First Trial of Divine Abilities, Tongue-and-Sword

As time passed, the academy disciples grew increasingly proficient in controlling their literary energy and deepened their understanding of the profound principles of the Confucian Dao through their daily practice and lectures.

The "Tongue-and-Sword" technique, expounded by Sage Wanhua in the Hall of Understanding Principles that day, had taken root and sprouted in the hearts of many disciples, leaving them eager to try it for themselves.

On this day, with the tacit approval of the Sage's Clone, Xuanjizi gathered a group of disciples who had stabilized their Literary Heart and were brimming with literary energy to head to the Literary Practice Field specifically set up in the Outer Academy for their first practical application of divine abilities.

The Literary Practice Field was located in a corner of the academy, its ground paved with a type of cyan boulder harder than refined iron, engraved with reinforcement and protective formation patterns.

A faint curtain of literary energy shrouded the perimeter to prevent the aftermath of their techniques from harming the innocent.

Several Sword-Testing Stones of various shapes stood along the edge of the field; their unique composition allowed them to clearly reflect the intensity and characteristics of any attack.

Xuanjizi stood in the center of the field, feeling the responsibility of leadership as the First Disciple.

His gaze swept over the gathered disciples, including familiar faces like Elder Teng, Yun Xi, and Yun Su, as well as the Spirit of Metal and Stone, Jin Li, and the Spirit of Radiant Wisdom, Mingxin.

There were also several Registered Disciples who had performed well recently, and even the Qingyu Luan Bird Maiden, Qing Yu, stood quietly to the side observing.

"Fellow disciples," Xuanjizi said in a clear voice, "the 'Tongue-and-Sword' technique passed down by the Sage is not for showing off or aggression, but for protecting the Dao, rectifying the heart, and cutting away evil and delusion.

We are here today not to compete for victory, but to verify what we have learned and recognize our own shortcomings."

He was the first to walk up to a Sword-Testing Stone, holding his breath and focusing his mind as he recalled the mental cultivation method taught by the Sage.

He did not act immediately, but first mobilized the literary energy within his body, guiding it along specific meridians while visualizing the swiftness of "wind" and the persistence of "exploration" in his Sea of Consciousness, aligning them with his "Quest" Literary Heart.

A moment later, a flash of light appeared in his eyes; he pressed his fingers together like a brush and made a virtual stroke toward the Sword-Testing Stone!

"Shhh--!"

A formless and intangible blade of intent, accompanied by a sharp, piercing sound, erupted from his fingertips!

This blade of intent was not physical, yet it seemed woven from highly condensed literary energy and the principles of "sharpness" and "uprightness," moving so fast that it left only a faint golden thread in the air.

"Clang!"

A crisp sound, like metal striking stone, rang out! On the hard surface of the Sword-Testing Stone, a smooth, inch-deep cut had appeared!

At the edges of the cut, faint wind patterns swirled, seemingly continuing to erode the stone, only dissipating after several breaths.

"Good!" A few low exclamations rose from the sidelines. The disciples could feel the pure literary energy and sharp intent contained within that strike.

Xuanjizi panted slightly, sweat beading on his forehead. Although this first formal attempt was successful, it had consumed nearly ten percent of his literary energy, and his focus had been pushed to the limit.

He carefully contemplated the sensation he had just experienced, gaining a deeper understanding of the details of condensing literary energy and guiding intent.

"The key to this technique lies in the high degree of unity between the mind and literary energy; where the intent goes, the energy follows, and where the energy arrives, the edge is formed," he shared his insights.

With Xuanjizi's demonstration as a guide, the other disciples stepped forward to try.

Elder Teng walked to another Sword-Testing Stone. It did not pursue speed or sharpness, but instead infused its "Benevolent Resilience" Literary Heart into the technique. It extended a verdant vine-like finger and pointed slowly.

A seemingly gentle yet long-lasting cyan-gold stream of light shot out. When it struck the Sword-Testing Stone, it did not leave a deep cut, but rather acted like water dripping through stone.

