Xu Qingxian's eyes widened slightly. "Forces from the evil sects? What do you mean by that?" he asked, a glint flickering across his gaze.
"Young master, the forces from the evil sects are those who practice all sorts of inhumane techniques," Lin Fan whispered cautiously, leaning in closer.
"In fact, I heard that the release of the Netherworld Saintess is somehow linked to both the evil sects and the Second Prince. They say you were framed."
Hearing those words, Xu Qingxian was stunned. However, he quickly recalled what Jade Beauty had said in the group chat about using a spell on him. That version of events seemed far more likely.
In the end, these are only rumors he has heard. I cannot verify their authenticity, Xu Qingxian thought with a sigh, continuing to eat while quietly listening.
The two of them spoke for several more minutes. Eventually, Xu Qingxian finished the meal and set his utensils down.
"You are a good cook," he praised. Compared to the dishes he had tasted in his past life, this meal was superior in every way. The food prepared by this young man was rich in aroma and flavor, far surpassing anything he had known before.
"Haha, young master, I learned everything from my mother. Thank you for your kind words," Lin Fan replied with a smile, bowing respectfully. He quickly gathered the empty dishes, bowed once more, and exited the cold palace.
Xu Qingxian watched the youth leave and smiled faintly, then shifted his attention back to the golden screen floating before him.
[Host: Xu Qingxian]
[Cultivation Technique: Basic Sword Technique - Flowing Sword Technique]
[Attribute Points: 18]
[Allocate 4 Attribute Points to Basic Sword Technique?]
[Yes/No]
His attribute count had risen again. This time, Xu Qingxian no longer felt hesitant. There was no pressure in enhancing the technique further.
Without delay, he mentally selected "Yes."
The system shimmered with radiant light as a new line of golden text emerged, and in the blink of an eye, a flood of insights surged into his mind like a rushing tide.
His Basic Sword Technique evolved once again, becoming more intricate and fluid.
[Basic Sword Technique: Flying Sword Technique]
Xu Qingxian recalled the Qi Condensation warriors that his predecessor had faced in the past.
Now, even as a mortal, my strength should not be inferior to theirs, he thought with satisfaction.
The thought brought him comfort.
Feeling drowsy, Xu Qingxian lay on the floor and closed his eyes, surrendering to sleep. As a mortal, his body still required rest to recover.
As he shifted into slumber, the sound of shackles clinking gently echoed through the cold and desolate palace.
The night passed slowly, quiet and uneventful. But at some point, Xu Qingxian felt the temperature begin to drop. The air grew colder, like icy fingers brushing over his skin.
Though he remained asleep, his brow furrowed slightly. Perhaps the wind had strengthened, seeping into the palace and making the stone floor feel even colder than usual.
Still half-asleep, Xu Qingxian dismissed the discomfort.
Then, suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
They were bloodshot, glowing faintly like two red searchlights piercing the darkness.
Xu Qingxian instinctively tried to brush the feeling away, but he remembered with a chill that he was no longer on Earth. There were no logical explanations here. This was a cruel world of cultivation.
And just as he feared, standing in front of him was a monstrous shadow. The figure loomed over him, nearly one and a half meters tall.
By the faint light of the candle flickering on the wall, the outline of the creature came into view.
Its form was jagged and unstable. Its head was twisted at a strange angle, and its limbs were deformed, contorted into unnatural positions.
The creature was grotesque, radiating a suffocating evil aura that pressed down on Xu Qingxian's very soul.
His eyes, once clouded with sleep, instantly cleared.
"Danger!" Xu Qingxian's heart thundered in his chest. He scrambled backward, shackles scraping across the ground, trying to create as much distance as he could.
"What is this creature?" Xu Qingxian whispered in disbelief. The sheer malevolence exuding from its body sent shivers crawling down his spine.
The creature snarled lowly, then began to advance.
Because of the shackles on his ankle, Xu Qingxian could not escape far. Panic took hold. He did the only thing a powerless transmigrator could.
"Help!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. The sound echoed through the cold palace and faded into silence.
No one came.
Xu Qingxian's heart sank. The palace was truly deserted. He would have to face this alone.
His eyes darted frantically, scanning the area for anything that might help.
Then he saw it. A sword.
Lying just within reach, glinting faintly in the candlelight.
Xu Qingxian's eyes lit up. He did not question how the sword got there. Survival was all that mattered. Without hesitation, he lunged for it.
At that very instant, the grotesque creature loomed above him, its presence like a living nightmare.
Xu Qingxian's heart pounded violently. Fear gripped him, but he forced himself to remain calm.
As the monster descended, Xu Qingxian swung the sword.
His movements were instinctual, fluid, like a stream flowing without resistance.
The blade sliced through the creature's head with terrifying ease, as though it were butter under a hot knife.
Xu Qingxian froze.
The sword had moved with incredible speed. His body had reacted before he could think. He stared, stunned, as the monster's head dropped to the floor with a sickening thud, followed by the collapse of its grotesque body.
He continued staring in disbelief.
How… how did this happen?
Maybe the creature wasn't as strong as I thought? Xu Qingxian speculated, but he quickly dismissed the idea. That oppressive pressure had been real. If he had hesitated, the monster would have torn him apart.
Then am I really this strong as a mortal? Is this the power of the twice-evolved sword technique?
Still caught in a daze, Xu Qingxian glanced at the sword in his hand.
Only then did he realize what it was.
It is just a wooden sword? he thought, stunned.
He dropped it.
The piece of wood shattered on the ground, unable to withstand the terrifying power of his Flying Sword Technique.
Just then, a sharp pain shot through his arm.
Crunch.
The sound of bones cracking filled the air. Xu Qingxian winced, nearly biting through his lower lip.
He glanced down at his arm, sweat pouring from his forehead. His arm was broken in several places.
His breath caught in his throat.
Using that technique with a mortal's body… it is too much, Xu Qingxian thought, wincing as he clutched his arm.
The pain was sudden and excruciating, like fire racing through his bones. There was no doubt now. If he wanted to wield this power safely, he had to restore his cultivation.
He had briefly entertained the idea of becoming unparalleled with a sword using only attributes, remaining mortal but mighty.
That fantasy had just been shattered by reality.
As he sat there, gritting his teeth, a line of golden text appeared before his eyes.
[Congratulations on surviving the crisis of a First Stage Qi Condensation Evil Spirit.]
[You have received 10 Attribute Points.]
Xu Qingxian's eyes widened once more.
What? he thought, stunned.
Another method of gaining attribute points? And this time, they are even more than before?
His mind raced.
'Should I purposely expose myself to danger before terrifying enemies just to earn massive rewards?'
The idea was tempting… but also deeply insane.
He sat there, torn between caution and ambition, as the cold wind whispered once more through the cracked stones of the abandoned palace.