Xu Van’s Enlightenment, Mountain and River Sword Intent

Boom!

A thunderbolt cleaved the sky, the roar of thunder, deafening.

Li Xuan sighed inwardly, "The power of heaven and earth, it truly is extraordinary. The force of this bolt, even with my current strength, would be somewhat challenging to withstand."

His curiosity piqued, he wondered if the concept of crossing tribulations existed in the martial arts of this world?

"The Martial Arts 1 create won't include crossing tribulations. It would be foolish to arbitrarily set up a Heavenly Tribulation test for oneself."

Li Xuan was thinking such.

As for whether, without a Heavenly Tribulation test, strength would be insufficient.

That's not a question at all.

Who said that only those who endure a Heavenly Tribulation are powerful?

Is it not possible to directly control the strength of heaven and earth, the power of Heavenly Tribulation, instead of crossing the so-called Heavenly Tribulation?

"As long as the cultivation technique is good and the disciple is a genius, everything is possible!"

Li Xuan's face was covered in a smile.

"Your disciple Meng Chong has successfully cultivated the Thunderbolt Vajra Fist; your Thunderbolt Vajra Fist has been completed!"

Suddenly, a golden light emerged.

Feedback from the Golden Finger came.

Meng Chong understood and had cultivated the Thunderbolt Vajra Fist.

"Excellent! Now that he has grasped the Thunderbolt Vajra Fist, it's time to continue teaching Meng Chong new cultivation techniques."

Li Xuan was overjoyed.

In his mind already existed the cultivation method of the Thunderbolt Vajra Fist. He could only exclaim, this Thunderbolt Vajra Fist was truly formidable.

With a slight punch, there was a force of thunderbolt.

"For a devil cultivator like Blood Heartless, facing the Thunderbolt Vajra Fist, he would be severely suppressed!"

If Blood Heartless wasn't dead and had to face Meng Chong now, it would be difficult to predict the outcome.

The rain continued to pat down, but the gale had stopped.

The thunder and lightening also subsided.

Meng Chong returned in the rain.

"Master, I have realized the Thunderbolt Vajra Fist!"

Meng Chong said excitedly.

"Good! You have not disappointed your master. You should meditate for a while, and then your master will teach you the Eight Diagrams and the Dao of the Blade!"

Li Xuan nodded approvingly.

"Yes, Master!"

Meng Chong was thrilled.

Li Xuan decided to teach each disciple about the Eight Diagrams. What they could comprehend would depend entirely on the disciples themselves.

Each disciple's understanding would be different.

The movement techniques are within; other subtleties are also within. Perhaps, as the disciples grow stronger, they will have new insights.

For example, Xu Yan, who understood the Light Crane Movement Technique, during the fight against Blood Heartless, he had a sudden insight into the technique of transporting through space.

He wondered what kind of movement technique Meng Chong could comprehend.

Perhaps it will be a fluke, and he will understand the technique of transporting through space too?

Three days later.

Outside Yunshan County, in a familiar forest.

Only the periphery of the forest had trees at this point, the inside was now a flat piece of land without even a single piece of grass.

With a wave of Li Xuan's hand, amidst the surge of True Qi, an Eight Diagrams pattern emerged on the ground.

"This is the Eight Diagrams. It contains the mysteries of heaven and earth. Movement techniques can also be understood from it. Your master will teach you the Dao of the Eight Diagrams…"

Li Xuan recounted to Meng Chong all the knowledge related to the Eight Diagrams, as well as his own insights and theories, which contained powerful mysteries.

"Did you remember all of that?"

In the end, Li Xuan asked with a deep voice.

"Master, your disciple has remembered!"

Meng Chong nodded.

He stared at the Eight Diagrams pattern, lost in thought.

"This Dao of the Eight Diagrams is really profound. It sounds strong, containing the mysteries of heaven and earth, and one can always comprehend it.

"Master has said, each stage will have different enlightenments, and each person's understanding will be different. One can comprehend their own martial arts from it."

