Chapter 158 Mountain and River Sword
Mu Changge immersed his mind, fully activating "Super Comprehension". He felt as though he had become a dried sponge, frantically absorbing and analyzing that vast, majestic, and domineering Sword Intent of "Pressing Forward".
At first, the Sword Intent was like a violent giant wave, constantly crashing against the barriers of his Sea of Consciousness, bringing tearing pain. But his will was as firm as a rock, his spiritual altar remained clear, and with the inclusive nature of the "Great Dao Crucible", he attempted to understand, decompose, and fuse with this powerful external will.
What is "Pressing Forward"?
It is not merely about brave advancement, but the absolute implementation of conviction. It is the determination of "I shall proceed even if thousands stand against me", the purity of "where the sword points, my heart follows", and even more, the weight and responsibility of carrying the Power Of Will of the masses and gathering the Imperial Dao of National Luck! In this Sword Intent, there is the sharp spirit of expanding territory, the benevolent thought of defending the land and pacifying the people, the righteous energy to cleanse demons and evil, and even the tragic and desolate sentiment of "The Son of Heaven guards the gates, the Monarch dies for the state".
Mu Changge "saw" fragments of the life of the mighty expert who had passed away: born in obscurity, rising in chaotic times, a sword across the sky, stabilizing the mountains and rivers. His sword had drunk the blood of enemy chieftains, suppressed demons from all directions, received the worship of the masses, and finally carried the Luck of a nation, becoming a symbol. This was not a sword of slaughter, but a sword of protection, a sword of order, a sword of the Kingly Way! Its core lay in the will of "protection" and "pioneering", as well as the magnificent momentum formed by gathering the Power Of Will of all living beings!
"So that is it... The Sword Heart is my heart, the Sword Dao is my Dao. Pressing Forward is not about blindly charging and killing, but about seeing one's true nature, proceeding with determination, and using the sword in one's hand to open the path ahead and protect what is behind!" Mu Changge's heart suddenly cleared.
As his comprehension deepened, the terrifying Sword Qi pressure around him was no longer just oppression, but more like a form of tempering and resonance. The spiritual power within his body spontaneously circulated according to a mysterious trajectory, faintly echoing with the surrounding Sword Intent. A pale golden halo emerged from his body, growing brighter and gradually aligning with the radiance of that massive golden light barrier.
He did not know how much time had passed when Mu Changge suddenly opened his eyes. A flash of golden light, sharp as a sword, flickered in his pupils, as if it could pierce the void, but it instantly retracted, returning to profound depth. He slowly stood up, stretched his limbs, and his body emitted faint cracking sounds.
At this moment, he felt completely different. The Sword Qi pressure that had previously made it difficult for him to move, as if he were carrying a mountain, now felt like a gentle caress, or rather... more like it was giving him a "Sword Intent massage" with just the right amount of pressure? The closer he got to the center, the more the intensity of this "massage" seemed to increase slightly, but it only reached the level of "comfortable soreness", far from painful.
"This feeling... is quite interesting." The corners of Mu Changge's mouth curled up. He knew that he had initially grasped the essence of the Sword Dao Profound Truth of this place and had gained the recognition of this Sword Intent Domain. Although there was still a gap before fully understanding the mighty expert's Sword Dao Profound Truth, at least moving in this place was no longer a problem.
He did not hesitate any longer, took a step, and walked towards the core area of the golden light barrier. This time, his steps were light and unhindered, as if he were strolling in a courtyard. He quickly reached the center of the thousand-meter diameter light barrier.
At the very center of the light barrier, the scene was completely different from the Sword Tomb stone forest on the periphery. This was a relatively flat open space, with the soil appearing dark gold. In the center of the clearing was an inconspicuous little mound of earth; if not for the ancient, mottled stone tablet inserted in front of it, it would have been almost ignored. There was no name on the stone tablet; only two large characters were carved with ancient sword patterns — "Nameless".
About ten steps directly in front of the little mound, a giant sword was deeply inserted into the dark golden ground, with only about one-third of the blade and the hilt exposed.
