Chapter 297: Chapter 296: True Meaning
At Tide Listening Cliff.
Sword Qi, like water spilling from a basin, furiously splashed toward Blue Tidal’s standing position, swiftly submerging his body. Amidst the intense slashing sounds, the ground cracked open with large spiderweb-like crevices.
Lan Xiaodie’s screams were drowned out by the sound of the explosion. She wanted to rush over but was pulled back by Tao Xingyu, who turned around and scolded, "Let go."
"Junior Sister, calm down."
Tao Xingyu’s face was somewhat pale, but he still managed to maintain his composure.
Whoosh!
While the two were talking, a sudden change occurred in the distance.
In the original spot submerged by the Wind and Thunder Sword Qi, a barrier made up of white waves appeared abruptly, rapidly expanding outward, forcefully exploding the Wind and Thunder Sword Qi.
"What’s this?"
Sun Zhongwei, previously filled with satisfaction, had a drastic change in expression.
"Wind and Thunder Sword Marquis, you’re still too inexperienced."
Inside the barrier, Blue Tidal was unharmed, his eyes cold.
Indeed, Sun Zhongwei’s sword technique had merged two complete Intents, and the degree of integration was not low. Combined with the Perfect Sword Heart, his strength was enough to rank in the top ten of the Wind Dust List.
However, he hadn’t held the title of Tidal Waves Sword Marquis these past years for nothing.
With a clenched palm, the seemingly weak barrier shrank to a point and shot towards the Wind and Thunder Sword Marquis with a speed that surpassed normal human reaction.
Clang!
The Wind and Thunder Sword Marquis drew his sword to block, and then a terrifying thing happened.
This point contained countless Sword Qis, as if compressing thousands of pounds of seawater to the limit, the destructive power that burst out in an instant exceeded the Wind and Thunder Sword Marquis’s tolerance limit.
Spurt!
A shower of blood spilled from his arms. At the critical moment, Sun Zhongwei forcibly sidestepped, retreating to a hundred meters away with a pale face, and as he saw the Sword Qi slashing down towards his head, despair surged in his heart.
"Senior, show mercy!"
Among Sun Zhongwei’s two disciples, the more silent one hastily screamed out.
The Sword Qi twisted and abruptly transformed into a wild wind, fading away.
Tide Listening Cliff quieted down.
Lan Xiaodie and Tao Xingyu were wide-mouthed, full of surprise and joy.
The faces of Sun Zhongwei’s two disciples were a mix of embarrassment, with alternating expressions of green and white.
"You, have you realized the True Meaning of Tide Listening?"
Sun Zhongwei raised his head to look at Blue Tidal, and asked uncertainly. Upon seeing Blue Tidal nod, he suddenly lost all his strength and nearly collapsed.
Intent is far from the endpoint of martial arts. Above it, there is the True Meaning.
All things in the world, even a single twig or blade of grass have their own Intents. However, when one integrates his own realization into this, the True Meaning of martial arts is formed.
But this sort of thing is only talked about in theory.
To comprehend an Intent, a martial artist can still rely on the natural environment, or even use external objects like an Enlightenment Seed to assist. However, True Meaning is truly an elusive thing.
To date, there’s still no method found in the Martial World that could help someone accurately comprehend True Meaning.
Even the most top-notch sects, after countless years of inheritance, can only summarize a vague idea-considering that one of the most confidential secrets among the sects. To comprehend it, half depends on one’s talent and the other half on one’s fate.
According to Sun Zhongwei’s knowledge, in the large Martial World of Great Cold, there were only a few people who had realized True Meaning, and they could be counted on one hand. They were mostly old antiques.
One can imagine the extent of shock on knowing that Blue Tidal, who is only in his forties, has realized True Meaning.
Sun Zhongwei suddenly didn’t know whether he should be ashamed or feel fortunate. He finally understood why the opponent had not used his full strength before. In the opponent’s eyes, he was no longer qualified.
The group of four including Lan Xiaodie were also dumbfounded.
In the distance, three servants and Shi Xiaole hurriedly arrived, just in time to see this scene.
"True Meaning, huh?"
Shi Xiaole was moved.
