Yanzhou.
The very heart of the Great Yan Dynasty—also the most prosperous and martial-arts-rich land. But despite this, martial sects weren't particularly flourishing here.
Because this was under the emperor's feet, where imperial power reigned supreme.
Numerous imperial institutions trained martial artists, martial academies were everywhere, and various armies continuously recruited fresh blood.
In the imperial capital, Taian, were countless heavyweights of the realm.
General Yanwu's Manor.
The residence wasn't particularly extravagant, but its proximity to the palace spoke volumes about its status.
At the gate stood eight elite guards like statues, their fierce aura intimidating all who approached.
General Yanwu was a true military legend of Great Yan.
Two hundred years ago, his name had already shaken the world.
Now, his martial cultivation was even deeper—immeasurable.
He was ranked second on the Heaven-Man List.
Though second,
In the eyes of the countless soldiers of Great Yan, he was the undisputed number one.
The Heaven-Man List rankings were mostly based on past battle records.
The top three hadn't changed in a long time—except when the Blade Demon had suddenly risen and replaced the previous third by killing him.
Who was truly stronger was unclear.
Unless they actually fought, there would never be a definitive answer.
A figure clad in armor stopped before the General's residence, a trace of reverence rising in his eyes.
The stoic guards respectfully saluted:
"Greetings, General Shenyu!"
General Shenyu waved slightly, then stepped forward.
Led by a servant, he passed through seven or eight corridors, eyes straight ahead the entire way, finally stopping in front of a courtyard.
The servant said:
"General Shenyu, General Yanwu is waiting for you inside."
Shenyu took a deep breath and stepped through the gate—
The scene opened up before him.
A gentle breeze stirred ripples across a jade-green lake.
In the middle, at an eight-sided pavilion, a faint figure could be seen—an elderly man in plain robes.
The reverence in Shenyu's eyes grew deeper.
He stepped forward slowly.
Though they both held the title of General, he knew—compared to the man before him, he was still green.
Just the title "Yanwu" was a symbol in itself.
Shenyu walked carefully, afraid of disturbing the old man fishing.
He stood behind him, hands respectfully at his sides, showing no impatience.
Half an hour passed.
The fishing rod in the old man's hand suddenly dipped—joy appeared on his face as he quickly reeled it in.
But the fish was heavy and fought back hard.
The old man actually struggled.
"Shenyu, lend a hand."
Shenyu immediately grabbed the rod as well.
He didn't dare use a shred of martial power—he kept even his physical strength at an ordinary human's level.
Together they worked—until finally the rod snapped upward.
A fat, shimmering fish leapt into the sunlight.
It landed in the pavilion, and oddly, stopped struggling—quivering in fear.
"A big catch, General!" Shenyu praised.
General Yanwu merely smiled faintly.
He admired his catch for a moment, rubbing its scales.
Then, somewhat laboriously, he picked it up and tossed it back into the lake.
The breeze tousled his white hair—sweat beaded on his brow.
He looked every bit like a common old man.
Even his movements were no longer nimble.
But Shenyu didn't dare show the slightest disrespect.
He knew—it had to do with the way Yanwu cultivated.
The two sat opposite each other.
General Yanwu gazed at the lake and said pensively:
"The world is like this lake. We mortals are the fish within.
Whether big or small, to transcend the waters on one's own… it's almost impossible.
But if one relies on external force to leap out—one becomes the catch of another's rod.
Life and death at their whim."
General Shenyu listened intently.
He sensed deeper meaning in the words, though he couldn't yet comprehend it.
He hadn't reached that height.
He pondered and replied:
"But someone like you, General… surely you've already leapt out of this lake."
Yanwu smiled:
"How do you know that beyond this lake… there isn't a bigger one waiting?"
Shenyu was speechless—no answer seemed right.
Yanwu shook his head and chuckled, then changed the subject:
"What do you think of this Heavenly Sword Immortal?"
Shenyu's body stiffened.
On his way here, he had already considered why Yanwu summoned him—he hadn't expected it to be about the Heavenly Sword Immortal.
The recent rumors had surprised him too.
"You mean his battle with the Heart-Seeking Sword?"
Yanwu sipped tea.
Shenyu immediately understood—surely Yanwu didn't need hearsay.
He replied:
"Back during the purge at Deadfire Abyss, a Heaven-Man Realm elder from the Demonic Sect fled to Zhenwu Mountain.
That was the first time the Heavenly Sword Immortal acted—he slashed out of nowhere and gravely wounded Old Demon Lin.
It was the first time his name was known.
But… something didn't add up.
With his current strength, he should've been able to kill Lin effortlessly. Yet he didn't."
He hesitated.
"There are two possibilities.
Either his strength was only at that level back then—
Or… he was hiding it all along."
