The clash of metal reverberated through the autumn air, shaking the maple leaves loose. Yun Xiao's small but intense azure Sword Soul was up against Ye Guao's Golden Star Sword Soul, which pulsed with a fierce, golden aura. Though his opponent's sword was larger and encased in a protective layer of sword energy, Yun Xiao's sword spirit glinted with a focused ferocity.
Ye Guao scoffed, though his expression betrayed a hint of surprise. "How does a spineless nobody like you wield any Sword Soul at all? You think that tiny blade of yours can measure up to the Golden Star?"
But Yun Xiao's face remained impassive, his eyes narrowed. He advanced, each step imbued with purpose. "That spirit crystal bag. Hand it over, and we can end this here."
Ye Guao sneered, tightening his grip on his golden Sword Soul. "I don't think so. You're nothing but an insect, standing in the way of my greatness. A mortal like you should learn his place!" With a roar, he channeled his supernatural power, the golden glow of his dantian swirling up to enhance his sword. The Golden Star Sword Soul surged forward, aiming to overwhelm Yun Xiao's smaller blade.
Just as Ye Guao lunged, Yun Xiao sidestepped, his movements fluid yet sharp. The azure Sword Soul in his hand flickered, maneuvering deftly around the larger golden blade. Instead of matching brute strength, he opted for precision, aiming his blade at the smallest openings.
Ding! Clang!
The sound of steel clashing echoed as Yun Xiao's blade met Ye Guao's with unexpected force. The Golden Star Sword Soul's initial strength seemed undiminished, yet Yun Xiao's precise attacks created tiny fractures in the Sword Gang layer, slowly chipping away at its protective aura.
Ye Guao gritted his teeth, feeling his frustration mounting. "How… how are you holding your own?! This isn't possible!"
"That Golden Star may be impressive," Yun Xiao replied coolly, "but it's not unbeatable." He slid his blade beneath Ye Guao's guard and struck, his azure Sword Soul leaving a shallow cut along Ye Guao's forearm.
Ye Guao's eyes widened as a line of red appeared on his skin, his golden sword faltering momentarily. "You…!" He stumbled back, clutching his arm, rage and disbelief in his eyes.
"I don't need size or flashy techniques to deal with someone like you." Yun Xiao's tone was calm, almost dismissive. "Now, the spirit crystals. Last chance."
Realizing he'd underestimated his opponent, Ye Guao's sneer faded, replaced with a twisted scowl. He forced himself to stand straighter, adjusting his grip on his weapon. "This isn't over. I'll show you what real power looks like!"
But before he could react, Yun Xiao's blade darted forward with blinding speed, and a fierce, cutting energy surged from his azure Sword Soul. In a swift, decisive stroke, Yun Xiao knocked the spirit crystal bag from Ye Guao's waist.
The bag fell to the ground with a soft thud, and Ye Guao froze, his expression one of shock. He'd lost control of the fight before he even realized what had happened.
Yun Xiao lowered his sword, calm and composed. "Your journey ends here. Go back and tell your elders that not everyone can be bullied."
As Ye Guao staggered back, rage seething within him, Yun Xiao calmly picked up the spirit crystal bag, his resolve as steady as ever. With a final, disbelieving glare, Ye Guao turned and fled, vowing to remember this humiliation.
Yun Xiao watched him go, then looked down at the spirit crystals in his hand. He glanced back at the girl still on the ground, who watched him with wide, astonished eyes.
"Thank you… I don't know how to repay you," she said, her voice trembling.
"No need." Yun Xiao gave her a brief nod. "Just be careful who you trust."
Ye Guao froze, eyes wide with shock as the cold edge of Yun Xiao's azure Sword Soul traced a line across his neck. The world seemed to stop for a moment; the pain, the crackling of his broken Sword Soul, and the crushing reality all sank in. His indestructible Golden Star Sword Soul—now damaged, jagged, and fractured beyond repair—was reflecting his own helpless state.
Blood trickled down his neck as he looked at Yun Xiao with a mixture of terror and disbelief. "You… you're mad!" he choked, his voice wavering. "My brother, Ye Guying… he won't spare you for this. He'll… he'll hunt you down and make you pay with your life!"
