Chapter 316: Solely My Sword Intent
What is the way of chess?
There are many kinds of chess—Go, Chinese chess, and others are all forms of chess.
The Go that Li Hao played was also called "sitting quietly," "hand talk," or "playing."
On the chessboard, the vertical and horizontal lines intersect to form a grid. Stones are placed on the grid, and connected stones form the overall situation. This is the structure of the chessboard.
When first learning chess, one becomes familiar with the rules. Those who reach a certain level of proficiency can place stones skillfully and precisely, with aggressive strategies that emphasize making sacrifices for greater gains.
However, a true master of chess focuses on momentum rather than individual stones, no longer confined to capturing stones but building the momentum of the entire board.
Whether it's Go, Chinese chess, or any other form of chess, the key is to accumulate momentum! When the momentum is fully formed, victory follows naturally, and nothing can stop it.
Previously, Li Hao's Chess Way had reached the sixth level, where he had glimpsed the essence of chess momentum. At this moment, Li Hao realized that relying solely on himself to build momentum made his moves too obvious to experienced players. In true Chess Way, momentum forms naturally—without deliberate effort, momentum simply arises.
From the very first move, the momentum was already present.
It may seem to complement the title of Sword Saint, but in reality, reaching the fourth level of Swordsmanship is a one-in-a-billion chance, extremely difficult.
"The ultimate softness is also the ultimate hardness. Even the softest can be broken..."
As I glanced at the panel, seeing the latest prompt, I couldn't help but smile slightly.
"That move was perhaps a bit too soft."
I jumped down from the branch, greeted Lin Qingying in the alchemy room, and then wandered back to Shi Huajin's alchemy courtyard.
Huozhuang reflected on Lin Shanhai's swordsmanship, and a realization flashed in his eyes. Indeed, Lin Shanhai's swordsmanship had reached the fourth level, where he practiced both momentum and intent. He used intent to drive momentum, and his sword intent was incredibly soft.
Some time ago, Bai Zi (White Piece) slowly opened his eyes, having absorbed and comprehended various insights into swordsmanship. My mind suddenly recalled the battles with Jiang Lichen. Although I had won, in that battle, Jiang Lichen's swordsmanship surpassed mine. He was at the pinnacle of the first level of swordsmanship, with a sword intent that mirrored his heart, possessing a maddened sword momentum.
In a clash between two weaklings, life and death often hang in the balance.
Bai Zi looked at the panel and attempted to add points once again. At that time, Bai Zi noticed that Lin Qingying's pills hadn't failed yet.
Huozhuang seemed to have thought of something, retrieving a package of tea leaves from his storage space and handing them to Shi Huajin.
Slowly, using cooking techniques, Huozhuang helped Lin Qingying refine all the medicinal materials needed for her pills.
Mindset: Chess Way Enlightenment.
A large amount of swordsmanship knowledge suddenly flooded into Bai Zi's mind, and he quietly closed his eyes to absorb it.
More information continued to pour into Bai Zi's mind, as he seemed to fall into a vast ocean of swordsmanship, swimming and learning within it.
After comprehending sword intent, Huozhuang once again reflected on the sword techniques he had exchanged with Jiang Lichen, and suddenly realized that Jiang Lichen had only scratched the surface of sword momentum. If they were to face each other again, a single casual strike from me could shatter his momentum, break his sword, and easily defeat him.
Although Bai Zi had interacted with me for many years, I couldn't help but find his mindset somewhat different from those I had encountered before.
Bai Zi couldn't help but glance at me, thinking that if he hadn't been killed after all these years, it was indeed a deep bond of friendship.
Now that Bai Zi had crossed the threshold of Chess Way Enlightenment, he could continue to accumulate experience. However, accumulating Chess Way experience is slow and requires specific conditions—finding opponents to play against.
