Projection of the Heavens: I prove my immortality through slaughter.

The name "Sword God" spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the Divine Sword Manor overnight. Disciples within the manor whispered amongst themselves, their words filled with disbelief and astonishment. The astonishing sword aura emanating from that single finger on the dueling platform had become a legendary tale. The young Lin Xuan, a name that seemed to appear out of nowhere, was shrouded in a mysterious and dazzling aura.

In the following days, the attitude of Shenjian Manor towards Lin Xuan underwent a dramatic change. He was treated as an honored guest and accommodated in the most secluded and elegant "Listening to the Sword Courtyard" of the manor. Here, nestled among bamboo groves and with babbling springs, was the place where the manor lords of the past had secluded themselves for quiet cultivation. His daily meals and lodging were all of the highest standard, and even the maids serving tea were extremely careful, for fear of disturbing this young "Sword God."

The scrutinizing and disdainful gazes that once filled him have all transformed into awe, curiosity, and even a touch of fanaticism. Whenever Lin Xuan strolled in the courtyard, he could always feel the burning gazes directed at him from afar.

After his injuries stabilized somewhat, Situ Feng personally came to visit. This once aloof and arrogant chief of the manor was now extremely humble. He stood outside the courtyard gate, only daring to enter after receiving Lin Xuan's approval. His words were devoid of any arrogance, only filled with sincere admiration for the strong and a thirst for the profound Dao of Swordsmanship. "Brother Lin's guidance was like a sudden awakening, making me realize how narrow-minded I had been," he said sincerely. Lin Xuan did not hold back, casually offering a few pointers on the concepts of "condensation" and "intention preceding technique," which Situ Feng found invaluable, leaving with tears of gratitude.

Other young talents, including the unrestrained youth from the Dao Sect and the compassionate monk from the Hanging Temple, also sought his guidance. Lin Xuan, with a detached perspective, succinctly pointed out the core flaws and future directions of their martial arts in just a few words. His profound gaze seemed to pierce through all illusions, winning the hearts and minds of these proud young geniuses, who revered him as a god.

At the same time, an invisible storm is sweeping towards the power core of the Great Qian Dynasty, centered on the Divine Sword Manor.

Lin Xuan, the "Sword God", was born into the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion!

This news, along with that astonishing victory, shook the entire court and the country like a thunderbolt from a clear sky! In the Golden Palace, the officials who had previously taken advantage of the Marquis of Zhenbei's misfortune turned pale and were drenched in sweat. They never imagined that the remnant of the Marquis's family, who should have died in the chaos of war, would return in such a shocking way.

The Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, once considered rebellious and exterminated, has produced a disciple revered as a "Sword God" by the martial arts holy land! The implications of this are enough to make all the forces that participated in or tacitly approved of the mansion's destruction restless. In the secret chambers of the major families in the capital, discussions continue throughout the night as everyone reassesses the situation.

On the third day of Lin Xuan's stay at Shenjian Manor, the Emperor of Daqian issued three imperial edicts, which were delivered to the manor by express courier.

I. Lin Tianhao, the Marquis of Zhenbei, was posthumously granted the title of "Loyal and Brave Martial King" and was reburied with the rites due to a prince, and was honored with sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Second, a thorough investigation was launched into the case of the defeat in the northern frontier. All officials involved in the case, including the former Minister of War and the supervising eunuch, were convicted of "framing loyal officials and delaying military operations," and their homes were confiscated and they were executed.

Third, the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion was exonerated and its confiscated property was returned. The "Wu Wang Mansion" was built by imperial decree, and Lin Xuan was granted the special privilege of inheriting the title of king.

The imperial edict spread throughout the land, causing an uproar. The common people applauded, saying that Heaven had eyes and the loyal and virtuous had finally been exonerated.

Anyone with eyes to see clearly is not that the emperor suddenly realized his mistake, but rather that the power of the "Sword God" forced the court to make compromises and give an explanation! The influence of a being who is suspected to be innate, or even stronger, is enough to shake the foundation of the country! When the supreme ruler in the Golden Palace issued these imperial edicts, he must have been gritting his teeth and holding his nose, but he had no choice but to do so.

