In the evening, everyone finished dinner in the living room.
Shen Suwei wiped her hands, smiled, and pulled Shui Bing'er along:
"Is this your first time in Ice Arrival City? There's an ice lantern exhibition on the streets tonight. I'll take you there, Ah Yin, you want to come too?"
Shui Bing'er's eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly.
Ah Yin smiled and agreed. The three of them changed into thicker clothes and went out together.
Gu Wuchen did not go with them.
He returned to his room, preparing to attempt to break through to the seventh level of the Dustless Sword Intent.
He sat cross-legged on the ice-jade bed, concentrating his mind and calming his spirit.
The first six levels of the Dustless Sword Intent emphasize speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness, but the seventh level is completely different.
It requires the Sword Intent to merge with one's own soul, achieving a unity of mind and sword.
This is no easy task.
Even though he had undergone the Tidal Body Tempering, which greatly refined his soul and body, he still felt that there were many difficulties at this moment.
Countless sword energies swirled around him, sometimes coalescing, sometimes dispersing.
Gu Wuchen frowned, trying again and again, only to fail once more.
On the other side, Ice Empress pulled Snow Empress to the ice platform in the backyard.
Moonlight shone on the two of them, and a thin layer of ice covered the ground.
Ice Empress rubbed their hands together excitedly, their eyes sparkling.
" Xue'er, did you hear that? Auntie just said that, she approves of us!"
She jumped up and down, grinning from ear to ear.
"Does that mean I can marry Little Wuchen in the future? Hehehe!"
Ice Empress said, and began playing Final Fantasy.
She could almost see herself wearing a bright red wedding dress, with Gu Wuchen leading her by the hand in the wedding ceremony.
Snow Empress stood beside her, wearing the same wedding dress.
From then on, they lived at the Gu Clan, and would occasionally visit the Far North and Sea God Island to see Bo Saixi.
Although Bo Saixi was despicable, we had at least lived together for so long.
After Gu Wuchen completed the God Trial, they would be together forever and never be separated again.
Snow Empress stood to the side, listening to her words, her cheeks slowly flushing red.
She wasn't as direct as Ice Empress.
The mere hearing of the word "marry" made her heart race.
But in her heart, she actually felt the same way as Ice Empress.
"Keep your voice down, don't let Little Wuchen hear you."
Snow Empress gently tugged at Ice Empress's sleeve, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible shyness.
"What's there to be afraid of? Auntie has already agreed!" Ice Empress waved his hand dismissively. "Once he finishes his God Trial, we'll get married. Then the three of us will be together, and no one can be separated!"
Snow Empress nodded gently, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.
"Um."
Just then, a sharp Sword Intent suddenly emanated from Gu Wuchen's room.
The sword energy pierced through the window and soared straight into the sky.
Ice Empress and Snow Empress's expressions changed simultaneously, and they hurriedly ran towards their room.
They stood at the door, not going in to disturb them.
Through the window, one could see Gu Wuchen sitting cross-legged on the bed, surrounded by countless transparent sword energies.
His brows remained furrowed, but his aura grew increasingly stable.
"He's attempting to break through to the seventh level of Sword Intent," Snow Empress whispered.
"Hmm." Ice Empress nodded, the excitement on her face fading, replaced by worry. "Will there be any danger?"
"No. His foundation is very solid," Snow Empress said. "We'll stay here and guard him, and prevent anyone from disturbing him."
Ice Empress hummed in agreement and stood side by side with Snow Empress at the door.
Under the moonlight, their shadows were stretched long.
Inside the room, Gu Wuchen continued his focused cultivation.
He could feel himself getting closer and closer to the seventh floor.
Once that barrier is broken through, the Dustless Sword Intent can reach another level.
At that time, even if he faced Tang San's Dark Blue Silver Grass, he would be absolutely confident of defeating him.
After an unknown amount of time, the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
The sword energy surrounding Gu Wuchen suddenly receded, merging entirely into his body.
He slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them.
The seventh level of the Dustless Sword Intent finally showed a slight loosening.
