Chapter 597: Transmitting the Sword

Ten thousand swords chiming in unison, dragons roaring to the heavens—this is the manifestation of the Sword Heart Realm. Reaching this state, a long sword nurtures spirituality, harmonizing with its wielder like an extension of the arm, more than doubling one's combat power.

One who comprehends this realm can essentially establish a sect and become a sect leader.

Even many rulers and sect masters of various powers have not attained it. In the mist, who exactly has manifested this realm, causing countless swords outside to be unable to restrain themselves?

And who, before their sword intent has even emerged, already has sword energy diffusing and aura sweeping across?

"It must be Liao Wuzhi. Both our sects live at the foot of the mountain outside the Ten Thousand Kingdoms City. Every morning I see him practicing swordplay facing the waterfall. The sword's cry echoes through the valley, shaking the nine provinces. Back then, I felt that even if he hadn't reached the Sword Heart Realm, he was at least at the peak of Sword Intent!"

"Now that you mention it, I recall that day I happened to see the traces left by his sword practice. His sword intent spread several zhang away, leaving marks on the ground. Only by reaching the Sword Heart Realm could one make the pits so regular and uniform in depth!"

"Liao Wuzhi, hailed as the unparalleled sword genius of the Cold Qi Sect, is certainly not undeserving of his reputation."

"Indeed, once the Sword Heart Realm emerges, it crushes opponents of the same level. Zhang Shi's strength is inherently inferior to his opponent's. I'm afraid winning this time will be difficult!"

"I disagree with your view. I think it's Zhang Shi who has reached the Sword Heart Realm! Haven't you seen what happened in the previous rounds..."

...

Sensing the sword energy crisscrossing within the mist, shocking everyone, the many renowned teachers below the stage wore grave expressions.

"Sword Heart Realm?"

Wu Tianhao, who had just returned from the air, trembled.

Back then, he had wanted to challenge Zhang Shi not in fist or palm techniques, but in swordsmanship. He thought that with his understanding of the sword, defeating the opponent would be easy. Who knew Zhang Shi would accept the challenge directly, putting him at a disadvantage.

He had thought that if he had another chance to challenge, he would definitely use the sword and not overcomplicate things. But sensing the sword energy ahead, he instantly lost all confidence.

Whoever had comprehended the Sword Heart, being able to contend with them, how could their swordsmanship be poor?

At least it was not something someone of his cultivation could contend with.

"Can Zhang Shi... win?"

Hall Master Kang and the others were also full of worry.

"Rest assured, he will definitely win. But..." Zhao Feiwu's delicate brows were tightly knit.

"But what?"

Knowing that this Second Princess had a good relationship with Zhang Shi, the others looked over.

"Zhang Shi's swordsmanship is beyond doubt; he has long reached the Sword Heart Realm!" Zhao Feiwu nodded.

Back then, on the Sacrificial Altar of the Xuan Yuan Kingdom, Zhang Shi had displayed sword energy of the Lower Sword Heart Realm. She and Jin Conghai and the others, standing on the back of a savage beast, had seen it clearly.

Now, with his increased strength and deeper understanding of the realm, he was surely even more powerful. If asked who had manifested the Sword Heart Realm inside, she could be certain it was Zhang Shi.

Even if not, his understanding of the sword was by no means inferior.

"But... he doesn't have a suitable weapon..." Zhao Feiwu continued.

Zhang Shi had risen too quickly; he had plenty of spirit stones but hardly any decent weapons.

Back in the Array Masters Guild of Honghai City, the sword he used to carve array plates was borrowed.

In a sword duel, understanding of the sword was certainly important, but the weapon also played a significant role. Without a sword of sufficient level to contend, even with stronger comprehension, he might fall at a disadvantage.

"Then... what can we do?"

Hall Master Kang and the others were taken aback.

They had thought that with a teacher as formidable as Yang Shi, he would lack nothing in resources. They never expected he didn't even have a mid-grade spirit sword. If that were the case... how could he compete?

Had they known earlier, they would have casually borrowed one for him. Now that the match had already begun, even borrowing would be too late.

"Let's wait for the result. No one can do anything."

Zhao Feiwu shook her head.

Just as they were worrying, a clear voice rang out from within the mist: "I request Master Hong to withdraw the formation!"

"The battle is over?"

Everyone was stunned again.

Not wanting others to see the match results, yet now asking to withdraw the formation—didn't that mean the battle between the two had already concluded?

It had only been a few minutes, less than two minutes... Could it be that someone had already won and someone had lost?

That was too fast!

Whoosh!

Amidst puzzled gazes, the mist before them slowly dispersed, revealing two figures.

Zhang Shi and Liao Wuzhi both stood in their original positions, as if they had never moved, with no injuries or sword marks on them. The sword duel that had seemed so dangerous appeared, from the scene alone, as if it had not even begun.

"This... who won?"

"I don't know either, but... where is Zhang Shi's sword?"

"Right, weren't they dueling with swords? Why isn't Zhang Shi holding a sword?"

"Could it be that Zhang Shi abandoned his sword and conceded?"

...

Although neither combatant had moved, Liao Wuzhi held a long sword, exuding chilling cold, while Zhang Shi was bare-handed. It was unclear whether he had put his sword into his storage ring or had never taken it out.

Nevertheless, from their appearances alone, it was impossible to tell who had won or lost.

"I lost!"

