You Have a Successor, Juechen (Two-in-One)

In the heart of Mingdu, a colossal tower rises from the ground, piercing the clouds as if to pierce the heavens.

Even from a distance, pedestrians can only barely make out its upper and middle parts—the majestic tower shimmers with a faint silver glow, like cold iron bathed in moonlight, icy and mysterious. The eight-sided, sharply angled tower walls reflect sharp outlines in the sunlight, while the higher parts have long since disappeared into the swirling clouds and mist.

The entire tower exudes Formless sense of oppression, making people hold their breath and feel as if their souls would be devoured if they looked at it for even a moment longer.

This is the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.

With its Soul Spirit technology, the Spirit Pagoda has gathered top research talents and powerful individuals, and has accumulated immense wealth that rivals that of a nation. The Federation even directly gifted eight seats in the council to the Spirit Pagoda, and it should be noted that there are only 108 seats in the Federal Councilor.

This demonstrates the crucial role the Spirit Pagoda plays within the Federation.

"Why is that Sword Maniac still sitting there?"

"He stayed there for a full ten days, didn't he? Was it to challenge Huo Yuhao?"

Everyone who had been waiting before had left, but he's still waiting there.

In the main hall on the ground floor of the Spirit Pagoda, staff members huddled together in small groups, whispering amongst themselves. Every now and then, their eyes would drift toward the solitary figure in the plaza outside the pagoda— Ji Wufeng.

Ji Wufeng the Ji Clan, sixteen years old this year, is a Five-Ring Soul King. This man, who is commonly known as the "Sword Maniac," has been sitting quietly in the square in front of the Spirit Pagoda for ten days.

He held a gray-white sword in his arms, remaining motionless despite the wind and sun. Even more strangely, in those ten days, not a single speck of dust could fall within three inches of him.

"He's probably waiting in vain; Huo Yuhao likely won't come. News of his invitation to the Ming De Hall has spread far and wide lately; perhaps he's still preparing to enter Ming De Hall..."

Before he could finish speaking, the entire hall suddenly fell silent.

Because Ji Wufeng made a move.

He slowly opened his eyes, and within those jet-black pupils seemed to be a myriad of swords returning to their source.

"They've arrived."

Ji Wufeng's voice was soft, yet it sent a shiver down the spines of everyone passing by in the Spirit Pagoda Square, causing them to involuntarily look up in the direction he was looking.

In the distance, three figures walked over, but Ji Wufeng saw no one else but the young man in white attire at the front. The people around him seemed to be influenced by his intention, and their eyes were only on that young man.

"Spirit Transmission — Huo Yuhao! He's finally here!"

The crowd watched the approaching figure, then glanced at Ji Wufeng, and vaguely understood something. In the tense atmosphere, they subconsciously retreated, leaving a hundred feet of open space in the center of the square.

Huo Yuhao arrived bathed in the morning light, his hair fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. When his gaze fell upon Ji Wufeng, a barely perceptible trace of reminiscence flashed in his eyes—the resemblance was striking. It wasn't the appearance, but rather the pure Sword Intent and fighting spirit he exuded, which was exactly the same as that Sword Fanatic from Ten Thousand Years Ago.

"The Ji Clan?"

Huo Yuhao landed ten steps away from Ji Wufeng.

"Ji Wufeng." Ji Wufeng stood up and stared at him.

"No wonder." Huo Yuhao nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Ji Wufeng's body, and suddenly smiled. "Ten days of meditation, just for this one sword strike?"

"Ever since I saw that punch of yours two years ago, I've been looking forward to it. Please enlighten me."

Ji Wufeng bowed deeply.

Even though they were mentally prepared, the square was still thrown into an uproar.

The rule against fighting within a kilometer of the Spirit Pagoda doesn't apply to insiders. If you're really looking for a challenge, there's no need to fight here, is there?

Ji Wufeng ignored these discussions. Ten days of wind and sun had left their mark on him, but his eyes had become even sharper, like unsheathed swords.

