"So that was how it was."
Ye Yunfei's Soul Power level was exceptionally powerful. With just a slight sensing, he roughly skimmed through the stream of information the white-robed elder had transmitted into his Soul Sea. He now understood why so many sword cultivators had been in an injured or poisoned state before the Tianjian Sect was invaded by powerful enemies.
It turned out there was a core Elder within the Tianjian Sect who had betrayed them. This core Elder held a high position and great authority and had cultivated a large group of trusted followers.
This core Elder and his followers had schemed within the Tianjian Sect headquarters for a long time, employing various despicable methods to injure or poison most of the sect's sword cultivators.
Precisely at the moment the powerful enemies invaded, many potent Formations traps, restrictions, or various poison mists within the Tianjian Sect headquarters erupted simultaneously, injuring numerous sword cultivators instantly. Before they could even begin to heal, the powerful enemies descended from the sky.
Furthermore, another reason was that a large number of the core Elder's followers existed within the Tianjian Sect. When the external enemies invaded, these internal traitors also struck simultaneously, attacking their fellow disciples.
Since it was an ambush launched by their own people from the Sword Realm, a considerable number of the Tianjian Sect's sword cultivators were injured before they could even react.
It was precisely because of these reasons that when the powerful enemies invaded, the overall strength of the Tianjian Sect had already been weakened by more than half.
Several of the Tianjian Sect's most top-tier experts were injured by that core Elder through ambush. The core Elder himself was one of the Tianjian Sect's most powerful experts, and having schemed meticulously for so long, the sudden betrayal caused devastating harm.
Moreover, this core Elder had always enjoyed great respect and esteem throughout the Tianjian Sect. No one in the entire sect was on guard against him.
"Alright, you must leave the Sword Realm quickly. Otherwise, you will draw attention."
The white-robed elder spoke to Ye Yunfei again.
"Grand-Teacher, will I be targeted by powerful enemies even while I'm inside the Sword Realm?"
Ye Yunfei asked.
"Although our Sword Realm was shattered and nearly annihilated in the war back then, a portion of sword cultivators managed to escape.
The few hostile factions have been continuously hunting down the remaining sword cultivators. Moreover, the ruins of our Sword Realm are perpetually monitored by those powerful forces.
In the past, there were sword cultivators who survived and secretly returned to the Sword Realm. But as a result, they were discovered and brutally hunted down."
The white-robed elder sighed and said.
"Those fellows are truly overbearing!"
After hearing the white-robed elder's words, a surge of anger instantly rose within Ye Yunfei's chest.
Having received the legacy of the Tianjian Sect and absorbed the vast amount of Sword Energy and Sword Laws within this Sword Realm, Ye Yunfei had long considered himself part of this world. Thus, he deeply empathized with the suffering experienced by the Sword Realm's members.
"No need to rush. With your current strength, you are not yet able to confront the formidable enemies our Sword Realm faces.
Just focus on leaving quickly. When you possess sufficient power in the future, you can face those fellows then."
The white-robed elder glanced at Ye Yunfei and urged.
"I will remember your counsel, Grand-Teacher,"
Ye Yunfei replied respectfully.
Then Ye Yunfei bowed to the white-robed elder, and with a flash, he appeared by Zhou Wanqing's side.
At this moment, Zhou Wanqing was still in the state of cultivation.
In the space surrounding her body, a massive amount of Sword Energy and Sword Laws had gathered. Even on her delicate form, radiant Sword Lights began to bloom one after another.
"It seems she has also gained something."
Sensing Zhou Wanqing's aura, Ye Yunfei found that her swordsmanship level had improved significantly compared to before.
However, this was only natural. This was the Sword Realm, saturated with dense Sword Energy and Sword Laws. Even a generic being entering this place could improve their swordsmanship if they had decent talent and comprehension.
"Young Master Ye, your cultivation has ended."
Zhou Wanqing immediately sensed Ye Yunfei's arrival, opened her eyes, and asked.
