Nantian Sword Technique

Lu Chen and the other two continued deeper into the Fiery Purgatory along the path. They hadn't encountered any Flame Demons since Lu Chen eliminated one two days prior.

Ever since obtaining the Primal Chaos Greatsword, Lu Chen's cultivation had advanced significantly. Relying on the sword's sharpness, Lu Chen began challenging Demonic Beasts in the early stages of the Breath Regulation Realm, even across major cultivation realms.

One day, Lu Chen used the Primal Chaos Greatsword to kill a Flame Monster at the third level of the Breath Regulation Realm. He then continuously swung the greatsword, dismembering the Demonic Beast's corpse.

Nantian Xiu stood behind Lu Chen, puzzled. Given Lu Chen's extraordinary talent, his family shouldn't be unknown on the continent.

Nantian Xiu suddenly spoke, "Young lad, I haven't asked which family you come from these past few days. Are your parents well?"

"Grandpa Xiu, I'm just a village boy. My family was killed by a group of Cultivators long ago. My grandfather..."

Lu Chen recalled the events in Qingfang Village, a look of sorrow appearing on his face. He didn't want to continue.

"Sigh... I had no idea your family went through such a tragedy," Nantian Xiu apologized to Lu Chen and quickly changed the subject.

"You haven't joined a Sect yet, have you? I see you have powerful Martial Skills and Magic Treasures, but you use them without any proper technique. Why don't you follow me from now on? When I return to my Sect, I can introduce you."

"Yes, with the protection of a Sect, you can avenge your family too," Nantian Wan'er said with concern.

"Grandpa Xiu, I only recently started cultivating, and these Martial Skills were acquired by chance. However, I've already decided to go to Fengtian Prefecture. Thank you, Grandpa Xiu."

"Since that's the case, how about I teach you a sword technique? It will also help you deal with these Demonic Beasts."

As he spoke, Nantian Xiu picked up a twig from the ground and began demonstrating a sword technique.

A poke, a thrust, a slash, a chop.

Nantian Xiu's twig moved like a swimming dragon, slashing down with its momentum, stirring up the sound of wind.

"Young lad, remember this: the sword moves with the person, the person moves with the heart, the heart moves with the spirit. Where the sword strikes, it is a killing blow."

"Kill!"

Nantian Xiu thrust his sword through a giant tree in front of him.

Lu Chen was about to speak, but as he watched the sword technique, he became entranced, his eyes unable to look away.

"Roar!"

An aura emanated from Nantian Xiu. The twig in his hand gradually took the shape of a dragon's head, emitting roars.

Lu Chen watched Nantian Xiu, from the twig to his entire body, until Nantian Xiu's whole form transformed into a giant dragon.

"Nantian Dragon Slaying Sword, go!"

Nantian Xiu swung his sword, and a golden giant dragon flew out, striking the ground. The earth immediately cracked open, forming a bottomless chasm.

"Young lad, did you see clearly? I'll teach you this move, the Nantian Dragon Slaying Sword, today." Nantian Xiu put away his twig and pointed at Lu Chen's forehead, transmitting the sword technique's mental cultivation method.

"Grandpa, this sword move was something you obtained through great hardship. Why are you just giving it away? Didn't you say you never teach it to outsiders?" Nantian Wan'er watched from behind as Nantian Xiu imparted the cultivation method to Lu Chen.

"So what? Look at your expression. Is there any difference between teaching it now and teaching it later? Hahaha!"

"Oh, Grandpa, I'm talking about serious matters, don't tease me."

Nantian Xiu looked at Nantian Wan'er's blushing face and burst into laughter, then continued to perform the remaining sword techniques.

"Nantian Dragon Control."

"Nantian Dragon Transformation."

"This... this is the Dragon Slaying Sword?" Feng Long exclaimed in shock. "The Dragon Slaying Sword that shook the heavens ten thousand years ago."

Lu Chen looked at Feng Long's shocked expression and wondered, Is this sword technique very powerful?

"The sword technique itself isn't exceptionally powerful, but the sword intent within it is unparalleled in the world."

Feng Long stared at Nantian Xiu performing the sword technique. "Moreover, the person who created this sword technique once entered the Dao through sword intent and single-handedly upheld a Golden Age."

