Chapter 007: Swordsmanship (Middle)

After being lost in thought for a long time, I snapped my fingers and at that moment comprehended the essence of the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud. It is time to return; I haven't had a taste of game for four months, nor a sip of wine, and my throat has long been craving for relief

What is wind, and what is cloud

Sweat continuously streamed down from the forehead

Lu Yuan understood what wind is and what clouds are

However, Lu Yuan knew that his Wind and Cloud One Hundred and Eight Swords were now completely different

There are two main characteristics here

In fact, this is largely thanks to Lu Yuan practicing the Wind and Cloud One Hundred and Eight Styles, which contains numerous sword techniques infused with the essence of wind. If he had practiced other sword styles, no matter how long he trained amidst the wild winds and willow leaves, unless he were a prodigy, he would not be able to comprehend the essence of wind, nor would he be able to integrate it into his sword techniques.

With a snap, Yang Wu sheathed his sword, carrying the scabbard on his shoulder. Lu Yuan had already stepped out of the Windy Willow Grove, where he had practiced for four months, with great strides.

... ...

A young man dressed in blue, somewhat slender, with a glint of cunning in his eyes, is entering this place

... ...

Unconsciously, a subtle breeze began to blend into the sword techniques.

———

Lu Yuan now looks at his own hands, gazing at the long sword in his grasp. Master Li Yuanbai once said that among the entire Ninth Generation of Beifeng, not even ten have comprehended the essence of the sword, including the Six Sword Immortals of Beifeng. Furthermore, in the Tenth Generation, none have grasped the sword's essence. Yet, unexpectedly, he has managed to comprehend it himself

In the past, if we say that sword techniques were rigid, people were bound by these techniques, executing them in their entirety; this was akin to seeing a mountain as merely a mountain and water as merely water.

Changchun is located in the center

This is still the legendary One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud

In the current wild winds of the willow forest, it has become even more practical. Lu Yuan now understands that he has reached the second realm of swordsmanship. The sword techniques are fixed, but the person is alive. One should not be constrained by the sword or be overly attached to it, but rather should control the sword.

From day to night, the practice continued

I have comprehended the essence of the sword.

To this day, Lu Yuan still cannot believe it; however, he understands that he has indeed comprehended the essence of the sword, reaching the third level of swordsmanship, the Sword Intent level, and is only one level away from the highest level of swordsmanship, the Ultimate Sword Intent

There was a moment of enlightenment, combined with greater inevitability, leading to an understanding of the sword intent of the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud

What a wild willow grove, indeed the wind is strong, indeed there are many willows, being amidst it all, one feels as if they have entered an ocean of willows

When practicing swordsmanship, I generally sleep for only two or three hours a day

However, at this moment, I still want to practice swordsmanship for a while longer. After all, there are still five months until the Grand Competition at North Peak. If I go out now, there won't be much to do, so it is better to continue practicing the sword. Perhaps I might achieve some breakthroughs. Although my master mentioned that the third realm of sword intent is something that even among the ninth generation elders, fewer than ten have mastered, I still want to give it a try

Sword intent, sword intent, sword intent

I am diligently trying, practicing swordsmanship with the constantly swaying willow leaves, again and again, day after day, tirelessly honing my skills. Normally, Lu Yuan would never be in such a state, but now, I have been cornered by Sima Changbai and Sima Hao. If I do not retaliate fiercely, how can I proceed? Regardless of my usual laziness, this time I must make an effort.

The wind locks the rivers and mountains, using the previous section.

One must formulate a training plan for swordsmanship in order to rapidly enhance one's skills in this art

At this moment, the wind is strong

Clouds come and winds disturb

At the beginning, it is simply not achievable. Using a half move is straightforward, but seamlessly transitioning to the next move immediately after using a half move is not easy

... ...

Striving to focus amidst the howling wind, I fix my gaze on a single leaf. This constantly fluttering willow leaf is quite captivating, and now I take it as my opponent, beginning to practice my swordsmanship.

