’Four requirements, and only one wasn’t met... That makes sense. Even for a lucky break, these Hidden Professions wouldn’t just appear out of nowhere. I must have already satisfied most of its requirements for it to appear in my list of available professions.’
As his thoughts raced, Jiang Xuan also discerned the origin of each requirement:
’If I’m not mistaken, fulfilling the first requirement is probably thanks to the One Qi Sword Technique I just finished cultivating. This technique tempers the Heart and maintains singular focus, which is a perfect match.’
’The reason I passed the second one is that my True Spirits have been superimposed and fused, making my Divine Soul far stronger than an ordinary person’s.’
’As for constantly maintaining Spiritual Clarity, that’s definitely thanks to the protection of the Purifying Heart Spell...’
Just from a quick glance at the requirements, Jiang Xuan understood this was a profession rooted in cultivating the heart, with the sword as its instrument.
The path of cultivation was, at its core, about cultivating oneself, one’s heart, and one’s true self. At this thought, the scales in Jiang Xuan’s mind began to tip toward Clear Heart Swordsman.
And one final realization solidified his decision.
’In the game, this fortuitous encounter is called Lingxi Enlightenment... It’s an Enlightenment, and it even waives a core requirement... This isn’t a choice at all. It’s a fated opportunity meant just for me!’
With that thought, Jiang Xuan made his decision.
’Clear Heart Swordsman it is.’
As Jiang Xuan made his selection, the words "Clear Heart Swordsman" immediately appeared on his professional panel.
However, one could only assume a profession after all conditions were met, and for Clear Heart Swordsman, there was still one requirement he hadn’t fulfilled.
Fortunately, just as he’d predicted, the Lingxi Enlightenment was his fated opportunity—if a requirement wasn’t met, then the Enlightenment would allow him to meet it.
HUMMM!
The moment the professional sigil for Clear Heart Swordsman began to brand itself onto Jiang Xuan’s main profession slot, a sudden epiphany washed over him.
RUMBLE...
In his epiphany, Jiang Xuan understood the nature of the Heart. He saw through to the ultimate principle of Cultivation—that it requires sincerity. Sincerity to one’s Heart, to oneself, and to the Dao.
But it was more than just understanding. Boosted by the Lingxi Enlightenment, his spirit underwent a metamorphosis, reaching a special Realm.
"My heart, my will, clear as a polished mirror!"
As the epiphany began, a series of notifications from the game interface sounded within Jiang Xuan’s sea of consciousness.
[You have understood the importance of "Sincerity to the Heart" during the Lingxi Enlightenment. Your spirit has undergone a metamorphosis.]
[Clear Heart Swordsman Objective ③ has been met.]
[All four profession requirements have been met. You have successfully acquired the main profession—Clear Heart Swordsman.]
The instant the acquisition ceremony was officially complete, a profound and ineffable power, along with a stream of information, surged into the depths of Jiang Xuan’s mind.
Bathed in this power, Jiang Xuan’s body and mind changed, and he grew stronger.
If displayed as a game log, these changes would be:
[You have successfully acquired the Purple Treasure Level profession: Clear Heart Swordsman. Power of Heart Soul has been significantly boosted.]
[You have unlocked Professional Passives: Mirror of Clarity (Observing Oneself) and Heart・Sincerity (Sword).]
[You have learned a Professional Skill: Sword of the Spirit (First Realm・Introduction, 1/800).]
All of the changes from Clear Heart Swordsman occurred on a spiritual level, so Jiang Xuan emitted almost no fluctuations of Magical Power.
Once the process was complete and he fully understood the benefits of this profession, Jiang Xuan’s fists clenched tightly.
He realized with absolute clarity that he had made the right choice. He had hit the jackpot!
’As expected of a Purple Treasure Level profession. It’s so powerful!’
It was no wonder Jiang Xuan was so stirred; the benefits he’d gained from becoming a Clear Heart Swordsman were simply astonishing.
First and foremost was the massive boost to his Power of Heart Soul.
This not only solidified his cultivation foundation but was also an irreplaceable aid to his current Qi Cultivation.
There were actually three ways to refine the free-roaming, Unowned Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth into a Cultivator’s personal Magical Power.
The first was through one’s vitality and blood, which was the origin of the saying, "Refining Essence and Qi."
The second was a Cultivator’s Power of Heart Soul; a strong Divine Will could also convert Unowned Spiritual Qi into Magical Power.
Furthermore, a sufficiently strong Power of Heart Soul was also beneficial when casting Magic. Spells were never cast using only the Cultivator’s own Magical Power; the cost would be far too great.
In most cases, when a Cultivator cast a spell, they used their own Magical Power as a catalyst to draw upon the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to attack their foe. This method not only consumed less Magical Power, but the Technique’s might could also be multiplied.
The Power of Heart Soul was the core nexus for guiding the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, as well as the primary means of locking onto an enemy.
One could say that the importance of the Heart Soul was in no way inferior to that of Magical Power.
Originally, Jiang Xuan’s Power of Heart Soul had been at the Spirit Core Awakening Middle Stage. After this latest boost, he was nearly at the Late Stage.
’With my Power of Heart Soul reaching a new level, my refinement speed for Magical Power is bound to skyrocket again!’
Besides vitality, blood, and the Heart Soul, the third path to accelerating Spiritual Qi Refinement was "Intent."
Whether it was the Intent of mountains and rivers, Sword Intent, the essence of flames, or the Dao Rhyme of the wind... as long as a Cultivator comprehended it, they would develop a natural affinity with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi of the corresponding attribute.
At that point, not only would the Cultivator’s efficiency in Refining Spiritual Qi soar, but Spiritual Qi of the same source from the world would even begin to gather in their body of its own accord.
And this "Intent" was the only way for a Lower Classes Cultivator, one with a mediocre Spirit Root and no family backing, to pull ahead of the pack.
’However, "Intent" and Dao Rhyme have always been exceedingly difficult to comprehend. Some Cultivators meditate their entire lives without ever even touching the threshold. It is a heavenly path reserved for prodigies with exceptional Comprehension, and it is the core reason why, in the Cultivation Realm, Comprehension has always been valued more highly than Spirit Roots.’