61: Chapter 60: A Letter from Home 61: Chapter 60: A Letter from Home The Extreme Sword System also has its various branches, such as those who specialize in the Fire Extreme Sword, Ice Extreme Sword, Thunder Extreme Sword, Star Extreme Sword, and so on, devoting their entire lives to one path, permanently fusing fire and sword.

Fire is the sword, the sword is fire, no longer paying attention to any other directions.

Wang Mian referred to the Ancient Extreme Sword as the most ancient and purest form of swordsmanship, completely severing ties with the Daoist Method, seeking only the sword’s singularity!

Hou Niao shook his head with a wry smile, “How can one think so far ahead?

Right now, I only have eyes for the sword, not the magic, because I can’t handle more!

Perhaps one day when my swordsmanship can no longer advance an inch, I might also seek to break through in the direction of the Daoist Method?

Who knows?

Or maybe as my realm progresses and my vision broadens, I might have other ideas, which is quite normal; I believe one should not easily fix one’s mindset, and not declare at the outset that I want to do this or that for the rest of my life.

We who are on this single path of the Dao do not yet have the privilege to define our whole lives, why tie ourselves down in a cocoon?

Find what suits you at the moment and just practice that.”

Everyone has their own personality, and aside from his unparalleled dedication to the path of laws, Hou Niao is actually a very open-minded person who likes to go with the flow.

He wanted to join the Daoist Sect, but has he not ended up joining the Demon Sect?

Now it seems there’s no essential difference.

Zong Qian sighed, “It seems none of us can fully satisfy Hou Brother.

During the Energy Induction phase, I seldom hear of anyone choosing to specialize purely in the Extreme Sword.

Techniques at this stage greatly aid our combat abilities, a transformation from nothing to something, so no one can endure it.

Isn’t it always necessary to first attempt the power of techniques to see if they are suitable?”

Jiang Nanying nodded her head, “You’re right.

When you, Hou Brother, reach the Essence Building Realm, you’ll find real masters of the Extreme Sword, and the higher the realm one reaches, the more impressive those who persist in the Extreme Sword.

There will be more than enough opponents, challenges to spare.”

Hou Niao’s place thus became another gathering spot for the Patrol Office constables, not only the members of the A Team often came, but Lao Liao and Big Dragon also made regular visits.

They generally didn’t enter the courtyard, knowing how cultivators despise being disturbed, they simply dropped off their items and left.

Nothing expensive, just fruits, candied sweets, tea, wine, and meat.

Hou Niao’s swordsmanship gained the recognition of all the mortal lower-level constables.

His realm was slowly closing in on the Essence Building Realm, his body’s transformation was nearing completion, now fortifying his inner organs.

Once this process was complete, with the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism having no other place to be stored, it would gather towards the Dantian.

Only then would the cultivators truly have a container from which they could draw spiritual power at their leisure.

This phase, lasting up until pre-Tongxuan, is referred to by the control of spiritual power.

Only upon reaching Tongxuan, when a profound change occurs within the Dantian and spiritual power transforms into mana, does one have a true source of casting spells, like entering another world altogether.

Disregarding the time of his Pulse awakening, which was purely accidental, it was only since his earnest prayer in Anhe that he truly stepped onto the threshold of cultivation, less than half a year ago.

With these small achievements, he was quite content.

Satisfied.

According to his own plan, within three more months, the Essence Building Realm would definitely be achieved, a confidence born of half a year’s diligent practice.

For such a minor realm to be fretted over would make this Daoist practice dull.

He just didn’t know whether the Prefecture Office would call him back before he ascended to the Essence Building Realm.

One day, without making plans, Wang Mian, the Daoist, arrived and surveyed his humble abode.

It truly was humble; with no one to tidy up, without decoration, the courtyard walls were filled with sword marks and uneven surfaces.

Frowning, he said, “You lack a servant, and in this state, I fear it will be difficult to explain to the landlord.”

Hou Niao had been waiting for a message from the Prefecture Office for a month, but nothing came.

