Chapter 272: Confrontation, Mutation (Two in One)_2
From countless windows of the small tower, copper coins began to fly out.
However, before the copper coins reached their destination, they were all sealed within a spell formation by a Spirit Talisman.
The figures appearing in the void were Zhao Wuji and a red-mole female cultivator, Ying Hongyue.
Zhao Wuji frowned.
He looked at Huang Yu and Ying Hongyue beside him.
"Senior Brother Zhao, I apologize for my offense. However, there are rules to sword competition, and it would be best not to interfere!" Ying Hongyue said with an apologetic expression on her pretty face.
Resembling a young girl in many ways, Ying Hongyue's petite and delicate appearance, with a red mole between her eyebrows, elicited sympathy. Her apologies only made it harder for people to refuse her request.
But the coldness in her eyes contrasted greatly with her current demeanor.
Not to mention Huang Yu at her side.
"Of course, in that case, let Junior Brother Huang and Junior Sister Ying discuss the path with Senior Brother!"
Zhao Wuji was not the least bit intimidated. The matters concerning the Soul Summoning Sword involved not just the Zi Xuan Hermit but also the entire Heavenly Sword Peak. Despite not being fond of his indecisive Martial Uncle Ji, he would not stand idly by.
...
On the Sword Dao steps, Lin Shiming stood motionless like a wooden figure.
After a long time, the Sword Intent around him suddenly surged.
Countless beams of Sword Qi thrust forth in all directions, relieving much of the pressure surrounding the steps.
Lin Shiming also opened his eyes, revealing an astonishing Sword Intent within them.
A look of joy was on his face.
The system prompt had transformed the enhanced version of the Grass Heaven Slasher into a Sword Array.
What's more, he could now control the size of the Sword Array.
For instance, with his current True Yuan and the Sword Intent within his sword seeds, he could only wield three strikes, he could perform a three-in-one Heaven-Slaying strike.
Compared to the nine Withered Yellow Sword Grasses before, the demand on True Yuan and the requirements for the Sword Path Grass Seed were much less.
Otherwise, with just his current cultivation level and the Sword Path Grass Seed, he would be unable to perform the technique, even with the help of thousand-year spirit milk.
Additionally, due to frequent comprehension, he discovered that his Sword Path Grass Seed seemed to have absorbed nutrients, as it had grown significantly larger inside his body, even showing signs of sprouting new leaves.
Consequently, his Sword Intent also achieved a tremendous breakthrough and was now comparable to the scene before Lin Xianzhi's breakthrough, which is the pinnacle of Sword Light Transformation.
The next realm would be Sword Qi threading into threads!
And he had been cultivating the sword for less than twenty years!
If this were to be known, even the Zi Xuan Hermit would be shocked beyond measure.
Suppressing his joy, he continued his ascent on the steps.
The Sword Intent on the steps grew even more intense.
The pressure around increased, but at this moment, due to the sublimation of Sword Intent, the pressure actually felt much lighter.
As he ascended higher, Lin Shiming noticed Fourth Rank Flying Swords appearing around him.
And not just one or two.
Looking around, he saw at least a dozen.
With each step he climbed, new Magical Swords appeared, each more powerful than the last.
These treasures, once he broke through to the Purple Mansion stage and nurtured them within it, would undoubtedly possess greater potential than many of the Purple Mansion Loose Hermit's treasures in the Zhao Kingdom.
Lin Shiming's heart started to grow numb at the thought, and if he were outside, each Flying Sword treasure would be treasured with the utmost care, strategizing about how to claim them.
But he did not stop his ascent, continuing towards the upper reaches of the steps.
Until he reached the twenty-seventh layer.
Lin Shiming watched as the grass-like formations of Sword Intent in the air once again surpassed his Sword Intent.
If he was not mistaken, the twenty-eighth layer would manifest half-step Sword Qi threading into threads.
That would mean the Sword Grass would have edges!
And these edges would be those of Sword Qi threading into threads!
This seemingly minor difference in wording could mean an enormous difference in power.
This made Lin Shiming start to hesitate.
The prompt in his mind had not disappeared, indicating he could continue to comprehend if he chose to.
But the next layer wouldn't just possess the Sword Intent of Sword Qi threading into threads. It could also feature Magical Treasures attacking him!
Lin Shiming decided to stop; even though Xie An had said that the Sword Tomb held no dangers, knowing about the Soul Summoning Sword and the Sword Imbuement Technique, and factoring in the unforeseen attacks from Flying Swords, how could he not be cautious?
He was well aware that his system prompt had now become a system screenshot, and at this moment, he could no longer foresee what would happen next.
