Chapter 6: Mastering Divine Powers, Starlit Sword Aura

Since Lu Ge was first led out of the forest by Li Da, he had never returned. That place had left a deep psychological shadow on him. Yet now, Lu Ge charged back in without a backward glance.

The people of Lixiang were very enthusiastic. At this moment, many able-bodied men entered the forest, surging toward the location Li Er had mentioned. Lu Ge was among them.

They arrived at the place Li Er had indicated, only to see a fierce tiger roaring. In the crevice between giant rocks ahead, Li Da was trembling in fear. Seeing this, Lu Ge breathed a slight sigh of relief—Li Da had not been devoured.

To be fair, Li Da was clever. Faced with the tiger, he did not scatter like a headless fly because he knew he couldn’t outrun it. Nor did he climb a tree, for the tiger could climb as well. By fate’s grace, the nearby rocks were interlaced, and he hid within the crevice. The tiger’s massive body could not squeeze in, so for the moment, it had no way to get him.

But if it couldn’t handle Li Da, could it really withstand this sudden crowd of potential prey? The tiger turned its fierce gaze toward the villagers coming to rescue Li Da. The once-mighty crowd, confronted by the tiger’s direct stare, suddenly became clear-eyed, and one by one, fear showed on their faces. Some even began to quietly retreat.

Lu Ge looked around; the villagers’ faces were filled with dread, and some were already slipping away. Stepping forward, he shouted, “The tiger is fierce, but it is nothing more than a beast. If you retreat in fear, it will only grow bolder and devour you. Only by summoning courage and fighting to the death can you break its spirit and make it fear you.”

“We…” Lu Ge was rallying their spirit when he turned to find the crowd had nearly vanished.

Hey? Guys? You came charging in like warriors, and now you’ve all run off? And you didn’t even take me with you?

Turning his head again, Lu Ge saw the tiger had fixed its gaze on him. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He had relied on numbers before, but now, alone facing the tiger, his limbs felt chillingly cold.

This is bad.

Why does it feel like I’m about to die?

A roar thundered out, and the tiger charged swiftly toward Lu Ge. His mind went blank.

Suddenly, Lao Dan’s words echoed in his heart: “In a narrow path, the brave prevail. Do not be afraid; just wield your sword.”

Adrenaline surged through Lu Ge’s body.

“Ha!” He spat out. “Want to eat me? We’ll see if your teeth are sharp enough. Even if I die, I’ll make you bleed.”

His eyes glowed faintly red. With a clang, his precious sword was drawn.

“Do not be afraid; just wield your sword,” Lao Dan’s voice rang again in his mind.

Lu Ge discarded the sheath, gripping the sword with both hands, swinging wildly at the tiger without any refined technique, just sheer force.

Suddenly, the winds roared and the sky darkened. The once-clear heavens turned to night, countless stars hanging above. Among them, seven great stars shone with unparalleled brilliance.

A vast flood of starlight poured down like a celestial river from the heavens, all converging upon the sword in Lu Ge’s hand.

As he swung, streams of starlight sword energy radiated endlessly, filling the entire forest.

In an instant, the tiger was completely engulfed in this torrent of sword energy.

Before it died, the tiger’s eyes were full of confusion.

“Wait, you’re just fighting one big cat. Was that really necessary? Did I break some heavenly law?”

The tiger was baffled, and Lu Ge even more so.

After the strike, he looked down at his hands, then at the sword.

“Was that sword stroke mine?”

“No, no,” he thought. “It must be the sword’s power. As expected of Old Li. In myths, one’s belongings are treasures. And in this world where myth and history intertwine, it’s no different.”

“No wonder I was told to just swing the sword.”

Seeing the tiger disintegrated by the starlight sword energy, Lu Ge exhaled deeply, picked up the sheath, and sheathed the sword.

Turning toward the crevice, he saw Li Da staring dumbfounded.

“Li Da, are you alright?”

Li Da looked at Lu Ge blankly.

“Huh? Me? I’m fine, fine. Wait, Lu, are you some kind of immortal? Just now…”

Lu Ge waved his hand dismissively. “That had nothing to do with me. It was the power of the sage.”

Without stopping, he walked to the giant rocks.

“The tiger is dead. Come out now. Let’s go back.”

Li Da nodded dumbly and squeezed out of the crevice.

Lu Ge smiled, patting the rock. “Good thing you were smart and hid there…”

Suddenly, before he finished speaking, the rock collapsed like powder, dust flying everywhere.

“What?” Both Lu Ge and Li Da exclaimed.

“You still say you’re not an immortal?” Li Da said excitedly.

Lu Ge looked at his right hand in disbelief. He had just slapped the rock, hadn’t he? He hadn’t swung the sword. Could the rock have been made of tofu?

He wasn’t convinced. Looking at another rock, he swung his hand hard.

That rock crumbled into dust as well.

Swallowing nervously, Lu Ge gazed at the distant trees.

Could it be that I’ve comprehended a divine power?

Forming his right hand into a sword finger, he focused his mind and waved toward the trees.

Stars shimmered brilliantly, gathering instantly into a razor-sharp sword energy that howled forward like a crescent moon.

Crash! A row of large trees were cleanly cut in half.

Wow.

Lu Ge’s eyes brightened.

There’s no escaping it now.

I really have comprehended a divine power.

“Let’s go, let’s go. Hurry back.”

Grabbing Li Da, Lu Ge ran down the mountain, one thought dominating his mind: quickly get home and ask Lao Dan to explain what this divine power was all about.

Rushing back to the village, the villagers who had fled earlier stared in disbelief as Lu Ge returned with Li Da.

“Is Lu really this fierce? He actually saved Li Da?”

They swarmed to ask for details.

Lu Ge had no time to explain and left Li Da to recount the story while he hurried home.

He hadn’t gone far when he heard Li Da already speaking of immortals and stars.

“Old Li, Old Li,” Lu Ge called loudly as he entered the courtyard.

Lao Dan appeared at the door with a smile.

“Oh, you’re back?”

Lu Ge rushed up, excitement shining on his face. “I, I…”

Lao Dan patted his shoulder. “Don’t rush. I know you’ve comprehended a divine power. Come inside, catch your breath, and tell me everything slowly.”

Following Lao Dan indoors, Lu Ge steadied himself and then recounted in detail everything that had happened after entering the forest.