Qin Li was recently overwhelmed with worry. The Mao and Li Families had been launching continuous assaults on the Qin Family Enterprise, leaving the Qin Family struggling to defend itself and losing significant market share.

The opposing side had introduced weapons imbued with Sword Intent, which were being fervently sought after by martial artists. The Qin Family had no means to counter this, and now the entire Lin'an City was abuzz with talk that the Qin Family's weapons were inferior to those of the Li Family.

Such rumors were dangerous. The Qin Family's weapons had always attracted martial artists with their quality, but they were also more expensive to make and sell. If their reputation collapsed and everyone believed the Li Family's weapons were superior, who would buy from the Qin Family? Lowering prices was not an option either, as the Li Family had lower costs, and engaging in a price war would spell doom for the Qin Family.

"Damn it, the Li Family has never excelled in weapon forging, but they've somehow found skilled individuals. Not only has the quality of their weapons improved significantly, which we could still contend with, but their weapons are also nourished by Sword Intent, making ours pale in comparison."

Qin Li sensed a significant crisis. He suspected that the Mao and Li Families had ulterior motives beyond merely suppressing the Qin Family's business, perhaps even aiming to carve up the Qin Family entirely.

"Lord Qin, the newly forged swords have arrived," a servant's voice interrupted Qin Li's thoughts.

Qin Li snapped back to reality and looked at the servant carrying the box. "What did the swordsmith say?"

"The quality is a step above previous works. In terms of quality alone, they're definitely the best swords in Lin'an City. However, when it comes to swords imbued with Sword Intent... they're uncertain and said Lord Qin should inspect them to be sure," the servant replied.

Qin Li sighed. The swordsmith's words indicated they had little hope.

Qin Li could already predict this outcome. Weapons nourished by Martial Intent were difficult to surpass with the Qin Family's craftsmanship alone.

"Give the swordsmith some extra compensation and tell them I'm not blaming them. This isn't their fault..."

Qin Li descended the stairs, instructing the servant to convey his message while reaching for a sword in the box.

But before his hand touched the sword, his pupils contracted sharply, and his voice halted abruptly. He then swiftly grabbed the sword from the box.

As he wielded the sword, a fierce aura erupted from it. He could feel the power surging through the blade, harmonizing with it.

"Sword Intent!" Qin Li exclaimed in disbelief.

Weapons nourished by Martial Intent were superior because they carried some of the effects of Martial Intent, such as the sharpness of Sword Intent.

More importantly, Martial Intent was also Dao Intent. A weapon imbued with Dao Intent naturally harmonized better with the forces of the world, meaning it aligned more closely with a martial artist's power.

"How is this possible?" Qin Li couldn't believe it. He tried another sword and felt the same sensation. He was now certain these swords were imbued with Sword Intent, and not just any Sword Intent, but a remarkable one.

Qin Li's breath quickened as he urgently asked the servant, "Did the swordsmith comprehend Sword Intent?"

The servants were bewildered, staring blankly at Qin Li.

Qin Li realized that it was unlikely for the swordsmith to have comprehended Sword Intent. He recalled recently instructing the Qin Family to find martial artists with Martial Intent. Could it be that they had found someone?

"Did you find a martial artist with Sword Intent? Haha, are you trying to surprise me?" Qin Li laughed.

"Lord Qin, do you mean these swords have been nourished by Sword Intent?" the servant asked in confusion.

"Hahaha, you're still pretending. Quickly bring the martial artist with Sword Intent here, and I will certainly express my gratitude," Qin Li laughed heartily.

"Lord Qin, perhaps there's a misunderstanding? The Qin Family hasn't found a martial artist with Sword Intent. These swords were delivered right after being forged and haven't been nourished by any martial artist with Sword Intent," the servant cautiously explained.

Qin Li frowned slightly. "Are you telling the truth?"

"How could we dare deceive Lord Qin?" the servant replied.

"Then what's with the Sword Intent?" Qin Li asked.

"Um... Lord Qin... is there really Sword Intent?" the servant questioned doubtfully.

Qin Li scrutinized them, convinced they weren't lying. However, he was also certain he hadn't mistaken the Sword Intent. So what was going on? Could it be that the swords were forged with Sword Intent?

"You said they were brought over right after being forged?" Qin Li asked.

"Yes, because Lord Qin was in a hurry. Except for the brief moment when Xu Wuzhou stopped us and took two swords, we didn't delay at all."

Qin Li frowned. Could it really be that the swords were forged with Sword Intent? As for Xu Wuzhou, although he was annoyed by his actions, he dismissed it. Xu Wuzhou often did such things, just to snatch some items to exchange for money. Besides, a brief moment wouldn't be enough to nourish the swords.

Nourishing a sword with Sword Intent required time unless the Sword Intent was extremely formidable, in which case it might be possible to nourish it in an instant. But Xu Wuzhou certainly couldn't possess such power.

After pondering for a moment, Qin Li said, "I'll go check the swordsmith's workshop. Also, make good use of these swords to catch the Li Family off guard."

With that, Qin Li took a sword and hurriedly headed to the swordsmith's workshop.

***

Xu Wuzhou was unaware of all this as he wandered around the Qin Manor.

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Of course, the two swords had yielded him ten drops of liquid, making Xu Wuzhou wish he could swallow all those swords. Indeed, the effect of those meticulously forged metals was better.

As he walked, Xu Wuzhou didn't forget to scavenge for metal.

The two iron rings on the main gate, pried off;

A copper mirror in a room, taken away;

A few bells under the eaves, removed;

A row of kitchen knives, borrowed;

***

After a round of scavenging, there were twenty drops of blood-colored liquid in the black bowl.

"Not bad, twenty drops are enough to elevate me to the Fifth Layer of Vital Energy and Blood. If I swallow the ones in the armory, I'll have enough for the Ninth Layer."

"However, the Ninth Layer of Vital Energy and Blood might not be enough for the Grand Competition," Xu Wuzhou muttered. "Ten thousand taels of silver, I can't let someone else have it. I need to further improve my strength. I wonder if the liquid in the black bowl can directly break through the bottleneck to the Postnatal Realm.

Hmm, I should also find out what cultivation realms those clan descendants in the Grand Competition are at."

With these thoughts, Xu Wuzhou leisurely made his way to the Martial Hall. After a day, the initial unfamiliarity and confusion of arriving in this world had diminished significantly.

By now, Xu Wuzhou had adjusted his mindset. Since he was in this world, he would follow its rules.

Who doesn't want to live well? But in this world, to live well, one must be strong.

---

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