Immortals

The time to challenge Song Ze was drawing near.

In the past month, Li Shiyin had been diligently cultivating. Two days ago, she took time to break through to the mid Foundation Establishment stage;

After two more days of consolidating her realm, she had fully adapted to her cultivation level and accomplished her goal, becoming a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator.

At the same time, she had also completed her other objective.

According to her master's theory of challenging higher levels as a sword cultivator and finding weaknesses for a one-hit kill, Li Shiyin still did not know how to find weaknesses, but executing a one-hit kill was her other goal.

She would practice a one-hit kill sword technique, then take Song Ze's life with a single sword strike.

So what was this one-hit kill sword technique that she had completed?

Simply put, Li Shiyin gathered all her power into a single sword thrust.

That is:

First, use the "Guide the Starlight Technique" to amplify her own combat power with starlight;

Then, use the "War Spirit Art" to extremely utilize every bit of spiritual power to amplify her combat power;

Finally, combine the amplified combat power from both with her whole body's spiritual power into a single surge of sword qi.

This was Li Shiyin's one-hit kill. Although the hastily pieced together sword technique looked crude, and could barely be called a sword technique - calling it a mystic art would be more fitting.

But in reality, fully realizing Li Shiyin's plan was no easy feat.

First was her body's endurance; second was how to control such power; last was how to direct such explosive force.

Of these three points, the last was the most difficult.

Regarding the first point, thanks to Qin Ran's generous medicinal baths and the body tempering of the "Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique", Li Shiyin's physique was already powerful enough to temporarily withstand such great power.

For the second point, under Qin Ran's influence, Li Shiyin had always emphasized control over spiritual power and strength, so regulating that power was no difficult task for her either.

Only directing the condensed sword qi in attack was the hardest part.

And the last point was also Li Shiyin's focus in practice, which finally resulted in her being covered in sword scars from head to toe by the end.

She excitedly went to find Qin Ran, wanting to demonstrate this technique to Qin Ran as soon as possible.

As usual, it was at Xishou Lake... The lake truly lived up to the name Li Shiyin gave it, bearing far too much of her sword qi.

Qin Ran was at the lakeside, Li Shiyin atop the lake surface.

Li Shiyin drew the Qingxing Sword, holding it in hand. She closed her eyes, circulating her techniques - the Guide the Starlight Technique and purple stellar energy from the sky poured into her body. The War Spirit Art made her aura swell explosively, clothes billowing without wind, long hair flying about.

Qin Ran watched the swordswoman standing atop the lake, eyes closed, hair fluttering, an ultimate beauty.

The girl completed her preparations, instilling all her spiritual power into the Qingxing Sword. Her eyes flashed open, a streak of purple sword qi flashing through them. She raised her blade, the stellar power linking it and coalescing into a massive streak of purple sword qi connecting heaven and earth!

"Ha!" The girl yelled sharply, slashing with the sword qi.

Amidst a thunderous roar, a desolate aura was born! The purple sword qi slashed down, splitting the lake from this bank to the other, even cutting open the mist outside; the waters and mists parted, clearly revealing the flat lakebed's formations, and the mountain ranges beyond the heavy mists.

This one strike, commanding submission from Dan Peak.

The lakebed had protections, remaining undamaged; the open space at the lakeside however had no such defenses, the ground left with a neat gash extending to the outer barrier formations, barely three fingers wide but with no visible bottom.

The sword qi rose and fell. Li Shiyin sheathed her blade, still standing atop the lake, gazing coolly in Qin Ran's direction and breaking into a smile, tone proud as she asked: "Master, how was that strike of mine?"

Qin Ran nodded. "Very good."

His eyes were somewhat profound. This move was truly powerful, already posing a threat to him. Then... To deal with the enemy this move was meant for, it would not be a Foundation Establishment cultivator, because this was a technique to face Gold Core masters.

So what mischief had this silly disciple been up to? To be facing a Gold Core cultivator?

"Then Master..." Li Shiyin said, "Give this move of mine an awesome name!"

Naming it?

Qin Ran contemplated, recalling that world-splitting purple sword qi, and asked: "What about Purple Radiance From the East?"

"Hmm..." Li Shiyin considered it, feeling this name, though apt, did not fit her vision.

She was prepared to just go with it... After all, it was given by her Master.

Seeing Li Shiyin's expression, Qin Ran knew she was unsatisfied. He thought for a bit, and came up with an interesting name to ask: "How about Celestial Soaring Immortal?"

"Celestial Soaring Immortal?" Li Shiyin's eyes lit up as she nodded repeatedly. "I love this name!"

Her movement technique was called Immortal Seeking the Way, and now her sword technique would be called Celestial Soaring Immortal.

"Then Celestial Soaring Immortal it is!" Qin Ran declared.

This was yet another memory from his past life.

Delighted with the new name, Li Shiyin dropped her pose and happily flew over to Qin Ran's side, sheathing her sword.

"You... haven't gotten into trouble outside, have you?" Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, still quite worried, and finally asked.

"Of course not! How could I cause trouble?" Li Shiyin shook her head, the picture of sincerity.

She was long familiar with this line of questioning. After all, she Li Shiyin was the tyrant of Danyang City, brawling from street to street, from the city gates to the imperial palace itself. In all of Danyang City, few young masters of prestigious families had not been beaten down by her. Yet she always escaped the worst of her father's punishments with her cute face and earnest looks.

Seeing her innocent appearance, even Qin Ran began to doubt his suspicions, unable to find any holes.

"Then why were you practicing this move?" He asked.

"I'm a sword cultivator, researching sword techniques is perfectly normal, right?" Don't mistake Li Shiyin for a fool, she was quite clever!

Her reasoning was solid, but Qin Ran still felt something was off. This response was unlike his silly disciple, more like something he would say himself.

"You haven't gone out to play recently either, why is that?"

"I wanted to focus on researching my sword techniques, and had no time for play!" Li Shiyin swore resolutely, continuing: "Now that I've completed this sword technique, I'll naturally go out to play again!"

Seeing her expressions held no deceit, Qin Ran still had doubts in his heart, but could find no flaws.

"Fine then..." But he still warned: "The cultivation world is extremely dangerous, you must be prudent!"

"I understand, Master!" Li Shiyin promised.

With that matter settled, Qin Ran wanted to offer some suggestions regarding Li Shiyin's new sword technique. Although ignorant of sword arts, he was adept at wielding power. He spoke to Li Shiyin from the perspective of utilizing power:

"This move of yours is quite good. Though crude in theory, cleverly simple, with considerable ingenuity and might. I have some recommendations for you to research further in these areas.

"First, your sword qi lacks cohesion, too ornate, wasting much power. It looks impressively fierce on the surface, but is mostly hollow, all flash and no substance. If you can consolidate your sword qi, not leaking one bit of power, this move's potency would rise by at least two levels. Below the prime Golden Core stage, you could injure all.

"Second, what I've always told you about weaknesses. Battle has two outcomes: the victor remains standing, the loser falls. Nothing else matters. Using the strong to strike the weak is the most efficient way of battle. Wield your strengths against the enemy's flaws, such is the way of war.

"Third, I noticed this move uses your full power. If you were to aim it at the enemy's weakness, your strongest strike against their most vulnerable spot, dealing a crippling blow, that would be the limit of your combat ability. If even your strongest force directed at their biggest weakness still cannot prevail, then you have absolutely no chance of defeating that foe. You'd have to plan your escape..."

Li Shiyin listened attentively, gaining new insight into both sword arts and combat.