After driving away Lei Hong, Nangong Qinglong, and Nangong Nizi, Qian Duoduo felt a bit better.
However, Qian Duoduo knew that he had to give his all in this friendly match. Facing a Qi Condensation Great Perfection Cultivator head-on would be quite stressful.
Qian Duoduo went to Phoenix Garden for a stroll, where the atmosphere was the most heartwarming. Azure Phoenix and Luan Phoenix were already building their nest, indicating their auspicious event was approaching.
As if to reassure Qian Duoduo, Hall Master Ping specifically sent a Formation for Wang Dahei to set up in Phoenix Garden.
Once the Formation was complete, the Spiritual Qi in Phoenix Garden immediately increased by a level.
In addition to the Formation, Hall Master Ping also sent a large stone with the words “Red Cloud Phoenix Garden” inscribed on it.
Qian Duoduo studied it for a long time and felt that these four characters also announced that Phoenix Garden was jointly owned by Meng Yuan Legion and Xiong Jin Legion, just in a more refined manner.
Walking south from Phoenix Garden along Mengyuan River was the Spirit Ant Bee Garden.
The Spirit Ant Bee Queen was busy coming and going, making trips back and forth. The stinger at the end of her tail had already grown out, but her abdomen was quite shriveled. If she gave birth to offspring, would they be Spiritual Bees, Devouring Gold Ants, or Spirit Ant Bees?
This was also something to look forward to.
In Qian Duoduo's opinion, building a manor, cultivating spiritual plants, and raising Spirit Beasts, the greatest benefit was the constant joy it brought. Seeing them continuously grow and Breakthrough sometimes made him happier than his own growth and Breakthrough.
Although his grand-uncle always thought he was neglecting his proper duties and deviating from the Righteous Path, Qian Duoduo believed that the Great Dao was interconnected, and he would surely gain insight from the growth and Breakthrough of spiritual plants, Spirit Beasts, and Spirit Birds.
At the very least, from their growth and Breakthrough, Qian Duoduo could Cultivate happily. No matter how hard or tiring it was, he knew that the results of growth and Breakthrough would not let him down.
After a long stroll around the manor, Qian Duoduo's mood improved significantly. He returned to his Immortal Cave, condensed Spiritual Qi into a Blade, and cultivated the Turning Stone into Gold Art.
By the evening of the next day, as he finished carving the last feather of the Golden Winged Bird, Qian Duoduo's main meridian immediately felt like it was on fire—the first layer of the Turning Stone into Gold Art was complete!
The main meridian, with the Golden Winged Bird feathers carved on it, was like a giant waterfall, accelerating the infusion of Spiritual Qi into the Spiritual Vein, promoting the Spiritual Qi, and producing double the spiritual power.
Qian Duoduo went to the courtyard and tested the Golden Rooster Sword. At this moment, the Golden Rooster Sword, whether flying or striking, produced a whistling sound, and its speed was much faster than before. However, he also felt that it was too light.
“Master, do I need to change my sword?”
Qian Duoduo was undecided whether to continue using it or refine a heavier one.
“The power of a Magic Treasure does not lie in its own weight, but in whether you can use it to its fullest potential. However, when you Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, this sword will not be able to withstand your spiritual power; at that time, you will have to refine it again.”
Liu Boli advised, “If you can upgrade, the Golden Rooster Sword can naturally also upgrade.”
Master's words were like a flash of lightning, striking Qian Duoduo's Spiritual Awareness.
All things have spirits, so Magic Treasures naturally have spirits. Magic Treasures with spirits can naturally grow and Breakthrough. The reason why Magic Treasures do not grow or Breakthrough is not that they cannot, but that the conditions are not met.
Qian Duoduo enveloped the Golden Rooster Sword with profound green Spiritual Qi, transforming it into a part of his body, and explored its speed limit.
Spiritual power limit, sound wave limit, sword light limit.
A night of diligent cultivation, nothing more to say.
At dawn, Qian Duoduo jumped into the hot spring, washed away the sweat, and felt a lightness he had never experienced before.
Today's friendly match was held on Preaching Mountain, with only the Sect Leader and two Palace Lords as spectators.
Flying to the Purple Firmament Great Hall, Qian Duoduo saw an ordinary Martial Arts Stage set up in front of the hall, about fifty feet long and wide, perfectly square. On the terrace in front of the hall, there were three chairs.
The others had not arrived yet, so Qian Duoduo nodded to the Disciple guarding the hall and sat down cross-legged.
