At the edge of the deep pit in the center of the desolate village, Marco and Lu Zhou sat cross-legged facing each other, Azure Flames and Blade Intent intertwining and flowing under the moonlight. After a full night of meditation, both had recovered seventy percent of their internal injuries. When the first rays of morning light pierced through the clouds, Marco was the first to open his eyes, golden light faintly visible within his Double Pupils.
"This fierce battle has taught me much from Brother Lu's blade techniques," Marco said sincerely. The half-day of fighting side by side had given him a deeper understanding of Lu Zhou's path of the blade.
Lu Zhou slowly withdrew his energy, a sharp gleam flashing in his golden eyes. "Your flames are also quite special," he said, unusually offering a few more words. In this battle, he too had gained many insights from Marco's versatile combat style.
As morning light gradually brightened, the two packed simply before leaving this death-filled ruin. Walking along the country path, they began discussing their next steps.
"I plan to continue journeying to temper my blade path," Lu Zhou said, gazing at the distant mountains with determination in his eyes. For him, cultivation of the blade path knew no end.
"What a coincidence, I also intend to travel across the continent," Marco said with a laugh. "This battle made me understand that closed-door training has its limits. Why not travel together?"
Lu Zhou remained silent for a moment before nodding. Without unnecessary formalities, two youths with vastly different personalities but equally extraordinary talents, having forged a deep friendship through a life-and-death battle, began their half-year journey together.
Their first stop brought them to Heishi City at the border of the Balak Kingdom. This small town, famous for its mineral resources, had shops selling various ores visible everywhere along the streets. However, beneath the prosperous surface, they accidentally heard eerie rumors about children going missing from nearby villages.
After three days of covert investigation, they discovered this was the work of a small group of five Evil Soul Masters. These Evil Soul Masters were hiding in an abandoned mine outside the city, specifically abducting children to cultivate evil techniques.
On a dark and windy Night, the two quietly infiltrated the mine. The tunnels within were winding and deep, with the stench of blood assaulting their nostrils. In the innermost cave, five Evil Soul Masters were conducting an evil ritual, with three abducted children tied to stone pillars, barely clinging to life.
"Now!" Marco shouted lowly, Azure Flames instantly erupting to illuminate the entire cave.
Lu Zhou's blade light flashed like a cold moon breaking through the sky, instantly severing the throats of two Evil Soul Masters. Marco used Shave to close the distance, his fists covered in Armament Haki heavily smashing into another Evil Soul Master's chest.
The remaining two Evil Soul Masters panicked and tried to flee, but Marco's Azure Flames had already transformed into a fire net trapping them. Lu Zhou's long blade struck again, blade energy crisscrossing, ending the battle in moments.
In this fight, they rescued three imprisoned children and witnessed with their own eyes for the first time the cruel methods of Evil Soul Masters. Looking at the pile of bones deep in the cave, Marco felt intense rage surge within him.
"These scum deserve death," Lu Zhou said coldly, wiping blood from his blade. The chill in his golden eyes was colder than the blade's edge.
Marco deeply agreed. At this moment, they became even more determined in their resolve to eliminate evil and uphold justice.
After settling the rescued children, they continued northward. In Wind Chime Canyon, they dismantled an Evil Soul Master gang disguised as a merchant caravan. While ostensibly operating a medicinal herb business, this group was secretly engaged in human trafficking. Marco saw through their disguise with his Double Pupil Eye, and the two took action right on the street. Amidst the interweaving of Azure Flames and blade flashes, five Soul Ancestor-level Evil Soul Masters were slain.
This battle caused quite a stir, but it also made them realize the depth of Evil Soul Master infiltration. To avoid trouble, they quickened their pace.
Deep within the Misty Forest, they discovered an ancient ruins occupied by Evil Soul Masters. The leader here was a level 52 Soul King, commanding over a dozen Soul Ancestor-level Evil Soul Masters. This proved to be an arduous battle.
Relying on the powerful regenerative abilities of his Azure Flame Phoenix and seamless coordination with Lu Zhou, Marco employed guerrilla tactics to eliminate their enemies one by one. Finally, in the main hall of the ruins, the two joined forces to kill the Soul King. Marco confronted his strongest Spirit Ability head-on with "Azure Meteor," while Lu Zhou seized the opening to behead him with a single slash.
After this battle, Lu Zhou sat in meditation before a broken stele in the ruins for seven days. His Blade Intent resonated with the sword energy emanating from the ancient monument, allowing him to break through to level 46.
