Qin Xi's Three Yang True Fire Sword was also a Life-Bound Artifact. Although it also employed sword techniques, it was different from the swords of Sword Cultivators.
Sword Cultivators generally selected their primary sword for cultivation during the Foundation Establishment stage, or even during Qi Refining. From then on, they could never part with this sword for life. Their Life-Bound Sword, through constant nurturing and tempering by its wielder, would continuously improve in grade, becoming increasingly formidable as their cultivation advanced. This point was similar to Life-Bound Artifacts, but Life-Bound Artifacts could only be forged after Core Formation, whereas a Sword Cultivator's Life-Bound Sword could be possessed from the Qi Refining stage. It was precisely because of this that Sword Cultivators' strength often surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.
Of course, it wasn't all benefits. If a cultivator's Life-Bound Artifact was damaged, it would often affect the cultivator themselves. If a Sword Cultivator's sword was damaged, the consequences would be even more severe than for an ordinary cultivator—light injuries at best, death at worst. Moreover, a Sword Cultivator's entire capability lay in their sword. If they lost their sword, even if they kept their life, their cultivation would mostly be crippled.
As for Qin Xi, although he used the Three Yang True Fire Sword as his Magical Treasure, he was far less dependent on it than a Sword Cultivator, and his strongest aspect was not his sword techniques. His Three Yang True Fire Sword possessed immense power, often leading people to mistakenly believe his sword techniques were formidable. But in fact, his true killing move was the Three Yang True Fire on the sword.
After explaining this to Mo Tiange, the Three Yang True Fire Sword in his hand erupted with a blazing red light, lunging towards the Heaven-Earth Fan.
Mo Tiange unfurled the Heaven-Earth Fan. The mountains and waters on it materialized into substance, completely surrounding the Three Yang True Fire Sword. Layer upon layer of mountains and waters pressed down. The sword charged left and right, but ultimately could not break through. At that moment, the sword's body suddenly blazed with intense red light—Qin Xi had formed a sword seal, and the Three Yang True Fire detached from the sword.
Mo Tiange grew frantic. She pressed the mountains and waters down, firmly pinning the sword body. However, there was no way to block the Three Yang True Fire anymore. She only felt an overwhelming, oppressive aura surge skyward, and her entire surroundings were enveloped.
Her Spiritual Qi circulated, and the Spiritual Qi Shield of the Hunyuan Yiqi Art lit up with radiance, but it too failed to block this wave of heat. It only held for a moment before the Spiritual Qi Shield was also burned away.
The instant the light shield shattered, Qin Xi flicked his arm, recalling the Three Yang True Fire Sword.
Mo Tiange stood still for a while, her mind and spirit slightly calming, and she also recalled the Heaven-Earth Fan.
Although she had known his Three Yang True Fire Sword was powerful before, she hadn't realized it was powerful in this way. His method was simple, hardly worthy of being called a technique. Yet, precisely because there was no technique, it was difficult to counter. This was a direct contest of raw strength. If one couldn't withstand his Three Yang True Fire, then defeat was inevitable. And he, with his body of pure Yang Spiritual Qi, after cultivation, the destructive power of his Three Yang True Fire surpassed even that of the Sun's True Fire.
"You don't need to be disheartened," Qin Xi said with a smile, seeing she hadn't spoken for a long time. "Not to mention that my Three Yang True Fire Sword has been nurtured for over a hundred years, just the gap in our cultivation levels alone... If I couldn't even defeat a cultivator who just formed their Core, wouldn't that be too pathetic?"
Mo Tiange snapped back to reality. It wasn't that she necessarily wanted to compete with Qin Xi for victory, but rather that she was suddenly shocked by witnessing his true strength. This also made her realize how far she still was from reaching the limits of power achievable at the Core Formation stage.
Thinking of this, she smiled, holding the Heaven-Earth Fan as she asked, "After testing it, what are your thoughts?"
