Sword Hearts United, Nascent Soul Achieved
On Flowing Cloud Subpeak, atop the white jade sword field, Yun Zhixun's twin buns swayed lightly in the wind as she wielded her jade-green little sword, executing the "Startling Swan Shadow" form of the Infinite Sword Art.
Sword light swirled like flowing clouds, nimble yet laced with sharpness. But compared to the technique Mu Xueyi had just demonstrated for her, it always lacked that soul-piercing edge.
She bit her lower lip, fine sweat beading on her forehead, frustration bubbling in her heart: Master's swordsmanship is divine, and I can't even touch half her artistic conception. Sigh, they call me an innate sword body, a sword dao prodigy—what a joke. When will I ever catch up to even half of her? A third would do; I'm not greedy!
She halted her movements, sword at rest, the jade-green blade quivering faintly in her palm as if echoing her inner reluctance.
Yun Zhixun's gaze drifted unconsciously toward the palace hall, the image of that lazy little junior brother Su Rui flickering in her mind.
He'd said he was going to find Master—how long had it been? Why hadn't he come out yet? Was Master giving him private lessons inside, teaching him some exclusive secret art?
At the thought, a spark of curiosity and defiance ignited in her chest.
Hmph, that little junior brother has mediocre spiritual roots—how could he possibly have the talent to forge his own path? If he did, he'd have shaken the sect by now. As it is, he only got third at the trial sword conference on Sword Guard Peak!
Yun Zhixun muttered to herself, her lively eyes spinning with mischief as a bold idea surfaced.
Why not sneak a peek? See what he's up to with Master?
The notion had barely formed when she shook her head fiercely, banishing the improper impulse.
She was Master's most obedient disciple—how could she stoop to peeping? It was utterly unbecoming!
If Master caught her, there'd be hell to pay. No way—she was strict, so strict!
Forcing down her curiosity, she gripped the jade-green sword anew and resumed practicing "Startling Swan Shadow," striving to mimic Mu Xueyi's peerless, razor-sharp sword intent.
How could she know that, had she yielded to temptation and slipped into the hall, she'd have witnessed a scene shattering enough to crumble her worldview?
Her revered Master Mu Xueyi was, at this very moment, stark naked, walking from the meditation chamber to the boudoir—with Su Rui trailing behind, his face twisted in a lewd grin, eyes roving hungrily over her swaying peach-like rear.
Luckily, Yun Zhixun stayed put; otherwise, the sight would have wrecked her sword heart.
She continued practicing on the sword field, oblivious to the passage of time, until suddenly—a heaven-shaking beam of light erupted from deep within the hall, piercing straight to the heavens. Spiritual energy coiled like dragons, triggering celestial phenomena!
Yun Zhixun froze, nearly dropping her jade-green sword, eyes bulging as she cried out: "What happened? Oh god! What... what kind of phenomenon is this? Such terrifying spiritual fluctuations!"
She stared dumbly at the beam, the spiritual vortex sweeping through the clouds, shaking her to her core.
At that moment, a low voice came from behind, heavy with gravity: "Nascent Soul formation omen!"
Yun Zhixun whipped around to see Qin Zhe arriving on his sword, a complex mix in his eyes—shock, doubt, and an indescribable dejection: Master's talent is truly beyond reach, isn't it?
Qin Zhe's cave dwelling was at the base of Flowing Cloud Subpeak; sensing the spiritual turmoil at the peak, he'd rushed over at once.
His deep gaze locked onto the soaring beam.
"What? Nascent Soul formation omen? Does that mean... Master is forming her Nascent Soul?!"
Yun Zhixun's pretty face filled with shock, her voice rising unwittingly: "But she was just teaching us swordplay earlier—no mention of preparing to form her Nascent Soul! How is that possible?"
Qin Zhe's brows furrowed tight, his tone grave: "Indeed. Normally, False Infant cultivators must seclude themselves for months beforehand, absorbing ample spiritual energy and solidifying their foundation before attempting Nascent Soul formation. How could it be so hasty? What's going on with Master?"
Before his words faded, dozens of terrifying spiritual fluctuations swept in from afar, like gales ravaging the cloud sea, disrupting Flowing Cloud Subpeak's spiritual energy.
Yun Zhixun's face paled, instinctively clutching her jade-green sword: "Such powerful pressure? Who's coming?"
Qin Zhe's eyes sharpened, steady as ever: "Don't panic. It should be the sect's grand elders and peak masters arriving."
No sooner said than two dozen figures tore through the air, spiritual lights flashing, auras majestic as descending stars, hovering midair above Flowing Cloud Subpeak.
Some were white-haired and ancient, others ethereal and sage-like—all Sword Sect elites, mostly Nascent Soul cultivators, with a few Core Formation ones.
Excitement gleamed in Yun Zhixun's eyes: "So many seniors! Nascent Soul cultivators' auras are incredible!"
Amid the crowd, one crimson figure stood out: Yu Wan'ning.
She wore her signature crimson gossamer gown, skirts rippling like flowing auroras, accentuating her graceful curves.