He decided to spend the next period of time understanding the Eight Diagrams.

"I have already understood the Thunderbolt Vajra Fist, next 1 need to comprehend a footwork or movement technique from the Eight Diagrams.

"The movement technique of my elder martial brother is extremely mysterious, and it was also understood from the Eight Diagrams. I am not learning his movement technique, 1 want to understand my own."

"The one I understand myself will be the most suitable for me."

Meng Chong was contemplating as he started to tread upon the Eight Diagrams pattern.

Seeing this, Li Xuan reminded him, "In understanding the Eight Diagrams, do not forget your own cultivation and aim to perfect your Qi and Blood as soon as possible."

"Yes, Master!"

Meng Chong replied respectfully.

"Hm, practice well!"

After Li Xuan finished speaking, he left.

Next, it was up to Meng Chong to see when he could comprehend his own movement technique from the Eight Diagrams.

As for the mantra of the movement technique, Li Xuan didn't bother to make one. Meng Chong's talent wasn't in understanding mantras. It might even have the opposite effect if he was taught a mantra.

Capital of Qi Country.

The hubbub regarding the powerful person had gradually died down, and the court officials all understood that even if they sought out a powerful person, they would not be able to shake the position of the Guo Family.

The fervor to find a powerful person gradually abated as well.

All court officials wanted to learn martial arts from the powerful visitors or have their descendants become disciples of these powerful people.

Without exception, they couldn't even get a glimpse of the great visitors.

In the backyard of the Qi King's Mansion, Xu Yan's residence.

Xie Lingfeng held a wooden stick and was sparring with Xu Yan. One did not use his inner martial arts qi, the other did not use his Qi and Blood. They were just practicing swordsmanship.

This wasn't their first time.

"Brother Xu, are you sure that sparring like this will help you comprehend Sword Intent?"

Xie Lingfeng asked curiously.

After extensively discussing martial arts and especially swordsmanship with Xu Yan, Xie Lingfeng had recognized the reality that what he had been practicing was fake martial arts!

He hadn't even touched the door of the true Sword Dao!

Now that he realized his mistakes, he naturally wanted to correct them. Therefore, he asked Xu Yan for guidance.. What is the true Martial Arts, and how should he cultivate it?

Reestablishing the martial arts path was now out of the question.

One solution Xu Yan proposed was to convert the cultivation of the Grandmaster realm to the cultivation of the Innate realm, with the first step being the cultivation of Innate True Qi.

This was similar to martial arts Inner Qi, but purer, more mystical, with greater potential, and stronger than martial arts Inner Qi.

According to Xu Yan, the Inner Qi of martial artists in the Inner Domain was actually True Qi, merely a false form of martial arts, hence, it was also an imitation True Qi.

Because of this, it lacked the purity and power of Innate True Qi.

Xie Lingfeng found this quite reasonable and believed it wholeheartedly.

However, he didn't know how to convert his whole body's martial arts Inner Qi into Innate True Qi.

Xu Yan couldn't provide a method either, but told him that once he had broken through to the Innate realm and understood its mysteries, he might know the method for transformation.

Before breaking through to the Innate realm, he wanted to grasp the Sword Intent.

The earlier he grasped the Sword Intent, the more solid his foundation in Sword Dao would be. If he could not grasp the Sword Intent within a month, Xu Yan would not continue to suppress it, but choose to break through.

Hence, Xie Lingfeng and Xu Yan began to spar, to help Xu Yan understand the Sword Intent.

"Yes!"

Xu Yan nodded: "The comprehension of Sword Intent lies in calming the mind and spirit, understanding the world, and in Swordsmanship. I have an intuition that sparring constantly with you will be beneficial for comprehending the Sword Intent."

"It will be even more useful in understanding the Sword Intent!"

Xie Lingfeng thrusted his sword, curiously asking, "Brother Yan, what exactly is Sword Intent?"

