At the same time, at the westernmost edge of the Northern Continent.
The current Water God, Leda Lia, arrived with her most accomplished disciple, the Sword King Isolte Kuerell.
They reached the sacred sanctuary in the hearts of all those who pursued the way of the sword, a place known as the Holy Land of the Sword.
The Holy Land of the Sword is situated amidst the steep mountains and vast sea at the westernmost part of the Northern Continent.
Its actual size isn't very large, roughly equivalent to a town in the Asura Kingdom.
This place is perpetually covered in heavy snow, but its current master is the contemporary Sword God of the Sword God Style. Therefore, most of the people in this town are swordsmen of the Sword God Style.
The Sword God Style is the ultimate fusion of speed and killing intent. Guided by the principles of 'fast, ruthless, and absolute,' it elevates swordsmanship into an art form.
Where its blade points lies not only the physical end but also the embodiment of conviction, perfectly interpreting the martial philosophy that 'the sword is the sharpness of the heart.'
Thus, Sword God Style swordsmen do not wear complex armor; their attire prioritizes simplicity to avoid hindering movement.
Dressing styles with very little fabric, like Ghislaine's, are one of the main trademarks of the Sword God Style.
Here, no matter how heavily the snow falls from the sky or how frigid the air, there are always Sword God Style swordsmen by the roadside wearing only the bare minimum to avoid indecent exposure.
Men are basically bare-chested. Women also cover only the necessary parts.
However, swordsmen in this world generally use battle aura to protect their bodies, so their perceived temperature isn't actually low.
Perhaps this is also a form of training for them!
After Leda Lia and Isolte arrived at the Holy Land of the Sword, they found the Sword God Style Dojo.
At the entrance, they saw a red-haired girl sweeping snow. Upon noticing Leda and her companion, the girl immediately threw aside her broom.
With a guarded expression, she placed her hand on the sword at her waist.
"May I ask what business you two have here?"
Leda stared at the girl's face for a while, her displeased expression softening slightly as she said:
"Oh, oh, are you Nina? You've grown up!"
These words caused the girl to make a strange expression.
"Sorry, I'm not Nina. If you're looking for her, you might try your luck in the training hall inside."
Leda Lia took a closer look at the girl's hair color and realized her mistake.
"Oh, sorry, my mistake. I'm here to see your boss. Show us the way."
"Boss?"
"I mean Gal Farion."
"Sorry, I'm not a guide. Please bother someone else if you need to find someone."
At this point, Isolte stepped forward.
"What kind of attitude is this? Do you know who my master is, to dare speak so insolently here!"
"Hmph, I don't care who it is, including that stinky uncle Gal Farion!"
Isolte was stunned by her words. She had never imagined anyone at the Sword God Style Dojo would dare speak ill of the current Sword God.
Then, Leda Lia stopped Isolte from speaking further.
"Good spirit, and that arrogance that bows to no one. You're good material for the Sword God Style."
"Not bad! But you should understand the principle that what is too rigid breaks easily."
"Based on your words alone, I could have cut you down just now, and no one would have said a word against me."
"No matter how arrogant you are, dead is dead. You need to find the right balance."
"Good material that dies early is still scrap."
At that moment, a beastwoman with ears that could be either dog or wolf ears emerged from the entryway.
She bowed respectfully to Leda Lia.
"Water God, thank you very much for your teachings. I apologize on behalf of my disciple."
"Master Gal Farion is currently in the main hall. He already knows of your arrival."
"Oh, is that Ghislaine? You've grown over the years. I still remember the first time I saw you, you were even more arrogant than this disciple of yours."
"You even bared your teeth at me when you saw me. That ferocious, no-holds-barred stance is still vivid in my memory!"
Ghislaine's expression remained impassive as she maintained her respectful posture. She said:
"I was indeed somewhat arrogant when I was young, but I've tempered that somewhat now. However, my master isn't very satisfied with my current state. He says I've become no different from a kitten with its fangs pulled. I feel I've disappointed him."
"But Master now has particular expectations for my disciple, Eris. He even takes the initiative to come and teach her swordsmanship."
"So, the Sword God Style requires that kind of unyielding, forward-charging spirit."
"If this sword breaks, then it breaks. But if this sword endures the trial and perseveres, then she becomes the sharpest blade."
Leda Lia did not refute this and, surprisingly, nodded.
She then followed Ghislaine into the main hall. Eris, having finished sweeping the snow during their conversation, also followed Ghislaine into the main hall.
At the head of the main hall sat a man who looked to be in his forties, with a full beard that looked like it would be painful if it pricked you. His smile was cynical, bearing no resemblance to the demeanor of a grandmaster.
But below him, all the Sword Emperors and Sword Saints of the Sword God Style dared not utter half a word in his presence. They all held immense respect for this contemporary Sword God.
For he was the current pinnacle of human combat power, the Sword God Gal Farion, ranked sixth among the contemporary Seven Great Powers.
After Ghislaine led Leda Lia and Isolte into the hall, the previously lively atmosphere immediately fell silent.
All the Sword God Style swordsmen fixed wary gazes on the two figures in the center.
Ghislaine and the following Eris, of course, knelt and took seats to the side.
Gal Farion cast a cynical glance at Leda Lia and Isolte and said to Leda Lia:
"What is it, old woman? Realizing your days are numbered and coming to try again to see if you can reclaim the Holy Land of the Sword?"
"Given your current physical state, you probably couldn't withstand even three of my strikes. You'd better hurry home and arrange your affairs."
Leda Lia wasn't angered and smiled.
"Gal, you only have a few years left to strut around here. Have you grown so accustomed to lording it over the Holy Land of the Sword that you've forgotten your own weight?"
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