Cultivating To Immortality

Chapter 772: Sacrifice Ceremony

He handed the sword box and the Flying Sword to Xiao Ju.

Xiao Ju was slightly startled, looking at the familiar sword box and then at the Lianli Flying Sword, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Song Yan said gently, "After I established my Dao Foundation, I found a new sword box. This one is now idle for me, so I’ll give it to you."

His gaze showed a look of reminiscence as he briefly recounted the story of Yan Gui and Hua Luo to Xiao Ju.

"This sword box is named ’Useless’. It was originally intended by Senior Yan Gui to hold his Green Plum and Bamboo Horse twin swords."

"And this sword, Lianli, was forged by him from the Bamboo Horse and the shattered Green Plum."

"The sword and the box are one; they should remain together. I also don’t wish to separate them."

Song Yan gently placed the sword box and the Lianli Flying Sword into Xiao Ju’s cupped hands: "Now, I give them both to you."

"I hope you will treat them well, inherit the Legacy of the Senior, Cultivate diligently, and not let them gather dust."

Xiao Ju’s eyes flickered, lost in thought.

"Thank you, Master."

She took a deep breath, firmly clasped them with both hands, and bowed her slender body: "Xiao Ju will obey Master’s command!"

Song Yan nodded, said no more, and stepped into the quiet room.

Xiao Ju stared blankly at his retreating figure for a moment, then lowered her head to look at the sword box and Flying Sword in her arms.

She held them a little tighter.

Inside the quiet room.

Song Yan sat cross-legged, his aura quickly receding into the depths of his being.

The Unmoored Boat separated from the sword body, appearing before Song Yan solely in the form of his Lifebound Flying Sword.

Around the black and white sword light, a sharp aura emanated.

The main reason he was so eager to continue comprehending the Grand Void Transformation Tome was the content of the Grand Void Sword Canon.

Before, many things were obscure to him, and he could only explore them on his own.

Now, with a systematic sword Dao scripture, many perplexing aspects of sword Dao Cultivation had suddenly become clear.

However, there was one thing Song Yan still couldn’t understand.

Regarding Sword Intent.

He first encountered the Sword Sect’s Legacy and witnessed the power of sword Dao true essence during the Jiran Valley incident.

From then on, Song Yan naturally assumed that the ethereal and difficult-to-comprehend Sword Intent must be even more powerful than sword Dao true essence.

However, after Changping comprehended Sword Intent, the Lifebound Flying Sword, achieved along with his Dao Heart, was indeed powerful.

The sword momentum he later comprehended during the final match of the Sword-Wiping Tournament was also extremely impressive.

But... he felt deep down that Sword Intent was not that simple; merely using sword momentum always felt like something was missing.

The Grand Void Sword Canon offered an explanation for this.

However, this explanation seemed to be both an explanation and no explanation at all.

It mentioned that after comprehending Sword Intent, when a Cultivator performed sword moves, they would naturally carry some unique characteristics of Sword Intent.

For example, the simplest and most common: a Cultivator who achieved Sword Intent by envisioning green bamboo would naturally imbue their Sword Qi and sword momentum with an indomitable will.

Another example: a Cultivator who achieved Sword Intent by envisioning a sparrow could discern an opponent’s flaws and weaknesses in battle.

A Cultivator who comprehended Sword Intent under extreme sorrow, even without using a killing blow, would naturally make their opponent feel boundless pain.

These were all considered special effects of Sword Intent.

Regarding these special characteristics, the Grand Void Sword Canon only stated that everyone’s sword Dao is unique.

The comprehension and Cultivation of Sword Intent naturally cannot be written into scriptures as fixed moves or forms.

But the problem lies here: it seems to imply that once one has Sword Intent, these special characteristics naturally appear.

They all begin to show signs during the Qi Refining Realm and grow with the Lifebound Flying Sword.

Yet, Song Yan had never felt any special characteristics in his own Sword Intent.

If the Grand Void Transformation Tome was not mistaken, then there was undoubtedly a problem with him.

Did he simply not notice it?

That shouldn’t be... he was now a Sword Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm, fully aware of the changes happening within him.

Especially since it was related to his sword Dao Foundation, there was no possibility of being unaware.

If he had to say there was something... actually, there was.

During Foundation Establishment, he melted and refined that Sword Pellet Mirage Pearl. After repeated confirmation by Song Yan, that Sword Pellet Mirage Pearl had indeed completely disappeared.

Song Yan discovered that when he now used his Sword Control technique, it subtly carried a strange, dream-like effect.

This effect was not very stable and required careful study.

"The Old Man in a Straw Raincoat Senior should have some connection to the Sword Sect..."

Song Yan’s thoughts wandered.

"So, assuming that Mirage Pearl contained a wisp of the Old Man in a Straw Raincoat Senior’s Sword Intent, and it was absorbed by the lotus flower in the sword mansion during Foundation Establishment..."

"Then my Sword Intent would carry the effects of this Sword Intent."

"Could it be like that?"

He muttered to himself.

But this situation, Song Yan had searched through the entire Grand Void Sword Canon and even the Grand Void Transformation Tome, and found no trace of it.

