Outside the valley.
Several powerful auras surged through the air. Three belonged to the Innate Realm, accompanied by as many as a hundred from the Postnatal Realm. It was as if all the experts in Jianghai City had been drawn here.
Naturally, this commotion did not escape Qin Yang's senses.
'Tsk, looks like everyone's here.'
Qin Yang raised an eyebrow and shook his head in exasperation. "Causing such a scene just by claiming a reward. What a hassle."
He had anticipated this situation, which was why he had specifically chosen a secluded valley for his 'unboxing'.
And yet.
He still ended up attracting a crowd, all flocking to him like moths to a flame.
'Whatever, it's no big deal. Besides, it's not like these guys can get in anyway.'
Unconcerned, Qin Yang continued to focus on integrating the Grandmaster Level Sword Intent.
With the power of this supreme Sword Intent, the entire valley was suffused with a chilling killing intent. Any of those lowly Postnatal Realm cultivators who dared enter would be sliced into ribbons.
It didn't matter how powerful you were in Jianghai City, whether you were a dragon or a tiger. Once you set foot in this valley, you'd better lie low and know your place.
This was the terrifying nature of the Grandmaster Level—the gap between realms was as vast as crossing mountains and seas.
'It's finally done.'
Qin Yang sat cross-legged in the middle of the valley, his focus sharp as he slowly exhaled.
Having fully absorbed the Grandmaster Level Sword Intent, his understanding of the Sword Dao had reached a new height.
A single leaf drifted down, carried by a gentle breeze until it swirled before him.
Qin Yang plucked the leaf from the air and casually flicked it toward the stone wall beside him.
WHOOSH!
That single leaf seemed to command a hundred others, forming a rushing torrent imbued with vast and turbulent Sword Intent that sank completely into the rock face.
Even without a sword in hand, anything in the world could serve as his blade.
This was the essence of Grandmaster Level Sword Intent!
"Awesome!"
The feeling of growing stronger allowed Qin Yang a moment of relaxation, but a sense of urgency quickly returned.
He hadn't finished absorbing his rewards yet.
Next up was the Emperor Level Martial Art, the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique. This was the real main event!
'Without comprehending Grandmaster Level Sword Intent, I would have forever remained an amateur, utterly incapable of grasping the fundamentals of an Emperor Level Martial Art.'
Qin Yang took a deep breath and began to channel his Sword Intent.
Once everything was in place...
He issued a command to the system.
'Begin comprehending the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique!'
The moment he gave the command.
HUM!
The Ziwei Divine Sword within Qin Yang's body seemed to sense something, letting out a clear, crisp ring.
Instantly, the daylight dimmed!
The valley's serene scenery transformed completely. The plants withered, the earth decayed, and the thick, pungent stench of blood assaulted his senses.
Qin Yang's expression turned grim as he scanned the horrifying scene. 'An illusion? Is this an illusion brought on by the comprehension process?!'
Beneath his feet was a mountain of corpses in a sea of blood. Sticky gore soaked the soil, making it feel like a swamp. The world had become a living Purgatory.
Then, he looked up and saw a figure in white robes standing before him.
The figure's face was obscured and unclear. His left hand held the scabbard of a longsword, while his right rested on the hilt, poised to strike. His aura was completely restrained, like the eerie calm before a thunderstorm.
Surrounding the man in white were countless demons!
An overwhelming horde of demons shrieked, trapping him at their center. They roared incessantly but didn't dare to advance, merely clawing at the ground in apprehension.
The bizarre contrast of the scene stunned Qin Yang for a moment.
'Who is besieging whom here?'
However, just as he was pondering this,
The next moment.
SHING!
The clear ring of a sword being drawn echoed like a dragon's cry!
'Here it comes!'
Qin Yang fixed his gaze on the White-robed Swordsman.
One sword was drawn, and the world shattered!
SCHLICK! SCHLICK! SCHLICK!
The sounds of tearing flesh were so constant they merged into a synchronized chorus. Countless deformed demonic heads flew into the air as a ceaseless rain of blood fell.
Killing intent!