Seeing the increasingly powerful aura of the person in front of him, Huo Yuhao did not say anything to spoil the mood, but simply nodded slightly.

"Good."

A single, simple word silenced the entire square instantly. Everyone held their breath, their eyes wide, afraid of missing a single detail.

Since his battle with the Shrek Academy two years ago, Huo Yuhao hasn't fought in public. Now he's going to face off against a junior from the Ji Clan. Will they be able to witness a spectacular battle today?

But the tranquility was shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps in the distance. Five Law Enforcement Team in silver-white uniforms were rushing over. The captain, his face grim, shouted, "Stop! Private fighting is prohibited within a kilometer of the Spirit Pagoda!"

Gu Yuena and Gu Ruiqiu, who had stopped not far away, frowned and were about to stop them, but the situation had already changed.

Ji Wufeng suddenly moved, his right hand lightly stroking his sword, and a sharp Sword Intent instantly erupted from his body.

"Zheng--"

A clear, resonant sword cry echoed through the sky.

The onlookers paled in horror. The lower-level Soul Masters felt their hair stand on end, as if countless sharp swords were pressed against their throats, and they all staggered backward. Even the Soul Saint level experts looked grave.

"This... this is really the aura Soul King could possess?"

"As expected of the Ji Clan's sword... The Sword Intent accumulated over ten days actually made me feel threatened. It truly lives up to its reputation!"

A Soul Saint from the Spirit Pagoda couldn't help but sigh.

The Spirit Transmission Ji Clan, known throughout the Soul Master World, is a notorious oddity. Their uniqueness lies not only in their lineage dating back Ten Thousand Years Ago, being descendants of the first generation of members of the Spirit Pagoda, but also in their core lineage's Martial Soul— "Formless"!

Legend has it that the Martial Soul of the Ancestor of the Ji Family, the Sword Fanatic Douluo, was a Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron. By constantly nurturing it with his Soul Power and infusing his soul into the sword, his Martial Soul eventually became completely energy-based and perfectly integrated into the Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron. Man and sword became one, inseparable.

A Inherited Soul Spirit passed down Ji Juechen's insights through generations, but these insights, which could only be understood intuitively and not explained in words, were initially not pursued by the Ji Clan. However, because they concerned the core inheritance of their ancestor, they continued to study them.

After all, how many people in history have advanced to Level 97 Super Douluo with only level 3 Innate Soul Power?

Having such respectable ancestors, they didn't want their legacy to disappear.

But it's difficult, so very difficult!

For centuries, for Thousand Years, no one could truly master the art. It wasn't until Thousand Years, when another exceptionally talented member of the Ji Clan — Ji Wuxia—emerged, that this deadlock was finally broken.

The opponent abandoned the family's traditional cultivation methods, no longer clinging to the past path, but instead used his heart to control his soul and his soul to transform his will. After ten years of arduous cultivation, his Martial Soul actually gradually "disappeared"—no, to be precise, it was completely integrated into his spirit and flesh, and then into the sword he had honed since childhood, becoming a generation of Sword God.

This phenomenon is known in the Ji Clan as "Refining Artifact into Soul," a way of altering one's Martial Soul through acquired means. It is similar to the legendary divinely bestowed martial Martial Soul and is a unique inheritance of the Ji Clan!

What their original Martial Soul was is no longer important. Those who can complete the Refining Artifact into Soul of their martial spirit will have their Martial Soul energized and fused with the artifact that the soul master has nurtured since childhood. And the artifact chosen by the Ji Clan is naturally -- a sword!

From then on, the core lineage of the Ji Clan was finally established, making them one of the most mysterious existences in the Soul Master World. Thousands of Thousand Years later, there are still very few people in the Ji Clan who can complete the Refining Artifact into Soul, and there have even been periods of generational break. However, every core disciple who has completed this process is a formidable figure.

