After that day, Li Shuang's cultivation level returned to the eighth level of Qi Training, reaching its peak.
She then went into seclusion, fully channeling her spiritual energy. Her progress was even faster than if the technique had been left to operate on its own.
After seven days in retreat, her cultivation broke through, barely reaching the ninth level of Qi Training.
Such rapid recovery was truly astonishing.
At the ninth level, her spiritual consciousness penetrated the jade slip containing the Supreme Forgetfulness Technique and naturally unlocked the foundation-establishment method within.
Normally, this would have required reaching the tenth level of Qi Training, but her spiritual energy was exceptionally strong, allowing her to access it early.
Li Shuang examined the technique carefully, then put the jade slip away, her eyes flickering with thought.
Foundation Establishment was the art of seizing the providence of heaven and earth to forge the cornerstone of one's being. It was the second great step on the path of cultivation, after drawing Qi into the body.
At the peak of Qi Training, a cultivator could choose from a variety of spiritual objects as foundation-building materials.
In her previous life of cultivation, Li Shuang had chosen a seed from a seventh-grade lotus pedestal, found in the Langya Secret Realm.
The lotus pedestal's spiritual energy was too powerful to be used directly, but its seed was perfect for foundation building. It carried an ice attribute, and with its aid, Li Shuang's cultivation had advanced rapidly. Her spiritual roots, tempered by the lotus seed, became refined and resilient.
Thus, even without the frost flower during her past cultivation, her spiritual roots had been strengthened.
But this time, when her power had been dispersed, her foundation-building treasure was destroyed. She could only rely on the frost flower to slowly refine her roots.
Now, she stood at the threshold of another foundation-building journey.
She was very satisfied with her past choice. And by timing, the Langya Secret Realm was about to open once again.
This was the perfect chance to reenter, reclaim another lotus seed, and build her foundation anew.
However, Li Shuang did not rush to sign up.
For seven days she had tempered her roots and accumulated spiritual power. Now that she had broken through, she finally turned her attention to the sword technique jade slip her master had given her.
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she took it out.
The sword technique she had previously cultivated, acquired through points from the library, was Earth-grade—second among the ranks of Heaven, Earth, and Yellow. Though formidable, she no longer wished to practice it.
The Sword Shadow Technique, when paired with the Mirror Heart Technique, had been devastating. But with the Mirror Heart Technique lost, its effectiveness was diminished.
The technique most suited to the Supreme Forgetfulness Art was undoubtedly the sword art contained in this jade slip.
The Supreme Forgetfulness Art was a Heaven-grade cultivation technique—naturally, its accompanying sword art could not be inferior.
Li Shuang pressed her consciousness into the slip and quickly found herself in a trance.
When her vision cleared, she stood within a strange space.
Her eyes narrowed.
A heritage space.
It was said that only Tribulation Crossing experts could create such a space, a vessel to pass secret arts from generation to generation.
Even for such experts, crafting one was difficult. Unless the technique was truly extraordinary, few would bother.
Whenever a jade slip with a heritage space appeared, it caused a sensation in the cultivation world.
Yet the sword art Lin Qingling had casually given her turned out to be such a treasure.
The space seemed empty at first, nothing remarkable in sight.
After some thought, Li Shuang activated the Supreme Forgetfulness Art.
One circulation. Two circulations.
Her Qi surged through thirty-six complete grand circulations.
Suddenly, a man in green appeared before her.
He looked at her calmly. "You've already mastered the Supreme Forgetfulness Art? Remarkable. But at the Qi Training Stage, you cannot yet wield the Ruthless Sword Techniques. Return once you've established your foundation."
He turned as if to vanish.
Li Shuang said evenly, "Just because others cannot, does not mean I cannot."
A flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes.
Such words could be seen as arrogance, yet her face remained utterly calm—free of boasting, as if she were merely stating fact.
"You are very confident in your swordsmanship," the green-robed man said.
Li Shuang summoned the Black Abyss Sword, its blade gleaming coldly. "Senior, please test me."
The man smiled faintly. "Interesting. Then make your move."
Li Shuang did not hesitate. Her sword became lightning, striking directly at his vital point.
He dodged easily, though surprise again flickered in his gaze. Her cultivation was shallow, yet her sword foundation was solid.
Unable to resist, he drew his own sword and began dismantling her strikes.
Li Shuang's eyes lit up.
This senior… was teaching her.
Just as she had once guided Shen Yue in swordsmanship, he now guided her, dismantling her techniques effortlessly.
Her heart surged with joy. Under his subtle instruction, the barriers in her sword path began to crack. She sensed the possibility of a breakthrough.
The exchange lasted for an unknown time.
Though her energy ran dry and her arms ached to the point of numbness, she refused to yield, forcing herself to continue.
Admiration appeared in the man's eyes. "Enough. State your name."
"Li Shuang."
He smiled faintly. "Su Mu."
"Thank you, Senior Su, for your guidance," she said with a respectful bow.
Su Mu nodded. "You may practice in this space. Ten days within equals one day outside. After ten days, the space requires recovery. Note that you cannot cultivate Qi here—only the sword. The energy is now depleted. Leave, recover, and return when ready. When I judge you prepared, I shall teach you the Ruthless Sword Technique."
"Yes."
With a wave of his hand, Li Shuang was expelled from the inheritance space.
Her spiritual energy was drained, her body weary, yet joy lingered in her eyes.
Ten days of training here was worth years of bitter effort outside.
Senior Su Mu's sword attainments were truly profound.
Even True Man Lingxu, though occasionally instructing her, had never guided her so deeply.
The insights she had gained would take time to fully digest.
She sat cross-legged in meditation. After a day, her condition returned to its peak.
When she emerged, her eyes shone with resolve.
The Langya Secret Realm was about to open. It was time to sign up.
Though still in the Qi Training Stage, she had the confidence to compete with Foundation Establishment disciples.
She was determined to seize one of the fifty slots.
As soon as Li Shuang entered the disciple hall, she spotted two familiar faces. She only glanced at them calmly before striding up to the registrar.
"Sign me up," she said, handing over her token.