Chapter 429
"We won't discuss what the Tianhe Sword Path is, nor will we talk about how one sword gives rise to myriad laws. Both notions are too ethereal. Instead, let's focus on the three realms of sword cultivation as rumored: Sword Qi Thunder Sound, Sword Qi Transforming into a Rainbow, and Refining the Sword into Threads. Oh, I've also heard of one that transforms the sword into countless forms..."
Sister Zhang's perspective was clearly different from Zheng Fa's.
"If we break it down, using the sword as a magical artifact results in four phenomena:"
"Thunder Sound, at its core, is a special kind of sound."
"Transforming into a Rainbow can be seen as a unique form of thunder technique, or in other words, it produces light."
"Both can be viewed as energy changes during a transformation process."
"Refining the sword into threads represents the splitting of the magical artifact."
"Sword transforming into countless forms is the self-replication of the magical artifact."
Sister Zhang looked at Zheng Fa and said, "From a theoretical standpoint, isn't this just a phase change of the magical artifact? The essence of a magical artifact's phase change is, after all, the phase change of spiritual materials. This brings us back to our studies in spiritual materials."
"If we set aside the Tianhe Sword Path and focus solely on principles and phenomena, your ideas are sound and have a good chance of being realized."
Zheng Fa nodded as he listened; indeed, these four realms could all be achieved through the Five Elements spells, or rather, they were manifestations of the phase changes in spiritual materials.
Uncle Pang and Madam Xuanhua exchanged glances, both showing signs of admiration.
They were still digesting Zheng Fa's theories, busy trying to keep up with the thoughts of this sect leader.
Zhang Wuyi not only understood what Zheng Fa was saying but began to think from another angle, even providing more convincing inferences.
Earlier, when they first heard Zheng Fa's ideas, they had some doubts because those thoughts seemed too fantastical, springing up unexpectedly before them.
But with Zhang Wuyi's additions, this system gradually became more coherent.
"Zhang Shizhi, you..." Uncle Pang suddenly exclaimed, "I see that you are the only one who can grasp what Zheng Fa is saying so quickly, both in the heavens and on earth..."
Zheng Fa looked at Sister Zhang, noticing her calm expression, as if she had merely provided a small feasibility proof for him.
Yet, the slight upward curve of her lips was undeniably charming.
He couldn't help but smile; it was a rare and beautiful thing when someone could understand you instantly, even better than you understood yourself.
The first principles that emerged from Sister Zhang's mouth made him realize that her understanding of him might not stem from innate talent or intelligence, but rather from memories of past experiences...
Even her way of speaking, always referring to phenomena and principles, bore some resemblance to his own.
Zheng Fa felt a sense of satisfaction in nurturing this understanding...
The harmony of yin and yang, the allure of love between men and women is indeed tempting, but having such a confidante surpasses even the beauty of Chang'e in the Moon Palace.
As the four of them continued walking, they encountered Xiao Yuying, and soon Elder Yuan joined them. Naturally, they were also interested in the legendary Tianhe Sword Path.
The six of them followed Sister Zhang's line of thought, each contributing to refine this theory.
The main focus was on how to validate this theory.
Zheng Fa summarized, "To validate it, we must start from the study of spiritual materials. We need to find similar spiritual materials and then simulate various effects."
"Sword Qi Thunder Sound and Sword Qi Transforming into a Rainbow are easy enough to discuss," Xiao Yuying spoke first. "I have a type of spiritual material called Ming Lei Stone, which can produce sounds similar to thunder."
"Sword Qi Transforming into a Rainbow, I've seen practitioners from the Tianhe Sect use it, and it indeed has a thunderous feel."
"Refining the sword into threads..." Madam Xuanhua slowly got into the groove, saying, "As for threads, there are some extremely sharp and flexible silk-like spiritual treasures among the spiritual materials. If refining the sword into threads truly means achieving that state, we can explore this further through such materials. I'll find someone to buy some."
Elder Yuan nodded slowly, "As for Sword Transforming into Countless Forms, that's actually the simplest... the Wood Element Talisman can self-replicate, can't it?"
The discussion came to a pause, and everyone fell silent for a moment.
Uncle Pang said in disbelief, "Wait... have we really unraveled the mysteries of the Tianhe Sword Path in just a few words?"
"Not quite that simple," Zheng Fa replied, shaking his head. "Whether this theory is correct or not, figuring out how to realize these magical paths is still a challenge."
"We're just gathering some concrete evidence to determine our research direction. As for how to simulate these spiritual materials, especially how to induce corresponding phase changes in the particles within our bodies, that's the key."
His words caused the joy on Uncle Pang and the others' faces to gradually fade.
Madam Xuanhua, however, rubbed her head, feeling something was off—how did such profound concepts suddenly invade her mind?
