Morning light filtered through the fir forest of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's inner sect, scattering flecks of gold across the bluestone path. Ling Yun held his inner disciple token as he stood before the Condensing Sword Academy, feeling the spiritual energy around him to be several times denser than that of the outer sect. Even the air he breathed into his lungs carried a gentle warmth—this was the cultivation environment reserved for high-ranking disciples. Even the Sword Qi drifting through the air was several degrees clearer than outside.
"Ling Yun, right? Follow me." The Inner Disciple Steward walked briskly, leading him through courtyards adorned with carved beams and painted rafters before stopping before a nine-story pavilion. The three ancient seal-script characters, "Scripture Depository," were carved upon its vermilion gates. Bronze sword bells hung on either side of the lintel, ringing crisply like swords whenever the wind blew. "The outer sect's first-ranked disciple earns three days of access to the first floor of the Scripture Depository. Inside are the foundational sword manuals of the Seven Streams Sword Technique, along with insights into all kinds of swordsmanship. Choose what you wish."
As he pushed open the doors to the Scripture Depository, the mingled scent of aged ink, paper, and spiritual energy rushed toward him. Several dozen rows of bookshelves stood neatly arranged across the first floor. Faint Sword Qi lingered around every ancient text, clearly nourished by the constant perusal of sword cultivators over the years. Ling Yun slowly walked along the shelves, his gaze passing over volumes such as Analysis of Basic Sword Intent and Key Principles of Sword Move Power Generation, before finally stopping before an ancient book with a blue cover—the six words Seven Streams Sword Technique - Volume One written across its front were precisely what Sword Elder had specifically mentioned the previous night.
"An outer sect disciple without a spiritual root thinks he deserves to touch the Seven Streams Sword Technique?"
A cool female voice came from behind him, carrying a trace of barely concealed arrogance. Ling Yun turned to see a young woman standing gracefully beside the bookshelves. Her ink-black hair was tied in a high ponytail, its tip adorned with a Silver Sword Tassel. A slender Green Peak Sword hung at her waist, its scabbard carved with flowing wind patterns—she was Murong Shuang, the inner sect genius of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect who possessed a Wind Spirit Physique.
Her clear eyes swept over the ancient text in Ling Yun's hands, and a faintly mocking smile curved her lips. "The Seven Streams Sword Technique requires one to stir attribute Sword Intent before one can even begin. You do not even possess a spiritual root. You cannot even cultivate the most basic Flowing Cloud First Form - Wind Song. Why waste your efforts?"
Ling Yun's fingers tightened slightly around the book, yet he did not put it down. "The path of the sword has never depended on spiritual roots alone."
"Oh?" Murong Shuang raised a brow and stepped forward. Her Green Peak Sword slid half an inch from its sheath, and a sharp wind-attributed Sword Qi instantly spread through the room, making Ling Yun's sleeves flutter faintly. "Then tell me—without a Wind Spirit Physique, how will you stir the intent of wind? Without a spiritual root, how will you sustain the spiritual energy expenditure of sword moves? I advise you to study some basic sword manuals instead, lest you waste the Scripture Depository's resources."
Several nearby inner sect disciples gathered at the sound, all echoing Murong Shuang's words. In their eyes, Ling Yun might have been first in the outer sect, but the flaw of having "no spiritual root" was like a heavenly chasm. He could never gain a foothold in the inner sect, much less cultivate an inner sect core manual like the Seven Streams Sword Technique.
Just then, Sword Elder's voice rang out in Ling Yun's mind. "The Seven Streams Sword Technique appears to require attribute Sword Intent as its driving force, but every form actually conceals the principle of borrowing momentum. Her Wind Spirit Physique borrows her own spiritual root to summon the wind. You can use the Chaos Sword Body to merge with the natural winds between heaven and earth, making you even more adaptable than her. Give it a try. Use the momentum-receiving method of the Heaven and Earth First Form to stir the wind around you."
Ling Yun took a deep breath, placed the ancient book on a stone table beside him, and slowly gripped the hilt of the Sky-Rending Sword. Under the stimulation of the wind-attributed Sword Qi, the coarse cloth scabbard gave off an extremely faint azure gleam. He did not draw his sword. Instead, following Sword Elder's guidance, he slightly raised his arms and spread his Chaos Sword Intent throughout his body. In an instant, the natural wind intent floating around them seemed drawn by an invisible force, slowly circling his body and forming a faint azure ring of wind.
