Chapter 563: The Wordless Sword Manual
Just as Zhang Ruochen was considering whether to reveal the secret of his awakened Time-Space Divine Martial Mark to Xuanji Old Man, the latter spoke again.
"Do you know the difference between a 'sword cultivator' and a 'sword user'?"
Was there a difference between a sword cultivator and a sword user?
Zhang Ruochen was slightly startled. He immediately stood up and bowed deeply. "Disciple does not know. I ask Master to enlighten me."
Xuanji Old Man looked at Zhang Ruochen with profound meaning. "A sword cultivator cultivates the 'sword,' while a sword user cultivates 'sword techniques.'"
"What is the difference between the sword and sword techniques?" Zhang Ruochen asked curiously.
Xuanji Old Man said, "In this world, how many martial artists and cultivators use the sword as their weapon? Yet, those who can be called sword cultivators are exceedingly rare."
"Indeed, some exquisite sword techniques, once mastered, can unleash boundless power. But do you believe that mastering a Ghost-level sword technique, or even a King-level sword technique, makes one a sword cultivator? No, they are merely sword users."
"In the presence of a true sword cultivator, the sword techniques that sword users pride themselves on are utterly fragile. Even a King-level sword technique can be broken with a single strike."
"Even a King-level sword technique can be broken with a single strike." If these words had come from anyone else, Zhang Ruochen would have dismissed them as arrogant nonsense.
Even a Ghost-level sword technique was incredibly profound and unmatched, capable of splitting mountains and severing rivers with a single strike.
Let alone a King-level sword technique.
If a true King-level sword technique were to appear, even Saints would fight to seize it. Even mastering just one move from such a technique would allow one to dominate the world's heroes with that single sword strike.
But these words came from Xuanji Old Man, one of the three Sword Saints of the Eastern Domain. Thus, Zhang Ruochen had to reassess their weight.
Could a sword cultivator truly break a King-level sword technique with a single strike?
Xuanji Old Man continued, "Throughout the Eastern Domain, Saints emerge in great numbers, and many among them are sword users. Do you know why I, your master, can become one of the three Sword Saints, while other Saints cannot?"
Zhang Ruochen pondered and said, "Could it be because Master is a true sword cultivator, cultivating the sword itself rather than mere sword techniques?"
"Exactly."
Xuanji Old Man nodded and asked further, "Do you know how a sword cultivator cultivates the sword?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head.
Xuanji Old Man asked again, "Have you heard of the 'Wordless Sword Manual'?"
Zhang Ruochen's eyes lit up with reverence. "I have heard a little. Legend says the Wordless Sword Manual is the supreme sacred text of the Taiji Dao, stored in the Sword Pavilion, the holy land of the sword."
"No one knows the origin of the Wordless Sword Manual. It is said that it has been kept in the Sword Pavilion since the founding of the Taiji Dao. If someone could fully comprehend it, they would become invincible under heaven."
"However, I have heard that only those with an extremely high realm of sword dao can understand the sword formulas in the Wordless Sword Manual. Moreover, each line of the formulas is extremely obscure, and even Half-Saints may not be able to grasp them."
Xuanji Old Man nodded. "What sword cultivators cultivate is precisely the Wordless Sword Manual."
Zhang Ruochen said, "But... isn't the Wordless Sword Manual the sacred text of the Taiji Dao? How could it have spread to the outside world?"
Zhang Ruochen truly did not know that sword cultivators cultivated the Wordless Sword Manual. In his previous life, although he was the son of the Ming Emperor, well-read and knowledgeable, his cultivation was too low to truly touch the realm of sword cultivation.
He had only heard of the Wordless Sword Manual but had never seen it with his own eyes.
Xuanji Old Man laughed. "Of course, you wouldn't know. In fact, the Taiji Dao holds a 'Sword Discussion Assembly' every hundred years, inviting sword users from all over the world to gather at the Sword Pavilion to study the Wordless Sword Manual together and discuss its subtleties. The Taiji Dao hopes to use the wisdom of the world to fully decipher the sword formulas of the Wordless Sword Manual."
"However, only sword users at the Half-Saint level or above are qualified to receive invitations. How could you juniors possibly know about this?"
"It is precisely because of the Sword Discussion Assembly that the sword formulas of the Wordless Sword Manual have been widely disseminated."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Since the sword formulas of the Wordless Sword Manual have already been spread, why are there still so few who can become sword cultivators?"
Xuanji Old Man sighed. "Even with the sword formulas of the Wordless Sword Manual, how many can actually understand them? And even if they can understand, how many can enter the gate?"
"In today's world, sword users all pursue the power of sword techniques and the subtlety of sword moves. How many are willing to spend a great deal of time truly studying the essence of the sword dao itself?"
