Chapter 386 - 385: A Promotion for the Sword Spirit

Without explaining himself, Lin Yuan raised his right hand. The space before his palm rippled, and a familiar golden radiance emerged from the distortion. A moment later, the sound of metal leaving its sheath rang through the air as the Human Emperor Sword materialized in his grasp.

The blade was long and elegant, its surface carrying the pure aura that had accompanied Lin Yuan through numerous battles. Golden-white spiritual Qi flowed along its edge, and beneath that light lay a dormant consciousness that had grown familiar with its master’s habits.

Lin Yuan had relied on the Human Emperor Sword during the earlier stages of the peerless God tournament. It had accompanied him through dangerous encounters and helped him overcome opponents whose cultivation surpassed his own.

However, his circumstances had changed considerably since then.

After establishing the Five Great Secret Realms and comprehending the Dao Fruit of Three Rebirths, Lin Yuan’s physical body, spiritual Qi, and understanding of the Dao had advanced to a level at which he could unleash devastating attacks without relying on a weapon. His techniques had also grown increasingly compatible with the laws he had comprehended, allowing him to fight with his bare hands more effectively than before.

As a result, the Human Emperor Sword had gradually become an overlooked companion.

Lin Yuan tapped the flat of the blade twice with his fingers.

"Come out."

The sword immediately trembled.

A brilliant golden light burst from its surface, spreading outward like a miniature sun. The familiar pressure of the artifact filled the surrounding space, and a moment later, a small figure emerged from the radiance.

She appeared to possessed an ethereal, delicate beauty, but what immediately caught the attention of Bai Qingyue and Ku Ming were the nine fluffy, pure white fox tails fanned out behind her like a magnificent peacock’s display. Two soft, triangular fox ears twitched atop her head. When she opened her eyes, they revealed a startling, brilliant molten gold.

The instant she fully materialized, she placed her hands on her hips and glared at Lin Yuan.

"Finally!"

Her voice rang through the air with enough indignation to make even Ku Ming blink.

"I was beginning to think you had forgotten I existed! Do you have any idea how boring it is inside that sword? You haven’t called upon me since the Peerless God Tournament!"

She floated a few inches above the Golden Immortal Beast’s back, her cheeks puffing out as she continued her complaint.

"I am the sword spirit of the Sword that was wielded by the Human Emperor of the ancient era! I am a supreme artifact spirit, not some decorative ornament you keep inside your storage space! I should be tasting the blood of enemies, cutting through arrogant cultivators, and showing many what a true divine weapon can do!"

She pointed accusingly at Lin Yuan.

"Instead, you spend every battle punching people with your bare hands! What is the point of possessing a supreme sword if you refuse to use it? If you keep treating me this way, I might as well retire!"

Bai Qingyue stared at the floating girl in stunned silence.

For several breaths, she looked from the spirit to Lin Yuan and then back to the spirit, seemingly attempting to reconcile the fact that her husband had apparently been keeping such a lively companion hidden inside his sword.

"Yuan," she finally said, her voice carrying a trace of disbelief. "You have had a Sword Spirit this entire time?"

Lin Yuan turned toward her with an innocent expression.

"Yes."

"And you never mentioned her?"

"I did not think it was particularly important."

The girl’s eyes widened.

"Not important?!"

Her hair flared with spiritual light, and she nearly jumped out of the air in outrage.

"I am the spirit of the Human Emperor Sword! I have severed the karmic lines of Void Refinement experts! I have accompanied you through countless dangerous battles, and you dare to describe me as unimportant?"

Lin Yuan considered her words for a moment.

"Have you accompanied me through countless battles recently?"

The spirit froze.

Lin Yuan continued speaking in the same calm tone. "As I recall, you have spent most of your time resting inside the sword while I dealt with my enemies."

"That is because you refuse to draw me!"

"You have made your point."

"I have not finished making my point!"

"You have been making it for the past several breaths."

The spirit’s mouth opened, but no immediate response emerged. She stared at Lin Yuan with an expression of profound betrayal, as though he had just committed an unforgivable crime against the dignity of all divine weapons.

Bai Qingyue could no longer suppress her amusement. She raised one hand to cover her mouth, but the faint smile in her eyes revealed that she was thoroughly enjoying the exchange.

Even Ku Ming’s usually solemn expression softened.

For a brief moment, the three of them seemed far removed from the collapsing world below. The Nine Provinces were being swallowed by the Hollow Beyond, demons were slaughtering cultivators across the continent, and the Imperial Domain had rejected their pleas for assistance.

Yet Lin Yuan was calmly arguing with a sword spirit who appeared more concerned about her employment prospects than the impending apocalypse.

Perhaps that was simply how he remained composed under pressure.

Lin Yuan allowed the spirit to complain for another moment before raising his hand and pointing toward Bai Qingyue’s weapon.

"I am giving you a promotion."

The spirit immediately stopped talking.

Her expression changed from outrage to suspicion, and she slowly followed his finger toward the Sun Shooting Bow.

"A promotion?" she repeated.

****

A/N: Just for your remembrance, this is Ling Xi, the sword spirit of the Emperor Primordial Sovereign Sword. She was introduced around Chapter ≈142, before they went to Sky Jade city for the Peerless God Tournament.

And if your enjoying the story to this point, would like to read your thought of it, and would also like some golden tickets and power stones