Undying Life

Chapter 507: Zhong Shan Acquires the Demon Sword

"Now, everything around me, be it grass or wood, can become a sword, an unparalleled divine sword," Jian Ao declared with supreme arrogance. This wasn't mere bravado; Jian Ao had genuinely reached a profound realm of understanding.

With no sword in hand, yet a sword in heart, anything and everything could become a weapon!

The Demon Lord Canglan sneered in disbelief. Grass and wood could become swords? Were all the divine swords in the world comparable to a mere willow twig? Nonsense! The Ice Soul Divine Sword in his hand once again radiated a deadly twelve-colored aura.

Han Jiguang stood in the distance, observing coldly, lost in thought.

From another corner, Zhong Shan frowned as he watched Jian Ao. The realm Jian Ao spoke of seemed familiar, something he'd heard of in his youth. At that time, it was just a legend, a story. Could such a realm truly exist?

Around Jian Ao, there was no trace of sword energy. The willow twig in his hand appeared ordinary, yet Jian Ao exuded immense confidence.

"Hmph!" The Demon Lord Canglan let out a cold snort.

The Ice Soul Divine Sword in his hand thrust towards Jian Ao once more.

Before the sword even reached him, a powerful and overwhelming sword aura surged across the sea, transforming into a gigantic sword that seemed to pierce the heavens and earth, aiming straight at Jian Ao.

The surrounding sword energy, wild and rampant, rained down towards Jian Ao, threatening to tear him apart.

Jian Ao remained unflustered, a faint smile playing on his lips. He lightly tapped the sword aura of the Ice Soul Divine Sword with his willow twig.

"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The colossal sword aura wavered abruptly, as if on the verge of collapse.

The Demon Lord Canglan charged towards Jian Ao, the sword aura growing shorter yet more condensed, filled with a vast and potent sword force, directly targeting the tip of the willow twig.

The rampant sword energy around them could no longer advance towards Jian Ao.

"Clang~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The tip of the Ice Soul Divine Sword collided with the tip of the willow twig.

A surging wave of energy burst from the point of contact, sweeping in all directions, causing the ocean below to split and gush to the sides.

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The Demon Lord Canglan's eyes widened in shock.

Sword intent, a surging sword intent—how could this be? The Demon Lord Canglan sensed that the Ice Soul Divine Sword had met a formidable rival, another divine sword not inferior to itself.

Another divine sword? If he hadn't seen Jian Ao break off the willow twig earlier, the Demon Lord Canglan would have believed it to be an unparalleled divine sword. But it was clearly an ordinary willow twig. If this was a divine sword, then divine swords in the world would be far too common.

Sword intent, surging sword intent, the sword intent of the Ice Soul Divine Sword clashed violently with Jian Ao's sword intent. The boundless sword energy exploded with a thunderous roar.

Despite wielding the Ice Soul Divine Sword, the Demon Lord Canglan couldn't overcome Jian Ao's willow twig?

The Demon Lord Canglan couldn't believe it. It was impossible. How could this be?

"Clang!"

With a slight tremor of his hand, Jian Ao suddenly forced the Ice Soul Divine Sword back.

The Ice Soul Divine Sword erupted in a blaze of twelve-colored light, clearly enraged by its defeat at the hands of a willow twig. It seemed to want to sever the twig completely.

But the Demon Lord Canglan suddenly halted the Ice Soul Divine Sword.

"What is this?" The Demon Lord Canglan looked at the willow twig in utter disbelief.

Jian Ao glanced at the Demon Lord Canglan and, as if offering guidance, said, "A true swordsman values intent over the weapon itself. Have you not realized that your intent is weaker than that of most swordsmen? Your sword intent is merely the intent of the Ice Soul Divine Sword. Without it, would you still be a peerless swordsman?"

Hearing Jian Ao's words, the Demon Lord Canglan felt as if he had been struck on the head, suddenly finding clarity in his mind.

Yes, he was strong, stronger than most swordsmen, but much of that strength came from the Ice Soul Divine Sword. If a stronger opponent were to destroy the Ice Soul Divine Sword, what would he be left with? Nothing. But Jian Ao, even if his willow twig were destroyed, could simply pick another. Anything could become a sword for him. Sword intent—this was the true pursuit of a swordsman.

The Ice Soul Divine Sword seemed to sense the Demon Lord Canglan's internal change, quickly stabilizing its twelve-colored glow, becoming even more attuned to him than it had been to Jian Ao in his previous life.

Looking at the Ice Soul Divine Sword in his hand, the Demon Lord Canglan fell silent for a moment.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior," the Demon Lord Canglan said respectfully, bowing deeply to Jian Ao.

Though Jian Ao was only at the Royal Extreme Realm, his cultivation level meant nothing in this context. Otherwise, how could he, an Emperor Extreme Realm practitioner, not have defeated Jian Ao? A true master deserved respect, and Jian Ao had pointed out his misdirection. This bow was given willingly and wholeheartedly.

"Hmm, you've been using this sword for quite some time, haven't you?" Jian Ao asked.

"Five hundred years," the Demon Lord Canglan nodded.

"Five hundred years—neither long nor short. You are still a Demon Lord at the Emperor Extreme Realm. It's not too late for you to discard it. The sooner you abandon it, the sooner you can rediscover your true path as a swordsman," Jian Ao advised.

Abandon it soon?

Though he understood the detriments of the Ice Soul Divine Sword, the Demon Lord Canglan couldn't bring himself to discard it immediately. It was like an addiction—knowing its harm but being unable to let go.

