Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 908 Ancient Inheritance, Coveted by All!
Zhou Xun stepped into the portal of light, and his vision was suddenly plunged into darkness. He felt as if he had fallen into an abyss, with only the whistling wind in his ears.

After an unknown amount of time, my feet finally touched solid ground.

This is a gray, hazy space, about ten thousand feet in size.

"As expected, the interior of this black tower is much larger than I imagined!"

Zhou Xun scanned his surroundings and discovered a stone tablet over ten zhang tall to the due north, engraved with numerous sword marks.
On one side of the stone tablet, there was a doorway, but the doorway was shrouded in a layer of pale golden light.

Clearly, only by breaking through this layer of light can one enter and explore the mysteries that follow.

Seeing this, Zhou Xun didn't think twice, formed hand seals, and a bolt of lightning shot out.

"Boom——"

With a deafening roar, lightning struck the pale golden light barrier, causing a violent shockwave. However, the barrier only trembled slightly before returning to its original state without even a crack appearing.

"What a powerful restriction!" Zhou Xun frowned slightly. He had used seventy percent of his magic power in that attack just now, and an ordinary restriction should have been broken long ago.

"No, something's wrong here!"

Zhou Xun quickly realized something was wrong; there was something wrong with her attack just now.

Logically, Zhou Xun possesses the Azure Nether Stone, which should be able to resist some of the suppression from the descent of the realm, although he wouldn't be able to unleash the full power of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
However, reaching the half-step Nascent Soul stage is still not a problem.
But judging from the power transmitted when attacking that light barrier just now, it was only at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

With this thought in mind, Zhou Xun conjured up the jade cup before him.
But Zhou Xun soon discovered that...

The ability of the Azure Nether Stone within the Azure Jade Cup to resist suppression had disappeared without a trace.

In other words, in this place, his strength is really only at the Nascent Soul level!
"I refuse to believe I can't crack open your turtle shell!"

Zhou Xun opened his mouth,
"Crash-"

Seventy-two blue-purple lightning seeds floated in the air like stars, each containing a terrifying aura of destruction.

"Thunder Prison, open!"

With a soft shout, the lightning seeds scattered in all directions like stars.

In an instant, the world changed color, turning the entire space into a world of thunder!

"Purple Sky Divine Thunder!"

Zhou Xun's gaze flashed like lightning, instantly landing on the golden light barrier.

"Thunder Spear!"

The chilling voice still echoed in the air as Zhou Xun transformed into the Ancient Thunder Lord.
Within this Thunder Prison, he is the Supreme God!
Follow your words!
"Zizi-"

A colossal spear, thousands of feet long and formed from purple lightning, appeared out of thin air in the sky.

Surround the Crimson-Haired Demon King.
"fall!"

Zhou Xun flicked his finger and pointed at the golden light barrier.
The thousand-foot-long lightning spear crashed down with a deafening roar, as if divine punishment had descended upon the world, and the entire space was engulfed in blinding purple light!

"boom--"

The moment the lightning spear collided with the golden light barrier, a deafening roar erupted, and violent lightning surged like an angry dragon, tearing at the restriction.

However, that seemingly thin light screen stood firm like an insurmountable barrier, only rippling slightly without even a crack appearing!
"How is this possible!" Zhou Xun's pupils contracted, and his heart was filled with shock.

This "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder" is one of his great divine abilities. When used at full power, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would not dare to take it head-on.

Even though it's being suppressed now, it shouldn't be so difficult that it can't even break through a single portal restriction!
If it is truly this sturdy, how will later generations break through it?
"I refuse to believe it!" Zhou Xun hovered in the air, his fingers twitching slightly.

"Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulation, suppress!"

Before the words were even finished, the world suddenly went dark!
It was the true meaning of the tribulation of lightning that he had comprehended when he observed Yu Yuan Zhenren's advancement!
Based on seventy-two thunder seeds, a thunder tribulation descended from the nine heavens!

He once used this technique to kill a demon god!
The clouds surged like a raging sea, instantly transforming into a field of thunder.

Purple lightning flashed across the sky, golden snakes danced wildly, and a vast divine might descended.
"Boom!"

The first bolt of purple-gold tribulation lightning struck down, its crimson light like a sword of heavenly punishment, piercing through the void and slashing straight down!

However, just as this earth-shattering lightning tribulation was about to strike the golden light screen, a sudden change occurred!

The sword mark on the stone tablet suddenly emitted a dazzling silver light, and a phantom sword shadow appeared out of thin air, splitting the purple-gold tribulation lightning in two!
"What!" Zhou Xun's expression changed drastically.

What shocked him even more was that the sword intent did not dissipate, but instead transformed into a stream of light, which swept back and attacked him directly!

"Not good!" Zhou Xun hurriedly made a hand seal, and the seventy-two lightning seeds spun rapidly, forming a lightning barrier in front of him.

"boom!"

The sword intent struck the barrier, causing Zhou Xun to stagger back several steps, his blood and qi churning within him.

"This sword intent is so powerful!" Zhou Xun was shocked.

The sword marks on the stone tablet have now come to life, intertwining in the air to form a blurry humanoid phantom.

