Ancient Strengthening Techniques
Chapter 33 - It takes 10 Years to forge a Good Sword
Qing Shui's wild imagination surged as he continued reading. He daydreamed about when he could enter the fabled world of Man and Sword as One, and Heaven and Man as One. After which, he shook his head: ” Thousand mile journey, starting with one step. I have to stop dreaming and start with the basics. After all, even taking into account my past life experiences, I have no experience in the way of the sword. I just dabbled in exercises like practicing Tai-Chi Fist and Tai-Chi swordplay. It was just an empty stance full of air with no real substance behind them.
As he reads, in addition to the main basic methods of attacking positions, which consist of: Hooking, Hanging, Pointing, Carrying, Piercing, Slicing and Hacking, this book is also, in great detail, a, explain the amount of force to be exerted for each attack, sword position, posture as well as breathing methods that can be utilized. In addition to the description, there were also images depicting a human wielding a sword in various forms of sword attacks.
The more Qing Shui read, the more confused he became. ’’How could the technique [[Basic Sword Technique]] be so complicated? If this was the case, what about profound sword arts? How can I start training them if I don't even understand the basic techniques? ” Qing Shui lost in contemplation.
Every time Qing Shui saw the picture, he would match it to the details listed in the description and put it into practice. Using his fingers as a sword, he held the book in one hand and practiced the basic forms of attack: Hooking, Hanging, Pointing, Carrying, Piercing, Slicing and Hacking with the other. One punch after another, relentlessly pursuing perfection.
Qing Shui continued his practice as time went on. He did not know the exact amount of time that passed because there was no cycle of day and night in the spatial realm. Qing Shui, similar to a madman, practiced almost to the limit of Qi Deviation, continuing his journey to understand the truth behind the way of the sword.
” The exit is the only way for me to develop, even if I have to step near the limit of Qi Deviation, I have to succeed! ” Qing Shui said with determination lit up in his eyes.
Qing Shui did not lack perseverance or determination. He understands well that/that he is similar to metal. The metal had to suffer a blow from an iron hammer and be ignited in flames before it could be forged into a fine sword. Moreover, the Yin-Yang Symbol in his sea of consciousness, also boosted his spirit and mind, giving him a high level of understanding. That/That, when coupled with his unyielding personality as well as the helpful effects of his spatial realm meant that/it was nothing impossible to him!
When comparing the [[Basic Sword Techniques]] with the other 3 thick medical books, it could be considered rather thin. Moreover, the contents of the book [[Basic Sword Techniques]] explained the most basic of all sword positions. Compared to the complicated [[Herbal Combination Formula] and [[Continental Medical Annal]], it was much easier to remember.
On the last page of the book it is written that/it sword essence can be summarized into four insights, in one sentence of the four realms in the swordplay. [Application of Knowledge], [Indeep in Simplicity], [Conformity equates Unbeatable], [Return to Nature]! ’’
Qing Shui understood everything, except the last part, [Return to Nature]. He only seemed to have a rudimentary understanding of the meaning contained within, but nothing concrete.
For the first realm, [Application of Knowledge], the essence of this insight refers to knowing when the situation is right, when the place is right, when the place is right, and when is the right time to carry out which form of sword strikes the base. Simply put, to make the right moves at the right time.
For the second realm, [Depth in Simplicity] ’, the essence of this insight refers to not pursuing perfection of form. Forms are secondary and intentions are primary. The swordplay that looked beautiful and dazzling looked good, but it was nothing compared to true strength. In fact, the more profound a sword art was, the more ordinary it would look when executing techniques within. After entering this realm, the techniques that those who comprehended the sword dao performed might even seem clumsy and careless.
For the third realm, [Swiftness equates Invincibility], the essence of this bright view, under the vast realm of heaven, the same philosophy applies to all martial arts. As long as one reached sufficient speed, he would be able to repeat anything in the world. With sufficient speed, one would probably reach the realm of invincibility. It's unfortunate that/it's just a theory. After all, who would dare to say that/that they are the fastest in the world?
For the last realm, [Back to Nature], he only had a rough understanding of the insights behind it. Qing Shui couldn't understand which level this swordplay realm was at. ” Could it be a legendary world ..? Once one mastered the sword, one could instill sword intent into everything in nature. In that realm, everything in nature could be used as a sword!
Sword Intent! Qing Shui was lost in contemplation as his mind drifted far away.
After he finished reading the book, Qing Shui closed his eyes and started meditating. He wanted to organize his mind and heart to understand the various details outlined in this book.
