Chapter 357

357. Chapter 357: Myriad Spirits Return to One

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Protagonist:

Yu Zhangsheng

"Profound, truly profound!"

At this moment, in Yu Zhangsheng's mind, it had already swept up into a storm; as one insight after another surged forth, the Myriad Spirits Art's cultivation method actually slowly began to operate in reverse!

Thus, Yu Zhangsheng abruptly opened his eyes; as sharp light flickered in his gaze, he lightly waved his hand, and in that instant, the Chi Lian Infernal Dragon guarding beside him suddenly froze, suspended in midair; Yu Zhangsheng's fingertip lightly tapped on the Chi Lian Infernal Dragon's body, and along with the Myriad Spirits Art's reverse operation, he gently brought out a wisp of his own True Spirit, which surged into the Chi Lian Infernal Dragon's mind.

The Chi Lian Infernal Dragon trembled lightly, and entirely out of trust in Yu Zhangsheng, it did not resist in the slightest, completely opening its mind.

A moment later, Yu Zhangsheng released the Chi Lian Infernal Dragon, slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid qi, lightly tapped his own forehead, recalled that wisp of True Spirit, and smiled faintly.

"So that's how it was……"

Yu Zhangsheng murmured to himself, his hands continuously shifting, magical power surging; finally he pressed his palm down, and a throbbing dark-red flame appeared before Yu Zhangsheng.

With another wave of his hand, an afterimage flashed past, and this dark-red flame suddenly surged, continuously spreading out, transforming into a vast sea of fire, blazing and burning, and even more continuously steaming forth black baleful qi.

"Baleful Fire Purgatory!"

The Chi Lian Infernal Dragon stood to the side, staring blankly at this scene, its dragon eyes wide, its elongated beast face full of incredulity and bewilderment; in the end it only let out a cry, and affectionately rubbed against Yu Zhangsheng.

"Master, how did you do that? Isn't this my divine ability?"

The Chi Lian Infernal Dragon spoke in human language, its voice deep and resonant, carrying curiosity as it voiced its confusion.

The divine ability Yu Zhangsheng had just displayed — wasn't it precisely the Chi Lian Infernal Dragon's innate divine ability?

Yu Zhangsheng smiled faintly, shook his head, patted the Chi Lian Infernal Dragon's head, lowered his gaze to look at his own palm, looking thoughtful.

"Spirit is a profound existence; all things in heaven and earth, nowhere is without spirit, including living beings — they can record an individual's cultivation base, memories, soul… all kinds of things, all leave brands upon it……"

"And just now, I used the Myriad Spirits Art to perceive and copy the portion of the Chi Lian Infernal Dragon's spirit pertaining to the Baleful Fire Purgatory divine ability…… this process was surprisingly smooth, and it's also because of the Spirit Beast Contract; to a certain extent, the Chi Lian Infernal Dragon and I are originally of the same source."

Yu Zhangsheng thought in his heart, his gaze growing brighter and brighter, his thoughts also becoming clearer and clearer.

"Although if it were someone else, this process should be difficult many times over, this method is still just as domineering; with this, everything of living beings holds no secrets before me…… they are merely piles of various combinations of spirit……"

A Saint-level cultivation method, each and every one is rarely seen in the world, naturally possessing its powerful aspects.

"So this is the true power of the Myriad Spirits Art; if one says it is both transforming one into ten thousand, and also transforming ten thousand back into one, these two combined, forming a cycle, can truly unleash the essence of the Myriad Spirits Art as a Saint-level cultivation method!"

Yu Zhangsheng's gaze was like lightning; the Myriad Spirits Art within his body crazily operated, heaven and earth spiritual qi crazily poured in, the Dao Seed in his sea of consciousness made a cracking sound, shattered with a boom, transforming into streams of warm current that fused into every part of Yu Zhangsheng's body.

At this moment, his physical body, which had already reached Golden Core Peak, became even more powerful, his divine sense also became more condensed, his cultivation base involuntarily climbed, and the Qi of the Heavenly Dao, under the Myriad Spirits Art's crazy lashing, thoroughly fused into the Golden Core embryo within Yu Zhangsheng's sea of qi.

Thoroughly perfectly integrated, indistinguishable from each other, boundless Dao charm instantly emerged from around Yu Zhangsheng, permeating the surroundings, illuminating the Yi Zhou.

"Only a thread short; at the Foundation Establishment realm, my foundation has been thoroughly filled…… but it's still not the time for breakthrough."

After a long while, Yu Zhangsheng slowly opened his eyes, clenched his fist, sensing the qi and blood surging like a sea within his body, and his divine sense deep like an abyss, looking thoughtful.

"With my current accumulation, perhaps the moment I step into Golden Core, there will be a qualitative breakthrough; at that time, my combat power…… will rise to what level?"

