Chapter 19: Hand over the Saint Grade exercises and integrate the physique

Xian Zhan removed a rather small, unassuming ring that he was wearing on his finger and passed it to Xian Yue. It sparked some curiosity in him now.

"Is this. a space ring?" he wondered, looking at the rather dull-looking band in his hand.

"Yes indeed," Xian Zhan replied with a smile. "A tool most cultivators carry with them when venturing outside of their sect or home. It's not that rare nor that valuable, but it is very useful."

Xian Yue nodded thoughtfully as he began infusing the ring with his spiritual energy, allowing his consciousness to seep inside. However, what he found within was somewhat underwhelming. The storage space was vast but still only a fraction to the treasures he had seen before, particularly of the legendary Universe Bag.

As his spiritual sense continued probing the contents, he found something interesting. In the heap of stuff stored inside, there was an ancient scroll that seemed like it has been in existence since prehistoric times. The bright golden glow that radiated from it was rather faint but carried an extraordinary potency. Thousands upon thousands of mysterious symbols were inscribed on its surface, and the aura exuded was one of profound power. Instinctively, Xiao Chen knew this was no ordinary scroll.

"Is that. a cultivation technique of Saint Grade?" Xian Yue was taken aback, his eyes scanning to Xian Zhan, who stared equally amazed at his quick identification.

"You… you can tell at a glance?" Xian Zhan stuttered, eyes wide with incredulity. He knew that the scroll was valuable, but there was no sign outside to indicate its true prowess. It had taken him months to realize how deep the technique within was, but Xian Chen seemed to realize it at a glance.

"The old man's idea is really great," Xian Zhan silently murmured to himself, his eyes sparkling with awe. "A skill such as this, passed down by a great saint, so obscure that it is almost impossible to recognize without foreknowledge, and yet you estimated its worth so simply."

Xian Yue didn't bat an eyelid, though, in his mind he knew what the discovery represented. He put the ring on the table and glanced at the hall of elders, seated around him, with their different looks of curiosity and confusion.

Xian Wu was intently listening to everything that was discussed. "Saint-Grade technique? Is that a high level of cultivation technique?"

"Ah, yes, apparently" Xian Yue said "Below the Supreme Realm is the Holy Realm. A Saint-Grade technique, one which would take a practitioner to that Holy Realm, which rank ranked just below the highest echelon of power".

His words made the entire room shake. Elders who had been calm and never exchanged glances brimming with awe. A person who had a Saint-Grade technique must have held the secret to unimaginable power. It was something ordinary cultivators could not even dream of attaining. Even though the world was vast, there were also only a few capable of mastering these techniques.

Xian Zhan clears his throat and then proceeds to speak with gravity, "Truth is, I just got lucky enough to stumble on this Saint-Grade technique. It was secluded within a shrine holding a forgotten saint of old. Many cultivators who are far stronger than myself at that time were fighting for the legacy; however, due to sheer luck, it fell on me.".

He sat for a moment as if recalling the unbelievable odds with which he needed to conquer to obtain the technique. "I took this technique in my short lifetime to ascend rapidly to the Soul formation Realm and therefore to better augment my strength. Now that I have returned, I feel that this technique cannot be possessed by one person. I want to place it here, with the family so that more people could practice it and help augment the strength of our clan."

He spoke, and the whole room was filled with applause and admiration. The elder, who had been silent until then, stepped forward, his voice trembling with emotion yet full of passion: "Xian Zhan, you've become so much more than we expected of you. To share such a powerful resource with the family. this will surely ensure our clan's future."

The air was now charged with possibilities. It made the older generation of the Xian family restless and almost ecstatic, for they had long aspired to see their clan rise to higher grounds. Their family owning a Saint-Grade technique was a wishful one.

In the excitement around the room, Xian Yue's attention snapped to the content of the space ring. He found, besides the Saint-Grade scroll, quite many techniques and martial arts manuals.

"These techniques. they are all way superior to the ones we have harvested from the other clans," Xian Yue pointed out. "If the family can master them perfectly, it will push our overall strength up a few levels."

