Chapter 4 The Rainwater Sword Domain

Raindrops were drifting, and Ji Ning, immersed in the rain, was completely absorbed in his swordplay. Simply executing the sword technique with his fingers had already stirred the 'Dao'.

So comfortable.

Ji Ning felt as if at this moment he had transformed into a single raindrop! Chasing and frolicking with other raindrops, when they caught up they joined into a silken thread. That mutual attachment... caused countless raindrops to connect.

“Hua hua hua~~~” The raindrops around Ji Ning all turned into countless silken threads of rain, like lines, the countless crystalline threads even more magnificent.

Hua! Hua! Hua!

Each silken thread faintly resembled a blade.

“Hong long long~~” The rain grew heavier, even becoming a downpour, the torrential rain like a curtain, fierce and overwhelming. Ji Ning's sword technique also carried an irresistible, surging might.

…

The black ox stared dumbfounded. Raindrops, silken rain, downpour... finally the surrounding rain returned to the ethereal silken rain.

Thread after thread of silken rain... like the most precious, crystalline, transparent jade-carved threads, or like a mother's hand, gently caressing.

Finally Ji Ning stopped.

“This is the Dao?” Ji Ning murmured to himself.

“Congratulations, Ji Ning.” The black ox's mouth was wide open, extremely excited. “You have truly merged into the Dao, completely merged with the Dao. The feeling of becoming one with the Dao is wonderful, isn't it?”

Ji Ning nodded lightly.

The feeling just now was indeed wonderful, as if he had turned into a drop of water, as if he himself were the rain! At this moment, he was incredibly familiar with rain. Ji Ning understood... the Dao he had realized was the Dao of Rainwater!

“The vast amount of Dao insights you've comprehended over these nearly five years, accumulated and burst forth today, allowing you to break through that threshold and finally achieve the ‘Dao Domain’.” The black ox praised.

“Dao Domain?” Ji Ning looked puzzled. “What does that mean?”

The black ox exclaimed in surprise, “You don't even know this?”

“No.” Ji Ning answered honestly.

The black ox shook his head and sighed, “Your tribe's foundation is truly ordinary, not even having the stages of Dao comprehension. Let me tell you. In the improvement of skills for cultivators, whether it be swordsmanship, blade arts, spear techniques, or even painting, playing the qin—any skill—the first level is the foundation! That is, being familiar with a skill. The second level is the Subtle Realm, representing that your control over the skill has approached perfection. The third level is Unity of Heaven and Man, representing that your skill is nearly the Dao, attuned to the heart of Heaven.”

Ji Ning listened; he naturally knew the first three levels.

“After Unity of Heaven and Man, you sense the mysteries of Heaven and Earth, gradually discovering the ‘Dao’ within. When you gain something, you have comprehended a thread of Dao insight. This is the fourth level, ‘Dao Insight’.” The black ox wagged his head. “Comprehending Dao insight is difficult; even some Zifu Disciples may not have achieved it.”

Ji Ning had already comprehended Dao insight back when he realized the Dao by the pond.

“Then you continue to comprehend, constantly realizing threads of Dao insight. A large number of Dao insights gather, making your understanding of the Dao ever deeper. One day, when the vast accumulation of Dao insights reaches a critical point and causes a qualitative change, you can truly merge with the Dao. Even with a single thought, you can draw upon the power of the surrounding Dao, forming your domain. This is the fifth level, ‘Dao Domain’, which is your current realm. Impressive, very impressive.” The black ox sighed. “Only a very few among Wanxiang Adepts can achieve this; generally, the Dao comprehension of Primordial Daoists is at this level.”

“Oh? I'm that impressive?” Ji Ning smiled.

“Your talent is extremely high, especially in swordsmanship—it's simply monstrous. With the assistance of the Star Palace, reaching this realm at just sixteen years old!” The black ox said.

Ji Ning also knew.

He had the “Nuwa Painting”, he was extremely diligent, had high comprehension, and the Water Mansion... multiple factors had brought him to this step.

“What is beyond the Dao Domain?” Ji Ning pressed.

“Beyond...” The black ox looked at Ji Ning. “After all, reaching the ‘Dao Domain’ is only complete integration with the Dao. You need to comprehend more of this ‘Dao’ until one day you fully comprehend it! Completely master this Dao! That is the sixth level, fully comprehending a Dao!”

Ji Ning seemed to understand.

Indeed, just now he had completely merged with the rainwater, but it was only merging. He was still far from fully mastering the ‘Dao of Rainwater’.

“First level foundation, second level Subtle Realm, third level Unity of Heaven and Man, fourth level Dao Insight, fifth level Dao Domain, sixth level a complete Dao!” The black ox said solemnly. “Improving one's realm is very important; only when the realm is sufficient can one's own strength improve. Otherwise, you simply cannot control powerful force.”

“To become a Celestial Immortal, you must master a Dao!” The black ox looked at Ji Ning. “For example, Immortal Ju Hua became a Sanxian for millions of years, comprehending nine complete Daos. But what could he do? The increasingly powerful Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations still caused his fall. Once you become a Sanxian, you are destined to fall.”

Ji Ning also sighed.

“You cultivate the sword. Having reached the Dao Domain, your domain is generally called a Sword Domain.” The black ox reminded. “With just this Sword Domain, you are enough to make countless major sects willing to open their doors for you.”

“Sword Domain?” Ji Ning said softly. “This Dao is the Dao of Rainwater, so my Sword Domain shall be called the ‘Rainwater Sword Domain’.”

Ji Ning looked around.

