Volume 1, Chapter 18: The Second Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring: Peach Blossom Seven Kills

Moonfall Peak.

It is a magnificent, towering mountain, rising like a divine sword piercing the clouds. Above, the heavens are ablaze with stars, their brilliance cascading like a waterfall. From time to time, meteors streak across the sky, stirring the imagination. From many angles, the moon appears to rest upon the summit, which is why it earned the name Moonfall Peak. Standing atop its peak, one feels as though they could reach out and pluck the stars or cradle the moon.

Pavilions and towers are scattered across the landscape, complemented by flowing springs, cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and a dense, tide-like aura. With ethereal phenomena unfolding and cranes dancing in the air, it is truly a mountain of the immortals.

In front of one building, several graceful figures stood, gazing toward the Yuqing Hall. When they saw a streak of light cut through the night sky, their hearts filled with joy.

"Xi'er is back."

Gu Qingli and the others hurried forward to welcome her. They had cherished this junior sister since childhood. Seeing Yao Xi return safely, the heavy stone that had been weighing on Leng Qiuyue’s heart finally fell away. After a flurry of concerned inquiries, the group slowly dispersed.

Once they were alone, Yao Xi lowered her head, feeling a pang of guilt. "Master, I have caused you to worry."

"It is done. This matter cannot be blamed entirely on you." Leng Qiuyue looked at her with doting eyes and patted her head.

Hearing this, Yao Xi was overjoyed. She had expected a stern reprimand, but it seemed her worries were unfounded. Her master was still the same loving mentor she had always known.

"I knew Master loved me the most." Yao Xi gave a playful smile, stepped forward to hook her arm through Leng Qiuyue’s, and leaned in affectionately. Bathed in moonlight, the two walked slowly toward a secluded courtyard, appearing as close as a mother and daughter. Snow-white petals danced in the air as cherry blossoms drifted quietly down. The bright, clear moon hung above the treetops, casting a veil of silvery light over the two figures walking side-by-side through the cherry blossom forest.

Suddenly, Leng Qiuyue turned her gaze back to Yao Xi and said slowly, "The Sect Martial Competition is approaching. You should prepare during this time; you might even be able to participate."

"Is the Sect Martial Competition very important?" Yao Xi asked.

"It is indeed!"

Sensing a trace of worry in Leng Qiuyue’s expression, Yao Xi asked again, "What is it? Does Master lack confidence in Senior Sister Qingli and the others?"

"The Sword Soul Sect is full of hidden talents; you must not underestimate them," Leng Qiuyue replied, shaking her head.

"Are they that strong?" Yao Xi was slightly startled.

Leng Qiuyue looked up at the moon and explained, "It concerns the distribution of resources for each peak over the next three years. All prodigies under the age of sixty are eligible to compete."

"Ah? Prodigies up to sixty?" Yao Xi was speechless. What a battle of the prodigies! The oldest contestants were old enough to be the grandfathers of her generation.

"It involves the interests of all the great divine peaks. For the sake of fairness, ages 16 to 26 are the fifth tier, 27 to 37 the fourth, 38 to 48 the third, and 49 to 59 the second..."

Seeing Leng Qiuyue pause, Yao Xi couldn't help but ask, "And what about the first tier?"

Leng Qiuyue replied, "The first tier is the battle for the Sequence—the strongest clash among the sect's younger generation! Moreover, this time is different; those who attain a Sequence position will be selected for the Nine Provinces Sword Inquiry Conference, held once every thirty years!"

As for what the Sword Inquiry Conference entailed, Leng Qiuyue did not elaborate. To her, it seemed a bit too distant for Yao Xi.

"I see." Yao Xi now had a general understanding of the Sect Martial Competition.

Leng Qiuyue then flicked her hand, and a storage ring appeared before Yao Xi. "Inside are the spirit beasts you hunted that day, along with some cultivation resources I have prepared for you. Go to the back mountain and cultivate diligently."

