It is precisely the unique nature of the Dao Source that, even though there are Taoist arts comparable to divine skills within the Dao Source Realm, the overall environnt still tends to resemble a secular world without cultivators.
In the Dao Source Realm, the concept of cultivation is almost non-existent.
What prevails here is martial arts, which emphasize combat and conflict.
A little thought reveals the reason: the effects of Taoist arts vary, and not all are offensive in nature.
Or it can be said that most Taoist arts are rely supportive.
Those who specialize in Dao Source often cannot compete against those skilled in martial arts.
Through natural selection, martial arts have beco widely practiced.
Longevity is rare in the Dao Source Realm, with most beings being re mortals.
Combat in the Dao Source Realm also primarily relies on martial techniques with Taoist arts as support.
"Is the Power of the Mountains and Seas a Taoist art?" Lu Qingshan murmured softly.
At this mont, if he hasn't connected the Power of the Mountains and Seas with Taoist arts, he truly would be blinded by ignorance.
"But... why?"
Why does the Power of the Mountains and Seas have a connection with the Taoist arts of the Dao Source Realm?
Is it inherently from this place, or is it due to so serendipitous coincidence?
...
"What a strange world." Lu Qingshan found this world curious.
Though strange, it posed no problem for him as a Sword Cultivator to integrate into this world.
If a Dharma Cultivation practitioner ca to the Dao Source Realm and had their mana sealed, they would truly be no better than a featherless phoenix.
This thought amused Lu Qingshan.
If the cultivation system of the Dao Source Realm is peculiar, then its geography is equally so.
As he observed when he first arrived, the entire Dao Source Realm is composed of countless mountain peaks.
Of course, the natives of the Dao Source Realm gave it a pleasing na.
"Three Thousand Great Mountains."
—Not that pleasant a na, as similar nas in the Sky Do Heaven usually start at ten thousand.
Cultivators find three thousand too small-minded!
The difference is that in the Sky Do Heaven, ten thousand mountains are taphorical, while in the Dao Source Realm, the three thousand mountains may indeed consist of three thousand peaks.
Lu Qingshan let out a long breath.
In the Dao Source Realm, every mountain peak hosts a nation.
He is currently within Yuan Peak, Yuan Nation, Yuan Capital.
Three thousand peaks, three thousand nations.
Compared to the Sky Do Heaven, the Dao Source Realm is much smaller, spanning only about ten thousand miles and divided roughly into four regions: east, west, south, and north. Rivers traverse the gaps between mountains.
Is there an inexplicable connection between the Dao Source Realm and Sky Do Heaven, or is it a small world within the Sky Do?
After all, the Dao Source Realm is too small to possibly be one of the Nine Heavens.
Furthermore, his Power of the Mountains and Seas is recognized by the rules of the Dao Source Realm.
However, this question is not Lu Qingshan's concern at the mont.
What matters most now is to follow the clues given by Qin Yitian and pursue her trail.
Fortunately, Qin City, ntioned by Qin Yitian, is not hard to find.
Because in the Dao Source Realm, although there are three thousand countries, only nine are truly great nations.
State of Qin, Wilderness Country, Han Country, Zhao Country, ng Country, Yan Country, Qi Country, Chu Country, Wei Country.
Qin City is the capital of the State of Qin.
Unfortunately, the nine great nations are all located in the northern border of the Dao Source Realm, while the Yuan Nation is situated in the southern border.
Though the Dao Source Realm is small, the north and south are separated by ten thousand miles.
A distance of ten thousand miles, if his mana were still present, would be just a tenth of a sorsault, as the saying goes.
But the problem is, his mana is gone.
"First, a good horse is needed... no, make that two." Lu Qingshan had no intention of embarking on a ten thousand mile trek on foot.
......
The Dao Source Realm is said to be composed of mountain peaks, but the peaks in this realm are vastly different from the typical perception of mountains.
The peaks here are extrely wide and flat, more like floating plains than mountain peaks, in Lu Qingshan's view.
Therefore, the Dao Source Realm does not lack for good horses.
Eight hundred miles south of Yuan Capital lies a vast ranch, a legacy of two hundred and fifty years.
Lu Qingshan's gaze was sharp, glinting with brilliance.
Not long after entering Yuan Capital, Lu Qingshan departed and headed south.
Although he was eager to reach Qin City, he understood well the principle of sharpening one's tools, so he worked quickly yet steadily, thodically.
......
On the fourth day, Lu Qingshan arrived at his destination.
The bustling spots of the gobi grasslands, the lush green of pine and cypress, galloping fine horses, and flags fluttering everywhere, each bearing a prominently embroidered 'Ma' character.
This ranch belonged to the Ma Family, one of the three noble families of the Yuan Nation.
Generations of the Ma Family controlled every area and every fine horse, claiming that every blade of grass here bore the surna Ma.
Lu Qingshan's steps were light as he descended in front of the wooden-fenced gate of the ranch.
Imdiately, a guard responsible for the ranch ca up to greet him.
"Who goes there?"
"Soone looking to buy a horse," Lu Qingshan said with a smile, "I want the best horse."
......
