Chapter 241: Chapter 240: Ting Xiao
A magnificent, breathtaking Sword Light illuminated the world. A long, high-pitched sword cry resounded through the void. The moment Qin Ya touched the Spiritual Artifact, a shocking change occurred.
"A familiar aura."
Just then, an ancient voice suddenly echoed in Qin Ya’s ear. His mind jolted, and the world around him rapidly faded away, replaced by a roiling sea of dark clouds lit by flashing thunder and lightning. Coiled atop this Cloud Sea was an Exotic Beast.
The Exotic Beast had four legs, each treading upon a cluster of clouds. Its massive head resembled that of a dragon, its eyes glowed with purple light, and arcs of lightning occasionally leaped across its pair of gray antlers. It exuded an aura of sheer dominance and power.
Staring at the Exotic Beast before him, a strange light glinted in Qin Ya’s eyes.
’A Thunder Beast!’
The Thunder Beast was an extremely rare type of Exotic Beast, born with the innate ability to control lightning. Among all beasts, they were one of the few powerful enough to rival the Dragon Race.
However, Thunder Beasts had rarely been seen in the Azure Sky Realm for a long time.
"Oh? You recognize a Thunder Beast? You’re quite knowledgeable, aren’t you?"
The Thunder Beast’s voice rumbled like rolling thunder.
"But you’ve guessed wrong. I am merely a Sword Spirit. I only take this form because I was tempered with the blood essence of a Thunder Beast when the sword was forged."
The Thunder Beast—no, the Sword Spirit—spoke faintly, "I have slept for a long time. The world outside has changed beyond recognition. But I never expected to feel a familiar aura from you today... an aura that seems to come from the same era as me..."
’The same era?’
Qin Ya’s expression shifted slightly. His Soul was indeed from ten thousand years ago. ’Could this sword also be a product of that time? No wonder it reacted to me.’
"Junior, let me ask you, have you received some kind of inheritance?"
The Sword Spirit slowly rose from the Cloud Sea, lightning dancing around its body. Treading on the mist, it came to a stop less than three steps from Qin Ya, its voice rumbling like muffled thunder as it spoke.
"Replying to Senior Sword Spirit, I have indeed received the inheritance of a senior from ten thousand years ago who called himself the Pill Venerable," Qin Ya said calmly after a moment of thought.
"The Pill Venerable? Qin Ya... Now that is a name from a distant past."
A hint of reminiscence appeared in the Sword Spirit’s lantern-sized eyes. It then said, "In our era, he was an incredibly famous figure. Although his Martial Arts Cultivation was weak, his Alchemy Skill was unfathomably profound. To have received his inheritance is a tremendous blessing. What is your name?"
"Qin Ya."
"Oh? The same name? What a coincidence."
The Sword Spirit didn’t think much of it. After all, the idea of someone from ten thousand years ago being reborn ten thousand years later was simply too fantastical. Not even a Saint could fathom such a thing.
"I suppose you and I are fated to meet. Moreover, I can see your Talent is astonishing; you’ve already reached the Extraordinary realm at such a young age. I ask you, are you willing to accept my inheritance?"
"Inheritance?"
Hearing this, a look of surprise appeared on Qin Ya’s face. He said, "I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Senior. I am not a Swordsman, and I fear I would be unable to unleash your full power. I imagine you would not wish to see that happen, either."
"Oh?"
The Sword Spirit’s bestial face showed its surprise. "Do you have any idea who my former master was? Ten thousand years ago, he shook the world! The name of the Thunder Sword King was known by all. I followed my master for many years. Receiving my inheritance is the same as receiving the inheritance of the Thunder Sword King! Are you... not tempted?"
"The Thunder Sword King..." Qin Ya smiled faintly. He seemed to have a faint impression of this name from his distant memories. ’An Era-Defining King, I believe. His strength was unfathomable, and he was a renowned existence even in that era.’
The strength of an Era-Defining King was not something an ordinary King, like an Ancient King or Zong Ji, could ever compare to. Faced with such an inheritance, even a powerful Celestial Human would be moved beyond words. Even ordinary Kings would fight to the death for it.