Reflecting on Lin Shanhai's sword techniques, which he practiced in the courtyard, Bai Zi realized that what appeared to be simple practice was actually far deeper than it seemed. It even surpassed sword momentum, incorporating a unique style of intent. Lin Shanhai's swordsmanship was indeed at the first level! Alchemists occasionally need to research new formulas, which indeed requires a quiet environment.
Everything in the world can be severed, and wherever the heart goes, the sword follows! Huozhuang laughed when he saw Bai Zi return.
Understanding these things, Bai Zi's thoughts returned to reality. After successive battles, many of my arts had fallen behind. If I could bring all eight arts to the fourth level of mastery, my strength would reach an unimaginable level.
Even if not, I would be a rare talent, at least on par with those at the Half-Saint level. Bai Zi emerged from his enlightenment with a newfound clarity. Now, when he observed Lin Shanhai practicing swordsmanship, Bai Zi found that he could fully comprehend what was happening.
Bai Zi smiled, stood up, and accompanied him to the alchemy room. You could only call upon your disciples to assist with the process.
Shi Huajin also reflected on the situation. It was often said that men disliked being called old, so she looked at Bai Zi with some suspicion:
Shi Huajin couldn't help but exclaim, "You're bold! You're young enough to be my great-grandchild, and yet you call me that!"
Initially, you wanted to swallow this part of Li Hao's position to expand your momentum. However, when that path was cut off, you didn't expect Huozhuang's move to counter your play. If you continued, you would find yourself at a disadvantage, so you decisively chose to surrender.
Bai Zi's gaze swept across the courtyard, noticing Lin Shanhai practicing his sword as usual.
Although Bai Zi's voice was loud, the young man in the courtyard continued practicing his sword without stopping. Li Hao placed a stone like a lone warrior deep into the territory of the black stones, but his momentum was like thunder, reviving what had been a trapped and desperate position, piercing through the opponent's momentum like a sharp blade.
The opponent pursued softness, but when softness is pursued too far, it becomes scattered.
Until the very last moment, you never knew what kind of unpredictable move your opponent might make.
The Way of the Sword is the same. If one reaches the tenth level in swordsmanship, they can follow the path of using the sword to achieve sainthood, breaking through the barriers of the saint's path with their sword, becoming a Saint through the sword! Bai Zi silently chanted in his heart as he added points. He named his sword intent "Solely Yours."
The person who had been practicing their sword didn't react to his arrival, continuing to focus on their practice. Shi Huajin, after confirming that the tea was indeed Seven-Sound Tea, couldn't help but praise it. With a casual move, it unleashed a powerful sword strike!
Slowly, after remaining at the bottleneck of the eighth level in swordsmanship for a long time, Bai Zi finally broke through.
Huozhuang was momentarily stunned, quickly accepting the tea with a smile. Beyond alchemy, nothing delighted him more than a good cup of tea. As expected...
But even though such opportunities were freely offered to Bai Zi, Huozhuang didn't seem very interested. The first level of swordsmanship is about momentum, but the fourth level is about intent! "What is this?"
Bai Zi's face flushed with excitement as he spoke fervently.
Reaching the fourth level signifies entering the true path of swordsmanship. Outside of a few dedicated individuals, very few martial artists dedicate their efforts solely to honing their swordsmanship. To reach even the first level of the Enlightenment Realm is an incredible feat, let alone grasping swordsmanship at such a level. It requires immense effort.
"A major breakthrough."
The many sword techniques on his interface were now continuously evolving, simplifying as they progressed.
Whether or not Bai Zi was concerned, he was determined. He selected this mindset for his swordsmanship. Huozhuang had heard stories about Bai Zi from his old friends, noting that when he helped them refine medicinal materials, he genuinely offered assistance without asking for anything in return. He didn't take any pills or look at their alchemical formulas.
Later, Bai Zi would often sit and wait, observing without interrupting. This impressed Lin Qingying, who realized that such treatment—being allowed to observe a high-level alchemist—was a rare privilege, akin to being a personal disciple.
"What's up?"
