Immortal Soaring Blade

The golden spirit core quietly floated in his dantian. If one looked closely at this egg-sized spirit core, one could see a layer of blue and white frost around it.

As more spirit force gathered in his spirit core, Zhao Jiuge felt it condense a bit. He believed that once it absorbed enough spirit force, it would break and his nascent soul would appear from within.

Whenever Zhao Jiuge saw his spirit core, he wondered if his teacher had found a method to improve it. Whenever he thought about this, he felt himself burn with passion. Who wouldn’t want their own strength to improve?

The night passed while Zhao Jiuge cultivated and thought about random nonsense. Because he was going to study the sword art tomorrow, he didn’t even think about it right now.

When the first ray of sunlight shined down through the bamboo forest, Elder Waning Moon awakened Zhao Jiuge from his cultivation. Her tender and caring expression was gone and a stern expression had taken its place.

“Let’s go, it's time to cultivate inside the bamboo forest. As for how far you can progress in three months, it will be up to you. I’ll also teach you the third layer of the sword art today. With your cultivation, you can begin studying it.” Elder Waning Moon’s stern voice echoed.

When the two of them made their way to the bamboo forest, the sun had risen into the sky.

Inside the bamboo pavilion, Elder Waning Moon began passing on her experiences about cultivating the sword art.

“When you study the sword, you must be calm. The sword intent doesn’t come from studying the chant, but from your heart.

“Now I’ll pass you the third layer of the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect.

“In these three months, you will study the sword here in the bamboo forest, and if you have any questions, you can come inside the bamboo pavilion to ask me. At night, you will go back to the cave to cultivate. I’ll also pass on some experience and teach you some tricks.”

Elder Waning Moon’s voice echoed inside the bamboo pavilion, and Zhao Jiuge could only nod. However, there was a bitter expression on his face because the demonic training was about to begin again.

“Star Moon, Divided Splendor; Distant Star, Indifferent Moon; Star River Desires Change; Bright Moon, Gathering Frost; Star River, Heron Rises; Moon Fills the West Building; Bright River, Shared Shadow.

“This is the third layer of the sword art, Star Moon [1]. Remember it and go practice inside the bamboo forest. Once you touch the edge of the third layer, I’ll teach you a spell.”

Elder Waning Moon’s voice became a bit louder, but Zhao Jiuge’s face was no longer so miserable. This was because once he gained a rough understanding of the third layer, Master Moon would teach him a spell.

Spells were very useful in fights, as they were extra methods of attack. Zhao Jiuge excitedly rushed out into the bamboo forest and sat down to comprehend the sword art.

The bamboo forest was filled with purple bamboo and the ground was covered in bamboo leaves. Zhao Jiuge found a soft spot and sat down.

However, after he sat down, he felt a headache. He found that comprehending the sword art was the most difficult part. This was where his lack of talent showed. Those with better talent not only cultivated more quickly, but could comprehend much faster as well.

Zhao Jiuge would rather cultivate and improve his spirit force than comprehend these things. This was why many people could not break past their bottlenecks even though their cultivation was strong enough—their comprehension of dao was not profound enough.

That was why progression was more and more difficult the higher one’s cultivation became. It didn’t just require more spirit force, but also a profound understanding of dao. This was especially true when one wanted to break through the Spirit Sea Realm to the Dao Origin Realm. This was so difficult that many people couldn’t do it in hundreds of years. They could only watch as their lifespan expired.

After a short headache, Zhao Jiuge was calmed down by his surroundings. He calmed himself down and began studying the second layer, Autumn Wind. As for the third layer, Star Moon, which Master Moon had just taught him, he put it aside for now.

Fortunately, he had grasped a rough understanding of it back at the Mysterious Heaven Temple and wasn't completely blinded. Although he had managed to grasp a bit about Autumn Wind, he didn’t fully understand it, so he couldn’t display the second layer’s true power.

Just like this, Zhao Jiuge’s brows were furrowed tightly while he comprehended the sword art. Whenever he gained some insight, he would take out his Big-Dipper Sword and practice.

In the blink of an eye, more than one month passed. Zhao Jiuge spent all this time comprehending the sword art in peace. He quietly watched the purple bamboo grow and the leaves fall.

On this day, Zhao Jiuge was still sitting on the ground covered in bamboo leaves, calmly studying the sword art.

A sudden breeze blew through the bamboo forest, causing them to sway, and bamboo leaves were kicked up into the air.

Seeing this beautiful scene, Zhao Jiuge’s heart became especially calm and his mind became clear.

He suddenly looked at the tips of the swaying bamboo, and the wind seemed to dance. Zhao Jiuge suddenly understood something, and the second layer, Autumn Wind, appeared in his heart. He seemed to have gained enlightenment about the sword intent of the second layer.

When he saw the bamboo forest shake in the wind, he seemed to understand the bleakness and sorrow that was unique to Autumn Wind.

Then Zhao jiuge immediately stood up with the Big-Dipper Sword in hand and muttered the sword art silently.

Silver light appeared and a sharp ray of sword energy appeared. Zhao Jiuge’s wrist moved and this ray of silver sword energy flew out.

