Chapter 713

Chapter 713: Three Sword Intents

"By the way, Ling’er, let me see your supreme Immortal artifact. I’m curious about what type of treasure you specialize in," Ye Yun asked, suddenly remembering Shui Lingling possessed such an artifact.

"You’d better be careful—this artifact is extremely precious." Without refusing, Shui Lingling flipped her hand and summoned a snow-white treasure, passing it to Ye Yun.

"Your sect leader must favor you greatly. This Deceptive Array uses three supreme Immortal artifacts as its core and thirty-eight top-quality Immortal artifacts as supports," Ye Yun exclaimed in surprise while inspecting the artifact.

"I don’t mean to boast, but as an elite genius of the Immortal Dao Sect, do you think those old men—who never stop preaching about the sect’s glory—would accept me wielding a common supreme Immortal artifact?" Shui Lingling retorted as she took back the artifact.

"But isn’t the Immortal Dao Sect’s extraordinary genius embarrassing herself by carrying only one supreme Immortal artifact? Won’t other sects mock you?" Ye Yun teased lightly.

"Those old fools insisted this treasure alone was sufficient. If not for my sister and I combining our Starry Sky methods, I’d still feel uneasy relying solely on it," Shui Lingling grumbled. "Though they did shower me with training resources—almost anything I wanted. But my sister… she received far fewer resources."

"Sounds ideal. If I were you, I’d laugh in my sleep. Why can’t a top sect’s favor fall on me?" Ye Yun sighed, watching her frustration.

"It’s not ideal! My sister trained in Starry Sky methods incompatible with her physique just to make me stand out in the sect. We have equal talent, yet she works twice as hard—four hours when others practice two, enduring trials till the bitter end. All so I’d shine before those old men." Tears trailed down Shui Lingling’s cheeks as she vowed, "One day, I’ll make the Immortal Dao Sect’s resources fair. Everyone deserves equal treatment!"

"You…" Ye Yun fell silent. He couldn’t call her dream naive nor claim it impossible. Even a Heavenly Immortal couldn’t erase innate disparities—looks, physique, talent—all ordained by heaven.

The strong naturally towered above the weak, like earthbound chicks striving to fly. No persistence could change their fate. The weak remained weak; miracles didn’t exist.

The strong, born with unmatched advantages, soared like the sun—untouchable, revered.

Though tragic, Ye Yun held no illusions. He felt grateful for his chance to rise, unlike the weak doomed to insignificance.

"Ling’er notices you don’t believe in my ideals," Shui Lingling stated firmly, locking eyes with him.

"True. I don’t think you’ll succeed… but keep trying." Ye Yun admitted bluntly, yet offered an encouraging smile as her face fell.

"Of course!" She tilted her head skyward, golden eyes mirroring the sunset’s calm crimson.

That night, Ye Yun guarded the campfire alone until the two girls emerged from closed-door cultivation.

"Sorry for making you watch over us, Ye Yun," Shui Yingying apologized, glancing at the flames.

"No trouble. I wanted to observe your Starry Sky methods firsthand. Cultivating together despite differing physiques—it must’ve been arduous." He sighed, recalling the pain flickering across her face earlier.

"My sister sacrificed much…" Shui Lingling murmured, firelight dancing on her lowered face.

Shui Yingying hugged her with a soft sigh. "Silly girl, I chose this path. The Starry Sky methods were my idea."

"But with your talent, you should’ve excelled more." Nestling into her sister’s warmth, Shui Lingling’s eyes brimmed with tears.

"Quite the touching scene," the Ancestor of the Sword Path mused through Ye Yun’s soul. "But this little girl’s Nine Yin Body may develop issues—subtle yet impactful."

"Just residual yin energy. Normal for her cold-aligned physique, no?"

"Really?" The ancestor’s voice tinged with curiosity.

"Why cultivate here, Ye Yun? Shouldn’t you seek safer grounds?" Shui Lingling edged closer to the fire, warming her hands.

"Finding safe spots in wilderness isn’t easy. I tried my best," he replied, amused by her confusion.

"Yingying, having a major sect’s backing helps. Look at poor wandering cultivators—no privileges." Shui Lingling jabbed a teasing finger at Ye Yun.

"Mocking me? Still, you’re right. A major sect’s reputation can deter enemies." Ye Yun tossed Shui Yingying a glowing green herb. "Absorb this heavenly material. It’ll stabilize your spiritual power."

Shui Yingying gaped at the three-leafed plant. "Three Souls Grass? This… it’s too valuable, Brother Ye."

"Keep it. To me, it’s trivial. How else can I repay your protection?" he insisted, shrugging off her hesitation.

"Yingying, is this thing really that precious?" Ye Yun glanced at the Three Souls Grass in Shui Yingying’s hand with confusion. Though aware it was a rare heavenly material and earthly treasure, he hadn’t expected such a reaction. Seeing her shock, he couldn’t help but ask.

