Although Fang Xing had been able to feel the Sword Embryo’s extraordinary presence in the Sword Mound and could tell it wasn’t any weaker than the five other colored Sword Embryos, its presence had been so violent and ruthless he hadn’t dared to so readily fuse with it. Of course, the Sword Embryo had forcibly fused itself with him regardless and he had no choice but to accept it in the end, which meant it was inevitable he’d cross roads with this Sword Embryo while walking his path of cultivation in the future. Since this was the case, why not try to resolve it in advance so a part of its power could be borrowed sooner rather than later?

　　Sword Embryos were spiritual beings that could grow and be nurtured alongside the cultivator. Furthermore, not only did the Sword Embryos have their own innate power, but they also contained the ancient techniques of the Flying Swords that had been lost to history. Information about such techniques found in secret records mentioned such things as “the user opens their mouth and shoots out a white beam of light that kills the enemy from a thousand miles away”; what kind of person wouldn’t be moved by this?

　　The method to obtain such ancient techniques was very simple: through the Sword Embryo. The Sword Embryo was a spiritual being from these ancient Flying Swords, and it stood to reason the techniques could be gained from them. Simply put, as long as someone was able to contract and communicate with a Sword Embryo and reached a certain cultivation level, they’d be able to master the techniques of those ancient Flying Swords.

　　This black Sword Embryo was a little different, however. When it flew into his Sea of Consciousness, it went directly into the foggy area and there’d been zero communication between the two of them even up to now. It was like a lazy eel at the bottom of a pond, and although Fang Xing tried to communicate with it several times already, yet it there hadn’t been even a single word in response—it hadn’t even replied with spirit sense, as though it was sleeping the entire time. He would have simply let it be if things were more peaceful, but there was a steep challenge ahead of him and he couldn’t show such consideration any longer.

　　“Black Sword Embryo, come out and have a chat with me….” Fang Xing’s True Spirit stood outside the fog and sent his spirit sense inside the fog like a yell. He’d learned his lesson from before and didn’t dare to barge into the foggy area himself, otherwise he’d just end up slammed back into the waking world.

　　Fang Xing’s message entered the fog like a large stone sinking into the ocean, yet there was no response. Fang Xing wasn’t willing to give up, however, and so after a long while he continued, “That ugly black sword, come and chat with your little grandpa!”

　　Silence. Nothing moved.

　　Annoyed, Fang Xing began to curse out, “Damn your uncle, what great arrogance you have! Not a single thing has entered my Sea of Consciousness that I haven’t been able to make use of. The Book of Revelation, the True Samadhi Fire, which one of them hasn’t been under my command? Even that sword light has helped your little grandpa once! So what’s with your arrogance? When your little grandpa increases his cultivation level high enough, I’ll make sure to get rid of you!”

　　The fog was still silent even after Fang Xing sent his spirit sense inside, but the fog did seem to shift a bit as something changed within. Fang Xing even somewhat felt a sense of anger rising from inside.

　　Knowing there was some hope, he started cursing even louder, “You broken sword that is ugly as hell, you’ve forcibly fused with your little grandpa here but you won’t pass me the Flying Sword techniques nor will you listen to my commands. You do know it was I who rescued you from that Sword Mound, right? Where is your conscience? I’m telling you now, your little grandpa here is going to do something very dangerous soon, and if I die you won’t be much better off inside my Sea of Consciousness—you’ll disappear and be gone for good!”

　　There was suddenly a loud explosion like the crack of thunder before a powerful and vicious spirit sense came flying out.

　　Fang Xing had prepared himself well in advance. He flew out a long distance before carefully inspecting the changes inside the fog, and he was relieved to see that the black Sword Embryo hadn’t been provoked enough to come out from the fog to challenge him—the sword had only sent out a mere spirit sense, which floated above the Sea of Consciousness.

　　The spirit sense turned into a transparent black light without any murderous intent and transformed into a voice that resounded off into the distance. “If you lack strength, trying to fend off powerful enemies isn’t the act of a hero, but a fool. If you are determined to go, no one will stop you. I give this technique to you, study it yourself. If you are incapable of understanding it, then don’t bother seeking me out before reaching the Budding Soul Stage!”

　　Fang Xing looked warily towards the fog. “Nn? Shouldn’t you be under my control?” he loudly asked.

