TTC Chapter 133

Translator: Lynn

It is said that even among ten thousand sword cultivators, only one or two might be able to comprehend sword intent. Why is that?

It is not because they lack devotion to the way of the sword or do not train diligently, but rather because of the concept of “enlightenment.” It depends on whether one’s soul aligns with the path of the sword and whether one is fortunate enough to encounter such an opportunity.

Therefore, anyone who is able to cultivate sword intent is considered in harmony with the sword, destined for a smooth journey on the immortal path.

Sword intent, at its core, is the essence embedded within the sword path. It is a mysterious and elusive force, difficult to grasp and constantly shifting. Yet, once mastered, it becomes a deadly weapon capable of directly attacking the soul.

For cultivators below the Golden Core stage, who still possess the three souls and seven spirits¹The Yang aspect of the soul is made up of the three Hun (魂) and the Yin aspect of the soul is made up of the seven Po (魄). The Yang soul governs the intangible parts of a person. It is their spirit, consciousness, and intelligence. The seven Po govern the solid parts of the person. They are the body’s instincts and natural ability to survive. Tactile, Breathing, Taste, Visual, Awareness, Sexual ability, and Dispersion of Toxins in Body 7 Po also correspond to seven emotions: happy, anger, sad, joy, love, hate, fear. Also correspond to seven sounds: shout, laugh, hoot, moan, sing, cry, whistling intact, the mere presence of sword intent can cause their souls to tremble at the mildest or scatter completely at the worst. Thus, sword cultivators wielding sword intent can easily overwhelm opponents, leaving them no room for carelessness. Even beyond the Golden Core stage, when the three souls and seven spirits have coalesced into the primordial spirit, sword intent remains capable of inflicting damage.

The more perfect the sword intent, the greater its lethality.

However, Yun Lie did not explain this further to Xu Ziqing.

Xu Ziqing understood well. His swordsmanship was still far from accomplished, so discussing sword intent now would be laughable. In cultivation, focus is essential, and what he sought on the path of the sword was simply greater offensive power.

After contemplating for a long time, Xu Ziqing leaned forward and swung his sword, performing the move “Spring Rain” Sword Art.

He had long since mastered this move, and now executed it effortlessly, without the slightest hindrance. As the move neared completion, he transitioned the sword force into the “Sprouting Technique,” which erupted with a sudden surge of power, making a crisp sound resonate in the sword chamber.

“Snap!”

It sounded like air bursting or a seed breaking its shell, vibrant and full of life!

Xu Ziqing closed his eyes, wielding his sword with a fluid motion. His body moved like a swimming dragon, leaving blue shadows and a myriad of sword reflections in his wake.

Immersed in his swordplay, his movements adapted with each technique, and his sword force evolved continuously. The “Sprouting Technique,” derived from his Spring Rain Sword Art, alternated between two sword states, seamlessly connected yet unexpected. Despite the unpredictability, everything remained harmonious and ever-changing.

The longer he practiced, the clearer his mind became. Tireless and relentless, he refused to stop.

He trained for several days and nights, and eventually, his sword swings became instinctive. The sword moved with his heart, as free as the wind.

Ten days later, the sword chamber was filled with a light, agile figure wielding a steel-wood sword. The sword moved effortlessly, incredibly nimble.

The weapon seemed like an extension of his body, every swing appearing natural and harmonious.

Suddenly, the figure let out a sharp cry, “Ha!”

His body came to an abrupt halt in the center of the chamber, and the steel-wood sword smoothly returned. But just then, a streak of black light burst from the sword tip, slicing through the air and striking the stone wall!

“Sword intent!” Xu Ziqing took a deep breath, gripping his steel-wood sword tightly, his eyes brimming with joy. “I actually managed to produce sword intent!”

Even though he knew that the Four Seasons Sword Art suited him well, he had not expected to generate sword light from its first form in such a short time!

After calming himself, Xu Ziqing chanted the technique once more, releasing the “Sprouting Technique.” Its power was considerable and perfect for testing this new level of swordsmanship.

