Martial Cultivator

In the Imperial City, a deep pit had appeared.

Within the pit lay the Temple Master, barely clinging to life.

This great daoist sage had suffered a crushing defeat. In his confrontation with the Great Liang Emperor, he had lost and was now on the verge of death.

Such an event likely had never occurred in all these years. After all, even if someone could kill the Temple Master of Infatuation Daoist Temple, they would not do so in this manner.

He represented not only the entire Daoism but perhaps also the entire foreign lands as a whole.

The Great Liang Emperor stood by the edge of the pit, gazing at this great daoist sage. Just as he was about to speak, a stream of sword qi came rushing toward him.

The Great Liang Emperor looked up and saw a dazzling white line sweeping across the distant sky. On that white line surged an incomparably majestic sword qi, like a single tidal wave threatening to split heaven and earth.

The Great Liang Emperor smiled. At last, the world’s number one sword cultivator had arrived.

Since that time in the demon territories, when he witnessed the Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s incomplete sword art, the Great Liang Emperor had known this day would come.

Hence, he was not surprised.

With a sweep of his sleeve, he shattered the invading sword qi. The Great Liang Emperor stepped back a few paces and did not kill the Temple Master of Infatuation Daoist Temple before the Sword Sect’s Sect Master arrived.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master appeared beside the deep pit, standing with hands behind his back. He glanced at the Temple Master, confirming that this great daoist sage was still alive, before turning to look at the Great Liang Emperor.

The Great Liang Emperor smiled silently.

”Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master said softly, with vicissitudes of emotion. ”Your Majesty’s magnanimity is truly unparalleled.”

The Great Liang Emperor said nothing, but a trace of irritation flickered in the Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s eyes.

The Great Liang Emperor walked through the debilitated Imperial City, asking casually, “Sect Master, how much of that sword has been perfected?”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master pondered for a moment, then walked alongside the emperor, replying softly, “Originally, it was only fifty percent complete. After my battle with the Demon Emperor, it rose to seventy percent. Following the Dao Ancestor’s sword artifact, it gained another ten percent. Then, after visiting Sword Qi Mountain and White Deer Temple, I was enlightened by that old monk, bringing it to ninety percent. Now, I am but one step away from completion.”

“So this final ten percent falls on me,” the emperor remarked.

“Indeed. I cultivate the sword and reached the summit of Sword Dao many years ago. At the time, I believed I could advance no further. Yet by chance, I acquired this sword and realized that Sword Dao could ascend even higher. These past years of seclusion were dedicated to this sword, but one man’s strength is always limited. After painstaking cultivation over the years, I could only achieve fifty percent.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master lamented. “Your Majesty has shown me great kindness. I was initially reluctant to take advantage of you, but this sword is my life’s aspiration. I simply cannot give it up, so I had no choice but to come and meet Your Majesty.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s lifelong pursuit was this sword. For it, he could forsake almost everything.

The Great Liang Emperor merely smiled. “Sect Master, you can truly be called the world’s sword fanatic.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master was silent for a moment before saying, “I didn’t want to take advantage of the situation and only wished for a fair duel with Your Majesty to perfect this sword. But the Temple Master acted first.”

”No problem.”

The Great Liang Emperor smiled. “We have long anticipated today’s events. Since you’ve come, a duel with Sect Master will not disappoint Us.”

“For the sake of this sword, I will definitely give it my all. I hope Your Majesty understands.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master said, his eyes blazing with fighting intent. This duel was something he had long awaited. He had yearned for this opportunity to complete his sword.

The Great Liang Emperor laughed. “Sect Master may be the pinnacle of the world’s Sword Dao, but killing Us will not be easy. Perhaps today, We will end up killing you instead.”

“If that’s the case, then it’s my fate. Your Majesty need not think too much of it.”

The Great Liang Emperor nodded and laughed heartily. “Then, Sect Master, wait for Us a moment. The Imperial City is already shattered, but We do not wish to see it cease to exist.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master cupped his hands in salute, then without hesitation, he rose up and rushed into the depths of the sea of clouds.

The Great Liang Emperor slowly returned to the plaza, and then beckoned to Chen Chao.

The latter quickly came over here.

The Great Liang Emperor looked at the young man who was now as tall as himself and smiled. “Go find the Ministry of Works and have them make some simple repairs to the plaza. We will convene a court session afterward.”

Chen Chao was momentarily stunned, then asked with some concern, “Uncle, are you confident of complete victory?”

The Great Liang Emperor smiled and said, “That Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple might have a profound cultivation realm, but he cannot harm Us. As for the Sword Sect’s Sect Master, his killing power may be unmatched in this world, but he’s not Our match either.”

