The Three Thousand Sword Guards were the envy of countless human citizens on the entire Python Island. Unfortunately, to be selected, one had to be an exceptionally gifted genius. Even the reserve candidates found it nearly impossible to qualify.
This alone proved that Lord of Whitecloud City was a perfectionist. He tolerated no flaws.
At the Summit – Whitecloud City
Ye Gucheng of Whitecloud City.
Skyborne Sword – Named "Feixian"Once the Immortal Soars, No Other Can Follow.
Ye Gucheng's Skyborne Sword (Tianwai Feixian) was widely regarded as the most exquisite sword intent in all of swordsmanship. Now, within the Eternal World, given Ye Gucheng's unmatched talent in sword dao, he was undoubtedly one of the most powerful sword cultivators under the heavens. Moreover, this technique would certainly evolve into something even more terrifying. No one knew how strong he had become.
Now that his sword dao was being fully extrapolated by the Heavenly Dao in this world, the edge it could reveal was unimaginable.
"Such powerful sword intent. A true peerless sword cultivator."
Yi Tianxing and his group, aboard the Skyship, arrived at the outskirts of Whitecloud City in no time thanks to its astonishing speed.
One had to admit, the scale of Whitecloud City was awe-inspiring. To be able to build such an immortal city under the constant threat of the countless pythons on Python Island was no small feat. Without a doubt, it owed much to Ye Gucheng's overwhelming strength. His sharp sword intent kept most of the serpents away. As if approaching the city meant facing an unimaginable threat.
This sword intent tore through any form of hostility.
"Ye Gucheng, let this emperor witness your Skyborne Sword! This sword of mine shall cleave the heavens!!"
A flicker of interest surged in Yi Tianxing's heart. A flash of light, and the Heaven-Cleaving Sword appeared in his hand. Without hesitation, he swung a strike toward Whitecloud City.
This sword was infused with the full force of his Heaven-Cleaving Sword Intent, which echoed with countless crisp and murderous tones, manifesting an unyielding will to cleave even the heavens.
If the heavens stand in my way, I shall cleave them down with my sword.
A golden sword light stretched over three thousand zhang, splitting the white clouds above.The sword glowed gold, tearing through the skies.
This was Three-Tribulation Sword Intent, and could be said to rival that of any pure sword cultivator.
"What a fine sword. What an extraordinary Heaven-Cleaving Sword Intent. Take this—Skyborne Sword!"
A voice filled with excitement rang out from within Whitecloud City.
Without doubt, it was Ye Gucheng. Facing such powerful sword intent, his fighting spirit surged, and without hesitation, he unleashed his most supreme sword technique.
Whoosh!!
A sword light as ethereal as drifting white clouds burst from the city. Within that sword light was an incredibly powerful sword intent—it was flawlessly perfect, like an immortal descending from the heavens.
Beauty.
That was the only way to describe it. Within the white clouds, countless beautiful fairies danced.
But this dance was a sword dance.
A fusion of the sharpness of swordsmanship and the allure of graceful movement—it captivated the heart and soul. The moment one witnessed it, time itself seemed to stop. The viewer would no longer care for the world outside this beauty, completely immersed.
It was a sword intent so beautiful one didn't want to wake from it.
Yet hidden within this beauty was deadly killing intent.
When Ye Gucheng created this technique, he knew clearly that the sword was made to kill. Beauty was merely a veil to conceal the fatal strike.
In truth, it was a sword of supreme lethality.
Its speed was so extreme that it was nearly impossible to follow. Death would come in an instant, and even the slain might die without realizing it, immersed in the dreamlike allure—forever.
The Skyborne Sword Intent and Heaven-Cleaving Sword Intent collided in the sky.
Every strand of sword intent clashed.
The surrounding space twisted. Countless clouds were shredded.
This was a clash of will against will.
The two sword intents filled the sky. The citizens of Whitecloud City who witnessed it dared not look directly at the light—they felt stabbing pain in their eyes, as though their very bodies would be torn apart.
"Three-Tribulation Sword Intent... this Lord of Whitecloud City has truly reached the Three-Tribulation realm. His sword is even fused with his life aperture power, forming a Life-Bound Sword Core. One sword births clouds; another summons the immortal. Such swordsmanship borders on perfection. Once he reaches the pinnacle, he'll become a true divine figure of the sword—a transcendent immortal."
