Sword Comprehension Stele, the Stubborn Siblings
The clouds and mist flowed slowly among the mountains like a light veil, enveloping the steep peaks and making them appear and disappear intermittently.
Surrounded by mountains, the narrow valley is like a Secret Realm meticulously sculpted by nature, mysterious and alluring.
In the valley, celestial birds spread their magnificent wings and soared into the sky, while auspicious beasts strolled leisurely through the morning mist, occasionally letting out a clear cry or a deep roar that echoed in the valley, adding a touch of agility and vitality to this world.
In twos and threes, the cultivators entered this magical valley. Some wore simple robes, while others carried Longsword gleamed coldly. Their faces were filled with piety and anticipation.
After entering the valley, everyone found a place they liked, sat cross-legged, held their breath and concentrated, trying to comprehend the martial will of countless eras that remained in the valley.
Those wills, like brilliant stars, are hidden in every inch of the valley, waiting for those destined to discover and draw upon them.
With Hua Qiang right hand holding his son Hua Xiaoyao's hand and his left hand holding his daughter Hua Sijun's hand, the three of them slowly stepped into Enlightenment Valley.
The Peacock King, now in human form, followed behind them, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
This guy was dressed in a magnificent robe, with a handsome face and extraordinary temperament, exuding an aura of domineering Wang Ba.
Unlike the others, Hua Qiang didn't just sit down anywhere. Instead, he took his two children and headed straight into the depths of the valley.
Along the way, exotic flowers and rare herbs exuded a refreshing fragrance, and vines entwined ancient trees as if telling the story of the vicissitudes of time.
As they ventured deeper, a massive stone tablet gradually came into view.
The stone tablet towered into the clouds, its surface covered with ancient patterns, like some kind of mysterious runes, or like the marks left by time.
A faint light shimmered around the stone tablet, blending with the clouds and mist in the valley to create a dreamlike scene.
As the stone tablet drew closer, a shocking sword mark appeared on its surface.
The sword mark was tens of feet long and bottomless, as if a peerless divine sword had cleaved through time and space, forever engraving the boundless sword intent there.
The sword mark emanated a powerful aura, like a surging tide, and its force was as strong as a thunderbolt, causing the surrounding air to buzz.
Shi Chu was as delicate and gentle as a willow swaying in the breeze, so subtle that it was almost imperceptible.
Its rage was as fierce as a raging torrent, carrying the momentum to destroy everything.
The time is gentle and soothing, like spring water, flowing with tranquility and peace.
What's even more chilling is that the aura alternates between the coldness of death and the vigor of life, as if the two poles of yin and yang are intertwined and collided here.
Hua Qiang's expression turned solemn. He knew that the power contained in this sword mark was far beyond his imagination. Could this be the sword mark left by the Overlord Emperor, a sword that brought him to his Life and Death Sword?
He turned and instructed Hua Xiaoyao and Hua Sijun to meditate at a distance, and also asked the Peacock King to stand guard nearby to deal with any potential dangers.
After making the arrangements, Hua Qiang took a deep breath and slowly approached the stone tablet.
With each step, the aura of swords in the air grew stronger, as if countless invisible blades were piercing through the air.
The sharp aura scraped against his skin like a blade, initially causing only a slight sting, but as the distance between them shortened, the stinging sensation surged like a tidal wave.
His skin was cut open, and blood seeped out, staining his clothes red, but his eyes became even more resolute.
When the excruciating pain became almost unbearable, Hua Qiang finally stopped and sat cross-legged about three zhang away from the stone tablet.
He endured the pain all over his body, staring intently at the huge sword wound, holding his breath and clearing his mind of all distractions.
Gradually, he entered a state of tranquility, like a stone statue, quietly comprehending the absolute sword intent contained within the sword marks.
"Brother, Daddy's hurt and bleeding a lot. Is he alright? Will he die?"
Hua Sijun's childish voice trembled with tears, her eyes instantly reddening with heartache, and large tears rolled down her cheeks like beads from a broken string.
The little girl clutched Hua Xiaoyao's clothes, her body trembling slightly, her eyes filled with worry and panic.
Hua Xiaoyao gently but firmly pulled his sister into his arms.
He freed one hand and gently patted his sister's back, as tenderly as his mother used to lull her to sleep.
"It's alright, don't worry."
His voice was steady, carrying a maturity beyond his years.
"Our old man is really amazing. He's currently comprehending the way of the sword. Although he's been injured and bleeding, those are just superficial wounds and nothing to worry about."
Little sister, don't worry, you have to believe that your dad is the greatest hero in the world!
As he spoke, he pressed his sister's head against his shoulder, gently rubbing his chin against her soft hair, trying to dispel the unease in her heart in this way.
Not far away, the Peacock King silently watched the brother and sister.
Hua Xiaoyao's composure under pressure and his gentle comforting of his younger sister both greatly pleased him.
A relieved smile appeared on his handsome face, and he nodded slowly.
This child, though young, already possesses the demeanor of Marshal and is destined for greatness.
After comforting his sister, Hua Xiaoyao and Hua Sijun exchanged a glance and, as if on cue, sat down cross-legged on the spot.
They knew that although they couldn't help their parents at the moment, they could try to comprehend the supreme swordsmanship contained in the Sword Comprehension Stele. Perhaps they could gain something and be of help to their parents in the future.
As their breathing gradually stabilized, the brother and sister immersed themselves completely in their understanding of the way of the sword.
However, they were ultimately too young and their understanding was too limited.
Time passed second by second, and the Spiritual Qi around the Sword Comprehension Stele surged, but it could not stir up even the slightest ripple in their hearts.
A long time passed, and the two men's foreheads were covered with fine beads of sweat, their brows furrowed, yet they still hadn't gained anything.
In the end, they could only stand up dejectedly, their faces filled with disappointment.
Soon, the two of them turned their gazes to the distance, to Hua Qiang, who was shrouded in a cloud of colorful mist.
Dad is still persevering, so how can they easily give up?
The two gripped each other's hands tightly, a renewed fighting spirit igniting in their eyes.
Hua Sijun tilted her rosy cheeks up, blinked her big, wet eyes at the Peacock King beside her, and tugged at his wide sleeve, saying sweetly, "Peacock King brother, my brother and I need to get closer to that stone tablet, you have to protect us! We're very afraid of getting hurt!"
Her tender voice carried a mix of naivety and earnestness, and the jade bells in her hair jingled softly with her movements.
"Yes, young master." The Peacock King nodded in response, his golden feathers unfurling slightly, and an invisible Spiritual Power barrier rippled outwards.
His eyes were sharp as he vigilantly scanned his surroundings, the eye-like markings on his tail feathers shimmering with an unusual luster, as if he were ready to deal with any unexpected situation.
After receiving the promise, Hua Sijun and Hua Xiaoyao held hands tightly and walked slowly but firmly toward the Sword Comprehension Stele.
With each step forward, the sword intent in the air grew increasingly fierce, and fine cracks appeared on the bluestone ground.
When the oppressive force pressed down on them like a mountain, making it hard to breathe, and when their skin felt the stinging pain of being scraped by the blade, the two finally gritted their teeth and stopped.
The brother and sister exchanged a glance and sat down on the ground in tacit agreement.
Hua Xiaoyao embraced his trembling younger sister, channeling his meager Spiritual Power in an attempt to find a trace of the true essence of swordsmanship amidst the storm of sword intent.
The Peacock King stood behind them like a guardian deity, his wings transforming into a dazzling curtain of light, isolating the rampant sword intent from the outside and creating a small, peaceful haven for the stubborn brother and sister.