novelraw Chapter 545: Sword Qi Condensing Silk
Chapter 545: Sword Qi Condensing Silk
Wan Meng Demon Lord shook her head.
"There’s no Demon Flood Dragon within the borders of Liang Country."
"In nearby countries, there’s no related news for now."
Shen Xuan sighed.
Indeed, descendants of a Tier Three Divine Dragon are not easy to find.
The Ice Evil Demon Flood Dragon is an exception.
It hides in the extremely cold Yin Pool, which ordinary True Masters and Demon Lords cannot handle.
The Dark Yin Demon Flood Dragon appears in the Demon Realm space.
According to the words of the Young Master of the Gold Spirit Clan, it seems to be his mount.
"Spend some resources to scout out whether nearby countries have any information on Demon Flood Dragons."
"Alright!"
The two chatted briefly.
This time, it seemed Wan Meng Demon Lord had matters to attend to and quickly left Starlight Island without staying.
...
A few days later.
Shangguan Yan’Er reported some good news.
Ding Qing Feng and Shangguan Ming Yue had both successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
After informing the clan leader, they traveled long distances, especially to seek refuge with Shen Xuan.
During these three years, Shen Xuan enacted light taxes and rapid development flourished on Starlight Island, becoming prosperous and vibrant.
Mortal commoners received large plots of land without needing to pay land tax, significantly improving their lives.
The loose cultivators on the island rented accommodations and Spirit Fields for much cheaper than before.
In addition, free schools and affordable medical halls were established to spread basic cultivation skills and provide affordable treatment to injured cultivators.
Starlight Island is the highest grade, best-managed, and largest Spirit Island among the Wolong Archipelago.
Loose cultivators seeking refuge came constantly.
Shen Xuan implemented a registration system.
Outside loose cultivators needed guarantees from three local loose cultivators and after spending a certain amount of time, accumulating certain points, they could register for residency.
Loose cultivators without registration couldn’t enjoy the perks of Starlight Island like cheaper rental fees, Spirit Field rent, free schools, or affordable medical halls.
This made outside loose cultivators strive like mad, working day and night like oxen and horses, only to gather enough points to bring their families to register on Starlight Island.
In just over three years, Starlight Island had thrived with vitality, everyone glowing with happiness and filled with energy.
"Actually, governing a territory isn’t that difficult."
"Just reduce the exploitation and most problems can be solved."
Shen Xuan contemplated inwardly.
He didn’t plan to exploit the cultivators and mortals on Starlight Island.
There was no need.
"If one day, Starlight Island faces a catastrophe of destruction, they should not resent me."
Shen Xuan would certainly prioritize his self-preservation.
Everything he did was solely for peace of mind.
From beginning to end, he was always a responsible person.
After Ding Qing Feng and Shangguan Ming Yue arrived, they could alleviate his alchemy burden.
In any sect, two Foundation Establishment Pill Masters could play a vital role.
Let alone in a place like Starlight Island.
Shen Xuan met with Ding Qing Feng and Shangguan Ming Yue.
He allowed them to refine pills together with Li Ruyi.
During their free time, they would teach several alchemy apprentices and begin Large Furnace Refining.
They refined Essence Nourishing Pills and Yellow Dragon Pills at the Qi Cultivation Stage.
Sold at preferential prices, limited to registered cultivators on Starlight Island.
Ding Qing Feng was responsible for refining, Shangguan Ming Yue for procuring herbs and selling spirit pills.
The Large Furnace Refining was his invention.
He long wanted to implement it on Starlight Island.
However, there were no suitable personnel.
They needed a certain alchemy mastery, and also reliability and confidentiality.
The arrival of Ding Qing Feng and Shangguan Ming Yue solved this problem for him.
Of course, Shen Xuan wouldn’t mistreat the two.
By staying on Starlight Island, their alchemy skills could reach new heights.
...
More than ten days later.
A special guest arrived on Starlight Island.
"Nie Wuhen, a newcomer from Divine Sword Sect, pays respects to True Master Profound Ice of Cyan Cloud Sect."
Inside the Cold Ice Cave.
Nie Wuhen respectfully saluted.
Shen Xuan chuckled lightly.
"Fellow Daoist Wufeng, no need for such courtesy."
He hadn’t expected that the True Master Wufeng of Divine Sword Sect would be Nie Wuhen.
Nie Wuhen was the newly advanced True Pill True Master of Divine Sword Sect who had been injured by the Primordial Magnetic Evil Light.
"This is a letter from Pill Master Yu to True Master Profound Ice."
