The Birth of Sword God-Chapter 113 - 108: Dominating an Era, the Jinxed One
"[Ding! Congratulations, you have cleared the instance—Annulus.]"
Chu Huaixu heard the system notification sound in his ear.
Below the ice lake, the mirrored world was full of contradictions.
Barren trees and fresh buds, youth and white hair.
Death and rebirth, all seemed intertwined, presenting together.
Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang, at this moment, began to face "death."
Their consciousnesses fell into brief chaos, as if all vitality vanished, like truly being robbed of life.
The whole world began to turn upside down!
The mirrored world under the ice lake began to flip upward.
The world above the ice lake, meanwhile, gradually shattered in the process of flipping downward.
As everything beneath the ice returned to its path, those dead trees sprouting new buds rapidly became lush and flourishing.
The two youths, heads full of white hair, watched as white at their temples quickly turned jet black again.
"Thump—thump—!"
Their hearts, which had paused, began to beat again, faster and stronger with each pulse!
A few breaths later, Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang suddenly opened their eyes at the same time!
Immediately, both of them were gasping for air, as if they’d been suffocating.
They exchanged a look, an odd sense of narrowly escaping death between them.
It was really like they’d just made a trip to Ghost Gate and back.
Now, at this moment, both Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang had reverted to their original youthful looks.
But for some reason, as they looked at each other’s young faces, images of the other slowly aging still surfaced in their minds—countless scenes, as if they’d lived a "short life" together in the Secret Realm.
...
...
In Chu Huaixu’s Character Panel, an extra point in comprehension had appeared, the reward for clearing the instance.
Compared to a whole point of comprehension, the experience points rewarded for clearing were almost like a bonus—just over 20,000.
But whatever the case, he’d spent a lot to learn techniques before; now, with over twenty thousand more, he again had a reserve of nearly forty thousand experience points.
Of course, in this Secret Realm, the biggest winner was obviously Han Shuangjiang.
With only First Realm Fourth Heaven cultivation, she had, relying on the Observatory Master’s legacy and her own monstrous talent, comprehended Sword Intent!
If those sword maniacs in the Sword Sect learned of this, they’d probably have their jaws drop to the ground.
"Congratulations," Chu Huaixu said to Han Shuangjiang.
The two were still sitting cross-legged, facing each other atop the frozen lake.
"You could tell I grasped Sword Intent?" Han Shuangjiang sounded a bit surprised.
Because it was only in the final moment that she fully comprehended it.
Back then, when she opened her eyes, she saw the much-aged Chu Huaixu smile at her, but he had no strength left to open his eyes again.
"Mn, I knew the moment you formed Sword Intent." Chu Huaixu nodded.
Big Ice Cube couldn’t help but want to ask about his gains, because in her eyes, his talent far surpassed her own.
But his next words indirectly gave her the answer.
"Because I have already entered the Realm of Sword Heart Clarity," Chu Huaixu responded calmly.
Only then did Han Shuangjiang remember what she’d overlooked.
It made her realize she still had a long way to go.
Ever a bit competitive, she started warning herself against getting cocky—comprehending Sword Intent wasn’t all that, after all; she hadn’t even touched the threshold of Sword Heart. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
But Chu Huaixu was always talented at giving people emotional value; he added, "But your Sword Intent—I can feel it—its Person is very high, it’s extraordinary."
Sword Intent, of course, could have higher or lower levels.
He only knew this was the true legacy of the Observatory Master because of the system, but he couldn’t say that out loud.
Han Shuangjiang was inwardly delighted at his words.
But the cold-faced girl didn’t show it, only asked, "So, how do we get out of here now?"
Chu Huaixu shrugged: "No idea, isn’t that your part to handle?"
"Hmm?"
"It was you who dragged me in here, so naturally you should be responsible for getting me out," Chu Huaixu said, righteously.
Big Ice Cube: "..."
The two had just stood up, about to check where the exit was, when array patterns started forming on the ice’s surface.
A teleportation array appeared, sending both of them out of the Secret Realm and back to that maple grove.
Steadying themselves and focusing their gaze—
Standing opposite them was a row of Daoist Sect higher-ups!
Everyone was giving them a thorough once-over.
...
...
In the maple grove, Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang both began to salute, one by one.
"Disciple greets the Sect Leader, greets the honored Elders."
The turnout was quite something.
These titans, who could shake the entire Cultivation Realm with a single step, first used Divine Sense to examine Chu Huaixu.
Then, with surprised faces, they turned their senses on Han Shuangjiang.
"Eh? It’s actually Shuangjiang who has grasped the Reincarnation Sword Intent!" Everyone clicked their tongues in amazement.
This was completely contrary to their initial expectations.
They exchanged glances, each seeing the other’s surprise.
But Han Shuangjiang, with her once-in-a-century Profound Yin Body, getting a legacy and comprehending Sword Intent was actually quite reasonable.
It was just that Chu Huaixu had been so dazzling lately that everyone instinctively thought he would have made the biggest gain!
Sect Leader Xiang Yan immediately began to praise them, "Not bad, not bad, to have actually comprehended the Reincarnation Sword Intent."
Unfortunately, he looked fierce as hell and his voice was gratingly unpleasant, so the whole thing sounded like an evil overlord congratulating a righteous prodigy, and you half-expected him to kill you the next second.
"Perhaps you do not know, this Secret Realm is the legacy left by the Second Generation Observatory Master, Yan Shen."
Han Shuangjiang and Chu Huaixu exchanged astonished glances.
Han was truly shocked; for Chu, it was the professionalism of an actor.
