Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Heavenly Realm
After that, I continued my meditation training under the Sword Demon's guidance. After another two or three months passed like that, I began to sense some kind of change.
'I think I get it...'
The feeling of my willpower breaking through a boundary!
An intangible flow that couldn't be explained with qi wrapped around my body subtly. No, perhaps it was more like threads? The slender threads seemed to twist in a spiral whenever I moved.
When I first sensed it and told the Sword Demon, he replied,
"You've finally grasped the knack."
"Are those threads my will?"
"Exactly. But you already know they're not qi, right?"
"Yes."
The Sword Demon sat in the training hall and explained.
"The threads surrounding your body are your defensive instincts."
"Defensive instincts?"
"The threads of will weren't wrapped evenly, were they? Depending on the body part, the density or tightness varied, didn't it?"
I thought back carefully.
As the Sword Demon said, my head and heart were wrapped tightly, while my limbs had looser threads.
"You're right."
I nodded in response. The Sword Demon pointed at my heart with his index finger and said,
"You trained in peak martial arts, learning to protect your vital points. That's why your will and attention focus more on the deadlier spots. Protecting your vital acupoints during combat is basic, isn't it?"
Realizing what he meant, I asked back,
"So, will reflects how much I consciously focus on something normally?"
"That's right. Though it's not just that."
In other words, the more I normally focused on defending a part, the stronger the threads of will wrapped around it. The Sword Demon continued,
"Actually, any first-class expert or higher senses this unconsciously. Choosing what to defend and what to expose is the basics for experts, isn't it?"
"Ah!"
"The threads of will you felt simply visualized that more clearly. At a higher level, you can even see others' will."
"Hmm..."
"But comprehending and using will doesn't stop there. You've recognized your will now, so it's time for the next step."
What was the next step?
Focusing on his mouth, I waited. He said,
"Move the threads of will. Once you can do that, you've truly attained will."
"Understood."
As soon as I heard him, I dove back into meditation. Concentrating my mind intensely, I saw the threads of will around my body again. I tried to move them at will, but strangely, they wouldn't budge.
'Why won't they move?'
Recalling that these threads were defensive instincts, I deliberately shifted my focus to different body parts unevenly, but nothing changed. The threads didn't move at all. After trying for an entire hour until I was exhausted and slumped down, the Sword Demon chuckled and said,
"They won't move, huh?"
"Yes."
"Because simple intent and true will are different. Will is an extremely refined mind imposing its volition on the world! It's completely unlike moving your body with mere thoughts."
"......"
In my early training days, I would've dismissed this as nonsense. But after nearly half a year of meditation, I could understand. Just moments ago, while perceiving the threads, I'd felt something 'overlaying' reality. A metaphysical 'boundary' definitely existed, and crossing it seemed necessary to wield will.
I sighed.
"Whew... It's really tough. Do peak experts in the martial world awaken this on their own?"
"Those with talent naturally internalize it, others awaken it slowly under a master's guidance. Some even realize it amid brutal asura fields in real combat, but that's rare. That's why famous clans' teachings are revered."
Saying that, the Sword Demon looked at me curiously.
"Why didn't your master teach you will? He must be an incredible expert."
"......"
"Everyone has their reasons. Anyway, continuing like this, you'll stably master will."
"How long until then?"
"Depends on you."
I roughly estimated it myself. During training with him, I'd been diagnosed with needing about three years, and factoring in this life's timeline, at least two more years of苦修 lay ahead.
'Two years...'
I'd rolled madly down the martial path for decades. No way I couldn't endure two years of boring meditation. Instead, I needed to concentrate fully to master it quickly.
Another four months passed like that. I'd grown accustomed to sitting in lotus position daily like a plant. While concentrating like that all day, I gradually learned to move the threads of will a little, and recently, even felt some resonance between my will and inner energy.
Hearing of my progress, the Sword Demon said in surprise,
"Faster than I thought!"
"Really?"
"I figured it'd take a year just to move the threads. Seeing you do it so quickly, it seems you've unconsciously wielded will many times before."
"......"
I'd fought countless brutal battles in my lives so far—tens, hundreds. Unknowingly, I'd probably used will instinctively during them.
'Those experiences must be accelerating my meditation progress.'
The Sword Demon laughed heartily in congratulations.
"Excellent! Soon you'll have a fine sparring partner."
What?!
I knew well what disasters could happen sparring with the Sword Demon. Once, mid-spar, his sudden rage had cost me an arm. He was laid-back normally, but in battle, he transformed into a ferocious asura.