"He also brought the Fog Hidden Spirit Tea you like to drink."
Nie Wuhen handed over a letter and two jars of spirit tea.
Pill Master Yu is Divine Sword Sect’s only Tier Two Water Technique Alchemist.
In the past, he had some friendly relations with Shen Xuan.
"Oh, how is he?"
"Recently, Pill Master Yu formed a Fake Pill, and the sect celebrated as one."
Shen Xuan nodded.
Although he’s a Fake Pill True Master.
Pill Master Yu is indeed a Water Technique Alchemist.
After forming a Fake Pill, he can refine Tier Three Spirit Pills.
For a sect like Divine Sword Sect that lacks cultivation talents, it’s a joyous occasion.
"I already know your intentions."
Shen Xuan pondered and said: "Since we’re all sects of Song Country, especially amidst the war between sects of Yan and Song Countries, whether in emotion or in principle, I should heal you."
"However, the Primordial Magnetic Evil Light is not to be underestimated. True Master Wen Yang took over three years here before being completely cured."
"I’ve expended quite a bit of Origin Pill Essence and am still in recovery."
Nie Wuhen said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, Wuhen understands everything you’ve said. Whatever conditions you have, feel free to mention them."
"First, let’s examine your injuries."
Inside the secret chamber.
Shen Xuan and Nie Wuhen sat cross-legged.
A pure strand of Ice Spiritual Power surged into Nie Wuhen’s back and merged into his spiritual power, circulating into his Inner Core.
A while later.
Shen Xuan withdrew his spiritual power.
"Fellow Daoist Wufeng, your injuries are more severe than Fellow Daoist Wen Yang’s."
Earlier, Wen Ruyi sought him out to stabilize his injury.
Combined with the profound mystique of the [Nine Revolutions Fiery Sun Technique] and [Pure Yang True Flame Art] he practiced,
the injury did not worsen.
But Nie Wuhen’s case was different.
The Primordial Magnetic Evil Light had already penetrated deeply into his Inner Core.
Nie Wuhen asked with concern, "Can it be completely cured?"
Shen Xuan smiled and said, "Naturally, it can be. It will just take a bit more time, that’s all."
Hearing this, Nie Wuhen felt at ease.
"What reward does Fellow Daoist Profound Ice want?"
"Fellow Daoist Wufeng, take a rest for the night first. I will answer you tomorrow, is that alright?"
"Alright."
Shen Xuan and Nie Wuhen left the secret chamber.
Shangguan Yan’Er came over and led Nie Wuhen to a branch cave mansion to rest.
...
The next day.
Nie Wuhen came to the Cold Ice Cave again.
In the reception room, Shen Xuan and Nie Wuhen sat facing each other.
"Fellow Daoist Wufeng, if I were to remove the Primordial Magnetic Evil Light from your Inner Core, treating it once every two months, it would take about four years for complete healing."
"Four years."
Nie Wuhen said in a deep voice, "Then I shall reside on this Starlight Island for four years."
Shen Xuan nodded.
"Being from the same sect in Song Country, both emotionally and logically, I will treat you. I have three conditions; can Fellow Daoist Wufeng agree to them?"
"Please speak, Fellow Daoist Profound Ice."
"The first condition is to have Fellow Daoist Wufeng guide my Sword Dao practice."
Nie Wuhen pondered for a while and asked, "Would it be like with Fellow Daoist Wen Yang, requiring me to offer the sect’s [Great Evolution Sword Canon] and [Flowing Light Sword Technique]?"
Shen Xuan shook his head: "No need. I have no intention of becoming a Sword Cultivator. Fellow Daoist Wufeng just needs to guide me in the Sword Dao."
Sword Cultivators must practice from a young age, and the Inner Core they condense is known as a Sword Pill.
It is vastly different from ordinary True Masters.
Shen Xuan had already condensed an Ice Technique Golden Core.
His next step planned was to attempt to achieve a Fire Technique Golden Core.
Shen Xuan merely wanted to study Sword Dao skills to integrate them into the [Ice Soul Divine Light] and [Immortal-Slaying Water Technique Qi] to enhance the powers of the Ice Technique Divine Power.
Hearing this, Nie Wuhen was relieved.
Before coming, he was already prepared.
With the consent of the Sect Leader of the Divine Sword Sect, offering his practice of the [Great Evolution Sword Canon] and [Flowing Light Sword Technique] as treatment reward.
However, the Sect Leader senior brother also advised, if possible, avoid trading these two ultimate skills of the Divine Sword Sect.
