I'm Just Making Up The Exercises, My Disciple, Have You Really Mastered Them?

Chapter 87: Painting the Mountains and Rivers with Jade Bones, Xu Yan's Innate Insight (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"It's different. Without your guidance and training, I wouldn't have suddenly awakened and realized that every word and action of my master has already laid the foundation for me to comprehend Sword Intent." Xu Yan shook his head and spoke honestly.

Without Xie Lingfeng's questioning and training, his awakening wouldn't have been triggered. So, Xie Lingfeng deserves some credit for his quick comprehension of the Sword Intent.

"Xu Xiong, may I meet the senior?" Xie Lingfeng's face was filled with anticipation.

"I have to ask my master first." Xu Yan thought for a moment and said.

"Thank you, Xu Xiong." Xie Lingfeng expressed his gratitude.

After a pause, he sighed, "I, Xie Lingfeng, thought highly of my talent in swordsmanship, but I never even entered the door of the Sword Dao."

"Xu Xiong, how can one achieve a Clear Sword Heart?"

The foundation of entering the Sword Dao is a Clear Sword Heart.

Xie Lingfeng also wanted to comprehend a Clear Sword Heart. As for the realm beyond a Clear Sword Heart, it was too far away for him.

To achieve a Clear Sword Heart in this lifetime and enter the Sword Dao would be enough honor for him.

How can one achieve a Clear Sword Heart?

Xu Yan was taken aback for a moment. He didn't know how to teach Xie Lingfeng, as their cultivation methods were different.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Yan felt that before achieving a Clear Sword Heart, the first priority was to elevate one's state of mind and make it clear.

"My master said, 'With no woman in the heart, cultivation is godlike.' This kind of state of mind is profound. By breaking the shackles of one's own state of mind, I realized the analogy my master made about the state of mind, which solidified the foundation and laid the groundwork for a Clear Sword Heart."

"Therefore, to achieve a Clear Sword Heart, one must first reach the state of 'no woman in the heart.' Only by being undisturbed by external things and having a clear sense of self can one step into a Clear Sword Heart."

With this in mind, Xu Yan asked, "Xie Xiong, do you desire women?"

Although Xie Lingfeng was older than him, he was still in the prime of his youth, the stage most easily attracted by women. If he could resist the temptation of women and act according to his own will, it would lay the foundation for a Clear Sword Heart.

Xie Lingfeng was confused.

I asked about the Sword Dao, but you're talking about women?

This kind of thinking is too far-fetched.

"Maybe... I do... sometimes?" Xie Lingfeng didn't know how to answer for a moment.

"Xie Xiong, the foundation of a Clear Sword Heart lies in having a clear state of mind, being able to control oneself without being disturbed by external things."

"To enter the Sword Dao, one prerequisite is to have 'no woman in the heart.' Only then is there hope."

Xu Yan said solemnly.

Xie Lingfeng continued to be confused, his eyes somewhat blank, and asked, "No woman in the heart? Does that mean...?"

He lowered his head and glanced at the area below his abdomen.

"Xie Xiong, you've misunderstood. 'No woman in the heart' doesn't mean abandoning women. It's a state, a state of mind... Simply put, if I'm not moved, women won't be able to move me..."

"It's a state of being in control of oneself, a clear state of mind."

Xu Yan hurriedly explained, fearing that Xie Lingfeng would misunderstand and cut off his own brother.

Xie Lingfeng's eyes brightened, and he thanked Xu Yan sincerely.

"Thank you, Xu Xiong, for your guidance."

"You're welcome, Xie Xiong." Xu Yan felt that since he helped Xie Lingfeng comprehend Sword Intent in advance, it was only right to give him some guidance on how to cultivate and elevate his state of mind.

For Xie Lingfeng, this day seemed like a window had opened, revealing the true world.

The profoundness of Sword Intent, he glimpsed a bit, but couldn't grasp the essence and enter.

Sword Intent, unexpectedly so profound.

Without comprehending Sword Intent, how can one be considered to have entered the gate of swordsmanship?

Leaving Xu Yan's residence and returning to the palace villa where he lived, Xie Lingfeng saw Hu Shan, who still appeared somewhat dejected. So he said, "Hu Shan, you should be happy. You have learned the truth about Martial Dao. Treat it as a pursuit of true Martial Dao!"

Hu Shan forced a bitter smile and said, "Young master, it sounds easy, but I still find it hard to accept!"

"There's nothing that can't be accepted."

Xie Lingfeng said firmly, "I want to cultivate true Martial Dao. I want to truly enter the gate of swordsmanship."

Hu Shan was taken aback, as if he saw the young master again, pursuing swordsmanship at the Sword Venerable Cliff.

"Young master, what's wrong with you?"

"Hu Shan, do you know Sword Intent? Today, I finally understand what true swordsmanship is."

Xie Lingfeng let out a breath and said, "Sword Intent, huh?"

Hu Shan murmured.

