Entering the Dragon Boat Pavilion, Ace couldn't help but be impressed by the majestic soldiers and exquisite furniture.
Everything here was of premium quality even in the Divine realm despite the large amount of materials and hefty cost to pay.
After entering a private chamber, Ace had a conversation with Taylon and Brimstone while Serena remained at the side silently. She was allowed to listen on the condition that she wouldn't leak out any details about them having a meal here.
As for what was discussed in the private chamber over the delicacies and wine, only the few men would know.
After leaving the Dragon Boat Pavilion, they made their way to the Sword Tower.
It was colossal, the top of the tower nowhere to be seen from the ground, just the base of the tower alone occupied a huge area equivalent to one tenth of the Valent's City total land area.
Yet this was only the foundation needed for it to exist, the dimension and space within it was much larger than what all the cultivators see right now.
Outside the Sword Tower was a large stage set up for the geniuses to contend against each other before the main event.
On the stage right now, the youths could be seen exchanging moves with each other, both youths were probably around the age of sixteen or seventeen and even though they were most likely in the Transcendent realm, it was purely a battle of their swords and body fitness.
Even though Ace had discerning eyes and a strict judgement for geniuses, he couldn't help but be amazed by the two youths only slightly older than him. Their movements were sharp, precise and swift. Unlike others of their age that like to showcase their skills with flashy moves, they kept the true essence of the sword.
"Those two youths have been rivals since a young age since years ago. The person wearing the purple robe is known as Cody. The sword law he cultivates is the Illusion law. The other youth wearing a crimson robe is known as Yan Di, he's someone from the foreign lands. As for the law he cultivates, it's the Crimson law."
Ace nodded his head in approval as the sword which Cody was wielding seemed to be striking from both the front and back even though he was attacking from the left. If it was someone else, they might have fallen prey to this move, but to his longtime rival, this move was already within expectations.
Yan Di made use of his Crimson law and struck towards ground, abusing its area of effect to surround himself within the explosion, making use of the sudden fog, he evaded the lethal attack that was going to end the battle.
"Amazing! As expected from both Cody and Yan Di, even until now, they are still rivals with sword skills comparable to each other."
"Yep yep! They might even end up being the new Sword Kings this year if things progresses well."
"What did you just say?" The crowd was cheering and the man who had been rooting for Cody and Yan Di turned around and questioned, "Who the hell was judging me?"
"I was, do you have any qualms about it?" As for who this person was, he was one of the eight from the Universal Hawk Headquarters.
Under orders from their Headquarters, their mission this time was to spread their fame far and wide. It was about time the Universal Hawks got recognised for being capable of grooming geniuses.
"If you're that amazing, why don't you defeat both of them by yourself!" The commoner in the eyes of this youth from the Universal Hawks Headquarters rebutted fiercely.
Smirking, the youth couldn't help but leap onto the stage. "Cody and Yan Di was it? How about this, if the two of you manage to defeat me to a sword battle, then I'll admit that you two are worthy opponents to contend against for the position of Sword King."
Cody, who was silent, usually stepped aside and allowed Yan Di to do the talking for him, They were rivals, but they were still friends on good terms with each other as well.
"Shouldn't you at least tell us your identity first? Where is that mutual respect?"
"Hahahaha! My bad! My bad! Listen well, the name's Sonic from the Universal Hawk Headquarters. Right now, I'm issuing a challenge to the both of you as someone who's contending for the position of Sword King as well."
"Cody, I'll deal with this guy, please step aside." Yan Di said with his back facing Cody who had already leaped off the stage.
"It seems that you don't take my words seriously, what I asked for was for the two of you to challenge me together!" Sonic raged as he dashed towards Yan Di and got to his back swiftly, his sword stabbing towards Yan Di who had yet to react.
"That was fast, but compared to illusions, it's still too slow."
Yan Di said in a voice only Sonic can hear before parrying the attack away with his heavy sword, making use of his natural strength advantage over others, he managed to send Sonic sliding to the end of the stage.
Making use of this timing, he had already advanced towards Sonic who had just regained balance. Swinging down, the sword missed Sonic's head just by that slight bit, Sonic was still too fast, or at least he was quick enough to get into position.
By the time Yan Di was about to retaliate again, Sonic had already gotten to the other edge of the stage.
"Just in case you didn't know, I cultivate the assination law. I'm an assassin." As Sonic was speaking, the sword in his hand became one gigantic shuriken that was spinning on his fingers as he threw it towards Yan Di.
"Do you know why Cody and I have never determined who is stronger? That's because the both of us know that we are on totally different levels. If I was the tiger in the forest, then Cody would be the sword master that represents the monster standing above the lion king."
Yan Di raised his voice so that everyone present heard him clearly. Cody stood below the stage, taking all this into his view before closing his eyes. The battle was over.
The next moment, flames cloaked around Yan Di's body as it gave him strength. With this strength, he sent the shuriken flying backwards and smacking Sonic right in the chest as he rushed forward to end this battle.
"That's enough!" Suddenly, an umbrella descended from above and blocked Yan Di from advancing with the slippery ice surface that was created before him.
"You were lucky that you didn't overestimate yourself. If you had stepped on the surface of ice, then cold would be able to rip off a layer of your skin alongside extreme pain." The voice of a woman praised coldly before bringing Sonic away with her.
"Remember, the eight sword masters of the Universal Hawks are only at our strongest when working as a team."
"Ace, do you still think that you can contend against them?" Brimstone who was spectating the battle asked worriedly, that battle just now was already considered epic, yet Cody and the other seven including the Sword Scholar are participating this year.
"For now, I don't stand a chance against them. But once I enter the Sword Tower, surpassing them wouldn't be a pipe dream, it would become a goal that can be fulfilled with enough determination and hardwork. After all, all I lack is time."
Even though Ace was being confident, Brimstone could tell that there wasn't the slightest trace of arrogance. The confidence was coming from Ace's true feelings, he believed in himself and his determination to grow stronger.
Both on the sword path and the cultivation path. Both as an individual and a sect master. Both as a lover and a future father.
"Now then, let's hope that the Sword Tower will live up to my high expectations."