577: Truth of the Sword Path

Truth of the Sword Path

"I would need to reach the final stage of the Sword Path? Does it need to be like that?"2

Ming Yue was a bit astonished by what Senior Zhen said. 

"That would mean I need to reach the Sage's Sword and complete the Sword Path. How long would that even take", she thought. 

Despite her questions, Senior Zhen was quite firm with his answer. 

"Yes, if not, it will only be an incomplete sword art. After all, the Sword Path is not the end, it is the beginning", the weapon spirit explained. 

Hearing this, Ming Yue was even more astonished. 

"The beginning? How is that so? There is something above that?" she asked. 

Her curiosity was suddenly piqued upon hearing his words. After all, who wouldn't want to know what was beyond the peak? And Senior Zhen satiated her curiosity.

"Indeed, the Sword Path is just a way to prepare those in the Sword Dao. Reaching the Sage's Sword means that you have mastered everything about the sword. It has become an extension of your body. Anything can be a sword in your hands. However, that only means that you know how to use the sword. This is something that anyone can do", the spirit explained. 

Ming Yue listened carefully to every word.

"Thus, you must find a way to make the sword yours, to find and create your own way of using the sword. This, you have already done", Senior Zhen pointed out. 

"So, in this way, the Sword Path teaches you everything about the sword. Developing and forming your own way of fighting is the next stage then. Then what about those who have yet to complete the Sword Path, don't they have their own swordsmanship?"

The young cultivator found it strange. If this were the case, then what would she call the swordsmanship she had been using all this time?

"Mmm, it's hard to explain. I don't quite remember everything but... whenever you reach the next stage, what happens when you look at a person's sword skills?" Senior Zhen asked. 

Ming Yue thought carefully before answering. 

"I can see through it."

"Right, as you advance further into the Sword Path, you begin to see more and more flaws. You begin to see it as nothing but ordinary, easy to break. That is not true swordsmanship. It is more than just moving your sword and manipulating your energy. It is about the essence of your style. Just like how you based this new sword art on that painting, true swordsmanship has a deeper meaning."

"This... I apologize, this may be too difficult for me to understand, Senior. Hasn't what I've been doing contained some essence or meaning?"

The young woman didn't quite get what he was saying. It was true that she had based this new sword art on a painting but many of her older techniques originated from some idea. 

"Hmm, perhaps it would be better to show you."

The Black Blade suddenly hummed, releasing a wave of power. It floated out of her hand before turning against her. 

"I don't quite remember but it should be something like this", said the senior. 

The Black Blade charged forward and swung out. Ming Yue moved to defend herself but stopped as she stared at the attack. As the sword came for her, an impossible phenomenon manifested from the blade. 

Suddenly, she wasn't being attacked by a small black sword but instead, a massive blade that seemed like it could pierce the world. She felt as if she would die, cut down in half. It was a sensation that went down to her bones. 

Even if she knew it was just some illusion, it felt real. 

But the massive sword vanished as the Black Blade stopped seconds before piercing her neck. Ming Yue didn't even notice that a cold sweat had broken out. 

"That is true swordsmanship. It is not just a sword but embodies the essence of sharpness. In your case, your opponent may feel as if they're battling a storm of swords but if you reach this level, it'd be as if they were transported into the very storm. Each swing of the sword is a bolt of lightning or a ray of moonlight in their eyes. You will embody the storm and the moon itself", said the weapon spirit.

Ming Yue didn't respond, still feeling the shock of that display. 

"Tha- that is what it is?!"

She felt nothing but shock after having experienced that. Her thoughts raced as she tried to contemplate it to some degree but she couldn't. 

"How is that even possible? It's formed through energy but the way it's done, how can something like that be done?" 

This was simply beyond her level. It was both terrifying to think about but eye-opening at the same time. Now Ming Yue knew that there was something beyond what she had known of. 

"This is the level you will strive for. And as much as I want to help you, this is the most I can do."

Senior Zhen made it clear that he could help any further but Ming Yue was grateful nonetheless. 

"No, I should thank you. You've shown me more than I could've imagined and now I know what my goal is", she said to the spirit. 

"Mm, just know that what you are currently doing isn't necessarily useless but as you are now, it is better to focus on other things first. I-I must..."

Senior Zhen's voice seemed to fade in and out, the aura of the Black Blade wavered as it suddenly fell. Ming Yue was quick, grabbing the sword before it touched the ground. 

"I must rest now. That little exchange was quite taxing on me."

She nodded, holding the sword tightly. 

"I understand. thank you."

Afterwards, the young cultivator stopped practicing and instead thought about what she had just experienced. Ming Yue needed time to digest it all. After that, she began to think about her current situation.

"I've already thought of a way to use the Black Blade along with Blood Moon. I could even integrate the Sword Pendant as part of it. I can start to practice it but completing it wouldn't happen until I complete the Sword Path. Still, wouldn't that mean that I have created a sword art that has that same potential?" she pondered. 

The thought of it excited her. If she needed to be stronger to be able to use it, that just shows the potential of this creation of hers. How fearsome would she be?

"I can still practice it, at least I will have time to develop this further. But I should focus on the Sword Path first and foremost."

Laying out this roadmap, Ming Yue set out to complete this. But before she began, there was one more thing that she had to consider. 

"I should give this new sword art a name. What should it be? Elder Xiang said that names are important, they carry the meaning of the techniques. There are plenty of examples like Lighting Fist Style or all of those other ones." 

Stopping everything, this suddenly became her focus, the name of her new way of fighting. 

"Hm, what should I name it then?"

She spent quite a bit of time thinking, coming up with different choices. 

"Three Sword Style? No, that doesn't quite make sense."

"What about Moon Thunder Sword Style? Torrential Thunder Moon Sword? Storm Sword? No... that just doesn't sound right at all."

It was then that Ming Yue realized, she wasn't very good at naming things. Previously, she had help from Elder Xiang with naming her techniques. And this realization made her feel a bit peeved. 

"Tch, damn what should I even call it?" 

She glanced at the painting, trying to come up with something. 

"What about..."

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