Chapter Thirty-Two: The Realm of the Sword Soul

“Since you’re in such an elegant mood, Senior Sister, I don’t mind accompanying you for a little game. But how shall we compete?” Yang Xiao asked.

“Perfect timing. I have a few treasured swords here. Though they’re not magical weapons, they are rare masterpieces in the mortal world, top-notch in both material and craftsmanship. Why don’t you help me appraise them?” Ling Yunmei replied. With that, she led Yang Xiao to her sword collection.

Yang Xiao gazed at more than a dozen gleaming swords. Each was crafted from the finest materials mere mortals could dream of—meteorite iron, ink iron, adamantine, and more. In mortal hands, these would be priceless treasures. Yet to high-level cultivators, they were gaudy trinkets, incapable of piercing a true cultivator’s defenses or providing any real aid in battle.

Nevertheless, these swords were indeed the cream of the crop among mortal weapons, and for disciples at the first or second stage of Spiritual Perception, they could still be of some use. Such novices barely possessed any spiritual power and could not yet wield powerful spells. At that stage, a fine blade could still tip the scales in a contest.

But for Yang Xiao and Ling Yunmei, these swords were now little more than ornaments. Once one reached the fourth or fifth stage of Spiritual Perception, they could already manipulate spiritual energy to extract elements from the air and cast minor spells. By the seventh or eighth stage, wielding advanced techniques and conjuring lightning or fire became effortless. At that point, mortal swords could barely scratch them—unless a cultivator refrained from using any spiritual power, ordinary blades stood no chance.

“These swords are certainly impressive, Senior Sister. Collecting them must have taken you much effort. But surely we won’t spar with these? You know that if we channel our spiritual power into the blades, they might be destroyed,” Yang Xiao said.

“They’re just decorations. If a couple get ruined, so be it—they’re of no real use to me. Just pick one you like,” Ling Yunmei replied.

“Very well, I’ll choose this curved one.” Yang Xiao picked up a sword whose blade arched like a serpent, much like the famed Dragon-Serpent Sword, though its hilt bore no dragon motifs—only the serpentine blade.

“Then I’ll take the Snow White Sword.” Ling Yunmei selected a sword that sparkled with a pure white light, its blade bright and dazzling as fresh snow.

“Are you ready, Senior Sister? I’m about to make my move.” Yang Xiao didn’t actually know many sword techniques, but in his past life he’d learned a couple of forms. He casually executed one, launching an attack at Ling Yunmei—more for show than effect, the move was flashy but lacked real power.

“White Crane Spreads Its Wings!” Yang Xiao shouted, pushing off with his back foot and thrusting forward. Though the strike held little force, the surge of spiritual energy around him made him appear, for a moment, like a white crane diving forward.

“Well done—Spring Awakens the Forest!” Ling Yunmei didn’t retaliate but adopted a defensive stance. With a sweep of her sword, the air seemed to change; as if spring had arrived and all things were growing, her sword swept aside Yang Xiao’s attack. Spinning gracefully, she returned to her original position.

“Again! Crane Seizes the Sky!”

“Spring Rain Awakens the Earth.”

“Cranes Cry in Unison!”

“Autumn Waters Flow Unending.”

“The Melancholy Cry of the Crane!”

“Winter’s Resolute Snowfall.”

In the blink of an eye, Yang Xiao and Ling Yunmei exchanged several rounds. Both appeared evenly matched, neither drawing upon much spiritual power, their swords clashing in a contest more elaborate in style than lethal in intent.

“Brother Yang, I sense you’re not giving your all. Are you holding back for my sake? If so, you might just lose,” Ling Yunmei teased, a smile on her lips.

“Senior Sister, it’s true—I have one killing move I haven’t used yet. I only just understood it, watching your Four Seasons Swordplay. But be warned, this move is powerful.” Yang Xiao realized ordinary techniques could not break through Ling Yunmei’s Four Seasons Swordplay, and she, too, seemed to be holding back. Ordinary moves would never reveal the other’s limits. So, he decided to try the Peerless Sword Technique he had recently grasped—a mysterious and profound art he had never fully comprehended. But just now, watching Ling Yunmei’s swordplay, inspiration struck, and he felt he’d finally touched upon the essence of the Peerless Sword’s first stage: the Sword Soul Realm.

Having reached this sudden insight, Yang Xiao wanted to test it. He thrust his sword at Ling Yunmei again, but this time the blade seemed alive, weaving left and right before suddenly splitting into four shadowy images. With the true blade, five sword shadows in all struck toward Ling Yunmei.

Ling Yunmei’s expression grew grave at the sight. She knew this was no ordinary move and that her previous techniques would not suffice. Yet she, too, had a trump card. With a move called “Seasons Fade into Nothingness,” she gathered the essence of her Four Seasons Swordplay into a single, majestic counter. Her sword force was now several times more formidable than before.

A clear clang rang out as Yang Xiao’s blade collided with Ling Yunmei’s. The phantasmal surroundings faded away.

But this clash was unlike any before. The sword in Ling Yunmei’s hand shattered into fragments, while Yang Xiao’s remained intact. In that instant, victory was decided.

“Brother Yang, your swordplay is truly remarkable. Had you not held back, I might have been injured,” Ling Yunmei said gratefully, gazing at Yang Xiao.

“You are too kind, Senior Sister. Your technique was equally astonishing. In truth, I did not win—this was a draw,” Yang Xiao replied, shaking his head.

No sooner had he finished speaking than his own sword, too, crumbled to pieces.

“I truly wish to know, what sword art was that?” Ling Yunmei asked.

“It is the Sword Soul Realm. I had not grasped it before, but in our duel just now, I suddenly understood,” Yang Xiao replied.