Chapter 2251: Red Mist Sword

A desire to witness swordplay surely implies no malice. Individuals deeply passionate about martial arts typically have straightforward minds, free from intricate schemes or murderous intent.

Understanding this, and without much hesitation, Zhang Xuan stood up. With a flick of his wrist, the Divine King Sword appeared in his palm.

As Zhang Xuan prepared to demonstrate his swordsmanship, the elder behind the young man made a gesture, and the courtyard was instantly enveloped by a special force, rendering it imperceptible to outsiders. Seeing this move, Zhang Xuan's eyebrows twitched again. He realized he could also create a barrier in mid-air with such speed, but he couldn't match the elder's effortless grace or his ability to incorporate spatial energy. It appeared that this elder, even if not an Emperor, possessed a cultivation far superior to that of ordinary Titled Divine Kings, making Zhang Xuan no match for him.

Realizing the young man before him harbored no ill intentions, Zhang Xuan dismissed his thoughts. Gripping the Divine King Sword, he instantly entered a unique state, his very being transforming into a proud, heaven-defying long sword.

Whoosh! The sword moved.

A gentle breeze arose, and ripples spread across the water.

"My heart is like a double silken net, with a thousand knots within!""How could it be for mere curious observation, my heart stirred by filial devotion!""A silkworm spins silk until its death, a candle burns until its tears run dry!""The tree desires stillness, yet the wind continues to blow; a child wishes to care for their parents, but they are no longer there!"

Four sets of sword techniques flowed forth like a river, permeating the air like mist or a dream, their true power difficult to discern.

The young man watched the sword techniques before him, silent.

Zhang Xuan sheathed his sword, and the boundless sword energy that had filled the air retracted into the blade. He stood with clasped fists and said, "I humbly request your guidance, Emperor!"

The individual before him was the most formidable sword master in the Divine Realm; a single word of guidance from him would undoubtedly be of immense benefit to his swordsmanship.

"To have comprehended such sword techniques is truly extraordinary..." A smile finally appeared on the young man's usually stern face. "I cannot 'guide' you on the path you've forged; only you can continue forward on it! However... your sword intent is filled with lingering attachment, but lacks defense and resolute determination!"

"Defense and resolute determination?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

"My heart is like a double silken net," "my heart stirred by filial devotion," "a silkworm spins until its death, a candle burns until its tears run dry," "the tree desires stillness, yet the wind continues to blow"... Indeed, they all carried a sense of lingering emotion.

However, the Heaven's Emotion cultivation art, which is founded on emotion and uses emotion as its sword, naturally emphasizes profound sentiment.

"When chaotic times arrive and everyone struggles to protect themselves, what should you do if your family, friends, or loved ones are threatened?" the young man asked.

"Well..." Zhang Xuan paused. "Naturally, I would exert all my strength to protect them..."

"Precisely, it is protection—protection at all costs, even unto death! Your swordsmanship... lacks that!" the young man stated.

Zhang Xuan was speechless. Indeed, his swordsmanship lacked this kind of tenacity.

"To use emotion as a sword is not merely about sentimentality; more importantly, it's about responsibility and commitment! For instance, your last sword strike was imbued with sorrow over your parents' passing and regret for not having been able to serve your loved ones. But have you ever considered what your parents would have wanted to see most while they were alive?" the young man asked.

"What they would want to see most is... me living my best life, being happy every day..." Zhang Xuan hesitated before replying.

Although he didn't know his parents' thoughts, as a teacher, he knew his attitude towards his students. He only hoped that Zhao Ya and his other students could live authentically and happily. As for what realm they might reach or what level of cultivation they might achieve, none of that mattered to him. Even now, if they were merely ordinary gods... he would never show partiality.

"Precisely. What they would most want to see is you living your best life, not lingering in regret and sorrow. People must always look forward, never stagnate!" the young man stated.

"Yes..." A revelation struck him, leaving Zhang Xuan momentarily stunned.

That's right! Constantly dwelling in pain is definitely not what loved ones would want to see. They would prefer that you live happily. While fulfilling one's filial duties and experiencing pain are natural, dwelling in that pain indefinitely is not. Everyone has their own life, and their own path to move forward on; they cannot always stagnate.

Birth, old age, sickness, death, separation from loved ones, enduring resentment, not attaining what one desires, and being unable to let go... These are the eight sufferings of life; they must be endured, yet also released. This... is life. If you want to live on, no matter how bitter, you must endure it.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior..." A faint light seemed to illuminate his mind. Zhang Xuan knew that even though it was a small spark, it had effectively altered the direction of his path forward. Without another word, he bowed deeply.

Those few brief words of guidance had profoundly benefited him.

"To grasp it so quickly, it seems I haven't chosen the wrong person..." The young man smiled faintly and rose. "Alright, I must be going. The path ahead requires you to walk it yourself; take care!"

"You're leaving already?" Zhang Xuan was stunned.

He had been wondering about the other party's true purpose, so he was surprised that the young man intended to leave after merely observing his swordsmanship and offering a few words of advice. Could it be that his visit was solely to guide him?

Standing up, the young man instructed, "Jian Yao, give him the Chixiao Sword!"

"Yes!" The old man stepped forward, flicked his wrist, and a long sword appeared before him, gently handing it over.

The moment the sword materialized in the air, cracks appeared in the surrounding space. The Divine King Sword in Zhang Xuan's hand involuntarily slipped from his grasp and prostrated itself on the ground.

Zhang Xuan's eyebrows twitched. The Divine King Sword, a weapon of the Divine King realm and his most powerful to date, directly prostrated itself upon encountering this Chixiao... How strong must it be?

"I cannot accept such a gift without merit..." He hastily bowed, not daring to accept it.

"There's no need to be so polite. This sword was specifically forged for you by me decades ago. Take it..." The young man, hands clasped behind his back, did not turn around.

"Decades ago?" Zhang Xuan was dumbfounded, unsure how to respond. By his own reckoning, he was barely twenty years old, and that was according to the Master Teacher Continent's timeline. In the Divine Realm's time, he had only been alive for a little over a month... Decades ago, are you sure it was specifically forged for me...?

"Thank you, Emperor!" Seeing the young man's resolute demeanor, and urgently needing to enhance his own strength, Zhang Xuan no longer refused and reached out to accept the long sword.

It felt weightless, possessed no discernible spirit, and caused no discomfort; it was as if the sword had, from the moment it appeared, become a natural extension of his arm. This incredibly powerful sword was instantly assimilated the moment it touched his palm, becoming his own. The previous pressure and power instantly vanished, making it appear plain and unadorned, indistinguishable from an ordinary long sword. Yet, as the sword's master, he knew the terrifying power it contained. If he were to wield this sword to perform the Heaven's Emotion sword technique again, even the colossal face formed by Fairy Linglong's concentrated intent might not be able to withstand it and would be shattered on the spot!

Filled with gratitude, he bowed once more. Then, recalling something, Zhang Xuan looked at the young man with hopeful eyes. "Might this junior be permitted to witness the sword techniques comprehended by the Emperor?"