It sounded mysterious. When he first heard of it, he was utterly baffled.

In the Inner Domain's Sword Dao, only the peerless Swordsmanship, formidable invincible Sword Qi, and chillingly sharp sword light were discussed. Even though there were occasional mentions of Sword Intent, it was a different concept from the Sword Intent Xu Yan spoke of.

"Sword Intent, that is the intent within the sword. It's my intent, the intent of heaven and earth, and also the intent of Sword Dao. It's a kind of understanding, a kind of mood in line with heaven and earth…"

Xu Yan slowly pondered and said.

Xie Lingfeng opened his mouth slightly, looking somewhat baffled. He understood each word, but when put together, he was confused. It was too mysterious, completely beyond his grasp.

At this moment, he sighed inwardly: "I am known as the Sword Majesty Cliff, the top Sword Dao prodigy in a thousand years, but compared to Brother Yan, I'm just a joke!"

Suddenly, Xie Lingfeng was stunned.

His eyes widened in amazement as he looked at Xu Yan in disbelief.

In an instant, he felt the branch in his hand become heavier, as if it was not obeying his commands.

What shocked him even more was that an inexplicable, unfathomable, yet clearly powerful and mystical force was emanating from Xu Yan.

Faintly, elusive, indescribable.

But it carried a sharp intent with an eternal, indestructible charm.

He no longer had control over his Swordsmanship.

His hand was trembling, and the branch in his hand began to crumble bit by bit. Alarmed, he quickly let go and stepped back.

Xu Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, he had entered a state of self-forgetfulness. Rounds and rounds of inexplicable aura emerged from him.

"Sword Intent is the intent within the sword, and the sword in my hand; that is my intent… What should be the intent of Sword Dao? The sharpness of the sword is indispensable, while my bones are flawless, endless.

"The Martial Path is endless, Sword Dao is also endless, and should be eternal…"

Xu Yan self-examined; in his mind, he recollected every word and action of his master, the carefree demeanor when seated, the casual steps when walking; these were all ordinary gestures in life.

However, how extraordinary was his master?

What kind of realm was that?

It surfaced in Xu Yan's mind how he practiced diligently in the small mountain village, fed chickens, cooked meals every day, and how carefree his master's life was. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how profound his master's realm was.

"This is what my master meant by the 'Dao follows nature!

Recalling when his master was teaching the Eight Diagrams also surfaced, Qian, Kun, Zhen, Dui…

The more he recalled, the more realization Xu Yan had: "So my master, from the very beginning, laid the foundation for me to understand Sword Dao, to feel Sword Intent."

But, I've been ignoring it."

"Looking back now, every word and action of my master was in line with the Dao, and I was close to the Dao.

"The realm of the master is so unfathomable that it is almost like the Dao."

At this moment, Xu Yan understood. His Sword Heart was clear and his Sword Intent, transparent.

A Sword Intent rose around him.

He had made a small achievement in the clear Sword Heart.

He had comprehended the Sword Intent!

"The mountains and rivers are immortal, enduring wind and rain, devoid of sentimentality, burying countless lives… My first Sword Intent shall be called Mountain and River Sword Intent."

Xu Yan opened his eyes, the Mountain and River Sword Intent emerged, being thick, long-lasting, sharp and merciless.

Looking up at the shocked Xie Lingfeng, he laughed, "Brother Xie, how about you face one of my Sword Intents? Don't worry, I won't go all out."

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

Without Xie Lingfeng accompanying him in sword practice, he would not have grasped the Sword Intent so quickly, and finally comprehended the Sword Intent before breaking through to the Innate realm.

Xie Lingfeng's face was full of shock, is this the Sword Intent?

It was too profound to predict.

Taking a deep breath, he solemnly said, "Alright!"

He also wanted to experience firsthand whether this so-called Sword Intent was really that powerful.

Zing!

He unsheathes his sword, his expression incredibly serious.

With a twig in his hand, Xu Yan says, "Brother Xie, you take the first move!"

