Chapter 76: All Wars were Based on Deception

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 76: All Wars were Based on Deception

Night fell over Changling, and the stars shone. White frost formed around the mountains as if descending from the stars.

Ding Ning lay in a hammock made of vines, but he did not feel the slightest bit cold. The wind and snow he usually endured at the Falling Parasol Wine Tavern were far colder than the chill of autumn.

He had some understanding of the many cultivation methods of the Han, Zhao, and Wei dynasties. However, he knew little about the lesser-known cultivation methods and pill medicines of the minor sects. The Yellow Court Gold Pill from the Yellow Court Pill Sect, a small sect, that Nangong Caishu had given him today had deeply shocked him.

He closed his eyes tightly and looked inward with his mental power. He continued to refine the rich medicinal power within his body.

Countless tiny silkworms seemed to be quietly crawling out of his flesh, devouring the impurities in the medicinal power that were harmful to cultivators. They chewed very slowly and gently, without disturbing the surrounding silence. Even the impurities in his physical energy that had mixed into his flesh and blood were slowly being devoured by them.

As time passed, the remaining medicinal power in Ding Ning's body became increasingly purified. The medicinal power was so pure that even the best pills from the former Southern Sun Pill Sect reach this level. The extremely pure medicinal power and pure physical energy slowly fused. The physical energy in his energy sea became thicker and heavier. Threads of physical energy flowing out of his energy sea passed through many previously impenetrable veins in his body and seeped into his bones.

This was realm two: Energy Refinement, second class: Bone Washing.

Nangong Caishu was right. This Yellow Court Gold Pill was enough to have an Energy Refinement third class cultivator reach Energy Refinement second class. However, even at this moment, Ding Ning's cultivation advancement did not stop.

After feeding many 'little silkworms' in his body, some of the beneficial medicinal power, which had clung to the impure and harmful medicinal power, was purified. The power of this Yellow Court Gold Pill had been fully utilized.

At that time, there was still a lot of pure medicinal power remaining in his body. So, he continued to refine it. The vital energy, now denser and heavier, seeped deeper, slowly nourishing places previously inaccessible to his mental power.

The night passed slowly.

When the first rays of sunlight touched the mountain peak, the remnants of the medicinal power had disappeared from his body. His mental perception stopped at what cultivators called the Marrow River in his bones.

Now, he was only a short distance away from realm two: Energy Refinement, first class: Marrow Conversion.

Ding Ning opened his eyes. He took a deep breath of fresh air while facing the rising sun. He was quite satisfied with his cultivation progress, or rather, satisfied with the control he had over his cultivation progress.

 

According to the rules, trial participants could begin traveling after midnight. But it was not the third day that would determine the outcome of the fight, so there was no point in rushing in early. Moreover, no one knew how many dangers lurked in this type of formation at night.

Thus, all those who had not been eliminated chose to act only after sunrise.

A disciple of the Green Vine Sword School was roasting a skylark. He had some dried wild oranges beside him. This was clearly the breakfast he was preparing for himself.

However, at this moment, his body suddenly stiffened. He quickly stood up, his right hand rushing to the longsword at his waist.

“I advise you not to draw your sword.”

Accompanied by this cold voice, Su Qin's figure slowly emerged from the thin mist.

“Especially since I might not want to fight you.”

He stared at this disciple of the Green Vine Sword School and slowly added. “If I remember correctly, your name should be Shi Xia. You're a new disciple, from Changshan Commandery. You wield the Blue Frost Sword and only have Energy Refinement second-class cultivation. You've performed well to get here and survive the night, but you're no match for me.”

Fear and shock grew in the eyes of this young-looking disciple of the Green Vine Sword who appeared taller than Ding Ning.

He was just an ordinary disciple of the Green Vine Sword School. It would be surprising if the members of White Goat Cave paid attention to him, or even remembered his name. But Su Qin not only remembered his name, but also his origins and cultivation status. Su Qin's extensive knowledge was indeed as rumored.

“I’m Shi Xia.” He swallowed hard and tried to calm himself. “But I don’t understand why Elder Sect Brother Su Qin appeared before me without wanting to fight. Does Elder Sect Brother Su Qin think I’m unworthy of receiving your sword because of my cultivation?”

