—–

“Hm?”

A new system window appeared, displaying information he could never have obtained from the method alone.

This was entirely new, likely the result of the System helping him fully comprehend the extracted knowledge.

—–

[Heaven-Splitting Sword Intent – Initial Layer (Incomplete) (Progress for Full Comprehension: 25%)]

A profound sword cultivation scripture extracted from the fragmented soul memories of a Core Formation Sword Path Cultivator from the Ki Sword Sect. This method focused on refining killing intent into pure Sword Intent, allowing the practitioner to manifest sword qi externally as extensions of their will. It followed the philosophy of “one sword breaks ten thousand techniques,” where overwhelming sharpness and momentum could shatter defenses, illusions, and even natural laws at higher levels of mastery.

Core Principles:

Sword Heart Condensation — Forge a “Sword Heart” within the dantian by tempering the spirit with killing intent gathered from slain foes or rigorous sword practice. This Sword Heart becomes the foundation for manifesting Sword Intent.

Qi-to-Sword Conversion — Circulate qi through specially opened meridians (the “Nine Sword Veins”) to transform it into razor-sharp sword qi. At mastery, every breath, gesture, or glance could unleash invisible sword slashes.

Intent Amplification — The deeper the practitioner’s obsession with the sword (or “killing path”), the stronger the manifested Intent. External aids such as sword-type spirit treasures, sword-attribute spirit stones, or metallic-qi-rich environments could accelerate progress.

Known Stages (as comprehended from the remnant soul):

Sword Qi Manifestation — Basic externalization of qi as visible sword lights. (Current comprehension: 12%)

Sword Intent Awakening — Sword qi gains rudimentary “intent,” allowing it to track targets slightly or ignore minor defenses. (Locked)

One With The Sword — Practitioner and sword become conceptually linked; flying sword control becomes instinctive. (Locked)

Sword Domain — Project a domain where all within are suppressed by endless sword might. (Locked – requires Golden Core or equivalent realm)

Compatibility & Bonuses:

Highly compatible with weapons of the sword category (increases damage by 30–50% when using sword-type armaments).

Grants passive +15% to sword-related techniques and +10% critical strike chance against armored or qi-shielded foes.

Synergizes with your existing combat style: Gungnir (a living soul treasure) can channel fragments of this Intent. Niflheim, Gram, Ashen Frost Blades, and Muramasa gain sharper edges infused with “splitting” properties, increasing their damage.

Warning: Over-cultivation without a strong mental foundation risks “Heart Demon of Obsession,” turning the user into a slaughter-crazed sword lunatic.

—–

“Hoh—this is really damn interesting…” Louis rubbed his chin and nodded. “All these new abilities almost feel like a Spiral Core Ability rather than just a method. Why is this the case? Is it because it comes from a different Realm of Cultivation? The Sword Path… the Sword Dao… huh. My Sword Breathing Method at the Second Step is reacting incredibly strongly to this. Niflheim is practically shaking as I absorb it. This is absolutely phenomenal. I need more…”

He fell silent as Niflheim appeared beside him, looking visibly agitated.

“Louis—what did you just learn right now?! That method is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Was that what those monsters disguising as humans were using?”

“Indeed,” Louis nodded. “We might have hit a jackpot in this place.” He suspected the method had integrated so easily because he had denied the cultivator’s “lucky chance” to break through while healing, turning that fortune into his own. “For now, let’s see…”

He tested it immediately. With a casual flick of his wrist, Gungnir hummed. A thin, nearly invisible line of silver sword qi extended from the spear tip, sharper than before and carrying a faint “intent” that made the air itself tremble as though afraid to be cut. From his fingertips, he could channel this silver, razor-sharp intent.

Was it the same as Sword Energy? Not quite. Sword Energy was primarily mana-based, though it also used ki. The fundamentals of this method compared to Sword Energy from Sword Breathing were completely different.

And yet, because they were similar and compatible, Louis felt they could eventually merge into something even stronger.

“Not bad,” he murmured. “This will make piercing defenses much easier, especially against those annoying qi barriers that higher-realm cultivators love to spam.”

Mirai tilted her head, sniffing the air. “Smells like… metal and blood. You just stole their homework, didn’t you?”

“Stole their homework? What a way to put it—haha,” Louis laughed. “More like I took their entire library card. These Ki Sword Sect bastards were hoarding quite the nasty little art. Too bad for them they won’t get to use it anymore… or rather, they may, as our zombies.”