Seeing the Demon Lord Canglan's hesitation, Jian Ao's eyes turned cold. "A swordsman's intent is the foundation, the heart is the base. When a decision must be made, make it decisively. Hesitation leads to chaos."

The Demon Lord Canglan's eyes reflected determination. Ignoring the Ice Soul Divine Sword's reluctance, he bowed deeply to Jian Ao once more. "Senior, I have used this sword for five hundred years. It has become an addiction I cannot overcome. Please, take it and keep it safe."

The Demon Lord Canglan offered the Ice Soul Divine Sword with both hands, effectively relinquishing his greatest strength.

Jian Ao raised an eyebrow, feeling a strange sense of irony. He had intended to offer guidance to the Demon Lord Canglan, yet he found himself caught in the situation. Keeping the sword for him? You are addicted? I was even more addicted in my past life. If this sword rekindles my addiction, what then?

The Demon Lord Canglan's addiction was hard to control, and he was just a Demon Lord. In his previous life, Jian Ao had been a Sovereign; wouldn't it be even harder for him to control? It was because he couldn't resist using it that he had chosen to start anew.

Jian Ao hesitated to accept the sword, looking at the Demon Lord Canglan intently.

At that moment, Zhong Shan and Han Jiguang, realizing the battle was over, quickly approached.

Seeing the Demon Lord Canglan offering his sword, both were surprised.

Jian Ao, spotting Zhong Shan, had an idea. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Very well."

Jian Ao took the Ice Soul Divine Sword, and the Demon Lord Canglan let out a long sigh of relief, though his gaze still held a trace of reluctance as he looked at the sword in Jian Ao's hand.

"Senior, here is my jade token and that of the young demon cultivator from earlier. I offer them to you. I know I am not destined for the legacy of the sacred fire, but I hope you can obtain it," the Demon Lord Canglan said, producing two jade tokens.

This time, Jian Ao accepted without hesitation, quickly putting them away and nodding to the Demon Lord Canglan.

Han Jiguang still didn't fully understand, but seeing the Demon Lord Canglan, he refrained from asking.

The Demon Lord Canglan bowed to Jian Ao once more.

"Friend Han, let's go," the Demon Lord Canglan said.

Then, the two quickly flew out of the black clouds, leaving the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain.

The jade tokens were all gathered—no, there was even an extra one.

"Zhong Shan, I give this sword to you. Thank you for helping me pass the first trial," Jian Ao said, handing the Ice Soul Divine Sword to Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan was slightly taken aback. "Even without me, you could have passed the trial."

"The second trial is beyond my control. I will need your help then. As for this demon sword, I feel at ease only if it's with you," Jian Ao explained.

"Huh? Why?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

"Because I believe that if you don't want to give something to someone, no one can take it from you. Don't try to give it back to me," Jian Ao said solemnly.

Zhong Shan was speechless for a moment.

"How do you know that if I don't want to give something away, no one else can take it?" Zhong Shan asked, his expression slightly strange.

"Because I'm the same kind of person," Jian Ao said confidently.

Hearing this, Zhong Shan's mouth twitched slightly. He nodded in a peculiar manner.

"Moreover, it's best if you don't use this sword. Those who wield this sword find it hard to control and may even be enslaved by it. In my past life, I reached the Celestial Extreme Realm and was still enslaved by this sword. It was only after reincarnating and cultivating anew that I escaped its control," Jian Ao said gravely.

Looking at the sword, Zhong Shan considered not using it. However, he couldn't help but think that with such a powerful demonic sword, it must contain immense energy. If the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail could consume it, what then?

Zhong Shan accepted the sword with a nod.

Seeing Zhong Shan's nonchalant attitude, Jian Ao's expression tightened, as if realizing something. "No, you're my chosen opponent. You must not be corrupted by this demonic sword. Give it back to me, and I'll pass it to someone with higher cultivation."

Jian Ao reached out for the sword.

Such an item, how could Zhong Shan let go of it? Shaking his head, he said, "I will keep my promise. I won't give it back to you."

Hearing Zhong Shan's refusal, Jian Ao was momentarily stunned, then rendered speechless. It was he who had told Zhong Shan not to give the sword back to him. Karma, it seemed.

"Then you must never use this sword. It has a seductive power. Be careful!" Jian Ao warned again.

"Don't worry!" Zhong Shan replied indifferently.

Seeing Zhong Shan's indifferent attitude, Jian Ao knew that Zhong Shan hadn't taken his warning to heart. With a sense of helplessness, Jian Ao said, "Let's go."

Zhong Shan's nonchalance was understandable. What was there to be careful about? When the time came, the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail would swallow the sword whole, and everything would be fine. Of course, Jian Ao had no idea about Zhong Shan's heaven-defying ability to consume the demonic sword. The thought would never occur to him.

Then, the two quickly flew out of the black clouds, having completed the task with an extra jade token. They had passed the first trial.

The second trial would take place six days later.

During those six days, Zhong Shan finally experienced the demonic nature of the Ice Soul Divine Sword. The sword had a soul and couldn't be stored in a spatial bracelet, so he had to carry it on his back. Over the two days, the Ice Soul Divine Sword seemed to exert a magical influence on Zhong Shan, creating an urge to test the sword.

Surprised by this, Zhong Shan tightened his resolve. His will was exceptionally strong, yet he still felt this compulsion. Imagine how unbearable it would be for someone else.

Realizing this, Zhong Shan decided not to continue testing his will against the Ice Soul Divine Sword. Instead, he used a shadow clone to carry the sword, while his true body transformed into the shadow of the clone. Let the sword's seductive power waste itself on a clone that would disappear in an hour.