Gu Wuchen slowly finished his practice, and the sword energy around him completely dissipated.
He stood up and stretched his limbs.
After a night of cultivation, although he had not fully broken through to the seventh level of the Dustless Sword Intent, he had already touched the threshold.
Given a little more time, he will surely be able to fully understand it.
Ice Empress and Snow Empress pushed open the door and walked in. Seeing that he was alright, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"How did it go? Did you succeed?"
Ice Empress quickly asked.
"Almost there," Gu Wuchen said. "Let's return to Heaven Dou City first, then focus on our seclusion."
The next morning, everyone packed their belongings, bid farewell to Gu Linchuan and Shen Suwei, and embarked on their journey back to Heaven Dou City.
They sped along the road and arrived at the villa in Heaven Dou City that evening.
Shui Bing'er put down her luggage and bowed deeply to Gu Wuchen.
" Young Master Gu, thank you so much this time. I've benefited immensely from the three days of training."
"Don't mention it," Gu Wuchen said. "Get ready."
"I will." Shui Bing'er nodded. "I'm going back to the academy now. See you at the competition."
After saying that, she turned and left the villa.
After seeing Shui Bing'er off, Gu Wuchen went straight back to his cultivation room.
He closed the door and set up an isolation array.
"Next, focus on breaking through to the seventh level of the Dustless Sword Intent."
Gu Wuchen sat down cross-legged and entered a meditative state once again.
He focused his mind on his body, guiding the Sword Intent to flow slowly.
The seventh move, [ Heaven and Earth Without Dust ], emphasizes that the body is the sword and the sword is the mind.
It is no longer about controlling sword energy to kill enemies, but about completely transforming oneself into the Sword Intent itself.
The most difficult part of this step is breaking through the barrier between the physical body and the Sword Intent.
Gu Wuchen tried again and again to integrate Sword Intent into his limbs and bones.
But every time the crucial moment arrives, there's always a slight hesitation.
Sword Intent is formless, while the physical body is tangible.
How difficult it is to completely merge the tangible physical body with the intangible Sword Intent.
Time passed day by day.
There is no distinction between day and night in the cultivation room.
Gu Wuchen forgot about time, forgot about everything.
His mind was filled only with the Sword Intent.
He recalled the feeling of his body being repeatedly shattered and reassembled by the waves during the Tidal Body Tempering.
He recalled every moment when the Dustless Sword was wielded in his hand.
He recalled the state of mind he had when his Sword Intent erupted each time.
Ice Empress and Snow Empress stood guard outside the training room, never leaving its side.
They wouldn't let anyone disturb Gu Wuchen.
Ah Yin would prepare meals every day and leave them at the door, but she never went inside.
Day 7.
Suddenly, an unprecedentedly sharp Sword Intent erupted in the training room.
This Sword Intent was different from the cold and sharp one of the past; instead, it carried a sense of emptiness and clarity.
The Sword Intent soared into the sky, enveloping the entire courtyard.
The air within a radius of several miles froze instantly, even the dust particles were suspended in mid-air.
All the noise, distractions, and filth vanished before this Sword Intent.
Ice Empress and Snow Empress stood up at the same time, their faces showing surprise and delight.
"It's done!"
The door to the training room slowly opened.
Gu Wuchen came out.
He didn't exude any aura; he looked just like an ordinary person.
But his eyes were as clear as ten thousand years of ice, and as deep as the endless starry sky.
He raised his hand and flicked his fingertips lightly.
An invisible sword aura shot out, instantly turning the distant artificial hill into dust, leaving not a single fragment behind.
" Heaven and Earth Without Dust, man and sword are one."
Gu Wuchen muttered to himself, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
He finally fully comprehended the seventh level of the Dustless Sword Intent.
He himself is now Sword Intent, the Dustless Sword.
All sword techniques are amplified three times in power, and the attributes of icy cold and purification are maximized.
Wherever the Sword Intent passed, space froze, and all illusions vanished.
He is immune to all mental shocks and negative status effects, making it impossible for opponents to lock onto his location.
Gu Wuchen felt the surging power within his body, and his eyes became resolute.