Chapter 53: She Is the Sword’s Radiance

At that moment.

Within the crowd, a disciple stepped forward and bowed respectfully to He Liang, saying, “Uncle He, I have a question.”

He Liang nodded. “Go ahead.”

“I wish to ask, what is the difference between sword energy condensed from one’s own body and sword energy drawn from a spiritual artifact?”

He Liang showed no surprise at this question. Every year, there were disciples who asked the same thing.

“They are entirely different,” He Liang replied with firm certainty.

“The sword energy formed by spiritual artifacts is similar to the Golden Radiance Technique—it simply transforms spiritual power into an edge, and its strength is directly related to the amount of spiritual power used.”

“A swordsman’s true sword energy, however, has nothing to do with spiritual power. It arises from the sword’s edge itself. As I said earlier, it is simply the way of nature—a way of destruction.”

“Of course, sword energy and spiritual power are not mutually exclusive. In most sword techniques, the two will merge, creating a power far greater than either alone.”

“But remember this, all of you:”

“At the very beginning, the generation of sword energy must have nothing to do with spiritual power!”

At these words, many disciples exchanged glances, bewildered.

To produce such subtle, mysterious sword energy without using spiritual power? It was utterly perplexing to them.

Noticing the visible hesitation on some disciples’ faces, He Liang’s expression dimmed slightly. Then, softening his tone, he continued, “Every year, when I teach the comprehension of sword radiance, many disciples give up and leave the swordsmanship class. Perhaps they think, since spiritual artifacts can produce sword energy, why go through all this trouble to comprehend this elusive sword radiance?”

“But what they do not know is that when true sword energy and spiritual power combine, the sword techniques become unimaginably powerful! At that point, even superior spiritual artifacts cannot withstand such force and will shatter.”

“Watch closely—I am only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage.”

As soon as he finished speaking, He Liang opened his mouth and spat out a small crimson sword, which expanded in the wind, humming as it soared skyward.

The crimson sword, hovering in mid-air, suddenly split into three identical sword shadows, which then merged into one, transforming into a massive sword shadow that shot into the sky with an awe-inspiring presence, its clear ringing resounding to the clouds.

Clang!

As the sword shadow pierced upward, it struck an invisible barrier, sending violent ripples across its surface until the sword shadow was dispelled. This was the formation barrier of Everclear Mountain, set up because the Martial Hall there frequently unleashed sword energy, to prevent it from leaking out and harming passing cultivators.

Amidst the disciples’ shock and awe, He Liang retrieved his life-bound treasure, surveying the crowd with a solemn, yet deeply proud expression.

“This is the Way of the Sword.”

“Beneath the Golden Core realm, I am invincible.”

...

After demonstrating, He Liang explained the method for condensing sword radiance, then allowed the disciples to practice on their own.

His display had clearly awed everyone, filling them with both shock and yearning. All the disciples present now earnestly sought to comprehend sword radiance—some formed their fingers into swords, closing their eyes in contemplation; others drew their swords, practicing techniques, hoping to grasp the true meaning of sword energy within their forms.

After He Liang’s instruction, Jiang Min felt as if many doubts in her heart had suddenly cleared, as though the clouds had parted to reveal the sun.

“So my previous method was wrong. I shouldn’t have tried to condense it with spiritual power, but with sharp intent.”

She seemed to realize something. Forming her fingers into a blade, she imagined them as a sword edge that could slice through iron as if it were mud.

Now, what she needed to do was extend this sharp presence outward...

Elsewhere, the other disciples were also working hard. Several stood around a young man, offering encouragement.

“Don’t worry, Senior Qi, you’ll definitely succeed—it’s just a matter of time.”

“You’re only a step away from condensing sword radiance, while we haven’t even entered the door.”

The young man wore a humble expression. “I still have a long way to go before I can form sword radiance.”

Yet, beneath his modest words was evident confidence—he was certain of his own success.

His name was Qi Yan. He had studied swordsmanship for two years already; this was his third year in the course, and he had already gained deep insights into the way of the sword.

Recently, as he practiced, everything went smoothly. He felt he was not far from the realm where sword radiance is born.

