"I have never been fond of unnecessary formalities; there aren’t too many rules under my tutelage. Just respect your teacher and the Dao. As for those tedious things like apprenticeship banquets and ceremonies, they can be skipped."
Having accepted Gu Yuan as a disciple, He Ling True Master’s mindset naturally changed, and thinking about Gu Yuan’s swordsmanship, he pondered and said:
"I observe that the swordsmanship you’ve learned should be one of the basic sword techniques of the Ancient Sword Immortal Dao Lineage’s Xuantian Sword Sect, ’Life-taking Sword Formulas’. It’s quite powerful, though a bit extreme, yet suitable for you to build a foundation."
"However, you are now approaching the phase of breaking through to the Celestial Human Realm, and you need a sword formula for the next phase."
As he said this, He Ling True Master retrieved two items from his storage pouch and handed them to Gu Yuan.
The two items were a gray-white stone slab, seemingly a normal mountain rock with no apparent special characteristics,
and a book of unknown material, with its cover inscribed with ’Jade Scenery Profound Core Sword Formulas’, the script bold, iron strokes with silver hooks, brimming with an indescribable sharpness.
The moment he received the items, two lines of small characters flashed before Gu Yuan’s eyes.
[Dao Rhyme Points +1679!]
[Dao Rhyme Points +581!]
...
"Huh! So many Dao Rhyme Points?"
Seeing so many Dao Rhyme Points credited, Gu Yuan instantly realized something was off.
He looked at the items in his hand, the stone slab seemed ordinary, with only a deep sword mark on it.
Gu Yuan extended his finger to gently touch it and immediately retracted his hand as if electrocuted.
Upon observing his finger, there was a faint cut on the fingertip, emitting a slight trace of blood.
Within that sword mark, a remnant of sword intent was clearly present.
Although this sword intent was weak, it contained a terrifying aura of unmatched sharpness able to slay immortals and demons.
Gu Yuan merely sensed it slightly with his Life-taking Sword Intent, and felt a chill throughout, as if a cold killing intent almost penetrated his entire being.
However, strangely, this fierce sword intent felt familiar to Gu Yuan, as if it shared the same origin with his Life-taking Sword Intent.
At this moment, He Ling True Master timely began to explain: "This stone slab was found in the storage pouch of that old man surnamed Wu. The sword mark left by a high expert of the Xuantian Sword Sect, and the sword intent contained within it, shares the lineage with the ’Life-taking Sword Formulas’ you have practiced. Frequent contemplation would greatly benefit you."
Only then did Gu Yuan understand.
His ’Life-taking Sword Formulas’ indeed originated from that elder surnamed Wu, and since this stone slab was found in the Wu elder’s storage pouch, their lineage connection made sense.
Regarding ’Life-taking Sword Formulas’ being a basic sword technique of the Ancient Sword Immortal Dao Lineage’s Xuantian Sword Sect, Gu Yuan genuinely didn’t know, and he memorized this fact.
"As for this ’Jade Scenery Profound Core Sword Formulas’, it is one of Medicine King Mountain’s secret sword techniques as well as the sword formulas I have cultivated. This swordsmanship is moderate and magnanimous, wholly different in approach compared to the vicious and harsh ’Life-taking Sword Formulas’. It can be used as the primary cultivation technique or as a supplementary one."
Speaking this, He Ling True Master seriously said:
"While ’Life-taking Sword Formulas’ are exquisite, they adopt a method of taking a path narrowly focused. If you wish to go further on this path, it is best to cultivate several sword techniques and ultimately find the direction most suited to you without deviating."
"Master is right, I will remember this deeply."
Gu Yuan slowly nodded, fully agreeing with the sentiment.
’Life-taking Sword Formulas’ are ruthless and decisive, once deployed, the killing intent is dense.
Although powerful, it’s somewhat biased and deviated. Over time, it’s easy to stray from the true path of the sword.
He Ling True Master clearly foresaw this, hence imparted the ’Jade Scenery Profound Core Sword Formulas’ to gradually correct Gu Yuan’s swordsmanship at its core.
Gu Yuan briefly leafed through and found this ’Jade Scenery Profound Core Sword Formulas’ indeed marvelous and profound, truly a peak Earth Tier Daoist Scripture, same rank as his ’Primordial True Water Scripture’.
Besides swordsmanship techniques for the Celestial Human Realm and Golden Core Realm, it even has corresponding cultivation methods for the Yin Spirit Realm.
He couldn’t help but sigh, how previously with average aptitude he constantly worried about entering Daoist true techniques.
Now, with enhanced aptitude, true Daoist techniques continuously fell into his lap.
And all are superior grade Daoist scriptures.
Yet as He Ling True Master said, the ’Jade Scenery Profound Core Sword Formulas’ do not conflict with ’Primordial True Water Scripture’, both can be cultivated together.
Gu Yuan barely hesitated, deciding to adopt ’Primordial True Water Scripture’ as his primary cultivation technique,
while concurrently cultivating the ’Jade Scenery Profound Core Sword Formulas’.
One focuses on Core Formation and Qi Cultivation, the other finely refines the Lifebound Flying Sword.
After all, the former has a very high upper limit, with even more exquisite following Daoist scriptures awaiting him.
Moreover, Gu Yuan couldn’t possibly be committed to only being a sword cultivator from now on, otherwise he would be wasting his Spirit Pet System.
"We sword cultivators don’t just need sword formulas and Daoist scriptures, flying swords are equally important. With your current cultivation, using ordinary sword weapons is clearly insufficient. You now have cultivation techniques, but lack a flying sword to protect yourself."
He Ling True Master drew a sheathless silver flying sword from the storage pouch and handed it to Gu Yuan: "This Silver Flood Dragon Sword was once my weapon, of decent quality, now giving it to you."
"Thank you, Master!"
Gu Yuan did not refuse, solemnly stretched both hands to receive.
Only feeling a weight in his hand.
This sword superficially seemed similar in size to his Qiushui Sword, yet tremendously heavy, even with Gu Yuan’s strength, it took effort to hold.
Until inspiration struck, and began to activate Life-taking Sword Intent.
As a fierce and chilling sword intent spread forth,
! Zzeng——
This sword seemed to respond, its blade quivering, producing a sonorous sound like a dragon’s roar, exuding an oppressive fierce aura.
Simultaneously, Gu Yuan suddenly felt this Silver Flood Dragon Sword become much lighter in hand and seemed to maneuver easily.
Only then did Gu Yuan begin examining back and forth.
This Silver Flood Dragon Sword was three feet five inches long, all silver and shining, integrated sword body and hilt.
The blade was thin and sharp, emitting a cold chill, faint scaly patterns could be discerned on the sword’s surface.
Just glancing at it left Gu Yuan with a sense of daunting sharpness, with his skin slightly pricked!
"This sword is primarily made of Iron Mother and Essence of Five Metals, with seven ounces of Taiyi Silver Spirit added, ultimately refined using the Silver Flood Dragon Essence Blood. Its nature is ferocious and strange, classified as an evil sword, abandoned by me due to incompatibility."
Seeing Gu Yuan quickly tame the sword, He Ling True Master seemed pleased, remarked offhandedly:
"But it suits you well. If you refine it, even a few Celestial Human Realm cultivators may find themselves helpless against you."
Gu Yuan circulated True Qi, infused a thread of Primordial True Qi.