Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

After parting with Pei Jingque, Zhu Ju returned to his Cave Mansion with the 'Flying Sword' and strode into his Quiet Chamber.

CLICK...

The Jade Box opened.

The Flying Sword lay quietly inside.

This sword could be wielded by hand or controlled remotely, and was thus quite large. Zhu Ju had given it a new name.

Ten Directions Cross!

Signifying that it was forged by melting down the Ten Directions Sword and the Cross and Vertical Saber.

'According to Senior Sister, if I can deal with the Sword Intent inside, this sword could be considered a Middle Grade Magical Treasure.'

Zhu Ju's eyes flashed.

'Unfortunately...'

'...removing the Sword Intent would destroy the Flying Sword, making it an impossible choice.'

Magical Treasures are powerful, and Middle Grade Magical Treasures are even rarer.

Currently, across the entire Bright Void Sect—not counting Zhu Ju's Mutated Left Hand—the only Middle Grade Magical Treasure was the Three-Flame Simurgh Fan owned by Sect Leader Pei Jingque.

Even factions like the Hundred Flowers Sect and the Zhao Family, Righteous Immortal Sects with legacies stretching back hundreds or even thousands of years, didn't possess a single one, a testament to their rarity.

Sword Intent is not a Sword Spirit.

A Sword Spirit can be suppressed, subdued, and even increase a Flying Sword's power, but Sword Intent only knows destruction.

'I never thought a Source Stone from the Human Immortal Martial Arts World could activate the Broken Sword's Sword Intent.'

Zhu Ju mused:

'The Exotic Treasures of Human Immortal Martial Arts are all born from Source Stones. Some of them awaken the evil in a person's heart, turning their wielder into a Demon obsessed with slaughter. But a true master can remain unaffected, using their supreme Martial Arts Will to suppress the demonic nature within the treasure.'

'So...'

'...the Ten Directions Cross Sword must be the same.'

With that thought, he reached out, tore the sealing Spirit Talisman off the Flying Sword, and touched his finger to the blade.

The next moment.

A cage formed of countless flying swords appeared 'before his eyes'.

Death!

Silent Extinction!

Sorrow!

...

A Sword Intent so tangible it felt real rushed toward his Divine Soul.

Because his Primordial Spirit was connected to it, even his Divine Soul-protecting Secret Techniques were useless.

Zhu Ju let out a muffled groan and staggered backward. As his hand broke contact with the blade, the illusion vanished.

"Damn!"

His face was pale, his eyes wide with fear.

"Silent Extinction Sword Intent!"

'Is this the Sword Intent that Elder Song left behind?'

Song Jie was a Late-Stage Golden Core Cultivator. Even a mere remnant of his Sword Intent was far too powerful for a Dao Foundation Cultivator to block.

Even a Sumeru Martial Saint of Human Immortal Martial Arts would likely be unable to suppress this Sword Intent.

No wonder Pei Jingque never tried again after touching it once.

But...

"Again!"

Zhu Ju's Divine Soul Power was formidable, and he was well-versed in various Divine Soul Secret Techniques. His resistance was far greater than Pei Jingque's.

It even surpassed that of a Sumeru Martial Saint.

His vision blurred.

The tangible Sword Intent howled toward him once more.

Ten Directions Killing Dao!

Zhu Ju focused his mind. The Sword Intent he had forged through his Ten Directions Killing Dao surged forth to meet the assault.

BOOM!

His Sea of Consciousness roared.

Zhu Ju's body convulsed. He stumbled back a step and spat out a spray of blood, his spirit instantly flagging.

But his eyes were blazing with brilliant light.

"White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword!"

'This Sword Technique is a Sword Formula derived from the White Tiger Divine Aspect, one of the Jade Void Sect's Four Symbols Divine Techniques. It seems to have incorporated Methods from the Demonic Netherworld Sect; I can definitely see traces of the Silent Extinction Path of Evil Death.'

As the two Sword Intents clashed, it was as if Zhu Ju could see Song Jie from centuries past, commanding his Flying Sword to strike him down.

The Sword Light cleaved through space and time.

The Sword Intent forged from his Ten Directions Killing Dao was utterly fragile before it, shattering instantly on impact.

The Sword Intent slashed straight into his Sea of Consciousness, wounding him.

"HUU..."

Zhu Ju sat cross-legged to the side, using the Celestial Dragon Eight Sounds and the Soul-Shocking Bell to nourish his Divine Soul. Only after a long while did some of his vigor return.

'I can't believe the Broken Sword contains the legacy of the White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword. This Swordsmanship is formidable even at the Golden Core Realm, and its Silent Extinction killing intent is truly extraordinary.'

'If I could obtain it...'

Zhu Ju shook his head lightly.

'My own Sword Dao is already set, so I have no need to learn another's. I can draw inspiration from it, at most. However, the legacy within the Sword Intent contains the secret to Sword Qi Thunder Sound. That is something worth learning.'

