Transcending the Nine Heavens

The Obscure Heavenly Crystal was placed into the Spiritual Spring by the Sword Spirit. Right away, the water inside the Spiritual Spring started to churn. The spring water’s original milky white color fused instantly with the milky whiteness of the Obscure Heavenly Crystal that was just added into the spring.The water turned into a sparkling and translucent milky white.

The color was like that of spirit emulsion that had already been maturing for ten thousand years, except even purer.

Although it was milky white and not transparent, strangely enough, it simply gave people the feeling as though it was transparent and free of impurities!

A light fragrance wafted above the Spiritual Spring, making one feel relaxed and comfortable throughout the body the moment they caught a whiff!

And now, he just needed the Fairy race’s Seed of Life and he would be able to immediately create something which the Fairy race didn’t even dare to dream of from the past into the present… A supreme treasure of the universe that was a notch higher than even the Life Force Spring!

And this Seed of Life was something which Chu Yang was very confident he could get his hands on since a long time ago — Because that thing was in Young Master Yu’s possession!

And Young Master Yu was even Chu Yang’s friend!

This pretty much meant that it was already in his hands!

The moment Chu Yang picked up the Obscure Heavenly Crystal and the Evil Illusionary Jade Crystal, he felt a mighty and intense aura suddenly rising from beneath his feet.

This aura was different from the Nine Tribulations Sword’s sharp and keen murderous aura. Yet it naturally carried a heavy and solid kind of feeling in itself.

In fact, there was even a kind of… simple and honest flavor to it.

Chu Yang was astonished by this feeling he got. This must be the seventh fragment of the Nine Tribulations Sword, just that there was actually something of such a nature within the Nine Tribulations Sword which had cleaved the Nine Heavens apart?

The rock ground under his feet rumbled and shook as it split apart. A round object then rose from underneath.

Chu Yang couldn’t keep his eyes from bulging out of their sockets.

He had already obtained six fragments of the Nine Tribulations Sword by now, but before this, he really hadn’t come across any fragment that emerged on its own.

But this one in front of him right now had really, honest-to-goodness, surfaced from underground on its own.

This was truly…

The moment this round object appeared, the Nine Tribulations Sword resonated with it right away. Instantly, a crisp and clear sword hum rang out — whoosh whoosh whoosh, whoosh whoosh whoosh…

Sword tip, sword spine, sword edge, sword crossguard, sword tang and sword hilt — All six fragments filed out one by one. The sword intent whistled and roared like a dragon, circling at the top excitedly.

Meanwhile, the six sword fragments were already playing happily and having fun with that fellow who had popped up on its own!

All of them flew about here and there, circling back and forth above that fellow and emitting sword hum after sword hum.

As if they were talking to each other in their own language?

That fellow was rather stiff, however. It looked rather awkward and clumsy, like a good and honest man who wasn’t good with words had suddenly been surrounded by a group of eloquent and articulate beauties. Dealing with one and then subsequently offending another, hemming and hawing for a good half a day yet still unable to say anything substantial.

A thought occurred to Chu Yang and he took hold of the fellow.

The oval-shaped fellow stayed properly in his palm, as if undergoing his appraisal apprehensively. It was extremely well-behaved and good-natured.

A stream of data surged into Chu Yang’s mind. Only then did he realize something. Smacking his lips, he thought to himself, “What the hell, I almost got deceived by this fragment of a sword.”

This fellow that looked unbelievably simple and honest, and stiff and awkward was actually the sword pommel!

An introduction of the Nine Tribulations Sword was as follows:

Sword pommel — The tip of the sword hilt, also known as the sword knob! With a round opening at the end, allowing a sword tassel to be attached. Its main attacks — Knocking, slamming and smashing against objects, such as people’s elbows. It wasn’t sharp, but its force was the greatest! It also functioned to balance the whole sword.

In all the moves of sword techniques, there were far and few that made use of the sword pommel. However, the moment they did, it would definitely be a devastating and crushing lethal strike!

The sword pommel was usually hidden at the furthest end of the sword at the back. It was unassuming and unobtrusive, neither piercingly sharp like the sword tip nor razor sharp like the sword edge. It merely maintained the balance of the whole sword very quietly and in a very down-to-earth manner. As the one bringing up the rear, it linked and connected all the brothers together.

