Comprehending Sword

Comprehending Sword

The image etched on the mountain rampart unfolded before Qin Wentian, vibrant and lifelike, brimming with dynamic changes. In this painting, a colossal roc soared through the sky, hurtling through the clouds with astonishing speed, resembling a bolt of lightning.

In an instant, a sword beam descended from the azure heavens, causing the heavens and earth to tremble.

Despite its incredible speed, the great roc couldn't outmatch the swiftness of that sword beam. The sword strike struck with unerring precision, instantly ending the great roc's life.

Qin Wentian was profoundly shocked. He hadn't anticipated that on the very first step of this trial, he would encounter such a profound sword strike that made him feel like an insignificant ant. His own speed was utterly insignificant in comparison—so slow that he felt like a snail.

He questioned himself: Could he ever unleash such a magnificent strike?

"No, this ancient mountain path leading to the grass hut must be a trial," Qin Wentian mused. "The first picture on the first step reveals the essence of the attack to prospective challengers, allowing them to comprehend it. Li Hanyou successfully advanced by understanding that strike. Since she can take nine steps, why shouldn't I be able to take at least one?"

Qin Wentian contemplated this, understanding that this mountain path was a trial. To progress, one had to grasp the essence of each sword strike depicted on it. This place, created by the sect's founder, couldn't possibly offer easy insights into the founder's swordplay. Impatience was not an option.

"This image is extraordinary, majestic, and awe-inspiring. My current strength is utterly inadequate when compared to it. I need to enter a dreamscape to better understand it," Qin Wentian murmured to himself. He closed his eyes and sat down, entering a meditative state.

With his willpower, he created his own dreamscape, and the Diagram of the Mountains and Rivers he had obtained from the green-robed senior's dream-will in the dark forest of Chu floated before him. This diagram had proven to be more extraordinary as he grew stronger.

Now, the diagram transformed into the scene from the image on the mountain rampart. Above him, a mighty roc soared through the skies at incomprehensible speed, defying the eye's ability to track its movements.

As the creator of this dream, Qin Wentian had complete control. He stood above the clouds, watching the roc fly by. Suddenly, a brilliant sword light descended from the blue heavens, slashing the roc. The mighty bird died instantly.

"I can't see through it," Qin Wentian admitted, unperturbed. He replayed the scene repeatedly, attempting to grasp the essence of that astounding sword strike.

Gradually, Qin Wentian began to discern something. This sword strike was like the embodiment of wind itself. No matter how fast the great roc flew, it couldn't escape the wind. Wind was omnipresent, and no matter the roc's speed, it couldn't evade the sword strike. The attack was concealed within the wind.

"I've never comprehended the Mandate of Wind before. Can I understand this strike?" Qin Wentian pondered, even though he lacked any knowledge of the Mandate of Wind.

"However, not every disciple in the Battle Sword Sect has grasped the Mandate of Wind. As long as I can understand the essence behind it, I should be able to advance," he thought. Closing his eyes, Qin Wentian exited his dreamscape. He reached out, placing his palms against the mountain rampart, and focused on the insights he had gained from the sword strike. Instantly, a tremendous sword beam, brimming with power, shot into the sky, rending heaven and earth.

The mountain rampart vanished, and Qin Wentian smiled as he took a step forward. Another mountain rampart appeared, bearing a second image.

This image depicted a colossal giant whose head touched the heavens. With a single step, it could flatten mountains and divert rivers. A single palm strike could shatter the heavens.

It was a scene of utter destruction. As the giant advanced, a massive sword descended from the heavens, slicing the giant in half. The sword's speed wasn't fast, but upon impact, the giant's colossal body transformed into countless stones and rocks, ultimately forming a mountain range.

"The strength of that sword strike is measured in millions of jin," Qin Wentian marveled. He closed his eyes, entered his dreamscape, and replayed the scene, attempting to fathom the essence of the sword strike unleashed by that colossal sword.

"Well, I've already grasped the basic concept of it from the pulsation effect of the Mandate of Great Earth during my halberd practice," Qin Wentian said with a confident smile. He opened his eyes and placed his palms on the mountain rampart once more. Another sword beam streaked across the sky as he confidently took another step forward.

The onlookers couldn't hide their astonishment as they watched Qin Wentian consecutively take two steps.

"Junior Brother Qin is truly incredible. He has already comprehended the second sword strike," Lin Shuai exclaimed, his admiration evident.

"They're just the first two sword strikes. Remember, senior, you effortlessly comprehended the first seven sword strikes. They aren't that challenging," Ye Lingshuang remarked. Lin Shuai chuckled, "True, but Qin Wentian's speed is something else. How many sword strikes do you think he'll grasp today?"

"Considering his speed and comprehension abilities, he might be like those exceptional members who can grasp seven sword strikes in a single day. But beyond the seventh, it gets much tougher," Ye Lingshuang replied, with Liu Yun nodding in agreement. "Li Hanyou also understood seven in a day, but she took three days for the eighth and eventually a week for the ninth."

"To grasp the ninth sword strike already shows exceptional comprehension. Maybe she'll manage fourteen in a year," Lin Shuai mused, looking in Li Hanyou's direction.

"Junior Qin has already comprehended the third sword strike, so quickly," Lin Shuai's eyes gleamed with keen interest.

