Cultivation: But Not a Game-Chapter 231 - 142: Masterful Swordsmanship境界
No matter how puzzled they were, the outcome on the arena was already decided. Su Yu successfully defeated Wei Wei to become the new arena master.
Next, two more individuals chose to challenge him. One was as strong as Wei Wei, and the other was slightly weaker. Both were defeated by him head-on.
After everyone had challenged, Su Yu successfully became the final arena master, as the Cyan Gang Sword descended and directly vanished into his forehead.
Su Yu furrowed his brow but then quickly relaxed.
The items indeed belonged to him now, but since he was in the Sword Palace trial, the newly acquired treasures were in a sealed state, which could only be used after leaving the Sword Palace.
"Next round, I’ll get a Tier Seven treasure flying sword, and after passing the Sword Palace trial to obtain the Sect-level Basic Sword Formulas, this trip to the Sword Palace will be perfect."
Thinking of this, Su Yu’s face was full of smiles.
Turning to look at the other side, on the other arena, Luo Qingchan looked over as if they had a mutual understanding, and they both exchanged smiles.
Thus, the first round ended, and all 81 remaining people returned to their independent spaces to continue the second round of Sword Dao cultivation.
Just like the previous round, Su Yu put aside all thoughts and continued to train diligently.
Every day, as soon as he opened his eyes, the challenges began. Various swordsmen took turns coming, ranging from those close in level to him to those stronger than him. Sometimes, feeling in good form, he would challenge Four-Star opponents for a bout of tough competition.
To Su Yu at this moment, it was indeed tough competition because all the previous contestants who can be rated Four-Star in the Sword Palace had mastered Sword Intent.
And the premise of Sword Intent, aside from being perfect in all aspects, also required that a swordsmanship realm must reach a state of mastery. For Su Yu, this was a complete crush, as no amount of talent boost could bridge this gap.
Battle after battle, loss after loss, and battle again after loss. Since one cannot die within the Sword Palace, the projection stops automatically when defeated. What an opportunity this is.
Every few days, he would send a sparring request to Luo Qingchan, and the two would exchange insights and verify their progress during this period in the arena.
In every sparring session, Su Yu could feel her visible progress, with an incredibly fast speed.
"I feel your Sword Qi Thunder Sound will soon reach a level of mastery."
Luo Qingchan did not hide it and nodded, saying:
"In the Sword Palace, I feel my sword heart is transparent, and my growth rate is extremely fast. I feel it won’t be long before I can comprehend Sword Intent again."
Su Yu nodded, thinking she meant that it would still take a few months and that she could comprehend it during the third round.
But only halfway through the two-month period of the second round, during their sixth spar, when he sensed the indistinct formless edge contained within her sword, Su Yu asked in shock:
"You comprehended Sword Intent?"
Seeing the shock in his eyes, Luo Qingchan nodded with a bit of pride:
"It’s a bit challenging; I’ve only just comprehended it two days ago!"
Su Yu...
Thinking back to his progress over the month, it seemed he had made some progress, but not much.
[Sword Qi Thunder Sound] was still highly skilled.
[Condensing Sword into Silk] was still proficient.
[Sword Light Division] had made some progress.
[True Sword Intent] still had no sign.
What surprised him was, probably due to his cultivation being blocked, he was only able to access the Sword Dao within the Sword Palace. Combined with comprehending Sword Light Division within just a month, stepping on numerous Sword Dao geniuses, he unexpectedly developed a Sword Dao Faith he never had before.
Thinking all those so-called Sword Dao geniuses were not as strong as him, he definitely must be strong.
As soon as he thought of this, Su Yu’s Sword Dao Faith soared.
However, the unfortunate part was although he had developed a Sword Dao Faith, and a rather strong one, he still had no sign of condensing a sword heart. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
The five major requirements for comprehending Sword Intent, apart from having a swordsmanship realm reach a state of mastery, also require soul strength, spirit strength, will strength, Sword Dao Faith, and a standard sword heart.
The swordsmanship realm needs no mention. At his current progress rate, by the end of the third round, which is still four months away, he would definitely be able to elevate Sword Qi Thunder Sound to a level of mastery.
The other standards have little issue and can definitely be met by then, but he still has no sign of a sword heart.
Without comprehending Sword Intent, he could at most receive a top-notch second-tier reward, with no chance of getting a first-tier reward. The difference in rewards is as far as heaven and earth.
"No way, I must at least give it a try."
Regaining his senses, he looked at Luo Qingchan with bright eyes and said:
"Qingchan, teach me!"
The girl, somewhat shy at his intense gaze, thought for a moment and shook her head:
"I’m willing to help you, but it’s hard to teach..."
Su Yu immediately said:
"I’ll comprehend the rest myself. You teach me how to comprehend a sword heart. I’ve been clueless about it all along."
Luo Qingchan asked with a puzzled look:
"You haven’t comprehended a sword heart yet?"
"No."
"How is that possible? It’s very easy to comprehend."
Su Yu.....
Although puzzled by how he could have such a strong swordsmanship realm without comprehending a sword heart, Luo Qingchan didn’t press for details. She just carefully asked about his current situation and, after thinking for a while, explained some things about caring for the sword heart.
"The so-called sword heart refers to the ultimate pursuit of the Sword Dao deep within one’s heart, including firm determination, strong willpower, extraordinary focus, and the ultimate understanding and pursuit of swordsmanship."
"The Sword Heart is not just an improvement in technique; it is also an awakening and sublimation of the soul."
