Chapter 203: Focus Direction Skill And Reason, Invisible Blade! Effect Eight: Plague, Breathing Technique Completed Once More
Since the River God was so kind as to place both the gold and silver axes in front of him.
Did Shangshan Che have any reason to refuse “I want them all”?
“You’ve clearly laid out two options, yet only let one be chosen. Isn’t that a bit too stingy?”
So, Shangshan Che gazed at the gold and silver 【Sword Skill】 and 【Sword Principle】 options, and said matter-of-factly: “I don’t want to give up either the path of Sword Skill or Sword Principle.”
“I want to walk both.”
Moments later, a flash appeared before his eyes, and another Prompt popped up—
【Detected: You have met the hidden requirements for Sword Technique·Natural Reason School.】
【You have triggered the hidden choice·Skill and Reason!】
【Skill and Reason】
A colorful option gleaming brilliantly floated above the gold and silver ones, finally bringing a satisfied expression to Shangshan Che’s face.
That’s more like it.
—Lili Zi had once said that the vast majority of Mastery Certificates, Apprentice Masters, and even Small Dojo Masters were only at Expert Level Sword Technique.
—And most of them would choose only one between Sword Skill and Sword Principle as the path to continue on from now on.
This was the most unwilling, the most resigned, but also the most down-to-earth choice.
Because the vast majority of Swordsmen who could step through the threshold of Supernatural Sword Skill had gone through countless days and nights of training, innumerable fierce battles, and been tempered in sweat and blood to reach this point.
And precisely because of this, they knew better than anyone how much talent they had, how much they had paid to get here, and how much more they could bear.
Except for the extremely rare Swordsmen who harbored unrealistic dreams and then got stuck in place for life, frustrated and unfulfilled due to this choice.
Nearly everyone could only shoulder one Sword Principle path standing at the Expert Level threshold, looking up without seeing the end in sight.
After all, they might not even make it halfway down that one path in their lifetime.
Geniuses are rare.
Acknowledging one’s own mediocrity is the first brutally harsh reality that Swordsmen entering Supernatural Sword Technique must face.
【This focus choice is extremely important. Please choose carefully!】
The yellow caution Prompt popped up a second time, wanting Shangshan Che to think deeply before deciding.
—Even choosing just one of Skill and Reason might, someday in the future, through good luck or enough effort, allow one to become a true Sword Master admired by all.
—”But that’s as far as it goes.”
Choosing just one would naturally be easy and quick, but not far-reaching.
Even among all Sword Masters, one would be classified in the lowest tier.
Climbing higher would be pure fantasy.
But if one misjudges their own talent and acts impulsively in the heat of the moment, it’s easy to get stuck unable to advance further.
And in the end, watch helplessly as those once far inferior surpass them, then fall into Despair and commit suicide.
In history, such Swordsmen were not few.
The gains and losses were a personal Decision.
“But if one wants to become a true powerhouse, how can they make such trade-offs?”
Shangshan Che swiped the caution Prompt aside and unhesitatingly clicked the colorful 【Skill and Reason】 with his Thought: “Powerhouses are always a bit greedy.”
【If choosing “Focus Direction·Skill and Reason,” the cultivation difficulty of Natural Reason School will greatly increase. Please choose carefully!】
【Please choose carefully!】
Two confirmation Prompts popped up again, attempting a final block.
Shangshan Che reached out and crushed the two lines of text in his grasp.
Then, the colorful text bloomed with light in his Palm!
【You have chosen the future Focus Direction·Skill and Reason for Sword Technique·Natural Reason School!】
【Natural Reason School·Skill and Reason（Expert 198/10000）】
【Effect: The path of seeking the Way begins from here.】
【—This is what my heart desires; even in nine deaths, I would not regret.】
With the choice of the Focus path, the original 198 Proficiency poured in, and the effects and description of Natural Reason School also changed.
Shangshan Che calmly watched the Prompts popping up one by one.
【The effects of your Sword Technique·Natural Reason School have undergone a major change!】
【—From now on, every point of Proficiency gained will deepen your understanding of Sword Skill and Sword Principle by that much, allowing you to take a further step on the path of the “Sword”!】
【—Seek! Seek! Seek!】
Shangshan Che stroked his chin with interest.
This meant that on top of the original, even without accumulating the full 10,000 Proficiency to break through to Master Level.
Every point of Proficiency from daily cultivation or combat fierce battles could still benefit him?
That’s great.
However, this “cultivation difficulty will greatly increase” probably wasn’t just talk.
He didn’t know how much Proficiency a daily cultivation session would bring from now on.
Here, the Prompts still hadn’t stopped surging.
