Ranked third in the world.
Though called the third, he truly desires to rival the heavens.
His ambition is lofty, his sword intent, earth-shattering.
Azure sword qi burst forth, cascading like a waterfall, engulfing Wen Nan Tian.
“A true third in the world.”
Wen Nan Tian praised, not because of the sword technique’s brilliance, but its lofty ambition. He gently tapped the peach branch in his hand, scattering the surging azure sword qi with a single strike.
The dissipating sword qi whipped up a whirlwind, momentarily halting Xiao Ruofeng.
“Your sword is the third in the world, but I strive for the first.” Wen Nan Tian pointed with his hand, and a magnificent red, fire-like sword qi burst forth from the tip of the peach branch. It was, in essence, the same ‘third in the world’ technique, but when employed by Wen Nan Tian, it felt like the heavens collapsing, forcing Xiao Ruofeng back down to earth from his ascent.
“This…”
“Third in the world??”
The eight young masters of Bei Li were stunned.
This sword technique, they were all too familiar with.
Only Xiao Ruofeng himself knew: “It’s not the third in the world, it’s the first.”
A flicker of understanding crossed his eyes. He reached out and grasped the Hao Que Sword. It buzzed and trembled, radiating a brilliance that seemed to transcend the world, resonating with heaven and earth.
“Once you truly comprehend this sword, you’ll be close to attaining the Great Freedom.” A hint of admiration flashed in Wen Nan Tian’s eyes. Xiao Ruofeng’s talent was exceptional, mastering the threshold of the Freedom Sky Realm with a single sword. Given time, he would surely break through.
“Thank you.”
Xiao Ruofeng wanted to bow and express his gratitude, but realized he couldn’t move.
“This is…”
Xiao Ruofeng lowered his head, staring incredulously at his body.
“Imprisoned within a circle, just a small trick.”
“Small trick?”
Xiao Ruofeng swallowed nervously. He felt the weight of a mountain pressing down on him. It felt like even breathing was viscous. Besides talking, he couldn’t move at all.
Wen Nan Tian called that a small trick?
“Attack, don’t give him a chance to defeat you one by one!”
Liu Yue saw the terror in Xiao Ruofeng’s eyes. All arrogance vanished, replaced by a swift attack on Wen Nan Tian.
“Zzzt!”
Lei Meng Sha proved his resolve with action. The lightning crackling on his fingers roared, aimed straight at Wen Nan Tian's face.
Thunder Gate Shocking Soul Finger, three chants in one finger.
This first chant was called Unbound!
Renowned for speed, swift and domineering.
“Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!”
The violent power of lightning instantly swept across the field. Dust flew, countless pebbles were shattered by the lightning, causing the onlookers to retreat in fear.
“This sword, second in the world. I challenge you.”
While Liu Yue’s weapon was called a sword, it was actually a strange, soft-gold ruler.
He wielded the ruler as a sword, no less powerful.
Wen Nan Tian raised the peach branch in a split second, blocking the attack. The two weapons clashed, their sword qi surged, the open field instantly filled with flying sand and gravel, but the onlookers remained glued to the scene, afraid to miss even a single moment.
At that moment, the Shocking Soul Finger arrived.
Lightning pierced the night sky, bearing Lei Meng Sha’s determination, and struck.
Bang!
A tremendous impact resounded.
When the dust settled, Wen Nan Tian remained standing, still holding the peach branch. Liu Yue lay on the ground, his white robes covered in dust and blood. His soft-gold ruler lay nearby. Lei Meng Sha, his hands stained with blood, fell beside Liu Yue, his right hand trembling uncontrollably.
Wen Nan Tian looked at the two, and smiled faintly, “Are you up for another round?”
“Liu Yue and Lei Meng Sha fought together and still lost?”
“Is the difference really that great?”
“Six young masters gathered in Chai Sang City, the Minister’s son has no martial skills, the Elegant one has already lost, Liu Yue and Zuo Mo fought together, and were still defeated, only two remain.”
“Difficult. Wen Nan Tian seems relaxed, clearly defeating Liu Yue and Lei Meng Sha without much effort. Will Luo Xuan and Mo Xiao Hei together be able to defeat him?”
Indeed, they were no match.
What about the seven of them together?
The sword qi seal that Wen Nan Tian had set up, lacking his deliberate maintenance, was soon broken by Xiao Ruofeng. He held the Hao Que Sword, rejoining Liu Yue, Lei Meng Sha, Luo Xuan, and the others.
At the same time, two more stepped forward.
“Dark River, Su Mu Yu, I seek your guidance again.”
“Dark River, Su Chang He, I also wish to learn from you.”
The arrival of two Freedom Sky Realm masters finally put a little pressure on Wen Nan Tian.
Just a little.
“Good, good, good!”
“I’ve already said, you should join forces.” Wen Nan Tian repeated ‘good’ three times, his figure soared into the air, pointed the peach branch towards the sky and laughed heartily, “Today, I shall use the swords of all Chai Sang City to fight with you.”
“Swords, come forth!”
A stream of sword intent surged through the sky, and every sword in the city responded.
“My sword.”
“My sword is trembling, what’s happening?”
“Truly the methods of a sword immortal, our swords are merely forged from mortal iron, yet because of the South Heaven Lord’s call, it seems to have gained strange powers and sentience.”
“He wants to fight the eight young masters of Bei Li using the swords of the entire city. Could it be…?”
Everyone was awakened by the realization, and looked up in horror.
They saw that the swords above Chai Sang City were so densely packed that there was almost no space between them. This scene of countless swords suspended in mid-air, where they passed, felt like mountains rising, blocking out the moonlight.
Dong Gui Tavern.
Wen Hu Jiu, drinking alone in his room, watched the scene of countless swords billowing through the air with a solemn expression. He poured down half a pot of wine before managing to suppress the excitement and fervor in his heart, “Summoning thousands of swords, it seems that is not the limit of that young man’s abilities. His sword intent and aura, truly soared to new heights.”
“Seventeen years old, Freedom Realm.”
“No wonder that kid was so confident, he can become a sword immortal in a year!”
“Haha, good, good.”
“My nephew is so outstanding, I am also honored.”
Wen Hu Jiu laughed loudly, no longer drinking, and prepared to join the spectacle. He believed that at this moment, he wasn't the only one with this thought and plan. He had to go and keep an eye on things, lest certain unscrupulous old geezers take advantage of their strength.
Wen Hu Jiu was right.
With his call for swords, Wen Nan Tian borrowed the swords of all Chai Sang City, sending shockwaves through the land.
Those who attended the wedding banquet of the Yan and Gu families, all the powerful patriarchs and sect leaders of the Southwest Path, were present. Seeing the countless swords soaring through the air, their own swords even being borrowed, how could they remain still?
PS: Thank you to the readers who have sent their monthly tickets, flowers, and urging tickets… New book, requesting all sorts of data!