The Sword Building radiated divine light, overshadowing the sun, as if embodying the will of the gods.
The Cloud Stairs were tinged with a soft golden hue, resembling a path to the heavens for those wishing to ascend to divinity.
Ying Bing gazed at the towering giant sword, her eyes flickering.
Of course, she wouldn’t be intimidated by these Cloud Stairs, nor would she feel any pressure.
She was just thinking…
Should she ascend?
With her heart not in sync with the sword’s intent, what would be the point of climbing up?
But if she wanted to grasp the true meaning of the divine will, climbing this path meant that…
All future paths might have to be walked alone.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“This Cloud Stairs? I could finish half of it blindfolded, does she dare not go up?”
“That shouldn’t be the case… when she was in the arena, no one could even take three of her sword strikes, how could she possibly be scared?”
“Could there be something fishy here?”
The noisy chatter buzzed in the air.
“Hm?”
The girl with an ordinary face, Yin Mianmian, also cast her gaze over.
The elders frowned in confusion.
Given this little girl’s talent, wasn’t the Cloud Stairs just a mere formality?
It was merely a hurdle to cross.
Why did it seem like she was… stuck in a dilemma?
As Ying Bing spaced out, chaotic images flashed before her.
On one side was strength, isolation, and a cold loneliness.
On the other, vibrant realities that had occurred after her rebirth.
These thoughts were deeply rooted in her heart, refusing to be shaken off.
Her Consciousness Soul began to stir violently as well.
“Ice Chunk.”
Suddenly, a voice cut through the noise, grabbing her attention.
She looked up to see Little Ke wearing a troubled expression.
Little Ke felt the weight on him.
That inexplicable pressure was growing heavier.
And it wasn’t just physical—it was pressing down on the Consciousness Soul!
Absurd.
When he climbed the heavenly stone steps, he didn’t feel this way at all!
Was it because this Cloud Stairs were condensed from sword intent, making him immune to sword dao?
But that didn’t seem right either.
For example, Zhong Zhenyue clearly didn’t have exceptional sword talent, yet he was still quick on his feet.
How peculiar.
Forget analyzing it in detail.
Now, not only was his Consciousness Soul under pressure, but he also had to maintain a calm exterior.
It seemed the only option left was…
As everyone knew.
Little Ke was a genius, and his pondering did actually lead him to a potential solution.
【Congratulations, Host. Ten years of Martial Arts Insight has been successfully recorded.】
【In the first year, you explored how to merge divine will and resonate mentally through dual cultivation methods.】
….
【By the tenth year, you realized the key was the Consciousness Soul; if the compatibility was too poor, you’d never complete the seventh layer of ‘Phoenix’s Cry in the Celestial Marsh.’】
He glanced at Ying Bing, saying:
“Do you remember the seventh layer of ‘Phoenix’s Cry in the Celestial Marsh’?”
“Phoenix… Cry in the Celestial Marsh?”
A hint of confusion washed over Ying Bing’s serene eyes, but she nodded gently.
“Then let’s do this.”
Little Ke reached out his hand towards her.
Ying Bing: “?”
And as everyone knew.
‘Phoenix’s Cry in the Celestial Marsh’ was a dual cultivation martial art.
Dual cultivation?
Here?
While she hesitated, unsure, she suddenly felt a wave of warmth as Little Ke brought Little Jiang over and held her hand.
Warm, strong.
Ying Bing realized that the inner turmoil began to dissipate as if it had never existed.
Why was this?
Why did her Consciousness Soul suddenly find peace?
They had been in closer contact before.
It was just a handhold; it wasn’t anything special…
This wasn’t normal.
Ying Bing suddenly looked up, noticing that familiar gaze was even more intimate than before.
The reflections in those familiar eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of moonlight.
Almost instinctively.
The essence of the seventh layer of ‘Phoenix’s Cry in the Celestial Marsh’ emerged in her mind, and it began to circulate.
This profound art allowed their Consciousness Souls to merge, connecting their divine wills.
