Chapter 328: 337 Experience

Tang Zhao was startled; this was something he truly did not know, and it was not written in the books either. He asked, "Can the Sword Essence cultivation path also be altered?"

The Sword Essence cultivation path is the path of energy circulation naturally realized the moment a sword is comprehended. It is as miraculous as if bestowed by heaven, carrying a certain sacred quality. Ordinary people naturally feel it is beyond question. Tang Zhao had tried practicing it, clearly feeling the Sword Essence gather into the sword from all directions, then completing a special circulation through his own body. During this process, he not only felt his body being tempered, breaking through his previous bottleneck in body refining, but also felt an intimacy where he and the sword were flesh and blood, a single entity.

Practicing this method was like drinking fine wine—utterly intoxicating and unrestrained. Tang Zhao was somewhat lost in it at the time; it was only because he had been busy these past few days that he hadn't had time to practice often, otherwise, he feared he wouldn't have been able to stop.

Could this be wrong?

Why?

If it were said that cultivating Sword Essence helps in comprehending the sword, Tang Zhao could understand that, just as physical intimacy can enhance the bond between a husband and wife. But why would modifying the Sword Essence cultivation path strengthen the Sword Heart?

"This theory is quite profound, and there is no consensus. As I understand it—you must make the sword accustomed to the Sword Guest's changes. The matter of the Sword Essence cultivation path involves the fundamentals, yet it is entirely instilled by the sword itself; in reality, it is completely centered on the sword, and the Sword Essence is also taken back by the sword. Although the Sword Guest also receives tempering, it is as if they are merely an appendage of the sword. A brilliant Sword Guest will not let themselves become a tool for the sword to accumulate power. Moderate changes make the power of the Sword Essence lean toward oneself, making it easier to achieve a balance between host and guest. Furthermore, if even the Sword Essence cultivation path can be changed, one can naturally infuse more of the Sword Guest's own will into the Sword Image and Sword Technique, which can also subtly seize the initiative."

Hmm...

This logic holds up, but it is still a bit... too anthropomorphic?

Tang Zhao's own research led him to believe that the sword is supreme and emotionless; it might have simple initiative and instinct, but it definitely lacks complex emotions, let alone the intellect for active scheming. Is it really okay to make it like a scumbag playing with feelings?

Perhaps this method is effective, as it has been tested, but fundamentally, it should not be such a "vulgar" explanation.

Tang Zhao thought for a moment and asked, "But what if the Sword Essence cultivation path is ruined by changing it?"

Chi Deputy Envoy said, "Then it's ruined. It would be an endless disaster for both the sword and the Sword Guest. That is why I said I shouldn't have told you now. This is a game that only true powerhouses are qualified to attempt. Listen clearly—it is powerhouses, not geniuses."

"Even if you are a heaven-sent talent, you cannot change the Sword Essence cultivation path at the beginning. That is something only Sword Guests whose Sword Heart and Sword Essence cultivation have reached a certain level, and whose vision has surpassed the Sword Hero realm, can play with. Because at the Sword Hero realm, one only needs to maintain communication with the sword to reach it, without needing to take risks. Only when reaching the higher level of the Sword Heart, 'Man and Sword as One,' does one truly face the issue of initiative. Keep these things in your heart, look more, listen more, think more, and don't act rashly. If a promising talent like you were to practice until something went wrong, let alone the Lord or Lao Xing wanting to strangle me, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."

Tang Zhao nodded in agreement. Although he could be impulsive when facing matters, he was not affected by emotions when making long-term plans and had always been one to take things one step at a time.

The Sword Heart chapter and Sword Essence chapter had been touched upon; only the Sword Technique chapter remained.

Speaking of this, Chi Deputy Envoy became spirited.

Every Sword Guest who fights frequently has their own insights into Sword Technique. Especially those Sword Guests whose progress in the Sword Heart is unsatisfactory and who cannot see the Sword Hero realm will put more effort into Sword Technique. At the Sword Guest realm, the strength of one's combat power is judged first by Sword Technique and second by Sword Essence; it does not rely much on the Sword Heart. Unless you already have a heart-to-heart connection and are more miraculous in controlling the sword during battle, a clear Sword Heart cannot overcome sharp Sword Technique and abundant Sword Essence. Those veteran Sword Guests may have no hope of becoming Sword Heroes, but they remain powerful Sword Guests with top-tier combat strength, even surpassing those newly promoted geniuses.

Of course, Chi Deputy Envoy was still young and different from those old Sword Guests whose paths were cut off.

"First, let's talk about where Sword Technique comes from; of course, it also comes from comprehension. But unlike the chaotic and vast Sword Heart, what kind of Sword Technique you comprehend is controllable. Through training, the development of Sword Technique, even if it cannot be exactly as one wishes, can at least be close. I won't go into the specific training process; the books have teachings, and with your intelligence, it won't be hard to learn. It mainly comes down to a few points—clear goals, firm will, precise details, abundant emotions—and, do not deviate too much from the Sword Intent."

Tang Zhao was greatly enlightened; this was heritage. If the Sword Guest of the Treasure Sword had been guided by someone back then to precisely develop Sword Technique based on the Sword Intent, at least the hidden dangers would not have flared up so early.

"You will practice the specific development of Sword Technique yourself. I will mainly impart some experience in building a combat system. Theoretically, Sword Technique can be comprehended infinitely. Many wild-path Sword Guests really comprehend swords very casually, hitting here and there, wishing they could comprehend hundreds of Sword Techniques. In their minds, the more Sword Techniques, the better; who knows which one might be used in which situation?"

