Sword Control Technique

Morning Sun Peak, Ten Thousand Sword Hall.

Chen Xian stepped into the hall.

As the main hall of the Sword Sect, the Sword Hall was also the largest among the six halls.

Several sword scars were carved into the entrance screen wall, and when approached, one could even faintly hear a subtle sword hum—the Sword Path insights left by a master swordsman.

Rounding the screen wall, one could see swords of various forms enshrined before the hall.

Long swords and short swords, thin swords and heavy swords—everything one could imagine.

Unlike the Pill Hall, which reeked of medicinal herbs, this place exuded a sharp, killing aura.

Soon, a disciple came forward to greet him.

Chen Xian stated his purpose.

Because of his status as a grand-uncle master, the process of receiving the technique went surprisingly smoothly.

The disciple on duty didn't even check his Contribution Points and swiftly took a translucent cyan jade slip from a rosewood rack.

"Grand-Uncle Master, this is the basic volume of the Sword Control Technique. This method is the foundation of our sect; any Sword Sect disciple who reaches the seventh level of Dao Disciple may study it for free."

The disciple presented it respectfully with both hands, not forgetting to add a reminder, "However, the Sword Control Technique is easy to learn but hard to master. Please... take it easy, Elder."

Chen Xian took the jade slip, casually tucked it into his robe, and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, it's just a minor skill."

Leaving the Technique Hall, Chen Xian headed straight for the Disciple Practice Arena.

This practice arena was located on a cliff platform near Morning Sun Peak, spanning a full thousand zhang. The floor, made of dark iron and giant stone, was densely engraved with array patterns.

Though it was still morning, many disciples were already practicing techniques in the arena.

Some practiced swordsmanship, their Sword Qi tearing through the air with sharp sounds.

Others practiced fist and footwork, their bodies moving like leopards, tiger-like force stirring the wind.

Still others sat cross-legged, holding vermilion brushes and drawing in the air, countless talismans floating around them, now exploding, now freezing into frost.

Chen Xian swept his gaze around and picked the most remote, least crowded corner.

After all, he had some face to save—if he ended up face-planting while learning sword control and these juniors saw it, where would his old dignity go?

"Weng—"

Stepping into the center of the array, he pressed his palm onto a stone pillar, activating the arena's built-in small Protection Array.

A pale blue light screen rose, sealing off the ten-zhang space around him.

"Time to start."

Chen Xian took out the Xuanyun Flying Sword he had bought earlier for two Contribution Points from his Jade Ring.

This was the sect's most basic standard flying sword, its blade about three fingers wide, with a roasted blue sheen.

Because it contained a small amount of crystal iron ore, faint icy light could be seen flowing along the blade under the sunlight, carrying a chill.

"Today, this old man will soar to the heavens!"

Chen Xian stroked the slightly cool blade, then sat cross-legged, pressing the Sword Control Technique jade slip tightly against his forehead, sinking his Dao Consciousness into it.

[To control the sword, use Dao Consciousness as the medium to communicate with the blade. Qi supports the Bubbling Springs, force reaches the sword spine, spirit merges with the sword, and all goes smoothly...]

Thousands of words of technique incantations poured into his mind bit by bit. Though he didn't deliberately memorize them, they seemed to be imprinted in his brain.

The System Panel in his sea of consciousness suddenly flickered:

[Technique: Sword Control Technique (Not Yet Mastered)]

"Hey, so that's it. The word system can now record the techniques I learn. Too bad—it'd be even better if I could see the progress."

Chen Xian rubbed his hands together, placed the Xuanyun Flying Sword on the ground in front of him, formed a sword finger, and began circulating the Dao Power in his body according to the incantation.

"Rise!"

He let out a low shout.

The Xuanyun Flying Sword on the ground trembled with a "clang..." then wobbled and floated up.

One foot, two feet...

"It's flying!!"

Chen Xian was as excited as a kid with a new toy.

Seizing the moment, he lifted the hem of his robe and carefully stepped onto the sword with his right foot.

"Slap!"

Before he could steady himself, the flying sword, like an overloaded boat, plunged downward and smacked onto the ground.

Chen Xian lost his balance and landed squarely on the hard floor with a solid thud.

"Ouch... My tailbone!"

Chen Xian winced in pain, rubbing his backside as he got up, looking unconvinced. "Again!"

The second time, the flying sword rose only one foot high.

Chen Xian had learned his lesson this time. He sank his Dao Power down and placed both feet together on the sword.

He managed to steady himself.

