Chapter 158: with translation of chapter title

Qin Shuo

Qin Shuo gave a strange look and said, "You didn't say the blade-nurturing technique needed a special application—so how are we trying it now?"

It's fine—I get along well with Lao Huang, who's in charge of teaching the blade-nurturing technique; let him let you try it first, it won't hurt.

He Xiaozi

Lao Qin

Anyway, since he had just joined and there was nothing to do, Qin Shuo simply went along with He Mingjing's wishes.

Huang Lao

Demon Suppression Office

If your blade technique talent is merely average, then later when we go to the armory to pick techniques, we can also steer clear of those blade techniques—two birds with one stone.

Armory

Qin Shuo gave a half-smile and said, "You couldn't be feeling down because of my recent achievement, wanting to find some confidence in blade-nurturing technique, could you?"

Wind King

Martial Suppression King

Blade Nurturing Technique

Seeing this guy act that way, Qin Shuo of course understood his thoughts, but he didn't expose him.

The selection of Blade-nurturing technique practitioners is conducted in the armory.

The armory is where the Demon Suppression Office conducts weapon exchange and repair, as well as cultivation method training.

Therefore, although it is just dawn, there are already over a dozen people practicing martial arts in the square outside the armory, and there are also dedicated instructors guiding newcomers in their training.

According to He Mingjing, every warrior who joins the Demon Suppression Office gets one chance to apply to become a Blade-nurturer.

Thus, when they arrived at the dedicated Blade-nurturer screening room, they found a long queue already formed.

"Little He? How did you come here?"

Inside the screening room, an old man poked his head out, smiling broadly as he greeted He Mingjing.

"Old Huang."

He Mingjing also returned the greeting warmly, then turned to the queue waiting for testing and said:

"Old Huang, why are there so many people coming for testing today?"

"Yes!"

"Recently, mountain ghosts have been rampant in Tianhe Prefecture, causing heavy casualties among the demon hunters in that area, so the Office Chief has ordered an expansion of recruitment."

"Well, I've also joined in the excitement."

"These new recruits all want to try their luck, to see if they have what it takes to become Blade-nurturers."

"It's a pity that the Wind Prince's Absolute Heaven Blade Intent is not something ordinary people can just cultivate."

The old man surnamed Huang shook his head, put away his sigh, glanced at Qin Shuo beside him, then looked back at He Mingjing and said:

"Little He, coming to see this old man at dawn—could it be that you've also brought someone for testing?"

"Exactly."

He Mingjing didn't beat around the bush, directly saying: "Old Huang, please take a look—my friend has exceptional martial arts talent; could he possibly become a Blade-nurturer?"

Old Huang had his hands behind his back, circled Qin Shuo once, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Qin Shuo's shoulder.

Instinctively, Qin Shuo wanted to strike back.

But upon realizing the other's identity, he immediately relaxed, letting the hand rest on his shoulder.

Yet in that instant of tension and relaxation, Old Huang felt the terrifying, ocean-like power within Qin Shuo's body.

The hand that had grabbed Qin Shuo's shoulder instantly retracted as if shocked by electricity.

"What formidable external training!"

Old Huang couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, then turned to He Mingjing and said: "Your friend is superb at external training, but becoming a Blade-nurturer will likely be difficult."

Upon hearing this, He Mingjing felt slightly relieved in his heart, but he asked aloud: "Old Huang, what do you mean by that?"

Old Huang sat back down in his chair, then spoke slowly:

"The Prince's Absolute Heaven Blade Intent is a supreme killing technique under heaven."

"The core of this blade technique lies in extreme offense and sharpness, emphasizing using attack in place of defense, even attacking without defending."

"Since your friend is proficient in external training, he likely follows the path of overcoming ten with one force."

"However, that path has always been about defending first then attacking, which is not only contrary to the Prince's aggressive, advance-seeking blade intent, but is completely different."

"I see!"

He Mingjing nodded silently.

As a successful Blade-nurturer, he knew Old Huang's words were not false.

"The essence of the Blade-nurturing technique is actually to resonate one's own spirit with the Absolute Heaven Blade Intent within the specially crafted long blade."

