The Crimson Sky Sword is quite the two-faced blade.
It sweet-talks the Ice Chunk while putting our dear Little Ke through some rigorous tests.
Ten swords.
Catch up to these, and you’ll be the one to master it.
Little Ke’s vision blurs for a moment.
Buzz—
A familiar swordsman appears on the opposite side.
The atmosphere suddenly turns cold and murderous.
The swordsman slowly clasps his fists in greeting.
“Please, give me your guidance.”
Little Ke, gripping his blue steel sword, returns the gesture with equal politeness.
In the next moment, two figures collide.
The sound of blades clashing resonates, shaking the entire fourth layer.
…..
Meanwhile, on the third layer.
All types of renowned swords seem to tremble slightly at this moment.
“Did Brother Ke stir up that commotion?”
Murong Xiao can’t help but lift his head, looking towards the shadowy entrance of the fourth layer.
The sword aura from just now gives him a shiver down his spine.
“What happened?”
Xiao Qian lifts his head, clutching a battered giant sword in his hand.
This is a sword he found under the guidance of Qianxing Wuzun. Despite its shabby appearance and being only half its original length, the material is far superior to other renowned weapons.
It’s one of the few weapons that actually acknowledge him as a master.
Though its spirit is a bit weak, it needs him to nurture it on his own.
Xiao Qian is quite satisfied with it.
At that moment, the giant sword quivers slightly in response to the sword’s cry.
“Your junior brother is currently dueling with a mystical weapon.”
Qianxing Wuzun casually remarks, not having witnessed it personally.
“Dueling with weapons?”
Xiao Qian doesn’t quite understand what that means.
“The stronger the martial artist, the more powerful their spirit.”
“The weapons they have used for years will carry their will.”
“Do you know which sword from the famous Tianshan Sword Forge in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths is the most powerful?”
Qianxing Wuzun is more than happy to share some stories with his disciple, broadening their horizons.
“Please enlighten me, Master.” Xiao Qian says, intrigued.
“It’s a wooden sword that once belonged to the Sword Ancestor.”
Qianxing Wuzun speaks as if he had seen it himself:
“It carries the essence of an entire pure sword path.”
“This sword, hundreds of years ago, flew out a thousand miles from the Sword Tomb, severing rivers and slaying evil floods, leaving that great river still cut off.”
“A sword that split a river for hundreds of years?”
Xiao Qian gasps, inhaling sharply.
To him, this is simply unimaginable.
Qianxing Wuzun is pleased with his disciple’s shock and adds:
“The Sword Ancestor’s personal weapon is far beyond what a mystical weapon can compare to.”
“Of course, that Crimson Sky Sword is still among the fine items within the mystical weapons.”
“Whether he can master it depends on if your junior brother learned anything from that girl.”
“The Crimson Sky complements Tian Shuang quite well.”
Xiao Qian purses his lips in thought.
He doesn’t feel envious; in fact, he’s even more fond of his battered giant sword.
…..
Clang—
In the fourth layer.
Little Ke is already in the realm of consciousness, taking the fifth swing with the Crimson Sky.
The ringing of the sword sends a shiver through his soul, electrifying his consciousness.
Is this the aura of a mystical weapon?
Or perhaps… the residual essence left by the master who once wielded this sword?
Little Ke can’t help but recall what the Ice Chunk said beneath Qingyuan.
That obsessions can manifest as ghostly entities.
It’s reasonable for such essence to coalesce into a powerful swordsman.
“This sword’s cry seems to be honing my spirit.”
Little Ke muses, deep in thought.
At first, the feeling is faint, but as time goes on, the sharpening effect on his spirit becomes increasingly apparent.
“Come on.”
Little Ke focuses and seriously engages the sword.
Seventh sword!
Eighth sword!
Ninth sword!
These three blades are fully perfected sword techniques.
After sparring with the sword for nine strikes, he feels his spirit has greatly improved, and his consciousness is much sharper.
Without the Ice Chunk’s guidance, relying solely on his martial comprehension would have left him stalled here.
That’s not surprising.
It’s like a complex math problem; without mathematical talent, you might never find the answer just thinking hard on your own.
Ordinary folks can only use the “formulas” summed up by geniuses to find shortcuts.
“Tenth sword!”
The swordsman opposite him suddenly feels more restrained and powerful.
Little Ke lets out a deep breath, focusing like never before.
…..
The tenth cry of the sword resonates through Divine Edge Cave.
It lingers, like a long, wistful sigh.
Outside Divine Edge Cave.
“The Crimson Sky Sword has acknowledged its master.”
Elder Han He gently strokes his beard, his expression somewhat strange.
Spoiler alert: No one better understands the meaning of that sword cry than him, the head elder of Shenbing Peak.
