Clear Sword Heart, Hundred-Year Soul Ring Acquired

Clear Sword Heart, Hundred-Year Soul Ring Acquired (Lin Che Absorbs the Hundred-Year Spirit Rhyme Bamboo Soul Ring and Gains His First Soul Skill, "Azure Edge Slash")

When morning dew condensed on the tips of the green bamboo leaves in the west courtyard for the seventh time, Lin Che's Soul Power finally broke through the barrier of Level Eleven.

He stood in the courtyard with an iron sword in hand. The morning sun streamed through gaps between the bamboo branches, dyeing his pale green Sword Qi gold-red. He had already mastered the moves of the Azure Water Sword Art. The Sword Qi unleashed by "Azure Edge Draw" could precisely split open bamboo joints three zhang away, while the phantom of the Universe Cauldron in his dantian could absorb all the Soul Power from a Hundred-Year Spirit Rhyme Bamboo within Half an Hour—the Spirit Rhyme Bamboo brought back from Spirit Bamboo Valley had long withered, and Gu Rong had found three more that were a hundred years old. They now grew in clay pots at the corner of the courtyard, their stalks glowing greener than the previous one.

"That will do." Gu Rong's voice came from the door of the side room. Holding an ebony box, he slowly walked over to Lin Che. "Your Soul Power has risen quickly over the past half month, and your foundation is stable. It is time to absorb your First Soul Ring."

Lin Che sheathed his sword and stood upright. Beads of sweat slid down his jaw and fell onto the bluestone paving, spreading into small wet marks. Looking at the box in Gu Rong's hands, his heartbeat quickened. "Grandpa Gu, is that... the Spirit Rhyme Bamboo's Soul Ring?"

"Not a Soul Ring—a Soul Ring container." Gu Rong opened the box. Inside lay a layer of silver-white beast hide, upon which rested a crystal core the size of a pigeon egg. It was entirely emerald green, with what seemed to be green light slowly flowing within. "This is a Soul Seed refined from the core of a Hundred-Year Spirit Rhyme Bamboo. It will help you absorb the Soul Ring more smoothly. Ordinary Soul Masters must go to the Soul Hunting Forest to absorb Soul Rings, but your circumstances are special. Martial Soul Hall informers are still lurking around the sect's perimeter, so I asked the Sect Master to find a Thousand-Year Spirit Rhyme Bamboo and refine a Soul Seed from one of its hundred-year branches. It is within your current limits and perfectly suited to the Azure Water Sword."

Lin Che leaned closer to the box and felt the dense Sword Attribute Soul Power radiating from the crystal core. It resonated intensely with the Azure Water Sword phantom in his dantian. He recalled the danger they had faced at Spirit Bamboo Valley half a month ago, then thought of Gu Rong tirelessly arranging defenses for him day and night. His nose suddenly stung. "Grandpa Gu, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? You are a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and you are a child I think highly of." Gu Rong closed the box, his tone carrying a hint of gratification. "Go prepare yourself. Absorbing a Soul Ring requires absolute quiet. I have already set up a Calm Heart Formation in the west courtyard to block all outside interference. Remember, if your Soul Power becomes unstable during absorption, use the Universe Cauldron to steady your mind. Its soul-gathering ability can help you neutralize the impact."

Lin Che nodded, then returned to the side room and changed into clean white clothes. He tucked the Azure Water Sword Art close against his body, then touched his chest. The phantom of the Universe Cauldron there seemed to sense his nervousness. It trembled lightly, sending out a warmth that calmed his mind.

By the time he returned to the courtyard, Gu Rong had already activated the Calm Heart Formation. Pale golden halos poured from twelve Formation Disks, weaving together in midair into a massive barrier that enveloped the entire west courtyard. The three Spirit Rhyme Bamboos at the corner had been moved to the center of the barrier. The green light on their stalks merged with the barrier's golden light, forming a warm, lustrous curtain of light.

"Sit down cross-legged and hold the Soul Seed." Gu Rong gestured for Lin Che to sit among the Spirit Rhyme Bamboos while he stood at the edge of the barrier, lightly tapping the ground with his cane. "I will guide you with Soul Power. You only need to focus on absorbing the energy within the Soul Seed and merging it with the Azure Water Sword."

Lin Che sat down cross-legged as instructed, palms facing upward. Gu Rong placed the ebony box in his palm. The instant the crystal core touched his skin, it turned into a stream of emerald light and slipped into his meridians through his fingertips. It was far gentler than he had imagined. Rather than the wild violence of absorbing a Soul Ring in the Soul Hunting Forest, it felt like a clear spring, carrying the crisp, unique aura of Spirit Rhyme Bamboo as it slowly flowed toward his dantian.

"Use the sword art to guide the Soul Power. Let the Azure Water Sword accept it of its own accord." Gu Rong's voice came through the barrier, carrying faint Soul Power Fluctuations like invisible hands helping him stabilize the energy flow inside his body.

