In the fierce battle, Li Mu keenly felt the opponent's prowess; his sword speed was as swift as wind, his sword moves were flawlessly precise, and his Sword Qi was as thick as a mountain, containing endless power. The opponent's overall strength was several points higher than his own, which constantly put him at a disadvantage when their Sword Qi clashed and their Sword Intent collided.
Soon, Li Mu understood the reason.
It was Sword Heart!
This opponent had already comprehended the Sword Heart that he had been seeking without success.
It was precisely because of the comprehension of Sword Heart that his Sword Intent could be so pure, his sword moves so precise, and his Sword Qi so prolonged and sharp.
At this moment, Ling Feng, who was battling Li Mu, also felt immense pressure.
His originally confident sword moves seemed somewhat powerless in front of Li Mu. Ling Feng was surprised to find that although Li Mu's aura was only at the initial Nascent Soul Realm, the profoundness of his true essence was comparable to the Peak Nascent Soul Realm, and in some aspects, it even surpassed the Nascent Soul Realm, reaching the level of a Void Refining Great Power. His escape techniques were even more extraordinary, whether dodging or attacking, they left him breathless. Moreover, the opponent's Divine Thought was also extremely strong, almost without flaws, and every attack was skillfully resolved by him.
What surprised Ling Feng even more was that the opponent did not seem to have comprehended the Sword Heart he was so proud of, yet he seemed to have mastered a 'Sword Domain' that was a dimension higher than Sword Heart. When he unleashed the power of Sword Heart, it seemed to be suppressed in front of the opponent's Sword Domain, unable to exert its due power.
After a fierce collision, both retreated dozens of feet, floating steadily in the air, looking at each other with eyes filled with admiration and wariness. The opponent's strength was not to be underestimated, and the upcoming battle would be even more intense and difficult.
"You comprehended Sword Heart?" Li Mu floated in the air, his spiritual sword hanging down, as he looked at Ling Feng and pressed.
"That's right!" Ling Feng looked at Li Mu and nodded decisively, then, puzzled, he threw out a series of questions: "You seem to have mastered Sword Domain? You comprehended Sword Domain without mastering Sword Heart? How exactly did you do it?"
Li Mu frowned slightly, as if thinking about how to answer Ling Feng's question. The Sword Domain he mastered was a result of increasing Cultivation Technique skill levels through his system panel, unrelated to his own Comprehension Ability. However, Sword Heart was a profound existence that could not be obtained by simply raising Cultivation Technique levels. This made Li Mu feel somewhat disheartened.
"What! Is there something you can't say?" Ling Feng asked with concern.
"You have too many questions, and I only asked one. I'm thinking about which one of yours to answer," Li Mu chuckled and gestured.
Upon hearing this, Ling Feng's mouth twitched, realizing that he had indeed been a bit too eager. He quickly took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said in a deep voice, "I want to know all three questions. In exchange, I can answer two more questions for you."
Ling Feng's tone revealed sincerity, and his eyes became fervent, clearly attaching great importance to the Sword Domain that Li Mu had mastered. Sword Domain was a more profound Realm than Sword Heart, and if one could master it, they would undoubtedly reach a higher level in the Dao of the Sword.
"Good, you first tell me how to comprehend this Sword Heart, and what I should do to quickly master Sword Heart!" Li Mu nodded readily, looking at Ling Feng, and asked with deep meaning.
After several years in the Sword Tower, Li Mu still had no clue about comprehending Sword Heart. He had originally thought he could comprehend Sword Heart through honing his sword skills and battle experience. However, to this day, Li Mu had not gained any Opportunity related to Sword Heart.
Today, it was rare to encounter a challenger who had mastered Sword Heart, and Li Mu would not let this Opportunity slip away.
After hearing Li Mu's questions, Ling Feng frowned tightly, organizing his words and thinking about how to answer these two questions.
After a while, Ling Feng looked at Li Mu and answered in a deep voice, "Sword Heart should be the heart of a Sword Cultivator who holds the Dao of the Sword, the condensation of a Sword Cultivator's mental strength and belief. To hold the sword with will, to grasp the sword with heart, to persevere in the Dao of the Sword, and to be in communion with Sword Intent. Over time, a Sword Cultivator will be able to have an Epiphany of Sword Heart."
At this point in his explanation, Ling Feng seemed to be stumped, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "Comprehending Sword Heart is like comprehending Sword Intent; there is no shortcut. Some achieve it in a day of asking the sword, while others fail for hundreds of years. However, there are a few clumsy methods that have a chance to aid in comprehending Sword Heart. I, myself, cultivated diligently in the Sword Heart Hall for thirty years, successfully asked the sword, and obtained Sword Heart. Xuan Jianzi from Tai Xuan Peak refined his sword day and night, achieving Sword Heart in a hundred days. Sword Master Chen from Sword Asking Peak observed a waterfall for three days and had an Epiphany of Sword Heart..."
