LAVW – Chapter 73 Cultivating with a Calm Heart

The array spirit grabbed the little spirit beast in its hand. “You didn’t learn properly. That’s not how you use the word ‘piao’—saying it like that makes it sound like I did something indecent to a cub like you.”

Shi Qian asked sincerely, “Squeak Squeak?”

Then how should I say it?

The array spirit opened its mouth, but forcibly swallowed the words back. “Are you trying to trick me again?”

It remained wary. “I’m not teaching you anything. You’ll just learn it to use it against me.”

Shi Qian: Master Ancestor, you’ve changed.

You’re not as easy to fool as before.

“Squeak Squeak.”

Master Ancestor, this was my idea. Shouldn’t I get a share of the spirit stones?

Other than Long Ye, only the array spirit could understand Shi Qian’s sarcastic chirps.

“No spirit stones for you,” the array spirit said deliberately to tease the little beast, before finally explaining, “If nothing unexpected happens, the Ascension Path will be open for ten years. Cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage or above can enter and explore.”

Shi Qian was shocked. “Squeak Squeak?!”

Then I can’t get in?

He was only at the Nascent Soul stage, and reaching the Soul Transformation stage wouldn’t be easy.

Ten years was but a blink of an eye in the cultivation world—not nearly enough time for him to progress steadily to the next stage.

Likewise, if Long Ye entered the Ascension Path first and advanced his cultivation inside, their contract would lose much of its influence due to the distance and spatial interference. There was no chance Shi Qian could just wait in the Sword Sect for Long Ye to drag him up to the Soul Transformation level and then take him in.

Still, Shi Qian felt only a little regret at not being able to go gain experience.

After all—just lying around and practicing sword techniques in the Sword Sect was also quite enjoyable.

Shi Qian pressed his paw into the array spirit’s palm. “Squeak Squeak.”

Master Ancestor, I’m so pitiful. Can you really bear to—

“I can bear it.”

The array spirit could tell immediately that this little creature had already accepted the fact that he couldn’t go to the Ascension Path—and was planning to leisurely coast through life in the Sword Sect.

So hopeless. All of Long Ye’s careful planning would be wasted.

After another major leap in cultivation, Long Ye could no longer be treated as an ordinary disciple by the Sword Sect. The last Elder Peak meeting had made that very clear.

The appearance of the Ascension Path was bound to be another opportunity for him.

For such an outstanding disciple, the Sword Sect would naturally increase their support, hoping he could survive the Path.

But Long Ye had unexpectedly decided to delay entering.

He wanted to bring Shi Qian with him.

The Ascension Path was related to ascension itself, and it clearly discriminated between all beings. Without Soul Transformation cultivation, even a spirit sword would be rejected, let alone a spiritual beast like Shi Qian with such high intelligence.

So Long Ye’s only option to bring Shi Qian was to somehow force his cultivation level up to Soul Transformation.

Recalling Long Ye’s many arrangements, the array spirit said, “We don’t dare take on Tribulation Crossing cultivators, but Soul Transformation—we charge only ten thousand top-grade spirit stones per person. Even if over a hundred cultivators took this route, it’d just cost a few million stones.”

He described it in detail to the little beast. “Your share would be half—around five hundred thousand.”

Shi Qian: …“Squeak Squeak?”

Five hundred thousand spirit stones—isn’t that a lot?

While he was mentally complaining, the array spirit continued, “Five hundred thousand spirit stones would only let you stay in the Serene Heart Valley for a year. This time, the sect’s letting you stay for a whole year for free. You’re still not satisfied?”

Shi Qian’s eyes widened. “Squeak Squeak.”

Wait—Serene Heart Valley? I never said I wanted to go!

The Serene Heart Valley, as the name suggested, was a secluded, spiritual energy–rich valley perfect for focused cultivation.

The entire valley was surrounded by a formation, with the environment inside adjustable from the outside to suit different elders’ needs.

Normally, it wasn’t open to disciples. Allowing Shi Qian to enter was clearly special treatment from the array spirit.

But spending five hundred thousand spirit stones just to be shut away and forced to cultivate?

