Becoming a Sage Starts From Condensing the Essence of Time - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Shedding Mortality Condenses Sword Furnace, Madam Doesn ‘t Want the Young Man to Lose His Aspirations

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Tonight, the dark blue sky was filled with starlight, like beans scattered by immortals. They were densely packed but chaotic. Some were bright, some were dark. The stars on this side were sparse, and a dazzling galaxy gathered in the sky.

An Le stood in the courtyard. The manic wind seemed to be mixed with a few sharp sword intents that kept surging and blowing. The Green Mountain and Ink Pool Sword that were stabbed into the old locust tree were trembling violently, causing leaves to fall from the old locust tree.

In the Niwan Palace, a Sword Pool was boiling.

Countless sword qi collided with a clang. A corporeal sword was hanging in the Sword Pool. The sword was trembling slightly, causing the Sword Pool to tremble as well.

An Le’s mind had reached the limit of the Embryonic Breath Realm. When he was climbing the Sixth Mountain, he used the Sixth Mountain’s sword qi to fuse with the spring rain and visualize. He observed the Sword Waterfall and condensed the Sword Pool, causing his mental power to increase greatly.

In the Lin Residence, he drew the Galloping Horse Painting for Fourth Master Lin. His mental power fused with the painting, and the painting transcended to become an eighth-grade Spirit Refinement Painting, causing his mental power to soar again and he was on the verge of breaking through.

On the long street, the battle with the burly coachman, Zhu Shan, finally broke through the barrier of the realm. It was like a wall blocking the brilliant sunlight. A small hole was chiseled open, and sunlight shone, illuminating the dark space.

An Le was in this state now. He had broken through the second realm of Spirit Refinement, Embryonic Breath, and stepped into the third realm of Spirit Refinement, Shedding Mortality.

Since this realm was called Shedding Mortality, it was naturally extraordinary.

Shedding Mortality could also be called Rebirth. One could leave the mortal world and transcend the Embryonic Breath Realm. One’s mental power could be released externally. It could be used for Sword Control, Saber Manipulation, Talisman Control, Wind Riding, and so on. It could complete many things that mortals could not do.

In short, it could do something that went against common sense and went beyond physical explanation.

If one’s talent was mediocre, it would already be as difficult as ascending to the heavens if they wanted to step into Shedding Mortality with their Spirit Refinement. For example, as Prime Minister Qin’s favorite son, Qin Qianqiu had countless resources and natural treasures, but his Spirit Refinement was only at Shedding Mortality.

Shedding Mortality was naturally extraordinary. How could a mediocre person do it?

Therefore, the Spirit Refinement Shedding Mortality was already the limit of countless mediocre people.

An Le had the [Thousand-year Genius] Dao Fruit, so he was naturally extraordinary. Shedding Mortality was not a difficult thing for him, but it had also stopped him for a few days.

Coupled with the feedback of the [Fearless Heart] Dao Fruit, it was almost natural for his Spirit Refinement to enter Shedding Mortality.

In front of him, a light screen flickered.

[Fearless Heart (Dao Fruit): The dragon fights in the wild. If you win, you will get stronger and more fearless. The Dao Fruit nurtures itself.]

Then, a wave of clear air spread and flowed throughout his body.

His skin, meridians, Spirit Bone, dantian, and even Niwan Palace seemed to have waves of clear spring water echoing and returning to his body, bringing about an unusual evolution.

Qi Blood surged and flowed through his meridians. His heart meridians instantly strengthened, and as they gushed out, they carried a majestic force.

An Le, who had just stepped into the Spirit Bone Realm of Body Tempering, felt his Qi Blood surge and roll like a vortex. It was scorching hot and blazing in his dantian, washing away the impurities in his body.

This was the feedback of the Fearless Heart. Unfortunately, it could not help An Le condense his Inner Core in one go.

