Chapter 19: Entering the Formation, Qin You Slays the Sheep Himself

Back at the foot of the Cliff of Despair, Qin Anyu observed Qin Youqin practicing her sword strikes. While her form was not yet polished, her dedication was evident.

It was not a true sword, but merely a wooden one she had fashioned from scrap wood.

Watching her rigorous and earnest demeanor, he silently commended her: "Excellent!"

Mastering standard fundamental movements is the bedrock of all future combat. Every combat technique is merely a combination of these basics; the more numerous and seamless the integrations, the more advanced the technique.

The legendary predecessor who attained divinity through simple, unrefined forms had practiced no techniques at all before reaching the Golden Core stage, relying solely on basic movements to eventually leave all rivals in his dust.

When he annihilated the Eagle Gang and the Mangshan bandits, he had actually employed only three basic moves: hacking, sweeping, and lifting.

Focused on her practice, Qin Youqin did not notice his return until she finished a set and stopped to rest. Seeing him preparing two rabbits, she asked with delight, "Young Master, you’re back?"

"How have you been eating these past three days?" Qin Anyu asked.

She trotted over and replied, "Young Master, have three days really passed? It doesn't feel like it."

"So, how many meals did you have?"

"Oh, quite a few. I finished the large fish you grilled for me, and I ate one roast chicken and one roast duck as well. I don't know why, but I’ve been feeling incredibly hungry."

"Did you read those books?"

"I didn't have time. I’ve been practicing the sword. The time just seems to fly by when I’m training."

"Aren't your hands sore or tired?"

"Oh, they are, but whenever I felt tired, it happened to be time to cook and eat."

Hearing this, he was speechless.

*Is that even possible?*

Was it due to genuine interest or sheer urgency that she could overcome exhaustion so quickly?

He could only say, "The books in that chest—both the combat manuals and the miscellanea—are there for you to read."

"Yes, Young Master, I understand. The Master and Mistress always said that reading broadens one’s horizons and is beneficial for cultivation... Oh dear, I forgot! Young Master, how did you make the round trip in only three days? It felt like it took us four days just to get here from the cliff. Was I slowing you down?"

"Yes."

In truth, he had spent less than half a day in the city, but the descent down the sheer cliff had consumed nearly two days. During those two days, he had pushed his body to its absolute limit, exhausting his energy to consolidate his foundations in the first five realms and the Bone-Refining stage.

"Wuu-wuu, then I must improve quickly, or I will continue to be a burden to you."

"That would be troublesome; you’ll be a burden to me for a long time to come."

"???"

This remark left Qin Youqin bewildered, and she stared at him blankly.

Qin Anyu laughed. "I brought back some rice and flour this time."

"Young Master, what must I do to catch up to you?"

"If you could catch up to me, wouldn't that just prove your Young Master is too incompetent?"

"But... I want to protect you, Young Master."

"As you said, life must be lived one day at a time. I have been cultivating for six years longer than you... but let's leave that aside. Have there been any disturbances here these past few days?"

"Yes. I heard birds, wild boars, and what sounded like goats. I wanted to sleep outside, but I had to retreat into the cave and block the entrance."

"Very well. We shall have fresh meat today."

"Are there really so many creatures here? Young Master, I want to come too!"

"I bought a sword for you; take it and see if it suits your hand."

Qin Youqin immediately ran to the luggage, pulled out the sword, and brandished it a few times. "Young Master, it’s perfect!"

He turned and headed toward the hillside. "Come, let’s go find some food."

As Qin Youqin followed him, her surprise grew with every step. She had assumed this was just a small valley, but upon reaching the ridge, another expanse appeared before them. That valley teemed with creatures—wild boars, mountain goats, and birds—though they appeared somewhat blurred.

"Young Master, why aren't those beasts running over here?"

"They are contained. We are in a secret realm—a place for low-level cultivators to train and rest. The area ahead is a combat zone. The blurriness is caused by an array."

