Chapter 86: Xu Yan's Sudden Realization, The Sword Intent of Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 86: Xu Yan's Sudden Realization, The Sword Intent of Mountains and Rivers

Boom!

A thunderbolt cracked down from the heavens, its roar deafening.

Li Xuan marveled inwardly, "The might of heaven and earth is truly extraordinary. Even with my current strength, intercepting that thunderbolt would be a challenge."

He suddenly grew curious about whether the martial arts in this world involved the concept of tribulation.

"I didn't include tribulation in the martial arts system I created. Why would I arbitrarily impose a heavenly tribulation on myself? That would be foolish."

Li Xuan mused to himself.

As for whether one could become powerful without undergoing a tribulation, he didn't see that as an issue.

Who said that only those who overcome tribulation are powerful?

What about directly controlling the might of heaven and earth and harnessing the power of tribulation without having to face it?

"As long as the cultivation technique is well-crafted and my disciples are monstrous enough, anything is possible!"

Li Xuan wore a broad smile.

"Your disciple Meng Chong has successfully cultivated the Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist. Your Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist has reached perfection!"

Suddenly, a golden light appeared.

Feedback from the golden finger had arrived.

Meng Chong had comprehended the Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist and had already cultivated it.

"Good, good! Now that he has understood the Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist, it's time to teach Meng Chong another technique."

Li Xuan was overjoyed.

He already had the Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist technique in his mind and couldn't help but marvel at its power.

With a slight punch, he unleashed a mighty force akin to thunder.

"A demonic cultivator like Xue Wuxin would be completely suppressed by the Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist!"

If Xue Wuxin hadn't died, the outcome of a battle against Meng Chong now would be hard to predict.

The rain poured down as the howling wind finally ceased.

The flashing lightning and rumbling thunder also subsided.

Meng Chong returned through the rain.

"Master, I've comprehended the Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist!"

Meng Chong exclaimed excitedly.

"Well done! You didn't disappoint me. Take some time to consolidate your progress, and I will teach you about the Bagua and the Way of the Blade!"

Li Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Yes, Master!"

Meng Chong was thrilled.

Li Xuan decided to teach the Bagua to each of his disciples, and whatever they could comprehend from it would depend on their individual abilities.

Each disciple's insights would be unique.

Among them were movement techniques and other profound understandings that they might gain as their cultivation levels and strengths increased.

For example, Xu Yan had comprehended the Qinghong Movement Technique and, during his battle with Xue Wuxin, had suddenly realized a displacement technique.

It remained to be seen what kind of movement technique Meng Chong would be able to comprehend.

Perhaps he would also coincidentally understand the displacement technique?

Three days later.

Outside Yunshan County, in the familiar mountains.

The mountains now had trees only on the outskirts, and the inside had been flattened into a spacious land devoid of even a single blade of grass.

Li Xuan waved his hand, and as his true qi fluctuated, an eight-trigram pattern appeared on the ground.

"This is the Bagua, which contains the profound principles of heaven and earth. You can also gain insights into movement techniques from it. I shall now teach you the Way of the Bagua..."

Li Xuan imparted to Meng Chong the knowledge related to the Bagua, along with his own contemplations—some abstruse and profound theories that sounded immensely powerful and insightful.

"Have you memorized it all?"

Finally, Li Xuan asked in a deep voice.

"Master, I have memorized it!"

Meng Chong nodded.

He gazed at the Bagua pattern, deep in thought.

"This Way of the Bagua is truly unfathomable. It sounds powerful and contains the profound principles of heaven and earth. One can continue to gain insights from it indefinitely.

"Master said that there would be different insights at each stage and that everyone's insights would be unique. One can comprehend their own martial path from it."

He decided to spend the following days contemplating the Bagua diagram.

"I've already comprehended the Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist. Now, I will contemplate the Bagua and strive to develop a stepping technique or movement technique from it.

"Big Brother Xu Yan's movement technique is extremely profound, and he also derived it from the Bagua. Instead of imitating his technique, I want to comprehend my own unique movement technique.

"What you realize yourself is always the most suitable for you."

Meng Chong thought as he began walking along the Bagua diagram.

Seeing this, Li Xuan reminded him, "When contemplating the Bagua, don't neglect your cultivation. Strive to reach the perfection of qi and blood soon."

"Yes, Master!"

Meng Chong replied respectfully.

"Mmm, cultivate well!"

After saying this, Li Xuan left.

The rest was up to Meng Chong—when he would be able to comprehend his own movement technique from the Bagua.

As for a movement technique mantra, Li Xuan didn't bother creating one. Meng Chong's talent didn't lie in comprehending mantras, and teaching him one might even be counterproductive.

...

In the capital of Qi Country.

The frenzy surrounding the search for a martial arts master had gradually calmed down, and the courtiers had come to realize that even if they found a master, they couldn't shake the Guo family's position.

The fervor of the search diminished.

The courtiers had hoped to obtain martial arts techniques from the master or have their descendants accept the master as a teacher.

