CHAPTER 550: CHAPTER 548: REFINING SWORD SPIRIT GRASS_1

"My reaction was just like yours when I first heard this news. But after thinking it through, I understood," Lian Ji said lightly, looking at Ling Chen.

"Indeed." Ling Chen, being a clever person, was quick to understand. He soon grasped the situation and nodded. "This tactic of retreating to advance is very clever. If Sister Yunxin and the experts from Saintess Hall were to resist Sikong Yi, they would undoubtedly face a devastating defeat. It would be far wiser to publicly declare their submission to Sikong Yi. By doing so, even Sikong Yi would have no grounds to wage war against Saintess Hall.

"Even if he were to make moves," he continued, "they would amount to nothing more than petty skirmishes. If he were to start a civil war, it wouldn’t benefit him as Sect Leader; it would merely weaken the Saint Witch Religion’s strength. This would only distance him further from his ambition to dominate the Martial World."

"The Saint Child’s analysis is astute." A hint of appreciation flickered in Lian Ji’s beautiful eyes as she nodded gently. "So, for now, Yunxin will be safe. Moreover, she is highly intelligent and knows how to leverage the forces around her, turning disadvantages into advantages. Even Sikong Yi would be unable to do anything to her."

"That’s true." Ling Chen nodded. Xia Yunxin was widely recognized as the foremost talent of the Demon Way’s younger generation, excelling in both intelligence and bravery. Even he had to admit his inferiority to her.

"The Saint Child need not worry about the affairs of the Saint Witch Religion. Instead, it is the matters at hand that require careful attention," Lian Ji spoke faintly.

"You are referring to the Qinghuang Blood?" Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. The only thing in Blackwater City currently worth attention is likely that very Qinghuang Blood.

"Correct. The leaders of all factions in Blackwater City, without exception, covet that Qinghuang Blood," Lian Ji said. "In this chaotic situation, we need only observe from the shadows; we might just be able to reap the rewards."

"Senior Lian Ji is right," Liu Feiyue chimed in, her resolve regarding the Qinghuang Blood still firm. "This Qinghuang Blood is a Sacred Object for cultivation. If one could refine it, even a Top Sky Apex Strong would experience a significant increase in their strength. To give up on it now would be too much of a pity."

"Then let’s observe in Blackwater City for a few more days," Ling Chen decided. He wasn’t in any rush to leave for the time being. He, too, was interested in the Qinghuang Blood; if he could obtain it, that would naturally be for the best.

"Alright, it’s getting late. You should both get some rest," Lian Ji said, looking up at the sky. "I will send someone to inform you immediately as soon as there is any news."

"Very well." Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue nodded, and then, led by a maid, they walked deeper into the courtyard.

"Alright, you should rest first. We can talk about anything else tomorrow," Ling Chen said to Liu Feiyue with a slight smile as the maid stopped before a room.

"Yes, Junior Brother, you should also rest early," Liu Feiyue replied softly to Ling Chen, nodding as she noted the late hour. She then, with light, graceful steps, entered her room.

After watching Liu Feiyue enter her room, Ling Chen turned down a corridor and quickly walked into his own.

Night fell like a black curtain, shrouding the entirety of Blackwater City. Cool moonlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating the youth cultivating with closed eyes within his room.

A tangible stream of Energy hovered at the tip of Ling Chen’s nose before being drawn into his body. After several cycles of refinement, it transformed into a strand of pure True Qi and merged within him.

His closed eyes slowly opened. Sensing the joyful hum of the cells in his body, invigorated by the abundant power, Ling Chen smiled faintly. With a wave of his hand, a blade of grass, as straight as a Treasure Sword, materialized in his palm.

With the appearance of this Sword Spirit Grass, a sharp aura permeated the guest room, causing the still air to ripple faintly.

As expected of a Spirit Grass born from Sword Intent. Ling Chen felt this aura and was slightly surprised. He found the aura of this Sword Spirit Grass possessed a natural affinity with swordsmen, as if it were a spiritual item innately prepared for them.

He crushed the Sword Spirit Grass with a burst of power and sprinkled the fragments into a cup of warm water he had prepared earlier. Ling Chen then picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

After consuming the Sword Spirit Grass, Ling Chen immediately sat cross-legged on the floor. Consuming the Sword Spirit Grass would heighten his concentration and push his Sword Intent to its peak. This was the perfect opportunity to consolidate and enhance his Sword Intent.

Ling Chen closed his eyes. In his mind, various Sword Intents coiled and flowed like Spirit Snakes.

And, aided by the Sword Spirit Grass, a new Sword Intent was coalescing at the very center of these diverse Sword Intents. Although merely a nascent wisp, this new Sword Intent was connected to all the others, seemingly reigning supreme above them.

The purpose of this wisp of Sword Intent was to command these multiple attribute Sword Intents, enabling him to perfectly unleash their power at will.

This coincided perfectly with what the Cyan-robed Guest had once said.

「Thus, three days passed.」

"Break!"

In the guest room, Ling Chen abruptly opened his eyes, from which two beams of light, like sword qi, shot out as he uttered a low cry.

WHOOSH!

The ripples in the air were instantly cleaved apart as an illusory sword shadow flashed and vanished. Others could not see this sword shadow; only Ling Chen could perceive it. A barely audible sound echoed.

Ling Chen looked up.

A distinct sword mark was imprinted on the opposite wall, as if a real sword had forcefully carved it out.

My Grandmaster Sword Intent has reached about fifty percent, Ling Chen assessed internally.

Sword Intent, that illusory concept, is generally difficult to grasp at the beginning, becoming slightly easier later on. Before one enters the gate, there’s simply no path in, and one cannot even sense its existence. Those capable of comprehending Sword Intent are, without exception, individuals of extremely firm will who possess unique insights into Swordsmanship.

Ling Chen had comprehended Sword Intent long ago and had subsequently reached the Grandmaster Sword Intent level. Possessing a certain understanding of it, he knew what its growth required and how to enhance it. This was likely true for others as well.

However, the idea that later stages were easier was only relative. Many, due to limited aptitude or confinement to a narrow environment, found their Sword Intent stagnating, unable to advance further in their entire lives. Very few could reach the Grandmaster Sword Intent level, and those who attained Saint Sword Intent were truly one in tens of thousands. Ling Chen himself didn’t know what realms lay beyond that.

But one thing was certain: this stalk of Sword Spirit Grass had been of immense help to him. This wasn’t merely a temporary boost; it had established a stable framework for the growth of his Sword Intent. Henceforth, no matter which of his Sword Intents advanced, it would not exceed his control or become unmanageable.

Furthermore, these numerous Sword Intents were *his* Sword Intents, belonging to *his* Sword Way, and not to anyone else.