Leo was genuinely happy.
He had just received one of the most precious rewards he'd ever obtained through the system: the Divine Sword Embryo.
Excitement bubbled inside his chest. Without thinking, he turned around and kissed Anne—his personal maid.
It wasn't planned.
It wasn't rehearsed.
It was just pure, instinctive joy. His lips met hers, and the kiss lasted only a moment, but the effect was instant.
Anne's face turned completely red. Her breathing halted. Her eyes rolled up slightly from the sudden shock and embarrassment—and the next second, she fainted right in front of him.
Leo panicked slightly.
"Did I… overdo it?"
He quickly caught her before she collapsed completely and gently carried her in his arms, laying her on his own bed. He pulled the covers over her, making sure she was comfortable.
Then, Leo sat down again, eyes narrowing as he opened the system screen and stared once more at the reward that had triggered all of this.
[Item Acquired: Divine Sword Embryo]
A powerful light glowed faintly behind those golden words.
This was no ordinary item.
Leo knew the value. In this world, sword embryos determined one's sword cultivation foundation. They were the very root of all sword-related progress.
Each type of sword embryo had its own quality and potential limit—some people would never progress far because they started with poor sword embryos. But Leo… he now had something that far surpassed average.
He listed them mentally, recalling each tier of sword embryo clearly.
1. Ordinary Sword Embryo – The most basic form. Countless cultivators start with this, and very few can ever rise above average with it.
2. Superior Sword Embryo – A small improvement. Only slightly better than ordinary. Provides better mana conduction and some stability in learning basic sword skills.
3. Supreme Sword Embryo – This level gives real potential. Sword aura can be reached faster, and high-grade sword skills become easier to cultivate.
4. Holy Sword Embryo – A rare and powerful type. Those with this embryo can naturally draw in sword essence from heaven and earth. In battle, they command powerful presence, and sword intent awakens faster.
5. Divine Sword Embryo – What Leo now possessed. Far superior to the Holy type. Not only does it enhance sword cultivation speed, but it also allows compatibility with many top-tier sword techniques. It strengthens aura density, intent precision, and comprehension.
6. Transcendental Sword Embryo – The legendary one. The strongest known type of sword embryo. So rare that most people believe it to be mythical. Those who possess it can become sword gods, split realms, or even distort space with a single slash.
Leo clenched his fists as he looked at his system again.
Even though the Divine Sword Embryo wasn't on the same level as the Transcendental Sword Embryo, it was still a treasure.
He knew for a fact that Alex, the so-called protagonist of this world, had only awakened a Holy Sword Embryo in the current plotline—and yet, it was enough to make him stand out as an elite swordsman.
But the future would bring many powerful swordsmen—some with sword embryos far superior to Alex's.
Still, Alex had the one thing no one else had: Protagonist Halo.
He was the destined child.
Luck favored him at every turn. Danger avoided him. Supporters gathered around him without effort. No matter how many sword users came his way, Alex would continue rising due to sheer fate and plot momentum.
Leo grinned.
In the upcoming competition arc, Alex would finally showcase his sword talent and impress a powerful figure—who would become his mentor and backer. From there, Alex's growth would become exponential.
But Leo had no intention of allowing that to happen.
He now had the Divine Sword Embryo, and with it, he could change everything.
However, he knew one thing for certain—when it came to sword cultivation, he was still behind.
He had various techniques, physical abilities, and elemental skills from the system. But pure sword skill? Leo didn't have much in his arsenal.
He admitted to himself, "I'm not strong in sword techniques… yet."
But now, with his new embryo, he was ready to pursue the sword path seriously.
The path of the sword had several progressive levels. Though Leo didn't remember all of them clearly, he remembered the important ones:
1. Sword Embryo Creation – The beginning stage, forming the embryo inside the soul.
2. Sword Formation – When the embryo begins taking shape and forming a spiritual blade.
3. Sword Aura – The user can manifest pressure and cutting force even without a blade.
4. Sword Domain – The user gains control over space using sword intent, forming a domain.
5. (Unknown higher stages Leo couldn't recall.)
Leo guessed Alex was still stuck at Sword Embryo stage.
That meant Leo had a chance to overtake him—if he could find a good sword and a powerful sword technique.
He wasn't worried about the sword.
With two of the richest families behind him, getting a powerful weapon was no issue. The Aetherwind Clan and Skydawn Bloodline had deep treasuries.
What Leo needed was a high-quality sword skill.
He opened the system shop.
There were hundreds of sword techniques listed—but most of them were expensive.
Leo scrolled through them one by one, his eyes narrowing.
The prices were outrageous.
He hadn't gained many points recently.
His recent battles and missions hadn't given him large rewards, mostly because he had invested most of his gains into strengthening his body, mana, and techniques.
The system store was full of amazing skills, but all of them were far above his current budget.
Leo sighed.
If he wanted to get a powerful sword technique compatible with his Divine Sword Embryo, he had to spend big.
