Skill bordering on the Dao, sword intent like laws

Luo Sheng, a Titled Douluo from the Spirit Pagoda, looked at his companion and exclaimed in shock, "What? You're saying Huo Yuhao's Titled Douluo is Ling Bing? He's the Fire God! Why would he use the Titled Douluo of Spirit Ice Ancestor? That's too strange! Is this just a rumor?"

"Rumor?"

His companion rolled his eyes. "You think my information came from Zhao Yao? I heard it from the Qian Gu Pagoda Master —no, I should call him Your Majesty now, I heard it from Your Majesty the Qian Gu Tower. How could it be a rumor?"

"So, it's true?"

Luo Sheng's expression changed drastically, and his brows furrowed. "I admit that it is unprecedented for a deity to succeed as the master of the Spirit Pagoda. But even if he is a deity, shouldn't the higher-ups have allowed him to use this title? Putting aside the fact that this title is unsuitable for him, the title 'Spirit Ice' itself—has a different meaning for our Spirit Pagoda."

"Of course I understand, but I don't know the specifics. I didn't ask at the time." His companion sighed.

The title of Spirit Ice Seal is to the Spirit Pagoda what the Titled Douluo Silver Moon is to the Ming De Hall, and perhaps even more significant.

Back then, the stubborn guy from the Shrek Academy who used the Titled Douluo "Silver Moon" got what he deserved: he was sacked by the Ming De Hall and given a good beating.

Of course, Huo Yuhao is the new Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda and a genuine god, so the opposition and actions could not be so intense, but dissent clearly exists.

"Unless His Majesty achieves feats comparable to or even surpassing those of Spirit Ice Ancestor, I will not acknowledge him," Luo Sheng said resolutely, with a hint of resentment.

Compared to his resolute stance, his companion appeared much calmer. "The higher-ups hold Spirit Ice Ancestor in no less respect than we do, not to mention that some of them are Soul Beast who lived through Spirit Ice Ancestor's era. Since they have no objections, there must be a reason."

Perhaps that person truly accomplished feats no less than their ancestors? Or perhaps there were some crucial points they hadn't considered?

Sensing his companion's unspoken meaning, Luo Sheng's expression shifted slightly, and his attitude gradually softened. "What you said makes sense—never mind, everything will become clear once we see His Majesty in person. Speculating here is just adding to our troubles."

Seeing that he had calmed down, his companion breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew Luo Sheng's personality all too well—stubborn and inflexible. If this stubborn mule said something inappropriate on an important occasion, things would get very messy.

It's clear from the conversation between Luo Sheng and his companions that the Spirit Pagoda members had different attitudes toward Huo Yuhao's Titled Douluo of "Ling Bing": some were incomprehensible and resentful, like Luo Sheng; others were rational thinkers, like his companions.

But some people have already touched upon the truth.

In the Spirit Pagoda's Execution Department, Ye Guyi observed with great interest the Dark Phoenix Douluo who was instructing a junior in his cultivation.

After teaching Gu Ruiqiu a lesson, she focused on regaining her strength while watching things that interested her.

The Evil Martial Soul owners in the Execution Department were naturally a part of her interest—the large number of Evil Spirit Master reforming themselves was a scene that didn't exist Ten Thousand Years Ago.

Dark Phoenix Douluo felt uneasy under that gaze, and his movements paused slightly, but he still forced himself to continue instructing the younger generation.

This is the ancestor of the Spirit Pagoda; she can't very well kick her out, can she?

With a charge of "disrespecting ancestors" attached to her, she'll probably have to go to the Extreme North to suffer again.

While guiding the younger generation, Dark Phoenix Douluo was also amazed that this senior had lived to this day.

Living for over Ten Thousand Years —this was almost unimaginable for these Soul Masters. Only by becoming a god could one achieve immortality; this had been an ironclad rule on the continent for Ten Thousand Years. Yet, Ancestor Ye Guyi clearly did not hold Divine Position, but he stood here alive and well, his aura steady and showing no signs of aging. This was simply a miracle.

Since her ancestor Ye Guyi is still alive and has appeared before her, then the current Spirit Ice Douluo could not possibly be—

Dark Phoenix Douluo swallowed hard, feeling a sudden buzzing in his head.

She had already been shocked once when she learned that Huo Yuhao was a reincarnation of a god. Now, faced with this even more outrageous speculation, her first instinct was to deny it—how could he possibly be the Spirit Ice Ancestor?

But once the thought popped into my head, I couldn't suppress it anymore.

Why did the Snow Empress treat him differently? Why did the Qian Gu Dong Feng voluntarily abdicate? Why was that person given the Titled Douluo of Ling Bing?

All those "irrationalities" that had once puzzled her became perfectly logical under the premise that "he is the Spirit Ice Ancestor".

"He really must be the Spirit Ice Ancestor —fortunately, I didn't disrespect him before." Dark Phoenix Douluo patted his chest, secretly relieved.

