The candles in the secret chamber of Flowing Cloud Pavilion had burned down to the third one, and the oil in the bronze lamp rippled with fine waves—an anomaly triggered by the fluctuations of Ling Yun's Sword Intent. He sat cross-legged on a cushion, a wisp of faint black demonic qi curling around his fingertips. It was demonic essence he had intercepted from Zhou Xiong's palm strike yesterday, now slowly broken down by the Chaos Sword Body into threads of energy that merged into the six-colored Sword Intent pearl within his dantian.
"The core of the Sword Devouring Art is to forcibly devour Sword Souls with demonic qi, then transform those Sword Souls into demonic essence. But this transformation has a fatal flaw." Sword Elder's voice echoed within his dantian, while an illusory sword shadow traced an arc through his sea of qi. "Watch the circulation path of this demonic qi. Every three cycles, there is a moment of stagnation. That is because the righteous power of the Sword Soul is striking back against the demonic qi, though it has been forcibly suppressed by Blood Fiend Hall's secret art."
Following Sword Elder's guidance, Ling Yun looked inward and indeed saw an extremely faint flash of white light whenever the wisp of demonic qi circulated—it was the remnant power of the Sword Soul. His heart stirred as he poured Earth Element Sword Intent into the demonic qi, attempting to magnify that point of stagnation. "If I attack that point during battle, can I make the demonic essence turn on its master?"
"Precisely." Sword Elder's voice held approval. "Your previous Five Elements Demon Breaking Slash focused on purification. Now, you can add the characteristic of 'devouring demons'—use the Chaos Sword Body to temporarily contain the demonic qi, trap it with the weight of Earth Element Sword Intent, then use Metal and Fire Sword Intent together to detonate the point of stagnation, making the demonic qi devour itself. This move may be called the Five Elements Demon Devouring Slash, designed specifically to counter demonic cultivators of the Sword Devouring Art."
Ling Yun immediately followed his instructions. The six-colored Sword Intent pearl spun at once, the faint black demonic qi enveloped by the chaotic sea of qi. Earth Element Sword Intent formed a prison around it, while Metal and Fire Sword Intent intertwined into a net within. When he condensed the new sword technique onto the tip of the Sky-Rending Sword, the silver-red patterns along its blade suddenly lit up. It automatically drew in the lingering demonic qi within the chamber, and a faint black-gold glow spread across its edge—this was the first time the Sky-Rending Sword had revealed its "demon-devouring" trait after absorbing demonic essence.
"The Sky-Rending Sword was forged by the Ancient Sword Venerable to battle demonic cultivators. Absorbing demonic essence now has awakened its original power." Sword Elder's voice carried a note of emotion. "But the demonic qi in the Mortal Realm is far too thin. To fully awaken it, you will need Sword Soul Origin from the Spirit Realm."
Ling Yun gripped the Sky-Rending Sword, his yearning for the Spirit Realm growing even stronger—not only to uncover the truth behind his family's destruction, but also to restore the Sky-Rending Sword's true power. Just as he was about to continue deducing the sword technique, a faint tremor suddenly rose from his dantian. It was the resonance connected to Su Qingyuan's Wood Spirit Body—three years ago, when they had survived hardship together at Burial Sword Slope, they had inadvertently formed a spiritual bond. Now, that mark was issuing a warning.
"Qingyuan is in trouble!" Ling Yun's eyes snapped open. Sheathing his sword, he rose and rushed from the secret chamber.
At Medicine Immortal Valley, Su Qingyuan stood at the entrance to the "Spiritual Grass Secret Realm," her expression grave. After returning to the valley, she had explained the situation to the Valley Master and requested the Thousand-Year Soul Awakening Grass from within the secret realm. Yet the valley elders had stopped her—Medicine Immortal Valley had always remained neutral, and the elders feared offending Blood Fiend Hall. They would only allow her to obtain ordinary Soul Awakening Grass through the "Wood Spirit Trial," refusing to provide a thousand-year spiritual herb.
"Qingyuan, it is not that the elders are heartless." Valley Master Su Muyan sighed, lightly waving the whisk in her hand. The vines at the entrance to the secret realm glowed green. "Blood Fiend Hall's influence has long seeped into the Mortal Realm. If we openly support Ling Yun, Medicine Immortal Valley may face utter destruction. The Wood Spirit Trial is difficult, but if you can stir the Wood Spirit Origin within the secret realm, you may take three Hundred-Year Soul Awakening Grasses. It is better than nothing."
Su Qingyuan bit her lip. She understood the Valley Master's concerns, but she understood Ling Yun's danger even more clearly—the soul-protecting effect of Hundred-Year Soul Awakening Grass was far from enough to withstand Blood Fiend Hall's Soul Corroding Demonic Qi. Still, she did not argue. She merely tightened her grip on the medicinal hoe at her waist. "This disciple understands. I will surely pass the trial."
