Hearing Luo Xing’s confusion, a rare ripple spread across Ye Li’s calm, clear eyes…
As a fellow sword cultivator who also possessed a “Sword Heart,” Ye Li understood exactly what state Luo Xing was in.
This was the sign of an “Embryonic Sword Heart.”
Ordinary sword cultivators, like other cultivators, needed the aid of cultivation techniques. But sword cultivators who possessed a Sword Heart did not.
Because their “Sword Heart” was their “technique.”
Once one determined their Sword Heart, the path of cultivation would gain wings, advancing a thousand miles in a single day.
But the problem was that only the sword cultivator themselves could know their own Sword Heart.
Just like Ye Li’s “Tyrant Sword Heart,” she had comprehended it herself. Before that, even her master hadn’t known it.
Ye Li clasped her hands behind her back and spoke solemnly to Luo Xing. “You need to ask yourself that question.”
“For a cultivator, the word ‘truth’ is paramount. If the heart is not true, it is difficult to make progress on the path of cultivation.”
Some cultivate for immortality, for power, to ascend to the immortal realm. Others do it to become a legend remembered through the ages.
Just as the reason Zhao Chengyan was able to injure Luo Xing was not only his pseudo-Golden Core Stage strength, but also because he had determined his own heart.
He wanted to become a cultivator, to become the supreme being of the Kingdom of Tianyan, second only to the ruler, and to make Tianyan a cultivation dynasty in Nanling.
To achieve this goal, he didn’t hesitate to collude with heretical cultivators, to slaughter innocent mortals, using their flesh, blood, and bones to cultivate evil arts, building a stepping stone for his own cultivation from countless lives.
For the public, he was an evil man, beyond redemption.
For himself, he at least knew what he wanted and why he wanted to cultivate.
“Your master cannot answer this question for you.” Ye Li’s tone inexplicably softened, almost like that of a kind teacher. “You already possess a Sword Heart. As soon as you comprehend what your Sword Heart is, your question will be answered, and your cultivation will take another step forward.”
“But…” Luo Xing looked at Ye Li in confusion. “Master, your disciple still doesn’t understand…”
A Sword Heart, huh…
Hearing Ye Li’s answer, Luo Xing fell silent again…
Ye Li told him he already possessed a Sword Heart, but he had no idea what this Sword Heart was, or where it was.
Bai Li Qin Mo’s “Righteous Sword” was firm against evil, protective of the weak, and harmonious with the righteous.
Luo Han’s, in the original story, was the “Compassionate Sword,” with mercy in her heart, caring for all living beings, only guiding, never killing.
And Ye Li’s was the “Tyrant Sword,” a Sword Heart that acknowledged only itself, a Sword Intent that was only madness, no retreat, no mercy. Where the sword pointed was supremacy, where the sword aura reached was submission.
And him…
What exactly was his Sword Heart?
Was it like Bai Li Qin Mo’s “Righteous Sword”?
But he didn’t think of himself as such a righteous person. He had a sense of justice, but not much.
Was it like Luo Han’s “Compassionate Sword”?
But he also didn’t think he was that much of a saint. He would sell people out when needed, scheme when needed. He had a conscience, but not much.
As for Ye Li’s “Tyrant Sword”…
That was even more impossible.
As the saying goes, two kings cannot share a throne. The “Tyrant Sword”‘s self-absorption wouldn’t allow a second “Tyrant Sword” to exist in heaven and earth. If he were a “Tyrant Sword,” Ye Li would have struck him down the moment she knew, killing her disciple to prove her path.
So…
What exactly was his Sword Heart?
Seeing Luo Xing lost in thought, Ye Li silently withdrew from the room.
But after she walked out, she looked at her own palm thoughtfully…
In her jade-like hand, several miniature sword auras coiled and swirled, as if she were playing with a few exquisite, beautiful works of art.
Like Luo Xing, Ye Li had also been troubled by a question lately.
But it wasn’t about why one cultivated; it was a question without a subject.
