Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 557: 357 Trap, Comprehension, Harvest

Chapter 557: Chapter 357 Trap, Comprehension, Harvest

“Alas, I am ashamed to say that I have dealt with some old matters improperly, which has displeased our Master. He once said that I have been seduced by power and now my path of the sword is blocked, my limit already set. So… So… Alas!” Zhai Kong said with a face full of shame.

“Senior brother, do not take it to heart. If I have the chance, I will certainly speak a few good words to our Master on behalf of senior brother,” Zhao Sheng said warmly.

“Then I shall trouble junior brother with this.”

After saying this, Zhai Kong glanced at the Cloud Peak Sword Intent on the table and suddenly pointed at the drawing, smiling and said, “Junior brother, this Sword Intent for us sword cultivators is an invaluable treasure. Back when I observed this drawing for three days, it greatly benefited my spleen, and that is why I have the status I have today. I wonder what kind of Sword Intent junior brother has grasped from it?”

“I have only understood a little, just the surface of the Sword Intent.”

Oh?

A glint flashed in Zhai Kong’s eyes, and he suddenly said, “If junior brother has gained some insights, feel free to share them, so I too may learn. Perhaps my opportunity to achieve Great Success lies with junior brother.”

Zhao Sheng smiled unfazed and said, “Senior brother flatters me too much. With my meager wisdom and shallow understanding of the Dao, how could I ever compare with senior brother’s celestial talent? What I have realized is like a child brandishing a sword, simply laughable in front of senior brother.”

“Ah, junior brother must not belittle himself! Today, let us brothers have a good discussion about swords. It’s settled then,” Zhai Kong insisted on probing Zhao Sheng’s depth without a doubt in his tone.

His words unconsciously carried a bit of the Tao Reverence Palace Master’s domineering tone.

“Since senior brother has the leisure for this, junior brother will have to keep you company.”

Zhao Sheng had a helpless expression, but his heart was clear as a mirror.

To discuss swords was nothing more than a battle of wits, seeing who could speak better and make more sense. He was not afraid at all.

Of course, at Zhai Kong’s realm, random boasting wouldn’t do. It had to involve some actual sword theory.

A flicker of Divine Light passed through Zhai Kong’s eyes, and he began, “Junior brother, do you know how many major schools there are in the Sword Dao today, and which school is the most revered?”

Zhao Sheng immediately answered, “It should be the three major schools: the Outer Sword, Inner Sword, and Heart Sword. As for which one is the most revered in the Sword Dao, I do not know.”

“In Cang Province, there are three schools of Sword Dao. The Outer Sword is known for its numbers, with the most Nascent Souls. Although the Inner Sword has fewer followers, each one is peerless in slaughter, nearly unbeatable among peers. As for the Heart Sword, this school values Heart Intent and comprehension the most. If either is lacking, even heaven-defying talent is not enough for Great Success. But once the Heart Sword is great, its wielder can fight a thousand foes, becoming revered above all.

“I may not be very talented, just a Golden Core of the Outer Sword, but I also have some understanding of the Heart Sword.”

As he spoke, a streak of Sword Light suddenly flashed across Zhai Kong’s eyes.

With a flash of white light, Zhao Sheng felt a stinging pain in his eyes and aching in his Divine Soul. In an instant, his Karma Fire Red Lotus flew out of his body, forming a Red Lotus Shield that enveloped him completely.

Seeing this, Zhai Kong’s eyes lost their Sword Light.

“What a profound Heart Sword! Please, senior brother, also evaluate my understanding,” Zhao Sheng praised continuously, but a phantom sword light flashed deep in his eyes, piercing through the void and entering Zhai Kong’s eyes.

“Heart Sword! I did not expect junior brother to have such exceptional comprehension. Now observe my Five Elements Sword Intent,” Zhai Kong said, his face showing a hint of joy. With that, five streaks of Sword Light burst from his fingertips, Green, Red, Yellow, White, and Black rotating, with the Sword Intent endlessly generating and going through cycles.

“Senior brother, please wait, we have agreed only to discuss swords today, let’s not actually fight. I cannot withstand a single strike from senior brother,” Zhao Sheng hastily pleaded, as the Red Lotus Shield around him instantly thickened by three layers. His head still throbbed from the Heart Sword strike just moments ago.

“Nonsense, it’s merely a discussion of swords, and you won’t be harmed in the slightest,” Zhai Kong said, seemingly excited as he continued, “Back when I contemplated the Sword Intent drawing, I happened to witness an illusion of the Five Elements Sword Ancestor’s Sword Intent. From it, I realized the endless cycle of the Five Elements Rotation, separating the Sword Qi into the Five Elements of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth… Gathering Five Elements Gold Essence to refine into the Magic Sword, from outside to inside, with the Five Elements transforming and generating each other, in an endless cycle, that is the Five Elements Sword Dao!”

As Zhai Kong spoke, the Five Elements Sword Light in his hand continuously evolved and changed, flowing as desired, performing countless mysteries.

Across the stone table, Zhao Sheng had a look of marvel in his eyes, watching intently as if he was completely engrossed.

After seeing this, Zhai Kong secretly felt proud. Zhao Sheng was too scheming; on the surface, it looked like a benign demonstration of the Five Elements Sword Dao’s mysteries. In reality, Zhai Kong wanted Zhao Sheng to be led astray, and if he really followed Zhai Kong’s old path, learning the Five Elements Sword Dao, he would end up like him.

Naturally, Zhao Sheng would not fall for such a trick. However… he still had to show some edge.

Moments later, after Zhai Kong finished his demonstration, Zhao Sheng showed a face full of amazement and stretched out a hand, with five streaks of sword light emerging from his fingertip, each carrying a Light Halo of one of the Five Colors.

Zhai Kong’s face changed, for the Five Elements Sword Dao is a profound Sword Dao; how could someone grasp it just by watching once.

“After listening to senior brother’s method, I had the good fortune to comprehend,” Zhao Sheng replied as he retracted the Five Elements Sword Light and said with a smile, “I have also realized two extreme theories from the Sword Intent diagram, one is about simplifying complexity, the other is about turning complexity to simplicity… the extreme complexity of sword moves leads to the supreme essence, one sword transforming into ten thousand swords, breaking all methods, this is the Ten Thousand Sword Technique… All the swords in the world return to the sect, using straightforwardness to break cunning, great ingenuity appearing effortless, one sword breaking all methods, this is the Sect Sword Technique.”

“Sss!”

Zhai Kong took a sharp breath, his mind racing with countless thoughts, finally settling on an image of a certain forefather of Sword Dao.

“… Transforming one sword into ten thousand swords and breaking all methods with one sword, senior brother, which sword theory is more profound?” Zhao Sheng asked very earnestly.

“This…”

Zhai Kong closed his eyes, deep in thought, his fingers tapping on the table unconsciously, clearly unsettled.