Jie Kong Yan, Heaven Yuan Realm Achieved!

Early morning, inside the Bamboo House

Luo Heng awakened from meditation. The dark gold Primal Energy around him slowly receded before he opened his eyes.

After a day of stabilization, his Early Heaven Yuan Realm cultivation had been completely consolidated. The dark gold Yuan Core Phantom in his dantian slowly revolved, breathing out pure Primal Energy far surpassing that of others at the same realm.

"System, perform today's check-in," Luo Heng said.

[Ding! Daily Check-in successful! Obtained: Third Grade Spirit Medicine—Soul Nourishing Flower ×2, Mortal Grade Talisman Paper ×10]

The rewards were ordinary, but Luo Heng was not disappointed. What he truly cared about was the monthly check-in he had reorganized today!

"System, begin the monthly check-in."

[Ding! Monthly Check-in successful! Obtained: Origin Divine Skill—Tai Xu Swordplay (Beginner Chapter)!]

It was here!

Luo Heng stared at the transparent blue screen and froze slightly when he saw the result. He had not expected the monthly check-in, aside from the yearly check-in, to grant Origin Divine Skills as well.

Within his Niwan Palace, the Myriad Law Seal trembled faintly as an incomparably sharp sword Dao inheritance surged into his consciousness!

It was not made of words, but illusory sword shadows. Every sword shadow contained a completely different Sword Dao True Intent.

Void, Etherealness, Liminality—yet incomparably fierce!

It seemed capable of tearing through space and piercing all falsehood!

[Tai Xu Swordplay (Beginner Chapter): Origin Divine Skill. Divided into nine forms. The first three forms are the Beginner Chapter, the middle three forms are the Minor Mastery Chapter, and the final three forms are the Perfected Chapter. The sword leaves no shadow; illusion and reality complement one another. It contains supreme Sword Dao mysteries such as space, Void, and annihilation.]

[Currently Mastered: First Form—Void Blade (Not Initiated)]

[Special Reminder: An Origin Divine Skill must be activated with Origin Power to unleash its true might. Upon reaching perfection, it can sever space itself, and its Sword Intent shall be eternal.]

[Once the Beginner Chapter reaches 100%, the next chapter will awaken.]

Luo Heng drew a deep breath and suppressed the turmoil in his heart.

The grade of this Tai Xu Swordplay was likely even above the Great Devouring Art!

The latter was the foundation of cultivation, devouring all things to strengthen oneself.

The former, however, was the ultimate offensive killing art! With one sword strike, space would split!

"It happens to make up for the weakness in my sword-based offense." Luo Heng licked his dry lips. This suited him perfectly. The Gale Sword he had practiced before was merely a Second Grade Martial Art and had long since failed to keep up with his cultivation.

Although he possessed the Qingxuan Sword, a Mortal Grade Peak Weapon, its power was greatly diminished without profound sword techniques to support it.

Now that he had Tai Xu Swordplay, his offensive capabilities would undergo a qualitative transformation!

"First, I'll comprehend the First Form—Void Blade!"

Luo Heng sank his consciousness into his Niwan Palace. The Myriad Law Seal began operating at full force, analyzing and deducing the sword shadow representing "Void Blade."

At the same time, he took out the Stone of Enlightenment Fragment, planning to use a little cheat.

[Would you like to use the 'Stone of Enlightenment (Fragment)' to assist in comprehending First Form of Tai Xu Swordplay—Void Blade?]

"Use it!"

Buzz!

The Stone of Enlightenment Fragment emitted a faint glow, and Luo Heng's comprehension speed regarding "Void Blade" abruptly increased severalfold!

That illusory sword shadow continuously broke apart and reassembled within his consciousness. Countless Sword Dao True Intents concerning "Void," "reality," "sharpness," and "Concealment" flooded his mind.

Time slowly passed.

The Bamboo House was silent. Only extremely faint, nearly invisible ripples occasionally flickered around Luo Heng.

That was the first sign of Tai Xu Sword Intent being stirred!

Three hours later.

Luo Heng suddenly opened his eyes. He formed a sword with his fingers and lightly pointed forward.

There was no fluctuation of Primal Energy, nor was there any surging Sword Qi.

Yet, three feet ahead of him, a hair-thin black crack silently appeared in the air!

The crack vanished in a flash, as though it had never existed.

However, the sharpness, Void, and annihilation it released in that instant made the entire Bamboo House several degrees colder.

[Tai Xu Swordplay: Void Blade—Initiated (1%)]

"It worked!"

Satisfaction flashed through Luo Heng's eyes. Everything was difficult at the beginning, yet his progress had been relatively smooth. Although he had only just entered the gate and its power remained shallow, the characteristics of "Void Blade" had already begun to reveal themselves.

