Amidst the grandeur of the Qian Mountain, a group of over a hundred young sword cultivators, adorned in flowing robes embroidered with dragons and phoenixes, glides through the clouds towards their celestial palace. Their confidence and prowess are palpable, as they harness the power of their Sword Souls, each over six chi long, embodying the essence of a united sword cultivator.
Suddenly, a deafening roar fills the air as an overwhelming power bursts from the palace, scattering the surrounding mist. The cultivators exchange amazed glances.
"Junior Sister broke through to the Divine Sea Realm! She overcame five obstacles in one go!" they exclaim, admiration clear in their eyes. For many of these young disciples, the Divine Sea Realm remains a distant goal. "Only the famed Divine Sea Pill could empower such a rapid rise," one disciple murmurs in awe.
In the world of cultivators, the Divine Sea Pill is rare and precious, allowing a sword cultivator to skip years—if not decades—of grueling cultivation. With newfound strength, the young woman steps forward. Her eyes are like the ocean, and an aura of power radiates around her. She strides confidently as the disciples around her speak in unison, congratulating her on her ascension. Jiang Yue, her name now echoing in admiration, stands before them, composed yet slightly aloof.
"Junior Sister Jiang, the formal competition has been revised; this year it's eight swords contending for the top," the young man in the cloud-patterned robe said with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"Eight swords? There's an Eighth Sword Peak?" Jiang Yue asked in confusion.
"No, but there's the Sword Pavilion." The woman in the blue dress smirked, her eyes gleaming with a chilly mockery.
"The Sword Pavilion? What are they doing there?"
In recent days, Jiang Yue had become accustomed to others looking up to her and addressing her with respect, so her tone naturally held an air of superiority.
"The Blue Soul sword lineage fades quickly," the young man in the cloud-patterned robe remarked.
"I get it. Are they training guards, sword slaves, and the like?" Jiang Yue asked, suddenly enlightened. In this world, she didn't care much about cultivating immortality, so her knowledge about Blue Soul was limited.
"Something like that!"
Several sword-respecting disciples chuckled.
"Oh, and by the way," the woman in the blue dress whispered in Jiang Yue's ear, "that guy who stole your 500-year-old demon bone? He joined the Sword Pavilion. I heard he's now working there and earned a place in their combat roster."
"So he's a guard leader in the Sword Pavilion?" Jiang Yue's gaze turned cold as she remembered that young man.
"I heard his actual level is the Fixed Dragon Spring Realm," the cloud-robed youth mentioned casually.
"Fixed Realm? Meaning, he's with the hidden strength group?" Jiang Yue raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly!" The cloud-robed youth replied coolly. "Junior Sister Jiang, don't worry. The difference between the Longquan and Divine Sea realms is like heaven and earth—spring water is spring water, and the sea is the sea!"
"Fine, if the opportunity arises..." Jiang Yue gave a chilly smile.
She didn't bother to make a bold declaration. But she knew that, as someone with 'transcendent Kaiyang' abilities, she couldn't tolerate any blemishes on her reputation; she had to wipe them away completely.
She only worried that Yun Xiao might not compete in the eight-swords contest, which would mean she'd miss the chance to avenge her shame in front of everyone.
"Junior Sister, don't worry. There may be a few minor figures in the Sword Pavilion, but our First Sword Peak has over a hundred sword cultivators rallying behind it. And we have strong allies in the Third and Sixth Peaks as well! The Sword Pavilion is merely an appetizer. Our real goal at the First Sword Peak isn't just to defend but to dominate and take the throne!" The cloud-robed youth encouraged her enthusiastically.
"Alright, no need to keep saying it. I'm not too concerned." Jiang Yue waved him off lightly.
"Indeed!" the cloud-robed youth laughed.
Though he was her Senior Brother, he felt a bit restrained before this newly promoted favorite of the Blue Soul.
Jiang Yue looked around at the group. "By the way, where's Twelfth Senior Brother Wang Feng?" she asked.
"He's in the middle of a battle, preparing to return before tomorrow's contest," someone replied.
"And Senior Sister Yao? She said she'd come to see me. Any news from her?" Jiang Yue asked, puzzled.
