Sword Energy Thunderous Sound

The breakthrough in cultivation brought an all-around improvement. Fang Xiao looked at the falling leaves in the courtyard. In his vision, their trajectories were extraordinarily slow; he could even clearly make out the veins running across each leaf. His body, too, felt indescribably light and at ease, as though shackles had been cast off. It was said that breakthroughs across major realms were even a leap in one's very form of life. What would that feel like?

His Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivation seemed to have stirred his Sword Dao Realm as well. It pulsed like a heart, as though it might break through its restraints and leap free at any moment.

Not daring to slack off, Fang Xiao immediately went into the courtyard and began practicing his Sword Art. He did not use spiritual power, simply gripping the Silver Edge Sword and drilling sword moves over and over without the slightest pause.

An hour passed, yet he still failed to break through. The opportunity felt as though it lay right before his eyes, yet no matter how he reached for it, he could not seize it.

Two hours passed. It was already deep into the night, but Fang Xiao showed no sign of stopping. Sword light flashed coldly through the courtyard. He seemed to have entered a strange, dazed state, as though he were practicing the sword unconsciously. His sword moves varied unpredictably in speed, becoming impossible to grasp.

At that moment, the Silver Edge Sword seemed one with him. As his sword moves flowed, the spiritual power within him began circulating on its own. Sword Qi gathered and condensed upon the Silver Edge Sword, its blade radiance flickering in and out as countless sword marks were carved into the ground.

This state lasted for more than half an hour before Fang Xiao abruptly awoke. Suddenly, he recalled a line of Sword Principle he had read in Sword Cultivator's Insights.

"The body merges with the sword; the sword merges with the spirit."

That unconscious state he had entered just now seemed to have been his opportunity for a breakthrough. Fang Xiao slowly recalled the feeling, while the sword in his hand never stopped. His body moved with his intent, and the sword turned with his heart. He casually thrust out a sword strike. It appeared slow, yet was in fact incredibly swift, as though it tore through the air.

"Rumble."

The instant the Sword Qi burst forth, it erupted with a startling thunderclap. A terrifying peal of thunder shook the small courtyard.

Sword Energy Thunderous Sound.

Practicing Sword to Form Qi marked the initial success of the Sword Dao. Spiritual power was circulated to form Sword Qi, which was then attached to the sword body, greatly increasing the power of sword moves.

Sword Qi Transforming into Energy came with a deepening understanding of the Sword Dao. Sword Qi gradually grew stronger and began to separate from the blade itself. As one's realm continued to deepen, it could be controlled freely, gathered and dispersed at will, usable both in close combat and for distant attacks.

Upon reaching the realm of Sword Energy Thunderous Sound, the density of one's Sword Qi had entered a new stage. When Sword Qi was activated, it could unleash an incomparably swift sword speed, seemingly breaking through some obstruction in the air and producing a sound like rolling thunder.

Before he could even react, the Sword Qi had already struck the courtyard wall. The wall instantly exploded, and the attack then slammed directly into the formation around his courtyard. Above the courtyard, the formation appeared like a dome, then began flickering erratically. With a crack, countless fissures emerged from the point of impact and spread outward. Before Fang Xiao could do anything, the formation had already shattered and gradually dissipated into the air.

The courtyard formation was a First-Order Formation uniformly installed by the sect. It was more than sufficient to block attacks from the Qi Condensation Stage, yet it had been destroyed by a single strike. This had absolutely reached the standard of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

It was the latter half of the night. A large number of disciples began gathering on the Spirit Peak where Fang Xiao lived, all drawn by the astonishing thunder and explosive crash.

Yet no one dared barge into another's courtyard at will. They all discussed the matter outside, and before long, Enforcement Hall disciples arrived as well. There was even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator among them. After dispersing the onlooking disciples, they entered Fang Xiao's courtyard.

The youth stood at the center of the courtyard. One side of the courtyard wall was already a complete mess.

"What happened? Why was the formation here breached?" This Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Enforcement Hall got straight to the point.

"Martial Uncle, my sincerest apologies. This disciple gained some insight and tested a sword move in the courtyard. I failed to control its power, and I did not expect to disturb everyone in the sect."

Upon hearing this, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator carefully examined Fang Xiao's cultivation, thinking to himself, Qi Refining Seventh Layer, that is correct. But if what he says is true, then he is a Heavenly Talent. He will surely become a True Disciple Seed of the sect in the future.