Qin Xi thought for a moment and said, "From what I see now, your Heaven-Earth Fan has an extremely strong restraining effect on physical Magical Treasures. In the future, if you face Sword Cultivators, you likely won't be at a disadvantage. But against spells, the 'trapping' aspect hasn't been fully utilized yet.
Mo Tiange also knew that the Heaven-Earth Fan was originally a concept for a Magical Treasure conceived by Mo Yaoqing, lacking practical examples. How to use it still required her to explore on her own. Just this concept of 'trapping' could be used for both offense and defense—it wasn't something that could be fully understood in a short time.
"Alright, let's test its offensive effect now," Qin Xi said, waving his sleeve. The Three Yang True Fire Sword transformed into several sword rays that circled around him.
Mo Tiange nodded and unfurled the Heaven-Earth Fan once more. This time was completely different from before. A misty, watery aura rushed forth, and the mountains and waters instantly seemed to come alive. Even the flowers and birds within appeared vividly real.
Qin Xi was stunned for a moment—just that brief moment, and heaven and earth transformed. Looking around, he discovered the surrounding scenery was identical to the mountains and waters on the Heaven-Earth Fan, as if he himself had entered the painting.
Although he had known earlier that this was the Illusion Formation on the Heaven-Earth Fan, what he saw and heard before his eyes was indistinguishable from reality, and he was still somewhat shocked. For a newly forged Magical Treasure to possess such power was truly unexpected. Thinking of this, he furrowed his brows, looking around carefully, searching for flaws.
Outside the Illusion Formation, Mo Tiange saw Qin Xi within the formation turn around for a while, then seem to find something, revealing a smile. Then he deployed his sword formation, and a brilliant red light flourished. A force that felt indestructible emanated forth.
She hurriedly circulated her Spiritual Qi, attempting to suppress Qin Xi's counterattack. But the gap in their cultivation levels was obvious. Qin Xi's Three Yang True Fire slowly spread out, eventually engulfing all those mountains and waters.
This test ended in an even more crushing defeat than the last time. Last time, Qin Xi could see, so he could recall the Three Yang True Fire in time. This time, while breaking the formation, his vision was obscured. The Three Yang True Fire blazed forth, and Mo Tiange had no choice but to abandon her defensive stance, escaping the range of the Three Yang True Fire in a rather disheveled manner.
When the mountains and waters dispersed, Qin Xi recalled the Three Yang True Fire Sword. Seeing Mo Tiange standing there lost in thought, he asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Feeling discouraged?"
Mo Tiange turned her gaze, murmuring blankly, "Having a Magical Treasure alone isn't enough..."
Qin Xi smiled. The Three Yang True Fire vanished, returning to his dantian. He approached. "Of course, having a Magical Treasure alone isn't enough. We aren't Sword Cultivators who only need to cultivate their swords. We cultivate ourselves. If our own cultivation isn't strong, our strength will be weaker, and naturally, our Magical Treasures won't be as powerful either."
"Mm." Mo Tiange rallied her spirits, unfurling the Heaven-Earth Fan with a smile. "Regardless, a Magical Treasure like this is already extremely powerful. If I cultivate diligently, it will only grow stronger in the future."
"It's good that you understand." In terms of cultivation, Tian Ge's thinking was very close to his, and their personalities also had similarities, which made getting along very pleasant. Even if there were differences, they could slowly adapt them.
These five years, the two of them had lived here as if in seclusion. Sometimes, when he carefully recalled, he felt these days were almost dreamily perfect. Neither of them had intense personalities. Their companionship was as calm as water—like partners, like master and disciple or friends, occasionally filled with tender affection. He felt this was already sufficient.
Of course, they weren't without friction. Tian Ge was strong-willed, unwilling to rely on others. He often unconsciously acted dominantly in their relationship, and occasionally there were arguments. But afterwards, they would compromise with each other, accepting the other's views and ways.
Sometimes he thought, wasn't this the most perfect Dual Cultivation life he had envisioned? On the long road of immortality, if there was no one to accompany you, looking back would always feel somewhat lonely. Yet, being entangled in passionate love was not what he desired either. Like now, having someone to accompany him while still being able to focus on cultivation was truly the best possible scenario.