Although the Great Liang Emperor said so, Chen Chao still felt very worried. Whether it was the Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple or the Sword Sect’s Sect Master, they were among the most powerful figures of the current era. Facing them both in succession, it was hard for Chen Chao to believe the Great Liang Emperor had not sustained any injuries.

Seeing Chen Chao’s concern, the Great Liang Emperor smiled faintly and asked, “What is it? Do you think We have grown old and frail?”

Chen Chao shook his head.

The Great Liang Emperor reached out and rubbed Chen Chao’s head, saying softly, ”The earlier battle in the Imperial City was fought for you to see. You gained some understanding. The next battle will involve much more, it won’t be something suitable for you to witness.”

Chen Chao was silent.

”We have roamed the world throughout my life, never being defeated., and today will be no different.”

The Great Liang Emperor withdrew his hand and stood with his hands clasped behind his back. ”Cultivators of this world underestimate martial artists. Today, We will show them that the martial path has never been inferior to any other.”

Saying this, the Great Liang Emperor smiled and glanced at Chen Chao before his figure dissipated from where he stood.

Chen Chao raised his head to look at the sky, standing amidst the ruins of the Imperial City, feeling a sense of emptiness.

As he lowered his gaze and was about to leave the Imperial City, he caught sight of Xie Nandu approaching with a lantern in hand.

The two exchanged a glance but said nothing.

Xie Nandu walked up to Chen Chao’s side, reached out, and took his hand without speaking.

……

……

News about the Sword Sect’s Sect Master entering the Divine Capital had already spread.

The strongest battle of the human race in this era was on the verge of breaking out.

Cultivators who had heard the news were rushing toward the Divine Capital, eager to witness the grandeur of this legendary confrontation.

However, when the first group of cultivators reached the Divine Capital, they found themselves unable to enter.

On the city walls stood a scholar dressed in green robes, gazing down at the crowd.

This Confucian Saint had once studied at the academy, later lived with his identity concealed for many years, and now had reached the end of Nepenthe. He looked at the gathered cultivators and said calmly, ”Without His Majesty’s permission, I ask all of you not to enter the city.”

Standing before the grand city, the cultivators were unwilling to give up such a rare opportunity to witness this world-shaking battle. Just as they were about to speak, they felt an overwhelming pressure. The seemingly ordinary scholar simply looked at everyone present, without uttering another word.

”He’s a Confucian Saint...”

A cultivator of profound cultivation spoke slowly, their eyes filled with apprehension.

”Could it be that the academy dean came in person?!”

Some who had never seen the academy’s Dean, sensing this immense aura, knew that this person was a Confucian Saint, and assumed this person must be him.

”The Dean isn’t this young...”

Another cultivator sighed with regret. They had hoped to enter the city to witness the battle, but with a Confucian Saint guarding the city walls, it was clear they would not be able to watch this confrontation.

But at that moment, some daoists were approaching from the distant plains.

High in the sky, dazzling light began to appear.

These were cultivators of even higher realms, who should have already reached Nepenthe.

They wanted to enter the city, though their purpose was unclear.

Yet, with Zhou Gouqi standing there, he would not let them enter.

Just then, above the clouds of the Divine Capital, a brilliant radiance suddenly blossomed.

That was... a flash of sword light.

That sword light carried the strongest sword intent in the world and the most terrifying killing power in this world.

”The Sword Sect’s Sect Master has drawn his sword?!”

Cultivators aware of the situation exclaimed in astonishment, becoming even more eager to enter the city and witness the battle.

……

……

In the sea of clouds above the Divine Capital, the sword light was brilliant, illuminating the entire Divine Capital.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master stood on one side of the sea of clouds. Before him, the sea of clouds was crisscrossed with deep ravines, the aftermath of sword qi tearing through them.

When he ventured into the demon territories back then, he had brought along a sword. But now, he stood empty-handed.

This was not because he had grown significantly stronger since then and thus seemed to treat the Great Liang Emperor with casual disdain, there was another reason.

The Great Liang Emperor also stood above the sea of clouds, watching the clouds that overlayed like mountain ranges. This human emperor remained silent and composed.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s sword intent began to accumulate rapidly. The vast sea of clouds around him was already shredded by the unreleased sword intent, appearing pitiful.

In the distance, a streak of sword light had already appeared on the horizon.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s first strike seemed ready to be unleashed at any moment.

The Great Liang Emperor’s emperor robe fluttered as he exhaled a breath of turbid air.

At that moment, the sea of clouds began to churn.