288: First Glimpse of Thunder

Three days of secluded cultivation passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the VIP guest room of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Qin Feng sat cross-legged with a dark gold scroll spread across his knees. His eyes were tightly shut, and the faint Aura of thunder and fire circulated around him. His Sword Intent gathered and dispersed sporadically, condensing into illusory sword shadows three feet in front of him.

During these three days, he had gone almost without sleep or rest, devoting his entire heart to comprehending the first three forms of the Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art.

When the System refreshed at the zi hour, three new pieces of intelligence gave him a clearer understanding of this sword technique:

【Daily Intelligence Refreshed】 (zi hour):

1. 【Blue Intelligence】: The complete version of the Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art is divided into three parts: Upper, Middle, and Lower. Each part has three forms, totaling nine forms. Upper Part: Start-Hand Startling Waves, Armor-Piercing Cloud-Splitter, Swimming Body Reverse Scale; Middle Part: River-Severing Current-Blocker, Suppressing the Mountain and Subduing the Waves, Chasing Shadow, Pursuing Star; Lower Part: Heaven Collapsing, Earth Splitting, Thunder Suppressing Dragon, Void Breaking Dragon Slaying. With all nine forms perfected, one can slay a True Dragon; its power is comparable to legendary Saint Rank Martial Skills.

2. 【Yellow Intelligence】: During the internal strife of the Xuanyuan Family three hundred years ago, the Family split and divided the Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art into three copies, kept by three direct lineages. The lineage currently holding the Upper Part has completely declined. Because their descendants could not comprehend the Sword Intent, they mistook it for a common Heaven Rank Secret Manual and sold the manuscript for money. The true original version is still sealed within the Xuanyuan Family's ancestral grounds.

3. 【Yellow Intelligence】: The Hehuan Sect and Blood Spirit Gate have been secretly investigating Juyan City for two days. Due to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's strict security measures and Qin Feng and his group keeping a low profile, they have found nothing. The main forces of both sects have received new orders to evacuate Juyan City tomorrow and turn to other tasks. However, some hidden sentries remain to continue surveillance.

After reading the intelligence, Qin Feng felt both shocked and fortunate.

He was shocked that the Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art actually had nine forms and that its complete power was comparable to a Saint Rank Martial Skill—that was a legendary Realm, and the entire Qian Kingdom might not even possess a single Saint Rank Martial Skill!

He felt fortunate that the Hehuan Sect and Blood Spirit Gate were about to evacuate, which would significantly reduce the pressure.

More importantly, the intelligence confirmed his suspicion—this sword technique indeed required Sword Intent to master. The declined descendants of the Xuanyuan Family mistook it for an ordinary manual and sold it cheaply precisely because no one could comprehend the Sword Intent.

"I have the Sword Heart and Sword Bone, and I've even formed the initial Thunder Fire Sword Intent. It's perfect for cultivating this sword technique." A sharp light flashed in Qin Feng's eyes. "Although I only have the first three forms, if I can master them, their power will definitely exceed ordinary Heaven Rank sword techniques."

"I'll start by comprehending 'Start-Hand Startling Waves' first."

He sat cross-legged, spreading the scroll on his knees, and completely immersed his mind in it.

Start-Hand Startling Waves, though an opening move, contained the fundamental philosophy of the entire sword technique—overwhelming the opponent with momentum and seizing the initiative.

This form did not emphasize technique, but rather Aura.

The sword moves in the illustrations were actually very simple: step forward, dash, and swing the sword. But the 'Startling Waves' intent contained within required Sword Intent to activate.

Qin Feng closed his eyes and simulated this form in his mind.

He imagined himself standing before a raging sea; facing the towering waves, he did not retreat but instead advanced, striking out with a single sword!

It wasn't about slashing through the waves, but about overwhelming them with an even more violent momentum!

"The intent of Startling Waves lies in 'Startling,' but even more so in 'Suppressing'," Qin Feng murmured to himself.

He attempted to mobilize his internal Thunder-Fire True Intent.

Thunder is the majesty of Heaven; Fire is the intensity of Earth.

Thunder and fire fused, transforming into a domineering and blazing Sword Intent that slowly poured into this form.

On the first attempt, the Sword Intent and the sword move failed to fuse perfectly, causing the circulation of his True Yuan to become sluggish.

The second time was slightly better, but the momentum of 'Startling Waves' was insufficient.

The third, fourth, fifth time... Qin Feng simulated it over and over tirelessly, tempering it a thousand times in his mind.

