Chapter 69: The Sect in Turmoil
The purple radiance surged like a tide of mystic qi.
Long Yan sank into a despair as deep as an endless abyss.
He had once clung to the memory of his blue compatibility with Li Shuang—a weak argument to win her heart back. But now, fate had turned the tide. Li Shuang and the Black Abyss Sword Spirit had awakened a fabled purple bond!
In days past, when only a faint white light had graced their union, Li Shuang had never considered parting with the Black Abyss Sword Spirit. Now, with the magnificent violet brilliance blazing before all, any thought of separation was as inconceivable as a river reversing its course.
A bitter, suffocating sensation filled Long Yan’s heart. Clutching his chest, his soul flickered like a dying lantern. Yet he could not spare a moment for his own pain. His gaze remained fixed on Li Shuang.
Just recently, he had lost his mortal form and now bore yet another grievous wound. His condition was perilous.
Before, even if a shadow of corruption had ever dared taint his soul, Li Shuang would have stood like a steadfast guardian, purging it without hesitation. But now—
He suffered in a torment that pierced him deeply.
Li Shuang…
Would she truly not spare him even a fleeting glance?
Li Shuang’s eyes turned away.
The little Sword Spirit, sensing the surge of purple light, stretched out its delicate arms in joyous greeting. Li Shuang chuckled softly as she cradled it close, holding it like a cherished treasure. The small spirit rested its head against her cheek, its expression full of tender reliance.
In that enchanted moment, beneath the cascading violet glow, a silent bond was forged between Li Shuang and the Sword Spirit. It was not a bond written in contracts or seals, yet both knew deep in their hearts that an unbreakable tie had been formed—a tie far surpassing the ordinary.
…
At the Sect Master’s Abode
Meng Yi Fei stood transfixed as the violet radiance bathed the sky. In awe he murmured, “The purple aura climbs to the heavens… This is the mark of perfect compatibility!” His eyes glittered like twin stars as he launched himself skyward.
His thoughts raced toward Emotionless Peak. Someone there had awakened a Sword Spirit that resonated with the profound forces of the Dao. The only Sword Spirit on Emotionless Peak that had yet to stir was the one hidden in the Black Abyss Sword.
Could it be—Li Shuang?
Without delay, Meng Yi Fei soared toward Emotionless Peak.
…
At the Back Mountain
True Immortal Ling Xu was in the midst of a spirited duel with Lin Qing Ling when—
Suddenly—a surge of violet aura erupted into the sky.
Lin Qing Ling halted mid-strike, her eyes darting upward.
“Purple light!” she exclaimed.
And then, with a joyful glimmer, she called out, “Little Shuang?” before dashing off toward Emotionless Peak, leaving True Immortal Ling Xu with a troubled brow.
His gaze hardened with suspicion. What was unfolding? Had Ye Zhao Zhao not pressed Li Shuang already? Yet here, a Sword Spirit had awakened on Emotionless Peak—with a bond so perfect, no less.
Could it really be Li Shuang?
No, he thought, shaking his head in disbelief.
Surely, some other disciple must have unwittingly triggered the awakening.
True Immortal Ling Xu could not reconcile that Li Shuang, who had departed Spirit Void Peak, might be graced with such fortune. If she ascended further, it would bring shame upon Spirit Void Peak!
With a cold, rigid face, he swiftly followed to uncover the truth.
…
On Emotionless Peak
As the purple glow gently faded, Li Shuang held the little Sword Spirit close. In their quiet communion, a silent understanding flowed between them.
Ye Zhao Zhao ground her teeth. At this moment, appearances mattered little. Seething, she spat, “There must be a mistake! That Black Abyss Sword Spirit—I know its nature! It is a worthless failure! There is no way it could show perfect compatibility!”
Even as Li Shuang’s rival, she could not deny Li Shuang’s unmatched talent in the Sword Dao. A Sword Spirit so perfectly attuned to her could never be a failure.
