Chapter 3: Mountains · Tempering

As he entered the jungle, Xu Yiyang glanced around and discovered numerous traces left by various adventure teams. However, he paid them no mind and continued on his way. It was only when he was nearly halfway up the mountain that he stopped to rest for a moment

The Sawtooth Mountains, a branch of the Hengling Mountain Range, are characterized by their numerous peaks that appear jagged and uneven from a distance, resembling the teeth of a saw, hence the name. Once one ventures deep into the area, it is teeming with ferocious beasts, making it quite an appealing choice.

From a distance, a lush expanse unfolds, with the newly risen sun radiating golden light, causing the dewdrops on the tips of the grass to refract a spectrum of colors, exceptionally resplendent

In such an environment, Xu Yiyang discovered the other remarkable uses of true energy. When true energy was infused into his ears, the sounds within a radius of several dozen zhang were instantly captured, even the fluttering of a falling leaf could not escape his notice. When true energy flowed through his eyes, every detail was clearly visible, even the rolling of a grain of sand in the distance was distinctly observable

Thus, Xu Yiyang paused and began to carefully contemplate the cultivation method, subsequently adjusting his true energy. Time quickly passed in this manner. By the time the sun set in the west, he finally made some progress; Xu Yiyang discovered the optimal solution, managing to maintain that state while using the least amount of true energy.

Indeed, I have never heard of any sword cultivator needing to specially utilize sword energy to enhance their hearing and vision

Is it not enough to refine one's own body?

But why do the sword cultivators not need it? As night fell, Xu Yiyang lit a campfire and began to ponder the differences in detail.

The flow of true energy instantly dispelled all fatigue, and then replenished the true energy, allowing one to move forward.

As the eastern sky began to brighten, a faint sound emerged, startling Xu Yiyang, who opened his eyes in alarm

This is the renowned Sawtooth Mountain Range

Then, Xu Yiyang closed his eyes, focused his mind, and began to diligently accumulate his true energy. Although last night he had merely refined his five senses, the consumption of true energy was astonishing. Those meridians, as thin as a thread, had actually depleted at least seventy percent of his true energy!

... ...

However, in these places, even if Xu Yiyang had the intention, it would be too late for him to go. Moreover, the Ten Thousand Beasts Marsh was precisely sealed off by the sect due to the impending beast tide, prohibiting entry, leaving only the disciples of the Battle Hall to clear the obstacles.

The thin mountain mist dances, an indescribable beauty. However, as the gaze rises, the vegetation abruptly halts at the halfway point of the mountain, leaving only the jagged peaks, crimson like saw teeth, which immediately evoke a sense of fierce and chilling severity

Moments later, he leaped up!

Xu Yiyang is racing against time, replenishing his vital energy

The fierce beast that appeared behind the rocks made a sound as it moved, which Xu Yiyang heard

Compared to the time spent in the Great Beast Marsh and during the study of maps and books, today is truly the time for honing oneself

The Blade Spirit Continent is home to three major empires: Dongyuan, Zhongsheng, and Xibu. The Zhongsheng Empire, located in the center, houses the Holy Sword Sect, where Xu Yiyang resides. The Dongyuan Empire dominates the east and is the most powerful, with the Undying Sect within its borders being stronger than the Holy Sword Sect. The Xibu Empire is situated in the west, where the top-ranked Wugang Sect of the Blade Spirit Continent is located.

It is said that a sword formation established with a spiritual sword must be carefully considered even by sword masters and sword saints

There is no clear distribution map of the ferocious beasts, nor is it clear where is safe and where is dangerous

After all, this is not the Great Marsh of Beasts

However, these places are extremely fragile; with just a slight misstep, one could injure oneself, leading to the possibility of becoming deaf or blind from that point onward... Yet, this is a necessary step...

Then... the only choice is the jagged mountains to the north of the Ten Thousand Beasts Marsh in the Eastern Sect!

Xu Yiyang finally realized how great the difference was between himself and those swordsmen. His own body seemed like an endless abyss, with every meridian, every tendon, and every bone greedily absorbing the true energy

Not long after, Xu Yiyang's expression changed, for he realized that while maintaining this state allowed him to have everything under control, the consumption of his vital energy was simply too great

Therefore, one must proceed cautiously, always keeping an eye on all directions and an ear attuned to all sides

Secondly, it is to search for the Sand of Eternal Gold or the Starry Eyes, allowing the sword box to absorb them

The Ten Thousand Swords Manual is currently only in its initial stage, limited to the refinement of the body. As the foundational sword techniques have not been practiced to proficiency, it is impossible to learn the sword techniques imparted by the sword box. Xu Yiyang furrowed his brows and began to carefully contemplate how to awaken the sword box.

