Chapter 20: Dugu Qiubai—One Sword Stuns Chrysanthemum Douluo
These words reverberated like thunder in Chen Xin's mind, shaking him to his core.
Throughout his life, Chen Xin had immersed himself in his martial soul, the Seven Kill Sword, making him the most "pure" swordsman on the entire continent.
But this so-called "purity" was merely relative to the standards of Douluo Continent.
On this continent, Soul Masters relied heavily on hunting Soul Beasts to obtain Soul Rings, gaining their skills effortlessly. Few bothered to delve deeply into other disciplines.
In terms of swordsmanship...
Zhou Yi had only one thing to say: "You're all trash!"
Frankly, Soul Masters of Douluo Continent were like vampires, feeding off Soul Beasts. They had little that could truly be called their own.
Take Yu Xiaogang, for example. Though hailed as a "theoretical master" in the original story, even his research focused solely on optimizing the use of Soul Beasts to secure the most suitable Spirit Rings.
And let's not even talk about cultivation techniques. Douluo Continent didn't even have a single legitimate method for cultivating Soul Power. Enough said.
"Teacher is truly a divine being!"
From the doorway, Yu Xiaogang's heart was in turmoil, his soul seemingly baptized by Zhou Yi's words. Regaining his composure, he quickly grabbed a notebook and meticulously jotted everything down.
He lived next door and had rushed over upon sensing the presence of a Titled Douluo. Every word of Zhou Yi and Chen Xin's sword discussion was carefully recorded.
However, he didn't dare step forward and interrupt.
"Zhou Yi's strength aside, his theories are absolutely unrivaled!"
Beside him, Flender stood stunned. His bespectacled eyes shone with astonishment.
Even though he didn't use a sword, Zhou Yi's words still struck him like a thunderclap, inexplicably profound.
He perked up his ears, determined to remember everything.
It might even come in handy for bragging later.
"Since there exists a Merciless Sword, then naturally, there must also be a Sentimental Sword."
Ignoring the presence of Yu Xiaogang and Flender at the door, Zhou Yi glanced at Bibi Dong and continued:
"A Sentimental Sword is born of emotion. For instance, one's wife is killed, and in the throes of grief, one attains enlightenment. Only by reaching the pinnacle of emotion can one achieve the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
"A sword born of love—entering the Dao through the blade.
"A fine sword! Truly, a fine sword!"
Bibi Dong's enchanting eyes remained fixed on Zhou Yi. Compared to the cold detachment of Ximen Chuixue's Merciless Sword, Lang Fanyun's Sentimental Sword resonated more with her youthful romantic ideals.
"Only by reaching the pinnacle of emotion can one achieve the pinnacle of swordsmanship. What a concept—the Sentimental Sword!"
Chen Xin couldn't help but praise. Ximen Chuixue's Merciless Sword was something he could never emulate; it clashed too strongly with his principles.
Few in this world could truly let go of everything.
Even those branded as villains often had people they cherished.
"Forsake the world, but not you."
How could such a person be called unfeeling?
"Are there other types of swords?"
Chen Xin's heart raced with anticipation as he looked at Zhou Yi like an eager student waiting for their teacher to continue the lecture.
"There are many."
Zhou Yi sipped his tea, his gaze sweeping over Chen Xin, Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Ning Fengzhi.
"There is a sword that roamed the martial world for over thirty years, slaying foes and defeating heroes. With no equal, its wielder retreated to a secluded valley to live in solitude with only a falcon for company. Alas, he sought a worthy opponent but found none. What a lonely existence—Dugu Qiubai, the Sword Demon!"
"Dugu Qiubai, the Sword Demon..."
Chen Xin's entire being trembled, Zhou Yi's words echoing endlessly in his mind. Shock, admiration, and awe filled his heart.
To seek an opponent but find none—what an unparalleled realm!
Unimaginable!
"What kind of sword is that?"
With utmost reverence, Chen Xin asked, his eyes burning with curiosity, longing, and fervor.
"A descendant once ventured into the secluded valley of Dugu Qiubai and discovered his Sword Tomb," Zhou Yi replied, glancing at Chen Xin. "The epitaph read: 'Dugu Qiubai, the Sword Demon, having no equal in the world, buried his swords here.'
"'Alas! The heroes of the world yield, and my long sword lies idle. Is this not a sorrowful thing?'"
Chen Xin, Yu Xiaogang, Flender, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Bibi Dong, and Ning Fengzhi were simultaneously shocked and envious, captivated by this senior's unrivaled brilliance.
"The Sword Tomb contained four swords.
"The first was a Green Peak Sword—sharp, mighty, and unyielding. In his youth, Dugu Qiubai used it to compete with heroes of the Riverlands.
"The second was the Purple Rose Soft Sword. By his thirties, he had accidentally injured an ally with it, finding it ominous. In remorse, he discarded it in the valley.
"The third was the Heavy Black Iron Sword. Without a sharp edge, it embodied supreme craftsmanship. Before the age of forty, he relied on it to dominate the martial world.
"The fourth was an ordinary wooden sword. After the age of forty, he became unattached to material things, using grass, wood, bamboo, or stone as his sword. From then on, he honed his skills, gradually reaching the state of 'no sword surpasses having a sword.'"