And she wasn't the only one who, through subtle clues, deduced Huo Yuhao's identity. Some observed secretly, some pondered silently, and some realized the truth. Of course, some chose the most direct approach: to ask their elders who knew the inside story.

Mingdu, Ji Clan.

Upon receiving the summons, Ji Feihong, who had rushed back from out of town, also learned about Huo Yuhao's situation. He originally intended to ask his grandfather directly for clarification, but as soon as he stepped through the door, he sensed that something was amiss.

The Ji Clan mansion, which is usually quite lively, was unusually quiet today. Most people stayed indoors to cultivate, with only a few occasionally coming out for some fresh air.

"What happened?" Ji Feihong grabbed one of his cousins.

My cousin said solemnly, "Our ancestor, the Sword Fanatic, has returned!"

"Who?!" Ji Feihong's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Ancestor Ji Juechen! Sword Fanatic Ancestor! The one from Ten Thousand Years Ago— " My cousin swallowed hard, "He's in the back hall, the old man is with him right now. These past few days, everyone has seen the ancestor and the old man exchanging Sword Intent, and they seem to have gained some insights, which is why they've entered into deep cultivation."

"The Sword Fanatic Ancestor?!"

Ji Feihong froze on the spot, his mind blank.

Ji Juechen —his portrait has hung in the ancestral hall for Ten Thousand Years, his name on the first page of the family genealogy, the ancestor worshipped by the Ji Clan for generations. Wasn't he... Ten Thousand Years Ago ago?

wrong.

The records do not explicitly state that their ancestor died; he eventually went to the Extreme North, and what happened afterward is unknown to his descendants.

Thinking about this, Ji Feihong seemed to have understood something.

"You go ahead with your work." Finally, he patted his cousin on the shoulder and strode towards the back room.

The door to the back room was ajar.

Ji Feihong took a deep breath and gently pushed him away.

Inside the hall, Ji Xuanqiu stood to one side, maintaining a barrier, and inside the barrier was a middle-aged man. The middle-aged man's eyes were closed, and his aura was completely concealed, like a sword that had been sheathed.

Ji Juechen.

Ji Feihong's pupils dilated.

It's not a portrait, not a legend, it's the living ancestor Ji Juechen!

"You're back?" Ji Xuanqiu saw him and waved. "Come over, our ancestor is comprehending the Dao."

Ji Feihong nodded, approached Ji Xuanqiu, his throat tightened, and his voice was dry. "Father, since our ancestor, the Sword Fanatic, is here, then that Your Majesty—could he be—"

"Don't you already understand?"

Ji Xuanqiu didn't look at him, but focused her gaze on the figure sitting upright with his eyes closed inside the barrier, her tone as calm as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

Ji Feihong fell silent, his expression somewhat dazed.

Following the appearance of deities, ancestors from Ten Thousand Years Ago have also begun to emerge, making this world increasingly unfamiliar.

Just as Ji Feihong fell silent, the air within the barrier suddenly froze.

Ji Juechen suddenly opened his eyes.

There was no sword drawn, no fluctuation of Soul Power, and not even any warning—he simply opened his eyes. But in that instant, Ji Feihong felt a chill in his throat, as if an Formless sword was pressed against it.

It wasn't killing intent, it was Sword Intent.

Pure, Ultimate, and unquestionable Sword Intent.

Ji Juechen slowly stood up. As he straightened his body, an extremely sharp aura emanated from him, penetrating the barrier, piercing through the walls, and soaring straight into the sky.

Above the heavens, the divine essence of the sword unfolded as if it were a tangible reality!

"This is—" Ji Feihong's pupils contracted sharply, his voice trembling, "The Sword God!"

Ji Xuanqiu nodded and said with emotion, "Our ancestor was indeed a genius in Sword Dao. However, after exchanging and sparring with me for three days, he comprehended the current Sword Dao, fully mastering the realms of Sword Intent, Sword Soul, Sword God, reaching a peak."

As soon as Ji Xuanqiu finished speaking, the figure inside the barrier suddenly spoke.

"It's merely a matter of accumulating knowledge and experience before unleashing its full potential." Ji Juechen's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached their ears. "Compared to you, who comprehended the Sword God realm before even receiving Titled Douluo, you're hardly a genius."

"Ancestor, you flatter me," Ji Xuanqiu said humbly, bowing slightly. "I only had the guidance of those who came before me; it wasn't entirely due to my own efforts."

"The insights left by our predecessors require sufficient ability to digest; not everyone can reach the level of Sword God. You deserve this praise."

Ji Juechen's tone was resolute.

Seeing his ancestor's insistence, Ji Xuanqiu no longer declined, but simply bowed deeply.

Taking this opportunity, Ji Feihong stepped forward, cast a respectful glance at Ji Juechen, and bowed, saying, "Junior Ji Feihong greets Ancestor Sword Fanatic."

The Sword Fanatic Ancestor was also his idol in his youth.