Those officials were timid and hesitant, it seemed they still couldn’t let go of their concerns about him,

“For Brother Daoist to grace my humble place with his presence, I apologize for the lack of amenities.

I have nothing to entertain you with.

What wind has blown you here?”

Daoist Wang looked at him with amusement, “Are you still upset that the Capital Commandant’s office didn’t give you a proper look during the incident at Tianxiang Building last time?

Why are you speaking in such a strange tone?”

Hou Niao chuckled, “How could I be?

In such a sensitive situation, people from the Capital Commandant’s office aren’t nice to anyone.

Besides, I didn’t lose anything, did I?

Have you come this time because the Prefecture Office wants me to return?”

Daoist Wang shook his head, “The Prefecture Office belongs to Mu Shuai’s jurisdiction.

How could the Capital Commandant’s office interfere?

It’s unrelated.

I’m here on a private matter.

I wonder if you dare to take it on?”

Without any hesitation, Hou Niao replied, “Dare not!

Brother, you’re treating me like an outsider.

If you have a request, just state it directly.

Why question whether I dare?

As a mere Essence Building cultivator, if I claimed I dared to go anywhere in the world, wouldn’t that make people laugh their heads off?”

Daoist Wang burst into laughter and pointed at him, “What a sharp tongue you have!

Alright, I’ll just speak frankly then.

Captain Li has an old friend in Anhe’s Liuyang City who is about to celebrate a hundred-year birthday next month.

He intends to send some gifts to express his sentiments.

Everyone knows about the relationship between Shan Country and Anhe.

Given the Captain’s sensitive status, it’s not appropriate for him to go in person, and sending subordinates might suggest personal gain using official resources.

So, he wants to find someone who is not affiliated with the Capital Commandant’s office and has some free time to make the trip.

Your cultivation is humble, so you won’t attract undue attention, and you don’t hold any official position, plus you were born in Anhe…

Of course, it’s not that there are no other candidates in the vast Jin City.

If it’s inconvenient for your cultivation to travel long distances, it’s all right.

I see you’re not far from reaching the Essence Building Realm?”

Hou Niao’s heart stirred, “Liuyang City?

I’ve never been there, just passed by from a distance on my way here.

I owe much to the Capital Commandant for my presence in Jin City.

Without his support, a mere Energy Induction cultivator like me would never have had the chance to enter Quanzhen.

It’s my duty to repay the kindness.

I am willing to make the journey, but may I know if there are any other instructions?”

Daoist Wang asked, “It won’t delay your cultivation?”

Hou Niao scoffed, “It has nothing to do with cultivation!

Otherwise, after Essence Building comes Fasting, and after Fasting, Bridge Connection.

If one worries about this, one would never go anywhere and just wait to die at home.”

Daoist Wang nodded in satisfaction.

This youngster could be very sensible when not acting crazy and was easy to get along with,

“In that case, there are no special requirements.

Everything is in the Treasure Gourd.

Just deliver it; there are about twenty days left until the exact date.

With your speed, you should be able to deliver it within ten days.

I have prepared a good horse for you outside the gate, along with some silver for expenses…”

Hou Niao felt a bit embarrassed, “That’s rather embarrassing…”

Daoist Wang shook his head emphatically, “I know you’ve lost your source of income for cultivation, and you’ve sunk all your assets into a sword that hasn’t sold in a hundred years.

What am I supposed to say about you?

The journey is all on major roads, and Jin City and Liuyang are the largest cities between the two countries, with convenient transportation and seldom any demons brazenly causing trouble.

So, just keep out of trouble on your way, move swiftly and return swiftly.”

After saying that, he handed over a exquisitely small gourd.

Unlike his own low-grade liquor gourd, this small gourd was more like an exquisite pendant, half the size of a palm, and delightfully golden.

As he fiddled with the gourd, he smiled and said, “I hope what’s inside isn’t too valuable, or else I may not necessarily return…”

Daoist Wang chided him with a laugh, “You really dare to think big, eyeing even the Captain’s belongings.

However, you are probably overthinking it.

People below the Tongxuan Realm can’t open it, so you have no hope of knowing what’s actually inside.”