"You can try learning it. This sword technique is meant to be grand and powerful, perfectly suited for the Primal Chaos Greatsword."

Lu Chen listened to Feng Long's words and, holding the Primal Chaos Greatsword, began practicing alongside Nantian Xiu.

Slash, poke, thrust...

Slash, poke, thrust...

Nantian Xiu turned and used the twig to guide Lu Chen's practice.

Slowly, a faint aura began to manifest around Lu Chen. The Primal Chaos Greatsword emitted faint sounds. Feng Long seemed to sense this, its entire form becoming ethereal and attaching itself to the Primal Chaos Greatsword.

"Roar!"

Feng Long, covering the Primal Chaos Greatsword, let out a roar.

"Nantian Dragon Slaying Sword, go!"

Lu Chen controlled the dragon-shaped sword energy, slashing forward.

Feng Long, accompanied by a violent gale, swept out, directly shattering two mountain peaks in front of them.

"Huu... huu..."

Lu Chen was completely exhausted after executing the sword move. "So strong. The power of this single sword move is comparable to dozens of my previous 'Scorching Sun Sky Split' palm strikes."

"Hehehe, not bad, not bad. Young lad, your comprehension of the sword path is indeed excellent."

"He... he succeeded. And faster than my brother," Nantian Wan'er said, stunned, watching the dragon-shaped energy.

Lu Chen turned and gave Nantian Xiu a proper junior's bow.

"These moves are definitely not just a few casual ones you mentioned, Grandpa Xiu. Lu Chen thanks you for teaching me these sword techniques."

Lu Chen understood in his heart that this set of sword techniques was definitely above the Earth Tier, a treasure that any sect would guard closely. Yet, Nantian Xiu had taught it to him so readily. This was a great kindness to him.

"It's nothing, nothing. After this old man dies, I can't take it with me anyway, so it's better to pass it on. Just treat Wan'er well in the future, and don't let her down," Nantian Xiu said with a chuckle.

Nantian Xiu knew he couldn't protect Nantian Wan'er forever and had already decided to entrust her future to Lu Chen.

"That's natural. Anyone who bullies Wan'er in the future will be going against me, Lu Chen."

Lu Chen declared with youthful vigor, clenching his fists. Unfortunately, Lu Chen didn't yet understand the true meaning behind Nantian Xiu's words at this moment.

"That's good, that's good. Wan'er, you heard that too? Someone will protect you for Grandpa from now on."

"Grandpa..., I don't want that. You'll definitely watch me grow up, and we'll take good care of you," Nantian Wan'er lowered her head shyly.

"Alright, alright, alright. You'll both take care of me. Hehehe."

"Ah... It's me, I'll take care of Grandpa." Nantian Wan'er unintentionally spoke her true feelings, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"It's fine, we can take care of you together. Grandpa Xiu saved me and taught me sword techniques, so he's like my own grandfather, right, Grandpa Xiu?" Lu Chen said loudly to Nantian Xiu.

"He's so obvious and still doesn't get it. What a blockhead," Feng Long said, furious that Lu Chen still hadn't understood.

"Yes, yes, we're family. But we should get going. You can practice your sword techniques on the road."

Lu Chen and his companions continued on their journey. Along the way, Nantian Xiu continuously guided Lu Chen in practicing the three basic moves of swordplay: chop, slash, and thrust.

With his treasured sword in hand and guidance from a master, coupled with his exceptional comprehension, Lu Chen's swordsmanship reached the initial stages within a few days.

"Chop, slash, thrust... Chop, slash, thrust."

Lu Chen would spar with every Demonic Beast he encountered.

At Nantian Xiu's instruction, Lu Chen only used the most basic chop, slash, and thrust against the Demonic Beasts. With Nantian Wan'er's innate bloodline suppression over the beasts, Lu Chen could handle Demonic Beasts at the fifth level of the Breath Regulation Realm.

"Pfft..."

Nantian Wan'er suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

"Grandpa, the cold poison is about to erupt. I can't hold on any longer."

Nantian Xiu quickly took out the Bright Sun Grass he had prepared earlier and had Nantian Wan'er take it. One, two, three...

