The Ivory Empire has three cities close to the Everlasting Silent Forest, with Balin being the closest. Balin has always been a destination for people from other empires who wish to enjoy the entertainment in Elven territory, conduct trade, or simply take a break from their journey along the Great Belt Road. Following the events of a month ago, Balin's attraction has only grown. While the initial frenzy has died down, the aftermath of the battle still draws many to witness it.
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At the site where Aldrian battled the devils and the Hydra, the Hydra's corpse is no longer present. The elves have already moved it to a secure location in the capital city of Evergreen, where it is being studied. Its various body parts can be dissected for numerous purposes, including the creation of useful artifacts and medicinal pills. For example, the Hydra's claws can be crafted into weapons like arrows or swords, its skin into armor or shields, and its meat can be used to enhance vitality.
Although the Hydra is gone, this spot has become a new attraction for cultivators. The lingering remnants of Aldrian's sword will can still be felt, even a month after he unleashed the 'Slash of the End'. What Aldrian doesn't know is that when he unleashed the 'Slash of the End', every sword on the continent trembled for a split second, except in Balin of course. Sword cultivators from across the continent have come to this place to experience the lingering sword will and try to comprehend it. Many find that it increases their understanding and advances their sword mastery.
Currently, many sword cultivators are meditating around the devastated ground, especially near the spot where Aldrian unleashed his technique. They can't get too close because the remnants of the sword will are still too strong for them. The sword will itself gives them the sensation of being slashed if they get too near, and lower-level cultivators might even injure themselves because they can't withstand the powerful sword will.
However, the closer one is to the source where the technique was unleashed, the more insight they can gain from it. This is the case for a few people present. Some individuals meditate very close to the source, within just two meters of ground zero. Onlookers are not surprised by their presence and can only sigh in admiration.
"As expected of those who are members of the Ten Great Swordmasters of the Continent—they can get closer to the source."
"They're the Ten Great Swordmasters?" a passerby asked the sword cultivator who just made the remark.
"Yes, haven't you seen any of them before?"
"Never."
The swordmaster looked at the man with astonishment. "Which part of the continent are you from, bumpkin? Alright, listen up. The one with black hair and two swords at his waist is Bourdin Smith, famous for his dual sword technique. The man with the longsword is Adel Schwertwächter, his sword can even split the sea. The blonde over there is Gideon Tsavaris from the Tsavaris family of sword cultivators, his sword technique combined with his light laws is a nightmare for his opponents. The one with the headband is Kenshi Yamada, his sword technique is fast and precise. And the last one is Gin Wolfram, his sword movements are unpredictable and difficult to counter."
"Wow, I've only heard their names before. I'm really lucky to have come to Balin this time," the man said.
"Yes, it's truly special. We still don't know who unleashed this technique, but there's speculation that it was one of the top five of the Ten Great Swordmasters."
"Wait, there are rankings among them?"
"Well, it's not official because they haven't fought each other—at least not openly—but people like to rank their power based on their achievements. The title of being one of the Ten Great Swordmasters of the Continent is an honor. Many have challenged them, but the title hasn't changed in a long time."
"Hey, who's that with the huge sword on his back?"
Suddenly, someone shouted and pointed in a direction, and the crowd turned to look at the newcomer emerging from the forest. His muscular physique, emphasized by the tight clothes he wore, radiated explosive power. The large broadsword on his back looked intimidating, and his aura caused people to instinctively avoid him. His middle-aged face, framed by red hair, made him resemble someone from the Flamecrest family, but he was not.
"Sword demon!" someone shouted,
People began to scatter when they heard the title of this demonic cultivator. The Sword Demon, a demonic cultivator with a passion for swordsmanship, is known for pursuing the way of the Demonic Sword of Pure Annihilation. He trained like a maniac and sought challenges in the most dangerous places on the continent, including the Everlasting Silent Forest, where he was trapped for 500 years.
"Shit, I knew he would come here too," the sword cultivator said.
"Is that really the Sword Demon? He's scarier than I thought," the man said.
"Of course he's scary, even the Piercing Heaven Sect can't control him!"
The Sword Demon walked forward, ignoring the murmurs of the crowd. As he approached the source of the sword will, he stopped. Now he stood as close as the other great swordmasters, but he didn't stop there. He continued walking, eventually halting just a meter away from the source. He stood there with his eyes closed, but those watching could see cuts forming on his skin, with blood beginning to seep out.
The onlookers were shocked, both by the sight of the Sword Demon and by the power of the sword will itself. If the remnant of it could injure even the Sword Demon, how much stronger must the person who unleashed this technique have been?
