Chapter 77: A Master Only Imparts Principles, Not Techniques

Chapter 77: A Master Only Imparts Principles, Not Techniques (End of Chapter)

There was only a small booklet and two spirit crystals in the bag, with no other items to be found.

Li Xuan's face fell in disappointment.

Xue Wuxin was quite the pauper.

He cursed in his mind, "You, a demonic cultivator, actually didn't plunder any treasures before fleeing to the borderlands. What a waste! Getting yourself turned to ash is what you deserve!"

Glancing at the ordinary bag, he tossed it aside.

"I wonder if there are any storage artifacts like bags in the Inner Domain."

He sighed inwardly. Should he find a disciple talented in artifact refinement and teach them a set of refinement techniques, so they could eventually refine storage artifacts for him?

"But I don't know artifact refinement myself, so it would be challenging to fabricate a technique. I'd need to go to the Inner Domain and study their refinement methods to create a perfect set of techniques."

"Only in the Inner Domain would there be such monstrously talented refiners, I suppose." Li Xuan pondered.

However, artifact refinement wasn't a priority for strengthening himself, so he decided to put it off for now and search for such a talent later if possible.

He kept the spirit crystals and turned his attention to the blood-red booklet.

Opening it, four large characters leaped out at him:

"Blood Devil Scripture!"

It was clearly a demonic cultivation technique.

But Li Xuan wasn't bothered by that. He intended to use it only as a reference to understand the martial arts of the Inner Domain, not for cultivation.

"This is only a fragment?"

Li Xuan was surprised.

The Blood Devil Scripture was incomplete, having lost a portion of its content. Only a fragment remained.

Even so, Xue Wuxin had cultivated it to the Grand Master realm, and it could even bring him to the Great Grand Master realm.

So, if the complete Blood Devil Scripture were cultivated, could one surpass the Great Grand Master realm?

As Li Xuan flipped through the Blood Devil Scripture, he confirmed that it was indeed a demonic cultivation technique, focusing on devouring and refining essence blood to strengthen oneself.

The purer and more vigorous the essence blood, the greater the improvement.

This was why Xue Wuxin had targeted Meng Chong.

The scripture also recorded a secret technique unique to the Blood Devil Scripture: Blood Devouring Silk, used for devouring essence blood.

"This is quite an interesting technique."

Li Xuan was intrigued as the Blood Devil Scripture gave him some inspiration.

For example, the essence blood devouring technique and the Blood Devouring Silk.

Of course, he wouldn't create an essence blood devouring technique himself, but he could use it as a reference to devise something even more remarkable and upright.

"My new martial arts system is starting to take shape."

After perusing the Blood Devil Scripture, Li Xuan had some ideas.

In addition to the physical martial arts, he had conceived a new martial arts cultivation system, although it was still imperfect and only an idea for now.

Moreover, he would need to find a suitable person to comprehend it.

"The Blood Devil Scripture is considered a powerful demonic cultivation technique in the Inner Domain, and Xue Wuxin is no weakling among Grand Masters... However, the Blood Devil Scripture is a yin-evil type of technique, which would be countered by the Qi Blood realm."

The Qi Blood realm's fiery essence could counter the yin-evil energy of the Blood Devil Scripture.

If cultivators of the same realm were to fight, a martial artist cultivating the Blood Devil Scripture would be countered at every turn.

"However, Qi Blood is also extremely alluring to them."

This was why Xue Wuxin had craved Meng Chong's essence blood and why he desired Xu Yan's as well.

The essence blood of Qi Blood realm cultivators was more vigorous and pure than that of Inner Domain cultivators, making it a supreme treasure for demonic cultivators of the Blood Devil Scripture.

After thoroughly studying the Blood Devil Scripture, Li Xuan memorized its contents word for word.

With a thought, the Blood Devil Scripture turned to powder and vanished.

This demonic cultivation technique couldn't be left behind. If he ever forgot about it or left it unattended, and someone from the borderlands found it, a demonic cultivator might appear.

Although the borderlands couldn't produce martial artists, one could still enhance their strength by devouring essence blood with the Blood Devil Scripture.

While the limit imposed by the dissipation of heavenly earth spirit energy prevented breaking through to higher realms, one's strength could still be elevated to that of a fifth or sixth-rank martial artist from the Inner Domain.

This would undoubtedly be a calamity for the borderlands.

Now that he had memorized the technique, Li Xuan felt relieved only after destroying it.

...

In the mountains outside Yunshan County.

Li Xuan stood with one hand behind his back, gazing into the distant sky.

Xu Yan held his sword respectfully behind him.

"Disciple, remember that I, your master, impart principles, not techniques. Thus, what I pass on to you is the Sword Dao, not sword techniques..."