Yu Zhangsheng thought in his heart, pressed down the thoughts in his heart, cupped his fists toward the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit in the sky and bowed respectfully, saying: "Many thanks for Senior's assistance."

"Mm, not bad." The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit nodded, smiled faintly at Yu Zhangsheng, "I couldn't help you much; the Myriad Spirits Art has now been promoted to a Saint-level cultivation method by you, this trial is also only one last step away."

"The First Trial tested your Sword Path, the Second Trial tested your Beast Taming, you completed both very excellently; however, I can sense that you previously should never have come into contact with the Sword Path, right?"

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit laughed hehe, asking; although it was a question, its tone was affirmative.

"Mm. Indeed not, this is still the first time."

Yu Zhangsheng was embarrassed, subconsciously scratched his nose, and laughed hehe.

"From the first time, you comprehended the Primordial Opening Heaven Sword Art such a sword formula. It's enough to see that you have talent in the Sword Path. And it's sufficiently stunning."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit shook its head, not caring too much about this matter, filled with emotion.

"However. Your sword has only form, but lacks a soul; this Third Trial, for you, is also a fortuitous encounter; I will make your Sword Path and Beast Taming Path fuse together, indistinguishable from each other, greatly accelerating your tempering process."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit smiled faintly, its words startling; Yu Zhangsheng, hearing this, was obviously stunned for a moment.

"Two paths fuse?"

Regarding this statement, Yu Zhangsheng didn't quite understand, so he looked at the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit in confusion.

The latter nodded, gave Yu Zhangsheng a profound and unfathomable look, and explained: "Beast Taming, Sword Control — aren't they both the same kind of command? It's just that one is dead, one is alive; naturally there are commonalities."

"The Great Dao takes different routes, yet different routes lead to the same destination."

"If it were before, I truly wouldn't have a good method to make your two paths become one, but now, there's an idea, just suitable for you."

Yu Zhangsheng fell into deep thought, gaining some realization in his heart.

After a long while, Yu Zhangsheng cupped his fists, bowed at the waist toward the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit, "Please, Senior, give guidance."

"Guidance is too strong a word." The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit's expression remained normal, thought for a moment, then beckoned with one hand; the next instant, light flickered, and a jade sword embryo glowing with jade light emerged in the Void.

This sword embryo was entirely jade-white, quite crystalline and transparent; the blade was sharp, flashing cold light; the sword was three feet six inches long, two inches wide; one profound pattern after another was engraved, bearing traces of the years, yet lacking some charm.

"This is……"

Yu Zhangsheng was stunned, his expression slightly dazed as he looked at this scene.

"This sword embryo…… originally was…"

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit's gaze carried nostalgia, falling upon this sword embryo; it opened its mouth, just about to subconsciously say something, but abruptly stopped, lightly sighed, then shook its head, not continuing.

"Forget it, don't ask about the past; this sword embryo now belongs to you."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit glanced at Yu Zhangsheng, hesitated a moment, then tossed this sword embryo to Yu Zhangsheng.

Yu Zhangsheng subconsciously caught it, lowered his head to examine it closely, carefully stroking it; it felt cool to the touch, seemingly still having a calming effect on the mind, and some distracting thoughts also vanished like smoke.

He lightly tapped on this sword embryo once. The sword embryo trembled lightly, a crisp sound resonating. "This jade sword was made from Yu Shi; it has some mind-clearing and spirit-stabilizing effects, also has a certain enhancing effect on cultivation and absorption of heaven and earth spiritual qi, and is extremely resilient — below Spirit Transformation, difficult to destroy."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit explained softly, flicked out a strand of Sword Qi, striking this jade sword; this jade sword embryo merely trembled once, and suffered not the slightest damage.

"Right, the material used for that Wenlong Jade in your hand. It's the same as this sword embryo."

"No wonder I felt a sense of familiarity. So that's how it was."

Yu Zhangsheng nodded, suddenly realizing.

"It was originally your senior brother's thing. Giving it to you now counts as returning it to its original owner."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit's gaze was slightly complex. After a barely perceptible sigh, he lightly shook his head and spoke to Yu Zhangsheng with a serious expression:

"Take a drop of your heart's blood, drip it onto this sword body."

"Oh."

Yu Zhangsheng naturally had no objection. Obediently, he patted his chest, a drop of blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth. He caught it on his hand and lightly dotted it onto this jade sword body.

"Hum hum hum……"

The jade sword trembled lightly. After Yu Zhangsheng's blood dripped on, it was immediately absorbed. On the crystal-clear jade-like sword body, a blood-red pattern faintly flickered, then disappeared without a trace.

