Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 384 - 384 383 Comprehension of Nature

384: Chapter 383: Comprehension of Nature 384: Chapter 383: Comprehension of Nature The cultivators on Bamboo Island busied themselves with rearrangements; the tasks of gathering and dispersing were truly laborious but being able to continue their cultivation in a familiar environment filled everyone with joy.

Hence, whether cultivators or mortals, none bore complaints.

Only those who have lived through calamity know to cherish the present all the more.

This was someone else’s private matter, and naturally, Hou Niao did not intend to intrude.

With dozens of miles of Bamboo Island to choose from, he had plenty of secluded spots at his disposal.

It was time for him to plan his own cultivation.

Ever since he had arrived at Lizhi Sea, his cultivation pace had always been dictated by the struggle for survival.

The Upper Realm seemed far away, and his sole concern was how to enhance his combat capabilities, an essential foundation for any Sword Cultivator.

It was a bit like hammering here and there without a clear plan; initially, he focused on the Earth Element Escape, but later realized its limited utility.

Now it seemed its only benefit was laying a solid foundation for the Cultivation of the Five Elements Technique, tackling the most difficult element among the Five Elements.

Then, the three-year trip to Blue Island brought an unexpected rise in his cultivation while healing, and he came into contact with Primordial Magnetic Force, charting a new course for his Thunderbolt Sword Dao.

He had always viewed his cultivation level as his weakness and toiled painstakingly to improve it, but now, with the foundation of neutralizing Primordial Power during his three years on Blue Island, plus the Thunderbolt Spirit Summoning, he realized that his cultivation level had far surpassed his peers.

This should have been cause for joy, but upon reflecting on his current state, he found his combat strength, which he took great pride in, still lacking.

Close combat was his forte, but what if he couldn’t get close?

Thunderbolt was his ace in the hole, but before reaching Golden Core, he couldn’t borrow the power of heaven and earth and thus could only use it as a supportive tactic, with too many restrictions.

So, upon careful consideration, his depth in swordsmanship was indeed limited.

Currently, he relied on intense practice of finesse and seizing close combat opportunities to prevail, but such forced efforts were sure to falter one day.

Without a unique Sword Skill System of his own, the consequences could be dire, proving the choices he made at Sword Storage Tower to be truly regrettable.

With the knowledge of the Three Masters at his disposal, it was shameful to have reached such a state.

Nobody else was to blame; he could only blame himself for being too prideful, always seeking to walk a path different from others.

He now faced two issues.

First, should he readjust his Sword Skill System to be less unique and choose more achievable swordsmanship goals, returning to Sword Storage Tower in Jin City to start over?

If he insisted on his unique path, he would have to explore a new direction he’d been considering ever since reaching the Tongxuan Realm – but if he miscalculated this step, it could cost him many years, and he wasn’t sure if it was worth it.

The second issue was the sudden and unexpected opportunity to elevate his realm that had appeared before him after arriving on Bamboo Island.

He had begun to doubt whether he was truly ready.

Was now the appropriate time?

Was this a real sensation or merely an illusion?

Each issue was crucial, with the potential to determine the future of his cultivation.

That’s why he stayed on this beautiful little island, to understand what his true goals were.

After reaching the Tongtian Realm, the following two Realms are God Sensing and being one with nature.

The former is a prerequisite for the application of spiritual power, and the latter is an advanced study for applying the trends of heaven and earth.

Due to the different levels of difficulty, cultivators typically attain God Sensing first, because once they have a basic understanding of spiritual power, comprehending nature becomes more likely.

However, the urge to ascend that he was feeling was not God Sensing, but becoming one with nature!

Do cultivators ascend in such a manner?

A Golden Core before reaching Tongxuan, or a Nascent Transformation before Golden Core?

Everything was out of order!

Of course, his analogy wasn’t entirely accurate; major Realms couldn’t be chaotic, but whether smaller Realms could be ascended in a reversed order was an unanswered question.

At least, he hadn’t found any precedent for this in the Daoist Records he had perused.

A few who skipped Realms mostly met with unfortunate ends.

Two issues, one with law and the other with technique, both critical.

Even someone as decisive and steadfast as himself could not make a hasty choice.

He needed to consider carefully what he truly wished to obtain.

He felt somewhat frustrated and scattered; this was the first genuine crossroads he faced in his path of cultivation, leading either to mediocrity or to distinction.

Without an answer immediately at hand, he didn’t force himself and instead focused his attention on the bamboo forest of Bamboo Island, relaxing and embracing the natural changes around him.

In truth, over such a short span of time, it was difficult to sense any specific changes.

The fairy led him to a bamboo forest at the foot of a volcano crater.

“This bamboo forest will face a blooming period every six years.

Based on Bamboo Island’s past practices, we should begin the process of ring-cutting and pouring now; but since everyone has chosen to let nature take its course, within three months, most of the bamboo here will die.”

Of course, the bamboo of Bamboo Island wasn’t planted all at once but in stages and at different times.

Under the deliberate guidance of Lady Bamboo, the flowering times of the various bamboo clusters were staggered to help with cultivation and maintenance; otherwise, if all the bamboo bloomed at once, even with cultivators’ intervention, the tens of millions of bamboo plants would be too much for the less than a hundred people on the island to handle.

“A very good location, just close enough to the volcano crater to roughly sense if there are any changes inside,”

The fairy looked at him.

“Brother, when the one-month period ends, do you plan to go down alone?”

Hou Niao nodded.

“Yes, there’s no need to send too many people for such a task.

Should real danger arise, wouldn’t that just be a waste of manpower?

If you all went down, certain things would be difficult to address.

Regardless of your determination now, once you really see your masters, who knows how much will remain?

It’s better for me, an outsider, to go down; there are things I won’t have to worry about.”

He smiled faintly, “Of course, if you trust me, that is.”

The fairy smiled radiantly, “Of course we trust you.

The Sword Cultivators of Shan Sect might be from the Demon Sect, but they are upright in their conduct, and everyone understands that clearly.

Moreover, you saved us and saved Bamboo Island, what is there not to trust?”

Hou Niao sighed, “Xiangfei, your mindset is not quite right.

Trust doesn’t work that way.

Just because I saved you doesn’t mean I won’t harbor ill intents.

Maybe I have ulterior motives?”

The fairy looked at him intently, “Then, brother, what are your motives?”

Hou Niao gazed at the bamboo forest, not wanting to entangle with this young maiden, “I’ve encountered difficulties in my cultivation and wish to use this sacred place to find answers.

Therefore, I cannot disregard the Lady.

You see, it’s precisely because I am purposeful that we can have trust between us.

You know what I want and I know what you want.

Our needs complement each other, which leads to trust.”

The fairy’s eyes widened in surprise, “Brother, do you really know what we need?”

Hou Niao, “…”