Chapter 653

Chapter 653: Sword Training Talent

"Hehe, Senior hasn’t practiced either! Why make Ling’er train alone? Senior Brother’s logic makes no sense. You even wanted Senior to scold Ling’er!"

Golden Ling’er giggled as Jin An lowered his wooden sword. Noticing his glance toward Ye Yun, the girl stuck out her tongue mischievously.

"Senior has his reasons. At his level, momentary delays mean nothing. How could you compare yourself?" Jin An muttered before turning away. He’d never won an argument against Ling’er since childhood.

Ye Yun watched their bickering with faint amusement, his thoughts drifting to Sword Path principles.

"The Sword Path… After reaching Nascent Soul stage, can my body withstand merging true qi and spiritual power? If so, Born as a Sword’s power might leap forward."

The constant chatter no longer bothered him. Jin An seized every rest break to seek guidance, reminding Ye Yun how intoxicating the pursuit of strength could be.

"Shouldn’t you focus on that fire poison first?" The Ancestor of Sword Path’s voice held concern. "Without suppression pills, isn’t it dangerous?"

Unlike Ye Yun’s nonchalance, the Ancestor worried. The Nine-Dragon Heartbroken Grass had slightly strengthened his soul power. Against supreme Immortal artifacts, he could now act instead of mere intimidation. If Ye Yun’s poison persisted, they’d have to kill that Moon Dynasty woman.

The Ancestor’s sword intent had cowed the semi-sentient Fire Dragon Whip before. But fully intelligent artifacts would pose real danger, especially with Ye Yun’s meridians clogged by multiplying fire poison. Clearing it required urgency – each day weakened him further, risking true qi depletion.

Ye Yun suppressed his aura at Golden Core Sixth Level’s peak, careful not to overdo it. In crisis, he’d unleash Seventh Level reserves through Purple Shadow Divine Sword, using Born as a Sword for seven breaths of peak power… followed by realm regression to Fifth or even Fourth Level.

Previously, he’d have hesitated. Now, with abundant Immortal Spirit Stones, survival outweighed cultivation risks.

The Ancestor disagreed vehemently. Ye Yun’s cross-realm combat relied on unparalleled qi quality. Damaging his foundation could permanently degrade this advantage.

"Stubborn worm!" The Ancestor grumbled by the campfire. Despite nights of coercion, the Fire Dragon Whip resisted acknowledging Ye Yun, perhaps sensing his vulnerability or resenting earlier forced submission. Only the Ancestor’s soul power prevented its escape.

"Senior! Try Ling’er’s special roast!" The girl proudly presented a charred lump on a stick.

"Truly unique cuisine," Jin An deadpanned. "Even I rarely suffer this honor."

"Exactly! Commoners don’t deserve my skills." Ling’er thumped her flat chest.

"You’re grown, but certain areas aren’t," Jin An retorted.

"Thick accumulation leads to sudden growth! I’m not some painted hussy!" Snatching the burnt meat, she declared, "Char improves spiritual power!"

"Master suffered raising you." Jin An resumed practicing daytime’s swordplay. "When sword emerges, heart locks onto spirit…" Though sword-obsessed, his Sword Path comprehension remained shallow.

Spiritual power’s abstraction mirrored Sword Path’s mysteries. Neither Ye Yun nor Ling’er interrupted – true strength required effort. Natural geniuses like Du Jianyin aside, Ye Yun had climbed through relentless work, forging different insights.

"Strike!"

Jin An’s downward slash stirred faint ripples. Ye Yun nodded approval. "Not bad. For a First Level Nascent Soul to challenge Second Levels, this shows Sword Path potential."

"Continue."

The praise steeled Jin An’s resolve. Faint sword intent flickered – new, yet distinct. Abandoning current cultivation for sword specialization would be hard, though.

Dao offered countless paths, none guaranteed. Most stumbled blindly, following predecessors’ torches while choosing steps. Some pursued multiple roads, but true prodigies were rare.

Ye Yun had attained detachment toward mortal affairs – not enlightenment, but disinterest. Mortal matters meant nothing; his path lay straight ahead. Blockers would fall to his sword, Buddhas included.

The arduous path didn’t daunt him. Even weakened, he clung to hope. Without the Ancestor, would he have persevered? Inner answers always echoed "Yes!" – no regrets.

"Ancestor, Jin An’s talent?" Ye Yun lay gazing at the practicing youth.

"Serviceable. With guts, trainable." The Ancestor admitted grudgingly. Better this than sword-incompetence. Days under the Ancestor’s guidance outweighed years of solo practice.

"Nightly fire poison eases. Does it sleep so I can rest?"

Ye Yun’s jest sparked the Ancestor’s reminiscences. As tales of youthful escapades flowed, the ancient spirit’s voice warmed with rare excitement.