Chapter 67: Ninth Layer, Saber Momentum Shatters!
Sword Dao True Meaning!
Or rather, Martial Dao True Meaning, Martial Dao Will, and so on, all mean the same thing.
After Momentum comes Martial Dao True Meaning.
But what is Martial Dao True Meaning?
It is something that even few among Innate Grandmasters have mastered.
Once mastered, Martial Dao True Meaning makes one among the absolute top even within Innate Grandmasters.
It can even be called an “anomaly” among Martial Artists.
Ji Qing learned some common knowledge about Martial Dao True Meaning after Saber Momentum only because he had mastered Saber Momentum.
But it was merely common knowledge.
What role Martial Dao True Meaning plays, how great its might is, how to cultivate it, and so on—Ji Qing was completely in the dark about all of it.
But now, Ji Qing actually sensed Sword Dao True Meaning within this Sword Stele?
This was truly inconceivable.
Could it be that the creator of the Sword Stele, the Sword Forging Manor’s first Patriarch, had mastered Sword Dao True Meaning?
“The Sword Forging Manor’s first Patriarch was already several hundred years ago. After so much time, the Sword Dao True Meaning is still condensed and undissipated—truly inconceivable…”
Ji Qing was also extremely astonished in his heart.
His interest in the Sword Stele grew even greater.
After all, this was very likely the legacy left by a powerful Grandmaster who had mastered Sword Dao True Meaning. If he could climb higher steps, he would probably gain even greater benefits.
Thus, after slightly adapting, Ji Qing stepped onto the Second Layer steps once more.
Then the Third Layer, Fourth Layer, Fifth Layer…
Seeing Ji Qing step onto the Fifth Layer steps without even pausing, Zhao Wuya, Ye Chunsheng, and the others were all amazed.
Ye Chunsheng had been stopped at the Fifth Layer steps back then.
“As expected of Mister Ji. He reached the Fifth Layer steps without stopping at all, and he still looks like he has energy left. He can probably step onto the Sixth Layer steps!”
Zhao Wuya exclaimed.
“Manor Lord, Mister Ji’s Saber Momentum is different from my Sword Momentum. That is the second realm of Saber Momentum. With Mister Ji’s current Saber Momentum strength, climbing the Sixth Layer steps is definitely no problem. He even has a good chance of reaching the Seventh Layer!”
Ye Chunsheng said gravely.
“Seventh Layer?”
A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Wuya’s eyes.
The Seventh Layer.
Anyone who steps onto the Seventh Layer steps, as long as they do not die, can become a First-Rank Martial Artist in the future and make a resounding name in the Jianghu.
Ji Qing had already given Sword Forging Manor a promise, so Zhao Wuya naturally hoped Ji Qing would be as strong as possible.
The stronger Ji Qing was, the more valuable his promise would be.
While everyone was watching Ji Qing, he instead stopped moving.
Time passed bit by bit.
An incense stick of time had already passed, yet Ji Qing still showed no movement.
This made many people exchange puzzled glances.
Had Ji Qing reached his limit and did not dare to climb further?
Or was he comprehending the Sword Stele right now?
In reality, Ji Qing was not comprehending the Sword Stele.
After stepping onto the Fifth Layer steps, Ji Qing discovered that under the tempering of the Sword Dao True Meaning on the Sword Stele, his Saber Momentum was actually slowly improving.
Yes, improving.
Though slow, it was indeed improving bit by bit, almost visibly to the naked eye.
In just this incense stick of time, Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum had risen from 1% to 5%.
This was simply inconceivable.
One must know that Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum had already reached Minor Accomplishment.
Even improving it slightly was very difficult.
Unless merging other Saber Momentum.
But now, merely through the tempering of the Sword Stele’s Sword Dao True Meaning, his Saber Momentum was improving— this was the first time Ji Qing had encountered such a thing.
This was a genuine opportunity, so Ji Qing naturally had to seize it firmly.
A quarter of an hour later, Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum improvement slowed even more, and only then did he open his eyes.
“Continue.”
Ji Qing stepped onto the Sixth Layer steps again.
“Boom.”
This time the pressure was greater.
The terrifying Sword Dao True Meaning howled like gusts of fierce wind, seeking to tear Ji Qing to shreds.
“Buzz.”
Ji Qing immediately unleashed his Saber Momentum.
Using Saber Momentum to resist.
After unleashing Saber Momentum this time, the Sword Dao True Meaning became even more ferocious, impacting Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum over and over.
But Ji Qing held firm. Not only did his Saber Momentum not collapse, it became even more refined, and its progress rapidly increased.
From 5% all the way to 18%—this was a huge improvement.
However, it took longer this time, half an hour.
After such a long time, Ye Chunsheng had more or less figured out Ji Qing’s intention.
“Mister Ji is using the pressure from the Sword Stele to temper his own Saber Momentum?”
Ye Chunsheng murmured softly.
“Tempering Saber Momentum?”
Zhao Wuya looked at Ji Qing in surprise upon hearing this.
Actually, it was not that no one had done this before.