Beside her was an elderly man with a ruddy complexion—her father, Bai Yu Zhenren, a late-stage Nascent Soul peak powerhouse, his spiritual power vast as an ocean, his presence so oppressive Yun Zhixun dared not linger her gaze.
A Nascent Soul grand elder pointed remotely at the hall, laughing heartily: "This celestial phenomenon originates from Xueyi's residence! As expected, she's the one forming her Nascent Soul! The girl abandons her cave dwelling to break through at home—truly unconventional!"
An elder beside him chuckled too: "Reaching Nascent Soul before twenty-five, joining us old monsters—this talent is the pinnacle of our world!"
Yu Heng Zhenren nodded in agreement, eyes full of admiration: "Over a month ago at my peak's secondary trial sword conference, Xueyi had already stabilized at False Infant. I knew she'd take this step soon, but not this soon! Pinnacle indeed!"
Another Nascent Soul cultivator chimed in: "Haha, Xueyi's pinnacle isn't just talent—her beauty, poise, aura, all are unmatched in our world! My disciples, even knowing she's bound in dao companionship, still pine for her endlessly."
Hearing these Nascent Soul old monsters praise Mu Xueyi without end, Yu Wan'ning's willow brows furrowed, her mood growing ever more tangled.
She prided herself on her talent; at her age, peak mid-stage Core Formation was elite among elites. Yet compared to Mu Xueyi, the gap was vast.
Forming Nascent Soul before twenty-five—scanning ten thousand years of cultivation history, aside from that enigmatic lecherous thief, no third person existed.
Bai Yu Zhenren caught the shadow in his daughter's eyes and stroked his beard consolingly: "Ning'er, no need for discouragement. Xueyi's talent is peerless, but in Father's heart, you're not far behind. With your aptitude, Nascent Soul is only a matter of time."
"Daughter understands."
Yu Wan'ning nodded, though not fully consoled.
She knew she'd form her Nascent Soul eventually—but not at such a young age.
Mu Xueyi's talent left her in the dust.
Be it sword dao attainment, cultivation progress, that cold and otherworldly grace, or even her looks—which Yu Wan'ning prided herself on—none measured up.
—No, wait. There's one place.
Her heart stirred; yes, she did surpass Mu Xueyi in one spot.
Recalling how that lecher had fondled and ravished it obsessively, the memory vivid as ever, shame mingled with a twisted solace.
Yu Wan'ning smiled bitterly, her almond eyes sweeping over Yun Zhixun and Qin Zhe on the sword field.
She knew they were Mu Xueyi's disciples. Su Rui was nominally one too, but he'd never come here to practice. Surely that lecher wasn't present today?
As she pondered silently, a Nascent Soul grand elder landed before Yun Zhixun and Qin Zhe, waving his sleeve to dispense with formalities before gravely asking: "Why would your master begin forming her Nascent Soul without warning?"
Qin Zhe cupped his hands respectfully: "Replying to Grand Elder, this disciple is unaware. Just hours ago, Master was teaching us swordplay here—no sign of seclusion for Nascent Soul formation."
The grand elder's brows knit: "Strange. Nascent Soul formation is a monumental event—months of preparation to gather spiritual energy for the breakthrough. How could it be so abrupt?"
Bai Yu Zhenren's voice drifted from midair, laced with puzzlement: "Regardless, we can only watch. But curiously, when did Xueyi master such profound restrictions? Even my divine sense can't penetrate her residence at all!"
In contemplation, Bai Yu Zhenren's gaze shifted to Yun Zhixun and Qin Zhe, stroking his beard: "Is someone guarding Xueyi's breakthrough? Did this person set the restriction?"
Qin Zhe shook his head: "Replying to Peak Master, aside from this disciple and junior sister, only Master and... the mentally impaired martial uncle are here. No one else is guarding her."
At "mentally impaired martial uncle," pain flickered in the eyes of an elder rivaling Bai Yu Zhenren in cultivation among the Nascent Souls.
This was Xuan Qing Zhenren, Li Chengxuan's master and Heaven Sword Peak's deputy master, at late-stage Nascent Soul peak.
Recalling his prized disciple's former glory—talent nearly matching Mu Xueyi's—now reduced to a fool, his heart ached like a knife twist, though his face remained composed.
"Um, senior brother..."
Yun Zhixun piped up timidly, hesitant: "Little junior brother Su Rui is inside too."
"What?"
Qin Zhe's brow arched, doubt flashing: "Master allowing him inside for such a critical breakthrough?"
In midair, Yu Wan'ning's heart jolted at the words, complex light in her almond eyes.
Now it made sense—Father's divine sense blocked because that lecher was inside; the restriction must be his doing.
In all Sword Sect, likely only he could erect a barrier impenetrable even to late-stage Nascent Soul!
But what was he doing in there? Assisting Mu Xueyi's formation? Or... something else?
Yu Wan'ning had a million questions, but no one to confide in—left to speculate alone.
"Su Rui? Isn't that the disciple who took third at my peak's trial sword conference?"
Yu Heng Zhenren stroked his beard, chuckling: "Reaching third with mere mid-stage Foundation Establishment—a true dark horse back then. Now under Xueyi's tutelage, I wonder how his sword dao has progressed?"
