C3 Sword Tomb

Clang after clang resonated within Yuan Ling's mind as a massive black stone stele ceaselessly emitted the cries of a sword. With each cry, an ancient character from the Sword Blood Clan materialized from nothing, intricate and profound. These characters, akin to those etched upon the stele, radiated an array of sharp sword intents.

The characters fluctuated, rising and falling, slowly interlinking to form what seemed to be an enigmatic ancient incantation. Centered around the stele, the characters swiftly converged into nine silver Sword Words, each varying in size and complexity of strokes, yet all unmistakably representing 'Sword' within the Sword Blood Clan.

These nine Sword Words encircled the stele, their silver glow engulfing Yuan Ling's consciousness. As the sword light faded, the ancient characters vanished, leaving behind only nine silver specks where they once were. The stele then began to tremble.

Clang!

The sword cries grew more intense, and the silver specks vibrated in unison. Nine powerful sword intents burst forth, converging around the stele to form a unified entity—a sword formation. This was a simple yet profoundly ancient sword formation.

Boom!

In the instant the sword formation materialized, a thunderous noise echoed through Yuan Ling's mind. The sword formation, along with the stele, vanished, leaving an expansive Acupoint in its wake—the Sword Aperture.

As the Sword Aperture opened, Yuan Ling's body glowed radiantly, levitating as if suspended by an unseen force. His being was suffused with an ancient aura, as though he were a deity descending from the heavens.

"Ah!"

Yuan Ling's eyes snapped open, and he abruptly fell to the ground. Confused, he had no recollection of the recent events. His head throbbed, filled with memories he couldn't quite grasp, and despite his efforts, the specifics eluded him.

"Right, the Sword Tomb Stele..."

He recalled the stele rushing towards his forehead. Yuan Ling quickly composed himself and turned his gaze inward. With a mere thought, he found himself in a misty realm, the stele faintly visible at the center, its surroundings shrouded in mystery.

"What is this stele? When I was unconscious, I vaguely heard 'Sword Blood Clan.' Could this be an artifact of the Sword Blood Clan?"

Yuan Ling continued his introspection.

Suddenly, he noticed a light in his sea of consciousness, twinkling like a star.

"Could this be an Acupoint?"

He had unlocked a Sword Aperture!

A Sword Aperture is akin to a Divine Aperture, but unlike the typical Divine Aperture that only nurtures Talent Abilities, a Sword Aperture can also be used to cultivate swords, making it exceedingly rare.

The opening of a Sword Aperture signified the birth of a Talent Ability.

Typically, only those who could advance to the Divine Ability Stage were able to unlock a Divine Aperture and gain a Talent Ability.

Yuan Ling, however, had merely opened a single meridian, the initial step in the martial arts journey.

To ascend to the status of a Divine Ability Stage Martial Artist, one must surpass the Physical Body Third Stage, also known as the Innate Third Stage, and the Hidden Consciousness Stage.

"How do I even know about these esoteric stages…"

Yuan Ling's mind was filled with new memories that he couldn't actively access. Yet, when external stimuli triggered them, they seemed to activate relevant memories automatically.

"It's so odd…"

Overthinking was futile. Yuan Ling concluded that all this must be a result of the Sword Tomb's influence.

He then sat cross-legged, facing upwards with a focused mind, exploring the newfound Talent Ability he had acquired.

Copy!

His exceptional memory had now fully evolved into his personal Talent Ability. The exact effects, however, would only become clear with testing.

Yuan Ling persisted in his internal examination. During the chase by that man, he had managed to open a meridian in his right leg.

The circulation of his Genuine Qi was unquestionably several times stronger than that of an average person.

Moreover, Yuan Ling realized that his internal vision was as clear as if he were seeing with his own eyes, allowing him to observe every nook and cranny of his body.

This clarity was a stark contrast to the vague sensations typically experienced after opening meridians. It was all thanks to the unlocked Acupoints.

Yuan Ling's focus deepened as he surveyed his body, his consciousness swiftly traversing each area. Then, something caught his attention.

"This is… Sword Body?!"

Yuan Ling's eyes snapped open as a flood of memories surged into his mind.

"No wonder my progress in cultivation has been so sluggish. Despite possessing Sword Blood, I should have made a breakthrough by now, given my dedication. And now, this memory reveals that I not only carry the Sword Blood Clan's lineage but also possess a Sword Body. Such a unique constitution requires the aid of a specialized Heart Technique; otherwise, the effort is hardly worth the gain!"

Simultaneously, another set of memories began to emerge.

"Golden Dragon Heavy Heaven Spell!"

A complete Foundation Establishment Heart Technique materialized in Yuan Ling's thoughts.

Golden Dragon Heavy Heaven Spell!

This was the Sword Sect's exclusive core cultivation method from ten millennia ago, accessible only to direct disciples with special physiques.

It was a Dual Cultivation Method that worked on both meridians and Acupoints in tandem, which was the source of its formidable power.

