24 Solar Terms Swordsmanship
Ding Hao was absorbed in thought.
"But how can it become perfect?
"To create a form of Sword Intent based on every single day?
"It will be a little too complicated. The changes every day are not obvious, and the power of Sword Intent will be too dispersive. In that way, the greatest power of Sword Intent cannot be exerted. A perfect connection can’t be formed. The Sword Intent can’t embody the true meaning of the cycle of the four seasons."
In Ding Hao’s opinion, the deepest meaning of the four Sword Intents of spring, summer, autumn, and winter was the cycle.
Without the cycle, they were only four ordinary Sword Intents. There was nothing special about them.
Ding Hao thought hard.
Time ticked by.
After an unknown period of time, an idea flashed in the depths of Ding Hao’s mind. He suddenly thought of something, and his mind, which previously had no clue what to do, suddenly became clear.
"Yes, there are four seasons and 365 days in a year. Although I can’t create a form of Sword Intent based on every single day, there were 24 solar terms in a year in my previous life on earth. Such division has a special meaning, containing the wisdom of the ancient sages. Each solar term means the most obvious stage of the change of climate in a year. They can best embody the meaning of the cycle of the four seasons..."
Ding Hao felt as if his heart were filled with light.
"If the four Sword Intents of spring, summer, autumn, and winter are converted into the more detailed Sword Intents of the 24 solar terms, the full meaning of the cycle in a year can be presented, leaving nothing out."
Ding Hao felt it was a bright path he could follow.
"On the earth in my previous life, the 24 solar terms divided by the Chinese people with wisdom in ancient China were not simple marks of dates. They also represented the celestial longitude of the sun, which was closely related to the universe that the earth was in. They were respectively the Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, the Waking of Insects, the Spring Equinox, Pure Brightness, Grain Rain, the Beginning of Summer, Lesser Fullness of Grain, Grain in Beard, the Summer Solstice, Lesser Heat, Greater Heat, the Beginning of Autumn, the End of Heat, White Dew, the Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost’s Descent, the Beginning of Winter, Lesser Snow, Greater Snow, the Winter Solstice, Lesser Cold, Greater Cold. Each solar term has its own explanation and meaning!"
Ding Hao recalled the memories of his previous life, and his mind became clearer and clearer.
After sorting out his thoughts, Ding Hao began to try to cultivate.
"The first solar term among the 24 solar terms is the Beginning of Spring. It is in the period from February 3rd to February 5th of each year on the lunar calendar. The celestial longitude of the sun is 315 degrees. According to the ancient people on the earth, the specific characteristics of this solar term are described as ‘thawing east wind, beetles awakening, and fish above ice’."
Ding Hao closed his eyes and focused all his attention on the pictures reflecting the three phrases, namely thawing east wind, beetles awakening, and fish above ice.
Gradually, the pictures became clearer and clearer.
A subtle picture appeared in Ding Hao’s mind—
The east wind blew across the earth. Although it was still a little chilly, everything on the ground began to show vitality. The land which had been frozen for a long winter began to thaw. Beetles lurking in the frozen land ended their hibernation. They began to wake up, wriggle their bodies, and flap their wings. In the meanwhile, the frozen river began to thaw. There was ice floating in the river. Fish began to float up slightly in the river...
This was derived from the Sword Intent of spring among the four Sword Intents of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Ding Hao slowly got up and stretched out his right hand. The divine sword Sky Attack appeared in his hand. He closed his eyes, feeling what he could see in his mind. He unconsciously waved the sword and ran the Sword Intent of spring, trying to merge this power with the characteristics of this solar term.
At first, he swung his sword in a sluggish manner, and his body felt extremely uncomfortable.
It felt as if there was an invisible rope binding his body, making him unable to move. If he moved a little, he would feel a tightness in his chest, which made him crazy.
Ding
Every time he made an adjustment, there would be a slight sense of smoothness.
Other people might not be able to feel the slight change, but for Ding Hao, his natural sensitivity to swords allowed him to keenly capture this progress.
Time ticked by silently. Ding Hao didn’t know how many times he had waved his sword.
Finally, he gradually began to feel comfortable moving his body.
Ding Hao stopped waving his sword.
He opened his eyes.
"This is..." Ding Hao was stunned.
He found that in the secret room, the cold east wind with traces of vitality was blowing. The airflow could be seen with the naked eye. There were faint sounds of beetles flapping their wings as well as the sound of running water and ice colliding in the flowing water. It seemed as if there were ice water flowing in the secret room.
Occasionally, the sound of splashing water could be heard. It was the sound of fish flapping its tail and hitting the surface of the water.
The illusion was so real.
"Is this... caused by the Sword Intent produced in the process of my waving the sword?" Ding Hao was a little shocked. He had comprehended the Sword Intent of spring before. Although it was extraordinarily powerful, he had never created such an illusion.
It was similar to the power of the rules.
Moreover, Ding Hao could clearly feel that there was an invisible Sword Intent hidden in such an illusion. Other people could never perceive it. As long as he could activate such power, he could instantly kill a master at the initial stage of the Martial Sage Realm.
He had succeeded!
Ding Hao laughed excitedly.
This was the first time he had tried on his own idea. He didn’t expect that it could work so well. The perfect meaning of a Sword Intent had been obtained from the combination of the division of solar terms in his previous life and the Sword Intent of spring in this life.
