Monarch's Sword! . . .
The spectacle of Cha Eun Xiao's remarkable footwork left the three other men from the Saint Sunlight Sect completely dumbfounded. The agility and precision with which he executed the movements were nothing short of extraordinary, defying the laws of normal martial techniques.
Han Bingxue, who initially stood in disbelief, was soon overwhelmed by an array of emotions. When he witnessed Cha Eun Xiao perform the footwork a second time, his shock turned into joy and even tears welled up in his eyes. It was a complex mix of emotions that surged within him.
Tears of joy began to fill Han Bingxue's eyes, and a deep well of emotions churned within his heart. [What have I just witnessed? That footwork... isn't it Brother Ye's personal martial art?]
[The Supremacy Walk...]
[Brother Ye had once mentioned it, and he gave it this name based on the unparalleled mastery and dominance it conveyed.]
[No other martial art could hold a candle to this. It wasn't the fastest or the most powerful, but it exuded an air of unparalleled supremacy.]
[This is Brother Ye's very own martial art...]
[Is this young man somehow connected to Brother Ye?]
Han Bingxue was caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, his mind returning to the memory of his dear Brother Ye, who had long since passed away.
[At last, I've seen your martial art again, Brother Ye... I can feel your presence.]
[I've assumed the guise of Shadowless Assassin and dedicated my life to eliminating superior cultivators from the three factions, all in your honor.]
[I do this to avenge you, my dear Brother Ye...]
[I aim to make the world remember that the Xiao Monarch is not forgotten, that he still has brothers who seek vengeance on his behalf.]
[Even though he's gone, his memory lives on through us.]
[I'm willing to lay down my life for him. My existence is a testament to my unwavering loyalty.]
[And now, I've witnessed his personal movements in this young man...]
[I can see the echo of my Brother Ye when he executes that footwork.]
[This young man must be Brother Ye's successor...]
[It all makes sense now. That's why he saved me.]
[That's how he knew my true identity.]
Tears cascaded from Han Bingxue's eyes as he grappled with the enormity of the revelation.
Meanwhile, the battle took an unexpected turn.
Cha Eun Xiao and his opponent rapidly retreated, each of them moving like shooting stars. But the Saint Sunlight Sect cultivator exhibited a remarkable feat; he multiplied into nine faint shadows, with all nine figures converging on Cha Eun Xiao from different directions, seeking to overwhelm him with their combined attack.
Initially retreating, Cha Eun Xiao executed a swift turnaround, launching a counterattack against one of the figures. His unassuming palm strike might have appeared weak, but it caused eight of the nine figures to evaporate, leaving only the true enemy.
Though the old man's shadowy tactics had failed, he remained undeterred and continued his aggressive charge. As Cha Eun Xiao eliminated the false projections, he found himself hemmed in and unable to evade the impending attack. He had no choice but to stand his ground and confront the powerful strike head-on.
The foe, already a formidable Dao Origin Stage cultivator, had a significant advantage over Cha Eun Xiao, who was just a Dream Origin Stage cultivator. The difference in their cultivation levels was glaring, even though the man's strike was only unleashed at thirty percent of its true potential. The onlookers could clearly discern this.
Nonetheless, just as the two were on the verge of collision, a brilliant stream of blue light suddenly burst forth. Simultaneously, Cha Eun Xiao stood upright, his gaze fixated on his adversary with a tranquil countenance. He was the source of the radiant blue light.
The atmosphere underwent a transformation that was felt by everyone present. This was not just an ordinary sword attack; it carried an air of regality, grace, and solemnity.
It was the Swordplay of a King.
The Dao Origin stage cultivator at level two experienced the abrupt change most acutely. He had initially been convinced of his victory, given his overwhelming attack. But then, as the Monarch's Sword Move was unleashed, his once unstoppable assault came to an abrupt halt. A sudden tremor coursed through his body, leaving his visage as pallid as if all life had drained from it.
His heart seemed to freeze in his chest, and he let out an agonized cry. "Monarch's Sword! It's the Monarch's Sword Move! Ahhhh..."
Before he could finish his exclamation, the brilliant blue radiance intensified, ascending into the heavens. The aura of the sword technique swelled to a spectacular scale, surging unstoppably towards the Dao Origin stage cultivator. Amidst the resplendent and breathtaking display of sword lights, an arctic chill pervaded the atmosphere.
And then, with a soft, almost imperceptible sound – puff! – the Dao Origin stage cultivator's countenance, still gripped by fear and pallor, suddenly became listless as he collapsed to the ground.
A tiny, bloodied gash marked his forehead, yet an even greater stream of blood flowed from the back of his head.
In a single sword strike, Cha Eun Xiao had snuffed out his life.
He, an adept of considerable cultivation, had never imagined such an ending. Not in his wildest dreams. His extensive prowess in martial arts had given him an edge against his opponents. Initially, when facing Cha Eun Xiao, he had recognized the exceptional nature of Cha Eun Xiao's footwork, briefly entertaining thoughts of the legendary Xiao Monarch's footwork.
He had been puzzled when that notion crossed his mind and had hurriedly launched his kill strike, known as the Phantom of Eight. This move created nine shadowy figures: eight mere phantoms and one real figure that could be interchanged at will, including a new one to replace each phantom as needed. The attack was intended to encircle Cha Eun Xiao, thwarting his footwork and ultimately delivering a fatal blow.
The Dao Origin stage cultivator had succeeded in identifying the secret behind Cha Eun Xiao's footwork and even breaking it. Nevertheless, it was the unforeseen climax that had never crossed his mind—the use of the Monarch's Sword.
The name "Xiao Monarch" struck terror in the hearts of those affiliated with the three factions. For nearly three thousand years, he had been the most formidable and menacing adversary they had ever encountered. While his memory had faded with time, in the past two years, the aura of the Xiao Monarch had surged to new heights.
This resurgence was attributed to individuals like Jun Yinglian, Shadowless Assassin, and others. In essence, the legend of Xiao Monarch had grown stronger, not weaker, with time.