Chapter 103 - Soaring Through the Sky, Nine Dragons Shake an Era!

It was Yun Xiao himself! He bowed his head, eyes lingering over a gravestone and the yellow soil around it.

"Can't believe it. A life extinguished, and they bury two precious five-thousand-year-old Demon Cores just like that? What a waste!" Yun Xiao shook his head, his thoughts awash with wry amusement.

These wealthy folks really did treat money like dirt!

Yun Xiao approached the mound of earth, his Sword Soul transforming into a three-foot azure blade. With a precise thrust, the Sword Soul penetrated the soil, slipped through the narrow crevices of the coffin, and impaled into Lin Chen’s skeleton.

One red and one blue Sword Ring were suddenly devoured by the Heaven Burial Sword Soul, spiraling around it.

HUM!

Two Demon Cores rose, submerging themselves within the azure Sword Soul.

Including Yun Xiao’s original two Sword Rings, there were now four in total!

A sword entwined with four Sword Rings!

If anyone else were to witness this scene, screams of astonishment would undoubtedly erupt.

"A Sword Soul capable of embedding four Sword Rings should be between the seventh and eighth level! And the Star grade is merely the fifth level!"

The crux of the matter was that Yun Xiao still couldn’t determine if four Sword Rings were indeed the current limit!

"The strength of the Sword Rings largely depends on the quality of the Demon Cores. If the Demon Cores are subpar, having them in abundance is meaningless! These five-thousand-year-old Demon Cores, with their Thousand Waters Lure and Ghostly Inferno demon magics are immeasurably more potent than the thousand-year-old Serpent Emperor Demon Core and the one seized from Ye Tiance’s Sword Soul!"

Lin Chen had utilized the Thousand Waters Lure to neutralize the sharpness of Yun Xiao’s hundred-layer Sword Aura, avoiding a direct clash with Yun Xiao’s Sword Soul!

Now, both the Thousand Waters Lure and Ghostly Inferno demon magics were Yun Xiao’s to command.

"Compared to these two great demon magics, my original two Sword Rings are practically useless." Yun Xiao removed those two Sword Rings, his thoughts tracing a pragmatic path. "I’ve already achieved a hundred-layer Sword Aura. Revealing four more Sword Rings would attract countless greedy individuals like Lin Qingfeng. Best to keep a trick up my sleeve for a counter kill!"

So, there it was, Yun Xiao, flanked by the mournful ambiance of freshly turned earth and an unyielding gravestone. His Sword Soul bore only two Sword Rings, each claiming a staggering antiquity of five thousand years.

With a tilt of compassion shaded by cunning, he transferred the two discarded Demon Cores from the Heaven Burial Sword Soul into the corpse of Lin Chen. “Brother...” he whispered, the edge of mischief dancing in his eyes. “May your road to the Yellow Springs be a touch less lonely with the company of the thousand-year-old Serpent Emperor and Ye Tiance.”

Yun Xiao withdrew his Sword Soul, tending to the earth that concealed the dead, and stood vigil in a momentary homage, pouring three cups of wine unto the grave of one Lin Chen.

Once the ritual was complete, he pivoted, his silhouette melding with the tranquil background. “When the Sword Lord finally decides to confront me, he'll be in for a little surprise,” Yun Xiao mused.

Blue Star chuckled, a ripple in the otherwise solemn atmosphere. “A mere glance at your Sword Soul, and he’ll realize what you did to his son even after death.”

Frowning, Yun Xiao declared, “I've no love for those who deceive me, especially those who drape themselves in false virtue whilst harboring malice... So, Lin Qingfeng, your entire lineage deserved its end.”

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In the heart of the Sea of Swords, within the Forbidden Tower!

At its zenith, where the commonplace dared not tread, lay a secluded chamber, ensconced in shadows and forbidden mysteries.

Behind the tightly sealed doors of the chamber, a world of darkness unfolded, where the so-called dark mist was in fact, spiritual energy, dense and potent.

The spacious room was scant of all but a man, garbed in black, seated upon the floor, his eyes sealed in meditative concentration. His seated form was centered within a black magic formation.

This formation, intertwined with the very essence of the Forbidden Tower, now birthed ninety-nine dark tendrils. They sought him, embedding into his head, chest, and limbs, intertwining with his meridians. The boundless spiritual energy flooded into him, accelerating his cultivation at a breakneck pace.

In ten days within the heart of the tower, the Tower Heart legacy was imparted, and the man surged to the heavens!

In the blink of a star’s twinkle, the man went from the Establishment Divine Sea Realm to congealing an Origin Core. And a day later, he gathered five more Divine Seas and added another layer to his Origin Core. A little over a week later, his Origin Core had grown incredibly vast, teetering on the brink of a new realm!

