Chapter 93: Primary and Secondary Forms

“Jiang Elder began Qi Refining at ten, formed willow sinews at fifteen, observed seven swords, and achieved seven forms—this is how he established his title as the Sword Immortal of Jiangdong.”

Han Qin stated her reasoning.

Li Rui glanced at Jiang Yan beside him.

It must be true.

“Truly a frog at the bottom of a well.”

He had just discussed with Ge Hong the formation of two forms; now here was a ready example—Jiang Elder had opened seven forms.

The Huaqing Sect could become a peaceful great sect.

Indeed, it had its formidable aspects.

At least in terms of insight, Li Rui admitted he was inferior to Han Qin and Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan spoke up: “Not everyone is suited to form multiple shapes. Forcing multiple formations risks qi deviation and sudden death; one must act according to capacity. Even a single form, when perfected, can produce great masters.”

Li Rui nodded in agreement.

In the world of martial arts, there has never been one absolute path—otherwise everyone would follow it, and there would be no flourishing diversity today.

Jiang Yan continued: “As long as you find the object suited to your Qi Refining, and perfect just one form, it is excellent—that is what my father said.”

Li Rui’s heart stirred slightly.

Finally hooked.

“Then how does one determine which path suits them?”

This time Han Qin answered: “Of course, the Qi-Reading Masters. Master Lu of Huaqing Sect is a renowned Qi-Reading Master from Yunzhou.”

Li Rui clicked his tongue twice.

Huaqing Sect truly had wealth and influence—its support system was remarkably complete, even including Qi-Reading Masters.

Han Qin smiled faintly: “I’ve heard Jiang younger sister also understands some Qi-Reading.”

Jiang Yan blinked.

Very few knew she bore the Fate Eyes; Jiang Lin had publicly claimed he found her a Qi-Reading master, when in truth it was the power of her Fate Eyes.

Li Rui was pondering how to seize this opportunity and ask Jiang Yan to read him.

Jiang Yan spoke directly: “Elder, I perceive your primary form as the Dragon.”

“Dragon form.”

The tension in Li Rui’s chest finally eased.

If it had been some ethereal Immortal form, that would have been a nightmare—just the Qi Refining diagram alone could stall him for decades.

Han Qin’s eyes lit up: “Dragon form—that is a top-tier Qi form. Congratulations, Elder Li.”

Though Qi Condensation and Forming are not ranked by hierarchy—a Martial Saint once condensed Qi into a fire-poker and still dominated all strong martial artists with that single stick.

But such cases are rare.

The higher the rank of the formed object, the better one’s martial prospects generally are.

The higher Li Rui’s talent appeared, the more he regretted it inwardly.

“Why couldn’t Heaven let Elder Li begin martial training earlier?”

“Heaven envies talent!”

Jiang Yan hesitated, then spoke slowly: “Elder, you have a secondary form—I cannot perceive it.”

Secondary form?

Li Rui and Han Qin both were startled.

Primary and secondary forms both present!

Han Qin frowned slightly; a secondary form could be fortune or misfortune.

If primary and secondary forms harmonize, one has the potential of a Martial Saint; if they clash, one becomes utterly ruined.

Jiang Yan explained seriously: “I perceive Elder’s form as a Dragon raising its head; above the Azure Dragon is another entity—that must be the secondary form, still unmanifested.”

Fate Qi is connected.

She could deduce a person’s suitable Qi Refining object through their fate pattern.

Li Rui took a deep breath: “Thank you.”

He had read of secondary forms in ancient texts.

It is an extremely rare constitution; only after manifestation can it be judged—before that, even Qi-Reading Masters cannot perceive it.

The line between prodigy and waste is razor-thin.

Han Qin sensed Li Rui’s low spirits and did not wish to disturb him further: “Elder Li, Heaven’s patterns number forty-nine; humanity escapes one. Perhaps manifestation and concealment will merge—do not dwell on it too much.”

Li Rui smiled lightly: “I’m just an old man—I’m here for amusement, not to care about such things.”

Seeing Li Rui so carefree, Han Qin felt even greater admiration.

Truly an elder master.

If this had happened to him, he would not have so quickly let go.

Jiang Yan added supportively: “Whether auspicious or ominous is still unknown. I perceive Elder Li’s fortune as abundant—the secondary form will surely be fine.”

“I accept Jiang heroine’s auspicious words.”

An unexpected twist—Han Qin saw Li Rui had lost his interest in martial discussion.

She found an excuse and left with Jiang Yan.

Li Rui sat alone in the room.

His heart pounded.

He could not calm down for a long time.

He had already begun to suspect.

“The secondary form is the Immortal form.”

The Dragon wanders the Immortal Realm—this perfect match of primary and secondary forms!

“Dragon Form Qi Refining Diagram”

Li Rui began to ponder.

He could not obtain an Immortal Form Qi Refining Diagram, but a Dragon Form one might still be possible.

As far as he knew, the Heavenly Alliance’s main headquarters possessed a Dragon Form Qi Refining Diagram—but only Deputy Alliance Leaders who had rendered great service were eligible to receive it.

He was far too far behind.

Qi Refining Diagrams far surpass ordinary cultivation techniques in value; naturally, they are reserved for those who have contributed greatly to the Heavenly Alliance.

Li Rui was not impatient.

He had waited decades—take it slowly. At his pace, he would advance quickly.

Five days passed in a flash.

Outside the county government office.

A massive fighting platform had been erected early.

The crowd below was already packed.

Ancient people had little entertainment; even trivial gossip lingered for years over tea and meals—they would not miss Huaqing Sect’s annual entrance trial.

If one could be noticed and taken as a disciple by Huaqing Sect, it was an honor rivaling that of becoming a Provincial Graduate and glorifying one’s ancestors.

On the platform.

County Magistrate Zhang Linkang and several prominent figures from the government office were all present.

All Huaqing Sect disciples had arrived.

Everyone took their seats.

Only the central seat remained empty—no need to guess, it was Jiang Linxian’s place.

Seeing Jiang Elder still absent, Magistrate Zhang leaned forward and asked: “Jiang Deputy Envoy, is Jiang Elder nearly here?”

Jiang Yan could only force a faint smile: “Soon.”

Upon hearing Jiang Yan’s reply, Magistrate Zhang turned back.

The crowd’s enthusiasm surged further.

Everyone was discussing the three contestants in this year’s Huaqing Sect entrance trial.

Blood Tiger Gang had one contestant: Deputy Incense Master Zhong Lei, and another, the young prodigy He Wenxuan.

The Heavenly Alliance should have had a similar lineup, but since Zhao Wei died, only Liu Tong remained.

Strength was unequal.

If this were merely a test of martial power, there would be no need to hold the trial today.

Just declare Zhong Lei the winner.

An eighth-rank cultivator was not worth Huaqing Sect’s serious attention—they valued talent and potential far more.

“How capricious.”

Li Rui was among the crowd; he shook his head slightly.

The Heavenly Alliance had sent many people.

He came not merely to watch, nor did he care who would be chosen.

After learning Jiang Linxian had opened seven forms.

He wanted to see the Sword Immortal of Jiangdong, hoping to gain some insight.

Suddenly!

The crowd erupted in commotion as people parted left and right, clearing a path.

County Magistrate Zhang and Jiang Yan and the others all brightened at the sight.

A middle-aged man with a sword at his back stepped onto the stage, his bearing as radiant as jade.

“Jiang Lin!”

(End of Chapter)