Chapter 127: The Aspirations of a Swordsmaster – An Epiphany That Shatters the Heavens

Everything is in constant change. The ups and downs of life, the peaks and troughs of stories—these are inevitable. Don’t be surprised; your life cannot remain filled with passion forever… Over seven thousand years, the world has changed, people have changed, and the sword in Liu Yi’s hand has also changed. As for what it will become, I cannot explain. This legend can only await you to read it.

Looking at his own arm, at his left hand, at that long black sword, Liu Yi was utterly confused. What was that? Red flames surrounded the sword’s blade, even burning his left arm, yet he felt no heat at all. On the contrary, it was warm—a warmth that greatly invigorated Liu Yi’s spirit.

Everyone’s gaze was drawn to those red, flickering flames. They were beautiful, yet extremely hot. Those around him unconsciously stepped back a few steps, as the scorching heat seemed to make it hard for them to breathe and cloud their minds. So they wanted to stay away from that heat.

The Wolf King summoned protective energy to resist the oppressive heat. Looking at Liu Yi, he exclaimed, “Demon Lord, it’s so hot! Don’t you feel it?”

Liu Yi shook his head and said, “It’s warm. I don’t feel heat, but… what is this? I can’t control it. Why is it on my sword?”

The Wolf King was also full of doubt. Even after traveling through the three realms for a thousand years, he had never seen such a miraculous fire.

Liu Yi looked around. The soil on the ground was slowly burning, cracked by those red flames. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Liu Yi—such high temperatures! What would happen if he used this fire to melt ‘Heavenly Essence Ore’?

Liu Yi grasped the hilt of his sword with his right hand and swiftly drew out the ‘Sorrowful Dream’ sword. At that moment, the black blade was surrounded by red flames, looking extremely strange…

Liu Yi activated the ‘Lanelfina Clearness’ meditation technique, channeling his supreme true energy into the sword. Instantly, he felt that energy surrounded by a warm aura. But the ‘Sorrowful Dream’ sword began to tremble. The entire blade was now engulfed in red flames. It seemed… he couldn’t control the sword, as if it had a life of its own and wanted to break free from him.

Liu Yi shouted at the Wolf King, “Teacher, quickly open the furnace!”

The Wolf King immediately reacted and swiftly opened the furnace. Inside, yellow flames were continuously melting the ore. At that moment, Liu Yi released his grip. With a roar like a dragon, the long black sword transformed into a red fire dragon and rushed straight into the furnace…

Liu Yi gasped for breath. He didn’t know what had happened to the ‘Sorrowful Dream.’ Despite using all his strength, he couldn’t hold it back. He felt the sword wanting to plunge into the furnace, so he asked the Wolf King to open the huge furnace. And the moment he let go, the sword turned into a fire dragon and rushed in…

As things gradually returned to calm, Li Ling walked over, raised his hand in a salute, and said, “Congratulations, City Lord. This sword has become a loyal sword. It won’t be long before it becomes an imperial sword.”

By now, Liu Yi no longer had those red flames in his hands; only the black sword scabbard remained. Everyone slowly gathered around him.
Liu Yi continued, “I don’t understand what my brother said. ‘A hundred years with the Foolish Dream Sword’—I assume you know a great deal about the way of swords. Could you explain it in detail?”
Li Ling smiled slightly and said, “I don’t fully understand it either. I just heard from Brother Cold Sword that swords are not lifeless but possess a life of their own, just like in our world—ordinary people, extraordinary people, sword cultivators, cultivators of the Dao, and those who rule from above. The way of swords is similar to this. A divine sword is undoubtedly something extraordinary that can help its master advance in cultivation. But everyone overlooks one thing: the reverse is also true—sword cultivators use swords to achieve the ways of the human world, but humans can also use swords to achieve the way of swords. When the two support each other, they can surely ascend to the way of heaven.”
“Listening to Brother Cold Sword’s explanation of swords feels like reading celestial scriptures. Even after a hundred years of cultivating with the Foolish Dream Sword, I still can’t comprehend this mutual cultivation between man and sword. I suppose Brother Cold Sword has already broken through the way of heaven and entered the way of wisdom, surpassing even the cultivation of gods and humans. He has now become a true legend…”
Liu Yi nodded and said, “Brother Ling is saying that I have already unknowingly practiced the mutual cultivation between man and sword?”
Li Ling nodded and said, “From what we’ve seen just now, this sword has shed its original form and risen to another level of swordmanship. If it weren’t for the city lord helping it, how could this sword improve on its own and purify its soul?”
Liu Yi remembered that illusion—it wasn’t him; it was that fire dragon. It was the fire dragon that completed the path of sword cultivation for ‘Sorrowful Dream.’ But where did that fire dragon come from?
Li Ling looked at the astonished crowd and smiled, “There’s no need for surprise. It’s just that we don’t understand the unknown. Look at the divine weapons in your hands. If one day you also comprehend the way of sword cultivation, I believe you too will ascend to the way of heaven and achieve mastery in swordsmanship.”
The representatives of the righteous and demonic paths, along with other experts, also glanced at their swords and weapons. They were filled with longing for Li Ling’s words. Who wouldn’t want their beloved weapons to become even more dazzling and sharp, with additional special functions? It seemed they had gained a new understanding of the way of martial arts. Perhaps they should thank Brother Cold Sword, that legendary figure who offered such incredible insights into swords…
Thinking about Li Ling’s words, Liu Yi realized what he meant—swords, like people, can also improve their cultivation. But ‘Sorrowful Dream’ was different from other divine swords; it was a sword without a soul. So why had it surpassed the other divine swords now? Although the appearance of that fire dragon was strange, this explanation didn’t seem very reasonable…

Perhaps many things await people to understand. Perhaps that miracle lies right beside you. Leng Jian, who rose alongside the nine great sects, thanks to his understanding of multiple swords and his profound insight into the art of swordsmanship, managed to create a vast gap between himself and the leaders of those sects in just thirty years. He seemed to become a legend of swords, with more and more tales about him emerging. Perhaps he achieved sudden enlightenment and soared to the Nine Heavens on his flying sword, or perhaps he roamed the world with his sword, carefree. As for life and death, they held no meaning to him anymore. Thus, he could only be a swordsman—a legendary swordsman…

Just as everyone was lost in thought, Lan Ren shouted loudly, “Look at that furnace…”

With Lan Ren’s astonished cry, everyone snapped out of their reverie and turned their gaze toward the massive furnace. The moment they saw it, those who were near it quickly retreated back.

…

The story continues. Can Yue lit a cigarette and continued explaining. A short break, then we’ll start again.