Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

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Amidst the crisscrossed Sword Abyss were a number of iron chain bridges.

To be precise, the bridges were simply iron chains, not iron chain bridges.

These iron chain bridges consisted of only a single iron chain.

And in front of Chen Qing, on this iron chain, was a little girl in white who looked to be only eight or nine years old. She spread her arms, swaying left and right, yet strangely steady.

Crossing the iron chain, the little girl jumped off, "Are you Brother Qingxu?"

Chen Qing found it amusing, "Indeed."

"What is your name?"

The little girl stretched her neck and looked up, "Dong Ya."

"The uncles already said, when Brother Qingxu comes, take him over."

After speaking, the little girl jumped back onto the iron chain.

Chen Qing followed, trying to ensure that walking on the chain wouldn't sway too much, lest he accidentally shook the girl off.

As he walked, Chen Qing suddenly saw hundreds of flying swords rising from the main peak of Hidden Sword Mountain, heading toward a large rock not far from the Dragon Cavalry.

With a whistling of swords, in just a moment, they carved the large rock into the shape of a pavilion.

Soon, the swords began sweeping with brooms and wiping cloths.

Many swords carried tables and food, placing them before the stone pavilion, and even invited Ye Yuntian and others to a banquet.

This astonishing scene left Chen Qing in awe.

As expected of Hidden Sword Mountain.

Who would have thought Dong Ya would say, "I heard that before Senior Brother Zhang Can went up the mountain, the senior brothers and sisters weren't this lazy."

"After Senior Brother Zhang Can came, everyone became unwilling to leave."

"Everything is done with flying swords."

This control over flying swords made Chen Qing feel impressed.

After crossing the iron chain bridge, Chen Qing followed Dong Ya along the winding paths toward the main peak of Hidden Sword Mountain.

Before reaching the main peak, Chen Qing saw an eighteen-story high platform, with cushions scattered throughout.

Each Hidden Sword Mountain disciple sat cross-legged on the lower levels, seriously comprehending the sword.

Dong Ya said, "These are our Hidden Sword Mountain's disciples."

"Brother Qingxu, come with me."

Continuing to follow Dong Ya, bypassing the eighteen-story platform, Chen Qing reached the mountaintop along a small path.

Ahead, in a plum blossom grove, an elderly man with white hair was picking up a pair of scissors, trimming the plum branches.

Seeing Chen Qing come, he put down the scissors, glanced at Chen Qing, and said, "I thought Qingxu was someone extraordinarily talented, but I didn't expect such low attainment in the Sword Dao."

"Your grasp of the Sword Dao is even less than that of Zhang Can."

Chen Qing observed the old man in front of him and asked, "Does the State Preceptor stand before me?"

The white-haired elder nodded slightly, motioning for Chen Qing to sit.

Chen Qing was unreserved, found a cushion, and sat down.

"Why can the State Preceptor leave the royal city?"

The State Preceptor waved his sleeve and sat on the cushion opposite Chen Qing, "The nine royal cities recalled those of the Mystic Gate Realm and above to select someone who could stand against Ji Dang."

"Now that someone has been chosen, why not leave the royal city?"

Chen Qing said, "That makes sense. Did you return, State Preceptor, just to look at me?"

The State Preceptor said, "Since I've already bet on you, entrusting the life and death of my Foundation Establishment disciples of Hidden Sword Mountain to you."

"I must take a look to be assured."

"It seems that it's somewhat lacking."

"With your current Sword Dao attainment, you'd surely be defeated in technique against Ji Dang."

"Yan Shiyin has a Double Pupil Gu, with masterful blade skills, one could say he has already reached a high level."

"But even before Ji Dang, he still had no chance to counter."

"And you are even worse."

"Watching your steps, it doesn't seem like those of a person who practices swordsmanship regularly."

Chen Qing did not hide, "Pardon me, State Preceptor, but Qingxu has only practiced swordsmanship for just two years."

Hearing this, the State Preceptor eased somewhat, "If so, your Sword Dao talent is indeed lacking."

Chen Qing didn't feel much resistance to this point.

His Sword Dao gift was indeed not high.

He felt he wasn't even as good as Yu Qingshuang.

Compared to those heavenly prides in history, he indeed fell short in many ways.

The State Preceptor continued, "Martial skills have four major realms, Reach Profound, Dharma Eye, Grandmaster, and Saint."

"From watching your posture, it's merely Reach Profound."

"Needless to say, Fatian Xiangdi is indeed powerful."

"According to records, it's quite possible Ji Dang is a Spear Dao Grandmaster. Though he just entered Grandmaster, he is still in the Grandmaster Realm."

"If you fight him, you'd be riddled with flaws in his eyes."

"Not to mention him, even Zhang Can, who is at the Dharma Eye Realm, you might not be able to withstand his sword against him."

Chen Qing recalled the scene when he fought Zhang Can, indeed, Zhang Can's Sword Dao attainment far surpassed his.

When Zhang Can made a move, Chen Qing could only endure the blows.

Mainly because he was so resistant, which led Zhang Can and him to a draw.

But truly speaking of Sword Dao accomplishment, he was just a young man who had studied the sword for only two years. Without high talent, how could he compare to Zhang Can?

Zhang Can originally had notable talent in the Sword Dao, practicing the sword for years, naturally, he was extraordinary and far surpassed those of the same generation.

At this moment, Chen Qing finally had a clear understanding of genius.

Those like Zhang Can, who reached the Martial Arts' second realm at a young age in the Foundation Establishment Realm, were already towering over Jiuli.

And those like Ji Dang, who appeared once every few thousand years, were in the Grandmaster Realm.

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