As Yun Xiao channeled his energy, focusing on drawing out the Seed of Creation from Ye Guao's lifeless form, he felt a faint pulse, a heartbeat of power still lingering in the corpse. This was no ordinary essence—it was infused with a drop of ancient rain, a rare gift from the Creator Immortal, tempered by untold years.
"Is this… a fragment of my own power from the past?" Yun Xiao's brow furrowed. This drop, this good fortune rain, seemed to hum with a life of its own, its energy dense and golden, almost palpable within Ye Guao's abdomen. In his past life, as the Creator Immortal, such power had come naturally to him, yet now he struggled to control it as a mere mortal reborn.
Concentrating, Yun Xiao extended his hand over Ye Guao's abdomen, channeling his willpower into the seed. "Come to me!" he commanded, summoning the essence of the good fortune rain from within Ye Guao's dantian.
The lifeless body convulsed, reacting to the force. Blood began to seep from its pores as if it were expelling every last drop of life that had once animated it. The energy coalesced, slowly detaching from the corpse, condensing into a small golden mist that drifted towards Yun Xiao's hand.
As the essence entered his palm, Yun Xiao felt a wave of energy course through him, his senses expanding, his very cells vibrating with newfound vigor. His dantian absorbed the golden mist eagerly, the ancient essence settling within him like a spark within dry tinder, ready to ignite.
Ye Guao's body, deprived of its last vestige of life, slumped, dull and shrunken. It was as though it had died a second death, hollow and bereft of vitality. Yun Xiao looked down at his hand, feeling the pulse of power he had just inherited, aware that this was but a fraction of the strength he had wielded in his previous life.
"I may only be a mortal for now," he thought, "but with this Seed of Creation, I'll rise again."
As the *Beginning of the Universe Ruins Law* merged into Yun Xiao's body, his entire being trembled. The ancient knowledge surged through his veins, weaving with the golden essence of the Seed of Creation, which had nestled in his dantian. This fusion was powerful, almost overwhelming, yet Yun Xiao felt a strange exhilaration.
A buzzing filled his ears, and the four mystical characters—imbued with chaotic cosmic power—embedded themselves deep within his soul. He could feel them igniting a transformation, slowly connecting with his blood, bones, and even the tiniest fiber of his being.
"This is only the beginning," Lanxing's voice echoed from the coffin. "With the *Beginning of the Universe Ruins Law* as your foundation, you will restore what was lost and reclaim powers beyond what these six so-called ancestor gods could ever hope to wield."
Yun Xiao's mind spun as the knowledge embedded within those characters began to unfold. He felt as though he could glimpse the origins of all creation, feel the heartbeat of the universe itself, with all of life bound within it. The law was not merely a path to power; it was a connection to the very fabric of existence.
"So this law," Yun Xiao murmured, "contains both life and destruction, creation and decay?"
"Precisely," Lanxing confirmed, his tone darkly amused. "And as you refine your dantian, blood, bones, and soul, this law will transform each part of you into a force of pure Yang, the opposite of the *Yin Ruins* path cultivated by those who follow the ancestor god who defiled your legacy."
Yun Xiao nodded, the path becoming clearer. He felt a surge of determination; he wasn't simply refining his power to survive—he was restoring an ancient balance that had been disrupted when his original self, the Creator Immortal, had vanished. It was time to reclaim what was his.
"Then we begin. Guide me, Lanxing."
Lanxing's eyes gleamed within the shadows of the coffin. "You'll start by drawing on the essence of your Seed of Creation, allowing it to resonate with the *Beginning of the Universe Ruins Law* and build your dantian into something beyond this world's comprehension. Only then can you unlock the true potential within you."
Yun Xiao closed his eyes, breathing deeply, feeling the Seed of Creation pulse within his dantian. He began focusing on this ancient law, visualizing the energies of the cosmos spiraling around him, strengthening him, and preparing him for the unknown journey that lay ahead.
The path of the immortal road had finally begun.
Yun Xiao stood on the precipice of his journey, his resolve forged anew by the fresh power pulsing within him. The *Beginning of the Universe Ruins Law*, even in its preliminary stage, was altering the very foundation of his being. His dantian, infused with the golden essence of the Seed of Creation, began to breathe with life. Within, the Yuan Empty Dragon surged, carrying a profound, otherworldly strength that ascended like a noble spirit—Longquan had truly come to life.
As he emerged from the ancient copper coffin, which transformed once more into the small, black beast that nestled within his robes, Yun Xiao couldn't help but feel a deep gratitude for Lanxing and Chiyue. Their resilience and camaraderie touched him in a way he hadn't anticipated. "They may seem unorthodox," he thought, "but they are a family of sorts."
