txolops Chapter 50 Forging a sword is like choosing a cultivation partner; better to have none than a bad on
Chapter 50 Forging a sword is like choosing a cultivation partner; better to have none than a bad on
"Xuandu Mountain..." Xu Changqing murmured to himself, memorizing the name.
"Furthermore," Chi Mingzi tilted his head back and finished the last mouthful of wine, casually hanging the red gourd back on his waist, his voice unusually deep, "your cultivation has now reached the peak of Qi Refining, only a hair's breadth away from Foundation Establishment. But this hair's breadth cannot be rushed. Foundation Establishment is the true starting point of the Dao path; the depth of one's foundation depends entirely on this step. You must find a spiritual object that resonates with your Dao path as a guide to forge a flawless foundation; not even the slightest deviation will suffice."
"Alright, that's all I have to say." Chi Mingzi tied the red gourd back to his waist, dusted off the tattered Daoist robe, and his figure seemed to blur slightly for a moment. "The road of the martial world is long, young man, take care of yourself. Don't be a hero in times of trouble, but when it's time to draw your sword, don't hesitate. Don't tarnish the name of my Pure Yang Dao..."
Before the words were finished, a gentle breeze swept through the courtyard, rustling the pine needles. Looking again, the stone table was now empty, with only a faint smell of wine lingering in the wind.
Xu Changqing stood alone in the courtyard, facing the direction where Chi Mingzi had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.
He instructed Su'e and the others to continue their cultivation as usual, while he returned to his quiet room.
In the quiet room, the candlelight flickered gently. Xu Changqing sat cross-legged, sinking his consciousness into his sea of consciousness.
The text of the "Pure Yang Refining Immortal Sword Dao Scripture" flowed slowly, each word like a sword engraving, every sentence containing the true meaning of sword refining: using the body as the furnace, the spirit as the craftsman, the Qi as the charcoal, and the Dao as the copper. This scripture describes the most core sword control method of the Pure Yang Dao: internally containing sword light, externally controlling the sword weapon; the two complement each other and are indispensable.
He carefully reviewed the entire scripture, paying particular attention to the chapters on "material selection as the foundation and cultivation as the key." According to the scripture, the first step in forging a truly fitting sword is selecting the right material. The quality of the material determines the sword's fundamental nature and should not be overlooked.
Xu Changqing opened his eyes and placed the items he had obtained from Black Wind Mountain and Tan Chan in front of him one by one.
The piece of Blood Sword Iron was the first thing that caught my eye. It was filled with malevolent energy, and although the material was extraordinary, it would require repeated tempering before it could be used to forge a sword, which would take too long, and we couldn't afford to wait that long right now.
He shook his head and put the blood sword aside.
Other items such as prayer beads, broken blades, and elixir bottles are either not of high enough quality or have unsuitable attributes, and are therefore not the best choice.
Xu Changqing calmly put away the items one by one.
"None of them are suitable." Xu Changqing wasn't too disappointed. Forging a sword is like choosing a partner; it's better to have nothing than something bad. Rather than rushing into something less suitable, it's better to hold off for now and wait until a more suitable sword material is found in the future.
He put all the spoils into his storage bag, closed his eyes again to regulate his breathing, and solidified the insights that had not yet fully settled.
As the sun gradually set in the west, it cast a long shadow over Qingyang Temple.
Xu Changqing sat there for several hours. Although the agony of forging his soul had passed, his insights into the sword, like melting snow in the mountains, flowed into his mind and gradually became integrated into his understanding.
Just as he was engrossed in his work, he suddenly felt something and abruptly opened his eyes.
Almost simultaneously, an incomparably sharp yet majestic sword intent emanated from beyond the distant mountains.
The sword intent was not sharp or aggressive, but it was like a vast, all-pervasive wind, instantly enveloping the entire Qingyang Temple.
The sound of the pines has ceased, and the pond water is still.
Su'e, Awei, and the others who were cultivating in the courtyard all froze, feeling as if their aura was locked by an invisible sword, and a chill ran up their spines.
