Chapter Sixty-Six: Creating One’s Own Sword Technique

High above the boundless sky, a bluish soul drifted silently. The moment it saw the beautiful woman lying atop a cloud open her eyes, it hurried over. “You’re awake?” came a voice, aged yet gentle.

“Where am I? Where is Tianming?” The woman quickly sat up upon hearing the voice, but as her eyes took in the endless whiteness surrounding her, confusion mingled with the anxiety on her face.

“Your name is Shu Meng, correct? He’s still down below, fighting those two. But you needn’t worry.” The ancient voice continued to float through the air.

“...Senior, who are you, and why did you save me?” Nodding, Shu Meng asked, puzzled.

Searching her memory, Shu Meng soon recalled being gravely injured and losing consciousness while trying to save Tianming. After that, everything went blank.

“I am Qing Po,” the spirit replied calmly. “As for the rest, there’s no need to trouble yourself. All you need to know is that you are alive.”

“Senior Qing, could you send me back down?” Shu Meng’s eyes brimmed with worry as she gazed at Qing Po.

“No, you can’t go down right now.” Qing Po shook his head, his tone utterly resolute.

“Why not? Tianming is all alone, fighting the Black Demon Clan. He’s in grave danger. Why can’t I help him?” Shu Meng couldn’t understand, her stubborn gaze boring into Qing Po as she spoke coldly.

“No means no. You’ve already been eliminated from the trial. Besides, he started this trouble himself, so it’s only right he bears the consequences alone. And I promised that boy I’d keep you safe. If I send you back now, he’ll surely blame me!” Unmoved by Shu Meng’s pleas, Qing Po refused flatly.

But Shu Meng’s face turned to shock at his words. “You mean Tianming asked you to save me?”

“Indeed. But I won’t help him directly.” Qing Po nodded, unsurprised by her reaction.

“Fine, then. If Tianming asks, just tell him it was my idea—I went to save him on my own!” With a huff, Shu Meng, seeing Qing Po’s indifference, scrambled to rise from the cloud.

Ah!

But as she climbed down, she discovered the clouds beneath her were nothing but mist, unable to support her weight. Her face went pale as she plunged straight through the endless white, sending up a spray of vapor. Already badly wounded, she could do nothing but plummet downward like a stone.

“Ah, why bring this on yourself?” Qing Po sighed, then, with a wave of his hand, sent a gust of azure wind spiraling downward, instantly sweeping Shu Meng back to where she had started.

After a moment, Shu Meng’s ragged breathing finally eased, and a touch of color returned to her cheeks.

“Senior Qing, I beg you, please help Tianming! He truly needs you right now!” Shu Meng’s eyes pleaded, her tone tinged with a hint of coquettishness.

Though he had lived for countless ages, Qing Po was but a spirit bound to an artifact; he could not withstand Shu Meng’s gentle entreaty. At last, moved, he nodded. “Very well. For your sake, I’ll lend him a hand. But I won’t intervene directly.”

“Thank you, Senior Qing!” Shu Meng’s face lit up with joy at his agreement.

...

Three hundred forty-six have been eliminated; five hundred eighteen remain.

The latest announcement did nothing to dampen Tianming’s excitement.

Clang, clang, clang!

At that moment, a familiar and melodious voice rang out in his mind. Tianming knew it could only mean good news.

“Congratulations, Master! You have advanced to the tenth rank of Foundation Establishment. Only one hundred thousand more experience points to reach the first rank of Spirit Void. Keep striving!”

Thanks to his automatic cultivation and the experience gained from slaying several primal beasts, Tianming had, as expected, advanced again. Though only at the tenth rank of Foundation Establishment, with the power of the Lightning Sword, he could reach the tenth rank of Spirit Void.

The thought left Tianming grinning foolishly where he stood.

But to the two men facing him, his bloody, grinning teeth seemed downright sinister, sending a chill down their spines.

“Boy, you’re at death’s door—what are you grinning at?” Suo Xiufu said, his heart uneasy at Tianming’s sudden laughter.

To be able to laugh at such a moment—could it be...?

Suo Xiufu wasn’t the only one to suspect something; Suo Yangcan seemed to have realized as well. The two edged closer to Tianming.

Jolted back to reality, Tianming refocused on the fight. “Stay where you are! Your lives will soon end. If you have any sense, you’d better beg for mercy now!”

As the pair advanced, brimming with murderous intent, Tianming smiled smugly.

It wasn’t just the breakthrough that had him elated; a message had just arrived on his token. Chu Qingchen had said she would be there soon and told Tianming to wait where he was.

“Beg for mercy? From you?” Suo Xiufu sneered.

But Suo Yangcan grew anxious. “Big brother, he must have called for help. Disciples from other sects will find this place soon. Let’s finish this quickly, just in case!”

Though Suo Yangcan disliked reporting every move, with his elder brother present, he deferred to Suo Xiufu’s judgment.

“You’re right. No need to let things drag on.” Suo Xiufu nodded.

“You think you two can kill me? Dream on!” With a flourish, Tianming drew his twin swords from the ground and charged.

In a flash, Tianming’s Spirit Void tenth-rank aura erupted, the profound energy of heaven and earth swirling around him, matching Suo Xiufu’s own strength. Under this pressure, Suo Yangcan faltered, his movements noticeably slower.

Seizing the advantage, Tianming’s right hand flashed—the Lightning Sword slashing toward Suo Yangcan. At that speed, a direct hit would surely cleave him in two!

“What?!” Suo Yangcan’s face went white as death. He ducked and rolled desperately to his right.

Boom!

Sparks crackled as Tianming’s lightning-charged sword smashed a massive crater into the ground.

“...Spirit Void tenth rank?” Suo Xiufu stared in disbelief. Just a moment ago, Tianming had been at the ninth rank—how had he leapt straight to the tenth?

But Suo Xiufu didn’t have time to dwell on it. He lunged with his black sword at Tianming’s back, a chilling darkness emanating from its blade.

Clang!

The Lightning Sword’s protective spirit instantly blocked the attack, ringing out with a clear, sharp note.

Seeing his attack thwarted, Suo Xiufu kicked off and retreated to Suo Yangcan’s side. “Together!”

The two exchanged a glance, then gathered their corrosive, shadowy energies—the sword and the claw both wreathed in black. Twin shadows shot toward Tianming, their fierce sword aura and a vast dark claw sealing off every escape.

“Twin Swords United—Thunder Moonlight Slash!”

An idea struck Tianming. He shouted, brandishing the Heavenly Moon Sword in his left hand, the Lightning Sword in his right. As their blades crossed, immense energy surged between heaven and earth, bolts of lightning gathering in the moon’s glow...

Suddenly, a thunderous sword beam, several dozen feet long, exploded from the crossing swords, shooting straight toward the heart of Suo Yangcan and Suo Xiufu’s combined assault.