Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Epiphany

The sea of consciousness surged violently, as various mysterious wonders from the unseen realms grew even more overwhelming with the entry of a pale golden "Small Sword".

Shen Hao, wrapped in that mystical state, forgot time, forgot the outside world.

He even forgot himself.

Shen Hao had no idea what kind of chain reaction had occurred outside at the moment he absorbed that "Small Sword," which was visualized by the Black Beast Tattoo.

In that instant, there was only a sudden "clang" out of nowhere, just like a sharp sword unsheathing; the sound startled everyone present, raising goosebumps all over, as if a cold blade hovered at their throats.

"What is happening?!"

Everyone was startled by this sudden chill; the elderly matron’s robes fluttered though there was no wind, as she shielded Fairy Qing Wan behind her. In that moment, she felt a sharp threat.

"It—it’s the Ancestor’s Sword Intent! It’s the Ancestor’s Sword Concealed Life!"

Only a few High-Tier Cultivators from Chang Baifeng reacted fastest. The rest finally looked over on hearing them, and in astonishment saw cracks on the stone wall where the three characters "Sword Washing Pool" were carved!

What was even more uncanny was, the Sword Intent that used to be dense and dispersed had now vanished without a trace...

"No, the Sword Intent hasn’t vanished!"

"Mm, it’s all condensed and gathered around that boy!"

"Why is this happening?!"

Sword Intent is invisible to the naked eye but can be sensed through perception. At that moment, all the Sword Intent that once patrolled around the Sword Washing Pool clustered like iron filings attracted by a magnet, gathering tightly around the Sword Enlightenment Platform, encircling the Named Disciple from Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute whom no one had paid much attention to.

"Don’t you feel there’s something full of mystery between his brows?"

Mystery overflowing? This was an extremely unique cultivation state; most people had only heard of it but never witnessed it, and some cultivators had spent years chasing this state, regarding it as a legend, impossible to believe.

"You mean..."

Now the matron with the highest cultivation in the field spoke up: "It’s Enlightenment. When I was young, I saw my senior brother experience Enlightenment, he looked just like this. This boy’s opportunity is enviable!"

The matron had spoken, so the conclusion was set.

Everyone was even more shocked now: it was truly Enlightenment!

Cultivation depends on talent, perseverance, and fate.

Some struggled for a hundred years without progress; some, by luck and opportunity, soared to the Ninth Layer in a single day. Don’t think it’s an empty claim—such cases are not rare in the Cultivation Realm. And Enlightenment is precisely this kind of luck that can’t be sought.

No one can explain how Enlightenment is triggered, nor can anyone describe what they experienced afterward; only the enviable gains that follow its end remain.

The benefit is not an increase in cultivation on the surface, but a sweeping away of blind spots on the path of cultivation.

To give an example: the road ahead is pitch black, you fumble forward blindly, always at risk of tripping or falling into a pit. But someone who’s just experienced Enlightenment suddenly holds a candle in their hand, letting them move swiftly and safely far ahead, until the candle burns out.

Such luck and opportunity—who wouldn’t envy it?

Nie Yun envied it too; he hadn’t expected Shen Hao to have such fortune, but he felt glad nonetheless, knowing that after this Enlightenment, Shen Hao’s cultivation journey would be much smoother—perhaps one day, he might truly step into the inner halls.

Watching the time, another hour soon passed, then another, and nobody left. Astonishment gradually turned into shock, and looks of envy and jealousy grew obvious. More and more gathered, many being High-Tier Cultivators from other sects who, with urgency in their eyes, occasionally glanced at Nie Yun, pondering something unknown.

Until dusk, the Sword Intent gathered around Shen Hao in the Sword Washing Pool suddenly withdrew, like a gathered water sphere bursting open, rippling outward and forcing the crowd to quickly defend themselves, barely withstanding the sudden surge of Sword Intent.

A few breaths later, the Sword Washing Pool returned to normal.

Except for the stone wall, which now bore several glaring cracks.

"The mystical aura at the brow is fading, this boy is about to awaken," the matron’s cloudy eyes flickered with light.

But Fairy Qing Wan, standing behind the matron, looked unpleasant; she stared intently at Shen Hao on the Sword Enlightenment Platform. She did not share everyone else’s envy, but it was unclear what she was thinking.

"Hoo..."

A long, deep exhale spilled from Shen Hao’s lips, and his consciousness broke from the state of oblivious mysticism.

"Senior Brother Nie, I..." He tried to speak, but Shen Hao was suddenly hit by dizziness.

"Enlightenment is wondrous but extremely draining, especially exhausting on the soul. This little brother spent three hours in Enlightenment—it’s rare indeed that he managed to remain conscious. I have a Spirit Nourishing Elixir here, you may take it. It will surely help ease the fatigue."

The first to speak was a cultivator from a Second-tier Sect, friendly-faced, smiling as he handed over a pill.

Yet Nie Yun politely refused.

This sort of Spirit Nourishing Elixir, Nie Yun had in hand as well; he wasn’t a rookie, and knew very well why these outsiders were suddenly so warm.

Shen Hao felt dizzy and confused, as though he’d been kicked around like a ball for hours, barely able to stand. Only after swallowing the Spirit Nourishing Elixir from Nie Yun did he begin to feel better.

He was about to speak, but Nie Yun cut him off.

"You’re exhausted now, no need to talk. Let’s return to our quarters first, rest well and then we’ll discuss anything you need."

At this moment, Shen Hao also sensed that something around him felt off. He quickly nodded in agreement, feigning weakness, following Nie Yun to weave through the crowd, leaving the Sword Washing Pool.

No one tried to block them; some even smiled and nodded warmly to Shen Hao, nothing like their previous indifference toward him.

Chang Baifeng’s disciple led the way, guiding Nie Yun and Shen Hao to the guest room.

It was really just a side room: two beds, a table and chairs, all in a space no bigger than three meters square. Rather simple, but neither Shen Hao nor Nie Yun cared—after all, Chang Baifeng wasn’t an inn, and with so many guests before the celebration, finding a room was already good enough.

Once the door was closed, Shen Hao wiped the tired look off his face, curiosity in his voice: "Nie, what happened here?"

Nie Yun was momentarily stunned by Shen Hao’s face-changing trick, then chuckled as he recounted how Shen Hao fell into Enlightenment in the Sword Washing Pool and triggered its mystical phenomenon.

Shen Hao instinctively swallowed; he realized he’d inadvertently done something remarkable.

"But don’t worry, their envy won’t turn to hatred. Though, as I expect, tomorrow many will try to drop hints, hoping to lure you away from Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute."