48: The Sword of the Spirit
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Name: Chen Longshi
Age: 20/50
Race: Half-demon
Life Level: Silver
Strength: 35, Agility: 35, Constitution: 35, Spirit: 160
(Silver rank breakthrough to Gold rank life: Strength, Agility, Constitution attributes range from 31 to 80.)
Profession: Swordsmith—Devouring Sword Technique
Star Skill Level: Bronze (can grow)
Skill Effect One: Can use this star skill to refine a sword-type star artifact, awaken the sword’s spirit, and forge it into a life-bound sword. Once refined, the life-bound sword cannot be replaced, and even if damaged, it can be repaired by devouring with the Devouring Sword Technique.
Skill Effect Two: Can use the Devouring Sword Technique to refine sword-type star artifacts, devouring weapons of the same grade and type, which automatically generates restrictions. When these restrictions reach their limits, the life-bound sword will be promoted to a higher-grade star artifact.
Star Chart Destiny: Nine-Rank Reincarnation Purple Lotus (108 stars)
Soul Sutra (Supreme): Second Stage, Soul Core Condensation (15%)
The supreme soul cultivation method inherited from the Reincarnation Purple Lotus.
Companion Star Treasure: Nine-Rank Reincarnation Purple Lotus (low-grade soul treasure)
Martial Cultivation: Star Vein Realm—Vein Condensation
Star Technique:
Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art, Silver Level
Thirty-six layers in total; each layer refined strengthens the body once.
Star Skills:
Inherited Star Skill: Nine-Star Sword Control (Bronze, can grow) (6/10): Extreme Sword Technique, Severing Sword Formula, Nebula Sword Method, Soaring Bird Sword Art, Eight Flashes of the Vast Sky, Sword Reversal
Bronze Level (can grow) (6/10)
Iron Level: Instant Step, Chain Thrust, Block Shield, Moonlight Slash, Ephemeral Art, Steel Battle Step, Crescent Slash
Bronze Level: Flash Step, Meteor Spear, Counter Shield, Star-Moon Combo Slash, Starquake, Breath Concealment
Silver Level: None
Symbiotic Demon Beast: Devourer Demon (Iron Level), Infant Stage.
Soul Food: 2,560,000
Innate Ability One: Devour Evolution
Innate Ability Two: Demon Stomach Space
Innate Ability Three: Demonization
...
After successfully breaking the silver-level life gene lock, Chen Longshi’s attributes underwent a complete transformation. The first improvement was to the half-demon’s typically short lifespan, which was immediately extended by twenty years. Yet, even as a naturally gifted martial artist, in a profession where longevity is the norm, living to only fifty still made him a short-lived outlier.
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The silver-level life tier greatly broadened his horizons and perception, allowing him to gaze upon the infinite starry sky from a higher vantage point. Even looking at other bronze-level agents and secret police in the base, he felt as if he were observing lower-dimensional beings from a higher-dimensional perspective. If he didn’t pay attention, a powerful magnetic aura would radiate from him, oppressing those around and making them uneasy.
Chen Longshi noticed this change immediately. Thanks to his spiritual specialty, he quickly mastered his body’s transformation and gradually drew his higher-level life pressure back inside.
Moreover, this natural breakthrough from the Star Forging Realm to the Star Vein Realm brought another clear benefit—he had barely advanced and already condensed three star veins in one go. His Strength, Agility, and Constitution each jumped from 30 to 35. If he were still at bronze level, this would have required training two more star techniques.
Most importantly, with his strengthened constitution, he could now push his cultivation of the Soul Sutra even further.
Under the astonished gazes of those around him, Chen Longshi entered the washroom, scrubbed away the encrusted blood, and looked at his reflection—his physique perfect, skin like white jade, seemingly fragile yet containing immense power.
Just as he was about to leave, a colonel stopped him.
“You just broke your gene lock. You might want to get acquainted with your newfound strength, lest you break something by accident.”
