Chapter 39: The Second Form of the Seven-Killing Sword Technique

"Thank you both." Dugu Yan took the medicine bottle, a warm current welling up in her heart.

When Dugu Bo finally finished and felt thoroughly relieved, he circulated his soul power and immediately felt much lighter, the toxins having subsided.

After passing wind, Dugu Bo returned with a gloomy expression; he wanted to fly into a rage, yet he could not.

Staring coldly at Ning Xi and Jun Han with a glacial gaze, he gritted his teeth.

These two little rascals!

"Senior Dugu, here are two more pills suitable for your martial souls, called the Jade Phosphorus Purifying Dan. They can correct the flaws in your martial souls and also enhance your soul power."

Ning Xi produced two more green pills. Their exterior was engraved with a lotus pattern, the petals crystal-clear and emitting a faint blue glow, while the heart of the lotus pulsed with an emerald phosphorescent light.

Dugu Bo's expression instantly improved considerably. "Hmph! For the sake of your help, I won't hold this against you."

He quickly snatched the pills.

"Senior Dugu, there are many herbs here. This book describes the functions and effects of numerous immortal herbs. Since you probably frequent this place, you can take good care of them."

Ning Xi produced another book, entirely handwritten by herself, which even included some immortal herbs she had never seen in her past life.

The functions of these unfamiliar immortal herbs were things she only understood after Jun Han helped explain them to her.

Since these immortal herbs were originally taken from Dugu Bo's garden, it was only fitting to leave them in his care for better protection.

"Very well. No one else can get in here anyway, so leaving them to this old man is most appropriate!"

Dugu Bo stood on ceremony no further, and then added, "You two brats, if you need any herbs in the future, you can come directly. I grant special permission to the two of you—no one else is allowed, do you understand?"

Hearing this, Ning Xi was overjoyed. They already knew how to enter, and now with official permission, they no longer needed to sneak around.

"Thank you, Senior Dugu."

"Alright, Yan Yan and I will stay here for the time being to absorb the medicinal power of the pills. You two can wander around and play for a while."

Dugu Bo said.

"Understood, then we'll just walk around casually for now."

Ning Xi pulled Jun Han away from the cave entrance.

The detoxifying pills refined by Jun Han, combined with the Jade Phosphorus Purifying Dan, would completely eradicate the toxins in both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan while also correcting their martial soul defects, vastly enhancing their mastery and application of poison.

After all this commotion, Dugu Bo could finally set his mind at ease.

Ning Xi had now successfully practiced the first form of the Seven-Kill Sword Technique to the pinnacle of perfection.

Sword Douluo had now taught her the second form—Thirteen Strings in a Single Cup.

Thirteen Strings in a Single Cup: This move possessed matchless might, wielding pure sword intent. Thirteen consecutive sword Qi strikes were unleashed in a continuous onslaught, and its sheer power rivaled a divine skill.

Thus far, she still remained at the initial realm.

Ning Xi decided to practice her swordsmanship here, while Jun Han sat to the side reading books and studying the immortal herbs of this place.

"I have fully mastered the first form; next is the second form—Thirteen Strings in a Single Cup."

Ning Xi thought silently to herself, "Master said that this move possesses matchless might, wielding pure sword intent. Thirteen consecutive sword Qi strikes are unleashed in a continuous onslaught, and its sheer power rivals a divine skill."

She took a deep breath, settling her energy in her dantian as soul power slowly poured into the Seven-Kill Sword.

The sword body vibrated slightly, emitting a deep, low hum, as if responding to her summons.

"Thirteen Strings in a Single Cup, opening form—Sword Intent Emerges!" Ning Xi let out a low cry, and the Seven-Kill Sword instantly left its scabbard, a streak of sword Qi piercing through the air to strike the target ahead.

Though this was merely the opening form, it already contained formidable sword intent. The sword Qi traced a graceful arc through the air like a melodious musical score, carrying an unstoppable momentum.

"First string—Sword Pierces the Firmament!" Ning Xi flashed forward, swinging the Seven-Kill Sword once more. The first wave of sword Qi roared outward, thrusting straight toward the sky.

