Yinshan Record

Chapter 594 Maintaining Integrity and Enhancing the Sword: No Easy Task (Part 1)
"I'm not afraid of being laughed at by Junior Brother Su, but I'm afraid of things where we're intertwined."

Xiao Feiyu felt somewhat helpless.

"Our sect rose to prominence in the East Sea after the Middle Ages. Originally, the cultivation within the sect was done step by step, with the goal of becoming a sword immortal by severing the lightning tribulation. Although the sword intent is divided into two schools, Rainbow Transformation and Mist Transformation, they are actually both about achieving a state of purity."

Su Che also learned some sword principles from Kong Kong'er.

For example, the so-called misting refers to the exquisite skill that sword cultivators strive for, the so-called "sword training into silk," which means refining the sword energy to an extremely subtle level, eventually transforming it into something almost invisible, and finally condensing it into a killing sword.

The "Taiyu Abi Sword" technique, which my family learned from the Ghost Ancestor of Beimang, actually follows this path. It emphasizes unleashing over 3,600 subtle sword energies in a single strike to tear the opponent apart inch by inch.

There is also the Rainbow Transformation method, which says that you don't need to pay attention to these subtle sword principles, but instead continuously cultivate the power of your sword energy. As long as you exert enough force, you can still split mountains and cleave waves. When a sword rainbow comes down, it can cleave the heavens and the earth.

However, regardless of whether it's rainbow transformation or mist transformation, the ultimate goal is still to refine and cultivate sword intent, following the path of purification. But the newly emerging Creation lineage clearly doesn't follow this path.

While both the Creation lineage and the Purification lineage target spiritual ignorance, their approaches differ slightly.

If the Purification lineage is about constantly refining sword intent to eventually sever everything in its path, then the Creation lineage is about constantly studying the material properties and principles of the target and attacking its weaknesses.

Just like the story of the butcher Ding carving up an ox, both involve slicing the ox into pieces. But the master chef is like someone who has an invincible knife, while the master chef is like someone who first understands the ox's muscle and muscle structure before he starts cutting.

However, the differences here are beyond what Su Che's current level of understanding can explain.

The so-called Nine Laws of Heaven and Man were merely names that Su San Gongzi, who was currently only at the pivotal point of power, had only heard of. He only knew them in general terms, and their actual, specific, and subtle application was another matter entirely.

Su Che pondered for a moment: "The saying 'one sword gives rise to ten thousand laws' seems a bit biased. I think the Creation lineage is also based on the sword. Perhaps 'one sword uses ten thousand laws' is more appropriate."

Su Che was genuinely curious. Because of the burden of the Ruomu Seed, he would inevitably have to think of some unorthodox methods. The path of purification was too risky for the Third Young Master Su. If he continued down this path, he would inevitably have to find a job at the East Sea Sword Palace.

However, the path of destiny is indeed worth considering.

“I once heard a senior say that the so-called sword immortal is, when broken down, one must cut through the Dao to see me. I think if one cannot cut through the Dao and still has to borrow the Dao for use, then one might as well go and cultivate your Xuanmen.”

"So, the path of creation is a dead end, and in the end, we still have to take the path of purification?"

"No?"

Xiao Feiyu shook his head vigorously: "It would be fine if it didn't work, but it's precisely because it does work that it's so troublesome."

This piqued the interest of both Ji Boyuan and Su Che. Su Che, being from the Central Plains, had only been in the cultivation world for a couple of days and naturally lacked understanding of the East Sea Sword Palace.

Ji Boyuan, on the other hand, followed the Shenxiao Dao, with his foundation in the heavens, and spent his days cultivating in the endless void. Naturally, he was unaware of the secrets of other people's sects.

Xiao Feiyu slowly explained that the methods within the Sword Palace were originally based on purification, and this remains true now.

However, over the past few years, more and more people have turned to cultivating their destiny.

The reason is simple: purification is too difficult and requires too much talent and temperament, so many people turn to the path of creation.

