Chapter 44: Lavish Training
Chapter 44: Lavish Training
The next day.
The Spirit Fruit Tree bore fruit.
Lu Hangzhi worked hard to practice One Thought, Three Actions, barely managing to assign separate tasks: one Flying Sword circled clockwise above the courtyard, a second Flying Sword flew counterclockwise, and the third Flying Sword performed various random attacks in the courtyard. Sonic booms erupted frequently, and Sword Qi crisscrossed, turning the courtyard into a place filled with murderous intent. The backyard was covered with fallen leaves from the Purple Bamboo.
“The fruits are ripe!”
“Lü’e and Cong Fang, come quickly! Hurry and pick the fruits. We must not let the Sword Qi damage them.” As soon as Ruan Qing ripened all the Spirit Fruits, he called the two women to help pick and pack them into boxes.
Lu Hangzhi remained indifferent.
After three days of intense cultivation, he could now control three Flying Swords at the same time, but he was still far from achieving One Thought, Four Actions. His mind was completely absorbed, continuously controlling the three Flying Swords while focusing on directing the third Flying Sword to attack imaginary enemies.
However…
This kind of training clearly had little effect left.
At that moment, whether distracted by the sonic booms of the Sword Qi or simply unsteady, Lü’e let a Spirit Fruit slip from her fingers. It fell and rolled several meters away.
The plump, bright red fruit rolled on the ground, very conspicuous.
Lu Hangzhi’s gaze shifted, and the third Flying Sword almost simultaneously descended from the sky, plunging into the courtyard at a terrifying speed. The two women were terrified, screaming repeatedly.
Lu Hangzhi snapped back to his senses, but it was too late…
The Flying Sword struck deep into the ground, and the escaped Essence Spirit Fruit was directly shattered and obliterated by the powerful Magic Power, leaving a several-meter-deep crater.
Oh no!
Lu Hangzhi was also startled. He retrieved the Flying Sword to his side and anxiously glanced at Lü’e and Cong Fang.
“Are you two sisters okay?”
The two women were unharmed but badly frightened. Their pretty faces turned pale as they looked at the deep sword pit right in front of them.
“Sorry.”
Lu Hangzhi smiled bitterly. “I didn’t notice just now, and the Flying Sword went out.”
“Eh? Doesn’t that mean you’ve reached the Sword Control Art realm of ‘where the mind goes, the sword follows’?” Ruan Qing exclaimed in surprise.
Lu Hangzhi nodded honestly.
“Pretty much.”
“Where the mind goes, the sword follows” was one of the realms in a Cultivator’s practice of Sword Control Art.
Usually, after practicing for some time, Cultivators could basically master and achieve this realm, gaining the ability to take someone’s head from several miles away. It was nothing particularly remarkable.
Hearing this, Ruan Qing became even more astonished, his voice rising.
“Oh my gosh!”
“When we practice Sword Control Art, it usually takes a long time of hard training to reach this realm, but Senior Brother Hangzhi, you were controlling two other Flying Swords at the same time.”
Lu Hangzhi didn’t understand immediately and blinked.
“And then?”
Ruan Qing nearly rolled his eyes.
“Don’t you get it?”
“To achieve ‘where the mind goes, the sword follows,’ you must focus entirely on controlling the Flying Sword and reach a certain level of proficiency. Just now, you clearly achieved this realm while distracted… So, Senior Brother Hangzhi, do you understand what I mean?” Ruan Qing stared excitedly into Lu Hangzhi’s eyes, his expression very animated.
Lu Hangzhi slowly showed a look of realization, his eyes growing brighter as he gradually understood.
Right!
Although Ruan Qing’s explanation was a bit disjointed, Lu Hangzhi had realized his own issue.
Combat capability.
Regardless of how well he controlled the other two Flying Swords, at the very least, through several days of intense cultivation, he had gained some combat capability, achieving the goal of starting from nothing.
Lü’e and Cong Fang had never practiced Sword Control Art and stood there blankly, not saying a word.
Lu Hangzhi’s eyes grew even brighter, his gaze fiery!
He had been blinded by the leaves.
