Chapter 493 - 503: Sword Path

The scene before Wen Qingye’s eyes constantly shifted. Ribbons of light appeared all around, shimmering with an enchanting, divine glow. These multicolored halos were the purest form of Sword Dao Divine Rhyme.

Then, a long, narrow path slowly materialized ahead. The surrounding scenery was exceptionally dim. Beside the path sat an ancient, weathered stone monument, having endured sun, rain, wind, and snow.

But in the next moment, the light intensified dramatically.

Streaks of red light stabbed at Wen Qingye’s eyes like a fiery net, completely filling his vision. The surrounding temperature also began to climb steadily.

The narrow path was suspended in the air. Below it was a boundless expanse emitting scorching heat—it was, in fact, a sea of roiling lava.

GLUG, GLUG...

The violent lava churned and spewed, a sight that would strike fear into anyone’s heart.

The scorching lava shimmered with a red luster as it flowed slowly. Even from a great distance, one could seemingly feel the frenzied heat rushing forward.

And alongside the narrow path, the closer one got to the middle, the denser and more brilliantly colored the Sword Dao Divine Rhyme above the lava became.

"Sword Path."

Wen Qingye looked at the two words on the stone monument, his brows rising slightly. The characters were powerful and vigorous, and from them, he could actually sense the unique Sword Technique Cultivation of the person who had carved them.

’This Sword Dao Divine Rhyme will be mine.’

Wen Qingye’s eyes flew open, and he strode forward decisively.

A wild wind swept over him, and a heatwave blasted his face. Layers of red, fiery wind washed over him like a tide, turning his skin crimson.

THUD!

In the blink of an eye, Wen Qingye had set foot on the narrow path.

Suddenly, the world seemed to shake.

Wen Qingye quietly observed the surrounding Sword Dao Divine Rhyme, comprehending the power of its origin.

WHOOSH!

A sharp Sword Aura shot straight toward him, its speed neither fast nor slow. He was about to draw his One Thought Sword when he discovered his hands wouldn’t move at all. It was as if he were bound, left completely at its mercy.

’What’s going on?’

Wen Qingye’s brow furrowed tightly as he watched helplessly, the cold, merciless Sword Aura stabbing viciously into his chest.

PFFT!

As the Sword Aura entered his body, Wen Qingye felt a sharp pain in his chest. In the next moment, all sensation vanished. An unknown amount of time passed before the stinging pain slowly dissipated, as if nothing had ever happened.

’I never expected this Sword Forest to contain such a powerful Illusion Dao. The caster’s Illusion Realm must be quite high for me to have almost been fooled. My vigilance is really slipping.’

Wen Qingye smiled in sudden understanding. He realized he had truly underestimated this world. Shaking his head, he continued walking forward, constantly comprehending the Sword Dao Origin within the Sword Path.

The path of the Lifeless Sword Dao was one he mostly had to comprehend and study on his own, so Wen Qingye didn’t spend too much time on it at the moment. Instead, he focused on comprehending the fusion of the Slaying Immortal Sword Dao’s Vibration Law and Rock Law, while also gaining insights into the Bursting Law.

Although the Bursting Law was the most powerful Law of the Dao of Profound Destruction, the Slaying Immortal Sword Dao also encompassed a portion of it. This was the strength of the more advanced of the Three Thousand Great Dao.

With the guidance he had received from Meng Yiyu, coupled with his own comprehension, Wen Qingye had unknowingly broken through to the second level of the Human Dao Realm in the Bursting Law.

As for the Rock Law and the Vibration Law, both originated from the Slaying Immortal Sword Dao. Fusing them was considerably simpler than fusing Laws from different Daos, but Wen Qingye had only just found a small clue.

Fusing Laws was simply too difficult.

WHOOSH!

The next instant, a massive, scythe-like Qi Aura struck again, slashing toward Wen Qingye’s waist. Its aura was terrifying and domineering, laced with a cold mercilessness.

THWACK!

Sliced in two at the waist. An immense agony instantly flooded every part of Wen Qingye’s body. This was a real, tangible pain that struck the very depths of his soul.

Time flowed on, and Wen Qingye felt the pain recede once more, slowly ebbing away like the tide.

The Sword Path trained the Sword Heart.

Hone my battle sword! Press ever forward!

Wen Qingye took a deep breath and continued down the narrow path. He had only traveled a little less than half its length.

He continuously felt the Sword Dao Divine Rhyme around him, slowly transforming it into his own comprehension and elevating his Sword Dao Laws.

He walked on, step by step. The surrounding Sword Dao Divine Rhyme grew more complex and pure, but the accompanying pain also grew more intense. Yet, Wen Qingye never retreated a single step.

Not many in the entire Celestial Profound Sect could traverse the Sword Path, but even fewer could do so with the calm and composure of Wen Qingye.

Before he knew it, he had reached the middle of the Sword Path.

The lava below was like a great beast, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws. It seemed to roar with fury as layer upon layer of oppressive heatwaves relentlessly washed over him.

Suddenly, everything before Wen Qingye’s eyes turned pitch-black. Only the emanating Sword Dao Divine Rhyme beside him remained clear to his senses; there was nothing else.

Then, a dark, silent fear began to grow, creeping toward him. This fear struck directly at the depths of one’s soul. An ordinary person would be trembling and terrified if they stayed here for even a single breath.

This was the trial of the Sword Path—a trial of the depths of one’s soul, and a trial to temper one’s heart.

If a sword wielder lacked a Sword Gallbladder, the power of the sword in their hands would be diminished. Wen Qingye naturally did not lack a Sword Gallbladder. He remained perfectly calm and continued walking forward.

The surrounding darkness and fear gradually submerged him, but from beginning to end, he focused solely on comprehending the Sword Dao Divine Rhyme. His powerful heart allowed him to completely ignore his surroundings.

He continued to comprehend the Sword Dao Divine Rhyme, his pace neither hurried nor slow. His understanding of the Rock Law and the Vibration Law also deepened, as if he had found a point of compatibility between them. They were just one step away from fusion.

Just then, he was about to reach the end of the Sword Path.

BOOM!

Abruptly, the world spun. The entire sea of lava surged to the heavens, churning as it rushed madly upward. The Sword Path under his feet began to crack and splinter, the fractures spreading into the distance.

The next moment!

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The entire sea of lava erupted, rising like a colossal, wildly dancing fire dragon. It reared its head and charged directly at Wen Qingye on the Sword Path. At the same time, the Sword Path suddenly broke apart, and the ground beneath his feet began to shake as if the very earth were quaking.

PLONK! PLONK!

Countless chunks of stone fell into the lava, instantly melting from the intense heat.

And just like that, his body plummeted downward.

But this time, as he fell through the air, Wen Qingye’s expression tightened. It felt as if he were truly falling.

’What on earth is happening?’