A "Correct" Character with Two Extra Strokes (Two-in-One)

For cultivators, seclusion is a common occurrence.

Cultivators in the Lower Five Realms often go into seclusion for seven, eight, or even more than ten years.

Cultivators at the Middle Five Realm often go into seclusion for decades or even centuries.

Cultivators at the Upper Five Realms can go into seclusion for hundreds or even thousands of years, or even until their oil lamp runs out.

It can be said that, apart from Martial Warrior, a cultivator with poor aptitude spends about ten percent of their life in seclusion.

It's very simple. It's because of poor aptitude. His cultivation level wasn't very high to begin with, and his lifespan limit wasn't very high either. Since he couldn't achieve anything by going into seclusion, he might as well go out and hone his skills.

A cultivator of average talent spends 40% to 50% of their life in seclusion, especially as their cultivation level increases and they age, the longer they spend in seclusion.

This is understandable. When you are young, you go out and experience more trials and tribulations, gain more insights, and digest more of what you have learned, so you can spend more time in seclusion.

As you get older, and have basically experienced everything you need to, going out to hone your skills becomes less important. So, you can go into seclusion and see if you can achieve something from that seclusion.

However, if a cultivator is a genius, or rather, the more genius the cultivator, the less time they will spend in seclusion! The time spent in seclusion may at most occupy no more than thirty percent of their lifetime.

That makes sense.

Those geniuses who go out to train don't need to go into seclusion at all; they can gain their insights and break through on the spot while training.

As people get older, even though they have experienced enough, there is no point in venturing out into the world anymore, so they will choose to cultivate in seclusion within their sect.

Some people will relentlessly pursue a breakthrough, while others will not.

What makes geniuses remarkable is not just their talent, but their knowledge of their own limits.

Most people would choose to train the next generation, travel and enjoy life, or participate in various great battles, such as going to Penglai Province to seek death.

Is this what seclusion is like? Boring?

For cultivators, the process of enlightenment is certainly tedious, but if their cultivation level increases, even by a tiny bit, it's incredibly exhilarating.

However... for Jiang Lin...

Although it's exhilarating to improve one's realm, I genuinely can't stand the pursuit of enlightenment.

It's like struggling with a physics problem to the bone; it's pure agony.

It can be said that Jiang Lin's previous seclusions were not due to any enlightenment or spiritual attainment.

If I really had to explain why...

That means Jiang Lin simply doesn't know where his own path lies.

There's no point in talking about attaining enlightenment or spiritual understanding.

Therefore, Jiang Lin's previous seclusions were all due to problems with the Sun Moon Dual Cultivation Technique; he felt there was something he wasn't quite understanding, hence the so-called seclusions...

This kind of seclusion due to problems with the cultivation method is very short...

Add to that Jiang Lin's personality—if he can't figure something out, he just puts it aside—and it's more than just fast.

Basically, Jiang Lin has only gone into seclusion five times in the eight years he has been practicing Daoism, and the total duration of each seclusion has never exceeded one month...

Of course, even someone like Jiang Lin can reach the Sea Gazing Realm within eight years, and may even step into the Dragon Gate Realm.

In a sense, Jiang Lin... really is a genius...

However, this time...

It seems something unexpected has happened...

As usual, Jiang Lin brushed his teeth with the waterfall water and washed his face after getting up in the morning. He also did ten rounds of Fist Posture exercises as a form of calisthenics.

Finally, Jiang Lin picked up the First Snow and drew a line on a tree next to the waterfall.

When I wrote the character "", there were two more horizontal lines.

In other words, I've been here for seven days...

During these seven days, Jiang Lin to bed late and got up early.

Aside from washing my face, brushing my teeth, eating breakfast, and writing tally marks on the tree, the first thing I did was to close my Spiritual Apertures, and then stand on that rock with the First Snow in my hand, waving them continuously at the waterfall that was so huge that I felt so insignificant.

The problem is, let alone breaking a hole in the waterfall to stop its flow.

Damn it, Jiang Lin seriously doubted whether his sword energy had even managed to create the slightest splash of water...

In Jiang Lin's view, whether it's a fantasy world or a cultivation world, all means of attack are nothing more than two.

Physical damage and magical damage.

The Martial Warrior uses Martial Warrior True Qi to strengthen himself, which is a form of physical attack.

The Magic Arts chanted by the cultivators were magical attacks.

As for Sword Cultivator, they primarily use physical attacks, supplemented by magical attacks.

One sword can shatter heaven and earth, one sword can break all laws; the other Magic Arts are merely for the purpose of using the sword more effectively.

While spells created using the characteristics of Natal Flying Sword are certainly good, a sword is still just a sword, Sword Cultivator relies on the sword in his hand!

