Duncan's comprehension of the Sword Dao improved at an incredible rate.
The knowledge gap that existed within him was like a black hole that was devouring everything it could from the intent domain in the region. Countless inspirations and ideas arose in his heart regarding the Sword Dao.
Profound questions regarding the usage of the sword, the way of the sword, the characteristics of the sword, and a lot more arose in Duncan's mind as he meditated on the intent domain.
For every question that arose in his mind, Duncan was able to obtain some kind of answer or some inspiration from the intent domain. His breath of mind was being broadened at an incredible rate when it came to Sword Dao.
During his cultivation, Duncan would sometimes encounter some doubts regarding martial arts. While his discussion with Shen Wulong had cleared most of his doubts, still there were some doubts that were left uncleared when it came to Sword Dao.
There was no one to guide Duncan when it came to Sword Dao. Duncan had been exploring it on his own. Currently, those doubts were being cleared one by one causing his understanding of the way of the sword to rise rapidly.
However, it wasn't like being directly spoonfed.
While meditating on the intent domain, Duncan would think about some of his doubts. He will try to draw parallels with how the intent domain operated. Sometimes, things will be clear. Sometimes, it will be vague.
Regardless, whatever he could think of was already incorporated inside the intent domain. This made Duncan's progress smoother. Even if things weren't clear-cut, he would be able to perceive some kind of meaning from the intent domain which will cause some inspiration to bloom.
For example, while Duncan had heard about the sword domain and how it operated, he didn't know how to bring it to fruition just by reading about it. When he tried, he faced several problems that indicated that his knowledge wasn't up to par or he lacked enough experience.
However, with the intent domain right beside him to draw inspiration from and compare his own understandings, Duncan obtained most of the information he sought after. This made him easily reach the Sword Qi stage within a few days.
Sometimes, some inspiration will make him want to try it out immediately. Sometimes, the urge to try out will not be there. The kind of experience he got varied depending on things. However, one thing remained constant – enlightenment.
When the urge to move took him, Duncan didn't hesitate at all. He would stand up and perform his sword slashes without any hesitation. However, he took care not to disturb the intent domain. He only practiced away from it in fear of the consequences of disturbing it.
Duncan would test out his sword moves constantly and try to verify the deductions that he obtained due to the inspiration that was springing forth within him. His mind was like a fountain of inspiration currently, causing Duncan to test out and discard unwanted results.
Like this, Duncan honed his way of the sword for weeks.
Even after reaching the sword qi realm, Duncan wasn't able to smoothly step into the sword domain realm. The major problem he faced wasn't the lack of knowledge or inspiration. It was his lack of exposure to the sword qi and his inexperience in handling it that kept him at bay.
Duncan wasn't deterred, however.
He constantly practiced his sword moves using the sword qi. As he integrated the sword qi to become a part of his attack repertoire, he was able to see the increased effectiveness of his attacks very easily.
Duncan's cultivation in <Absolute Cut Sword Art> reached perfection pretty soon and he was on the verge of establishing a domain based on it. His proficiency in using the <Absolute Slash Sword Art> also increased tremendously.
For weeks, Duncan acted like a madman trying to obtain the sword domain stage in one go. In those weeks, Duncan honed his attacks to a ridiculous level by constantly practicing them without rest.
He also began to touch on the concept behind the <Absolute Slash Sword Art> as well. Duncan felt that the <Absolute Slash Sword Art> was far more effective in unleashing long-range attacks.
Unlike the <Absolute Cut Sword Art> which was very good to use in close quarters, the long-distance attack capability of <Absolute Slash Sword Art> was very superior.
The slash attack that was executed by it was naturally inclined towards supporting long-range attacks. Duncan realized this while cultivating as well. He began to seek to incorporate his understanding of the way of the sword and the concept behind the sword technique together.
Whenever a cultivator understands the true intent from which a martial art is created and incorporates his own unique insights into it to augment the attack, the attacking power of the technique will be doubled at the minimum. Duncan had done the same thing with the <Absolute Cut Sword Art>. And now, he followed the same trend with his <Absolute Slash Sword Art>.
As Duncan slowly improved his own existing attack techniques, he also began to touch upon the integration of sword techniques and forming his own attacks. He also began to glimpse into other sword techniques that could be derived from a sword technique.