Xie Lingfeng recounted what happened today, how Xu Yan comprehended Sword Intent, and finally said, "Mountain and River Sword Intent is truly powerful!"

Hu Shan couldn't calm down for a long time.

...

Xu Yan finally comprehended Sword Intent and decided to return to Cloud Mountain County to break through the Innate Realm.

Before leaving, he gave some guidance to Guo Rongshan and others in their cultivation.

On this day, Xie Lingfeng bid farewell to Hu Shan.

"Xie Xiong, if my master is willing to see you, I will inform my grandfather to let him notify you!"

Xu Yan clasped his hands.

"Thank you, Xu Xiong!"

Xie Lingfeng said gratefully.

He wanted to visit Xu Yan's master, the mysterious hermit.

This was an opportunity!

It must be seized!

"Goodbye!"

Xu Yan clasped his hands and turned to leave.

Cloud Mountain County.

Meng Chong was contemplating the Eight Trigrams. The more he contemplated, the more he felt its profundity. He always felt that he had gained some understanding, but he couldn't grasp the key points.

"Don't be too impatient."

Meng Chong took a deep breath, calming his restless heart.

Li Xuan had been paying attention to Meng Chong for a few days, but then stopped. With Meng Chong's talent, he would definitely have some understanding.

Suddenly, there was feedback from the Goldfinger.

"Your disciple Xu Yan has comprehended Mountain and River Sword Intent. Your Mountain and River Sword Intent has reached perfection!"

Boom!

Sword Intent appeared in his mind, as if it was innate, possessing Sword Intent.

Mountain and River Sword Intent!

Li Xuan was overjoyed, "What a good disciple. He has already comprehended Sword Intent before breaking through the Innate Realm. He truly has the demeanor of a Sword God!"

The grand undertaking of Martial Dao took another big step forward.

In an instant, an inexplicable aura enveloped the courtyard, as if the mountains and rivers were contained within it, with an endless meaning, yet also harboring a sharp and ruthless intent.

Shi Er, who was cultivating, suddenly felt as if he had entered a world of mountains and rivers.

How insignificant he was.

The mountains and rivers seemed heartless, as if they could bury all living beings, and he was being buried by the mountains and rivers.

"What's going on?"

Shi Er was shocked.

"I must break free!"

He wanted to struggle, but couldn't move. In the end, he gritted his teeth and continued to cultivate his techniques, tempering his bones with Bone Refining.

"I must become stronger. The faster I become stronger, the faster I can escape from here!"

With this belief in his heart, Shi Er went crazy in Bone Refining.

In a daze, he felt as if he was being eroded by mountains and rivers, but because of his stubborn resistance, the speed of Bone Refining increased greatly, and the speed of the mountains and rivers swallowing him weakened continuously.

Overjoyed, he practiced even harder.

Li Xuan silently glanced at Shi Er. He only displayed a bit of Mountain and River Sword Intent, exerting a slight pressure, unexpectedly causing Shi Er's Bone Refining speed to increase greatly.

"Sword Intent can temper oneself, from the physical body to the spirit."

Li Xuan fell into contemplation.

When Xu Yan returned, he would remind him to continue exploring the wonders of Sword Intent.

Shi Er woke up from the state of being enveloped by mountains and rivers, shocked to find that he had actually tempered copper bones!

Unconsciously, he had completed the tempering of iron bones in a short period of time.

In that instant, he somewhat understood.

"Thank you, Master!"

He respectfully bowed to Li Xuan.

"Mm, practice well and enter the door as soon as possible."

Li Xuan nodded.

Xu Yan came back.

"Master!"

Xu Yan respectfully bowed.

"Good! Good! My disciple, you have comprehended Sword Intent before your breakthrough. I didn't waste my efforts!"

Li Xuan's face was filled with satisfaction.

"Indeed! Master has been laying the foundation for me to comprehend Sword Intent from the beginning."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan was deeply moved.

"Thank you, Master!"

"Disciple, Sword Intent is profound. It can temper oneself, not just for defeating enemies. You should ponder more."

Li Xuan said solemnly.

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan pondered. He had not yet fully understood the essence of Sword Intent.

Master was reminding him that Sword Intent was not only used for fighting against enemies!

"It's time for you to break through to the Innate Realm."

"Disciple can break through in a few days."

"Go, settle down and break through the Innate Realm. Only by breaking through the Innate Realm can you truly transcend the mundane world and truly step onto the path of Martial Dao."

"Lifeblood Realm is only the opening of the door to Martial Dao."

Li Xuan said seriously.

"Disciple understands!"

Xu Yan bowed.

Outside Cloud Mountain County, Meng Chong was still walking the Bagua, comprehending the mysteries of the Bagua and his body movement.

Xu Yan's figure appeared, looking at Meng Chong who was walking the Bagua, feeling surprised.

"It seems that Junior Brother's comprehension of the Bagua is somewhat different from mine? Could it be that Junior Brother has misunderstood?"

