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The Grand Elder was evidently several notches more popular than Daoist Buyu; his advancement to the Transcendance Tribulation Stage was celebrated throughout the Seek Dao Sect, filling the place with jubilation.

Three days later, the festive atmosphere finally began to fade away.

"So this is the legendary Inheriting Shadow Sword," Daoist Buyu caressed the Inheriting Shadow Sword, unable to put it down. He really had a capable disciple. Back in the Sword Vault, he had tried to gain the acknowledgment of the Inheriting Shadow Sword but ended up failing and had to settle for the lesser Spirit Sword.

He was also envious of Lu Yang’s Green Peak Sword, which came with its own mini-world.

Daoist Buyu’s Spirit Sword was not an ordinary item either. It was a growth-type Spirit Treasure that could constantly ascend in grade as his cultivation level increased, growing alongside Daoist Buyu. And, as long as he was willing to invest the proper resources, it could potentially reach the First-Grade of "Immortal."

"It’s said that before Liu Ningxuan even cultivated to the Semi-Immortal level, his sword already reached the level of the Immortal Sword. Truly remarkable," Daoist Buyu felt a pang of regret. Hearing that Liu Ningxuan had just died in the Sword Tower, it meant he had no chance to cross swords with this legendary figure in swordsmanship.

But then again, now that the Sword Tower Supreme is resurrected, he could have a match with the Sword Tower Supreme himself.

Not now, of course. His cultivation level isn’t high enough, and his sword’s quality isn’t up to par either. He needed to become stronger.

"I heard that at the Grand Sword Fest, you unleashed the Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin?"

"Hmm."

Daoist Buyu looked at Lu Yang with satisfaction. He hadn’t expected that without being taught, Lu Yang had already learned it.

"Come, show me once," he said.

Lu Yang spread out the Swordmanship Domain Embryo, and countless Green Peak Swords emerged from the ground and sky, as imposing as hell itself.

He lifted the real Green Peak Sword; then the Green Peak Swords stuck in the ground and sky burst free from their seals and merged with the real Green Peak Sword, causing the sword’s might to surge by more than three feet!

"The Swordmanship Domain Embryo and Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin? Come, strike me with one sword," Daoist Buyu’s eyes shone, eager to experience its power.

Without hesitation, Lu Yang shouted loudly, and the Sword Qi dragon roared forth, suddenly transforming back into the real Green Peak Sword, slashing towards Daoist Buyu!

Daoist Buyu, unhurriedly extended two fingers and lightly pinched the blade of the Green Peak Sword. The menacing Green Peak Sword suddenly fell quiet, unable to press down even the slightest bit!

"Indeed, it’s the Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin. It seems you learned it by watching me perform it. Except, when I did it, I took a shortcut," Daoist Buyu recalled he had only performed the Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin once in front of Lu Yang, during his battle with the Ruthless Sect.

Just by watching once, Lu Yang had almost fully grasped the technique. He was truly an extraordinary talent in swordsmanship.

"A shortcut?"

"Sit down, I’ll explain it to you slowly." On the top of Sky Gate Mountain, there were only Lu Yang and Daoist Buyu.

Yun Mengmeng and Gan Tian had no interest in swordsmanship. Gan Tian had found a scenic spot to play her zither, while Yun Mengmeng had wrapped up snacks bought from the cafeteria and was eating pastries while lying on a big rock in the river and listening to Gan Tian play.

The cafeteria’s pastries could be used as weapons, but Yun Mengmeng wasn’t vegetarian either. With the jaw strength of someone in the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, eating the cafeteria’s pastries was no different from eating regular pastries for her.

As for Yun Zhi, she claimed she wasn’t interested in swordsmanship and had also gone to the riverside to listen to the zither.

"I heard that in your contest with Mingtai, it came down to a confrontation of Sword Qi in the end. Even after numerous exchanges, there was no clear superior, until you finally unleashed Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin and won the victory."

