Chapter 1 Swordsmanship Instruction

• In the Sword Marquis Mansion, located in Bashui Commandery of Tianyan Province within the Tianzong Dynasty—
• “Meng’er, your sword can be faster and more precise,” a calm voice offered.
• “Better this time,” the voice continued.
• Jian Meng’er, a strikingly beautiful young girl dressed in pristine snow-white robes, was diligently practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard. Her blade moved with remarkable speed, slicing through the air. Standing nearby was a young boy clad in black, Jian Wushuang, who observed her every movement with a critical yet encouraging gaze.
• Both appeared to be around 15 or 16 years old, but Jian Wushuang’s perceptive eye allowed him to identify and point out each of her shortcomings with uncanny precision.
• Completing a sequence of the Aurora Sword Art, Jian Meng’er straightened up and sheathed her sword with practiced ease. A bright smile adorned her face as she walked over to Jian Wushuang.
• “Brother Wushuang, how did I do?” she asked expectantly.
• “The Aurora Sword Art relies heavily on speed. Reaching the Profound Level means completing the sequence within 40 breaths. You managed it in just 38 breaths. That’s quite impressive,” Jian Wushuang replied with a nod.
• “Thank you for your guidance! I wouldn’t have reached the Profound Level in just two months without your help,” Jian Meng’er said gratefully.
• Jian Wushuang shook his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
• “Your progress isn’t just because of my advice. Your own talent with the sword plays a much larger role. Here in the Sword Marquis Mansion, where swordsmanship is held in the highest regard, you’re probably the most gifted swordswoman of our generation—besides myself,” he added with a touch of humility.
• “Brother Wushuang,” Jian Meng’er said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, “how long does it take you to complete the Aurora Sword Art? Less than 30 breaths?”
• “Less than 30 breaths?” Jian Wushuang echoed with a small smile but chose not to answer directly.
• Mastering the Aurora Sword Art within 30 breaths signified reaching the Profound Level. Yet, if he pushed himself, Jian Wushuang could execute the entire sequence in just 23 breaths—a testament to his extraordinary skill.
• “With your talent, I’m sure you can finish it in under 30 breaths… unless…” Jian Meng’er trailed off, her expression tinged with hesitation and sorrow.
• Jian Wushuang immediately understood what she meant. His smile didn’t falter as he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll become a Warrior soon.”
• “Really?” Jian Meng’er asked, though doubt flickered in her eyes. After all, it wasn’t the first time she had heard those words.
• Jian Wushuang was no ordinary disciple of the Sword Marquis Mansion. He was a lineal descendant of the family, and his father, the Sword Pavilion Master, was hailed as the most formidable figure in the mansion. Under his father’s guidance, Jian Wushuang had been groomed from an early age to follow in his footsteps.
• By the age of 12, he was already one of the most promising young swordsmen in the Sword Marquis Mansion. Yet, everything changed drastically four years ago. His once-bright future dimmed, and his path became fraught with obstacles he hadn’t anticipated.
• During that year, his father had left to travel, but thereafter, he had not been heard from and no one knew where he was.
• Misfortune never comes alone. It was also in that year when he should have started to cultivate spiritual power, which was essential for him to become a Warrior. However, he found that he could not cultivate spiritual power no matter how hard he tried.
• Failing to cultivate spiritual power was a nightmare for a Warrior.
• It should be known that to practice Martial Arts, a Warrior needed to absorb spirit from heaven and earth and then to cultivate spiritual power in his body.
• Spiritual power was fundamental to every Warrior. It was impossible for one to be a Warrior if one could not cultivate spiritual power. Such a person would be looked down as trash in the Sword Marquis Mansion, where strength was everything.
• During the last four years, Jian Wushuang had never given up. Instead, he had continued to work hard to become a real Warrior. He hoped to succeed his father’s seat and be given charge of the Sword Pavilion one day. But reality was cruel.
• Although Jian Wushuang could not cultivate spiritual power, his talent in swordsmanship was amazing.