【You have gained new trait·Initial Grasp of Sword Skill!】
【You have gained new trait·Initial Grasp of Sword Principle!】
【Initial Grasp of Sword Skill】
【Effect: Your understanding of Sword Skill far surpasses that of ordinary Swordsmen… but that’s all.】
【—A true Master always has the heart of an apprentice.】
【Note: When Sword Technique·Natural Reason School Proficiency increases, trait·Initial Grasp of Sword Skill/Sword Principle will change.】
The effect of Initial Grasp of Sword Principle was much the same as its description and Sword Skill.
Shangshan Che just glanced over it.
—Expert Level Sword Technique already surpassed what countless ordinary people could imagine; everything below it—techniques, stances, movements—was just a joke that could be seen through at a glance.
This was why Lili Zi, wielding a Bamboo Sword back then, could easily bat him around like a ball.
Because if it were current Shangshan Che under the exact same conditions, he could beat two past versions of himself until they couldn’t get up.
After such a long journey, he was merely standing at the threshold of Supernatural Sword Technique.
“A new starting point, huh…”
Just gazing at the five-digit Proficiency requirement, Shangshan Che seemed to see the longest Progress bar yet.
But he smiled, utterly delighted.
Because an endless road stretched ahead, waiting for his trek.
And along this path, there were countless fellow travelers just as stubborn who had chosen “Skill and Reason,”
“That’s just perfect.”
Shangshan Che exhaled, calming down to sense for a moment.
But soon, he was somewhat surprised to find that before and after choosing “Skill and Reason,” there didn’t seem to be much change in himself.
Whether it was mastery of stances and techniques in Sword Technique, or understanding of that somewhat esoteric Sword Principle.
Strange.
Shangshan Che squinted and probed for a while longer, confirming it was indeed the case.
How could it be…
As he thought this, he noticed the effect description of Natural Reason School.
—”The path of seeking the Way begins from here.”
Shangshan Che was slightly taken aback.
Right, he had just made the Decision; everything was only beginning.
Why expect immediate, visible changes?
Both Lili Zi and all those Prompts had repeatedly reminded him many times— the path of Skill and Reason was not one walked quickly.
And he seemed a bit too impatient.
“These days, my mindset has indeed been a bit rushed and restless.”
Shangshan Che shifted position to avoid his back pressing too painfully.
He slowly, calmly took two deep breaths and thought: “It’s time to adjust.”
No need to rush.
Even though the 1.5 Tide and Seed Battle were not far off.
But since his second entry into the Sengoku Period, how many days had passed in the Mortal Realm? Full count—
Three days.
Less than seventy-two hours.
In that time, some lazybones could chug booze, collapse on the ground, and sleep soundly for two days.
So, no need to hurry.
Sometimes slowing the pace a bit allows one to go faster overall.
Just as he had once told Lili Zi—
“Slowly is faster.”
Shangshan Che patted his cheeks, feeling much more relaxed before continuing to think.
Before choosing Skill and Reason, the change from breaking Natural Reason School through to Expert Level alone was enormous.
The improvements in technique were blatantly obvious.
Every aspect of Sword Technique had surged greatly, like a barrel with no weak points.
Just as Shangshan Che had thought before, the technique change alone could let him hang two past selves up and thrash them.
As for Sword Principle… this thing was truly quite esoteric.
Shangshan Che could clearly feel something in him had subtly changed, and he had indeed grown stronger.
But asked where exactly he was stronger, he was speechless.
Like a “lv+1” popping up over his head, but Attributes unchanged.
Shangshan Che rubbed the small blanket over him, wanting to ponder a bit more what Sword Principle was and where the strengthening lay.
But as he lifted his hand, he sharply noticed a perfectly smooth slit suddenly appear on the previously pristine blanket.
Or rather, a Slash mark.
Like it had been cut by something extremely sharp Knife.
“Huh?”
Shangshan Che was sure the blanket had been intact just seconds ago.
He wasn’t bored enough to release Spiritual Power or Qi Barrier at his fingertips and ruin his own bedding for no reason.
“Could it be…”
Shangshan Che recalled the sensation from moments ago and lightly brushed his fingers over the blanket’s edge again.
Snap.
Under his gaze, the blanket’s upper right corner silently separated from the main body and fell onto the smooth wooden floor.
Real or fake?
Shangshan Che stared at his fingers, finding no difference from usual.
Yet he could Slice through this tough, precious blanket without any force.
As if an invisible, extremely sharp Blade had flicked out from his finger.
Shangshan Che waved his hand, then reached out as if gripping, feeling an invisible “Kaga Kiyomitsu” in his Palm.
“This is the… side effect after perceiving Sword Principle?”
Couldn’t figure it out.
He opened his hand to disperse “Kaga Kiyomitsu” and sank back into thought.
