Chapter 276: The Azure Sky

"Ah, I didn't realize you could also assist in combat. Is this the greatest advantage of a sword spirit?"

The sword spirit chuckled, "I have many more benefits; this is just the most insignificant of my functions. But I must also remind you to give me a new name as soon as possible. I can't wait to conquer the world alongside you!"

Xu Yang had a flash of inspiration, seemingly inspired by the sword spirit's words.

"Conquer the world alongside me... how about 'Firmament'?"

"Damn, isn't that a bit cliché?"

Xu Yang snorted coldly, "Cliché? Even if it were truly cliché, who would dare use that word to describe my sword? Beneath the Firmament, all shall fear my path!"

*Clang!!*

Xu Yang swung his sword through the air, and terrifying sword energy instantly erupted. The Cloud-Gazing Sword Intent, amplified by the Firmament Sword, emanated an unprecedented aura.

In an instant, sword waves, like the unrestrained currents of the Yangtze River, surged around Xu Yang's body. Their momentum was countless times more formidable than that of Feng Xiu, a man who had dedicated his entire life to the study of swordsmanship.

"Good heavens... this aura of yours?"

The sword spirit itself was stunned, for it knew that even its former master could not necessarily unleash such formidable sword power.

"So that's it... Integrating the Cloud-Gazing Sword Intent with this cold killing intent in my heart, and then combining it with the inherent power of the Firmament Sword, creates an aura similar to a domain, yet several times more fierce and terrifying. Isn't this a more complete understanding of the sword path on my part?"

"Hahaha! It seems I've forged my own path of the sword! 'Beneath the Firmament, all shall fear my path' is its perfect manifestation! Endless killing intent, boundless sword power, combined with my own heart's closeness to the Dao, and the resonance with the grand Dao of the surrounding world! This single sword stroke can shatter the firmament, extinguish the mortal realm, and cut down all gods and demons in this world!"

"Kill!!!"

Merging all his power into that single word, "Kill," and roaring it out with all his might, a sky-shattering, world-astonishing crimson light finally erupted from Xu Yang's body. What followed was a terrifying, annihilating sword stroke that shook heaven and earth and made ghosts weep.

Wherever that crimson light passed, the fierce tiger in the air, comparable to a peak Divine Infant realm expert, was completely melted away. From beginning to end, not even a struggle could be seen; it was instantly dissolved within that crimson light.

However, what was even more terrifying was that this scene was merely the beginning. The sword waves continued to sweep further, devouring everything, both above and below, in their path.

The sharpness of the sword energy, combined with the subtle resonance of the various Daos of heaven and earth, caused all life force to melt away under the might of this single sword stroke...

After his aura returned to normal, Xu Yang sheathed his sword. Before him, all the challenges that had awaited him to conquer them over countless hours completely vanished.

With just a single sword stroke, he eliminated powerful opponents that would have otherwise taken years to overcome one by one.

The sword spirit was utterly dumbfounded. Even after Xu Yang calmed down, it still hadn't recovered from the shock.

"Good heavens... are you even human? I thought my previous master, with his extraordinary talent, was already the apex of his era. Even though he ultimately failed to ascend, to break through the limits after reaching the pinnacle of Tribulation Transcension, and become a true god of this continent, he was still my dragon-slaying hero, an unrivaled powerhouse of his time.

But just now, I changed my mind. Perhaps your coming here to meet me was also due to his guidance. You are truly too strong; you leave me in awe!"

Xu Yang shook his head with a helpless smile, "It's not as terrifying as you say. That sword strike just now indeed made gods tremble and ghosts weep; its power was truly frightful. But the imperfection is that when I limitlessly unleashed killing intent into the sword path, I found that my control over this power is not yet proficient. I can't even wield it with ease, releasing and retracting it at will.

If that sword strike had been used on a battlefield, the mortal realm would instantly turn into a true hell. Before long, I believe I would be completely consumed by that illusory specter, by my own desire for slaughter, and lose my true self."

The sword spirit suddenly materialized its spirit form and looked at Xu Yang with immense satisfaction.

"Rare indeed! Not becoming complacent at your peak, your control is equally astonishing. Tell me, do you have any other flaws?"

Xu Yang helplessly rubbed his nose, "Being too handsome, does that count as a flaw?"

The sword spirit was speechless.

Unbeknownst to them, when the soul on the giant stone witnessed this scene, it finally revealed a relieved smile, and the trembling light in its eyes became incredibly radiant.

Xu Yang did not immediately leave with his sword. Instead, as he had said, he wanted to find a way to control this 'Sword Dao of Slaughter' so that it could be perfectly wielded with ease, at least enabling him to control its damage level and range.

This would require Xu Yang to gain a deeper and more precise control over the power of the Dao, and to thoroughly understand the potential of that single sword stroke. It was not something that could be accomplished in just a day or two.

...

In the blink of an eye, Xu Yang had been cultivating here for three months, accompanied by the sword spirit.

When he opened his eyes again, he seemed to possess a distinctly different and special aura.

His calm and dignified demeanor now held a unique assertiveness and sharpness befitting a strong individual, no longer merely the refined young master he once was.

This sharpness also made Xu Yang appear more resolute and dependable, precisely the kind of aura that most easily captivated young women.

"Kill!!"

With this roar, heaven and earth seemed to change color, and a thunderous bolt inexplicably exploded in the nine heavens!

The resonance of the various Daos of heaven and earth became even stronger!

Xu Yang held his sword horizontally before him and closed his eyes, as fierce killing intent rapidly converged.

This time, the surrounding void within a certain range turned completely black!

The killing intent also intensified dramatically!!

When he finished converging his power and opened his eyes again, two crimson lights in his pupils locked onto a specific spot in the center of his vision. He swung his sword, and the previous widespread, unrestrained, devouring fury was gone. In its place was an incredibly concise sword strike, its sound greatly diminished, and its control astonishingly precise.

*Whoosh!*

The crimson light flashed past the towering ancient tree in the center of his vision.

Indeed, this tree was the ancient Spiritwood that had been directly engulfed by Xu Yang's sword might three months ago, yet remained completely unharmed.

Yet this time, in an unsuspecting instant, it completely melted into nothingness...

Not even a trace of its roots remained on the ground!

"My heavens... stronger killing intent, stronger resonance with the various Daos of heaven and earth, more precise control! Boy, you've graduated early! Now, I believe you have enough power to contend with those at or above the true Human Peak of Tribulation Transcension!!"

The sword spirit seemed even more excited than Xu Yang, for the recent strike, powerful enough to shock anyone, had been accomplished with its cooperation.

Man and sword as one, invincible wherever they go! Who on this vast earth dares to fight us??