"You lost."
"Who is this?"
"He's the one who suggested calling you that," Bai Zi replied. "Sister Master."
The courtyard was serene, with no one present except for his own disciples and servants, making it a peaceful and comfortable environment. Each chess piece had its mission; though all were stones, some served as soldiers, others as generals, their momentum fierce and powerful!
Chess Way, Level One.
Shi Huajin paused, the black piece in her hand hovering but not falling. She stared at the board, and after a moment, sighed heavily:
Meanwhile, Bai Zi found a quiet spot in the alchemy room, lying down under a tree to rest while examining his interface.
Slowly but surely, his swordsmanship, which had lingered at the eighth level, surged to the fourth level!
Huozhuang's eyes glimmered with uncertainty, wondering if Bai Zi's "Solely Yours" sword intent could counter Shi Huajin's gentle sword intent.
Currently, among Bai Zi's eight arts, only cooking remained at the fourth level. Click!
The path of the sword is the most challenging. Even the Sword Saints of the Sword Ancestor Holy Land may take the incense path to sainthood, meaning their swordsmanship remains at the fourth level, not the tenth.
"I've beaten you a few times."
Huozhuang's gaze flickered, as the fourth level in swordsmanship corresponded to the Enlightenment Realm. If it advanced to the tenth level, it would lead to sainthood.
Intent is more refined than momentum; momentum is the surface, intent is the core. No longer confined to techniques, the sword follows the heart, and the heart follows intent!
Bai Zi couldn't help but glance at him and say, "There's no way this is due to price or courtesy."
Shi Huajin was taken aback.
When she noticed her sword momentum transitioning smoothly in a certain area, Bai Zi shook his head slightly and remarked. This move was filled with brilliance, as though strategizing with an eye on the future, watching the rise and fall of the clouds.
When inexperienced opponents clash, the outcome remains unclear.
Perhaps influenced by his own mindset, Bai Zi's sword intent became more complex, severing whatever he wished to sever.
There was no direct comparison, making it difficult to judge who was superior. Swordsmanship, Level One!
Compared to the other arts, painting could be managed independently, slowly accumulating experience. Lin Qingying didn't seem too pleased with this.
Bai Zi silently reflected that, just like in the Way of the Body, he needed to elevate one of his arts to the fourth level.
"You're here, right? Today's pills still need refining; you'll need to assist me with the preparation." "With mastery in the Sublime Art Realm, you could split the Tao Domain. If you advanced further, reaching the fourth level of swordsmanship, even a tenfold Tao Domain could be cleaved open!"
"Fourth level swordsmanship... That's likely the level that the Saints have mastered."
Without prior competition, it was uncertain whether he could sever it, but that recent strike was too soft, and Bai Zi doubted he could fail to sever it.
Reaching the first level in swordsmanship felt surprisingly similar to reaching the first level in the Chess Way. What had once been intricate and refined sword techniques had now transformed into sword momentum!
"Oh, by the way, I grabbed some Seven-Sound Tea from you."
Seeing her concede, Bai Zi snapped out of his insight and retracted his energy, saying, "How about another game?"
"How did he address you?"
Huozhuang shrugged slightly, not saying much, his gaze drifting toward the courtyard, observing the graceful figure practicing her swordsmanship.
"Back already? How's his mood today?" "Maybe he should try a new form of address next time."
Huozhuang's eyes gleamed with determination. The first level of swordsmanship had reached the level of a human Sword Saint, capable of cutting down countless enemies with ease. But for Bai Zi's current cultivation, this level of swordsmanship was more than sufficient.
"Sister Master? After all these years, how could you still address her like that?" Bai Zi didn't interrupt and walked over to the elderly master, who was enjoying medicinal herbs. Sitting beside him, he remarked:
"Old friend, even Seven-Sound Tea for him? It seems Sister Master really likes him. I've asked you many times without success, yet you've given it to him. After all these years, you still treat him the same way!"