Zhou Yi's eyes swept over the group, all of whom were overwhelmed by shock, utterly engrossed in his tale.
"How many swords do you think are in the Sword Tomb?" Zhou Yi suddenly asked.
"Aren't there four?"
Flender responded instinctively, puzzled by Zhou Yi's seemingly obvious question. Surely there were only four swords unless Zhou Yi had left something out.
"There are five swords in the Sword Tomb!"
After a brief moment of thought, Chen Xin exclaimed, "Each sword represents a stage in Dugu Qiubai's swordsmanship!"
"The final sword is an invisible one!
"The state of 'no sword surpasses having a sword'!
"The realm of this predecessor is awe-inspiring. It's a shame we can't witness it firsthand!"
Chen Xin sighed deeply, his heart heavy with regret.
Chrysanthemum Douluo saw this and realized that Chen Xin would no longer fight Zhou Yi. Worse, they might even become sword companions.
That couldn't happen.
"Zhou Yi, all this talk of treasure swords, soft swords, heavy swords, wooden swords, and no swords... It all sounds flashy, like a con!" Chrysanthemum Douluo scoffed. "With equal cultivation, if I use a treasure sword and you use a wooden sword—or even no sword—do you think you could beat me?"
"Dugu Qiubai? If these people were truly so legendary, why have I never heard of them before?"
Dugu Qiubai, said to be invincible in the world, unmatched under heaven—how could such a figure possibly remain unknown?
Chrysanthemum Douluo's remark echoed the sentiments of many, especially Flender and Ning Fengzhi, who harbored discontent toward Zhou Yi. Both fixed their gazes on him with clear dissatisfaction.
Flender's displeasure stemmed from Zhou Yi having "stolen" the woman he idolized most.
As for Ning Fengzhi, his frustration arose from watching Chen Xin, someone he deeply respected, being swayed by Zhou Yi's rhetoric. At this rate, Ning Fengzhi feared that Chen Xin might even fully align himself with Zhou Yi.
Previously, when Zhou Yi referred to Chen Xin as the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's Guardian Douluo, it wasn't entirely accurate.
This was because Chen Xin had not officially been conferred the title.
However, given his close relationship with the sect, calling him the Guardian Douluo wasn't entirely unwarranted. Thus, no one had refuted Zhou Yi's claim at the time.
But if Chen Xin was so deeply enamored with the way of the sword, why hadn't he asked Zhou Yi about the whereabouts of figures like Dugu Qiubai?
Because Chen Xin already knew the truth.
Such individuals simply did not exist in the Douluo Continent.
If they had, he would certainly have heard of them.
The only plausible explanation?
These so-called legendary figures were all creations of Zhou Yi.
Zhou Yi was using different "characters" to convey his understanding of different "sword philosophies."
While Zhou Yi's cultivation level might not be high, his comprehension of the way of the sword was likely superior to Chen Xin's own.
Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo, who clearly lacked knowledge of swordsmanship, jump in to stir the pot and sow discord, attempting to alienate Chen Xin from Zhou Yi—
Chen Xin could barely contain his fury.
But before he could speak, Zhou Yi had already risen to his feet, fixing his gaze on Yue Guan:
"I don't have a wooden sword here, but I do have an iron one."
With a calm demeanor, Zhou Yi walked over to a nearby decoration and retrieved an iron sword.
At the same time—
He used the two thousand experience points he had recently gained from his time with Ah Yin and Liu Erlong, channeling all of it into the technique One Sword to Part the World.
Countless insights surged into his mind. Zhou Yi's comprehension of swordsmanship soared wildly.
One Sword to Part the World: Minor Completion!
"Hmm?"
Everyone turned their attention to Zhou Yi. As he picked up the iron sword, his entire aura shifted. A fierce and unparalleled sword intent erupted, soaring into the heavens, sharp and boundless as though he himself had become an invincible divine blade.
"What is he trying to do? Does he want to spar with me using swords?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo frowned in confusion. Before he could ponder further, an overwhelming sense of danger gripped him.
Zhou Yi unsheathed the iron sword without a word and swung it downward in Chrysanthemum Douluo's direction. The sharp sound of the blade slicing through the air echoed powerfully.
In that instant, the room seemed to split apart. A sword beam several meters long burst forth like a tidal wave crashing into the void.
Startled, Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately summoned his martial soul, Fiery Chrysanthemum Skyvine. In a flash, all nine of his spirit rings lit up, releasing an overwhelming surge of Soul Power.
The seventh spirit ring shone brilliantly, causing the Fiery Chrysanthemum Skyvine to expand rapidly, coiling around him with a series of deafening metallic clanging sounds.
"Bang! Bang!"
Two thunderous impacts rang out as the sword beam collided with the Fiery Chrysanthemum Skyvine, its sheer force sending Chrysanthemum Douluo flying backward.
Where the sword beam passed, the ground outside the guest hall's doors was cleaved open, leaving a massive trench a foot deep—a chilling sight to behold.
Chrysanthemum Douluo staggered to his feet, a sword scar visible on his chest. Humiliated and furious, he shouted angrily:
"You brat, you have no honor!"
"How dare you sneak attack me!"
----------------------------
If you want to support me and read advance chapters, please visit:
patreon.com / igotneonlight