"Ruochen, your talent is exceptional, and your comprehension is outstanding. You are the best candidate for cultivating the sword dao. I, your master, hope that at the next Sword Discussion Assembly, I can take you to the Sword Pavilion and let you display your talents before the sword users of the world. Just like that peerless Sword Emperor of the past, Xue Hongchen. Either remain silent, or astonish everyone with a single feat."
"Therefore, you must never go astray. Do not deliberately pursue individual sword techniques and forget the foundation of the sword dao."
Zhang Ruochen finally understood why Xuanji Old Man had asked him to demonstrate "Moment Without Trace" earlier.
What status did Xuanji Old Man hold? He was one of the three Sword Saints of the Eastern Domain. What exquisite sword techniques had he not seen? Did he really want to see Zhang Ruochen's sword move?
Clearly not.
He was merely worried that Zhang Ruochen was too fixated on individual sword techniques and would go astray, drifting further from the essence of the sword dao.
Seeing the contemplative expression on Zhang Ruochen's face, Xuanji Old Man nodded.
He knew that Zhang Ruochen was intelligent. A slight reminder should be enough to make him realize.
But Zhang Ruochen was still young, and having just reached the Supreme Extreme Realm of the Heavenly Extreme Realm, he had become famous overnight.
Any young person achieving such results would inevitably become proud and complacent.
Thus, Xuanji Old Man decided to temper Zhang Ruochen. He said, "Ruochen, you are twenty-one years old this year, correct? So young and already famous overnight. What are your thoughts?"
Zhang Ruochen had expected Xuanji Old Man to immediately teach him the Wordless Sword Manual, but instead, he asked such a question.
Speaking truthfully, Zhang Ruochen said, "Disciple is still far from true experts. I only wish to continue cultivating diligently and seek the path of sainthood with a devout heart."
In his previous life, Zhang Ruochen had reached the top of the Heavenly Ranking at sixteen and had already become famous once.
Thus, becoming famous again now did not stir any distractions in his heart.
Xuanji Old Man said slowly, "Eight hundred years ago, when Empress Chi Yao was young, she ventured alone into the Ruins Realm battlefield. Single-handedly, she slaughtered nearly all the living beings in a Ruins Realm, piling corpses into mountains and forming rivers of blood. She accumulated ninety million military merit points, far exceeding the amount required for the Supreme Extreme Realm of the Heavenly Extreme Realm."
"That year, she was only sixteen years old."
"Therefore, your current achievements are still insignificant compared to hers. You must take the Empress as your role model and remember not to be arrogant or restless."
Zhang Ruochen, however, was disdainful. Clenching his teeth, he said coldly, "At sixteen, to be so bloodthirsty, her hands must be stained with the blood of countless innocents. If I take her as my role model, how would I be any different from a murderous demon?"
Xuanji Old Man's gaze turned cold, and he reprimanded, "Do not speak nonsense. The Empress's achievements will be remembered for a thousand generations. You must not slander her."
Then, his expression softened, and he said earnestly, "Young people are too reckless. Never say such things again. If outsiders hear you, your life will be in danger."
Zhang Ruochen gradually suppressed his emotions.
After a long while, he regained his composure.
Xuanji Old Man shook his head and stopped discussing Empress Chi Yao with Zhang Ruochen. He took a half-foot-long booklet from his sleeve and handed it over.
Zhang Ruochen took the booklet and held it in his hands. On the cover were two characters.
"Sword One."
Zhang Ruochen slowly opened the pages and focused his gaze. He was immediately drawn in by the content.
After about an hour, he had thoroughly gone through the material.
Closing his dry eyes, Zhang Ruochen shut the booklet and looked up. "Such profound sword dao, vast and deep, truly awe-inspiring. Master, is this the sword formula from the Wordless Sword Manual?"
Xuanji Old Man nodded. "Indeed, it is a sword formula from the Wordless Sword Manual. However, the content is my personal insights. The true sword formula is even more profound than what is recorded here."
"You may look through it casually, but do not follow my insights entirely in your cultivation. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to master 'Sword One.'"
Zhang Ruochen said, "There is much in 'Sword One' that I cannot understand. I hope Master can offer some guidance."
Xuanji Old Man smiled and asked, "Sword One is extremely profound. It is normal that you cannot understand it. I am more curious about how much you have grasped."
Zhang Ruochen furrowed his brow and let out a deep sigh.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen's expression, Xuanji Old Man knew that his proud disciple had been stumped by Sword One.
Sword One was the true sword dao and the threshold for becoming a sword cultivator.
Even Half-Saints, upon first reading Sword One, found it as incomprehensible as a heavenly book.
For someone at the first change of the Fish-Dragon Realm to understand even a few lines would be remarkable.
Xuanji Old Man had passed Sword One to Zhang Ruochen merely for him to peruse occasionally, preparing for his future path as a sword cultivator. He had not expected Zhang Ruochen to understand it now.
Of course, Xuanji Old Man had intended to use Sword One to temper Zhang Ruochen's pride, lest he become arrogant and ruin his bright future.
Clearly, his goal had been achieved.