"What are you looking at?" Mo Tiange couldn't help but ask, feeling unnerved by his gentle, watery gaze.
Qin Xi smiled, suddenly reaching out to wrap his arm around her waist, holding her tight. "Let's... make a Blood Oath?"
Mo Tiange was stunned. "Huh?"
She knew what a Blood Oath was. It was a vow that mostly existed between Dao companions, similar to a spirit beast contract. Two people who made a Blood Oath could never harm each other. But one point where it differed from a spirit beast contract was that after making a Blood Oath, a kind of connection would exist between the two people. They would clearly know each other's well-being, whether good or bad, alive or dead.
Qin Xi said slowly, "I know... you definitely wouldn't be willing to always follow me. So, during occasional separations, if we have a Blood Oath between us, I can also know if you're well..."
"......" Mo Tiange was momentarily speechless. She knew this was his compromise, tacitly acknowledging her freedom.
Not receiving her answer, Qin Xi called again, "Tian Ge?"
Mo Tiange looked up, her smile brilliant. "Okay."
Making a Blood Oath was equivalent to a Dual Cultivation Ceremony, even more important than a Dual Cultivation Ceremony. Many Dual Cultivation Dao companions did not make a Blood Oath because most cultivators were suspicious by nature, not daring to lightly make such a vow that they could never shake off for life.
Therefore, having received Mo Tiange's agreement, Qin Xi was overjoyed. After thinking for a moment, he added, "But we can't be too casual about it either. How about we wait until we return and inform Master?" This conclusion was quickly rejected by himself. "No, we don't know when we'll be able to get out..."
Mo Tiange watched him in conflict alone, finding it amusing. "Is that necessary?"
"Of course. Making a Blood Oath should be treated more seriously than a Dual Cultivation Ceremony," Qin Xi said solemnly.
"But I think as long as the two of us are sincere, that's enough..."
"What you say is right too, but..." He looked ashamed. "That would be too unfair to you."
"Unfair how? Dual Cultivation isn't just your business alone." Mo Tiange held his fingers, saying seriously, "We aren't mortals. Why should we be bound by mortal rules?"
Qin Xi was stunned for a moment, not speaking. Although he had ascended Mount Taikang from a young age, he had, after all, grown up in a mortal prince's mansion. Some of his thoughts inevitably carried traces of the mortal world. For example, his unconscious dominance in their relationship.
Conversely, Mo Tiange, although she had stayed in the mortal world longer, was originally an ordinary village girl with limited experience. She had only heard about many things after arriving in Kunwu, so her thinking was closer to that of cultivators.
Pondering for a while, Qin Xi seemed to have an epiphany. He thought for a long time before finally saying, "Then... let's hold our own wedding?"
"Huh?" A wedding?
Qin Xi smiled, looking at her tenderly as he said, "What you said is right too. As long as the two of us are sincere, that's enough. However, I always feel that 'Dual Cultivation Ceremony' sounds too cold, as if it's only for cultivation... Since that's the case, let's hold a wedding for just the two of us, okay?"
How could Mo Tiange say no? What he was willing to give was even more than she had imagined.
She remembered when she was young in Mo Family Village, her eldest aunt always made Tian Qiao learn cooking and household management so she could marry into a good family later. She had also vaguely thought about marriage, but by then she had already embarked on the immortal path. Learning from books about the existence of the cultivation world, she thought that in the future, when she went to the cultivation world, she just needed to find someone with similar aspirations.
Later, arriving in Kunwu, following Second Uncle to many, many places, evading the fate of becoming a cultivation cauldron... She only focused on becoming stronger, not even daring to reveal her female identity. Where would she find the time to think about Dual Cultivation?
Then later, meeting him, although feelings secretly grew in her heart, she told herself not to dwell on hopeless matters, to just focus on cultivation.
Everything she had gained today was originally something she thought she could never obtain in her lifetime.
"Okay, I'll listen to you."