Chaotic Sword God Chapter 4: Further Training

Chapter 4: Further Training

The Azulet Sword Law consisted of twelve distinct stages. The initial layer focused entirely on tempering the physical form. A popular proverb suggested that to master superior martial arts, one must first possess a powerful physique. Since martial techniques rely on the efficient utilization of the body, the first layer of the Azulet Sword Law was dedicated to body refinement.

Most martial artists sought to increase their power by hardening their exterior. Consequently, they would train until their frames were covered in bulging muscles. One could easily gauge such a person's strength just by looking at their build. Some individuals even conditioned their bodies to the point where their bones became as resilient as reinforced steel bars.

In Jian Chen’s view, this approach to training was detrimental, as it would eventually ruin the body and restrict its ultimate potential. While such methods might grant strength far beyond that of an ordinary person, they simultaneously inflicted significant internal damage. Those who followed these paths typically suffered from short lifespans. As they reached old age, various ailments and physical impairments would plague them with increasing frequency.

The wandering martial artists of the world belonged to many different Sects, each with its own method of Cultivation for the body, but Jian Chen considered these techniques mediocre. These were not the correct paths to follow; even the Shaolin technique of Yijin Jing was no exception.

TL Note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yijin_Jing

Although the principles of Yijin Jing were elegant in how they cultivated inner strength while strengthening external muscles, the fundamental approach remained flawed. It failed to reinforce the very core of a human being, focusing instead on external force. It could not be regarded as the pinnacle of body Cultivation if it did not transform the entire being from within.

In contrast, the techniques detailed in the Azulet Sword Law were truly profound and miraculous. By absorbing and refining the Qi of the heavens and the earth, one could integrate that power directly into the bones. This process allowed every organ and even every individual cell to be tempered to its absolute limit. Original fragility would be discarded, allowing the body to reach an optimal state that provided endless benefits, including a vastly extended lifespan. As one progressed to the later stages, the corporeal body would reach unprecedented levels of power; as the Azulet Sword Law stated, reaching the highest levels of body Cultivation could allow one to live as long as the heavens and the earth themselves.

However, this method was tied to one’s personal strength. If an individual's Qi surpassed the strength of their physical form, the Azulet Sword Law would utilize that Qi to reinforce the body. If the physical body and Qi strength reached an equilibrium, a breakthrough was required to advance to the next level. Through this cycle, one could continuously improve their entire body without any upper limit.

Jian Chen was gradually drawing in the world’s Qi in a constant stream, circulating it through his body in a rhythmic cycle. Under his precise control, this Qi was then absorbed into his cells and organs.

Ever since arriving in this strange new world, the World Essence was one of the few things that truly excited Jian Chen. The World Essence here was incredibly dense—perhaps a hundred times more concentrated than the Qi in his former world. In his previous life, Jian Chen had nowhere to go but the ancient mountain range where he eventually met his end. Comparing the two worlds was like comparing paradise to hell; the difference was that stark, leaving Jian Chen feeling extremely satisfied.

Nevertheless, Jian Chen found the difference between the World Essence of this world and his previous one quite puzzling. While they felt similar, he discovered through careful observation that the World Essence here contained an additional type of energy. This energy was a small component of the essence, intertwined so perfectly that they seemed impossible to separate.

Since no negative side effects occurred when he absorbed this new energy into his body, Jian Chen made no attempt to filter it out. However, he remained curious about the matter. Various theories swirled in his mind, but this mysterious energy was not something that could be easily understood.

As the endless World Essence was pulled into his frame, Jian Chen could distinctly feel every artery and cell becoming more robust. The World Essence acting upon his body was like a potent tonic that revitalized him as it was absorbed. His body was like a famished tiger, constantly craving more. Simultaneously, a wave of pleasure washed over him, leaving him feeling peaceful and unburdened as the sensation took hold.

In the blink of an eye, another year passed. Jian Chen had now spent two full years in this unfamiliar world. Throughout that time, he had never once stepped foot outside the Changyang mansion. Every day, during any moment of peace, Jian Chen remained secluded in his room to practice the first principle of the Azulet Sword Law—body Cultivation.

Perhaps because the World Essence was a hundred times more potent than what he knew before, Jian Chen achieved major success in tempering his body in just one year. Currently, there was no doubt in his mind that if an ordinary person were to swing a standard sword at him, his skin would remain unmarred. He had conditioned his body to such an extent that even a small cut was unlikely.

