Chapter 78: Xu Yan's Realization of the Sword's Path, a Clear Sword Heart

Chapter 78: Xu Yan's Realization of the Sword's Path, a Clear Sword Heart

In the depths of the forest, only Xu Yan remained.

He stood amidst the trees, his gaze sweeping over the numerous sword marks that crisscrossed the area. Countless trees bore holes, pierced through by his sword techniques.

The neatly felled trees lay on the ground, cut into several segments. Faint traces of the sword techniques and movements could still be discerned.

Xu Yan studied the surroundings, a glimmer of understanding forming in his eyes. Chaotic sword techniques, ones his master had once displayed, flashed through his mind.

It wasn't that he had forgotten them, but rather the sequence and the context in which they were used. He recalled the movements but not their order, nor when they had been executed.

As he matched the chaotic sword techniques in his mind with the marks around him, a particular technique suddenly overlapped with a sword mark on the ground.

"This sword mark was created by this technique," Xu Yan murmured to himself.

"The first step to achieving a clear sword heart is to ensure the heart is calm and unaffected by the constraints of techniques and forms. Only then can it achieve true clarity," he continued, a sense of realization washing over him.

However, the path to a clear sword heart still seemed distant.

At that moment, he felt as though he had returned to the small mountain village, back to when he had first started his martial arts journey, full of confusion yet also bearing a sense of enlightenment.

"Forget the techniques and the forms, do not be constrained by them... The first thing to do is to calm the heart. To do that, I must forget the sword dances my master taught me, not the movements themselves, but the framework of the forms..."

"I must reorder the traces of the sword techniques, recreate them, break free from the framework, and then freely choose and combine the techniques and forms to create my own style.

"This is the first step, and once I've accomplished this, I should be well on my way to achieving a clear sword heart!"

Xu Yan felt a sudden flash of insight, understanding how to proceed on the path to enlightenment and a clear sword heart.

He leaped onto a large tree and sat on a thick branch, gazing at the sword marks below while silently matching them with the techniques in his mind, verifying and comparing.

"This sword mark overlaps the previous one, obscuring it almost entirely. How can I verify it now...

"Why am I still fixating on the techniques and forms? Although that sword mark is covered, the traces are still there... It must be that technique."

Time passed, and only when darkness fell did Xu Yan return to Yunshan County.

But his mind was still filled with sword techniques and forms.

Master Li Xuan observed his disciple's return quietly, choosing not to interrupt his train of thought. Sometimes, too many words could hinder rather than help.

He recalled Xu Yan's initial training in the small village and believed that his disciple was simply retracing the steps to enlightenment.

Li Xuan had faith that Xu Yan would succeed. The sword path he had fabricated was far more refined than his initial improvisations, and he had even personally demonstrated the sword techniques to Xu Yan.

"Achieving a clear sword heart is the foundation of cultivating the sword path. The starting point I've set for this path demands a higher level of talent.

"Once one steps onto the sword path, the power it bestows is naturally greater.

"It's like a framework that can accommodate any sword technique or form. When Xu Yan goes to the inner domain and learns new sword forms, he can fit them into this framework, making them his own.

"Moreover, he can surpass the original and create entirely new sword forms."

Li Xuan's thoughts turned to Meng Chong, a muscular young man whose talent lay not in the sword path but in the way of the blade.

He decided that he should also create a similar framework for the blade path and teach it to Meng Chong.

"The fact that Xu Yan could remember my sword forms after seeing them just once proves his exceptional memory, which is also the foundation for achieving a clear sword heart. With this foundation, his path to enlightenment should be much smoother."

Li Xuan marveled at Xu Yan's remarkable memory. He had memorized the forms after seeing them just once, and Li Xuan had not demonstrated them slowly.

In the following days, Xu Yan dedicated himself to understanding the sword path and striving for a clear sword heart.

He would rise early and venture into the forest to meditate, only returning after dark.

Meng Chong, spurred on by Xu Yan and Blood Heartless, trained with renewed diligence, accelerating his progress in refining his golden bones.

Shi Er had also successfully refined his skin, making good progress.

The Kingdom of Qi remained peaceful.

In the capital, King Qi Guo Rongshan continued to be the most influential among the ministers, with the third prince paying his respects daily.

The first prince had left to seek out experts, and the other ministers' sons continued their quest with undiminished enthusiasm.

Although the son of the Minister of War and the others had turned into mummies, and the reason for their deaths remained a mystery, with Xu Yan providing no answers and no one daring to ask, everyone speculated that they had encountered some unknown demonic creature.

As a result, when people ventured into the Endless Mountains, they did so with greater caution, not daring to go too deep.

A month passed.

Meng Chong's golden bones were almost perfected, nearing the pinnacle of their refinement. He was about to encounter a bottleneck in his training, where he wouldn't be able to continue tempering his bones further.

Shi Er had successfully refined his skin, marking a significant milestone.

Despite his exceptional prowess as a top martial artist, it had taken him a long while to accomplish this feat, and his innate talent still paled in comparison to Xu Yan and Meng Chong.

