The long sword pierced through his forehead once more. With a sharp pain coursing through his consciousness, Feng Wuchen suddenly found himself in a chaotic realm.

When he opened his eyes, he was taken aback by what he saw: a colossal monster suspended in the center of the chaos. It resembled a sharp sword thrusting toward the sky, yet also appeared like a dark tower.

This sword tower stood nine stories high, exuding a sinister black aura that sent chills down his spine. Except for the first floor, the other eight levels were bound by chains as thick as tree trunks. Even from a distance, Feng Wuchen could sense the terrifying power emanating from it.

"This... this is..." His eyes widened in disbelief as he muttered, "Longyuan!"

Feng Wuchen recognized this sword tower all too well. It was the ancient inheritance of Longyuan, the source of betrayal by Yao Ji and Liu Xiang. Longyuan's origins were shrouded in mystery, and records of it were scarce even in the heavens. Some speculated that it stemmed from a long-lost ancient civilization.

Surprisingly, at that moment, Feng Wuchen felt an inexplicable kinship with Longyuan, as if they were inherently connected. After pondering for a moment, the truth began to dawn on him.

"So, the energy from my self-destruction was absorbed by this sword tower? No wonder my soul could endure such destructive power... It was Longyuan that saved my life!"

As he processed this revelation, the chains on the second level of Longyuan began to rattle violently, suggesting that something powerful was attempting to break free. This realization sent a jolt of fear through Feng Wuchen. He recalled that when the first layer of Longyuan was unsealed, a madman with a sword had emerged, slaughtering countless heavenly realm masters and forcing even three Tianzun-level experts to fall before he was finally contained.

Could it be that this tower was a prison, holding unparalleled beings on each level?

Feng Wuchen swallowed hard.

He was now in a lower plane, and should such a terrifying entity escape, it could annihilate everything with a mere breath.

Just as anxiety surged within him, the chaos around began to coalesce into a figure—a middle-aged man clad in black robes. His long hair fell over his forehead, obscuring most of his face.

With a wave of his hand, the man commanded, "Get back!"

Instantly, the chains ceased their tremors, and a profound silence enveloped Longyuan.

Feng Wuchen's eyes widened in astonishment. This formidable being had quelled the chaos with a mere word.

What level of cultivation did this man possess?

While Feng Wuchen wrestled with his thoughts, the man spoke: "Oh, you've arrived in this lower plane. It seems you have successfully reincarnated!"

"Who are you? What are you doing in Longyuan?" Feng Wuchen asked, trying to regain his composure.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"There's no need to ask further. Since Longyuan has chosen you, you are now qualified to inherit my legacy. You will become the strongest sword cultivator in the world!"

"Inheritance? Sword cultivator?" Feng Wuchen's heart raced at the implications. If Longyuan was indeed a sword cultivation inheritance, it explained why Liu Xiang and Yao Ji had betrayed him—the sword was a supreme form of combat.

A surge of determination filled him.

"Boy! Why don't you kneel and accept the inheritance?" the middle-aged man commanded.

Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure descended upon Feng Wuchen, forcing him to his knees. Yet, he remained standing, defiant as a mountain.

"Why should I kneel?" he challenged. "The person who could make me kneel is long dead! In this world, even the emperor of heaven has no right to demand my submission! And who are you to presume such authority?"

The man's eyes sharpened. "Your spiritual veins are completely destroyed! Only I can help you cultivate again. You have no choice!"

The pressure intensified, almost crushing him, yet Feng Wuchen maintained a smirk. "Can you really help me reshape my spiritual veins? I don't believe in anything free in this world. Longyuan didn't choose me for no reason, did it?"

As if on cue, the oppressive force vanished, replaced by a hint of admiration in the middle-aged man's gaze.

"Haha... You're worthy of being a rare genius! Your arrogance resembles mine from long ago."

The man gestured behind him. "But shouting slogans is pointless! Do you see the Longyuan Sword Tower behind me? If you are truly capable, enter it and refine it! Then, Longyuan will become your spiritual vein, unrivaled even by divine veins!"

