A brilliant beam of light shot out, flooding the entire world, transforming the once-dark Mountain River World into a realm of brightness.
“This is the first step in building the Mountain River World: possessing sunlight!”
The Human King’s voice echoed again.
Ling Xiao saw a sun-like object hovering in the sky above this world.
But this sun was crescent-shaped, looking quite peculiar.
“The first cauldron represents the ‘Inheritance of Light,’ the essential step to turn the Mountain River World from chaos to light. Comprehend it well. When that crimson sun becomes fully round, it will mean your Inheritance of Light is complete. Then, you can open the second cauldron.”
The Human King had thought of everything, leaving all the information for Ling Xiao, earning even greater respect and admiration from him for this mysterious sage.
“The crimson sun must go through fifteen steps to become round. Each step brings a gain. Take your time to comprehend. My mission is complete, and I must return to the Human King’s side.”
As the voice spoke, it vanished.
Ling Xiao realised he had lost much, including most of the special abilities previously gained from the Mountain River Martial Soul.
Only the ability to analyse and deduce had merged with the World Eye, becoming even stronger.
This was an unexpected gain.
Unfortunately, his martial soul clone was gone. Though it hadn’t been a major combat asset, it had still helped him greatly.
“It’s truly starting from scratch. Good thing the analysis and deduction ability remains. I’m not afraid.”
Ling Xiao took a deep breath and began meditating on the “Cauldron of Light.”
The first stage of the Cauldron of Light allowed him to comprehend the power of light and shadow, applicable to any martial art, and came with a free sword technique to complement it.
This was a brand-new sword technique—*Light and Shadow Sword Art*.
Light and shadow are inseparable.
Light creates shadow, and shadow reveals light’s existence.
*Light and Shadow Sword Art* had no fixed moves, only sword intent. Moves could be adapted or even fused with other sword techniques as needed.
The technique was divided into seven layers:
First Layer, Entry: Comprehend the power of the crimson sun and shadow.
Second Layer, Initial Success: The sword technique carries the might of the crimson sun, forming a “Shadow Sword” hidden within the sword qi, striking invisibly, nearly impossible to defend against.
Third Layer, Mastery: The sword technique can harness the crimson sun’s power, combining light and heat for a significant boost in strength, making one invincible below the Heavenly Human Realm.
Fourth Layer, Great Success: When unleashing sword qi, the power of light and shadow reaches a higher level, causing opponents within range to convulse or even melt from the heat, with the Shadow Sword’s power increasing further.
Fifth Layer, Pinnacle: The sword draws the crimson sun’s wrath and summons shadow demons, reaching a new height of destructive power.
Sixth Layer, Perfection: Forms two swords of light and shadow—the Sun Sword and the Moon Sword—using a treasured sword as the base, with light and shadow as support, greatly enhancing the wielder’s overall abilities.
Seventh Layer, Transcendence: Effects vary by individual.
“Though it’s a gifted sword technique, its power is impressive. Since I have no other martial skills now, I’ll try cultivating it.”
With that, Ling Xiao didn’t hesitate. Sensing the energy within the Nine Cauldrons Illusion Realm, he began cultivating *Light and Shadow Sword Art*.
Over time, his progress in the Inheritance of Light surged.
His mastery of *Light and Shadow Sword Art* advanced rapidly.
This was thanks to his prior miscellaneous training. Having studied many martial arts, he had a broad foundation, allowing him to quickly visualise references in his mind, making comprehension effortless.
*Light and Shadow Sword Art* First Layer, success!
Second Layer, success!
The Shadow Sword was nearly invisible to the naked eye, detectable only by Ling Xiao himself.
Lacking a light-attribute weapon, he used the Purple Lightning Sword for now. Fortunately, his weapons hadn’t been sealed, or he’d be at a loss.
He had no intention of discarding these swords.
He had a feeling the Nine Cauldrons would involve celestial phenomena. A world without such elements would be strange.
So, these treasured swords remained useful, especially since they’d been upgraded to immortal-grade artifacts, too valuable to toss aside.
“Once I leave, I’ll need to find a light-attribute sword. Using an incompatible weapon with *Light and Shadow Sword Art* isn’t ideal.”
Ling Xiao took a deep breath and continued cultivating.
Per the rules, he could stay in the Nine Cauldrons Illusion Realm for only nine hours, so he couldn’t waste time. With half an hour already gone, he needed to hurry and cultivate *Light and Shadow Sword Art* to a higher level.
As for moves, he wasn’t worried. The outside world had plenty of sword techniques, and he could find ones compatible with *Light and Shadow Sword Art*.
Outside the Nine Cauldrons Illusion Realm, the Moon Lady had vanished.
The Twelve Sects were discussing matters, cleaning up the aftermath of the battle. The Holy Emperor even planned to bestow the title of Chosen One on the Holy Son.
This sparked heated arguments with several judges.
Half an hour passed, and the scene was mostly cleared, but no consensus had been reached.
Then, a fiery dragon horse galloped from the horizon.
This was a mount exclusive to the Holy Dynasty’s imperial family.
The rider was the Holy Emperor’s eldest son, Ji Mingfeng, currently serving as the Border Defense General.
He rarely stayed in the Holy City, spending most of his time fighting the Blue-Eyed Tribe and the Barbarian Tribe.
“Mingfeng, why are you back?”
The Holy Emperor was surprised to see Ji Mingfeng.
“Your Majesty, something major has happened!”
For Ji Mingfeng to say this, it was no small matter.
“What’s so important that you’d break our father-son agreement?”
The Holy Emperor was displeased.
Though Ji Mingfeng was his eldest son, he was born of a concubine, his mother’s identity unknown. The Holy Emperor didn’t want him in the Holy City, so he kept him on the frontlines.
Ji Mingfeng was quite strong. In his forties, he was already a Cave Heaven Realm warrior, his talent arguably no less than the Holy Son’s, but he lacked a prominent mother.
“A month ago, the Blue-Eyed Tribe launched a sudden attack on the Barbarian Tribe, annexing all their territory in just three days and capturing the Barbarian King alive!”
Ji Mingfeng reported without explanation, laying out the facts.
What!
The news shocked not only the Holy Emperor but also the Twelve Sects’ leaders.
Some smirked secretly, though they didn’t laugh aloud.
Clearly, some had known about the Blue-Eyed Tribe’s attack on the Barbarians.