"Hey hey hey! Stop, stop, stop!"

But the flying sword wobbled violently left and right like it was drunk, and Chen Xian twisted atop it like a water snake.

Before he could regain his balance, the sword lunged forward abruptly. His whole body pitched backward from the inertia, and he fell flat on his back once again.

For a full half hour, Chen Xian cycled through takeoff, wobbling, and falling over and over.

If not for the Protection Array blocking him, he probably would have flown straight out of the Practice Arena and off the cliff.

"Seriously, is Sword Control Technique this hard?"

Chen Xian sat on the ground, dusty and disheveled, gasping for breath as he stared gloomily at the pale blue flying sword.

After all this practice, forget soaring through the skies—being able to fly for three minutes straight would already be impressive.

He glanced at the System Panel and felt the words "Not Yet Initiated" sting his eyes.

Just then, a deep, solid voice came from outside the array.

"Grandmaster? Is that you in there?"

Chen Xian startled, quickly patted the dirt off his rear, and sat up straight. "Ahem, who is it? It's this old man. Come in."

The light curtain parted, and a burly man built like an iron tower, about one meter ninety tall, stepped inside.

He looked around twenty-five or twenty-six, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and dark skin. The red sword robe of an Inner Sect disciple was stretched taut over his solid muscles.

"Inner Sect disciple Gu Tie pays respects to Grandmaster."

The man scratched his head with a simple grin. "This disciple was practicing nearby and heard quite a commotion from Grandmaster's array, so I thought I'd come check. Are you... practicing Sword Control Technique?"

Chen Xian's old face flushed, but he forced calm. "Ahem, it's Gu Tie. This old man just wanted to test the feel of the flying sword underfoot. But this sword... might be shy around strangers."

Gu Tie looked at the sword on the ground, then at Chen Xian covered in black dust. He understood perfectly but didn't call him out.

He stepped forward sincerely. "Grandmaster, this disciple is a technique instructor here at the Practice Arena and has some insight into these basic skills. How about... I train with you?"

Chen Xian wanted to refuse out of pride, but a dull ache in his rear made him sigh. "Fine. Explain it to this old man."

Gu Tie picked up the Xuanyun Flying Sword.

In his hand, the sword seemed to come alive.

He pointed with two fingers, and the flying sword shot out like a snake leaving its lair, tracing an incredibly smooth arc through the air.

Then it stopped steadily at Gu Tie's feet. He stepped onto it—a man who looked at least two hundred jin—and the sword only dipped slightly before holding firm like a rock, hovering in midair.

"Grandmaster, flying by sword isn't about pressing down—it's about lifting."

Gu Tie stood on the sword, demonstrating as he explained in detail. "The phrase in the incantation, 'Qi lifts the bubbling spring,' means letting Dao Power rise like a fountain to support the flying sword."

Gu Tie spoke very slowly, very carefully, even clarifying exactly how to circulate Dao Power at each step.

Chen Xian listened, captivated. He tried again and found it much steadier—he could barely glide low for over ten meters.

"I've got it! This old man can really fly!"

After landing, Chen Xian's opinion of the simple, honest man changed completely. "Gu Tie, your teaching ability is even better than those elders."

"Since you can be an instructor here at the Practice Arena, you must know quite a few techniques?" he asked casually.

Gu Tie smiled a little shyly. "Reporting to Grandmaster, this disciple is dull-witted and only knows some shallow techniques."

"Right now, things like Sword Control Technique, Flowing Cloud Steps, Iron Bone Technique... I've mastered about a dozen basic techniques. That's why the steward took a liking to me and let me work here as an instructor."

"A dozen basic techniques, all mastered?"

Chen Xian's pupils contracted.

The cultivation world prized breaking through realms. No matter how well you trained basic techniques, it was useless if you couldn't break through to a higher realm.

Most people rushed to advance their realm. Few bothered to learn so many basic techniques, let alone master each one.

Chen Xian sighed in admiration. "Your talent... no, your perseverance is truly rare."

"Hehe, this disciple has no talent. I've been in the sect for five years, and my cultivation is only at Sword Master second level—bottom of the Inner Sect."

Gu Tie's smile was bright. "Since advancing is hard, I thought I'd learn more techniques to make up the gap. Heaven rewards the diligent, after all."

"You're grounded. With this mindset, you're sure to achieve great things."

Chen Xian nodded and patted Gu Tie's thick arm.

A thought suddenly struck him. Mastering so many techniques—this kid's tags must have something interesting.

"Check tags!"