System Possession, One Sword Shocks the Gods

25: The journey home is fraught with hidden undercurrents.The bandit-suppressing team set off on their return journey.

The team of more than ten people had dwindled to a mere seven or eight, all wounded and with low morale. The contempt and isolation they once felt for Ye Chen had long been replaced by deep awe and fear. Chen Feng, in particular, looked dejected throughout the journey, his eyes darting about, not daring to make any moves. He even deliberately lagged a few steps behind Ye Chen to show his respect.

Ye Chen didn’t care at all. Having broken through to the Kaiyuan Realm First Layer, the spiritual energy in his body surged incessantly, its quality far superior to before, and his perception of the surrounding world had become much sharper. As he traveled, he silently familiarized himself with his new strength while diverting a strand of his consciousness to explore the Storage Pouch he had taken from Hei Sha.

Spirit Stones were piled like a mountain, with a rough estimate of no less than five thousand. There were also various bottles and jars of Medicinal Pills; although most were not of High Grade, the quantity was substantial. These resources would be enough for him to use for a long time.

His attention was mainly focused on the complete Blood Burning Art Secret Manual and that half of the ”parent-child communication jade.”

The content of the Blood Burning Art was sinister, overdrawing potential by burning essence blood in exchange for power. The deeper one cultivated, the faster they would die, and their spiritual energy would become chaotic and violent, while their Heart-Nature would gradually twist. Ye Chen memorized the contents after a brief read, then released spiritual energy from his palm, vibrating it into powder. Keeping such a thing would only cause harm.

As for the half of the parent-child communication jade, it felt warm and cool to the touch. A faint trace of spiritual energy fluctuation remained at the fracture, originating from the same source as Lin Batian’s aura. This was ironclad evidence! But he didn’t take it out immediately. Now was not the time; he needed to choose the most appropriate moment to maximize the effect of this evidence.

”By now, Lin Batian must already know the news that the Black Wind Stockade has been wiped out and Hei Sha has been executed, right?” Ye Chen sneered inwardly, ”I wonder how you will react?”

With a slight movement of his Divine Sense, he quietly connected to the System.

[host: Ye Chen]

[Realm: Kaiyuan Realm First Layer]

[Cultivation Technique: Basic Qi Guiding Art (System Modified Version)]

[Skills: Wind Shadow Sword Art (Fusion Prototype, Mastery), Wind Chasing Sword Art (Well-Versed)]

[Sword Intent: Explosion (Weak), Nirvana (Extremely Weak)]

[System Points: 100]

[Items: Golden Sword Amulet x1, Fragmented parent-child communication jade (Child Jade) x1...]

With the Realm Breakthrough, his strength had skyrocketed. Under the influence of life-and-death combat and Sword Intent Fusion, his proficiency in the ”Wind Shadow Sword Art” had also risen to ”Mastery.” More importantly, he had finally officially possessed his own Sword Intent. Though it was still very weak, he had already stepped onto the path of the true Dao of the sword.

”System, are there any new functions unlocked after breaking through to the Kaiyuan Realm?” Ye Chen asked in his mind.

[Detected host Breakthrough to the Kaiyuan Realm, System permissions increased.]

[New function unlocked: Deep Analysis. Can perform more in-depth analysis and derivation optimization on the host’s own state, Cultivation Technique, Martial Skill, and even external items.]

[New module unlocked: sword intent furnace (Elementary). Sword Intent fragments of different attributes can be put into the furnace. There is a certain chance to fuse and generate a new Sword Intent prototype that better fits the host, or strengthen existing Sword Intent. (Note: There is a chance of failure in Fusion, which may result in Sword Intent conflict and damage.)]

Deep Analysis! sword intent furnace!

Ye Chen was overjoyed. These two new functions were simply like sending charcoal in a blizzard for him!