As expected, the steel-wood sword traced an arc through the air, and where the tip pointed, a burst of light shot out, hitting the stone wall and scattering into glowing fragments.

Though sword light couldn’t harm anyone yet, it was a crucial first step. Without sword light, forming sword energy would be impossible, not to mention achieving higher levels of mastery. Thus, this accomplishment was both incredibly difficult and of immense benefit, easily visible.

Xu Ziqing swung his sword several more times, and each time, the sword light emerged accurately. His excitement was tinged with astonishment.

How strange—his progress seemed unusually rapid. Was there something mysterious about the sword chamber? Yet aside from its quiet and undisturbed atmosphere, he had discovered nothing unusual.

While he pondered, the stone wall he had struck with his sword light suddenly began to glow brightly.

In an instant, Xu Ziqing’s vision blurred, and the scene around him transformed. The pressure around him also increased dramatically!

This was…

He was no longer in the bare sword chamber but in a lush, vibrant field, filled with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers. The spring sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze blew, enveloping him in a profound sense of spring.

Xu Ziqing could feel the lightness of the breeze and the warmth of the sun. Walking on this green expanse felt like treading on real grass, soft and moist, utterly delightful.

This had to be an illusion. He steadied his mind, trying to use his consciousness to escape.

But in the next moment, he realized he was wrong.

In front of him appeared a shadowy figure, as if formed from a gentle breeze, seeming both present and absent. The figure was tall and slender, with a soft and calming aura, holding a transparent longsword in its hand.

The shadow’s voice was just as gentle, blending seamlessly with the spring atmosphere: “Make your move.”

Xu Ziqing was startled. “Who are you…?”

Could this really not be an illusion? Or was there some other explanation?

The shadow responded, “I am the manifestation of intent from the twenty-third sword chamber of the third sword cave. If you choose to fight me: victory means life, defeat means death… Will you accept this battle?”

So this manifestation of sword intent was another of the sword cave’s special features.

The Wuling Immortal Sect had existed for countless years, and the origin of this sword cave was just as ancient. Initially, the first generation of sword cultivators left traces of their sword intent to pressure future generations and test their potential. Over time, many disciples had come to practice, and some lived while others perished, each leaving remnants of their intent.

After years of accumulation, the sword chambers had gathered countless forms of intent. When a cultivator managed to produce sword light with a technique, they had the chance to receive a trial—or rather, a form of feedback.

As the intent manifestation was emotionless, cultivators could choose whether to accept this feedback of their own will.

Xu Ziqing knew that to secure his place in the upcoming sect competition, he needed tremendous progress over the next five months. Having experienced many trials in the past, he understood well that breakthroughs often came in the face of life-and-death challenges.

In his past life, he had withered away on a sickbed, dying young. Xu Ziqing had a deep fear of death. But he also knew that if he couldn’t seize opportunities to push his limits when the odds were in his favor, he would surely perish when faced with true, inescapable danger.

Thus, Xu Ziqing did not hesitate. With a firm flick of his wrist, he declared, “Please, guide me!”

The shadow gave a faint smile. “Here I come.”

No sooner had the words fallen when a razor-sharp beam of sword light surged forward, aiming right between Xu Ziqing’s eyebrows!

Xu Ziqing reacted quickly, sidestepping as his arm slashed horizontally, deflecting the strike.

He narrowly avoided injury, but the blow had given him a rough measure of the intent manifestation’s strength.

Its cultivation level was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, with true essence as dense as Xu Ziqing’s. Its techniques were also from the same Spring Rain Sword Technique as Xu Ziqing’s, complete with sword light, though lacking the unique “Sprout Technique” intent that he had developed.

This opponent was on equal footing in terms of cultivation, but its sword skills were more refined, with mastery of nuances that Xu Ziqing’s technique still lacked. Yet both shared the same foundational sword method, making the battle familiar and allowing Xu Ziqing to adapt quickly to this life-or-death sparring.

One had to admire the ingenuity of the sword cave’s creators within the Wuling Immortal Sect, who had put so much thought into training their disciples.

