Gao Wu insists on cultivating immortality.

Chapter 337 The Sword and the Way
The Heavenly Fate Sword, unleashed by Gao Wu, blazed brightly like the sun. Those around him could only see a dazzling, sharp, and unparalleled sword light, and could not even see Gao Wu holding the sword.

The sword light was so powerful that even the sixth-level martial arts masters were shocked.

They could all see that it wasn't that Gao Wu's sword intent was particularly exquisite; rather, it was that his sword energy was too strong, far exceeding the normal limit of level six, which allowed him to intimidate everyone with his pure and powerful sword light.

Martial artists whose cultivation level is not high enough can hardly distinguish the level of martial arts realm, but they can distinguish the level of source power.

The pure and powerful source energy is released, simple yet possessing an overwhelming beauty.

While everyone admired him, they couldn't help but wonder how Gao Wu, a level six expert, could condense such powerful source energy, which was no less than that of the Blade King Song Xuetao.

In fact, most people can't distinguish between level six and level seven. It's mainly because some people explain that Gao Wu hasn't condensed a source power core and should still be at level six.

The more this is the case, the more astonished everyone becomes.

Song Xuetao, who faced the intense sword light of Gao Wu directly, had a deeper understanding of this.

He was also a little puzzled as to how such a powerful source of energy could be condensed from just seventy-two acupoints.
Song Xuetao could certainly see that the source power gathered in each acupoint of a high-level martial artist was two to four times that of a fellow expert of the same level.

The total amount accumulated in this way is not much less than that of a seventh-level expert's source power. However, without a source power core, even at the same level of source power, Gao Wu is far inferior to a seventh-level expert.

In his view, Gao Wu should have even more powerful explosive techniques. If he could triple the current level of source power, then he could truly ignore the difference in source power cores.

There's actually a fallacy here: the stronger the source energy, the higher the mental strength required to control it. Yet, Gao Wu clearly manages to control source energy with ease.

In terms of spiritual strength, Gao Wu is actually stronger than a level seven expert... That's terrifying...

Song Xuetao sighed inwardly as he slowly channeled his sword energy, which moved in sync with Gao Wu's sword energy.

His Clear Snow Blade Intent is as clear as a mirror, reflecting the High Martial Sword Qi, so it can constantly adjust itself in accordance with the High Martial Sword Qi.

For him, these were just the simplest techniques.

Through the interaction of sword and saber energy, Song Xuetao seemed to have established a very close spiritual connection with Gao Wu, and could sense the subtle changes in Gao Wu's martial arts, spirit, and body.

Song Xuetao noticed that although Gao Wuyuan's power was strong and his transformation of sword qi was exquisite, there were still many oversights in many details.

The main reason is that Gao Wu's sword is in harmony with his spirit, which naturally helps him to efficiently convert sword energy, thus making up for the shortcomings in Gao Wu's swordsmanship.

He was actually a bit strange. Despite training under the Sword Saint Hai Wuji, Gao Wu's swordsmanship was not as good as his fist techniques.

Although the Zhanbing Fist technique just now was simple, it has truly become a style of its own, carving out its own world, and has truly shown the demeanor of a peerless grandmaster.

Through Gao Wu's sparring with others, Song Xuetao had already seen how powerful Gao Wu was. Now he saw even more the strength of Gao Wu's source power, which was truly comparable to the power of a seventh-level expert.

It's certain that Gao Wu must have other secret techniques and killing moves, but he wouldn't reveal them in public.

As the two powerful individuals' source power levels continue to rise, their radiating mental energy fields also become stronger, putting increasing pressure on those outside.

In this situation, the higher one's cultivation level, the more disadvantaged they become. Several level-six martial arts masters were sweating profusely.

Many level 5 and level 4 individuals also experienced uncontrollable fluctuations in their source energy, causing their bodies to tremble slightly.

Those below the level of martial arts master actually experience a decrease in mental stress with each level.

Of all the people, Song Mingyue stood the most steadily and was the most calm and composed.

Song Chunqiu, Song Chunshan, Yuan Xinghai, and Li Beiqi, all level six experts, noticed this and understood what it meant.

Song Chunshan, in particular, felt helpless. Song Mingyue's martial arts cultivation was now firmly above his own, no wonder the old man favored Song Mingyue as his successor.

Moreover, Song Mingyue also possesses high martial arts skills!

Although the old man hasn't actually made a move yet, the sword intent he unleashed is genuinely at the seventh level. His high martial arts skills allow him to hold his own against the opponent without being at a disadvantage. He's truly amazing...

