Chapter Eight: Breaking the Seal

Long Yun shook his head with a bitter smile. To be honest, even he did not know what that golden light truly was or why it had entered his body.

"Senior, I really have no idea what it is," Long Yun spoke softly.

"Sigh..." The Sword Stone's soul did not press the matter further, instead sighing, "I suppose I was overthinking. This power can only be described as terrifying. Boy, you have gained its approval, but whether that is a blessing or a curse, I cannot say."

Long Yun's expression remained unchanged. He replied calmly, "Senior, whether it is a blessing or a curse, this power is not something I can grasp at present. No matter how much I ponder, it is useless. Since it does not intend to harm me, I will let it be. After all, it did save my life just now."

Having absorbed some of its essence, the Sword Stone's soul glowed a little brighter. Hearing Long Yun's words, it felt a deep sense of admiration for him.

Not lingering on the topic, it continued, "Boy, thank you. Now that the seal has been removed, my strength will gradually return. The Sword Stone will regain its former glory. Yet I truly do not know how to thank you. Your comprehension of sword intent has reached an extraordinary level. If I were to instill new sword intent in you, it might hinder your cultivation. As for sword techniques and methods, these are derived from supreme sword intent. You already possess the foundation; learning my techniques would not bring much benefit."

Long Yun chuckled and nodded. "Senior, to be honest, what I lack most now are powerful sword arts. Likewise, the Heart Sword lineage is also in need of such skills. I ask that you please teach me sword techniques and methods!"

"Haha!" The Sword Stone's soul burst out laughing, then declared, "Boy, you are the most interesting young man I have ever met. Most importantly, you are kind. I suspect you have already guessed my intention to sacrifice my essence to empower you, so you request sword arts to dissuade me. Very well, this old soul cannot withstand such strain anymore. From now on, you may enter the Sword Stone at any time. While the sword intent here is useless to you, its energy is pure sword dao, which will aid your cultivation. Now, let me teach you some sword techniques!"

Long Yun smiled, his thoughts laid bare, and bowed in gratitude.

"The sword techniques I have preserved within me were created by the sages of Jade Sword Sect, born from their lifelong insights. These arts are exquisite, each possessing formidable offensive power. Now, I will impart to you five sets of sword techniques!"

A column of golden light shot forth from the Sword Stone's soul, pouring directly into Long Yun's brow.

Long Yun felt his whole body tremble, as vast streams of information flowed through the golden light into his mind.

The Five Great Sword Arts: Grand Chaos Sword, Great Compassion Bliss Sword, Stellar Fatal Sword, Morning Sun Sword Technique, and Ten Thousand Obliterations Sword—all supreme arts without exception.

Long Yun was stirred. The Sword Stone’s soul had rewarded him with peerless sword techniques. He immediately sat cross-legged and began to comprehend the immense intent transmitted to him.

Sword techniques are driven by sword intent; to master an art, one must grasp its intent. Now Long Yun's sword intent was profound beyond compare.

Though these techniques ranked as top-tier, to Long Yun, who had mastered the fundamentals, they posed no difficulty. In just a month, he fully assimilated all five deadly sword arts.

With a quiet breath, his tiger eyes opened. Two sharp sword lights shot forth, the fierce and chilling aura enough to shatter a person’s will.

A faint smile appeared on Long Yun’s face as he slowly stood. In one month, the Sword Stone’s soul had recovered somewhat. Though not yet restored to its former brilliance, freed from the seal, it now had nothing to fear; full recovery was imminent.

Long Yun did not disturb the Sword Stone’s soul. The five sword arts were more than enough for the Heart Sword lineage to rise. In time, as the Sword Stone recovered, the lineage would grow ever stronger.

He bowed slightly to the Sword Stone, drew his hand through the air, and the void shattered. Sword intent surged—steady and restrained. The space split open, and in a flash, he stepped out of the Sword Stone realm.

