Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 97: Strength Improvement

Next, Xu Ping’an became familiar with Metal Attribute True Elemental.

Now, he had two types of True Elemental within his body.

One purple and one gold, clearly divided.

One of Thunder Attribute, and one of Metal Attribute.

Both powers were extremely domineering.

In terms of attack power, the Thunder Attribute was very strong and wildly forceful.

As for sharpness, the Metal Attribute was unparalleled in sharpness, capable of cutting through sun and moon.

Therefore, Xu Ping’an decided to keep the Metal Attribute as his trump card, hidden away.

At a critical moment, it might just save his life.

About three hours later,

the Monster Core of the Blade Mantis was completely refined by him.

However, Xu Ping’an did not use it all to open his Mysterious Veins.

After opening up to the Sixth Layer, he did not continue.

Instead, he used all of the True Yuan to condense Metal Attribute True Elemental.

As for the Great Brightness Vajra Realm, he had also broken through to the Great Achievement Realm.

Now, just his physical strength alone was comparable to a Third Rank, Third Layer level.

Combined with his Sixth Layer Realm cultivation, dealing with a general Third Rank Ninth Layer Realm was no problem at all.

"Perhaps I can forge another light Sharp Sword for my Metal Attribute weapon and practice a Metal Attribute Combat Technique," Xu Ping’an mused to himself.

Right now, he had the materials for Artifact Refining.

The two blades of the Blade Mantis were enough for him to forge a weapon suitable for himself.

He also obtained a Heavenly Star Stone.

Xu Ping’an tried absorbing the Heavenly Star Stone,

but the Heavenly Star Power didn’t bring him anything special, so Xu Ping’an decided to integrate the Heavenly Star Stone into his weapon.

A weapon fused with Heavenly Star Stone would have all its Attributes greatly enhanced.

As for the Elixir, Xu Ping’an melted it into the water.

He soaked the eggs of the Blade Mantis in it.

This would allow the Blade Mantis to hatch quickly.

If the people of Beichen Sword Sect knew that Xu Ping’an used a Superior Grade Third Rank Jade Spirit Pill to hatch Blade Mantis eggs, they’d probably curse him for squandering heaven’s gifts.

But Xu Ping’an didn’t care; in his view, resources were meant to be used.

Enhancing Combat Power was the most important thing.

If the Blade Mantis could hatch, it would definitely be of great help to him.

Therefore, Xu Ping’an had high expectations for this Blade Mantis.

In the following days, after a trip to the Scripture Pavilion, Xu Ping’an spent all his time in the Artifact Refining Hall.

He was going to forge a light Metal Attribute Spiritual Artifact.

After ten days and ten nights, Xu Ping’an finally succeeded in forging a Spirit Sword suitable for himself.

Crimson Edge Sword!

Intermediate Grade Spiritual Instrument Rank.

Weighing less than three jin, three feet and six inches long.

It was entirely crimson-gold in color, with an edge thin as a cicada’s wing but incredibly tough.

"Clang!"

Xu Ping’an flicked the Sharp Sword, and the blade emitted a crisp vibrato.

"The resilience is good. With this sword, I can continue to practice nurturing swordsmanship. Nourished with Metal Attribute True Yuan, its power will be greatly increased," Xu Ping’an was extremely satisfied in his heart.

He made the Crimson Edge Sword his by blood and stored it within his Pill Sea.

Once the Crimson Edge Sword was nurtured over time, its deployment would be astonishing and extraordinary.

After storing the Crimson Edge Sword inside, Xu Ping’an stepped out of the Artifact Refining Hall.

And all of his Lower Grade Spirit Stones had been completely exhausted.

During this time, Beichen Sword Sect was also very lively.

Long Yan, Tang Qingheng, and Zhao Kai had broken through one after another.

Long Yan reached the Initial Stage of Meridian Opening Realm Fourth Layer, while both Tang Qingheng and Zhao Kai reached the Peak of the Third Layer.

As for Li Qingyi, she had already reached the Peak of the Seventh Layer Realm.

It was said that Long Yan, Tang Qingheng, and Zhao Kai teamed up to fight Li Qingyi and couldn’t withstand even three moves.

