Chapter 87: Painting the Mountains and Rivers with Jade Bones, Xu Yan Enters the Xiantian Realm

Chapter 87: Painting the Mountains and Rivers with Jade Bones, Xu Yan Enters the Xiantian Realm (Monthly Ticket Request)

"It's different. Without you to spar with, I wouldn't have been able to suddenly understand and realize that Master's every word and action had already laid the foundation for my understanding of the sword intent."

Xu Yan shook his head, speaking honestly.

Without Xie Lingfeng's questions and sparring, he wouldn't have had this breakthrough, so Xie Lingfeng did play a part in his quick comprehension of the mountain and river sword intent.

"Brother Xu, may I meet your Master?"

Xie Lingfeng asked, his eyes shining with anticipation.

"I'll have to ask my Master first," Xu Yan said after a moment's thought.

"Then, thank you, Brother Xu," Xie Lingfeng said gratefully.

After a brief pause, he sighed, "I, Xie Lingfeng, always thought I had exceptional talent in the way of the sword. I never imagined that I hadn't even entered the very threshold of the sword path.

"Brother Xu, how does one attain clarity of the sword heart?"

The foundation of entering the sword path is to have a clear sword heart.

Xie Lingfeng also wanted to understand this clarity of the sword heart, and as for the realms beyond it, they were too distant for him to consider at this point.

To attain clarity of the sword heart in this life and enter the gateway of the sword path would be a great honor.

But how does one attain this clarity?

Xu Yan was stumped for a moment. He didn't know how to guide Xie Lingfeng, as their cultivation methods were quite different.

After some thought, Xu Yan felt that before attaining clarity of the sword heart, the most important thing was to elevate one's mental state and achieve a clear and calm mind.

"My Master said, 'A man with no woman in his heart cultivates with divine assistance.' This state is too profound. By breaking free from the shackles of my mental state and truly understanding my Master's analogy, I was able to solidify my foundation and thus lay the groundwork for attaining clarity of the sword heart.

"So, to attain clarity of the sword heart, you must first achieve a mental state of 'no woman in the heart,' where you are undisturbed by external influences and your mind is clear and calm."

With this in mind, Xu Yan asked, "Brother Xie, do you desire women?"

Although Xie Lingfeng was older, he was still in the prime of youth, an age where he was most susceptible to the allure of the opposite sex. If he could resist such temptations and act according to his heart, he would have the foundation for understanding the clarity of the sword heart.

However, Xie Lingfeng was left bewildered by the question.

I'm asking about the sword path, and you're talking about women?

This leap in logic was too much for him to process.

"Maybe... a little... I mean, yes?"

Xie Lingfeng was at a loss for words.

"Brother Xie, the foundation of clarity of the sword heart lies in having a clear mind, which means being able to control yourself and not be disturbed by external influences," Xu Yan explained seriously.

"One prerequisite for entering the sword path is to have 'no woman in the heart.' Only then is there hope."

"Thank you, Brother Xu," Xie Lingfeng said, his eyes still clouded with confusion. "Does 'no woman in the heart' mean that I have to..."

He lowered his head to glance at his lower abdomen.

"You're misunderstanding, Brother Xie," Xu Yan quickly clarified. "'No woman in the heart' doesn't mean forsaking women. It's a state of mind, a mental state... To put it bluntly, if I'm not moved, then women cannot move my heart...

"It's about controlling yourself and achieving a clear and calm mind."

Xu Yan hurried to explain, lest Xie Lingfeng misinterpret his words and slice off his own manhood.

Xie Lingfeng's eyes widened in confusion. What kind of mental state was this? How could he possibly comprehend it?

It was too abstract and profound.

No woman in the heart, yet not forsaking women, and controlling oneself...

"Am I not suited for cultivating the sword path?"

Xie Lingfeng sank into self-doubt.

After a long while, he took a deep breath and asked, "Brother Xu, how did you achieve the 'no woman in the heart' state of mind that you mentioned?"