Li Chunsong, being closer to the two of them, spoke up to encourage them:
"Observatory Master Yan Shen was the Dao Ancestor’s third disciple, and the very first female Observatory Master of our Daoist Sect."
"After Dao Ancestor’s passing, she became the strongest in the East Continent."
"As her name implies—Yan Shen, Annoyance and Victory."
"Shuangjiang, I hope you won’t let down the Second Generation Observatory Master’s great name in the future."
Hearing this, both felt deeply moved in their hearts.
Yan Shen—Annoyance and Victory, huh?
How unbearably lonely must someone stand at the very top, to slowly become such a person?
Only now did Han Shuangjiang realize she’d truly encountered an insane stroke of luck!
The Reincarnation Sword Intent was far more powerful than she’d imagined!
Chu Yinyin, meanwhile, stood to the side, quite regretful.
"Who would’ve thought my precious disciple would actually lose this time?" she thought to herself.
But, being lively by nature, her eyes soon rolled with a new idea.
"Why not just take Han Shuangjiang as my true disciple as well!"
As soon as the thought arose, she stealthily looked around at everyone.
She noticed that, aside from Xiang Yan and Lu Pan—both of whom no longer had open disciple spots—the others were all looking appreciatively at that girl. Clearly, they were tempted to recruit her as a disciple too!
Knowing her own strength was lacking, she figured she wouldn’t win the competition!
The cheeky old girl at once started scheming to rope in Shen Man as an ally.
"Han Shuangjiang is only at First Realm, and she’s already grasped the terrifying Reincarnation Sword Intent!"
"This kind of talent—we need a [Four Great Divine Swords] like Shen Man and myself to teach her personally."
She was yet again itching to "assemble the best students."
Chu Yinyin was basically the Daoist Sect’s trailblazer for the idea of "sharing beloved disciples."
In the maple forest, the elders chit-chatted a bit more.
The seniors expressed their deep hopes, while the juniors maintained their utmost respect.
Chu Huaixu didn’t forget to thank Li Chunsong and the others as well.
"This disciple still hasn’t thanked the Elders for granting techniques and spiritual artifacts."
He brought this up deliberately at this moment.
Sure enough, the unremarkable Li Chunsong smiled and said, "Wearing this Black Gold Robe refined by Junior Sister Jiu, you do look quite dashing, just like I was in my youth."
"As for the techniques the Fifth Elder and I gave you—have you learned them yet?"
Chu Huaixu promptly replied, "This disciple has already mastered them."
The crowd perked up at his words.
"Oh? Already mastered them so quickly? Then show us; we can offer some guidance." Li Chunsong chimed in.
They were still hoping Chu Huaixu would reach the Origin Spirit Realm, and this was a good excuse to tutor him a bit more closely.
Han Shuangjiang watched from the side, unable to stifle her laughter: "Sure enough, he’s at it again."
After all this time together, their relationship was so close that she understood all too well how much this Dead Fox loved to show off in front of others.
Sure enough, though Chu Huaixu acted humble, he immediately blurred into a shadow, displaying [Feixuan]. At the same time, he launched a [Fingertip Thunder] into the air!
Powerful True Gang exploded in the maple grove sky. All the Daoist Sect elders could see at a glance this was no mere beginner’s display—he’d reached Minor Success!
"After just a few days, he’s trained two top-tier Profound Level Techniques to Minor Success?"
"This kid’s comprehension for techniques is outright terrifying!"
Li Chunsong and Zhao Shuqi, worried he might get too full of himself, didn’t overpraise—just said, "Not bad, not bad."
Then, the two gave a few pointers.
After all, Chu Huaixu had only reached Minor Success. He was still a long way from Great Perfection.
He listened very intently, memorizing every word, as if he really wasn’t relying on the system to level up, but was instead progressing purely by his own effort and insight.
And next, he revealed his true intention.
"Fifth Elder, Sixth Elder, I’ve already learned these two techniques by heart. Should these Jade Scrolls be returned to the archives?" Chu Huaixu pressed for the ownership issue.
Don’t be fooled by how shameless these Daoist Sect high-ups usually are; aside from Chu Yinyin, aren’t they all old foxes?
Li Chunsong instantly laughed and cursed, "So this was what you were after all along, huh?"
Chu Huaixu didn’t explain, just smiled, sheepish but resolute.
The Charitable Gambling King said, "These two techniques were found by the Fifth Elder and me during our travels; they’ve never been archived. They’re our private stash. Since we’ve given them to you, they’re yours to handle!"
"You can trade them for Contribution Points at the Treasure Pavilion, or pass them on to others..."—and here, he paused.
Li Chunsong’s gaze began flickering back and forth between Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang.
Soon, he flashed a meaningful grin, ready to stir up a love story where perhaps there wasn’t one yet.
And the other Daoist Sect elders all caught his drift and started grinning too.
So much so that Han Shuangjiang, standing aside, found herself blushing like any young girl in front of her elders.
"Anyway, pass them on if you like, whatever you do is up to you!" Li Chunsong laughed, but as he did, he found himself picturing the lovely Junior Sister Eleven.
After chatting a bit more, the elders all departed through the air together.
Now, just Han Shuangjiang and Chu Huaixu stood there. Honestly, after what they’d been through in the Secret Realm, something seemed to have subtly changed between them.
Still, Big Ice Cube was a little awkward, telling him, "I know the Sect Leader and the Elders misunderstood."
But the young man standing before her just stared back, and said something that made her heart skip a beat—a line that made her wonder if he meant more than he said:
"They didn’t misunderstand. I really do want to teach you."
...
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