Shangqing Sword Art—Had They Misjudged Him?

Bi Xiao could not help but send a voice transmission to Zhao Gongming.

"Big Brother, the timing of your imparting the Shangqing Gongfa could not have been better. From what I see, Junior Brother Xuandu has gained tremendously from this enlightenment."

A satisfied look appeared on Zhao Gongming's rugged face as well. Stroking his beard, he nodded and replied via voice transmission:

"This Child's comprehension is indeed astonishing."

"Although a cultivation technique inheritance can instantly bestow knowledge, whether one can swiftly understand, digest, and turn it into one's own depends on one's individual comprehension."

"For him to integrate the essence of the technique into the circulation of his own mana in such a short time, refining his aura to this extent, is truly no easy feat."

"No wonder Uncle-Master Taiqing took a liking to him. He truly has something extraordinary about him."

His assessment of Xuandu rose by another notch.

About the time it took for an incense stick to burn passed.

The Pure and Bright Immortal Light flowing around Xuandu gradually drew inward, and the surging fluctuations of mana slowly subsided as well.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Divine light shimmered in his eyes, clear and profound, as though capable of piercing through all falsehood.

Compared to before, he now carried an added air of composure and depth.

He let out a long breath of turbid air.

The breath condensed without dispersing, actually transforming in midair into a phantom little sword no more than an inch long. With a ringing hum, it slowly faded away.

Sword Qi arose on its own!

A sharp gleam flashed through Zhao Gongming's eyes. He clapped his hands and laughed.

"Good! Junior Brother Xuandu truly possesses Extraordinary Talent!"

"Having only just begun learning the Shangqing Gongfa, you can already stir your mana and manifest the rudimentary form of Sword Qi. It seems your affinity with the sword Dao of our Jie Sect is no shallow one!"

Xuandu hurriedly rose to his feet and gave Zhao Gongming a deep bow.

"It is all thanks to Senior Brother's grace in imparting the technique!"

He then turned to Bi Xiao.

"Many thanks to Senior Sister for the introduction!"

At this moment, his heart was filled with gratitude and exhilaration.

To him, the Shangqing Gongfa was undoubtedly timely aid in a snowstorm.

Not only had it resolved his problem with controlling his power, it had also pointed out the direction for his future path of cultivation and laid an incomparably solid foundation.

This was no small favor.

Zhao Gongming laughed heartily and stepped forward to help Xuandu up.

"Junior Brother, no need for formalities. Among fellow disciples, helping one another is only right."

The more he looked at Xuandu, the more pleasing he found him.

Diligent, courteous, highly perceptive, and seemingly of good character as well.

He was far superior to those disciples who relied on their exceptional origins and held their heads high above the clouds.

"You have already gained an initial grasp of the technique. From now on, you must practice diligently, proceed step by step, and never grow lax."

Zhao Gongming instructed:

"If there is anything you do not understand, you may come ask me at any time, or seek guidance from the other senior brothers and senior sisters."

"We Jie Sect Disciples are not the sort to shut ourselves indoors and build carts behind closed doors."

Xuandu nodded earnestly.

"Xuandu will remember Senior Brother's teachings."

Bi Xiao smiled as well.

"It seems Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's neglect instead brought Junior Brother a stroke of good fortune."

"If he had followed the usual routine and taught you some ordinary methods, Junior Brother might not have come into contact with the essence of the Shangqing Gongfa so quickly."

Xuandu gave a faint smile but neither agreed nor disagreed.

Yet his impression of Chang Er Ding Guang Xian had worsened even further.

He would remember this matter.

As though recalling something, Zhao Gongming added:

"Besides the foundational cultivation technique, Divine Abilities to Protect the Dao are also indispensable."

He pondered for a moment.

"From what I see, your aura is upright and balanced, and your foundation is robust. Perhaps you could try cultivating a sword art."

"Master once said that the sword Dao places the greatest emphasis on slaughter, and it also tests one's character and control more than anything else."

"It would be of great benefit in stabilizing your realm and tempering your Combat Power."

As he spoke, he held two fingers together like a sword and pointed through the air.

Another smaller yet more condensed and razor-sharp point of light shot forth, sinking into Xuandu's brow.

"This is the Shangqing Sword Art, one of the Jie Sect's rather exquisite arts of sword control and offense."

"Study it well. If you achieve even minor mastery, few within the same realm will be your match."

Xuandu sank his consciousness inward and instantly sensed an incomparably profound method of sword control.

All manner of exquisite sword techniques came flooding in.

The grade of this sword art was clearly extremely high.

Though it was not a sect-suppressing Divine Ability, it was by no means something ordinary disciples could access.

Zhao Gongming's gift could truly be called generous.

"Senior Brother, this..."