However, Lin Xuan (in his projected form), upon learning of this outcome through Manager Feng, merely smiled faintly, showing no concern. When Manager Feng, tears streaming down his face, presented him with a copy of the imperial edict, he was leisurely sipping a cup of tea. Worldly power and prestige were like fleeting clouds to him. The Marquis's family's injustice had been redressed, and the original owner's obsession had largely subsided—that was enough. He even politely declined the title of "Loyal and Brave King," only allowing Manager Feng to take over a portion of the returned family property to settle his former subordinates and provide relief to the families of fallen soldiers. Those empty titles were nothing but constraints.

His profound gaze seemed to pierce through the void, glimpsing a distant future. He knew full well that the true mastermind might not have fully surfaced. The defeat in the Northern Frontier had far-reaching implications, far beyond the control of a few court officials. The hidden force behind it all might be related to court factional struggles, or perhaps involved in a larger exchange of interests, or even a conspiracy involving other dynasties. But he had taken note of this debt, and when his strength was sufficient, he would settle it with interest.

At this moment, his mind was more drawn to the deep gaze emanating from the depths of the manor. That gaze was almost tangible, carrying the weight of time and the sharpness of swordsmanship, occasionally falling upon him with a mixture of inquiry and anticipation.

He knew that it was the true pillar of Shenjian Manor, the manor lord known as the "Sword Saint"—Situ Jiannan.

Sure enough, on the fifth evening of his stay at Divine Sword Manor, the setting sun dyed the clouds into a magnificent brocade. An old servant, his aura as deep and unfathomable as the ocean, appeared silently outside the Listening Sword Courtyard, as if emerging from the shadows. He respectfully handed over a plain sheet of paper, slightly yellowed and carrying a faint scent of ink.

"The Master of the Manor awaits Young Master Lin at the 'Sword Tomb' on the back mountain, to enjoy tea and discuss swordsmanship."

What was bound to happen has finally happened.

Lin Xuan remained calm, accepted the plain paper, and simply told the worried Manager Feng, "I'll be right back," before leaving with the old servant.

Passing through layers of palaces and pavilions, the carved beams and painted rafters gleamed golden in the afterglow of the setting sun. The further into the mountains one went, the fewer people remained, even the birdsong grew fainter. The sword intent permeating the air grew richer and more ancient, no longer the outward sharpness of the disciples, but a restrained yet powerful "momentum" accumulated over countless years. It was as if every rock, every ancient tree, was imbued with the essence of the sword, witnessing the joys and sorrows of countless swordsmen.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance to a secluded valley. At the valley entrance stood a weathered, broken stone tablet, on which two large characters were engraved in ancient and weathered strokes—"Sword Tomb." An atmosphere of desolation, loneliness, and solemnity washed over them.

Stepping into the valley, the scenery suddenly opened up. Contrary to expectations of a sinister and terrifying place, it resembled a forgotten paradise. Dusk fell, the setting sun like blood, painting the clouds on the horizon with a magnificent hue. In the center of the valley lay a wide, flat area, where countless ancient swords of various shapes and sizes were planted. Some were intact, gleaming coldly; others were broken and rusted; some were even reduced to half their blades, deeply embedded in the soil, like silent tombstones, telling tales of past brilliance and desolation, witnessing the inheritance and rise and fall of the way of the sword.

Surrounded by countless ancient swords, a simple thatched pavilion stood alone, forming a strange contrast with the solemn atmosphere around it. Inside the pavilion, an elderly man in a green robe, with his back to the entrance, was quietly brewing a pot of tea. He was not tall, even somewhat thin, but sitting there, he seemed to have merged with the entire valley and the thousands of ancient swords. He was Situ Jiannan, the pinnacle of swordsmanship in this world.

The old servant who had led the way retreated silently and disappeared into the twilight.

