https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-316-Chess-Dao-Spiritual-Immersion-Part-2-/13450485/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-318-Bian-Ruxue-the-Holy-Maiden-Part-Three-Part-1-/13450489/
Chapter 317: Sole Self-Sword Intent
Chapter 317: Sole Self-Sword Intent
What is a game?
There are many types of games, such as Five-in-a-Row, Xiangqi, and others.
The game of Go, which Li Hao plays, is also known as Seated Concealment, Hand Talk, and Yì.
On the Chess Board, vertical and horizontal lines intersect to form grids. Stones are placed on these grids, and the game is played through the strategic connection of Go Stones. This is the layout on the Chess Board.
When one first delves into the Dao of Chess, they familiarize themselves with the rules. Those who enter the inner sanctum of the Dao of Chess place their stones with skill and precision, launching fierce attacks and making calculated sacrifices.
However, true masters of the Dao of Chess prioritize the overall momentum over individual stones. They no longer focus on capturing and killing stones but instead focus on building their own Chess Momentum.
Whether it's Xiangqi, Five-in-a-Row, or Go, the key is to accumulate and form a strong momentum!
When the tide turns, the winning move naturally follows, and nothing can stand in its way.
Previously, Li Hao's Sixth Rank Dao of Chess had already grasped the essence of Chess Momentum. However, he now realizes that relying solely on his own moves to build momentum is too obvious to seasoned players. True Chess Momentum is like a natural force, forming effortlessly on its own.
The moment the first stone is placed, the momentum is already there.
Each Go Stone has its own mission. Though they all appear white, some are strong while others are weak. Some white stones are like soldiers, while others are like generals, their momentum fierce and overwhelming!
Click!
Li Hao's white stone fell, penetrating deep into the black stones. Like a thunderclap, it connected and revitalized a group of white stones that were previously trapped and on the brink of defeat, piercing through the opponent's momentum like a sharp blade.
This move was incredibly insightful, almost indescribable in its brilliance, like a master strategist watching the clouds gather and disperse from a high vantage point.
Shi Huajin was taken aback. She held the black stone in her hand, hesitating to place it. After a moment, she sighed lightly and said:
"I concede."
She had intended to capture that cluster of white stones to expand her offensive. With this move blocked, she had already calculated that Li Hao's next few moves would put her at a disadvantage, breaking her Chess Momentum. Therefore, she chose to concede decisively.
In a match between experts, the outcome is clear and straightforward.
Amateurs, on the other hand, are unpredictable, and you never know what foolish or brilliant moves they might make until the very end.
Seeing her concede, Li Hao emerged from his state of enlightenment, picked up his white stone, and said, "Another round?"
"No, I haven't refined my elixir yet today. You need to help me extract the essence."
Shi Huajin said with a hint of irritation.
"Sure, no problem."
Li Hao smiled and stood up to accompany her to the Alchemy Room.
On the way, he glanced at his Panel and couldn't help but smile at the latest notification.
Soon, using Cooking to extract the essence, Li Hao helped Shi Huajin refine all the medicinal materials she needed.
He then sat outside, waiting without observing the process. This left Shi Huajin feeling somewhat frustrated. As a Senior Alchemist, many alchemists would dream of the opportunity to observe her work. Watching a Senior Alchemist perform alchemy was a privilege akin to being a direct disciple.
But she freely offered this opportunity to Li Hao, who showed little interest.
She called over her disciple to assist her instead.
Li Hao found a quiet branch outside the Alchemy Room, lying down to rest while checking his Panel.
Dao of Chess, Seventh Rank.
Mindset: Dao of Chess into Spirit (Usable).
Li Hao smiled, without hesitation, and chose to apply this Mindset to his Sword Dao.
Soon, his Sword Dao, which had been stuck at the Sixth Rank bottleneck for a long time, finally broke through.
Sword Dao, Seventh Rank!
A flood of Sword Dao information surged into his mind, and Li Hao closed his eyes to absorb it all.
Reaching the Seventh Rank in Sword Dao, he found it to have a similar essence to the Dao of Chess. Originally, his sword techniques had been exquisitely refined to the pinnacle. Now, it was all about the sword's momentum!
