Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

It would be hours before Ming Yue reawakened from her state. She was simply mesmerized by the stance, her mind paced around as she found ways to improve her techniques and sword skills. More importantly, she had begun to understand the principles behind the way she fought. After all, she knew how to utilize the different energies but she did not know everything about it. 

Just as Ming Yue knew how to empower her blade, she did not know why until now. 

"The sword is the vessel, I am what fills it. These different powers lay dormant in different parts of my body, my head, my heart, my meridians. There is a system, each piece is a segment of it, all working together..."

She muttered to herself, suddenly returning to the lesson Elder Xia had given her. Reminded of the demonstration he gave, Ming Yue realized that she was getting closer to understanding "Returning to Simplicity".

Looking at the statue, she found it both mysterious and profound. 

Why was this so? How could a statue like this enlighten her to such a degree?

The young cultivator walked closer, examining each and every curve and crevice. 

"This is- this is all carved by a sword!"

Making the realization as she felt the subtle energy of the Sword Dao throughout the statue. She was in awe, utterly starstruck by this. 

"Such flow... Each strike is like a stroke on a painting... Such control... It's all... harmonious."

It was hard for her to describe what she saw as it was a level of skill simply beyond her understanding. Even when looking into the energy of the statue, she could not fathom how it was done. Merging numerous energies and balancing them all so that not one was greater than the other, it was perfect to say the least. 

Despite all of this, ideas formed in her mind as she studied it all. Ming Yue stayed here until she was satisfied by it all, until she could no longer perceive anything else for she was limited, limited by her own experience. 

Then she practiced and tested all that she had learned. Eventually, she found success. In an attempt to merge her energies, she combined the two most related ones, her normal Quintessence Force and the Wind Dao Energy. 

"Merge them together, balance them. One should not assist the other but complement each other" she thought. 

Ming Yue focused but found it difficult to achieve what she had sought. After all, the Wind Dao supplemented her Quintessence Energy. It had always been this way. 

"I have to break out of this habit, form a different link but... this is easier said than done. If I slip, I lose control and it returns. But I've done something like this before, it's like creating Mental Force all over again" she thought. 

But even if she had this experience, she did not have an easy time. Ming Yue tried once, twice, a hundred times over before finally she succeeded. 

Focusing inwardly, the strands that connected her meridians, made from Quintessence Force combined together with the Wind Dao Energy within her core. The strand which was pure white in color took on a light cyan color as both energies had fully combined. 

"I've done it!"

She rejoiced, losing control in the moment and have the two energies separated. Ming Yue had found the method and now she needed practice. 

Looking around, she stared at the statue before standing up. 

"I can't stay here forever, there is still things to do. I have not even fully explored this place."

She knew these things and while she felt somewhat upset, it would not be right for her to disappear like this. 

Looking towards the statue, she attempted to copy the stance but nothing came of it. Whatever technique this statue was showing her, she was not skilled enough to comprehend it. 

GIving up quickly, Ming Yue looked around, exploring the palace and trying to find a way out. 

"Hm, what's this?"

Walking through the many halls, she noticed a chamber, unlike the others. There was a circular stone for one to stand in and a podium with a small piece of jade embedded into it. 

She entered the room, looking around to see if there was anything else but there were only these two things. Approaching the podium, she examined it, the jade was a rich verdant color, a piece of the highest quality. Her hand reached for it, slowly but she gave it a simple touch with her finger. 

The gem glowed and hummed as words entered through her mind. They were not teachings but a message instead, a message from the Lunar Executioner. 

"If you have touched this stone and received this message, then you are the first to come here since I have left. If you are wondering how, then it is quite simple. You are not of the Yao Clan or Mu Clan, but a third party as I was. 

If you do not know who I am, I am called by many names, "Heavenly Slayer, Lunar Executioner", but I am only a humble swordsman who dedicates to the sword. 

And this place, it is considered to be one of several places that I have created in hope of passing on my skills and teachings. For this realm specifically, I shall even pass on a few secrets to you."

Ming Yue was both surprised but half-expected this. Of the many legends she had heard about, only this person was capable of such feats. She read on, wanting to know what he had to impart. 

"By now, I'm sure that many have attempted the trial and have perhaps figured a few things out. In truth, the trial measures one's confidence and bravery. Weak or strong, having the proper mindset was necessary or how else would one progress in their journey. But do not confuse it with arrogance, that is a foolish path. 

If you are confident and believe that you can reach the top, then you will make it. 

As for the reward, it is as I said, control over the realm. By the one-thousandth step, the moon will have fully entered the body and unlock the full strength of one's bloodline. At the same time, they will become one of the strongest beings in the three continents. However, even the strongest have their weaknesses, for them, it shall be you."

After reading it, the words within her mind glowed and transformed into a singular word that which branded itself onto the very core of her being. The luscious island and mountains shook as a pillar emerged from the ground, standing tall and firm. 

"Cut down everything."

Those were the words the pillar was carved with and from it, a great power that filled every part of her body and combined with all of the various energies. As all of this happened, her cultivation spiked and broke into the Emotion Stage before passing into the Soul Stage. That pillar seemed to defy logic as it bypassed the requirements of the Emotion Stage.

All of the energy she accumulated and constant refining had finally exploded forth, carrying her to the Soul Stage.  The thick strands in her meridians now connected her mind with her core and now utilizing the energy in her body was incredibly easy. At the Soul Stage, the strands expanded to her soul and once they wrapped around it in a complete shell, she would enter the last stage of the Earth Realm, the Boundary Stage. 

But as of now, it only covered a tenth of it. 

She could not utter any words toward these changes before being sent out of the palace and the secret realm. 

However, the Lunar Executioner gave her one last message before she was gone. 

"Do not side with either clan or it will be your end."

With that, she found herself outside of the temple which was empty.