Refining the saber pill was the first step of saber cultivation. This was an immortal art. There were many saber users on Earth, but they only used the rudimentary appearance and tried to display the highest power they could by holding a saber, whereas, in true saber cultivation, spells are used to drive the saber. The relative superiority between both was evident. The saber pill remained at the divinity source and keeps growing. When it achieves grand success, it leads to a variation of the saber spirit depending on the compatibility between the mind and the saber spirit. This was an extremely high realm, and if it were achieved, nothing could block the saber intent's path.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Along with Jiang Xiu using the seals, the 3-inch saber knife made rounds in the room, leaving a glittering saber light in its wake. After nearly two hours of practice, the saber knife began to shudder and cried out for the first time.
This completed the first step.
Whether it was sword cultivation or saber cultivation, both required a lot of money. On the Immortal Martial Continent, many weren't slow with their cultivation due to lacking talent but instead restrained due to the lack of money.
Without materials, the saber core couldn't evolve and this restricted a person's cultivation.
Jiang Xiu was also facing this problem right now.
There were four more Longevity Stones. If he could find them, he could strengthen his saber pill further.
"Withdraw!"
The saber knife appeared in front of Jiang Xiu's Yin Palace, and its saber appearance slowly vanished as it transformed into a thread then entered inside his Yin Palace. The thread shrunk into a ball at his divinity source.
He stood up and prepared to come out of closed-door cultivation!
It was calm outside the room with only sounds of wind and rain coming through. The wooden shutters swayed lightly from the slightly cold early autumn wind passing through the house. The sky was dark, so Jiang Xiu didn't know whether it was morning or evening.
"Mister…"
A maid placed at the loft took notice of Jiang Xiu and called out with astonishment.
"Quickly go inform the lady."
Sounds of footsteps came through soon after that. There was a cage with a black-naped oriole placed in it at the corner of the loft. The oriole began to chirp loudly due to being disturbed. The bird wasn't there initially, but as it too quiet here, Wang Xintong placed one at this location. Jiang Xiu picked the cage up.
"You're done?"
Jiang Xiu didn't turn back and opened the birdcage, holding the oriole in his palm. He gave it a slight push and the oriole flew away into the sky. However, as it was raining quite heavily outside, it might not be able to survive for long.
"Cheng Lingsu?"
Wang Xintong replied, "She washed two days of clothes and left for the Imperial Capital as you instructed after seeing that you didn't come out. However, the Imperial Capital is currently…"
Jiang Xiu interrupted her, "How long did I cultivate?"
Wang Xintong looked at Jiang Xiu. He wore skinny clothes as the weather hadn't become so cold when he went into closed-door cultivation. She held a pair of clothes with the intentions to drape it over his shoulders, but he grabbed them from her hands and put them on himself. Wang Xintong said helplessly, "11 days. The outside world has been a mess ever since you went into closed-door cultivation."
"Since around 1000 bigwigs of Jiangnan were killed, it was equivalent to more than half of the people at the top of Jiangnan's power structure disappearing. Jiangnan's economy sank into a turmoil and society became unstable."
Jiang Xiu said, "Tell me the important things."
"According to what Mayor Gu said, many esteemed personages at the Diaoyutai were dissatisfied with the Jiang family as the trigger for this vile incident was them sending Crown Prince Ao to Jiangnan. Elder Jiang was suspended from many posts and made to return a lot of authority over. As for whether he would be dismissed, it will depend on the decision made during the next meeting."
"Oh?"
The result was better than he expected.
Wang Xintong continued, "However, the Diaoyutai is even more resentful towards Mr. Jiang. I heard that many people slammed the table during the meeting and cursed out."
Jiang Xiu hung the birdcage back in its original position, "I'm not suitable for an official position, and it's not like I covet their power. It isn't worth it for them."
"Also…"
Wang Xintong hesitated a bit.
"What is it?"
Wang Xintong revealed a worried expression on her face, "A few days after you went into closed-door cultivation, a man with a greenish spot on his face called Zhu Shengding appeared and issued challenges towards many experts of the martial arts world."
"On 27th September, Zhu Shengding defeated Liu Yunhai, the Copper Trigram Sect's Demigod."
"On 30th September, Zhu Shengding arrived at Southern China to challenge Master of the Spirit Fist."
"On 2nd October, Zhu Shengding arrived at Southwest China and decimated Dunhuang."
"On 5th October…"
"This man took down a few suspected Demigods in a short span of 11 days and became well-known across the entire nation and scaled up to the Demigod Ranking just like you. Just as everyone was speculating his origin, he revealed that his master is… Ji Wudao."
