After overcoming the shock and being explained the whole story, Gregory was utterly flabbergasted.

Is this how he paid for the house and our services? Through an external agent that has access to so much Serene Dew? The man couldn't help but wonder.

"Let's get down to business." Said Bralok, breaking the ice after the short interlude to bring everyone up to speed.

Tyler pulled out a couple chairs for himself and Greg through his fake storage ring. "You'll have to excuse me, I only really carry around a couple chairs."

Bralok laughed heartily, clearly unperturbed by the situation. "Don't worry, those small chairs wouldn't fit me anyway," he jested, producing a massive throne-like chair from thin air.

Even while seated, Tyler had to crane his neck to meet Bralok's gaze.

The man's towering height was indeed imposing, and his bulging muscles gave him an almost cartoonish, exaggerated appearance, like a character from an anime with everything dialed up to the maximum.

"So, let me be straightforward," Tyler began, his tone direct. "I suggested we meet here because I sensed elder Yopp's growing curiosity about the Serene Dew and his desire to get involved in the transaction. I can't be fucked to have other people's noses into my business."

Bralok couldn't help but agree. "Yeah, I only went to the Sword Sect because I couldn't find a way to get in touch with you without them. Being a Sea Formation cultivator now gets me at least the foot in the door of an outer sect elder, seeing as we have the same level of cultivation."

Tyler asked, as he was genuinely curious. "I didn't want to know before, but... Now I can't help it. How much would that dew be worth?"

The giant already knew the answer to this and almost couldn't help but wince at the price. "Around forty or fifty celestials..."

Gregory, who was already aware of the approximate price, wasn't particularly shocked, but Tyler was taken aback. "That much? I thought it was just some rank 2 material. How can it be worth so much?"

Bralok embarked on his explanation, elucidating why Serene Dew carried such an astronomical price tag. As Tyler absorbed the reasoning, he came to realize the colossal fortune he had inadvertently squandered within Serenity Lake.

He vowed never to divulge this fact to anyone.

The exorbitant cost, he discovered, was fundamentally due to scarcity. Heaven Grade materials, regardless of their rank, were exceedingly rare and could only be procured in minute quantities – a few hundred milliliters at most for a single vial.

When rounded down, that translated to roughly a silver coin for approximately 2 milliliters. While it might seem outrageous, those who used it for pills or to advance to the Sea Formation stage wouldn't consider it unreasonable.

Tyler acknowledged his grievous mistake, understanding that Bralok wouldn't readily accept his nonchalance about the matter as neither would he were the roles reversed.

Despite having no immediate need for wealth, he was unwilling to come across as a pampered individual whose guardian footed the bill for everything, which he kind of was.

It had taken significant persuasion and compromises from Lin Jian to convince Tyler to allow him to construct a new estate and cover all of the expenses over the past months, even after helping him achieve the fourth soul shattering.

With that in mind, he asked the man straight. "So, what did you have in mind when you went looking for me? I already made my stance clear that it's my mistake, but I have a feeling you won't let it go that easily."

Bralok scratched his head, his demeanor somewhat awkward. "Well... I don't know. Even if I were able to, which I cannot by the way, gift you the sword I crafted, it wouldn't cover the cost."

Intrigued to lay eyes on the treasure, Tyler responded, "Can I at least have a look at it?"

The giant man almost instantly produced an ornate box, measuring approximately 150 centimeters, and carefully opened it. "I've named it Caelum's Edge."

The sword emanated an ethereal radiance that seemed to transcend the boundaries of the mortal realm. Its single-edged blade, expertly honed to perfection, gleamed with an otherworldly mirror-like surface whose shape reminded Tyler of a certain elvish blade from one of Tolkien’s tales.

The steel displayed a mesmerizing amalgamation of colors, reflecting the very essence of lightning, with intricate cracks forming irregular patterns that crisscrossed the blade. Each ripple etched onto the sword told a tale of unyielding power and unwavering determination.

Adorning the fuller, a series of intricate runes were meticulously carved directly onto the blade, further enhancing the mystique of this remarkable weapon.

The hilt, meticulously crafted, boasted a luxurious grip made of supple white leather that seemed incredibly soft to the touch.

Complementing this, the pommel was fashioned from a dark, bone-like material, adding a touch of intriguing contrast to the sword's design.

A similarly curved guard, also crafted from the same mysterious material, completed the ensemble, giving the weapon an air of enigmatic allure.

Both Gregory and Tyler were gobsmacked at the ethereal beauty of this weapon. Enchanted, Tyler asked as he gestured forward, "Can I?"

Gregory stepped in however, "Don’t. This is a Rank 3 Sword. Cultivators below the 20th level shouldn't mess around with such treasures..."

