15: Chapter 15 Sword Intent Soars, Sword Heart Achieved!

While exchanging blows, Mu Qingci carefully observed his opponent's swordsmanship, attempting to comprehend the Sword Intent within.

But no matter how hard he tried, he could never find the source of that flicker of inspiration.

Watching the Sword Intent around Ji Juechen becoming increasingly solid, Mu Qingci seemed to realize something.

He deactivated the amplification of his Spirit Ability and focused all his attention on the Hades Sword in his hand; he wanted to have a pure duel of swords with Ji Juechen.

Although he knew that this would greatly reduce his chances of winning, he had not come for victory; he had come to hone his own Sword Intent.

With the disappearance of his Spirit Ability's amplification, Mu Qingci was clearly and gradually falling behind in his exchange with Ji Juechen.

Fine scratches began to appear on his body, as if made by a sharp weapon.

Yet Mu Qingci did not feel the slightest bit of pain, and the light in his eyes grew increasingly fervent.

He felt it!

His heart was making a connection with the Hades Sword in his hand!

With every sword strike he unleashed, Mu Qingci could clearly feel his Sword Intent growing bit by bit.

This growth was very weak, but it was like a lit flame, gradually growing stronger and developing into a prairie fire.

Mu Qingci's gaze was fanatical, and his exchanges with Ji Juechen became increasingly smooth.

This was not because his swordsmanship had caught up to Ji Juechen's in such a short time; it was purely due to the suppression of Spirit quality.

His Hades Sword was a god-level Spirit. If not for Ji Juechen possessing a Sword Intent so powerful it was on the verge of forming a Domain, he would have long since failed in his previous duel against Mu Qingci while the latter was in an amplified state.

Amidst these sword exchanges, Mu Qingci was like a blacksmith, constantly forging his own Sword Intent.

"Exhilarating! Exhilarating!"

Whenever it came to fighting, Ji Juechen was no longer the quiet person he usually was; he acted like a fanatical madman.

An hour passed.

The sounds of battle on the arena had ceased, and the teacher in charge of refereeing had already returned to work.

Mu Qingci and Ji Juechen just lay there on the arena, facing the sky.

"It's been a long time since I fought this satisfyingly. Mu Qingci, from now on, you are my brother!"

Ji Juechen's face was full of a smile rarely seen on weekdays; today's battle made him feel extremely comfortable.

Mu Qingci was completely exhausted and unable to move, but the deepening of his understanding of Sword Intent made him feel very happy at this moment.

"Brother Ji, we must spar more often when we have the chance in the future. Your swordsmanship is truly superb; I still have a lot to learn."

Mu Qingci didn't even have the strength to lift his arm to wipe his sweat now, but fortunately, there was a little white-haired girl beside him, holding a towel and helping him wipe away his sweat.

"Qingci, you really are something. Why are you like this guy when you fight? Like a madman, not resting until you're exhausted."

Although Meng Hongchen's words were meant to be scolding, the worry in her tone could not be concealed.

"Haha, you kid are really lucky. You've even managed to win over the granddaughter of the Mingde Hall Hall Master."

Ji Juechen looked up at Meng Hongchen, who was carefully wiping sweat for Mu Qingci, and teased.

Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen's small face instantly turned beet red, blushing all the way to her ears, as if she were about to steam.

"Oh my, don't talk nonsense..."

The usually lively and cheerful Meng Hongchen became a little stutterer when teased about her and Mu Qingci, unable to say a word for a long time.

"Brother Ji, please stop teasing Sister Meng. How could I possibly be worthy of her? She is Hall Master Jing's precious jewel. If you say that, be careful, you might get me into trouble."

"That's not true at all! Qingci, you are so outstanding, you could be worthy of anyone!"

The originally stuttering Meng Hongchen, upon hearing Mu Qingci say such things, immediately pouted her small mouth and retorted loudly.

Mu Qingci and Ji Juechen looked at each other and laughed out loud simultaneously.

Meng Hongchen only then realized belatedly, and shyly threw the towel onto Mu Qingci's face: "Hmph, Qingci, you're playing with me, I'm ignoring you!"

"Don't go, Sister Meng, I don't have the strength to take the towel off right now!"

Mu Qingci's vision was blocked, so he could only shout helplessly.

But no matter how he called out, Meng Hongchen just wouldn't come.

From Ji Juechen's perspective, he could see it clearly: Meng Hongchen was squatting to the side, her face as red as a ripe apple, buried in her hands, not moving at all.

That night, Mu Qingci returned to his room and began to recall the details of the day's battle.

Carefully feeling that strange sensation of inspiration sparking.

He released his Spirit. The Hades Sword was held in his hand, its blade shimmering with golden light, with a faint film covering the outermost layer—that was the manifestation of Sword Intent.

Mu Qingci held the sword in one hand, eyes tightly closed; he was looking directly, looking directly into his own heart.

His heart seemed to have developed a wondrous connection with the Hades Sword.

This connection even surpassed the bond between a Spirit and a Spirit Master.

"Hum."

Accompanying the violent trembling of the Hades Sword's blade, an invisible Sword Intent spread out with Mu Qingci as the center.

He opened his eyes abruptly, his heart heaving violently, as if resonating with the Hades Sword.

"It's done!"

Mu Qingci shouted out in surprise. Fortunately, no one lived around his dormitory, otherwise, he would definitely have been reported for disturbing the peace.

The reason Mu Qingci was so pleasantly surprised was that he could feel that his heart had changed; from this moment on, he had become a true sword practitioner, possessing his own Sword Heart.

A few days later, it was the day for Jing Hongchen to visit his grandchildren, which was also the day for Mu Qingci to ask for advice regarding spirit tool knowledge.

After a few days of settling, Mu Qingci had initially mastered his Sword Intent. Under the enhancement of the Sword Heart, his entire temperament had undergone a slight change.

He became more ethereal, as elegant and unconstrained as a Sword Immortal. On his way to Jing Hongchen's office, he could always attract the sidelong glances of quite a few female students, his head-turning rate off the charts.

"Qingci, I'm here!"

Every time this happened, a little white-haired girl would jump out halfway and grab onto Mu Qingci's arm.

Mu Qingci had long since gotten used to Meng Hongchen's presence; the relationship between the two had now reached the point of being close to that of a couple.

"Grandpa, Qingci and I are here!"

"Greetings."

Just as she pushed open the office door, Meng Hongchen called out sweetly.

Seeing this scene between the two, Jing Hongchen's reaction was no longer as big as it had been the first time.

After all, having witnessed Mu Qingci's talent in cultivation as well as his talent in spirit tools, Jing Hongchen had begun to gradually accept this young man from the bottom of his heart.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, the fact was that Mu Qingci was the most outstanding member of the younger generation he had seen so far.

"You're here, Mengmeng." Jing Hongchen first responded to his precious granddaughter's call, then nodded towards Mu Qingci, acknowledging him.