Chapter 124: Sword Shadow Phantom Body

Lu Han’s consciousness sank deep into the scroll when suddenly an ancient voice echoed in his ear.

“Young friend, hearing this voice means you have opened the scroll I left behind. This is my recorded message for you. My soul has just been restored, but to my surprise, more than a hundred years have passed since my awakening. I am eager to return, so I did not wait for your awakening. Although I do not know what has transpired in the Realm of Chaotic Souls, I believe my awakening is closely linked to you. I see that your soul is stronger than most, so I have left you a scroll containing a body technique martial art. Remember, once you have understood it, destroy it immediately to prevent it from falling into others’ hands. I must go now!”

After hearing the old man’s message, four words appeared in Lu Han’s mind:

“Shadow Sword Phantom!”

Lu Han immersed himself completely, unable to pull away.

The Evil Wind Beast slid down from Lu Han’s arm, intending to explore the surroundings. Yet after swimming less than ten meters, it turned back.

“Evil Wind Elder is only a level one demon beast now; better not to venture too far,” the beast thought.

If it encountered a level two demon beast, it truly would be helpless.

“Once, I, the mighty Evil Wind Elder, bore the bloodlines of the ancient supreme serpent beasts—Xiangliu and the Everlasting Starry Python—but now I have fallen so low. Truly, the heavens envy a brilliant serpent. Alas...” The Evil Wind Beast sighed, raising its head to gaze at the sky beside Lu Han.

“What nonsense are you spouting now, you sly snake?” Lu Han opened his eyes, his face brimming with excitement.

Unaware that he had just overheard the beast’s lament, his expression darkened.

“Lu Han kid, you...” The Evil Wind Beast first grew angry, then held back.

“Forget it, no anger. I can’t defeat him now, but when Evil Wind Elder reaches level two, just wait and see how I deal with you!” it thought to itself.

“Anyway, what did that old man leave you?” The Evil Wind Beast changed the subject.

“A scroll of body technique martial art!” Lu Han’s excitement surfaced as he spoke.

“Oh? A body technique martial art? Back in our era, such martial arts were rare. What rank is it?” The Evil Wind Beast flicked its serpent tail and leapt onto Lu Han’s arm.

Lu Han then explained the body technique martial art, “Shadow Sword Phantom.”

Shadow Sword Phantom: A mid-level profound rank body technique martial art that condenses a sword shadow beneath the feet using soul power, allowing movement without a trace. Upon mastery, one can even fly on the sword shadow. Since the sword shadow is formed by soul power, the flight distance depends on the strength of the soul.

“Hmph, only a mid-level profound rank? What’s the big deal? You look so excited you’re practically drooling,” the Evil Wind Beast scorned.

“Mid-level profound rank can’t be defeated? I say, sly snake, if you could show me a single earth rank body technique martial art, I’d be impressed,” Lu Han said.

“We demon beasts don’t really need body technique martial arts. Take your master, the Dark Heaven Sage, for example. Even if he had earth rank body techniques, none of his peers could catch him. That’s the advantage of demon beasts,” the Evil Wind Beast boasted.

Lu Han nodded. Indeed, demon beasts are innately stronger than humans in many ways—their bodies more powerful, lifespans far longer. Higher-level demon beasts inherit secret arts and possess innate talents. For instance, the Evil Wind Beast carries the bloodline of the Everlasting Starry Python clan, endowed with millennia-old vitality. There is even a supreme demon beast called Kunpeng, whose breath spans thousands of miles. Fortunately, the heavens are fair: demon beasts cultivate more slowly than humans.

“Evil Wind Elder, I... hey...” The Evil Wind Beast was about to speak.

But Lu Han closed his eyes, ignoring him.

Following the path described in the scroll, Lu Han slowly circulated his innate energy, practicing Shadow Sword Phantom.

Suddenly, Lu Han felt his soul power sharply diminish.