Bralok had to agree but Tyler waved the man away. If he was able to take on the onslaught of a Soul Shattering cultivator's breakthrough, a simple sword couldn't be that bad… Right?

As Tyler's hand touched the blade, a powerful surge of electricity coursed through his body, creating a breathtaking spectacle in his inner world.

Deep blue lightning lit up the skies, while the thunderous roars shook the very fabric of his soul.

As the surges of electricity coursed through Tyler's body, he fought to regain control, channeling his cultivation with fierce determination.

It was a battle of wills as he pushed back the encroaching lightning, refusing to succumb to its searing power.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he grappled with the intense energy coursing through him.

In his inner world, the storm raged on, an unparalleled tempest that threatened to upend the very foundations of his realm.

The 333 Cloud Swords, once a symbol of tranquility, were now at the mercy of the raging storm, their tips drawn toward the tumultuous sky like ferrous filings to a magnet.

In response to the chaos, Tyler instinctively assumed the stance of the Thundering Winds and Sword Cloud method.

His movements were fluid and precise, guided by the rhythm of his own Qi and the resonance of the blade.

With each motion, it felt as though the heavens themselves responded, as thunderous lightning streaked above Edge City.

As Bralok and Gregory retreated to a safer distance, their relief was palpable. They watched in awe as Tyler continued to grapple with the intense energy coursing through his body, not only surviving but seemingly harnessing its power.

What happened next, however, took them completely by surprise.

In a display of perfect synchronization, Tyler's soul avatar and his physical body moved as one, each holding a version of Caelum's Edge—one tangible and the other a metaphysical replica.

Approaching the final movements of his cultivation technique, a resonant hum emanated from the Sword Clouds.

With the ultimate stroke of his technique, the entire array of three hundred and thirty-three swords surged skyward, rupturing the menacing storm clouds that had loomed over his inner world.

In a disconcertingly familiar scene, a singular bolt of blue lightning descended from the heavens above Edge City, converging upon the Rank 3 sword once more.

The sheer spectacle of this phenomenon left the denizens of Edge City in a state of astonishment and no small amount of fear, as the sheer magnitude of power on display seemed to defy rational explanation.

For Bralok and Gregory, who bore witness to the event firsthand, shock and disbelief overcame them. Tyler had not only remained standing but had taken full control of the formidable weapon!

Nonetheless, the toll of the lightning on Tyler's body was undeniable.

Had this occurred half a year prior, before his shattering, he would have died and disappeared into volatile ashes. Now however, he was a powerful cultivator. One with abilities that far surpassed what cultivators of an entire nation could even imagine. While he wasn't far on his path and his cultivation was fairly low, his innate abilities were anything but.

Were the five stars of the tutorial here to witness this, they'd really understand what the masters in the tutorial had meant when they said that those stuck within those liminal spaces between realms truly had interesting paths.

Ultimately, the unique cultivation path forged through the bifurcation during the Sword King's breakthrough and his extremely rare journey into the cultivation world set Tyler apart, enabling him to wield such a potent weapon at this early stage of his cultivation journey.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Tyler remained motionless for several breaths of time, taking care to settle the overwhelming power that had coursed through his body and inner world.

He couldn't help but sigh. I just told Bob that I'd take my time to temper my pathways... Seems like wielding a treasure who's perfectly in tune with my cultivation method was just too fortuitous an encounter.

The lightning that had surged through him had forced Tyler to circulate his cultivation numerous times, pushing through the excruciating pain and even forcing him into dissolving most of the healing pills stored within his inner world.

In the process, he had completely reforged his pathways.

After a few moments, the searing pain began to subside, and the residual energy from the lightning strike dissipated entirely.

Tyler took a deep breath, surveying his surroundings as he spread his divine sense outwards once more as he felt gushing waves of power coming from his body.

120 meters without feeling overwhelmed... Tyler couldn't help but smile at this progress.

Then, he pushed it as far as he could within city limits.

If I had to guess... a full kilometer now. He was utterly shocked at the amount of information he had just felt and couldn't help but swiftly reign it in as he felt an incoming headache.

What Tyler hadn't fully comprehended was the profound advantage of having a formidable divine sense, especially during the early stages of cultivation.

Lin Jian had mentioned its significance, but experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different thing.

Consider the Sword King as a prime example. His divine sense effortlessly enveloped the entire expanse of Serenity Lake and its neighboring sects, extending even into the surrounding forests. It was a domain of awareness that allowed him to be vigilant and perceptive on an unprecedented scale.

Taking it to the extreme, someone like Fang Mo could extend his divine sense over the majority of Veridian Peaks. This level of sensory acuity made ambushing Fang Mo an almost insurmountable challenge unless the assailant possessed significantly greater power.

The growth in sensory capability appeared to be almost exponential with each advancement in cultivation levels, and Tyler was only beginning to scratch the surface of this immense potential.

