Chapter 51: Celestial Moon Creation Sword

Grasping the sun, the moon, and the stars in his palm, treading upon seven-colored auspicious clouds, crowned with the halo of great fortune, cloaked in the aura of a protagonist!
Ethereal immortal energy swirled about him, radiating supreme might.
“Hahaha!”
“I feel a power unlike anything I have ever known!” Tianming’s voice thundered, resonating with the boundless laws of the Great Dao.
He gazed imperiously at Qingpo, who lay prostrate before him, his spirit soaring with pride.
At this moment, his usually restrained bearing shifted abruptly; his brilliance was blinding, like a sword drawn three inches from its scabbard—one look and he inspired awe, an air impossible to articulate emanating from his entire being. Had anyone observed closely, they would have seen twin golden beams flickering in the depths of his eyes.
“Tianming Fist!”
With two halos encircling him, Tianming’s arrogance blazed so fiercely he nearly lost himself.
“Damn it!” As if his soul were slipping from his body, a wave of alarm surged within him, and Tianming gritted his teeth.
No!
It was not yet over—how could he surrender to this intoxication?
With a resolute will, the golden light in his eyes gradually faded.
Fortunately, reason triumphed over conceit in the end.
What?
Just as he regained control of himself, he discovered he could no longer withdraw his almighty fist!
If he unleashed this punch, the entire space might collapse—he himself would perish, and even his fellow disciples in other realms would be caught in the destruction!
Realizing the danger, Tianming cursed his luck. Just as he braced himself for a cataclysmic impact, something bizarre occurred…
Boom!
His fist struck out, yet the space remained utterly unchanged.
The only effect was the roar of a sonic boom caused by his own cultivation, the vast energy merely stirring up layers of white dust on the steps. Nothing shattered; nothing broke.
Wait!
His cultivation…
Foundation Establishment, ninth tier?
Strangely, even his vital energy had regressed from the celestial level, returning to the state he was in before entering the Heavenly Pool Secret Realm!
“This is too much!” At that moment, Tianming stood frozen in disbelief.
He had worked so hard to reach this realm, only for it all to vanish in an instant!

Such a loss…

“Gentle reminder: you have one and a half minutes remaining before your halos disappear. Please make good use of them, Master!”

As Tianming struggled to accept the blow, another unfeeling message echoed in the depths of his mind.

“You are ruthless!” Tianming cursed inwardly.

He could only accept reality; the situation was too perilous for hesitation.

With a shake of his head and a stony face, Tianming turned and leapt toward the higher steps.

Without the pressure of a higher realm, he easily vaulted one step after another, each one taking less time than before. Although now only at the ninth tier of Foundation Establishment, it was enough.

Perhaps this is what it means to gain and lose in equal measure.

...

Elsewhere, Qingpo, shrouded in chaos, gradually regained consciousness.

Only after the celestial anomaly vanished from the sky…

“What? How is this possible?” Opening his eyes, Qingpo was utterly bewildered.

At the summit of the steps now stood a solitary figure—this was a place only someone of the tenth tier of Golden Immortal could reach!

He could not recall what had just transpired, but this was unbelievable.

He faintly remembered remaining around the Spirit Void stage, somewhere in the thirties in terms of steps—how had Tianming reached the sixtieth step?

Unfathomable!

“Qingpo, I told you I would reach the fiftieth step. What do you have to say now?” Standing at the peak, Tianming called down.

As Qingpo wracked his brain, the sudden voice made him look up.

He did not know how Tianming had managed it, but the evidence was before his eyes—he could not deny it.

“Fine, you win. Congratulations on passing the third trial flawlessly!” Qingpo nodded, his voice grave.

But just as Qingpo was about to continue, he seemed to notice something about Tianming and stared, dumbfounded.

“What about my reward?” Tianming quickly asked, fearing Qingpo would accuse him of cheating and eager to leave this place.

But Qingpo paid him no heed, studying him intently.

At last, a weathered voice emerged.

“…Why has your cultivation fallen to the ninth tier of Foundation Establishment?” Qingpo asked, astonished.

He was certain Tianming had reached the fifth tier of Spirit Void; to drop so far was inexplicable. If Tianming had hidden his true realm, it would not have escaped Qingpo’s notice.

“It’s a long story,” Tianming sighed, shaking his head.

The matter was too complex, so he gave a vague reply.

Qingpo’s brow furrowed and his lips twitched, but seeing Tianming’s reluctance, he let the matter rest.

“Since you’ve passed the third trial, you’re entitled to a mysterious weapon as a reward. Tell me, what type of weapon do you desire? This is an additional prize for your extraordinary performance—I will do my best to grant your wish,” Qingpo said evenly.

What, I can choose?

Tianming’s eyes lit up at once.

“I choose… a sword!” he called out after a brief hesitation.

He had suddenly thought of Wang Sheng’s weapon, also a sword—albeit a greatsword, but it would do. Besides, how majestic it would be to roam the world with sword in hand!

“Very well. From now on, the Heavenly Moon Creation Sword is yours. Fitting, given your name. This sword belonged to my previous master, who slew the ancient powerhouse Yue with it. Under moonlight, its power increases by thirty percent.”

With a nod, Qingpo swept his great hand, and a gentle azure wind flashed toward Tianming like lightning.

Tianming raised his hand without resistance.

In an instant, a chill surged into his palm.

“Excellent, truly a fine sword!” Tianming exclaimed, caressing the blade.

True to its name, a faint silvery glow shimmered around the sword as if bathed in moonlight—pure and flawless. Four feet and one inch in length, it suited Tianming perfectly. Forged of refined blacksteel, the blade was thin and emitted a cold gleam; the hilt bore the motif of a full moon, elegant beyond compare, and the edge was as keen as autumn frost.

“Remember, do not reveal it lightly, lest you invite disaster,” Qingpo warned as Tianming reveled in his new sword.

Fine things should be displayed, yet one must guard against others—few can resist temptation.

“Don’t worry, I’m not foolish!” Tianming replied with a smile.

He withdrew his gaze from Qingpo, turning his attention back to the Heavenly Moon Creation Sword.

Meanwhile, in a distant corner, the Lightning Sword wept in secret…