Chapter 59: Seven Swords Return to the Root

Clang!

On the mountain slope where the sword’s song rang clear, the spirit-charged longsword slashed like lightning toward Rongdao, only to be met by his crosswise blade.

Steel clashed, sparks flying in all directions.

The Rongdao cultivator was violently flung back by the sword intent—even though not a single cut touched him—he felt an icy sword aura engulf him, and it took him long moments to steady his stance, his palms numb from the shock.

“Younger brother?”

“Brother Ji!”

Amid the crowd, Ban Yangshu and Bai Ru long shouted in unison.

At that moment, Ji You responded, descending like a bandit from the mountains, gripping another longsword, all his qi orifices wide open.

Spiritual energy drifting through heaven and earth flowed into his limbs and bones, surging into his dantian—once meant to hold spiritual essence—some dispersing through his body, some lingering in his meridians.

“Come. Seven Swords Return to the Root.”

Ji You’s spiritual sense began to extend outward, golden light flickering in his eyes.

Within the ruins, he didn’t know how strong his spiritual sense had become, only that he could now lock onto every floating strand of hair on his opponent’s head.

Seeing his arrival, the cultivators from Lingjian Mountain, Wenda Sect, and other immortal sects blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter.

They had assumed Tianshu Academy had hidden a Rongdao cultivator capable of turning the tide—or even a Yingtian—but instead, the newcomer hadn’t even entered Tongxuan, merely a full-blooded Lower Realm cultivator.

Ding Yao also smiled, recognizing Ji You, sword in hand.

Not long ago, they had met; when Lingjian Mountain searched him, he hadn’t dared lift a finger in resistance.

Yet this insignificant figure’s arrival filled Tianshu Academy’s members with delight—truly laughable.

“Sister Ding, do you know this man?”

“We met on the road. I searched him and found nothing hidden, so I let him go.”

The Wenda Sect disciple chuckled: “I thought a savior had arrived—just one such person? How could Tianshu Academy be so thrilled?”

Ding Yao turned to look at him: “The founding emperor of Great Xia came from Tianshu Academy. After establishing the state, he enshrined it as a Sacred Sect. Now it seems, all empty titles.”

In truth, her words were no idle claim in the eyes of the Southern Sacred Sects.

Everyone knew the Northern Sacred Sects were pure Dao cultivators, their combat power inferior at the same level to the Southern Sacred Sects.

Especially Lingjian Mountain, the strongest in the south—when once controlled by Tianjian Peak—it had clashed repeatedly with Tianshu Academy, never once losing ground.

At that moment, the Rongdao cultivator pushed back by the flying sword shook his shoulders, revealing a sneer, then lifted his blade, gathering full spiritual energy and slashing straight forward.

Boom! A wave of qi surged outward.

Ji You was thrown back three zhang; the crushing force pressed down, nearly splitting his tiger’s mouth.

His sword, indeed, had a problem.

Earlier, when he had flown his sword to strike, Ji You had added a vibration technique to disarm him—but it hadn’t budged an inch.

Now, in this renewed clash, it was clear: the man’s sword looked ordinary, but was in fact extremely heavy.

Had it not been for the demonic energy suppressing the spiritual essence of the Upper Realm experts, this single strike, delivered outside, would have killed him outright.

“Brother, let’s get to work.”

“Ruyi can no longer fight.”

“Let Sister rest. I’ve grown a bit stronger than before.”

Wen Zhengxin, having just slashed back a Wenda Sect Rongdao with a downward chop, glanced at Ban Yangshu, his expression unreadable.

Like the other, he didn’t know what a Lower Realm full cultivator could possibly do here.

But only Ban Yangshu knew—they had a chance to turn the tide.

At that moment, heart stirred, sword moved; the Lingjian Mountain Rongdao was startled to see a blade aura surge toward him like stacked waves, following the path of central harmony, slicing horizontally.

So fast!

The Lingjian Mountain Rongdao had no time to gather strength—he swung his blade to block, then brought it down in a powerful slash.

Ji You showed no fear, wielding his sword with one hand, sleeves flaring wildly as his blade moved with his will—thrusting, slashing, jabbing, striking hard against the other’s blade.

The Rongdao’s sword path clearly relied on heavy blades, emphasizing overwhelming force and intent like splitting mountains.

Ji You had no intention of matching strength—he followed the principle of speed overcoming all, his strikes swift as wind, spiritual energy surging beneath his feet, moving like a phantom.

Hum!

As they fought harder and harder, amid countless sparks from clashing blades, the Rongdao began to feel dread.

For he realized, at some point, his opponent’s sword had doubled in speed, and its angles had become utterly unpredictable.

In that moment of distraction, a razor-sharp blade aura shot diagonally upward, slicing open the Rongdao’s shoulder, spraying blood.

At this sight, the crowd erupted in uproar.

No one had expected a Lower Realm full cultivator’s strike to wound a Rongdao directly.

“Brother Gongshu, don’t underestimate your opponent because of his low realm—this place is suppressed by demonic energy! Take it seriously!”

Ding Yao barked sternly, assuming he had been too dismissive.

