Free Web NovelChapter 684: Chapter 684: A Profusion of Talents
The Nineteenth Prince’s sudden rise to prominence made him a dark horse and a popular topic of conversation. However, this Swordsmanship Tournament featured many such dark horses. As the countdown to the event continued, the world’s attention shifted from Su Han back to the tournament itself. Although hosted by the Heavenly Sword Dynasty, it was not limited to the dynasty’s Jiuzhou region. From beyond its borders, many world-renowned genius sword cultivators rushed to attend. At the Mount Hua Sword Debate, prodigies like the Saint Heir and Yun Jun Holy Maiden were top contenders for first place. This time, however, their strength was only considered average, making it nearly impossible for them to take the top spot. There were simply too many powerful experts attending; any one of them, chosen at random, boasted countless glorious achievements and legendary deeds.
This world was never lacking in geniuses.
"The Swordsmanship Tournament is about to begin, and all the talents of the world will gather at the Imperial Capital. This will surely be an unprecedentedly grand event."
"The allure of the Myriad Virtual Realm is too strong. Many great powers have sent their genius sword cultivators. I heard that the Demon Swordsman of the Dugu Imperial Clan has ended his seclusion and is now heading for the Imperial Capital."
"What? The Demon Swordsman is coming? He’s a ruthless one! He once practiced his swordsmanship to the point of demonification but managed to break free. In his pursuit of the Sword Dao, he even slaughtered ten cities."
The public buzzed with discussion. The Demon Swordsman was a figure whose name alone made people pale. The Dugu Imperial Clan was immensely powerful, but it was not a family of sword cultivators; the Demon Swordsman was an exception. He was not old, but his descent into demonification and his subsequent slaughter of cities and destruction of nations had earned him an infamous reputation.
When he began his seclusion three years ago, he was already at the Supreme Realm. Now, no one knew what level he had reached. He was also a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon List, ranked two hundred and eight. Of course, that was his ranking from three years prior. He had remained in seclusion ever since and had not revealed his abilities in public, so his true strength was a mystery.
"Besides the Demon Swordsman, I heard the Sword Lunatic has also arrived!"
"That’s to be expected. He must be here for the Myriad Virtual Realm."
"Sigh, what a devoted man. I wonder who is stronger, him or the Demon Swordsman?"
The crowd began to discuss another genius sword cultivator, but this time with a hint of sorrow in their voices. Unlike the Demon Swordsman, the Sword Lunatic’s obsession was not with the sword, but with his wife. Legend had it that on his wedding night, he became so engrossed in his sword practice that he accidentally killed her. Afterward, he sealed her soul within his sword and had been searching for a way to revive her ever since.
Yet, the man’s innate talent was truly formidable. Despite his tragic devotion, he continued to excel on the path of the sword, having already reached the Supreme Realm Ninth Layer. He had been stuck at that level for over a year, as his wife had supposedly become his Heart Demon. It was said that until he could revive her, he would never be able to let go and thus could never achieve Instant Sanctification. His purpose for attending the Swordsmanship Tournament was obvious to all: he intended to use the opportunities within the Myriad Virtual Realm to attempt to resurrect his wife. For such a lovelorn man, people felt not the fear they held for the Demon Swordsman, but a sense of sympathy.
A boastful laugh rang out from a nearby tavern. "First place in the Swordsmanship Tournament belongs to me, Chu Kuang! The rest of you are nothing but worthless rabble that I can slay with a single strike!"
Inside, a man with thick eyebrows and large eyes was drinking heartily and making his wild claims.
"The Sword Maniac!"
At the sight of this man, many people’s expressions changed drastically. Chu Kuang, from the Ancient Chu Family, was arrogant and conceited but had the capital to back it up. He possessed the Gale Sacred Body and practiced a unique style of swordsmanship, using the wind as his blade and his madness as his intent, which made him incredibly powerful.
He was also an expert at the Supreme Realm Ninth Layer, just one step away from the Saint Realm. He came to the tournament for two reasons: first, to test himself against other sword cultivators, and second, to see if he could use the pressure to force a breakthrough into the Saint Realm. Of course, his arrogance was infuriating, which was precisely why people called him the Sword Maniac.
The Demon Swordsman, the Sword Lunatic, and the Sword Maniac—these three were all renowned sword cultivation prodigies and powerful experts at the Supreme Realm Ninth Layer. Although their cultivation was "only" at the Supreme Realm, they all possessed the combat power to challenge Saints and could not be underestimated. They were, of course, merely a few prominent examples. Besides them, countless other genius sword cultivators had rushed from all corners of the world to gather in the Imperial Capital for the grand tournament.
"This is truly a clash of titans! Every one of them is a strong contender for first place. It’s hard to say who will win in the end!" someone exclaimed.
With so many talented experts gathering, sparks were bound to fly. As the saying goes, in scholarship there is no first, and in martial arts there is no second. There could only be one champion, and everyone would fight for that title. Who would have the last laugh remained to be seen.
"Our Heavenly Sword Dynasty has many geniuses too! The Saint Heir and Yun Jun Holy Maiden went into seclusion right after the Mount Hua Sword Debate, so they must be stronger now that they’ve emerged. I also heard that the Heartless Holy Son of the Heart Sword Sacred Palace has come out and will also participate!"
In the eyes of the populace, the three great Sacred Lands within the Heavenly Sword Dynasty still held a high status. Despite the formidable reputations of outsiders like the Demon Swordsman, the locals naturally supported the geniuses of their own nation.
"The Second Prince and the Third Prince have also arrived, and they are both aiming for first place. I wonder if the Second Prince’s Confucian Swordsmanship has improved, and just how strong the Third Prince’s War Swordsmanship, tempered by the army, has become."
The princes of the dynasty could not be absent from such a grand event. As the most outstanding among their peers, the Second Prince and the Third Prince naturally garnered significant attention. The Heavenly Sword Crown Prince, of course, was another matter entirely. He was in a different league from the other princes and would not participate; otherwise, no one else would stand a chance.
"But don’t forget, there’s also the Nineteenth Prince!" someone added, bringing up Su Han.
Recently, the Nineteenth Prince’s fame had been growing, faintly overshadowing even the Second and Third Princes to become a major focus of public attention. He had made a stunning debut at the Mount Hua Sword Debate, defeating the Eighth Prince and the Thirteenth Princess, then subsequently besting the Saint Heirs and Holy Maidens of the three great Sacred Lands. This alone was enough to draw everyone’s notice.
Furthermore, in the past two months, this Nineteenth Prince had fought his way from Nanyang City to the Haoran Sect, crossing three or four Daozhou and annihilating over a dozen factions. Veteran experts like Bai Xu Saint and the Sect Master of the Haoran Sect had died because of him. It was said he was now in seclusion within the Haoran Sect, clearly preparing for the tournament. Once he emerged, his strength would surely be even greater, making him another top contender for first place.
"Geniuses are gathering and titans are clashing. Who will claim the ultimate prize?" someone sighed, filled with endless anticipation for the upcoming Swordsmanship Tournament.
