The moonlight was like snow! Before the open ground of the camp! Feeling the clear, powerful energy fluctuation within the sword sheath, a wave of inexpressible emotion and excitement surged in my heart! Twenty-five years—this sword had finally returned to my hand! Not only that, but I was also wearing Xingye’s Fengtian Demon Armor! This was the armor I had traded my life for against Shengyu Zhenyu back then! Now, it was finally adorning me, just as I had wished! I was overcome with emotion! Carefully feeling the strange surge of energy swirling around me, I could scarcely believe what I was sensing.

Power—a surging current within my body, filling every bone and limb, like raging fire! Like an exploding inferno, or the turbulent, endless surge of the Yangtze River! And the purple streams of light that had originally encircled the Fengtian Demon Armor now blazed with unimaginable brilliance, like a rising sun! Was this the true strength of the Fengtian Demon Armor? It was vastly superior to the Thunder Armor! Feeling this terrifying power, my entire being was saturated with a fiercely burning will to fight! Never before had I so intensely yearned for battle, craved a truly powerful adversary.

Worthy of being the strongest Fengtian Demon Armor—I barely managed to suppress the excitement thrumming within me.

With a casual motion, I drew the Dragon Shadow Sword! Clang! A blue streak of light shot instantly from the scabbard! The hazy moonlight was instantly dyed in dazzling, brilliant azure and purple light! This was accompanied by bursts of hurried, deep hums! Astonishing energy fluctuations raged outward like a volcanic eruption.

I could not describe the scene, yet I felt profoundly that the Dragon Shadow Sword in my hand felt truly alive; its vigorous life force was manifesting before my eyes with unprecedented clarity and joyous intensity.

I could even sense its excitement, like a demonic creature long suppressed, finally unleashed! Or perhaps like long-lost relatives finally reunited.

The subtle mental vibrations I had occasionally felt from it in the past now burst into the deepest recesses of my mind with unmatched clarity and vitality.

Excitement, ecstasy! Though there were no words, I truly felt its inherent consciousness! Ah! What was happening? I could hardly believe my eyes, staring blankly at the faintly trembling longsword in my hand.

The Dragon Shadow Sword no longer emitted the clear, deep blue light of twenty-five years ago! Instead, it displayed a bizarre, dreamlike, rainbow luminescence, as if I held a magical ribbon of seven colors in my grasp! Even more astonishing, the low humming grew louder and clearer! As if it were trying to confide something! The surroundings echoed with deep, muffled metallic drones—they were coming from the Heaven-Cleaving Greatsword on Xingye’s back and the Tyrant’s Blade in Xingzhan’s hands! The sight before me irresistibly brought to mind the memory of Jidu, wielding the Blade of Destiny, facing off against the Blood Tiger Luojiang in their desperate battle! Yes, it was the hum of spirit swords! But the low drone now seemed far more intense than it had been in the past.

So much so that even the Heaven-Cleaving Greatsword on Xingye’s back and the Tyrant’s Blade in Xingzhan’s hands became highly unstable, seeming ready to break free from their masters’ restraint at any moment! “Xingzhan, what is happening?” I could not fathom why the Dragon Shadow Sword in my hand was exhibiting such fierce excitement.

“Ah!” Xingzhan stared in stunned silence, “I...

I don’t know either.

The Dragon Shadow Sword has always been quiet before.” “Unbelievable,” Xingye was even more astonished.

“The Heaven-Cleaver is moving too.

Is this the true face of the Dragon Shadow Sword?” “The Dragon Shadow Sword is only truly itself in Father’s hands,” Xingzhan couldn’t help but exclaim with joy, “It’s so magnificent.” Buzz! Buzz! The deep hum resonated with an unusual depth and strangeness in the hazy moonlight! It took a long while before this peculiar phenomenon ceased! However, the shock it delivered left my mind restless for a long time! Though I couldn't articulate it, I knew clearly that the Dragon Shadow Sword in my hand was no longer the sword it had been before.

