When Earth Awakened, I Became a Sword Saintess

Chapter 122 : The Pinnacle of Swordsmanship is Sainthood

122: The Pinnacle of Swordsmanship is Sainthood

"Finally, it's done!"

Yuyin immediately immersed her entire being into the God-Devouring Chess space to study this sword art.

This sword art, like the others, consisted of the golden female phantom paired with ancient text. This was far more intuitive than just reading words and simple illustrations. And no matter what secret art the female phantom demonstrated, she could display it at its absolute peak, providing Yuyin with even greater inspiration and insight.

The very first sentence of this sword art read:

"The number of Heaven is nine."

"The pinnacle of swordsmanship is Sainthood."

"This sword manual is divided into nine layers, sharing the same number as Heaven."

Although Yuyin had long since learned the method of divided consciousness, at this moment, her will was completely captivated by the few, yet soul-stirring, heaven-piercing golden words at the beginning of this sword art. Even if she had wanted to, she found it temporarily impossible to pull her consciousness back.

"The number of Heaven is nine; the pinnacle of swordsmanship is Sainthood. This sword art is divided into nine layers, sharing the same number as... Heaven?" Yuyin's chest rose and fell deeply. She silently recited these astonishing words, and at that moment, an incredible idea sprouted in her mind.

"Nine Heavens Sword Saint?"

Yuyin couldn't see it herself, but as she sat on the sofa, a layer of fragrant sweat seeped from her body. Just from studying this sword art, she received such a huge shock and stimulation.

What kind of realm was that? What kind of height?

How high was the pinnacle of the sword? Where, exactly, was the peak of Heaven?

How could Yuyin possibly know at this moment, but she was filled with an unparalleled awe and excitement.

Nine Heavens Sword Saint.

What kind of bearing must an existence have to dare to call itself by such a name?

Yuyin planned to first skim through the entire sword art, like she did with other secret arts, to get a general idea. So she began to read on. The techniques and cultivation steps of this sword art were also divided into nine layers. Yuyin looked at them move by move, her heart pounding, her face flushing...

First Layer: Sword Maiden's Initial Form.

Second Layer: Sword Maiden's Crimson Rain.

Third Layer...

When she saw the third layer, Yuyin's breathing quickened, her heart raced, and her whole body became even hotter and harder to bear, as if her consciousness could ascend to the heavens at any moment along with that unbelievable immortal swordplay.

She forced herself to endure it, giving the third layer a very rough, reluctant once-over. It didn't matter that there was too much she didn't understand. Just looking at the third layer had too great an effect on her, as if her body was about to be controlled by the incredible power of this sword art, leaving her feeling drained.

Third Layer: Sword Maiden's Spiraling Dance.

Fourth Layer...

"Ah!!"

Yuyin suddenly cried out softly. An invisible force inside her seemed to surge violently, scattering all her strength. Her self-control and consciousness felt as if they were being sent soaring into the clouds by the power of this sword art.

She gasped weakly, her body drenched in fragrant sweat, and collapsed onto the sofa. Her eyes were hazy as she opened them, but she could see nothing, only darkness.

Gradually, Yuyin's vision and consciousness returned.

She rested for a good while before she recovered and slowly sat up.

"I actually... lost consciousness just now?" Yuyin's beautiful hair hung low, exuding a kind of pitiable charm of a female expert pursuing the ultimate peak yet finding it unattainable.

"No, this sword art is too strong, too powerful! Using all my control, I could only barely manage to see the third layer. I have no idea what comes after the third layer at all."

Although Yuyin couldn't see past the third layer, she leaned against the sofa arm with her hair scattered about, but a faint look of satisfaction appeared on her face, and a gratified blush couldn't help but rise. "Well... so be it. Doesn't this just prove how formidable and profound this sword art is?"

Three layers were enough. After all, she had to start cultivating from the first layer.

As for the techniques and secret arts of the Mysterious Female Sword Art beyond that, with her current self, she didn't even have the strength to see them clearly, let alone the qualification to cultivate them.

One step at a time!

Yuyin didn't feel the slightest bit of disappointment. On the contrary, she felt a sense of excitement and motivation.