Instantly, a large amount of purple bamboo was cut and fell to the ground. The shock wave spread out far and the sound of bamboo leaves falling could be heard.

Zhao Jiuge looked at this scene and smiled, but he wasn’t very excited. He had cultivated for more than a month back at the Mysterious Heaven Temple and then cultivated for more than a month here under the guidance of Master Moon. Only now did he realize the essence of Autumn Wind and displayed its power. This timeframe could only be considered normal.

Elder Waning Moon was sitting inside the bamboo pavilion and had felt everything that had happened outside. This brought a faint smile to her face. More than a month was not a short period of time, but it was still very good.

After being together for more than a month, their relationship had deepened. This also allowed Elder Waning Moon, who had always been alone, to feel an unprecedented sense of enrichment in her life.

She felt very happy when she saw Zhao Jiuge grow and passed on her experiences to him. However, she only passed a portion of it because it was better for him to experience some things himself. One couldn’t only learn from the experience of others.

After successfully comprehending Autumn Wind, Zhao Jiuge decided not to try to comprehend the third layer, Star Moon, right away.

Instead, he began to observe the purple bamboo forest. Zhao Jiue held the Big-Dipper Sword in his hand while he began to seriously observe the bamboo forest.

As Zhao Jiuge’s cultivation had grown, this body gave off an ethereal temperament. His movement seemed to give off flashes of spirit force and his eyes were filled with confidence.

His face was smooth like jade. After his rebirth inside the pool, he had become more handsome.

This was a change brought by strength. Zhao Jiuge felt the power inside his dantian, and he muttered to himself, “Bo Re, Su Su, Bai Qingqing, just wait. Soon, I’ll find you all, but I won’t be the same as before!”

Zhao Jiuge thought this in his head, and his eyes were filled with determination. He clenched his right hand into a fist.

At night, Elder Waning Moon and Zhao Jiuge casually sat on the white carpet in the Waning Moon Cave.

However, today, Elder Waning Moon was not as stern as before.

Eldering Waning Moon smiled and asked, “Jiuge, did you comprehend the second layer of the sword art today?”

“Yes, Master Moon. I’ll be able to begin studying the third layer tomorrow. I believe I’ll be able to touch the edge of the third layer soon.” Zhao Jiuge nodded with a smile.

“Let’s do this: don’t cultivate tonight and study the third layer tonight. Tomorrow morning, I’ll teach you a spell I invented myself.” Elder Waning Moon suddenly seemed to be in a daze, thinking about something.

Hearing that he would be able to learn a spell tomorrow, he was very happy. However, there was a hint of doubt, so he asked, “Master Moon, didn’t you say you would only teach it to me after I touched the edge of the third layer?”

Eldering Waning Moon pursed her lips and gently shook her head. “I’ve decided to teach you early so you can comprehend it early and master it early.”

After she finished speaking, Elder Waning Moon suddenly extended her hand and gently stroked Zhao Jiuge’s long hair. She sighed. “According to the rules, you will need to go out and experience the world next year. It should be after the competition between the seven holy lands. When you go out, you have to be careful, because you will only have yourself to depend on.”

Zhao Jiuge was not used to Master Moon being so intimate with him. After more than a month of interaction, Master Moon was like half a teacher and half a mother, always taking care of him. However, given her usual appearance, Zhao Jiuge always felt a little fear toward her.

Zhao Jiuge twisted his body a bit and embarrassedly said, “I know, Master Moon, I’m no longer a child. I can take care of myself.”

Seeing Zhao Jiuge move around like a child, she suddenly laughed and scolded, “I only touched you a bit and you got embarrassed, but on to serious matters. When you go out to experience the world, dangers will be everywhere. You have to be careful. After all, when you’re outside, neither your teacher nor I can help you. You could lose your life at any moment.”

After she finished speaking, a hint of worry appeared on her face and she continued, “It would be fine if you didn’t go out to experience the world, or if I secretly followed you. However, the disciples of my Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect are not flowers in a greenhouse. You have to forge yourself in life and death battles to grow. You are also the disciple of the Head Teacher, so you’re not allowed to be mediocre. You must make a big name for yourself.

“There are too many dangerous outsides. It’s not just the environment and spirit beasts that are dangerous; the most dangerous thing is the human heart. Master Moon just wants you to be more careful and come back safely. Then, when you have time, come and see me once in a while.” While speaking, Elder Waning Moon’s mood became a little low. Now that she finally had someone to accompany her, she found that life was no longer so monotonous.

“Don’t worry, Master Moon. When I go out, I definitely won’t lose face for the sect or Master Moon.” Zhao Jiuge was filled with determination.

Elder Waning Moon still had more to say, as there were too many things worrying her. However, when she saw Zhao Jiuge’s expression, she only smiled and didn’t say more. She hugged Zhao Jiuge like he was her own son.

She believed that when Zhao Jiuge represented the Mysterious Heaven Sect, all 13 providence in the Huaxia Dynasty would know his name. She was certain Zhao Jiuge would become famous.

For no other reason than his perseverance.

All because he had a dream in his heart.

1. Author changed name from Essence Moon -> Star Moon