Eternal Swordmaster Chapter 978 - 973: Genius One

Nineteen Stars · Headquarters of the Ten Illusory Flow.

Lin Xin leisurely stepped into the white corridor of the headquarters, as red laser-like beams occasionally fired from both walls, scanning across his form.

These were unique detection lights designed to spot intruders, mimicking lasers but not truly being them.

Disciples of the Ten Illusory Flow constantly moved through the corridor.

Both men and women, elders and youths, all offered respectful greetings upon spotting Lin Xin.

As a disciple of the Ten Illusory Flow's Sect Master, Lin Xin's fame for exceptional talent had long circulated.

Thus, everyone at headquarters recognized this white-robed youth's cultivation far exceeded typical disciples.

Even those who had toiled in cultivation for decades might fail to rival him.

"Greetings, Brother Hong."

"Greetings, Brother Hong."

"Morning, Brother Hong."

Numerous greetings echoed along his path.

Lin Xin responded with calm nods to every one.

Beyond the corridor lay a vast oval hall.

At its center stood a large square flowerbed, beside which an old woman with white hair waited. She was the Sect Master, Ten Illusory Yun He.

Spotting Lin Xin draw near, Yun He lectured several direct disciples on the Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique.

This sect's advanced cultivation art posed immense difficulty to master.

"Brother Hong is here—have you broken through again?"

A elegant senior sister in red remarked with a hint of envy.

"Probably. Brother Hong never visits honored master without cause."

Another senior sister whispered.

The Ten Illusory Flow's disciples were mostly female, since it emphasized illusory mind control over brute muscle and explosive force training.

Therefore, sect members typically had slim figures, drawing in many women who cherished beauty.

Naturally, over ninety percent of young women joined not for martial glory,

but to preserve youth and boost their charm.

The Ten Illusory Flow endured not through battle might but thanks to superior beauty retention and spirit control arts that fostered captivating allure.

Hence, though unremarkable in the Martial Arts World, it drew support from rich heiresses, noble daughters, and elite ladies.

Backed by these influential women, the sect thrived despite weak combat strength.

At twelve, Lin Xin already stood tall and striking, with chiseled looks that shone in aura and visage.

Among the sect's women, he enjoyed immense popularity.

His arrival prompted many of Yun He’s direct female disciples to stand and greet him warmly.

Lin Xin courteously acknowledged each one.

Yun He gazed at Lin Xin with quiet satisfaction, a soft sigh in her heart.

By now, the sect had fully transformed into a beauty-focused group, secure yet far from her vision.

Originally a true Martial Arts sect with beauty as mere byproduct, it had flipped entirely.

Her deepest desire was to restore it as a genuine powerhouse.

Yet such revival proved no simple task.

"Hong’er, questions on the cultivation art? Speak freely, and I’ll clarify everything."

Kindly, she regarded her top hope, Xu Hong.

For this disciple, she poured endless resources over years.

Most sect funds and materials went to him, granting core disciple treatment from elite sects.

Lin Xin never let her down, mastering the Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique—sect's top high-rank art—by twenty.

Beyond that lay the Formless Reincarnation, the sect's mightiest hidden manual.

Only she reached its Third Layer; one direct disciple hit Second, none further.

With five layers total, just two had cultivated it, maxing at second and third.

Its grueling nature was clear.

Yun He fretted most that even at peak, the Formless Reincarnation scarcely hit master-level.

Full mastery would only approach that realm.

"Honored Master, I seek your guidance on our sect's supreme secret manual."

Lin Xin’s words snapped Yun He from reverie.

"The sect's supreme secret manual?" Yun He furrowed her brow, falling silent.

As she quieted, nearby girls hushed too.

They stared at Lin Xin in mild shock.

"You know our sect's secret manual demands full command of the Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique?"

Yun He stated deliberately.

Lin Xin steadily held Yun He’s eyes, ignoring the thickening quiet.

Those nearby overheard the exchange clearly, no secrets hidden; all grasped Lin Xin came for the sect's top secret manual.

To wield it, one needed total perfection in the Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique, a high-rank art.

Mastering that alone meant martial master status.

Indeed, countless masters lingered mid or late in it lifelong for myriad causes.

Pushing onward to the secret manual required utter grasp of the Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique—a daunting feat.

Facing Yun He’s question, Lin Xin stayed serene.

"I’ve perfected the Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique’s Ninth Layer. Phantom Finger flawless, all arts honed to peak. I beg master’s approval."

"Show me."

Yun He’s eyes flickered; she curbed thrill and delight, scrutinizing Lin Xin intently.

The secret manual mattered greatly, demanding her thorough check.

"Great Achievement in Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique shows Phantom Finger glowing purple, too radiant for ordinary eyes."

Lin Xin extended his index finger slowly, raising it before him.

Hiss....

His slender straight finger shifted purple amid watchful eyes, gaining crystalline translucence.

Strangely, weaker disciples couldn’t make out details; focus yielded only haze.

This marked Great Achievement in high-rank arts.

Warrior Realm held middling strength city-wide among millions, yet boasted unique traits.

"Phantom Finger at Great Achievement?" Seeing this, Yun He knew her disciple had fully conquered the Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique.

"Grasp this: once taking the secret manual, no turning back to others.

A sect's core manual binds lifelong, through fate and chance.

Every move invokes its power, shaping all fights and habits.

Beyond technique, it's a way of life, ingrained habit, core philosophy."

"Disciple comprehends." This explained Lin Xin’s patient years in this system's cultivation.

Despite galaxy-shattering might, the manual’s specialty hinted at unlocking his ultimate sword.

His keen instincts sensed the Law Universe’s purpose in sending him here.

"Come with me." Yun He eyed her disciple complexly.

At last, time to imprint him fully with the sect’s mark.

Before, Lin Xin could shift paths; post-manual, eternally tied to Ten Illusions Sect, beyond life or death.

This defined the sect.

It forged powerhouses unbound by direction or ethics.

Not arbitrarily—the manual captured founders’ pure martial philosophy.

Only full embracers could cultivate it.

Dissenters or non-understanders couldn’t start.

This rooted the sect.

In essence, shared philosophy alone enabled practice; clashes barred entry.

It delved worldview, concepts, life outlook.

Amid female disciples’ buzz, Yun He guided Lin Xin from the hall into a concealed rear passage.

Four sect experts held back eager rich ladies and nobles craving the show.

They proceeded single file deep into the passage, reaching a compact white chamber.

Yun He pressed on to the far wall.

Her palm touched a precise wall spot.

Buzz...

The wall parted, unveiling a spiraling entry.

Another secret chamber lay within.

Unlike standard ones, this room’s walls, floor brimmed with dense scripture-resembling runes.

"Here transmits our sect’s supreme secret manual, Ten Illusions’ ultimate mystery.

Ten days inside signals initial mastery.

Emerging sooner likely means transmission failure."

"Ten days? Why not early exit for full grasp?" Lin Xin arched a brow faintly.

"Impossible. Ten Illusions Sect’s supreme art, Formless Reincarnation, daunts so deeply—even master needs twenty-plus days to commit; top genius took eighteen minimum." Yun He smiled faintly.

"When can I enter?"

"Whenever, but stock food, water, trace elements first. I’ll supply." Yun He cautioned.

"I understand."

Lin Xin scanned the chamber closely, its red walls thick with scripture-like engravings.