"I heard that the Sword King Ye's younger brother died on the Ascension Road. She's probably busy investigating to give Sword King Ye an explanation," the woman in the blue dress replied.
"Ye Guao?"
Since joining the First Sword Peak, Jiang Yue had heard about the unexpected death of that youth on the Ascension Road.
"Haven't they found the culprit?"
"Not yet."
Jiang Yue gazed into the mist ahead, her mind lingering on Ye Guying.
"I wonder if Senior Brother Ye will come back to watch me in the eight-swords contest," she murmured, biting her lip, a trace of resentment in her eyes.
"Senior Brother Ye is in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea, making history for Blue Soul. Even his brother's death couldn't bring him back..."
The cloud-robed youth was about to continue when the blue-dressed woman interrupted. "Junior Sister Jiang, rest assured. Sword King Ye cares about you deeply. He might inherit the Azure Kite soon and hurry back just in time to witness your victory in the contest, blossoming with radiance!"
"Yes," the cloud-robed youth nodded with a smile.
"Really?" Jiang Yue's expression soured slightly.
Suddenly, the Senior Brothers and Sisters looked awkward, unsure what to say.
"I heard Senior Brother Ye is already engaged?" Jiang Yue abruptly said, looking at them with a glint in her eyes.
"Uh..."
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.
The woman in blue gave a nervous laugh. "Junior Sister Jiang, don't worry. There's just been a matchmaker's arrangement, but they haven't formally married. Besides... they've called it off."
"Really?" Jiang Yue pursed her lips, glancing at the blue-dressed woman. "I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that someone as extraordinary as Senior Brother Ye couldn't be with just anyone."
"Exactly!"
Everyone smiled, though they all felt a bit restrained in front of Divine Sea Realm Jiang Yue. Her power commanded caution from all.
Receiving the Sword Stone shattered the heavens! Such a prodigious young woman—who wouldn't be careful around her? Her future could be even more terrifying than Ye Guying's!
"Junior Sister Jiang, I heard the 'Four-Pole Sword Stone' arrived and that you're testing it. Are you confident?" the cloud-robed youth asked, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
"Will it make a big scene?" Jiang Yue asked nonchalantly.
"With your Sword Soul, it will surely shake the Blue Soul and illuminate the world," the youth praised.
"Really?" Jiang Yue rolled her eyes. "After tomorrow's eight-swords contest, what suspense is there left?"
The youth stared, realizing that she was better at putting on airs than he was!
"I heard the teacher invited various elites, even a great figure from the Ten Thousand Swords Sea, to attend the eight-swords contest. Once the First Sword Peak is crowned and Junior Sister Jiang's Sword Soul is measured by the Four-Pole Sword Stone, that moment will be..."
Everyone could already envision the grand scene in their minds, tingling with envy and admiration.
---
Meanwhile, in the Sword Pavilion…
Night fell on a secluded mountain valley.
*In a jet-black coffin…*
"You're really versatile—serving as a pet, a pill-refining furnace, and even a secret cultivation chamber!" Yun Xiao marveled.
"Just don't bring that Senior Sister Zhao in here," Lanxing rolled her eyes.
Yun Xiao: "..."
In the quiet night, Yun Xiao finally took six Longquan pills. These pills were of the 'low-grade Kaiyang' variety, given to him by the Sword Pavilion elders. Although they didn't compare to Divine Sea pills, they were valuable.
Sitting cross-legged, Yun Xiao prepared to take a Longquan pill and begin practicing.
"What are you doing?" Lanxing asked.
"Taking pills!" Yun Xiao replied.
"Just give them to me" Lanxing scoffed.
The mystical beast in the coffin then snatched the jade bottle from Yun Xiao and swallowed the Longquan pills all at once.
"What are you doing?" Yun Xiao was stunned.
"Processing them for you!" Chiyue mumbled, still chewing.
"Processing? Fine, process!"
Soon, the six pills transformed into tiny 'Heavenly Dao Buddhist relics,' appearing before Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao sniffed them.
"Hot pot smell..."
Apparently, the mystical beast had even devoured the iron pot along with the soup.