But this noble maid of the Inspection Master didn’t know—the Rongdao cultivator was now filled with shock.

Too fast. This sword was absurdly fast.

Though his spiritual essence was slowed by suppression, his Rongdao perception hadn’t weakened—yet as a sword cultivator, he couldn’t understand his opponent’s blade.

Originally, that strike had been a diagonal downward cut; to follow up, he’d have to bring his blade up from below—but he was horrified to find his opponent hadn’t retracted his sword; instead, a blade tip shot straight for his heart.

Too fast!

How could it be this fast?

Where was the recovery?

Couldn’t he anticipate the sword?

No…

Not right…

Fuck, it’s not just fast—he’s got two swords!

Gongshu Chou gasped in shock, swung his blade outward, instantly creating distance between them.

He realized this man had been secretly controlling another sword, switching hands at illogical moments to thrust—because of the extra blade, he never needed to retract his moves!

And thus, his sword techniques were utterly unpredictable.

Boom!

Dust and stones flew up in the mountainside; everyone turned to see the other Rongdao cultivator—who had been holding his own just moments ago—now thrown back, chest drenched in blood.

Wen Zhengxin, who had faced him, calmly sheathed her sword, her eyes filled with shock.

She was a beginner Rongdao; he was an upper Rongdao. Though the gap was small, it should have been enough to suppress her.

Yet during that chaotic battle, sword songs had suddenly howled from the shadows, locking his blade as if bound—he couldn’t break free.

And her own sword, precisely at the midpoint, struck him with a single devastating blow.

But why? Who was helping?

Wen Zhengxin turned her head and saw the Rongdao cultivator locked in single combat with Ban Yangshu and Xu Jin now cursing nonstop.

“Damn. Hidden sword.”

“Who’s throwing hidden swords?!”

In the ever-shifting battle, before anyone understood why the other two were falling behind, Gongshu Chou unleashed a crushing blow, his heavy sword descending with full force.

Everyone assumed this strike would end the opponent’s life—when suddenly, a resounding chorus of sword songs filled the sky!

Yes, a chorus—not a single note.

The next instant, seven longswords pierced through the dust storm like a dragon of blades, overwhelming Gongshu Chou so completely he didn’t know where to strike.

Only then did they see the white-robed Lower Realm full cultivator emerge from the yellow dust, his body surrounded by swords, spiritual light surging.

The advantage of swift swords is using spiritual energy as propulsion—only a thread of spiritual sense is needed, intention following heart, forming combined sword patterns.

Though one mind cannot launch all seven swords simultaneously, if speed is great enough, the time lag can be canceled.

Now, Seven Swords Return to the Root—Ji You’s sword intent icy and proud, standing tall.

“Oh my god…”

Deep in the mountains, something seemed to be hiding—now unable to hold back a gasp.

Bai Ru long, seated in the back, was numb, as if returned to that deep, dark night.

But different this time—Brother Ji’s sword was stronger.

Most obvious: the hovering swords. Once limited to simple thrusts and slashes, now they transformed endlessly.

Only now did the crowd begin to truly regard this unremarkable Lower Realm full cultivator—his eyes blazing with golden light, like lanterns.

“Younger brother, give me three more—I’ll team up with Brother Xu and kill him!”

Ban Yangshu roared, charging forward with sword raised, as if fueled by adrenaline.

It was back—the familiar feeling was back!

That night, he and Ji Qirui had teamed up against a Rongdao; today, he and Brother Xu Jin would slay one.

Ji You heard him and swept his sleeve—among the seven swords, one returned to his hand, the other six scattered.

Circular slash around the body!

Vertical thrust to heaven!

Heart-piercing stab!

The Rongdao cultivator facing Ban Yangshu and Xu Jin trembled—he realized all three of his flanks were locked, and two longswords aimed straight at his chest.

Sssch! Blood gushed!

The Wenda Sect Rongdao’s abdomen was pierced clean through, and the flying sword nearly severed his wrist mid-air.

At this sight, everyone held their breath.

“It’s Ji You!”

One of Lingjian Mountain’s disciples suddenly cried out: “A martial and cultivation dual-practitioner from the Heavenly Book Academy!”

Ding Yao turned at the sound: “Who?”

“Earlier, Bai Xi told me there’s a strange sword cultivator in the Heavenly Book Academy who once wielded three swords at once and, with the help of two Tongxuan cultivators, drove back a Rongdao and a physically formidable demonic breed.”

Another disciple widened his eyes: “Isn’t this the sword cultivator who slew a demonic breed in Beisha Town?”

Ding Yao’s face darkened; she leapt into the air, ready to cut down the swirling swords.

But at that moment, a long sword slashed across—coming from a former lower realm cultivator who had just exhausted himself.

All the Heavenly Book Academy disciples rose at once and surged forward, merging into battle with Lingjian Mountain and Wenda Sect.

Ji You seized his sword and charged straight toward the Rongdao cultivator, releasing waves of sword qi from his body.

“Damn it, there are hidden swords—how are there still hidden swords?”

“Shit, get out of the way! These swords mimic the swords of the dead—watch your feet!”

(End of Chapter)