C21 Continuing to Improve

At the turbulent depths of the Styx River, a young man named Lee Yi was practicing his swordsmanship. His movements were painstakingly slow, each stroke as laborious as a tortoise's crawl. The Styx's current was swift and the pressure immense. Clad in the Black Turtle Heavy Armor, Lee Yi felt as though he bore the weight of a mountain on his shoulders. Even utilizing his Wind Magical Power did little to ease his burden.

Lee Yi faced upstream, each sword swing met with formidable resistance. This grueling practice served a purpose: to refine his sword force, making it more focused, ultimately leading to the condensation of sword intent—a lofty pinnacle of swordsmanship.

Sword cultivators worldwide aspired to achieve sword intent. Legends spoke of Sword Dao Grandmasters whose blades could manifest profound and infinite realms, from biting cold winds to the searing heat of the sun, each unique to the sword technique practiced.

However, sword techniques capable of condensing sword intent were exceedingly rare. The Sword Slashing Technique, unless derived from a Heavenly Sword Technique, would not likely lead to sword intent. Many had tried and failed to achieve this elusive state, leaving it as little more than conjecture.

As dusk fell, the sky turned tempestuous. Gale-force winds, lightning, and thunder preceded the gathering of ominous clouds, quickly unleashing a torrential downpour.

The already fierce currents of the Styx intensified, giving rise to numerous whirlpools that spiraled towards Lee Yi with the ferocity of tornadoes.

Lee Yi furrowed his brow at the sight, a premonition of danger creeping over him. The whirlpools, though still at a distance, sent a palpable shockwave that nearly knocked him off his feet. Should he be engulfed, the impact would be even more overwhelming, and his confidence in withstanding it was not absolute.

"Cursed luck!" Lee Yi inwardly cursed his misfortune. But with a swift change of heart, he cast aside his resentment and a resolute determination surged within him.

“What’s the big deal with a whirlpool? It’s the perfect opportunity to sharpen my sword skills. No matter how ferocious the current, I’ll slice through it with one strike!”

With that thought, Lee Yi gripped the nameless sword with both hands and held it before his chest, his gaze fixed on the massive whirlpool that was swiftly approaching.

The water's force grew increasingly intense. His body swayed slightly, and he found himself retreating involuntarily as rocks on the riverbed were pulverized by the torrent. Yet, Lee Yi stood his ground, unwavering.

“Ha!”

With a sudden inward cry, he swung the nameless sword with all his might.

The blade met the whirlpool head-on.

A powerful shockwave nearly wrenched the sword from his grasp, jarring Lee Yi so fiercely that his hands split open, and he stumbled backward several steps.

But he did not relent. Grasping the nameless sword once more, he quietly gathered his strength, awaiting the whirlpool’s next assault. He swung a second time, only to be repelled again, his internal energy roiling and his breath growing erratic.

“Again!”

Lee Yi, possessed with a relentless drive, continued to execute the Sword Slashing Technique against the formidable whirlpool, never once showing signs of retreat. With each confrontation, he was pushed back, but with every attempt, the essence of the Sword Slashing Technique became clearer in his mind. Each swing brought him closer to an ineffable understanding of the technique.

He was beginning to grasp the true essence of the Sword Slashing Technique, which could be encapsulated in one word: ‘slash’.

‘Slash’ is a common move in blade techniques, signifying unmatched ferocity. In contrast, swordplay typically emphasizes agility, with thrusting as the primary offensive move.

Yet, the Sword Slashing Technique is unique, merging the blade and sword arts into one. It preserves the sword’s agility while incorporating the blade’s fierce intensity.

Many have failed to master the Sword Slashing Technique because they lacked a deep understanding of this concept or couldn’t adapt to it.

Through his repeated failures, Lee Yi’s comprehension deepened. His sword had failed to cleave the whirlpool not because it lacked agility, but because it lacked the necessary ferocity.

Lee Yi had not yet fully captured the essence of the word 'slash.' With this realization, a surge of confidence washed over his face. He retreated several steps in the face of the massive whirlpool and slowly lifted the nameless sword.

With a sudden burst of his Wind Magical Power, he stomped his right foot onto the ground, creating a thunderous sound. His form broke through the river's surface and he hurled himself toward the whirlpool.

Before, he had been on the defensive, reacting to the onslaught. Now, he was on the offensive. The change might have seemed subtle, but the shift in mindset was profound. Where once there was a hint of fear and a defensive stance, now there was a complete disregard for life and death. This was the only way to truly manifest the essence of the Sword Slashing Technique.

Approaching the vortex, Lee Yi did not rush to strike. It was only when his body was nearly upon it, being torn by its force, that he brought the nameless sword down in a decisive slash!

The Sword Slashing Technique!

The nameless sword, imbued with formidable might, struck the vortex with ferocity.