A wave of killing intent, as vast as mountains and as powerful as the tide, erupted and instantly swept through the entire valley.
Outside the valley, everyone trembled uncontrollably. Some even collapsed to the ground, wetting themselves on the spot!
"That master has made his move!"
"Impossible... With such terrifying killing intent, just how powerful must the Star Beast inside be?!"
"I... I can't take it anymore! I'm getting out of here! Whoever wants the treasure can go for it! I'm fucking done with this!"
In an instant, the crowd gathered outside the valley scattered like startled birds.
"Elder Li... wh-what in the world is going on?"
The Library's Hall Master suppressed the fear in his heart, struggling to remain calm as he nervously questioned the dean at his side.
But as he turned his head, he noticed that the old dean's face was streaked with tears.
'Was he scared to tears?!'
'No...'
Then, the Hall Master realized it was an expression of someone weeping with overwhelming joy.
"My whole life, I have been obsessed with the Sword Dao. I have roamed the world, seeking teachings from countless masters of the art, and now... I have finally sensed it..."
Elder Li gazed at the distant valley, tears welling in his eyes, and murmured, "...An Emperor Level Sword Dao Martial Art."
Hearing this, the Hall Master was instantly enlightened.
Elder Li's mastery of the Sword Dao surpassed the other two at the Peak of the Innate Realm, allowing him to perceive far more of the Sword Intent.
And just now, the Sword Dao aura contained within that killing intent had actually moved a martial arts fanatic like Elder Li to tears!
At this thought, the Hall Master was deeply shaken and turned his gaze toward the valley alongside Elder Li.
"What kind of terrifying Star Beast could possibly force that senior to unleash such a devastatingly powerful technique?!"
...
"Phew..."
Back in the valley, Qin Yang, having completed his comprehension, let out a long breath of turbid air.
"Finally got that handled."
As the White-robed Swordsman drew his blade and cut down the heavens, all the illusions receded like the tide.
Every essential movement and every path of True Essence flow related to the 'Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique' was now integrated into Qin Yang's mind.
"This Emperor Level Martial Art is... absolutely terrifying!"
Qin Yang looked up and surveyed his surroundings.
Everywhere he looked, the valley was a chaotic mess of slash marks, the rock walls cruelly ravaged.
All of this was the terrifying result of him unconsciously channeling his Sword Intent through the surrounding weeds and dead leaves during the comprehension process.
'I'm getting a little tired.'
Qin Yang yawned. Comprehending an Emperor Level Martial Art had consumed a tremendous amount of his mental and spiritual energy.
Next, all that remained was the final reward: fifty years of Cultivation to be absorbed.
But now, Qin Yang's earlier excitement had faded.
After all, having witnessed the sheer presence of the man who drew the sword, the so-called Innate Realm seemed like nothing more than a frog in a well by comparison.
There were far greater realms of power beyond. As a true man born into this world, how could he be content to languish beneath others for long?!
"Damn System, absorb the fifty years of Cultivation already! Hurry up, I want to go home!"
Qin Yang stretched and pushed himself up from the ground.
As he did, fifty years of Cultivation poured into his body.
In a single step, he broke through to the Peak of the Innate Realm!
His work accomplished, Qin Yang yawned and slipped away quietly.
...
「Two hours later.」
With Qin Yang gone, the oppressive killing intent he had released had finally dissipated for the most part.
"Come, Hall Master, follow me inside and let's take a look."
Elder Li, who had been waiting for an opportunity outside the valley, spoke in a low voice, addressing the remaining experts from Jianghai City. "That master's aura has faded. It seems he has truly left. Those who are brave enough, follow me."
The moment he finished speaking, he darted forward, eagerly entering the valley.
The other experts from Jianghai City exchanged glances before finally following close behind him.
As they entered the valley, the crowd was immediately stunned by the sight before them.
High cliffs loomed over them, covered in a clear, crisscrossing network of deep gashes. Sword Intent still flowed through the air, and the immense Sword Qi had become the mountain wind itself.
It had been transformed into a sacred ground of the Sword Dao!