Within a crevice in the Gobi rocks, Han Li sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, a faint white halo enveloping him as he slowly refined the medicinal power of the supreme-grade healing pill Nangong Wan had bestowed upon him. Nourished by its power, his injured internal organs and damaged meridians rapidly healed, and his chaotic spiritual power gradually settled.
Three days later, Han Li opened his eyes, a brilliant gleam shining within them. His injuries had mostly healed. He rose to his feet and stretched, feeling better than ever, his Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation now thoroughly stabilized.
"Swordspine Peak... the Sword-Washing Pool..." He gazed toward the solitary peak in the distance, which pierced the dark red sky like a sharp sword, and a keen glint flashed in his eyes. Nangong Wan must have had a reason for mentioning this place. Since the Sword-Washing Pool could temper spiritual power and offer insight into sword intent, it would greatly benefit his strength. He could not afford to miss it.
Without further delay, he unleashed Shadowless Escape, transforming into a barely visible shadow as he sped toward Swordspine Peak. The closer he drew, the more he felt the pressure of an incomparably fierce sword intent permeating the air, chilling his skin. Along the way, bottomless sword-scarred trenches began appearing in the ground, as though earth-shattering sword qi had cleaved through it.
Half a day later, Han Li reached the foot of Swordspine Peak. From afar, the peak resembled a sword; up close, it was astonishingly steep, rising almost vertically, with jagged rocks and not a blade of grass. A dark red metallic sheen covered the mountainside, with faint traces of sword qi coursing through it. Clouds and mist shrouded the summit, obscuring its details, but that vast sword intent emanated from there.
Dozens of cultivators had already gathered at the foot of the mountain, clustering in groups of three or five and watching one another warily. Even the weakest had reached the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, while several possessed deep, unfathomable auras, clearly experts at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage or even the Great Perfection. Everyone gazed eagerly at the summit, yet no one dared begin the climb lightly.
Han Li found a secluded corner, concealed his aura, and observed in silence. He discovered that the dark red "rocks" covering the mountain were no ordinary material, but an unusual ore called sword fiend iron. It contained fierce sword qi and strongly repelled both spiritual sense and spiritual power. Forcing one's way up by flight could easily provoke a counterattack from the sword intent lingering within the mountain, making it exceptionally dangerous. Only by relying on one's flesh and will, climbing step by step and enduring the baptism of sword intent, could one hope to reach the summit.
It seems the climb itself is a trial. Han Li understood. He noticed that several powerful cultivators had already begun attempting the ascent. A bushy-bearded man from Heavenly Tower Fort shone with golden light like a gold-armored god of war, forcing his way upward against the sword intent one solid step at a time. A stern young man carrying an ancient sword moved with graceful agility, the sword qi flowing around him quietly dissolving the sword intent as it touched his body. There was also a cultivator from the Ghost King Sect who summoned a Ten-Thousand-Soul Banner, using countless howling Vengeful Ghosts to resist the sword intent through sinister means.
Han Li hesitated no longer. Choosing an area with fewer people, he drew a deep breath, circulated the Profound Fiend Asura Art within his body, and shielded himself with dark spiritual power before stepping onto Swordspine Peak!
The instant he set foot on the mountainside, the pressure of sword intent crashed down upon him, heavy as a mountain and sharp as a blade! It felt as though countless invisible streams of sword qi were slicing through his body and spiritual sense! His protective Spiritual Light rippled violently, and his Essence-Concealing Technique nearly failed!
Han Li grunted, his step sinking slightly, but immediately straightened his back, defiance flashing in his eyes. Rather than endure or dissolve the sword intent as the others did, he quietly activated the devouring property of the Profound Fiend Asura Art, attempting to guide a sliver of the invading sword intent into his own spiritual power to temper it!
The process was agonizing, like blades scraping his marrow, yet the results were astonishing! With every sliver of sword intent he refined, his spiritual power grew more condensed, and his understanding of the way of the sword subtly deepened.