Lu Yuan had been casually drawing his sword, and while doing so, he was also contemplating the essence of clouds and the essence of wind. At this moment, the essence of the wind had largely become clear, after all, he had been in the strong winds and willow leaves for a full four months, constantly influenced by the gales, constantly buffeted by the storm. What is wind? A gentle breeze, leaving no trace behind is the wind.

The clouds and winds are deeply hidden in the mountains, using the latter part of a segment

A month had passed just like that. During this month, Lu Yuan had become accustomed to using only half of the sword techniques from the "One Hundred and Eight Sword Styles of Wind and Cloud." Regardless of which style it was, he could freely use either the first half or the second half. This set of sword techniques had been broken down into fragments, yet, paradoxically, this disassembly made them even more adept, more satisfying, and more comfortable to wield.

The original objective has already been achieved

Previously, during the sword duel with Ye Fang, Lu Yuan comprehended the second realm of swordsmanship. Swordsmanship is lifeless, while a person is alive. One does not need to be constrained by sword techniques. Of course, wanting to achieve something and actually being able to do it are entirely different matters

The Willow Grove in a Gale, the fourth month

Lu Yuan thought to himself

If there are no other actions, then the so-called "One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud" should actually consist of these basic actions, combined with certain meanings, such as the meaning of cloud and the meaning of wind. So, what is the meaning of cloud? What is the meaning of wind?

The clouds drift softly, the wind cannot be chased

And now, using the most fundamental techniques of chopping, hacking, smashing, lifting, blocking, washing, cutting, stabbing, stirring, pressing, hanging, and the essence of clouds, along with the sword of intention, the one hundred and eight swords of wind and clouds are executed one by one, reaching the state of seeing the mountain as still a mountain, and seeing the water as still water

At this moment, Lu Yuan faintly sensed it

With each strike of the sword, it lunged towards the leaf, swiftly piercing it away, then searching for the next leaf. One by one, the leaves were pierced, but sometimes the leaves moved too quickly in the fierce wind, and the abundance of other willow leaves often provided cover, resulting in missed strikes.

The gentle breeze leaves no trace; it is the wind. The raging wind passes through, leaving chaos in its wake; it is also the wind. The warm breeze intoxicates people; it too is the wind. The accumulation of clouds is cloud; the rolling sea of clouds is also cloud. The slightest movement is also cloud. The essence of wind and cloud has already entered my mind. Having understood the meanings of wind and cloud, I now begin to integrate the essence of wind and cloud into the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud.

Moreover, the practice of swordsmanship emphasizes a gradual and methodical approach; impatience is not permitted

What is a cloud? Lu Yuan suddenly realized that he had been in a sea of clouds for as long as four months. Indeed, his willow leaves had been floating in the wind for over four months. This is essentially the ocean of willow leaves, the sea of clouds formed by willow leaves. Having been situated between wind and clouds for four months, he constantly felt and was constantly affected.

The one hundred and eight swords of Wind and Cloud are composed of basic actions such as splitting, chopping, crashing, lifting, blocking, washing, cutting, stabbing, stirring, pressing, hanging, along with the essence of cloud and wind

When the clouds gather and the wind stirs, only the first half of the move is needed, the clouds come

The second realm of swordsmanship is when one is no longer confined by sword techniques, ultimately reaching a state of self-realization

However, although there are some characteristics, they are not particularly significant. The North Peak is grand, with countless famous attractions such as Zhenwu Temple, Jiao Gong Stone Chamber, Changchun Stone Chamber, Yunu Window, Xianyou Grotto, Shentu Cliff, Yiyun Pavilion, the place where Laozi hung his plow, Tieniu Terrace, and the Baiyun Fairyland Stone Archway, yet this place does not attract many visitors

As for how I ended up here, m.hetushu.com, it is actually quite simple; I came here to practice swordsmanship