Then he made a decision.
There was one last chance.
The System Lottery.
He checked his remaining points.
20,000 points.
Enough for 10 draws.
It was a gamble, but he didn't hesitate.
Leo gritted his teeth and spent 20,000 points on a 10-draw lottery.
The screen displayed the spinning wheel.
Each draw began spinning in front of him, glowing softly.
Leo exhaled and prepared himself mentally.
He was ready to spin.
Perfect. Now continuing with:
Far from where Leo was preparing his lottery draws, at the residence of another rising star, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation.
Inside the private hall of the Azureblade Pavilion, Alex stood shirtless, sweat dripping from his body, muscles slightly tensed, and expression calm yet excited. In front of him stood the Power Detection Machine—a towering artifact reinforced with crystal veins and runes.
This machine, used by most major sects and noble families, had only one purpose: to detect the innate strength and quality of one's sword embryo and cultivation potential.
Alex inhaled slowly and stepped forward.
He extended his hand and placed it firmly against the glowing crystal panel. A soft hum began to resonate as the machine activated, threads of energy circling around his hand, scanning his soul and the newly formed embryo within.
The hall grew silent.
Attendants, elders, and a few Shadow Force observers stood nearby, watching.
Then, suddenly—
BZZZZT!
The machine flared brightly. Its top crystal orb began rotating violently, pulsing with gold and white light. Intricate runes on the floor lit up. Energy surged through the air.
A loud, mechanical voice echoed:
[Result: Holy Sword Embryo Detected.]
Gasps filled the room.
One of the elders stepped back slightly, stunned. Another narrowed his eyes, surprised but pleased.
Alex, in contrast, simply smiled. His lips curled into a confident grin.
So it was true.
He had awakened the Holy Sword Embryo.
The reaction from the machine confirmed what he had already felt internally—his sword embryo had completed formation, and it wasn't some inferior or average grade.
Holy—one of the most coveted sword embryos known to current cultivation society.
Alex knew the levels clearly. He had memorized them during his years of training and theory study:
1. Ordinary Sword Embryo – Trash-tier. Ninety percent of all sword cultivators start here.
2. Superior Sword Embryo – Slightly better. Good enough for village-level fighters.
3. Supreme Sword Embryo – The level at which true genius starts showing. Some elite sects accept cultivators with this embryo.
4. Holy Sword Embryo – Recognized by most major powers. A powerful embryo that can influence fate. Grants high compatibility with rare techniques and quick Sword Aura development.
5. Divine Sword Embryo – Extremely rare. Often found only among ancient bloodlines or those with heaven-defying luck.
6. Transcendental Sword Embryo – The final, unreachable level. More legend than fact. No known cultivator in the current era holds it.
Alex exhaled slowly and stepped back from the Power Detection Machine.
His fists clenched in joy.
This was real. This was the turning point.
"I did it…" he whispered to himself.
He had only just entered the Sword Embryo Creation stage, but he could feel it—the embryo had rooted deeply into his soul. It pulsed with power. It was calm and dignified, not wild or unstable.
Alex had one clear goal now: to break through into the next level—Sword Formation.
With his Holy Sword Embryo, reaching Sword Formation would not only be smoother but far more explosive in terms of battle power.
Once he reached it, even most Starforged Realm cultivators would find it difficult to match him in pure sword skill.
Alex stood silently for a moment.
Then a grin broke across his face.
He began imagining the upcoming competition—the battle stage, the crowd, the thunderous applause.
He pictured himself holding his sword, calm and proud, while his enemies lay defeated around him.
And then, at the final moment of victory—
Selena, beautiful and proud, rushing up to him and hugging him tightly.
Sophia, the cool and distant ice princess, her cold mask cracking as she smiled at him.
Roxanne, the fiery and intense girl, holding his arm, possessively.
They would all come to him after the match. He would be the center of attention. The undisputed star.
The image in his mind made him laugh.
"Haha… they'll all see what I've become!"
His voice echoed slightly in the training hall.
From the shadows of the outer corridor, several robed figures of the Shadow Force stood quietly, watching everything unfold.
They didn't interfere. They didn't speak.
They only observed.
One of them muttered under his breath, barely audible to the others.
"…Man's already imagining his harem after the first breakthrough."
Another sighed. "Holy Sword Embryo… not bad. He's definitely got the protagonist tag."
"But still an idiot," said the youngest coldly.
Their job wasn't to judge. It was to monitor. Protect if necessary. And make sure Alex's fate proceeded as planned.
After all, Alex was no ordinary cultivator—he was the destined child, the one fate itself seemed to favor.
No matter how many enemies rose, no matter how many obstacles he faced, the world bent itself to help him move forward.
But none of them—none of the Shadow Force members—knew that somewhere else, quietly and calmly, a storm was already brewing.
One that would shake Alex's so-called fate.
---
End of Chapter 62
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