Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 780: Chapter 778: Ling Chen’s Sword Way_1

With the assistance of Taibai Sword Immortal, Ling Chen’s Sword Intent quickly reached the critical point, advancing from the Second-Order to the Third-Order.

However, at this moment, the Emperor’s Scroll in Ling Chen’s Heavenly Mansion Ring began to tremble. From that ethereal space, a middle-aged figure emerged once again.

This figure was imposing and upright, exuding a kingly aura with every gesture.

It was the Human Emperor.

”The Green Lotus Sword Sense is, after all, someone else’s Sword Sense; it may not be suitable for you,” the Human Emperor stated. ”The paths of Swordsmanship are myriad, but all lead to the same destination. The most important thing is to find your own path among those trodden by predecessors.”

After the Human Emperor appeared, he flicked a finger, sending a ray of golden light between Ling Chen’s eyebrows.

BANG!

It was as if a monstrous wave had been stirred within his mind. The Green Lotus Sword Sense originally forming in Ling Chen’s mind was countered by the Sword Intent the Human Emperor forcefully injected. This was the Human Emperor’s Kingship Sword Intent.

The Kingship Sword Intent and the Green Lotus Sword Sense each occupied half the territory, contending equally.

The Human Emperor, the very one who created this world and divided it into Nine Provinces!

A trace of astonishment was in Taibai Sword Immortal’s voice. Even in Taibai Sword Immortal’s era, the Human Emperor was likewise a legendary powerhouse, a figure known to everyone under heaven.

Taibai Sword Immortal and the Human Emperor were both supreme powerhouses of heaven and earth, but in terms of seniority, the Human Emperor was Taibai Sword Immortal’s senior.

Why does the Human Emperor hinder my aid in this youngster’s breakthrough?

Taibai Sword Immortal was somewhat unable to understand. If Ling Chen could learn his Green Lotus Sword Sense, wouldn’t his strength increase greatly? It would only be beneficial to Ling Chen, without any harm. Why would the Human Emperor intervene to stop it?

”Because he is my, the Human Emperor’s, disciple,” the Human Emperor shook his head. ”His goal is not to become a Saint, but to become a Martial Arts Supreme. And a Martial Arts Supreme must walk their own path of Martial Arts.”

Hearing this, Ling Chen seemed to understand something. The Green Lotus Sword Sense, while powerful, contained Taibai Sword Immortal’s personal enlightenment. This wasn’t sword techniques; it was purely the Sword Way that Taibai Sword Immortal had comprehended! This was the Sword Way that belonged to another!

Before Taibai Sword Immortal’s Sword Way, Ling Chen’s past insights and arduous cultivation seemed utterly insignificant!

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Ling Chen could already guess the outcome if he continued down this road, completely immersing himself in Taibai Sword Immortal’s artistic conception and Sword Way.

Then he could indeed become a Saint more quickly, and a first-rate Sword Saint at that. Perhaps he could even break the record and become the youngest Sword Saint in the Nine Provinces.

But as for becoming a Supreme Expert, there would be absolutely no hope.

Because Ling Chen would be cultivating Taibai Sword Immortal’s Sword Way, and his personal conditions were entirely different from Taibai Sword Immortal’s. By following Taibai Sword Immortal’s Sword Way, Ling Chen could never achieve the other’s accomplishments, much less surpass them.

To become a Supreme Expert?

Taibai Sword Immortal was stunned for a moment. He knew that since ancient times, the number of Supreme Experts born on this Nine Provinces Land could be counted on one’s fingers. The birth of a Supreme Expert practically required exhausting the entire continent’s destiny.

After Taibai Sword Immortal, this land had not seen the birth of another Supreme Expert for five hundred years. The conditions to become a Supreme Expert were too harsh, and it would only become increasingly difficult.

For an ordinary person, becoming a Sword Saint would probably be something they dreamed of. A Supreme Expert was an unattainable legend.

It was just that Taibai Sword Immortal couldn’t have imagined how Ling Chen could be an ordinary person.