Li Xuan plucked a branch from a tree and held it in his hand. "As I've repeatedly emphasized, cultivation lies in comprehension and grasping the true meaning within. The Sword Dao is the same. Watch closely."

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan's heart raced with excitement.

Li Xuan pointed the branch, and with a 'pu' sound, a burst of true qi shot out, leaving a gaping hole in a nearby tree.

Xu Yan's eyes widened in shock. "Master's sword technique... no, Sword Dao is so powerful! He's just holding a branch, yet with a casual point, it's far more formidable than Xue Wuxin's knife qi."

After testing the feel of the branch, Li Xuan began to wave it about, infusing it with his mighty innate true qi. It looked incredibly fierce, but he was just swinging it around aimlessly.

It was only because of his overwhelming innate true qi that he could manifest such a powerful and sharp aura.

Of course, it wasn't entirely random either, as he incorporated moves like chopping, stabbing, lifting, sweeping, and slashing into his performance.

After a flurry of swings, Li Xuan put down the branch and asked gravely, "Disciple, did you remember it?"

Xu Yan nodded excitedly. "Master, I remembered it all!"

Remembered it all?

That wouldn't do!

Li Xuan raised the branch again and said solemnly, "Disciple, watch again. Remember, I'm imparting the Sword Dao, not sword techniques. You must grasp its true meaning!"

As he spoke, he began to wave the branch slowly. This time, he was mimicking the movements of the Taiji Sword from his past life.

The difference was that he infused it with his innate true qi.

Although it looked slow, it seemed to form a sword qi that circled and rotated with him, creating a formidable presence.

Xu Yan stared intently, puzzled by the slow speed. How could one attack enemies like this?

After Li Xuan finished his demonstration, he asked again, "Disciple, did you remember it?"

"Master, I remembered it all!"

"What about the previous one?"

"I remembered that too!"

His disciple had an excellent memory, recalling everything after just one demonstration.

"Disciple, watch again!"

Li Xuan brandished the branch once more.

This time, he swung it with incredible speed, creating a flurry of movements before stopping.

"Did you remember it?"

Xu Yan was bewildered by now.

Why were the sword techniques different each time?

"I... I remembered."

Xu Yan nodded.

"What about the previous one?"

"I... I remembered about ninety percent!"

Xu Yan suddenly paused.

He had memorized the slow-moving sword techniques from earlier perfectly.

But for the first set of techniques Li Xuan had demonstrated, he could only recall ninety percent, having forgotten a few moves!

"How could I have forgotten?"

And with that, he began to gesture and wave his hands once more.

Xu Yan was completely bewildered. "I forgot, I didn't remember it all, and Master said it was good?"

"Disciple, did you remember it?" Li Xuan asked as he put down the branch.

"I... I didn't remember it all!" Xu Yan replied, his face reddening with shame. He had been daydreaming and had failed to commit his master's sword techniques to memory.

"Good, good! Disciple, you are one step closer to comprehending the Sword Dao!" Li Xuan said reassuringly.

Huh? Xu Yan was perplexed. How could he be closer to understanding the Sword Dao when he couldn't even remember the sword techniques?

"No! I must not have grasped the deeper meaning of Master's words," Xu Yan thought to himself, his powerful imagination kicking into gear.

"Master repeatedly emphasized that he imparts principles, not techniques. He is teaching me the Sword Dao, not sword techniques..."

"He wants me to understand the true meaning within, to grasp the Dao, not just the sword techniques. So, what I need to do is not to memorize the techniques but to forget them!"

"I must not be constrained by the techniques or the forms. I should blend and harmonize, acting as I please..."

In that moment, Xu Yan felt like he had grasped his master's profound intent.

His mind began to recall the various sword techniques Li Xuan had demonstrated—fast, slow, fierce, tricky...

Gradually, the techniques overlapped and fused in his mind, and a new set of sword techniques seemed to take shape in his thoughts.

"I must learn to forget!" Xu Yan reminded himself.

"Master, I've already forgotten half of it!" Xu Yan exclaimed.

"Good, good!" Li Xuan was overjoyed. His disciple had entered a state of enlightenment, which was a wonderful thing.

It meant that Xu Yan had taken a solid step towards comprehending the Sword Dao.

Indeed, Xu Yan had a talent for the Sword Dao, and it was the kind of talent that defied the heavens.

"Disciple, watch again!" Li Xuan began to gesture once more.

Naturally, the techniques he demonstrated this time were all different from the previous ones.

In fact, each time he waved his hands, it was a deliberate set of movements. The first time, it resembled a semblance of sword techniques and forms. The second time, it was the Taiji Sword, slow and graceful yet following the principles of Taiji.

The third time was swift and fierce, the fourth tricky and unpredictable, and this fifth time, it was completely random.