As the only “Tyrant Sword” in heaven and earth, her path of advancement was both difficult and simple: it was enlightenment, to align her words and actions with the Sword Intent of the “Tyrant Sword.”
In simple terms—
She wanted it, she would get it.
She wanted to win, she could win.
But what was simplest was often the most complex.
Ye Li had been stuck in the Peak Mahayana Stage for too long. If she wanted to go further and break through to the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, she would need to comprehend a new “question” and find the answer herself.
And recently, Ye Li had felt a faint glimmer, a sign of breaking through to Tribulation Transcendence. But, just like Luo Xing, it was something she could see but not grasp, feel but not touch. It was there, but it was not…
Was it a problem of strength?
But she was already invincible within the Mahayana Stage, and within the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, she could at least not be defeated, and could even win.
She wasn’t sure if it was a problem of strength…
Seven days later…
Luo Xing’s seventh-day memorial… ahem, no. Luo Xing had fully recovered. He could run and jump, talk and laugh. Other than the question that remained unanswered, everything else was fine.
During this time, Dai Zifu, Jiang Ru, and Cheng Yan had also come to visit him, bringing some gifts of consolation.
Dai Zifu brought some healing pills, while Cheng Yan and Jiang Ru brought some talismans for cultivation or self-defense, since they were talisman cultivators.
Hong An didn’t come because he was still in confinement.
Although Luo Xing’s injury this time wasn’t his fault, as the guardian for this expedition, three months of confinement was considered a light punishment.
Meanwhile, at Wanyi Peak.
“Sect Master Bai.”
Inside the great hall, a beautiful woman in a purple robe embroidered with a star pattern bowed to Bai Li Qin Mo with a perfectly measured smile.
“Regarding this disturbance caused by heretical cultivators in the Kingdom of Tianyan, which led to one of your sect’s disciples being injured, I, Ruan Sheng, on behalf of the Starsoul Sect and its Sect Master, have come to offer our apologies.”
The beautiful woman had snow-white hair, a lovely face, and a voluptuous figure. Her every word and action carried the unique charm of a mature woman.
Ruan Sheng was the Great Elder of the Starsoul Sect, at the late Fusion Stage.
Honestly, the Starsoul Sect didn’t need to send someone to apologize in person, let alone send their Great Elder.
After all, Luo Xing and his group’s purpose in going to the Kingdom of Tianyan was a sect trial—to investigate for the Xuanshuang Pavilion why fewer and fewer mortals within Tianyan had the aptitude for cultivation. Any accidents along the way were considered part of the trial.
But the problem was that this time, the heretical cultivator had colluded with a member of the royal family, and that royal member had a protection pact with the Starsoul Sect…
A heretical cultivator causes trouble in the empire under your protection, and you didn’t notice? Fine. But the Tianyan royal family, who has a protection treaty with you, was also involved, and you still didn’t notice?
It was an embarrassment!
So, the Starsoul Sect had no choice but to send someone to apologize in person.
Of course, there was another reason…
That injured disciple, Luo Xing, was Ye Li’s personal disciple.
In Nanling, you could provoke anyone, but you must never provoke Ye Li.
This was an iron law of their Starsoul Sect Master.
“You are too kind, Elder Ruan.” Bai Li Qin Mo’s expression was calm. “After all, when taking on external trials, a few accidents are only to be expected.”
“No, no, no. This is indeed a failure of supervision on our Starsoul Sect’s part.” Ruan Sheng produced a storage ring. “This contains the compensation from our Starsoul Sect and the Tianyan Royal Family. Please accept it, Sect Master Bai.”
Bai Li Qin Mo gave a slight nod and took the storage ring.
He could have pretended to be aloof and refused, since it wasn’t for him anyway…
But if he did that, his junior sister’s Tyrant Sword would be pressed against his neck.
“Sect Master Bai…” After presenting the compensation, Ruan Sheng’s smile suddenly faded. “Could I… have a word in private?”
Bai Li Qin Mo frowned. “Oh?”