Chapter 84: The Art of Sword Mastery
Ye Sansi’s display of the “Vast Universe” sword form was truly formidable—the energy from his sword was as sharp as a blade. Fang Yuan was thoroughly delighted at the sight, and quickly arranged for one of his earlier disciples to instruct the twenty newcomers in foundational techniques, while he took Ye Sansi away with him.
Their destination was the coastal ferry dock, a place quiet and secluded, facing the South Sea and backed by dense forest, where no one would disturb them—perfect for martial practice.
Fang Yuan flew on his sword, Ye Sansi followed on his gourd, and in no time, they arrived. Once on the ground, Fang Yuan said, “With your comprehension, Junior Brother Ye, you might master the advanced arts of Immortal Island in less than three years. I hope that when you succeed to the position of Island Master, I may assist you in restoring the island’s former glory.”
“Senior Brother Fang, as for what lies ahead, I would like to arrange it myself.”
“Very well, very well.” Fang Yuan waved his hand with a smile, then continued, “The Island Master said there’s no need to force you—I was being presumptuous.”
Ye Sansi grasped Heaven’s Wrath in his hand and smiled, “Senior Brother Fang, haven’t you always wanted to learn the ‘Frost Thought Qi Manipulation’ and the transformed ‘Vast Universe’ sword form? I’ll teach you now.”
“Excellent.”
Ye Sansi’s self-created “Frost Thought Qi Manipulation” appeared, at first glance, indistinguishable from the Immortal Island’s “Criminal Edge Qi Manipulation,” but the distinction lay in the method of execution. As for their respective merits, each had its strengths.
“Criminal Edge Qi Manipulation” was the basic technique that all disciples of Immortal Island were required to master. It could gather all one’s mystical power at a single point and unleash it instantly. The technique was fast to release, but slow to recover—the return of power took ten breaths, a significant flaw.
If one was locked in a deadly struggle and failed to defeat the opponent with this technique, yet had not recovered their strength, they would immediately be at a disadvantage.
Ye Sansi’s “Frost Thought Qi Manipulation,” though not as explosive as Criminal Edge, was far more flexible; it could be executed and recalled in rapid succession, all within a single breath.
The power of this technique was revealed in his duel with Fang Lang—it was clearly more practical than Criminal Edge.
Within an hour, Fang Yuan had grasped the essentials. He demonstrated it himself, and upon Ye Sansi’s inspection, he found it passable enough.
Fang Yuan wished to continue and study Ye Sansi’s “Vast Universe” sword form, but Sansi refused, saying, “Senior Brother Fang, this sword art must not be rushed. Master the method of qi manipulation first before considering it further—I fear…”
“Junior Brother Ye, I understand. The sword art is profound and must not be practiced hastily, lest one fall into madness. In a month, when I am adept with this qi manipulation, I’ll seek your tutelage again.”
Ye Sansi nodded. “Senior Brother, I wish to learn the art of sword flight—will you teach me?”
“Of course. The art of sword flight is essential; once mastered, it’s a great convenience. But there’s no hurry—why not return to the practice grounds and learn it together with the other disciples?”
“I will follow Senior Brother’s arrangements.”
The two returned to the practice grounds, where twenty disciples, along with Liu Lingshuang and Lin Nian’er, were practicing the basic sword form—Vast Universe.
Fang Yuan approached, clapped his hands for attention, and said, “Today is your first day of initiation. What you must learn are the rules of Immortal Island: if you wish to cultivate immortality, you must respect your teachers, honor virtue, do good deeds, and eliminate evil. Do you understand?”
Everyone responded in unison, “We understand!”
“Ahem. Next, I will teach you the sword flight technique of Immortal Island. Among the three great houses—Tianluo Mountain, Divine Sword Manor, and our Immortal Island—each has its own superior form of sword flight, each with its advantages.”
Liu Lingshuang asked, “Senior Brother Fang, are the sword flight techniques of the three houses truly different?”
“Indeed they are; each house’s technique is unique. I’ll explain the differences in detail another time.”
Having said this, Fang Yuan drew his sword and threw it to the ground. “Sword flight requires a calm mind and focused breath. Gather all your attention upon the sword, recite the formula, point at the sword, and it will rise.”
Hearing this, Song Han asked, “Master, is it really so simple? Just do as you say, and we can ride the sword?”
Fang Yuan laughed, “Of course not! It took me half a year to stand steadily on my sword. The principles and steps are simple, but truly mastering the art is not as easy as it sounds.”
Fang Yuan had disciples bring twenty swords to the grounds and distribute them. “These are the standard swords of Immortal Island—not peerless weapons, but each was forged by our ancestors, a thousand in all, passed down through generations. Now they are yours to wield.”
Liu Lingshuang sidled up to Fang Yuan and whispered, “Senior Brother, what about the three of us? We have no swords to use.”
“Don’t worry, Junior Sister. See, Junior Brother Ye has Heaven’s Wrath; do you think Second and Third Uncles would be content to fall behind? When they summon you, you’ll receive fine swords in due time.”
Liu Lingshuang giggled behind her hand, “I never thought you, who seem so proper, could be so considerate—it seems I’ve underestimated you.”
Fang Yuan chuckled as well. “Ye Sansi, Lingshuang, Nian’er, try my swords and see if you can perform sword flight.” He unfastened the two swords at his waist, drew them, and handed them to the girls.
