Volume One, Chapter 16: The Heart of the Sword Illuminated

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Immediately, Lin Yang began to share every insight he had about the Way of the Sword with the two of them. Both listened intently, especially Lu Chen, who wished he could lean in closer to Lin Yang, analyzing every single word he spoke.

From morning until dusk, Lin Yang spoke tirelessly until his mouth was dry and his throat hoarse. Seeing that the time was nearly up, he cleared his throat and said, “Alright, since it's about time, I’ll leave it here for today. You both should go back and digest what you've learned.”

The two nodded respectfully and bowed to Lin Yang in gratitude. “Thank you, Master.”

Lin Yang nodded in return and then retreated to his own cave to rest.

In the middle of the night, Lin Yang was suddenly stirred by a noise from the system. Groggily opening his eyes, he saw the system panel appear before him.

[Congratulations, host! Task One completed! Reward: Flame of Heavenly Wrath Technique!]

Instantly, all knowledge of the Flame of Heavenly Wrath technique flooded into Lin Yang’s mind.

He blinked in surprise. “So late, and Hongye is still cultivating her comprehension?”

Although cultivators beyond the Foundation Establishment stage no longer needed much sleep to replenish energy, the natural rhythm of working by day and resting by night had become instinctive. So, Lin Yang chose to go back to sleep.

As for the Flame of Heavenly Wrath technique, Lin Yang flipped through it mentally. Unsurprisingly, it was a top-tier fire-element cultivation method.

“This technique would suit that girl Hongye well. With her innate constitution, the Scarlet Sun Immortal Sword, and now this technique, she’s bound to become a top fire cultivator.”

After completing Task One, the anticipated prompt for Task Two did not appear.

Lin Yang understood why. Lin Hongye’s sword comprehension had only just broken through to the Great Accomplishment stage, whereas Lu Chen was striving to reach the pinnacle realm. The difference was obvious, and Lu Chen’s breakthrough would not be easy.

“Hopefully that kid can break through soon. Upper realm sword immortals definitely have excellent aptitude.”

With that, Lin Yang lay back down, sinking into deep sleep once more.

...

Meanwhile, in Lu Chen’s cave, he sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, frowning deeply as he pondered.

“Just a little more, just a little more,” Lu Chen gritted his teeth. He felt as if a sword was embedded in his heart.

The blade had been fully tempered except for the tip, which still bore a tiny patch of rust.

He tried to clear the rust, but it only seemed to spread, preventing him from completely purifying it.

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At the same time, his mind kept trying to comprehend the sword insights Lin Yang had shared that morning.

Lu Chen realized that while Lin Yang’s sword insights were very similar to his own, each point surpassed him.

Following Lin Yang’s path upward would have been smooth, but Lu Chen felt perhaps he could forge a different way.

...

One day later, as Lin Hongye ate with Lin Yang, she glanced with concern toward Lu Chen’s cave and then asked Lin Yang, “Master, Lu has been inside his cave for a whole day and night. Is he all right?”

Without looking up from his meal, Lin Yang explained, “Don’t worry. The kid is fine; he’s just immersed in his sword comprehension.”

Lin Hongye nodded reluctantly but remained somewhat worried.

...

Three days passed. Lin Hongye had just finished practicing sword techniques while Lin Yang was bored, tending his flower garden.

She looked again toward Lu Chen’s cave with renewed concern and called out to Lin Yang, who was watering flowers, “Master, shouldn’t we check on Lu? He hasn’t left his cave for three full days.”

Lin Yang stopped watering, gazed toward Lu Chen’s cave, and said softly, “Wait a little longer. It’s almost time.”

...

Five days later, Lin Hongye returned from a mission and saw Lu Chen’s cave still tightly shut. She sighed, having grown accustomed to this.

Outside, Lin Yang sipped tea from a purple clay teapot, watching the cave and murmuring, “It’s coming, it’s coming. I think today’s the day.”

Inside the cave, Lu Chen’s heart surged. The rust on the tip of the sword embedded within him was almost entirely cleared.

The only spot left untouched was the memory of his defeat by Lin Yang.

Every time he recalled how easily Lin Yang had bested him, his sword heart nearly faltered.

“His swordsmanship is so superior—after I break through, can I really defeat him?”

Lu Chen had pursued the path of an invincible sword heart. From the moment he first grasped a sword, he had never once lost in the Way of the Sword.

But having been defeated by Lin Yang, his once invincible sword heart was now stained.

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“Can I truly surpass him?” This doubt haunted Lu Chen like a demon, tormenting him.

Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. His eyelashes trembled. If he could not overcome this mental barrier, let alone breakthrough to a new realm, his invincible sword heart—maintained for ten thousand years—would be shattered.

Suddenly, Lu Chen seemed to hear a shattering sound, as if something within him had broken free.

A smile crept onto his lips. Opening his eyes, an unparalleled aura of sword intent burst forth. The entire Scarlet Sun Peak trembled under the weight of this sword intent.

“I, Lu Chen, am peerless in the Way of the Sword. A momentary defeat is nothing. I will surpass all!”

“Boom!”

With his proclamation, countless sword energies swirled around Scarlet Sun Peak, and the Great Wilderness Bell—silent for days—was struck once again.

At the same moment, all sword cultivators throughout Central Continent, regardless of age or gender, who had even a slight mastery of the Way of the Sword, turned their heads in astonishment toward the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect.

Within the sect, every sword seemed to awaken as if summoned, flying toward Scarlet Sun Peak.

They converged into a flowing river of blades, circling the peak as if in worship.

Zhang Xianfeng stepped out of the main hall, eyes wide at the spectacle.

As a master swordsman himself, Zhang Xianfeng understood the meaning of this phenomenon immediately.

“This is... the Illumination of the Sword Heart, Ten Thousand Swords Paying Tribute!?”

...

Atop Scarlet Sun Peak, Lin Yang watched the circling blades and smiled.

“Looks like that kid really did gain some enlightenment.”

Lin Hongye stared in shock at the scene around her. Though she considered herself a skilled swordswoman, she had never before witnessed sword cultivation so profound that all those blades would pay homage.

At that moment, Lu Chen emerged from his cave, his expression proud and fierce, eyes blazing with sharp resolve.

With a wave of his hand, thousands of sword instruments whirled around him as if worshipping their master.

Lin Yang couldn’t help but smirk. Well, looks like he really got the mark this time.