160: Chapter 160 Scholar Level 13, Descending the Mountain, Sword Soul

The Peak Selection Ceremony began and ended without any surprises.

The results confirmed everyone's predictions, as people were drawn by the supreme glory of a single Peak housing two geniuses at the Ninth Layer.

In this Peak Selection, the top six geniuses among the newcomers all chose Nine Heavens Peak without prior consultation.

The addition of these six new bloods caused the total number of formal Disciples on Nine Heavens Peak to instantly surge by nearly twenty percent; this was a grand sign of resurgence for Nine Heavens Peak after many years of silence.

Once the ceremony ended, Li Wen did not linger.

He bid a simple farewell to Fang Chenghong, Du Yun, and the others, then transformed once more into a streak of rainbow light, returning directly to Courtyard No. 1 at the summit of Nine Heavens Peak.

In the quiet, elegant courtyard filled with dense Spiritual Qi, everything was as usual.

Li Wen changed into a set of light training clothes and, without any pause, walked straight to the center of the spacious Martial Arts Field.

“Clang!”

The clear ring of a blade sounded as the simple and heavy war blade was already gripped in his hand.

Without any extra preparatory movements, his gaze instantly became as calm, focused, and sharp as the blade's edge in his hand.

The Profound Truths of the Five Styles of Dawn flowed through his mind, and his blood-qi and True Essence surged naturally.

He began his daily tempering of his Blade Technique.

His movements were slow to the extreme, as if every trajectory of his swing was fighting against an invisible, viscous sea.

Every time he struck out—whether it was a horizontal slash, a vertical chop, or a simple lift, stab, or parry—it carried an almost harsh level of precision.

He did not seek speed or power, focusing only on the angle as the blade cut through the air, the trajectory of the edge slicing space, and how the True Essence, as fine as silk within his body, flowed accurately along his meridians into the blade.

And how it perfectly fused with the Saber Intent that already contained the attribute of lightning.

Gradually, a strange rhythm emerged.

The fine purple electricity wandering along the blade was no longer a chaotic and disorderly dissipation; instead, it seemed to be exquisitely woven by an invisible craftsman.

It transformed into dense and profound networks of runes, rising and falling, appearing and vanishing with the movement of the blade, as if the blade itself had its own life pulse.

A very low-frequency yet heart-palpitating hum began to sound in the air. It wasn't an explosion of True Essence, but a strange vibration naturally induced in space after energy essence had condensed to a certain critical point.

For four hours, Li Wen was completely immersed in this dull yet infinitely mysterious refinement.

The passage of time in the outside world lost its meaning to him.

Sweat soaked his training uniform and slid down from his temples.

It gathered at his jaw and dripped onto the star-stone floor beneath his feet, leaving dark marks that were immediately evaporated by the scorching Aura of his Saber Intent.

He ignored it entirely, all his mental Intent concentrated on that blade, on the final wisp of Concept within the Thousand Radiance Style—that ever-changing, elusive final charm.

The True Essence circulation within his body had long since synchronized with his breathing, flowing like a great river, nourishing his weary bones and supporting the high-intensity mental consumption.

Absolute Focus continued to operate, and his superhuman Comprehension Ability played a key role in every minute adjustment and every deductive analysis after a failed mental simulation.

Countless deductions, attempts, and corrections—the Divine Soul fatigue brought by countless simulated Fusions was suppressed again and again by his resilient will.

Finally, at a certain moment!

As Li Wen swung a basic variation of the Thousand Radiance Style along an extremely tricky and shifting yet perfectly smooth trajectory—a strike that seemed light as a feather but internally contained the power of hundreds of layers of vibration—

All the purple lightning runes on the blade suddenly froze, and then they all silently sank into the deepest structural layers of the blade's interior.

An unprecedented, flawless sense of control was clearly transmitted from the hilt to Li Wen's mind.

He clearly felt that all the variations, all the possibilities, and all the charm of the "Thousand Radiance Style" were, in this instant, completely understood and perfectly mastered by him, without a single trace of hindrance.

It's done!

Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, on the data panel that had been silent for a long time, a line of small text quietly updated:

[You have tempered your Blade Technique with single-minded devotion, focusing on mastering the essence of the Thousand Radiance Style. Thousand Radiance Style +1%]

[Skills: Blade Technique - Concept (99%), Five Styles of Dawn (Instant Rainbow Style 100%, Silent Rainbow Style 100%, Mountain-Crushing Style 100%, Heavenly Gap Style 100%, Thousand Radiance Style 100%)]

A more majestic, smooth, and impeccable sharp Saber Intent involuntarily rose from Li Wen's body, as if countless invisible sharp blades were forming a tangible Domain around him.

