"What order?" Senior Sister Zhao exclaimed as she looked at the sword manual she had picked up, then turned to fix her gaze on Yun Xiao, eyes sharp with irritation. She couldn't believe he would leave her name for all to see in such a way!
"Snow white…" she muttered, aghast. Then, in a flash, she realized the implications, and her calm shattered completely.
Her face burned with embarrassment and anger. Without hesitation, she pounded Yun Xiao on the head three times with the manual. She wanted to tear up the page where her name was written, feeling utterly humiliated.
A light breeze rustled through her black skirt, her beautiful face flushed with rage as she bit her lip and stared daggers at Yun Xiao. He, however, calmly caught her hands before she could destroy the page, saying, "Senior Sister, this is an ancestral relic. We can't just tear it up."
"Give it back!" she demanded.
"I won't tear it; I'll return it," he replied, holding the manual behind him with a stubborn resolve that was both infuriating and disarming.
Senior Sister Zhao sighed in exasperation, glaring at him. "You… you stubborn fool!" She gave up the fight, shaking her head as she sat on a nearby cliff edge, her anger still palpable, though she seemed somewhat softened by his calm stance. Yun Xiao joined her, trying to reassure her gently.
"Senior Sister Zhao, rest assured. No one will get the wrong idea from it. I'm the only one who knows," he said honestly.
Finally, he handed her back the sword manual, and as she took it, he couldn't resist a small remark, "It truly does live up to its reputation."
She immediately swatted him on the head three times again in annoyance, though this time, her anger was mixed with the barest hint of affection.
In the distance, a young disciple named Cai Maomao watched anxiously, muttering, "Who would have thought that Junior Brother Yun Xiao, who looks so dignified, would also get his fair share of beatings from Senior Sister Zhao! She must be so disappointed in his aptitude."
Deciding to focus, Senior Sister Zhao flipped to the next page with a serious expression, instructing Yun Xiao in the essence of the "Blue Soul First Sword," her tone becoming solemn as she began to teach.
"Pay close attention," she instructed. Yun Xiao focused, admiring the graceful and profound names of the techniques in the manual, which resonated with his spirit and deepened his fascination.
The sword techniques were intricate: the "Ten Scales" flying sword technique, the "Azure Dragon Wind" for wielding the sword, and the "Blue Sky Will" for commanding it. These names seemed to Yun Xiao to echo the high aspirations and clear spirit of a sword cultivator.
He read aloud, "In the hands of the Azure Dragon, the wind rises fiercely. The sword transcends the blue sky."
"Senior Sister Zhao," Yun Xiao began, "what is this 'Ten Scales' technique?"
"It's a flying sword technique," she explained. "Imagine a sword soaring through the air, generating scales of light as it moves. Each rotation is like a sound that reverberates through the air, amplifying the sword's momentum until it reaches a killing force."
"So, each full rotation is one scale, right?" Yun Xiao asked eagerly.
"Exactly," Senior Sister Zhao replied, nodding approvingly. "If the sword cries out ten times, it has reached its maximum force, like a storm breaking the sea. It's said that when a sword makes ten sounds, it can tear through land and sky alike."
"Understood," Yun Xiao said, nodding with determination. The description alone had stirred something powerful within him.
They continued through the techniques, with Senior Sister Zhao explaining each in detail. When Yun Xiao remarked that his Sword Soul had some wind attributes, her eyes gleamed with excitement as she introduced the "Azure Dragon Wind" technique, which required mastery of the storm's force.
Finally, she reached the "Blue Sky Will," a commanding technique that embodied the sword cultivator's resolute spirit, aiming to cut through the mortal world with clear purpose. It was a spirit of both great compassion and unwavering justice.
"You cultivate the 'Blue Sky Will,' and your spirit will soar," she said passionately, her voice filled with pride. "This is not just swordsmanship; it's a path, a way to lead."
As night fell, they practiced by moonlight. Yun Xiao listened closely, absorbing her words and silently training. He watched her wield the sword, captivated by her strength and elegance, as she demonstrated each technique with a fierce yet graceful demeanor.
Finally, as they ended their session, Yun Xiao bowed, deeply grateful. "Senior Sister Zhao, thank you for everything," he said, his voice full of respect.
"It's no trouble at all," she replied softly. "Take the manual and study it tonight."
"No need. I've already memorized it," he replied with a smile, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Her eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself, brushing it off. "Don't joke around; you haven't even started practicing yet," she chided, but with a small smile.
Just then, Yun Xiao pointed at a distant blue stone on the opposite mountain, a gleam in his eyes. "Senior Sister, could your flying sword technique reach that stone?" he asked.
She looked at the stone and shook her head. "Not yet. I can make seven sounds with my sword, but it's not enough to cover that distance."
"I could do it," Yun Xiao said confidently.
"Impossible!" she retorted, though a bit of amusement crept into her voice. "You haven't even begun practicing, and you think you could reach ten sounds?"
"If I can, what will you do?" he challenged, a daring spark in his gaze.
