Chapter Thirty-Four: Sword Pool

The Path of Heart Training is not something one can traverse without a resolve to defy the heavens and extraordinary comprehension. Though it may seem but a hundred steps, as Zhang Xiao walked it, it felt as if he had lived an entire lifetime. Especially the final step, which sealed not only his power but also his memory. If his conjecture was correct, that old Daoist was none other than the embodiment of the Heavenly Law.

Had he simply followed the Daoist’s instructions and taken the pill, he would have submitted to fate, his life forever governed by the Heavenly Law. But with a determination to rebel against destiny, taking that pill meant breaking free from the Heavenly Law’s control. Though immortality would elude him, he had already found his own path, no longer manipulated by fate. This path of heart training did not increase his cultivation, but it made his heart as steady as a mountain—a benefit as great as heaven itself.

"Thank you, elder," Zhang Xiao approached Wan Mozi and bowed respectfully. Wan Mozi responded with a bitter smile and silence, lost in his own thoughts.

Kong Xuan, seeing Zhang Xiao had passed the Path of Heart Training, was curious and asked, "In the previous trials, you relied on your Buddhist techniques to resist illusions, but the last trial stripped you of your powers and memories, as if you were reborn. How did you overcome it?"

It must be known that each person’s illusion is unique, and the insights gained from it differ. A gleam flashed in Zhang Xiao’s eyes as he recounted the scene he encountered in the final trial and the choices he made.

Listening to his tale, Wan Mozi and Kong Xuan exclaimed in unison, "Well done!" The two exchanged a glance; Kong Xuan’s face blossomed into a smile, while Wan Mozi’s remained sullen.

Wan Mozi had every reason to be frustrated. He set up three trials; two had been broken. He lost two taels of demonic silver in the first trial, and though the second cost him nothing, it had greatly benefited Zhang Xiao, whose heart was now as steady as a mountain. From here, Zhang Xiao’s cultivation was bound to soar. Even if he failed the third trial, this journey was already worthwhile.

With that thought, Wan Mozi’s frustration grew as he led Kong Xuan and Zhang Xiao deeper into the mountain. The path was steep and perilous, with cliffs and jagged peaks that inspired awe and fear. Had they been mere mortals, they would have stopped long ago.

"Tell me, Master Wan, why is your third trial so remote? There’s miasma, poisonous insects, and that natural trap earlier—if I hadn't been careful, I might have been stuck for three or four hours," Kong Xuan complained to Wan Mozi.

Wan Mozi nodded helplessly. "I never thought the third trial would be needed. The second trial, the Path of Heart Training, tests the heart rather than cultivation. Even someone at the Nascent Soul stage could fail if their heart is lacking. I never expected this boy to pass."

His tone grew even more helpless.

Kong Xuan and Wan Mozi exchanged complaints, and Zhang Xiao, caught between them, felt awkward. But soon Wan Mozi stopped at a clear pool and announced, "Here we are, the third trial."

Zhang Xiao looked ahead and saw a naturally formed pond, crystal clear, without a blade of grass, so clean one could see the stones at the bottom. On the cliff beside it, two ancient characters were carved: Sword Pool.

Kong Xuan’s expression changed, and he cried, "This is the third trial? Old devil, this is no place for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage. You’re just making things difficult!"

Wan Mozi sneered, "How is this making things difficult? The Sword Pool harms those with higher cultivation more, but benefits those with lower cultivation."

Kong Xuan retorted, "Then why don’t you have your disciples soak in it?"

The two glared at each other, ready to fight at the slightest provocation. Zhang Xiao remembered all too well the last time they clashed in the Maoshan Hall; even a collision of their spiritual pressure had left him feeling battered. If they fought now, he would be the first casualty.

Fortunately, both knew their limits and only exchanged angry glances. Seeing this, Zhang Xiao knew something had to be done. He asked Kong Xuan, "Master, what is special about this Sword Pool?"

Kong Xuan pointed to the pond. "It has another name: Sword Washing Pool. In ancient times, sages would come here to wash their swords. Every time they did, a trace of sword intent was left behind. Over countless ages, the pool has accumulated immeasurable sword intent. These intents are chaotic; some are grand and righteous, others are sharp and cunning, still others are bloodthirsty. Though the waters seem calm, not even a blade of grass survives. Imagine what would happen if someone jumped in."

Kong Xuan grew more excited as he spoke, and Wan Mozi was no less resigned. He had chosen the Sword Pool as the third trial, never expecting Zhang Xiao to pass the second. He had every confidence that Zhu Chao would defeat Zhang Xiao in the first trial, but reality proved him wrong. Zhang Xiao not only defeated Zhu Chao, but also passed the second trial, leaving Wan Mozi riding a tiger, forced to bring Kong Xuan and the others to the Sword Pool.

