Chapter 214: Sword Trial Cave

Repeatedly stabbing the same point with the sword is an absolutely important training process for beginners. It develops visual acuity, stability, precision, and familiarity with wielding the sword as an extension of your arm. Later on, the target will change from a stationary one to a moving target.

Chu Ge understood this concept well since he had to maintain the same paddle swing hundreds of times even when he was learning ping pong as a child. One could even say that it’s because he resonates with this training method that it’s reflected in his writing.

In the end, he set a trap for himself and ended up in the book, not enjoying any romantic moments with the beautiful lady master, but instead stabbing trees—sigh…

However, for his current state, stabbing trees doesn’t have such a great effect. Originally, it’s an exercise to build muscle memory, but now he’s a spiritual entity, so that’s not an issue. He doesn’t tire physically, but mentally. The so-called precise strikes are not a challenge for a cultivator who can traverse through the spiritual realm; it’s difficult to not be precise.

However, in terms of becoming familiar with and mastering the sword, it does have some significance. The characteristics of the sword become increasingly familiar in this process, every ounce of weight, thickness, and even wind resistance… through constant repetition, it becomes as natural as moving his own arm.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

To master the sword in the cultivation world, you must first understand it. Otherwise, even a flying sword would just be a concealed weapon.

Since he wrote it himself… he must persist even if he has to kneel down.

This is the path that every swordsman in this world must go through when they’re starting out. Countless days and nights, Qiu Wuji went through this, Chu Tiange went through this… and now it’s his turn.

In comparison, learning the “Golden Bell Shield” and “Plum Blossom Fist” in the modern world indeed feels like playing around.

Xuan Ji sat on the side, propping her chin and watching. At first, she was bored, wondering what was so interesting about watching someone practice swordsmanship… but the more she watched, the more surprised she became.

She noticed that Junior Martial Uncle’s swordsmanship seemed a bit unfamiliar and awkward, yet the interval between each strike appeared to be the same.

At first, she didn’t think much of it, but gradually, something felt off. It was as if it harmonized with some sort of rhythm of the heavenly way. The sound of the strikes against the tree, “thud, thud,” resonated like the echoes of a large bell, cleansing the soul.

As it went on, the sense of unfamiliarity disappeared, becoming steadier, and the strikes became more accurate.

It was as if each movement was a repetition of the previous one, with time jumping frames forward and backward, revealing only identical overlaps. This was someone who had just started learning swordsmanship last night?

Qiu Wuji stood by the window, watching, also somewhat entranced.

Indeed, it harmonized with the rhythm of the heavenly way, but for him, he was the heavenly way. As long as he wholeheartedly immersed himself and followed the rules, it would naturally align with the heavenly way.

It’s truly cheating. For others to reach this level of proficiency, it would take at least a thousand years, if not eight hundred years…

Xuan Ji, as an observer, was bestowed with great fortune. Watching the process of sword practice was no different from comprehending the heavenly way, which would greatly benefit her future growth.

“Xuan Ji, spar with your Junior Martial Uncle.”

“Yes.” Xuan Ji was eager to try, drawing her sword and bowing, “Please instruct me, Junior Martial Uncle.”

“Clang!” The sword moved like a wandering dragon, reflecting the ice and snow.

Watching the exchange of sword glows outside the window, Qiu Wuji became even more absent-minded.

This isn’t me teaching you swordsmanship. If this trend continues, you might help the entire Cloud Horizon Sect in cheating like you…

……

“Ouch, ouch, ouch, don’t pull so hard!”

“You still dare to complain! You almost couldn’t even beat Xuan Ji, you’re making me lose face!”

“But I did beat her in the end! Xuan Ji is also an inner disciple, practicing advanced sword techniques. I only used basic sword techniques against her, so it’s good enough that I won. Did you really think she’s just a bystander?”

“Still, she’s just a little girl who has been practicing for a little over three years!” Qiu Wuji tugged on Chu Ge’s ear and dragged him inside, “You’re not allowed to sleep tonight. Stay in the first level of the Sword Trial Cave for at least four hours. Don’t come out a minute earlier!”

“Um, um, isn’t it, I’ll probably be leaving early tomorrow, so are you planning to lock me in the cave tonight?”

“What else do you expect? Sleep in my room?”

“Emmmm…”

“Inside, you’ll find various sword marks and sword intents, simulating sword paths of attack. It’s a form of training for group battles, but it’s fundamental and not difficult. Go in.”

“Smack!” Qiu Wuji kicked Chu Ge’s butt, sending him into the Sword Trial Cave.

Chu Ge’s miserable screams came from inside, “Qiu Wuji, I’m reporting you for disciple abuse!”

“Who dares to accuse this seat in my own sect?” Qiu Wuji shouted back inside and closed the entrance to the cave.

Turning around, she saw the disciples guarding the cave entrance staring at her dumbfounded, like statues.

Qiu Wuji regained her dignity, “You all guard this place well. Don’t let him out before four hours.”

