Chapter 114: A Gathering of Sword Cultivators

In Medicine God Valley, herbs were hung out to dry everywhere, and the sect members and disciples mostly discussed how to refine pills and prepare medicinal formulas. Likewise, talisman papers were being dried all over the Longhu Mountains, and Daoist masters frequently explained to young Daoist priests how to hold brushes and draw those talismans.

Upon arriving at the Shu Sword Sect, Wang Sheng noticed that what they hung all around were... socks, Daoist robes, and training attire. There was no helping it. Cultivators below the Spirit Convergence Realm sweated too much while practicing swordsmanship.

Moreover, within the sect, rules had to be followed. One could not dress too casually, unlike Wang Sheng in his early days, when his cultivation was still low. Back then, he could simply wear shorts and a vest and train through bitter winter and blazing summer alike. Nonetheless, the familiar scents immediately gave Wang Sheng a strong sense of the sword cultivation atmosphere.

The same night he arrived, several Daoist elders and over ten Daoist masters summoned Wang Sheng at an ancient palace. Inside, tablets honoring the Three Pure Ones were enshrined. A broken five-meter-long stone sword lay diagonally before the tablets.

Soon, the Daoist elders and Daoist masters who were not in seclusion entered in order of seniority, taking their seats on the row of cushions. Fei Lianzi was seated a bit farther back. Sect members and disciples could only peer in from outside the palace, daring not to make a sound. They all curiously observed Wang Sheng.

Just as Wang Sheng sat down, a Daoist elder suddenly looked over at him. A sharp aura surged from around the elder, and continuous sword ringing immediately filled the air.

Two strands of sword intent emerged within Wang Sheng. One was fierce and sharp, embodying the principles of cyclical transformation; while the other was steady and enduring, seemingly embracing all things and containing every truth within.

Fei Lianzi smiled smugly as the eyes of the Daoist masters around him widened. Their various dialects and accents burst out.

"

Hiss!

He really has two sword intents!"

"At such a young age! How can he balance two sword intents that are so vastly different?"

"Mastering a sword art enough to break out of its fixed forms in just a few years is already remarkable in itself, yet he's also cultivating using two sword intents at once. How is this even possible?"

Fei Lianzi raised his hand with a mysterious air, and the surroundings immediately quieted. A Daoist elder then glared at him, making him shrink his neck and laugh awkwardly.

"Let's hear what Fei Yu has to say," Fei Lianzi requested.

"A grandmaster from the Wudang Mountains taught me the Dual-Polarity Sword Intent," Wang Sheng said with a smile. "I did not comprehend it on my own."

Only then did the Daoist masters feel relieved.

A Daoist elder frowned. "To pass down sword intent, one must possess an extremely high level of understanding in the Dao of the Sword. Was that Daoist master perhaps Yuan Pu Zhenren?"

"Yes."

"I see. In my younger years, I once sparred with him for twelve days and lost by a move or two. To think he has already gained enough insight into the Dao of the Sword to pass down sword intents."

Recalling the moment he met Yuan Pu Zhenren, Wang Sheng too felt a surge of emotion.

Another elder smiled. "A skilled master alone isn't all that is needed to pass down sword intents. At the time, you must have already comprehended a sword intent by yourself, Daoist Master Fei Yu. That's the only way a sword intent can be inherited so directly."

"Speak no further. Why not have him demonstrate his swordsmanship? That would give us a clear sense of things. Would you mind, Daoist Master Fei Yu?"

Doing his best to maintain a calm and composed state of mind, he solemnly nodded and slowly rose to his feet. He couldn't help but feel a little uneasy showing his swordsmanship to so many sword masters.

Noticing that Wang Sheng was feeling somewhat constrained, Fei Lianzi decided to step up and help him ease into it. Standing beside Wang Sheng, he laughed. "Fei Yu, why don't we have that third round of sparring now? Let's settle the score between us."

Wang Sheng nodded and smiled. The two stood facing each other in the palace, each gripping their longsword.

"Why do you draw your sword?"

His master's words still echoed in his ears. Though this was only a friendly match, not a battle to the death, Wang Sheng still could not help but ask himself that question.

However, he soon found the answer in his heart. He drew his sword to prove that he was strong enough to enter the Seventy-Two Swords, to earn the chance to help the Shu Sword Sect reclaim its fragmented Sword-Controlling Art, and to fight for that fated opportunity.

His heart settled. With his thoughts clear, his spirit calmed down, and his gaze sharpened. Chuckling lightly, he drew the treasured sword that Yan Zhengnan had once lent him and later gifted to him.

When his Seven-Star Sword Intent swept outward, Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi blurred into a clash. He had barely made his opening move when the elders inside the palace brightened.

As the bout passed a hundred moves, Wang Sheng fluidly utilized the Seven-Star Sword Formation, the Seven-Star Sword Technique, and the Dual-Polarity Sword Intent.

Outside the palace, the stunned younger disciples stood wide-eyed, just like Li Gufeng and Zi Ling had once been. Their faces blanked out in disbelief.

Everyone in the area that night was familiar with swords, understood swords, and practiced swordsmanship. Though Fei Lianzi was not the most powerful in cultivation within the sect, his realm and sword techniques were still top of the line. Moreover, though he did not go all out in the spar, he still used eighty to ninety percent of his full strength.

Wang Sheng also naturally refrained from using any lethal moves. After all, they were sparring simply to display his attainment in the Dao of the sword.

The young sword cultivator's

Hunyuan

headscarf flowed behind him as he moved and swung his sword. A breeze followed in the wake of his Daoist robe, and shimmering phantasms trailed the arcs of his treasured sword. With slanted brows and starry eyes, he exuded a brilliance of spirit.

