Chapter 46: Mid-Grade Magic Sword
"The current intensity is already quite high," Gu Mo said, looking at Yuan Niya in confusion. Once a month at this intensity was already a considerable challenge. It was only after thoroughly understanding Yuan Niya's physical condition that he had chosen this level.
Any higher, and there could be risks. The principle of the Cleansing Technique was to shake the muscles, bones, and flesh to achieve a purification effect. If the intensity was too high, it could end up harming the body instead.
"I'm about to break through soon, but the progress of the Cleansing Technique isn't keeping up," Yuan Niya explained her reason for wanting to increase the intensity.
"So soon?"
Gu Mo was taken aback. Was this the talent of an inner sect disciple? She was already on the verge of breaking through? Even though it was just from Qi Refinement Level One to Level Two, the speed was astonishing.
"Is it fast?"
Yuan Niya shook her head. Her reaction stemmed from a newly admitted inner sect disciple. This disciple had been discovered by an outer sect steward during a mission in the mundane world—an extremely rare superior-grade spiritual root.
Yuan Niya possessed a mid-grade fire spiritual root, which allowed her to compete with superior-grade roots only in fire-based techniques and spells. But this new junior disciple displayed talent and comprehension perfectly aligned with his superior-grade root in all aspects.
When he joined, several Golden Core elders fought over the chance to take him as a disciple. In the end, it was the sect master himself who accepted him as a direct disciple.
Being the sect master's direct disciple practically guaranteed a spot among the true disciples, reducing the already limited number of such positions. This was bad news for the other inner sect disciples, and even more so for Yuan Niya, who had only joined a few months earlier.
As a result, she had been training with extraordinary diligence. Thanks to her mid-grade fire spiritual root and the ample resources available to inner sect disciples, her hard work had paid off quickly.
However, she chose not to break through immediately, as the Cleansing Technique at perfection level had not yet reached its optimal effect. For inner sect disciples, merely advancing in rank was not the priority. They pursued a solid foundation—one that ensured they were stronger than others at the same level and increased their chances of reaching greater heights.
After understanding Yuan Niya's situation, Gu Mo found himself in a dilemma. In his opinion, if the Cleansing Technique's progress was lagging, she should simply wait a while rather than take unnecessary risks. He himself was facing the same issue, but he had chosen to halt his cultivation and let the Cleansing Technique catch up.
"Increasing the intensity isn't impossible, but I won't take responsibility if something goes wrong. Also..." Seeing Yuan Niya's determined expression, Gu Mo knew he wouldn't be able to talk her out of it. However, he was quick to make his stance clear.
"No problem. If something happens, I won't blame you. What else?" Yuan Niya nodded firmly. The path of cultivation was fraught with risk, especially in the competition for a true disciple position—it required unwavering determination.
"Of course, it'll cost extra," Gu Mo said matter-of-factly.
"Fine!"
Yuan Niya was momentarily stunned by his response, but after a brief moment of thought, she took out a magic sword.
Gu Mo's eyes lit up. This was a standard-issue magic sword from the Artifact Peak. He had seen one before in Mai Yunfa's possession, but the one Yuan Niya took out was of superior quality—it was a mid-grade magical weapon. Such a sword was by no means cheap.
"This is my backup sword. Will it suffice as payment?" Yuan Niya handed the sword over. It was an inner sect disciple benefit, but since her master had given her a superior-grade fire-type magic sword, this mid-grade sword had been relegated to a spare.
"Deal!"
A mid-grade magic sword—Gu Mo was more than satisfied with this form of payment. Sword flight was undoubtedly much more stylish than riding a crane. "Does it come with a matching Sword Flight Technique?" he asked casually as he took the sword.
"No. You'll have to exchange for it yourself," Yuan Niya rolled her eyes. Within the sect, techniques, spells, and secret arts couldn't be privately shared. Disciples had to use sect contribution points to obtain them.
As an inner sect disciple, she could access most common techniques without spending contribution points, but that didn't mean she could casually pass them on. Otherwise, the sect's contribution system would be meaningless.
"Alright then."
Gu Mo thought for a moment. The Sword Flight Technique's exchange price wasn't too high. Since he no longer needed to save up for the Hidden Qi Technique, he had more than enough contribution points to get it.
"Well then, Senior Sister Yuan, are you ready?" Since he had accepted the payment, it was time to provide the service.
"Do it!"
Yuan Niya nodded.
"Ah!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a cry of pain escaped her lips—Gu Mo's intensified version of the Cleansing Technique had already begun.
She glared at Gu Mo fiercely but soon had no choice but to focus entirely on enduring the excruciating pain.
It felt as if her body had been thrown onto an anvil, suffering relentless hammering. However, the effect was undeniable—impurities were gradually being forced out of her body.
But it hurt—so much!
"This really is too much," Gu Mo observed. As time passed, blood began seeping from Yuan Niya's mouth, nose, and even skin. This meant the intensified Cleansing Technique was damaging her body—completely counteracting its intended effect.
Yuan Niya clearly realized this too. However, she was prepared. As an inner sect disciple, she had no shortage of healing pills.
Gritting her teeth through the pain, she quickly swallowed one. But moments later, her expression changed—the pill's effect was weaker than expected.
Her injuries weren't ordinary internal or external wounds but deeper damage that regular healing pills couldn't properly address.
Now, she had no choice but to immediately halt the Cleansing Technique. Even then, she would still need a period of rest to recover. What was supposed to accelerate her progress had instead set her back, leaving her feeling utterly frustrated.
"I..."
Just as Yuan Niya was about to speak and tell Gu Mo to stop, a gentle force, brimming with life energy, suddenly enveloped her.
That power flowed into her body, working together with her healing pill to rapidly mend her injuries.
"This is..."
Yuan Niya's eyes snapped open in astonishment as she looked at Gu Mo in disbelief.
"What are you staring at? The Spirit Farmer Association's Minor Rejuvenation Technique isn't that rare," Gu Mo said expressionlessly.
He had seen Yuan Niya's predicament just now. He could have chosen to stand by, since she had made this decision herself. But in the end, he decided to help.
After all, she had just given him a mid-grade magic sword. It was only right that he make sure she got her money's worth.