Yun Xiao's face remained impassive, unmoved by the threats. He leaned in close, his eyes cold and unyielding. "Perhaps you don't understand, Ye Guao. I am beyond caring for your brother's so-called 'reputation.' My path is my own, and no name, no 'title sword king,' will frighten me off."
The confidence in Yun Xiao's words shook Ye Guao to his core. He had always relied on his family's power, his brother's status, and the prestige of his sect to dominate those around him. But now, none of that seemed to matter to this unrelenting figure standing before him.
Yun Xiao released his grip, letting Ye Guao slump to the ground, humiliated and defeated. Ye Guao clutched at his throat, feeling the trickle of blood and the raw ache of his broken Sword Soul radiate through his body.
"You may have lost this battle, but remember this moment, Ye Guao," Yun Xiao said as he stepped back, his voice steady. "I didn't take your life today, but you no longer have a hold over others like you once did. Learn humility, or next time, I won't show mercy."
As Yun Xiao turned to leave, Ye Guao watched him go, his heart filled with anger and shame, but also a faint glimmer of fear. For the first time, he realized that there were powers in this world beyond status, beyond family name, and beyond even Sword Souls.
Yun Xiao's Heaven-Burying Sword Soul shimmered with a dark, ethereal glow, its aura now strangely intensified by the remnants of Ye Guao's Golden Star Sword Soul. Holding it, he could feel a subtle surge—an echo of the power Ye Guao had once wielded. The edges of his Sword Soul pulsed, absorbing the remaining energy that still lingered in Ye Guao's defeated essence.
Lanxing's keen gaze didn't waver as it observed the process. "His Sword Soul was broken, but not entirely devoid of use. The fragments still carry remnants of his strength, and with your Heaven-Burying Sword Soul, they can be consumed."
Yun Xiao nodded, feeling a cold thrill as his Sword Soul started to respond, faintly flickering with traces of Ye Guao's golden aura, though twisted and reshaped. The broken bits of the Golden Star Sword Soul were like fuel, merging with his Heaven-Burying Sword Soul, adding layers of strength and resilience that he had only begun to tap into.
Lanxing's deep blue eyes gleamed. "This is the beginning, Yun Xiao. With each Seed of Creation talent you reclaim, your Sword Soul will grow stronger, closer to its true potential."
The thought resonated with Yun Xiao. This was no longer just about survival or revenge but about reclaiming the power and identity that was his. Every fragment of strength absorbed, every Seed of Creation reclaimed, would bring him one step closer to restoring the lost greatness hinted at by Lanxing and Chiyue.
He looked down at Ye Guao's lifeless form, feeling not triumph but a somber resolve. "I'll walk this path," he murmured, his voice low yet firm. "One step at a time, until I reclaim everything that was taken."
With that, Yun Xiao turned, his Heaven-Burying Sword Soul glowing with new power, as he continued down the path ahead, leaving behind the fallen body of Ye Guao and any remnants of his former fear.
Yun Xiao stared at his Heaven-Burying Sword Soul, transfixed by its unexpected and terrifying ability to consume other Sword Souls and absorb their power. The once vibrant, golden energy of Ye Guao's Golden Star Sword Soul had faded into a fine mist, merging with his own azure Sword Soul and forming a faint, glowing layer—a Sword Gang, normally attainable only through refining ancient monster bones. He could scarcely believe it. His Sword Soul didn't just absorb power; it thrived on it.
Lanxing's voice cut through his astonishment. "The Heaven-Burying Sword Soul is no ordinary weapon. It's born from a 'boundary source,' the divine land's heavenly pillar. This boundary source is a world embryo, a source of creation in its own right."
Yun Xiao's mind reeled at the concept. "The divine land's heavenly pillar... an embryo of a world? Does that mean there are others like it?"
Lanxing nodded. "There are ten say/way boundary sources in the chaos of creation. These are world embryos, sources capable of birthing entire realms. The Kunlun Mountains purgatory and divine land heavenly pillar are among them. You wield the power of one such boundary source in your Sword Soul, making it capable of feats beyond the comprehension of ordinary cultivators."
