I tricked you into thinking you had the makings of an emperor, but you actually did it?

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi couldn't hold back any longer; her eyes were practically spitting fire as she revealed a small tiger tooth.

What kind of man comes at you like that, punching you twice right off the bat!

The people from the Divine Flame Dynasty nearby realized what was happening and hurriedly activated a concealment array to prevent outsiders from watching the spectacle.

“I am the Holy Maiden of Yaochi, representing a sacred land. Even if I can spare you for what you have done, the elders will not let you off the hook,” said the Holy Maiden of Yaochi.

As he spoke, the elder of the Holy Land passed through the magic array and arrived at the cloud ship.

They were all female cultivators, with sharp eyes. Regardless of age, they were all quite beautiful, but they all had bitter faces, giving people a stern and ruthless feeling.

“I’m eager to experience the Taiqing Forgetfulness of the Jade Pool Holy Land firsthand,” Shen Ming said.

His punches weren't just because the other party used him as a shield, but also because of his confrontation with the Holy Lord of Yaochi last time.

The Holy Land of Yaochi wants Li Miaozhen to join them and teach them the Taiqing Forgetfulness Technique.

To achieve the ultimate state of detachment from worldly desires, one must first sever ties with one's Daoist partner.

Li Miaozhen resolutely refused, but as a man, he could not ignore the offense to the sacred Yaochi.

“Okay, then you can come with me to the Thousand-Foot Divine Stele.”

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi rolled her eyes. Having witnessed Shen Ming's prowess, she naturally wouldn't choose to make a move under circumstances unfavorable to herself.

"Some divine scriptures and imperial texts have minimum requirements."

When Taiqing forgets his emotions, even a king cannot unleash one or two tenths of his power.

Only five or six tenths of the area lies beneath the thousand-foot-tall divine stele.

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi continued.

That's a brilliant statement. At this point, it's impossible for Shen Ming to go to the Thousand-Foot Divine Stele.

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi looked smug, though the two large bumps on her head made her look somewhat comical.

"Why are you targeting my Yaochi Holy Land like this? Tell me," said the Yaochi Holy Maiden.

"You'll know."

Seeing that she was unwilling to compete with Taiqing Wangqing here, Shen Ming waved his hand to dismiss her.

"You've given me a bump on the head, and you're just going to let it go like this?" The Holy Maiden of Yaochi refused to give up.

Just then, someone shouted.

"The Holy Emperor's successor has appeared! Right beneath the thousand-foot-tall divine monument!"

This immediately caused a huge uproar, with various forces rushing to the scene.

"Some people are going to miss their chance."

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi left after saying a few words, no longer entangled with Shen Ming, and departed with the elders of the Holy Land.

Even the people of the Divine Flame Dynasty were getting restless.

However, due to Shen Ming's influence, they did not set off immediately.

The First Temple is eyeing us covetously; it's uncertain whether Shen Ming will risk going there.

"I've become a stand-in?"

Shen Ming's expression was strange, confirming that the key to the Sanctuary was still within his spiritual body.

"Are you trying to force me out?"

He considered this possibility.

The real person will definitely not sit still when faced with an imposter.

Having figured this out, Shen Ming remained very calm.

"Then we'll go check on the situation, and you can stay here and cultivate in seclusion."

As a sword cultivator, the eldest princess speaks her mind.

This was a wise arrangement, but Shen Ming thought about it and decided he couldn't just watch others be deceived.

As allies, we should trust each other.

"I am the successor of the Holy Emperor," Shen Ming transmitted his voice.

The princess was momentarily stunned, then her heart was filled with turmoil.

At this critical juncture, Shen Ming wouldn't speak without reason.

"Is that Holy Emperor's successor over there a fake?"

The eldest princess also inquired via telepathy.

"Yes, I guess they were getting impatient waiting."

Shen Ming told Shen Ming about the key and his plan.

He plans to advance his cultivation to the next level and open the Sanctuary.

