at it carefully? What if it only looks good from above?"

Chen Xi nodded and spoke.

"Certainly, let’s go. We should fortify it more if it is weak. We can’t neglect the safety of two heavenly geniuses."

"Senior, please wait," Ming Yue said when she heard that.

"My master specified that if anyone came within 10 meters of the array formation, we should immediately use a Minor Transference Talisman to run away.

Senior, I know you are thinking of our safety, but I also can’t disobey my master’s order."

Jiang Hao sighed internally when he heard that. Senior Sister is a natural liar too. He really learns something new about her every time he thinks he knows her well enough.

Chen Xi became silent for a while. He didn’t want that to happen. Also, this array was really good. He definitely needed time to break it, which would be enough for these two to escape.

Even if he used his power to disturb the void around this area, they would still be able to leave. The only uncertainty would be their direction of appearance. They might end up in the Forbidden Zone, as it was only about 1,000 miles away from here, and the Minor Transference Talisman’s range was also 1,000 miles.

He had to prevent that from happening, or else he would lose this opportunity.

"Of course, if your master has specified it, then we won’t come that close. I see that you guys were practicing the sword’s way.

Although the way I follow is the saber’s, I can still guide you. I might not look like it, but I am a Heavenly King realm cultivator. Even Void Reversion cultivators come to ask for guidance from me.

So, you wouldn’t mind if I come down and watch you guys train, would you? We can wait for your masters to come. That way, we can keep you safe even without fortifying the array."

He also used his spirit sense to send a message to his subordinates.

’Find a way to dismantle this array. Dismantling it in one attack is the only way we can capture them.’

’Of course, Senior. The main node of this type of array is always in the center, but other supportive nodes are needed for it to function properly, and they must be drawn on the periphery of the array. If we find even one of them, then it will only take one attack to dismantle it. But the problem is we can’t go near it, so it will take time to decipher it.’

’Do it as fast as you can.’

’Okay, Senior.’

"Of course, Senior. You can go anywhere you like if you stay 10 meters away from the array."

"Hm... pardon us."

After saying that, all five of them entered the clearing, unaware that they were already within the range of a restrictive array that would become their doom.

When Zhi Hui saw them enter the array’s range, she smiled and sent her qi to a particular node close to her while saying, "Activate."

The moment her qi entered the node, all other nodes connected to it activated simultaneously.

Chen Xi felt that something was off, but before he could react, he saw the entire ground beneath their feet light up, creating a dome shield around the whole clearing. They were all inside it.

Chen Xi’s eyes constricted, and he shouted,

"It’s a restriction array!"

He already felt his cultivation realm getting restricted to the peak of the Void Reversion realm. It wasn’t that his cultivation level had dropped, only that his strength was capped at this level. He wouldn’t be able to use strength beyond the peak of the Void Reversion realm.

"Senior, you are amazing! It really is a restriction array," Ming Yue nodded enthusiastically.

When Chen Xi heard that, his veins popped, and he attacked with full strength. His saber was coated in water, and when he slashed it toward Ming Yue, it released a wave that was sharp and heavy. If it truly hit Ming Yue, she might be minced into oblivion.