Chapter 297: Formless Sword - 297
Guang Fu walked up to the pile of swords and grabbed a random one. Just a few moments ago, he had finished receiving specific instructions on using the technique from Tian Ren.
Aiming at the sky, the sword began to twirl while floating above his hand. After a few seconds, it shot upwards.
The sword traveled a mile before exploding.
"We will practice using the technique for a while and speeding up your usage, before beginning to practice with moving targets." Tian Ren said.
Guang Fu nodded and grabbed another sword.
10 years passed quickly.
Halfway through the 10 years, Guang Fu broke into the 7th level of the nascent soul realm.
Guang Fu stood in the field while holding another sword from the pile. Despite his constant practice, the mountain of swords had only gone down about halfway.
Guang Fu held the sword up and pointed it at the sky. The sword quickly shot out of his hand while rotating. It went 5 miles before exploding in a condensed fashion.
"Good." Tian Ren said. "We will now practice with moving targets."
Another 10 years passed by.
Guang Fu stood in a field as 20 flying golems the size of Heavenborns weaved around. Guang Fu had three swords next to him.
Occasionally, a few of the targets would line up or bunch together. Guang Fu watched carefully for these moments as he picked up one of the three swords and aimed its point at the sky.
Time ticked by, and all of a sudden, Guang Fu moved fast enough to blur. Three swords were shot out and exploded almost simultaneously, destroying all twenty targets.
"Once again, well done." Tian Ren said. "The next move will be the hardest for you to comprehend. It has been named the formless sword."
Guang Fu listened attentively.
"This is not like most techniques. It will require you to attain a certain personality or feeling. You will train and hone that feeling until you can burst out with it. Only then will you touch a sword." Tian Ren explained.
"This is one of the reasons that this mountain was chosen as a training spot. It is peaceful, serene, and full of nature." Tian Ren said as he looked at the mountain peak.
"I will not lie or hide things from you. The war is taking a turn for the worse. Yao Mun has recently started an offensive campaign. Most of the talents have been killed by his hands. Now, there is even a flee on sight order. It may not help you in your training, but please, hurry up." Tian Ren spoke.
Guang Fu did not respond, but Tian Ren knew that he understood.
"There." Tian Ren said as he pointed up. "You will meditate on the mountain peak. You can cultivate while meditating, but focus on the outside world. You must become formless, a part of nature. You will know that you have succeeded when birds treat you as a resting point and grass begins to grow on you. This is as much as I can help you with this."
"I understand." Guang Fu said as he stood up and flew to the mountain peak.
Without wasting time, he began to follow Tian Ren's instruction. He meditated, and he attempted to become a part of the world itself.
What Tian Ren did not inform Guang Fu of was that only three Heavenborns had ever succeeded in achieving the formless state required to use the technique.
Even Tian Ren failed as he was held down by worries and desires concerning the Heavenborns.
Tian Ren had fueled Guang Fu's desire to help the people of the world, but it may have had a countering effect. Sadly, it was necessary.
Yet, despite his old age and wisdom, Tian Ren underestimated Guang Fu. He did not know just how much his words had affected him.
Knowing that, even in death, the mortal villagers he cared about would be protected, Guang Fu was ready to die. In fact, he expected it. The hope of defeating Yao Mun was slim to none. It would take a miracle.
After 50 years, Guang Fu stood up.
The birds perched on him and the grass covering his legs went away.
He jumped off silently and landed in front of the house.
"I am finished." He whispered.
The next second, Tian Ren was beside him. Tian Ren stayed silent and handed him a manual.
Guang Fu had already exceeded any expectations from before.
"You should understand this better than I." Tian Ren said as he walked back into the house.
Seeing Guang Fu show so much talent was making him emotional. He never thought he would see a day where another Heavenborn besides Yao Mun showed talent comparable to himself.
Guang Fu opened the book and memorized it in one go. He understood what needed to happen and how he needed to train himself.
20 years later, Tian Ren watched as Guang Fu's hand rested on the yellow sword strapped to his side.
Then, Guang Fu grabbed the sword and pulled it out in a swinging motion. As soon as the sword fully exited the sheath, the sword seemed to disappear. Of course, Tian Ren could see it, but any nascent soul realm cultivator couldn't. Even most soul formation cultivators couldn't.
The sword produced no wind or sound, and could not be seen. It was the ultimate surprise attack.
Yao Mun's strength was only in his offensive ability. He was above average in everything, but even if he was at the tenth level of the nascent soul realm, he would not have another aspect at the soul formation realm besides offense.
"Good." Tian Ren said once again. "This is the core of your fight against Yao Mun. Everything else will be additional."
Guang Fu nodded.
"Thank you." He said to Tian Ren.
"No. Thank you. You have allowed me to see hope once again." Tian Ren responded.
"We will work now on your detection techniques, followed by movement techniques, and finally creating your own sword style." Tian Ren added.
Chapter 298: The Battle Arrives - 298
Over the next 30 years, Guang Fu was taught powerful detection techniques and movement techniques. Each of the techniques he learned was one of the greatest in the world.
