“What do you mean… Huh, urgh!” Jiao San was still puzzled when the massive wave that had been about to suppress Lu Li began to surge.
“You should be feeling it now—your True Yuan is disordered, and even as a Flood Dragon, you’re extremely uncomfortable in the water.”
Lu Li took an oilpaper umbrella from his Storage Bracelet and gently opened it.
“Jiao San, if you don’t surrender, you’ll be in agony for a full month.”
“You poisoned me!” Jiao San belatedly realized. The massive wave at this moment seemed to freeze in midair, and countless frost spread from under Lu Li’s feet.
“How is that possible? When…?”
“I just told you, Jiao San. You weren’t listening carefully.”
Lu Li gazed at the falling snowflakes. The giant wave, from bottom to top, struggled and slowly froze.
“The rain in Blackstone City—I was the one who cast it.”
“Impossible, you’re a Celestial Fox… Urgh!” Struggling, Jiao San thrashed in the water as if drowning.
“Ugh… What poison is this…”
“A poison specifically targeting the Flood Dragon Clan, robbing you of your control over water.”
Lu Li raised his left hand and lightly tapped toward the giant wave.
“Now the water you were controlling is under my command.”
“So, Jiao San, do you intend to submit? We enter the second stage of the trial together. Or will you be eliminated here and return to your sea?”
Lu Li extended a finger and tapped the slowly shattering icy spray.
“The answer is quite simple, isn’t it?”
“You…” Jiao San was frozen in the ice, his teeth chattering.
He glanced at the two tigers on higher ground, then took a deep breath.
“Celestial Fox Saintess, you tricked me. This isn’t fair.”
“Oh? As I recall, in our Yao Race, strength is paramount. Since when are schemes invalid?”
Lu Li looked up, staring at Jiao San.
“But since you bring it up… Ice, disperse.”
He lightly stamped his right foot, and the ice shattered.
Jiao San, trapped in the ice, immediately fell to the ground, his body covered in a thin layer of frost.
“If you lose this time, there will be only one outcome.”
Lu Li gazed at Jiao San, who was struggling to rise.
“Do you need the antidote?”
“…Yes.”
“Take it.”
Lu Li flicked his left hand, and a drop of medicine flew from his Storage Bracelet, seeping into Jiao San’s skin.
“Celestial Fox Saintess… you are indeed formidable.”
Jiao San absorbed the medicine and exhaled a few breaths of foul air. His narrow eyes fixed on Lu Li.
“But if I fought you at full strength, you couldn’t win.”
“Is that so?” Lu Li sighed softly. “Then come.”
The frost gradually thawed, and the melting icicles turned back into water droplets, pattering against the oilpaper umbrella Lu Li held open.
Amid the soft patter, Jiao San recondensed the water into the shape of a trident in his hand.
“Though it’s a bit of a waste of time.”
Lu Li took a step, and Jiao San tightened his grip on the trident, then threw it.
“Waves, heed my—”
“Sigh… Bewitch Heart.”
Lu Li looked up, and a dazzling light flashed in his pink eyes.
Jiao San immediately closed his eyes, trying to transform into water again.
But before his body could fully transform, the surrounding water current took on a will of its own.
“You!”
Jiao San found his body pinned to the spot, and the trident in his hand directly dissolved into water.
“So this time.”
Lu Li walked step by step toward Jiao San, clenched his left hand, and the water condensed into a frost longsword, pointing at Jiao San’s throat.
“What is your answer?”
“In this trial, the entire Flood Dragon Clan will obey the Celestial Fox Saintess!”
Jiao San, facing the blade at his throat, roared loudly.
“Very well.”
Lu Li turned around, looked up at Lie Shan whose mouth was agape in the rain, and Lie Shi who could only clap and sigh.
“You two can join us. Let’s consider how to bite off the toughest bone.”
The heavy rain continued to fall without end.
Inside the Flood Dragon Clan mansion in eastern Blackstone City.
Everyone gathered around a planar terrain map and began to discuss.
“Sigh, so capturing my mansion was just one part of the plan?”
After hearing Lu Li’s plan, Jiao San couldn’t help but lower his head and sigh.
“No wonder I felt something was off about the rain from the start.”
“Brother Jiao, look at it this way,” Lie Shan said, slapping Jiao San’s back with a splash. “With the Celestial Fox Saintess’s help, we can easily pass the second stage of the trial.”
