Chapter 23: The Haotian Sword Tower

Li Tianyuan had already awakened and was standing by the window, gazing into the distance.

"Life is as lonely as the snow."

Watching the clouds roll and unfurl in the distance, Li Tianyuan whispered to himself, feeling a deep sense of contemplation. Since waking up, his cultivation had increased significantly, reaching the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Convergence realm. He estimated that in another two or three days, he would be able to break through to the God Transformation Void Heaven realm.

Just then, a soft sound came from the door. He turned his head slightly to see a dainty, youthful silhouette walk in, bringing with her an air of cheerful vitality.

"Good morning, Master!"

Jiang Yuli approached, a sweet smile gracing her beautiful face as she greeted him. Looking at the person who had contributed so much to his rise in cultivation, Li Tianyuan revealed a faint smile.

"Good disciple, have you grown accustomed to staying at Lingyun Sword Peak these past two days?"

His tone was gentle, possessing an inexplicable warmth that felt like a spring breeze brushing across the heart, making one instinctively want to draw closer. Jiang Yuli blinked her beautiful eyes and nodded.

"Thank you for your concern, Master. I like it here very much!"

She pursed her lips in a light smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons. Beneath her exquisite nose, her cherry-red lips were succulent and alluring.

"That is good! Just treat this place as your own home."

Li Tianyuan nodded. Although they had only spent two days together, he could clearly feel the changes in Jiang Yuli. The girl was no longer as aloof and cold as before, nor did she possess her previous reserve and distance. It seemed she had truly adapted to Lingyun Sword Peak.

"Master, I intend to go to the Haotian Sword Tower to practice for a while!" Jiang Yuli said, eager to try.

"Very well!"

Li Tianyuan nodded at his impatient disciple. "But before you go, I shall brew you a cup of tea."

With that, he led Jiang Yuli to the Enlightenment Tea Tree in the plaza. Jiang Yuli looked at the lush, vibrant green tea tree with surprise. Before, when she had passed by, she hadn't paid much attention, but now, standing beneath it, she felt a sense of refreshing clarity, as if her very soul had been cleansed, leaving her feeling deeply relaxed. Although she did not recognize the variety of the tree, the profound aura it contained made it clear it was a celestial treasure.

Li Tianyuan took out a purple clay teapot, casually plucked some leaves, tossed them inside, and poured in spiritual spring water. Soon, a cup of jade-green tea was poured.

"Come, have a taste."

"Mm..."

Jiang Yuli hurriedly took it and sipped gently. A cool sensation flowed into her throat; the flavor was mellow and crisp, with a lingering aftertaste.

"Master, what is the secret of this tea? I feel as if I've consumed some sort of elixir..."

In that moment, Jiang Yuli felt her entire body invigorated, as if she had taken a rare medicinal pill. A warm current surged through her, and her mind drifted, leaving her in a state of sudden enlightenment.

"You will know soon enough. Go ahead; the Haotian Sword Tower is located within the Hall of Inheritance in the southeast of the Sacred Grounds."

Li Tianyuan chuckled without further explanation.

"Understood, Master!"

Jiang Yuli nodded, a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes. She took off, flying out of Lingyun Sword Peak toward the Haotian Sword Tower. Watching her retreating figure, Li Tianyuan reclined in his chair, sipped a few cups of tea, and then left the peak as well, intending to wander the Sacred Grounds to see if he might encounter anyone with a unique destiny.

***

The Lingxiao Sacred Grounds were vast. With Jiang Yuli's mid-stage Profound realm cultivation, it took her half an hour of flying before she finally caught sight of the Haotian Sword Tower. At this moment, the area around the tower was bustling with people, noisy and exceptionally lively.

As soon as Jiang Yuli landed, she heard the cacophony of voices around her. Frowning in confusion, she followed the noise. It turned out that a Saintess from the Sacred Grounds was currently training inside the tower; not only had she reached the sixth level, but she had also comprehended a supreme sword technique, sparking heated debate among the onlookers.

"Tsk, worthy of Saintess Mingyue; she truly is remarkable."

"It is said that not only is her cultivation outstanding, but her swordsmanship is divine. She reached the realm of 'Sword Heart Clarity' years ago!"

"Alas, we are old now. We cannot compare to the younger generation; the future belongs to them."

The crowd buzzed with chatter, many disciples wearing expressions of envy. Jiang Yuli stood to the side, listening with interest, her gaze falling upon a stone tablet in front of the tower. It recorded the names of all those currently training inside, their duration of practice, and their current level. The highest was a person named Murong Mingyue, who was on the sixth level—undoubtedly the "Saintess Mingyue" the crowd was discussing.

"I wonder which level I can reach?"

Eager to test herself, Jiang Yuli did not hesitate. She registered her name at the entrance using her sword talisman and stepped inside.

Once she passed through the gates, the environment was completely different. Before her eyes were flights of stairs leading upward, each step emitting a faint silver light with subtle sword intent flowing through them. There were many others around—some climbing the stairs, others sitting cross-legged with eyes closed in meditation.

After observing for a moment, Jiang Yuli stepped onto the first stair. Instantly, she was enveloped by a surge of sword intent that pressed down upon her. Holding her breath, she adjusted her mindset and slowly felt the intent. Before long, she broke through the first step and reached the second.

She continued upward, challenging one step after another. Gradually, she forgot her surroundings, becoming completely immersed in the sword intent.

"Which peak is this girl from? Her comprehension is incredibly powerful!"

"Indeed! She comprehends the sword intent on every level in less than a breath. That is quite impressive!"

The gathered disciples whispered, looking at Jiang Yuli as she passed them with expressions of astonishment. After all, anyone capable of breaking through multiple levels in such a short time was worthy of praise.

Jiang Yuli ignored the surrounding chatter. At this moment, she felt she had entered a mystical, profound state. She narrowed her eyes slightly, focusing all her energy on the surrounding sword intent, meticulously sensing its fluctuations, deciphering its patterns, and integrating them into her own path of the sword.

She climbed step by step. Each time she crossed a level and grasped the sword intent, her swordsmanship improved. Her footsteps became increasingly firm. In less than half an incense stick of time, she had already reached the thirtieth step.