"I heard that Patriarch Gu had destroyed the Qingyang Sect not long ago. Although our Sword Forging Sect has a long history, the inheritance is insufficient. The warriors of the Sword Forging Sect throughout generations have only ever reached the Blood Refining Stage.
So, I would like to ask Master Gu, could you allow the Sword Forging Sect to glimpse the mysteries of top-grade martial arts?"
As he said this, Shi Kai became nervous, worried that Gu Qingfeng might misunderstand his intentions, so he hastily explained further.
"Master Gu, you need not worry. My Sword Forging Sect is willing to pay any price for this favor. Whatever request Master Gu has, as long as it's within our capabilities, we shall not hesitate to fulfill it!"
Top-grade martial arts were far too valuable. Over the years, many so-called talented warriors had emerged within the Sword Forging Sect. But despite their talents, the limits of their martial arts were evident.
The upper limit of martial arts determines the upper limit of the martial artist.
If it was still possible to obtain middle-grade martial arts through some effort, top-grade martial arts were exceedingly rare. With the Sword Forging Sect's background, it had been unable to obtain such martial arts for hundreds of years.
After all, top-grade martial arts are so precious that even if the Sword Forging Sect were to pool all its resources, it would be hard-pressed to acquire them.
To be more realistic, even if the sect did obtain top-grade martial arts, defending it would be another challenge. This is the tragedy of lesser sects.
After Shi Kai had finished speaking, Gu Qingfeng slowly responded.
"I believe Master Shimen knows the importance of top-grade martial arts better than I do. For many sects, such martial arts become their sect's defining practice.
The Sword Forging Sect has forged a magic weapon for my Gu family, and for that, I am grateful. However, as far as giving away top-grade martial arts, I'm afraid I cannot agree."
"This matter was my error in judgment!" Shi Kai replied, disappointment evident on his face. But he quickly composed himself.
In his view, Gu Qingfeng's refusal was not surprising. After all, it was entirely understandable to be unwilling to part with something as valuable as top-grade martial arts.
Gu Qingfeng then summoned someone to fetch Gu Yang.
"Meet your father!" Gu Yang greeted Gu Qingfeng with respect.
"Take Master Shimen to the storeroom and give the Sword Forging Sect an additional reward of 10,000 taels of silver."
"Thank you very much, Master Gu!" Shi Kai said, forcing a smile despite his disappointment. Ten thousand taels of silver were not insignificant compensation, and he followed Gu Yang out.
Watching Shi Kai leave, Gu Qingfeng remained indifferent.
"Top-grade martial arts... The Sword Forging Sect truly dares to dream!"
The forging of the magic weapon had already been a deal struck in advance, and now with the reward of 12,000 taels of silver, the Gu family had more than honored its part of the agreement.
Gu Qingfeng's eyes then fell back on the blade before him.
The magic weapon was complete, and its creation had raised his strength by several degrees.
"Let's name this sword Zhuxie!" he declared, gripping the hilt of the sword. When his energy and blood surged into the blade, he could feel a subtle resonance between himself and the weapon. Though mysterious, the sensation was unmistakable.
Immediately, Gu Qingfeng moved to the backyard, ready to practice the Seven Killing Sword Technique.
The Seven Killing Sword Technique consists of seven moves:
Canglong!
White Tiger!
Suzaku!
Xuanwu!
Po Jun!
Greedy Wolf!
Seven Kills!
…
The seven killing moves come together to form the Seven Killing Sword Technique.
As Gu Qingfeng grasped the hilt of the blade with his right hand, his demeanor changed. His face grew stern, his eyes cold, and an intense, bloody killing intent seemed to radiate from him.
In the next breath, he unsheathed the long sword.
The sharp blade shimmered in the backyard, like silver snakes dancing. A wave of killing intent filled the air.
At that moment, Gu Qingfeng appeared like a peerless god of death, and the long sword in his hand resembled a demonic weapon ready to slaughter the world. The murderous intent surged like a torrent across the land.
When Gu Yang arrived in the backyard, he was immediately overwhelmed by the suffocating murderous aura. His entire body felt as cold as if he had stepped into an ice cellar.
"What kind of martial arts is this!?" Gu Yang muttered, horror-stricken.
Though he was more than ten feet away, the sharpness of the blade and the terrifying killing intent were palpable. The occasional energy emitted from the sword even caused his skin to prickle with pain.
At that moment, in Gu Yang's eyes, it was as if he was witnessing a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, leaving him frozen in place.
After what felt like an eternity, Gu Qingfeng sheathed his sword, and Gu Yang finally snapped back to reality.
Only then did Gu Yang realize his back was drenched in sweat.
"Father!" he gasped, taking a deep breath to suppress the trembling in his body. "What martial arts technique did you just use, Father? I've never seen anything like it!"
"This is the Seven Killing Sword Technique," Gu Qingfeng replied, "a unique military skill. If you wish to practice it, I can teach you. However, this martial art uses killing to prove its truth. It is not something just anyone can master."
Gu Qingfeng did not withhold the origin of the sword technique.
Seven Killing Sword Techniques!
Gu Yang nodded in understanding.
Although the capture of the Black Xuan Guards by the Gu family was a well-guarded secret, Gu Yang was aware of it. Clearly, this Seven Killing Sword Technique had been obtained from them.
Calming himself, Gu Yang did not dwell on the matter any further. Instead, he presented a document.
"Father, the new location for the Gu family has been found, and here is the land deed granted by the government. This land was once occupied by a group called Mingri Village. However, decades ago, Mingri Village offended a powerful force, and over 360 people in the village were massacred.
Since then, Mingri Village has been abandoned. Many people avoid the area, believing it to be cursed due to the large number of deaths there. That's why the government was willing to sell it to us for only 100 taels of silver."
One hundred taels of silver!
The price was incredibly low. As for the ominous rumors surrounding the land, Gu Qingfeng didn't pay them any mind.
"The so-called curse is just superstition. If one is strong enough, there's no need to fear bad luck. Since you deem the land suitable, then we will move there."
"I've already arranged for craftsmen to start work. I believe the construction will be completed in less than half a month."
"Good, I'll leave this in your hands," Gu Qingfeng said, nodding.
These days, he had little interest in managing the Gu family's affairs, leaving most matters to Gu Yang. For Gu Qingfeng, nothing was more important than his own cultivation.
However, he did give Gu Yang some advice.
"Everything else is external. Your own strength is the foundation of everything. Do not neglect your cultivation. Here are a hundred Blood Refining Pills. I hope you will practice diligently and strive to enter the Bone Refining Realm as soon as possible!"
"Yes!" Gu Yang replied, bowing his head respectfully.
After that, he retreated to carry out his duties, and Gu Qingfeng handed him the Blood Refining Pills he had prepared.
Many pills had become useless to Gu Qingfeng at his current level, so he saw no reason not to help others progress. Otherwise, they would simply go to waste.