The Southern Sword Master, Duanshuai, although wielding the Fire Kirin Sword, was a righteous man and never succumbed to the weapon's malevolent influence.
Had Duanshuai not disappeared so early, perhaps Duanlang would have turned out differently. It's even possible the Duan family had methods to counter the Fire Kirin Sword's sinister aura, much like the Nie family's Ice Heart Technique to control the Madness Blood.
But all of that was just speculation. The reality was that Duanlang was now deeply corrupted by the Fire Kirin Sword. At this moment, consumed by the sword's influence and his own hatred, he was determined to kill Bu Jingyun. Using the full force of his Sun-Eclipsing Sword Technique, fiery red sword shadows enveloped Bu Jingyun, who struggled to defend himself with his still-maturing Kirin Arm.
On the sidelines, Chu Chu tried to rush forward to help Bu Jingyun but was firmly held back by Jian Chen. Seeing her attempt, Daniel Davis shook his head slightly. Someone with no martial skills could only be a distraction and put Bu Jingyun in greater danger.
Just as Bu Jingyun was in a perilous position, a red sword beam suddenly shot out from the side, striking the Fire Kirin Sword and interrupting Duanlang's attack.
"Since none of you can wait any longer, there's no need to wait until tomorrow for the Sword Festival. It begins now."
The one who intervened was from Sword Worship Manor. Despite the commotion near the sword pool, they had been observing in silence. They only acted now because Duanlang's obsession with killing Bu Jingyun risked spiraling out of control. In fact, Sword Worship Manor might not have intervened at all if Duanlang hadn't become so aggressive.
"Jian Mo, it's your turn."
"Madam Ao, don't forget our agreement."
"Don't worry. Fulfill this task, and I will honor my promise," Madam Ao replied coldly.
The Sword Demon, known for his unyielding devotion, looked thrilled after receiving Madam Ao's assurance. With a sinister gleam in his eyes, he extended his right hand. His Vein-Severing Sword Qi surged forth, forcing Jian Tan, who had been lurking in the shadows, to reveal himself.
Jian Tan, infamous for his obsession with collecting swords, was drawn to the Peerless Sword like a moth to a flame. While he was a formidable martial artist, his preference was to act from the shadows, avoiding direct confrontations. He had lived a relatively smooth life with this approach—until now.
In Daniel's opinion, while Jian Tan's obsession with swords bordered on madness, he was pragmatic enough to avoid crossing certain lines. For instance, no matter how much he might covet the Hero Sword, he wouldn't dare take it.
"Jian Mo, this is Sword Worship Manor's business. What does it have to do with you?" Jian Tan protested after being forced into the open. But Jian Mo didn't bother responding. Instead, two more Vein-Severing Sword Qi attacks shot toward him.
Barely dodging these, Jian Tan was struck by a third, which pierced his right shoulder, leaving blood streaming down his arm.
After injuring Jian Tan, Jian Mo shifted his focus to Duanlang. Despite defending himself with the Fire Kirin Sword against two attacks, Duanlang was hit by the third, leaving his arm bloodied as well.
"Jian Mo! Do you think you can bully me?" Enraged, Duanlang's face darkened. But just as he was about to retaliate, Jian Tan's voice interrupted him.
"Jian Mo! Ao Tian! What are you trying to do?"
Hearing Jian Tan's words, Duanlang and the others turned their attention to the ground. Following Jian Tan's gaze, they noticed the blood from their wounds flowing along grooves in the floor, converging toward the sword pool.
The sudden realization shifted everyone's focus to Jian Mo, Ao Tian, and the rest of Sword Worship Manor's people.
"The Peerless Sword is finally complete," one of Sword Worship Manor's forgers exclaimed, his face alight with excitement as the sword pool burst into roaring flames.
"Now that it's come to this, what's the harm in telling you?" Ao Tian sneered, explaining their plans to gather the three poisons—Greed, Lust, and Obsession.
"So that's why you kept inviting me, practically begging me to come, even inviting these two. Turns out this so-called Sword Festival is nothing but a sword sacrifice."
The realization dawned on everyone. Normally, Sword Worship Manor wouldn't publicize the creation of a legendary sword unless it was for an auction. Inviting people repeatedly to compete for the sword was out of character and raised suspicions. Yet the allure of the Peerless Sword was so great that most chose to ignore these doubts.
"Master Ao, the Peerless Sword has been forged. Please enter the sword pool to retrieve it," one of the blacksmiths announced.
"But which one is it?" The pool was filled with hundreds of identical swords, each resembling the Peerless Sword. It was impossible to tell which one was the real deal.
"I don't know either," the blacksmith admitted. "A legendary sword has a soul. It will choose its master. If the young master is fated, he will naturally find the real Peerless Sword."
"And if I'm not fated?" Ao Tian asked, his tone sharp.
"Then it will find someone else," the blacksmith replied, shaking his head.
"Isn't there any way to identify the real Peerless Sword?" Madam Ao interjected, her concern evident. For her, the Peerless Sword was not just a matter of pride—it was a means to secure her son's legacy and the future of Sword Worship Manor.
"No, Madam. There is no other way."
"I refuse to believe that my Sword Worship Manor's expertise in sword appraisal cannot identify the Peerless Sword," Ao Tian declared, stepping into the sword pool. After carefully inspecting the swords, he selected one.
"This blade's energy is restrained. It must be the one." As the heir of Sword Worship Manor, Ao Tian's skill in forging and appraising swords was unmatched.
