Chapter 3, Artisans and Masters
Article 4: The path of cultivation is indeed arduous. Enduring the hardships and gritting one's teeth to cultivate ultimately makes one merely a craftsman. Only by truly enjoying the process, being obsessed with it, and meticulously pondering the mysteries of each technique can one become a master.
In addition to biographical stories, Meng Chuan also places great importance on the well-known family teachings of famous divine and magical families that have been passed down.
"Father, did you call for me?" Yun Fu'an walked respectfully into the main hall, yet he did not dare to approach. Even from a distance, he felt a wave of heat rushing towards him, and the air seemed to be distorted.
Meng Chuan also understood the true meaning of the Northern Sword Emperor's words: "Practicing swordsmanship without heart makes one merely a slave to the sword. Practicing swordsmanship with heart allows one to become the master of the sword." Ordinary practitioners seem to train diligently and seriously, but that is not true dedication... True dedication... is genuinely enjoying the sword techniques, being obsessed with the sword techniques, casting aside all external distractions, and completely immersing oneself in it. Only through such madness can one achieve great accomplishments and become a grandmaster. Otherwise, one is merely a craftsman.
There are a total of 9 items
Father is just informing you," Yun Fu'an smiled and said, "Today I will go to the Meng family to help you annul the engagement.
"These five days are more important than my five years of cultivation." Meng Chuan looked at the notes in front of him with some excitement, as he gained a clearer understanding of his cultivation.
Only after performing it fifty times in succession can one be considered truly satisfied
He usually spends an hour painting in the afternoon, which is his only indulgence. It is a hobby cultivated since childhood. In painting, the fatigue from his training can be forgotten, and his mind becomes incredibly tranquil
In the eyes of the discerning, one can perceive some of the reasons behind the strength of those deities and demons
Among them, there are phrases like "One move excels, conquering all; to defeat the enemy, one move is sufficient; as long as one masters the strongest move, it is enough"
However, before that old woman dies, there is no need to make it too ugly said the old man with black hair as he closed his eyes
In the evening, Meng Chuan looked at his notes in front of him and smiled
The five great demon families of Dongning Prefecture are soon to become four great demon families, the old man with black hair nodded and said
Yun Fu'an quietly took his leave
The old man with black hair said coldly, "The Meng family has no right to occupy so many positions and enjoy so many benefits in Dongning. By the way, regarding the marriage contract established between Qingping and that boy from the Meng family named Meng Chuan, you should go to the Meng family and demand they hand over the marriage certificate, and tear it up on the spot! The current Meng family... does not deserve to be allied with us through marriage."
On the second day after Meng Chuan compiled the cultivation notes, in an underground grand hall of the Yun family
Moreover, these stories vary in their credibility; some are highly credible while others are less so. They also need to be categorized
Thus, he has persevered year after year
They will obediently hand it over. Yun Fuan said confidently, as his father had received news from a friend that the Meng family must have known about the matter concerning their ancestor long ago. These prominent families are self-aware, and resisting would only bring humiliation upon themselves
Of course, it is merely teaching the fundamentals. Meng Chuan's swordsmanship is just a step away from reaching the realm of unity. The seven years of training at the Dao Academy have imparted all that should be taught to him. What he needs more is to explore on his own.
Occasionally, a few words left by a certain deity or demon, or even a particular deed, would provoke some speculations from Meng Chuan
Alright
Yun Qingping said, "Father, I wish to dissolve the engagement, but I do not want to create a rift or damage the harmony between the two families. How about inviting Uncle Meng to discuss this matter..."
It is explicitly mandated that family disciples must enter the Dao Academy to undergo comprehensive and systematic training
It has been mentioned by at least three deities and demons, and with Meng Chuan's insight, he also finds it to be very reasonable
One can better discern which biographical stories are useful
This day, the entries I have recorded, many of which have inspired me
... ...
"There is no need to make it so complicated," Yun Fu'an said with a smile. "Alright, leave this matter to me; you just need to wait at home for good news."
