“Oh…”
A faint chill, carried by the morning autumn wind, seeped through the wide-open window. It felt like a cool hand, gently caressing the face of the youth slumbering peacefully on the soft bed.
The slumbering youth possessed long, soft, silver-blue hair, reminiscent of moonlight, and a breathtakingly exquisite face, sculpted with what could only be described as divine craftsmanship.
Awakened by the autumn breeze, the youth gradually stirred from their slumber, their eyes flashing open in an instant.
A deep violet left eye met a vibrant, rose-red right eye. Twin pupils of purple and red—the youth possessed such stunning heterochromia, a sight truly rare among ten thousand.
“I… hadn’t I already… What exactly is this…?”
At that moment, profound bewilderment and questions swirled within those exquisite heterochromatic eyes. You’er abruptly ripped off his loose pajamas and rushed to the mirror in the room, his gaze almost vacant as he stared at the unfamiliar yet strangely familiar body, as white as jade, reflected in the glass.
There was no mistake; this was his body, the one from two years prior… his physique, his face, his eyes.
Yet, that was precisely what made it so strange!
He had clearly already… already…
“These past two years… the two years I experienced… could they all have been a dream?”
A bewildered tremor escaped You’er’s lips; he was compelled to question, unable to shake off the confusion.
Lifting his gaze to the mirror, he noticed his hair, specifically the pure, hauntingly beautiful blue shimmering within its tips.
“No! This isn’t a dream! Noelle Noah… Noelle Noah…”
You’er cried out repeatedly, turning to search. Finally, by his pillow, he found a pendant emitting a faint blue spiritual glow—a soul crystal containing Noelle Noah’s soul.
You’er clutched the pendant tightly to his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. His desolate cries were accompanied by clear tears that quickly soaked the quilt.
“Ahem… It seems this old man has arrived at an inopportune moment.”
After You’er had cried for a considerable time, a dry, aged cough suddenly broke the silence. The room door opened, revealing an affable, elderly man, stooped with age, carrying a tea tray.
“Not at all… Hello, venerable elder, you saved me, didn’t you?”
Unexpectedly, someone had entered, causing You’er to pause, momentarily stunned. He shook his head, wiped away his tears, and slipped on his pajamas. Walking over, he took the tea tray from the old man, asking him as he did so.
“Saved you? No, no, no, this old man possesses no such ability! Haha, it’s quite cold out; drink some tea to warm yourself first.”
The elderly man, having entered, poured a cup of tea for You’er before offering it to him.
“Thank you! Elder, I wanted to ask…”
You’er took the teacup, poised to speak, but the old man raised a withered hand first, smiling as he addressed him, “Little one, I understand the doubts in your heart, but this old man cannot tell you these things.”
“Why?”
You’er frowned.
“I apologize, but the reason cannot be disclosed either,” the old man said, his tone shifting calmly. He continued, “However, there are other things that might be quite important to you, which this old man can tell you about.”
“Please do, elder.”
You’er sighed, knowing he wouldn’t get the answers he sought from the old man, and so he simply followed the old man’s lead.
“That pendant in your hand, it contains a soul, doesn’t it? This old man can tell you plainly: she is still alive.”
The old man, stroking his beard, appeared truly ethereal and wise. The words that followed immediately after stirred up a tempest in You’er’s heart.
“Elder! You truly… truly have a way to save her?! Please, I beg you, save her! Whatever the conditions… whatever the price, I will agree to it!”
You’er’s body abruptly shot up, and he knelt heavily before the old man, pleading with him in the most fervent and sincere tone.
“What a deeply affectionate child. The girl sleeping within must be very happy indeed.”
The old man gazed kindly at You’er, raising a hand to steady him, preventing him from continuing to kowtow. He then stated, “I do indeed have a way to save her, and I don’t require you to promise any conditions or pay any price. However, saving her requires a prerequisite…”
“Please tell me, elder!”
You’er tightly clasped the old man’s hand, looking up at him with eager, burning eyes.
“Your strength must reach Sword Saint and beyond!”
The old man, his withered eyelids slightly drooping, uttered these astonishing words.
Sword Saint…
A title synonymous with the pinnacle of power on the Arnorra Continent!
The old man had not imposed any conditions on You’er, yet he had placed an insurmountable mountain before him. To ascend from Great Swordsman to Sword Saint, one had to traverse through the ranks of Swordsman, Great Swordsman, Sword Sect, Sword Emperor, and Sword Venerable. Each level, each rank, each tier, represented a vast and unbridgeable chasm.