Lin Che immediately focused and silently recited the cultivation method of the Azure Water Sword Art. The Azure Water Sword phantom in his dantian suddenly opened its "eyes"—the brightest pattern on the sword body lit up with dazzling green light and actively met the emerald stream. The instant they touched, Lin Che seemed to hear a clear sword cry that made his eardrums buzz. Yet strangely, he felt no pain. Instead, a warm current spread all over his body.

The emerald stream was gradually swallowed by the Azure Water Sword phantom. Its glow grew brighter and brighter, changing from translucent to solid. The patterns on its blade also became clear from their former blur, as though countless tiny bamboo leaf designs were flowing across it. At the same time, Lin Che's Soul Power began rising rapidly. Level Eleven, peak Level Eleven... charging toward Level Twelve.

"Good, just like that." Gu Rong's voice carried praise. "The hundred-year Soul Power in the Soul Seed is extremely pure. The Spirit Rhyme Bamboo has already formed a connection with you, so the fusion is ten times smoother than with an ordinary Soul Ring."

But just as the Azure Water Sword phantom absorbed roughly seventy percent of the Soul Seed's energy, an abrupt change occurred—a surge of excessively powerful Sword Attribute Soul Power suddenly erupted from the Soul Seed. Like a breached flood, it rushed wildly through his meridians toward his dantian. The Azure Water Sword phantom trembled violently under the impact, and the patterns on its blade began to twist as though it might shatter at any moment.

"Not good! It is the original Sword Intent of the Thousand-Year Spirit Rhyme Bamboo!" Gu Rong's expression shifted slightly. He drove his cane into the ground, and all twelve Formation Disks lit up at once, injecting even more golden Soul Power into the barrier. "A trace of the Thousand-Year Spirit Rhyme Bamboo's Sword Intent was hidden in this Soul Seed. It is far more overbearing than hundred-year Soul Power! Lin Che, steady your mind and use the Universe Cauldron!"

Lin Che felt as if countless needles were piercing his meridians, pain making cold sweat pour from his forehead. He tried to mobilize his Soul Power to suppress it, only to discover that the Sword Intent was incomparably arrogant. It refused to obey and instead followed the Azure Water Sword's patterns toward his Sea of Consciousness—it was trying to seize control of his body!

I can't lose... Lin Che gritted his teeth, tasting a trace of blood on the tip of his tongue. Remembering Gu Rong's words, he immediately sank all his focus into his dantian and activated the Universe Cauldron phantom with all his strength.

The bronze cauldron instantly lit up, more dazzling than ever before. Its mouth slowly opened, releasing a powerful suction force that forcibly dragged the violent Sword Intent back. Then the cauldron began to rotate, crushing and purifying the arrogant Sword Intent bit by bit before transforming it into gentle Sword Attribute Soul Power and reinjecting it into the Azure Water Sword phantom.

The process was excruciating. Lin Che felt as if his Sea of Consciousness were being torn apart again and again, but he clenched his teeth and refused to let out even a single groan. The patterns on the Universe Cauldron phantom grew increasingly bright, as though countless ancient runes were flashing across it. After being tempered by the Sword Intent, a faint golden layer appeared on the Azure Water Sword phantom's blade. Its edge was several times sharper than before.

"A Clear Sword Heart can contain ten thousand swords..." In a daze, Lin Che seemed to hear the title page of the Azure Water Sword Art whispering. The Seal Script Characters he had never been able to understand suddenly came alive, turning into sword shadows in his Sea of Consciousness that complemented the Azure Water Sword phantom.

After an unknown amount of time, the final wisp of Sword Intent was finally refined by the Universe Cauldron. Lin Che suddenly opened his eyes. A trace of blue-gold light flashed through his pupils. The Azure Water Sword phantom in his dantian had become completely solid, three chi long, with bamboo leaf patterns clearly visible on its blade as though it were a true divine weapon. Around the sword phantom, a yellow Soul Ring slowly rotated—the unique color of a Hundred-Year Soul Ring, steady and weighty.

"It worked!" Gu Rong let out a long breath and withdrew the Soul Power he had poured into the Formation Disks. The barrier gradually dispersed. The morning sun had just risen past the bamboo tips, shining onto Lin Che and dyeing the Soul Power halo all over him a warm gold.

Lin Che rose to his feet, feeling strength fill every part of his body. He instinctively raised his right hand, and the Azure Water Sword phantom instantly appeared in his palm. It was several times more solid than before, and he could even see the cold gleam along its edge. At a thought, the Hundred-Year Soul Ring suddenly lit up. Yellow light flowed along the sword blade as Sword Qi ten times stronger than "Azure Edge Draw" gathered at its tip.

"Is this my First Soul Skill?" Lin Che murmured. Following the trajectory of the new move that appeared in his mind, he swung his sword—

"Azure Edge Slash!"

Blue-gold Sword Qi shot through the air. Over a zhang long and carrying a shrill whistle that tore through the wind, it instantly cut a thick old bamboo outside the courtyard cleanly in half. The broken surface was smooth as a mirror, and a faint scorch remained on the cut—the proof of highly condensed Soul Power.

