The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

Chapter 653 Thank you for your praise

"By the way, how's your swordsmanship training going lately?" Tao Hongjing suddenly asked.

Jiang Chuan quickly replied, "I am grateful to Brother Lu for gifting me the 'Great River Sword Intent' manual. I am diligently practicing it, especially the Rolling Sword Style."

"Oh? Then show me how to do it," Tao Hongjing said with great interest.

Jiang Chuan took a deep breath, drew his longsword, and assumed a fighting stance. "Teacher, please forgive me."

Having said that, he unleashed the Rolling Sword Style, his sword moves fierce and the wind howling as he thrust towards Tao Hongjing with an indomitable momentum.

However, Tao Hongjing simply shifted his body slightly and easily dodged Jiang Chuan's attack.

Immediately afterwards, he extended two fingers and gently pinched Jiang Chuan's sword.

Jiang Chuan felt a powerful force coming from him, and his sword could no longer move an inch.

"Your swordsmanship is good, but not enough to make me draw my sword," Tao Hongjing said with a smile.

Although Jiang Chuan felt somewhat disappointed, he also had a clear understanding of his own shortcomings.

He knew that the gap between himself and Tao Hongjing was like an insurmountable chasm.

“How about this,” Tao Hongjing continued, “if you can withstand one move from me, I will give you a swordsmanship manual.”

Jiang Chuan's face lit up with joy, and he quickly said, "Thank you, teacher! I will do my best."

He assumed his stance once more, this time focusing all his strength into his sword, with only one thought in his mind: he must survive a single move against Tao Hongjing.

"Drink!" Jiang Chuan shouted, unleashing all his skills, and attacked Tao Hongjing with even greater speed using the Rolling Sword Technique.

Tao Hongjing remained calm and unhurried.

He gently raised his hand, and with a seemingly casual yet incredibly skillful movement, he once again deflected Jiang Chuan's attack.

Jiang Chuan felt as if his sword had pierced a ball of cotton, and the power was instantly dissipated.

"It's still a bit lacking," Tao Hongjing said.

Jiang Chuan took a deep breath, his eyes revealing determination and unyielding spirit.

He gripped the longsword tightly in his hand, the blade trembling slightly, as if responding to its master's determination.

"Teacher, I'll try again!" he shouted, unleashing "Sword Piercing Armor".

This move was created by him after studying "The Great River Sword Intent" and combining it with his own understanding. The sword force was fierce, like a sharp blade, and it pierced straight towards Tao Hongjing.

However, Tao Hongjing simply shifted his body slightly and effortlessly dodged Jiang Chuan's attack, as if he were a ghost.

Before Jiang Chuan could react, Tao Hongjing stretched out a foot and gently tripped him, causing Jiang Chuan to stumble and almost fall to the ground.

"Your foundation is still not solid," Tao Hongjing teased with a smile. "The foundation of swordsmanship is like the foundation of a tall building. If it is not solid, even the most exquisite sword techniques are just castles in the air. You should practice your basic skills first before you spar with me."

Jiang Chuan gritted his teeth, his heart filled with resentment.

He knew that Tao Hongjing was right, but he desperately wanted Tao Hongjing's approval and also longed to make a breakthrough in swordsmanship.

He recalled his wondrous connection with the Nine-Colored Spirit Deer, a mysterious and powerful force.

"Perhaps I can draw upon its power," Jiang Chuan thought to himself.

He closed his eyes, concentrated, and tried to communicate with the nine-colored spirit deer.

Instantly, a warm and powerful force surged from his body, and he felt the Nine-Colored Spirit Deer's response. With the blessing of this power, Jiang Chuan advanced through three levels in one breath, briefly raising his cultivation level to the Other Shore Realm.

"Teacher, take this!" Jiang Chuan shouted again. This time, he unleashed "Sword One, Waterfall," a technique that incorporated the power of the Other Shore Realm.

His sword, like a rushing waterfall, surged towards Tao Hongjing with boundless momentum and power.

Tao Hongjing's expression was serious. He nodded slightly and slowly drew his sword.

This is an ancient longsword, its blade emitting a faint, cold light, as if telling of its extraordinary nature.

"Well done!" Tao Hongjing shouted in a low voice, and with a light swing of his sword, a seemingly casual strike that contained endless mysteries.

His sword clashed with Jiang Chuan's sword, producing a crisp ringing sound. Jiang Chuan felt a powerful force rush towards him, and his sword strike was instantly neutralized.

Not only that, Tao Hongjing's power also continued to flow downwards, forcibly suppressing Jiang Chuan's realm back to the Bitter Sea Realm.

"This..." Jiang Chuan was shocked. Before he could recover from the huge contrast, he saw Tao Hongjing's hand reach out like lightning and pull out the Nine-Colored Spirit Deer directly from the bladeless sword at his waist.

