"Do you really not understand?"
Su Bei's gaze subtly shifted away from the sash that tightly bound Dan Wuque's ample bosom. What a pity for such constrained curves! It's an utter waste of natural beauty! Those long, slender, and smooth legs, unadorned by 'Su Clan silks,' were such a shame. Tomorrow, I must give a pair to Junior Sister!
「Dan Wuque, with eyes closed, carefully contemplated Su Bei's words.」
Do I really not understand? She knew that her Fifth Senior Brother had profound insights into The Way of Sword. Though his cultivation realm might be somewhat low, she was convinced he had devoted all his energy to comprehending Sword Intent. In terms of mastery in the Sword Dao alone, Fifth Senior Brother is very likely already on par with Master! Therefore, every single word he utters must carry a deeper meaning that I cannot fathom.
In front of the Sword Concealing Pavilion, only the sound of rhythmic breathing could be heard.
Seeing Su Bei turn, ready to head deeper into the pavilion, Dan Wuque grew anxious and hurriedly called out to him, "Senior Brother! Your Junior Sister is dull-witted and still doesn't understand!"
Su Bei, who had been preparing to make a swift escape, sighed deeply. Caught.
The longsword on his back seemed to sense Su Bei's dejection and trembled slightly, emitting a clear, resonant hum.
"You disappoint your Senior Brother greatly."
"..."
A mix of emotions churned in Dan Wuque's heart. That's right, Senior Brother must be disappointed by my poor comprehension. Damn it! Why, despite all my cultivation, can I still not grasp the realm Senior Brother speaks of? Senior Brother would never spout nonsense! The realm he described is so captivating; how could it possibly be mere fabrication?
"Please enlighten your Junior Sister, Senior Brother!" Dan Wuque bowed her head to Su Bei in a gesture of respect.
「...」
Enlighten her? How? How should I know how to enlighten her? Luckily, I restrained myself last time and only said that a single blade of grass could cut down the sun, moon, and stars. If I had started with boasts like 'Three million Sword Immortals in the world, all must bow before me,' or 'Had Heaven not birthed me, Su Jianxian, the Sword Dao would have languished in eternal night,' I really wouldn't have been able to talk my way out of this one. Well. I'm never short of impressive-sounding phrases. Just a few casual remarks would probably be enough to awe these empty-headed individuals...
Su Bei's robes fluttered without a breeze, his bearing transcendent, an ethereal light framing his handsome face to perfection. His sword-like eyebrows were slightly parted, and his cool eyes, though not actively looking, seemed to radiate brilliance. He regarded Dan Wuque with an air of detachment, like a Banished Immortal, and slowly spoke, "Everyone speaks of Sword Immortals, Sword Immortals. But may I ask Junior Sister, do you know what the Sword Dao is?"
"..."
As soon as Su Bei's words fell, all the Sword Sect Disciples present, including Dan Wuque, were plunged into deep thought.
This question was the simplest, yet it was also the most profound question in the world. Who on earth could give a definitive answer? Even Sect Leader Shangguan Wendao, who was said to have already reached the Great Vehicle Peak and was but half a step from the Tribulation-Crossing Stage, dared not claim to fully understand what the Sword Dao was.
Dan Wuque contemplated, one hand supporting her chin, her elbow resting on her other arm, which pressed against her ample chest. After careful consideration, she ventured, "Senior Brother, as I see it, the Sword Dao is the cultivation of The Way of Sword to its ultimate limit. The Sword of Wu Ji, one sword to shatter all techniques! To merge one's entire being with the sword! To become the sword itself. That is the Sword Dao! The Dao of the Sword!"
"..."
Upon hearing Dan Wuque's words, the surrounding Sword Sect Disciples seemed to awaken from a dream; in that instant, everyone appeared to have an epiphany.
"Truly, she is worthy of the title Star Sword Immortal Dan Wuque!"
"The Eighth Elder's understanding of the Sword Dao is clearly beyond what we disciples can comprehend!"
"To become the sword itself! What an incredibly powerful state that must be!"
"Indeed! She truly deserves the name 'Martial Fanatic'!"
