Austin was stunned by how rapidly he had progressed in Illusory Swordsmanship. He paused for a
while, looking confused.
'What is going on? I'm only a beginner here. Yet it feels like I've been practicing swordsmanship for
years and like I've mastered the essence of it! Is it only an illusion that I can use it the way I want it to
work, like it is a part of my body?
Or am I a genius? No! That cannot be! The word 'genius' doesn't do justice to what is going on.
Incredible! I must be a monster!'
The more he thought about this, the more he was confused. He couldn't justify what was happening
with a valid explanation.
Slightly lost in thought about this matter, he waved the Violet Royal Sword around. Glimmers of
ethereal sword-light appeared, transporting Austin to what felt like dreamland with just a glimpse.
Everything seemed unreal, unfathomable, unsubstantial, like a shadow. It was hard for him to tell the
difference between the real and the unreal.
Now, there was absolutely no doubt that Austin had gained mastery over Illusory Swordsmanship. And
once he had proven his skill, the sword displayed a great attacking power that was awe-inspiring.
But Austin had only spent one day practicing this Illusory Swordsmanship!
Swordsmanship was the most difficult skill of all martial arts. It required the practitioner to have good
insight. For a grade four swordsmanship, it usually took even the most talented cultivator about half a
month to grasp its essence.
In many cases, warriors who practiced any form of martial arts usually took top-grade pills to enhance
their talents. These pills helped them develop their potential and gain more insights about
swordsmanship, thus accelerating the process of cultivation.
However, Austin hadn't taken any pills to accomplish what he just had.
He racked his brains to find an explanation, and finally attributed his success to the fact that he was a
time traveler, and that his spirit might somehow be extremely strong.
It seemed that he not only had remarkable spiritual sense power, he also pretty easily and speedily
overtook general cultivators when it came to understanding martial arts skills.
He connected this to his experience of practicing the Wind-commanding Skill. He remembered that he
had taken about 2 or 3 months to reach the third level of the skill. What was more, he knew that his
dexterity at bodily movement far exceeded that of many Earth Realm masters.
After estimating possible contributors to his success, Austin decided to let it pass. That would do him
more good. So he focused on practicing his swordsmanship again.
Several minutes later, Austin found that the walls and window bars were covered with marks left by the
sword following his practice. He'd been so intent on practicing that he hadn't noticed what was
happening to the world around him.
Austin thought for a moment before walking out of the practice room and into the yard. He reckoned the
practice room contained invaluable Energy-gathering Arrays that might have been affected if he had
continued practicing there. Because if he ruined the Energy-gathering Arrays thoughtlessly, the value of
this luxurious house would be brought down by half.
In the yard, Austin stood still, sword in hand.
In his mind, he went through the important points that governed movement in the Illusory
Swordsmanship once again.
As he recollected the vital points: posture, strength manipulation, intent realm, and sword strike
direction, his vital energy thrummed through him, the same method of strength manipulation that
Illusory Swordsmanship dictated.
Without striking his sword, he had created an intent realm so powerful that its momentum felt like tens
of thousands of swords were ready to attack. The intent realm was formless and capricious like the
wind and cloud.
All of a sudden, Austin's body jolted, and he pointed the long sword in his hand to the sky. The vital
energy flew to the sword in a steady stream, as if it was constantly attracted to it. Visible as strands of
gold light continuously swirling around the sword, the currents of vital energy were a force to be
reckoned with. Under the force of the strong vital energy, the body of the Violet Royal Sword
ceaselessly stretched out and withdrew towards itself, taking it all in and pushing it outward with every
movement. It moved the way a ferocious golden dragon did, emitting great power and momentum.
Gleams of sword-light appeared out of nowhere and soared in all directions, piercing the air and
reaching for the sky, seeming to strike it down.
In a flash, a fierce gale sprang up, caused by the sword, throwing sand and stones up into the air. The
sword's momentum undulated like ocean waves, with clouds and mists covering the blues of the sky.
If anyone had the courage to arrive on the scene at this time, their courage would dissipate and fright
would set in. The sharp sword lights that flashed across the horizon were a sight to behold.
The strength of Austin's soul was, at this moment, completely controlled by the intent realm. He
couldn't think about anything else, which was an ode to what the intent realm of the Illusory
Swordsmanship could do.
Every strike, every posture, every movement of the Illusory Swordsmanship was like split Mercury; it
penetrated everywhere it could reach. And right now, it laid siege on every corner of Austin's soul. They
were seared into his very core.
And as Austin practiced, he was gradually able to comprehend the subtle and deep philosophy, the
quintessence and ingenuity of the Illusory Swordsmanship through his every movement.
In the yard, numerous sword-lights shot into the sky, making the place look as if shrouded in roiling
clouds and mists. The scene resembled a fairyland made for immortals, looking as ethereal as a
dream.
Austin had always been an avid cultivator. Once something had his full attention, he would completely
lose track of time.
Austin practiced the Illusory Swordsmanship for two days and three nights in a row, without a break for
food or sleep.
Warriors at the ninth level of the Energy Gathering Realm were ideally able to sustain themselves
without eating and drinking anything for five, six, or even ten days.
This was because when warriors practiced martial arts, they had the ability to absorb the aura of
heaven and earth from the surroundings to fuel themselves with energy.
The vital energy within Austin's body was sufficient for him to sustain himself without food or water for
several days, without losing any of his vigor.
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