They were human — or at least, something that looked human.
Every one of them wielded swords, not just in their hands, but as their hands. Where flesh should have been, blades jutted, steel fused with bone. Their leader was an aloof man cloaked in a chilling aura. He introduced himself as the Second Guardian, the Sword Demon.
From the very first clash, the difference was clear. This guardian did not rely on brute force or strange mutations like the others. His squad fought with discipline. Each swordsman moved in formation, unleashing techniques that Yu Xuan could recognize by name as they called them aloud.
"Tiger-Dominating Swordsmanship!"
"Mountain-Splitting Cut!"
"Wolf Fang Strike!"
The air glittered, their sword qi layering over one another like waves in a storm.
Yu Xuan and Lingluo avoided direct engagement with the Sword Demon at first, cutting down his subordinates instead. But the resistance was fierce.
