This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable

Dense clusters of firefly-like characters emerged.

[Dragon Sparrow] (Fire·Life-bound Sword)

Sword Master: Lu Qingshan

Quality: Taoist Artifact

Level: LV1 (0/10000) — [Damage of all sword techniques conducted through this life-bound sword increased by 10%]

Description: The dragon snake soars, the phoenix cries in the Nine Heavens

Magic Artifact Effect: As an instrument of the Great Dao, the strength of this sword has no limit and depends entirely on the Sword Master's cultivation.

Divine Skills:

[Dragon Breath]:

Passive: The dragon is the leader of scaled creatures, the most revered of the four spirits.

This sword inherently possesses dragon breath, which exerts a corresponding oppressive force against all demon beasts depending on their level.

Active: The sword emits dragon breath, eliminating evil and slaying demons.

Cooldown: 1 day

[Sparrow Chirp]:

Passive: The phoenix, adored by all birds, in command of divine fire.

This sword is immune to a hundred fires, resistant to all fire attribute attacks, and deals additional fire element damage with each strike.

Active: The phoenix cries to the Nine Heavens, the sword transforms into Dragon Sparrow.

Cooldown: 1 day

[Spell Breaking]: With the Dragon Sparrow Sword, one can break myriad spells.

Any barriers, formations, realms, or spells will be unable to withstand this divine skill.

Cooldown: 30 days

[Sword Spirit]: A spirit-communicating sword.

The spirit within this sword reaches up to Heaven and can assume a human form.

...

In that instant, the doubts Lu Qingshan had harbored deeply in his heart finally found an explanation.

Why had he taken such a liking to Qin Yitian from the very first moment he saw her?

Because she was the spirit of a divine sword!

For a sword cultivator, the fondness for a fine sword is indescribable and requires no reason.

Lu Qingshan had already speculated on Qin Yitian's identity before, and even associated her with the origin of the Dragon Pool's dragon breath, but he had never imagined that Qin Yitian's true identity would be that of a divine sword's spirit.

And the power of dragon breath was just a small part of her divine skills.

An intelligent sword is already extremely rare.

If a sword possesses spirit, it would be a dream weapon for sword cultivators, like the Three-feet Edge.

As for a sword spirit taking human form.

For any being to fully transform into a human is nearly impossible.

Even demon beasts, whose nature is most similar to the Human Race, retain some distinct features of their original form that they cannot change when transforming into humans, not to mention other creatures.

The Fire Spirit Flame from the Flame of Life has already taken on a completely human shape.

But its form is made of flames, which makes it visibly different from the Human Race at a glance.

A sword is an inanimate object; for a living being, the challenge is a thousand, ten thousand times greater than for other things, yet Qin Yitian, as the spirit of a divine sword, actually looks exactly like a human, flesh and blood.

Even with the experiences from his two lifetimes, Lu Qingshan had never heard of this.

He had never heard of it, and therefore he had never considered it.

It wasn't due to negligence on his part, but simply because it was beyond his realm of knowledge.

However, in reality, he had also never seen or controlled a Taoist Artifact with his own eyes.

A Taoist Artifact, possessing some divine skills that he couldn't imagine or understand, seems within the bounds of reason.

....

The Dragon Sparrow Sword vibrated with a hum.

A vermilion mist drifted from within, taking on the shape of a person's silhouette amid the light, hazy shroud.

Graceful as a startled swan, supple as a wandering dragon.

It was none other than the Dragon Sparrow Sword Spirit, Qin Yitian.

"Why me?" asked Lu Qingshan.

Qin Yitian murmured, "Young Master, just as sword cultivators have an indescribable love for a fine sword, the reverse is also true.

In the Dragon Pool, when you wielded your sword, I felt your presence, woke from my slumber, and actively sought you out.

Young Master, you are the finest of sword cultivators!"

Just as sword cultivators classify the quality of sword artifacts into various levels.

Actually, in Qin Yitian's perception, Sword Cultivators also have different levels of quality.

And Lu Qingshan was the only one she felt was equivalent to a Taoist Rank quality Sword Cultivator, like a precious gem.

As for the reason.

It was due to the Legendary Talent of the Innate Swordseed.

In terms of attractiveness to Sword Artifacts, as well as the natural talent for Sword Dao, who could surpass the Innate Swordseed?

"Where do you come from?" This was Lu Qingshan's next question.

A Taoist Artifact, the most powerful type of Magic Artifact between heaven and earth, why would it slumber at the bottom of the sea?

"I don't know," Qin Yitian shook her head apologetically, "Regarding my own origin and some other more secretive things, I have sealed them myself.