Formless and traceless, indistinguishable between illusion and reality, it specialized in breaking protective Primal Energy and defenses. It was impossible to guard against!

More importantly, it consumed very little. With his current Primal Energy, he could use it dozens of times in succession without becoming exhausted.

However, compared to the faint Sword Intent he had comprehended from "Void Blade," the things he had learned before seemed extremely insignificant!

Three hours... Luo Heng had skipped the Sword Qi stage and touched upon the barest edge of Sword Intent... He was not sure whether that talent was impressive, since he had no one to compare himself to.

"If I use the Qingxuan Sword to unleash it, its power can increase by another thirty percent."

Luo Heng took out the Qingxuan Sword and gently brushed the blade with his fingers.

Nurtured by a trace of Tai Xu Sword Intent, the Mortal Grade Peak Qingxuan Sword actually gave off a faint hum, while a pale, illusory white sheen appeared over its blade.

"A good sword needs a good technique." Luo Heng smiled and continued, "Today, I'll use you to test the sharpness of this Tai Xu Swordplay."

He rose and pushed open the door. The grounds outside were spacious enough for him to practice.

It was already noon outside, and the sunlight was just right.

Luo Heng found an open area and stood with his sword in hand. He did not immediately begin practicing. Instead, he first used the Myriad Law Seal to deduce how "Void Blade" could be combined with the Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose Steps and Soaring Dragon Steps.

Sword techniques and movement techniques naturally complemented one another. Only then could one maximize combat strength.

A moment later, Luo Heng moved.

His figure drifted like flowing clouds, while his footwork was as nimble as a soaring dragon.

The Qingxuan Sword in his hand stabbed out at times and lightly swept at others. His movements appeared casual, even somewhat slow.

Yet strangely, wherever the sword's edge passed, the air made not the slightest sound of being cut.

Fine, threadlike spatial cracks, nearly invisible to the naked eye, quietly appeared along the sword's trajectory before quietly vanishing.

Those cracks were extremely faint and fleeting. Without careful perception from someone with powerful Spiritual Power, they would be impossible to detect.

Yet the sharpness and annihilation within them made one's heart tremble.

The essence of Void Blade lies in the transition between illusion and reality—in striking without a shadow and killing enemies without form.

As he practiced, Luo Heng's understanding of the First Form, "Void Blade," became increasingly clear.

Rather than a sword move, it was more like the application of a Sword Dao realm.

It condensed Sword Intent and Primal Energy to the extreme, gathering them at a single point before striking with the force of Void, taking an enemy's life between illusion and reality.

"If I train it to Minor Mastery, one strike will be able to silently slit a throat from thirty feet away."

Luo Heng sheathed his sword and stood still, his breathing steady. This level of expenditure was nothing to him.

After merely an hour of practice, his mastery of "Void Blade" had risen from 1% to 5%.

Such speed was terrifying. On one hand, it was thanks to the assistance of the Myriad Law Seal and the Stone of Enlightenment. On the other, after breaking through to the Heaven Yuan Realm, his control over power had become more refined.

Of course, the most important thing was his own talent. His comprehension and Spiritual Power were already monstrously high. Basically, whatever could be learned at this realm, he could learn.

"Young Master Luo, what fine swordsmanship."

A cool voice came from the path through the bamboo grove.

Zi Yue had somehow appeared there. Dressed in purple, her figure was graceful, and her cool eyes were fixed on the sword in Luo Heng's hand with surprise in them.

She had vaguely sensed an exceedingly obscure yet incomparably sharp aura, which was why she had come to investigate.

Yet when she actually saw Luo Heng practicing his swordsmanship, it seemed utterly ordinary, even somewhat... soft and weak?

But that heart-palpitating sensation could not be wrong.

"Miss Zi Yue." Luo Heng sheathed his sword and smiled at the girl. "I was merely practicing casually. I've made you laugh."

Zi Yue shook her head and said seriously, "Young Master Luo need not be modest. Although I could not see the sword moves clearly, I could sense the Sword Intent contained within them... It was far from ordinary."

She paused before continuing, "Teacher asked me to invite Young Master Luo to the front hall. The City Lord's Mansion has sent an invitation. Seven days from now, there will be a Martial Exchange Tea Gathering for the younger generation, and the young talents of the Symbol Master Association have been invited."

"A Martial Exchange Tea Gathering?" Luo Heng raised a brow.