But as Ao Tian proudly held up the sword, Duanlang sneered. With a flash of red light from his Fire Kirin Sword, a sharp crack echoed through the air. Ao Tian's chosen sword was shattered into two pieces.
"Impossible. It must be this one," Ao Tian muttered, hurriedly grabbing another sword, only for Duanlang to destroy it as well.
For Duanlang, the Peerless Sword held no value. His sole purpose in coming to Sword Worship Manor was to destroy it. He couldn't tolerate the existence of a sword surpassing the Fire Kirin Sword.
"What Peerless Sword? The Fire Kirin Sword is the greatest weapon!" Duanlang proclaimed, slashing wildly at the surrounding swords. He had his own method of identifying the Peerless Sword: by using the Fire Kirin Sword to destroy all the swords in the pool. If one sword remained unscathed, it would undoubtedly be the Peerless Sword.
Seeing this, Ao Tian stepped back, deciding to let Duanlang's destruction reveal the Peerless Sword before attempting to seize it for himself.
Bu Jingyun, meanwhile, rushed into the sword pool, determined to claim the Peerless Sword to break the Time-Sealed Stone in the Nie family's ancestral tomb. Despite the heat, which burned his flesh in several places, he pressed on with unwavering resolve. With the strength of his Kirin Arm and his indomitable will, he grasped the Peerless Sword.
The surrounding swordsmen immediately recognized that this was the true Peerless Sword. Its sheer power made it unmistakable. Ao Tian tried to approach, but the intense heat forced him to retreat after advancing only three meters. Even Madam Ao's desperate urgings couldn't compel him to go further.
Duanlang attempted to approach as well but fared no better, stopping just half a meter beyond Ao Tian's position. Jian Tan, too, hesitated, valuing his life over the sword.
Only Bu Jingyun, with his Kirin Arm, could withstand the Peerless Sword's searing heat. His body covered in burns, he finally took hold of the sword, its power resonating with his own.
Seeing Bu Jingyun wield the Peerless Sword, Duanlang was furious. Brandishing the Fire Kirin Sword, he charged at Bu Jingyun. But now armed with the Peerless Sword, Bu Jingyun easily turned the tide, suppressing Duanlang's fiery assault.
"Jian Mo, remember our agreement!" Madam Ao shouted.
"Don't worry. No one will take the Peerless Sword from here today," Jian Mo replied coldly. He then unleashed Vein-Severing Sword Qi toward both Bu Jingyun and Duanlang.
"Jian Chen, take Chu Chu and leave!" Bu Jingyun shouted as he deflected Jian Mo's attack with the Peerless Sword.
"Be careful!" Jian Chen hesitated for a moment before grabbing Chu Chu's hand and fleeing. The steward of Sword Worship Manor ordered his men to capture them, but Jian Chen, even with the Hero Sword broken, was still more than a match for them.
The ensuing chaos saw Jian Tan flee first, leaving behind a parting threat. Daniel, who had been watching from the shadows, prepared to intervene just as a sudden gust of wind signaled Nie Feng's arrival.
"Brother Yun!" Nie Feng cried, rushing to support the injured Bu Jingyun.
Without the Xueyin Blade and the Ao Han Six Techniques—both of which
Daniel had removed from the equation—Nie Feng's strength hadn't significantly increased. As a result, Jian Mo's Vein-Severing Sword Qi stopped his attempted escape.
Duanlang, seeing Nie Feng's arrival, decided to slip away.
"Jian Mo, I've finally found you. This time, you won't escape."
A cold, gravelly voice echoed from outside. A shadowy figure moved like a ghost, appearing beside Jian Mo. Before the Sword Demon could react, his neck was seized, and he was dragged away.
The unexpected intervention stunned everyone. Taking advantage of the confusion, Nie Feng carried Bu Jingyun out of the sword pool.
"It's over. Now, it's my turn," Daniel muttered, stepping out of the shadows. He had been waiting for the right moment, and with Jian Mo gone, his target was clear—Duanlang.
"Duanlang."
Duanlang, trying to find a place to treat his wounds, froze as a black-clad figure appeared in his path.
"Who are you?" Duanlang demanded, drawing the Fire Kirin Sword.
"The one who will kill you," Daniel replied calmly.
"Kill me? Do you think you're worthy? Fire Kirin Devours the Sun!" Duanlang roared, unleashing the strongest move of the Sun-Eclipsing Sword Technique.
"Pathetic."
With a casual motion, Daniel raised his hand and dispelled the fiery sword web. Then, to Duanlang's horror, Daniel grabbed the Fire Kirin Sword barehanded.
"How is this possible?" Duanlang's face paled. Even Xiongba couldn't accomplish such a feat.
In one swift motion, Daniel disarmed Duanlang, catching the Fire Kirin Sword as it flew from his hands.
"Why are you doing this? I've never wronged you!" Duanlang cried out, desperation overtaking his arrogance.
"No, you haven't wronged me. But I'm a friend of Nie Renwang. You've targeted his son time and again. He may be too kind to deal with you, but I am not."
"For Nie Feng?!" Duanlang's voice trembled with rage and despair.
"Yes."
"I refuse to accept this!" Duanlang erupted, his buried grievances pouring out. "Why? Why is he celebrated as the lofty Hall Master of the Divine Wind Hall, while I, with superior talent, am reduced to being a despised servant?"
His voice echoed with years of pent-up bitterness, but Daniel's expression remained indifferent.
"That's precisely why."
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Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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