「Ten days later.」

Having restored his vigor, Zhu Ju once again attempted to connect with the Sword Intent within the Ten Directions Cross Sword.

This time, he was fully prepared. The instant his Divine Soul made contact with the Sword Intent, he seized the initiative, unleashing his Ten Directions Killing Realm in a furious torrent.

BOOM...

The Flying Sword trembled.

The Sword Intent was, after all, inanimate. It hesitated for a fraction of a second before retaliating, and the two currents of Sword Intent collided.

The Ten Directions Killing Dao and the White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword...

Two fundamentally different schools of lethal Swordsmanship became entangled.

Zhu Ju's Ten Directions Killing Dao pursued pure slaughter, annihilating an opponent's life force to achieve victory.

It was an art of combat.

The White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword, however, was different.

Its Sword Intent carried an air of silent extinction; it not only killed others but also cut down the wielder. Without an unshakeable will, a user could easily become a Puppet to the Sword Intent. But if they could suppress the Sword Technique and its intent, the Cultivator would grow even stronger.

This Sword Formula could plunder the life force of all creation for its own use.

It was a path to seek the Dao.

"Urk!"

Zhu Ju swayed and let go of the Flying Sword, his eyes filled with exhaustion.

'As expected of the White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword. The Sword Intent is so pure, the moves so profound. Compared to it, my Ten Directions Killing Dao is riddled with flaws. Thankfully, this is just a remnant from a Golden Core, its power less than a tenth of what it was at its peak. Otherwise, my Primordial Spirit would have collapsed long ago.'

He shook his head.

He put away the Flying Sword and turned to leave.

The White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword was a top-tier legacy of the Jade Void Sect; it was only natural that his self-created Ten Directions Killing Dao was inferior.

He wasn't discouraged, though.

But he could rest, recover, and change tactics. The Sword Intent could not. Eventually, it would be worn away completely.

「One month later.」

Zhu Ju tried to connect with the Sword Intent again. This time, he managed to withstand its assault for the duration of three breaths.

...

Time flowed by.

Zhu Ju cultivated the Primordial Heart Technique while tempering his Sword Intent.

With the help of his Outer Body Incarnation, 'Wukong', and the Sword Intent of the Ten Directions Cross Sword, his Cultivation increased at a visible rate.

「One year later.」

Zhu Ju received a message and hurried to the Sect's main hall.

"Senior Sister."

"You summoned me so urgently, is something wrong?"

"Yes." Pei Jingque's expression was grim.

"The Demon Dao has launched a full-scale invasion, and the front line has collapsed. The Profound Clarity Sect and the Celestial Yu Sect are organizing a retreat for the front-line Cultivators. I plan to go and provide support for Elder Zhai and Junior Sister Liu. You will have to hold down the fort here at the Sect, Junior Brother."

"Huh?" Zhu Ju frowned.

"The Six Demonic Sects have already finished digesting Dazhou?"

Dazhou was vast and filled with numerous Secret Realms, Cave Mansions, and people. Logically, its resources should have been more than enough for the Demonic Cultivators' needs.

So, the Demon Dao shouldn't have had a strong desire to invade the Ten Thousand Mountains.

With the vast, boundless Dazhou to exploit for resources, why would they pick a fight to the death with the Righteous Dao?

Even if they managed to crack a tough nut like the Righteous Dao, the Ten Thousand Mountains were nowhere near comparable to Dazhou.

The losses would outweigh the gains!

"I'm not sure."

Pei Jingque said, shaking her head,

"All I know is that the Demon Dao is invading the Ten Thousand Mountains in force, and the front line has definitely collapsed. Junior Sister Liu already sent word. If we're late, they could be in grave danger."

"Senior Sister," Zhu Ju said after a moment's thought,

"Let me go instead."

"You're the Sect Leader of the Bright Void Sect; you can't just rush into danger. Besides, someone needs to stay and guard the Sect."

He spent twenty days a month in seclusion and barely showed his face during the other ten. He wasn't the right person to be left guarding the Sect.

"Absolutely not."

Pei Jingque shook her head.

"You only recently advanced to the Mid-Stage Dao Foundation. You should be focused on stabilizing your Cultivation. Plus, you don't have a suitable Flying Sword. It's too dangerous."

"You don't need to worry, Senior Sister. My Realm is already stable. As for a Flying Sword..." A smile touched Zhu Ju's lips as he flipped his palm over. The Ten Directions Cross Sword appeared, and with a light flick of his wrist, it began to circle around him.

The Sword Light flashed, a streak of white light zipping through the air. Its speed was enough to startle even Pei Jingque.

Furthermore, the sharp aura of a Middle Grade Magical Treasure stirred the Primordial Energy in the hall.

"Junior Brother..." she said, her eyes wide with surprise.

"You dealt with the Sword Intent inside?"

"More or less," Zhu Ju said, hesitating for a moment.

"It's not a problem to use it in combat for a short period."

