Back in the room, the attendant had already prepared hot water and clean clothes. Wang Junze soaked in the tub, relaxed, and began to slowly sort out the events of the day.
Lu Qing engaged with him and then allowed him to stay at the inn, appearing accidental but actually not necessarily so.
Though it was just a simple conversation, Wang Junze was certain that Lu Qing was definitely not ordinary. Yet, for the time being, there seemed to be no malice, so there was no need to delve deeply into his identity. If there's more contact, understanding will come naturally later.
Compared to this, his own condition was the more important matter.
Though he has completed the Opening Veins, continuing cultivation is not so easy.
Now that he has left the Wang Family, everything needs to depend on himself, whether it's the cultivation technique for subsequent practice or the resources for cultivation; he has to find ways to obtain them himself.
After all, for the Martial Artist, the Opening Veins is merely a beginning.
Moreover, are eighty-one meridians truly the limit?
There are rumors that the human body contains a hundred meridians; is it possible to find a way to continue opening meridians to lay a more solid foundation?
The Meridian Opening Realm is the first of the Nine Martial Realms. Successfully opening the veins does not signify the end. Subsequently, he needs to consolidate the opened meridians, nurture True Qi until the meridians are completely stabilized, and condense enough True Qi to circulate naturally through all meridians, before genuinely stepping into the Condensing Realm.
But for ordinary people, the number of meridians opened during the Opening Veins is the number they can perceive subsequently. Without the Spirit Pills like Meridian Opening Pill, it's very difficult to open new meridians.
Wang Xin opened seventeen meridians but is unwilling to step into the Condensing Realm, merely wanting to use the Meridian Opening Pill to open one more meridian.
But for Wang Junze, it's different.
He opened his veins with Sword Qi. Every day when practicing swordsmanship, he naturally merged Sword Qi into the meridians within his body. Previously, with one sword stroke, he opened eighty-one meridians at once. Now, upon careful sensing, he can still feel Sword Qi existing in unknown meridians within his body, but these Sword Qi are not strong enough to open new meridians.
So, if he continues to cultivate the Sword Dao and deepens these Sword Qi, is there a possibility to open veins again?
While Wang Junze was pondering these, on the other side, Lu Qing also returned to the room on the third floor.
But contrary to what he told Wang Junze, the room on the third floor had others besides Lu Qing...
"Miss, I've tested him, it should just be an accident, not a flaw exposed by us."
Slightly bowing, Lu Qing answered earnestly, "However, that kid is quite interesting. Although he's just opened veins, his strength is not weak; he should have opened more than thirty meridians. What's most rare is his understanding and perception of the Sword Dao. He probably hasn't had any renowned teacher; at least, his comprehension of the Sword Dao seems self-taught. He's quite a rare talent."
"At such a young age, just opening veins now, without guidance from any renowned teachers, it seems likely that he has little connection with the local aristocratic families or sects. It fits the requirements... let's observe more, no rush."
Through the screen, a woman's voice slowly emerged.
"Yes!" Lu Qing answered softly.
...
Early the next morning, Wang Junze got up, put on clean clothes, and went to the courtyard of the inn to continue practicing swordsmanship.
Although his trusty Iron Sword was broken, the Sword Scabbard was still there. Wang Junze didn't mind, using the Sword Scabbard as a sword to complete the ten thousand sword strokes practice.
Not only to further hone the Sword Dao but also to verify if Sword Qi can continue to generate to open new meridians.
The facts indeed proved Wang Junze's conjecture. As he kept practicing, new Sword Qi was able to be generated in the unknown meridians within, indicating the possibility of continuing the Opening Veins.
"Did you practice yesterday's sword stroke like this?"
Walking out from the inn and watching Wang Junze practice for a while, Lu Qing then asked.
"Brother Lu!"
Stopping his sword, Wang Junze saluted and replied, "Just practicing around blindly myself; let Brother Lu have a laugh."
"Your talent for the Sword Dao is good, but if you truly want to grow in the Sword Dao, self-cultivation alone won't work. Why haven't you considered joining a sect or the aristocratic families of Jubei City?" Lu Qing casually inquired.
"To be honest with Brother Lu, I was unable to open veins previously. Recently, I coincidentally encountered some opportunities and successfully opened the veins! Whether it's sects or powerful families, they aren't interested in someone who can't open veins." Wang Junze replied with a half-truth and a bitter smile.
"Haha, that's because they lack foresight!" Lu Qing laughed heartily, "Now that you've successfully opened veins and have such a talent for the Sword Dao, it's your turn not to care for them. Here's a suggestion: don't rashly join these minor sects or families; your future should have a broader horizon."
"Thank you, Brother Lu, for the advice."
Feeling slightly moved inside, Wang Junze tentatively asked again, "Brother Lu, do you think I have a chance to join the Profound Moon Sword Sect?"