Desolate Ancient Martial God

The hierarchy in the Heavenly Net Sect was strict. If an outer sect disciple wished to become an inner sect disciple, they had to go through multiple layers of selection.

For an inner sect disciple to advance to a core disciple, the requirements were even more stringent. Only the top inner sect disciples had the opportunity to become core disciples.

As for the sect master’s personal disciples, they had to possess talent that far exceeded the core disciples to be recognized and accepted by the sect master.

Xiao Yun returned to his former residence. The advantage of this place was its solitude; no one would disturb him, allowing him to practice with peace of mind.

Taking out his money bag, Xiao Yun discovered its contents: just two gold coins, a few dozen silver coins, and several copper coins. Besides these, there were only some miscellaneous items.

After putting the bag away, Xiao Yun turned his attention to the martial arts technique in his possession. To his surprise, it was a yellow-level, low-grade sword martial art known as Wind Shadow Slash.

Sword martial arts belonged to the category of weapon-based martial arts.

Martial arts, in general, were divided into two types: physical martial arts and weapon martial arts.

Physical martial arts relied on fists and feet, while weapon martial arts required specific weapons.

Thousand-Pound Fist was an example of a physical martial art.

Physical martial arts were relatively common, while weapon martial arts were far rarer and considerably more valuable. The power of weapon martial arts also greatly surpassed that of physical techniques.

Xiao Yun speculated that Wind Shadow Slash likely didn’t originate from the Heavenly Net Sect. The sect imposed strict controls on weapon martial arts. Disciples from the outer sect had no access to such techniques and could only practice basic physical martial arts.

Weapon martial arts usually came from two sources: they were either obtained by chance or purchased at an exorbitant price.

“If it were just the ancient secret realm, I could only practice Wind Shadow Slash to its pinnacle. But I have more than that. I also possess Heavenly Venerable Yun’s memories…” Xiao Yun muttered, his gaze fixed on the technique. A daring idea took root in his heart—one he had never dared to consider before.

He would become a sword cultivator!

In the martial world, physical cultivation was the easiest path. Over 99% of martial artists took this route. After all, fists and feet were innate and required no additional tools or conditions to train.

Sword cultivation, however, was far more challenging. Swords were external tools, and sword techniques demanded perfect harmony between the cultivator and their weapon.

Because of its difficulty, sword cultivation was extremely rare. But those who succeeded were far stronger than physical cultivators at the same level.

In the past, Xiao Yun had lacked the means to walk the path of the sword. The harsh conditions required for sword cultivation had made it an unattainable dream.

But now, he had everything he needed.

Heavenly Venerable Yun, the Sword Master—one of the six great Heavenly Venerables of the Nine Heavens Divine Realm—was revered as a supreme figure of sword cultivation.

What did it mean to be the Sword Master?

It meant asking the Dao through the sword and becoming its master.

In the field of sword cultivation, Heavenly Venerable Yun had no equal in the Nine Heavens Divine Realm, let alone in this mortal world.

The memories Heavenly Venerable Yun left behind were an invaluable treasure for any martial artist. Even the tiniest fragment would drive countless warriors to madness.

However, Heavenly Venerable Yun’s swordsmanship was not perfect. He had already reached an advanced level of cultivation when he chose the sword path, missing the ideal time to lay a perfect foundation.

This imperfection had always been Heavenly Venerable Yun’s greatest regret. He believed that a flawless foundation was essential to achieving ultimate swordsmanship. Though Heavenly Venerable Yun had trained many disciples who successfully built solid foundations, none of them possessed his talent. Thus, none could reach the heights he had envisioned.

Xiao Yun, however, was different.

He turned his gaze inward, looking at the ancient secret realm within him. Its existence was like the ultimate talent—far surpassing even Heavenly Venerable Yun’s.

‘Heavenly Venerable Yun couldn’t do it, but I can. With the ancient secret realm and his memories of sword cultivation, I can definitely reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship…’

Determined, Xiao Yun resolutely stepped into the ancient secret realm.

“Come, my sword!”