He's afraid that once he makes his move, Xie Lingfeng won't get the chance to do so.

"Alright!"

Xie Lingfeng doesn't beat around the bush, he thrusts his sword immediately.

The sword light morphs into a flying rainbow, darting across the sky, bridging the gap between them in a split second.

Hum!

A hum resounds in the universe as if for an instant. In his daze, Xie Lingfeng seems to see the mountains and rivers moulding together, continuous but harsh and cruel, as if it could bury all life.

The rainbow sword light plunges into the mountains and rivers, leaving not a trace behind.

But the reflection of the mountains and rivers looks like a landslip and the roaring rivers seem as if they are going to bury all beings, and he— is in there, amongst that life about to be buried!

His heart is struck with terror!

Is this what Sword Intent is?

Shush,shush!

Xie Lingfeng hastily engages his sword, one stroke after another. The twinkle of the rainbow sword light churns up layers of cold light, continuously pouring onto the mountain-river Sword Intent.

He had launched a hundred strokes in a flash!

Plop!

Finally, the mountain-river Sword Intent dissipates.

The twig in Xu Yan's hand has turned to dust.

He feels his head going empty, as if he has greatly strained his mind and used up around 10% of his Qi and blood in an instant.

The Jade bones are gleaming brightly, and his Qi and blood are recovering rapidly.

The drained spirit is also slowly replenishing.

"The Sword Intent is too powerful, it's too draining for me to utilize with my current strength."

Xu Yan sighs in his heart.

After all, the level of Sword Intent is extremely high, and he is currently only at the Qi and blood realm, the first realm of the Martial Arts. The consumption of actualizing Sword Intent is beyond imagination.

"I'm a Jade Bone foundation, so I'm able to handle it. But if I had a Gold Bone foundation, 1 would probably only manage to launch Sword Intent once or twice at the Qi and blood realm."

Xu Yan thinks to himself in silence.

His expenditure is significant, but he could still actualize Sword Intent again.

He can manage to hold up if he had to summon it five or six times.

While Xu Yan is shocked by the consumption of Sword Intent, Xie Lingfeng is already stunned.

It was just one Sword Intent.

He gave all his might, launching a hundred strokes, just to put out this one Sword Intent.

Moreover, he could clearly feel that the Sword Intent could drain the power of his swordsmanship. The rainbow sword light plunges into the Sword Intent, like into a quagmire.

Only around 30% of its power remains.

He realizes a problem, a Martial Artist who has comprehended Sword Intent has the power to crush those who haven't!

Once the Sword Intent is understood, it can beat the higher realm!

Sword Intent is indeed terrifying.

No wonder it sounds so mysterious!

After this incident, Xie Lingfeng even more sorrowfully believes that what he had been practicing was fake martial arts!

The so-called martial arts inherited from Sword Lord Cliff since antiquity are all fake martial arts!

And himself, he's no swordsmanship genius!

He is just a common Martial Artist who has learned a bit of swordsmanship!

"I cannot sink any further, I have to comprehend swordsmanship, 1 also want to enter the door of swordsmanship.

"I want to become a real swordsmanship Martial Artist!"

Xie Lingfeng's eyes are resolute, this trip to the wastelands, quite possibly, is a stroke of fate!

"I want to ask Brother Xu, how can I attain a clear understanding of swordsmanship!"

Only with clear comprehension of swordsmanship can one enter the basics of swordsmanship.

And only with clear understanding can one comprehend Sword Intent!

"Congratulations to Brother Xu for gaining an understanding of Sword Intent!"

With an envious expression, Xie Lingfeng clasps his hands in respect and congratulates him.

"Brother Xie is being too kind, if it weren't for your sparring with me, 1 wouldn't have been able to understand Sword Intent so quickly."

Xu Yan modestly replies.

"Brother Xu is being modest. I played no part in it. Even without me, it would have taken Xu Yan merely a day or two more to understand it."

Xie Lingfeng says with a wry smile..