"This brings to light an issue: you and Mingtai were each projecting your Sword Qi to its limit, but it was the limit of the Sword Qi’s condensed form, not your own limits. If it was your own limits, you should have been exhausted after projecting your Sword Qi just once."

"Your Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin involved collapsing the Sword Qi-formed Green Peak Swords back into Sword Qi, taking them back in, thereby raising the limit of your Sword Qi."

Lu Yang understood his master’s meaning, meaning his Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin had increased its explosive power.

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Immediately, Daoist Buyu’s tone shifted, "However, this is not the true intent of ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’."

’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’ is about concentrating the power of different swords into one, thereby unleashing might that surpasses the limit."

Lu Yang recalled how the Sword Tower Supreme fought against the Ying Tian Corpse, merging all the Spirit Swords from the Sword Vault into the Containing Light Sword—just as what his master was explaining.

"Come, let your teacher show you how to grasp the true intent of ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’."

’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’ starts with resonating with the other swords. Your previous execution was missing this step, so I said it was a shortcut."

"Then, with the Green Peak Sword as the main focus, let the resonating sound of the other swords gradually align with the Green Peak Sword..."

"It would be best if the resonance occurred when the Green Peak Sword’s momentum reaches its peak..."

"..."

Daoist Buyu’s explanation was simple, but if it were someone else, like Fairy Eternity, they would undoubtedly be confused. Yet to Lu Yang, it was all too clear.

Lu Yang’s eyes sparkled as he repeatedly pondered and speculated on the true meaning of ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’ in his mind.

"I’ll give it a try."

Lu Yang took out the Inheriting Shadow Sword and Seven Star Sword Set in succession, which made Daoist Buyu’s eyes especially envious.

Standing firm, ripples spread across the lawn beneath Lu Yang’s feet as if sliced by sword Qi. The Inheriting Shadow Sword and the Seven Star Sword Set trembled continuously until their frequency matched the Green Peak Sword’s, merging into it and becoming one.

"Ha!"

Lu Yang swung another sword at Daoist Buyu, a sword Qi like a waterfall cascading down. A silver streak flashed past and was once again caught between Daoist Buyu’s fingers.

"Excellent!" Daoist Buyu laughed heartily, impressed that with just a little guidance, Lu Yang had grasped the true essence of ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’!

He flicked his wrist, sending Lu Yang and the Green Peak Sword flying while his right hand was placed behind his back, rubbing his index and middle fingers together.

The power of that sword strike was beyond his expectations.

Lu Yang tumbled twice before steadying himself; the Inheriting Shadow Sword and Seven Star Sword Set had fallen out.

Daoist Buyu strode forward with a cheerful expression, "Well done! If you practice diligently, you will be able to skillfully execute ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’ … Little Lu?"

Daoist Buyu noticed Lu Yang standing in a daze, staring at the eight swords that had fallen to the ground, seemingly lost in thought.

After a while, Lu Yang came back to his senses only to ask, "Master, isn’t executing ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’ a bit too ostentatious?"

Daoist Buyu nodded. ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin’ was indeed a grand and impressive display, especially the resonating and aligning of swords—that aspect truly was ostentatious, which was why it was beloved by sword cultivators.

Then Lu Yang asked further, "But if the technique is ostentatious, doesn’t it mean that the opponent will know you are about to use ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin,’ giving them time to react?"

"That is indeed a flaw of ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin.’" It could allow an opponent to dodge or prepare their own attack.

An idea gradually emerged in Lu Yang’s mind, "What if I hide the Inheriting Shadow Sword and Seven Star Sword Set within the Green Peak Sword’s mini-world? When I execute ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin,’ the nine swords would merge unseen; wouldn’t the opponent be unaware that I’ve used ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin,’ thus unprepared?"

Daoist Buyu did not respond but silently patted Lu Yang’s shoulder.

"Remember, in the future, when you tell others about this move, say that you realized it on your own, and that it has nothing to do with your teacher."