Regardless of the type of Flying Sword's Innate Divine Power, it all serves the sword itself.

Just as the Senior Shi Li said.

He had been using the icy nature of the First Snow to create various spells, treating it as a tool for casting spells, but neglecting First Snow First Snow itself.

My own application of the First Snow Sword and my understanding of the First Snow itself are very limited.

Strictly speaking, apart from having a Natal Flying Sword, he could no longer be considered a true Sword Cultivator.

With a single thought, the First Snow flew out from Jiang Lin's acupoint.

After spinning a few times in the air, the needle-sized First Snow grew to the size of a normal Flying Sword and landed in Jiang Lin's palm.

Jiang Lin habitually twirled his sword, then sealed his acupoints and stood before the waterfall.

For Sword Cultivator, without a master to provide Spiritual Power, their Natal Flying Sword is nothing more than an ordinary longsword (of course, even an ordinary longsword is much better than those famous weapons in the mortal world).

Honestly, if Senior Shi Li hadn't sealed his Spiritual Apertures and used a tree branch to demonstrate for Jiang Lin, it would have been a huge relief.

This gave Jiang Lin the confidence (illusion) that he could do it too, and Jiang Lin probably packed his bags and left on the third day.

Under this overconfidence (delusion), Jiang Lin thought, even if Senior Shi Li's cultivation level was high, how high could it be? It couldn't possibly be the Ascension Realm, could it?

Since it's not the Ascension Realm, even if it's Sword Cultivator in the Immortal Realm, if they close their Spiritual Apertures, they can't use Spiritual Power. Apart from having a relatively strong physical constitution (cultivators can nourish their physical bodies, but compared to Martial Warrior, the nourishment is very limited), there's nothing else they can do.

And I'm holding the First Snow, not a tree branch... This shouldn't be happening...

Holy crap! Is this waterfall poisonous?!

After a period of daily depression and existential doubt, Jiang Lin, having accepted reality, was now sitting by the waterfall cooking eggs and congee with preserved eggs and Preserved Egg and Lean Meat Congee.

Man is made of iron, food is made of steel. Even if you can Bigu, what fun is there in life if you can't enjoy delicious food?

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Lin continued to wave the First Snow in his hand at the waterfall.

By noon, Jiang Lin felt as if his arm no longer belonged to him, and he was too exhausted to condense the sword energy of First Snow anymore, so he finally gave up.

Lying on the boulder, Jiang Lin looked utterly dejected.

Sometimes Jiang Lin even thought about simply opening his Spiritual Apertures and unleashing a sword strike.

But Jiang Lin had a feeling.

I feel that even if I unlock my Spiritual Apertures and unleash my full power, I still can't break through this waterfall...

If that's the case, then I'll definitely give up.

It's like trying to solo someone on one leg; if you can't win, that's fine. But if you try to use both hands and still can't win, that's just awful.

At this point, you might start to question the meaning of life...

"First Snow, is it really true that your master is still too incompetent...?"

Holding the First Snow high, Jiang Lin sighed softly.

For the past five days, after sealing his Spiritual Apertures, Jiang Lin has only been able to unleash First Snow's sword energy through mental connection.

In this way, the extent to which the First Snow Sword can be unleashed depends entirely on how close the mental connection between Jiang Lin and First Snow is.

The connection between Sword Cultivator and their Natal Flying Sword depends closely on how much the master understands their Natal Flying Sword.

Sword Cultivator's Natal Flying Sword is something that is born from birth; no two Sword Cultivator have the same Natal Flying Sword. Therefore, the Natal Flying Sword is also regarded as Sword Cultivator's innate talent.

If a cultivator severs their Natal Flying Sword, it is equivalent to severing their own cultivation foundation, and the Longevity Bridge connecting the various Spiritual Apertures within their body will also break.

At that time, let alone cultivation, even if one becomes an ordinary person, one will be weak and sickly, and will not live long.

Therefore, the Natal Flying Sword is the life of Sword Cultivator; when the sword dies, the person dies—this is not just an empty saying.

However, the death of a person does not necessarily mean the death of their sword.

In Sword Cultivator sects, if the Sect Leader or an elder has reached the end of their lifespan, they will usually sever their connection with their Natal Flying Sword Flying Sword and leave it to their descendants to enhance the sect's strength.

After all, a refined Flying Sword can be used as a magical artifact for protection, isn't that great...?

Therefore, the Natal Flying Sword and the Sword Cultivator have a mutually dependent relationship. It is not an exaggeration to say that the two are the closest brothers and sisters, and even more so.

Jiang Lin believed he already knew enough about his own brother, First Snow.

After all, they've known each other for so many years, and feelings naturally develop over time...

But over the past seven days... it seems something has gone wrong.