The mockery on Murong Shuang's face froze instantly, and disbelief flashed through her eyes. "You... you can actually stir the natural winds? Without a spiritual root, how is that possible?"
"I told you, the path of the sword has more than one road besides spiritual roots." Ling Yun withdrew his Sword Intent, and the wind ring dispersed. His tone remained calm. "The core of the Seven Streams Sword Technique's Wind Song lies in 'following,' not 'forcefully drawing.' You rely on your spiritual root to drive it, and because of that, you lack some of nature's intent."
Those words struck Murong Shuang's heart like a heavy hammer. She had cultivated the Seven Streams Sword Technique since childhood and had always taken pride in the talent granted by her Wind Spirit Physique. Never had she imagined that the core of the sword move lay in the word "following." Almost unconsciously, she swung her Green Peak Sword and performed Wind Song. Though the move was swift, it carried a trace of deliberateness. Compared to the natural wind momentum Ling Yun had stirred just moments ago, it truly lacked a measure of agility.
"You..." Murong Shuang had wanted to say more, but an aged voice drifted from the depths of the Scripture Depository. "Murong Shuang, do not be disrespectful to a fellow disciple."
Everyone followed the sound and saw a white-haired, white-bearded elder slowly approaching. He wore a gray Daoist robe and held a wooden staff, its head carved into the shape of a miniature sword. He was Elder Liu, the guardian elder of the Scripture Depository and a late-stage Sword Master.
Elder Liu's gaze settled upon Ling Yun, carrying a trace of scrutiny. "You are Ling Yun, the outer sect's first-ranked disciple? Was that Chaos Sword Intent you stirred just now?"
Ling Yun's heart tightened. He had not expected Elder Liu to see through the attribute of his Sword Intent. He bowed respectfully. "This disciple is Ling Yun. I merely understand a little of the surface."
"Merely understand a little of the surface?" Elder Liu chuckled. With a wave of his hand, a gentle stream of Sword Qi descended before Ling Yun. "Use your Sword Intent to receive one move from me. If you can take it, you may freely borrow the first two volumes of the Seven Streams Sword Technique."
Ling Yun did not hesitate. Gripping his sword with both hands, he unleashed the Heaven and Earth First Form. Pale azure Chaos Sword Intent coiled around the coarse cloth scabbard and met Elder Liu's Sword Qi with perfect precision. The two forces collided, yet Elder Liu's Sword Qi was silently absorbed by the Chaos Sword Intent. Only a faint residual force remained, gently brushing past Ling Yun's sleeve.
A flash of amazement passed through Elder Liu's eyes. "The Chaos Sword Body truly is extraordinary! This ability to receive momentum and merge Qi surpasses even that of many inner sect disciples. Murong Shuang, you should learn more from Ling Yun. Do not let the talent of your spiritual root bind your vision."
Murong Shuang's face shifted between red and white, and the look she gave Ling Yun became complicated—there was unwillingness and confusion, but none of her previous contempt. She coldly snorted, sheathed her Green Peak Sword, and turned to leave the Scripture Depository.
Elder Liu handed Ling Yun a bronze token. "With this token, you may remain 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 eastern corner. Cultivate well. Remember, the True Meaning of the Way of the Sword lies in the heart, not in outward form."
Ling Yun accepted the token and bowed in thanks. After Elder Liu had left, he picked up Seven Streams Sword Technique - Volume One and opened its first page. Written within were the words: "The Seven Streams Sword Technique takes wind as its bones and intent as its soul. Follow heaven and respond to momentum; only then may one attain its true intent."
Sword Elder's voice sounded in his mind once more. "This volume only records the framework of the moves. The true essence lies in Volume Two's Sword Intent Guidance Chapter. Using the Chaos Sword Body to merge with wind momentum, you will cultivate it three times faster than ordinary people. Once you have mastered the first two forms, you can begin preparing for the Sword Tower Trial."
Ling Yun sat upon a stone bench in the Scripture Depository, his fingertips tracing the sword-move diagrams on the page as his gaze hardened with determination. He knew that entering the inner sect was only the first step. If he wanted to uncover the truth behind the Ling Family's Annihilation, if he wanted revenge, he had to master stronger 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 strong.
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