Chapter 30: Sword Art Perfected

During this year and three months, the two hundred-plus Celestials often gazed from afar at Ji Ning's immortal mansion, but Ji Ning remained in seclusion and never came out, so they dared not disturb him. Yet every day, some Celestial kept watch here, because for these Celestials who had almost no hope, Ji Ning was their only hope.

"He's out."

"Northmyth is out."

The moment Ji Ning stepped out of the immortal mansion, Celestials immediately noticed.

Ji Ning waved his hand to collect the mansion, then walked toward the gathering of Celestials, transmitting with divine power: "Fellow Celestials, Northmyth has something to discuss with you." Immediately, Celestials like Sin and Throatcutter emerged from their mansions and hurried over. Soon, all two hundred-plus Celestials had assembled.

"Fellow Celestials, during this seclusion I gained insights and made considerable progress," Ji Ning said.

The two hundred-plus Celestials grew excited, some even murmuring to themselves. For many of them, the desire to leave surpassed even life and death.

"As for the ninth guardian, I am fully confident. But the tenth guardian... I dare not say," Ji Ning said. "However, this time when I challenge the Myriad Blades Path, I will certainly take on the tenth guardian. Now, are you all willing to come with me?"

"Of course we'll go together."

"Willing, willing."

"Fellow Daoist Northmyth is truly formidable; in just over a year, his strength has soared."

"We are willing."

Every Celestial, thrilled, agreed.

Ji Ning was not surprised that the majority of Celestials wanted to follow him—after all, they had long given up hope. But when Sin and Throatcutter also expressed willingness, Ji Ning couldn't help asking: "Sin, Throatcutter, are you sure you want to come with me? You've already reached this Thousand Star Island, just one step away from getting out."

"That step is too far," Throatcutter shook his head.

"Yes, we've long despaired," Sin laughed. "We can't even compare to Xu Jiu or Great Dream. And it's been ages since we made any progress... Based on our experience in the ancient times, such a long stagnation means we've reached our limit and can't improve further. If we don't leave with you this time, we'll probably be trapped here forever."

Throatcutter nodded: "Northmyth, you said that fewer and fewer are entering the Moon Under the Pond now, and even fewer reach Thousand Star Island. If we don't go with you this time, we might have to wait eons for another Celestial to arrive."

Ji Ning nodded, understanding their meaning: "Good. In that case, everyone come with me. I dare not claim absolute certainty, but I will do my utmost."

...

None of the two hundred-plus Celestials had expected 'opportunity' to come so suddenly. After the initial excitement and unease, they quickly collected their immortal mansions and, unresisting, were put away by Ji Ning.

High in the sky.

Ji Ning looked down at Thousand Star Island. Once bustling with activity, it was now utterly silent, for all the Celestials had left with him.

"My Brightmoon Sword Art has advanced a step; I need an opponent to test it." Ji Ning transformed into a streak of light and flew into the distance, quickly reaching the edge of Thousand Star Island, then sped along the floating plank bridge.

He flew along the Myriad Blades Path.

When he reached the point where he had retreated last time, he saw the ninth guardian sitting cross-legged.

"You're here," the golden-robed youth said, his eyes filled with a despairing intent fixed on Ji Ning. "I've waited long for you. Hope you don't disappoint me."

With that, the golden-robed youth stood up, two divine swords appearing in his hands. He said calmly: "You've already seen the sword art last time. This time, let's just fight."

Ji Ning knew that the chance to view the sword art came only once. Though one could challenge the Myriad Blades Path multiple times after failure, the sword art could not be viewed again.

"Good." Ji Ning also produced two divine swords.

Whoosh.

Whoosh.

The two charged at each other instantly. Sword light howled; the golden-robed youth's swordsmanship was fierce and swift, seemingly filled with endless gloom and despair, yet even more vicious and venomous. Ji Ning's two sword beams transformed into two black holes, blocking all the golden-robed youth's attacks, occasionally even countering.

"Only know how to defend?" the golden-robed youth shouted while attacking.

"Defeat me first, then talk," Ji Ning replied calmly.

For him, the ninth guardian was a source of experience. He wanted to see the difference between his own perfected Despair Sword Art and the ninth guardian's full-powered version.

The battle lasted a full half hour.

Ji Ning observed all the ninth guardian's techniques, discovering a few minor flaws in his own perfected Despair Sword Art. After all, everyone who cultivates the same sword art produces a slightly different version.

"Time to end this."

Ji Ning's sword light shifted from defense to offense.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh~

Sword light howled, wildly frenzied, covering everything. The golden-robed youth was startled and quickly used Three Heads and Six Arms; Ji Ning did the same. Under the despairing intent, the endless sword light flowed like unbroken water, flawless. In just a single breath, the golden-robed youth was sent flying backward, tumbling several times on the floating plank bridge before standing up.

"You win," the golden-robed youth smiled. "Northmyth, you're now only one step away from leaving—the tenth guardian. Be careful." Then he vanished into nothingness.

