Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 349: Chapter 345: True Essence of Sword Intent

In the Seven-Mile Land, Ning Jiang sat down.

He wanted to see for himself if the claim that comprehending Sword Intent was easier here was true.

His mind was as calm as still water, free of distracting thoughts. He then channeled his own Half-Step Sword Intent, letting it resonate with the Sword Intent within the canyon.

Soon, he felt a distinct change.

The Sword Intent circulating throughout his body became more vibrant and agile, and he could faintly feel it growing.

”This is...”

A moment later, Ning Jiang’s eyes flew open in surprise. ”The Power of Laws!”

What was the Power of Laws?

Simply put, it was a power that only Celestial Martial Realm Kings could master. The very reason these Kings stood so far above all others, capable of living for ten thousand years, was because they had grasped Law Power.

The Laws of Heaven and Earth were a supreme power. Before them, things like the Domain of an Earth Martial Realm expert were as insignificant as ants.

And now, Ning Jiang could feel a faint trace of that Law Power right here.

It was this very Power of Laws that aided Martial Artists, making it easier for them to comprehend Sword Intent.

Take the Seven Great Super Sects, for instance. Why were their disciples so much stronger?

It was because they had the opportunity to receive guidance from Celestial Martial Realm Kings. A King could use the Power of Laws to help their sect’s disciples, allowing them to advance much faster.

’It seems there’s something in the depths of the canyon.’

Ning Jiang’s eyes narrowed, his curiosity about what lay within growing stronger.

Pushing his thoughts aside, he began to focus completely on comprehending Sword Intent. For him, this was a rare and valuable opportunity.

He was currently at Half-Step Sword Intent, still a ways off from complete Sword Intent.

And with his experience as a Venerable, augmented by this Power of Laws, he was confident he could grasp complete Sword Intent within a few days!

And so, he remained motionless as the aura around him grew progressively sharper.

Some of the people nearby sensed his aura and shot him surprised looks. Many stared at the mask on Ning Jiang’s face, wondering what kind of face lay hidden beneath it.

Soon, a day had passed.

The sky gradually darkened. The sun vanished, replaced by a night sky blanketed with stars.

SHIIIIING!

Suddenly, from the depths of the canyon, which had long been tranquil, a sharp aura burst forth.

”Hm?”

Startled, Ning Jiang looked over. He saw a small, translucent, illusory sword flying out from the canyon’s depths. The sword was only the size of a thumb, yet the Sword Intent condensed upon it was astonishing.

”The True Essence of Sword Intent!”

Instantly, a fiery passion lit up the eyes of many.

”Master, what is the True Essence of Sword Intent?”

Outside the ten-mile zone, a young girl who didn’t understand asked the white-haired old man beside her.

The white-haired old man explained, ”The so-called True Essence of Sword Intent is a treasure formed when Sword Intent settles over a long period and condenses by a stroke of fortune. What does ’essence’ mean? Think of bone marrow—the essence of the bone. The True Essence of Sword Intent is the very essence of Sword Intent itself. If you obtain such a thing, you can absorb and refine it to help you comprehend Sword Intent!”

”It’s said that someone once obtained this True Essence of Sword Intent and grasped Sword Intent in one fell swoop.”

As the white-haired old man spoke, his eyes filled with envy.

The True Essence of Sword Intent was a treasure one could only hope to encounter by chance, not seek out.

Its formation is incredibly difficult, requiring over a hundred years of settled Sword Intent for even a possibility of it coming into being.

The Great Thousand Realms are full of all sorts of strange and wondrous things.

For example, a Taiyang Divine Crystal might be born within magma, and a Taiyin Divine Crystal might appear in a place of extreme yin...

It was only natural that a place like the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon, where Sword Intent has persisted for ages, would form a True Essence of Sword Intent.

’Damn it, with my strength, I don’t stand a chance of fighting for it.’

’The True Essence of Sword Intent... If I could get my hands on it, I might have a chance to comprehend complete Sword Intent.’

’Forget it. It’s not worth forcing it. I’ll just wait and watch the show.’

The numerous Sword Cultivators discussed amongst themselves, their minds captivated by the True Essence of Sword Intent.

But everyone understood that treasures don’t go to the virtuous, but to the powerful!

Only the one with the most strength would be able to claim the True Essence of Sword Intent.

It was easy to imagine that a great battle was about to break out for this True Essence of Sword Intent.

”Excellent. A good chance to stretch my limbs.”

Ning Jiang smiled faintly and rose to his feet. The True Essence of Sword Intent could help him comprehend Sword Intent faster. Now that he had seen it, there was no way he would let it pass.

At the same time, five other figures stood up nearby, each releasing a sharp aura.

Like him, these five were also in the seven-mile area, and their strength could not be underestimated.

”Hmph. Anyone who dares to compete with me shouldn’t blame me for being merciless.”

To his left, a tall, thin, one-eyed man spoke in a cold voice. He held a rapier, and his aura was exceptionally dangerous. His gaze made one feel as if they were being watched by a viper.

”Unfortunately, this old man wants it too,” said a black-robed old man with a gaze as sharp as a hawk’s.

”Heh, did you really think a few words would make us give up? You underestimate us.”

”Enough talk. If you want to fight, then let’s fight. We’ll see who’s really in charge when our blades cross.”

All five were burning with fighting spirit, determined to obtain the True Essence of Sword Intent. Instantly, a tense atmosphere, like swords drawn from their sheaths, filled the air.

Some of the smarter Sword Cultivators had already retreated to a safe distance, not wanting to get caught in the aftermath of their battle.

Ahead, the small, somewhat illusory sword flew out slowly, drawing closer and closer.

Although everyone’s eyes burned with desire, no one made the first move. Whoever struck first would become the nail that sticks out, drawing everyone’s attacks.

However, when the True Essence of Sword Intent reached the eight-mile mark, the silence was finally broken.

Several people struck at almost the exact same time.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The sound of Treasure Swords clashing rang out as sparks flew and sharp Sword Qi shot out in all directions.

”Let’s get rid of the weakest one first.”

The one-eyed man with the rapier took a few steps and appeared before Ning Jiang. His speed was ghostly, and his Sword Technique was incredibly fast as he slashed toward Ning Jiang.

’The weakest one?’

A glint flashed in Ning Jiang’s eyes. It seemed he was being underestimated.

But he didn’t mind. Seeing the man’s rapier slashing toward him, he neither dodged nor drew his own sword.

He reached out with five fingers, like a dragon’s claw, and grabbed for the Treasure Sword.

”You’re courting death.”

A cold sneer flashed in the one-eyed man’s eyes. His sword was a Middle Grade Treasure Artifact, exceptionally sharp. For Ning Jiang to dare to meet it head-on with his bare hand—even if he had mastered Body Refining, his palm would be sliced off with a single strike.

But as Ning Jiang’s palm neared the rapier, his five curled fingers suddenly flicked out violently with a series of TWANGING sounds.

In that instant, his five fingers seemed to transform into swords. Using his fingers as blades, he flicked them forcefully against the rapier.

CLANG!

The rapier was knocked aside. The one-eyed man’s expression changed instantly; he felt the sword about to fly from his grasp, almost unable to hold on. ”How is that possible?”