After breakfast.
Roman, Ding Chi, and Zhang Jun were all sent home by a Yunying-class to celebrate the New Year, leaving only Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, Mo Chenxue, Murong Feiyue, and Ning Yu in the studio, a significant reduction in numbers.
Mo Chenxue did not go home, likely because she did not wish to.
Lin Zhao did not pry, merely preparing an extra red envelope as a gift in his capacity as the captain of the Feiyue Knights, to be given out on the first day of the New Year.
In the morning, they went online to continue their fierce battles.
...
New Year's Eve, evening.
"Beep!"
A message arrived from his older sister, Murong Feiyue: "Dinner, little brother!"
"Got it, got it, coming right away."
Lin Zhao replied perfunctorily, while cultivating the Eternal Sword Scripture. He was only a sliver away from reaching the second stage's perfection. At this moment, although he was in the game, he could already hear the distant sounds of fireworks and firecrackers, signifying the arrival of the festive atmosphere.
Thus, he focused his mind and went through the Eternal Sword Scripture's meditation techniques two more times.
Ten minutes later, as the sword scripture's proficiency advanced another notch, two consecutive chimes rang in his ears. Lin Zhao's heart pounded as if it would leap out of his throat. Finally, it had returned—
"Ding!"
System notification: Congratulations! Your [Eternal Sword Scripture] has been cultivated to the third stage, successfully awakening the skill: [Hidden Dragon in the Abyss] (Eternal-grade)!
"Ding!"
System notification: Congratulations! You have successfully acquired the ability [Sword Heart Clarity] and awakened a Sword Heart!
...
"Hidden Dragon in the Abyss? Sword Heart Clarity? Awakened Sword Heart!?"
In an instant, Lin Zhao was on the verge of roaring with laughter. Sitting in his study, he was so overjoyed he felt he might faint.
He examined them one by one, starting with the effects of Hidden Dragon in the Abyss.
With a flick of his hand, the detailed description of the skill icon floated before his eyes—
[Hidden Dragon in the Abyss] (Eternal-grade): Condenses a wisp of sword intent, bestowing it with the profound meaning of the abyss, forming a circular domain of the sword path that resists damage. The higher the level of the sword scripture, the wider the range and the greater the resilience.
...
A defensive skill!
Lin Zhao's heart thumped. After numerous great battles, he reaffirmed that while his Golden Armor Immortal Robe protected him, it could only withstand the likes of Saint-grade Bosses at most. Once he encountered an Immortal-grade Boss, he would still be defeated. Therefore, a sufficiently powerful defensive skill was urgently needed!
And this Hidden Dragon in the Abyss, an Eternal-grade defensive skill, was clearly more than sufficient!
He then looked at Sword Heart Clarity.
After opening his personal panel, beneath the Sword Cultivator system, a golden pattern indeed stood out prominently – that was Sword Heart Clarity. However, the detailed description of the skill was a string of question marks, likely because his Sword Heart Clarity had not yet been fully achieved.
Furthermore, as Lin Zhao looked inward, he saw three sword-housing lakes spinning within his vast and pure spiritual nexus. At the center of the nexus, a tender golden Sword Heart was rooted to the ground, resembling a small mountain. As Lin Zhao's gaze fell upon it, the rank of the Sword Heart floated out—
[Sword Heart] (Supreme Immortal Grade)
Traits: Gold Element Specialization
Traits: Wood Element Specialization
Traits: Water Element Specialization
Traits: Fire Element Specialization
Traits: Earth Element Specialization
...
"..."
Lin Zhao was stunned. This Sword Heart... what did it mean? Five-element specialization?
"Whoosh..."
He took a deep breath and said, "Fu Zhi, come here."
"My Lord."
A breathtaking figure descended gracefully, smiling, "Congratulations, my Lord, for successfully awakening a Sword Heart. From this day forth, your path will surely flourish~~~"
"Alright, alright."
Lin Zhao chuckled, "Don't rush with the praise yet. Let me ask you, are there different elemental attributes for Sword Hearts?"
