January 1st is the New Year on the mother planet, and this day is also a traditional holiday for the Alliance.

Regardless of the time differences across the star domains, the Alliance uniformly calculates time according to the mother planet, and every year January 1st marks the start of a ten-day holiday.

Over thousands of years, various star domains have also gotten used to taking vacations starting January 1st.

All times on Gold Source Star follow the mother planet's standard, so naturally, they also take a holiday accordingly.

This includes universities, which enter a winter break lasting a month.

Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang, two new students, hadn't attended a single class. But before the New Year holiday, they still received their school welfare benefits.

Custom-made advanced material sword robes, New Year red envelopes, and two excellent sword artifacts, among other things.

Altogether, it amounted to about over two hundred thousand.

To Gao Xuan, these items weren't particularly valuable. Yet it demonstrated the school's high regard for them.

Moreover, Lu Xiuying personally visited them, giving Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang ample respect.

The main reason was because Yun Qingshang performed exceptionally well, making Lu Xiuying unusually attentive to her. Plus, since both were from Pegasus Star, with no friends or family, as the head coach, a warm greeting was in order.

During the New Year celebrations, the entire Golden Source City was adorned with red lanterns, and various electronic fireworks lit up the sky at night.

The sound and light effects were plentiful, entirely simulated by the light computer, creating a strong festive atmosphere with no pollution.

Especially on New Year's Eve, almost all outdoor lights in Golden Source City were turned off.

In the darkness, only the lights from each home shone brightly. It had quite a feeling of being lit up by ten thousand families.

To match the New Year ambiance, snowflakes fell from the sky.

At twelve o'clock, Gao Xuan held Bai Yutang, holding Yun Qingshang's hand, releasing many electronic virtual fireworks on the rooftop.

Bands of multicolored lights illuminated the sky.

In other parts, many virtual fireworks were also being set off, and the ensuing dazzling displays broke the quiet of the night, enlivening the entire Golden Source City.

Since being reborn in April, eight months had passed, and another year had gone by.

According to the Alliance calendar, today is the year 3019.

Reflecting on the past year, Gao Xuan felt he had not wasted it and had many gains.

The most crucial point was killing Luojia and obtaining the Celestial Demon Relic, laying the most important foundation for Virtual Godhood.

Aside from that, the Godslaying Sword, Celestial Dragon Eye, Invisible Cicada Wing Sword, Celestial Spirit Sword Box, were significant gains.

His personal cultivation also advanced to Level 10. He leapt away from the small and remote Pegasus Star.

Though Taurus is also not large, it is the center of the Twelve Star Domain with abundant resources.

The next step, most importantly, is obtaining the Undying Golden Cicada.

Gao Xuan thought it wouldn't be a problem, as soon as he joined the Xiao Swordsmanship Association, the Undying Golden Cicada would be his.

Then, he would use the Undying Golden Cicada to complete the genetic sequence mutation and evolution.

With another month or two of cultivation, he could reach the Silver Level.

By the time the Alliance Sword Dao League Championships come in August this year, he should reach Level 15.

With his Level 15 power, winning the championship should not be difficult. He'll earn the title of Sword King and then, well, he can enjoy himself.

On New Year's Eve, after setting off fireworks and eating dumplings, Gao Xuan gave Yun Qingshang a big red envelope.

Yun Qingshang had always been with him without a proper income. Now, being older, she had various needs. He simply transferred her a hundred million.

Hmm, Gao Xuan did it secretly; Bai Yutang did not know. After all, it was Bai Yutang's inheritance, and women can be quite unreasonable when jealous.

The relationship between Yun Qingshang and Bai Yutang was quite delicate. Yun Qingshang felt a bit sympathetic about Bai Yutang's death, but did not like their combined state with Gao Xuan.

If possible, Yun Qingshang would like to switch places with Bai Yutang.

Bai Yutang also envied Yun Qingshang a bit, for being able to stay with Gao Xuan daily in a normal person's capacity.

So, the two women almost never communicated. Their private relationship could be described as cold.

Gao Xuan was well aware of this, but with such a subtle and complex relationship, there was nothing he could do to intervene.

Fortunately, there wasn't much overlap between them, and a poor relationship didn't have a practical impact.

After the ceremonial New Year's Eve, Gao Xuan became busy again.

Xiao Wan gave him the Self-playing Jade Flute, and after a few days of study and contemplation, he figured out the basic principles of the thing.

The Self-playing Jade Flute was no more than twenty centimeters long, made of white jade, with a crystal-clear and smooth texture. Holding the Jade Flute naturally made one's spirit become concentrated and stable, with a slight improvement in spiritual power, making it great for assisting in cultivation.

The Jade Flute's most wonderful feature was that once it had been played, it remembered the tune. When imbued with spiritual power, the Jade Flute spontaneously played the tune, equivalent to a music player.

The played tunes also contained some spiritual power, capable of moderately disturbing enemies.

Interestingly enough, though it had little practical value in real combat, it could accompany battles with a BGM.

However, the downside of the Jade Flute was that it could randomly play music. It was uncontrollable.

For example, if you were meditating in isolation and the flute suddenly played, it could give you quite a scare. Or, if you were sneaking into someone else's house and the flute suddenly played, it would be rather embarrassing.

This little side effect sets this thing as a mere toy. Not very useful.

As a toy, however, it's quite interesting.

Gao Xuan played a few ancient-style tunes he liked on it, treating it as a personal BGM. During combat, it's quite invigorating.

The Self-playing Jade Flute is just a toy, and it's only Bronze Level.

