185: Chapter 184 The Way of the Sword Realm 2 185: Chapter 184 The Way of the Sword Realm 2 Yu Zhengxing corrected him, “No, sword techniques are infinitely varied, and wielding a sword is ancestral; a good sword cultivator with a sword in hand can block a million soldiers, but inherently suffers from disadvantages in attack, with distance being the main issue.
If you only take hits and never strike back, defeat is only a matter of time.”
“Your close combat sword skills are very good, and you should maintain them.
They will give your opponents a surprise when you’re sizing each other up.”
Although he couldn’t block flying swords yet, it was a matter of realm, not a flaw in sword technique.
Yu Zhengxing continued, “There are six realms in the Sword Dao, and you have already grasped two—sword gall and sword intent, which are also the guarantee for your sharp attacks.
The next threshold is Sword Consciousness, which is the premise for you to become a true sword cultivator.”
Hou Niao asked doubtfully, “Can’t everyone use flying swords?
Is Sword Consciousness needed?”
Yu Zhengxing explained, “Sword Consciousness, originally referred to in the context of observing swords to understand them, meant that if a cultivator wanted to master a sword, he should wear it day and night, becoming familiar over time.
Later, it extended to flying swords, referring to the subtle spiritual connection between a person and a flying sword.
When the Sword One flies out, leaving your palm, there is no muscle to drive it.
How do you control it?
In the Cultivation World, there are skills like Control Crane Skill and Control Object Skill, and so on, which actually involve using mana to operate flying swords, treating mana as the thread.
The disadvantages are obvious; you can’t go far, and it’s easily disturbed and interrupted.
It’s not a superior method of sword control.”
Hou Niao nodded frequently.
The Sword Storage Tower had such sword techniques too, where the sword, once thrown, could still return, but it was manipulated by Spiritual Power.
Not to mention its complexity, its power was unreliable, and it was extremely prone to loss of control.
For him, it truly wasn’t as convenient as taking another longsword from the Treasure Gourd, so he had never learned it.
“A flying sword strikes a hundred yards with ease, and can maneuver as desired; even more, a Golden Core Upper Cultivator can propel a sword for several miles, perfectly at will.
I’ve heard that at even higher realms, there is the One Sword Thousand Miles, a flying sword that can shatter the void.
How is it possible to control that with mana?”
“So when we speak of Sword Consciousness, we mean for you and your sword to become friends!
Just as one recognizes the scent of a woman, so too should one with a Sword Intent clearly understand their sword.
Once you form an accord, you are the sword, and the sword is you.
Distance will no longer be a barrier that separates you.
Thus, in the Quanzhen Sect, the power of the flying sword hinges on this very consciousness!”
Hou Niao’s interest was greatly piqued.
Even though he would definitely know these things after reaching the Tongxuan Realm, it wouldn’t be useful if he knew before reaching Tongxuan.
But for someone who loved swords, even a bit more knowledge about swords was good.
“Do you mean that only with Sword Consciousness can you control swords?
The rise to the Tongxuan Realm does not guarantee the emergence of Sword Consciousness?”
Yu Zhengxing nodded, pleased, “That’s exactly it.
Realm is the way, and sword strikes are the skill.
At some unimaginable height, the way becomes the skill, and the skill becomes the way.
At present, the way is simply the way, and the skill is simply the skill.
So when we talk about the Sword Dao, we’re really just boasting.
It’s just swordsmanship, no matter how much it might become the way in the future.
In the Quanzhen Sect, only about half of those who have reached Tongxuan as upper cultivators can develop Sword Consciousness and truly master flying swords.
Someone like your Uncle Zheng practices not flying swords, but a combination of techniques and swordsmanship.
It’s neither here nor there, uncommitted, and naturally, it lacks the power of a true flying sword.
That’s why that painted-skin demon was so rampant.
He hasn’t grasped the true essence and the correct method.”
“I see, I was wondering why Uncle Zheng, whose realm doesn’t differ much from yours, couldn’t handle a painted-skin demon with three against one.