"Replying to Senior, I am indeed tempted. However, I know that I am not suited for the Sword Dao. If I were to force myself to accept this inheritance, it would benefit neither of us."
The Sword Spirit gave Qin Ya a deep look. Then, the corner of its mouth twitched, and its bestial face broke into a smile. However, the smile on that beastly face looked rather ferocious.
"Hahaha."
The Sword Spirit laughed loudly. The dark clouds roiled, and thunder roared in fury. Waves of sound battered Qin Ya’s mind, making him uncomfortable. After a while, the laughter gradually subsided. Staring at Qin Ya, the spirit said, "To think that the first young man I meet after awakening would be so proud as to refuse my inheritance. Heh."
"Boy, I won’t force you to accept the inheritance any longer. How about this: let me stay by your side for a while and experience the sights of this new era. When we find someone suitable for my inheritance, you can pass me on to them. What do you say?"
Qin Ya thought for a moment, the corners of his lips curling up slightly. "That would be for the best. However, a King of this era found you in the Returning Ruins. With my current strength, I’m afraid it would be nigh impossible to take your sword-body from him. Senior, why not stay with that King? Wouldn’t that be better than staying with me?"
"Returning Ruins? A King?"
A flicker of confusion crossed the Sword Spirit’s eyes. Over the past ten thousand years, it had passed through the hands of several generations; it had no idea how it had ended up in the Returning Ruins. As for that King...
The Sword Spirit’s Divine Thought stirred, and the situation in the outside world instantly appeared in its mind. It said coolly, "Heh, just an ordinary King. If I don’t wish it, he couldn’t even touch my blade. Compared to following him, I think following you would be far more interesting. Your potential is extraordinary."
"As for how you’ll take me away, that will depend on your own abilities."
"Also, my name is... Ting Xiao!"
As its voice fell, the beast’s body faded away. The environment shifted, and Qin Ya found himself back at the banquet. The simple, ancient sword in his hand had also undergone a tremendous change.
A Sword Light shot straight to the Nine Heavens, and the aura of the sword body grew increasingly powerful.
Piece by piece, the rust flaked off the blade, replaced by a faint purple gleam. An unparalleled sharpness slowly emanated from the sword.
Everyone’s eyes went wide, nearly popping out of their sockets. Their expressions were utterly stunned as they let out hoarse gasps. "This... how is this possible!"
This young man had actually awakened the slumbering Sword Spirit!
How did this young man accomplish something that not even a King could do?
They had originally thought Qin Ya’s actions had triggered the Spiritual Artifact’s self-defense mechanism. They never imagined that not only was he completely unharmed, but he had even awakened the dormant Sword Spirit.
"What a terrifying edge! The power of a Spiritual Artifact is truly frightening."
"But how on earth did this kid do it? The moment he touched the Spiritual Artifact, it transformed, and even its Sword Spirit awakened because of him."
"Damn it, I wouldn’t believe this was a coincidence even if you beat me to death."
"An Extraordinary Martial Artist who hasn’t even reached adulthood, yet he can awaken a Sword Spirit that even a King was powerless against. This boy has quite a few secrets."
The Sword Light gradually receded. The long-sealed Spiritual Artifact had finally revealed its true form after ten thousand years. A magnificent Sword Qi soared into the sky, causing dark clouds to gather and thunder to roil. Faintly, the roar of an Exotic Beast could be heard bellowing at the Azure Sky.
Waves of light flowed over the faint purple blade. At the hilt, where it met the guard, was the head of an Exotic Beast with antlers and the features of a dragon. Its faint purple eyes seemed to flash with a domineering aura that looked down on all creation. The longsword radiated a boundless sharpness, occasionally mixed with arcs of crackling lightning. Just looking at it made everyone’s eyes sting and a numbing sensation spread through them, leaving their minds profoundly shaken.
Qin Ya slowly raised the longsword. On it were carved two words... Ting Xiao!
