Chapter Thirty: Blood and Bone

Chapter Thirty: Into the Bone, Through the Blood

Fang Junmei smiled faintly at the words, walked to the well, and began to wash himself as he asked, “Senior Brother Song, do you mean that if I hadn’t passed this ordeal, I would be unqualified to receive your guidance?”

“That’s exactly right!”

Song Shede made no attempt to hide his intentions, answering with frankness that left Fang Junmei slightly taken aback.

Song Shede’s gaze grew deep. He said calmly, “You may think I’m being utilitarian, but the world of cultivation is exactly like this. Only when you stand at a certain level do you qualify to receive certain things, to earn the respect of others. Otherwise, no one will pay you any mind. The cultivation world is even more pragmatic and cruel than the mundane world.”

At these words, Fang Junmei nodded noncommittally.

Song Shede continued, “Don’t think me too blunt, Junior Brother. Because of your excellent performance, I also received a small reward from our master, which is why I’m saying these things to you.”

This time, Fang Junmei nodded more seriously.

While the reclusive master lay in deep slumber and the other senior brothers and sisters were busy with their own cultivation, being able to receive guidance from someone else was indeed a blessing for Fang Junmei, even if it sounded somewhat opportunistic.

...

The water splashed and gurgled.

It took Fang Junmei quite a while to wash himself thoroughly. He glanced at his reflection in the water, realizing just how emaciated he had become, then turned to Song Shede and said, “Senior Brother Song, I’ve suffered greatly in this ordeal. Why don’t we roast some wild game before we set off again?”

“A fine idea. It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted the flavors of the mortal world,” Song Shede agreed cheerfully.

The two descended the mountain, easily catching a beast resembling a wild boar. By a mountain spring, they began roasting it.

While tending the roast, Fang Junmei took the chance to ask about the realms of swordsmanship.

Song Shede replied, “The realms of the sword are something only sword cultivators possess. Other cultivators may have similar concepts, but they wouldn’t call it that, and I don’t know the details.”

Fang Junmei nodded.

“As for how many realms there are, I don’t know either. My master only mentioned two to me. It’s said that even the highest-ranking Elder of our Peach Blossom Sword Sect hovers just outside the threshold of the third realm,” Song Shede went on.

“Wait a moment!” Fang Junmei suddenly interrupted as a thought struck him. “Do you mean to say there are no elders of higher rank left in our sect? Have all the grandmasters of the previous generation perished? Or perhaps... fallen in conflict?”

A cultivator’s lifespan grows with each advancement in realm.

At the tenth stage of Qi Absorption, one might live to a hundred and fifty years. At the late stage of Mortal Dust, it’s about three hundred years. At the late stage of Dao Embryo, six or seven hundred years—and even longer at higher realms. It’s said that special techniques and elixirs can further extend one’s life.

If the elders hadn’t died, there should still be four or five generations coexisting in the Peach Blossom Sword Sect. How could only two generations remain?

Song Shede scratched his head, replying, “I once asked my master the same question. He was reluctant to say much, hinting at some hidden secrets. But I can confirm that there are indeed no elders of that generation left in our sect.”

Fang Junmei nodded slightly. “Please, continue explaining the sword realms.”

Song Shede nodded. “Once you comprehend a sword realm, not only does the power of your previously learned sword techniques multiply, but many advanced sword arts require that realm as a prerequisite to practice or display. So the sword realm is one of the most vital insights for us sword cultivators.”

Fang Junmei nodded solemnly.

“The first realm is called ‘Into the Bone,’” Song Shede said, his voice taking on a mysterious tone, his eyes fixed intently on Fang Junmei. “An inch of longing becomes an inch of ash; unless it cuts to the bone, it cannot become the sword! This step is forging the sword-bone.”

Fang Junmei, swept up by his emotion, found his own eyes shining with excitement.

“How does one forge the sword-bone?” Fang Junmei asked, full of anticipation.

Song Shede chuckled. “Forgive me, Junior Brother. That’s the work of your master and your senior brothers and sisters. I’m not at liberty to say more.”

Fang Junmei’s face darkened as if he had swallowed a fly, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable.