This Sword Principle surely had many effects yet to be discovered, just like the Void Qi Sea recently opened.
The only clear effect so far was gripping an invisible, shape-shifting sharp Blade at will.
This meant he wouldn’t die unarmed in the future.
Shangshan Che casually flexed his fingers, feeling the invisible Blade grow and shrink at his fingertips: “I’m not from an academy after all; at this point, related knowledge is lacking.”
After this, he still needed to learn more from Seniors in the field.
Thinking this, Shangshan Che turned his gaze to Kaga Kiyomitsu leaning against the wall, faint black light leaking from its Scabbard slit.
After slaying the Sickness Incarnation and settling down, Kaga Kiyomitsu had begun evolving exactly like after the last slaying of Ai Bieli.
Only this time faster; in this short time, the Progress bar had shot past 40%.
By the time he slept a full night, Little Jia should have woken up.
That made sense; after all, Affliction was just an Incarnation, while Ai Bieli was the main body.
He thought: “When Little Jia wakes, discuss with it which direction to strengthen…”
When not necessary, respecting and hearing the “child’s” own opinion was an important part of building Emotion.
By now, the accumulated Prompts had finally been cleared.
Shangshan Che stretched comfortably, hearing the rustling noises outside the Room, and shrank back into his not-too-thick bedding.
Anyway, he was still in the aftereffects state where he couldn’t do anything.
In that case, better to keep sleeping soundly and make up for the lost time.
With that thought, Shangshan Che closed his eyes and fell into dreamless sweet sleep in a second.
……
What woke Shangshan Che again was the warm aroma of Meal.
“Haven’t slept so peacefully in a long time…”
Yawning, Shangshan Che opened his eyes to see neatly placed Miso soup, tofu, Polished Rice, and fish right in front of him.
Could be called the classic four-piece set of Japan’s Sengoku Period.
But the fish was a bit different.
Not the dry, overly salty wind-dried Small Salted Fish, but one clearly killed recently, emitting a faint fresh scent.
Looking closely, even the bones had been carefully removed.
Not a single one left.
Not only that, beside this four-piece set were two more—differing with classics like Kelp and Radish.
Seemingly afraid it wouldn’t suit his taste or he wouldn’t have enough.
Such thoughtful arrangement, Shangshan Che didn’t need to guess who it was from.
Beyond the Meal, further away was Kaga Kiyomitsu, out of its Scabbard for some air.
It hung on the windowsill watching outside, its drooping Blade Tip swaying gently in the breeze like two little kicking feet.
Shangshan Che plucked his heartstring to confirm the recent visitor with Kaga Kiyomitsu.
And got an affirmative response.
—Yeah! Of course!
—That woman, Little Jia feels is pretty good!
Shangshan Che, at level ten Kaga language, went “Eh?” in his mind.
Hadn’t he just made Kaga Kiyomitsu confront Lord Yoshimoto before?
Their relationship shouldn’t be good; how did it suddenly change.
No idea what Bewitchment Lord Yoshimoto secretly fed it while he slept to win this guy over…
Shangshan Che wasn’t in a hurry to check Kaga Kiyomitsu’s new effects, instead sitting before the three Meals first, clasping hands and softly saying “Itadakimasu.”
He somewhat laboriously picked up chopsticks, taking bites of the Meal.
Though his body was still very weak, with the Sea of Qi constantly generating supplements, Shangshan Che had recovered relatively normal mobility.
Shangshan Che ate slowly, taking nearly thirty minutes to finish all three Meals down to the last grain of Rice.
“I’m done eating.”
After saying so to himself, Shangshan Che waved to Kaga Kiyomitsu, who had stared at the unchanging scenery without tiring.
“Little Jia, come.”
Kaga Kiyomitsu happily bounced over.
It controlled its force perfectly, not even leaving a small dent in the wooden floor.
Buzz buzz~
Kaga Kiyomitsu straightened up before Shangshan Che.
“You’ve been bored for so long, Little Jia.” Shangshan Che patted its Hilt. “Why not go outside for a bit to relax?”
Buzz?
Kaga Kiyomitsu buzzed puzzled, not understanding why its Master asked such an obviously answerable, somewhat silly question.
Wasn’t Master always very smart?
But it still answered.
Buzz.
—If I leave, who protects Master you?
Feeling the unhesitating response in his heartstring, Shangshan Che was somewhat speechless.
He sat cross-legged, placing Kaga Kiyomitsu on his lap, gently stroking its Blade.
“You’ve worked hard, Little Jia.”
Buzz.
Kaga Kiyomitsu itself didn’t mind; it could stay in its Scabbard for one two three four five six seven days without complaint.
Once it quieted, Shangshan Che checked its new Panel after slaying the Sickness Incarnation.