In the following days, Xu Yiyang continued his cultivation. Sitting cross-legged, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth formed a vortex around him, pouring in wildly and refining his body

Upon opening his eyes, Xu Yiyang immediately sensed a difference from the past

To be honest, Xu Yiyang had only heard of the Eternal Gold Sand among these two items

Subsequently, he habitually began to ponder

He could clearly discern that the sound was thirty-six zhang away, behind a boulder.

This is an extremely precious material, used by sword formation masters to refine sword formations

One can see each grain of sand rolling, observe the trees below stretching out, and even catch a glimpse of the rays of light piercing through the clouds from the horizon

Although he has now expanded his dantian and significantly increased his reserve of vital energy, he still cannot withstand such consumption! In just a short hour, merely maintaining his own clarity of hearing and vision has consumed nearly half of his vital energy. If he were to suddenly encounter a fierce beast, how would he respond?

The message left by the sword box contains a method for awakening it: "Search for heavenly materials and earthly treasures"

Xu Yiyang was fortunate to be immersed in that realm ... In a daze, the true energy flowed in and out, nourishing everything, as streams of black oily sweat seeped from his features

Now, with fierce beasts lurking nearby, it is essential to diligently accumulate true energy

A layer of foul-smelling black sweat surged from his body, and Xu Yiyang knew that this was the impurities and toxins forced out from within.

To awaken the sword box from its slumber, there are only two methods. The first is to slay the demon beasts, allowing the sword box to absorb their essence. As for what demon beasts are, Xu Yiyang stated that he had never heard of them. The sword box did not elaborate, so this method must be set aside.

As the vital energy circulates, the meridians become increasingly resilient, the tendons and ligaments grow stronger and more flexible, and the bones begin to gradually emit a luster

In the process of refining his body, he focused solely on the meridians, muscles, bones, and even the internal organs, yet he never considered his five senses and features. Such an oversight is indeed a grave error

Such things... Xu Yiyang only wanted to cry... Or perhaps... go hunt fierce beasts? But where would one go to hunt fierce beasts?

Although he knew that tempering his body in the wilderness was a dangerous endeavor, Xu Yiyang understood that he had no time to delay... As he circulated his true energy to the point of perception, he was astonished to find that the meridians there were as thin as threads; if he were not careful, they would snap at any moment

A feeling of having everything at one's fingertips and holding a * picture * book in hand arose spontaneously. Xu Yiyang let out a long breath and rushed forward.

Upon carefully reviewing the techniques, Xu Yiyang finally found a small section. At that time, he had not paid much attention to it, thinking it was merely an ordinary method for refining the body. Now he realized that it was actually a technique for refining the five senses, such as hearing and sight

Then, why not take the initiative and strike while the iron is hot, eliminating them!

Within the territories of the three great empires, there are renowned perilous regions, each inhabited by fierce beasts. For instance, the Zoushi Gobi of the Eastern Plains, the Wanshou Daze of the Central Prosperity, and the Chihong Forest of the Western Wilderness. Furthermore, there is the Hengling Mountain Range that traverses the entire continent, along with the vast wilderness that extends further north. Alternatively, one could journey southward, where the Shifang Mountain Range, which shields against the onslaught of sandstorms, is also teeming with ferocious beasts.

Departing from the sect and heading east, traveling under the stars and through the moonlight, urging the horse to go faster, it took only three days to reach the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains

Xu Yiyang suddenly woke up

The beast had been hesitating and lingering, which greatly boosted Xu Yiyang's confidence. The beast possesses keen senses and is often able to perceive things that humans cannot detect. The fact that the beast did not dare to approach indicates that it harbored a sense of fear towards him

With trepidation, Xu Yiyang circulated his true energy for refinement, while also keeping a portion of his mind alert to the surroundings... The suffering endured in this process goes without saying

Hanging the water cut-off notice at his waist and stuffing a few sets of clothes into his bag, Xu Yiyang immediately set out.

I never expected that this would so closely align with what the technique describes as "as if walking on air, as if present yet absent"