The phantom stood with its hands behind its back. Although its face was not clearly visible, it exuded an aura of dominance over the world.

"Young man, your lightning technique is quite good, containing a trace of true essence. To master such an ability at the Nascent Soul stage demonstrates your high level of comprehension!" the illusory figure spoke, its voice powerful and resonant.

"But brute force alone won't break this restriction."

Zhou Xun took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior, who are you? Why did you set up such a test?"

The illusory figure chuckled lightly: "I am but a wisp of remnant spirit. As for the test," he pointed to the golden light screen,

"This is the 'Sword Heart Trial,' and only those who have comprehended the true meaning of the sword can enter."

"You are a thunder cultivator, and my inheritance is not suitable for you. You should go to Lei Xiaozi's inheritance tower instead!"

"I will escort you there!"

As he spoke, the phantom waved, and a spatial force enveloped Zhou Xun!

"Wait a minute, if we're talking about swordsmanship, I really am a sword cultivator!" With that, he changed his hand seals.
Then the lightning seeds in the air began to transform, turning into three-foot-long lightning swords.

Then, they began to differentiate, eventually transforming into seven hundred and twenty sword lights.

"Heavenly Origin Sword Formation, activate!"

Zhou Xun let out a soft shout, and seven hundred and twenty sword lights instantly enveloped the phantom!
"It seems you really are a sword cultivator. Very well, I will give you this opportunity!"

"If you can comprehend the true meaning of swordsmanship within one hundred days, I will allow you to enter the next level!"

Only then did Zhou Xun realize that the light barrier was clearly controlled by the old man.

Only when he grasps the true essence of swordsmanship will he let go!

"Then I'll see what kind of true sword intent you have!" With that, Zhou Xun released his divine sense, enveloping the stone tablet.
In an instant, Zhou Xun's divine sense touched the sword mark on the stone tablet, and the scene before him suddenly changed!
He felt as if he were in a vast starry sky, seeing a blade of grass swaying in the void.

Those blades of grass, though seemingly delicate, sway and cut down stars, splitting the sun and moon!

"A single blade of grass can cleave down the sun, moon, and stars!" Zhou Xun was deeply shaken.

The phantom's voice echoed in the starry sky: "At the pinnacle of swordsmanship, everything can become a sword. Every blade of grass and every tree contains the essence of swordsmanship."

Zhou Xun sat cross-legged in the void, surrounded by 720 lightning swords, which began to mimic the swaying trajectory of the green grass.

At first, the sword light was obscure, but gradually it began to possess a certain divine charm. On the thirty-sixth day, Zhou Xun's sea of ​​consciousness was already a chaotic mess.

Seven hundred and twenty lightning swords floated in the void, the lightning dancing on the swords reflecting the sword marks flowing on the stone tablet.

His eyes were closed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he continuously deduced the trajectory of the grass that had cut down the star in his mind.

"No, that's not right. It's still not right."

Zhou Xun frowned. Every time he thought he had grasped that sliver of mystery, the sword intent would slip through his fingers like quicksand.

Although the Thunder Sword could mimic the shape and trajectory of grass, it could never recreate the feeling of slicing down stars.

"Where exactly is the difference?"

No matter how he tried to imitate it, he was missing that crucial element of its essence.

Zhou Xun stared at the green grass sword formed from lightning in his hand, and suddenly a knowing smile appeared on his face.

"No. Senior's sword intent is indeed profound, but it is ultimately someone else's way." He muttered to himself, and suddenly the Green Grass Sword in his hand burst into lightning.
“I, Zhou Xun, entered the Dao through thunder, how could I completely abandon my original heart?”

Suddenly, fine lightning patterns appeared on the seemingly delicate grass sword.

Each line contains the power of violent thunder, yet it is restrained by a mysterious rhythm, presenting a restrained sharpness.

"The force of thunder."

With a slight turn of his wrist, Zhou Xun's Green Grass Sword drew a graceful arc in the void, as if a lightning tribulation had descended upon the world!
"It is both destruction and rebirth."

He recalled his insights from observing the tribulation of lightning. Heavenly lightning can destroy all things, but it can also give birth to life. Just like the sword before him, seemingly a delicate blade of grass, it conceals the power of lightning capable of splitting the heavens and the earth.

"boom!"

Zhou Xun suddenly hurled the Green Grass Sword into the void. The sword split in two in mid-air, then into four, instantly transforming into a sky full of lightning.

Each bolt of lightning transformed into the shape of green grass, swaying gracefully in the void. The seemingly gentle swaying contained terrifying power that caused the space to tremble.

"This is my swordsmanship—the destruction and creation of thunder!"

The 720 Thunder Grass Swords suddenly trembled in unison, and the thunder patterns on their blades shone with dazzling light.

They no longer imitate the grass that cut down the stars, but present a unique rhythm, with both the rage of thunder and the endless vitality of plant growth.

Upon seeing this, the illusory figure exclaimed in amazement: "Wonderful! Using thunder as its bones and grass and trees as its form, you have created your own path. Young man, you have already forged your own way."