Xie Lingfeng held a wooden branch and was sparring with Xu Yan. One of them was not using any internal martial energy, and the other was not utilizing their qi and blood. Instead, they relied purely on their sword techniques in this exchange.

This was not their first time doing this.

"Brother Xu, are you sure that sparring like this will help you comprehend sword intent?"

Xie Lingfeng asked curiously.

After repeated discussions with Xu Yan about martial arts, especially sword techniques, Xie Lingfeng had come to a realization—the martial arts he had been practicing were false!

He hadn't even touched the doorway to the path of the sword!

Now that he recognized his mistake, he naturally wanted to correct it. So, he sought guidance from Xu Yan, asking about the true martial arts and how to cultivate it properly.

Retracing his steps to cultivate the true martial arts was clearly not an option.

Xu Yan provided an answer: he would convert his Master Realm cultivation to an Innate Realm cultivation, and the first step was to refine Innate True Qi.

This Innate True Qi was similar to the internal martial energy of the Internal Realm warriors, but it was purer, more profound, more potent, and stronger.

According to Xu Yan, the Internal Martial Energy of Internal Realm warriors was, in fact, True Qi. However, since they cultivated false martial arts, the energy they cultivated was also false.

This was the reason why their True Qi lacked purity and strength.

Xie Lingfeng found this reasoning convincing, and he believed it without a doubt.

However, he didn't know how to refine his internal martial energy and elevate it to Innate True Qi.

Xu Yan couldn't provide a method, but he told him that once he broke through to the Innate Realm and understood its mysteries, he might be able to figure out a way to refine his energy.

And he wanted to comprehend sword intent before breaking through to the Innate Realm.

The earlier he comprehended sword intent, the stronger his foundation in the sword path would be. If he couldn't grasp it within a month, Xu Yan wouldn't hold him back and would instead choose to break through.

Thus, Xie Lingfeng sparred with Xu Yan to help him comprehend sword intent.

"Yes!"

Xu Yan nodded, "The comprehension of sword intent lies in calming the mind and sensing the essence of heaven and earth, as well as the sword techniques themselves. I have a hunch that constantly sparring in sword techniques with you will be more beneficial for comprehending sword intent."

Xie Lingfeng thrust his sword forward and asked curiously, "Brother Xu, what is sword intent?"

It was too abstract for him, and he was left bewildered when he first heard it.

In the Internal Realm, there was only the concept of peerless sword techniques, formidable sword energy, and icy-cold sword auras. Although there were occasional mentions of sword intent, it was a different concept from what Xu Yan described.

"Sword intent is the will within the sword, which is also my will, the will of heaven and earth, and the will of the sword path. It is a sense, an understanding that harmonizes with heaven and earth..."

Xu Yan mused, his eyes half-closed as he spoke slowly.

Xie Lingfeng opened his mouth slightly, looking a little bewildered. He understood each word, but when they were put together, it left him confused. It was too abstract, and he felt he couldn't even begin to grasp it.

At that moment, he sighed inwardly, "I'm known as Sword Sovereign Cliff, the pride of the sword path for a thousand years, but compared to Brother Xu, it feels like a joke!"

Suddenly, Xie Lingfeng stiffened.

His eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at Xu Yan in shock.

In that instant, he felt the wooden branch in his hand become heavier, as if it was no longer obeying his commands.

What shocked him even more was the emergence of an indescribable and unfathomable force from Xu Yan's body.

It was faint and elusive, beyond words.

Yet, it carried a sharp intent, along with an everlasting and immortal essence.

Xie Lingfeng lost control of his sword technique.

His hand trembled, and the wooden branch in his grip gradually turned to powder, frightening him so much that he quickly let go and took a step back.

Xu Yan's eyes narrowed slightly as he entered a state of self-oblivion. Circles of mysterious auras appeared around him.

"Sword intent is the will within the sword, and since the sword is in my hand, it is also my will... What is the will of the sword path? The sword must be sharp and fierce, but I am like jade, unblemished and enduring.

"Martial arts have no limits, and the sword path is also boundless, always striving for eternity..."

Xu Yan contemplated himself, and scenes of his master's every action and word flashed through his mind. His master sat with a carefree and contented demeanor, moving with a free and unfettered attitude. Every gesture and movement was just an ordinary person going about their daily life.

However, his master was an extraordinary master.

What kind of realm was that? Xu Yan's mind conjured up images of his master living a comfortable life in the small mountain village, where he had endured harsh training and taken care of chickens and cooking every day. The more he recalled, the more he felt that his master's state of mind was exceptionally profound.

"This is what Master meant when he talked about following the natural way!"

He also recalled the scene when his master taught him the Eight Trigrams—Qian, Kun, Zhen, and Dui...

The more Xu Yan reminisced, the more he comprehended, "So, Master has been laying the foundation for me to understand the sword path and grasp sword intent since the very beginning.

"Master's realm is truly unfathomable, having already reached a state akin to the Great Path itself."

