The scenery changed once again.
Leon found himself standing before the demon.
"Congratulations once again, Master. Your accomplishments never fail to surprise me. I shall wait until you are ready for the next phase," the demon said.
Leon nodded before taking out the Sword Art Breathing manual once more. ’This time, I’ll master all the remaining forms first.’
He then began reading.
’Sword Art Breathing, Sixth Form... Sword Song.
This form allows the wielder to unleash sword slashes without physically swinging the blade. It focuses on releasing Sword Aura in small bursts, striking any direction the wielder desires.’
Unlike the Fifth Form, which required no breathing technique, the Sixth Form demanded precise breathing control along with immense concentration.
Releasing Sword Aura without sufficient focus could obliterate both allies and enemies alike.
However, with perfect control, the attacks could become so precise that any target within the technique’s effective range could be struck by Sword Song, regardless of its position.
As Leon finished reading, the familiar notification rang out.
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host. You have comprehended the Sixth Form of Sword Art Breathing.]
[Sixth Form: Sword Song.]
Leon didn’t pause and immediately continued reading.
’Sword Art Breathing, Seventh Form... Sword Rain.
This form allows the wielder to engage a far greater number of targets over a much wider area than Sword Song.
However, unlike Sword Song, visible swords materialize in the air before launching toward their targets. Once formed, they can only be fired in a single direction.
This form is best suited for battles against large groups of enemies beyond Sword Song’s effective range, or when there are no allies on the battlefield.’
Leon carefully studied every detail of the Seventh Form. The required breathing rhythm. The amount of energy it consumed. The method of controlling the number of manifested swords.
Everything was explained in meticulous detail.
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host. You have comprehended the Seventh Form of Sword Art Breathing.]
[Seventh Form: Sword Rain.]
Leon immediately turned to the next form.
’Sword Art Breathing, Eighth Form... Void Slash.
This form focuses on the target’s presence.
Many can wield spatial magic or manipulate the void, allowing them to teleport, attack from different locations, or conceal their true position. Some can even create false presences to deceive their opponents.
Void Slash follows the target’s aura, Qi, mana, or presence and strikes unerringly.
Once the target is locked, nothing can stop the slash.
The attack can even pass harmlessly through objects or individuals that are not its intended target.
Because of this, Void Slash can also be used to deceive and outmaneuver opponents.’
Leon carefully studied the method of locking onto a target by sensing its Qi, mana, or presence. He memorized every step required to execute the technique.
The moment he finished reading...
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host. You have comprehended the Eighth Form of Sword Art Breathing.]
[Eighth Form: Void Slash.]
Without wasting any time, Leon flipped directly to the Tenth Form, as he had already mastered the Ninth Form, Demon Purging Aura.
’Sword Art Breathing, Tenth Form... Astral Avatar.
This technique is both simple and difficult.
It is simple because there is nothing to learn.
It is difficult because, to use the Tenth Form, the swordsman must condense an Astral Avatar using astral energy drawn from the Astral River.
The Astral River consists of nine layers, from the First Layer to the Ninth Layer.
The higher the layer, the more powerful the astral energy it contains.
Consequently, the higher the layer from which the Astral Avatar is condensed, the stronger the avatar becomes.’
Other than that brief description, there was nothing else. No method. No breathing technique.
Even after Leon finished reading, no system notification appeared.
"Understandable," Leon muttered. "There’s nothing to comprehend because there’s nothing to learn. The Tenth Form isn’t something you learn... it’s something you create.
But how exactly am I supposed to do that?
How do I condense an Astral Avatar using the astral energy of the Astral River?" Leon whispered.
As if the system understood Leon’s predicament, a series of notifications appeared on the translucent panel.
[Astral Energy is another form of energy like spiritual energy. It’s more potent.]
[Just as a cultivator must first sense spiritual energy before absorbing it to cultivate, Astral Energy must also be sensed before it can be absorbed.]
[However, unlike spiritual energy, Astral Energy does not increase a cultivator’s realm. Instead, it is used to condense an Astral Avatar.]
[Just as spiritual energy is used to form a dantian, Astral Energy is used to create an Astral Avatar. After it has been condensed, continued absorption of Astral Energy will strengthen the avatar.]
[Like cultivators, Astral Avatars also possess progressive realms. The higher the realm of the avatar, the greater its power.]
"Wait..." Leon muttered. "Doesn’t that mean I’ll need another breathing technique to absorb Astral Energy as well? How much do those breathing techniques even cost?"
[Affirmative, Host. A breathing technique is required to absorb Astral Energy.]
[However, Host’s Mystic Monarch Ascension Breathing Technique is capable of refining both spiritual energy and Astral Energy.]
Leon froze. The information he had just read was simply too unbelievable.
Too valuable.
Leon took a deep breath and gradually calmed his mind.
"Let me know before the one-day rest period ends so I can begin the sixth phase of the trial," he said to the demon waiting in the distance.
"Understood, Master," the demon replied.
Leon then closed his eyes and focused on sensing Astral Energy.
Meanwhile, one figure after another arrived in the mountain region where Leon had entered the volcano.
Most of them were cultivators.
Only a handful were mages.
Snow’s car was still speeding down the highway, ignoring who knew how many red lights along the way.
As time passed, more and more people gathered around the mountain region. However, not a single one revealed themselves openly. Everyone remained concealed in different locations, silently observing the volcano from the shadows.
Just then, a car came to a stop.
Unlike everyone else, its owner had no intention of keeping a low profile.
The engine fell silent, and the driver’s door swung open.
A muscular man stepped out. He wore a sleeveless shirt and black trousers.
Numerous tattoos covered his powerful arms and extended up to his neck.
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