After much hesitation, Lin Shiming still stopped, for reaching the twenty-eighth layer might bring more powerful Sword Arrays and greater gains.
But he was also keenly aware that one cannot become fat with one big mouthful; one must act according to one's capabilities, for that is the truth!
He decided to remain on the twenty-seventh layer, slowly comprehending the prompt in his mind.
...
High above Sword Mountain, more than a dozen swords floated in the air.
Strangely, at this moment, all the swords were pointing straight down at the base of Sword Mountain.
There was no sound of swords, nor any communication.
Beside the multitude of swords, the withered yellow grass stood silently.
But the withered yellow grass began to sway, as if growing impatient.
The next moment, a yellow light appeared.
The withered yellow grass vanished from its spot.
Leaving behind dozens of floating swords.
These swords began to move, to emit the sound of swords, coming to life as if reflecting something.
"It's over, the Grass Elder has taken a liking to that kid, and wants to go out too!"
"If I had known earlier, I would have rushed to occupy those scabbards!"
"Quiet, why would the Grass Elder take a fancy to that kid? Although he has the Sword Seed, he hasn't even reached the condensed threads of Sword Qi, and his cultivation level is only at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!"
"But the Grass Elder has already started to break the rules, taking the initiative to make a move!"
"Impossible, even if the Grass Elder is willing, it's no longer the Taiyi, the divine sword capable of cutting down all enemies in this world!"
The doubts in the void grew louder, and in their eyes.
The withered yellow grass really did fly into the Sword Dao staircase.
Descending from the eighty-first step.
Seventy steps!
Sixty steps!
...
In the blink of an eye, it reached the twenty-eighth step.
Below that, the twenty-seventh step.
It was also at that instant that Lin Shiming's eyes snapped open.
Seeing the withered yellow grass, he felt desolation, bloodshed, defiance!
It was clearly the grass from his visions!
Lin Shiming was tremendously shocked, and around him, the Sword Intent once again became torrentially oppressive, squeezing in around him.
He never expected this to happen, even though he had stopped at the twenty-seventh step.
At this moment, the pressure of death rendered his mind unusually clear.
He lifted his hand, and suddenly four Supreme Grade magical swords appeared in it.
His limit was three Supreme Grade magical swords, but at this moment, he couldn't care less. He had to use all his strength.
A drop of millennium spirit milk once again dripped into his mouth.
There was no time for the War Treasure Ship, the Spirit Shield and attacks he alone could form were only at the level of the late Third Rank.
Unless he could control six puppets and three late-stage Third Rank Demonic Beasts within a single breath, and have them take their places aboard the War Treasure Ship.
But how was that possible, unless prepared in advance, it would take at least three breaths!
Under the oppression of death, to say nothing of three breaths, even one breath didn't feel like enough!
Three Spirit Platforms were furiously operating, and at this moment, he didn't even care about attacks coming from the Soul Summoning Sword.
If he didn't choose to strike with his sword now, he felt.
He would die!
It was also at this moment that he felt death closer than ever before.
The Sword Path Grass Seed was also operating madly, all the Sword Intent pouring out.
Instantly, four Grass Swords formed the Heaven-Slaying Formation, charging at the withered yellow Sword Grass.
The next moment, the withered yellow Sword Grass disappeared without a trace.
Lin Shiming struck at nothing, and his Heaven-Slaying Sword Formation suddenly hit empty air.
The power of the Sword Formation ripped a massive vacuum in the darkness among the fog.
The rampant Sword Qi persisted for a long time.
He gasped for air heavily.
He felt like cursing out loud at the strangeness of this Sword Dao staircase, which was beyond his imagination.
Just now, he had felt the hand of death reaching for him.
Only he didn't know why, after he released the Heaven-Slaying Sword Formation, the withered yellow grass disappeared.
As Sword Intent was depleted, Lin Shiming had no choice but to sit cross-legged and continue recovering.
But as soon as he recovered a little, he rose to his feet again.
This place was no longer safe. At this moment, all he wanted was to take the Fourth Rank Magical Treasure and leave.
He looked towards the nearby Sword Mountain. The Fourth Rank Magical Treasures here were already at the peak of the Inferior Grade, much stronger than the Twin Swords Treasure they had previously obtained and the gold brick Magical Treasure gleaned from the Purple Mansion Cave Mansion.
Without hesitation, he crossed the Sword Dao staircase and walked toward the side of Sword Mountain.
But as soon as he stepped into Sword Mountain, he saw scenes of black fog before him.
When the fog cleared again, he found himself standing before a palace.