This was the Tower Heart inheritance, the stuff of dreams for every Sword Cultivator!

In a mere eight days, he'd accomplished what took others a lifetime!

He'd reached a pinnacle, a height in the Sea of Swords, that nearly everyone would not attain in their entire lives!

And what was more terrifying, within the Dantian of the man in black, there wasn't only one five-layer Origin Core but nine!

Others would have but one, yet he, with nine Origin Cores spiraling, commanded a might unparalleled. Although each Origin Core was somewhat smaller than the same-realm Origin Core, their combined number more than made up for this deficit!

This was the Dao Seed Talent!

Only the Nine Dragons Dantian could cultivate such an effect!

“Such a miracle of a Dao Seed Talent I possess, yet you all merely define it as Planet grade? Hehe...” the man in black chuckled lightly. Then, his expression molded into one of solemnity.

“The final sprint begins now!”

HUM HUM HUM!

The entire Forbidden Tower, voraciously absorbing a multitude of spiritual energy, constantly funneled it through that magic formation and dark tendrils, pouring it into his Dantian.

Mountains of Spirit Stones lay beside him, totaling a sum of at least 5,000,000. Once the spiritual energy within these stones got absorbed, they would gradually turn into mere stones.

His Dantian’s might grew increasingly potent!

Finally, in the next instant, those nine Origin Cores suddenly transformed into nine true dragons of magic power, roaming and roaring within his Dantian. That terrifying burst of magic power exploded forth, causing the entire Forbidden Tower to tremble vehemently, shocking at least hundreds of people.

“Ye Guying has entered the Sovereign Dragon Realm!”

"But his aura, it's considerably stronger than the typical Sovereign Dragon Realm, isn’t it? Almost comparable to a Sword Lord, or a Tower Lord perhaps!"

"To ascend to the pinnacle of the Sea of Swords at only twenty? Terrifying..."

Every soul within the Forbidden Tower stared towards its apex, a tempest of awe and fear swelling in their chests.

"Only two days left! He’s still pushing forward. Once he steps into the Mid Sovereign Dragon Realm, given the power of his Nine Dragons Dantian, he might genuinely join the ranks of the superpowers of the Sea of Swords, easily trampling the top prodigy of Sword Heaven, Lin Chen, beneath his feet!"

"He shouldn’t have any issues!"

In the secret chamber, Ye Guying seemed enshrouded by nine dark dragons, their ferocity, chill, and aura of silent killing casting him as an emperor of Sword Cultivators in the dark, embodying ultimate ruthlessness.

"If things go this way, I should be at the Mid Sovereign Dragon Realm when I leave the tower! At that point, even sweeping through those at the Late Sovereign Dragon Realm won’t be an issue... With such power, I qualify to represent the Sword Realm and fight gloriously in the War of Immortals in the Heavenly Realm!"

A slight smirk played on Ye Guying’s lips.

"The dullards of Azure Spirit probably think I'll only barely surpass the prime of Zhao Jianxing with my ten-day inheritance from the Tower Heart. Those country-bumpkin cultivators truly are frogs at the bottom of a well. How could I be compared to a cripple like Zhao Jianxing?"

Nine Dragons Dantian!

Only he knew how terrifying this Dao Seed Talent was.

"Father, Big Brother, two days from now, I will lead thirty thousand Sword Cultivators, descend upon Azure Spirit, and with a sword that pierces heaven and earth, exterminate that bug Yun Xiao!"

This was practically the return of a war god!

"And you, Zhao Xuanran, a low-born boy once pitied and scorned by your condescending gaze. In just ten days, I've transformed and soared like a dragon. I'll ascend and become the emperor among swords in the Sea of Swords! When I stand before you, amidst the kneeling masses, it’s about time your haughty head bows down, no?"

The hardship of a life dedicated to cultivation, what was it for?

Was it not for that very moment of sheer arrogance?

"Although arrogance is deemed disgraceful, there's no one more qualified to be arrogant than me!"

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The Sea of Swords embraced the night. Another evening unfolded.

Yun Xiao, lone and pensive, strolled through the streets of the Sea of Swords.

By day, his audacious deed—slaying Lin Chen unscathed—had sent shockwaves through the Sea of Swords. This feat mirrored the enigmatic Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Tower, Chen Xi, who annihilated the Tower Lord's son, yet emerged unharmed. They were deeds of a similar ilk.

The Azure Kite Sea, the Spirit Treasure Walk, the slaying of Lin Chen—three events that catapulted Yun Xiao to unparalleled prominence in the Sea of Swords, known by all and sundry. And all this, merely on his third day in this enigmatic place.

In three days, he had upended the world's perceptions.

