Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Lin Zhao was deeply moved. Looking at her grandfather's graying temples, she was at a loss for words.

Grandfather changed the subject, his expression becoming more serious: "If you have time, go visit the Second Elder. His time is running out."

Lin Zhao was taken aback: "Second Elder? He's not that old, he should still have a long lifespan."

The grandfather slowly spoke, "Is he preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Lin Zhao found it hard to believe. "But the Second Elder hasn't even reached the tenth level of Qi Refining, and the family can't afford Foundation Establishment Pills right now. Doesn't that mean..." He couldn't bring himself to say the last four words, "certain death."

The grandfather was silent for a moment, his eyes revealing a complex emotion, a mixture of admiration and regret: "He walked the path of sword cultivation, brave and diligent, unyielding and unyielding."

The family's "Three Transformations of Spiritual Charm" secret technique was incompatible with his Blood Fiend Sword Path. Over the years, he had been searching for a foundation-building secret technique suitable for sword cultivators, but creating a foundation-building secret technique was far more difficult than simply establishing a foundation; it wasn't that easy.

He sighed, "That's how it is for sword cultivators. They either cut through all obstacles with a single sword and soar to the heavens, or they fall halfway through their quest for the Dao, sacrificing themselves for their sword. Now that a Foundation Establishment cultivator has been born in the family, he has no more attachments. This is his own choice."

He looked at Lin Zhao, his tone full of approval, "You did very well. The Azure Profound Sword Technique has actually allowed you to forge your own path in the sword. This is your good fortune, and perhaps it can also give the Second Elder some inspiration."

Two days later, with mixed feelings, Lin Zhao arrived at the Second Elder's cave.

The Second Elder's residence was not as simple and rustic as his grandfather's; instead, it resembled a huge training ground. Deep marks left by sword energy were visible everywhere on the cave walls, and the air was filled with an inescapable aura of blood. He himself remained as cold and aloof as ever, sitting cross-legged on a futon, his posture as straight as a sword.

Upon seeing Lin Zhao, he didn't exchange any pleasantries and simply tossed him a blood-red jade slip.

"Take this, the Blood Fiend Sword Manual. My path is not suitable for you, but you can learn a thing or two from its killing techniques and methods for condensing sword energy."

Lin Zhao solemnly accepted the jade slip, feeling its weight and a faint, blood-red aura emanating from it. Without hesitation, he also took out a jade slip containing his insights and deductive principles regarding the "Celestial Sword Dao" and handed it to the Second Elder.

The Second Elder closed his eyes and sensed the jade slip for a long time. When he opened his eyes again, a bright light flashed in his calm eyes, but he shook his head immediately.

"The concept is lofty, ethereal and grand, pointing directly to the Great Dao." His evaluation was as concise and direct as ever, "but the content is empty, like a castle in the air. You have the 'Dao,' but you lack the techniques and form to support it. Or rather, the bones and skin. No matter how wonderful the principle is, it is useless if it cannot be demonstrated. Sword cultivators have always only spoken with strength."

His gaze was sharp as he stared directly at Lin Zhao: "Your grandfather is a second-tier talisman master. I heard that you also made this [Gengjin Sword Qi Talisman]. Your talisman cultivation is not weak, so why don't you incorporate what you are best at into it?"

The Celestial Sword Path can be considered the 'God,' the soul and will of this sword path; while runes and magic can be its 'bones,' constructing its power framework. Only by using runes as the bones, carrying the spirit of the sword path, and finally shaping it into its final form, can it become a truly invincible sword path usable for killing and protecting the Way!

These words were like a thunderclap, instantly cleaving through the fog in Lin Zhao's mind! He had been troubled by the fact that the "Celestial Sword Path" was too ethereal and difficult to materialize into an effective killing move. Now, the Second Elder's guidance had directly pointed him in the right direction!

"With runes as the bone, carrying the way of the sword..." Lin Zhao murmured to himself, the light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

For the next three months, Lin Zhao practically lived in the Second Elder's cave. One was a seasoned veteran with profound swordsmanship; the other had a wildly imaginative mind and a unique understanding of runes and the "Celestial Swordsmanship." They constantly discussed, debated, and experimented.

Initially, Lin Zhao attempted to attach a single rune to the sword energy, but the results were unsatisfactory; either the rune collapsed or the sword energy dissipated. The two methods were incompatible. Later, he thought of using the Four Elements Pearl as an energy source and a stabilizing foundation.

He then recalled the "Void Transformation Talisman" he had seen with Master Mo Chen before. It was a technique that only Foundation Establishment cultivators could use. At the time, he obviously did not think that any Qi Refining cultivator could do it, so he taught these techniques to everyone without reservation.

Unexpectedly, Lin Zhao, this freak, appeared. The domain born from the "Celestial Sword Path" has a strong control over spiritual power, which allows him to use these techniques as well.

Lin Zhao began to experiment with "drawing talismans in the void"! Using his fingers as a brush, drawing spirits with his divine power, and using the four elements of spiritual light as ink, he outlined profound runes in the air. This was not a simple talisman drawing, but required extremely strong control of his soul and an understanding of spiritual energy.

He failed time and time again, his mental strength nearly exhausted. But under the guidance of the Second Elder, Lin Zhao gradually mastered the knack.

Finally, on this day, Lin Zhao focused his mind and calmed his spirit. The Four Yuan Pearls floated above his head, emitting light of four colors: green, red, blue, and yellow. He moved his hands swiftly, his fingertips guiding the four-colored spiritual light, drawing magnificent trajectories in the void.

Hundreds of basic and complex runes were quickly drawn out. They were not scattered, but followed a mysterious array pattern, interconnected and intertwined with spiritual light!

"Buzz—!"

A deep dragon roar suddenly resounded. The runes abruptly collapsed and condensed inward, and with a surge of spiritual light, a lifelike "magic dragon" composed entirely of countless runes appeared in mid-air!

It was about three zhang long, with scales and claws. The spiritual energy of the four attributes of earth, fire, water and wind fluctuated violently around its body, emitting a heart-palpitating energy pressure - this in itself was equivalent to an extremely complex and powerful combination spell!

But this is only the first step!

Lin Zhao's eyes sharpened, and he hissed, "Turn!"

He activated the transformative power of the "Celestial Sword Dao," and an invisible Daoist aura enveloped the rune dragon.

In an instant, the dragon's form drastically changed. Its originally harmonious magical structure was forcibly shaped into a more slender and sharper form! The dragon's head transformed into the sword's edge, its body into the sword's spine, and its tail into the sword's guard.

As countless runes transformed, their energy attributes were forcibly unified and compressed to the extreme, giving them the characteristics of an indestructible "sword"!

A more refined and dangerous four-colored "Sword Dragon" has taken shape! Sword energy emanates from the Sword Dragon's body. The four forces of earth, water, fire, and wind are no longer a simple mixture, but have achieved a dangerous balance and cycle under the control of the "sword," exuding a destructive aura.

"solid!"

Lin Zhao made another hand seal, releasing a solidified secret technique of spiritual light that he had comprehended from the family's talisman array inheritance, which entered the sword dragon's body.

The sword dragon, which had been dissipating some energy, stabilized completely and solidified its form, resembling a true divine weapon. However, its body was still composed of countless tiny runes!

"Four Elements Sword Dragon" is complete!