Chen Longshi shook his head from afar, “No need, I control my own body.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. Sir, did you need something?”
The colonel, Li Ying, was the supervisor on duty at the training ground. After sizing up Chen Longshi, he confirmed he wasn’t bluffing and sighed, “Remarkable—just advanced and already perfectly in control of your body. Let me introduce myself. I’m the supervisor here. Due to the urgency of your breakthrough, you were given five extra high-grade star crystals. This will be recorded in your account and must be repaid.”
Chen Longshi was slightly surprised. No wonder his star power was so abundant during the breakthrough. His smart wristband immediately received a bill.
He had only just reached Silver, and already he owed a debt. In the Star Forging Realm, the demand for star cores and star crystals wasn’t great, but now, in the Star Vein Realm, he would need large quantities of star crystals. Clearly, he’d have to find more ways to make money. Not only star crystals, but military merits in the Heavenly Sword Bureau were also extremely valuable.
“Thank you for your assistance, sir,” Chen Longshi said.
Li Ying nodded, “Now that you’ve entered the Star Vein Realm, you’re truly stepping into the path of star power cultivation. There’s much to do—report to your department as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Azure Dragon squad leader, Wu Tianyuan, was out on a mission with his team, and no one from his fifth unit was present except for the deputy captain, Chu Qingyu, who was stationed at the base. Chen Longshi went to find him directly.
Chu Qingyu had been waiting, “Congratulations on your advancement, Chen Longshi.”
“Thank you, captain. It’s just a small step, not worth mentioning.”
Chu Qingyu smiled, “You’ve been here less than a month and already broken your gene lock. From a young man’s perspective, you’re a true genius. But you remain humble and clear-headed, that’s good. Come with me—someone wants to see you.” He said little more and led Chen Longshi deeper into the facility.
Soon, Chen Longshi saw a familiar silver-haired man—the self-proclaimed Silver Fox he’d met briefly in the library.
“This is our Special Investigation Department’s director, Director Yuan Tianfeng.”
Chen Longshi showed no surprise and saluted respectfully, “Greetings, Director. Chen Longshi from the Azure Dragon Special Action Team, Fifth Unit, reporting.” He had already suspected this man’s extraordinary status but hadn’t expected him to be his direct superior.
Chu Qingyu left after delivering him, saluting before he departed.
Yuan Tianfeng smiled, “Take a seat, no need to stand on ceremony.”
“Thank you, Director.”
“Outsiders call me Silver Fox. If you don’t mind, you may use my codename as well.”
“…”
Yuan Tianfeng laughed, “In the Star Pavilion library, I saw you redeeming body refinement techniques and thought you’d need more time to break your gene lock. You’ve given me quite the surprise.”
Chen Longshi instantly understood. A special star skill like “Dragon Elephant Martial Disk,” which could break level caps, wouldn’t go unnoticed. Now it seemed likely that the director had given him special attention.
“Thank you for recommending the Dragon Elephant Martial Disk, Director.”
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Yuan Tianfeng waved his hand indifferently and poured tea for Chen Longshi, who thanked him again.
He said, “The path of martial cultivation is divided into the Star Forging Realm, Star Vein Realm, Star Core Realm, Star Sea Realm… These merely describe the process of star power’s transformation. Only upon reaching the Star Vein Realm does one truly begin to touch the mysteries of star power. Yet the ultimate goal for martial artists like us is to constantly break the shackles of our genes and ascend to higher forms of life.
The leap from Silver to Gold life level is crucial. Many martial artists never even glimpse the threshold of Gold in their lifetime. You are very talented—not just you, but also Wang Ben and other new recruits. The Heavenly Sword Bureau is keeping a close eye on all of you. I heard the legacy you obtained in the Sword Tomb Secret Realm is a sword technique inheritance?”
“It is, but for now it’s only at bronze level, so I can’t bring out its full power.”
“Could you demonstrate a little?”
