Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 120 - 101 True Sword Dao!

Chapter 120: Chapter 101 True Sword Dao!

Eight days away from the Three Religions Sword Conference.

Gu Wen visited Lan Yongning at the Wen Sword again, who still entertained him warmly and provided guidance, advancing Gu Wen’s understanding of the Buddha Sword even further.

On his second visit, Lan Yongning’s attitude had cooled down a bit; by the third visit, Gu Wen was turned away at the door, and on the fourth time, he brought pills with him to clear up misunderstandings.

[Inspired multiple times by the might of the Wen Sword, his comprehension of the Buddha Sword greatly improved, needing only a decade’s worth of Heavenly Marrow]

In three days, Gu Wen had gleaned decades worth of Heavenly Marrow experience from Lan Yongning’s Buddha Sword, only stopping when he could no longer see any improvement.

Five days away from the Three Religions Sword Conference.

Gu Wen found the Jade Sword Buddha at a street corner; the little nun was sheltering from the rain under an eave, looking up at the sky in a daze.

"Master, I have a matter I’m unclear about and wish to ask for your guidance."

The Jade Sword Buddha didn’t reply, quietly watching the rain before she left as if she had never seen Gu Wen at all.

Gu Wen scratched his head and didn’t leave in embarrassment; instead, when he asked Yu Hua about the little nun’s character and preferences, he was almost attacked.

Fortunately, Yu Hua was as gentle as ever, telling him that the Jade Sword Buddha had a Buddha Heart and only acknowledged people of fate, being oblivious to him meant no fate. To become fated was simple, just be strong enough, and a slap to her head would surely bring her around.

Failing to seek guidance from the Jade Sword Buddha, Gu Wen turned to find Xiao Yunyi.

The successor of the Broken Sword Mountain lived in a small bamboo grove outside Luodu. When Gu Wen arrived with several jars of Spiritual Wine and saw Xiao Yunyi, he was stunned.

The once elegantly dressed and aloof swordsman was now disheveled, his clothes stained and his face covered in stubble.

"I have long admired the Sword Dao and have struggled to find a good teacher; today I’ve come specifically to seek instruction from Fellow Daoist Xiao."

Gu Wen stated his purpose, and Xiao Yunyi wasn’t surprised. His recent endeavors around the city, asking everyone for guidance, had already been talked about—some praised him, others despised him.

"I don’t have anything to teach you, nor do I want to."

Xiao Yunyi shook his head in refusal and then closed the door without waiting for Gu Wen to respond.

A straightforward rejection, without any regard for Gu Wen’s reputation or the debt of gratitude.

Xiao Yunyi felt Gu Wen wasn’t suitable for sword practice; he was too slick in his dealings with others, and however talented, he would struggle to reach the pinnacle.

Only by being extreme in the way of the sword can one climb to the True Sword Dao.

Otherwise, with what could one face the world’s number one sword left by the master? What virtue and ability could carry the peak of the Sword Dao?

’Such hostility?’

Gu Wen set down the Spiritual Wine and left. He then sought out the twelfth-ranked swordsman on the People’s List for guidance. There were many users of the sword in the Cultivation World, but few possessed a dharma form.

But no matter what, they had practiced longer than him, and little by little, he could glean a year’s worth of Heavenly Marrow.

This chance to grow without risking anything was somewhat addictive for Gu Wen. He didn’t care what others said; pride and face didn’t exist for him. He would ask and learn anything that could make him stronger.

There was no shame in asking for knowledge; only cultivation was real.

He truly desired progress!

Three days away from the Three Religions Sword Conference.

Gu Wen visited again, this time with top-grade spirit wine for clearing channels, thinking that perhaps the issue was the inadequacy of his gift.

Thud, thud, thud!

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, Gu Wen has brought you wine."

This time, Xiao Yunyi simply didn’t open the door. Gu Wen waited for about half two hours before leaving the wine behind. He felt that Xiao Yunyi was truly greedy, not even tempted by top-grade spirit wine.

But remembering Xiao Yunyi’s status as the number one swordsman, a bit of arrogance seemed normal, and Gu Wen wondered how much Heavenly Marrow he could glean from him.

Gu Wen then went to seek the Jade Sword Buddha, but the little nun continued to ignore him.

Planning to return to the inn in the evening, a strikingly handsome man with light purple eyes suddenly blocked his path.

"Young man, are you learning the Buddha, Tao, and Demon Sword?"

"Jun Yan?"

