C7 Soulkeep Realm

Ho Liao felt a pain that wouldn't numb or knock him out, but instead made everything sharper. It was a fundamental transformation of his core energy center. In that moment, he understood why independent cultivators often succumbed to the pain, while disciples of established sects used elixirs to aid their training.

The agony of this breakthrough was unbearable for most. Ho Liao focused on his technique, enduring what felt like a hellish torment. After two hours, he sensed an explosive release in his core, followed by his mentor, Book Spirit, exclaiming excitedly, "You did it! You've broken through!"

A relieved smile spread across Ho Liao's face before he lost consciousness completely.

When he awoke, he found himself still in the training area, with the night sky above. Looking around, he saw Book Spirit standing to his left, eyes closed in meditation.

Ho Liao mustered the strength to ask, "Master, did I succeed?"

Book Spirit nodded with satisfaction. "You rascal, I just checked your core. You've formed an astonishing twelve energy nodes in your first batch, surpassing even the Sword Sect's founder's record. Many cultivators only manage nine nodes at the ninth level of Soulkeep. It seems I chose the right disciple. The original technique will once again make waves in Cegleania!"

Hearing such praise from his master, Ho Liao felt invigorated, as if the excruciating pain he had endured was all worth it. The Book Spirit continued, "With the number of energy nodes you have now, mastering the Sword Spirit Technique will impress many cultivators at the third or fourth level of Soulkeep. It's time for you to go out and gain some experience, kid!"

"Master, does each level of advancement hurt this much?" Ho Liao asked, still shaken.

"You'll get used to it," the Book Spirit replied nonchalantly.

Back home, Ho Liao explained to his sister, A-Chou, at the dinner table that he needed to leave to gain experience. To ease her worries, he fibbed, saying that the skills he suddenly acquired were taught by his master, who was waiting for him to become an apprentice. However, due to his master's requirements, he couldn't reveal the location of his master's abode.

A-Chou, noticing Ho Liao's newfound strength, believed him without hesitation. For her brother's future, she was willing to let go, no matter how reluctant she felt.

Before leaving, the Book Spirit did two things: it imparted to Ho Liao the core martial technique of the Sword Spirit Technique from the True Source Method. This technique involved nurturing sword energy within the energy nodes in the dantian, allowing the energy to be unleashed from any point in the body during combat.

Another task was setting up a third-tier protective array in the yard for A Chou. Luckily, the yard was small, so it didn't require many materials, and thanks to the Book Spirit's resources, it was manageable.

Additionally, the Book Spirit gifted Fei'er a protective artifact, a Spirit Sword Shield. This shield, nurtured by the Book Spirit's own sword energy, could be worn as a ring on her finger. With a mere thought, it transformed into a shield capable of defense. Within the shield, the Book Spirit had placed twenty-one strands of sword energy, which could be used offensively. However, these strands were finite; once used, they wouldn't regenerate.

Despite feeling reluctant, Ho Liao shouldered the pack A Chou had prepared for him, taking a few steps before looking back at his home one last time.

At that moment, Ho Liao felt both a sense of emptiness and a thrill of anticipation for the vast world beyond.

As he stepped onto the mountain path, the Book Spirit spoke in his mind, "Kid, let's buy a good horse. If you rely on your feet, how far do you think you'll get?"

"Master, where should we go?" Ho Liao asked, feeling a bit lost as he faced a three-way fork in the road.

"That's easy," the Book Spirit replied confidently. "Stand here and wait. Count which path the most people take, and we'll follow them."

Being new to the world, Ho Liao followed the Book Spirit's advice without question.

Strangely enough, even though it was midday, not a single person passed by. This place was just too remote!

As Ho Liao started to ponder, he noticed a cloud of dust rising on the widest dirt road ahead. Three magnificent horses were approaching, each ridden by a strong man carrying weapons. One of them, dressed in blue, spotted Ho Liao under the shade of a tree and reined in his horse to ask, "Hey kid, have you seen anyone pass by here?"

"A young couple!" added another man in black.

Ho Liao didn't recognize them and had no idea who they were looking for, so he instinctively shook his head.

The man in black glanced at the silent man in white and said, "Lee, up ahead is nothing but barren hills. Do you think the lady would really elope here? Should we keep chasing?"

"Our horses are fast enough to cover a thousand miles in a day. If the lady really went this way, we should have caught up by now," the man in blue replied.

The man in white thought for a moment and said, "Alright, let's head back."

Just then, the Book Spirit spoke in Ho Liao's mind, "Kid, those horses are top-notch. We need one of them. Figure out a way to get one, quick, before they leave!"

Following his master's instruction, Ho Liao bowed to the three men and said, "Gentlemen, I need a horse to continue my journey. Would you be willing to sell me one?"

The three men exchanged a glance and burst into laughter. The man in black chuckled and said, "This kid's got guts, doesn't he know who he's dealing with? Someone actually dares to mess with the Liu family of Qeydiff?"

Hearing the arrogance in the man's voice, Ho Liao's stubborn streak flared up. He retorted sharply, "Oh, the mighty Liu family, huh? Didn't your young lady run off with someone?"

The man in white glared at Ho Liao and said, "Kid, you might have walked away from this, but you know about our young lady eloping and that we're from the Liu family of Qeydiff. Our master values his reputation above all, so you've sealed your fate today."

"Your young lady eloped, and you're the ones who blabbed about it, not me. Do you really need to kill me to keep it quiet?" Ho Liao shouted in frustration.

"Exactly, that's why you're a dead man walking," the man in black said, drawing a large knife and swinging it at Ho Liao's head, aiming to split him in two.

In a panic, Ho Liao struck the back of the knife with his hand, breaking it into three pieces.

But the Book Spirit was unimpressed and said, "You fool, do you still think you're just a brute? What a perfect chance, why not try the Sword Spirit Technique?"

The reminder sparked something in Ho Liao. He quickly activated the Sword Spirit Technique, causing a surge of energy from his core. A burst of sword energy shot out, guided by Ho Liao to the acupoint beneath his eye. Wherever his gaze landed, the sword energy would follow.