After a long time, Qing Shui finally opened his eyes. This is indeed the basics of sword arts! No matter how deep a sword technique was and no matter which region a sword user belonged to, traces of [[Basic Sword Technique]] would remain within them!
” If that's the case, when [[Basic Sword Technique]] cultivated to its peak, could it also have the power of profound sword techniques? ” Qing Shui lost in contemplation.
The carcass of the giant raksasana and the dried rations, had long been spent by Qing Shui, therefore he had no choice but to hunt. As he exited the spatial realm, dawn had already begun to break. Although Qing Shui could spend about 15 days in the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal per real day, every day he chose to divide the maximum of 15 days into 3 smaller segments. When he entered in the 3rd segment, he would remain within the spatial region until forcibly releasing it after he crossed the time limit.
The state of one's heart is very important. For people with large-hearted skeletons, they would naturally be able to contain more things. People with a narrow heart frame, comparable to a frog living in a well, are forever unable to imagine or appreciate the beauty of the vast outside world!
A boar was hunted by Qing Shui. After that, he plucked his feathers, cut off his stomach, took out his intestines, blood, internal organs, and then he scraped his carcass clean, not even the head of the pig was spared.
’Really in vain, how uncaring!’ ’Qing Shui laughs self-deprecatingly.
Fortunately, this wild boar could be considered muscular and fit, there was no excess fat in his body. During this period of time, the thing that Qing Shui talked about the most was the wild boar. Especially the pig trotters .. Yummy, they died for. To satisfy her tongue, Qing Shui hunted down many wild pigs and experimented on them to practice his cooking skills.
Currently, Qing Shui felt that his/her cooking skills could still be considered a little above average. After all, she felt that/it was the food she cooked had a superior taste when compared to other restaurants or luxury inns.
After finishing his dinner, Qing Shui kept the three remaining trotters within the Realm of Violet Jade Immortal. He then walked to the side of the cooking fire and picked up a wooden stick 3 feet 3 inches from the ground.
Entering the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal again, Qing Shui had long since mastered the basic sword forms: Hooking, Hanging, Pointing, Carrying, Piercing, Slicing and Hacking. Now, he was holding a wooden staff, as he was about to wield a sword, the staff almost seemed to live on in his hands, vigorously performing every form of basic sword to perfection. After all, both of his arms had been trained to an extremely agile state, including his palms, wrists, his fingers, and every other part of his hands for practicing Solitary Rapid Fist, he said, they have long since reached the peak of patience.
All thanks to the enlightenment battle from before, it was as if all the insights gained during practicing Solitary Rapid Fist had been absorbed by his pair of hands. So when he practiced his sword techniques, Qing Shui could achieve double the results with only half of the effort, advancing at an incredible speed.
As the saying goes, ” It takes 10 years to master a sword, and 100 years to master a sword! ’
The Sword Arts were so profound and profound, Qing Shui knew deep in his heart that/it if he wanted to master the sword path, he would definitely need to expend a tremendous amount of pleasure and time. After all, Qing Shui wasn't worried. After all, he was the ruler of the Eternal Violet Jade Realm.
The sword follows the body, the body leads the sword, the sword user must be able to reach the sword state and the body as one, the body and Qi as one, the Qi and the Spirit as one. Even though Qing Shui was only in the realm of early sword users, he was still able to grasp some laws regarding profound sword arts!
What Qing Shui understood was, using Qi to control one's sword, the breath and execution of the sword technique had to complement each other in addition to one's form and footwork. However, with regard to Qi and Spirit as one, Qing Shui did not have the slightest clue about it.
However, he did not need to fully understand this right now. What Qing Shui needed right now, was three spells related to sword arts! Swift, Accurate, Decisive. Especially for the first spell, Swift!
Right now, Qing Shui, with the strength of one, could already defeat 10. Now, if he managed to grasp the meaning quickly, he would be like a tiger that had grown wings!
Hurry along! Qing Shui, in order to understand the meaning of speed, unceasingly tried different forms of sword attacks, changing their point of view.
Just like this, Qing Shui decided to practice the most basic form of all sword movements. Drawing his sword from its sheath, returning his sword back to its sheath, Iaido. What Qing Shui wanted to master at the moment was the Iaido technique [1].
This is because Iaido only emphasizes on Swiftness. After the sword is drawn, one must kill. Swift to the point of dazzling your opponent, leaving the opponent with no chance to defend!