On the practice ground, all twenty-three followed Fang Yuan’s instructions: placing their swords on the ground, reciting the formula, and focusing their minds on the blade.
At the end, they pointed at their swords.
None of the swords rose—just as Fang Yuan had expected. Still, he harbored hopes for Ye Sansi, believing his comprehension and intelligence should set him apart. Yet Heaven’s Wrath did not rise either, which was puzzling.
Fang Yuan approached Sansi and asked, “Junior Brother, where is your sword?”
“Well… as soon as I recited the formula, Heaven’s Wrath flew off. Senior Brother, look up.”
Fang Yuan looked up—sure enough, Heaven’s Wrath was circling in the sky. He had never seen such a thing; a spiritual sword that would not heed its master was difficult to deal with. If he seized it by force, he might be harmed by it.
Ye Sansi smiled, “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. Heaven’s Wrath is like a child—sometimes playful, but never harmful to good people. Once, when I fainted, it guarded me through the night, slaying every beast that attacked.”
Fang Yuan scratched his head. “If that’s true, all is well. I once read a book that claimed Heaven’s Wrath was a vicious, malevolent weapon, its sword-spirit fierce and tyrannical…”
Liu Lingshuang laughed. “Heaven’s Wrath? Impossible! We’ve traveled together for some time. Usually, it just stays quietly tied behind Sansi’s back—only when something amuses it does it come out to play.”
Hearing this, Fang Yuan nodded and laughed. “Then the author was certainly mistaken. Still, Heaven’s Wrath is extraordinary, not obeying its master’s will—what should we do? We can’t let it just float in the air forever.”
Looking up, Heaven’s Wrath was frolicking, darting rapidly in circles but never straying more than a hundred paces from Sansi.
Ye Sansi called up, “Heaven’s Wrath, come down now—we need to practice sword flight.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Heaven’s Wrath returned and settled on the ground. Fang Yuan smiled, “Junior Brother Ye, it seems Heaven’s Wrath wants you to stand on it. Give it a try—see if you can stand steady?”
Ye Sansi stepped gingerly onto the sword. Fang Yuan instructed, “Junior Brother, focus your energy, imagine you and Heaven’s Wrath as one, recite the formula, spread your arms—see if it will rise.”
Following Fang Yuan’s directions, Ye Sansi indeed began to rise slowly, moving with caution, fearful of slipping. To his surprise, Heaven’s Wrath took him ever higher, showing no sign of stopping.
Fang Yuan gripped his own sword, ready to intervene if needed.
Ye Sansi soon rose to a height of a hundred paces. Any higher would be dangerous, and Fang Yuan prepared to fly up in case of mishap, but Ye Sansi called down, “Senior Brother, I’m fine—don’t worry. Standing on Heaven’s Wrath is perfectly stable.”
It turned out Heaven’s Wrath had conjured an energy shield around him, much like the gourd Liu Jin used, isolating him from outside dangers and keeping him safe within. Ye Sansi smiled, “Heaven’s Wrath, so you had this ability all along! If I’d known, our travels would have been much easier. This height is enough—take me down.”
With that, Heaven’s Wrath descended gently, delivering Ye Sansi safely to the ground. Liu Lingshuang pouted, “Truly enviable.”
Fang Yuan agreed, “Indeed, Heaven’s Wrath is brimming with spirit—no need for incantations to fly; it moves on its own, and standing atop it, you’re safe and sound. Remarkable.”
Ye Sansi laughed, “Ha, I only discovered this today. Senior Brother, with Heaven’s Wrath at my side, I feel secure. Perhaps I’ll use it to practice sword flight, to better familiarize myself with the technique.”
“If you wish, go ahead—but be careful, don’t fly too high or too far. Return within an hour.”
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
“Hey, silly boy, don’t show off. Come back soon or you’ll be in trouble with me,” Liu Lingshuang threatened, waving her fist before Ye Sansi.
He nodded, smiling. “Understood, I won’t be long—no need to worry.” With that, Heaven’s Wrath sensed his intent, settled on the ground, and as Ye Sansi stepped on, it soared into the air without any incantation.
Rising to a hundred paces above, Ye Sansi closed his eyes, using the method Fang Yuan had taught to merge himself with Heaven’s Wrath. Whether it was his own insight or the sword’s spiritual nature, even with his eyes shut, he could sense everything within a hundred paces—birds, insects, all of it.
Straightening up, Ye Sansi thought of moving forward, and Heaven’s Wrath instantly complied, darting ahead. The twenty-odd people below watched with bated breath, with Lingshuang being the most anxious. But those who knew Ye Sansi—Taiyi and Nian’er—were confident that such a minor feat was well within his abilities.
Indeed, Ye Sansi flew on his sword without a trace of panic, the energy shield making it feel as stable as solid ground. He considered stopping, but Heaven’s Wrath, now excited, soared another thousand paces higher, unwilling to stop.
Ye Sansi let it have its way, tilting his body to the right, circling around.
Looking down on Immortal Island from his sword, the sight was breathtaking—towering palaces, intricately carved stone and wood, all perfectly arranged. In every direction—east, west, south, north—the palace grounds were the same. From above the clouds, the island looked truly majestic.