"Song Yanhui." Jian Wudi slowly uttered the name.
"Senior Brother Jian!" Song Yanhui casually twirled his sword into an elegant flourish. "It's been a long time."
Jian Wudi's voice was grave: "After all these years, why are you still stuck at this realm?"
Song Yanhui shrugged. "The longer one lingers at a realm, the stronger the breakthrough. I'm waiting for the right moment—one sword to ascend to divinity."
"A pity you won't get that chance." Jian Wudi's blade was already sheathed in a fierce golden radiance. With a downward sweep, a surge of Sword Qi lashed out.
Song Yanhui raised his sword to meet it, only to be forced back over a dozen steps before barely steadying himself. He was stunned. "To think he's grown this strong already."
Su Muyu retreated to his side and whispered a warning, "Even before his demonic transformation, he was nearly a Sword Immortal. Now that he's embraced the Demonic Body, his power is beyond measure."
Song Yanhui gave a bitter laugh. "It seems this lord of Peerless City can't defeat anyone."
"Extreme prosperity begets decline. The Demonic Body may appear overwhelmingly powerful, but it's hollow at its core. Find its weakness, and you can strike a fatal blow," Su Muyu said solemnly.
Song Yanhui suddenly understood. "You once fought Ye Dingzhi after he turned demonic. Was the situation the same as today?"
Su Muyu shook his head. "Ye Dingzhi's strength had reached unimaginable heights. Even in his demonic state, he was flawless. It took all seven of us working together to barely find a single opening—and that was only after he'd already been injured. Far from comparable to Jian Wudi now."
"Good." Song Yanhui rose to his feet. "Then I'll carve out that opening for you!"
"Song Yanhui, back then, our master saw you as an Innate Sword Talent, destined for greatness. He poured all his energy into you—gave you the finest sword, taught you the most exquisite techniques. And me? I had to train like any ordinary disciple, starting from the most basic sword forms!" Jian Wudi swung his blade. "And yet, after all this time, you're still just... mediocre!"
Song Yanhui met the strike, but the impact sent a violent tremor through his hand, nearly knocking his sword loose. Steadying himself, he managed a weak counter.
"Is this all you've got?" Jian Wudi sneered. "I heard that during my seclusion, you once performed One Sword Cuts Water. But today, your swordplay disappoints me."
"One Sword Cuts Water." Song Yanhui laughed heartily. "Hah! Very well. Since you wish to see it, I'll give you a proper look." He raised his sword, where Sword Qi condensed at its tip, emitting a chilling azure light. Then he swung down.
Before him was empty air, but to those watching below, it seemed as though Song Yanhui's blade had split the void itself.
Within that void, starlight blazed.
Jian Wudi's eyes widened. This sword, radiant with starlight, overwhelmed his golden glow. He grinned. "It seems you're not entirely worthless after all." The force of the strike sent Jian Wudi flying. He crashed heavily onto a rooftop, then smashed through it, plummeting into the building below.
Song Yanhui took a light breath and leaped onto the roof, gazing down at Jian Wudi lying in the wreckage. "No need to pretend. I know this isn't your limit."
"Doesn't this scene feel familiar?" Jian Wudi suddenly said.
Song Yanhui paused. "What?""When we were young and sparred, you knocked me to the ground time and again," Jian Wudi said with a laugh. "I kept getting up, and you kept knocking me down until I had no strength left. Back then, everyone told me I had no right to compete with you. But I refused to accept that. Later, you became the city lord, and I took charge of the Martial Hall. They all said that must be my limit."
Song Yanhuai shook his head. "I never wanted to compete with you. But you were never a likable senior brother. Your swordsmanship now surpasses mine, so why must you involve yourself in this rebellion?"
Jian Wudi chuckled. "I have no interest in rebellion. I only wish to cross swords with the strong—to defeat them, to kill them!" In an instant, he burst from the rubble, debris flying as his sword shot toward Song Yanhuai.
In the distant Sunset Tavern, a Sword Qi shattered the entire establishment, and a burly figure charged out.
Naturally, it was the Wrath Sword Immortal, Yan Zhantian.
The Flower Poison outside remained unresolved, but he had no patience to wait any longer.
"Enough!" Yan Zhantian swung his sword, and an incredibly sharp Sword Qi coiled around him, forcibly repelling the Flower Poison from his body. Relying on this overwhelmingly domineering Sword Qi, he marched resolutely toward the city gates. Even Luo Yandie, the user of the Flower Poison, likely never imagined someone could resist her Fallen Flower Ash Poison in such a manner. Step by step, he reached the city gates, spotting a carriage and its driver nearby. Sensing the driver had no martial skill, he frowned. "Why are you unharmed?"
The driver blinked. "Aren't you unharmed too?"
"I asked you a question," Yan Zhantian said, swiping his hand and knocking the driver to the ground.
The driver gritted his teeth. "You’re utterly unreasonable."
Yan Zhantian glanced at the candle on the ground. "Is it because of this candle? Such a peculiar thing... Who lit it?"
"A scholar I delivered here," the driver replied.
"A scholar?" Yan Zhantian murmured darkly.
A chill ran down the driver’s spine, and he hastily added, "He looked like a teacher, but he carried a sword at his waist. His martial skills were exceptional."
Yan Zhantian nodded. "So he’s here."
At that moment, a golden light flashed from the direction of the Longevity Sect.
The driver muttered, "What’s happening over there? It’s been glowing nonstop all night."
"What a pity! What a pity!" Yan Zhantian roared at the sky. "Coming to Sihuai City, encountering so many fine swords, yet not a single worthy battle—damn this Flower Poison!" With a furious cry, Yan Zhantian suddenly raised his Army Destroyer Sword and slashed toward the Longevity Sect.
Tiles flew as the Sword Qi carved through nearly half of Sihuai City, striking directly at the Longevity Sect.
Jian Wudi spun around, meeting the Sword Qi with his own blade.
"So domineering!" Xu An exclaimed below.
The Sword Qi came too suddenly. Jian Wudi hadn’t noticed it at first and only reacted in time to raise his sword in defense.
But his block was too hasty.
So much so that his sword was knocked from his grasp in that instant.
"Now!" Su Muyu leaped into the air.Song Yanhuai nodded and said, "There's actually an expert helping us!"
"Let's go." At the city gate, Yan Zhantian slung his longsword over his back and turned to leave.
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