Because it was now alive! Yes, the sword spirit bound within the Dragon Shadow Sword had finally fully awakened, and moreover, it was even stronger than before! I didn't know why it only revealed its vitality and thoughts in my hands, but I clearly felt the Dragon Shadow Sword's deep attachment and protectiveness toward me! There was an inseparable tether, a connection as intimate as shared blood.

It was like a part of my body, a piece of my spirit! Reflecting deeply, every experience since obtaining the Dragon Shadow Sword seemed to confirm this without exception! The Dragon Shadow Sword and I were destined to be a pair! “Old friend, I will never leave you behind again,” I said, forcing down the excitement and joy while gently stroking the faintly trembling blade.

In that moment, I finally understood why the Dragon Shadow Sword was so agitated and thrilled.

It was because I was the only person in this world who could perceive its intent and thoughts.

It was just like how I could sense the intent and thoughts of the little one by the shore of Washing Heart Lake.

This was another form of communication between spirits.

Mortals could never imagine, never comprehend, and never interfere with it! As if sensing my thoughts, the vibration in my mind intensified, becoming more vigorous and joyous, seeming to cheer and respond.

“Hahahaha! Old friend, let me see what you two little ones have learned over the years.” Recalling the Dragon Shadow Sword’s marvelous memory inheritance, I was filled with great curiosity! “Buzz! Buzz!” As if understanding my intention, the Dragon Shadow Sword’s strange luminescence flared again! It emitted bursts of peculiar cries! As if consciously guiding my body and mind! Even the internal qi within me was affected by this strange state, beginning to circulate spontaneously without my control! Scenes of strange images flashed through my mind intermittently! And the masters of those scenes were Xingye and Xingzhan! Every battle they had fought, every move they had executed since receiving the Dragon Shadow Sword until today, flooded into my mind without exception! It seemed the Dragon Shadow Sword had not only passed my ultimate skills to them, but it had also recorded the advanced techniques they had independently comprehended afterward, now feeding them back clearly to me! It was hard to explain what kind of state this was, yet my body, guided by the Dragon Shadow Sword, naturally swung, stabbed, and flashed, creating arcs of dazzling, magnificent light.

Swift as lightning, the nimble and ethereal Lightning Quick Sword moved like a lightning spirit dancing in the night sky, mixed with surging, churning sword energy, radiating sharp, piercing killing intent.

Sometimes it whistled through the air, sometimes it retracted sharply, every move fluid and natural, perfectly integrated.

This was the Lightning Sword Technique I had customarily used, but now it was sharper, more refined, like a seed constantly sprouting, having finally evolved into its mature form! It was the Lightning Sword Technique that Xingzhan had modified and improved through years of actual combat experience.

Fieldside “Ah, Father is using my Stellar River Lightning,” Xingzhan stared, dumbfounded, watching the familiar sword moves on the field.

Although he knew the Dragon Shadow Sword possessed the miraculous ability to record its master’s martial cultivation, he was still profoundly shocked to see his father execute it so effortlessly.

It had taken both of them nearly two years to fully master the ultimate techniques of the Father recorded within the Dragon Shadow Sword.

“My heavens,” Xingye was utterly stunned.

“He learned your years of painstakingly practiced improvements in the blink of an eye.” Soon, the swift-as-lightning quick sword on the field instantly transformed into an unprecedented fury and killing intent! Every strike, every form was overwhelmingly mighty! Though born from the Lightning Sword Technique, while inheriting its extreme speed, it merged the formidable grandeur of the Hundred Battles Saber Technique’s Nine Heavens Star River and some of the solid power from the Sun-Chasing Sword Technique I had witnessed, imbued with an unrivaled dominance and tragic grandeur.

“Damn it, Father learned my Stellar River Miles in one go too,” Xingye almost collapsed onto the ground this time! “No wonder Teacher Jidu said Father is an inconceivable martial arts freak.” Xingzhan looked equally defeated.

Two sets of sword techniques, similar in structure yet vastly different in style, were instantly transmitted to my mind as if copied and transplanted.

