All eyes were on him.
The Blade Demon walked forward slowly.
The Falling Sun Sword Sect was a breathtaking sight, with silver waterfalls cascading down. Ever since the rise of the Daychaser Sword King, the sect had climbed rapidly to prominence. It now vaguely held the position of the top sword cultivation sacred ground in the world, housing places like the Sword Burial Pool and Sword King Peak.
In the past—
The Falling Sun Sword Sect rarely received outsiders.
But the Blade Demon's challenge today was a grand event. Naturally, they couldn't show weakness, and thus allowed many martial artists to watch from the outskirts. While marveling at the sect's deep heritage, everyone was also eagerly anticipating the upcoming battle.
Regardless of how the Blade Demon viewed things—
The Daychaser Sword King was now publicly recognized as the highest-ranked swordsman.
Fifth on the Heaven-Man List!
A true peerless powerhouse standing atop Great Yan. Even if hidden reclusive monsters were taken into account, this ranking held firm.
The Blade Demon stood at the foot of Sword King Peak. His pitch-black pupils gazed ahead and rippled faintly—he sensed an immensely powerful sword intent concealed there. If he wasn't mistaken, that one had walked a path similar to his own.
A surge of battle intent rose within him. He realized the Daychaser Sword King was even stronger than he had imagined.
His blade intent soared into the sky, sweeping across the layered clouds. An invisible vortex began to form. Countless people were chilled by this demonic blade intent. Those who had watched every one of the Blade Demon's battles since his reemergence were particularly excited.
They were the Blade Demon's loyal followers, and could clearly see—he was even stronger now than when he had just returned.
This confirmed what everyone had suspected. The Blade Demon's return was to test his blade against the strongest in the world, aiming to reach the supreme realm.
The entire Falling Sun Sword Sect gathered at Sword King Peak.
Shock filled their hearts as they bowed in unison and shouted:
"Ancestor, please descend the mountain!"
Countless gazes gathered atop Sword King Peak. This peak too held many mysterious legends. It was said to be the place where the Daychaser Sword King comprehended his swordsmanship. Once just an ordinary mountain, over time, every flower, blade of grass, tree, and stone became infused with sword intent—thus it was named Sword King Peak.
In the past, people still doubted whether this legend was simply hype from the Falling Sun Sword Sect to boost their fame.
But today's sight—
Proved how shallow they had been.
As the sect disciples finished their unified call, everyone watched as the previously silent Sword King Peak seemed to come alive. Streams of sword intent soared into the air, gathering into a grand form, like a blazing sun, leaving all onlookers speechless.
A calm voice echoed out:
"Stand back."
Everyone focused their eyes. Across from the Blade Demon stood a figure—an old man with sword-like brows and a majestic presence. He stood there casually, yet exuded a presence that could swallow mountains and rivers.
One who dared to take the title "Daychaser" clearly was no ordinary man.
The Daychaser Sword King looked at the Blade Demon opposite him. His eyes fell on the blade hilt at the man's waist, a serious look in his gaze.
He softly remarked:
"The world truly hides dragons and crouching tigers. First came the unheard-of Heavenly Sword True One, and now you appear, invincible. I fear your blade... is nearly complete."
Everyone was stunned.
Even the Daychaser Sword King mentioned the Heavenly Sword True One—and seemed to admire him deeply.
The Blade Demon slowly opened his mouth. His voice was raspy:
"Still a bit lacking. You're not bad either."
The Daychaser Sword King laughed heartily, as if meeting a kindred spirit.
"Shall we decide the outcome in three moves?"
"Alright."
The Blade Demon's tone remained as calm as ever, but everyone was shocked. Since his return, the Blade Demon had rarely spoken. He had said a few words after defeating the Thunderblade Master, but now, before the battle even began, he was already conversing peacefully with the Daychaser Sword King. Clearly, he took the man seriously.
The crowd held their breath in anticipation.
They widened their eyes, even relaxed their breathing, afraid to disturb the upcoming clash between two supreme beings.
In an instant—
Wind and clouds shifted.
The Daychaser Sword King pointed with a finger. Towering sword intent gathered and transformed into a blazing sun suspended in the sky. Even from a distance, the immense pressure was palpable. Compared to this, divine mountains, ancient rivers, and deep seas all seemed small and powerless.
His name, Daychaser, did not mean chasing the sun like Kuafu, but rather that his sword intent was as vast and boundless as the sun.
