Yun Jin reached out with her senses, searching for the location of the Tian Po Sword. At this moment, it was actually waiting right at the entrance of the Sect Master's Residence.
What a coincidence.
Yun Jin quickly arrived at the doorway.
"Young Master," the Tian Po Sword greeted in mild surprise. "You've returned so soon?"
Just moments ago, everyone in the Wushuang Sect had felt the fluctuations from the Trial Tower's upgrade. The disciples had all rushed there to see what was happening.
The Tian Po Sword had nothing in particular to do, so it had chosen to wait here instead. Unexpectedly, Yun Jin returned much faster than it had thought.
Yun Jin grinned. "Senior Tian Po, I was just about to look for you."
With a wave of her hand, Yun Jin brought both herself and the sword into the Sect Master's Residence.
She got straight to the point. "Senior Tian Po, you mentioned before that the secret art which Master Wandao used to rise to fame was the Yin-Yang Codex. This codex was never placed in the Scripture Pavilion and has always been safeguarded by you."
The Tian Po Sword's spirit trembled. A ripple of excitement coursed through its being.
So the Young Master's thoughts really aligned with its own!
Looking at Yun Jin expectantly, it said, "Correct. This codex has always been in my keeping. I told Young Master about it before, but you have been far too busy to spare the time for cultivation."
Yun Jin nodded. "If possible, I'd like to begin cultivating it now."
This was like someone handing a pillow to a weary soul ready to rest. The Tian Po Sword's blade almost grew misty with emotion.
How wonderful.
The Young Master wanted to cultivate it of her own accord, carrying on her master's legacy!
Noticing the sword beginning to drip with spiritual dew, Yun Jin blinked in confusion. "If it's inconvenient…"
"How could it be inconvenient!" the Tian Po Sword nearly leapt up. Afraid she might change her mind, it hurriedly said, "Young Master, please follow me into the Sword Dao Space."
Yun Jin nodded. She relaxed her body, offering no resistance, and the next instant her consciousness entered the familiar inner world of the Tian Po Sword.
At the center of the Sword Dao Space stood an enormous, illusory giant sword—the manifested image of the Tian Po Sword itself.
Its voice resonated deeply.
"Young Master, when my master once traveled the four seas, he witnessed a terrifying Yin-Yang Wheel. Though he already stood at the pinnacle of this world, before that revolving force of yin and yang, even he was rendered immobile, unable to move a muscle. The Yin-Yang Wheel vanished swiftly, yet from that fleeting glimpse, my master was inspired. From it, he created the Yin-Yang Codex.
This is a profound secret art of both offense and defense. Although he devised it, he himself never cultivated beyond the first layer. The Yin-Yang Codex is divided into three realms. When my master fell, he had only reached the first. As for the second and third realms, their very existence and accuracy are uncertain. No one in this world could confirm them."
In other words—
The Yin-Yang Codex was, in truth, an incomplete technique.
Wandao Saint had left behind three levels, but had personally walked only the first. The other two were imagined concepts. Whether cultivation could succeed in those layers, even Wandao Saint himself might not have been able to say.
"So, Young Master, if you attempt it, you need only cultivate the first layer. The later ones must be approached with the utmost caution."
The Tian Po Sword added solemnly, "And even the first layer alone is enough to be unmatched in this era."
Yun Jin nodded casually.
Self-created secret arts always carried risks.
But would she be afraid?
Of course not. She had the system. At worst, she could perfect the technique directly.
"Also, this codex is notoriously difficult to comprehend," the Tian Po Sword continued. "After my master devised it, he never concealed it from others. Yet, throughout the years, none besides him ever managed to enter its gate. Young Master, you may attempt it first. If you cannot, do not let it weigh on you."
The sword's tone was consoling, though deep down it still had faith. If even the Young Master could not enter, then this codex truly would vanish from the world.
Still, countless prodigies of Wushuang Sect had already failed. The Tian Po Sword dared not let Yun Jin place too much hope. The Young Master's path had been far too smooth. If she stumbled here, could she endure the blow?
"Don't worry," Yun Jin chuckled softly.
Did she look like someone so fragile?
Maybe a little setback would only prove her resilience. Then again, asking others to create setbacks for her was too much trouble. Seeing her unconcerned look only made the Tian Po Sword more uneasy, but it dared not say more. "This technique cannot be recorded on jade slips. Young Master, you must experience it directly."
The next instant, the Sword Dao Space fell into darkness.
Then, a white radiance slowly spread, until the entire space was divided—half blinding white, half deep black.
Between them, a shadowy figure emerged.
This figure had no face, merely a demonstration phantom. It extended its left hand into the blackness, and its right hand into the white glow.
Then, both hands began to trace an intricate trajectory, slowly revolving. Black and white light rippled with each motion. The interplay of yin and yang wove together, dazzling and mysterious.
Yun Jin found herself transfixed, almost spellbound.
When the phantom finished, a stream of light shot into her mind.
All visions vanished.
In her sea of consciousness, a heavenly-tier secret art appeared: the Yin-Yang Codex!
"Young Master, that was the imprint left behind by my master. A single imprint can form one seed of the Yin-Yang Codex. By sensing it carefully, you can comprehend the method. But circumstances were dire when he left it, and he only had time to leave one such imprint. If even you cannot grasp it, the Yin-Yang Codex will be lost forever," the Tian Po Sword said, its voice tinged with sorrow.
The Yin-Yang Codex of Wandao Saint had once suppressed an entire era.
Recalling his master's grandeur, the Tian Po Sword could not help but sigh with longing. If the Young Master could revive this secret art, his master's spirit in the afterlife would surely rejoice.
Lost forever?
Yun Jin only grinned.
That was impossible.
She focused on the seed in her mind.
In the next moment, the seed dissolved, flooding her consciousness with a torrent of information. Even with her current cultivation, after only a short while of sensing, Yun Jin felt her head reel and her vision blur.
Her heart quivered.
Her master had truly been a peerless genius.
In this small world, he had actually touched upon spatial laws that even immortals of the upper realms might not comprehend.
And now, he had created such a profound codex.
The Yin-Yang Codex was incomparably esoteric. Even just the first step, merely entering its gates, would grant her power beyond measure.
This world spoke of the five elements as the foundation of heaven and earth.
But Wandao Saint's Yin-Yang Codex divided all existence into the dual forces of yin and yang.
One hand yin, one hand yang.
Yin and yang combined, their power could shake heaven and earth.
This was the First Realm: Yin-Yang Cycle.
According to its description, yin and yang could merge for offense or intertwine for defense.
Both attack and defense alike reached unparalleled heights.
And beyond this lay the second realm—conceived only in Wandao Saint's imagination.