Ji Qing was not the only smart one.
But previously, the Martial Artists who came to the Sword Stele, even those with Sword Momentum, Fist Momentum, Saber Momentum, and so on, could not persist for long.
They basically sought quick battles to reach the top as fast as possible and then comprehend the Sword Stele.
Ji Qing was doing the opposite.
Every time, he prolonged the time, using the Sword Stele’s pressure to temper himself.
Could Ji Qing’s endurance really be that strong?
Was he never afraid of his Saber Momentum being exhausted or being crushed by the Sword Stele?
Ji Qing truly was not afraid.
His previous Saber Momentum was a fusion of many Saber Momentum, integrated into one to reach the current Minor Accomplishment level.
And now, with the continuous impacts from the Sword Dao True Meaning on the Sword Stele, the various fused Saber Momentum were impacted over and over, instead integrating even better into Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum.
Moreover, multiple Saber Momentum also made Ji Qing’s resistance stronger.
“About enough. Continue.”
Ji Qing set off again.
He resolutely stepped onto the Seventh Layer steps!
The Seventh Layer was completely different from the Sixth Layer.
It was almost a qualitative transformation.
After Ji Qing stepped into the Seventh Layer steps, the Saber Momentum on his body was almost instantly suppressed to its limit.
As if it could shatter at any moment.
Once the Saber Momentum shattered, Ji Qing would no longer be able to stay on the Seventh Layer steps.
However, Ji Qing ultimately held on.
20%, 25%, 30%…
Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum rapidly improved, up to 38%, before slowing down.
“This Sword Stele might help me achieve Saber Momentum Major Accomplishment!”
Ji Qing’s eyes lit up.
He became even less hurried, simply sitting cross-legged on the Seventh Layer, slowly feeling the scouring of his Saber Momentum.
“So my previous Saber Momentum fusion was only surface-level. It had not truly merged into one. Without solving this problem, I could never achieve Saber Momentum Major Accomplishment!”
Under the impact of Sword Dao True Meaning, Ji Qing had already understood his own flaw.
However, this was now an opportunity.
Sword Dao True Meaning was something one could encounter but not seek. Under the pressure of Sword Dao True Meaning, Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum would either shatter or thoroughly merge into one.
There was no third possibility.
“The Seventh Layer pressure is not enough, then the Eighth Layer!”
Ji Qing stepped onto the Eighth Layer again.
Instantly, the pressure of Sword Dao True Meaning became as if tangible.
But Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum was already very strong.
It still showed no signs of collapsing.
As the saying goes, without breaking, there is no establishing.
Without the Saber Momentum collapsing, it could never truly merge into one.
Thus, Ji Qing raised his head and looked toward the final steps ahead.
The Ninth Layer!
Only by stepping onto the Ninth Layer and borrowing its Sword Dao True Meaning could he perhaps make the Saber Momentum collapse and thereby merge into one.
But it was also possible that the Saber Momentum would shatter, and Ji Qing would be unable to recombine it, even generating an Inner Demon, stalling his Martial Way path.
Both possibilities existed.
However, Ji Qing was not afraid.
If the Saber Momentum truly broke, it would not be a big deal.
At worst, he would just continue adding points!
This was Ji Qing’s greatest confidence.
With Origin Points, he would forever stand undefeated!
Thus, Ji Qing wasted almost no time. He had just stepped onto the Eighth Layer steps and immediately set off again.
“Boom.”
Ji Qing stepped onto the Ninth Layer steps!
The Ninth Layer that no one had ever set foot on since the Sword Stele was forged!
For a moment, Zhao Wuya, Ye Chunsheng, and the others all widened their eyes.
Their hearts were utterly shocked.
That was the Sword Dao Ninth Layer steps!
Anyone who had felt the pressure of the Sword Stele steps would know how inconceivable it was for Ji Qing to step onto the Ninth Layer steps now.
“Mister Ji actually stepped onto the Ninth Layer steps? Inconceivable, truly inconceivable. In this regard, he is almost the first person in several hundred years!”
“Our Sword Forging Manor’s Sword Stele legacy is ancient. Countless prodigies have failed to step onto the Ninth Layer steps, yet Mister Ji has done it.”
“Able to chase a killer thousands of miles, saber battle the Poison Demon—’Astonishing Swan Saber’ Ji Qing truly lives up to his name! The Sword Stele Ninth Layer steps—who knows what Sword Technique Mister Ji will comprehend? One must know, Mister Ji is a Saber User…”
Everyone watched Ji Qing on the Ninth Layer steps.
At this moment, the much-observed Ji Qing faced immense danger.
The moment he stepped onto the Ninth Layer steps, an unimaginable terrifying Sword Dao True Meaning instantly enveloped his Saber Momentum.
With overwhelming force, it instantly pierced through Ji Qing’s Saber Momentum.
“Pfft.”
Saber Momentum shattered, and Ji Qing’s whole body shook.
The terrifying Sword Dao True Meaning was like a sharp sword, instantly stabbing into his mind!