Xu Ziqing seized this chance, knowing he didn’t have to hold back for fear of harming his opponent. He attacked without mercy, eyes gleaming with a hint of killing intent.

This was true training—battle forged in fire!

In this sword chamber, many others had practiced the Spring Rain Sword Technique before, so the intent manifestation embodied the collected experiences and skills of those disciples.

It drew on the strengths of countless predecessors, unleashing their perfected techniques against Xu Ziqing. Its heart was a sword’s heart—colder, straighter, and more unyielding.

“Shhhk—”

With a sharp, tearing sound, a wound split open on Xu Ziqing’s shoulder, revealing pale skin beneath.

At the wound, a gentle yet persistent force invaded, seeking to merge with his flesh and blood. The sword intent, like silent spring rain nourishing everything imperceptibly, aimed to seep throughout his body and damage all his meridians!

This was the danger of the Spring Rain Sword Technique. While it seemed soft and lingering, it could be insidious, clinging to its target like a bone-corroding poison, impossible to expel.

Xu Ziqing was alarmed and swiftly flipped backward, pressing his fingers repeatedly on the wound to suppress the invading force.

Yet the intent manifestation did not give him any chance to recover. It quickly attacked again, unleashing three blinding streaks of white light in rapid succession, dazzling and soul-shaking.

Xu Ziqing focused entirely, not daring to let down his guard.

He channeled his true essence to the wound to force out the intruding power, all the while staying vigilant to avoid the overwhelming pressure and deadly strikes from the manifestation.

After enduring for what felt like a full quarter-hour, Xu Ziqing finally managed to expel the invasive force. But he had expended so much energy that sweat now dripped in fine beads from his forehead.

This couldn’t go on. Xu Ziqing realized.

His true essence was limited, but the intent manifestation’s strength was endless as long as it remained in the sword chamber. If it came to a battle of endurance, he stood no chance.

Thinking quickly, Xu Ziqing shifted slightly, dodging another attack. Then, closing his eyes despite the dazzling sword light, he charged forward, closing the distance between himself and the manifestation in just a few steps!

“Spring sprouts burst forth, breaking through the soil!”

With a deep breath, Xu Ziqing felt a surge of clarity, and the sword light in his hand burst forth smoothly and powerfully.

At that moment, a flash of green light, swift as lightning, filled the intent manifestation’s vision.

The manifestation was engulfed in the green light, and soon, its body dissolved and faded away…

He had won!

Xu Ziqing took a slow, steady breath. Despite his exhaustion, a powerful sense of joy filled his heart, bringing a deep sense of satisfaction.

Finally, he had made progress on his own strength.

He had now fully mastered the Spring Rain Sword Art and had the Summer Storm Sword Art and others awaiting practice.

With a taste of victory, Xu Ziqing dedicated himself even more diligently to rigorous training, leaving no room for complacency.

The storm of summer, fierce and violent, could temper the mightiest of woods into blazing flames. The roar of thunder and fire, spreading for miles, left scorched earth in its wake, unrivaled in power!

The wind of autumn, cold and desolate, swept through the trees, causing leaves to wither and fall. The autumn wind, harsh and relentless, brought decay to all, exuding an endless killing intent!

The snow of winter, lonely and vast, blanketed the earth, freezing all life beneath it. The winter snow, cold and unyielding, concealed every breath, leaving the world silent and lifeless!

Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

• 1
  The Yang aspect of the soul is made up of the three Hun (魂) and the Yin aspect of the soul is made up of the seven Po (魄). The Yang soul governs the intangible parts of a person. It is their spirit, consciousness, and intelligence. The seven Po govern the solid parts of the person. They are the body’s instincts and natural ability to survive. Tactile, Breathing, Taste, Visual, Awareness, Sexual ability, and Dispersion of Toxins in Body 7 Po also correspond to seven emotions: happy, anger, sad, joy, love, hate, fear. Also correspond to seven sounds: shout, laugh, hoot, moan, sing, cry, whistling