Scripture Depository Second Floor: Tracing Sword Manuals

The stone door on the second floor of the Scripture Depository was several times thicker than the one on the first. Four gilded ancient seal characters, "Sword Legacy of Antiquity," were carved onto the vermilion door panel. Instead of bronze sword bells, two ancient broken swords were embedded in stone grooves on either side of the lintel. The faint golden sword energy swirling around these broken swords was even more condensed than the Sword Intent on the seventh floor of the Sword Tower. Clearly, only the cream of the crop among the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's core disciples could enter here; ordinary inner disciples didn't even have the right to get close.

Ling Yun, holding the token granting access to the second floor, lightly touched the indentation on the stone door. The moment the token was inserted, the broken swords emitted a long, resonant sword cry, and the stone door slowly opened. A wave of spiritual energy, so dense it was almost tangible, washed over him, carrying the scent of aged sword manuals and ancient sword energy. As he inhaled, the five-colored Sword Intent Bead in his dantian began to circulate on its own, greedily absorbing the spiritual energy from the air.

"The second floor holds the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's thousand-year heritage. Besides the complete manual for the Seven Streams Sword Technique, there are many practical experience notes from ancient sword cultivators, and even records concerning the Misty Secret Realm," Sword Elder's voice carried a hint of anticipation. "First, find the complete version of the Seven Streams Sword Technique to fill in the four missing forms you lacked before. Then, see if you can find any clues related to the Ling Family's sword manual—your family's fragmented sword manual might be connected to ancient sword cultivators."

Ling Yun nodded and walked slowly along the bookshelves on the second floor. The bookshelves here were taller than those on the first floor, and the material was the rare Sinking Water Wood, which could naturally nourish the Sword Intent within the manuals. Each ancient book's cover had a jade tag indicating its title and attributes. He scanned titles like "Essence of Metal Element Sword Techniques" and "Wood Spirit Sword Intent Cultivation Method," eventually finding a deep blue-covered ancient book at the end of the bookshelf. The words "Seven Streams Sword Technique - Complete Volume" on the cover were exactly what he was looking for.

He reached out and took down the ancient book. The moment he opened it, a surge of pure Wind Element Sword Intent rushed towards him. The pages not only recorded the complete forms "Wind Song," "Cloud Roll," and "Rain Fall," but also included hand-drawn trajectory diagrams of the sword moves by ancient sword cultivators. Beside the diagrams were annotations with sword dao insights like "Wind's momentum borrows from clouds, cloud's momentum leads to rain, rain's momentum conceals its edge." This was precisely the core content missing from the incomplete volume on the first floor. For instance, the "Cloud Roll" sword move required condensing cloud-like sword energy with Wind Element Sword Intent to trap the enemy, followed by a surprise attack with the fragmented sword energy of "Rain Fall." The combination of these two moves made their power more than three times greater than performing "Wind Song" alone.

"What exquisite sword move design," Ling Yun murmured softly. Just as he was about to study it further, his gaze was drawn to a tiny mark in the corner of the page—a fragmented character "Ling," carved next to the annotation. The strokes were identical to the handwriting on his family's fragmented sword manual!

"This mark... it's a simplified version of the Ling Family's clan emblem!" Sword Elder's voice suddenly became excited. "Look closely, are the ink of the annotations and the main text of the sword manual different?"

Ling Yun leaned closer and indeed found that the ink of the annotations was lighter, clearly added by someone later. The carving of the "Ling" character was deeper than the annotation ink, suggesting it had been there since the sword manual was compiled. A thought struck him. He traced the "Ling" character with his fingertip, and Chaos Sword Qi flowed from his fingertip into the page. Instantly, the sword move trajectory diagram on the page lit up. Faint blue Wind Element Sword Intent intertwined with his Chaos Sword Qi, revealing a line of hidden small characters on the page: "Southeast of Qingyun Region, Sword Mound Mountain, Ling Clan Sword Legacy."

"Sword Mound Mountain!" Ling Yun's pupils constricted. He had seen this place name in his family's fragmented manual before. After the massacre, he had never had the time to investigate. He never expected it to be related to the Seven Streams Sword Technique—it seemed the Ling Family's sword dao heritage was far deeper than he had imagined, possibly even connected to the ancient origins of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.

"Don't rush to explore Sword Mound Mountain yet. The most important thing right now is to consolidate your Basic Sword Intent and master the complete Seven Streams Sword Technique," Sword Elder reminded him promptly. "The Misty Secret Realm opens next month. The Dragon Origin Fruit can help you break through to the Great Swordsman Realm and awaken your fire-attribute Sword Intent. That is the priority."

