Chapter 1573 - 173: Sword Text of the Qinghong Secret Volume

Chapter 1573: Chapter 173: Sword Text of the Qinghong Secret Volume

Zhang Yan soared on clouds and mist, traveling for two periods of time, and upon reaching the front of Qinghong Palace, he slowly descended before the hall. He said to the gatekeeping Deacon Daoist, "I kindly ask this Daoist to convey a message, saying that Mingcang disciple Zhang Yan has successfully refined the sword ball, and has come to seek an audience with Sect Leader Yue."

The Deacon Daoist bowed and smiled, saying, "The Sect Leader has already given instructions; if the honored guest comes, just go in directly."

Zhang Yan cupped his hands towards him, waved his sleeve, and walked inside. Once again he reached the same Cave Mansion as before, where he saw Yue Xuanxiao standing there, holding a Jade Scroll, seemingly studying it closely, occasionally marking on it. Without stepping forward to disturb him, Zhang Yan patiently waited by the side.

After an hour passed, Yue Xuanxiao put down the Jade Scroll and looked at him, sweeping his gaze from top to bottom, saying, "Show me the sword ball you have refined."

Zhang Yan nodded, and with a thought, the Qinghong Sword Orb leapt out with a clang. However, at this moment, the sense of incompleteness surfaced in his heart again.

At that moment, Yue Xuanxiao suddenly brushed his sleeve.

Zhang Yan’s heart and spirit trembled, as if something lost was regained. Then, a grand sword hum echoed in his ears, and in an instant, the entire cave room was suddenly filled with a burst of sword light. Spiritual energy surged, with a constant buzzing sound.

Once the Qi Mechanism settled, he looked around and saw 108 streaks of sword light suspended around him, slowly revolving in the room.

Yue Xuanxiao sighed, "Although you haven’t received the true transmission, you can transform into 108 streaks of sword light. Such talent, why are you not under my Shaoqing Sect? Never mind, being able to guide you is also karma. Now that your sword ball can be viewed, based on this foundation, I can pass on to you the Sword Transmission Skill. But let me ask you, among the Three Veins Sword Transmission, which lineage do you wish to learn?"

Zhang Yan had already considered this matter before coming, so he did not hesitate and bowed, saying, "Disciple wishes to learn the Transformation Sword."

Yue Xuanxiao smiled and said, "I don’t know whether to say your luck is good or bad. If you chose either of the other two lineages, I could direct you to an elder within the sect. However, since you have chosen the Transformation Sword, you need not go any further. This Vein Sword Transmission has no set rules or precedents, relying solely on individual comprehension. Thus, I can only transmit the Dao to you, but not the method." He beckoned him over and pointed to the desk, "Come and look at this Jade Album."

Zhang Yan stepped forward to the desk and saw that what he pointed at was the very Jade Scroll from earlier, now spread open on the table. However, the writing on it was inscribed using Erosion Text, with small lines inserted between the rows, likely denoting the revelations and nuances deduced from it.

Looking at the notes, they did not appear to be written by one person. A thought crossed his mind: "Could it be handwritten by the Qinghong Ancestor?"

Yue Xuanxiao said, "Take this scroll with you to study, but you may only borrow it for one month. How much you can assimilate depends entirely on your own Creation."

This Daoist Book was indeed handwritten by Daoist Qinghong, and the annotations within were interpretations by past Cave Heaven True Masters who practiced the Transformation Sword.

However, Yue Xuanxiao was not being generous, as the Sword Transformation lineage is inherently unpredictable and ever-changing. Each practitioner’s path is unique with few precedents to follow, so one must trace back to the roots and comprehend from the original Erosion Text.

The way of Erosion Text has individual insights that vary greatly, so the annotations by predecessors can only serve as references. If one were to rely entirely on them, certainly no great success would be achieved.

Zhang Yan put away the Jade Scroll, solemnly bowed, and said, "In a month, I shall return here to return the Jade Scroll."

Yue Xuanxiao waved his sleeve and smiled, "No need, it is not me being strict. All those who have studied it over the generations have had only a month. When the time comes, it will return by itself. Even if you wish to view it a moment longer, it won’t be possible."

Zhang Yan nodded and was about to take his leave. Turning his eyes, he saw the sword ball still suspended around him. With a slight shift in thought, it returned to his Dharma Body like a bird returning to the forest.

Yue Xuanxiao said, "Though you have refined the sword ball, this does not mean it’s a complete success. It needs to be nurtured and warmed by your own continually so that its spiritual nature does not decline."

Zhang Yan hastily expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, True Master, for your guidance."

In the Shaoqing Sect, everyone diligently tempers their sword ball day and night without pause. Even if a disciple’s sword ball quality is slightly inferior compared to fellow disciples, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t catch up later.

This Qinghong Sword Orb was merely a means for him to temporarily bridge the gap. As for the future, it would depend on each person’s opportunities and efforts.

However, Zhang Yan was not a Sword Cultivator; he saw it merely as a means of protection and self-preservation. Even if his swordsmanship is not as good as that of Shaoqing disciples, it is not something to be ashamed of. In truth, when fighting, he has many techniques and is confident he can hold an advantage elsewhere.

After taking leave from Qinghong Palace, unlike when he came, he didn’t refrain from using the sword ball. As soon as he exited, he summoned the sword, instantly wrapping himself with a flowing clear light. He rose from the ground on a streak of spiritual sword Qi that stretched across the sky, flying towards Xun Huaiying’s Cave Mansion.