One stick of incense later.
The billowing clouds and mist were shredded entirely by sword light—
Revealing a vast, brilliant sky of pure blue.
On the ground below,
everyone looked up.
They saw Chen Xin, Feng Bailong, and Li Zhexian clash once more in mid-air, forming a triangle—
then each retreated to a separate point and exchanged respectful salutes.
The sword light faded and fell.
The three descended gracefully back into the courtyard.
None spoke.
They simply returned to their seats around the sandalwood table
and lifted their teacups, drinking the still-warm tea in quiet ease.
Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, and the others stepped forward, unable to hide their curiosity.
The swordsmanship realm of these three was now far too high.
Even probing lightly with Spiritual Power would be shredded instantly by that razor-sharp sword intent—
let alone actually perceiving the exchange that had taken place in the sky, where sword light had crossed beyond mortal sight.
Those on the ground had been utterly unable to see who held the advantage.
Feng Bailong slowly lowered his teacup.
Behind the silk cloth covering his eyes, his gaze shifted slightly toward Ning Fengzhi and the others.
Chen Xin's lips curved with a faint smile, and he was just about to speak—
But at that very moment—
Li Zhexian lightly flicked his palm.
Several freshly brewed cups of tea slid forward in a smooth arc, drifting toward Ning Fengzhi and the others without spilling a single drop.
"This exchange of swordsmanship benefited me greatly."
"It was like tasting three cups of Snow-Crowned Emerald Spring…"
"The first awakens the mind, the second leaves sweetness on the tongue, the third reveals one's nature. Seniors, why must you ask the depth of the tea within these cups?"
Hearing this—
Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo were stunned for a brief moment—
then exchanged glances and laughed softly.
"It seems we were too attached to the result."
...
After dinner, everyone gradually took their leave.
The girls helped tidy the courtyard with care before reluctantly departing.
Starlight filtered through the branches of the four-season plum tree, falling upon the youth reclining lazily on a chair.
"Brother Zhexian, your talent in the sword… Even among humans—
no, even the divine beasts who rule over slaughter, like Yazi, can't compare."
In his spiritual sea—
The Skydream Ice Worm said earnestly:
"When you turned down inheriting a godhood, I thought the heavens themselves were collapsing!"
"But now…"
"To forge your own godhood is no empty dream!"
"Your Great Vertebrae Spirit Bone already shows signs of divinity. Once you comprehend all twelve sword forms, reaching the Spirit Platform—becoming a god will be inevitable!"
Li Zhexian opened his eyes slightly.
A thread of starlight fell into them.
Within his sleeve, his hand quietly clenched.
Although the Skydream Ice Worm had lived for a million years, it ultimately knew nothing of the sword.
To create twelve original sword forms…
Truth be told—
His Myriad Forms Sword Dao had already reached a bottleneck.
A sword dao leading directly to the Spirit Platform—
every sword must surpass the last.
The Ninth Form, A Thousand Autumns Depart, was already an unfathomable sword intent of time.
And tell him—
What power in this world could surpass time?
Even if such a power existed—
how could it be grasped so easily?
The Eighth Form, Purifying Glaze, carried the intent of cleansing—
and required help from the kind-hearted Pope Bibi Dong.
The Ninth Form, A Thousand Autumns Depart, used time sword intent—
derived by analyzing the temporal power of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
But the Tenth Form…
There was no longer any path, any opportunity, any external reference to follow.
This exchange with Chen Xin and Feng Bailong—
Beyond simple sparring, the two had worked together with him to deduce the Tenth Form of the Qinglian Sword Song.
Yet—
Even the combined power of the three greatest swordsmen of the age could not deduce it.
Chen Xin dissected the Seven Kill Sword intent down to its essence.
But Li Zhexian's killing sword intent, Blood Pagoda, also carried the divine resonance of Seven Kill.
Feng Bailong explained in full the path of wind swordsmanship.
But Li Zhexian's wind sword intent, Formless Wind, was itself a complete Great Dao of the wind sword.