The problem lies here.”
Yu Zhengxing gave him a look, clearly dissatisfied with being compared to Zheng Shixie, but he said no more.
“After Sword Consciousness, I won’t say much more, as speaking would be of no use and only confuses the mind.
But when it comes to how to nurture Sword Consciousness, I do have a say, and since I’ve mentioned it to you today, we should naturally start nurturing it now!
Your talent in swordsmanship is far from ordinary, and if you were to step into the Tongxuan Realm in the future yet fail to develop Sword Consciousness, ending up with a result like Zheng Shixie, it would truly be a pity.”
With a wave of his hand, a Flying Sword hovered uncertainly, circling around Yu Zhengxing.
Hou Niao could even feel the joy emanating from the sword, a longing and fondness for its master, the innocence of a child, vividly displayed upon the blade, which he found irresistibly tantalizing.
“So Flying Swords really do have their own emotions!”
Yu Zhengxing said proudly, “Of course, it is as another life to a Sword Cultivator!
Without it, Sword Cultivators are no better than Body Cultivators, their path inferior to Magic Cultivators, their meditation inferior to Buddhist Cultivators, their souls inferior to Ghost Cultivators, their blood and bones inferior to Demon Cultivators.
How else are we to compete with others?
Ancient texts record many methods to nurture a Flying Sword, such as the Sword Ball Technique, Sword Disk Method, and the External Sword Skill, but these are not suitable for the Sword Cultivators of Jinxiu Continent.
We lack the minor thousand worlds needed for Sword Ball; we also do not have enough Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for the External Sword Skill; the Sword Disk Method is an extension of the External Sword Skill, so naturally, it’s also out of our reach.
However, the Patriarch of the Quanzhen Sect took a different path and created the Sword Consciousness Technique unique to Jinxiu Continent.
With this, one can also wield the sword to roam the skies and traverse the azure void.”
Hou Niao was tantalized, unable to contain himself.
In that moment, his dream of Cultivation grew to include not just flight, but also the Flying Sword.
“Under normal circumstances, the nurturing of Sword Consciousness should begin in the Tongxuan Realm, and there are many techniques to assist in nurturing, such as starting with the Five Elements Attribute, entering the fray through Yin Yang transformations, and so on,
But these techniques are exclusive to Upper Cultivators in the Tongxuan Realm who possess mana.
For lower levels beneath Tongxuan, they are powerless, a chasm of Realm impossible to cross.
Thus, for most Cultivators, it’s common to begin understanding Sword Consciousness after reaching Tongxuan, thereby wasting a great deal of time before Tongxuan.
Many spend their lives in pursuit of Sword Consciousness and yet end with no insight, living a life of regret.”
Hou Niao’s eyes shone brightly, “Are you saying that even before reaching Tongxuan, at our level of Realm, there is actually a way to nurture Sword Consciousness?”
Yu Zhengxing looked at the young Cultivator brimming with the desire to learn, understanding his emotions well, as he had once been similarly enlightened.
“Yes, otherwise why would I go to all the trouble of calling you here from so far away?
Do you really think it’s to listen to my story?
Apart from starting from the Five Elements Yin Yang, there is actually another aspect that is suitable for all ages and both Mortal Cultivation and Up, which is the Life and Death Reincarnation!”
Hou Niao was startled; he had realized something but said nothing, his eyes gleaming as he stared intently at Yu Zhengxing,
Yu Zhengxing spoke word by word, “Life and death, everyone must face once; reincarnation, everyone must undergo.
This is true for Mortals, for Cultivators, and I fear even Immortals cannot escape it!
Your sword skills are exceptional, and you possess a decisive and ruthless killing intent.
Since you have such power to decide life and death, it would be a shame not to utilize it.
I have a volume of the Sword Sacrifice Life and Death, an unparalleled technique that uses the Art of Killing to generate Sword Consciousness.
While success can’t be guaranteed, it will undoubtedly be of great help to someone like you.
Regular contemplation will surely lead to profound insights.”