Lin Xuan slowly walked into the sword tomb, his footsteps rustling softly on the loose soil and fallen leaves, a sound that stood out clearly in the silence. He sensed that the ancient swords around him seemed to emit a barely perceptible hum in response to his arrival, as if paying homage to this "kindred spirit" with extraordinary power, or perhaps telling him something.

He walked to the outside of the thatched pavilion and stopped.

Situ Jiannan slowly turned around.

His face was ordinary, etched with the deep lines of time, like the bark of an old tree. Only his eyes were clear and deep, like two ancient wells reflecting the afterglow of the sunset and the shadows of swords in the valley, as if they could see through people's hearts and expose their illusions. His gaze was calm, yet it carried a kind of wisdom that understood the ways of the world.

There was no aggressive aura, no fierce, soaring sword intent, only a simple, peaceful tranquility. But Lin Xuan knew that beneath this tranquility lay an earth-shattering power. This old man had already reached the pinnacle that martial artists in this world could achieve—the Great Perfection of the Innate Realm! In fact, one foot had already touched a certain barrier, sensing the limits of this world.

"Young friend Lin, please have a seat." Situ Jiannan's voice was gentle, with a unique magnetism. He gestured to the futon opposite him, personally poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of Lin Xuan. The tea was emerald green, steaming hot, and exuded a refreshing and unique fragrance, clearly a rare and precious tea.

"Thank you, Master." Lin Xuan sat down as instructed, without any formality, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. The tea entered his stomach, transforming into a warm current that spread throughout his body, subtly nourishing his soul and purifying his mind—it was no ordinary tea.

"Young friend, your sword is not of this world." Situ Jiannan cut to the chase, his gaze calm as he looked at Lin Xuan, offering no questioning, only pure inquiry. "I have spent my life seeking the sword, and I believe I have glimpsed a fraction of its true essence. Yet, that sword aura you wielded that day, young friend, made me feel as if I were looking at the sky beyond a well, realizing the vastness of the world and the infinity of the Great Dao."

Lin Xuan put down his teacup, meeting the other's gaze, which seemed to see right through him: "Master, you flatter me. The way of the sword is the origin of all techniques; I have merely taken a different path and seen some different scenery."

"Different paths..." Situ Jiannan murmured repeatedly, a hint of longing and desolation flashing in his eyes. "Yes, different paths. I've been trapped in this realm for thirty years, my path forward severed, living in a daze. Every day I face these thousands of ancient swords, feeling their joys and sorrows, their silence, yet I still cannot find a breakthrough. Only when I sensed your aura, young friend, did I realize the path wasn't broken, but... I can't find the key, I can't open that door."

He sighed deeply, his voice filled with endless vicissitudes. He stood up, walked out of the thatched pavilion, and gazed at the countless silent ancient swords, his eyes revealing complex emotions: "The martial arts of this world begin with body tempering and end with the Innate Realm. Above the Innate Realm, the classics record it as 'Breaking Through the Void,' which can shatter the void and ascend to immortality. Yet, for a thousand years, no one has reached it. It's as if an invisible shackle binds this world, imprisoning the souls and futures of all seekers of the Dao."

Lin Xuan listened quietly, understanding dawning on his mind. The rules of this world were incomplete, and the energy level was low. Martial artists cultivated internal energy derived from their own essence, qi, and spirit, and could not directly draw upon the power of heaven and earth. Therefore, the innate level was already the limit. To "break through the void," one would either possess power that transcended the rules of this world, or... gain the approval of the origin of this world and obtain that sliver of hope.

"I have a request," Situ Jiannan turned around, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Xuan, a burning flame blazing within his calm eyes. "I beg you, young friend, to fight me with all your might! Regardless of life or death, victory or defeat! Let me personally experience the Dao of the world beyond the well! Even if it's just a fleeting touch, even if it costs me my life, I will have no regrets!"