“But, Master…” The disciples hesitated, “Four hours, if he can’t endure… he might die…”

“You don’t need to worry about that. He won’t die.” Qiu Wuji swept her sleeves and left.

The disciples exchanged glances.

They were all inner disciples who had trained for many years, and they could only stay inside for one hour…

Qiu Wuji’s spiritual sense was quietly following inside the cave, watching as countless swords were unleashed and Chu Ge evaded amidst the chaos.

With me watching, how could it be the same…

Sect Master Qiu Wuji didn’t realize how unfairly she was treating Chu Ge. Her direct lineage deserved special treatment… and moreover, her lineage was the heavenly way itself.

Look at how quickly his evasive movements turned from chaotic to controlled.

This was the fusion of group combat training and footwork. Chu Ge had been practicing his footwork for a long time… the piles in the Black Room from before wasn’t as effective, this is the advanced level.

Once he becomes proficient, not to mention four hours, he could leisurely stroll inside without a scratch.

Qiu Wuji suddenly thought, it would be even better if his true body came in. If he were to be hit by sword qi, the Golden Bell Shield would still work… Thinking this way, Chu Ge’s combat strength is actually quite formidable; he has surpassed the vast majority of ordinary inner disciples. After a few more days of practice, he might even be able to spar with some ordinary deacons.

Unfortunately, he’s still just a soul, a pure soul has advantages, but also many disadvantages.

“Swoosh!” A sword qi swept by, and Chu Ge finally failed to dodge, his arm was grazed.

The soul doesn’t have blood, but it still hurts quite a bit. Soul injuries are no joke. In this sense, Chu Ge’s condition is quite fragile. A soul without a physical body’s protection is indeed vulnerable.

Chu Ge, in pain, cursed through gritted teeth, “Damn, when I go back, I’ll give you a good beating.”

Qiu Wuji rolled her eyes. Still getting distracted and about to get hit again, you fool.

“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!” Countless sword qi attacks were everywhere. Before long, Chu Ge had lost count of how many times he had been grazed by the swords.

Luckily, his soul appeared unharmed; otherwise, he would be a gory mess.

Chu Ge was in excruciating pain, which actually ignited his ferocity. The long sword in his hand bloomed open like falling snow within the cave.

Qiu Wuji watched as the sword qi swept over him, feeling a bit distressed as she pursed her lips, but she firmly restrained herself from intervening.

Four hours… eight hours. He can do it.

Unfortunately, doing so would likely shorten his time in this world. He could have stayed until tomorrow morning, but now it seemed like he’d return once the full eight hours were up…

Before you know it, the sky began to dawn.

Chu Ge, panting heavily, shouted, “Have the four hours passed? The sword qi here never stops. I’m going to die!”

As a strong gust of wind blew, Chu Ge’s head spun, and when he came back to his senses, he was already inside Qiu Wuji’s wooden house.

Chu Ge glared at her, exasperated, “Do you know how painful it is for the soul? And you insisted on four hours? I can’t hold on anymore; what do I do if I need to leave?”

Qiu Wuji’s gaze avoided his as she said, “I’ve also rested enough. My clone will go back with you…”

I got a little too impatient in supervising, it’s just that I wanted us to set off on our journey together sooner… Don’t be angry with me; worst case, I can make it up to you in the real world…

Chu Ge’s frustrated expression began to blur. He really couldn’t hold on any longer; he was about to return.

As his form gradually disappeared, Qiu Wuji’s soul split and transcended the boundaries to roam.

Chu Ge, sitting in front of the computer, suddenly woke up with a start and realized he had written thirty thousand words… This split-focus roaming was way too extreme, causing him to sit in front of the computer without the mental capacity to think about anything else. He hadn’t eaten or slept, just typing away. Apart from remembering to upload a chapter when the word count was about right, he hadn’t done anything else.

Now that he had come to his senses, he felt so tired…

His soul had been injured, buffeted by a multitude of swords, and now he had aftereffects, a pounding headache. Chu Ge didn’t even have the strength to curse anymore. He got up in a daze and was about to flop onto the bed.

Qiu Wuji’s figure appeared beside him, and she quickly held onto his unsteady figure, “Chu Ge, Chu Ge, how are you feeling?”

Chu Ge hugged her tightly in return and flopped onto the bed with all his might, “Little disciple, you’re here? Accompany Master for a nap first, we’ll deal with you tomorrow…”

“Wait, I haven’t changed my clothes yet…”

“Don’t bother changing, just transform into your usual appearance… Don’t turn into sleepwear, I have to hold onto that cold-faced woman in the Sect Master’s robe… She’s infuriating, wuwuwu…”

Qiu Wuji was both annoyed and amused. She spoke softly, “Alright, alright, that nasty woman is truly terrible. I’ll help you teach her a lesson…”

She changed into the Sect Master’s robe and was tightly embraced by Chu Ge, and they rolled onto the bed.