Fu An. The old man with black hair opened his eyes, his gaze calm. I have just received news that the old woman from the Meng family was severely injured while defending against the demon clan at the Anhai customs. She is unlikely to live much longer and is expected to return to Dongning in the next few days.
Meng Chuan repeatedly attempted the same move, striving to draw his blade faster and more silently, cutting through the 'wind' with greater swiftness
It now appears that the mindset is incorrect
Meng Chuan was carefully reading various biographical stories. Some of these were biographies established by prominent families in honor of their ancestors, promoting the legacy of their forebears. Some were genuinely well-known, with biographies written spontaneously by the public. Even the most famous deities and demons have dozens of versions of their biographical stories. There are also sects that actively write biographies for these deities and demons. The most extravagant cases involve deities and demons personally writing their own accounts, wishing for future generations to remember their deeds. Even the most famous deities and demons have dozens of versions of their biographical stories. There are also sects that actively write biographies for these deities and demons. The most extravagant cases involve deities and demons personally writing their own accounts, wishing for future generations to remember their deeds
This time, with only the first form of the Falling Leaf Blade, the "Drawn Blade Stance," Meng Chuan cast everything aside, fully concentrating on the sword technique, as if there were only the blade in his hand in the entire universe. Immediately, he drew the blade! He felt the silence when the blade was unsheathed, sensed the feeling of the blade cutting through the "wind." The sword technique remained the same, but the mindset had changed, and thus what was "seen" also transformed.
However, there is no rush. I will take a brief look at these books, then organize and consolidate them. Some principles of cultivation must be mentioned by at least three deities or demons to be deemed more credible
It is her
"To study the surface, one only grasps the essence; to study the essence, one is already at a lower level. This is true for the strongest demonology in history! However, biographical stories are merely fragments. Without a sufficiently solid foundation, it is easy to go astray. Meng Chuan realized this point, as he observed that many family teachings place great importance on the fundamentals of cultivation.
"At most, just seven or eight years?" Yun Fu'an could not help but say, "Without Meng Xiangu, wouldn't the Meng family be finished?"
Every day I practice with the sword for several hours, my whole body exhausted beyond measure, yet I persist through the fatigue with gritted teeth. I used to think I was being serious and dedicated, but it is evident that I was not 'dedicated' enough. I should enjoy the swordsmanship, immerse myself in it, and earnestly contemplate each move. Meng Chuan believes that this is the biggest issue he faces. Cultivation is inherently a tiring endeavor.
These biographical stories primarily tell tales that are beneficial to my practice; sometimes a single book contains only a few sentences of value. In fact, I have not found any useful aspects in some biographical stories.
Choosing the swift blade from a young age was indeed due to Meng Chuan's genuine affection for it. However, through the relentless practice day after day, he became utterly exhausted, and that passion was gradually worn away. Yet today, as his mindset shifted, he once again immersed himself wholeheartedly in the experience of the swordsmanship.
... ...
Meng Chuan stared at this sentence, pondering: "The Sword Emperor of the Northern Lands has pointed out that his junior is also a strong practitioner of the Unleaked Realm, and at that time, the junior's swordsmanship had at least reached the Unity Realm. It should be considered that he practiced diligently. However, the Sword Emperor of the Northern Lands also said this... Clearly, in his view, the swordsmanship of a strong practitioner of the Unleaked Realm is still not practiced with enough dedication.
The combination of the two allows Meng Chuan to understand more.
The trajectory of the blade is akin to the traces of a painting, so beautiful. He strives to make this trajectory even more exquisite, cutting through the 'wind' faster! Truly powerful swordsmanship possesses an aesthetic quality, and Meng Chuan's swordsmanship is approaching this level
... ...
Day after day
Different from the past
To the average person, it is merely a story
Meng Chuan, after all, is a descendant of a divine and demonic family. Having received systematic training from the Mirror Lake Academy, his foundation is very solid. He has mastered the top-tier sword techniques to a consummate level, and he is just one step away from reaching the 'Unity Realm'.