The instant he struck, countless people were shaken. Such sword intent was rarely seen in the world. The Daychaser Sword King hadn't acted for a long time—clearly, he had grown even stronger.
The Blade Demon's black pupils rippled. Battle spirit surged in his heart. He gently caressed his blade hilt.
A terrifying demonic aura rose around him. He now seemed fused with the demon blade. Someone recognized the strike—this was the very same Human-Demon Blade that defeated the Thunderblade Master!
With just one move—
These two had already far outstripped all others.
The crowd finally understood.
The top five on the Heaven-Man List had reached a whole different level—far above others.
The blazing sun descended with boundless pressure, while the pitch-black demon blade rose against the current, radiating an aura that could sever all.
Like oil to fire—
Hissing sounds echoed throughout the void. The sun sought to engulf the demon blade, while the demon blade aimed to destroy the sun. Sword and blade intents were terrifyingly condensed. Even a sliver of leakage could destroy the entire Falling Sun Sword Sect.
And yet strangely—there was no spillover. The two forces canceled each other out in silence.
Moments later—
Both sun and blade vanished. Winds and clouds surged. All hearts trembled. This was the first time someone had fought the Blade Demon to a draw. The Falling Sun Sword Sect was overjoyed and revered their ancestor even more.
But the Daychaser Sword King looked slightly conflicted.
Only he knew—
He had lost that exchange. Not by much, but a loss was a loss. The opponent's mastery in blade cultivation was clearly deeper, and his demon blade's intent was a notch stronger than his own sun-chasing sword intent.
He drew a deep breath and said:
"Looks like I underestimated you."
"I have meditated for one hundred and sixty years and forged a supreme sword. Please, have a taste."
His eyes were ablaze with battle spirit.
He had originally suggested three moves to settle the fight, but now it seemed unnecessary—just a waste of time. Better to go all in.
"Exactly as it should be!" the Blade Demon's raspy voice rang out. In that instant, his wild hair flew, his posture drastically different. He now viewed the Daychaser Sword King as a true opponent.
The Daychaser Sword King laughed up at the sky.
As his laughter echoed—Sword King Peak burst into brilliance. Flowers, grass, trees, and stones all seemed to come alive. Shocking sword intent erupted from every corner, leaving the crowd in awe.
"Everything can become a sword? That's the pinnacle of swordsmanship! Legend says this is the realm of the Sword Saint—has the Daychaser Sword King reached this level?"
Someone's voice trembled as they uncovered this profound truth, sending the crowd into an uproar.
The Blade Demon's gaze sharpened.
He saw the intricacies. Divine light shone in his eyes—he was eager to face it.
The Daychaser Sword King's laughter spread far and wide. He spoke openly:
"Sitting atop Sword King Peak for one hundred and sixty years, I haven't glimpsed the supreme sword realm, but I've gained a little. Still, I rely on home ground advantage—please don't take offense."
The crowd pondered.
They could tell this "everything as sword" was incomplete and required the Sword King Peak. Only under the repeated influence of his sword intent could flowers and trees become sword-bearing.
Regardless—
This was already a realm far beyond reach for most sword cultivators.
At this moment—
Countless sword intents converged into the blazing sun, making it even more dazzling and many times stronger than before.
The Daychaser Sword King grew solemn. The blazing sun now enveloped his entire body. It was as if he had become the sun itself, only his hearty laughter echoing through the void. He no longer cared for victory or defeat—he only rejoiced at having found a true rival to fight without restraint.
The Blade Demon gripped his blade hilt. For the first time, he drew the "iron chunk" hanging at his waist. It was now less than half a palm wide. He raised the "blade" and brought it down. His voice brimmed with demonic force.
"This blade is called Heaven Demon."
He had three blades—Human Demon, Earth Demon, and Heaven Demon.
Now, facing a sword forged from one hundred and sixty years of enlightenment, the Earth Demon blade was insufficient. He would use the Heaven Demon blade.
In an instant—
All things fell silent.
An infinite storm of blade intent erupted from the void. The blade's demonic aura grew heavier. An invisible vortex twisted reality. The Blade Demon's figure fused into it. Terrifying might pressed down upon the entire Falling Sun Sword Sect.
All onlookers trembled.
It was like the end of the world.
The blazing sun hung high, every ray a sword intent. The demon blade fell, twisting space, birthing a demonic world to devour all. No sword light could escape its dreadful cage.
