Chapter 2: Tempering of the Mind and Spirit

This mysterious sword technique is remarkably fierce, characterized by bold and expansive movements that maximize the lethality against enemies. At times, it even resorts to using oneself as bait to lure the enemy into revealing vulnerabilities, allowing for a decisive strike. As a formidable swordsman who previously slaughtered the bandits of Qian Shan on Feng Jue Ridge, if the sword technique practiced were merely superficial and showy, trapped in the encirclement of the bandits, there would likely be no escape.

Zhang Wang noticed the look of frustration on her face and chuckled lightly, saying, "Refining the mind and spirit into a sword is a task that consumes a great deal of mental energy, and it is certainly not something that can be accomplished in just one or two attempts. Even if you fail, it is not a big deal; as long as you persevere, you will eventually see results." As he spoke, he shifted his gaze to Qin Zhan.

Both individuals immediately perked up and displayed an expression of attentive listening

Before she could finish her sentence, Qin Zhan, hearing the word "rest" in a vague manner, immediately relaxed and fell into a deep sleep, which left her both exasperated and amused.

Lin Shan hurriedly ceased her cultivation and responded affirmatively.

As for whether Lin Shan could establish a connection with the sword, he did not inquire at all

The gap between having a master to guide you and exploring on your own becomes evident. If it were not for Zhang Wang, a strong practitioner at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, or if Zhang Wang were not an inner disciple of the prestigious Holy Xuan Sect, the leading sect of the Enlightened Nation, who knows how many detours one would have to take in cultivation

He dared not tell Lin Shan about his inexplicable changes. If she were to find out that he suddenly had an appetite for these minerals and the like, who knows how she would view him? What would his relatives and friends think of him? Perhaps they would even regard him as a monster, completely isolating him.

On the first day, one can concentrate their mind and establish a connection with the sword? ... It is possible for those with innate strength, but for Lin Shan, who is only in her teens...

Lin Shan immediately followed Zhang Wang's guidance and began to establish a connection with the sword. Over the past few years, her spiritual and mental state had improved significantly, allowing her to maintain a strong focus even at night. Once she calmed her mind and concentrated her thoughts, her entire sea of consciousness was surprisingly filled to the brim.

The excitement on the faces of the two individuals immediately faded away

"Hehe, there is no need to feel embarrassed. According to your age, in three or four years, you should all be getting married. Sending gifts or something like that is nothing to be embarrassed about. Moreover, the quality of those two swords is not bad." At this point, Zhang Wang composed himself and said seriously: "To achieve success in swordsmanship, one must establish an emotional connection with the sword, carefully sensing it and understanding its joys and sorrows. If you can make the sword a part of your body and reach the realm of unity between man and sword, your practice of any sword technique will advance by leaps and bounds, progressing at an astonishing rate."

Seeing Qin Zhan working so hard, she felt a twinge of pain in her heart and gently said, "Alright, little Zhan, the master said you should go back and rest for now, tomorrow..."

Feel the sword, establish an emotional connection with the sword

After escorting Qin Zhan back to his room, Lin Shan helped him wipe his body, removing the traces of sweat. She then sat by the bed, gazing at his peaceful sleeping figure, her pretty face slightly lost in thought.

Zhang Wang took down two ironwood swords from above, lightly tossed them, and accurately threw them into the hands of the two individuals, saying: "These ironwood swords have a weight comparable to that of fine steel swords, and their sturdiness is quite remarkable, making them perfectly suitable for practicing swordsmanship"

Even a master at the eighth level of innate cultivation has only reached the third level, so just how powerful is this sword technique? In an instant, both of them became excited.

Do not be disappointed. Even if I were to teach you the Xuan Kong Sword Technique, with your current cultivation level, you would not be able to learn it. As a high-level sword technique, its minimum requirement for practice is the Innate Realm. What I am imparting to you is a sword technique evolved from the Xuan Kong Sword Technique, combined with my own experiences, which is suitable for those at the fourth level of Qi Refinement—Xuan Xu Sword Technique. Although its power is not as great as that of the true Xuan Kong Sword Technique, as long as you can grasp its essence, you will at least have a significant advantage when battling opponents of the same level

Compared to Lin Shan's ease in connecting with the sword, Qin Zhan, however, is acutely aware of his own struggles

The two individuals gathered their spirits and responded in unison.

