16 Sacred Sun, Moon and Celestial Stars

Old Li's murky eyes widened as he watched Li Chen float above the basin. A milky white hue adorned his skin. 

But the piercing aura, like that of a sword pointed at his throat, billowed off Li Chen, causing Old Li to gasp. 

"You've attained 1st level sword intent! Impossible!" He waved his hands violently but the reality was right before his eyes. 

Someone had attained sword intent one week after training under him. Was he such a great master or was his disciple a monster beyond heaven-class prodigies?

When did Li Chen comprehend his will, and how long did he spend studying the intricacies and nurturing it with care like Old Li and many other swordsmen did?

The moment Li Chen completely digested his gains, his eyes opened, and he saw Old Li, who hurriedly approached him. "Hey, kid. What did you form?" 

Turning his head to his sword resting on a boulder, Li Chen picked it up and approached the forest. 

SHING—! 

A silver gleam flashed as he drew the sword out of its sheath. Brandishing the sword, he raised his arm and slashed downward. 

Barely nothing was seen. There was no sword light accompanied by energy but Old Li felt something move through the bamboo tree. 

The second Li Chen sheathed his sword, two bamboo trees split and both sides fell apart. 

'1st level sword intent.' He muttered inwardly, satisfied with his progress. 

"You just cut the trees. There was nothing profound." 

[There is no profound reason when you cut down your enemies other than that they need to be cut. There is no profound reason to chop firewood except you need to light a fire.] Li Chen's eyes blazed with conviction as he spoke.

"Then your Will, is what?" 

[To cut. Whatever it is that stands in my way will meet the edge of my sword. I don't need to pierce the heavens; I can simply split them, and if I wish, mountains will be cleaved apart. That is the concept behind my will.] 

"Hahahaha! Good!" Old Li bellowed happily. "I, Li Yuan, have picked monstrosity as a disciple. This must be the wish of the heavens and earth. Good! Tomorrow, we set out. You just came out of the forge and need sharpening." 

Watching the old man leave with a beaming expression, Li Chen loosens his clenched fists. He was afraid his will would turn out to be garbage but the old man's reply made him relieved. 

"Who would have thought I would train such a monstrous talent at this time? Ha! Even if he can't be the best, with his sword intent, he'll be able to gain the attention of masters." The old man muttered to himself. 

Suddenly he paused, "Speaking of fire. Go chop the ones beside the hut. I need fire to make my tea." 

Li Chen blinked twice and finally nodded. Once Old Li's figure disappeared into the darkness, he sat with crossed legs and pondered the change in his manual.

It was previously "Sacred Moon and Stars," but now there is an addition. In his sea of consciousness, a source of light had appeared to balance his elements and also perfect the manual and it was the energy of the sun!

'Sacred Sun, Moon, and Celestial Stars Manual. A 3-star heaven-grade manual fit for my light and darkness elements.' 

A heaven-grade manual was a treasure anyone in this realm would kill for. Once exposed, he could end up gaining the jealousy and hatred of almost every cultivator in the dynasty and beyond.

'If we're leaving tomorrow, how are we going to manage one horse? I also need new clothes. Should that tablet not appear when the author needs it?!' 

Just as he was about to turn away, golden lines appeared mid air and the tablet appeared. Somehow, Li Chen already knew he couldn't draw out the desire that summoned it. 

The ink pen appeared and he quickly started drawing. In a second, a carriage and one Ferghana horse were sketched and fleshed out. 

After adding the finishing touches, he dropped the ink pen and marveled at his drawing. 'How did I get this good?' 

The drawing hasn't changed from his original pattern but it got noticeably better. A level that Li Chen was positive he might have never achieved.

Seeing nothing was happening, his eyes narrowed, and he took the ink pen. Sketching the background to be exactly like his surroundings, he finally felt a mild twist in space and the carriage appeared before him.

NEIGH—! 

The Ferghana horse neighed, seemingly restless but became cool once it saw the grass. Tilting his head at this stunning sight of such an unbelievable ability, Li Chen felt his head spinning. 

Regulating his breathing to calm himself, he focused on drawing an outfit for himself. He had managed one for over a week! 

Meticulously drawing the attire to be the same as the one he wore, Li Chen admired the finished work when it appeared on the ground. 

'My speed is impossibly quick when I draw with this tablet. I should be able to draw artifacts or pills; maybe I should draw a storage ring.' 

With great anticipation, he drew a beautiful ring; however, a glaring message appeared mid-air. 

It came with the sound of a loud keyboard so he turned to his left and saw the hovering words. 

Create an artifact: a storage ring.

Cost: 1 divine point.

'What?!' 

[Must I spend a divine point to draw an artifact? What about creating formations or pills?]

As long as you remain in this world, creating items that are tied to its laws requires a medium.

[Wait, why are you replying now? Why haven't you texted before?!]

This time, there was no reply. 

[Typical. I'm not blaming it. I'd also ignore it if I didn't have to.] Li Chen sighed. 

Picking up his attire, which had an even more regal Hanfu belt, boots, and a silk jacket instead of a coat, he ascended the mountain. 

'I wonder where Old Li said we're going. Hopefully, it will help my sword intent so I can confidently compete for a slot in the competition.' 

Young cultivators from every city in the Northern Dynasty would be attending the competition. After all, who wouldn't want to be a disciple of a powerful sect like the Autumn Heavens?