Chapter 210: The Supreme Void Sword Nurturing Text
In Wu Mountain Valley, shattered jade and flowing light surged forth, and Song Yan’s form materialized.
Yet the mysterious figure was nowhere to be seen.
Although this place lay within the borders of Chu Kingdom, he judged that the Sword Sect’s mountain gate must be situated at the junction of Linzhou in Chu, Qizhou in Ning, and Yangzhou in Yue.
It lay deep within the Qingwei Wu Mountain range, and the sect’s protective grand formation encompassed trapping, maze, and illusion formations in full.
Mortals could scarcely set foot here, and even cultivators without guidance would never find this place.
Wu Mountain Valley was merely the exit point of some teleportation formation leading from a mountain gate.
He glanced at the jade seal in his hand, his heart a tangle of emotions.
This passage through Linzhou had been meant to uncover his grandfather’s past. Yet events had unfolded entirely beyond his expectations.
His grandfather had once stayed in that thatched shelter on Wuzhi Plateau and lied about it being their ancestral home. Clearly, there was a deeper meaning.
In hindsight, the old man very likely knew of the Sword Sect—perhaps even had some connection to the raincoat-clad elder.
Yet countless questions about his grandfather remained for the moment unanswerable.
“Never mind. I shall return first. I must not keep Xiao He and the others waiting.”
All in all, this journey had been a joyous one.
Not only had he fortuitously discovered the Sword Sect’s ruins, but his cultivation had also broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining.
Though he had been unable to enter the inner sect to explore further, obtaining this jade seal and the sword qi cauldron was already a considerable harvest.
He would not dwell on the unknown.
He placed the Supreme Void Sword Nurturing Text into his Cosmos Bag, checked the sword qi cauldron and his other spoils once more, and then descended the mountain path at a leisurely pace.
Song Yan walked and contemplated his next course of action.
The matter of the Sword Sect was of grave importance, and the Yin-Yang Pearl was even more secretive. For the time being, he did not intend to reveal either to anyone.
As for the mystery of his grandfather, perhaps after achieving Foundation Establishment, he could return to the Sword Sect’s inner sect to explore and uncover more clues.
The pressing matter at hand was to achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. He was now at the ninth level of Qi Refining, but a single step separated him from Foundation Establishment.
Should he succeed in establishing his foundation, not only would his strength increase greatly, but he could also use the Supreme Void Sword Nurturing Text to freely enter and exit the Sword Sect, exploring its inner sanctum.
Moreover, the sword qi cauldron required immediate familiarization. Crafting higher-quality pills would prove immensely beneficial to his cultivation.
The cultivation within that dream had left Song Yan with a lingering sense of nostalgia.
If the spiritual energy of heaven and earth could be concentrated to such a degree, then cultivation without relying on pills was undoubtedly the finest path.
There was no need to worry about pill toxins accumulating, no risk of hollow cultivation, and no danger of qi deviation.
However, such a cultivation environment was clearly a rare treasure that could not be sought at will.
“Foundation Establishment…”
For the longest time, Song Yan had adhered to a single principle: to keep his feet firmly on the ground and never chase after grandiose ambitions.
His knowledge of Foundation Establishment was therefore rather limited.
“I shall need to make thorough preparations.”
Standing now before the great mountain of Foundation Establishment, his mind was somewhat scattered, feeling there was far too much to be done.
He would begin with what he could do.
A trip to North Watch Mountain was now unavoidable.
Though Song Yan had not taken any specific action, he remained ever vigilant against the emergence of Heart Demons.
This affliction influenced the mind in subtle, insidious ways.
Normally, regular self-reflection could ward it off to a degree, but should it erupt violently upon the day of his breakthrough, the consequences would be impossible to foretell.
The petals of the Moon-Sustaining Ancient Lotus could be used to refine the Pure Moon Talisman, which suppressed yin spirits, Heart Demons, and illusion techniques.
The lotus seeds, if used as alchemical ingredients, could also be used to refine certain pills that subdued Heart Demons.
It never hurt to be prepared early.
Lost in thought, he arrived before the thatched shelter on Wuzhi Plateau. Xiao Ju sat on the threshold, hugging the sword case. Seeing his return, she rose at once and bowed. “Senior Song!”
Song Yan gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over Xiao He, who still slumbered soundly inside the shelter. “She has not yet awakened?”
Xiao Ju nodded. “Yes. Xiao He sleeps very deeply. She has turned over a few times, but has not opened her eyes.”
Song Yan approached to check. Confirming that Xiao He’s breathing was steady and the demonic energy within her flowed in orderly fashion—clearly she was digesting the tiger demon’s inner core—she set her mind at ease.
Xiao He’s demonic energy was advancing toward the late stage of the first rank at a perceptible rate.
This process would not take much longer.
He turned to Xiao Ju. “We shall stay here for a few days. Once Xiao He awakens, we will depart.”
“Very well.”
