I Live Forever With My Proficiency

Chapter 25: First Time Leaving the City

Chen Ping paused for a moment.

"Do we still need to pay for this?" he exclaimed.

But before he could say more, a voice came from the neighboring courtyard, "Fellow Daoist Liu, I have never heard of an inspection fee."

Squinting his eyes, Chen Ping turned his head and saw Yu Qingyi. He immediately smiled and said, "Senior Yu, it's a pleasure to meet you. Ah, I was just joking with this Fellow Daoist. How could we ask for an inspection fee?"

"Hehe, please trouble Senior Yu to inspect us. Senior Yu is naturally not a demonic cultivator, but it's just a routine matter," Chen Ping said with a smile.

Squinting his eyes, he glanced at Chen Ping and smiled as he walked towards Yu Qingyi.

"Senior Yu, just press it with your hand," he said with a smile.

"Why is it you who is inspecting? Wasn't Zhou Jianping in charge of this time before?" Yu Qingyi's voice came.

"Senior Yu has a good memory. I have taken over from Zhou Jianping. I will be in charge of this time from now on. Zhou Jianping will be in charge of the dog hour in the future," the voice of the squinting eyes said with a smile.

After a routine inspection, the squinting eyes and the others left with a smile.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Yu," Chen Ping bowed.

Although Yu Qingyi had moved back a month ago, this was the first time Chen Ping and Yu Qingyi had met face to face.

The old man had white hair and his face was marked with the traces of time. He was ten years older than He Xianxiang, and perhaps because of his higher cultivation level, he was not weaker in spirit than He Xianxiang.

"No need to be formal. The defense just now was because of some things that happened in the past two years, so they are more hostile towards people from the west of the city. You don't have to mind," Yu Qingyi said with a smile, as he looked Chen Ping up and down.

"I should have visited Fellow Daoist Chen earlier, but I saw that Fellow Daoist Chen has been practicing in seclusion, so I didn't bother you. Today, seeing you for the first time, Fellow Daoist Chen is truly talented," he said, adding, "Haha, just like me back then."

Chen Ping chuckled inwardly, thinking that Yu Qingyi was indeed easygoing, just as the rumors said.

"Senior Yu is too kind. Senior Yu is still vigorous and full of vitality. When you were young, you must have been extraordinary. I can't compare," Chen Ping said.

"Haha, you little rascal, you're quite slick. Unlike that old thing He Xianxiang, who is so honest. So, how is your cultivation going? You practice in seclusion every day. What level have you reached?" Yu Qingyi laughed.

It turned out that He Xianxiang and Yu Qingyi were indeed familiar with each other.

No wonder He Xianxiang recommended him to live next to Yu Qingyi.

The two of you are interesting, calling each other 'old thing'.

"I have mediocre aptitude, so I'm still in the early stage of Qi Refining. I just focus on working hard to make up for my shortcomings, so I often practice at home. And because of my low cultivation level, I dare not go out," Chen Ping said, half-truthfully.

"Well, there's no need to belittle yourself. Just work hard in your cultivation and leave the rest to fate. Cultivation is indeed not easy, and it's not something we can control," Yu Qingyi said.

Perhaps thinking of his granddaughter's inability to enter Azure Cloud Sect, his expression dimmed slightly.

Unconsciously, he let out a sigh.

Chen Ping deliberately changed the topic and asked:

"By the way, according to what the city defense said earlier, are they investigating demonic cultivators?"

Yu Qingyi snapped back to reality.

"That's right, it hasn't been very peaceful lately. That's why I say it's beneficial for Fellow Daoist Chen to focus on closed-door cultivation. Ah, if my granddaughter had your level of composure, I wouldn't need to worry so much as an old man."

The last sentence was muttered.

As soon as these words were spoken, Yu Lingchun, who had just finished inspecting and was practicing swordsmanship at the far end of the courtyard, turned her head and gave her grandfather a resentful look. She then glared fiercely at Chen Ping before turning her head back to continue practicing.

Chen Ping:

"What's it got to do with me?"

"I didn't say anything."

Sure enough, going out brings about more trouble.

It's better to stay at home, safe and peaceful.

After exchanging a few words with Yu Qingyi, Chen Ping found an excuse to take his leave.

Back in his room, he checked the progress of his cultivation during this period of time.

In the past month, Chen Ping focused on practicing the "Micro-Wind Nine Swords".

So far, he had completely mastered the seventh form of the Micro-Wind Nine Swords and had already entered the eighth form.

But because he had been practicing indoors all this time, the space was limited and he couldn't move around much.

Chen Ping also didn't dare to go all out, as the furnishings and simple house couldn't withstand the impact.

Repairing them would cost money.

Being poor is a sin.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Ping decided to go outside and practice, to see what level his combat power had reached.

He decided to pass through the western district and head to the safe Sunset Forest to test himself.

For this, he made thorough preparations.

Concealing short swords in his sleeves and pant legs was basic practice. He also had to carry talismans for warding off evil and suppressing demons. He put on a Daoist robe and then wore an ordinary outer robe.

He specially brought a small bag of Demonic Beast jerky, which he made himself, as practicing swordsmanship consumed a lot of energy.

