The Art of Chaotic Divinity

Chapter 675: Art of Simple Detachment

The next day, Ling Feng shared what Wen Tingguang had told him about the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons with his teammates.

He also let everyone know that he had managed to get two extra slots[1] from Yue Yunlan.

Gu Tengfeng listened. While somewhat disappointed, he understood. Ling Feng had already shared with him the teachings of the Wuji Sword Dao.

It was just as the saying went, "one shouldn’t bite off more than one could chew." Even entering the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons and encountering a fortuitous opportunity was, in the end, only a matter of chance. There was no guarantee that such an opportunity would surpass the teachings of the Wuji Sword Dao.

Therefore, he didn't feel too downhearted.

However, Ye Nanfeng and Lin Mochen both regretted their earlier births by a few years and pounded their chests in frustration.

As for Jiang Xiaofan, Mu Qianxue, and Li Bufan, they naturally understood what such a chance represented, so all three were deeply grateful to Ling Feng.

Even Li Bufan, typically stoic, managed a rare "thank you."

Despite being from the grand commandant's family, Li Bufan didn't belong to any sect and thus wasn't eligible for a slot to enter the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons. It wasn't just the grand commandant's family. Even the imperial family needed to have members within a first-grade sect to gain a chance at a slot.

Of course, the grand commandant's family had enough influence to find a way if they had to, but since Ling Feng had given him a slot, it spared him considerable effort.

"Well, since you all now have a chance to enter the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons, make the most of it. Seize whatever opportunities you can and strive to improve your skills!" Gu Tengfeng's eyes sparkled with confidence.

He looked forward to the upcoming Five Courts' Sword Team Grand Competition with renewed faith.

"Remember, though, that opportunity always comes with danger," he continued. "My father once told me about some of the situations within it. Geniuses from the other three major empires attend it. Generally speaking, talents from the four major empires are hostile towards each other, so stay alert in the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons, or you might lose your life before gaining any opportunity."

With that said, Ling Feng shared the details Wen Tingguang had mentioned and gave each of his companions a few copies of the simplified maps.

...

At the end of another day of training, Ling Feng didn't return to Tianxuan Garden but instead went to the medicinal herb garden belonging to Yan Cangtian.

Since Yan Cangtian had been in seclusion to consolidate his realm, Ling Feng hadn't wanted to disturb him. However, with his imminent departure to the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons, he thought that he should inform him.

With Yan Cangtian's experience, he might have been able to offer some useful guidance.

Soon, Ling Feng found Yan Cangtian and shared all the relevant details about the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons.

"The Battlefield of the Gods and Demons, is it?" Yan Cangtian stroked his beard, smiling slightly. "You lucky boy. You managed to get an entry."

Ling Feng gave a small smirk. According to Wen Tingguang, the Cangqiong Sect was allotted only thirty slots to distribute among the sects within the Tianbai Empire. Counting any accompanying slots, only ninety people would be able to enter the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons.

That was a total of three hundred sixty slots across the four major empires.

Considering that the combined population of the four major empires in the Dongling Region exceeded hundreds of billions, the availability of three hundred sixty slots every fifty years was a rare fortune indeed.

"I'm grateful to Sect Leader Yue for granting me a slot," Ling Feng replied with a grin.

"Yue Zhonglian, that guy?" Yan Cangtian let out a slight snort. "He's always been meticulous. Getting him to bend the rules was no small feat."

Ling Feng rubbed his nose, grinning sheepishly without saying much.

All he had done was save Yue Zhonglian's life and resolve a crisis for the empire. It really wasn't anything too extraordinary.

"You're being a little too humble," Yan Cangtian said, giving him a pointed look. "In the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons, while it's just a broken space, there are mingled traces of demonic qi everywhere that spawns countless strange lifeforms. Even with your skills, stay cautious."

Thinking for a moment, Yan Cangtian pulled a sword manual from his storage spirit ring and said, "Kid, judging from your recent growth, it's time for me to pass on this sword manual to you."

He tossed the sword manual casually to Ling Feng, who caught it and saw the four bold words on the cover: Art of Simple Detachment.

"Yes, indeed," Yan Cangtian nodded. "My teacher passed down this manual to me. While it's technically ungraded, its power rivals even that of a sky-tier sword technique. Unfortunately, though I studied it for years, I’ve only grasped a few basics and managed to create the Eight Directions Shatter Abyss moves which I've taught you."

"Only a few basics, and yet you were able to create something as formidable as the Eight Directions Shatter Abyss?"

Ling Feng's eyes narrowed as he opened the sword manual. At first glance, the techniques seemed exceedingly simple and plain, yet upon closer inspection, each sword move held endless variation.

The more complex sword moves were ultimately simplified back to the most basic thrusts, strikes, and cuts...

Ling Feng's eyes glowed with excitement as if he had stumbled upon a priceless treasure.

"What? You've grasped something already?"

Yan Cangtian was slightly taken aback. Years ago, his teacher had praised him as a swordsmanship genius, but even after three years of studying the manual, he hadn't grasped anything.

Yet Ling Feng understood something with just a glance.

Comparing people showed that some really weren’t human!

"Unbelievable... completely unbelievable!"

Yan Cangtian laughed helplessly. Indeed, the waves of the future replaced the waves of the past. The latter were bound to be stranded in the sand!

After a while, Ling Feng finally returned to reality from his comprehension of the sword dao, remarking in admiration, "The Art of Simple Detachment strips down sword moves to their essence, simplifying them back to their original state. It's all so masterfully profound! It feels more like an entire realm of consciousness rather than a technique!"

Yan Cangtian's face twitched, and he coughed awkwardly, saying, "So, have you mastered any powerful sword techniques?"

"No," Ling Feng laughed. "The sword manual is beyond my comprehension. However, by chance, I did glimpse a trace of its essence, and my comprehension of the sword dao has greatly improved."

He then released his Slaughterous Sword Will, saying, "Elder Yan, feel this."

"This...this..."

Yan Cangtian looked at Ling Feng in shock. "How is it possible? Your Slaughterous Sword Will... It actually... actually..." @@novelbin@@

"Yes, my Slaughterous Sword Will has strengthened!" Ling Feng smiled, his eyes narrowing. His Slaughterous Sword Will, which had long been stuck at the beginner level, had gained a firmer, more condensed force!

Although it was just a slight improvement, it renewed Ling Feng's hope for advancing his Slaughterous Sword Will without solely relying on slaughtering.

For Ling Feng, the Art of Simple Detachment[2] was an extraordinary treasure.

1. Some may ask why can't these people be placed directly into the Five Elements Heavenly Palace and be taken along? This is my clarification, the moment one crosses the barrier into the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons, the person is subjected to a checkpoint. Over the centuries, many had attempted to slip past this checkpoint by hiding others in their dimensional/space treasures. If it worked, it'd be meaningless in restricting the number of available slots. So, even dimensional treasures can't bypass the inspection. ☜

2. Author's note: With the Reincarnation Heaven-Burying Sword Art, Reincarnated Sword Will could already be enhanced. Now, there's finally a way to advance the Slaughterous Sword Will. In fact, the Art of Simple Detachment can enhance all types of sword wills, although the effects on Ling Feng's Reincarnated Sword Will are less noticeable since it has already reached a novice level. Those familiar with the Feng Yun "风云" comic likely understand what the Art of Simple Detachment signifies, hehe... ☜