It seemed these two little ones’ martial cultivation was no small thing; they were far, far stronger than I was twenty-five years ago! Worthy of being the children of Xingchen! I rejoiced inwardly! But these two ultimate sword techniques further ignited my inspiration and imagination; it was as if a flood of ingenious moves suddenly poured into my mind! “Keep your eyes wide open and watch Father’s true skills.” Then the sword momentum shifted again! Vertical slash! Diagonal chop! Horizontal sweep, upward lift! Direct thrust! This time, it belonged to no one else’s ultimate technique.

It was as if it guided the consciousness deep within my heart, allowing my body to naturally reenact every battle I had fought since waking up! This was the summary of my own martial arts, reorganized and refined after absorbing the essence of Xingye and Xingzhan’s techniques! It was the discovery and verification of my past martial potential.

Dragon Shadow Heart Method! Hundred Battles Saber Technique! Lightning Sword Technique! Instant Invincibility! Thunder Battle Qi! Raging Lion Battle Qi! Nine Dragons Guard! Nine Heavens Star River! Each ultimate skill was no longer a solitary technique but an organic whole integrated together, naturally fusing, refining, and evolving under the control of my thoughts and the spirit sword! The nine-colored Dragon Shadow flickered up and down, mixed with the surging, turbulent, strange Nine Dragons Guard Battle Qi, flashing brilliant, dazzling streams of light in the night sky—sometimes soaring upward like an enraged dragon, sometimes diving down like a star falling from the Ninth Heaven, sometimes chasing each other, covering a hundred meters in an instant, like celestial horses galloping through the sky, disappearing in a flash.

Joyous and nimble like a wind sprite, fiercely tyrannical like blazing thunder, elusive and unpredictable like a void ghost! After a long while, the thunderstorm subsided, the lightning vanished, and the surging sword energy calmed down.

Only then did I regain my senses.

Yet, an unprecedented clarity and agility welled up inside me! I knew that in that moment just past, I had plunged into the peak state of my life’s greatest inspiration! And ultimately completed the refinement and summary of my own martial arts, etching it into my mind.

It was all thanks to the Dragon Shadow Sword in my hand that I achieved this! “Father is amazing,” Xingzhan jumped up excitedly.

“No wonder General Yinhu and the others called Father the invincible Black Flag War God of the world,” Xingye looked on with even greater reverence.

“Hahaha, of course,” Vanity is inherent in everyone, and the satisfaction is even stronger when praised by one's own son and daughter: “Practice well in the future; you two must inherit all of Father’s cultivation.” “Yes!” Both were ecstatic, eagerly snatching my Dragon Shadow Sword and running off to the side to study and ponder! And I subconsciously gazed toward the distant Throne City, its towering walls! “With Fengtian here and Dragon Shadow in hand! I am now my strongest self! Yueche, just you wait!” The next day! Outside the perimeter defense line below the city wall, the area was packed with countless figures! Everyone was poised, staring fixedly at the massive city wall before them! And my gaze was locked tightly on Yueche, who stood surrounded by guards on the rampart! His figure, taller and mightier than ordinary men, combined with his silver armor and astonishing aura, made him resemble a terrifying demon god, intimidating every person present.

For a long time, Yueche had been the embodiment of invincibility.

Perhaps as long as he stood there, no enemy could set foot inside Throne City.

This long-held perception caused an uncontainable sense of powerlessness and defeat in everyone facing the impregnable fortress of the Throne.

Even those who had been supremely confident moments before now showed looks of fear.

And I was acutely aware of how much Yueche’s undefeated image would damage our morale.

No matter what, I had to break this deadlock; only by defeating Yueche could the decadence of our army’s spirit be reversed.

“Great Chieftain, allow this King to first dampen their spirit.” “Does Your Highness mean...” Suiyun looked at me in astonishment.

“Precisely!” I said confidently, “A battle is due sooner or later; better to fight now and decide the outcome.” “Good! Allow me to personally beat the war drums and cheer for Your Highness.” Suiyun was overjoyed.

Rumble, rumble, rumble! The deep war drums roared into the sky! “Black Flag shall prevail.” “Marshal is invincible.” “Go, Father!” Yinhu, Yintao, Xingye, and Xingzhan all shouted crazily in support of me.

