193: Chapter 193 Sword Reflects the Sky, Heart Proves Enlightenment!
In the conquest space where Ji Cang was located, malevolent energy and fighting intent intertwined,
The White Tiger roared, war banners fluttered, and the blade of conquest was already unsheathed...
While in another space,
There was no bone-chilling cold here, nor was there any boiling malevolent energy.
What flowed in the air was a vast, tranquil aura that embraced all things, much like the Azure Sky itself.
The sea-calming pillars in the center of the space was covered in various marks, but the most conspicuous one
Was an old sword scar that seemed ordinary yet was deep enough to see the bone, as if it contained some kind of eternal vow.
Lu Chenxin, dressed in robes as white as snow, stood quietly before the pillar.
He did not build up momentum like Ji Cang, nor did he sit cross-legged in meditation like Zhou Heng.
He just stood there quietly, his posture like a green pine on a solitary peak, upright and serene.
The long sword at his waist was unsheathed, its blade like a pool of autumn water,
Clearly reflecting the flowing energy halos above and the blurred colors of the sea and sky in the distance, as clear as if it were untainted by a single speck of dust.
He did not reach out to touch the sea-calming pillars, nor did he even intentionally release his sword intent.
He simply immersed his mind into that S-grade [Azure Sky Sword Heart Divine Seal],
Using the purest state of mind to "perceive" this ancient existence before him, which had carried a thousand years of wind and frost and the will of countless heroes.
At the very moment his mind made contact with it—
An indescribable, vast "weight" spread out silently.
This weight was not physical pressure, nor was it a mental shock, but rather... a responsibility.
It was far vaster than the expectations of the Lu Family of the Magic Capital, far vaster than the glory of being the successor of the "Azure Sky Sword Heart,"
A responsibility that was more immense, more heavy, and more inescapable!
It was the weight of the thousand-year-old ceaseless waves of this roaring Extreme Demon Sea,
It was the weight of the safety of the billions of people in this iron stronghold, Zhenhai City,
It was the weight of the convictions of the countless heroic souls on the Dragon Ridge Great Wall who had fallen one after another, shedding their blood on the battlefield!
It was the weight of the silent vow of this sea-calming pillars itself, standing tall for a thousand years to protect this region!
In a daze, what Lu Chenxin "saw"
Was no longer his grandfather in the family ancestral hall, earnestly instructing him and placing the family's future upon him.
What he saw was an old man with white hair flying, wearing battered armor,
Standing on the most treacherous beacon tower of the Dragon Ridge Great Wall, facing a terrifying beast tide that blotted out the sun,
The long sword "Azure Sky" in his hand, passed down through countless generations, burst forth with the last and most brilliant radiance of his life!
The sword light turned into a startling rainbow that pierced through heaven and earth, perishing together with a hideous Demon Emperor radiating Emperor-level pressure!
Blood rained down in torrents, and the old man's last look back at Zhenhai City held no resentment for his own life or death,
No worry for the family's fate, only the deepest attachment and... no regrets for the peace of the thousands of homes behind him!
"Chen Xin... the road is beneath your feet... the sword is in your hand..."
That familiar, kind whisper echoed in his heart once more,
But it was no longer the helpless entrustment by the sickbed; instead, it produced a wonderful resonance with the thousand-year-old protective will condensed by this sea-calming pillars,
Turning into a clanging vow that transcended time and space!
The road is the journey to protect the human race! The sword is the sharp tool to shield the common people!
At this very moment, on the sea-calming pillars, that deepest and oldest sword scar
Seemed to be touched by this pure Azure Sky Sword Heart, quietly lighting up with a warm and resilient glow.
A strand of sword intent, spanning a thousand years of time and space, slowly flowed out.
It was not a sword of slaughter, nor did it show a sharp edge,
It lacked the overbearing tragedy of Ji Cang's conquest saber intent and the violent destruction of Zhou Heng's lightning.
It was pure, gentle, yet resilient to the extreme, like a silent guardian,
Standing here for a thousand years as if it were a single day, allowing the wind to blow and the waves to crash, using only its sword-bone to hold up a peaceful sky.
Its existence itself was for the purpose of—"drawing the line and protecting the region."
This sword intent gently surrounded Lu Chenxin, carrying scrutiny, but also... recognition.