Xu Yan thought for a moment and then replied, "I went to Emperor Qi's harem and observed his concubines and beauties dancing and posturing. By tempering my mental state in such an environment, I eventually succeeded."

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Xu!"

Xie Lingfeng's eyes lit up, and he expressed his gratitude sincerely.

"You're welcome, Brother Xie," Xu Yan said, feeling that it was only right to offer some advice in return for Xie Lingfeng's help in his own breakthrough.

For Xie Lingfeng, this day felt like a window had been opened, revealing a whole new world.

He had caught a glimpse of the profound mysteries of the sword path, but he couldn't quite grasp the essence and enter that realm.

Sword intent was indeed incredibly abstruse.

Without understanding sword intent, how could one claim to have entered the gateway of the sword path?

After leaving Xu Yan's residence and returning to his separate palace in the royal palace, Xie Lingfeng still looked a little dejected. Hu Shan noticed and said, "Young Master, you should be happy now that you know the truth about the martial path. You can now pursue the true martial path!"

Hu Shan let out a bitter laugh and said, "Young Master, it's easier said than done. I still can't quite accept it."

"There's nothing we can't accept," Xie Lingfeng said firmly. "I want to cultivate the true martial path. I want to truly enter the gateway of the sword path."

Hu Shan was taken aback, as if he could see the young master once again pursuing the sword path at Jianzun Cliff.

"Young Master, what's wrong?"

"Hu Shan, do you know what sword intent is?" Xie Lingfeng asked. "Today, I finally understood what the true sword path is."

With that, Xie Lingfeng exhaled deeply.

"Sword intent?" Hu Shan murmured.

Xie Lingfeng then recounted how Xu Yan had comprehended sword intent that day, concluding with, "The mountain and river sword intent is truly powerful!"

Hu Shan remained silent, unable to calm his mind for a long time.

...

Finally, Xu Yan had comprehended sword intent, and he decided to return to Yunshan County to break through to the Xiantian realm.

Before leaving, he gave some guidance to Guo Rongshan and the others on their cultivation.

On the day of his departure, Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan saw him off.

"Brother Xie, if my Master is willing to meet with you, I'll send a message to my grandfather, and he will notify you," Xu Yan said, cupping his hands.

"Thank you, Brother Xu!" Xie Lingfeng said gratefully.

He wanted to visit Xu Yan's Master, that mysterious reclusive expert.

This was an opportunity he had to seize!

"Farewell!"

Xu Yan cupped his hands and turned to leave.

Yunshan County.

Meng Chong was contemplating the mysteries of the Eight Trigrams, and the more he delved into it, the more profound it seemed. He felt that he was on the verge of a breakthrough, yet he couldn't quite grasp the key points.

"Don't be too hasty," Meng Chong told himself, taking a deep breath to calm his restless heart.

Li Xuan had observed Meng Chong for a few days before deciding to stop, confident that with Meng Chong's talent, he would definitely make a breakthrough.

Suddenly, feedback from the golden finger appeared.

"Your disciple Xu Yan has comprehended the mountain and river sword intent. Your mountain and river sword intent has reached perfection!"

Boom!

Sword intent emerged in Li Xuan's mind, as if he had been born with it.

Mountain and river sword intent!

Li Xuan was overjoyed. "What a good disciple! He hasn't even broken through to the Xiantian realm yet, but he's already comprehended sword intent. He truly has the demeanor of a sword god!"

The grand endeavor of the martial path had taken another significant step forward.

In an instant, an indescribable aura enveloped the small courtyard, as if the mountains and rivers themselves had come to reside within it, exuding an endless, relentless force that was both sharp and merciless.

Shi Er, who was cultivating, suddenly felt as if he had stepped into a vast landscape of mountains and rivers, and his own existence seemed infinitesimal.

The mountains and rivers seemed devoid of emotion, capable of burying all life, and he felt as if he were being buried by them.

"What's going on?"

Shi Er's heart raced with fear.

"I need to get stronger. The faster I become strong, the faster I can escape from here!"

