The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

Gradually, the pain subsided, replaced by an unprecedented sense of comfort. Jiang Chuan felt his cultivation level increasing at an astonishing rate, and the true energy within his body becoming purer.

"So that's how it is..." he murmured to himself, "This is the power of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir."

Meanwhile, within the city of Handan, a conspiracy is quietly unfolding.

When the body of Director Liu of the Imperial Observatory was discovered, there was not a single wound on his body, which clearly indicated that he had been killed by someone using extremely profound internal force.

"This is..." an official said, pointing a trembling finger at Lord Liu's corpse, "This is clearly the work of an internal martial arts master!"

Panic gripped Handan City. He Zongtang stood on high ground, coldly observing the scene. A sneer played on his lips: "Mu Suifeng, your good days are numbered."

Three days later, martial law was declared in Handan. All residents were forbidden from leaving the city, and soldiers patrolled the streets. He Zongtang stood on the city wall, his gaze fixed on the direction of Heyang: "Former Silver Armor Army troops… Hmph!"

Inside Heyang City, after receiving a message from a carrier pigeon, Mu Suifeng immediately summoned the city's key generals.

Zhao Dun stood to the side, his face contorted with rage: "He Zongtang has gone too far! He actually dared to murder the Director of the Imperial Observatory!"

Mu Suifeng calmly said, "He Zongtang's move is clearly an attempt to frame the former Silver Armor Army. He wants to weaken my power."

Zhao Dun nodded: "We must take action!"

"Action?" Mu Suifeng sneered. "What can we do now?"

Zhao Dun pondered for a moment: "I thought of someone... Sword Emperor Xie Xuan."

"Sword Emperor?" Surprise flashed in Mu Suifeng's eyes. "He is one of the top figures in the Northern Territory."

“I know it will be difficult to persuade him,” Zhao Dun said, “but it’s worth a try.”

Three days later, at noon, a messenger from Handan arrived in Heyang City. The messenger carried an imperial edict, ordering Mu Suifeng to go to Handan to report back and explain the matter of the crown prince's arrogance.

"This is a trap!" Lu Zheng saw through the trick at a glance.

Mu Suifeng accepted the imperial edict and sneered, "Three days from now... I'd like to see what tricks He Zongtang can pull."

Lu Qian was shocked: "My lord... are you really going?"

"Of course I'll go!" Mu Suifeng's face was resolute. "I must avenge the blood feud between the former Silver Armor Army members!"

Inside the Red Dust Inn outside Heyang City, He Zongzheng stood by the window gazing into the distance and said, "Mu Suifeng has indeed fallen for the trap!"

He took out a letter from his sleeve, which was filled with densely packed small characters: "Make your move in three days!"

He Zongzheng smirked coldly: "Young Master and Princess... this time you won't escape!"

At dawn three days later, a caravan slowly made its way towards Handan on the official road outside Heyang City. In the center of the caravan sat Mu Suifeng, his gaze unwavering.

"He Zongtang..." he said softly, "This time... I will make you pay the price!"

A commotion suddenly arose ahead of the convoy. A scout rode up: "Sir! A large army has been spotted ahead!"

"He Zongzheng!" A cold glint flashed in Mu Suifeng's eyes. "He's finally here!"

Ahead of the convoy, He Zongzheng led several thousand private soldiers to block their path. A smug smile played on his lips: "Lord Mu...long time no see!"

"Bring it on!" Mu Suifeng roared. "Today I'll show you... what a true Marquis of Heyang is!"

Battle was imminent. The army of the Marquis of Heyang and He Zongzheng's private troops engaged in fierce fighting.

Amidst the flashing swords and the clash of blades, blood stained the entire official road.

"Kill!" Mu Suifeng personally led his elite troops in a charge.

His spear was invincible, and countless enemy soldiers were reduced to dust under his spear.

Upon seeing this, He Zongzheng was shocked: "This...how is this possible!"

Just then, a violent tremor suddenly came from the sky. A huge carrier pigeon descended from the sky and landed on Mu Suifeng's shoulder.

"The Sword Emperor has agreed to lend a hand!" a general shouted.

"Good!" A glimmer of hope flashed in Mu Suifeng's eyes. "We're going to win!"

The battle lasted a full hour. Ultimately, with the help of Sword Emperor Xie Xuan, the Marquis of Heyang successfully repelled He Zongzheng's private army. He Zongzheng was captured alive and escorted back to Heyang City for trial.

After returning to his room, Jiang Chuan closed the doors and windows tightly to ensure that outside noise could not disturb him.

He sat cross-legged on the futon, holding the crystal-clear Nine-Turn Golden Pill in his hand, feeling both expectant and apprehensive.

He knew the pill's power was extraordinary, but he also understood that consuming it would bring great risks.