Hua hua~~~

Silken rain was born out of thin air, drizzling and swirling around. Each thread of silken rain was like a sharp line, enough to cut through hard mountain rocks and steel.

“A reminder: you were immersed in the Sword Domain for four hours of external time.” The black ox said.

“Four hours?” Ji Ning was startled. “Immersed in the Dao, time really passes without much feeling. By the way, senior, now that I have comprehended the Rainwater Sword Domain, if I go to challenge the first level of the War God Hall, do I have a chance?”

The black ox was taken aback: “The first level of the War God Hall? Hmm, you can give it a try!”

Ji Ning smiled.

Even if the black ox didn't say it, he had to try, because for each stage of Divine Demon Body Refinement, there were only two chances to challenge the War God Hall. Now that his Divine Demon Body Refinement had reached the Xiantian perfection, he would likely reach the Zifu level soon. If he didn't use the two chances at the Xiantian stage, they would be wasted once he reached the Zifu level.

“Let's go, I want to see how formidable the War God Hall is.” Ji Ning was full of anticipation and also eager to successfully clear it so he could go to the Treasure Hall and choose a treasure!

The treasures in the Treasure Hall were all left by the first master.

Even human-grade magic treasures might have some special ones that could greatly benefit the Ji clan in dealing with the Snowdragon Mountain this time.

“Snowdragon Mountain.” Ji Ning silently recited in his heart.

…

By now it was already dark, and the Snowdragon Mountain Yanshan branch's Zifu Disciple ‘Mu Si’ had flown nonstop for tens of thousands of li to get here. He streaked down like a meteor.

Below was a towering mountain called Dilong Mountain.

“Human cultivator, retreat quickly.”

“How dare a human cultivator trespass on Dilong Mountain? Are you seeking death?”

As Mu Si flew down on his magic treasure towards Dilong Mountain, some great demons on the mountain shouted angrily. This Dilong Mountain was a major force, with a thousand-year-old Zifu old demon ‘Dilong’ dwelling there. Moreover, Dilong was a divine beast, so the deterrent power of an old demon with a divine beast bloodline at the Zifu level was imaginable.

Naturally, it had gathered a large group of great demons under its command, making it a forbidden area for humans nearby.

Divine beast bloodline and Zifu old demon—these two factors were enough to make even some Zifu Disciples wary.

“Senior Brother Tong Yu, your junior brother Mu Si requests an audience.” Mu Si ignored those great demons, flew directly to the top of Dilong Mountain, landed, and spoke.

“Roar~~”

A huge dragon head suddenly emerged from a cave on the mountain peak. The cyan dragon head had a single horn, and its eyes, as big as carriage wheels, stared at Mu Si. The boundless aura emanating from the dragon head alone made Mu Si's heart tremble. He knew very well that he was no match for this Dilong before him.

This Dilong was an old demon at the Zifu perfection level and had divine demon bloodline.

“Greetings, Daoist brother Dilong.” Mu Si bowed.

“Don't you know that the master dislikes being disturbed?” Dilong growled.

“There is an important matter.” Mu Si quickly said. “I have an important matter to report to Senior Brother Tong Yu, which will also greatly benefit Senior Brother Tong Yu.”

Tong Yu...

He was the most important among the Snowdragon Mountain Yanshan branch's fellow disciples they were inviting. In the eyes of Dong Ziqi, Mu Si, and others, as long as they could invite Senior Brother Tong Yu, he alone could easily annihilate the Ji clan. In fact, the strength of Tong Yu could be glimpsed from the fact that he had this Dilong as his spirit beast.

It should be known that Zifu-level spirit beasts were very rare.

Although many human Xiantian experts had some great demons as spirit beasts, humans had a higher chance of breaking through to Zifu due to their high comprehension. But among spirit beasts, those that broke through to Zifu were fewer! Zifu old demons generally were unwilling to submit, and if they did, it was to the strong. Even if they submitted to the weak, the Zifu spirit beast would soon be taken away!

None of Dong Ziqi, Mu Si, Ji Jiuhuo, etc., had Zifu spirit beasts.

“You want to see me?” A vigorous and powerful voice sounded. A burly man with flowing cyan hair, tiger-like eyes, and dressed in black appeared from nearby and walked over.

“Greetings, senior brother.” Mu Si quickly bowed respectfully.

“I've seen you before. You're called Mu Si.” Tong Yu looked at him. “Don't you know I'm in seclusion trying to break through?”

Mu Si's heart trembled.

He knew very well how terrifying Senior Brother Tong Yu was. Senior Brother Tong Yu was a Divine Demon Body Refinement cultivator, with his Divine Demon Body Refinement reaching Zifu perfection! Moreover, Senior Brother Tong Yu had learned the divine ability ‘Heavenly Earth Transformation’. A Zifu perfection Divine Demon Body Refinement expert was already very formidable, and with a divine ability, he could fight above his level.

Even Dong Ziqi would be trembling in front of Senior Brother Tong Yu. The most important thing in this invitation was to invite Senior Brother Tong Yu.

“Senior Brother Tong Yu.” Mu Si quickly said. “I know that Senior Brother Tong Yu is in seclusion here and dislikes being disturbed. But not far from here, in the nearby Yanshan area, a giant vein of prime-grade yuan stones has been discovered, with an extremely large amount of high-grade yuan stones. The vein spans over four thousand li in circumference and over three hundred li in depth.”

“What!” Tong Yu, who had been very calm, shot two beams of golden light from his eyes. “Is what you say true?”

“If I deceive senior brother, senior brother can directly slap me to death.” Mu Si quickly said.

…