At this point, Luo Qingchan paused, gazed at Su Yu with her beautiful eyes, and said seriously:
"The Sword Heart is reflected in daily practice and real combat. When wielding the flying sword, one can forget everything and fully immerse oneself. When pursuing higher realms of Swordsmanship, one must possess unwavering determination and fearless courage. At critical moments, one’s soul and will sublimates, thereby unleashing a strength that surpasses oneself."
"Reflect on yourself; during your usual practice, are you ensuring these states? Are you fully devoted to it?"
Su Yu remained silent, questioning himself.
"Am I fully engaged?"
"I wasn’t in the past, but now, within the Sword Palace, I am."
"Do I possess unwavering determination and fearless courage?"
"Surely I do, but it seems to be of no use."
"Although I am truly completely immersed in Sword Dao within the Sword Palace, I know in my heart that it is only within the Sword Palace that I am this way. I came here for the supreme techniques of the Sword Palace, not because I am genuinely devoted to the Sword Dao. Once I leave the Sword Palace, my focus will still be on Qi Refining."
Su Yu was very clear; his attitude towards the Sword Dao was merely a powerful means to protect his path and not out of absolute love for the Sword Dao.
"What should I do?"
This situation seemed unsolvable.
If one wants to condense the Sword Heart, one must be fully committed, but being fully committed means focusing on the Sword Dao, which does not align with his life plans.
Without love in the heart, it’s impossible to be fully committed to it.
The Sword Heart is something quite subjective; you can deceive others but not yourself, so....
"Am I destined not to comprehend the Sword Heart?"
Su Yu felt somewhat disheartened.
Seeing his dejected expression, Luo Qingchan wanted to help but didn’t know-how. She had found the comprehension of the Sword Heart to be effortless, a natural progression, and couldn’t understand why others couldn’t comprehend the Sword Heart despite their high level of Swordsmanship—it was as natural as having hands, wasn’t it?
In a bad mood, Su Yu didn’t even feel like sparring. He returned to his personal space, pinching his brow in distress.
"Not being able to comprehend the Sword Heart means not being able to comprehend the Sword Intent."
"Without comprehending the Sword Intent, it’s impossible to pass three rounds, nor to reach Tier One, stopping at most at Tier Two’s peak."
At first glance, Tier Two’s peak isn’t bad; at least there’s a Sect-level Basic Sword Formulas or a Tier Nine Treasure flying sword like the Thunder Marsh Divine Sword, which isn’t inferior to Qingchan’s.
But if there’s a chance to obtain the Supreme Tier Sword Formulas or Tier Ten Flying Sword, who wouldn’t want it?
The Supreme Tier Sword Formulas and Sect-level Sword Formulas, Tier Nine Flying Sword and Tier Ten Flying Sword, they are two different levels. It’s like the difference in whether a Sword Cultivator has grasped Sword Intent. If there’s an opportunity, of course, one must strive for it at all costs.
"It’s really frustrating!"
He scratched his head, feeling a bit muddled.
Despite massaging his face with effort, he couldn’t calm his mind, so Su Yu simply decided not to think about it, turned around, and went to sleep.
After sleeping for a full day and night, he woke up the next morning and slapped the table, exclaiming:
"If it can’t be done, then so be it. Sect-level isn’t bad."
Adjusting his mindset, he continued his Sword Dao practice.
With this thought, he put the matter aside, and by a happy accident, his mind became clearer, and his progress in the subsequent Sword Dao practice accelerated noticeably.
Although the Sword Heart remained unresponsive, his Swordsmanship realm and combat skills were indeed improving, especially through sparring with Luo Qingchan, which helped him progress greatly.
In past projections, those who comprehended the Sword Intent were Four-Star Projections. They wouldn’t cooperate like Luo Qingchan did, often getting beaten out of the arena in less than thirty seconds.
Qingchan was much gentler. She would soften her offensive and ease up when he was overwhelmed, allowing him to last longer. Sparring with her was genuine sparring, and the experience was excellent.
Moreover, he didn’t entirely disregard it. After adjusting his mindset, he revisited Luo Qingchan’s understanding of the Sword Heart.
Unwavering determination.
Fearless courage.
Steadfast resolve.
Extraordinary focus.
Complete immersed engagement.
These aren’t exclusive to the Sword Dao; they are applicable at any time.
He combined these understandings with his own insights, slowly forming his own realm comprehension, enhancing his spiritual realm.
As time passed, the two months of the second round ended unbeknownst to him. His Swordsmanship realm improved greatly, particularly when Sword Qi Thunder Sound broke through its limits at the end of the second month, reaching a consummate level that even before its sealing, it had not achieved.
This was much faster than he had imagined.
First-level Swordsmanship realm [Sword Qi Thunder Sound]: Consummate.
Second-level Swordsmanship realm [Condensing Sword into Silk]: Proficient.
Third-level Swordsmanship realm [Sword Light Division]: Proficient.
Fourth-level Swordsmanship realm [True Sword Intent]: Uninitiated.
"It’s not bad. Even if I truly can’t comprehend the Sword Intent, achieving this is a substantial gain."
It’s important to know that this comprehension of the Swordsmanship realm won’t vanish after leaving the Sword Palace. At that time, at least a Sect-level Sword Formulas, two Tier Seven Treasure flying swords, and a consummate level of Swordsmanship realm will surely result in a qualitative change in strength.
When the time came, he was once again transported to that platform where all 81 contestants were present, all looking at the rules for the second round of elimination.
