The Azure Origin Sword Art Revealed

The third layer of the sword art was said to contain a major divine ability called the “Split-Image Sword Technique.” The prerequisite for mastering it was first having a flying sword type magic treasure, though a flying dagger would also do.

Once this technique was mastered in battle, it would use the flying sword’s light to externally manifest a sword image identical to the actual flying sword. This image would confuse the enemy’s vision and follow the main blade to attack the opponent simultaneously. Although the sword image initially only possessed one-tenth of the main sword’s power, its strength would increase as one advanced through the layers of the sword art. By the ninth layer, it would possess a full third of the main sword’s power.

Furthermore, the technique allowed for the manifestation of more than just a single sword image. Starting from the seventh layer, every additional layer mastered would allow one to refine another sword image. Thus, if the Azure Origin Sword Art were cultivated to its peak, one could simultaneously command three sword images that looked identical to the flying sword itself, each at one-third of its original power.

At first glance, the “Split-Image Sword Technique” seemed fairly impressive and worth training in.

But Han Li already knew that among all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in Yellow Maple Valley, not a single one had truly delved deep into this sword art. There had to be a catch. He deeply regretted not investigating the details back then, having assumed he would never practice the Azure Origin Sword Art and therefore having glossed over the matter carelessly.

Now, despite knowing full well that this technique was deeply problematic, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and attempt to train it, hoping only that it would not carry some hidden danger like Qi Deviation.

Yet, on second thought, while no one had cultivated it to a high level, many did have two or three layers of it in their grasp. This suggested that a modest amount of practice should not cause any major issues.

Clutching at this self-comforting thought, Han Li resigned himself to following the Azure Origin Sword Art’s method, drawing in the medicinal power that was about to erupt within him.

The meridian energy had barely completed a single cycle when Han Li felt a sudden bang. The sensation of his mana surging as he absorbed the medicinal power was so exhilarating that he nearly cried out in surprise.

Immersed in this wonderful sensation, Han Li let the energy cycle through the meridians again and again, his consciousness gradually drifting away from the mortal world.

He did not know how long he had been in meditation when he finally absorbed the last trace of the pill’s power within him and awakened from that blissful experience.

Upon waking, Han Li was dazed for a moment, then immediately stood up without a word. Squinting his eyes, he tilted his head in thought, then suddenly raised an arm and gestured in front of him. A foot-long cyan sword-light shot out from his finger, radiating a chilling, sharp aura that seemed capable of cutting through anything.

Seeing the cold light, Han Li did not rejoice but instead let out a bitter laugh. Then, with a sudden flick of his arm, the cyan light burst outward, instantly stretching to over ten feet long and nearly piercing the stone wall opposite him.

“This is bad. I didn’t expect the residual medicinal power to be so strong. It actually pushed me straight to the fourth layer of the sword art. I wonder if there will be any serious consequences.” Han Li muttered to himself, his expression alternating between worry and doubt.

“No use worrying about it now. At worst, I simply won’t train in this sword art any further,” Han Li murmured. He lowered his arm, and the cyan sword-light vanished.

Still, curiosity getting the better of him, Han Li picked up the Azure Origin Sword Art and flipped to the section on the protective Sword Shield technique, silently memorizing it a few times.

After a moment of contemplation, he closed his eyes. Then, with a sudden opening of his eyes, a peculiar shield appeared around his body.

The shield was entirely cyan in color, about the same size as an ordinary protective barrier. However, its surface was not smooth like a conventional shield. Instead, it bristled with spine-like projections, giving it a murderous aura that was hard to miss.

“So this is the Sword Shield?” Han Li examined the spiked shield on his body, somewhat astonished.

“The sword art says this shield can release sword-light on its own to counterattack enemies. It’s a pity I can’t test it right now,” Han Li thought with some regret.

After stretching his limbs and conducting a thorough internal examination of his energy reserves, he found nothing wrong. Reassured, he packed up his belongings and left the Earth Flame chamber. Right outside the door, he ran directly into the Ugly Man.

Remembering the stunned expression on the Ugly Man’s face when he saw him, Han Li couldn’t help but smile knowingly as he flew through the air.

It was just past dawn. Han Li encountered no one on his way back to the Hundred Medicines Garden.

When he had originally made the excuse to find a place to go into seclusion for Foundation Establishment, he had naturally handed the garden back to the little old man, who had been quite displeased about it and had glared at him furiously for a long time.

When Han Li entered the garden, the little old man was sitting in front of the thatched hut, absorbing the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth with his eyes closed. Without opening his eyes, he accurately called out Han Li’s name. This was hardly surprising—the garden’s restrictions only allowed the little old man and Han Li to come and go freely.

But just as Elder Ma called out Han Li’s name, he seemed to sense something. He suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Han Li in disbelief.