"Why isn't anyone trying to kill me now?" Yun Xiao mumbled, his expression shrouded in gloom as he wandered.

On yesterday’s journey to the Azure Kite Sea, every ten steps invited a sword, each thrust lethal. Today, however, devoid of Ning Yan's protection and more visible to the passersby, all he encountered were tranquil gazes, and some even greeted him.

"Young Sword Lord, good evening!"

"Out for a stroll, are we?"

"Young Sword Lord, my daughter's skilled hands await. Care for a hair wash?"

"..." Yun Xiao really was at a loss for words at this reversal in attitude.

Suddenly, everyone had grown wise.

"What's wrong with you? Irritated because no one's trying to assassinate you?" Blue Star scorned.

"If they don't try to kill me, how can I retaliate and rob their money? Brother, I'm strapped for cash!" Yun Xiao grumbled.

Though he'd recently acquired over 5,000,000 Spirit Stones, after spending 500,000 on a gift and left with a seemingly hefty sum of 4,500,000, the little black soul beast's ever-expanding belly and increasing efficiency visibly diminished his coffers. The Heavenly Dao Sariras had indeed multiplied, but Yun Xiao’s Dantian was like a bottomless pit—every enhancement in the Primordial Void Technique meant it absorbed even more.

In a word, he was broke!

Then, the Spirit Treasure Walk appeared before him.

"Brother, come, I've got good news!" Madam Qian, puffing on her pipe, beckoned Yun Xiao from her shop.

"Oh?" Yun Xiao entered.

"Heard you took down Lin Chen?" Madam Qian quizzed, her eyebrow arched.

"My hand was forced!" Yun Xiao sighed, feigning distress.

"The way of the sword, where might makes right, demands courage over timidity! If you win, if you live, you become the principle," Madam Qian cackled with a certain sly wisdom in her eyes.

Yun Xiao inquired, extending a palm, "And your promising news would be?"

Ah, a reward of sorts emerged from within the matron’s bosom, a gleaming golden card. "With Lin Chen dead, I suspect your path leads to the Heavenly Realm, to partake in the grandeur of the War of Immortals. Should you venture there, surely you'll cross paths with the backbone of my Spirit Treasure Walk!"

"Backbone?" Yun Xiao’s gaze dipped to the golden card.

"Yes, the Spirit Treasure Palace, the wellspring from which all our earthly Spirit Treasure Walk draws," she handed the card over with a mysterious giggle. "With this, should you grace the Spirit Treasure Palace, substantial privileges await! How’s that for goodwill, eh?"

"Privileges?" Something stirred within Yun Xiao, and he hastily expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Sister!"

Oh, the flattery caressed Madam Qian's soul, and she sighed with exaggerated sentiment, "What a handsome one you are! With your looks in the Heavenly Realm, you could be the crown jewel of a floral house, and I wager the wealthy matrons would queue for a decade just for a chance to bask in your favor! Say, weren’t you struggling? A tad less restraint, and I guarantee you wealth to rival nations, no, an entire realm!"

Am I being pimped right now...?

Yun Xiao's jaw dropped, speechless.

Was that even possible?

Yun Xiao quietly made a mental note...

"Spirit Treasure Palace? Not too shabby. I do favor wealthy factions! Preferably those that speak in coin, not emotions. Discussing feelings costs money!" Yun Xiao silently mused. After all, he'd learned his lesson from Zhao Xuanran!

"This golden card?" Yun Xiao muttered. Flipping it over, his expression was almost comically appalled.

WHAT!?

He nearly spat blood right then and there.

"Heavenly magic treasure voucher, three Spirit Stones?" Yun Xiao gawked at Madam Qian.

"Yes, that’s right!"

"This is your grand discount?" Yun Xiao questioned in disbelief.

"Absolutely!"

"And how much does a Heavenly magic treasure usually cost?"

"A minimum of a hundred million Spirit Stones, I’d wager!"

"..." Yun Xiao was once again struck speechless. What a swindler!

Gritting his teeth, Yun Xiao glowered at Madam Qian, "Couldn’t you, while courting prodigies, simply gift money instead? I'm in need!"

"Pah!" Madam Qian promptly shook her head, "You're overthinking. Talking money hurts feelings, explicit pricing, fair to all ages!"

Instantly, Yun Xiao’s fondness for wealthy factions soured!

"If you’re reluctant, return the voucher to me," Madam Qian offered with a cheeky grin.

"In your dreams!"

Three Spirit Stones was still money!

Pocketing the voucher, Yun Xiao pivoted to leave.

But at that moment, a servant approached, conveying, "Young Sword Lord, the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Tower awaits you at the Divine Dawn Pavilion!"