Chapter 107: The Secret of Swordsmanship

At the very moment when spiritual energy condensed into a colossal sword, Chu Feng’s spiritual will resonated with the void to an unprecedented degree. In that instant, the ethereal and profound realm revealed by the "Way of the Sword" was etched vividly and deeply into Chu Feng’s very soul.

Immediately after, Chu Feng’s spiritual intent dissipated, returning automatically to his sea of consciousness. His moment of enlightenment thus concluded, yet the massive sword formed from spiritual energy remained unsullied, emanating a sharp and domineering aura.

In that fleeting clarity, Chu Feng sensed that this realm was remarkably akin to what he had felt when first awakening sword energy, though now it was even more mysterious and profound.

A spark flickered in Chu Feng’s heart—he understood that he had truly attained the first realm of the Way of the Sword: commanding the sword with qi.

At this moment, Chu Feng swung his longsword, and the colossal blade of spiritual energy separated from his sword, forming a sword energy wave over forty feet long that shot straight toward the white-haired Chu Feng.

As Chu Feng unleashed his strike, the Grand Elder exclaimed, “Comparable to the power of a late-stage First Rank Celestial Warrior! Is this truly commanding the sword with qi?”

All present, each and every Holy Spirit Warrior, felt a chill in their hearts. They had all studied the "Way of the Sword," and now, almost in unison, they thought of that ancient tome whose mysteries no one had ever unraveled.

With his mastery over the sword through qi, Chu Feng’s strength soared by two full levels, instantly widening the gap between himself and the white-haired Chu Feng.

Clearly, the white-haired Chu Feng sensed the imminent crisis. He rapidly elevated his cultivation, ascending in a flash to the early stage of a Celestial Warrior.

With this advancement, his strength surpassed that of typical Celestial Warriors, now matching a late-stage First Rank Celestial Warrior.

The white-haired Chu Feng unleashed the art of thunder to counter Chu Feng’s monumental sword energy. The violent clash swept the dueling platform with a tempest of energy, its might truly breathtaking.

After this exchange, Chu Feng’s Domain Suppressing Sword returned to its original state, not a trace of spiritual energy lingering upon it.

Having truly reached the realm of commanding the sword with qi, Chu Feng no longer lost himself in ethereal abstraction; instead, he possessed a sense of returning to simplicity’s essence. In the next moment, without releasing his spiritual intent, he merely moved his heart and mind, stirring the profound realm branded within him.

With a casual swing, another sword energy wave, four or five fathoms long, shot forth at his opponent.

The two clashed fiercely once more, leaving the audience awestruck. Chu Feng’s heart surged with excitement—once, he had excelled only in close combat, but now, with mastery over the sword through qi, he no longer feared distant attacks.

After a prolonged and intense battle, as his opponent once more raised his cultivation, Chu Feng ceased fighting. He understood that he had achieved growth beyond imagination; his strength could ascend no further—this trial had come to its end.

Thus, after two and a half hours, Chu Feng’s trial finally concluded.

His heart brimmed with emotion. By comprehending the "Way of the Sword," his spiritual will had become truly formidable, and his combat power had increased under the mysterious force’s blessing. Chu Feng had never imagined that upon reaching the realm of commanding the sword with qi, his strength would soar to such heights.

After a brief hush, the Sacred Trial Grounds erupted with exclamations and heated discussion. The crowd felt that nothing in life could astonish them more than this. What was a King of Battle, or peerless might among equals? Compared to Chu Feng, such titles were but fleeting clouds!

Of course, none were more thrilled than Xiao Yue, for it was he who had first encouraged Chu Feng to study the "Way of the Sword."

“He’s done it—truly done it,” Xiao Yue exclaimed with excitement. Without doubt, from this day forward, the Heavenly Camp had gained another Celestial Warrior.

Chu Feng sheathed his sword. At that moment, the Grand Elder laughed heartily, “Chu Feng, excellent! Excellent! Who would have thought that our human race would produce another peerless genius to rival Yu Yang!”

“Grand Elder, you flatter me,” Chu Feng replied humbly.

The Grand Elder nodded with satisfaction. “Go on now—the trial is over; we’ll speak at length later.”

“Yes, sir,” Chu Feng answered, then stepped off the dueling platform.

As he made his way back to the stands, nearly every student’s gaze followed him, their eyes brimming with envy, jealousy, and awe. They had all heard it—the human clan’s elder had summoned Chu Feng personally. What an extraordinary honor!

Returning to Long Yue’s side, Liu Yantao immediately clapped him on the shoulder, exclaiming, “Brother, you’re an absolute monster!”

Chu Feng smiled, but before he could reply, Long Yue shot Liu Yantao a glare filled with icy intent. “Who are you calling a monster?” she demanded coldly.

Liu Yantao shrank back at once, not daring to utter another word.

Ignoring him, Long Yue turned to Chu Feng with a sweet smile, hugging his arm. “Brother Feng, you’re amazing! From now on, we can take on missions together!”

Long Yue was deeply astonished herself, knowing Chu Feng had been delving into the "Way of the Sword." She had tried before but never managed to even begin comprehension; she had not expected Chu Feng to achieve such a feat so quickly.