Sikong Zhaixing exclaimed with deep admiration.
To transcend martial intent was to walk another path. The strength revealed was equally fearsome.
A sword cultivator like Ye Gucheng could easily defeat countless enemies with a single strike.
One sword to break ten thousand techniques.When my sword is drawn, none shall stand.I am invincible. I am supreme.
Such sword cultivators could fight across realms. With Three-Tribulation Sword Intent, he could match even Life Map Realm cultivators, and his true combat power might already reach the Manifestation Realm—no one could accurately estimate it.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Countless sword lights collided and annihilated each other.
Unnoticed, both sword intents eventually disintegrated into the void.
This clash had only been a contest of sword intent, not actual combat—no physical bodies or true essence techniques were used.
Otherwise, the difference in cultivation would have overwhelmed the other's sword intent.
"The sword intent formed from the Heaven-Cleaving Sword Technique is indeed formidable. This is only one form of it. If I can refine the other techniques and merge them, it will evolve into the true Heaven-Slaying Sword Intent, powerful enough to kill gods and destroy the heavens."
Yi Tianxing mused inwardly.
The Heaven-Slaying Sword Canon (Zhutian Jiandian) was a supreme sword technique with boundless potential. After years of study, he had fully mastered its three known sword forms: Cleave Heaven, Collapse Heaven, and Break Heaven—each forming their own sword intent.
Now, the fourth sword technique was already taking shape. Soon, he would grasp it. This was a step toward completing the Heaven-Slaying Sword Canon.
"Who are you?"
A white-robed youth stepped into the air, holding a snow-white battle sword—the Feixian Sword, a spiritual sword artifact fused with his life-bound sword core. Damage to the sword was damage to him; glory for the sword was glory for him. It was the perfect match, multiplying his combat power.
Ye Gucheng was incredibly handsome, with an aura of steely determination and ethereal grace. Standing in mid-air, he looked as though he could vanish with the wind—like a banished immortal.
"Yi Tianxing, Emperor of the Great Yi Dynasty."
Yi Tianxing responded calmly.
He looked at Ye Gucheng, inwardly impressed. He truly had the bearing of a transcendent immortal. And a pride born from within—one he rightfully earned.
"Great Yi Dynasty... so you're the legendary Yi Emperor. No wonder your swordsmanship is so profound. But it's a pity—you're not a pure sword cultivator. If you were, your achievements would be even greater."
Ye Gucheng's eyes flashed with a subtle emotion, followed by a trace of regret.
In his heart, the sword was everything—something he would give everything for.
"Swordsmanship is merely one way to protect my path. It's a survival tool. For me, any technique that protects my body and path is a good technique," Yi Tianxing replied with a smile.
He never intended to specialize solely in sword dao. Whether sword, palm, or fist—whatever brought out his strength was the best choice. All else was secondary.
"Did the Yi Emperor come here for the python tribe? To rescue the human people living here?"
Ye Gucheng wasn't a naive sword fanatic. He noticed the massive skyship in the air, along with a large contingent of soldiers. In a flash, he understood.
He was no stranger to the Great Yi Dynasty. The Heavenly Dao had proclaimed its name many times. No one could forget it.
And now, Great Yi had grown so powerful it could reach out beyond its own region and step into the sea—already close to Python Island. That was fate.
"What does Lord Ye think of the current situation on Python Island?"
Yi Tianxing didn't answer directly, but posed a question instead.
Ye Gucheng fell silent, then replied:
"So you named this land Python Island. Fitting. Though I hate to admit it, this island is indeed dominated by the python tribe. Despite my efforts, I can do nothing against the Heaven-Swallowing Python King—that beast even dares to devour my sword intent. The most I can do is protect the humans in the region around Whitecloud City. I have no means to change the larger situation. I feel ashamed."
He was a sword cultivator, but not heartless. Before being a swordsman, he was a man—a part of the human race. If he had the power, how could he bear to watch humans suffer?
But sometimes, one's heart was willing while one's strength was not. He simply lacked the means to resist or change the situation.
"Would Lord Ye be interested in seeing a broader world? The strength of one's sword dao also lies in experience. The broader the vision, the stronger the sword becomes."
Yi Tianxing smiled.
From Ye Gucheng's words, he could tell the man spoke sincerely. He was still loyal to the human race. That alone was enough.
The human race needed strong warriors. The more the better—as long as they weren't truly heartless or arrogant.