I hurriedly changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, the Eight Demonic Lords' Gathering is soon."
"Hmm. I was about to bring that up."
He looked at me calmly and said,
"This gathering will be in the capital, Luoyang."
The familiar name startled me.
"Isn't Luoyang the base of the Ox Demon and Asura Sect?"
"Right. The Ox Demon pushed hard for it."
The Eight Demonic Lords' Gathering in Luoyang!
It meant the eight leaders of the Eight Demonic Sects, who ruled the unorthodox factions, converging on the capital. Luoyang also had the strongest presence of the Imperial Guards and Embroidered Uniform, plus the Twin Gates Temple—called the Six Great Sects' Zhang Shiyi—had their stronghold there. I'd learned this in past lives, so I said in shock,
"Luoyang has sects stronger than Asura Sect, plus the Imperial Guards and Embroidered Uniform. Holding the gathering there risks clashing with them...!!"
Even secretly, any snag could turn it into a true asura field!
The Sword Demon gave a wry smile.
"Whew! You're right, it's a stupid choice. But the bait the Ox Demon dangled forced everyone to come."
"What is it?"
"......"
After a pause, the Sword Demon said,
"White Lotus Cult."
"......!!"
White Lotus Cult!
Hearing that name again made my mind reel. It clung to my past lives like a curse, refusing to fade. But the Sword Demon just continued flatly, assuming I feared their fame.
"A White Lotus Cult guardian offered to ally with us. Can't ignore that, so we're hearing them out."
At that moment, I clenched my fist tightly. If that guardian was the Wind God Style's Yong Bitian, I'd face my archenemy in Luoyang. Either way, immense pressure loomed.
At the same time, something felt off.
'I barely influenced the martial world this life. Rescuing prisoners from Great Thunder Prison and Pirate Isle was routine. But if things unfold like this, doesn't it mean the Sword Demon attended Luoyang's gathering every reincarnation?'
That didn't add up.
He'd shown no sign of it.
Feeling something wrong, I asked the Sword Demon.
"Gate Master, couldn't you refuse this gathering? Participating in something so dangerous..."
Stroking his chin, he said,
"Hmm. Normally, I would've. Suggested another place or ignored it. No hobby of entering tiger dens. But this time, I'm taking the risk."
"Yes?"
"You not only rescued my daughter but became an excellent asset to the sect."
"Uh..."
As I faltered, he grinned.
"Alone, I'd be limited, but with you, I can relax. We'll gain tons of info at the gathering."
He was attending because he trusted me!
Only then did I grasp the situation.
'Normally, he'd ignore the gathering and wait to crush the Ox Demon. But with me as Shadowless Sect guardian, he's confident to probe White Lotus truths.'
My involvement had altered history.
Realizing this sudden fork, I felt absurd. Just training quietly, and I end up tangled with White Lotus again? Sure, the info would be priceless, but I wasn't keen.
'I just want to train this life. And I don't want the Sword Demon risking it over White Lotus.'
The deeper into conspiracies, the less training time. I'd learned bitterly that even priceless info was useless without power. Feeling I knew enough about White Lotus already, I decided to nix the gathering.
How?
How to stop the Sword Demon from going?
'That's it.'
After pondering, I said to him,
"Gate Master, actually, after learning from my master and descending the mountain, I obtained a profound swordsmanship. Could you take a look?"
"Oh? You have something like that?"
"Yes. From ruins left by some eccentric; I couldn't grasp its mysteries."
Finishing, I unleashed Wudang Sect's Chang Sanfeng's ultimate arts.
Pabababang!
From Hollow Thrust Sword and Heavenly Pivot Sword, excluding Peerless Strike, I demonstrated all in less than fifteen minutes. Watching beside me, the Sword Demon stared in shock.
"That's...!!"
Playing dumb, I said,
"Will practicing this ease reaching the will realm?"
"Of course! Where'd you get those arts?"
"Well..."
I spun a vague tale like before. He looked troubled and said,
"Hmm... No helping it. We'll skip this gathering."
"Is that okay?"
"In exchange, we'll study those arts together."
The Sword Demon was a true martial fanatic, genius, and diehard warrior. He couldn't pass up such an opportunity. Compared to training supreme arts, White Lotus was trivial.
"Yes."
Inside, I knew my plan worked.
Using Chang Sanfeng's Wudang arts as bait, I'd canceled his Luoyang trip and gained a legitimate chance to study them with him.
============================ Author's Note ============================
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