Chapter 497

Jiang Zhiwei held her long sword and slightly lifted her head.

On her previously expressionless, icy face, a breathtaking smile now appeared!

In an instant, heaven and earth seemed to lose their colors.

Only this smile remained eternal!

"The Realm of the Sword Heart—today, it is broken!"

After her first victory over Gu Xingjian today.

She felt her heart suddenly open wide.

The barrier that had blocked her for days was shattered along with it!

Thus, when she decided to take that step,

everything unfolded naturally, effortlessly, with no further obstruction!

Sword qi surged vast and mighty, crisscrossing heaven and earth!

One by one, powerful primordial sword qi surged forth.

Transforming into phantom sword qi dragons that roared deafeningly toward the sky!

When Jiang Zhiwei lightly tapped her toes and leapt into the air, flying upward,

she raised her head, gazing at the heavens.

Clutching her three-foot blue blade, she unleashed her supreme sword intent and struck with all her might!

Shhh—

A dazzling, peerless sword light erupted forth!

It seemed to become a phantom immortal deity's sword!

The blade pierced through the clouds, cleaving them in two, revealing vast expanses of blue sky!

Then, as Jiang Zhiwei sheathed her sword, she descended gently from the heavens like a celestial exile.

Under Gu Xingjian's stunned gaze, she smiled lightly: "Uncle Gu, I have cultivated the Sword Heart."

As her words faded,

Gu Xingjian finally snapped back to reality.

He immediately exclaimed: "I never expected you to reach this realm today—such terrifying progress in sword art truly lives up to your title as the first sword prodigy on Cangwu Mountain..."

Upon hearing the praise, Jiang Zhiwei showed no hint of arrogance.

After all, she knew well that her achievements were not due to her own efforts alone.

The help of others was equally vital!

The clan lord, Uncle Gu, Brother Jiang Chen...

In these days, she had received far too much care from her clan.

Thus, she felt deep love and gratitude toward her family, wishing only that one day she might grow strong enough to shoulder its burdens and ease the pressure on her elders and kin.

Then, Jiang Zhiwei was about to speak further,

when Gu Xingjian suddenly let out a soft "Hm?"

Jiang Zhiwei frowned in confusion: "Uncle Gu, what is it?"

Gu Xingjian smiled.

He slowly sat down on the ground and placed his sword beside him.

He said softly: "Nothing. I just suddenly saw your brother Jiang Yan leave Lishan..."

"Lishan?"

Jiang Zhiwei's eyes grew thoughtful.

Because Jiang Chen and Jiang Yan were close friends,

she had developed a faint interest in this brother she had rarely spoken to.

After inquiring, she learned many of his deeds.

"Since arriving on the mountain, Brother Jiang Yan has almost always stayed on Cangwu—he left Lishan only twice: once to travel, and once to compete in the Beidou Tournament..."

"So is this time another journey?"

As she thought of this, Jiang Zhiwei's eyes brightened.

At this moment, she suddenly felt a desire to venture out into the world!

After all, on Cangwu Mountain today,

save for the clan lord, her sword art was unmatched within the entire clan!

Especially after attaining the Sword Heart and advancing to Sword Marquis, no one could spar with her anymore!

The gap was simply too vast—she gained little from such matches.

Thus, it might be better to leave Cangwu Mountain and witness the swordsmen of the world!

"Test my sword across the land, absorb the strengths of a hundred schools, integrate them into myself, and forge my own path in sword art..."

As she thought of this, Jiang Zhiwei's eyes blazed with resolve—she made her decision instantly.

She turned to Gu Xingjian, bowed, and said: "Uncle Gu, I'm leaving the mountain!"

"You're leaving the mountain? Wait—what? Leaving?!"

Gu Xingjian had barely been paying attention, still smiling.

But upon hearing her words clearly, his smile froze, his face paled, and he shot to his feet!

He looked down at the girl before him—her expression blank, her eyes clear yet strangely foolish.

At that moment, he even wondered if he had gone deaf and misheard something!