On a sudden whim, Zhou Wuji decided to try upgrading the Rejuvenation Technique.
This spell was not particularly high-ranking, so maxing it out probably would not consume too many primordial profound spirits.
Moreover, the Rejuvenation Technique could heal injuries and illness, which was extraordinarily useful.
It was well worth spending primordial profound spirits on.
Zhou Wuji had reaped a massive harvest from tonight's fierce battle. With Zhang Xinhu looming as an active threat, he needed to convert these gains into personal strength as quickly as possible.
Investing four destiny patterns of under two liang, he elevated the Rejuvenation Technique straight to the Transformative realm.
Judging by his experience with the Fire Bell Incantation, once a spell reached the Perfection realm, it gained a qualitative breakthrough.
The most direct manifestation was instant casting.
In actual combat, that was what mattered most.
Just one step away, Zhou Wuji steeled his heart and invested three more destiny patterns of over two liang.
Purple light unfolded, and Zhou Wuji trained rigorously in the Rejuvenation Technique within the independent void world.
Day after day, year after year, the incantations, hand seals, and corresponding shifts in true qi of the Rejuvenation Technique were drilled to peerless proficiency.
In the process, Zhou Wuji grasped all the core essences of the spell, understood the roots of every incantation and seal, and comprehended all the shifting variations of its effects...
When Zhou Wuji opened his eyes, he did not even need to look at the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment to know that the Rejuvenation Technique had reached the Perfection realm.
Through the empowerment of the primordial profound spirits in cultivating the spell, he had completely mastered it and become thoroughly versed in all its effects.
At the Perfection realm, the Rejuvenation Technique could not only be cast instantly, but its healing effects on injuries and illnesses were also enhanced to the absolute limit.
Most importantly for him, the Rejuvenation Technique could instantly restore his true qi to peak condition, while also bolstering him on both the mental and physical levels.
However, the essence of the Rejuvenation Technique lay in stimulating a person's life foundation.
The greater the recovery effect, the more life foundation was consumed. In other words, every time he used the max-level Rejuvenation Technique to perform an emergency restoration of his condition, it would cost a certain amount of his lifespan.
Though Zhou Wuji had not tested it, based on his understanding of the spell, it would consume roughly ten days of life per use, depending on the circumstances.
If he sustained severe trauma—such as fractures, penetrating wounds, and the like—the Rejuvenation Technique could at most stop the bleeding immediately; it was impossible to instantly restore him to pristine condition.
Zhou Wuji was quite pleased with the effects of the Rejuvenation Technique. His primary issue right now was that his level of true qi was too low, leaving him unable to sustain more than a few bursts.
With the Rejuvenation Technique, he could at least burst his true qi in succession. In battle, that was of vital importance.
Having spent fifteen primordial profound spirits in total, he had upgraded his swordsmanship, the Northern Dipper Celestial Pivot Scripture, and the Rejuvenation Technique.
Eighteen primordial profound spirits remained. Although their destiny patterns were not high, they could not be squandered recklessly either.
Zhou Wuji circulated the Northern Dipper Celestial Pivot Scripture. This time, the flow of true qi was effortless and smooth, requiring no conscious urging on his part.
Circulating a single breath of true qi through one hundred and eight heavenly cycles, his entire being entered a state of void, purity, clarity, and stillness.
With that, Zhou Wuji drifted into a deep sleep. When he woke again, broad daylight filled the sky.
Zhou Wuji went through his morning cultivation exercises once more and discovered that his true qi had increased by another point.
At the Great Mastery realm, the Northern Dipper Celestial Pivot Scripture allowed him to increase his true qi by two points a day.
Calculated this way, in just three months he would be able to unblock the remaining Kaiyang and Yaoguang acupoints and advance to Rank Seven.
By then, with all seven apertures plus the divine acupoint between his brows—eight apertures in total respiring true qi—he would be fully equipped to contend with martial artists of the same rank.
Coupled with his formidable swordsmanship and the perfected Rejuvenation Technique, slaying Zhang Xinhu shouldn't be difficult either...
Using the primordial profound spirits in succession—especially with one three-liang destiny pattern among them—had also increased his spirit by thirty points, raising his overall pool by ten percent.
Spirit was the foundation for channeling true qi. A stronger spirit allowed for more subtle and profound control over true qi, sharpened his ability to process external information, and offered better resistance against mental attacks—the benefits were immense...
When Zhou Wuji emerged from his room, he found Wuzheng sitting in the outer chamber. His face was somewhat pale and his eyes were faintly bloodshot; he clearly had not slept all night.
Seeing Zhou Wuji come out, Wuzheng managed a faint smile. "Junior Brother, you're awake. I'll have someone prepare food right away."
He let out a sigh as he spoke. "Too many people died yesterday. Once dawn broke, I had them clear the corpses, and I sent someone to report to Siming County.
