Chapter 11: The Heavenly Derivation Sword Art

Lu Changfeng cast a casual glance at the spirit techniques on the first floor, then proceeded upward. The grades of these spirit techniques were far too low to capture his interest.

Zhou Xuantong observed Lu Changfeng’s actions without surprise. After all, Lu Changfeng was the direct disciple of the sect leader. It was expected that he would disdain these low-level spirit techniques.

As they ascended to the sixth floor, Zhou Xuantong asked with curiosity, “Senior Brother Lu, what kind of spirit technique are you looking to choose? I can take you to find one!”

Without hesitation, Lu Changfeng replied, “Sword manual…”

“Not a problem! Follow me, Senior Brother!” Zhou Xuantong said eagerly, leading the way.

The sixth floor was spacious, lined with countless shelves of dark red sandalwood, packed tightly with books. Some of the books even emitted a unique aura. As they walked, the pages seemed to flicker, almost as if beckoning passersby.

“From the outside, the sixth floor seems small, but inside it’s another world entirely,” Lu Changfeng thought, casually probing the surroundings. “It appears this place also contains spatial formations.”

Being the hall of cultivation techniques for the sect, the abundance of spirit techniques was naturally immense.

Upon reaching a spot beneath a suspended sword, a wave of sword intent surged and lingered around them.

“Falling Grass Sword Manual, Superior Yellow Grade, mastery turns grass into sword.”

“Mingxia Sword Manual, Inferior Black Grade, mastery causes glow to draw down heaven and earth.”

Lu Changfeng examined the sword manuals around him but did not choose immediately. Although these manuals were reasonably powerful, they held no allure for someone who had once been a Sword Sovereign in a past life.

One by one, he picked up sword manuals and set them down again. After about fifteen minutes, Zhou Xuantong was already feeling dizzy.

“Senior Brother… is there truly no sword manual here that catches your eye?” he asked softly. To him, the sword manuals here were exceptional. Many disciples might never even encounter an upper-grade Black Grade sword manual in their lifetime.

Just then, Lu Changfeng’s gaze shifted. He spotted a black book resting beneath one of the shelves. He casually took a sword manual and replaced it with the black tome.

The black sword manual’s cover was tattered and worn. Years of neglect had caused its pages to stick together. Carefully, Lu Changfeng brushed off the dust.

“‘Heaven’s Evolution Sword Manual’!” he murmured with a frown, holding the thin volume. “Is this an incomplete copy?”

Incomplete manuals were common in cultivation circles. Yet this was the first time Lu Changfeng had encountered one on the sixth floor of the Dao Yan Sect.

As he continued reading, the introduction of the manual came into view: “Heaven’s Evolution Sword Manual, origin unknown. This unique copy only records the first three forms.”

“The results of practice are uncertain.”

“Practitioners must exercise utmost caution! Caution!!!”

Lu Changfeng paid little heed to the warning scribbled by later readers. According to his past-life experience, the first form’s power was roughly on par with a superior Yellow Grade sword manual, but the third form, when perfected, could rival a Black Grade sword manual.

His eyes flickered. “The first three forms already match a Black Grade sword manual! If there are subsequent forms, how incredible might their power be?”

Based on his insight, the manual likely contained six more forms. If he could obtain the full sequence, the ninth form’s power might far surpass the Heavenly Grade.

Though he lacked his past life’s cultivation, his perspective endured.

Lu Changfeng was unwilling to let this manual go. What he needed now were sword manuals with great potential. It was regrettable that he could not cultivate the sword manuals from his memories, but this manual could serve as a foundation. If he grew strong enough in the future, he could seek out the remaining forms without wasting time training in other manuals.

As Lu Changfeng was putting away the Qianyuan Sword Manual, Zhou Xuantong frowned and asked, “Senior Brother… are you really planning to choose this one?”

Lu Changfeng turned and replied calmly, “What’s the matter?”

“No, no!” Zhou Xuantong hurriedly waved his hands. “I’m just surprised that you would be interested in this sword manual.”

“Oh?” Lu Changfeng eyed him curiously.

Zhou Xuantong quickly explained, “Previously, the First Senior Brother of Heavenly Sword Peak tried practicing this manual. He’s considered quite talented, yet he couldn’t even master the first form.”

“I even heard that because of this manual, his cultivation was stuck for almost a year without any progress.”

“So… I suggest you pick another one!”

Hearing this, Lu Changfeng raised an eyebrow and smiled, “It doesn’t matter. Just because he failed doesn’t mean I will.”

Had anyone else said this, Zhou Xuantong might have scoffed. But before Lu Changfeng, he felt a surge of admiration. After all, this was the prodigy who had triggered the Nine-Star Constellation Formation.

Zhou Xuantong quickly added flatteringly, “Of course! You are the unparalleled genius who activated the Nine-Star Constellation! Senior Brother, I believe in you!”

Lu Changfeng nodded slightly, then led Zhou Xuantong to the registration point. He handed over the sword manual and displayed his spirit talisman.

The hall elder paused, then asked, “Are you sure you want to borrow this manual?”

“Do you know even the sect leader of Heavenly Sword Peak has not fully comprehended this manual…”

Lu Changfeng nodded upon hearing the elder’s words, the manual’s status rising further in his estimation.

The elder nodded slightly, took a sip of wine, and fell silent. After all, he was only a hall elder. Normally, if a disciple borrowed this book, he would dissuade them. Most would return in shame after failing to cultivate it.

But Lu Changfeng was different. He was the prodigy who had triggered the Nine-Star Constellation. If he truly managed to cultivate this manual with initial success, it would be a serious matter.

Since the manual only contained the first three forms, seeking out or deducing the rest would be a time-consuming endeavor. The elder did not want to see such a talented youth’s cultivation stagnate because of this.

Lu Changfeng understood the implications and said softly, “Then register it.”

The elder sighed lightly and said, “Very well.”

After the First Senior Brother of Heavenly Sword Peak had mishandled this manual, although the Dao Yan Sect elders did not explicitly forbid lending it out, they treated the manual with caution.

Nearby disciples gathered, curious about the commotion. A disciple from Heavenly Sword Peak, carrying a soft sword at his waist, sneered upon seeing the registered manual.

“Tsk… such a reckless fool!” he mocked. “Daring to meddle with the Heaven’s Evolution Sword Manual? Even our peak’s First Senior Brother couldn’t comprehend it!”

“You’re only at the initial stage of the first pulse. Why do you think you can grasp this manual?”