Under the illumination of the Sun Disc, the sky was flawlessly clear, the mountain peaks suspended above the jade-green water. Rock shadows and light patterns played across the surface in shifting harmony.

When still, the lake resembled a colossal, transparent piece of jade.

A slight breeze stirred the water, lapping at Lu Yuan’s feet before retreating immediately.

Lu Yuan watched the lake.

The water, in tiny, fractured segments, stirred with ripples where small stones had dropped, while willow leaves floated upon the surface.

This was the appearance of the lake.

Yet, in Lu Yuan’s eyes, the lake presented an entirely different scene.

Within the depths of the water pulsed myriad essences of swordsmanship.

Clearly, someone had practiced the sword here.

A place where a sword had been practiced, though appearing identical to any other spot on the surface, held water imbued with sword intent—making it fundamentally different from the rest. Lu Yuan observed intently, instantly becoming absorbed. Simultaneously, he began replaying those sword forms in his mind, guided by the residual intent left within the water.

Move after move, sword style after sword style, materialized within his mind.

Was this the Lake Sword Technique left by Martial Uncle-Ancestor Sun? The Lake Sword Technique replaying in his mind mirrored the surface of the actual lake.

Lu Yuan had already grasped six forms of Water Element sword intent: Cloud, Water, Rain, Ice, Snow, and Sea. To grasp another Water Element intent was comparatively simpler. Revisiting it now, he sensed less difficulty than before, an almost palpable sign of impending comprehension—though true enlightenment remained elusive.

He was currently using the lake itself, reflecting upon the residual sword intent left by Martial Uncle-Ancestor Sun to reverse-engineer the technique.

He hovered at the threshold of breakthrough. What truly separated the lake from the sea?

The sea was vast and endless, encompassing all things. And the lake? The lake formed from smaller streams gathering into a contained body. The sea was infinite. The lake, exquisitely contained. The sea surged with tremendous force, its might boundless. The lake merely sent gentle ripples lapping at his feet.

With a movement of his hand, Lu Yuan drew his Yangwu Sword and began to dance it through the water. The lake split beneath the blade, then surged in response to the sword’s motion, transforming into streams of quicksilver light. Night had fallen; the brilliant moonlight from the Moon Disc bathed the lake, reflecting the sword’s glow.

Under the moonlight, the man moved with the sword, and as the sword moved, waves and spray erupted. The moonlight struck the sword, struck the waves—was it truly striking the sword, or the waves? Was the blade cleaving water spray, or moonlight, or perhaps the very dream of the lake?

He did not know how long had passed. In that state of near-realization, Lu Yuan suddenly jolted awake. Still, he could not break through. Comprehending a sword intent was never simple. Nevertheless, Lu Yuan estimated he was incredibly close to mastering the Lake Sword Intent—separated by perhaps just a few layers of thin paper. But he couldn't push further now; his head ached slightly.

Lu Yuan was unaware that he had stood there for five full days and nights, continuously trying to grasp the Lake Sword Intent. To comprehend required the mind to race ceaselessly. Five days and nights of such exertion naturally led to fatigue; the mild headache was therefore expected.

"Forget it, no more comprehension." One cannot force enlightenment.

Lu Yuan took a deep draught of wine and departed, intending to return to his dwelling for a deep sleep.

Shortly after Lu Yuan left, another figure arrived at the spot. This man had flowing white hair and an air of immortal elegance; it was Sun Qingchi, one of the Seven Great Venerables of the North Peak. Sun Qingchi visited this lake periodically to practice his sword. As he prepared for his session, he sensed something subtly amiss.

Sun Qingchi drew his Jinghu Spirit Sword to practice over the lake, yet paused mid-swing.

"There is another person's sword intent within this water," Sun Qingchi frowned. "This person's swordsmanship is profound, practicing something akin to the Lake Sword Technique. They likely have not grasped the full Lake Sword Intent yet, but they are terrifyingly close." A Venerable’s insight was indeed sharp, deducing so much from mere residue.

"Who could it be? Could it be Chu Lang?" Sun Qingchi considered his prized disciple, Chu Lang, but quickly shook his head. While the technique was the Lake Sword Style, Chu Lang’s execution was always fierce and dominating. This current presence manifested a sword energy that was ethereal and transcendent. Who could this be?

He had only a little over ten disciples cultivating under him. Which one could produce such an empty, refined sword style, and be on the verge of comprehending the Lake Sword Intent?

He never imagined it could be Lu Yuan.

If he knew that Lu Yuan had deduced the entire Lake Sword Technique, and was this close to grasping the intent, merely by reverse-engineering the residual sword energy he’d left in the water, Sun Qingchi would have been stunned speechless. Such a genius in the Dao of the Sword was almost unimaginable; "genius" was an insufficient word.

Among those who followed him in cultivation, the strongest was Chu Lang. Even Chu Lang, after years of learning under him, had only managed to master two sword intents and persistently failed to grasp the Lake Sword Intent, despite dedicated, focused instruction. The others were far behind. Yet, Lu Yuan, without ever witnessing his Lake Sword Style or receiving any direct teaching on the matter, was nearly realizing the intent. How could this not shake him?

