Chapter 502: Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate and Human-Sword Unity

Lu Yang, a genius in both sword and spell cultivation, naturally possessed unquestionable talent. In terms of magical talent, he could rival Yun Zhi. In terms of swordsmanship talent, he subtly showed a tendency to surpass Daoist Buyu.

"Originally, I intended to teach you how to correctly execute basic sword moves, but it seems that's no longer necessary." Basic sword moves are fundamental to swordsmanship; even a slight deviation in angle can significantly alter their power.

"The sword techniques I've mastered require a high level of cultivation, so I can't teach them to you yet. 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords' requires an immense reserve of spiritual energy. Your spiritual energy reserves are exceptional for a Golden Core cultivator; few Nascent Soul cultivators have as much as you. However, you're still some distance away from being able to use 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords'."

"Once you reach the Nascent Soul stage, I'll be able to teach you 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords'." 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords' is actually a sword move typically used by Soul Transformation cultivators. With a single swing, ten thousand swords follow, like an army, blotting out the sky. It's a technique all sword cultivators aspire to master. Considering Lu Yang's talent in swordsmanship and his vast spiritual energy reserves, he might be able to use it at the Nascent Soul stage.

"You'll also know how to fly with a sword without me teaching you."

"It's too early for you to learn 'Swordless Surpasses Sworded'; you might easily go astray. Besides, you have the Azure Edge Sword, so how could being swordless surpass having a sword?"

"The basic cultivation requirement for 'Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin' is the Soul Transformation stage; you're still far from that."

"As for my ultimate technique, 'Sword Splits the Heavens', its difficulty is even greater. Don't even think about using it without reaching the Integration stage."

Daoist Buyu listed various sword techniques, none of which seemed suitable for Lu Yang to learn.

"'Sword Splits the Heavens'? Did you comprehend that yourself, Master?" Lu Yang had never heard of this move.

Daoist Buyu shook his head and sighed, "It was out of necessity, not by my own will." He implicitly admitted it.

Lu Yang looked enviously at Daoist Buyu. Sword cultivators' techniques are actually not numerous; moves like 'Human-Sword Unity' and 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords' have been passed down since ancient times. Sword cultivators typically follow conventions and learn these established techniques. Even with the same sword move, differences in understanding and comprehension of the Way of the Sword lead to vastly different power when executed. Creating one's own sword techniques, as Daoist Buyu did, is extremely rare. The only other cultivator Lu Yang knew who created their own sword techniques was the Sword Tower Supreme.

There are indeed many sword styles in the cultivation world, such as the Falling Rain Sword Style, Hundred Flowers Sword Style, Dawnbreaker Sword Style, and Carefree Sword Style. Some sword cultivators aren't good at naming, so it's not uncommon for sword styles to share names. Lu Yang knew of at least four different "Carefree Sword Styles."

"Out of necessity?" When Master created this move, he must have been an Integration stage cultivator. There should have been few opponents in the cultivation world who could challenge him. Could it be that Master had too many enemies who ambushed him in secret when he was unprepared? Faced with hundreds of opponents of the same level, even a powerful master would find it hard to escape. Master, wounded and on the brink of death from incessant attacks, had an epiphany at that critical moment, comprehending a sword move that pierced through life and death: 'Sword Splits the Heavens'. With a swing of this sword, even the heavens would crack open!

Daoist Buyu stroked his white beard and said, "That was over a thousand years ago. I made a mistake back then, and your Grand-Master confined me to Tianmen Peak for ten years. You know I'm a cultivator of the mortal world; how could I manage without going out?"

"But there was nothing I could do. Your Grand-Master's cultivation was higher than mine, and he was skilled in sealing techniques. He sealed the entire peak."

"I thought, 'This won't do. If this continues, won't I really be confined for ten years?'"

"At that moment, I entered a state of enlightenment, meditating in place. My body transformed into a furnace, where all my insights into the Way of the Sword from this life were refined, evolved, tempered, and sharpened. Finally, I unleashed a single sword strike, breaking the seal on Tianmen Peak!"

"I then named this move 'Sword Splits the Heavens'."

Lu Yang: "..."

Master, your process of comprehending that sword technique... wasn't quite what I imagined.

"Speaking of sword cultivators, I did encounter one before I became an Immortal. He was indeed the most formidable offensive cultivator at his level, terrifyingly strong, a worthy adversary." Immortal Bubbling recalled an old memory upon seeing Daoist Buyu's comprehension of the sword technique.

"Please elaborate, Immortal," Lu Yang said, intrigued to hear about a fellow sword cultivator. It was rare to hear about ancient sword cultivators.

"That sword cultivator was named Liu Ningxuan. He excelled at both the zither and the sword, bearing the title 'Zither Sword Venerable'. You know the move 'Human-Sword Unity', right? He was its creator."

Lu Yang's eyes widened slightly. 'Human-Sword Unity' was a famous sword move that could instantly boost combat power. It was said to have been passed down from ancient times, but its origin and creator were unknown. He hadn't expected to get the answer from the Immortal.

"That young fellow, Liu Ningxuan, was quite formidable. Like all sword cultivators, he believed in the sword in his hand. With a long sword in hand, his entire spirit and presence transformed, making him incredibly imposing. Piercing through space, shattering the void, and even severing time were all effortless for him."

Lu Yang gasped. Piercing through space, shattering the void, and severing time — these sounded incredibly powerful, far beyond what he could achieve currently. This senior, Liu Ningxuan, must have been an outstanding figure among ancient sword cultivators, perhaps even the foremost ancient sword cultivator.

"When he unleashed a sword strike, even I, powerful as I was, had to retreat three paces, unwilling to confront him directly."

"Ultimately, however, he was not as strong as I, and he fell by my hand."

"Immortal, you're amazing! How did this Zither Sword Venerable lose?"

"That battle was truly perilous. We fought fiercely, causing destruction to heaven and earth, shaking the stars. Perhaps he felt a life-or-death crisis from me, feeling immense pressure, and in that subconscious state, he gained a deeper understanding of the Way of the Sword."

"He also realized that he couldn't defeat me with his existing techniques and had to innovate. He then used the insights into the Way of the Sword he gained during the battle to push 'Human-Sword Unity' to a completely new realm, one no one had ever reached before."

"He merged with his sword, transforming into a celestial sword, his aura surging, as if he were cleaving open the heavens and earth."

Lu Yang's eyes gleamed as he listened, completely engrossed in the cosmic battle. He eagerly asked, "And then?"

Immortal Bubbling scratched her head, looking a bit awkward. "And then? There was no 'then'. After he turned into a sword, he found he had merged too closely with it and couldn't transform back."

Lu Yang: "..."

Immortal, did you never encounter a normal opponent when you became an Immortal?

Just then, Daoist Buyu slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering something and interrupting Lu Yang, who was engrossed in the Immortal's glorious history.

"I just remembered, there's a move I can teach you."

"Which one?"

"'Human-Sword Unity.' This move is a signature technique passed down from ancient sword cultivators. It can unleash incredible power instantly, perfect for overcoming stronger opponents and making desperate comebacks..."

"No." Lu Yang decisively refused.

Daoist Buyu was puzzled, unable to understand why his young disciple refused so swiftly and resolutely. Since he wouldn't learn 'Human-Sword Unity', it seemed there were no other sword techniques Lu Yang could learn at his current cultivation level.

"Very well then. I'll teach you how to comprehend the Way of the Sword."