Unlike the secret learning of the Feiyun Step, the Lingyun Nine Forms were formally taught to him by Black Sword. Although there were no traditional incantations, the technique was directly integrated into his blood and body, so it should have been even easier to master.

Was he really that slow-witted?

Henry Dawson stood with his sword across his body, pondering carefully, but always felt that he was missing a crucial opportunity, leaving him stuck on the periphery, unable to truly grasp the profound mysteries of the Lingyun Nine Forms.

He closed his eyes and thought quietly. That final step seemed to be right in front of him, yet he struggled, not knowing how to take it.

He stood as still as a statue, unmoving.

After a long time, a trace of icy coldness touched his face. Henry Dawson suddenly opened his eyes to see that snow was falling thickly from the sky, each flake as large as a goose feather, turning the entire night sky into a scene of breathtaking beauty.

It was already the depths of winter!

The snow was heavy, and soon the entire valley was blanketed in silver. Henry Dawson did not move. As the snowflakes drifted down, he too became a snowman, merging with the world around him.

A world wrapped in silver and pure white!

Henry Dawson gazed at this pure whiteness, his thoughts seeming to soar into the boundless starry sky, looking down upon the world, imagining that vast expanse. Suddenly, a surge of heroic spirit rose in his heart, his blood rushing through his veins.

Buzz!

The black broken sword in his dantian seemed to sense something and began to tremble gently.

This was the opportunity he had been waiting for!

Henry Dawson burst out laughing, his body suddenly moving, and unleashed a sword strike!

A miraculous scene appeared: all the falling snowflakes suddenly froze in place, as if an invisible hand was controlling everything!

The First Form of Lingyun!

The long sword swept out, like the birth of the universe, filled with indescribable mystery, as if the great Dao was chanting, and all things responded!

This sword finally possessed true spirit!

Chapter 10 Grace Hamilton

Boom!

With a single sword strike, all the accumulated snow in the valley surged upward, rising half a foot before falling back down in chaos.

“Finally... I’ve finally grasped a trace of the mystery of the Lingyun Nine Forms and learned the first form!” Henry Dawson's face was filled with wild joy. At this moment, he was as happy as a pure child.

But it was only the first form!

Recalling the complete nine-form sword technique performed by Black Sword in his mind, Henry Dawson was even more shocked. Each form of the Lingyun Nine Forms was more powerful than the last. If he could comprehend the full essence of all nine forms and wield them, perhaps he truly could possess the power to cleave the heavens and destroy the earth!

This time, truly performing the First Form of Lingyun, the power was even greater, yet the energy consumed was far less than before—this sword only used up one-fifth of his true essence!

“Before, I was only imitating the form, and because the Lingyun Nine Forms are so powerful, I had to use my own strength to make up for the sword technique’s might, so naturally it drained most of my true essence at once!”

“But now that I’ve grasped the true meaning within, when I unleash a sword strike, heaven and earth respond, as if some mysterious force attaches itself to the sword technique. All I need to do is guide the technique’s operation!”

“It’s like before, I was pushing a cart by hand—laborious and slow! But now, I’m riding in a carriage drawn by horses. I just need to guide and direct, not only saving effort but also moving even faster!”

Henry Dawson revealed a satisfied smile. With this sword, who in the Zhou family could dodge it?

But being able to hit an opponent and injure them are two different things!

Martial artists at the Bone Refining and Blood Refining stages have bodies tempered as hard as iron. Even if they stood still and let someone hack at them, they wouldn’t be hurt! Against such opponents, unless one had a true divine weapon, blunt force attacks might actually be more effective.

“Divine weapon?” Henry Dawson couldn’t help but sigh. How could such treasures be easily obtained?

“No point thinking about it. I’ll get a good night’s rest and leave the valley tomorrow!”

He retreated into the cave. Although the temperature was still very low, after completing the Skin Refining stage, a martial artist had considerable resistance to the cold. What’s more, Henry Dawson was almost done with the Flesh Refining stage, so this bit of cold was nothing to him!

If he could reach the Blood Refining stage, his vital energy would be so abundant that neither cold nor heat could affect him. He might even be able to dive into the icy pool in the valley.

“When I reach the Blood Refining stage, I’ll come back and definitely uncover the secret of that mysterious figure!”

A night passed. The snow had stopped, and the accumulated snow in the valley was a full foot deep, leaving deep footprints with every step. After one last look, Henry Dawson decisively turned and strode away.

Two hours later, he emerged from the cave to see the entire forest blanketed in white, snow piled high, icicles hanging down, a truly magnificent sight.

“Let’s go!”

Henry Dawson let out a long howl. He naturally wasn’t worried that the people from White Jade Valley would still be searching for him in the forest. Unleashing the Feiyun Step, he sped across the snow, each step leaving only a shallow footprint, his speed completely unaffected.

Marvelous beyond words!

After running for nearly two hours straight, he finally stopped to catch his breath, feeling his blood and energy circulating fully, a warm and indescribable comfort.

But as soon as he stopped, his feet sank deep into the snow, forcing him to move forward slowly.

Hmm?