Chapter 48

Shen Duheng: "No, that's my name. The one sitting in the sect leader's seat now is just someone who stole my name."

Shan Heyuan: "You, you're twin brothers?!"

"No. He is my Sword Spirit," Shen Duheng said. "Unfortunately, his becoming my Sword Spirit was based on a conspiracy."

Shan Heyuan could never have imagined that Shen Duheng's past was so complicated.

Shen Duheng slowly said, "I come from a prestigious Aristocratic Clan and became famous at a young age. I Core Formation at the age of seven and my nascent Nascent Soul Formation the age of thirteen. Later, I was chosen as the senior disciple of the Sword Reverence Sect also the young sect leader. At the age of twenty-seven, I successfully Spirit Transformation. The previous sect leader handed over the position to me and then went into seclusion to break through."

Shen Duheng: "Later, on the advice of the sect elders, I used materials from the sect to forge a spirit sword, and then personally went to the Heroic Spirit Cave beneath the sect to invite a spirit to infuse the sword, in order to obtain the strongest spirit sword in the world— the Sword Spirit I invited is the sect master who is now sitting in the position of the Sword Reverence Sect Master."

Shan Heyuan: "He meticulously plotted to take your place?"

Shen Duheng: "Yes. During a ceremony, he suddenly betrayed me and killed me. My soul was hidden in the broken sword, and I barely escaped with the help of Secret Method. Since then, he has taken my name and identity and assumed the position of sect leader, which he still holds today. This is one of the reasons why I have been unwilling to tell you. I can't do anything about him, and if you knew, it would only cause you more trouble."

Shan Heyuan listened to his words in a daze, and then suddenly realized why he hadn't seen him undergo the Heavenly Tribulation when he was in Foundation Establishment and Core Formation.

So this is his second Foundation Establishment and Core Formation. The Lightning Tribulation he's been suffering lately probably wasn't Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, but rather Heavenly Tribulation he incurred because he cultivated a physical body from a spiritual form.

That's why his Heavenly Tribulation was exceptionally fierce, seemingly intent on annihilating him.

Shan Heyuan: "Wait, is it that easy to take over your identity? You're the head of a sect, won't the other elders in the Sword Reverence Sect have any objections? And what about your Lineage? Can't they see through it?!"

The leader of the number one sect in the world was so easily overthrown; anyone would suspect something fishy is going on!

Shen Duheng smiled and said, "There's a dead me and a living me. Many people have made their own choices. So what if there's something fishy going on? Besides, I became the sect leader at such a young age and obtained the strongest Sword Spirit. There might be some tricks involved."

He is referring to the current Sect Master Shen.

At this point in the story, both of them fell silent.

After a long pause, Shan Heyuan finally said, "No matter what, I'm on your side. Count me in for revenge too."

Shen Duheng: "Aren't you afraid of making enemies of the whole world?"

Shan Heyuan: "What are you afraid of? My future and my fortune were all given to me by you. If I don't stand with you, who else can I stand with?"

Although he never said it aloud, Shan Heyuan knew very well that without Shen Duheng's constant support, he would not have reached where he was today.

Shen Duheng said, "I'm not that noble. You were transported to this world probably because of me."

Shan Heyuan: "Is there more to this than meets the eye?"

Shen Duheng looked at him. "That ritual was an attempt to bring this world back to life. The ritual failed, and we fought fiercely inside, which may have caused a tremor in this world, creating more cracks. Before that, very few people would fall into this world. Your fall here is most likely due to me."

Shan Heyuan: "So our fate was actually decided a long time ago?"

Shen Duheng: "You could say that."

Shan Heyuan paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What's that Sword Spirit's name?"

"To replace my Sword Spirit?" Shen Duheng asked. "His name is Ji Li."

After a moment of silence, Shan Heyuan extended his hand. "Let's go. Weren't you going to take me to find the Spirit Fire?"

Shen Duheng: "Okay."

Chapter 48

In the dimly lit mine tunnel, two figures, one in white and one in blue, walked side by side down the tunnel.

A Spirit Artifact lamp hung beside them.