"Good kid! The power of this Soul Skill has actually reached the limit of a Hundred-Year Soul Ring!" Gu Rong walked forward, his eyes full of surprise as he looked at the severed bamboo. "An ordinary Hundred-Year Soul Ring's First Soul Skill would already be impressive if it could cut through a tree as thick as a bowl. Your 'Azure Edge Slash' can likely compare to the Soul Skill of an ordinary Soul Elder!"

Lin Che looked at his palm, then at the rotating Hundred-Year Soul Ring in his dantian, unable to stop the corner of his mouth from lifting. Half a month of arduous cultivation and the danger of absorbing the Soul Ring had all turned into tangible strength. He was no longer the novice Soul Master who could barely use "Azure Edge Draw." He was now a true Soul Master with his first Soul Skill!

"I have to thank Grandpa Gu for the Soul Seed, and the Universe Cauldron for refining the Sword Intent." Lin Che put away the Azure Water Sword and gave Gu Rong a deep bow. "Without you, I definitely would not have been able to control that Sword Intent."

"It was your own will that was firm. If it had been another child, their Sea of Consciousness would likely have been overwhelmed by the Sword Intent long ago." Gu Rong smiled and waved a hand, though his gaze grew somewhat complicated. "But this also reminds us—your Dual Martial Souls have too much potential. Even a Hundred-Year Soul Ring can draw out such tremendous power. You must be even more cautious when absorbing Soul Rings in the future."

He paused, then added, "Spirit Hall's people will likely make their move soon. Your 'Azure Edge Slash' is powerful, but it is still not enough against a Soul Elder. Next, I will teach you how to use the Universe Cauldron in tandem with the Azure Water Sword. We will try to help you break through another level before they arrive."

Lin Che nodded firmly, the excitement in his heart gradually replaced by calm. He knew that gaining his First Soul Skill was only the beginning. To face Spirit Hall's threat, he had to grow stronger. He looked toward the two Spirit Rhyme Bamboos at the corner of the courtyard that had not yet withered, then touched the Azure Water Sword Art at his chest. His eyes were filled with determination.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, scattering mottled shadows across the ground. Lin Che picked up the iron sword once more and practiced "Azure Edge Slash" in the courtyard. The yellow Soul Ring slowly rotated all over him as blue-gold Sword Qi slashed out again and again, splitting the air and cutting through the uncertainty ahead. Gu Rong sat in a rattan chair, watching the youth wield his sword. His fingertips lightly tapped the tabletop, his gaze deep. He knew that this sapling growing amid wind and rain would one day become a towering tree, holding up a world of its own.

At that moment, Lin Che was focused on every swing of his sword. He could feel the Azure Water Sword's joy, the Universe Cauldron's steadiness, and the will of the Spirit Rhyme Bamboo contained within that Hundred-Year Soul Ring—the tenacity born from weathering a hundred years of wind and rain, the sharpness that could pierce the heavens. These powers merged within him, becoming the firmest foundation to support his climb toward higher realms.

As the sun set, Lin Che finally stopped practicing. More than half of his Soul Power had been consumed, yet he remained full of energy. Sweat marked his face, but his eyes shone brighter than the stars. Gu Rong handed him a pot of Spirit Herb Tea and watched him drain it in one gulp before suddenly asking, "Do you know why I chose a Spirit Rhyme Bamboo Soul Ring for you?"

Lin Che shook his head.

"Because Spirit Rhyme Bamboo possesses the 'Three Tenacities'—deep roots, resistance to wind and snow, and rising higher with every joint." Gu Rong pointed to the green bamboo in the courtyard, his tone solemn. "The path of a Soul Master is more dangerous than mountain storms and snow, steeper than cliffs and precipices. I hope you can be like Spirit Rhyme Bamboo. No matter what hardships you encounter, take root in the earth, grow with tenacity, and climb upward step by step until... you can see sights ordinary people never will."

Lin Che looked at the green bamboo beneath the setting sun, then at the faint sword shadow appearing and disappearing in his palm. He nodded solemnly. He knew that Gu Rong was not merely teaching him swordsmanship. He was teaching him how to live, how to carve out a path toward strength of his own in this perilous Douluo Continent.

Night gradually deepened, and lights came on in the west courtyard. Lin Che sat by the window, watching the Hundred-Year Soul Ring rotate in his dantian and feeling the surging Soul Power inside his body. The corner of his mouth lifted again. He knew a new challenge was about to arrive, but this time, he was no longer a child who could only rely on others for protection. He had the sharpness of the Azure Water Sword, the weight of the Universe Cauldron, the aid of a Hundred-Year Soul Ring, and above all, an unyielding Clear Sword Heart.

Outside the window, the green bamboo swayed gently in the night breeze, as if cheering him on. In the distant sky, a new star slowly rose, heralding that the legend of a Dual Martial Soul Soul Master had only just begun.