Perhaps the Sword Heart is related to his talent for the sword, but True Meaning, even if one possesses exceptional talent, it is not certain that one can comprehend. No wonder Blue Tidal is considered the future number one person in the Martial World of Great Cold. He indeed has his abilities.
"Hahaha, all my life I’ve regarded you as an enemy, I didn’t expect that the gap between you and me would be so huge."
At this time, Sun Zhongwei even felt some regret. Did he take the wrong path? If he had focused on studying one Intent, would he have had a chance to touch the True Meaning?
"Today I’ll spare your life, but I won’t do the same next time."
Blue Tidal said, with his hands behind his back, ready to leave.
"Wait."
Sun Zhongwei shouted loudly to stop him, saw a hint of killing intent appearing in his eyes, then quickly said, "Brother Blue, I admit I’m no match for you. But it’s not easy to come to the Tide Listening Garden. Why not let our disciples have a spar?"
The news of today’s battle would leak out sooner or later. But Sun Zhongwei didn’t want to lose too disgracefully. If his disciples could win over Blue Tidal’s disciples, at least they could save some face for him.
Among the two, Tao Xingyu posed some threat, but he should not be a match for his senior disciple. As for Lan Xiaodie, she only had a high potential, and her actual strength was not worth mentioning.
Blue Tidal seemed to perceive the opponent’s intention, but surprisingly he did not refuse.
Without considering Sun Zhongwei’s scheme, having the disciples of both sides spar would actually be beneficial for everyone.
Sun Zhongwei’s two disciples were obviously prepared. The young man with something of a sallow complexion put himself forward, pointing at Lan Xiaodie and saying, "Miss, do you have the courage to fight me?"
He could have been more arrogant, yet the intimidating aura of Blue Tidal in the distance made it impossible for him to do so.
Lan Xiaodie was always proud and said, "Are you implying that I should be afraid of you?"
Unsheathing her sword from its scabbard, she lunged towards her opponent.
Clang, clang, clang!
Lan Xiaodie moved gracefully like a butterfly flitting amongst flowers. The elegant sword in her hand would sometimes rise in a swoop or come down with a chop. She is beautiful in demeanor, her swordsmanship as beautiful as it was overwhelming.
Blue Tidal nodded approvingly.
Previously, Lan Xiaodie’s swordsmanship had only possessed beauty but lacked substance. Now, however, it was accompanied by the killing aura that a swordsman should possess.
Was it the result of the intense training during this period?
Unconsciously, Blue Tidal glanced at Shi Xiaole.
"Wind and Thunder Approach!"
After dozens of moves, the young man with a yellow face changed his sword technique; his Sword Qi roared out like a violent wind.
He had only grasped the Wind Intent Realm, yet he had reached an astonishing fifty percent of its potential. Thus, while his swordsmanship was far less powerful than that of Sun Zhongwei, it was highly notable among his peers.
"Wave Striking Sky!"
With a slash of Lan Xiaodie’s sword, drops of water mimicking Sword Qi splattered.
"You have fallen into my trap."
The seemingly real methods used earlier were merely feints; with a flash, the middle-aged man with the yellow face took advantage of the moment Lan Xiaodie attacked, he appeared on her right side and executed the Wind Whistling Thunder Rage.
Lan Xiaodie’s sword technique was thrown into chaos as she stepped backward three times, nearly falling.
"Thank you for yielding."
The young man with the yellow face bowed his fist, his expression was indifferent, but inside he was laughing victoriously. Considering his temperament, if it was not for fear of Blue Tidal, he would never have held back against Lan Xiaodie.
"You..."
Lan Xiaodie’s pretty face reddened slightly. She was somewhat angry with herself for her incompetence. While her father had defeated Sun Zhongwei, she lost to his student, causing him to lose face.
Quietly, the words of Tao Xingyu echoed in her ears - the reputation of Tide Listening Court needs us to defend.
"Wait, I will definitely get it back."
Retreating with clenched teeth, Lan Xiaodie summoned unprecedented fighting spirit.
"Brother Tao, it’s our turn."
Sun Zhongwei’s eldest disciple was a young man with a square face, appearing silent and reserved.
"Please."
Tao Xingyu was cautious.