"It is a customary annual event held by the City Lord's Mansion, intended to encourage interaction among the younger generations of Flame City's various powers. In past years, our Symbol Master Association would only send one or two disciples as a formality. But this year... Teacher hopes that Young Master Luo can attend as the representative of the Symbol Master Association." Zi Yue looked at Luo Heng with a complicated expression. To be honest, Young Master Luo's standing in her teacher's eyes was about to surpass even hers, his direct disciple.

Upon hearing this, Luo Heng understood. His reputation had already spread far and wide. A sixteen-year-old Heaven Yuan Realm cultivator and someone who had cleared the Seventh Floor of the Symbol Master Tower—he was likely already one of the most dazzling figures among Flame City's younger generation.

The Symbol Master Association was naturally sending him in order to enhance its prestige and consolidate its position.

"Did Master Yan have any other instructions?" Luo Heng asked.

"Teacher said there may be some 'unexpected' challenges at the tea gathering. Young Master Luo may decide for himself and need not hold back." Zi Yue's words carried a deeper meaning.

Luo Heng smiled faintly. That suited him perfectly. With strength in hand, he did not enjoy acting timidly. Crushing everything in his path was far more satisfying!

"Fine. I will attend on time."

"The invitation is here." Zi Yue handed him a gilded invitation and continued, "Seven days from now, at the hour of Chen, in the City Lord's Mansion's Martial Arts Garden."

Luo Heng accepted the invitation, glanced at it, and tucked it into his robes.

"Also..."

Zi Yue hesitated before finally saying, "Yue Feng of the Blood Wolf Gang may also attend."

Yue Feng?

A trace of coldness flashed through Luo Heng's eyes. It was time to collect some interest.

"Thank you for the warning, Miss Zi Yue."

Zi Yue nodded without saying more, then turned and left.

Watching her departing figure, Luo Heng lightly rubbed the sword hilt with his fingers.

"Yue Feng... Blood Wolf Gang..."

"It will not be long... Just wait."

Over the next seven days, Luo Heng did not leave the Symbol Master Association.

During the day, he practiced his swordsmanship before the Bamboo House, trying to further integrate "Void Blade" with his movement techniques.

At night, he entered the Seventh Floor of the Symbol Master Tower and used the mental pressure there to temper his Spiritual Power.

The Myriad Law Seal's ability to analyze and deduce, combined with the Stone of Enlightenment Fragment, allowed his progress to advance by leaps and bounds.

By the evening of the sixth day, his proficiency in "Void Blade" had reached 15%!

Meanwhile, under the tempering of the Symbol Master Tower, his Spiritual Power had become increasingly solid. Its aura grew stronger and stronger, faintly touching the threshold of the late Two-Seal Symbol Master stage.

"More or less enough."

Luo Heng emerged from the Symbol Master Tower without releasing even a trace of Primal Energy. He concealed himself well.

His Early Heaven Yuan Realm cultivation had gradually advanced further, though there was still a long way to go before the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm. However, the quality of his Primal Energy far surpassed that of others at the same realm.

The First Form of Tai Xu Swordplay, "Void Blade," was nearing Minor Mastery. Combined with the Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose Steps and Soaring Dragon Steps, both his movement techniques and swordsmanship had undergone a complete transformation. Such speed of improvement was practically monstrous.

With the assistance of late Two-Seal Symbol Master Spiritual Power, as well as the sustained combat ability of the Great Devouring Art...

"Below Minor Completion Yuan Core Realm, I should be invincible."

Luo Heng made his judgment. It was also time to stretch his muscles.

As he was now, unless he encountered an opponent who had similarly obtained heaven-defying opportunities, or someone at the Peak Late Heaven Yuan Realm with extremely profound martial arts, no one could threaten him.

As for Yue Feng... he was merely at the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm, and his martial arts were nothing more than the Blood Wolf Gang's mediocre fare.

"At tomorrow's tea gathering, let's see how you keep jumping around."

Luo Heng returned to the Bamboo House and quietly adjusted his breathing, bringing himself to peak condition.

The night passed without incident.

The next day.

Early morning, as the rising sun emerged.

Luo Heng changed into a clean set of azure robes, strapped the Qingxuan Sword to his back, and left the Symbol Master Association.

He had already told Zi Yue that he would set out first and take the opportunity to stroll around Flame City.

The City Lord's Mansion stood at the center of Flame City, covering an enormous area. Its residence was imposing and majestic.

The Martial Arts Garden lay to the east of the residence. It was an open, garden-style Martial Arts Arena featuring artificial hills, flowing water, pavilions, and towers. The surroundings were elegant.

When Luo Heng arrived at the Martial Arts Garden with the invitation in hand, quite a few young people had already gathered inside.

These people wore luxurious clothing and carried extraordinary auras. They were clearly descendants of Flame City's major clans or young talents from various great powers.

