The entire venue was in uproar. Everyone here was witnessing a historic moment. A moment where a monstrous genius would rise from the Skyweave continent, and this was the moment where it would begin.

Everyone was excited for the current unfolding event.

Meanwhile, within the VIP Room, a discussion was unfolding.

“How unbelievable! To think another monster would appear in Purple Lotus Sect...” a deep male voice resounded within the room.

“Indeed. Sect Master Leaf is truly blessed.” A seductive female voice also praised.

“Ahaha! You are too polite! Too polite! It was just coincidence. And it was Light that found him.” A familiar voice answered. It was the Sect Master of the Purple Lotus Sect.

“Even so, having two monsters in a single era is unheard of! How about giving us Ray? We, the Sword Spirit Sect will pay handsomely.” A clear male voice resounded.

“Oh? You seem in a hurry. Any reason?” another voice asked, it was unknown which gender it came from.

“Nothing. I just feel a slight connection with the child.” The third voice answered.

“Silence for now, all of you! Look, it is about to continue.”

◇◇◇

Ray watched all the cheering with a disinterested gaze. Disinterested as he was, however, he still couldn’t find out why they didn’t cheer for him earlier. Why is that? Well, at least Light wasn’t kind enough to explain.

As the entire place began to settle, the announcer once again gave the signal to continue.

“And for the next Examination, the Dao Heart Examination!”

As he finished his words, a formation appeared again, as the orb and book disappeared from the stage. It was now replaced by what Ray could only describe as ‘Torii Gates’. It was a series of red gates that had no door, and had colourful designs.

The announcer continued.

“Disciple Ray, please go ahead and cross the gates.”

Ray nodded, and then started to walk.

When Ray passed through the first gate, the entire sceneries completely changed as he was now in an unfamiliar, yet familiar place.

Tall buildings surrounded the world as countless people walked the streets. Each one minded their own business, as they walked with each their own pace.

The blaring sounds of horns resounded as well as sounds of car engines. Dust flew everywhere, while noises filled the entire surroundings.

Ray then remembered. This place was Earth.

◇◇◇

Light watched as Ray’s eyes lost focus the moment he took a step over the first gate. He remembered his own experience in the gate.

At that time, Light had been shown the images of his past. Thrown away from his clan, being bullied by his relatives, being divorced by his Wife-to-be. Light merely laughed it off that time.

He had already devoted himself to Dao, and he had none of any sentiments to them. So it was fairly easy.

However, Light wasn’t sure about how a Sword Spirit would fare.

He could only wish him good luck.

◇◇◇

Ray watched the entire world went on as well as people do their own business. It didn’t last long. It soon vanished. But what replaced the scene was a lively one. Ray had gotten smaller, there were cheering and singing all around as everyone greeted.

“Happy Birthday, Ray!!”

Ray then remembered. This was his tenth birthday. At this time, he could say that this was one of the happiest moments in his life. However. . .

‘I wonder what being happy feels? I’ve already forgotten...’

Ray was no longer a human. And his body was now a cold spiritual steel that harboured no heart. He only knew how to cultivate, and the pleasure it brought him.

*Crack...*

A crack resounded...

*Crack...*

Followed by another...

*Crack!* *Crack!* *Crack!* *Crack!* *Crack!*

And soon, the entire world was filled with cracks, and not long after, it crumbled.

As for Ray’s real body, it took a step beyond the first gate.

“““Ooooohh!”””

For the umpteenth time for today, a stir started among the crowd. Some wondered why it took a bit of time, some wondered why he only took a step, and some wondered what he saw.

However, Ray’s eyes suddenly gained clarity as he took another step forward...

And from that step, another followed...

And another...

And another...

And the next thing, he had passed through all the gates...

The announcer raised his hand and shouted.

“Dao Heart Examination Grade: 8 out of 10! High!”

Another wave of loud cheers resounded as Ray covered his ears from the sheer loudness. He still wasn’t used to his human form, and the noise was annoying.