"In our sect, this Three Souls Grass sells for thirty thousand top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones at auction," Shui Yingying sighed, noting Shui Lingling’s bewilderment. "Brother Ye, did you think we wouldn’t know its value?"

"You can’t be a wandering cultivator. No wanderer treats Immortal Spirit Stones so carelessly," she added with a light laugh, eyeing Ye Yun’s helpless expression. "Please take it back. I can’t accept this."

"Just a mid-tier treasure, and you’re acting like this?" Ye Yun paused, then waved his hand. The Three Souls Grass flew back to his palm, where flames instantly consumed it. He tossed the ashes into a dull white Round Stone, watching it absorb the remnants before calmly turning back to the fire.

"Brother Ye, do you know how people invite disaster?" Shui Yingying asked bitterly after recovering from her shock. "Burning thirty thousand top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones so casually…"

"Exactly! Even Ling’er couldn’t waste that many stones!" Shui Lingling glared, clutching her chest dramatically. "If you didn’t want it, you should’ve given it to me! Sister refused, but I never said no!"

"If *you* want it, I’d have to reconsider," Ye Yun chuckled, amused by her antics.

"Hmph!" Ling’er huffed, launching into another round of bickering. Shui Yingying watched them fondly, warmth blooming in her chest.

Such moments had been rare since their innate spiritual bodies were discovered, forcing them onto a relentless cultivation path. She’d sacrificed her own potential to nurture Ling’er’s talent—yet she’d never regretted it.

*"Was it worth it?"*

A cold, detached voice echoed in her mind as she gazed at Ling’er. Shui Yingying startled, glancing around. Nothing seemed amiss. Had she imagined it?

"Brother Ye, you’ve got so many supreme Immortal artifacts! Ling’er only has the Deceptive Array," the girl sighed, batting her eyelashes. "And I’m running low on Immortal Spirit Stones… Could you spare some? Just a little?"

"Sweeten your words, and maybe," Ye Yun replied. The Ancestor of the Sword Path approved—these girls treated him with genuine respect despite their status, a rare kindness in the cutthroat cultivation world.

Ling’er stuck out her tongue, grinning.

"If you insist on exploring Wuding River alone, be careful. There are beasts there," she added casually. "A defensive supreme Immortal artifact would help. Like my Deceptive Array!"

She hid her scheme—few owned defensive supreme artifacts, even in the Immortal Dao Sect. Surely Ye Yun lacked one.

"Defensive artifacts?" Ye Yun scanned his hundred supreme Immortal artifacts. "Ancestor, which should I choose?"

"Ha! Finally considering defense?" The Ancestor’s Soul Power flitted through the collection before seizing a purple-patterned bracelet. "The Purple Pattern Flower Bracelet! Top-tier protection. Just wear it—it’ll auto-shield you in danger."

"You expect me to fight wearing this… *thing*?" Ye Yun grimaced at the feminine accessory.

"It’s perfect! Matches top-tier defenses, though it drains true qi equal to damage taken." The Ancestor smirked inwardly—fitting payback for Ye Yun missing the Drunken Berry in the Xumi Treasure.

A black ring caught Ye Yun’s eye next, its arrowhead shape etched with ancient runes that pulsed under obsidian hues.

"Just a trinket boosting Sword Path comprehension," the Ancestor dismissed. "Drains true qi and spiritual power nonstop. Barely worth keeping."

Ye Yun slipped it on. A vision erupted—a sword splitting heavens and earth, its will overwhelming. He staggered as the Ancestor barked, "Remove it! Check your true qi!"

Ye Yun paled. "Seventy percent drained… in mere breaths?" His hands trembled. At his cultivation level, this should’ve taken an incense stick’s time. The ring clattered to the ground, its sinister glow fading.

"If I had this item, my comprehension of Born as a Sword would likely progress much smoother." After brief contemplation, Ye Yun removed the sword ring, his heart pounding with fervor. Obtaining this treasure was a stroke of luck—compared to failing to find a suitable defensive supreme Immortal artifact, it now seemed trivial.

Though his current physique couldn’t rival a true supreme Immortal artifact, it matched the sturdiness of a top-quality Immortal artifact. Moreover, with spatial laws at his disposal, he could simply teleport away from unavoidable danger, avoiding prolonged confrontations.

"You’re not letting go of that thing, are you?" The Ancestor of the Sword Path sighed, observing Ye Yun’s exhilaration. Forcing deeper insights into Sword Path will was unduly perilous, yet Ye Yun had gleaned some of its mysteries after testing the Black Sword Ring.

"One instant of hell, one thought of pagoda, one breath of abyss—these three Sword Path wills within the ring are remarkable." Ye Yun meditated on the three unmatched sword intents: dominance through force, suppression through mind, and control through illusion. Hell governed offense, pagoda aided support, and abyss anchored the core.

"Using these three techniques with the Purple Shadow Divine Sword will surely yield satisfying results." Countless mental rehearsals materialized the sword in his hand as he fluidly executed the moves, then dismantled and reforged them into the realm of Born as a Sword—a force of unprecedented might.