Morning.
I can now perform the Qi Sword technique with ease, even without focused meditation. I could go and tell Solomon that I've successfully learned the basic technique… but should I?
He said it normally takes a month to master, and for a genius, at least a week. Learning it in a single day is practically impossible in others' eyes. If I tell him, it might cause more harm than good.
But learning the basic technique—and even the advanced Qi Sword—doesn't guarantee success in the trial. The trial is combat-oriented. It's not solely about the offensive power of one's weapon. It's about fighting techniques and real experience… both of which I severely lack.
I can study fighting techniques from manuals in the library. But what about experience?
One step at a time. First, I'll learn the fighting techniques. I'll worry about the rest later.
Luke headed back to the library once again.
There, he flipped through countless books, spending nearly the entire day reading.
According to the books, there are several types of fighting techniques based on various weapons—and even some based purely on fists.
Both Qi fighting techniques and Qi argument techniques are divided into five mastery levels: Novice, Common,Elite, Master, and Grand Master.
When a person completes the full sequence of a technique without any breaks or flaws, they are considered to have reached Novice mastery. So technically, I am at Novice mastery in the Qi Sword technique. No… that doesn't feel right. After continuous practice, I feel like I've already stepped into the Common mastery level.
As one's insight into a technique deepens, their mastery advances. And this mastery isn't just for show—higher mastery levels enhance both combat ability and the efficiency of Qi usage within the technique.
A person can learn multiple fighting techniques and Qi argument techniques, but that's not recommended. Doing so doesn't help in advancing to the Path of Vision realm—and in fact, it may even reduce the chances of advancement.
The procedure to reach that realm is entirely different and extremely time-consuming. So, rather than wasting time trying to learn multiple techniques, mastering just one Qi argument technique and one fighting technique is considered ideal for anyone hoping to break through.
For those who get stuck at Level Two, many resort to mindlessly learning new techniques—an approach that often backfires. Instead, mastering a single fighting technique to the Grand Master level is a far better strategy. At that level, they can go toe-to-toe with even the strongest Path of Vision cultivators.
Reaching Grand Master level mastery is not easy either. Even the strongest cultivators in all of Eldia within the Soul Refining Realm, those capable of going toe-to-toe with Path of Vision cultivators have only reached the early stages of Master level mastery.
There is something particularly intriguing about these techniques: after reaching the Path of Vision realm, these Qi techniques become ineffective—or rather, they no longer function as they did before. This is a major drawback of such techniques.
So, spending time learning and mastering even just one of each technique can be a time-consuming effort with no lasting value. Therefore, learning multiple Qi techniques is a fool's errand. Yet, many cultivators even those with inheritances and a guaranteed chance of advancing to the Path of Vision realm still choose to learn these Qi techniques. That's because, within the Soul Refining Realm, these techniques are the only viable option for combat.
The barrier to the Path of Vision is incredibly difficult to break it can take years or even decades. In the meantime, without any viable fighting methods, cultivators risk being killed either by other cultivators or by Order Beasts.
So, it is necessary. Without mastering at least one effective Qi argument and fighting technique, surviving until one breaks through to the Path of Vision would be nearly impossible.