Xu Changqing got up, pushed open the door, and went out.
There was another person in the courtyard, and no one knew when.
The man had gray hair, which was casually tied behind his head with a wooden hairpin. He had a thin face and looked to be about fifty or sixty years old. Only his eyes were surprisingly bright, like stars in a cold night or the reflection of a sword. He wore an old blue shirt that had been washed until it was faded, and his figure was as upright as a pine tree.
There was no sign of any surging magical power around him, but just by standing there, the air seemed to freeze and become tense because of him.
He had no sword in his hand, but casually toyed with a black sword pellet the size of a longan, spinning rapidly between his fingertips.
The sword pellet, now utterly desolate, seemed poised to annihilate all things, emitting a clear, resonant cry like a dragon's roar, echoing the aura emanating from its master.
Upon seeing Xu Changqing emerge, the man's gaze swept over him like lightning. Xu Changqing felt a slight stinging sensation on his skin, as if he had been grazed by an invisible sword aura.
"Where is Chimingzi?" the newcomer asked, his voice calm, yet each word was as clear and cold as if carved into stone by a sword.
Xu Changqing knew that this must be the "Sword Madman of Taihua Cave" that his master had mentioned. He immediately composed himself and bowed respectfully, saying, "Junior Xu Changqing greets senior. My master has already passed away."
"Gone?" Sword Madman frowned slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes, but that disappointment was quickly replaced by an even stronger interest.
He looked Xu Changqing up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment, especially on Xu Changqing's dantian.
"The sword aura of the Pure Yang Sect... though seemingly immature, is based on a solid foundation. That old fox Chi Mingzi is quick to run away. Since you are his disciple, taking a few of my sword strikes for him will be the same. I will only exert half my strength. If you can withstand them, I will grant you an opportunity; if you cannot, you will be bedridden for three months."
Before he finished speaking, and without making any move, the jet-black sword pellet at his fingertip suddenly disappeared.
The next instant, a deadly sharpness was already at his brow.
Xu Changqing's pupils suddenly contracted.
The black light split in mid-air, transforming into three thin, hair-like sword threads that pierced towards us in a triangular pattern.
The sword threads were not fast, yet they sealed off all avenues for evasion, and a sword intent capable of annihilating all things locked onto the mind, leaving no room for escape.
He dared not be negligent. The Killing Sword Seed in his dantian spun rapidly, and the crimson-gold sword light swept out from his sleeve, splitting into three in the air, precisely meeting the three black rays.
"Ding! Ding! Ding!"
Three soft sounds rang out almost simultaneously, and the crimson-gold sword light and the black ray separated as soon as they touched.
Xu Changqing felt an immense force travel back along the sword light, making his arm numb and his blood surge. He had to take several steps back to regain his balance.
A look of surprise flashed in the Sword Maniac's eyes: "The sword seed is sharp and awe-inspiring; Chi Mingzi has indeed picked up a good seedling."
As soon as he finished speaking, the sword pellet spun in mid-air, transforming into a streak of black light capable of annihilating all things and sweeping across the land. Where the black light passed, the air seemed to be sliced open with a tiny black crack that lingered for a long time.
Xu Changqing took a deep breath and activated the sword technique he had just comprehended from the Pure Yang Refining Immortal Sword Dao Scripture.
The crimson-gold sword light no longer clashed head-on, but instead swirled around him like a dragon, its tip trembling slightly as it struck several times just before the black light was about to reach him.
With each strike, the arc of light dimmed slightly. After several strikes, the black light dissipated, transforming back into a sword pellet that flew back.
Sword Maniac nodded slightly: "Interesting."
He pointed his fingers like a sword and pointed at the air. The sword pellet suddenly stopped, hovering between the two of them. The grass and trees in the courtyard swayed without wind, and fine black sword marks appeared on the bluestone slabs.
Immediately afterward, a faint, ethereal shadow swept across the void, as if it were an illusion.
Xu Changqing felt a strong sense of alarm, knowing that this sword strike was no ordinary matter.