Zhang Xiao gazed at the water, curiosity rising, and asked Wan Mozi, "Elder Wan, you said the Sword Pool harms those with higher cultivation less, but has benefits. What are those benefits?"

Wan Mozi’s rigid expression softened. "Indeed, I would not deceive you. The sword intents here inflict pain as if by a thousand cuts, but if you can endure, it refines your bones and marrow—a superb place to strengthen the body. Yet this pain is no less than that of the Path of Heart Training."

Zhang Xiao recalled that after cultivating the Prajna Zen Sutra to the fourth level, he had comprehended the Vajra Immovable Body, a top-tier body refinement technique, but had never found an opportunity to practice it. Now, such a chance could not be missed.

He turned to Kong Xuan, "Master, since Elder Wan has set the third trial, how can I not take it on? Besides, there is hidden meaning here. How could I fail to appreciate Elder Wan’s good intentions?"

His words eased Wan Mozi’s embarrassment, whose face, though not smiling, was no longer so cold. Kong Xuan, though not knowing Zhang Xiao well, knew him to be clever. Since Zhang Xiao agreed to enter the Sword Pool, he could only stress repeatedly that if Zhang Xiao could not endure, he should cry out, and he would rescue him at once.

Zhang Xiao took the warning to heart. He walked to the edge, studied the pool, but saw nothing unusual. He scooped some water with his hand.

A sharp pain struck; his palm was covered in dozens of tiny cuts. "Hiss!" Zhang Xiao was startled; if he were to jump in, he’d soon be reduced to a skeleton.

He activated his Buddhist power, his hand glowing gold as he dipped it again. Though some cuts appeared, they were much smaller. With the Vajra Immovable Body, it was still difficult to resist, but not as unbearable as before. Seeing this, Zhang Xiao no longer hesitated, unleashing his Buddhist power fully, his body shining gold, transforming into a golden figure.

Wan Mozi exclaimed, "Buddhist Vajra Body! Kong Xuan, last time I saw him, he was shrouded in Buddhist energy, but far from achieving the Vajra Body. How has he progressed so much in just a few days?"

Kong Xuan was delighted. He had given Zhang Xiao the Ring of Deception precisely for this result, and it had exceeded his expectations.

"Heh, you’re so shocked now—imagine how the bald monks of Shaolin would feel!" Kong Xuan mused on what expressions the Zen monks would have if they saw such a scene. Wan Mozi, too, imagined those monks learning that a Buddhist genius had joined Maoshan, and perhaps vomiting blood from frustration.

While Kong Xuan and Wan Mozi indulged their fantasies, Zhang Xiao leaped into the Sword Pool.

"Pain!" Zhang Xiao felt as if a thousand blades were tearing at him, countless golden needles piercing his bones. He began reciting the Heart Sutra, activating his Vajra Immovable Body with all his strength. His spiritual power constantly repaired his wounds, but as soon as they healed, they were broken again. Still, the Vajra Immovable Body was defensive by nature, and his recovery could just keep pace with the destruction wrought by the sword intent in the water.

"Bang!" Just as Zhang Xiao thought he could simply endure, the pool exploded. Countless droplets transformed into ancient swords, swirling around him, enclosing him completely.

Before he could react, sword intents burst from these droplets. Zhang Xiao tried to resist, but the sword intents were intangible and formless; not only did he fail to block them, he was left battered and wounded.

Realizing resistance was futile, Zhang Xiao focused, stabilizing his mind and heart, and devoted himself wholly to defense. The Sword Pool, being the place where ancient sages washed their swords, held sword intents that struck deep. Each intent assaulted him as if he were beset by countless masters.

These sword intents tore at his flesh and attacked his spirit. Yet Zhang Xiao’s mind was already as steady as a mountain, unafraid of their assault. Still, their diversity left him frustrated—one sword was grand and righteous, the next sly and treacherous, then sentimental and lingering, then bloodthirsty. Each intent was unique, though incomplete. So many sword intents, seemingly chaotic, had formed a strange and unique sword technique.

Zhang Xiao realized that if this continued, even his mountain-like resolve would eventually fail. Still, he remained calm, experiencing the sword intents, stabilizing his mind, maintaining the Vajra Immovable Body.

Juggling three tasks at once, he was initially clumsy, making frequent mistakes. But as time passed, he grew increasingly adept, his defense becoming effortless and natural.