The powers expanded—
Engulfing everything.
Everyone was stunned, eyes widened by instinct. Even the Heavenly Sword True One's followers began to question—could he really compare to the two before them? They had seen those thirty-six heavenly swords cross the sky, but it still seemed lacking next to this sun and demon blade.
The dark vortex swallowed the sun—like a celestial dog devouring it.
The world fell into darkness.
Everyone closed their eyes. They could only feel residual waves brushing past, making their bodies tremble.
Finally—
The turbulence faded. All eyes searched.
The Daychaser Sword King still stood. The Blade Demon turned, preparing to leave.
"What happened? Did the Blade Demon lose?"
That thought had just formed—
When the Daychaser Sword King gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"Your blade path is unmatched in this era. Even with Sword King Peak, I still lost. I am not your equal."
The moment those words left his mouth—
The crowd erupted. The Falling Sun Sword Sect looked devastated. Clearly, the Daychaser Sword King had lost. Though not as miserably as others before him, a loss was still a loss.
The Blade Demon paused. As if recalling something:
"You're stronger than that one from twenty years ago. He only took half a strike of my Heaven Demon Blade."
Everyone was shocked.
Who else could it be but Wu Weike, once third on the Heaven-Man List?
Only now did they learn from the Blade Demon's own mouth—Wu Weike had perished after taking only half a strike from the Heaven Demon Blade.
But the Daychaser Sword King had taken a full strike and remained unharmed. Though defeated, the difference was clear.
The Daychaser Sword King only sighed.
He had no interest in comparing.
"Next—will you fight the Heavenly Sword True One?" he asked curiously.
He had already heard of the Heavenly Sword True One. As fellow peerless swordsmen, one only needed to look at the Zhenwu Sword Stele to know that this Heavenly Sword True One was extraordinary—his skill was not below his own. As for the Blade Demon before him, there was even less need to explain—he had just lost to him. A battle between these two peerless powerhouses... even he was looking forward to it.
The Blade Demon nodded and said:
"That's right. I visited Zhenwu Mountain before. His sword intent left me unsure of victory."
The Daychaser Sword King's eyes gleamed. "Good. Then I'll come watch."
A simple exchange between two titans sent waves through everyone's hearts. The previous mystery was finally resolved—the Blade Demon really had gone to Zhenwu Mountain. And now that the Daychaser Sword King said he would watch, anticipation reached its peak.
The Blade Demon gave a slight nod.
Then stepped into the air and left.
The Daychaser Sword King held back the words on the tip of his tongue.
He had originally wanted to ask whether the Blade Demon had an even stronger blade, as he'd sensed some lingering intent in the previous Heaven Demon Blade. But in the end, he didn't ask. Though they shared some mutual admiration, such a thing was still deeply personal.
Besides—
If there was a stronger blade, he might soon get to see it.
From what the Blade Demon had said earlier, it was clear that even after witnessing his strongest sword, he still believed the Heavenly Sword True One to be superior.
He didn't feel slighted—only more curious about the Heavenly Sword True One whom he had never met.
Watching the Blade Demon leave—
News of today's events spread like lightning across the world.
The Daychaser Sword King had lost. The Blade Demon had won again!
At this point—
The Blade Demon's momentum was unmatched. Some were already wondering if even General Yanwu or the Elder Listening to the Wind could defeat him.
The Blade Demon grew stronger with each battle, and now only one remained.
The Heavenly Sword True One.
This other peerless figure who had appeared from nowhere—if his previous victories had been dazzling, now, compared to the Blade Demon, they seemed far less impressive. After all, the Blade Demon had practically fought half the Heaven-Man List, including several from the top ten.
This final battle—
Was the center of all attention.
Countless people surged toward Zhenwu Mountain. Even the three great powers—Court, Demonic Sect, and the Southern Alliance—locked in heated conflict, turned their eyes to this match. After all, this was likely the greatest fight beneath the Martial Sage level. While not as absolute as the Martial Sage, such figures still held immense influence.
Looking at all three factions, each one had only two or three such powerhouses at most.
...
Amidst such a craze—
The disciples of the Zhenwu Sect were completely overwhelmed. Just handling the waves of martial artists pouring into Zhenwu City every day took enormous effort. And yet, their hearts brimmed with pride—for all these people had come because of the Heavenly Sword True One. It was their greatest honor.
