“It seems the only option is to proceed with the main contingent into the Illusionary World, and then seek an opportunity to seize the Scarlet Blood Demonic Sword then,” Lu Tong stated. “That is the only way,” Jian Li and the others murmured gravely.

“The Scarlet Blood Demonic Sword. This time, we must ensure its complete destruction,” Yun Peng and the others echoed solemnly.

............................................................. The moon hung high in the sky!

In the courtyard! Master and disciples were reunited, and a long, heartfelt conversation ensued between myself, Jian Li, Jian Qiu, and Jian Fei.

“Good apprentice, tell me how you’ve been faring these past two years,” Jian Li began. “I’ve heard quite a few rumors about you.” “Master flatters me,” I sweated profusely, but proceeded to recount everything that had transpired over the last two years, naturally omitting the monumental secret that I am a descendant of the Demonic Dragon Imperial Family.

“It seems you have become a true Peak Warrior of the Scarlet Moon realm,” Jian Li scrutinized me with a smiling face, clearly delighted. Jian Qiu and Jian Fei beside him shared the same sentiment.

“Yes, Master,” I replied respectfully. “Hahahaha!” Jian Fei chuckled.

“Our Dragon Shadow Villa has truly earned great honor this time.” “I am quite curious about your 'Startling Swan Strike,'” Jian Li said. “Can you tell me what kind of technique that is?” “Startling Swan Strike.” My head began to ache.

Heavens, this so-called ‘Startling Swan Strike’ didn’t even exist—how was I supposed to explain it? “It appears that after leaving Dragon Shadow Villa, you must have encountered some fortuitous encounter elsewhere,” Jian Qiu observed with a strange expression, his thoughts inscrutable.

Jian Li and Jian Fei also watched me with looks of intense inquiry. Had they grown suspicious of me?

A slight alarm rang in my heart. It seemed they wouldn't be convinced without a plausible explanation.

Realizing this, I braced myself and said, “In truth, this so-called Startling Swan Strike was taught to me by that senior master who imparted the Lightning Sword and Lightning Saber techniques.” “Ah! Are you referring to Huang Yi?” Jian Qiu exclaimed in surprise, as if recalling something.

“Pre-precisely,” I broke into a cold sweat. There was no other way to reassure them.

I continued, “The Startling Swan Strike possesses only sword intent, no fixed sword form. It lacks even a cultivation mantra; it is profoundly mysterious.

I couldn't grasp it before, but when facing Luo Yan’s ‘Roaring Tiger Sky Soar,’ I believed death was certain. Unexpectedly, it was in that absolute desperation that I achieved sudden enlightenment and executed that strike.

If you asked me to perform it again now, I wouldn't be able to summon it even if my life depended on it.” “Unbelievable,” Jian Qiu murmured to himself. “Only sword intent, no form, no mantra...

A sword technique like that actually exists in this world.” “The Dao of the Sword is the most profound and unpredictable. Perhaps only this miraculous sword intent, appearing like a startling swan’s fleeting glimpse, could allow one to deliver a strike that turns absolute defeat into victory,” Jian Li exclaimed in awe.

After a long silence, he sighed, “The world calls me the Sword God, but they do not know that there are recluses like Huang Yi in this mortal realm. He is the true, undisputed Sword God.” “I wonder what manner of sword intent it is,” Jian Fei mused, “that allowed you, at the critical moment, to shatter Bai Hu Luo Yan’s ultimate skill—‘Roaring Tiger Sky Soar’—with a single strike.” What sword intent!

I had no idea, and my bewildered expression left me utterly speechless. “Haha,” Jian Li laughed.

“Boy, your destiny is blessed; you gain continuous fortuitous encounters. You are bound to achieve greatness.

Rest assured, since that senior master imparted it to you, we will naturally press no further.” “Phew!” I was saved, letting out a long breath of relief. “Time is short,” Jian Li immediately turned serious.

“Since you have reached the Peak of Scarlet Moon, I will now teach you the subsequent chapters of the Dragon Shadow Sword Technique!” “Thank you, Master,” I said joyfully. “En!” Jian Li smiled gently.

“Give me the Dragon Shadow Sword.” “Yes!” I swiftly drew the Dragon Shadow Sword and respectfully offered it before Jian Li. “What potent Fierce Qi,” Jian Fei’s expression shifted slightly in surprise as he looked at my Dragon Shadow Sword.

