Your Spell Version is Too Low!

At the end of the Xia Guang Hongqiao, light and shadow flowed.

Qi Yun took a step forward and instantly found himself in a completely different realm.

The rainbow bridge behind him dissipated without a sound.

Before him was a tranquil space, no larger than an acre, with a clear spring pool at its center.

The spring water was so clear that the smooth pebbles lining the bottom were visible at a glance.

A faint, cool mist swirled over the water’s surface, filling the surrounding air with a refreshing chill that felt as if it could cleanse one’s Divine Soul.

By the pool stood a simple, ancient stone tablet, upon which were inscribed two weathered words: [Shadow Reflection].

This was the second trial of Wenjian Forest.

According to the information passed down by previous successors on the scroll, this pool was no ordinary one.

When one looked into the pool, the water would not reflect the Dharma Seeker’s physical appearance, but instead directly mirror the foundation of their cultivation.

Aptitude, physical constitution, karmic threads from the past, and even the most profound and mysterious thing of all: their future potential in the Sword Dao.

The reflected scene varied from person to person.

It might be a stretch of chaos, signifying an uncertain path ahead.

It might be a frail sapling, symbolizing potential yet to be developed.

Or it could be the embryonic form of a colossal tree, revealing a talent for the Supreme Sword Dao.

This trial tested one’s "self-awareness" and "wisdom of choice."

A clear self-perception was the keystone for choosing one’s path.

After the reflection was complete, the power of the legacy would project several Sword Dao paths into the Dharma Seeker’s Heart and Spirit—paths that were most suited to their current state and potential traits.

The Dharma Seeker must then combine their own inclinations and preferences with what the "Shadow Reflection" revealed to make the preliminary choice that best suited them.

This choice was of utmost importance.

It would directly determine which Sword Dao legacy trial the Dharma Seeker would face in the next stage.

Qi Yun walked to the edge of the pool, a trace of curiosity on his face as he looked down into the clear, mirror-like water.

As expected, the water’s surface did not reflect his current, disguised face of "Zhang Mazi," nor did it show his true appearance.

Instead, the pool’s water rippled slightly as light and shadow shifted.

The first thing to appear was the foundational image of his own cultivation—within his Dantian Purple Mansion, True Essence swirled like mercury.

Within his body, a newly opened acupuncture point faintly glowed.

His constitution and vitality were robust, and his entire being faintly emanated a gentle, radiant light.

This indicated his outstanding aptitude, a benefit from the [Crimson Cicada Embryo Storage].

However, when the pool’s reflection attempted to touch upon the core of his [Sword Dao Potential]...

...the image became blurry.

No clear sapling or embryonic giant tree appeared, nor was there a brilliant sword light soaring to the heavens.

In its place was a hazy, illusory, and constantly shifting shadow.

This shadow would sometimes gather and disperse like smoke and clouds, and other times seem as unfathomable as an abyss, yet none of its forms would stabilize or clearly point toward a fixed, smooth path of the Sword Dao.

It was not deathly still like chaos, nor was it frail like a sapling, and it certainly didn’t have a clear growth trajectory like a giant tree.

It was like a constantly changing mass of probability, full of variables.

Qi Yun stared at this unique reflection, his brow slightly raised.

’Such a variable reflection... Is it because of the Magic Technique Panel?’

He guessed it was because the Magic Technique Panel could continuously update his sword skills, which made it impossible for the Shadow Pool to deduce and calculate his ultimate Sword Dao Potential.

Just as the reflected image stabilized into this hazy, variable state,

three distinct images of light and shadow suddenly appeared within Qi Yun’s Heart and Spirit.

They represented the three Sword Dao paths that the legacy had deduced were most suitable for him based on his current state:

First, an image of light and shadow, illusory and misty, ethereal and traceless. This sword path emphasized "deception, strangeness, and change," excelling in concealment, confusing enemies, and landing a single killing blow, or creating opportunities where none seemed to exist. It perfectly matched his expertise in Illusory Concealment and his versatile methods.

This Sword Dao was named [Mysterious Mist].

Second, an image of light and shadow that was heavy and solid, like the unyielding earth. This sword path emphasized "stability, fortitude, and resilience," focusing on overwhelming opponents with sheer presence, using defense as a form of attack, and building a solid foundation for long-lasting power. It perfectly matched his dense True Essence and the extremely strong defense of his Abyssal Iron Sand.

This Sword Dao was named [Zhong Luan].

Third, an image of light and shadow as swift as lightning, its trajectory unpredictable. This sword path emphasized "speed, sharpness, and penetration," pursuing the ultimate in velocity and piercing power, excelling at finding weaknesses to shatter defenses. It perfectly matched the overbearing fierce intent of his Nanming Demon Fire Sword Qi.

This Sword Dao was named [Flowing Light].

The three paths each had their own strengths and weaknesses, and all of them aligned with some of his current traits.

Qi Yun’s gaze swept over the three sword shadows, and he pursed his lips slightly.

’[Mysterious Mist] suits my stealth, but it lacks an upfront, honorable quality. It leans too heavily into surprise attacks, which isn’t what I truly desire.’

’[Zhong Luan] focuses on defense, but it seems a bit cumbersome. It clashes with my nature, which seeks Freedom and dislikes being tied down.’

’[Flowing Light] is fast and sharp, but it’s too extreme. If I suffer a setback, I might not be able to recover.’

’They didn’t even try. It couldn’t figure out my Sword Dao Potential, so it just threw three random dishes at me?’

Shaking his head, Qi Yun’s gaze finally returned to the hazy, shifting shadow of variability.

’Since my future is full of variables, why should I confine myself to a fixed, ’royal road’ so early?’