“I’ll just have to think that way.”
Jiao San looked at the several spots marked in red on the map.
“And do we really need to deal with the Wolf Clan tonight?”
“Yes, quick decisive action.” Lu Li nodded. “Afterward, we need to consider the matters on the Miasma Plain together. That is the most important.”
“Indeed. The Miasma Plain is normally a deadly poison for ordinary Yao, requiring True Yuan to suppress. But for a Beast Tide, it can provoke their ferocity.”
Lie Shi scratched his chin.
“Building a city there to hold the line while preventing Demon Soldiers and Demon Generals from other cities is no simple task.”
“That’s why we need to finish this battle within a day.”
Lu Li looked at the three who had now joined their alliance.
“Let’s move out.”
“We await the Celestial Fox Saintess’s arrival.”
Jiao San nodded, his body turning into rain that slowly dissipated, seeping into the dark clouds above with the wind.
After the Yao crowd left, Lu Li and Yuan He also cast two restrictions to block out the sounds outside.
“Tonight, we trouble Granny Xiu,” Lu Li said, bowing slightly to Xiu Popo.
“Sending you straight into the heart of enemy territory.”
“Not at all, Daoist Lu. I rarely went to the battlefield before, but now I feel rejuvenated.”
Xiu Popo’s face was glowing with health.
“When I play the role of Daoist Lu, I feel like I’ve suddenly returned to my maiden days.”
“Granny Xiu can have a good rest now. The second half of the plan may not be so easy.”
As Lu Li spoke, Xiu Popo nodded slightly and passed through the restriction with a smile.
“Also… thank you all for tonight, but there’s a slight unexpected situation.”
Lu Li looked at Liu Qingyun.
“Daoist Liu, I recall you have the Sword Zen of Sword to Bamboo Transformation. Why haven’t I seen you use it lately?”
“My Sword Zen has run into some issues, so I mainly use Sword Qi to fight now.” Liu Qingyun shook his head.
“With full True Yuan, it only achieves about seventy percent of its original power.”
“That will do. Do you need help?” Lu Li inquired.
“I at least have a superior-grade Sword Spiritual Root.”
“I would be much obliged.”
Liu Qingyun’s fingertip paused on his scabbard for a moment, as if recalling something extremely difficult to speak about.
Then, as if relieved of a burden, he removed the longsword from his waist.
Seeing this, Yuan He and Liu Qingxi also came to one side, carefully examining the map and organizing their storage bags.
“Speaking of which, I was just wanting to discuss Sword Zen with you, Daoist Liu.” Lu Li sat down facing Liu Qingyun.
“My Sword Zen senses the Sword Spiritual Root within me. What about you, Daoist Liu?”
“The Sword Zen of the Imperial Sword Sect is different. Generally, the higher the Spiritual Root, the more one would choose to resonate with it.” Liu Qingyun explained.
“Because Spiritual Roots often contain unique powers. For example, Yuan He’s Heavenly Eye, and Daoist Liu’s ability to tell fortunes.”
“However, even though we all have superior-grade Spiritual Roots, the lifebound sword spirits realized through Sword Zen can vary wildly in appearance and personality.” Liu Qingyun continued.
“Some people have a gentle disposition, but their lifebound sword spirit is extremely violent. If the two cannot be reconciled, cultivation can actually harm oneself.”
“I see… Sword Zen is essentially about infusing a part of one’s own traits into the sword.” Lu Li nodded, taking the opportunity to draw his Yin Yang Sword.
“Daoist Liu, does my Yin Yang Sword have a lifebound sword spirit?”
“Let me see.”
Liu Qingyun extended a finger, closed his eyes, and touched the blade’s surface.
After a few breaths, he opened his eyes and shook his head.
“There is no lifebound sword spirit. However, Daoist Lu hasn’t been cultivating for long. During this time, you can consult more with your Sword Spiritual Root.”
“Speaking of which, I’m not sure if this question is appropriate to ask.” In the sect, there weren’t many people Lu Li could discuss sword matters with, so he took the leisure to open up.
“Daoist Liu, what does your Sword Spiritual Root look like?”
“It takes my form. Spiritual Roots are granted by the Heavenly Dao and are initially formless.” Liu Qingyun explained.