"This...how is this possible?" Jiang Chuan's eyes widened, his heart filled with shock.

He never imagined that Tao Hongjing possessed such formidable power, capable of so easily controlling the nine-colored spirit deer with whom he shared a spiritual connection.

Tao Hongjing looked at the terrified nine-colored spirit deer in his hand, his eyes revealing a deep interest.

“Little fellow, you’re quite amusing.” His voice carried a hint of laughter, but to the Nine-Colored Spirit Deer, it sounded like the whisper of a demon.

Jiang Chuan then truly realized that Tao Hongjing's strength was unfathomable, probably already reaching the legendary Venerable Realm. "Teacher, you..." Jiang Chuan hesitated, his heart filled with awe.

"Use the secret technique of advancing through three levels in one breath less often," Tao Hongjing said, his expression turning serious as he looked at Jiang Chuan.
"Although this secret technique can temporarily enhance your strength, if your true energy gathers too quickly, your soul strength cannot keep up. When you cross the Sea of ​​Bitterness, you are very likely to be annihilated."

Jiang Chuan nodded quickly, his heart filled with gratitude. "Thank you for reminding me, teacher. I understand now."

Tao Hongjing looked at Jiang Chuan with some relief.

"Your swordsmanship, though still lacking, has impressed me with its perseverance and courage." With that, he pulled an ancient sword manual from his robes and handed it to Jiang Chuan.

"Take this 'Five Elements Sword Manual' back and study it carefully."

Jiang Chuan accepted the sword manual, his heart filled with excitement. "Thank you, teacher!"

After Jiang Chuan left, a brief silence fell over the courtyard. Tao Hongjing stood quietly in place, toying with the ancient longsword in his hand.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the courtyard like a ghost.

"Long time no see, Master Tao," the man said with a smile, his voice carrying a hint of unruliness.

Tao Hongjing raised his head, looked at the person in front of him, and smiled slightly.

"It's you, Sword Emperor. What brings you here today to sit in my little courtyard?"

The newcomer was none other than Xie Xuan, the Sword Emperor of the Nine Provinces. He and Tao Hongjing were both top figures in the Northern Territory. One was known as a "half-immortal," and the other as the Sword Emperor. Their names were renowned throughout the Northern Territory.

"It's been a long time since we drank together, so I've come to ask for a drink today." Xie Xuan laughed loudly, sat down on his own, picked up the wine pot on the table, and poured himself a cup of wine. Tao Hongjing wasn't angry, and sat down with a smile, drinking and eating with Xie Xuan.

The two were talking casually, but in reality they were discussing something extremely important.

"You've certainly planned this well. You managed to outsmart Wang Zhihuan, that half-step sword immortal," Tao Hongjing said with a smile.

Xie Xuan frowned slightly. "I believe he is dead. Otherwise, it's impossible that there has been no news of him for a hundred years."

Tao Hongjing shook his head. "It's been a long time since a new sword immortal has appeared in the Nine Provinces. Is your plan feasible?"

Xie Xuan put down his wine cup, his expression calm.

“I want to make Kyushu produce another sword immortal.” He paused, then added, “Perhaps that person is Jiang Chuan.”

Tao Hongjing was slightly taken aback, then understood Xie Xuan's meaning. "You do have a keen eye, but that child still has a long way to go."

Xie Xuan smiled and said, "I went to Dushan and met with the King of Dushan. It seems that the era of numerous races is about to arrive again. The northern border is likely to be engulfed in another war."

Tao Hongjing's expression changed slightly. "Are you telling the truth?"

Xie Xuan nodded. "I'm already preparing for these upcoming changes."

Just then, Tao Hongjing suddenly noticed that Xie Xuan's face was somewhat pale and his breathing was a little unsteady.

"Are you injured?" he asked in surprise.

Xie Xuan smiled wryly, "I've been hit by the Blood Transformation Demon Palm."

"Blood Transformation Demon Palm?" Tao Hongjing's eyes were filled with shock. "Isn't that Li Tianxing's ultimate technique? Wasn't he killed by you twelve years ago?"

Xie Xuan shook his head. "I don't know either. I'm afraid I'll have to find the answer to this later."

Xie Xuan stood up, preparing to leave. "You will regret your choice too," he said meaningfully, looking at Tao Hongjing.

Tao Hongjing smiled slightly, "I have never regretted it."

In that somewhat simple yet imbued room filled with the atmosphere of cultivation, Jiang Chuan had been in seclusion for three whole days, studying the Five Elements Sword Manual.

For the next three days, he was so engrossed in the wondrous world depicted in the sword manual that he neglected to eat or sleep.

The light inside the room changed constantly with the passage of time, from the dim light of dawn to the scorching heat of midday, and then to the afterglow of dusk, but Jiang Chuan seemed to have forgotten the existence of time.

