Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 558 - 96 Immortal Sword

Chapter 558: Chapter 96 Immortal Sword

At the foot of Sword Mountain lies a main city, known as Sword Casting City.

On the mountain, swords are broken; at the bottom, swords are cast. This tradition has continued for countless years.

To grasp the Sword Dao at Broken Sword Mountain, one must infuse a wisp of Sword Intent from the mountain into their sword, naturally risking damage to the treasured sword.

At this time, there is still some distance to spring, still in winter, but the pervasive forges in Sword Casting City make the temperature seem suitable.

In the Jade Pavilion of the brothel, beauties perform sword dances, their lower bodies dragging long skirts, while their upper bodies wear tight, small dance clothes made of silver thread silk, as thin as cicada wings, their skin color faintly visible, with only the bust being the thickest part.

The graceful figures dance, wielding soft swords, like moving fireflies.

Gu Wen reclines on the mat, beside him an Immortal Sword as bright as snowflakes.

This sword followed him, and he couldn’t chase it away.

Chi Yu Zi nibbles on unknown snacks, while Jade Sword Buddha sits cross-legged, eyes closed, nourishing the mind, listening to two friends discuss, constantly commenting on the dancing girls.

That one has a good figure, this one’s dance is graceful, how about that one.

The dancers leave, and only the Spirit Zither plays alone in the room.

After enjoying the show, Chi Yu Zi enters a reflective state, sighing, "The women here possess quite an attainment in the Sword Dao, enough to be considered inducted, possibly reaching Golden Core in the future. It’s a pity they ended up in such a place, what a shame."

Golden Core, the ultimate pursuit of most cultivators, because theoretically, all those who practice cultivation can reach it.

Beyond this, it involves the Divine Soul, requiring not just Qi Refinement, but also refining the mind, and even refining the heart.

Of all things, the path of the heart is the hardest to practice.

One can endure loneliness for desires, but the desires do not disappear.

Gu Wen sideways glances at ’Wise Feather’, saying, "Is there a possibility that they have more hope for Golden Core here? Cultivation is most consuming of wealth, and only wealth is easiest to attain."

Talent is innate, opportunities are hard to seek, but wealth is tangible and visible.

With sufficient pills, one can advance further in cultivation.

And the brothels Gu Wen and his friends visit are always the finest, serving cultivators at great cost, so the dancers earn naturally more.

Chi Yu Zi says, "If the world were rich, would there be no dancers?"

"No, they would only raise prices, because there are always people who indulge in laziness."

Gu Wen shakes his head; he never feels pity for the brothel women.

It’s not like they’re ordinary prostitutes; even among mortals, their situations can sometimes be much better than the women of good families. They often find wealthy merchants or well-off individuals.

Moreover, these people are cultivators, they won’t starve if they don’t do this job. Conversely, to endure compromising for the Dao, they persist thoroughly.

"Alright, enough talk about politics, let’s discuss what to eat later."

Gu Wen shifts away from the topic.

The most boring thing in the world is politics, followed by satire of politics. In the end, it’s all about the power struggle, back and forth, compromises from all sides, or a stronger force imposing everything.

It’s all just a mess.

Take Sword State as an example, inside Broken Sword Mountain, there are factions of Will Sword, Sword Intent, Sword Qi, and Swordsmanship; three factions compete. Outside, there’s the twenty-eight Sword Dao sects, divided into upper, middle, and lower tiers.

Among them, the upper tier has three: the current ruler of Sword State, Broken Sword Mountain; the former overlord, Sword Control Sect; and Bodhi Sword Sect, a branch from Buddha Sword.

Broken Sword Mountain expands, its fierce atmosphere leading sword cultivators to grow more aggressive, Sword Control Sect takes the chance to try replacing them, aided by Bodhi Sword Sect and others.

These disputes, Gu Wen knew before coming, it wasn’t him who wanted to inquire.

Just because Huayang and Yun Miao sent letters separately, explaining the cause and effect, hoping Gu Wen could resolve and coordinate upon arrival.

They discreetly revealed their supported powers, Huayang being strong, supporting the impartial Sword Control Sect; Yun Miao the opposite.

Cultivators are mortals too, only it’s not gold and silver they compete for, but Spirit Stones.

Gu Wen supports no one, he just wished to take an easy trip, play while giving an account to his master.

Sadly, good things never favor him.

Suddenly, Gu Wen notices a clear gaze fixed on him.

"Do I have a sore on my face? Why do you keep staring at me?"

Gu Wen notices Jade Sword Buddha’s gaze, their eyes meet, avoiding any notion of male-female avoidances, one might think the next thing to say is ’What are you staring at?’.

Jade Sword Buddha doesn’t reply, but keeps looking, glassy clear eyes showing holiness like a Bodhisattva.

Also quite self-centered, refusing to answer any question, regardless of who asks.

Originally, Jade Sword Buddha felt there’s no difference between herself and Chi Yu Zi, but once stepping into this place, she senses a gap between herself and Chi Yu Zi.

Or rather, the similarity between the latter and Gu Wen makes her feel a distance she can’t overcome.

However, she notices one thing: Gu Wen does seriously watch the women’s dance. Although desire-free, merely having interest reveals many things.

At least it shows Gu Wen has some lust, and this desire hasn’t warped or twisted.

Jade Sword Buddha is versed in Buddhist principles, widely acclaimed, naturally attracting numerous great powers for teachings or resolving Heart Demons.

In total, there might be thirty thousand great powers globally, with half suffering from heart problems, revolving around the Seven Emotions and Six Desires.

Some are overly joyless, using purity and desirelessness as a pretext to pursue the path, suppressing inner desires, never forgetting or learning to resolve them, thus twisting it into fear of desires.

Some know the way of Dual Cultivation, indulging too much in desires, twisting mundane desires into a sick state, resulting in numerous cases of self-harm.