Yun Xiao felt a chill run down his spine. This went far beyond his previous understanding of power. If he could fuse other boundary sources with these ten ancient coffins like the one he held, his Sword Soul would not just grow in strength—it would carry the potential of worlds within it.
Lanxing seemed to read his thoughts. "In your past life, you sought all ten source coffins. We, too, existed within you but were dormant, weakened by the process of creating worlds."
Yun Xiao's breath caught. "So, if I gather the other source coffins, each could fuse with a boundary source and unlock unimaginable powers within me?"
Lanxing's eyes gleamed. "Exactly. But before you can wield the full might of a boundary source, you must master Dragon Spring Realm—the foundation for true spiritual cultivation. Right now, you've only reached Mortal Martial Realm, with its five stages: Sensing Soul, Forging Flesh, Igniting Blood, Tempering Bone, and Opening Yuan. Only when you reach Dragon Spring Realm will your dantian be ready to produce the supernatural power needed for sustained spiritual cultivation."
As Lanxing spoke, Yun Xiao clenched his fists. This was his first step on a new path, far beyond what he had envisioned. He would have to climb the stages of the Mortal Martial Realm and reach the Dragon Spring Realm to unlock his potential fully.
"Each step will make me stronger," Yun Xiao said, eyes narrowing with determination. "And with every step, my Sword Soul will grow, perhaps one day holding the power of an entire world within it."
Lanxing's gaze softened with pride. "This is your path. To claim your destiny, you must walk it, one battle at a time."
Yun Xiao found himself in an unexpected place—a grand copper coffin with an eerie, almost sentient quality. As he stood there, the ghostly blue eyes of Lanxing's manifested face watched him with an intensity that demanded action. Around him, smaller copper coffins sat in the corners, their sizes diminished but each exuding a faint aura. They reminded him that this space held mysteries yet to be revealed.
"Now, the Seed of Creation," Lanxing prompted, his tone steady. "You absorbed it from Ye Guao, and it's time to make it your own."
"Fine," Yun Xiao said, placing his hand over his dantian, feeling the pulse of power from the Seed of Creation. It was a dense, potent energy that demanded respect. But one problem lingered.
"And how exactly do I refine it?" he asked. "This isn't exactly basic knowledge."
Lanxing's eyes narrowed. "How would I know? I'm not the Creator Immortal. Just try to align with it, feel the energy synchronize with your core."
Yun Xiao let out a sigh, realizing Lanxing was just as clueless as he was in this regard. Yet he couldn't deny that his body had somehow adapted rapidly since he absorbed the Seed, enabling him to achieve Fifth-Grade Opening Yuan and surpass Ye Guao with ease.
Yun Xiao closed his eyes and focused on his dantian, channeling his will into the Seed of Creation. Slowly, the energy began to hum, responding to his intent. He could feel it shifting, stretching within him, expanding and contracting in rhythm with his breath. The Seed's energy wasn't just powerful—it was alive, as if it held the potential of worlds within it.
Time seemed to lose meaning within the coffin as he concentrated. He felt himself sinking into a meditative state, attuned to the heartbeat of the Seed, his own spirit blending with its essence. Finally, he felt a breakthrough. The Seed's power began to meld with his own, seeping into every fiber of his being, fortifying him with newfound strength and clarity.
The eerie silence of the coffin was suddenly interrupted by the bold, gruff voice of Chiyue. "There, you've managed to align with it. Not bad."
Opening his eyes, Yun Xiao noticed a subtle change within himself, as if every cell in his body was charged with latent energy, waiting for his command. "I've refined it," he whispered, amazed. He felt like a hidden dragon, ready to soar to new heights.
Lanxing's gaze softened.
"Now you're ready for Dragon Spring Realm, where the true journey of spiritual cultivation begins. From here on, you walk the path of the ancients, drawing from the strength of a world itself."
Yun Xiao clenched his fists, feeling the power within him. This was just the beginning, but with each step, he was coming closer to a destiny he hadn't yet fully grasped.