Ancient Strengthening Techniques
Chapter 30 - Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal
Ancient Strengthening Technique Chapter 32: It Takes 10 Years to Forge a Good Sword
Qing Shui's imagination surged wildly as he continued reading. He was daydreaming about when he could step into the fabled realms of Man and Sword as One, and Heaven and Man as One. After which, he shook his head: “A journey of a thousand miles, starting with one step. I had to stop dreaming and start from the most basic. After all, even taking into account my past life experience, I have no experience in the way of the sword. I just dabbled in exercises like practicing Tai-Chi Boxing and Tai-Chi swordplay. It was just an empty position filled with air with no real substance behind it.
While continuing to read it, in addition to the main basic methods of attack positioning, which consist of: Hooking, Hanging, Pointing, Carrying, Piercing, Slicing and Hacking, the book also, in great detail, contains a number of key features, describe the amount of power that must be possessed.used for each attack, sword position, body posture as well as breathing methods that can be used. In addition to the description, there are also images depicting humans holding swords in various forms of sword attacks.
The more Qing Shui read, the more confused he became. “How can the << technique of Basic Sword Technique >> be so complicated? If this was the case, what about profound sword arts? How can I start training them if I don't even understand the basic techniques? ” Qing Shui lost in contemplation.
Every time Qing Shui saw the picture, he would match it to the details stated in the description and put it into practice. Using his fingers in lieu of a sword, he held a book in one hand and practiced the basic forms of attacks: Hook, Hanging, Pointing, Carrying, Piercing, Slicing, and Hacking with the other hand. One punch after another, relentlessly pursuing perfection.
Qing Shui continued his training along with the inevitable passage of time. He did not know the exact amount of time that passed because there was no cycle of day and night in the spatial world. Qing Shui, similar to a madman, practiced almost to the limit of Qi Deviation, continuing his journey to understand the truth behind the way of the sword.
"Efforting all-out is the only way for me to improve, even if I have to step near the limit of Qi Deviation, I have to succeed!" Qing Shui said with a burning determination in his eyes.
Qing Shui did not lack perseverance or determination. He understood very well that he was similar to metal. The metal had to suffer a blow from the blacksmith's hammer and be purified in flames before it could be forged into a fine sword. Moreover, the Yin-Yang Symbol in his sea of consciousness, also enhanced his soul and mind, giving him a high level of understanding. That, when coupled with his unyielding personality as well as the relief effects of his spatial realm meant that nothing was impossible for him!
When comparing << Basic Sword Technique >> with 3 other thick medical books, it could be considered rather thin. In addition, the contents of the book << Basic Sword Techniques >> explains the most basic sword positions. Compared with the complex << Herbal Combination Formula >> and << Continental Medical Annal >>, it is much easier to remember.
On the last page of the book it is written that the core of the sword can be summarized into four insights, in one sentence of the four realms in the swordplay. [Application of Knowledge], [Depth in Simplicity], [Speed equates Unbeatable], [Return to Nature]! ”
Qing Shui understood everything, except for the last part, [Back to Nature].
For the first realm, [Application of Knowledge], the essence of this insight refers to knowing when the circumstances are right, when the place is right, when the place is right, and when is the right time to execute which basic attacker sword form. Simply put, to make the right moves at the right time.
For the second realm, [Depth in Simplicity] ”, the essence of this insight refers to not pursuing perfection of form. Form is secondary and intention is primary. The swordplay that looked beautiful and dazzling looked good, but it was nothing compared to true strength. In fact, the more profound the sword arts were, the more ordinary they looked when executing the techniques within them. When stepping into this world, the techniques performed by those who understood the sword dao might even look awkward and careless.
For the third realm, [Swiftness equates Invincibility], the core of this insight being referenced, under the vast domain of heaven, the same philosophy applies to all martial arts. As long as one reached sufficient speed, he would be able to defeat anything in the world. With sufficient speed, one could indeed reach the invincible realm. Too bad it's just a theory. After all, who would dare to say that they were the fastest in the world?
For the last realm, [Back to Nature], he only had a rough understanding of the insights behind it. Qing Shui was unable to understand which level of this swordplay world was at. “Could it be legendary nature ..? Once one mastered the sword, one could infuse sword intent into everything in nature. In that realm, everything in nature could be used as a sword!
