"DING! Detected that the host has taken the Empress as a disciple. Activating 100-fold reward multiplier!
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Ziwei Divine Sword!"
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining Grandmaster Level Sword Intent!"
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Emperor Level Martial Arts: Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique!"
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining fifty years of Cultivation!"
The next moment, an overwhelming torrent of reward notifications echoed in his ears.
'This damn system finally dropped the good stuff! Getting rich in one go feels amazing!'
Qin Yang watched the panels constantly popping up before him, a wave of sheer pleasure washing over him, his heart pounding with excitement.
All those days and nights he had spent staking her out to make her his disciple had finally paid off.
The time he'd spent tailing her hadn't been in vain. It was all so worth it!
'It's all thanks to my good disciple.'
Qin Yang glanced at Li Zixuan with satisfaction. She was in the middle of comprehending the Sword Dao, her face flushed and her breathing light. Strands of hair, damp with fragrant sweat, clung to her skin.
The more he looked at her like this, the more pleasing she was to the eye.
'Not bad. As expected of the future Empress, the rewards she drops are simply deluxe!'
Seeing that Li Zixuan was deep in her comprehension, Qin Yang decided not to disturb her. Since he'd received his rewards, he activated a Body Technique and quietly left Broken Peak Mountain.
He made his way to a more distant mountain valley.
It was secluded and deep.
'The perfect place to check my rewards!'
'Alright, let's see what kind of good stuff I got.'
Qin Yang focused his thoughts, his mind zeroing in.
The next moment.
HUMMM!
A clear sword ring resounded as the light of the Ziwei star shot toward the heavens, coalescing into a longsword measuring three feet and six inches.
The hilt was entwined with dragons and phoenixes, and its entire body radiated a lustrous glow. When the moonlight cascaded down from above the clouds, the blade reflected it as a magnificent purple haze that filled the sky, serving as its sword gleam!
"What a sword!"
Qin Yang examined the Ziwei Divine Sword, then ran two fingers along its blade.
In an instant, the sword's ring responded with a cheerful, lively hum.
It had undoubtedly gained sentience, transitioning from Extraordinary to Saint, reaching the absolute Top Grade among Divine Weapons!
The birth of such a Divine Sword was bound to be accompanied by a celestial phenomenon.
Qin Yang looked up at the night sky. A brilliant aurora had erupted, completely eclipsing the moon and stars, creating a magnificent and grand celestial vision!
...
In the city center, neon lights flickered and traffic flowed endlessly.
Passersby stopped in their tracks, staring toward the night sky over the suburbs, all of them dumbfounded. They quickly pulled out their phones to take pictures.
"Holy shit! Honey, look over there! Are those actual gods?!"
"Don't tell me it's that Innate Realm expert from last time again!"
"Hey! Driver, stop going forward! Head toward that light! A treasure must have appeared!"
In an instant, the entire city was in an uproar!
With the cacophony of voices, the blaring of horns, and the shocked screams of the crowd, the entire downtown area descended into chaos. The traffic instantly became a tangled mess!
The once-open roads leading to the suburbs were now congested to a complete standstill.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
Just then, the people heard the sound of clothing cutting through the wind overhead as dark figures flickered past.
They looked up.
It was several powerful Star Martial Artists, executing exquisite Body Technique Martial Arts. As swift as lightning, they sped past, bypassing the congested roads.
The numerous experts of Jianghai City were spurred into action by the phenomenon, all rushing toward the secluded valley.
"Elder Li, you are wise and experienced. Have you ever seen such an abnormal celestial phenomenon?"
The library's Hall Master activated his Body Technique, his body moving like a falcon, and struck up a conversation with Elder Li beside him.
The Cultivation of these two was already at the Innate Realm, so they were far ahead of the other Cultivators rushing to the scene.
"This phenomenon looks more like the appearance of some kind of Exotic Treasure."
Elder Li's white beard billowed in the wind as he sped along beside the Hall Master.
"My thoughts are the same as yours, Elder."
The Hall Master nodded in deep agreement. "An ancient text once said, 'If a purple vapor appears between the constellations of Dou and Niu, it is the essence of a treasured sword, rising up to be perceived by the great ones.'"