Deep Analysis could help him better understand himself and optimize his Cultivation Techniques and sword skills. And the sword intent furnace solved his current problem of having absorbed Sword Intents that were too diverse and difficult to unify! Although there were risks, the opportunities were even greater!

”Perform a Deep Analysis on the ’Basic Qi Guiding Art’ immediately!” Ye Chen ordered. He urgently needed a higher-rank Cultivation Technique to replace his current Bottleneck.

[Starting Deep Analysis of Basic Qi Guiding Art (System Modified Version)... Analyzing...]

[Analysis complete. This technique has been optimized to the limit of the current version. Grade determination: Yellow Rank High Grade. Cannot be directly derived to the Profound Rank.]

[Suggestion: Obtain a Profound Rank or higher Cultivation Technique as a reference template, or consume a large amount of System points for forced derivation (current points insufficient).]

As expected, it didn’t work. Ye Chen wasn’t disappointed; this was within his expectations. It seemed that exchanging for the Azure Origin Sword Art was imperative.

”It seems I need to gather those three thousand points as soon as possible.” His gaze swept over his identity jade token. The mission rewards for wiping out the Black Wind Stockade had not yet been issued, but they surely wouldn’t be small. Combined with the Spirit Stones in Hei Sha’s Storage Pouch, exchanging for the Azure Origin Sword Art should not be a problem.

The return journey was much smoother than the journey there. Most powerful Yao Beasts sensed the faint Kaiyuan Realm aura emanating from Ye Chen and avoided him from afar. In only half the time it took to arrive, the magnificent mountain gate of Tianfeng Academy was already in sight.

Upon returning to the academy, Chen Feng immediately led the remaining men to the Law Enforcement Hall to report back, looking dejected. Ye Chen parted ways with them at the mountain gate and went straight back to his Ding-Character Courtyard.

He needed to first stabilize the Realm he had just broken through to and thoroughly digest the gains from this bandit suppression.

However, the tree wants to be still but the wind won’t stop.

Not long after he returned to the courtyard, the gate was knocked on.

Two people stood outside the door. They were not Law Enforcement Hall Disciples, but two young men wearing Inner Court attire! One of them Ye Chen actually recognized—it was the silent old man who had appeared with Ye Qingxue that day, Uncle Fu! Only now he had changed into the attire of an Inner Court Deacon, his aura as deep as the sea.

The other person was a handsome young man in purple robes with a somewhat arrogant gaze. His cultivation had surprisingly reached the Kaiyuan Realm Fifth Level! A magnificent long sword hung at his waist, which was clearly no ordinary item.

”Young Master Ye Chen.” Uncle Fu slightly bowed when he saw Ye Chen, his attitude even more respectful than before. Clearly, the news of Ye Chen’s performance at the Black Wind Stockade and his Breakthrough to the Kaiyuan Realm had reached the Ye family.

The purple-robed young man only gave Ye Chen a faint glance. His gaze lingered for a moment on the qingfeng sword on his back, a flicker of hard-to-detect surprise passing through his eyes before he resumed his arrogance.

”Uncle Fu, who is this?” Ye Chen looked at the purple-robed young man.

”This is an Inner Court Disciple, Senior Brother Murong Bai,” Uncle Fu introduced. ”Senior Brother Murong was sent by the Eldest Young Miss to discuss important matters with the Young Master.”

Murong Bai? Ye Chen’s heart stirred. He had some impression of this name; he seemed to be a quite famous Genius in the Inner Court and one of Ye Qingxue’s suitors.

”Junior Brother Ye, congratulations on breaking through to the Kaiyuan Realm,” Murong Bai spoke, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. ”Junior Sister Qingxue asked me to bring a message to you. Lin Batian already knows about the Black Wind Stockade matter and is beyond furious. Although he doesn’t dare to move against you openly within the academy, he has already persuaded his nephew, Inner Court Disciple Lin Hong, to personally ’guide’ you at the Outer Court Minor Competition in three months.”