No longer bound by specific techniques, his sword moved with his heart, and his heart moved with his will!
Every casual swing was a secret technique, and every casual strike could unleash the strongest sword move!
The various Sword Arts in his Panel were also evolving, simplifying and refining.
After a long while, Li Hao slowly opened his eyes, having fully digested and absorbed all the insights from his Sword Dao. He suddenly recalled his previous battle with Jiang Lidust. Although he had won, the other's Sword Art had already surpassed his, reaching the top level of Seventh Rank Sword Dao. His sword was a reflection of his heart, possessing a maddening momentum.
With Ultimate Mastery Realm cultivation, one can split a Dao Domain. If one were to advance further, reaching the Eighth Rank of Sword Dao, even a tenth-level Dao Domain could be split, right?
Li Hao's eyes gleamed with light. The Seventh Rank of Sword Dao was already at the level of a Mortal Sword Saint, capable of cutting through thousands of troops with a flick of a flower, with a sword momentum as brilliant as a rainbow. However, for his current cultivation, such a Sword Art was not enough.
Recalling the Sword Art Lin Qingying had demonstrated in the courtyard earlier, Li Hao now realized that what seemed like a simple practice was actually much deeper, even transcending mere sword momentum, with its own unique style and intent. Her Sword Dao was beyond the Seventh Rank!
Li Hao silently thought to himself and added points.
Soon, his Sword Dao rapidly ascended from the Seventh Rank to the Eighth Rank!
A flood of information surged into his mind, and Li Hao felt as if he had fallen into an ocean of Sword Dao, swimming and practicing within it.
After a long while.
Li Hao finally came to his senses from his enlightenment, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.
The Seventh Rank of Sword Dao was about momentum, while the Eighth Rank was about intent!
Intent was more refined than momentum; momentum was the surface, and intent was the core.
Perhaps influenced by his own Dao Heart, Li Hao's Sword Intent was relatively simple: to cut through whatever he wished to cut.
Everything in the world could be cut, and wherever his heart led, his sword would follow!
Li Hao named this Sword Intent "Sole Self."
Having grasped Sword Intent, Li Hao reviewed the Sword Art he had used in his battle with Jiang Lidust. He immediately felt that the other party was still stuck at the surface level of sword momentum. If they were to fight again, he could easily break his opponent's momentum and cut his sword, defeating him with a casual swing.
Li Hao then recalled Lin Qingying's Sword Art, and a clear understanding appeared in his eyes. She was indeed at the Eighth Rank of Sword Dao. The slow, deliberate practice of her Sword Art was a combination of momentum and intent, using intent to drive momentum. Her Sword Intent was Utmost Softness.
"Utmost Softness is Utmost Hardness; Utmost Softness cannot be broken..."
Li Hao's eyes flickered, wondering if his Sole Self Sword Intent could cut through her Utmost Softness Sword Intent.
Without a real confrontation, it was impossible to determine who was stronger.
Li Hao's gaze fell on the panel, and he tried to add points again.
[Point addition failed, please choose a Dao Heart]
As expected...
Li Hao sighed inwardly. Just like Flesh Dao, it seemed he needed to advance a certain Artistic Skill to the Ninth Rank.
Currently, the only Artistic Skill he had at the Ninth Rank was Cooking.
Now that Chess Dao had surpassed the Spiritual Immersion threshold of the Dao Sect, he could continue to accumulate experience, but the pace of accumulation was slow and required external conditions, such as finding someone to play against.
In comparison, Art Dao could be practiced alone, allowing for rapid experience accumulation.
" Ninth Rank of Sword Dao... This is the level that Sages typically master."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. The Ninth Rank of Flesh Dao corresponded to the Enlightened Realm, so the Tenth Rank would be Ascension.
The same applied to Sword Dao. At the Tenth Rank, one could take the path of Sacrificial Dao to Sagehood, breaking through the Saintly Path barrier with Sword Dao and ascending directly through the sword!
This path was the most difficult. Even Sword Saints from the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary might take the path of Incense Offering to Sagehood, meaning their Sword Dao Realm would still be at the Ninth Rank, not the Tenth.
