Chapter Ten: The Supreme Trinity Sword Technique

As this thought crossed his mind, he moved to another row of jade slips to continue his search. The manuals on weapon forging, pill refinement, and formation arts all focused solely on magical power, regardless of discipline. The sheer variety dazzled his eyes, leaving him overwhelmed, yet none seemed truly suitable.

Yang Nan’s singular ambition was to attain the Dao; what use had he for so many arts of little consequence? Only the most formidable techniques would suffice for him.

After some searching, he finally spotted a damaged jade slip in a corner. “To think that even in the Treasury of Techniques, a broken jade slip could be found?” Surprised, he extended his spiritual sense into it, discovering a rare weapon sect technique named the “Supreme Trifold Divine Sword Art.”

This Supreme Trifold Divine Sword Art was both an art of forging and of supernatural power. It combined the three primordial forces of Heaven, Earth, and Man with the three essences of soul, spirit, and will, dividing one’s being into three divine sword avatars: the Soul Sword that annihilates souls, the Spirit Sword that severs gods, and the Will Sword that cleaves bodies. Should one master the highest tier, these swords could sunder all beings and realms throughout past, present, and future!

Finishing the description, Yang Nan was both astonished and awed. The Supreme Trifold Divine Sword Art, by rank, was on par with the peerless secret arts reserved for true disciples. If not for the fact that only the method for refining the Soul Sword remained in this slip, how could such a peerless art be demoted to the rank of an ordinary first-tier technique?

Nevertheless, even completing just the Soul Sword would grant terrifying might. All things in heaven and earth possess soul and spirit; with the Soul Sword, if one’s opponent’s magical power or divine faculties were lacking, a single slash would annihilate both soul and spirit—truly a fearsome prospect!

The Spirit Sword’s ability to sever divine power was even more insidious: divine power is the very foundation of a cultivator’s strength. If struck by the Spirit Sword, a lifetime’s cultivation would be lost in an instant. The Will Sword was the most tyrannical of all; even the true body of a Buddhist arhat could not withstand its strike—after nine lifetimes of cultivation, one would still be forced to abandon the golden body!

Yet to wield such earth-shattering power was far from easy. The Supreme Trifold Divine Sword Art required not only immense magical power but also countless rare materials from heaven and earth to forge the three sword avatars. With Yang Nan’s current royal-tier divine weapon, he could not even begin to forge a single soul-based sword avatar!

To refine the soul of the weapon, to forge the body of the weapon, and to cleave the souls of all beings with a single strike—such was the art.

Mastering the Supreme Trifold Divine Sword was akin to creating three avatars, each surpassing the strength of the original! If Yang Nan succeeded, his main body might only be at the Master level, but his Soul Sword avatar would be that of a Grandmaster. If he united the three swords, he could step directly into the realm of the Revered Sacred!

The more power the Supreme Trifold Divine Sword absorbed, the more terrible the might it unleashed.

Such a technique was truly a rarity in the world!

After weighing the tremendous power and harsh demands of the Supreme Trifold Divine Sword Art, Yang Nan calculated silently: he already possessed weapon sect arts for magical power and transformation. Though this technique would be difficult to master, should he succeed, his strength would be terrifying. To obtain a peerless art among first-tier techniques was a stroke of great fortune—if he failed, no harm done.

“Even if it’s only to keep it for now, it’s worthwhile!”

With his mind made up, he reached out and took the Supreme Trifold Divine Sword Art. With both higher-tier techniques in hand, he now needed only a third-tier manual, which was easier to find. He had long considered that he himself did not require further techniques for cultivation at present, but Chiyang, Dieyi, and the others were in urgent need of superior methods—especially Chiyang, whose steadfast support on their journey eastward was a debt Yang Nan would never forget.

Sorting through the dense collection of third-tier manuals, he finally found a wondrous fire-based technique: the Infernal Blaze of Mara. Its power was reminiscent of the hellish flames within the Profound Flame Sword. Should one obtain a rare world fire and refine their divine weapon, their supernatural abilities would become truly formidable. It was precisely this dependence on rare flames that earned it a third-tier rank. Yang Nan’s discerning eye immediately spotted the technique’s exceptional qualities; with continual refinement using rare fires, reaching sainthood through mastery of weapons was no mere fantasy.

A third-tier technique with the foundation of a first-tier art—this Infernal Blaze of Mara was no ordinary thing! Even if it required borrowing external flames, it was worth taking.

With three manuals in hand, Yang Nan exited the Treasury of Techniques. The outer sect steward had been waiting for some time. Upon seeing Yang Nan emerge, he hurried forward, joyfully proclaiming, “Congratulations, Martial Uncle, on obtaining supreme arts. From now on, advancing to immortality and sainthood is all but assured.”

Noting the steward’s flattering words, Yang Nan guessed it was an attempt to curry favor. He nodded lightly and replied, “Thank you for waiting. Let us leave now.”

Having acquired the techniques, he was not permitted to bring them out of the Treasury’s peak. He still had to seek out the White Crane Attendant to remove the restrictions and commit the arts to memory—such was the rule of the Treasury Peak.

Within the Treasury Hall, the White Crane Attendant saw Yang Nan approach, cradling three jade slips, and greeted him with a smile. “Brother Yang, have you found suitable arts? I’ll remove the seals so you can study them now.”

Techniques could only be memorized, never removed. The highest arts were passed through spiritual transmission, never set down in writing.

Yang Nan handed over the three jade slips. “Thank you, Senior Brother.”

The White Crane Attendant nodded, produced a magical treasure, and began lifting the restrictions with his spiritual sense. Each slip possessed unique seals, requiring special methods and treasures to unlock. Even destroying the slips would not yield their secrets to outsiders. The White Crane Attendant, born with divine sight and trained in a peculiar art, could peruse all these manuals but would forget their content after a day, remembering only the titles. For this reason, the Treasury Peak had always been under his management.

