Chapter 60: The Defiled Sword Spirit
“Defiled by impure energy?”
Ye Zhao Zhao had always lived a life where victory came without great struggle. Matters that required deep understanding were as distant as the misty peaks.
Now, confusion shrouded her eyes. “Defiled by impure energy—what could that mean?”
Seeing the strange looks on the faces around her, a pang of sorrow and anger struck her heart. [Could it be… Senior Sister Li? Did she harm Long Yan?] Even Chang Le An, her most loyal follower, was silent this time.
A chill of unease crept over Ye Zhao Zhao as she heard the word “impure energy.” What dark force did it hint at?
True Immortal Ling Xu broke the silence, his voice as calm as a still lake. “Every treasured sword holds a spirit. In our Sword Sect’s Pavilion, we nurture the seed of a sword, hoping it will one day bloom into a Sword Spirit. Some spirits are fierce and pure, brimming with potential. In the hands of a worthy master, they can rise to touch the heavens and change destiny itself.”
He paused, his tone growing grave. “But not all are so fortunate. Some never awaken, some are feeble, and some…” His voice dropped as if fearing to speak the curse. “Some are born defiled by impure energy, twisted into flawed spirits.”
Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes narrowed in shock. [What do his words mean?]
Inside the ethereal realm of the Sword Spirit, Long Yan trembled. He did not wait for Ye Zhao Zhao to call him; he forced his way out of the spirit realm. His form flickered like a flame caught in a sudden gust—a sign of an unstable spirit.
His voice trembled as he declared, “Defiled by impure energy? No! That cannot be! Everyone knows—I am a Peerless Sword Spirit! Since I awakened, my ascent has been swift. Even Li Shuang confessed that without me, she could not have reached her glory!”
Powerful as he was, how could he be tainted? Everyone knew that a Sword Spirit marked by corruption was at the very bottom of all sword beings. Most such spirits never even stirred to life. And the few that did awaken, forever tormented by dark energy, were considered worthless. Yet Long Yan, envied by all and the prized Dragon’s Roar, was said to be peerless!
“Master, what is to be done?” Ye Zhao Zhao cried, her voice trembling with worry. “Is there a way to expel this impure energy? Will Long Yan be ruined forever?”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s eyes were steady as he answered, “The dark energy within Long Yan is self-born. He is a Sword Spirit that emerged already defiled, his corruption deep in his core. By all rights, he should have never awakened. I do not know what method Li Shuang used to rouse him, nor how she managed to suppress his corruption so completely that even I could not sense it.”
His gaze turned cold as it fixed on Long Yan. “But the truth remains—he is a defiled Sword Spirit.”
For a moment, even the wise master marveled inwardly. His eldest disciple had managed to elevate a defiled Sword Spirit to heights unimagined. Perhaps, if Long Yan had remained with Li Shuang, the corruption might have stayed hidden. Yet he had broken free from her guidance and forged a bond with Zhao Zhao. Unlike Li Shuang, Zhao Zhao did not know the ancient arts to cleanse such corruption. Now, after a provocation, the dark impurities Li Shuang had once held at bay surged forth. And without Li Shuang’s guiding hand, who would now restrain them?
Long Yan’s eyes shone with disbelief as his spirit wavered between form and nothingness. His voice cracked, “This cannot be! Li Shuang once declared I was the most gifted Sword Spirit she had ever seen! I believed her, even thought she was unworthy of such greatness. But now—”
He cut himself off as the words sank in. [Could it be true?] His body began to fade, becoming more and more like a ghostly reflection, until he almost vanished entirely. Lost in turmoil, he murmured repeatedly, “This is impossible…”
Shen Yue sighed softly. “Senior Sister Li is a genius among sword cultivators. Only she could elevate a defiled Sword Spirit to such a height.”
A defiled Sword Spirit—one marred by corruption that could erupt at any moment. Yet for years, Long Yan had felt nothing amiss within him. The only explanation was clear: each time the darkness arose, Li Shuang purified it before he could even sense its presence. How much effort must she have poured into that art? None could truly comprehend it, and none dared to question it.
Ye Zhao Zhao bit her lip, her face twisting with a flash of anger. [Damn it!] She thought bitterly, “Li Shuang—she must have done this on purpose, mustn’t she? Why did she not warn me that Long Yan was nothing but a defiled Sword Spirit? Was it all a ruse to make me look foolish in front of everyone? A tainted Sword Spirit is of no use. Not only is he worthless, he occupies the place meant for my own life-bound sword! Damn her! She deserves to be punished!”
Despite her inward fury, concern lined her face as she turned to her master. “Master, what can we do? Long Yan’s condition grows ever graver. If this continues, he will lose all form.”
True Immortal Ling Xu maintained his calm demeanor. “To cleanse the corruption, only you may attempt it. As his master, you might use your Sword Energy to sever the dark ties within him. Transform your spiritual energy into the sharpness of Sword Energy—it might cut away the impurity. But be warned: use too much, and you will harm his spirit; too little, and the corruption will remain. You must find the perfect balance.”
Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes widened. Converting spiritual energy into Sword Energy was a technique for those who truly understood the Sword Dao—a skill she had not yet begun to master.
“Little Junior Sister, hurry and try!” Sheng Yuan urged.
“Just give it a try!” Shen Yue added.
Her thoughts raced, and she spoke quickly, “I want to save Long Yan, but Master is clear—the Sword Energy must be just right. If his soul were steady, I could work slowly. But in his current state, one wrong move could be disastrous.” Her tone grew determined as she continued, “And besides, if we are to cleanse the defilement, Senior Sister Li is the one who truly knows the art. It was her method that let Long Yan suffer in the first place. Why not let her help?”
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