Chapter 4: Understanding Sword Intent, Completion of Cultivation Task
Caotang.
Lu Changsheng casually pointed to several bamboo houses and said, "Choose any room you like."
Ye Qiubai nodded and, after settling in, approached Lu Changsheng.
He saw Lu Changsheng sitting on a reclining chair, waving his hand.
A sword and a pill appeared in front of Ye Qiubai.
"You've accepted me as your master, and I don't have much to give you. Take this Azure Cloud Sword and ascend to the Qingyun Realm," Lu Changsheng said.
When Ye Qiubai saw the Azure Cloud Sword, his face changed in surprise.
The sword's blade was hidden within the scabbard, yet a faint sword intent continuously surrounded it.
Just by gripping it, one could feel a trace of the Great Dao of the sword, as if having some enlightenment!
Could techniques and weapons related to the Dao be ordinary items?
What kind of scene would unfold if this sword were unsheathed?
Thinking this, Ye Qiubai wanted to draw the sword.
"I advise you not to draw it. With your current strength, you can't handle the intent of this sword," Lu Changsheng warned.
Hearing this, Ye Qiubai dispelled his thoughts.
"Master, this is too precious, I cannot accept it," Ye Qiubai said solemnly, offering the sword back.
Lu Changsheng glanced at Ye Qiubai and said, "Since I've given it to you, accept it. Also, take this pill; it can resolve your physical issues."
After that, Lu Changsheng pointed at Ye Qiubai's forehead.
A series of technique information entered Ye Qiubai's mind.
The Primordial Sword Art.
Transforming the dantian into a sword, refining the meridians with the sword.
Achieving the supreme sword physique.
The profundity contained within could be said to be extremely rare in Ye Qiubai's lifetime.
Ye Qiubai's heart surged with waves of emotion. He nodded and no longer refused, swallowing the pill and sitting cross-legged, contemplating the techniques!
Seeing this, Lu Changsheng nodded and walked into the wooden house.
"System, what is the disciple nurturing task?" Lu Changsheng asked.
[Initiate the nurturing task. Within three days, let Ye Qiubai comprehend sword intent, cultivate at least to the Golden Core stage, and reach a certain completion level to reward the host.]
Sword intent?
Although this wasn't much for him, considering his past twenty years of experience, for a novice like Ye Qiubai, how could he comprehend sword intent within three days?
And this Golden Core stage, to restore Ye Qiubai from scratch to the Golden Core realm in three days...
This is pushing it, isn't it?
But after finally opening the task, how could Lu Changsheng give up so quickly?
Thinking of this, he began to devise a hellish training regimen.
Sword intent relied on comprehension.
Realm?
Even if he had to use pills to smash it into him!
After that, Lu Changsheng took out the alchemy furnace, and with a wave of his hand, the alchemy fire ignited.
One by one, the mild-smelling herbs were thrown into it...
A day quickly passed.
Ye Qiubai, sitting outside, suddenly opened his eyes. A vortex of spiritual energy appeared around him, with Ye Qiubai as the center, continuously absorbing it!
At this moment, Lu Changsheng also walked out of the grass hut, flicking his fingers lightly. Several formation flags flew out, and a formation immediately enveloped the entire Caotang!
"Activate the formation."
As soon as he finished speaking, spiritual energy surged madly into the Caotang.
The vortex of spiritual energy around Ye Qiubai became denser.
His realm also continued to rise!
Foundation Building Third Stage!
Sixth Stage!
Ninth Stage!
...
Golden Core Stage!
And this momentum didn't stop. After reaching the peak of the Foundation Building Stage, it continued until it reached the peak of the Golden Core Stage!
Just one step away, he could enter the Nascent Soul Stage!
Ye Qiubai opened his eyes, and with a flick of his hand, he picked up a branch and displayed various sword techniques from the Primordial Sword Art.
After Ye Qiubai stopped, he could feel that his talent and strength far surpassed his previous self.
It could be said that Lu Changsheng had given him a new life.
