The Dispute Between the Heavenly Sword Dao and Heart Sword Dao

"Young master, young lady, may I ask whether you belong to the Heart Sword Dao or the Heavenly Sword Dao?"

Huang San asked a question instinctively.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen asked, "What is the Heart Sword Dao? What is the Heavenly Sword Dao? And what does this have to do with where we're going to stay?"

Huang San was stunned when he heard this. He could tell from their clothes and demeanor that they were extraordinary people.

How can you not even know the two major schools of Sword Dao?

However, since he had accepted the money, he had to answer all questions to avoid ruining his reputation.

"Young master, it's like this: the Penglai Sword Debate has always focused on the competition between the Heart Sword Dao and the Heavenly Sword Dao; everything else is insignificant in the eyes of these two great Sword Dao."

As Huang San spoke, he cautiously observed the expression on the face of the noble young man before him. Seeing that the other party did not say anything more, he continued, "The so-called ' Heart Sword Dao' is based on cultivating the mind. The view of this school is that the stronger and more determined your Dao heart is, the more invincible the sword in your hand will be."

The Heavenly Sword Dao Sect emphasizes: observing the Law of the Great Dao of heaven and earth, comprehending them to elevate one's swordsmanship to a higher level, and achieving invincibility in the Sword Dao when one comprehends the true essence of all things.

After listening, Xiao Chen's lips curled up slightly. "This Penglai Sword Debate is indeed quite interesting. Isn't there anyone who cultivates both and embarks on Invincible Sword Dao?"

Huang San shook his head. "It's not impossible, but people's energy is ultimately limited. Moreover, whether it's the Heart Sword Dao or the Heavenly Sword Dao, once you cultivate them to the extreme, the effect is almost the same as cultivating both. Therefore, most cultivators stick to one path until the end."

Occasionally, some self-proclaimed exceptional individuals attempt to master both, only to end up utterly useless.

"I didn't expect someone as lowly as you to know so much?" Xiao Chen teased with a smile.

Huang San chuckled awkwardly, "These aren't big secrets on Penglai Island. The hardest thing isn't the principles, but how to firmly uphold one's own path. Someone like me, who has no talent to begin with, can only offer empty words."

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "What a coincidence! I am exactly the kind of person you described who cultivates both skills. Now, can you take us to our lodgings?"

"..."

Huang San was speechless. He was now increasingly certain that the young master in front of him was no ordinary person. Ordinary small forces would never allow their disciples to cultivate both the Heavenly and Heart Paths.

He quickly changed the subject. "Young master, what are your requirements for your accommodation?"

Xiao Chen said calmly, "Quiet is fine. I don't like being disturbed. Price is not an issue."

Upon hearing this, Huang San's face immediately lit up with joy. "Please come with me, both of you."

Half an hour later.

Xiao Chen and his two companions arrived at the outside of a garden called Tranquil Courtyard.

Huang San said, "Young master, this is one of the most beautiful and quiet places on the entire Penglai Island. However, the owner of this place has some strange requirements. You can only see the place after paying spirit stones, and the spirit stones will not be refunded if you are not satisfied."

Xiao Chen: "It's alright."

Huang San quickly ran into the Tranquil Courtyard, and before long, Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er were settled into a separate courtyard.

Their courtyard was filled with bamboo and had a small pond, making it a pleasant and beautiful place.

Seeing that the young lady was quite satisfied with the place, Huang San breathed a sigh of relief, "Young master, is there anything else you require?"

Xiao Chen waved his hand. "It's alright, you can leave now."

Huang San nodded, as if he had remembered something important, and kindly reminded him.

"Young Master Xiao, if anyone asks you whether you are a practitioner of the Heart Sword Dao or the Heavenly Sword Dao, you'd better answer with one. Cultivating both is not permitted on this island."

"Thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist."

Xiao Chen said nonchalantly, "In the end, sword cultivators still have to rely on the sword in their hands to speak for themselves."

Whether it's the Heavenly Sword Dao or the Heart Sword Dao, in Xiao Chen's eyes they are merely the foundation upon which he steps onto the path of Invincible Sword Dao.

