---
Arthur quietly stepped back into his small room at the inn, closing the door softly behind him. The warm evening light filtered through the window, casting long shadows on the wooden floor. Sitting cross-legged, he placed the various cultivation resources he had purchased carefully in front of him, preparing to absorb their essence into his body.
The assortment of resources lay before him like treasures: two fresh Azure Flame Spirit Grasses, five shimmering Stellar Dew Crystals, ten brittle but fragrant Wind-Touched Silver Leaves, three small vials of bright Thundersap Resin Drops, and a heavy, compact Refined Beast Core extracted from a Thunder Panther's essence.
Taking a deep breath, Arthur closed his eyes and extended his consciousness inward to the hidden channels of his body — the vast network of meridians, spiritual veins, and the Scroll Realm's embryonic throne glowing within.
The first to activate was the Azure Flame Spirit Grass. As he slowly chewed its fiery leaves, a gentle warmth blossomed inside his dantian. The grass was renowned for its flame essence that purified blood and qi, and within moments, Arthur felt his meridians heat up just enough to smooth over lingering blockages from his previous training. The flame did not burn but instead revitalized his vessels, enabling energy to flow more freely and strengthening the core foundation of his Scroll Realm.
Next, he crushed the Stellar Dew Crystals between his fingers, releasing a sparkling essence that he drank carefully. The crystalline droplets seeped into his spiritual veins, akin to tiny stars falling into a dark river. This essence was like liquid clarity — it refined his spiritual awareness, clearing away fog and helping his soul sense grow keener. As the dew spread, Arthur felt an expanding calm in his mind and a subtle elevation of his spiritual veins' resonance with the Scroll Realm's throne.
Arthur then powdered the Wind-Touched Silver Leaves and inhaled their fine dust. These leaves were famed for their delicate qi that attuned the body to the natural flow of wind and movement. Immediately, Arthur's muscles tingled with lightness and responsiveness. His reflexes sharpened, and his entire body seemed to synchronize with invisible currents of air. This resource would be essential for perfecting his sword techniques and movement.
With careful precision, he uncorked the vials of Thundersap Resin Drops and applied a few drops to his wrists and temples. The resin's electric energy surged subtly beneath his skin, stimulating his nerve endings and enhancing his reaction speed. The small bursts of lightning energy also seemed to awaken his muscles' inner potential, allowing finer control over his strength and speed.
Finally, he opened the carefully sealed case holding the Refined Beast Core. This compact core was the distilled life essence of a Thunder Panther, a beast known for its fierce vitality and thunderous energy. He placed the core against his dantian, allowing it to pulse and merge with his inner energy store. The powerful life force replenished his vitality and solidified the Scroll Realm's throne inside him, anchoring his spiritual energy firmly to his physical body.
---
Arthur felt the energy within his body swirl and combine, gradually coalescing into a radiant golden light centered in his inner realm. The golden throne — his Scroll Realm foundation — shone brighter and stronger than ever before.
Suddenly, Nyx's voice echoed gently within his mind:
"You have reached Perfection of the First Realm: Scroll Embryo Foundation. Your foundation is stable and complete."
Arthur exhaled slowly, relief and exhilaration flooding through him.
"But..." Nyx added, "To awaken your Divine Ability and take the true step forward, you must first consolidate your cultivation through physical practice. The harmony of body, sword, and spirit is essential."
---
He rose and stepped outside into the inn's courtyard, where the training ground awaited. The place was modest but well-equipped—a rectangular stone-paved yard surrounded by low stone walls, engraved with faint runic symbols to ward off stray qi. Along the edges stood wooden training dummies carved with intricate human shapes, weighted practice poles, and a sturdy rack holding various swords and staffs.
The air smelled of fresh earth and pine smoke, calm yet brimming with latent power.
Arthur took out his newly acquired sword — the Windspike Fang. Its gleaming blade was thin but strong, perfectly balanced to his hand. He drew it slowly, the blade singing softly as it cut through the air.
---
Sword Techniques: Phantom Severing Wind Style
Arthur recalled the three levels of the Phantom Severing Wind Style, each a deadly dance of speed and precision:
1. Whispering Gale Slash — A rapid, low horizontal slash that could slice through solid armor by cutting through the air itself. It was designed to disrupt enemy guard and create openings.
2. Cyclone Dance — A fluid, spinning series of three strikes designed to overwhelm foes with unrelenting speed, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next.
3. Stormpiercer Lunge — A concentrated forward thrust channeled with inner energy to pierce deeply, capable of breaking through the toughest defenses.
Arthur moved through the forms, practicing the first two all evening until the stars blanketed the sky. His movements became fluid and confident; the sword felt like an extension of his arm.
By dawn, he had mastered both the Whispering Gale Slash and Cyclone Dance.
The next day, Arthur turned to the movement technique he had gained by defeating the bandit leader — Shadow Phantom Steps.
It had three stages:
1. Shadow Flicker — A brief teleport, leaving a blurred afterimage to confuse enemies.
2. Phantom Glide — Silent, agile footwork allowing swift repositioning without detection.
3. Ethereal Vanish — A near-invisible step creating shadow clones to mislead opponents.
Arthur worked tirelessly to combine these with his swordplay, discovering how Shadow Flicker before a Whispering Gale Slash made the strike unpredictable, and how Phantom Glide could reposition him for Cyclone Dance's spinning assault.
After hours of relentless practice, he finally mastered the third level — Ethereal Vanish — moving like a ghost in the courtyard, his shadow clones fooling even his own reflection.
---
As Arthur caught his breath near the wooden dummies, a group of knights in shining armor entered the training ground. Their presence was commanding but relaxed; their practiced movements showed discipline and pride.
One knight, tall and serious, approached. His name was Sir Kaelen, his armor marked with the sigil of a silver hawk.
"Stranger, your swordplay is impressive," Kaelen said, nodding respectfully. "But tell me, have you cultivated your sword intent?"
Arthur shook his head. "Sword intent?"
Another knight, younger and more jovial named Edrin, grinned. "Ah, that's the soul of swordsmanship. Without intent, even the sharpest blade is dull."
Kaelen explained, "Sword intent is the connection between your sword, your spirit, and the world. It determines the depth and power of your strikes beyond mere technique."
Edrin chimed in, "Think of it like this — each level of intent adds a layer of mastery to your swordplay. There are six recognized levels."
Kaelen continued solemnly, "They are:
1. Breeze Intent — Feeling the wind's guidance with every stroke.
2. Flame Intent — Harnessing fierce passion and explosive power.
3. Shadow Intent — Moving unseen and striking with deceptive precision.
4. Stone Intent — Immovable, defensive strength rooted like bedrock.
5. Storm Intent — A furious torrent of power and speed overwhelming foes.
6. Celestial Intent — Transcending mortal bounds; the sword becomes one with the universe."
Arthur's eyes widened. "I'm still at the beginning, then."
Kaelen smiled kindly. "We all start somewhere. But sword intent transforms a swordsman into an artist."
Edrin added, "Mastering intent is a lifelong path, stranger. But with your determination, you may surpass many."
---
As the sun dipped low, Arthur felt a quiet resolve settle in him. His unique realm was perfected, his techniques honed, and a newfound understanding of sword intent blossomed in his mind.
Nyx's voice echoed softly, "The journey is endless, but your foundation is strong. Continue to practice, to refine, and one day you will walk among the legends."
Arthur gripped the Windspike Fang tightly, the blade gleaming in the twilight.
"Then I'll carve my path through the Scroll of Devouring Realms."
End of Chapter 7