Chapter 420: Sword Formula
Chapter 420: Sword Technique
Jiangnan, Ji Tian Cliff.
Within a quiet chamber, Lü Yang's consciousness fully took control of his Sword Dao avatar through [Puppet on Strings]. As his eyes opened and closed, a flash of cold light abruptly flickered.
Crack!
Instantly, a fissure appeared on the chamber floor.
Almost simultaneously, as if having waited for this moment, the chamber door was pushed open, and True Person Dangmo hurriedly stepped inside.
The first thing he saw upon entering was the fissure on the floor.
"Hmm?"
True Person Dangmo's eyes brightened, and he immediately praised, "It seems your sword intent has grown increasingly perfected during this period of secluded cultivation."
What impressed him wasn't Lü Yang leaving a crack on the floor—such a feat meant nothing to a Foundation Establishment True Person. The true significance lay in the fact that this fissure bore no residual qi fluctuations... meaning Lü Yang hadn't employed any divine abilities or magic power, relying purely on [sword intent] to leave this mark.
This was extraordinary.
After all, no matter how powerful [sword intent] might be, it was theoretically conceptual—not physical—fundamentally different from divine sense and required magic power to unleash its full might.
Yet to influence reality through pure intent alone...
Such a realm could already be considered mastery even among [sword intent] practitioners. For a moment, True Person Dangmo regarded Lü Yang with genuine admiration:
"Incredible."
"That spiritual vein must have truly benefited you. To advance your [sword intent] to this degree would normally require experiencing a major battle."
"Excellent! Truly excellent!"
Having said this, he turned his gaze to the [Sword of No Killing Intent] placed before Lü Yang: "Now that you've forged your own sword intent, continuing to study mine would no longer be appropriate."
As these words fell, the [Sword of No Killing Intent] was withdrawn back into his possession.
Simultaneously, Lü Yang rose gracefully and bowed respectfully to True Person Dangmo: "This dull-witted disciple thanks his master for the careful nurturing."
"Nonsense." True Person Dangmo waved his hand, his gaze growing increasingly satisfied as he looked at Lü Yang—like observing a particularly thriving crop or a unique, priceless treasure—before abruptly changing topics: "Since you've emerged from seclusion, we shouldn't delay. Accompany me to the Jade Pivot."
Hearing this, Lü Yang felt a surge of quiet joy.
The so-called [Jade Pivot] was essentially the Sword Pavilion's Xianfa Pavilion, specifically housing Dao methods tailored for the Foundation Establishment realm—precisely Lü Yang's current objective.
'Now that my [Xuan Capital Blessed Land] is complete, further realm advancement in the short term seems unlikely. After all, Metal Essence requires soul refinement, and my soul in this lifetime remains with my immortal spirit body... Therefore, to enhance my combat power, I can only strengthen my Dao methods and secret techniques.'
Yet the problem remained unchanged.
Lü Yang lacked his own Metal Essence, making cultivation of [True Methods] impossible. As for other Dao methods, their combat enhancement couldn't be said to be nonexistent...
Only barely noticeable.
Thus he had set his sights on [sword intent]. Obtaining a sword technique matching his [sword intent] could yield effects nearly comparable to True Methods.
However, Lü Yang was surprised—he had assumed the Sword Pavilion would guard its sword techniques strictly and had been contemplating how to broach the subject with True Person Dangmo. Yet before he could even voice his request, True Person Dangmo proactively suggested visiting the Jade Pivot, clearly intending to impart sword techniques.
Yet Lü Yang felt little joy.
'Too enthusiastic...'
Unwarranted kindness often concealed ulterior motives. Lifetimes of instinct made Lü Yang increasingly wary—no matter how he looked at it, True Person Dangmo seemed to have hidden designs!
But soon he relaxed.
'Regardless, this Sword Dao avatar will eventually be discarded. Might as well secure the benefits first. Whatever schemes he has can only torment the avatar at worst...'
Ji Tian Cliff, Jade Pivot.
To Lü Yang's surprise, despite its grand name, the Jade Pivot turned out to literally be a piece of jade, enshrined in the ancestral hall of the Sword Pavilion's successive sect masters.
