Step by Step Ascend to Immortality

Chapter 16: Chapter 17 Ji Yuanhuang Thunder Forging God Record

If it weren't for Gu Yinghua's noble lineage, anyone else might have missed it. To most, the unremarkable short sword in Liu Suiyun's hand wouldn't have drawn a second glance. But she instantly recognized it—the legendary Falling Star Sword. Its reputation far exceeded its humble appearance.

The Falling Star Sword, true to its name, was a top-tier magical weapon that amplified the power of offensive Daoist techniques. Its potency was even greater than that of ordinary spirit weapons. The astonishing power of Liu Suiyun's Chaoyang Divine Thunder and Comet Strikes the Moon was largely due to this sword.

The Falling Star Sword was one of the finest weapons in the entire Han Kingdom. For a cultivator in the Qi Refining stage, it was a dream come true, a once-in-a-lifetime treasure. Even a novice cultivator at the Gathering Qi stage, armed with such a supreme weapon, could cause headaches for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

For an average Qi Refining cultivator, this sword could serve them well up to the Core Formation stage. What made this sword even more extraordinary was that, over a century ago, it was sold at an astronomical price at auction, becoming the personal sword of the Pang family patriarch—yes, it was one of the prized possessions of the late Pang Tianshou.

Although Pang Tianshou, who had reached the half-step Golden Core stage, eventually replaced it with a better spirit weapon, the Falling Star Sword remained his companion through the early and mid-Foundation Establishment stages and was a symbol of the Pang family's authority.

But during the battle with the Gu family, Pang Tianshou mysteriously perished in an ambush by Qi Refining cultivators, and his numerous spiritual treasures vanished, including the Falling Star Sword.

Everyone assumed that the sword had fallen into the hands of Xu Zhaori, the Qi Refining cultivator responsible for Pang Tianshou's demise, who now ruled over the Tianma Plains. Yet, no one expected it to end up in the hands of someone as insignificant as Liu Suiyun.

Liu Suiyun himself was surprised that Gu Yinghua could see through the disguise of the Falling Star Sword so easily. With a wry smile, he said, "Yes, Zhaori has been kind to me. What do you think of this sword, Miss Gu?"

The Falling Star Sword was his trump card, the source of his confidence in facing any danger.

"Servant, bring that sword to me!" Gu Yinghua demanded without hesitation, "Let me take a closer look!"

Despite the flush on his face from the strain of casting two high-level Daoist techniques, Liu Suiyun handed the sword to her. He was still recovering from the backlash of using the sword's power, which had pushed him beyond his limits.

"This is an excellent sword, indeed," Gu Yinghua praised as she examined it. "But it's still just a magical weapon, and that's a shame. I'll borrow it for a while."

She pointed out the sword's greatest strength and its limitation. For a cultivator in the Gathering Qi or Qi Refining stages, it was one of the most powerful weapons they could obtain, usable even into the early Foundation Establishment stage. However, beyond that, its shortcomings became apparent.

Gu Yinghua's fingers brushed over the sword, her touch discerning every hidden detail. Despite its excellence, her aristocratic background made her dismiss it with a mere, "It's good."

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Her next move caught Liu Suiyun by surprise. Gu Yinghua casually ran the Falling Star Sword along the hem of her pleated skirt, slicing off a half-foot of fabric.

Returning the sword to Liu Suiyun, she said, "Let's move. I don't like wasting time."

"Miss Gu? Aren't you taking the sedan chair?" Liu Suiyun asked, puzzled by her decisiveness.

"I'm not that delicate yet. Fire Uncle, give me a hand!" Gu Yinghua replied coolly. "We're heading to Yuanzhou."

Liu Suiyun looked ahead, seeing only the dense forest and treacherous terrain. The path was fraught with danger, with countless beasts lurking and the combined forces of the Pang family and Tianyi Gang in pursuit. But watching Gu Yinghua's confident strides, his own resolve hardened.

"Alright! I'll lead the way," Liu Suiyun said, stepping to the front. "The route Long Kong Uncle scouted is too difficult, but I have another path. It's riskier, though."

With Fire Qianshu supporting her, Gu Yinghua moved steadily along the rugged mountain trail, her steps leaving behind the battlefield littered with corpses. "Good, lead the way. When we reach Yuanzhou, I'll personally make you some steamed dumplings," she offered.