"No! If Junior Brother had misunderstood, wouldn't Master correct him?"

With this thought, Xu Yan couldn't help but contemplate.

"The profound principles of the Bagua are different for each person. Perhaps we can verify and gain more insights from each other."

Meng Chong stopped and joyfully said, "Senior Brother, you're back."

"Junior Brother, are you comprehending body movement?"

"Yes, but Junior Brother is dull and hasn't fully comprehended it yet!"

Meng Chong touched his bald head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Comprehending the techniques is not urgent. The profoundness of the Bagua varies from person to person. After I break through to the Innate Realm, we can discuss and exchange our insights. We will definitely gain different harvests."

Xu Yan patted Meng Chong's shoulder.

"Okay!"

Meng Chong nodded.

After exchanging pleasantries with Meng Chong, Xu Yan left the mountains and came to a nearby hillside.

Sit cross-legged and settle oneself.

Prepare to break through the Innate Realm.

He has long understood the techniques of the Innate Realm.

Breaking through is not a problem.

Three days later.

Xu Yan took a deep breath and began to circulate his qi and blood, constantly refining it. As the qi and blood refined, his jade bones shimmered.

"Refining the qi and blood into Innate True Qi, connecting the bridge between heaven and earth, absorbing and exhaling the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, opening the Qi Sea in the dantian..."

Xu Yan activated his qi and blood, refining it while connecting the bridge between heaven and earth. A booming sound echoed within his body.

A mysterious feeling arose in his heart.

His intuition told him that if he could connect the bridge between heaven and earth, he would be able to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and cultivate through its absorption.

Boom!

The bridge between heaven and earth gradually connected under the impact of the qi and blood, and within his body, a Great Dao, emitting a brilliant radiance, was forming.

"So this is the bridge between heaven and earth? It is a bridge that connects oneself to heaven and earth."

Xu Yan was excited in his heart.

Boom!

The qi and blood continued to impact, and the bridge between heaven and earth slowly opened. However, the speed was not fast. As the bridge began to connect, the qi and blood continued to refine, revealing signs of transformation.

At this moment, his jade bones emitted a radiant light.

"My master said that Sword Intent can temper oneself, not just for combat..."

Xu Yan suddenly remembered his master's words.

With a thought, Sword Intent emerged.

"Sword Intent merges with the qi and blood, connects the bridge between heaven and earth, and integrates with the jade bones..."

Within Xu Yan's body, the Sword Intent of mountains and rivers flowed. As the Sword Intent entered the qi and blood, a certain kind of transformation seemed to occur in an instant.

On his flawless jade bones, intricate and flawless patterns emerged, as if depicting mountains and rivers.

Immersed in the breakthrough, Xu Yan circulated his Sword Intent, refined his qi and blood, and connected the bridge between heaven and earth, unaware of the transformation happening within himself.

Boom!

After the Sword Intent merged with the qi and blood, the speed of connecting the bridge between heaven and earth gradually increased.

On the bridge between heaven and earth, a shadow of a sword seemed to appear.

At a certain moment, a flash of insight came to Xu Yan, "If Sword Intent merges with the qi and blood, then can I refine the Dragon Subduing Palm with the qi and blood, and use the Dragon Subduing Palm to connect the bridge between heaven and earth? Wouldn't that be faster?"

He thought and acted.

Boom!

The qi and blood suddenly transformed into a giant dragon, roaring as it continuously impacted the bridge between heaven and earth. As the giant dragon connected the bridge between heaven and earth, a dragon shape gradually appeared on the bridge.

It seemed as if a giant dragon was lying on the bridge between heaven and earth!

With the Sword Intent merging with the qi and blood, and the qi and blood transforming into a giant dragon, at this moment, the Dragon Subduing Palm seemed to undergo some kind of change.

A moment of realization emerged in Xu Yan's mind.

Boom!

The bridge between heaven and earth continued to connect, becoming larger and wider.

The qi and blood gradually took on the form of Innate True Qi. Within its purity, it contained an immense power, as if the might of a true dragon.

It also contained a sharp edge that was unyielding, like mountains and rivers.

His jade bones shone, with the depiction of mountains and rivers appearing on his flawless jade bones, presenting the image of flawless mountains and rivers.

At a certain moment, a dragon's roar seemed to resound within his body. The giant dragon coiled around his body, disappearing into his jade bones, as if a true dragon was hiding within the mountains and rivers.

At this moment, the bridge between heaven and earth was also connected.

Boom!

The qi and blood suddenly transformed into Innate True Qi.

In that instant, Xu Yan felt a sensory transformation, as if the world became clearer.

He felt as if he had merged with heaven and earth.

He sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Under his inhalation and exhalation, the violent spiritual energy rushed in, pouring into his Qi Sea through the bridge between heaven and earth.

Boom!

His Qi Sea trembled, as if opening up heaven and earth. Under the impact of the spiritual energy, the embryonic form of the Qi Sea in his dantian began to appear.

(End of this chapter)