Yun Xiao took the Heavenly Dao Buddhist relics, placing them in front of him. He suddenly asked, "Right, if I break through by taking medicine, won't my realm become unstable?"
"This isn't a breakthrough. It's a restoration!" Lanxing explained, curling her lip. "You're essentially a Creator Immortal who's temporarily weakened, that's all."
"Restoration?"
"Yes, you're simply recovering a fraction of your original power," Lanxing said, exasperated.
"Then I don't need to reach any kind of enlightenment? Like seeing the light or something?" Yun Xiao asked.
Lanxing laughed, "Enlightenment? Do you need enlightenment for two plus two? You're a Creator Immortal, not a fool!"
"Immortal cultivation doesn't need reflection or accumulation?" Yun Xiao continued to ask.
"That's for lesser immortals! First, drink milk; then, learn to walk!" Lanxing said with irritation.
"Milk? Where?" Chiyue perked up at the word, full of energy.
"Alright, I'll dig in!"
Yun Xiao absorbed the Heavenly Dao Buddhist relics. The Longquan pill's refined essence flowed into his dantian, the hot wave filling the ancient copper coffin.
"Longquan's complete!"
In his dantian, a Yuan Longquan emerged, with four claws, vast and mighty.
The Yuan Longquan and the Heaven-Burying Sword Soul—Yun Xiao's unique attributes—unfolded with each advancement, revealing his true, terrifying potential.
"So my cultivation isn't breaking through but... restoring!" Yun Xiao realized.
Unlike other cultivators, Yun Xiao wasn't striving for new heights; he was reclaiming what belonged to a Creator Immortal.
As the night deepens, Yun Xiao absorbs the power of the Longquan Pills, feeling his strength surge within.
"Tomorrow, I'll study sword techniques with the three elders."
"The day after is the contest for the Eight Swords. I wonder if I can at least qualify..." Yun Xiao began, but Lanxing interrupted, "Just study their strongest techniques directly!"
"The strongest? One day—am I aiming too high?" Yun Xiao asked.
"Big brother, you're a Creator Immortal! Think bigger." Lanxing responded, speechless.
"...Alright! I'll go big."
The next day...
Yun Xiao could only admit that Lanxing didn't steer him wrong. It was simple! He felt like exclaiming, "I am truly blessed with god-given wisdom!" Though Lanxing would likely consider that phrase an insult to Yun Xiao, who was a Creator Immortal.
Indeed, even the thought of being "god-given" didn't quite fit his level.
In just one day, he had mastered three sword techniques.
The three elders were utterly stunned. Each technique was distinct:
Flying sword technique, "Dovetail Dodging"
Sword-holding technique, "Azure Lightning Flying Crane"
Sword-governing technique, "Xiaoyao Wander"
The flying sword technique, "Dovetail Dodging," was a signature of Elder Zheng and was renowned in the Sword Pavilion. The move required wielding the flying sword like a dovetail, performing twists and turns with swallow-like precision, all to strike with deadly accuracy. The technique contained dozens of intricacies, with movements like "Swallow Flies," "Corner Curve," "Ripple," "Return Twist," and more.
Upon choosing "Dovetail Dodging," Elder Zheng shook his head and warned, "This is the most complex flying sword technique of the Sword Pavilion, requiring three years of observing swallows to master the basics. It's not suitable for beginners! And this is a Kaiyang secret art—few sword cultivators under 30 can even attempt it."
"What if I manage to learn it by nightfall?" Yun Xiao asked.
"Haha..." Elder Zheng chuckled with disbelief.
Three hours later...
"Monster, get out!" Elder Zheng yelled, nearly defeated. Little did he know that the other two elders had been equally astounded by Yun Xiao earlier that day.
In the morning, Yun Xiao had chosen the palm sword technique "Azure Lightning Flying Crane." Known for its high Kaiyang-grade lethality, this technique, despite its elegant name, was crafted purely for killing. The technique wielded the sword with ferocity, like lightning, striking with deadly precision akin to a crane swooping down.
Dressed in white, wielding an azure sword that crackled like a lightning serpent, Yun Xiao could immediately feel the immense difference between this immortal-grade sword technique and any common sword style. Here, supernatural power and Sword Soul were at their peak!