"Stronger than a god-level spiritual vein? What kind of strange technique is this?" Feng Wuchen pondered, skeptical yet intrigued.

In the Lingwu world, even a lower-grade heavenly spiritual vein was revered, and now he was being offered something far beyond that.

"Boy! Can't believe it? With your vision, that's understandable."

Feng Wuchen recalled the middle-aged man's overwhelming power that had quelled the second layer's existence, far surpassing that of the Tianzun realm.

Just as he contemplated these revelations, the man continued, "I assure you, my inheritance is mightier than any technique you've encountered, yet it is fraught with danger!"

Feng Wuchen's heart raced at the notion of danger. Eight powerful beings were imprisoned within Longyuan, and if they were to break free, his life would be forfeit. However, as the one once known as the greatest prodigy in Taixuan Heaven Realm, he refused to back down.

He was determined to transcend his past self, to reclaim his life and exact vengeance on those who betrayed him.

With a resolute heart, he charged into the tower.

Inside the first floor of Longyuan, he found nothing but a single sword suspended in the air.

The middle-aged man's voice echoed, "This is Longyuan's first sword, Fenyang. It is the first blade you must refine! Be warned: the process will be excruciating, akin to a thousand swords piercing your heart. Those with weak wills may turn to ashes, so consider carefully."

"I don't need to think. I've faced the worst horrors life can offer. What's a little pain compared to that?" Feng Wuchen retorted, gripping the hilt of the sword.

As he did, a torrent of unfamiliar words flooded his mind, coalescing into a single name: "Sword Art of Slaughtering the Heavens!"

With that, the Longyuan Sword Tower began to quake violently, and a flash of black light enveloped him. In an instant, the entire sword tower was drawn into his dantian.

Yet, the Burning Sun Sword broke free from his grasp, thrashing wildly within him, igniting a storm of fire energy that seared his soul and body. The agony was overwhelming, leaving him feeling as if he might perish.

"Ah!"

In the throes of pain, he heard the middle-aged man's voice once more: "If you want to refine the sword tower, you must first merge it with your flesh. The experience will be more harrowing than stripping your spiritual veins."

"Boy! Strive to cultivate the skills I've imparted. I will assist you, but your survival lies in your hands!"

"You will use my bones and blood to forge the Longyuan Sword Tower! Those who practice my method must embody their swords, making Longyuan their veins!"

"You will gain immortality! Forge your immortal body! Shape your killing sword! Prove your holy soul!"

The torment of merging with Longyuan exceeded anything Feng Wuchen could have imagined. In the cycle of agony, he drifted between consciousness and oblivion, memories of betrayal flashing through his mind.

The cruel laughter of Lin Wan echoed: "You don't think someone like you, an orphan, could be worthy of such a good spiritual vein? I'll use you to elevate myself!"

Enduring this relentless torment, Feng Wuchen found clarity in his pain. His memories fueled his resolve for vengeance.

"Lin Wan! The Lin family... I, Feng Wuchen, will not live without exacting retribution!"

Time became meaningless as he battled through the suffering. Finally, he faintly heard the middle-aged man's voice again.

"Did you succeed by chance? You didn't disappoint! You're about to embark on a path unlike any other. You no longer need to cultivate like others; you will grow stronger through battle! The Killing Heaven Sword will make you bolder with each fight!"

"Remember this: each level of the Longyuan Sword Tower holds a peerless sword cultivator imprisoned. Those here may not be the strongest, but they have taken countless lives! I believe you've realized this already."

"The first seal of Longyuan has been unlocked. In three years, the second seal will open. You'll face two outcomes: refine the sword of the second seal to enhance your spiritual veins, or be slain by the sword master!"

"I have exhausted much energy this time. You'll have to rely on your own strength for now. The Burning Sun is now yours to wield. The stronger you become, the more powerful it will grow. I hope that when I awaken next, you will have surpassed your former self!"