Scripture Depository Encounter, Frost Sword's First Meeting

Morning light filtered through the fir trees of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's inner sect, casting dappled golden rays onto the bluestone path. Ling Yun clutched his inner disciple wooden token and stood before the Condensing Sword Academy, feeling the spiritual energy around him several times denser than in the outer sect. The air he inhaled was warm and moist—this was the cultivation environment only afforded to high-level disciples, and even the sword qi floating in the air felt clearer than outside.

"Ling Yun, right? Follow me." The inner disciple steward leading the way moved with light steps, guiding him through courtyards with carved beams and painted rafters, finally stopping before a nine-story pavilion. Three ancient seal characters, "Scripture Depository," were carved onto the vermilion main gate. Bronze sword bells hung on either side of the lintel, chiming crisply in the wind. "The first-place outer disciple gets three days of access to the first floor of the Scripture Depository. Inside, you'll find the basic sword manuals for the Seven Streams Sword Technique and various insights into the way of the sword. Feel free to choose what you wish."

Pushing open the Scripture Depository's main gate, an aroma of aged paper, ink, and spiritual energy washed over him. On the first floor, dozens of rows of bookshelves were neatly arranged, each ancient book surrounded by a faint aura of sword qi, clearly nourished by years of perusal by sword cultivators. Ling Yun walked slowly along the bookshelves, his gaze sweeping over titles like "Analysis of Basic Sword Intent" and "Key Principles of Sword Move Power Generation," finally stopping before an ancient book with a blue cover. The words "Seven Streams Sword Technique - Volume One" on the cover were exactly what Sword Elder had mentioned last night.

"An outer disciple without a spirit root, daring to touch the Seven Streams Sword Technique?"

A cold, clear female voice came from behind him, laced with an almost imperceptible arrogance. Ling Yun turned and saw a young girl in a moon-white sword robe standing gracefully by the bookshelf. Her dark hair was tied into a high ponytail, a silver sword tassel adorning the ends, and a slender Green Peak Sword hung at her waist, its scabbard carved with flowing wind patterns—it was Murong Shuang, the inner sect genius of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, possessing the Wind Spirit Physique.

Her clear eyes swept over the ancient book in Ling Yun's hand, and a mocking smile touched her lips. "The Seven Streams Sword Technique requires the activation of elemental sword intent to begin. You don't even have a spirit root, and you can't even practice the most basic 'Flowing Cloud First Form - Wind Song.' Why waste your effort?"

Ling Yun's fingers tightened slightly on the ancient book, but he didn't put it down. "The way of the sword has never solely depended on a spirit root."

"Oh?" Murong Shuang raised an eyebrow and stepped forward. Her Green Peak Sword was drawn half an inch, and a sharp wind-element sword qi instantly permeated the air, causing Ling Yun's robes to flutter slightly. "Then tell me, without the Wind Spirit Physique, how can you activate wind intent? Without a spirit root, how can you sustain the spiritual energy consumption of sword moves? I advise you to go read some basic sword manuals, lest you waste the resources of the Scripture Depository."

Several inner disciples nearby heard the exchange and gathered around, chiming in with Murong Shuang's words. In their eyes, although Ling Yun was the top outer disciple, the "no spirit root" flaw was an insurmountable chasm. He could never establish himself in the inner sect, let alone practice core inner sect manuals like the Seven Streams Sword Technique.

Just then, Sword Elder's voice echoed in Ling Yun's mind: The Seven Streams Sword Technique appears to require elemental sword intent to drive it, but in reality, each form hides the principle of 'borrowing momentum.' Her Wind Spirit Physique borrows from her own spirit root to draw the wind. You can borrow the Chaos Sword Body to merge with the natural wind momentum of heaven and earth, making you even more flexible than her. Try using the momentum-gathering method of 'Heaven and Earth First Form' to draw in the surrounding wind.

Ling Yun took a deep breath, placed the ancient book on a nearby stone table, and slowly gripped the hilt of the Sky-Rending Sword. The coarse cloth sword sheath emitted a faint green glow under the stimulation of the wind-element sword qi. He didn't draw his sword, but merely followed Sword Elder's guidance, raising his arms slightly and releasing his Chaos Sword Intent into his surroundings. In an instant, the surrounding natural wind momentum seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, slowly revolving around his body and forming a faint green wind ring.