He slowly sheathed his blade, holding it upright before him with the tip pointing toward the sky.

Only the invisible pressure surrounding him heralded the achievement of Perfection.

From this point on, all five styles of Li Wen's Blade Technique had reached the Realm of 100% perfect mastery—the Peak of Concept, flawless and without defect.

What stood between him and that higher level—the legendary "soul realm"—

Was only the final and most difficult hurdle: the Fusion of the five styles to give birth to the Soul Light!

Time seemed to lose its scale during the quiet cultivation on Mount Xinhuo.

In the blink of an eye, another two months passed quietly.

October 2nd, 228th year of the galactic calendar, early morning.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattices of the meditation room in Courtyard No. 1 of Nine Heavens Peak, softly spilling over Li Wen as he sat cross-legged.

He slowly opened his eyes, ending a night of meditation and Primordial Spirit nourishment.

—

Habitually, his consciousness sank into the depths of his mind to examine his status panel:

[Name: Li Wen]

[Age: 20 years old]

[Realm: Flying Star Rank Middle Stage (Level 36.9)]

[Class: Scholar LV12 (175320→204480/204800)]

[Skills: Blade Technique - Concept (99%), Five Styles of Dawn (Instant Rainbow Style 100%, Silent Rainbow Style 100%, Mountain-Crushing Style 100%, Heavenly Gap Style 100%, Thousand Radiance Style 100%)]

[Cultivation Technique: Nine Heavens Divine Body - Nine Layers (100%), God-Shocking Sting - Fourth Floor (100%)]

Li Wen's gaze fell on the class column.

After more than two months, Scholar was finally about to level up.

“The Scholar level up is today.” Glancing at the Scholar experience bar, which was only 320 points short, a flash of burning expectation crossed Li Wen's eyes.

A LV13 Scholar would increase his Comprehension Ability by another 10%, reaching a 130% boost.

This increase might truly be the final straw that breaks the Bottleneck of his Blade Technique.

Li Wen had a strong premonition that today might be the day he breaks through the Bottleneck of the Peak of Saber Intent and steps into the long-dreamed-of Blade Soul Realm.

With this clear sense of anticipation, Li Wen quickly washed up, finished his breakfast, and walked straight into the study room next to the meditation room, which was specifically used for reading and reflection.

He casually took down an ancient text from the bookshelf that explained the ancient military strategist's Realm of "Unity of Heart and Blade." He calmed his mind and once again dove into the sea of knowledge, making the final preparations for that last step.

Time passed bit by bit.

The light and shadows outside the window moved quietly, changing from morning glow to the bright noon sun.

For six full hours, the only sounds in the study were the faint rustle of turning pages and Li Wen's calm, steady breathing.

[You have studied seriously for six hours. Scholar Experience +360]

[Class: Scholar LV12 (204480→204840/204800)]

[Class Leveling Up————]

The moment the System prompt flashed—Boom!!!

A torrent of Mental Energy, far more majestic, pure, and vast than expected, erupted without warning from the deepest part of his Sea of Consciousness.

It was as if a galaxy that had accumulated for billions of years had suddenly burst its banks, carrying a mighty force that washed away everything as it surged into Li Wen's already tough Sea of Consciousness.

[Class: Scholar LV13 (40/409600)]

The moment the class level indicator finished changing, this impact of Mental Energy reached its Peak.

“Ugh!” Even with Li Wen's current Flying Star Middle Stage cultivation and the resilient will of his third-floor Peak Primordial Spirit, combined with the tempering of his Primordial Spirit by God-Shocking Sting, he couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

The sensation wasn't pain, but rather like a small pond being suddenly injected with the waters of a surging great river.

The boundaries of his Sea of Consciousness made faint but clear "crackling" sounds, like the earth splitting into new soil, expanding rapidly in all directions at an indescribable and terrifying speed.

In the center of the Sea of Consciousness, the three-foot-tall Primordial Spirit avatar sat cross-legged. Its body, which was originally as condensed as purple jade glass, was now like a spiritual plant encountering sweet rain after a long drought.

Liquid Mental Energy, pure to the extreme, no longer merged in wisps and threads but transformed into surging, shimmering rivers of liquid energy.

It frantically washed, cleansed, and nourished every inch of the Primordial Spirit's "skin" and every "meridian."

Visibly, the form of the Primordial Spirit avatar began to change rapidly.

It surged!

Its three-foot height climbed steadily as if blown up by air, surpassing four feet and four and a half feet in the blink of an eye, until it stabilized at a majestic height of nearly five feet.

Its form was no longer thin, becoming solid and heavy.

Originally a translucent white-jade color, it now became solid and dense at an incredible speed under the frantic infusion and washing of Mental Energy, like divine iron forged billions of times.