This time, Lee Yi stood his ground.

The sword plunged deep into the heart of the vortex, withstanding the frenzied tearing of its power, remaining steadfast with its potent sword aura.

A deadlock ensued.

"Shatter!" Lee Yi bellowed inwardly, lifting the nameless sword ever so slightly before bringing it down once more.

Boom!

The colossal vortex was cleaved in two, its watery cycle severed. The whirlpool vanished in an instant, breaking into countless small undercurrents that faded away.

As the nameless sword descended, it carved a vacuum tunnel into the riverbed, a channel devoid of water, crafted by the sword's passage.

Though the tunnel vanished as quickly as it appeared, the spectacle was enough to astound any onlooker, likely leaving them agape in disbelief.

This strike was the epitome of unstoppable force.

It also represented the ultimate secret of the Sword Slashing Technique. A smile of satisfaction graced Lee Yi's face as he swung the sword, for he knew he had achieved Perfection in the Sword Slashing Technique and had grasped a hint of the true sword intent.

A single sword strike that shatters all techniques!

That was the essence of his swordsmanship!

Lee Yi sheathed the nameless sword, feeling a newfound confidence for the impending Outer Sect Competition. His next challenge was to advance his Wind Magical Power to Great Completion.

Cultivating the Wind Magical Power proved to be several times more difficult than mastering the Sword Slashing Technique. Lee Yi approached the task with due diligence, harnessing the turbulent waters around him to aid in his cultivation.

Since refining the strange stone, his physical strength had soared to formidable levels. Yet the stone's power was peculiar, mostly lying dormant deep within his flesh and blood, not fully integrated with his being.

Now, under the immense pressure of the Heavy River, the stone's power began to emerge. With each pulse of his Qi and blood, it fully assimilated into his body, weaving into his muscles and bones, and further fortifying his physique.

The stronger the body, the more elevated the cultivation of the magical power.

Lee Yi summoned his magical power and began to ascend against the river's current. With each fierce rush of water, his progress was laborious. But with every step, he felt his body undergo a transformation, becoming sturdier and more refined.

Yet, this was still not enough. Lee Yi's attention shifted to another whirlpool.

"To cultivate effectively, I must harness the whirlpool's force. Only then can I achieve Great Completion of the magical power swiftly!" A daring thought flashed through Lee Yi's mind. Without much hesitation, he approached the whirlpool.

This time, he had no intention of using the nameless sword to slice through the whirlpool. Instead, he planned to invoke his magical power to step directly into its midst, allowing the whirlpool's tumultuous force to temper his body and enhance his magical power.

This approach was far riskier than when he practiced the Sword Slashing Technique. Back then, he at least wielded a sword to combat the whirlpool. Now, he was to confront it with nothing but his physical form.

What's more, this whirlpool was larger and more violent than any he had faced before.

A twinge of nervousness crept into Lee Yi's heart, yet he did not falter. To grow stronger and to claim honor in the Outer Sect Competition, he had already endured countless trials and tribulations. He could not falter at this final stretch. Even if he were to fail, fear would not take hold. His greatest fear was to be left with regrets.

He lifted his foot and stepped into the vortex.

The moment he made contact, he was assaulted by the vortex's power, which furiously tore at his body, nearly ripping him in half. The surrounding rocks stood no chance against this force and crumbled away. Yet, Lee Yi's physique was far more resilient than stone. Despite a surge of pain, he remained unharmed.

He was quickly engulfed by the vortex. Trying to stabilize himself proved futile; he was like a leaf caught in a gust, helplessly spun around by the vortex. Within a single breath, he had spun over a dozen times, leaving him feeling dizzy.

Even summoning his magical power was a struggle.

For a grueling half-hour, Lee Yi was at the mercy of the vortex, with little opportunity to resist. But rather than panic, he resolved to adapt: "If I can't fight it, I might as well harness this force for my cultivation. It can't harm me anyway!"

Embracing this mindset, Lee Yi found tranquility, seemingly forgetting his tumultuous surroundings and entering a state of self-forgetfulness.

Amidst the vortex's violent onslaught, his body underwent a powerful transformation. As his Qi and blood circulated, his physical strength condensed and surged forward dramatically.

The downpour persisted. Located in the south, Caflin was accustomed to abundant rainfall, and it had been some time since the last downpour. Consequently, this storm was bound to last several days.

For Lee Yi, this was a bittersweet circumstance. He was pleased to leverage the vortex's power for his cultivation, yet he was concerned about the toll it took on his body.

His body was indeed tough and not easily injured, but resilience didn't equate to painlessness. In fact, as his body grew stronger, his sensitivity to pain, among other sensations, heightened.

Days later, as Lee Yi drifted through the vortex, he suddenly unleashed an immensely powerful aura.

His Wind Magical Power had at last achieved the realm of Great Completion!