Chapter 37: Inheritance Space
After that fateful day, Li Shuang’s inner power swiftly soared back to the peak of the eighth layer of the Energy Refining Stage.
She then withdrew to a quiet retreat, focusing her spirit with unwavering concentration. By pushing her technique to its limits, she advanced a bit faster than if she had let her energy flow on its own.
For seven days, she stayed hidden from the world.
When she emerged, she had just reached the ninth layer of the Energy Refining Stage.
[How astonishing it was to rebuild her strength so quickly.]
Upon reaching the ninth layer, Li Shuang sent her divine sense into the Jade Slip that held the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art. In doing so, the secret method for the Foundation Establishment Stage was revealed to her.
Originally, this art was meant to be learned only at the tenth layer. But her exceptional spiritual energy had allowed her to grasp it a step sooner.
Li Shuang studied the method carefully, then set the Jade Slip aside with a thoughtful gleam in her eyes.
Foundation Establishment—
It was like seizing the hidden fortunes of heaven and earth to lay the stone upon which a cultivator’s path is built.
After channeling her energy into her body, this was the next great trial on the road of cultivation.
At the peak of the Energy Refining Stage, a cultivator could choose many treasures from nature to serve as the medium for their Foundation Establishment.
In her past journey, Li Shuang had chosen a Seventh-Grade Lotus Seed from the Langya Secret Realm.
The powerful lotus could not be used directly for the establishment, but its seed was a perfect match for her spirit. Its ice element also harmonized with her inner nature. With such a rare treasure by her side, her Foundation Establishment had been swift, and the seed’s refinement had made her spiritual root even purer.
Yet, after her cultivation scattered like leaves in the wind, that precious treasure vanished. Now, she could only rely on the Frost Flower to slowly temper her spiritual root.
But now—she was ready for Foundation Establishment once more.
Li Shuang cherished the memory of her previous medium. She sensed that the Langya Secret Realm would soon open its gates again, offering her the chance to reclaim the lotus seed. With that plan in mind, she felt no need to rush.
Over the past seven days, she had refined her spiritual root and gathered her energy. Now, with her breakthrough achieved, she took the time to study the sword technique given to her by her master.
She unrolled the Jade Slip containing the sword art, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Before, she had traded contribution points at the Library Pavilion for a sword technique called the Shadowed Sword Art. It was a fine art, ranked second among the four grades—Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow—a high-grade Earth technique.
But in her heart, Li Shuang no longer wished to use it.
The Shadowed Sword Art was once meant to work with her Mirror Heart Art. When used together, it created many sword shadows that merged with the illusions of the Mirror Heart Art to form a formidable force.
Yet now, since the Mirror Heart Art was lost, the Shadowed Sword Art no longer fit her path.
The sword art best suited for the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art was the one before her.
The Grand Supreme Emotionless Art was a Heaven-grade skill. How could a sword art designed for it be lacking?
With this thought, Li Shuang merged her mind with the Jade Slip.
In an instant—
She felt a momentary dizziness.
She had suddenly stepped into a strange and mysterious space.
Li Shuang’s eyes shone with determination.
This was—[the secret realm within her heart]—the Inheritance Space!
It was said that only a cultivator at the Tribulation Stage could forge an Inheritance Space, a sacred realm where their sword techniques were preserved for future generations.
Creating such a space was not easy. Only the most supreme techniques, honed by a true master, could be kept safe here. Whenever a secret method with an Inheritance Space appeared, it sent ripples through the world of cultivation.
Yet, the sword art that Lin Qing Ling had casually given her was one such treasure!
Li Shuang surveyed her surroundings.
The space was vast and empty, with nothing remarkable in view.
After a pause, she began to circulate the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art.
One cycle after another, she advanced until her energy completed thirty-six full cycles.
Then—
A man in flowing azure robes suddenly materialized within the Inheritance Space.
He looked at Li Shuang with a calm, cool gaze. “That you have entered the gates of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art is rare indeed. But with your current Energy Refining Stage, you are not yet fit to practice the Heartless Sword Art. Withdraw for now. Return when you have reached the Foundation Establishment Stage.”
Without hesitation, Li Shuang replied, her voice steady, “Others may not be able to, but that does not mean I cannot.”
[A spark of defiance flared within her.]
The man’s eyes flashed with surprise.
“Such confidence in your swordsmanship,” he remarked slowly.
In response, the Black Abyss Sword appeared in her hand. Meeting his gaze, she said, “Senior, test me as you wish.”
The man smiled faintly. “Very well. Strike.”
Li Shuang did not hesitate. Her sword moved like a bolt of lightning, aiming for vital points.
The man in blue evaded her strikes with ease, yet his eyes revealed a hint of astonishment.
So this was the successor of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art of this generation? Though her cultivation was modest, her mastery of the Sword Dao was firm and true.
Intrigued, the man chose to test her further.
A longsword appeared in his hand. With each clash, his blade met hers and gently guided her movements.
Li Shuang’s eyes shifted slightly.
This senior was teaching her with each parry and riposte, much like how she once guided Shen Yue in the art of the sword—each move precise and sure.
Now, as their swords danced together, his style, though unremarkable at first glance, easily countered her fierce attacks.
A surge of joy blossomed in her heart. Li Shuang possessed an innate talent for the Sword Dao, and under his subtle guidance, she sensed the barriers in her technique beginning to crumble.
Time passed without her noticing.
She pushed herself to the limit repeatedly. Even when her spirit was nearly spent and her arms grew heavy, she held onto this rare chance to improve.
At last, the man’s eyes shone with a trace of admiration. “Enough for now. State your name.”
Li Shuang answered with solemnity, “Li Shuang.”
The man smiled gently. “I am Su Mu.”
“Many thanks for your guidance, Senior Su,” Li Shuang said, bowing deeply in respect.
Su Mu’s voice was calm as he explained, “Inside the Inheritance Space, ten days here equal one day in the outside world. When ten days pass, the space must rest to recover its energy. Moreover, this realm is meant only for honing the Sword Dao; you cannot cultivate your spiritual energy here. Now, the space is drained and so are you. Leave for now. When you have recovered, return. When I see that you are ready, I will pass on the Heartless Sword Art to you.”
“Understood,” Li Shuang replied with firm resolve.
With a graceful wave of Su Mu’s hand, Li Shuang was expelled from the Inheritance Space.
Her energy was completely spent, and her body ached with exhaustion. Yet her eyes shone with excitement.
These ten days of Sword Dao training were worth a thousand times more than her previous arduous cultivation.
Su Mu’s mastery of the Sword Dao was as deep as the ancient rivers.
Even True Immortal Ling Xu had once offered his guidance, yet Li Shuang felt that Su Mu’s understanding far surpassed it.
The insights she had gained would take time to fully absorb.
Sitting cross-legged, Li Shuang resumed her cultivation. In one day, her body and spirit recovered to their peak.
Without delay, she emerged from her secluded retreat.
The Langya Secret Realm was about to open—it was time to register.
Though she was still in the Energy Refining Stage, Li Shuang believed firmly that she could now face disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Among the fifty available spots, one would be hers.
Arriving at the disciples’ hall, she noticed two familiar figures. With a calm glance, she continued forward.
She approached the registration officer, handed over her Command Token, and said simply, “Sign me up.”
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