As he held the Falling Star Sword, Liu Suiyun responded with a smile, "Thank you, Miss Gu. But I'd prefer a bowl of boiled dumplings. I'm more of a boiled dumpling guy."

"You don't like steamed dumplings?" Gu Yinghua asked, surprised. "Steamed dumplings with a bit of vinegar—one of the world's greatest delicacies! Don't tell me you're like those lower-class people who only eat salty food and have no appreciation for sweetness?"

"I usually eat salty food," Liu Suiyun chuckled as he led the way. "For example, I love drinking salty soy milk."

"What?!" Gu Yinghua exclaimed, as if she had discovered something horrifying. "Salty soy milk? There's such a thing in this world? Listen to me, sweet soy milk is the path to the ultimate Dao!"

"Miss Gu, I have my own path, and it involves salty soy milk," Liu Suiyun replied, unfazed.

"If you get on the right path, I'll reward you handsomely," Gu Yinghua insisted.

"I'm the one leading the way now!" Liu Suiyun shot back, undeterred. "We can't afford to make a wrong turn—it could be deadly!"

But Gu Yinghua remained steadfast. "I believe you'll find the right path eventually. Just try sweet soy milk, and I'll teach you how to break through the Gathering Qi stage and fully unleash the power of the Falling Star Sword!"

Liu Suiyun was taken aback. Gu Yinghua had seen right through him—he was still in the Gathering Qi stage.

For cultivators, the Gathering Qi stage was the most basic level. Even those with the poorest aptitude could break through this stage with enough time and resources. However, Gathering Qi cultivators could barely perform any powerful techniques, relying only on minor tricks.

Liu Suiyun's earlier display of the Chaoyang Divine Thunder, which obliterated half of the Pang family's ironstone formation, was extraordinary.

Part of it was due to the Pang family's lack of proper defenses, and part of it was thanks to the Falling Star Sword, along with Liu Suiyun's accumulated experience from a fragmentary immortal fate. Even so, the backlash from the Chaoyang Divine Thunder had left him severely weakened, with only enough energy to cast one more powerful technique.

The entire battle had been far from easy. After using the Falling Star Sword, Liu Suiyun knew he wouldn't be able to tap into its power again for at least a day or two, and even his martial prowess had taken a hit.

Yet, Liu Suiyun remained resolute. With a bright smile, he said, "Thank you, Miss Gu."

"But there's one thing I forgot," Liu Suiyun's smile grew wider. "I forgot to advance my stage!"

As he spoke, Liu Suiyun gripped the two-foot-long Falling Star Sword tightly. His expression turned serious as a crimson glow began to flow from the sword into his body, enveloping him in a radiant light.

The red glow exuded a terrifying aura, prompting Fire Qianshu to pull Gu Yinghua back a few steps, sensing the hidden danger.

Liu Suiyun's grip on the sword tightened as sweat soaked through his clothes. His entire body trembled under the red light, and Gu Yinghua could even detect a faint, acrid scent in the air.

"This is... the first level of Qi Refining!" Gu Yinghua realized. "You would have broken through even without my help!"

Liu Suiyun exhaled deeply, feeling a surge of strength. "Thank you, Miss Gu. Without your help, there wouldn't be the Liu Suiyun of today."

He remembered the fragrant pill she had given him, which had helped him make this breakthrough.

Yes, at the Gathering Qi stage, a cultivator could only perform minor tricks. Even with the help of the Falling Star Sword, he could only unleash a single, devastating Chaoyang Divine Thunder before exhausting his strength.

But now that he had reached the Qi Refining stage, Liu Suiyun felt that he could wield the Falling Star Sword to cast several powerful techniques.

With time, he might even be able to challenge Foundation Establishment cultivators!

"This isn't the right path," Gu Yinghua said with a hint of melancholy. "The Extreme Yuan Thunder Forging Manual may be one of the fastest ways to cultivate, but it's not the ultimate Dao. It's full of pitfalls."

She had recognized Liu Suiyun's cultivation method—the Extreme Yuan Thunder Forging Manual, known for its rapid advancement. By absorbing the essence of slain enemies, cultivators could progress at an astonishing pace, with some even achieving Foundation Establishment in three years. Liu Suiyun had just broken through to the Qi Refining stage by absorbing the essence of the slain members of the Pang family.

But such rapid advancement came with dire consequences. While it might grant dominance during the Gathering Qi and Qi Refining stages, the flaws would become evident