43: Sword Soul!

Lin Hao took a deep breath and solemnly cupped his fists in salute toward the ancient sword.

Then, without further hesitation, his Divine Soul power mixed with his own pure Sword Intent, spreading toward the rusty sword like a trickling stream, attempting to communicate with it and perceive the true meaning of the Dao of the Sword contained within.

However, just as his Divine Soul power touched the surface of the rusty sword—

"Buzz!!!"

An indescribable, majestic, and vast terrifying Sword Intent, as if accumulated over eternal ages, erupted like a volcano that had slept for billions of years!

That was not an attack, but merely an unconscious, natural "breath"!

"Pfft—!"

Lin Hao felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow. His face instantly turned as pale as paper, and he violently spat out a mouthful of blood. His body staggered back more than ten steps, and his Divine Soul vibrated violently as if it were about to be crushed by that Sword Intent!

Too strong! Too ancient! Too overbearing!

Within that Sword Intent lay endless slaughter, warfare, protection, and an indomitable, unyielding, extreme sharpness!

Just sensing it for a moment nearly caused his Sword Heart to collapse!

Lin Hao knelt on one knee, propping himself up with his sword while gasping for air, but a more intense fire burned in his eyes!

"Such... such terrifying Sword Intent! Is this the sharpness of an Ancient Sword Cultivator?"

Instead of being alarmed, he was delighted. "Only such Sword Intent can help me condense the strongest Sword Dao Life Soul!"

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze becoming incredibly firm. He did not rashly use his Divine Soul to make contact again. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the spot and closed his eyes. He no longer tried to perceive it intentionally but opened his body and mind to endure and experience the wisps of ancient Sword Intent originating from the rusty sword that permeated the air.

Chichi!

The invisible Sword Intent was like the sharpest carving knife, cutting his skin, his Meridians, and even his Divine Soul!

Intense pain assailed him at every moment.

Fine blood streaks began to appear on the surface of his body, but he remained motionless, without even a furrow of his brow.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, he began to visualize.

He visualized that rusty sword, visualized the eternal ages it had endured, and visualized the unyielding spirit and sharpness it contained!

One day, two days, three days...

Lin Hao seemed to have turned into a stone statue beneath the Sword Monument. His aura grew weaker and weaker, as if he might completely dissipate at any moment under the tempering of that terrifying Sword Intent.

But his Sword Heart, through thousands of temperings, became purer and more brilliant!

Finally, on the seventh day.

When the first ray of dawn pierced through the mist above the Sword Tomb and fell upon the rusty sword.

The rust on that eternally unchanging sword actually lit up with an almost imperceptible glow.

At that very instant!

Lin Hao's tightly closed eyes snapped open!

In his eyes, there were no longer pupils, only two miniature, extremely brilliant phantom light-swords!

"I understand!"

"The Dao of the Sword is nothing more than: where the heart points, the sword follows!"

"Sharpness hidden in the sheath is for protection! Unsheathed and stained with blood, it is for slaying enemies!"

"Protection and slaughter both depend on a single thought!"

"This is my Sword Heart! My Life Soul!"

"Condense!!!"

He let out a long whistle, its sound like a dragon's roar, echoing through the Sword Tomb!

Within his Sea of Consciousness, the Sword Heart, born from enduring endless Sword Intent and observing ancient sword marks, erupted!

Endless radiance gathered, and a light-sword—cyan throughout, simple and unadorned, yet containing extreme sharpness and a firm intent to protect—suddenly took shape!

Sword Soul! Formed!

Boom!!!

A sharp and matchless yet upright and peaceful Sword Intent soared from within Lin Hao's body, resonating with the chime of the ancient sword behind him, causing thousands of broken swords throughout the Sword Tomb to tremble and hum in unison!

As if congratulating the birth of a new King of the Dao of the Sword!

First Layer of the Life Soul Realm! Sword Soul Realm!

His cultivation broke through instantly, and because his Foundation was incredibly solid, it stabilized directly at the Peak of the first layer!

Sword Qi automatically protected his body, the wounds all over him healed instantly, and sword light faintly flowed beneath his skin!

Lin Hao rose to his feet, feeling a power completely different from before—a powerful sensation where a single thought could trigger the Sword Qi of heaven and earth!

He looked at the rusty sword again, his eyes filled with gratitude.

He solemnly bowed deeply three times to the rusty sword.

The rusty sword vibrated slightly, seemingly in response, before falling silent once more as if nothing had happened.

...

Black Wind Mountain Range.

Ye Chen was like a tiger among sheep, unilaterally crushing a secret sub-branch of the Ghost Fiend Sect.

After breaking through to the Life Soul Realm, the power of his Ancient Desolate Sacred Body began to show, with his strength, speed, and defense reaching a freakish level.

The Ghost Fiend Sect's strange Cultivation Techniques, poison mists, and corpse puppets had their effects greatly reduced before his extremely Yang and vigorous blood vitality.

"Exhilarating! Again!"