Song Shede, seeing his reaction, laughed heartily, then continued, “The second realm is ‘Through the Blood’—stealing the heavens to change your blood, forging one’s own sword-blood. It’s said that Gu Xijin, upon emerging from seclusion this time, comprehended this very realm. That one is truly a genius with extraordinary insight.”

Fang Junmei’s eyes narrowed, a ripple passing through his heart.

Just what kind of person was Gu Xijin?

“May I ask, Senior Brother, which realm have you reached?” Fang Junmei asked after a moment’s thought.

Song Shede’s face twisted with embarrassment and frustration. “Let’s not speak of it. I’m ashamed to say I’ve yet to reach even the first realm, ‘Into the Bone.’ In fact, among all the disciples of our Medicine King Peak, not a single one has comprehended it.”

Is it really that bad?

Fang Junmei shot him a sidelong glance, grumbling inwardly. They were of the same generation as Gu Xijin, so how could the gap be so vast? Was Gu Xijin truly so exceptional?

“What about the other peaks?”

Song Shede replied, “Among the other peaks, besides Gu Xijin, Senior Sister Wind Shearing Plum of Colorful Cloud Peak, Senior Sister Ji Nujiao of Embroidered Smoke Peak, Yue Yu of Morning Sun Peak, and Fang Henqiu of Green Tree Peak are all known to have reached the ‘Into the Bone’ realm. As for others, it’s possible that some are keeping a low profile, waiting for the right moment to shine.”

He spoke as though he could see through people’s hearts.

“What about our Immovable Peak?” Fang Junmei asked.

Song Shede laughed. “Let’s not mention Long Jinyi. As for the other three, I haven’t heard of any who’ve reached the ‘Into the Bone’ realm. Frankly, I think your Immovable Peak may be about to lose its status.”

Fang Junmei’s eyes flashed. “Then among the disciples of the Grand Elder Ning Jiuyi from the outer sect, has anyone reached the ‘Into the Bone’ realm?”

Song Shede nodded slightly. “It’s rumored that Ning Jiuyi’s second disciple, Feng Wanhai, has succeeded in comprehending the ‘Into the Bone’ realm and has already reached the initial stage of the Dao Embryo realm.”

Fang Junmei acknowledged this.

“Don’t forget,” Song Shede reminded him, “your second senior brother, Fan Lanzhou, is also at the initial Dao Embryo stage. He’ll be competing in the Dao Embryo group, facing not just Ning Jiuyi’s disciples but others at that level as well. Without comprehending ‘Into the Bone,’ it’s nearly impossible for him to achieve a good result.”

Fang Junmei nodded again, feeling for the first time that the situation was truly dire.

If Fan Lanzhou performed poorly, everything would hinge on Linghu Jinjiu and Yang Xiaoman. What were their strengths? Would Fang Junmei himself have time to reach the Mortal Dust realm and catch up before the great sect competition?

...

“It seems about ready,” Song Shede said, his eyes lighting up as the aroma of roasting meat rose from the fire. He pulled out some unknown powder from his storage pouch and sprinkled it over the meat, instantly releasing a spicy, mouthwatering fragrance.

Clearly, he was a connoisseur of food, far more refined than the easygoing Fang Junmei.

After a few more turns of the spit, Song Shede sliced off a piece with his sword and handed it to Fang Junmei.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Fang Junmei gratefully accepted it, taking a bite. The flavor was indeed superb, and he praised it heartily.

They both ate with gusto.

As they ate, Fang Junmei continued his inquiries. “Senior Brother, those elders—what realms of swordsmanship have they reached?”

“At least the first realm, I imagine,” Song Shede replied. “I don’t know for sure, but I doubt all of them have reached ‘Through the Blood.’”

Fang Junmei nodded, once more marveling at Gu Xijin’s terrifying talent.

...

After they had eaten their fill, Fang Junmei saved the leftovers in his storage pouch, not wasting a morsel.

Riding Song Shede’s white cloud, they first stopped at Steward Peak to purchase new clothes and a few jugs of aged wine, before returning to Immovable Peak to resume their cultivation.

On Immovable Peak, white clouds drifted to and fro. All was quiet, undisturbed by anyone.