True Solution of the Sword Dao

But this swordsmanship is also among the most enigmatic. After reaching a certain level, practitioners must endure the painful process of shedding their skin, akin to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, repeatedly evolving their appearance and physique. Ultimately, due to the inherent imperfections of the Sword Dao itself, those who wish to ascend to the level of Sword Intent must first overcome their obsession with appearance, even to the extent of self-mutilation. This was Lin Fei’s biggest expectation for Ruan Mingxuan.

Unfortunately, because this swordplay demands an exceedingly high level of mental will and mainly focuses on beauty, cultivators can easily become more paranoid.

The person Lin Fei had once killed was a man whose appearance had become nearly perfect. However, his mind was clearly troubled, having become narcissistic to a horrifying degree. Merely because Lin Fei exuded an eerie beauty, the man had frantically attacked her, his speech chaotic as he ranted that only he was the most beautiful in the world and charged at her desperately.

Lin Fei released four seeds, each containing a trace of her demonic power. This was done to facilitate sensing the conditions of the four individuals at any time. If possible, she would also lend a hand to help the four break through when necessary.

It should be noted that these four were carefully selected by her as the four with the greatest potential in the Sword Dao, and the most likely to become true masters of the Sword Dao. Although it may take a very long time.

The Sword Canon’s swordsmanship is not something that anyone can cultivate. Those lacking potential who force themselves to train will instead be injured by the essence of the swordsmanship. Lin Fei often thought to herself that if she had not possessed the Sword Dao potential when she obtained the Sword Dao True Solution, she might have ended up like many former Sword Masters, being ordinary with no change to her life.

Sword cultivators, if they lack the courage and resolute will to press forward, if there is not a singular, steadfast conviction in their hearts, the stronger and sharper the Sword Dao they cultivate, the more likely they are to be harmed by their own selves.

Lin Fei stood quietly in the wooden hall, looking up at the sky outside the door.

A breeze blew by, gently lifting his white robe.

"Now, all that’s left to do is wait..." he murmured.

******************

Demon Realm, Australia, Sydney

Above the vast modern cityscape.

Two figures faced each other from afar, suspended in the air.

Below, the bustling city with its constant flow of people and traffic appeared as nothing more than a backdrop for the two of them.

"What do you plan to do next?" one of the figures spoke, his voice carrying effortlessly to the ears of the other, kilometers away.

"I am about to acquire the Supreme Demon God Aegis, and the glory of restoring the original ancient Demon God is just around the corner. What do you think I’m planning to do?" the other figure calmly replied.

"With the cultivation of the Yojin Mandala flower successful, you’ve gained the ability to transform the energy composition in the air. Are you planning to turn both the Outer World and the Inner World into the Demon Realm?"

"This is not transformation, as those places originally belonged to our Monster Clan. I am merely restoring and reclaiming them," the shadowy figure replied with a smile, the darkness receding to reveal a massive figure in black armor, with streams of black smoke continuously rising from the seams of the armor, and blood-red, demonic flames burning within the eyepieces. It was the increasingly powerful Griffin.

"So, you and the Black Flame Demon Lord have fully merged?" The other figure began to reveal his true form as well, with snow-white, crystal-clear facial features, purple lips, ears like wings, and a snow-white robe that fluttered in the wind. It was Lin Fei.

Griffin cackled, "He and I are one. The Black Flame Demon Lord is me, and Griffin is also me. Whichever way you call me is fine. Just wait, before long, I’ll have the Yojin Mandala flower blooming throughout the Three Realms. The Supreme Demon Palace will eventually become the highest temple of the Three Realms...."

Lin Fei did not respond, only looking down at the city below.

"I have no interest in your plans, but likewise, I hope you don’t interfere with my plans for the Energy Scepter’s Power of Inheritance."

The flame in Griffin’s eyes flickered slightly.

"I no longer have a use for the Divine Artifact parts. If you need them, I can give them to you."

He extended his hand, and in the palm emerged three small shards. The shards shimmered with three different lustrous hues, glowing as they floated up and down.

Lin Fei frowned slightly.

"What are the conditions?"

"Join forces under our command, our Monster Clans uniting to attack the Earth’s Outer World," Griffin stated clearly.

Lin Fei pondered for a moment. "I need time."

"How long?"

"Two years."

"Then, swear by your name as a Demon God."

Griffin extended one finger, a wisp of black light glowing at its tip.

Shh!

A black beam shot out from the fingertip, crossing the several kilometers in an instant and stopping just before Lin Fei.

With a swish, the black light transformed into a flower bud, a black lotus, whose petals rapidly unfolded in complex and extravagant layers.

A gold pattern flickered on Lin Fei’s brow, and a speck of golden light flew out, landing in the heart of the black lotus.

The black lotus then slowly closed back up, reverting to a bud once again, and then silently shattered into countless black dots, dissipating into the air.

"With our essence of demonic power as a pledge, this oath is formed," Griffin clenched his fist, and the three shards in his palm disappeared instantly.