”Ling Chen, boy, what kind of path do you want to walk? Are you clear about it yourself?” the Human Emperor asked.

The Human Emperor did not interfere with Ling Chen’s thoughts but rather let the latter make his own choice. If Ling Chen merely wanted to become a Saint, then he would no longer intervene. Ling Chen could simply accept Taibai Sword Immortal’s help, master the Green Lotus Sword Sense, and become a follower of this Taibai Sword Immortal.

In that case, Ling Chen would lose the hope of becoming a Supreme Expert.

He had always been by Ling Chen’s side, yet he had never truly imparted his Martial Arts to Ling Chen in a meaningful way. He only offered a few words of guidance from time to time, precisely because he wanted Ling Chen to follow his direction and forge a path of his own.

His former disciples had learned his martial arts to perfection, yet ultimately, not one of them could reach the level of a Supreme Expert. This was because they had failed to forge their own paths.

”I’ve thought it through clearly.”

Ling Chen nodded with a solemn expression. This matter didn’t require consideration; he had made his decision long ago. A brilliant light suddenly flashed in his eyes. ”The power of predecessors will only be a reference for me. I want to create my own path of Martial Arts!”

”That will be a brand-new Sword Way. Not the Human Emperor’s King’s Sword Way, nor Taibai Sword Immortal’s Green Lotus Sword Way, but my, Ling Chen’s, Sword Way,” Ling Chen stated, his voice firm and decisive.

A smile appeared on the Human Emperor’s face. ”Very good. I truly didn’t misjudge you, boy.”

The nearby Taibai Sword Immortal, however, found this master and disciple pair, the Human Emperor and Ling Chen, quite incomprehensible, especially Ling Chen. Ling Chen clearly had the opportunity to quickly become a Sword Saint, yet he chose to give it up for the nebulous path of a Supreme Expert. It couldn’t help but make one feel a bit wistful.

As the continent’s last Supreme Expert, he naturally knew how difficult this path to becoming a Supreme Expert was.

Ling Chen had chosen the most difficult path, and the chances of success were minuscule.

But since this was Ling Chen’s own choice, he naturally wouldn’t say anything more.

After all, his original intention was not to harm Ling Chen, but merely to impart his Sword Way to him.

The Green Lotus Sword Way and the King’s Sword Way are both Sword Ways of Supreme Experts. Although they are not the path I intend to walk, I can draw nourishment from them.

Ling Chen immersed his consciousness into his mind. The Green Lotus Sword Sense and the King’s Sword Intent intertwined there, each radiating an immortal brilliance.

Taibai Sword Immortal’s Sword Way follows a path of following one’s heart, free and unrestrained—a jug of wine, a poem, traveling to the ends of the earth, making a home wherever he goes. But in my opinion, it lacks a degree of concern for the common people of the world.

My Emperor Master’s Sword Way is all-encompassing, majestic, and holds the world in its heart. But at the same time, it is easily bound by this world, lacking the freedom and ease of a Swordsman.

Ling Chen was summarizing the Sword Ways of Taibai Sword Immortal and the Human Emperor. Both of their Sword Ways had distinct characteristics, with aspects that resonated with him and aspects that were incompatible.

My Sword Way follows entirely my own heart.

A brilliant light flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes, as if he had comprehended something. The workings of Heaven are constant; they do not exist for a Yao nor perish for a Jie. I will only do what is within my power.

When successful, I shall benefit the world; when in hardship, I shall cultivate my own virtue. I do not live for myself alone; this world is not mine alone.

A look of enlightenment appeared in Ling Chen’s eyes. At the same time, the two Sword Intents in his mind—the Kingship Sword Intent and the Green Lotus Sword Sense—rapidly dispersed. The faint traces of their aura that remained merged into Ling Chen’s own Sword Intent.

Among the five attributes of his Sword Intent, it was as if a great vortex had formed. The vortex was ever-changing, like the nascent form of something. What it would ultimately evolve into remained an unknown.