Tianlin's Path of the Sword

After leaving the Soul Hunting Forest, Chen Xin led Tianlin back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect on foot. They traveled slowly because Chen Xin taught Tianlin swordsmanship all along the way.

"Xiao Tian, all sword techniques are based primarily on hooking, hanging, pointing, lifting, thrusting, flicking, and cleaving. No exquisite sword technique can escape these seven movements, and they are also the essence of my Seven Kill Swordplay. If you wish to inherit my Seven Kill Swordplay in the future, you must master these seven moves to perfection."

For now, Chen Xin did not teach Tianlin any exquisite sword techniques, only a set of basic introductory swordsmanship. During the day, he urged Tianlin to practice diligently; they traveled in the evening, while at night, Tianlin used meditation in place of sleep.

It could be said that Tianlin had no time to rest at all.

However, he had no complaints. Under Chen Xin's guidance, if he faced his former self from three days ago now, he could easily take on three of them at once.

Tianlin's diligence greatly pleased Chen Xin. If Tianlin's crude swordsmanship on the first day could only score 0.1 out of a hundred, then now it could at least score ten points. He had improved a hundredfold.

One morning, Tianlin awoke from meditation and practiced Basic Swordsmanship as morning exercise, as his teacher had instructed. But this time, while practicing, the basic sword moves of the Mount Shu Sect flashed through his mind unconsciously.

As his thoughts guided his movements, his forms gradually strayed from the actions Chen Xin had taught him. Without realizing it, he began practicing Mount Shu's introductory sword moves.

This was proof that his basic swordsmanship had reached a certain level. He could begin cultivating the Mount Shu Sect's sword techniques.

The Mount Shu Sect's introductory swordsmanship emphasized light and agile sword forms, free and natural footwork, neither hurried nor slow, with every move resembling that of an immortal.

"Hm? Xiao Tian's swordsmanship?" Seeing this, Chen Xin immediately sensed the agility of its sword path. With his discerning eye, he could naturally tell that this was also an introductory sword technique, yet it was far more exquisite than the one he had taught.

"Stop for a moment, Xiao Tian. Can you tell me who taught you the sword technique you just performed?"

Hearing this, Tianlin stopped dancing with his sword and clasped his hands. "Teacher, it came to me while I was practicing. No one else taught it to me."

The techniques of Mount Shu and the Nüwa Emperor lineage were Tianlin's greatest secrets, ones he intended to hide even more deeply than his Twin Martial Souls.

Introductory swordsmanship was no great issue, but high-level sword techniques were different. If he took them out rashly now, he could not explain their origin. Was he supposed to claim he had created them himself? A complete novice creating such incomparably wondrous sword techniques as the Myriad Swords Technique, Sword God, and Heavenly Sword—who would believe that?

He should wait until he became stronger in the future, then give Chen Xin the sword techniques within them.

"No one taught you? You actually came up with it yourself? I never expected that this child would not only possess remarkable talent in cultivating Soul Power, but such astonishing aptitude in swordsmanship as well." Chen Xin was truly shocked this time. Had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect taken in a monster?

Seeing Chen Xin remain silent, Tianlin asked timidly, "Teacher, did modifying the sword technique you taught me without permission make you angry? I won't do it again."

Chen Xin shook his head and smiled. "No, your teacher is not angry. On the contrary, I am very happy. Remember this: if anyone tells you in the future that practicing the sword only requires following the rules and that there is no need to adapt, then you need not argue with them. Just cut them down with one stroke, because that person must be trying to harm you."

"There are no two identical people in this world, and likewise, there are no two identical swords. Even though my Seven Kill Swordplay was taught to me by my father, in my hands, it has already become vastly different from what my father wielded. I hope you will be the same. What I can pass on to you is only swordsmanship. The sword intent and sword heart that belong solely to you must be comprehended by yourself!"

"The sword intent and sword heart that belong solely to me... I understand, Teacher. I will definitely forge a path that belongs to me." Though Tianlin did not fully understand, he at least knew that Chen Xin had his best interests at heart. He was a qualified teacher.

"Then, Teacher, how many points would you give the sword technique I just performed?" Tianlin asked expectantly.

"Hehe, sixty points!"

Sixty points was still not an especially high score, but it carried great significance, because it meant that in Chen Xin's eyes, Tianlin had more or less passed.

Twenty days later, the two finally returned to Seven Treasure City. What should have been a journey of only a few days had taken more than half a month because of their training along the way.

After returning to the sect, Chen Xin said, "Xiao Tian, you must be tired after the journey. You are permitted to rest for the day. Go back to your room and get some rest. I still need to tell Fengzhi about what we gained this time!"

"Yes, this disciple takes his leave!" Tianlin said before running back to his room.

There was a Crystal Ball in his room for testing Soul Power. He could not wait to find out what level his Soul Power had reached.

Someone cleaned the room every day, so even though he had been gone for more than half a month, it was still very clean.

Tianlin casually tossed his luggage onto the bed, then picked up the Crystal Ball and began pouring Soul Power into it. In an instant, the Crystal Ball shone brilliantly.

"My Soul Power has actually reached level fifteen!" Even Tianlin was startled. He had long guessed that after absorbing that six-hundred-year Soul Ring, his Soul Power should have surpassed level thirteen.

But it seemed that he had been at least level fourteen and a half at the time, then reached level fifteen after cultivating for more than half a month.

"Wonderful. If I can maintain this cultivation speed, perhaps I will be able to deal with that crisis in the future." Since joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Tianlin had been most worried about the future crisis that would destroy the sect—the Spirit Hall's Soul Hunting Operation.

According to the original timeline, the Soul Hunting Operation would take place around fourteen or fifteen years later. Tianlin should be around twenty years old by then.

Although the time seemed somewhat insufficient, Tianlin had confidence in his cultivation speed, not only because of his talent, but also because the Holy Spirit Pearl could assist his cultivation. He had tested it on the journey back.

Under the Holy Breath Barrier, Chen Xin's Soul Power cultivation speed increased by ten percent, while its effect on Tianlin himself was as high as thirty percent.

Moreover, he had another cheat, the Nüwa Emperor Meditation Method. While beside Chen Xin, he did not dare cultivate it for fear of being discovered, so he had always practiced the technique Chen Xin had taught him.

Today, in his own room, was the time to switch to this meditation method.

Tianlin sat cross-legged and immediately entered a state of deep meditation. As for the rest Chen Xin had mentioned, forget it. He did not have the time. Only after surviving the future crisis would he be able to sleep peacefully.

At this moment, Chen Xin had also returned to the Main Hall. Sitting in his seat, he told Ning Fengzhi about everything they had gained along the way.

"A six-hundred-year Soul Ring? Tianlin was actually able to absorb a six-hundred-year Soul Ring? This is truly a miracle. A single misstep could have caused him to explode and die." Ning Fengzhi was both shocked and delighted, though he also felt lingering fear. The future Titled Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had nearly been lost.

Then he seemed to think of something, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.