The interior of Jian Wuhen's laboratory complex resembled a crystallized storm of blade qi, with countless sword techniques frozen in time along the walls. Ancient formations hummed with residual power, their energy signatures revealing centuries of accumulated sword essence waiting to be claimed.
Wei Liang's blood stirred with anticipation as his enhanced senses detected the sheer volume of technique fragments preserved within the facility. Each crystallized sword form represented years of cultivation knowledge, and the laboratory's central chamber pulsed with something far more valuable—the incomplete Universe-Severing Blade technique that had claimed its original master.
"Incredible," Zhang Wuji whispered, his scholarly excitement genuine as he examined the preserved experiments. "Look at these technique matrices! Jian Wuhen catalogued every sword method he consumed, organizing them by philosophical framework and power classification."
The five recruited sword specialists spread out to investigate different sections of the laboratory, their individual techniques resonating with corresponding displays. Zhou Meili's fire methods activated a collection of flame-wreathed blade formations, while Bai Feng's ice techniques caused frost-covered sword arrays to pulse with renewed energy.
Perfect, Wei Liang thought, observing how each specialist naturally gravitated toward techniques matching their cultivation paths. Their resonance with the preserved methods will make consumption far more efficient when the time comes.
"Senior Wei," Lei Jun called from across the chamber, his lightning-enhanced perception having detected something significant. "This formation array appears to contain living sword qi. The techniques aren't just preserved—they're still actively cultivating themselves."
Wei Liang approached the indicated formation, recognizing the setup from his study of demonic body cultivation methods. Jian Wuhen had created a technique incubation system, allowing captured sword methods to evolve and refine themselves over centuries of contained development.
Brilliant approach, Wei Liang acknowledged. Rather than simply storing static techniques, he created a cultivation laboratory where stolen methods could mature into more powerful forms. The accumulated development represents exponential growth in combat capability.
Zhang Wuji had discovered documentation explaining the laboratory's purpose and methods. "According to these records," he announced, "Jian Wuhen believed that sword techniques were living entities capable of independent growth. He developed methods for capturing and cultivating techniques like spirit beasts, allowing them to evolve beyond their original limitations."
The implications were staggering. Traditional cultivation involved learning existing techniques and adapting them to personal use. Jian Wuhen had created a system for breeding techniques like livestock, producing hybrid methods with capabilities that exceeded their parent forms.
Exactly what I need for demonic body advancement, Wei Liang realized. These evolved techniques will provide concentrated essence far superior to their original versions. Consuming the entire laboratory's accumulated development should accelerate my progress significantly.
However, the facility's defensive measures remained active. Approaching any technique display too directly triggered warning responses from the laboratory's guardian formations. Jian Wuhen had designed the system to prevent hasty looting, requiring proper demonstration of worthiness before granting access to specific techniques.
"The access protocols are explained here," Zhang Wuji said, consulting the documentation. "Each technique display requires proof of mastery over its foundational principles. Only someone who truly understands sword cultivation philosophy can claim the preserved methods."
Simple enough, Wei Liang thought. I'll have my recruited specialists demonstrate mastery over their respective techniques, then harvest both their abilities and the laboratory's treasures simultaneously.
"Excellent discovery, Scholar Zhang," Wei Liang said aloud. "Let us begin systematic investigation of the displays. Each of our companions can unlock techniques matching their specializations."
Zhou Meili approached the fire technique display first, her Burning Sword Sect methods creating resonance with the preserved flame-wreathed blades. The formation responded by projecting a test scenario—a combat simulation requiring demonstration of advanced fire-sword integration.
Vermillion Phoenix Sword Dance! Zhou Meili's technique erupted in spectacular fashion, her blade movements creating intricate patterns of divine flame that took the shape of dancing phoenixes. The display's guardian formation analyzed her performance, comparing it against Jian Wuhen's accumulated standards.
The formation accepted her demonstration, dissolving to reveal crystallized technique fragments containing centuries of evolved fire-sword methods. Zhou Meili's eyes widened with amazement as she recognized techniques that surpassed even her sect's most closely guarded secrets.
"These methods... they've developed beyond anything in current sword schools," she whispered, reverently collecting the crystallized fragments. "Senior Wei, this discovery will revolutionize fire-sword cultivation throughout the realm!"
Wei Liang nodded approvingly while preparing to claim Zhou Meili's enhanced capabilities once she had integrated the new techniques. "Continue investigating," he instructed. "Each of you should unlock your corresponding displays. The more techniques we recover, the greater our understanding of Jian Wuhen's methods."
The other specialists followed Zhou Meili's example, demonstrating mastery over their respective sword philosophies to unlock additional technique collections. Bai Feng's ice methods accessed evolved forms of Glacier Sword techniques, Liu Yun's wind cultivation opened displays containing Storm-Cutting blade methods, and Shi Gang's earth techniques revealed Mountain-Severing sword forms.
Lei Jun's lightning demonstration proved most impressive, his Thunder Flash technique creating electrical patterns that matched the laboratory's most stringent requirements. The corresponding display contained technique fragments that had evolved to incorporate actual celestial lightning rather than cultivated imitations.
Each success makes them more valuable targets, Wei Liang observed as his companions integrated increasingly powerful techniques. They're doing the difficult work of unlocking and absorbing enhanced methods, making my eventual consumption of their abilities far more profitable.
Zhang Wuji had located the laboratory's central archive, where Jian Wuhen's personal research notes were preserved. "Senior Wei," he called excitedly, "you need to see this! The Sword Without Trace documented his entire approach to demonic body cultivation, including the mistakes that led to his disappearance!"
Wei Liang joined the scholar at the central display, finding detailed records of Jian Wuhen's progression from ordinary sword cultivator to the Seventy-Third Demonic Body. The documentation was invaluable, providing specific techniques for integrating conflicting sword philosophies without the integration failures that had claimed the original researcher.
Perfect intelligence, Wei Liang realized. These notes will allow me to avoid Jian Wuhen's mistakes while incorporating his successful methods into my own advancement. The Universe-Severing Blade technique should be achievable with proper preparation.
However, accessing the central archive required demonstration of mastery over all five sword philosophies simultaneously—a requirement that had ultimately proven impossible for Jian Wuhen himself. The conflicting nature of fire and ice, the opposing dynamics of wind and earth, the incompatible rhythms of lightning and traditional blade work had created resonance patterns that tore apart even a Seventy-Third Demonic Body.
But I possess advantages Jian Wuhen lacked, Wei Liang concluded. My blood-avatar abilities can absorb and harmonize conflicting techniques through conceptual consumption rather than direct integration. What destroyed him will only make me stronger.
"Everyone," Wei Liang announced to the team, "prepare for the final challenge. The laboratory's greatest treasures require combined demonstration of all five sword philosophies. We must coordinate our techniques to unlock the central archive."
His companions nodded eagerly, their recent technique acquisitions having filled them with confidence. They had no idea that their coordinated demonstration would provide Wei Liang with the perfect opportunity to harvest their enhanced abilities while simultaneously accessing the laboratory's most dangerous secrets.
The Heavenly Demon Blood Spear hungers, Wei Liang thought as his weapon began materializing in response to his predatory anticipation. Time to add the Sword Without Trace's legacy to my collection, along with five enhanced sword specialists who have so conveniently prepared themselves for consumption.
The final test awaited, and with it, another significant step toward the First Demonic Body.