It might seem unworthy of their Sword Saint title, but reaching the Ninth Rank of Sword Dao was already one in a billion, extremely challenging.
Reaching the ninth rank means entering the Sword Dao. Most Martial Artists, except for a few obsessed individuals, focus on advancing their Cultivation Realms. Even among prodigies, only a few can step into the Enlightened Realm, and it's even rarer to comprehend the Sword Dao to the point of entry. It requires an immense amount of dedication and effort.
Even if there are such individuals, they are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, mostly at the Semi-Saint level.
Understanding this, Li Hao refocused his thoughts. After a series of battles, his various Artistic Skills had fallen significantly behind. If three of his Artistic Skills could reach the ninth rank and enter the Sword Dao, his strength would improve to an unimaginable degree.
At this moment, Li Hao noticed that Shi Huajin had finished refining his Elixir.
He jumped down from the branch, greeted Shi Huajin at the Alchemy Room, and then wandered back to Lin Shanhai's Alchemy Courtyard.
The distance between them was only a thousand miles, and within a few hundred miles, there were mostly only his Alchemist's Apprentice Disciples and servants. The environment was quite peaceful and comfortable.
Alchemists often need to study their own formulas, and a quiet environment is indeed necessary.
"Back already, you seem to be in a good mood today."
Lin Shanhai smiled when he saw Li Hao return.
Li Hao glanced around the courtyard and saw Lin Qingying practicing her sword, as usual.
She showed no reaction to his arrival, continuing to focus on her practice.
Li Hao didn't disturb her, instead walking around the veranda to sit next to the old man who was tasting herbs.
"Beat her a few times", he said, plopping down.
"You, huh..."
Lin Shanhai sighed. Over the past few days, he had heard about Li Hao's deeds from his old friends. Li Hao had helped them purify herbs without asking for anything in return, refusing both the Elixirs they offered and the Elixir Formulas.
Lin Shanhai didn't know whether Li Hao had some concerns or was genuinely uninterested.
But after spending time with Li Hao, he felt that this young man's mindset was indeed quite unique, different from anyone he had met before.
"Oh, by the way, I brought you some Five-Tone Tea while I was there."
Li Hao seemed to remember something and took a packet of tea from his Heavenly Earth Space, handing it to Lin Shanhai.
Lin Shanhai was taken aback, quickly accepting it. He had no other hobbies besides alchemy, and he loved a good cup of tea.
"Wow, she gave you Five-Tone Tea? It seems the old lady really likes you. I've asked her many times, but she never gave me any. Hundreds of years of friendship, and I'm still not as favored as you!"
Lin Shanhai opened the packet, confirming it was Five-Tone Tea, his eyes gleaming as he said this.
Li Hao couldn't help but glance at him and said, "Is it possible that she doesn't give it to you for reasons other than friendship?"
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe you should try a different way of addressing her."
"Old lady? I've called her that for hundreds of years. How else am I supposed to call her?"
"..."
Li Hao couldn't help but look at him. If calling her that for hundreds of years hadn't gotten him killed, it indeed showed a deep bond.
Lin Shanhai also realized this and looked at Li Hao with suspicion. "Women don't like being reminded of their age. How do you call her?"
"Master Sister."
Li Hao said this calmly, without a hint of embarrassment.
"..."
Lin Shanhai stared at him. "You're really daring. She could be your great-grandmother, and you call her 'Master Sister'? That's too flirtatious!"
"She told me to call her that", Li Hao said.
"..."
Lin Shanhai was speechless.
Li Hao shrugged slightly, not saying more. His gaze fell on the courtyard, where the cold and graceful figure was practicing her sword.
Now, when he watched her practice, Li Hao could fully understand her movements.
"This sword stroke is a bit too soft."
When he saw her sword movement become too gentle at one point, Li Hao couldn't help but shake his head.
He hadn't tested her in other areas, so he didn't know if it could cut, but he was sure he could sever that particular stroke. She was pursuing the Utmost Softness, but if she overdid it, it would become scattered.
"Hmm?"
Li Hao's voice was light, but the woman in the courtyard stopped her practice.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