Setting down the branch, Ye Qiubai knelt heavily on the ground, solemnly saying to Lu Changsheng, "After I take my revenge, I, Qiubai, will serve by Master's side!"
Lu Changsheng reached out and lifted Ye Qiubai up.
"Alright, continue your cultivation. Here are some pills for you. Strive to break through the Golden Core stage and comprehend sword intent within these two days," Lu Changsheng said as he looked at the pills in his hand.
Seeing the pills in Lu Changsheng's hand, Ye Qiubai was once again surprised.
Pure Yang Scarlet Blood Pill, Concentration Pill, and Elemental Nourishing Pill.
These three types of pills were rare treasures in the entire Southern Region.
The alchemists capable of refining these pills could be counted on one hand.
They were truly rare treasures.
"Master, this is too precious!" Ye Qiubai exclaimed.
Lu Changsheng casually tossed the three pills to Ye Qiubai and said, "What's so precious about them? I've just brewed a batch. If you need more, just come and take them."
A batch...
When did these pills become as worthless as candies...
But thinking of the requirements Lu Changsheng had given him earlier, Ye Qiubai couldn't help but smile bitterly.
The Golden Core stage was one thing, but comprehending sword intent wasn't something that could be achieved just by breaking through.
Some people spent their whole lives pondering but still couldn't grasp sword intent.
But thinking about it was useless. Ye Qiubai firming his resolve, continued his cultivation.
Swallowing each pill, his strength began to rapidly increase at that moment.
At the same time, sword energy began to swirl around his body.
Inside his body, the sound of swords resonated!
On a cliff, a willow tree observed the scene, its branches rustling.
"This kid has good talent... to be able to meet the cultivation requirements of the Primordial Sword Art, he must have the Primordial Sword Body."
On a nearby branch, a small bird with fiery red wings observed the scene with a hint of seriousness in its eyes.
Another day passed.
Ye Qiubai sat on a rock.
Suddenly, a burst of energy erupted from him.
Sword energy roared around Ye Qiubai.
After a while, the energy subsided.
Golden Core Realm!
Ye Qiubai stood up.
Although he had reached the Golden Core Realm now, how could he comprehend something as elusive as sword intent?
Glancing around, his gaze fell on the scroll on the wooden table, arousing his curiosity.
It was the painting of a swordsman dancing with a sword.
Standing in front of the painting, Ye Qiubai stood there all night.
During this night, sword energy surrounded Ye Qiubai.
The sword energy became more condensed, and even the Azure Cloud Sword in his hand began to emit a faint sword light.
Lu Changsheng walked out of the grass hut, stretched lazily, and saw the scene.
Oh?
On the threshold of comprehending sword intent?
Lu Changsheng nodded slightly and said, "The silver saddle shines on the white horse, as swift as a shooting star."
Ye Qiubai seemed to hear something, and the sword energy began to roar in the space around him!
"Ten steps to kill one person, a thousand miles without leaving a trace. After the deed is done, go away without a trace, hiding both one's name and contribution."
As the words fell, Ye Qiubai suddenly opened his eyes, and the Azure Cloud Sword in his hand emitted a dazzling sword light.
A sword intent rose from within Ye Qiubai!
The movement and noise were so great that it alerted the entire Zangdao Academy!
"This is... Sword Intent!"
"Is another swordsman born?"
In the Sword Hall of the Martial Arts Academy, a woman in red, who had been meditating, opened her eyes and looked towards the direction where the sword intent was thundering.
"Zangdao Academy, indeed lives up to its reputation..."
She recalled being rejected by Lu Changsheng earlier, only to see him accept an ordinary youth as a disciple.
"I will make you regret not accepting me as your disciple."
With that, she closed her eyes again and continued to comprehend the blood-red long sword before her.
Comprehending sword intent is what makes one a swordsman.
At the same time...
In Lu Changsheng's mind, a series of voices appeared.
[Completion of nurturing task.]
[The host has obtained the Nine Nether Yellow Spring Great Formation, the Dao of Sword, and a thousand years of cultivation.]