"Yes."
Fu Zhi said solemnly, "Every Sword Heart has its elemental affinities. Just like my Sword Heart, it possesses Gold and Wood elemental attributes. In the future, the sword techniques and spells I cultivate that involve the Gold and Wood elements will have even greater lethality."
"Oh..."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Are there stronger ones?"
"Yes."
Fu Zhi continued, "Little Jiu'er's Sword Heart is divine. Her Sword Heart is very close to the legendary Perfect Sword Heart, possessing Gold, Wood, Water, and Fire attributes. I believe with her cultivation and refinement, Little Jiu'er's Sword Heart becoming a Perfect Sword Heart is only a matter of time."
"One with all five elemental attributes is called a Perfect Sword Heart?"
"That's right."
Fu Zhi smiled, "However, that is something all sword cultivators in the world can only hope to encounter."
"Is there a possibility..."
Lin Zhao frowned, "That someone is born with a Perfect Sword Heart?"
"Absolutely impossible."
Fu Zhi shook her head, "At least, I have never heard of such a person."
"Understood, you may go." Lin Zhao said with a smile.
"My Lord?"
Fu Zhi's beautiful eyes gleamed, "Could your Sword Heart be a Perfect Sword Heart?"
"No, no, no, it's not that exaggerated..."
Lin Zhao had no intention of boasting, "How could I have such good luck? I only have three elemental attributes. You can get back to your work now."
"Yes!"
Fu Zhi smiled, "Three elemental attributes are already incredibly powerful. Your subordinate takes her leave!"
Lin Zhao waved his hand, feeling a surge of ambition.
It seemed his path in the Way of the Sword was bright, destined to go further and further.
"Swish!"
He suddenly drew his Zhanlu Sword and unleashed a dense sword intent. Instantly, the sword intent transformed into a circular barrier radiating sacred dragon patterns, with wisps of dragon roars rising, guarding Lin Zhao and shielding him from any external harm.
Hidden Dragon in the Abyss, this skill is quite remarkable!
He took a deep breath. Now, all preparations were complete; he was only missing the step of entering the Upper Five Realms!
He logged off to go eat!
...
New Year's Eve dinner was prepared by Wang Ju, with Chen Xue and Ning Yu assisting. The table was laden with a feast. Lin Zhao, along with Mo Chenxue and Little Juzi, went outside to set off fireworks.
As the fireworks burst into the sky, Little Juzi's eyes were filled with hope. Mo Chenxue pursed her red lips. She was also happy, but her happiness was heavily restrained. Although she was in the studio, she knew she was not from the same world as Lin Zhao, Shen Xingchen, and the others.
She remained sensitive and insecure.
"Little Xue, want to light one?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Huh?"
Mo Chenxue shook her head, "Brother, I dare not..."
"It's okay!"
Lin Zhao said, "I'll hold your hand and light it like in a Korean drama. It's no big deal!"
"Oh..."
Mo Chenxue's pretty face blushed.
The next moment, Lin Zhao placed a firecracker on the ground, then grabbed Mo Chenxue's hand and used a sparkler to light it. The instant it ignited, he pulled Mo Chenxue and ran. Before Mo Chenxue could even look back, she heard two "bang bang" sounds. For a moment, Mo Chenxue held Lin Zhao's arm, her heart racing.
"Dinner's ready."
Chen Xue called out.
"Let's go, let's go."
Lin Zhao picked up Little Juzi, pushed off the ground with the speed of a hundred-meter sprint, and dashed into the villa, making Little Juzi laugh heartily and repeatedly ask for Lin Zhao to play again.
They played three times like this, both of them sweating profusely, before finally sitting down to eat.
...
While eating, they watched the Spring Festival Gala.
In reality, the Spring Festival Gala had been absent for over ninety years. It was only about a decade ago, after the major cities in the China region were mostly rebuilt and televisions had become common for most common people, that the Spring Festival Gala reappeared on screen. And it wasn't just Chinese people watching; countries in the entire Huaxia region, such as Korea, North Korea, and Vietnam, had to watch along.