The Spirit Artifact lamp emitted a steady, bright light, illuminating their surroundings clearly.

Unfortunately, the mine tunnels were too long and too deep, and this little bit of light was like the tiny glow emitted by a firefly in autumn—small, cold, and only able to illuminate a very limited distance.

The faint sound of water dripping onto rocks could be heard from deep within the mine.

An eternal, howling gale swept in from the deepest depths, accompanied by a terrifying shriek.

The mine tunnels were cold and oppressive; apart from the Spirit Artifact lamps, only the body heat of the people around me provided any warmth.

Shan Heyuan walked beside Shen Duheng, he could clearly feel that Shen Duheng radiated warmth and constant heat, just like the sun.

In order to intimidate the Demon Beast and insects lurking in the shadows, Shen Duheng never concealed his aura.

Shen Duheng's actions were truly considerate.

Shan Heyuan couldn't help but recall Yang Ji's words.

Perhaps his relationship with Shen Duheng was indeed extraordinary; otherwise, what brother would be so considerate and attentive?

Speaking of which, Shen Duheng has always been the one silently taking care of him, starting from a very early age, taking him to buy Cultivation Method manuals, searching for Spirit Plant for him, and protecting him when he went to fetch spiritual springs...

Shen Duheng clearly had a grudge against him, yet he had lingered with him in Jingzhishan Town for so long.

If he hadn't been recommended to the Sword Reverence Academy by the Supreme Harmony Sect, they might still be in Jingzhishan Town.

Shen Duheng's thoughtfulness was so great that he didn't believe it was simply due to the cause and effect of creating the spacetime rift.

Few people transmigrate, but he's not the only one. If it's for the sake of karma, why is he the only one receiving such special care?

Shan Heyuan was very distracted, and the mine tunnel beneath his feet was rugged and uneven.

Just as he kicked a protruding rock and stumbled, about to fall forward, Shen Duheng's Spiritual Power suddenly and steadily supported him, gently pulling him back to his feet.

Shan Heyuan looked at Shen Duheng.

Shen Duheng's gaze was deep, but he said nothing.

Shan Heyuan opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say, so he simply remained silent.

The two continued downwards, venturing into the unknown depths of the underground.

Shan Heyuan suddenly raised his head in the darkness and sniffed the air beside him.

Shen Duheng stopped in his tracks. "What's wrong?"

Shan Heyuan looked at a deep, dark mine tunnel to the side. "The wind blowing from this tunnel is particularly dry, and it even carries a trace of spiritual fire, unlike the wind in other mine tunnels."

Shen Duheng stood still and tried to sense it, but couldn't detect anything.

Seeing his expression, Shan Heyuan knew he couldn't tell the difference and was unsure himself, "Wait a minute, I'll try again."

With no outsiders present, Shan Heyuan no longer held back and released his Spiritual Power directly.

His Spiritual Power contained a very strong aura of the Breathing Earth.

The Spiritual Power filled the mine tunnel, and the gusts of wind inside seemed to stop instantly, sweeping away the cold and dark atmosphere.

It was as if the harsh winter of eternity had suddenly been replaced by the breath of spring.

It was a feeling brimming with boundless vitality.

Shen Duheng had watched Shan Heyuan grow up and was very familiar with his Spiritual Power; at this moment, his eyes couldn't help but show surprise.

The sheer density of life force in his Spiritual Power was unmatched by any other cultivator.

With a serious expression, Shan Heyuan carefully examined the faint fire-elemental Spiritual Power in the air.

He quickly realized that he was not mistaken; there was indeed the aura of fire Spiritual Power in the mine tunnel in front of him.

Shan Heyuan said to Shen Duheng, "There is indeed the aura of spiritual fire ahead."

Shen Duheng: "Then let's go take a look. Stay close to me."

Shan Heyuan nodded quickly and pressed herself even closer to him.

The two changed mine tunnels and continued deeper into the mine.

As they walked, both of them sensed a strong aura of spiritual fire, a kind of hot, slightly aggressive Spiritual Power.

They were now quite close to the ball of spiritual fire, and both of them tensed up.