"You don't yet have the conditions to break through to the Fifth Layer of Starforge Body. Wait until your strength reaches at least Fifth‑Layer Divine Martial Realm before you try! For now, Evan, just keep absorbing the energy from the green liquid and work on slowly breaking through your realm. I believe you're already close to reaching Second‑Layer Divine Martial." Luna, the Sword Spirit, spoke at this moment.
Once again, Luna's words felt like a bucket of cold water dumped over Evan. He could accept not being able to cultivate Wood‑Shift yet, but not being able to break through to the Fifth Layer of Starforge Body was enough to make him want to cough up blood from sheer frustration.
Luna's explanation made one thing painfully clear: he had to break through to Fifth‑Layer Divine Martial Realm before he could reach the Fifth Layer of Starforge Body. Only after obtaining the Gold Spirit Pearl could he cultivate Wood‑Shift. Every single advancement required Fifth‑Layer Divine Martial strength. But right now, he was only at First Layer—it felt as hard as climbing to the heavens.
Evan let out a deep breath, forcing himself to adjust his mood. Then he took out the green liquid and began absorbing its energy. He'd originally planned to use the Life Essence, but he felt the green liquid's energy was even stronger—if he wanted a breakthrough, he'd go with the fastest method.
The energy from the green liquid slowly entered Evan's body and merged with his Chaos Dragon Force. As time passed, on the third day, Evan felt for the first time that he was about to break through.
At that moment, his Divine Star Core began to revolve on its own, and the dragon imprint on it even blinked its eyes.
Evan carefully guided the powerful Chaos Dragon Force inside his Divine Star Core, letting it circulate through his meridians. After three full cycles, a crisp sound rang out from the core's position inside his dantian.
"I've broken through!" Evan opened his eyes, his face overflowing with joy.
He could feel the Chaos Dragon Force in his body growing even stronger. After this breakthrough, everything felt different—especially his perception. Now, he could sense every movement of wind and grass dozens of meters away as if it were right next to him.
Stretching lazily, Evan stood up, poured himself a cup of tea, and said to Luna, "Sis Luna, I remember when Dream Maiden asked me to hand her the Frostbane Sword, a dark shadow suddenly emerged from the blade. He said that even if I didn't break the seal, I could still learn the martial arts inside. Is that actually true?"
"Why are you suddenly asking about that? Are you thinking about learning the martial arts inside?" Luna asked in surprise.
"That's right. Now that I've reached Second‑Layer Divine Martial, Demon‑Breaking Fist Manual is strong, but I can't use the Frostbane Sword with it. And Windchaser Sword Codex is just too weak. I need to learn a truly powerful martial art—only then, by combining it with Fireshift and Watershift, will I have a chance to survive in the Azure Tide Ruins." Evan said.
"The true power of the Frostbane Sword could split heaven and earth, but the seal is just too strong. Without Heavenward Spirit Water and Sacred Snow Lotus, there's no way to unseal it. Maybe try communicating with the sword using your divine sense—you might get unexpected results. Of course, I can't guarantee it'll work." Luna said.
Evan hadn't planned on this, but Luna's suggestion got him thinking. With a flick of his mind, the Frostbane Sword appeared in his hand. He stared at the legendary divine weapon, marveling at its sheer presence.
The blade of the Frostbane Sword was still covered in rust. Evan slowly extended his divine sense, testing if he could enter the sword's body.
But as soon as his divine sense touched the blade, it was violently bounced back by a huge force, leaving him dizzy.
"Holy crap! That's intense!" Evan exclaimed in shock.
Maybe he'd been too hasty. Evan tried again, but this time instead of forcing his divine sense in, he closed his eyes and calmly sensed the changes on the sword's surface.
He discovered that the rusty spots on the blade seemed almost alive, constantly twitching. But it looked like a faint halo on the sword's surface was trapping these restless rust spots, keeping them from escaping.
Evan's heart skipped a beat. Maybe that faint halo was the key to the Frostbane Sword's seal. But he had no idea how to pierce it or get his divine sense through to the sword's interior.
He remembered that last time, when Selena's blood touched the Frostbane Sword, it resonated with the Demon Lord's remnant soul inside, causing it to appear. But Evan wasn't a member of the Demon Clan, so he couldn't do that at all.
Luna's advice to use divine sense seemed impossible to follow. Evan couldn't help but feel like giving up.
Just as Evan was about to stop sensing the Frostbane Sword, a nearly imperceptible voice echoed in his mind. The sound was faint and ethereal, yet felt strangely real.
Evan was startled. He opened his eyes, glanced at the Frostbane Sword, and muttered, "What's going on with that voice? Could it be the Demon Lord's remnant soul inside the Frostbane Sword talking?"
He felt it was unlikely, but couldn't think of any other explanation.
"Frostbane, I didn't expect you to break through to the Divine Martial Realm already. It seems your old prophecy was right." The voice sounded again in Evan's mind.
Evan was shocked. He recognized the voice—it was the Demon Lord's. He hadn't expected the Demon Lord could actually communicate with him.
He hesitated, then asked, "Demon Lord, you know who I am?"
"Of course I do. I've wanted to talk to you for ages, but your realm was too low to sense me. I know everything about you—I've been imprisoned by you for ten thousand years. Who knows when you'll finally break the Frostbane Sword's seal and release me?" the Demon Lord replied.
"My memories aren't fully restored yet. You said I imprisoned you for ten thousand years—what's going on? If I break the Frostbane Sword's seal, will you come out and seek revenge on me?" Evan asked.
He'd thought about this before, especially because of Selena. If he fought the Demon Lord, he had no idea which side she would choose.
"It seems your memories really aren't back yet. The so‑called imprisonment isn't what you think—it was my idea to have you seal me, and we did it together. Even your reincarnation was part of my plan. Let's wait until your memories return before we talk about all this." the Demon Lord said.
The more Evan listened, the more confused he became. It seemed the Demon Lord wasn't truly his mortal enemy. But since the Demon Lord refused to explain, Evan decided to ask about the martial arts inside the sword.
"Demon Lord, you know my strength is still too weak. Without powerful martial arts, it's hard to survive in this world, especially if I ever want to break the Frostbane Sword's seal. I hope you'll teach me the techniques inside."
"Those martial arts are yours by right. Of course you should learn them. But I want you to agree to one condition—if you can fulfill it, I'll teach you one technique for every realm you break through." the Demon Lord said.
Evan didn't understand why the Demon Lord would only teach him one technique per breakthrough instead of everything at once.
"What exactly do you want? Please, just tell me!" Evan said...