Jian Li held the sword in his right hand, his left palm lightly stroking the sword’s cerulean blade, his face also etched with shock. “The Fierce Qi is heavily condensed and lingers, indicating this is a sharp weapon drenched in blood.

It seems your cultivation in the Demonic Dragon World was exceptionally brutal, and your speed in slaying monsters was astonishingly fast, causing a massive buildup of Fierce Qi that could not dissipate.” “The condensation of Fierce Qi has surpassed the rate of its dissipation,” Jian Qiu murmured. “Just how did you cultivate, boy!” “If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't believe it,” Jian Li then looked at me.

“This just shows how astonishing your monster-slaying speed is.” “Ah! So Fierce Qi accumulates after killing monsters?” I was somewhat confused.

Thinking back to the deep, piercing charges I executed in the Demonic Dragon World, I had no idea how many demonic dragon creatures I had slain—at least a million, I supposed. The thought startled even me.

“What is this ‘Fierce Qi’ you speak of? I never sensed anything,” I asked curiously.

Jian Li stated sternly, “A sword, much like a person, cultivates itself by continually slaying monsters, thereby enhancing mental awareness, Dou Qi, and so on. While you were cultivating, your Dragon Shadow Sword was doing the same; as you advanced, your sword accumulated vast amounts of Fierce Qi from the monsters you killed.

An artifact’s essence is based on base iron; base iron becomes an artifact after a hundred battles; an artifact becomes a weapon after a hundred battles. This is what a weapon is.

And once a weapon has engaged in too much slaughter, it becomes a Fierce Weapon.” Jian Li looked at me and continued, “Your Dragon Shadow Sword has now far surpassed the scope of a Fierce Weapon; it can now be classified as a Vicious Weapon—a Vicious Weapon that has grown rapidly due to extreme slaughter. He who slays a hundred becomes intent on killing; he who slays a thousand becomes addicted to killing; he who slays ten thousand becomes consumed by rage-killing!

He who slays tens of millions achieves Nether Killing! This saying speaks of the influence that the accumulation of Fierce Qi and Killing Intent has on a person’s physical, psychological, and spiritual state.

The same principle applies to weaponry.” “This sword is your constant companion, and it has gradually accumulated immense Fierce Qi in your hands. Therefore, while you yourself cannot sense it, others certainly can.” “There is such a thing,” I said, having my worldview broadened.

“Now that your Dragon Shadow Sword has reached the level of a Vicious Weapon, the intensity of the condensed Fierce Qi will increase further. One day, it will transform into a Malevolent Artifact—that is, a Nether Malevolent Artifact.” “Nether Malevolent Artifact?” I didn't quite understand, but it sounded incredibly impressive.

“It is equivalent to the Nine Nether Killing Intent in humans,” Jian Qiu stated solemnly. “When a person accumulates too much Killing Intent, they develop the Nine Nether Killing Intent, and similarly, a weapon evolves into a Nether Malevolent Artifact due to the buildup of Fierce Qi.

Once that happens, this sword will become the second Scarlet Blood Demonic Sword—or rather, something even more terrifying than the Scarlet Blood Demonic Sword.” “Ah!” I gasped in shock. “A second Scarlet Blood Demonic Sword?” “Don’t worry,” Jian Li laughed.

“A Nether Malevolent Artifact is merely a theoretical projection. To forge one, one would need to slay over a hundred million monsters, at least.

While your monster-slaying speed is astonishing, forging a Nether Malevolent Artifact is fundamentally impossible, so you need not worry.” “Unless you could slay ninety million monsters as powerful as the Demonic Dragon War-Lord in ten days, like the Nine Nether Killing Intent of history,” Jian Fei added. “Phew!

That scared me half to death,” I grumbled good-naturedly. “However, I still must ask, do you feel anything unusual about yourself?” Jian Qiu inquired.

“No, everything feels normal,” I replied, somewhat perplexed. Lu Tong had actually brought up this issue with me before: if the accumulation of Killing Intent surpasses its dissipation, it can have terrifying effects on a person.

The most notorious in history was the Nine Nether Killing Intent, which ultimately devolved into a great demon only capable of slaughter and destruction due to excessive killing. Thinking of this, a cold sweat broke out on me.

