Chapter 487

When Wang Yu heard the sword’s chime, his entire body suddenly grew hot, and his muscles trembled involuntarily—but no other anomalies occurred.

But as soon as that first sword chime faded, a second one emerged from behind the black-robed youth’s head.

This chime was no longer clear; instead, it became piercingly sharp, striking Wang Yu’s ears like needles and causing his bones to vibrate violently, accompanied by a series of sharp “cracks.”

"Huh? You've actually trained in body-refining arts? That's rare indeed. You seem on the verge of reaching the second stage of body refinement—but unfortunately, the first two chimes of the 'Three Chimes of the Inquiring Sword' have already passed, and I detected no sword-body or sword-bones in you. Now we'll see if this final chime changes anything." The black-robed youth showed a flicker of surprise, then immediately slapped the back of his own skull.

A soft “puff.”

A dark red sword-shaped shadow appeared behind the black-robed youth’s head.

The shadow trembled once, and a long, dragon-like sword chime rang out.

The instant Wang Yu heard this chime, his cultivation energy surged violently; every meridian in his body burned searingly hot, and places already injured throbbed with sharp pain.

Wang Yu was startled, quickly formed a hand seal, and activated the third layer of the Crimson Sun Great Art.

With a “puff,” white flames erupted around his body, forcibly suppressing the surging cultivation energy within.

“Pity—you have no sword meridians either. Had you, you’d have automatically expelled your meridian energy as sword qi upon hearing this final chime. It seems you’re not destined for my Sword Polishing Sect.” The black-robed youth showed a trace of regret, but the dark sword shadow behind his head vanished in a flash.

“I’ve disappointed the elder,” Wang Yu replied with a bitter smile, releasing his hand seal. The white flames rolled back into his body and disappeared; the pain in his meridians largely subsided.

Only then did he notice that he alone seemed to hear the black-robed youth’s sword chimes.

Neither the kneeling Yan Lingxiang nor the short-bearded man standing calmly beside the black-robed youth showed any reaction during the three chimes. Now, after hearing their exchange, they both stared at Wang Yu in surprise.

Having confirmed Wang Yu lacked sword cultivation potential, the black-robed youth lost all interest in him and turned to face the kneeling Yan Lingxiang.

“Do you know why I traveled so far just to find you?”

“Did I offend you somewhere in the past, Elder?” Yan Lingxiang replied, his heart trembling.

“Hmph. Even if you were a Foundation Establishment cultivator who offended me, would I bother making this trip?”

“Hand over that demon fish.”

“I specifically released it into Wuyuan Lake to raise. It’s crucial to me. Otherwise, do you really think any random second-stage demon fish could possess the bloodline power of a Green Dragon King?” The black-robed youth glanced at Yan Lingxiang, his tone sharp.

At these words, Yan Lingxiang froze. Wang Yu and the Sima family lord also stared in shock.

“What? You think I’m bullying you, forcing you to hand over something?” The black-robed youth rolled his eyes, his voice growing colder.

“I dare not. I would never think such a thing.”

“I always knew Wuyuan Lake had never produced a second-stage demon fish. Now, not only does one suddenly ascend to second stage, but it even gains the bloodline power of a fourth-stage demon king—so it was your doing, Elder. That explains everything. This second-stage demon fish rightfully belongs to you.” Yan Lingxiang snapped out of his shock, forced a smile, and slapped his waist pouch, retrieving a copper basin filled with clear water.

Inside the basin, the silver fish, its tail severed, floated listlessly.

“Who cut off its tail?”

The black-robed youth raised his hand; the basin floated gently into his grasp. He glanced down and frowned.

At this question, both Yan Lingxiang and Wang Yu instinctively glanced toward the Sima family lord.

The short-bearded man’s expression hardened. After a long pause, he muttered:

“Master… I didn’t know this demon fish was yours. I cut off a small piece of its tail because it was disrupting the family’s fishing grounds. I beg your forgiveness.”

“Master!”

The term “Master” made Wang Yu barely believe his ears.

How could the Sima family lord become a disciple of this Sword Polishing Sect Golden Core cultivator?

Had he once been a disciple of the Sword Polishing Sect?

The kneeling Yan Lingxiang also looked stunned.

“Since it was an unintentional act, I’ll let it pass.”

“Is it improper for Luo to suddenly take on a provisional disciple?”

“He received a fragment of my old sword scripture, carries a fragment of a hundred-forged sword bone, and has even cultivated a decent core sword. I can’t ignore that—I must take him back to the Sword Polishing Sect for proper training.” The black-robed youth, sensing their shock, spoke calmly, then flicked his sleeve; the copper basin vanished.

So he’d just taken on a provisional disciple!

The half-fragmented sword scripture the Sima family lord received was this Golden Core sword cultivator’s.

Both were startled, then suddenly understood.

Wang Yu quickly bowed and said, “Congratulations, Master Sima, on finding such a wise master.”

“Thank you, Master Wang.”

The short-bearded man forced a faint smile, returned the bow—but he clearly wasn’t pleased about becoming this so-called “provisional disciple.”

Wang Yu, seeing this, felt a pang of sympathy for the family lord.

Anyone who learned they must abandon their status as patriarch to join a sect seemingly full of madmen—and be personally taken in by a “madman” who carves bones to forge swords—would surely hesitate.

Yan Lingxiang quickly recovered and bowed with a smile: “Congratulations, Elder, on acquiring such a fine disciple.”

“Yan boy, deliver a message to old Yan: I have other matters to attend to and won’t keep our appointment two years from now. Have him find someone else.”

“As for you, young man—even though you lack sword cultivation potential and can’t join my Sword Polishing Sect, since you’re interested in the sword path, I’ll grant you an opportunity.”

“Disciple, bring out the half-sword scripture.” The black-robed youth ignored their congratulations, turned to Yan Lingxiang, then fixed his gaze on Wang Yu, expressionless.

“Yes, Master.”

The short-bearded man pulled out a white jade slip from his body and respectfully handed it to the black-robed youth.

“This contains my early insights on sword cultivation. Though only basic, whether you can glean anything from it depends on your own destiny.” The black-robed youth flicked his wrist; the jade slip flew straight to Wang Yu.

Before Wang Yu could react or speak, the Golden Core cultivator flicked his sleeve; a streak of green sword-light shot out, spiraled once, and swept both Wang Yu and the short-bearded man into it, transforming into a green lightning streak that vanished into the sky.

On the bone boat, Wang Yu held the white jade slip, motionless, staring blankly.