Lin Yan listened to his master’s explanation, and things began to click into place.
The Sword Rhythm appearing on him wasn’t because the Sword Pill was compatible with him, but because he had comprehended another Perfect Level Sword Intent.
If his Sword Pill were formed from only four Perfect Level Sword Intents, the Sword Rhythm likely wouldn’t have appeared so quickly.
’Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that I now have two Sword Pills.’
This so-called Sword Rhythm was a kind of modification the Sword Pill performed on a Martial Artist. To put it another way, it was similar to how a person who has long held a high position develops the air of a superior over time.
The effect was subtle and gradual.
A single wisp of Sword Rhythm couldn’t bring about any significant change to a Martial Artist, but as more of it accumulated, it would become effective.
’This thing... it’s a bit like a Luck Value, only it’s specific to the Sword Dao Will.’
If you compared the Heavenly Dao Will to a teacher, then an Innate Sword Heart would be like a star student—a top performer from the very beginning.
On the other hand, those who cultivated a Sword Pill were like ordinary students. Developing Sword Rhythm was like improving their grades. Only after reaching a certain level could they enter the teacher’s field of vision.
And begin to attract a sliver of the teacher’s attention.
Lin Yan explained his analysis, but he substituted "Martial Arts Hall" for "school" and "disciple" for "student."
Lin Shouyuan was somewhat astonished as he listened to his disciple’s analysis. He hadn’t expected his disciple’s understanding to be so insightful and to have grasped the very essence of the matter.
However, after a moment, he shook his head. "Your analogy is still a bit inaccurate. A teacher has their own personal preferences, but the Sword Dao Will does not. It would be better to compare the Sword Dao Will to a Martial Arts Hall’s roster. An Innate Sword Heart ranks at the very top and is naturally registered on the roster, receiving all sorts of rewards from the Martial Arts Hall. As for those with a Sword Pill, as their strength gradually increases, they can also get their names on the roster. Even if it’s only at the bottom, they are on it nonetheless and will also receive rewards, just not as bountiful as those at the top."
For an Innate Sword Heart, Sword Rhythm appears the moment they master their very first swordsmanship to Perfection!
"Master, what about the Sword Dao Mark then?"
"The Sword Dao Mark is a manifestation of the Sword Dao Will."
Lin Shouyuan didn’t answer immediately. His gaze fell upon his daughter as he hesitated, wondering if he should tell her about these things.
"Dad, I’ll find out sooner or later."
"Knowing now is different from knowing later. I’m afraid you’ll be disheartened."
The reason why the major families never told their members too much about the higher Martial Arts Realms in advance was that as one ascended, the difficulty didn’t just double—it increased severalfold...
Most importantly, at the higher Realms, the competition was no longer just within Qing State Prefecture or even Shandong Dao, but against all the Martial Artists in the world.
"Dad, do you have so little faith in your daughter?"
Lin Mingxi said with a hint of indignation. Lin Yan stood to the side without interjecting. ’This is a matter between a father and daughter. I’d better stay out of it.’
He was beginning to realize that his master doted on his daughter.
"Alright, alright. Since you want to know, Xi’er, you can stay and listen as well."
"There are a total of three hundred and sixty-four Sword Dao Marks in the world—no more, no less. After a Powerhouse who has obtained a Sword Dao Mark falls, the mark returns to the world. It is then known as an ’ownerless mark,’ waiting for the next Innate Sword Heart to acquire it, or for it to be seized by other powerful Sword Dao experts."
"As for the benefits of a Sword Dao Mark... there are said to be many, but I only know of one: possessing a Sword Dao Mark will increase the power of one’s sword threefold."
At this, Lin Shouyuan looked a bit embarrassed. His skill in the Sword Dao was considered top-tier in Qing State and quite decent in Shandong Dao, but on the world stage, it wasn’t much to look at. He was still a long, long way from reaching a Sword Dao Mark.
Everything he knew was just what he had heard from the sect elders back when he was in cultivation at the North Sea Lineage.
But just as the Lin Family wouldn’t tell its younger generation too much about the higher Realms, his sect had also only mentioned the Sword Dao Marks briefly. The sect elders would only provide detailed information about them once someone was on the verge of touching a Sword Dao Mark.
"Lin Yan, given your current rate of progress in Sword Dao cultivation, it’s possible you might be able to touch a Sword Dao Mark in the future."
Lin Shouyuan gave Lin Yan a deep look, but a question lingered in his heart. ’My disciple comprehended four Perfect Sword Intents and condensed a Sword Pill at such an incredible speed. Why did the Sword Inquiry Stone only rate his aptitude as Middle Rank B?’
"Dad, Lin Yan is only a ’possible’?"
Lin Mingxi was genuinely stunned. After witnessing Lin Yan’s talent, she had mentally prepared herself to be disheartened. Yet, hearing her own father say that even with talent like his, Lin Yan only had a "possibility" left her momentarily dazed.
’Over three hundred marks... and with Junior Brother Lin’s speed of comprehending four Perfect Level Sword Intents, he still only has a ’possibility’?’
’Then what about me?’
’Is it hopelessly out of reach?’
"Xi’er, you must understand that these three-hundred-odd Sword Dao Marks are being fought over by every Sword Dao Martial Artist in the entire world. Shandong Dao itself is not considered particularly strong in the Sword Dao. Its territory and number of Martial Artists are only average at best, and it can’t compare to those larger Paths. The number of Martial Artists and geniuses in this world is far greater than you can imagine."
Lin Shouyuan’s expression was grave. This was precisely why he hadn’t wanted to tell his daughter beforehand; he was afraid her confidence in her Martial Arts practice would be crushed.
"Excluding the ones that already have owners, the number of truly ownerless Sword Dao Marks available to be contested is only around one hundred."
Lin Mingxi fell silent, because she didn’t know what to say.

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