Because the Dao Academy ... is the oldest sect in the world, established by 'Yuan Chushan' in every major city of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The teaching system of the Dao Academy was formulated by Yuan Chushan. Only by practicing in the Dao Academy can one have a solid foundation.
Hoo Hoo ~ ~ ~
... ...
Will the Meng family obediently hand over the marriage certificate? Yun Qingping couldn't help but ask
That fondness is awakening
Meng Chuan continued to read one after another of the biographies of gods and demons
My foundation is sufficient; what I need now is the final breakthrough
Family teachings are the lessons left by deities and demons for future generations, typically consisting of matters deemed extremely important by these divine and demonic beings
The sword unsheathed silently and without a sound
"It will not be wrong," the old man with black hair said coldly. "The King of Anhai has summoned several skilled physicians for her, but the old woman’s injuries are too severe; she is beyond saving. This is no longer a secret at the Anhai Pass! If she does not continue to fight and instead takes care to survive, she may last at most seven or eight more years. If she fights desperately, she is likely to live even shorter."
The third principle: with one exceptional move, one can conquer all! Similar to the second principle, defeating the enemy truly requires just one move. Mastering a single move to perfection is more effective than practicing ten comparatively powerful killing techniques.
This is how one should cultivate! Meng Chuan, filled with excitement, followed by executing the second move, the 'Spinning Moon Technique'.
The second point is that frequency is crucial. No matter how much one fantasizes, it cannot compare to practicing it ten thousand times! Drawing the sword ten thousand times each day, practicing 'Blood Shadow Stab' ten thousand times each day—similar statements have been made by no less than twelve deities and demons.
"What? Annul the engagement?" Yun Qingping looked at her father in astonishment
Article 5: Progress is made daily, changes occur monthly, and ultimately, achievements are realized
The elderly man with black hair nodded slightly
Meng Chuan also recorded it
The first principle of cultivation is that the foundation is of utmost importance, akin to the foundation of a house. Engaging in comprehensive training within a Daoist academy is the optimal choice
"Could it be a mistake?" Yun Fu'an could hardly believe it. "Wasn't it said that Meng Xiangu was the best at investigation, that nothing within a ten-mile radius could escape her notice? She didn't even need to charge to the front lines, so how could she suddenly be gravely injured?"
The more he recorded, the more Meng Chuan felt a sense of unease.
In the center of the grand hall, purple flames are rising
An elderly man with black hair sits cross-legged in the flames, completely unharmed
Did you not refuse? How did you suddenly change your mind
Similarly, without the divine and demonic beings, the family has become ordinary
"Practicing the sword without focus makes one merely a slave to the sword. Practicing the sword with intention allows one to become the master of the sword." This was a saying that Meng Chuan saw in a biographical story, attributed to the Sword Emperor of the Northern Lands, who advised his juniors.
There is such a foundation
"Yes," Yun Fu'an said respectfully
Article 6
Yun Fu'an was utterly astonished: "Father, are you referring to that Meng Xiangu?"
"I was like that before, seemingly diligent and hardworking, but in the end, I am just a craftsman." Meng Chuan could no longer contain himself, putting down his notes and directly leaving the study for the courtyard
The more Meng Chuan collects, the more he integrates. When combined with some of the 'Cultivation Iron Rules' from the Mirror Lake Dao Academy, these are indeed the cultivation regulations established by the Yuanchu Mountain.
"One skill is enough to conquer all. To defeat the enemy, one move is all it takes; as long as you master the strongest move, that is sufficient. What use is there in practicing a multitude of disorganized techniques?" This is a line from a biographical story about a powerful demon, 'Demon Blade' Wei Feng, spoken during a conversation with his disciple three thousand years ago. There are a total of fifteen versions of the biographical story of Demon Blade Wei Feng found in the market of Dongning Prefecture.
... ...
In the courtyard, he began to practice the supreme sword technique "Falling Leaves Blade"
A family flourished due to divine and demonic influences