She hesitated, then, clenching her fists, she declared, "If you reach ten sounds tonight… I'll… I'll cook for you."
"And if I fail?" he asked.
"All those spirit crystals you've been saving will be mine," she replied with a smirk.
"Agreed," Yun Xiao replied, sealing the wager with a handshake.
Drawing a deep breath, Yun Xiao focused his energy, gathering his Sword Soul's power as he visualized the stone. He closed his eyes, feeling the technique resonate within him as his senses heightened. When he finally opened them, he let out a calm breath, then released the flying sword, which spun through the air with blinding speed, each revolution generating a loud, resounding cry.
By the tenth sound, his sword collided with the distant blue stone, shattering it and sending tremors through the ground.
A hush fell over the spectators as Yun Xiao's sword returned to him, silent and powerful.
"Did he… really reach ten sounds?" Cai Maomao whispered, awe-stricken.
Senior Sister Zhao stood frozen in place, staring at him, unable to hide her astonishment.
Yun Xiao's achievements reverberated through the Sword Pavilion, reaching a level of skill that surprised even him. For the first time, he wielded his sword with true mastery, and the weapon resonated under his touch. Senior Sister Zhao watched in disbelief, feeling her years of painstaking training almost mocked by his effortless success.
"What did you just say?" she snapped, her tone brimming with irritation.
"Oh, nothing." Yun Xiao replied, smiling innocently. "I just thought the Yuheng level sword technique would be a bit more... challenging."
The casual remark was a clear jab. Senior Sister Zhao's face turned red with irritation, her pride smarting. But before Yun Xiao could push his luck further, he smoothly changed topics. "Want me to teach you a few things? I might even extend your range," he teased with a grin.
"Absolutely not," she retorted, even as she fought a hint of intrigue in her gaze.
Knowing she would relent eventually, Yun Xiao casually held out his hand. "The sword spectrum, please. Since I've managed to master the first technique, I should leave my mark."
She scowled but handed over the precious book. Yun Xiao quickly scribbled something on the page, then handed it back. Senior Sister Zhao examined his addition, only to find herself glaring at the words: *"To my Senior Sister who loves red wine — Yun Xiao."*
Her temper flared. Smacking him with the book three times, she stormed off, muttering, "I shouldn't have bothered with you!"
Yun Xiao only laughed, watching her retreat. "It's almost midnight," he called after her in jest, "a very clear signal!"
***
Deep in the forest, Lanxing was heaving, his stomach twisted. He coughed up small red stones, Heavenly Dao Buddhist relics, which piled into a small mound in front of Yun Xiao.
"At last!" Lanxing wheezed, utterly exhausted. Beside him, Chiyue, the small black creature, lay sprawled on the ground, panting. The treasures represented nearly 320,000 spirit crystals, an incredible fortune — enough to propel Yun Xiao's cultivation even further.
With this wealth of energy, Yun Xiao was able to summon his second "Divine Sea," advancing him to the middle stage of the Divine Sea Realm, where he now rivaled even the strongest swordsmen like Ye Ziyan and Liu Xuan. He turned to Lanxing with a question. "And you? How's your recovery?"
Lanxing replied, "After absorbing all this, I've regained some power in the Divine Sea Realm. I can fight off minor threats, but in a serious battle, I'd still lose my strength quickly."
Yun Xiao nodded. "Let's save your strength," he said, "unless we're truly in danger."
His friends, after all, drew upon the same source of energy he used. They could unleash immense power, but only temporarily. If they strained too much, they'd weaken for some time. To maintain balance, Yun Xiao resolved to bear the brunt of fighting himself.
With determination, Yun Xiao absorbed the remaining Buddhist relics, compressing his inner energy until he felt the threshold shift. Within moments, he reached the late stage of the Divine Sea Realm.
"Extraordinary," he murmured, slightly awed at his own progress. "Am I really that talented?"
Lanxing snorted. "Keep your focus! You're the reincarnation of the Creator Immortal! If I were you, I'd already be tearing through the heavens."
Yun Xiao grinned. He took a deep breath, his mind sharpening with a newfound sense of purpose. The memory of his rival, Ye Guying, flashed before him. Yun Xiao now had only eight days to catch up and surpass him.
"This incredible power is fleeting," he thought. "I have to use it wisely."
Lanxing spoke up, his tone unusually serious. "The path of a cultivator isn't just about strength. You can't shy away from challenges or run from risks, Yun Xiao. To avoid your true potential out of caution is to deny yourself the path of the sword."
Yun Xiao's gaze hardened. "What's the point of the sword if I don't wield it?"
"Exactly," Lanxing replied, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. "A sword cultivator needs to be fierce, with a heart that can endure any trial. You're not a mere mortal any longer. You've chosen to face life with boldness. The world needs your courage, not restraint."
Understanding dawned on Yun Xiao's face. This was his path: to follow his destiny without fear. He could no longer afford to hold back, and he knew it.
He looked toward the distant Blue Soul Pavilion, his heart full of resolve. "I'm ready."