Chapter 57: The Return of the Seven Swords
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
Clang!
The sharp resonance of swords echoed across the mountain foothills, piercing through the air as a spirit sword gleamed like a flash of lightning. Ji You swung his blade fiercely, aiming to slash directly through his opponent’s Dao Fusion defenses. The strike, however, met resistance as the enemy countered with a horizontal guard.
The collision of blades sent a shower of sparks scattering.
The Dao Fusion cultivator was pushed back several paces by the sheer force of Ji You’s sword intent. Though the blade never touched his flesh, the icy chill of Ji You’s intent seeped into him, momentarily numbing his arms as he struggled to stabilize his footing.
“Junior Brother?”
“Brother Ji!”
From among the crowd, Ban Yang Shu and Bai Ru Long exclaimed in unison, astonished.
Ji You strode forward, his arrival like a fierce bandit descending the mountain, gripping a second long sword in his hand. With his spiritual apertures fully open, the surrounding spiritual qi surged into him, coursing through his body and channeling into his dantian. Part of it strengthened his internal essence, while the rest remained active within his meridians.
“Come, then. Witness the Return of the Seven Swords,” Ji You declared, extending his spiritual consciousness outward. His eyes glinted with a golden radiance.
Standing within the ancient ruins, Ji You felt the overwhelming power of his senses. He could discern even the faintest movement, down to the strands of floating hair of those before him. Yet, as he advanced, cultivators from Spirit Sword Mountain, the Dao Seeking Sect, and other immortal sects glanced at him with mild surprise, only to break into laughter moments later.
They had assumed that the Heavenly Script Academy had been hiding a cultivator capable of altering the tides of the battle, perhaps a Dao Fusion or even Heaven Resonance master. But to their amusement, the arrival was merely someone who hadn’t yet reached the Profound Comprehension Stage and was merely at the peak of the Lower Three Stages.
Even Ding Yao’s lips curled into a smile as she recognized Ji You wielding his sword.
Just recently, they had crossed paths, and during an inspection from Spirit Sword Mountain, Ji You hadn’t dared to resist at all. That such an insignificant figure could bring joy to the Heavenly Script Academy disciples seemed laughable to her.
“Senior Sister Ding, you recognize him?” someone asked.
“We ran into him earlier. He was inspected but didn’t have anything of value, so we let him go,” Ding Yao replied.
A disciple from the Dao Seeking Sect chuckled. “I thought a savior had arrived. But for one person to elicit such joy from the Heavenly Script Academy, it’s quite the joke.”
Ding Yao glanced at him. “The Grand Ancestor of Great Xia was an alumnus of the Heavenly Script Academy. After founding the empire, he canonized it as a sacred sect. Yet now, it seems to be living off a hollow reputation.”
Her remarks carried weight, especially to those of the Southern Holy Sect.
It was widely acknowledged that the Northern Holy Sect consisted of pure Dao cultivators, often weaker in direct combat compared to the Southern Holy Sect’s diverse methods. The mighty Spirit Sword Mountain had clashed with the Heavenly Script Academy many times under Heavenly Sword Peak’s leadership, always maintaining the upper hand.
The Dao Fusion cultivator who had been forced back earlier shrugged off his discomfort and smirked, hefting his sword. Fully charged with spiritual qi, he lunged forward with a direct, forceful slash.
Boom!
The impact generated a wave of energy, forcing Ji You back three strides. The immense force bore down on him, nearly fracturing his tiger’s mouth.
[There’s something wrong with his sword,] Ji You thought grimly.
When the Dao Fusion cultivator had executed a flying sword strike earlier, Ji You had attempted to disarm him using a sword tremor technique, but the weapon remained unshaken. Now, after another exchange, Ji You realized the truth. Though the sword appeared ordinary, it carried immense weight.
If not for the suppressive killing qi neutralizing higher-realm cultivators’ spiritual essence, this one slash alone would’ve cleaved him in two.
“Senior Brother, it’s time,” someone called out.
“Ru Yi can’t continue fighting.”
“Let Senior Sister rest. I’ve improved a little since last time,” said Wen Zheng Xin as she parried a Dao Fusion cultivator from the Dao Seeking Sect, glancing at Ban Yang Shu with an unreadable expression.
Like the others, she had no idea what a disciple at the peak of the Lower Three Stages could contribute. Only Ban Yang Shu understood—this was their chance to turn the tide.
At that moment, Ji You’s heart moved. His sword moved.
The Dao Fusion cultivator from Spirit Sword Mountain faltered in shock as a wave of sword qi surged forward like a tidal current, striking directly and precisely.
So fast!
The Spirit Sword Mountain cultivator didn’t have time to gather momentum. He blocked with his sword, aiming for a downward forceful slash.
Ji You, however, was fearless. He wielded his sword single-handedly, his robes billowing as his strikes flowed with his intent. He pierced and countered every move with speed, his steps guided by surging spiritual qi that rendered him as elusive as a phantom.
Buzz!
Their duel grew more frenzied, each collision of their swords igniting showers of sparks. Gradually, the Dao Fusion cultivator grew uneasy. At some point, Ji You’s sword had doubled in speed, its strikes cunningly unpredictable.
Amidst his distraction, a streak of sharp sword qi shot upward at an angle, slashing across the Dao Fusion cultivator’s shoulder. Blood sprayed.
Gasps erupted from the spectators. No one had anticipated that someone at the peak of the Lower Three Stages could injure a Dao Fusion cultivator.
“Gong Shu Chou, don’t underestimate your opponent just because his cultivation is lower! The killing qi here suppresses everyone. Be serious!” Ding Yao chastised sharply, believing his carelessness was to blame.
The maid who served the esteemed Appraiser did not yet know that the Dao Fusion cultivator named Gong Shu Chou was already filled with astonishment.
