MF-novel Chapter 419 - 253: Sword Daoist? Or Sword Demon!
Chapter 419 - 253: Sword Daoist? Or Sword Demon!
"Martial Uncle..."
Long Tingfeng’s face was full of reluctance, as if he were cutting off a piece of his own flesh.
People of the Sword Sect have always regarded other things like clothes and items.
Only with their swords do they feel as close as with their own family, not to be easily parted with.
Leaving one’s sword in someone else’s hands is akin to sending one’s wife to spend the night at another’s home.
"It’s all for the great plan of the Sword Sect. It’s a small sacrifice we must ask of you, Nephew."
Chunyu Cultivator, rare in his gentle demeanor, patiently persuaded:
"Bai Qilang, this disciple is extremely crucial to both me and Senior Brother Mo. If my predictions are correct, we may even need to request the Sect Leader to personally witness him."
Long Tingfeng frowned deeply, instinctively feeling that Martial Uncle Chunyu was exaggerating, intentionally sensationalizing.
Having the Sect Leader emerge from seclusion, what a significant event!
One must know, when the newly appointed personal disciple, Senior Brother Qiu, was murdered, it incited Martial Uncle Mo’s fury, prompting him to wield two divine weapons, the Thousand-Year Grudge and the Taixu Wu Wang, intending to go directly to the Grand General’s Mansion to demand answers from Zhao Pijiang.
Even Martial Uncle Jiang, known as the Divine Brilliance Sword and normally the steadiest and most composed, agreed, prepared to personally command the perilous Thousand-Year Grudge, to fight two against one, to contend with Divine Techniques.
It could be said, this was the entire sect’s foundation poured out, ready to tear apart the Dragon Court.
Yet even at that point, Mo Tian Sheng of the Dragon Sword and Jiang Zaiyue of the Divine Brilliance Sword never mentioned ringing the Golden Bell hanging at "Dangyun Peak" to call the Sect Leader to preside over the matter.
"There are many things you’re not yet privy to, Nephew Long."
Chunyu Cultivator, having changed from his usual frivolous manner, was clearly not joking.
This made Long Tingfeng’s heart tighten with fear, and he immediately replied seriously:
"I’ll follow Martial Uncle’s instructions."
He reached for the handleless cyan blade over two feet long at his back, gently caressing it:
"Frost Grass... since it’s been refined and nurtured by me, it hasn’t left my side for even a moment."
As a fellow Sword Cultivator, Chunyu Cultivator naturally understood that this request was demanding, and he promised:
"When you return to the Sword Sect Mountain Gate, I’ll grant you a sword grinding platform a square zhang wide, and allow you entry to the Sword Pool to refine your body."
Upon hearing this, Long Tingfeng didn’t show the expected delight, but instead was confused, then somewhat anxious:
"Martial Uncle Chunyu being so generous, almost extravagant, could it be... Bai Qilang will devour my Frost Grass?"
This sword of his, after all, was a rough creation forged by inner sect elders for nine years, then buried deep in the cold spring for half a jiazi, absorbing a sufficient amount of sharp coldness.
On the day of gengjin’s prosperity, when it broke ground, its Sword Qi soared to the heavens, causing the surrounding vegetation for ten miles to bend low, snapped by the intense frost, as if a magnificent winter snow had fallen.
Hence, it was named Frost Grass.
Even among the numerous famed swords in the Meridian Sword Sect, it could rank in the top ten.
If not for Long Tingfeng’s outstanding talent and courage, truly the first in the inner sect, destined to succeed Qiu Qianchuan’s position as personal disciple, there would have been no chance for such a sword to be bestowed upon him.
"Would Martial Uncle ever harm you? Go with peace of mind."
Seeing the hesitation on Long Tingfeng’s face, Chunyu Cultivator quickly added:
"A mere Fisherman from Black River County, not yet past the Third Skin Refining Barrier, while you are a dignified inner sect of the Sword Sect, a personal disciple seed whom the elders have high hopes for, what are you afraid of?"
Long Tingfeng thought it over carefully and found it to be true.
Bai Qilang’s name was indeed big, but after all, it was just in the top of Yihai Prefecture.
Moreover, an external talent showing a nine-inch violet brilliance doesn’t mean anything.
"Martial Uncle’s teachings are wise."
Long Tingfeng slightly bowed, his hands crossing in front and behind, making a salute.
"People of the Sword Sect, remain calm in events, unalarmed in the face of foes, you must remember."
Chunyu Cultivator pressed down the straw hat he wore, concealing his unease, as even the Nanming Li Fire was easily captured by Bai Qilang, not to mention Long Tingfeng’s Frost Grass.
"Sorry, Nephew Long."
This true disciple of the Sword Sect sighed, urgently needing to verify the words of the Divine Soldiers, to determine whether Bai Qilang could truly perceive the shape of the sword and hear its sound.
If true, the present lusterless Meridian Sword Sect might once again see the emergence of a Little Daoist.
"Innate Sword Body, a person of revival... Could it be that the Sect Leader had foreseen this?"
After much instruction, Chunyu Cultivator took his leave from the separate courtyard where the Sword Sect disciples were staying, wisps of Sword Qi interwove, like pairs of cicada wings vibrating, soaring straight into the clouds.
...
...