Shi Qian: “Squeak.”

Goodbye.

He bolted. Shi Qian jumped onto Da Hei and ran off, choosing to give up the spirit stones altogether.

But Shi Qian didn’t expect that when he ran back and told Long Ye about it, Long Ye would say, “Serene Heart Valley? Yeah, I asked the sect to arrange that for you.”

Shi Qian: ?

Long Ye explained, “Brother Qian, your cultivation’s been increasing too quickly lately, and it’s all been because of my own improvements, not from your own training. So your spiritual power is unstable and your foundation is weak.”

Shi Qian shook his head. “Squeak Squeak.”

Brother Ye, I don’t want to go.

Long Ye patiently replied, “Brother Qian, be good. Just cultivate properly for a year or two. Try to reach Soul Transformation sooner, and I’ll take you to the Ascension Path.”

“Squeak Squeak?”

You make it sound so easy to reach Soul Transformation!

Don’t try to fool me.

The further one progressed, the more it depended on fortune and enlightenment.

Shi Qian’s understanding of the Dao was still stuck at the “slacker” level.

He had reached Golden Core thanks to Youfang’s scientific feeding, and broken through to Nascent Soul through his contract with Da Hei—breezing past that bottleneck.

He had muddled his way to the Nascent Soul stage. Summing up the experience, he realized it was entirely passive—he had no real cultivation technique at all.

And based on his own gut feeling, reaching Soul Transformation was still a long way off. Definitely not something that could be achieved overnight.

Long Ye countered, “What’s so hard about Soul Transformation?

“Look at me—I reached it in just a blink.”

Shi Qian: …

Can a proper cultivator say something like that?

Try saying that to someone else. See if they don’t beat you up.

“Squeak Squeak.”

But didn’t you reach Soul Transformation by eating a flood dragon?

That’s not real cultivation either!

Long Ye said, “Don’t worry, there’s still half a flood dragon left. Once you refine your spiritual power to a purer state, the elder of the Medicine Peak will be done refining the pills from the flood dragon. After you take the pill, I’ll put in some extra effort—by then, you should be just about ready.”

Diligent cultivation and purifying spiritual power was all about strengthening the foundation to allow for further progress in cultivation.

But purifying spiritual power alone required immense spiritual energy, strict cultivation methods, and harsh conditions. Only because the Sword Sect had accumulated profound resources over many years, with everything readily available, could it be so convenient.

Furthermore, the Ascension Path would only remain open for ten years, and at most, they could delay five. Any longer, and the path would become increasingly dangerous.

In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures had to be taken.

Having understood Shi Qian’s temperament, Long Ye steeled himself and arranged for Brother Qian to go into seclusion for cultivation. He believed that in order to be let out as soon as possible, Brother Qian would give it his all.

Shi Qian had no idea that his schedule for the near future had already been laid out clearly under the strict standard of a “cultivation maniac.”

He still tried to resist, chirping: “Squeak Squeak?”

Brother Ye, can we talk? I can cultivate just as well outside.

“Squeak Squeak.”

I promise! I’ll cultivate at least four hours every day!

Eight hours of cultivation a day, treating cultivation like a full-time job—Shi Qian was ready to go all in.

Long Ye said, “It’s more effective to cultivate in silence. The environment inside is excellent. I’d love to go with you, but I need to learn swordsmanship from Little Master.”

Shi Qian: ?

You’re learning swordsmanship from the pretty lady, and locking me up in a valley.

Shi Qian wilted: “Squeak Squeak.”

I hate being a chinchilla stuck in one place.

Long Ye had already thought about this: “The Black Sword will be with you. It can talk to you, so you won’t be too lonely.”

The next day.

Shi Qian and the Black Sword were mercilessly packed up by Long Ye and taken to the secluded area of the Tranquil Heart Valley.

Standing on the edge of a steep ridge, looking down, the valley was surrounded on all sides but was quite vast. It didn’t feel cramped or claustrophobic—in fact, the scenery could be considered beautiful.

