Chapter 214: Sword Technique

Chapter 217, Volume 3: A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality

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Chapter 217, Volume 3

The divine ability for the final three layers of the perfected sword technique is a spell called the "Sword Shadow Split Light Technique." Its cultivation prerequisite is possessing a flying sword-type magic treasure, though a flying knife would also suffice.

Once mastered, this divine ability allows the user to conjure a sword shadow, identical to the flying sword, by leveraging the flying sword's light. This shadow can disorient enemies and attack alongside the main body. While the nascent sword shadow initially possesses only one-tenth of the main body's power, its strength increases with higher levels of the sword technique, reaching one-third of the power at the ninth layer.

Furthermore, during cultivation, more than one sword shadow can be conjured. Starting from the seventh layer, an additional sword shadow can be refined with each level increase. This means that when the Azure Essence Sword Technique is cultivated to its utmost, one can simultaneously wield three sword shadows that look identical to the flying sword, each with one-third of its power.

From this perspective, the "Sword Shadow Split Light Technique" divine ability seems quite good and appears to be worth cultivating.

However, Han Li already knew that among the many Foundation Establishment cultivators in Huangfeng Valley, no one had truly delved deep into cultivating it. There was undoubtedly something amiss. He greatly regretted not inquiring about the reasons behind this earlier, having carelessly dismissed it, assuming he would never cultivate the Azure Essence Sword Technique.

Now, despite knowing the technique was problematic, Han Li had no choice but to bite the bullet and cultivate it, hoping it wouldn't lead to severe consequences like qi deviation.

He then reconsidered. Although others hadn't deeply cultivated it, they had still practiced two or three layers. Therefore, it seemed there shouldn't be any major issues with cultivating it slightly.

Embracing this self-reassuring thought, Han Li reluctantly began to absorb the surging medicinal power within his body, following the methods of the Azure Essence Sword Technique.

After the technique completed just one simple cycle, Han Li felt a sudden rush. The sensation of his spiritual power rapidly increasing due to the absorbed medicine was so exhilarating that he almost cried out in pleasure.

Immersed in this wonderful feeling, Han Li instinctively allowed the spell to cycle repeatedly, his consciousness gradually drifting into a trance.

After an unknown period of meditation, Han Li finally awoke from the delightful experience when the last trace of medicinal power in his body was fully absorbed.

Upon awakening, Han Li was momentarily dazed, but then he stood up without a word. He narrowed his eyes, tilted his head in thought, and then suddenly raised his arm, gesturing in front of him. Immediately, a foot-long segment of misty green sword glow shot out from his finger, radiating a biting chill and appearing incredibly sharp.

Seeing this chilling light, Han Li didn't rejoice; instead, he gave a wry smile. Then, with a sudden flick of his arm, the green light dramatically expanded, instantly becoming over three meters long, almost piercing the stone wall opposite him.

"This is bad," Han Li muttered, his expression wavering. "I didn't expect the residual medicinal power to be so strong. I've actually cultivated the sword technique to the fourth layer in one go. I wonder if there will be any serious repercussions!"

"Never mind," Han Li mumbled, "At most, I just won't cultivate this sword technique anymore." He then lowered his arm, and the green sword glow vanished.

However, Han Li, with a surge of curiosity, picked up *The Azure Essence Sword Technique* manual, flipped to the section on the Body-Protecting Sword Shield spell, and silently memorized it several times.

Next, after a moment of thoughtful contemplation, Han Li closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them wide. A peculiar shield had appeared around his body.

This shield was entirely green and similar in size to a typical defensive barrier. However, its surface was not smooth as usual; instead, it bristled with hedgehog-like spikes, subtly exuding an ominous aura.

"This is the Body-Protecting Sword Shield?" Han Li observed the spiky shield on his body with some surprise.

"The sword technique says this shield can automatically release sword glow to counterattack enemies," Han Li thought with some regret. "It's a pity I can't test it now!"

Next, Han Li stretched his limbs and thoroughly examined the true essence within his body. Only after confirming there were no issues did he relax, pack his belongings, and leave the ground-fire chamber. As he did, he ran head-on into the ugly man!

Recalling the ugly man's startled expression upon seeing him, Han Li couldn't help but smile knowingly while still in the air.

By this time, dawn was just breaking, and Han Li returned to the Hundred Herb Garden without encountering anyone else.

He had previously used the excuse of needing a place for secluded cultivation to reach Foundation Establishment, so the herb garden had naturally been handed back to the old man. The old man was quite displeased, grumbling and glaring at him for a good while.

When Han Li entered the garden, the old man was sitting in front of the thatched hut, eyes closed, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Although his eyes were closed, he accurately called out Han Li's name. This was not surprising, as Han Li was the only one, besides the old man, who could freely enter and exit the Hundred Herb Garden's restrictions.

However, the moment this Uncle-Master Ma uttered Han Li's name, he suddenly sensed something...