Only when your Cultivation reaches a certain level, can I unseal these, and restore my memory."

"As for the reason, it might be because these things are taboo."

Lu Qingshan understood, and wasn't surprised. Continue reading stories on empire

The existence of a Taoist Artifact was a secret that shook the heavens, so it made sense there were more secrets on top of that.

"Why didn't you reveal your identity back then in the Dragon Pool?" Lu Qingshan asked curiously.

"Although Young Master's natural talent for the Sword Dao is extraordinary and especially appealing to Sword Artifacts, I am a bit more demanding than ordinary Swords," Qin Yitian said with a look that wasn't quite a look and gazed at Lu Qingshan, explaining slowly, "So, just those qualities are not enough to touch me.

I wanted to stay by Young Master's side to see if Lu Qingshan was indeed the Sword Cultivator of my dreams."

"It was only from the moment you were willing to enter the Flame Spirit Realm that I truly acknowledged you in my heart.

Because, if you only use a sword as a weapon and learn some Sword Techniques, you can't be called a Sword Cultivator.

Only a Sword Cultivator with conviction and perseverance in his heart can truly be considered a real Sword Cultivator."

"From now on," Qin Yitian bowed slightly, "I shall hold true to my word and fight alongside you."

A Life-bound Sword is the lifeblood of a Sword Cultivator; nourished over a long time, it eventually becomes part of the Sword Cultivator's life.

If the Life-bound Sword is destroyed, the Sword Cultivator will at best be gravely injured, or at worst have their Cultivation journey end.

And as the Sword Cultivator nurtures it, the Sword Artifact itself will grow increasingly powerful.

The connection between a Sword Cultivator and their sword is closer than that between other Cultivators and their Magic Artifacts.

They are not only Sword Master and sword, but they also share the same aspirations and interests, they are comrades-in-arms sworn to live or die together, battle companions who rely upon each other in life and death.

Therefore, not only does the Sword Cultivator cautiously choose their Life-bound Sword, but Qin Yitian also takes great care in choosing her Sword Master.

Not only must the Sword Master have exceptional innate talent in the Sword Dao, but their interests must also align.

"Since you recognized me upon entering the Spiritual Abyss, why only now have you suddenly agreed to form a contract with me?" This was Lu Qingshan's last question.

Qin Yitian's face was lit with cunning, "How can adding flowers to brocade compare to sending charcoal in snowy weather?

If I don't appear when you are powerless and in need of me the most, how could you understand my value?

You are far-sighted and insightful, with every matter well in hand. All previous problems you could solve on your own, so naturally, I was reluctant to show myself.

It is only now that you have no options left that the best timing for me to appear has come."

A woman's thoughts you really shouldn't guess.

Even if she is a Sword Spirit, her little schemes are extra vigorous.

Hearing Qin Yitian's righteous explanation, the corner of Lu Qingshan's mouth twitched, and he murmured quietly, "You didn't even give me a heads up, what if I'd found another Life-bound Sword while waiting?"

Qin Yitian blinked at Lu Qingshan, seemingly not hearing his murmur, and did not speak.

...

In the midst of the Longevity River, Lu Qingshan and Qin Yitian emerged.

"Brother Lu, were you able to find the secret of the Spirit-Nullifying strength?" Mo Yan asked expectantly, even though he felt the hope was slim.

Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!

The floating Fire Spirits were calling out incessantly, and although their language was incomprehensible, the urgency in their emotions was clearly felt.

Lu Qingshan shook his head slightly at Mo Yan and said, "No clues."

"It's alright, Brother Lu has tried his best," said Mo Yan, a bit despondent but still comforting Lu Qingshan.

And all the Fire Spirits, upon hearing Lu Qingshan's response, also suddenly stopped their calling.

It seemed that Lu Qingshan could feel the spirits of the Fire Spirits dampen.

"Tell the Fire Spirits to gather all their kin," Lu Qingshan looked around and suddenly said with a light laugh, "When the Longevity Whale comes up to breathe, we will leave the Flame Spirit Realm together!"

"Didn't Brother Lu say you had no leads?" Mo Yan was startled.

"I only said I had no leads regarding the secrecy of the Spirit-Nullifying power, but I did not say I couldn't solve the issue," Lu Qingshan spread his hands and said with a calm demeanor.

Mo Yan didn't dwell on Lu Qingshan's sense of humor but instead was overcome with irrepressible elation.

This mood seemed unfounded, but Lu Qingshan could understand it.

If one day, countless sentient Swords were in peril, his own state of mind would probably be just like Mo Yan's at this moment.

Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!

All the Fire Spirits were chirping cheerfully at this time, their voices very pleasant.