His eyes were tightly closed, his brows furrowed and relaxed at times, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

Under his guidance, the internal energy within his body flowed like five rushing rivers, struggling to circulate according to the instructions in the sword manual.

"Golden energy is sharp, wood energy is born, fire energy is fierce..." Jiang Chuan chanted, each word seemingly carrying a power, guiding the transformation of true energy within his body.

Suddenly, Jiang Chuan opened his eyes wide, a glint of light flashing in them.

"Finally, I succeeded!" he shouted excitedly, his voice echoing in the room.

After three days and three nights of arduous effort, he finally succeeded in mastering the ability to transform the three attributes of true qi—metal, wood, and fire—in the Five Elements Sword Manual.

Although he has not yet reached the Other Shore Realm and cannot unleash the powerful Five Elements Sword Qi, he can clearly feel that his body has become stronger and his strength has significantly improved under the nourishment of these three true energies.

"These improvements will definitely help me better cope with dangers during my trip to Dushan." Jiang Chuan clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him, and his heart was filled with confidence.

He knew that the path of cultivation was long and arduous, and every step forward was hard-won. This comprehension of the Five Elements Sword Manual was undoubtedly an important milestone on his path of cultivation.

Just as Jiang Chuan was about to go to Tao Hongjing to continue learning sword-making techniques, a series of cheerful footsteps came from outside.

"Brother Jiang, Brother Jiang!" A familiar voice reached his ears. Jiang Chuan recognized it as Mu Chen's voice and quickly got up to open the door.

Mu Chen and his group were standing at the door. Besides Mu Chen, there was an elegant woman, Mu Qingling, and Lu Zheng.

"Brother Jiang, let me introduce you. This is Princess Zhao Ling'er, a member of the royal family of Yan Kingdom from Handan," Mu Chen said with a smile, his face beaming with enthusiasm.

Zhao Ling'er nodded slightly, a faint smile on her face: "I have long admired Young Master Jiang's name. Meeting you today, I can confirm that you are indeed extraordinary."

Jiang Chuan quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness, you flatter me. I am but a mere cultivator, and I am unworthy of such praise."

Mu Chen continued, "We've come here today for two reasons: first, to see how your cultivation is progressing; and second, to invite you to the East City Chamber of Commerce. We want to thank the young master of the Chamber, Yu Youwei, for his previous help, and also to satisfy Princess Zhao Ling'er's curiosity about the Chamber's Treasure Pavilion."

Jiang Chuan's heart stirred, and he thought of the mysterious and powerful Yu Youwei.

"It is wonderful to see Miss Yu again. But I wonder if my coarse linen clothes might be disrespectful to the merchant guild?"

Mu Chen laughed heartily: "Brother Jiang, what are you saying? Miss Yu isn't the kind of person who cares about these things."

So the group headed towards the East City Chamber of Commerce.

Along the way, everyone chatted and laughed. Zhao Ling'er would occasionally ask Jiang Chuan questions about cultivation, and Jiang Chuan would patiently answer them one by one.

Soon, they arrived at the East City Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce's main gate is magnificent, with two imposing stone lions at the entrance, seemingly guarding the Chamber's wealth and glory.

As soon as I entered, a middle-aged man greeted me with a smile on his face and shrewdness in his eyes.

"Distinguished guests, welcome to the East City Chamber of Commerce. I am Manager Dong, the manager here."

Mu Chen stepped forward and said, "Manager Dong, we would like to meet Yu Youwei, the young master of your guild. She helped us a lot before, and we have come today to express our gratitude."

Manager Dong nodded hurriedly: "I see. The young master instructed that if you gentlemen and ladies come, you must be treated well. Please follow me."

Manager Dong led the group through the bustling mission hall, where people came and went. Merchants were discussing various businesses, and adventurers were receiving and completing missions—a scene of great activity.

Afterwards, they arrived at a garden-style courtyard. The environment here was serene, with shady trees, flowing streams, pavilions and towers scattered in a well-organized manner, like a paradise.

"This chamber of commerce is so magnificent!" Zhao Ling'er couldn't help but exclaim.

Manager Dong smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind. This is just a small part of the Chamber of Commerce. I hope it will satisfy Your Highness."

Then, Manager Dong led everyone to an elegant study. The study door was gently pushed open, and a faint scent of ink wafted out.

The room was furnished with great care, and the bookshelves were filled with all kinds of books, from business secrets to cultivation manuals.

On the wall hangs the original ink paintings of the monk Zhiming. The landscapes in the paintings have a profound artistic conception, as if they can take people into an ethereal world.

On the desk, there was an unfinished piece of calligraphy, which read "Warm wine awaits your return" in five large characters. The calligraphy was lively and unrestrained, and the strokes were vigorous and powerful.

(End of this chapter)