Chapter 101

Translator: 549690339

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..