The entire martial arts world of China was abuzz after learning this news. Since Ji Wudao's disciple was a Demigod, this revealed what kind of frightening level his strength had reached.
A noise came from outside the loft. Jiang Xiu took a look over there. They were his former subordinates from the Tang family as well as Boss Zhong and the others from the Jiang City. They appeared quite angry.
"Bullshit!" Wen Zuolin cursed out. "They say Mr. Jiang is scared of out his wits and believe having a Demigod apprentice is very incredible."
"They are already proclaiming that Ji Wudao is the No. 1 Demigod of China and the strongest expert. His limelight has even overshadowed Si Wuxie's name. No one even utters the name 'Mr. Jiang' now nor do they show support. The name 'Mr. Jiang' has already become an object of ridicule outside."
There was a reason for their resentment. Since Jiang Luoxia had come from Jiang City, they could be considered from the same line as Jiang Luoxia. Since Jiang Luoxia hadn't appeared, they had become the target of ridicule in the martial arts world. They had their fill of anger just now and came over to ask whether Mr. Jiang has come out or not.
"The rumors outside are becoming more unpleasant to hear. They say Mr. Jiang has already escaped."
Any kind of rumors can spread if a person disappeared for over 10 days.
"This isn't good to talk about."
It was unclear how many people were ridiculing him secretly.
Old Father Tang said, "Don't gossip here. Did you forget where you are?"
"Even if we don't say it, will that make those people outside from running off their mouths? Honestly speaking, even we know the odds of Mr. Jiang winning are low. I'm afraid he can't even defeat Ji Wudao's apprentice."
Tang Wenchong interjected, "Since Boss Zhong believes he can't win, why did you come here to the Jiang Gardens? You can go back. No one forced you to come over here at gunpoint."
Boss Zhong laughed, feeling embarrassed after hearing this. He spread out his arms while being seated on the chair, "I didn't say these words, those outsiders did."
Jiang Xiu furrowed his brows, "Do they come over frequently?"
From the fact that these people dared to speak so loudly here and from their leisurely manner, Jiang Xiu had already concluded that these people came over here frequently and gradually started to act presumptuously after getting used to being here.
Wang Xintong nodded, "They come every day and sometimes come many times in a single day. They come to ask whether you have come out or not each time. I saw that they were your subordinates from Jiang City and thus called out to them."
"You think I'll meet anyone just because they want to?" Jiang Xiu questioned her.
Wang Xintong had always acted appropriately on this aspect but messed up this time. She evaded his gaze slightly. Jiang Xiu's keen perception had already inferred that those who didn't have confidence in him weren't just these outsiders but included Wang Xintong as well. On the day Old Nie had come over, she had also persuaded him to leave China.
Whether it was pain, happiness or worry, it would turn dull if it were shared. The reason she had allowed these people to come in was to seek some kind of spiritual comfort.
Jiang Xiu said, "I never care about whether they are loyal or disloyal, good or bad. They are just small characters, that's all. However, Old Father Tang has some influence and his son, Tang Wenchong also followed me everywhere."
"Mhm. Tang Zhenshan is indeed popular in several circles." Wang Xintong stated.
"I'll send them away."
Since Jiang Xiu had already come out, she too didn't need these people to share her worry. In fact, except for Old Father Tang, she didn't have a good opinion of the rest of them. They were all boors of Jianghu and reeked of it. She didn't like associating with them as she was a lady from an influential family who was well-versed in etiquette and had graduated from a famous university.
After taking a few steps, Wang Xintong stopped suddenly, "Oh, right! The Madame… No, your mother called you many times and sent several messages. See whether they are about asking you to return."
Since Lin Yueling and Jiang Yi had withdrawn to a small region like Annan, they naturally wouldn't know of the incidents occurring in the upper-circle of Jiangnan as well as the martial arts world. More so because they weren't interested in it so they wouldn't know about his duel. Jiang Xiu guessed that his mother must be thinking of forcing him to go abroad.
"Give me the phone!"
Jiang Xiu called home. Lin Yueling picked up the phone, "Stinky brat, you're finally willing to call back. Mother thought you were hiding."
"No. I ran out of charge."
Lin Yueling didn't nag at him and sighed, "The Mid-autumn festival is arriving soon. Our family should be enjoying the full moon day but…"
"A call came over from the Imperial Capital. They want your father to return to the Capital to celebrate the Mid-autumn festival. Your father already hasn't slept properly for 3-4 nights."
Jiang Xiu's expression turned gloomy.