True Solution of the Sword Dao

In the arena, countless people shouted with all their might, their excitement palpable.

Several journalists who had come to cover the event were frantically setting up their cameras for live broadcasts, their faces unable to hide their surprise and delight.

"Breaking news!! This is Hua Nation’s Central Television reporting live!! During the Swordsmanship Club’s grand finale, a murder occurred right in the arena. Such an event has actually happened! What could have caused the Swordsmanship Club to so blatantly disregard the law!! To hold life in such contempt!!"

A male reporter was unable to suppress his agitation.

"This is Capital City Television, I’m reporter Li Fen. I am currently reporting live from the finals of the Swordsmanship Club’s grand competition. The contest has just started mere minutes ago, and there’s already one casualty. How is such a competition operated, and what is its purpose? Why are the relevant law enforcement agencies indifferent to this?..."

Reporters were nearly hysterical as they wildly broadcast the news of the contest.

The surrounding audience was becoming increasingly frenzied.

Cheng Nianwei even saw a woman ahead of her, her eyes bloodshot, crazily stripping off her top until only her underwear remained, as she screamed wildly.

Rather than the atmosphere of the competition, it was the stimulation from the bloodshed and the killing that led to such frenzied emotions.

Cheng Nianwei was somewhat at a loss, only able to stick close to the two friends by her side.

The three huddled together, all feeling a bit scared.

By now, someone had already gone down to clean up the bloody corpse.

Chi Jun, having advanced, left the arena with a spring in his step.

The next battle commenced.

"Next up, representing Norway, we have the fiery chariot Fenrir, facing off against Russia’s icy waterfall, Knossov..."

The beautiful hostess shouted loudly, announcing the names of the next competitors.

The atmosphere of the entire venue was completely unaffected by the recent murder.

In the stands,

a cluster of people with indifferent expressions quietly sat in one corner, coldly observing.

Sitting in the front was an elderly man in grey robes, his white hair signifying his age.

The old man’s expression was solemn as he focused on the battle below.

"This is indeed an opportunity for our true Sword Dao to be presented to the external world."

"Teacher, although these individuals are not weak, surely it’s not necessary for you to personally travel to Hua Nation?" A young man standing next to the old man spoke gravely, but in Japanese.

"Complacency and arrogance are great enemies," the old man calmly glanced at his favorite disciple. "Qiuping, although your talent is impressive, if you cannot understand this, it will be difficult for you to break through your current level. Never trust your own judgment completely. Because there will always be a slight imperfection, something you are unable to perceive."

"I shall take that to heart," the man responded, bowing.

"The fact that my Yagyū Hearteye Flow has become known as the top school of Great Japan is not only due to my title of Sword Saint, but more importantly due to such a spirit within the school. It allows us to continuously produce the strongest swordsmen. That is the key," the old man said calmly. "Our strength does not lie in individuals, but in such systems and rules."

**************

From the highest viewing platform,

Lin Fei quietly watched the arena below.

"I have entered the second stage of perfecting Sword Intent," she said.

Ning Que also watched the scene below.

"Your progress is too rapid," he remarked.

Could it be? Xi Yueqing said lazily, "But it’s just the second stage. Shouldn’t there be a third, fourth, fifth stage as well?"

"There are only three major stages," Ning Que spoke matter-of-factly.

Lin Fei nodded and said, "Perfecting Sword Intent seeks the Perfection of Sword Intent. It’s not about the strength or size of the Sword Intent. It’s like a circle.

No matter the size, it’s always a complete circle."

He spoke somewhat wistfully, "Yan Shi is the most talented swordsman I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, his character is deeply stuck in his past experiences, and he has never been able to let go of that hint of shame towards himself..."

"The inability to let go is where he has failed," Ning Que also sighed. "I was shocked when I learned that you competed with Yan Shi purely on will and swordsmanship. Such a competition, relying not on other strengths but on whose will is stronger, whose swordsmanship realm is higher—if even slightly weaker, it could mean death. You were taking a risk."

Lin Fei smiled.

"A risk? When did you start talking like that? The benefits this battle brought me are beyond your imagination. I can feel it—I might be about to make a breakthrough in the Three Great Sword Realms..."

Ning Que and Xi Yueqing were startled at the same time.

"So soon!" Xi Yueqing stood up straight, "Just an ordinary swordsman from the external world, no matter how strong, has limits. Could they really have propelled you to comprehend the second Sword Realm?!!"

Lin Fei shook his head. "You don’t understand how terrifying his talent is... If he hadn’t been entangled by inner demons..." He trailed off, showing a look of regret.

"If he hadn’t been plagued by inner demons, he might not have had the chance to embark on the path of sword cultivation," Ning Que frowned and said.

"Let’s end this topic here," Lin Fei halted the conversation. "The Empress Temple has collapsed, and the existing forces have already begun to merge into other temples. However, a portion remains fiercely loyal to the Empress, believing she will return."

