Chapter 22: Sword Intent Is an Extension of the Sword, a Power Belonging to Oneself

“Because I cannot meet the conditions required to freely use the Wangquan Sword Intent, I must consume my life force—or rather, my lifespan—as an energy source.”

Although the system’s template for Three Thousand Flame Fire notes that it “cannot restore lifespan lost from casting secret techniques,” Ye Xuan did not believe this note applied to the Wangquan Sword Intent.

Sword Intent, in plain terms, is an extension of the sword—a manifestation of sword Dao and spiritual force—purely one’s own power; how could it possibly drain lifespan?

Before he had awakened the Wangquan Sword Intent, Ye Xuan knew little about it, assuming it differed from the sword intents he was familiar with; but after awakening it, he realized the Wangquan Sword Intent was no different from those he already knew.

At its core, it was merely that his body failed to meet the conditions required to wield the Wangquan Sword Intent.

If his body could withstand it all, then the so-called cost was utterly irrelevant.

As Ye Xuan pondered, he suddenly sensed something—his gaze shot like lightning toward a nearby spot.

On the wall, a head was cautiously peeking out, curiously peering inside.

It was a girl with a ponytail, around twenty years old, her face still carrying a touch of youthfulness yet radiating sharp wit; her eyes were enormous—Ye Xuan felt he had only seen eyes this large in anime.

Sensing Ye Xuan’s gaze, she instinctively looked over, and upon seeing him watching her, she quickly lowered her head; but soon, feeling this made her seem guilty, she lifted her head again and feigned calmness as she waved.

“Uh, hi there.”

Her voice was crisp, tinged with embarrassment and hesitation.

Ye Xuan did not respond, merely watching her silently.

The girl grew uneasy under his gaze and hurriedly explained:

“Don’t misunderstand—I only came over because the commotion from your side was too loud; I was worried you might be in danger. I meant no harm.”

As she spoke, she gestured with her hands, trying to make her words more convincing.

“And I didn’t break into anyone’s home.”

“I was just lying outside the wall—I didn’t go inside.”

She pointed to the spot where she had been crouching.

As she spoke, perhaps realizing she had done nothing wrong, her tone gradually grew confident.

“Finished looking?”

Ye Xuan said coolly.

“I didn’t see anything at all.”

She made a pained face, then looked at Ye Xuan with bright excitement.

“Was that golden light just now coming from you?”

“Since you live here, are you also a psychic who partnered with the Tian Shu Bureau?”

“Your psychic ability is so strong—I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Ye Xuan still did not answer, only watching her.

“Alright, alright, I won’t ask anymore.”

Seeing this, the girl quickly raised her right hand in a white-flag gesture; her other hand, needed to support her against the wall, remained down.

“If you’re okay, I’ll go now.”

“By the way, I’m Lin Miao. I live in Building Fifteen—about four or five buildings away from you.”

“I’ve been here for several days and know this place well; if you have any questions, feel free to come find me.”

“I’ll tell you, my psychic ability is related to cooking—have you seen Food Wars? I—”

“Don’t reveal your ability to strangers.”

“Also, I don’t think my current condition is suitable for chatting with you here. Don’t you agree?”

Lin Miao’s words were cut off mid-sentence by Ye Xuan; she froze.

She knew she shouldn’t reveal her ability to strangers, but weren’t they all partners of the Tian Shu Bureau? Shouldn’t that be fine? But what did “current condition unsuitable for chatting” mean? Aren’t you fine?

She tilted her head, then suddenly widened her eyes—only now did she notice his clothes were torn to shreds, barely covering his body.

Perhaps due to the Three Thousand Flame Fire reshaping his body, Ye Xuan’s physique was near-perfect—his muscles were not exaggerated, yet brimmed with raw power.

Beneath broad shoulders, his abdominal muscles were sharply defined, each one seeming to contain explosive force; his arms flowed with smooth lines, muscles slightly bulging beneath the skin, revealing astonishing burst strength.

Lin Miao’s face flushed crimson in an instant; her hands lost all strength and slipped from the wall, thudding to the ground, followed by a loud “Sorry!” and the sound of rapid footsteps fleeing.

“Around twenty years old? And still this innocent?”

A flicker of confusion passed through Ye Xuan’s eyes. Though he had deliberately exposed himself to make her uncomfortable enough to leave, her extreme shyness was something he hadn’t anticipated.

Weren’t girls supposed to understand these things earlier than boys?

But Ye Xuan didn’t dwell on it—he simply assumed she came from a relatively conservative family.

Still, a psychic ability related to Food Wars.

Divine Tongue? Cross Blade?

Whatever it was, it must be tied to cooking.

Even such an ability is worth the Tian Shu Bureau’s attention?

Ye Xuan shook his head, dismissed the thought, and looked around at the scene—like a missile had struck—feeling a headache coming on.

The temperature of the Flame Fire was too high; the ornamental lawn couldn’t possibly survive it.

For future fishing, I’ll choose a more open, deserted spot outdoors—I’m afraid one day I’ll reel in something extraordinary, and during fusion, I’ll destroy this villa outright.

“Since it’s already ruined, I might as well train now.”

Ye Xuan picked up his sword and resumed training.

After fusing with the Three Thousand Flame Fire and gaining the Three Thousand Star Body, failing to increase his training intensity would be a waste of its healing capacity.

To become strong, even with cheats is fine—but while using them, you must also grow yourself.

The system can help him fish for treasures from all realms—but whether he can master them and truly turn them into his own power depends entirely on himself.

While Ye Xuan was immersed in training, the commotion he caused threw the entire Tian Shu Bureau into chaos.

“Alert, alert. Abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation detected.”

“Alert, alert. Abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation detected.”

“Alert, alert. Abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation detected.”

The piercing alarm blared through the Tian Shu Bureau headquarters—three times in succession, each one tightening the hearts of everyone present.

“What’s going on?”

A man in uniform strode quickly to the monitoring screen, frowning.

“Report: Abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation detected—intensity far beyond normal range. Suspected appearance of a special celestial treasure.”

A technician rapidly pulled up the data, voice tense.

Special celestial treasures were living entities—like Sea Kings from One Piece, Dangerous Species from Akame ga Kill!, or Summoned Beasts from Naruto.

Due to their immense power, their appearance always triggered massive spiritual energy surges.

(End of Chapter)