Ling Yun suppressed his excitement and put the "Seven Streams Sword Technique - Complete Volume" into his embrace. He then took a copy of the "Misty Secret Realm Survival Guide" and walked to a cultivation cushion in the center of the second floor, sitting down cross-legged. He poured the Basic Sword Intent Condensing Fluid from a jade bottle. The milky white liquid, upon entering his throat, instantly transformed into a surge of pure Sword Intent power, flowing through his meridians into his dantian and merging with the pale golden core of Sword Intent within him. His previously somewhat loose Basic Sword Intent instantly solidified by more than half. The spiritual energy in the surrounding space seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, forming a pale golden vortex of spiritual energy around him.

"Buzz—"

The Sky-Rending Sword suddenly trembled. The gold, earth, and wood Sword Intent crystals in the hilt's groove lit up simultaneously. Ancient patterns flowed across the sword body, and it began to absorb the surrounding spiritual energy vortex on its own. Ling Yun understood and immediately activated the cultivation method for the "Cloud Roll" sword move from the Seven Streams Sword Technique. His Wind Element Sword Intent and Basic Sword Intent worked in tandem, condensing a semi-transparent cloud-like sword energy in front of him. This time, the cloud was no longer scattered but firmly controlled by his Basic Sword Intent, able to shrink and expand according to his will. It was countless times more refined than the rudimentary "Cloud Roll" he had imitated before.

"Ling Yun?"

A familiar voice called out. Murong Shuang, carrying the Green Peak Sword, stood by the bookshelf, her gaze falling on the spiritual energy vortex around him, her eyes filled with surprise. "You've already started consolidating your Basic Sword Intent? And you've mastered 'Cloud Roll'?"

Ling Yun retracted his move, and the spiritual energy vortex slowly dissipated. "The sword manuals and condensing fluid on the second floor of the Scripture Depository helped me complete the flaws in my sword moves."

Murong Shuang walked over and handed him a light purple-covered ancient book. "This is 'Wind Element Sword Intent Application Experience.' I found the answers to the bottlenecks I encountered while cultivating 'Cloud Roll' inside. Although you've grasped Basic Sword Intent, the fine control of Wind Element sword moves might be useful."

Ling Yun took the ancient book. As his fingertips touched the pages, he could feel the residual Wind Element Sword Intent—clearly, this was a book Murong Shuang frequently used, and it even had her handwritten annotations. He looked up at Murong Shuang and noticed that the arrogance in her eyes was gone, replaced by a pure love for the sword dao. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me," Murong Shuang chuckled lightly, drew her Green Peak Sword, and drew a "Cloud Roll" sword energy in the air. "I just want you to show me stronger sword moves next time we spar, don't disappoint me. Oh, and for the Misty Secret Realm next month, the sect will select twenty core disciples to enter. If you want to participate, you need to pass the core disciple assessment before the end of the month. The assessment content is..."

"Defeat a guard at the early stage of the Sword Master Realm." Ling Yun interjected, having seen related records in the "Misty Secret Realm Survival Guide."

Murong Shuang nodded. "The difference between the Sword Master Realm and the Swordsman Realm lies in the solidity of Sword Intent and the continuity of sword moves. Although you have Basic Sword Intent, you still need more practical combat training. If you don't mind, we can spar every morning at the training grounds in the core area."

Ling Yun didn't hesitate. "Okay."

A hint of a smile flashed in Murong Shuang's eyes as she turned and walked towards the depths of the bookshelf. "I'm going to get some texts about the secret realm's demonic beasts. Next time we spar, I'll tell you about the Crimson Flame Flood Dragon's weaknesses."

Ling Yun watched her retreating figure, then lowered his head to open the "Wind Element Sword Intent Application Notes." The annotations on the pages were delicate but exuded a tenacious spirit of not accepting defeat, mirroring Murong Shuang's personality. He gripped the "Seven Streams Sword Technique - Complete Volume" in his hand, feeling the "Ling" character mark on the page, his heart filled with determination—consolidate Sword Intent, master the Seven Swords, pass the assessment, enter the secret realm, seize the Dragon Origin Fruit, explore Sword Mound Mountain, avenge his clan... Every step was clearly laid out before him, and he was steadily advancing along this path of the sword dao.

The setting sun shone through the skylight of the second floor of the Scripture Depository, casting its light upon Ling Yun. The pale golden sunlight merged with the sword energy around him, forming a warm halo. The Sky-Rending Sword lay quietly on his lap, its ancient patterns shimmering, as if also anticipating the challenges and heritage to come.