This sword had been with him for five whole years, spending more time with him than even his wife. Yet, he still hadn't managed to tame it completely, only familiarizing himself with it. Who knew that with just a single reprimand from the young man, it would immediately become agitated …
Agitated your sister!
Can't you play properly?
I've been treating you like a master all day, but not only do you not know how to be grateful, you even threw yourself into my arms and acknowledged me as your master …
Guild Leader Zheng felt as though a knife was slicing through his heart. A stifling feeling surged in his chest, threatening to burst out at any moment.
The man's face turned green.
What was going on?
Could it be that this thing didn't accept the soft approach and only the hard approach?
Master Sai slapped his forehead when he saw his old friend's face turning green and pale, seemingly on the verge of breaking down at any moment.
This was a powerful appraiser who could even make the Harmonious Stream of Flowing Goblets acknowledge him as its master. Wouldn't it be easy for him to make the Imperial Jade Sword acknowledge him as its master?
"Zhang Shi is only borrowing it. He won't take your sword away …"
Fearing that his old friend would die of depression on the spot, he hurriedly sent a telepathic message over.
"Hmm …"
Hearing those words, Guild Leader Zheng finally calmed down. Suppressing the urge to spurt blood, he looked at the young man before him with doubt.
"Don't tell me you're going to inscribe a formation plate? What do you need a sword for? "
You keep saying that you want to inscribe a formation plate, but why do you want the sword to recognize you as its master?
"Inscribe formation plates!" Picking up a blank grade-5 formation plate, Zhang Xuan exerted his strength.
Bang!
The latter was embedded into the wall not far away like a mirror nailed to the wall.
After fixing the formation plate, Zhang Xuan's eyebrows shot up, and a powerful aura burst forth from his body. With a flick of his sword, a burst of sword qi burst forth.
"Sword intent? Sword Heart Stage? "
Hearing the clear ringing of the sword and the immense might it exerted in his palm, Guild Leader Zheng was taken aback and his eyes narrowed.
Even though he had reached Transcendent Mortal 4-dan, he hadn't managed to comprehend Sword Heart yet. Yet, this fellow before him, who wasn't even twenty yet, had already done so. Appraising, formations, and even Sword Heart... Was there anything that he couldn't do?
"The sharpness of Weapon Intent is incomparably sharp, and it can raise the tier of Spirit weapons of the same tier by a level... You can't be thinking of using a sword to inscribe formation runes, right?"
Upon recalling something, Guild Leader Zheng nearly choked on his saliva.
A Grade 5 formation plate could only be engraved with a Spirit Upper Grade carving knife. The League of Nations definitely doesn't have something of this level … This fellow can't be thinking of using Weapon Intent to replace this thing, right?
The carving knife was light and dexterous, and it was easy to make mistakes when carving fine formation patterns, but to directly use a sword …
Are you here to fool around?
Inscribing formation patterns on a sword... Forget about seeing it, he had never even heard of it before!
What kind of joke was that?
"Using a sword to inscribe array patterns?" Master Sai and Wang Haoxun's vision went dark.
This was no longer courage, but lawlessness and daydreaming.
Even though the sword was nimble, it had to be at least three feet long, and it had to be inscribed with formation patterns that were even thinner than a strand of hair … What was he thinking?
Ding ding ding ding!
Before he could react to the young man's actions, he heard the sound of the sword tip touching the formation plate.
Crisp sounds rang out as fine lines slowly appeared on the smooth surface of the disk.
"Really?"
His vision turned black again.
What kind of monster was this?
Using a sword to inscribe formation runes... Just what level of mastery over the sword has he reached?
"My carving knife is always wrong …"
Wang Haoxun's lips trembled uncontrollably.
He was a 4-star formation master, but even so, he often made mistakes when using a carving knife. Yet, the other party was using a sword to inscribe at a distance of three meters …
Did it have to be so exaggerated?
"It's possible!"
Contrary to the astonishment of the crowd, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up as he looked at the formation runes appearing on the blank formation plate.