"The phoenix is a divine beast said to be capable of rebirth from ashes. Whether the Empress possesses such an ability, we do not know. But what we can be certain of is that, as You mentioned before, ahead of the upcoming significant turn of events, perhaps we can absorb some of the strength from the Empress Temple," Ning Que suggested.

"Who is the strongest in the Empress Temple now?"

"Ruoyi Yan, the New Moon Sword Saint Ruoyi Yan, known as the right-hand of the Empress. Also, the only top-level warrior who once could be mentioned alongside Flying Swallow in the Temple of the Gods."

"The New Moon Sword Saint Ruoyi Yan..." Lin Fei pondered. "There are three or four days left until the final match, and the winner will challenge us. Yueqing, you handle this matter, make contact with the other party."

Xi Yueqing replied seriously, "Understood."

***************

Heresy: Red Lotus Shrine

A gorgeous, scarlet-colored grand hall.

The air was slowly permeated with strands and wisps of cold air.

Atop the highest altar of the shrine.

A mass of black fire burned out of thin air, tall as a man, exuding terrifying heat. Everything surrounding it was baked red.

Vast amounts of icy cold air ceaselessly neutralized the heat radiated by the black flame.

"Red Lotus."

A white silhouette suddenly appeared in front of the Black Fire.

The figure wore a crown and held a white wooden staff, emitting a holy white light all around.

"Holy Light, what are you doing here? Have you come to mock me?" The black flames slowly parted in the center, revealing the pale face of a man.

The man wasn’t particularly handsome, but he exuded an inexplicable coldness and chill, in stark contrast with the flames around him.

"Whether it’s you or me, our lifespans are not long," Holy Light said indifferently. "This opportunity might well be our last chance. I believe you, like me, cannot afford to lose, right?"

"We each have our own convictions and wills. Haven’t we all made it through countless years of darkness this way?" Red Lotus spoke calmly. "Struggling in endless pain, all for that ultimate wish. Whether it’s the Empress, you, or me."

"This time, the Empress might not be reborn again. Her authority has returned to the void."

"You and I, the two from the Temple of the Gods, plus Arcane Law from the magic side, in the end, only Blue of the Alliance of Cities remains. The once mighty deities, now only a few of us are left. And if you and I also cannot endure this time, perhaps we too will crumble just the same," Red Lotus said with a hint of irony.

"Our conflicts should cease, they are meaningless," Holy Light spoke calmly.

"Haha, I still have a few years left. If the Empress hadn’t been severely injured by the Alliance of Cities back then, perhaps I would have been the first to go," Red Lotus’s eyes flickered with reminiscence. "Do you remember the first time we saw the Empress? She was so beautiful, so very beautiful..."

Holy Light remained silent, not speaking further.

For a moment, both were silent.

After a long while.

Red Lotus’s eyes showed a mocking light. "How many people think we are the highest and strongest in the world, yet who knows the price we have paid?"

"I’m already accelerating the process," Holy Light replied.

"What does it matter? In the final battle, only one can succeed. You, me, or them! It can only be one. So, what meaning is there in our ceasefire and cooperation?" Red Lotus said nonchalantly.

"Concerning that. I already have a plan."

"And the Monster Clan that has recently appeared, what do you think about them?" Red Lotus asked.

"The Demon God’s Armor, I can feel its presence. That thing of legend actually exists. But adding one more person makes no difference. Let me remind you, it’s best to keep the key in your own hand. Only by having it in your control can you make the most thorough preparations in advance," Holy Light said evenly. "I have a feeling that something unforeseen may happen."

"I will not allow any unforeseeables," Red Lotus said coldly.

"Then, so be it. I have achieved my purpose." Holy Light gently tapped the staff, transforming into a beam of white light and disappearing.

Red Lotus watched silently at the place where Holy Light had vanished. After a long while, the black flames slowly closed back in, enveloping him once more, revealing no gap.

"Have me take action? Supress the Demon God’s Armor? Haha..." Red Lotus’s voice gradually deepened.

***************

Four days later...

The Swordsmanship Tournament Arena.

"Now we have the final three strongest swordsmen!! They are the Black Dawn from the United Kingdom, the Swordsman of Yagyu from Japan, and the Elephant Swordsman from Africa!!"

The announcer shouted loudly.

Even the originally sultry voice now resonated with excitement and distortion.

In the arena, the originally white ground was now full of blood and debris.

Three figures stood at the entrance points of the arena in three different directions.

An old man, a giant, powerfully-built man, and a Western Swordsman shrouded in black full body armor, his face also masked by a helmet, completely obscuring his features.

The spectator stands were quiet.

"That person is still wearing full armor, isn’t that very unfair to the others?" Cheng Nianwei frowned. "This competition is too bloody. I didn’t expect the government of Hua Nation actually allows this kind of competition!"

"Because the Swordsmanship Club is powerful enough," a man sitting next to her casually answered. "The Swordsmanship Club is so strong, said to be intricately connected to the legendary Gold. It ranks among the world’s most powerful forces. Merely human governments simply have no power to resist. As for the armor, at their level, it is very unlikely that any armor would be of any help." (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)