The Tian Luo Sect acted fast. By the evening of the second day, Yue Ru handed over a blade manual.

　　The two were sitting at a space on the second floor.

　　A table of great dishes and a pot of alcohol was already set. After a day of cultivation, Chu Li often unwound in Green Bamboo Residence.

　　Laying down his winecup, he smiled and accepted the blade manual. “Thank you, thank you.”

　　Yue Ru picked up the pot and filled his cup to the brim. “Big Brother Zhao, I don’t understand. Why are you considering blade techniques?”

　　With their relationship growing close, there was no need to be overly polite in addressing him as Young Master Zhao.

　　“Light Blade is a blade technique.” Chu Li ran his eyes over the blade manual. “Comprehension by analogy is needed if I wish to reinforce Light Blade.”

　　Yue Ru gracefully sat opposite him. “Your Light Blade that has been cultivated to level nine has such destructive force, is there still a need for betterment?”

　　Chu Li smiled as he nodded.

　　“Single Slice of the Universe.” Chu Li inspected the title on the manual and smiled. “What a commanding name.”

　　“It is said that a single slice can be earth-shattering and forces the gods to their knees,” Yue Ru said. “There is a flaw though, it is hard to cultivate!”

　　Chu Li smiled. “I’m fond of martial arts that are hard to cultivate!”

　　He had more advantages in martial arts that were harder to cultivate. Omniscient Mirror and his formidable spiritual force gave him an edge on intelligence and comprehension which allowed him to cultivate any martial arts with ease.

　　Chu Li slowly flipped open the blade manual. It was not just a single page as he imagined. In fact, there was a set of heart techniques along with thirty-six forms of blade techniques.

　　These thirty-six forms were energy-nurturing forms but the First Form of Universe was an independent blade technique on its own coupled with a complicated heart technique. However, it was indeed a single slice.

　　Thirty-six forms of energy-nurturing were the cultivation of inner energy with each form drawing slight energy to contain within the body. The stored inner energy would drive the First Form of the Universe to an earth-shattering force that would split heaven and earth with a Single Slice of the Universe.

　　Chu Li frowned as he read on. Such a bold statement it was, splitting heaven and earth with a Single Slice of the Universe. He did not know the existence of a blade technique that had this capability. Its exaggerated depiction made it less convincing.

　　Noticing him frown, Yue Ru continued, “You must have noticed the audacious tone in the manual, right?”

　　Chu Li lifted his head and smiled. “I have never heard of such a powerful blade technique.”

　　“Master mentioned that this blade technique’s indeed powerful and has been passed down from ancient times. Then came the worldly change that brought about Spirit Beasts that entered Hundred-Thousand Hills and spiritual energy growing thin. Hence, the reason why this blade technique’s force isn’t what it used to be,” Yue Ru explained. “If it were ancient times, this blade technique is capable of parting mountains and rivers.

　　“Looks like it’s a great blade technique.” Chu Li smiled. “Great, I’ll cultivate it.”

　　“Big Brother Zhao, don’t forget that the emphasis is on inner energy,” Yue Ru reminded. “It’s best to cultivate inner energy during the day and ponder on the technique at night.”

　　“I had the same thought.” Chu Li smirked.

　　…

　　As the sun set in the west, Chu Li found three guests standing in his courtyard as he returned. It was Li Ruolan and two middle-aged men.

　　Li Ruolan’s graceful and charming good looks became prominent at the decline of dusk. Her alluring eyes beamed of apology.

　　With a hardened expression, the two middle-aged men emitted a cold aura, leaving others hung back in fear.

　　“Miss Ruolan, these two are…?” Chu Li gestured a fist salute and turned his gaze to Li Ruolan.

　　Li Ruolan answered, “These two are Li Changsheng and Zhao Yuanhao from the torture chamber. They are here to carry out a punishment.”

　　Chu Li frowned. “What punishment?”