Just as everyone was guessing, Liao Wuzhi's voice rang out. The genius shook his head, sheathed his sword, and put it into his storage ring.

"Teacher Liao lost?"

"What exactly happened?"

An uproar ensued.

What had Zhang Shi done to make Liao Wuzhi, whose swordsmanship was profound, willingly concede in less than two minutes?

"Zhang Shi's swordsmanship is profound; I am humbled and inferior!"

Ignoring the crowd's astonishment, Liao Wuzhi shook his head, looked at the young man before him, and clasped his fists: "I have reached the early stage of Lower Sword Heart and feel that further progress is very difficult. May I ask Zhang Shi to instruct me a little and tell me the direction of cultivation?"

In the entire Cold Qi Sect, besides him, no one else had reached the Sword Heart Realm. Even if he wanted to advance, he had no direction.

This young man before him, though younger than him, had a far superior understanding of the sword. If he could take this opportunity to seek advice, it would surely be of great help to his future cultivation.

"Instruct?"

Unexpectedly, Liao Wuzhi was so candid in defeat, directly seeking guidance. Zhang Xuan nodded calmly, extended his hand, and said: "Sword, come!"

"Yes!"

Eyes lighting up, Liao Wuzhi quickly took out his long sword and handed it over.

With a flick of his finger, the sword left its sheath. A chilling sword energy surged forth like a radiant light, dazzling and brilliant.

"Is Zhang Shi... going to instruct Liao Wuzhi?"

"It seems so. But if he's instructing, why doesn't he use his own sword? Others' swords are all bound to their owners. Once their spirituality resists, it becomes difficult to display sword intent and effect!"

"Yes, how strange..."

...

Seeing Zhang Xuan ask for the sword, everyone furrowed their brows.

When a sword reached the spirit grade, it had its own spirituality. Once it recognized a master, as long as the master did not die, it was hard for outsiders to control. Since Zhang Shi wanted to transmit the sword, why didn't he use his own weapon instead of borrowing another's?

Just as they were wondering how Zhang Shi would do it, they heard a sharp ring from the sword in his hand.

"Spirituality stirring, actively recognizing a master?"

"Just by touching Teacher Liao's sword, he made it recognize him as master?"

Everyone was startled.

Making a spirit-grade weapon recognize its master was very troublesome. Some people wiped it daily for years without success. But Zhang Shi, with Liao Wuzhi still standing there, touched the sword and it stirred violently, just like the Green Eagle Beast earlier, intending to recognize him as master...

This was too incredible!

Liao Wuzhi was also shocked, his eyes wide.

When he had first made this sword's spirituality recognize him as master, it had taken a full half year. He had even nourished it with heart's blood for an entire month before it completely submitted and his sword intent greatly increased.

The other party just touched it, and it begged to recognize him as master... The gap was too great.

"Watch carefully. I will only demonstrate once!"

Just as he was stunned, Zhang Shi's calm voice sounded.

He quickly steadied his mind and focused his eyes.

The audience below also fell silent, not daring to blink, afraid of missing anything.

Having defeated Teacher Liao, who had comprehended the Sword Heart, they also wanted to see to what level Zhang Shi had understood the sword.

Whoosh!

Under everyone's concentrated gaze, the long sword in Zhang Xuan's hand moved.

The previously chilling sword, in his hand, seemed to lose its brilliance and power, as light as a straw, weightless, and like an extension of his arm, showing no incongruity.

Swish!

The long sword slashed toward Liao Wuzhi, then retracted. Because of the speed, many didn't even see it clearly.

Clang!

Zhang Xuan sheathed the sword and walked off the stage.

"What a fast sword technique!"

"Is this Zhang Shi's understanding of the sword?"

Everyone looked at each other, bewildered.

Even Liao Wuzhi was confused.

Zhang Shi's earlier slash, though fast, was something he could easily achieve with his strength. He could even do it faster... But that alone wasn't worth learning!

Whoosh!

Just as he was puzzled, a breeze from his turning movement blew, and a strand of hair drifted down from his forehead.

"He... just cut off one of my hairs?"

Seeing the slowly falling hair, Liao Wuzhi's pupils contracted.

His hair was thick. To slash and cut only one strand without harming others—such control of power was appalling. Could it be...

As expected of Zhang Shi, truly formidable!

"One slash cuts a hair, and Teacher Liao didn't even notice?"

"What kind of sword technique is this? What level of sword control must one reach to achieve this?"

"I don't know... but it's probably at the very peak of Lower Sword Heart, or even... the Middle Sword Heart Realm!"

"Middle Sword Heart?"

Everyone below the stage fell silent.

A single slash cutting one strand of hair—such control was unbelievable without seeing it firsthand.

"Thank you for your guidance, Zhang Shi..."

Liao Wuzhi clasped his fists respectfully.

"Did you understand?"

Zhang Xuan stopped.

"I understood. Zhang Shi's slash cut one hair, showing astonishing control. It means I should focus on training my control..."

Liao Wuzhi quickly shared his insight.

Before he finished, he saw Zhang Shi shake his head. His silhouette under the moonlight seemed unusually disappointed: "It seems... you didn't understand."

With that, he lightly flicked his sleeve.

Whoosh!

A breeze blew over, gently lifting the fallen hair, which instantly shattered into dozens of tiny pieces, scattering in all directions.

"This... wasn't one slash?"

Pupils contracting, Liao Wuzhi's face turned pale.