Chapter 5: Skydome Sword Sutra

Through dedicated cultivation of the [Skydome Sword Sutra], Gu Qingyi discovered that it is divided into three distinct parts: Lower, Middle, and Upper Sword Techniques.

The Lower Technique, [Ten Thousand Vaults Sword Technique]: Refine your body as a sword. The higher the sword’s grade, the greater the technique’s realm. At Great Perfection, command ten thousand swords with ‘Ten Thousand Swords Return,’ directing sword energy wherever you point.

The Middle Technique, [Yin Yang Creation Technique]: The Yang Sword, [Extinction Sword], can be used upon initiation. If evil exists in this world, I shall send it to reincarnation for transcendence, instantly annihilating the soul for complete death.

The Yin Sword, [Mercy Sword], can only be wielded at Great Perfection. It grants the power to resurrect any deceased being within half an hour—a thought to live, a thought to die.

The Upper Technique, [Divine Sword Technique]: First strike, [Star-Slashing Strike]; second strike, [Heaven-Shifting Blade]; third strike, [Sky-Shattering Slash].

Gu Qingyi stood in awe. If the [Ten Thousand Vaults Sword Technique] is the pinnacle of this world’s skills, then the [Yin Yang Creation Technique] and [Divine Sword Technique] are nothing short of miracles. Life and death of all things hang in a single moment.

If the powers of this world discovered this, his life would be forfeit. The [Skydome Sword Sutra] would spark chaos across the entire continent. It’s not a creation of this realm, and the thought sent a chill down his spine.

“I remember now. This [Skydome Sword Sutra] doesn’t belong to this world. It hails from a far more advanced realm,” Xuanyuan Lingxue said with sudden realization, casting a meaningful glance at Gu Qingyi. “Still, you should master the basics of [Ten Thousand Vaults Sword Technique] soon. It’s an extra trump card for what lies ahead. Plus, hunting monster beasts for their cores will be easier, and your meridians can fully heal.”

Gu Qingyi stared at the sutra in bewilderment. “Master, how do I even begin to cultivate this?”

“Refine your body as a sword… It must refer to that golden longsword within you. It’s tied to the blade inside your body,” Xuanyuan Lingxue mused, pausing mid-step. “Try sensing that sword within you. See what happens.”

Gu Qingyi closed his eyes, his consciousness drifting to the vast golden sword hovering in his mind-sea.

As he opened his eyes, the golden sword revealed the cultivation method for [Ten Thousand Vaults Sword Technique].

[Upper Section, Beginner to Small Success: To master this technique, your body must endure a thousand trials and refinements, pushing your flesh to its absolute limit.]

[Middle Section, Great Success: Swing your sword ten thousand times daily, merging mind and body with the Skydome Sword to comprehend the sword energy of heaven and earth.]

[Lower Section, Perfection: Absorb and comprehend ten top-tier spirit swords of different attributes to command ten thousand swords.]

[Note: There is a high chance of failure.]

Without hesitation, Gu Qingyi shared the cultivation method of [Ten Thousand Vaults Sword Technique] with Xuanyuan Lingxue.

He asked with uncertainty, “Master, to begin cultivating this technique, my body needs a thousand refinements. Where can I even do that?”

“There’s a perfect spot right here. Doesn’t the waterfall below meet your needs?” Xuanyuan Lingxue’s doe-like eyes scanned the cascading water beneath the nearby cliff.

“This relentless waterfall can hammer your body into shape. Train there for a month, and you should grasp the basics,” she added, guiding Gu Qingyi to the base of the falls with a calm expression.

Pointing at the roaring torrent crashing down like thunder, Xuanyuan Lingxue urged, “Go on, Little Qingyi. I know you can do this.”

“Understood, Master!” Gu Qingyi eyed the ferocious waterfall with a flicker of hesitation. Yet without dwelling on it, he leapt onto a massive rock beneath the cascade and sat cross-legged.

The icy water bit into him, each drop like a frigid needle piercing his skin. It felt like knives slicing through, and several times he nearly gave up.

Even in the snowy chill of winter, a faint fragrance mingled with the biting wind, filling his body alongside the cold.

The immense pain assaulted Gu Qingyi from both body and mind, pushing him to the brink of surrender more than once.

But then he reminded himself: in this unfamiliar world brimming with danger, if he couldn’t endure even this much pain, how could he grow stronger? How could he seek revenge or protect his family? Gritting his teeth, he pressed on in silence.

Time slipped by swiftly, seasons shifting from spring to autumn.

Through the relentless torment of the waterfall, Gu Qingyi finally forged his body through a thousand refinements, pushing his physical limits to the extreme.

A golden light shot into the sky as Gu Qingyi successfully reached the beginner stage of [Ten Thousand Vaults Sword Technique]. Slowly opening his eyes, he pointed a finger like a sword at a nearby boulder and flicked his hand casually.

Not far off, the massive rock let out a thunderous crack, splitting cleanly in two as if it were tofu.

Gu Qingyi couldn’t help but marvel, “Is this what true power feels like?”

“How did it go, Little Qingyi?” Xuanyuan Lingxue, hearing the commotion, glanced at him with delight.

“Master, I’ve successfully cultivated [Ten Thousand Vaults Sword Technique] to the beginner level. At the same time, I’ve raised my cultivation to the Sword Sea Realm,” Gu Qingyi replied, his excitement evident as he looked at Xuanyuan Lingxue.

“Now that your cultivation is nearly restored and you’ve gained a trump card, hunting second-tier monster beasts will be much more manageable,” Xuanyuan Lingxue nodded with satisfaction, hovering beside Gu Qingyi. “We still need a Green-horned Jiao’s horn and a Rampaging Fire Lion Core. Together, they complement each other for refinement. Let’s head to the Monster Beast Forest soon.”

[Monster Beast Forest: A humid region overgrown with wild grasses and strange plants. It’s a haven for various first- and second-tier venomous insects and monster beasts.]