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The circular sword array was far more flexible than the original Myriad Swords Art, and the Sword Intent within it was even more condensed.
It was unbelievable, this Senior Martial Uncle Chang Yi, who had only been practicing Sword Skills for a short time, had actually accomplished something like this already.
Perhaps the sword strike that tore apart the sea of clouds was not enough to threaten Jiang Qing…
But the meaning behind this achievement shocked him deeply.
As someone who could also integrate Mount Shu's sword techniques with his own understanding to create new Sword Skills, Jiang Qing knew better than anyone how difficult this was. Learning and creating were two completely different matters, the latter far more challenging.
"Dugu, you're here." By now, Qin Yi had opened his eyes and spoke softly.
"Senior Martial Uncle, your cultivation has advanced again. Truly amazing." Dugu Yuyun stepped forward quickly, his voice full of admiration.
"I am still far inferior to you." Qin Yi shook his head, then turned his gaze toward Jiang Qing.
"And this is…?"
"This is Senior Brother Jiang Qing, Senior Martial Uncle."
Dugu Yuyun introduced respectfully.
"Senior Martial Uncle." Jiang Qing suppressed his shock and bowed.
Qin Yi looked at him, his gaze deepening. He knew that this was the legendary future Great Senior Brother of Mount Shu, who would one day fall in love with a demoness, and because of that tragedy, end up entering the Demon Prison Tower. That incident would eventually lead the next Sect Lord to forbid all disciples from entering that tower.
According to Qin Yi's knowledge, Jiang Qing's talent was extraordinary, perhaps even surpassing Dugu Yuyun. If not for that tragedy, the position of Mount Shu's Sect Lord would almost certainly have become his.
"Mm." Qin Yi nodded and withdrew his gaze.
Like with Dugu Yuyun, he couldn't see through Jiang Qing either. The young man's calm presence felt like a deep mountain abyss, suppressive, unshakable, and radiating sharpness that made one's heart tremble.
Sword Intent.
Qin Yi's eyes flickered thoughtfully. He had sensed it.
Dugu Yuyun also possessed Sword Intent, but it was worlds apart from Jiang Qing's. As for Qin Yi himself, he naturally fell far short of both men in this area.
"Senior Martial Uncle, I've heard from Junior Brother Dugu that your talent is exceptional. You've cultivated for less than half a year and yet reached such a realm. Jiang Qing truly admires you."
Jiang Qing said sincerely.
"I'm far from matching the two of you."
Qin Yi replied with a helpless smile. He hadn't expected that the elite disciples of Mount Shu would be completely devoid of arrogance, and were instead quite skilled at polite flattery.
Then again, with his status as a Senior Martial Uncle, they wouldn't dare show arrogance before him. Moreover, cultivators valued character above all. Those with poor character would never reach the level of the two men before him.
"I wish to sit and discuss the Dao with Senior Martial Uncle Chang Yi, so that we may improve together. I wonder what Senior Martial Uncle thinks?"
Jiang Qing suddenly said.
Dugu Yuyun's eyes widened in surprise.
Senior Brother Jiang Qing's cultivation was deeper than his own, many Elders were not even his match. He frequently traveled outside Mount Shu to slay demons and rarely remained on the mountain, unless he was cultivating in seclusion.
A discussion of the Dao could mean mutual improvement…
But when one side was far stronger, it was essentially instruction.
Senior Brother Jiang Qing intended to personally instruct this Senior Martial Uncle?
"Of course. I should be thanking you."
Qin Yi agreed with a smile.
Seeing that Qin Yi did not refuse out of pride, Jiang Qing returned the smile. In his heart, his evaluation of this Senior Martial Uncle improved, his temperament was excellent.
"Dugu also wants to join."
Dugu Yuyun added with a cheerful grin.
Just as they finished speaking, another figure dropped down from above, shouting loudly:
"And me too, Situ Zhong, hahaha!"
Soon, the four of them sat cross-legged together at the edge of the Sword Qi Platform, gazing at the rolling sea of clouds before them, discussing the Dao.
