Mortal Sword Art

As long as Tang Tian evaded pursuit and emerged safely after fifteen days, he would win.

Tang Tian had agreed because he naturally possessed that confidence.

First, with the Breath-Concealing Art and the Thousand Transformations Art, if he concealed his aura and altered his appearance, even face-to-face with Falling Star Sect disciples, they would never recognize him.

Another major reason Tang Tian wanted to enter Starfall Forest was that he was now in the Initial Bone-Forging Realm and could cultivate the third turn of the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art.

The third turn of the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art was not so troublesome. He only needed to draw down heavenly lightning once more to temper his body. As every bone in his body endured the unceasing refinement of heavenly lightning, his cultivation would rise along with it.

In Fan Siren's words, the first three turns of the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art were relatively simple and easy to complete.

But if one wanted to cultivate the fifth turn of the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art, it was utterly impossible without the corresponding five-element spiritual lightning.

Anyone else cultivating the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art would absolutely be stuck at the fifth turn.

Five-element spiritual lightning was difficult to collect in the first place, and even harder to fuse. It carried immense danger to one's life.

Only Tang Tian could persist so relentlessly in cultivating such a monstrous technique.

"Fine, we'll do as you say. Rest assured, if anyone truly has no shame and bullies the young with the old, your father will definitely slaughter him!"

Tang Lingyun nodded, killing intent flashing in his eyes.

No one doubted his words. He would truly do what he said.

Tang Tian nodded. "Then wait for my good news. Ru Xue, you should obediently wait for me too. Don't think about secretly following me."

"Fine!" Ye Ruxue truly had wanted to follow Tang Tian, but she had not expected him to see through her.

Tang Tian immediately returned to his own courtyard, while Ye Ruxue went straight back to the Ye Family.

As for the Falling Star Sect, Ye Ruxue felt it was necessary to tell her father about it.

The moment he returned to his small courtyard, Tang Tian saw a figure appear before him soundlessly, as elusive as a ghost.

"Grandpa Li?"

Tang Tian was greatly surprised, yet his heart was still filled with joy.

Because Fan Siren had been right about everything. Elder Li's appearance was almost certainly because of this matter.

"Young Master, your performance during this time has made this old servant very curious. Although you have shown an edge too openly, you are most suited to becoming a Sword Cultivator."

Elder Li smiled. This old servant had watched Tang Tian's recent performance closely.

Especially several days ago, when Tang Tian fought in the plaza, comprehended the Heart Sword, and then directly stepped into the level of Sword Momentum.

That was a leap in quality. Even Elder Li felt inferior to him.

"Elder Li, aren't you an old servant of our Tang Family? But then, you...?"

Tang Tian asked in surprise. How could he not know that Elder Li's identity was somewhat suspicious?

"This old servant is merely a servant. As for my true identity, I will tell Young Master in the future. I came today because I do not wish to see such outstanding talent as Young Master's buried."

Elder Li stood hunched over, looking at Tang Tian with repeated sighs of admiration.

Tang Tian nodded. Everyone had their own secrets. Since Elder Li was willing to say this much, it seemed he bore no ill intent toward the Tang Family.

"The moment Young Master cultivated Sword Momentum, you became a cultivator most suited to practicing sword arts. That is why this old servant came today—to ask whether Young Master is willing to become a true Sword Cultivator?"

Leaning on his cane, Elder Li looked at Tang Tian with his cloudy eyes.

"Of course I am willing. I want to become a Sword Cultivator, but no one has taught me."

Tang Tian shrugged helplessly. By saying this, he wanted to see what Elder Li would say.

"Since Young Master has decided to become a Sword Cultivator, this old servant will first explain the stages of Sword Cultivators."

Elder Li glanced at Tang Tian and continued, "The first is the Heart Sword, achieving a sword within one's heart. Next comes Sword Momentum. When one's sword art possesses grand momentum, it can suppress all things. After that comes a lucid sword heart. If one achieves a lucid sword heart, one sword can break ten thousand techniques, and when fighting an enemy, one can find their flaws and slay them. As for what comes later, this old servant will tell Young Master once you reach a lucid sword heart."

"Alright, Grandpa Li!"

Tang Tian nodded, incomparably excited, though he had no idea what level of powerful Sword Cultivator Elder Li truly was.

But Tang Tian chose to trust Fan Siren's words. As long as he cultivated diligently, he would surely become an unrivaled Sword Cultivator!

Elder Li nodded slightly, highly satisfied. "I have a sword art here. You may take it and cultivate it first."

With a wave of his hand, a manual appeared in his palm, and he handed it to Tang Tian.

Tang Tian solemnly accepted it with both hands and looked at the words on the cover: "Mortal Sword Art"!

"This Mortal Sword Art is suitable for cultivators at your level. This old servant has annotated every move within it. If there is anything Young Master does not understand, you may ask this old servant at any time. Once Young Master has mastered this sword art, this old servant will teach you others."

Elder Li smiled faintly, in an exceptionally pleasant mood. He seemed never to have been this happy before.

"This junior will certainly not disappoint your expectations!" Tang Tian gave the salute of a junior and spoke earnestly.

Elder Li laughed. "This old servant believes in Young Master. With Young Master's talent, you certainly will not allow the inheritance of my knowledge to sink into obscurity. What lies between you and me must not be known by a third person. Can you do that?"

"Alright!"

Tang Tian nodded. No matter what, Elder Li was teaching him and saving them both needless trouble.

If Tang Lingyun and the others learned of it, Elder Li would have no peaceful days ahead.

In truth, there had long been a third person who knew: Fan Siren in the Burial Ground of Stars.

Elder Li nodded. His figure slowly faded away, as though he had never appeared at all.

As Elder Li vanished, Tang Tian failed to notice that an invisible force had previously shrouded the small courtyard.

When Elder Li left, that invisible force vanished with him.

Tang Tian looked at the Mortal Sword Art in his hand and could not help but rejoice wildly. At last, he had a sword art suitable for his cultivation.

As for the Astral Sword Art, Tang Tian's current realm was still not suited to studying and fully comprehending it.

Just as Fan Siren had said, without accumulating small steps, one could not travel a thousand miles. He needed first to build up his cultivation in the sword path rather than soar to the heavens in a single leap.

"That old fellow is quite decent. Kid, hurry up and cultivate that Mortal Sword Art. In a few days, when you enter Starfall Forest, nothing will be a problem. If you keep relying on Meteor Beyond the Heavens to fight your enemies, no one else will need to kill you—you'll exhaust yourself until your oil runs dry and your lamp goes out."

Fan Siren's voice rang out in Tang Tian's mind.

Tang Tian nodded. During his earlier battle with Lin Yichen, he had already felt that he was truly lacking in terms of techniques.

Going back and forth, he only relied on Meteor Beyond the Heavens. It was far too one-dimensional.

If he could add several more variations, no one would be able to fully grasp Tang Tian's attacks, and his strength would certainly improve greatly.

Tang Tian impatiently opened the Mortal Sword Art manual and was immediately engrossed...

[Author's note: The third update is here.]