Chapter 173: Kick-Ass Sword Grand Master

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Sword Grand Master Jiang Yanan was reputed as Purple Star State’s number one prodigy in the way of the sword.

He was born to be a Sword Immortal. According to legends, he wielded his fingers like a sword right after he was born, severing the umbilical cord which connected him to his mother. Before he had even learned to walk, he had already learned how to wield a wooden sword.

When he was three, Jiang Yanan broke through to the Second Stage Dao Body, becoming a child prodigy who was known far and wide.

More frightening though, was the fact that he could use a magic sword and produce a sword projection which could ordinarily only be launched by a cultivator of the Fourth Stage Dao Body.

Such a prodigy ought to have broken through to the Spirit Nurturing Stage before the age of 30.

However, he only successfully broke through at the age of 35. Why? Because he was trying to figure out how to perform Sword Kinesis Flight in the Dao Body Stages…

It went without saying that this was a preposterous action.

Sword Kinesis Flight could only be performed if one had precise control over their vital energy. In order to achieve such control, one had to rely on the power of the spirit root, formed only after one achieved the rank of Spirit Nurturing Stage.

However, Jiang Yanan succeeded.

When he was of the Tenth Stage Dao Body, he successfully performed Sword Kinesis Flight!

He became the first-ever person to perform Sword Kinesis Flight with a Dao Body Stage cultivation base!

Afterward, relying on his accumulated knowledge and insight into cultivation, he broke through to the Soul Formation Stage when he was 50, and broke through to the Soul Formation Final Stage when he was 200.

Although he was currently still of the Soul Formation Final Stage, his comprehension and understanding of the way of the sword were even beyond that of many Return to Void Stage cultivators. Moreover, his grasp of sword intent had reached an unimaginable level.

His achievements had become legends in the Purple Star State and had even spread throughout the Kingdom of the Nine States.

Such an almighty figure was currently on some drill ground in the imperial palace and delivering a lecture on the way of the sword.

Hundreds of finely dressed royal disciples sat atop grass cushions on the drill ground.

They were all members of the Green Wood Imperial Family. Although they were collateral relatives and not lineal descendants like Su Qianyun, Su Gu, and Su Xin, their standings in the Purple Star State were still extremely prestigious.

Right now, they were listening to Jiang Yanan with a respectful gaze as they paid attention to his words. As if they had seen their idol, some of them even had flames of passion burning in their eyes, unwilling to avert their gazes for even a second.

Jiang Yanan was dashing and spirited as he stood proudly on the drill ground, and his long white hair billowed and danced behind him.

He had purposefully dyed his hair white as he felt that this could better accentuate his temperament.

The passionate gazes of the hundreds of students below were clear proof that this was the case!

Jiang Yanan smiled calmly and continued delivering his lecture. “Now that we’ve finished talking about the way of the sword, let us discuss sword intent!

“What’s the difference between the way of the sword and sword intent? The way of the sword is the path that a Sword Immortal traverses upon. Sword intent, on the other hand, is directly linked to the essence of the sword. Its intent realm can be tangibly reflected in reality, and it can even increase the power of the strikes of our sword immensely!”

Right at this moment, An Lin, Su Qianyun, and Su Xin arrived at the drill ground.

The arrival of two lineal descendants attracted the gazes of many listeners.

Jiang Yanan also noticed the arrival of these three people. He was just about to find someone to spar with in order to demonstrate the concepts he talked about, and he needed this person to act as a counterexample. Seeing the unfamiliar An Lin, an idea formed in his mind. “I have an intent realm crystal here,” he said unhurriedly. “This crystal can host the intent of people and allow them to battle using only their intent. Through this, one’s grasp of sword intent can be more accurately reflected.”

“This cultivator over here looks handsome and mighty. How about you come up here and spar with me?” Jiang Yanan gestured towards An Lin and invited him to the stage.

An Lin had only come here to see what it was all about. Seeing Jiang Yanan gesture toward him, he was momentarily dazed. He pointed at himself and asked in an uncertain tone, “Me?”

“That’s right, you,” Jiang Yanan confirmed with a refreshing smile. “Don’t worry, even if your clone is obliterated during the battle in the intent realm crystal, you yourself will not suffer any harm. I can even provide you with guidance based on your grasp of sword intent.”