This sword had an ancient and heavy design, a wide blade, and a dark gold color, neither gold nor jade. The crossguard was carved with coiling dragon patterns, and the hilt was wrapped in an unknown dark leather that had not decayed despite the passage of time. On the blade, there was no cold light radiating; instead, it contained a layer of warm and heavy dark golden halo. As the halo flowed, one could vaguely see the phantoms of mountains, rivers, the state, and the masses rising and falling. A majestic, vast, vicissitudinous, and dignified aura naturally radiated, making anyone who looked at it feel awe, as if they were not facing a sword, but the condensation of a nation's Luck and a vast territory!
Beside the giant sword, a foot-long jade box sat quietly. The jade was warm and moist, with sealing runes flowing on it, isolating the internal and external aura, making it impossible to see what was inside.
"These are them!" Mu Changge's heartbeat accelerated slightly. The Opportunity guided by the System, the Legacy of a Body Integration mighty expert, and that prototype of a "giant sword" containing the National Luck!
He suppressed his excitement and did not rush forward rashly, but instead carefully observed his surroundings to confirm there were no other Restrictions or traps. Then, he cautiously walked towards the giant sword and the jade box.
Fifteen steps, ten steps, five steps...
Just when he was only three steps away from the target, almost within reach—
"Bang!"
With a muffled sound, Mu Changge felt as if he had crashed into an invisible, intangible, yet extremely tough wall! Caught off guard, he stumbled back two steps, his forehead turning slightly red.
"What is going on?" Mu Changge rubbed his forehead and looked closely. The space in front was empty, with the giant sword and jade box close at hand. He tentatively reached out his hand and indeed touched a layer of warm, cool, yet indestructible barrier in the void. This barrier was completely invisible to the naked eye, but it felt extremely strange to the touch, like a layer of flowing golden liquid, or perhaps solidified, living amber, slightly rippling.
"Another Restriction?" Mu Changge frowned, an ominous premonition rising in his heart. He stepped back a few steps, thought for a moment, and took an Earth Rank High Grade spare long sword from his storage ring. Although this sword was not his usual one, it was still sharp.
He held his breath, concentrated, mobilized his spiritual power, infused the trace of "Pressing Forward" Sword Intent he had just comprehended, and swung his sword with all his might at a point on the invisible barrier!
"Clang—!"
A crisp sound like metal clashing rang out. The sword tip pierced the barrier, bursting into a small spark. However, the barrier remained motionless, not even a ripple appeared, as if his strike, which was enough to split stones, was just a gentle breeze.
Mu Changge was stunned. He looked at the slightly trembling long sword in his hand, then at the void barrier that was still as calm as water, almost dropping his jaw in shock.
"This... this thing is so hard?!" He refused to believe it and tried several other methods, either bombarding it with his fists, burning it with fire, or even attempting to penetrate it with his perception, but the results were all like a stone sinking into the sea. The barrier was like an absolute Domain, perfectly absorbing and neutralizing all his probes and attacks, without even raising a ripple.
"Something is wrong... This doesn't look like a normal defensive Restriction." Mu Changge rubbed his chin, walked around the invisible barrier, and frowned deeply. If it were a test, he had already comprehended the core Sword Intent of this place, so there was no reason to still be blocked outside. If it were a more powerful defensive Formation, there should be some energy fluctuations or clues to break it, right? But this barrier was seamless and untraceable, as if it didn't exist, yet it was truly blocking the way.
"Could it be... some new type of test that I cannot understand?" Mu Changge thought left and right, but could not figure it out. Seeing the Opportunity within reach, yet separated by a layer of invisible, tangible, and unbreakable "glass", this feeling was incredibly frustrating.
Thinking that Jian Wushuang had probably already entered the Secret Realm and might even be rushing towards the core area, Mu Changge felt a tightness in his chest. Time was running out!
Just when he was at his wit's end—
[Ding! Non-natural Law barrier detected! Analyzing...]
[Analysis result: This barrier is a 'Luck Isolation Barrier', the core rule is — those without great Luck (Child of Fortune/key plot characters) cannot enter.]
[System warm reminder: Dear host, your current villain status means your Luck value is negative, and you do not meet the entry requirements, oh~ (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧]
[Detected that the host is facing a dilemma, the System wholeheartedly recommends the following solutions for you (promotional discount, limited time to think, oh~):]
[Option 1: Learn the Heaven Rank top-tier secret technique on the spot — "Sleight of Hand" (Simplified Version). Effect: Can ignore most spatial, material, and energy barrier obstructions, allowing for remote retrieval of items within a certain distance, unnoticed. Disadvantage: Effectiveness is reduced against items containing extremely strong Karma or Law power. Price: 88,888 villain points.]
[Option 2: Job Change Card (One-Step Version). Effect: After use, directly obtain the 'Child of Fortune' template blessing. Favored by the Luck of heaven and earth, Opportunities automatically come to you, and you can ignore Luck-based barriers. Side effect: After the experience ends, it may attract the focused attention and challenging spirit of many Children of Fortune. Price: 999,9999 villain points.]
[Option 3: Equal Treatment Talisman (One-time consumable). Effect: After use, for the next one hour, you will be (temporarily) identified as 'one of their own' by the current world's Heavenly Dao Laws, enjoying the same treatment as the Child of Fortune. Simply put: The damn Heavens will temporarily treat you as its own son (even if it is adopted). Price: 2000 villain points.]
Mu Changge: "..."
At first, his heart leaped with joy. After the System upgrade, it had indeed become much smarter, actually capable of proactively detecting dilemmas and providing solutions! But when he saw the three options that popped up—especially the outrageous prices of the first two and the bizarre description of the third—the smile that had just risen on his face instantly froze, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch wildly.
"Profiteer! Damn System! Why don't you just go rob someone!" Mu Changge cursed angrily in his heart. "The scalp-numbing amount of villain points for the first two options combined! Even if you sold me, I wouldn't be able to scrape together the loose change! And that description, 'The damn Heavens will temporarily treat you as its own son (even if it is adopted)'? Is that even human language?!"
After finishing his cursing, he remembered that this pit-father System didn't seem to have any true intelligent conversation functionality; it was more like a slightly Advanced automated response store. His complaints were purely casting pearls before swine.
"Forget it, forget it. If others get angry, I won't. If I get sick from anger, no one will replace me..." Mu Changge took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down, and began to seriously examine the three options.
The first, "Empty Handed Skill," is Heaven Rank Top Grade. It sounds awesome—taking objects from the air and ignoring barriers; it's practically a god-tier skill for stealing... ah no, for acquiring treasures! But the price is too beautiful, immediately discouraging him. Moreover, "the effect is weakened against items containing extremely strong Karma or Law power." The giant sword before him clearly involves national Luck and Luck; the Karma is not small, so the effect might not be good.
The second, the Job Change Card, is even more outrageous. Being expensive is one thing, but it's also a trial version. After using it, he might be targeted by a real Child of Fortune. Is he trying to die faster?
The third... Mu Changge's gaze fell on the "Equal Treatment Talisman," priced at 2000 villain points. He looked at his current reserve of only over three thousand villain points and felt a pang of pain. But compared to the astronomical prices of the first two, this seemed like the most realistic choice.
"Equal treatment... In other words, this damn barrier isn't some defensive Restriction at all, but a 'security access control' System? Only 'owners' (Child of Fortune) with great Luck or 'VIPs' can enter, and I, this 'illegal resident' (villain), am directly locked out?" Mu Changge realized the key point, and suddenly felt a nameless fire rise, rushing straight to his crown. "Damn Heavens! Can you not be so biased! Leaving Opportunities here and still practicing discrimination! Is there any justice left!"
The more he thought, the angrier he got, but the situation was stronger than the person. Jian Wushuang could arrive at any moment; there was no time to hesitate.
"Forget it, two thousand is two thousand! If you don't sacrifice a child, you can't catch a wolf! Just consider it an investment!" Mu Changge gritted his teeth and thought silently, "System, redeem 'Equal Treatment Talisman'!"
[Ding! Consumed 2000 villain points, successfully redeemed 'Equal Treatment Talisman' (one-time). Item has been distributed to the System space, please check.]
With a thought from Mu Changge, a piece of yellow talisman paper that looked ordinary, with a material that was neither paper nor silk, and covered in crooked, mysterious runes, appeared in his hand. He dared not delay and immediately followed the System instructions, slapping the talisman paper onto his chest.
The talisman paper dissolved upon touching his body, turning into an imperceptible stream of light that entered his body. Mu Changge felt his body warm slightly, but no earth-shattering phenomena occurred.
He reached out again with some trepidation, carefully touching the invisible barrier.
