Chapter 29: Understanding the Sword

The Sin God and the Throat-Sealing God walked side by side, gazing into the distance at a beautiful immortal mansion atop a mountain peak.

“Beiming this time only defeated eight guardians, and the last two guardians are each more formidable than the last… I fear it may be many more years before we can leave,” the Throat-Sealing God sighed. He had traversed the Myriad Blade Path, so he knew well that although there seemed to be only two guardians, it was common to be trapped for millions or tens of millions of years.

Take the previous Dream God, for instance: upon arriving at the Thousand Star Island, he defeated five guardians, yet in all the long years that followed, he only managed to defeat two more. And now Ji Ning faced the final two guardians… the further one progressed, the harder it became.

As for the Throat-Sealing God and the Sin God, they had spent endless ages with barely any improvement in strength, having only defeated one more guardian than when they first entered the Thousand Star Island.

“That’s hard to say,” the Sin God shook his head. “We’ve been on the Thousand Star Island for a very long time, yet our progress has been minimal. That’s because we were trapped on the previous islands for far too long, draining too much of our potential. Our strength has now reached nearly its limit, so naturally it’s very hard to improve. But Beiming, when he entered the Moon Under the Lake, he charged straight through to here. His potential hasn’t been drained; it’s far greater than ours. Don’t forget, back then the Venerable Jueming had a sudden enlightenment and broke through the last three guardians to leave.”

The Throat-Sealing God paused, then nodded. “You’re right. Our potential is almost exhausted, nearly at the limit. Beiming is different from us.”

“Actually, I’ve always wondered,” the Sin God mused. “To be able to fight all the way to the Thousand Star Island in one go—such talent, such ability, even in the Three Realms, he would be among the most supreme of Celestial Immortals. Even the True Gods and Dao Ancestors should think highly of him. Beiming has great hope of becoming a True God or Dao Ancestor. Why would he risk entering the Moon Under the Lake?”

“Yes,” the Throat-Sealing God sighed. “I wonder too.”

Ji Ning’s talent had long been recognized by Lu Dongbin and Patriarch Subhuti during the Immortal Fortune Convention.

They had seen the sword talent deep within Ji Ning’s bones. Ji Ning’s strength had not disappointed Patriarch Subhuti; he improved rapidly, and even reached the fourth level of heartforce, surprising and delighting Patriarch Subhuti. Now, among the top powers of the Nuwa camp, Ji Ning was valued no less than Lu Dongbin had been in ancient times.

But Lu Dongbin had had a long time to slowly mature, then burst forth with accumulated strength to achieve the power of a top-tier Dao Ancestor.

As for Ji Ning?

Now the great calamity had already descended. The Celestial Immortals and True Immortals of both sides were already fighting, the scale growing ever larger. When the final struggle for fortune ended, it would be the ‘final battle’ that decided the fate of the entire Three Realms. The time left for Ji Ning was far too little, which was what Patriarch Subhuti regretted.

But no matter how much he regretted it, he still believed that in the great war of calamity, Ji Ning might encounter an opportunity for sudden enlightenment and breakthrough to become a True God or Dao Ancestor. So if Ji Ning had not cultivated the Tao Wu Eighteen Divine Demons, Patriarch Subhuti would not have allowed him to enter the Moon Under the Lake.

Under the crisis of the Moon Under the Lake…

Ji Ning continuously absorbed experience and lessons, growing rapidly. Now even the “Five Treasures Sword Art” was only one step away from completion.

“Regardless, Beiming’s coming here is our luck,” the Sin God sighed, gazing at the distant immortal mansion. “We also have hope of leaving.”

“Mm, this time Beiming returned from the Myriad Blade Path and immediately went into seclusion without saying much to us. I suspect he gained many insights,” the Throat-Sealing God said.

“Even our first time on the Myriad Blade Path brought great gains, let alone Beiming.”

“Mm, if he improves greatly this time and can directly pass the Myriad Blade Path, that would be wonderful.”

“Let’s wait and see.”

Both Celestial Immortals were full of anticipation.

They had no confidence at all in passing the Myriad Blade Path themselves. After endless ages, they were still stuck in the ‘middle section’ of the Myriad Blade Path, far from breaking through.

…

“Brother Beiming is in seclusion.”

“I hope this time his strength can greatly improve.”

The Seven Dragon Gods also gazed into the distance at that immortal mansion, conversing among themselves.

…

All the Celestial Immortals on the Thousand Star Island had their minds on Ji Ning, who was in seclusion inside the immortal mansion. These Celestial Immortals had long given up hope. Even the Sin God and Throat-Sealing God, who were qualified to challenge the Myriad Blade Path, were far too weak.

All hope rested on Ji Ning alone.

They dared not put too much pressure on Ji Ning… they could only silently pray.

They prayed to return to the Three Realms and see the colorful, vibrant world.

They prayed to reunite with the family and friends in their hearts.

Even if there was danger of death…

They were not afraid!

Because what they feared more than death was—having no hope. For these Celestial Immortals who had long given up, life in the Moon Under the Lake was like walking corpses, devoid of hope.

…

Inside the immortal mansion.

The beautiful immortal mansion had its own internal space, vast and spacious. Ji Ning’s sword practice hall was several miles in size. Inlaid with countless luminous pearls that gathered the power of heaven and earth, the hall was dazzlingly bright and magnificent.

The white-robed youth Ji Ning held a sword, practicing his sword technique.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~

The sword light was ethereal, whistling unpredictably.