Xian Yue understood the value of such techniques. However, with the status quo and the system which was perpetually showing him treasures day in and day out, he wasn't really concerned with digging up even more resources. He knew it would come with time, gathering even more opportunities.

As he scanned the items in the ring, something caught his eye: a big collection of techniques for swordsmanship. "You practice swordsmanship, don't you?" Xian Yin asked with a turn to Xiao Zhan.

"Yes," Xiao Zhan nodded. "I have devoted myself to the Way of the Sword for a very long time, but far from it being a true sword cultivator. For that, one must truly grasp the Will of the Sword, and that I'm not even close to mastering."

Xian Yue raised an eyebrow, his interest clear. "I actually possess something that can help you with that," he said nonchalantly.

Xian Zhan shook his head as he hesitated. "I have been blessed so much already that my mind cannot comprehend it right now. This might be something that needs to be passed on to someone in the clan instead."

Xian Yue smiled faintly, with a play of amusement at his lips. "You're sure? This is much more than the Saint-Grade technique you received. In fact, many thousands times better. Are you sure you want to pass this up?"

Only just in time, the great elder snatched a word from Xian Zhan's lips, "You mustn't be a fool, Xian Zhan! If our Patriarch considers it a good fortune, then you don't dare decline. The patriarch of this clan does not easily make his decision. For the rest of your life, you will regret that you had declined this." The other elders nodded in unison, their faces saying how Xian Yue is able to please the elders. Xian Zhan said nothing, blankly staring at no one in particular.

"If that's the case." Xian Zhan finally whispered, "I will humbly accept this opportunity."

Xian Yue flicked his finger with a swift motion, and a small object, bathed in golden light, flew out towards Xian Zhan. It hovered for a moment before it slowly merged into his forehead.

The air in the hall changed instantaneously. Immortal sword energy shot out from the body of Xian Zhan, crackling with savage, destructive power. Space around him began to tear, forming vicious black cracks spreading outwards like a web, and the room shook under sheer force of energy.

The elders recoiled, their bodies tensed as they felt the very biting coldness of the sword qi. Though they were a few meters away, the energy seemed to slice through them, as if invisible blades cut into their flesh. The feeling was terrifying and relenting, filling the room with a suffocating sense of dread.

"Seal!" Xian Yue's soft voice cut through the turmoil, and in that single word, the waves of unruly energy were instantly restricted within the boundaries of the room, unable to burst forth into the estate and play havoc.

This others knew not, but passed the ancient and peerless origin of the Eternal Sword Body from his body. The Eternal Sword Body was said to dominate the technique of the sword. Though Xian Yue hardly used it, it would be of tremendous value to his clan.

Once Xian Zhan finally became fully absorbed, the potential would climb to monstrous heights. His training speed, combat strength, and a future would be lifted up to unconceivable levels such that he'd be one of the strongest members of the Xiao family.

Little by little, the elders regained control over their bodies as their bodies drenched in cold sweat. The short encounter with this kind of overwhelming power had left them rattled to their core.

"Wh... what just happened?" Xian Wu stuttered, his face still reeling. "What did you give him, Xian Yue?"

"It's a special physique," Xian Yue said calmly. "One that grants unparalleled mastery over the sword."

"A special physique?" Wu exclaimed, throwing up his hands in disbelief. "But those are innate. How could you possibly.?"

"Normally, yes," Xian Yue shrugged. "But I can fuse physiques."

It was as if time had fallen into stunned silence with the significance of his words hitting someone - any one - in the room. The ability to fuse physiques was unheard of. Something so far beyond their understanding that it left them speechless.

Xian Zhan, who now had regained control over his body again, slowly opened his eyes. Two sharp, golden beams of sword energy shot forth from his gaze, carving deep marks on the floor beneath him.

He looked at his hands, and just to think it was too amazing: the sheer energy that flowed through his veins. "Is this." He couldn't bring himself to complete the sentence; he was so overwhelmed by the feeling. His whole body felt like it had turned into a hard, unbreakable weapon.

He could slice through anything with the sweep of his hand.

Xian Yue observed him with satisfaction. "Welcome to the way of the sword."