Fortunately, he did not know the practitioner was Lu Yuan, and he never once considered it could be him.

The next morning, Lu Yuan drank a little wine.

Grand Uncle-Master Sun was not holding a lecture today, leaving Lu Yuan to ponder his next move. Lu Yuan’s natural inclination was towards idleness when unrestrained. However, the novelty of entering the Cloud Ascending Immortal Realm, combined with the growing sense that his power was closing in on Sima Changbai, spurred him to advance more quickly.

These two factors combined made Lu Yuan slightly more diligent than usual.

Even the occasional burst of effort is characteristic of a person.

Although after this bout of effort, he would almost certainly revert to his usual laziness.

He considered the Cloud Dragon Ten Transformations: Ya Zi form—it hadn't clicked after several attempts. The Lake Sword Intent felt close but incomplete. There was no immediate need to practice those now. As for his Mana, that too required little work; with thirteen colossal spirit beasts, he had little need for extensive Mana training. Only the Divine Soul area remained a necessity.

Forming a Void Core remained his ultimate aspiration.

To form a Void Core required augmenting the Divine Soul, and the Divine Soul Stones and similar materials he’d gathered were nearly depleted.

"Never mind, another drink first." As he swallowed a mouthful of wine, Ye Xiao, who shared his courtyard residence, looked over: "Grand Uncle-Master Sun won't lecture for a few days. Are you going to take on missions?"

"Missions?" Lu Yuan was surprised.

"Yes," Ye Xiao confirmed. "Our regular cultivation consumes various spirit stones and other resources. Thankfully, within the Cloud Ascending Immortal Realm, there is a teleportation array leading underground, and also a Mission Hall where we can accept tasks."

"That sounds good. I’ll see what tasks are available." Lu Yuan agreed, following the experienced Ye Xiao straight toward the Mission Hall. The Hall was situated on a plain, some distance from the mountain range where they resided. However, both were cultivators above the Fifth Level of Longevity, capable of swift sword flight, so the journey was brief.

The decoration of the Mission Hall was starkly simple. Inside sat an Elder in charge of dispensing tasks, with a Mission Register displayed above him.

Ye Xiao scanned the assignments. He selected a relatively easy task offering a high reward of three thousand Spirit Stones. Lu Yuan’s current wealth amounted to only fifteen thousand low-grade Spirit Stones, making three thousand a substantial bounty. Seeing that others had already claimed the task, Ye Xiao worried it would be taken quickly. He offered Lu Yuan a swift apology, then shot off on his sword. Before leaving, he did hand Lu Yuan a map of the Cloud Ascending Immortal Realm.

Ye Xiao’s departure was swift. Lu Yuan turned his attention to the Mission Register. Most listings involved slaying demons or executing notorious figures of the Demonic Path.

Execute the remnants of the Blood Sword Sect? The Blood Sword Sect had been annihilated during Lu Yuan’s imprisonment; he hadn't expected survivors. Looking at the description, the target was only an Elder at the Third Level of Longevity, and the reward was meager. Unexciting.

An auxiliary hall master among the Underdark Demons. This rank was high enough, but the location was too distant, extremely far away.

What! Lu Yuan immediately spotted a certain task. This mission targeted the Thirty-Six Scattered Devils. The Thirty-Six Scattered Devils were a peculiar group of thirty-six individuals who were once cultivators but, for various reasons, had absorbed demonic traits, transforming into these fiends.

These thirty-six usually moved and acted in concert; the Thirty-Six Stars generally operated together, and all were above the Fifth Level of Longevity. Rumor even held that their leader was only one step removed from the Sword Immortal level.

No Sword Immortal level? Reading the description, Lu Yuan resolved to undertake the mission.

Furthermore, Lu Yuan had another compelling reason for choosing it: the reward was thirty Great Divine Soul Stones and three thousand Spirit Stones—precisely what he needed most.

Lu Yuan immediately accepted the assignment. As he did so, the Elder issuing the task confirmed with disbelief: "You truly accept this mission?" Seeing Lu Yuan’s youth, the Elder couldn't fathom how he dared take on a task so difficult that even some cultivators at the Eighth Level of Longevity, Sword Immortal level, had failed to complete it.

"Yes, I accept." Ignoring the Elder’s shocked gaze, Lu Yuan accepted the mission and immediately soared away upon his white sword energy.

Shortly after Lu Yuan left, others arrived to claim missions—led precisely by Chu Lang.

"Eh? Someone has already taken the mission for the Thirty-Six Scattered Devils," a cultivator remarked with surprise.

"Who is that capable?"

"I recall Senior Brother Fang Ru attempting this mission before, and he failed, didn't he?"

"Right. It’s notoriously difficult. Those Thirty-Six Scattered Devils are adept at hiding, and every one of them possesses peerless strength, not to mention strange, powerful arrays."

"I wonder who took this task."

"They will likely meet the same end: failure." Within the Cloud Ascending Immortal Realm, there were two categories of people: the Venerables at the Great Dao Realm, and those who had not yet reached the Sword Immortal level. Once they broke through to the Sword Immortal stage, they typically departed to hold independent command.