World's No. 1 Swordsman
Chapter 73: The Sixth Realm, Sword Forging

Chapter 73: The Sixth Realm, Sword Forging

Putting away the sword heart...

Wang Sheng was truly in awe of the grandmaster. As Yuan Pu Zhenren continued to explain the realms of the Dao of the Sword, Wang Sheng's respect for him only deepened.

Now that primal qi had returned, cultivation could continuously push one's realm forward and extend their lifespan along with it. The path of the Dao was clear, and cultivation itself had become relatively easier.

However, the old Daoist had cultivated the Dao and practiced the sword in the mountains during an era without primal qi—an era where one could at most rely on the potential of their Daoist body to develop a faint internal qi. Despite knowing that the road ahead led only to solitude, old age, and a grave of yellow earth, he remained steadfast in his Dao.

The man deserved a lot of respect.

The guidance that Wang Sheng had received from him today would have a far-reaching impact, sparing him countless detours in his cultivation.

After demonstrating the sword heart, Yuan Pu Zhenren took a deep breath, paced a few steps, and continued their discussion.

Having come this far, there was no reason for him not to reveal the final Sword Dao realm.

"Fei Yu, Yinglong, let me ask you—what is the Dao of the Sword’s ultimate pursuit?"

Momentarily at a loss, Wang Sheng couldn't immediately respond.

Yuan Pu Zhenren chuckled lightly. He exuded an air of transcendence, making him truly appear to be an immortal in the mortal world.

He stroked his beard and glanced at Abyss Listener. With a crisp clang, the treasured sword unsheathed itself three inches, its chilling radiance piercing the heart.

"Your sword is merely a low-grade mortal weapon, an unremarkable treasure. Yinglong, let your master know that Fei Yu needs a proper sword," Yuan Pu Zhenren instructed. He then shook his head, realizing that he had once again veered off-topic.

"Yes, Forefather Master," Zhou Yinglong quickly replied.

Before bestowing Wang Sheng a treasure, the sect master had likely considered that despite Wang Sheng’s extraordinary comprehension of the Dao of the Sword, he was not an official disciple of the Daoist heritage. Hence, the sect master had given him Abyss Listener, a subpar weapon, instead of a sword from Wudang's Daoist lineage.

Now that Yuan Pu Zhenren had spoken, though, the sect master naturally would not dare disobey. At the end of the day, he was still the grandmaster’s disciple.

Wang Sheng accepted Yuan Pu Zhenren’s goodwill without thinking much of it. After all, even Zhou Yinglong could see that the guidance he had offered today was not merely out of admiration for talent; it had long-term considerations.

Elders of his stature habitually thought about matters beyond their own time. Even though his lifespan had now increased, he still felt that he might pass away before long. Moreover, no one knew if his already withered body could withstand the backlash of failing to break through to the Golden Core realm.

Currently in his prime, Qing Yanzi had left only a letter before going into seclusion on the Zhongnan Mountains to attempt the breakthrough. Unlike him, caution was paramount for those like Yuan Pu Zhenren, considering he likely only had one chance.

Hence, by imparting wisdom and instructing his disciple to bring Wang Sheng a treasure, he had secured a connection with someone who could one day rise to prominence.

Yuan Pu Zhenren could already get a sense of Wang Sheng’s character through Abyss Listener alone. Compared to the grace of having his path in the Dao of the Sword illuminated, an artifact was of little significance to the young man.

He already owed Yuan Pu Zhenren so much for his wisdom; he might as well accept a sword, too.

After a while, Yuan Pu Zhenren smiled. "What, still no answer? Fei Yu, you've already cultivated the Dao of the Sword to a deep level, yet you don't know what you are pursuing?"

Wang Sheng pondered for a moment. "Is it to protect the Dao?"

Yuan Pu Zhenren slowly shook his head. "There are countless ways to protect the Dao. The sword is merely one of them. Think again."

"Hmmm..." Zhou Yinglong hesitated. "Is it for self-discipline and cultivation of character?"

Yuan Pu Zhenren glanced at his disciple with some exasperation. Zhou Yinglong chuckled sheepishly, quietly poured out the cooled tea in the grandmaster's cup, and replaced it with a warm one.

Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong pondered further.

The question was like asking why one plus one equaled two—how was it supposed to be answered?

Why had they chosen to cultivate the Dao of the Sword? Since their masters had passed down Daoist arts to them, as disciples, they naturally followed the path laid before them.

After thinking for some time, the two shook their heads.

Yuan Pu Zhenren smiled faintly, a subtle pressure emanating from him. In a steady yet powerful tone, he remarked, "A sword is a weapon! It's double-edged, straight, pointed, can pierce armor, and cleave! It is hailed as the king of all weapons!

"Even when adorned as a nobleman's accessory, it remains a tool of injury and death. I have often heard people say that no matter how highly cultivators exalt the Dao of the Sword, it is ultimately a path of killing!"

Noticing Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong's startled expressions, Yuan Pu Zhenren eased his tone. "But that is not the whole truth. I pondered for ten years before truly understanding that combat is ultimately the fundamental pursuit of the Dao of the Sword. If one argues that it is merely a path of killing, that perspective is not entirely wrong.

"However, nothing in the world is absolute. No matter the subject, it cannot be summed up in a single statement. Talismans can kill. Formations can kill. Countless mystical treasures possess the power to take lives. Shouldn't they all be called paths of killing?

"The path of killing arises from one's heart. The Dao of the Sword is merely a method wielded by cultivators. If one claims that it is riddled with death, then rather than blaming the sword, it would be more accurate to say that the one who wields it harbors the heart of a murderer."

Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Now that Wang Sheng had thought about it, the grandmaster's statement was undeniably true. The reasoning was simple, yet it left Wang Sheng with profound insights, unraveling some of the doubts lingering in his heart.

A sword was ultimately just a weapon! It was not the sword that killed—it was the one who wielded it.

Yuan Pu Zhenren paced around slowly as his tone grew more ethereal. "In different hands, the same sword can save lives or harm and kill. The same is true for the Dao of the Sword."

Wang Sheng looked up at Yuan Pu Zhenren. In a hushed tone, he asked, "Grandmaster, what exactly is the sixth realm? Although you've taught us so much, my cultivation is far too shallow to comprehend all this."

"I call it," Yuan Pu Zhenren answered, "the Realm of Sword Forging."

Sword forging?

Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong were taken aback.

Zhou Yinglong blurted, "Does it mean turning oneself into a sword? Uh... Wouldn't that make someone a... sword person or something?"

"Hahaha! You little rascal, where do you get such absurd ideas?"

Yuan Pu Zhenren stroked his beard and laughed heartily. Wang Sheng also chuckled.

"I've said all this only to help you better understand the sixth realm of the Dao of the Sword. Plainly put, everyone has their own path," Yuan Pu Zhenren explained. "Take our Wudang Daoist heritage, for example.

"Our various Daoist arts are all cultivated based on the principles of the True Martial Insights. Similarly, Qing Yanzi and Fei Yu cultivate through the Pure Yang Immortal Mantra.

"The foundation of your Dao lies in the cultivation method you follow. Even if you reach the realm of sword heart, it is merely a means of controlling the sword to defeat your enemies. Hence, no matter how powerful your sword heart may become—even if it could slay immortals and demons—it will remain external.

"However, your cultivation method determines your Daoist realm. That is your true internal core! The Dao of the Sword may aid your breakthroughs, but it cannot define your foundation."

Zhou Yinglong looked utterly bewildered, while Wang Sheng nodded in understanding, waiting for Yuan Pu Zhenren to continue.

So what exactly was the sixth realm? The grandmaster seemed cautious and afraid of misrepresenting it, which was why he had explained so much.

Yuan Pu Zhenren added, "A cultivator's Dao may be similar to another's, but no two are ever truly the same. The Realm of Sword Forging is about merging the Dao of the Sword with your own Dao. You are not forging yourself into a sword—you are forging your Dao into one.

"Take the Pure Yang Immortal Mantra, for example. When you perfect your sword heart and wish to take the Dao of the Sword a step further, you must use the Pure Yang Immortal Mantra to refine your Dao into a sword that is bound to your very life. Your sword heart will serve as the sword's soul, and your Daoist body its bone!

"The day you draw that sword will be the day you pierce through the heavens—the day your Dao will stand above all! At that moment, your path can truly be called the Dao of the Sword. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Grandmaster. I have learned a lot," Wang Sheng said as he bowed deeply. He could feel his throat drying up.

So that's the path I'm meant to walk in the future?

It was already unimaginably difficult to cultivate sword heart, let alone take it further and forge his path into a true Dao of the Sword. Still, doubts formed in Wang Sheng's heart. Was the Realm of Sword Forging truly the pinnacle of the Dao of the Sword?

No, it can't be, he quickly concluded.

It was merely the gateway to an even greater world. That door, though distant, was now within sight.

Zhou Yinglong nodded along. He didn't want to appear too clueless in front of the grandmaster, but he secretly wished that the grandmaster would explain in even more detail.

Regardless, the final realm was more or less what it sounded like. If he didn't fully understand it now, he would just have to comprehend it slowly in the future.

"If the Dao can be forged into a sword, I wonder what kind of realm that would be," Yuan Pu Zhenren murmured, a hint of melancholy in his gaze. "At the very least, it is something that can only be achieved after attaining immortality. Considering I'm already at the twilight of my years, I'm not sure if I will get the chance to perfect my sword heart and forge my sword bone."

Zhou Yinglong immediately replied, "Forefather Master, you will definitely ascend to immortality! Your power is limitless!"

Yuan Pu Zhenren's mouth twitched slightly. Ignoring him, he added, "We got the knowledge about the six realms from our predecessors. Considering there may be omissions and perhaps even more profound realms beyond them, I advise you to each explore and comprehend them on your own. Do not blindly treat them as rigid doctrine. Now, Fei Yu, Yinglong, relax your mind. I will bestow upon you a trace of sword intent."

Bestow us sword intent?

Wang Sheng thought he had misheard, but before he could react, Yuan Pu Zhenren had flicked his sleeve. A mysterious Daoist aura instantly enveloped Wang Sheng, Zhou Yinglong, and Chi Wen.

Right after, their eyelids grew heavy, and their consciousness was drawn into a vast and shadowy world.

In the courtyard, Yuan Pu Zhenren stroked his beard and chuckled as he looked at the three young disciples, who were now slumped over in various positions. Teaching disciples was its own kind of joy. When one grew old, they had to find ways to amuse themselves.

This method did consume a great deal of his primal qi, but Yuan Pu Zhenren couldn't care less. He had directly pulled their minds into a dream realm to impart sword intent to them. The deeper their comprehension, the longer they would remain asleep, and the greater the benefits they would receive.

"Uh... Huh?" Chi Wen rubbed her eyes, confused about why she was lying down. She slowly got up.

Yuan Pu Zhenren's expression darkened. He had wanted to grant the girl some benefits, yet it seemed his efforts had been wasted...

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