For sword techniques that could reach the speed of light, the visible sword lights were merely afterimages; the true sword was no longer at the position of the light.

Although Ji Ning’s strength was astonishing and his sword technique terrifying, its power was extremely restrained. The sword light passed just an inch away from the wine flask on a table in the hall, yet the flask did not move at all. Even an ordinary mortal with decent sword skills could send the flask rolling with the wind from his sword.

But Ji Ning’s sword restrained its power to such an extent!

Note that many Earth Immortals, loose immortals, and even Celestial Immortals, when they struck, would unleash the power of heaven and earth, causing great commotion.

Even for True Immortals and Celestial Immortals, to possess the power to destroy heaven and earth while restraining it so as not to harm flowers and grass an inch away was extremely rare!

Ji Ning had achieved it! This showed that his sword technique had reached a level where he could be called a grandmaster in the Three Realms.

“Whoosh~”

The sword light whistled, carrying an overwhelming sense of desolation and despair. Ji Ning was practicing the Desolate Sword Technique.

Speaking of despair…

The most despairing moment was when Senior Apprentice Sister Yu Wei crushed the Divine Medicine of Shennong and then committed suicide, her soul scattering. Because before she crushed the medicine, Ji Ning was full of joy and hope. But disaster struck suddenly. Everything Yu Wei did, especially her final suicide, left Ji Ning stunned.

His parents had left, and now Yu Wei was gone. That moment was indeed the most despairing in Ji Ning’s heart.

Speaking of desolation and pain…

It was when he ‘personally’ sent Senior Apprentice Sister Yu Wei into the endless hell. That moment was the most painful for Ji Ning.

…

Ji Ning’s emotions were very intense. Having learned most of the technique just by watching, as he now practiced, many obstacles were continuously broken through, and the mysteries of the sword technique surged into his mind.

On the ninth day after traversing the Myriad Blade Path.

“Desolation, though despairing, has not yet reached the extreme of despair.” Ji Ning stood in the hall, murmuring to himself. Having reached the fourth level of heartforce, although he immersed himself in the desolate mood while practicing, as soon as he stopped, he returned to normal. He could not be controlled by a sword technique. Of course, if one’s heart was not strong enough, cultivating such an intense mood could lead to demonic possession.

“The desolate mood…”

“Makes the sword technique more perfect. In terms of mystery, this technique is actually inferior to the ‘Five Treasures Sword Art,’ but because it contains the desolate mood, it seems to have a ‘soul.’ The transitions between moves are seamless, as if naturally formed, everything perfectly natural.” Ji Ning quickly made his evaluation.

The Five Treasures Sword Art surpassed the limits of the Heavenly Dao. In terms of certain techniques, it was naturally far superior.

Although Ji Ning’s sword talent was high, it was precisely because he had the great determination to cultivate the Five Treasures Sword Art, using it as a foundation, that he could so smoothly make his sword speed reach the speed of light. Ji Ning’s own “Brightmoon Sword Technique” did not have a particularly strong mood, yet it was still so powerful. This clearly showed that its techniques surpassed the “Desolate Sword Technique.”

But the “Desolate Sword Technique” also had its strengths.

Mood is like a soul.

It can make the sword technique feel like a single entity, even allowing each move to complement the others, creating miraculous effects. For example, although in technique it was inferior to Ji Ning’s sword art, the Desolate Sword Technique could still reach the speed of light, and even more perfectly!

And if the mood…

Were to intensify further, continuously elevating the sword technique’s mood, there was hope of attaining true ‘spirit.’ Mortals have essence, energy, and spirit. For a sword technique to have mere meaning is not enough; when the technique itself gains ‘spirit,’ that is a new level—the fifth level of sword force. At that point, without even drawing the sword, one could make other great powers feel despair and retreat.

Of course, the fifth level of sword force was extremely difficult.

Looking across the two camps of the Three Realms, those who had reached the fifth level of sword force could be counted on one hand.

“I have mastered the Desolate Sword,” Ji Ning murmured to himself. “If I were to challenge the Myriad Blade Path now, I believe I could defeat the ninth guardian. But the tenth guardian? Probably not enough!”

“Mm…”

“The best approach is to combine the Desolate Sword Technique and the Brightmoon Sword Technique, infusing my Brightmoon Sword Technique with a mood.” Ji Ning pondered.

The Brightmoon Sword Technique drew on the essence of the “Five Treasures Sword Art.” Even without a mood, it was on par with the Desolate Sword Technique.

Once it gained a mood, it would leap to an entirely new level.

“Then defeating the ninth guardian will be easy, and there will be some hope against the tenth guardian.” Ji Ning nodded gently. “So I will perfect the Brightmoon Sword Technique.”

…

The Brightmoon Sword Technique was created and continuously refined by Ji Ning himself. Now that he had mastered the Desolate Sword Technique, absorbing its mood and integrating it into the Brightmoon Sword Technique, though difficult, was still achievable.

If the Brightmoon Sword Technique had been created by someone else, Ji Ning would have no way.

Whether it is self-created makes a huge difference.

“My heart is desolate.”

“Meaning resides in the sword.”

“All is one mind.”

With the Desolate Sword Technique as a foundation, Ji Ning understood its mysteries and continuously refined and integrated. Even when encountering problems and difficulties, he could spend time to break through the barriers.

After a year and three months in seclusion, Ji Ning finally walked out of the immortal mansion.