Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Thunderbolt Sword Intent
In the days that followed, Shen Daoxing devoted himself to arduous training.
Whenever a storm rolled in, Lin Haitao would drag him to Yin Mountain to train.
On normal days, he would impart his experience and techniques in the Sword Dao.
Shen Daoxing had no idea what Lin Haitao’s cultivation level was, nor the realm his Sword Dao had reached, but the insights the latter shared always benefited him greatly.
Through such frenzied training, Shen Daoxing’s cultivation improved rapidly.
Before he knew it, he had already reached the Fifth Layer of the Profound Platform Realm.
The many Martial Artists around Yin Mountain who witnessed this were all greatly astonished, finding it unbelievable.
After all, who would willingly get struck by lightning for no reason?
’This person is either an idiot or a madman.’
Word of the strange scene on Yin Mountain gradually spread, and all the nearby Martial Artists soon knew of a madman on the mountain whose hobby was getting struck by lightning.
On this day, the sky churned with storm clouds as thunder roared.
BOOM—!
Shen Daoxing stood beneath a giant red boulder, receiving the baptism of lightning.
By now, his physical body, refined by the lightning, had far surpassed that of an ordinary Profound Platform Realm Martial Artist. Even his Primordial Energy now carried a trace of lightning’s power.
Another shocking clap of thunder descended, striking like a sharp arrow.
Shen Daoxing tilted his head up to watch.
In that instant, as if struck by an idea, he brought two fingers together, and a chilling glint of light shot out from their tips.
SHIING!
The sword light zipped through the air, producing a deafening boom. It was too fast to be seen.
"Thunderous Sword Intent, Lightning Sword Intent!?"
Seeing this, a sharp glint flashed in Lin Haitao’s cloudy eyes.
Having been immersed in the Sword Dao for decades, he could tell at a glance that Shen Daoxing had just had an epiphany and comprehended two new Sword Intentions.
"Hoo!"
Shen Daoxing exhaled and looked at his palm.
He had now mastered the Four Sword Intentions of Wind, Moon, Thunder, and Lightning. Although he was still a ways off from the fifteen Sword Intentions required of a Sword King, he could be considered a first-rate Swordsman.
Shen Daoxing couldn’t help but ask, "Dean Lin, how many Sword Intentions are there in this world? Has anyone ever comprehended the ultimate limit of Sword Intent?"
"There are too many Sword Intentions in the world. It’s like the Laws of the universe; no one knows how many there are."
Lin Haitao landed, his brow furrowed. "However, three hundred years ago in the East Continent, there was a peerless prodigy who comprehended Fifty-Six Sword Intentions. Wielding a fifth-grade Treasure Sword, he could kill opponents an entire major realm above his own. Unfortunately, he later vanished for unknown reasons. Some say the empire failed to recruit him and had him assassinated. Others say he died in an accident. The rumors are endless."
’Fifty-Six Sword Intentions!?’
’Killing an opponent a whole major realm higher!?’
A look of astonishment appeared in Shen Daoxing’s eyes. The gap between major cultivation realms for a Martial Artist was like a vast chasm, especially in the later stages, making it increasingly difficult to challenge those in a higher realm.
Lin Haitao pondered for a moment before saying, "In another month, the True Dragon Secret Realm will open. This is an excellent opportunity for you."
Shen Daoxing asked, puzzled, "The True Dragon Secret Realm!?"
Lin Haitao explained, "Not far from the border of the Martial Kingdom, there is a place rumored to be the burial ground of a True Dragon. It later formed a mysterious secret realm that only experts below the Grotto Heaven Realm can enter."
"The True Dragon Secret Realm is quite magical. There’s a tear in the void inside, which makes it much easier for Martial Artists to comprehend the Dao than usual. If you go there to cultivate your Sword Dao, your efforts will be doubly rewarded. Moreover, it contains many precious Celestial and Earthly Treasures. Legend even speaks of Dragon Blood and a Dragon Egg left behind by the True Dragon."