“I understand! I will do it—enter the Saint Domain, become a Sword Saint! In the shortest possible time…”
You’er, however, made his promise with such resolute and determined words.
“Good! The little one has ambition! If one day you achieve the Saint Domain, return to this old man. This old man will certainly not break his word! Here, take this; it’s a welcoming gift from this old man. I suspect you’ll like it.”
The old man clapped You’er on the shoulder, letting out a hearty laugh that belied his age. Then, he presented a blunted sword, still in its sheath, to You’er.
You’er nodded, reaching out to take the sword. However, a moment of carelessness almost caused him to drop it. The sword’s weight was astonishing; its mere one-meter blade felt as heavy as several hundred pounds.
“This sword is named—‘Hidden Blade’! Little one, what do you think?”
The old man, a smile playing on his lips, looked at You’er and asked with evident interest.
“’Hidden Blade’… it is truly an excellent sword! Many thanks for your generous gift, elder!”
You’er attempted to infuse the Hidden Blade with ice magic, immediately discovering the sword’s miraculous nature. Without his conscious effort, the magic within flowed spontaneously, forming two shimmering, icy blue sword edges where the blade had originally been blunt! A treasured sword, its edge hidden, its power concealed! The name ‘Hidden Blade’ likely originated from this very quality.
After sheathing ‘Hidden Blade’ and placing it by his side, You’er turned to the old man, offering a solemn cupped-fist salute of gratitude.
“There’s no need for thanks; this old man might need your help someday too, you know.”
The old man, stroking his beard, offered a mysterious smile.
“Should the need arise, I hope you will not hesitate to ask, elder!”
You’er responded with such gravity.
“Alright then… little one, your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. Before you return to your optimal state, you should stay here with this old man for a while.”
The old man abruptly changed the subject, and after leaving these words, he exited the room.
‘Who exactly is this venerable elder…?’
Watching the door gently close again, You’er drank the tea on the tray, which had already cooled, quietly wondering to himself.
The old man was right; You’er’s current state was not ideal. Rather than simply ‘not ideal,’ it was profoundly strange. Yet, he couldn’t quite articulate what felt so peculiar.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, You’er’s consciousness gradually delved into his mind, entering the Divine Tree Space.
The moment he saw the Divine Tree Space, You’er was stunned. The Divine Sword-Tree within had transformed from a single entity into two! Two Divine Sword-Trees, one on the left and one on the right, now pierced the sky, completely filling the space.
You’er couldn’t find the words to describe the shock that churned within him.
When had this transformation begun?
You’er suddenly understood what felt amiss: his mental energy was considerably weaker than usual, seemingly absorbed by this second Divine Sword-Tree.
Furthermore, in the past, he had always connected with the outside world through his Soul Eye. Now, his physical eyes had miraculously regained their sight, yet his Soul Eye had inexplicably fallen into a dormant state.
You’er first checked the Divine Soul-Tree, as he noticed it differed from its usual condition, appearing somewhat dimmer and less vibrant. He attempted to communicate with it but received no feedback, ultimately confirming that the Divine Soul-Tree, like his Soul Eye, had fallen into dormancy.
Was this some kind of cruel joke?
You’er’s mouth twitched. The Divine Soul-Tree and Divine Soul Sword Arts were the foundation of his survival and the bedrock of his strength. If he could no longer use them…
However, one point offered him slight comfort: the Divine Soul-Tree’s current state wouldn’t last too long. This feeling, though sudden, was undeniably real.
Harboring both anticipation and apprehension, You’er gradually approached the second Divine Sword-Tree, a tree that emanated a dazzling silver radiance, flowing both upwards and downwards.
This Divine Sword-Tree pulsed with immense vitality. Unlike the current Divine Soul-Tree, it was undoubtedly in an active state!
‘Extreme Sword Arts Tree!’
These were the characters carved into the exposed hilt of this silver-radiant tree, also serving as its name.
To You’er’s immense surprise and delight, the Divine Tree contained another set of sword arts—a set different from the Divine Soul Sword Arts, yet in no way inferior: the Extreme Sword Arts!
The Extreme Sword Divine Tree seemed to sense You’er’s approach, actively lowering its branches in welcome.
Unlike the Divine Soul-Tree, which had initially been like a stranger, the Extreme Sword Divine Tree before him showed immediate affinity for You’er.