Xuandu hesitated somewhat. This gift seemed far too weighty.

Zhao Gongming waved a hand, cutting him off.

"Techniques are dead, but people are alive. Only when Divine Abilities are passed to those fated for them can their value shine through."

"Now that you have entered the Jie Sect and have been personally accepted by Master, you are qualified to cultivate it."

"I hope you will make good use of this art and spread the Jie Sect's Prestige."

With matters having reached this point, Xuandu no longer refused. He said solemnly, "I will certainly not disappoint Senior Brother's high expectations!"

A warm current surged through his heart.

This Jie Sect seemed to possess a few more traces of human warmth than he had imagined.

At least in Senior Brother Gongming, he had felt pure forthrightness and goodwill.

It formed a stark contrast with the likes of Chang Er Ding Guang Xian.

Next, Zhao Gongming briefly explained some of the Jie Sect's rules and precepts to Xuandu, as well as certain matters requiring attention on Golden Ao Island.

Which places he could visit, which places required caution, what principles he should follow when associating with fellow disciples, and so on.

Xuandu committed every word to memory.

Compared to Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's perfunctory introduction, Zhao Gongming's explanation was undoubtedly far more detailed and sincere.

As the sun sank westward, the evening clouds bathed Luofu Cave in splendid hues.

Seeing that it was getting late, Xuandu rose to take his leave.

"Many thanks to Senior Brother and Senior Sister for your guidance today. Xuandu has benefited greatly."

Zhao Gongming smiled.

"We are brothers of the same family. No need for such courtesy. Come by often in the future."

Bi Xiao also gave a radiant smile.

"Junior Brother Xuandu, cultivate well. Do not let your talent go to waste."

Xuandu bowed once more, then turned and walked out of the cave dwelling.

After leaving the bounds of Zhao Gongming's cave dwelling, Xuandu did not return directly to that remote residence.

With a slight stir of thought, his figure flashed several times, and he arrived within a secluded, deserted mountain forest.

After confirming that no one was nearby, he slowly raised his right hand.

Following the method of the Shangqing Sword Art, he drew a thread of Dharma power from within his body and gathered it at his fingertips.

An exceedingly condensed strand of Sword Qi, flickering with a misty azure glow, extended and contracted from his fingertips.

Though it was only an inch or so long, it radiated peerless sharpness, slicing the surrounding air until it hissed.

His thoughts shifted again.

The Sword Qi flew from his finger like a streak of azure lightning, crossing a hundred zhang in an instant.

Without a sound, a smooth, mirror-like fissure split open in a hard blue stone several people tall in the distance.

Then the entire massive rock silently turned into powder, scattering away with the wind.

A flicker of delight flashed through Xuandu's eyes.

"The power really has increased by several times more than before!"

"And it responds to my control like an arm to a finger—unmatched in precision."

Previously, relying on brute force alone, there was no way he could have wielded such weight as though it were light, controlling his strength with such exquisite subtlety.

This was the difference between having a systematic cultivation method and having none!

He was filled with confidence in the road ahead.

With the Shangqing Gongfa and the Shangqing Sword Art, along with the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak Dharma power hidden within his body.

As long as he was given time to grow accustomed and develop, he would surely carve out a place for himself in this Great Wilderness World!

Xuandu did not rush back to that Desolate Cave Mansion.

His figure flickered several times, and he silently appeared in a secluded valley deep within Golden Ao Island, far from human tracks.

Cloud Mist curled through the valley, strange rocks rose in clusters, and a Spirit Spring flowed babbling past, its clear tinkling pleasant to the ear.

He needed to sort out his thoughts and plan the road ahead.

His cultivation had already reached the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak—a heaven-sent opportunity bestowed by the system.

But the next step was of paramount importance.

Primordial Golden Immortal, or Quasi-Saint?

These were practically the two paths laid before every Great Wilderness Mighty One.

A Primordial Golden Immortal transcended the Heavenly Dao, formed their own laws, and roamed free and unfettered—achieving true great freedom and great transcendence.

Though Quasi-Saints also possessed immense might, they still had to Entrust to Heavenly Dao and remained bound by Heavenly Dao Restraint. When a calamity descended, they still faced the danger of perishing.

Xuandu's goal was naturally the more transcendent path of the Primordial Golden Immortal!

Yet the Hunyuan Dao was incomparably difficult, with demands on one's roots, comprehension, and opportunities so harsh they bordered on the extreme.

Though he now possessed the mana of the Zenith Heaven Peak, his original roots were merely those of an ordinary Human Race member.

Without the system, even stepping onto the Immortal Path would have been fraught with immense difficulty for him, much less attaining Hunyuan.

Xuandu silently called out in his heart:

"System."

"How do I unlock the next function, Root Sum Feedback?"