Free Web NovelChapter 40: Chapter 40: Thunder Training
"Sword Intent Affinity!?"
A flicker of doubt appeared in Shen Daoxing’s eyes.
Lin Haitao explained, "There are countless Sword Intents in this world. The more a Swordsman masters, the stronger their Sword Dao becomes. To reach the Sword King Level, one must master at least fifteen Sword Intents. That’s why Sword King Level Swordsmen are said to be invincible within their realm. And the legendary Sword Emperors are rumored to need thirty Sword Intents."
"Sword Intent Affinity, as the name implies, is a Swordsman’s degree of closeness to the Sword Intents of heaven and earth. The higher the affinity, the easier it will be to comprehend Sword Intents in the future. The lower it is, the more difficult it becomes."
Shen Daoxing nodded. "Then let’s begin."
He was also quite curious about his own Sword Intent Affinity.
Just then, a figure appeared outside the main hall. It was the woman in the black dress from yesterday.
"I forgot to introduce you yesterday."
Lin Haitao said from the side, "Her name is Ling Shuanghua. You can call her Ling."
"There’s no need to call me teacher. I won’t be teaching you any Swordsmanship."
Ling Shuanghua said coldly, "I only came today to watch the show."
Lin Haitao ignored Ling Shuanghua and turned to Shen Daoxing, his expression serious. "Now, place your hand on this disk."
Shen Daoxing looked at the disk, a hint of hesitation showing on his face.
Lin Haitao urged, "What are you waiting for?"
Ling Shuanghua said indifferently, "If you’re scared, it’s not too late to leave."
Shen Daoxing pointed at the disk. "Dean Lin, you didn’t wipe all the dust off."
"..."
With a wave of his sleeve, Lin Haitao scattered all the dust from the disk, revealing the mysterious, ancient patterns beneath.
Shen Daoxing stepped forward and placed his palm on the disk.
Instantly, the disk responded and began to spin. Immediately, vast and brilliant rays of light appeared all around.
These rays were of all different colors, each one unique.
Lin Haitao said in a low voice, "These are the ’Intents’ from within the Laws of Heaven and Earth."
Ling Shuanghua’s beautiful eyes also turned to look.
Dozens of multicolored rays of light continuously converged on the disk in the blink of an eye.
Lin Haitao grinned. "Dozens of Sword Intents!?"
’Interesting.’
Ling Shuanghua’s heart stirred.
To attract dozens of Sword Intents was enough to prove that Shen Daoxing’s aptitude for the Sword Dao was not weak. He had the potential to become a Sword King.
Lin Haitao’s smile vanished. ’It’s still gathering. This kid’s talent for the Sword Dao is even greater than this... Could he have a chance to cultivate *that* Sword Technique!?’
More and more rays of light were drawn to the disk, continuing to gather in an endless stream.
Ling Shuanghua also stood up.
The two of them held their breath, not daring to disturb Shen Daoxing.
The more rays of light that gathered, the higher the Sword Intent Affinity, and the greater the aptitude for the Sword Dao.
But in the next moment, the rays of light scattered frantically in all directions, as if they had encountered something terrifying.
BOOM!
In a mere instant, all the rays of light completely dissipated.
The disk stopped spinning.
The tension Ling Shuanghua felt eased, but a strange sense of disappointment suddenly arose in her heart, vanishing as quickly as it came.
Lin Haitao’s brow furrowed tightly. "How is that possible?" he said in disbelief. "How could his Sword Intent Affinity be so low?"
Ling Shuanghua said with a blank expression, "Lin, are you really going to pin your hopes on him?"
With that, Ling Shuanghua turned and left the hall.
Shen Daoxing asked, "Dean, how is my Sword Intent Affinity?"
"It’s hard to explain."
Lin Haitao shook his head. "Those rays of light were the Intents from the Laws of Heaven and Earth, but they all strongly rejected you. Your future path will be very difficult."
"Rejected me?"
Shen Daoxing looked at his own hands and muttered to himself, "But... I felt like they were afraid of me."
Hearing this, Lin Haitao’s eyes went wide. "Afraid!? You’re saying the Intents from the Laws of Heaven and Earth are afraid of you?"
Those are the Laws of Heaven and Earth!
How could they possibly be afraid of a Profound Platform Realm Martial Artist?!
This is simply too inconceivable!
Shen Daoxing said, "I could feel their fear."
"Could it be..."
A thought struck Lin Haitao, and he asked in shock, "Is it your bloodline mark!?"
It was rumored that in ancient times, some bloodline marks contained supreme fortune and profound mysteries, or were even inscribed with a complete Great Dao.
However, such bloodline marks were merely the stuff of legend. No one took these myths seriously.
Shen Daoxing shook his head. "I don’t know."
Lin Haitao pondered for a moment but came up with nothing. He waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. Right now, you’re the only student in my Sword Institute. What’s the point of worrying about all that? Let’s get straight to your special training."
With that, Lin Haitao led Shen Daoxing out of the hall.
The two arrived at a Desolate Mountain several miles away.
The entire mountain was bare, devoid of any life. As far as the eye could see, there were only giant red boulders.
Shen Daoxing asked, puzzled, "What is this place?"
Lin Haitao stroked his beard. "This is Yin Mountain. The mountain itself has an extremely strong magnetic force. Whenever it rains, this magnetism attracts lightning and thunder, causing it to crash down."
"I observed the celestial phenomena last night and knew it would rain today."
As soon as he finished speaking, dark clouds gathered on the horizon, and a fierce wind swept in.
Shen Daoxing had a bad feeling. "Dean, you mean...?"
Lin Haitao said slowly, "By standing on these magnetic rocks and undergoing the baptism of lightning, not only can you comprehend the ’Intent’ within the electricity, but you can also temper your physical body. It kills two birds with one stone."
RUMBLE!
RUMBLE!
At that moment, the wind howled louder. Arcs of electricity flashed within the dark clouds, like a ferocious, horned dragon.
"There’s no time to waste!"
Lin Haitao grabbed Shen Daoxing by his clothes and threw him toward a giant boulder in the distance.
CRACK!
Shen Daoxing had just steadied himself when a bolt of lightning struck him hard from the sky.
The lightning passed through him, and his entire body went numb.
A burnt smell then filled the air.
Although Shen Daoxing was in excruciating pain, he could also feel the power of the lightning tempering the Primordial Energy and flesh within his body.
His cultivation level was actually increasing continuously.
"Again!"
Shen Daoxing took a deep breath and faced the descending Thunder Power head-on.
CRACK!
The lightning surged through the dark clouds like a roaring dragon.
This bolt of lightning was even more ferocious, more violent.
Shen Daoxing felt his head spin and nearly collapsed, but he gritted his teeth and held on.
In this state, his physical body, Primordial Energy, and spirit reached a high degree of unity.
This was the optimal state for cultivation, several times more efficient than training alone.
Lin Haitao nodded in satisfaction. "Good. You’ve completely entered the zone now. The life-and-death duel is in less than a year. You must increase your strength as quickly as possible—the faster, the better."
