Chapter 64: A Cultivator's Sword

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 64: A Cultivator's Sword

On the other side of the observation platform, a glimmer of excitement flashed across Gu Xichun's eyes. His gaze was fixed on Ding Ning the entire time.

The bet at the gate of the Green Vine Sword School was interrupted by Xie Rou, but he had already said many things. Ding Ning had reached Energy Refinement in a month. Xie Rou had cut her hair and publicly sworn an oath. Stories of the events of the past few days would spread throughout Changling. The more extraordinary Ding Ning's appearance, the more disgraceful his appearance would be in those stories. A disgraced reputation, for a cultivator who had not yet officially stepped onto the stage at the dynasty level, would bring him many disadvantages.

Therefore, when he saw that this year's sword trial festival was so difficult, and that a trap had finally appeared on Ding Ning’s path, he was filled with joy. He believed that Ding Ning would not be able to overcome this obstacle. Ding Ning would be eliminated right at the entrance of the sword trial valley.

Li Daoji’s demeanor remained unchanged. Seeing the strange movement in the vine wall next to Ding Ning, he thought to himself, “You're so confident. You can't let me see you being dragged to the ground, hanging right at this firs obstacle.”

 

Ding Ning sensed the movement in the vine wall much earlier than anyone else.

His mental power could only cover a few feet around him, and it was just tiny threads floating in the wind. Its range was extremely small compared to the mental power of cultivators of realm five and above. However, compared to other cultivators of the same rank, his mental power threads were much finer.

Zhao Qing, who was not far from him, only sensed something when the vines were only a few feet away from his back. He had detected the movement of these vines just as they began to move. The moment he sensed them, he perceived a stronger wave of power being channeled into a completely different vine deep in the vine wall.

With his true strength, Ding Ning could attack the vines that had not finished gathering power with his sword. However, he knew that doing so would arouse the suspicion of the spectators and bring great trouble upon himself. So at this moment, he could only mentally recall the many techniques in the Wildfire Sword Manual before reaching out to grab the hilt of the Last Flower Sword.

The three vines were only a few feet away from his body now. This was a reasonable distance. Therefore, he attacked.

The broken sword moved as fast as lightning. Because he was in realm two, the numerous straight cracks on the sword's body emitted a soft hum as it filled with physical energy. The seals normally hidden within the inky green body also lit up. White sparks flowed within the seals and then surged upwards. Several beautiful jasmine flowers seemed to emerge from the inky green sword’s body.

Suddenly, sorrow flooded Ding Ning's eyes. He did not retreat, not even a step. He attacked with his sword as if there was no path behind him. The sword cast afterimages at his side.

The three green vines were cut off.

 

Xie Changsheng seemed to have seen something horrifying. His mouth was wide open, revealing his throat clearly.

Xie Rou's eyes quickly filled with the light of joy.

Waves of gasps of disbelief rang out on the observation platform.

The smile that had just appeared on Gu Xichun's lips froze in a terrible manner.

At this moment, the vine wall next to Ding Ning suddenly shook violently. First, dozens of cracked leaves scattered out. Then, a thick vine gleaming with metallic light struck Ding Ning's chest like a sword. The thrust was so powerful that it created visible waves.

But Ding Ning did not retreat. Instead, he advanced.

There was no path behind him. Numerous vines sprung out from the falling leaves behind him. Because he was advancing, he managed to distance himself from the vines. His Last Flower Sword once again weaved a dense patch of afterimages. As he moved forward, vine bark flew at his sides like wood shavings.

The thick vine, which were stronger than him, could not entangle him.

At the same time, another wave of shocked gasps rang out. These thick vines suddenly exploded into white silk threads that gently spread out in front of him.

Ding Ning calmly turned around and swung his sword. He slashed through the numerous vines that had sprouted from the ground with just one slash.

With that, the vines ceased to appear before him. He put away his sword and continued walking forward.

 

In a hidden corner of the observation platform, Xue Wangxu pulled out a few strands of hair from his white beard once again.

He had heard from Li Daoji that Ding Ning had a deep understanding of the Wildfire Sword Manual and had a profound mastery of the Wildfire Sword. Before this sword trial festival, he had no desire to watch him practice. At his age, people often entertained themselves by harboring some anticipation; this way, things seemed more exciting.

Nevertheless, Ding Ning's mastery of the Wildfire Sword exceeded his expectations!

Li Daoji's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes were filled with pride. He pondered, “How many disciples here can master these moves to such a level in such a short time?”

The moment Ding Ning's thick vines, which had been cut into white silk, exploded, Gu Xichun's face turned from pale to crimson, as if someone had slapped him. He was far stronger than the other disciples of the other school on the observation platform, so he knew better than most what had happened in that brief interval.