Luo Heng's arrival immediately stirred up a commotion.

"Look! It's Luo Heng from the Symbol Master Association!"

"He's the genius who broke through to the Heaven Yuan Realm at sixteen? He looks so young..."

"His aura is so restrained. I can't see through him at all."

"I heard he cleared the Seventh Floor of the Symbol Master Tower. His Spiritual Power has probably reached the level of a Two-Seal Symbol Master too!"

"A dual cultivator genius... Comparing people really is infuriating."

Amid the discussions were curiosity, envy, and jealousy.

Luo Heng remained calm as his gaze swept across the crowd.

He saw quite a few familiar faces. Zi Yue had already arrived and was talking with several young members of the City Lord's Mansion. It seemed that his sightseeing had taken up a little too much time.

Xia Zhilan had also come on behalf of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild. Dressed in a goose-yellow gown, she was bright and captivating. Upon seeing Luo Heng, she smiled and nodded in greeting. Luo Heng's previous display of knowledge and his achievements in the Symbol Master Tower had made her put away her contempt.

In one corner of the Martial Arts Garden, a group of young people dressed in blood-red martial attire stood gathered together. Their auras were fierce, and their gazes unfriendly.

The leader was none other than Yue Feng.

At that moment, he was staring coldly at Luo Heng, the chill in his eyes completely undisguised. He had originally provoked Luo Heng over the matter of the Symbol Master Tower, but he had not expected this fellow to challenge it again only a few days later—and even clear the seventh floor, becoming so famous throughout Flame City. Was that not a slap to his face?!

Luo Heng met his gaze, deliberately curling his lips into an indifferent smile before looking away, as though he had merely seen an ant.

That dismissive attitude made Yue Feng's expression turn even darker.

"Young Master Luo, this way."

Zi Yue walked over and led Luo Heng toward the seats reserved for the Symbol Master Association.

Along the way, many young descendants took the initiative to greet him. Luo Heng politely returned their greetings but said little else.

At this moment, a steward from the City Lord's Mansion stepped into the center of the Martial Arts Arena and announced loudly, "Talented young people, today's tea gathering is for exchanging martial arts and making friends. Stop before serious injury. By order of the City Lord, sparring is freely permitted in the Martial Arts Arena. The victor may receive one Yan Yang Pill as a prize."

As he spoke, he took out a jade bottle and poured out a crimson pill as red as fire.

The moment the pill appeared, its medicinal fragrance spread through the air, immediately drawing heated gazes from all around.

"Yan Yang Pill! A fourth-grade pill! It can help Heaven Yuan Realm martial artists refine their Primal Energy and break through bottlenecks!"

"What a generous prize!"

"I'm definitely taking that prize!"

Quite a few young disciples rubbed their hands together, eager to try.

The steward continued, "The sparring rules are simple: both parties enter the arena voluntarily. Whoever admits defeat or falls off the stage loses. Now, the tea gathering begins!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the Martial Arts Arena grew heated.

Before long, two people leaped onto the central stage. After exchanging cupped-fist salutes, they began fighting.

Both were at the Peak Earthen Yuan Stage. They traded blows evenly, their Primal Energy colliding and drawing bursts of applause.

But Luo Heng merely watched indifferently. A battle at this level no longer held any value for him.

His gaze casually swept over the Blood Wolf Gang's seats.

Yue Feng was whispering something to someone beside him, his eyes occasionally flicking toward Luo Heng, cold and venomous as a snake.

Is it finally coming... Just what I wanted.

Luo Heng sneered inwardly, raised his teacup, and took a light sip.

Sure enough, after the third sparring match ended, Yue Feng abruptly rose to his feet and strode toward the stage.

His gaze locked directly onto Luo Heng, and his voice rang throughout the arena as he said:

"Luo Heng! Do you dare fight me?!"

At those words, the entire venue fell silent.

Everyone's eyes turned in unison toward Luo Heng.

Zi Yue frowned slightly. This Yue Feng was truly detestable.

The Blood Wolf Gang members, meanwhile, wore expressions of eager amusement.

Luo Heng set down his teacup and slowly rose.

He looked at Yue Feng on the stage and said calmly:

"As you wish."

With a single step, he drifted onto the stage like a passing cloud, light as air.

The two stood facing each other as killing intent filled the air. Both wanted to kill the other, but for Luo Heng, the time was not yet right. Still, seriously injuring Yue Feng would not be a problem.

Yue Feng grinned viciously. "Luo Heng, today I'll make you understand the consequences of offending me!"

Luo Heng cast him a glance and said calmly:

"Cut the nonsense."

"Make your move."