Lanxing's voice echoed in his mind, snapping him back to the present. "This is only the beginning, Dao. Strengthen your Sword Soul and pursue the Seed of Creation in Ye Guying's dantian. Only then can you cultivate the true form of the *Beginning of the Universe Ruins Law*."
He clenched his fist, looking toward the peak with a glint in his eye. "One claw now, but soon, I'll reach the height of Dragon Spring Realm and beyond. My Heaven-Burying Sword Soul must be tempered like steel. The 500-year monster bone is key to that. I can't afford to let it slip away."
His senses sharpened as he prepared to embark toward the mountain. But the ominous weight of fate hung over him—somehow, he knew he was not the only one on this path. In a distant peak, a young girl, clad in cold white sword robes, looked back toward the same path. Her eyes held a mix of apprehension and determination, the shadow of an ancient omen flickering in her gaze.
"Yun Xiao…" she whispered, her voice laced with chill and uncertainty. "You think to scale this mountain? A mere mortal scraping at the foot of my immortal path?"
Unbeknownst to her, Yun Xiao's nascent yet resilient spirit had already begun to bridge worlds and overturn destinies. He would not rest until he proved his worth, reclaiming the honor of his past self. With a final look into the heavens, Yun Xiao breathed deeply, ready to conquer what lay ahead.
And so, he set forth, driven by his own ambitions and the weight of a legacy almost forgotten but deeply etched in the marrow of his soul.
On the cloud-shrouded summit, *Receives the Sword Stage* stood with majestic authority, towering over Blue Soul Sword Sect. The stage was lined with eight stone chairs, each carved into the shape of a sword, as if the power of the sect were made tangible by these stone blades. Seven elders already occupied their designated seats, representing the seven *Jianfengs*, or sword peaks, of the sect. Each chair bore an inscription, marking its peak's rank. The middlemost seat, larger and carved with the words *Sword Pavilion*, remained empty.
The first stone chair, inscribed with *First Jianfeng*,was occupied by Elder Yao Qingqian. She reclined in her seat, one leg crossed over the other, exuding an aura of calm elegance. The breeze lifted her long skirt slightly, hinting at a glimpse of hidden beauty. Elder Wu Yu, from *Third Jianfeng*, leaned closer, casting a curious glance at her.
"Did you make arrangements for the trial?" he asked, his voice laced with admiration.
Yao Qingqian didn't look his way but responded curtly. "Of course. The *stone-paved road* will serve as the final test for disciples. I've placed a 200-year blood monster on the path—it should ensure only the strongest reach the summit."
Wu Yu's eyes widened in shock. "A 200-year blood monster? Aren't the stone-paved road trials usually filled with a hundred-year magical beasts? That's quite dangerous, especially for younger disciples."
Yao Qingqian dismissed his concerns with a wave of her hand. "This is an important task from Sword King Ye himself. Who dares to question it?"
He let out a nervous laugh, understanding her point. This was not the time for hesitation. *Sword King Ye*, a formidable cultivator of Blue Soul, commanded deep respect. No one, not even the elders, would interfere with his directives.
Yao Qingqian looked out at the road below, a glint of intrigue in her eyes. "Jiang Yue has incredible talent, far surpassing her peers. She might very well become the next Sword King Ye."
"Another Sword King Ye?" Wu Yu echoed, struck by the weight of her statement.
"She's risen to the *middle stage of Dragon Spring Realm* within three months, her Sword Soul wielding three Sword Gangs already. If this talent continues, she could reach high *Kaiyang* levels," Yao said, her voice filled with a mixture of respect and envy.
Wu Yu nodded, lost in thought as he gazed at the empty *Sword Pavilion* seat, a symbol of mastery and authority in Blue Soul. Word had it that Sword King Ye himself would soon travel to the *Ten Thousand Swords Sea* to claim an ancient inheritance there. Such a feat would elevate him above even the elder ranks.
Suddenly, an elder called out, jolting everyone's attention. "A disciple has stepped onto the stone-paved road!"
The elders, bored only moments before, were now riveted, their eyes fixed on the entrance. They saw a young girl with an Ice Moon Sword Soul, her aura cold and resolute, stepping onto the path with an unwavering gaze.
"It's Jiang Yue!" Yao Qingqian said with a smile, her eyes flashing with anticipation.
The elders murmured in approval. Even at a distance, Jiang Yue's unique cold Kaiyang talent was palpable. This was no ordinary Sword Soul; its potential was undeniable.
"She'll make it to the top with ease," Wu Yu whispered, marveling at her aura. But as Yao Qingqian reminded herself, the blood monster still waited within the shadows of the stone-paved road. The monster wasn't just a test; it was a measure of her loyalty to Sword King Ye.
At the same moment, somewhere below, another figure approached the stone-paved road. This disciple, unremarkable to most, held a spirit that refused to be tamed—a spirit that was growing stronger with each step.