Chapter 258: How Did This Kid Grow Up?
He made a big profit.
Luo Wusheng's mind raced with thoughts.
'I didn't think this was possible… Seems like there really is a connection between the Soulblade Specter and the Sword Emperor.'
Initially, Luo Wusheng was merely speculating about what sort of reaction the black broken sword in his hand would have when it encountered the Soulblade Specter and how exactly the Sword Emperor's sword would subdue it. But now, everything was clear.
Directing his gaze at the broken sword, he infused it with his spiritual energy, and Luo Wusheng could distinctly sense that the enormous Soulblade Specter from earlier was contained within.
Although its aura was slightly weakened, the reason for this was obvious to him.
He glanced down at his other hand, where a tiny shadow resembling the Soulblade Specter floated quietly in his palm—a concentrated form of pure sword intent, extracted from the Soulblade Specter.
If he handed this over to the beautiful fairy back in the Sword Emperor's realm, his promise to her would be fulfilled.
But it was more than just that—it was the potential he saw that truly thrilled him.
'This Soulblade Specter can be reused…'
The heart of the Demon Sect Holy Saint beat faster. The Soulblade Specter contained in the black sword hadn't perished or dissipated after releasing the sword intent; instead, it had been drained and reduced to a tiny dormant figure under the control of the Sword Emperor's sword.
While weakened, it showed no signs of death, and somehow, it was beginning to regenerate, drawing in ambient sword energy and spiritual aura.
Given time, it could return to its full strength as a Heaven-grade Soulblade Specter.
'I can keep harvesting sword intent from it, then let it recover, and repeat the cycle… The process might take a while, but this is a sustainable path!'
If he could extract Heaven-grade sword intent several more times, his fairy companion's cultivation could advance even faster. This was beyond ideal.
"I was thinking about finding a Heaven-grade Soulblade Specter for Yuli before, and now it looks like it might actually be possible…"
Muttering to himself, Luo Wusheng returned his gaze to the black sword, his previous grievances with its personality now completely forgotten.
And the broken sword, now infused with the Soulblade Specter, radiated a trace of excitement in their connection, along with a sense of something transferring back into Luo Wusheng's body.
For a moment, he froze, but then he heard a distinct, resonant sound—his own sword intent, which had been close to mastery, had advanced, becoming fully mature.
The young man abandoned any lingering bitterness. Troublesome? No, there couldn't be a more dependable sword anywhere!
With the Soulblade Specter now under control, he felt it was time to head back.
Through his link with the broken sword, he reestablished a connection to the Sword Emperor's realm.
A thought summoned it to return, allowing him to transport back to the palace within the mystical space.
This time, the black sword followed his lead and vanished promptly.
Luo Wusheng was about to nod in satisfaction, but an ache shot through his side.
'…Is this thing using my side as a portal?'
Looking down at the black energy radiating from his waist, he felt a flash of embarrassment.
It seemed the sword of the Sword Emperor still needed a little more "education."
<+>
Meanwhile, the cultivators watching from a distance at Daybreak Mountain were utterly stunned.
They hadn't even had time to flee, and yet, in a mere instant, the Soulblade Specter had been subdued.
"Was that Specter… vanquished by that mysterious figure who appeared out of nowhere? What in the world just happened?" murmured one of the onlookers, his voice capturing the confusion spreading through the sparse crowd.
Before long, a perceptive cultivator, one known for his exceptional senses, slapped his thigh. "It's him! No doubt about it—the figure who appeared is the very same young man who struck that monstrous blow earlier!"
The crowd paused, and then, as if guided by an unspoken understanding, they looked to the senior swordsmen nearby for confirmation.
The nods they saw meant only one thing: the mysterious young man had indeed returned to finish what he'd started.
Collective gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Could it be? He didn't retreat earlier because he was exhausted; he left to prepare a way to finish off the Soulblade Specter for good!"
"Agreed. That's why he returned the moment he had a method to destroy it, and what a method it was…"
"Think of the aura that Soulblade Specter emitted as it drew its sword. It was likely as powerful as a Peak Nascent Soul, yet this young man managed to extinguish it as if it were nothing… His strength, though difficult to comprehend, is nothing short of extraordinary." One of them sighed, glancing at the direction where the youth had vanished, his gaze a mix of awe and admiration.
"Who cares what his identity is? He's a fine-looking young man, and I'd wager he's not yet married. My youngest sister has come of age and has beauty to match. Perhaps if he's open to it…"
At this point, the crowd, unable to make out the young man's features from such a distance, started chatting, their tension relieved after the Soulblade Specter's defeat.
Though still shocked, they felt almost as if they had expected nothing less from this young man, who had astounded them time and again.
However, those who felt it most deeply were the three Nascent Soul cultivators inside Daybreak Mountain.
Compared to those who had withdrawn early or decided to cut their losses, these three had been present for every stage of the battle.
All they did was serve as comic relief—repeatedly humiliated and accomplishing nothing more than scraping the Soulblade Specter.
They couldn't help but feel like their status had taken a serious hit.
Still, watching the youth disappear with that black aura at his waist, they felt conflicted.
Even from their vantage point, they couldn't tell how Luo Wusheng had subdued the Soulblade Specter or even how he'd disappeared so seamlessly. It was over, and they would never have an answer.
<+>
Back in the Sword Emperor's realm, Luo Wusheng realized he had been too optimistic.
Although he and the black sword had indeed established a deeper connection, his teleportation issues persisted.
The queasy, disorienting sensation remained, and this time it was deliberate on the sword's part.
Looking down, he found himself practically pressed up against the beautiful fairy, whose elegant features held a hint of startled surprise as she gazed up at him.
The faint, enchanting scent that wafted from her proximity stirred something deep within him.
From the link, a smug sense of accomplishment emanated from the black sword resting in his dantian. Luo Wusheng fell silent.
How exactly did this sword grow up?
<+>
Note: Link to the character Illustration:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lkIcPnCxeyuyZA4Kkb621dPC05UvWjhD