No sooner had Long Yun’s figure vanished than the Sword Stone’s soul quivered, awakening and muttering to itself, "Boy, blessings and curses are intertwined. Do you realize that though you wield this terrifying power, it is also a great danger? Grow stronger quickly, or else you will not be qualified to continue this path."

Outside the Sword Stone realm, Xue Renqi stood quietly, pacing back and forth. A month had passed, with no news from Long Yun, and worry gnawed at his heart.

For the whole month, except for meals, he had stayed here, waiting for Long Yun’s return. Yet with each disappointment, despair crept closer.

His heart hung in his throat, his gaze uneasy, torn between self-reproach and hope.

Just then, as Xue Renqi floundered in uncertainty, a figure flashed out from the Sword Stone, standing firmly before him.

Long Yun stood with sword intent held in check, revealing nothing outwardly.

"Master, I did not fail you," Long Yun said, a smile gracing his lips as he spoke first to the anxious Xue Renqi.

Xue Renqi’s worries melted away in an instant. As an elder, his self-control was good, but even so, his face broke into a beaming smile.

"In my lifetime, to witness the rise of the Heart Sword lineage—this is worthy of my master and the ancestors of our lineage!" Xue Renqi's tone carried a hint of sorrow.

Long Yun shook his head and smiled. He understood well the Heart Sword lineage’s plight. Now, with the Sword Stone’s recovery, the lineage had regained its vitality. No wonder Xue Renqi felt moved.

"Master, rest assured. Since I am a direct disciple of the Heart Sword lineage, I will always uphold its honor. This time in the Sword Stone, I gained much. The Heart Sword lineage will receive all it deserves. But Master, a month has passed. We should return quickly; it is time to fulfill the challenge with Quan Guanxin," Long Yun's eyes flashed with a subtle, steely light.

Heart Sword lineage, Martial Arena.

Quan Guanxin stood with Pei Yue and others, facing the disciples of the Heart Sword lineage led by Yuan Chen and Chen Jie.

"Yuan Chen, the sun is nearly set. Is that boy going to run away from the battle?" Quan Guanxin mocked, eyes full of ridicule.

In truth, he knew that even if Long Yun avoided the fight, it would be understandable. After all, they differed by two levels—a gap impossible to cross.

Yuan Chen was deeply conflicted. Seeing the looks from the other disciples, he felt uneasy, hoping Long Yun would deal harshly with Quan Guanxin.

Yet he also knew Long Yun was no match for Quan Guanxin, who had reached the Divine Gathering realm, so he did not want Long Yun to accept the challenge either.

"So, the Heart Sword lineage is filled with such useless people. If you lack confidence, don't accept the challenge and let my fifth senior waste his time," Pei Yue sneered, cradling his sword.

Having lost to Long Yun before—a stain upon his life—Pei Yue would not miss this chance to insult the Heart Sword lineage, sparing no harsh words.

Xu Lie’s fiery temper flared again, and he roared, "Pei Yue, you were defeated by my junior. What right do you have to speak? If you dare, fight him again!"

Pei Yue’s face turned pale and green, replying coldly, "Xu Lie, say that again if you dare!"

Xu Lie ignored him, pressing, "If you lack the skill, stop chattering and annoying everyone!"

"You’re asking for death!" Pei Yue flashed forward, lunging at Xu Lie, fingers poised to grip Xu Lie’s throat.

Xu Lie was merely at the Meridians Unlocked realm, two levels below Pei Yue’s Energy Gathering realm. Seeing Pei Yue attack, his face changed drastically, and he struck out with his palm to block Pei Yue’s move.

Yuan Chen dared not be careless. From the side, he used a grappling technique, trying to help Xu Lie break free from Pei Yue’s arm.

A cold smile flickered between Pei Yue’s brows. Without pausing, his left hand struck Yuan Chen’s arm, while his right struck Xu Lie’s arm.

With a dull boom, two figures flew backward at once.