Furthermore, Li Xuan noticed that even after Shi Er had completed his skin refinement, the toughness of his skin and the robustness of his qi and blood were not on par with Xu Yan's and Meng Chong's achievements.

Both had completed the same stage of skin refinement, yet the quality of their skin showed a noticeable disparity.

"Even the process of skin refinement has different levels. It's not as simple as everyone achieving the same result upon completion," Li Xuan mused.

This was the consequence of varying innate talents for martial arts.

After completing his skin refinement, Shi Er's strength had increased noticeably.

Li Xuan proceeded to impart to him the method of bone refinement.

According to Xu Yan, his father had already begun bone refinement, and his mother had just finished skin refinement. This made Xu Yan even more aware of the gap in their innate talents, as the fruits of their cultivation differed significantly.

Pan Yaoshi had also entered the stage of bone refinement.

Among the rest of Li Xuan's trusted bodyguards, a small portion had progressed to bone refinement, while the majority had completed skin refinement.

This progress was largely thanks to Pan Yaoshi's concocted supplements that aided their cultivation.

As for Guo Rongshan, due to his advanced age, his qi and blood had diminished, causing him to miss the optimal stage for cultivation. He could only rely on precious elixirs to barely scrape by and enter the skin refinement stage.

Guo Yun Kai, on the other hand, had better natural talent. He had completed skin refinement and was about to embark on bone refinement.

His two cousins were also making progress, with one having completed skin refinement and the other beginning bone refinement.

"They're still far from the threshold of martial arts mastery. In the short term, it will be difficult to verify if they can attain any significant breakthroughs," Li Xuan mused to himself.

He suspected that some of them would get stuck at the initial hurdle of martial arts mastery.

He noticed that the tonic Pan Yaoshi had concocted to nourish their qi and blood was quite effective in aiding their cultivation.

"Should I create some pills? How do I even formulate pills? I have no idea where to start."

Li Xuan fell into deep thought.

"That young girl from the Celestial Mother Sect has exceptional medical skills. Perhaps I can start with her and try to gain some insights into pill-making," he contemplated, recalling the young Celestial Mother of the Celestial Mother Sect.

Her ability to reform evil-doers with her words was truly remarkable.

Previously, he had asked Shi Er to deliver a message, inviting the young Celestial Mother to Qi. However, she was still in Wu and had not yet arrived.

"No rush. Meng Chong hasn't reached the threshold yet, and I want to observe the third disciple a bit more," Li Xuan decided, setting the matter aside for the time being.

Xu Yan had gone out yesterday and hadn't returned by nightfall, seemingly having made some sort of breakthrough. He should be close to achieving a clear sword heart!

Li Xuan was filled with anticipation.

Outside Yunshan County, on a slope.

Xu Yan sat cross-legged, silently gazing at the evening glow in the sky.

He no longer examined the sword marks in the forest but had instead obliterated all traces of them.

At this moment, he gazed at the sky, his heart clear and serene. The sword techniques in his mind were evolving continuously.

The sword forms his master had taught him had long faded from his memory.

Now, a new set of sword techniques was taking shape in his mind.

His heart grew increasingly clear and lucid, as if he had comprehended all sword techniques and forms.

Suddenly, a flash of insight seemed to illuminate his mind.

The evolving sword techniques were complete! In this moment, he entered a mystical state.

His heart was clear and lucid.

Hum!

The sword resting across his knees began to tremble as if it wanted to leap out of its sheath.

Sword Heart Clarity!

Xu Yan had achieved Sword Heart Clarity!

In the instant he realized Sword Heart Clarity, the door to the Sword Path opened to him.

A sword technique took shape in his mind, and he had imprinted the essence of the Sword Path within his heart.

He had broken free from the confines of sword techniques.

Even Dragon Subduing Palm benefited from this realization, leading to a new insight and improvement.

Dragon Subduing Palm, Second Level, Minor Achievement!

Xu Yan opened his eyes, and with two fingers, he gently stroked the sword resting across his knees. A crisp sound rang out as he drew the sword from its sheath.

He gripped the hilt and, with a swift motion, slashed forward.

The sword light resembled a rainbow, slicing through the air and landing a hundred feet away.

The sword light vanished without a sound.

If one were to approach and inspect the ground, they would find a thin fissure stretching for several dozen feet, its depth unknowable.

"Today, as I, Xu Yan, achieve Sword Heart Clarity, I finally step into the threshold of the Sword Path. From now on, you shall be known as the Clarity Sword!"

Xu Yan spoke, his middle two fingers stroking the sword's body.

Clarity Sword!

This was his first sword, a testament to his entry into the Sword Path!

"Now that I've achieved Sword Heart Clarity and stepped into the Sword Path, the next step is to perfect my qi and blood and break through to the Innate Realm!"

Xu Yan's face was filled with excitement.

Li Xuan looked toward the Endless Mountains, his heart filled with excitement. The Inner Domain was home to martial artists, and he had longed to venture there and explore the martial world within.