Zhou Xun reached out and summoned all the Thunder Grass Swords, instantly unifying them. At this moment, the thunder patterns and grass leaf textures on the swords were perfectly integrated, forming a seamless whole.

He felt an unprecedented sense of harmony, as if the sword was the embodiment of his Dao.

"Senior, please appraise this sword."

Zhou Xun slowly raised his sword; the movement appeared slow, but in reality, it was extremely fast.

Where the sword's edge sliced ​​through, the golden light curtain shattered instantly, turning into specks of spiritual light that dissipated!
"Sure enough!"

"This power seems to have reached the level of a half-step Nascent Soul cultivator!"

It should be noted that Zhou Xun's Azure Stone is now completely ineffective, yet he can still...

The fact that he could unleash such a powerful attack demonstrates the extraordinary nature of his artistic conception.

The realm of artistic conception is often the exclusive domain of cultivators at the Void Refinement stage.

One must grasp even a trace of the essence to enter the Void Refinement stage; he has already grasped two essences even before reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

Nature is no small matter.

Zhou Xun then stepped into the portal of light.
The moment Zhou Xun stepped through the portal, everything suddenly opened up before him.

This is a magnificent ancient palace with a high dome and walls engraved with profound sword patterns. Each pattern seems to contain supreme sword intent, and just a glance at it is enough to make one's heart tremble.

In the center of the hall, a long sword that was entirely black floated.

The sword is simple and unadorned, without a sharp edge or blade, yet it exudes a fierce and ruthless aura that can annihilate all things.

“This is…” Zhou Xun’s pupils contracted slightly, and a strong desire rose in his heart.

"This sword is named 'Wusheng,' and it was the sword I wore in my lifetime." The illusory figure reappeared, his tone tinged with reminiscence, "It once accompanied me in my conquest of the Immortal Realm, severing stars and drinking the blood of all races."

Zhou Xun's breathing quickened slightly. He could feel the terrifying power of this sword. Even after many years of silence, the sword was still wreathed in a murderous aura. It was as if anyone who got too close would have their soul shattered by its sharp edge.

"Senior means..."

The illusory figure said calmly, "Since you have glimpsed the true meaning of the sword, you are qualified to receive my inheritance. But—"

"But how much you can transmit depends on yourself!"

Before the illusory figure could finish speaking, the jet-black longsword suddenly emitted a clear, resonant sword cry, as if in response to something. Zhou Xun felt a jolt in his mind, and the scene before him shifted once more—

He felt as if he were on a vast battlefield, with the sky shattered and the earth cracked.

The phantom transformed into a white-robed swordsman wielding the "Sword of No Life," battling several terrifying enemies.

"Watch closely, this is the true way of the sword!"

The white-robed swordsman unleashed a single strike, and the world fell silent. Wherever the sword light passed, space crumbled, and the enemy's magical treasures and supernatural abilities were annihilated. The magnificence of that sword strike shook Zhou Xun to his core.

"First move, Heaven Slayer!"

The scene shifts, and a white-robed swordsman stands on a cloud. With a slight turn of his sword, the vast sea of ​​clouds is cleaved in two.

The sword intent soared into the sky, tearing a dark crack in the heavens.

"Second move, Sky Rift!"

Zhou Xun stared at the sword moves with rapt attention. Each move contained supreme sword intent. The Thunder Sword Intent within his body involuntarily began to operate, and seven hundred and twenty Thunder Grass Swords evolved on their own in his sea of ​​consciousness, attempting to imitate these sword moves.

"Buzz——"

Suddenly, a sharp sword intent erupted from the 'Sword of No Life', piercing directly into Zhou Xun's brow. He groaned, blood seeping from his seven orifices, but his eyes burned even brighter.

"The way of the sword is passed down through intention. How much you can endure depends entirely on your destiny." The illusory voice echoed in the sea of ​​consciousness.

Zhou Xun gritted his teeth and sat cross-legged, focusing all his efforts on comprehending this sword intent. He found himself as if he had transformed into a sharp sword, undergoing a thousand hammerings and forgings.

The Thunder Sword Intent collided and merged with this newly acquired sword intent, producing mysterious changes.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Xun suddenly burst forth with dazzling sword light, and all 720 Thunder Grass Swords appeared, each with an additional black pattern on its blade, radiating a sharp and murderous aura.

"Thunder as its backbone, slaughter as its edge. So that's how it is!"

Zhou Xun suddenly opened his eyes, joined two fingers together like a sword, and lightly slashed. A purple-black sword light shot out, actually cutting a bottomless crack in the floor of the hall.

"Not bad, you've managed to integrate 'sword intent' into your own path in such a short time." The illusory figure nodded in satisfaction.
"However, this is only the beginning. The true way of the sword is far more than this."

"If you are able to reach the realm of True Immortal in the future, you may come here to receive my inheritance!"

Immediately afterwards, a sword talisman fell into Zhou Xun's hand, and then he was squeezed out of the space.

Once he regained his footing and appeared outside the Black Tower, he saw the other four people staring at him with inexplicable expressions.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you just came out of the tower!"

(End of this chapter)