The white-jade color turned into a deep glass purple-gold. The surface was smooth and warm, yet it radiated an indestructible, all-evil-repelling, and peerless divine light.

The skin texture became clearer, like a true body of flesh and blood, revealing an inherent and majestic vitality.

The entire Primordial Spirit was wrapped in a layer of rich purple-gold light. This light was not a simple halo.

Instead, it was a materialized power containing pure Mental Energy and highly condensed Primordial Spirit Power, shining in the Sea of Consciousness like a newborn deity.

At the Origin of the avatar's Sea of Consciousness between its brows, a grain-sized yet so brilliant crystal core that one couldn't look directly at it was slowly rotating. Every rotation emitted waves that cleansed the Soul.

The most significant change was in the eyes of the Primordial Spirit avatar.

Originally, they only carried the calm of wisdom, but now, those eyes composed of pure Mental Energy snapped open.

As the gaze opened and closed, it was like a heaven-opening divine sword splitting Chaos, shooting out a heart-palpitating and sharp divine light that contained endless mysteries and seemed able to pierce through the Origin of time and space.

Wherever his gaze landed, the churning torrent of Mental Energy in the Sea of Consciousness stilled.

The entire upgrade process was like a storm composed of pure energy being whipped up within the Sea of Consciousness.

It was no longer a gentle nourishment but a violent washing and reshaping.

This was precisely a perfect Fusion and sublimation with the massive total amount of Mental Energy from a LV13 Scholar.

The pain and shock were several times greater than when he broke through to LV12.

It was as if his entire Soul was crushed and scattered, then instantly reorganized and solidified in a higher dimension.

Under the impact of this irresistible torrent that almost burst his Soul, Li Wen's face turned slightly pale, and fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.

But there was no panic in his eyes, only clarity and determination.

He immediately took the initiative to guide and tame this monstrous torrent, like driving lightning, making them merge into and strengthen his Primordial Spirit core through the most effective path.

The storm lasted for a long time.

When the surging torrent of Mental Energy in the Sea of Consciousness finally calmed down, the expansion of the Sea of Consciousness stabilized, and the transformation of the Primordial Spirit avatar was declared complete.

The new Primordial Spirit avatar flowed with a deep and restrained purple-gold divine glow. Standing five feet tall, it stood in the center of the vast and deep Sea of Consciousness, emitting an incomparably condensed, heavy, and majestic Aura.

Deep within those eyes that could pierce through the Origin, a vast and boundless starry sky interwoven with the Laws of Saber Intent seemed to be slowly rotating.

Once the Mental Energy within the Sea of Consciousness returned to its original state,

He stood up, pushed open the door, and walked straight to the Martial Arts Field in the front yard.

Sunlight spilled over the grounds paved with green jade. In the corner of the courtyard, the lightning-attracting pillars faintly flowed with purple light, resonating with the lightning-attribute Spiritual Qi permeating the air.

Li Wen's palm closed in the air, and a cold-iron war blade flew from the weapon rack into his hand with a "clink."

"[Absolute Focus] — Activate!"

With a low shout in his heart, the Lv13 Scholar ability erupted.

In an instant, the sound of the wind, the chirping of insects, and even the tolling of the bell from the distant main Peak all faded away. The garden flowers and plants in his vision,

and the carvings on the stone pillars faded away like washed-out ink.

Only the long blade in his hand remained in the world—the forging patterns on the spine of the blade were like lightning meridians, and the cold light on the edge flowed like a pouring star river.

The majestic Mental Energy in his Sea of Consciousness transformed into invisible threads, precisely wrapping around every inch of the blade's body.

With a light twist of his wrist, the basic chopping movements manifested a brand-new Realm under Absolute Focus.

The trajectory of the blade was no longer a simple arc, but was instead decomposed into countless spatial nodes with micron-level precision.

Every change in direction pulled the surrounding lightning spiritual particles, and the humming sound condensed into substantial purple electric scraps, splashing with the blade light like a star rain.

The Five Styles of Dawn were at his fingertips.

The Dawn Style transformed softness into strings, the Saber Qi diffusing like morning mist, yet shooting out fine lightning needles between the misty threads;

The Thousand Radiance Style slashed down violently, splitting into twelve phantom images the moment the blade light exploded.

The Silent Rainbow Style halted its momentum, the space distorting where the tip of the blade stopped; the accumulated Lightning Malevolence transformed into a vortex, swallowing the scattered purple electric scraps back into the blade edge like a whale.

The Primordial Spirit in the Sea of Consciousness deduced simultaneously, as a purple-gold miniature figure slashed through the air, weaving the five styles of Saber Intent into a net.