In the space before Lin Fei, three transparent shards materialized at the same time. The three, red, yellow, and silver, reflected their hues onto Lin Fei’s face, which glowed with colorful luminescence.

"Well then, I shall take my leave," said Lin Fei indifferently. Turning around, he leapt lightly, his white robe fluttering as his figure gradually vanished into the air.

Griffin remained where he was.

"Aren’t you worried that he might also covet the Supreme Demon God Aegis?" The voice of the Black Flame Demon Lord emanated from within him.

"There’s no need, without a complex inheritance ritual, even he would be instantly devoured by the Demon God Armor. Only we can possess the most complete inheritance ritual and truly inherit the Demon God Armor. He’s well aware of that. Hence, he holds no covetous desires towards the Demon God Armor, instead placing his hopes on the Power of Inheritance from the Energy Scepter of the Five Elements. It’s his only hope for breaking through to the Divine Level. Moreover, whether it’s him or me, we have both already transformed into pure members of the Monster Clan, having shed our original human bloodlines. Should other forces learn of our Monster Clan’s potential, they would surely unite to eliminate us, just as before. Thus, Yan Fei and I both hope that the other becomes as strong as possible; there are no conflicts of interest between us." Griffin’s thoughts were very clear.

"However, I can sense that Yan Fei seems to be brewing some special demonic power within him," the Black Flame Demon Lord said in a deep voice.

"So what? The stronger he is, the stronger the power of our Monster Clan," Griffin said nonchalantly. "The specific location has been chosen; all that’s left are a few special materials."

"With two years’ time, we should be able to gather them all and complete the entire preparation for inheriting the Demon God Armor."

**************

Sword Canon Space, Extinction Holy Hall

Lin Fei sat high in the grand hall, with five parts of a Divine Artifact floating in his hands.

A faint five-colored halo reflected on his face, rippling like light on water.

"The complete True Lies Divine Artifact, I’ve finally collected them all," Lin Fei said quietly as he gazed at the Divine Artifact parts in his hands, his eyes a picture of serenity.

"Let’s assemble it completely. Let me see what power the legendary strongest Divine Artifact possesses..."

Click!

A gemstone suddenly embedded itself into a small hole in an earring. It fit perfectly, without any flaws.

A ring of red flames whooshed into existence around Lin Fei, forming a fire-red dragon shape, burning and coiling around the throne. The dense red light made the entire hall even more blood-red.

"Red represents fire," Lin Fei murmured softly.

Then, another click.

A gemstone with a yellow halo snapped into the pendant.

The flames disappeared, replaced by a faint aroma of soil that began to spread.

"Yellow represents earth."

One last sound.

Click!

The final silver gemstone was set into the pendant.

A ring of silver light suddenly exploded, completely enveloping Lin Fei. It was as if he was encased within a silver orb.

"Silver represents metal."

Lin Fei focused on the now complete pendant in his hand.

Little by little, a pale green color gently surfaced on the pendant itself. Soon, the entire pendant had turned into a green vine material. Finely detailed wood grains started to appear on the surface, and a slowly spreading aura of life became palpable.

"Indeed, the legendary True Lies Divine Artifact has countless connections to the Energy Scepters of the Five Elements."

Lin Fei gently clasped the Divine Artifact.

All the halos instantly dimmed.

Threads of ancient information slowly flowed into his mind.

It was the information left by the original creator of the Divine Artifact from the ancient times.

Lin Fei’s expression gradually changed with the inflow of information—hesitation, surprise, joy, and then solemnity.

All of a sudden.

He slightly raised his head, looking towards the center of the grand hall.

There, a semi-transparent white screen slowly materialized. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

In the screen, Lin You and others stood before a marshland, surrounded by a lush green forest.

Above the marshland, an oval-shaped brownish-yellow portal floated, with energy rotating inside and a faint yellowish glow.

"Land of Seals teleportation portal," Lin Fei said in a low voice. He knew that entering that portal would take one to the sealed lands protected by the Staff of the Earth guardian family. And because of the portal qualification, he couldn’t send anyone in to assist Lin You.

In fact, at this stage, there was no need for him to keep hiding his power from Lin You anymore. But some things, once set on that path, become very difficult to turn back from.

It was so with Lin You, and it was the same with him.

Even if he told Lin You now, "I can make sure you needn’t worry about any danger, I can solve the security issues you’ve always been worried about." But Lin You would still choose to embark on the path of breaking the seals.

Because with her kind-hearted nature, she would absolutely not ignore the suffering of the guardian clanspeople sealed within the Land of Seals. Besides, the Contractor of the Staff of the Earth could only address the pain he and his brother, the Fusion Scepter, suffered by obtaining the true complete Power of Inheritance.

Moreover, before the secret triggered by the Holy Spirit’s Blood arrives, Lin Fei himself wasn’t sure he could emerge unscathed, so allowing Lin You to have some extra means of self-protection was also a good choice.

This was truly what Lin Fei was worried about after learning the secret of the Holy Spirit’s Blood. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)