To seize a magical artifact or treasure that has been claimed as its master by another, one must first neutralize the magical power within the artifact, and then use one's divine sense to remove the mark.

If one's spiritual awareness is lower than the other party's, another method can be used.

That is the cleansing power of magic!

Although Ye Feng's spiritual sense was comparable to that of an early-stage Golden Core cultivator, its quality was still weaker than that of a Golden Core cultivator's spiritual sense.

Moreover, the divine imprint within the small sword is not from an ordinary Golden Core expert.

But that doesn't matter, it just takes a little more time!

"The mountains and seas are boundless!"

Ye Feng silently channeled his magic, and the magical power within his Hidden Spirit Acupoints poured into the small sword like a river bursting its banks.

A light flashed on the small sword, then dimmed again.

Five thousand points at a time, comparable to half the mana of a typical peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"continue!"

Another five thousand points of mana were poured in, and the small sword lit up again, though this light was noticeably dimmer than before...

———

Beyond the secret realm, the Heavenly Sword Sect's stronghold palace

Jun Aocheng, dressed in white robes and wearing a tall crown, sat cross-legged in the secret room.

Several plates of pills were placed in front of him, and people would occasionally bring him newly refined pills and place them in front of him.

As the person in charge of the Heavenly Sword Sect in this area,

He has the right to allocate these resources for his cultivation. No matter how talented he is, he cannot underestimate the role of external resources.

Moreover, he has a great talent and his absorption speed of pills is far beyond that of ordinary people. This time, Jun Aocheng specially brought two alchemists to refine pills on the spot so as not to delay his cultivation.

"That's enough! Put the rest of the pills away!"

Jun Aocheng didn't even open his eyes before giving the order.

Absorbing elixirs can increase cultivation speed, but there is also an upper limit.

Jun Aocheng has eaten enough today and absorbed the remaining medicinal power, so his cultivation for the day is almost over.

His subordinates obeyed and packed up to leave, while Jun Aocheng continued with the final touches.

Fang Xun has been in the secret realm for most of the day, and should be returning soon.

Most importantly, the Phantom Sword cannot malfunction!

Jun Aocheng finished circulating his energy, and at that final moment, a vague feeling came over him, and a sudden pain shot through his dantian.

"puff!"

Blood spurted out, staining the entire table in front of him.

"How is this possible? How could this happen... My sword, my sword!!"

For the Heavenly Sword Sect, swords are far more important than those of other sects; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they are a matter of life and death.

Upon reaching the Golden Core realm, one can choose a top-grade sword as their personal magic weapon to nurture.

A sword that has been nurtured in this way is much easier to use, just as if it were forged by oneself.

Not only that, it can also exert a stronger attack effect, and it is no exaggeration to say that a low-grade weapon can kill a mid-grade weapon and resist a high-grade weapon.

Therefore, choosing a sword is of utmost importance to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Jun Aocheng chose Thousand Swords as his natal sword.

But now, at the center of the Golden Core, the mark belonging to Qian Jian is flashing incessantly...

This is someone refining his mark of submission!

How is that possible?

The Purple Edge Secret Realm can only be entered by those at the Foundation Establishment stage; this has been an unchanging rule for millennia.

Moreover, the secret realm is isolated from the outside world, making it impossible for anyone to advance to the Golden Core stage.

As for Fang Xun encountering danger inside, that's equally impossible.

Even if surrounded by hundreds or thousands of people, with a thousand swords in hand, it would only be a matter of one strike.

Moreover, he had left behind three strands of magical power...

Jun Aocheng had bloodstains at the corner of his mouth and bloodshot eyes, but his heart remained utterly calm.

To erase the mark left behind, it would require hundreds of Foundation Establishment peak cultivators taking turns continuously using their magic power to wash it away.

Only the other two sects outside have the capability to accomplish this.

Jun Aocheng never imagined that this was actually accomplished by one person.

Each time Ye Feng refreshed his mana, it was 5,000 points. The effect of 5,000 points once is incomparable to ten times of 500 points.

Moreover, without the boundless power of mountains and seas, releasing five hundred points of mana at once is not an easy task.

Normally, it would indeed take hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators to achieve this effect.

Jun Aocheng never imagined that such a simple task, one that should have no chance of going wrong, would ultimately lead to this outcome.

He took the sword to fight Ye Feng, but Ye Feng eventually took the sword and removed the mark. It can only be said that cause and effect are cyclical and retribution is inevitable.

"Elder Xue!"

As Jun Aocheng called out, a figure instantly appeared in the secret chamber without making a sound, and the door didn't even open.

Elder Xue glanced at the bloodstains in the room, his brow furrowing slightly, but he said nothing.

"Elder Xue, have the two sects outside made any unusual moves?"

"Nothing unusual, but the secret passage was cleared three hours ago. According to those who came out, Fang Xun, along with several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Hunyuan Sect, went to chase after that rogue cultivator."

Pursuing the rogue cultivator?

Jun Aocheng's face showed a thoughtful expression.

Now that the secret passage has opened, Fang Xun should have returned to report to me first. Why did he go after that rogue cultivator first?

Jun Aocheng pondered, this was quite different from what he had imagined.

The Thousand Swords are so important, Fang Xun should have reported to me the moment the passage opened...

This rogue cultivator! Could he possibly withstand three attacks from a thousand swords and survive...?

Could it be?

The Thousand Swords were taken by this person?

This is the only reason why Fang Xun would not return to report, but instead go after the person first.

He survived three strikes from a thousand swords and even managed to steal the sword!

A Foundation Establishment cultivator... how is that possible?

Such a genius exists in the world!

This child must not be allowed to live!

Jun Aocheng never imagined that there was a bastard in the secret realm who had lowered his cultivation level to chase after his fiancée.

Forced to waste one of his stored magical powers, Fang Xun was compelled to do so.

However, his guess was pretty close to the truth: it was Ye Feng who seized the sword.

It was Ye Feng who was erasing his mark.

"Elder Xue, please send word to the sect to send more men. We must find this Han Li."

Elder Xue pondered for a moment,

"The other two groups have already been investigating for some time..."

"No! We must go find him. I suspect this person is the genius they've been grooming."

Jun Aocheng looked straight ahead and said, word by word,

"The Thousand Swords... might have been taken by him!"

"What?"

Even Elder Xue, who had remained calm throughout, showed surprise.

Jun Aocheng looked at him and slowly nodded.

Elder Xue gasped, realizing the gravity of the situation. Considering the bloodstains on the ground, there was only one possibility.

The Thousand Swords that Jun Aocheng had recognized as his master were being taken away by the other party, who was erasing the mark of recognition he had left behind.

"I see!"

Elder Xue nodded solemnly, then reappeared and vanished.

Just then, there was a knock on the door to the secret room.

"Your Highness, the Fifth Holy Son of the Hunyuan Sect, Mi Cheng requests an audience!"

———