Chapter 421
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Unknown]
Chapter Title: Jade Pivot Revelation
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Jiangnan, Extreme Heaven Cliff.
In a quiet chamber, Lu Yang's consciousness fully possessed his sword dao clone via the [String Puppet Technique]. As his eyes opened and closed, a flash of cold light suddenly streaked through the air.
Crack!
In an instant, a fissure appeared on the chamber floor.
Almost simultaneously, as if he had been waiting for some time, the chamber door was pushed open. Perfected Being Demon-Quelling entered with slightly hurried steps.
His first glance fell on the crack in the floor.
"Hmm?"
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's eyes lit up. He immediately praised,
"It seems your sword intent has grown even closer to perfection during this seclusion."
What he valued wasn't the crack Lu Yang had left on the floor—that was trivial for any Foundation Establishment Perfected Being. The key was that the crack bore no trace of any aura. This meant Lu Yang hadn't used any divine abilities or magic power; it was purely the mark of [Sword Intent].
That was extraordinary.
After all, no matter how strong [Sword Intent] was, it was theoretically just a concept of will, distinct from divine sense. It required magic power to unleash its full might.
To influence reality with pure intent alone...
This level was considered entering the hall of mastery even among [Sword Intent] cultivators. For a moment, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling marveled at Lu Yang.
"Incredible."
"That earth vein clearly did wonders for you. Such progress in [Sword Intent] would normally demand a major battle."
"Excellent! Very excellent!"
With that, he turned to the [Non-Killing Sword] placed before Lu Yang.
"Now that you've forged your own sword intent, observing mine is no longer suitable."
As his words fell, he retrieved the [Non-Killing Sword].
At the same time, Lu Yang rose with a flick of his sleeve and respectfully bowed to Perfected Being Demon-Quelling.
"This disciple is slow-witted and thanks Master for his meticulous guidance."
"No need for that."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling waved it off, his gaze on Lu Yang growing ever more approving—like eyeing a thriving patch of leeks, or a one-of-a-kind priceless treasure. He then shifted tone.
"Since you've emerged from seclusion, no time like the present. Come with me to the Jade Pivot."
Lu Yang's heart stirred with quiet delight at the words.
The so-called [Jade Pivot] was the Sword Pavilion's Manifestation Pavilion, dedicated to housing sword arts suited for the Foundation Establishment level. It was precisely his goal for this trip.
'With my [Xuan Du Blessed Land] now formed, further realm breakthroughs in the short term are unlikely. Metallic essence requires soul to refine, and this life's soul remains on the Immortal Spirit body. So to boost combat power further, I must enhance my arts and secret techniques.'
But the issue persisted.
Without his own metallic essence, Lu Yang couldn't cultivate [True Arts]. Other arts offered some boost, sure.
But barely better than nothing.
That was why he'd focused on [Sword Intent]. A sword art matching it would rival a True Art in effect.
What surprised Lu Yang, though, was how lax the Sword Pavilion seemed about guarding its sword arts. He'd been pondering how to broach the subject with Perfected Being Demon-Quelling, yet before he could ask, the man offered to take him to the Jade Pivot—clearly intending to impart a sword art.
Yet Lu Yang felt little joy.
'Too eager.'
No such thing as a free lunch—either crook or thief. Lifetimes of instinct sharpened his wariness. Perfected Being Demon-Quelling had ulterior motives!
But he soon shrugged it off.
'This sword dao clone is disposable anyway. Grab the benefits first. Whatever plot he has, worst case, I just scrap another clone.'
Extreme Heaven Cliff, Jade Pivot.
To Lu Yang's surprise, the Jade Pivot was literally just a single piece of jade, enshrined in the ancestral hall of the Sword Pavilion's successive pavilion masters.
"This is an heirloom from our founder."
Entering the hall, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling spoke solemnly.
"Legend says our founder searched the world over to obtain this ten-thousand-year Spirit Rhinoceros Bright Jade and refine it into this treasure."
"Any Perfected Being who has forged sword intent need only stand before the Jade Pivot and infuse it with their [Sword Intent]. It will manifest a corresponding sword art. From there, diligent practice refines the intent to perfection. This is the foundation of why we sword cultivators have no rivals at our level."
With that, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling stepped before the Jade Pivot.
The next moment, Lu Yang watched as the mirror-smooth bright jade surged with radiant spiritual light, coalescing into a line of clear small characters:
*Canon of the Righteous Dao-Holding Industry-Cleaving Sword*
This was Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's sword art, matched to his [Non-Killing Sword Intent]. Honed over centuries, it had reached the pinnacle.
Ordinary [Sword Intent] was just that—[Sword Intent].
But crowning it with "Non-Killing" marked its perfection, the sword art playing a major role.
'A technique for offense and slaughter, yet also a method of cultivation.'
Lu Yang understood. Perfected Being Demon-Quelling stepped aside, gesturing invitingly. Lu Yang didn't dare delay and promptly stepped forward.
With a thought, his [Sword Intent] extended, pouring into the Jade Pivot. The bright jade blazed anew, its light piercing Lu Yang's eyes and mind, instantly captivating his entire consciousness, drawing him deep within.
But at that exact instant—
Beside him, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling schooled his expression. His lips moved, murmuring softly:
"Fellow Daoist Lu?"
The call struck perfectly, catching the moment the Jade Pivot illuminated Lu Yang's [Sword Intent]. He responded almost reflexively:
"Huh?"
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling fixed on the sword dao clone. Seeing its blank confusion—no feigning—and soul fluctuations utterly normal, his expression eased.
"...Nothing."
Meanwhile, Lu Yang's true body in Jiangbei drew a sharp breath.
'He's probing me—suspecting I haven't lost my past life's memories!'
Damn it, even good guys pull tricks!
'Just like [Soaring Empyrean]. A lifetime of virtue, then suddenly backstabs out of nowhere—beyond all expectations!'
Lu Yang was caught off guard.
If not for the sword dao clone's soul being truly cleansed, controlled remotely via [String Puppet Technique], he'd have been exposed!
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling, meanwhile, remained composed.
Who said good guys can't scheme? He'd spotted Lu Yang's oddities from the start. A casual test—if clean, all the more reassuring.
"Cultivate here."
He said calmly.
"The Jade Pivot derives the sword art over time, constantly sensing your [Sword Intent]. Find me when it's done."
"This disciple obeys."
Lu Yang bowed hastily, then sank his mind back into the Jade Pivot. Satisfied, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling turned and quietly departed.
Outside the hall, he gazed skyward.
A rainbow of destiny soared, manifesting dragons and phoenixes in harmony—the pinnacle of his fortunes.
Yet, as the saying went: what peaks must decline.
'My time grows short.'
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling sighed. Then, a silvery bell-like laugh echoed in his ear—the voice of the Pure Land's previous Buddhist successor, Jing Guan.
"Killing once is easy as turning one's hand; never killing for a lifetime is harder than ascending to heaven."
"They say it's better to guide than block, Layman Ye. Can you truly achieve this 'non-killing'? I'm afraid you'll succumb to qi deviation and slaughter the world upside down!"