Once the restrictions were released, Yang Nan took the jade slips and committed the contents to memory. For cultivators, once engraved by spiritual sense, such arts were unforgettable. In short order, Yang Nan memorized all three techniques and returned the slips to the White Crane Attendant.

The attendant resealed the three jade slips and instructed the steward to return them to their place. When all was settled, he began to converse with Yang Nan. Curious, he asked, “Why did you choose that incomplete art? The Supreme Trifold Divine Sword Art is formidable, but the Soul Sword is extremely difficult to forge, and two-thirds of the latter manuals are missing. You seem to have gotten the worse end of the deal.” Clearly, he was well aware of each art’s shortcomings and offered his advice.

Yang Nan, seeing how knowledgeable the White Crane Attendant was, smiled. “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I have already learned two techniques; the Supreme Trifold Divine Sword is simply a curiosity, even if I cannot master it, it matters little.”

The White Crane Attendant laughed. “You are fortunate indeed. I imagine Elder Buxu has already imparted supreme arts to you? Elder Buxu’s mind encompasses all things. To have won his favor is a most rare blessing.”

Yang Nan now realized the White Crane Attendant was well-informed and even knew his background. He replied with a bashful smile, “Senior Brother flatters me. I simply spent a few months in Elder Buxu’s company and dared not refuse his kindness.”

Having completed their official business, the White Crane Attendant, eager for company, grew more friendly as they conversed. Yang Nan, having acquired his techniques, was in no rush to cultivate and, being unfamiliar with the affairs of Kunlun Mountain, was happy to engage in conversation.

The White Crane Attendant, lively by nature, usually had little company in the Treasury Hall. The inner disciples of Kunlun were either occupied with their duties or immersed in arduous cultivation. Who would have time to chat with the White Crane Attendant? Even a great demon would feel loneliness. The outer disciples, always on edge, would never dare speak as equals.

It was rare for someone like Yang Nan to come by, so the White Crane Attendant ordered the steward to bring tea and refreshments, and the two soon became quite congenial.

Sipping tea, burning incense, and chatting idly, the White Crane Attendant suddenly remarked, “You entered the inner sect at once without being assigned duties by the sect master. That is highly unusual. Moreover, you lack skills in martial arts and the various sect techniques, which is a shortcoming. If you have time, you should visit the various halls to lay a solid foundation. For cultivators, without a firm foundation, even the highest cultivation is futile.”

Yang Nan, grateful for the advice, replied, “Senior Brother speaks truly. I feel as though I’m wandering in mist, unaware of the precipice ahead—truly perilous.”

The White Crane Attendant smiled. “No need for undue modesty. I hear you entered the sect as a novice and, in just three years, have achieved such progress. Given time, you will surely become a marvel of the Kunlun Sect!”

Yang Nan could only smile awkwardly. In Kunlun, he dared not call himself gifted. It was only because of his innate dual anomalies and the support of the Indestructible Yin-Yang Wheel. Without these, how could he have reached the Master level in three years?

All of it was thanks to Elder Buxu’s gifts—the Indestructible Yin Wheel formed a powerful soul, and the Rosha Yin Soldier’s True Explanation built formidable magical power. Otherwise, he’d still be struggling at the level of a mere weapon practitioner!

The White Crane Attendant, with deep intent, remarked, “For three years, you wisely never left the residence. If you were assigned to manage the various halls, I fear you would have encountered much trouble…”

Yang Nan was taken aback. Images of Li Changqing and Li Guo’s resentful stares surfaced in his mind. Glancing at the White Crane Attendant, he felt a warm gratitude. To be so cared for upon first meeting—perhaps the Kunlun Sect was indeed filled with upright men, with few petty villains.

Yang Nan lingered on the Treasury Peak for three days before finally bidding farewell and returning to his abode. As he departed, he caught sight of the White Crane Attendant watching him with some reluctance. This one’s progress in cultivation was rapid, but as a demon, advancement was slow due to differences in meridian structure. Though the White Crane Attendant had cultivated for over two thousand years, his strength was merely at the Grandmaster level. Seeing his loneliness, Yang Nan said, “I have no official duties. When I am free, I shall visit you again, Senior Brother.”

The White Crane Attendant was delighted. “It’s a promise, then! I shall prepare silver needles and rare fruits for us to enjoy.” Then, after a moment’s hesitation, he added, “Brother, since you are new to the inner sect and lack foundation, if anyone tries to assign you to patrol the Seventy-Two Demon Valleys, you must not accept!”

Yang Nan was startled, but before he could respond, the White Crane Attendant had turned and vanished into the hall. Frowning, Yang Nan thought to himself, “Was Senior Brother White Crane trying to warn me? Has he heard something?”

Since joining Kunlun, he had kept to himself and had no enemies. If anyone in the sect harbored ill intent toward him, it could only be the Li family uncle and nephew.

But was such a minor grudge enough to warrant such scheming?

It seemed that those accustomed to high status could only seek revenge with greater zeal after suffering a slight.

“If that duty is merely dangerous, so be it. If someone seeks to harm me, I, Yang Nan, am no easy target!”

He pondered for some time, a cold smile curving his lips, before summoning his Shadow-Eroding War Weapon and heading for Black Cloud Peak. Being absent for several days was nothing unusual on Kunlun Mountain. Along the way, he observed the myriad cave residences scattered across the peaks, shrouded in immortal mists. Most inner disciples cultivated in seclusion, while the true heirs of the sect lived deep in the mountains and rarely showed themselves. Yang Nan sighed inwardly at the difficulty of the Immortal Way—who among the Kunlun Sect was not wholly devoted to the arduous pursuit of immortality?