Xuanhuan: The Empress and I Swapped Bodies - Chapter 12

Ye Wushuang had never seriously practiced swordsmanship before.

Thus, he studied the three sword techniques brought by Liu Shengsheng with exceptional focus.

Whether it was the Golden Crow Sword Art, the Seven Stars Sword Art, or the Yin-Yang Dualism Sword Technique, all were relatively advanced and possessed remarkable power.

Mastering even one of them would make one a formidable force.

The fact that Liu Shengsheng had learned all three spoke volumes about his talent.

This led Ye Wushuang to ask instinctively:

“You only know these three sword techniques and no other Dao arts—is it because you deliberately avoided learning anything else in the academy, focusing solely on swordsmanship?”

“Y-yes!”

This was, in fact, Liu Shengsheng’s secret.

He wasn’t truly untalented—he simply wished to devote himself entirely to the sword.

In the Imperial Academy, he had only stud ied these three sword techniques, ignoring all other Dao arts.

As a result, many dismissed him as a failure, someone who had only mastered three techniques in two years.

Liu Shengsheng never bothered to explain, keeping this secret buried deep in his heart.

Never did he expect Ye Wushuang to see through it so easily. The realization made him tense.

He feared the Divine Dragon Empress would declare his path misguided—or worse, reprimand him.

Yet, to his surprise, Ye Wushuang fully approved.

“A fine approach. Walking a single path, dedicating yourself solely to the sword—your Dao heart is pure. You will achieve greatness!”

“R-really?”

For years, he had been labeled a failure, a troublemaker. Liu Shengsheng craved validation more than anything.

Ye Wushuang’s words struck him like a revelation, filling him with newfound vigor.

When he looked at the Divine Dragon Empress again, his gaze had changed.

At the same time, a thought crossed his mind:

“Was it because I struck myself nine times earlier that my imperial sister became so kind and approving?

If I’d known she responded to this, I would’ve slapped myself sooner!”

Unaware of the boy’s bizarre reasoning, Ye Wushuang continued:

“A single grain of sand can fill the sea; a lone blade of grass can sever the sun and moon. Hone your swordsmanship to its peak, and you will cut down all who stand against you!”

“Like the Three Lives Sword Art—one strike severs the future, one strike severs the present, one strike severs the past.”

“I believe you, too, will reach such heights!”

“Mhm!” Liu Shengsheng nodded firmly, resolve burning in his eyes.

He silently vowed that from now on, before asking the empress for anything, he would first slap himself nine times—ensuring her favor.

Still oblivious to the boy’s strange logic, Ye Wushuang picked up the Golden Crow Sword Art and began studying it.

The technique, inspired by the legendary Golden Crow of antiquity, contained forms that mimicked the divine bird’s movements in battle.

Merely by mentally rehearsing it, Ye Wushuang manifested a Golden Crow phantom beside him—proof he had grasped its essence entirely.

The apparition instantly sent Liu Shengsheng into a state of enlightenment, as if the sword art’s secrets were being laid bare before him.

Seeing this, Ye Wushuang delayed reviewing the Seven Stars Sword Art, observing instead:

“His comprehension is remarkable—entering enlightenment at a glance. He truly has a gift for the sword.”

After half an hour, he moved on to the Seven Stars Sword Art, where seven celestial stars materialized around him.

This technique channeled starlight into sword beams, annihilating all in their path. It also included the Seven Stars Sword Formation, a deadly trap that crushed foes under overwhelming force.

Another half-hour passed before Ye Wushuang took up the Yin-Yang Dualism Sword Technique.

This art revolved around the interplay of Yin and Yang energies, embodying the Dao of duality.

A single strike could merge the two forces for devastating synergy or split them for unpredictable assaults.

Upon reading it, a Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram materialized above Ye Wushuang’s head—infused not just with sword principles but his own insights into the Dao of duality.

The sight jolted Liu Shengsheng into deeper comprehension, prompting Ye Wushuang to extend his training by another half-hour.

Finally, Ye Wushuang demonstrated:

“Watch closely. True mastery means internalizing these techniques until they flow naturally—until the sword becomes an extension of yourself.”

He raised his blade.

With a single motion, starlight coalesced into sword beams, each carrying the duality of Yin and Yang.

The Yang aspect blazed like the Golden Crow—fierce and scorching; the Yin aspect shimmered like the Big Dipper—profound and unyielding.

Every swing reversed Yin and Yang, unleashing cataclysmic force. Where the sword light passed, all was obliterated.

Liu Shengsheng’s eyes sparkled with awe.

“Wow! This is the sword art I want to learn! With this, becoming a Sword Immortal is guaranteed!”

Ye Wushuang’s demonstration lasted a full hour, showcasing every possible variation and fusion of the three techniques.

Enraptured, Liu Shengsheng wished the moment would never end.

Once finished, Ye Wushuang returned to perusing the library’s archives—this time deliberately selecting more sword manuals.

Having experienced these three techniques, his interest in swordsmanship had grown.

He, too, aspired to reach the realm where “a blade of grass could sunder stars.”

When Liu Shengsheng finally emerged from his epiphany, Ye Wushuang concluded:

“What I showed you was a simplified fusion. To truly excel, you must learn more techniques—only then can you master my Ten Thousand Laws Return to One.”

“When that day comes, with ten thousand swords as one, a single strike will break all Daos. You will be an unrivaled Sword Immortal!”

“Hiss—!” Liu Shengsheng inhaled sharply, his heart swelling with ambition.

“I’ll train harder! I’ll become the strongest Sword Immortal!”

“But first… I’ll make those academy fools eat their words. I am no failure!”