After a brief thought, with no results, he temporarily set these mysteries aside.

He began to ponder this inexplicable Sword Intent.

Over the next few days, Song Yan immersed himself in comprehending the Grand Void Sword Canon, and in his free time, he also sparred with Li Yi.

Both of them understood tacitly, stopping just short of a full fight, with no talk of winning or losing.

After all, they were on someone else’s territory, and if they fought with full power, they feared the commotion would be too great and affect the opening of the grand event.

After Foundation Establishment, Song Yan had a lot of things to Cultivate.

However, everything has its priorities, and even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator has limited mental and physical energy.

In terms of sword Dao, he would naturally continue to study sword Formations without stopping.

Since Foundation Establishment, Song Yan had actually been studying the Purple Qi Unification Truth, but progress was rather slow.

Because what Song Yan wanted was not to strengthen spiritual energy, but Sword Qi and even sword radiance.

The changes involved, while far from being an innovation in Cultivation techniques, still required some ingenuity and contemplation.

Later, after entering the Sword Sect and obtaining the Grand Void Transformation Tome, his understanding of the sword Dao advanced to a higher level, and his Cultivation progress gradually accelerated.

Besides that, there was a secret technique related to sword spirits, but there had been no opportunity to try it, so it would not be discussed for now.

A few days of quiet contemplation at White Egret Cliff yielded many gains, and the re-Cultivated Purple Firmament Dao Scripture made the Sword Qi in his sword mansion even more abundant and surging.

Early one morning.

Song Yan left his Immortal Cave and walked towards the Diequan Market in the Immortal Valley.

Firstly, he wanted to browse the market and experience the atmosphere of the grand event.

Secondly, and more importantly, he wanted to purchase a few high-quality Flying Swords.

Both the Huan Yue (Ring Moon) Sword Array and the Spirit Gathering Sword Array required at least three Flying Swords to be cast.

The endless treasury currently only had the Unmoored Boat, Lord Lin, and Tiyue, which felt somewhat constrained and sparse.

Furthermore, several sword Formations he had studied previously also required a greater number of Flying Swords, so he took advantage of this opportune moment to look around.

In fact, Song Yan had researched this before.

When casting sword moves and sword Formations, these Flying Swords inherited from ancient Sword Cultivator Seniors incurred negligible self-damage, almost to the point of being ignored.

However, Flying Swords purchased from the market or obtained from other Cultivators’ qiankun bags suffered extremely severe damage.

Even simply bearing Sword Qi and sword essence, one could clearly feel the changes.

Song Yan speculated that perhaps the Flying Swords from the Seniors had been nurtured by Sword Qi for countless years, making them inherently accustomed to the sharpness of Sword Cultivator techniques.

In contrast, contemporary Flying Swords were mostly forged to carry more gentle spiritual energy, and thus naturally struggled to adapt.

However, there was no other way for now; it was impossible to mass-produce ancient swords like the Unmoored Boat.

He would have to settle for finding a few high-quality Flying Swords in the market that were suitable for integration into his own sword Formation system.

Song Yan had originally intended for Xiao Ju to Cultivate peacefully in the Immortal Cave, but the girl insisted on accompanying her Master, so he no longer refused.

They did not fly, but simply walked slowly through the market in the valley.

The Diequan Market was built along the mountain stream and cascading springs, located in the lower part of Wangling Immortal Valley, with pavilions, towers, shops, and stalls arrayed in dense rows.

As it was a grand event, the crowds were bustling.

With his Foundation Establishment Realm aura contained, Song Yan was like a drop of ink merging into water, silently blending into the boisterous crowd.

People came and went in the market, including Cultivators of all ages and genders.

There were Cultivators officially participating in the gathering, as well as those accompanying to observe, but no patrol teams, which were common in ordinary markets, were seen.

However, thinking about it, he felt relieved.

This Dragon Pool Mountain gathering had a Golden Core Cultivator from the Spirit Talisman Sect personally overseeing it; no one would dare to cause trouble here.

"Wangxian Tower," "Danding Residence," "Hundred Treasures Pavilion"... the names on the plaques of most pavilions and halls subtly indicated their general purpose.

Only one pavilion by a clear, cascading spring pool was somewhat enigmatic.

"Wangxian Tower?"

Song Yan paused slightly, looking up.

The structure of this building did not resemble immortal craftsmanship, but was closer to a Mortal pavilion, with only two stories, yet it occupied the most central position in the entire Diequan Market.

Inscriptions were carved on both sides of the main entrance.

"Gazing at mountains, gazing at water, gazing at clouds, gazing at the sky..."

"Gazing at immortals filling the human world."

As if sensing something, he turned and looked up.

His gaze passed over the layers of flying eaves, falling upon a cluster of buildings in a higher, distant mountain hollow, enveloped by the dense spiritual light of a Formation.

That pavilion, suspended halfway up the mountain, was mostly constructed of warm white jade, gleaming with a cool spiritual light amidst the swirling mists, appearing exceptionally ethereal.

"Yuezhong Pavilion..."