This strike was lightning-fast with astonishing power, the sword Qi carving a lightning-like trajectory through the air as if trying to tear the heavens asunder.

"Second string—Sword Shadow Follows!" Without a moment's pause, Ning Xi continuously swung the Seven-Kill Sword. The second wave of sword Qi followed closely behind, forming a continuous combo with the first.

Her movements were as swift as thunder, her sword forms coherent and fierce, every strike executed with absolute precision.

The sword shadows intertwined in the air, weaving an impenetrable sword net that seemed ready to shred anything in its path into pieces.

"Third string—Sword Sweeps the Eight Directions!" Ning Xi shouted aloud, the Seven-Kill Sword transforming into countless sword shadows as the third wave of sword Qi swept horizontally across a vast area ahead.

This strike possessed matchless might; wherever the sword Qi passed, the air seemed to be torn apart, emitting a sharp, piercing howl.

The sword shadows wove together in the air, forming a colossal sword net that enveloped the entire grassy plain.

"Fourth string—Sword Intent Ranging Far and Wide!" Ning Xi let out a low cry, swinging the Seven-Kill Sword once again. The fourth wave of sword Qi surged forth like a violent gale, laden with potent sword intent.

Her movements were smooth as flowing water, her sword forms coherent and fierce, each stroke carrying formidable lethality. Sword intent crisscrossed and intersected in the air, generating dazzling flashes of light as if determined to cleave everything blocking its path.

"Fifth string—Sword Tears the Firmament!" Ning Xi shouted aloud, the Seven-Kill Sword turning into a flash of lightning as the fifth wave of sword Qi stabbed straight toward the azure sky.

This strike condensed all of her soul power and willpower, the sword radiance shooting straight up into the heavens as if attempting to rip the sky apart.

Wherever the sword radiance passed, the air produced a sharp, piercing whistle, as though answering her call.

Although Ning Xi had already mastered the first five strings of Thirteen Strings in a Single Cup, she still felt a lingering bottleneck in her heart.

She knew she was still stuck at the initial realm and could not fully unleash the true power of this form.

"Thirteen Strings in a Single Cup consists of a total of thirteen sword Qi strikes, and every single one requires powerful sword intent and soul power to sustain them," Ning Xi thought silently to herself. "How can I break through this bottleneck?"

She halted her movements, closed her eyes, and began to meditate. Recalling Sword Douluo's teachings, she tried to merge her soul power and sword intent even more perfectly.

After a bout of meditation, Ning Xi suddenly gained a new insight. She opened her eyes, a resolute gleam flashing within them.

"I understand now. Sword intent is not merely the manifestation of power, but also the expression of the soul," Ning Xi thought silently to herself. "I must use my heart to perceive sword intent and use soul power to sustain my sword moves."

She waved the Seven-Kill Sword once more, beginning to practice the subsequent sword moves of Thirteen Strings in a Single Cup.

Her movements grew even more fluid, her sword techniques even sharper, every strike carrying potent sword intent and soul power.

"Sixth string—Sword Moves with the Heart!" Ning Xi gave a low cry, the Seven-Kill Sword moving in tandem with her thoughts as the sixth wave of sword Qi flowed out like moving clouds and flowing water.

"Seventh string—Sword Intent Like a Rainbow!" Ning Xi shouted aloud, the Seven-Kill Sword transforming into a rainbow streak as the seventh wave of sword Qi, blazing with dazzling light, thrust forward.

"The Seven-Kill Sword Technique is truly profound and vast," Ning Xi thought silently to herself. "As long as I keep striving, I will definitely be able to fully master its essence."

"Haha, you must have learned this swordsmanship from that Sword Douluo Chen Xin, no wonder it's so fierce."

An admiring voice drifted over.

Ning Xi scrambled up from the ground and looked toward the source of the sound—it was none other than Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.

Dugu Bo hadn't paid attention to what Ning Xi called Sword Douluo back then, but now he finally knew.

"Senior Dugu?"

Ning Xi nodded slightly. "Yes, Grandpa Sword is now my master."