Chapter 261

Chapter 261: The Grass Character Technique (4000 words, combined chapters)

Ming returned to the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers.

However, this time, Ming came not to visit but to reside.

When Ming entered the valley, Qingwan was already waiting for him.

It seemed Qingwan had known beforehand that Ming would be staying in the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers.

“For these few days, you will stay here.” Wang Xuan led Ming to a newly built wooden house.

Inside were tables and bedding.

It appeared that Wang Xuan didn’t invite Ming to stay because of Xia Donghua but had planned it all along.

Otherwise, this wooden house wouldn’t have been prepared in advance with household items already inside.

“Sorry to bother you, Elder.” Ming bowed politely but felt somewhat uneasy. “Elder, perhaps I should stay outside the valley?”

The Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers only had two women—Qingwan and Wang Xuan. Having an additional man might tarnish their reputations.

Staying outside the valley would prevent Xia He from causing trouble and avoid any inconvenience for both sides.

“The disciples outside the valley come and go; if you stay there, it could attract more gossip. Some might even call you a stalker.”

“You’ll stay within the valley. Besides, no other disciples will come here these days, so only a few will know.”

“And even if they do know, so what? In the Heavenly Profound Gate, there are very few who dare to criticize me.”

Wang Xuan spoke calmly, her tone exuding authority.

“Well then, I shall disturb you.”

Since Elder Wang Xuan had spoken, refusing further would seem overly fussy.

“Come on, Qingwan.”

Wang Xuan nodded, said nothing more, and walked out of the wooden house.

“I have some matters to attend to with my teacher. Treat this place as your home.”

Qingwan looked at Ming with reluctance, clearly wanting to stay longer but followed her teacher instead.

Ming guessed Wang Xuan must’ve taken Qingwan to cultivate.

After settling his luggage, Ming sat in the wooden house for a while.

He thought about minimizing outings to avoid inconveniences.

But then he realized he wasn’t rude, so why feel guilty?

If they weren’t bothered, why should he act like he had ulterior motives?

Ming stepped out of the wooden house, deciding to explore the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers and see where Qingwan lived.

Indeed, the valley was vast. Though surrounded by mountains, it didn’t feel claustrophobic.

The endless sea of flowers stretched far, as if cut off from the world.

As Ming wandered aimlessly, his mood grew increasingly tranquil. Before he knew it, he entered a state of enlightenment.

Suddenly, Ming had an urge to practice swordplay.

Ming drew the Nine Heavens Cloud Lightning Sword and began dancing the blade freely.

Strangely, though Ming was a sword cultivator, he had never received systematic training in sword techniques or learned complete sword methods.

All he knew was the Ice-Yang Sword Technique from the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, which was more like a cultivation technique than actual swordplay.

Then there was the imitation of Qinghai’s sword moves from the North Sea and the single stroke taught by Xu Cang.

“Sword follows the heart, intent flows with the mind.”

When Ming stopped, a calm female voice echoed nearby, blending naturally with the surroundings.

Turning around, Ming saw Wang Xuan standing not far away.

“Elder.” Ming held his sword respectfully.

“Your sword technique is strange, piecemeal, patched together, lacking coherence. Who is your master? How could they teach you this way?” Wang Xuan asked.

Ming smiled. “Strictly speaking, I don’t have a master. Everything is self-taught, except for that one move taught by the old man.”

“No wonder.”

Wang Xuan nodded, then extended her delicate hand.

Ming hesitated, realizing she wanted the sword in his hand.

Approaching, Ming placed the Nine Heavens Cloud Lightning Sword into Wang Xuan’s grasp.

“Though I am a Daoist cultivator, I know a bit about sword techniques. If you’re willing to listen, I’ll explain. You can take it as reference.” Wang Xuan sought Ming’s opinion.

Ming bowed respectfully. “Elder, thank you for your kindness. Your junior is eager to learn.”

“Good.”

Wang Xuan simply responded, waving her sleeve over the longsword.

“So-called sword dao consists of three aspects: sword techniques, sword qi, and sword intent.