"I believe no one has a more thorough understanding than the Eighth Elder!"
"Let's see what the Fifth Elder has to say!"
"..."
Everyone instinctively turned their gaze toward Su Bei. They wanted to know, what exactly was the Sword Dao according to Su Bei? What is the true Sword Dao? What is an unparalleled Sword Dao?
Su Bei smiled faintly, his gaze looking past the Sword Concealing Pavilion toward the endless rows of books on the first floor. His gaze fell upon the couplet hanging in the center, one that Eldest Senior Sister Wenren Pingxin had supposedly pondered over for two months!
The first line: "Stumped for two months, didn't know what to write."
The second line: "Thought for three days, scraped together two lines of nonsense."
The horizontal inscription: "Words are words, good enough."
Su Bei remained silent for a long moment, then reached out and grasped the sword hovering in mid-air, twirling it in a flourish. He gently closed his eyes, his aura becoming exceedingly ethereal. It was as if, between heaven and earth, only that single streak of white radiance remained.
Then, a refined and gentle voice flowed from Su Bei's lips, "What is the Sword Dao?
"Whether it's a blade of grass cutting down the sun, moon, and stars, or transforming oneself into a sword, there is one prerequisite!
"The sword is meant for people.
"The Sword Dao is said to be the epitome of simplicity, yet it is also the most complex.
"A person's life is but a single existence; plants live but for an autumn.
"The Way of the Sword is to use the sword to right the world's injustices, and with the sword, to confront the guilty without shame!
"Easy matters, difficult matters, matters of storm and rain, matters of the Jianghu, matters of dynasties, matters of the world—all are but matters for a single sword.
"I, Su Bei, wish that every sincere sword wielder in this world may one day cleave the heavens with a single strike.
"A call for the sword!
"A call for the world's swords!"
"..."
Upon hearing Su Bei's words, all disciples present, including Dan Wuque, instantly felt an infinite, surging tide of emotion well up within them. An indescribable shock surged through them! Their hearts pounded, a warm current rushed to their heads, and they yearned to immediately draw their swords and spill their fervent blood!
World's affairs are but a matter for the sword!
With the sword, right the world's injustices; with the sword, confront the guilty without shame!
A call for the sword, a call for the world's swords!
This...
An image of an unparalleled figure in white involuntarily surfaced in everyone's mind. His eyes indifferent, he stood upon the firmament, wielding the sword that had sundered all worldly affairs! He plucked a single blade of grass, and with one strike, sundered the heavens! The firmament shattered, the river of stars fractured, as his strike tore through the Nine Heavens!
HISS! How utterly shocking! How dazzling! This... isn't this a bit too much showing off?
Everyone was immersed in their own fantasies, unable to extricate themselves; the scene perfectly expressed the inherent pride of a Sword Cultivator, just as the Fifth Elder had articulated! This is the true Sword Dao! You object? I'll cut you down with one strike! Then no one in this world will dare to object! With one sword, all beings are equal! Overwhelming! Utterly overwhelming dominance!
Dan Wuque's eyes, wide with shock, gazed at Su Bei, her mind a complete blank. Su Bei's words were like a spell, instantly flooding her mind, bringing sudden enlightenment! Fifth Senior Brother absolutely cannot be merely at the Mid Stage of Divinity Transformation!
A gentle breeze swept past, rustling Su Bei's white robes.
Seeing everyone's stunned expressions, Su Bei felt an immense sense of satisfaction welling up deep within him! Awesome! So damn awesome! But it still wasn't awesome enough! A true expert never lingers after a grand display!
Su Bei turned and walked straight into the Sword Concealing Pavilion, leaving behind only a dashing, aloof, and peerless silhouette in white!
「—Show off and dash, so damn thrilling.」
Heaven and earth were tranquil. The midday sun hung high in the firmament, gazing down upon the boundless one hundred and eight peaks of the Sword Sect.
When everyone finally snapped back to reality, where was Su Bei to be found?
Dan Wuque took a deep breath, calming the surging excitement in her heart, "Fifth Senior Brother!"