In the world of cultivators, even after countless years of bitter cultivation, one cannot see or touch eternal life either. The only pinnacle that one could see was the realm at the end of Nepenthe.
Various cultivation factions had different names for this realm. Daoists praised it with the title "Great Sage," while the sword cultivators described it as "Great Sword Immortal."
Every sword cultivator, at the moment they first gripped a sword, probably dreamed of one day stepping into the end of Nepenthe, standing atop the solitary peak of the sword path, becoming the so-called great sword immortal.
When Gan Yong first went up the mountain, when his master bestowed him the flying sword New Mirror, he was full of youthful vigor and high aspirations. He thought that within a few decades, he would step into that realm, standing at the pinnacle of the sword path, watching other sword cultivators as if they were nothing.
However, as his cultivation realm continued to rise, and he found that his fellow sword cultivators of the same sect could no longer rival him, Gan Yong's gaze was fixed only on the realm of Great Sword Immortal. Yet, when he truly attempted to step into the realm of Nepenthe, to be called a sword immortal, he realized that progressing further had become incredibly challenging. The realm of Great Sword Immortal had gradually become an insurmountable mountain at the end of his vision. Despite numerous attempts, he could not reach the summit.
Why did he choose to challenge fellow sword cultivators of the same generation thirty years ago? It was actually to find an opportunity for himself, to see if he could glimpse the realm of Great Sword Immortal amidst sword competition. Even when he encountered that sword immortal from the Sword Sect later, even though he eventually lost and became blind, unable to see again, he did not fall into despair. It was likely for this reason.
But after losing his vision, his sword heart remained untarnished, still longing for the so-called realm of great sword immortal. He continued to move forward, but in these thirty years, he still could not reach the foot of that mountain, let alone talk about climbing it.
However, after the words of the Great Liang Emperor, Gan Yong gained enlightenment. He willingly destroyed the flying swords that were once connected to his mind, choosing to keep only the sword named Morning Glow. Although he suffered severe injuries due to the backlash, in this moment, with only one sword remaining, he glimpsed the realm of great sword immortal that he had always yearned for.
As his eyes burst with endless radiance, the once blood-red sword body of Morning Glow now radiated boundless brilliance.
With a single thrust, the sword qi surged endlessly.
Meeting the wind and snow, he aimed to shatter them. Meeting the Great Liang Emperor, he intended to cut the Great Liang Emperor down.
The Great Liang Emperor beckoned, and the bronze ancient sword returned to his palm. This ancient sword was originally the least closely connected among Gan Yong's flying swords. Otherwise, it would not have been so easily severed by the Great Liang Emperor. Now, willingly severing the final connection, this bronze ancient sword became a masterless object.
The Great Liang Emperor exhaled a turbid breath. Consecutively killing two cultivators in the Nepenthe Realm was not necessarily as effortless as it might appear.
But now, seeing Gan Yong deliberately delivering the sword of a great sword immortal at the last moment, the Great Liang Emperor did not find it surprising. After gripping the sword, he muttered to himself, "You sword cultivators seek to be carefree and unrestrained; this is the so-called demeanor of an immortal. But my frontier soldiers also wield swords, and in their hands, a sword is a deadly weapon for killing. There's no so-called elegance. Of course, from the perspective of cultivators like you, these martial artists don't know how to use a sword at all."
The Great Liang Emperor smiled, "How a sword is used is actually not important. What matters is whether, when this sword is swung, it looks like a flower or truly capable of killing someone."
Looking at Gan Yong's sword technique that reached the level of a great sword immortal, the Great Liang Emperor said with a smile, "This sword move is indeed impressive."
Before his voice faded, he brandished his sword. Before the great sword immortal's sword arrived in front of him, he took the initiative to swing his own.
Under the heavens, aside from another great sword immortal, there probably would not be anyone else who would choose to face a great sword immortal in a sword fight.
However, the Great Liang Emperor did not care. He had already unleashed his sword move, taking the initiative to confront that earth-shattering sword technique! The blind Gan Yong arrived with his sword, and behind him, several gusts of wind and snow surged. Between heaven and earth, numerous columns of colossal white snow gradually gathered into one after another, reaching straight into the sky; grand and majestic!
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Two figures arrived late, precisely two sword cultivators who had come south together: Yu Xiyi and Liu Banbi. When both of them saw this scene, they were equally shocked.
Liu Banbi was a sword immortal who had stepped into Nepenthe after all, he could discern with just one glance that this was the sword technique of a great sword immortal. He said solemnly, "Yu Xi, open your eyes wide and watch carefully. This great sword immortal's sword is more lifelike than the great talisman of your Sword Sect. If you miss it, you'll regret it!"
There was no need for Liu Banbi to say anything, Yu Xiyi's gaze was already fixed. He looked at the white pillars before him, sensing the surging sword intent between heaven and earth. Looking the Sword Immortal Gan Yong who was situated in the center, he muttered, "Who exactly is this great sword immortal?"
Liu Banbi did not divert his attention either. But he was much more experienced than this young junior. Seeing the blind old sword immortal, he slowly said, "Thirty years ago, there was a duel between a sword immortal and a certain sword immortal of your Sword Sect. In the end, the Sword Sect's sword immortal emerged victorious, leaving his opponent defeated and blinded. It's likely this senior."
As a disciple of the Sword Sect, Yu Xiyi was well aware of that historical event. Yet, he could not help but express admiration, "After losing in the sword battle, this senior unexpectedly rose again thirty years later, stepping into the realm of great sword immortal. From what I know, our senior from the Sword Sect doesn't seem to have reached the realm of great sword immortal even now."