Jun Yan nodded slightly and continued, "I have achieved the Demon Sword Dharma, and you will likely need my guidance. I can teach you for free, but it must be your voluntary choice."

Hearing this, Gu Wen’s initially cautious expression changed, and he smiled, "I would respectfully ask you to impart the truth."

"Aren’t you going to ask why?"

Jun Yan was taken aback. He didn’t expect Gu Wen to be as thrilled as if he had struck gold. Could it be that Gu Wen was completely unaware of the True Sword Dao?

"Is the reason related to the three swords?"

Jun Yan shook his head. It was just an excuse for a scapegoat, but he couldn’t openly trick Gu Wen—that would not be worth offending Yu Hua.

Before he could speak, Gu Wen promptly said, "To cultivate without questioning leads to blindness; to question without cultivating leads to danger. If I have doubts during my cultivation, I will ask, but I won’t care where the teachings come from or their intent."

He understood Jun Yan’s doubt; probably he thought this would hinder his own cultivation, but the other’s reason for guiding him wasn’t of great importance.

As long as power came to him, all schemes and tricks would be futile.

"Cultivating itself is harmless, whether it is the Righteous or Demon Skill."

Jun Yan’s smile disappeared, and his expression became more solemn. He hadn’t intended to say much, but Gu Wen’s eagerness to learn made him want to confirm once more.

"The True Sword Dao has burdened countless sword cultivators since ancient times. If you get trapped, you may not be able to climb out. Are you sure?"

"Please, senior, teach me."

[Guided by a Demon Path successor, the Demon Sword saw great progress, requiring only a decade of Heavenly Marrow]

For the two Buddha Swords, ten years of Heavenly Marrow was sufficient.

Late into the night, Jun Yan retracted his dark sword light, slowly exhaled, and said, "This is the First Level; make sure you remember it well. If you have further questions, ask me again, if you can find me."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

Gu Wen bowed slightly with folded hands, grateful from the bottom of his heart.

Although they were peers, he would bow to anyone who could teach him.

"You and I are peers, so stop calling me ’senior.’"

Gu Wen hurriedly waved his hand, not knowing why, but the more humble Gu Wen was, the more eerie it made people feel.

Did he, who had been so arrogant that he dared to challenge and slay a True Monarch across levels, suddenly change his mindset and start seeking knowledge with eagerness after meeting someone of a higher echelon?

How could someone change so quickly?

"When three people walk together, one of them is my teacher. Having received guidance, it is only right for me to bow."

Gu Wen’s demeanor was open and honest, without any sign of embarrassment; even as he bowed, he was as straight as a pen.

Jun Yan’s eyes showed a hint more of wariness.

He found Gu Wen somewhat inscrutable, initially only seeing slickness, but now it seemed Gu Wen was sincerely seeking the Dao. Those who should be most respected are not just those with power and talent, but those who have both and still humbly seek to learn; Gu Wen was the first.

This person was very terrifying.

-----------------

There was one day left until the Three Religions Conference.

His attempts to visit Xiao Yunyi ended in rejection once more, the little nun ignored him, and he could not find Jun Yan.

Along the way, he encountered Chi Yu Zi, and they drank spiritual wine and discussed the Yuqing Sword Skill and how it would decrease the Heavenly Marrow by another ten years.

[Inspired by the true intent of Sword Control, the Jade Sword Dharma requires one hundred and thirty years]

As Chi Yu Zi realized that Gu Wen was a step closer to the Sword Dao Dharma, with a silly and drunken charm, she smiled and said, "Why are you working so hard? Is there someone you want to defeat at Heavenly Spring Mountain?"

"The weakest, Xiao Yunyi, has already begun to gather Divine Skills for his Sword Dao Dharma, and he’s currently the number one figure in Sword Dao. It’s just that he’s been hindered by the Buddha, Tao, and Demon Swords intricacies. If he suddenly has an epiphany, you won’t be able to beat him even if you try harder."

"Secondly, Jun Yan. Although he’s not good at engaging in magical combat, he is still a descendant of the Demon Sect, with strength deep and unfathomable."

"And as for me, don’t even think about it. I have the power to wield thousands of spiritual swords and three Taoist Swords. After this trip to Heavenly Spring Mountain, I’ll add even more."

Chi Yu Zi patted his shoulder and poured another drink for Gu Wen, saying, "Sometimes, you shouldn’t force what you’re simply not born with. You’re not mediocre; it’s just that you might not be suited for swordsmanship. If you used a spear instead, at the same realm, I wouldn’t look down on you."

