Jiang Siming returned to his room for the time being.
"System, what exactly was that White Space?"
"Ding. The system detected that the host attempted to break out. White Space is the second stage of the Mirror System and has not yet been unlocked."
"I've heard of jailbreaking phones and computers. System, you're not just a program, are you?" Jiang Siming asked, puzzled.
"Ding. Jailbreaking is a very dangerous act and may cause the system to malfunction, alerting the host ahead of schedule. Jailbreaking is prohibited."
"What exactly are you, System? This whole 'jailbreaking' thing sounds way too modern." Jiang Siming couldn't figure it out, so he stopped trying.
The illusion Immortal Slaying Sword had shown him was simply too shocking. Jiang Siming felt as though he'd lived an entire lifetime, spending his remaining years surrounded by slaughter and remorse.
"Forget it. With my current strength, even if I learned something, I probably couldn't do anything about it." Jiang Siming stopped dwelling on it. Improving his strength was what mattered.
He'd gained a tremendous amount this time. Not only had he comprehended sword intent, he'd also created a Soul Skill of his own: Great Bright Sword Song!
Chapter 40: The Four Realms of the Sword Dao—Taking the Hardest Beating
Between his hunger and the system's strange behavior, Jiang Siming hadn't noticed that his Soul Power had reached level 38. He'd jumped five levels all at once.
Jiang Siming was rather surprised. He still hadn't figured out why he'd been able to enter White Space. Perhaps, as Sword Douluo had said, he'd experienced an epiphany, surpassed the system's authority, and opened the second stage of Mirror World.
As Jiang Siming pondered, he gradually drifted off. This time, he didn't enter Mirror World. After everything he'd experienced in White Space, his nerves were wound incredibly tight.
Jiang Siming had never slept so soundly.
"Now that's refreshing!" Jiang Siming stretched and turned his head, only to find Sword Douluo standing beside him.
Jiang Siming jumped in fright. An old man had been watching him sleep for who knew how long. Who knew if Sword Douluo had any unusual proclivities? Just the thought was terrifying!
"Senior Sword, you really do appear and disappear like a ghost." Jiang Siming put on an exaggerated look of surprise.
Sword Douluo clearly paid no attention to Jiang Siming's aggrieved expression.
"Kid, I have to say, you're one hell of a genius!" Sword Douluo rarely let slip a curse.
"I'm just okay. Third best in the world." Jiang Siming patted his chest and once again made a fool of himself.
"I'll be waiting for you at the training grounds." With that, Sword Douluo left.
Jiang Siming smiled and let his expression fall. He shook his head. "An illusion is still an illusion. Reality is right in front of me. Why cling to things that aren't real?"
Jiang Siming wasn't foolish enough to let one trial trap him in an illusion forever and change how he acted or who he was. The experience had felt real, and it had seemed to last a long time. But all Jiang Siming had to do was stay true to himself in the present. Once he understood that, he immediately felt much lighter.
He got up and headed straight for the training grounds.
"Release your sword intent," Sword Douluo said solemnly.
Jiang Siming didn't hesitate. His sharp sword intent burst forth, and Sword Douluo immediately unleashed his own powerful sword intent.
The two forces collided in the training grounds. After a while, both men withdrew their sword intent.
"Are you curious?" Sword Douluo asked.
Jiang Siming nodded.
"Are you wondering why, despite the huge difference in our Soul Power, you were able to hold your own against me?" Sword Douluo smiled and gave Jiang Siming an approving look.
"I am. But I also feel like you weren't using your full strength, Senior." Jiang Siming nodded firmly.
The Sword Dao was not easy to comprehend. Your sword intent is incredibly sharp, which means you've reached only the first realm. The Sword Dao has four realms. The first is called Unity of Man and Sword: you become like a sword, with your sharpness fully on display. That's the state you're in now," Sword Douluo explained.
Jiang Siming lowered his head in thought. No, not "a shameless person"—Unity of Man and Sword. His sword intent spread in all directions. It increased his sword's power, but only by a limited amount.
"The second realm is called Hidden Sword. Your body becomes the scabbard. You keep your edge concealed and control when it's drawn. One strike, one kill: focus your force to break through your opponent's defenses," Sword Douluo continued.
"The third realm is called Nurturing Sword. You cultivate your own sword intent. Its mysteries can't be put into words."
"The fourth realm is only a legend. I haven't reached it myself." Sword Douluo paused.
Jiang Siming was now sure he belonged to the first stage: sharpness on full display. It looked impressive, but in practice, an enemy could spot you from far away and run. Then what was the point of fighting?
Weapon Soul Masters who wielded sharp weapons like swords, blades, and spears found it difficult to keep their dominance concealed. Countless Soul Masters who thought themselves geniuses had either stopped at the first realm or never even entered it," Sword Douluo said regretfully, crossing his arms over his chest.
In the original story, Sword Douluo was known as the strongest attacking Titled Douluo. It went without saying that his unmatched offensive power was inseparable from his profound understanding of the sword.
"So how do I improve my Sword Dao?" Jiang Siming asked directly, without beating around the bush.
"The first realm depends on a stroke of fortune. But to reach the second, you have to take a beating," Sword Douluo said calmly.
"Wait, Senior, aren't you just making up an excuse to beat me up?" Jiang Siming asked in disbelief.
"Being too sharp-edged is a common failing of the young. If you don't want a shortcut, keep a calm mind and carefully feel out your sword. It might take decades, but it could work. But if you want to get there fast, getting beaten is the quickest way." Sword Douluo didn't sound like he was joking. Without waiting for Jiang Siming to respond, he started beating him.
Half an hour later.
Jiang Siming sat crouched on a rock, his face bruised and swollen. He smoked and reflected on life.
"Karma. This is definitely karma! The more fun I had beating up Tang San and the others, the more beatings I have to take now."
"Kid, I have to say, you have the best temperament of anyone I've ever met. You don't let your emotions show, and you're nothing like a twelve-year-old," Sword Douluo said with a sigh.
Jiang Siming sighed. Better to take all the beatings now than get beaten up by reality later—then he could go beat someone else.
Another round of beating began.
"Do you yield?" Sword Douluo struck him with his sword.