And the soldiers of the Snowfield Tribe were equally high in spirit, cheering loudly! The Mammoth Beast King let out a wild roar, carrying me, and charged like a whirlwind past the defense line, arriving at the open ground beneath the city wall! “Old man Yueche, do you have the guts to come down for a life-and-death duel?” No one expected me to be so reckless, so arrogant, challenging Yueche alone by shouting insults! Everyone on the city wall was stunned, staring blankly for a moment before suddenly snapping back to reality, unleashing a deluge of arrows and magic that rained down upon us! However, the giant creature didn’t even bother to dodge, merely letting out a fierce roar toward the heavens! A powerful Beast King Battle Qi suddenly exploded around us, instantly erecting a thick wall of energy! Boom! Rumble, rumble! Innumerable magic arrows slammed violently against the golden energy shield but were violently repelled! After a while, the dense barrage stopped! But the Mammoth and I stood unscathed on the field, while the scattered arrows and fragments of magic explosions around us formed circles of wave-like ripples extending outward, an unsettling and eerie sight.

The giant beast responded with a scornful roar, swaggering in a circle! Showing that not a single hair on its body was harmed! “Ah! Heavens, what is that monster!” “Completely unharmed.” When they saw that the Mammoth and I were intact, everyone on the wall was astounded! “Hahaha! Throne City is nothing more than this.

Even my mount standing still cannot be harmed!” I pressed the advantage, “Old man Yueche, send away these shrimp soldiers and crab generals.

The real fight is down here on the field.” “Fine!” “Well done, Your Highness.” “Black Flag shall prevail.” “Father is so cool.” ..................

Behind us, in our distant camp, the cheers were deafening! Clearly, the might displayed by the giant beast had finally raised the morale of our troops! “Insolent brat, seeking death, I shall grant your wish.” Yueche on the city wall was furious enough to blow smoke from all seven orifices! He quickly vanished.

A moment later, the city gate suddenly burst open! Then, a torrent of white rushed out! It was Yueche riding a magnificent giant wolf, charging forward like a whirlwind! Behind him followed dozens of personal guards! All of them had ferocious expressions and murderous intent.

Finally, I had baited him out.

Gently squeezing my legs, The giant beast roared and suddenly exerted force, charging forward! The Dragon Shadow Sword in my hand had already connected with the specially made spear shaft, combining to form the Dragon Shadow Spear, designed for mounted combat! This was a congratulatory gift specially sent by Lu Tong after Xingzhan and Xingye came of age! In truth, Lu Tong had crafted this specifically for me to use the Dragon Shadow Sword in a mounted state, based on my requirements.

However, after I suddenly collapsed, this completed Dragon Shadow Spear was shelved in Lu Tong’s collection room, along with the armor specially crafted for the giant creature! It was only upon learning that Xingye and Xingzhan had inherited my sword techniques and become the new masters of the giant beast that it was sent as a congratulatory gift to the Demon Dragon Empire for Xingye and Xingzhan! It could be considered the fulfillment of the agreement made long ago in the Demon Sealing Empire! But the giant creature had mastered the Beast King Battle Qi, so its defense was already monstrously strong.

Consequently, the armor was never worn by the Mammoth.

In Xingye’s view, wearing the armor would only restrict the creature’s speed and agility.

Therefore, aside from the specialized helmet for its head, the Mammoth’s body was protected by the existing light armor—though this light armor had long since been shredded into pieces during the continuous campaigns on the Snow Domain Continent, leaving only that special helmet! But this did not affect the creature much! Now, the Mammoth’s Beast King Battle Qi, combined with the Fengtian Barrier of my Fengtian Demon Armor and the aura of the Nine Dragons Guard within my body, merged to form the strongest defensive Battle Qi.

Furthermore, the Dragon Shadow Spear in my hand was custom-made for me by Lu Tong; both its materials and forging process were carefully selected.

It could not only exert the mounted power of a Knight’s Lance but also control the Dragon Shadow on the Dragon Shadow Sword via the shaft—the perfect combination of a Knight’s Lance and the Dragon Shadow Sword! In my current mounted state, I possess the strongest configuration! I am confident of having the guaranteed strength to defeat any opponent! And Yueche is the first person I will use to test my might!