As people focused on the Sword Demon, a group of knights in white robes rode in from the city. The symbol of a sword and a light shining from an eye on their robes made it clear where they were from.
"The paladins from the Church of the Heavenly Direction! And leading them is the Paladin Leader, Arthur Maximilian!"
With his blonde hair, blue eyes, and handsome face, Arthur Maximilian led the entourage from the Church of the Heavenly Direction. His aura felt holy and soothing as he passed by. He stopped not far from the source of the sword will, dismounted his horse, and examined the source for a moment before beginning to walk toward it. The crowd parted to make way for him, but before he could get any closer, he stopped and looked up at the sky. From afar, a black dot in the sky grew larger as it approached with great speed.
As the dot neared, the crowd realized it was a flying giant sword with someone standing on top of it.
"That's Wang Weijian! The Sword Sage of the Heavenly Path!"
The crowd shuddered as a middle-aged man in white robes leaped off the giant sword, which then shrank and returned to his pocket. He landed not far from the source of the sword will, closed his eyes, and stood still, seemingly just enjoying the scene. But everyone knew that wasn't the case.
Not long after, the fragrance of flowers filled the air as flower petals began to drift down. Many turned their gaze toward the opposite side of the paladins, where the silhouette of a woman suddenly appeared.
"That's the only woman among the Ten Great Swordmasters, Elena Rosalind! Is she using her movement technique, the 'Thousand Petals Step'?" the sword cultivator remarked.
A mature-looking woman with a beautiful face and long black hair tied into a ponytail appeared. Her black, tight-fitting robe accentuated her curves, making men stare, and the stockings visible between her robes further fueled their imaginations. The black sword at her waist made her look like a thorny rose—beautiful but deadly.
Her serene eyes scanned the surroundings for a moment before she, too, walked closer to the source of the sword will. Her every movement was elegant, attracting many eyes. She stopped two meters from the source, then moved a little closer, almost reaching the same range as the Sword Demon, before finally sitting down to meditate.
Arthur didn't want to be left out, so he also walked closer, reaching almost the same range as the Sword Demon. He closed his eyes and sat down to meditate. Up until now, they hadn't spoken to each other and were simply minding their own business. Comprehension was more important than mere conversation.
The crowd thought the show was over for the day, with nine of the Ten Great Swordmasters of the Continent present in the same place. But a few hours later, a giant white crane appeared on the horizon, flying towards the same spot. The people, who had distanced themselves from these swordmaster monsters to cultivate further away from the source, turned their attention back again.
The giant crane landed not far from the source, and a man in a white robe with a conical hat dismounted. Tension and shock rippled through the crowd as they recognized him.
"No way—that's the Sword Saint Xin Haotian!"
The atmosphere, which had begun to settle, became lively again. Excited whispers spread through the crowd as the Sword Saint arrived. The other great swordmasters opened their eyes and looked in Xin Haotian's direction, their expressions solemn for the first time.
There were reasons for this reaction. The Sword Saint Xin Haotian was the strongest of the great swordmasters! The ranks from ten to six might fluctuate, and those from five to two might also change. But the number one, who had never been displaced from his position, was the Sword Saint Xin Haotian. Even the other great swordmasters acknowledged this.
Xin Haotian stroked the giant crane's neck before turning to the crowd and taking his sword from the crane's back. He then walked towards the source of the sword will.
"Is he the one who unleashed this technique? I heard he's almost completed creating a divine technique and just needs a little more insight. Maybe he's already mastered it?"
"Why is he coming here then?"
"I don't know."
Murmurs filled the crowd, but Xin Haotian remained focused solely on the source of the sword will. People watched his every move, and the other great swordmasters paused their comprehension sessions. When the Sword Saint passed the one-meter mark from the source, everyone gasped, convinced now that he was the one who had unleashed the technique and was simply here to show off his power.
But they were confused when they saw Xin Haotian reach out towards something in the air. It looked like he was trying to feel the air in front of him, and they were shocked when they saw one of his fingers start to bleed. Xin Haotian looked at his bleeding index finger with a serene expression, then gazed at the spot in front of him before turning his eyes towards the distant mountain.
Though others couldn't feel it, Xin Haotian could sense the true power of the technique. He could even imagine how the person standing in this little crater had unleashed it. Without hesitation, he walked away from the site and headed towards the city.
People were stunned to see the Sword Saint leave with just a little bleeding on his index finger. The other nine great swordmasters became even more solemn. There was only one explanation for this: since the owner of the sword will cannot be harmed by their own sword will, this sword will must belong to someone else. Could it be that there is an unknown eleventh great swordmaster, someone even stronger than the Sword Saint?