Lin Hong? Ye Chen’s gaze narrowed. He had heard of this person; he was a famous expert in the Inner Court, and his cultivation was said to have reached the Kaiyuan Realm Seventh Level. He was one of Lin Batian’s greatest reliances.

”Furthermore,” Murong Bai continued, his tone carrying a hint of charity, ”Junior Sister Qingxue, considering that your cultivation is not easy, specifically asked me to bring the rubbings of the first two layers of the Azure Origin Sword Art to help you improve your strength before the Minor Competition. I hope you will conduct yourself well and not fail Junior Sister Qingxue’s painstaking efforts.”

Saying that, he took out a pale green Jade Slip and handed it over.

Ye Chen looked at the Jade Slip but didn’t take it immediately. He appreciated Ye Qingxue’s kindness, but Murong Bai’s posture made him a bit displeased.

”Thank my Cousin Qingxue for me,” Ye Chen said calmly. ”However, regarding the matter of the Cultivation Technique, I have my own plans. I won’t trouble Senior Brother Murong to worry about it.”

Murong Bai’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and his Face instantly darkened. He didn’t expect that an Outer Court Disciple who had just entered the Kaiyuan Realm would actually dare to brush off his Face!

Seeing this, Uncle Fu quickly tried to smooth things over: ”Young Master, the Eldest Young Miss also means well. This Azure Origin Sword Art is indeed suitable for a Sword Cultivator...”

”Uncle Fu, I understand,” Ye Chen interrupted. ”Please tell my Cousin that I accept her kind intentions. But as for the Cultivation Technique, I will rely on my own ability to exchange for it at the Scripture Pavilion.”

Murong Bai snorted coldly and retracted the Jade Slip, his gaze becoming sharp: ”It seems Junior Brother Ye is very confident. Fine, I hope that in the Minor Competition three months from now, you won’t disappoint me and Junior Sister Qingxue. Farewell!”

After saying that, he flicked his sleeve and turned away, turning into a streak of light and departing.

Uncle Fu sighed and said to Ye Chen: ”Young Master, Senior Brother Murong is proud and arrogant. Why did you have to...”

”It’s fine,” Ye Chen said indifferently. ”My Dao does not need to depend on others’ whims. Uncle Fu, thank my Cousin for me. Also, help me keep an eye on the recent movements of Lin Hong and Lin Batian.”

”Yes, this old servant understands.” Uncle Fu respectfully complied and also took his leave.

The courtyard gate closed, and Ye Chen’s gaze gradually turned cold.

”Lin Hong... Kaiyuan Realm Seventh Level... specifically naming me for ’guidance’ at the Minor Competition?” A cold arc curled at the corner of his mouth. ”It seems someone can’t wait to strangle me at the very beginning of my rise.”

The pressure was greater than ever before.

But in Ye Chen’s heart, an even stronger fighting spirit was ignited.

”Three months... that’s enough!”

He sat down cross-legged, his consciousness sinking into the System.

”System, activate the sword intent furnace! Put the ’Sharp Metal,’ ’Flowing Water,’ ’Heavy Mountain’... and other basic Sword Intent fragments into the furnace and attempt Fusion!”

[sword intent furnace (Elementary) activated... Sword Intent fragments added... Starting Fusion...]

[Fusing... Estimated time: 72 hours.]

[Warning: Risks exist in the Fusion process. Please keep the host’s mind stable.]

In his mind, an illusory furnace seemed to appear, with Sword Intent fragments of various colors floating, colliding, and intertwining within it, making sizzling sounds.

Ye Chen steadied his mind, no longer paying attention to the furnace, and began to circulate his Cultivation Technique with all his strength to consolidate his Kaiyuan Realm First Layer cultivation while familiarizing himself with his new power.

The qingfeng sword lay quietly across his knees, as if it were also accumulating strength, waiting for the next time it would be unsheathed.

The Minor Competition three months later would be the stage where he would Face powerful enemies and truly make a name for himself!