Chapter 23: Heaven Replenishing Divine Art

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 23: Heaven Replenishing Divine Art

Anyone who heard Ding Ning's words would be shocked and in utter disbelief. They might even want to throw a wine bottle at Ding Ning's face.

Entering the Min Mountain Sword Sect… was this something an ordinary youth could even imagine?

The Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect only accepted a dozen disciples each year. How many youths of the appropriate age could there be in Changling? The Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect did not just accept disciples from Changling. They accepted people from the entire Qin Dynasty, several subordinate counties, and allies.

How many regions were there? How many major cities?

Even if someone was a peerless genius in one major city, when they came to the Min Mountain Sword Sect, they would find themselves mediocre. Those who could join the Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect could be described as freaks.

For example, some people were born with the ability to sense the primal energies of the universe. This meant they did not have any obstacles in the first three realms of cultivation, and from realm four to realm five, they would progress many times faster than others.

Some people naturally had wider meridians than other people, and their openings could accommodate more vital energy and the primal energies of the universe. This meant that the higher their realm, the greater their power compared to other cultivators of the same realm.

Some people even become cultivators naturally shortly after birth, the energy in their organs transforming into vital energy.

Facing such freaks, most geniuses could be described as trash.

The best members of the prominent clans and families in the dynasty would not waste their time in either sect. Instead, they chose the second path—they joined suitable cultivation places first, gained some opportunities, and then tried to distinguish themselves in the trials related to the two sword sects. They competed for the opportunity to enter the secret sections of the two sword sects and their libraries to study.

In addition to these options, each government department had several rare positions. Only those who held positions in those departments, demonstrated outstanding performance, and possessed a certain level of service could join the two sword sects to study for a period of time.

Both paths were similarly difficult.

Coming to his senses, Wang Taixu could not help but cough. He added, “You're really not joking?”

“What joke am I making?” Ding Ning looked at him and said, “I know that some of the disciples in that group are from sword schools who qualified for the trials.”

Seeing Ding Ning's confident expression, Wang Taixu was finally convinced that Ding Ning was not joking. His brows furrowed deeply.

“It seems that you've given this some serious thought.” He took a deep breath and said with a frown, “Improving yourself through some special trials will prevent you from being defeated by those freaks. But have you ever considered that you need talent to join the Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect, but in order to win the special trials, you need not only innate talent but also other opportunities. That's even less fair.”

Wang Taixu coughed again, but he still said seriously, “Many nobles and clans are also eyeing this. Even if their talents are inferior to those freaks, they will be boosted by a large amount of resources later on. Their members will perform better than others in the trials. Therefore, in the trials, the ones who win are those whose talent is inferior to those freaks, but are supported by countless resources.”

Seeing the figure of the person in front of him who was so fragile yet still serious, Ding Ning's disgusted expression completely disappeared. He said calmly, “Since you said I'm a genius who can easily manipulate thoughts, of course I know what you're talking about. But the question is, do you have the ability to get me to join a sect that qualifies for the trials.”

Wang Taixu's brows furrowed even more, his wrinkles deep and sharp.

He coughed violently as if he was going to blow his lungs out.

“As long as Two Level Tower doesn't collapse quickly, there shouldn't be a problem getting you to join one of the sects.” After his coughing subsided a bit, he panted and said, “The point is, we should discuss contributions and profits in business. I wonder why you have to join the Min Mountain Sword Sect? Some mountains aren't as beautiful as you imagine when you set foot there. Rather than paying a huge price to take those trials for a slim chance, I think you should invest in yourself. Perhaps you'll reach greater heights.

“I admit you're a bit of a freak, too.” After a slightly pause, Wang Taixu said, “The thoughts and perspective of freaks are are different from those of us ordinary people. But the freaks that Min Mountain Sword Sect and Spirit Void Sword Sect want are not just in terms of thinking and foresight; they also need to possess cultivation talent.”