"Perhaps, with my Xia Yuyin's aptitude, I might not be able to cultivate even half of this Mysterious Female Sword Art in my lifetime, but I will work hard, with all my effort and all possibilities. And, I don't care about success or failure, gain or loss. To have such a sword art to cultivate is already a form of happiness."

Yuyin stood up, her whole body exuding a vibrant, feminine fragrance. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, revealing a joyful charm.

"Besides, just from my initial glance at the first and second layers, let alone both, I'm afraid that even mastering just the first layer would be enough for me to be invincible in this academy."

Yuyin went to drink some water to replenish the large amount of fluid she had lost, adjusted her state slightly, and then, without even bothering to bathe or change clothes, she began to cultivate the first layer of the "Mysterious Female Sword Art."

Yuyin began to carefully study the first layer, repeatedly observing the phantom's demonstration of the moves. After all, this was some kind of phantom formed from a consciousness she couldn't explain, and it wouldn't get tired, so she could watch it over and over.

"Why do I feel... that this Mysterious Female Sword Art, from the first layer, has a feeling of being in the same lineage as the Polaris Sword Art? However, the first layer of the Mysterious Female Sword Art is far more profound than the entire Polaris Sword Art. And, unlike the Polaris Sword Art, the techniques of the Mysterious Female Sword Art clearly carry a feminine charm and style. Of course, this is a sword art specially suitable for women to cultivate."

After all, it was called the Mysterious Female Sword Art, so of course it was suitable for women to cultivate.

"Not just suitable, it can only be cultivated by women." As Yuyin read on, she understood. The circulation of Primordial Energy and the turmoil of the Spirit Water were all centered on the Jade Pool. Men do not have a Purple Source Palace, nor a Jade Pool, so they fundamentally cannot cultivate it.

Yuyin had brought back the silver longsword from the competition. This sword had the exact same weight as a real sword, making it very suitable for cultivation.

At this moment, a fine rain was falling outside the window. Yuyin, listening to the sound of the rain, began her first cultivation session of the "Mysterious Female Sword Art" in the spacious hall, in front of a window that looked out towards the junction of water and sky, where the Magic City lay.

The first layer of the Mysterious Female Sword Art, Sword Maiden's Initial Form, consisted of thirty-six basic forms. It integrated the cultivation of swordplay, movement techniques, the tacit understanding of human and sword as one, and practical application, all in a harmonious blend.

Once these thirty-six forms were mastered, one's practical combat abilities, such as slashing power, speed, balance, and technique when attacking, would all see a significant improvement.

And the state of mind, the perception between the person and the sword, was also a key point of this layer's cultivation. The so-called unity of human and sword was considered a very high realm by many sword masters, but it was just one of the several requirements for mastering the first layer.

In addition to the thirty-six forms, the first layer of the Mysterious Female Sword Art also had three ultimate techniques.

These three techniques were:

For blocking: Heavenly Maiden's Intercept.

For movement: Lotus Azure Step.

For mind cultivation: Jade Clarity Thought.

"The first layer of the Mysterious Female Sword Art, there's actually no ultimate attacking technique?" Yuyin said in surprise.

This Mysterious Female Sword Art, like the Polaris Sword Art, started with an emphasis on defense, treating defense, movement, and footwork as the foundation and utmost priority for a female swordswoman. The cultivation of the Polaris Sword Art had given Yuyin a very good foundation.

Actually, when Yuyin thought about it, the principle wasn't that profound. A strong person might kill countless people in their life, but they only needed to be killed once. To live was to be able to continue fighting, to have the possibility to continue cultivating and improving.

However, rather than being in the same lineage, Yuyin had a feeling that it was more like the Polaris Sword Art was crudely imitating the Mysterious Female Sword Art? Or perhaps it had obtained a partial inheritance of the Mysterious Female Sword Art?

Furthermore, the first layer of the Mysterious Female Sword Art also included a type of cultivation method that Yuyin had never practiced before: a mind cultivation technique.

"First, I will practice the thirty-six forms until they are proficient." Yuyin's eyes sparkled with starlight. She brandished her longsword, practicing the Mysterious Female Sword Art's forms, sweating profusely.