Of course, this was merely Jian Chen’s own assessment; he wouldn't dare to actually test it on himself.

Over the past year, Jian Chen’s physical development had been incredibly rapid, almost beyond belief. At just two years old, he had already reached a height of 1.2 meters. This abnormal growth made him look more like a child of five or six years old.

This caused quite a stir among the inhabitants of the Changyang mansion, though many maintained high hopes for him. They expected him to be a genius of limitless potential, but everyone would have to wait until he reached the age of three for any formal confirmation.

Faced with these high expectations, Jian Chen could only feel a sense of helplessness. He didn't realize that his accelerated growth was a direct result of practicing the Azulet Sword Law, as he hadn't possessed the technique at such a young age in his previous life.

While he still accompanied his mother, Bi Yuntian, to the dining hall, he continued his habit of locking himself in his room every night. Sitting cross-legged on the bed with his hands resting on his knees, he would close his eyes and face the heavens once more.

This time, however, Jian Chen wasn't focused on Cultivation, but on deep reflection. Two years had passed since his arrival, and he had yet to see anything beyond the walls of the Changyang mansion. He spent most of his time isolated to train his body. To this day, his understanding of this world remained limited. Beyond the gates of the mansion, he knew almost nothing of the geography or the society outside.

He was well aware that in the eyes of others, he was merely a two-year-old boy. Normally, a child of that age would be pampered by his parents and grow up without a care in the world. Jian Chen, however, would never settle for such a life.

As he sat pondering on his bed, Jian Chen finally resolved to ask his parents about the world the following morning. It was vital for him to comprehend the nature of the realm he now inhabited.

Having made his decision, Jian Chen slowly opened his eyes and stood up. Tonight, instead of practicing his usual seated Cultivation, he stood in the center of the room and closed his eyes.

A series of mysterious footwork patterns began to manifest in Jian Chen’s mind. A vision flickered before his inner eye like a moving scroll. He saw a figure dressed in a white chang pao—a young man wielding a sword, moving with incredible speed across a strange landscape. He moved so swiftly that a normal observer would struggle to track him. Despite the confined space, the young man moved with such velocity that a trail of afterimages followed his every step.

This figure represented Jian Chen’s previous life, and the steps appearing in his mind were the profound movements of the Azulet Sword Law.

As the first light of dawn filtered through a gap in the window, Jian Chen’s eyes snapped open. In that instant, he moved; his legs became a blur of motion. The speed he maintained was something even seasoned martial artists would find difficult to sustain under these conditions.

Jian Chen’s feet traced a complex and mysterious path as he moved along a specific trajectory. His rapid movements within the small room even generated a faint whirlwind.

The display didn't last long before Jian Chen came to a halt, his complexion turning paler by the second. Gasping for air, his legs began to tremble and shake uncontrollably as he stood still.

Jian Chen slowly made his way to the window and sat down. Leaning forward, he used his hands to continuously massage his aching legs. Attempting those mysterious footsteps for even a brief moment had left his lower body incredibly weak. He currently lacked the strength to even stand.

Jian Chen shook his head in frustration. Regardless of the martial art being practiced, a solid physical foundation was the primary requirement. The more sophisticated the technique, the more demanding it was on the body. Regarding these footwork exercises, without a powerful physique and sufficient Qi, he wouldn't be able to maintain them for long. Indeed, an ordinary practitioner wouldn't have lasted nearly as long as he did, and attempting to do so would have likely resulted in severe physical damage.

Gaining such profound abilities was certainly no easy task.

Resting by his bed while massaging his muscles, he waited for the strength to return to his limbs before resuming a cross-legged position. Once again, he began to draw the spiritual Qi of the world into his body.

The night passed swiftly, and soon the sky was bright with the colors of morning. At that moment, a voice called out from the hallway.

“Fourth master, it is morning, time to wake up!” the feminine voice called out.

Hearing the call, Jian Chen opened his eyes and replied in his high-pitched, youthful voice, “I hear you, Sister Hong Hua, I’m already up!” With that, he climbed down from his bed.

Just then, the door pushed open, and two young women around the age of eighteen entered. Each carried a small tray holding a basin. One basin contained a fresh, clean towel for him to wash his face, while the other held the necessary items for Jian Chen to clean his teeth and prepare for the day ahead.