Su Qin smiled slightly, shook his head and said, “I mean, you probably have a better choice.”

Shi Xia looked at the skylark, which was slightly blackened on one side because it had not been rotated. He asked, “What choice?”

“According to the rules of the sword trial festival, you must fight every day. You shouldn’t have fought today,” Su Qin said calmly. “I’ll give you a choice. You can fight me, or you can fight Ding Ning, who’s not far from here. You should know that he’s just reached Energy Refinement, and you’re very likely to win against him. I even guarantee you’ll be able to get close to him.”

hi Xia paused and looked at Su Qin in disbelief. Shocked, he said, “Why…”

“There are many reasons why I want someone eliminated, but I don’t need to explain further to you.” Su Qin glanced at him and said, “You just need to make a choice: either fall by my sword immediately, or defeat him and gain more time in the trial. Disciples like you only join a trial like this to gain more experience.”

“What does Su Qin intend to do?” Xie Changsheng, still sleepy, asked coldly, looking at the situation in the sword trial valley. He blinked his eyes hard.

“It's to herd wild beasts.”

Xie Rou glanced at him, frowned, and explained softly. “Some hunters in the Ba Commandery can often catch prey several times stronger than themselves. They surround some mountains or river valleys and herd wild beasts. Some fierce beasts fight each other when forced into narrow paths and encounter each other. Su Qin is being held back by Zhang Yi and is therefore unable to act. Now, he has chosen to restrain Zhang Yi while forcing others to fight Ding Ning.”

Xie Changsheng's expression changed. He could not help but curse. “This person is truly shameless.”

“All wars were based on deception, and the strongest survived,” Xu Heshan said solemnly from the side. “This kind of trial is a competition of deception and strength. Su Qin is indeed shameless, but he's as clever and sharp as the rumors say.”

Watching Shi Xia draw closer and closer to Ding Ning, Xie Rou's brows furrowed. For some inexplicable reason, she had the feeling that Ding Ning seemed very different today.

 

Ding Ning was chewing on some oranges.

There were many wild orange trees in this forest. And it was not too far from the time these wild oranges were ripe. Although many of the oranges were dry on the surface, they still hung from the branches and were easy to harvest. However, wild mountain oranges tasted unpleasant, especially in the morning like this. They were sour to drink or chew.

Rubbing his cheek due to the acidity, Ding Ning watched Shi Xia walk towards him with his head bowed. He noticed the oddity in Shi Xia's expression. So he did not speak, continuing to rub his cheek as he stared at Shi Xia, who was trudging along.

“I am Shi Xia, a disciple of the Green Vine Sword School who joined last year.” Shi Xia stopped a few dozen feet away from him and said, “I have come to fight you… but I am being forced to fight by your Elder Sect Brother Su Qin of the White Goat Cave.”

Ding Ning immediately fell silent.

Shi Xia then said, “I know this isn't very good, but I want more opportunities to gain experience. I want to fight more people in this trial and last longer… so I have no choice.”

Ding Ning smiled faintly and sincerely said, “That should be the case. Even I would have made the same choice.”

Shi Xia looked at Ding Ning gratefully and said, “I heard that Younger Sect Brother Ding Ning has an extraordinary understanding of sword manuals, but only reached Energy Refinement before coming to participate in this sword trial festival. So when we fight, I will do my best to control myself at Energy Refinement third-class.”

Ding Ning found this disciple of the Green Vine Sword School quite interesting. He laughed. “There is no need. But if you think so, I think you might have more opportunities to gain experience.”

Shi Xia felt he did not understand Ding Ning’s words. But he had finished what he wanted to say. He bowed to Ding Ning, and revealed his sword.

His sword was completely blue and made of a type of hard jade. Its surface appeared to be inlaid with intricate and dense seal scripts. As his physical energy was channeled, the sword began to emit a cold aura, and a layer of frost formed.

Ding Ning's smile was barely visible. He also slowly drew his sword. Countless small white jasmine flowers began to appear on his sword, just like yesterday.

 

Notes:

This novel is not my work... I just translated it from a Chinese web novel written by Wu Zui

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