“Since I practice the sword, the Spiritual Root naturally transforms into my own shape.”
“Then every move and stance is about comprehending the power contained within the Sword Spiritual Root itself.”
“I see…” Lu Li listened and nodded, but inwardly fell into even greater confusion.
‘My own Sword Spiritual Root is an old man calling himself A Yi.’
‘And Charm Spiritual Root Wan Wan is somewhat similar to me, but how does she also have an independent name?’
Shaking his head, Lu Li pulled the conversation back to Liu Qingyun’s longsword.
“So, Daoist Liu, what problem has your longsword encountered?”
“This… please feel free to examine it yourself, Daoist Lu.” Liu Qingyun placed the longsword in the middle and sighed regretfully.
“It’s truly a matter too difficult to speak of.”
“Then I’ll take the liberty.”
Lu Li also sat cross-legged, then enveloped the longsword with his Divine Sense.
In an instant, heaven and earth tilted. Before Lu Li could regain his senses, his ears were filled with the rustle of leaves and the gurgle of flowing water.
“Oh? Is this Liu Qingyun’s Sword Zen world?”
Lu Li swept his Divine Sense and confirmed he was standing in a bamboo grove.
But the bamboo grove was only about ten feet in size, and the outside world was shrouded in hazy fog.
If he reached out, he felt the fog congealed, like stone.
“Oh my, a visitor?”
Hearing these words, Lu Li immediately knew why Liu Qingyun’s Sword Zen was malfunctioning.
Because the one who spoke was a girl in a green skirt within the bamboo grove.
The girl had a dainty figure, about 16 years old, with a sword at her waist, and she smiled, showing her teeth.
“Sister Lu! You were amazing today!” As she spoke, the girl sat down in a pavilion within the bamboo grove, then bowed her head as if complaining or acting spoiled.
“It’s just that Liu Qingyun refuses to use me in battle.”
“That’s understandable.”
Looking at the girl’s appearance, Lu Li suddenly understood.
He had also read relevant books.
Different heavenly treasures and divine herbs each have their own spirituality.
When further catalyzed by the Sword Spiritual Root and imbued with the owner’s temperament and experiences, over time, they give birth to a unique ‘lifebound sword spirit’ belonging to the Sword Cultivator.
And upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, the lifebound sword spirit can also take a transformed form.
If it were a rare flower or herb, or a strange beast, that would be one thing.
But Liu Qingyun, who had never been close to women, naturally didn’t know how to treat a lifebound sword spirit in the form of a young girl.
Liu Qingyun was male, but his lifebound sword spirit was female.
If he wanted to follow the sword spirit’s will, his stance and moves would lean toward the agility of a young girl.
This was completely different from Liu Qingyun’s previous broad and vigorous style.
As a result, Liu Qingyun’s original sweeping sword style conflicted with the agile momentum of his lifebound sword spirit.
Coupled with his internal resistance, the power of his sword moves was naturally weakened.
“Then I’ll trouble Sister Lu to help persuade Liu Qingyun more. I really want to fight alongside him.” The girl bowed to Lu Li.
“The recent trip to the Yao Kingdom has been brutal, but no matter what, he refuses to use me.”
“Cherishing a beauty—I can understand that.”
Sighing, Lu Li agreed.
‘Putting myself in his shoes, if I were male and my lifebound sword spirit was a young girl, I’d probably need time to accept it too.’
In reason and emotion, it would be beneficial for Liu Qingyun to accept this girl lifebound sword spirit.
After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Lu Li opened his eyes and looked at Liu Qingyun, who was silent.
His knuckles pressed against the scabbard, turning slightly white.
Obviously, as the owner of the longsword, he could vaguely sense the previous conversation.
“Daoist Liu, the sword spirit girl has spoken.” Lu Li conveyed the sword spirit’s words.
“It’s good for yourself, for her, and for our journey to the Yao Kingdom.”
“Daoist Lu, in matters of great principle, I understand. If you all encounter danger tonight, I will indeed fight side by side with my lifebound sword spirit.” Liu Qingyun nodded.
“I swear it. But on ordinary days… I need to think it over.”
“Since I have your promise,” Lu Li said, standing up and looking at the crescent moon that had already shifted.
“Let’s set out. Time to deal with the tough nut of Blackstone City.”
“The Wolf Clan, and Wolf Commander.”