Wang Tian sat next to a boulder, waiting for the appointed time. He was dressed in all white, showing the demeanor of a peerless swordsman unstained by the dust of the mortal world.
Despite his middle-aged appearance, his looks could only be described as godlike or a face that even the Heavens would be jealous of. His black danced with the wind, displaying his peaceful nature as he blended with the surrounding.
Wang Tian conquered an entire generation not only because of his unmatched strength but also because of his handsome face. In his generation, he could not think how many Saintess, Young Lady, Sect Madame, and Empress felt for his peerless look. Many of these peerless women wanted to kidnap him and place him under house arrest so he could become their companion or plaything.
In some ways, Wang Tian had to become powerful. Otherwise, his fate would have been worse than death.
Despite how popular he was in his generation, Wang Tian was glad he ended up with his current wife. Influenced by his father, he never considered having more than one companion. However, most of the women in his generation only saw his peerless look and talent. And Yu Yan saw beyond the surface and saw his core: a simple or straightforward sword lover with a lot of emotional baggage.
During his cultivation journey, he interacted on many occasions with Yu Yan, and they always had a connection. However, they restrained themselves until they almost died inside the Blood Earth.
During that moment of desperation, as they entrusted each other lives to an “enemy,” they could no longer suppress how they felt and admitted their feelings. Wang Tian remembered that day as if it was yesterday despite nearly a million years almost passed.
On that day, he liberated his mind and, in turn, his sword. His swordsmanship reached another level, allowing him to forge a blood path from that dangerous Forbidden Land.
After exiting the Blood Earth, Wang Tian realized his sword was no longer lonely; he no longer was practicing the sword only for himself–he had something to protect.
A few hours passed as Wang Tian awaited his opponent’s arrival. He did not mind the wait since he could take the time to organize his mind and ensure he was in the peak shape for this battle.
Then, he sensed something and looked in one direction. Ji Lanfang, dressed in a blue robe with an alcohol gourd in his hand, rode on a giant sword, flying toward Wang Tian. Ji Lanfang was no longer as sloppy and unrepresentable as in the Deception Trial. Instead, he looked handsome in his blue Taoist Robe, exuding a more noble and sword-immortal vibe.
The only thing that destroyed his image was the strong smell of alcohol.
“Fellow Daoist, I’m sorry for my tardiness. Traveling in the Endless Void is not easy, ” Ji Lanfang said as he put the flying sword away.
“It’s fine. I’m just glad Fellow Daoist was willing to travel from so far away,” replied Wang Tian. Although they’ve become close over the years, installing a Trans-World Transmission Array was inappropriate. Plus, it was too expensive, and the current Myriad Emperor World was in a semi-closed state.
As such, they discussed and agreed for Ji Lanfang to come here for the battle since he did not have to worry about his fellow competitors gathering information on him.
Then, the drunk swordsman frowned as he looked at Wang Tian.
“Such vitality, you’ve tempered your body?”
“Yes,” replied Wang Tian, not hiding the truth.
“Why? I thought we walked the same path.” Ji Lanfang did not hide his disappointment; he thought he had found a peer after so many years, but now, he might have been wrong.
“I was, but I learned our previous path was wrong.”
“That is a bold statement,” said Ji Lanfang with squinted eyes. The path of pure swordsmanship has existed since the beginning of time. So, he did not know whether his new friend was arrogant or he truly transcended that path and found a better one.
“But it’s the truth,” calmly added Wang Tian.
“Even if what you say is true, do you think body refining is the proper way for swordsmen?”
“You won’t understand until you experience it yourself,” added Wang Tian, not wanting to argue; he wanted to use actions to show his friends he was walking on the wrong path.
“Yes, as the sages said: actions speak louder than words,” nodded Ji Lanfang.
“Before we begin, can you tell me your maximum power?”
Ji Lanfand hesitated for a moment before replying, “5-Leaf peak.”
“I have 7-Leaf Peak, so I will seal myself to the same strength.”
Ji Lanfang readily agreed; this was the best method to determine whose swordsmanship or path was the best. He took out a black sword and gently caressed it.
“The sword is called Black Lotus, and it’s my proving Dao artifact. This was the first sword I ever touched when I was five years old, and it has accompanied me throughout many battles. In my world, it is known as the Swordsmen Reaper.”
Wang Tian was envious as he heard Ji Lanfang’s description; he wished his first sword could accompany him throughout his life. Unfortunately, he had to cast a new one in the Divine Body Realm as he cast his Proving Dao Artifact.
He kept that sword and hoped to pass it to his son as a form of a family inheritance. Unfortunately, his son crushed his dream when he chose not to be a swordsman.
Wang Tian waved his hand, and a blue sword appeared in his hand. Following Ji Lanfang’s example, he explained the name of his sword.
“This sword is called [Life Cyclce], named in honor of my mother.”
He reminisced for a moment before continuing, “I have traveled all over the five continents, defeating all the swordsmen of my generation and the previous, substantiating my status as the greatest swordsman.
“And one day, I will have the entire Endless Void acknowledge this title.”
“I never knew Fellow Daoist was so ambitious.”
“I have to hide my edges because I know this is not my era,” replied Wang Tian with a smile. “But now, my son has grown up, and his light is already shining brilliantly, so there is no need for me to hide anymore.”
Ji Lanfang nodded even though he could not relate on a personal level. He had no children and was the brightest star of his generation. Just like Wang Tian, he suppressed all his peers to the point of suffocating them.
“The greatest swordsmen of the lower dimension. That’s an interesting title,” commented Ji Lanfang. Although he had never thought about such a thing, he suddenly had the desire to have this title. However, he still said, “This is not an easy title to acquire.”
He was not only referring to the strength required to gain such a title but how feasible the entire idea was. There are 3000 World Communities with billions of worlds and trillions of swordsmen. So, a swordsman would need to defeat many people for this title to be acknowledged or accepted by Heaven and Earth. Unfortunately, it was not feasible to get so many swordsmen together.
“I have my way,” said Wang Tian, who was not lying; one of his son’s plans inspired him, so he had an idea on how to acquire the title of strongest swordsman after proving the Dao.
“It’s good to be ambitious and take steps to achieve one goal,” said Ji Lanfang. “However, you must first get past me before you can talk about being the best.”
As he said these words, he gathered his Sword Will before floating in the air.
“No problem,” replied Wang Tian with a smile, following him in his actions.
Twink!
As these two gather their Sword Wills, countless swords flesh from different directions of the Central Continent, floating in the void outside the domain where their battle took place.
The masters of these swords tried to prevent their swords from flying away, but it was pointless. Swords after sword left their masters, floating in the void as they wished to experience this ultimate battle of swordsmanship.
And this phenomenon did not only occur in the Central Continent. The East, West, South, and Northern swordsman and sword users experienced the same thing. Their swords flew from their control and fled to the Central Continent, floating in the void. Most of these swords left their masters’ Sea of Consciousness.
Only a few rare swordsmen could stop their swords from flying away. Regardless, they still had to fight the restlessness of their swords, trying to prevent them from leaving.
They became in awe and immediately realized this was an opportunity–especially for swordsmen and sword users. They will learn a significant amount by watching this peak battle.