AI Cultivation: Reborn as a Sword

Chapter 71: Seven Killing Swords Sect (5)

Lan Xiaohui moves into the chamber and sits cross-legged on top of the platform. She closes her eyes and channels her consciousness into the platform.

I direct my [Critical Analysis] talent towards the platform but, surprisingly, none of my subroutines fire. It is as if the platform doesnt exist, even though I am certain I locked on to its coordinates with my consciousness.

Considering that this is the world of the mind I am fairly certain this is the case because Lan Xiaohuis physical body is still in the Spring Basin Grotto it is entirely possible that the formation, which I cannot even detect, is an imaginary construct.

Still, Lan Xiaohui channels her Qi into the platform, and, briefly before we disappear, I notice her body shrink and disappear inside the platform.

The same thing happens to me when I am drawn into the formation with her.

This array, were it something I could study, would be extremely useful.

We suddenly find ourselves in a forested location. The season is that of either Spring or Summer as there is no snow and all the trees still possess their foliage. Some dozen or so steps in front of us is a clear lake and at the other end of it is a crystal clear, silvery waterfall.

Even at a glance, I can tell that this silver-gleaming water, in terms of Qi types, is equal parts metal and water Qi. Even more importantly, there is a profound Dao within it, and it is filled with sword Qi and ice energy.

Icy Sword Waterfall indeed.

It is not just the waterfall, but the lake itself is likewise made up of similar energies, and judging by Lan Xiaohuis expression it would seem that a quick swim across it would be a fatal mistake. Even if hypothermia were not to set in immediately and paralyze her body, the sword Qi would grind her to dust.

Lan Xiaohui approaches the waterfall from the shoreline, circling the lake and giving it a wide berth. Even getting close to within ten steps of the water has the effect of dropping the ambient temperature by twenty Kelvin or more by my calculations.

I know that the sect has formations like this, Lan Xiaohui says, brushing stray locks of hair behind her ear. But Ive never heard of one with such powerful energy. If a place like this actually existed it would be a heaven-defying treasure for any sect.

Isnt the Forbidden Ancestral Hunting Ground such a treasure, I ask.

Lan Xiaohui nods. It is, she says. It is why the Seven Killing Swords sect is so powerful. The ancestors founded the sect on a dragon vein, and this ancestral forest was considered a treasure even back then.

Dragon vein: another term to add to my list of items that require more explanation. Intuitively, I somewhat understand that they are important and valuable resources, but I am not certain how or why.

Can formations replicate something like this? I ask her, in regards to the waterfall.

Once more, she nods. Formations and arrays can do all sorts of things. They can capture an imprint of natural phenomena, and as long as the Qi exists to power it, it can be replicated. The way she says replicated is a bit forced.

I wonder if it is possible to replicate a replication. I turn my [Critical Analysis] just in case towards the earth and the sky, trying to find the boundary of the array that powers this formation, but it is of no use.

Meanwhile, Lan Xiaohui continues to enumerate more examples of what arrays can do. At the bottom of this Sword Graveyard mountain range is a formation that transports people and cargo to the sect, she says. The sect also has several duel formations that can either nullify fatal blows or prevent disciples from escaping the array until they are the last one left standing.

There are several ways I could imagine creating such a duel formation, but I have no clue how the transportation one would work.

After the explanation, Lan Xiaohui helplessly stands far from the waterfall, staring at it and gathering the courage to approach it the courage which never seems to come. Her heart is devoid of ambition and recklessness; For good reason too: Lan Xiaohui would likely not even survive a minute under that waterfall.

I cannot detect any functions that operate this formation, I tell her. It is likely an approximation.

Lan Xiaohui lowers her head, eyebrows knitting together in thought.

It likely is using an impression of my sword Qi, I explain.

Lan Xiaohuis eyebrows shoot up as she understands my meaning. So this waterfall is your sword Qi?

To a relatively high degree of certainty, I tell her.

My explanation is not good enough to satisfy me. Certainly, it could describe the sword Qi component, but not the ice energy. As I barely had any spiritual roots to speak of before my awakening, and even then for a while they were only of Mortal grade, it seems unlikely that this is entirely an approximation of my abilities.

Then there must also be another possibility.

Alternatively, I offer, It could be an impression of yours.

I like this explanation more. If I were to make an array like this, I would certainly use the users sword Qi it would be easier to operate and a sufficient challenge.

Considering that this is my Inner World, Id like to think that whatever sub-process spawned it and operates it is intelligent enough to maintain optimal procedures.

After a few minutes, Lan Xiaohui sighs. I dont think I can practice here, as I am now, without using my sword Qi.

As I am about to ask why she would want not to use sword Qi, I detect the presence of an intruder in the world outside this Inner World Sphere.

Lan Xiaohui detects it as well and her consciousness immediately withdraws from the Inner World and drags mine with it.

It took less than a second to exit my Inner World, but the intruder had already crossed from the far limits of my perception to standing at the entrance of the grotto.

I can sense the goosebumps that appear on Lan Xiaohuis arms as she detects this intruders cultivation depth and likely their identity.

This intruder was an incomparable entity, much like Lady Yue who was still nowhere to be found.

Slowly, Lan Xiaohui ceases her tireless practice and luckily, her body was in a recovery state where she did not practice sword Law, but rather only her sword Qi. Still, for a cultivator of the intruders caliber, theres no telling at what range they mightve sensed something odd.

To begin with, everything about this grotto was odd.

In the place where Lan Xiaohui and I underwent our breakthrough, the lightning Qi of Heaven had left an imprint, and the grass that now grows on the ground contains a profound and untouchable lightning Dao. It discharges golden electricity from its sharp blades.

Even the Spring water of the titular Spring Basin contains this Dao, sword Qi and an impression of Lan Xiaohuis sword Law, and swirls in patterns that resemble a sword in slashing motion.

There was very little Lan Xiaohui could do to conceal these things or her involvement with them other than to play stupid in hopes she could at least keep her life.

I withdraw my consciousness as much as possible so as to lessen the effect of [Tyranny] and hopefully [Avarice] as well, though I suspect [Avarice] is unrelated to the presence of my consciousness. On the other hand, Lan Xiaohui has the presence of mind to hide my physical form from the intruders eye as she turns to greet them.

Grand Elder Zhou, she says, inclining her head politely. There is a tone of continuation in Lan Xiaohuis voice, but as the seconds drag on, it is clear that Lan Xiaohui is at a loss for words.

Disciple Lan, the old man a short individual with gray hair and bushy eyebrows returns the greeting and narrows his eyes. What are you doing here? Why are you not at the sect?

Lan Xiaohui ponders the elders question and I consider warning her not to disclose her situation, but I am worried that my [Telepathy] might somehow be detected. I would rather not risk it.

Lan Xiaohui chuckles awkwardly. Ah, Grand Elder, how do I explain

Nevermind that, the elder says taking a step closer. Let me see your sword.