His entire robe was stained with blood. Dense, numerous wounds revealed his stark white bones and his organs, which had been ground to shreds. A clear, penetrating wound had also appeared between his eyebrows.
Moreover, his Soul Sea and Soul Body had also suffered heavy damage.
"This sword cultivator's strength was so great, yet he was beaten to such a state," Ye Yunfei thought to himself with internal shock. "It shows just how terrifying the enemy's strength must be."
When this middle-aged man had first appeared, Ye Yunfei already knew he was likely no match for him. Unexpectedly, this middle-aged man was now beaten so miserably, on the verge of falling completely. It also indicated that if Ye Yunfei himself had participated in this battle, he would be no match for those enemies invading the Sword Realm either.
"Young man, you bear the inheritance of our Sword Realm. Whether you are a denizen of our Sword Realm, or merely acquired our Sword Realm's legacy in another world outside, you count as a successor of our Sword Realm. You have a responsibility to avenge our Sword Realm."
Just as Ye Yunfei was watching the various scenes before him, the middle-aged man who had been beaten until his body was covered in wounds suddenly turned slowly and looked at Ye Yunfei, speaking these words.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but be greatly astonished.
"Senior, can you see my existence? Senior, I thought you were just an illusion engraved in this space," Ye Yunfei cautiously asked.
"Young man, the scenes you see within this longsword were left behind by me in the past. What is speaking with you now is a Soul Power Imprint of mine. You cultivate the sword art inheritance of our Sword Realm, therefore you belong to the successors of our Sword Realm.
What you saw earlier was the scene when our Sword Realm suffered an invasion by powerful enemies.
In those days, the Blade Realm united with a large number of powerful foes and launched a sneak attack, suddenly assaulting our Sword Realm and catching us completely unprepared. Furthermore, traitors appeared within our own Sword Realm, collaborating from the inside with the outside force. Thus, in the end, our Sword Realm suffered severe losses. I, too, perished in that battle.
Young man, I gift this longsword to you. Some sword art inheritances hidden within the sword are also given to you. However, you must promise that you will avenge our Sword Realm if given the opportunity in the future, and even rebuild our Sword Realm.
Apart from the sword arts within this longsword, within the Sword Realm itself, I left behind the authentic, orthodox Sword Realm inheritance. Therefore, you must find an opportunity to travel to the Sword Realm. If you can obtain the sword art inheritance I left in the Sword Realm, I believe with your talent you will certainly become an exceptional sword cultivator. In the future, you will have the chance to avenge our Sword Realm, rebuild it, and restore the Sword Realm to its former glory."
The middle-aged man gazed at Ye Yunfei as he spoke slowly.
"So that's how it is." Upon hearing the man's words, Ye Yunfei focused his perception and discovered that this middle-aged man currently speaking to him was indeed a Soul Power Imprint. The scenes he had witnessed were simply images engraved within the internal space of the longsword.
"Senior, the sword path legacy I cultivate does indeed come from the Sword Realm, so by that measure, I am half a person of the Sword Realm. In the future, should the opportunity arise and I possess sufficient strength, I will endeavor to avenge the Sword Realm," Ye Yunfei said after thinking for a moment upon hearing the middle-aged man's words.
In fact, when Ye Yunfei previously encountered the subordinate of Jian Shenzi, he had already promised him to find time to visit the Sword Realm. Ye Yunfei had long considered himself a successor of Jian Shenzi, and Jian Shenzi was hailed as one of the top ten sword cultivators of the Sword Realm. If the Sword Realm was truly destroyed by an invasion of powerful enemies, then as Jian Shenzi's successor, avenging it in the future, should the chance come, would be his duty.
Thus, after a moment of reflection, Ye Yunfei agreed directly.
"Excellent. Now I will unseal the sword path legacy concealed within this longsword and pass it on to you." Seeing Ye Yunfei nod in agreement, the middle-aged man's attitude towards him became even more enthusiastic. He then formed hand seals and pushed them forward.
With a rumble, the longsword trembled slightly. Ye Yunfei then saw numerous sword art inheritances continuously emerge within the sword's internal space.
"Young man, this Soul Power Imprint of mine contains some of my insights and experiences regarding the sword path from my life. Now, this Soul Power Imprint of mine will self-destruct. Then, the sword path energy, sword path laws, and all the insights and experiences related to sword arts contained within this imprint will merge into your sword path cultivation, becoming a part of it. This longsword also serves as a meeting gift from me to you."
Having said this to Ye Yunfei, there was a *bang*, and this Soul Power Imprint of his directly exploded.
"Senior, no!" Upon hearing the man's words, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but exclaim in shock. To pass on the sword legacy to him, this senior was willing to self-destruct his own Soul Power Imprint. This was too great a favor.
"Do not worry, young man. The Soul Power Imprints I left behind are not limited to this one. Practice the sword arts well. You are one of the hopes for our Sword Realm's future resurgence."
The middle-aged man left these final words before completely vanishing.
Immediately, Ye Yunfei sensed a tremendous amount of sword path energy, sword path laws, and various insights and experiences related to sword arts continuously merging into his body, becoming a part of his sword path cultivation.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei felt his sword path cultivation rise by a significant margin.
"Next, I should start comprehending the sword art inheritances hidden within this longsword." Ye Yunfei looked at the sword path inheritances floating within the sword's internal space and spoke softly. Then, Ye Yunfei's Soul Force Energy began to perceive and comprehend the sword path legacies inside the longsword.
He did not know how much time had passed before Ye Yunfei finally finished comprehending all the sword path inheritances within the longsword.
"They are indeed legacies from the same origin as Myriad Swords Return to One Great Art," Ye Yunfei murmured. Although the sword art inheritances hidden within this longsword were several different sword techniques, they belonged to the same lineage as the Myriad Swords Return to One Great Art.
"Now, let's refine this longsword." Ye Yunfei looked at the longsword floating before him. Originally, there was a Soul Power Imprint within the sword, but now it no longer existed. Therefore, Ye Yunfei could now refine the longsword, making it completely his own.
Thus, Ye Yunfei began refining the longsword. Time flew within the Phantom Tower. Finally, Ye Yunfei succeeded in refining the longsword before him.
With a soft *hum*, the longsword trembled gently, began to fly around Ye Yunfei's body, and then landed in Ye Yunfei's palm.
"Now, relying on my sword arts and this longsword, if I encounter those six Sovereign Gods again, I should be able to unleash myself and fight a proper battle," Ye Yunfei said confidently, grasping the sword in his hand, his body surrounded by dense clusters of dazzling sword light.