Lu Chenxin felt a sudden flash of insight and slowly closed his eyes.
The family's expectations, the world's praise, the halo of a genius—at this moment, they all quietly dissipated like morning mist before the truly vast "responsibility" and "protection."
He had no sword in his hand, nor any specific sword move in his heart. There was only that clear and translucent [Azure Sky Sword Heart],
Engaging in a silent, deep communication with this thousand-year-old protective sword intent.
He seemed to see the owner of this sword intent, an anonymous sword cultivator,
Who might have once been as young as him, but dedicated his life to this place; the sword is me,
I am the pillar, man and pillar together becoming the most solid barrier of this sea area.
"What is the sword?" A most fundamental question emerged in his heart.
"A tool of slaughter? A trophy of victory? A means to gain fame?"
No.
Looking at that thousand-year-unchanging protective sword intent and feeling the lack of regret and the determination contained within, the mirror in Lu Chenxin's heart became increasingly bright.
"The sword is not a tool of slaughter, but a vow of protection."
"My heart is like the Azure Sky, it should contain the righteous energy of heaven and earth and embrace the lights of ten thousand homes."
"My sword is like my heart, it should guard a piece of pure land and protect what I cherish."
Enlightenment arose like the morning sun leaping out of the sea level, instantly illuminating his entire Sword Heart world!
"Buzz—!"
The unsheathed long sword at his waist, without being urged, emitted a clear and melodious hum on its own!
The sword's chime was not loud, but it was lingering and long, reaching straight to the clouds and echoing in harmony with the low hum of the sea-calming pillars that seemed to originate from the depths of the earth!
The light of the sky and the color of the sea reflected on the sword blade also seemed to become clearer and more distant!
Lu Chenxin held his fingers like a sword, pointing at no enemy nor practicing any exquisite sword move.
He just made a gentle stroke against the void in front of him, following the realization in his heart.
There was no sharp sword qi bursting forth, nor any dazzling cold light.
However, an invisible, soft, yet incredibly solid sword intent domain quietly unfolded with him as the center.
Within the domain, the spiritual energy that was originally somewhat turbulent due to the agitation of energy from other spaces gradually became peaceful and orderly.
That ubiquitous, heart-pressing fighting intent of the ancestors seemed to be soothed by a force like a spring breeze turning into rain, becoming quiet and heavy.
Even Ji Cang's boiling malevolent energy and Zhou Heng's violent lightning, which could be vaguely sensed in the distance,
Seemed to be gently held up by an invisible force when they touched the edge of this domain, their restlessness slightly reduced.
This was the Domain of Protection.
Not for killing enemies, but for bringing peace within and steadying the heart.
He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze becoming clearer, deeper, and calmer, like the vast clear sky washed by rain, inclusive and high.
His cultivation level did not immediately break through to the higher Sword Soul Realm, but his [Azure Sky Sword Heart]
Had undergone a transformative baptism and metamorphosis, becoming broader, more resilient, and purer!
It laid the most solid foundation for his future path of the sword.
He looked at that sea-calming pillars covered in marks as if looking at a silent but great predecessor,
Adjusted his clothes, bowed, and gave a deep salute.
Poetic lines flowed naturally in his heart, and he chanted softly, his voice clear yet carrying the weight of a thousand pounds:
"A thousand-year pillar stands amidst the vast sea, the sword mark like a vow engraved on the loyal heart."
"Today, having attained the Bodhi intent, I shall not fail the blue sky nor fail you."
His sword, from then on, would not be burdened by false fame nor trapped by victory or defeat,
But only to protect that piece of clear blue sky he cherished and those people and cities worth protecting with his life.
This inheritance from a thousand years ago did not grant him stronger slaughtering power, but rather a more determined and transparent—Guardian Sword Heart.
This was the most precious gain on his path of the sword.
After the salute,
Lu Chenxin closed his eyes again, completely immersing himself in this rare realization to consolidate this brand-new Sword Heart realm.
Within the sea-calming pillars, the aura belonging to him became as quiet as the deep sea and as vast as the Azure Sky.
Nine spaces, five opportunities, gradually reaching their peak.
And what kind of scene will it be in the two places belonging to Zhou Heng and Bai Qianer?