Chapter 35: Sudden Realization
After listening, Lu Changfeng graciously clapped his hands.
"As expected of someone from a Major Sect, Young Sect Leader. Your knowledge of the path of Martial Arts is incredibly detailed."
Having gained new knowledge, a few words of flattery were only appropriate.
It was genuinely the first time Lu Changfeng had heard of these things.
Before this, the highest level of Martial Arts knowledge he had encountered was only about the Tendon Transformation Realm.
This seemed to explain why Bone Refining Realm masters were so rarely seen in the Jianghu.
’They’re too busy with Bone Forging to have time for disputes!’
Of course, there were also those Bone Refining Realm Martial Artists who had given up on advancing and directly participated in combat and slaughter.
Lu Changfeng was once again tempted to join a Sect.
The resources of a Sect were incomparable to those of an ordinary family.
However, Lu Changfeng had too many secrets. He was afraid that if he joined a Major Sect, some old monster within it would see through him.
That was why Lu Changfeng remained hesitant.
’Besides, Martial Arts really can lead to Longevity! At the very least, I now know that advancing to the Bone Refining Realm means I could live to be a hundred and fifty!’
’What about higher Realms? What about breaking the limits of Martial Arts?’
Lu Changfeng’s pursuit of Longevity through Martial Arts was once again solidified.
Lu Changfeng’s simple flattery was quite pleasing to Zhao Xingtian.
This was his master’s friend from a different generation. Feeling guilty toward his master, Zhao Xingtian already felt a need to compensate Lu Changfeng, a sort of transferred affection.
So he took the initiative and said, "I see you have a Treasure Longsword as well. You must practice Swordsmanship. Why don’t I offer you some pointers?"
Lu Changfeng’s heart stirred. His exhausted body leaped to its feet. "Yes, please!"
Lu Changfeng picked up the Autumn Water Long Sword at his side and pointed it toward Zhao Xingtian.
’Getting pointers from an expert is the best thing I could ask for.’
Zhao Xingtian didn’t hesitate. He drew the longsword from his waist but didn’t unsheathe it.
Holding the sheathed sword, he executed a beautiful flourish and said:
"I won’t use Inner Strength, as it would interfere with my Bone Refining. Besides, you’re only in the Blood Forging Realm. I’ll hold back my strength. You, on the other hand, should attack me with everything you’ve got."
Although Lu Changfeng was utterly exhausted, the opportunity to spar with a master like Zhao Xingtian was so exciting that he forced himself to rally his spirits.
A new surge of power welled up in his tired body. Lu Changfeng activated his Gale Swordsmanship and attacked Zhao Xingtian.
A faint glimmer appeared in Zhao Xingtian’s eyes.
It takes an expert to know one.
This Lu Changfeng’s Swordsmanship was really quite good.
Zhao Xingtian activated his Starlight Swordsmanship with one hand and engaged him in battle.
’The longsword in Zhao Xingtian’s hand must be a legendary Spirit Sword, a level higher than a Treasure Artifact.’
Even the scabbard was extraordinary. Lu Changfeng’s Treasure Weapon Autumn Water Long Sword struck it but failed to leave the slightest scratch.
As the spar continued,
the [Sword Vein] Talent that Lu Changfeng had just copied from Zhao Xingtian the other day began to activate.
It strengthened Lu Changfeng’s understanding of the Gale style by working from the very veins of swordsmanship, and he felt the power of his sword techniques begin to rise again.
Unable to hold back, Lu Changfeng directly unleashed his Gale Sword Intent!
"Well, I’ll be! No wonder Master was willing to be friends with you despite the age gap! So you’ve comprehended Sword Intent too!"
Lu Changfeng stole a glance at his interface. ’With the enhanced understanding provided by the [Sword Vein] Talent, my Gale Sword Intent has already reached a terrifying eighty percent boost!’
A single slash carried terrifying speed, strength, and power!
Without using his Inner Strength, Zhao Xingtian was forced to activate his Starlight Sword Intent!
Starlight Sword Intent was an Intermediate Sword Intent. Once activated, a faint blue light flickered around Zhao Xingtian’s body—it was Sword Intent made manifest!
CLANG!