He climbed upward step by step, slowly but with exceptional steadiness. The dark spiritual power swirling around him gradually acquired a trace of razor-sharp force.
The higher he climbed, the stronger the pressure of sword intent became. Along the way, he saw several cultivators fail to withstand it, coughing blood and tumbling wretchedly down the mountain. Some even had their protective Spiritual Light torn apart by the fierce sword intent, leaving them grievously wounded and near death. Competition was everywhere.
Han Li remained wholly focused, guarding his mind as he continuously refined the sword intent and consolidated his cultivation. Occasionally, a foolhardy cultivator tried to ambush him, but he drove them all back with ruthless measures. He even killed one attacker and seized his Storage Bag, cowing the lurking opportunists.
After climbing for an entire day and night and enduring countless hardships, Han Li finally stepped onto the summit of Swordspine Peak!
The summit was an enormous, relatively level platform. At its center lay a pool barely ten feet across, wreathed in milky-white spiritual mist! Its water was clear enough to see the bottom, yet it radiated a heart-stopping sharpness, as though it contained not water but liquefied sword qi! This was the Sword-Washing Pool!
More than a dozen people were already seated beside the pool. Nangong Wan was among them, her white robes purer than snow as she sat quietly at its edge. Sword intent flowed around her, mingling with the pool's aura; clearly, she had benefited greatly. Also present were the bushy-bearded man from Heavenly Tower Fort, the stern youth carrying an ancient sword, two female cultivators from the Covering Moon Sect, and three or four powerful rogue cultivators. They were all seeking insight beside the pool, sitting far apart and keeping wary watch on one another.
Although the Sword-Washing Pool could temper spiritual power, its energy was not limitless. The closer one sat to its center, the better the effects-and naturally, the fiercer the competition.
Han Li's arrival drew everyone's attention. Several gazes landed on him, some appraising, some curious, and others openly hostile. A scar-faced rogue cultivator seated relatively close to the center snorted and unceremoniously directed his Foundation Establishment Late Stage spiritual pressure at Han Li, intending to drive away this new competitor.
Han Li's expression remained unchanged. The dark spiritual power within him, already tempered by sword intent, gave a slight pulse and effortlessly dissolved the pressure. His gaze swept over the Sword-Washing Pool before he finally sat cross-legged in an unoccupied spot roughly thirty feet from its center. The tempering effects there were already remarkable, yet the position would not attract too much attention.
As soon as he sat down, he circulated his cultivation art at full strength, drawing the pool's energy, laden with pure sword intent, into his body. Like a sword blank placed in a furnace, his spiritual power was hammered and tempered again and again, becoming ever purer and more condensed, even acquiring a trace of sword-like sharpness capable of piercing all resistance! Under the baptism of sword intent, his spiritual sense also grew more resilient and perceptive.
Yet the good times did not last. Roughly half a day later, another group reached the summit. Leading them was an arrogant-looking young man dressed in luxurious brocade robes, with Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation. Behind him followed two black-robed elders with deep auras and keen eyes—both Foundation Establishment Late-Stage Cultivators! Judging by their attire, they belonged to the Feng Family, the foremost family in the Heavenly South!
The young man from the Feng Family swept his gaze across the Sword-Washing Pool before finally settling on Han Li. Seeing that Han Li was alone and merely at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, yet occupied a good spot, he immediately frowned and barked imperiously, "You there! Get lost! I'm taking that spot!"
One of the black-robed elders behind him stepped forward, sending his Foundation Establishment Late Stage pressure crashing toward Han Li like a mountain!
Everyone beside the pool turned to look, wearing expressions of anticipation at the spectacle. Nangong Wan frowned slightly but said nothing.
Han Li slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Feng Family youth, his gaze perfectly calm. "This place belongs to no one. First come, first served."
"Hmph! You don't know what's good for you!" The Feng Family youth sneered. "Here in the Heavenly South, there is nothing my Feng Family cannot obtain once we set our eyes on it! You have three breaths to get lost! Otherwise, you die!"
The other black-robed elder also spoke in a sinister tone. "Boy, a wise man knows which way the wind blows. Losing your life over a spot isn't worth it."
