Volume Two: The Weapon Manual, Chapter 129: The Yin-Yang Twin Swords

Liu Xiaoyi was left bewildered by the explanation, but fortunately, having this living map as a companion made the climb much easier.

To secure the One-Breath Inkstone, the Three-Flower Valley had sent more than just him. This operation involved five disciples from the valley, all experts at the tenth realm, who had entered the tower from different directions, heading straight for the summit of the Watching Heaven Pavilion.

"The Saint Sovereign Palace is putting on quite a show," one remarked. "Look at the black and white light spheres high above. Those are the true eyes of the Yin-Yang Array, reinforced by the Yin-Yang Twin Swords. Their lethality far exceeds that of the One-Breath Inkstone!"

The top of the Yin-Yang Tower featured a linked structure designed to allow the energies of Yin and Yang to flow and merge seamlessly. This design was a marvel of craftsmanship, making the tower as stable as Mount Tai; even if hundreds of martial artists were to attack the array eyes simultaneously, they would not be able to shake them in the slightest.

There were many skilled experts present who recognized the peculiarity of the Yin-Yang array eyes. "There might be spirit weapons hidden inside! Those who practice the sword, go up and test it!"

A few swordsmen, confident in their own prowess, stepped forward and swung their blades. As several sword beams struck the array eyes, the spiritual energy within the tower began to churn violently, shaking the onlookers so severely that they lost their footing and tumbled from the tower.

Those who refused to accept defeat leaped toward the array eyes again, only to be sliced in two by the fierce sword energy that lashed out. A rain of blood fell from the sky, gradually staining the central staircase crimson.

Liu Xiaoyi and his companions were still some distance from the array eyes, yet they could still feel the sheer intensity of the sword intent. Hua Shaoqing’s face was as cold as water, and he asked with some confusion, "What is the Saint Sovereign Palace thinking? To use the Yin-Yang Twin Swords—ranked seventy-seventh and seventy-sixth—here? They truly intend to take lives."

Even separated, the two swords remained within the top one hundred of the Weapon Records; combined, their power rivaled that of the top ten. Shangguan Baozi tugged at Liu Xiaoyi’s sleeve and whispered, "Unless you are a Spirit Controller of the 'Grizzly Bear' level, you wouldn't dare even touch these two swords. They are too powerful."

The sword energy released by the black and white light spheres shredded everything that dared to approach. Seeing tenth-realm experts slaughtered instantly by the twin swords, the forward momentum of the other martial artists finally slowed.

Shangguan Baozi pulled out his manual and flipped to the page on the Yin-Yang Twin Swords. It read: "The Yin-Yang Twin Swords developed sword spirits long ago and are extremely dangerous. Do not approach them individually."

"Hmph! Such fine treasures are not for the likes of you mere mortals to covet! Get out of my way, all of you!"

A beam of azure light shot into the Yin-Yang Tower from outside. Instantly, a gale erupted, so strong that it forced Liu Xiaoyi to squeeze his eyes shut.

What a powerful swordsman! The azure light beneath his feet was an exquisite longsword. The old man pointed his sword-fingers at the light spheres. The sword energy, enough to tear the entire tower apart, converged on that single point, dispersing most of the black and white radiance. Alone against two, he actually managed to briefly suppress the twin swords.

Encountering a worthy opponent, the two sword spirits manifested, each grabbing a hilt to engage the old man in combat.

Upon seeing the azure light, Hua Shaoqing recognized the intruder and blurted out, "The Breeze Swordsman, Xiahou Ming! What brings him to the Watching Heaven Pavilion?"

In the Great Wilderness, where the sword reigns supreme, famous swordsmen are not rare, but Xiahou Ming is among the most distinguished. Wielding his three-foot Breeze Sword, he had single-handedly wiped out eighteen bandit strongholds on Mount Tiandang.

Xiahou Ming, known for his hatred of evil and his readiness to right wrongs, was supposed to be in the south of the Great Wilderness attending the Gathering of Heroes. The Three-Flower Valley had sent people there as guests, so the news was reliable.

Just as Hua Shaoqing was wondering, the ground beneath them began to shake violently. Countless Yin-Yang fish surged from beneath the floor, assisting the sword spirits against Xiahou Ming.