He glanced at the two golden statue zombies standing rigidly behind Zorba. Their blank faces still held traces of the arrogance they once wore.

With a thought, Louis commanded one to demonstrate.

“Sword Rain.”

The statue raised a finger. Dozens of pale-gold swords materialized and rained down on a nearby boulder. Each explosion of sword qi carved neat, symmetrical craters. The technique was weaker than when the living cultivator had used it, lacking a true soul to fuel the intent, but it remained deadly enough to shred mid-tier Anomalies.

“They’re fairly useful puppets,” Zorba commented approvingly. “They’ll serve well as disposable vanguards when we storm the sect gates, my lord.”

Timothy whistled. “So we’re turning their own disciples into meat shields? That’s cold, man.”

“They’re not people,” Louis reminded him flatly. “They’re echoes. Copies. The real ones died long ago, even before the dungeon integrated the Fantasy Field or Realm this came from. Don’t waste sympathy on illusions, especially when they were unreasonable bastards. Did you all see what they did?”

Agustina and Melisa exchanged uneasy glances but remained silent. The earlier betrayal had left a bitter taste. Even the softest-hearted among them could no longer deny the cultivators’ cruelty.

“Sorry—we shouldn’t have been so eager to befriend them,” Melisa sighed. “I-It’s my fault… I almost died because… I was dumb.”

“Ah—I ended up letting her words get to me too. I… was wrong,” Agustina admitted. “The Dungeon isn’t a safe place. It never was. I’ll try my best and won’t hesitate anymore.”

“It’s good to hear you’ve learned your lesson…” Louis said. “Mirai—I hope you did the same.”

“Uuuh—yeah! Y-Yeah… hahah, sorry…” Mirai laughed nervously, trying to brush it off. Louis shook his head in disappointment.

“Ugh… don’t get mad at me. I promise I won’t hesitate anymore.”

“You’d better. Take this seriously. Now, let’s keep moving,” Louis said after checking the souls of the two other cultivators and finding no further useful insights. “The Ki Sword Sect should be just ahead. We’ll hit their outer perimeter first, test their formations, thin their numbers, and locate the Formation Node. You know the rules: no mercy, no negotiations. Understood? We shatter the node, weaken the grand barrier, and move to the next sect. There are four mountains, four nodes, and then the Heavenly Sovereign’s Pagoda. We can’t afford to waste too much time on one mountain.”

Selene bounced excitedly. “They’re really strong though. I wonder if Agustina’s armor can hold up? Nonetheless, I want my turn to nibble on one myself!”

“Don’t be too eager, Selene. They’re made of super-hard metal. That’s why they’re so tough…” Melisa sighed.

Anastasia cracked her knuckles. Ice flames already flickered along her blade. “I’m ready. Let’s see if their ‘sword path’ can handle my mother’s legacy.”

“Hm, right…” Louis remembered. “Anastasia—maybe I can teach you their methods later. Would you be willing to learn?”

“Ah—I don’t know. I’ll see if they’re compatible. But I couldn’t comprehend anything myself just by watching them. I was shocked you could copy their techniques,” Anastasia admitted.

“I guess there’s a difference in our sword styles. Yours is more integrated with Magic Swords and Spell Blade Arts,” Louis said, nodding. “Well, that’s good too.”

Mirai nodded, demonic flames blazing along her katana. “Alright. I want to make up for my earlier mistake and show you I’ve learned my lesson. Let me fight them head-on, please.”

Louis gave a single nod. “Alright. Forward.”

As House Frostbane advanced toward the silver-white walls and towering jade gates of the Ki Sword Sect, the mountain winds carried distant chimes, like sword edges clashing in endless practice.

The cultivators within had no idea that a true villain had arrived, carrying their own stolen sword scripture and an army of undead once called comrades.

Elder Kai, one of the Four Elders serving the Sect Master, gazed into the blue sky with concern. His sharp blue eyes narrowed as he felt something was wrong.

“Yuan… his presence is gone. Where could that rascal have gone? Doesn’t he remember tomorrow is his ceremony to become the Fourth Elder?”

After the previous elder had passed away from old age, unable to extend his lifespan any longer, a power vacuum had formed in the Ki Sword Sect. Yuan, the most talented of the young inner disciples, had been chosen as the next Elder. He was already close to reaching Golden Core.

“He left with his two juniors, those bootlickers Sheng and Ming. Where could they have gone? He told me they were just gathering Spirit Herbs for more pills…” the old man muttered, stroking his short gray beard while smoking from his pipe. “Damn brat.”

—–

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep