The basic moves of using a saber consisted of vertical slashes, horizontal slashes, slicing, stabbing, and so on. These basic moves were what Xiang Shaoyun was currently focused on rather than some complicated or advanced moves. He swung the saber around repeatedly; his moves flowed into each other smoothly, as if they were the most natural of moves. Only a true expert in the way of saber would be able to see their imperfections.
The saber moves in accordance to the body, the body moves in accordance to my will, the saber is akin to my body, my body and mind is one, moving as my heart desires... Xiang Shaoyun pondered on the saber without stop as he swung the saber around, trying his very best to fuse the Overlord Skyslaying Saber with his body and make it a part of him so as to enter the mode he desired.
Unfortunately, even though he understood what to do, the sensation he looked for was still nowhere to be found. It wasn't because of the low compatibility between him and the Overlord Skyslaying Saber. Rather, it was because there seemed to be a layer of fog obscuring his sense of direction and stopping him from entering that state.
This was the third day in a row he had been practicing the saber. Even the most basic of saber moves had been repeated over and over, yet he had nothing to show for his hard work.
Over the three days, Luo Yongcheng had visited Xiang Shaoyun occasionally, but when he saw Xiang Shaoyun practicing the saber, he did not disturb him. In any case, eliminating the Redwolf Bandits was a task that required some time. In accordance to the mission Xiang Shaoyun had accepted, he still had three months.
Today, Luo Yongcheng had personally arrived with some fine liquor and dishes. It seemed he was planning to have a drink with Xiang Shaoyun.
"Brother Xiang, this is the Green Bamboo Liquor brewed by the Green Bamboo Academy. I guarantee you will want more after tasting it," said Luo Yongcheng. They seemed much closer now than before.
As far as Luo Yongcheng was concerned, it was only a matter of time before a young genius like Xiang Shaoyun became a King Realm cultivator. Thus, maintaining a good relationship with Xiang Shaoyun was of utmost importance to Luo Yongcheng.
Xiang Shaoyun set the saber aside and took a sip of the liquor Luo Yongcheng offered. When he swallowed the liquor, he had a sensation that a clear spring was flowing within his body. He couldn't help but praise, "A fine liquor!"
It was indeed a rarely seen fine liquor. It was brewed using the morning dew gathered from bamboo leaves and green bamboo shoots. The liquor might not be particularly strong, but it was refreshing and cool, able to remove the exhaustion and stress one was feeling.
After training the saber for three days with nothing to show for it, Xiang Shaoyun was getting agitated. This Green Bamboo Liquor had arrived just in time to cleanse him of his negative emotions, allowing him to loosen up somewhat.
"It's good that you like it. A lot of people complain that the liquor is too mild, but not many are aware of its merits," said Luo Yongcheng with a smile.
"For me, mood is very important when drinking. A person who is worrying about something will require a strong liquor. As the saying goes, drink the worry away. Without a strong liquor, how can one drink the worry away? As for a mild liquor, it is suited for someone who is feeling agitated—to calm one's mind and ease one's nerves. A mild liquor is more suited for the current me. Thank you very much, Brother Luo," said Xiang Shaoyun as he sipped on the liquor.
After calming himself, he reached a conclusion that practicing the saber was not something to be rushed. Instead, it was a process of accumulation. Only by constantly deepening one's comprehension of the saber would one be able to progress smoothly in the way of the saber.
It had only been a year since he had started cultivating. His time with the saber was even shorter. To rely on the little experience he had to accomplish human saber unity was simply wishful thinking.
"Haha, this is quite a surprise. So you are also a liquor connoisseur? I would have never guessed it." Luo Yongcheng smiled.
The two started their drinking session. Toward the end of the session, Luo Yongcheng finally broached the main topic, "Brother Xiang, I see that you have been practicing the saber for the past few days. How is it going, if you don't mind me asking?"
Xiang Shaoyun shook his head and smiled bitterly. "How is it that easy? I planned to first complete my saber before going to look for the Redwolf Bandits. But it seems like I will have to change my plan. I'll resume my hunt tomorrow."
"There's no rush for that. I'm here because there is a great opportunity I would like to offer you, brother," Luo Yongcheng said, his tone turning serious.
"Oh, what are we talking about here?" Xiang Shaoyun asked in astonishment. Opportunity was something any cultivator longed for. It was not something one could encounter easily. He couldn't help wondering if Luo Yongcheng had any hidden intentions.
"Brother Xiang is working hard to rid the Green Bamboo Town of the Redwolf Bandits. Your action will benefit the people of Green Bamboo Town. Thus, I naturally have to provide any benefit I can to you, brother, but whether you can grasp this opportunity in your hand will depend on your own comprehension ability," Luo Yongcheng said. He paused for a bit before resuming, "Within the Green Bamboo Academy is a place called the Saber Forest. There, a remarkable saber master once resided, leaving behind a saber intent from when he had comprehended the saber there. It might be the best place for you to comprehend the saber, my brother."
"Oh? There's such a good place here?" Xiang Shaoyun was overjoyed.
The so-called saber intent was a more advanced saber concept. In truth, the human saber unity phase was also a sort of saber intent. The next phase after that would be the saber steering phase, a phase where one could freely control the saber to either fly around or kill enemies with only a thought. The final phase would be the saberless phase, a phase where every part of a person was a saber. One's every word, every motion, and every inch of body could itself be a saber. Xiang Shaoyun did not know which phase that saber intent was at, but the Saber Forest was nevertheless still a great place for him to comprehend the saber.
"That's right. But unfortunately, generation after generation, our disciples have failed to comprehend the saber intent there. Nowadays, it has been nothing more than an abandoned area in our academy," Luo Yongcheng sighed.
"Where is this Saber Forest? I ask that Brother Luo lead me there," Xiang Shaoyun asked impatiently.
"Hehe, of course I will bring you there. But..." Luo Yongcheng kept Xiang Shaoyun in suspense.
"But what? Please say it," Xiang Shaoyun asked. Inwardly, he mumbled, Sure enough, there is no free meal in the world.
"If you can comprehend the saber intent, I hope you can hold one lesson and share with us your experience when you had comprehended it," Luo Yongcheng said.
In other words, Xiang Shaoyun had to teach them what he comprehended from the saber intent. This was in fact a harsh request. Nobody would be willing to spit out something they had gained with hard work.
But Xiang Shaoyun agreed with no hesitation whatsoever. "I can agree to that."
So long as he could comprehend the saber intent, he did not mind sharing what he had learned.
"You are indeed a straightforward person! Come with me, then," Luo Yongcheng said with praise.
Thus, the two headed toward the Saber Forest in the academy. The Saber Forest was located at the back of the academy, which was a serene and secluded place filled with a lush forest of bamboo.
As they walked, Green Bamboo Academy students could be seen every now and then. This was one of their favorite cultivation spots as all of them also wished to one day comprehend the saber intent. When they saw Luo Yongcheng, they came over and gave him their respects. Their curiosity was piqued when they saw a youngster by Luo Yongcheng's side.
"That is where the Saber Forest is," said Luo Yongcheng as he pointed in a certain direction.