Dawn filtered through the bamboo forest in the back mountains of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, spilling across the bluestone clearing before the Sword Hut. Ling Yun held the Sky-Rending Sword, its silver-red sword patterns flowing with his Sword Intent as it carved a three-colored sword mark into the ground—this was his fifth time practicing the "Primordial Toxin-Dispelling Slash." With guidance from Su Qingyuan's Notes on Guiding Sword Intent, the fusion of his fire and gold Sword Intent had become increasingly smooth, and he could inject the power of the Primordial Sword's Remnant Soul Imprint into his sword techniques with greater precision. When the sword mark landed, it even made the surrounding bamboo shadows tremble faintly.
"Not bad. The purity of your Sword Intent has improved by several degrees." Sword Elder's voice rang out from his dantian, carrying approval. "The Chaos Sword Body was naturally compatible with multiple attributes, and with the Sword Soul Origin of the Primordial Sword, the power of your sword techniques now rivals that of a mid-stage Great Swordsman Realm cultivator. But Zhao Hao of the Zhao Family is already at the late stage of the Great Swordsman Realm, and he has cultivated the Sword Devouring Art. If you wish to defeat him in the competition, you still need to temper one or two killing moves."
Ling Yun sheathed his sword and stood still, gathering a wisp of crimson Sword Intent at his fingertips and letting it dance in his palm. After several days of guidance, this strand of Fire-Attribute Sword Intent was now completely under his control, no longer as violent as when it had first awakened. He looked up at the sea of clouds beyond the bamboo grove and recalled the Fire Lotus Pill Su Qingyuan had sent yesterday. Made from volcanic lotus seeds, it could stabilize Fire-Attribute Sword Intent. She had clearly sought it out specifically for him, and warmth filled his heart.
"Ling Yun!" A crisp voice came from outside the bamboo forest. Murong Shuang strode over with the Green Peak Sword in hand, a faint azure glow surrounding her as her Wind Spirit Physique circulated. "There are five days left until the Sect Grand Competition. I heard you've been practicing a new sword technique. How about a spar? Let me see just how strong you have become now that you've reached the Great Swordsman Realm."
Ling Yun nodded and stepped aside from the bluestone clearing. "Please."
Murong Shuang did not stand on ceremony. Her Green Peak Sword abruptly left its sheath, and Wind Element Sword Intent condensed into a "wind vortex" that rushed straight for Ling Yun's face. Her sword technique was faster than it had been during the Sword Tower Trial. Interwoven wind blades formed an impenetrable sword net—this was "Flowing Cloud Weaving Net" from the Seven Streams Sword Technique, a move that could only be executed by refining Wind Element Sword Intent to the finest detail.
A sharp glint flashed through Ling Yun's eyes as he circulated Clear Sword Heart and instantly saw through the flaw in the sword net. He raised the Sky-Rending Sword across his chest and poured Gold Element Sword Intent into its blade. With a clang, he blocked the wind blade. At the same time, he drove Wind Element Sword Intent through his feet, his body drifting backward three feet like willow fluff and escaping the sword net's coverage. Then he turned his wrist. The Sky-Rending Sword gathered fire and wind Sword Intent, its edge glowing with interwoven crimson and azure light. The "Wind-Fire Meteor Sword" thrust forth, carrying scorching air as it pierced the weak point of the sword net.
Murong Shuang's pupils contracted slightly. She had not expected Ling Yun to break "Flowing Cloud Weaving Net" so quickly. She immediately withdrew her sword and shifted moves. Wind Element Sword Intent surged, forming a "Wind Barrier" around her that blocked the wind-fire Sword Qi. At the same time, the Green Peak Sword traced an arc. "Wind Silk Slash," thin as a strand of hair, shot straight toward Ling Yun's sword-wielding wrist—this was her trump-card technique, designed to break the transitions between an opponent's sword moves.
Yet Ling Yun had long been prepared. The Chaos Sword Body circulated, and a six-colored glow rose around him, dispersing more than half the power of Wind Silk Slash. At the same time, he condensed Earth Element Sword Intent in his left hand and pressed it against the ground. A yellow earthen sword wall suddenly rose, blocking Murong Shuang's follow-up attack. Seizing the opening, the Sky-Rending Sword gathered three-colored Sword Intent once more. The momentum of the "Primordial Toxin-Dispelling Slash" locked onto Murong Shuang's sword. Silver, crimson, and gold light flashed, jolting the Green Peak Sword nearly out of her hand.
"Stop!" Murong Shuang hurriedly withdrew her sword. Looking at her slightly numb wrist, her eyes were filled with amazement. "You only just broke through to the early Great Swordsman Realm, yet you can fuse three types of Sword Intent so smoothly. The Chaos Sword Body truly lives up to its reputation. If I did not use the full strength of my Wind Spirit Physique, I fear I could not even take ten moves from you."
Ling Yun put away the Sky-Rending Sword, and the glow on its blade slowly faded. "Your 'Wind Silk Slash' is exquisite. If the Chaos Sword Body could not disperse force, you would have broken my move just now." He knew Murong Shuang was proud by nature and rarely acknowledged others easily. Gaining her approval now was progress in itself.
As the two spoke, a slender azure figure approached from beyond the bamboo forest. Su Qingyuan carried a bamboo basket containing two porcelain bottles, a light sheen of sweat on her cheeks. "I heard from the disciples that you were sparring, so I came to take a look. This bottle contains Fire Lotus Pills, which can stabilize Fire-Attribute Sword Intent. The other contains Clear Heart Dew. Drinking it after sparring can relieve Sword Intent exhaustion."
As she handed the porcelain bottles to Ling Yun, her gaze swept over the sword marks on the bluestone clearing. A trace of surprise flashed through her eyes. "This sword technique... carries the aura of an ancient Sword Soul? The opportunity you gained in that secret realm was even more precious than I imagined."