• He practiced swordsmanship under his father’s instruction since he was young. Because of his father’s status and his great talent, he remembered sword arts quickly and could fully comprehend them after only being he taught once. Though he was young, there was no doubt that he was number one in terms of swordsmanship.
• But it meant nothing to practice swordsmanship without spiritual power.
• “It’s real this time,” Jian Wushuang said confidently.
• “Well.” Jian Meng’er smiled, but did not take it seriously.
• “Meng’er, Wushuang.” A kindly middle-aged man walked into the courtyard.
• “Father,” Jian Meng’er called out.
• “Uncle Lan,” Jian Wushuang called out after.
• This middle-aged man was Jian Meng’er’s father—the Great Elder of the Red Martial Hall in the Sword Marquis Mansion—Jian Lan.
• “Wushuang, you have instructed Meng’er in swordsmanship all day. That’s very kind of you,” Jian Lan smiled and said.
• “It’s nothing,” Jian Wushuang shook his head and said, “Uncle Lan, it’s getting late. I’d better be off.”
• “OK.” Jian Lan and Jian Meng’er watched Jian Wushuang leave.
• As Jian Wushuang disappeared from sight, the mild look on Jian Lan vanished.
• “Meng’er, how much progress have you made?” Jian Lan asked her in a low and deep voice.
• “In Aurora Sword Art, I have reached the Profound level,” Jian Meng’er said with a stern look.
• “Great.” Jian Lan held his hands with exultation on his face. “For almost four years, you have been with that loser every day in order for him to teach you swordsmanship. After four years of suffering, you finally get something in return.”
• “Now you have learned all Eighteen First-class Sword Arts of the Sword Pavilion to the Profound level. The next step is to carry out our plan.”
• “Father, are you sure that we can do it?” Jian Meng’er frowned and asked, as her eyes looked cold and merciless.
• “Those who are involved in a major event do not worry about trifles.” Jian Lan’s eyes became cold and sharp again. “All things depend on what happens tomorrow.”
• …
• Jian Wushuang went back to his own courtyard. After eating something quickly, he sat cross-legged on the bed.
• “When I told Meng’er today that I would become a real Warrior soon, she didn’t believe me.” Jian Wushuang smiled and his right hand involuntarily touched his lower abdomen.
• In his abdomen, a grey stone bead, which was the size of a baby’s fist, had existed since he was born and no one knew where it came from.
• But it was the chief reason which prevented him from becoming a real Warrior.
• Others thought that Jian Wushuang was a good-for-nothing who could not cultivate any spiritual power. Actually, only he himself knew that it was not true. The 108 meridians in his body were unblocked a long time ago. It was quite easy for him to cultivate spiritual power.
• However, the spirit that he cultivated from the heaven and earth was totally absorbed by the grey stone bead in his abdomen before it could turn into spiritual power.
• In other words, all the spirit that he cultivated from nature became ‘food’ for the grey stone bead. While the grey stone was growing constantly, Jian Wushuang found that the bead was like a bottomless pit that had no limit to its volume.
• In the last four years, he had been cultivating spirit every day to fill the grey stone bead up as fast as possible, so that the bead would stop absorbing his spiritual energy which would allow him to cultivate spiritual power in his body and become a Warrior.
• Yesterday, he found that the grey stone bead would soon be saturated. By today, the grey stone bead would reach its limit. Then he could cultivate spiritual power in his body.
• “Let me get started.” Jian Wushuang started his daily cultivation and awaited the changes.
• Things went as he had expected. The grey stone bead in his body reached its ultimate limit while more and more spirit energy was absorbed
• “Hum~~~!”
• The grey stone bead suddenly spun in his body and the rotation was getting faster and faster, while it was getting smaller and smaller.
• Unexpectedly, the grey stone bead, which had existed in Jian Wushuang’s body for such a long time, completely vanished with a tremble.
• “It’s gone! The bead disappeared, didn’t it?” A burst of great joy came into Jian Wushuang’s eyes for one second, but the next moment, he suddenly opened his eyes wide.
• A rush of information flew into his mind.
• “Heavenly Creation Skill!”
• “Form a supreme Martial Art with the Technique of Creation from heaven and earth!”