Chapter 268: Sword Spirit!

Chapter 268: Sword Spirit!

"

In the vastness of all realms, all things possess spirit. Only by governing them with virtue can one earn reverence...

"

What is this?

While dazed, Wang Sheng seemed to hear a voice chanting softly in the depths of his mind. He unknowingly immersed himself in it, trying to grasp the meaning behind the words.

"

To attain the Dao is to gain immortality. To grasp the arts is to gain skill. The words 'Daoist arts' signify nothing but the arts of longevity. Only by cultivating with virtue and conduct, gathering the worthy, and mastering myriad laws, can one become an emperor...

"

Is this the sword incantation of the Heavenly Ziwei Sword Intent?

It did not quite feel like a sword incantation, though. It seemed more like a certain sword intent that he had previously overlooked—one beyond the Dao of the Sword.

Ziwei, one of the Four Heavenly Ministers, was already among the strongest under the immortal emperors. In the Three Realms back then, he was one of the few who could truly be called a great emperor.

Wang Sheng did not fully understand it yet, but according to a theory that he had heard, Haotian and the Four Heavenly Ministers were collectively known as the Five Ministers. It was somewhat similar to the ancient kings and vassals of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties.

Anyway, there's no harm in memorizing those lines.

Gradually, as the voice in his head faded, Wang Sheng entered a state of internal observation. His consciousness was now within his own spiritual platform.

He had sustained all his serious injuries because a trace of the female corpse's divine soul had momentarily stopped inside his body. Although she left and entered Spiritless before she could kill him, the damage had already been done.

However, unlike his severely damaged Dao Body and Golden Core, Wang Sheng's spiritual platform had unexpectedly benefited from the process. Its size alone had expanded more than tenfold. What had once been a roadside shrine that was only a meter tall was now a grand palace hall with sweeping eaves and tiled roofs.

The spiritual platform served as the dwelling place of the soul. When one reached the peak of the Golden Core Realm and broke through to the Heavenly Abode Realm, their spiritual platform would be transformed into the divine spirit abode, which would house their ascending soul.

Before the Heavenly Abode Realm, most Daoist sects followed roughly the same path of cultivation. They all focused on forming a Golden Core and establishing the Great Dao of the Golden Core.

Upon reaching the Heavenly Abode Realm, the path would mainly split into three. One focused on refining the Golden Core and qi cultivation, one aimed to improve one's divine soul and spiritual consciousness, and one emphasized both. Most top-tier Daoist heritages belonged to the first two paths, and they all had their own emphasis.

Wudang's Daoist heritage focused on refining the Golden Core and qi cultivation, using one's enchanted power as the foundation to control enemies and protect the Dao. Meanwhile, Mount Mao's Daoist heritage was a typical example of focusing on the divine soul and spiritual consciousness, drawing upon the primal qi of heaven and earth with one's own Dao.

Neither approach was superior; they simply emphasized different aspects of cultivation. It was similar to the three paths of the Dao of the Sword: Heaven, Earth, and Man. None was inherently better or worse. All could lead to the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

What path should I take in the future?

Wang Sheng pondered as he withdrew his consciousness from the spiritual platform.

He smiled bitterly, finding it more realistic to first repair his battered Dao Body before deciding on his future path. The Heavenly Court princess's wisp of divine soul had been far too powerful. Its destructive force overwhelmed him.

Fortunately, she seemed to have shielded his Golden Core while she was in his body. Had his Golden Core exploded, Wang Sheng would've had to start his cultivation from scratch again, even if he survived.

For now, patching it up and keeping it functional would suffice. If he had to go through it again, he wasn't sure if he'd still have the courage to go down the Dao of the Extreme Sword and reforge a sword-shaped Golden Core.

The sword phantasm surrounding his Golden Core was still present. Unsure if it had been affected, Wang Sheng dared not use even the slightest enchanted power. Though he had not realized it at the time, he had gambled with his life to earn his sword-shaped Golden Core.

"

Hey, you're finally awake.

"

"

Mm.

"

Wang Sheng opened his eyes. Glancing down, he frowned. He was completely unclothed. It was improper, especially in front of the female immortal.

"

Apologies, I can't move right now,

" he said. Only then did he feel pain coursing through him. He quickly switched to telepathy for the rest of their conversation. "

I meant no offense. Please don't take it to heart.

"

The little fairy emerged from the sword hilt and sat on a small cloud. "

Don't worry about it.

"

She was dressed in a more modern style this time, donning a light white dress and high heels. Gently, she asked, "

Are you comfortable with this appearance?

"

"

I think it's best if you return to your original form. This feels a bit too... strange.

"

"

Mm... I think so too,

" the little fairy replied. She reverted to her original appearance.

Her hair was now styled like a drifting cloud and adorned with jade hairpins. She was in an elegant traditional skirt and embroidered shoes, making her look graceful and otherworldly. It was as though the dust of the mortal world had never touched her.

"Since

there's abundant primal qi all around us, your soul should have recovered by now. The rest of your injuries should heal within a month or two.

"

"

Thank you very much for your aid, Fairy.

"

"

No need to call me a fairy anymore,

" she replied softly. "

My name is Yaoyun. Just call me that. After all...

"

Wang Sheng blinked.

Call her by her name? Since when did we become close?

"

The moment I entered your body and merged with your soul, our connection became inseparable.

