The Worried Old Father
Qin Changqing frowned slightly and scolded, "Foolish! So what if others have better treasures? That's their fortune, their opportunity. How can you think like that? This is just a friendly sect spar. If you were out in the real world facing life-or-death battles, would you whine that your enemy's treasure is too good?"
His words hit Qin Qiming like a thunderbolt from the five heavens, leaving the boy stunned on the spot.
Yeah... If he ran into a powerful foe outside, would they just set aside their superior treasure for a "fair" fight?
Of course not.
A treasure was part of their strength, plain and simple.
His mindset had been off. Realizing this, Qin Qiming's face flushed red with shame. He bowed his head and said, "Master is right! I've been hung up on a foolish obsession!"
Seeing his son come to his senses, Qin Changqing nodded with relief. "Disciple, treasures are ultimately external things. What matters most for a cultivator? It's your cultivation and your combat techniques. Clearly, your swordsmanship isn't strong enough yet. With your talent, even if your opponent's treasure was a bit better, you shouldn't have lost at the same realm!"
"The way of the sword is vast and profound. It's not just about clashing spiritual power head-on—that's no different from mortals brawling. Remember: Let him be as strong as he wants, like a breeze brushing the hillside. Let him rage as he will, like the moon shining over the river. Learn to spot your enemy's flaws. Respond to endless changes with stillness, break brute force with finesse. That's the essence of the sword..."
Qin Qiming listened intently, nodding excitedly the whole time.
Master was incredible! A few casual words, and they brimmed with profound truths of the Dao!
In just this short while, he already felt his swordsmanship insight advance a little.
Qin Changqing's heart ached at the sight of his son's injured shoulder. He pulled out a bottle of healing spirit pills and handed it over. "These sect tournaments don't mean much. They're all fellow disciples—no one goes for the kill. And showing off too much? No real upside, just invites jealousy and schemes. The cultivation world is survival of the fittest, crises everywhere. Focus on training, boost your cultivation. Once you're strong enough, few things will scare you!"
Qin Qiming knew his master was looking out for him. Deeply moved, he said, "Master is right. This disciple will keep it in mind!"
Qin Changqing glanced at the damaged longsword in his son's hand, pondered for a moment, then fished a crescent-shaped purple flying sword from his storage pouch. It was a gift from a Golden Core fairy.
"Take this flying sword. But remember—no needless fights or showing off."
Qin Qiming took it, blinking in surprise.
This flying sword was gorgeous, like a curved moon with shimmering purple starlight.
"Master, this seems like a sword for female cultivators. If this disciple uses it..."
He hesitated. Wielding something so pretty might earn him mockery.
Qin Changqing felt a pang of helplessness inside.
It wasn't that he wouldn't give his son a "normal" treasure—the ones he had were all gifts from various fairies, and some were even prettier. This one was already among the better ones.
Of course, he didn't say that. Instead, he chided lightly, "What did I just tell you? Treasures are external. Don't fuss over appearances. A treasure's power depends on the wielder! Your sword style is fierce but lacks flexibility. That's why I'm giving you this—to teach you the way of yin and softness. Balance rigidity and flexibility; that's the true path!"
"Besides, this is just for sword practice. Once you master the sword Dao, everything around you can become your blade!"
So that's it!
Qin Qiming suddenly understood.
Every move Master made had profound meaning!
Everything as a sword? The thought thrilled him.
"This disciple was blind!" Ashamed, Qin Qiming said, "Master, rest assured. I'll study and cultivate it diligently, live up to your teachings!"
"Good!"
Qin Changqing smiled, patted his shoulder gently, and said warmly, "Cultivate well. Master’s off!"
With that, white light enveloped him, and he vanished in an instant.
Qin Changqing's departure left Qin Qiming a bit forlorn. He really liked this master, but he always came and went in a flash, never lingering for long chats.
I have to train hard, can't let Master down! Qin Qiming vowed silently.
He immediately began refining the sword his master had given him. Moments later, shock bloomed on his face. "This... it's a top-grade spirit treasure!"
At his current realm, using a top-grade treasure was extravagant. And Master had just handed it over casually, just for sword practice.
Master's intentions ran deep!
"Master is just too amazing..." Qin Qiming's admiration for Qin Changqing reached new heights.
——
Your daughter Qin Mengxue is exploring an abandoned cultivation cave abode.
A flash of light, and Qin Changqing appeared in his room. He sighed softly.
Son, cherish them well. These spirit treasures? Daddy earned them with his body!
He pulled up the activity log again.
After a moment's thought, he activated teleportation once more.
Amid towering mountains and steep ridges, Qin Mengxue clutched a jade slip in one hand for reference while flying swiftly on her treasure.
She'd stumbled on this jade slip by chance. It recorded a cultivation cave abode, and during her sect mission, she'd detoured here to check if it was real.
"This is the spot!"
Qin Mengxue hovered before a massive waterfall. Silver torrents roared down, thunderous crashes echoing endlessly.
"Looks like it's behind the waterfall..."
She pondered, cast a water-repelling talisman over herself, and charged straight in on her treasure.
Not far off, Qin Changqing—who had activated stealth—stomped anxiously. "This girl, so reckless! No scouting first? What if there's danger inside?!"
He hurried after her.
Behind the waterfall was just a smooth stone wall. No cave in sight.
Unwilling to give up, Qin Mengxue swept her divine sense carefully and finally spotted the clue.
The entrance was masked by a formation array. Without breaking it, no entry.
Watching his daughter rack her brains to crack the array, Qin Changqing simply flew right through the wall.
The system's stealth ignored formations entirely.
But inside, he was greatly disappointed.
It was indeed a senior cultivator's cave abode, but the owner was long gone, and nothing worthwhile remained.
"Mengxue will be so let down..." Qin Changqing thought, then left behind some healing pills, talismans, and even a spirit treasure. These were meant for his kids anyway—this was a perfect chance.