The more Bright Sun Grass Nantian Wan'er consumed, the more the cold energy within her seemed to surge back, and cold air continuously emanated from her body, covering her skin.

"Grandpa, I'm uncomfortable. My meridians are about to freeze."

"Grandpa... I'm uncomfortable..." Nantian Wan'er's voice gradually weakened.

Nantian Xiu placed his hands on Nantian Wan'er's Celestial Pool in her abdomen, feeling the situation inside her body with a look of anxiety.

"There's no time. Wan'er has taken too much Bright Sun Grass, and her meridians are blocked, preventing her body from absorbing it. I must help her circulate her energy to refine it. You guard the surroundings and absolutely do not let any Demonic Beasts interrupt my cultivation."

"Gather Spirit, Array Rise!"

Nantian Xiu formed hand seals, and the light of the array spread out with Nantian Xiu at its center.

Nantian Xiu felt uneasy about the surroundings and set up another array barrier to provide Spiritual Energy to Nantian Wan'er.

Lu Chen stood guard, sword in hand, protecting the two. He then covered the area outside the array barrier with the Azure Emperor Divine Tree.

The Spirit Gathering Array gathered the surrounding Spiritual Energy towards Lu Chen's direction.

Nantian Wan'er's suppression over the Demonic Beasts gradually weakened. The surrounding Demonic Beasts sensed the surge of Spiritual Energy from Lu Chen's direction and charged over.

The first wave consisted of Demonic Beasts that had just entered the Breath Regulation Realm, numbering around thirty to forty.

Lu Chen wielded his greatsword, performing a sword flower. He looked at the charging Demonic Beasts and shouted.

"Vermin! You dare to take advantage of the situation! Take this sword!"

Lu Chen charged into the horde of Demonic Beasts with his greatsword, slashing and hacking.

Chop, slash, thrust. Lu Chen applied his newly learned sword techniques with considerable proficiency.

Amidst the pack of Demonic Beasts, Lu Chen used his Movement Technique to continuously assault them. Each flash of his sword took the head of a Demonic Beast.

Lu Chen's current level was not only due to his comprehension but also primarily because of the training puppet within the Twin Fish Plate that practiced with him day and night. One night of training was equivalent to dozens of days in the outside world.

"Feng Long, return!"

Lu Chen held his greatsword horizontally across his chest and controlled Feng Long to possess the greatsword.

Feng Long's translucent emerald green light was mixed with wisps of black, violent aura, bringing a ferocious aura to the Primal Chaos Greatsword.

Ten minutes later, Lu Chen, covered in Demonic Beast blood, flashed back to the front of the barrier.

There wasn't a single Demonic Beast standing in front of the barrier. Lu Chen turned his head, flicked the blood droplets from his hair, and sheathed his greatsword with his back to the beasts.

"Grandpa Xiu, how is Wan'er?" Lu Chen asked about the situation inside the barrier while controlling the Azure Emperor Divine Tree to absorb Demonic Cores.

"It will take a while longer. Young man, you need to be careful. The Spirit Gathering Array will attract the surrounding Spiritual Energy, and it will also continuously attract surrounding Demonic Beasts," Nantian Xiu reminded Lu Chen from within the barrier.

"Grandpa Xiu, I will be extra careful. You guys also need to speed up. I'm afraid I can't hold on for much longer."

"Roar... Roar..." The sounds of Demonic Beasts roaring continuously came from afar.

Listening to the roars of the Demonic Beasts in the distance, Lu Chen began to sit down to recover his stamina and Spiritual Energy.

"It would be great if you could find the Yin Sea Pearl. With Yin and Yang gathered, the passage between the outside world and the Yuan Yang Twin Fish Plate could be opened at any time, and others could enter and exit the small world without restriction," the Wind Dragon said to Lu Chen as it observed the surroundings.

"Yin and Yang balance, alas, it's too difficult."

Lu Chen also realized this problem at this moment. If this passage could be opened, then in this world, almost no one of the same realm could stop him from escaping.

As evening approached, the sky in the Fiery Prison was filled with a strange blood-red color, and the sounds of dead Demonic Beasts grew closer.

"The Demonic Beasts are coming."

Lu Chen stood up, listening to the roars of the Demonic Beasts. The second wave of Demonic Beasts had arrived.