Song Yan realized in his heart that this immortal pavilion should be where the Nine Pulses leaders held their discussions, as Xiao Ju had mentioned earlier.

The bustle at the bottom of the valley and the solemnity up there were like two different worlds.

The mechanisms, detailed rules, and resource allocation of this grand competition, and even the future changes in the Cultivation World of Chu Kingdom, might all be decided with a few words in that pavilion.

After Foundation Establishment, he increasingly felt how narrow his horizons were during the Qi Refining Realm, which was an unavoidable fact.

Just as Song Yan was lost in thought, a familiar voice called out: "Senior Brother Song!"

Following the sound, he saw Gu Qingqing vigorously waving her arm by a clear, cascading spring pool not far away, near the water’s edge.

The person accompanying her was not Yuwen Yao, but a female Cultivator dressed in a moon-white long dress, with a slender figure and a serene demeanor.

Song Yan recognized this girl; it was Gu Qingqing’s Sect friend, Yang Yuerong.

Strangely, Yang Yuerong was not wearing the Cave Abyss Sect’s Daoist robe.

Gu Qingqing pulled Yang Yuerong and hurried forward to greet him.

"Junior Sisters, what a coincidence." Song Yan smiled and nodded.

Xiao Ju stood obediently beside Song Yan, saying nothing.

"Senior Brother Song, you’re also browsing the market? Oh, Yuerong, I told you, Senior Brother Song feels like a completely different person after Foundation Establishment."

"Although he’s still as handsome, I just feel like he’s aged a lot..."

"?"

Pfft.

Yang Yuerong couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, then stepped forward, gave Song Yan a shallow bow, and smiled faintly: "Senior Brother Song, congratulations on achieving the Foundation Establishment Dao."

Her voice was gentle. Standing beside Gu Qingqing, for some reason, she lacked the bright vivacity she had as a fellow Disciple in the past, and instead possessed a more settled tranquility.

Deep in her eyes, there seemed to be a faint, lingering melancholy that she tried hard to hide, but it was well concealed by her lowered gaze.

Song Yan returned the greeting, his gaze lingering on Yang Yuerong for a moment.

"It’s been a while."

After only a few casual words, he learned something rather unexpected.

Yang Yuerong had actually left the Cave Abyss Sect and was no longer a Disciple of the Sect.

When discussing this, Yang Yuerong forced a smile and said: "Yuerong was originally a local of Dragon Pool Mountain, from the Yang Family here."

A few years ago, due to some deeply ingrained Family traditions and rules, she had no choice but to voluntarily leave the Cave Abyss Sect and has now returned to her Family on Dragon Pool Mountain.

She was now staying on Dragon Pool Mountain as a member of the Yang Family.

Her tone carried clear regret and reluctance.

"Alas, this matter... is not something I can control."

"Senior Sister Gu also knows the reasons behind it. Returning now is merely to comply with Family rules and return to my ancestral home."

She said it lightly, but in reality, her heart was filled with indignation and bitterness.

Being recalled to the Family was merely to save time and resources for those key Family members being groomed.

This path of Cultivation, she feared, would be difficult to continue in this life.

Song Yan heard the deep sense of powerlessness in her words.

Looking at Yang Yuerong’s lonely eyes, which she tried so hard to conceal but could not erase, his heart stirred.

Among the countless Cultivators in the Cultivation World, many who seem free and unrestrained are actually deeply bound.

Although a Sect provides protection, in the face of certain Family Bloodline and rules that have been ingrained for thousands of years, an individual’s will can sometimes be so insignificant.

What difference is there between an ordinary Cultivator under the oppression of a large power and a Mortal... Foundation Establishment is merely the starting point of this path of seeking immortality and Dao.

While Song Yan sighed, he also secretly reminded himself not to slacken his Cultivation just because he had established his Dao Foundation.

"Haha, since you are with your Family, everything will be arranged. Let’s not talk about these things."

Yang Yuerong gently shook her head: "Senior Brother Song, speaking of which, are you looking for anything in the market this time?"

Song Yan followed Yang Yuerong’s lead and nodded: "Indeed."

"I want to purchase a few handy Flying Swords. But looking around, I haven’t found one I like yet."

"Flying Swords?" Yang Yuerong pondered for a moment, "There’s a Thousand Forging Hall in the southwest corner of the Diequan Market. I heard the shopkeeper is a collateral branch of a Family that has forged weapons for generations."

"The shop has heirloom ancient swords, or blades forged from High Grade spiritual materials. Senior Brother might want to take a look there."

As a local, she was clearly more familiar with the area.

Heirloom ancient swords?

Song Yan immediately became interested.

"Good, thank you."

Gu Qingqing suddenly remembered another thing, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Song Yan.

"Senior Brother Song, Yuerong just mentioned that this Dragon Pool Gathering is such a coincidence, it happens to coincide with their Yang Family’s centennial grand ceremony!"

"It’s a rare grand occasion, Senior Brother, let’s go see it together then!"

Centennial grand ceremony?

Upon hearing this, Song Yan let out a soft "Oh," and Xiao Ju behind him also slightly raised her head.