Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 304: Chapter 304: Profound Mysteries

Even among children fighting in the countryside, there’s the saying "it’s dishonorable to bully the weak," and even if you win, the label slapped onto you can leave you unhappy for a long time.

The same applies to cultivators. Compared to ordinary folk, cultivators care even more about their reputation in public, and the higher one’s cultivation, the more this holds true.

That’s why Nie Yun was certain the other party wouldn’t dare act again after being called out for "bullying the weak" in front of everyone.

As for what happens next, Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute may not measure up to Mountain of Ten Thousand Books, but it’s not a pushover either—if you think you can just mess with it, you’re dreaming.

The old woman looked furious but remained silent, while the instigator, Fairy Qing Wan, didn’t even change her expression, speaking in a cold tone: "Now can you move aside?"

It seemed that matters of reputation and the previous exchange meant nothing to Fairy Qing Wan; her attitude still aloof, her gaze still looking down as if at ants.

Shen Hao had already decided to stay low—if not for protecting Nie Yun, he’d have moved aside long ago. Now that Nie Yun had finished his realization, he naturally wanted to yield. But to his surprise, Nie Yun pulled him back.

"Don’t rush. Didn’t we say ’first come, first served’? Junior brother, your talent’s pretty decent. I gained some insight earlier—maybe you could try too. This place might benefit you as well."

"Huh? Me too?!" Shen Hao was stunned at those words.

"That’s right. Would your brother trick you? Go on, sit on the Sword Enlightenment Platform—should be better than just standing beside it like I did."

After confirming again that Nie Yun wasn’t joking, Shen Hao nodded and walked up onto the Sword Enlightenment Platform.

"Wait! He’s merely at the Gathering Spirit Realm—how could he endure the impact of Sword Concealed Life? Is your whole sect this blindly arrogant?"

As expected, Fairy Qing Wan spoke up to stop him, and laughter rang out all around.

But Shen Hao ignored them, trusting Nie Yun not to mess with him. As for others’ words—he couldn’t care less. He doesn’t even know you guys; why the hell should he listen?

Nie Yun was even more direct, smiling as he said: "Just now, though I was immersed in realizing, I still caught the fairy’s words. You said I couldn’t possibly gain insight, right? Well, I can only say, Fairy, your vision really is far too limited."

"You... What is this—!?"

Fairy Qing Wan was about to retort but was suddenly interrupted by Nie Yun’s gaze. That look shot over, causing a faint stinging pain on her skin! And upon closer inspection, this clearly was "intent"—not Sword Intent, but it already carried some flavor of "Sword Concealed Life." Obviously, Nie Yun had just comprehended this from the carved sword script.

"Hoo!"

Many who knew their stuff were stunned, exclaiming in awe at Nie Yun’s talent—he actually managed to glean something from the stone inscription in just an hour. What’s more, he integrated what he understood into his own thoughts. It wasn’t yet Sword Intent, but his gaze already held a similar "intent." Just imagining the possibilities, people felt this trick had real potential—who knows, Nie Yun might even develop some incredible technique in the future.

"Fairy, your knowledge is limited, and people differ from one another, so you’d best mind your own business instead of worrying about others." Nie Yun grinned, took the wine flask at his waist, gulped down a big mouthful, and ignored Fairy Qing Wan’s protest. The old woman kept quiet too, meaning Mountain of Ten Thousand Books wouldn’t openly fall out. As for the rest, he didn’t care.

Truthfully, Nie Yun had noticed the commotion earlier, but he was damn lucky—he’d already touched the edge of Sword Concealed Life and couldn’t bear to let it go. With trouble brewing, he didn’t expect Shen Hao to help so much. Other than thinking "Good thing I made friends with this guy," Nie Yun suddenly got the idea that, based on his own sensations, perhaps Shen Hao could also benefit here.

Nie Yun’s confidence lay in knowing Shen Hao’s soul strength was high. And comprehending Sword Intent required soul strength to counteract the impact of direct contact between the Sea of Consciousness and "intent."

The other reason for Nie Yun’s confidence was that Shen Hao practiced Saber Technique. Swords have Sword Intent; sabers have Sword Intent too. Both are different, but belong to the realm of weapon sharpness—the "intent" could help Shen Hao’s saber technique.

Also, this Sword Intent isn’t set in strength. Those with lower cultivation perceive weaker Sword Intent, which suits Shen Hao perfectly.

Of course, it’s normal not to gain insight. But since there’s a chance, why let a so-called fairy take it for free? Don’t even talk about giving up the opportunity—no cutting in line!

With Nie Yun standing up for him, Shen Hao felt at ease, walked up to the Sword Enlightenment Platform, sat cross-legged, calmed his mind, and instantly sensed a sharp force constantly stabbing at him. This force came from the script carved on the stone—he understood this must be the Sword Concealed Life’s Sword Intent.

"No wonder Nie suggested I try comprehending it—not as dangerous as I thought."

The cutting force on his Sea of Consciousness was strong enough to make Shen Hao feel sharp pain, as if blades sliced through his mind, but it wasn’t unbearable. With his soul strength and Sea of Consciousness depth, no real threat could be seen—at least not yet.

Next, Shen Hao began comprehending the Sword Intent with no pressure at all.

After a while, before Shen Hao felt anything, the Black Beast Tattoo on his chest started reacting.

It wasn’t the usual "hunger," but a warm current rushing straight into his Sea of Consciousness. Immediately, the intangible Sword Intent formed shapes and colors in his mind’s perception.

Very faint gold, shaped like countless small long swords pressed tight together, churning like ribbons.

Seeing "form" gave Shen Hao a concrete object to study—no longer just wasting time probing at shapeless "intent." He directly seized a tiny pale gold "Small Sword" into his Sea of Consciousness, intending to "get a closer look." Yet the moment it entered, the Small Sword exploded, releasing a flood of information, instantly sweeping Shen Hao up in its flow.

What is intent?

This question echoed in Shen Hao’s mind. Countless answers scatter through his Sea of Consciousness, profound and elusive, all impossible to grasp.

Intent, ever-changing: one thought can shape mountains and rivers; one thought can burn up lakes and seas.

What is intent?

What is my intent?

In the midst of all this, Shen Hao entered a mysterious state. His mind became infinite—anything he thought of could be pulled out and dissected, analyzed, understood in an instant.

This sensation made him feel both wondrous and powerful.

He seemed to be patrolling among countless "answers" about intent, searching madly. In the end, he stopped before a pitch-black shadow.

The outline of the shadow was unclear, but it seemed alive—and somehow familiar to Shen Hao. Only the edge of the shadow bore a striking golden point of light.