His opponent was no ordinary person. He was renowned in the Martial World as ’Heart-Cutting Sword’ Zheng Dan. It was said that everyone who crossed swords with him would be left with a demon in their hearts. Among the young generation, he was one of the most daunting figures, second only to the few like the four Little Sword Marquises.
Originally, Lan Xiaodie thought their bout would last a long time. However, she was mistaken. After only twelve moves, Tao Xingyu was driven back, his typically stoic face even showing signs of panic.
The opponent’s swordsmanship was like a strange spell, each strike aimed directly at Tao Xingyu’s heart, making his moves ineffective and causing his performance to falter.
What Tao Xingyu found most terrifying was that he was developing an unwillingness to be enemies with the opponent. It was the demon that the opponent had planted in his heart!
With his will as strong as the sword, cutting off the heart demon, Tao Xingyu watched Zheng Dan solemnly.
"Senior brother?"
Lan Xiaodie sensed something and stuttered out a call.
Among the young swordsmen, apart from the four Little Sword Marquises, her senior brother was undoubtedly among the ace. But he was defeated by Zheng Dan in this manner?
From beginning to end, she had no idea how her senior brother had lost. It wasn’t that her eyes were bad; it was that the opponent’s sword technique had clearly reached the terrifying realm of being profound but silent, with a restrained sharpness.
"Tactics of attacking the mind?"
Blue Tidal spoke indifferently.
Zheng Dan’s face showed no trace of pride. He even took the unusual step of explaining, "Forefather has sharp eyes, indeed this is my Heart-Cutting Sword Technique, which specifically attacks the opponent’s mind. Without resorting to this, I would not be enough to defeat Brother Tao, I hope you don’t mind."
Blue Tidal remained silent.
How could he not see that, apart from his unique swordsmanship, the opponent’s Sword Heart Realm had also reached eighty percent, and with the sixfold Xuan Qi cultivation, even without using the Heart-Cutting Sword Technique, he had a great chance of defeating Tao Xingyu.
So, was this remark made to save his own face?
"Brother Lan, since the youngsters’ competition has ended, it’s time for me to take my leave."
The consecutive victories of his two disciples left Sun Zhongwei with a sigh of relief.
Even though he was not as good as Blue Tidal himself, at least it proved that he was better than the latter in nurturing disciples. It was a small but considerable consolation.
Seeing this, Tao Xingyu and Lan Xiaodie felt miserable, they had been badly defeated today, utterly disgracing the master’s reputation.
"Please wait."
Just as the trio of Sun Zhongwei prepares to step away, a clear voice came from behind. The trio turned their heads to see a young man in a green robe striding towards them.
"What can I do for the young swordsman?"
Sun Zhongwei looked slightly surprised. Who was he? He hadn’t heard about Blue Tidal accepting other disciples.
"I have been staying temporarily in Tide Listening Court these few days, and was fortunate enough to have received guidance from Senior Blue. Therefore, I also wish to have a match with your high disciple."
The words of Shi Xiaole startled Tao Xingyu who quickly sent his communication, "Brother Shi, don’t! Zheng Dan’s swordsmanship is unfathomable, and I feel that he has not exerted his full strength just now."
Losing a fight was not terrible, but what was terrifying was leaving a heart demon. Tao Xingyu did not want Shi Xiaole to get involved. If something bad happened, it could potentially affect his future.
"Xiaole, you quickly come back."
Lan Xiaodie felt grateful for Shi Xiaole’s chivalrous stand, but she didn’t want him to be humiliated by the others. After all, he was far inferior to Tao Xingyu.
However, Shi Xiaole had his own thoughts. On the one hand, he was grateful for the guidance of the Tidal Waves Sword Marquis - without which, he would not have comprehended the Sword Heart so quickly.
On the other hand, he was somewhat ambitious and wanted to compete with Zheng Dan to test his current strength.
Sun Zhongwei looked at Blue Tidal, seeing that the latter didn’t take a stand, he smiled and said, "Since the young swordsman has made such a request, Chen Gong, you should go and have a match with the young swordsman."
Chen Gong, the young man with a yellow face, Seeing Tao Xingyu and Lan Xiaodie’s anxious appearance, he sneered inside and without wasting any words, directly pointed his sword at Shi Xiaole.