Moreover, with each opening of the Nine-vein or Nine-aperture, the physical body would undergo a transformative rebirth, not only multiplying one's cultivation tenfold but also enhancing one's latent potential.

"I must grow stronger without delay. I cannot allow a repeat of today's events. The Sword Tomb saved me this time, but I can't always expect others to rescue me. My fate must be in my own hands!"

Yuan Ling closed his eyes and delved into the intricacies of the technique, only opening them after a focused half-hour.

"Fortunately, while this cultivation method is intricate, the initial phase isn't overly complex. If I adhere to this practice, I'm confident that within a year, I'll break through to the Third Stage of the Innate Realm and shatter the constraints of the Physical Body Stage!"

The first step in practicing this method was to loosen the meridians.

His constitution was a mix of the Sword Body and the Sword Blood Clan's traits. To cultivate the Sword Body Heart Technique, he first needed to overcome the limitations imposed by the Sword Blood Clan's constitution.

The Sword Blood Clan's constitution, meridians, and acupoints were all sealed by the Sword Blood Shackles. Despite the sword qi transformed from their bloodline being as fine as hair strands, it wove into an exceptionally sturdy barrier that was exceedingly difficult to break through.

Yuan Ling, for example, might spend ten or even a hundred times more time and effort than others and still not guarantee a breakthrough. The so-called loosening of the meridians refers to the typically robust barriers within the meridians of those with special constitutions, akin to the effects of the Sword Blood Shackles' seal.

The initial step is to break through the smaller branches of the meridians, as many as possible. By doing so, the incremental progress will accumulate, and eventually, with enough momentum, one can break through the main meridian barrier.

In Yuan Ling's case, he must shatter the Sword Blood Shackles of the Sword Blood Clan while also unlocking the inherent limits of the Sword Body. Currently, Yuan Ling has already opened the first meridian. The hardest part is always the beginning; once past that, opening the second and third meridians becomes much easier.

"The Golden Dragon Heavy Heaven Spell focuses on Dual Cultivation, advocating for balanced advancement and mutual enhancement. Having opened the first meridian, the next step is to unlock the first Acupoint."

The Divine Aperture previously opened by the Sword Tomb Stele is technically an Acupoint. However, Yuan Ling is unable to control it and cannot wield the Golden Dragon's Heaven Arts to govern it, failing to meet the cultivation technique's requirements. Therefore, he must start from scratch and open the Acupoints himself.

Yuan Ling didn't rush into action or immediately assault the first Acupoint; instead, he began by loosening the meridians in his right leg. Though the main meridians were open, many branches remained untouched. Opening these further would strengthen the main meridians, allowing him to vastly outperform his peers from the foundation up.

This task required patience, but fortunately, Yuan Ling possessed a crystal-clear inner vision and a steadfast mind. In just about an hour, he completed the preliminary loosening of the meridians.

As the day grew late, Yuan Ling decided to forgo the chance to open the first Acupoint. "I should head back now. If I don't, Mr. Bai will start looking for me!"

Yuan Ling's gaze fell upon the wooden sword, and he couldn't help but marvel internally. This very sword had been a gift from his father when they first arrived in Yuan Village five years prior. Throughout his five years of training, he frequently practiced with it, relentlessly chopping at wooden stakes without reservation. Yet now, it remained as pristine as ever.

"It seems the wooden sword my father gave me is no ordinary object," he mused.

Securing the wooden sword at his waist, Yuan Ling rose and strode toward the village with a determined pace. By now, the streets were bustling with activity. Despite the biting cold, Yuan Ling, wrapped in a fur-lined coat, felt a comforting warmth radiating through his body, thanks to the Genuine Qi circulating through his meridians.

Upon entering the village, he was greeted by the sight of an elderly man accompanied by a large dog, heading his way. The man's cotton jacket appeared worn and somewhat inadequate against the chill. Yet, his face was always graced with a gentle smile, exuding a warm and friendly aura.

"Grandpa Yuan, out and about on such a chilly day?" Yuan Ling greeted him.

Yuan Ling would encounter the old man, Yuan Lan, after his morning exercises. This time, as he looked at Yuan Lan, his eyes narrowed slightly, betraying a flicker of curiosity. However, his expression quickly softened into a smile.

Yuan Lan, the first villager he and his father had met upon their arrival, had greeted them with the same big dog and a nodding smile. Now, the old man returned the greeting with his customary silent nod and a smile, watching Yuan Ling walk away.

Lost in thought, Yuan Lan seemed to be reminiscing. The scene before him overlapped with memories, and his smile grew tender.

"He's becoming more and more like him..." he thought to himself.

Withdrawing his gaze, Yuan Lan led his dog away with easy steps. The snowflakes continued their playful dance around him, whimsically avoiding the old man, not a single flake daring to land upon him. The scene, set against the cold wind, unfolded with a natural, harmonious grace, as if it were meant to be just so.

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