Chaotic Sword God Chapter 4: Further Training

Chapter 4: Further Training

The Azulet Sword Law consisted of twelve distinct stages. The initial phase focused entirely on body tempering. A common martial proverb suggests that to master powerful martial arts, one must possess a robust physical vessel. Since martial techniques rely on the body's efficiency, the first layer of the Azulet Sword Law was dedicated to strengthening the physical form.

In this world, most martial artists sought to increase their power by building external strength. This often resulted in bulging musculature that made their power obvious to any observer. Some practitioners even hardened their skeletons until their bones possessed the durability of reinforced steel bars.

However, Jian Chen viewed this method of training as detrimental, believing it limited the human body's ultimate potential. While such techniques certainly granted strength far beyond that of an average person, they simultaneously inflicted severe internal trauma. Those who followed these paths typically suffered from shortened lifespans, plagued by chronic ailments and physical impairments as they aged.

The world's wandering martial artists belonged to various Sects, each with unique body cultivation methods, yet Jian Chen considered them all mediocre. To him, these were incorrect paths; even the renowned Shaolin Yijin Jing was no exception.

Although the principles of the Yijin Jing were elegant in how they balanced inner strength and outer muscle development, the core methodology remained flawed. It failed to strengthen the human essence, focusing instead on external force. True pinnacle body cultivation could not be achieved unless the entire physical being was targeted at its core.

The techniques detailed within the Azulet Sword Law were truly mystical and profound. By drawing in and refining the Qi of heaven and earth, a practitioner could fuse it directly into their bones. This process allowed every internal organ and individual cell to be tempered to its absolute limit. The body’s natural fragility would be stripped away, replaced by an optimal state that granted numerous benefits, including a vastly extended lifespan. According to the Azulet Sword Law, reaching the highest tiers of body cultivation allowed a practitioner to live as long as the heavens and the earth themselves.

This progression was tied to one's personal power. If a practitioner's Qi surpassed their physical durability, the Azulet Sword Law would utilize that Qi to reinforce the body. Once the physical form and Qi reached an equilibrium, a breakthrough to the next level was required. This cycle allowed for the continuous, limitless improvement of the entire body.

Jian Chen steadily drew the world’s Qi into himself in a constant stream, circulating it through his body. Under his precise control, this Qi was integrated into his organs and cells.

Since his reincarnation into this unfamiliar world, the density of the World Essence was one of the few things that truly excited him. The World Essence here was incredibly thick—perhaps a hundred times more concentrated than the Qi in his previous life. Back then, Jian Chen had to travel to remote mountain ranges just to find a suitable place to train. The difference between the two worlds was like heaven and hell, a fact that brought Jian Chen great joy.

One thing puzzled him, however: the composition of this world's World Essence compared to his old world. While the sensation was familiar, Jian Chen noticed a subtle, additional energy blended into the World Essence. This secondary energy was so perfectly intertwined that it seemed impossible to separate.

After absorbing this mysterious energy and experiencing no ill effects, Jian Chen decided not to attempt to filter it out. Nevertheless, he remained curious. Though he pondered the matter deeply, he knew this new energy would not be easily understood.

As the endless World Essence flooded his form, Jian Chen could feel his arteries and cells growing stronger. The energy acted like a potent tonic, revitalizing his body. His physical self was like a famished tiger, greedily hungering for more. A wave of pleasure washed over him, leaving him in a state of tranquil bliss.

A year passed in the blink of an eye. Jian Chen had now lived in this world for two years. During that time, he never once left the Changyang mansion. He spent every spare moment alone in his room, dedicated to the first principle of the Azulet Sword Law: body cultivation.

Due to the World Essence being a hundred times denser than what he was used to, Jian Chen achieved major success in his body tempering within a single year. At this stage, his skin was so tough that an ordinary sword swung by a normal person likely wouldn't leave a single scratch.

Of course, this was merely Jian Chen’s internal assessment; he wasn't reckless enough to test the theory on himself.

Over the past year, Jian Chen’s physical development had been startling. At only two years old, he stood 1.2 meters tall—an abnormal height that made him look closer to five or six years of age.

His rapid growth had shocked everyone in the Changyang mansion. While many held high expectations, hoping he was a genius of limitless potential, they would have to wait until his third birthday for an official confirmation.

Jian Chen felt somewhat helpless regarding these expectations. He realized his accelerated growth was a direct result of the Azulet Sword Law, a technique he hadn't possessed at such a young age in his previous life.

While he still accompanied his mother, Bi Yuntian, to meals, he returned to the solitude of his room every night. Sitting cross-legged on his bed with his hands resting on his knees, he closed his eyes and faced the heavens once more.

Tonight, however, he wasn't focused on cultivation but on reflection. Two years had passed, yet he had never seen what lay beyond the walls of the Changyang mansion. He had spent his days sequestered away, training his body. He knew virtually nothing about the outside world or the geography of this land.

He was well aware that in the eyes of others, he was just a two-year-old child. Normally, a boy his age would be pampered by his parents and live a life without a care in the world. Jian Chen, however, could never be satisfied with such an existence.

While sitting on his bed, Jian Chen decided that he would question his parents tomorrow morning. It was vital that he understood the nature of the world he now inhabited.

Having made his decision, Jian Chen opened his eyes and stood up. Instead of continuing his cultivation on the bed, he moved to the center of the room and closed his eyes again.

In his mind’s eye, a series of mysterious footwork patterns began to emerge. A mental image flickered like a film strip, showing a young man in a white chang pao. The figure held a sword and moved through a strange landscape with incredible speed. To an ordinary observer, the man would be nothing but a blur, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake due to his rapid movements within such a confined space.

This figure was Jian Chen’s previous incarnation, and the steps he performed were a profound element of the Azulet Sword Law.

As the first light of dawn peeked through the window, Jian Chen’s eyes snapped open. He began to move; his legs became a blur as he executed the footwork. The speed he maintained was something most martial artists would struggle to achieve.

Jian Chen followed a specific, mysterious trajectory. His rapid pacing within the room whipped up a small whirlwind.

The exertion didn't last long. Jian Chen soon came to a halt, his face turning pale. Gasping for air, his legs trembled and shook as he stopped.

He limped over to the window and sat down, leaning over to massage his aching limbs. Practicing the mysterious footwork even for a moment had left his legs incredibly weak, drained of all strength.

Jian Chen shook his head in frustration. Regardless of the martial art, a strong foundation was required. The more advanced the technique, the higher the physical demand. Without a powerful physique and sufficient Qi, he couldn't sustain the footwork for long. An ordinary practitioner would have fared much worse, likely causing permanent damage to their body by overexerting themselves.

True power was never easily obtained.

After massaging his legs until they recovered, he returned to his cross-legged position on the bed. Once again, he began to draw the world's spiritual Qi into his body.

The night ended quickly, and soon the sky was bright with daylight. A voice called out from outside his door.

“Fourth Young Master, it is morning, time to wake up!” a feminine voice shouted.

Recognizing the voice, Jian Chen opened his eyes and replied in a high-pitched, childish tone, “I know, Sister Hong Hua, I am already up!” With that, he hopped down from the bed.

The door opened, and two young women around eighteen years old entered. Each carried a tray holding a basin. One tray held a fresh towel for washing his face, while the other contained a basin for him to clean his teeth and prepare for the day.