A moon ago, Gu Tian returned from an expedition, bringing with him a mysterious golden seal. Little did he know, his return would set off a chain of events driven by greed and betrayal within his own family. As Gu Tian delved into his secluded training, the eldest clan leader, Gu Chang, coveted the seal and launched a covert attack, intending to steal it and frame Fang Han.
However, Gu Tian had already deciphered the golden seal, his powers increasing exponentially. On the brink of life and death, his berserk rage allowed him to break free from the ambush. Seizing a rare moment, he entrusted the golden seal to Fang Han with a stern warning, "The seal harbors immense fortune and peril in equal measure. Without adequate strength, do not attempt to comprehend it, or catastrophe will befall you."
Now, with Fang Han thrust into a dire situation, he had no choice but to invoke the seal's power. As the sound within the seal dissipated, a stream of inky, sinister aura shot out, piercing through Fang Han's forehead. Moments later, his vacant eyes regained their spark, yet he seemed a shadow of his former self. An eerie aura surrounded him, his gaze turned icily cold, and black mist rolled off him in waves, exuding palpable menace.
"Hmm?" Fang Han examined his body, frowning, "The injuries are severe. It'll take some effort to recover."
"No matter, having inherited this body, I'll bear your burdens. Those who wronged you will wish for death by the time I’m through with them," he vowed, his tone icy with hatred.
He cast a glance at the golden seal in his hand, venom dripping from his words, "The audacity of those traitors! They never imagined I'd escape by clinging to the seal's essence."
"Just wait! I'll reclaim my lost strength and return to the Ninefold Demon Realm. There, I'll make them answer in blood!" With that declaration, the seal vanished at his command.
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"Now…," his eyes scanned the surroundings, "I need a place to heal."
His gaze fell upon a battered sword lying on the ground. The blade was chipped and notched, its tip broken off—a miserable sight.
"This boy was indeed poor to wield such pathetic junk," he observed. But as he peered closer, his eyes narrowed, "Curious..."
A ghostly light flickered from the sword, startling him. He watched in amazement as the light merged into his forehead. The sword, once more abandoned on the ground, remained unchanged, appearing as useless as before.
Within the confines of Fang Han's consciousness, unaware of the external world or the secrets the seal harbored, his focus was wholly captured by a golden tome before him.
"The Art of Grand Liberation?" The title alone filled him with intense longing. He stepped closer, unable to resist. Suddenly, another ghostly light flashed, yanking him back into clarity.
"My foster father's cautions were justified—without sufficient strength, I dare not delve into the mysteries of the seal." He stared intently at the spectral light in combat with the tome. Eventually, the light detonated, releasing a domineering sword intent that shredded the book into fragments, which dispersed into runes before vanishing.
Fang Han was staggered; the sheer power of that sword intent was beyond comprehension. As the remaining sword intent condensed into a single scroll—The Great Evolution Sword Scripture—it radiated endless sword energy and supreme dominance.
"Of myriad divine abilities and countless Daoist methods, understanding their essence is key to mastering their core." The opening lines of the scroll captivated Fang Han.
"To speak of swords is to speak of purity. Train in this scripture, and one can forge an ultimate sword form—capable of cleaving mountains, rivers, and formidable foes. At minor mastery, it can sever stars and celestial beings. At great mastery, it can cut through the underworld, fates, and karmic bonds. And in its supreme form, the cycle of Tao, the river of time, all manifests with a single stroke—birth and annihilation."
Overwhelmed by the scroll's authority and confidence, Fang Han readied to comprehend more, but the text beyond the preface remained indistinct.
"My current strength is too weak; I am unworthy to access the later texts."
As he prepared to return to his body, a weary sigh emanated from within the scripture, "This is all we can do for you. Leave quickly; it...is awakening."
"Who spoke? Who is awakening?" With no answer forthcoming, panic gripped Fang Han.
Desperately, he called out, "Ah Sha!"
Deep within his consciousness, within a prison forged of sword intent, a shadow writhed, cursing incessantly...