"Yes, my cultivation has concluded.
It seems Lady Zhou's harvest is not insignificant either."
Ye Yunfei nodded and said with a smile.
"Indeed, my swordsmanship level has risen a great deal, which counts as a harvest. However, my gains pale in comparison to Young Master Ye's."
Zhou Wanqing recalled the various grand, sword-related phenomena when Ye Yunfei was cultivating and spoke.
"Lady Zhou, we need to leave now. If we continue staying in the Sword Realm, we will likely face danger."
Ye Yunfei said.
"Danger?"
Zhou Wanqing was taken aback by Ye Yunfei's words.
Because since entering the Sword Realm, she hadn't encountered any significant dangers. Especially now that her swordsmanship had improved, she felt much more free and comfortable within this Sword Realm.
"Yes.
Lady Zhou, please trust me. If we continue lingering in the Sword Realm, there is a high chance we will encounter terrible danger."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Alright then, Young Master Ye. I trust you."
Zhou Wanqing originally wanted to stay longer in the Sword Realm to explore for treasures or cultivate for a while. But after spending time with Ye Yunfei, she knew he wouldn't exaggerate dangers without cause. Since he said so, it was highly likely true.
"Lady Zhou, these are some of the things I gained within the Sword Realm. I'll give some to you, as well as a sword technique that seems suitable for you."
Ye Yunfei waved a hand, sending a spatial ring floating in front of Zhou Wanqing.
This spatial ring contained some cultivation resources related to swords.
Previously, the Tianjian Sect's Sect Leader had gifted Ye Yunfei a spatial ring. That ring was of a very high grade, containing a vast internal space and filled with many cultivation resources left behind by the ancient Tianjian Sect. Ye Yunfei had selected some to gift to Zhou Wanqing.
At the same time, Ye Yunfei pointed a finger, transmitting the inheritance of a sword technique comparatively suitable for female cultivation directly into Zhou Wanqing's Soul Sea.
Having received the legacy of the Tianjian Sect, which was a major faction of the ancient Sword Realm, Ye Yunfei now possessed knowledge of many powerful sword techniques. He merely selected one to impart to Zhou Wanqing. After all, she had accompanied him to the Sword Realm; he couldn't let her return empty-handed.
"These items are too precious!"
Zhou Wanqing sensed the spatial ring Ye Yunfei had sent before her and immediately showed an expression of shock.
These items inside were the ancient cultivation resources of the Tianjian Sect, given to Ye Yunfei personally by the Tianjian Sect's Sect Leader. They were naturally of high grade and immensely valuable.
For latecomers like Zhou Wanqing, such cultivation resources related to swordsmanship were immensely precious, an opportunity rarely encountered.
Moreover, there were several longswords inside that belonged to high-level magical treasures. Zhou Wanqing took one look and fell in love with them.
"It's alright, Lady Zhou. Please accept them. I still have more."
Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you, Young Master Ye.
Truth be told, I feel ashamed. After entering the Sword Realm, my Wood Attribute energy and cultivation techniques were severely suppressed. Even my perception was suppressed, so I couldn't be of any help to you, Young Master Ye. Instead, I became a burden, relying on your protection.
Now Young Master Ye is gifting me so many precious things. I truly feel unworthy."
Zhou Wanqing said.
"Lady Zhou, there's no need for such courtesy. Let's hurry and leave this place now."
Ye Yunfei replied with a smile.
Then Ye Yunfei soared into the air, shooting towards the edge of the Sword Realm. Zhou Wanqing quickly followed behind.
After receiving the legacy of the Tianjian Sect, Ye Yunfei felt a sense of complete freedom within the Sword Realm. Each step he took was perfectly harmonious with the surrounding space—specifically, harmonizing with the Sword Energy and Sword Laws in the space around him. Consequently, his speed was astonishing. In an instant, he reached the border of the Sword Realm.