"The higher the degree of resonance, the greater the chance of success in Blade-nurturing."

"To resonate with the blade intent, besides one's own comprehension of blade technique, whether one's mindset and martial arts philosophy align with the blade intent is also crucial."

"This means that external practitioners who pursue extreme defense, in terms of mindset and martial belief, are naturally incompatible with the Absolute Heaven Blade Intent of the Martial Suppression Prince."

"Old Qin, let's go; since Old Huang said it's unsuitable, we won't waste time."

He Mingjing felt an inexplicable ease in his heart, but then felt somewhat guilty toward Qin Shuo.

Along the way, he had come to regard Qin Shuo sincerely as a friend.

He urgently wanted to know whether Qin Shuo was suitable for practicing the Blade-nurturing technique, not to belittle Qin Shuo, but merely because he didn't want to suffer a crushing defeat himself.

But now, having truly obtained the answer he wanted, he was not as happy as he had imagined.

Because he understood the power of the Blade-nurturing technique better than anyone.

So, he actually hopes Qin Shuo can also cultivate this technique, as long as his talent is just slightly inferior to his own.

That way, when he faces Qin Shuo in the future, he'll also have a bit more confidence.

Otherwise, he'd be completely overwhelmed in every way, unable to match up anywhere, making their interactions too stressful.

But now, Old Huang directly pointed out that Qin Shuo is unsuitable for cultivating the Sword-Nurturing Art, which instead makes him feel regret and pity for Qin Shuo.

People are just this contradictory.

Hope your friend does well, yet also hope your friend isn't as good as you.

This is He Mingjing's contradictory mindset at the moment.

"Since we've come all this way, we might as well give it another try!"

He didn't take Old Huang's evaluation to heart.

Besides, he himself is already a swordsmanship expert, mastering a top-tier killing move like White Ape Splitting Mountain, which embodies the Three Elements Returning to One.

With the Taotie Cauldron at his disposal, what technique in the world couldn't he learn?

Moreover, from listening to their conversation, he already roughly understood the essence of the Sword-Nurturing Art.

That is, by comprehending the Heaven-Defying Sword Intent left by the Martial-Suppressing King within a specially forged long blade, resonating with it with his own spirit, thereby achieving sword-human unity and fully mastering this Sword-Nurturing secret art.

And isn't this just the refinement process of the Taotie Cauldron?

He's very familiar with this process!

"Young man, don't harbor wishful thinking!"

Old Huang shook his head and said solemnly, "I, the old man, have been teaching the Sword-Nurturing Art for decades, and I've seen countless young talents."

Although your Horizontal Training is extremely strong, you indeed do not resonate with the Heaven-Defying Sword Intent.

If forced to nurture it, you'd likely be affected by the Prince's sword intent, which would destroy the invincible mindset of your Horizontal Training, which would be undesirable.

"Forget it, Old Qin, it's my oversight."

Without the desire to win, He Mingjing also calmed down and advised Qin Shuo to give up.

Old Huang is right; what Qin Shuo cultivates is the Buddhist Diamond Horizontal Training, which seeks peerless defense and boundless strength.

Meanwhile, the Heaven-Defying Sword Intent seeks to advance unstoppably, to cut through whatever lies in its path.

One is invincible in defense, the other unmatched in attack; their martial aspirations are inherently opposed.

If Qin Shuo is influenced by the Heaven-Defying Sword Intent and loses his steadfast resolve for invincible defense, it will be a major detriment to his future martial cultivation.

"What's there to fear? It's just a test—if it works, it works; if not, it's fine."

"Would I really deny myself over the success or failure of a single technique and become discouraged?" Qin Shuo frowned and said.

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart.

He Mingjing was first startled, then suddenly enlightened and said:

"Old Qin, you're right; a person's excellence isn't determined by a single technique."

Immediately, he casually looked at Old Huang and said:

"Old Huang, just do us a favor and let Qin Shuo give it a try; if he truly can't, we'll turn and leave without further entanglement."

"Alright!"

Seeing that persuasion wouldn't work, Old Huang sighed, turned, and walked toward an empty testing room, saying:

"Come with me!"