Yet although the area was remote, it was still a mortal dwelling, and the spiritual energy was pitifully thin.
Song Yan decided to take Xiao Ju and Xiao He up to Wu Mountain Valley, where he carved out a temporary residence along one of the cliff faces.
The spiritual energy here was likewise unremarkable, but far better than below the mountain.
Within the valley, he alternated between guiding Xiao Ju’s cultivation and consolidating his own ninth-level Qi Refining realm. It took three to five days before his cultivation fully stabilized.
Xiao He still had not awakened. Song Yan turned his attention to the Supreme Void Sword Nurturing Text included within the Sword Sect’s jade seal.
“Spirit nurtures the sword body; qi nurtures the sword intent…”
The spiritual energy within his body circulated slowly, guided by the technique.
The sword qi within his Town-Dao Sword Manor was silently drawn forth, flowing like a stream into his meridians and merging with his spiritual energy.
Unlike the standard circulation of ordinary techniques, the path of spiritual energy in the Supreme Void Sword Nurturing Text was far more peculiar.
The jade seal hovered slowly before him, its surface shimmering with jade-green light, resonating with the sword seed deep within his Town-Dao Sword Manor.
As the technique progressed, fine threads of pure sword qi entered his body’s acupoints.
Unlike the fierce, imposing sword qi of the past, these threads were gentle as jade, silently nourishing his meridians and his bonded flying swords.
Within the sword box behind him, sword qi flowed from the two flying swords, was refined, and then returned to temper the blades.
In this cycle, the sharpness of the flying swords gradually intensified, and the jade-green light within the seal grew ever more solid.
With a thought, the sword spirit Little Xian condensed. Several crow feathers scattered, transformed into disordered sword qi, and sank into the jade seal. Moments later, a thread of pure sword qi drifted out and coalesced into a single feather.
Little Xian could establish a connection with it as well!
Song Yan was overjoyed.
The sword spirit was like an alternate body of the sword cultivator. Many related cultivation practices were as though two people’s speed and effectiveness were stacked together.
Moreover, the Supreme Void Sword Nurturing Text did not require daily practice like ordinary techniques.
Once the circulation path was established, one need only replenish the sword qi within the jade seal at intervals, and it would operate naturally—a profound mystery indeed.
However, this first session of cultivation required time to establish the circulation path using the Town-Dao Sword Manor as its foundation.
Three days passed. A thin mist of sword qi enveloped Song Yan’s body.
He slowly withdrew from his meditation, and the Sword Sect’s jade seal returned to his palm. Unlike before, a fine sword mark, thin as a hair, had appeared upon its surface.
He held the jade seal and turned it over in his hands, feeling the sword qi within drift like small fish in a pond.
“According to the Supreme Void Sword Nurturing Text, once nine sword marks have accumulated on the jade seal, the teleportation formation can be activated at any time, sending the holder back to the sect.”
For a minor cultivator like Song Yan, this was not merely a teleportation formation—it was a means of survival.
The crow Little Xian perched upon her shoulder. Whether it was his imagination or not, after cultivating the Sword Nurturing Text, its form seemed to have grown slightly larger.
Seven or eight more days passed before Xiao He finally awoke.
She sat dazedly on the ground, gazing in a stupor at the scenery within Wu Mountain Valley. Now she scratched her shoulder, now her backside. She had slept for so long that she was still shaking off the lingering drowsiness.
Her human form appeared to have matured somewhat.
The Eye of the Void Sword activated. Though Xiao He was still weak, the demonic energy she displayed had undeniably reached the late stage of the first rank.
Xiao He rubbed her sleepy eyes. A green-gold light flickered in her serpent pupils as she stretched luxuriously.
She pouted, and her stomach growled. “Yan Yan, I’m hungry.”
The Eye of the Void Sword dissipated. Song Yan nodded.
“You have slept this long. You must be hungry.” He reached out and brushed aside the tousled hair on her forehead. “Come. I will take you somewhere good to eat.”
“To go to North Watch Mountain, we must pass through Feng’an City. I shall buy her something on the way.”
Xiao Ju had already broken from her cultivation stance, standing to one side with the sword case in her arms.
She keenly noticed that Song Yan’s aura had grown more imposing than before, and a flash of admiration crossed her eyes.
Senior Song seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment…
The three departed Wu Mountain. Whether it was because she had just broken through, Xiao He was brimming with energy. Instead of staying upon Song Yan’s person, he transformed into her human form and bounded ahead, skipping along at the front.
As they neared Feng’an City, Song Yan’s brow furrowed slightly.
On the main road before the city gate, clusters of martial artists from the jianghu walked in groups, each wearing a blade at their waist, their expressions guarded.
“Were there this many jianghu folk last time I came?”
Beyond the usual guards, the gate was now crawling with martial artists, their attention focused on those leaving the city.
As they entered, Song Yan feigned curiosity and asked the gate guard, “Good sir, has something happened in the city?”
