That night, after returning to his room, He Qiu began to hesitate over a certain matter.
In seven days, he had already mastered the *Fine Snow Sword Manual* gifted by Senior Sister An Lingran.
However, He Qiu was ultimately just a beginner sword cultivator who had been at it for less than one month; his combat experience and proficiency with sword techniques were still lacking.
His breach of etiquette during today’s match, where he almost lost to one of Zhou Hang’s underhanded tricks, was the most obvious evidence of this.
Because of that, He Qiu was now very hesitant.
In terms of the literal agreement, he had already fulfilled Senior Sister’s requirements.
But when he thought of the high standards held by Senior Sister and the Xueyin Lineage, He Qiu felt he could not go to her so carelessly.
He needed to wait until he had thoroughly mastered the true essence of the sword technique.
‘Did I really think the three-month time limit was just for show?’
‘No way.’
The fact that He Qiu could master an introductory sword manual in seven days proved he wasn’t a useless waste and that his hard work hadn’t been in vain.
But if he wanted to further his proficiency and reach a level of mastery where his skills were perfected through combat, he had to go to an actual battlefield to experience it.
Therefore, for the remaining two and a half months, He Qiu decided to temper his practical combat experience.
At the same time, he wanted to bond with and train the Sword Spirit, Remnant Snow, to truly reach the state described in the *Fine Snow Sword Manual* — man and sword as one, ten thousand returning to the sheath!
Until he had truly understood the sword manual to its core, He Qiu could not rashly approach An Lingran about their agreement.
Otherwise, he would surely cause that look of disappointment to appear in her eyes again.
He couldn’t let Senior Sister think his comprehension was poor or that he lacked emotional intelligence.
‘As I thought, to become a qualified sword cultivator, one must undergo tempering through a thousand refinements!’
‘It won’t be too late to share the good news with Senior Sister and formally join the lineage once I’ve truly succeeded…’
After some thought, He Qiu finally made his decision.
But if he was going to seek practical combat experience, what kind of target should he find?
Fellow cultivators from the Sect?
At that moment, the Sword Spirit, Remnant Snow, who had been too afraid to say a word after being scolded by He Qiu earlier that day, finally found a topic.
She made a suggestion with full confidence:
[Master, these guys in the Sect are too weak! Besides, practicing in turn-based exchanges can’t mimic the tension of flashing blades and shadows on a real battlefield… Therefore, Xue’er does not recommend finding others to practice with.]
“Hmm, that makes sense.”
He Qiu leaned against the headboard and nodded thoughtfully.
Seeing that her master was in a good mood, Remnant Snow continued in her natural, girlish voice:
[Master, Master~ Xue’er has a great idea!]
“Let’s hear it.”
[With Master’s noble character, why not act like the protagonist of a wuxia novel? Go down the mountain to be a righteous swordsman who champions justice and punishes evil!]
“Eh? …Don’t say another word, I can actually see the appeal.”
Visualizing the cool scene of himself fighting with a sword, He Qiu couldn’t help but feel his blood boil with excitement.
He was eager to try it.
A man remains a boy at heart until he dies.
At his current age after being reborn, how could He Qiu not want to be like the heroes in wuxia novels — tempering a sword for 100 years, then heading down the mountain to see a little blood from some mountain bandits or thieves, doing good deeds and earning respect?
*Tsk, tsk.*
Not only would he defeat bad guys and do good deeds, but he could also reasonably kill and draw blood to hone his practical sword techniques.
“Not bad, that’s a great idea! Xue’er, you’re finally speaking like a person.”
With the corners of his mouth curling slightly, He Qiu expressed his approval of Remnant Snow’s suggestion.
Deep within his Spirit Vein, Remnant Snow’s face flushed red with joy after receiving her master’s praise:
[If Master truly agrees, then take Xue’er down the mountain tomorrow! To be honest, Xue’er can’t wait to kill someone~ I want to pierce through a human heart, then rotate the sharp edge of the blade, scraping and stirring the blood-red organs into mince, and then—]
“Stop, stop!”
He Qiu interrupted Remnant Snow as she got more and more carried away.
He furrowed his brows and massaged his temples with a depressed expression.
“Remnant Snow, is this Sword Spirit of mine trying to upset me on purpose? Senior Sister was right; why do I feel like your nature is becoming more and more cruel and wicked?”
[Xue’er didn’t mean it, Xue’er isn’t a bad sword. Master… Master, please don’t be angry!]
Remnant Snow panicked.
She really didn’t mean it, but whenever killing was mentioned, she couldn’t control her stupid little mouth.
She had spoken nonsense and upset her master again.
She clearly didn’t want her master to hate her.
‘But killing is clearly such a happy thing. Why can’t Master understand me?’
‘Xue’er feels so wronged. Xue’er was just telling the truth…’
The more she thought about it, the more upset she became.
The Sword Spirit’s emotional fluctuations were erratic, and she was clearly on the verge of being scared to tears by He Qiu’s questioning.
He Qiu sighed.
“Forget it, don’t be sad. I won’t hate you over such a small matter.”
[Master, really?]
“Really.”
[Will Master still like Xue’er?]
