Ink-wash paintings on sparse windows, a lonely shadow fades by the cold Xiang River.
When he left Zhujian Peak, the sky was filled with stars like scattered grain, and a sliver of the cold moon hung like a bay.
Upon returning to Zhijian Peak, an autumn rain began to fall without warning. The soughing cold wind and the pattering chilly rain carried the faint sound of emerald bamboos bending under the weight.
Inside his small cabin, Xu Xian lit a spirit lamp.
He was staring intently at the Heavenly White Jade Capital before him, his brow slightly furrowed in deep thought.
He turned to the second page of the book. It was similar to the first, depicting the same sword tower, but the lines of the first floor were now solid and shimmering with a white mist.
The lower half of the page read:
[White Jade Capital Second Floor]
[Construction Requirements: (1) acquired sword body, (2) Nascent Soul sword embryo, (3) White Jade Capital First Floor.]
[Construction Materials: (1) a certain amount of spirit stones, (2) 100,000 withered bones (sapient beast bones preferred).]
[Current Progress: 0%]
It was both within and beyond his expectations.
The second floor actually required beast bones to forge, and the quantity was staggering—a full 100,000...
What were fifth-grade beast bones? The bones of a demonic beast that had developed intelligence were sapient beast bones.
In other words, Xu Xian had to obtain the bones of 100,000 fifth-grade demonic beasts.
That was no small number, and they had to be complete...
Xu Xian’s head throbbed as he grumbled in a low voice, "100,000 withered bones... you wouldn't even need that many to build a skull pyramid..."
A skull pyramid was a practice on ancient battlefields where the corpses of enemies were piled into a mountain and packed with earth to serve as a deterrent. A two-story sword tower built from 100,000 beast bones would basically be a beastly skull pyramid!
This method really didn't seem like something a righteous sect would do.
The little Shuer sat on the youth's shoulder, tilting her head as she spoke.
"The second divine sword should be the Yellow Spring Burial!"
Xu Xian waved his hand to dismiss the Heavenly White Jade Capital and looked at the book spirit, whispering, "Yellow Spring Burial?"
With the completion of the first floor of the sword tower and the unsealing of the Heaven-Burning Sparrow, the little Shuer had regained some fragmented memories.
"Mhm, it's almost certainly that one."
"Just hearing the name, it doesn't sound like anything good," Xu Xian remarked.
The little Shuer thought back seriously. "Yellow Spring Burial is a sword of slaughter, a sword of great calamity, a sword of death. Legend has it that this sword was condensed from the lifelong killing intent of a great sword dao expert. It has slaughtered countless beings; the souls that perished beneath it are as numerous as the wandering ghosts in the Yellow Spring, hence the name Yellow Spring Burial."
"The sword buries the Yellow Spring, meaning it has slain an immense number of living beings. That's likely why it needs to be forged from white bones."
She paused, looking a bit frustrated. "As for anything more, I can't remember. When the day comes for Master to draw the sword, you might be able to see its origin, just like with the Heaven-Burning Sparrow."
Xu Xian took a deep breath and raised an eyebrow. "No rush. This is a massive undertaking; we have to take it slow."
"Mhm."
For Xu Xian, 100,000 withered bones was a massive amount, but it wasn't necessarily bad news. On the contrary, it could be considered good news.
Never mind 100,000. In the Great Desolation to the east, the number of demonic beasts was counted in the hundreds of millions. How could there be fewer than 100,000 sapient beasts of the fifth grade or higher?
Then there was the North Sea, which had even more sea beasts.
At the very least, he knew they existed. They were in the Great Desolation and the North Sea; all that remained was to see if he could get them.
Whether he killed them himself or found someone to buy them from, it was possible. Xu Xian was still young and in no hurry. He already had a rough plan in mind.
He lay down on the floor, limbs spread wide, staring at the ceiling while listening to the rain and wind outside. His thoughts gradually settled into a peaceful state.