The hall was resplendent, with all its decorations exceptionally luxurious.
"I am Ma Hong. May I have the honor of knowing your esteed na?" asked a middle-aged man. His face was dark, his voice resonated like a bell, and his beard was trimd very neatly. He was the manager of the horse ranch.
He looked at the young man before him with suspicion and uncertainty.
The young man had an extraordinary bearing and spoke with great confidence, imdiately demanding the best horse. Yet, he seed unfamiliar, unlike any of the notable youths from Yuan Nation he knew.
Could he be from another country?
"Lu Qingshan."
"Is Young Master Lu from Marquis State?" Ma Hong tentatively ntioned the na of a neighboring country.
"My origins are not your concern. I'm here to buy a horse. You only need to bring out the best horse from your ranch," Lu Qingshan replied lazily.
If it were a different ti or place, Ma Hong would likely have taught any young man a lesson who dared speak to him this way.
However, he wasn't foolish. He could see the young man before him was confident and fearless.
As a businessman, the most important principle is to avoid trouble, so Ma Hong temporarily overlooked Lu Qingshan's rudeness.
He waved his hand and instructed his n, "Bring the young adult Ferghana horse to Young Master Lu."
"I want two," Lu Qingshan interjected.
For high-intensity travel, two horses were always used alternately.
Ma Hong was montarily stunned but quickly reacted, "Also bring that buckskin horse the Hong Family ordered last month to Young Master Lu."
He spoke loudly, clearly trying to curry favor with Lu Qingshan, but to his disappointnt, the other showed no response.
Before long, the two precious horses were brought over by the stable hands.
Both horses were well-proportioned and tall, their coats shimring with luster. The most noticeable feature was their necks draped with long, flowing manes—one jet black, exuding strength and dignity; the other golden-red, glowing like flas.
Ma Hong's eyes showed unconcealed pride, "These two horses are exceedingly rare. Even in our Ma Family ranch, it takes years to produce one."
Lu Qingshan leapt onto the Ferghana horse, clamped his legs, and could feel the robust muscles of the horse beneath him.
"Indeed, not bad," he nodded in praise.
"How much?" Lu Qingshan asked again.
Ma Hong's eyes glead, "Horses of this caliber can't be asured by money and are generally not for sale...."
Before Ma Hong could finish his sentence, Lu Qingshan clamped his legs, uttered a light shout, tossed sothing, and rode off with two horses.
"No change needed," Lu Qingshan's voice drifted on the wind.
Ma Hong was stunned, instinctively looking at the object Lu Qingshan had thrown into his arms.
It was a booklet, with the words "Qingshan Sword Technique" prominently written on it, clearly not a printed item but handwritten.
The script was wild and flamboyant, hinting at the unrestrained character of its author.
At the bottom right corner of the cover was a number "one," alongside the large words "Authored by Lu Qingshan."
Below that, in smaller text, were two lines.
"Heartfelt recomndation by the world's number one swordsman Xie Qingyun."
"A must-read for any aspiring swordsman!"
Hong Tao's face twitched.
Who was Xie Qingyun, the so-called world's number one swordsman? Why hadn't he heard of him?
Moreover, real martial arts manuals were well-bound, not crudely made with self-praise.
"Qingshan Sword Technique," nad after oneself, and "one," does it an there are two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine more?
Two invaluable horses, and this kid wants to take them with a randomly compiled "martial arts manual"?
Did he really think my Ma Family was easy to bully because I was polite?
A surge of anger rose in Ma Hong's heart.
However, whether out of curiosity or sothing else, he instinctively flipped through the "Qingshan Sword Technique" in his hand.
In the next mont, Ma Hong's pupils dilated and he quickly browsed through the booklet with incredulity.
The Ma Family is one of the three major noble families in Yuan Nation and renowned for martial arts. As the horse ranch manager, Ma Hong naturally wasn't bad at martial arts and had keen insight. At this mont, he could see the profound skill in the book's sword technique.
For a mont, he forgot his earlier anger, filled only with unparalleled amazent, deeply imrsed in it.
After a long ti, Ma Hong finally ca to his senses, "Marvelous, simply marvelous!"
This set of sword techniques had far surpassed any he had seen before, as if soaring and untouchable.
With such a sword technique, let alone two precious horses, there would be many willing to trade a hundred horses for it.
After all, a fine horse is temporary, but a sword technique manual can be passed down for generations.
"What kind of person could compile such a sword technique?" Ma Hong murmured.
Evidently, he didn't believe the sword technique was truly written by Lu Qingshan; he just thought it was the young man's joke.
.....
Two precious horses galloped away from the Ma Family ranch.
The so-called "Qingshan Sword Technique One" was rely a few pages Lu Qingshan had casually jotted down while on the way, to serve as paynt for the horses.
However, his Sword Dao, even when casually done, was utterly profound to this world.
The precious horses truly lived up to their na, covering a thousand miles by day, eight hundred at night.
With two horses, switching horses without changing riders, except for stopping to feed the horses and rest, he never halted, heading north.
In just ten days, he had traveled over five thousand miles and was nearing the Northern Border, soon to leave the South Border.
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