With a mix of fast and slow, fierce and tricky movements, and no set pattern, it was now up to Xu Yan to comprehend the essence.

"Master, I've forgotten half of it!" Xu Yan said after watching the demonstration.

"Very good. Look again!" Li Xuan continued to gesture.

Then, he demonstrated several sets of techniques in succession. Xu Yan watched, sometimes confused, sometimes deep in thought, and sometimes with sudden realizations...

In his mind, he jumbled up all the sword techniques, overlapping and merging them, rearranging and intertwining them over and over again.

A new set of sword techniques seemed to emerge in his thoughts.

Li Xuan stood by, observing his disciple's process of enlightenment.

The timing was almost right.

It was about time to share with his disciple the fabricated Sword Dao realm, so he could better derive the Sword Dao from it.

If successful, it would be a huge gain.

Xu Yan opened his eyes, a hint of bewilderment in his gaze.

He felt muddled, as if his mind were tangled in a mess of sword techniques, unable to find direction.

The vague semblance of sword techniques lingered in his mind, but they never fully formed.

He felt like he might have misunderstood the direction of his enlightenment.

At that moment, he had forgotten the sword techniques his master had taught him, and he couldn't recall how those initial techniques had been performed.

"Master, I've forgotten everything!" Li Xuan said reassuringly, "You've forgotten well, very well. Disciple, you are not far from comprehending the Sword Dao!"

His master's words were like a boost of motivation.

Indeed, Xu Yan's spirits lifted, and his eyes shone with newfound determination.

"Disciple, what I impart to you is the Sword Dao. Among the countless martial artists in the world, only a select few enter the realm of the Sword Dao. To do so, you must first break free from the confines of sword techniques."

"Do not let sword techniques or forms shackle your true self." As Li Xuan spoke, he turned slightly and looked up, an air of mystery surrounding him, enhancing his image as a wise and lofty master.

Xu Yan's body trembled, and he respectfully said, "Please, Master, guide me further!"

"The fact that you can forget the sword techniques and forms I demonstrated shows that you have the potential for the Sword Dao. You are not constrained by mere techniques or forms. But this is not enough!"

"To truly comprehend the Sword Dao, to enter its realm, you must have a clear sword heart. Only then can you step into the Sword Dao." Li Xuan spoke with a solemn tone.

"A clear sword heart?" Xu Yan's heart stirred, and he asked with reverence, "Master, what is a clear sword heart?"

"A clear sword heart is the foundation of the Sword Dao. One with a clear sword heart is not bound by sword techniques or forms. Their heart is pure and focused on the Sword Dao itself."

"The sword heart is the pure heart of the Sword Dao. To have a clear sword heart means to see through any sword technique or form at a glance, to instantly discern its flaws and strengths. It means to effortlessly pluck techniques from the myriad of forms and wield them as your own, making them a part of your sword repertoire."

Li Xuan explained the fabricated foundation for cultivating the Sword Dao—the clear sword heart—to Xu Yan.

Xu Yan was deeply moved, "A clear sword heart means to have a pure heart focused on the Sword Dao, to see through techniques and forms at a glance, to discern their flaws and strengths, and to pluck and wield them as one wishes."

His mind conjured up the image of his master demonstrating the sword techniques.

Gradually, he also recalled how he had taken those techniques, overlapped, merged, and rearranged them, forming an incomplete set of his own.

If he could perfect this process, creating a unique set of sword techniques, he would be able to pluck and use techniques as he pleased.

Was this what a clear sword heart entailed?

Xu Yan began to understand, and he spoke, "Master, a clear sword heart means that even though I may not have my own sword techniques or forms, the techniques of others become my techniques, and their forms become mine.

"The enemy's sword techniques seem transparent to me, their flaws easily discernible. I can predict how their sword will move..."

Li Xuan was thrilled. Xu Yan was close to understanding the concept of a clear sword heart, and the fabricated Sword Dao realm he had created was about to come to fruition.

"In simple terms, yes. To achieve this step shows that you have begun to understand what a clear sword heart entails." Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

"Master, I think I understand, but it's still a bit vague..." Xu Yan fell into deep thought.

"Disciple, a clear sword heart can only be achieved through personal enlightenment. If you understand it, you've entered the realm. If you don't, then you haven't," Li Xuan said solemnly.

How could he know about achieving a clear sword heart when he hadn't even fabricated it himself? It was all up to his disciple's extraordinary imagination and innate talent for comprehension.

"Disciple, first, you must have a pure sword heart. Only then can you achieve clarity and not be constrained by sword techniques or forms. Meditate on this, and I believe you will be able to comprehend it." With that, Li Xuan left the forest, leaving Xu Yan alone to ponder and cultivate.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end