175 Heavenly Sword Astral Soul
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"Astral Sea Manifestation?!"
Cora exclaimed in shock as the golden light emitted from Arthur's body entered the ethereal portal above him and vanished in an instant.
A sense of weightlessness overcame Arthur, his consciousness untethered from the physical realm.
What awaited him was a surreal experience that he never expected to encounter at this point in time.
In the space that stretched beyond imagination, Arthur found himself surrounded by stars of diverse constellations.
Each constellation held its unique form – some resembled weapons, others animals, and a few were shapeless and enigmatic. Among them, humanoid-shaped constellations dotted the cosmic expanse.
Arthur's realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. He had entered what was known as the Astral Sea Realm.
This realm was accessible only to Immortal Cultivators who had ascended to the highest echelons of the immortal worlds in the upper realms.
It was here that they embarked on the journey to acquire an Astral Soul, a new martial spirit that was born from profound comprehension of the Dao and elevated soul cultivation levels.
The concept was not unfamiliar to Arthur. He had the soul power required for the process, but the gaps in his memories had left him devoid of the necessary Dao comprehension.
Yet, in this moment, the soul gem had seemingly harnessed this encounter to initiate the process on his behalf.
Stunned by the realization, Arthur felt a myriad of constellations attempting to establish contact with him.
However, he disregarded their beckoning, focusing his attention on the one constellation that resonated with his very being.
He stood at the threshold of the 1st Astral River of the Astral Sea.
Here, the Astral Souls were not of the caliber he sought.
Determined to ascend, he moved forward, traversing each level of the Astral River with a determined purpose.
With every step, Arthur felt a different aura enveloping him, each Astral Soul unique in its essence.
He saw constellations shaped like ancient beasts, towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and even celestial fruits that seemed to shimmer with ethereal energy.
As he progressed to the 2nd Astral River, he encountered Astral Souls that mirrored the form of ancient artifacts – swords, armor, and even musical instruments that resonated with cosmic melodies.
The 3rd Astral River brought him to constellations resembling mythical creatures – phoenixes with wings ablaze, serpents coiled around stars, and majestic dragons whose presence seemed to vibrate with power.
In the 4th Astral River, he was surrounded by constellations resembling sprawling landscapes – serene forests, towering mountains, and endless oceans that exuded a tranquil yet overwhelming energy.
The 5th Astral River introduced him to constellations that embodied abstract concepts – swirling vortexes, enigmatic scrolls, and even fragmented mirrors that seemed to reflect hidden truths.
Moving on to the 6th Astral River, he encountered Astral Souls in the form of luminous gemstones, each radiating a different hue – sapphire, emerald, ruby, and more. Their brilliance illuminated the cosmic space around him.
The 7th Astral River revealed constellations that mirrored sentient beings, with humanoid forms adorned with regal attire, carrying scepters of authority, and exuding an aura of grandeur.
Yet, as he advanced to the 8th Astral River, he noticed a shift.
The constellations here seemed less interested in making contact. Their energies were distinct, yet they remained aloof, as if they had sensed his purpose surpassed their significance.
And then came the 9th Astral River, the apex of the Astral Sea Realm. Arthur felt an immense obstruction as he attempted to progress further.
But it was at this critical juncture that the soul gem's power surged, an aura that seemed to dissolve barriers.
Empowered by this surge, Arthur's presence shattered through the obstruction, propelling him into the highest echelon of the Astral Sea.
It was a level of existence that few ever reached, and he was led by an instinctual pull, a guiding force that he couldn't ignore.
The constellations around him changed, becoming more potent, more intricate. They seemed to pulse with energy that resonated with his very soul, inviting him to choose his path.
But Arthur's senses honed in on a particular constellation – a sword.
It was not just any sword; it radiated an energy that was both ancient and unfathomable.
The constellation's presence was overwhelming, drawing him in like a beacon.
'This should be an effect of the Heavenly Dao Sword,' he thought.
'For it to be here makes it the only one of a kind.'
All Astral Souls of the 9th Astral River have no duplicates and can only be possessed by one individual, and unless that individual dies there will never be another one like it in the 9th Astral River.
As he focused on the sword constellation, a connection formed.
He felt an echo within him, a sense of familiarity that transcended the barriers of space and time.
It was as if this constellation held a piece of his forgotten memories, a key to unlock his true potential.
The sword constellation seemed to vibrate with approval, its energy intertwining with his.
Arthur's consciousness became enshrouded by its essence, as if he was merging with the very concept it represented – the art of the sword, a symbol of power, precision, and indomitable will.
In this astral expanse, Arthur found himself on the precipice of revelation.
The constellation's energy pulsed around him, igniting a spark within his core.
