The so-called “Sword of Astonishment” image did not arise simply because someone in this world had encountered Meng Qi and formed a perception of him, thereby creating such an image. If it were that simple, Meng Qi would not have felt joy merely at having found an initial direction, only to then struggle with how to adjust the perception. Because in that case, one would only need to change the perception of individuals like Shang Jiuming, and then, based on the response from the world and the connection with the Original Self, gradually modify it until it matched the projection characteristics.
Influencing just a few people would be easy even for Meng Qi, who was merely a puppet, let alone the possibility of leaving behind karmic connections, interrupting the attempt, and having the Original Self directly descend.
Based on Meng Qi’s current hypothesis, forming an image that conforms to the “virtual other self” requires leaving behind a legend in this world, which would generate corresponding perceptions in the minds of generation after generation. Over time, this perception would accumulate and gradually form a relatively fixed image—like an enduring mark that does not easily fade away with the passage of time. This would take at least three generations, or sixty years.
Since it pertains to the perception of the “Sword of Astonishment” across generations, social standings, and regions, the challenge of reshaping this perception is self-evident. Much like the gradual evolution of certain divine figures throughout history, even with the most robust official and authoritative backing, such transformations are never instantaneous. Meng Qi now sensed the erosion of time in this world, realizing that one day in the True World equated to a month here. Nineteen days amounted to merely a year and seven months. No matter what approach he attempted, it seemed nearly impossible to entirely alter the deeply ingrained image of the “Sword of Astonishment,” which had been cemented over centuries in people’s minds.
More importantly, Meng Qi couldn’t just adjust once; he had to continuously fine-tune based on feedback until the virtual image aligned with the corresponding characteristics and formed a subtle connection with the “Original Self.” Just thinking about it, Meng Qi realized this was no short-term task—it would probably take decades.
“If only this were Nan Gong Chong’s world or an environment similar to Earth…” Meng Qi sighed inwardly, “sitting” within the puppet of the divine sword.
The reason the “Sword of Astonishment” image formed slowly and was difficult to change in this world was ultimately due to inconvenient communication and exchange. This world was still at the level of ancient Earth, where views on certain events or figures took days or even months to spread to different regions. Penetration into the general populace relied on storytelling and theater, which naturally required more than a year or two.
If there were a developed internet, enabling people across vast distances to communicate as if they were in the same village—as in Nan Gong Chong’s world or environments similar to Earth—Meng Qi could have changed the “cognitive image” multiple times within one or two years. This would only require stirring up controversy and spreading the “battlefield” of opinions. For example: *The Records of the Sword of Astonishment Are Merely Rumors—A Study by an Official Research Institute*, *Ten Doubts About the Sword of Astonishment—An Investigation by a Conscientious Young Historian*, *The Sword of Astonishment Is a Spy of the Western Invaders, Intentionally Stirring Up Turmoil*, *The Romantic Encounters Between the Sword of Astonishment and the Demon Queen*, *Expose! The Sword of Astonishment Betrayed His Master and SlaughterED His Fellow Disciples*, *The Demon-Slaying Sword Technique Isn’t Even Worthy of Cleaning the Shoes of the Sword of Astonishment’s Technique*, *The Ten Most Accurate Rankings of the Greatest Martial Artists in History*…
And so on, countless examples. As long as the hype was well-managed, the topics were controversial, supported by certain “evidence,” and logically sound, the general public’s perception could indeed be changed in a relatively short time, thereby adjusting the image.
“Unfortunately, the worlds are different, and the conditions vary. I can only dream about it,” Meng Qi exhaled, withdrawing his thoughts and turning his mind to more practical considerations. “If only I could adjust the flow of time in this world—making one day equal ten years. One hundred and ninety years would be enough to complete many rounds of ‘cognitive image’ corrections…”
Even though he possessed legendary traits and could use the breath of the True World to alter and evolve countless universes, since he had not yet reached the pinnacle of Creation and had not touched the realm of “seeing the past and foreseeing the future,” he could not truly influence the river of time in an entire world, let alone bring about such large-scale and extensive changes.
