Chapter 343: The Inn is Gone Again?

Following the fit of anger came a series of harsh lashings.

Cang Ku finally understood that this was serious business, not some game.

And so, it could only watch helplessly as its... well, its scabbard was removed, revealing a pair of fiery eyes staring directly at it.

Who wouldn't feel embarrassed by that?

Even if it was from its master, this was just too much!

Cang Ku tried to bend again, but this time Xu Xiao Shou was prepared. He grasped it by both the hilt and the tip, stretching the black sword perfectly straight.

Completely ignoring the black sword's resistance, Xu Xiao Shou focused his gaze with all his might, attempting to see straight through it.

The technique of "Guan Jian" wasn't something one could just learn or grasp by simply looking at a sword.

If it were that easy, wouldn't anyone who stared at a sword for a while achieve incredible cultivation?

This cultivation method had an extremely difficult prerequisite: "Nian Li"!

Nian Li was the fusion of form and intent, existing between the two, and incredibly hard to perceive.

Unluckily—or perhaps luckily—Xu Xiao Shou discovered that he seemed to already possess this ability, or at least the "ordinary Nian Li."

This discovery left him quite shocked.

He felt that the existence of "Shi Duan Jian Zhi" was likely the prerequisite for cultivating the "Guan Jian Dian."

"Coincidence?"

Xu Xiao Shou thought he might be overthinking it, but skipping this hurdle so easily still felt rather satisfying.

He had now reached the second threshold of the "Guan Jian" technique.

If "Nian Li" blocked off 99 percent of cultivators, then this second threshold would stop most of the remaining one percent!

"Jian Dao Jing Wu"!

This was a new term, essentially an in-depth understanding of the sword path.

In other words, it was Jian Yi.

Without Jian Yi as a sword cultivator, there was no point in even attempting the "Guan Jian" technique.

And at the very least, it had to be innate Jian Yi to qualify for "Guan Jian."

But that was just the qualification.

Jian Dao Jing Wu wasn't limited to just Jian Yi; it was the most fundamental and correct understanding of the sword path!

Beyond Jian Yi, it encompassed everything related to swords, such as sword skills, sword techniques, and even the essence of the sword itself.

This kind of comprehension was truly subjective and varied from person to person.

Xu Xiao Shou finally understood why this technique was so difficult to cultivate.

Who in the world dared claim their understanding of the sword path was absolutely correct?

Even if the Ba Jian Xian showed up, probably...

Ahem, well, figures like them might qualify!

Realizing the difficulty of the "Guan Jian" technique, Xu Xiao Shou didn't give up. Instead, his gaze burned with determination.

Because he found that this second threshold was also cleared by his "Jian Shu Jing Tong"!

He had always thought "Jian Shu Jing Tong" only gave him those few self-created sword moves.

But in reality, its true value lay in the endless, foundational experience!

With that foundation, when he used the "Guan Jian" technique to examine Cang Ku and entered that profound state of enlightenment, Xu Xiao Shou gained even deeper insights into "Jian Shu Jing Tong."

Perhaps this passive skill covered everything related to "swords"!

Or maybe, without realizing it, his comprehension of sword techniques and skills had been elevated by "Jian Shu Jing Tong."

"Maybe if I tried cultivating 'Bai Yun Jian Fa' now, I could master it instantly?"

Xu Xiao Shou's expression turned strange.

Learning spiritual techniques had always been his long-standing weakness.

He had assumed he'd need to acquire a passive skill like "enlightenment" to boost his comprehension.

But "Jian Shu Jing Tong" had already greatly enhanced his understanding of "swords"!

He had been fixated on the wrong thing!

Xu Xiao Shou realized this, but even so, he had little interest in learning "Bai Yun Jian Fa" anymore.

Spiritual techniques might achieve the effects of pure sword skills, but he was already on the path of "ancient sword techniques," so there was no need to abandon the fundamentals for something secondary.

Besides, with "Jian Shu Jing Tong," why bother learning new sword moves?

If you know how to fish, you'll never go hungry!

Time ticked by, and with both thresholds crossed, Xu Xiao Shou found it wasn't hard to sense the presence of sword essence.

After a long while, under the dry, Nian Li-infused gaze, he finally saw the most pure essence hidden deep within the black sword.

"Sword essence?"

A wisp of white mist rose from the black sword.

In that moment, Cang Ku froze, then trembled violently.

It was excited, jubilant, as if seeing the heavens' favor and its own boundless potential for growth.

The white mist emerged from the black sword, absorbing enough of the great dao's nourishment to become incredibly sharp.

With a flash of silver light, under Xu Xiao Shou's control, the wisp of sword essence returned to the sword's body.

Buzz—

The black sword gained a subtle sheen, looking more polished, and even the nicks and dents on its surface seemed to show signs of healing.

It was like an aged face regaining a fleeting vitality; the black sword perked up instantly, letting out an excited hum that nearly broke Xu Xiao Shou's control.

Xu Xiao Shou cursed under his breath at its stubbornness and continued to force the wisp of sword essence to wander through Cang Ku.

Then, through his touching left hand, he guided it into his own body.

Sizzle!

Blood sprayed out, as if a electrified silver needle had pierced his fingertip. The fleeting pain hadn't even faded before a massive shockwave of agony hit his flesh.

"Damn!"

Xu Xiao Shou recoiled like he'd been shocked, flinging Cang Ku away. He felt his heart convulsing, his fingers on the verge of breaking.

Whoosh—the uncontrolled sword essence turned into a silver needle and shot out from his wildly swinging finger.

A black line streaked through the void, and Xu Xiao Shou knew something was wrong, trying to stop it...

Too late!

The inn's barrier shattered instantly, and a beam of blinding sunlight pierced through the ceiling. Xu Xiao Shou stood there, stunned.

"This..."

It was just a wisp of sword essence—or rather, something that hadn't even fully reached that level yet.

Even so, this silent strike's destructive power was on par with "Shi Duan Jian Zhi"!

The difference was, "Shi Duan Jian Zhi" was a thunderous explosion.

This silver needle-like thing was the perfect tool for ambushes—utterly silent!

It had effortlessly split the inn in half!

"Uh... no! The inn's been cut?"

The door burst open, and Xin Gu Gu rushed in, golden Zen staff in hand, on high alert.

He had been resting in the nearby room when he suddenly sensed that familiar aura.

"The scruffy old man's Jian Yi?"

Whether it was or not, it had come from Xu Xiao Shou's direction, which meant...

Enemy attack!

He dashed into Xu Xiao Shou's room, only to see the young man looking utterly embarrassed.

"What happened?"

Xin Gu Gu's terrified gaze swept over the guy, scanning the room for that terrifying old man.

Xu Xiao Shou fell silent for a moment.

Nothing, I was just cultivating?

He held back the words on the tip of his tongue, ignoring Xin Gu Gu, but in his perception, he saw the panicked innkeeper rushing over.

Oh no! The inn was probably done for!

What good excuse could he come up with to brush this off?

He needed an answer, and fast!