Chapter 239 - 25: Jingzhe Saber, White Bone Transformation

Chapter 239: Chapter 25: Jingzhe Saber, White Bone Transformation

Although he had only been practicing the Sword Nurturing Technique for a mere two days, Chen Ye felt his progress was exceptionally smooth. He wasn’t sure if it was because the Cultivation Technique was an unusually good fit for him or if his Slaying Blade Asura Professional Talent was at play.

In a trance-like state, Chen Ye even felt that he and the saber had become inseparable.

Just then, a passage from the Sword Nurturing Technique suddenly flashed through Chen Ye’s mind.

"An artifact’s Spiritual Energy is born from the heart and perfected by a name! With the heart as a guide and a name as the lock, man and artifact become one, moving as easily as one’s own limbs."

This meant that once a Magical Artifact developed Spiritual Energy, giving it a fitting name could lock that wisp of Spiritual Energy in place, forging an even deeper connection with its master.

A name...

Chen Ye looked at the long saber lying across his lap, the one that had been with him as he fought his way out of Yu Huo County, and his heart stirred.

’What would be a good name for it?’

Before he knew it, Chen Ye found himself recalling his journey.

’All this time, it seemed like I was constantly getting stronger, but in reality, I’ve just been lying low, accumulating power.’

’It’s like all the creatures hidden underground before spring, silently waiting for that first clap of thunder.’

’Once the spring thunder roars, all life will reawaken, the hibernating insects will stir, and it will be time for dragons and serpents to rise.’

’So...’

"From now on, your name is Jingzhe," Chen Ye said softly, gently caressing the blade.

VMMMM—!

A clear, lingering hum rang out from within the blade.

At that moment, the faint glow representing the Sword Spirit erupted in brilliant light, illuminating the saber’s interior as if it were a miniature sun.

In that instant, a flash of insight dawned on Chen Ye.

He could clearly feel it. Although his Cultivation Realm remained unchanged and his Inner Qi hadn’t increased in the slightest, his power had taken a tangible leap to a new level.

This was especially true for his Saber Technique.

’Chen Ye felt a surge of confidence. If he were to use the Thorn Blade Technique now, its power would be at least double what it was before!’

’So this is the Realm of Man and Blade Unity? It’s truly marvelous.’

But just as Chen Ye was quietly savoring this wonderful feeling—this sense of connection with the saber, his mind clear and serene—

VMMMM!!!

The Jingzhe Saber on his lap suddenly emitted a frantic, shrill hum filled with warning.

Simultaneously, a sense of danger ten times more intense than the previous night’s erupted from the depths of Chen Ye’s being, making the hair on his entire body stand on end!

’It’s back!’

Chen Ye’s first thought was that the one who had used the Name-Calling Soul Summoning Technique last night was at it again.

But this time, he heard nothing.

Moreover, the sense of danger came so abruptly that before he could react, a strange sensation washed over his entire body.

Chen Ye felt his body undergoing some terrifying change. His skin was withering, his flesh was melting away, and the life force within him was draining at an unbelievable rate.

Chen Ye jerked his head down and saw a horrifying sight.

His hand, which just moments ago had been caressing the blade, was now stripped of its skin, flesh, and sinews. Only ghastly white bone remained, reflecting an eerie light in the dim room.

He frantically looked at his legs, his arms, his chest...

Everywhere he looked, there was nothing but bone.

He couldn’t feel his heart beating, his blood flowing, or his own breath.

’I’ve... turned into a pile of dried bones?’

After a moment of shock, Chen Ye didn’t panic. Instead, he calmed down with astonishing speed.

’This feeling is familiar.’

’It’s just like last night’s Name-Calling Soul Summoning Technique. An insidious method that strikes at one’s very core, making it impossible to guard against.’

’They just don’t give up, do they,’ Chen Ye thought coldly.

It was just that this time, the technique was even more venomous and bizarre than last night’s Name-Calling Soul Summoning.

Last night’s attack at least used sound as a medium; it was an assault on the Divine Spirit.

This one, however, was silent and acted directly on his physical body, intending to turn him into a pile of white bones while he was still alive.

’So what the fuck kind of Evil Technique is this?’

At the same time, Chen Ye immediately realized that the most crucial thing right now wasn’t his skeletal body, but his own Divine Spirit.

The change to his body might just be some advanced Illusion Technique or a Curse. As long as his consciousness remained and his Divine Spirit was intact, there was still a chance to turn the tables.

But if his will faltered, if he allowed himself to be overwhelmed by this grotesque sight and descended into fear and chaos, then he would truly be doomed beyond redemption.

With this in mind, Chen Ye didn’t hesitate for a second. He immediately focused his mind, cast aside all distracting thoughts, and began to visualize.

SUN! MOON!

As he visualized, a resplendent sun and a cool, bright moon once again rose slowly within the pitch-black space of his consciousness.

The golden sunlight drove out the aura of death and decay brought on by the Curse, while the silvery moonlight cleansed his heart of fear and unease.

As the sun and moon shone together, with yin and yang complementing each other, a pure land formed in the depths of his consciousness, protecting his fragile spirit from being extinguished by the bizarre external forces.

Having done all this, Chen Ye felt his mind begin to settle.

Although the horrifying sensation of his body decaying and his life slipping away persisted, it could no longer shake his resolve.

...

「Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard elsewhere in Qingzhou Prefecture City.」

In a secret chamber reeking of blood and rot, Li Gu stood before a newly completed Array, his face flushed with a sick, feverish excitement.