CBGC - ch106.1

Chapter 106: Sword Practice

    To practice the Haoran Zhengqi Sword Technique, one must first believe that there is righteousness in the world.

    In the world of cultivation today, the strong prey on the weak and deceit is expected, murder and plundering is the norm, killing others for their treasures. People often lament the injustice of the heavens and the difficulty of being a good person. If one were to come across a severely injured and dying cultivator on the side of the road, what would they choose to do?

    Most Righteous cultivators would lurk on the sidelines and wait until the cultivator dies before taking the treasures on the body. Those with a bit of conscience may bury the corpse. It goes without saying that cultivators on the Demonic path would simply go ahead and kill the person, perhaps even torturing them beforehand.

    This is one of the main reasons why there are fewer and fewer cultivators in the Obliteration Sword Tower. It’s because most in the world of cultivation can’t practice the Haoran Zhengqi Sword Technique. They only believe in strength, resources, natural selection, and survival of the fittest.

    "There is a Righteous order in Heaven and Earth, which brings forth the growth of all things. Below are the rivers and the mountains, above are the sun and stars." With only one sword, Zhan Yu has a Golden Core cultivation base himself, but normally appears like a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator when he’s not wielding his sword. But, when he unleashes his sword technique to the fullest, he and his iron sword become one, and his power soars, almost reaching the level of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

    Sword out, there’s a cold light that spans countless zhang, winds and clouds gather, there is a thunderous rumbling from the weight of hundreds of tons. Man and sword become one, and strike towards the center of the Cleansing Sword Lake. The power of this one sword is so strong that Su Tingyun feels a gust of wind whistling past her, causing countless water splashes in the lake. Now in Xi Guang’s body, her hair is too long. Even if she wears it in a bun, it still hangs down to her waist. It’s cold, what with the splashing water and the blowing wind. Her hair is on her face.

    Su Tingyun: …

    Master, can you let me know when you're about to use your sword next time? Did it have to be so sudden and vigorous? That aside, with this amount of power, are you planning to split our Little Uncle in half while he’s meditating about the Killing Sword Technique at the bottom of the lake?

    However, the landscape splitting in half from her imagination doesn’t come true. In the center of the lake, Zhan Yu instantaneously withdraws all his sword’s momentum, and it’s as if a vast ocean of tranquility descends upon the scene. That great power quietly disappears without leaving a breath behind.

    Sword on his back, Zhan Yu walks on the waves, slowly returning to Su Tingyun's side.

    "There are many sword sects in the world, but only we, and our Haoran Zhengqi Sword Technique, can freely release and recall our swords without backlash." Zhan Yu says with a face full of pride.

    If it were any other sword technique, one would have to cultivate their sword skills to the limit to achieve the union of person and sword. Before reaching this state, the spiritual energy from the sword is unstoppable once it’s released. If you want to forcibly recall that momentum, it would inevitably damage you. But for the Haoran Zhengqi Sword Technique, from the very beginning, it focuses on cultivating the inseparable bond between person and sword. By cultivating the righteousness of heaven and earth, which originates from the hearts of humans and the natural world, the sword can naturally be controlled with ease.

    Su Tingyun herself feels great veneration, as well as a stronger alignment to her sect, a deeper sense of belonging.

    The Haoran Zhengqi Sword Technique is very powerful and awesome!

    But then, Zhan Yu goes on and says, "There's only one move in the Haoran Zhengqi Sword Technique, so the first thing we need to train is how to avoid other people's swords."

    "One move?"

    "Naturally. It's about removing the false from the truth, and this one move is all you need." He chuckles twice, "That's why I don't usually use my sword much, haven't you noticed? Hahaha. Of course, I know many other sword techniques too, know yourself and your enemy, and you will come unscathed through a hundred battles."

    "Come, come over here. This bamboo forest is where the disciples of our Obliteration Sword Tower practice. Luckily, Bai Chengyu is supplying us with spiritual stones, otherwise we wouldn't be able to activate the formation." Zhan Yu smiles in self-deprecation and leads Su Tingyun into the bamboo forest.

    "When even a single bamboo leaf can’t cut you anymore, we'll move on to the next step." After saying that, he pushes Su Tingyun into the depths of the bamboo forest.

    Su Tingyun hasn't even regained her footing, when she feels a slender green bamboo shoot coming straight at her like a long sword.

    It turns out that the bamboos in the Obliteration Sword Tower have this kind of function!

    Su Tingyun has barely entered the bamboo forest, but the other members of the Obliteration Sword Tower are already coming to spectate. Everyone watches Su Tingyun practicing in the bamboo forest, and they all feel moved. "It's been a long time since anyone has practiced our Haoran Zhenqi Sword Technique."

    "Fourth, how long did you last on your first try? Was it fifteen minutes..." Second Uncle asks.

    "The bamboo beat you black and blue all over, and it was less than a quarter of an hour before you were crying for your father and mother." Before Second Uncle can finish speaking, Third Uncle stops his mouth. At the side, their Fourth Brother's face has gone dark. He was the one who lasted the shortest time, and others would always bring up his embarrassment from back then.

    "Xiao Budian, watch your Senior Sister well. You will have to go in there one day too." The sect leader pats Xiao Budian's head, speaking in a gentle tone.

    "Yes!" Xiao Budian nods seriously, holding his sword tightly, but he doesn’t turn back to look at the sect leader. He watches his Senior Sister in the bamboo forest unblinkingly, then…

    What happened to being covered in cuts and bruises from the bamboo, and looking like death? What happened to crying for your parents on your first day of practice? What happened to everyone coming to watch and regain their confidence?

    This is cheating! It destroys everyone's self-confidence! How can Xiao Budian continue to cultivate in the future? He will feel lacking because of such a huge gap!

...