Sword intent! Qing Shui was lost in contemplation as his mind drifted far away.
After he finished the book, Qing Shui closed his eyes and started meditating. He wanted to organize his mind and heart to understand the various details outlined in the book.
After a long time, Qing Shui finally opened his eyes. This is indeed the basis of sword arts! No matter how deep the sword technique was and no matter which world the sword user had reached, the << footprint of the >> Basic Sword Technique would remain in it!
“If that's the case, when << Basic Sword Technique >> was developed to its peak, could it also have the power of profound sword techniques?” Qing Shui was lost in contemplation.
A period of one month passed, Qing Shui had learned many things in the past month. He was also in the open where he could contemplate the importance of the 5 elements, as well as try to gain insight into the core of heaven.
The state of one's heart is very important. For people with large heart skeletons, they would naturally be able to hold more items. People with a narrow heart frame, can be likened to a frog living in a well, forever unable to imagine or appreciate the beauty of the vast outside world!
A boar was hunted by Qing Shui. After that he pulled out his fur, split his stomach, took out his intestines, blood, internal organs, and then he scraped his carcass clean, not even the head of the pig was spared.
"What a waste, how incomprehensible!" Qing Shui laughed self-deprecatingly.
Lucky this wild boar is fairly muscular and fit, there is no excess fat in his body. During this period of time, the thing that Qing Shui ate the most was the wild boar. Especially pork legs. To satisfy her tongue, Qing Shui hunted many wild boars and experimented on them to practice his cooking skills.
Right now, Qing Shui felt his cooking skills could still be considered a little above average. After all, he felt that the food he cooked had a superior taste when compared to other good inns or restaurants.
After finishing his dinner, Qing Shui kept the three remaining legs inside the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal. He then walked to the side of the campfire and took a wooden stick measuring 3 feet 3 inches from the ground.
Entering the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal again, Qing Shui had long mastered the basic sword forms: Hooking, Hanging, Pointing, Carrying, Piercing, Slicing and Hacking. Now, he was holding a wooden staff, as he was about to wield a sword, the staff almost seemed to be alive in his hands, passionately performing each basic sword form perfectly. After all, both of his arms had been trained to extremely agile conditions, including his palms, wrists, fingers, and every part of his hands for practicing Solitary Rapid Fist, he said, because they have long reached the peak of agility.
All thanks to the enlightenment battle from before, it was as if all the insights gained during practicing Solitary Rapid Fist had been absorbed by his pair of hands. So when he practiced his sword technique, Qing Shui was able to achieve double results with just half an effort, advancing at an incredible speed.
As the saying goes, "It takes 10 years to master a sword, and 100 years to master a sword!"
Sword Arts were so deep and profound, Qing Shui knew deep in his heart that if he wanted to master the sword path, he would definitely need to expend a lot of effort and time. After all, Qing Shui wasn't worried. After all, he was the ruler of the immortal Violet Jade Realm.
The sword follows the body, the body leads the sword, the sword user should be able to achieve the sword and body status as one, the body and Qi as one, the Qi and Spirit as one. Even though Qing Shui was only in the realm of early sword users, he was still able to roughly comprehend some laws from the depths of sword arts!
What Qing Shui understood was, using Qi to control one's sword, the breath and execution of the sword technique had to complement each other in addition to one's form and footwork. However, regarding Qi and Spirit as one entity, Qing Shui did not have the slightest clue about it.
However, he did not need to fully understand this right now. What Qing Shui needed to accomplish at the moment, were the three spells related to sword arts! Fast, Accurate, Firm. Especially for the first spell, Swift!
Right now, Qing Shui, with the strength of one, could already defeat 10. Now, if he managed to grasp the meaning quickly, he would be similar to a tiger that had wings!
Hurry along! Qing Shui, in order to understand the meaning of speed, relentlessly tried different forms of sword attacks, changing its angle.
Just like this, Qing Shui decided to practice the most basic form of all sword moves. Pulling his sword from its sheath, returning his sword back to its sheath, Iaido. What Qing Shui wanted to master at the moment, was the Iaido technique [1].
This is because Iaido only emphasizes on Swiftness. Once the sword is drawn, one must kill. Hurry up to make your opponent dazzle, leaving the opponent no chance to fight back!!
