I forge immortality with spiritual treasures.

Chapter 24 Star-Pointing Sword Technique
"Junior brother wants to learn mortal swordsmanship?"

"Exactly."

Ying Chan was even more surprised, "Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"

"Abandoning the essential for the trivial?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanying shook his head: "That's not the case."

"So that my senior brother may know, I have been studying the Star Pointing Sword Technique for some time now."

"Its emphasis is on speed, sharpness, and ever-changing techniques, with each move 'pointing at the stars'."

"That is, to continuously attack the enemy's weaknesses through rapid offensives and free changes."

"As I said before, the most important thing in the art of flying swords is 'momentum'. This statement is not actually mine, but rather said by Master Qi."

"Professor Qi?" Ying Chan's heart skipped a beat.

“That’s right.” Li Xuanying continued, “When I was listening to the lecture, I heard the academy master say this, and I have always regarded it as the guiding principle. When I practice the Star Pointing Sword Technique, I also pay more attention to comprehending the sword’s momentum.”

"Even now, I feel I have gained a lot, but I have not found a single mistake."

By this point, Ying Chan already had some guesses.

Sure enough, Li Xuanying said, "I suppose Senior Brother has also figured it out."

"It is not wrong for me to focus on sword techniques, but if I ignore the basics, any understanding will become castles in the air."

It turned out that the day before, Li Xuanying was practicing swordsmanship in the mountains when he was noticed by a senior brother he didn't know.

That senior brother meant well. He noticed that his swordsmanship was lacking, so he pointed out the key to him and even tested his moves with him.

Li Xuanying then realized that his understanding of swordsmanship was completely useless in actual sword fighting.

Even if he wanted to use his swordsmanship to 'point the star', his opponent wouldn't need to react. As his swordsmanship evolved and his weaknesses shifted, Li Xuanying would naturally lose his composure...

"My swordsmanship is too weak, and my control over flying swords is even worse."

"That senior brother suggested that I start by practicing ordinary sword techniques to find the feeling of controlling the sword, and then move from controlling the sword with my body to controlling the sword with my qi."

Ying Chan nodded thoughtfully.

This is similar to the principle of 'carving' in the art of crafting.

With his Qi Refining cultivation nearing completion, Li Xuanying's control over his magical power was obviously not lacking, but his understanding of the sword's variations was too limited.

If you don't have the feeling of controlling the sword in your heart, how can you control it at will?
"In that case, I understand."

Ying Chan said, "My swordsmanship isn't particularly outstanding, but I do have some insights that might be useful to you."

Li Xuanying's eyes lit up: "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

"Let me borrow your sword for now."

Li Xuanying immediately handed over the long sword in his hand. Ying Chan took it without saying a word, took two steps, and stood still in the open space.

Li Xuanying watched intently, and saw Ying Chan slightly close his eyes, then slowly move one foot, and as he walked, the sword in his hand also swung up.

Pointing, pricking, stroking, cutting, washing, hanging, chopping, slicing, twisting...

At first, Ying Chan moved very slowly, taking one step and wielding his sword, and it was not obvious how powerful he was. But as his sword moved faster and faster, all that could be seen was the chaotic dance of sword light, which scattered the sunlight falling in the courtyard.

Li Xuanying's eyes widened slightly.

Compared to his unrestrained and imaginative moves, Ying Chan's every move was extremely simple, yet as fluid and effortless as flowing water and clouds, demonstrating his consummate skill.

As time went on, he gradually felt that Ying Chan seemed to be intentionally controlling the range of his swordplay.

With this guess, and upon closer observation, Li Xuanying quickly discovered that although Ying Chan's sword light was constantly moving around in all directions, it was actually always within a radius of one zhang (approximately 3.3 meters), and never exceeded one li (approximately 0.3 meters).

After a long while, Ying Chan slowly sheathed his sword and stood still. The position beneath his feet was exactly the same as before he had wielded the sword.

"How was it?" Ying Chan let out a soft sigh and smiled, "Xuanying, did you understand?" Li Xuanying thought for a moment and then said, "Senior brother, are you teaching me how to control the changes in swordsmanship?"

“Not bad,” Ying Chan said. “No matter your moves, no matter how unconventional they are, you must try to control them within this area.”

"If one day I can achieve complete control within this space, then I will naturally be able to control the changes in swordsmanship at will."

"I see." Li Xuanying immediately became eager to try it out.

Ying Chan was in no hurry to return the longsword, and continued, "Besides the variations in swordsmanship, the sword itself must be controlled with meticulous precision."

"Xuanying, just watch carefully."

Before the words were finished, a gust of wind suddenly rose in the courtyard, carrying a fallen leaf, which drifted and swayed in the breeze.

At this moment, Ying Chan suddenly thrust out his long sword, the tip of which touched the fallen leaves, instantly unleashing a dazzling burst of sword light, which was then withdrawn in the blink of an eye.

Li Xuanying was quick-witted and nimble-fingered, picking the fallen leaf in his hand and examining it.

Ying Chan used the tip of his sword to write the character "sword" on a drifting leaf without even piercing its surface.

"This……"

Li Xuanying shook his head: "Senior brother, is this considered 'not very skillful in swordsmanship'?"

Ying Chan just laughed and returned the longsword, saying, "These are just some techniques that you've practiced diligently. With your cultivation level, Junior Brother, you should be able to get the hang of them quickly."

Li Xuanying did not refute this; the control cultivators have over their physical bodies is beyond imagination.

He hadn't paid much attention to it before and didn't know how to get started, but now that Ying Chan has given him guidance, his progress will definitely be fast.

However, in his view, Ying Chan's skills were by no means that simple...

Li Xuanying took the longsword, thought for a moment, and said, "Senior brother, wait for me a moment."

Having said that, he quickly went inside. When he returned shortly afterward, he had a scroll and a jade talisman in his hand.

"This is……"

"This scroll is the 'Star-Pointing Sword Manual'," Li Xuanying said. "Senior brother, take a look. With your swordsmanship skills, you will surely gain a lot from it."

Ying Chan's eyes lit up.

After spending half a year together, he knew Li Xuanying's personality and didn't hesitate to say no, "In that case, thank you, Xuanying."

Li Xuanying nodded and handed over the jade talisman: "This is a magic jade I obtained by exchanging my Taoist cultivation. You can use it to observe the Star Sword's power."

"Let's keep this junior brother."

Since it was obtained through Daoist cultivation, Ying Chan was not so impolite. "I also have Daoist cultivation; I can exchange it again if needed."

"Senior brother misunderstands," Li Xuanying said. "I have already grasped some of the Star Pointing Sword Technique, so this jade is of little use to me."

"Moreover, I have used this jade many times, and at most there will only be one or two more opportunities left, which will only allow my senior brother to have a slight experience."

Upon hearing this, Ying Chan accepted the gifts and thanked him again.

Li Xuanying smiled and said, "I only hope that after you have mastered the sword technique, you can discuss and learn from it with me."

Ying Chan naturally didn't take it seriously, and just shook his head and smiled.

The sun was shining brightly at that time.

After Li Xuanying resumed his sword practice, he sat down in the pavilion and opened the "Star-Pointing Sword Manual" by the light of day.

Soon, he was deeply immersed in it.

It turns out that the "Star-Pointing Sword Technique" is not just about flying swords. If one can understand its secrets, one can also control flying needles, flying knives, and even control qi to "point stars".

Of course, no matter how things change, swordsmanship remains the foundation...

(End of this chapter)