Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 28 The First Awakening of Sword Intent

Lu Ming seemed to be drowning in boundless darkness, his consciousness drifting like broken duckweed, without any anchor or place to rest.

Exhaustion spread from the depths of my soul, consuming all my senses.

Only the four words "Wind Rises on the Green Duckweed" remained in his mind, shining like four undying stars in the darkness, both piercing his mind and holding onto a wisp of faint consciousness, preventing it from completely sinking.

After an unknown amount of time, a gentle, life-giving force, like the sweet rain of early spring, entered his withered meridians and damaged consciousness.

That power, imbued with vibrant life force, slowly nourished his crumbling foundation, soothing the tearing pain left by the forceful exertion of sword intent.

From afar, anxious calls seemed to pierce the darkness: Hu Zhen's tearful "Lu Ming," Qin Feiyu's hoarse "Wake up," and Lin Feng's steady yet concerned voice.

These sounds, like strands of rope, gradually pulled him up from the darkness.

Finally, Lu Ming struggled to open his heavy eyelids a crack, the dim light causing him to instinctively close his eyes again.

After a moment of adjustment, he realized that he was lying in a makeshift cave, with dry, soft grass under him and a large outer robe covering him.

The campfire flickered at the cave entrance, illuminating several figures guarding the entrance.

"He's awake! Lu Ming is awake!" Hu Zhen was the first to see him, and rushed over in surprise, her eyes red.

Qin Feiyu also came over immediately. His chest was wrapped in thick bandages. Although his face was still pale, his eyes had regained their former brilliance.

He grinned, trying to smile, but the movement pulled at his wound, causing him to grimace. "You little brat...you're finally awake! You scared us to death!"

Lin Feng, Zhao Qian, Li Yun, and Zhou Ming also gathered around, all with expressions of relief on their faces.

"How are you feeling?" Lin Feng's voice remained calm, but the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.

Lu Ming tried to circulate his spiritual energy. Although his meridians still ached slightly, the feeling of depletion had dissipated. Instead, a wisp of purer spiritual energy flowed slowly through his meridians.

This spiritual power had actually grown stronger than before he fell into a coma.

Moreover, the stinging sensation of the four large characters in my mind has faded considerably, turning into a clear imprint.

That trace of Qingping sword intent, like a fledgling bird's first cry, though still immature, has already taken root deep in one's mind.

"It's okay... but I feel weak all over." His voice was hoarse as he tried to sit up, and Hu Zhen quickly and carefully supported his arm.

"You were unconscious for three whole days."

Lin Feng explained, "At that time, the situation was dangerous. You and Fei Yu were both seriously injured, so we dared not stay in the secluded valley for long."

After gathering enough Cloud Mist Flowers and collecting valuable materials from the Ape King and the Violent Ape, we found this secluded cave to settle down. Junior Sister Li Yun has some medical knowledge, and Junior Brother Zhao Qian prepared emergency medicines, which barely managed to stabilize your injuries.

Lu Ming looked at Li Yun and Zhao Qian with grateful eyes.

Li Yun gently shook her head, indicating that there was no need to be so polite. Zhao Qian also simply nodded.

"You're really something, kid!" Qin Feiyu patted his shoulder, avoiding his injury.

Qin Feiyu exclaimed excitedly, "What kind of move was that? A beam of light slashed out, and the Ape King was gone! It was amazing! Even Senior Brother Lin was stunned!"

All eyes were on Lu Ming, filled with curiosity and a desire to investigate.

The sharpness of that sword strike, though intangible and formless, is deeply etched into everyone's heart.

Lu Ming frowned slightly, recalling the scene at that time. The power that was driven by extreme emotions and seemed to originate from the instinct of the soul was mysterious and profound.

"I'm not entirely sure either... When I saw you seriously injured and Hu Zhen in danger, my mind went blank. I just felt a tightness in my chest that I had to let out. Then, I remembered those four words I saw during the Dao Qi Trial."

"What word?" everyone asked curiously.

