One day passed, and Li Xuan stopped.
Before him was the stone coffin that suppressed Feng Zhao Ge.
"This stacked sword technique is quite ingenious, layering sword qi layer by layer to a single point before unleashing it. If hundreds, or even thousands, of sword qi can be stacked, its power would be earth-shattering."
"You can continue to practice this stacked sword technique and the Three Sword Slashes of Heaven. Once you can stack the stacked sword technique to a hundred layers, a single strike should be enough to kill a Martial Emperor realm beginner. As for the Three Sword Slashes of Heaven – slashing men, slashing earth, slashing heaven – they do have some substance. In the end, these Three Sword Slashes of Heaven share a similar principle with the 'One Sword to Break All Laws' that I taught you earlier."
"The reason you cannot practice it is simple: the path of the sword you walk is different from ordinary people. Your dantian is your sword dantian. You only need to absorb spiritual swords to increase your cultivation. However, these Three Sword Slashes of Heaven require abundant spiritual power to support. Just this point alone means you do not meet the conditions."
Feng Zhao Ge's voice echoed. Li Xuan smiled wryly upon hearing this. So that was the reason; no wonder he couldn't unleash even a single strike of the Three Sword Slashes of Heaven after practicing for a whole day.
"I know, you must be thinking that at your current realm, you only know the 'One Sword to Break All Laws' that I taught you. But you must understand that the path of the sword you walk is different. In truth, the path each sword cultivator walks is unique. The path of a sword cultivator, how to walk it, how to proceed, is something you must decide and comprehend yourself."
"Sword cultivators don't necessarily need to master many flashy sword techniques. The sword techniques that can kill are the most suitable for oneself. When you can comprehend a sword technique divine ability on your own, that will be the most fitting sword art for you. Do not forget, you are now a Sword Dao Grandmaster."
"I implore senior for enlightenment." Li Xuan frowned upon hearing this and bowed respectfully.
Feng Zhao Ge remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Answer me, if a sword cultivator loses their sword, are they still a sword cultivator?"
"Yes!" Li Xuan pondered for a moment and nodded.
"Why yes?" Feng Zhao Ge pressed.
"Even without a sword in hand, as long as there is a sword in the heart, it is sufficient," Li Xuan said, as if gaining some insight.
"Very good, it is somewhat beyond my expectation that you could comprehend this so quickly," Feng Zhao Ge remarked. "A truly powerful sword cultivator can use even a leaf as a sword. Sword Dao Grandmaster is not the endpoint. For you, this is merely the beginning."
"Remember, all things can be swords."
After Feng Zhao Ge finished speaking, the seam of the stone coffin moved and closed again. Li Xuan stood in place, softly repeating Feng Zhao Ge's words. Then, with his eyes slightly closed, he fell into deep contemplation.
One day, two days, three days...
As time passed, Li Xuan remained standing beside Feng Zhao Ge's stone coffin in his previous posture for three days. However, the sword qi emanating from him had changed from sharp and fierce to somewhat gentler.
On the fifth day, Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes. With a flicker of his thought, he spread his left hand, and a small sword gradually condensed into existence.
Seeing this small sword, a relieved smile appeared on Li Xuan's face.
"Thank you, senior." Li Xuan waved his hand, dispersing the small sword, and bowed to Feng Zhao Ge's stone coffin.
"All of this is your own comprehension and understanding; I merely provided some guidance," Feng Zhao Ge said. "Now that you have grasped sword intent, your focus can shift to it. Sword techniques and stances, in the end, are merely the framework of sword intent."
"This junior understands," Li Xuan nodded.
"For the next few days, continue practicing here. Once you leave the ruins, everything will be up to yourself," Feng Zhao Ge stated.
The next moment, a spectral image appeared directly in front of Li Xuan. Li Xuan's eyes flickered with a trace of daze. It seemed like it had been a long time since he had practiced.
Soon, the man and the spectral image began to grapple.
An hour passed, and the expression in Li Xuan's eyes grew increasingly solemn. When he had sparred with the spectral image previously, he could barely hold his own. But in this exchange, Li Xuan clearly saw his own shortcomings. In speed, strength, and defense, Li Xuan was defeated in all three aspects.
Li Xuan knew that his limits had not yet been fully unleashed. This was a residual effect of improving his strength too quickly.
After a brief rest, Li Xuan's thoughts moved, and he shot towards the spectral image again.
This time, Li Xuan did not use a sword.
Outside Falling Goose Mountain.
"In another day, the gate of these ruins will close. Unless Li Xuan intends to die inside, he will surely come out," someone in the crowd remarked.
"Li Xuan is truly unlucky to have offended so many people. Although he obtained the Sacred Sect's inheritance, he is likely to perish once he emerges."
"..."
As the Sacred Sect's ruins were about to close, those who had waited for more than half a month became energized. Without exception, no one held a favorable view of Li Xuan. After all, besides the Ghost Sect, all eleven major sects were present. Coupled with the previous declaration from Li Huo Sect's Kun Chengzi, Li Xuan's situation was precarious.
"To be able to defeat the spectral image in ten days shows that your potential has been pushed to its limit. Once your physical body and spiritual consciousness advance further, your overall strength will increase severalfold. Little fellow, keep going," Feng Zhao Ge encouraged.
Li Xuan's face lit up with a hint of joy. In ten days and ten nights of combat, Li Xuan had lost count of how many rounds he had fought with the spectral image.
However, what was cause for celebration was that with the spectral image as a sparring partner, Li Xuan had elevated his application of strength, speed, and defense to their utmost. Although still at the beginner stage of the Martial Emperor realm, his combat power was now several times greater than before. If he were to fight again, even confronting and killing Bu Jing Lei and Kun Peng head-on would only require a single sword.
At this moment, Li Xuan felt a premonition and with a thought, left Zhen Yu. Upon appearing on the stone steps, Li Xuan noticed that the stone steps were beginning to crack inch by inch. Moreover, the heavens and earth were now shaking incessantly, clearly indicating that the Sacred Sect's ruins were about to be completely buried.
"Having cultivated for so long, it's time to head out." Li Xuan glanced around and then shot directly towards the exit.
Whoosh!
Accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, Li Xuan's figure appeared at the gate of Falling Goose Mountain. The next moment, rumbling noises erupted from behind him. The once glorious Sacred Sect had completely vanished.
"Li Xuan is out!"
"As expected, he couldn't avoid coming out."
"Now, it should get interesting. Do you think Li Xuan will hand over that Sacred Sect inheritance?"
"..."
As Li Xuan emerged, the discussions among the crowd resumed. Li Xuan frowned upon hearing the voices, and after scanning his surroundings, a bitter smile bloomed in his heart.
More than half a month had passed, yet these people hadn't left, and it seemed their numbers had even increased. However, upon seeing the fiery gazes of Kun Peng and Bu Jing Lei, Li Xuan suddenly regretted not having killed them directly within the ruins.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Sword cultivator Li Xuan, you murdered dozens of disciples from various sects within the ruins. Do you admit to this?"