Chapter 144: Chapter 144: The Realm of Unity between Human and Sword
Will Mountain, Iron Puppet Valley.
Shi Xiaole stepped onto the huge stone platform.
According to the Will Sect’s rules, he had to walk from the middle to the other side of the stone platform, passing through sixteen iron puppets’ attacks, without using his flying skills. Only then would it be considered as passing the trial.
When Shi Xiaole was still ten feet away from the iron puppets, they sprang into action.
This was not the same as the puppet guards at the Bloody Red Altar.
Then, confined by the width of the underground passage, only three puppet guards attacked at a time. Even if surrounded, at most six puppet guards would be attacking from all sides.
The iron puppets in the Iron Puppet Array, however, were much more formidable than the puppet guards, and there were sixteen of them attacking at once. Within an instant, they created a suffocating pressure.
Before his eyes, a wall of darkness formed, composed of sixteen giant swords. Like a gigantic fan, they blotted out the sky and sun, slashing down at Shi Xiaole’s head.
Even the Will Sect disciples thirty feet away found it somewhat hard to breathe.
"My God, it’s actually the most challenging difficulty?!"
"This young lad is done for."
Many people looked at the skinny man with strange glances.
The fourth stage of the Iron Puppet Array, although it was the same stage, actually had three different difficulty levels.
At the beginner’s difficulty, the attack was gentler, and they would stop attacking as soon as you showed signs of losing. This gave one the chance to rest and think, thereby greatly increasing the chance to clear the stage.
The intermediate difficulty had a more intense assault and gave no time to rest. However, when it sensed the contender was flagging, it would at least reduce the intensity.
What Liu Mingqi had chosen before was the intermediate difficulty.
As for the advanced difficulty level, not only was the assault most brutal, but the attack was also endless. If one resisted stubbornly, there was even the possibility of being beaten to death.
"This will teach you cocky outsiders a lesson."
The skinny man snorted quietly.
He didn’t particularly single out Shi Xiaole. In fact, anyone who wasn’t a member of Will Sect and challenged the Array System would have the difficulty adjusted to the highest.
Over time, this had indeed deterred many outsiders from challenging.
A fierce wind surged forth, feeling like blade cutting across his face. Shi Xiaole grasped the sword with his thumb, and with a swift motion, drew it out.
Clang-clang-clang-clang...
There were sixteen successive crisp noises, like pearls dropping onto a jade tray, the continual blasts ringing out in a remarkably short time, causing a buzzing in one’s ears.
"What a fast sword, what strong control!"
Someone immediately shouted out.
When a person can strike a swift blow with the sword, it’s terrifying. But what’s even more terrifying is the ability to control the strength of the strike.
However formidable Shi Xiaole was, it was impossible for him to block an attack by sixteen iron puppets with a single strike. Only by successively delivering strikes of the same or nearly the same strength could he hold off the 180-degree rampage.
As the saying goes, one can tell a skilled person by their actions.
Shi Xiaole’s casual strike immediately made those previously mocking disciples of Will Sect put away their contemptuous hearts and start taking the fight seriously.
"Each iron puppet’s striking power is equivalent to a peak master at the Qi Absorption stage."
After a continuous series of strikes, Shi Xiaole estimated the strength of the iron puppets.
Typical masters at the peak of the Qi Absorption stage wouldn’t be enough for Shi Xiaole, no matter if there were sixteen or thirty-two. However, the defense of the iron puppets was exceptionally high, like a city wall. If he couldn’t break them quickly, he would only exhaust himself to death.
With the power of Shi Xiaole’s killer move, it wouldn’t be difficult to break the iron puppets forcibly, but he didn’t want to do so. It seemed pointless.
Images gradually surfaced in his mind of the insights he had gained at the Bloody Red Altar, and Shi Xiaole’s mind became clear.
"What does he want to do, going back and forth just using the basic sword moves?"
Watching the intense battle on the stone platform, Liu Mingqi furrowed her eyebrows.
Based on past experience, to successfully pass the trial, one either needed an extraordinary agility that far surpassed martial artists at the same realm, or a move with great power that could knock the iron puppets flying.
For example, Senior Sister Shangguan Yan, her agility and moves were both powerful. Therefore, even though it was the most challenging difficulty of the fourth stage, she passed easily.
The three sons of Left Sect were not as good as Shangguan Yan but were not far behind either.
However, if anyone said they could pass the fourth stage of the Iron Puppet Array only by using basic sword moves, Liu Mingqi would never believe it.
"Could it be that he wants to hone his sword moves first, then use his killer move? But in that way, his physical energy would be consumed too severely and he won’t even be able to clear the stage."
Most people shared Liu Mingqi’s thoughts and shook their heads in disapproval at Shi Xiaole.
"Heh, he must realize he can’t pass the stage, so he’s just pretending not to care."
The skinny man muttered to himself.
"His swordsmanship seems to have changed somehow."
Only Shangguan Yan noticed something out of the ordinary.
A quarter of an hour later.
The iron puppets’ attack didn’t seem to weaken, as savage as before.
In contrast, Shi Xiaole began to slow down.
"He’s about to lose."
"Even if he uses his killer move now, its power will not be as strong as before. What a pity."
People seemed to see the scene of Shi Xiaole being beaten and spitting blood in their mind’s eye.
Boom!
Sixteen giant swords swept in once more, with an overwhelming force rushing toward Shi Xiaole, the attack as intimidating as the weight of Mount Tai.
"Four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds, so that’s how it is."
No one knew that at this very moment, the clouds of confusion in Shi Xiaole’s mind suddenly cleared away.
He understood.