　　The black sword didn’t seem to care in the slightest. “Pff, with your current level, what qualifications do you have to control me? I chose you because I simply wanted to pick a better container. Off you go with that technique, and do not disturb me again without a good reason!” The Sword Embryo’s voice was filled with authority, and it lapsed back into the same silence as before once it was finished.

　　Fang Xing continued to shout for a while trying to negotiate or challenge, but the big black sword had become utterly mute. “Well, at least there was still some benefit to all that yelling…” Fang Xing sighed out. Although he still didn’t have any control over this black sword, at least he’d managed to forcesomething out of it.

　　His True Spirit remained to the side while carefully investigating the black light, and he was relieved to find nothing abnormal about it. He remembered how the black sword said it chose him as its “container” and he reasoned there naturally wouldn’t be any reason for it to try to actively destroy him, so he went ahead and swallowed the entire light whole. After a brief moment, detailed information began to pass through his mind….

　　Fang Xing meditated over it for a long time before he finally understood the purpose of this technique. Contrary to what he’d originally expected, this technique wasn’t any kind of sword-based spell at all, and it could be said it wasn’t even a spell in the first place; it was a technique that used Qi to hide the user combined with skills that allowed for instant movement. If it had to be described, it was a technique specially tailored for battle cultivators and—strictly speaking—was similar to the martial arts of the ordinary realm. This technique also didn’t seem to have a name nor identifiable rank, making it difficult to see its quality.

　　After looking at it for a while, Fang Xing indignantly yelled at the fog once more, “You think your little grandpa is so easily satisfied? What happened to the ancient Flying Sword technique? Hurry and hand it over to me, or else don’t stay in your little grandpa’s Sea of Consciousness—”

　　Fang Xing had wanted to yell a few more curses, but the black sword unexpectedly decided not to bother with him any longer and the fog crashed towards him like a tidal wave. Fang Xing was sent flying, and it caused such a shock that he wound up returning to the waking world once more.

　　Some time afterwards, Fang Xing was so annoyed and angry he loudly cursed, “That damned bastard is even more arrogant than I am! Does he really think he’s my uncle?”

　　“You scared me just then!” The golden crow had been flying through the air with Fang Xing on his back. He hadn’t noticed Fang Xing enter his Sea of Consciousness, and he was completely caught off guard to hear him suddenly start cursing out. “What the hell are you cursing at?”

　　“Cursing at a bastard. How is that Sword Embryo of yours?”

　　“I’ve only just started communicating with it and we’re working on our relationship right now. Why do you ask?”

　　Fang Xing felt even more annoyed to hear this; why was only his black Sword Embryo so difficult deal with? This was a critical moment and he’d intended to use this black sword to boost his power, yet the black Sword Embryo wasn’t helpful at all and simply mandated he study the technique he’d been given. It had to be mentioned, however, that the tactics and movements of this nameless technique were all focused on close combat and suited Fang Xing quite nicely. It was unfortunate such combat skills were often not very high quality.

　　—

　　At the Qing-Yun Sect, a punishment platform one hundred feet tall had been raised, and on the platform with giant purple and gold pillars clad in iron locks, a black-bearded old man could be seen. His bare upper torso was covered in blood and sword wounds, and over those wounds were patches of burnt skin sealing off the blood. Eight purple flags floated above his head and gathered clouds, while in front of him were a hundred ancient bronze swords flecked with blood.

　　The group of battle cultivators responsible for conducting the punishment had lined up below the platform, alongside experts in alchemy, medicine, and those who could control lightning—a group that had been specifically handpicked by the Huangfu clan to conduct this torturous punishment. Only six of the Qing-Yun Sect’s original seven peaks remained after the Meat-Wine Monk took one of them, and a cultivator sat at the peak of the remaining five.

　　The person sitting at the centermost peak was a Golden Core Stage cultivator from the Huangfu clan, while the other four peaks had Golden Core masters from the Nine Songs, Fiery Cloud, Shaken Cloud, and Black Swamp tribes. These five were in charge of guarding the place and were specifically waiting for Fang Xing’s arrival. Their bodies were hidden and difficult to spot, but their spirit sense covered a full hundred miles, ensuring they would instantly have control over the situation the moment Fang Xing arrived.

　　Five Golden Cores had been deployed for the sake of a single person—the hatred the Huangfu clan felt towards Fang Xing was very obvious. The entirety of the Qing-Yun Sect had become like a giant cage just waiting for Fang Xing to enter, and within that cage was Tie Rukuang who was in such a sorry shape his body almost didn’t look human.