“I like you. After all, you’re the first Sword Spirit I’ve forged in this life, a genuine first-time experience.”
[Yay! Xue’er likes Master the most, too~ I’m so happy!]
Like a whimsical little girl, Remnant Snow’s mood shifted instantly.
One second she was so aggrieved she was about to cry, but after hearing He Qiu’s comfort, she immediately started jumping around excitedly inside the Spirit Vein, as if she had endless energy at all times.
The match earlier that day had made He Qiu quite tired.
He blew out the candle by the bed and lay on his side:
“It’s getting late. I’ll take you down the mountain in a few days to look around. We’ll find some bandits or robbers to sharpen my combat experience.”
[Mm-hmm! Goodnight, Master~]
“Goodnight.”
***
The Zhou Family Branch Manor, inner chambers.
On the bed, Zhou Hang lay unconscious.
Beside the bed, the Little Rat Lackey stood guard respectfully.
After a long while, Zhou Hang finally stirred.
“Young Master! You—you’re finally awake?”
“Ugh…”
Zhou Hang sat up, his face full of exhaustion.
After resting for a moment, he suddenly remembered something and his eyes widened.
“Did I… Did I lose to He Qiu in the end?”
“Yes, Young Master narrowly lost…”
The lackey’s voice was weak.
“Fine. A loss is a loss, let’s not speak of it.”
Zhou Hang rubbed his temples as he sat up and stretched.
For some reason, even though he had lost the match, Zhou Hang’s mood was unexpectedly good.
He even felt a bit of admiration for that Junior Brother named He Qiu.
It was truly strange…
In his daze, Zhou Hang habitually reached for his sword on the cabinet.
However, the second his fingertips touched the hilt, he froze as if struck by lightning.
His eyes widened, and sweat broke out on his forehead.
“Young Master! What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“I… I seem to have broken through…”
“Huh?”
Zhou Hang was shocked.
He felt the surging Ice Cold Sword Intent within his body.
At this moment, he vaguely felt that he had broken through Stage 4 Spirit Realm.
His Sword Heart glowed brilliantly once more, reaching Stage 5 Spirit Realm.
‘What—what is going on?’
‘I lose a match, get beaten up, and I break through?’
Zhou Hang was utterly bewildered.
With a serious look, he turned to the Little Rat Lackey beside him.
“I ask you, while I was unconscious today, did some expert treat my injuries?”
“Ah, this…”
The Little Rat Lackey was stunned for a moment before saying cautiously, “Young Master, when you narrowly lost and fell unconscious, it was Junior Brother He Qiu who gave you some brief treatment.”
“Him!?”
Zhou Hang’s expression was one of pure shock and disbelief.
“Yes. After you were brought back to the manor, several medical cultivators also checked your injuries. They all said your body was fine—healthy, even…”
The lackey hesitated before asking, “Young Master, could it be that the kid did something to you while you were out—”
*Slap!!*
Before he could finish his sentence, Zhou Hang slapped him, terrifying the Little Rat Lackey.
“Watch your words. Is Brother He Qiu someone we can slander so casually?”
“???”
“Do you know why I was able to break through?”
Zhou Hang felt the surging sword intent within him and sighed emotionally.
“This is genuine Ice Cold Sword Intent! It turns out we have always misunderstood Brother He Qiu’s character!”
Sword Intent was the essence of a sword cultivator’s lifelong path.
Its value and concentration were far higher than ordinary Spiritual Energy; it was incomparably precious!
Generally speaking, mainstream sword cultivators in this world were unwilling to provide sword intent to others.
Because the sword intent cultivated by each individual was unique, it was truly the essence of essences and could not be leaked easily!
Furthermore, He Qiu had used Ice Cold Sword Intent to heal him the moment he took action?
Although Zhou Hang couldn’t learn the profound mysteries of the *Fine Snow Sword Manual* from this bit of Ice Cold Sword Intent alone, even a superficial amount was more than enough to compensate for his long-standing flaws.
It helped Zhou Hang take another step forward on his path of the sword.
Such an opportunity was something one could seek but never find!
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.
Zhou Hang experienced the sword intent in his hand and looked up, praising, “Brother He Qiu is truly a hidden expert who keeps a low profile.”
“Though he defeated me, he isn’t arrogant or vengeful. He even took the initiative to bestow priceless Ice Cold Sword Intent to heal me… I ask you, in this world of spiritual cultivation, is there a second swordsman so generous and kind?”
“Presumably, this bit of sword intent is completely insignificant to Brother He Qiu. At most, it was a simple gesture, a daily act of kindness from an expert…”
Overcome with emotion, Zhou Hang fell to his knees with a thud and sighed toward the heavens.
“I am impressed! Truly, I am filled with the utmost admiration!”
“For this grace and virtue, I, Zhou Hang, will surely do everything in my power to repay him in the future!”
***
“Achoo—!”
Late at night, He Qiu sneezed without warning and woke with a start.
Scratching his hair, He Qiu showed his morning grumpiness and cursed, “Which annoying person is cursing me behind my back? It’s the middle of the night and they won’t let a person sleep. Is there no end to this?”
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