Chapter 26: 12th Grade Sword
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Yin Zhe didn't speak, but his thoughts were sparrow wild. "It turns out I can cultivate even while sleeping… all because of the Nine Breaths Circle Reactive Technique. As long as I can breathe, the reactive technique cultivates for me.
He slowly rubbed his thumb against his palm. "And I've already finished three-quarters of the bottle of spirit essence pills. I broke through in one night. Something that takes people years to break through"
His heartbeat picked up the pace. Thump… thump… "I might actually be a rare genius. A real one. Not a fake type. The only problem is… other geniuses want my head. If I don't grow stronger fast, I'll get killed before I even show off. He clicked his tongue. "Tch…"
His thoughts were broken when Elder Chen Niao leaned forward. "Young lad," the elder said. "Have you ever considered being a sword man?"
Yin Zhe blinked twice. Chen Niao tapped his sword softly. Tok… tok…
"Not only can one be a cultivator," the elder continued. "But a sword man as well. Though you could be both."
Elder Chen Niao wasted no time.
The moment Yin Zhe finished giving his cultivation level, the old man straightened his back and began talking about the path of the sword.
His steady voice came to Calm at first. It sounded Wise. Even a bit charming. "The sword," Chen Niao said, while stroking the blade on his lap with a soft tok… buzz, "it is not just a sharp weapon that you can swing at your enemies. There's more to swords than that. Some swords, such as mine even something called sentience. It's like a sword with awareness. Swords can be controlled with sword will. A sword man must learn to cut through his own weakness before he cuts through the world. With a Sword you can cut through all things"
Yin Zhe nodded like he understood. "Hmm… yes, Elder." At first, he truly listened. The words felt like he was learning a lot. Like something he might actually use.
But after ten minutes… then Twenty minutes… and then Thirty minutes…
Chen Niao didn't stop. he kept chattering away. He kept on swinging his hands, and making whoosh… whoosh sounds with his sleeves. His voice grew louder and a tiny little bit faster. He went from talking about sword will to sword postures, then over to sword body, soon he talked sword aura, Chen Niao continued. swordless sword, then phantom sword. At this point Yin Zhe was far lost and didn't even know what all that meant.
Yin Zhe's eyes twitched. "Ahh… hmph…" Inside, his mind began to drift. "This man is going to kill me with words alone… boom… my brain feels like it's cracking…"
Chen Niao continued, "A sword immortal must not fear the heavens, he can't fear the earth, must stand tall even in it. If the sword immortal can't ascend then he should cut down the heavens instead."
Yin Zhe finally cut in, by raising his hand a little. "Elder… Elder… hpmh… can I say something real quick?. Pretty please"
Chen Niao blinked, as if surprised anyone dared interrupt his sacred lecture. "Yes? Young one. Speak, lad."
Yin Zhe cleared his throat. "I… I actually learned a particular sword technique before. A basic one. It's name is Falling Leaves. But I haven't mastered any of its form. I only know the beginning. I haven't yet mastered the breathing technique. Used to fully execute the first form of the falling leaves sword technique"
Chen Niao looked interested and he leaned closer. "Only the start?"
Yin Zhe nodded and sighed quietly. "Yes. Only the basics." His thoughts slipped out inside his mind as he recalled. " Back at the Yin clan Estate. I've tried for seven years… I've practically worked myself like a mad dog… and I still couldn't master even the first real form. The technique is just a branch from a main sword sutra. A diluted version. Yet I still couldn't Master one form… tch. Such bad talent. No Wonder my Mom had to get me my cousin's Divine eye to give me a better off at cultivation. At the end I only evolved from a trash bag to a trash bin." His chest tightened a bit.
"All those years, I was just a villain. A waste of resources. The troublemaker with no talent. Now my head is wanted by crazy geniuses I've offended over the years. All I have is Jade Skin to protect me… and even that is not enough if someone strong wants to kill me." He clenched his palm lightly. Tech…
Chen Niao just sat there watching him with calm eyes. Then, without any warning, the elder reached behind him.
Clank…
He drew A new sword out from a wrapped cloth. It slid out gracefully.
Yin Zhe stared at the sword that the elder had brought out.
The sword was shimmering with a soft and bluish glow. A faint crackle of energy buzzed across its blade.
Chen Niao held it carefully. "This," he said, "is a twelfth-grade spiritual sword."
Yin Zhe raised his brows. "Twelfth grade?"
"yes. It's A strong beginner treasure," Chen Niao said proudly. "Its name is Roaring Cat."
Yin Zhe's lips twitched in amusement.
"Roaring Cat?. Pfft… hmmm… why not just call it roaring pu—. He stopped himself in time. Sorry I meant. Roaring pussycats… these people are wild…" He let out a soft inwardly laugh. Hehehe…
Before Yin Zhe could comment, Chen Niao shoved the sword forward. Thud! It landed in Yin Zhe's hands.
"What— the!? Elder, this—"
"Take it," Chen Niao said, smiling deeply. "A sword man must have a sword that communicates to him. This one chooses you."
Yin Zhe stared at the orange colored blade in shock. The metal hummed softly in his grip. Buzz… "You're giving this… to me?" he asked.
"Yes." Chen Niao folded his arms. "And I want you to return here tomorrow morning before the competition begins."
"Tomorrow morning?" Yin Zhe asked, blinking.
Chen Niao nodded again. "Because I will give you the full version of Falling Leaves technique. All nine forms. You'll try to learn it again"