However, it was indeed not that easy. In the path of Body Tempering, An Le could only diligently practice the Five Animals. The Five Animals Body Tempering Technique was not considered top-notch in terms of grade. It was inferior to the Spirit Refinement technique, the Sword Waterfall Diagram, so An Le was naturally slower in Body Tempering cultivation.

With the help of painting, visualizing the Sword Waterfall, and the enhancement of the [Innate Swordsman] Dao Fruit, his Spirit Refinement cultivation speed naturally surpassed Body Tempering.

Boom!!!

It was as if a huge bell had exploded in his ears. An Le suddenly opened his eyes and felt that everything in the world seemed to have become silent.

His mind darted out of the Niwan Palace and spread out within ten feet of him. He could feel the gravel rolling on the ground, the leaves on the old locust tree falling, and the Green Mountain and Ink Pool Sword that were inserted in the locust tree trembling slightly.

This was a very strange feeling of realm. It was like the hierarchy between humans and supreme-rulers.

Although he had just broken through to Shedding Mortality and was still very unfamiliar with mental power control, and the range of his mental power was only ten feet, the feeling of his mental power jumping and controlling everything was really immersing.

At this moment, An Le felt that if he picked up a sword, he could fight anyone.

Of course, this was undoubtedly an illusion.

If An Le dared to draw his sword and attack Madam Hua at this moment, she could slap him to death.

He retracted his thoughts and the Sword Pool in the Niwan Palace began to calm down. In the end, he vaguely seemed to have built a blurry phantom of a furnace. A material sword hung in the furnace, shining brightly.

Embryonic Breath gave birth to the Sword Pool and Shedding Mortality condensed the Sword Furnace.

According to the description in the Sword Waterfall Diagram, when the Sword Furnace took shape in the Niwan Palace and accumulated sword qi, it meant that the Spirit Refinement had stepped into Shedding Mortality.

The wind and waves converged, and the cold moonlight cut through the sunset clouds that covered the sky and sprinkled on An Le. His white clothes made him look like a human immortal.

Green Mountain and Ink Pool Sword finally left the old locust tree and lingered around An Le. They were easily moved through Sword Control.

This was a completely different control method from Sword Qi Draws Near.

Sword Qi Draws Near was a technique, and Sword Control seemed to be an instinct.

In terms of lethality, Sword Qi Draws Near was naturally superior. However, in terms of Sword Control Flight, Shedding Mortality’s mental power was naturally easier.

That night, An Le gained a lot.

Although he had not broken through in Body Tempering, he had made great progress. His Spirit Refinement had successfully stepped into Shedding Mortality, and his mental power was released.

This made An Le feel relaxed and happy.

As the night deepened, the shadow of the old locust tree became even more mottled under the clear moon.

An Le sat upright and did not celebrate. His boiling emotions could not calm down.

He stood up and walked into the room. He ground the ink and spread out the paper. He lit it up and actually began to splash ink and paint.

As he painted, his boiling mental power gradually converged, and his mind gradually calmed down.

The night was long.

There were destined to be too many people who could not sleep in Lin’an Prefecture that night.

In the Lin Residence, Fourth Master Lin’s Qingfeng Garden was brightly lit, as bright as day.

There were many people in the courtyard, breaking the silence and peace.

However, the Fourth Son of Lin did not dare to be angry or say anything.

After all, the people who came were not ordinary people. Not to mention his family’s eldest sister-in-law, Hua Jiebing, the Legendary Top Scholar in plain clothes, Li You’an, and the unfathomable old man with long eyebrows.

He, the Fourth Son of Lin, could not afford to provoke these experts.

“Good horse, good painting, good poem, what a good Galloping Horse Painting! ”

The long-browed old man narrowed his eyes and looked at the painting. A hint of excitement appeared on his wrinkled face. “This brush technique has fused with Young Friend An’s sketching. Although it’s an ink painting technique, it’s actually a little lifelike!”

“When I first saw the sketch, I felt that it was a skill. Now, it seems that such a skill might be very useful if it’s integrated into the brush, writing, and other paintings.”

