Chapter 218: Tianyue Peak, Zhang Lie (2/2)
He moved his palm a few more times, so fast that it could not be seen. After that, he withdrew his hand as he sent out some wind from the palm strike. The two-meter-tall rock immediately crumbled apart, turning into countless tiny stones scattered across the ground.
When the old man beside him saw all this, he revealed a smile on his previously expressionless face and said, “Body as Saber… you practiced it for ten years as though it was one day. Now, you have finally stabilized it at Small Perfection. Not bad.”
The expression on the young man’s squarish face did not change, there was no joy or sadness, he was a block of wood. “Unfortunately, my cultivation is too slow. I am already nineteen years old, but I am still only an Inferior Grade Martial Grand Master.”
In the world below the mountain, someone reaching Inferior Grade Martial Grand Master before nineteen would be considered as a genius regardless of where you went.
However, in this talent-filled Heavenly Saber Pavilion, such talent was considered poor. Furthermore, there was even the danger of being chased off the mountain.
The rules of the Heaven Saber Pavilion stated that if one is unable to reach Inferior Grade Martial Saint by the age of twenty-five, they would be chased out of the inner sect. If they wished to continue staying at Lingyun Mountain Range to cultivate, they would be required to pay a certain amount of Spirit Stones a month.
The old man said, “Mu Heng, since the first day you chose this path, you should have known what kind of path you were taking. You will need to endure the loneliness of being ordinary. If you are able to have any accomplishments before turning thirty, it would be something to thank the G.o.ds for. It is destined for you to be unknown in the early stages of your life.”
The person called ‘Mu Heng’ had chosen a path that was different from most cultivators; turning his body into a saber, using his body to prove his Dao.
Mu Heng had almost completely given up on the cultivation of Essence. Instead, he focused non-stop on tempering the strength of his physical body, sharpening himself into an exceptionally sharp and treasured saber.
There were many ways to the peak of martial cultivation. Most cultivators would choose to use weapons, or even rely on their fists or legs.
They cultivated all sorts of Saber Techniques, Sword Techniques, Fist Techniques, Leg Techniques, and all sorts of other Martial Techniques that would increase their strength. They relied on their comprehension of weapons, fists, and legs to climb to the peak of martial cultivation.
There was even a significant number of people who could not condense a Martial Spirit. They gave up the cultivation of Essence and worked on tempering their physical bodies, using their bodies to prove their Dao.
However, the path Mu Heng chose was a combination of both. Hence, this path was much harder to proceed on. However, once it succeeded, it would be able to shake the world.
There was a saying: ‘It is not worth speaking unless you can amaze the world, no point in flying unless you can fly to heaven.’ It was rumored that the Saber Emperor had walked on this same path in the past.
Mu Heng picked up a set of clothes which was placed on a rock. Then he said gently to the old man, “Father, I wish to take part in the core disciple exams this time.”
The old man revealed a bewildered expression, “You want to partic.i.p.ate in this year’s core disciple exam? With my status as Beichen Peak’s Peak Master, there is no need for you to take part in this exam. The status of a core disciple is not essential for you.”
Mu Heng said indifferently, “I just want to prove myself to the rest. All these years, I have heard too many rumors, all saying that you have been raising trash for a son. I will take the first spot in this year’s core disciple exam, proving them wrong.”
The old man smiled faintly and played down the situation. “Just the gossip of vile people, there is no need to pay any attention. You just need to focus on your cultivation. The whole of the Great Qing Nation will not be able to contain your future achievements.”
After the Beichen Peak’s Peak Master spoke, he turned around to leave. Mu Heng felt somewhat dissatisfied as he called out, “Father, I still have to prove the value of my existence. I want a big fight in order to understand my true strength.”
The old man stopped walked and pondered deeply. After a while, he said, “I’ll think about it!”
As the date of the core disciple exam drew nearer, the atmosphere of the entire Lingyun Mountain Range turned heavier.
The days pa.s.sed slowly, and soon, there were only three more days to the core disciple exam.
Qingyun Peak, Dueling Ground:
Liu Ruyue frowned slightly and asked, “Failed again?”
Xiao Chen slowly walked out from the Ancient Absolute Saber Formation and smiled bitterly, “I have touched the edge of it, but I am still unable to step across the threshold.”
For close to half a month, Liu Ruyue had used all sorts of methods to forcibly help Xiao Chen comprehend the state of Listening to the Sword and Communicating With It. However, they always failed in the end.
There were almost no results. The only place where Xiao Chen had achieved something was the Ancient Absolute Saber Formation. Xiao Chen had comprehended something of Lightning Intent and had improved in it significantly.
As Xiao Chen comprehended this Lightning Intent further, he could feel that he was approaching the edge of Listening to the Sword and Communicating With It. However, he could not be sure about it. So he had left this method for later.
When Liu Ruyue heard this, she said somewhat dejectedly, “Since the ancient times, no one has heard of being able to use external factors to comprehend the state of Listening to the Sword and Communicating With It. Perhaps I was too optimistic at the start, or maybe I am too useless.”
When Xiao Chen saw the situation, he quickly consoled her, “Elder Sister Ruyue, you have already done enough. Don’t say that, otherwise, I will feel bad.”
When Liu Ruyue heard this, she revealed a bitter smile and said, “There are three more days to the core disciple exam; go and make preparations. Don’t come here to try and comprehend Listening to the Sword and Communicating With It for the next few days. I will use this time to try and think of other methods.”
Xiao Chen nodded when he heard this; the date of the core disciple exam was drawing nearer. It was about time he settled down and consolidated everything he had learned in the past few days.
“Ye Chen, you failed again?” Liu Suifeng slowly walked over while holding a saber in his hand.