Using a sword to inscribe with Sword Intent was an idea he came up with on the spur of the moment, and he didn't think that it would work.
Driving his Soul Depth to its limits, his Eye of Insight lit up, and he seemed to be able to see the unique patterns and uneven bumps on the formation plate. Following the description of the formation plate in the Heaven's Path Formation Art, he inscribed it with the sword in his hand.
If a master teacher were here, he would surely realize that he had entered a unique state of mind … Dispelling Facade and Retaining Truth, Lucid Mind!
Lucid Mind realm!
The 2-dan Heart of Tranquil Water and the 3-dan Lucid Mind realm.
An understanding of worldly affairs is knowledge, and an understanding of human emotions is writing!
In this state, one would be able to discern the essence of a matter amidst chaos. With a clearer state of mind, one would be able to analyze matters much more easily. Coupled with the Eye of Insight, one would be able to inscribe formation runes in an orderly manner, unaffected by the slightest fluctuation in one's emotions.
The minute movements that others could only complete with a carving knife could be done with a sword. The Heaven's Path Formation Art was one of the reasons, but more importantly, it was the unique ability of a master teacher.
"Inscribing a formation plate with a sword … No wonder he was able to break the formation with a single kick. Who in the world is this expert?"
The seniors and juniors by the side were so shocked that their hearts nearly stopped beating.
Others would use a carving knife that was as smooth as a needle and thread, but this fellow used a sword to do it. Furthermore, he was able to do it as meticulously as others … Even though they were witnessing it with their own eyes, they still found it inconceivable.
Ding ding ding ding!
After an unknown period of time, Zhang Xuan retracted his sword and stopped. Panting heavily, he stopped.
"Sword Intent is a concentrated manifestation of one's spirit, energy, and spirit. It is extremely demanding to maintain it constantly, and it is easy for one to tire!"
Seeing Zhang Xuan in such a state, Guild Leader Zheng advised, "Don't be in such a hurry. A formation plate isn't something that can be inscribed in a single day. You can take it slowly!"
Sword Intent represented a cultivator's comprehension of swordsmanship, and it was infused with all of one's passion. It was fine to maintain it for a short period of time, but it was simply too taxing for a prolonged period of time. Even though Zhang Xuan's Heaven's Path zhenqi was pure and his cultivation profound, it was impossible for him to sustain it for too long.
"Un …"
Nodding his head, Zhang Xuan adjusted his breathing and turned to look at the formation plate fixed on the wall not too far away. A grim expression appeared on his face.
Even though his control over Sword Intent had reached the level of Sword Heart, it was true that he couldn't use it for long periods of time. In just a short moment, he was already at his limits.
If he were to persist on like this, not only would he be unable to continue inscribing the formation, his previous efforts might even go to waste due to his unstable state.
"If I were to compare my comprehension of Sword Intent to a bottle filled with water, it would eventually dry up."
With a deep frown, Zhang Xuan fell into deep thought. In my current state, I am already on the verge of drying up, and I am only halfway done with the inscribing of the formation plate … It will take at least a day or two for me to fully fill it up …
Sword intent was similar to zhenqi in that there was a limit to how much it could be used. If one were to use it constantly, it would eventually be used up.
And now, he was almost out of energy, but the array plate in front of him was not even half done.
What should he do?
He couldn't possibly be like the other party, having to inscribe a formation plate for several days straight!
If Guild Leader Zheng were to know of his thoughts, he would definitely think that he was insane.
Putting aside a 4-star formation master, even a 5-star formation master would require several days to inscribe such a high-level formation plate. Yet, Zhang Xuan thought that he could finish inscribing it in a moment... Wasn't he dreaming?
"That's right, sword intent can be inscribed, and so can saber intent! The Sword Intent in my body has been greatly depleted, but my Saber Intent isn't affected at all … "
Just as he was conflicted over how he could speed up the inscribing process, his eyes suddenly lit up.
