Imperial Sword

However, no matter what this cultivation world truly was, at least for now, Gu Chengyin had found an almost perfect secret identity.

The sole heir of a hidden cultivation family: the Qingyun Immortal Clan.

This identity was mysterious enough, ancient enough, and carried enough weight.

It was enough to explain all the unreasonable aspects about Gu Chengyin.

Why he possessed the terrifying wisdom to see the big picture at such a young age, why he had an extraordinary understanding and application of the path of cultivation, why he could attract Luo Zhao's absolute trust and reliance, and so on.

All of this was because he was no ordinary mortal, but the descendant of a glorious ancient immortal clan. Naturally, his vision and perspective far exceeded those of ordinary people.

This identity was enough to awe and deter most of the suspicious or jealous figures in the royal court.

Even if a few old foxes like Xiao Song bit the bullet to question him, the immortal aura Gu Chengyin displayed after learning the Qingyun Incantation would be undeniable, forged-proof evidence.

After carefully returning the "Brief Examination of the Qingyun Immortal Clan's Relics" to its original place and ensuring no traces of it being flipped through were left behind, the heavy stone in Gu Chengyin's heart finally settled.

He turned to look at Gu Xiaoli standing to the side. She was still hugging her own book in her arms, like an obedient, waiting kitten.

"Xiaoli, my business is done and I have to go now. Do you want to stay here and keep reading?"

Gu Xiaoli looked up at him with big eyes, thought for a moment, and softly asked in return, "Do you still need Xiaoli's help?"

Gu Chengyin shook his head, a smile appearing on his face. "Not for now. Xiaoli has already been a tremendous help. I plan to go to the martial arts arena to try out my new... well, to practice my swordplay."

Hearing about sword practice, Gu Xiaoli seemed to understand something. She nodded and calmly said, "Xiaoli wants to read here."

"Alright."

Gu Chengyin bent down and gently rubbed the top of Gu Xiaoli's soft hair again. "Then you can read here with peace of mind. I'll be in the Crown Prince's Palace all day today. If you need anything, you can come find me at any time."

Gu Xiaoli's little face, which usually lacked expression, softened a bit because of this intimate gesture.

She nodded in great satisfaction, said no more, and turned to walk toward the long desk nearby, clutching her book.

She climbed onto the chair, burying her small figure in the books, and was soon immersed in the world of words.

Gu Chengyin took one last look at the quietly reading Gu Xiaoli, then gathered his thoughts and turned to walk out of the Wanxiang Tower.

Although according to his initial plan, it would be best to find a token that could be used as proof.

But with the Qingyun Incantation, a genuine Heaven-tier cultivation method, it was itself the most irrefutable token.

The aura accompanying the technique and its natural suppression of lower-tier methods were completely unforgeable.

Especially in the perception of cultivators, the Dao charm of a Heaven-tier method was like a bright moon in the dark night, impossible to conceal.

"The identity issue is tentatively resolved."

Gu Chengyin walked along the palace path toward the martial arts arena, calculating in his heart. "But the fully unlocked 'system' requires long-term planning."

The threshold for the Golden Core Realm was not low, but it also gave him plenty of time to prepare.

While acquiring a higher status and greater authority, he could consciously lay out plans and pave the way for the future.

The martial arts arena in the Crown Prince's Palace covered a large area. The ground was paved with hard bluestone slabs, and weapon racks stood all around.

Various unsharpened practice weapons such as sabers, spears, swords, and halberds were displayed, and there were several heavy wooden stakes in the corners for practicing chopping and thrusting.

It was nearing dusk, and the afterglow of the setting sun plated the arena in a layer of warm gold.

Just as Gu Chengyin expected, the arena was completely empty. Other than him, there was not a single soul.

This was well within reason.

After all, this was the core area of the Crown Prince's Palace, not a public training ground.

The Golden Feather Guards on duty had fixed posts and would not casually come here to drill.

And it was even more impossible for female officials and palace servants to come here to brandish weapons.

Carelessly wielding weapons in front of the Crown Prince and being labeled with treason or assassination attempts was no joking matter.

Therefore, this martial arts arena was mostly idle, making it an excellent private practice ground for Gu Chengyin right now.

The contents of the Qingyun Incantation were deeply branded in his mind. It wasn't just the mental cultivation method, but also a complete set of accompanying sword techniques.

From basic sword stances, footwork, and qi circulation methods, to profound guidance on comprehending sword intent, everything was available.

Compared to his previous Azure Sword Art, the current Qingyun Incantation was a qualitative leap, like upgrading from a musket to a cannon.

But no matter how exquisite the theory of the cultivation method was, it ultimately required practice to test and master.

Gu Chengyin needed to quickly familiarize himself with the qi circulation routes of the Qingyun Incantation and experience the characteristics of its true qi.

He looked around, feeling the thick true qi within his body, and an eager sensation welled up in his heart.

Gu Chengyin did not go to the weapon rack to fetch a sword. Instead, he concentrated his mind and calmed his breath. Sinking his consciousness into his dantian, he slowly mobilized his true qi according to the beginner sword control technique recorded in the Qingyun Incantation.

He raised his right hand, extending his index and middle fingers to form a sword gesture, and aimed it from afar at a standard longsword on the weapon rack.

With a thought, his true qi extended quietly from his fingertips like invisible silk threads, precisely wrapping around the hilt of the longsword.

"Om..."

The longsword lying quietly on the rack suddenly emitted a buzzing tremor from its blade.

Immediately after, under Gu Chengyin's control, the longsword let out a soft clang and unsheathed itself.

The blade gleamed with a cold metallic luster. It traced a beautiful arc in the setting sun, flying through the air, and hovered steadily three feet in front of Gu Chengyin.

"It worked!" A gleam of pleasant surprise burst from Gu Chengyin's eyes.

Because of the Qingyun Incantation, his current true qi was of extremely high quality, and its object-controlling method was incomparably exquisite.

Relying on this Heaven-tier method and the massive reserves of true qi currently in his body, he had actually achieved preliminary sword control while still in the Qi Refining Realm.

Although this sword control was still very basic, only capable of simple mid-air levitation and straight thrusts.

It was still a hundred thousand miles away from the legendary sword flight, or even taking an enemy's head from a thousand miles away, but this was undoubtedly a milestone breakthrough.

No matter how you looked at it, being able to control a sword in the Qi Refining Realm was no different from using a cheat code.

"Let's test its power."

Gu Chengyin's gaze focused, and his sword fingers slightly turned, pointing toward the heavy wooden stake in the corner of the arena.

The longsword hovering in the air seemed to sense its master's intent. The blade trembled slightly, letting out an even clearer and more resonant sword cry.

The next moment, the sword turned into a streak of flowing light!

There was no flashy trajectory, only a cold gleam as fast as lightning.

"Swish!"

A soft sound echoed—not the loud clash of metal, but the sound of a sharp blade piercing through wood.

Like a hot knife slicing through butter, it effortlessly pierced through the hard wooden stake, which was as thick as an adult's waist.

The tip of the sword emerged from the other side of the stake, quivering slightly.

The entire process was clean, decisive, and incredibly swift.