"Why does the First Sword Peak keep pressing the Sword Pavilion to disband, only to absorb the techniques into itself?" Yun Xiao mused.
After mastering both "Dovetail Dodging" and "Azure Lightning Flying Crane," he understood: Sword Pavilion's techniques and arts were incredibly powerful, and anyone would be tempted.
But ultimately, the flying sword technique and palm sword technique were just stepping stones. What Yun Xiao craved most was the "sword-governing" technique.
After awakening his Sword Soul, he envied seeing other sword cultivators soaring, traveling ten thousand miles at ease, freely exploring the vast world.
Sword-governing was every mortal's first impression of a "sword immortal." Naturally, flying through the sky and taking in the mountains and rivers gave an overwhelming sense of boundless freedom.
Though Elder Wang was rather round, his sword-governing technique, "Xiaoyao Wander," was famously skilled.
"Yun Xiao, do you think sword-governing is just for traveling or running away? No! The core of sword-governing is to merge oneself with the sword, maximizing the sword cultivator's potential for attack!" Elder Wang explained with pride.
"How do you achieve unity with the sword?" Yun Xiao asked.
"Well... I'm still figuring that part out," Elder Wang admitted.
"So it's not really for traveling?" Yun Xiao teased.
"Of course, but it's also great for showing off!" Elder Wang coughed, pretending to be nonchalant.
Indeed! Sword-governing—soaring with the wind, robes fluttering—who wouldn't want to experience that?
"'You're controlling your position, right?'" Yun Xiao asked.
"...Right!" Elder Wang replied.
Understanding this, Yun Xiao no longer underestimated the sword-governing technique. He then dove into studying "Xiaoyao Wander."
His assessment of the technique? "Gliding like a fish!"
With proper mastery, a well-controlled sword could even dodge in midair! For the first time, his Heaven-Burying Sword Soul extended beyond six chi (about 2 feet) in length and as wide as his palm.
Yun Xiao's sword soared through the sky, winds howling around him, his white robe billowing as he flew. A long journey stretched out beneath him, filling his heart with exhilaration.
"Immortal path..." he thought, moved. This was the path of immortality he'd dreamed of, though it was harsh.
However, he mused, "To live, to rise above the clouds even for a moment, to chase the heavens—if I die, at least it's worth it!"
He was overwhelmed with emotion. The small black beast nestled on his chest peeked out, only to be blown nearly bald by the strong wind as Elder Wang followed behind, coated in dust.
"Kid! Careful! Turn, turn!" Elder Wang shouted in concern.
"Sir, I just learned how to glide with this sword—give me a break!"
Wielding a sword-governing technique required much more supernatural energy than a flying or palm sword. It wasn't long before Yun Xiao began to feel fatigued and decided to descend.
Unexpectedly, he saw a refined garden below. There was a fishpond, a sweet osmanthus tree... and the quiet scene was like a hidden sanctuary. Yun Xiao carefully "checked his sword," landing elegantly with his white robe trailing like a comet.
In the garden, a woman in a black dress sat at a stone table, one leg propped up, casually drinking wine. As the amber liquid trickled down her fair skin, it glinted under the sunlight, a sight both wild and unrestrained. Yun Xiao's mind raced, feeling a sudden heat.
Noticing his gaze, the woman sprayed her wine in surprise, quickly jumping off the stone table and straightening her clothing.
"Go away!" She glared at him.
Yun Xiao smiled. "Senior Sister, how about sharing some wine?" He extended a hand playfully.
Just then, Elder Wang caught up on his sword, landing with a slap on Yun Xiao's shoulder. "Do you think sword-governing includes drinking? Focus, or I'll take that sword away!"
Yun Xiao just sighed.
Elder Wang scratched his head and turned to the woman in the black dress. "Go ahead and keep drinking. This kid has a big match tomorrow, and I've got more drilling to do with him."
The woman gave a quiet nod, her red lips curling slightly as she looked at Yun Xiao. "Tomorrow, don't die."
"Will there be wine if I survive?" Yun Xiao grinned.
She replied, "There will be."