Chapter 568

Chapter 568: The Jade Box Jianyin

The three-colored light gate stood before him.

Ye Yun stared at the spatial passage opened by Thousand Mechanisms Guide and inhaled deeply.

"Ancestor, should we enter?"

"We’ve come this far – of course we enter. Though soul projection carries risks, Burning Divine Platform definitely connects to Immortal Sword Sect’s Saint’s Secret Vault. The secrets within could give us critical advantages for future exploration, even if they don’t immediately open passages." Sword Path Ancestor’s voice held readiness, waiting to enter with Ye Yun.

Ye Yun nodded. Both danger and reward existed here. Playing safe meant staying out, but avoiding this trial would make dealing with Tian Yunzi harder. If intruders damaged their physical bodies during soul separation, death and disappearance of the spirit would follow without protective treasures.

Even minor mistakes could trap their souls, leaving mere wisps of consciousness dangling by threads. Yet Ye Yun had no choice – nearly a year had passed in Great Qin Empire. Without spirit herbs to heal divine souls within two years, Su Ling’s fatal injuries would become irreversible.

"I’ll add two more restrictions first." Ye Yun gestured sharply, light and shadow shooting from fingertips to form protective arrays around the hut.

Sitting cross-legged before the tri-colored gate, Ye Yun activated Thousand Mechanisms Guide. His soul lifted from his body like rising smoke, observing his physical shell below with surreal detachment.

"Stop dawdling." Sword Path Ancestor’s voice vibrated within his very soul.

No hesitation. Ye Yun stepped through.

Gentle forces embraced him. Emerald mists swirled with primordial chaos. Time stretched and snapped –

Vision cleared to reveal a platform spanning several zhang.

"The actual Burning Divine Platform!" Ye Yun gaped at the familiar arena. "Thousand Mechanisms Guide truly works miracles!"

"Of course it’s real!" Booming laughter came from behind. "My Immortal Sword Sect’s Saint forged this platform to preserve souls!"

Ye Yun whirled. A handsome man in late twenties stood there – sharp brows like drawn blades, eyes gleaming like polished obsidian. At most a decade older than Ye Yun.

"You…?"

"Who else? I’m Sword Path Ancestor!" The youth smirked.

Ye Yun gaped before spluttering: "Twenty-six looking Ancestor? Where’s your dignity?"

The Ancestor snorted. "I mastered every swordplay after three viewings. My cultivation level earned this title from awestruck witnesses – not self-proclaimed."

Ye Yun rolled eyes. He remembered meeting a wizened figure trapped in flames – that hoarse-voiced "Supreme Elder" supposedly sealed eight centuries by Demon Race’s Huo Lie. What sect had twenty-something Supreme Elders?

"Last time you appeared old. Explain."

"My soul’s damage aged my projection." The Ancestor preened. "Your Soul Turning Tower nourished me this past year. This," he gestured at his form, "is my true appearance. Impressive, yes?"

Ye Yun’s cheek twitched. Eight centuries sealed by Huo Lie, yet this old man dared flaunt youth now? "Can’t call this ‘Ancestor’. What’s your real name? Let’s be sworn brothers instead."

"Brothers, you say? I was the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect more than eight hundred years ago. Even if I permitted it, would you dare call me brother?" the Ancestor of the Sword Path roared angrily.

Ye Yun shrugged while examining the Burning Divine Platform. "Why wouldn’t I dare? Stop flaunting your seniority. Unless you take old man form again, I’ll keep calling you Ancestor."

The Ancestor frowned. "Forget it – I’d rather not be called old. Subtract those eight centuries, and my true age remains under thirty. But what’s my name? Can’t recall…"

Ye Yun grinned. "Then how about Brother Jian?"

"Brother Jian? You’ve got some nerve. Fine, use that title." The Ancestor waved dismissively, his movements carrying natural harmony with the surroundings.

Ye Yun chuckled and moved to clap the Ancestor’s shoulder.

"Hold!" The Ancestor jerked backward like scalded.

Ye Yun blinked. Since when was a friendly pat so dangerous?

"Remember we’re in soul state!" The Ancestor snapped. "Souls colliding would damage both of us. I’ve barely restored my youthful appearance – bump me and I’ll revert to wrinkled form!"

Realization dawned on Ye Yun. He’d misjudged the situation.

"Brother Jian, you claim this Burning Divine Platform holds the Immortal Sword Sect’s secrets from a millennium ago – even a spatial gate to the Saint’s Secret Vault. But how? The Misty Sect obtained this platform after defeating that Saint. Why would losers build secret passages?"

The Ancestor shook his head. "The specifics elude me, but I clearly sense the Saint’s lingering aura here. This platform definitely hides clues about the Secret Vault."

Ye Yun scanned the area but found nothing. "The Heavenly Sword Sect was founded fourteen centuries back, yet you were sealed eight hundred years ago. Historical records show the Immortal Sword Sect dominated the Great Qin Empire around the same time our sect formed. How does that timeline work?"

The Ancestor rubbed his temples. "My memories are hazy. Both sects share lineage – Heavenly Sword formed when Immortal Sword disciples fled to Jin Kingdom after defeat. Maybe they kept the name from earlier times."

Ye Yun shrugged. Historical details mattered less than finding the Saint’s Secret Vault now.

Their soul forms glowed faintly on the platform, invisible to physical eyes. The shrine itself measured barely four zhang across – clearly shrunk from original size.

"Nothing special here," Ye Yun complained after thorough searching.

"Keep looking!" The Ancestor insisted. "The Saint’s aura feels intensely familiar – like we fought together. Strange, since I’m eight centuries younger…"

Ye Yun squinted, sensing nothing. Was Brother Jian’s soul damaged?

"Here!" The Ancestor suddenly dropped to his knees, pressing specific spots on the platform’s surface.

Creak!

A hidden compartment slid open, revealing a flawless white jade box etched with twin swords – one slender, one broad.

"Can we touch it?" Ye Yun whispered.

The Ancestor glared. "Soul state affects mortal vision, not physical interaction. How did you pass cultivation exams?"

"Just open it already!"

With a huff, the Ancestor tapped the sword tips. Click! The box sprang open, releasing radiant light and the clear ring of Jianyin – a sword’s song frozen in jade.