Chapter 267: No Thought, No Mind, Dream-Mind One

Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal. This was the very sword art masterpiece Dorothy learned back in her previous life at that Sasaki Kendo Hall.

The owner and instructor of the Kendo Hall, Mr. Sasaki, was a rare, honest man. He didn't hold back any secrets in the sword arts he taught, pouring all his knowledge into every student. However, his family's ancestral sword art was truly quite complex; those without sufficient talent simply couldn't learn it, which was why the Kendo Hall's business had always been poor.

Dorothy had originally chosen to sign up precisely because the Kendo Hall was empty and quiet.

After all, at the time, he had come to learn swordsmanship firstly because he had been a shut-in for too long, his body was a bit weak, and he was too lazy to run for exercise, so he thought he'd practice swordsmanship to train his body.

Secondly, it was because he had been obsessed with anime at the time, his "middle-school syndrome" had flared up, and he kept thinking he could also possess exquisite sword skills and then roam the world with a sword in hand.

But at the time, he was already approaching thirty; being that old and still having such "middle-school" delusions was truly a bit shameful, which was why he specifically sought out this Kendo Hall with its disastrous business.

Fortunately, his sword training afterward went quite smoothly. He didn't even spend a month before he easily squeezed dry all of Instructor Sasaki's sword techniques. This made the handsome middle-aged uncle call him a once-in-a-millennium sword genius. But Dorothy didn't believe a word of it; in his view, this guy clearly just wanted him to buy a few more months of membership. Being the clever person he was, he wouldn't fall for that.

Therefore, after finally obtaining the so-called "Dream-Mind One Style" license of full transmission, Dorothy decisively ran away.

However, Instructor Sasaki was indeed an honest man. On the day of graduation, he carefully took out his family's ancestral sword manual for Dorothy to take a look.

And from that old, yellowed paper sword manual, Dorothy was shocked to discover that the instructor really hadn't been bragging. His ancestors were indeed sword saints from the Nihon province, the kind officially recognized by the state.

That sword saint named Sasaki Kojiro had only failed once in his life, and the one who defeated him was Miyamoto Musashi, known as the strongest sword saint in Nihon. From this, one could see the preciousness of Instructor Sasaki's ancestral sword technique; this was a true transmission from a sword saint.

And according to the records in that sword manual, Sasaki Kojiro had lost that battle very unjustly. He didn't lose to Miyamoto Musashi in sword technique, but was instead mentally manipulated by the opponent. The opponent first arrived late, then changed weapons, and finally mocked him, eventually causing Sasaki Kojiro's mental state to shatter. He simply charged in regardless of anything, and in the end, he didn't even have time to unleash his signature technique, Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal, before suffering a hasty defeat.

After this duel, Miyamoto Musashi became the strongest sword saint. The world wouldn't call the victor cunning; instead, they praised Miyamoto Musashi's military strategy as brilliant, calling him the true sword saint.

As for the defeated Sasaki Kojiro, no one cared.

Regarding this, Dorothy found it quite hard to understand the thought process of these Nihon people at the time. If you're dueling with swords, just duel with swords; what the hell are you talking about military strategy for? Isn't that just cheating?

He sympathized quite a bit with this Sword Saint Sasaki, but the Sword Saint Sasaki in the manual seemed to have a very open mind. He accepted the loss, admitting that his mental state was ultimately not good enough, that he couldn't reach the supreme realm of "No Thought, No Mind" in the sword path, and that the loss was not unjust.

Therefore, he revised his sword technique, adjusting it from its original focus on power to a focus on mental state, and renamed the school "Dream-Mind One Style," just to remind future generations not to repeat his mistakes.

It was a pity that this Sword Saint Sasaki ultimately spent his whole life without being able to complete the "No Thought, No Mind" strike he had envisioned, leaving behind only a few rough notes on sword theory for future generations.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Dorothy. He had just gone home after finishing that antique sword manual, and he forgot about this matter as soon as he turned his head. As for the Dream-Mind One Style sword technique he learned, he only practiced it occasionally when he was feeling annoyed. After all, this sword saint's masterpiece really did have something to it; every time he practiced it alone at home when he was bored or annoyed, he could calm his mind.