The Breeze Sword in Xiahou Ming's hand was peerlessly sharp. Although the two sword spirits deployed the Yin-Yang Sword Array, these Yin-Yang fish were composed of sword energy; they were insufficient to pierce the defenses of the Breeze Sword.

"Little sword spirits, laughable!" Xiahou Ming pointed his sword-fingers again and wiped them across the blade. Azure light flashed, and when vision cleared, the Yin-Yang Sword Array had been shattered. Xiahou Ming’s left hand was clutching an ink-black longsword.

The Yin sword spirit was destroyed by this strike, shattering and returning to the hilt. Xiahou Ming gripped the Yin sword firmly, feeling the frigid sword intent emanating from within, and felt not fear, but joy.

Seeing this, the Yang sword spirit did not flee. Instead, it merged with the longsword and flew straight into the hands of a nearby swordsman.

Xiahou Ming’s sword energy followed immediately. Before the man could even explain, he was cut down by a wisp of breeze. The Yang sword flew on, choosing its next unfortunate victim.

The sword spirit knew how to borrow a knife to kill; only a swordsman could subdue a sword spirit. All the swordsmen present were targets of the Yang sword spirit, while Xiahou Ming, like a tireless cleaner, had cut down over twenty well-known swordsmen in one breath, until even he began to feel weary.

"Little things, you are surprisingly troublesome. Once I get my hands on you, I will refine you both into my Breeze Sword!" Xiahou Ming growled.

Cornered, the Yang sword spirit resorted to its old trick again, transforming the longsword into a school of Yang fish that scattered in all directions.

Xiahou Ming drove the Breeze Sword to pursue them, forming an invisible net behind them. He captured all the Yang fish, and the direction they were forced toward was exactly where Liu Xiaoyi stood.

Seeing the incoming onslaught, Hua Shaoqing raised his sleeves to block, but at that moment, astonishing sword energy erupted from Liu Xiaoyi’s side, colliding heavily with the incoming breeze.

The one-sided defeat that was expected did not occur. Liu Xiaoyi, relying solely on his sword energy, blocked Xiahou Ming’s advance. The latter looked on in astonishment.

A junior at the seventh realm with such a profound understanding of the sword? Xiahou Ming thought to himself that this youth’s future achievements would be no less than his own, so he immediately changed his tune: "Junior, what is your name?"

If the Yang sword’s arrival hadn't activated the sword energy inside the sword-shaped pendant, he would be nothing but a cold corpse lying here.

Liu Xiaoyi was dripping with cold sweat. The gap between them was like that between a hill and a mountain—not just in terms of realm, but in the depth of their sword intent.

When the killing intent that had locked onto him vanished with those words, Liu Xiaoyi knew there was a chance for survival. He tried to remain calm and replied, "Liu Xiaoyi of Three-Mountain City."

"I’ll give you a chance. If you can refine these two swords by yourself, I will give them to you. How about that?" Xiahou Ming threw the Yin sword, which struck the ground and stood upright in front of Liu Xiaoyi.

As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Shangguan Baozi; he had no love for the people of the Weapon Tomb—they were all fame-seeking frauds.

Liu Xiaoyi pulled the Yin sword from the ground. The twin swords immediately deployed the Yin-Yang Sword Array, enveloping him. That terrifying sword energy appeared once more.

The Green Brilliance Sword flew out from behind him, releasing Liu Xiaoyi’s own sword energy to resist.

How could the light of a firefly hope to compete with the moon? Within three breaths, Liu Xiaoyi’s clothes were shredded into ribbons by the sword energy.

"What is a sword?" A voice echoed in his mind.

"The sword is my companion. The sword never leaves the body, and the body never leaves the sword," Liu Xiaoyi replied.

"Can a broken sword be reforged?" the voice asked again.

"Yes!" Liu Xiaoyi answered with absolute conviction.

In an instant, the winds and clouds shifted. Liu Xiaoyi’s arms stretched out naturally, and a long river of sword energy poured from behind his head, washing over the scene. As if encountering its natural nemesis, the Yin-Yang Sword Array’s Yin-Yang fish were swept away into nothingness!