Although the East Sea Sword Palace generally focuses on purification, and the combat power of Earth Immortals is still mainly based on purification, the number of newly born Longevity True Persons at the first level is almost catching up with that of the Purification lineage.

As a result, many peripheral sects practicing the Creation Sword Cultivation lineage have emerged in the East Sea. Although a factional dispute has not yet arisen within the Sword Palace, Xiao Feiyu estimates that it is only a matter of time.

"You'll all be laughing at me then."

Xiao Feiyu was an open and honest man, speaking frankly about the changes within the Sword Palace. Su Che, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought.

Since this path is viable and can even produce sword immortals, then I should definitely give it a try.

After all, this path is more of a compromise and more in line with their own nature.

"Actually, it's not just you guys; which faction or group isn't facing some difficulties these days?"

Ji Boyuan picked up the conversation, but his tone was mostly one of complaint as he pointed out the current internal conflicts within the Xuanmen sect.

For example, should we manage this world, or should we all head to the outer void to seek transcendence? Should we maintain a superficial harmony with the Demonic Sect, or should we become irreconcilably opposed to good and evil from now on, and wipe out the increasingly powerful Northern and Southern Demonic Sects...?

All things considered, perhaps it is truly the end times, with the dregs of the past rising up, and various schools of thought are also being debated endlessly within the Taoist community.

In conclusion, all three of them seemed somewhat disheartened by the end.

Su Che was somewhat anxious about his future path in cultivation, while the other two had their own troubles and worries that they couldn't share with others.

With that, the meeting had to end. The three of them roughly agreed on a strategy for cooperation and then said their goodbyes.

After seeing the two off, Su Che didn't linger in Jiankang City for long and hurried towards Sheshan. He had already made an appointment with Li Shouchang that once the arrangements were finalized at Xuandu Palace, the two brothers would quickly meet up to plan their next move.

Before long, Su Che ascended Mount She.

Zhixin Temple remains the same Zhixin Temple, looking rather rough and unrefined, showing no signs of being a major Xuanmen sect. Li Shouchang's claim that he would build a thatched hut here to await his fellow disciples' descent to the mortal realm was clearly just a casual remark.

As soon as Su Che entered the temple, he saw Li Shouchang and another Taoist sitting on the ground drinking tea. There was a blanket made of some kind of strange beast skin on the ground. The two of them were holding a teacup no bigger than a finger, taking sips one after the other, humming and slurping happily.

Su Che was delighted when he saw the Taoist's face.

"Senior Brother Shoucheng, why did you come down?"

The Taoist priest was none other than Jiang Shoucheng, who had met Su Che several times before. He was a disciple of Mo Jiaoyu, one of the six instructors of Huangtiandao, and was also related to the little fox.

However, back in Huangtiandao, this senior brother Jiang Shoucheng was punished by the Dao leader for gambling with his fellow disciples. Whoever lost would have to guard the gate of Huangtiandao. He was ordered to guard the gate for thirty years.

I never expected to run into him at the Zhixin Temple today.

It seems the Taoist priest showed him leniency, sparing him from the hardship.

When Jiang Shoucheng saw that it was Su Che, his face lit up with joy: "Junior Brother Su, look what I've brought you!"

As he spoke, he took out a wooden box more than five feet long from his sleeve, gently opened it, and revealed a dark sword inside.

"This is……"

Su Che looked at the sword. The blade was entirely black, with a silvery-white light swirling around the edge. Several dragon and snake patterns were coiled on the hilt. It was a simple and elegant sword.

"This was made by Shouchang using star sand collected together with me through our cultivation. We used the Yuan Magnetic Method to harmonize it, and combined it with 129,600 pieces of Xuanzhen Iron, which is exactly the number of one Yuan. When it was about to be finished, we asked our master to come and check it before we brought it to you."

Jiang Shouchang chuckled: "Last time I saw you didn't even have a suitable sword, so I discussed with Senior Brother Shouchang about making one for you."

(End of this chapter)