Ling Yun accepted the bottles and thanked her softly. "They are only some Remnant Soul Imprints. I still need to digest them slowly. By the way, you mentioned before that Medicine Immortal Valley has dealings with other factions. Do you know what the Zhao Family has been doing lately?"
Su Qingyuan's expression darkened slightly. She sat on a stone bench and said, "My master received news yesterday. The Zhao Family has recently been moving closely with Black Wind Stronghold and the Blazing Fire Gate. They also bought a great deal of Soul-Corroding Powder from the Spirit Realm—it is a toxic powder that can contaminate Sword Intent. Ordinary cultivators who come into contact with it may suffer chaotic Sword Intent at best, or damaged Sword Souls at worst. They must be planning to use it against you during the competition."
Ling Yun's grip on the porcelain bottle tightened slightly, and the Sky-Rending Sword let out a soft hum. He recalled the demonic cultivator who had ambushed him before, then the black qi surrounding Zhao Kun during cultivation. His vigilance deepened. "It seems they do not merely want to kill me in the competition. They also want to use this chance to weaken the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect."
"You must be extra careful." Murong Shuang also put away her usual pride, her tone grave. "The chief of Black Wind Stronghold is at the late Sword Master Realm, and the master of the Blazing Fire Gate possesses mid-stage Sword Master Realm strength. If they intervene during the competition, we inner sect disciples alone may find it difficult to handle them."
Ling Yun nodded, his gaze turning toward the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's mountain gate. "I will be watchful. Thank you both for today. I will practice a little longer, then go to the Scripture Depository later and look into records of the Sword Devouring Art to see whether there is a way to counter it."
Seeing this, Murong Shuang and Su Qingyuan did not disturb him further and turned to leave. Ling Yun's Figure was once again the only one left on the bluestone clearing. The silver-red patterns of the Sky-Rending Sword flowed with his Sword Intent, and his sword practice grew faster and faster. The Sword Qi among the bamboo shadows also became increasingly fierce—he knew that the Sect Grand Competition five days later would be his first direct confrontation with the Zhao Family. There was no room for the slightest carelessness.
Night fell. Near the mountain gate of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, a black-clad figure moved along the corner of a wall, clutching a black token that emitted faint demonic qi. He avoided the eyes of the patrolling disciples and quietly infiltrated the inner sect area. Outside the Flowing Cloud Pavilion where Ling Yun lived, he left behind a silver needle coated in poison powder. Just as he was about to depart, a silver-red sword qi suddenly shot from within the pavilion, aiming directly at the center of his back.
"Who?" The black figure cried out and hastily turned to raise his sword in defense. With a clang, his longsword collided with the Sky-Rending Sword, and a crack instantly spread across its blade—he had never expected to be discovered.
Ling Yun stood at the pavilion entrance, a six-colored glow rising around him as his gaze locked onto the black figure. "A spy from the Zhao Family? Or a demonic cultivator from Blood Fiend Hall?" He could clearly sense the demonic qi emanating from the figure. Though fainter than that of the demonic cultivator who had attacked him before, it bore the same aura as the Soul-Corroding Seal.
A vicious gleam flashed in the black figure's eyes. He suddenly flung out a handful of poison powder from his robes. The pale-black dust spread through the air, releasing a pungent stench—it was precisely the Soul-Corroding Powder Su Qingyuan had mentioned. "You're courting death!" Taking advantage of the instant Ling Yun evaded the poison powder, he turned to flee. Yet he failed to notice the ground beneath his feet suddenly glow with yellow Earth Element Sword Intent. A sword wall rose, blocking his path.
"Trying to leave?" Ling Yun's voice was icy. The Sky-Rending Sword gathered fire and gold Sword Intent, and the "Wind-Fire Meteor Sword" stabbed straight at the black figure's chest. Forced to raise his sword in defense, the black figure was shaken backward again and again by the Sword Qi. His robe was slashed open across the chest, revealing a black token engraved with the character "Zhao," still entwined with a wisp of demonic qi.
"You have colluded with Blood Fiend Hall!" Killing intent surged in Ling Yun's eyes as his sword advanced another inch, silver-red Sword Qi driving toward the black figure's throat. Seeing that the situation had turned dire, the black figure suddenly pulled out a Teleportation Talisman and crushed it. A pale violet glow rose around him. "The Zhao Family head said that at the Sect Grand Competition, we will definitely take your dog life!"
The Teleportation Talisman flashed, and the black figure vanished from where he stood, leaving behind only a wisp of demonic qi and a fallen black token. Ling Yun picked up the token and condensed Fire-Attribute Sword Intent at his fingertips, burning away the demonic qi upon it. Sword Elder's voice sounded in his dantian. "The demonic qi on this token shares the same origin as that of the previous demonic cultivator. It seems the Zhao Family's collusion with Blood Fiend Hall did not begin yesterday or the day before. During the competition, you must not only deal with Zhao Hao, but also guard against sneak attacks by demonic cultivators."
Ling Yun gripped the Sky-Rending Sword tightly, its silver-red patterns gleaming with cold light. He looked up toward Qingfeng Town, his eyes full of resolve. "No matter how many schemes they have, I will face them all. Five days from now, at the Sect Grand Competition, I will begin to reclaim the blood debt the Zhao Family owes me!"
The night deepened, yet the lights of the Flowing Cloud Pavilion remained bright. Ling Yun sat at the table and opened the Qingyun Region Evil Cultivation Records he had borrowed from the Scripture Depository. The pages detailing the Sword Devouring Art bore dark ink marks—this was the key he needed to unravel over the next five days, and the first hurdle he had to cross on his road to revenge.
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