It caused a dense web of cracks to appear on the stone's surface, and a resilient, binding intent permeated the area, as if it could restrain an opponent.

"My 'Tongue-and-Sword' focuses on 'entrapment' and 'resilience,'" Elder Teng said slowly.

When it was the Antlered Maiden Yun Xi's turn, she appeared somewhat nervous.

She condensed her literary energy, struggling to visualize the intent of "protection." A slightly scattered shield of intent with a pure white glow formed in front of her, but it struggled to take on an effective offensive form.

It only left a shallow pit when it struck the Sword-Testing Stone. "I... I seem to be better at protection..." she said, feeling somewhat dejected.

Xuanjizi comforted her gently: "Junior Sister Yun Xi, there is no need to force it. The Sage has said that divine abilities vary from person to person; only those that fit one's true nature are superior.

Your 'Protection' Literary Heart may be better suited for defensive techniques like 'Impenetrable Defense' or 'Splendid Tapestry'."

The Spirit of Metal and Stone, Jin Li, unleashed a "Tongue-and-Sword" that carried a heavy, peerless sharpness.

It struck the Sword-Testing Stone like an invisible heavy hammer, leaving a clear indentation with stone shards flying, its momentum truly astonishing.

The Spirit of Radiant Wisdom, Mingxin, presented a different scene; its blade of intent was agile and elusive, its trajectory difficult to predict. When it struck the Sword-Testing Stone, light flickered, seemingly capable of interfering with divine sense locking.

The most peculiar was the Cloud Spirit, Yun Su.

Her figure drifted, and with a light tap of her fingertip, a faint, ever-changing thread of intent shot out. It left no obvious mark after striking the Sword-Testing Stone.

However, the light around the stone twisted slightly, as if shrouded in an invisible mist, interfering with perception.

"Gathering and dispersing at will, confusing the eyes and ears of the enemy," Yun Su explained softly, having found a way to apply the technique that suited her own nature.

There were also disciples who failed. One Registered Disciple with a somewhat impetuous temperament was too eager for success; his literary energy was not sufficiently condensed, his intent was scattered, and his attack was soft and powerless.

He didn't even scratch the surface of the Sword-Testing Stone, causing his own literary energy to fall into chaos and his face to turn pale, until Xuanjizi promptly called for him to stop and regulate his breathing.

The Qingyu Luan Bird Maiden, Qing Yu, also stepped forward to try. The lingering influence from the depths of her soul affected her focus, and although the blade of intent she unleashed was sharp, it lacked a certain purity. The mark it left on the Sword-Testing Stone was shallow and scattered, failing to penetrate. She frowned slightly and retreated to the side in silence, seemingly having gained some realization.

Within the Literary Practice Field, literary energy surged and intent flew about. As they attempted the "Tongue-and-Sword" for the first time, the myriad states of all beings were fully displayed.

Those who succeeded rejoiced in finding an extension of their own path; those who failed understood their own shortcomings;

the diverse manifestations showed that Confucian Dao divine abilities were not rigid, but could be closely combined with one's own Literary Heart and nature to derive infinite changes.

Xuanjizi looked at the scene before him, feeling deeply moved.

This was not just a first trial of divine abilities, but a test of the results of their practice over the past period, and another tempering of their character and principles.

He seemed to see the future disciples of the academy, armed with this invisible Tongue-and-Sword, upholding the principles within their hearts to carve out a unique path across this Primordial World.

"Today's preliminary trial ends here," Xuanjizi announced in a resonant voice. "After you return, you must practice diligently. Furthermore, remember the teachings of the Sage: this technique is meant to be a means of protecting the Dao, not a tool for vanity and strife.

If the heart is upright, the technique is upright; if the heart is crooked, the technique is crooked."

The disciples answered in unison, each departing the Literary Practice Field with their own unique gains and reflections.

In the air, the sharp aura of that invisible clash of wills seemed to linger, a sign that this Tongue-and-Sword would surely become one of the distinct hallmarks of the Myriad Dao Academy disciples as they walked the Primordial World in the future.