The guard looked him up and down. “You are from out of town? Feng’an City has not been peaceful these past few days.”
“They say someone in the city obtained immortal fortune. Several great guilds are scouring the city for that person!”
“Immortal fortune?” Song Yan raised an eyebrow.
The guard made a silencing gesture. “They say a fairy in white came down from some immortal mountain, searching for someone. The man she questioned received an enormous boon.”
“Now the members of the Sea Dragon Guild and the Wasteland Mountain Guild are all going mad looking for that man.”
Song Yan’s mind stirred. He thanked the guard and led the two into the city.
“Senior Song, should we intervene?” Xiao Ju asked in her soft voice.
“There is no need.” Song Yan shook his head. “Let us leave this place quickly.”
“Yes.”
Had he known of the turmoil in Feng’an City, there would have been no need to enter at all. A slight detour would have sufficed.
The streets were noticeably more desolate than before. Many shops stood shuttered.
Occasionally, a large band of men swept through, and the common folk scrambled out of their way.
From an alley ahead, a ragged figure suddenly stumbled out, lurching toward them.
Though his face was grimy, Song Yan recognized him at a glance.
“Wu Dou?”
“Young Master!” Wu Dou also recognized Song Yan, and a desperate light blazed in his eyes. “No—no, no! You are connected to the immortals. You must be an Immortal Master as well! Immortal Master, save me!”
Behind him, five or six burly men with drawn blades gave chase. Their leader roared, “Stop! Hand over the thing!”
“Feng’an City is surrounded tight as a drum by our two guilds. Where do you think you can run?”
Wu Dou staggered, attempting to hide behind Song Yan, but his strength gave out and he collapsed to the ground.
The five or six men approached, sizing up Song Yan. “This friend, the Sea Dragon Guild and the Wasteland Mountain Guild are conducting business here. We advise you not to meddle!”
Had this been mere mortal conflict, Song Yan would not have intervened. He would simply have left.
Yet from this young man Wu Dou’s words, it seemed this matter was somehow connected to him.
Song Yan looked down and exchanged a glance with Xiao Ju, giving a slight nod.
He then ignored the matter entirely, lifted Wu Dou from the ground, and sent a faint glow to soothe the man’s injuries.
Xiao Ju stepped forward. “Our senior wishes to question him. I ask that you wait a moment.”
“Heh.” The burly men looked at the slender young girl before them, exchanged glances, and burst into laughter.
“Little girl, does your young master mean for you alone to deal with us? Ha ha ha ha… What a joke.”
“Brother Hai, enough talk. I will drive these two off, and you grab that boy. We will collect our reward from the guild master!”
As he spoke, the man reached for Xiao Ju’s wrist.
A faint wisp of spiritual energy gathered in Xiao Ju’s hands. With a casual slap, she sent him flying.
He slammed into a wall.
“Ahhh!” A wretched scream rang out.
She blinked, seemingly surprised by her own strength, then offered an apologetic bow.
The men’s faces drained of color.
An expert?!
External qi emission—could this girl be a congenital expert?!
The leader cupped his fists. “I had eyes but failed to recognize a great master. We shall leave at once, at once!”
He signaled with his eyes, and the group hurried away, presumably to report to their two guild masters.
Wu Dou was still gasping for breath, his appearance wretched. “Th-thank you, Immortal Master, for saving me…”
Song Yan patted him. “Let us leave here first.”
He brought Wu Dou to a secluded teahouse and secured a private room.
Xiao Ju stood guard outside the door, hugging the sword case.
“What happened?” Song Yan poured Wu Dou a cup of tea.
An Immortal Master pouring tea for him—what sort of treatment was this?
Wu Dou held the teacup with trembling hands and said bitterly, “Immortal Master, I have been caught up in a terrible misfortune!”
He swallowed. “Some days ago, a fairy in white came to the city, asking everywhere for an Immortal Master named Song Yan…”
Song Yan’s eyebrow twitched.
Looking for me?
Which junior sister had such shallow experience in the world of cultivation that she had stirred the entire city into a frenzy with his name?
“At first, no one knew a thing. Then she described his appearance and… and your handmaiden.”
“That was when I realized it was you. Others nearby also knew that I had been the one to receive you both.”
“But I thought it best not to speak of a guest’s affairs, so I feigned ignorance and said it was merely a coincidence.”
This actually surprised Song Yan.
To dare lie in the face of what mortals regarded as an “Immortal Master.”
In truth, Wu Dou’s concern was simply far-sighted: Song Yan was also an Immortal Master. Should the two have a falling out and Song Yan emerged alive, Wu Dou would suffer greatly.
“The fairy did not trouble me. She simply gave me some loose silver and departed.”
“Who would have thought the entire city would assume I had received immortal fortune?”
“My home was ransacked, and to make matters worse, I have been hunted by the two great guilds.”
Wu Dou spoke with utter grievance, tears and snot streaming down his face.
He glanced uncertainly at Xiao He, wondering where this little girl had come from.