Bralok and Gregory stared at him, their eyes wide with disbelief, mouths hanging agape. Bralok couldn't fathom how a young man who, at the time, had yet to enter the Qi Transformation stage could wield such a weapon and survive the experience.

Gregory, on the other hand, was struck by the sheer abnormality of his employer's abilities, wondering if even he would have endured such a strike unscathed.

With his pathways now tempered, Tyler had officially entered the Qi Transformation realm. Not only had he entered it, but combined with his previous progress with his heart and skin, he was sitting firmly within the realm now.

Standing in silence, Tyler savored the sensation of power coursing through his being, while lightning and thunder continued to echo in his inner world.

This time, however, it wasn't painful. He was in control, harnessing this formidable force as his own.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled forcefully, creating a mighty gust of wind that swept through the backyard of the Thunder Emporium, sending dust and debris swirling into the air.

When he opened his eyes, a single bolt of lightning streaked across his gaze as he locked eyes with Bralok, who stared back at him in utter shock.

Tyler couldn't help but speak, his voice filled with calm amazement. "I... wasn't expecting this. This sword is amazing. Just a few hours ago, I was saying how I should be slowing down and stuff. Look at me now, breaking through after touching a single sword."

Gregory almost choked on his own spit as his initial suspicion was confirmed beyond doubt. He actually broke through!! Just like that? Isn't that... a bit... absurd? His astonishment was evident as he struggled to comprehend the seemingly rapid and effortless progress Tyler was making.

Advancing toward Bralok, Tyler gestured with the sword, indicating the ornate box. "Here. Thanks for letting me handle it. It was truly an invaluable gift."

Bralok burst into hearty laughter, leaving Gregory bewildered, unable to comprehend the source of the amusement and he couldn't help but ask. "What's so funny?"

"Hahaha! Can't you see? This was likely his plan all along—to harness the sword's power for his own breakthrough. To use the very sword he indirectly helped create and aided me in reaching the Sea Formation stage!"

Bralok paused, taking a few deep breaths, as he was on the verge of tears from laughing so hard. "This way, he can simply claim that this breakthrough was as invaluable to him as mine was to me!"

Tyler, on the other hand, was feeling somewhat awkward, as he hadn't actually planned for the breakthrough to occur in this manner; it was purely a stroke of luck. Sure he did plan to say that last part, but it wasn’t planned in any way. He wasn't that smart.

However, as he contemplated it further, he couldn't help but admit that it would have been a perfect plan if he were more strategic and deliberate in his actions and had intended any of this.

Recognizing that the giant likely wouldn't believe him even if he denied any planned breakthrough strategy, Tyler simply offered a smile, retrieved his chair, and sat back down.

"So, back to business," Tyler inquired, appearing as composed as ever.

Appreciating the attitude of this seemingly young man, Bralok resumed his seat and addressed the matter at hand. "The fact remains that the cost of the materials far exceeds the benefits I've received, regardless of your recent breakthrough."

As Tyler fell into contemplation, Gregory also settled back into his chair, the initial shock wearing off.

"Alright, how about this," Tyler proposed after a moment of thought. "I've never been one for manual labor, never really liked it. But after seeing this sword and what it can do, I'm curious. How about you teach me?"

Bralok was taken aback by Tyler's unexpected request, and before he could think, his immediate response escaped, "Hell no!" Realizing his abrupt reaction, he hastily added, "My family would literally kill me if I were to teach our forging arts to an outsider!"

Tyler, on the other hand, made his intentions clear. "I have no intention of learning your family's forging arts, as that would be an unreasonable ask. Rather, what I ask is that you share the basics that any beginner blacksmith usually learns. Alongside this," he continued, "a few practical demonstrations to validate my comprehension, and a brutally honest critique of my work from an experienced smith."

The giant man mulled over this proposal for a brief moment before posing a question, "But what about the Sword Sect? Won't they object to your seeking knowledge from someone outside the sect?"

Tyler chuckled and redirected his question to Gregory, "Greg, who visits Three Heritage Haven every few weeks?"

Caught off guard, Gregory answered instinctively, "Young Master Shen, the Lo Family successor."

Now it was Bralok's turn to find himself at a loss for words. He had been visited by that very man a few months ago, on behalf of the Sword Sect itself to commission Caelum’s Edge for the upcoming outer sect year-end competition.

As he learned this new piece of information, pieces started to fall into place and Bralok's eyes were opened to a potentially bigger story at play here. "I understand... Then it would be my pleasure to teach you."

Tyler smiled, unaware of the bigger picture.

"Great! I just have to go see Elder Yopp as we agreed that I'd come to the taskmaster's offices for my breakthrough mission. Once the mission is done, I assume I can come find you?" asked Tyler.

