Chapter 205
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Chapter 205: Xiang Yun’s Sword Formation
Xu Fan’s sword pierced deep into Wang Xiangchi’s consciousness.
In Wang Xiangchi’s spiritual realm, a sky-piercing sword emerged.
The sword intent surrounding the sky-piercing sword mesmerized Wang Xiangchi.
“Armor-breaking, dispelling evil, banishing spirits, exterminating demons.”
“Opening mountains, parting the earth, stirring seas, shining in the sky.”
After absorbing all the sword intents, Wang Xiangchi turned to Xu Fan and said, “Thank you, Master, for bestowing upon me the swordsmanship technique.”
Hearing his disciple’s gratitude, Xu Fan waved his hand casually.
“No need for formalities; teaching you these techniques is to ensure you can protect your master better in the future.”
“These eight swords represent my current insights into swordsmanship. As for the Great Sword technique you’re eager to learn…”
Xu Fan paused briefly before continuing honestly.
“Your cultivation in swordsmanship is still at a beginner level; we’ll revisit the Great Sword technique once you reach the Transformation Stage.”
Without the aid of the Refining Void Puppet that day, even Xu Fan wouldn’t have been able to demonstrate it.
“I understand, Master,” Wang Xiangchi replied with a hint of disappointment.
“Good. Now go and meditate on the path of swordsmanship,” Xu Fan said with a smile.
“As you command.”
Wang Xiangchi transformed into a streak of sword light and soared toward Hidden Spirit Island.
As Xu Fan watched Wang Xiangchi’s sword light fade into the distance, his thoughts drifted to Ye Xiaoyao, realizing it had been quite some time since he last saw him.
“Following the protagonist’s growth pattern in the cultivation world, Ye Xiaoyao must have already advanced to the Transformation Stage and is likely out there battling monsters and gathering treasures.”
Then, Xu Fan recalled Ye Xiaoyao’s mastery of sword formations.
“Perhaps I should take in a disciple with a natural talent for sword formations,” Xu Fan mused, stroking his chin.
As an artifact master, he had no shortage of precious artifacts, and with his deep understanding of swordsmanship techniques, nurturing a prodigy in the Sword Formation Path would be effortless.
“This idea is worth exploring,” Xu Fan said, gazing at the tranquil lake before him.
“Grapes.”
“I’m here!” an electronic voice chimed.
“Scan the sect’s disciples and see if there’s anyone with a talent for sword formations,” Xu Fan instructed, recalling that the Sutra Pavilion housed records of renowned spells related to sword formations.
When recruiting disciples, it made sense to start within his own sect.
A profile of a disciple appeared on Xu Fan’s light curtain.
“Xiang Yun? Isn’t he pursuing the heart sword path?” Xu Fan wondered aloud.
At that moment, another light curtain materialized, displaying Xiang Yun practicing a sword formation.
Xiang Yun was seen effortlessly controlling a hundred artifact-level Spiritual Swords, executing the small Five Elements sword formation with the grace of flowing clouds, as if it were second nature to him.
If not for the mediocre quality of the swords in the formation, its power could have been exponentially greater.
“Why didn’t he stick to the Sword Formation Path?” Xu Fan asked curiously.
“The main reason is that he couldn’t guarantee he’d be able to gather enough Spiritual Swords in the future.”
“As his cultivation advances, the sword formation demands more and higher-quality Spiritual Swords.”
“That’s why he had to give up on the sword formation,” Grape explained.
“Why didn’t you tell me this back then?” Xu Fan frowned.
“At that time, Grape hadn’t advanced yet and couldn’t handle such logical problems.”
“Besides, Xiang Yun’s talent in the Sword of the Heart is nothing to scoff at either.”
“Ah,” Xu Fan nodded. Xiang Yun had secured sixth place in the Sect Competition, which was no small feat.
“While the Sword of the Heart isn’t weaker than the sword formation, the sword formation definitely packs a bigger punch with the pay-to-win attributes boosting it.”
“Call Xiang Yun over,” Xu Fan said.
“As you command.”
Meanwhile, Xiang Yun, who was deep in thought about swordsmanship at Sword Peak, received word that the Grand Elder wanted to see him.
“The Grand Elder wants to see me?” Xiang Yun wondered as he followed Grape’s directions.
He soon landed gracefully on the spiritual boat where Xu Fan was waiting.
“Greetings, Grand Elder,” Xiang Yun said, bowing respectfully.
Xu Fan observed Xiang Yun, who, despite his ordinary appearance, carried himself with confidence and poise, and nodded approvingly.
Yes, he seemed like the kind of person who could make it to the end.
“I promised to create techniques tailored for the top ten in the Sect Competition.”
“I have two techniques here: one is the Sword of the Heart’s Focused Sword.”
Xu Fan extended a finger like a sword and thrust it toward the sky. A dazzling sword light shot upward, piercing through the white clouds thousands of meters above.
