Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 43 Bestowing Treasures

Xuanji looked at the disciple whose gaze was fixed intently on His Highness, and slowly spoke:

"I am aware of your Dao heart. The Land of Immortal Remnants is indeed the place where you can forge an unparalleled foundation for your Dao, but its dangers far exceed your imagination."

With a slight flick of his sleeve, a beam of spiritual light unfolded in the hall, revealing a desolate and broken ruin, filled with distorted light and shadow—a microcosm of the Immortal Remnant Land.

"Even in the outer areas of the Immortal Remnant Land, the spatial structure is extremely unstable, with spatial cracks everywhere, disordered laws, and cultivators' methods are greatly suppressed."

"The sect needs to gather the power of several elders and rely on ancient formations to periodically stabilize a relatively safe passage," Xuanji explained.

New disciples like yourself, who are approaching Foundation Establishment, are welcome to apply. High-ranking cultivators will lead teams, carrying secret treasures, to operate within a designated, relatively safe area, seeking opportunities.

Lu Ming felt reassured; this arrangement was much safer than his previous plan to break in alone.

However, Xuanji's tone shifted, becoming serious: "But remember, the so-called safe zone is only relative. Spatial rifts arise without any pattern, and some perilous areas can even move on their own."

"What we need to be even more wary of is that the Dao Academy is not the only one that knows how to enter the Immortal Remnant Land."

"Forces such as the Lihentian Palace, Zhenwu Sect, and even the Demon Realm will also send disciples in. The actions of cultivators from outside are not necessarily honorable; killing and robbing are commonplace."

His gaze was sharp as lightning, fixed on Lu Ming: "Therefore, once inside, you must remember:

First, conceal your whereabouts and assess the situation carefully. Avoid taking unnecessary risks.

Secondly, one must be fully aware of one's surroundings, as if walking on thin ice. Spatial rifts and lurking killing intent often arise from the smallest things.

Thirdly, know how to prioritize and preserve yourself. Even the best opportunities require the life to enjoy them.

After speaking, Xuanji flicked his sleeves again, and three streams of light fell into Lu Ming's hands.

A cyan jade plaque engraved with intricate spatial runes, warm to the touch.

An antique octagonal tortoise-shell patterned heart-protecting mirror, its inner radiance radiating spiritual light.

A talisman as thin as a cicada's wing and almost transparent.

"These three items will protect you," Xuanji explained in detail.

"Void Escape Talisman, a life-saving item. Once activated, it can instantly teleport you randomly to the safe zone designated by the sect in the Immortal Remnant Land, and conceal your aura for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

However, please remember that the effectiveness of this talisman is restricted by the special rules of the Immortal Remnant Land, and it can only be effective within the safe zone marked by the sect's formation.

If you go outside this area, or find yourself in a naturally isolated place, this talisman will be ineffective!

"The Xuan Turtle Spirit Armor provides excellent protection for oneself."

"The Shadowless Talisman perfectly conceals one's presence and aura for half an hour."

Lu Ming carefully accepted the gift and bowed deeply in gratitude: "Disciple thanks Master! I will certainly not fail your expectations!"

"Hmm." Xuanji nodded slightly, about to dismiss Lu Ming, when suddenly, as if sensing something, he looked up at the void outside the hall, a smile appearing on his face, "It's quite a coincidence that fate has brought us here."

No sword light was seen, no sound was heard, yet the light inside the hall seemed to be drawn inward by an invisible force.

The next moment, a figure in a green robe stood silently in the hall, as if he had always been there.

It was none other than the Sword Immortal Qingping.

His aura was ordinary, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, and his body resonated with some kind of law between heaven and earth.

"Qingping, you've arrived." Xuanji greeted her with a smile.

The Sword Immortal Qingping's gaze swept over Xuanji and finally landed on Lu Ming.

That gaze was calm, yet it made Lu Ming feel as if he had been seen through from the inside out, and the wisp of Qingping sword intent deep within his mind trembled violently.

"It's good to see you again, my young friend."

The Sword Immortal Qingping's voice was not loud, but it carried a power that went straight to the heart: "In the Yunmeng Marsh, in a moment of desperation, it is still possible to forget oneself and draw upon a trace of true intent to unleash that sword strike."

Lu Ming was shocked, never expecting that the Sword Immortal Qingping knew about the Yunmeng Marsh.

"Take this opportunity to learn a thing or two from the Sword Immortal Qingping; this chance is not to be missed," Xuanji secretly transmitted to Lu Ming.