At this moment, I recalled the mysterious Divine Protection bestowed upon me by the Demonic Dragon Imperial Family. Could it be that my Divine Protection was neutralizing the accumulation of my Killing Intent?

Jiu Yao Zhu Tian once told me that the Demonic Dragon’s Sky Demon Warriors relied on the accumulation of Killing Intent to strengthen their power. Perhaps my situation was similar; the Killing Intent accumulated from slaying those monsters was not affecting my mental state but was being converted by my body into strength, Dou Qi, and so on.

“It seems there is no issue at present,” Jian Li said with some doubt. “Perhaps I worried unnecessarily.

In any case, you must remember to tell me immediately if you sense anything amiss.” “Yes, Master,” I quickly agreed. .......................................................

“Now, I will affix the remaining seven Dragon Shadows onto your Dragon Shadow Sword,” Jian Li stated with a grave expression. “............” I watched nervously as Jian Li held the Dragon Shadow Sword.

Jian Li casually thrust the Dragon Shadow Sword into the table, then closed his eyes slightly. He pushed both hands forward gently, and his entire body was instantly enveloped by a dazzling, seven-colored stream of light.

These seven-colored lights flew faster and faster, eventually forming seven small dragons resembling Dragon Shadows. The seven small dragons flashed rapidly around him at astonishing speeds, like countless arcs of light shimmering in the night sky, indescribably brilliant.

As the speed of the seven small dragons increased, the fluctuations in the surrounding Dou Qi energy grew more intense, eventually forming a veritable tempest of wind and rain. The astonishing impact violently buffeted everything nearby.

Even Jian Qiu and Jian Fei were forced back several steps against their will. “Hah!

Dragon Infusion!” Jian Li pushed both palms forward, stroking the Dragon Shadow’s cerulean blade. The seven small dragons, like returning swallows seeking their nest, joyfully plunged into the Dragon Shadow Sword.

When the light faded, two surfaces of the Dragon Shadow Sword's originally cerulean blade displayed nine lifelike small dragons, each with a distinct form, just like the nine small dragons I had seen on the Nine Dragon Coiling Platform. The surroundings returned to calm, as if nothing had happened, except for the scattered wreckage on the ground, which testified that the preceding event was not an illusion but something that had truly occurred.

“Hoo!” Jian Li’s face was pale, but it couldn't conceal his excitement. “Xing Chen, from this day forward, your Dragon Shadow Sword will truly be the Dragon Shadow Sword.” “Thank you, Master,” I said quickly and respectfully.

“In fact, your progress in cultivation has greatly exceeded my expectations. Originally, I only planned to affix the third Dragon Shadow onto your sword.” At this, Jian Li continued, “However, your victory over Luo Yan proves you possess the strength to cultivate the fifth level of the Dragon Shadow Sword Technique.

Therefore, just now, I infused all the remaining seven Dragon Shadows into your Dragon Shadow Sword. Your sword now possesses nine Dragon Shadows.” “Nine Dragon Shadows,” I was astonished.

“Yes, nine Dragon Shadows,” Jian Li confirmed. “I hope you will cultivate diligently and learn to command these nine shadows with ease soon.” “Two shadows were already so powerful,” I mumbled.

“If there are nine, wouldn't that mean unrivaled might under heaven?” “Unrivaled might under heaven? You dream too big, boy,” Jian Qiu retorted sharply.

“Ordinary disciples are already flustered trying to control two Dragon Shadows; controlling nine all at once is not so easy.” “Of course, if you can control the nine Dragon Shadows as you please, you might not be completely unrivaled, but you won't be far off,” Jian Fei added. “Heh, that’s true,” I suddenly realized.

“Achieving nine simultaneous thoughts isn't that simple.” “It’s good that you understand,” Jian Li said. “Now that you possess nine Dragon Shadows, how to utilize them still requires arduous training.” “Your disciple understands,” I replied respectfully.

................................................................... The scorching sun hung overhead in the eighth month, on the official road from Panlong City toward Tiandu City.

Thump-thump-thump! A deafening roar approached from the distance, and in the blink of an eye, a cloud of dust roared over the distant horizon, soaring toward the sky.

Travelers on the official road scrambled to get out of the way. Swish-swish!