"

Yaoyun sighed.

"

I cultivated for more than a hundred thousand years, acquired the fruit of immortality, and in the end... Never mind. There's no point in talking about it.

"

Wang Sheng frowned. "

You can read my mind?

"

"

Of course. Once your cultivation reaches a higher level, you'll also be able to sense mine.

"

Wang Sheng was rendered speechless.

That means I have no privacy at all!

"

Exactly. Before me, you have no secrets,

"

Yaoyun replied calmly,

"

Regressor.

"

Wang Sheng's expression tensed instantly.

Yaoyun seemed quite pleased with his reaction. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, emphasizing her indescribable charm. "

Do not worry. I will keep your secrets. Besides, I now know who you are.

"

"

Please tell me, Senior Yaoyun.

"

"

I cannot tell you or even give you any hints. Once you recover and walk a bit further down this path of yours, I will tell you everything I saw within your soul.

" Yaoyun gave him a complicated look. She then added softly,

"

Just focus on cultivating properly. Even if your mother asks, I will not reveal your secrets.

"

Wang Sheng was rendered completely speechless.

Who taught her to end things on a cliffhanger like this?

"

My father did,

" Yaoyun replied.

"

He always stops in between his sentences, which made others uneasy.

"

Wang Sheng chuckled helplessly. "

Then we can't communicate like this.

"

Yaoyun nodded solemnly and pressed a finger to her forehead. "

Very well. I shall no longer read your mind.

"

Only then did Wang Sheng breathe a sigh of relief. As his heart relaxed, fatigue returned.

He was about to drift back into sleep when Yaoyun's eyes glowed faintly. Spiritless, which was under her feet, hummed softly. A sword cry then echoed in Wang Sheng's heart, invigorating him.

"

Don't sleep yet. I have two things to clarify with you.

"

"

Please go ahead,

" Wang Sheng replied seriously. He focused intently on the Heavenly Court princess.

"

I have become a spiritual entity. To reseal the Earth Qi Seal, I fused part of my divine soul into this sword. I am now its spirit. However, while it's still yours, I am not your sword spirit. I am the sword spirit of this sword. If I find a way, I will leave it one day.

"

Wang Sheng felt a bit dizzy from all the confusing explanations.

In simple terms, she's now merged with Spiritless and is worried that I might treat her like a servant in the future? That's ridiculous...

He put up a straight face. "

Don't worry. To me, swords are like limbs or lifelong companions. Now that you reside in that sword, it belongs to you. How could I ever claim it as mine?

"

"

That's not necessary. I never take what belongs to others. What's yours will remain yours. To occupy a role is to fulfill its duty. While I am the sword spirit of this sword, I will fulfill what a sword spirit must do.

"

Wang Sheng once again fell silent.

Such character... As expected from a princess of the Heavenly Court.

Though the conversation had gone in circles, it still returned to the words "sword spirit."

Wang Sheng drew a deep breath. "

What's the other matter you wanted to talk about?

"

"

In the past thousand years, no one from the Heavenly Court has returned except for Fairy Hua Qing. Outside this Realm of Exiled Immortals, it has been over a hundred thousand years.

"

Yaoyun's expression darkened as she looked at Wang Sheng. "

I do not intend to impose, but if you can help me seek out others from the Heavenly Court, I will reward you as best as I can.

"

When I merged with your soul, I learned what kind of person you are. That's why I know I can entrust this to you. I will not let you shoulder too much risk. All I ask is that once you've become an immortal, you help me search for my people outside this realm."

Wang Sheng nodded without hesitation. "

I accept this task.

"

"

You do realize that agreeing to this will lead to countless trials and dangers, don't you?

"

"

I've thought about this before. My cultivation was just too weak to act on it,

" Wang Sheng answered seriously. "

The Daoist heritage on Earth is the continuation of the Heavenly Court's Daoist heritage. Even if the immortals' many arrangements and protections still hold, the outer world will one day threaten our realm.

"

Rather than waiting passively for that day to come, I believe it's better to seek them proactively. Once I ascend, there will likely be many immortals on Earth already. The longer cultivators live, the higher our population. Unfortunately, Earth's resources are limited. Eventually, we'll have no choice but to leave Earth if we want to continue cultivating.

"

Smiling in relief, Yaoyun nodded gently.

"

As expected of you, the successor to the Heavenly Ziwei Sword Art. I no longer have any lingering concerns. From now on, call me Yaoyun. No need to address me as Senior.

"

"

Then I'll call you Fairy Yaoyun. Anything else would feel awkward.

"

"

As you wish. Focus on recovering your cultivation.

" The little fairy turned into a stream of light and returned to the sword hilt.

"

I've suffered heavy injuries as well. Starting today, I must focus on healing. Find a way to contact Fairy Hua Qing, who should be outside.

She believes you're dead, and her Dao Heart has fallen silent. That may help in the short term, but it's not good in the long run.

"

Wang Sheng perked up. "

Can you help me send a message with spiritual consciousness?

"

"

I'm the one who sealed this place. Unless someone of a higher realm comes, no transmission is possible. We are both trapped here, but do not worry. We'll be able to leave in two thousand years at most.

"

Wang Sheng's jaw dropped.

Two thousand years?! By then, my senior sister's children might already be immortals—wait, no! Ahem! How am I supposed to contact her? Even an immortal can't transmit spiritual consciousness from here!