But thinking about how he wouldn’t be coming out for a long time, Shi Qian just wanted to roll straight back to Emerald Dragon Mountain.

Still, Shi Qian knew that last time when they talked about ascension, it had really shaken Long Ye.

Long Ye didn’t want him to fall behind again when it came to the Ascension Path, which was why he’d made all these arrangements.

For that, Long Ye would even waste a year or two waiting for him to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

After a night had passed, Shi Qian had reluctantly prepared himself mentally for hard cultivation—even if he still looked unmotivated.

Long Ye handed him a storage pouch, which Shi Qian accepted.

“Squeak Squeak?”

What’s inside?

His curiosity slightly piqued, Shi Qian perked up a little and opened the pouch.

Inside were countless wooden swords.

What are these for? Shi Qian looked at Long Ye in confusion.

Long Ye explained, “Once you’re able to block a full-strength strike from Big Black using these wooden swords, you’ll be allowed out. You can try once every day if you like.”

He had prepared over a thousand swords—a full year’s worth.

Shi Qian hadn’t quite realized what this meant yet; he just thought the number was excessive.

He stared eagerly at Long Ye: “Squeak Squeak.”

Brother Ye, don’t forget to visit me, okay? Bring me some roasted lamb from time to time.

Before Long Ye could reply, Wang Xingzhi arrived with a dozen disciples from the Tenth Peak.

At the front was Qiao Mianmian. She had been training harder recently and had successfully become the senior sister of the Tenth Peak.

Then came a chorus of “Senior Brother!” from his fanboys and fangirls. The young disciples thought that Shi Qian had voluntarily gone into seclusion to cultivate for the Ascension Path.

Qiao Mianmian even started praising him instinctively:

“Senior Brother! You’re so diligent and hardworking. My junior brothers and sisters and I will definitely follow your example—study hard every day and uphold the reputation of the Tenth Peak!”

Shi Qian looked at the smiling Long Ye and Wang Xingzhi, then seriously nodded at Qiao Mianmian and the others.

“Squeak Squeak.”

That’s right, your Senior Brother is going into seclusion to cultivate.

Internally: Damn it, even the younger disciples are sweet-talking me now.

Who could resist that?

Shi Qian jumped onto Big Black’s back, and together—a chinchilla and a sword—they flew down into the Tranquil Heart Valley.

As they entered, a golden light flashed over the top of the valley, sealing it in. Under the golden glow, the abundant spiritual energy surrounded Shi Qian like he was soaking in a warm pool.

Shi Qian looked up—the ridge was already void of people.

Back on the way down—

Wang Xingzhi asked Long Ye, “Why are you walking so fast?”

Long Ye replied, “I have long legs.”

Wang Xingzhi: ?

What does that have to do with anything? You might as well just say your cultivation is higher.

Wang Xingzhi grumbled, “Why are you talking like Brother Qian now?”

All dramatic and sentimental.

But after a moment, he added, “You probably just can’t bear to part with Brother Qian, huh? Didn’t even dare look at him too long. You could always go visit him from time to time—stand on the ridge, and you’d still be able to see him in the valley.”

Long Ye shook his head.

“I’m not going. And none of you should disturb him either—let him focus on his cultivation.”

He glanced at Wang Xingzhi’s surprised expression and nodded, showing that yes, he was indeed a heartless person. Then he flew ahead toward Chi Peak to train swordsmanship with Mo Sanchi.

Once there, he made sure to remind Mo Sanchi not to go near Tranquil Heart Valley.

Mo Sanchi said, “You sure are ruthless. Come on, show me your moves first.”

Long Ye wanted to integrate his spirit sword with both his human and dragon forms, but something about it still didn’t feel right. Once he mentioned it, he was immediately sent to Chi Peak.

He drew the Dragon Slayer Sword and said, “Being ruthless isn’t a bad thing. You’ve done plenty yourself.”

Back then, when they first met, Mo Sanchi had sealed Brother Qian in a golden bowl and forced him to cultivate—it was no different from what Long Ye had done today.

It was just that Mo Sanchi’s actions back then felt more playful, while Long Ye’s current arrangements were much more serious.