Not only did he comprehend sword intent, but he also comprehended saber intent.
After learning the Heaven's Path Saber Art, his mastery of the saber had also reached an extremely profound level.
Driving his Sword Intent previously had left him half-dead from exhaustion, but his Saber Intent … wasn't depleted at all. It was still like a bottle filled with water.
Chuckling lightly, Zhang Xuan stood up once more and surveyed the crowd. "Does anyone have a Spirit intermediate-tier saber?"
Even though using a sword as a saber would allow one to exert Saber Intent, its prowess was clearly weaker than using a saber. At this crucial moment, there was no need for him to take the risk.
"Saber?"
Everyone's eyes lit up.
Aren't you going to use a sword to inscribe a formation plate? What do you need a saber for?
"I have a saber …"
Master Sai hesitated for a moment before flicking his wrist. A nine-ringed saber appeared in his palm. It was heavy and ferocious, emanating an aura of savagery.
"Lend it to me!"
Walking up to Zhang Xuan, Zhang Xuan took the saber and flicked it lightly, producing a reverberation reminiscent of the roar of a dragon.
"Good saber!"
With just a glance, Zhang Xuan could tell that it was an incredible Spirit weapon. It was on par with the Jade Obelisk from before.
"I'll return your sword first!"
With a saber in hand, Zhang Xuan flicked his wrist and tossed the sword he borrowed back.
Even though this weapon had acknowledged him as its master, he still had to return it. He couldn't possibly take someone else's possession for his own.
Besides, he didn't have many expectations for weapons. Even though this Jade Obelisk was a good sword, he wasn't greedy for it.
If he really needed it, he could just buy one.
Besides, if he really had such intentions, he would have long emptied the entire Harmonious Stream of Flowing Goblets. Why would he let the Appraiser Hall off just because of a few conditions?
"This …"
Grabbing the sword, Guild Leader Zheng's face reddened in embarrassment.
Artifacts possessed spirits, and usually, their spirit would acknowledge a master. Even if the original owner was unwilling, most of them would still reluctantly part with it.
This was because if he were to forcefully take possession of it, not only would he fail to make it acknowledge him as its master, he might even incur the disgust of the spirit.
If a weapon didn't acknowledge a master, even if he were to keep it, he wouldn't be able to use it. Thus, he might as well do the other party a favor. Perhaps, he might even be able to sell it for a good price.
He thought that after Zhang shi had induced the Spirit Euphoria and the sword to acknowledge him as its master, he would be bidding farewell to the Imperial Jade Sword. Who could have thought that the other party would actually return it to him without the slightest intention of taking it for himself?
"Zhang Shi, you are fated with this Jade Obelisk. That's why it was able to make its Spirit Agitate the moment it saw you and acknowledge you as its master! Such a compatibility between a person and a weapon is extremely rare in the world of cultivation. As long as there is a single case, it will become a legend and its reputation will soar. "
"It has been five years since I obtained this sword, but I'm still unable to make its spirit submit to me. Since that's the case, I might as well give it to you. At the very least, you can achieve the compatibility between the person and the weapon …"
Gritting his teeth, Guild Leader Zheng pushed the sword forward.
Anyone would be reluctant to give away a sword that had accompanied him for five years. However, this sword had already acknowledged the other party as its master, so there was no point in keeping it. Thus, he might as well be generous for once.
After saying those words, Guild Leader Zheng thought that the other party would surely keep the sword. However, there was no movement at all. Guild Leader Zheng couldn't help but raise his head to take a look. As though he hadn't heard his words at all, Guild Leader Zheng casually tapped the nine-ringed saber several times.
Weng!
A crisp sound echoed as the saber vibrated.
Guild Leader Zheng's lips paled and his hands trembled. He nearly threw the sword away.
"Spirit Agitate … This saber … has acknowledged its master as well?"
(Seeking recommendation votes on Monday. Also, the cover of the book has been changed to an international edition. There are English words on it. Isn't it grand? Hehe!)
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