Chapter 36: The Vast Sea of Swords

The "Vast Sword Sea" technique is overwhelmingly powerful. When mastered to perfection, it allows one to simultaneously wield a hundred thousand flying swords, forming a massive sword sea formation! Such swordsmanship could easily be called a match for ten thousand foes!

Imagine the scenario: at the same level of cultivation, the opponent controls a single flying sword, while you command a hundred thousand. The very moment you unleash those hundred thousand flying swords, the enemy would be so terrified they’d be paralyzed with fear.

However, the conditions to cultivate this sword art are extremely harsh. Setting aside other requirements, the sheer number of flying swords needed is beyond what ordinary people can bear.

A hundred thousand flying swords! Even if they were ordinary treasured weapons, the cost to forge them would be enough to drain the entire resources of a medium-sized sect.

If they were exquisite spiritual weapons, a super sect like the Vast Sect would have to expend tremendous energy to produce that many.

As for an individual, who would waste their time and money cultivating such an expensive sword technique? Only a fool would dare!

That alone has discouraged most people from attempting to cultivate the "Vast Sword Sea."

Another point is that to wield the "Vast Sword Sea," one must coordinate it with a matching body technique.

Though the sword manual does not explicitly mention this, Wan Yi has discerned it from the sword control methods. To fully unleash this sword art, it must be paired with the "Cloud Sea Maneuver" body technique.

"Cloud Sea Maneuver" was also created by Qiu Daoming, the founder of the Vast Sect, but it has since been lost within the sect. This is why no one in the Vast Sect has been able to fathom this sword technique until now.

But others might not know "Cloud Sea Maneuver," yet Wan Yi does. His inexpensive master passed it on to him alongside the "Emperor Slaying Art."

Earlier on the arena, when he killed Wang Peng, he even employed it. Therefore, it’s no exaggeration to say that the "Vast Cloud Sea" sword art was tailor-made for him.

At this moment, suppressing his excitement, Wan Yi followed Zhou Tong and found the disciple guarding the library. After handing over a spirit stone, he made a copy of the "Vast Sword Sea."

As the two left the library, they ran into Zhou Zihao, who was followed by a group of inner disciples from Danfeng Sect.

Wan Yi had seen these inner disciples before, but back then, none of them had bothered to look at him properly.

But today was different. The moment Wan Yi appeared, the inner disciples swarmed around him.

Surrounding him, they greeted him warmly, congratulating him, though their eyes betrayed envy and jealousy.

Wan Yi, having witnessed human nature in two lifetimes, saw through their false warmth but chose not to expose them. Such is the way of the world.

After some polite exchanges, Zhou Zihao laughed and said, "Junior brother, the master has just issued a decree, announcing to all Danfeng disciples that from now on, you are his personal disciple.

Before you, the master has only accepted five personal disciples. Besides me, the eldest senior brothers are either in seclusion or out on expeditions, so you haven’t met them yet.

But don’t worry, at the master’s birthday at the end of the month, each of them will appear."

As Zhou Zihao rambled on, Zhou Tong impatiently interrupted, "Second senior brother, are you done yet? Wan Yi just broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage recently and has been through several battles. He needs quiet to consolidate his realm. Aren’t you bothering him enough?"

Zhou Zihao slapped his head and laughed, "Right, right, how could I forget? My bad, my bad."

Then he turned to the inner disciples, "Alright, there’s plenty of time ahead. Everyone, disperse."

After dismissing the disciples, Zhou Zihao pulled out a storage pouch and stuffed it into Wan Yi’s hand with a smile.

"Wan Yi, forget what happened before. This is a gift from me, your second senior brother, to congratulate you on becoming the master’s personal disciple. From now on, we’re true senior brothers."

Looking at the goofy chubby man, Wan Yi was both amused and exasperated, but appreciating the gesture, he thanked him and accepted the pouch.

Peering inside with his divine sense, he exclaimed, “Wow! After becoming senior brothers, this chubby senior brother sure knows how to be generous!”

The pouch contained all kinds of pills, even two fifth-grade Guiyuan Pills, rare elixirs used only after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, and only fifth-grade or higher pill masters could refine them. They were extremely valuable on the outside market.

Moreover, Zhou Zihao had stuffed fifty thousand mid-grade spiritual stones inside, leaving Wan Yi utterly stunned.

Seeing Wan Yi dumbfounded, Zhou Tong took the pouch, examined the contents, and gave Zhou Zihao a knowing look.

At that moment, a spark lit up in Wan Yi’s mind as he recalled the promise he made to Qi Mingyue at Wangchuan Pavilion.

He blurted out instinctively, “Second senior brother, why aren’t there any Soul Nourishing Pills?”

Zhou Zihao was taken aback, puzzled, “Why do you want that? Those things are for new disciples to practice with. Besides nourishing the primordial spirit, they’re useless!”

Wan Yi chuckled, “I just broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Thought I’d take a few to recuperate.”

Zhou Zihao’s expression shifted, then he smirked slyly, “What’s the matter, junior brother? Feeling that frail?”

Wan Yi’s face darkened as he thought bitterly, “Fatso, I’m not frail at all!”

Seeing Wan Yi’s expression, Zhou Zihao was pleased. Though he continued teasing, he retrieved a transmission talisman and sent a message.

Soon, an inner disciple flew over, handing several storage pouches to Zhou Zihao. “Second senior brother, I’ve collected all the Soul Nourishing Pills from the disciples as you instructed. Check if it’s enough. If not, I’ll have them refine more in the next few days.”

Zhou Zihao took the pouches without even looking and handed them all to Wan Yi. Then he said to the inner disciple, “Have them make even more. These lazybones are getting rusty at refining pills!”

The inner disciple nodded and left. Zhou Zihao teased Wan Yi a few more times before departing the library.

Wan Yi bid farewell to Zhou Tong and returned to his thatched cottage.

Sitting cross-legged, he sighed softly and murmured, “Finally, some peace and quiet.”

After calming his breath and steadying his mind, Wan Yi began inspecting his spoils.

Earlier, he had slain seven disciples of the Dan Ding Sect in the arena. He had given one storage ring to Zhou Tong, leaving six remaining.

After examining them, he shook his head. Apart from some ordinary pills and mid-grade spiritual stones, there was nothing valuable in those six rings.

Then he took out a storage ring he had previously obtained from Lin Junxiu. After inspecting its contents, a satisfied expression finally appeared on Wan Yi’s face.

Inside were five exquisite spiritual flying swords. However, these items must be kept hidden, as Lin Junxiu had once used these flying swords openly before others.

If Wan Yi exposed them, he would be doomed. After some regret, he put away the storage ring, thinking, “These things will have to be handled by Wangchuan Pavilion.”

Recalling Wangchuan Pavilion, Wan Yi took out the several storage pouches filled with Soul Nourishing Pills. A rough estimate revealed over a million pills inside.

This surprised Wan Yi immensely. He drew out his Underworld Capture Order, and with a thought, vanished from the spot!

To be continued...