"This pill can help me break through, but it may also cause me to suffer a qi deviation," Jiang Chuan muttered to himself. "But I have no other choice."

He took a deep breath and put the Nine-Turn Golden Pill into his mouth.

A warm energy instantly spread across the tip of his tongue, as if a small flame were burning in his throat. Jiang Chuan's pupils contracted sharply; he felt his internal energy begin to fluctuate violently.

"boom!"

A massive surge of energy instantly flooded Jiang Chuan's meridians, as if countless steel needles were piercing them. His teeth chattered, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

Jiang Chuan endured the pain and began to circulate his true energy according to the instructions in the "Five Elements Sword Manual".

The first stage of refinement – ​​bone cleansing!
Jiang Chuan felt as if his bones were being crushed by an invisible hand, and he felt that familiar, excruciating pain once again. His teeth sank deep into his gums, and the taste of blood filled his mouth.

However, he did not give up, but continued to circulate his true energy, trying to guide this energy to all parts of his body.

The second level of refinement—marrow cleansing!
Jiang Chuan felt as if his blood was boiling, every muscle in his body burning. His breathing became rapid, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat. He knew he had to persevere, or all his efforts would be in vain.

The third level of refinement—blood burning!

Jiang Chuan felt like he was suffocating. His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest. Waves of heat surged through his veins, as if to burn his body to ashes.

The fourth stage of refinement – ​​tracing the scriptures!
Jiang Chuan felt as if his meridians were being torn apart; each circulation of his true energy brought excruciating pain. His consciousness began to blur, and a chaotic darkness appeared before his eyes.

The fifth level of refinement – ​​hammering the skin!
Jiang Chuan's body felt as if it were being pounded by countless hammers; his skin began to crack, and blood seeped out. His consciousness gradually slipped into unconsciousness, but he persisted.

The sixth level of refinement – ​​Soul Purification!
Jiang Chuan's soul felt as if it were being sliced ​​apart by countless sharp blades, each breath bringing endless pain. His consciousness began to collapse, and countless hallucinations appeared before his eyes.

The seventh level of refinement – ​​severing all ties!
Jiang Chuan felt as if his heart had been removed, and his emotions began to dissipate. His memories of his family, friends, and master became blurred, as if everything had become unimportant.

The eighth level of refinement – ​​Severing all ties!
Jiang Chuan's senses gradually faded, and his morality, justice, and conscience were stripped away. He was left with only pure murderous intent and the desire to survive.

The Ninth Refinement – ​​Annihilation of the Dao!
Jiang Chuan's soul seemed to be utterly destroyed, and his consciousness plunged into an abyss of nothingness. His body began to collapse, his meridians broke, and his internal organs shattered.

However, at this most critical moment, Jiang Chuan's soul suddenly regained a sliver of clarity.

He remembered his master's teachings: "No matter how difficult it is, you must persevere."

"I can't give up!" Jiang Chuan shouted in his heart.

He mustered his last bit of strength and completely absorbed the energy of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir. A powerful force instantly surged into his body, repairing his meridians and internal organs.

"Crack!"

Jiang Chuan's bones made a crisp cracking sound, and his body seemed to be completely renewed.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in an unfamiliar space.

This was a massive cliff, shrouded in a hazy mist. An old man stood with his hands behind his back at the edge of the cliff, his figure appearing exceptionally tall.

"Sword Immortal Li Muzhi." Jiang Chuan recognized this legendary figure.

Li Muzhi slowly turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning: "Come to ask about swordsmanship?"

"Jiang Chuan, a junior." Jiang Chuan clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

“The Sword Immortal’s poem reads: ‘Ten years to forge this sword, its frosty edge yet untested; today I present it to you, who has a grievance to redress?’” Li Muzhi’s voice boomed like thunder.

A powerful sword aura instantly tore Jiang Chuan's body to pieces.

"Ah!" Jiang Chuan screamed in terror.

However, he soon found himself back on his feet.

The same scene played out again: a precipice, Li Muzhi, the sword immortal's poem, and sword energy.

Jiang Chuan was killed time and time again, only to be resurrected each time. Every death brought him endless pain and despair.

"Why? Why is it always like this?" Jiang Chuan knelt on the ground, tears blurring his vision.

Just as he was about to break down, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ears: "This is your inner demon!"

Jiang Chuan suddenly looked up and saw Tao Hongjing's figure appear in front of him.

"You're wasting your time!" Tao Hongjing roared. "Li Muzhi may be strong, but he will eventually ascend to immortality in a hundred years! The future sword immortal of the Nine Provinces might just be you!"

Jiang Chuan's spirits lifted: "Master!"

"Wake up!" Tao Hongjing's voice was like a thunderclap.