Over the past few days, in pursuit of One Thought, Four Actions, he had overlooked growth in another area. “Where the mind goes, the sword follows” was the main manifestation of Flying Sword techniques forming combat capability. Although the attack method was relatively simple, it was one of the best attack methods, known for its speed and low Magic Power consumption.
There was really no need to blindly pursue One Thought, Four Actions!
The path of cultivation should be gradual. Rushing headlong might cause one to miss the scenery along the way and become stuck in a dead end.
If he could make the most of the One Thought, Three Actions realm and solidify the ability to launch three swords simultaneously, he could still stand out among his peers and achieve remarkable results.
“Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Ruan Qing.”
Lu Hangzhi’s thoughts cleared, and he immediately turned to Ruan Qing, bowing solemnly in thanks. This startled the extremely excited Ruan Qing, who quickly returned the gesture. “Senior Brother, you’re too kind.”
“Hehe…”
Lü’e and Cong Fang saw the two bowing to each other, one calling the other “Senior Brother” and vice versa, and couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement.
Lu Hangzhi and Ruan Qing finally stopped, the atmosphere a bit awkward.
“Ahem.”
Ruan Qing coughed and suggested, “Senior Brother Hangzhi, instead of practicing Flying Swords against the air, wouldn’t it be better to train in actual combat? It might be more effective.”
“I think so too.”
Lu Hangzhi nodded.
In fact, he had felt this impulse ever since Ruan Qing reminded him.
But…
Practicing in crowded places wouldn’t be as quiet, and the Seven-Seven Sword Formation wasn’t suitable for too many people to know about.
This was his little secret.
Since the Seven-Seven Sword Formation was his strongest Art Technique, it needed to be hidden well and not revealed to too many people.
Moreover,
in two months, it would be the semi-annual Sect Grand Competition. He was counting on relying on the Seven-Seven Sword Formation to achieve better results in the competition.
After reaching the Fifth Grade, once the Seven-Seven Sword Formation was moderately mastered, it was very possible to make it into the top five, if not the top ten…
“Never mind.”
Lu Hangzhi finally decided to practice the Seven-Seven Sword Formation in secret and not reveal it until the Sect Grand Competition.
However, it was necessary to find targets for the Flying Swords.
“Sister Lü’e, Sister Cong Fang.”
The two women heard the seriousness in Lu Hangzhi’s tone and turned to him.
“Hangzhi, go ahead.”
“Here’s the thing,”
Lu Hangzhi said. “After you finish picking the fruits, don’t rush to put them away. Instead, join Senior Brother Ruan Qing and help me practice.”
“Eh?”
At these words, apart from Ruan Qing who showed a thoughtful expression, the two women were clearly stunned and confused.
Lu Hangzhi smiled and pointed at the Spirit Fruits.
“I want you to throw the Spirit Fruits into the air.”
The two women were speechless with astonishment.
Although Ruan Qing had vaguely guessed something, when it was truly confirmed, he could not help but show a bitter expression:
Rich guy!
Extravagant!
Using Essence Spirit Fruits as targets… this…
Probably only Lu Hangzhi in the entire Xuanxin Sect could do such a thing.
A few minutes later, the four of them were ready.
Lü’e, Cong Fang, and Ruan Qing each took a stone table, which was piled high with plump, fresh Essence Spirit Fruits, their fragrance filling the air.
The three of them wore pained expressions, hesitating.
“Throw!”
Lu Hangzhi could not help but urge.
Ruan Qing gritted his teeth, picked up an Essence Spirit Fruit, and threw it forcefully into the air.
Clang!
As the Spirit Fruit left his hand, Lu Hangzhi willed it, and the Flying Sword stuck in the ground before him shot into the air like a flash of lightning, slicing the Spirit Fruit in two above Ruan Qing’s head.
Lü’e and Cong Fang acted at the same time.
Lu Hangzhi smiled.
Perfect timing!
Clang! Clang!
The second and third Flying Swords hit their targets one after another, with only a thousandth of a second between them.
At that moment, the first Flying Sword began to circle steadily above the courtyard.
The second and third Flying Swords, after hitting their targets, also started to circle.