Letting Brother Qian give it his all and raise his cultivation—this was a decision Long Ye had made after much thought.

Sure, he could walk the Ascension Path alone. When he returned, Brother Qian could still have improved his cultivation. Even if Long Ye ascended and left for good, Brother Qian would still live well. Everyone in the Sword Sect liked him.

So Brother Qian could totally enjoy himself, have fun wherever he wanted, and not worry about improving his cultivation or suffering through hardship.

But whether you’re a person or a spiritual beast, you ultimately have to rely on yourself.

Other people’s love for you can change. Loved ones might disappear. Even a sect could decline. But as long as your cultivation is strong and your power solid, you’ll always have the most reliable protection.

When the time came that he had no choice but to ascend, as long as Brother Qian had the cultivation to undergo tribulation, Long Ye could rest easy.

Even if the process of reaching the tribulation stage was slow, with Brother Qian’s talent, he could ascend within a thousand years.

In the valley.

Shi Qian started to feel uncomfortable. No wonder it cost five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones to stay here for a year—the spiritual energy was too dense, swelling his meridians until they ached.

He took out the jade slip containing his cultivation method and followed the simple techniques recorded in it, continuously compressing the spiritual power within his body.

But as soon as there was a little space in his dantian, the spiritual energy from outside would enthusiastically surge into him again.

Shi Qian had no choice but to speed up his cultivation, lest he be overwhelmed by the spiritual energy and start feeling sick.

“Zheng zheng——”

The black sword flew off, greedily absorbing spiritual energy in big gulps.

Compared to its young master, it was the real glutton here.

Once it was full, the black sword lay flat on the ground.

A massive black sword, lying sprawled in the depths of the valley.

At first, Shi Qian was enthusiastic and cultivated diligently for almost ten days. Feeling some progress, he called out the black sword and prepared to test himself using the wooden swords Long Ye had given him.

Shi Qian enlarged himself, gripped a wooden sword, and infused it with spiritual power. Once ready, he said to the black sword, “Squeak Squeaki.”

Big Black, go ahead.

The black sword lifted, then slashed down with spatial power.

Though it was still several meters away, the wooden sword that Shi Qian had held out in front had already turned to dust.

Shi Qian: ?

Big Black is that strong?

“Squeak Squeaki.”

Let’s try again.

Shi Qian tried ten wooden swords and then sat dumbfounded on the grass. He asked the black sword, “Squeak Squeaki.”

Big Black, just how strong are you?

“Zheng——”

I’d say I can fight the Dragon Slayer sword to a draw now.

In other words, if it wasn’t bragging, the black sword used to be capable of defeating the Dragon Slayer sword. It’s just that the Dragon Slayer sword had followed Long Ye and improved its cultivation, while Big Black had basically stayed the same.

But Big Black didn’t mind.

“Zheng zheng.”

It’s fine. It’s pretty nice down here.

Shi Qian: “Squeak Squeak.”

I don’t think it’s nice at all.

“Squeak Squeaki.”

Big Black, help me figure out a way to withstand one of your full-force attacks.

Who knows Big Black better than Big Black itself?

The black sword hadn’t expected to be asked how to beat itself.

It thought hard for a while: “Zheng zheng.”

You can cultivate at the spiritual energy source. It’ll be faster, but it’ll hurt a bit.

Shi Qian hesitated: “Squeak Squeak.”

Anything else?

“Zheng zheng——”

You could also try attacking me instead, and I’ll counter.

Shi Qian shook his head: “Squeak Squeaki.”

No good. Long Ye said clearly I have to withstand one of your full-force strikes.

Shi Qian was just looking for a shortcut, not outright cheating. His goal wasn’t just to get out—it was to purify his internal spiritual energy, so that he could absorb pills and break through to Nascent Soul stage afterward.

“Zheng.”

That’s it then.

The black sword said it had done its best. After all, it was just a spirit sword.

Shi Qian had no choice but to keep cultivating and come up with ideas on his own.

A few days later, he began getting closer to the spiritual energy source.

“Squeak Squeak.”