Ji Wufeng was one of them!

Ji Wufeng ignored the discussions from the outside world. The Essence, Energy, and Spirit he had accumulated during ten days of meditation were released without reservation at this moment, and his whole being seemed to transform into a peerless and ferocious sword that had been drawn from its sheath. The sword pattern on the gray-white blade lit up inch by inch, leaving a trail of flame like a shooting star in the air.

This isn't some friendly sparring; it's clearly a life-or-death struggle!

Faced with this terrifying Sword Intent, Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed with a sharp light. No Soul Ring appeared, no fluctuations in Soul Power occurred; only a change in his gaze—

The entire world seemed to freeze instantly. Ji Wufeng Sword Intent seemed to have crashed into an Formless wall, collapsing three feet in front of Huo Yuhao. Even more terrifying, an indescribable sense of oppression descended from the sky, making Ji Wufeng's hand holding the sword suddenly feel as heavy as Qian Jun.

Huo Yuhao knew that this was the kind of battle the other side craved.

Between the two, a battle of pure essence has begun—a clash of unadulterated Soul Skill and techniques, a collision of the most genuine artistic conceptions!

Ji Wufeng gritted his teeth, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He felt as if he were in the deepest ocean, every movement requiring him to contend with the pressure of the entire world.

At this moment, in terms of momentum, he was completely at a disadvantage! The Sword Intent emanating from his body was easily torn apart like thin silk by sharp scissors before Huo Yuhao's condensed and tangible intent.

But Ji Wufeng was not discouraged. His sword was throbbing with excitement, and the fighting spirit in his eyes grew stronger.

He still didn't use his Soul Skill, but the light in his hand grew increasingly dazzling and continued to expand. What was expanding was not the physical sword, but a transparent yet dazzling sword shadow.

The sword shadow trembled slightly, exuding a lively aura. Although it lacked an aggressive and oppressive feel, Ji Wufeng's aura instantly soared to the Soul Emperor level upon its appearance!

The passersby were all deeply moved.

"Sword Soul?!"

It's not about the unity of man and sword, nor is it Sword Intent; it's about the Sword Soul!

The Sword Dao Realm: Sword Intent, Sword Soul, and Sword God. A Sword Dao who possesses Sword Soul can gain an incredibly powerful boost, potentially increasing their power by one level. Becoming an unparalleled powerhouse in the future is practically guaranteed.

Ji Wufeng actually reached this level while still Soul King? Or even earlier?

However, this did not surprise some of the geniuses of the Spirit Pagoda.

The possessor of Sword Martial Soul senses its meaning, grasps its profundity, possesses its soul, and obtains its essence; thus, one becomes Sword Soul.

The Ji Clan's the Way of Soul Infusion into Weapon Forging is incredibly difficult, taking several generations to complete. The previous one was Ji Xuanqiu, the Tower Master, but once completed, he will surely become Sword Soul in the future!

Because their Martial Soul is something they forged themselves, few people understand their Martial Soul better or love their sword more than they do.

Moreover, the Sword Soul Realm usually requires a Soul Ring as a support, but the Ji Clan does not need one. Their Martial Soul is their soul, their "Sword Soul"!

Ji Wufeng's Sword Intent surged as his Sword Soul blossomed, rising steadily. In the next moment, he seemed to transform into a strange ray of light, skimming the ground as he hurtled towards Huo Yuhao. Astonishing sword energy filled the entire space, and the oppressive aura caused Huo Yuhao's robes to flutter without wind, the rustling fabric seeming to emit a silent lament.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao smiled and finally moved. He made a fist with his right hand and pushed it forward simply. This punch had no fancy moves, yet it seemed to contain the ultimate truth of the universe.

What is Sword Intent? What is Sword Soul? What is Sword God?

The essence of cultivation lies in Essence, Energy, and Spirit, energy, and spirit. True swordsmanship is the perfect combination of the Essence, Energy, and Spirit, and spirit possessed by the Soul Master with the sword.