“Keep going!”
Lu Hangzhi shouted.
Lü’e and Cong Fang quickly exchanged helpless looks and reached for the Spirit Fruits on the table.
Lu Hangzhi reacted quickly.
Every time a Spirit Fruit rose above the height of the courtyard wall, a Flying Sword immediately shot out, slicing the fruit in two with lightning speed…
As Lu Hangzhi got more and more excited, Lü’e, Cong Fang, and Ruan Qing gradually became numb and started throwing the Spirit Fruits faster.
“Good!”
“Faster, even faster!”
Even though the three of them threw very fast, they could not keep up with the speed of thought.
A thought flashed, and the Spirit Fruit was cut—it took only a fraction of a second. Six halves of Spirit Fruits fell to the ground, their juices fragrant and filling the courtyard with Spiritual Energy.
“Good thing Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying aren’t here, or they would have cried themselves unconscious in the courtyard.”
Lü’e sighed with emotion as she looked at the Spirit Fruits covering the ground.
Cong Fang paused briefly, and then they saw two small figures rushing into the courtyard like whirlwinds: “Spirit Fruits, my Spirit Fruits!”
“Ah, don’t cut my Spirit Fruits!”
Speak of the devil!
The three of them stopped, then looked on uncomfortably as Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying trembled, their eyes dazed and pained, staring at the shattered Spirit Fruits all over the ground…
Drooling uncontrollably!
Lu Hangzhi smiled wryly repeatedly.
He never expected these two foodies to barge in at this moment.
Before he could comfort them, Lu Hangzhi saw Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying do something that surprised everyone.
Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying had serious expressions, exchanged a determined glance, and then…
Whoosh!
Two whirlwinds rushed into the courtyard.
Immediately after, all the shattered Spirit Fruits in the courtyard rose from the ground on their own…
Dust automatically peeled off the Spirit Fruits.
Pieces of the shattered Spirit Fruits floated toward Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying.
Telekinesis!
Lu Hangzhi raised an eyebrow, then watched as the two began frantically devouring the floating Spirit Fruit pieces, eating with great delight.
“In… incredible!”
Ruan Qing was stunned.
Lü’e and Cong Fang were completely speechless, covering their foreheads and shaking their heads:
These two foodies are truly hopeless.
Lu Hangzhi watched for a while, then shook his head helplessly and told the three to continue practicing with him.
Spirit Fruits were once again thrown into the air.
Lu Hangzhi immediately focused his mind, and the Flying Swords began to strike frequently.
Before long…
The frequency of Spirit Fruit throws increased.
Three flashes of light crisscrossed above the courtyard, leaving behind a net-like pattern of Sword Qi. More and more Spirit Fruit fragments fell to the ground.
A little later.
“You’re too slow, I’ll join in!”
“Fun! And there’s food too, I want to play as well!”
Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying joined the battle.
The number of Spirit Fruits shooting into the air suddenly skyrocketed.
Lu Hangzhi felt a great increase in pressure, sweat beading on his forehead. Not daring to lose focus, he concentrated fully, eventually closing his eyes and relying entirely on his Spiritual Sense to control the swords!
Swoosh!
Swoosh! Swoosh!
The Flying Swords hit their targets one after another, immediately chasing after another Spirit Fruit without pause.
The Sword Qi above the courtyard became even denser. Three Flying Swords flew back and forth horizontally, chasing the fruits. Spirit Fruits and their juices rained down into the courtyard, creating a spectacular scene.
“Damn!”
“I can’t do it!”
“The frequency is too fast, my Magic Power is draining too quickly, I can’t hold on anymore!”
“Stop! Everyone stop!”
“Stop throwing!”
After a while, Lu Hangzhi finally drained the last bit of Magic Power from his Spiritual Power Pool. Panting heavily, he raised his hands in surrender to the five increasingly excited throwers.
In the end, they counted: over two thousand Essence Spirit Fruits, and about a third had been wasted.
As Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying were leaving, they rubbed their round bellies and said:
“Senior Brother! Next time, be sure to let us know in advance.”
“… As long as you’re happy.”