Chapter 67 : A New Sword Heart

Chapter 67: A New Sword Heart!

“What terrifying Sword Intent!”

“That’s the Sword Saint of Cangshan—why is he in Qingzhou?”

“Is he about to break through to the Profound Realm?”

“Will the world gain another Grandmaster of the Sword Dao?”

Across Qingzhou City, figures shot into the sky one after another, gazing toward the heavens.

They saw the vast clouds torn apart by an invisible colossal sword, as if the sky itself had been pierced with a hole.

The horrifying Sword Intent and killing aura made everyone’s hair stand on end, filling them with immense fear they could not suppress.

“Why is the Sword Saint of Cangshan here?”

Next to the Mingyu Martial Hall, a sinister-looking man suddenly raised his head, trembling as he stared toward the martial hall.

The old man beside him turned pale, instinctively crushing a token left behind by the Demon King.

That was the Sword Saint of Cangshan—one who suppressed the Great Azure Mountain, his hands stained with the blood of demons, harboring a deep hatred for them.

If he discovered their presence here, their fate would be uncertain.

“Whoosh!”

Inside the Mingyu Martial Hall, Hall Master Liu appeared instantly beside Li Yunqing and Lu Xingzhou, staring into the room with shock.

“The Sword Saint of Cangshan has broken through?”

Feeling that terrifying aura, Hall Master Liu murmured, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He glanced back at Li Yunqing, a strange stirring rising in his heart.

“With such a divine physician protecting him, though the danger was great, it also became an opportunity and tempering.”

Without Li Yunqing’s treatment, the Sword Saint would have been tormented by the Poison of Nine Infants, and in time, likely perished.

But now, under her medical skill, he was not only healed but had even broken through to the Profound Realm in one stroke.

This favor he owed was immense.

That was a Profound Realm Grandmaster—not something as common as cabbages.

Within the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty, excluding hidden sects, there were only a dozen or so Grandmasters in the open.

“Once people learn of Li Yunqing’s connection to the Sword Saint, who would dare provoke this girl?”

“This luck… no! This medical skill is simply miraculous!”

Hall Master Liu’s gaze flickered, a trace of envy and jealousy surfacing in his heart.

Forming a connection with a Profound Realm Grandmaster—even the one in the imperial palace would have to show some respect.

Especially since this Grandmaster was a Sword Saint.

Even at Qi Realm Perfection, he dared confront a Demon King. Now that he had broken through, his combat power would be utterly terrifying.

“Buzz!”

The air around the Sword Saint of Cangshan trembled, as if an invisible hand were kneading the surrounding space.

His body slowly rose, floating upward.

The Initial Realm tempered the body, the Qi Realm refined qi.

The Profound Realm refined the spirit—True Qi and mental power merged, giving each move spiritual essence, reaching a state of mastery.

One could even walk through the air—this was a Grandmaster.

Just as he rose several zhang into the air, his aura suddenly retracted.

He turned his head toward the house beside the martial hall, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

“Demons lurking here… die!”

With a light shout, he flicked his fingers. Two strands of True Qi shot forth, transforming into dazzling miniature swords that pierced through the void.

At the Grandmaster level, spirit and True Qi merged, shaped at will—this was known as True Qi Manifestation.

The manifested forms not only possessed spirituality but also the might of real objects—often even stronger.

“No! My father is—”

A cry erupted from the neighboring courtyard, but it cut off abruptly.

A black snake, several zhang long and as thick as a water barrel, covered in scales, suddenly appeared.

Beside it lay a toad the size of a small hill.

Both demons had a finger-sized hole in their foreheads, blood seeping out—lifeless.

Before a Grandmaster, even Qi Realm cultivators were like children, utterly incapable of resistance.

“Demons actually infiltrated the city?”

Li Yunqing suddenly recalled the evening three days prior, her heart trembling.

The handsome man and the old man in that courtyard had invited her.

Fortunately, she had remained cautious and had not acted on kindness—otherwise, what she might have encountered would have been unimaginable.

“Tap!”

The Sword Saint slowly descended, his gaze toward Li Yunqing carrying a trace of complexity.

He knew clearly that being tormented by the Poison of Nine Infants not only hindered cultivation, but over time even caused one’s strength to regress.

It corroded the body and dissolved the will—eventually leading to death.

After all, it was the poison of a Demon King’s bloodline—ordinary people would dissolve into blood upon the slightest contact.

When he came to Qingzhou, he had held no hope, only seeking the Innate Sword Bones.

Now, Li Yunqing had not only cured him but enabled his breakthrough.

Such a tremendous favor—he did not even know how to repay it.

“There is time ahead.”

The Sword Saint stopped dwelling on it and turned to Hall Master Liu.

“Congratulations on your breakthrough, Sword Saint Senior.”

Hall Master Liu spoke respectfully.

Facing a Profound Realm Grandmaster, he, a high-tier Qi Realm cultivator, could no longer remain as composed as before.

“You are too courteous, Hall Master Liu.”

The Sword Saint remained as gentle as ever. “Speaking of which, I also owe you a favor.”

“You are too kind, Senior—it was merely a temporary stay.”

Hall Master Liu quickly responded.

If even that counted as a favor, then the Sword Saint’s favors would be far too cheap.

And he understood well—it was merely polite words.

In this world, human relationships and social ties were inevitable.

Unless one could ignore everything and become invincible, one would always remain entangled in worldly affairs.

The Sword Saint nodded slightly. “There are two demons in the courtyard next door. I’ll trouble Hall Master Liu to handle them.”

After speaking, he looked toward Lu Xingzhou, his brows furrowing.

“Congratulations, Master!”

Lu Xingzhou hurriedly bowed.