Ding Ning looked at Wang Taixu calmly and said softly, “You’re honest, so I’ll tell you that there’s a major problem with my body.”

“A major problem?” Wang Taixu’s eyebrows raised. “What problem?”

“It’s an illness I’ve had since birth. Many years ago, a cultivator diagnosed me, and several people have examined me in recent years,” Ding Ning said slowly. “The energy in my organs is overactive, and I’m showing signs of premature aging. If I become a cultivator and cultivate the arts of most sects, my internal energy will grow stronger, and I’ll die very young. So I must join the Min Mountain Sword Sect.”

Wang Taixu's eyes revealed surprise again.

He did not know that Ding Ning had another secret, so he felt he understood why Ding Ning had such a calm gaze most of the time.

A person who senses that he would die soon, and was not afraid of death, would naturally be calmer than an ordinary person.

Perhaps these so-called geniuses would die early, and a great calamity would accompany them in their lives?”

“So the Min Mountain Sword Sect has a cultivation art that can help you live longer?” Wang Taixu took a deep breath, looked at Ding Ning, and slowly asked.

“The Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect are mysterious, but fortunately, there are many records about them. The Min Mountain Sword Sect has a Heaven Replenishing Divine Art which could resolve some of my problems,” Ding Ning nodded and said.

“I also suspect it's this art.” Wang Taixu said seriously, “This is a secret of the Min Mountain Sword Sect. Only disciples who truly enter the Min Mountain Sword Sect to cultivate can learn this art.”

Ding Ning nodded and did not answer immediately.

Wang Taixu's expression grew increasingly serious and grim. “If your physical condition is as you say, if I help you join a sword school that can take the trials, then you will immediately begin cultivating…”

Ding Ning interrupted Wang Taixu and said, “Yes, once the arrow is shot, it can't be returned. If I fail, I'll quickly burn out like a flickering candle.” He laughed. “However, this is much more interesting than waiting to die, or becoming Prince Li Ling’s pawn and waiting to receive his gratefulness when he conquers the world. One must control one's own destiny. If one fights, there will be opportunities. If one doesn't act, there won't be any more opportunities. I agree with your thinking.”

Wang Taixu thought for a moment and then laughed. “I think you can help me, and I can help you.”

Ding Ning also laughed. “Tell me what you think.”

“I have some connections with the Green Vine Sword School, and the Green Vine Sword School has undergone some changes recently. We'll think of a way for you to join the Green Vine Sword School; it shouldn't be a problem.” Wang Taixu seemed to have thought this through and spoke calmly and quickly.

Ding Ning frowned. “Mister Taixu, don't bully me because of my age. I remember that the Green Vine Sword School isn't qualified to take the Min Mountain Sword Trials.”

Wang Taixu shook his head. “They weren't qualified before, but they will be starting this year.”

Ding Ning was silent.

Wang Taixu was pleased to see him confused. He smiled and said, “The Green Vine Sword School is expanding. The White Goat Cave has joined in. Based on their numbers and scale, without His Majesty’s special order, they would already be qualified to take the Min Mountain Sword Trials.”

“The White Goat Cave has merged with the Green Vine Sword School?”

Ding Ning was lost in thought.

The White Goat Cave was located in White Goat Gorge, which was not far from the Green Vine Sword School. However, the White Goat Cave was older than the Green Vine Sword School, and had recently produced several outstanding cultivators. Most importantly, the White Goat Cave possesses a spirit spring which contained abundant spirit energy for cultivation and would increase one's cultivation level. A sect like this usually would not be put under the control of a sect of similar strength.

“This is the change I was talking about.” Wang Taixu guessed what Ding Ning was thinking and said softly, “Someone from the White Goat Cave angered the Empress. So this happened. The Green Vine Sword School is divided over the acceptance of the White Goat Cave and how to use it. So this is an opportunity for us.”

“Empress?”

Ding Ning fell silent again.

This term seemed very distant in his memory.

Notes:

This novel is not my work... I just translated it from a Chinese web novel written by Wu Zui

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