His fingers passed through without any obstruction! It was as if that layer of previously impenetrable barrier simply did not exist at this moment!
"Success!" Mu Changge was overjoyed. Without further hesitation, he stepped across the barrier and arrived before the giant sword and the jade box.
He first looked at the dark golden giant sword. Being closer, he could feel the vastness and majesty contained within it even more. He didn't pull it out immediately, but instead looked at the jade box to the side. The sealing runes on the jade box didn't seem to block him, and he easily opened it.
There was nothing else in the box, only an ancient Jade Slip and a token that was neither metal nor wood, with the words "Mountains and Rivers" engraved on it.
Mu Changge picked up the Jade Slip and extended his perception into it.
Boom!
A large amount of information flooded into his mind—it was the Legacy left by the Body Integration expert who called himself "Nameless"! This included his main Cultivation Technique, "Imperial Dao Qi Nourishing Technique" (simply put, a cultivation method that relies on Luck and national Luck), the essence of his lifelong Sword Dao insights, "One Sword Opens Mountains and Rivers" (containing Sword Intent, sword moves, and sword Formations), as well as some insights regarding Cultivation Techniques.
This sword is named "Mountains and Rivers." It was not the expert's natal Flying Sword, but something he obtained in a Secret Realm in his early years. That expert was once a monarch who dominated a region, but later, not wanting to deal with worldly affairs, he decided to join the Wandao Sword Sect to focus on cultivation. This sword had always accompanied him. Within the sword body, a faint but real "Mountains and Rivers National Luck" and "Human Race Power Of Will" had been nurtured. It had a strong restraining effect on demons, ghosts, and even those who harbor evil intentions or betray the great cause of the Human Race. If one who holds this sword can wield it with the Righteous Path, it can gather the hearts of the people, increase Luck, and also benefit cultivation. However, if one's heart is crooked and they try to wield it by force, they will inevitably suffer the backlash of the national Luck and end up with Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering! At the same time, the Jade Slip also warned that this sword involves great matters and heavy Karma; it should not be used lightly by anyone without great Luck, great perseverance, and a great heart, otherwise, the outcome would be unpredictable.
"It really is a hot potato, but also a peerless treasure." Mu Changge understood in his heart. He carefully put away the Jade Slip and the token, then turned his gaze back to the "Mountains and Rivers Sword."
He took a deep breath and, following the sword-retrieving incantation recorded in the Jade Slip, circulated the "Indomitable" Sword Intent he had just comprehended, slowly gripping the dark golden hilt.
It felt slightly heavy and cold in his hand. But immediately after, a warm and vast feeling, as if connected to the earth beneath his feet and some grand will in the netherworld, came over him. The sword body trembled slightly, emitting a low hum, as if responding and scrutinizing him.
The humming sound gradually subsided, and the light on the sword body converged, restoring its ancient and heavy appearance. But Mu Changge could feel that a faint connection had been established between himself and this sword. Although it was far from the level of being as flexible as an arm or finger, at least it no longer rejected him.
"Store!" Mu Changge shouted in a low voice, attempting to put it into his storage ring, but found that ordinary storage Magic Treasures could not contain this sword at all, as it seemed to have its own spatial repulsion. He had to temporarily carry it on his back. Fortunately, this sword seemed to be able to adjust its own weight, so it was not heavy to carry.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully intercepting the key Opportunity of the child of destiny 'Jian Wushuang': the Legacy and items of the Body Integration expert 'Nameless'! Gained +3600 villain points!]
The System prompt sounded at the right time, making Mu Changge feel a bit more balanced after the pain of spending two thousand villain points. A net profit of 1600, plus getting the Legacy and the precious sword for free—not a loss!
With the items in hand, this place was not suitable for staying long. Mu Changge turned around and prepared to slip away. But after taking just two steps, he stopped again. He looked back at the small mound of earth with "Nameless" written on it, then looked at the front of the tombstone which seemed a bit empty after losing the "Mountains and Rivers Sword." His eyes rolled, a "brilliant" idea surfaced in his mind, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, revealing a smile that looked innocent and harmless, but was actually wickedly mischievous.
"Hehehe, Senior Brother Jian Wushuang, since you've come all this way, I can't let you make the trip for nothing. As your Junior Brother, I must leave you a 'souvenir'..."