Yanwu remained calm.
"Which do you think is more likely?"
Shenyu replied:
"I believe the latter.
How could anyone jump from the bottom of the Heaven-Man List to top ten in just a few years?
It means the Heavenly Sword Immortal has no interest in dealing with the court—
He likely hid his power to avoid interference."
His eyes narrowed—he recalled Daoist Longshan's excuse.
"And how strong do you think he is now?"
This time, Shenyu hesitated.
"To slay the Heart-Seeking Sword so easily—at least top ten.
Any higher, I can't say."
Yanwu smiled:
"Let me tell you this—even the Daychaser Sword King couldn't kill the Heart-Seeking Sword so easily."
Shenyu's spirit jolted.
That meant—
In Yanwu's eyes, the Heavenly Sword Immortal already had the qualifications to contend for number one.
Maybe… he already was number one!
Even Shenyu couldn't gauge the strength of the Heaven-Man List's top ten.
But if Yanwu said so—it had to be true.
He couldn't help but marvel:
"The Heavenly Sword Immortal is that powerful?"
Yanwu sighed:
"He's no ordinary man.
Maybe he's the fish who truly leapt out of the lake."
"The world says his time is nearly up—
But they don't know that those nearing death often have the greatest courage and boldness."
He stood, looking over the lake—
As if he saw the entire realm and all its strife.
"The Demonic Sect stirs once more—now allied with the Southern Alliance.
Troubled times.
The Heavenly Sword Immortal is an anomaly.
We must bind him to our court's chariot."
Shenyu's pupils contracted.
But he couldn't help saying:
"General… the Demonic Sect is just a bunch of clowns.
If things really go south, Martial Saint—"
He didn't finish—Yanwu glanced at him.
That glance stirred a storm in his heart.
The implication…
Even the Martial Saint might not guarantee success?
Had something happened to the Martial Saint?
Or… did the Demonic Sect and Southern Alliance have ways to counter him?
Yanwu said quietly:
"Whatever the reason, the Heavenly Sword Immortal seems to distrust our court.
At the very least—he must not fall into Southern Alliance hands.
Luckily, the Demonic Sect and Southern Alliance seem to be hostile toward Zhenwu Sect.
Shenyu—look into this.
From now on, you'll be stationed in Qingzhou."
Shenyu respectfully replied:
"Yes, sir!"
He turned and left.
From a few scattered words, he already knew—
The Heavenly Sword Immortal was far stronger than he'd imagined.
And extremely important to the court.
Yanwu sighed gently.
He glanced toward the palace, then picked up his fishing rod again.
"Just hope… you wake up soon."
…
Falling Sun Sword Sect.
Sword King Peak.
An endless Sword Burial Ground stretched into the horizon.
Figures waited respectfully outside.
"Ancestor, that's how it went.
Now everyone says the Heavenly Sword Immortal might challenge for number one.
Hmph. Absurd.
If you hadn't stayed secluded, how could he ever shine?"
"Even killing the Heart-Seeking Sword is nothing.
How could he compare to you, Ancestor?"
Voices of indignation rang out.
The Heavenly Sword Immortal's fame soared.
Many thought he was already top five—
Some of his diehard fans even claimed the Daychaser Sword King couldn't match him.
Naturally, that annoyed the Falling Sun Sect.
Until now,
Thanks to the Daychaser Sword King's 160-year reign over the sword path,
They had gradually been seen as the top sword sect.
Now, that title was wavering.
"Especially Zhenwu Sect's fake generosity—opening the Sword Stele and Myriad Dao Tower.
They're fools.
One day their techniques will be known to all—
And that might be the day they're wiped out."
It had to be said—
Zhenwu Sect's move made many sects secretly uncomfortable.
They couldn't avoid being compared—
And came off as stingy and narrow-minded.
As they finished speaking,
From deep within the Sword Burial Ground—
Something stirred.
Layers of sword intent vibrated—gathering into a mighty voice:
"You wish me to act?"
Sensing the anger in that voice, everyone dropped to their knees in terror.
"Ancestor, we wouldn't dare.
We just want the Falling Sun Sword Sect to firmly hold the title of the top sword sect!"
The voice carried disappointment:
"Useless lot!"
"To be the top sword sect—
You can't rely on standing on someone else's shoulders.
You need true strength.
Even if you force your way up, someone will eventually pull you down.
I've been in seclusion for years—
And this is what the sect has become?
You deserve punishment!"
Everyone broke into cold sweat, begging for forgiveness.
At last, the voice calmed.
"The Heavenly Sword Immortal…
I didn't expect such a formidable figure to emerge in just a few decades.
To condense his sword intent for all to comprehend—
That's a bold and brilliant move.
I pale in comparison.
This world… is truly fascinating."