The previously stagnant nodes were forcibly pierced by violent inspiration. The explosive power of the Thousand Radiance Style was channeled into the convergence of the Silent Rainbow Style, increasing the compression efficiency of the Lightning Malevolence vortex by thirty percent; the softness of the Dawn Style entwined into the Azure Radiance Style, the Saber Qi trajectory suddenly becoming as unpredictable as a living snake.

Four and a half hours passed quietly.

Li Wen was already enveloped in a spherical lightning Domain ten meters in diameter, with space rippling wherever the blade light passed.

The final style was slashed out with full force, a Saber Qi dragon carrying liquid-like Purple Dawn Lightning Malevolence as it boomed toward mid-air.

"Boom-crack—!"

The garden's protective formation patterns flickered violently, and the lingering shockwaves shook the needles of the distant ancient pines down like rain.

However, the moment he sheathed his blade, Li Wen's brow furrowed slightly.

The movements of the Primordial Spirit figure in his Sea of Consciousness suddenly froze—that "membrane" touching the Blade Soul Realm remained as tough as ever.

His Mental Energy was nearly exhausted, the purple-gold Primordial Spirit's luster was dim, and the rotation speed of the spirit core in his glabella slowed down visibly to the naked eye.

He stood leaning on his blade, lightning patterns faintly appearing in his eyes.

Although he hadn't achieved a Breakthrough, that vast Realm where Intent Moves and the Soul is born behind the membrane was already clearly perceptible.

"I estimate that in another two or three months, I should be able to successfully break through to the Blade Soul Realm." Li Wen lightly stroked the humming blade body, the sharpness in the depths of his eyes like hibernating lightning.

Time flew by, and more than two months passed.

December 28, 228 of the galactic calendar, early morning.

The chill seemed thicker than in previous years. Inside the quiet room of Garden No. 1, Block A, in the core area of Nine Heavens Peak.

Li Wen slowly opened his eyes, a flash of purple lightning flowing through his deep pupils.

Today was his twenty-first birthday. Two and a half years had quietly flowed by since he first stepped through the mountain gates of Kindling University.

As he did every time he woke up in the past, he reflexively looked at the information panel condensed in his Sea of Consciousness.

Every data point had progressed steadily. In the Blade Technique column, he had stared at the words "Concept Peak (99%)" countless times.

During this brief moment of contemplation, the communication device on his wrist vibrated gently, and a familiar number appeared.

"Dad, Mom." Connecting the video, his parents' kind faces were clearly projected in the air, bringing warmth like the winter morning sun.

The usual birthday blessings reached his ears.

Cultivation knows no years. Immersed in the vastness of martial arts and the mysteries of the Primordial Spirit, if not for his parents' punctual remembrance, Li Wen would have hardly remembered that this day belonged to him.

A wave of warmth and a slight bitterness spread through his heart at the same time.

He hurriedly adjusted his sitting posture and, with a hint of apology and familial warmth, began to chat seriously about domestic matters.

His parents concernedly asked about his Cultivation and life on the mountain, and he also asked in detail about the recent situation at home.

Half an hour passed in casual chatter.

Before hanging up, Li Wen's gaze inadvertently swept over his parents' temples. The newly added silver hairs there were like frost marks, clearly visible and piercing deep into his heart, causing a surge of sorrow.

"Sigh..." With a soft sigh, longing spread silently.

But the iron rules of Kindling University stood clearly in his heart. For Disciples with extraordinary talent and immense potential, the ban on leaving the mountain would not be lifted until their strength reached the Bright Moon Realm Late Stage.

Reuniting with his parents had actually become a goal that had to be exchanged for several years of tempering.

"Bright Moon Realm Late Stage—at least another two or three years." Thinking of that rigorous condition, a trace of bitterness brushed past the corners of Li Wen's lips.

It wasn't that he didn't understand the deep meaning behind it.

He was well aware of the Intent behind this seemingly impersonal regulation.

Mount Xinhuo was the cradle for the core geniuses of the entire Blue Star, providing the purest and almost undisturbed growth environment.

Once he left this layer of protection and was stationed at the subterranean fortresses on the front lines against the Yao Race, he would face bloody battles that could break out at any moment.

The Yao Race's attacks followed no pattern. New "Interstellar Gates" could descend upon the land like a haze at any time; standing guard day and night with hardly a moment to catch one's breath was the norm.

Moreover, this ban was also the greatest protection for himself.

The halo of his Nine Heavens Divine Body Nine Heavens Perfection was a miracle in the human world, but in the eyes of the Yao Race, it was a fatal threat that had to be strangled in the cradle.

Even if the Yao Race high-level wouldn't immediately mobilize a King-rank existence to target a Flying Star Rank, pursuit by a powerful Marquis Level Yao was almost a certainty.