Then—
Could it be that the Black Abyss Sword Spirit was not a failure at all, but a true Peerless Sword Spirit?
The thought pained Ye Zhao Zhao more than any mortal injury.
“Indeed, something is awry,” Long Yan’s urgent voice cut through the silence. “First came the orange glow, then the white, and now the violet radiance—this is not the way of nature! Something is malfunctioning, or perhaps… it is but an illusion!”
“A perfect compatibility—such a rare marvel. How could it manifest so effortlessly?” Ye Zhao Zhao added, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Though long at odds, Ye Zhao Zhao and Long Yan now shared the same disbelief. Li Shuang could not possibly share a perfect bond with the Black Abyss Sword Spirit!
Their murmurs of doubt rippled among the gathered disciples. Three hues in succession—was that natural?
At that very moment, a calm yet commanding voice rang out.
“You speak of the Sword Spirit’s awakening, where three colors emerged one after the other?”
All eyes turned toward the source—it was none other than Meng Yi Fei, the revered Sect Master of the Sword Sect.
The disciples bowed in deference.
Meng Yi Fei raised a hand, his eyes burning with urgency. “Explain!”
Ye Zhao Zhao stepped forward and recounted every detail with trembling precision.
Meng Yi Fei’s expression shifted, and he murmured, “So it is true…”
“Sect Master, surely this must be an illusion! The violet glow, is it not but a trick of the eye?” Ye Zhao Zhao pleaded.
Yet Meng Yi Fei’s gaze remained fixed on Li Shuang. “Do you feel a deep, unwavering bond with the Black Abyss Sword Spirit?”
Li Shuang nodded slowly. “Indeed, I do.”
Once, she had sensed a barrier between herself and Long Yan, as if fate had drawn an invisible wall between them. But now…
With the Black Abyss Sword Spirit, she felt as though the depths of the Black Abyss flowed within her—natural, like the extension of her own limbs.
Long Yan had betrayed her.
Yet how could one’s own body betray them?
A smile of exhilaration broke over Meng Yi Fei’s face. “This is it! The ancient texts say that when a Sword Cultivator and their Sword Spirit reach perfect harmony, the Heavenly Dao itself bears witness. A Heavenly Dao Contract is forged, blessing both with immeasurable power!”
Li Shuang nodded in quiet contemplation.
The little Sword Spirit nestled against her neck as if to affirm, [See? I told you! I am strong! I will surely aid Elder Sister Li Shuang!]
Watching their seamless bond, Meng Yi Fei’s tone softened with envy. “Li Shuang, to nurture a Sword Spirit is already a defiance of the heavens. To find one that mirrors your spirit so completely is an unparalleled fortune. With such a bond, your journey in the Sword Dao is boundless!”
Li Shuang nodded again, her countenance calm and resolute.
She believed in the Black Abyss Sword Spirit. More importantly, she believed in herself.
Perfect compatibility or not—she would climb to the very peak.
This was no matter of chance; it was destiny.
“Sect Master!” Ye Zhao Zhao cried out, unable to contain her frustration. “If their bond was truly perfect, why then did the earlier colors appear?”
Meng Yi Fei cast her a knowing look before replying, “Perfect compatibility is a rarity. In the past century on the Southern Mist Continent, no such case has ever been recorded. It is natural that its mysteries elude many of you.”
He continued, “Know this—violet radiance does not shine for mere compatibility. It signifies complete trust. The initial orange glow showed that their bond was sufficient. When it vanished, the Heavenly Dao recognized that their bond was flawless, and thus, the trial began.”
“The white glow that followed was a test of their inner resolve. Had they faltered, even for a moment, the glow would have remained orange, forever denying them the splendor of violet.”
“But Li Shuang and her Sword Spirit never wavered. Without a hint of doubt, they let their trust flow unimpeded. And so, the Heavenly Dao bestowed upon them the violet radiance.”
Thus, under the watchful eyes of the heavens, an eternal bond was sealed—a bond written in the language of ancient qi, echoing through the ages like the timeless clash of swords in battle.
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