After a short while, Lei Hong came up with Nangong Qinglong and Nangong Nizi and sat opposite Qian Duoduo.
Lei Hong stared at Qian Duoduo, his Battle Intent constantly rising. His combative nature was indeed similar to Dugu Yunshan's.
“Ding,” a bell rang in the hall, and Sect Leader Niu Jinshui, Palace Lord Tang Honggong, and Chu Wannian stepped out of the hall door.
“Let’s begin,” Niu Jinshui said indifferently.
Chu Wannian nodded to Nangong Nizi.
Nangong Nizi jumped onto the Martial Arts Stage, “Senior Brother Bu Huan, please enlighten me.”
Qian Duoduo slowly walked onto the stage. Nangong Nizi suddenly blushed slightly and said softly, “I have a small request, and I hope Senior Brother will grant it.”
“Naming the Tiger Cub?”
“Mhm. The Tiger Cubs are so cute, they shouldn't be overlooked. They need a resounding name, don't you think? Senior Brother, I'm begging you.” Nangong Nizi, with her tall stature, swayed slightly as she spoke softly.
Nangong Nizi's appearance was already not bad, and now, begging so softly, Qian Duoduo's heart softened. Just as he was about to agree, he suddenly remembered that the fight hadn't even started, and he didn't know the outcome. Nangong Nizi was asking him so humbly; was there some scheme involved?
During the Xiong Jun battle, she was very arrogant.
Qian Duoduo released his Spiritual Awareness and sensed the Spiritual Qi on the Martial Arts Stage, only to see an invisible bow and arrow behind Nangong Nizi. The string on the bow was already drawn, aimed directly at his heart!
This must be her ultimate move—the Soul Arrow.
Indeed, calling him 'brother' to his face, but preparing a weapon behind his back!
As soon as his heart softened, her Soul Arrow would seize the opportunity and shoot directly at his chest.
Nangong Nizi's Soul Arrow was truly special. In Qian Duoduo's opinion, it was a Mystic Art that refined Spiritual Awareness into a Magic Treasure to attack enemies. Spiritual Awareness is an extension of the Soul; injuring Spiritual Awareness reduces Battle Intent. If a Cultivator loses their Spiritual Awareness, it's like losing their eyes, leaving them at the mercy of others.
Qian Duoduo was able to sense her Soul Arrow also because he had cultivated the Everlasting Rich and Noble Art, making his Spiritual Awareness far stronger than ordinary people.
“Hmm…” Qian Duoduo pretended to be thinking, took out the Golden Rooster Sword, and said, “Listen carefully, it will tell you the answer.”
“Is that so?” Nangong Nizi asked softly, her expression evoking pity.
Qian Duoduo suddenly squeezed the sword hilt.
“Woo—” A long crow of a male Spirit Chicken resounded throughout Preaching Mountain. The sound waves condensed into a stick, directly piercing the Soul Arrow behind Nangong Nizi.
Caught off guard, Nangong Nizi's Soul Arrow was immediately shattered.
Nangong Nizi took a few steps back, a trace of blood flowing from the corner of her mouth, “You actually detected my Soul Arrow?”
Below the stage, Lei Hong and Nangong Qinglong both stood up.
Lei Hong cursed, “Attacking a lady sneakily, his character is truly terrible.”
Qian Duoduo ignored Lei Hong and said to Nangong Nizi, “Use whatever dirty tricks you have.”
Nangong Nizi's face showed displeasure, “My Physique is like this; this is not a dirty trick, it's very upright and open.”
As she spoke, she pinched her fingers, and a Soul Blade appeared on the Martial Arts Stage.
The Soul Blade was colorless and formless, but its blade was extremely sharp. If struck by it, it would surely cause immense pain.
Nangong Nizi pointed with her fingertip, and the Soul Blade chopped down overhead.
Qian Duoduo flashed to the side, simultaneously extending the Golden Rooster Sword to block the blade. The Soul Blade and the Golden Rooster Sword clashed in the air. What reassured Qian Duoduo was that the Soul Blade immediately became much fainter.
If the Soul Blade ignored the Golden Rooster Sword, then this fight would be difficult.
The Golden Rooster Sword's attribute includes a dark-dispelling function; in a sense, it counters Nangong Nizi.
Thinking of this, Qian Duoduo let go and decided to practice with Nangong Nizi. The Golden Rooster Sword transformed into a golden light, accompanied by an ear-piercing whistle, and slashed over.