He had to possess enough trump cards to escape and save his life from a top-tier Marquis Level before stepping out of the mountain gates.

Otherwise, going down the mountain would not be a journey, but a march to his death.

His heart was in turmoil, but Li Wen quickly composed his mind.

After washing up and having a simple spiritual energy breakfast carefully prepared by the Service Department, he headed to the study.

After grinding out his daily six hours of Scholar experience and having lunch, he changed into his cultivation clothes and walked toward the dedicatedMartial Arts Arena in the garden.

The Cold Iron Battle Saber was in his hand, and the icy touch dispelled the last trace of stray thoughts.

The Lv13 Scholar's "Absolute Focus" was activated. Time seemed to freeze around him, and the entire world was left with only the low hum of the Cold Iron Battle Saber slicing through the air, and the Saber Intent inspiration constantly surging, deducing, and attempting to blend in his Sea of Consciousness.

The sun quietly moved westward, and the Absolute Focus field that had condensed for four and a half hours in theMartial Arts Arena slowly dissipated.

Li Wen stood with his blade sheathed, his chest heaving slightly.

Today was not just his birthday; there was another matter weighing on his mind.

Today was the day Ling Feng was to leave the mountain.

This Genius Disciple, who had spent six years in bitter Cultivation at Kindling University, had finally passed the rigorous standards set by the school and was about to rush to the front line.

Ling Feng was steady and reserved, his Cultivation was solid, and his talent was extraordinary. As a top-tier Genius, he had still walked step by step to reach this day, making him someone worthy of respect in the hearts of many Disciples.

Night fell, and a cold moon hung in the sky.

The mountain wind blew through the canyon, making a whistling sound like a sob.

On one side of the Flying Star Society's residential plaza, the outdoor farewell banquet for Ling Feng was nearing its end.

Almost all the elite Disciples of the Flying Star Rank were present.

In the center of the crowd, Ling Feng was in simple combat gear, with the battle saber he had tempered for countless years at his waist. He had shed his usual sharpness, faintly revealing a reserved nature after years of accumulation, as well as a resolve to head to the battlefield.

The atmosphere was solemn yet heroic.

"Everyone, take care!" Ling Feng cupped his fists and looked around. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

His gaze fell upon faces that were either familiar or strange; it was the friendship of six years as fellow Disciples, and also the Kindling brand passed down through generations.

"Senior Brother Ling, kill a few more Great Yao!"

"Safe travels!"

"Come back alive for drinks!" Blessings and exhortations rose one after another, containing both worry and expectation.

The cold moonlight spilled over everyone, the wind caught the corners of their clothes and blew the flags, and the air was filled with a tragic and lonely atmosphere, as if "the wind sighs and the Yi River is cold."

This was the last peace and collective farewell for the Xinhuo students before heading to the bloody front line.

The banquet ended, and the crowd gradually thinned out.

Li Wen did not leave immediately.

He saw that Ling Feng also seemed to be waiting for him and was walking toward him.

The two walked to a somewhat distant cliff edge, overlooking the vast land below the mountain that hid endless danger.

"Junior Brother Li, you are the most... dazzling person I have seen in these years on the mountain." Ling Feng's voice sounded exceptionally calm in the cold wind. "Nine Heavens Perfection, peerless Blade Technique... your future is limitless. I really want to see what kind of radiance you can bloom on the battlefield."

Li Wen nodded slightly: "Senior Brother overpraises me."

"This is not praise, it's a fact." Ling Feng turned his head, his gaze sharp as a blade. "But I go now for only one thing: to kill more of the Yao Race for those who come after, to occupy one more foot of land, and to buy a little more—time."

His words were simple and unadorned, yet they weighed a thousand pounds. "You are different. Your talent is even above mine. You may carry more on your shoulders—hope. The world below the mountain is dangerous, far beyond your imagination. I hope you take care, and... do not fail the expectations brought by the Nine Heavens Perfection you carry."

He patted Li Wen's shoulder heavily. The force was not great, yet it seemed to carry some heavy entrustment: "Protecting the Kindling is not easy. I'll wait for you below the mountain!"

After saying that, Ling Feng showed no more lingering attachment. His figure suddenly soared into the sky, transforming into a meteor that pierced the dark night.

With a determination to never return, he flew alone toward the deep and unknown darkness below the mountain, quickly disappearing into the vast night.

Only Li Wen remained by the cliff.

He stared for a long time in the direction where Ling Feng had disappeared, that resolute figure seemingly merging with the endless darkness below.

The mountain wind grew swifter and bone-chillingly cold, causing the sorrow of parting, longing, the responsibility of protection, the threat of the Yao Race, the thirst for power, the helplessness of the ban on leaving the mountain, his parents' white hair, and that trace of elusive stagnation in his Blade Technique that he could never fully overcome—a hundred emotions suddenly twisted in his heart.