This was the limitation inherent in legends themselves.
Wait! What had he just thought of?
As Meng Qi felt regret, a sudden thought struck him, like a bolt of lightning illuminating a dark sky.
“I possess legendary traits and can use the breath of the True World to alter and evolve countless universes!”
That was the key!
If the environment was different and the world was different, then he would change it to make it similar!
If the conditions weren’t there, he would create them!
The world was at fault, not him!
As these thoughts surged through his mind, Meng Qi couldn’t help but smile. He had been so deeply engrossed in the affairs of the True World and matters concerning the Fengshen that he had almost forgotten he possessed such “divine powers” and “immense might”!
He left a temporary karmic connection within the divine sword puppet, and his consciousness chose to return. The Original Self, seated cross-legged on the cloud couch, opened his eyes, took a step forward, and the Supreme Blade of Overlord gracefully slashed out from his sleeve, like a concentrated and pure bolt of purple lightning.
The blade’s radiance, connected by threads, pierced through layer upon layer of barriers, illuminating Shang Jiuming’s sight. A solemn and majestic voice followed: “This strike weakens the void, bringing the distant near—especially for inanimate objects.”
“This slash creates differences between heaven and earth, generating magnetic lands and objects commonly found.”
Shang Jiuming stared blankly, listened numbly, and looked confused, unable to understand what was happening.
What were this lightning-like blade light and the incomprehensible words doing?
He vaguely felt the world trembling, undergoing some kind of change, though it wasn’t obvious or directly observable.
Then, Shang Jiuming saw the purple lightning transform into a stream of light, rushing down and drilling into his forehead, crackling as it altered his constitution and imparting knowledge he had never heard of before.
Scenes instantly emerged in his mind, as if they were glimpses of the future:
City after city began constructing transmission arrays, simple in material and low in consumption, especially for non-living things;
Newspapers sprang up like mushrooms, thanks to the technology he provided;
Storytellers and drama masters he had trained traveled from street to street, conveying the content of the newspapers to the common people;
Across the land, different regions, due to the existence of transmission arrays and newspapers, could now know about events in one place the very next day.
…
A year later, the capital city had become increasingly lively, filled with accents and local products from all over.
A simple yet dignified carriage slowly rolled through the bustling streets. Inside, Liu Xuewen stroked his beard and gazed out the window.
Everywhere he looked, people were holding newspapers, discussing martial arts gossip. Liu Xuewen felt genuine pride.
All of this was thanks to his employer—thanks to them!
He was the chief editor of *The Martial Arts Express*.
The carriage entered a garden-like building, and Liu Xuewen tidied his clothes before stepping into a quiet study.
“Greetings, Master,” Liu Xuewen said respectfully.
His employer controlled all the transmission arrays in the world and pioneered the newspaper industry—a sage unmatched in a thousand years!
Sitting behind the desk, Shang Jiuming momentarily felt dazed upon hearing such a title. After obtaining the divine sword puppet, he had originally envisioned a future of diligently practicing swordsmanship, eventually mastering it, roaming the world unchallenged, becoming the Martial Arts Sect Leader, bringing glory to his sect, reaching the pinnacle of life, leaving behind a legend, and ultimately shattering the void in his old age. Yet now, he had become a shadowy figure manipulating the imperial court, a sage who introduced teleportation arrays, and a tycoon of the “newspaper monopoly group”…
The gap between reality and his ideal was unimaginably vast. But why did the “ideal” seem easier to achieve, while the “reality” felt like a dream?
Something must have been wrong…
Shang Jiuming fell into deep confusion, then took a deep breath and pointed at the manuscript on the desk.
“Start publishing it tomorrow.”
Liu Xuewen looked over and saw the title:
*”Wandering the World with Sword in Hand—The True Biography of the Sword of Astonishment.”*
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