Jiang Lin realized that he didn't really understand First Snow at all; otherwise, why would his level of First Snow Sword be so low...?

"Is our brotherhood just a facade?"

Looking at the First Snow, Jiang Lin felt a pang of sadness...

First Snow didn't even bother with Jian Ming, remaining completely silent and even wanting to roll her eyes at Jiang Lin.

Looking closely at the First Snow that has been with me day and night, I have to say, my First Snow is really beautiful.

The entire sword is translucent, as if forged from ice and snow. The Sword Body is thin and sharp, and the simple engravings do not feel juvenile. Instead, they give people a sense of artistic carving in mid-air, like a graceful woman in an elegant white dress standing in the snow.

The sword hilt emanated a chilling Chilling Qi the moment Jiang Lin gripped it, and the comfortable feel made him feel that there was no sword in the world that could compare to First Snow.

Even if it were a celestial weapon, she wouldn't trade the First Snow for it.

"Alas, First Snow, it is my fault for neglecting you all this time, for not truly getting to know you."

Jiang Lin flicked the Sword Body of First Snow's sword, as if flicking her forehead.

After a long while, Jiang Lin sat up.

I've already been exhausted for seven days, and I don't want to give up just like that.

"Don't worry, First Snow, I will definitely make full use of your sword energy! I will never again treat you as a tool sword for generating spells."

The words landed.

Hearing Jiang Lin's words, the First Snow seemed to emit a soft cry.

"Huh? Are you encouraging me, Master First Snow?" Jiang Lin's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. "Don't worry First Snow! I will definitely treat you well! I will get to know you better! I will become the most understanding and caring master in the world!"

The First Snow Sword emitted a sword cry once more.

"First Snow, do you mean I shouldn't work too hard?" Jiang Lin hugged First Snow and snuggled against her. "Don't worry, First Snow, all the hard work is worth it. I will definitely work hard!"

"..."

In fact, First Snow had been cursing Jiang Lin the whole time, but thanks to Jiang Lin's powerful imagination, First Snow stopped using her sword, afraid that he would kiss her a few times.

Holding his sword, standing on the rocks above the waterfall, even with his Spiritual Apertures sealed, his heart was still with First Snow. This was the connection between the master and his Natal Flying Sword.

Above the sword energy lies the sword intent!

Only when one truly masters the sword energy of the First Snow can one develop the sword intent derived from one's understanding of the way of the sword.

Only by basing one's own Natal Flying Sword's sword intent on it can one refer to the sword intent of others.

To achieve what is called "enlightenment," thereby integrating the opponent's sword intent into one's own understanding.

Otherwise, it will overshadow the main event.

If a person doesn't even know the sword intent of their own Natal Flying Sword, how can they dare to comprehend the sword intent of others?

This is why Jiang Lin never touched the sword intent that the Senior Sword Spirit had given him.

In the eyes of the Senior Sword Spirit, Jiang Lin already possessed his own sword intent. After all, Sword Cultivator, upon entering the Cave Mansion Realm, already possesses his own basic sword intent.

The problem is... Jiang Lin really didn't...

Jiang Lin closed his eyes and sensed First Snow's presence, as he did always sense the sword energy emanating from First Snow.

With sword energy imbued with the First Snow, Jiang Lin slowly raised his sword, intending to swing it down as usual.

However, when Jiang Lin held the First Snow high above his head, he never brought it down.

Because Jiang Lin and First Snow had severed their Spiritual Power connection and only had a spiritual connection, although First Snow Sword felt somewhat weak, it was also more pure.

Gradually, for some unknown reason, a strange feeling began to seep into his palms from the First Snow, then seeped into his bloodstream. It felt like Spiritual Power, but more like... sword energy...

Like the tip of Ice Thorn, or the blade of an ice knife, the frosty sword energy was sharp and dangerous, as if if First Snow were not careful, her blood vessels would be cut by First Snow.

Jiang Lin did not stop First Snow, but allowed First Snow to enter his body.

Every time that frosty sword energy passed through a part of his body, his blood froze and his blood vessels were frozen.

In the end, First Snow's sword energy penetrated Jiang Lin's heart.

In an instant, Jiang Lin's heart froze into an ice sculpture and stopped beating.

Jiang Lin, holding his long sword aloft, exuded Chilling Qi, and beneath his skin appeared purple, frozen veins that stood out prominently.

White frost began to cover Jiang Lin's skin layer by layer, like a glacier.

A silver-haired, silver-eyed girl dressed in a white dress gracefully landed behind Jiang Lin.

The girl opened her arms and wrapped them around his neck, her snow-white cheeks pressed tightly against his.

Somewhat mischievous, yet also somewhat well-behaved, she likes to wear a white dress and float barefoot on her perfect snow-white feet.

The bells on her fair ankles jingled crisply.