"The wind stirs the duckweed," Lu Ming replied.

Lin Feng's eyes were filled with surprise. "You actually encountered the Sword Immortal Qingping in Daoqizhong? And even comprehended a trace of his sword intent?"

Lin Feng was shocked, completely losing his usual composure, and was speechless for a long time.

"Qingping Sword Immortal?" Everyone looked puzzled, having never heard of this name before.

Sword intent is a high-level realm of sword cultivation, which cannot be reached by anyone who has a profound understanding of the sword and a sufficiently strong spiritual sense. Ordinary cultivators, only those who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, may have a chance to glimpse its beginnings.

Even if a disciple in the Qi Refining stage only grasps the basics, it is already astonishing.

Lu Ming smiled bitterly: "It was just a stroke of luck, a sudden burst of inspiration. If I were to use it again now, I would be absolutely unable to, and the price would be extremely high, almost draining all my spiritual power and mental energy."

He could feel the stinging pain coming from his meridians; such an explosive force beyond his limits could only be used once.

Lin Feng nodded solemnly: "Sword intent is extraordinary, and its forced application is inherently extremely dangerous. It is fortunate that you were able to preserve your foundation intact. This matter is of utmost importance, concerning the inheritance of the Qingping Sword Immortal. Once we leave the secret realm, the higher-ups of the Dao Academy will surely find out."

Although no one had heard of the name Qingping Sword Immortal, Lin Feng knew that Qingping was a peerless figure who lived in seclusion, the only sword immortal in the world.

Such a person is someone even the head of a Dao Academy might not be able to meet; they only exist in legends. Yet Lu Ming was able to encounter such a person in the Dao Enlightenment.

"Who is the Sword Immortal Qingping? Wasn't it said that the path to immortality has long been severed and no one can become an immortal? How can someone still claim to be an immortal?" Zhao Qian asked in confusion.

"I don't know either. I only met Dao Qizhong once, and he gave me some pointers," Lu Ming said with a wry smile.

"That was a legendary figure; I never imagined he would actually appear in the world." Lin Feng's eyes flickered, but he didn't say anything more.

Although Lin Feng is young, his identity is mysterious and his knowledge is far beyond that of his peers. He naturally knows some of the secrets.

Lin Feng paused, then looked at everyone: "The most urgent task right now is to recover as quickly as possible. We have already wasted three days, and there are only five days left until the ten-day deadline. We must hurry to the reception platform in the center of the secret realm."

The second-tier ape king and what we obtained in the secluded valley are enough for us to enter the top 300.

"The spoils from the secluded valley will be distributed according to the agreement. The Ape King's inner core will go to Lu Ming, and the rest will be distributed according to contribution. Does anyone have any objections?"

No one dared to object. Lu Ming's sword strike was the key to breaking the deadlock; if he hadn't unleashed his power from the brink of defeat, it was uncertain whether they would have escaped unscathed.

After a day of rest, with the help of the elixir and meditation, Lu Ming and Qin Feiyu regained some mobility. Although they were still far from their peak, they were able to travel with difficulty.

Without delay, the group packed their belongings and embarked on their journey once again.

After this battle, the atmosphere in the squad subtly changed.

Although Lu Ming's cultivation level was not the highest, his earth-shattering sword strike and his courage in stepping forward in times of crisis earned him the respect of everyone.

Even Zhao Qian, who was usually silent, looked at him with more approval.

Hu Zhen's concern for him was evident in her words, and the tenderness she inadvertently revealed made the hidden feelings in Lu Ming's heart sprout quietly like a seed in spring rain.

But fortune may be a blessing in disguise, and misfortune may lurk within it.

Lu Ming was unaware that, while he was weakened by the shock of forcefully urging his sword intent, his Dao foundation was slightly damaged.

The seed of "Crossing the Demonic Heart," hidden deep within his mind, emitted its first faint fluctuation, subtly connecting with the fear born of his life-or-death crisis and his intense thirst for power...