"Sword Nurturing Skill, operate it, using the Divine Seal to reflect upon the Sword Scripture, comprehend the profound essence within, akin to carving and engraving, word by word inscribed into the sword body, to nurture and refine the sword."
Bai Qi sat alone in the courtyard, his thoughts involuntarily wandering:
"Following this method, imitating it stroke by stroke, wouldn’t it also be possible to cultivate the ’Knife Nurturing Skill’, ’Gun Nurturing Skill’, ’Hammer Nurturing Skill’... even the ’Nurturing Skill’ itself?"
He pondered briefly, then shook his head, dismissing these unrealistic wild notions.
Surely, staying with the Master for too long has caused a deviation in understanding cultivation techniques.
"With Qi Blood as the root, the flesh as the proof, accommodating the Sword Scripture, from there one births Sword Intent, gathers Sword Qi, transforms into Sword Light..."
Bai Qi cleared his mind of distractions and continuously practiced the Sword Nurturing Skill.
With each attempt, until dusk when the sun set behind the mountains, a spark of insight seemed to flash.
The Nameless Ink Talisman rooted in his mind felt like a spring breeze and gentle rain, slowly nourishing and enriching his mind.
"I have understood!"
Bai Qi smiled calmly, gradually absorbing waves of insight.
Sword Nurturing Skill, entry level!
[Skill: Sword Nurturing Skill (Entry Level)]
[Progress: 11/800]
[Effect: Nurturing the sword physically, understanding the technique mentally]
"If this Secret Technique reaches perfection, it could refine various sword scriptures into a single sword, allowing them to merge, complement each other, and ultimately form the most compatible supreme swordsmanship for oneself!
This can be considered a mysterious martial heritage, surely not ordinary! Sword nurturing, sword nurturing—Celestial Water Prefecture’s Upper Sect, Meridian Sword Sect?"
Bai Qi pondered slightly and quickly guessed the true origin of that heavenly sword.
"Who could be its master, the one it calls for incessantly? Those few in Yihai Prefecture?"
...
...
The next day.
Early in the morning.
Long Tingfeng visited the Inheritance Hall.
Chen Xing, who usually resided there, was not present, so Xu Zirong hosted the visit.
He began with pleasantries:
"I have long heard of Brother Long’s great name; the Flying Dragon Sword is like thunder resonating across the Six Commanderies of Tianshui."
Long Tingfeng was accustomed to such flattering remarks.
Bearing the identity of an inner sect rising star of the Meridian Sword Sect, he received attention wherever he went.
Even Four Cultivation Grandmasters stronger than himself would often look up to the Upper Sect disciple and exchange polite words.
"I, Long Mou, sent a post yesterday and specially came today to visit the Inheritance Hall to meet Bai Qilang."
Xu Zirong was courteous, and Long Tingfeng also displayed the demeanor fitting of the Sword Sect’s inner sect.
"Brother Bai is practicing in the backyard. Brother Long may not know, but Brother Bai is very diligent and never slacks for a moment.
The outside world claims his comprehension is exceptional and his talent extraordinary, yet few have seen the sweat he has sacrificed."
Xu Zirong led the way with a cheerful smile.
After all, Long Tingfeng was the first in the Upper Sect’s inner sect, and the Inheritance Hall could not afford to neglect him easily.
"Brother Xu’s words resonate with my thoughts. Others speak of those geniuses as if they were born understanding cultivation, as simple as eating and drinking.
In reality, under the famous reputation, who among them hasn’t burned the midnight oil and toiled tirelessly? Their skills are honed by perseverance, not gained overnight by sheer luck."
Long Tingfeng nodded repeatedly, and as they chatted casually, they walked through the corridors to the serene backyard.
Sure enough, they saw a tall figure sitting by the rock garden pool.
"Such formidable Qi and blood, truly steaming like a furnace..."
Long Tingfeng slightly lifted his eyelids, feeling the heat upon his face even before getting closer.
It was evident that Bai Qilang, reputed to have extraordinary talent in Yihai Prefecture, had indeed accumulated a profound and pure foundation.
"Under his great fame, there is no falsehood! If born in Celestial Water Prefecture, he should also enter the Sword Sect’s inner sect directly."
Long Tingfeng’s eyes flashed with admiration, acknowledging that this youth’s reputation was well-deserved.
"But, what technique is he practicing? Why does it seem so familiar?"
This puzzlement arose and was soon answered.
The Handleless Cyan Blade behind the inner sect Senior Brother trembled and resonated as if drawn by an immense force.
In three to five breaths, it leapt up, spun around twice, and, as if having found its target, shot straight towards the focused Bai Qi.
"My carefully nurtured frostblade..."
Long Tingfeng was caught off guard, utterly astonished.
He watched as the two-foot-long Handleless Cyan Blade joyfully hummed and landed in Bai Qilang’s hand.
...
...
"Indeed!"
Secretly hidden aside, Chunyu Cultivator witnessed this scene and felt inexplicably pleased, as if dispelling yesterday’s stifling gloom.
"No sword-shaped weapon can escape Bai Qilang’s clutches! Just like how Senior Brother Kou roamed the world in past years!
Before the title ’Sword Daoist’ was granted by the Dragon Court Sovereign, fellow Jianghu seers called him the ’Sword Demon,’ meaning a devil among swords, who robbed every swordsman of their beloved weapons..."