This matter completely shocked the entire Beichen Sword Sect.

"Ping’an junior brother!"

Xu Ping’an had just left the Artifact Refining Hall when he saw Li Qingyi waiting outside the door.

"How did Sister Li know I was leaving seclusion?"

Xu Ping’an asked with some surprise.

"I guessed it. We’re departing for the Li Huo Sect tomorrow, so I figured you’d come out of seclusion," Li Qingyi answered.

"Departing for the Li Huo Sect tomorrow?" Xu Ping’an was taken aback.

He had forgotten about that.

In three days’ time, the competition among the four major sects would take place, and he had nearly forgotten about it.

Fortunately, he had left seclusion; otherwise, it really would have been embarrassing.

Actually, Li Qingyi wasn’t guessing; she came to wait at the Artifact Refining Hall every day.

Practically all disciples of the Beichen Sword Sect knew about this.

"Yes, Junior Brother Ping’an, the Great Elder and the Second Elder will lead the group to the Li Huo Sect tomorrow. The Sect Leader asked me to remind you to be careful on this trip," Li Qingyi said.

"Will the people from the Prince’s Mansion go as well?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"Yes. It’s unlikely that the Commandery Prince himself will come, but it’s very possible that the four Great Generals and others will attend," Li Qingyi said.

Xu Ping’an nodded his head.

He had guessed as much.

The grand competition of the four major sects.

As the ruling power of Tianlong County, the Prince’s Mansion would certainly participate.

Although the sects weren’t under the jurisdiction of the Prince’s Mansion, they were, after all, within the bounds of Tianlong County.

The Prince’s Mansion would undoubtedly attach great importance to this event.

"Alright, thank you for the reminder, Sister. I got it," Xu Ping’an nodded and said.

"Mm, Junior Brother Ping’an, this time it is said that the other three sects all have Third Rank Ninth Layer Peak powerhouses. Are you confident about the battle?" Li Qingyi asked.

"The top five should pose no problem," Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

He wasn’t concerned about Third Rank Ninth Layer Peak contenders.

As long as it wasn’t Fourth Rank, very few could pose a threat to him.

"It seems that Junior Brother Ping’an must have broken through again. May I ask what realm your cultivation has reached now?" Li Qingyi asked.

"Sixth Layer!" Xu Ping’an responded.

"Sixth Layer?" Li Qingyi’s pupils contracted.

That was so fast!

Xu Ping’an’s cultivation speed was incredibly exaggerated.

She had been honing her own cultivation during this period and had only just reached the peak of the Seventh Layer Realm, still one step away from the Eighth Layer Realm.

In just ten days, Xu Ping’an had risen from the Third Layer to the Sixth Layer.

When they were both at the Third Layer Realm, Xu Ping’an was already on par with her, and now she probably wasn’t a match for him at all.

At this thought, Li Qingyi’s expression dimmed somewhat.

"Don’t compare yourself to me; my situation is a bit special. The reason I broke through so quickly is because I swallowed the Blade Mantis’ monster core," Xu Ping’an said.

Swallowed the Blade Mantis’ monster core?

Li Qingyi’s eyes widened in shock.

In that moment, she finally understood why Xu Ping’an could break through so swiftly.

To actually use the swallowing of a Fifth Rank Monster Core as a method of cultivation.

For most people, doing so would be courting death.

She knew this was Xu Ping’an’s secret.

The reason he disclosed it to her was to make her feel better.

With this realization, she let go of her distress and instead felt happy.

That Xu Ping’an could tell her these things indicated he trusted her a great deal.

"Don’t worry, Junior Brother Ping’an, I will definitely keep your secret," Li Qingyi declared firmly.

"A secret?" Xu Ping’an was momentarily stunned.

Then he couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

Did swallowing monster cores count as a secret?

Well, it did!

But he didn’t mind if it leaked out.

After all, compared to his other secrets, swallowing monster cores really wasn’t that big of a secret.

After chatting with Li Qingyi for a while, Xu Ping’an returned to his quarters.

The next morning, he set out for the Li Huo Sect with the others.