Martial Arts Master: The Lin Family Sword God, who swept through the Five Mountains and Four Sects

When Lin Tian's sword gained sentience and came to life, his sword died. No matter how he changed his moves, they were all within his opponent's prediction, leaving him with no chance of victory.

This sword could pierce his heart at any moment, severing his life force.

This is not a sword strike that should ever be used by a human!

Lin Tian's sword tip had already torn through the fabric and pierced the skin, and a drop of blood slowly seeped out.

"You've lost." Lin Tian's voice was calm. "You couldn't withstand my fifteenth sword. If I advance just three inches further, you'll be dead for sure."

As soon as he finished speaking, he drew his sword and returned.

A system notification sounded in my mind: the mission was complete, and a card with a shimmering orange glow appeared before my eyes.

With a swift movement, the card was in hand, and information instantly flooded into his mind.

[Orange Attack Card: Formless Sword Bone]

Introduction: The ultimate technique of Wang Wu, the fifth elder of the Heavenly Sword Hall of Lingjian Mountain, who is known as the "Number One Golden Core in the Nine Provinces".

Lin Tian was stunned.

This... is a real cultivation technique?!

Purple cards are still martial arts techniques, while orange cards jump directly to the level of immortal cultivation?

With such a large jump, is the system malfunctioning?

"Host, please note," the system responded coldly. "Although the 'Formless Sword Bone' is a cultivation technique with boundless potential, its entry threshold is extremely low, hence it is rated as an orange card. The system's judgment is correct; please do not question it."

Lin Tian quickly waved his hand: "No doubt about it! I'd love for more of these 'mistakes' in the future!"

He never hesitates to take advantage of others.

……

Just as he was about to crush the card on the spot, he heard a sigh.

Lin Tian suddenly came to his senses—right, he had just fought with Feng Qingyang.

"Alas, I have lost." Feng Qingyang shook his head with a bitter smile.

His brows suddenly furrowed, and he looked Lin Tian up and down thoughtfully.

After a moment, he spoke in a deep voice: "I dealt with that sword strike just now with all my might at the Innate Realm, holding nothing back. Yet, facing you, I felt no life at all, as if I could only await death. Could it be... that you have already reached the realm of intent in swordsmanship?"

"Artistic conception?" Lin Tian looked blank. "What's that?"

Feng Qingyang was taken aback, but then understood. The young man before him was so young, and his cultivation was only at the Acquired Realm; his performance only made things more strange.

He slowly explained, "The realm of intent is the key threshold to stepping into the realm of legend. Martial arts have been passed down for two thousand years, and only a handful of people have reached this realm. Bodhidharma of Shaolin comprehended the realm of compassion; Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang attained the true meaning of Tai Chi. And you know the master of the Dugu Nine Swords—Dugu Qiubai, who is also one of those who have stepped into the realm of legend."

"If the gap between the acquired and the innate is a chasm, then the gap between the innate and legend is an abyss."

"Martial arts flourished in the Song Dynasty. Even those who achieved mastery in the acquired realm were not enough to make a name for themselves in the martial arts world. Masters with innate abilities were as numerous as carp crossing a river, yet none of them broke through to the legendary realm. This shows how difficult it was to reach the heavens."

"When I received the Dugu Nine Swords inheritance, I saw a handwritten note left by a senior, which mentioned that the understanding of intent is the foundation for breaking through realms. Moreover, the understanding of intent has nothing to do with cultivation level."

He stared at Lin Tian, ​​his tone slightly trembling: "You were able to render a powerful innate expert like me, with only the body of a latent being, completely powerless to resist and left only to await death. You must have already touched upon the legendary 'realm'."

"However..." He paused, "those at the legendary level possess profound power in every gesture. But you only displayed it in a single sword strike, which suggests that you have only just grasped the concept and have not yet fully mastered it."

However, given time, young friend, you will surely be able to completely master the realm of intent, and at that time, stepping into the legendary realm will be a natural progression. That sword strike just now has already knocked on the door of intent, which is equivalent to stepping into the threshold of legend—to be able to witness the rise of a legendary powerhouse is truly an honor beyond measure! Hahaha!

Feng Qingyang stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his eyebrows dancing with joy, showing no trace of defeat, but rather a face full of pride.

