Upon seeing the man who suddenly appeared, Ruan Xiyan's expression hardened. "You are... the sword spirit of the Frostfall Sword."
"Yes, Master."
The man bowed slowly to Ruan Xiyan, speaking respectfully, "My name is Yuan, a name bestowed upon me by my master a long time ago."
"I'm sorry, Master. I almost hurt you because of me just now," Yuan said apologetically.
Ruan Xiyan immediately grasped the key point in his words, "You said that a long time ago, I gave you your name?"
Yuan seemed surprised that Ruan Xiyan would ask such a question, and he looked up at her in astonishment.
Looking at Ruan Xiyan's current mortal body, a look of understanding flashed in his eyes, "So it turns out that Master doesn't remember the past."
"I was once my master's natal artifact. As I followed my master, I gradually developed intelligence and manifested as a sword spirit. My master named me Yuan."
"Later, due to an accident, the master's divine status was shattered and his soul was scattered. As the master's natal artifact, I was also severely injured, and the sword spirit dissipated."
"But as I was about to be scattered among the world, I unexpectedly discovered this ice platform where I could recuperate. These three naturally formed stone pillars create an excellent place to nurture the sword spirit."
"And so I fell into a deep sleep here, slowly gathering and dispersing from the sword spirit between heaven and earth."
"But my sword spirit was unknowingly invaded by that black aura. It wanted to erode my intelligence and replace me, which is why it attacked its master just now."
"Do you know what that black mass of energy is?" Ruan Xiyan asked.
“I’ve heard my master mention it before. It’s turbid energy, a power that transcends the Three Realms,” Yuan replied.
"Then who am I?" Ruan Xiyan stared at Yuan and asked, word by word.
"The master is a member of the demon race, the most noble being among them."
"Demons?"
"The demon race is a powerful race that lives on the highest level of the continent. I was not by my master's side when he was in trouble."
"I'm not entirely sure what exactly happened to my master back then, but those events are too far removed from the current master."
“Master, before you possess absolute power, do not touch upon or investigate those past events. It is too dangerous, and I do not want to see you fall into danger again.”
"Don't worry, I'm not a reckless person," Ruan Xiyan replied.
If she is a member of the demon race, it would explain why she was able to absorb demonic energy and use it for her own purposes.
Moreover, according to Yuan, she had an accident before, and her soul was scattered. Logically speaking, she should have disappeared from the world long ago.
How did she become the Ruan Xiyan she is today?
This series of events is like a mystery that tightly shrouds her.
But Yuan is right. Neither her background as a demon nor that turbid energy is something she can consider or deal with right now.
To be qualified to investigate these mysteries, formidable strength is indispensable.
Ruan Xiyan slightly raised her hand, and the black flame that had previously formed inside her body appeared in her hand.
"Yuan, look at this."
When Yuan saw the flames on Ruan Xiyan's palm clearly, surprise appeared in his eyes, "Glazed Demon Flame!"
"This is a sacred fire unique to the demon race. This flame is extremely powerful and has purifying power. In the entire demon race, only the master is qualified to awaken it."
"Master awakened the Glazed Demon Flame before when he was a demon, but I never expected that he would awaken the Glazed Demon Flame again when he is a mortal."
“Master, the purifying power of the Glazed Demon Flame is the nemesis of turbid energy. If you encounter turbid energy again in the future, you can use it to deal with it.”
Ruan Xiyan's eyes flickered slightly. The Glazed Demon Flame was so powerful; no wonder it was able to completely extinguish the turbid energy that had invaded her body.
We have another good trump card.
Yuan looked at Ruan Xiyan with gentle politeness, "Master, time has passed, and I never thought that we would meet again after so long."
“Master, I am so glad to be back by your side. This time, I will definitely protect you.”
Yuan's eyes were firm, and his icy demeanor, which kept others at a distance, became gentle and refined when he was with Ruan Xiyan.
As they spoke, Yuan's transparent body faded further. Ruan Xiyan asked, "Yuan, what's wrong?"
"I was previously disturbed by the turbid energy, and my sword spirit body was still affected. However, Master, you don't need to worry. Now I can return to the Frostfall Sword's original body and slowly recuperate. It won't be long before I recover."
"Then you should go and rest." Ruan Xiyan looked at Yuan Dao, who was forcing himself to stay awake.
"Alright, if you have any instructions, Master, please call me again." After saying this, Yuan transformed into a stream of light and entered the Frostfall Sword.
Ruan Xiyan put away the Frostfall Sword.
She looked at the central jade plate surrounded by three stone pillars; this was indeed the place with the most abundant spiritual energy.
She stepped forward, sat down, and began her cultivation.
My strength has improved rather quickly recently, so I'll take this opportunity to consolidate it through training.
Ruan Xiyan was focused on her cultivation up there, which made the group of people waiting at the bottom of the steps anxious.
I wonder if these towering steps will suddenly start shaking again.
In the blink of an eye, three hours had passed.
Just as the disciples were about to fall asleep, a figure descended step by step from the very top of the Heavenly Staircase.
Who else could it be but Ruan Xiyan?
When Ruan Xiyan reached the bottom, she saw the crowd gathered there and asked in confusion, "Why isn't everyone cultivating? What are you all doing standing here?"
Anyone who didn't know better would think they were lining the street to welcome her.
"Young friend Ruan, you've finally made it." Yu Huaiting looked at Ruan Xiyan and asked, "Young friend Ruan, have you reached the top of the Heavenly Staircase?"
Ruan Xiyan nodded, "Yes."
If it was just speculation before, hearing Ruan Xiyan admit it herself now feels like a completely different story.
The crowd erupted in uproar!
"She really made it to the top of the Stairway to Heaven, that's amazing."
"His talent for cultivation is simply unmatched."
"She showed her talent from the moment she entered the outer gate, and along the way, she has truly refreshed our understanding time and time again."
"When will I be able to become as powerful as her?" one disciple thought, resting his chin on his hand.
“Go to sleep now, have a daydream, and anything will come true in your dream,” the disciple beside him said mercilessly.
"......"
Hearing the envious and amazed tones of the disciples around him, Yu Huaiting smiled.
The disciples in the inner sect are all exceptionally talented individuals, the pride of heaven if they were outside.
However, the fact that they could all admire and respect one person at the same time was unprecedented in the inner sect.
Perhaps only a ghost with such extraordinary talent as Ruan Xiyan could win their hearts and minds and prevent them from feeling any jealousy.
Because the gap between them has reached a point where it cannot be bridged by effort alone.
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