Mortal Sword Art

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

The reason Tang Tian had agreed was naturally because he had the confidence to do so.

First, with the Breath-Concealing Art and the Thousand Transformations Art, if he concealed his aura and changed his appearance, even if he stood 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 at 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 thunder once more to temper his body. As every bone in his body endured the refinement of heavenly thunder without cease, 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 wished to cultivate the fifth turn of the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art, it was utterly impossible without the corresponding Five Elements Spirit Thunder.

No matter who cultivated the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art, they would definitely be stuck at the fifth turn.

Five Elements Spirit Thunder was not easy to collect in the first place, and it was even harder to fuse. There was tremendous danger to one's life.

With such an absurdly overbearing cultivation art, only Tang Tian had persisted in cultivating it without ever giving up.

"Fine, we'll do as you say. Don't worry. If anyone truly has no shame and bullies the small with the big, your father will definitely butcher him!"

Tang Lingyun nodded, killing intent flickering 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 directly back to the Ye Family.

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

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

"Grandpa Li?"

Tang Tian was greatly surprised, yet he was also delighted.

Because Fan Siren had been right about everything. Elder Li's appearance was most likely for this very matter.

"Young Master, your performance during this period has made this old servant very curious. Though you possess an air of sharpness laid bare, that makes you all the more suited to become a Sword Cultivator."

Elder Li smiled. As an old servant, he had seen all of Tang Tian's recent performances.

Especially several days ago, Tang Tian had comprehended the Heart Sword in the battle at the plaza, then directly stepped into the level of Sword Momentum.

This was a qualitative leap. Even Elder Li felt inferior to him.

"Elder Li, aren't you an old servant of our Tang Family? But 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 excellent talent as Young Master's buried away."

Elder Li hunched over as he looked at Tang Tian, sighing repeatedly.

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

"The moment Young Master cultivated Sword Momentum, you became a cultivator most suited to practicing the sword. Thus, 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 clouded 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 specific stages of Sword Cultivators to you."

Elder Li glanced at Tang Tian and continued, "A Sword Cultivator begins with the Heart Sword, where there is a sword in one's heart. Next comes Sword Momentum. When one's sword techniques possess a grand momentum, they can suppress all things. After that comes a lucid sword heart. Once one achieves a lucid sword heart, one sword can break ten thousand arts, allowing one to find flaws and slay enemies in battle. As for what comes after, this old servant will tell Young Master once you have cultivated a lucid sword heart."

"Alright, Grandpa Li!"

Tang Tian nodded, incomparably excited, though he had no idea how powerful a 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 a peerless Sword Cultivator!

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

With a wave of his hand, a secret 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 its cover: "Mortal Sword Art"!

"This Mortal Sword Art is suitable for cultivators at your level. This old servant has annotated all the moves within it. If Young Master does not understand anything, 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, his mood exceptionally pleasant. He seemed never to have been this happy before.

"This junior will certainly not disappoint your expectations!" Tang Tian said earnestly, holding the etiquette of a junior.

Elder Li smiled. "This old servant believes in Young Master. With Young Master's aptitude, you certainly will not allow the inheritance of my learning to sink into oblivion. The matter 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 for his own sake and saving them trouble.

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

In truth, a third person had long since known—Fan Siren in the Burial Ground of Stars.

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

As Elder Li vanished, Tang Tian did not notice that an invisible force had previously enveloped the small courtyard.

With Elder Li's departure, that invisible force also disappeared.

Tang Tian looked at the Mortal Sword Art in his hands 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 unsuitable for him to study and fully comprehend.

Just as Fan Siren had said, without accumulating small steps, one could not reach a thousand miles. He first needed 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 this Mortal Sword Art. When you enter Starfall Forest in a few days, nothing will be a problem. If you keep relying on Meteor Beyond the Heavens against your enemies, no one else will need to kill you—you'll exhaust your oil and run dry, working yourself to death."

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

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

He kept relying on the single move, Meteor Beyond the Heavens, over and over. It was far too monotonous.

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

Tang Tian impatiently opened the secret manual of the Mortal Sword Art and was immediately engrossed in it...

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