But as long as its presence was needed, it would strike at a moment where one least expected!

Furthermore, the moment it struck, it would definitely claim the victim’s life!

In comparison to the others, this was what a true assassin really was!

He might not necessarily flee into the distance right after striking, but he was truly and undeniably a one-hit killer!

Chu Yang held the sword pommel in his hand, his consciousness quietly interacting with it. It was then that he realized that even though this fellow was rather cold on the outside but passionate on the inside, it was indeed also truly someone honest and taciturn.

Toward Chu Yang’s welcome, there was joy and comfort.

This fellow merely accepted him obediently. In fact, there was even a mild sense of panic and fluster…

Chu Yang let out a silent laugh. Tossing the sword pommel casually into mid-air, he shouted, “Nine Tribulations Sword! Merge!”

As a sword hum rang out, the sword hilt moved first, linking with the sword pommel. The sword tang was the second to move, its sharp end plunging deep into the hilt and connecting with the pommel.

With a clang, the two sides of the sword crossguard attached themselves as well.

The sword edge came flying and got into position with a clank. The sword edge then came whooshing over, its icy glint stern and mighty. Lastly, with swift and forceful speed, the sword tip connected with the rest directly!

With a thunderous boom, an indistinct air current arose from the Nine Tribulations Sword. Based on its external appearance at least, the sword had already reached completion!

The sword was suspended in mid-air, mighty and awe-inspiring. Even if it was silent and still, Chu Yang could feel that heroic spirit, as if looking down upon the whole world, coming from the Nine Tribulations Sword whose essence, energy and spirit were whole and complete!

A clear notion welled up in Chu Yang — Perhaps this Nine Tribulations Sword now was the true and complete battle form of the sword!

And also in perfect condition.

Because right now, all the hardware parts a sword needed were already present.

The current state of Nine Tribulations Sword was its true original setup when it was first forged!

As for the sword tassel and the sword soul, they couldn’t have been present at that point.

The sword tassel couldn’t have been attached at the point where the sword was smithed. All the more, it was impossible for a sword soul to manifest in a sword fresh out of the furnace!

Thus, while the Nine Tribulations Sword now was in no way at its strongest, it was definitely in its purest form!

Chu Yang slowly reached his arm out. The Nine Tribulations Sword emitted a joyful sword hum and gradually descended, just like someone gently holding it and then placing it in Chu Yang’s palm.

In the instant Chu Yang’s fingers closed around the sword hilt, the sword intent circling above finally descended. It clung to the Nine Tribulations Sword, emitting whines as if it was aggrieved.

Because it had been outcast and left out just now.

When the pure Nine Tribulations Sword was formed, other than the sword tassel and sword soul, there was nothing else that could linger on it. Even the sword intent derived directly from it was no exception!

This was because for the sword intent to exist, it was necessary to have someone using the sword and cultivating. Only then could it form.

But it… wasn’t considered a part of the sword body.

Chu Yang exhaled lightly.

He had finally obtained the seventh fragment of the Nine Tribulations Sword. But at the same time, he was rather puzzled. According to what Xue Leihan said, that ultimate expert had only given him eight little metal fragments for the Nine Tribulations Sword.

The sword tassel was probably the tiniest little metal fragment connected to the sword knob with some additional accessorizing…

However, since there were only eight fragments, where did the term ‘nine tribulations’ come from? The sword soul was ultimately shapeless and formless after all…

If one were to search for it, where would one need to go?

“Sword Spirit, did all the previous generations of Nine Tribulations Sword Masters find the sword soul when they were searching for the Nine Tribulations Sword?” asked Chu Yang softly inside the Nine Tribulations Space.

The Sword Spirit’s countenance had originally been full of joy and delight. But when he heard Chu Yang’s question, he was suddenly stunned for a moment. Turning around so that his back faced Chu Yang, he replied impassively, “Yes, all the previous generations of Nine Tribulations Sword Masters had found the sword soul!”

When he said this, the expression on his face was very strange.

As if crying yet as if laughing, or as if sad and anguished.