Lu Ming quickly bowed respectfully: "Junior Lu Ming greets Senior! I am fortunate to have received your favor, Senior, and humbly request your guidance!"

The Sword Immortal Qingping did not answer directly, but slowly said, "Do you know why your sword strike in Yunmengze was successful?"

Lu Ming pondered for a moment, recalling the scene at that time:

"When I saw Fei Yu seriously injured and Hu Zhen in danger, I was extremely anxious. My mind went blank, and I only had one thought: 'Save her.' Then I felt something break free from its restraints..."

"Not bad." A hint of approval flashed in Qingping Sword Immortal's eyes.

"Only by forgetting oneself can one approach the Dao. At that time, you abandoned the thought of gain and loss, forgot your own safety, and even forgot the sword itself. Only one thought remained in your mind, which is why you were able to arouse that trace of true sword intent. This is the prototype of the state of selflessness."

Qingping took a step forward without using any spiritual power, but the atmosphere of the entire Tianyan Palace seemed to freeze.

All the light and sound, even the spiritual energy, seemed to be frozen in place by an invisible "sword".

"The ultimate swordsmanship is not simply about mastering the sword, but about forgetting oneself and the sword, and letting the intention endure."

The voice of the Sword Immortal Qingping seemed to resonate directly in the depths of Lu Ming's soul: "To be obsessed with sword moves, sword forms, or even sword intent itself is to fall into a lower level."

"The true sword resides in the heart, emanates from the thought; it is the resolute determination to sever illusions, the unwavering courage to forge ahead, and the bravery to create life even in dire straits!"

"It is formless and intangible, yet it is everywhere."

Qingping looked at Lu Ming with piercing eyes: "Look at me."

Lu Ming subconsciously looked into the eyes of the Sword Immortal Qingping.

In that instant, he seemed to see an endless blue sky, where countless Dao patterns containing profound truths flowed and disappeared like swimming fish.

There were no specific moves taught, no complicated methods of circulating energy, only a pure artistic conception about the way of the sword, which, like a vast torrent, directly surged into his sea of ​​consciousness and merged seamlessly with the Qingping Sword Intent deep within his mind!

This time, it was no longer fragmented pieces, but a baptism of a complete kendo philosophy!

He seemed to transform into a gentle breeze, rising from the tip of a blade of grass, feeling how to accumulate potential energy, how to find gaps, how to contain a trace of life in the midst of thunderous force, and how to hear thunder in silence!

He was immersed in a profound state of enlightenment, forgetting time, forgetting space, and even forgetting his own existence.

Only the endless principles of swordsmanship resonate and are imprinted in one's mind.

I don't know how much time passed; it might have been a moment, or it might have been eternity.

Lu Ming slowly came back to his senses, his eyes still somewhat blank, but deep in his pupils there was a sharpness, as if he had been baptized by the light of a peerless sword.

The Azure Sword Intent deep within his mind was no longer just a wisp of light, but had transformed into a more solid azure rune, intimately connected to his mind, quietly floating and emitting an invisible sharpness.

He felt that his understanding of swordsmanship had entered a completely new world.

He couldn't even accurately describe what he had realized in words, but he knew that when needed, he would be able to more easily reach that state of selflessness and idealism.

"Thank you so much for passing on your knowledge, senior!"

Lu Ming bowed deeply.

This was no simple instruction, but a true initiation into the art of swordsmanship, paving the way for him to reach a higher level of swordsmanship.

The Sword Immortal Qingping accepted his bow without hesitation and said calmly, "The sword intent has been planted. How it grows depends on your own destiny."

"In the land of immortal ruins, danger is also a whetstone; make good use of the sword in your hand."

Xuanji looked at Lu Ming, whose temperament had undergone a subtle change, stroked his beard and smiled: "With this opportunity, you should seize it even more."

Go back and carefully contemplate what you've gained. Once the opening date of the Immortal Relic Land is confirmed, I will summon you again.

"Yes! This disciple takes his leave!" Lu Mingqiang suppressed his excitement and countless insights into swordsmanship, and respectfully withdrew from the main hall.

Upon returning to his courtyard, he immediately went into seclusion, immersing his mind completely in the vast ocean of swordsmanship, constantly consolidating his profound state of selflessness and focusing solely on intention, and familiarizing himself with the three life-saving magic treasures.

Though the road ahead is treacherous, my sect is my shield, and the Sword Immortal guides my way. I vow to forge an unparalleled path to enlightenment for myself in that land of immortal ruins!