Thus.
The moon he evoked lit up her meridians.
Once again, it was Taiyin.
This radiant light wasn’t cold or lifeless.
A warm reminder: If you’re enjoying this book, don’t forget to add it to your bookshelf for next time!
It spread a gentle calm across the world like flowing water.
Was this… his view of Taiyin?
But this felt different from what she had seen before—strangely familiar yet new.
“Phew… let’s go.”
Li Mo sighed in relief.
After cultivating, he too saw the Bronze Divine Tree and the Taiyin in Ying Bing’s eyes.
However, he didn’t react overly much.
After their Consciousness Souls merged, the pressure on them vanished instantly.
So.
With Little Jiang trailing behind him and holding onto the puzzled Ice Chunk, Li Mo strode forward.
They walked toward the blue sky, leaving the worldly noise behind.
…..
“???!!!”
“Wait, are you telling me Ying Bing’s not moving because she’s waiting for Young Hero Li to hold her hand?”
“Guys, I suddenly feel like this martial arts peak isn’t worth it, I’m leaving.”
“Not bro, wait…”
“This is like a real-life version of ‘Jiang Chen’ and ‘Liu Wuyan’! Too bad Young Hero Li doesn’t have a crooked smile, lacking a bit of flavor.”
After a moment of silence, the murmurs resumed in waves.
Up on the high platform.
The elders exchanged glances, silent.
“If I’m not mistaken, they should be…,” Elder Zeng murmured.
“Exactly, it’s dual cultivation.”
“Yeah, that dual cultivation method isn’t low ranked.”
Another elder’s lips twitched.
Everyone: “……”
We’ve come here for this?
In the past, when climbing the building, it was always about the rising talents; they were never shy about competing.
What do these two kids think they’re doing?
“Do they not consider us people?”
“Am I not a person? Am I not a person?”
“Elder Zeng, you’re the main elder in charge of this event; can’t you say something?”
So.
Elder Zeng slammed the table, his expression ecstatic:
“Hehe… Jiang Chen has finally shown his boyfriend strength!”
“???!!!”
….
On the Cloud Stairs.
They climbed higher and higher.
Ying Bing was being led, strolling through the clouds, with countless lives beneath her feet, just like when she once viewed the world from the Gui Palace.
But now, she didn’t feel lonely.
Because she could see the unique bright moon within Little Ke’s Consciousness Soul.
She was naturally sensitive to the intricacies of the Taiyin, especially coupled with the guidance of dual cultivation.
She saw what he saw.
The heavy confusion in her heart was shattered in this moment, and comprehension flowed naturally.
“My heart is clear as a bright mirror.”
“No matter what reflects in the mirror, it is always transparent.”
The peak of the Sword Building was near.
“Finally, almost done.”
Li Mo breathed in the fragrance that seemed to come from nowhere, feeling a great weight lift off his heart.
Li Jianxian’s foundation didn’t collapse!
Thanks to Ice Chunk…
“Li… Brother Li.”
“Hmm?”
“Sister Bing… she seems to have had a breakthrough.”
“Hmm???!!!”
Li Mo was taken aback.
While he was merging with her Consciousness Soul, there came a sudden, strong wave.
Turning around, their eyes met.
Ying Bing had a faint smile, subtle but distinctly real.
Buzz—
A sound echoed in the void, resonating through the realm, making the Cloud Stairs tremble.
This time it wasn’t Little Li’s manual hand buffing it five times.
Thousands of swords cried out in unison as if they were about to fly from their sheaths.
Even the massive Sword Building seemed to tremble with it.
As Li Mo connected with Ying Bing’s Consciousness Soul.
He felt it too.
At the top of the Sword Building, there was a hollow, ethereal call.
But Li Mo couldn’t be bothered to savor it.
He only heard Ice Chunk softly say:
“Thank you for this round moon.”
…….
PS: Typo corrections will come later; if anyone sees any, feel free to point me out.
Please send some good vibes! Mwah!
