Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends: Starting from the Equipment Slot

Chapter 18 Man and Sword United 1

"Let the Taoist priest explain this matter; my understanding is not comprehensive."

"Thank you for your trouble, Taoist priest!"

"Very well, I shall have a word with you two."

Tiger Taoist looked at Wang Yuan with increasing satisfaction, feeling that he had found a treasure this time. He smiled and said, "Spiritual weapons in the world are divided into two categories: Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend. These two categories are further divided into nine grades, with the first grade being the weakest and the ninth grade being the strongest. Among weapons of the same grade, Heavenly Gang spiritual weapons are more powerful than Earthly Fiend weapons."

"The Starfire Sword belongs to the Earthly Fiends, Grade 1 Spirit Weapon. This spirit weapon is born from the laws of swordsmanship and contains the laws of swordsmanship within it. It is a spirit weapon of the killing and combat category. In addition, although the swordsmanship belongs to the Earthly Fiends, in terms of killing power alone, it is not much weaker than the Heavenly Gang spirit weapons of the same grade."

"So, not all spiritual weapons are adept at the art of combat!"

Wang Yuan's heart stirred, recalling Feng Bao's clone technique!

"good."

Tiger Taoist smiled and nodded, saying, "There are countless kinds of spiritual weapons in the world, and no one knows how many types they have or how many abilities they possess. For example, the clone you killed was forged using the Earthly Fiend Spiritual Weapon Illusionary Light Mirror. This treasure has two uses: first, to refine clones; and second, to create illusionary images when fighting enemies."

"Feng Bao's control over this treasure is only at the first level. So even though his cultivation is much higher than yours, his clone couldn't withstand your sword strike. If his control over this treasure reaches the second level, and his clone can switch instantly between his real body, your sword strike might not have hit him."

"The mystery of the Illusionary Light Sword lies not in its attack, but in its ability to escape and confuse the enemy. In terms of its killing power, it is naturally far inferior to the Starfire Sword."

"I see."

A look of realization dawned on Wang Yuan's eyes. That clone's cultivation was not weak, far surpassing his own. However, after he used the Starfire Sword, killing it was not difficult.

It now appears that the problem wasn't the weakness of the clones; there are two reasons for this.

First, Feng Bao was not good at fighting.

Secondly, his control over the Illusionary Mirror only reached the first level.

The second point, in particular, has a huge impact on strength.

"You've felt it too, haven't you? The degree of control one has over spiritual weapons has a tremendous impact on a cultivator's strength!"

"Young man, you certainly understand!"

"The reason for this must be explained from the perspective of spiritual cultivation."

Tiger Daoist pondered for a moment, then said, "The Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Spiritual Weapons are born from the laws of heaven and earth. If living beings in the world can resonate with these spiritual weapons, they can comprehend cultivation methods from them. This is the principle behind learning from heaven and earth. You resonated with the Starfire Sword and obtained the Starfire Sword Technique. This technique is mostly the same as the one passed down by the Bai family, but there are subtle differences. Only what you comprehend from the spiritual weapon yourself is the most suitable for your cultivation."

"So, different people don't necessarily get the same cultivation techniques from the same spiritual weapon."

"That's absolutely right!"

Tiger Daoist nodded and continued, "Obtaining the cultivation technique is only the first step in refining a spiritual weapon for one's own use. Some people inherit the legacy of their predecessors, such as the Bai family, who have the Starfire Sword Technique passed down from their ancestors. They can first cultivate the technique and sword moves, and then try to refine the Starfire Sword after they have achieved some success in the technique and sword moves."

"Those who use this method can only reach the second level of mastery over spiritual weapons in their lifetime. Only by comprehending the techniques from the spiritual weapons themselves can they advance further and reach the third level."

"Master, are there many people who use the latter method?"

"Very rare, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's one in ten thousand."

Tiger Daoist shook his head and said, "Cultivation techniques are merely rituals. They serve two purposes: first, to guide and refine spiritual energy; and second, to help you comprehend the power of laws within spiritual weapons. Therefore, if a cultivator lacks a spiritual weapon, their strength will be greatly diminished. Techniques without the support of the power of laws within a spiritual weapon are soulless, merely empty shells."

"The amount of law power that can be drawn from a spiritual weapon becomes extremely important."

"Based on the amount of law power activated within a spiritual weapon, it can be roughly divided into three realms. The first realm is the ability to sense the law power within a spiritual weapon and mobilize a small amount of it. Most cultivators who rely on the legacy of their predecessors stop at this level in their entire lives."

"Going a step further, we arrive at the second level."

"The second layer has two characteristics: first, one can see the lines of law; second, one can store spiritual weapons into one's body and release them at will."

"To be stored within the body, and then released at will?"

Wang Yuan was somewhat suspicious. Did putting the Starfire Sword into his equipment slot count as being on the second tier?

However, he did meet the first condition.

"You have reached the second level in just three days, which shows that you have extremely high talent for cultivation and are very compatible with the way of the sword."

"There are some geniuses like this. They encounter a spiritual weapon that is a good match for them. As soon as they get started, they can comprehend the techniques and supernatural abilities from the spiritual weapon. They can even directly mobilize the power of the laws within the spiritual weapon and reach the first level."

"When I first got the Starfire Sword, that was indeed the case. At the time, I didn't understand it; I just felt it was a bit strange."

Wang Yuan echoed, thinking to himself that he had not only obtained the Starfire Sword Technique but also attribute points, which improved his strength in all aspects, while others did not seem to have.

"After reaching the second level, there are many other benefits. For example, when cultivating with a spiritual weapon, one's cultivation progresses much faster. The refined spiritual energy will also carry the characteristics of the spiritual weapon, and its power and refinement are incomparable to the first level."

"There's such a benefit?"

Wang Yuan was stunned for a moment. He realized that when he practiced swordsmanship, he always used a wood-chopping knife instead, and had unknowingly missed many wonderful uses of spiritual weapons.

"You don't usually use the Starfire Sword when you cultivate?"

Tiger Taoist observed the situation and realized the problem. He was shocked and felt that the boy's talent was even more outrageous than he had seen.

"To avoid being exposed and causing trouble, I usually use a wood-chopping knife!"

"Practicing swordsmanship with a wood-chopping axe, and you've reached this level in just three days?"

Tiger Taoist didn't know what to say. He secretly cursed the monster in his heart, feeling that the world was a bit absurd and he felt a little uneasy. "Let's talk about the third level."

"I was just lucky and talented, so reaching the second level wasn't too difficult."

"However, even with exceptional talent and a well-suited spiritual weapon, reaching the third level is extremely difficult. It's one in ten thousand, and that's no exaggeration."

"You have good talent, but don't be arrogant."

Tiger Daoist pointed out a point to Wang Yuan and continued, "Upon reaching the third level, one can achieve perfect harmony between man and weapon. This means you can unleash the full power of the spiritual weapon's laws, and its power is incomparable to that of the second level."

"Man and soldier as one!"

Wang Yuan's eyes lit up, and he tentatively asked, "If one reaches the third level, one can become one with the Starfire Sword. I am the Starfire Sword, and the Starfire Sword is me."

"right!"

Tiger Taoist nodded and said, "You can imagine that you can transform into a giant sword, greatly increasing your defense. When you thrust out, the sword energy is like thunder, and the speed is so fast that even the sound can't keep up. You can also fight in human form, with your entire body as a sword blade."