For example, the <Absolute Cut Sword Art> and <Absolute Slash Sword Art> were interlinked. The creator of the two techniques was the same person. It can be seen from the name itself. This sword art was also special in a way that it focused purely on sword techniques.
While Duncan hadn't obtained other techniques from the sect that were related to this sword art, he was already beginning to extrapolate on his knowledge and connect the dots. Duncan felt that these two sword arts were from a set of the same sword art that based its roots on mortal sword techniques.
Duncan has some knowledge regarding the mortal sword techniques. The sword arts he now practiced were derived from the basic sword moves and were later expanded to include cultivation elements. Duncan was able to glimpse into that process of creation by comparing the mortal sword techniques and the two sword arts he had on hand.
With the help of the intent domain, a complete set of sword art that comprised of several sword moves was beginning to form in his mind as well. While he didn't know whether his own understanding of this sword art would be similar to the original creator, he felt that he wouldn't be far off as well.
Among the sword techniques in the sect, these set of sword techniques were looked down upon because they didn't incorporate any other concepts in them. They were pure sword techniques that only sword cultivators would become fond of.
Unfortunately, the sect was a demonic sect. And, most sword cultivators came out of the righteous faction. So, the technique couldn't be spread out to the sword cultivators in general. This has caused this sword art to remain hidden till now.
Duncan wanted to make this technique shine by his hand. He felt that a pure sword art was more powerful than the ones that incorporated other concepts into them. For example, the Eternal Heaven sword art executed by that young genius whom he had slain didn't have the same feeling as the sword technique he had comprehended right now.
The sword technique might look flashy and imposing, but it wasn't pure. Duncan wanted that pureness to remain in the sword art he was creating. These series of Absolute Sword Arts gave him ample inspiration regarding that goal. Combined with the intent domain to check and verify his own findings, Duncan felt that he was in cultivation heaven at this time.
*****
Meanwhile, outside the Dragon Scale continent, a lone spirit boat wobbled in the air as it made its way into the continent.
Inside the spirit boat, Xing Siukong, the first prince of the Star Empire looked at his master worriedly. Daoist Wen was breathing heavily. His entire body was heavily injured. It was clear that the fight he had with the Third Grand Elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect had caused him severe damage.
"Alas! Kong-er, I didn't expect to fail despite reaching my current cultivation in this world. Take this as an important lesson. Do not be complacent like your master in the future. There is always a heaven beyond heaven… ugh!!!"
"Master!!"
Daoist Wen vomited blood. His face paled and it took him some time to stabilize his body again. Xing Siukong could only look at his master with worry in his face. He didn't know what he could do to help at this moment.
"Don't fret…" Daoist Wen spoke with a pained face. "Even though I was injured heavily during our fight, I didn't let Daoist Zu get off easily as well. I was able to injure him back as well…"
"Once we reach the capital of your Star Empire, I will go into seclusion to treat my injuries. But, I do have a task for you as well. I want you to collect every little piece of information that is available on the Heavenly Demon Sect's recent movements. Do not neglect even a small thing. I want to know what they are up to recently."
"To try so hard to force me away, they must be planning something big. I fear that they have already begun and are worried about my interference. That's why the Third Grand Elder came personally to turn me away. If not for the formations in this boat, we wouldn't have been able to hold on," Daoist Wen said in a grim tone.
"I will master. Don't worry master. Once we reach the Star Empire, I will have many more subordinates to work with. My father will also support us fully. I will also ask my younger brothers to aid us…"
"Also, send the information to both the hegemonic sects in the Dragon Scale Continent. I want them to be on alert as well. This is not the time to move silently. Make sure you don't end up dying by looking into this. Your life is more precious than this affair. This affair is far older than you or me. I guess, the Heavenly Demon Sect is finally showing its fangs. The future of the Dragon Scale Continent won't be peaceful at all," Daoist Wen frowned and looked in the direction of the continent with a heavy heart.
Xing Siukong didn't know how to respond to that. Even he didn't think that the Heavenly Demon Sect would be so daring. Furthermore, the true power of the Heavenly Demon Sect was also hidden from him as well.
He didn't know what was going to happen, but he had a feeling that the continent wouldn't remain the same ever again after all is said and done.