"According to the villagers, the county yamen officials should arrive this afternoon. We have to explain things to them face-to-face before we can leave..."
"It's thanks to you, Senior Brother, taking charge of the situation," Zhou Wuji said. "You've worked hard."
"It's nothing."
Wuzheng waved a dismissive hand, then looked at Zhou Wuji, hesitating. "Junior Brother, the credit for slaying these rogue soldiers..."
"Senior Brother, here is what I think. I already have a feud with Zhang Xinhu, so it's all the more inconvenient for me to stand in the spotlight right now."
Zhou Wuji understood Wuzheng's hesitation. Slaying so many rogue soldiers was a major achievement.
By rights, he had killed them all, so the others naturally had no claim to the credit.
However, saying as much out loud would sound preposterous and hard for outsiders to believe.
Wuzheng had no desire to steal the credit; he was merely worried that Zhou Wuji shining too brightly would work against him instead.
Yet that was awkward to say directly, as it might sound like an attempt to snatch the glory.
Zhou Wuji did not care much about such accolades anyway; all the imperial court would grant was a bit of silver, and not very much at that.
He continued, "Let's just say we joined forces to slay these rogue soldiers together. Consider it everyone helping to cover for me. Please do me this favor, Senior Brother..."
Wuzheng could not help a rueful smile. Junior Brother Wuji was simply too perceptive; he had indeed feared a misunderstanding.
Fortunately, Zhou Wuji had spoken with utter sincerity, and handling it this way was better for everyone.
He rose and cupped his hands to Zhou Wuji. "You saved everyone last night. We will give one account to the imperial court, but once we return to the lower abbey, I will naturally explain the true situation to the Abbot.
"I will request that the lower abbey reward you handsomely, Junior Brother..."
"I appreciate your trouble, Senior Brother." Zhou Wuji did not stand on ceremony and cupped his hands in thanks.
Wuzheng smiled in return. The matter was finally resolved on good terms.
Wuming had also gotten up and ate breakfast with Zhou Wuji.
Frightened by the sight of the ground previously strewn with corpses, she lingered in the courtyard, chatting with Zhou Wuji.
"Senior Brother, how is your swordplay so incredible? How did you train? Can you teach me?"
"Combat with a sword is exceptionally dangerous. Practicing for fitness is fine, but never dream of fighting others with it," Zhou Wuji cautioned.
Then a thought struck him, and he remembered Wuming's White Brow Needles.
This concealed weapon was naturally useless in Wuming's hands, but if he learned it, it would prove quite practical.
His throwing of steel ball bearings relied entirely on the sheer force of true qi, with little real technique behind it.
The White Brow Needles, on the other hand, were exceedingly stealthy. Rank Seven martial artists were still flesh and blood; struck in a vital spot, they might not be able to withstand it.
If the needles lacked lethal power, he could find a way to coat them in poison. They would also serve well for surprise ambushes.
He said, "Junior Sister, your White Brow Needles are remarkably ingenious. Could you teach me?"
"Sure! I'll teach you the White Brow Needles, and you teach me swordplay. We'll be each other's teacher—neither of us loses out!" Wuming's eyes lit up, finding the idea delightful.
"Teacher Wuming, please guide me well." Zhou Wuji smiled too. Having a teacher sounded great; he rather enjoyed this kind of role-play!
Wuming found Zhou Wuji's smile a bit peculiar, yet saw nothing wrong with it.
After last night's battle, Senior Brother Wuji's standing in her heart had surged. And after she helped him wash and comb his hair, his status in her eyes had climbed even higher!
In the past, she might have found such a smile frivolous, but right now, she only saw her senior brother as dashing and charming, growing fonder of him with every glance.
With a bright smile, she said, "This skill of mine is called the Tianshu Hand. It's a martial art of finger and palm techniques specifically designed to pair with Tianshu true qi..."
Through Wuming's explanation, Zhou Wuji learned that the Tianshu Hand was a martial art native to their sect, perfectly attuned to Tianshu true qi.
Their sect emphasized Daoist arts and divine abilities, placing little stock in worldly martial arts. Only Daoists who specifically pursued the martial path cultivated this technique.
Though his master's swordsmanship was powerful, it was self-created and distinct from the sect's established martial arts traditions, which was why his master did not know the Tianshu Hand.
"Such an exceptional skill shouldn't be taught without permission, right?" Although Zhou Wuji was eager to learn the art for free, he could not bring harm to Wuming.
Wuming shook her head dismissively. "I've only learned the bare basics. Passing it to you won't be an issue..."
"In that case, many thanks, Teacher." Relieved, Zhou Wuji flashed an exceptionally brilliant smile.
Wuming giggled along, not even knowing what she was laughing at—seeing her senior brother smile was enough to make her happy...
Chapter 33