Boom!
A pillar of black sword light pierced the heavens.
The entire Sword Burial Valley trembled violently.
Countless ancient swords floated into the sky, releasing joyous cries as if welcoming the birth of a new sovereign.
Jian Chen stood at the center of the storm.
His body shook uncontrollably.
Pain coursed through every vein and bone.
The sealed nine heavenly sword vine were awakening.
Crack!
The first sword vein shattered its seal.
An endless torrent of spiritual energy surged into his body.
His cultivation, which had remained stagnant since birth, finally moved.
"Body tempering realm 1st stage".
Before he could stabilize
Boom!
The second sword vein opened.
His aura became sharper.
His bones emitted crisp cracking sounds as impurities were expelled from his body.
Second Stage!
Then...
Third.
Fourth.
Fifth...
The spiritual energy within the Sword Burial Valley poured into him like a river entering the sea.
Mo Jian stared in disbelief.
"This..."
"How is this possible?"
"I've guarded this place for five thousand years."
"I've seen countless geniuses."
"But no one has ever broken through five realms in a single breath."
The Heaven Severing Sword suddenly released a deep hum.
The blade transformed into a streak of black light before disappearing into Jian Chen's dantian.
Mo Jian smiled.
"The sword has accepted you."
"It will remain within your dantian until you're strong enough to wield its true power."
Jian Chen slowly opened his eyes.
Two streaks of sword light flashed across his pupils.
He lowered his head and clenched his fist.
Power.
For the first time since his rebirth...
He truly possessed power.
Although only at the firth stage body tempering realm, his strength far surpassed ordinary cultivators of the same level.
His awakened sword veins continuously absorbed the spiritual energy around him.
Even while standing still...
He was cultivating.
Mo Jian laughed heartily.
"Excellent!"
"As expected of the man acknowledged by ten thousand swords."
"But remember..."
"The Heaven Severing Sword is both a blessing and a curse."
Jian Chen looked up.
"What do you mean?"
Mo Jian's expression turned solemn.
"That sword once belonged to the strongest swordsman of the Primordial Era."
"He challenged the heavens themselves."
"When he failed..."
"The Heavenly Dao shattered his body."
"But his sword refused to submit."
"It disappeared from the world."
"And eventually found its way here."
Jian Chen's eyes narrowed.
"The Heavenly Dao..."
His hatred stirred once more.
In his previous life...
He had believed fate controlled everything.
Now...
He believed only in the sword in his hand.
Mo Jian continued,
"Listen carefully."
"Your greatest enemy isn't merely Lin Xue'er."
"Nor is it Long Tian."
"There are forces hidden behind this world."
"They manipulate kingdoms."
"They manipulate sects."
"They even manipulate the rise and fall of geniuses."
Jian Chen frowned.
"You know who betrayed me?"
Mo Jian slowly nodded.
"I don't know the details."
"But I know this..."
"No ordinary woman could survive for a thousand years."
"If Lin Xue'er still lives..."
"Someone far more terrifying stands behind her."
Silence filled the valley.
Jian Chen slowly closed his eyes.
His hatred remained.
But now...
His vision had become much broader.
His revenge would not end with killing two people.
He would uncover the truth behind everything.
Just then
Mo Jian's soul became transparent.
Jian Chen noticed immediately.
"Senior..."
Mo Jian smiled peacefully.
"My mission is complete."
"For five thousand years..."
"I remained here waiting for the Heaven Severing Sword's true master."
"Now..."
"I can finally rest."
Jian Chen bowed deeply.
Although they had only just met...
He respected the old guardian from the bottom of his heart.
"Senior Mo Jian."
"I swear upon my sword..."
"I will not disgrace your legacy."
Mo Jian nodded with satisfaction.
Before disappearing, he pointed toward the deepest part of the valley.
"Beyond that cliff..."
"There is a cave."
"There lies my final gift."
"And remember..."
"A swordsman who relies only on talent will never become invincible."
"The strongest sword..."
"Is the one that has endured despair."
His body gradually turned into countless particles of light.
"Live well..."
"My successor."
The last trace of his soul vanished.
The valley became silent once more.
Jian Chen remained standing in respectful silence for a long time.
Then he knelt.
He kowtowed three times.
"Master..."
"Rest in peace."
When he finally rose, his expression had changed.
It was no longer filled solely with hatred.
It now carried unwavering determination.
He turned toward the cave hidden beyond the cliff.
"If Senior Mo Jian left something behind..."
"It must be extraordinary."
With the Heaven Severing Sword sleeping within his dantian and the Nine Heavenly Sword Veins steadily awakening, Jian Chen stepped toward the cave.
He did not know that deep inside...
A jade box had remained sealed for over five thousand years.
Within it rested a technique that even the ancient Sword Emperors had failed to master
The Heavenly Sword scripture