He had wanted to set off and make his mark for quite some time now.

"Just a little longer. Once I reach the Innate Realm, I'll head to the Inner Domain!"

His parents' strength had not yet improved, and he himself had not broken through to the Innate Realm. Thus, he could only suppress his eagerness.

In the small courtyard, Li Xuan sat in his chair as usual, his mind occupied with structuring the martial arts system he had created.

He focused primarily on the subsequent stages of martial cultivation and how to refine and improve upon them.

Li Xuan had already decided on the realms that would follow the Innate Realm, and he had a clear direction for cultivation. However, he wanted to outline the later stages of the martial path as well, to ensure a smooth progression.

"My martial path is stronger from the very beginning compared to the martial arts of this world. So, the later realms of my martial path must become even more formidable.

"The realms must connect seamlessly. If there are any gaps or discrepancies in theory, it will be impossible to gain insights and progress further."

After days of contemplation, Li Xuan had mostly figured out the direction for the subsequent stages of martial cultivation.

However, he knew that he had to take it one step at a time. Only through successful cultivation could he confirm the viability of his system and continue refining the next realm.

"Meng Chong's golden bones are almost perfected, but he's reached a bottleneck and can't continue tempering them further. I should try to help my second disciple succeed in refining his bones into the Adamantium Bones."

Li Xuan glanced at Meng Chong, who was still immersed in his dedicated training.

Once Meng Chong achieved the Adamantium Bones, he would be able to break through and enter the Qi and Blood Realm.

After all, Meng Chong's cultivation involved refining his skin, bones, and organs simultaneously.

Suddenly, a golden light appeared.

"Your disciple, Xu Yan, has realized Sword Heart Clarity and entered the gateway to the Sword Path. Your Sword Heart Clarity has reached perfection, and your Sword Path is complete!"

In that instant, Li Xuan felt his sword heart become clear and transparent, comprehending the myriad sword techniques, and the insights of the Sword Path emerged endlessly.

Achieving Sword Path perfection was merely the foundation for the Sword Path!

Li Xuan was overjoyed.

"My disciple has the bearing of a Sword God; I did not misjudge him!"

Xu Yan had done it; he had truly realized Sword Heart Clarity and entered the Sword Path.

From here on, his progress on the Sword Path would depend on his own efforts.

However, Li Xuan believed that once Xu Yan reached the Inner Domain, he would have no trouble improving his Sword Path.

And as his disciple's Sword Path improved, so would his own!

"I should impart the Sword Path's state of mind that comes after Sword Heart Clarity to Xu Yan, so he can strive to gain insight into the Sword Intent as soon as possible!"

Li Xuan was thrilled at the prospect.

"Your disciple, Xu Yan, has achieved minor success in the second level of the Dragon Subduing Palm, so you have achieved perfection in the second level of the Dragon Subduing Palm!"

There was another harvest.

Xu Yan had perfected the second level of the Dragon Subduing Palm.

With his realization of Sword Heart Clarity, his understanding of the Dragon Subduing Palm had also improved.

This was only natural.

It indicated that Xu Yan's talent and comprehension had increased along with his Sword Heart Clarity.

Li Xuan raised his finger, and a sword qi appeared.

He pointed with his finger, and the sword qi flew into the air, silent and imperceptible, without any sharp edge.

In mid-air, the sword qi crisscrossed and intertwined.

"The Sword Path I've created is truly powerful."

Li Xuan's heart stirred with excitement.

"It should be much stronger than the sword techniques in the Inner Domain, right?"

For now, he couldn't know the true extent of the sword techniques in the Inner Domain's martial world.

However, he could make some assumptions, and it seemed likely that they were still in the powerful sword technique stage and had not yet touched upon the Sword Path. Naturally, they would be inferior to the Sword Path he had created.

To someone who had achieved Sword Heart Clarity, the sword techniques of Inner Domain martial artists would have obvious flaws and weaknesses, and they could easily be countered and appropriated.

"With my current strength, I could defeat even a grandmaster from the Inner Domain with a single sword strike!"

Li Xuan snapped his fingers, and the sword qi in mid-air vanished.

His strength had increased significantly, and even grandmasters from the Inner Domain wouldn't be a match for him.

Now, he was truly confident and free from worries about potential threats from Inner Domain experts.

"Master, I'm back!"

Xu Yan returned, filled with excitement.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Li Xuan was delighted and said, "My disciple has the bearing of a Sword God; you did not disappoint me!"

Xu Yan's spirit lifted at these words, and his entire being seemed to undergo a transformation.

"Master said I have the bearing of a Sword God!"

He patted his chest and declared, "Master, I will definitely carry on your Sword Path and spread its fame. I will not let you down, and I vow to become a Sword God!"

"Good! My disciple has such ambition, and I believe you can do it!"

Li Xuan was overjoyed in his heart, certain that his disciple would become a Sword God, and as for himself... he could proudly don the title of Sword Path Ancestor!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end