Lin Tian was completely baffled, having no idea what "artistic conception" was. But he always believed in asking questions when he didn't understand, but he couldn't ask Feng Qingyang this question—the old man had already told him everything he could.

"System, what exactly is artistic conception?" he murmured to himself.

"As Feng Qingyang said, artistic conception is the only way for martial artists to break through to higher levels. The host's level of understanding of artistic conception can be viewed in the personal information panel," the system responded coldly.

As soon as the words were spoken, a screen of light appeared before their eyes:

Name: Lin Tian

Age: 19

Understanding the artistic conception: The artistic conception of death [10%]

Cultivation level: Perfected Acquired Realm

Cultivation Techniques: The Second Chapter of the Nine Yin Manual [Total of Four Chapters]

Cultivating martial arts skills: ...

"An extra artistic conception panel? Death artistic conception... only 10%?!" Lin Tian stared at the panel, his face filled with disbelief.

The power of that sword strike just now even made Feng Qingyang change color.

Such an astonishing strike, yet it only possessed 10% of its power? Not only would he not believe it himself, but if you told Feng Qingyang, he would probably shake his head.

"Please do not question the system's judgment, host." The system's tone was indifferent and left no room for argument.

"Uh... okay, no doubts, no doubts." Lin Tian helplessly spread his hands, then a glint flashed in his eyes: If a mere ten percent of the intent is this powerful, then what if it were ten percent perfect? ​​Wouldn't it be able to slay gods with a single slash and destroy Buddhas with a single kick?

"A reminder to the host: the likes of gods and Buddhas are far beyond your imagination. Not to mention the legendary realm, even if you step into the mythical realm, you would find it difficult to contend with them." The system timely poured a bucket of cold water on him, instantly extinguishing his wild fantasies.

"Fine, fine, I just wanted to feel good." Lin Tian said sheepishly.

"Young friend? Are you lost in thought?" Seeing Lin Tian standing there in a daze for a long time, Feng Qingyang finally spoke.

"Ah—" Lin Tian suddenly came back to his senses, smiled and cupped his hands, "I was just pondering what you said about artistic conception, and I got distracted for a moment."

"Haha, the legendary realm is indeed alluring, but one should not force it. Going with the flow is the true path." Feng Qingyang stroked his beard and laughed. "Young friend, you have comprehended the essence at the tender age of twenty. Your talent far surpasses that of Bodhidharma and Zhang Sanfeng. Becoming a legend in the future is a sure thing. If you deliberately pursue it, you will only fall short."

His words were full of envy.

Lin Tian simply nodded with a smile.

After Feng Qingyang finished speaking, he immediately clasped his hands and bowed to both Feng Qingyang and Yue Buqun: "I just had a great sparring session with Senior Feng and gained some insights. Such an opportunity should be best seized by seclusion for further study. May I ask if I may borrow your sect's Cliff of Repentance for a few days to cultivate in peace?"

He was already eager to cultivate the Formless Sword Bone.

The moment Feng Qingyang admitted defeat, Yue Buqun and the other three were struck dumb, their minds going completely blank.

What's going on?!

It was clearly just a seemingly ordinary sword light, so why was even Master Feng, who was at the Innate Realm, unable to defend against it?

Immediately afterward, upon hearing words like "artistic conception" and "legendary realm," their minds went completely blank, leaving only a buzzing echo.

They couldn't accept that this young man might one day be comparable to figures like Bodhidharma and Zhang Sanfeng, whose names would be remembered for eternity!

Being born in the same era is both a blessing and a curse.

Fortunately, history might record his story; tragically, he himself was nothing more than a shadow under his glory, a perpetual supporting character.

……

Upon hearing Lin Tian's request, Yue Buqun suppressed his shock and quickly replied, "Young Hero Lin, you may stay as long as you wish! Chong'er, your punishment at the Cliff of Repentance will be postponed for now."

"Yes, Master!" Linghu Chong replied with obvious delight.

Yue Buqun then turned to Feng Qingyang, his tone respectful yet anxious and pleading: "Uncle Feng, since Young Hero Lin needs to remain in seclusion here, why don't you come down the mountain with us first? The Huashan Sect is currently in dire straits and needs your guidance to take charge."

Having said that, he knelt down.