Zhao Xingtian’s sheathed sword easily blocked Lu Changfeng’s strike. Lu Changfeng’s longsword was knocked away, and the webbing between his thumb and forefinger went numb.
"Good Sword Intent! A pity it lacks a certain... refinement. You must have condensed this Sword Intent from a Blood Forging Martial Art, right? You’re a true genius."
Zhao Xingtian now considered Lu Changfeng’s Martial Arts Talent to be on par with his own.
"Take this!"
Lu Changfeng was incredibly excited. "Gale and Torrential Rain!"
He unleashed the Ultimate Technique of the Gale Swordsmanship!
As Lu Changfeng executed Gale and Torrential Rain, he could now unleash ten strikes in a single instant!
Zhao Xingtian had to take it seriously.
He channeled his Starlight Sword Intent to its fullest.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
It took everything Zhao Xingtian had to block Lu Changfeng’s Ultimate Technique.
After using his Ultimate Technique, before Zhao Xingtian could continue the practice bout, Lu Changfeng’s hand went limp, and the Autumn Water Sword fell to the ground.
THUD.
His body collapsed to the ground as well.
He had already exhausted his stamina practicing the [Fengtian Forging Body Saber Skill].
Forcing himself to spar with Zhao Xingtian, the last ounce of his strength had been wrung out after using ’Gale and Torrential Rain’. He truly couldn’t even hold his sword or stand steadily.
Hei Niu, who had been secretly watching from the side, scurried over, helped Lu Changfeng up, and stuffed some Celestial Silkworm Meat into his mouth.
He then moved Lu Changfeng’s jaw up and down a few times to help him swallow.
"My master trains so diligently that he often collapses from exhaustion. I’m used to it!"
Hei Niu explained, turning to the dumbfounded Zhao Xingtian.
"Such Talent, such perseverance, and the ambition to break through the Blood Forging Sixth Layer..."
"No wonder Master became friends with you!"
Zhao Xingtian repeated himself, then walked forward and flicked a Pill into Lu Changfeng’s mouth. A warm energy dissolved in his mouth and flowed through his limbs and bones.
With the Pill’s help, Lu Changfeng felt his stamina rapidly returning.
A moment later, he was able to get up on his own.
"Is this a Spirit Pill?"
Zhao Xingtian nodded. "A ’Recovery Pill’ from the Xuanyuan Sword Sect. It’s far more valuable than your Exotic Beast Meat and is effective for restoring Inner Strength. Using it on you is frankly overkill."
"Thank you," Lu Changfeng said.
Zhao Xingtian waved his hand. "Don’t mention it."
"However, I think you should try to improve your Swordsmanship."
"With your Talent, it’s entirely possible for you to refine your Swordsmanship and further enhance your Sword Intent."
Lu Changfeng’s heart stirred. "Please teach me, Young Sect Leader."
Zhao Xingtian frowned. "I’ve only heard of similar cases back in the Sect. The specific method of improvement is something you’ll have to figure out for yourself."
After a pause, Zhao Xingtian offered a suggestion.
"My Starlight Sword Intent was comprehended from the Star Drift Sword Technique, a Tendon Transformation Realm Swordsmanship."
"The quality of Blood Forging Realm Martial Arts can’t compare to those of the Tendon Transformation Realm. Perhaps you can overcome this with quantity."
"Studying a large number of similar Blood Forging Realm sword techniques should give you a deeper understanding of Sword Intent."
"It’s not impossible for you to synthesize what you’ve learned, create your own Swordsmanship, and transform your Sword Intent into something even stronger."
Zhao Xingtian’s guidance was a moment of enlightenment for Lu Changfeng.
Most importantly, Zhao Xingtian had pointed out that Sword Intent could be comprehended and improved on one’s own!
For Lu Changfeng, who was used to relying on his copy-and-paste interface, this opened up a new way of thinking.
’I’ve now gathered three different High-Grade Sword Technique Talents: [Swordsman], [Sword Heart], and [Sword Vein].’
’Surely, merely improving my Sword Intent should be well within my grasp?’
After a short rest, Lu Changfeng immediately headed to the Scripture Pavilion. After some searching on the first floor, he found two swordsmanship manuals with attributes similar to his Gale Swordsmanship.
[Rapid Sword] and [Swiftwind Swordsmanship].