Ding Ning used various sword moves to cut through the three vines, such as chopping, dragging, and flicking. Then he uses more subtle moves to destroy the tough outer skin of the vines, such as parrying, scratching, and crushing. This way, the vines were unable to wrap around him. Finally, from the tip of the vine, he cut with simple horizontal and vertical moves. All his moves were extremely precise.

In the end, even though he was weaker than the vines, he was able to easily defeat the vines. The only reason he left such an impression was because he was proficient in complex sword techniques.

But how was this possible?

Ordinary cultivators would not be able to reach this level even if they spent one year just practicing it alone.

How could he achieve such mastery in a month!

“This is impossible!”

Many voices of disbelief rang out, as if they were speaking his mind for him.

Xie Changsheng was one of those shouting.

“It is impossible.”

Xie Rou's face brightened. She glanced at Xie Changsheng and said seriously, “Unless he's a genius and a freak like some members of the Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect.”

 

Ding Ning had already walked a few dozen steps.

After leaving the area closest to the entrance, the number of traps seemed to have decreased. Most of the disciples who were also within the same distance as him were not immediately ambushed by the vines.

However, a sense of shock still lingered on the observation platform.

Every year, there were all sorts of geniuses who qualified as the dozen or so direct disciples of the Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect. This included those who had never touched a sword. However, when they did, even if it was their first time, the sword would be as nimble as their own fingers and arms.

However, such people and disciples were few and far between. Such geniuses were simply legends.

The few dozen individuals selected from the many youths from across the Qin Dynasty, various vassal territories, and other regions were a world apart.

Sect disciples like them had to first win the sect competition before they could represent their sects in the sword trials of the Min Mountain Sword Sect or the Spirit Void Sword Sect.

Needless to say, these chosen few were not without advantages. Not only could they use all the resources of these two elite venues for cultivation, but they were also granted access to many forbidden areas within the Min Mountain Sword Sect or the Spirit Void Sword Sect.

Even if they were one of the people who managed to win the sword trials after several rounds of elimination, they would only receive a brief opportunity to cultivate in the Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect by the grace of the emperor. If they wanted to advance, or enter the forbidden areas within the Min Mountain Sword Sect or the Spirit Void Sword Sect, they had to participate in the internal competitions.

Those that could cover this long distance would only be close to the true direct disciples… so how could the spectating disciples believe that Ding Ning possessed the same talent as a direct disciple?

Gu Xichun could not believe it, so he searched for an acceptable excuse.

Li Daoji or Xue Wangxu must have spent a lot of time on Ding Ning. This Wildfire Sword was complex in form, but it was not one of those profound sword manuals where the synchronization of physical energy or vital energy was difficult to comprehend.

Ding Ning still moved forward calmly.

Many people on the observation platform focused on Xie Rou and Gu Xichun. Although they found it hard to believe, they could not help but wonder—if Ding Ning truly possessed such terrifying talent, Xie Rou's oath must have formed a special connection between her and Ding Ning. At the same time, Gu Xichun had underestimated Ding Ning at the mountain gate and felt that he and Ding Ning were not equals. What would he do?

Feeling the gazes of the people around him, for no apparent reason, Gu Xichun's emotions became difficult to control. He could not help but retort, “No matter how nimble the vines are, they can’t match a cultivator’s sword.”

Xu Heshan’s brow furrowed deeply.

Young people were naturally more spirited.

He felt that Gu Xichun did not understand Ding Ning at all. It was understandable that he had said what he had said at the gate before meeting Ding Ning. Gu Xichun was the best disciple of the Shadow Mountain Sword Cave in the last few decades. He had reached Profound Understanding in a month, and then needed only three months to reach realm two, Energy Refinement. Of all the disciples present today, Gu Xichun should be the strongest by a significant margin.

Xu Heshan thought that Ding Ning had proven his ability, despite everything, by reaching Energy Refinement in a month, and with the extraordinary sword skills he had just displayed.

“It's boring for you to say such things.” He could not help but speak.

He looked at Gu Xichun. “From what Ding Ning has already displayed, he surpasses most of us present. You underestimate him, and you underestimate all of us. Besides, you shouldn't have spoken so forcefully. If he's just as powerful when facing the swords of cultivators, you'll be in even greater trouble.”

Xu Heshan's words were already extremely harsh. Gu Xichun could not suppress the slight anger that rose in his heart.

His lips moved slightly but he did not speak.

At this very moment, he and the other spectators saw Ding Ning and another disciple approaching each other and about to meet.

Ding Ning was about to face the a cultivator’s sword.

 

Notes:

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

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