Chapter 87: If You Say It Won’t Work, Then It Won’t

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: If You Say It Won’t Work, Then It Won’t

"I obtained the Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword in a Secret Realm, but I only got the first part. If you want the second part, you’ll probably have to look for it in the Secret Realm. But you need to be at least in the Meridian Passage Realm to enter. The realm has already opened this year, so it won’t open again until next year."

The Grand Elder of Purple Bamboo Peak looked at Yang Haichen before him. ’For Liu Chen to ask such a question, it must mean he has already reached the Beginner level with the Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword, perhaps even Minor Success. Only after witnessing the power of this Swordsmanship would someone want the complete version.’

At this thought, the Grand Elder of Purple Bamboo Peak’s gaze upon Yang Haichen filled with a sense of helplessness. ’But there’s nothing to be done about it. When it comes to Talent, you either have it or you don’t. Thankfully, aside from his Swordsmanship, Yang Haichen’s performance in other aspects is still satisfactory.’

"Thank you, Master. I will relay this to Junior Brother Liu."

Yang Haichen nodded. ’There’s nothing to be done about the Secret Realm’s schedule. When it opens, I want to try my luck too. It must be a lingering regret for Master that he never got the complete Swordsmanship. Even though I’m not good at Swordsmanship myself, it would be worth the trip if I could fulfill Master’s wish.’

"These are the last few days. Cultivate diligently. I don’t expect you to make a name for yourself, but you must guarantee you’ll come back alive."

The Grand Elder spoke calmly, "Chasing a moment of glory is pointless. Only steady and diligent Cultivation is the proper path."

In the bamboo forest on the back mountain, Liu Chen was in the Bamboo Garden practicing Body Tempering. After finishing a cycle, Liu Chen opened his eyes to see his master standing in the garden, having arrived at some unknown time.

"Here. This is the Advanced Magic the Sect Leader gave you—the Escape Shadow Technique."

Seeing Liu Chen awake, Mo Xuan took out the Cultivation Technique for the Escape Shadow Technique he had received before, as well as the cultivation notes he had obtained today, and handed both to Liu Chen.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Sect Leader."

Liu Chen put the cultivation notes away, and before he could do anything else, a jet-black Spirit Sword materialized in front of him.

"Give it a try. This is a Spirit Sword I used to use."

Mo Xuan watched Liu Chen with anticipation. He knew Liu Chen already had a Spirit Sword and was aware of his Talent for Swordsmanship. Watching Liu Chen’s steady, bit-by-bit progress had always left him very satisfied.

Although he wanted Liu Chen to forge a path entirely different from his own, the trial was about to begin, and he had still made some preparations.

Liu Chen nodded, drew the black Spirit Sword, and tried to control it with the Sword Control Technique. Mo Xuan watched quietly without comment. He even nodded in satisfaction when the Spirit Sword successfully took flight.

Then, Mo Xuan watched as Liu Chen flew the Spirit Sword far beyond the theoretical maximum distance for a cultivator in the Body Tempering Realm, with no sign of losing control. The Spirit Sword even executed a few Swordsmanship maneuvers in mid-air.

Mo Xuan watched this scene in silence. ’Such an extraordinary feat is impossible with just Minor Success in the Sword Control Technique. My own Sword Control Technique has reached Great Success after all this time, but even I can’t use it beyond the range permitted by the Spiritual Power of my Realm.’

’By that logic, Liu Chen’s Sword Control Technique must have reached Perfection. It normally takes a Cultivator a lifetime of effort to train a Magic to Great Success. How long has Liu Chen even had the Sword Control Technique, yet he’s already reached this stage?’

’Looks like I need to contact the family. The Magical Artifacts I’ve gathered might not be enough insurance.’

Mo Xuan thought silently. ’Based on the Talent Liu Chen had shown before, other clans on par with the Mo Family had prodigies of a similar caliber. But now... Liu Chen’s Talent could crush them all.’

’Even prodigies, forget about reaching Minor Success with a Magic, they would start using it in combat the moment they reached the Beginner level. And as their Realm advances, they just chase after more powerful Magic, abandoning the ones they’ve previously learned.’

’If Liu Chen’s Talent for cultivating Magic stays at this level, he could instantly kill other prodigies of the same Realm using Magic alone.’

"Master, please give me your guidance."

Liu Chen performed a demonstration of the Basic Sword Skill using the Sword Control Technique, then looked at his master with anticipation. ’Although both the Basic Sword Skill and Sword Control Technique have evolved into my own unique Magic, there might still be obvious flaws in my master’s eyes.’

’A different Realm means a different perspective. Master can probably see things that I can’t.’

"You have already begun to forge your own Sword Dao. If you were practicing a standard Swordsmanship, I might be able to offer a pointer or two. But when it comes to your own personal Sword Dao, no one is qualified to give you guidance. If you think it works, then it works. If you think it doesn’t, then it doesn’t."

Mo Xuan shook his head. A talisman hovered in his hand, then floated over to Liu Chen, merging into his body in the blink of an eye.

"This is a Fourth Grade Talisman—a Concealment Talisman. It can help you hide your Cultivation, which will be more than sufficient within the Great Xia Dynasty."

Mo Xuan decided to skip giving pointers entirely. ’If I were to truly guide Liu Chen from the perspective of my own Realm, it would be like pulling up a seedling to help it grow—counterproductive. What Spiritual Power can achieve is different at each Realm, and so the application of Magic must change as one advances.’

’From my perspective, Liu Chen’s Sword Control Technique certainly has room for improvement. But if we limit the context to the Body Tempering Realm, it’s already impossible to advance it further. With his Talent, once he promotes to the Meridian Passage Realm, his Sword Control Technique will naturally evolve.’

"Thank you, Master."

Liu Chen’s eyes lit up. ’My biggest worry was someone seeing through my Cultivation level. Now, with the Talisman from Master, that problem is solved. Each grade of Talisman corresponds to a specific Realm.’

’Body Tempering, Meridian Passage, Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment... These were the Cultivation Realms Liu Chen knew. The Foundation Establishment Realm was likely the ceiling for Cultivators in the Great Xia Dynasty. With this, he wouldn’t have to worry about his Cultivation level being exposed for a long time.’

’But for Master to be able to casually pull out a Fourth Grade Talisman... while Liu Chen was grateful, a question surfaced in his mind: was his master really just the acting Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak?’

"The Spirit Sword in your hand is named Nightfall. For now, just focus on preparing for the trial."

Having accomplished all his goals, Mo Xuan left these words and departed. He, who also used the Sword Dao as his primary means of defense, couldn’t bear to stay by Liu Chen’s side a moment longer. It was too easy to be reminded of the hardships he endured while practicing the sword, a bitter memory that stood in stark contrast to Liu Chen so casually achieving Perfection in the Sword Control Technique.

His master left, giving Liu Chen no more time to react than he had upon his arrival. Silently, Liu Chen performed the Blood Recognition ritual on the Spirit Sword in his hand. Counting the two he had before, Liu Chen now possessed three Spirit Swords.

Nightfall was the strongest, Snowflake was second, and the unremarkable Cyan Steel Sword had become the weakest Spirit Sword.

Mo Xuan returned to the Bamboo Garden with complex feelings.

"Looks like the great Mo Tianjiao of old has had his Dao heart shattered."

Bai Qiulan looked at Mo Xuan’s expression and nearly burst out laughing. ’To think that Mo Xuan, who was once the greatest Talent not only in Purple Cloud Valley but in the entire Mo Family, would be so effortlessly surpassed by his own disciple.’

’She really didn’t know whether to be happy or sad for him.’