The so-called Sword Intent, Sword Soul, and Sword God are all realms derived from this foundation, and are ultimately extensions of "I"!

Wherever Ji Wufeng's fist passed, his Sword Intent, Ji Wufeng enough to cleave mountains and rivers, melted away silently, like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun. Huo Yuhao's fist had no dazzling Soul Ring, no flashy Soul Skill, only the purest "intention."

"Boom--"

Just as the fist and sword were about to collide, everyone felt as if the air within a radius of several tens of square meters seemed to collapse inward, and everything around them became distorted.

But the sword and the fist did not actually collide; it was only their two intentions that collided.

On the left, sword energy surged like a tide, unleashing a boundless killing intent in the void.

To the right, however, lay eternal silence. There was no sound of wind, no clash of swords, only a pure, clear emptiness. That silence was not nothingness, but a profound stillness that encompassed all things, a realm where even time seemed to stand still.

The two forces clashed fiercely in the void. Each collision caused the entire space to tremble violently. The sword energy shattered one after another, but the silence remained unmoved, even silently swallowing the broken sword energy.

The difference is obvious.

The tranquil atmosphere on the right is like a world unto itself, an absolute realm that transcends moves and techniques, a product that truly touches the pinnacle of artistic conception!

Ji Wufeng's originally indifferent face underwent a subtle change; the shock he felt at this moment was indescribable. Only someone who had experienced it firsthand could truly appreciate how astonishing the aura Huo Yuhao was exuding.

Among them are gods, a realm he has not yet reached!

But what Huo Yuhao felt from that punch was more than just that.

The pinnacle of the Sword Dao Realm requires not just mastering one of Sword Intent, Sword Soul, or Sword God, but rather possessing all three in perfect harmony. It involves infusing one's emotions and will into the swordplay, fusing essence, energy, Essence, Energy, and Spirit into one. Only then can the swordsmanship be executed as a domain, as a realm of intent—that is the true sword!

He saw such a shadow in the punch that Huo Yuhao threw.

"I saw it two years ago, and it's indeed impressive. He had already integrated his Essence, Energy, and Spirit, and spirit back then." Ji Wufeng's emotions were still unsettled, but his eyes flashed with a sharp light as he tried to capture the essence within the fist.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao's lips curled up slightly. After a stalemate between his fist and sword for about a second, he suddenly exerted his strength, and then a deafening roar suddenly exploded.

--boom!

Centered on the point where the two clashed, large cracks and collapses suddenly appeared on the ground, spreading outwards at an extremely fast speed until they reached tens of meters before gradually stopping.

Ji Wufeng instantly retreated twenty meters, regaining his footing. His face was deathly pale, and his sword-wielding hand was stained with blood. But his eyes were filled with unprecedented excitement, showing no sign of discouragement. "I lost."

He uttered three words, then sat cross-legged on the ground, meditating and reflecting on his gains, completely unconcerned about the bloodstains on his body and the stares of others.

"... What a memorable scene."

A look of nostalgia crossed Huo Yuhao's eyes.

A sword, a fist... they were once like that too.

You have a worthy successor, Jue Chen.

Without lingering, Huo Yuhao headed straight for the entrance of the Spirit Pagoda.

At this moment, the onlookers suddenly came to their senses, still in disbelief, "Soul King who possesses both Sword Intent and Sword Soul actually lost in a contest of 'intent'?"

First he was invited by the Ming De Hall, and now he's suppressing the descendants of the Ji Clan with his artistic conception. He just wants to ask, is there anything Huo Yuhao can't do?

A jack-of-all-trades, master of all trades—what kind of monster is this?

The Law Enforcement Team looked at the messy square and the three departing figures, then their eyes flashed with a fierce light as they looked at Ji Wufeng, who was meditating.

You caused all this trouble, and you're still so calm?

We'll settle the score after you've come to your senses!

(End of this chapter)