Han Li smiled, but his smile was cold enough to chill the bones. "The Feng Family? How imposing. If you want this spot, come take it yourselves."
"You're courting death!" The Feng Family youth flew into a rage and shouted at the two elders, "Kill him!"
A cold gleam flashed in the black-robed elders' eyes, and they attacked together! One curled his fingers into claws and grabbed at the crown of Han Li's head, his fingers whipping up a vicious wind! The other flicked his sleeve, sending several streaks of black light shooting straight toward the vital acupoints across Han Li's body!
Their attacks were ruthless, without a shred of mercy!
Han Li had been prepared and had already risen the moment the pressure reached him! Facing the combined assault of two Foundation Establishment Late-Stage Cultivators, he did not retreat. Instead, he advanced to meet them!
He pushed Shadow Step to its limits, his figure flickering like a phantom as he narrowly evaded the claw aimed at the crown of his head! At the same time, he instantly unleashed Profound Yin Binding with his left hand, sending strands of black thread around the streaks of black light and sharply slowing them!
The Shadow Blade appeared soundlessly in his right hand. Pseudo core flame coated its edge as it became a bolt of dark red lightning, thrusting straight toward the wrist of the elder who had attacked with his claws! He struck where his opponent had no choice but to defend!
The elder had not expected Han Li to be so fast or his counterattack so cunning. Hastily changing his claw into a palm, he struck at the Shadow Blade!
Hiss!
As the palm strike met the Shadow Blade, the elder felt a bone-corroding, icy force spread up his arm. His expression changed in horror, and he hurriedly retreated!
The other elder's streaks of black light were also blocked by Profound Yin Binding!
In the blink of an eye, Han Li had used uncanny footwork and a fierce counterattack to repel the combined assault of two Foundation Establishment Late-Stage Cultivators!
The entire gathering fell silent! Shock appeared on every face. With Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation, he had driven back two Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators head-on. Though the exchange had been brief, it was still enough to astonish them!
The Feng Family youth was utterly dumbfounded.
Han Li stood with his blade in hand, dark spiritual power surging around him, carrying a trace of the fierce sword intent tempered within the Sword-Washing Pool. His icy gaze swept across the two elders. "Do you wish to continue?"
The two elders looked grim. They exchanged glances, each seeing a trace of apprehension in the other's eyes. This boy's cultivation art was bizarre, his movements unfathomable, and he possessed a chilling power that made their hearts tremble. He was no ordinary Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator. If they truly fought to the death, even victory would likely come at a dreadful price.
The Feng Family youth wanted to say more, but one of the elders discreetly held him back.
Just then, Nangong Wan, who had kept her eyes closed while seeking insight, suddenly spoke in an indifferent tone. "The Sword-Washing Pool is a place for comprehending the Dao, not for slaughter. If you want to fight, go down the mountain."
Her voice was cool, yet carried an unquestionable authority. The expressions of the two Feng Family elders shifted slightly; clearly, they were deeply wary of Nangong Wan.
The Feng Family youth gritted his teeth and glared viciously at Han Li. In the end, he resentfully led the two elders to a spot somewhat farther away and sat down, though his gaze toward Han Li remained filled with venom.
For the moment, the conflict subsided.
Han Li gave Nangong Wan a slight nod of acknowledgment, then sat down again and continued seeking insight and tempering his power as though nothing had happened. After this incident, however, the others beside the pool looked at him differently, with greater gravity and apprehension.
He knew he had now made an enemy of the Feng Family. But he did not care in the slightest. In this Blood-Colored Forbidden Land, strength reigned supreme. Retreat and forbearance would only invite further humiliation.
The Feng Family... if you dare provoke me again, I'll make you the whetstone for sharpening my blade! With that cold thought, Han Li immersed himself in cultivation.
Peace returned to the summit, with only the Sword-Washing Pool's sword intent flowing silently. Yet everyone knew that beneath this calm, hidden currents surged. The true struggle might only just have begun.
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