Liu Banbi was silent for a moment, then suddenly shook his head, saying, "Not exactly. Although this sword already possesses the might of a great sword immortal, it hasn't truly stepped into that realm. It's a sword guided by one's inspiration. If this sword fails, the least that could happen is a severe injury."
Yu Xiyi murmured, "But who in this world could stop this sword?"
Liu Banbi stayed silent, just looking at that majestic figure.
The adversary of this sword was none other than the Great Liang Emperor.
If the Great Liang Emperor were in his peak state, facing a sword strike from a great sword immortal, which was hailed as having the greatest killing power in the world, there would be no doubt that he could resist it. However, the present Great Liang Emperor was fatigued, how could he withstand this strike?
Liu Banbi felt deeply worried, but at this moment, even as a sword immortal, he could not do anything to intervene for the Great Liang Emperor.
He pressed onto the Embracing Cicada that was crying incessantly in its scabbard and muttered softly, "How can those demons compare to this sword immortal?"
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The emperor robe of the Great Liang Emperor fluttered continuously. His tall figure wielded the bronze ancient sword, deeply immersed in endless sword qi. The sword qi pervading heaven and earth, roamed freely like numerous swords laid horizontally across the world. Each sword descending was equivalent to at least a strike by a Nepenthe Realm.
The Great Liang Emperor's emperor robes had long become riddled full of holes.
Nevertheless, the sword in his hand continued to cut a path, tearing through the sword intent. Despite the overwhelming sword energies, he opened up a passageway by relying on his powerful cultivation base. Ignoring the tumultuous sword intent, he approached not far from the blinded Gan Yong.
Gan Yong also sensed the presence of the Great Liang Emperor but simply extended his hand indifferently, releasing the flying sword Morning Glow. He sighed softly, "Your Majesty can break nine-tenths of this sword. For the last one-tenth, this old man will stake my life. Regardless of victory or defeat, I only hope this sword can be expressed to the fullest expression of its beauty and form."
The Great Liang Emperor looked at the flying sword Morning Glow, and asked thoughtfully, "After executing this sword move, you will die. Did you leave any legacy behind with this sword?"
Gan Yong shook his head but soon smiled, "There are two young sword cultivators in the distance, both presumably individuals with great talent. If one of them can discern the true meaning, it would be considered passing on my legacy."
The Great Liang Emperor nodded, "Indeed, saving you for the last was the right choice. The final strike of a great sword immortal will be extraordinary. It's just a pity that We are not willing to die under this sword."
His voice faded.
The Great Liang Emperor approached Gan Yong, and the flying sword Morning Glow started to tremble. At this moment, all the sword qi in the world converged towards this flying sword.
Though the flying sword Morning Glow showed no visible changes, in an instant, it seemed to transform into an incredibly sharp towering giant sword!
Carrying boundless sword intent, Morning Glow headed towards the Great Liang Emperor. The last part of the great sword immortal's strike was embedded in this sword!
Gan Yong, with over a sixty-year cycle of sword cultivation, displayed his prowess to the fullest at this moment.
In this instant, he seemed to have already glimpsed the scenery from the mountaintop.
The overwhelming sword intent bloomed at the tip of the flying sword Morning Glow, completely engulfing the Great Liang Emperor.
The wind and snow raged, and between heaven and earth, everything turned into a vast expanse of white.
It was very difficult to see anything else.
At this moment, only the continuous sound of sword intent sweeping through could be heard.
Apart from that, there was nothing else.
It was unknown how long had passed.
Gan Yong's complexion suddenly turned extremely pale, and a mouthful of blood sprayed from his mouth.
His mind stirred, but he never managed to summon back that flying sword Morning Glow.
The wind and snow dispersed at this moment.
The Great Liang Emperor, with his tattered emperor robe, suddenly appeared, and the bronze ancient sword in his hand had already snapped.
Holding the broken sword, the Great Liang Emperor swayed unsteadily.
Sensing this scene, Gan Yong sighed bitterly. He could not accept this outcome, but it had already happened.
He could not find the words to say, his life force had begun gradually slipping away at this moment.
The last strike of a great sword immortal, he could have preserved his life if he only unleashed nine-tenths of its power. But, he chose to execute it flawlessly. What awaited him was nothing but death.
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The Great Liang Emperor slowly walked towards Gan Yong. However, after just a few steps, amidst the wind and snow, a figure suddenly rushed out, wielding a poisoned dagger in his hand.
Four people joined forces. This person had the lowest cultivation level; not yet stepping into the Nepenthe Realm, but possessed the strongest means of killing. While the other three were attacking, he had been hiding in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment.
And now, it was the perfect chance.
After enduring a great battle, the Great Liang Emperor was at his weakest. This strike had at least an eighty percent chance of success.
He had been waiting for this chance.
However, just as the dagger was about to pierce the Great Liang Emperor's body, a broken sword stabbed into his chest first.
No matter how broken the sword was, it would still be longer than a dagger, this was something that everyone knew.
The Great Liang Emperor glanced at the assassin who had been lurking for a while expressionlessly, then let go of the sword hilt.
The assassin had a look of disbelief, but collapsed in the snow.
The Great Liang Emperor stood in place, and soon, the snow dyed his robes white.
The world became very quiet.
Far away, the two sword cultivators fell silent too.
After a moment, the sound of galloping hooves suddenly echoed.
A cavalry unit rushed in from outside the city.
"This general, Wei Feng, garrison commander of Xuanling Commandery, arrived late for the rescue! I hope Your Majesty forgives me!"