This discussion of the Dao stretched on for a very long time.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed. During this period, Mount Shu would occasionally tremble, startling the disciples, but it could not draw the attention of the four sitting atop the Sword Qi Platform.
They were completely immersed in the comprehension and exploration of the Dao, intoxicated by it, unable to extricate themselves.
"The spirit governs essence and qi. When the spirit is strong, one's senses become sharp, without opening the eyes, one may perceive things thousands of miles away; without straining the ears, one may hear sounds across heaven and earth."
"Essence is the blood and vitality of the flesh. When strong, the body flourishes, bones resonate, muscles are full, and Eternal Life endures. When weak, the body withers, and spirit declines."
"Qi is the innate energy of the body. Nature also possesses great qi. When man unites with nature, yin and yang harmonize. Humans differ from all things because they can utilize the small qi to draw in the great qi, contain it, and thus forge the immortal physique."
"Only when Essence, Qi, and Spirit are full and advance together can one unify with all things, with yin and yang, with the universe itself."
Qin Yi spoke calmly.
This was the synthesis of the knowledge he had gained in his previous life, the insights from three different worlds, and the enlightenment gained from studying the Dao Scriptures of the Legend of Sword and Fairy world.
Essence–Qi–Spirit, the Three Treasures of the human body, like the sun, moon, and stars in the night sky, must complement one another and must not be lacking.
"Chang Yi Senior Martial Uncle's comprehension aligns with the Great Dao, it is the pinnacle pursued by those of us who walk the Immortal Cultivation path. I too have gained some insights, allow me to share them."
"My comprehension lies in the realm of Sword Technique, Sword Intent."
"Sword Intent is like the wooden barrel that holds water, while Sword Moves are the water itself. Only with a sufficiently powerful Sword Intent can one contain more Sword Moves. A Sword Immortal commands the world not by Sword Moves, but by Sword Intent. As long as the Sword Intent is strong enough, who needs techniques? All things under heaven can be endowed with Sword Intent and become deadly weapons."
"In the ultimate Sword Intent I envision, even standing in one place, I could sever an enemy's head millions of miles away, guided by intent alone!"
Jiang Qing's words left Qin Yi and the others astonished.
At this time in Mount Shu, all Sword Skills were built from practiced sword techniques. After years of polishing, each Sword Move carried great power and tradition. Yet Jiang Qing's philosophy abandoned the Sword Move entirely, focusing solely on Sword Intent, if the intent was strong, every gesture carried the force of a technique.
"No sword in the hand, but a sword in the heart?"
Qin Yi pondered deeply. Jiang Qing's words had given him new insight into the nature of Sword Intent.
"My understanding is more related to Dao practice, not as profound as Senior Martial Uncle and Senior Brother. I fear I may embarrass myself."
Dugu Yuyun smiled.
"I believe that if we wish to tread the path of the Dao and ultimately reach enlightenment, we must first pass through the vast mortal world. We must crawl and struggle through worldly life, experience the love, hatred, passions, and sorrows that mortals endure. Only by carving these feelings into our bones can we truly understand them."
"Only then can we transcend them, step beyond, and achieve the true Great Dao. Only then can we cast off the identity of 'human' and become an immortal."
"One must understand deeply before one can comprehend fully."
Qin Yi nodded slightly. Indeed, later in life, after Dugu Yuyun became the Sword Saint, he reached exactly this realm, forgetting emotions, forgetting even the Dao, transcending worldly ties.
"Hahaha! My understanding, as a drunkard, is nowhere near as deep as you three."
"Life in this world, here is what I think: If there's wine, drink! If there's meat, eat! If there's a beauty, play! If there's a demon, cut it! If there's a devil, slay it!"
"Become an immortal? Never thought about it. I just pursue two words, "
"Thrilling joy!!"
Situ Zhong burst into loud laughter.
His words made the other three laugh as well.
"Thrilling joy!!"
The next moment, all three imitated Situ Zhong, laughing heartily.
Indeed, without freedom and joy, what kind of 'Immortal' would one be?
This drunken fool's words were miles away from the Dao… yet somehow still carried a bit of truth!
(End of this chapter)