Chapter 181: Tadpole (1/2)

Two azure talismans gleamed on Lu Yun and Qing Han’s bodies, allowing them to glide through the water with the ease of fish. They were Swiftwater Talismans—naturally Xuanxi’s doing.

“Is the tomb underwater?” Qing Han scanned the pitch black surroundings. An occasional fish swam past them, but he didn’t see anything unusual. He turned his gaze downward. There was no telling how deep the lake was; even his consciousness couldn’t reach its bottom.

“We should be able to access the tomb through the bottom of the lake. Right now, we’re at the mouth of the volcano, one that goes straight down into earth,” Lu Yun responded slowly. “The unique landscape may give birth to unknown creatures, so be on your guard.”

The water increased in temperature as they sank deeper. In the end, they had no choice but to call upon defensive treasures to protect them from the oppressive heat.

Roar.

A muffled growl sounded from below. Mighty water currents disturbed the surface of the originally calm waters, instantly scattering the barrier of light from the treasures warding them. Terrible heat waves directly assaulted the defenseless humans.

“Is this water or lava?!” Surprised, Lu Yun threw out a few Yu Talismans. Layers of golden light covered them in a protective bubble.

Roar!

Another growl sounded, marking an increased ferocity in the water currents. The water rushed along with an edge as keen as an immortal’s flying swords. Lu Yun had activated nine Yu Talismans, but the tremendous current instantly crashed through seven of them. The remaining two teetered on the verge of shattering as well.

Hum.

Brilliant violet beams exploded from Violetgrave and hacked at the depths of the lake. Lu Yun’s attack split the powerful currents and shunted them to the sides.

“Oof!” He paled, blood trickling down from the corner of his mouth.

“Lu Yun!” Alarm writ large in his expression, Qing Han manifested a sword and channeled the Scroll of the Shepherding Immortals.

“I’m fine.” Lu Yun shook his head, his eyes gleaming brightly. “The currents… are the water’s intent.” A bubble escaped his mouth as he exclaimed, “Now I know what sets Dongfang Hao’s sword aura apart from mine. It’s the intent!”

A sword in the hand was a sword in the heart, and the sword in the heart was a sword in one’s will. No sword aura was complete until it incorporated an intent. Lu Yun’s sword ocean had lost to Dongfang Hao’s precisely because it lacked one.

Its vast nature should’ve been intrinsically more powerful than Dongfang Hao’s sword aura, but without the support of concrete intent, it was more like an extravagant palace built upon the clouds—beautiful gossamer. Flashy without substance. Any true swordmaster would easily be able to slash through his sword aura.

Lu Yun might’ve grasped Dongfang Hao’s sword aura, but the intent behind it was unknown to him. He could therefore only imitate the form, but not the function, which left significant openings in his moves.

If I can incorporate the water’s intent into my sword ocean, my sword aura will be complete and I will no longer fear Dongfang Hao’s sword intent! Lu Yun closed his eyes.

Black luminescence from the Tome of Life and Death rushed into Lu Yun’s mind. The lake before him suddenly seemed different. The clear water seemed murkier in his eyes, swimming with undertones and subtleties. Water benefited everything and won without contending. It had neither shape, nor texture, and was free of all restraints.

Lu Yun’s sword intent was freedom manifested in the form of the sword ocean. Both the Vast Dragon Seaturner and peng morphed from kun-fish existed to break through all restraints on their freedom.

The intent of the water was perfect for his sword aura.