Aside from Yu Heng Zhenren’s mild reflection, the Nascent Souls paid the Foundation Establishment disciple no mind, naturally not suspecting the restriction was his. Conversation swiftly shifted.
A white-haired elder frowned: "Everyone so certain Xueyi will succeed? Forgotten the most terrifying heart demon trial during Nascent Soul formation? You old fogeys recall being tormented by heart demons?"
Bai Yu Zhenren sighed softly, stroking his beard: "Who truly forgets that torment? Even now dubbed a grand cultivator, recalling the heart demon assault during my formation still sends chills."
Yu Wan'ning's gaze flickered as she whispered: "What was Father's heart demon back then?"
Bai Yu Zhenren paused, mumbling: "Er... just a particularly stubborn demon."
Xuan Qing Zhenren laughed heartily: "Your dad feared having a son later. He's daughter-obsessed—either no kids, or only girls!"
Yu Wan'ning's eyes danced amusedly at her father.
Under her gaze, the late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivator flushed faintly at the ears, his usual dignity vanished.
"Ahem."
Bai Yu Zhenren coughed, sobering: "In short, heart demons are a major hurdle for us, but not for Xueyi! Her Sword Heart Transparent excels not just in sword dao but fortifies her dao heart unyieldingly. Mere heart demons won't stop her."
The Nascent Souls nodded; few doubted Mu Xueyi's success. Such a pinnacle genius, having taken the step, was bound to triumph.
Yet Yu Wan'ning harbored private doubts.
She knew Mu Xueyi's ordeals—ravished by that shameless lecher Su Rui, beloved Li Chengxuan's soul extracted. Heart demons born of such trauma, even with Sword Heart Transparent, would be hard to sever cleanly!
Reality bore out Yu Wan'ning's fears: Mu Xueyi's state was far from ideal.
In contrast, Su Rui had smoothly formed his Nascent Soul via the Profound Yin Harvesting Art. The Heavenly Extreme Demonic Flame Art defied heaven, bottleneck-free, heart demon-free—his cultivation firmly at early Nascent Soul, aura rivaling late-stage!
Unlike Mu Xueyi's earth-shaking phenomena, his formation was serene, stirring no worldly spiritual energy.
This was the Heavenly Extreme Demonic Flame Art's eerie nature—defying norms, unbound by Heavenly Dao. Even reaching God Transformation later, no thunder tribulation needed.
Of course, sans tribulation tempering, foundations might waver, but each layer included companion arts. By God Transformation, others would surely substitute for thunder quenching.
God Transformation was distant; Su Rui tabled it, eyes on Mu Xueyi.
Her naked body trembled faintly in the spiritual glow, snow-white skin dotted with crystalline sweat, fragile and sickly.
Her full breasts quivered with the shakes; below, her pristine White Tiger Steamed Bun Hole still clung tightly to Su Rui's massive shaft, slick and constricted.
Yet Su Rui refrained from thrusting. His ferocious length remained buried inside, throbbing painfully, but he held still.
For Mu Xueyi's condition teetered on the brink.
Her pretty face was paper-pale, sweat trickling from her brow down her cheeks, soaking stray azure locks that clung to her snowy neck, adding disheveled pathos.
Her breathing chaotic, lacking any early Nascent Soul grandeur—instead frail, as if collapse imminent.
More alarming: under divine sense probe, her golden core's glow dimmed, cracks faintly emerging. Unstabilized, it might shatter—not just failing formation, but regressing to Foundation Establishment, or worse.
"Master, your Sword Heart Transparent seems overrated. A mere heart demon trial has you this undone?"
Su Rui's mockery went unheard; Mu Xueyi had long sunk into her sea of consciousness, locked in deathmatch with her heart demon.
Her dao heart flickered like a candle in the wind, on the verge of extinguishing.
Past humiliations surged like tides—Li Chengxuan's soul extraction agony, Su Rui's repeated vile violations, her powerless shame—all morphing into layered illusions, dragging her into endless abyssal darkness.
"Tch, what a troublesome woman! Rushing a breakthrough unprepared? Think you've got laozi's Heavenly Extreme Demonic Flame Art?"
Su Rui clucked his tongue, impatience in his tone.
He rose, massive shaft still embedded, eliciting an involuntary quiver from her body—her sealed slit contracting, squeezing out a glistening trickle that slid down her snowy thigh.
Su Rui ignored the erotic sight, his expression unprecedentedly solemn.
He extended a finger to her sweat-slick brow; dark demonic light bloomed at the tip, threaded with bloody aura.
Biting his tongue, he forced out drops of essence blood. Crimson pearls merged into the demonic light, forming a strand of blazing demonic flame that seeped slowly through his fingertip into her brow.
His divine sense flooded her sea of consciousness like a tide, domineeringly charging toward her faltering dao heart.
What did he intend? Even he wasn't sure.
Perhaps, deep down, lurked a notion he himself shunned—
He didn't want her to fail, didn't want this proud woman reduced to wretched ruin.
Am I really helping her? At the cost of essence blood?
Su Rui laughed self-mockingly.