Gao Xuan truly focuses on the Celestial Spirit Sword Box, as other marvels temporarily have no opportunity for upgrade, only the Celestial Spirit Sword Box is easiest to upgrade and convenient for him to use.

The Godslaying Sword is used by Blood Shadow; he can't use it publicly anymore.

The Celestial Dragon Eye is an extremely powerful and unique marvel. Once used publicly, it might invite a lot of trouble. Therefore, Gao Xuan seldom uses the Celestial Dragon Eye directly.

The Celestial Spirit Sword Box, however, is a very good choice. The Celestial Spirit Sword Qi converted by the Sword Box is hard for outsiders to distinguish. Its powerful and highly plastic nature suits various battles.

Since the Celestial Spirit Sword Box devoured the Qianqiu Sword, it has been silently absorbing and digesting it.

These days, Gao Xuan actively uses spiritual power to stimulate the Celestial Spirit Sword Box, greatly accelerating its operation speed. It's just a small step away from completely devouring the Qianqiu Sword.

Gao Xuan sits cross-legged, silently operating the Celestial Spirit Sword Qi within his body. This Sword Formulas he can certainly cultivate.

Though the Celestial Spirit Sword Qi is thick, fierce, and righteous, cultivating it requires step-by-step progression. His own cultivation efficiency is too low.

Operating Celestial Spirit Sword Qi is simply to establish better resonance with the Sword Box.

Gao Xuan pushes the Celestial Spirit Sword Box with his spirit, circulating the Sword Qi within the Sword Box.

Countless flashes of silver surged around, the remnants of the Qianqiu Sword blade were constantly dissipating.

After who knows how long, the Qianqiu Sword blade was completely swallowed by the silver light. In an instant, the silver light surged, and vast sword qi flowed out endlessly.

The invisible barriers inside the Celestial Spirit Sword Box were continuously broken, the second layer, third layer, fourth layer, fifth layer!

Vast sword qi broke through four layers of barriers, the Celestial Spirit Sword Qi directly reached the fifth layer.

The initial ten thousand degree Celestial Spirit Sword Qi, upgraded to sixteen thousand degrees.

This sixteen thousand degrees is not the total amount of Celestial Spirit Sword Qi, but the peak value of Celestial Spirit Sword Qi's instantaneous release.

The fifth layer of the Celestial Spirit Sword Box is equivalent to a Level 14 Silver Sword Hero specializing in Celestial Spirit Sword Qi.

Gao Xuan is slightly surprised at this result as well, upgrading four levels in succession shows that the Qianqiu Sword is quite powerful.

Moreover, this upgrade method is very convenient. As long as advanced marvel Sword Artifacts are found, the Celestial Spirit Sword Box can continuously upgrade. No need for him to cultivate.

With fifth-layer Celestial Spirit Sword Qi under his control, he can exert the power of a top Sword Hero.

Thus, simply with Celestial Spirit Sword Qi, he can easily deal with various masters.

As Gao Xuan is thinking, suddenly a strong gravitational force arises within the Celestial Spirit Sword Box, pulling his spirit into the depths of the Sword Box.

Since the Celestial Spirit Sword Box upgraded, its side effects started taking effect.

In a daze, Gao Xuan's mental awareness has arrived at that silver palace.

The white-haired elder wearing a crown sits on the throne, coldly staring at Gao Xuan. Reader support at * made this translation possible.

In front of the elder, are thirty-six fully armored swordsmen.

The elder pointed, and thirty-six swordsmen pointed their longswords at Gao Xuan.

On the silver sword edges, sword qi stirred, revealing thirty sword wielding swordsmen.

Gao Xuan casually pulled out a longsword, indeed provoking sword qi. He couldn't help but smile.

Just relying on swordsmanship, his advantage wasn't apparent. But with an additional variable of sword qi, his tactical variations added another dimension.

Those swordsmen opposite, ultimately lack intelligence, only have basic combat instinct. The higher the level of power on both sides, the more evident their weaknesses.

This principle is simple, it's like using fists, both sides just need to pound against each other. The stronger one always wins.

When using knives and swords or long spears, technical requirements emerge. Being physically strong may not guarantee victory.

When using automatic firearms, physical strength becomes irrelevant. Good marksmanship is fundamental.

With sword qi, changes become exceedingly intricate and exquisite. The swordsmen inside the Celestial Spirit Sword Box couldn't possibly be Gao Xuan's match.

Gao Xuan effortlessly slaughtered the swordsmen, then slew hundred and eight elder, and sat on the throne. His awareness returned from within the Celestial Spirit Sword Box to the sea of consciousness.

The Secret Technique for the fifth-layer Celestial Spirit Sword Qi also automatically appeared in Gao Xuan's sea of consciousness.

Gao Xuan mastered the Secret Technique for the fifth-layer Celestial Spirit Sword Qi, making his control over the Celestial Spirit Sword Qi more effortless.

With a thought, pure silver Celestial Spirit Sword Qi transformed into a majestic and magnificent Mountain Pattern Armor, enveloping his body.

With another thought, two long silver trailing bands appeared at the back of the armor.

The bands were like water and silk, elegant as a dream yet full of texture.

This transformation was entirely due to Gao Xuan's powerful spiritual power and his subtle, deep understanding of Celestial Spirit Sword Qi, enabling the sword qi to transform into such a light, agile, yet stable state.

Gao Xuan is very pleased, finally showing a smile on his face, when the Self-playing Jade Flute standing nearby suddenly played the heroic and grand "A Laugh in the Vast Sea"!

Gao Xuan's smile stiffened a bit, this thing really knows how to match. But it suddenly sounding by itself, really scared the hell out of him...