My SSS-Rank Skill and System is too OP in Modern Cultivation world-Chapter 154: Intent Forged in Steel

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Kent drew a slow breath and closed his eyes. In his mind's eye, the world narrowed to a single point. He summoned his spiritual energy and used his skill, guiding it into the center of his chest where the ephemeral core of sword intent pulsed like a heartbeat.

Then he placed his right palm on the broken guard of Longsword A.

The instant steel met flesh, a faint blue glow traced the sword's edge. Kent felt the first shard of intent leap into him: the memory of the blade's first tempering, the tang of iron sweat and hammer on anvil.

[System Notification: Intent Extraction of Blade A complete.

Sword Intent: +25 percent.]

He whispered a soft vow, then slid his hand to Longsword B. The chipped steel sang under his touch. Memories of narrow escapes and quick parries flickered in his mind.

[System Notification: Intent Extraction of Blade B complete.

Sword Intent: +25 percent.]

Two broken swords, two fragments of living memory. Kent steadied himself and pressed both hands to Xian Yu's apology saber. The dragon etched guard shimmered briefly.

[System Notification: Intent Extraction of Saber complete.

Sword Intent: +50 percent.]

A sudden rush filled Kent's chest, as if three small storms had collided within him. His heart pounded. He opened his eyes and flexed his fingers. The morning air felt sharper, each rustle of grass more distinct.

He drew a slow breath, reciting the words he'd once read in an ancient text, "Steel not only cuts flesh but shapes fate. Let intent be my shield, my edge, my soul."

The world tilted ever so slightly, as though acknowledging his new resolve.

Kent drew his Soul Slasher dagger, its black blade humming with dark energy and adopted his basic stance. He raised the dagger in a single, fluid motion and thrust forward with all the speed he could muster.

Time slowed. His muscles, guided by the newly forged intent, reacted without thought. The dagger sliced through the air, leaving a faint violet afterimage and a trailing echo of blade energy.

[Ding! System notifications: Congratulations Host. Sword intent level up.

Current level: Level 03 ]

He repeated with another flourish, spinning in a tight arc that would have tripped his old self. Now, grounded by Level 3 intent, each move felt precise, hallmarked by a whisper of power.

He practiced dozens of strikes: overhead slashes, cross‑body weaves, lunging thrusts. Each motion tweaked the world around him, pressing on his spiritual energy and radar sense until his vision snapped in and out of focus. After the final test, he sheathed the dagger with satisfaction.

Kent thinks, "Steel Wind Embrace… faster, lighter. I can unload a flurry of strikes in the blink of an eye."

He took a moment to rest, eyes closed, letting the new power settle. Each inhale felt like drawing in support from the old broken swords and from Xian Yu's apology sword. In that quiet dawn beneath the sky, Kent felt stronger, ready to step into the world with an edge both literal and spiritual.

Kent wiped sweat from his brow, then stepped back inside the yard to harness Silver Muse for travel. Auri followed him up the steps, excitement crackling in his tiny frame.

Kent ran a hand along the hull's hip‑length rail. The morning light danced across the void‑steel veins and rune seams. Auri hopped to the cockpit rail, chirping a challenge, "Take me up!"

He grinned, adjusting his dagger at his side before ripping open the hatch. "All right, little birdie. Let's go test your limiter." He tapped the thruster rune once, then leaned in to start the small skimmer's mood listening Automatic.

With a gentle hum, Silver Muse lifted from her supports, rising three meters off the ground. The familial home of Aunty Zhou's yard, the field just beyond that fell away momentarily.

"Nexus office is that way," he said, pointing east. "I need to deliver some spoils of ruins to Jade Monroe, plus I need to ask him about Nima's admission. Then I'll be back by noon."

Auri chirped, "Skrrr!"

Kent set the flank thrusters to a steady hover, then taught Auri a quick one‑button throttle control. The fledgling tapped the rune pad with a claw, and Silver Muse drifted forward as Kent settled in the pilot's seat.

Below, the watchers office courtyard spread out like some archery lines on the east lawn, morning drills on the west, the great stone gate standing sentinel. Kent guided Silver Muse above sandstone battlements and onto the aerial path that led straight to the Nexus office's central pavilion.

