The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

"Crack—"

A crisp sound echoed, and the remaining broken temple buildings crumbled into dust like an eroded sandcastle.

Juelu Sword Madman extricated himself from the cliff and silently lowered his head, "I submit."

The opponent had held back, or rather, had deliberately controlled the Blade Energy; otherwise, the final strike would not have merely lodged in the cliff.

Deep within the pit left by Juelu Sword Madman was a slash mark that pierced straight into the heart of the mountain.

At the last moment, the Blade Energy, like a bent curve, bypassed Juelu Sword Madman's body and slashed into the depths of the mountain.

Seeing Juelu Sword Madman bowing his head, the black in Qingyu's eyes receded. He lightly raised his left hand, sword Qi swirling around his palm, "Prepare to embrace your transformation."

"First strike."

With a profound shout, a dark green Xuanyin Sword Qi surged into Juelu Sword Madman's body.

Juelu Sword Madman's body trembled, yet he did not undergo body reconstruction directly by the Xuanyin Sword Qi like Ji Tang and Blood Bat No.1. He could endure much more Sword Qi.

Moreover, the Xuanyin Sword Qi did not dominate inside his body.

'It should be so,' Qingyu thought silently.

He valued Juelu Sword Madman precisely because of his well-tempered Sword Heart. If he wanted mere Sword Slaves, who are controlled by the sword, how many could he not have?

Yet such Sword Slaves had their limits set and could not achieve greater breakthroughs.

Sword Slaves who were limited in strength were merely carriers of Sword Qi, replaceable at any number. Those type of Sword Slaves were essentially no different from cannon fodder.

Only someone like Juelu Sword Madman, who could manipulate Xuanyin Sword Qi, was truly valuable.

"Second strike."

Sword Qi penetrated Juelu Sword Madman's body again, his hands faintly marked with red sword scars, but he hardly reacted. His limit was still far from being reached.

"Very well, your value warrants a greater investment. Third strike."

Juelu Sword Madman's eyes glimmered with a bright green light, malevolence brewing in his heart, but the will honed by hardship on his perilous path showed not a hint of submission.

"Fourth strike, Fifth strike, Sixth strike."

Three consecutive streams of Sword Qi infused his body, Juelu Sword Madman's aura emitted a faint Sword Qi, unconsciously revealing the Xuanyin Sword Armor.

"It seems that this is about your capacity," Qing Yu said somewhat regretfully as he withdrew the two Sword Qi strikes he was about to release.

Now, Xuanyin Sword Qi no longer held much use in Qing Yu's hands. Having cultivated sword intent and integrated the Xuanyin Twelve Swords, he no longer needed Sword Qi to execute all the Xuanyin Su Swords.

Ultimately, Sword Qi is the carrier of Sword Intent, a congregation of energy. With Qing Yu's strength at this moment, he could emit even stronger Sword Qi solely with his own power.

"This is..."

Juelu Sword Madman raised his hand, feeling the flow of Sword Qi within his body; it was the sensation of a blocked path being cleared.

He did not blindly rely on the Xuanyin Sword Qi; instead, he sought to understand the Sword Qi, using its power to carve open the path ahead.

"This represents hope, and it also signifies that henceforth, you will be under my control for life," Qing Yu said indifferently.

The Sword Qi, originating from Qing Yu, naturally came with means of control. When Juelu Sword Madman accepted this Sword Qi, he also handed over his life to Qing Yu.

"If this person feels emboldened to bite back in the future, he will once again taste the flavor of despair."

"The path to extinction is now open, but the name 'Juelu Sword Madman' no longer suits you. From now on, you will be the chief of my Xuanyin Sword Guards, wielding the Six Paths Xuanyin Sword Qi as the Xuanyin Sword Residence," Qing Yu spoke in a tone that brooked no disagreement.

"The Xuanyin Sword Residence greets the Mirror Master." The newly ranked second on the Earth List hesitated not at all, immediately giving thanks.

Although he originated from Buried Sword Peak, he had no affection for it. Those Elders of Sword God Lake wouldn't bother with a failed experiment.

To be the second on the Earth List was certainly powerful, but still far from their expectations. For they aimed for that strongest warrior who dethroned the Sword Dao - the second on the Heavenly List, the Sword God.

"Very well, Ji Tang."

"Ji Tang is here," said Ji Tang, who was watching the battle.

"Take Sword Residence and familiarize him with our stronghold; he just needs to adapt to the new powers he has acquired. Also, Zhang Xuanji is currently investigating the Shadow Pavilion's branch in Northern Zhou, and you all must support him fully.

If a formidable enemy appears, let Sword Residence slay them," Qing Yu instructed.

After fully adapting to the Six Paths Sword Qi, the strength of Xuanyin Sword Residence would reach or even surpass that of Xuanyin Jianchen in the original text. Such strength was comparable to Divine Communication.

The might of Xuanyin, which Qing Yu had never fully demonstrated even in the True Pill Realm, would be displayed by Sword Residence.

"Yes, Mirror Master."

··························

In the Imperial Palace of Northern Zhou, Qing Yu brought Xuanzhen to a desolate corner of the Cold Palace.

This was the most desolate part of the Imperial Palace; since the concubines previously sent to the Cold Palace had all died, there wasn't a single living person there now.

Surveying the gloomy and desolate palace, Xuanzhen was unfazed; instead he curiously said, "Qing Yu, your influence in Northern Zhou seems quite significant, you can even enter and exit the Imperial Palace freely."

Although they had avoided the guards, Xuanzhen didn't believe they could deceive Emperor Zhou.

The protection of the Imperial City by the Nine Dragon Sky Array, which supposedly prevents infiltrations, would definitely trigger an alarm if one entered without a palace token.

Not to mention, it is rumored that Emperor Zhou has begun cultivating the Emperor Martial Art, with the entire city under his control. Hiding from Emperor Zhou's sight is impossible.

So there is only one explanation: Qing Yu's standing in Northern Zhou is far greater than imagined.

Qing Yu smiled but did not explain his identity; instead, he pointed around and said, "Master Uncle is meditating here; the Nine Dragon Sky Array will especially guard this Cold Palace, and I will also guard outside the palace. No one can pass these two lines of defense and enter."

"But..." Through his Heavenly Son's Qi Observation Skill, Qing Yu observed Xuanzhen's calm appearance and saw the constantly shifting True Qi beneath it, "The Martial Art created by Master Uncle is as profound as the 'Taixu Wuji Scripture.' Are you confident?"

Although not yet completed, Qing Yu could see his Master Uncle's grand ambition.

Taisu, the origin of essence. His Master Uncle intended to base his understanding on Taisu to originate a unique Divine Skill for himself.

"To create this 'Taisu Primordial Skill,' I have squandered thirteen years at the peak of the True Pill Realm. If I can't succeed after thirteen years of hard work, then I might as well be dead."

His light words carried immense confidence and pride.

Xuanzhen, whose strength was no less than Xuanfa and Xuan Chen, chose to give up competing for the position of Sect Leader, focusing completely on Creation Ability due to his great ambition in Martial Arts.

Now that the Divine Skill was about to be completed, she had an irrefutable reason and determination not to give up.

"Then I wish Master Uncle success."

The doors of the Cold Palace slowly closed, a golden light curtain descending, sealing it off inside and out.