While watching the fight, countless female disciples of the sword sect found their attention drawn to the graceful man. An equal number of male disciples also quietly expressed their admiration.

The middle-aged Daoist master who was sparring with him was just as excellent. His swordsmanship was undoubtedly refined.

When the match ended, Wang Sheng stood still, sword in hand. Fei Lianzi returned to his seat with a smile, while three elders of the sword sect exchanged a few words through voice transmission. They had already made their decision.

"Fei Yu, have a seat."

Wang Sheng sheathed his longsword and took a seat on the last cushion.

One of the elders sighed and then stepped forward slowly. "Our sword sect is divided into three branches. Moreover, the Sword Gate has guarded the Sword Mound for a thousand years. Nevertheless, our collective legacy still wasn't enough to preserve the Sword-Controlling Art.

"The cultivation techniques that our disciples use were all originally designed to complement the Sword-Controlling Art. Without it, the techniques and the spells they use are mismatched. This misfortune has brought us endless grief already!

"Fortunately, a thread of hope remains. In the forbidden grounds at the back of the mountain lies the trial grounds of the Seventy-Two Swords, where the sword sect's complete Daoist heritage is still preserved. Now, with your strength, Wudang's Sword Prodigy, we might just be able to reclaim our long-lost art! Regardless of the outcome, everyone in our sword sect will owe you a great debt!"

Wang Sheng had just been about to rise and respond, but Fei Lianzi discreetly gestured for him to stay seated.

The elder's speech was, in truth, more for the benefit of the sect's disciples. Similar statements had been made in the past during earlier attempts at the trial. However, there was a clear difference: the previous speeches were all made in front of the trial cave behind the mountain.

The elder's tone shifted as he added, "Within the trial cave of the Seventy-Two Swords, the Sword-Controlling Art is buried deep. It is likely in the seventh layer, between the fifty-fifth and sixty-third stages.

"So far, seven have entered to attempt it, but the furthest they could reach was the forty-second stage. Fei Yu, though we do not doubt your ability in the Dao of the Sword, the challenge that our forefathers have left in the Seventy-Two Swords is simply too difficult."

Wang Sheng finally stood up. "I am willing to try."

The elder nodded. "What I propose is for you to spend a month or two cultivating here in our sword sect. During that time, I'll gather our finest experts to help temper your sword intent based on what we know of the trial grounds.

"Additionally, we possess several secret arts that may help further your swordsmanship and cultivation. With this preparation, your chances of success will be much greater. Would you be willing to remain here at the Sword Gate for one or two more months?"

Wang Sheng hesitated slightly. His master had instructed him to return to the Wudang Mountains and enter seclusion. If he lingered too long in the sword sect...

Fei Lianzi laughed. "Oh come on. You were going to be punished with seclusion at Wudang anyway. Why not do it here instead?"

Several Daoist masters joined his persuasion attempt.

"Daoist Master Fei Yu, please lend us your aid."

"Our sword sect is willing to share our cultivation techniques and spells for your study. You are free to use whatever alchemy pills or formations that you need from our sect."

"We ask only that, for the sake of the hardships that sword cultivators endure, you give us a helping hand and help us reclaim the Sword-Controlling Art."

Wang Sheng bowed. "I'll accept the task for now. Let us make it a three-month term. If I still cannot help the sword sect recover the Sword-Controlling Art by then, I will have to step down and leave."

"Good!"

The elder before him laughed heartily and slapped Wang Sheng's shoulder. The other Daoist masters also exchanged smiles.

Wang Sheng was wise not to promise too much. He only said that he would attempt the trial, not that he was certain of retrieving the Sword-Controlling Art.

He didn't think he was necessarily stronger than the other young sword cultivators whom the sect had invited before. After all, his Dual-Polarity Sword Intent was a gift, made possible by Yuan Pu Zhenren's guidance.

In the coming days, the sword sect's experts would take turns helping him refine his sword intent, most likely through sparring. Wang Sheng felt that such a process would be more beneficial for his improvement.

***

The sword sect arranged for him to stay in one of the most scenic spots on the mountain—a pavilion built on the edge of a cliff. Soon, he found himself lying on a vine-woven bed, resting his head on a pillow and blanket that a few female disciples had freshly delivered.

Later that night, he pondered his master's teachings.

Why do I draw my sword?

From now on, before he took action, he decided to always ask himself that question. Fortunately, he was at Shu to help. There would be no conflict or great danger, and his task was mutually beneficial for him and the sect. Hence, there was no need to burden himself too heavily.

Wang Sheng opened the alloy-framed window, allowing a mountain breeze to sweep in. He gazed at the star-filled sky and the silhouetted ridges, then pulled a chair to the window and sat down to meditate.

Before he realized it, he had entered a deep state of focus. Devoid of unnecessary thoughts, he attuned himself to the form and essence of the Dao, sensing the spirit contained within the mountain's landscape.

At some point, Wang Sheng felt the primal qi around him grow slightly warmer. Upon opening his eyes, he realized that a ray of sunlight had shone down on his previously closed eyelids.

Gazing at the distant horizon, where the sun had just risen behind the mountains, a deep sense of calm filled his heart. Soon, however, his gaze was drawn to a flicker of golden light in the distance. Through the mist-shrouded peaks, he vaguely made out the roof of a great palace, glowing with golden radiance.

Amid the golden light, a seated Buddha slowly took form. Across heaven and earth, waves of serene chanting began to echo.