Their most perilous battle occurred at Ironrock Fortress. This location was controlled by a much larger Evil Soul Master organization, with their leader even reaching level 68. The two had originally been conducting covert investigations but accidentally exposed their tracks, finding themselves surrounded.
That night, battle cries shook the skies above Ironrock Fortress. Marco, engulfed in Azure Flame Engulfment, charged through enemy ranks left and right; Lu Zhou's blade gleamed like a dragon, cutting down all before him.
The fierce fighting lasted until dawn. Covered in blood, they finally managed to break through the encirclement. Though fraught with danger, this battle gave them new insights into their martial paths at the brink of death. While guarding Lu Zhou during his meditation, Marco comprehended the endless cycle of Azure Flame and advanced to level 47.
Over six months, they experienced more than twenty fierce battles, slaying over fifty Evil Soul Masters. Each fight was a life-or-death struggle, every victory hard-won. Through constant combat and communication, their coordination grew increasingly seamless—often understanding each other's intentions with just a glance.
Marco became increasingly adept at integrating the characteristics of his Azure Flame Phoenix with the Six Styles and Haki in actual combat. He discovered that combining Armament Haki with Azure Flame resulted in attacks possessing both extreme penetration and continuous burning effects;
By merging "Shave" with "Moonwalk," he created even more unpredictable movement trajectories. His self-created Spirit Ability "Azure Meteor" also doubled in power through repeated refinements.
Lu Zhou's blade techniques grew increasingly sharp and pure. He no longer constrained himself to fixed forms,
instead integrating the essence of his four Spirit Abilities—"Edge," "Swiftness," "Defense," and "Momentum"—into every basic blade technique. His Blade Intent became more condensed, sometimes even capable of intimidating opponents through sheer will alone.
On this day, they arrived at Broken Sword Cliff on the border of the Heaven Dou Empire. The thousand-ren cliff towered above churning seas of clouds, with distant snow-capped mountains stretching across the horizon, glowing golden in the setting sun. This marked the end of their journey together.
"This is where we part ways," Lu Zhou said, gazing at the northern snow mountains. "I'm going to the Extreme North to seek the pinnacle of blade mastery." The harsh environment of the Extreme North was the perfect place to temper his Blade Intent.
Marco nodded: "I'll travel east to Spirit City to fulfill my father's final request." He touched the Thousand Jun Token in his chest, feeling the faint vibrations emanating from within.
The moment of parting finally arrived. After a moment of silence, Marco took out an exquisite jade box from his Soul Tool "Star Track". Carved from warm jade with intricate patterns on its surface, it was clearly no ordinary item at the first glance.
"Brother Lu, a parting gift." Marco solemnly opened the jade box.
As the box opened, a peculiar Immortal Herb came into view. It grew with nine leaves, each shaped like an unsheathed sharp sword, all translucent as jade. The leaves trembled without wind, emitting clear sword chimes as they vibrated, as if the surrounding air was being cut by invisible sword energy. A pure yet sharp sword intent spread out, even dispersing the clouds and mist at the cliff's edge.
"Lonely Wild Goose in the Dark Night," Marco explained. "It's said to grow atop cliffs, blooming once every thousand years, and taking another thousand years to fully mature. Its leaves resemble curved blades. It can temper blade energy and condense Blade Courage. I hope it aids your path of the blade."
A flicker of emotion passed through Lu Zhou's golden eyes. As a blade master, he could clearly sense the pure Blade Intent contained within this Immortal Herb—exactly the opportunity he had long dreamed of. After a long silence, he solemnly accepted the jade box: "This treasure is precious. I accept your kindness." Though just six words, they carried profound gratitude.
"One year later, we shall meet again in Heaven Dou City." Marco smiled and extended his hand. He believed that with Lu Zhou's talent, after consuming the Lonely Wild Goose in the Dark Night, his path of the blade would surely reach new heights.
"I will definitely keep the appointment." Lu Zhou clasped hands with him in pledge. The force of their handclap stirred the air, shaking pine needles from the cliff edge to fall rustling to the ground.
As the sun set in the west, Lu Zhou immediately consumed the Immortal Herb and sat cross-legged at the cliff's edge to begin refining it. The moment the nine-leaved sword-hearted herb entered his body, sharp sword chimes erupted from around him. The long blade on his back automatically unsheathed three inches, gleaming with cold light in the sunset. Streams of blade energy overflowed from within him, forming a small Blade Domain around him.
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