He had explored this place before, so he understood it well. He knew the array was anchored primarily by the terrain, with only a few physical components. As the environment shifted, the power of those components had waned, causing the array to decay; otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to see these beasts.

The creatures in this valley were only at the Qi-Nurturing stage. However, there was another valley further ahead filled with Qi-Refining beasts. When he had first arrived, he was only at the fifth realm and had been chased out by several of them. He had concluded that this place was once used by a faction to train low-level disciples, which was why he chose to cultivate here.

"Young Master, there is actually a legendary array here?"

"What else would you call it? Arrays aren't necessarily miraculous; they can be built based on the topography or forcibly established through various means."

"Young Master, you know so much. The Linxia Sect has these things, too—no wonder everyone wants to join a sect to cultivate."

Qin Anyu had nothing to say to that. *As an outer disciple, how many books could one possibly be allowed to study?*

Seeing his silence, she continued to chatter, "The Qin estate used to have many books. The Mistress read them often and made us read them, too. But later, that Second Mistress moved them all away, and they disappeared."

"Do not mention her in my presence again."

"Oh, I understand, Young Master."

Qin Anyu pointed to a mountain goat ahead. "Can you kill it?"

The goat stood nearly four feet tall, equivalent to the early stage of the Qi-Nurturing realm.

She became immediately spirited, brandishing her sword. "I can."

Watching her, Qin Anyu smiled. "And how do you intend to kill it?"

"I... I will stab it to death. Young Master, I’ve seen goats being slaughtered before."

"That’s fine. The basic principles are the same, but this goat is at the early Qi-Nurturing stage..."

"Ah? It's a cultivator too? I suppose that makes sense—with so many low-level medicinal herbs around and no one else here, it can just eat and sleep its way to higher levels."

"Go on, then."

The two entered the array. The blurriness vanished, and the scene became as clear as the outside world, causing Qin Youqin to gasp, "Young Master, the ground is covered in bones!"

Though brief, her exclamation drew the attention of nearby beasts. Some began to move or fly toward them, the goat included.

"Do you still want to kill that goat?" Qin Anyu asked.

Seeing the massive goat with its razor-sharp horns, Qin Youqin’s heart hammered, but she did not retreat. With resolve, she said, "I do!"

"Then go and kill it."

"Yes!"

Gripping her iron sword, she stepped toward the goat. When she was within ten feet, the goat suddenly reared up, its front legs buckling before it lowered its head and charged.

She did not panic; she sidestepped, narrowly dodging the attack.

The goat landed and immediately turned to repeat the charge, but again she slipped away. After several attempts, the goat maintained the offensive, and Qin Youqin began to pant, her movements becoming uncoordinated.

"Adjust your breathing," Qin Anyu instructed. "Find the rhythm that saves the most energy and suits your body best."

Combat intuition is forged through battle. With an Immortal Emperor like him guiding her, her progress would be much swifter.

"Yes, Young Master!"

After a stalemate that lasted the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Qin Youqin finally seized her opening. She lunged forward, driving her iron sword deep into the goat's neck.

The goat, possessing its own wealth of combat experience, delivered a dying strike that sent her flying.

As she soared through the air, she did not let go of the sword, and the goat's blood sprayed in her wake.

The goat collapsed, and she fell to the ground.

The goat was dead, but she could not rise—she had exhausted every ounce of her strength.

As the scene unfolded, the surrounding beasts surged forward.

Qin Anyu swung his sword and let out a thunderous "Begone!" that sent them scattering in terror.

He stepped forward to help her up, noticing that her right shoulder blade, three ribs, and upper arm were fractured, and blood was trickling from her mouth.

"Young Master, I was injured like this by a single goat... am I useless?"

"This goat survived in this environment; its combat instincts are far superior to yours. It is a veteran of the early Qi-Nurturing realm, and you have only been refining your bones for three days. Do you still think you’re useless?"

"Hehe, then I suppose I’m still quite impressive."

"I am proud of you. Let's go back, treat your wounds, summarize what you've learned, and then we shall feast on mutton!"