Chapter 59: Comprehending the Sword Intent

A familiar scent? Lin Cheng was puzzled.

“Senior, we don’t know each other, do we?” Lin Cheng asked.

The elder known as the Grand Celestial Master frowned in contemplation. He, too, felt uncertain. It was indeed their first meeting, yet he sensed a familiarity emanating from Lin Cheng.

“Young friend, are you from the Azure Sun Sect?”

“I am Lin Cheng, indeed from the Azure Sun Sect. May I ask how you learned this?” Lin Cheng replied.

The old man did not answer directly but continued, “Are you a sword cultivator, Lin Cheng?”

“I am, senior.”

“Eleventh rank of True Qi Mastery—Zang Feng, the Swordmaster, has taken on an excellent disciple. You’re quite impressive,” the elder said.

Lin Cheng looked at him in surprise. He had not revealed his aura; how could this old master discern his cultivation? And how did he know Lin Cheng was Zang Feng’s disciple?

Seeing Lin Cheng’s confusion, Zhang Xu explained, “The Grand Celestial Master is our Taibai Tower’s vice master. His prowess is unfathomable. Our conversation downstairs could never escape his notice…”

“Oh? So this senior can perceive spoken words from afar?” Lin Cheng exclaimed.

Since he began his cultivation, not even the elders of the Azure Sun Sect could determine someone’s true level without aura being exposed, much less overhear distant conversations. This senior’s abilities were truly unfathomable.

The elder addressed Lin Cheng’s doubts, “There exists a power called Divine Sense. If you one day cultivate your Nascent Soul, you will understand.”

“Divine Sense? Nascent Soul?” Lin Cheng became even more curious, resolving to ask his master about these matters upon returning to the sect.

“Would you mind demonstrating your sword technique for my observation?” the elder requested.

“Of course.”

Lin Cheng glanced around. The old man understood and with a wave of his hand, the scenery shifted; the three now stood atop a martial stage.

Lin Cheng was astounded—it was the first time he had witnessed such a feat.

Zhang Xu was equally excited, his gaze fixed upon the elder, evidently seeing the Grand Celestial Master in action for the first time.

The elder gently stroked his beard, signaling Lin Cheng to begin.

Drawing a deep breath, Lin Cheng summoned the Skyward Sword and immediately performed the “Wiping Sword, Listening to the Wind” technique.

The elder’s gaze lingered briefly on the Skyward Sword, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, as if he recognized something about the blade’s origins.

As Lin Cheng practiced his swordplay, perhaps finding the technique too elementary, the elder frowned slightly.

“Strange. Did I sense incorrectly? What is it that makes me feel this familiar aura from him…” the elder murmured.

“What are you pondering, Grand Celestial Master?” Zhang Xu asked respectfully.

The old man waved his hand dismissively, offering no reply.

When Lin Cheng finished his sword routine, he sheathed his blade and approached, standing upright.

Lin Cheng bowed before the elder and said, “I hope senior might instruct me further…”

The old man nodded slightly and replied, “This sword technique, though modest, you have mastered to perfection. There is little to critique in your moves. However, as a sword cultivator, possessing an advanced technique is advantageous, yet you must not rely too heavily on sword forms. Remember, the sword moves with the heart and lives by the blood. If you cultivate a sword heart and comprehend the true essence of the sword path, even a casual strike may possess the power to shatter heaven and earth…”

Listening to the elder, Lin Cheng felt a strange familiarity.

He savored the words, as if grasping something intangible, and slowly closed his eyes.

Not to rely on sword forms?

What is a sword heart?

What is the true essence of the sword path?

------

Seeing Lin Cheng slip into sudden enlightenment, the elder stood quietly, stroking his beard, making no attempt to disturb him.

Unnoticed, the time of a burning incense passed. Lin Cheng’s eyes fluttered, eventually opening.

He turned and swung his sword. Suddenly, a sword light shot forth, slicing through a stone sculpture in front.

Crack!

With a crisp sound, the statue split in two and shattered to the ground.

Witnessing this, Lin Cheng’s lips curled into a smile.

The elder behind him nodded with appreciation in his eyes.

Lin Cheng turned, walked up to the elder, and bowed deeply. “Thank you, senior, for your guidance today. Lin Cheng will never forget this kindness.”

“No need for such formality. Your own insight stems from your natural talent,” the elder replied.

“Without you, I might have wandered down countless wrong paths.”

“Hahaha… Brother Lin, to receive the Grand Celestial Master’s guidance is enviable indeed…” Zhang Xu’s address for Lin Cheng had unconsciously changed.

“It’s all thanks to you, Brother Zhang. Without your introduction, I could never have met senior…” Lin Cheng said modestly.

Zhang Xu was even more delighted; this bond seemed solid.

The Grand Celestial Master waved his right hand, and the three found themselves back inside the sixth floor.

“Senior’s methods truly awed me. I never imagined there was such a peerless master in Dragon City,” Lin Cheng marveled again.

“I am only passing through, merely stopping to take a look. In a few days, I will leave,” the elder replied.

“With the Grand Celestial Master visiting, Dragon City is already honored,” Zhang Xu echoed.

“So that’s how it is. I had hoped to seek your guidance more often in the future, but it seems that wish will go unfulfilled…” Lin Cheng sighed.

Zhang Xu glanced at Lin Cheng, thinking how thick-skinned he was.

The elder smiled gently, “No matter. I believe we shall meet again someday…”

As if recalling something, he added, “May I examine your sword, Lin Cheng?”

“Certainly.”

The Skyward Sword appeared in his hand, and he handed it to the elder.

The old man scrutinized the blade and praised, “A fine Skyward Sword. Regrettably, the blade is damaged and its sword spirit destroyed; otherwise, it would be a formidable weapon…”

Lin Cheng’s brow arched; he had not expected the elder to discern this instantly.

“Senior, is there any way to find a sword spirit and fuse it into the blade?” Lin Cheng asked.

“If a sword spirit is willing to merge with this blade, it may be restored to its former glory. However… it is very difficult,” the elder replied.

“Difficult?” Disappointment clouded Lin Cheng’s face.

“To find a sword spirit is already rare. A divine sword possesses only one spirit, which never leaves the blade unless it is destroyed. Yet typically, when the blade is destroyed, the spirit also perishes… So to find a sword spirit for fusion is hard…” the elder explained.

“I see…”

“No matter, this sword is already powerful enough. I’ll leave it for now,” Lin Cheng said with newfound ease.

After the elder departed, Lin Cheng took time to tour the sixth floor. Though there were many items, most were low-level, and he quickly lost interest.

He glanced upstairs, wondering if the items there were of higher grade.

Perceiving Lin Cheng’s thoughts, Zhang Xu shook his head with a bitter smile. “There are no items for sale upstairs…”

“Oh?”

“It’s not that Taibai Tower lacks good things, but the Dragon City branch has not been allocated resources from above. Perhaps they believe high-level items should not appear among the mundane…” Zhang Xu explained again.

Lin Cheng nodded in understanding. It made sense; if too powerful items appeared, they might bring disaster rather than fortune to Dragon City.

After another lively conversation with Zhang Xu, Lin Cheng finally took his leave.

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Walking down the street, Lin Cheng felt secretly delighted. He had visited Taibai Tower without spending a single coin, yet had received a VIP card for free.

Most importantly, he had been guided by that senior, comprehending a sliver of sword intent. Now, even without sword forms, he could unleash sword energy with a casual strike, wounding foes from afar.

Thinking of this, Lin Cheng could not help but burst into laughter.