With this belief in mind, Shi Er frenziedly continued his bone tempering.

In a daze, he felt as if he was being eroded by the mountains and rivers, but because of his tenacious resistance, his bone tempering speed increased, and the speed at which the mountains and rivers devoured him began to weaken.

Overjoyed, he became even more diligent in his cultivation.

Li Xuan glanced at Shi Er silently. By merely exerting a bit of his Mountain and River Sword Intent and applying a slight pressure, he had unintentionally caused Shi Er's bone tempering speed to increase.

"Sword Intent can temper one's self, from the physical body to the spirit."

Li Xuan fell into deep thought.

He would remind Xu Yan when he returned, prompting his disciple to continue exploring the wonders of Sword Intent.

Shi Er snapped out of the state where he felt enveloped by the mountains and rivers. To his shock, he had actually tempered Copper Bones! Unknowingly, in just a short period, he had completed the refinement of Iron Bones.

In this instant, he somewhat understood.

"Thank you, Master!"

He bowed respectfully to Li Xuan.

"Mhm, cultivate well and strive to enter the door soon."

Li Xuan nodded.

Xu Yan returned.

"Master!"

Xu Yan bowed respectfully.

"Good! Good! Disciple, the fact that you were able to comprehend Sword Intent before your breakthrough is well worth my efforts as your master!"

Li Xuan's face was filled with gratification.

"Indeed! Master has been teaching me verbally and through demonstration since the beginning, laying the foundation for my understanding of Sword Intent."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan's heart was deeply touched.

"Thank you, Master!"

"Disciple, Sword Intent is profound and can temper your self, beyond just defeating enemies and winning battles. You must explore and understand it further."

Li Xuan spoke solemnly.

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan fell into deep thought. The profundity of Sword Intent was something he had yet to fully grasp.

His master was reminding him that Sword Intent was not just meant for combat!

"You should also be breaking through to the Xiantian realm soon."

"Disciple will be able to break through in a few days."

"Go then, and settle your mind. Only by breaking through to the Xiantian realm can you truly transcend the mortal world and take the first real step onto the Martial Path.

"The Qi and Blood realm is merely the beginning, just pushing open the door to the Martial Path."

Li Xuan spoke sternly.

"Disciple understands!"

Xu Yan bowed.

Outside Yunshan County, Meng Chong continued to walk the steps of the Eight Trigrams, pondering its mysteries and trying to comprehend its body technique.

Xu Yan's figure appeared, and seeing Meng Chong walking the Eight Trigrams, he was puzzled.

"Brother Meng's understanding of the Eight Trigrams seems to differ from mine. Could it be that Brother Meng has comprehended it incorrectly?

"No! If Brother Meng had comprehended it incorrectly, Master would surely have corrected him."

With this thought, Xu Yan fell into deep contemplation.

"The mysteries of the Eight Trigrams are unique to each person's understanding, and perhaps by sharing our insights, we can gain even more enlightenment."

Meng Chong stopped walking and said happily, "Brother Xu, you're back."

"Brother Meng, are you trying to comprehend a body technique?"

"Yes, but I'm too dull-witted and haven't figured it out yet!"

Meng Chong rubbed his bald head, looking a bit ashamed.

"There's no rush to comprehend the cultivation technique. The profundity of the Eight Trigrams is different for each person. After I break through to the Xiantian realm, let's discuss our insights and share our understandings. We will surely gain new realizations."

Xu Yan patted Meng Chong's shoulder.

"Good!"

Meng Chong nodded.

After chatting with Meng Chong for a while, Xu Yan left the mountain forest and headed towards a nearby hill.

Sitting down cross-legged, he began to settle his mind, preparing for his breakthrough to the Xiantian realm.

He had already understood the cultivation technique for the Xiantian realm.

The breakthrough itself wouldn't be a problem.

Three days later.

Xu Yan took a deep breath and began to circulate his Qi and Blood, constantly refining it. As he did so, his Jade Bones shone with a brilliant light.