"Today, seven may not be his limit," Ye Lingshuang added.

"Jiang Huai, what do you think?" Ye Lingshuang turned to the skinny young man named Jiang Huai, known for his remarkable comprehension.

"I'm not sure, but he should surpass the record of seven," Jiang Huai replied softly.

While they conversed, Qin Wentian had already grasped the fourth sword strike, drawing the attention of many bystanders.

"He's so fast; he's already at the fourth sword strike. The record was seven in two hours. At this rate, he might reach the seventh soon," someone exclaimed, impressed by the new junior's extraordinary abilities.

"He's already at the fifth sword strike. This is incredible!"

Qin Wentian took his fifth step, causing five more sword beams to radiate from the mountain rampart, signifying his understanding of the fifth sword strike.

"Amazing!" Lin Shuai couldn't contain his astonishment.

"Some say the final two sword strikes are much more challenging than the first five. It won't be as easy," someone remarked skeptically. However, before their words had fully left their lips, Qin Wentian had comprehended the sixth sword strike.

"Is this luck? How can he do this?" The person who had voiced doubts felt deflated, as if Qin Wentian's success was a personal affront.

"He's going to break the record," another person declared, marveling at Qin Wentian's remarkable progress.

"I still don't believe he can grasp the seventh sword strike that quickly," the doubter stubbornly remarked. This time, Qin Wentian remained motionless for a while, as if he were grappling with the profoundness of the sword strike.

"Haha, see, I told you so!" The doubter chuckled, looking smugly at those around him. But when he noticed the peculiar expressions on their faces, he quickly turned his attention back to the mountain pathway. Sword beams filled the sky as Qin Wentian completed the seventh step.

As he finished the seventh step, a radiant corona of light enveloped him, evoking envy from the onlookers. Above his head, the sound of a keening sword resonated continuously.

"He broke the record," the crowd exclaimed in disbelief. They never expected a newcomer to shatter the record by comprehending seven sword strikes in such a short time.

Lin Shuai wore a delighted expression. It seemed the ancestor's decision to bring Qin Wentian into the Battle Sword Sect had been astute. The ancestor had clearly recognized his talent.

"So what if he broke the record? The eighth sword strike won't be so simple. He won't be able to take the next step," someone grumbled discontentedly, unwilling to accept that a newcomer could achieve what they couldn't.

"That might not be true. We might witness a great spectacle later," another person in the crowd said with admiration.

In the distance, several figures rapidly approached, attracted by the sound of the sword's keening. The news of someone breaking the record had spread throughout the Battle Sword Sect.

"The eighth sword strike won't be easy for that flirtatious fellow to comprehend," Ye Lingshuang snorted, glancing at Little Rascal in her arms before directing her gaze at Qin Wentian, cursing him inwardly. If someone as flirtatious as Liu Yun possessed such remarkable talent, the heavens must be blind!

If Qin Wentian knew that his reputation had been tarnished due to Little Rascal's actions, he might have been so infuriated that he'd spit blood.

"Senior Sister Ye, why do you call him a flirtatious fellow? Has he taken advantage of you?" someone inquired from the side. Ye Lingshuang immediately glared at the person and snapped, "Do you want a beating?"

"N-no..." The person shrank back, quickly silencing themselves. The damage was done; the newly arrived disciple Qin Wentian, who had broken the record for comprehending seven sword strikes, was now widely regarded as a flirt. Not only that, he was rumored to have taken advantage of Ye Lingshuang. Many believed he was a bold fellow.

Unbeknownst to Qin Wentian, his reputation had already been tarnished. Meanwhile, he faced another picture on a mountain rampart.

This time, the majestic roc from the first picture soared through the skies once again. However, unlike the first strike, this time the descending sword strike was different. As it landed, Qin Wentian could see several streams of cutting wind energy penetrating the great roc's body, reducing it to dust.

"How can this be possible?" Qin Wentian exclaimed, unable to believe the level of devastation achieved by the Mandate of Wind.

Once again, he entered his dreamscape, replaying the scene countless times, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't replicate the picture's essence. His understanding of the Mandate of Wind remained stagnant.

"I must find the reason," Qin Wentian resolved. Abandoning his previous notions, he started from scratch. The sword strike in the picture generated streams of wind-attributed energy that enveloped the great roc before shredding it to dust upon impact. He couldn't fathom how this was achieved.

Qin Wentian's expression constantly shifted as he delved deep into thought. Two hours had passed, and many people began to laugh, thinking he couldn't comprehend this strike at his current level.

"How can the eighth sword strike be so easily grasped?" Ye Lingshuang commented.

The eighth sword strike posed a far greater challenge compared to the previous seven.

"I see it now," Qin Wentian suddenly exclaimed, a bolt of lightning illuminating his mind. He realized that replicating the strike with a single Mandate was impossible. What if... there was a second Mandate blended within the strike?

"This is the fusion of Wind and Rain energy," Qin Wentian realized, his eyes shimmering with understanding. In his dreamscape, as wind and rain raged, the heavens and earth transformed dramatically. With a firm step, Qin Wentian completed the eighth one. As his foot landed, shock filled the eyes of everyone witnessing the scene.

He had unraveled the mystery and comprehended the eighth sword strike in its entirety!