He sensed that he stood at the threshold of an immense breakthrough, one that he had expected to get when he leaves the Heavenly Sword Realm.
Arthur remembered a saying from his time on Earth, "I guess Christmas came early, huh...hehe."
With this Arthur knew that as long as he wants he can easily breakthrough to the nest realm of the Sword Dao.
'Even Martial Emperor Realm sword practitioners are not certain to be on that level.'
As Arthur stood before the constellation, a profound sense of connection enveloped him.
It was as if the essence of the sword constellation resonated with his very soul, forging an inexplicable bond between them.
And then, a surge of energy rippled through him.
The sword essence of the Heavenly Dao Sword, which had been absorbed within him, suddenly manifested.
It pulsed like a heartbeat, resonating with the energy of the sword constellation before him.
It was a moment of revelation. Arthur realized that the sword essence he carried within him was not just a power to wield, but a key to assimilate with this particular Astral Soul.
Driven by this realization, Arthur summoned his soul perception, he intertwined this perception with the heavenly Dao sword essence, forming a bridge of connection between himself and the constellation.
The process was delicate, a dance of energies that required finesse and focus.
With each passing moment, Arthur's connection with the sword constellation deepened.
Guided by the harmony between his soul perception and the sword essence, Arthur meticulously nurtured the connection.
He controlled the flow of energy, gradually amplifying it, until a profound resonance enveloped him.
And then, as if a cosmic puzzle piece falling into place, the sword constellation began to respond.
Its radiant energy pulsed in tandem with his efforts, converging in a symphony of power.
Arthur's perception expanded, encompassing the very essence of the constellation.
In this astral expanse, time seemed to hold no sway as he delicately manipulated the energies around him.
The bond between him and the sword constellation intensified until it felt as if they were one.
With a final surge of determination, Arthur took a leap of faith. He allowed his soul perception to merge with the constellation's energy, drawing it into himself.
It was an act of unity, an embrace of cosmic forces that transcended mortal understanding.
The moment the connection was established, Arthur felt a surge of energy rush through him.
The sword constellation was absorbed into his very soul, imprinting itself upon his essence.
He felt the weight of its power, the legacy it carried, and the potential it held.
"The most powerful sword spirit... matchless under the heaven... equal to the ninth heavens...but seeks to go beyond."
Arthur smirked, "Don't worry, what you seek...only I in the world can grant it...to go beyond the heavens."
The newly acquired astral sword martial spirit seemed to agree with Arthur as he felt a tremble of excitement within him.
that carried the wisdom and strength of the cosmos.
22:57
And then, as quickly as it began, the connection shifted.
In that instant, he knew, the sword constellation had become a part of him, an extension of his being that carried the wisdom and strength of the cosmos.
And then, as quickly as it began, the connection shifted.
The soul gem, an artifact intertwined with his fate, reacted.
It sensed the transformation within his soul, a piece of the astral realm now integrated into his being.
In a seamless display of cosmic magic, the soul gem acted.
It took this fragment of Arthur's soul, now enriched with the essence of the sword constellation, and began its journey back to his physical body.
In the room where Arthur's body lay, Cora was caught in a whirlwind of astonishment.
The recent events had left her grappling with mysteries that seemed beyond mortal comprehension.
As she pondered the enigma that was Arthur, her attention was abruptly drawn to the scene before her.
Golden light pierced through Arthur's body from the portal, illuminating the room.
In an instant, the portal closed, leaving behind a lingering sense of wonder and mystique.
And just like that, the barrier that had held Arthur in its grip dissipated, releasing him from its hold.
His eyes fluttered open, and he slowly rose to his feet.
It was as if he had returned from a cosmic journey, his aura and presence transformed.
Cora's eyes widened as she observed Arthur's awakening. It was a sight that seemed almost surreal, as if she had witnessed the convergence of worlds.
As Arthur's gaze met Cora's, a faint smile graced his lips, "What's it my dear maid. You look like you want to stare into my very soul."
Cora woke up from her thoughts and looked at Arthur silently without replying. She realised tha she might have to take Arthur more seriously than before.
'If what just happened is what I really think happened, then I can get recover my strength and find my sister much faster,' she thought.
But then she remembers that Arthur could sense her thoughts due to the slave seal and changed her thoughts.
'Although he said he wouldn't use it to view what I think.'
"Hey, Cora... Earth to Cora...are you there?"
"What?.."
"Oh you are back... thought I lost you there for a minute," Arthur chuckled.
'She sure got startled huh?'
"Hmph! You are enjoying this aren't you?"
"Of course, making you shocked is becoming one of my favourite activities now, hehe."
'He is doing that thing he calls trolling right?' Cora thought.
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