"Refine the Qi and Blood into Xiantian True Qi, connect the Heavenly Bridge, absorb the heaven and earth's spiritual energy, and open up the Dantian and Qi Sea..."

Xu Yan urged his Qi and Blood, refining it while simultaneously connecting the Heavenly Bridge. A rumbling sound resonated within his body.

A profound feeling arose in his heart.

His intuition told him that once the Heavenly Bridge was connected, he would be able to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and absorb it for cultivation.

Rumble!

The Heavenly Bridge gradually opened up bit by bit under the impact of his Qi and Blood. Within his body, a path seemed to be forming, radiating a dazzling light.

"This is the Heavenly Bridge? A bridge that connects my self to the heavens and the earth."

Xu Yan's heart stirred with excitement.

Rumble!

The Qi and Blood continued to impact, slowly opening up the Heavenly Bridge. However, the speed wasn't fast, and as the Heavenly Bridge began to connect, the Qi and Blood continued to refine, starting to transform.

At this moment, his Jade Bones shone with light.

"Master said that Sword Intent can temper one's self, not just for fighting enemies..."

Xu Yan suddenly recalled his master's words.

With a thought, Sword Intent emerged.

"Infuse Sword Intent into the Qi and Blood, connect the Heavenly Bridge, and merge it with the Jade Bones..."

Within Xu Yan's body, the Mountain and River Sword Intent flowed. As the Sword Intent merged with his Qi and Blood, it seemed as if a transformation was taking place.

On his flawless Jade Bones, intricate and flawless patterns began to appear as the Sword Intent flowed, as if depicting mountains and rivers.

Xu Yan, immersed in his breakthrough, circulated his Sword Intent, refined his Qi and Blood, and connected the Heavenly Bridge, still unaware of the transformation occurring within him.

Rumble!

After the Sword Intent merged with his Qi and Blood, the speed at which the Heavenly Bridge was being connected gradually increased.

And on the Heavenly Bridge, a sword shadow seemed to appear.

At a certain moment, Xu Yan's eyes lit up with realization: "If I infuse Sword Intent into my Qi and Blood, and then use my Qi and Blood to refine the Dragon Subduing Palm, wouldn't it be faster to connect the Heavenly Bridge with the Dragon Subduing Palm?"

He decided to give it a try.

Rumble!

His Qi and Blood suddenly transformed into a giant dragon, roaring as it continuously impacted the Heavenly Bridge. As the dragon connected the Heavenly Bridge, a dragon shape seemed to appear on it.

It was as if a giant dragon was coiled around the Heavenly Bridge!

With the Sword Intent merged into his Qi and Blood, and the Qi and Blood transformed into a giant dragon, the Dragon Subduing Palm seemed to undergo a change at this moment.

Xu Yan's mind was filled with newfound enlightenment.

Rumble!

The Heavenly Bridge continued to connect, becoming larger and wider.

The Qi and Blood gradually took on the form of Xiantian True Qi, pure and containing a mighty power, like the might of a true dragon.

It also contained a sharp and relentless force, like the endless flow of mountains and rivers.

His Jade Bones shone brilliantly, depicting the flawless image of mountains and rivers, a perfect fusion.

At a certain moment, a dragon's roar seemed to resound within his body, and a giant dragon coiled around him, hiding within his Jade Bones, as if a true dragon was hiding within the mountains and rivers.

And in this moment, the Heavenly Bridge was fully connected.

Rumble!

His Qi and Blood abruptly transformed into Xiantian True Qi.

In this instant, Xu Yan felt as if his senses had undergone a transformation, and the world seemed clearer than before.

It was as if he had merged with the heavens and the earth.

He could sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Violent spiritual energy surged, and as he breathed it in, it rushed through the Heavenly Bridge and into his Dantian and Qi Sea.

Rumble!

His Dantian trembled as if the world was being created anew. Under the impact of the spiritual energy, the outline of his Dantian and Qi Sea emerged.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end