’Whether it’s deceptive, solid, or swift, they are all just single facets of the Sword Dao.’

’A true sword of Freedom shouldn’t be bound by form. It should be able to exhibit any trait as needed.’

At this thought, a flicker of movement appeared in Qi Yun’s eyes.

’I’ll give this a try first. If it doesn’t work, I’ll just pick one of the others.’

He didn’t choose any of the three clear sword shadows. Instead, he projected his own Heart Thought—his desire for "Freedom" and his intent to master all variables—toward the hazy, shifting shadow in the pool.

Sensing his decision of "non-selection,"

the hazy light in the pool suddenly began to boil and expand, swallowing the other three distinct sword shadows.

The next moment, the calm water before Qi Yun began to swirl.

A deep vortex formed at the bottom of the pool, emitting a powerful suction.

Glancing at the pool before him, Qi Yun transformed into a wisp of Pure Qi and dove in.

The next instant.

He found himself in a boundless forest.

But the "trees" here were no ordinary trees.

They were countless Ancient Swords, plunged upside down into the vast earth.

The swords were the forest, and the forest was the swords.

Ancient Swords of all shapes and sizes stood densely packed, stretching to the horizon.

Some were mottled with rust, as if they had slumbered for ages; some gleamed with a cold light, their Sword Qi spontaneously soaring to the heavens and splitting the clouds; some were wreathed in thunderous Divine Fire, displaying all sorts of phenomena; and others were deathly silent, yet radiated a heart-pounding aura of destruction...

A myriad of different Sword Intents crisscrossed here, forming a Sword Domain that was both perilous and filled with opportunity.

The Land of the Sea of Clouds was—Question.

The water of the Shadow Pool was—Sword.

And this place was—Forest.

Normally, after a Dharma Seeker made their choice at the Shadow Pool, a seed of "Sword Intent" corresponding to their chosen path would naturally form within them.

Relying on this Sword Intent seed, walking through this forest would allow them to sense and attract a compatible Ancient Sword, which would let out a clear ring and shimmer with light, thereby bestowing a specific sword skill legacy.

However, just moments ago before the Shadow Pool, Qi Yun had not chosen any of the preset paths.

So now, his body was completely empty. He had nothing.

He stood at the edge of the sword forest, clearly feeling the fluctuations of Sword Intent radiating from the countless Ancient Swords around him—some sharp, some heavy, some deceptive, some ethereal.

But it was as if they were separated by an invisible barrier; there was no true connection between him and them.

’Without a preset Sword Intent, I can’t trigger a resonance?’ Qi Yun frowned slightly, pondering for a moment. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

He slowly closed his eyes, no longer trying to perceive the myriad complex Sword Intents of the outside world.

Instead, he immersed his Heart and Spirit completely within himself.

As his Heart Thought grew purer and more focused,

a unique "intent" began to emanate from him.

It wasn’t any kind of formed Sword Intent. It had no fixed attribute, no sharp, domineering aura.

He had no standard Sword Intent, because he had rejected the templates.

What he released was the projection of his truest Dao Heart—that persistent pursuit of [Freedom].

At first, the vast sword forest showed no reaction.

The thousands of Ancient Swords remained silent, or continued to emit their own original Sword Intents as they pleased.

However, just as Qi Yun was about to conclude that this method wouldn’t work and prepared to find another way—

not far in front of him, from a cluster of extremely unremarkable Ancient Swords, came an incredibly faint, almost inaudible tremor.

It wasn’t the clear ringing of a sword.

It was more like something slumbering had been stirred awake by a subtle vibration.

Qi Yun immediately opened his eyes and followed the sensation with his gaze.

He saw a cluster of about seven or eight Ancient Swords. Their designs were simple and primitive, even crude. Their blades were dull, as if they were mundane iron abandoned in a corner.

Stuck in the dirt, they seemed utterly out of place and exceptionally mediocre compared to the surrounding Ancient Swords that were either radiating brilliant light or displaying astonishing phenomena.

But at this moment, one of them—the most unremarkable one, a dark gray longsword with a slightly bent blade, as if it had never been properly forged—was vibrating faintly at a very low frequency.

Across its blade flowed a faint ripple that was extremely similar to the "Freedom" Dao Thought emanating from Qi Yun, yet it was more restrained, more primal.

Qi Yun walked forward and gripped the hilt of the dark gray longsword.

The instant he touched the hilt, a stream of information flooded into his mind:

[Nameless Sword Skill]

A Sword Qi Condensation Method so crude that even its complete circulation path was somewhat vague was imprinted upon Qi Yun’s Heart and Spirit.

Holding this seemingly crude, dark gray longsword and sensing the incomplete Dharma Gate called "Nameless Sword Skill" in his mind, Qi Yun’s face showed no disappointment. Instead, a meaningful smile appeared.

’Mediocre?’

’Incomplete?’

’Its power is like the Basic Sword Formulas?’

’Perfect!’

’This is practically tailor-made for me!’

He didn’t need an unparalleled legacy right from the start; that might just become a new form of restraint.

What he needed was exactly this: an "embryo."

With the Magic Technique Panel in hand, he was confident he could make even the worst magic shine brightly.

The key was that the Sword Intent contained within this sword skill was a perfect match for him.

The corner of his mouth curving up, Qi Yun slowly pulled the Ancient Sword from the earth.

The blade let out a soft hum. It wasn’t loud, but it carried a sense of joy at being freed from its bonds.

"Reincarnation Skill, examination of heart and nature, Profound and Mysterious..." Glancing around the Wenjian Forest, a sharp glint shone in Qi Yun’s eyes.

’Looks like I’ll have to pay more attention to these ancient legacy sites from now on.’

...