763 Sword Competition in the Verdant Canyon Part 1 (2/2)

Liu Bai answered, ”When your sword is repaired.”

A sudden boom sounded under the tent. A heavy hammer was beating the fiery iron sword. The hot sword sank in the water, sizzling and misting up.

Taking over the fixed iron sword, Second Brother said, ”It's fine.”

”Very well.”

A hand opened the blue curtain.

The hand was big with slender and powerful fingers that looked well suited for holding a sword.

Liu Bai walked out of the carriage.

The highly respected Sword Sage was a normal looking middle-aged man with a deeply engraved face.

He had a normal appearance and normal temperament, completely different from his legend. His essence existed in his sword rather than his body.

His sword was in its sheath beside him.

”Once, people wrote down their imaginings of the cultivators in the stories, thinking that everything could be used as a sword and the cultivators could kill with flowers and branches. However, they were all armchair swordmen after all.”

Looking at the Second Brother's sword, Liu Bai said, ”Neither a flower nor a blade of grass can be a sword. Sword has to be a sword because it has to be hard, straight and sharp, something that can fly into the sky and kill people from thousands of kilometers away. If a sword can't cut grass or it can be easily broken, how can it break armor and kill people? A good sword is very important to a swordsman.”

”Today, I saw two fine swords. Ye Su's wooden sword is made from an exotic tree which is its best choice from the point of view of the material. However, comparing it with your iron sword, it is inferior since a sword must be made of iron. Only the blood on an iron sword can be called blood iron and only by using an iron sword can I fight to my heart's content.”

Liu Bai turned to the stove and the Sixth Brother. He praised, ”The Academy is indeed a great place; you can refine such a good sword.”

The Second Brother walked toward the wilderness. ”But it is a weapon nonetheless.”

”You are a good swordsman.”

Liu Bai said, ”I've always been wondering who is stronger, you or Ye Su. Now I know you are stronger. Your sword is stronger, and your sword skill is better.”

The Second Brother stopped him and said, ”But not stronger than you.”

Liu Bai had heard this kind of praise so many times, no one in the world could comment on his sword. His expression didn't change at all.

Since he had been inspired at the riverside and traveled all over the world, no one dared to question his fame as the best swordsman.

”The Sword Taoism lies in sword and Taoism, but I prefer the sword.”

Liu Bai said, ”I sword trained in the cave of the Sword Garrett for ten years. I had a fine sword, and the Headmaster borrowed it. Although I felt regret, it was an honor that the Headmaster could use it to slaughter the Dragon. In addition to that sword, I have many more including the one on my waist, which is stronger than yours.”

”As for sword skill, I don't think I have any talent. I didn't create the sword style. It's from Mr. Ke.”

The Second Brother said, ”But you carried it forward and developed it into a famous and respectful sword style.”

Liu Bai was an unforgettable name in both the history of the cultivation world and Sword Taoism. He had been the first Great Sword Master and developed his close combat to an absolute high position.

In the past, swordsmen preferred operating their swords. In their minds, controlling the Qi of Heaven and Earth was the biggest difference between a cultivator and an ordinary man.

When Liu Bai and his sword style became invincible, the swordmen saw a new possibility in sword cultivation. It was revolutionary.

This was why the Second Brother respected him so much.

Liu Bai continued, ”In my early years, I swung back and forth between the two styles until the fight in the East Sea. I realized this switching violated the true meaning of the sword.”

”In that fight, I hurt Yan Se from a thousand kilometers away. Then he wrote a talisman toward the wild sea, which fell on my face from a great distance.”

Touching his eyebrows, he smiled bitterly.

”After that fight I chose to hold the sword. The most fundamental difference between the two styles is you either operate a sword with the Qi of Heaven and Earth or you control the Qi with a sword. The advantages and disadvantages may not be obvious, but, if you think carefully, you will believe that holding the sword is the best way.”

”The Buddhism Sect's copper bowl is not the best, neither are the prayer beads. Neither is the robe nor the talisman. Because all of these natal weapons are not in their proper form. But a sword is. The sword's shape is suitable for controlling the Qi of Heaven and Earth to hurt people.”

”The sword is straight and sharp. Control the sword or hold the sword; you have to choose and you can't choose both.”

Liu Bai said, ”You said a lot to Ye Su earlier that I don't understand. I only know sword: it is straight, so it should puncture. It is simple but strong.”

”Ye Su and I were talking about affairs of the human world, of which you no longer belong,” the Second Brother said. ”If you want to stay, you have to follow rules.”