[Too fast. This sword is absurdly fast.]
Though his Spiritual Qi was suppressed and flowed sluggishly, his perception as a Dao Fusion expert remained undiminished. Yet, as a sword cultivator, he couldn’t comprehend the opponent’s sword technique.
Initially, it appeared to be a diagonal slash descending from above. Normally, the next move would require a reversal from below to return the blade, but to his horror, he discovered the sword was already lunging straight for his heart.
[Too fast! How can it be this fast? Where is the return stroke? Can I no longer predict his sword moves?]
[No… Something is wrong! I swear! It’s not just speed…]
[What the… He has two swords!]
Realizing this, Gong Shu Chou was struck with terror. With a forceful strike of his heavy sword, he swiftly widened the gap between them. He discerned that his opponent had been secretly manipulating a second blade all along, switching it in unpredictable ways for relentless thrusts. With two swords, there was no need to retract one—every move became seamless and fluid.
Thus, the sword style became utterly unpredictable.
Boom!
In the forest, a cloud of dust and debris rose as everyone turned toward the commotion. To their shock, another Dao Fusion expert, who moments ago seemed to have the upper hand, was forced back. His chest was drenched in blood, a grievous wound evident.
The one who had inflicted this was Wen Zheng Xin. As she retracted her sword, her eyes were filled with astonishment. She was at the initial stage of Dao Fusion, whereas her opponent was at the upper stage, a level higher that should have suppressed her completely. But throughout the chaotic exchange of blows, sword chants had repeatedly whistled from the shadows, locking down her opponent’s movements as if his blade had been imprisoned.
Seizing an opening, her sword had struck a decisive blow.
[Why did this happen? Who was helping me?]
Wen Zheng Xin turned her gaze toward the fierce combat. The Dao Fusion cultivator who had been facing Ban Yang Shu and Xu Jin was now cursing loudly.
“Damn it, hidden swords!”
“Who the hell is controlling these hidden swords?!”
In the blink of an eye, the tide of battle shifted. Before the spectators could grasp the situation, Gong Shu Chou launched a strike with overwhelming force, bringing his heavy sword down with the momentum of a thousand mountains.
The crowd assumed this blow would seal the opponent’s fate. But suddenly, a piercing and resounding sword chant filled the air. Not a single note, but an entire chorus.
The next moment, seven long swords surged forth from the swirling sands, forming a sword dragon that tore through the air. Gong Shu Chou was caught entirely off guard, unable to find a way to execute his strike.
Emerging from the golden dust was a figure clad in white, representing the pinnacle of the Lower Three Stages. Surrounded by swords and brimming with celestial aura, he stepped forward.
The brilliance of his swift swords lay in their use of Spiritual Qi as propulsion, requiring only a fragment of spiritual consciousness. Each blade followed the wielder’s will, forming a continuous and harmonious pattern of attacks. Though he couldn’t control all seven swords simultaneously, his sheer speed compensated for the time lapse between their strikes.
Now, the seven swords converged as Ji You stood tall, exuding an imposing sword intent.
“Holy crap… My brother-in-law…”
From deep within the forest, a hidden figure could not help but exclaim in awe.
Meanwhile, Bai Ru Long, seated far at the rear, felt his entire being grow numb. It was as if he were reliving that fateful night, but this time, Ji You’s swordsmanship had grown even more formidable. The most obvious proof was the floating swords; what once could only stab or slash in rudimentary ways now executed countless intricate maneuvers.
Finally, everyone began to acknowledge this seemingly unremarkable cultivator at the peak of the Lower Three Stages. They noticed the golden radiance surging in his eyes like a pair of blazing lamps.
“Junior Brother! Give me three swords! I’ll join Xu Jin to take him down!”
Ban Yang Shu roared, raising his sword and charging forward as though filled with adrenaline. The familiar sensation had returned! That night, he and Ji Qi Rui had joined forces against a Dao Fusion expert; today, he would slay one alongside Xu Jin.
Upon hearing Ban Yang Shu’s cry, Ji You flicked his sleeve, sending one of the seven swords back to his hand while the remaining six scattered.
Circular Slash!
Skyward Pierce!
Heart-Gripping Thrust!
The Dao Fusion cultivator fighting Ban Yang Shu and Xu Jin shuddered as he realized his three escape routes were sealed. Two swords flew straight toward his chest with deadly precision.
Slash! Blood gushed forth!
The Dao Fusion expert from the Dao Seeking Sect had his abdomen pierced and barely managed to avoid having his wrist severed by a flying sword.
Everyone held their breath at the sight.
“It’s Ji You!”
A disciple from Spirit Sword Mountain shouted in astonishment. “The dual cultivator of martial and Daoist arts from the Heavenly Script Academy!”
Ding Yao turned sharply. “Who?”
“Junior Sister Bai Xi told me about him! There’s a strange sword cultivator in the Heavenly Script Academy who once fought alongside two Mystic Enlightenment cultivators to repel a Dao Fusion expert and a powerful demon in Beisha Town!”
Another disciple widened his eyes. “Isn’t that the same sword cultivator who killed a demon in Beisha Town?”
Ding Yao’s expression darkened as she leaped into the fray, intending to bring down the swarm of flying swords. But just as she moved, a long sword sliced across her path. It was wielded by a previously exhausted Lower Three Stages cultivator.
The disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy rose together, charging into battle against the Dao Seeking Sect and Spirit Sword Mountain. Ji You, meanwhile, leapt forward, sword in hand, charging toward a Dao Fusion expert. The sword aura around him radiated violently, releasing wave after wave of force.
“Damn it! Hidden swords again?!”
“Shit! Watch your step! These swords disguise themselves as weapons of the dead!”