Nexus office was alive with activity. Couriers darted beneath aerial gangways, some carrying crates of spirit stones, others bearing bundles of fresh produce. The air carried a faint scent of incense from the grand hall, mingling with the earthy aroma of wetlands used in early ritual gardens.

Kent banked Silver Muse gently onto a raised landing deck beside the pavilion steps. A dozen cultivators paused mid‑stride, hats tipping as they watched his skimmer's hull catch the light. Kent gave a respectful wave before disembarking.

He entered the pavilion's cool marble interior. Jade Monroe awaited him in deep green silk robes, his posture regal as always. An ornate carved sunburst behind his throne cast soft rays on his fat features.

"Kent, my bro," he greeted, voice low and steady. "You honor me with your presence."

Kent bowed. "Nexus Monroe. Thank you for meeting me."

He inclined his head. "Your reputation precedes you. Please, sit."

He took the bench opposite his jade‑inlaid seat. The pavilion's carved columns depicted golden phoenixes rising from embers. It felt exactly like an echo of Auri's transformation, yet something more majestic. The floor mosaic of interlocking runes glowed faintly, responding to the cultivators' presence.

Kent placed three crates before Jade Monroe. One contained the harvest of useless tools and the other one was some damaged vegetables from his garden. The last one held some small runestones he'd collected in the ruins.

"Your generosity is matched only by your skill. These will fetch a fine price." He laid them aside, then retrieved his rune coin. He traced the thirty‑three sigils with his fingertips, eyes narrowing in concentration.

Kent thought, "This coin rune is already learned by me… I don't need it anymore… money comes first. If they can complete the rune then our country can benefit from it."

"Your rune coin is… extraordinary," he said softly. "I will entrust it to the Guild of Artificers. They will replicate its matrix and incorporate it. We can learn many things from these ancient runes."

Kent's heart leapt. "That is… beyond what I hoped."

Jade Monroe nodded. "Consider it an investment in our country's future. Now, accept this charter." he unfurled a scroll embossed with the Nexus seal. "Grants you tier‑3 priority on all trade convoys, plus membership in the Traders' Assembly."

He accepted the scroll with trembling fingers. "I am grateful. What about Nima's college admission?"

"It's taken care of by me. You don't have to worry about that. She is a genius. It's a piece of cake for me." They spoke at length after that, Jade Monroe's plans for new ruin expeditions, Kent's hopes to expand his fields, even small talk about midday markets. Their conversation balanced formality with warmth. When Kent rose to depart, Silver Muse hummed as though impatient at his delay.

"Take care, bro." Jade Monroe said, "your flying boat looks so cool, from where did you get it?" He was standing beside the silver muse.

Kent pressed jade Monroe palms together in a brief bow. "It's a secret. Bro, if you want to know about it then we have to change our deal. Let's do it 70/30. You take thirty, I take forty."

Jade replied, "No… I don't want to know." He thinks, "You are already a tier-3 Watcher. There will be many opportunities to find out about that. In the future we will work together. I don't want to cut my profits."

Kent bowed in return. "Until next season, Nexus."

Silver Muse rose again into the hazy late‑morning light. Kent guided her along the trade corridor, past glazed basin fountains and carved stone walkways returning home on a wave of congratulatory glances from fellow cultivators. He thought of how his damaged vegetables packed crates would feed hungry watchers for weeks.

Auri chirped a question, "Chip?"

Kent translated aloud. "Would you like some fruit juice when we land?" The little bird twisted his head, enthusiastic.

They alighted gently beside the field. Xian Yu and Nima emerged from the tool shed, shovels in hand, smiles bright as Silver Muse's wingtip runes. Nima waved wildly, nearly toppling in her excitement; Auri hopped down to greet her.

Kent disembarked, clutching some snacks he bought on his way back. "Look at this," he called, showing Nima the back of food. She whooped, slapping Kent's shoulder, "Big brother, thanks for the snacks"

Xian Yu set aside his rake. "Nima, give me some."

Kent then flexed, showing off his Trade priority, official membership in the Traders' Assembly. "With this batch, I can participate in the government auction of the ruins item."