He also changed his appearance.

After making all the preparations, he finally set off towards the western district.

To avoid running into old acquaintances, he deliberately took a detour, avoiding the areas where Ning Mansion personnel often frequented.

Once out of the city, he changed his appearance again before using the "Cloud Smoke Step" to quickly head towards the forest.

Not far ahead was the Sunset Forest.

This forest was different from the endless forest on the outskirts.

The Sunset Forest was not an endless forest. It used to be a hunting ground, but with the increase in beast hunters, the resources in this forest had long been depleted.

Is there any danger?

Yes.

Occasionally, people still die from the mouths of beasts in this forest, but the level of danger is far less than one-thousandth of the Endless Forest.

This forest can be divided into three areas: outer, middle, and inner.

The outer area is only three or four miles away from Cloud Link City, and as long as you stay in the outer area, there is basically no danger.

At this moment, Chen Ping is in the outer area of the Sunset Forest.

After looking around, no one is there.

He also set up some Wind Listening Talismans on the outskirts. As long as someone approaches, they may accidentally touch the Wind Listening Talismans and trigger a warning sound.

After setting it up, he began to fully experience the power of the seventh and eighth moves of the Micro-Wind Nine Swords.

"Swish~"

The sword shines in Chen Ping's hand.

The movements of the seventh move are not simple. The movements emphasize trembling, pulling, Qi Gathering, manipulating Qi, and collecting Qi. Each movement is connected, allowing the control of the sword's strength and trajectory to be flexible.

Making the sword more than just a sword.

And transforming towards the direction of a "pseudo Law Weapon".

"Chi!"

The sword energy hits a towering tree, and the trunk is instantly pierced, leaving a bowl-sized hole.

Chen Ping takes a deep breath. This power is much greater than the previous six moves.

"Let's try killing a living creature."

"Kou!"

With a swing of the sword, a small animal swaying on the towering tree immediately meets its demise, exploding into a mist of blood. Its squeal only lasts for half a sound before disappearing.

"This technique..."

"It's unexpectedly terrifying!"

Chen Ping experiences the dominance of the seventh and eighth moves for the first time.

The first six moves and the last three moves of the Micro-Wind Nine Swords are completely different concepts.

The first six moves are more of a sword technique and can't even be considered a true spell.

The so-called spell refers to the self-enhancement and the manifestation of the laws of heaven contained in the cultivation technique, expressed in the form of methods and techniques.

The first six moves are mostly a display of skill, requiring little spiritual power and releasing few laws of heaven.

By the seventh move, the Micro-Wind Nine Swords have transcended the ordinary, no longer relying solely on physical attacks to kill enemies.

It even comes with the value of long-range attacks.

No wonder there is a gap between the first six moves and the last three moves. The reason lies here.

"With this spell, my self-defense ability increases by 100." Chen Ping smirks.

Of course, this is also related to the advancement of his cultivation technique.

In the past month, his cultivation technique has already reached [Evergreen Technique (Proficient): 03/100], officially entering the "Proficient" level from "Skilled".

And with the advancement of the cultivation technique, his cultivation realm has also made a leap.

[Cultivation Realm: Qi Refining (Second Layer): 47/100.]

This is still because he focused on practicing the Micro-Wind Nine Swords this month. Otherwise, his cultivation realm could have improved even more.

"In a while, I should be able to reach the third layer of Qi Refining."

He continues to practice on living creatures.

"Swish!" "Crack!" "Goo!"

...

The Sunset Forest does not have large Demonic Beasts, but there are still many ordinary small animals such as rabbits, squirrels, and birds.

These small animals have managed to survive from the hands of hunters and have gained a certain level of spiritualization. They are agile and cunning, not easily killed.

But at this moment, Chen Ping easily kills many birds and beasts.

His swordsmanship has greatly improved.

After an hour of practicing killing wild animals, he feels more proficient in the seventh and eighth moves.

At this moment, he is chasing after a nimble wild rabbit.

"Swish! Swish!"

The strong wind passes by, and Chen Ping stops under a big tree, no longer chasing the rabbit that has fled into the depths of the forest beyond the tree.

This tree marks the boundary between the outer and middle areas of the Sunset Forest.

It was marked by previous people.

"It's impossible to cross this line. I will never be able to cross it in this lifetime. Although the middle area seems ordinary and without danger at first glance, who knows?"

"Well, I'll stick to the principle and only stay in the outer area."

Thinking like this, Chen Ping unexpectedly sees a low-lying cave not far from the outer area.

The cave is not big, it can accommodate two or three people. The entrance is narrow, making it difficult for beasts to enter. It is formed on a solid rock wall and is not easily collapsed. There are grass and trees around it, making the entrance not easily noticeable.

Chen Ping can't help but think that if he ever needs temporary shelter, this would be a good place.

He sheathes his sword with a "clang".

Looking up at the sky, judging from the angle of the sunlight, it is now noon.

Chen Ping turns around and walks back.

"I have to go back. It's noon, and it will be dark in a few hours. Who knows what unpredictable dangers there might be in the Sunset Forest at night?"

(End of this chapter)