Suddenly, a lightning-like flash of inspiration exploded in his Sea of Consciousness!

It was as if the last mysterious veil obscuring the bright moon had been completely torn away by an invisible hand.

His mind was instantly clear: What is a Blade Soul? It is the condensation of heart and Intent to the extreme; it is the Fusion of the will to protect and destroy on the blade's edge! It is where the heart points, where the Soul is tied, and where the blade is directed!

It must not only split the opponent's defense, but also split the Yao Aura shrouding heaven and earth, split all obstacles and shackles, and point toward the place the heart yearns to protect and return to!

The five styles of Saber Intent that had been slow to unite were not due to poor skill, but because they lacked this "Intent" and "will" that merged into the marrow and ignited the Soul fire!

The barrier that had troubled him for months collapsed!

He didn't even have time to return to Nine Heavens Peak; the sparks of inspiration were fleeting.

Li Wen's figure was like lightning as he turned and shot toward the publicMartial Arts Arena not far away, which was open to all Flying Star Disciples.

There were still a few scattered Disciples in theMartial Arts Arena tempering their skills.

Li Wen ignored the presence of others and drew a training quick-blade from a nearby weapon rack.

The moment the blade was in his hand, an unprecedented sense of harmony and transparency spread from his fingers and palms to his entire Divine Soul.

Without needing to prepare, the Five Styles of Dawn—Shadow-Chasing, Wind-Chasing, Thunder-Running, Silent Rainbow, and Thousand Luminaries—were at his fingertips.

But this time, it was completely different from before.

The blade light was no longer just condensed lightning and technique; it also contained the endless emotions churning in his heart at this moment.

The warmth of longing for home and family, the sorrow over his parents' white hair, the gravity of the Yao Race threat, the persistence in seeking to break through shackles, the resolve to protect the Kindling, and the sense of tragedy and mission when seeing Ling Feng off down the mountain—

All these emotions were highly compressed, ignited by Mental Energy, and driven by the condensed extreme God-Fiend Lightning Malevolence Origin, finally melting into every strand of the slashed-out blade beams.

The five blade Moves were like mercury spilling on the ground, incredibly smooth, with no more stagnation in the transitions.

As the Intent flowed, the Shadow-Chasing Style turned into guiding threads, the Wind-Chasing Style bestowed extreme agility, the Thunder-Running Style erupted with booming power, the Silent Rainbow Style sprinkled destructive sharpness, and the Thousand Radiance Style condensed the will of a hundred strikes.

They were no longer just five independent powerful Moves, but more like different movements of the same battle song.

Li Wen danced selflessly, with purple-gold Soul fire and saber light rising and intertwining around him.

In the center of the Martial Arts Field, an invisible Aura Domain was expanding, its sharp Intent making the skin of onlookers sting.

That ordinary training saber now seemed to carry the weight of ten thousand tons, yet was light enough to slice through moonlight.

The Martial Arts Field, which had some noise before, fell completely silent.

Wang Shuo was walking with Fang Chenghong when he was abruptly interrupted by that sudden burst of terrifying Saber Intent, and he looked over in astonishment.

Fang Chenghong also quickly snapped his head around, his eyes full of disbelief.

Several Flying Star Rank Disciples who recognized Li Wen gasped and subconsciously took a step back.

They had never seen such a terrifying Saber Intent, one that seemed as if it would slice even a person's Soul apart.

There was no world-shaking loud noise.

There was only the blade finally tracing a profound trajectory, and the clear, long Dragon's roar that could cleanse the Soul when it froze in place.

On the blade, the visible, solid purple-gold flowing light retracted, transforming into a soul-form mark between substance and illusion, engraved on the spine of the blade, emitting a vast, majestic, and terrifying will that could destroy everything.

Five styles unified, Soul Intent formed!

Saber Soul Realm, at this moment, was achieved naturally!

One could hear a pin drop in the Martial Arts Field.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on that ordinary saber that seemed reborn and still emitting a Soul-capturing Aura, and on Li Wen, who stood with his saber, his Aura as heavy as a mountain and as sharp as a blade that could open the heavens.

Wang Shuo's Adam's apple bobbed as he murmured, "...Five styles in one... Blade Soul... He actually... succeeded? Here?"

Shock completely overwhelmed him, making him forget his subsequent words.

A complex light surged in Fang Chenghong's eyes—shock, admiration, yearning—but mostly, he was happy for Li Wen.

The news spread silently like a plague among the Disciples still staying at the Flying Star Society on Wudao Peak; on the face of every listener, there was only shock deeply branded into their Divine Soul.

The next morning.

The faint morning light filtered through the window, casting a pale gold glow in the quiet room.