"However, this is wrong. Sword Technique has no upper limit, but we are Mortals, and we have an upper limit. Developing too many Sword Techniques not only makes them hard to remember and use, but also disturbs the Sword Heart. Because every comprehension of a sword is a communication with the sword; if too many miscellaneous Sword Techniques are developed, the Sword Heart will lose its direction, regressing instead of advancing. Therefore, it is better to be targeted. Like us, we develop Sword Techniques in a system, where the functions of each Sword Technique in a unified system do not conflict, overlap, or contradict, but rather complement each other. This way, one can quickly adapt during battle, reveal no flaws, and flexibly think about tactics."

Tang Zhao listened and thought, asking, "Does every Sword Guest have their own system? Or multiple?"

Chi Deputy Envoy replied, "You can have multiple, but not too many. And every system must have a clear goal—who is this system used against? Who is your enemy? Generally speaking, one set for enemy Sword Guests, one for Heavenly Demons, plus one for cultivation assistance is more than enough. The number three is very important to a Sword Guest; three often represents the upper limit."

Tang Zhao felt this was correct; the number three is indeed important, and the Sword Guest ranks have a feeling of 'one step forward for every three.' For example, a Sword Immortal has one type of Sword Momentum, often paired with three types of Sword Techniques, while a Sword Saint has three types of Sword Momentum paired with one Supernatural Power. At least at the top of the pyramid of the Sword Manual, it is structured this way.

Oh, right, upon reaching Sword Immortal, one needs to have three Sword Intents. It seems that when advancing to Sword Hero, one must gather three Sword Intents to become a Sword Immortal.

Chi Deputy Envoy did not know he was already considering the levels of Sword Immortal and Sword Saint, and said, "In a conventional system, it is generally composed of Sword Techniques in different aspects such as attack, defense, movement, investigation, and control. It doesn't have to be that complete. Among them, attack has further distinctions like small attack, large attack, speed attack, and heart attack. These classification methods are also written in the books. In my personal experience, the most commonly used center of a system is the strongest large Sword Technique, surrounded by two or three matching, continuous small Sword Techniques. The supporting moves can be control or defense. Then there is perception and movement technique. I will add an Escape Technique to the system, not for maneuvering, but for saving my life."

He smiled and said, "Some people are more rigid and won't prepare an Escape Technique in their complete system, but will only independently prepare one life-saving Escape Technique. Unlike me, who is always ready to run away. But regardless, no one will not prepare an Escape Technique, just as no one will give up close-quarters defense. This is very important; you can consider it a priority."

Tang Zhao nodded; this was like the 'Exile' Sword Technique, used for escaping at critical moments. Not to mention Xing Ji, how many times had he used this move to escape? And Exile was a spatial Escape Technique; spatial Escape Techniques are the strongest and most unreasonable. But not every Sword Guest can involve space; such Sword Techniques are very difficult to comprehend. Even Xing Ji had to give up a fixed direction and change it to a random landing point; this was a compromise.

Chi Deputy Envoy said, "In each system, at least three, usually six, and at most nine—nine types of Sword Techniques is the limit. If there are three systems, three times nine is twenty-seven. Twenty-seven Sword Techniques is almost the upper limit for a Sword Guest. But no one will play to the limit. For example, for Escape Techniques, would you prepare one for every system, preparing three? That is severe redundancy. There are also functional Sword Techniques like control, assistance, and recovery, which only need one each, shared across systems. In the end, the only things that need to be prepared in multiples to adapt to different situations are attack and defense moves. One must also consider the interval of comprehending swords; if one comprehends swords too quickly, it is easy for them to influence each other, so comprehending three Sword Techniques a year is about right. Of course, you are a newcomer, and having too few Sword Techniques makes it hard to go out and face people. Comprehending six in the first year to roughly build a system is very good. Do not be greedy for more or speed."

Tang Zhao nodded; his plan was the same. Having six or seven Sword Techniques in the first year, preferably without major loopholes, would be fine.

Chi Qianli suddenly said seriously, "But there is one point I must remind you: do not forget the root."

"The root of Sword Technique is Sword Intent."

"Many Sword Techniques don't have that much of a relationship with Sword Intent; as long as they touch upon it slightly, they can be comprehended, but you must never forget the connection to the Sword Intent. Especially, do not focus too much on the Sword Image."

"The Sword Image is not the Sword Intent; it is a derivative of the Sword Intent. Although the two are related, the Sword Image is, after all, a concrete thing, and a large part of it exists outside the Sword Intent. Sword Intent is void, while Sword Image is solid. Many people focus too much on the Sword Image when thinking about Sword Technique and ignore that the Sword Intent is the root, leading to a shift in the Sword Heart and eventually regret."

Tang Zhao was awestruck and immediately thought of the designated sole negative example, the Treasure Sword. That sword's Sword Intent was joy, and its Sword Image was gold. That Sword Guest's Sword Technique could not leave gold; Golden Mountain and Golden Rain were piled up quite a bit, but there were not many Sword Techniques pointing directly to 'joy.' In the end, the Sword Heart collapsed, and all previous efforts were wasted. These are all things worth being warned about.

Chi Qianli held up three fingers and said, "My suggestion is three. At least three important Sword Techniques must point directly to the Sword Intent, acting as three fulcrums to support the Sword Intent to be considered stable. These three Sword Techniques are best as the core of the system. The remaining Sword Techniques are built around them, so there will never be any mistakes or omissions."

Tang Zhao nodded repeatedly as he listened and solemnly wrote it down.

The two of them, one teaching and one learning, taught for three days. Chi Qianli imparted his experience bit by bit, and Tang Zhao studied earnestly, focused and undistracted. Although the time was short, he benefited greatly.

On the third day, Chi Qianli finished the course and went down the mountain. Tang Zhao, however, began his first seclusion after becoming a Sword Guest, calmly sorting out his Sword Heart and Sword Technique, with the goal of becoming a qualified Sword Guest.