Li You’an also admired the Galloping Horse Painting. Although the Spirit Refinement Intent contained in the Galloping Horse Painting was only at the eighth-grade, Li You’an still felt the unruliness, freedom, and carefree spirit of a wild horse.

Under the painting, his mental state seemed to be affected.

This surprised Li You’an. As everyone knew, cultivation painters had to be a realm higher than the treasure painting they were drawing. For example, Embryonic Breath painters could at most create a ninth-grade Spirit Refinement Painting.

An eighth-grade Spirit Refinement Painting could only be drawn by a Spirit Refinement Shedding Mortality painter.

When An Le created this Galloping Horse Painting, he had clearly not stepped into Shedding Mortality. However, when he splashed ink, he could actually produce an eighth-grade Spirit Refinement Painting. This Spirit Refinement talent was truly shocking!

Hua Jiebing’s eyes were really sharp.

She, who was at the side, was graceful and luxurious. There was a smile on her face. There was relief and smugness in her smile.

She admired An Le and bestowed him with the Sword Waterfall Diagram. The more dazzling An Le’s performance was now, the more she naturally felt a sense of accomplishment.

Zhao Huangting smiled and went to the Fourth Son of Lin’s side. “This

Galloping Horse Painting is very good.”

The Fourth Son of Lin smiled and said, “That’s right. It’s indeed unexpected that Master An can draw horses.”

“Lend this painting to me for a few days. I’ll figure out the painting skills inside and show off to my old friends. What do you think?”

Zhao Huangting stroked his long eyebrows and smiled.

The Fourth Son of Lin’s smile froze. What could he say?

“Senior, but I haven’t enjoyed it enough…” said the Fourth Son of Lin awkwardly.

“With your lousy painting skills, what’s there to look at? Even if you look at it, you won’t be able to learn the profundity of the painting method. When I study it thoroughly, I’ll give you more than ten horse paintings. Change them every day and look at them until you’re satisfied. How many people in Lin’an

Prefecture can’t get my painting?”

Zhao Huangting waved his hand with a bright smile.

The Fourth Son of Lin forced a smile. This painting… had not even been with him for long.

“Since you like it, I’ll lend it to you for a few days,” said the Fourth Son of Lin reluctantly.

Zhao Huangting immediately felt relaxed and happy. “Don’t worry, I’ll just watch for a few days. I’ll definitely send it back in a few days.”

The Fourth Son of Lin did not have much hope. A few days passed, and there were so many days. Since this painting had fallen into Zhao Huangting’s hands, it was naturally impossible for him to return.

Hua Jiebing’s beautiful face was smiling, but she did not say anything as she watched this scene. She sighed in her heart. How much longer could Senior hold the painting…

As Li You’an admired the painting, he said, “This child is very talented. I heard that he’s also a Provincial Scholar and wants to participate in this Spring Quarter Examination. Why don’t you place your hopes on him? He might be able to help you retrieve the Storm Calming during the Hall Examination?”

“That way, there will be fewer issues.”

Madam Hua shook her head and sighed softly. “He’s indeed very talented, but it’s a pity that he cultivated too late. It’s already quite difficult for him to enter the List A Scholar Ranking in the Spring Quarter Examination, let alone the even more difficult Hall Examination?”

“Moreover, if the young man really takes Storm Calming, even more pressure will be placed on him and he will only suffer.”

Li You’an was silent.

He was a little surprised. It seemed that Madam Hua really cherished and loved talent when she taught An Le the Sword Waterfall Diagram.

Madam Hua’s eyes were like a painting and she was smiling. She looked at the wild horse in the painting that was wanton, unruly, and carefree under the sky and smiled gently.

“The young man is fearless, proud, and ambitious… I hope Lin’an’s prosperity won’t obliterate his qualities. There’s naturally no need for him to get involved in the storms and dangers that have nothing to do with him, lest they ruin his aspirations to climb higher..”