A few months of time passing was enough to bring tremendous change to all of Liyue.
At present, the total area of farmland had already far surpassed the residential area.
Looking out over the vast green fields, Aether made a rough estimate. With the expanded acreage and the crops enhanced by his divine power, the harvest would be sufficient to sustain more than thirty thousand people across all of Liyue.
If no accidents occurred, then in just a few more months, Liyue would usher in its very first great agricultural harvest in history.
Thousands of years later, this scene would surely be recorded by future generations and passed down through books or storytellers!
Ahem. Aether could already imagine himself and Morax sitting in Third-Round Knockout, listening to Iron Tongue Tian recount these tales.
The image was far too beautiful—almost too much to imagine.
As usual, after leaving Liyue, Aether headed toward the territory of the Sword Demon God Qingxu.
Qingxu said to him, "Everything I can teach you, I have already taught you. What remains can only be comprehended by yourself. There is little more I can do for you."
"Today will be the final lesson."
In the blink of an eye, more than a year had passed.
Aether had studied swordsmanship under Qingxu for over a year now.
As a demon god with a long lifespan ahead of him, he no longer felt the passage of time as sharply as he once had.
Still, over the course of this year, he had truly learned many valuable techniques from Qingxu.
He also understood that swordsmanship was not something that could simply be copied and pasted. More often than not, it depended on one's own understanding of the blade.
"Thinking about it, it's a little hard to part like this."
"I didn't expect I'd finish learning everything from Brother Qingxu so quickly," Aether said, looking at him.
Qingxu laughed freely. "What's there to feel reluctant about?"
"Just because the teaching is over doesn't mean our interactions end."
"As demon gods, the one thing we never lack is time."
"We can always visit each other in the future—just don't forget to bring wine."
Hearing that, Aether couldn't help laughing.
Qingxu really was something else.
But he also knew that Qingxu genuinely loved good liquor, so once this final lesson was over, he intended to prepare a big surprise for him.
After all, without regular instruction, Aether—lazy by nature—wouldn't be coming here every day anymore.
If he stopped visiting, wouldn't Qingxu end up deprived of fine wine?
That would probably drive him mad with sorrow. Hahaha.
"Alright. Then let's begin today's practice," Aether said with a smile.
Just wait—I've got a big surprise for you later.
Qingxu nodded slightly and began the final instruction. This was the very last lesson he could impart.
This lesson concerned the ultimate expression of his martial path—
The Sword of Spatial Severance.
It was the supreme technique of his lifetime.
Qingxu demonstrated it once before Aether.
Holding the Qingxu Sword, its blade erupted with azure sword radiance.
He closed his eyes, then opened them, gazing toward a distant mountain. With a light, effortless swing, he slashed outward.
The azure blade flash swept past.
In an instant, a massive canyon was carved straight through the mountain.
The tremendous disturbance sent rocks crashing down in a continuous cascade.
Fortunately, the two of them were deep in the wilderness, with no trace of human presence for hundreds of miles. Even such an enormous commotion would not be noticed by anyone.
"Clap, clap, clap."
Aether applauded.
"As expected of the Sword Demon God. One strike that cleaves heaven and earth—impressive!"
Qingxu smiled faintly.
He knew that with the Duankong Sword in Aether's hands—a divine blade born to sever space itself—this kind of spatial sword technique would unleash even greater power in Aether's grasp.
"Try it," Qingxu said, looking at him.
Aether nodded.
He drew forth his manifested Duankong Sword.
White sword radiance shimmered along its edge. Aether gathered his divine power into his grip and applied the techniques he had learned from Qingxu.
His gaze sharpened as he locked onto the mountain ahead.
Then he swung.
I have one sword—enough to split the heavens.
"Sever!"
A white sword arc tore through the air.
In the next moment, a sword scar stretching for dozens of kilometers appeared before him.
To think that this strike had carved such an immense mark?!
Aether stared blankly at the Duankong Sword in his hand. He had only meant to test it casually—yet it had erupted with such terrifying might.
He sucked in a sharp breath, silently marveling at how frightening it was.
Meanwhile, Qingxu, having anticipated this outcome, remained relatively calm.
He looked at the slash and laughed.
"Aether, the power of this strike has already surpassed my own."
"This Sword Demon God of mine almost feels unworthy of the title now."
Aether knew Qingxu was merely sighing in passing, not truly lamenting.
Qingxu's temperament was free and unrestrained. He had never expanded his territory, nor did he care about comparisons of strength.
After spending this time together, Aether had come to quite like Qingxu's personality.
He only wondered whether Qingxu would safely survive the brutal and perilous era of the Demon God War.
In later ages, the ruins of Qingxu Pool would remain, though reduced to desolation, later restored by the people of Liyue to defend against threats from the southwest.
But after the Demon God War ended and the Seven Nations entered an age of peace, even the restored Qingxu Pool would once again fall into abandonment.
No one knew whether the Sword Demon God Qingxu had perished at the hands of another demon god during the war, or escaped into the Dark Sea beyond.
…Better not dwell on it for now.
If Qingxu ever encountered danger in the future, Aether would never stand aside, not after this bond they had forged.
"Haha, Brother Qingxu flatters me. It's nothing more than brute force."
"Your depth of research and understanding of the sword far surpasses a newcomer like me."
Aether slipped seamlessly into mutual flattery.
Qingxu naturally laughed along.
"Come on. I've specially prepared a grand gift for you to celebrate today."
"I'm sure you'll love it."
Aether patted Qingxu on the shoulder with a grin.
Qingxu froze slightly.
He hadn't expected Aether to prepare a gift for him at all.
What kind of gift could it be?
After a moment's thought, Qingxu guessed it was probably wine.
After all, as a demon god, that was really his only indulgence.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/MythArcStudio