Gu Wen, seeking advice everywhere, was the first prodigy of his kind; to most people, this was foolish. Not because of the action itself, but because Gu Wen wasn’t suited for the sword.

His true talent lay in spear arts, and his pursuit of the Sword Dao was somewhat unwise. The opportunity at Heavenly Spring Mountain was important, but not indispensable.

He Huan, He Qing, Lu Chan, Murong, and a few others with some connections had tried to dissuade him, but to no avail.

Gu Wen simply smiled and said, "Swordsmanship is a lifelong endeavor; who can predict the future?"

"Pfft, hahaha! Okay, you do have some pride, after all. I thought you were a rare prodigy who was a pushover."

Chi Yu Zi laughed heartily, a cheerful disposition contrasting with her tender and delicate exterior.

"If you have an epiphany and give up swordsmanship, and if your foundation reaches the same level as mine, I’ll look forward to fighting you. But for now, you’re not qualified to compete with me in swordsmanship."

-----------------

At night, five two-hour periods remained until the Three Religions Conference.

Gu Wen sat cross-legged in his room, sinking into his Qi Sea with each breath, looking up to the Buddha, Tao, and Demon Swords.

[Eighty-five years of Heavenly Marrow]

The Buddha Sword, harnessing the great forces of heaven and earth, took the form of Buddha light as the sword, with the hilt bearing the half-closed eyes of Buddha.

With ten years of Heavenly Marrow refining, in an instant, the Buddha Sword’s First Level was fulfilled, along with its Sword Qi.

The Demon Sword, channeling the dark energy of heaven and earth, appeared dark and ominous, with strands of faint light enveloping it like fierce fire.

With ten years of Heavenly Marrow refining, in an instant, the Buddha Sword’s First Level was fulfilled, along with its Demon Sword Qi.

The Qi Sea trembled slightly as the three swords reflected each other’s light, with strands of indescribable sword light emerging and a faint sword shadow appearing.

Gu Wen grasped the formless sword like mist; what he felt was not the wonder of the Jade Sword, nor the grandeur of the Buddha Sword, nor the magnificence of the Demon Sword,

but simply indifference, an indifference toward all things in the world, a disdain for the prodigies of the Sword Dao he had encountered in this period.

Only upon understanding True Sword Dao did he grasp their insignificance.

All the manifold sword techniques come down to True Sword Dao, the First Level of True Sword Dao!

-----------------

Two days later, the Three Religions Sword Conference.

The local government organized it, with the five now-deceased great families sponsoring, and the most luxurious inn, the entire street decked out with lights and banquets stretching for miles, gathering heroes and warriors from all paths.

True Monarchs arrived by walking on air, swordsmen by Sword Flight, and immortal maidens descended from heaven on light silks, all demonstrating their divine skills.

Half the population of Immortal Land had come, some for the opportunity at Heavenly Spring Mountain, others for the Immortality Pill.

Above the third floor of the inn was designated for the top twenty of the three rankings, with numerous prodigies gathered together, but no seat was reserved for a True Monarch.

The old monsters were blocked outside, their eyes flickering slightly, showing a chill on their faces.

Jiu Zhenjun was also among the many True Monarchs blocked outside, looking up at the bright and beautiful youngsters on the third floor of the Jade Building.

With a heart no longer attached to these matters, he felt no anger, instead a sense of reverie washed over him as he looked down at his weathered old hands, experiencing a mix of emotions.

This generation of prodigies was indeed special, with those once able to stand at the top now only able to rank within the top five, and any of the top three could easily crush their predecessors. There was also the unprecedented existence of the Taoist Heavenly Girl in this place.

And they were even more arrogant, even more full of vigor.

"Do the young people of this generation know nothing of honoring the old and cherishing the young?"

A True Monarch with an eighth-level foundation and the Fourth Level fulfilled, stood out, and suddenly, wine was poured from above onto his head.

The short-haired girl carrying a Sword Box leaned casually against the rail, holding a jug of wine with a mocking gaze towards the scene below.

"Old man, are you planning to burst your Spiritual Treasure on us?"

"You!"

The True Monarch’s face reddened with anger, and the surrounding True Monarchs also darkened in expression.

Chi Yu Zi turned her head back toward Gu Wen and gave a thumbs-up, while the surrounding prodigies were somewhat dumbfounded. They were well-educated elite students since childhood; when had they seen such verbal abuse?