Eternal Reverence Chapter 3: The Martial Library

“Young Master Fuchen, what brings you here?”

Li Fuchen had arrived at the martial library today. Guards at the entrance offered their greetings to Li Fuchen.

This library was a place of significance to the Li Clan, housing a vast collection of martial arts manuals. Normally, regular disciples needed an approved application to enter, but Li Fuchen, of course, was an exception.

Li Fuchen chuckled, “What? Am I not permitted to be here?”

“Of course you are!” The guards responded with apologetic smiles.

Inside the library, one of the guards whispered, “How strange… Isn’t it said that Young Master Fuchen cannot cultivate? Why is he here then? And he appears unusually cheerful today.”

“Perhaps he hasn’t visited in a long time and wishes to see it again,” the other guard replied sympathetically.

***

The library was comprised of three floors.

The first floor contained all the low-tier, yellow class manuals. Middle-tier manuals were on the second floor, and high-tier ones on the third.

Li Fuchen proceeded directly to the second floor, beginning to examine the sword art manuals.

Having already mastered two low-tier, yellow class sword arts—the Tiger Fang Cross Slash and the Crescent Sword Style, the latter having been cultivated to completion the previous year—he was curious. The Tiger Fang Cross Slash, being more intricate, had taken longer to master. This time, he aimed to gauge how quickly he could learn a middle-tier, yellow class sword art with his current comprehension.

“Swift Breeze Sword Style: Exhibits overwhelming speed with domineering sword qi. One perceives only the breeze, the sword itself remains unseen.”

“Soaring Eagle Sword Style: Like an eagle striking from the heavens, its sword qi is unmatched.”

“Shao Shang Sword Style: A sword strike imbued with immense power; capable of shattering the earth.”

“Xiao Zhou Heaven Sword Style…”

“Drifting Sword Style…”

“Diving Fish Sword Style…”

“Octadic Sword Style…”

…..

Within the library, sword arts constituted the majority of the manuals. As he scanned through them, Li Fuchen momentarily envisioned swordsmen rising and falling.

Ultimately, Li Fuchen selected the Swift Breeze and Shao Shang Sword Styles. The Swift Breeze Sword Style gave the impression of being the most complex among them, while the Shao Shang Sword Style promised staggering strength.

Finally, Li Fuchen also chose the Cyclone Kick Style.

This kick technique emphasized speed. Its cultivation held considerable value, as achieving sub-completion would not only grant sharp kicks but also enhance one’s overall speed.

***

“Choosing three manuals at once?

The elder guarding the library, Li Dexing, was Li Fuchen’s grand-uncle. With his grizzled hair and furrowed brow, he advised, “Fuchen, while I’m uncertain if you can cultivate peacefully now, even if you could, learning so many styles simultaneously isn’t beneficial. The essence of martial arts isn't about quantity; one must understand that being a jack of all trades often leads to mastering none.”

Li Fuchen nodded respectfully, “Yes, Elder, I understand. I am merely here to take a look.”

“If that is the case, I shall not hinder you.”

The thought of Li Fuchen being unable to cultivate filled Li Dexing with pity. A year prior, Li Fuchen’s talent was comparable to Li Yunhai, the clan’s current undisputed genius. What a shame…

***

The following morning, Li Fuchen brought a steel sword and returned to the back of the mountain peak.

“Swift Breeze Sword Style: Meticulous and unstoppable. Upon achieving sub-completion, one can unleash three slashes in the blink of an eye. Once cultivated to completion, this number can reach at least six slashes.”

Before commencing his practice, Li Fuchen tested his sword speed, realizing he could manage only two slashes at best. While the difference between two and three slashes might seem small, it could significantly impact the outcome against a stronger opponent.

Invoking the wind, Li Fuchen closed his eyes, immersing himself in the state of mind required for the Swift Breeze Sword Style.

Not long after, Li Fuchen’s eyes snapped open, his body vibrating with power as he brandished the steel sword in his hand with extreme speed.