His natural talent was not lacking—he had already reached the eighth level of Qi Refinement and was soon to ascend to an inner disciple. His elder brother was already a disciple of Frost and Snow Peak within the inner sect, a swordsman accomplished in the way of the sword, and often gave him guidance. Thus, Qi Yan’s progress had been smooth—he only lacked this final step. Once he formed sword radiance, he could truly enter the path.

“Lately, my sword practice has been going extremely well. Condensing sword radiance is only a matter of time...” he thought confidently. After exchanging a few words with others, he resumed his own attempt at understanding sword radiance; he was determined to claim a spot in the Sword Discourse.

No one noticed that, on the edge of the group, Jiang Min was gradually entering a profound state.

She practiced sword movements with her hands, using her fingers as a blade.

She felt as if she held an incredibly sharp sword—an illusory weapon that could cleave all things, yet light as a breeze. As she moved, her fingers seemed to become a sword, a sword brimming with sharp intent, unstoppable, destroying anything in its way.

Whoosh!

A sharp glimmer suddenly sprang from her fingertips, vanishing in an instant, dissolving into the wind.

“Sword radiance...”

“So this is what it feels like!”

Jiang Min looked up in delight, examining her fingers. Just now, it was as if a blade had formed between them, and the edge was not confined to her fingertips—it extended outward, becoming sword radiance.

In that brief moment, Jiang Min seemed to sense what He Liang meant by harmony with heaven and earth.

She was not merely herself.

The sword radiance... was also her!

Jiang Min emerged from that profound contemplation and glanced around. Everyone else was busy practicing—no one had noticed her. It seemed only she had seen the sword radiance.

“Let me try again!”

Filled with confidence, Jiang Min continued to practice, but it seemed that first flash had been a fleeting chance. No matter how focused she became, she could not reproduce it.

By the end of the lesson, she still could not successfully condense sword radiance again.

Jiang Min felt a tinge of regret. If she could not maintain that state, she would never be able to show He Liang her success. After all, by his standard, one needed to reach the stage where sword radiance could be called forth at will before demonstrating to him.

She was anxious, but forced herself to relax. In cultivation, the more impatient one became, the harder it was to succeed.

“No matter. If there’s a first time, there will be a second. Don’t be impatient—try again at home...”

As the class ended, the disciples departed in groups. Some passed by her, chatting as they went.

“Who do you think is ahead right now?”

“Qi Yan, Wang Qianru, Zhao Zifeng—those three have all taken the course before. I hear they’ve already gained initial insight into sword radiance. They might succeed soon.”

“And the others?”

“The new disciples this year aren’t particularly outstanding. But until someone succeeds, who can say for sure...”

They brushed past Jiang Min, their words sinking into her heart, intensifying her sense of urgency. There were many disciples, and at any moment, someone else might succeed before her.

“I need to hurry. I must reach the state of condensing sword radiance at will and keeping it from dissipating. Even a single step behind means losing my chance at a spot.”

“Even if not for a spot, for the sake of my own strength, I must take this step as soon as possible.”

Whether she could wield sword energy was not merely a matter of gaining a place—it also determined how powerful her sword techniques would be, and whether, in moments of danger, she would have a greater chance to survive.

No matter what, reaching the realm of sword energy as soon as possible was of utmost importance to her.

...

Half a month later.

Peach Blossom Slope.

A vast, level courtyard, hidden deep within layers of formations.

In the darkness of night, only a luminous pearl cast its light.

Jiang Min stood with her eyes closed, fingers poised as a sword, hands dancing through the air, enacting sword forms. In her mind’s eye, her fingers were a long sword.

Within her, the furnace of thunder and fire ceaselessly tempered her body, forging her flesh like a blade blank in the thunderous blaze—tempered a thousand times, awaiting the day when it would be honed into a true edge.

Many admired the power of swordsmen, yet on the arduous path, gave up and turned to the easier ways of sorcery, never realizing that a treasured sword’s sharpness comes only from relentless grinding. To become a mighty swordsman required a price few could imagine.

As Jiang Min pondered her sword technique, she gradually entered an even more profound state.

She did not realize it—

This was the state most coveted by swordsmen.

In the Way, it is called enlightenment.

In the sword, it is called comprehending the sword!