Ling Feng listed several Sect Prodigies who had comprehended Sword Heart to Li Mu, then looked at Li Mu and concluded, "An Epiphany of Sword Heart requires Opportunity, and even more, the Sword Cultivator's persistence in the Dao of the Sword. If there is no sword in one's heart, Sword Heart is difficult to obtain. If there is a sword in one's heart, why search everywhere? When the time comes, it will naturally arrive."
After hearing Ling Feng's introduction, Li Mu pondered, also understanding why he had been unable to comprehend Sword Heart for so long. He was not a pure Sword Cultivator; most of his thoughts were on the spiritual plants he cultivated. Even when guarding the arena in the Sword Tower or inside the Sword Heart Hall, Li Mu would occasionally use his Divine Thought to contact his seven Soul Transformation Clones, inquiring about the status of the spiritual plants they were tending, constantly worrying about them.
"Elder Li, it's your turn to respond to me. You've mastered Sword Domain, right!" Ling Feng stared at Li Mu, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Meeting Ling Feng's eager gaze, Li Mu smiled and nodded, frankly admitting, "That's right, I have indeed mastered Sword Domain."
"Then, how did you master Sword Domain?" Ling Feng's spirit lifted, and he pressed with concern.
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then slowly began to speak, a hint of ineffable profoundness appearing between his brows: "The comprehension of Sword Domain is indeed difficult to describe precisely in words. It is intricately linked to the cultivation of sword arrays. During countless days and nights of cultivating sword arrays, I gradually became aware of the wondrous interaction between Sword Intent and the surrounding space. Whenever I condensed the sword array and Sword Intent to their Peak state, that feeling was like touching an invisible force. It felt like countless wisps of silk, encircling me, closely connected to my Sword Intent, intermingling. As time passed, this feeling grew stronger and stronger, until one day, in a sudden flash of enlightenment, I finally comprehended the mysteries of Sword Domain."
Although Li Mu's words were plain, each sentence seemed to contain profound wisdom of the Dao of the Sword, stirring Ling Feng's mind and causing him to fall into deep thought.
After a long while, Ling Feng suddenly held his spiritual sword horizontally, looked at Li Mu, his eyes burning with Battle Intent, and challenged, "Elder Li, please guide me in the art of sword arrays!"
Seeing this, Li Mu smiled slightly, not bothering with pleasantries. A flash of light emanated from the nine storage spiritual pearl in his hand, and spiritual swords flew out like meteors, rapidly gathering in the air. Hundreds, even thousands, of spiritual swords circled in the air, emitting streams of sharp Sword Qi.
Li Mu formed sword incantations, his fingers flying, and profound sword incantations condensed into shape in the air.
Following Li Mu's Divine Thought, nearly a thousand spiritual swords quickly arranged and combined according to specific trajectories, finally forming a blooming Qing Lian in the air.
This Qing Lian was composed of nearly a thousand fifth-Rank bamboo swords, each emitting a faint green light, their tips pointing towards the center, forming a perfect sword array—the Qing Lian Sword Array.
As soon as the Qing Lian Sword Array formed, it quickly enveloped Ling Feng. The Qing Lian slowly rotated, its lotus leaves, formed by spiritual swords, expanded and contracted, emitting bursts of sword cries, and the Sword Qi within the sword array grew denser and denser.
Ling Feng was within the sword array, feeling the sharp Sword Qi around him, a chill washing over his entire body, and a deadly killing intent pervading the air.
Facing this incomparably sharp sword array, Ling Feng showed no fear. His true essence boiled within him, merging with the spiritual sword in his hand, and he began to fight within the Qing Lian Sword Array. Each clash between his sword tip and a bamboo sword produced a crisp metallic sound, with sparks flying.
Seeing this, a hint of admiration flashed in Li Mu's eyes. With a thought, the Sword Qi within the Qing Lian Sword Array instantly became even sharper, as if to completely engulf and tear apart Ling Feng within the array.
Ling Feng was startled and immediately pushed his sword moves to the extreme. Instantly, Sword Qi surged, resisting the invasion of the endless Sword Qi.
For a time, Sword Qi crisscrossed within the Qing Lian Sword Array, and sword light flickered. The contest between the two had reached a fever pitch.
However, Li Mu, who had successfully unleashed the Qing Lian Sword Array, appeared calm and composed at this moment. He stood to the side, remotely controlling the changes in the sword array's posture, as if everything was within his grasp.
Ling Feng, trapped within the sword array, was in a desperate situation. He continuously tried to break free from the Qing Lian Sword Array's Bondage, but each attempt ended in failure, unable to pose any threat.
As time passed, the Sword Qi within the Qing Lian Sword Array became even sharper. Ling Feng's consumption was immense, his face grew increasingly solemn, and he frantically defended against the thousand spiritual swords within the array, struggling to cope.
Not long after.
"Boom!"
A loud bang erupted within the Qing Lian Sword Array, Sword Qi overflowed, and a thousand spiritual swords exploded, as dazzling as fireworks, unleashing countless Sword Qi.