Chen Longshi did not refuse. He gestured, and the Zhi Jiang Sword turned into a stream of light, circling the office before hovering before him.
Yuan Tianfeng’s eyes lit up. With a casual wave, the Zhi Jiang Sword, despite Chen Longshi’s control, floated into his hand.
Chen Longshi was startled. His Zhi Jiang Sword was his life-bound weapon, refined with the Devouring Sword Technique, with its own sword spirit—others should find it nearly impossible to take it away. Yet now, someone could simply pluck it from him.
“Star Sea Realm, or even higher.”
He instantly judged the director’s realm and, accepting the outcome, calmed the sword spirit to temporarily relinquish control.
Yuan Tianfeng, simply delighted by the sword, examined it and then returned it. “Controlling a sword with the mind—this is only accessible after the Star Sea Realm. Yet your sword inheritance allowed you to open your sea of consciousness from the Star Forging Realm. No wonder it’s the Sword Tomb legacy.”
Retrieving the Zhi Jiang Sword, Chen Longshi sensed fear from the sword spirit for the first time. He couldn’t help but speculate more about this seemingly gentle director.
While soothing the sword spirit, he caught the subtext in Yuan Tianfeng’s words and asked, “Director, did you too participate in the Sword Tomb Secret Trial?”
Yuan Tianfeng didn’t deny it, nodding, “When the Sword Tomb Secret Realm was first discovered, it caused quite a stir among sword-enthusiastic martial artists. I was only at bronze level then and tried my luck, but gained nothing—not even a ranking. Over the years, countless geniuses have tried, and none succeeded. The trial is simply too harsh.
Yet you came out on top.
Are you aware that your obtaining the Sword Tomb inheritance has attracted the attention of every sword-user in Huaxia? If no one could obtain it, that’d be one thing. But for you alone to succeed makes others look inferior—are all Huaxia swordmasters worthless? Many are eager to see what sets you apart.”
He looked at Chen Longshi with a teasing expression.
“Uh?” Chen Longshi was dumbfounded. Wasn’t this just making enemies? What difference could there be—well, obviously, he was more handsome. Judging from this mischievous look, was the director one of those who wanted to beat him up?
Seeing his uncharacteristic unease, Yuan Tianfeng laughed, “Do you know our bureau chief, Li Chungang, is the foremost swordsman in Huaxia and even the Federation?”
“Of course. ‘If you haven’t met Li Chungang, all your swordsmanship is in vain.’”
Li Chungang, famed as the Sword Immortal, often appeared as a righteous leader in films of his previous life—always the epitome of cool. He was among the most popular of all superheroes. Chen Longshi felt awkward, “I’m part of the Heavenly Sword Bureau now; the chief wouldn’t just let his own people get bullied, right?”
“‘If you haven’t met Li Chungang, all your swordsmanship is in vain?’” Yuan Tianfeng repeated, “Who said that?”
“Uh…” Chen Longshi scratched his nose, unable to answer.
Yuan Tianfeng didn’t mind, “Whether the chief intervenes or not, I won’t. Still, you truly are lucky. When I first met you, I noticed your unusual spiritual power. Later, I checked your file and learned you’d awakened telekinesis. A born spiritual cultivator—such a gift, combined with the sword inheritance of mind control, is a perfect match. I can see why the Sword Tomb chose you.”
“It didn’t choose me—I just cleared the trial,” Chen Longshi thought.
Yuan Tianfeng continued, “But while your spiritual power is vast, its quality is poor—diffuse and stagnant, like dead water. Don’t take offense—if you disagree, try facing my spiritual sword.”
As he spoke, a golden miniature sword shot out from his forehead, condensed entirely from spiritual power.
The moment it appeared, Chen Longshi was immediately alert. Its aura drew him to instinctively unleash his telekinesis to contend with the spiritual sword. Yet no matter how much power he exerted to wear it down or tear at it, he could only slightly shake it. He could sense the sword didn’t contain much spiritual energy, so why was this the result?