"Good."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit nodded. His finger lightly wiped across this jade sword. Strand after strand of strange patterns were imprinted on this jade sword. Finally, he lightly exhaled a breath, spitting it onto the jade sword. It enveloped the sword edge, transforming into a faint halo of light covering it.

"Imprint your soul brand onto it, restraining it on top."

Having done all this, the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit's face turned slightly pale. His tone also carried a trace of fatigue as he spoke faintly.

Yu Zhangsheng sincerely complied without hesitation. After imprinting his soul brand on it, he lightly weighed this jade sword in his hand. There was no strange change, but he could faintly feel that between himself and this jade sword, there seemed to be some indescribable connection.

"What about the rest? What else needs to be done?"

Yu Zhangsheng looked up, gazing at the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit, and asked curiously.

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit pondered for a long while. His gaze swept over this sword embryo. He slowly said: "Although this sword embryo's material is special, counting as a rare treasure sword, it hasn't been sharpened, nor has it been truly finished refining."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit paused, then continued:

"If you have time, nurturing it day and night is also not impossible. But I have another method. You've just begun to understand the Sword Path. Normally, who knows how long it would take."

"Since you're a Beast Tamer, let's do it the Beast Tamer's way. Wanting this treasure sword to truly complete is also simple. Just invest a sword spirit. Let him nurture this sword in your place."

"My master of old did the same. So besides me, he had many sword spirits by his side. It's just that I followed earliest, bestowed with the name 'Sui Xian'."

As the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit spoke, his eyes flashed a trace of sorrow.

Afterwards, he quietly glanced at Yu Zhangsheng and continued: "You have beast taming methods. Naturally, you don't need to be like other Sword Immortals, treating the sword spirit and sword as a beast."

"This I can understand, but sword spirit."

Yu Zhangsheng was a bit bewildered, dejectedly stammering: "A sword spirit, this thing. Even top-tier Sword Cultivators don't necessarily possess one. Where would I go find one?"

Sword spirits are divided into innate and acquired. Innate sword spirits are born after a treasure sword undergoes vast years, naturally gaining sentience. Acquired sword spirits are born postnatally through some strange methods, lodging inside weapons.

In terms of preciousness and power, innate sword spirits are naturally rarer. After all, weapons that can spontaneously birth sword spirits are, without exception, peerless divine weapons. But acquired sword spirits are similarly rare, also something countless Sword Cultivators dream of.

A weapon with a sword spirit and a weapon without a sword spirit are completely different concepts. Especially for Sword Cultivators, a treasure sword possessing a sword spirit, in their hands, can exert two hundred percent power.

And at this moment, obviously what the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit spoke of was an acquired sword spirit.

But even an acquired sword spirit, Yu Zhangsheng couldn't imagine how to get his hands on one in a short time. After all, he'd only just begun the Sword Path. Letting him nurture it was obviously impossible.

"Where to find one?" The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit laughed. His eyes held deep meaning. He said with interest: "You guess?"

"Ah?" Yu Zhangsheng wanted to speak but stopped. His gaze involuntarily fell on the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit.

Right in front of him, wasn't there a living, breathing sword spirit? And not a simple one at that. Who knew how many years it had existed.

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit looked at Yu Zhangsheng's expression. For an instant, he blanked. Then he reacted, couldn't help but shake his head, laughing in dumbfounded amusement.

"You brat. You're even setting your sights on me. But if it's possible, I wouldn't mind accompanying you out to see the outside scenery. So many years have passed. I also don't know……"

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit paused. His gaze imperceptibly darkened. In the depths of his eyes, like an ancient well without ripples, it was unknown what he thought of. Faint ripples rose.

"Hehe, just thinking about it."

Yu Zhangsheng scratched his head, laughing hehe somewhat embarrassedly.

"You think quite nicely." The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit glared at Yu Zhangsheng. But there was no blame intended. Instead, he finally lightly sighed.

"However, this life of mine is already thoroughly bound together with the Sui Xian Sword. Even if I want to follow you out to see, I have the will but not the strength. You'd best put that thought to rest."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit hehe laughed, jokingly speaking.

Yu Zhangsheng wasn't surprised either. He just touched his nose, deliberately revealing a trace of difficulty on his face. Finally, he sighed, waved his hand: "Then it's a regret."

Actually, Yu Zhangsheng also saw that the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit was just saying it. Truly letting him follow himself was also impossible.

"Alright, don't go coveting this old bone frame of mine. Whenever the Sui Xian Sword thoroughly falls into ruin, I'll also pass away."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit coughed once, laughed, and continued: "Moreover, besides me, isn't there an even more suitable existence here?"

"You mean? ……"

Yu Zhangsheng's eyeballs turned. After a slight start, he had a guess in his heart. (Chapter End)