Li Wen sat quietly on a prayer mat, his Aura harmonious and restrained. The fluctuations caused by breaking through to the Saber Soul Realm last night had long since subsided, leaving only that Saber Intent, condensed as if solid, faintly resonating deep within his Sea of Consciousness.

After a night of nourishing his spirit and regulating his breath, his mental state had reached its Peak.

He opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade unsheathed, reflecting the morning light, clear and deep.

Since the Blade Soul was formed, the path ahead was clearly presented—the saber dao realm!

The "Flowing Rainbow Startling Magpie Chapter" and "Dawn Long Rainbow Chapter" had reached Perfection, becoming an incredibly solid foundation. Next, he needed a follow-up core Cultivation Technique that could carry the Blade Soul and point directly to the ultimate saber dao realm.

Otherwise, relying solely on his own exploration, even with his Scholar Comprehension Ability bonus, the time consumed would be too long.

He stood up, his steps steady and silent, and walked straight toward the virtual pod placed in a corner of the room.

The pod door slid shut silently, a familiar coldness enveloped his body, and his consciousness sank and flowed with it.

Opening his eyes again, beneath his feet was that magnificent world constructed of endless data and rule runes—the Xinhuo World. A vast, ancient Aura rushed towards him, containing a sharpness purer than anywhere else.

Li Wen did not hesitate at all; with a slight thought, he activated the teleportation.

With a flash of light, his figure appeared in a solemn area filled with the killing Intent of weapons. On the tall gate, five ancient seal characters for [Technique Legacy Area] flowed with an eternal light.

Familiar with the way, he summoned the Blade Technique category list with a thought.

A vast sea of Blade Technique manuals and titles flowed across the light screen, but Li Wen's Intent was like a magnet, instantly locking onto the complete sequence of the "Five Luminaries Heavenly Rainbow Art."

The exchange information was clearly presented:

First Volume: "Flowing Rainbow Startling Magpie Chapter"—Exchange cost: 5,000,000 core cultivation points (Exchanged).

Middle Volume: "Dawn Long Rainbow Chapter"—Exchange cost: 50,000,000 core cultivation points (Exchanged).

Final Volume: "Profound Vault Rainbow Silence Chapter"—Exchange cost: 500,000,000 core cultivation points (Requirement:

soul realm).

When the "Profound Vault Rainbow Silence Chapter," representing a higher level of the saber dao realm, and the bright red "soul realm" permission label next to it entered his sight, Li Wen's gaze did not waver at all.

He had already perfectly met this requirement.

As for that terrifying amount of five hundred million points, to him, it was more like a string of numbers.

Just like the principle of the principal and the school's resource library being completely open to him, as long as it was for core cultivation, there was no waste; everything needed could be exchanged.

Moreover, for the Xinhuo World, the greatest cost of this core Legacy lay in the virtual source energy consumed to construct the rule simulations for saber dao realm techniques; the actual resource consumption was not unbearable.

"Confirm exchange: Final Volume of 'Profound Vault Rainbow Silence Chapter'." Li Wen's voice was calm, his command clear and firm, without a hint of hesitation.

A massive amount of virtual source energy was allocated and consumed like a tide, and the light of a successful exchange was instantly injected into his student insignia.

The next moment, a familiar pulling sensation came, and the surrounding space began to rotate and stretch.

The light and shadow stabilized, and Li Wen found himself in a deeper core Legacy space that seemed to contain the primordial nebula of the universe.

Unlike the last time he learned the "Dawn Long Rainbow Chapter," the Aura of the space here was more condensed and heavy, permeating with a pressure almost at the level of Law.

In the distance was still the image of that middle-aged man whose Aura was like an ancient mountain and whose face was blurred yet exuded endless Saber Dao majesty.

"You've come." A grand voice rang directly in his Sea of Consciousness, carrying scrutiny and a hint of recognition. "Meeting here proves you have condensed a Blade Soul and glimpsed the threshold of the Dao Realm. This is the 'Profound Vault Rainbow Silence Chapter,' containing five styles that point directly to the Saber Dao Origin. Watch closely!"

Before the voice faded, the Aura of the phantom suddenly changed, as if he had transformed into a divine blade capable of splitting the heavens.

First Style: Profound Vault: Star Gallop!

The middle-aged man's body did not Move, but an unspeakable extreme speed suddenly erupted around him.

An extremely condensed, slender saber light suddenly lit up. Its trajectory was not a straight line but traced an unfathomable star track, as if it had truly caught up with teleporting starlight. Its speed was so fast that the "light" of the entire Legacy space dimmed.

Spatial ripples surged like waves, being compressed to the limit behind that saber light. Only that brilliant path of saber light moved eternally forward.