"This is easy to do. Whatever doubts Fellow Daoist Profound Ice has, I, Nie, will certainly answer with all my effort."
"The second condition is that Fellow Daoist Wufeng personally owes Shen a favor. In the future, if Shen has use for it, Fellow Daoist Wufeng must repay this favor."
Nie Wuhen nodded: "The gratitude for healing, Nie will remember in my heart, it is only right."
"The third condition: on White Crane Island, there is a Female Cultivator named Wei Yating from the Wei Family. Although not officially a master-disciple, she is Shen’s unregistered disciple. Please take care of her, Fellow Daoist Wufeng."
Nie Wufeng chuckled softly: "Fellow Daoist Profound Ice need not worry."
Shen Xuan was slightly startled.
"Wei Yating has entered the tutelage of Master Yu. With Master Yu’s protection, even if I have the intention, I am unable to lend any help."
"I see! Then this condition is void."
The two discussed the conditions.
Nie Wuhen settled on Starlight Island, embarking on a long four-year journey of healing.
Simultaneously, he guided Shen Xuan in the practice of the Sword Dao.
Shen Xuan, while refining the essence blood, demon core, and reverse scale of the Profound Yin Demonic Flood Dragon, practiced the Sword Dao.
The innate skills of the Profound Yin Demonic Flood Dragon are similar to those of the Ice Miasma Demonic Flood Dragon.
However, it lacks some Ice Technique innate skills.
Moreover, its grade is evidently somewhat lower.
This time, the innate skill he chose was [Dragon Blood Boiling].
Three years later.
On Starlight Island, at Comprehending Sword Cliff.
Shen Xuan sat quietly on a hard black boulder, his eyes slightly closed.
In his mind, he pondered three kinds of inheritance.
One was the [Flowing Light Sword Technique] Sword Intent taught by Nie Wuhen.
Since he did not practice the [Great Evolution Sword Canon], his achievement in the [Flowing Light Sword Technique] Sword Intent was limited, unable to reach the realm of "Sword begets myriad methods."
Another was the sect’s ultimate skill [Immortal-Slaying Water Technique Qi] from Bishui Sect.
The last was the Ice Technique Divine Power [Ice Soul Divine Light] he comprehended.
Shen Xuan was not a pure Sword Cultivator.
His path was in controlling all waters, evolving to the ultimate ice.
To him, the Ice Soul Divine Sword was merely an artifact.
The Sword Dao was just a technique, not the essence of his Grand Dao.
However, the [Flowing Light Sword Technique] Sword Intent taught by Nie Wuhen indeed provided him with great inspiration.
Using Spirit Sword Control, merging the sword into technique, he could enhance the power of his [Ice Soul Divine Light].
"The speed of the sword to the extreme, can become thunder sound..."
"The force of the sword to the extreme, can split sword light..."
"The intent of the sword to the extreme, can transform into sword silk..."
Shen Xuan murmured, deducing various Sword Intents in his sea of consciousness.
Instead of directly practicing the [Flowing Light Sword Technique], he condensed its Sword Intent, integrating its extreme speed, sharpness, and transformation into his Ice Technique Grand Dao.
Shen Xuan summoned the Ice Soul Divine Sword.
With a slight movement of his Divine Thought,
the sword tip emitted a brilliant sword light, extremely fast, emitting a harsh, thunderous explosion.
This was the Sword Qi Thunder Sound.
However, Shen Xuan shook his head slightly.
That sword light divided amidst the thunderous roar, one into two, two into four, four into eight...
After several breaths, it transformed into hundreds of sharp azure sword lights, covering a hundred-zhang area in front.
Division of sword light.
One sword could counter a thousand or ten thousand swords.
Immediately, Shen Xuan’s Divine Thought moved again.
Those hundreds of sword lights suddenly converged inward, their brilliance fully retracted, finally forming a thin sword silk as fine as a cow’s hair, nearly transparent, flickering with extreme cold light.
This silk seemed weak, yet contained the power to cleave gold and stone, to freeze Divine Souls, silently sweeping past a distant reef.
"Shh!"
After an imperceptible light sound, the reef quietly turned to powder.
Each grain of powder was smooth as a mirror, covered with a layer of Profound Ice.
Sword Qi Condensing Silk!
With the refined Ice Pill Spiritual Power as the foundation, the [Ice Soul Divine Light] displayed, integrated the [Flowing Light Sword Technique] Sword Intent and the sharpness of [Immortal-Slaying Water Technique Qi], reaching the Sword Qi Condensing Silk realm.