The Art of Chaotic Divinity

Chapter 193: Condensing the Sword Embryo!

Ling Feng seemed to acquire something new as he fixed his gaze on the ancient bronze sword within the sword monument. His eyes shone with insight, as if he had gained some understanding.

In the next moment, Ling Feng slowly closed his eyes, and an elegant figure appeared in his mind, moving gracefully as if dancing.

However, as the figure became clearer, Ling Feng noticed a black longsword in its hand.

He was engaged in sword dancing!

The silhouette of the figure began by rehearsing the Starshatter Sword Art, followed by the Falling Leaves Sword Art, the Sunset Sword Art, and then the Flower-Transposing Jade-Burying Sword. Finally, it even performed the Scorching Sky Blaze.

However, compared to his own sword techniques, the figure's techniques possessed a particularly unique and extraordinary quality to it.

This quality, or "will," was something he had comprehended from the ancient bronze sword.

Under this will, before the figure even executed the sword moves, the sword in its hand seemed to come alive, each movement flowing naturally. Though it was the same set of sword techniques that he usually used, in the hands of that silhouette, they were executed perfectly, as if that was the correct way to perform these techniques.

Ling Feng's mind was completely captivated by this silhouette, and he gradually realized that this silhouette was himself. It was the enlightenment he had been trying to grasp all this time.

"What is this? Could this be the true will of the sword techniques?"

Ling Feng's mind cleared further, and the insights he had amassed about the way of the sword finally blossomed at this moment.

Buzz!

His mind trembled, and the figure fragmented, fully merging into the sea of his consciousness. The scattered glimmers coalesced into a vague cluster of light, faintly resembling the shape of a long sword.

"What is this?"

Ling Feng paused, using his thoughts to perceive the sword-shaped cluster of light. To his surprise, he found that his understanding of sword techniques had significantly deepened, with a subtle sense of meaning surging within the sea of his consciousness.

He was unaware that this was the manifestation of his comprehension of the way of the sword, condensed into a sword embryo. Ling Feng would only truly grasp the will of the sword once this vague sword embryo fully formed.

He was on the verge of comprehending sword will. Perhaps, with a sudden burst of enlightenment, he could truly understand the sword will that countless swordsmen yearned for.

Sword techniques executed with and without sword will could almost be considered as two distinct styles!

"No matter what, this can't possibly be a bad thing."

Ling Feng slowly opened his eyes, dismissing all speculations. He pondered whether to select a mentor in the future or to revisit the Misty Ghost Forest to seek guidance from the spiritual embodiment of the Tianbai Emperor. With his capabilities, he would naturally be able to discern the true nature of that sword-shaped cluster of light in his spiritual sea.

"That kid seems to have truly comprehended something!" remarked the middle-aged mentor with a stern face, his eyes flashing with immense astonishment as he glimpsed Ling Feng's expression.

The rest of the mentors were equally astonished.

That was the sword will of Chi Lie, God of Slaughter. Even these old folks didn't dare to casually comprehend it, yet Ling Feng not only comprehended it but also seemed to have gained something!

Ling Feng, who sat beneath the sword monument, appeared relaxed and at ease. It was evident that the sinister aura emitted by the ancient bronze sword no longer exerted pressure on him.

This also meant that Ling Feng may have truly comprehended the sword will of slaughter!

The candidates who had walked out of the sword monument's range stared dumbfoundedly at Ling Feng.

Isn't his expression a bit too casual?

Liu Yunfei was even more shocked, his jaw almost dropping to the ground. Just a moment ago, he felt like he was carrying several mountains on his back. With each step, he had to exert all his strength.

And Ling Feng's demeanor, far from that of someone undergoing a test of willpower, instead resembled someone peacefully resting with his eyes closed!

He couldn't help but suspect that this guy was cheating!

However, with several mentors supervising in full view of everyone, Ling Feng had no chance to cheat at all.

Su Mu, who left right after Liu Yunfei, also stared at Ling Feng with eyes wide open. Despite considering his own willpower and physical stamina to be quite decent, he felt an overwhelming sense of weakness in front of Ling Feng.

On the opposite side of Ling Feng, Jiang Xiaofan was nearly on the verge of becoming a bloody mess!

Gradually understanding the current situation after waking from his mediation, Ling Feng scanned around and noticed that everyone else had already left, leaving only Jiang Xiaofan still persisting.

Droplets of blood, rather than sweat, permeated from his pores.

At this moment, Jiang Xiaofan's ability to persist was truly reliant on immense willpower, allowing him to maintain his clarity of mind.

His other achievements were too mediocre, too ordinary. Compared to most geniuses, he seemed excessively average.

Therefore, to stay in the Tianwei Academy, he had to achieve something remarkable.

So, no matter what, Jiang Xiaofan wanted to secure first place in this test of willpower!

His luck was obviously not too good, as he happened to be placed in the same group as Ling Feng. Otherwise, he might have already gotten first place.

"I can't... I can't give up! I have to stay! I must... stay!"

Jiang Xiaofan's breathing was extremely heavy, his hands trembling as he propped himself up on the ground.

"That kid's gaze!"

Because of Jiang Xiaofan's perseverance, the mentors finally took notice of this ordinary youth.

Perhaps he was truly mediocre and unremarkable, but he possessed an iron-like will!

"This child is a true person of great perseverance!"

A white-haired elderly man lightly stroked his beard, nodding slightly. With such a mentality, even if his talent was somewhat lacking, he would undoubtedly achieve significant success in the future.

Ling Feng looked at Jiang Xiaofan, observing his determined gaze. Ling Feng smiled faintly and made a decision.

He decided to no longer persist. So what if he gave up the first place to Jiang Xiaofan?

He was already assured of entering the Tianwei Academy. He would leave this opportunity to the resolute young man.

He rose slowly and walked out of the range of the sword monument.

According to the rules, the last candidate to leave the array would receive additional points. Perhaps out of a sense of compassion, he decided to let this young man stay.

Ling Feng could have persevered for several more days without any issue, but he was moved by Jiang Xiaofan's display of strong willpower.

"Th... thank you..."

As Ling Feng passed by Jiang Xiaofan, the dark-skinned youth grinned at Ling Feng.

Even though, at this moment, his smile was quite awkward.

"Keep going."

Ling Feng nodded, gently patting Jiang Xiaofan's shoulder as a soft stream of true qi flowed into his dantian, slightly restoring his spirits.

Despite the beads of blood-soaked sweat covering his body, Jiang Xiaofan gritted his teeth, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Ling Feng. Though tears filled his eyes, Ling Feng discerned a glimmer of determination within them.

Outside the sword monument, all of the mentors and students watched Ling Feng with surprise.

It was evident to everyone that Ling Feng could have easily persisted until the end, yet he chose to give the struggling youth the opportunity.

In this dog-eat-dog world[1], such acts of kindness were truly rare...

1. Describes a situation in which people will do anything to be successful, even if what they do harms other people. ☜