This was the ultimate demonstration of speed, surpassing the boundaries of conventional perception.

Second Style: Profound Vault: Thunder Punishment!

The extreme speed suddenly collapsed into a single point. The phantom's movement seemed to instantly freeze in the strongest charging posture. The massive thunder malice power gathered around him was compressed and compressed again, then erupted with the downward-slashing saber light.

The saber light was like an extremely compressed Nine Heavens divine lightning suddenly released. Wherever it passed, the space made an overburdened "crackling" sound. The violent energy was restrained on the blade's edge, forming a destructive explosive impact that seemed capable of annihilating all matter in front of it.

Third Style: Profound Vault: Heavenly Palace!

The Saber Intent shifted from extreme motion to absolute stillness.

The saber light no longer pursued killing; instead, it suddenly rotated and spread in front of the phantom, as if unfolding a massive circular curtain wall entirely constructed of brilliant rainbow light and condensed Saber Qi.

The curtain wall flowed incessantly and was incredibly heavy. Ancient runes faintly flickered on it, and reflections of the galaxy rose and fell. It was indestructible, as if it could isolate any external erosion or attack, transforming into an absolute Domain barrier to protect oneself.

Fourth Style: Profound Vault: Xing Xuan!

The defensive stance instantly turned into boundless slaughter.

The phantom spun and slashed on the spot. The saber light was no longer just a single beam; instead, as it was unleashed, it split, evolved, and spread!

In an instant, thousands of Saber Qi vortices, as condensed as substance, were generated. These vortices were not haphazard; they pulled and rotated with each other, forming a massive Saber Qi storm Domain covering several thousand meters around.

Each Star Vortex was like a small abyss, emitting terrifying suction and tearing force, strangling all enemies within its range. Within this area, everything was a Saber Domain.

Fifth Style: Profound Vault: Soul Abyss!

This final style had its power restrained to the extreme, yet it reached straight for the Divine Soul.

The middle-aged man's blade no longer had a clear physical trajectory, as if he were just gently guiding something against the void ahead.

A deep, dark rainbow light that seemed capable of swallowing all light and life appeared silently in the air. This rainbow light was not brilliant at all; instead, it emitted a silence-inducing Aura that made the Soul tremble.

It had no strong spatial fluctuations; its true power lay in directly shaking, silencing, and pulling the Soul's will.

It shared similarities with the God-Shocking Sting, but the damage to the Primordial Spirit was relatively superficial. It was more aligned with the Blade Soul Origin, a silence-inducing saber light targeted at the Physical Body.

After the five styles were performed, the energy in the entire Legacy space surged and could not subside for a long time.

The essence of those five styles of Saber Intent—imprinted with extreme speed, destructive eruption, absolute protection, Domain strangulation, and Soul silence—had been deeply etched into Li Wen's Sea of Consciousness along with the demonstration.

His heart was shaken. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and concentrated, fully digesting the grand information and profound Saber Intent contained in these five styles.

The Blade Soul rang autonomously in his Sea of Consciousness, beginning to deduce the Profound Truth that pointed directly to the saber dao realm.

The direction for future bitter cultivation was now clear.

Time flowed like water, and leaves fell one after another.

Half a year had passed since Li Wen broke through to the Saber Soul Realm.

June 1st, galactic calendar Year 229.

——

Sunlight filtered through the lush branches and leaves of the ancient trees in the courtyard, casting mottled light and shadows on the front Martial Arts Field.

It had been three full years since Li Wen went up the mountain.

In the center of the Martial Arts Field, Li Wen's figure was still, and the battle saber in his hand flowed with a restrained cold light.

He was not practicing specific Moves but just swinging freely according to his will.

With a seemingly casual upward diagonal slash, a condensed, solid green saber beam broke through the air, its momentum as swift as a thunderclap.

The saber beam left the blade for ten zhang, and instead of weakening or dissipating, it suddenly surged several more zhang in an instant, like a cold moon crossing the sky, carrying a chilling sharpness that could split mountains, silently slicing through the specially made energy absorption target in the distance.

A deep, bottomless cut was left on the target, its edges smooth as a mirror, and it did not dissipate for a long time.

The blade followed the heart.

Then, with a slight rotation of his wrist, a Move of "Profound Vault: Star Gallop" followed naturally. Although he only displayed the prototype of its speed essence, the field was already filled with his green afterimages.

The trajectory was hard to find, and only a low, continuous shrill whistle remained in the air, which was the tail sound left by the extreme speed cutting through space.

Where the afterimages passed, the space showed slightly distorted water-like ripples.

The Saber Intent finally came to an end.

Li Wen stood with his saber sheathed, and the terrifying sharp Aura that had filled the Martial Arts Field just now suddenly retracted.