Everyone was shaken.
Someone couldn't help but ask:"Ancestor, could it be… even you are no match for the Heavenly Sword Immortal…?"
He asked this trembling in fear.
The Daychaser Sword King's voice remained calm and steady:"If it were before, perhaps not. But now, it's hard to say who would win."
"But even if that's the case, so what?
You all must remember—if you're obsessed with something as trivial as reputation, how can you ever reach the pinnacle of the sword path?
Even if you become the number one swordsman in the world—what use is it?
As swordsmen, we should set our sights high.
Since we've stepped onto the sword path, we must aim for its highest peak.
If we don't become Sword Saints, we're nothing more than ants."
Everyone was ashamed.
Someone's eyes lit up and asked:"Ancestor… could it be you've already taken that step?"
The Daychaser Sword King's voice held a trace of melancholy:"It's unimaginably difficult. I've only touched a faint clue. I just wish I had another thousand years of life."
He continued:"The Heavenly Sword Immortal has great courage.
His establishment of the Zhenwu Sword Stele—I think it's a fine move.
In fact, it has inspired me. I might follow suit in the future.
You all shouldn't be envious—be humble.
Only then can our Falling Sun Sword Sect endure for generations.
If we become like Wenjian Pavilion, forgetting that there's always someone stronger… one day, we'll fall into total ruin."
His earnest words made everyone bow their heads even lower.
Layer after layer of sword intent stirred reflection in their hearts, making them realize how restless and impetuous they had become over the years.
"Thank you for your guidance, Ancestor!"
The Daychaser Sword King's voice gradually quieted:"With someone like the Heavenly Sword Immortal in the world of swordsmanship, my path is not a lonely one.
Once I finish this seclusion, I will go visit him and exchange pointers.
To have a fellow traveler—what a rare fortune that would be."
Everyone felt deeply embarrassed.
They had assumed the ancestor would be displeased by the comparison.
But now they understood—his realm was far beyond what they could fathom.
…
A hillside.
A barefoot old man with messy hair walked forward.
Through the gaps in his hair, his eyes were cold—madly indifferent.
"D*mn it. Just a scruffy old geezer!"
Laughter erupted.
A group of bandits emerged from the woods, shamelessly sizing up the old man.
Spitting to the side, one of them laughed:"Come here, old man. Crawl under Uncle Liu's dragon crotch!"
The group roared with laughter.
"Didn't know you were into this, Leper Liu!"
Leper Liu cackled:"Shows what you know. Old men have their own kind of charm."
The laughter grew louder.
But the old man acted like he heard nothing.
He kept walking.
The sound of his bare feet dragging over leaves and stones echoed in the forest, irritating the bandits even more.
Leper Liu got angry:"Motherf***er, turns out you're a deaf lunatic!"
He raised his machete and stepped forward, ready to hack the old man in two.
The old man finally moved.
He glanced sideways—
Leper Liu suddenly felt as if he'd fallen into an ice cave.
Those eyes… what kind of eyes were those?
Brimming with a terrifying madness, they sucked people in.
In a flash, he felt the message in them: "You dare wield a blade?"
Then—he fell completely silent.
The old man walked past.
The forest grew utterly still.
All the bandits were frozen like statues.
After the old man had completely passed through—
Each statue split at the forehead, blood lines blooming into sprays of gore, their bodies falling apart with terrifying precision.
The old man lifted a pitch-black item in his hand.
His eyes finally showed a flicker of emotion.
Looking closely—it appeared to be a blade hilt.
Once, it had been a peerless divine blade.
Now, only the hilt remained.
This was the old man's path.
When even the hilt disappeared—that would be the day his blade path reached perfection.
But that was no easy feat.
He needed to find the right method.
The old man continued wandering the forest, seemingly aimless.
Passing by a teahouse, someone glanced at him and quickly looked away, continuing their loud chatter:"Speaking of the Heavenly Sword Immortal—he only used the Sword Stele to summon heavenly thunder, manifesting thirty-six heavenly swords and slaying the Heart-Seeking Sword ranked fourteenth on the Heaven-Man List!
Absolutely incredible! Nearly as shocking as when the Blade Demon took down the third-ranked expert back in the day!"
"In my view, the Heavenly Sword Immortal might not just be on par with the Daychaser Sword King—
He might even be able to fight the Blade Demon."
The old man's footsteps paused.
His eyes flickered with rare clarity.
Memories from long ago rose to the surface.
"Heavenly Sword Immortal…?"
He murmured to himself.
In that moment, he understood—
How to make his blade hilt finally vanish.
…
A bustling town.
A blind storyteller recounted recent events.
When he got to the duel between the Heavenly Sword Immortal and the Heart-Seeking Sword, he embellished liberally—
Thirty-six heavenly swords tore through the sky; the Heart-Seeking Sword pierced the earth with one slash.