Zhang Wang looked for a moment and frowned

Zhang Wang cast her an approving glance and nodded: "Let's put the matter of Qi refining on hold for this month. Take some time to practice swordsmanship. Follow me." With that, he turned around and led the two of them to the open space in the backyard

Looking at the enchanting Lin Shan beside him, whose beauty resembled the autumn waters, he secretly resolved that he must not let anyone know the terrifying and absurd thoughts that lingered in his mind

Looking at their expressions, one could easily guess what they were thinking. He couldn't help but smile and said, "Don't overthink it. I will not pass on the Xuan Kong Sword Technique without the approval of a master or the sect leader. If you wish to learn, you must earn the recognition of the sect through your own efforts."

However, although the two were exhausted and drenched in sweat, they still did not easily give up. This attitude greatly pleased Zhang Wang.

Place your respective swords flat in front of you, then concentrate your mind, gathering it in your sea of consciousness. Contemplate carefully, envisioning your mind as a thread, establishing a connection with the sword, and thereby sensing the existence of the sword

After all, the two of them have lived under their own wings since childhood and have never encountered any setbacks. As for experience in combat, they have none at all, which naturally results in a lack of the ruthlessness and killing intent required by the Mystical Sword Technique

It was only because this was her first time controlling her mental powers outside of her body that she was momentarily unable to grasp it. Once she established a connection with the Xueshuang Sword, her mind slightly relaxed, and the mental bridge she had constructed immediately collapsed

Lin Shan let out a sound of realization, nodded slightly, and did not dwell on the illustrations in the book. She began to attempt to control the powerful mental energy within her sea of consciousness. As she gradually became more proficient, the mental energy in her sea of consciousness was manipulated by her into various forms. For a moment, she became somewhat oblivious to her surroundings, even temporarily setting aside the matter of connecting with the sword.

What I have learned is the advanced sword technique of the Sacred Xuan Sect—Xuan Kong Sword Art! At this point, a hint of shame appeared on Zhang Wang's face: This sword art is the most powerful sword technique aside from the sect's foundational skill, 'Sacred Xuan Induction.' However, due to limitations in my aptitude, even though my master highly valued me and imparted the Xuan Kong Sword Art to me, I have only managed to cultivate it to the third level...

The two individuals took up the ironwood swords, and there was a hint of excitement in their expressions. Over the years of cultivating their qi, they had only practiced the most basic movements such as thrusting, lifting, and chopping with the sword, and had never been exposed to formal swordsmanship. For young people of their age, who fantasized about becoming great swordsmen, this was quite a torment. Now, their master had decided to personally teach them formal sword techniques, and even the usually composed Qin Zhan showed a look of anticipation.

After all, it is a sword technique created by a practitioner at the eighth level of Qi Refinement. When two practitioners at the fourth level of Qi Refinement employ it, the consumption is indeed extremely terrifying

However, she did not understand the significance of the vastness of the sea of consciousness. She merely followed Zhang Wang's instructions, condensing her mental energy into a line that attached itself to the Snow Frost Sword, easily establishing a connection with it

"Xiao Zhan, what are you doing?" The slightly ajar door was suddenly pushed open, and Lin Shan had returned from the kitchen, looking at him with curiosity. She then glanced at the jade in his hand and asked, "Is there something special about this piece of jade?"

Exactly the opposite

Especially Qin Zhan, whose mental strength was already weak, was drenched in sweat from head to toe

The two individuals acknowledged the completion of their tasks with a response of affirmation and proceeded to engage with the books

Teased by his master, Qin Zhan couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed, while Lin Shan lowered her head, a charming blush quickly coloring her snow-white cheeks

Evolving from the Advanced Sword Techniques, the Xuanxu Sword Technique possesses extraordinary power. However, contrary to its name, the Xuanxu Sword Technique is not as fantastical and ethereal as it suggests, making it difficult to grasp in practice

After half a day's time, his mental refinement not only made no progress, but instead, due to the consumption of a large amount of mental energy, he appeared extremely fatigued. If it were not for the fear of seeing his master's disappointed expression, he might have already been unable to hold on and would have given up.

