[Automatic Magic update complete. This is a major version update. Magic has been reworked!]

[Removed Basic Sword Qi]

"Huh? Removed?"

Staring at the words that appeared on his Magic Technique Panel, Qi Yun froze. The three words for [Basic Sword Qi], which had been bathed in gold, had indeed become unreadable.

’I poured so much of my heart and soul into updating [Basic Sword Qi], and it just gets removed like that?’

Just as Qi Yun was wondering if his Magic Technique Panel had lost its mind, a new line of text appeared, causing his tightly furrowed brow to instantly relax.

[New Magic Added—Nanming Sword Demon]

The moment the words appeared, an endless torrent of light and shadow flooded Qi Yun’s mind.

A vast, chaotic, yet profound torrent of ancient Daoist Intent slammed deep into his Sea of Consciousness!

Fragmented insights and understandings, immeasurably complex, rocked Qi Yun’s Divine Sense, and a piercing pain pulsed between his brows.

However, just as this chaotic torrent was about to overwhelm his consciousness—

A wisp of "intent"—extremely faint, yet exceptionally pure, resilient, and sharp—emerged on its own from within Qi Yun’s Sea of Consciousness, like a Stabilizing Needle!

This was the culmination of all his insights from practicing "Basic Sword Qi"—sharpness, relentless forward momentum, absolute focus—condensed into a Daoist Intent of the Sword Dao that was uniquely his, Qi Yun’s!

Although this wisp of Sword Intent was weak, it compelled the immense torrent of Daoist Intent to gather around it, no longer a chaotic mess of fragments.

Under the "weaving" of that Sword Intent, it was as if a hundred rivers were flowing into the sea. The torrent began to assemble, arrange, and evolve on its own, following some profound law...

This composition was not made of physical text, but was woven purely from "Dao" and "Principle."

They merged together perfectly, forming the prototype of an unprecedented Cultivation Skill, unique to Qi Yun!

At the same time, that refined, pure torrent of Daoist Intent began to nourish his physical body in return.

Qi Yun felt his blood run slightly hot, and a subtle yet distinct tingling itch emanated from deep within his bones, as if countless tiny particles were reorganizing and optimizing themselves.

His once-stagnant meridians seemed to widen slightly, becoming more resilient and capable of containing and circulating greater power.

His internal organs felt as if they had been cleansed by a gentle yet potent energy, becoming clearer and more robust.

This was a subtle enhancement originating from the very source of his life.

It was a beneficial transformation, caused by his fundamental constitution and bloodline being scoured by High Tier Daoist Intent!

’I didn’t expect a major version update to upgrade not just the Magic, but my physique as well!

Could it be to help me adapt to the updated Magic?’

Feeling the subtle yet miraculous changes within him, Qi Yun unconsciously clenched his right fist. Between his fingers, a mystical, violet-red flame faintly ignited.

"This is... Nanming Li Fire?"

His gaze flickered, and Qi Yun’s eyes slowly fell upon his Magic Technique Panel, looking at the description for this new Magic.

[Nanming Sword Demon: Manifest a form through Magic; command the essence of flame.]

Ten simple words, branded onto the Magic Technique Panel.

"There’s only one way to find out..."

His gaze hardened. Standing beneath the moonlight, Qi Yun took a deep breath. The Innate Qi Heart Skill within him began to circulate at an unprecedented speed, crazily converging upon the Li Palace position of his Heart Vein and drawing upon the Fire Qi that permeated Heaven and Earth.

His hands rapidly formed a series of complex Dharma Seals, tiny sparks seeming to dance at his fingertips as he chanted a profound Spell in a low, clear voice:

"Li Fire falls to chaos, a demon’s thought becomes the core.

With evil, master the righteous; in reverse, forge the sacred fire. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The heart-flame incinerates the Dao; the Sword Demon is thus born.

Annihilate Heaven and Earth; let all creation burn as one!

Decree!!"

The moment the final word of the Curse was spoken—

BOOM!

A violet-red flame—pure, scorching, and filled with an endless, tyrannical intent—erupted from his body, instantly engulfing him completely!

Yet the flames did not burn him; instead, they merged with him perfectly.

The fire burned fiercely upon his skin, rising and coalescing into the tall, sharp-edged silhouette of a person.

Only in the place of its eyes burned two orbs of cold, piercing, crimson light, as if a Sword Demon had opened its eyes to gaze down upon the world!

The raging inferno cast everything around in a violet-red glow.

The terrifying heat distorted the air, instantly vaporized the moisture on the ground, and even caused the nearby grass and trees to scorch and curl!

’This feeling... it’s not bad at all!’

Enveloped by the Nanming Li Fire, Qi Yun felt incredibly warm, filled with what seemed to be an inexhaustible energy. Even his five senses had grown sharper.

"SKREEE—!"

He couldn’t help but throw his head back and unleash a piercing, inhuman shriek. The sound wave, wrapped in Fierce Fire, instantly made the surrounding air feel thick and oppressive.

After venting some of the restless energy this power brought, Qi Yun’s Heart Thought shifted, and the arm formed of crimson Li Fire slashed through the empty air before him!

VZZZT—!

A crescent-shaped bolt of violet-red Sword Qi, formed purely from highly compressed Nanming Li Fire, shot from his fingertips, swelling in size as it flew!

Wherever the Sword Qi passed, the air was torn and burned, letting out a series of crackling pops.

It carved a deep, scorched-black trench in the ground, its tyrannical might utterly terrifying!

Shaking his body to dissipate the fiery light, Qi Yun’s gaze was clear as he contemplated this Magic’s transformation.

This major version update, though it had cost him [Basic Sword Qi], had given him the completely reborn skill of the [Nanming Sword Demon] in return.

And more importantly...

’The greatest benefit of a major version update isn’t the upgrading of the Magic itself.

Rather, it remedies the biggest drawback of the previous minor updates. With every update, a mystical Daoist Intent was added to the original Magic.

Although I could use the Magic enhanced by the Daoist Intent, I couldn’t understand its meaning. I was just using it instinctively.

But after a major version update...

The old skill crumbles, and a new skill is born!

The barrier of knowing ’how’ but not ’why’ has been broken.

The entire essence of the Magic, its key points, and its methods of operation are now fully understood in my heart. There are no obstacles left!

From this point on, this great power... is completely mine!

This is the greatest benefit of a major version update!’

Having summarized the benefits of this major Magic update, Qi Yun’s heart felt clear and refreshed. Such an advantage would undoubtedly be an immense, inexpressible help to his future path of cultivation and his Foundation Establishment.

’It seems I’ll have to put more effort into hunting down those precious Spiritual Objects from now on.

They’re crucial for my future Foundation Establishment.’

Having secretly decided on his strategy, Qi Yun turned slightly and glanced at the woman and child in the house behind him.

With the Demon Child dead, the Evil Skill afflicting the child naturally dissipated. The child’s weak, fading aura had now begun to stabilize.

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. Qi Yun raised his hand and tossed a verdant Spirit Medicine, which landed precisely on the child’s lips.

It was a restorative tonic he had bought just in case.

"Consider it a reward for helping me lure out that Demon Child."

With that, the man in the gray-green robes transformed into a gust of Clear Wind and vanished in an instant.

...