Death… And Me

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Of course, Roan wasn't doing all of that for free. He had agreed with Diliy that they would spend half of the day working on Diliy and his elder's sword skills while the other half would be used for Roan to understand more of Diliy's Sword Intent.

"Roan, you have to understand that when my Sword Aura disappears, it doesn't mean I'm having it concentrate inside my sword," Diliy explained. "However, it is hard to explain since intents are also similar to cultivation experiences. Everyone has their own understanding of how it works, even if the end result is more or less the same."

Roan listened attentively as Diliy continued. "Take a look as I go through the steps as slow as possible. Woterto, Tassio, you two should pay attention too. You have seen it many times, but it is never too much."

First, Diliy used the same Sword Aura as Roan's. Roan's Sword Intent was better than most of those who learned it in this planet, but far behind Diliy's. Diliy could make his sword intent look pretty much the same as Roan's. "Now, look as I enter the next phase."

From there, the Sword Aura began to disappear. Finally, it reached the same level as the one Diliy used against Rean. "You see? It doesn't concentrate. It changes shape, even though you can't really see it. I hope this can help you learn something."

However, Roan noticed something different. Roan could tell it was definitely much more powerful than his, even if he couldn't feel it very well. Nonetheless, something stood out this time. "Weird... Are you using the same Sword Intent as you used back in the Sunlight Realm?"

Diliy nodded. "Yes. However, when I'm not in danger or in a real combat, my Sword Intent doesn't manifest as well I wish. Just the intent of combat is enough to cause variations that I'm still trying to come up to terms with. But that's not a problem. You should first try to achieve this same state of Sword Intent that I'm showing you."

Roan pondered a bit and asked Woterto and Tassio to help him. "You two, take out your swords and use your Sword Intents. Obviously, use the Stage Four, Sword Aura."

Woterto and Tassio looked at each other and back at Diliy, who allowed them to do as Roan said. Right after, Roan, Diliy, Tassio, and Woterto were using their Stage Four of the Sword Intents near each other. Woterto, Tassio, and Roan had obvious Sword Auras around their swords, but Diliy's own intent was still invisible. Still, even without beign able to see it, Roan noticed that Diliy's Sword Intent seemed to change slightly. "Diliy, is this what you meant by variations?"

Diliy nodded. "Yes. It is not as powerful as when my life is being targeted, but it does happen. Is this of any help to you understand how to reach my level?"

Roan pondered a bit more about the issue and decided to ask. "Tell me... you only managed to learn this further form of your Sword Aura Stage Four after you felt that Divine Realm expert's Spear Intent, right?"

Diliy confirmed. "Yes. I will never forget how his intent felt for the rest of my life. What I achieved with my Sword Intent so far was all thanks to that day." Diliy, as well as Kuslau, mentioned to Rean and Roan in the past about how various experts of their planet were invited to another planet in the same Solar System. There, they were able to witness a Cultivator from the Divine Realm who could use the Fifth Stage of Spear Intent.

Roan nodded as his mind went back to the day Diliy was attacked in the Sunlight Realm. "Do you remember that guy's words? The Sword Cultivator from the other country that attacked you."

Diliy was taken aback. "Kruwan?" Kruwan was the guy who tried to kill Diliy back then when Rean intervened.

Roan nodded. "You mentioned that he also saw the same Spear Intent. What do you think about his Sword Intent?"

Diliy didn't like to think about Kruwan, especially since he tried to sneak behind him to attack during a dangerous moment. That wasn't how real Sword Cultivators should act. "His Sword Intent... was definitely not as good as mine, but was very, very close. He definitely benefited a lot from that demonstration from the cultivator of the Divine Realm. Why do you ask?"

Roan continued. "Before Rean and I left after saving you, he said, 'You just don't understand, do you?' Those were his words. Diliy, you and Kruwan have known each other for a long time, right? Was he like that before? Someone who would sneak behind you to attack?"

"This..." Diliy's thoughts went back to the past, and he shook his head. "No. I've never liked the guy, but he was a true Sword Cultivator back then. He would never try to kill someone using such dishonest methods." After saying these words, even Diliy had to admit it was strange. Why did Kruwan change? What did Kruwan mean when he said those words? "He said that I don't understand... What was he talking about?"

Roan felt like the key behind the next level of Sword Intent was in those words. "Intent, intent, intent... his intent... no, maybe Diliy's intent instead..."

Suddenly, Roan's eyes opened wide, and he took some distance from Diliy and the others. "Keep your Sword Intents active. Tell me if you feel anything."

Diliy and the others were confused, but they nodded and kept using their Sword Intents.

In the next moment, Roan's Sword Aura seemed to begin to change ever so slightly. Somehow, it interacted with Tassio, Woterto, and Diliy's Sword Intents, much to their surprise. Without thinking twice, they all stopped using their Sword Intents, which caused Roan's Sword Aura to return back to normal. However, even though it was almost imperceptible, Diliy could tell that Roan's Sword Aura had moved in the same direction as his own a little just now. "What did you do?!" Diliy couldn't help but ask, shocked.

Roan sighed, seeing what Kruwan meant. "It seems like there isn't just one way to reach the Fifth Level of Sword Intent; there are more. Diliy, you got that far with comprehension alone. No doubt you are a heaven-blessed Sword Genius. As for Kruwan... he took an easier approach. He absorbed other cultivator's Sword Intents to perfect his own."

And as always, any Golden Tickets and Stones are welcome. ;)n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om