The announcer raised a hand, and the entire venue went silent again. He then continued.

“And now, for the final examination! The Physique Examination!”

After his announcement, another formation appeared, and the gates disappeared. Then, a formation took place in its stead. It was a circular formation with six smaller circles and within the smaller circles, the characters : Fire, Wood, Water, Metal, Earth, and Lightning was engraved.

The announcer continued. “Disciple Ray! Please enter the formation.”

Ray entered the formation, and the formation emitted a blinding radiance that even Light had to avert his eyes. Ray closed his eyes, and observed with his sword body’s perception. Indeed, something was probing around his body. Something that was almost undetectable and too faint to notice.

However, being sealed in an energy deprived place for centuries, Ray’s sensitivity to it was quite high. He noticed it try to enter his sword body, but his sword body suddenly jerked, and it was repelled.

Having no passage of entry, Ray continued to observe as it then went around his entire body. It went around his bones, his veins, his flesh, and finally, it went around his spirit root. It lingered there for a while, and then left.

Ray kept observing and didn’t open his eyes. He watched how the energy returned to the formation, and then went along a series of change. Somehow, Ray got a strange feeling...

‘The energy...is it alive?’

To Ray, it looked like it was, and it seemed lively. Perhaps the same held true for Spiritual Essence too...

The energy continued to change as it then took on a final form, and then went around the formation again. An illusion of a sword formed from the formation, and it then the blade of the image dyed itself blue.

Ray opened his eyes, and saw the announcer’s mouth gape. It didn’t last long, but he definitely was surprised. He raised a hand, and announce.

“P-Physique Examination result: Disciple Ray has... The H-Heavenly Sword Physique!”

Silence...

There was silence...

Even Light was speechless...

The Heavenly Sword Physique. The same physique that the Primordial Sword God possessed, and there had been no case of another one appearing...

...until today.

◇◇◇

The Primordial Sword God. A mythical figure who brought countless legends in the Myriad Realms as he had started his path to cultivation as a mere slave, and rose to prominence as an Immortal, to a God, and went even higher as a Chaos God.

No one knew where he came from, but he said he was born a slave. No one knew what he cultivated at first, but he said he created his own cultivation method. No one knew his true name, but he was the Sword. The Sword, and nothing else.

His physique was one that was never heard of before. He himself called it Heavenly Sword Physique. Symbolized by an azure sword that pierces through the heavens.

His techniques were all self-made and he called it the Heavenly Void Divine Sword Art. He claimed it was the strongest.

He stood alone at the peak. For he said no one was worthy.

It sounded like arrogance.

But no one objected his words. After all, he was the Primordial Sword God.

◇◇◇

Ray stood amidst the deafening silence. He watched as even Light who was usually calm, didn’t speak a word, nor wave at him.

In the center of the stage, he simply stood as he observed the speechless crowd.

After a while, no one was still making a sound, so he turned to Light and wanted to call out, but the next instant...

Five powerful auras exploded from the VIP room, and Light too, had unleashed his full unrestrained aura. He snow stood beside Ray—with a sword in hand— as his face was full of tension. Ray hadn’t notice him appear. All he felt was that Light just entered the perception of his sword body out of nowhere.

“Ray,” Light called out. “Do not stray by my side, no matter what happens.”

His voice was low, but it was the same as his expression—he was nervous. Ray watched Light who kept observing the VIP room, as if he was waiting for any sort of signal.

Many of the audience did not move a finger. Ray didn’t know why, so he asked. “What’s happening, Light?” “...Why aren’t...anyone moving?” he added.

Light glance at him for an instant, and then shifted his gaze back to the VIP room. However, he still answered.

“They are hostage. Most likely.”

“Most likely?”

“I am not sure. But the rest is up to the Sect Master.”

“...I see...” Ray just nodded without understanding. However, even if he didn’t, he knew something bad was gonna happen. If the Sect Master fails in something.

It seems Ray had done something bad unknowingly.