The princess can go or stay, as long as she is not deceived by that imposter.

“We still need to go, otherwise it will arouse suspicion. I will go and gather more information to prepare for opening the sanctuary for you,” the princess said.

The identity of being the successor of the Holy Emperor is extremely important to the nine dynasties.

Shen Ming was willing to tell her these things because he had earned her trust through his performance with the Divine Flame Dynasty earlier.

The eldest princess was devoted to the sword and did not participate in the power struggles. Unexpectedly, by chance, she seized the opportunity.

“Alright, you guys go check on the situation first,” Shen Ming said.

Therefore, the eldest princess led the people of the Divine Flame Dynasty away.

In the blink of an eye, the place that was just bustling with people became deserted.

The people from the First Temple, having confirmed that Shen Ming remained in place, snorted coldly and strode away.

There is nothing more important than the sanctuary now.

Shen Ming adjusted his mindset, restored the giant ship filled with divine energy to its normal size, and began to cultivate in seclusion on it.

The goal is to break through the limitations of swordsmanship and reach the realm of the mind-sword.

"The various sword intents are too complex. Although they do not conflict with each other and do not affect the power, they cause some mental confusion."

Just like a room that hasn't been cleaned for a long time, it will become messy.

After tidying up, you will feel physically and mentally refreshed, and your mind will be clear.

"The Chaos Sword Intent relies on the Tribulation Fire and can only be used as a trump card like the Heavenly Tribulation Sword. If it goes outside, its power may not be as effective against spiritual bodies."

"The Great Luo Sword Intent encompasses everything; wind and clouds can be swords, thunder and fire can be swords, heaven and earth can be swords. The Seven God-Slaying Forms are like unlocking a vast sword intent, from which one can comprehend and imbue one's own sword path with the God-Slaying Sword Technique."

"The Yin-Yang Sword Intent is not refined enough; it needs further cultivation."

Shen Ming recalled the image of himself, the emperor who had broken through to the Heart Sword realm, within the Endless Divine Stele.

The spiritual sword beams were completely unstoppable.

"Sword cultivators must not forget their original aspirations. To break through to the Heart Sword Realm, one must still rely on the Limitless Sword Dao and Limitless Sword Intent!"

Therefore, Shen Ming consulted Jian Li.

Jian Li was praying while he was processing his sword intent.

She prayed that Shen Ming wouldn't ask about the Limitless Sword Intent.

To this day, Jian Li has still not seen how the Limitless Sword Intent is forged.

Jian Li didn't want Shen Ming to know that she didn't know, so she thought of making up a few things and bluffing.

However, as a Blade Spirit, doing so is irresponsible.

"Even the Emperor's Shadow, which was processed by the Divine Stele, could not replicate your Limitless Sword Intent. I don't know," Jian Li said frankly.

"Right."

Shen Ming nodded; that was indeed the case.

Jian Li was worried that Shen Mingzhe would look down on her for being useless, but she didn't expect him to be so understanding.

However, this kind of understanding is really a bit unfair.

Shen Ming placed his hand on his heart.

The Thirteen Apertures of Dao Heart already include the Eternal Dao Heart, the Limitless Sword Heart, the Thunder Dao Heart, and the Wind Dao Heart.

Focus on the way of the sword, but don't forget your innate Dao embryo identity.

The Way of the Sword, the Heart of the Way!

Shen Ming closed his eyes and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the immersion in enlightenment, trying to find his own spiritual sword light.

The whole process was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

At first, everything went smoothly, and the puzzle was quickly completed. Shen Ming sorted out all the sword intents and emitted a crystal-clear sword light.

However, it gets harder and harder as you go on, and you can never put it all together, or even know which piece is missing.

"It would be great if other Sword Masters could demonstrate their skills."

Shen Ming realized this: the Emperor's Shadow was incomplete, and the mental sword light he had seen was not of any reference value.

If he could witness a Sword Emperor who had reached the Heart Sword realm wielding his sword, Shen Ming was confident he would be inspired.