The Supreme God of Martial Arts

Austin was stunned by how rapidly he had progressed in Illusory Swordsmanship. He paused for a while, looking confused.

‘What is going on? I'm only a beginner here. Yet it feels like I've been practicing swordsmanship for years and like I've mastered the essence of it! Is it only an illusion that | can use it the way | want it to work, like it is a part of my body? Or am | a genius? No! That cannot be! The word "genius doesn't do justice to what is going on. Incredible! | must be a monster!" The more he thought about this, the more he was confused. He couldn't justify what was happening with a valid explanation.

Slightly lost in thought about this matter, he waved the Violet Royal Sword around. Glimmers of ethereal sword-light appeared, transporting Austin to what felt like dreamland with just a glimpse. Everything seemed unreal, unfathomable, unsubstantial, like a shadow. It was hard for him to tell the difference between the real and the unreal.

Now, there was absolutely no doubt that Austin had gained mastery over Illusory Swordsmanship. And once he had proven his skill, the sword displayed a great attacking power that was awe-inspiring.

But Austin had only spent one day practicing this Illusory Swordsmanship! Swordsmanship was the most difficult skill of all martial arts. It required the practitioner to have good insight. For a grade four swordsmanship, it usually took even the most talented cultivator about half a month to grasp its essence.

In many cases, warriors who practiced any form of martial arts usually took top-grade pills to enhance their talents. These pills helped them develop their potential and gain more insights about swordsmanship, thus accelerating the process of cultivation.

However, Austin hadn't taken any pills to accomplish what he just had.

He racked his brains to find an explanation, and finally attributed his success to the fact that he was a time traveler, and that his spirit might somehow be extremely strong.

It seemed that he not only had remarkable spiritual sense power, he also pretty easily and speedily overtook general cultivators when it came to understanding martial arts skills.

He connected this to his experience of practicing the Wind-commanding Skill. He remembered that he had taken about 2 or 3 months to reach the third level of the skill. What was more, he knew that his dexterity at bodily movement far exceeded that of many Earth Realm masters.

After estimating possible contributors to his success, Austin decided to let it pass. That would do him more good. So he focused on practicing his swordsmanship again.

Several minutes later, Austin found that the walls and window bars were covered with marks left by the sword following his practice. He'd been so intent on practicing that he hadn't noticed what was happening to the world around him.

Austin thought for a moment before walking out of the practice room and into the yard. He reckoned the practice room contained invaluable Energy-gathering Arrays that might have been affected if he had continued practicing there. Because if he ruined the Energy-gathering Arrays thoughtlessly, the value of this luxurious house would be brought down by half.

In the yard, Austin stood still, sword in hand.

In his mind, he went through the important points that governed movement in the Illusory Swordsmanship once again.

As he recollected the vital points: posture, strength manipulation, intent realm, and sword strike direction, his vital energy thrummed through him, the same method of strength manipulation that Illusory Swordsmanship dictated.

Without striking his sword, he had created an intent realm so powerful that its momentum felt like tens of thousands of swords were ready to attack. The intent realm was formless and capricious like the wind and cloud.

All of a sudden, Austin's body jolted, and he pointed the long sword in his hand to the sky. The vital energy flew to the sword in a steady stream, as if it was constantly attracted to it. Visible as strands of gold light continuously swirling around the sword, the currents of vital energy were a force to be reckoned with. Under the force of the strong vital energy, the body of the Violet Royal Sword ceaselessly stretched out and withdrew towards itself, taking it all in and pushing it outward with every movement. It moved the way a ferocious golden dragon did, emitting great power and momentum.

Gleams of sword-light appeared out of nowhere and soared in all directions, piercing the air and reaching for the sky, seeming to strike it down.

In a flash, a fierce gale sprang up, caused by the sword, throwing sand and stones up into the air. The sword's momentum undulated like ocean waves, with clouds and mists covering the blues of the sky.

If anyone had the courage to arrive on the scene at this time, their courage would dissipate and fright would set in. The sharp sword lights that flashed across the horizon were a sight to behold.

The strength of Austin's soul was, at this moment, completely controlled by the intent realm. He couldn't think about anything else, which was an ode to what the intent realm of the Illusory Swordsmanship could do.

Every strike, every posture, every movement of the Illusory Swordsmanship was like split Mercury; it penetrated everywhere it could reach. And right now, it laid siege on every corner of Austin's soul. They were seared into his very core.

And as Austin practiced, he was gradually able to comprehend the subtle and deep philosophy, the quintessence and ingenuity of the Illusory Swordsmanship through his every movement.

In the yard, numerous sword-lights shot into the sky, making the place look as if shrouded in roiling clouds and mists. The scene resembled a fairyland made for immortals, looking as ethereal as a dream.

Austin had always been an avid cultivator. Once something had his full attention, he would completely lose track of time.

Austin practiced the Illusory Swordsmanship for two days and three nights in a row, without a break for food or sleep.

Warriors at the ninth level of the Energy Gathering Realm were ideally able to sustain themselves without eating and drinking anything for five, six, or even ten days.

This was because when warriors practiced martial arts, they had the ability to absorb the aura of heaven and earth from the surroundings to fuel themselves with energy.

The vital energy within Austin's body was sufficient for him to sustain himself without food or water for several days, without losing any of his vigor.