　　Li Ruolan took a deep breath and solemnly replied, “The Saint has ordered a punishment to cripple, you, Zhao Dahe’s inner energy. Seeing that this an extenuating circumstance, your legacy will not be confiscated nor will you be cast away from the church. Do you accept?”

　　“Alright then.” Chu Li helplessly nodded. “I have nothing to say. Will these two be executing the punishment and cripple my inner energy?”

　　“That’s right.” Li Ruolan nodded.

　　Chu Li grinned. “There’s no need to trouble these two, I’ll do it myself!”

　　He took the longsword from his waist and pushed down his Dantian.

　　“Pft!” He spat a mouth of blood. His spirit wilted before the eyes of those who were present. The force around him weakened while the gleam in his eyes grew faint.

　　In a split second, his inner energy was lost which turned him into a mere mortal.

　　“You…” Li Ruolan was bitter. “Rash!”

　　Chu Li pulled the sword out, prompting blood to spew. Li Ruolan immediately sealed his acupuncture points to stop the bleeding.

　　Chu Li wiped away the blood at the corner of his lips and snorted in a carefree manner. “If it’s ordered by the Saint, how can I defy? Are you happy now?”

　　“Such casualty is uncalled for.” Li Ruolan shook her head. “What are you trying to prove? You two, please come take a look.”

　　A slender Li Changseng came forth and applied pressure on Chu Li’s wrist. A cold force swiftly rounded his body and landed on his Dantian before disappearing within.

　　He loosened his grip and nodded. “His cultivation is crippled and Dantian destroyed. He’ll need some time before he can pick up his cultivation again.”

　　The other middle-aged man, Zhao Yuanhao commented with a dazed expression, “A shame, looks like he can’t make it to the upcoming martial arts competition.”

　　“Those who are disabled can only watch others fight in the competition,” Li Changsheng dully added.

　　“A pity, a pity.” Zhao Yuanhao shook his head and looked at Chu Li. “If we were the ones executing, you won’t suffer such severe wounds. You’d recover in two weeks and restart your cultivation.”

　　Chu Li coldly answered, “Thank you, both. You don’t have to worry, I have quite the recoverability, it won’t take me long to recover my cultivation level.”

　　“Really? That’s great news,” Zhao Yuanhao nodded. “I wish you a speedy success in becoming an inner mountain disciple!”

　　Chu Li snorted. “I owe it to you then!”

　　Li Ruolan fixated her gaze on the two before she said, “Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Zhao if there’s nothing else, you can both leave.”

　　“Okay, we’ll take our leave.” Zhao Yuanhao and Li Changsheng motioned a fist salute before turning to leave.

　　Watching their receding figures, Li Ruolan’s brows twisted in a knot.

　　These two did not pull a fast one or had anything up their sleeve. Such honesty left her dumbstruck. It seemed the prowess of the Saint really sunk in their hearts.

　　She swiftly fished out a jade bottle and poured out a white sparkling pill. She stuffed it in Chu Li’s mouth.

　　Chu Li willingly opened his thick lips to swallow it in one gulp.

　　Li Ruolan let out a sigh of relief before giving him the evil eye.

　　Chu Li chuckled. “What’s this?”

　　“Poison!” Li Ruolan grunted. “You were too impulsive!”

　　Chu Li said, “Who knows what the two are up to, it’s better that I do it myself!”

　　“You…” Li Ruolan helplessly shook her head.

　　Zhao Dahe may seem feeble-minded but he has sharp senses. Sensing the two’s ill intentions, he made the first move to cut off any possible tampering. It was a smart move.

　　Chu Li felt a strong life force lingering within his body and made its way towards his Dantian in the recuperation of his wounds.

　　“This is Miracle Curse Pill, granted by the Saint. With this pill, your wounds will heal at an incredible rate, so will your inner energy. This is a reward for your honesty and selflessness.”

　　Chu Li beamed. “Thank you, Saint.”

　　Li Ruolan sighed. “Mo Qingqing’s uncle is an Altar Leader. You must be careful when you enter Great Light Peak.”