As the wind blew ceaselessly, Li Fuchen’s sword moved faster and faster. Gradually, as if cloaked in the wind, the sword followed wherever the wind led. When he finally ceased, his qi was depleted, leaving him gasping for air and drenched in sweat.

“As expected of the Swift Breeze Sword Style, it consumes a considerable amount of qi.”

Higher-class sword arts naturally demand greater qi consumption. With Li Fuchen’s current cultivation level, wielding a middle-tier, yellow class sword art was quite taxing. If he were to attempt a high-tier, yellow class sword art, he might only manage ten slashes before his qi was entirely depleted.

Once his qi had replenished, Li Fuchen resumed his practice, repeating the process.

***

Five days elapsed.

“He!”

With the passing breeze, Li Fuchen unleashed hundreds of sword strikes. The speed was so instantaneous it seemed to meld with the wind itself. Beneath the glaring sun, a mirage-like distortion appeared before him.

“Four slashes in the span of a breath,” Li Fuchen exhaled, sheathing his sword. He felt he was starting to grasp the core of the Swift Breeze Sword Style. In simpler terms, it meant allowing one's sword to become one with the natural wind, letting the sword embody the wind, the qi flow like the wind, and finally achieving a unified state of sword, qi, and wind.

Naturally, this was far easier in concept than in execution. Without his pale green soul spirit and his exceptional perception, achieving sub-completion in merely two months would have been impossible.

Leaving at dawn and returning at dusk, time slipped away rapidly.

***

On the tenth afternoon.

With a sound like 'Pang!', a palm strike met a tree, sending a shower of leaves cascading down.

Then, a flash of the sword.

Scattered…

The leaves that had moments before filled his surroundings were now fragmented. In the blink of an eye, Li Fuchen executed six more slashes.

“Finally, completion is achieved.”

A glimmer of profound understanding shone in Li Fuchen’s eyes.

The Swift Breeze Sword Style relies on achieving victory through sheer quickness. As one's agility is pushed to its extreme, previously imperceptible details become visible. For instance, one can discern the most advantageous striking path through varying angles, stances, and trajectories.

Speed is the fundamental truth; with overwhelming speed, an opponent's weaknesses become glaringly apparent. Speed is the ultimate principle, and with it, your sword strikes become unparalleled.

Not only had Li Fuchen attained the completion stage of the Swift Breeze Sword Style, but he had also uncovered an intangible treasure that countless swordsmen would covet… the 'way of the sword'.

To comprehend the way of the sword, one might or might not need extraordinary perception.

Some individuals lacking natural talent, through diligent effort and years of cultivation, might suddenly unlock the way of the sword and ascend to become master swordsmen. Conversely, those blessed with exceptional talent, while seemingly poised to grasp the way of the sword effortlessly, may never truly unlock its secrets.

Comprehension isn't solely about perception. It requires the ability to assimilate and thus envision. Mere perception, on its own, wouldn't be sufficient.

***

Upon returning to the Li Clan, Li Fuchen passed by the training grounds. He observed many Li clansmen engaged in sparring matches, but from his vantage point, their sword styles were riddled with flaws. If given the opportunity, he could devise a hundred different methods to defeat each of them.

Easily defeating one of the disciples, Li Yunhe's gaze fixed on Li Fuchen. “Li Fuchen, you won’t refuse my challenge this time, will you!?” Li Yunhe smirked, casting a look of utter disdain at Li Fuchen.

“You are not my equal…”, Li Fuchen stated, shaking his head.

“What did he just say? Did I hear that correctly?!”

“Now this is going to be good! Before, Li Yunhe was already at the fifth level of the Qi Realm, and Li Fuchen was considered beneath him. Who knows what Li Yunhe will do to Li Fuchen now, considering his advancements.”

Instantly, the atmosphere across the entire training ground crackled with excitement.

“Li Fuchen, this is the most ridiculous joke I've ever heard. Do you think acting like an imbecile will help you escape?” Li Yunhe sneered, completely looking down on Li Fuchen.