Over the years, Qin Zhan has almost watched him grow up, and it is impossible not to understand the temperament of this disciple. He sighed with relief and said to Lin Shan, who was also in training: "Xiao Shan, please help Zhan back to rest. The mental tempering method consumes a great deal of mental energy. Although Zhan's spirit has recovered, it is only at the level of an ordinary person. Forcing him to continue training would be harmful rather than beneficial"

Upon arriving at the backyard, the two of them discovered that the originally empty space, which had only housed some exercise equipment, now featured a weapon rack. This rack not only held heavy wooden swords made of iron and wood, but also several exquisite steel swords crafted by renowned masters.

The two individuals had practiced for less than half an hour, and their internal energy immediately could not keep up with the consumption, leading to intense gasping.

Alright, if you are tired, take a break. Cultivation is by no means an overnight achievement; being overly eager for success may lead to counterproductive results

Qin Zhan's heart raced as he hurriedly put away the jade, saying, "No, no, I was just curious about its unusual color and was merely playing with it."

"Please take a seat first, I have something to say." Zhang Wang smiled as he watched the two of them obediently sit down in front of him, and continued, "I know that Zhan and you have bought a pair of twin swords, haha, they must be tokens of affection, right? You two little ones are quite impressive."

At this moment, as he was with the books, a sound of footsteps at the door brought Qin Zhan back to his senses. He turned his head and saw Zhang Wang walking in from outside. Upon seeing the two people in the room, he smiled and said: "You are all here, so I don't have to look for you one by one. Now that you have all advanced to the fourth level of Qi Refinement, it won't be long before you leave Shunhe City for the Shengxuan Sect, which is three hundred miles away from the capital. Once you arrive at the Shengxuan Sect, it will not be like here, where you can stretch out your hands for clothes and open your mouth for food, with someone taking care of everything. There, all the outer disciples compete fiercely for the qualification to enter the inner sect. Without any means of self-defense, you might suffer greatly." Now that you have all advanced to the fourth level of Qi Refinement, it won't be long before you leave Shunhe City for the Shengxuan Sect, which is three hundred miles away from the capital. Once you arrive at the Shengxuan Sect, it will not be like here, where you can stretch out your hands for clothes and open your mouth for food, with someone taking care of everything. There, all the outer disciples compete fiercely for the qualification to enter the inner sect. Without any means of self-defense, you might suffer greatly.

The first step of the Mind Refinement Technique requires one to concentrate, focusing the mind into a line and establishing a connection with the Falling Maple Sword. However, every time he concentrated and directed his gaze towards the Falling Maple Sword, the slightly coalesced mental energy would completely dissipate, replaced by an intense hunger, a hunger so strong that he wished to bite a chunk out of the Falling Maple Sword. Under the influence of this hunger, it was not only exceedingly difficult to concentrate the mind for the refinement of the treasured sword, but also an incredibly challenging task to suppress the terrifying thoughts swirling in his mind. The hunger was so overwhelming that he wished to bite a chunk out of the Falling Maple Sword. Under the influence of this hunger, it was not only exceedingly difficult to concentrate the mind for the refinement of the treasured sword, but also an incredibly challenging task to suppress the terrifying thoughts swirling in his mind.

Now, what I am teaching you is the experience summarized over countless years by masters at the sword master level. It has a tremendous effect on entering the innate realm and on sword cultivation. Similarly, it is also a fundamental course that every first-rate sect must impart to its core disciples—the method of tempering the mind and spirit

Lin Shan's bright, sparkling eyes immediately lit up as she exclaimed, "Master, are you going to teach us swordsmanship?"

After a moment of contemplation, she seemed to recall something shy, and a lovely blush suddenly rose from her earlobes, coloring her cheeks a rosy hue, making her look exceptionally adorable. She suddenly gave a light peck to the sleeping Qin Zhan, then turned and ran away as if escaping, disappearing from the bedroom in the blink of an eye.

Both individuals felt somewhat confused