His Sword Heart became clear, and his Sword Bone resonated.

With the dual support of his Sword Heart and Sword Bone, his speed of comprehending the Dao of the sword far exceeded that of ordinary people. Sword moves that would take a normal Sword Cultivator months or even years to even begin to grasp were being digested by him at an incredible speed.

Time passed.

On the first day, Qin Feng was completely immersed in comprehending the sword moves. Aside from necessary food and rest, all his time was spent on cultivation.

Seeing this, Xia Ya and the others also seized the time to Cultivate. The Spirit Gathering Formation in the VIP room was extremely effective, and combined with several bottles of auxiliary Medicinal Pills Qin Feng had obtained from the auction, everyone's cultivation progressed.

On the second day, Qin Feng began actual practice.

With the ink plum sword in hand, he followed the trajectory he had comprehended and slowly executed Start-Hand Startling Waves.

The first actual execution was clumsy, and the Sword Intent was scattered.

But he did not get discouraged and continued to practice.

Ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times... The protective Formation of the VIP room isolated the sound and energy fluctuations; otherwise, practicing the sword like this would have long since alerted the entire Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

At dawn on the third day, Qin Feng stood with his sword, his internal Aura restrained.

A flash of realization crossed his eyes.

Step forward, dash, swing!

The movement was simple and direct, but the moment the sword was unleashed—

"Boom!"

A majestic Sword Intent soared into the sky! Although blocked by the Formation, the air in the guest room suddenly became heavy, as if an invisible giant wave was pressing down!

Thunder and fire intertwined on the ink plum sword, and the sword light was like waves crashing against the shore, carrying an unstoppable momentum!

Though it was only for an instant, the power of that strike had begun to take on the true intent of 'Startling Waves'!

"It's done..." Qin Feng retracted his sword and exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

Start-Hand Startling Waves: Entry Level!

Although he was still far from Minor Achievement or Major Achievement, he had at least taken the first step.

He felt the power of this form; it was thirty percent stronger than the most powerful move of the Hundred Flowers Sword Art! And this was just at the Entry Level; if he could reach Major Achievement, its power would at least double!

"As expected of the core Legacy of the Xuanyuan Family," Qin Feng thought, shaken.

This was only the first form of the Upper Part. There were eight more forms, each one stronger than the last.

If all nine forms could be unified... Qin Feng shook his head, pushing aside unrealistic fantasies. One must eat one's meal bite by bite and walk the path step by step.

For now, he would first master the three forms of the Upper Part before looking toward anything else.

He looked out the window; the sky was already bright.

Six days had already passed.

It was time to go to the City Lord's Mansion.

"Brother Feng, did you master it?" Xiao Chun pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Qin Feng standing with his sword put away, she asked in pleasant surprise.

Qin Feng smiled: "I've reached the Entry Level."

Although he was still far from 'Minor Achievement,' the 'Startling Waves' form had at least reached the initial Entry Level.

Tao Yuanyi and the others also finished their cultivation and gathered around.

"Junior Brother Qin, your current Sword Intent..." Tao Yuanyi felt the sharp and fiery Aura on Qin Feng, his expression shocked, "It's more than twice as strong as it was three days ago!"

Qin Feng nodded: "This sword technique has a miraculous effect on nurturing Sword Intent. Although I have only mastered one form, the repair progress of my Sword Heart and Sword Bone has accelerated by at least thirty percent."

"How is the situation outside?" Qin Feng asked Ji Ruxue.

Ji Ruxue had been responsible for guarding and gathering information these past few days. she said in a low voice: "The main forces of the Hehuan Sect and Blood Spirit Gate have indeed evacuated, but the people from the Ancient Sword Gate are still here. Additionally, I sensed several unfamiliar Auras lingering near the Myriad Treasures Pavilion; they might be scouts from other forces."

"As expected." Qin Feng was not surprised. "Buying a fragment of a sword technique for 6.5 million would make anyone curious. However, as long as we don't reveal our true faces, they won't find anything."

He looked at everyone: "We should leave today. But before that, I need to make a trip to the City Lord's Mansion."

"To find Yan Chi?" Xia Ya's eyes lit up.

"Yes." Qin Feng nodded. "It's time to ask her about her intentions. If she is willing to join, we will have another powerful combatant; if not, we can part on good terms."

Xia Ya laughed readily, "Alright, then let's go. If Yan Chi joins, our team will be quite lively."