However, as his back was to Chu Yang, Chu Yang couldn’t see the expression he wore in this instant.

Frowning, Chu Yang muttered, “Then that’s really weird… All the first eight fragments are tangible no matter what. It is possible to locate them if one searches. But in the case of the sword soul… How did they find it?”

The Sword Spirit seemed to break into a small smile. In a low voice, he replied, “When you find the eighth fragment, you’ll know where you need to go to find the sword soul.”

Chu Yang nodded silently.

After reinvigorating his spirits, the Sword Spirit said, “Now, this is the sword technique for the seventh fragment of the Nine Tribulations Sword. Look carefully, I’ll demonstrate it once for you now!”

At once, Chu Yang threw the matter about the sword soul out of his mind and widened his eyes to take a good look.

The Sword Spirit floated out. He stood solemnly and respectfully, the Nine Tribulations Sword in his hand.

At this point, his body already looked to have fully manifested physically. As he stood there holding the sword at this moment, a rich and strong aura that was stern and graceful emanated from him.

A bleak and desolate wave of sword intent slowly welled up, gradually becoming stronger and mightier!

The next moment, the Sword Spirit thrust the sword forward, drawing an arc and spinning around. With a forceful turn, the sword knob came out from under his arm in the reverse direction with a whoosh. He held the sword tip between his fingers — As expected, he was using the sword knob to attack!

But the oddness of this strike made even Chu Yang’s scalp tingle when he saw it.

“Extreme inelegance and dullness sink the heavens!”

“This is the name of the sword pommel’s first move. The sword pommel looks simple and plain, with neither a blade nor a cutting edge. However, should all of its force really be brought into play, it is capable of sinking the azure skies!”

The Sword Spirit explained unhurriedly. Then, he exhibited another move.

“My sword intent strikes fear even without a blade or chilliness!”

“This is the second move. Both the sword knob and the sword tip are held back in seemingly a defensive stance. However, the sword intent this move gives off is the strongest among all the moves in the sword techniques of the Nine Tribulations Sword!”

The Sword Spirit wielded the sword slowly. “This is the third move! ‘One only realizes the formidability of the sword knob after he perishes’!”

“The meaning behind this move is that everyone underestimates the power of the sword knob. However, those who look down on it would never have another chance to reacquaint themselves with it for the rest of their lives — Because after the sword pommel strikes, the opponent would already be a dead man!”

Chu Yang watched with great concentration and rapt attention, nodding slowly as he did.

His guess was right — The sword pommel was the true and most well-hidden assassin among all the Nine Tribulations Sword parts!

“The fourth move, ‘One understands the taciturn soul only after much hardships’!”

“The sword pommel has always been unassuming and unobtrusive, keeping quiet all the time. But as the saying goes, silence is golden! This is especially true in the way of martial arts and the path of Heaven’s Way. Taciturn people usually have a lot of inner strength! In addition, taciturn people make it even harder for enemies to get a clear grasp of their abilities. One must understand, he who talks much errs much!”

The Sword Spirit went on. “Thus, only after experiencing great changes and hardships of life would one be able to understand the true meaning of the word ‘taciturnity’. But similarly, it is too late by then.”

The Sword Spirit’s voice was rather cynical and mocking.

Chu Yang mused over his words, finding that they actually provided much food for thought.

These four sword moves were just like the principles of how one should behave.

Chu Yang truly didn’t expect that sword moves like these which specialized in killing would actually harbor principles like these… This seemed rather ironic…

Not just that, while the sword pommel seemed taciturn and unsophisticated, all of its four sword moves were actually insidious and vicious killing moves!

Every single move made Chu Yang the Nine Tribulations Sword Master’s hair stand on end from its fearsomeness after witnessing it! Not to mention the enemies…

Mumbling the names of the four sword moves under his breath, Chu Yang closed his eyes and drew his sword, wielding it gracefully as he moved! Right away, he was completely absorbed in it…

“‘Extreme inelegance and dullness sink the heavens’, ‘My sword intent strikes fear even without a blade or chilliness’.”

“‘One only realizes the formidability of the sword knob after he perishes’, ‘One understands the taciturn soul only after much hardships’!”