Chapter 77: Duel of the Sword Cultivators!

When the Green Lotus Sword Song cultivation method reached perfection at the Qi Refinement stage, the laws of Metal would naturally form within the blessed land. By the same logic, when the Hunyuan Geomagnetic Profound Art was mastered, the laws of Earth would also condense on their own. Thus, he was in no hurry to break into a new realm, but instead focused on cultivating the Green Lotus Sword Song and the Hunyuan Geomagnetic Profound Art.

After the battles at Xiaolan Mountain Market and Green Lotus Lake, Shen Yan had come to fully appreciate his own strengths. However, he had also discovered his shortcomings, namely that apart from wielding the Flowing Cloud Sword, where his mastery of the Green Lotus Sword Song could perfectly unleash the sword’s power, he could only bring out part of the functions of other items, such as spirit talismans, Profound Origin Heavy Water, and One-Yuan Mysterious Ice.

If he wished to fully utilize these talismans and spiritual items, he would have to learn the Art of Commanding Objects.

This secret art, however, was not something a Qi Refinement cultivator could normally practice, as it required a soul at the level of a Qi Refinement cultivator to begin with. Yet Shen Yan possessed the Soul Refinement Technique, a profound method for tempering a cultivator’s soul, giving him the qualification to learn the Art of Commanding Objects ahead of schedule.

The technique itself was not particularly difficult, with the only hard requirement being the strength of one’s soul.

So, for the next period, Shen Yan secluded himself in the Pure Heart Abode, diligently cultivating the Soul Refinement Technique, striving to temper his soul to that of a Qi Refinement cultivator as soon as possible.

However, after a full month, Shen Yan realized that while his soul had become more refined, it was still not comparable to the souls of true Qi Refinement cultivators.

“There must be some secret I don’t understand. Shutting myself away will not work; it seems I’ll have to go to the Teaching Peak for guidance.”

Few in the entire Jade Immortal Sect, he thought, would attempt to cultivate the Art of Commanding Objects at the Qi Refinement stage. Outwardly, he was only a mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator; if he suddenly inquired about such matters, he would certainly draw unnecessary attention.

“It appears I’ll have to assume the identity of an inner disciple to seek advice on Teaching Peak,” Shen Yan mused, his brows arching as he began to consider which inner disciple on Quiet Cloud Island he could impersonate.

“Hmm… Zhou Shun is an excellent choice!” Shen Yan’s heart leapt with joy. Back at the Yang estate, he had once killed an inner disciple of the Jade Immortal Sect. Though he had already sold the man’s flying sword to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, the corpse remained in his possession.

With this in mind, Shen Yan left the Pure Heart Abode without hesitation and made his way toward the Yang estate.

The Yang estate was now in ruins, with broken walls and collapsed beams everywhere, its former splendor long since gone. A faint smile appeared on Shen Yan’s face; the Yang estate had fallen to this state entirely due to his own efforts.

It was a pity that Yang Yun was still unaware of all that had happened within her family. He hoped that when the time came for him to kill her, he could personally deliver this piece of good news.

After finding Zhou Shun’s burial place, Shen Yan produced his Soul Summoning Banner and gave a slight wave toward Zhou Shun’s now skeletal remains. In the next instant, a dim and confused spirit appeared before his eyes.

“Three Souls Restraining Breath Technique!”

Moments later, Shen Yan’s figure faded and was replaced by Zhou Shun’s.

Zhou Shun, also known as Zhou Qian, had accepted a task from Yang Yun in the Jade Immortal Sect and subsequently disappeared from Quiet Cloud Island for over a year. However, the passage of time meant little to cultivators, and spending a year or so away on a mission would not arouse suspicion.

After leaving the ruins of the Yang estate, Shen Yan visited his parents’ graves to confirm all was well, then set off for Quiet Cloud Island.

About two hours later, Shen Yan returned once more to Quiet Cloud Island.

Half a month later, atop the Teaching Peak, Shen Yan made his way to the Hall of Instruction.

The Hall of Instruction opened only once every six months, with the lectures given by Qi Refinement elders of the Jade Immortal Sect. As a branch of the Jade Immortal Sect, Quiet Cloud Island had only one resident elder, but other Qi Refinement elders would come periodically to teach.

This was a method by which the sect nurtured its disciples. After all, though Qi Refinement cultivators were of low rank, every cultivator began at this level, and there was no shortage of geniuses among them—some might even one day form a golden core.

“I hope the elder teaching this time is highly versed in the Art of Commanding Objects,” Shen Yan muttered as he stepped into the Hall of Instruction.

From the outside, the hall was a grand and imposing structure, its carved railings and painted beams giving it an aura of majesty. The hall itself was much more spacious than the Dharma Transmission Pavilion. In addition to answering the questions of inner disciples, the Hall of Instruction also offered one-on-one guidance. After all, even Qi Refinement cultivators were often short on cultivation resources.

“Heh, Junior Brother Zhou, long time no see. Who would have thought you’d return to Quiet Cloud Island?”

At that moment, Shen Yan heard footsteps behind him.

Hearing this enthusiastic greeting, Shen Yan was startled. The thing he feared most had happened—he had run into an acquaintance of Zhou Shun.

He was not worried about the other party seeing through his Three Souls Restraining Breath Technique, but rather that he might fail to recognize the person and inadvertently reveal a flaw in his words, drawing suspicion.

With this in mind, he became alert, but maintained a smile as he turned around.

“So it’s Senior Brother Deng.”

Shen Yan breathed a sigh of relief. The speaker, with a long, square face and a sturdy frame, was someone he actually recognized—an inner disciple, though not one of the three true inheritors.

Fortunately, he knew him!

Mimicking Zhou Shun’s voice, Shen Yan exchanged greetings, both of them cupping their hands in salute.

This man’s name was Deng Yin, and he had been a member of the sect for over twenty years. Judging by his appearance, he had already opened at least four meridians and possessed an extraordinary bearing.

“Junior Brother Zhou, I heard you recently acquired a flying sword and then took on a mission from Senior Sister Yang, leaving the island. I didn’t expect you to have already returned—what a surprise!”

“Senior Brother flatters me. It was only a middle-grade magical tool, nothing worthy of your attention. As for Senior Sister Yang’s mission, I have already completed it. However, I encountered some difficulties in my cultivation, so I have returned to seek guidance from the elder.”

Though Shen Yan did not know much about Zhou Shun, he remembered that previously, the man had been wary of him because he was believed to be sent by a true inheritor and was entangled with Li Hong—clearly not a straightforward character.

Thus, when dealing with Senior Brother Deng, Shen Yan naturally adopted a courteous demeanor, which did not arouse any suspicion from Deng Yin.

“What a coincidence! I, too, have some cultivation questions for the elder. Let’s go together.”

“After you, Senior Brother.”

Shen Yan nodded, gesturing for Deng Yin to lead the way.

The two entered the Hall of Instruction together, Deng Yin making casual conversation as they walked. Shen Yan answered carefully, mostly speaking about matters beyond Quiet Cloud Island, so as not to expose any flaws.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, they arrived at the main hall.

By then, many were already seated on the meditation mats inside. Shen Yan glanced around and saw that there were about forty disciples present; of these, only seven or eight were late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, the rest were at mid-stage, and there was not a single early-stage cultivator among them.