The Extreme Sword Divine Tree’s enthusiasm caught You’er off guard. Seeing four sword-blade-like branches extending towards him, his heart gradually swelled with elation.
For each of these four branches bore a crystal fruit!
It was in similar fruits that You’er had previously acquired three complete forms of the Divine Soul Sword Arts.
“Um… may I…?”
Faced with the Extreme Sword Divine Tree’s eager welcome, You’er found himself a little embarrassed. He gestured towards the crystal fruits, hesitating slightly as he spoke to the Divine Tree.
Rustle~~~
Unexpectedly, the Extreme Sword Divine Tree swayed its branches, agreeing quite readily.
“Thank you, then I won’t be polite.”
You’er offered a deep bow of thanks, then stepped forward, reaching out to pluck all four fruits simultaneously. Unlike the Divine Soul-Tree, which used consciousness as a medium, the sword arts from the Extreme Sword Divine Tree might not be as complex.
The Extreme Sword Divine Tree’s crystal fruits were smaller than those of the Divine Soul-Tree, easily held in one hand. You’er pressed them one by one to his brow, extending his mental energy to absorb the information within.
Undoubtedly, these were four complete forms of sword arts!
Their names were, respectively: Drawing Sword Art, Sword Wind Thrust, Sword Arc Return, and Vertical Sword Triple Strike!
You’er had already encountered many drawing sword techniques, from witnessing Heggel Gale perform them to mastering them himself. However, those were merely fragmented, disorganized drawing sword techniques.
The Drawing Sword Art he now held, obtained from the Extreme Sword Divine Tree, was incomparably detailed and standardized; the two simply couldn’t be compared!
Sword Wind Thrust was a linear, semi-dashing sword art. Its dash distance was short, only a few meters, but its impact force was powerful, capable of generating wind pressure to repel enemies.
Sword Arc Return was an arc-shaped, long-range attack sword art. The thrown sword would arc and could even be recalled after being cast.
Finally, the Vertical Sword Triple Strike was the most astonishing sword art to You’er. This technique was actually a warping, three-stage dashing sword art!
Indeed! A full three stages! The direction of each dash could be changed, and the maximum distance for each dash extended up to twenty meters!
This was a terrifying statistic. You’er could even foresee the expressions of despair on the faces of the mages he would encounter in the future.
If he had possessed this Vertical Sword Triple Strike back then, Galakriffin would likely have been unable to capture him with just those three spells!
Undoubtedly, these four forms of Extreme Sword Arts were all extremely powerful and practical. This was an unexpected delight, yet the joy was so immense that it even overshadowed You’er’s worry about being unable to use the Divine Soul Sword Arts for the time being.
This was an opportunity; he could use this period to thoroughly hone these sword arts.
Resisting the urge to immediately leap out of the room to practice his sword arts, You’er knew he first needed to reassess his condition and master this body, which felt both familiar and strange.
Through introspection, You’er examined his current physical state.
Having already died once, the curse from the Shadow Demon Spirit had been broken, so his skin and flesh would no longer rot; they were now quite vibrant.
His level remained at late-stage Great Swordsman, and his internal magic was abundant. He believed it wouldn’t be long before he truly broke through to the Swordsman rank. After all, his previous ability to unleash formidable power comparable to a high-tier Swordsman or even a Great Swordsman was due to activating the Dark Seed.
Speaking of the Dark Seed, he had no idea where it had gone; he couldn’t find it even after searching his entire body. However, You’er couldn’t be bothered with it. Without the suppression of his Soul Eye and Divine Soul-Tree, he wouldn’t dare activate the Dark Seed even if he found it.
Ultimately, his ability to control the Dark Seed freely was thanks to the Divine Soul-Tree and Soul Eye. Now that both were dormant, it was best to save himself the trouble.
The traces of the blade scar on his cheek were gone. While it felt quite miraculous, considering that the person who saved him could even bring people back from the dead, such a matter was no longer surprising.
The only thing that perplexed You’er was his eyes. Although they were indeed incredibly similar to his own, You’er knew very well that his eyes had been gouged out by the Eternal Night Empire long ago; it was impossible for them to have grown back.
‘Forget it, I won’t think about it anymore. I should recover my depleted mental energy first.’
After much contemplation yielded no answers, You’er shook his head, temporarily casting aside those questions, and closed his eyes.