Time flies.

Several days later, on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, a day for climbing mountains, which was also the day the Penglai Sword Debate Conference began.

Early that morning, Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er set off for Mount Penglai.

Mount Penglai is located in the very center of Penglai Island. Hundreds of thousands of years ago, the Penglai Sword God established his dojo here, becoming famous throughout the world.

Unfortunately, the Penglai Sword God never took on any disciples in his lifetime. He only left his Sword Intent on the summit of Mount Penglai for future generations to comprehend.

If someone can decipher his Sword Intent, then they will be able to inherit the legacy of the Penglai Sword God.

At first, many cultivators fought each other over the inheritance of the Penglai Sword God.

But gradually, everyone realized that even if they fought to the death, they could not obtain the Sword God's inheritance.

They decided to hold a sword duel here every hundred years to see if their Sword Dao could be recognized by the Sword God.

Over time, the reputation of the Penglai Sword Debate grew.

It has become a grand event in the Thousand Islands Domain, attracting even cultivators from the Profound Continent.

When Xiao Chen and his companion arrived at the Mount Penglai, it was already packed with people, and two signs stood before the path leading up the mountain.

A sign reads, "Spectators, please turn right. Cultivators participating in the Sword Debate, please go to the Sword Testing Stone on the left to test your Sword Intent."

Although Xiao Chen was of extraordinary status, he was not the kind of person who would bully others by relying on his power. The two of them followed behind the sword-testing team.

Occasionally, a gasp of surprise could be heard from ahead, but more often, there were sighs.

An hour later, it was Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er's turn.

"Junior sister, you go first," Xiao Chen said politely.

"Um."

Liu Yue'er took out an ordinary sword from her storage ring and infused her Sword Intent into the testing stone.

Clang!

With a sword's cry, a nine-foot sword mark appeared on the testing stone.

"Greater Accomplishment of Sword Intent!"

"This young woman has already mastered Sword Intent at such a young age; she must come from a powerful force. I wonder which force's prodigy she is?"

"..."

Seeing this, Xiao Chen praised, "Junior sister, you're very good."

Liu Yue'er smiled slightly, "I owe all of this to my senior brother's guidance; only then could I have achieved what I have today."

Xiao Chen didn't say much, but simply formed a sword shape with two fingers and casually slashed it across the sword-testing stone.

A nine-foot sword mark appeared.

His effortless and carefree manner left everyone present stunned.

There have been people like Xiao Chen who didn't use a sword to demonstrate their Sword Intent before, but no swordsman has appeared as elegant and sharp as him.

Upon seeing this, the middle-aged man guarding the sword-testing stone quickly handed over two jade tablets and two jade slips.

"Congratulations on passing the Sword Testing Stone test, fellow Daoist. Please proceed up the mountain."

Thank you.

Xiao Chen took the two jade pendants and the jade slip, and together with Liu Yue'er, they headed towards Mount Penglai.

The group of sword cultivators watched the two figures disappear, their eyes filled with awe.

The scenery on Mount Penglai was breathtaking. Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er walked and stopped frequently, just like two tourists climbing the mountain, and it took them an hour to reach the summit.

When they arrived, the mountaintop was packed with people.

Xiao Chen glanced at the signs and quickly spotted two prominent ones: Heavenly Sword Dao and Heart Sword Dao. He ignored them and continued searching for a place to settle down. Soon, he saw the four large characters for "Other Sword Dao".

Under that sign, there were only a few people around. He smiled slightly at Liu Yue'er and said, "Junior Sister, let's go to a less crowded place."

"Um."

Liu Yue'er nodded slightly and followed closely behind Xiao Chen.

The two found a quiet corner and focused their divine senses into the jade slip to study the rules of the Penglai Sword Debate.

In the Penglai Sword Debate, each swordsman has three chances to fail. If you fail to win ten battles within those three chances, you will be eliminated.

Only those who win ten matches can participate in the elimination rounds three days later, and the final ten will be selected to go to the Dao Comprehension Cliff to seek enlightenment.

As more and more people gathered at the summit, the Penglai Sword Debate officially began at noon...