I have a sword.

Chapter Two World Prison Tower!
Gazing at the dark tower before him, Ye Xuan's heart was filled with immense awe. All that lay before his eyes had surpassed the boundaries of his understanding.

Quickly regaining his composure, he realized that this could be an opportunity, albeit one potentially fraught with danger. In the end, Ye Xuan chose to push open the tower gate and step inside; leaving now would have been far from satisfying.

Upon entering, Ye Xuan took a sweeping glance around. The walls were adorned with various exotic beasts he had never seen before, alongside some mysterious purple-golden runes, some of which appeared to be squirming!

His gaze finally rested on an area not far in front of him where a skeleton sat cross-legged, with a long sword erected beside it.

Ye Xuan's eyes then fell upon the ground in front of the skeleton, upon which there was an inscription: "I am the Sword Master of Cang Realm. I began cultivating the sword at twelve years old, achieved mastery in swordsmanship at seventeen, became invincible in Cang Realm at twenty-one, and at twenty-seven, broke through my heart with the sword, attaining the supreme sword path. Trapped within this prison for a thousand and two hundred years, I spent my entire life unable to escape the tower. Knowing that death is certain today, I leave behind my legacy, hoping future generations will carry it forward. If you bear any sentiment, please extend your care to the Cang Sword Sect."

"Cang Realm Sword Master?"

Ye Xuan furrowed his brows slightly, having never heard of such a title. As his gaze shifted downward, he noticed a fist-sized jade stone placed beneath the inscription.

Heritage Stone!

Ye Xuan's blood boiled with excitement.

In Qingzhou, martial artists were abundant, but sword cultivators were extremely rare—truly scarce as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. To become a sword cultivator, it was said one needed special spiritual roots, something Ye Xuan knew nothing about except for its rarity.

Instinctively, Ye Xuan moved to take the stone, only to be stopped by an invisible force that prevented him from advancing even an inch.

Ye Xuan stood stunned!

"Can't get past?"

"Suddenly, a woman's voice echoed within the chamber. Startled, Ye Xuan stepped back several paces, scanning the surroundings but finding no one in sight.

"Hearing things?" he wondered. But just as the thought emerged, the voice spoke again, asking, "Who reigns over the Way of Heaven in this realm?"

Perplexed, Ye Xuan replied, "Way of Heaven? What's that?"

There was a momentary silence before the enigmatic woman's voice sounded once more, saying, "How come you're so weak? No, you weren't locked in here!"

Baffled by her words, Ye Xuan listened as the mysterious woman exclaimed in surprise, "A natural Dao Body aside, you also possess dual spiritual roots, both residing within you. No wonder this Prison Tower of Realms has chosen you."

Natural Dao Body? Dual spiritual roots?

Ye Xuan was full of confusion. He asked, "Senior, who might you be?"

The mysterious woman stated, "Given your age, you should at least be at the Tongyou Realm, yet why are you so weak? Moreover, your physical foundation is shockingly poor, barely tolerable to look at."

Ye Xuan remained silent.

Unexpectedly, the woman suddenly queried, "How do you cultivate your physical body?"

Ye Xuan hesitated for a moment before replying, "It involves doing push-ups, weighted running, and striking the body, among other things."

The mysterious woman coldly responded, "Are you living in the primitive era? Using such outdated cultivation methods, you're simply wasting your physique! Wasting your spiritual roots!"

Ye Xuan forced a bitter smile, explaining, "Senior, people in my Qingcheng City all cultivate in this manner."

The woman fell silent.

Feeling somewhat speechless, Ye Xuan glanced around again but still couldn't see anyone. Everywhere within this place exuded an eerie atmosphere.

When the mysterious woman didn't speak further, his gaze returned to the heritage stone nearby, his eyes brimming with fervent desire.

"Are you eager to learn swordsmanship?" the woman suddenly asked.

Ye Xuan quickly nodded, "Yes!"

Who wouldn't want to wield a sword, soaring through the heavens and surveying all things under heaven?