In fact, as early as in the Bloody Red Altar, Shi Xiaole had already understood the profundity of diverting a heavy weight with a small force. Unfortunately, he hadn’t pursued this insight further then. It was not until today, under the pressure of sixteen iron puppets, that this insight was finally intensified and ultimately integrated into his marrow.
Sixteen giant swords brought about a fierce gust of wind, blowing Shi Xiaole’s ink-black hair by his temples. With relaxed eyebrows and a light smile, he extended his sword upwards.
Clink!
This sword strike was neither fast nor strong. However, what shocked everyone was that the sixteen giant swords were actually deflected.
Clang!
Shi Xiaole casually swung a second time, then immediately sheathed his sword.
The closest Iron Puppet suddenly fell backward, its giant sword smashing into the second Iron Puppet in turn, then the third, the fourth...
With crashes and clatters, twelve Iron Puppets fell at Shi Xiaole’s feet. The remaining four were blocked and were unable to attack. Shi Xiaole walked straight across the narrow path to the other side.
Hiss!
Behind him was a chorus of surprised gasps.
"How can this be? Did he hide his cultivation earlier?"
Liu Mingqi couldn’t believe it.
Just moments ago, he swore that no one could pass the level with basic sword moves, but now someone had just done it. The shocking twist made Liu Mingqi feel like he was dreaming.
"He didn’t hide his strength, but his sword realm has improved."
Shangguan Yan said word by word.
The technique of deflecting a large force with a small one, how could she not recognize it?
But while it’s easy to say, achieving it requires not only profound understanding but also remarkable willpower and a high level of control over one’s own body and power.
Those who meet all the above criteria are few and far between.
Most importantly, this is the preliminary realm of swordsmanship - the unity of man and sword, the necessary path to becoming a swordsman.
When a martial artist reaches the seventh layer of Qi Absorption, they can initially unleash Sword Qi due to the separation of internal power from their body. However, in the eyes of a real swordsman, that is not Sword Qi, but just an alternative form of internal power stimulated by the long sword.
To generate real Sword Qi, one must first achieve the unity of man and sword.
Unfortunately, many sword users have not taken this step in their entire lives and cannot find the entrance to the hall of swordsmanship.
Shangguan Yan looked at Shi Xiaole, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Was this an emerging swordsman? But when she saw the blade at Shi Xiaole’s waist, she hesitated. How did a person who practised both sword and blade achieve the unity of man and sword?
"Can I see your Sect Master now?"
In the silence, Shi Xiaole walked up to the thin-faced man.
"Tha, tha, that... can."
The thin-faced man stammered out a sentence with difficulty.
He felt like a monkey that had exhausted its wits to embarrass the other party, but in the other party’s eyes, he probably never took him seriously.
"Who exactly is this person, with such a strong ability?"
"Definitely a first-class talent, and also a standout among them. He must be a newly rising star."
Looking at the back of Shi Xiaole, many members of the Will Sect whispered to each other, very curious about his identity.
...
In the luxurious hall, the aroma of tea was floating in the air.
Shi Xiaole fell silent.
The initial understanding of the realm of the unity of man and sword didn’t significantly enhance his strength.
After all, Iron Puppets were lifeless objects. Their insensitivity to changes in strength amplified the power of deflecting a large force with a small one.
However, this was precisely the way of the sword realm. Initially, it may not be noticeable, but once improved, its power would become increasingly impressive.
"Hahaha, I heard that a young talent paid a visit today. I apologize for my belated welcome. My name is Shangguan Xing."
A hearty laughter entered Shi Xiaole’s ears and a dignified middle-aged man in brocade clothes walked in.
"I’ve heard of Sect Master Shangguan."
Shi Xiaole stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.
After carefully examining Shi Xiaole for a moment, Shangguan Xing sat in the main seat and smiled, "I heard Young Hero wanted to see me, may I know the reason?"
Given Shangguan Xing’s status, it would be beneath him to meet a common young man, but Shi Xiaole was different.
Being able to pass the fourth level of the Iron Puppet Array with only the second level of Qi Absorption, and even realise the unity of man and sword, this kind of talent possibly even outshone Yan’er.
Without saying a word, Shi Xiaole unfastened the blade at his waist.
"The Shattered Snow Blade?"
At first, Shangguan Xing didn’t pay much attention, but after a moment, his face suddenly changed drastically, and he sprang up from his seat.
"Young Hero, where did you get this blade?"
"I had a fortunate encounter at the Mingliu Villa. Following the last wish of the Grand Elder, I brought the blade back."
The previous owner of the Shattered Snow Blade was the Will Sect’s former Sixth Elder.
Shi Xiaole didn’t disclose his true intentions because he was still unsure of Shangguan Xing’s character.
"Last wish? Could Young Hero share what you know?"
With a grief-stricken face, Shangguan Xing listened to Shi Xiaole’s words and laughed bitterly, "Sixteen years missing, I had already guessed this outcome..."
"Sect Master Shangguan, why did the Grand Elder go to Mingliu Villa back then?"
Shi Xiaole asked casually.
Shaking his head, Shangguan Xing said, "I don’t know that Elder Xiao went to the Mingliu Villa. I only heard that he was going to kill a great villain."
"Who?"
"He Bugui."
Shi Xiaole was taken aback.
If Shangguan Xing wasn’t lying, then the clue returned to where it started.
Was he still to investigate from He Bugui?
"Actually, I found it strange at the time. Why would Elder Xiao, with his Xuanqi Realm cultivation, want to kill a second-rate master? Unfortunately, after years of overt and covert investigations, I still can’t find the answer."
After chatting for a while, and realizing that he couldn’t get any more useful information, Shi Xiaole felt extremely disappointed.