Mastering sword techniques forms sword qi, strong sword qi creates sword intent.

Most people think that sword intent represents the highest level of sword dao.

They believe sword intent is the essence of sword dao.

These people often treat sword techniques and sword qi merely as stepping stones to sword intent, neglecting them while focusing solely on sword intent.

I won’t say they’re wrong.

But in my view, it isn’t entirely accurate.

Sword techniques, sword qi, and sword intent exist on the same level.

There’s no hierarchy among them.

In the past, Wang Xiaoyu used sword techniques to defeat three thousand golden warriors.

Jiang Luoyu suppressed the Demon Prison for three hundred years with her sword qi.

Xu Cang fought against four saint masters and five sect leaders with his sword intent.

Each of these individuals reached the pinnacle in one of the three levels of sword dao, unmatched before or since.

Yet Wang Xiaoyu had sparse sword qi and fragmented sword intent.

Jiang Luoyu had decent sword intent but average sword techniques.

Xu Cang had excellent sword intent but couldn’t decisively win after exchanging thousands of strokes with Wang Xiaoyu.

So is sword intent truly supreme?

Even Xu Cang wouldn’t dare say that.”

Ming listened attentively and asked a question he’d pondered earlier: “Elder, when I was at Three Stone Peak, Xu Cang told me I hadn’t fully embarked on the path of the sword, which was regrettable. If I start anew now, would it be too late?”

“It’s too late.”

Wang Xuan shook her head.

“I know what you’re thinking.

Indeed, every sword sect has its own distinct path called ‘sword dao,’ cultivating systematically from sword techniques, sword qi, and sword dao from childhood. Their sword dao is much more complete compared to ordinary people.

Following the path leads to sword dao.

But this applies only at the beginning of embarking on the sword dao.

Now, no matter what, you’ve already chosen your own path and cannot turn back.

You’ve actually started your own ‘sword dao,’ unique to you and different from others.

What you can do is continue forward.

Until one day, you believe this path works and stop doubting yourself. Objectively speaking, when this path leads you to the Great Dao, it can be called true sword dao.

Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Ming thought carefully and shook his head. “I comprehend only partially.”

“That’s expected. If you fully understood, you wouldn’t ask me this question, and I wouldn’t explain it to you.

In summary, from my perspective,

Your sword qi is formidable, and your sword intent, inherited from Xu Cang, is sufficient.

However, your sword techniques are incomplete, which is your weak point.

I have a sword technique obtained from a cave in the Northern Wilderness. This technique has no name, so I named it the ‘Grass Character Technique.’

This Grass Character Technique seems passable, and I’ll teach it to you now.

I can only demonstrate it once, so pay attention.

If you fail to learn it this time, it means this technique isn’t destined for you.”

With that, Wang Xuan began wielding the longsword.

Ming’s Dao Pattern Eyes activated.

Despite his confidence in his sword talent, it was safer to use the Dao Pattern Eye given the single chance he had.

Wang Xuan, dressed in white, danced the sword gracefully, blending the ferocity of the sword with feminine elegance.

Every thrust and swing was perfectly executed, her posture strong yet graceful. Petals floated in the air, resembling a beautiful scroll.

Ming now understood why emperors enjoyed watching beauties wield swords.

The contrast between the sword’s strength and the woman’s grace was harmonious.

Each movement of the “Grass Character Technique” was etched into Ming’s eyes.

Gradually, Ming focused solely on the sword, oblivious to Wang Xuan herself.

Ming was captivated.

Though he’d seen many sword techniques, none were as unique as this one. Wang Xuan’s swordplay was resilient, as if even chaos could be split by a single blade of grass.

It seemed anything could become a sword.

All sword techniques seemed to dissolve into nothingness.

Strangely, Ming could sense the sword qi but, upon closer inspection, it vanished without a trace.

Wang Xuan sheathed her sword and exhaled.

Ming’s vision returned to normal.

“Do you understand?” Wang Xuan asked.

Ming replied, “I think so.”