Hearing Jiang Yanan’s words, the imperial students all looked at An Lin in envy. Personal guidance in sword intent from Jiang Yanan! This was a once in a blue moon opportunity!

Under such circumstances, it was impossible for An Lin to refuse. He could only muster up his courage as he walked up to Jiang Yanan.

There was a gentle look in Jiang Yanan’s eyes as he gazed upon An Lin. This youth was the most suitable choice to spar with and provide guidance to.

Walking so closely to Su Qianyun and Su Xin, their relations were undoubtedly good. Moreover, he definitely had a strong background.

If he directly invited Su Qianyun or Su Xin up, his intentions would be too thinly veiled. By inviting An Lin up, however, he could attract strong attention yet still impart a favor upon the imperial family. This was an excellent idea indeed!

A satisfied smile on his face, Jiang Yanan nodded and praised himself in his mind.

“May I ask for your name?” Jiang Yanan asked.

“My name is An Lin,” An Lin replied apprehensively.

On their way here, Su Qianyun had introduced to him the glorious achievements of this male before him.

Simply the fact that he could perform Sword Kinesis Flight while still ranked in the Dao Body Stages had An Lin awestruck and in wonder.

How could he remain calm while intent-sparring with such a kick-a*s person?

Jiang Yanan took out a white crystal the size of a television screen from his storage ring. “This is the intent realm crystal,” he explained, “If you place both your hands on this crystal and cast your mind in, then your intent will be able to enter into the crystal. When the time comes, the sword intent battle inside the crystal can be displayed on the surface of the crystal!”

Hearing his explanation, the disciples of the Green Wood Imperial Family all exclaimed in awe. Moreover, many of them were eager to experience such intent battle personally.

Jiang Yanan was extremely pleased with their reaction.

One had to realize, this intent realm crystal was a high-rank spirit tool and was also the spirit tool that he was proudest of. Without it, the quality and appeal of his lectures would fall drastically.

“Then, let us begin.” Jiang Yanan had a cordial expression as he spoke to An Lin.

“So, I just touch the crystal like this and cast my thoughts into it?” An Lin asked uncertainly.

“That’s right. Battling inside the crystal is equivalent to a battle using your intent. There’s no danger at all.” Seeing An Lin’s anxious expression, Jiang Yanan could not help but gently reassure him again.

Jiang Yanan’s hair fluttered in the wind, making him appear especially handsome and carefree. He looked like a kindhearted and other-worldly Sword Immortal.

Some of the surrounding students were completely stunned by this sight. How could there exist such a perfect male in the world?

An Lin placed his hands on the crystal. After feeling a rush of dizziness, his mind slowly descended into darkness.

Upon regaining his awareness, he realized that he had already appeared in a vast world of white. Opposite him, stood the graceful and elegant Jiang Yanan.

Jiang Yanan clasped his sword behind his back, looking refined and gracious. “Here, the notion of ranks does not exist. All that exists is the difference in power of our intents. Here, I’ve defeated countless cultivators of the Spirit Nurturing Stage, twenty-eight Sword Immortals of the Soul Formation Stage, and three supreme beings of the Return to Void Stage. I’ve yet to be defeated!”

Jiang Yanan and An Lin’s figures had already appeared on the surface of the intent realm crystal.

Jiang Yanan’s utterances further sent the students’ minds into delirium. Their eyes all burnt with fervent passion.

As expected of the Purple Star State’s number one sword prodigy! His statement just then was so domineering!

Even Su Qianyun and Su Xin were fully absorbed. They looked at the crystal screen in eager anticipation.

They all focused their attention on Jiang Yanan, eager to see what his sword intent was like.

As for An Lin… No one believed that he could win.

He was merely a sparring partner for Jiang Yanan to demonstrate his sword intent on. Thus, he did not attract any attention at all.

“Then, let us begin!” Jiang Yanan unsheathed his sword and spoke calmly.

A gust of wind suddenly blew over, causing his elegant white hair to billow in the air. Alike a spotlight, a holy light descended from the skies and enveloped his entire body, making him appear like an invincible God of War.

Seeing these full-on special effects, An Lin became even more nervous and tense. He instantly felt great pressure.

He slowly drew his sword and replied, “Yes, let us begin!”