Xu Xiaoshou used to be very envious of Zhao Qingteng's "Formless Great Cold" technique, dreaming that one day he too could control his surroundings and make everything around him into swords and reign supreme.
He knew that if he were to focus on picking up spiritual techniques, he wouldn't be able to get anywhere, even after a dozen years at it. As such, he'd focused on deepening his understanding of sword will instead.
He then developed "All Things are Swords" and had even tried to make use of that awesome spiritual technique of his one night.
However, it was unfortunate for him that not only was he unable to make practical use of the skill, but he'd even somehow made Hiding Pain develop the tendency to hurt its owner instead.
But then again, that had been the case with the acquired sword will back then. Lacking what it took to become a full-fledged spiritual technique was understandable.