But instead of relaxing, the Sword Saint’s expression grew even more serious.

“How much sincerity remains in your sword?”

The Sword Saint spoke softly, confusion in his eyes.

When he had arrived, Lu Xingzhou’s Sword Heart had been pure—utterly sincere and true.

But in just a few days, it had become clouded, no longer as pure as before.

Lu Xingzhou trembled, as if struck by thunder, his gaze instinctively shifting toward Li Yunqing.

“Crack… crack…”

In an instant, faint sounds of shattering emerged from his body.

Like steel cracking, or glass fracturing—harsh and piercing.

“Master!”

Bitterness filled Lu Xingzhou’s eyes. For a moment, he did not know how to explain.

Yet his gaze still occasionally drifted toward Li Yunqing.

Seeing this, the Sword Saint paused slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade.

He saw that the purity in Lu Xingzhou’s eyes had changed—it was no longer devotion to the sword, but a deep affection.

Pure affection.

The Sword Saint’s gaze shifted to Li Yunqing.

She remained gentle and tranquil, her heart clear and untainted.

Just as when he first saw her—like a mirror-like ocean reflecting a bright moon, serene and ethereal.

He examined her and felt a trace of sighing emotion.

Li Yunqing was indeed extraordinarily beautiful.

Her long, straight legs, rounded hips, full chest, and fair, jade-like skin naturally exuded charm.

Combined with a flawless, exquisite face—

It was as if all the beauty in the world had gathered upon her, perfect and without blemish.

Even with his perspective as a Profound Realm Grandmaster, he could not find a single flaw.

Her temperament was gentle and refined, her aura transcendent—like an immortal descended into the mortal world.

Such a woman held a fatal attraction to men.

Not just Lu Xingzhou—even he, with his resolute heart, had nearly been drawn in within the illusion.

At this moment, he somewhat understood his disciple.

Faced with such a girl, developing affection was only natural.

Especially for Lu Xingzhou, who had no obsessions beyond tempering his Sword Heart—his life had been smooth. He had no defense against such a presence.

Even he, the Sword Saint of Cangshan—if not for his deep-seated hatred and lifelong obsession—

Would likely have been drawn to such a perfect woman.

“Wait… why are you looking at me like that?”

Sensing his gaze, Li Yunqing’s heart skipped a beat.

He had just broken through to the Profound Realm Grandmaster level—could it be he intended to repay the favor with his own body?

No, please don’t!

I don’t need the favor!

Suppressing her unease, she asked, “What’s wrong with Senior Brother Lu?”

Seeing her unaware expression, the Sword Saint understood.

This was entirely his disciple’s one-sided affection—he didn’t even dare express it openly.

If it were mutual, he might have fulfilled it, restoring his Sword Dao.

But since it was one-sided—and she was someone he owed a great favor to—he could not possibly force anything.

“His Sword Heart is about to shatter.”

The Sword Saint looked at Lu Xingzhou, his expression complicated.

Ten years of tempering—shattered in six days.

Should he blame Lu Xingzhou’s weak will, or Li Yunqing’s overwhelming charm?

“My Sword Heart… is about to shatter?”

Shock flashed in Li Yunqing’s eyes.

Even Hall Master Liu looked incredulous. “How could this happen?”

In their lineage, the power of the sword lay entirely in the Sword Heart—the stronger the heart, the stronger the sword.

Lu Xingzhou glanced at Li Yunqing, then quickly looked away.

He didn’t even dare meet her eyes, afraid she would discover his feelings.

A sense of shame rose within him.

He had merely taught her sword techniques, yet unknowingly fell for her beauty.

He had even neglected her talent, teaching her for days while losing his sincerity.

These past days, he could barely sleep—whenever he closed his eyes, her image filled his mind.

Gentle and tranquil, like the most beautiful flower blooming in the mortal world.

Pure and elegant, impossible to resist.

“Crack… crack… crack…”

As these thoughts arose, the cracking sounds intensified.

His expression changed as he quickly sat cross-legged, circulating his cultivation technique.

Once the Sword Heart shattered, his sword cultivation would drop to almost nothing.

Even if he remained in the Qi Realm, he would be the weakest of its kind.

He might not even be able to wield a sword again.

Seeing this, the Sword Saint sighed. “When the Sword Heart shatters, no one can help—it depends solely on himself.”

This was the weakness of their path.

Once the Sword Heart broke, cultivation would dissipate.

Others could not intervene.

“Could it… be because of me?”

Thinking of the Sword Saint’s earlier gaze, Li Yunqing felt slightly guilty.

But upon reflection, she had done nothing.

She had kept proper distance, spoken little, and never acted intimately.

She had not seduced or enticed him.

Even learning the Demon-Slaying Sword Art had been entirely normal.

Was she supposed to wrap herself up just because she was beautiful?

Besides, she understood men well—the more mysterious and half-hidden, the more it stirred desire.

Given her appearance, concealment was useless.

Better to be open—less mystery meant less curiosity.

“My Sword Heart… must not shatter!”

Lu Xingzhou clenched his teeth, unwilling to accept it.

Li Yunqing’s figure appeared in his mind again—gentle, tranquil, like a flower beyond worldly strife.

Rooted deep in his heart.

“I like her… if so, why can’t she become my Sword Heart?”

“I am willing to take her as my heart!”

“My sword will be wielded for her!”

“I do not seek her affection—only to stand by her side!”

At that moment, Lu Xingzhou fully understood and affirmed his feelings.

His Sword Heart shattered completely—

Yet from the fragments, it rapidly reformed.

A presence of utmost sincerity, truth, and love surged from him.

Because of pure affection and determination, his sharpness became even greater than before.

“Destruction followed by rebirth—a new Sword Heart!”