The Crimson Sky Sword acknowledged its master, but it seems it might be a bit reluctant…
It’s almost as if it’s not too impressed with that Li Zhenchuang’s talent.
A little disdain, yet still holding its nose to acknowledge him?
This leaves Elder Han He quite puzzled.
“Hahaha, Old Man, I’ve snagged both mystical weapons for myself!”
Shang Wu is blissfully unaware of the deeper issues, practically striking a heroic pose.
Elder Han He has a blank expression: “Tian Shuang belongs to Ying Bing. What does Ying Bing have to do with you?”
Shang Wu looks at him, his eyes filled with pity and sympathy.
The elder’s forehead twitches slightly.
Now that’s a very rude look.
“Oh, and Old Man, let’s not forget about Little Ice Girl’s weapon; that’s two swords.”
“We made a bet on that back then.”
“So, don’t feel like you’re at a disadvantage; there’s no need to settle up, just let me take any weapon from Divine Edge Cave that I need.”
Shang Wu squints and smiles.
“Hmph! Only one at a time!”
Elder Han He snorts coldly.
No matter how tough his mouth is, he’s too scared to say who would prevail in combat.
It’s not a lack of confidence in Murong Xiao, but the fact that earning recognition from a mystical weapon indicates Li Mo’s sword skills must be extraordinary.
Besides, anyone holding a mystical weapon—who in the same realm could defeat them?
Letting Shang Wu take weapons from Divine Edge Cave, even if they get damaged, it’s still better than settling her huge debts.
“You know what’s great about you, Old Man? You never dodge your debts.”
Once Shang Wu sees he’s acknowledged this, he showers him with a couple of compliments.
Ying Bing’s expression is calm, not surprised by this at all.
This was her first serious teaching moment.
If she couldn’t even secure a mystical weapon, that would be way too embarrassing.
“Crimson Sky…”
“If I remember correctly, Ying Zhenchuang has the Tian Shuang; don’t these two swords have a combined technique?”
“I’ve seen similar records before.”
…..
Some of the older disciples at Shenbing Peak exchange glances, all of them suddenly remembering the legends.
It’s said that the founder created these two swords and gave them to his two disciples.
Those two were a couple that shared a deep bond, and they even created a combined sword technique that could transcend boundaries, becoming quite famous in the Eastern Wilderness at the time.
Later, when they passed away, Tian Shuang and Crimson Sky were never recognized at the same time again.
That sword technique was tucked away, never to be showcased again.
Today, it seems these two mystical weapons, miraculously, have found their masters once more…
Everyone turns their gaze towards Ying Bing.
But they can’t discern any emotions from the beautiful girl’s face.
……
At the same time.
“Quite the icy demeanor.”
Li Mo holds a sword that seems to burn like flowing fire, unable to contain his joy.
His talent in swordsmanship isn’t remarkable.
Yet at this age, he’s managed to practice top-tier sword techniques to a formidable level.
Thus, the Crimson Sky Sword reluctantly acknowledges him as its master.
But… whether it’s reluctant or not doesn’t matter; it’s usable, and that’s what counts.
Little Li doesn’t care about the sweetness of the fruit; as long as it quenches his thirst, that’s enough.
“I’ve got the sword techniques and the treasure sword.”
“If I’m not a swordsman, then who is?”
Li Mo chuckles with glee.
At this moment.
He notices the end of the fourth layer of Divine Edge Cave, where the fiery glow mingles with the icy light.
That spot is increasingly calling to him.
Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to consider what can truly make him stronger.
“Pan Jie Meteor Hammer.”
Li Mo’s eyes reflect the glow from the cave entrance.
Although using a hammer isn’t exactly in line with his interests.
But… it’s a divine weapon!
This is a treasure that far exceeds his understanding.
Moreover, it seems it resonates vaguely with his extreme martial body, complementing it.
“It wants to come with me.”
“But first, I need to get close and pick it up.”
Li Mo approaches the cave entrance.
Instantly, he feels an overwhelming pressure.
The frigid cold of the ice spring, the scorching heat of the fire spring, combined with the fierce aura of martial weaponry is almost suffocating.
If he hadn’t just seen some progress in his body refinement and consumed a Six-Woven Heart-Purifying Pill, he might not even qualify to stand here.
Thud—
He takes a step forward.
In an instant, the heavens rumble.
Every organ and meridian in his body vibrates.
That bone-tingling sensation makes Li Mo acutely aware.
His physique has grown stronger.
“I only took a single step and…”
Li Mo gains a clearer understanding of the divine weapon’s might.
Furthermore.
This is probably the result of the divine weapon having a spirit, suppressing most of its overwhelming presence!
“Keep moving!”
Li Mo channels his extreme martial body and takes another step.
At the same time, the sound of a massive hammer falling rings in his ears.
