Volume 2 - Chapter 56: Renowned in Tianji Tower - Part 1
"Alright."
Li Hao was somewhat curious about this rumored peculiar stone.
Their conversation was overheard by the crowd. When Lu Chunsheng led Li Hao forward, the disciples instinctively made way, their eyes filled with curiosity.
The rules of the Heavenly Shadow Monument were unrelated to cultivation level; instead, they primarily tested comprehension.
The young man before them, renowned across the land for his unparalleled cultivation speed—the fastest in a thousand years—had drawn everyone's attention. They were eager to see just how vast the gap in comprehension between him and themselves might be.
After all, progressing rapidly in cultivation didn’t necessarily equate to possessing exceptional comprehension.
In realms below the Heaven and Man Realm, swift advancements could often be attributed to abundant resources.
If one disregarded foundational stability, it was even possible to rely on copious amounts of medicinal elixirs to achieve meteoric progress.
However, reaching the Heaven and Man Realm demanded more than comprehension; a measure of luck was also involved.
Some people, after observing a falling leaf or scooping a handful of water, would suddenly attain enlightenment.
Others, despite journeying across the land and challenging major sects, their bodies battered and bruised, would still find themselves halted at the Heavenly Gate.
"These hundred Heavenly Shadow Monuments record the cultivation techniques and realms of every disciple in Tianji Tower over thousands of years," Lu Chunsheng explained with a smile. "If your displayed technique surpasses the recorded shadow on the monument, the Dao Rhythms of the Heavenly Shadow Monument will automatically replace the old shadow with your demonstration. This is called 'Monument Shadow Replacement.'"
Li Hao nodded. He was already aware of this.
However, hearing about it was nothing compared to seeing it in person. As he approached the black stone monument, he could faintly sense the dense energy of heaven and earth covering it, along with an indescribable aura of profundity.
"In our tower, each disciple may only observe a monument ten times. If they fail to replace the shadow within ten attempts, they are forbidden from viewing it again," Lu Chunsheng said with a light chuckle. "The number of observations and whether one can replace the shadow serves as a measure of aptitude and comprehension."
"Interesting," Li Hao remarked.
Noticing Li Hao’s intrigue, Lu Chunsheng’s lips curled into a subtle smile. He knew that geniuses rarely resisted such challenges.
"Young General, with your aptitude and swordsmanship, I suggest starting with that Heavenly Shadow Monument," Lu Chunsheng said, pointing to a monument not far away.
The crowd followed his gesture, breaking into murmurs.
"It’s the monument left behind by Senior Brother Kong ten years ago."
"The difficulty level of that Heavenly Shadow Monument is ranked 82. Is he starting with such a challenging one right away?"
"It might be difficult for us, but not necessarily for him. I bet he’ll succeed in replacing the shadow within three attempts!"
"Three attempts? That’s hard to say. I think five attempts should suffice. After all, he has already suppressed all the grandmasters under heaven. His talent and comprehension are beyond comparison."
The crowd whispered amongst themselves, their gazes filled with anticipation as they watched Li Hao.
Among them, Tang Zhixi also focused her attention on the scene. The 82nd-ranked monument left by Senior Brother Kong was far more challenging than the 93rd-ranked one she had just broken.
Could this young man accomplish it in just three attempts?
Tang Zhixi pressed her lips slightly and kept her gaze fixed on him.
"Alright," Li Hao said, stepping up to the Heavenly Shadow Monument.
He observed it closely, and with Lu Chunsheng’s guidance via sound transmission, Li Hao placed his palm against the monument, releasing his aura.
In an instant, the Heavenly Shadow Monument seemed to activate, its surface shimmering with divine radiance.
At the same time, a figure appeared within the monument. It was a young man holding a longsword, suddenly slashing forward.
Although the figure was merely a shadow without offensive capability, his slashes were sharp, showcasing an intricate sword technique.
To replace the shadow on the monument, one had to replicate the same sword technique while demonstrating a higher level of mastery.
Using a different sword technique would not work, which was why countless people had used these monuments to test their aptitude and comprehension.
The young man’s demonstration quickly concluded.
By the time the shadow was halfway through its technique, Li Hao had already received a notification from his interface, indicating the sword technique had been recorded.
"This place can even record sword techniques, and they don’t seem to belong to Tianji Tower…"
Li Hao’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
Did this mean that the hundred Heavenly Shadow Monuments contained a hundred unique techniques?
As the shadow on the monument faded, Li Hao regained his focus, absorbing the information transmitted through his interface. He noticed a newly perfected sword technique, "Moon Grasping - Myriad Blossoms Sword Technique," along with its "True Form" mastery level.
Replaying the sword technique in his mind, Li Hao concluded that the shadow had only demonstrated a "Perfection" level.
It was a superior-grade sword technique.
For most people, observing the monument ten times to comprehend and master the technique to the Perfection level was an extraordinary test of comprehension. Its difficulty was comparable to passing the imperial examination after studying for only a year.
Most disciples would spend their first attempt memorizing the sword technique and then spend years practicing before returning to challenge the monument again.
This cycle often spanned over a decade.
"Now that the shadow has faded, has he managed to grasp it yet?"
"Grasping the basics isn’t hard—I managed to do it. If he can’t do it in one viewing, how can he call himself a genius?"
"True, but Senior Brother Kong’s sword technique is at the Perfection level. The higher the mastery level, the harder it is to discern nuances, making it difficult to replicate and master."
The crowd murmured among themselves.
Li Hao glanced around, spotting a tree in the distance. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a withered branch.
Using the branch as a sword, Li Hao executed the "Moon Grasping - Myriad Blossoms Sword Technique."
A shimmering moon seemed to rise, captured by his sword’s radiance. Surrounding him, countless sword energies bloomed like flowers, vibrant and dazzling, yet each carried a sharp edge, dangerous to touch.
Within moments, the sword dance was complete.
The Heavenly Shadow Monument flickered with brilliance. The black monument now displayed Li Hao’s sword dance, replacing the previous shadow of the young man.
Lu Chunsheng froze, his pupils contracting slightly.
Having a deeper understanding of Li Hao’s abilities, Lu Chunsheng had expected him to succeed in two attempts. This would preserve his reputation as a genius while securing his monument shadow. But to succeed in one attempt?
Moreover, the sword technique Li Hao had displayed was accompanied by visions of celestial phenomena, signifying that the technique had reached the "True Form" mastery level.
From Perfection, skipping Supreme Perfection to reach True Form in a single observation?
Lu Chunsheng suddenly realized how little he truly knew about this young man—barely even the tip of the iceberg.
He couldn’t help but wonder if Li Hao had secretly practiced this sword technique beforehand.
After all, even the three Sword Saints in their youth could only master a superior-grade sword technique to the Perfection level after one viewing, a feat already considered extraordinary. Yet compared to Li Hao, they seemed like mere fireflies before the moon.
This youth’s talent in swordsmanship was more terrifying than the Sword Saints themselves!
Lu Chunsheng’s thoughts churned as his eyes sparkled...