The good news:
The Myriad Forms Sword Dao was truly all-encompassing.
The bad news:
The road really had reached its end.
Li Zhexian stared through the plum branches at the star-strewn heavens, lost in thought.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
"Brother Tian Meng, weren't you always curious how the spirit-soul system could replace the Spirit Ring system?"
"What?! Brother Zhexian—
you're finally willing to tell me?!"
A gentle breeze drifted across the courtyard.
Li Zhexian gathered his spiritual power, bringing the plum fragrance together and shaping it into the phantom of an ice worm.
"Time is truly unfathomable!"
"When that kid Huo Yuhao mentioned spirit souls back then, your brother was right there—yet everything was spinning and I couldn't understand a word!"
Li Zhexian chuckled lightly.
"No matter. Let me explain it to you."
Nestled comfortably in the recliner, he laid out the principles of the spirit soul system in detail.
The Skydream Ice Worm grew increasingly astonished.
"Something like this is even possible?!"
"A soul actually has a form?!"
"Separating a spirit beast's soul and signing an equal contract with a Spirit Master—
allowing the beast to exist in the world as a conscious spiritual body?!"
"The one who invented this method must be an utterly terrifying figure who deeply comprehends the Dao of Death!"
"The Spirit Soul System… it's full of potential—truly full of potential!"
As a million-year soul beast—
It instantly grasped the advantages.
"Becoming a spirit soul allows one to retain memories! For those savage beasts nearing the hundred-thousand-year limit, they could even use this to evade the heavenly tribulation!"
"Dying beasts or those facing tribulation can voluntarily become spirit sousl!"
"This may not completely remove the conflict between humans and soul beasts—but it will ease it greatly. That alone is precious!"
"Brother Zhexian, since you are the first to advocate this system in this world, you should set an example."
"Have you decided which Spirit Beast you'll contract with?"
Li Zhexian asked:
"What does Brother Tian Meng think?"
"The higher the age of the Spirit Beast, the more rings and the stronger the power of the spirit soul!"
Without hesitation, the Skydream Ice Worm declared:
"Our goal is to become a god!"
"So naturally, the older the better!"
"Your brother knows that in the Star Dou Forest—"
It suddenly cut itself off.
Its small eyes swiveled, and it corrected:
"Brother Zhexian, don't you have a good relationship with the Snow Empress and Ice Empress?"
"Why not invite them to become your spirit souls?
When you ascend to godhood, we'll follow you to the heavens!"
Li Zhexian glanced at Tian Meng's eager expression.
"The Snow Empress is far too proud—do you truly not know this?"
"With the auspicious beast protecting the Extreme North now, unless something extraordinary happens, she has a very real chance of surviving the 700,000-year tribulation."
"In such a situation, why would she ever agree to become my spirit soul?"
"The Ice Empress is the same."
Ever since discovering the spirit soul method—
He had been pondering how to integrate it with his Wine Martial Soul.
Support-type Martial Souls indeed best fit the spirit soul system.
But which Spirit Beast should he contract with—
Was something he still could not decide.
Skydream Ice Worm fell silent for a moment.
Then suddenly said:
"When you reach level 80, go to the Extreme North!"
"I'll talk to the Ice Empress!"
"With me… she still gives a bit of face!"
"I can definitely persuade her!"
Li Zhexian easily saw through its guilty conscience—
but did not expose it, instead smiling and nodding.
...
After the Spirit Empire suffered major defeat at Bianhong City, the continent enjoyed a rare period of calm.
However—
This day—
Li Zhexian was urgently summoned to the palace.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi, Feng Bailong, and Yu Yuanzhen already present, he immediately knew the situation was grave.
Sure enough, Emperor Xue Ye's low voice caused his expression to subtly change.
"Urgent report from the front…"
"The Spirit Empire has marched into Heaven Dou territory."
"It has already been several days. No doubt cities have already fallen."
"Based on their invasion route, they should now be approaching…"
"Blazing Fire City."
Blazing Fire City—
the location of the Blazing Academy.
...
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