In his eyes, there was no desire for victory or defeat, no thirst for fame or fortune, only the purest and most devout pursuit of the Dao! It was a yearning for the highest realm that transcended personal life, death, honor, and disgrace!

Lin Xuan looked at the old man who stood at the pinnacle of this realm and felt his childlike heart, unwilling to be bound and yearning to break free from its cage. This unwavering dedication to the Dao moved him deeply. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly stood up, straightened his robes, and became solemn.

"As the master wishes."

The two stood facing each other in the center of the sword mound. The setting sun cast their shadows long, intertwining with the countless sword shadows to form some mysterious pattern. The wind howled through the valley, like the low murmur of ancient swords.

There were no referees, no spectators, only twilight, ancient swords, and two extraordinary "discussers." Heaven and earth bore witness, and ten thousand swords were the proof.

Situ Jiannan slowly raised his hand, his fingers forming a sword shape. He didn't use any physical sword, for he himself was the sharpest sword in the world! His aura began to rise, his originally peaceful presence becoming incomparably sharp, and he seemed to transform into a peerless divine weapon about to be unsheathed!

"This sword is named 'Silence and Annihilation.' It is the culmination of my thirty years of solitary contemplation at the Sword Tomb, observing the blooming and withering of flowers and contemplating the cycle of life and death. I invite you, young friend, to appreciate it."

The moment the words fell, the air in the entire Sword Tomb seemed to freeze! An indescribable sense of "silence" spread out, not deathly silence, but the ultimate state of all things returning to nothingness, all laws ending, and everything returning to nothingness! At Situ Jiannan's fingertips, a point of extreme darkness began to condense, a darkness that seemed capable of devouring all light, all sound, all life, and even human will, threatening to be absorbed and annihilated! The ancient swords around began to tremble violently, emitting mournful cries, as if in mourning, or perhaps in fear.

This sword strike has transcended the realm of mere techniques, touching the very edge of "rules"! It represents the pinnacle of martial arts in this world! It is the culmination of Situ Jiannan's lifelong cultivation!

For the first time, Lin Xuan's gaze became incredibly solemn. He felt real pressure; the annihilating intent contained within this sword strike was enough to threaten the very foundation of his projected body!

He dared not be negligent. The wisp of star-like internal energy within his dantian circulated wildly at an unprecedented speed, and the points of faith in his sea of ​​consciousness shone brightly at the same time. The pure mental energy nourished his soul, enhancing his perception and will. He also raised his right hand, his index and middle fingers joined together.

But this time, what he condensed at his fingertips was no longer just simple silver sword energy.

He closed his eyes, his mind resonating strongly with the invisible threads connecting his cultivation body in his sea of ​​consciousness, striving to draw upon a higher-level stellar Dao rhythm belonging to the "Star River Qi Refining Technique"! At the same time, he poured all his insights into the myriad phenomena of this world, his understanding of the various aspects of life, his awe of the vastness of heaven and earth, and his contemplation of cause and effect into this single finger!

At his fingertips, the starlight was no longer dazzling, but instead became restrained and profound, as if containing a miniature, ever-changing cosmos! There was the brilliant radiance of a star's birth, and the darkness of a star's demise! There was the vibrant life of plants growing, and the joys and sorrows of human life! This was a manifestation of the complete "Tao," transcending mere destruction and encompassing both creation and end!

"This technique is nameless." Lin Xuan opened his eyes, and deep within his pupils, it seemed as if a galaxy was turning, and the universe was being born and dying. "It is a wisp of Daoist essence that I obtained by observing the stars, observing people, and observing the world."

One point out!

There was no sound, no clash of light. Both of them moved slowly and heavily, as if carrying an immense burden.

Only two completely different "meanings" fiercely clash, collide, annihilate, and merge on an intangible level!

Situ Jiannan's "annihilation" carries a sense of resolute determination and ending, attempting to devour and annihilate all existence. Lin Xuan's finger strike, containing the birth and death of the stars and the myriad phenomena of the mortal world, seems to be depicting the eternal cycle of birth, growth, decay, and rebirth—a far grander, more fundamental, and closer-to-the-foundation "Dao"!

