Compared to flying artifacts, offensive artifacts were considerably cheaper.

For instance, Qin Lu’s Shangqing Sword, a First Rank Low-Grade artifact, could be purchased for just fifty Spirit Stones.

After browsing for quite some time, Qin Lu finally spent three hundred and eighty Spirit Stones to acquire a First Rank High-Grade magical sword.

This blade measured exactly three feet and seven inches in length. It was crafted entirely from exquisitely patterned steel, with a long, blood-red groove etched along the center.

It was named the Qinghong Sword.

Holding his brand-new magical sword, Qin Lu left the artifact shop feeling thoroughly satisfied.

After all his hard work recently, his wealth had increased significantly, and his equipment had been completely upgraded. He now possessed the standard three essential items carried by sect disciples venturing into the world: a flying artifact, a storage bag, and a high-grade magical sword.

Eager and excited, Qin Lu strode purposefully toward the outskirts of the market.

He intended to test out his flying artifact. He was going to take to the skies!

As he walked out into the wilds beyond the market, he noticed that due to the warming weather, many Loose Cultivators had already emerged to earn a living.

Some wielded axes, hacking away at firewood with labored breaths; others carried baskets on their backs, wielding small hoes to dig up medicinal herbs; and still others ventured in groups toward East Head Ridge for hunting.

The lives of low-level Loose Cultivators were truly diverse and difficult.

Qin Lu paid them no mind, casting only a fleeting glance before quickening his pace toward a sparsely populated area.

Arriving at a secluded spot, Qin Lu activated his thoughts and retrieved his flying artifact from his storage bag.

Gazing at the palm-sized, square piece of paper, he couldn’t help but beam with delight.

“Let’s give it a try!”

Following the instructions from the shop, Qin Lu gradually infused his spiritual energy into the artifact’s core.

Instantly, the intricate and complex core lit up with a brilliant glow upon contact with his energy.

Pfft!

A faint sound emerged from within the artifact.

Whoosh!

The paper instantly leapt from his palm, transforming in the blink of an eye into a massive sheet suspended mid-air. Its size was roughly four or five square meters—slightly larger than an ordinary double bed.

Staring at the Flying Cloud Paper, a radiant smile spread across Qin Lu’s face. “This looks a bit like Aladdin’s magic carpet…”

With a single bound, Qin Lu leaped onto the paper. His weight of over one hundred jin did not cause the artifact to falter in the slightest.

“If I activate it like this…”

Qin Lu murmured softly, then channeled his spiritual energy from the soles of his feet into the artifact’s core.

“Take off!”

At the very moment Qin Lu willed it, the Flying Cloud Paper shot upward, ascending rapidly and straight as a helicopter.

“Wow! This feels amazing!”

Looking down at the market growing smaller and smaller below, Qin Lu’s heart swelled with excitement.

Like the dark-red dagger he had operated previously, the Flying Cloud Paper flew freely according to his intentions simply by channeling spiritual energy into its core.

New to this experience, Qin Lu was thoroughly exhilarated, guiding the artifact through the sky at breakneck speed.

Vast, boundless plains and fields, towering, lush trees and grasses, and distant, hazy, rolling mountains—all came rushing into view as the Flying Cloud Paper sped forward, receding like frames of a flowing landscape.

Savoring the gentle breeze brushing against his face, Qin Lu glanced down at the glowing magical patterns etched onto the artifact.

“It seems to be imbued with a Wind-Reducing Array, significantly diminishing drag. That’s good—it’s much more comfortable this way…”

“Hmm… Should I install a guardrail or a safety belt? Falling from here wouldn’t be a joke…”

“The balance of this paper is quite good, but for safety’s sake, I should still prepare some backup plans…”

“I recall the talisman shop selling a type of talisman that functions somewhat like a parachute. I’ll buy a few when I return…”

“It consumes spiritual energy rather quickly. At this rate, I can probably only fly for about three hours before needing to rest, unless I eat Replenishing Pills while flying…”

As he piloted the artifact, Qin Lu pondered these practical matters.

After flying for a while, he landed in a forest. With a touch of spiritual energy, he shrank the Flying Cloud Paper back down to a tiny slip and stowed it away in his storage bag.

Qin Lu had come here specifically to practice his newly advanced skills.

During his days spent indoors, he had practiced intermittently, finally advancing both the Illumination Technique and Cutting Technique to the Master level.

Finding a suitable spot, Qin Lu stood upright on the ground covered in fallen leaves, extending his arms and spreading his fingers wide as spiritual energy began to gather.

Illumination Technique!

A burst of intense light erupted from his hands! Even though it was daytime, a dazzling white light blazed forth in the forest.

Chirp! Chirp!

Various bird calls immediately rang out among the trees, wings flapping frantically as the birds fled in haste—their extreme discomfort caused by the blinding light.

Because this technique affected both friend and foe indiscriminately, even Qin Lu himself had to turn his head and close his eyes when using it, lest he accidentally injure his own vision.

But just as Qin Lu closed his eyes, he suddenly caught the scent of burning. He quickly withdrew his technique.

Turning his head, he saw that the dry leaves on the ground were now emitting wisps of white smoke.

“This… this can actually ignite leaves…” Qin Lu stared in astonishment.

If this technique were directed at someone’s eyes, wouldn’t it blind them instantly?

It seemed that advancing to the Master level had once again elevated the power of these techniques to a new tier.

“But then it becomes difficult to practice! If I do this at home, I might accidentally burn the place down…” Qin Lu wore a troubled expression.

Skill proficiency depended greatly on consistent practice, and full-power application was essential to improving proficiency. Reducing the power made practice utterly ineffective.

After a moment of quiet reflection, Qin Lu shook his head, dismissing these useless thoughts, and once again raised his finger.

Spiritual energy surged forth.

Cutting Technique!

Whoosh!

A stream of spiritual energy erupted from between Qin Lu’s fingers, shooting straight toward the dense canopy above.

Hiss!

The energy pierced through the leaves, instantly severing several branches and sending them crashing to the ground.

Qin Lu gazed in astonishment at the straight line of spiritual energy emanating from his finger.

“Is this my forty-meter blade?!”

After this upgrade, the range of the Cutting Technique had increased dramatically.

Whoosh!

Qin Lu swung his finger downward, and the slender stream of energy slashed down with a sharp crack, accompanied by a cacophony of snapping sounds.

Leaves scattered wildly. Even a large tree was split cleanly in two by the thin stream of energy, collapsing with a thunderous crash and sending clouds of dust billowing upward.

“Powerful!” Qin Lu rejoiced, noting that although the range had increased, the operation remained exactly the same as before.

Thinking further, he raised his finger horizontally and began to swing it in circles. The straight, long stream of energy began to trace an arc centered on him.

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

The faint sounds of cutting, the panicked scurrying of beasts, the terrified cries of birds, and the resounding crashes of falling trees all echoed continuously through the forest.

When the dust finally settled, everything within thirty meters around Qin Lu had become completely bare. Every tree had been neatly bisected.

Seeing this, a smug smile crept onto Qin Lu’s face.

This technique was truly formidable. Imagine holding a lightsaber over thirty meters long—what a terrifying sight that would be!

“Hehe!” Qin Lu chuckled, then withdrew the technique.

After a brief pause, he drew the Qinghong Sword from his waist, staring intently at its blade with eager anticipation.

“Let’s try swordsmanship with this new blade!”