On the martial arts field, Song Xuetao was in no hurry to make a move. He slowly said, "My sword technique is called Clear Snow Sword. When I was young, I climbed a mountain to watch the snow. It was a sunny day, and thousands of peaks were covered in silver and mountains were covered in white. Looking out, the clear snow made the world bright and clear. I felt my heart open up and all my worries disappeared. That's how I came to understand this Clear Snow Sword technique."

"In its early stages, the Qingxue Blade had seventy-two forms. In middle age, it was refined into twelve techniques. Now, the Qingxue Blade only has one technique left, named: Slash."

As Gao Wu listened to Song Xuetao explain the Qingxue Sword Technique, even though the other party spoke very concisely, only explaining the principles of the sword without involving any actual subtle changes, he was deeply moved.

He studied martial arts under Hai Wuji and Qin Liuhe, learning countless exquisite techniques.

In particular, the Nine Dragons Limitless Path is extremely mysterious and complex, covering a variety of martial arts essences, and he has only mastered a small part of it so far.

Song Xuetao shared his personal understanding and feelings about martial arts, which is the essence of the King of Martial Arts' life experience and wisdom. Although it is somewhat abstract to express in words, Gao Wu can still feel the power contained within it.

"When one's source power reaches a certain level, the choice of weapon depends entirely on the martial artist's own intuition. Swords have more variations, while sabers have fewer variations but are more direct and sharp."

"A single slashing technique can be divided into straight slashes, reverse slashes, diagonal slashes, and so on. These are all levels of technique. What's truly important is having the confidence and determination to cut down everything with a single blade in hand."

Song Xuetao's words of reasoning were not only meant for Gao Wu, but also for everyone present.

Martial artists with high comprehension often seem to have gained some insight, and Song Mingyue's understanding is the deepest. She uses the sword merely out of habit, not because she particularly likes it.

She really liked her great-grandfather's understanding of the knife; the true meaning of cutting lies in confidence and decisiveness!

"When your martial arts cultivation reaches a certain level, your weapon is no longer an extension of your body, but your heart and your path."

Song Xuetao's expression turned serious as he spoke: "Take a look at the knife."

The five-foot-long sword in his hand was slender and long like a rice seedling, which was the classic traditional Chinese sword style of the Miao sword.

The five-foot-long sword slashed straight down, leaving a long trail of bright light in the air.

In an instant, space seemed to split in two under the flash of the blade. The spectators were momentarily dazed, as if the bright and sharp blade had cleaved their consciousness, emotions, and spirits in two.

Of all the spectators, only Song Mingyue was able to remain calm, but she received a more comprehensive sword intent, as if a sword had deeply slashed into her spirit.

Her great-grandfather's sword had already possessed divine power, and she, with her Ice Dragon Armor, was even stronger than her great-grandfather, but in terms of swordsmanship, she was far inferior...

The sharp blade light that could cut through everything was blocked by the two swords that Gao Wu had divided into. The two swords hummed and vibrated incessantly, using the extreme high-speed source energy vibration to neutralize the long sword's incomparably sharp blade energy.

In fact, the sword intent of the longsword had deeply penetrated the spiritual world of high martial arts, leaving behind a sharp and piercing sword mark.

This sword intent embodies Song Xuetao's eighty years of pure sword practice, his unwavering commitment to the Aurora Ice Plains, his determination to protect the Northern State, and his courage to fight to the death...

In this single strike, the Sword King displayed his swordsmanship and Dao to the fullest, moving and shocking Gao Wu.

The surrounding audience was completely shocked. Such a fierce slash was actually caught by Gao Wu!
They simply couldn't believe their eyes...

Song Xuetao casually drew his sword and gracefully stepped back a few paces. He smiled and nodded in admiration: "Impressive skill."

Gao Wu felt a little embarrassed. He understood what Song Xuetao meant. He praised his skills but didn't say his swordsmanship was good, which clearly meant that Song Xuetao thought his swordsmanship was just average.

He sheathed his two swords and bowed solemnly to Song Xuetao: "Your sword and your Dao are a great power, a truly invincible power."

Song Xuetao reached out to help him up, and said earnestly, "We are all fellow travelers on the path of life. I am merely taking the first step; the future rests on your shoulders..."

Gao Wu remained silent. He knew that the future Song Xuetao spoke of did not only refer to his own future, but also to the future of China.

His senior's high expectations made him feel an immense sense of responsibility...

(I'll be busy these next few days, so updates will be shorter. I promise I'll keep updating! Thank you for your understanding.)

(End of this chapter)