The Place Where the Sword Saint Attained Enlightenment!
Upon hearing these words, Ye Qiu’s heart jolted, and he asked, “Has the Water Moon Sect ever produced a Sword Saint?”
Qian Shanxue shook her head, “Never.”
Ye Qiu’s eyes revealed confusion.
Qiu Shan Nange explained, “In the history of our Great East, there have been two Sword Saints.”
“The first was the Upper Spring Sword Saint.”
“The Upper Spring Sword Saint was a great military strategist of the Great East’s Warring States period. In his early years, he studied various martial arts and all kinds of sword techniques. Later, he taught military strategy to the imperial family and was bestowed the title of ‘World’s Greatest’ Sword Saint.”
“As for the second Sword Saint, that was the Tsukahara Sword Saint.”
When Qiu Shan Nange mentioned the Tsukahara Sword Saint, her eyes shone with admiration, and she said, “The Tsukahara Sword Saint was the strongest swordsman of the Warring States period, undefeated throughout his life.”
“Historical records state that he fought in thirty-seven major battles, killed two hundred and twelve enemies, and engaged in nineteen sword duels, never once sustaining an injury.”
“The Tsukahara Sword Saint’s swordsmanship was supreme, almost without rival. Even the Upper Spring Sword Saint had received guidance from the Tsukahara Sword Saint.”
“He was a legendary figure, with many disciples, some of whom later founded their own sects, becoming grandmasters of their generation.”
“The founder of our Water Moon Sect was once a maidservant of the Tsukahara Sword Saint.”
At this point, Qiu Shan Nange pointed to the cliff’s edge and said to Ye Qiu, “Look there.”
Ye Qiu looked up and saw seven steps on the cliff’s edge.
The steps were built from massive bluestone, and at the top of the steps was a square stone.
Qiu Shan Nange said, “That place is where the Tsukahara Sword Saint once attained enlightenment, later called the Enlightenment Platform by posterity.”
“The Water Moon Sect’s records state that back then, the Tsukahara Sword Saint sat cross-legged on that square stone for seven days and seven nights.”
“Whether it was wind, rain, or mosquito bites, the Tsukahara Sword Saint never moved an inch.”
“On the eighth day, the Tsukahara Sword Saint suddenly opened his eyes, releasing a tremendous sword aura from his body.”
“At the same time, a divine sword traversed ten thousand miles of sky and landed before the Tsukahara Sword Saint.”
“It is said that the sword light was tens of thousands of zhang long, and when it streaked across the sky, everyone in the Great East saw it.”
“Later, people said that the Tsukahara Sword Saint had comprehended a supreme sword technique, catching the attention of the heavens, which deliberately sent him a divine sword to aid his invincibility in the world.”
Ye Qiu pursed his lips.
He didn’t believe it at all.
Such stories were typically fabricated by predecessors to highlight their extraordinary nature.
In China, there were plenty of such tales, especially about the births of emperors, almost always accompanied by celestial omens.
For example,
During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, was born after his mother dreamed of holding the sun, soon becoming pregnant with him. At birth, his right hand bore the character “Wu” (martial).
When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, was born, the room filled with purple qi, and a nun arrived, saying this child was extraordinary and offered to care for him. His mother, holding him, suddenly saw horns sprout on Yang Jian’s head and scales cover his body, startling her so much she dropped him. The nun said the child was frightened, so his conquest of the world would be delayed. Yang Jian ascended the throne at forty-eight, and at birth, his hand bore the character “Wang” (king).
As for Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty, it’s said that after she became emperor, during a winter garden tour, she found bare landscapes disappointing. Angered, she decreed that all flowers in Luoyang must bloom the next day. Under her imperial might, the flowers of Luoyang indeed bloomed the following day, leading the world to believe Wu Zetian was the true dragon emperor.
And Song Taizu, Zhao Kuangyin, at birth, a red light illuminated the room, like cracking furnace coals with sparks flying, and his body emitted a strange fragrance that lingered, even more remarkable than the Fragrant Consort.
Beyond these, the Four Great Classical Novels are filled with tales of celestial omens.
Before Sun Jian’s birth, his ancestral grave emitted five-colored light shooting into the sky; when Wei Wen Emperor Cao Pi was born, a blue cloud, shaped like a carriage canopy, hovered over him all day…
Such examples are countless.
Ye Qiu knew these were methods used by feudal rulers to consolidate power. In modern times, even an uneducated fool wouldn’t believe them.
Qiu Shan Nange seemed to sense Ye Qiu’s disbelief and said, “As for whether the divine sword crossing the sky is true or false, no one knows anymore, but what’s certain is that the Tsukahara Sword Saint did comprehend an extremely powerful sword technique here.”
“The founder of our Water Moon Sect was a young maidservant by the Tsukahara Sword Saint’s side. When the Sword Saint attained enlightenment here, our founder was by his side.”
“The Tsukahara Sword Saint realized an exceptionally profound sword technique, and our founder benefited greatly. In just three years, she went from a maidservant with no martial skills to a top-tier expert renowned in the Great East, founding the Water Moon Sect.”
“This place is a forbidden area of the Water Moon Sect.”
“Except for the sect leaders of each generation, no one else is allowed to come here. The reasons Xue and I brought you here are several.”
“First, you saved both Xue and me, and we must repay your kindness.”
“Second, because of your special relationship with Xue.”
At these words, Ye Qiu winked at Qiu Shan Nange, as if to say, “Don’t I have a special relationship with you too?”
Qiu Shan Nange’s face flushed slightly, pretending not to notice, and continued, “The third reason is that I heard from Xue that you have a formidable enemy yet to be defeated. Bringing you here is in hopes that you can comprehend something to further your cultivation.”
Ye Qiu asked, “What should I do next?”
Qian Shanxue pointed at the Enlightenment Platform and said, “Those seven steps each bear the sword intent left by the Tsukahara Sword Saint.”
Ye Qiu was shocked.
The Tsukahara Sword Saint was from the Great East’s Warring States period, and his sword intent still remained?
The Great East’s Warring States period was equivalent to China’s Ming Dynasty, even so, that was several hundred years ago.
If the sword intent truly persisted, how powerful was the Tsukahara Sword Saint’s cultivation back then?
Qian Shanxue added, “If you can step onto the seventh step, you can sit and meditate on the Enlightenment Platform to comprehend.”
“Because the sword intent’s pressure on the steps is very strong, stepping onto the seventh step is extremely difficult.”
“However, even if you can’t reach the seventh step, I believe you’ll still gain something.”
Ye Qiu asked, “Xue, have you and your master stepped onto the seventh step?”
Qian Shanxue shook her head, “I’m ashamed to say, both Master and I have only reached the third step.”
What?
Ye Qiu was utterly shocked.
Qian Shanxue and Qiu Shan Nange’s martial cultivation was definitely not weak, especially Qiu Shan Nange, one of the Great East’s three martial grandmasters, yet she had only reached the third step. This was too unbelievable, wasn’t it?
“Ye Qiu, give it a try!” Qiu Shan Nange said.
“Mm.” Ye Qiu nodded and walked toward the Enlightenment Platform.
He was a bit curious—how many steps could he reach?
