Sword Intent Seed

Mad Old Man's "gift" was like a shot in the arm for Xu Qian's dull cultivation routine. He felt as though he'd returned to the days when he'd first obtained the Longevity Dao Fruit, brimming with drive and anticipation.

The intricate new patterns on the oiled cloth had practically opened the door to a whole new world for him. The earlier patterns had been scattered strokes that gave him a headache, and trying to deduce them had been twice the work for half the result. But now, these flowing lines, imbued with a unique rhythm, were like scattered pearls strung into a necklace. At last, there was direction and structure!

Every night, after returning to the dormitory and bolting the door, Xu Qian couldn't wait to get into "study mode." He no longer stared blankly at the bizarre scrawls like before. Instead, he guided the Longevity Dao Fruit to focus its deductions on the newly appeared, connected sword movements.

The Dao Fruit's clear light flowed, and the results were indeed far more efficient!

Under the Dao Fruit's analysis, those originally obscure lines gradually became clear. In Xu Qian's mind, it was as if an invisible little figure was practicing those movements over and over: how to stir that faint sensation of Sharpness within his body, how to attach it to a "sword" (for now, only his thoughts or a wooden stick), and how to thrust, sweep, and block from the most effortless, most unexpected angles...

He could even vaguely sense that this rudimentary set of moves held an unyielding resolve to charge forward and cut through everything!

This feels... so much better than piecing things together bit by bit! Xu Qian's heart swelled with excitement. He could clearly feel that the faint sensation of Sharpness within his body was becoming more condensed under this systematic deduction and guidance of his will—and more... "obedient"?

Before, that sensation had been like an aloof, unruly child, indifferent to him and a pain to command. Now, it seemed to be gradually accepting Xu Qian as its "parent." It was still weak, but much easier to direct.

As the days passed, Xu Qian worked diligently during the day and studied hard at night. His life was more fulfilling than ever. Even Zhang Meng noticed his good mood and asked curiously, "Xu Qian, anything good happen lately? Find some money or something?"

Xu Qian only gave him an honest smile. "Nothing much. Work's just been going a lot more smoothly."

What could he say? That he was cultivating an unparalleled sword art? He'd probably be taken for a real madman.

And so, more than half a month passed.

That night, Xu Qian was practicing his sword moves in the dormitory as usual. He guided the now fairly condensed sensation of Sharpness within his body along the final movements of the complete rudimentary form in his mind, completing a full cycle in his thoughts.

The instant the cycle was complete—

A sudden change struck!

The sensation of Sharpness in his dantian, which had been drifting like a rootless duckweed, suddenly trembled violently! It was as if it had been powerfully drawn to something, summoned by some irresistible call!

Then the Longevity Dao Fruit seemed to sense something too. Its clear light blazed, pouring a stream of pure energy into the trembling sensation!

Buzz!

Xu Qian heard a clear sword chime ring out in his mind! (Perhaps it was an illusion, but it felt real.)

Under the infusion of the Dao Fruit's energy and the pull of his thoughts on the sword moves, that faint sensation of Sharpness began to compress and condense on its own!

It was no longer a scattered wisp of energy. It was as if an invisible hand were kneading and forging it. At last, in the very center of Xu Qian's dantian, it condensed into an extremely tiny yet clearly defined—pale-green phantom sword!

The phantom sword was only the size of a grain of rice, its entire body a translucent pale green. Its blade was straight, and a faint chill glimmered along its edge. Though illusory, it radiated an indescribably pure and keen intent to cut through everything!

The moment the phantom sword took shape, inspiration struck Xu Qian, and understanding surged into his heart—

Sword Intent Seed!

This was neither a specific sword move nor profound Internal Force, but a seed of "intent"! It was the most central, most primal trace of true meaning in Mad Old Man's sword art, which Xu Qian had successfully condensed through his continued study of the patterns and the Dao Fruit's deductions!

With this seed, he would make twice the progress with half the effort when cultivating any sword art in the future! And when he performed that rudimentary set of moves, its power would be utterly transformed! More importantly, as he nurtured it and gained insight, the seed would continue to grow. In time, it might even give rise to a unique Sword Intent of his own!

This is incredible! Xu Qian was so excited he nearly jumped out of bed!

He carefully sank his awareness into his dantian and "looked" at the pale-green phantom sword, floating beside the Dao Fruit's clear light and slowly spinning. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it.

Heh heh, little buddy, you're with me from now on! I'll make sure you grow big and strong... no, sharp as can be! Like a child who'd just gotten a new toy, he gently touched the Sword Intent Seed with his thoughts.

"Buzz..."

A faint, affectionate ripple of response came from the Sword Intent Seed, as though it recognized him as its master.

The feeling was incredible! His cultivation realm hadn't immediately improved, but he could clearly feel that the very quality of his being had transformed. If before he'd been nothing more than a brawny fool with Internal Force (Longevity True Qi), now he had truly touched the threshold of "skill" and "intent"!