Jiang Chuan suddenly opened his eyes and found himself back in his room. Tao Hongjing was standing in front of him, his face solemn.

"Are you alright?" Tao Hongjing asked with concern.

Jiang Chuan gasped for breath: "I...I just experienced a hallucination."

Tao Hongjing nodded: "This is a test of inner demons triggered by the power of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir. Fortunately, you woke up in time."

Jiang Chuan said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me, Master."

Tao Hongjing sighed: "You broke through too quickly this time. The power of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is too strong."

Jiang Chuan stood up, feeling the surging power within him: "My cultivation level..."

Tao Hongjing nodded: "You have broken through to the eighth level of the Bitter Sea and unexpectedly broke through the Yuan Ting Pass, reaching the realm of 'Half-Step to the Other Shore'."

Jiang Chuan was overjoyed: "That's great!"

Tao Hongjing, however, did not show much joy: "You've taken too big a risk this time. The power of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is too domineering; you could easily go into qi deviation if you're not careful."

Jiang Chuan said gratefully, "Thank you for reminding me, Master."

Tao Hongjing nodded: "Go, pack your bags and go to Dushan to find the medicinal herbs."

Jiang Chuan felt a surge of excitement: "Yes!"

The next morning, Jiang Chuan packed his bags and went to Tao Hongjing's room to say goodbye.

"Master..." Jiang Chuan bowed his head in greeting.

Tao Hongjing nodded: "Go, and remember what I said."

Jiang Chuan turned and left the room. His heart was filled with anticipation for the future and a desire to face challenges.

The trip to Dushan is about to begin.

As Jiang Chuan led his horse out of the north gate of Heyang City, the sun was just rising. He looked back at the city where he had lived for many years, and a sense of reluctance welled up in his heart.

However, he knew he had to leave—his master's entrustment, the elixir of Dushan, and his own desire for greater power were all urging him forward.

The "bladeless sword" hung on the saddle, its scabbard still damp with the morning dew.

Jiang Chuan gently stroked the hilt of the sword, feeling its cool touch. This sword had been with him for so many years, and had long since become a part of his life. He took a deep breath and spurred his horse northward.

Dushan is located 300 miles north of Heyang City. It is a steep mountain that is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round.

Jiangchuan sped along the road, and after a day and a night of trekking, finally arrived at Lefeng Town at the foot of Dushan Mountain in the evening.

Lefeng Town is not large, but because of its proximity to Dushan Mountain, merchants and adventurers frequently travel between the town.

The town's streets were adorned with colorful lanterns, and restaurants and teahouses lined the streets, creating a lively atmosphere. However, due to the approaching winter, there were not many pedestrians on the streets, and occasionally a few hunters dressed in thick clothes could be seen hurrying by.

Jiang Chuan led his horse into "Zui Xian Ju," the largest restaurant in town, and ordered a pot of hot wine and several small dishes.

He drank while inquiring about the situation in Dushan. Most of the patrons in the restaurant were ordinary merchants who knew very little about Dushan, but there were also some experienced hunters.

“Dushan is extremely dangerous,” a hunter with a full beard told him. “The mountains are filled with miasma, and poisonous insects and ferocious beasts are everywhere. Even a highly skilled cultivator might not be able to come back alive.”

Jiang Chuan nodded: "Thank you for the reminder."

“However…” the hunter lowered his voice, “deep in Dushan there is a Hidden Spirit Mountain, where I’ve heard that there are rare spiritual herbs. If we could find the Heart of the Mysterious Serpent in Hidden Spirit Mountain… hehe, that would be the key to getting rich.”

Jiang Chuan's heart skipped a beat: "The Heart of the Black Serpent?"

“That’s a kind of spiritual creature from Hidden Spirit Mountain,” the hunter smiled mysteriously. “It’s said that only the truly strong can find it.”

Jiang Chuan felt a surge of fighting spirit. He knew that his solo journey to Dushan was not only to fulfill his master's instructions, but also to take this opportunity to improve his cultivation.

Early the next morning, Jiang Chuan bought all the necessary provisions, water, and tinder for his journey into the mountains. He left his horse in a stable in town and set off alone on the solitary mountain road.

Meanwhile, the situation in Heyang City became increasingly complex.

Yu Youwei, the young mistress of the chamber of commerce, stood by the study window, her gaze piercing through the thin gauze curtains as she looked out at the distant street. Her fingers gently traced the poem on the desk: "Warm wine awaits your return, I pluck flowers to compose a poem for my wife's joy." Her expression was calm, but a complex emotion flickered in her eyes.

"A guard reports." A cold voice suddenly rang out.

Yu Youwei turned around and saw her personal maid, Qing'er, standing in the doorway: "Speak." (End of Chapter)