Of course, until he transmigrated, he had practiced for three years without achieving much. The Sword Saint Sasaki in the manual said he had once used his sword to cut down a vicious dragon named Swallow, which was why the secret sword was named Swallow Reversal.

But in the era Dorothy lived in, where would there be any vicious dragons? Let alone vicious dragons, living in the city, he couldn't even find a swallow. In the end, he only managed to cut down a sparrow, and the proper Swallow Reversal was stubbornly practiced by him into a Sparrow Reversal.

However, after transmigrating, Dorothy practiced this set of sword techniques much more diligently. After all, this could be considered a way for her to cherish the memory of her previous life. Whenever feelings of homesickness welled up in her heart, she would practice this set of sword techniques to maintain peace of mind.

It was just that later, as she gradually got used to the Witch World and accepted the family members of this life, she didn't miss her hometown as much. Therefore, she hadn't practiced this sword technique for a long time.

But now, feeling her mental state becoming restless due to the power gained from the spell slots, Dorothy felt it was necessary to pick up this sword technique that could adjust her mental state once again after a long time.

"In this world, where is there any 'No Thought, No Mind'? Truly thinking of nothing and wanting nothing is for the dead. No wonder a generation of sword saints spent their whole lives without being able to research that final strike."

Facing the torrent of light that was about to swallow her, Dorothy's heart was actually quite calm. The experiences of her two lives flashed through her eyes like a revolving lantern. Finally, she let out a long breath and slowly placed her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

"That final strike doesn't lie in 'No Thought, No Mind' at all, but in 'Dream-Mind One.' Sword Saint Sasaki, you actually named the school correctly, it's just a pity you researched it in the wrong direction yourself."

"The heart of someone who truly holds dreams and understands their own path forward will absolutely never be lost."

The Dorothy of the previous life was just an ordinary shut-in. Even if she had a little talent, having talent without thought or soul would ultimately lead to nothing.

But she was different in this life. As the youngest Spell Master in the Witch World, the comprehension of the Forest Witch was beyond doubt.

Although magic and swordsmanship seemed like two things that had nothing to do with each other, all paths lead to the same destination; the paths for some things are the same.

The power of magic comes from a heart that believes; the purer the heart, the more powerful the force it can erupt with.

Then, it stands to reason that the sword technique of this Dream-Mind One Style should be the same principle.

The Bodhi tree is not a tree, the bright mirror is not a stand; originally there is nothing, where can dust settle?

Unaccountably, Dorothy remembered this famous Buddhist verse from her previous life, and then her inspiration struck; she felt as if she understood something.

"Why does my sword move? And why did I join this Tribunal?"

The Shut-in Seeing Zhai Wu Hun asked itself.

"The answer: for home. I want to have a home, and I want to protect my family well."

Dorothy asked and answered herself.

Then there was nothing to be afraid of.

The Sword of Promised Victory opposite carries the faith of ten thousand people, while the sword in my hand carries only my own conviction.

So, whose conviction will prevail?

"That naturally must be mine."

The corners of the mouth beneath the Shut-in Seeing Zhai Wu Hun mask revealed a confident smile. With no more confusion in her eyes, she reached out and gripped the familiar hilt. The sword path memories from three years of practice in her previous life all awakened at this moment.

This sword saint masterpiece inherited from the non-magical era was endowed with brand-new power by its successor.

Everyone, have you ever seen that strike that cuts through the light?

"Secret Technique: Swallow Reversal."

The "No Thought, No Mind" witch drew the katana in her hand. That single sound of the sword ringing announced the birth of a Sword God.

And so, the sword split the sea of light, the figures crossed, and the outcome was decided.

... Shut-in Seeing Zhai Wu Hun is sheathing the sword.... ===== CHAPTER 268 =====