Chapter 2225: The Red Firmament Sword

Wanting to see swordsmanship certainly meant no ill intent.

Those obsessed with martial arts are usually simple-minded, not full of twists and turns, nor bloodthirsty and murderous.

Understanding this, Zhang Xuan did not hesitate much. He stood up, turned his wrist, and the Divine King Sword appeared in his palm.

Seeing that he was about to demonstrate swordsmanship, the old man behind the youth reached out and grabbed, instantly enveloping the courtyard with a special force, preventing outsiders from sensing it.

Witnessing this move, Zhang Xuan's brows twitched again.

He could also set up such an airborne formation so quickly, but he could not achieve it as naturally as the other, even using spatial power.

It seemed that this old man, even if not an Emperor, had a cultivation far surpassing that of an ordinary Sealed Divine King; he was no match.

Knowing the youth meant no harm, he stopped dwelling on these thoughts. Gripping the Divine King Sword, in an instant, he entered a special state of mind, as if he had become a proud sword standing between heaven and earth.

Whoosh!

The sword moved.

A gentle breeze arose, ripples spread on the water.

The heart is like a double-threaded net, with a thousand knots within!

How could it be for wandering sights? The liver and intestines stir with filial thoughts!

The spring silkworm's silk ends only when death comes; the candle's tears dry only when turned to ashes!

The tree desires stillness but the wind does not cease; the child wishes to care but the parents are no longer waiting!

Four sets of sword techniques flowed out like water, spreading through the air like mist, or like a dream, making it impossible to discern how powerful they were.

The youth watched the sword techniques before him, silent.

Zhang Xuan sheathed his sword, the boundless sword aura retracting into the blade, and clasped his fists: "I await the Emperor's guidance!"

The man before him was the most powerful sword-wielder in the divine realm; a single word of guidance from him would greatly benefit his swordsmanship.

"To comprehend such a sword technique is indeed extraordinary..." The young man's always stern face broke into a smile: "Guidance? I cannot guide you. The path you have forged can only be continued by yourself. However... your sword intent is filled with reluctance, lacking protection and resolve."

"Protection and resolve?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

Heart like a double-threaded net, liver and intestines stirred by filial longing, the silkworm dies when spring ends, the candle turns to ashes when tears dry, the tree desires stillness but the wind will not cease...

Indeed, all were tinged with lingering affection.

However, the Heaven's Affection Art was founded on emotion, using emotion as the sword, so naturally it had to be full of tender feelings.

"In chaotic times, when everyone struggles to protect themselves, what would you do if your family, friends, or loved ones were threatened?"

The young man asked.

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused, then said: "Naturally, I would do my utmost to protect them..."

"Yes, protection—protection at all costs, even at the risk of death! Your sword technique... lacks this!" said the young man.

Zhang Xuan was speechless.

Indeed, his sword technique lacked such tenacity.

"Using emotion as the sword is not only about lingering affection, but more importantly, about responsibility and commitment! For instance, your final sword was filled with reluctance to part from your parents and regret for being unable to serve them. But have you ever thought about what your parents most wished to see when they were alive?" asked the young man.

"What they most wished to see was... for me to live my best self, to be happy and joyful every day..." After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Xuan said.

Though he did not know his parents' thoughts, as a teacher, he understood his attitude toward his students.

He only hoped that Zhao Ya and the others could live as themselves and be happy. As for what realm they reached or what level of cultivation they attained, it did not matter to him.

Even if they were now mere ordinary gods... he would never treat them differently.

"That's right, what they most want to see is you living your best self, not clinging to regrets. People must always look forward, not stagnate!" said the youth.

"Yes..." Zhang Xuan's heart trembled, and he stood stunned.

Indeed!

Dwelling in pain is definitely not what loved ones want to see.

They would rather you live happily.

Filial piety is right, and pain is also right, but dwelling in it is wrong.

Everyone has their own life and their own path to follow; they cannot remain stagnant.

Birth, aging, sickness, death; parting from loved ones; enduring resentment; unfulfilled desires; inability to let go...

The eight sufferings of life must be endured and also released.

This... is life.

To want to live, no matter how bitter, you must endure.

"Thank you for the guidance, senior..." Zhang Xuan felt as if a ray of light had been grasped in his heart. He knew that although it was faint, it had changed his direction. Without further ado, he bowed deeply.

The guidance of just a few words had benefited him greatly.

"To understand so quickly shows I didn't choose the wrong person..." The youth smiled faintly and stood up. "Alright, I must be going too. The road ahead is yours to walk. Take care."

"You're leaving already?"

Zhang Xuan was startled.

He had thought the other party had some purpose, but after only watching him perform his swordsmanship and offering a few pointers, he was about to leave. Could it be that he had come specifically to guide him?

Standing up, the youth said, "Jian Yao, give him the Chixiao Sword."

"Yes!" The old man stepped forward, flicked his wrist, and a long sword appeared before him, gently handed over.

The moment the sword appeared in the air, cracks formed in the surrounding space. The Divine King Sword in Zhang Xuan's hand involuntarily broke free from his grasp and prostrated itself on the ground.

Zhang Xuan's brows jumped.

The Divine King Sword was a sword at the Divine King level, the most powerful weapon he had so far. A sword of this level, upon encountering this Chixiao Sword, directly prostrated itself...

How powerful must it be?

"I cannot accept such a gift without merit..."

He hurriedly bowed, not daring to accept it.

"Don't stand on ceremony. This sword was forged by me decades ago, specifically for you. Take it..." The youth clasped his hands behind his back without turning around.

"Decades ago?" Zhang Xuan was dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond.

He was at most just over twenty years old, and that was in the Master Teacher Continent's time. Converted to the God Realm's time, he had lived only a little over a month...

Decades ago, are you sure it was forged specifically for me...

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Seeing the other's resolute attitude and his own urgent need to improve his strength, Zhang Xuan no longer refused. He reached out and took the long sword.

It had no weight, no powerful artifact spirit, and no discomfort. It was as if the sword had grown onto his arm from the moment it appeared, an extension of his arm.

Such a powerful sword, the moment it fell into his palm, was already refined and became his own.

The previous pressure and power instantly vanished, becoming plain and unadorned, indistinguishable from an ordinary long sword. But as the sword's master, he knew the terror of the power contained within.

If he were to use this sword to execute the Heaven's Pity Sword Technique again, even the giant face condensed from Linglong Immortal's will might not withstand it and would be shattered on the spot!

Filled with gratitude, Zhang Xuan bowed again. Then, remembering something, he looked at the youth before him with hope in his eyes: "May I... see the swordsmanship you have comprehended, Emperor?"

The other had guided his sword technique. If he could also observe the other's, perhaps his insights would be even greater.