The next day, in the early morning.
Li Xuan, who was on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes and sat up directly.
"Since you're awake, come out," Jian Nan Cang's voice came from outside the room.
"Master." Li Xuan heard this and his figure moved instantly, appearing before Jian Nan Cang in the next moment.
Jian Nan Cang nodded slightly and then said, "Your swordsmanship, in fact, has no major issues. Whether it's sword momentum or sword energy, there's almost nothing to pick on. What you lack is simply time."
Li Xuan didn't speak upon hearing this. After some praise, the important part was naturally to come next.
Seeing Li Xuan's composed expression, Jian Nan Cang's eyes flashed with a hint of admiration as he continued, "But your sword still lacks some killing intent. Know that drawing your sword means life and death. Without an unwavering killing intent, it is naturally difficult for your sword to be invincible in your hand."
"I implore Master to enlighten me," Li Xuan said, bowing respectfully.
Jian Nan Cang said, "If this old man has guessed correctly, your sword cultivation path in the past was not always on the brink of death. Therefore, your swordsmanship lacks that layer of understanding. Although your swordsmanship has taken shape now, in the face of true life and death, it is not on the same level."
Li Xuan fell silent. His past experiences seemed to be precisely as described. Every time he encountered a powerful opponent, it was almost always the mighty figures within Zhenyu who intervened. The feeling of being on the verge of death was rare.
"In swordsmanship, sword intent and artistic conception are very important. Sword intent is your belief in the way of the sword. It represents your path of the sword, and how much you can develop it determines its power," Jian Nan Cang said again, seeing Li Xuan's silence and knowing he had guessed correctly.
"Disciple does not quite understand," Li Xuan said with a slight frown.
"Sword intent is like a soul for a person. When a sword is imbued with sword intent, it gains a life," Jian Nan Cang explained patiently.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, still looking perplexed.
Seeing this, Jian Nan Cang said, "Sword cultivator, sword cultivator. We cultivate not only the heart but also the sword in our hands. The sword can convey human intent, and from this comes the unity of man and sword. As for the sword in your hand now, it is still an inanimate object."
Li Xuan said in a deep voice, "But some spirit swords, when they reach a high level, can develop their own sword spirits. In such cases, how can disciples imbue them with new life?"
Jian Nan Cang smiled and said, "In the eyes of a true sword cultivator, the strongest sword in the world is no different from an ordinary branch. And for high-level spirit swords, do you think you can unleash their true power?"
Li Xuan nodded with a complex expression. The master sword he held now had been with him for a long time. Yet, he could only utilize less than half of its potential.
Seeing Li Xuan lost in thought, Jian Nan Cang slowly said, "A sword becomes extraordinary because of the person wielding it. Although sword cultivators need to practice, more importantly, they need to comprehend."
Jian Nan Cang finished speaking and turned to leave. Li Xuan, however, had already sat cross-legged on the ground, lost in contemplation.
To some extent, it was true that the greater the sword's power, the better for a sword cultivator in the beginning. However, as one progressed, the sword's strength depended entirely on the sword cultivator themselves. Only then could a sword cultivator be called a sword cultivator.
Li Xuan believed that even if Yi Qin held a tree branch, he would not be able to face her directly even with his master sword.
And this was a matter of the sword cultivator's own strength.
Sword intent also depended on the sword cultivator. Each sword cultivator's artistic conception was different, influenced by their environment and experiences, which determined their comprehension and understanding of sword intent.
As Li Xuan gradually settled down, his thoughts instantly returned to the moment he first encountered the way of the sword. Scenes from the past slowly unfolded before his eyes.
Time flowed by quietly. Li Xuan had been sitting there for an hour, yet the understanding in his eyes grew increasingly profound.
A sword was like a fish, and a sword cultivator was the water. A fish could not survive without water, and water gained vitality with fish. The two complemented each other, bringing life.
Of course, one could not simply use sword intent to empower a spirit sword; this would be putting the cart before the horse. Letting things take their natural course, and allowing sword intent to merge into the sword, was the only true method.
In the next moment, an invisible sword intent surged around Li Xuan. He picked up a wooden branch from the ground, and it began to tremble within the sword intent.
As the sword intent merged, Li Xuan's entire being became completely immersed in the wooden branch.
Time passed bit by bit. After a quarter of an hour, the wooden branch in Li Xuan's hand instantly transformed into a beam of sword light that flew forward.
The sword light was silent, disappearing into the distant horizon in the blink of an eye. All of this occurred without the slightest disturbance.
Seeing this, Li Xuan's lips curved into a slight smile. His sword was indeed completely different from before!
"Sword intent is an extension of the sword, and it is also your way of the sword. You must thoroughly comprehend the experience within it yourself. This artistic conception is not limited to this," Jian Nan Cang's voice rang out in the next moment.
Li Xuan rose and bowed towards the empty space, "Disciple thanks Master for your teaching."
A moment later, Li Xuan stood up. With a thought, a long sword slowly materialized before him. This sword was condensed by Li Xuan from his sword intent.
With another thought, the intent sword instantly slashed through the sky.
Li Xuan's eyes flickered upon seeing this. The speed of this sword actually surpassed his previous instantaneous kill strike.
Witnessing such results, Li Xuan once again urged his mind to cultivate.
Sword Sect, Ancestral Hall.
Jian Nan Cang appeared in the Ancestral Hall, casting a complex glance at the plaque above before looking towards Li Xuan's location, his gaze gradually firming.
"I will not inquire into your origins, nor will I conduct any investigations. Although you have powerful protectors behind you, since you are now my disciple, Jian Nan Cang, you will forever be a member of the Sword Sect. May you remember in the future that you are a part of the Sword Sect."
"Thus, there will be no regrets."