The Jade Ruyi shot straight downward. Su Muyu glanced upward slightly, swiftly retracting his Drizzle Sword to lightly deflect the descending artifact.
What pure Sword Qi.
Su Muyu marveled inwardly. Though not overwhelmingly powerful, the Sword Qi enveloping this Jade Ruyi was remarkably pure—like a freshly forged blade, flawless and untainted. With his gentle parry, the Jade Ruyi rebounded back to the tower of Peerless City.
Wushuang hastily pushed his Sword Box forward to catch the returning artifact. As the box snapped shut, he exhaled deeply: "How did this Sword Box move on its own?"
Song Yanhuai watched in astonishment. It wasn't the box that had moved—Wushuang had unconsciously activated the Matchless Sword Box's power. And this after merely two days of basic internal energy training? He quickly looked down—had the Jade Ruyi altered the battle below?
Liu Yunqi's body was tilting backward, collapsing into a pool of blood.
Su Muyu planted his Drizzle Sword into the ground. While the Jade Ruyi had prevented him from delivering a fatal blow, it couldn't undo his shattering of Liu Yunqi's "Ascend the Nine Heavens on a Sword" technique. With a flick of his left hand, seventeen blades returned to orbit around him before he gathered and strapped them to his waist.
"It's him! Just as I suspected!" Song Yanhuai recognized the motion—identical to what he'd seen from Dark River's Puppets. Certain now of his suspicions, he leapt down, sword drawn to shield Liu Yunqi.
Ignoring him, Su Muyu retrieved the Crane Feather Sword, wiping its dust off with his sleeve before sheathing it. "My killing intent has faded, my sword momentum spent," he stated calmly. "Draw your blade now, and I'll surely fall."
Song Yanhuai shook his head. "I understand. I won't strike a defenseless man. I only ask you spare my master's life."
"Spare him?" Su Muyu's voice remained even. "Did your master consider sparing anyone when he slaughtered every soul in Swordless City?"
With a quiet sigh, Song Yanhuai conceded, "My master's past actions were unforgivable. But as his disciple, I cannot watch him die before me. I hope you can understand, Young Master Zhuo."
"He won't live long," Su Muyu turned away. "I've shattered his Sword Heart and severed every tendon in his sword arm. He'll never hold a blade again. For a man like him, losing his identity as a swordsman means death is near."
Glancing back at Liu Yunqi—whose hand still feebly clutched the Canglongya sword though he couldn't even lift it—Song Yanhuai murmured, "Thank you, Young Master Zhuo."
"We've met before," Su Muyu suddenly revealed.
Song Yanhuai started, surprised by the admission of identity, then nodded. "Yes. During our joint campaign against the Demon Sect years ago, I witnessed your swordsmanship.""I admire you," Su Muyu said slowly. "You are very different from your master. Your swordplay lacks the heavy hostility, but it carries too much burden, preventing the sword from following its true intent. Thus, you can never reach your strongest state."
Song Yanhuai replied gravely, "Many have told me the same. But since the elders entrusted Peerless City to me, I have no choice but to bear its honor and disgrace upon my sword."
"Let us end here today. Though it is a pity I did not witness the finest sword of Peerless City," Su Muyu remarked softly.
Song Yanhuai pondered for a moment. "In a few days, by the Sword Hut on the back mountain of Peerless City, I would like to see your sword, young master."
"Very well," Su Muyu said as he walked forward.
The weapons merchant, who had been cheering earlier, whistled, and several people immediately gathered around him. The merchant said quietly, "Inform those at the World Pavilion that we end here today. This young man has won three consecutive matches—it seems no one can defeat him." He chuckled. "But a new wager is about to begin. In a few days, he will face Song Yanhuai again."
"Understood!" The men bowed and quickly withdrew.
Su Muyu took a few steps forward, then suddenly turned back, gazing at the plaque above. He murmured, "Peerless Under Heaven."
Once, the White Feather Sword Immortal had rescued his disciple from the execution grounds of Heaven Revelation City, and as he departed, he struck down the plaque above with a single sword stroke.
If today, he were to sever the words "Peerless Under Heaven" with his sword, the name of Swordless City would surely resound through the martial world once more.
Noticing Su Muyu's action, Song Yanhuai was startled and quickly gripped the hilt of his sword. "Young master, I urge you not to act rashly."
Su Muyu remained silent, staring for a long while before finally lowering his head with a faint smile and turning away.
"In seven days, we duel!"
Three days later, Snow Moon City, Cang Mountain.
Li Hanyi stood atop the mountain peak with her sword in hand. Sikong Changfeng appeared behind her, carrying a jug of wine. "Practicing swordplay on the mountain every day—don’t you find it dull?"
Li Hanyi glanced back at him. "And you, tallying accounts at the foot of the mountain—is that any more exciting?"
Sikong Changfeng scratched his head helplessly. "Don’t poke at my sore spots! I came today because I heard something truly interesting and wanted to share it with you!"
"Oh?" Li Hanyi sat on a stone bench. "You think I’ll find it interesting too? The word 'interesting' is hard to earn from me. If it falls short, I’ll send you tumbling down the mountain with a single stroke."
"Hahaha! Three days ago, beneath Peerless City, a swordsman suddenly appeared, claiming to be the son of the former lord of Swordless City. He issued a Sword Challenge to Unrivaled. Jian Shanyue, the grand elder of Peerless City’s Martial Hall, and Liu Yunqi, the former city lord, personally accepted the challenge—and both were defeated," Sikong Changfeng said solemnly.
Li Hanyi thought for a moment and shook her head. "Not very interesting. What is Peerless City? And those two you mentioned are even less noteworthy. How could such a thing be called interesting?"
"Hear me out," Sikong Changfeng set the wine jug on the table. "It is said that the swordsman finally wielded a paper umbrella, from which seventeen blades emerged, forming an Eighteen Sword Formation with the hilt."
"Su Muyu!" Li Hanyi exclaimed in shock.Sikong Changfeng nodded: "In the martial world, only Su Muyu can use this martial art. Who would have thought that someone with his temperament would issue a Sword Challenge to Unrivaled? But there's something even more interesting."
"Oh?" Li Hanyi clearly became intrigued. "What is it?"
"Su Muyu and Song Yanhui have agreed to meet seven days later at the back mountain of Peerless City," Sikong Changfeng declared loudly. "For a rematch!"
OpenNovel