Sword Elder swiftly retreated, wildly brandishing the Azure Underworld Ancient Sword in his hand to repel the rebounding Sword Qi. He laughed heartily, "Hiding Wind in Sleeve, Spring Breeze Proud. When your father used this move, it was so free and unrestrained. Yet when you execute it, it feels utterly constrained. Where is the spring breeze? Where is the pride?"
Su Muyu's sleeves were instantly torn apart. Gritting his teeth, he glanced at the longsword embedded in the ground but still did not step forward to draw it. With an angry shout, he raised his hand and swung it: "Sword Qi, Thunderous Clap!"
A sound like thunder erupted as Su Muyu flicked a finger, sending a surge of Sword Qi that stirred up a whirlwind of sand, charging toward Sword Elder.
"What a formidable Sword Qi, Thunderous Clap," Sword Elder remarked, cleaving through it with his sword. "You wish to defeat me without drawing your sword? Then I shall ensure you never get the chance to draw it again!"
Back Mountain of Peerless City.
An elderly man nearing seventy emerged from the Sword Hut, frowning slightly as he gazed into the distance. "Such a powerful surge of Sword Qi."
A black-clad swordsman had already arrived by the lakeside. Seeing the old man standing there, he hurriedly bowed. "Old City Lord."
"A guest has arrived?" the old man asked.
"One who comes bearing a sword," the swordsman replied.
The old man nodded. "From where?"
The black-clad swordsman answered solemnly, "World Without Sword."
"World Without Sword?" The old man was taken aback, lost in thought for a long moment before murmuring, "There are still survivors among them?"
"He claims to be the Young City Lord of Swordless City—Zhuo Yuean," the swordsman replied.
"That child…" the old man murmured wistfully. "I never imagined he would still be alive."
"Sword Elder has gone to meet the challenge," the swordsman continued. "He sent me to inform you, Old City Lord."
"Jian Shanyue," the old man said, lifting his gaze to the distance once more. "He cannot stop this sword."
"Master, it's thundering," Wushuang said, covering his ears as they hurried toward the city gates. "It's going to rain soon. Shouldn't we go back and get an umbrella?"
"Thundering? That's Sword Qi," Song Yanhuai said helplessly. "This Sword Qi roars like thunder—who could it be? Surely not… No, her sword has always been cold and sharp, never with such an overbearing presence. Could it be that swordsman from the Thunder Sect?"
"Master, what are you muttering about?" Wushuang asked curiously.
"As long as it has nothing to do with Snow Moon City," Song Yanhui murmured absently.
"Master? Master?" Wushuang nudged Song Yanhui's waist. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing," Song Yanhui replied. By then, they had already reached the top of the city gates. Looking down, he saw a masked figure below carrying a paper umbrella on his back—clearly a young man by his stature. He sighed in relief, but when he turned to observe Sword Elder, the latter appeared utterly disheveled, his robes torn and stained with blood, his hand gripping the Azure Underworld Ancient Sword trembling faintly.
Su Muyu spoke coolly, "You've already lost."
Sword Elder gritted his teeth. "Even if your father stood here today, he wouldn't dare speak to me like this!"
"How many times have you mentioned my father now?" Su Muyu tilted his head upward. "The third time? I’d really like to know—what right do you have to speak of him?"The Sword Elder had completely lost his earlier demeanor and authority. He had initially believed his strength far surpassed that of this junior, yet before the other even drew his sword, he had already been pushed to the brink. Raising his sword in anger, he growled, "Don't force me to kill you."
"Killing, you say?" Su Muyu leapt forward, his movements swift as lightning.
The Sword Elder was startled—Su Muyu's footwork was entirely different from before. Now, his movements were ghostly, eerie, and laced with lethal intent. The elder retreated first, then the Azure Underworld Ancient Sword in his hand emitted a resonant hum. Raising the sword overhead with both hands, he began gathering his strength.
"He's finally using it! The Mountain Peak Swordplay of our master!" Xiu Ru exclaimed excitedly. "With this move, he can surely turn the tide!"
"My father once mentioned you. In your youth, you were full of arrogance, sword in hand, riding horses, believing you could ascend the Mountain of Sword Dao and look down upon all other peaks. That’s why you created this Mountain Peak Swordplay. While the technique itself isn’t first-rate in the world, the spirit of your sword is peerless. Seeing it today—" Su Muyu had already flashed before the Sword Elder, "—the mountain remains, but the man has aged. You no longer deserve your sword, nor the swordplay of your youth." He threw a punch, striking the elder’s chest before the sword could descend.
This punch did not shatter the Sword Elder’s heart.
But it utterly shattered his Sword Heart.
With a low groan, the Sword Elder spat out a mouthful of blood, the Azure Underworld Ancient Sword slipping from his grasp. Su Muyu caught the ancient blade and raised it high. "You’ve climbed the summit and looked down upon all peaks! But above the peaks, there are still the heavens. If you stop here, the day will come when you must descend. Die!"
Su Muyu swung the sword down, mirroring the exact stance the Sword Elder had taken moments before.
Mountain Peak Swordplay!
"Hold!" A furious shout rang out.
Just as Su Muyu was about to sever the Sword Elder’s head, a flash of cold light intercepted the strike. The Azure Underworld Ancient Sword clashed against another blade, forcing Su Muyu to retreat instantly. He flung the ancient sword aside and stepped back to the Crane Feather Sword, gripping its hilt with one hand.
Today’s Sword Challenge to Unrivaled had finally brought forth someone worthy of him drawing his sword.
The City Lord of Peerless City, Song Yanhui.
Song Yanhui traced an elegant arc with his sword and inclined his head slightly. "Song Yanhui, of Peerless City."
"Zhuo Yuean, of the City of Swordless World." Su Muyu glanced at the sword in Song Yanhui’s hand. "The Autumn Water Sword?"
Song Yanhui nodded. "Indeed."
"City Lord." The Sword Elder wiped the blood from his lips, his voice weary. After today, the name Jian Shanyue would likely fade from the martial world.
Song Yanhui felt a flicker of satisfaction. Jian Shanyue had long relied on his seniority to act with impunity in Peerless City, even harboring ambitions to oppose the City Lord. But after today’s battle, the position of the Martial Hall’s Grand Elder would have to change hands. With a light flick of his sword, he sent the Azure Underworld Ancient Sword flying back. "Elder, you may withdraw. Leave this to me."
"Is that the City Lord of Peerless City, Song Yanhui?"
"The Young City Lord of Swordless City’s challenge has actually forced Song Yanhui to step forward?"
"If he loses, will Peerless City even have the right to stand in the martial world anymore?"The crowd murmured in hushed tones, and Song Yanhui himself felt a pang of regret—why had he acted on impulse like that? There were so many elders who could have taken on the challenge instead.
Meanwhile, Su Muyu drew the Crane Feather Sword for the first time.
The ruby embedded in the hilt shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.
With a smile, he said, "This is the Crane Feather Sword's first strike in the martial world. You are a worthy opponent."
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