The woman informed him, "Your Dantian is already shattered; you cannot cultivate the swordsmanship inheritance before you."

Upon hearing this, Ye Xuan's expression dimmed.

With a shattered Dantian, not only could he not become a sword cultivator, but even being a regular martial artist seemed unlikely. At present, he could only be considered a Martial Novice.

Just then, the mysterious woman suddenly proposed, "How about this—I have a unique way of cultivating the sword path, different from others. Do you want to learn it?"

Ye Xuan hesitated briefly before asking eagerly, "Can one learn it without a Dantian?"

The woman replied, "Better without a Dantian."

Without a Dantian, one could still learn!

Excitement nearly overwhelmed Ye Xuan, but he managed to compose himself. Glancing around, he asked, "Senior, what's the condition? I'm well aware that there's no free lunch in this world."

The mysterious woman explained, "This tower was severely damaged in the past, and its nine Daos' principles scattered throughout the Qingcang Realm. Each layer's seals have weakened. You're lucky; when you entered, the sword cultivator in front of you was already dead, or else you'd likely be a corpse by now."

Ye Xuan: "...."

The woman continued, "I know you're puzzled about what this tower really is, but telling you won't make much sense right now. Just understand that this tower has twelve levels, each imprisoning top-notch existences from various worlds—humans, spirits, demons, and even the soul of a world's Heavenly Dao. Once, this tower could suppress them, but now, with its seals loosened, it can hardly keep them contained anymore."

After a brief pause, she added, "What you need to do is search for those principles of the Dao in the world to reinforce this tower. Alternatively, you could release them."

"Release them?"

Ye Xuan was surprised and asked, "And what happens then?"

The woman answered, "There are two outcomes. First, they kill you and seize the tower. Second, you control them and make them serve you. However, given your current strength, the probability of them killing you is most likely 100%."

Ye Xuan smiled wryly, acknowledging that it was both a blessing and a curse.

Suddenly thinking of something, Ye Xuan promptly asked, "Senior, are you also imprisoned here?"

The woman replied, "No!"

Ye Xuan pressed on, "Then, what are you?"

The mysterious woman said, "You ask too many questions."

Ye Xuan: "...."

The mysterious woman declared, "As the current master of this tower, for every principle of the Dao you retrieve, your strength will greatly increase, and your control over the tower will also strengthen significantly. If you manage to retrieve one principle, you will gain control over the first level. Thereafter, when facing opponents who are not vastly superior to you, you can activate the tower to capture them. Currently, with no principles intact, the tower's functions have completely failed. Not only has its function ceased, but the seals on each level are gradually weakening. Once the tower breaks apart completely, the imprisoned beings will be unleashed, and your world is very likely doomed. And you, would likely be the first to perish."

Ye Xuan solemnly asked, "Senior, are you asking me to save all living beings?"

The mysterious woman replied, "You're saving yourself. The entity imprisoned in the second level is no benevolent being. If I'm correct, within a year at most, the seal on the second level will vanish entirely, and you'll bid farewell to this beautiful world."

Ye Xuan bowed deeply before her, "Please teach me the cultivation method that does not require a Dantian."

After a moment of silence, the woman said, "My path of cultivating the sword differs greatly from conventional sword cultivation methods and is far more difficult. Practicing it might be worse than death itself. Make sure you think it through clearly."

Ye Xuan self-deprecatingly laughed, "Now that my Dantian is broken, there's no other path for me to take, is there?"

The woman confirmed, "Indeed. Still, I must explain the cultivation method to you. Without a Dantian, you're perfectly suited for my method, as it requires using a sword as your Dantian."

Ye Xuan was stunned, "Use a sword as my Dantian? That's possible?"

She affirmed, "Certainly. By using a sword as your Dantian, you won't tread the path of martial arts, but rather the path of swordsmanship. The better the sword you use, the better your 'Dantian' becomes. Unlike others who cultivate energy, you'll absorb power directly through swords. The better the sword, the faster your cultivation improves. Once you reach a small success in the initial stage, your body will transform into a Sword Body, rendering you immune to ordinary swords. Not only immunity, but your presence alone can make all swords submit."

