CHAPTER 338: CHAPTER 209: THE UNITY OF DUAL SWORDS! ENHANCED PIGGY HOLY SWORD! (7200 WORDS)_2

This was a Divine Sword from ancient times. Although it was broken and most of its runes were damaged, it was still a peerless treasure of slaughter, comparable to a Half-step Holy Artifact. It had once drunk the blood of ancient, powerful beings.

Wang Xiu had a premonition that if this broken sword were allowed to feast on the blood of those Fierce Beasts, it might restore some of its runes and see its power increase dramatically.

"You all step back. Don’t move from your spot; I’ll be back shortly!" Wang Xiu instructed.

The Blood Pool was incredibly perilous. Even though they were all prodigies, getting too close meant courting disaster. There was no need for them to accompany him.

The group was decisive. They didn’t ask to follow, instead turning to retreat to a safe distance and wait for Wang Xiu to return.

Wang Xiu set out. As he drew nearer to the Blood Pool, the Blood Fiend Energy in the air began to erode his physical body. It was utterly corrupting, powerful enough to instantly corrode the flesh of even a primordial variant beast and cause it to rot. This corrosive force was strong.

Wang Xiu had no intention of risking his body and was just about to summon the Heavenly Book.

From his chest, the Ancient Dragon Inverse Scale began to glow, emitting ripples of power that pushed the Blood Fiend Energy far away. Faintly, the majestic roar of a dragon could be heard, so powerful it commanded the submission of heaven and earth. The phantoms of Fierce Beasts, formed from the surrounding malevolent energy, heard the sound and immediately grew fearful. They retreated one after another, and some even dissipated directly, turning back into Blood Fiend Energy and fleeing into the distance.

What a treasure! Wang Xiu touched the smooth, jade-like Inverse Scale, a faint smile playing on his lips. This scale once held the records for the Divine Skill, the Fire of Candleholder, which I already comprehended. I never expected it could also act as a protective Magical Treasure, automatically releasing its divine power in the face of danger. As expected of a relic from that mysterious Ancient Dragon.

Arriving before the Blood Pool, the surrounding vicious aura was even more intense. An incessant, furious roar filled his ears, powerful enough to shatter a person’s will. Yet, it couldn’t affect Wang Xiu in the slightest.

You both want this blood, but who should I give it to? Wang Xiu mused, taking out both swords and holding one in each hand, feeling conflicted.

Emotionally, he had a longer bond with the Mingxue Executioner Sword, and it had the potential to become a Holy Artifact again. Reason, however, told him that the mysterious broken sword was stronger at its peak. If it could restore even a fraction of its runes, it would be of far greater help to him. There was only one Blood Pool. If he split the spoils, it was likely neither sword would achieve its desired potential.

"Young Master, I have a way!" Nie Linglan’s entire body was already burning hot, and her trembling voice sent a shiver down one’s spine. "If you’ll allow it, Young Master, I can become the Sword Spirit of the other broken sword. Then, I can devour the materials and runes of the Mingxue Executioner Sword, merging the two into one..."

Wang Xiu’s eyes lit up. This was an excellent idea.

The value of the Mingxue Executioner Sword lay in its material, which contained the heavenly treasure ’Profound Nether Blood Gold.’ This allowed it to grow continuously by consuming blood. This potential for growth was its greatest strength. In terms of sheer killing power, however, it truly couldn’t compare to the broken sword he had just acquired. If they could be fused, merging the strengths of both blades, it would be a huge boon for him.

Besides, recasting the sword might give it a fresh start, a complete makeover! Wang Xiu had suffered long enough through the days when a single swing of his sword filled the air with the sound of squealing pigs.

Back then, he had no choice. He was weak and couldn’t obtain the Essence Blood of powerful beasts, so he had to compromise and let the Mingxue Executioner Sword consume pig blood.

Things were different now. He was a figure of some note, mingling with the top prodigies of Nanzhou over wine. What sort of dignity was there in associating with pigs?

Pigs, oh pigs, don’t blame me for being heartless. If you must blame something, blame the world. I am progressing. Are you?

He made his decision, but then another thought occurred to him. "But... fusing two swords is a bit troublesome..."

"Don’t worry, Young Master! You don’t have to do a thing. I’ll handle it!"

[Ding!]

[Bragging detected nearby. Congratulations, Host, on acquiring Mana +88!]

Nie Linglan acted decisively. She flipped over and pressed down upon the broken sword. The light of the runes covering her body erupted as her soaring Sword Intent made contact with the blade. Her spiritual form glowed brightly, eager to enter the sword.

VMMMMM—

The broken sword began to thrum, recoiling instinctively. It had witnessed the splendors of the ancient past. Though its original Sword Spirit had perished, a fragment of its will remained. How could it sit by and watch a new Sword Spirit usurp its home?

Visions of the ancient past flickered into existence: countless Demons and Gods stained with blood, the sun and moon crumbling, heaven and earth shattering. This terrifying mirage condensed into an indescribable aura of slaughter.

Although Nie Linglan possessed a Ghost Dao Holy Body, her Cultivation Level was still weak, and she had never witnessed such a grand spectacle. Washed over by this killing aura, she struggled to advance, unable to penetrate the sword’s depths to take control of its core runes.

"Young Master, I can’t do it! Help me!" Nie Linglan cried out for help, her trembling voice sending a tingle down one’s spine.

Wang Xiu was speechless. She had just sworn up and down that she could handle it, yet in the end, he still had to intervene.

He formed seals with both hands, and a torrent of runes surged into the broken sword. He had already refined this broken sword and possessed absolute control over it. He suppressed the blade’s residual will, and Nie Linglan immediately felt the pressure ease, allowing her to slip directly into the sword.

"Young Master, I’m in!" Nie Linglan cried out, her voice filled with excitement and thrill. She had reached the sword’s core, and her spiritual essence was now spreading through every inch of the blade.

As a Sword Spirit, the feeling of entering two completely different Flying Swords back-to-back was quite novel. Although this new body was somewhat damaged and not as complete as the Mingxue Executioner Sword, it was much tougher, and its edge was far sharper. Even her spiritual form was amplified, granting her a significant boost in strength.

The next step was simple. As the new Sword Spirit, Nie Linglan would control the broken sword and have it devour the Mingxue Executioner Sword. Bereft of its spirit, the Mingxue Executioner Sword was now inert. It offered only token resistance, as if putting up a token struggle before ultimately yielding.