Their battle darkened the heavens and shook the earth.
In the end, the Heart-Seeking Sword lost and was slain.
The crowd was thrilled.
They clamored for more, shouting: "One more story! One more!"
The blind old man chuckled:"In that case, let me tell you a tale from my hometown—about the Sky-Slaying Martial Saint. I guarantee it'll be even more exciting!"
The crowd cheered.
The old man began his tale.
But his thoughts stirred slightly.
"Heavenly Sword Immortal?
Bursting into the world like a bolt of lightning?
Interesting…
I wonder… could he be an old friend?"
He smiled.
Maybe he'd go visit the Zhenwu Sword Stele sometime.
He didn't know why—
But he remembered that young man who had once listened to his stories in the rain.
There were few people in the world he couldn't read.
That young man was one of them.
But he never liked peeking into others' secrets—
Just as he disliked others peeking into his.
Someone noticed his silence and quickly urged:"Then what happened? What happened to the Sky-Slaying Martial Saint?"
The old man smiled:"They say… he was struck by divine punishment—
Then rescued by a young girl.
After that, he married her and lived a simple life…"
…
The entire Great Yan.
Was abuzz with talk of the Heavenly Sword Immortal.
Even ancient monsters hidden deep in seclusion had been stirred.
Most people just watched the excitement.
They knew the Heavenly Sword Immortal had slain the Heart-Seeking Sword.
But how strong was he, really?
They had no concept.
Only those at that level understood.
The Heavenly Sword Immortal—
Had truly ascended to the peak of martial strength.
Many eyes now watched with deep meaning.
Top sects, the imperial court, the Demonic Sect, the Southern Alliance—
Even the Northern Barbarians—
Were quietly discussing it.
A powerhouse of this caliber—
Was a real threat.
One that had to be taken seriously.
In that sense—
Ning Qi's show of force had worked brilliantly.
At least in the short term,
The Demonic Sect and Southern Alliance wouldn't dare act rashly.
They might continue small moves—
But nothing openly vicious.
Meanwhile, Zhenwu Mountain—
Had never been more lively.
After reopening its gates,
The Zhenwu Sword Stele attracted even more swordsmen than before.
As for the Myriad Dao Tower—
Martial artists were more cautious.
After all, it required a one-for-one exchange.
They had to give up their own martial arts to gain new ones—
Many hesitated.
But someone always tried it first.
And once inside—
They came out ecstatic.
The Zhenwu Sword Stele was excellent—
But its threshold was high.
Only those with strong comprehension and sword cultivation could gain insights.
Not so for the Myriad Dao Tower.
Thanks to Ning Qi's restructuring, its levels were clearly defined.
Anyone who entered gained something.
A fair exchange.
There was no way to lose.
Those who had gone in began spreading the word like wildfire.
More and more people entered the Myriad Dao Tower.
In no time, it was packed.
Luo Wentian beamed and issued the management rules he had long prepared,
Guiding the martial artists to enter in an orderly fashion.
He was delighted by the tower's popularity.
Given enough time—
This would become Zhenwu Sect's legacy.
All martial arts under heaven gathered within.
It would become a true Myriad Dao Tower.
He looked toward the Seeking Dao Courtyard, full of admiration for his Ninth Junior Brother.
A true monster unseen for ages.
His thinking was on a whole different level.
If Wenjian Pavilion had had such boldness—
They might've become the top sword sect long ago.
Zhenwu Sect flourished.
And Ning Qi was content.
He leafed through Wenjian Pavilion's countless manuals—
Inside were many secret techniques and stories.
He gained a lot.
Back when those thirty-six Heavenly Swords struck,
Tang Qiu had been scared witless.
He dared not hide a thing—
All their manuals were copied in full.
He didn't dare risk the Heavenly Sword Immortal noticing.
Even the "unimportant" ones—he brought the originals.
As for the Enlightenment Tea Tree nearby—
It had shot up again before the upcoming Zhenwu Peach Blossom Festival.
It now stood level with Ning Qi.
The reason was simple.
The corpses of Gu Changhe and another Heaven-Man elder from Wenjian Pavilion—
Were buried beneath it, nourishing its growth.
Ning Qi felt—
Once he finished digesting this trove from Wenjian Pavilion,
His foundation would greatly strengthen.
Especially with the feedback he now regularly received from both the Zhenwu Sword Stele and Myriad Dao Tower—
His growth rate was vastly faster than before.
But for now—
What he focused on most was the records in Wenjian Pavilion's manuals—
Regarding the realm of the Martial Saint.
With a millennium of heritage,
Wenjian Pavilion might hold some clues.
Ning Qi continued flipping the pages with patience.