At this moment, Xu Yan had an epiphany. His sword heart clarified, and he understood the sword intent.

A sword intent emerged and rippled from his body.

His sword heart had achieved minor success in clarity.

He had comprehended sword intent!

"The mountains and rivers are immortal, enduring the wind and rain, yet they are merciless, burying countless lives... I shall name this first sword intent of mine as the Mountain and River Sword Intent."

Xu Yan opened his eyes, and the Mountain and River Sword Intent manifested, thick, lingering, sharp, and merciless.

He looked up at the astonished Xie Lingfeng and smiled, "Brother Xie, care to receive my sword intent? Rest assured, I'll hold back."

He wanted to test the power of this Mountain and River Sword Intent!

If it weren't for Xie Lingfeng sparring with him, he wouldn't have comprehended sword intent so quickly. Finally, before breaking through to the Innate Realm, he had grasped the sword intent.

Xie Lingfeng's face was filled with shock. So this was sword intent? It was too profound and mysterious.

He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Alright!"

He, too, wanted to experience this so-called sword intent and see if it was truly as powerful as they said.

Zhing!

He drew his sword, his expression grave.

Xu Yan held the wooden branch and said, "Brother Xie, you make the first move!"

He was afraid that once he made a move, Xie Lingfeng wouldn't have a chance to attack.

"Alright!"

Xie Lingfeng didn't hesitate and thrust his sword forward.

The sword light transformed into a flying rainbow, slicing through the sky, instantly covering the distance between them.

Buzz!

The heavens seemed to resonate with a momentary buzz, and Xie Lingfeng, in a daze, seemed to see the mountains and rivers appearing, enduring endlessly, yet sharp and merciless, as if they could bury all life.

The flying rainbow sword light disappeared into the mountains and rivers without a trace.

And the mountains and rivers reflected, as if the mountains were collapsing and the earth was cracking, the rivers roaring, as if to bury all life, and he—was among those about to be buried!

His heart was terrified!

Was this sword intent?

Hssss!

Xie Lingfeng hurriedly swung his sword, again and again, the flying rainbow sword light flashing, stirring up layers of cold light, constantly pouring onto the Mountain and River Sword Intent.

In an instant, he had unleashed a hundred swords!

Puh!

Finally, the Mountain and River Sword Intent dissipated.

The wooden branch in Xu Yan's hand turned to dust.

He felt his mind go blank, as if his spirit had been exhausted too much, and his qi and blood had instantly depleted by about ten percent.

His Jade Bone shone brilliantly as his qi and blood rapidly recovered.

His depleted spirit also slowly recovered.

"Sword intent is too powerful. With my current strength, the exertion of using it is too much."

Xu Yan sighed inwardly.

After all, the realm of sword intent was inherently high, and he had just reached the Qi and Blood realm, the first stage of martial arts. The consumption of using sword intent was beyond imagination.

"I have a Jade Bone foundation, so I can bear it. If I had a Golden Bone foundation, I'm afraid the Qi and Blood realm could only manifest sword intent once or twice."

Xu Yan thought to himself.

Although his consumption was high, he could still manifest the sword intent again.

Manifesting it five or six times was still manageable.

Xu Yan marveled at the immense consumption of sword intent, while Xie Lingfeng was already stunned.

It was just one sword intent.

He exerted all his strength and unleashed a hundred swords, only then was he able to dissipate this sword intent.

Moreover, he could clearly sense that sword intent could erode the power of his sword techniques. The flying rainbow sword light sank into the sword intent as if trapped in quicksand.

Its might was reduced to only about three-tenths.

He became aware of a problem. Sword cultivators who comprehended sword intent held overwhelming power compared to those who hadn't!

Once one comprehended sword intent, they could surpass the Upper Realm!

Sword intent was truly terrifying.

No wonder it sounded so abstruse!

After this incident, Xie Lingfeng sadly believed even more firmly that the martial arts he had been practicing were false!

The ancient sword arts passed down by Sword Sovereign Cliff were all false martial arts!

And he himself was not a genius of the Sword Path!

He was just an ordinary sword cultivator who had learned a little sword technique!

"I cannot sink into oblivion. I must comprehend the Sword Path and enter the door of the Sword Dao.

"I want to become a true cultivator of the Sword Dao!"

Xie Lingfeng's eyes shone with determination. This trip to the frontier might be an opportunity!

"I want to ask Brother Xu how to achieve a clear sword heart!"

Only with a clear sword heart could one enter the Sword Dao. This was the foundation.

And only with a clear sword heart could one comprehend sword intent!

"Congratulations, Brother Xu, for comprehending sword intent!"

Xie Lingfeng congratulated with envy.

"Brother Xie is too kind. If it weren't for you sparring with me, I wouldn't have been able to comprehend sword intent so quickly!"

Xu Yan humbly replied.

"Brother Xu is too modest. What use am I? Even without me, you, Brother Xu, would have only been a day or two late in your comprehension."

Xie Lingfeng bitterly smiled.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end