She glanced at Xiao Yuying, whose expression was even more complex. Suddenly, she understood the source of this strange feeling:
Such secret methods or insights are usually passed down orally in the Xuanwei Realm, often not shared between master and disciple, or father and son. Yet now, the people of Jiushan seemed to have grown accustomed to openly sharing their thoughts.
Even outsiders like her and Xiao Yuying couldn't help but get involved, even wanting to contribute.
The group arrived at the medicinal garden, and at its center stood the Qingjing Bamboo.
The Qingjing Bamboo had only grown to the width of two fingers and the height of a person, slender and swaying in the wind.
In the medicinal garden, Qian Zhenren, seeing several prominent figures from the sect arrive, was completely at ease and directly greeted Uncle Pang, "Zhenren Pang, you're here again today?"
Zheng Fa looked at Uncle Pang, whose chubby face turned slightly red as he softly replied, "I come to check on this Qingjing Bamboo every day; it puts my mind at ease."
Elder Yuan patted his junior brother's shoulder, seemingly understanding what he meant.
Though small, the Qingjing Bamboo held great significance for the Jiushan Realm. Compared to before, the changes in the Jiushan Realm indicated that this plant could nourish the realm. Even if the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor were to return, they wouldn't be as worried.
Uncle Pang likely felt a sense of safety, but from Zheng Fa's understanding of him, it was probably because this plant could protect the Jiushan Sect and its members.
Uncle Pang was perhaps the one who valued the Jiushan Sect the most in the previous generation.
Sister Zhang, however, said softly, "It's a pity we can't grow a second one."
Zheng Fa's expression grew serious; they had come to the medicinal garden precisely for this matter.
Qian Zhenren seemed prepared, pointing to several mounds of earth nearby. Those mounds had been dug up, each containing a few freshly rooted bamboo shoots, all appearing as if they had been wind-dried, devoid of any vitality.
"All of them like this?"
Qian Zhenren replied with concern, "We've tried seven times, and each time they died at the rooting stage. A few days ago, I asked Zhenren Pang to take a look."
"It's because of this Qingjing Bamboo," Uncle Pang pointed to the only surviving Qingjing Bamboo and said, "I used my洞虚灵眼 (Dongxu Lingyan, a type of spiritual vision) to see that once another Qingjing Bamboo takes root, this one will surely devour its vitality and spiritual energy, leaving no chance for survival."
Qian Zhenren added, "I thought it was because the medicinal garden was too close, so I tried on other islands, but it was the same. I suspect that within the Jiushan Realm, only this one Qingjing Bamboo can survive."
"Only one can survive?"
"Yes, I'm planning to try in the mortal realm. If it’s the same there, it seems this Qingjing Bamboo has a tendency to reject its kind."
Zheng Fa furrowed his brows, looking at the Qingjing Bamboo, his heart stirred as he asked, "Do you think it's only one in the Jiushan Realm, or could it be that even in the Xuanwei Realm, there can only be one?"
"Elder, isn't there still..." Elder Yuan began to say a few words, then suddenly realized, "The one in Taishang Dao has no roots!"
"Previously, I heard from Lei Yin Temple that this Qingjing Bamboo seems to be some kind of Buddha's fruit..." Zheng Fa recalled another matter, "When we discussed the transformation of the spirit, it seemed there was a similar principle that could only accommodate a certain amount of powerful beings."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone immediately turned their gaze to the Blood River Ancestor.
Here stood a living transformation of the spirit, well, one that hadn’t completely died.
The Blood River Ancestor paused for a moment and said honestly, "I haven't reached the realm of understanding the Buddha's fruit yet, but speaking of it, the Holy Teachings' transformations are all cultivated from the Holy Ancestor's methods, and there’s no rejection involved. However, the Holy Teachings and other demonic sects are not harmonious, which might be a reason for that."
Elder Yuan frowned, "Is the Buddha's fruit unique?"
"That makes some sense. If this thing could be more common, why didn't Taishang Dao cultivate more of them before?" Uncle Pang added, "If Lei Yin Temple wants one, wouldn’t it be better to share rather than fight?"
"Uh, if the Qingjing Bamboo from Taishang Dao were to disappear, wouldn’t Lei Yin Temple come looking for us? Ours still has roots."
"They can look all they want! This Qingjing Bamboo belongs to our Jiushan Sect!" Uncle Pang, who cared most about the Qingjing Bamboo, immediately cursed upon hearing this, then worriedly added, "In that case, we need to keep this matter a secret."
This was indeed sound reasoning; after all, Lei Yin Temple had shown itself to be quite unreasonable, and attracting trouble would be a hassle.
Zheng Fa reached out toward the Qingjing Bamboo. Just as his hand brushed against the bamboo's surface, he suddenly frowned and quickly withdrew his hand.
"What's wrong?" Sister Zhang immediately asked.
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