Seeing this, Li Mu smiled slightly, then dissolved the Qing Lian Sword Array and retrieved the thousand fifth-Rank moon bamboo spiritual swords.
At this moment, looking at Ling Feng in the arena, his white brocade robe was wrinkled and tattered, clearly having sustained considerable damage in the fierce battle. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and mist rose from his head, clearly due to excessive consumption of true essence and mental power. His face was flushed, his eyes filled with exhaustion, and he looked disheveled.
However, Ling Feng understood that Li Mu had held back in the previous battle; otherwise, he wouldn't have merely been disheveled but unharmed.
"Elder Li, your sword array skill is unparalleled. Ling Daoyou admits defeat wholeheartedly," Ling Feng respectfully bowed with a sword salute to Li Mu, acknowledging his defeat.
"You flatter me!" Li Mu smiled slightly and returned the salute.
Ling Feng looked at Li Mu, and before leaving, he bid farewell, saying, "Elder Li, before I go, allow me to offer you a piece of advice. Although the Sword Tower has no rule restrictions, if you stay as the arena master on the 100th floor for too long, with no one able to defeat you, it will be detrimental to other Disciples trying to climb the tower. I suggest you climb higher to guard the arena, lest the Sect's higher-ups become displeased with you."
"Thank you for the reminder!" Li Mu smiled and nodded, expressing his gratitude.
Ling Feng smiled, said no more, and shot a stream of Sword Qi from his protective sword talisman. Then, with a 'whoosh,' his figure vanished within the Sword Tower Space.
Watching Ling Feng disappear, Li Mu retracted his gaze. After a brief thought, he waved his hand, sending a sharp Sword Qi into his sword talisman. Immediately after, his figure also disappeared into the Sword Tower Space.
Li Mu's purpose in climbing the Sword Tower this time was very simple: first, to hone his sword skills and gain practical combat experience; second, to attempt to comprehend the legendary Sword Heart.
During his time guarding the arena, Li Mu had experienced countless battles, significantly improving his sword skills and greatly enriching his practical combat experience. However, in his conversation with Ling Feng, he learned about the difficulty of comprehending Sword Heart and the importance of Opportunity, realizing that comprehending Sword Heart was not easy.
Knowing the gap that existed between himself and comprehending Sword Heart, and that continuing to guard the arena held no great significance, Li Mu decisively chose to give up.
After leaving the Sword Tower, Li Mu immediately flew to the Contribution Hall on his sword.
During his time guarding the arena, he had earned millions in Sect contributions. Now was the time to exchange these contributions for needed resources. Li Mu decided to use these contributions to acquire some spiritual materials that would aid in the growth of spiritual plants.
Li Mu left the Sword Tower and flew towards the Contribution Hall on his sword.
Unbeknownst to him, Li Mu's departure caused a huge stir. The originally quiet Sword Tower Battle Rankings were now bustling with people, countless Disciples gathered together, their eyes fixed on the peculiar changes on the rankings, discussions rising and falling.
"How strange, Senior Brother Ling clearly lost, but now 'Li Laohu (Tiger)' has also left, and the 100th floor arena master is vacant?" A Disciple suddenly noticed something and shouted in surprise.
His voice was loud and particularly prominent, immediately attracting the attention of those around the Sword Tower.
The news of Ling Feng's defeat against 'Li Laohu (Tiger)' had initially caused countless people to feel regret, though it was also within expectations.
Who knew that not long after, the battle rankings showed that the 100th floor arena master of the Sword Tower was vacant.
Li Mu, who had occupied the 100th floor arena master position for several years, for some unknown reason, despite defeating Senior Brother Ling, had given up his position as arena master.
"Haha, great, our Opportunity has come!" Someone excitedly patted the shoulder of a companion beside him, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, guessing, "'Li Laohu (Tiger)' must have been injured by Senior Brother Ling, and now he's unable to maintain his arena master position. Maybe we can take advantage of this and take over!"
However, some expressed doubt. A calm voice retorted, "Stop talking nonsense. Haven't you seen 'Li Laohu (Tiger)'s' previous battle records? His strength is so formidable, how could he be so easily injured? Besides, even if he really was injured, he might not necessarily give up his arena master position. Don't forget, he's a very persistent person. He's held this arena master position for over three years. Maybe he'll return one day and reclaim this floor's arena master position."
"Maybe Elder Li just gave up! It's been so many years, he must be tired of it!"
"That's possible. 'Li Laohu (Tiger)' is gone, the Sword Tower is going to be lively again."
"Hurry and queue up to enter the tower! Maybe some of you will have the chance to be the arena master for a few days."
...
With Li Mu's departure, the Disciples of the Xuantian Sword Sect continuously discussed and were incredibly excited. Because of Li Mu's presence, they had always been suppressed and unable to breathe. Now that he had finally left, the atmosphere became lively, and they all eagerly rolled up their sleeves, queuing up to register to enter the Sword Tower.
The Sword Tower once again became the focus of attention, and a fierce battle for the arena master position was about to unfold. (End of Chapter)