The Spring Festival Gala, now back on screen, was much more enjoyable. It was no longer a lecture from beginning to end, but genuine entertainment, making the common people happy for an evening, which was enough.
"Lin Zhao."
Chen Xue placed a piece of chicken thigh into Lin Zhao's bowl and said, "Any progress in the game today?"
"Great progress."
Lin Zhao smiled, "In the evening, I cultivated the Eternal Sword Scripture to the third stage, and along the way, I comprehended Sword Heart Clarity and awakened an Immortal-grade Supreme Sword Heart. Impressive, right?"
"Holy..."
Chen Xue was taken aback, "Immortal-grade Supreme? Are you kidding?"
"Not kidding."
Lin Zhao placed his phone on the table, brought up a screenshot, and the diagram of the Immortal-grade Sword Heart instantly appeared in holographic form. He continued, "And it's a Perfect Sword Heart with complete five-element attributes. I heard from Fu Zhi that there are no naturally born Perfect Sword Hearts in the world, and as it happens, I... excuse me... I am a naturally born sword embryo, a destined Sword Immortal in the making..."
At this moment, Chen Xue covered her mouth and laughed. Murong Feiyue and Ning Yu also burst into laughter.
Mo Chenxue chuckled softly, "Brother was always a born Sword Immortal, there's no denying that."
"Little Xue knows how to talk."
Lin Zhao grinned, "Ah Xue, are you still going online later?"
"No."
Chen Xue replied, "I'll watch TV with Sister Feiyue and Ning Yu for a while. You, you're not thinking of going online again, are you?"
"I do want to a little."
Lin Zhao said, "I got into a rhythm with my fist training and want to maintain that feeling, to achieve something."
"Alright."
Chen Xue said, "You go online. We'll wait for you for a late-night snack and to keep watch."
"Sure thing~~~"
...
Early morning, Mountain Peak Villa.
The bright moon hung high, and birds sang amidst fragrant flowers in the forest.
While it was New Year's Eve in reality, it was already early spring in the game. This was the season when all things revived and the earth renewed itself. Lin Zhao even used Water Moon Observing the Sky to glance into the distant heavens and saw that the forest had become lush again, with Lake Jizi displaying a beautiful scene of willows like smoke everywhere.
And when he used Water Moon Observing the Sky to survey Mountain Peak Villa, he found Tang Guangjun stealthily stealing green onions from the backyard of a widow with a wisp of sword intent; Gu Lingyu was leading students in morning recitation; Chen Ben was practicing martial arts, his body emitting heat as if about to steam; and Chu Yu was handling military affairs with Mu Zha in the army.
On the mountainside, Yu Wanling, who had just finished her fist training and was drenched in sweat, was bathing. As Water Moon Observing the Sky swept past, all that could be seen was pure white and towering peaks. At that moment, Yu Wanling, a martial artist of the eleventh realm, sensed the intrusion, but she could not be angry, as it was an inadvertent probe from the Mountain Master.
"Ah!?"
Yu Wanling's face blushed, and she angrily unleashed a wisp of the martial artist's Insightful Qi, looking towards Lin Zhao's Water Moon Observing the Sky. "If the Mountain Master wishes to look, he should look openly. I am a subordinate, and I cannot refuse."
"Oh dear..."
Lin Zhao panicked, "It was an accident, an accident. I really didn't mean to look. I'm not yet very skilled at controlling Water Moon Observing the Sky. I apologize, Yu Wanling..."
"Hmph, hmph!"
Yu Wanling snorted, "Was it good to look?"
"It... it was alright..."
"Just alright?!"
"No, no, no, it was very good..."
Lin Zhao panicked, quickly withdrew Water Moon Observing the Sky, calmed his mind, and continued his fist training. In an instant, his aura returned to being gentle, virtuous, and thrifty, exuding an air of scholarly refinement.
Inside the small house, Yu Wanling, who was bathing, let out a chuckle. My Mountain Master is too amusing.