"Click..."

It was as if something invisible had shattered, or as if a seed had broken through its hard shell.

The extreme darkness at Situ Jiannan's fingertips slowly dissipated like melting snow. He groaned, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, his face instantly turning ashen, his body swaying. But his eyes blazed with an unprecedented brightness, a light that even surpassed the fading sunset! They were filled with excitement, awe, ecstasy, and enlightenment!

"So that's how it is... The world... Living... The Way... Is right beneath my feet..." he murmured to himself, seemingly frantic, yet with a profound, enlightened tranquility, repeatedly savoring the impact and inspiration of that brief exchange. The bottleneck that had bound him for so many years had suddenly loosened! He saw the path ahead, though blurry, it was undeniably there!

As Lin Xuan shattered the "annihilation" sword intent, his mind seemed to merge into a profound and mysterious realm. His perception extended infinitely, transcending the limitations of his physical body.

He "heard" it! Deep within this world, behind the barriers of rules, an extremely faint, ignorant, yet boundless consciousness seemed to be briefly "awakened" by his strike, which contained the Daoist charm of another world and the insights of his own land, and contained the supreme philosophy of the cycle of birth and death!

That consciousness, like a newborn infant, was pure and curious. It seemed to sense the unique "flavor" emanating from Lin Xuan—a distinctive aura that came from beyond the heavens yet was deeply rooted in the mortal world. With a touch of instinctive closeness and recognition, it gently "touched" his soul, this outsider who had formed a profound connection with this world.

Om-!

An indescribable, pure, and ancient warm current seemed to come from the void, ignoring all barriers of time and space and rules, and instantly surged into Lin Xuan's projected body! This power was gentle yet boundless, carrying the joy of life and the blessings of the world, and along that invisible connection, it surging into the soul and body of the cultivator's true form!

This is neither spiritual energy nor internal force, but... the power of the world's origin! It is the manifestation of the most fundamental and core power of a world!

Although it was only a tiny wisp, its level and profound meaning far surpassed any energy Lin Xuan had ever encountered! It began to spontaneously cleanse his soul, temper his body, and elevate the essence of his life!

"boom!"

In the cultivation world, inside a treehouse.

Lin Xuan's true form suddenly opened his eyes, his aura erupting uncontrollably, azure spiritual light emanating from his body, illuminating the entire treehouse as if it were daytime! The Starry Sky Dao Foundation within his dantian, which had been steadily rotating, now accelerated its rotation wildly, expanding in volume and becoming even more solid and dazzling! The bottleneck of the third level, under the nourishment and impact of this pure and advanced world origin power, shattered and melted instantly, like ice and snow under the sun!

Reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining was a natural progression! Moreover, the stability of his foundation and the purity of his spiritual power far surpassed ordinary breakthroughs!

Furthermore, under the baptism of the world's origin, his soul essence became more solid and transparent, his divine sense range increased dramatically, his thinking speed became faster, and he was faintly favored by the unique "luck" of this world, as if he had received the blessing of this world.

Within the Sword Tomb of the Heavenly Origin Realm.

Lin Xuan's projected form stood still, carefully sensing every subtle change as the world's origin's bounty merged into his body. The stellar internal energy within his dantian instantly surged and purified, becoming more responsive and freely controlled. His physical strength and spiritual perception also underwent a qualitative leap! In this realm, his strength had truly and firmly established himself at the Innate Realm, even touching upon an even higher threshold.

He looked up at the last rays of the setting sun gradually sinking below the horizon, and the first star beginning to twinkle in the sky, his heart filled with clarity. This sword competition had yielded far more than he had expected.

The injustice done to the Marquis's family has been redressed, the obsessions of the previous life are gradually fading, and most of the karmic debts have been settled.

In this sword duel, he helped Situ Jiannan glimpse the path ahead and confirm his own path; while he himself gained the most precious thing in this world—the recognition and gift of the world's origin!