In Great Wei, many sword cultivators should have heard from their enlightenment mentors at the beginning.
Swordsmanship lies in agility, in variability, in intent.
The "Sunset Sword Formulas," being too focused on steady techniques, have caused many sword cultivators to discard it like worn-out shoes.
But it was only after Shen Han extracted the "easy to learn but hard to master" entry that he saw the mystery within.
Within the sword formulas, there was actually a body technique hidden, a body technique exclusively belonging to the "Sunset Sword Formulas."
Shen Han submerged his mind and contemplated the meaning within.
The body technique script was truly difficult to comprehend.
With just a shallow reading, I only understood the surface, and that was because I had studied the "Lonely Wind Snow-Treading Step," which gave me the comprehension.
Body techniques are indeed difficult to learn.
Thinking about it, Shen Han extracted an "easy to understand" entry and applied it to the "Sunset Sword Formulas."
On the sword formulas, small purple characters appeared, "easy to understand classics."
Upon rereading, comprehension became much more effortless.
If one remains calm and focused, Shen Han felt he could indeed grasp the body technique within these sword formulas.
However, constantly facing danger, there wasn't so much time for quiet study.
Holding a willow twig, it slices through frost — skillfully simple.
The long sword is like the afterglow, cutting through thorns and thistles!
After Shen Han studied with a calm mind, he could feel the oppressive power of the "Sunset Sword Formulas."
With its matching body technique as a backdrop, what was once somewhat sluggish sword techniques began to show their power.
The originally full-force blade strike, with the aid of the body technique, had an element of surprise.
After some simple practice, Shen Han sensed a problem.
Currently, he had only gone through bone tempering and had not yet stepped into the Ninth Grade.
Although through the honing of the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill," his own strength and vitality far exceeded that of opponents of the same grade.
But still, he was yet to enter the Ninth Grade.
While wielding the techniques of the "Sunset Sword Formulas," he could feel his bones compressing with a cracking sound.
Looking at his current state, advancing to the Ninth Grade was urgent.
The most direct method to advance to the Ninth Grade was a medicinal bath.
Shen Han looked at the silver coins in his hands, less than two taels...
Buying herbs was out of the question, but buying herbal dregs might be doable...
As the thought occurred to him, Shen Han's eyes lit up.
He had the mysterious ability to extract entries, and by picking up some herbal dregs and extracting the negative entries, he might be able to obtain a usable medicinal bath!
With this in mind, Shen Han packed up a few pieces of fabric and headed to the pharmacy in the East Market.
Many practice martial arts in Yun'an City of Great Wei, so body refining medicinal baths were naturally in high demand.
Upon arriving at the pharmacy entrance, Shen Han realized there were quite a few people collecting herbal dregs there.
In preparing medicinal baths, the pharmacy sometimes threw away dregs before the properties were fully released.
Many opportunists sensed a business opportunity, collecting dregs still somewhat useful, and sold them to impoverished martial artists.
Shen Han did not compete with them, instead, he took out his fabric and wrapped up the herbal dregs that others did not want and took them away.
The surrounding people smiled slightly upon seeing this.
To them, it seemed foolish to collect useless herbal dregs — what use could they have?
Bringing the herbal dregs back to his residence, Shen Han immediately started boiling water in preparation.
The Shen Family, honored as a Family of Generals and Marquis, probably only had a descendant like him who needed to collect herbal dregs for body-refining baths.
But in a way, this was good; he owed nothing to the Shen Family.
If he carved out a future for himself, it would have nothing to do with the Shen Family.
In the whole Shen Family, he only remembered the kindness shown to him by Madam Yun and Cailing.
On Xiaoyao Peak, mist entangled.
Though called Xiaoyao Peak, it was not merely a single mountain.
Xiaoyao Peak stood towering into the clouds, surrounded by more than a dozen low peaks.
Between the peaks lay valleys and connecting cols.
This place was home to sword cultivators on Xiaoyao Peak.
Returning to Xiaoyao Peak, Liu Xilan briefly organized her things before flying towards the eastern valley.
She held in her hands the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" script, filled with annotations by Shen Han.
During her journey back, whenever free, Liu Xilan would flip through it.
At least, in her view, following Shen Han's annotations allowed her to feel the effects of body refining.
The annotations were undoubtedly correct.
While pondering, Liu Xilan had already landed in the valley.
The location was excellent, with a creek in front flowing by, sunlight filtering through despite the valley setting.
It was indeed a livable location.
Liu Xilan gently knocked on the wooden house's door, and soon, an old man with a white beard walked out, hands behind his back.
"Why are you here again, little girl? As soon as you return to Xiaoyao Peak, this old man can't find any peace..."
The old man shook his head helplessly but with a hint of a smile.
"If you don't want to see Xilan, Uncle Lin, then I'll just leave..."
"Will a thick-skinned girl like you really leave of your own accord? This old man doesn't believe it."
The two seemed very familiar, speaking freely.
"Tell me, what business do you have with this old man? If you want to steal my sword techniques again, best wait a while.
At this rate, this old man will have nothing left in stock."
"What are you talking about, Uncle Lin? I brought something good this time.
The detailed explanation of the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" you've been yearning for, I've found it~"
Liu Xilan waved the script in her hand, waiting expectantly for Uncle Lin's eyes to light up.
This time, however, the white-bearded old man showed no interest.
"I've thoroughly researched this "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill." It's not that my understanding isn't high enough, but this body refining technique is pure illusion.
Besides the initial chapter being effective, the rest is nonsense."
The old man seemed frustrated with the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill," mentioning it with some anger.
Having finally obtained a detailed annotation, Liu Xilan, holding onto the old man's arm, insisted he have a look.
Before the wooden table by the door, the old man started to peruse the book full of annotations.
Starting from the initial chapter, his initially casual expression gradually became serious.
The annotations in the initial chapter aligned eighty percent with his understanding.
The remaining twenty percent, on closer study, appeared to be where he had gone wrong.
From that moment, the white-bearded old man knew he had found a treasure. The annotations were concise and clear, dissecting the originally obscure content into something simple and clear.
"Xilan, where did these annotations come from?"
The old man's voice trembled, unable to hide his excitement.
Liu Xilan didn't answer, keeping a smile on her face.
The old man's wrinkled hand continued to flip through the pages, slowly.
In the second chapter, the previously obscure and difficult texts were all annotated with detailed explanations.
In many instances, the old man couldn't see why it meant what it did.
However, following the annotation's explanation, the meaning became instantly clear, and the previous confusion made sense.
Unable to contain himself, the old man began to practice the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" according to the annotations.
The mountain's majesty, the river's persistence, intertwined within oneself.
The finesse of the Mountain and River Body Refining, revolving around the self.