Underneath her veil, Wang Xuan’s lips curled into a breathtaking smile, unseen by Ming: “How much do you remember?”

Ming recalled carefully but was surprised to find he remembered nothing of the previous techniques. “Elder, I don’t recall any of your previous moves,” Ming admitted.

“Good.” Wang Xuan tossed the sword to Ming. “Dance the sword freely, show me.”

Ming held the sword, remembering nothing of the previous moves.

But since Wang Xuan had instructed, Ming complied.

As Ming spontaneously swung the first strike, a powerful sense of familiarity surged within him.

Following this, Ming swung the second, third, fourth… Ming realized he was recreating the “Grass Character Technique”! Ming wielded the Nine Heavens Cloud Lightning Sword before Wang Xuan.

Watching Ming’s ever-changing sword, with sword intent and qi merging into the earth, Wang Xuan’s eyes sparkled with surprise.

No wonder he could master the stroke Xu Cang taught him.

He… was truly a genius.

After an incense stick’s worth of time, just as Ming was about to complete the Grass Character Technique, he sensed something. His sword resonated loudly.

Ming swung the sword.

An invisible sword qi broke through the magic array, splitting a distant mountain peak in half.

Before Ming could marvel at his previous stroke, Wang Xuan wielded a branch, transforming it into a sword, and swung it toward Ming.

Several invisible swords pierced toward Ming.

Ming’s spirit moved slightly, and his sword continuously swung. Without using any sword qi or intent, Ming relied solely on the basic Grass Character Technique.

Some of the invisible swords shattered under Ming’s defense, others were deflected, and some were lightly tapped back toward Wang Xuan.

Within three breaths, the surrounding flowers and grass were scattered, petals flew everywhere. Without expending a single ounce of spiritual energy, Ming deflected all the attacks.

Ming stared in astonishment at the sword in his hand.

He hadn’t fully comprehended what he had done.

This feeling was strange yet wonderful.

“This is sword technique.”

Seeing Ming’s puzzled expression, Wang Xuan explained.

“The essence of the Grass Character Technique is becoming one with nature.

How does one achieve this?

By forgetting oneself.

By forgetting the technique.

You watch, you forget, and you understand.

Currently, your sword cultivation method includes the Ice-Yang Technique, though called a technique, it only contains the mental aspect because the physical moves have been lost.

This mental aspect is solid, foundational, and mandatory for all inner sect disciples of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect.

You can utilize this.

Your sword techniques include the Grass Character Technique.

Your sword intent includes the stroke Xu Cang taught you.

From now on, this is your sword dao.

How you refine, integrate, discard, or absorb these elements, how you proceed, is up to you. I can’t teach you much more.”

Ming bowed deeply. “Thank you, Elder, for granting me this technique.”

“It wasn’t me who granted it. It was your opportunity.”

Wang Xuan turned and left.

“All things in the world have cause and effect. As many causes as there are, so are the results. No one owes anyone else anything.

For these few days, Qingwan won’t see you.

Not because I told her not to, but because she needs to meditate.”

As Wang Xuan’s voice faded, her figure disappeared from Ming’s sight.

And that was the last time Ming saw Wang Xuan those two days.

Afterward, Ming’s meals were delivered by flowers and plants.

Ming didn’t see Qingwan during those two days either.

Two days later, while Ming was meditating in the flower sea, a spiritual flower pulled its roots and ran toward him, slapping his knee with its leaves: “Ming, Ming, wake up! Wake up! The Purple Mist Grand Ceremony is starting! Hurry up and participate!”

[This chapter was revised multiple times but still feels a bit dull. But writing it was necessary.

To be honest, the pace does feel slow.

Initially, I planned to conclude the story around two million words, but we’re already at six hundred thousand, and there’s still so much to write. Various plots remain unwritten, and I haven’t quite grasped the rhythm. I need to speed things up, but I fear rushing might ruin the story.

After much deliberation, I’ve decided: Starting September 2nd, I’ll write ten thousand words per day for a month! If I fail, my hemorrhoids will flare up again!]