...and opened his eyes, looking at Han Li in disbelief.

"You actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment?"

"Uncle-Master Ma, your disciple has indeed fortunately entered the Foundation Establishment stage!" Han Li said with a slight bow and a chuckle.

The old man, though startled for a moment, gradually returned to his usual demeanor. But he still mumbled:

"This is incredible! You truly entered the Foundation Establishment stage!"

After muttering a few more words, his expression suddenly became serious, and he spoke solemnly:

"Since we are both Foundation Establishment cultivators now, let's drop the 'Uncle-Master' address. From now on, let's refer to each other as senior and junior brothers! I am slightly older, so if you don't mind, you can simply call me Senior Brother Ma!"

Han Li nodded with a smile upon hearing this, not objecting. It was a common practice in the cultivation world to determine seniority by cultivation realm; there was no need to be modest about it.

Next, the old man, now Han Li's Senior Brother Ma, entered the hut with Han Li. They sat down at a table and brewed a pot of good tea.

Soon after they sat down, the old man eagerly questioned Han Li about his Foundation Establishment process.

Han Li naturally wouldn't reveal the full truth, but he didn't hide the fact that he had achieved Foundation Establishment in a ground-fire chamber, truthfully disclosing this much. He knew that with a little investigation, the old man could easily find out.

He simply stated that he had rented a ground-fire chamber at Yue Lu Hall, then took the Foundation Establishment Pill rewarded by the sect, and cultivated in seclusion for nearly a year. Somehow, he had just luckily succeeded.

The old man listened intently to Han Li's account, constantly clicking his tongue in amazement.

After hearing Han Li's alternate version of the story, he blinked and said to him:

"Junior Brother Han! From what you've said, your Foundation Establishment process seems pretty similar to everyone else's! For someone with your aptitude to succeed in Foundation Establishment, I can only say you got incredibly lucky, hitting even a one-in-a-hundred chance!" Because of their familiarity from previous years, the old man spoke candidly, not at all concealing his envy towards Han Li, with jealousy even showing on his face.

"Heh heh! I can only say I'm blessed by good fortune, Senior Brother," Han Li chuckled, grinning. "Even I didn't expect to enter the Foundation Establishment stage so easily!"

"However, Junior Brother Han, since you've successfully reached Foundation Establishment, you should go inform the sect leader, so Sect Leader Zhong can register your name. This way, your treatment as a disciple will be adjusted to that of a high-tier disciple, and you'll receive a considerable amount of spirit stones annually!" the old man said with a joking tone.

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother!" Han Li's expression shifted as he spoke from the heart.

"It's nothing!" The old man waved his hand dismissively. "Anyway, we've known each other for so many years. I'll do my best to tell you anything you should be aware of."

"Actually, after reaching Foundation Establishment, the sect's greatest benefit is allowing Foundation Establishment disciples to open their own cultivation caves anywhere in the Taiyue Mountain Range and cultivate independently! And also..."

Following this, the old man meticulously explained many things Han Li should pay attention to after entering the Foundation Establishment stage, causing Han Li to nod continuously as he listened.

However, after the old man finished explaining these matters and casually chatted with Han Li for a few more moments, Han Li couldn't help but ask him about the "Azure Essence Sword Technique."

"The Azure Essence Sword Technique?" A flicker of surprise crossed the old man's face!

But after looking deeply at Han Li, he didn't press for details. He thought for a moment and then spoke:

"Regarding the Azure Essence Sword Technique, I have indeed heard some things about it, and I've even cultivated the first three layers myself. This sword technique is not an original art of our Huangfeng Valley. Instead, it was the ultimate secret art of a sect called the Profound Sword Sect, which our sect destroyed many years ago. Originally, it wasn't nine layers but thirteen. It's said that the Profound Sword Sect leader, seeing his sect on the verge of destruction, tried to destroy the sword technique on the spot. However, several of our sect's grand-ancestors at the time were quick to act, forcefully seizing half of the cultivation method from him, while the remaining half was destroyed and lost. Therefore, the Azure Essence Sword Technique currently circulating in our sect is merely an incomplete version! At most, it can only be cultivated up to the Core Formation stage, with no subsequent methods available. The complete version of the sword technique, I've heard, even includes methods for the Soul Splitting stage, though I don't know if that's true or not."

The old man shook his head as he spoke, then reached for his teacup, took a small sip, and continued:

"Without the subsequent methods, the Azure Essence Sword Technique, while slightly inferior to other top-tier cultivation arts, is actually quite powerful! Its instant-cast sword glow and Body-Protecting Sword Shield are particularly popular among many fellow Foundation Establishment disciples. Therefore, if it's relatively easy to cultivate, many within our sect would still be willing to use this sword technique as their primary cultivation art! After all, Nascent Soul stage cultivation methods are too far off for us; we wouldn't be able to use them anyway."