Ji Juechen glanced at him, nodded slightly, and closed his eyes again without saying anything. A very faint smile appeared on his usually expressionless face.

Although he hasn't broken through yet because his body hasn't fully recovered, Ji Juechen understands that his bottleneck was broken the moment he comprehended the Sword God's power. Once his body recovers, he will be able to naturally advance to level ninety-eight!

With the bottleneck that had plagued him for years finally broken, how could he not be happy?

In this era, the Limit is no longer an unattainable realm for him!

Ji Juechen pondered for a moment longer before slowly opening his eyes. In those deep eyes, the sharpness had completely subsided, leaving only a clear and calm expression.

Seeing this, Ji Xuanqiu then removed the barrier.

"Ancestor, you have already comprehended the Sword God. What lies ahead—"

"Let's combine the three: Sword Intent, Sword Soul, and Sword God. I understand," Ji Juechen interrupted him, his tone calm.

Although Sword Intent, Sword Soul, and Sword God are three realms, these three complement each other, just like the unity of Essence, Energy, and Spirit, and spirit. To unleash the most dazzling sword light, one needs to completely integrate and fuse them together.

As for this, Ji Juechen, although he had only recently become Sword God, already had some clues.

That's not what he cares about; what he cares about is—

"And then? After comprehending the Sword God and unifying the three, where should we go from here?" Ji Juechen frowned and asked, "After breaking through to the God Rank, how should we improve our Sword Dao?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Feihong was dumbfounded before Ji Xuanqiu could even speak.

The old man never became a god, how would he know where the road ahead lay? Wasn't our ancestor making things difficult for us?

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to smooth things over, but heard Ji Xuanqiu say in a low voice, "I don't know if it's right or wrong, but there is no such thing as Laws of the Sword in this world. Perhaps, our future path is to make our swords—reach the level of Laws!"

A sword is a weapon, something created through crafting. There is no Laws of the Sword in the natural Laws of the universe.

The closest approximation is the Laws of Metal, but ultimately it is not.

Since they cannot gain insight into and enhance the Laws of the Sword from the heavens and earth, they have no choice but to forge their own path.

Upon hearing this, Ji Juechen closed his eyes slightly and finally uttered ten words.

"Skill approaches the Dao, Sword Intent follows the Laws!"

This is the path he realized by combining his own insights with those of Ji Xuanqiu.

But he wanted to verify the specifics.

"Is skill close to the Dao, Sword Intent like the Laws?"

Inside the Spirit Pagoda, Huo Yuhao looked at Ji Juechen before him and smiled slightly, "Now that you have understood your path, just continue on it. In this world, not all gods have corresponding Laws of heaven and earth for their paths. For example, the Asura God has no readily available Laws of Slaughter for him to comprehend."

He paused, then continued, "Seeking enlightenment within oneself or seeking the Dao externally can both lead to God Rank; there's no need to be bound by formalities. The Asura God proves his Dao through killing, and you prove your Dao through the sword; the essence is no different."

Expanding one's area of expertise to a level comparable to the Laws, and using this as the foundation for breaking through to God Rank and future growth, is certainly possible.

Even Ye Moyong, a Sword Martial Soul user in Douluo 4, followed this path. He specialized in Sword Dao, and his Sword Intent and sword energy were almost comparable to Laws. He even received the praise of being better than a God Rank, though not a God Rank.

Lan Xuanyu had fought against him, and the result was that Lan Xuanyu was at a disadvantage. Although Lan Xuanyu was at the Six Ring at the time, and was still far from breaking through to godhood at the Seven Rings, while Ye Moyong was only one step away from God Rank, being able to suppress Lan Xuanyu, a player with cheat codes, was still quite impressive.

"But-

Huo Yuhao changed the subject, "Ultimately, there is no overtly manifested Laws of the Sword in this world. You can hone your Sword Intent to a level that is roughly comparable to Laws, and use this to replace the Laws comprehension and control required for God Rank, thus breaking through to God Rank. But in that case, the path after becoming a god will have to be walked step by step by yourself."

How far one can go on this path, and whether one can reach the level of the first Asura God, depends entirely on oneself.

Upon hearing this, Ji Juechen nodded and asked no further questions.

He figured out this path himself, so he naturally believed it. However, he had not yet become a god, and he himself was unsure whether there were any traps along the way. Now that Huo Yuhao had pointed out the key, the last bit of doubt in his heart dissipated.

He said, "Knowing that the road ahead is passable is enough."

He paused here, looking out at the square.

Below, quite a few Titled Douluo are already heading towards the Spirit Pagoda.

"Time is up."

Ji Juechen withdrew his gaze. "They've all arrived."

"Yes." Huo Yuhao stood up from his seat with a slight smile. "Want to go take a look together?"

"No need," Ji Juechen said calmly. "Since I can't participate in this battle, I won't go."

"The Spirit Pagoda is now in your hands."

Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao did not insist and walked towards the door.