Ye Chen laughed loudly. Using no technique at all, he punched straight out. The fist wind was like a physical golden torrent, shattering a First Layer Life Soul Realm Ghost Fiend Sect Elder along with his Natal Bone Banner into pieces!

With a backhand grab, he pressed the head of another evil cultivator who tried to sneak attack him into the ground!

The battle ended quickly, with not a single soul left alive in the sub-branch.

Ye Chen scavenged for a while, found some useful resources, and burned the sub-branch to the ground.

"The people from the Shadow Kill Tower have learned their lesson; they haven't shown their faces lately."

Ye Chen clapped his hands, feeling a bit unsatisfied.

He knew that the Shadow Kill Tower was like a venomous snake in the dark; if a strike failed, they would go into hiding and wait for the next Opportunity.

"Forget it, there are no decent opponents left in the Black Wind Mountain Range. It's time to check out that 'Ancient God Battlefield' the Old Ancestor mentioned. I heard it's a site left over from a great war in ancient times, filled with soaring Evil Qi and various opportunities for Body Refining—perfect for me!"

He identified the direction, and his figure turned into a golden rainbow, leaving the Black Wind Mountain Range and heading toward the desolate lands further west of the continent.

...

Deep within the Endless Gobi.

Lin Yun's figure stopped before a seemingly ordinary sand dune.

The Star Fragment in his hand was currently emitting a faint but steady light.

"This is the place."

Lin Yun's Double Pupils slowly rotated, and the scene before him began to change.

The sand dune was no longer a sand dune, but a distorted entrance to a Secret Realm emitting faint spatial fluctuations, with dim starlight flowing around its edges.

"Starfall Secret Realm..." Lin Yun took a deep breath and, without any hesitation, stepped into that distorted space.

The scene shifted, and he felt as if he had stepped into a starry sky.

Beneath his feet was nothingness, surrounded by slowly rotating Star Fragments. In the distance, massive star carcasses floated, exuding a lonely and majestic aura.

Pure Astral Power and a special Soul Power tide permeated the area.

Lin Yun immediately sat cross-legged. His Double Pupils operated at full capacity as he began to greedily absorb the Astral Power here, and his Divine Soul began to undergo a subtle transformation under the washing of that Soul Power tide.

His aura became even more profound and inscrutable.

...

Qingzhou, Lin Family.

Acting Clan Head respectfully reported to Lin Dao.

"Old Ancestor, according to the preliminary investigation, the collusion between Zhao Kuo of the Marquis Zhenhais Estate and the Ghost Fiend Sect and Shadow Kill Tower seems to stem from a private resource transaction. Zhao Kuo wanted to use the hands of the Evil Path to eliminate Young Master Ye Chen, avenge the humiliation at the Myriad Law Tower, and seize the earth fire molten crystal. Currently, no direct evidence has been found indicating that the Marquis Zhenhais Estate is connected to the Calamity Demon Kingdom."

"The Shadow Kill Tower takes orders based only on the reward, without asking about the origin, making it difficult to trace the mastermind for now. The remnants of the Ghost Fiend Sect are being purged."

"In addition, obscure news has come from the Central Province. The Emperor is in secluded cultivation, and government affairs are being temporarily handled by the Crown Prince and several Assistant Ministers. Regarding our Lin Family's title of 'family protecting the nine provinces,' many old established clans and Sects in the Central Province offer congratulations on the surface but harbor grievances privately, believing our Lin Family's heritage is shallow and that we do not deserve the status. There are even rumors that someone wants to use the 'Nine Provinces Prodigy Assembly' three years from now to suppress our Lin Family's prestige."

Lin Dao listened quietly, his fingers lightly tapping on the table.

"A tall tree attracts the wind; that's normal. Since they think our Lin Family's heritage is shallow, then let's show them."

"Pass down these orders: First, open part of the Family's secret treasury and establish the 'Dao Protection Pavilion' where Cultivation Techniques, Martial Skills, Medicinal Pills, and divine weapons can be exchanged for merit points. This is not limited to Lin Family disciples but is also open to subordinate forces and Guest Elders who perform excellently!"

"Second, increase resource investment to cultivate the Family's talents in Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Talismans, and Formations. I want to see results within three years!"

"Third, in the name of the Lin Family, issue invitations to all the younger generation of the Nine Provinces. They are welcome to come to Qingzhou for exchange and sparring; our Lin Family will provide the venue and even guidance!"

"Fourth, closely monitor the movements of the Calamity Demon Kingdom, especially their contacts with certain forces in the Central Province. Report any unusual activity immediately!"

Acting Clan Head felt his heart surge with excitement. The Old Ancestor intended to use an upright and honorable approach to solidify the Lin Family's Foundation and respond to all doubts!

Each of these four orders could be called a grand masterstroke. Especially the first and third ones; once implemented, they will surely attract countless talents and eyes to Qingzhou, and the Lin Family's prestige and strength will enter a completely new period of explosion!

"Yes! Old Ancestor! I will go and handle it immediately!" Acting Clan Head took the order excitedly and left.

Lin Dao looked into the distance, his eyes deep.