All external affairs were handled by Luo Wentian.
Ning Qi, on the other hand, remained calm and untroubled.
He had only one thing to consider: how much strength to use in defeating the Blade Demon.
"The Martial Sage of Great Yan remains an unknown factor. I'd best not draw too much attention. I need to win, but not too overwhelmingly. Just enough to reveal my realm of sword intent." The content from the silver page he got from Wu Jianghe made Ning Qi somewhat cautious.
Though the upcoming Martial Sages from the Demonic Sect and Southern Alliance were certainly enemies, the Martial Sage of Great Yan might not be any better. If that Martial Sage really did erase the Sage Law of the Martial World, then wasn't Ning Qi walking right into danger?
If he exposed his near-Martial Sage strength too soon, he might draw unnecessary trouble.
Ning Qi felt it was best to fight with the strength he had before breaking into the Heaven-Man Realm.
He gave a slight shake of his head, brushed away the thoughts, and stopped wasting energy on the matter. Instead, he turned his focus back to cultivation.
After stepping into the Heaven-Man Realm—
To keep growing, he naturally had to condense the Three Flowers of Essence, Energy, and Spirit.
"To condense the Three Flowers means to temper the body and form the Flower of Essence, refine Qi Force to form the Flower of Energy, and temper divine intent to form the Flower of Spirit."
"How does one refine them? Through resonance with the power of heaven and earth. It's somewhat similar to the Heaven-Earth Grinding Force-Tempering Method and Mind Tempering Method I created before, just not as refined."
"But cultivating all three together is no easy feat. That's why most people choose only one realm to pursue. Even then, it can take ten or even dozens of years just to make slight progress. I have the foundation of the Heaven-Earth Grinding Secret Art, so my pace is far beyond others—but still slow."
"At this rate, when will I ever perfect all three flowers?"
Ning Qi frowned slightly.
These days, aside from refining the Heaven-Human Unity Technique, he had been focusing on cultivating the Heaven-Man Realm. He improved the Heaven-Earth Grinding Method so it could refine essence, energy, and spirit at once—but progress was still slow.
At this pace—
It would take seven or eight years to complete the Heaven-Man Realm.
Compared to others, that was dozens of times faster—but for Ning Qi, it was still too slow. With the crises of the Southern Alliance and Demonic Sect still unresolved, he needed to grow stronger as quickly as possible.
"Back during the Qi Origin Realm, the reason my Heaven-Earth Grinding Method and Mind Tempering Method advanced so quickly was because I had tapped into a higher level of power early. But now, using heaven and earth power again to refine the three flowers... the effect isn't as good."
"In other words, I need a stronger 'engine'?"
Ideas and insights flickered rapidly in Ning Qi's mind.
After stepping into the Heaven-Man Realm, his comprehension had risen again. In a blink, he already had a target.
"Heavenly Thunder Method!"
"Back then, I used the Thunderblade to comprehend the Heavenly Thunder Method—it can draw down lightning from the skies for my use. The power of heavenly thunder is fierce and overwhelming. If I can fully control it to refine essence, energy, and spirit, the results will be phenomenal. But ordinary lightning might not be powerful enough. For real effectiveness, I'll have to head to the heights of the sky!"
Ning Qi let out a soft breath.
"The Lightning Forbidden Zone high in the sky is terrifying. But if I just draw thunder from the edges without stepping inside, there shouldn't be a problem. My strength now is many times greater than before."
The more he thought, the more Ning Qi felt it was doable.
He made up his mind.
Once his Heaven-Human Unity Technique advanced further and his strength grew, he would try to draw heavenly thunder to refine his essence, energy, and spirit.
With that thought, he felt a strange sense of relief.
Ever since he entered the Heaven-Man Realm, the more he sensed the power of heaven and earth, the more he felt a great, hidden terror lurking within.
No other Heaven-Man Realm text had ever recorded such a feeling. Even during past uses of the Heaven-Human Unity Technique, this sensation hadn't occurred.
Ning Qi didn't know if it was because his senses were unusually sharp—
Or if his command over heaven and earth had surpassed the rest of the Heaven-Man Realm, allowing him to detect something others could not.
But he knew—this was no illusion.
"If those in the Heaven-Man Realm can't sense it, then Martial Sages must be able to. Could this great, hidden terror have some connection to the Martial Sage Realm?"
Ning Qi couldn't say.
But he knew—he needed to become stronger, fast.