Cultivate, cultivate—I’m going to become Nascent Soul!

“Squeak Squeak.”

Cultivate today, ascend tomorrow!

“Squeak Squeaki.”

Break through tomorrow, ascend lying down!

He changed his slogan every few days, and before he knew it, he had been in seclusion cultivating for a whole month.

When asked, the black sword—the real laid-back one—had just been sightseeing every day, changing spots and enjoying the view. Shi Qian was envious. So after smashing another wooden sword, he lay down next to the black sword and relaxed for a while, cracking seeds all over the ground.

After a short break and complaining a bit about Long Ye not coming to check on him, Shi Qian sat at the spiritual energy source to cultivate again. He skillfully operated the unique sword sect cultivation method, further solidifying the spiritual power within him.

After over half a month of transition, Shi Qian had adapted to cultivating at the spiritual energy source.

At the same time, over this one month, the spiritual power in his body hadn’t increased—in fact, it had decreased in quantity. But he could feel that it had become more condensed. The progress was visible.

What surprised Shi Qian was that he then continued to cultivate for another entire month in one go.

When he finally woke, he had a satisfying meal and then continued testing himself with the black sword.

This time, when the black sword approached to within half a meter, the wooden sword filled with spiritual power broke with a crack.

Shi Qian’s expression cracked along with it.

He had gotten a lot stronger… right?

Why didn’t it feel obvious at all?

The black sword offered its assessment: “Zheng——”

Not bad—your progress was greater this past month.

Shi Qian felt something was off. He asked: “Squeak Squeaki?”

Big Black, how much longer do I have to cultivate before I reach the goal?

“Zheng zheng——”

One or two years. You’re really talented.

Shi Qian remembered the pouch Long Ye had given him. He pulled it out, scanned it with his divine sense, and made a rough count.

That inhuman Long Ye had prepared at least a daily portion for a year.

It had been two months. Long Ye hadn’t come to see him even once. Was this a way of saying “if you don’t work hard, I’ll just keep you locked up for a year”?

Too ruthless. Truly ruthless.

“Squeak Squeaki.”

Who are you looking down on?

Shi Qian munched on some pine nuts to satisfy his cravings and then dove back into cultivation.

He had realized that when he focused on cultivating, time passed unnoticed. He didn’t even feel bored.

And besides, the path of ascension—Shi Qian wanted to experience it too.

This hard work of his… he’d treat it as buying his ticket.

If he couldn’t get out, Long Ye might not see him again for years.

Shi Qian didn’t know how long this round of cultivation lasted, but the spiritual energy in his body had surged significantly—it was an improvement he’d achieved through his own cultivation. Through further effort, he compressed the spiritual power again. By now, his spiritual energy had nearly doubled since he first entered.

“Squeak Squeak.”

I feel like I’ve really become stronger this time!

Shi Qian found the black sword and pulled out the wooden sword to strike it.

Spiritual power wrapped around the wooden sword, causing it to emit a bright glow. When it clashed with the black sword, spiritual light burst forth, and the layer of energy on the surface of the wooden sword acted like a protective film—it didn’t immediately shatter.

It could now withstand a proactive strike.

He then switched to a scenario where the black sword attacked and Shi Qian defended with the wooden sword.

Shi Qian poured all his spiritual energy into the wooden sword, doing his best to defend.

But he still couldn’t withstand it. At the final collision, the spiritual layer shattered, and the wooden sword snapped in two.

Shi Qian tossed aside the broken sword and collapsed in defeat: “Squeak.”

I’m tired.

The black sword also flopped down: “Zheng—”

Let’s rest. This mountain is pretty.

“Squeak Squeak.”

Big Black, are you really here to help?

Shi Qian felt that the black sword was more of a burden than a help—it didn’t cheer him on at all. At most, it praised his talent and fast cultivation speed.

Still, being dragged down by the black sword made Shi Qian feel a greater sense of urgency.

No, I absolutely cannot be trapped here for a year.

“Squeak Squeak.”

I want to eat roasted lamb, drink spirit wine. I’ve finished all the spirit fruits too…

“Squeak Squeak.”