They would ensure that Yao Mun would not be able to hide from him or completely outclass him in speed.
"Remember, Yao Mun will likely still be faster than you. This will only make it fairer." Tian Ren said.
Based on what Tian Ren had said, Yao Mun spent a lot longer practicing movement techniques than Guang Fu.
"Next, we will create your own sword style. As I said before, I believe this is best learned by yourself." Tian Ren said. "Soon, you will reach the 10th level of the nascent soul realm. Soon after that, the battle will take place."
Guang Fu solemnly nodded. He was ready to practice with all of his effort.
After setting themselves up in the yard with their swords, Tian Ren came forward. Guang Fu had already started making his own sword style during the first months of training. He was only going back to it now.
This time, Tian Ren did not cut limbs off. He only left light scratches where a painful or fatal blow would have landed.
After 50 years, Guang Fu stood in front of Tian Ren as he had for a lot of his lifespan.
"It is time." Tian Ren said.
On the surface, Tian Ren looked neutral and stern, but he had grown attached to Guang Fu over their training.
He almost saw him as his son.
"You have not disappointed me. Are you prepared?" Tian Ren asked.
"I am more prepared than ever." Guang Fu responded.
Guang Fu was 291 years old, still considered young by the cultivation standard. Now, he was ready to fight to the death.
"Then let us move out." Tian Ren said as he hopped on his sword and flew.
Guang Fu looked at his yellow sword and did the same.
The flight was silent. Guang Fu had a brave face, but he could not help but feel nervous deep inside.
More than the fear of losing, he felt fear that everything he had gone through was for nothing. That he would die without fulfilling his purpose.
Luckily, he knew that his fear would dissipate when the time came.
Soon, Guang Fu and Tian Ren flew down onto the Heaven world base. The air seemed a lot more solemn than before Guang Fu left.
"What happened here?" Guang Fu asked.
"I've been out of the loop for a while myself." Tian Ren said. A second later, he noticed someone flying from afar.
"Hello husband." Tian Ren's wife said as she landed beside them.
"Good to see you. I would love to hang around, but we have an appointment soon. Quickly tell me what's going on." Tian Ren spoke to his wife.
"Alright. Morale around the base has been low since we had to take Yao Mun counter measures. A few years ago, he started to rampage around and kill any 3rd tier nascent soul realm cultivator he could get his hands on. Ignoring the bunch that we lost, the rest are guarded by 1st tier and 2nd tier nascent soul realm cultivators. Despite that, the beast world is operating normally and pushing us back." His wife explained.
"Alright. Tell me where Yao Mun is." Tian Ren said.
His wife looked confused for a moment as she scrunched her eyebrows. After a moment, she finally registered Guang Fu.
"Don't tell me you mean too…" Before she could finish, Tian Ren interrupted her.
"We don't have the time to speak. Tell me." He said.
"Fine. Here." She said as she handed him a location pinpointing talisman.
Tian Ren took it and flew into the air, followed by Guang Fu.
Before they took off, Tian Ren stopped in mid air. He was now high enough to see the entire base, and everyone in the base could see him. They were all staring in wonder at the first Heavenborn.
After a moment, Tian Ren spoke, his voice resounding across the base.
"Beside me stands Guang Fu. In just a few moments, he will battle Yao Mun." Tian Ren declared, shocking all those below. Yao Mun's name was widely known by both worlds now.
"Regardless of whether he wins or loses, remember his face. This is one of the most talented Heavenborns ever. He is the only one among us who may be able to defeat Yao Mun. I do not ask you to applaud or cheer, but memorize this man. He is what we should all strive for." Tian Ren said, allowing all his emotions built up over the years to be let out.
His will to sacrifice against Yao Mun, his pride in Guang Fu, and his dreams for all Heavenborns.
A moment later, he and Guang Fu flew away.
It was not long at all before they reached the first teleportation array. After a few more, they entered an enemy square.
They stood still on the ground as they looked ahead. After a moment, Tian Ren spoke.
"No matter how this turns out, even if it means nothing to you, know that I am thankful and proud of you." Tian Ren said.
"Thank you." Guang Fu said as he walked forward.
Tian Ren watched with mixed feelings as the barrier shot up, enclosing Yao Mun and Guang Fu behind a white dome.
—--------------------------------
Inside the barrier, Guang Fu saw nothing but empty plains. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. He felt the emblem on his chest.
When he exhaled and his eyes opened, he was ready to fight to the death. He immediately deployed a detection technique, but as he did so, Yao Mun burst out of the ground from far away.
"You again? Are you lost or something?" Yao Mun laughed mockingly.
"Don't tell me you are here to fight me." Yao Mun said after looking into Guang Fu's eyes.
As Guang Fu stepped forward, he grabbed the sword in his sheath.
"I was a coward then, but I am a coward no longer." He spoke full of resolve.
"Then let me see just how far that bravery takes you." Yao Mun smiled.
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