"I’ve basically comprehended the Sword Intent of the Beginning of Spring. I still need to go on practicing and comprehending it. If I can really reach the level of perfection, I will be able to fight against a master at the high stage of the Sage Realm..." Ding Hao held back his excitement and continued to think deeply, "But the true meaning of the 24 solar terms lies in the cycle of time and the power of the cycle. Judging from the power of the Sword Intent of the Beginning of Spring, if I can comprehend the Sword Intents of all 24 solar terms and exert them, even a high-level God Realm Master will nurse a grievance!"
With a stir of his mind, Ding Hao slowly dispersed the Sword Intent of the Beginning of Spring in the secret room.
The originally smooth wall was covered with mottled sword marks. Pieces of hard rock fell down like powder. The inscription tactical deployment on it had long been broken. It seemed as if millions of years had passed in this secret room.
This was the effect of the power unintentionally released by him during his sword practice.
Ding Hao put away the Sword Intent rush cushion and left the secret room.
The sun was high in the sky.
"Master." Nalan Chu was cultivating in the square in front of the hall. Seeing Ding Hao coming out, she was very happy. She greeted him in a hurry.
Nalan Youxia was foolishly sitting on a stone stool. He was facing the sun and doing breathing exercises. No one knew what he was cultivating, but he looked as if he were swallowing the sunlight.
Ding Hao smiled and checked the results of Nalan Chu’s cultivation. She had made great progress.
Later, Shan Xiong and Jin Keyan came to report what was happening in the manor. The 1,000 people who practiced physical cultivation were all barbarians who had been free and unconstrained in the Ocean Forest. They had been confined to the manor for more than a month and were all impatient. If it weren’t for Ding Hao’s order, they would have gone out to play.
The old guide with messy hair went out to inquire about news every day. He behaved in a mysterious manner, leaving early and returning late. He had brought back some news that was somewhat important.
After listening to everyone’s report, Ding Hao nodded and learned the information by heart. Then he asked, "By the way, more than half of the six days have passed. Is there any news about the Nalan family?"
Jin Keyan said respectfully, "Your Honor, there’s still no reply. Yesterday, someone saw ‘Heavenly Wrath Sword’ Nalan Xingde appear in the city. He must be in the city. No one knows what he is planning. I’ve also inquired about the status of that Madam Wuyan in the Nalan family. She’s the Junior Sister of Mingyue Zhu, wife of Nalan Xingde. She’s very arrogant and domineering. She can be regarded as one of the ruthless people in the Nalan family. I believe that the Nalan family will never give up on this woman. We’ve been on guard these days."
"Well done." Ding Hao nodded and praised them.
Bringing along the people who practiced physical cultivation in the Ocean Forest this time had indeed saved him a great deal of trouble. There were many trivial things that Shan Xiong and Jin Keyan had done very well. Although their strength wasn’t very powerful, they were careful and conscientious in dealing with these issues.
After being praised by Ding Hao, Jin Keyan and Shan Xiong were excited in their hearts.
While they were talking, footsteps sounded outside. A Martial Sage, who practiced physical cultivation, from the Celestial Master guard camp came in and said respectfully, "Your Honor, there is a messenger from the Nalan family outside."
Another messenger had come?
Everyone sneered. The Nalan family really didn’t repent. They put on airs and didn’t know who they were. They were extremely stupid. They gave up only at the sight of the gallows.
Ding Hao was sitting squarely in the main seat. He raised his hand and said, "Let him in."
The Martial Sage who practiced physical cultivation went out to transmit the order.
After a while, footsteps were heard again. Four Martial Sages who practiced physical cultivation walked in step by step. In the middle was a slender white-robed swordsman who was under escort. He seemed to be in his thirties. His long black beard was fluttering in the wind. His white robe was as white as a pile of snow, without a speck of dust.
Ding Hao’s eyes fell on the man’s face, and he was slightly stunned.
The middle-aged man was graceful but not showy. His temperament was otherworldly and he was handsome. He had a rare mature charm. His mouth curled up slightly so that he looked more confident. He must have been a rare handsome man when he was young.
"The man’s bearing is extraordinary.
"He is definitely not an ordinary master of the Nalan family."
Ding Hao already had some speculations in his heart.
"Are you ‘Heavenly Wrath Sword’ Nalan Xingde?" asked Ding Hao expressionlessly.
For some reason, Ding Hao faintly disliked him in his heart.
"Nice to meet you." The white-robed middle-aged man cupped his hands slightly and said with a smile neither haughty nor humble, "I have to thank the friends who practiced martial arts on the Eastern Continent for calling me Heavenly Wrath Sword. I don’t deserve to be called this way. I heard from a servant at home that some friends from the Ocean Forest had come to the Stone Mouth City. However, I’ve been busy with family affairs and have no time to visit you. Please forgive me for my neglect."
Ding Hao raised his hand, and a stone chair flew close to the ground, landing in front of Nalan Xingde. He pointed to the stone chair and said, "Please sit down."
Although Ding Hao disliked him in his heart, Nalan Xingde was not arrogant at all. He kept a low profile. Ding Hao would certainly not attack someone who was smiling. Moreover, this man should be Chu’s biological father. Ding Hao had to care about Chu’s feelings.