Chapter 223: Jiang Daoxuan's Teaching, the Sound of the Great Dao!

"However, to replenish the wear and restore the true spirit, one must comprehend the true meaning of the sword Dao..."

Jiang Daoxuan murmured thoughtfully.

If nothing unexpected happens, judging by the wretched state in which the other party was sealed.

I'm afraid that, for the rest of their life, it would be very difficult to comprehend sword intent and thereby meet this condition.

But for Jiang Daoxuan, this condition could be easily met.

The reason being that after completing the mission to annihilate the Qianshan Sect (Chapter 50), he had once obtained a special treasure.

【Sword Dao Crystal: Contains a wisp of Innate Sword Qi, capable of helping a cultivator comprehend sword intent】

Once Jiang Zhiwei refined this item, she would surely be able to forcibly grasp sword intent within an extremely short time!

Wouldn't this be just the way to break the deadlock?

Thinking of how the Jiang clan would surely welcome a peerlessly elegant female sword immortal in the future, Jiang Daoxuan could not help but smile faintly.

And just at this moment, the system's voice suddenly rang out.

【Ding~ Current target: investment can trigger Gold-grade returns】

【Invest one Profound-grade superior longsword, and you may obtain twenty Earth-grade mid-grade magic treasures】

【Invest a Sword Dao Crystal, and you may obtain a special item: Sword Stele】

【Invest the Earth-grade superior sword art "Return to Origin Sword Art," and you may obtain a special item: Spirit of Books】

Glancing at the rewards above, Jiang Daoxuan quickly withdrew his gaze.

Immediately after, considering that there were simply too many clansmen around.

And even because the news of his personal arrival at the martial arena had spread, causing many clansmen to keep streaming in.

Jiang Daoxuan immediately told these clansmen to cultivate on their own.

Then, under the gaze of the crowd and Gu Xingjian, he took Jiang Zhiwei and vanished on the spot.

Staring at the place where the two had vanished, everyone secretly sighed over Jiang Zhiwei's good fortune.

To actually have the fortune of being taken away by the clan leader now, the opportunity must be no small matter.

The crowd did not feel any jealousy; instead, they felt happy for Jiang Zhiwei.

After all, everyone had seen the other party's performance these past days with their own eyes.

That day-and-night, almost crazily high-intensity sword practice was in a class of its own across the entire martial arena, leaving them clicking their tongues in astonishment.

So Jiang Zhiwei being valued by the clan leader made everyone feel quite gratified.

They even felt that everything the other party had obtained was deserved, and that her hard work had finally not been in vain.

While the many clansmen present were sighing in admiration, they could not help but think.

Jiang Zhiwei possessed such dull sword Dao aptitude, yet did not slacken in the slightest, instead practicing bitterly day after day, and ultimately won the clan leader's favor through sheer willpower, thereby obtaining an opportunity.

What reason did they, with their higher aptitude, have not to work hard?

Thinking of this, everyone was instantly filled with vigor.

At this moment, Gu Xingjian also felt deeply gratified.

Thinking of the clan leader's various miraculous methods.

He immediately understood that this young girl, whose heart was set on the sword, had finally迎来 an opportunity sufficient to change her own destiny!

He wondered what kind of surprise she would bring him the next time they met.

At the same time, elsewhere.

Jiang Daoxuan brought Jiang Zhiwei to appear beside the Spirit Spring.

Jiang Zhiwei had been a little nervous at first.

But after poking out her small head, subconsciously looking around, and beholding the beautiful scenery on the surface of the Spirit Spring.

Her slightly furrowed brow involuntarily smoothed out, and her heart felt an unprecedented tranquility.

A breeze blew past, bamboo leaves swayed, and a few drifted down.

Jiang Daoxuan sat down on the ground, looked at Jiang Zhiwei, and chuckled: "The sword — what is it to you?"

Although Jiang Zhiwei did not know why the clan leader would suddenly ask this.

She still did not hesitate in the slightest; first, she fixed those unusually bright eyes directly on Jiang Daoxuan, then said in an exceptionally earnest tone: "Life."

In her heart, all things under heaven were dim and lusterless; only the sword Dao was the sole light in this world!

Hearing her answer, Jiang Daoxuan's laughter grew even greater: "Regarding your deeds, I have heard a little. Many people say your sword Dao aptitude is extraordinarily poor — after years of bitter practice, you still cannot match what others achieve in months. What are your thoughts on this?"

Jiang Zhiwei's expression remained as usual; she did not reveal any self-abasement or dejection.

She merely gazed calmly at the lake before her, as placid as her own heart.

Then the corners of her mouth quietly lifted, and for the first time she smiled: "What do others' opinions have to do with me? I only need to understand that practicing the sword makes me happy; I truly enjoy the process..."

Before this elder, Jiang Daoxuan, she spoke her innermost, truest thoughts for the first time.

The moment these words were spoken, Jiang Daoxuan immediately understood.

The other party was a person truly born for the sword.

One could even say that this life she loved only the seven-foot sword, like a blank sheet of paper, untainted by any black ink — utterly pure!

Thinking of this, a look of satisfaction appeared on Jiang Daoxuan's face.

At the same time, with great deftness, he merged the Innate Sword Physique into Jiang Zhiwei's body.

Immediately after, he said softly: "Such a mindset is exceedingly rare, but as the saying goes, all tribulations are preparation for ultimate success. The experiences of these years are both suffering and harvest; the day will come when hardship ends and sweetness begins."

"Do you know that the reason your sword Dao realm has found it hard to advance these years is not because of you yourself?"

The moment these words were spoken, Jiang Zhiwei was greatly taken aback.

She thought, the clan leader's strength is superb — could he have seen something?

At this thought, deep within her heart, just like a pebble dropped into a lake, ripples stirred for the first time, and she could no longer remain calm!

Jiang Zhiwei looked cautiously at Jiang Daoxuan, her clear black-and-white apricot eyes brimming with anticipation. "Clan Chief, my lord, what do you mean?"

Jiang Daoxuan rose, faced the spirit spring, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke at a leisurely pace: "Your aptitude for the Sword Dao is by no means weak — quite the opposite, in fact. It is exceedingly strong, so strong that even looking across the Jiang clan, or the entire Great Qin Dynasty, there are few who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you!"

His voice was like a thunderclap, causing Jiang Zhiwei's body to tremble.

Her eyes filled with disbelief as she murmured, "But... but I clearly..."

Although she understood just how exalted the Clan Chief's status was, and that he had absolutely no reason to deceive her, she still could not help doubting herself.

If she truly possessed such formidable talent, how could she have trained bitterly for years and yet still only reached the Swordsmanship Realm's Perfection?

Even after receiving prolonged guidance from Steward Gu of the Sword Sect, she had only barely reached the early stage of the Sword Qi Realm!

At this moment, Jiang Daoxuan tilted his head slightly, his dark and profound gaze sweeping over, striking straight at the deepest part of Jiang Zhiwei's heart!

"It is because you are different from others. Life is not always plain sailing, and an extraordinary person must endure hardships beyond what ordinary people can bear in order to achieve anything!"

"Look at your two clan-brothers, Jiang Chen and Jiang Yan. You must know of their many deeds. They each faced a great upheaval in life, endured suffering, and only then were able to reverse their fortunes at the brink of despair, reborn anew from the flames — a phoenix's nirvana — achieving the fame they hold today!"

"That is why I say this experience, for you, may not be entirely suffering — it is also a kind of harvest..."

At this moment, Jiang Daoxuan's words, like waves of the great Dao's resonance, rang through Jiang Zhiwei's mind!!