"I see..." Pei Jingque fell into thought, then said after a pause,

"Alright, you can go, Junior Brother. I've already notified Elder Zhai and Junior Sister Liu to bring our Sect Disciples back. You are to meet them on their return path. Once you rendezvous, bring them back to the Sect immediately. Even if you run into Demonic Cultivators, do not get entangled with them."

"We can figure out our next move after you return."

"One more thing..."

"Junior Sister Dong from the Hundred Flowers Sect will be traveling with you. She also needs to rendezvous with her sect's disciples."

*

*

*

「Marketplace.」

One must sharpen their tools before the work can begin.

The front line was a long way from the Bright Void Sect. He would need to procure some supplies before setting out.

Seeking Immortal Tower.

As usual, Qiao Bai of the Seeking Immortal Sect was on duty.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, a rare sight indeed!"

Having not seen him for several years, Zhu Ju noticed the signs of old age on Qiao Bai's face—a clear indication that the Dao Foundation Cultivator's lifespan was nearing its end.

However, Dao Foundation Cultivators had long lives. Even at the final stage, they could still have a good ten or twenty years left.

"Fellow Daoist Qiao."

Zhu Ju greeted him with cupped fists.

"I'd love to come by more often," he said, "but with my pockets being so empty, I hardly dare step foot in your fine establishment!"

"Haha..." Qiao Bai laughed.

"You jest."

"Are you heading to the front, Fellow Daoist?"

"Indeed." A flicker in Zhu Ju's eyes.

"Does Brother Qiao have news from the front?"

"I do." Qiao Bai nodded and sighed.

"Not long ago, three Nascent Soul True Men from the Righteous Dao laid a trap for the Six Paths Demon Monarch. Unfortunately, their plan fell short. They failed to kill him and only succeeded in provoking him, which is what led to this invasion and the collapse of the front."

"I've heard a Golden Core Grandmaster has already fallen at the front. That's why the Immortal Alliance decided to pull back the line of defense. A lot of people have been heading to the front to provide support these past few days, so business has been surprisingly good."

"Even three Nascent Soul True Men working together couldn't take down the Six Paths Demon Monarch?" Zhu Ju frowned, shaking his head with a sigh.

"The Demon Dao is too powerful. It seems there are no good options left."

"Indeed," Qiao Bai said, his face also clouded with worry.

He wasn't worried for himself. With only a decade or two left, he had already come to terms with his own mortality.

Besides, the Seeking Immortal Sect would never send him to a battlefield.

But he still had descendants.

"Enough of that,"

Qiao Bai said, waving a dismissive hand.

"What can I get for you, Fellow Daoist?"

"I need a Spirit House with a Tier One Array," Zhu Ju said.

"Also, get me ten Tier Two Offensive Spirit Talismans and some Elixirs for Nourishing the Spirit."

"A Spirit House?" Qiao Bai looked surprised for a moment, then turned, retrieved an item, and placed it on the table.

"You're in luck, Fellow Daoist. We just had a new Spirit House delivered yesterday. You wouldn't have found one if you'd come a day sooner."

Spirit House.

It was a type of Magical Artifact enchanted with Space Magic. Because of the special materials required, they were rarely seen in the Marketplace and were, of course, not cheap.

The Spirit House before him was shaped like a traditional courtyard home. When infused with Magical Power, it could expand into a full-sized one.

Its Tier One Array could also withstand a few attacks.

This item was a must-have for many wealthy Dao Foundation Cultivators, as it could be transformed into a temporary Cave Mansion anywhere in the wilderness.

"Nice."

Zhu Ju looked pleased.

"I'll take it."

The Spirit House could be enlarged and shrunk, in some ways possessing the effects of a Tier Three Space Array.

This feature wasn't particularly useful to him, as a living person couldn't be shrunk down with it.

But the Primordial Spirit Stone Embryo could.

Zhu Ju would definitely be taking his Outer Body Incarnation on this trip.

But if he put the Outer Body Incarnation in his storage bag, he couldn't draw on its power for his Cultivation. The Spirit House was for its sake.

After picking up the Elixirs and Spirit Talismans, the Spirit Stones he had earned from selling Spirit Wine over the past few years were more or less gone.

He walked out of the Seeking Immortal Tower, his once-bulging storage bag now limp and empty.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu!"

"Fellow Daoist Dong."

Seeing Dong Yuelan approaching, Zhu Ju's eyes flickered.

"Are you also here in the Marketplace to procure supplies, Fellow Daoist?"

"I am."

Dong Yuelan nodded.

"Have you gotten what you need, Fellow Daoist Zhu?"

"If so, we should get going. The situation at the front is grim, and the sooner we can reach our people, the better."

He glanced around.

The Marketplace was far busier than usual, and an inexplicable sense of urgency seemed to hang in the very air.

Every so often, a Tunneling Light would streak into the sky, heading straight for the front.

"Alright."

Zhu Ju nodded.

"Let's depart as soon as possible."

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