The Spiritual Grass Secret Realm was filled with poisonous vines that attacked on their own, and the air was thick with miasma that numbed the mind. Su Qingyuan activated her Wood Spirit Body, and pale green spiritual light spread from her body. Beneath its glow, the poisonous vines slowly retreated—her Wood Spirit Body could naturally communicate with plants, an advantage unique to her. She delved deep into the secret realm and soon found the valley where Soul Awakening Grass grew. Just as she bent down to harvest it, a streak of black saber qi suddenly shot from the other side of the valley, aimed directly at her back.
"Miss Su, hand over the Soul Awakening Grass obediently and spare yourself the pain!" Hei San, Zhou Xiong's deputy, emerged with a Ghost-head Saber in hand, followed by more than a dozen Black Wind Stockade disciples. "Young Master Zhao ordered us not to let you bring spiritual medicine to that brat Ling Yun."
Su Qingyuan turned around, and the glow of her Wood Spirit Body surged. Vines throughout the valley instantly wrapped around Hei San's ankles. "You dare trespass into Medicine Immortal Valley's secret realm? Aren't you afraid the Valley Master will hold you accountable?"
"Hold us accountable?" Hei San sneered, severing the vines with his saber qi. "Once we kill you and disguise this place as a trial accident, what can Medicine Immortal Valley do to us? Attack!"
The Black Wind Stockade disciples all unleashed demonic qi, and the miasma grew ever thicker under its catalysis. Though Su Qingyuan could control plants, she was not adept at close combat. Before long, she was forced to the edge of the valley. Her arm was cut by demonic qi, black blood seeping from the wound. Gritting her teeth, she took out a Detoxification Pill and swallowed it. Just as she prepared to burn her Wood Spirit Origin and make a desperate stand, a streak of sword qi woven from gold and black suddenly tore through the air, instantly cleaving Hei San's saber qi in two.
"Who dares touch her!" Ling Yun's Figure descended before Su Qingyuan, the black-gold glow on the Sky-Rending Sword surging wildly. "Five Elements Demon Devouring Slash!"
Five-colored Sword Intent swept forth with devouring demonic qi, forming a massive sword shadow. The moment the Black Wind Stockade disciples' demonic qi touched it, it was absorbed completely. Hei San's face changed drastically. He turned to flee, but the sword shadow caught up with him and forcefully shattered the demonic essence within his dantian. He coughed up black blood and collapsed to the ground. Seeing this, the remaining Black Wind Stockade disciples scattered in terror, only to be trapped by Murong Shuang's Wind Element Sword Intent when she arrived shortly afterward—when the sword manual repository of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect had opened, she had sensed something abnormal in Ling Yun's aura and immediately rushed over.
"Are you all right?" Ling Yun supported Su Qingyuan. Seeing the black blood on her arm, he immediately took out Soul Protecting Liquid from his robes. "Drink this quickly. It can neutralize the demonic qi."
Su Qingyuan accepted the porcelain bottle, her eyes filled with worry. "The Zhao Family dared to break into Medicine Immortal Valley. They definitely will not let this rest."
Murong Shuang walked over to them with a yellowed sword manual in her hand. "I found the complete version of the Flowing Cloud Demon Breaking Style in the high-level sword manual repository. It records sword techniques that restrain demonic qi. Also, Elder Liu sent word that the Qingyun Region Inter-Realm Sword Assembly will be held next month. The Zhao Family has already joined forces with Blazing Fire Gate and plans to move against you at the assembly."
Ling Yun looked at the two women, then at the black-gold glow upon the Sky-Rending Sword, and his resolve was set. He put away the Soul Awakening Grass Su Qingyuan had gathered, his voice firm. "The assembly is the perfect opportunity. Before every sect, I will expose the truth of the Zhao Family's collusion with Blood Fiend Hall and seek justice for the Ling Family—and for every sword cultivator harmed by demonic cultivators."
Sword Elder's voice echoed within his dantian. "The Inter-Regional Sword Convention is not only a passage leading to the Spirit Realm. It is also where Blood Fiend Hall selects its pawns in the Mortal Realm. Ling Yun, remember this: the struggles of the Mortal Realm are only the beginning. Blood Fiend Hall in the Spirit Realm is the true formidable enemy."
Ling Yun nodded and tightened his grip on the Sky-Rending Sword. The setting sun filtered through the branches and leaves of the Spiritual Grass Secret Realm, casting mottled light and shadow over the three of them. A struggle between the righteous path of the Mortal Realm and demonic cultivators was about to unfold at the Qingyun Region Inter-Realm Sword Assembly. And his steps were steadily carrying him toward the Spirit Realm, toward that vast world hiding the truth behind his family's destruction, marching forward without wavering.
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