“No wonder it’s said that only those with strong soul power can cultivate this—it consumes so much soul power!” Lu Han gasped.

This single requirement alone rendered the martial art impossible for most to practice. If not for Lu Han’s fusion with the residual fragments of the Dark Crow Soul Scripture, which greatly enhanced his soul power, he likely wouldn’t be able to cultivate it.

“No wonder cultivating soul techniques requires twice the effort for half the result,” Lu Han murmured.

Now, having received the Dark Crow legacy, Lu Han understood the hierarchy of cultivation stages. Beyond the True Sovereign realm lies the Celestial Venerable realm. To reach that stage, one must integrate the soul with the heavens and earth to gain enlightenment. This is where soul techniques come into play: the stronger the soul power, the faster one can comprehend the Celestial Venerable, and the keener one’s perception.

Most people’s soul power strength is roughly the same at birth, though exceptions exist. Some are born with extraordinary soul power, while most attain strength through talent, rare treasures, or martial arts. Lu Han was simply fortunate to have fused with fragments of the Dark Crow Soul Scripture.

With the legacy of the Dark Crow and a trace of its bloodline, the Dark Crow Soul Scripture activated within Lu Han.

Gradually, a faint shadow of the Dark Crow appeared in the center of Lu Han’s third eye palace.

At that moment, a mysterious cold pearl within the palace suddenly stirred. It flew to the center, pushing the faint Dark Crow shadow aside as if claiming, “This is my territory.”

“Uh... this isn’t good, is it?” Lu Han was stunned.

Even the elder Ling could not discern the origin of this mysterious cold pearl. Now, with Lu Han integrating the Dark Crow Soul Scripture and his faint bloodline, he had barely summoned a shadow of the Dark Crow, only to be pushed aside.

“No, this is my third eye palace!” Lu Han raged inwardly.

The cold pearl ignored him, settling in the center and emitting a faint glow.

...

Deep within the Demon Beast Mountains stood an ancient palace, grand and imposing. Its black-gold walls gave a weighty impression. Towering ancient trees surrounded the hall, and the pillars around it were carved with various demon beasts, appearing almost alive.

Who would have imagined such a scene lay deep within the Demon Beast Mountains?

Many Earth King-level experts had ventured inside but none ever returned. Over time, it became forbidden ground, and no one expected the current scene.

At the center of the hall, a figure sat cross-legged, shielded by screens.

Suddenly, the figure rose.

A woman’s voice came from behind the screens, cold and distant, chilling as if plunging one into an ice cellar.

“Grandpa Wu, you must have sensed it just now, right? I want to go out.”

An aged voice responded inside the palace, “Heh, girl, I’ve said before, you may venture into the outside world whenever you wish. Grandpa Wu will not stop you.”

The screens around them lifted.

A white figure slowly stepped out of the hall.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!” Three black shadows appeared inside the hall.

“If the young master ventures out now and encounters human experts, I’m afraid...” a rough voice said.

“I have already concealed her aura. No one will detect the slightest clue,” the elderly voice assured.

“But...” The rough voice was cut off.

“The former Demon Empress left instructions: the young master has her own path to follow. I must not interfere.”

Mentioning the demon beast’s last will silenced the other two.

“Ah Niu, the Golden Era is approaching. You must go to the Central Ancient Domain to find the former Demon Empress’s old followers. Establish a power base there and wait for the young master to grow. Here, take this token.” The elderly voice tossed a token to the shadow behind.

“Yes!” The rough voice responded, then the shadow vanished in an instant.

“Fang’er, protect the young master from the shadows. Do not appear unless absolutely necessary.”

“Yes!” a woman’s voice answered.

Looking around the empty hall, the elder said, “Demon Empress, all you did for the young master was with great care. With the coming of the Golden Era, having stayed so long in the Demon Beast Mountains, it is time we emerge.”

“Clack, clack!” The great doors of the hall closed.