Like a whirlwind, over a thousand cavalrymen sped past—more than a thousand armored and armed wandering warriors. Some experienced merchants and peddlers recognized the Panlong banner and knew this cavalry belonged to the Yun Family of Panlong.

“What is this nonsense?” A peddler complained while hurriedly gathering the goods scattered on the ground from his hasty retreat. “After traveling just a few miles, we run into a group of lunatics.

They really treat this official road like their backyard.” “Tell me about it,” another coachman fumed with barely suppressed anger. “For over a month now, almost every single official road leading to Tiandu Peak has been swarmed by these senseless wandering warriors every day.

I have no idea what they’re all rushing off to do.” “I heard it’s about some kind of sword,” a middle-aged man dressed as a merchant interjected. “Look at the sky; it seems change is coming,” an elder, his hair and beard entirely white, sighed.

“They are looking for a Demonic Sword. If it is found, there will inevitably be another period of bloodshed.” “What sword?

Is it that powerful?” a young man asked curiously. “The Scarlet Blood Demonic Sword,” the white-haired elder replied with a look of terror, as if recalling some dreadful memory.

......................................................................... Tiandu Mountain is situated in the southern reaches of the Tianmeng Mountain Range, within the Tiandu territory.

It is a place of layered emerald peaks and ancient, towering trees, where the land and mountain veins form a peculiar spiral topography, resembling a massive natural labyrinth. The continent’s most mysterious Illusionary World lies precisely at the center of Tiandu Mountain’s spiral terrain, upon a solitary, proud, vertical peak—Tiandu Peak.

We arrived at the foot of Tiandu Peak around dusk. Having traveled continuously for three days, many were exhausted.

Yun Peng decided to rest for the night and head for Tiandu Peak the following morning. The Yun Family had mobilized over a thousand disciples, but these were merely for show.

The true force comprised Jian Li, the Vermillion Bird Alliance, the Scarlet Moon Villa, the Flowing Cloud Villa, and more than a dozen other elders. “Left hand square, right hand circle!” After dismounting, I muttered to myself, “Left hand S, right hand Z.” Simultaneously, I kept gesturing with both hands.

I had maintained this routine for three straight days, much to the curiosity of the older fellows like Bi Yan and Gao Jing nearby. “Hey, Old Man Jian Li, did you knock your apprentice senseless?” “He hasn’t stopped for three days.

Is he having a spasm or something?” Bi Yan asked curiously. “Ignore him,” Jian Li said awkwardly.

“The boy is training to multitask.” “Multitask!” Bi Yan’s eyes suddenly gleamed fiercely, making me feel uneasy. I stopped immediately.

“Um, Martial Uncle Bi, is there a problem?” “Heh, interesting.” Bi Yan mimicked my hand gestures—left hand square, right hand circle—but couldn't manage the coordination. “It looks deceptively simple, but why can’t I draw it correctly?” “Tch, with your block of wood brain, how can you compare to my apprentice?” Jian Li seemed immensely proud.

This training method was actually inspired by my study of the ancient novel The Return of the Condor Heroes, where Xiao Longnü learned Zhou Botong’s technique of protecting the left and right sides simultaneously. The entire purpose was to practice multitasking, and it worked remarkably well.

Jian Li would secretly practice for a while when no one was looking, fearing that overt practice might damage his image as a grandmaster in public. As for me, I had no such reservations.

Influenced by me, my two senior martial brothers, Jian Chong and Jian Xiang, also took up this practice. They had come to deliver wedding gifts for Luo Haocheng of the White Tiger Alliance’s marriage and had witnessed my entire process of slaying Luo Yan.

After the Master arrived in the Demonic Dragon World, they also settled in with the Yun Family. They held my junior martial brother in the highest esteem.

Consequently, my 'square-circle' training method became part of their regimen. Even the Yun Family disciples who initially wanted to learn the Lightning Sword and Lightning Saber from me started practicing this peculiar routine, much to everyone's amusement and head-shaking.

“Look how smug you are,” Bi Yan said dismissively and retreated into his tent. As dawn broke, our group set off toward the summit of Tiandu Peak.

The warhorses were left at the base of the mountain, along with a few Yun Family disciples assigned to watch them. The journey through the verdant spring mountains was not tiring.

Two days later, we finally reached the entrance to the legendary Illusionary World.