Chu Feng’s heart leapt with joy—now, he could spend his days and nights by Long Yue’s side.

The two exchanged a look of deep affection, while beside them, Liu Yantao was nearly in tears. He thought, “We’re both handsome—why is the gap so wide? Heaven, it’s just not fair!”

Murong Qiuxue, standing nearby, was full of admiration for Chu Feng and secretly delighted to see Liu Yantao put in his place.

The Sacred Trial continued, the students still marveling, though their curiosity outweighed true understanding—they simply could not grasp the source of Chu Feng’s strength.

As time passed, the Holy Spirit Warriors present grew increasingly restless. Even the five elders who had long since set foot on the path of the Heavenly Way could not remain calm, for they all began to suspect that the "Way of the Sword," left behind by the human race’s supreme predecessor, Xiao Butian, was closely tied to the Heavenly Path.

At last, on the afternoon of the tenth day, the Sacred Trial came to a final close.

When it ended, the presiding host gave a brief summary, urging all to reflect deeply upon their experiences after returning, and the crowd began to disperse.

Chu Feng, however, was asked to stay behind, as were all the Holy Spirit Warriors—East King included—along with the five elders.

The elders had kept Chu Feng mainly because the other Holy Spirit Warriors wished to learn more about the "Way of the Sword" through him.

“Chu Feng, is it true you’ve been cultivating the ‘Way of the Sword’?” asked the Golden Hall Master as soon as Chu Feng arrived, for the two were already acquainted.

“It is indeed the ‘Way of the Sword,’” Chu Feng confirmed.

With this affirmation, the group’s excitement grew. Every one of these Holy Spirit Warriors yearned to set foot upon the Heavenly Path, but they had never imagined the human race possessed a tome related to it, nor had any of them managed to comprehend it.

In truth, Chu Feng himself felt puzzled. He had not expected that those most interested in the "Way of the Sword" would be a gathering of Holy Spirit Warriors.

The Grand Elder then asked, “Chu Feng, how did you begin your study of the ‘Way of the Sword’?”

The Grand Elder had voiced the question burning in everyone’s hearts. All eyes turned to Chu Feng, awaiting his answer.

Chu Feng saw no reason to hide anything and simply recounted how he came into contact with the "Way of the Sword." In fact, the process was not complicated—Xiao Yue had guided him, and at first, Chu Feng had only been practicing swordsmanship. When his skills reached a high level, Xiao Yue had introduced him to the book, though even Xiao Yue himself did not truly understand its nature.

It was only by chance that Chu Feng brushed against a mysterious realm. In his view, this was likely connected to his mastery of the sword, and so he had always believed the "Way of the Sword" was another stage of swordsmanship.

Hearing his explanation, all present sighed inwardly: “As expected, it’s tied to swordsmanship!”

Indeed, when the Holy Spirit Warriors considered Chu Feng’s unparalleled skill with the sword, they had already suspected that swordsmanship was linked to comprehending the "Way of the Sword."

Though these warriors were exceedingly powerful, they too yearned to embark on the Heavenly Path. Now that the "Way of the Sword" had been proven related, it offered a glimmer of hope. Yet, recalling Chu Feng’s peerless swordsmanship, they could not help but frown—even as Holy Spirit Warriors, they doubted their ability to attain such mastery. They had to admit that Chu Feng was a swordsmanship prodigy rarely seen in millennia.

With everything clarified, the Grand Elder sighed, “The Heavenly Path is elusive and unpredictable—since ancient times, it cannot be explained or recorded. Elder Xiao, what remarkable insight, to use the sword as a vessel and create the ‘Way of the Sword,’ recording a unique passage to the Heavenly Way. Yet to comprehend the ‘Way of the Sword,’ one must first master the sword. In six thousand years, at last we have someone like Chu Feng.”

Chu Feng did not quite understand the Grand Elder’s words, but he grasped that the "Way of the Sword" seemed linked to the so-called Heavenly Path, though he did not know what kind of road it truly was.

With nothing more to ask, the others quietly took their leave, and the Sacred Trial Grounds were closed by the host.

As for Chu Feng, he was led by the five elders to their place of seclusion atop Mount Changle, for they had more to say to him.

By now, the five elders no longer saw Chu Feng as an ordinary youth. They believed Yu Yang had chosen him and set him on the perilous path of martial cultivation because he had discovered something extraordinary in Chu Feng.

Yet as they sat around the stone table, gazing at Chu Feng for some time, they could find nothing out of the ordinary. All they felt was that this young man was truly extraordinary—almost defying the heavens themselves.

Under their intense gaze, Chu Feng felt a bit uneasy. At last, the Grand Elder smiled and spoke, “Chu Feng, if you knew the path you have set foot upon, you would understand why we Holy Spirit Warriors are so astounded.”

Chu Feng asked curiously, “Grand Elder, do you mean the Heavenly Path?”

The Grand Elder nodded. “Indeed. To ascend to the Heavenly Path, one must first cultivate the way of humanity. To touch that road is a feat of immeasurable difficulty. Do you know that the Heavenly Path is the very foundation of Yu Yang’s strength?”