Zhou Wanqing's speed lagged far behind, but Ye Yunfei employed his own Sword Energy and Sword Laws to envelop her, instantly accelerating her speed so she could keep up with him.
Ahead was the passageway through which Ye Yunfei and Zhou Wanqing had originally entered.
However, just as Ye Yunfei and Zhou Wanqing were preparing to leave the Sword Realm…
In a different void far away in the Boundless Void, within a world saturated with endless blade-shadows, a figure who had been in secluded cultivation for an unknown span of years abruptly opened its eyes. Within those pupils, a fleeting image of myriad worlds being shattered under the edge of a blade flashed by.
"Hmm?
The ruins of the Sword Realm… such a pure and powerful newborn Sword Intent has emerged? It has even stirred the lingering sword spirit of that old fellow from the Tianjian Sect."
This figure frowned slightly, as its formidable Soul Power instantly spanned the endless void towards the direction of the Sword Realm.
"It turns out a youngster has entered the ruins of the Sword Realm and obtained the Tianjian Sect's legacy.
And it seems this youngster's swordsmanship talent isn't half bad.
No, such a seed must not be left for the Sword Realm. All hope for the Sword Realm must be completely eradicated.
Even if this kid won't amount to much in the future, I cannot let him remain."
Soon, this entity's Soul Power locked onto Ye Yunfei, who was currently within the Sword Realm. Then, killing intent surged violently within its eyes.
"To deal with such a character, a single projection, severing him across Realms, will suffice!"
After perceiving Ye Yunfei's aura for a moment, the figure slowly declared.
Then it brought its fingers together like a blade and slowly swept them downwards across the void before it.
A concentrated, razor-sharp grey blade radiance, infused with a portion of its origin blade intent and energy, tore through the void. Disregarding the obstacles of space and distance, it appeared directly above the Sword Realm as if teleporting.
The moment this projected blade radiance manifested, the entire ruined Sword Realm trembled, the winds and clouds changing.
A destructive, terrifying blade intent, one that made the entire Sword Realm shudder violently, descended, its target squarely focused on Ye Yunfei!
"Remnants of the Sword Realm, you deserve to be executed!"
A majestic voice, like the judgment of heaven, echoed throughout the Sword Realm.
The grey blade radiance descended towards Ye Yunfei like a punishment of world-ending proportions.
Before the blade radiance even arrived, its terrifying pressure had completely sealed and solidified the space around Ye Yunfei, leaving him with no room to escape!
"No!
It seems to be a powerful being from the Blade Realm!"
Zhou Wanqing instantly turned pale, for she had some understanding of the various feuds and past history between the Sword Realm and Blade Realm. She knew a Blade Realm expert was definitely making a move.
Hun Lao, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, and others were also greatly alarmed, for that grey blade radiance was simply too terrifying. Not only had it encompassed Ye Yunfei, but Hun Lao, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Hu Miao, and the others also felt incapable of moving. This power far exceeded anything they could contend against.
"Grand-Teacher was right. The Sword Realm is constantly monitored by the enemy factions. The moment sword cultivators of the Sword Realm appear, they are hunted down."
At this moment, Ye Yunfei felt a tingle on his scalp as the aura of death instantly enveloped his entire body.
However, Ye Yunfei would not just wait for death.
BOOM…
A surge of powerful Sword Energy soared skywards. Then, he drew his longsword, preparing for a desperate, life-or-death struggle.
However, in this critical moment...
"Damn it!
Scum of the Blade Realm, how dare you run amok in my Sword Realm!"
"Those who offend the Sword Realm, even if distant, shall be executed!"
"Remnant heroic spirits, follow me to battle once more!"
Enraged, tragic, yet resolute roars of fury suddenly erupted from various corners of the Sword Realm ruins.
Then, from the inverted broken swords, shattered peaks, and dried-up riverbeds, wisps of Sword Intent phantoms—some bright, others dim—rose into the air.