Chapter 561: The Life Story of Duan Tianhe!

The manager of Hero Tower, seeing Chen Mu's generous spending and formidable cultivation, dared not neglect him, and soon delivered a specially crafted jade slip imbued with sealing restrictions.

He made clear that this was the result of Hero Tower's intelligence network expending great effort to compile, encompassing all public records and rumors regarding "Duan Tianhe," making it the most comprehensive information currently available on the market, of immense value.

Chen Mu paid far more silver and gold than the jade slip's marked price, plus an additional hush fee, demanding that Hero Tower record or leak no trace of this transaction or any of his information.

The manager understood implicitly—such transactions were common at Hero Tower—and immediately swore a secrecy oath before slipping away silently.

Inside the quiet chamber, the sealing restrictions activated.

Chen Mu gripped the jade slip and slowly sank his spiritual sense into it.

A flood of information unfurled before him like a scroll in his spiritual sea.

"Duan Tianhe" was not of noble origin; rumors claimed he was a collateral branch descendant of a minor clan, and in his early years, his talent was ordinary, with no outstanding qualities.

The true turning point came after he turned thirty, during a secret realm expedition, when he accidentally obtained an ancient sword dao inheritance, thereafter soaring to unprecedented heights, advancing in cultivation with astonishing speed, his sword talent fully revealed.

The jade slip meticulously recorded many of Duan Tianhe's life deeds.

He challenged masters from all corners and never suffered a single defeat.

One sword severed a river, striking fear across Xiangnan.

At Tian Du Peak, he debated sword arts and overwhelmed several contemporary sword masters.

He ventured deep into overseas perilous lands and slew a dragon that plagued the region…

His combat power was peerless within his own realm, and challenging higher realms was as easy as eating and drinking; even at the Earth Altar realm, he once reversed the odds and slew a Tiangong cultivator, and at the Tiangong realm, he repeatedly clashed with ancient monsters of the Myriad Phenomena realm.

Though most encounters ended in stalemate or slight disadvantage, his ability to stand firm against Myriad Phenomena cultivators while only at Tiangong realm had already forged a martial legend.

Regarding his sword, the jade slip's account matched Chen Mu's knowledge: it was a top-grade mystery weapon named "Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Sword," accompanying him throughout his life.

He also possessed several sets of "sword armor," each with unique functions.

Chen Mu had already obtained all of these.

Yet when Chen Mu read the jade slip's analysis and speculation regarding the source of Duan Tianhe's combat power, his eyelid twitched.

"... Based on extensive textual research and fragmented post-battle remarks from Myriad Phenomena cultivators who had fought Duan Tianhe, the reason he could stand firm against Myriad Phenomena cultivators while only at Tiangong realm..."

"... was not solely due to the brilliance of the 'Duan Tianhe Sword Scripture,' nor the divine nature of the 'Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Sword,' but because he mastered an extremely unique 'Mystic Fire!'"

"This Mystic Fire had no fixed form—sometimes like flickering swordlight, sometimes like a flowing star river—its power boundless, and it uniquely enhanced true qi refinement, condensed the spiritual soul, and amplified sword intent."

"With this Mystic Fire, Duan Tianhe pushed the 'Duan Tianhe Sword Scripture' to its utmost extreme, infusing his sword intent with a terrifying power capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas, cleansing the cosmos—enabling him to resist the force of the 'Martial Domain' wielded by Myriad Phenomena cultivators!"

"Duan Tianhe called this Mystic Fire 'Sword Soul!'"

"Sword Soul?!"

Chen Mu's eyes flashed with brilliant light.

Until now, he had assumed the "Sword Soul" referenced in "Soul in Jiuyou" was some kind of spiritual imprint, inherited core, or ascended spirit of Duan Tianhe's weapon tied to the "Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Sword."

The jade pendant's message—"Soul in Jiuyou, Dao in Jiuyou, Path in Jiuyou"—had led him to unconsciously treat "Soul" as parallel to "Dao" and "Path," assuming it was an item or inheritance that could be acquired, refined, and used to elevate cultivation or sword realm.

But now, this jade slip's information struck like thunder, cleaving through the fog of his thoughts!

"Sword Soul" was not some ethereal spiritual mark, nor a spirit bound directly to a sword.

It was a "Mystic Fire!"

A celestial marvel, refined and controlled by Duan Tianhe, serving as the core of his astonishing combat power.

A special Mystic Fire named "Sword Soul!"

No wonder…

No wonder Duan Tianhe could stand against Myriad Phenomena cultivators while only at Tiangong realm.

Mystic Fire is among the most wondrous and powerful forces in heaven and earth, each possessing unimaginable abilities.

If of exceptionally high quality and perfectly aligned with Duan Tianhe's cultivation method and sword intent, such a Mystic Fire could indeed allow him to shatter realm barriers and gain the capacity to fight above his level!

Mystic Fire is exceedingly rare, especially a top-tier one capable of enabling Tiangong cultivators to resist Myriad Phenomena—enough to drive any faction mad.

Jiuyou Sect, having obtained it, would surely seal the information tightly and protect it with utmost secrecy, whether to study, refine, or use it as a foundation or bargaining chip.

The jade pendant's guidance—"Soul in Jiuyou"—refers precisely to this "Sword Soul" Mystic Fire, hidden within Jiuyou Sect!

"So that's how it is… so that's how it is…"

Chen Mu's mind cleared suddenly; many of his previous doubts now had rational explanations.

Why did the "Sword Soul" clues point to Jiuyou Sect, a sect that cultivates cold, yin arts?

Perhaps this "Sword Soul" Mystic Fire inherently possessed some cold, yin attribute?

Or perhaps Jiuyou Sect possessed unique methods to suppress and preserve it?

Why did the jade pendant merely guide without detailed explanation?

Because "Sword Soul" is a Mystic Fire—its form, traits, and acquisition method are likely not fixed, and involve Duan Tianhe's core secrets, impossible to record simply.

"Sword Soul is a Mystic Fire…"

Chen Mu slowly set down the jade slip, his eyes flickering with uncertain light.

This discovery completely transformed his understanding of "Sword Soul," and gave him a wholly new assessment of the difficulty, method, and potential gains of acquiring it.

A Mystic Fire capable of enabling Tiangong cultivators to resist Myriad Phenomena—its value was incalculable.

If he succeeded in refining it, his power would undergo a qualitative leap!

Combined with his existing "Four Seasons Martial Domain," his future potential was limitless!

But correspondingly, the difficulty of acquisition would also multiply exponentially. Jiuyou Sect's guards over it would be even tighter than those over the Moon Shadow Flowing Sword.

Moreover, Mystic Fire is wild and untamable; the process of capturing and refining it is perilous beyond measure—a single misstep means self-immolation, annihilation of body and spirit.

"It seems the operation targeting 'Sword Soul' requires a far more meticulous plan, far greater preparation, and deeper understanding of 'Mystic Fire' itself."

Chen Mu suppressed his inner excitement and regained his composure.

He put away the jade slip, sat quietly in the chamber for another half-hour, repeatedly analyzing and integrating the new information with his existing plans.

Then he rose and left Hero Tower.

The target is now clear—

"Sword Soul" is a special unique flame, located somewhere hidden within the Jiuyou Sect.

Next, Chen Mu must gather as much knowledge as possible about unique flames, especially regarding the possible traits, weaknesses, and methods of collection for the specific unique flame, "Sword Soul."

At the same time, he must closely monitor the Jiuyou Sect's subsequent reactions to the theft of the Moon Shadow Flowing Sword, seeking any opportunities or vulnerabilities that may arise to his advantage!