Ji Ning smiled. That his full burst made the opponent barely hold on for a breath was already satisfying.

Swoosh!

He transformed into a streak of light and sped deeper into the Myriad Blades Path.

...

The sky turned pitch black. The massive blades—spear blades, saber blades, sword blades—on both sides of the floating plank bridge faintly glowed. Without that faint light, the world would have been completely dark.

"How strange," Ji Ning thought.

Soon, a black-robed youth appeared in the distance, sitting cross-legged. When Ji Ning arrived, he opened his eyes and looked at Ji Ning.

What eyes those were.

Dead stillness.

As if devoid of any life, they held a despair that chilled the heart.

"Look at the sword art," the black-robed youth said indifferently.

Ji Ning turned to look at the sword art displayed on a massive blade. The art unfolded, progressing from simple to profound. As he watched, Ji Ning was stunned. After viewing it three times, he still hadn't snapped out of it.

"Enough." The black-robed youth stood up, two divine swords appearing in his hands.

Ji Ning came to his senses.

"What sword art is this?" Ji Ning asked hurriedly.

"The sword art is called Soul Severing," the black-robed youth said.

"Soul Severing? Soul Severing? The name and the sword art... truly soul-severing." Ji Ning merely watched and mentally deduced, feeling an endless pain fill his heart. But he knew he could never truly master this sword art, because its essence was 'soul severing'—the severing of the soul after absolute despair.

Ji Ning could not make himself absolutely despair. Moreover, the techniques of this sword art were far superior to the Despair Sword Art, at least on par with his Brightmoon Sword Art, and only inferior to the Five Treasures Sword Art.

"Come," the black-robed youth said indifferently.

Ji Ning nodded, divine swords appearing in his hands.

Swish! Swish!

Two afterimages flashed, and they had already clashed.

One sword art, with a despairing intent, sword light unbroken—created by absorbing the essence of the Five Treasures Sword Art, the Despair Sword Art, and many others.

The other, with a soul-severing intent, its profound mysteries left by the creator of the Moon Under the Pond, though different from the Five Treasures Sword Art, was still brilliantly exceptional.

Bang bang bang~

They fought, advancing and retreating, locked in battle.

They were evenly matched; each sword art had its own strengths, both considered the pinnacle of the fourth level of sword force. If the sword speed could be faster, it would surpass the limits of the Heavenly Dao. If the intent were more profound, it would reach the 'Sword God' realm.

"So the sword can be used like this."

Ji Ning had already seen the sword art three times. Now, watching the tenth guardian execute it, he gained deeper insights into some of the techniques, and comprehension of the Soul Severing Sword Art surged within him.

There was a fundamental difference between Ji Ning and the tenth guardian.

The tenth guardian could only execute the displayed sword art.

But Ji Ning could draw experience from the tenth guardian, even beginning to integrate it into his Brightmoon Sword Art. Though the process occasionally led to disjointed moves and put him at a disadvantage, Ji Ning's overall strength was subtly increasing. His sword art became more elusive, more powerful and swift. The battle continued...

One day, two days, three days...

Neither used divine abilities; they only competed in swordsmanship.

Ji Ning's insights into sword art continuously merged and absorbed. This feeling of progress was intoxicating. But his current sword art was already at a limit; any improvement was extremely slight. At most, he could suppress the tenth guardian, who could still counterattack occasionally.

"Hmm?"

Ji Ning suddenly froze, his sword light slowing.

Bang!

A sword beam struck Ji Ning, sending him flying backward.

"Why did you stop?" The tenth guardian stood frowning. Clearly, Ji Ning's sword art was slightly superior. If the battle continued, even without further progress, he would let Ji Ning enter the fifth island. But he noticed Ji Ning was slowly improving, his sword art constantly integrating and changing, so he kept fighting.

Because the Myriad Blades Path was meant to temper Celestials. Since Ji Ning was improving, he wouldn't stop.

But Ji Ning's sword suddenly halted, puzzling the tenth guardian.

Ji Ning stood on the distant floating plank bridge, his gaze dazed.

In his mind, it was as if Pangu had split heaven and earth.

Boom!

The operation method of the Soul Severing Sword Art was completely different from the Five Treasures Sword Art. Ji Ning's Brightmoon Sword Art was derived from the Five Treasures Sword Art. So when he continuously merged the mysteries of the Soul Severing Sword Art with those of the Five Treasures Sword Art, at a certain moment—bang—he suddenly understood. The final obstacle in the Five Treasures Sword Art, which had been like looking at flowers through fog, became clear.

Now, Ji Ning directly broke through the last membrane.

Bang~~~~

"The Five Treasures Sword Art..." Ji Ning closed his eyes. A flood of sword insights rapidly combined. His previous understanding of the Five Treasures Sword Art now fully merged and integrated.

The entire Five Treasures Sword Art was completely comprehended!

No more doubts remained.

"So this is what it means to surpass the limits of the Heavenly Dao." Ji Ning opened his eyes, looking at the dark sky. He gently traced a line with his finger, creating ripples, faintly touching something.