Heartless Long Ye, you’re so cruel.

No wonder he refused to come visit me—he must have planned to play the cold-hearted one from the beginning.

Shi Qian practiced a few more rounds with the black sword, roughly estimating how many more days he’d need to cultivate, then gritted his teeth and went back to work.

Chi Peak.

Long Ye had already absorbed the Dragon Slayer’s primordial spirit into his own sea of consciousness.

In human form, the Dragon Slayer Sword could seamlessly integrate with the dragon clan techniques from his inheritance. In dragon form, every part of his body could fuse with the sword spirit—his moves were fast and dazzling, every strike a blade of light. Even Mo Sanchi struggled to keep up and had to rely solely on defense.

If Long Ye used a few dragon clan secret techniques, he was confident he could defeat Mo Sanchi.

After finishing a day of cultivation, Mo Sanchi retracted the Qingfeng Sword and said, “Starting tomorrow, you don’t have to come anymore.”

“Thank you, Little Master Ancestor.” Long Ye’s thanks were sincere.

But the two of them never had much to say to each other. Mo Sanchi gave him a glance. “It’s been nearly a year. Are you really not going to see Brother Qian?”

Mo Sanchi used to think she was the cold-hearted one, but apparently the one who had always pampered Brother Qian was even more ruthless.

Long Ye, who had been secretly visiting and bribing the black sword: “No.”

“But Brother Qian will be coming out soon.”

“So soon?!”

“Of course. Brother Qian mainly inherited the dragon portion of the dragon-tiger bloodline—his aptitude surpasses the original dragon-tiger. As long as he works hard, ascending isn’t hard.”

Mo Sanchi asked again, “How do you know so clearly?”

Long Ye: …“We formed a contract.”

While Long Ye was still patiently waiting, a demonic path grand elder lurking near the Sword Sect coughed up blood again.

She really couldn’t understand how that dragon boy in the Sword Sect could be so cowardly.

It had been almost a year already. Was he staying there to give birth or something?

With such great resources, if it were her, she’d have seized them long ago. In a year, she could’ve already reached the tribulation stage.

But if she took another risk, it might affect her already-limited lifespan. She might not live to see that old dragon die at the hands of the cultivation world—she could only endure this humiliation.

She didn’t believe he’d stay away from the Ascension Path forever.

At most, he was just preparing for a year or two—she would wait!

While the demonic grand elder was still coughing up intermittent mouthfuls of blood, Shi Qian woke up again and drew his wooden sword.

“Squeak Squeak!”

This time, I’ll win for sure!

Black Sword: …It’s just one strike from me.

Still, looking at the little master’s small frame and his Nascent Soul-level cultivation, it really wasn’t bad at all.

With full confidence, Shi Qian successfully blocked the black sword’s full-strength strike.

He even boasted that he wanted to try a second one.

The black sword cooperated, and the second strike came. The wooden sword in Shi Qian’s claws remained intact.

His spiritual power was now four times what it was in the beginning—four times! How could he not be strong?

Shi Qian slashed open the light barrier above Jingxin Valley and flew out riding on the black sword.

“Squeak Squeak——”

I’m out, I’m out!

Long Ye, who had been staking out the other side of the valley, saw Brother Qian’s proud figure flying away and smiled before flying after him.

Shi Qian noticed the movement beside him, glanced at Long Ye, and then turned his head away.

“Brother Qian, congratulations on finishing your retreat.”

“Squeak Squeak.”

Who are you?

Long Ye: “Long Ye.”

Shi Qian hopped onto the Dragon Slayer Sword, then climbed onto Long Ye’s head and scratched out a bird’s nest on it: “Squeak Squeak.”

So you do remember to come see me?

Long Ye reached out and handed over a spirit fruit Shi Qian liked, letting out a sigh of relief.

He’d actually visited often—but he hadn’t dared to go to the other side and look. He was afraid that if he saw Brother Qian’s hardship in cultivation, he’d be the first one to give in.

But no—if they were to walk the Ascension Path, he had to bring Brother Qian with him.