The mockery on Murong Shuang's face froze, and disbelief flashed in her eyes. "You... you can actually draw upon natural wind momentum? How is that possible without a spirit root?"

"I said, the way of the sword isn't only through spirit roots," Ling Yun retracted his sword intent, and the wind ring dispersed. His tone remained calm. "The core of the Seven Streams Sword Technique's 'Wind Song' is 'following' rather than 'forcing,' and your reliance on your spirit root to drive it actually lacks a bit of natural essence."

These words struck Murong Shuang like a heavy hammer. She had practiced the Seven Streams Sword Technique since childhood and had always taken pride in her Wind Spirit Physique talent, never imagining that the core of the sword move lay in the word "following." She subconsciously swung her Green Peak Sword, executing "Wind Song." Although her move was fast, it carried a hint of forced effort and, compared to the natural wind momentum Ling Yun had just drawn, it indeed lacked a certain fluidity.

"You..." Murong Shuang was about to say more when an ancient voice echoed from the depths of the Scripture Depository. "Murong Shuang, do not be disrespectful to fellow disciples."

Everyone looked towards the sound and saw an elder with white hair and beard walking slowly towards them. He wore a gray daoist robe and held a wooden staff, the head of which was carved into a miniature sword shape—it was Elder Liu, the guardian elder of the Scripture Depository, a late-stage Sword Master Realm cultivator.

Elder Liu's gaze fell upon Ling Yun, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. "You are that top outer disciple, Ling Yun? Was that Chaos Sword Intent you just displayed?"

Ling Yun's heart tightened. He hadn't expected Elder Liu to see through his sword intent's attribute. He respectfully bowed. "This disciple, Ling Yun, merely understands a little."

"Understands a little?" Elder Liu chuckled and waved his hand, sending a gentle sword qi towards Ling Yun. "Take this move with your sword intent. If you can withstand it, you may borrow the first two volumes of the Seven Streams Sword Technique as you wish."

Ling Yun didn't hesitate. He gripped his sword with both hands and executed "Heaven and Earth First Form." The pale green Chaos Sword Intent coiled around the coarse cloth sword sheath, precisely meeting Elder Liu's sword qi. The two forces collided, and Elder Liu's sword qi was quietly absorbed by the Chaos Sword Intent, leaving only a trace of residual force that lightly brushed past Ling Yun's clothes.

Astonishment flashed in Elder Liu's eyes. "Chaos Sword Body, truly extraordinary! This ability to 'gather momentum and merge energy' is stronger than many inner disciples. Murong Shuang, you should learn more from Ling Yun and not let the talent of your spirit root limit your perspective."

Murong Shuang's face flushed and paled. Her gaze towards Ling Yun became complex—filled with unwillingness and confusion, but no longer with the previous disdain. She snorted coldly, put away her Green Peak Sword, and turned to leave the Scripture Depository.

Elder Liu handed Ling Yun a bronze token. "With this token, you may stay on the first floor of the Scripture Depository for seven days. The first two volumes of the Seven Streams Sword Technique are on the bookshelf in the east corner. Cultivate diligently. Remember, the true essence of the sword lies in the heart, not the form."

Ling Yun took the token and bowed his thanks. After Elder Liu left, he picked up "Seven Streams Sword Technique - Volume One," opened the first page, and read: "The Seven Streams Sword Technique takes wind as its bone and intent as its soul. Following heaven and responding to momentum is the true meaning."

Sword Elder's voice sounded again. "This volume of the sword manual only records the stances and forms. The true essence lies in the 'Sword Intent Guidance Chapter' in the second volume. With your Chaos Sword Body merging with wind momentum, you will cultivate three times faster than ordinary people. Once you master the first two forms, you can begin preparing for the Sword Tower Trial."

Ling Yun sat on a stone bench in the Scripture Depository, his fingertips tracing the sword move diagrams on the pages, his gaze resolute. He knew that entering the inner sect was only the first step. To uncover the truth behind the Ling family's destruction and to exact revenge, he had to master more powerful sword moves and break through to higher realms as quickly as possible. And the Seven Streams Sword Technique was the first stepping stone on his path to becoming a true powerhouse.