Rise of the Sword Lord

Chapter 4

Kai hung his head, contemplating the risks involved in the task proposed by the oracle.

He realized that as much as he would receive a great reward in exchange for doing the task, it was also deadly, and he might not even live to reap the rewards.

Just as he was still wondering about everything that was there and how strange things were, a question cut into his mind, and he didn’t hesitate to ask.

Pondering, Kai immediately asked, "Oracle, are you also trapped in here? Did you get trapped just like the Sword Lord and can’t go back to the world?"

The mysterious woman thought about his question in silence and then gave a sharp reply, which was a bit stern, "No."

Kai was shocked at her response, which was a bit too brief and didn’t provide the desired answer to satisfy his curiosity.

He persisted, "Then who are you, how did you come here, and why can’t I see you?"

The mysterious woman was obviously irritated by his questions, and then she said sternly, "Boy, you've asked too many questions, don’t you think?"

Kai fell silent and bowed his head quickly, relenting a bit.

The woman observed Kai, and then she shifted the focus of their discussion. "Let's discuss the nine rules you need to retrieve," she began.

"Each time you bring back one of these rules, you will gain something significant in return."

Kai furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean by 'something significant'?" he inquired, seeking further clarification.

With a trembling voice, the woman elaborated, "If you manage to find and restore one rule, you will experience a substantial increase in strength."

Kai's eyes widened in amazement. "Wow," he breathed, as he grasped the magnitude of the rewards awaiting him.

Observing his reaction, the woman continued, "But that's not all," she added, "Along with increased strength, you will also gain control over the tower."

Kai's brows raised in confusion, and he said, "but you said the tower is already mine, why do I still need to gain control by retrieving the 9 rules?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yes," the woman affirmed, "but you don't yet have full control. By retrieving the seals and rules, you will gradually gain mastery over every aspect of the tower."

"Wow..." Kai marveled at her words and the implications.

"Upon retrieving the first rule," she emphasized, "you'll gain control over the tower's first floor."

Kai interjected curiously, "What exactly does gaining control of the first layer entail? What advantages does it offer?"

With patience, the woman explained, "Gaining control of the first floor allows you to transform it into a prison for your enemies."

Kai's expression revealed his confusion. "What does that mean?" he inquired, seeking a clearer explanation.

"It means that in future conflicts," she clarified, "whether within your world or elsewhere, you'll have the power to not only defeat your opponent but also imprison them within the floor of the tower where you've established control."

With this explanation, understanding dawned on Kai. The idea of imprisoning his adversaries within the tower left him awestruck.

"Imprisoning my opponents in the tower? That's incredible!" he exclaimed, realizing the extent of his new powers, although he had not gained them yet; he would only gain that power after retrieving the first rule out of the 9.

She continued, "At present, the tower lacks all nine rules for the Tao, and each seal is gradually weakening. Once the tower is destroyed, everything held within it will be released, ultimately leading to the destruction of your world. They will break into your world to destroy!"

Her words instilled fear in Kai as the consequences of not retrieving the rules dawned on him.

It didn’t seem like a matter of choice now; everything would be destroyed if he failed in retrieving the rules.

"Your world will be destroyed, starting with you," she repeated, in a voice that seemed filled with dread.

The woman continued speaking, going deeper into what was going to happen to Kai and the entire world if he failed. "Above the first layer," she warned, "lies something perilous. What is sealed in the second layer has the potential to bring about the end of the world."

Kai, feeling a chill run down his spine, asked a crucial question, "How long will the second layer contain this entity capable of such destruction?"

"In about a year," the woman replied gravely, "the seal on the second layer will vanish entirely. At that point, you may bid farewell to your world."

Deeply affected by this revelation, Kai bowed deeply, the weight of fear settling heavily upon him.

“Oracle, as you have said, I am very weak. I need you to help me gain strength by teaching me the method of cultivation where I would not require the elixir field,” Kai said, pleading.

After a brief pause, the mysterious woman cautioned him, "My sword cultivation method is unlike anything you've encountered before. It's challenging and potentially lethal. Consider carefully before seeking it, as there are consequences."

Kai chuckled ruefully. "With my Elixir Field broken, do I have any other options?"

The woman sighed wearily before continuing to speak, "I will teach you to cultivate not the Tao of Martial Arts but the Tao of the Sword," she revealed.

This unexpected revelation left Kai in stunned silence. The woman continued, "In this method, the sword will become your Elixir Field."

Kai was taken aback; he had never encountered such a concept before. The idea that something other than the Elixir Field could replace it, especially an object like a sword, was entirely new to him.

The woman chuckled softly at Kai's bewilderment, finding amusement in his ignorance. "Let me explain how it works," she offered.

"While others meditate to absorb Qi, you will use a high-quality sword. Your sword will take charge of absorbing the Qi instead."

Kai's astonishment grew as he absorbed this revelation. He had never heard of such a method before, and the idea of a sword absorbing Qi in place of traditional meditation was both surprising and intriguing.

"If you succeed initially," she continued, "your body will become like a sword, immune to ordinary blades. You'll command all swords," she revealed.

This prospect thrilled Kai, filling him with eagerness to proceed with the training.

The mysterious woman added, "Before you entered, did you see the three swords atop the tower?"

Kai nodded. "Yes."

"They represent the ultimate Tao of the Sword. Absorb them into yourself, and your power will skyrocket."

Kai hesitated, "Will absorbing them destabilize the tower?"

She assured, "No harm will come. Trust me."

Though doubtful, Kai had no other options. He chose to believe her.

The mysterious woman turned Kai's attention to the sword laying beside the skeleton, once belonging to the Sword Lord, Li Wei.

"Look closely," she instructed. "Read what's inscribed on the sword."

Though unable to touch it yet, Kai focused intently on the blade. His eyes widened as he deciphered the inscription, "Heavenly Blade."

Confirming it, the woman introduced the sword by saying its name, "That is the Celestial Ascendant Sword," she declared.

"It's been here for 1,200 years, its strength greatly diminished significantly over the years, so now, it is perfect for you to absorb in place of the elixir field."

She explained that this method could propel him to the 6th Rank, the Qi Varying Realm.

Anxious, Kai asked, "What if I fail to absorb the sword properly?"

The woman fell silent, leaving Kai to realize the danger involved in this method.

"Am I the first to attempt this?" he asked, a lump forming in his throat.

After a pause, the woman admitted, "Yes, you're the first. I won't deceive you; this method has never been tried before. If you fail, the sword will obliterate you, reducing you to dust."

A lump formed in Kai's throat after hearing this, fear gripping him…