The idea of making a myriad of swords bow down thrilled Ye Xuan, and he grew increasingly impatient.

At this point, the mysterious woman continued, "Did you notice the three swords atop the tower when you entered?"

Ye Xuan nodded, "Yes, I did."

She explained, "Those three swords represent the three ultimate paths of swordsmanship in this world. If you can absorb them into your body and use them as your Dantians while absorbing their power, your strength will reach unprecedented heights."

Ye Xuan hesitated before asking, "But it seems those swords are suppressing the tower. Won't there be consequences if I absorb them?"

The woman answered quickly, "Absolutely nothing will happen. Trust me; I'll watch over you."

Despite his doubts, Ye Xuan realized he had no other choice but to trust her.

She pointed out, "See the sword in front of you?"

Ye Xuan looked towards the sword stuck in the ground next to the skeleton. It was over three feet long, an inch wide, and gleamed silver. Two small characters were inscribed on the blade: Ling Xiao!

Ling Xiao Sword!

She said, "This sword has been imprisoned for a thousand and two hundred years, losing almost 90% of its spiritual energy, making it suitable for you to use now. I'll impart a technique to you. Later, follow the instructions to absorb the sword into your body. Since you're currently at the peak of the Fifth Grade Unceasing Realm, if successful, you should reach the Sixth Grade Qi Transformation Realm."

Understanding the implications of her words, Ye Xuan urgently asked, "Could it fail?"

The woman admitted, "It might fail!"

Ye Xuan froze, then questioned, "Don't tell me nobody has ever used this cultivation method before?"

The woman paused before admitting, "Indeed, no one has tried it before. If you succeed, congratulations—you'll be the first in history."

Ye Xuan's expression froze. After a moment, he sighed, "Senior, what happens if I fail?"

She candidly replied, "The sword could break through your body. Perhaps, probably, maybe, you might die."

Ye Xuan: "...."

She encouraged him, "You're already in a state akin to death with your shattered Dantian; why worry about so much? Just go for it!"

Realizing he had no alternative, Ye Xuan straightened up. With his Dantian destroyed, he was already at a dead end. Without taking this risk, not only would he have no hope, but his sister Ye Ling would also lose her chance at survival.

He decided to fight for it. "Let's begin!"

As soon as he said those words, a beam of white light shot into his brow, flooding his mind with a tide of information.

Invincible Sword Body Technique!

"Merge the body with the sword, use the sword as your Dantian, consume all swords under heaven with your Dantian, nurturing your body continuously..."

In a flash, a white light landed on the Ling Xiao Sword nearby. The sword quivered slightly before transforming into a ray of sword light that plunged into Ye Xuan's body.

"Ahh!"

Instantly, Ye Xuan's eyes widened, and his facial features contorted in agony.

Excruciating pain!

At that moment, Ye Xuan felt as though his body was being sliced inch by inch with razor blades.

Inside his mind, the mysterious woman's voice echoed, "The sword entering your body brings this intense pain. If you can't withstand it, you won't be able to use the sword as your Dantian. Worse, it could lead to your demise!"

Grinding his teeth, Ye Xuan's body convulsed violently.

Success or death!

Time ticked by, and Ye Xuan's face twisted grotesquely. His body spasmed periodically, and during many moments, the pain was so intense that he wished to faint. Yet, he understood that if he lost consciousness, he might never wake up.

He had to endure!

For almost a whole day, Ye Xuan gritted his teeth, enduring the torment. Suddenly, a soft sword hum resonated within his body, and instantly, Ye Xuan collapsed. Simultaneously, a surge of energy radiated from him!

Qi Transformation Realm!

Within Ye Xuan's body, where his Dantian once was, a tiny sword now floated.

Inside the tower, a soft murmur echoed, "I never thought it would actually work..."