Watching Xu Fan’s strike, Xiang Yun’s eyes lit up—this was exactly the kind of sword technique he aspired to master.
“I have another technique. Would you like to see it?” Xu Fan asked with a smile.
“Please demonstrate, Grand Elder,” Xiang Yun said, bowing again.
“This technique is called the Great Five Elements Star Destruction Sword Formation.”
With a wave of Xu Fan’s hand, the world seemed to spin.
Xiang Yun found himself in a Sword-Sheltering Pool, where countless Spiritual Swords swirled in the sky, forming an intricate and profound sword formation.
Within this formation, Xiang Yun sensed countless killing sword formations composed of the five elements.
The formation shifted endlessly, showcasing the fire attribute’s ferocity, the water attribute’s gentleness, the wood attribute’s vitality, the earth attribute’s solidity, and the metal attribute’s sharpness.
As the formation continued to evolve, the fire and water attributes merged, the water and wood attributes combined to create a blend of life and killing intent, and the metal and fire attributes intertwined…
Gradually, three attributes fused, then four, until finally, all five elements united into a single Chaotic Star.
When the sword formation dissipated, Xiang Yun awoke from the illusion.
“Xiang Yun, which one do you choose?” Xu Fan asked.
Xiang Yun swallowed nervously and said with a bitter expression, “Grand Elder, I choose the first one.”
“The first one? But I see a different answer in your eyes,” Xu Fan smiled and said.
“I understand that the sword formation requires a huge amount of spirit stones, and with how slowly I earn them, I can’t afford thousands of Spiritual Swords,” Xiang Yun explained.
“You’re still young and have countless possibilities ahead of you. Since you like it, why not take a chance?” Xu Fan asked further.
“I don’t want to gamble on that uncertain future. By practicing the Sword of the Heart, I can still achieve what I desire,” Xiang Yun replied.
Hearing Xiang Yun’s words, Xu Fan felt quite satisfied; this disciple was very much in tune with him—self-aware, cautious, and realistic.
“Are you not regretful?”
“Though there is some regret, I know that this path is the right one,” Xiang Yun said, lowering his head.
“Very good; it’s rare to find a disciple as cautious as you.”
“Can you still practice the sword formation now?” Xu Fan inquired.
“When I have free time, I will study it on the side,” Xiang Yun answered.
At that moment, Xu Fan looked toward the distant Hidden Spirit Island and slowly said, “Now the sect has two thousand two hundred disciples.”
“Each of you has been carefully selected by me, passing my tests to enter the sect.”
“These disciples may not be many, and they are even considered a bit few for our Hidden Spirit Sect.”
“Exactly because there are few, I can take care of each disciple.”
“Since you like the sword formation but haven’t pursued it, it’s merely your fear of not being able to obtain so many Spiritual Swords in the future.”
“Silly child, you’re still at a low cultivation level. You might not know that our sect has more than enough spirit stones and precious artifacts. The few Spiritual Swords you are concerned about are just a trifle to me.”
“Once you switch to practicing the sword formation, leave the Spiritual Sword matters to me.”
“If you can control a thousand Spiritual Swords, I will give you a thousand. If you can control ten thousand Spiritual Swords, I will give you ten thousand.”
“When you reach the Void Refinement stage and can control the Spiritual Swords of the celestial tools, I will provide you with them. When you reach the Great Ascension stage and can control the Spiritual Swords of the celestial artifacts, I will give you those as well.”
“Just Spiritual Swords? Our Hidden Spirit Sect can certainly afford them,” Xu Fan said confidently. Setting up a production line for Spiritual Swords is the simplest thing compared to the puppet production line.
Xiang Yun’s eyes moistened, and he knelt before Xu Fan, saying, “Grand Elder, I will always remember your kindness in giving me the Spiritual Sword.”
Before Xiang Yun could bow his head, a gentle force lifted him up.
“Get up. We have no kneeling customs in the Hidden Spirit Sect,” Xu Fan said.
“Alright, I have already engraved the Great Five Elements Star Destruction Sword Formation in your spirit. With your talent, you should be able to comprehend it before it dissipates.”
“Regarding the Spiritual Sword, you can go to the treasury to collect it in half a month.”
While Xu Fan spoke, Grape had already started establishing the production line for the Five Elements Spiritual Sword, utilizing the sect’s existing resources. It would only take half a month to produce a thousand second-grade precious artifacts of the Five Elements Spiritual Sword.
According to Grape, even setting up a production line for the fifth-grade precious artifacts wouldn’t take long.
Of course, the crafted Spiritual Swords would all be of good quality, but they wouldn’t compare to the exquisite Spiritual Swords made by artifact masters.
As for the sword formation, good quality was already sufficient.
“Thank you, Grand Elder. In the future, I…”
“Alright, no need to express your gratitude. You are all good children; just keep the sect in your heart.”
