Mortal Bones

"Thank you, Fairy Lingyue."

Xu Taiping had been looking forward to the human emperor body refining method that Fairy Lingyue had mentioned earlier.

"By the way, I heard that if you become a disciple of the Seven Peaks, you'll have the chance to select cultivation methods at the Tianbao Pavilion."

He continued.

"Select cultivation methods? That's something I can handle. Let me tell you, in terms of vision, even your sect master might not compare to me."

Fairy Lingyue spoke confidently.

"That's naturally true."

Xu Taiping agreed, the more he interacted with her, the more he realized how unfathomable Fairy Lingyue's past cultivation had been.

"However, before the Seven Peaks Competition, I still want to learn another technique, just in case."

At that moment, he suddenly took out a copper mirror and found the catalog of techniques that outer disciples could cultivate, then turned to Fairy Lingyue, saying, "Fairy Lingyue, could you take a look for me?"

During the Seven Peaks Selection, he certainly couldn't use the Ice Breath Technique or the Cang Luan Ring, as the secret of the Earth Fruit would be easily discovered.

"Alright, let me have a look."

Fairy Lingyue moved closer to him and sat beside him at the stone table.

"It seems there aren't many techniques available for outer disciples, and most of them belong to the weaker wood and water elements, which have the least offensive power in the five elements. But that's fine. The Qing Niu Fist combined with the Thousand Heavy Strength is enough for a cultivator at your stage. You just need to choose a support-type technique..."

Fairy Lingyue muttered to herself while carefully selecting.

"Taiping, which one did you pick?"

After a while, it seemed that Fairy Lingyue had already made her choice, but she didn't say it out loud and instead wanted to hear Xu Taiping's choice.

"If it were up to me, I would choose the Fog Borrowing Technique."

Xu Taiping thought for a moment and answered.

Fairy Lingyue's mouth curved into a slight smile when she heard that, as Xu Taiping had chosen the same technique as her.

"Why choose the Fog Borrowing Technique?" she asked with a playful smile, clearly wanting to test Xu Taiping's reasoning.

"According to the description in the copper mirror, the Fog Borrowing Technique only requires one to hold a mouthful of water, use spiritual power to activate it, and then exhale to create mist. In an instant, a ten-zhang (approximately 33 feet) radius can be covered in fog, causing the opponent to lose their bearings."

"It may seem like a small technique, but it can help me gain the upper hand when fighting. It's perfect for my fast battle strategy at this stage."

"Besides, if I ever find myself in a dangerous situation in the future, I can use this technique in combination with the Ice Breath Technique to escape."

Xu Taiping explained to Fairy Lingyue.

At present, the martial techniques he had, such as Qing Niu Fist and Seven Kill Blade, were mostly defensive. If he couldn't defeat the opponent with a single blow, he would be easily put into a passive position once the opponent counterattacked. The Fog Borrowing Technique could help make up for that weakness, especially since he couldn't use the Ice Breath Technique or the Cang Luan Ring in the upcoming Seven Peaks Selection.

"Very good."

Fairy Lingyue was quite satisfied with Xu Taiping's explanation.

"Did Fairy Lingyue choose this technique as well?" Xu Taiping asked, feeling happy.

"Yes," Fairy Lingyue nodded. Then, she explained further, "Apart from the two reasons you just mentioned, I chose this technique because although it seems useless at first glance, it's actually derived from an ancient technique with quite a pedigree."

"An ancient technique?" Xu Taiping immediately became interested.

"Five Elements Escape Technique."

Fairy Lingyue answered.

"Five Elements Escape Technique?"

Xu Taiping had never seen this name in the catalog of techniques at Qingxuan Sect.

"The Five Elements Escape Technique is divided into five parts: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The Fog Borrowing Technique is derived from the water element's fog escape technique."

"And the true fog escape technique isn't just about using fog to obscure vision. It's about completely hiding your body and aura within the fog, so even high-level cultivators' souls cannot detect you. Inside the fog, you can move freely and kill without being noticed."

Fairy Lingyue explained to Xu Taiping.

"So the Fog Borrowing Technique is derived from such a powerful technique," Xu Taiping was surprised.

"This technique happens to be one I also know. Once you've learned the Fog Borrowing Technique, I'll teach you how to gradually refine it into the true Fog Escape Technique," Fairy Lingyue said, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Due to the damage to her soul, what she loved most now was seeing Xu Taiping grow stronger under her guidance.

"Then I'll choose the Fog Borrowing Technique!" Xu Taiping said, also feeling excited.

At this point, with just one or two months left until the Seven Peaks Selection, learning a simple technique was no problem.

"I wonder how Linglong and Qingxiao have been over the past three years, and if they still remember me," Xu Taiping muttered as he gazed at the bright moon in the sky.

He suddenly recalled how Linglong and Qingxiao had brought him to Yunlu Mountain back then and how Linglong had specifically arranged for him to stay at Qingzhu Residence afterward.

"Don't worry, it won't be long before you can all cultivate together at the Seven Peaks," Fairy Lingyue gently patted Xu Taiping's shoulder.

"Mm."

Xu Taiping nodded, feeling that he should soon fulfill the promise he made three years ago to Linglong and Qingxiao—to win the selection and ascend to the Seven Peaks.

Then, he shook his head, stood up, and walked toward the backyard to begin his daily practice.

With the help of Dragon Gall Liquor, he could almost practice without sleeping for two years. Because of this, he had more cultivation time than ordinary people.

However, even with Dragon Gall Liquor, it couldn't erase the fatigue and pain from his training. Therefore, he had to endure twice, even three times, as much pain and exhaustion as ordinary people. But despite that, Xu Taiping had never skipped a day of training.

"A determined person will be rewarded by heaven."

Fairy Lingyue murmured as she watched Xu Taiping practice tirelessly in the backyard, repeating the actions of drawing and sheathing his blade.

...

Two months later.

Seventh Peak of Yunlu Mountain.

"Senior brother, senior brother!"

On the beautiful and mystical Hongyu Bridge of the Seven Peaks, a girl in a red dress, resembling a red cloud, flew across the arch bridge and headed straight toward a floating sword-testing platform at the other end.

"Linglong, I've told you many times, Chenshi (the time for sword nurturing) is when I cultivate my sword, don't come up here."

On the Sword Cultivation Platform, a handsome young man in a blue robe opened his eyes and stood up. A flying sword that had been circling above his head transformed into a streak of light and "whooshed" into his chest.

These two were none other than Zhao Linglong and Dugu Qingxiao, who had brought Xu Taiping into the sect.

"Senior brother, he, he, he's still alive!"

Linglong excitedly raised a scroll in her hand.

"He? Who?" Qingxiao was confused.

"Xu Taiping!"

Linglong finally said the name she had been holding back for a long time.

"That Xu Taiping from Qingniu Village?" Qingxiao was also surprised.