"Then try using the sword move that struck the formation against me. If you are telling the truth, then so be it. But if you are merely spouting nonsense, you will have to take a trip to the Enforcement Hall with us."

"Very well. Then Martial Uncle, please be careful."

Fang Xiao had not expected to cause such trouble. He had no desire to visit the Enforcement Hall. Fortunately, he had never intended to hide his strength within the sect, so he agreed.

Among the Qi Condensation Stage disciples of the Outer Court, there were likely few who could match him now. This Foundation Establishment Cultivator's demand suited him perfectly. He could use this chance to test just how powerful Sword Energy Thunderous Sound, combined with the Sword Embryo, could be when unleashed at full strength.

The spiritual power of the Qi Refining Seventh Layer circulated at high speed. The effect of the Sword Nurturing Gourd within his Dantian had already activated. Fang Xiao held the Silver Edge Sword in hand, its tip pointed at the ground, while violent, razor-sharp golden Sword Qi condensed into tangible form along the blade.

As he gradually raised the Silver Edge Sword and pointed it directly at the man opposite him, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator sensed the violent Sword Qi and the incomparably sharp sword intent it emitted. He, too, became serious.

A thunderous blast rang out. Just as he brought forth a jet-black shield, the flying sword's attack had already landed upon it.

The two remained locked in stalemate for three breaths. Then, with a crack, the Silver Edge Sword exploded outright, splitting into countless fragments. On closer inspection, several tiny cracks could also be seen on the jet-black shield.

Fang Xiao froze for a moment. The Silver Edge Sword had always served him well, but he had never expected it to explode because the Sword Qi it bore was too powerful. Still, for a Top-grade Flying Sword to accomplish this much, it could be said to have retired in glory.

Though the Foundation Establishment Cultivator opposite him remained expressionless, his heart was bleeding. My Black Spirit Shield is a top-grade magic tool, yet it was nearly destroyed. I never expected this brat to be so powerful. If I had not reacted quickly enough, I might have become part of his record for slaying a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

He was only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage. How powerful could a Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivator possibly be? He had intended to casually take the strike, offer a few pointers, and display the bearing of a senior. Instead, he had encountered such a monster and been slapped across the face again and again.

"Martial Uncle, this disciple's sword strike was not bad, was it?" Fang Xiao promptly pulled him back to reality.

"Ahem, ahem. Its power is indeed considerable. It is possible that it could break the formation. But you must not become overly proud or complacent; you must still work hard in the future. The sect will arrange for someone to repair the formation, but you must pay the required Merit Points yourself. Also, though this was merely a spar, your flying sword was ruined because of it, and I bear part of the responsibility. Use this flying sword for now."

"Understood. Thank you, Martial Uncle."

They came quickly and left just as quickly. Fang Xiao held the Earth attribute Top-grade Flying Sword in his hand and sighed.

"Fine. Better than nothing."

After all, his two flying swords had been scrapped one after another. He could only make do with this one for now. The Supreme Flying Swords at Myriad Treasures Pavilion did not match his attribute. He had planned to buy another at the Auction, but plans could not keep up with changes. Still, unless he took on a mission requiring combat recently, he had no need for an especially good flying sword.

He would continue cultivating bitterly in the Outer Court for a while. Once the Auction arrived, he would trade his birdshot for a cannon. By then, the sect would certainly be going to Wuji Immortal City, and he could simply hitch a ride. That way, he would not need to worry about running into trouble along the road.

The next thing he needed to resolve was his Sword Nurturing Gourd. Since it involved a Secret Art concerning the divine soul, it was best to be careful.

Over the following days, Fang Xiao swallowed pills and drank wine every day, and his cultivation grew with each passing day. Outside of cultivation, he practiced his swordsmanship without rest. The Upper Elixir Condensing Spirit Refining Method was simply too obscure, and only today had he fully comprehended it. Transferring the Sword Embryo into the gourd was now on the agenda.

It was also on this day that he received a message from Old Man Fan, informing him to make a trip to the Scripture Repository.

He had always known that the Identity Token had a messaging function, but it could only be activated after becoming an Inner Disciple. It was said that messages could be sent anywhere within the Eastern Domain, unless one encountered special circumstances that blocked information. Now that he could only receive messages but not send them, it felt like his phone bill had gone unpaid in his previous life.

But since Old Man Fan had suddenly summoned him, there had to be something important. He would first head to the Scripture Repository. Once he returned, he could begin cultivating the Upper Elixir Condensing Spirit Refining Method and resolve the matter of the Sword Nurturing Gourd.