He stretched out his hand, and a nearly transparent sword materialized in his palm.

Wind Shadow Slash!

Sword shadows emerged one after another, progressing from entry to minor success, to great success, until finally, the ultimate sword shadows were fully revealed.

Xiao Yun swung the sword in his hand, following the traces of the sword shadows as he repeatedly performed Wind Shadow Slash.

The process was similar to practicing Thousand-Pound Fist, but as Wind Shadow Slash was a yellow-level, low-grade sword martial art, it required significantly more time and effort.

Days passed, and two days were gone in a flash.

Except for eating and resting, Xiao Yun devoted all his time to practicing Wind Shadow Slash. The accelerated time in the ancient secret realm worked wonders, allowing him to master the technique fully within two days.

But this was not enough. Xiao Yun knew he had to cultivate Wind Shadow Slash to its pinnacle.

By the seventh day—

Whoosh!

Waves of air surged forth as hundreds of sword shadows slashed through the air like a violent windstorm.

At great success, the number of sword shadows was limited to seventy. However, at the pinnacle, that number increased to a full hundred, and the technique’s power rose to an entirely new level.

“Finally, I’ve reached the pinnacle.”

Xiao Yun let out a long breath, his chest heaving. The lower-grade yellow-level sword martial art was indeed extraordinary. If he fought against himself from seven days ago, he could now completely dominate his former self.

In the past seven days, Xiao Yun had achieved significant progress. Not only had he pushed Wind Shadow Slash to the pinnacle level, but his cultivation had also advanced to the seventh level of the Qi Refining realm.

But this was only the beginning.

These seven days of grueling training were merely preparation for the next step—forging the sword veins.

“The time is ripe. I can begin forging the sword veins.” Xiao Yun took a deep breath and released six streams of Qi energy.

The six streams were infused with Wind Shadow Slash, a condensation of Xiao Yun’s entire true Qi. With meticulous control, he directed the six Qi energies into the top of his head.

It felt as though six sharp blades had pierced through him. Xiao Yun’s entire body trembled violently, his face turning pale. The excruciating pain made him grit his teeth, and cold sweat poured down his face.

The six Qi streams began to move slowly, slicing through his body like knives. What made it worse was that the streams kept multiplying as they moved—one split into two, two into four…

Time dragged on as the knife-like energies tore through him. Xiao Yun felt as though he were being cut by thousands of sharp blades, over and over again.

The pain was hundreds of times worse than when he was beaten by Ling Yuji’s people. It was pure, unbearable torment.

Several times, Xiao Yun thought that it might be better to faint, to escape this agony. But he dared not lose consciousness. If he passed out, the forging of the sword veins would fail—and failure meant being killed by the backlash of Qi.

Each time he approached his limit, Xiao Yun thought of the Xiao family in Yan State, of his family, and of Ling Yuji…

Every time he remembered his desire for revenge against Ling Yuji, his spirit surged with renewed determination. With that, he pushed through the most agonizing moments.

It felt like an eternity had passed—perhaps years—when suddenly, a buzzing sound echoed through his limbs and meridians.

Xiao Yun’s pupils shrank slightly. He knew the critical moment had arrived, as the intense pain finally began to fade.

Something was changing drastically within his meridians. Xiao Yun’s body trembled slightly, as though something deep inside was about to break free.

Hoo!

A domineering surge of sword energy erupted from the top of Xiao Yun’s head.

Xiao Yun’s lips curled into a faint smile. He had succeeded. The first stage of foundation building was complete, and the sword meridians within his body had taken shape.

Feeling the powerful sword energy coursing through him, Xiao Yun finally understood the true strength of sword cultivation.

Though he was only at the seventh level of the Qi Refining Realm, and only 30% of his Qi Sea remained, he was now leagues stronger than before.

“The first stage of forging the sword veins is already this powerful. If I form the sword bones and sword soul in the future, just how strong will I become…”

Xiao Yun’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

To perfect his foundation, he had to form the sword vein, sword bone, and sword soul. Only then would his body become a vessel of the sword—indestructible and unparalleled.