"Thank you, Master." Yao Xi accepted the ring, overjoyed to find that things were not as bad as she had feared. "I will not let you down."

"Haha, that is excellent!" Leng Qiuyue laughed, clearly pleased. "I shall not delay your cultivation any further." With that, she flew away.

Yao Xi did not linger and headed straight for the back mountain. Her top priority now was to absorb the spirit ring.

...

Three days later.

The sun set, and the jade dew glistened. Yao Xi sat cross-legged with her eyes closed before a waterfall, drifting in the mist. She remained motionless, her hair dancing in the wind and her skin glowing with a crystal luster as she silently absorbed the spirit ring and spirit bone.

Ye Wuchen had also been in a deep slumber for these three days; the battle at the Law Enforcement Hall had consumed too much of him, and he needed to recuperate. A purple sword lay silently within Yao Xi’s sea of consciousness, sensing the nature of the world, watching the fallen leaves drift, and listening to the flowing water—a state of utter contentment.

The battle at the Law Enforcement Hall had completely shattered the internal shackles in Yao Xi’s heart. Now, not only had she regained her confidence, but the vast spiritual energy converted from the three-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone caused her cultivation to soar like a rocket.

Time ticked by.

*Hum—*

Suddenly, a powerful sword intent erupted from Yao Xi’s body. A massive, glowing green python coiled above her head—a special skill granted by the spirit bone.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host: The Sword Master’s sword intent realm has increased, reaching the first stage of the Sword Master realm."

Just then, the sleeping Ye Wuchen was startled awake as a long-awaited system notification sounded in his mind.

A breakthrough? And an entire major realm at that? Ye Wuchen’s spirit was invigorated.

Immediately following, the system prompt continued.

"Ding! Successfully extracted Sword Master’s blood energy. Rewarding the host with an upgrade to Low-Grade Immortal Artifact status. Rewarding a one-hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. Awakening the Peach Blossom Seven-Kill Sword, including the Peach Blossom Sword Domain (named the Severing Emotion Sword, with seven forms of the Peach Blossom Seven-Kill Sword Technique: No Longing, No Gazing at the Horizon, No Standing in the Slanting Sun, No Recounting the Parting Cup, No Listening to the Night Rain, No Seeing White Hair, No Singing Songs of Sorrow)."

"Second spirit ring matching mechanism activated and completed. System interface updating..."

"Domains: World of Swords, Peach Blossom Sword Domain (Within the Peach Blossom Sword Domain, peach blossoms fall like red rain...)"

Name: Ye Wuchen (Sword Spirit)
Sword Name: Ten Thousand Sword Tomb (Severing Emotion Sword)
Grade: Immortal Artifact (Low-Grade)
Sword Skills: One Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate, One Hundred and Eight Thousand Swords, Seven-Kill Sword Technique. Other: Sword Avatar.
Sword Intent: One Sword Flies Immortal (Can unleash a powerful sword qi capable of splitting mountains and rivers; when triggered, it can suppress all innate soul power of opponents within one zhang of the domain.)

"Ding! Additional reward granted: Sword Avatar. Can manifest the original form for a short period."

A breakthrough? Promoted directly to an Immortal Artifact? And I’ve mastered the Peach Blossom Seven-Kill Sword? And a Sword Avatar?

Ye Wuchen felt a surge of excitement. These gains were even greater than the Sword Master's. Her spirit ring was only three thousand years old, while he had obtained a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. It seemed the system did not deceive him. Changing Sword Masters wasn't just empty talk, but he didn't dwell on that yet; Yao Xi’s potential had not been fully tapped, and there was much room for development.

It seems I must plan carefully and have Yao Xi head to the Great Wilderness to hunt spirit beasts.

...

Time flew by.

The sun shone brightly. After a day of enlightenment, Yao Xi exhaled a breath of turbid air. Her cultivation had advanced rapidly, reaching the Sword Master realm. However, she did not rush to break through further, choosing to stop and consolidate her gains at this critical moment to avoid any counterproductive results.