Countless willow leaves, swaying in the fierce wind, can serve as targets for one's sword practice. At that time, while contemplating the formulation of a sword training plan, I inadvertently thought of this place

Clouds come and winds disturb

Here, the wind often rises, and the willow leaves flutter wildly, blown about by the breeze, creating an unpredictable wave-like motion

Practicing swordsmanship in the wild willow forest, sometimes it is necessary to pierce the willow leaves in the fierce wind, at other times, not even half a move is required, and sometimes only a single action suffices. Gradually, it becomes apparent that all the sword techniques of the One Hundred and Eight Styles of Wind and Cloud are composed of some of the most fundamental movements: chopping, cutting, crashing, lifting, blocking, washing, intercepting, stabbing, stirring, pressing, hanging, and clouding.

Take your time. Li Yuanbai's tone was quite calm; having endured countless storms and hardships, he naturally exuded an unparalleled tranquility

It has already been the second month in the Windy Willow Forest, and during these two months, Lu Yuan has been practicing swordsmanship here

Each exquisite sword technique appeared in Lu Yuan's hands

——

Li Yuanbai had just finished discussing the principles of swordsmanship and the four levels of sword techniques. After a brief pause, he said: "Your understanding is indeed correct, but knowing is easy while doing is difficult. It is not easy for you to reach the point where one is not confined to sword moves."

I still cannot believe that I have comprehended the essence of the sword in this manner

Gradually, Lu Yuan discovered that the Wind and Cloud One Hundred and Eight Swords were indeed quite profound. However, at times, the time required for a sword move was too long. Sometimes, by the time the move was executed, the leaf he had his eye on had already been blown away by the fierce wind. At times, even a half move of the sword was sufficient

Huff huff ... so tired. Although each swing of the sword is not exhausting, after a thousand swings in a single day, one reaches the utmost limit of fatigue. However, at this moment, one can only persevere. If one does not strive even when being pushed to this extent, then one can only say that one is a complete failure; it is merely laziness, not incompetence.

Lu Yuan was unaware, and even at this moment, there were no records of it on the North Peak of Mount Hua. The second-generation ancestor of the North Peak, who had created the Cloud Dragon Heart Method and the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud in the past, defeating all opponents in the cultivation world of the Great Jin Kingdom, was precisely in this wild wind and willow forest that he gained insight and established the Cloud Dragon Heart Method and the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud

Humans are always ambitious

At that time, considering a place to practice swordsmanship, after much thought, this place seems quite good

The Willows in the Gale

What is wind? The fierce wind sweeps through, leaving chaos in its wake; all of this is wind

Occasionally, there will be someone who comes here

Practice, completed

Firstly, the wind is strong, almost blowing continuously for twelve hours a day without respite. For ordinary people, survival in such a place is extremely difficult. However, even cultivators need to expend some spiritual energy to stabilize their forms; otherwise, they might be swept away by the fierce winds.

This is a relatively obscure location in Beifeng

The Willows in the Gale

Then, the sword techniques are fixed, but the person is not bound by them; the person is alive. At that moment, one may only use half a technique or some incomplete moves. At that time, mountains are not mountains, and waters are not waters.

Of course, there are also some fortunate factors; sometimes, realizing luck is simply a matter of understanding

Now, let us begin to practice this realm

There are some insights, but more often it is a natural understanding

The clouds drift softly, the wind cannot be chased

Since it has been contemplated, it naturally follows that it has arrived

In this silent and desolate willow grove amidst the howling wind

Lu Yuan listened in his heart, secretly thinking that he naturally understood that the practice of swordsmanship is a gradual process, and that with sufficient training, success will come naturally. Unfortunately, the time left for him was indeed limited; it was only six months.

The second is the willow tree, this place is almost entirely filled with willow trees, with willow trees connected to willow leaves

Time passed in the endless practice of swordsmanship