After returning to Black Tortoise Peak, Xuan Yi had just stepped into his courtyard when a clear and crisp system notification rang in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, you've completed the Sidequest and have received a reward.]
As soon as the system notification sounded, Xuan Yi's entire body trembled slightly. The next moment, a wave of surging spiritual energy erupted from within him, and he clearly felt his cultivation base undergo a drastic change!
In just an instant, he broke through two levels, reaching the early stage of the third level of the Nascent Soul Realm!
Xuan Yi's eyes flashed with astonishment. In terms of cultivation, he was now above Jian Nantian, the Sect Master of the Profound Sword Sect!
At the same time, in the depths of his sea of consciousness, an illustrious sword shadow slowly formed. It was illusory and light as if it could vanish with a mere breeze, yet it radiated a terrifyingly sharp aura.
Xuan Yi's breathing slightly trembled.
Sword Intent!
This ethereal sword shadow was a symbol — the embryonic birth of true Sword Intent!
He knew that as his comprehension of Sword Intent deepened, this sword shadow would gradually become more condensed, until it turned into a tangible existence.
Sword Intent was divided into nine levels, and each level would multiply one's combat strength several times over.
Above the Ninth Level of Sword Intent, there was the legendary Sword Realm — but Xuan Yi only knew a little about that. Even in ancient legends, those who could comprehend the Sword Realm were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns.
For now, merely comprehending the first level of Sword Intent was already a supreme opportunity, enough to place him at the peak of sword cultivation.
Opening his eyes, Xuan Yi stretched out his hand. A pure white longsword formed from sword qi instantly condensed in his palm. With a mere thought, a vast and mighty Sword Intent burst forth!
The air distorted, and the world seemed to tremble slightly.
"So strong!"
Xuan Yi's heart raced.
At this moment, he was confident that even if he faced a fourth or fifth level Nascent Soul Realm expert, he would not lose!
Of course, Xuan Yi was still cautious. He quickly suppressed his soaring excitement.
Although he had comprehended Sword Intent, it was better to stay humble. He could cross two major realms without fear, but facing cultivators three realms higher was another story — a significant challenge even for him.
After all, the higher one's cultivation, the harder it was to fight across realms.
When he was still at the Foundation Establishment stage, geniuses could fight four or five small realms above them. But now, in the Nascent Soul Realm, even crossing one realm was remarkable.
Before comprehending Sword Intent, even with his talent, Xuan Yi could only challenge slightly stronger cultivators at the same level. Afterward, though, he could fight beyond his cultivation.
This was the terrifying advantage of Sword Intent.
If Xuan Yi had comprehended the Sword Intent earlier, when he was only at the first level of Nascent Soul, he could have fought fourth-level Nascent Soul experts. Now, as a third-level Nascent Soul cultivator, fighting fifth-level Nascent Soul experts wouldn't be out of the question.
However, sixth-level Nascent Soul experts... that was still too far of a reach for now.
"The system is indeed extraordinary. It let me skip the embryonic stage and directly comprehend Sword Intent!" Xuan Yi couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
Ordinary sword cultivators, before comprehending true Sword Intent, would always first grasp the embryonic form of Sword Intent — a blurry, half-formed state between comprehension and enlightenment.
Even then, the embryonic form was extremely rare.
In the surrounding kingdoms, like the Heavenly Wind Kingdom, although few comprehended true Sword Intent, there were still many who managed to grasp its embryonic form.
Those who mastered the embryonic form enjoyed a small but real increase in combat strength.
It wasn't much compared to real Sword Intent, but when two evenly matched opponents fought, the one with the embryonic Sword Intent would almost always win.
However, even among those who comprehended the embryonic form, few ever truly stepped into Sword Intent.
It was said that out of a thousand who touched the embryonic form, not even one would manage to comprehend true Sword Intent.
This was why countless sword cultivators yearned for Sword Intent but ultimately failed.
Just as Xuan Yi was reflecting, another system prompt echoed in his mind.
[Ding! A side quest was triggered: Have a disciple with more than 200 aptitude points. Mission reward: Upgrade host by one level, comprehend the second level of Sword Intent!]
Xuan Yi's eyes lit up.
A disciple with more than 200 aptitude points!
It was not an easy goal, but it was not out of reach either — especially considering his newly accepted disciple, Gui Yiyi.
Moreover, the reward this time was extremely generous: not just a boost of one level in cultivation but also comprehension of the second level of Sword Intent!
Xuan Yi took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his chest.
The boost in strength from the first level of Sword Intent had already been astonishing. If he could break through to the second level… Xuan Yi couldn't even imagine how terrifying his combat power would become!
At that moment, a voice came from outside the Black Tortoise Peak courtyard.
"Junior Sister Gui, please follow me to see Elder Xuan."
The Gui family had arrived at Black Tortoise Peak, escorted by two inner sect disciples of the Profound Sword Sect.
Upon reaching the entrance, the two disciples, wearing the robes symbolizing their inner sect status, respectfully turned to Gui Yiyi and gestured for her to proceed.
Their faces carried warm, polite smiles, and their tone was extremely deferential — causing Gui Yiyi, who had grown up humble in the Gui family, to feel a little flattered and overwhelmed.
Although these two were inner sect disciples, figures who would be considered small elites in the outside world, right now, they were treating her — a new disciple — with such respect.
Gui Yiyi tightened her grip on her small bag, nodded earnestly, and followed behind the two disciples, her heart beating nervously as she stepped forward towards her destiny.
Inside the courtyard, sensing their arrival, Xuan Yi slowly stood up, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Gui Yiyi," he muttered to himself, his eyes shining brightly, "I wonder what surprises you'll bring me."
Outside, the mountain breeze blew gently, rustling the robes of the approaching figures, as a new chapter quietly began.