"Hall Master, are you saying... a Divine Sword has been born?"
Elder Li raised his white eyebrows, his voice filled with shock and uncertainty.
"Indeed. In ancient times, a similar vision of purple vapor appeared. Beneath the spot corresponding to that celestial phenomenon, the treasured swords Longquan and Ta'e were unearthed!"
The Hall Master gazed at the glowing phenomenon in the distance and speculated, "Now that such a vision has appeared, we cannot simply stand by and do nothing."
"Naturally."
Elder Li nodded, then suddenly remembered something and looked toward the valley. "That girl, Xiaoxuan, is comprehending the Sword Dao nearby. I hope she isn't affected..."
...
「Meanwhile.」
On Broken Peak Mountain, Li Zixuan slowly opened her eyes, a gleam of sword light flashing within them.
Then, as if a sword being returned to its scabbard, it vanished without a trace.
'I finally did it.'
She licked her lips. Comprehending 'One Sword Opens the Celestial Gate' had taken a great deal of mental effort. By now, she was dripping with fragrant sweat, her whole body soaked.
Her thin, form-fitting shirt clung tightly to her skin, clearly outlining the curves of her developing figure.
'Ah, I'm all wet.'
Li Zixuan suddenly remembered that her master was still there, and a blush instantly crept up her fair neck.
However, just then, the silent atmosphere around her brought her back to her senses.
'Huh? Where's Master?'
Li Zixuan looked around in confusion and suddenly noticed the glowing light on a nearby mountain peak.
The radiant light shot toward the sky, obscuring the night, leaving her in a momentary daze.
'So beautiful... Did Master do this?'
Li Zixuan stared at the glow, wishing she could rush over immediately.
But before she went to see her master,
First,
...she had to change out of these soaking wet clothes.
...
「Back on the other side.」
The main culprit behind the city-wide disturbance, Qin Yang, was lying on the grass, enjoying the beautiful glow with a look of pure bliss.
The Ziwei Divine Sword lay beside him, casually tossed in the weeds. If any of those other Practitioners knew a Divine Artifact was being treated this way, they would probably die of anger on the spot.
'Not bad, not bad. This glow really is beautiful, almost like the northern lights.'
Qin Yang yawned, put away the Ziwei Divine Sword, and already began to feel bored.
'Time to accept the next wave of rewards.'
He opened his panel and checked the information.
The reward after the Ziwei Sword was the Grandmaster Level Sword Intent.
'Huh? It gave me Grandmaster Level directly?'
The corner of Qin Yang's mouth twitched. He was completely thrown by this reward.
As far as he knew, the Levels of Sword Intent in this world were roughly divided into five major Realms: Preliminary Form, Xiaocheng, Great Success, Perfection, and Grandmaster.
And now, as a result of the Empress becoming his disciple, the system had maxed it out directly!
'Yes, yes, yes! The 100-fold reward is just that badass!'
'If I'd gone through the normal process of taking a disciple, the damn system probably would have just given me the fucking 'Preliminary Form' Realm and made me level it up slowly.'
'Level it up? Level up my ass!'
Overjoyed, Qin Yang focused his mind and directly integrated the Grandmaster Sword Intent.
The next moment.
A majestic Sword Intent erupted from him, crushing the grass, trees, and rocks in a radius of several meters around him.
BOOM! BOOM!
The terrifying Sword Intent gradually spread.
In no time, it covered the entire mountaintop, forming an insurmountable cage of oppressive power!
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
Outside the mountain, the sounds of rushing figures came to a halt. The many experts who had hurried over from Jianghai City stopped in their tracks, not daring to advance another inch, all of them utterly horrified.
"Don't get any closer! What terrifying Sword Intent pressure! There must be a Grandmaster Level expert in the valley!"
"Could it be that an expert is fighting a Star Beast?"
"A Star Beast fighting for a treasure? Could it be the same expert from last time, the one who performed One Sword Breaks the Peak?!"
They speculated wildly, but none came close to the truth.
Only Li Zixuan, who was on her way, sensed the Sword Intent and instantly understood everything. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Master! That has to be Master's Sword Intent!"