Bralok thought about it for a bit and nodded. "Yeah, I'll be around. But now that I am in the Sea Formation stage, I'll move up to Sword City in a couple days after I deliver Caelum's Edge. The Thunder Emporium main branch is up there. Ask for me there when you're back."

Tyler rose from his seat, ready to depart, but before he could make his exit, Bralok halted him with a statement, "In my book, this still isn't enough for the amount of Serene Dew I have left in that tank."

Tyler, with a dismissive wave of his hand, countered, "And in mine, it's a deal where I only come out ahead. See you in a bit."

In this manner, Tyler achieved a breakthrough into the Qi Transformation stage and arranged for upcoming lessons with the youngest scion of a lineage renowned for its skilled craftsmen.

Now left to his own thoughts, Bralok couldn't resist glancing at a system prompt that detailed his own status and wondered if Tyler knew of the origin of his clan.

[Bloodline of Völundr]

A profound sense of pride surged through him as he contemplated the name. He understood that this wasn't just any ordinary bloodline, for their ancestor was none other than Bran Strongarm, the strongest man to ever tread the Earth.

The Thunderpeak clan, like many others, owed its origins to the harem of the shattering ancestor, and Bralok was just one of numerous descendants who excelled in various forms of craftsmanship. He was, however, one of the extremely rare talent in possession of the bloodline shared by the Shattering Ancestor.

***

As they journeyed back, Tyler and Gregory maintained a mostly silent companionship.

For Tyler, he focused mainly on adjusting to the newfound strength coursing through his body. Every step he took seemed infused with a desire to propel him forward by tens of meters, a testament to the power now filling his pathways.

However, his situation remained unique compared to others.

In most Qi Transformation martial artists, their Qi reserves circulated freely within their bodies, undergoing gradual refinement to achieve a denser state through their acupoints and finally settling into their organs.

In Tyler's exceptional situation, the majority of his Qi reserves had found their home within his inner world. The Qi coursing through his physical body was primarily comprised of the surplus expelled by the Cloud Swords. These swords acted as one of several conduits connecting his inner world to his corporeal form.

Alternatively, one could liken his acupoints to valves, all under Tyler's precise control, allowing him to open or close them at his discretion. However, due to the somewhat less-than-professional plumbing, some leakage occurred, escaping through the valves.

Through his introspection into his inner world and his body, he could clearly discern that these surplus energies were flowing through his veins, being propelled with increased vigor by his heart, and gradually reabsorbed by every passing acupoint and expelled back into the ocean.

This unique circulation of Qi was part of what made his cultivation path so extraordinary and distinct from others.

Were he to fight the Azure Viper Gang now, he wouldn't even need to worry about dodging the attacks or try to conserve his Qi by not using One Finger, One Sword, he'd probably even be able to completely disregard the leader's arrows!

On the other side of this silent duo, Gregory was grappling with the whirlwind of events that had just unfolded.

In his hometown, he had been regarded as a genius in his own right. Achieving the Sea Formation stage at the age of 38 was considered a rare and remarkable feat, an accomplishment that typically occurred only once in a century.

Witnessing such a unique and forceful cultivation process from Tyler had left him in awe of the young man. He couldn't help but feel himself slowly coming to terms with his own inadequacy as a cultivator and the fact that at this rate, Tyler wouldn't require his services anymore.

Arriving outside the city, Tyler paused and turned to Gregory. A smile began to spread across his lips as he asked, "I think now is the perfect time to try again, yeah?"

Tyler directed the full extent of his cultivation into his strengthened pathways, beckoning the winds to heed his call.

A commanding breeze swept forth from his surroundings as he expended a significant portion of his Qi to compel the air to follow his command.

Ascending into the sky like a deity of the winds, Tyler levitated steadily above the ground. His garments billowed around him in the currents, his hair swept back by the aerial dance, and a wide grin adorned his face, stretching almost from ear to ear.

Taking inspiration from Gregory's approach of creating a platform of True Essence beneath his feet, Tyler followed suit. He generated a powerful gust of focused wind, which acted as a propelling force when he kicked off the air, sending himself higher into the sky.

"Wooooooohhhhhhhhooooooooohhhhhh!!!!!" Tyler couldn't contain his excitement as he soared through the skies, flying directly above the forest that led to his residence.

However, his elation was short-lived as he realized the rapid consumption of Qi. In just a minute and a half of being in the air, he had used up over a quarter of his Qi reserves from his inner world.

I should have sufficient Qi to make it home... he estimated, his excitement tempered by the need to conserve his energy for the journey.

Ultimately, he was running on fumes a few hundred meters away from home and was forced down to the ground.

He couldn't help but think back to his dream the night before the Shattering had happened. Luckily, he hadn't fallen flat on his face this time.