’Dragon Blood and a Dragon Egg!?’
Hearing this, Shen Daoxing’s heart began to race with excitement.
’Rumor has it that Dragon Blood is the world’s greatest treasure for Body Refining. If I could bathe in Dragon Blood, my physical body would definitely become much stronger.’
Lin Haitao continued, "Many prodigies return from the True Dragon Secret Realm completely transformed, their strength soaring by leaps and bounds. Some even make it onto the East Continent’s Martial Arts Ranking. That Xia Junze is one of them. Because of this, many talented individuals will enter the True Dragon Secret Realm. This also makes it extremely dangerous. The students from Celestial City Academy will surely try to kill you on sight. Do you still want to go?"
Shen Daoxing’s reply was concise. "I’ll go!"
"Good!"
Lin Haitao smiled faintly. "In that case, I won’t try to stop you. Training is over for today. Go back and digest what you’ve comprehended."
With that, Lin Haitao’s figure blurred, turning into a black streak before vanishing on the spot.
’The Spirit Transformation Realm!’
’Experts at the Spirit Transformation Realm can convert their own Primordial Energy into a more refined Spiritual Qi.’
’Their strength undergoes a world-shaking change.’
Shen Daoxing rested for a moment and was about to leave when a black shadow drifted over from the distance.
This shadow was none other than Ying Er.
Ever since Shen Daoxing had subdued him, he had given him a certain degree of freedom, allowing him to scout for information around the Imperial City, especially news concerning Celestial City Academy.
Ying Er had not disappointed him and had indeed obtained some rather important news.
Not long after Shen Daoxing entered the Desolate Mountain of the Sword Institute, students from Celestial City Academy began to wait at the foot of the mountain.
They were waiting for Shen Daoxing to come down so they could use his head to trade for Martial Techniques and Elixirs at Celestial City Mountain.
Ying Er cupped his fist and said, "Reporting to Master, this subordinate has received a piece of news, but I am unsure if I should speak of it."
Shen Daoxing said, "Speak."
Ying Er took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "The students from Celestial City Academy, knowing that Master would not come out, have tied up He Ku, hung him above the Imperial City’s gate, and are publicly shaming and beating him. They’ve declared they’ll keep beating him until Master shows himself."
A cold glint flashed in Shen Daoxing’s eyes, and his fists clenched tightly. "Does no one from Celestial City Academy care?"
Ying Er said, "He Ku is just a handyman at Celestial City Academy, not considered a student. Naturally, no one will intervene..."
’A handyman!?’
Hearing this, Shen Daoxing thought for a moment and understood what had happened.
’It must have been because of me. Chen Guanggu didn’t recruit He Ku into Celestial City Academy but instead relegated him to the role of a handyman.’
Shen Daoxing took a deep breath, his face devoid of expression. "Which gate?"
Ying Er replied, "The West Gate."
Shen Daoxing said nothing more and walked directly toward the Imperial City’s West Gate.
「Imperial City, West City Gate.」
The summer sun blazed. Despite a few recent storms, the weather remained scorching hot.
Above the city gate, He Ku hung suspended by his hands from a black rope. His clothes were tattered and his body was covered in blood.
"Who is that? Why is he being hung up there?"
"He’s a handyman from Celestial City Academy. They say he stole something from the academy, so they’re hanging him on the gate to make an example of him."
"The state of the world is truly degenerating! To think such a shameless villain exists!"
Seeing this, the onlookers gnashed their teeth in anger.
After all, Celestial City Academy was the Martial Kingdom’s Sacred Land. How could people not feel disgusted that such a sacred place would harbor a petty thief?
Not far away, a gorgeously dressed woman sat in a chair and said impatiently, "Hasn’t Shen Daoxing come down the mountain yet?"
Someone beside her sneered, "If you ask me, Shen Daoxing is too scared to come down."
"Damn it, we’ve wasted so much time!"
An icy chill appeared in Tang Yun’s eyes. "Beat him! Beat him harder for me!"