Quality unchanged, but one more effect.
【Kaga Kiyomitsu·Blade of Parting】
【Quality: Epic+++】
【Soul Spirit Points: 2188】
【…】
【Effect Eight: Plague. When Kaga Kiyomitsu·Blade of Parting Slashes an enemy, the more Negative Effects the enemy carries, the more Plague-related Negative Effects it inflicts.】
【—This Blade once Slew Eight Sufferings·Ai Bieli, Slew Eight Sufferings·Affliction Incarnation. In terms of the current century, it can already be called a legend of the Mortal Realm.】
Finishing Effect Eight, Shangshan Che couldn’t help gripping the Hilt tighter.
Meaning, the original lightning, Qi, Blazing, Sorrow of Parting four debuffs on an enemy would double to eight due to this?
Though the doubled debuffs would all be Plague-related and easily targeted for removal, it was still exaggerated enough.
Worthy of a special effect dropped from Eight Sufferings.
Now, with one Slash from him, how many Demons could withstand it?
One-Star Demons below probably couldn’t survive even a graze from Kaga Kiyomitsu, tormented by eight debuffs into a handful of Soul Ash.
Current Kaga Kiyomitsu fully deserved the title of “Demonic Sword.”
Shangshan Che sighed: “Little Jia, you’ve gotten stronger again.”
Kaga Kiyomitsu disagreed, instead boastfully raising its other Blade Tip to show strands of black Qi flowing in the pure white Sorrow of Parting.
As if saying,
—Cool, right!
Then it wagged its Hilt, like begging for praise.
Shangshan Che hurriedly nodded: “Cute, cute; my Little Jia is the cutest.”
Not really.
This Affliction-related black Qi just looked ominous.
Shangshan Che’s mood was complex, like an old father suddenly seeing his child dressed like a punk and asking right in his face, “Dad, how do I look?”
And the funniest part was, he had to thumbs-up insincerely: “Whoa, kid, you’re styling hard!”
Anyway, complicated feelings.
Better change the topic.
“Little Jia.”
Shangshan Che flicked the Blade: “Strengthen Slash or your IQ—any thoughts?”
Buzz buzz?
Kaga Kiyomitsu buzzed confusedly, indicating Master you decide; I don’t care or want to.
Thus, the burden landed back on Shangshan Che.
But now he was torn.
On one hand, the Slash effect that could link with “Thrust Expert” after upgrade, clickable for hard Strength boost.
On the other, making Little Jia smarter, higher Potential, maybe even speak.
If only there were a few hundred more Soul Spirit Points…
Sadly, by full body recovery and going out to hunt, Mikawa Province’s Affliction Kin would be mostly cleared.
Like now.
【Current Stage Quest completion: 71%.】
In one or two days, this 71% would probably hit 91%.
“No rush then; let’s mull it over slowly.”
Shangshan Che smacked his lips, picked up Kaga Kiyomitsu, sat at the Doorway, and looked up.
Man and sword thus stayed at the Doorway, silently watching sunset to moonrise, calmly sensing Heaven and Earth changes.
Time trickled by.
After some time, Lord Yoshimoto in Juni-hitoe emerged from the bushes, her words pulling Shangshan Che from this wondrous state:
“Tetsu-kun…”
【Due to perceiving Heaven and Earth changes, Spirit Control Technique·Qi’s Proficiency +300!】
Before she finished, she immediately covered her mouth, swallowing the rest.
Lord Yoshimoto stared at Shangshan Che looking her way, mouth opening, and only after a while said: “Did I interrupt you?”
“No.”
Slightly dazed Shangshan Che shook his head, feeling his vision blur.
—If Lord Yoshimoto hadn’t come soon, he’d probably have keeled over right there at the Doorway.
After all, his body was still weak.
Things would get messy then.
“Sorry.”
Lord Yoshimoto pursed her lips.
Recovering Shangshan Che noticed beads of sweat on her forehead and asked curiously: “Lord Yoshimoto, did something happen?”
“Nothing.”
She shook her head, entered the Room first, and layer by layer removed her Juni-hitoe, folding it neatly in a clean corner.
Soon, the elaborately dressed Lord Yoshimoto was left in only a relatively thin pure white undergarment.
Her chest heaved as she breathed deeply in relief several times, then bent to retrieve something from the pile of Clothes.
Under Shangshan Che’s gaze, the Girl’s hands held several unknown Booklets.
Then Lord Yoshimoto carried the stack to him and plopped it on the wooden floor with a slap.
She lifted her chin,
“Here, the Breathing Technique you wanted; the rest are all here.”
Stunned, Shangshan Che counted the Booklets before him,
Fully…
Nine of them.
About to return to the Mortal Realm soon; lots of plot to consider
So just 6k today!