“You succeeded in Foundation Establishment?”

“Elder Ma, this disciple was fortunate enough to enter the Foundation Establishment stage,” Han Li said with a light laugh as he performed a respectful bow.

The little old man remained stunned for a while before gradually returning to normal. Still, he murmured to himself:

“Unbelievable! You actually entered Foundation Establishment!”

After muttering a few lines, his expression suddenly turned serious as he said solemnly:

“Since you are now also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, there is no need to address me as ‘Elder’ anymore. From now on, we should address each other as fellow daoists! I am a few years older. If you don’t mind, Brother Han, you may call me Senior Martial Brother Ma.”

Han Li nodded with a smile, raising no objection. This custom of determining seniority by cultivation level was standard practice in the cultivation world, leaving no room for false modesty.

Next, the little old man, now Han Li’s Senior Martial Brother Ma, led Han Li into the house. They sat down at a table, and Ma brewed a pot of fine tea.

As soon as they sat down, Ma eagerly asked Han Li about the details of his Foundation Establishment. Han Li naturally did not reveal the truth, but he did not hide the fact that he had stayed in the Earth Flame chamber. He honestly shared this information, since a quick inquiry would easily confirm it.

He simply said that he had rented an Earth Flame chamber at Yuelu Hall, taken the Foundation Establishment Pill awarded by the sect, and gone into secluded cultivation there for nearly a year. Somehow, by sheer luck, he had succeeded.

The little old man listened intently to Han Li’s story, clicking his tongue in wonder from time to time.

After hearing Han Li’s version of events, he blinked and said to him:

“Junior Martial Brother Han! From what you say, your Foundation Establishment process seems no different from anyone else’s. For someone of your aptitude to succeed, I can only say you were extraordinarily lucky. You actually managed to defy that one-in-a-hundred chance!” Having grown quite familiar with Han Li over the past few years, the little old man spoke bluntly, not hiding his envy—in fact, an expression of pure jealousy had appeared on his face.

“Hehe! I can only say my fortune stars were aligned. I never expected Foundation Establishment to be this easy for me!” Han Li said with a chuckle, feigning nonchalance.

“Still, since you have successfully established your Foundation, Brother Han, you should go inform the Sect Leader. Let Zhong the Sect Leader register your name in the records. From then on, your treatment as a disciple will follow the high-tier disciple protocol. The spirit stones you receive each year will be quite substantial!” the little old man said in a half-joking tone.

“Thank you for the guidance, Senior Martial Brother!” Han Li’s expression flickered slightly, and he spoke with genuine gratitude.

“It’s nothing. We have gotten along for many years; I should offer you whatever advice I can,” the little old man said, waving his hand dismissively.

“Actually, the greatest benefit of reaching Foundation Establishment is that the sect allows Foundation Establishment disciples to choose any location within the Tai Yue Mountain Range to build their own cave and cultivate independently. Moreover…”

For the next while, the little old man gave Han Li a detailed explanation of many matters he should be aware of now that he had entered Foundation Establishment. Han Li listened attentively, nodding continuously.

But after he finished explaining these matters and casually chatted with Han Li for a while, Han Li finally could not hold back and asked him about the “Azure Origin Sword Art.”

“The Azure Origin Sword Art?” A look of surprise flashed across the little old man’s face.

He cast a deep glance at Han Li but did not press further. After a moment’s thought, he spoke:

“I have indeed heard some things about this Azure Origin Sword Art. I myself have trained in it up to the third layer. This sword art is not one of Yellow Maple Valley’s original techniques. It is the ultimate inheritance of a sect called the Sword Origin Sect, which was destroyed by our sect many years ago. In fact, the original art had thirteen layers, not nine. It’s said that the Sword Origin Sect Leader, seeing the destruction of his sect was imminent, tried to burn the art on the spot. But several of our sect’s ancestors were quick to react. They snatched half the manual from his hands while the other half was lost forever in the flames. So the Azure Origin Sword Art that circulates in our sect now is only a fragment. At best, it can be cultivated up to the Core Formation stage; there is no follow-up cultivation after that. Rumor has it that the complete version contained methods even up to the Soul Divide stage, though it’s hard to say if that’s true or false.”

The little old man shook his head as he spoke, then picked up his teacup and took a small sip before continuing:

“Without the later stages, the Azure Origin Sword Art is a bit inferior to top-tier techniques. But its actual power is still quite respectable. Especially the instant-cast properties of its Sword Light and Sword Shield, which are quite popular among many of our Foundation Establishment peers. So, if it were easy to cultivate, quite a few people in our sect might be willing to take it as their primary technique. After all, the Core Formation and Nascent Soul stages are far too distant for us. We would never actually reach them.”

(End of the chapter.)