The sound of sword resonance echoed between heaven and earth.
At this moment, atop the cloud-covered steps, the figure of the young girl seemed like the only existence in the world.
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully invested in 'Ying Bing,' aiding her in achieving Sword Heart Enlightenment.]
[You have an unclaimed investment reward.]
Well, that was... unexpectedly abrupt.
It seemed the ice block had let go of her mental burdens and suddenly attained enlightenment?
No wonder she bore the Red Destiny—even overcoming inner turmoil manifested such extraordinary phenomena...
As everyone knew, $2ewards from the ice block were usually earth-shattering.
"No need for thanks. I benefited as well."
"That’s not the same."
Ying Bing shook her head lightly, a trace of softness emerging in her serene eyes.
How could progress in the Intent Soul compare to Sword Heart Enlightenment?
Moreover, what she gained from that radiant moon was far more than just that.
The moon imprinted within Li Mo’s Intent Soul was truly extraordinary—
mysterious, tranquil, eternal.
Even with just a fleeting glimpse, she couldn’t fully grasp its depths...
"When you have time, we can occasionally... revisit the second layer of Phoenix Cry Over Heavenly Marsh."
Without the slightest hesitation, Ying Bing agreed.
Then, taking Li Mo’s hand, she continued forward.
Li Mo couldn’t help but smile wryly.
The familiar ice block was back—and seemed even more formidable than before.
Her delicate silhouette swayed slightly as she ascended toward the peak of the Sword Tower, yet it gave the illusion that the tower itself was drawing closer to her.
Before long, $2he trio finally stepped onto solid ground again.
Li Mo surveyed the scene.
The summit of the Sword Tower held no additional structures—only a cascading waterfall and a clear spring.
The waterfall shimmered brilliantly, its misty spray tingling against the skin.
The pond appeared lifelike, complete with water plants, swimming fish, lotus blossoms, and pebbles...
Yet Li Mo could tell—
none of it was real. Everything was formed from condensed Qi and Intent, taking tangible shape.
The onlookers held their breaths in awe.
"That is the mystical stone bearing the Hengyun Sword Mark."
Elder Zeng stepped onto the summit and casually pointed.
Instantly, the waterfall parted.
Through the glistening veil of mist, a weathered stone could be vaguely seen, as if enduring endless ages of erosion.
Gazing at it sent tremors through one’s soul.
The sword mark upon it was striking—a single glance made the Intent Soul quiver.
"The Sword Mark Stone..."
Li Mo’s attention, however, was drawn to the stone itself.
For some reason, $2he sight of it reminded him of a passage from Journey to the West:
"By the seaside of the Eastern Continent’s Aolai Country stood the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. At its peak lay a stone, tempered by the sun and moon, weathered by wind and rain..."
Was it the waterfall evoking thoughts of the Water Curtain Cave?
Or was the stone simply too extraordinary?
"Hmm..." Jiang Chulong’s gray-white eyes, hidden behind cloth, seemed lost in thought.
Ying Bing narrowed her striking phoenix eyes, as if piercing through the chaotic Qi and Intent to perceive its essence.
Li Mo snapped out of his reverie.
Yin Mianmian was also present, disguised through some unknown method.
He had already relayed her information to Bai Jinghong, who passed it to Elder Zeng.
Why had Sword City still taken no action?
Were they waiting to reel in a bigger catch—to wipe out the Misty Rain Tower’s influence in Yunzhou in one sweep?
"To comprehend the profundity of the sword mark, one must pour their Intent Soul into it."
"Thus, only one person may meditate upon it at a time."
Elder Zeng glanced at the Sword City disciples—Bai Jinghong and the others.
"Wu Chushu, you go first. Let this master see if you’ve made progress."
Wu Chushu stepped forward.
Crossing the parted waterfall, he solemnly approached the Sword Mark Stone and sat in meditation.
A ripple of Intent Soul energy spread as the visions of his comprehension manifested around him.
His face paled slightly under immense pressure, yet his expression gradually brightened with excitement.
"He grasped a sword technique?"
Li Mo focused intently.
The pond’s surface now bore scattered flower petals.
Before long, $2u Chushu rose, first swallowing a pill to restore his Intent Soul before returning to bow to Elder Zeng.
Elder Zeng’s eyes crinkled with approval as he announced loudly:
"Wu Chushu has comprehended a superior martial art—Sword Cleansing Amidst Prosperity!"
Do not underestimate superior martial arts.
In the martial world, many minor sects considered even mid-tier arts as their foundational legacies—let alone a self-created technique perfectly suited to its wielder.
Moreover, even among superior arts, there were hierarchies.
Sword Cleansing Amidst Prosperity far surpassed what Wu Chushu had grasped last time.
Given time, he would surely attain a peerless technique.
The crowd inhaled sharply, hearts brimming with yearning.
Next, $2ai Jinghong and Cao Mu took their turns.
Cao Mu’s results mirrored Wu Chushu’s.
Bai Jinghong, however, stole the spotlight spectacularly.
Suddenly, $2 silver-scaled, spiritually vibrant white fish appeared in the pond.
Elder Zeng’s voice boomed even louder:
"Bai Jinghong has comprehended a single move of a low-tier peerless sword technique!"
"Excellent! Though only one move, Jinghong has made remarkable strides!"
The proclamation echoed below.
The elders’ brows relaxed.
At Bai Jinghong’s age, comprehending a peerless technique was a rarity even in Hengyun Sword City.
Where divine techniques were absent, peerless arts stood at the pinnacle of martial prowess!
The crowd buzzed with astonishment.
"Young Master Bai’s swordsmanship talent is so formidable?"
"But didn’t that girl defeat him effortlessly in the arena?"
"Then... doesn’t that make the girl even more terrifying?"
"Young Master Bai once prostrated himself before Sword Immortal Li in reverence. Does that mean... Li might comprehend a divine technique?"
Whispers spread like wildfire.
At the tower’s peak, $2ll eyes turned to Li Mo’s trio.
Elder Zeng now spoke:
"Little girl, it’s your turn."
Jiang Chulong bit her lip and glanced back.
Li Mo deployed his patented head-pat technique.
Feeling the warmth on her head and seeing the encouragement in Li Mo’s eyes, she nodded firmly.
She couldn’t... let Big Brother Li down.
And so, $2nder the crowd’s gaze, $2iang Chulong approached the mystical stone.
In the next instant, $2 surge of emerald green erupted across the pond’s surface, spreading wildly.