Surrounded by countless gazes, Ning Changge remained calm, his expression unwavering as he studied the two women before him.
His first words were not guidance but a question:
“Where does your Dao lie?”
The two women, who had been eagerly awaiting his analysis of their battle, were momentarily stunned. The question struck them like a thunderclap, reverberating in their minds. In that instant, they froze, forced to reflect deeply—what was their Dao?
A simple question, yet it carried an inexplicable power, clearing the fog in their minds and leading them toward clarity.
Li Hanyi was the first to recover. Her eyes shone brightly with anticipation as she bowed respectfully to Ning Changge.
“My cultivation is rooted in the Still Water Sword Technique. The first stage is seeing mountains as mountains and water as water. The second stage is seeing mountains not as mountains and water not as water. The third stage is seeing mountains once again as mountains and water once again as water.”
“I am currently stuck at the third stage, unable to progress. However, I speculate that the Still Water Sword Technique should have a fourth stage. If I can reach it, that will be the day I ascend to the Land Immortal realm. But I have yet to find the path forward.”
She spoke openly about her struggles.
Ascending to the Land Immortal realm was no small feat. Even if she were to achieve it before her lifespan ran out, it would already be considered a monumental success. But if she remained trapped at this bottleneck, she might exhaust her life without ever breaking through.
Ning Changge nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming faintly with five-colored light. His Five Elements Spirit Eyes, combined with his unparalleled comprehension, allowed him to perceive truths with extraordinary clarity.
He said nothing, turning his gaze to Yaoyue, who followed suit with a respectful bow.
“My cultivation lies in the Bright Jade Technique. ‘Bright’ refers to the sun and moon, while ‘Jade’ represents the essence of heaven and earth. It seeks to harness the creation of the heavens and absorb the essence of the sun and moon.”
“The Bright Jade Technique has nine levels. I am currently at the peak of the ninth level. If I can break through its limits and create a tenth level, I will undoubtedly ascend to the Land Immortal realm. This is the path I have chosen.”
Her eyes sparkled with determination.
Though she had pondered this question before, articulating her path before the world’s heroes gave her newfound resolve. This was a process of solidifying her Dao heart. Discover more novels at n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
Ning Changge smiled and nodded.
Both women were extraordinary talents, possessing the potential to become Land Immortals. With another sixty years, they might have reached enlightenment and ascended on their own.
But meeting Ning Changge today was their great fortune.
With his unparalleled perspective and insight, Ning Changge needed only a brief moment to deduce the obstacles in their paths.
He wasted no time, speaking calmly yet with a faint resonance of Daoist power, his words imbued with an energy that aided comprehension.
Turning first to Li Hanyi, he said:
“The Still Water Sword Technique is called a sword technique, but it is truly a progression of sword Dao realms. Beyond the third stage lies the Sword of Heaven and Earth. By mastering this sword, you will ascend to the Land Immortal realm.”
Li Hanyi’s body trembled as if struck by divine revelation. Her breathing quickened, and she asked reverently, “May I ask, Little Immortal, what is the Sword of Heaven and Earth?”
“The first three stages you have mastered, but why cling to mountains and water? If you call it a mountain, it is a mountain. If you call it water, it is water. All things are swords; all things are mountains and water.”
Ning Changge’s smile was serene, yet his presence exuded an undeniable authority.
“This is a sword, and this is also a sword.”
With a flick of his finger, a leaf transformed into sword intent, as did a pebble. Ordinary objects radiated sword intent under his touch. While many swordmasters could achieve this, none could do so with Ning Changge’s effortless mastery.
Even Ximen Chuixue, Ye Gucheng, and Xie Xiaofeng, unparalleled swordmasters, widened their eyes in disbelief. Though they were mere observers, Ning Changge’s demonstration sparked waves of inspiration within them.
Li Hanyi, meanwhile, stood as if struck by lightning, her eyes filled with awe. In that moment, it was as if a new world had opened before her, a door to greater understanding swinging wide.
She stood motionless, oblivious to the world around her.
“She’s… she’s having an epiphany! The Snow Moon Sword Immortal is having an epiphany!” someone whispered in astonishment.
The crowd was in an uproar.
With just a few words, the Little Immortal had pierced the essence of the Still Water Sword Technique, guiding Li Hanyi into an epiphany.
Epiphanies were rare and coveted, a realm of understanding that even the most talented martial artists might never reach in their lifetimes. Jealous and admiring gazes turned toward Li Hanyi.
Yaoyue’s anticipation grew even stronger.
Her eyes met Ning Changge’s, whose gaze seemed to contain the mysteries of the cosmos. His voice, calm yet profound, reached her ears:
“To harness the creation of the heavens and absorb the essence of the sun and moon—what a daunting task. The path you have chosen is one that surpasses the difficulty of ordinary roads.”
Yaoyue clenched her fists, her eyes filled with defiance.
She was ambitious, determined to create the unprecedented tenth level of the Bright Jade Technique, surpassing all her predecessors to ascend to the Land Immortal realm. While she could have chosen an easier path, she refused to settle.
“Little Immortal, is this path a dead end?” she asked, her voice tinged with desperation.