The sword tower was built, a divine sword obtained, and he had broken through to the Nascent Soul stage. His short-term goals were achieved; there was nothing to be upset about.
Next, he planned to find some time to return to Houdao Village.
It had been six years. If he didn't go back soon, his father and mother would be getting old.
Thinking of this, Xu Xian closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
That night, the youth was in an excellent mood, so he drifted into a dream of the mortal world and slept soundly.
When he woke, it was already dawn. The autumn rain had caused the mountain temperature to plummet, and the wind carried a biting chill. The fallen leaves in the woods had grown thicker.
Xu Xian, who hadn't slept in a long time, felt incredibly refreshed and energetic. Such a minor cold wind couldn't bother his body at all.
After getting up, he headed straight to the spirit herb garden for an inspection. As usual, he watered and weeded. Once finished, he planned to head out to find Ruan Hao and fulfill their agreement.
He had taken the items, so he had to learn forging. Especially after seeing the scene of the Heaven-Burning Sparrow being forged in the Sword Mound, he was truly looking forward to it.
Plucking stars with a flick of a finger, a single hammer blow shattering mountains and rivers—the scene was violent, terrifying, and simply overwhelming.
If he could achieve such power in the future, this second life and his journey in cultivation would not be in vain.
Li Qingshan still hadn't returned, and no one knew where he had gone.
Just as Xu Xian was about to head down the mountain, he ran straight into Wen Qingxue, who was walking up.
"Little Wen?"
Wen Qingxue gave a proper bow, her voice as cold as ever. "Little Grand-Uncle, the Sect Master wants you to go to the Immortal Pavilion."
"Hmm... right now?"
"Yes!"
"There's always so much to do every day," Xu Xian grumbled before looking at her. "Fine, I understand. You can head back."
Wen Qingxue gave a soft "Oh."
Xu Xian left immediately, soaring away on the wind.
Wen Qingxue stood there for a long time before turning to head back down. She was very confused and bewildered.
"How did he... become a Nascent Soul?" she murmured in disbelief.
Before long, Xu Xian arrived at Tianjian Peak. Coming before the Immortal Pavilion, he saw from a distance a fairy in white standing there, seemingly waiting for a long time.
As Xu Xian landed, he called out enthusiastically, "Senior Sister!"
Ye Xianyu looked him up and down and praised, "You look like you're in good spirits today, quite dashing."
Xu Xian curled his lips. "I'm always like this!"
Ye Xianyu smiled and turned toward the Immortal Pavilion. "Follow me."
Xu Xian followed closely, looking around and admiring the high tower before him. It was seven stories tall from bottom to top. Its appearance was similar to the Dao Pavilion but different in that it was built entirely of stone. Although there were carvings of eaves and windows, they were merely decorative.
Except for the seventh floor, which was open on all four sides, the other six floors were completely sealed.
Above the door frame, two words were written: [Immortal Pavilion].
What was the Immortal Pavilion? It was the place where the everlasting lamps of the Wendao Sword Sect disciples were kept.
When the person died, the lamp went out; when the lamp was extinguished, the person was no more.
Any disciple of the sect who reached the Nascent Soul stage would come here to use their Nascent Soul power to separate a strand of their soul and light a soul lamp of their own.
Xu Xian was naturally no exception.
Unlike the Dao Pavilion or the Mission Hall, there were almost no people in front of the Immortal Pavilion, only a few patrolling deacons on duty.
Seeing the two arrive, they stopped to bow in greeting.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
"Greetings, Little Grand-Uncle!"
The two went straight inside. The scene that met Xu Xian's eyes upon entering the door left him greatly shocked and filled with wonder.
The great hall was completely sealed, yet it was as bright as day. Before him, countless everlasting lamps were arranged in dense, orderly rows.
Truly, there was no better description than a sea of lights.
"Whoa... just how many lamps are there?"
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