"This object was left by our founding patriarch."
Entering the ancestral hall, True Person Dangmo solemnly explained: "Legend says our patriarch scoured the world before finding this ten-thousand-year Spiritual Rhinoceros Bright Jade to refine into an ultimate treasure."
"Any True Person who has forged sword intent need only stand before the Jade Pivot and channel their [sword intent] into it. It will automatically manifest corresponding sword techniques. Through diligent practice of these techniques and refinement of sword intent to perfection... this is the true foundation of why we sword cultivators find few equals within our realm."
As these words fell, True Person Dangmo stepped before the Jade Pivot.
In the next instant, Lü Yang saw the mirror-smooth bright jade suddenly surge with radiant spiritual light, coalescing into a line of clear characters:
《Sword Technique of Holding the Dao and Righteousness to Sever Karmic Deeds》
This was True Person Dangmo's sword technique, corresponding to his [Sword of No Killing Intent]. After centuries of refinement, it had long reached the pinnacle of mastery.
Ordinary [sword intent] remained merely [sword intent].
That True Person Dangmo could further crown his with the name [No Killing] symbolized the perfection of his sword intent, in which his sword technique played no small part.
'Both an offensive art and a cultivation method.'
Lü Yang understood inwardly, only to see True Person Dangmo step aside and gesture for him to proceed. Not daring to delay, Lü Yang immediately strode before the Jade Pivot.
With a thought, Lü Yang's [sword intent] extended forth, merging into the Jade Pivot. In the next moment, the bright jade erupted with light once more, shining directly into Lü Yang's eyes—piercing his heart and instantly capturing his entire being, nearly immersing him completely.
Yet precisely at this moment...
Beside Lü Yang, True Person Dangmo abruptly erased all expression from his face and softly uttered a phrase:
"Fellow Daoist Lü?"
This call came at the perfect moment—seizing the instant when the Jade Pivot illuminated Lü Yang's [sword intent]—compelling an almost instinctive response:
"Ah?"
True Person Dangmo stared intently at Lü Yang's Sword Dao avatar. Seeing genuine confusion rather than pretense, with no abnormalities in soul fluctuations, his expression slightly relaxed:
"...Never mind."
Meanwhile, Lü Yang's true body far north of the river drew a sharp breath: 'He was testing me—suspecting I hadn't truly erased past-life memories!'
Damn it, even the nice guy knows how to scheme!
'This is just like Ang Xiao—acting virtuous for decades only to suddenly spring a trap when least expected!'
At this thought, Lü Yang felt some surprise.
Had his Sword Dao avatar's soul not been genuinely cleansed—had he not been remotely controlling it through [Puppet on Strings]—he might have truly been exposed!
Meanwhile, True Person Dangmo appeared completely unperturbed.
Who said virtuous people couldn't be shrewd? How could he fail to notice Lü Yang's peculiarities? A simple test—if nothing came of it, he could rest easier.
"Remain here to cultivate."
True Person Dangmo said impassively: "The Jade Pivot requires time to deduce sword techniques and must continuously sense your [sword intent]. Seek me again when the process concludes."
"This disciple obeys."
Lü Yang hastily bowed before refocusing on the Jade Pivot. Only when satisfied did True Person Dangmo quietly turn and depart.
Exiting the ancestral hall, True Person Dangmo gazed skyward.
Before his eyes stretched only a rainbow of fortune soaring into the heavens, manifesting imagery of phoenixes and dragons in harmonious song—his current fortune, having reached its absolute zenith.
Yet as the saying goes: the highest branch is most vulnerable to wind.
'My time grows short.'
True Person Dangmo sighed. In the next instant, silvery laughter like wind chimes rang in his ears—none other than Jingguan, former Buddha-Son of the Pure Land.
"Abstaining from killing momentarily is effortless; abstaining for a lifetime approaches impossibility."
"As the saying goes: repression proves inferior to channeling. Could Patron Ye truly achieve so-called non-killing? I fear you'll suffer qi deviation and end up slaughtering heaven and earth instead!"