Chapter 86 - Innate Demonic Sword Heart
"What about... the Heavenly Court?" Cale asked.
"Its inhabitants are incomprehensible to even think about. The Heavenly Emperor exists as the will of heaven itself, present since the universe’s day one. Can mere cultivation levels even describe such existence?"
"...right."
"As I said, you could become a Sword Saint yourself. Kill powerful cultivators, claim that you’ve created an all powerful set of techniques, and boom—they’ll grant you the title. Reputation requires only that you live up to it."
Cale sighed, "Like I said, I don’t want fame. I just want to be strong."
"Kid, reputation is useful. You merely maintain your standing. If called the strongest swordsman, avoid losing to other swordsmen. Even my master lost to a fist cultivator—did people’s perception shift? Barely. Become someone so formidable that enemies won’t even consider challenging you. Not because they’re uncertain of victory, but because you’re beneath their notice. If I asked—would you challenge the Heavenly Emperor I mentioned?"
"No. Why would I?"
"Exactly. Even if someone exists capable of defeating him, his mere identity and existence prevent such thoughts."
Cale asked his first question again, "So, can you teach me swordsmanship? I’m not asking for advanced sect techniques, just something for self-defense. I don’t even know how to swing a sword properly yet."
"Sigh, call me your master then. We can discuss the sword dao, but I cannot teach anyone to use a sword. Techniques bind you—what’s the point? The only worthy technique is one that kills your enemy. Never forget the sword’s original purpose. Why was it invented? To dance? Impress people? No. Simply to eliminate threats efficiently and versatilely. So I won’t teach you to ’swing a sword’. Do whatever you want. Swing it up and down. Move it however you desire. Throw it like a spear if that works. As long as your enemy dies, you exemplify the sword dao. Heh, throw it strong enough to kill the heavenly emperor, and you’ll be the next one."
Returning to present consciousness, Cale opened his dragon eyes and smiled.
One day remained before his time in the inner sanctum expired. A few hours had passed since his cultivation breakthrough. As expected, the enemies hadn’t dispersed. They utilized artifacts to sense his presence constantly, even when he remained hidden.
"I’ve realized something new today, but I already knew it from before..." he whispered to himself, settling into meditation once more. "Cultivation truly is an endless journey."
[Congratulations Host! You have gained a new understanding in the path of Sword Intent]
[Reward: Innate Demonic Sword Heart]
"Huh, did I comprehend something new now?"
[Innate Demonic Sword Heart
Type: Innate Constitution / Sword Cultivation Talent
Grade: Supreme
Rarity: Extremely Rare
Description:
An innate Sword Heart possessing a naturally demonic nature while also being pure. Unlike ordinary Sword Hearts, which are cultivated through years of comprehension and tempering, the Innate Demonic Sword Heart is born within the cultivator from one point of their life.
It grants its bearer an extraordinary affinity toward the sword, allowing the sword to resonate with their body, mind, and soul. Its demonic nature gives the wielder’s swordsmanship an instinctive inclination toward aggression, destruction, and killing.
Giving them pleasure beyond belief when killing but also stopping the host from delving into inner demons.
[Innate Sword Affinity]
Possesses an exceptionally high compatibility with swords. Host can instinctively adapt to unfamiliar swords, allowing him to wield them effectively with little adjustment.
[Sword Comprehension]
Greatly enhances the host’s comprehension of sword techniques, Sword Intent, Sword Principles, and Sword Dao. Complex sword techniques that would normally require extensive study can be understood considerably faster.
[Sword Resonance]
The sword naturally resonates with host’s Sword Heart. This improves control over Sword Qi, reduces unnecessary energy expenditure, and allows execution of sword techniques with greater precision.
[Demonic Sword Intent]
Sword Intent produced through the Sword Heart possesses a faint demonic quality. It carries greater aggression and penetrating force than ordinary Sword Intent, making it particularly effective against opponents with weaker wills.
[Killing Instinct]
When engaged in combat, the Sword Heart instinctively reacts to hostile movements, helping perceive flaws, openings, and weaknesses in an opponent’s swordsmanship slightly better than normal.
[Unyielding Sword Heart]
Host’s mind and will become significantly more resistant to fear, intimidation, killing intent, and mental interference while wielding a sword.
[Sword Qi Refinement]
Qi circulating through the Sword Heart is naturally refined and purified, increasing its sharpness and stability while reducing energy wastage.
[Demonic Tempering]
The Sword Heart can gradually strengthen through intense combat and encounters with powerful opponents. The closer host comes to death while fighting with his sword, the more deeply the Sword Heart is tempered.
[One with the Sword]
Host possesses an unusually strong connection between body, mind, soul, and sword. As the Sword Heart develops, movements become increasingly natural, allowing fight without unnecessary movements or hesitation.
The Innate Demonic Sword Heart does not grant automatic mastery of sword techniques, Sword Intent, or Sword Dao. Its greatest advantage is potential and comprehension.
A person possessing this Sword Heart may become a supreme sword cultivator—but only through cultivation, battle, comprehension, and the forging of their own Sword Dao.
The Innate Demonic Sword Heart possesses a deeper potential that can only be awakened after host develops a sufficiently profound understanding of his own Sword Dao.]
Cale stared at the notifications scrolling across his vision.
’An Innate Demonic Sword Heart, huh. Such things exist too? Can a human even have a demon’s heart... well, I’m not one to talk, huh.’
"And what is up with this timing of getting all this shit thrown at me?"
Just what even did he comprehend anyways. Didn’t he just recall past conversations, well while the person he was talking to was a disciple of the sword saint himself, it can’t be that huge of a deal right?
Or well, maybe Cale was made for the sword, like the system said. Alas, he even had a demonic heart, what was he even supposed to do with it.
’Do demonic hearts work different or something? I guess demons have more mana and Qi circulation speed, that is something good.’