In a sense, Jiang Heng ensured that Zhang Yiyi had the greatest freedom in her cultivation and demonstrated through his actions that he had no intention of coveting or investigating any secrets she might hold.

Their lineage had followed a laissez-faire teaching approach since their founder. Disciples like Zhang Yiyi, who had secured great opportunities early on and found their own path in cultivation, were not to have their spiritual nature restricted.

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhang Yiyi was deeply grateful, realizing how fortunate she was to be treated with such sincerity. She was fully aware of what her two major secrets implied. Her innate divine body might no longer offer tangible benefits to someone of her master's level, but the ancient divine lineage's inheritance was a treasure valuable even to those at the Mahayana level.

However, her master not only refrained from probing further but also quietly protected her secrets with a guardian's attitude. This kindness was something she would always remember. After offering tea and performing a simple ceremony to honor her master, Zhang Yiyi accepted a generous gift from him.

The most significant item among these was an ancient jade, which her master insisted she wear at all times.

The primary function of this jade was to shield certain special auras, preventing powerful beings from detecting Zhang Yiyi's innate divine body and any potential leakage of ancient divine aura when she used the divine blood.

Although Jiang Heng only vaguely mentioned it, Zhang Yiyi immediately understood that this was a life-preserving item specially selected for her unique situation. Without hesitation, she put it on.

In addition to this, there were treasures, elixirs, spiritual stones, and other items galore. The wealth of a Mahayana cultivator was truly staggering, making her feel as if she had instantly become wealthy beyond measure.

Even the senior brother gave her many valuable items, leaving her dazzled.

Indeed, the distance between poverty and wealth was just one remarkable master away! Three days later, Zhang Yiyi had fully recovered and began her new cultivation journey on the inner peak with her master and senior brothers.

With Jiang Heng's guidance, her cultivation speed became more stable and faster, especially in swordsmanship. Her mastery of the sword arts grew daily, and even Jiang Heng marveled at her astonishing comprehension of the sword path.

In just three months, Zhang Yiyi had already become familiar with the last two forms of the Clear Peace Sword Technique, and the strength of her sword moves had subtly begun to hint at forming sword qi.

This was almost inconceivable for a low-level cultivator still in the Qi Cultivation stage. "Yiyi, now I will teach you a new sword technique!"

Jiang Heng was extremely pleased with his little disciple's incredible talent and dedication in swordsmanship. Seeing the right moment, he decided to impart to her the Nine Swords of the Starry Sky, a technique he had spent half his life creating.

He pointed a finger at Zhang Yiyi's brow, and the Nine Swords of the Starry Sky were directly imprinted onto her mind.

"This sword technique is my creation and is named the Nine Swords of the Starry Sky. For now, you can directly access the first sword. As for the remaining eight swords, I have set restrictions that prevent you from viewing them. Once you master the first sword, the restriction on the next sword will automatically lift."

Jiang Heng then took out a sword and said to Zhang Yiyi, "Watch carefully. I will now demonstrate the first sword of the Nine Swords of the Starry Sky. I hope that one day, you will surpass me and create even more formidable sword techniques!"

As the name suggests, the Nine Swords of the Starry Sky was inspired by the vast cosmos. When Jiang Heng's sword swung, Zhang Yiyi felt as though she was instantly plunged into the universe, her soul drawn into the starlit void, shimmering and trembling with the myriad stars. The vastness of the galaxy was boundless, and human insignificance was like a speck of dust before it. The immense gap magnified her deepest fears thousands of times over.

The power to destroy heaven and earth overwhelmed everything, as if experiencing millennia in a single moment, a perpetual cycle of rise and fall that she could never escape... Even after Jiang Heng withdrew his sword, Zhang Yiyi remained rooted in place, her eyes vacant and her expression numb, clearly still immersed in the power of that sword strike. A slight wave of his hand sent wisps of spiritual energy into his disciple's spiritual platform, gently pulling her back from her stupor like a spring breeze.

"Ha!"

Only then did Zhang Yiyi regain her clarity, exhaling deeply as if she had been rescued from drowning.

Immediately afterward, she became exhilarated.

This sword technique was indeed profound and unfathomable. Even the simplest first sword was terrifyingly powerful; one could only imagine how spectacular the subsequent eight swords would be!

Not to mention facing it head-on, even observing it up close could be fatal.

This was the result of her master deliberately restraining his power. If he had used his full Mahayana strength, annihilation would have been effortless.

Zhang Yiyi's heart was filled with immense excitement. She envisioned a future where she would also create such powerful sword techniques, even surpassing the Nine Swords of the Starry Sky, and she was brimming with fighting spirit and strength.

Seeing his disciple's reaction, Jiang Heng nodded in satisfaction.

After witnessing such destructive power and yet maintaining her courage and determination, it showed the kind of resolve a sword cultivator should possess!

"What did you see in that sword strike, Yiyi?"

Jiang Heng asked, clearly interested in further evaluating her understanding.

Zhang Yiyi's expression softened as she pondered for a moment before replying, "Master, in that sword strike, I saw time!"

This answer visibly surprised Jiang Heng and his gaze toward Zhang Yiyi grew profound. "What did time look like to you?"

"An eternity condensed into a moment, and a moment as eternal!"

Zhang Yiyi's description, though brief, left Jiang Heng stunned once again.

Who would have thought that a Qi Cultivation stage cultivator could touch the very edge of the time-space Dao unconsciously?

Among all the great paths established throughout history, the time-space Dao was the most enigmatic, the hardest to master, and certainly not simple.

In millions of years, only two individuals had successfully established the time-space Dao. If Yiyi truly could tread this path, only the path created by her master's brother could compare.

However, despite his excitement, Jiang Heng did not intend to reveal too much too soon, as it might disrupt her opportunity and alter her exploration of the Dao.

"You are indeed remarkable!"

Jiang Heng praised honestly, "I believe that one day, you will surely create sword techniques even more powerful than the Nine Swords of the Starry Sky."

As the master and disciple were conversing, sudden strange noises and tumultuous winds erupted from the southeast direction on Liuchong Peak, causing the heavens and earth to change color in an instant.